Author: Blake Foster

Middlesex University’s new primary teacher degree apprenticeship, announced on July 2, aims to upskill teaching assistants across London and the South East into fully qualified teachers through a four-year programme combining school-based and university learning. Professor Darryll Bravenboer, director of business and civic engagement at Middlesex University, said: “Our new teacher degree apprenticeship programmes are launching at a pivotal time for the profession, with a growing number of schools across London and the South East experiencing teacher shortages or struggling to attract and retain top talent. “The apprenticeship programmes enable schools to nurture and grow their own workforce and mould…

The annual parade attracts thousands to the capital with over 500 groups and more than 35,000 participants marching in the parade. Pride in London is free for all to attend, although you can buy VIP tickets, with stage performances, artists, food and drink options, speakers and much more taking place. Before you make your way to the London Pride parade, here’s all the information you could need so you can sit back and celebrate Pride.  When is the London Pride Parade 2025? This year, Pride in London will take place on the final weekend of June, taking place on Saturday, July 5. What time does the…

Leon Williams competed professionally from 2009 to 2012 and now aims to provide a safe, inspiring space for local young people. After years working in fitness across Croydon, Leon will launch Team Solid Amateur Boxing Club Ltd at 79-81 South End on July 5. Leon told Your Local Guardian: “I’ve been working in fitness classes and other establishments in Croydon for over 10 years, but those establishments closed down. “I thought I need to continue what I enjoy doing – fitness and dealing with young people and helping them tackle trauma with school. “I’ve always enjoyed the whole process of…

The annual concert series sees some of the biggest names in music perform on the Great Oak Stage, with the likes of Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Adele featuring in previous years. The ‘Manchild’ singer will be just one of the many mega stars headlining BST Hyde Park. If you were lucky enough to get tickets to see Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park, here’s what you need to know, including the lineup, timings and more. When is Sabrina Carpenter at BST Hyde Park? The ‘Espresso’ singer will be performing at BST Hyde Park for two nights on  Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6.  What time do…

The Pipe Major, in Yewtree Avenue, was reopened on June 21 by the Dagenham Girl Pipers and a local scout group, following a £309,000 transformation.  The pub was shut for less than a month for its revamp, and has now been separated into two areas:  a “lively, sport-loving” bar and a “cosy, family-focused” lounge. The new sports bar at The Pipe Major (Image: Tom Webb) Photos show the new sports bar area with a pool table and two large 4K screens in either corner, as well as some higher tables with stools in the corner. READ MORE: Pub reopens after £300k refurb with…

Applicant Debabrata Kumar has applied to change the use of a house in Mawney Road into a “large” HMO for eight people. The plans do not include any extensions, but instead propose a new layout for the existing space in the house, with four two-person bedrooms spread across three floors. Under the proposals, there would also be a shared kitchen/communal area on the ground floor, as well as shared bathroom facilities and an office space for the owner on the first floor. READ MORE: Developer told to stop building new block of flats in Hornchurch after rules breach Two of the…

Vaky Varnava, 61, of Chelmsford Road, Walthamstow, died at the Leytonstone hospital on June 11. An inquest was opened into his death at East London Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, July 2. “Mr Varnava attended Whipps Cross Hospital A&E department after he had sustained a fall in the community,” said senior coroner Graeme Irvine. “Whilst in the A&E, he suffered a further fall and, due to that fall, suffered a broken neck.” He underwent surgery for the broken neck, but then developed a complication known as a “post-operative ileus”, which is when a patient’s bowel stops working after an operation. His…

Nicola, who wished to keep her surname anonymous, ordered dinner from Chinese takeaway Ho Lee in Porters Avenue on Friday, June 27. The order was delivered by Just Eat at 6.40pm and Nicola dished out for her two sons and one of their girlfriends. She said that she was not hungry due to the heat so came back to eat her food later in the evening – this is when she said she found a black beetle amongst her vermicelli noodles. Nicola found a dead beetle in her vermicelli noodles (Image: Nicola) She said: “I left the lid on from the…

The council has worked alongside residents and partners to make improvements to the town, taking advantage of its riverside location. The refurbished gardens are set to open to the public in stages from July 5, featuring new seating, a playground, an outdoor fitness zone, and a community gardening area. Gardens to reopen July 5 with phased access and final touches pending (Image: London Borough of Bexley) A ‘Thames promenade route’ will run throughout the length of the gardens, bringing residents and visitors closer to the River Thames. Some minor finishing work, including planting and ramp installation, will continue after the…

Gallows Corner roundabout and flyover shut to all traffic last Monday (June 23), having a knock-on impact on traffic in the surrounding roads and access to businesses near the junction.  As a result, a couple of businesses – Wax On car wash and Gallows Corner Motors – have been forced to close completely during the works, while others have been left with “uncertainty” over how deliveries and customers will reach them. The Recorder caught up with some businesses near the junction after the first week of the months-long closure. The closure of Gallows Corner has been really tough for some businesses (Image:…