Author: Blake Foster

As part of the Gezint project, members of Hackney’s orthodox Jewish community have been putting together food packages at the Yad Voezer day centre in Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill, ready for the patients and for families in need. ‘Gezint’ is a Yiddish word for ‘blessing’ that is spoken when someone falls ill or even just sneezes – similar to Gesundheit in German. The project delivers pallets of essential supplies each week to the centre where volunteers including youngsters with special needs help label and package the items. This also gives the youngsters some work experience and a sense of purpose and inclusion. Hackney’s mayor Caroline Woodley dropped…

The London Ambulance Service was called at around 12.30pm yesterday (August 7) after a collision in Brentwood Road. Two ambulance crews and two paramedics were sent to the scene where a man in his 50s was treated and then taken to a major trauma centre as a priority. The road was partially blocked both ways. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the man’s injuries were deemed non-life changing. A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to a collision between a motorbike and a car on Brentwood Road, Romford, at 12.41hrs on Thursday, August 7. “A man in his 50s was taken to…

Havering Council has received a planning application seeking to completely redevelop the Jewson site in South Street.  The proposal requires planning permission for the “redevelopment of the existing builders merchants to provide a new builders merchants branch, including the demolition of the existing building”. The new branch would include a sales area, warehouse, tool hire and associated office under the new plans. There would also be car and cycle parking spaces, fencing and landscaping. At present the Jewson site, which spans more than 80,000 square feet, consists of a merchants branch building, two metal storage shelters, and an external area for storing,…

Essential maintenance work is set to cause disruption for thousands of commuters and freight vehicles from Friday, August 8 to Monday, August 11. National Highways has confirmed that surface works will take place over three consecutive nights, impacting the northbound tunnels of one of the UK’s busiest routes. The Dartford Crossing, which sees more than 150,000 vehicles a day, is a vital link between the south east and the rest of the country – making the scheduled closures a potential headache for motorists. Diversions will be clearly signposted via National Highways’ network and local routes. Friday, August 8 – Saturday,…

The London Ambulance Service was called to Liston Way at 6pm on August 7 with reports of an incident.  Ambulance crews were dispatched to the scene with an incident response officer.  London’s Air Ambulance, a charity that treats the city’s most seriously ill patients, was flown in to support colleagues.  Three people were found injured, with two suffering cut wounds.  They were taken to a major trauma centre.  READ MORE: Update issued on theatre, leisure centre and library impacted by crumbling concrete A third patient was taken to a local hospital.  Police were seen stood outside The Orchard Community Hall…

The Metropolitan Police was called to Station Parade at 9.11pm on August 7 with reports of an incident involving a group of people.  Officers were dispatched to the scene with the London Ambulance Service (LAS), where a 14-year-old boy was found injured.  He had suffered a cut to his face and was taken to hospital.  A 13-year-old girl was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.  A spokesperson for LAS said: “We were called at 9.20pm last night (7 August) to reports of person injured in Station Parade, Barking.  READ…

The emergency services were called to the A10 High Road outside South Tottenham Overground station around 5am today (August 8). Paramedics treated the biker for a leg injury and took him to hospital “as a priority”. His injuries have been deemed to be potentially life-changing. The driver of the other vehicle, a van, stopped at the scene and is helping with the investigation. The A10 remains closed by police. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 04:57hrs on Friday, 8 August following reports of a collision involving a car and a motorcycle.  “The motorcyclist was taken to hospital.…

She stepped down from the Labour government after controversy over her handling of a tenancy at a property she owns in east London. In a letter to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ms Ali said: “It is with a heavy heart that I offer you my resignation as a minister. “I believe I took my responsibilities and duties seriously, and the facts demonstrate this. “However, it is clear that continuing in my role will be a distraction from the ambitious work of the government. “I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position.” The BBC has reported that the…

Not only did they call them ‘very considerate’, but they also went as far as to say they ‘loved’ them. Fred de Fossard posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “An Amsterdam pub landlord said to me over the weekend: ‘I love the English. “‘You’re very considerate. You always bring your empty glasses back’. I thought that was interesting.” A user replied: Not a fan of the 3/4 pint though. Just got back from there this week. Barman straight pouring my pint, good couple inches of head (giggity) “would you mind topping that up please?” “You’re in Holland my friend, not…

One in six species are feared to be at risk of extinction in this country, it is pointed out. So the town hall is giving nature a helping hand by opening up areas to wildlife and creating ‘pollinator pathways’ for creatures like bees and butterflies which are vital to our ecosystems. Volunteers have stepped up to the plate creating their own community gardens and even adopting tree pits in their street. The Woodford Greeners are one group who started a project to create a mini orchard out of wasteland. “We noticed a patch of land which was quite a sorry…