Author: Blake Foster

The Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) said restoration work was needed on both buildings after they showed signs of serious deterioration, having last undergone renovations in the 1980s. The Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) said restoration work was needed on both buildings after they showed signs of serious deterioration. (Image: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew/PA) The project is not expected to start until 2027 and the greenhouses will close for up to five years once the changes begin to take place. Home to tropical and sub-tropical plants, the Palm House was originally completed in 1848, while the Waterlily House opened in 1852 to…

Essex Police officers were called to High Road on July 15 with reports of a man shouting racial abuse directed to The Bell Hotel.  At the scene, the man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.  He was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after the property was damaged.  He has been released on bail pending further enquiries. It is the latest incident in High Road, coming just days after two men were injured in what is being treated as a racially aggravated assault.  Two male security guards suffered significant injuries in High Road on…

The initiative, called ’20 is Plenty – Make it Seen!’, aims to combat the rising number of near-misses and accidents around Crest Academy in Crest Road, Neasden, where staff say drivers routinely ignore the existing 20 mph speed limit. Headteacher Andrea Rosewell said: “The current signs don’t command attention. “We empowered our students to create solutions ensuring drivers see and heed the life-saving limit that already exists.” MP and councillors back children’s call for action on Neasden speeding (Image: Crest Academy) The competition had more than 500 entries, with six students’ designs chosen as the winners. These were Jawhara Haider from Year 7,…

The Bafta-nominated actor, known for his roles in Jesus of Nazareth and Holby City, claims he has sent 570 photographs of bikes blocking the pavement to the council. Mr Powell, 81, claims he and his wife Barbara Lord have had up to 100 bikes parked outside their Highgate home. He told the Camden New Journal: “You’ve got two octogenarians here who are in danger of being killed. “The entire pavement has been blocked by bikes. “Camden say they prioritise safety and safer travel, so do they know that allowing bikes on pavements is not safe for anyone?” Mr Powell said he was terrified…

There will be a by-election taking place in the Bromley Common and Holwood ward on Thursday, July 24 after Cllr Jonathan Laidlaw died in May. Cllr Laidlaw was elected to Bromley Council on May 6, 2022 to represent Bromley Common and Holwood and most recently served on the Pensions Committee, Rights of Way Sub-Committee and the Bromley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE). Following the announcement of his death, Council Leader Cllr Colin Smith said: “As we mourn the loss of Councillor Laidlaw, our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with Jonathan’s family and friends at this sad time.” There…

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. Kebatu, 38, previously appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on July 10 where he pled not guilty to three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence, Essex Police said. The offences are alleged to have occurred in Epping Forest District, Essex, on July 7 and July 8. Kebatu, of High Road, Epping, is alleged on July 7 to have approached a group of children who were eating pizza and tried to kiss a 14-year-old girl, as…

The four-year-old springer spaniel, named Skye, found the stash during an enforcement operation last month. While patrolling with trading standards officers, Skye detected a suspicious scent coming from a locked box attached to a bike outside a shop. Abu Talha Chowdhury, cabinet member for public protection and integrated enforcement, said: “Counterfeit cigarettes, unregulated vapes, and unlicensed medicines can be really dangerous and have no place on our high streets. “We take a proactive approach to smoke out illegal trading in Tower Hamlets and regularly use sniffer dogs, so there’s no place for such trading to hide. “I’d like to thank…

The incident at Dagenham Heathway station was reported shortly after 9.25pm yesterday (July 16). At the scene, officers searched the area but found no trace of a victim or anyone else involved.  A spokesperson for Transport for London confirmed that the station was closed “at the request of the police” from 9.50pm until the end of service.  An investigation has since been launched into the report.  Anyone with information is asked to contact police by texting 61016, quoting reference 655 of July 16.  READ MORE: Almost 1,300 illegal vapes seized from Barking and Dagenham shops A spokesperson for the British Transport…

I tried a Bridgerton afternoon tea at one of the filming locations where they actually filmed the Netflix series. The Old Royal Naval College was named by IMDB as the top UK heritage filming location, with many well-known films and TV shows filmed there including Bridgerton. The iconic Naval College with its twin domes, 18th century Painted Hall and Chapel served as a filming location in the last three seasons of the Netflix hit series. So it would seem a no-brainer to have an afternoon tea at such a location. The iconic Naval College served as a filming location in the…

Yamatora is located in the Quarters apartment hotel building on the busy Finchley Road – but step through the doors and you will find an eye-catching elegant design and a tucked-away garden decorated with lights and greenery. The elegant design of screens, bamboo lights and Japanese posters is the setting for this fine dining restaurant. (Image: Yamatora) The fine dining Japanese restaurant specialises in premium sushi and sake – proudly sourcing 90% of its ingredients directly from Japan. The food offer includes a ten-course tasting menu, bottomless brunch, and meat or fish skewers cooked on a traditional robata grill, while drinks range from cocktails to a curated sake…