Author: Blake Foster

Where is that one takeaway on which you rely at the end of a long day or the start of the weekend, that never fails to hit the spot? Whether it’s a mouth-watering curry, out of this world pizza or a delectable chow mein – we want to hear about it!  To show our appreciation to the local take-outs that are always there for us when we need them, we’re launching an exciting competition to find our community’s most-loved takeaway.  But we need your help to do it! By nominating your favourite spot, you’ll not only be showing your appreciation for their hard work…

Monique Cousley, 40, of Curzon Avenue, Enfield, died in March at the Clinical International Centre for Advanced Plastic Surgery in Santo Domingo. Her death was reported to East London Coroner’s Court by funeral directors when her body was repatriated. “A preliminary investigation indicates that Mrs Cousley had attended a hospital in Santo Domingo for removal of an implant and for another cosmetic procedure,” said senior coroner Graeme Irvine. “It seems that she passed away in the course of that process. A post-mortem took place in Santo Domingo but we have not received a copy of the records of that post-mortem.” Mr…

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court last Monday, July 14, alongside two other men.  Mohammed is charged with sexual assault, exposure, and engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour.  The charges relate to an incident on July 12 when police were called to Peckham with reports of an alleged assault on a woman.  A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Following notification to the council from the police of an arrest and subsequent criminal charges, Councillor Irfan Mohammed has been removed from his position as a Deputy Cabinet Member and all council committees, pending resolution of the allegations against him.  “His membership of Lambeth…

The incident happened in Kennington Road, Lambeth just after 2.40am today (July 21). Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found a man who had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition was assessed as non life threatening. No arrests have been made as police enquiries continue. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “On Monday, 21 July police were called to Kennington Road, SE11 at 2.42am following reports of a stabbing. “Met officers attended the scene alongside paramedics who treated a 46-year-old man for stab wounds before taking him to hospital. “His injuries have…

More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday (July 20) evening, with some chanting “save our kids” – following beliefs that it is being used to house asylum seekers. Essex Police said six people were arrested that evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday’s protest, police said. A 16-year-old male from south London was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to cause criminal damage, it added At 10.15pm, Essex Police said: “There were…

Following a visit on May 7 and 8, inspectors found the St John Baptist Southend Church of England Primary School had “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. “Pupils consistently live and breathe the school’s rules of being kind, respectful and trying one’s best,” the report said. These values help them to “embody the school’s values and its vision, which is to ‘be a shining light’”. Inspectors highlighted that pupils “show these values through their compassion towards, and celebration of, each other’s achievements,” creating a “strong sense of community, belonging and inclusion”. Children are “happy,…

Eccles, of Eastbourne Road in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex, told our reporter “no photos please” as he left the Old Bailey a free man.  Nigel Eccles pictured leaving the Old Bailey (Image: Josh Bolton) ‘I dropped my phone’ In February 2023, a mum and her very young daughter were getting changed in a cubicle after they had been swimming at the leisure centre.  The mum noticed a mobile phone being held under the partition, hovering slightly off the ground with the camera pointing up at her.  When challenged, Eccles claimed he dropped his phone.  He later changed his story to say he…

A beloved lollipop lady who helped generations of children cross the road safely has been forced to step down after 48 years of service, following a decision by Lewisham Council to end school crossing patrols. Sheila Richards, 88, has been a constant presence outside John Stainer Primary School in Lewisham for nearly half a century. Come rain or shine, she was there – smiling, waving, and proudly holding her lollipop sign as she guided children and parents across the road. Sheila Richards at work (Image: Sheila Richards) On Friday, July 18, Sheila completed her final day in the role, heartbroken…

Patients across the country shared their views in the annual GP Patient Survey, giving honest feedback about what their local surgeries are really like. In Sutton, Wrythe Green Surgery, Grove Road Practice, Park Road Medical Centre and Maldon Road Surgery came out on top, with most patients reporting a positive overall experience. At the other end, Manor Practice, Circle GP Surgery and Cheam GP Centre were rated the lowest for overall experience. Some of the lower-rated surgeries did perform well in other areas, such as helpful reception staff, phone access or how easy it is to get an appointment. This…

Patients have had their say on receptionist helpfulness in this year’s GP Patient Survey and some surgeries stood out more than others. Stovell House Surgery, Queenhill Medical Practice and Selsdon Park Medical Practice were rated the best for helpful reception staff. At the other end of the scale, London Road Medical Practice, Woodcote Medical and Greenside Group Practice were ranked the worst. It’s worth saying that these results focus purely on how helpful patients found receptionists. The full survey also looks at other things like phone access, booking appointments and overall experience. Some of the surgeries that scored low here…