Author: Blake Foster

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…

Deborah Mason, of Crayford Road, Tufnell Park, was sentenced along with seven other members of the gang to a total of 106 and a half years at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (July 18), for their involvement in supplying nearly a tonne of cocaine over seven months. A group of couriers collected packages of imported cocaine and drove them all over London, as well as Bradford, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff, between April and November 2023. Deborah Mason, also known as ‘gangster granny’ (Image: Met Police) The drugs had an estimated wholesale value of between £23 million to £35 million and…

The events, organised by Brentwood Borough Council and Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID), will take place throughout August. This year, they will also include activities in High Street for the first time. Free activities will be on offer in August (Image: Brentwood Connected) They will begin on Friday, August 1, at Warley Playing Fields, where children under 12 can enjoy unlimited activities with a £5 wristband. The final park event will be on Friday, August 29, at Hutton Recreation Ground. Brentwood High Street will host activities on Wednesday, August 6, with another event in Hutton Road in Shenfield on…

The Blackheath Fireworks display, which last took place in 2018, will return on November 1 from 4pm until 10.30pm. In 2019, Lewisham Council pulled the plug on the fireworks due to a lack of funding. Although a community fundraiser helped revive hopes for 2020, the event was later cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the display has been called off every year, most recently due to ongoing financial pressures linked to the cost-of-living crisis. Lewisham Council confirmed on July 17 that the event will take place which will feature a “high-end” fireworks display alongside on-site entertainment and market…

It’s the first time I’ve had a place of my own — a quiet corner of London with trees, open space, and a feeling of being close to nature. I’m an artist, and I’ve always had a deep love for animals. But at the time I found the birds, I’d been in a depressive spell. I hadn’t painted in weeks, possibly longer. I’d lost that creative energy. Then, out of nowhere, something small — and loud — stopped me in my tracks. Abandoned birds on North End Road sparked unexpected journey of healing (Image: Emily Gray) I was walking along North End…

The incident happened outside a row of shops in Wandsworth Road just before 2.50pm yesterday (July 18). 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 is unknown at this stage. No arrests have been made as police enquiries continue. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 2.48pm on Friday, July 18, to reports of a stabbing on Wandsworth Road, Battersea. “Officers attended and found a male, in his 30s, with stab wounds. “He was taken to hospital by paramedics where…

The Prince of Wales pub on Perry Rise will close on July 21 and reopen in late August or early September as “The Stuffed Walrus.” The Prince of Wales pub on Perry Rise will close on July 21. (Image: Helen Jones Photography) The revamp, led by Rhidian and Alexandra Turner and Star Pubs, will give the pub a fresh look, including a complete makeover of the frontage with new signage, lighting, hanging baskets, and plantings. Rhidian said: “Living locally, we know what residents like and want and could see the potential of the pub. “We’ve had an eye on it…

Brandon Hatcher died after his van was hit at a crossing by a train in Teynham just after 12.45pm on July 13.  The 23-year-old was pronouncded dead at the scene.  Brandon’s family have since paid tribute to the “young” dad who will remember him for his “humour” and “laid back look on life”.  They said: “Brandon was a Dad, Partner, Son, Brother, Grandson and Uncle amongst being a great friend to many who he came into contact with in his life. “His family are deeply saddened by his passing at such a tragically young age in an accident that could have been…

Around 55% of customers said there was a problem with the website, while 37% and 7% respectively made reports about logging in and tracking. Most of these Downdetector reports were made in large cities like Manchester, Glasgow, London and Leeds. Royal Mail website ‘completely down’ as users report issues with logging in and tracking Royal Mail users have been quick to report problems with the website. One person said: “Business click and drop down.” Another penned: “Site completely down (click & drop), RM are down more than Jack Grealish.” A third wrote: “What a disgrace. They should be ashamed. 12 hours and…