Author: Blake Foster

More than 300 people gathered in Chigwell on Wednesday, July 9, to celebrate the reopening of the Limes Farm play area, which has been upgraded to include a new under-fives zone, improved equipment for older children, and two table tennis tables. Attendee playing with Play in the Park equipment. (Image: Epping Forest District Council) Attendees using the newly installed table tennis tables. (Image: Epping Forest District Council) Smiling residents attending the event. (Image: Epping Forest District Council) Children enjoying the Play in the Park equipment. (Image: Epping Forest District Council) Child enjoying the balloon sculpting. (Image: Epping Forest District Council)…

Firefighters were called to the scene in Mitcham, south London, after the “naughty” shelled reptile started the blaze. The lamp fell onto hay in the tortoise’s aquarium, starting a small fire in the maisonette on the fourth floor of a residential block of flats.  After rushing to attend to the fire, crews were made aware of two pets in the property and rescued the fire-starting tortoise as well as a dog, who was found hiding under the stairs. A flat fire in #Mitcham last week is believed to have been started by a tortoise.Learn more about how he started the…

Southeastern is opening the doors to its Ashford Train Maintenance Centre in Kent on Sunday, August 24, as part of Railway 200, a nationwide celebration marking 200 years of passenger rail in the UK. The railway depot open day will offer visitors the chance to explore one of the busiest and most important train maintenance sites in the south-east. Visitors can explore trains, meet staff, and view heritage locomotives (Image: Southeastern) Jim Shead, depot manager at Ashford, said: “We are incredibly proud of the hard work which goes on behind the scenes at Ashford every single day and this open…

The incident happened near Better Gym in Broadway just after 5.30pm yesterday (July 18).  Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found a person injured.  They were taken to hospital where their condition is unknown at this stage.  Road closures were put in place as the incident was being dealt with.  However, all cordons have since been lifted.  We have contacted Metropolitan Police for further information.  A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 5.23pm on Friday 18 July to reports of road traffic collision on Broadway, Bexleyheath. “We sent resources to the scene, including an…

The Brondes Age in Kilburn High Road, near Brondesbury station, has put forward an application to Camden Council to extend its alcohol licence. Currently, the pub is open from 11am to 1am on Mondays to Thursdays, then 11am to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 12.30am on Sundays. Alcohol can be sold until closing for each day, except on Sundays when alcohol must stop selling at 11.59pm. In the new application, it is proposed that alcohol can instead be sold until 3am on Fridays and Saturday. The pub is also hoping to have live and recorded music on Friday…

Officers were called to a property in Dunlop Close following reports of concern for a person on July 5. South East Coast Ambulance crews also attended, and a man in his 60s was found at the property. An investigation was launched and enquiries led detectives to believe the death was suspicious and they made an arrest on July 17.  On July 19, Dorin Ciorba, 29, of Longbridge Road in Barking, was charged with murder. He was also charged with robbery. He was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court later that day. This is a breaking news story. More to follow.   …

Officers were called to a property in Dunlop Close following reports of concern for a person on July 5. South East Coast Ambulance crews also attended, and a man in his 60s was found at the property. An investigation was launched and enquiries led detectives to believe the death was suspicious and they made an arrest on July 17.  On July 19, Dorin Ciorba, 29, of Longbridge Road in Barking, was charged with murder. He was also charged with robbery. He was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court later that day. This is a breaking news story. More to follow. …

Rambi, a large green Alexandrine parakeet, took off one day after his cage was left open during a family barbecue – having never even left home before. The seven-year-old’s family launched an extensive search for him around the Islington area, but were unable to find Rambi despite several false alarms. However, weeks on from his sudden disappearance, owner Yianoulla Evangelou received a call from animal charity Wildlife in Need on the south coast, near Bournemouth, saying they’d found a parakeet that looks similar to theirs. Rambi the large green Alexandrine parakeet (Image: Yianoulla Evangelou / SWNS) But the charity still…

Plugged In, held in partnership with Riverside Radio, will take place on Saturday, August 9. The outdoor event, running from 1pm to 7pm, will be set in Power Station Park, showcasing six local acts from Wandsworth. The artists, ranging from emerging solo performers to bands, promise a diverse day of music with the power station as a backdrop. All acts have previously featured on Riverside Radio’s Track of the Week, a platform highlighting top local talent. Each week, a new musician, band, or singer-songwriter from south-west London is given exposure by the radio station. Plugged In not only celebrates the…

Tropical Café, located at 115 West Street is now being marketed through Nationwide Businesses due to the owner’s ill health. Tropical Café currently remains open and trading whilst the search for someone to take over is ongoing. The double-fronted premises span approximately 410 square feet and include indoor seating for 28 customers, as well as a private rear garden space with additional seating for 25. The café also boasts a 5-star hygiene rating and a simple, functional layout that includes a tiled floor, suspended ceiling, and CCTV system. A fully fitted kitchen sits behind the main service area, equipped with…