Author: Blake Foster

On March 3, 2020, a man in his 30s was walking his weeks-old British bulldog puppy Spot when he noticed two men watching him from a white Mercedes.  The dog walker ran away when the men got out of the car, one of them wielding something shiny which looked like a knife, but the men caught up and threatened him before driving off with Spot.  Spot was later found wandering a street in Harlow, Essex, on his own and was returned to his owner relatively unharmed, albeit traumatised.  Francis Zeta, 38, of Muir Road in Hackney, was arrested two later…

Connie Jackson, a devoted Hammers fan, was able to attend a match thanks to the efforts of her care home. The Ladyville Lodge Care Home in Upminster made this possible as part of their award-winning wellbeing programme. Connie Jackson cheers on Hammers thanks to Ladyville Lodge support (Image: Ladyville Lodge Care Home) The programme supports residents in setting personal goals and pursuing lifelong aspirations. For Connie, this was an emotional experience that connected her with her past and her passion for West Ham United. She said: “It was an amazing day out. “I jumped up when they scored. “Even though it would’ve…

The television and social media celebrity visited Bright Little Stars Nursery in Barnet on March 27. He led an exercise session, answered questions from the children, and even read them a story. Bright Little Stars welcomes Joe Wicks for special Movement Hour session (Image: Bright Little Stars Nursery) His visit was part of the nationwide Movement Hour initiative, which encourages businesses and organisations to dedicate one hour each day to physical activity throughout March. The aim is to improve physical and mental health across all ages. Laughter and lunges as Joe Wicks leads lively workout in Barnet (Image: Bright Little Stars…

The structure, used to house fresh fruit and vegetables, was erected without planning permission, leaving locals frustrated. The sudden development has raised concerns about the lack of communication between the supermarket and the residents above, who previously had direct, unobstructed access to the high street. Richard Johnson fears that if Sutton Council’s planning enforcement team don’t act soon, other shops could building similar structures along the road Last week, residents were shocked to see the new structure appear overnight outside Cheam Arena supermarket on London Road. The fixed structure, complete with wiring, shutters, and lighting, was installed by the shop’s…

Elijah Henry-Gooding, of Tavistock Avenue in Ealing, pleaded guilty to having drugs with the intent to sell them, carrying a knife, and being involved in selling class A drugs. He was jailed for 38 months at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Thursday (April 10). The court was told that on July 30, 2024, Henry-Gooding, 27, was stopped by plain clothes British Transport Police officers in Richmond. They had intelligence that he was carrying a county lines phone and was regularly coming to Richmond to sell drugs at the station and nearby areas. County lines refers to a criminal operation where…

This experience stood out to me for several reasons. For starters, it was my first proper dining-out experience outside of London or North Surrey. Secondly, this restaurant is part of CitySuites II – a luxury aparthotel in the heart of Manchester – though it’s not directly attached. Instead, it’s just a 15-second walk from the main building, giving it the feel of an independent, stand-alone spot while still being linked to the hotel. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and welcoming. We were greeted by friendly staff who showed us to our table beneath a ceiling decorated…

Wye is a medieval village set in the North Downs with impressive views all around and the Great Stour river flowing through it. Wye is just a 48-minute train journey from London’s St Pancras International, or you can catch a train from Waterloo East, which takes just under an hour and a half. Alternatively, you can drive to Wye from London in just under two hours. @shewalksinengland Day trip walk from London: 📌 Wye to Devils Kneading Trough, Kent. 🗺️ Distance: 5 miles circular ⛰️Difficulty: there is 1 steep hill, but the rest is easy. ⏰ Time: 2-3h 🚂 How…

The four storey tall artwork, named Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper), is made from plastic waste collected from Hawaiian beaches. It serves as a reminder of the 150 million tonnes of plastic waste in the world’s oceans, which outweighs the number of whales. The sculpture was designed by artist-architect duo Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang from StudioKCA. The whale’s concrete base is made from spent coffee grounds from Canary Wharf’s cafes and restaurants. The striking installation joins the UK’s largest outdoor public art collection (Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments) The artists said: “A whale is the largest mammal in the…

Hundreds gathered at the shopping park in Beckton to mark the end of Ramadan. The free event was a delight for all with an Eid bazaar showcasing homemade goods, food stalls, and handmade crafts by local traders. Attendees enjoyed the market atmosphere with outside performances and entertainment adding to the joyous occasion. Celestial Stilts and acrobats light up Eid celebration in east London (Image: simon oconnor) A standout act was Maxim the Blossom Lion, a life-sized white lion puppet, which regaled spectators with its serene presence, bringing calm to the bustling event. Also captivating the audience were the Celestial Stilts…

The Metropolitan Police were called to a home in Towpath Way just before 5am today (April 12) after a 58-year-old woman was reported to be unresponsive. The London Ambulance Service attended the scene, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A 57-year-old man has been arrested in connection to her death. It is believed that they both knew each other. The man remains in custody. The woman’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Police have now launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “An investigation has…