Author: Blake Foster

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that it is pressing ahead with planned changes to routes 45 and 59 despite widespread concern from local people in a consultation. Route 45 currently runs between Elephant & Castle and Clapham via Camberwell and Brixton. But its timetable will now be amended during February next year so that it instead travels between Camberwell and Morden. The changes have been proposed so that the route can replace the 118 between Brixton and Morden, which will be scrapped at the same time. To maintain bus services that would otherwise be lost between Clapham Park and…

The council has launched a consultation aimed at simplifying the scheme while still providing assistance to the most vulnerable residents. A council spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity for you to shape the future of a programme that impacts thousands of households. “We understand that navigating the current system can be complicated and frustrating. “That’s why we’re proposing changes to simplify the process, making it more transparent and fairer for everyone.” The council believes that the community’s feedback will be instrumental in ensuring the support reaches those who need it most, while also making the delivery process more efficient. The…

Enfield Council secured an interim injunction by the High Court on December 4, which gives itself and police extra powers to deal with dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour at unauthorised car meets. These gatherings tend to involve people showing off their cars, performing dangerous stunts and driving at high speeds. They normally attract large groups of spectators, which the council believes increases the risks of potential accidents or antisocial behaviour. Such illegal meets are known to sometimes take place near the A10 and other areas in the borough. With the new injunction granted, people taking part in this could face…

Chances are many of you will be taking some festive road trips over the next few weeks.   Whether you’re heading north or further south, visiting a Christmas event or catching up with loved ones, finding a place of interest will not just break up the journey, it could be informative, too. English Heritage has sites and events taking place up and down the country so there’s likely to be a scenic stop-off on the way. Some of the charity’s historic sites are near main roads and motorways so they make an excellent alternative to busy and congested service stations!…

But while there have been many stage adaptations of Tove Jansson’s beloved books, none have so far included circus tricks. Now, Jacksons Lane has created a children’s show based on Jansson’s short story The Fir Tree, featuring the adventurous Moomin family – alongside music, juggling, and acrobatics. Christmas Comes to Moominvalley runs at Jacksons Lane until January 5. (Image: Courtesy of Jacksons Lane) Jansson’s family remain the keepers of the global phenomenon that is the Moomins and license uses of the characters. So it was lucky that Chief Executive Roleff Kråkström and his wife, Jansson’s niece Sophia, had seen a show at the Highgate arts centre. “We were…

The museum celebrates the untold history of a century of teenage life in Britain and is due to open a permanent home in Georgiana Street, Camden, next year. But before that, they are urging people across the UK to rifle through their shoebox of treasures and bring along photos, flyers, ticket stubs, band T-shirts, home movies and memories of teenage rites of passage to a series of Show and Tell events at Fred Perry stores. The Museum of Youth will be at Camden’s Fred Perry store on Friday collecting images and memories for its archive. (Image: Katelyn Slyer) Images and ephemera will be scanned and added to the museum’s Grown Up in Britain archive…

A ‘fast track’ health programme has been started with GP surgeries working with pharmacists across north London to combat viruses evolving during the winter months, with new strains emerging that could hit vulnerable people such as the elderly. “Preventative measures are crucial to safeguard our health and those around us,” Oak Lodge surgery nurse Huma Devraj said. “This is to help reduce the spread of illness in vulnerable populations especially for anyone eligible for flu, Covid or RSV vaccinations.”  Doctors and pharmacists are being featured in an NHS programme called ‘Your Local Health Team’ to give health services “that human feel”,…

The Arsenal players met youngsters on the wards and one family staying in the neonatal unit. Elliot Sandamas, a 12-year-old “big Arsenal fan”, was overjoyed. “I was bit nervous but really excited to meet them,” he said. “My family are all Arsenal, so they’ll be very jealous that I met them.” Kay Stone, mum of 13-year-old Dora Stone, was also thrilled to meet goalkeeper David and left-back Kiernan — even though she and her husband support Spurs! Nevertheless, Kay admits it was “a lovely initiative this time of year”. The players also met newborn twins Jhené and Josiah and their mum…

Packford Opticians in Woodford was established in 1979 by Chris Packford. Chris, who first qualified in 1966, has now retired at the age of 81. He worked in a number of optical settings, including the Mental Health Hospital in Claybury and providing a specialist dispensing clinic at the Great Ormond Street Hospital within a facial clinic. Chris said: “The practice has become the first port of call for accurate paediatrics dispensing for families in Redbridge and Waltham Forest as well as serving those with microtia (only one ear or earlobe). “I’m very proud of what we have achieved at Packford Opticians…

In its recent inspection, conducted throughout late October, Ofsted agreed the school had taken effective action to maintain the standards. During its recent inspection, Chestnut Park Primary School, on St James’s Road in West Croydon, maintained top marks across all assessment areas. The report notes how staff set clear expectations for pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, fostering an environment where children excel. The school is also praised for its strong sense of community, with families playing an active role through events like the annual summer carnival. Ofsted inspectors found this celebration brought together diverse student-based music, dance, and food, creating a vibrant…