Author: Blake Foster

The authority is being urged to retract its submission of interest for a new town with 10,000 homes around West Horndon and the edges of Basildon, Thurrock, and Brentwood. The council’s submission of interest in the project comes just as Rochford Borough Council pulled its support for a similar project for a new town between Southend-on-Sea and Shoeburyness. Both plans follow a call for locations by the government’s New Towns Taskforce, which was set up to find and advise ministers on appropriate locations for large-scale housing projects. Brentwood Borough Council has already given the go-ahead to another project — the Dunton Hills Garden Village — which is…

The market, on Francis Road, launches on July 5 and will be open every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The council has chosen KERB, which runs food markets in London and beyond, to operate the market. This will be KERB’s first venture to offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and other produce. The market will feature 10 produce stalls, with half of them belonging to Waltham Forest businesses. MORE NEWS: London mayor chooses Leyton as new ‘al fresco dining hotspot’ The stalls will offer a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese and meats, baked goods, and more. There will…

Bernie Taylor and her cousin Felix Baker will be leaving Albert Square nearly a decade on from their “controversial” debut. It was revealed earlier this year that actors Clair Norris and Matthew James Morrison would be leaving the programme because of major changes being made by new boss Ben Wadey. According to The Metro, Claire said of the pair’s exit: “It’s exciting. It’s an exciting time. Also very dramatic. You’ll have to stay tuned.” EastEnders stars axed from the BBC show after eight years BBC viewers recently discovered that Bernie has been stealing from the Panesar family after being left in control of their business by Nish. After…

The Vestry House Museum, in Walthamstow, is undergoing improvement work to make it more accessible and sustainable. The site will feature a café, gardens, workspaces, and a refurbished museum area. Waltham Forest Council is working on the project and aims to make this a “welcoming destination” for the community. The council also hopes the improvements will make the “well-loved cultural and heritage site” a “crucial part of local infrastructure” that is “powered by community decision-making”. The work will also remove gas boilers and replace them with air-source heat pumps, improving the environmental performance of the site. More improvements like window glazing,…

Hundreds of people in the crowds are often spotted nibbling on the delicious, bright red, juicy fruits when watching the likes of icons Emma Raducanu in action. For years, Wimbledon strawberries have been provided by Hugh Lowe Farms, farmed approximately over 500 hectares just 31 miles away in Mereworth. The family business delivers the strawberries fresh each morning of the championship over the two weeks. @wimbledon just gonna leave this here 🍓 #wimbledon #strawberry #random #tennis ♬ original sound – 𝐎𝐑𝐀 How many strawberries are eaten at Wimbledon? The Wimbledon website reveals: “On average there are 200,000 portions of strawberries and cream…

An inquest into the death of Dagenham man John Nutt was told that in the late 1950s, he began work at the Royal Albert Dock in Newham. In a statement prepared before his death, he recounted being “involved in the transportation of asbestos”. “Frequently, he would be called upon to move hessian sacks of powdered asbestos,” senior coroner Graeme Irvine told East London Coroner’s Court. Mr Nutt remembered “clouds of dust being formed” by the lethal substance.   “At that time, the dangers of asbestos were not widely known,” Mr Nutt said. He was “not provided with any safety equipment”.…

Developer Goodman Real Estate describes the existing units at Martinbridge Industrial Estate in Lincoln Road as “outdated” and approaching the end of their “useful life”, with most now being vacant. Planning documents state the site in its current form is not capable of meeting the requirements of modern 21st Century businesses. The estate, which was developed in the 1970s, is over four-and-a-half hectares in size and consists mainly of industrial commercial and retail buildings constructed of metal cladding.  The proposal focuses on delivering modernised industrial and storage space, as well as office space and welfare facilities such as showers, lockers…

Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to regulate the industry after publishing the results of a consultation held earlier this year. The consultation received more than 7,500 responses and showed overwhelming public support for regulation to improve safety standards across the industry. Three-quarters of those who responded said they did not feel safe using pedicabs in the capital in their current state, with the majority of responses expressing concerns regarding driver safety and accountability. In addition to safety concerns, 95 per cent of respondents agreed that pedicab drivers should be required to pass UK criminal background checks, aligning them…

A host of issues were uncovered during a lengthy inspection by the education watchdog, which assessed how pupils in special education are faring in the borough. The Labour-run council, working alongside NHS North East London, says it has “refined and accelerated” its plans to improve SEND provision in light of the report. Ofsted inspectors said the system as a whole is “ineffective, and many parents and carers are frustrated”. Families also told the watchdog they felt “worn down and unheard”. In the report, published last week, they listed a gauntlet of issues. Children were found to have been waiting years…

As we age, an active lifestyle becomes increasingly important for our overall health. Regular physical activity can boost cardiovascular health, mood and energy levels, as well as enhancing flexibility, balance, and reducing the risk of falls. For those 50+, juggling work and caregiving and exercising may seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are practical tips to stay active without overwhelming schedules. 1. Start Small and Build Gradually Begin with light activities like walking or stretching. Aim for 10-15 minutes a day and gradually increase the duration and intensity. Consistency matters more than perfection. (Image: Age UK) 2.…