Author: Blake Foster

This week, the Recorder is looking back at the history of Hornchurch Country Park: a 257-acre green space “famous” for its fascinating military background. The northern part of the park was once Suttons Farm, part of the Manor of Suttons, while the southern part was within Dover’s Manor and later became Albyns Farm – with the old farm buildings still there today.  Its military use began during the First World War, when the War Ministry started to search the countryside for potential airfields close to London and the Thames. Lt Robinson and his fellow pilots Wulstan Tempest and Frederick Sowrey at…

The event, branded as “one of the UK’s most important literary festivals” by the Evening Standard, will take place from October 16 to October 26. A host of renowned figures, including John Cooper Clarke, Lemn Sissay, and Lady Hale, are slated to attend, alongside esteemed novelists Alexander McCall Smith, Anthony Horowitz, and Jonathan Coe. John Cooper Clarke, the legendary punk poet, will perform at Wimbledon BookFest 2025, bringing his sharp wit and iconic verse to the festival’s eclectic programme (Image: Paul Wolfgang Webster) This year’s extravaganza will also witness insightful discussions with Mary Portas, Johnny Ball, and Lynda La Plante,…

Listed at £1,650,000, each house offers around 4,500 square feet of living space, according to the listing. The properties are described as “brand-new detached family residences” and are said to be located “in the heart of Croydon”. Central fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, a central island, and access to open-plan living areas (Image: CC Gray Estates) Each home contains seven bedrooms, including three with en-suite bathrooms. The listing states the layout offers “superb flexibility for growing families, home offices, or guest accommodation”. Five bathrooms are included in total. A fitted kitchen sits at the centre of each house. Open-plan living…

People living in Kilmartin Avenue, Norbury have been complaining for years about abandoned or half-repaired cars clogging up their street. After the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited to report on the issue, Croydon Council took action to clear them. Mayor Jason Perry said this was part of his “zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime and antisocial behaviour”. However, locals say the intervention was years overdue, and local alleys are still being used to store and repair vehicles. “Mr Perry is showboating on this now, trying to claim he has a zero tolerance on this kind of thing. “We have been…

The London-born actor, known for appearing in the Marvel universe and Netflix series, along with Gladiator II, A Quiet Place: Day One, and Warfare, shared that he thinks the best restaurant in London is Mountain in Soho. Speaking to the food and travel account TOPJAW, which focuses on food and travel, Quinn revealed that he particularly enjoys the omelettes at Mountain. Quinn shared: “I like watching the omelette station.” He added that he also likes the sobrassada: “I like it raw, with a gherkin”. Mountain, the Soho restaurant loved by Joseph Quinn Mountain on Beak Street was previously awarded a one-star…

In the 90s, Pino Ianelli opened a barbershop in Shirley, but the venture was short-lived, closing its doors just a few years later. At the start of the new millennium, the barbershop Franco & Pino reopened with Pino’s then-teenage son, Franco, by his side. Franco, now 41, told Your Local Guardian: “I’ve lived in Shirley all my life. “My dad’s been in the Shirley area, in the barbershop, since 1990. “He had to give it up at some point, but when I turned 17, we reopened in Shirley. “Since 2000, we’ve been doing it together, and now my son’s doing…

The Street Scene Priority Taskforce, launched by Harlow Council, will focus on removing old signs, damaged railings, and other neglected street furniture. Harlow Council’s cabinet member for environment Cllr Nicky Purse said: “We are renewing our neighbourhoods – street by street, estate by estate. “This taskforce is about restoring pride and delivering on our promise to renew every corner of our town. “Residents told us they were fed up with damaged railings, old signs and neglected areas being left untouched – so we’ve taken action.” A pilot programme earlier this year saw more than 600 clean-up jobs completed in just a few…

Brooke Wilkinson, 17, was last seen five days ago, according to Essex Police. “We are very concerned for her welfare and are asking the public to help us find her,” a police spokesperson added. The teenager, from Brentwood, is described as wearing glasses and having brown hair. She also has links to Chelmsford. CCTV images of Brooke Wilkinson released by Essex Police (Image: Essex Police) Police have released CCTV images of the 17-year-old wearing light grey checked bottoms and a grey t-shirt. She can also be seen carrying a black rucksack over her shoulder, with her long hair held up…

Alaia’s Brasserie is the latest addition to the town’s growing eatery portfolio, which also welcomed Sal’s Brasserie in April and Table Twenty Three in June among others.  The restaurant in Corbets Tey Road has replaced former Turkish restaurant Lefke Bar & Grill at number 30.  According to its website, Alaia’s is a brasserie, lounge, grill and bar serving a wide range of cuisines from Italian to Mediterranean-style dishes, as well as breakfast and dessert.  Alaia’s is understood to have held a grand opening for the eatery on August 1, debuting a modern interior with table lights, wall mirrors, marble table…

Sir Henry’s, in Romford Road, Aveley, is a restaurant and pub with almost 750 years of history – and lots of stories to show for it. The venue takes its name from Henry Gernett, a former sheriff and executioner of Essex who rented the land during the 1300s. While the original building – built around 1275 – has suffered numerous fires over the centuries, parts of the historic structure are still standing, including the entire front of the restaurant. A headless horseman is rumoured to ride the grounds of Sir Henry’s (Image: Sir Henry’s) READ MORE: Upminster brunch spot allowed to stay open…