Author: Blake Foster

Michael Course, 70, died after being hit by a car at the junction of Hurst Road and Glenhurst Avenue on June 21. Burnt Ash Hockey Club said he would be “sorely missed” by his family and the multiple sports teams he had played for. (Image: NQ) The club said Michael, or Mike, had moved to Bexley to be closer to his son Stephen and daughter-in-law Katy. He was regularly seen at the club on the weekend with his grandson and was a “popular character” in the pubs of Belvedere and Bexley. Heartbreaking tributes to man, 70, killed after car crashes…

The Good Intent, in South End Road, shut on June 23 and will open its doors again to punters next Friday (July 11). Refurbishment works at the venue include renovations to the pub’s interior and furnishings, the installation of new fencing and outdoor furniture, plus more than 70 extra seats.The makeover includes new fencing (Image: The Good Intent) Photos shared by the Good Intent on social media show the revamp underway, with a stripped back bar and flooring, and the start of new paintwork. The Facebook post said: “It’s all go go go at the Good Intent!” The Good Intent’s…

The crossing is closed both ways after a lorry hit a car and spilt fuel across the road around 11am today (July 3). The road surface and barriers were damaged in the crash and repairs are ongoing, say Essex Police. The road is expected to “remain closed throughout this afternoon and into this evening”, added police. LIVE updates as Dartford Crossing shut after major crash While the key crossing is closed, drivers are warned of disruption to the surrounding roads. A woman received minor injuries in the crash and taken to Basildon University Hospital. An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We…

Mother Hubbard’s, which describes itself as “Britain’s largest fish and chips franchise”, opened the doors to its newest branch in High Road on Saturday (June 28). Chris Farnell, head chef at Mother Hubbard’s, is tasked with helping to set up new franchises and train staff. He brought staff down from Bradford to operate the opening day of the new branch. Chris said there was a queue from 11am until 9.30pm (Image: Mother Hubbard’s) Chris said: “We opened the doors at 11am and there was a queue – from 11am to 9.30pm it was non-stop. “The wait time was around 45 minutes which was…

Shona McGarty played the popular Whitney Dean from 2008 until leaving Albert Square last year. Now, it looks like fans of the BBC soap won’t have to wait long to find out what her next steps are. Shona in EastEnders as Whitney. (Image: BBC) Shona, 33, posted on her Instagram an emotive black and white snap of her belting out some tunes in a recording studio and playing a piano. Another picture also showed her stood next to musician and record producer Steve Anderson. She captioned: “My happy place! Working with @mrsteveanderson is an absolute dream, we got so much accomplished in our studio session…

The police were called to Strand just before 8pm yesterday (July 2). Officers and ambulance crews found a 22-year-old with a serious head injury following an alleged assault. He was taken to hospital where his injuries were deemed to be neither life-threatening nor changing. A man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm by the British Transport Police. Detectives are appealing for information with witnesses asked to call 101 using reference 8172/2Jul. A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 19:56hrs on Wednesday, 2 July to reports of an assault outside a supermarket on The Strand. “Officers…

Tamasin Rhymes won the Shooters Hill by-election on Thursday, June 26 with 34.5 per cent of the vote (869 votes), narrowly beating Labour’s Jummy Dawodu who picked up 30 per cent (756 votes). Green have said that Tamasin’s campaign focused on representing residents who had grown disillusioned with Greenwich’s Labour-led council over issues such as the repair of council homes and the proposed sale of valued community assets such as the Olympic Equestrian Centre and the Green Garth bungalow at Shrewsbury House. The by-election came about after Labour councillor Ivis Williams resigned after seven years in post.  She resigned after…

Phyllis Harper, who owns Highgate Butchers, celebrated her 50th anniversary on the high street this year. Over the decades, along with her son Lee, they have served thousands of people, including high profile celebrities who have since moved away. In recognition of her hard work, Phyllis was presented with a certificate and flower by civic group The Highgate Society in May.  Phyllis was given a certificate in recognition of her 50 years on the high street by Highgate Society chairman Andrew Sulston (Image: Wally Kumar) Phyllis had trained as a hairdresser when she met her husband Paul, who lived in Archway and worked in…

The crash happened just before the bridge at around 11.05am today (July 3). Essex Police have since closed the crossing in both directions. The lorry’s fuel tank split during the crash, spilling fuel across all lanes. Emergency crews are now working to clear the spillage. The road is expected to remain closed for several hours due to damage to the road surface and barriers. Police remain at the scene, along with colleagues from the fire service and the East of England Ambulance Service. An ambulance and ambulance officer vehicle were both sent to the scene. The woman injured in the…

Colin Rickards, 71, died on the afternoon of June 17, East London Coroner’s Court was told on Monday (June 30). He died at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, but was admitted there after a period of detention at a different hospital in Stapleford Tawney, Romford. “Mr Rickards, prior to his admission, was a detained patient at the Priory Suttons Manor hospital,” senior coroner Graeme Irvine said. “At the time of his death, Mr Rickards was on one-to-one care. He was suffering from depression and type 2 diabetes and it appears Mr Rickards was refusing to eat. He had become increasingly…