Author: Blake Foster

This year’s ‘Story Garden’ theme is on nature and the great outdoors — but they can read anything and collect rewards. Children sign up to take part, with the librarian helping them find books and get free sticker booklets to collect rewards and to set themselves a reading goal that unlocks ‘digital goodies’ and helps them earn a certificate. Activities at Hornsey Library in Haringey Park include a one-hour ‘mini cacti’ craft session on August 20 from 3.30pm, where youngsters can design their own collection of cactus plants showing how they adapt to survive in dry environments. It is suitable for ages five-plus.…

It was announced that the Black Sabbath singer died at the age of 76 on Tuesday, July 22, seeing tributes from across the music industry. An image of Osbourne was projected towards the end of the set, after the band played ‘Live Forever’. Lead singer Liam then said: “I wanna dedicate this one to Ozzy Osbourne, rock ‘n’ roll star,” before playing the band’s song of the same name. Oasis pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the end of “Live Forever” in Londonpic.twitter.com/SVB50x23Nh — Oasis Mania (@OasisMania) July 25, 2025 Oasis fans reacted positively in the stadium and on social…

Around an hour from Romford by car or train, Southend-on-Sea is a famous spot for a day out at the seaside. However, if you plan on swimming, it is always best to check the water quality ahead of time. The Environment Agency assesses designated bathing sites across the country, taking regular water samples over the summer and issuing daily pollution risk forecasts. READ MORE: Southend: The Essex seaside city a short drive from Romford Out of the eight bathing spots dotted along the Southend coast, four are rated “excellent” for their water quality – while the other half are classified as “good”. These ratings are…

A report was presented to cabinet members on Tuesday (July 22) stating Barnet Council’s overspend for 2025/26 was now predicted to hit £5 million. This is after £3 million of planned reserve drawdowns. The council’s cabinet member for finance Cllr Simon Radford said: “While there is an overspend, in terms of the governance and scrutiny we’ve put in, our reforms are actually working and we’re coming in closer to budget.” He also said it would be “continuing to press” the Government on its fair funding formula, which is currently being reviewed and consulted on. Cllr Radford said: “There’s a consultation and…

If you are, you could bag yourself a free pint, but there’s a catch. Stonegate Group has announced what it calls Britain’s biggest ever free pint giveaway for this Sunday’s Women’s Euros final on July 27. How to claim your free pint at Stonegate Group pubs You can find your nearest Stonegate Group pub on the search function of the MiXR app. The free drink is available to be redeemed from the end of Sunday’s match but only if England win. If the Lionesses win the match, you can claim a free pint of Amstel, Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti, Heineken or…

The Reform UK candidate received 1,342 votes, defeating Ian Frederick Payne of the Local Conservatives, who garnered 1,161 votes. Labour’s Elizabeth Hookway Morgan secured 720 votes, while Laura Christine McCracken of the Liberal Democrats received 540 votes. Ruth Fabricant of the Green Party finished with 185 votes. The by-election, held on July 24, saw a turnout of 28 per cent. Source link

Hamza Kamali will serve a minimum of 25 years in jail after he was found guilty of murdering 38-year-old Saley Beya outside a nightclub in Romford Road on August 10 last year. On the evening of August 9 that year, Saley and his friends attended a party in Stratford before continuing their night at a nightclub on Romford Road at 2.30am. Around an hour later, they were all outside when one of Saley’s friends became involved in an altercation with a group of men who were known to Kamali. Saley Beya died after being attacked (Image: Met Police) Kamali, 29,…

EE is expanding its 5G standalone network this summer, aiming to cover more than half of the UK population by the end of August. This next-generation network is designed to support smoother livestreaming, improved video calling, and better mobile gaming. Greg McCall, chief networks officer at BT Group, said: “Whether you are video calling from a crowded train station, livestreaming on social media from a sold-out concert, or simply staying in touch with your family and friends over the summer holidays, 5G standalone on EE makes your experience smoother, faster and more secure. “Delivering a high-quality mobile experience every day…

Two fire engines from Stanmore Fire Station and an Operational Support Unit attended the scene at 4.32pm. Crews worked to protect both residential and commercial properties from standing water and to redirect floodwater. Kenton Lane remains closed in both directions between The Avenue and College Hill Road, with diversions in place. Bus routes H18 and H19 have also been affected by the closure. A council statement released on July 23 at 9am said: “We are aware of another burst water main on London Road, Stanmore for which diversions are in place while urgent repair works are carried out by Affinity…

Iuliu Kubola, of Richie Street, Islington, was caught on CCTV on May 6, 2025, breaking into a restaurant on Threadneedle Street in the City of London and making off with 73 bottles of wine. Footage showed him putting the bottles into a wheelie bin before loading it into his pedicab. He was arrested on June 22 at around 12.30am after a police officer spotted him and identified him as a person of interest following a police briefing. PC Jordan Felstead approached Kubola, who was stopped outside a bar on Cornhill. Further inquiries by the Criminal Investigation Department linked Kubola to a series of burglaries.…