Author: Blake Foster

The council is encouraging residents to complete online surveys to help develop its new library service strategy, saying it wants to know “what you like about your libraries, how you think they can improve, and what is currently missing from them”.  One survey is for library users, another for non-library users, a third seeks feedback on the “guiding principles” of the proposed strategy and the fourth,  the “use of technology” in libraries. MOST READ:  Among the comments on the library user survey submitted so far, residents mentioned the delayed reopening of Muswell Hill Library, which has been closed for two…

The most recent ONS data reveals that, in England and Wales, there were 80,582 divorces in 2022, but this shot up to 103,816 in 2023.  With the most common ground for divorce being unreasonable behaviour, and the average duration of marriage before divorce being around 12 years, relationship gurus think it might be easier than expected to save partnerships.  In fact, there is an interest to save rather than scupper, searches for terms like ‘relationship coach’ have seen a 34% increase over the past four years across the UK.  When broken down further, Northern Ireland has seen a 26% boom,…

Applicant Wood Green Timber Company wants to build three blocks of five storeys, plus one three-storey mews building, at the junction of High Road and Neville Place. The blocks, which will replace a timber yard, comprise 20 one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom flats and ten three-bedroom flats. Concerns were previously raised during a planning sub-committee meeting in June about overlooking, the design and a lack of clarity on affordable housing. The application has now been submitted with no affordable homes. Around 14 objections have been submitted online, mainly from residents on the neighbouring Trinity Road and Neville Place. Several wrote the…

The changes are due to engineering work and will affect trains from Tuesday to Friday (August 26 to August 29). We have outlined and simplified the details so you can plan your journey this week.   Engineering work is taking place overnight at various locations on the Southeastern network, closing some lines. Tuesday only (August 26): The 12.10am train from London Victoria to Ramsgate train will be replaced by buses between Sittingbourne and Ramsgate calling at all stations except Teynham. Passengers who are travelling to Teynham will have a taxi arranged from Sittingbourne.   Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (August 26 to…

The changes are due to engineering work and will affect trains from Tuesday to Friday (August 26 to August 29). We have outlined and simplified the details so you can plan your journey this week.   Engineering work is taking place overnight between Selhurst and Purley, closing some lines. Tuesday (August 26): The 12.35am train from London Bridge to East Croydon train will terminate at Selhurst. A replacement bus will run from Selhurst to East Croydon.   Wednesday to Friday (August 27 to August 29): The 12.02am train from London Bridge to East Croydon train will terminate at Norwood Junction. Passengers are advised to catch…

Odessa Infant School in Wellington Road could be amalgamated with St James’ Junior School next door to create a new primary school, potentially opening in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Proposals say that if the amalgamation doesn’t go ahead, then Odessa Infant School would be “unable to operare effectively” and “could be at risk of closure” amid a £400,000 budget hole. The council has decided, to launch a proposal on the proposed merger, claiming a growing budget deficit at Odessa Infant School meant that a merger with St James’ Junior School was “the only viable option” to secure its…

The Metropolitan Police was alerted to reports of a death at a property in Wellmeadow Road at around 1am on August 24.  Officers were dispatched alongside the London Ambulance Service, where they located an 87-year-old. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with a post-mortem revealing his cause of death as compression of the neck.  His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.  RELATED: Man, 87, found dead inside property in Lewisham On August 26, Vasile Iosebica of Wellmeadow Road was arrested on suspicion of murder and subsequently charged.  The 47-year-old suspect was known to the victim,…

Three men have been taken to hospital after a crash between a bus and a rickshaw in central London.  The incident happened at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Phoenix Street at around 1.10am yesterday (August 25).  Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found three men injured.  One man’s injuries were found to be minor, and he was subsequently discharged. The two other victims, aged 23 and 25, remain in hospital with injuries believed to be serious. Their conditions are unclear at this stage. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Around 1.19am on Monday, 25 August, officers…

Emergency services were called to reports of a man in cardiac arrest in Broadway at around 4.10am yesterday (August 25).  The man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.  His death is being treated as unexpected and an investigation is ongoing. A tent and a cordon were put in place next to Hazine Restaurant as the incident was being dealt with.  All cordons have since been lifted.  A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to a report of a man in cardiac arrest in Broadway, Bexleyheath at 4.10am on Monday, 25 August. “A…

Overcoming sound problems and a thick layer of dust which had covered the park, festival-goers faces and no doubt our lungs, the south London band declared it their best show ever.  Singer Orlando Weeks said: “It’s unbelievable that you paid that money and took that risk to see our band. Thank you for taking a chance on a band that hasn’t played for a long time.”  A highlight of the set came when Jamie T joined them for Marks To Prove It as well as Sticks and Stones.  After an encore that concluded with their most popular song Pelican, guitarist…