Author: Blake Foster

The Pipe Major, in Yewtree Avenue, shut early yesterday (August 4) and remained closed to punters today (August 5) after a water leak at the venue.  A spokesperson for pub company Marston’s, which owns the boozer, confirmed that the mains had to be shut off to allow for repairs.  They added that there has been “no ceiling collapse” at the venue. READ MORE: The Pipe Major, Dagenham pub reopens after £300k refurb The spokesperson said: “We can confirm that The Pipe Major temporarily closed early yesterday due to a water leak, which required the mains to be shut off to allow for…

Developer Adenbuild Construction has appealed the council’s decision, taking the case out of local hands and up to the Planning Inspectorate. The proposal, which was rejected in June, sought to demolish The Trafalgar on High Path and build a four-storey block with six flats and a smaller bar space on the ground floor. Councillors rejected the application, citing the “substantial harm” the scheme would do to the area’s heritage, social fabric and identity. Now, the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol will decide the pub’s fate. Members of the public have until August 22 to make their views known via the government’s…

Bishops Avenue Gardens will be made up of 36 meticulously designed apartments housed in four buildings within 2.5 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. It’s on the site of Oak Lodge, a 1920s mansion in The Bishops Avenue that is thought to have stood empty for many years and which went up in flames in June 2022. The courtyard garden in the new development which will be called Bishops Avenue Gardens. (Image: Courtesy of Valouran) Now, future residents will enjoy “five star hotel-inspired facilities” including a swimming pool fitness suite, spa, library, and impressive entrance lobby. The basement and frame are complete and developers Valouran have…

“Gentle giant” Edward Gorecki, 32, was found unresponsive in the bath on Christmas Eve by his partner. An ambulance was sent to his home in Ballards Road, Dagenham, but his life could not be saved. An inquest at East London Coroner’s Court found Mr Gorecki had died of fluid on the lungs and heart disease. But his death was contributed to by the “drug toxicity”, which had a “respiratory depressant effect”. “Mr Gorecki regularly injected steroids and non-prescribed insulin as part of his bodybuilding programme,” said coroner Nadia Persaud. He had also taken painkiller codeine and anxiety medication diazepam. An inquest…

It follows after the Metropolitan Police previously said that the death of 60-year-old Nkiru Chiba could be linked. Emergency services were first called to Romford station on July 27 this year to reports of a casualty on the tracks and a 20-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers were later called to a home on Bushy Close later that day at around 9pm, to concerns for the welfare of a woman. Nkiru was found with multiple stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Days after the investigation, police said early enquiries indicated that the two knew each…

It comes just weeks after Lewisham Council called for extended hours on the DLR to improve transport connections in south east London. Amid uncertainty over funding for a Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham, the local authority said that a night time service on the DLR “could be delivered through a lesser level of investment”. “The council believes that this could be achieved within the confines of the existing DLR network – possibly without the need for signalling improvements,” the council said. “The only possible barrier to implementing this service improvement is capacity of on-board staff.” Although the DLR is automated,…

Police were called to Deacon Road on Monday (August 4) at 2.04pm to reports of a crash involving a pedestrian and a van. At the scene the boy was found injured and taken to hospital. His injuries have since been confirmed to be non-life threatening or changing. The driver of the van stopped at the scene and is supporting police with the investigation. There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries are ongoing. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “On Monday, 4 August at 14:02hrs police were called to Deacon Road, NW2 following reports of a road traffic collision,…

Tony Roe oversees more than 2,300 students in his role as headteacher of Barking Abbey School in Sandringham Road.  In recent years, and like many schools across London, surrounding roads and parks have become the scenes of police incidents.  Since Mr Roe assumed his position as head in 2020, Newsquest London understands there have been five stabbings of young people nearby. One pupil was stabbed in Longbridge Road and left in life-threatening condition.  The approach to knife crime in schools is one that has changed following a decision taken in May that saw safer schools officers (SSOs) dissolved.  SSOs were first introduced…

The free drop-in sessions do not require booking and are ideal for children and their parents or carers. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Organised by the Community Health & Wellbeing team and supported by local councils, the sessions offer a variety of activities. These include sports equipment, bikes, and arts and crafts. Additionally, some sessions will feature Dr Bike, who provides free bike health checks. The sessions will take place at various locations throughout the region. Abridge Village Hall Field will host sessions on Monday, July 28, and Friday, August 8, both from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, with…

Officers were called to reports of an assault in Whernside Close just before 12.15pm today (August 5).  London Ambulance Service crews also attended and found a man who had been stabbed in the arm.  His injuries were assessed as potentially life-changing.  No arrests have been made at this stage.  A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 12.14pm s on Tuesday, 5 August following reports of an assault on Whernside Close, SE28.  “Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and a man in his 20s was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his arm.  “His injuries…