Author: Blake Foster

Brent Council is looking to reduce the cost of its Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme by £8 million in a bid to navigate an ‘incredibly challenging’ financial landscape. The borough’s overall £16m budget gap for 2025/26 is expected to rise to around £30m by 2027/28, according to council figures, while the cost of the CTS scheme is forecast to increase from £19.9m this financial year to £21.2m in 2025/26. In proposed changes, residents currently receiving support will lose out on their current discount. From April 1, 2025, all claimants of working age will be required to pay something towards their…

A recent hearing from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) found that the manager had put a patient at risk of harm as a result of her misconduct. Uju Delia Emekekwue was the registered manager for Medoc Healthcare Limited, a care home on Birkdale Road in Abbey Wood for adults with mental health needs. The home was referred to the NMC after investigations from the Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted concerns on the safety of the home while a single resident was being cared for there. A Greenwich Council officer claimed there was no…

The neighbourhood is home to many green spaces and has many places of cultural significance. Thornton Heath is served by Thornton Heath Station, which received the most votes in the 2024 World Cup of Stations Awards in the London region. According to TripAdvisor, the top spot in Thornton Heath is Grangewood Park. The park was originally part of the Manor of Whitehorse, bought by Georgian aristocrats in 1797. The park was owned by various aristocrats throughout the centuries, including being owned by the Bishops of London between 1299 and 1338. The park was bought for the public by the Corporation…

The Royal Oak pub on Richmond Road in Twickenham has been given a new lease of life after local pub landlords Christian Arden and Ben Abrahams took over the helm of this “popular after-work local” at the end of last month. The pair have already turned the pub around with a £100,000 refurbishment which has transformed the main bar area and exterior, creating a more “premium, welcoming ambience” for customers. Art and photos hang on the walls of the downstairs bar, giving the pub a “cosy and unique” vibe. The colourful seats, cushions, and bright lighting mix with the new…

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a dedicated ghost hunter, or just looking to get into the spooky spirit of the season, these six haunted hotspots are must-visits: Chislehurst Caves Venture into the labyrinthine tunnels of Chislehurst Caves, spanning over six hectares and reaching depths of up to 30 metres beneath homes and woodlands. Druid Maze, Chislehurst Maze (Image: Chislehurst Caves) A guided, lamp-lit tour is the only way to explore this maze, but beware—it’s not for the faint-hearted or those with a fear of the dark, confined spaces, or eerie mannequins. Visitors have reported strange mists in photographs and the eerie…

Located at 317 Brockley Road, this local favourite is one of only 40 fish and chip shops across the UK to be selected, highlighting its dedication to quality food, outstanding customer service, and sustainable practices. “We’re all very chuffed and very excited to be shortlisted,” manager Kyriacos Karoulla told the News Shopper, “soon it will be narrowed down to the top 20, and we would like to be on that.” The National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) awards are the gold standard in the fish and chip industry, assessing entrants on industry knowledge, customer care, sustainability, and product quality. Brockley’s…

The new application stands as an extension to a previously consented scheme beside the site, with the final project delivering over 400 homes. Planning documents from Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, on behalf of Hurlington Capital and QIP, said the scheme is an extension to a previously consented project for a 14-storey block of 299 student rooms from the same developers on the former Woolwich Catholic Club site. Both buildings are intended to be internally and externally connected and function as a single structure. Amenity spaces and other services are planned to be shared between the blocks. The roof of the new…

Article contentThe sentencing hearing for a London man who pleaded guilty to a random attack on a stranger on Richmond Row has been delayed pending a potential order for a psychiatric assessment. Jose Lopes-Cajina, who pled guilty to aggravated assault in the brutal stabbing of a driver waiting at a rail crossing on Richmond Street, will be back in court later this week after concerns about his mental state were raised at his sentencing hearing Monday before Justice George Orsini in the Ontario Court of Justice. Article content“His behaviour and his interactions with me, in my view, are suggestive of someone who…

Article contentPolice in Brantford were seeking information from the public to identify the rider of a motorcycle involved in stunt driving.The rider was seen standing on his moving motorcycle on several occasions and also exhibited other aggressive driving behaviour, police said in a statement. Police issued a photo in the hope of identifying the motorcyclist, who is largely unidentifiable due to their black helmet and tinted mask.Article contentAnyone with information, including dashboard-camera or surveillance footage of the rider, was asked last week to contact Const. Rob Hall of the Brantford police at 519-756-7050, ext. 2844. Those who wish to provide…

Breadcrumb Trail LinksNewsLocal NewsPublished Oct 21, 2024  •  Last updated 6 hours ago  •  4 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Carlos Guerra Guerra, left, and Emily Altmann are both seen leaving the London courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photos by Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)Article contentJosh Dickie and his friends were leaving the bush party and crossing the street when they saw a white SUV speed toward them and make a quick turn to the left.He said he and his friends laughed at the dramatic entrance. He…