Author: Blake Foster

Harold Court Primary School in Church Road has submitted a planning application to Havering Council to bulldoze a former nursery and construct a “new modular building to be used as nursery unit”. A consultation on the proposal was launched by the school, collecting views of parents, staff and residents which concluded last month. According to the planning statement validated on March 21, the school is “seeking to open a 30 place nursery provision for 3-4-year-olds”. “In order to establish a nursery, we would require the demolition of the existing children’s centre.” If it goes ahead, the nursery will be situated next to the main school…

It is located near Maidenhead on the M4 corridor, making it an easy spot if you live on the right side of London, reached in around 40 minutes. It opened in November 2024 with big boots to fill at the site of the former Royal Oak, a once Michelin-starred pub owned by Sir Michael Parkinson.(Image: Braywood) Braywood has undergone radical change, with new modern extensions being added for a long cocktail bar and separate dining room. Both are angular and structural with clean lines and clean shadows – it looked ready to be photographed in black and white. Some of the…

Carolyn Groom was last spotted in the Northfleet area at around 9.30pm on April 7, and has not been heard from since. Police say they are “increasingly concerned” for her welfare and are urgently appealing for help from the public. Carolyn is described by police as being around five foot tall with grey shoulder-length hair. She is thought to be wearing a dark skirt and sandal-style slippers. She also has known links to Rochester. Anyone who sees Carolyn or knows where she might be should call 999 immediately, quoting reference 08-0299. We are appealing for help to find Carolyn Groom…

The incident happened in Central Park off Petersfield Avenue around 7.30pm yesterday (April 8). During the incident the victim was assaulted, leaving him with injuries – the details of which are not known. There have been no arrests but police enquiries into what happened are ongoing. A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to a report of an assault and a theft in Central Park, off Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill at around 19:21hrs on Tuesday, 8 April. “A boy suffered minor injuries during the incident and reportedly had a bike stolen. “Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been…

A special screening of Premier League Stories: Dylan Tombides was held on Wednesday, April 2, at Curzon Bloomsbury. The documentary celebrates the life and career of the young Hammers and Australian footballer, who died of testicular cancer in 2014 at the age of 20. Graham Potter with Tracy Tombides (Image: West Ham United) The event was attended by various representatives from West Ham United and the DT38 Foundation, including men’s first team head coach Graham Potter, David Sullivan Jr, academy manager Kenny Brown, former West Ham player Matt Jarvis, Bake Off winner Matty Edgell, and Love Island star Georgia Harrison. The event marks…

Shakeil Thibou, 20, allegedly stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in the groin as her young daughter was close by on August 25 last year. Moments before, he carried out an “equally horrifying attack” on a man who was backing away from him, the Old Bailey has heard. The defendant has denied Ms Maximen’s murder, the attempted murder of 20-year-old Adjei Isaac, and having an offensive weapon. His brothers Sheldon, 25, and Shaeim Thibou, 22, have pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and assaulting Pc Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene. On Wednesday, Judge Philip Katz KC directed jurors that he would…

Meli Coffee and Bakery is opening its doors for the first time tomorrow (April 10) and owner Katerina Bucka told the Recorder that she can’t wait to get going. “We’re very excited to finally open,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of comments from people excited to come and grab a coffee and slice of cake. MORE NEWS: Who is Havering’s Ella Rae Wise taking part in Celebrity Big Brother 2025? Meli will open its doors tomorrow for the first time tomorrow on Collier Row Road (Image: Meli Coffee and Bakery) “We’re lacking a bit of Greek and Cypriot influence in Romford…

Now, the exact dates for each of the 17 shops closing across the UK have been confirmed. Last month, the supermarket also shared that 365 jobs were at risk of redundancy because of plans to close some of its cafes, convenience stores, florists and fresh food counters. The chain said it was costing more to run the services than it was making from customer spending. Alongside the 17 Daily convenience stores, 52 of the supermarket’s cafes, all 18 market kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies will also shut down, with dates yet to be announced.…

Kent Police were called to a property near Ashford Road shortly before 9am on March 21, following reports of an aggravated burglary. It is alleged one of the men posed as a delivery driver and another threatened the occupants before assaulting one of the victims and stealing a quantity of cash. A man in his 30s was taken to hospital with a serious hand injury after being reportedly attacked with a knife. Emergency services, including South East Coast Ambulance Service, attended the scene. On April 7, officers arrested Lenard Coates, 22, of London Road, Mitcham. He has since been charged…

Competitive fixed deals started returning to the energy market last year mean that 471,870 customers switched in April and May 2024, and 79 twelve-month fixed deals offered this time last year will finish by the end of May, with consumers automatically rolling onto their supplier’s standard tariff unless they take action now. These standard tariffs are effectively set by the price cap, making them some of the most expensive on the market – the cap increases by 6.4%- the third rise in a row – on April 1 2025. In a tweet at the time of the announcement, Martin Lewis said: “THE PRICE CAP…