Author: Blake Foster

A fire broke out at Beam Parklands, in Clemence Road, on Monday (July 14) – engulfing around eight hectares of grass, shrubland, trees, fences and garden furniture. Drone photos show the extent of the damage, with the fire stopping just short of numerous residential properties. Group commander for London Fire Brigade (LFB), Matt Hayward, said the 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters called to the scene worked “extremely hard” to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes. Firefighters worked ‘extremely hard’ to stop the fire spreading to homes (Image: Barry Jones/@Barryjonesphotography2021) READ MORE: East London grass fires: 245 firefighters called in…

A planning application has been submitted to Havering Council to bulldoze the former TDI Autos at 3-7 The Parade, along Southend Arterial Road (A127), and build a new retail unit.  This unit would have a total of 538 sq metres of floorspace, spread over two storeys – although the plans do not make clear what type of shop would move into the site. Planning documents – drawn up by Spatial Design Architects on behalf of applicant GDI Developments LLP – reveal that the ground level would feature a “large commercial floor area”, as well as staff areas and a loading…

Ms Abbott was previously suspended from the party after she suggested in 2023 that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice, but not racism. She later apologised for the remarks and was readmitted just in time to stand as the Labour candidate in her seat at the general election last year. But in an interview broadcast this week, Ms Abbott, the Mother of the House who has been an MP since 1987, said she did not regret the incident, which led to a second suspension. Following her suspension, Ms Abbott told BBC Newsnight: “It is obvious this Labour leadership wants me…

A total of 16 parks in the borough have won a Green Flag award – an international mark of quality which recognises the best kept green spaces in the UK and across the world.  This is the fifth year in a row that Havering has been home to 16 award-winning parks. The 2025 winners – including Bedfords Park, Raphael Park, and Upminster Park – were announced on Tuesday (July 15) by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. A Green Flag award sign at Raphael Park (Image: Charlotte Anderson) READ MORE: Controversial plans for 11-hectare energy hub on green belt land in Upminster decided READ MORE: Hornchurch…

The victim was asleep on a Southwestern Railway service from Surbiton to Basingstoke between 11.40pm on Saturday, June 14, and just after midnight into Sunday, June 15, when he suddenly felt water on him and woke. After making a noise, he was threatened by another passenger, who warned he would “punch him” if he reacted again—before following through on the threat and launching a violent assault. The man was punched several times in the unprovoked attack. Fellow passengers stepped in to try and break it up. The victim got off the train at Walton-on-Thames. The suspect is believed to have…

The walkout—which occurred during a meeting on July 16—was prompted by a Conservative councillor being allowed to amend a motion that was first tabled to be brought before the council in July 2022. Cllr Richard Diment’s motion, which was originally put forward by Cllr Kurtis Christoforides, concerned policing. It criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan for not providing Bexley with its “fair share” of police officers. Since three years had passed since the motion was first tabled, Cllr Diment proposed to make several amendments to it. The initial motion praised the previous Conservative government’s police recruitment numbers, and was critical of…

Students from Christ’s Church of England Secondary School in Richmond took part in the nine-mile Walk and Talk or Run for Fun event in Richmond Park on June 27, raising £7,805 for Richmond Borough Mind. The event was designed as both a fundraiser and a mental health awareness campaign, uniting the whole school community in support of a cause close to their hearts. Matthew Morris, deputy headteacher and designated safeguarding lead at Christ’s School, said: “Mental health is something that affects every young person in some way. “This walk helped us take action together – for our own wellbeing and…

The latest act of vandalism was reported just before 11.30am on Wednesday (July 16), when officers were called to the square to find damage to part of an outdoor exhibition. The exhibition showcases 20 portraits alongside personal stories from people who came to the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and the 1970s. CCTV footage shows the suspect entering the square at 9.53am. He’s described as being between 30 and 40-years-old, medium build, and using a walking aid or crutch. He was last seen heading north along Brixton Road, passing Morley’s department store. Police have released an image…

The latest help centre has been opened in Shoreditch by Tower Hamlets Council next to the Boundary Estate in Calvert Avenue. You can get help under one roof without having to navigate through online options. “We can’t just push everyone online,” the council’s equalities and social inclusion cabinet member Bodrul Choudhury said. “We need to meet everyone’s needs, to be flexible and cater for the demand with a population of 300,000 and more than 100 languages spoken.” Help is at hand — from filling in housing benefit or Blue Badge application forms to paying council tax. MORE NEWS: ‘Hero’ dog helps…

An appeal is being renewed by the Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green for people “to help make a difference” to the lives of seriously unwell children and their families. Volunteers are needed to run its seven fundraising charity shops. Grandmother Sian Keirle helps at the Leytonstone shop after she lost her job in the City. “I wanted to do something meaningful after being made redundant,” she said. “Supporting a local charity really appealed to me, doing something that helps others.” The 60-year-old worked in the City for 34 years for client technology services who was responsible for a team of six staff.…