Author: Blake Foster

22-year-old Jaden Ramen of Myra Close in Colliers Wood has been charged as part of an ongoing National Crime Agency investigation into the seizure of more than half a tonne of cannabis at Birmingham Airport. He and 10 others, aged between 21 and 35, were arrested after Border Force found the drugs packed into 22 separate suitcases in August 2024. They had all been travelling from Thailand and had a layover at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The cannabis weighed a total of 510 kilos and would have had a UK street value of £13.8 million. Those charged were: Ryan…

The semi-detached Millbrook Gardens, Gidea Park property, which has more than 2,100 sq ft of living space and a 120ft garden, is on the market for offers more than £700,000. According to estate agents Stanton Hockett, the home is in “immaculate condition” and features a bright layout, including two en-suite bedrooms. Kitchen with gas hob, tiled splashback and view over rear garden (Image: Stanton Hockett) The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom, while the second bedroom also has its own private en-suite. The home also has off-street parking, a garage, and a rear garden, which the…

The voyage by the Tall Ships Youth Trust for 40 young people introduces them to the world of sailing and outdoor learning out on the ocean, paid for by a £10,000 gift from the London Freemasons. “We create safe but challenging environments at sea,” the youth trust’s chief executive Alastair Floyd said. “They start shaping better futures through this ocean-based programme, developing emotional resilience and growing into leadership roles.” Youngster steering her own path at sea (Image: TSYT) Opportunities like this can feel completely out of reach in the inner city, the Freemasons point out. The youths face adversity through…

Other major schemes include the redevelopment of barns at Canes Farm, Hastingwood, for four new houses, and new details on a solar energy project at Nickerlands, Stanford Rivers. Here is the list of all the applications validated this week. Waterlees, Harlow Common, Hastingwood, Harlow, CM17 9JD. Outline application for demolition of all existing buildings and construction of 12 two-storey detached dwellings and garages. Ref. No: EPF/2016/25 The Bays, Dunmow Road, Fyfield, Ongar, CM5 0NW. Two storey rear infill extension, single storey front extension, garage conversion, raising ridge height for a new first floor, and rendering of existing walls. Ref. No:…

The following individuals were sentenced to prison time in October for crimes committed in east London. Newham murderers Lekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita (Image: Met Police) Lekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita, both of no fixed abode, have been jailed for life for the 2017 murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah in a convenience shop in Newham . A murder investigation was launched on April 2, 2017, after police were called to reports of an incident inside a shop in Freemasons Road. CCTV footage showed 24-year-old Ahmed Deen-Jah entering the shop to buy a cigarette lighter at around 3.20pm. He returned less than…

The spacious property, located on Nicholl Road, is listed for a hefty £1,375,000. According to Montagues Estate Agents, the house is just a short walk from Epping High Street and the Central Line Station. Dining area with rear-facing windows, located off main living space (Image: Montagues Estate Agents) Living/dining room with windows overlooking the rear garden (Image: Montagues Estate Agents) The estate agents said: “As soon as you walk into the entrance hallway you get a real sense of space with the ground floor offering three double bedrooms, a good size living/dining room, a modern high gloss fitted kitchen, a…

A notice shared on the Public Notice Portal has revealed details of the potential closure in East Hall Lane starting from next month. It is proposed that East Hall Lane will be closed to road users between its junctions with Church Lane and New Road, with no waiting or loading permitted. Traffic could be diverted along Wennington Road, New Road, Upminster Road South and Ingrebourne Road if the closure goes ahead. Planned works for the road include drainage, kerb, and carriageway resurfacing. READ MORE: Three major development proposals in Havering you should know about The closure has yet to be…

The community gardens at the Hugh Myddelton care home in Old Farm Avenue, Southgate, is tended by volunteer Pat Shackleton and residents’ ambassador Rosa Bertolino. Now it has received the ‘Best Communal Gardens’ award in this year’s ‘Enfield in Bloom’ competition. “Our garden is a source of comfort and activity — not just a beautiful space,” care home manager Jade Shea said.  “This award is for our community who have worked so hard to make it flourish.” Pat and Rosa’s enthusiasm has been “key to the garden’s success”, the manager adds. Mayor of Enfield Margaret Greer presented the home with…

The submission involves internal changes alongside minor design adjustments to enhance safety compliance. Here is the list of all the applications validated this week: 55 Priory Avenue, Walthamstow, London, E17 7QP. Prior approval for a single storey rear extension extending 4.10m from the rear wall, with a maximum height of 4.00m and eaves height of 3.00m. Ref. No: 252520 51 Elmfield Road, Chingford, London, E4 7HT. Prior approval for a single storey rear extension extending 4.00m from the rear wall, with a maximum height of 4.40m and eaves height of 3.40m. Ref. No: 252517 17 Leadale Avenue, Chingford, London, E4…

But an Islington primary school that uses its very own pond to teach pupils about wildlife fears that opportunity could be lost if it can’t carry out urgent repairs. Tufnell Park Primary School’s 25-year-old pond – a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation – is leaking away, and its pond-dipping platform is collapsing and becoming unusable. Tufnell Park Primary School’s wildlife pond and garden has lost much of its water (Image: Tufnell Park Primary School) Last spring, the school lost all its tadpoles due to a lack of water. “If we can’t restore the pond this winter, we’ll miss…