Author: Blake Foster

The event, organised by the charity CASPA, will take place on June 28 at The Bulls Head. CASPA is an award-winning Bromley-based charity that empowers over 500 autistic individuals through life skills, self-advocacy, and inclusive community support, relying entirely on donations and fundraising. Sky Sports presenter Michael Bridge and Aidan Magee from GB News will interview Ruddock, who is known for his stints on reality television shows like Celebrity MasterChef and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Attendees can expect a night filled with entertaining anecdotes from Ruddock’s illustrious football career, which saw him play for notable clubs…

Nicole Wagner, 32, is taking part in the St Christopher’s Fun Walk, almost a year since her mother, Irene, was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer. The annual event, which is the biggest fundraiser for the hospice, will see thousands of participants take to the streets of Bromley on May 11, with the aim of raising vitals funds for St Christopher’s Hospice. It also features fairground stalls, pop-up shops, food, drink, games, and live music. A photo of Nicole Wagner and her family (Image: St Christopher’s) Participants will proudly wear photos of their deceased loved ones on T-shirts and can…

In the 2023 to 2024 academic year, 2.08 per cent of school sessions in Bexley were missed due to unauthorised absence, and 1.88 per cent of pupils were classed as severely absent – meaning they missed at least half of all possible school sessions.  17.42 per cent of pupils were persistent absentees, having missed at least 10 per cent of sessions. Across England, 2.5 per cent of sessions were missed without permission, and 2.3 per cent of pupils were severely absent – the highest figure recorded since current records began in 2006. The data also breaks down absence rates by…

Once known as The Château, the beloved eatery operated from 1978 until its closure in 2022. The decline of this Croydon institution mirrored the broader struggles faced by local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, over the past decade. The restaurant’s closure was a significant loss for the community, which has witnessed a series of unfortunate events, including the shutdown of several well-known hotels and pubs. “Hospitality and Catering has been hit so very hard this past decade,” noted a local resident, capturing the sentiment of many who feel the town’s vibrant atmosphere has been diminished. However, the transformation of…

The ‘state-of-the-art tunnel’ was first approved back in 2018 and was created to help ease the traffic pressure on the Victorian-built Blackwall Tunnel. However, it hasn’t avoided criticism since the idea of Silvertown was first brought up, with many locals concerned about traffic and air pollution increases due to the new tunnel.   Now, as London prepares to open the long-awaited Silvertown Tunnel, there is a lot of key information that drivers will want to know. When will the Silvertown Tunnel open? Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the Silvertown Tunnel will officially open to the public on April 7,…

They were introduced as part of a move to modernise the service and to allow enhanced security features, Royal Mail previously said. It also said barcodes would “enable exciting new services by connecting physical stamps to the digital world”, such as exclusive videos available by scanning the codes in an app. Since the launch, customers have been able to scan the barcodes to watch videos, information about services, or even birthday messages and other greetings from senders. Announced today: Myths and Legends Stamps & Collectibles.From the Cornish Piskies’ mischief to the Loch Ness Monster, our latest stamp collection brings British folklore…

Surrounded by a cluster of bars and pubs, it’s an ideal starting point for a Saturday night – or somewhere you might end up staying all evening. I visited on Saturday night with my best friend for some much-needed catch-up time over food and cocktails. We were welcomed into a bright, airy space, full of relaxed chatter and warm lighting. The entrance to The Table (Image: Poppy Huggett) The décor is clean and contemporary, with minimalist artwork and an open layout that feels social without being noisy. We started with a round of small plates –  green olives, steamed vegetable dumplings,…

The modernised store boasts a sleek beauty hall featuring over 30 new premium brands, an improved healthcare section with private consultation rooms, and an array of expert staff on hand to assist customers. I had the chance to visit the revamped store on Wednesday (April 2) to check out the changes first hand, explore the new beauty hall, and even indulge in a little shopping spree myself. Bluewater Shopping Centre (Image: Poppy Huggett) Stepping into the redesigned beauty hall felt like entering a premium department store. Beauty enthusiasts will be thrilled to find a variety of new brands available for the…

But in March, Marc Petters took his passion to another level – running 31 half marathons in 31 days, all without training, to raise money for two causes close to his heart. Marc, who has served at Sidcup Fire Station for six years, first discovered his love for fundraising in February 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Marc Petters ran around Southampton before visiting the University of Southampton with his son. (Image: Marc Petters) He told the News Shopper: “In February 2021 everything was crazy and everyone was down, so I decided to do some charity work. “I ran…

70 firefighters tackled the blaze in an industrial estate on Willoughby Drive off Rainham Road South around 2pm today (April 6). While over 50 people spotted the chimney of smoke rising off three containers, burning vehicles and scrap metal and called the fire service, only a few saw the fire itself. Two were Jake Piercy and Yedis Drone Shots, who flew their drones above the blaze to get a unique view of the inferno. Fortunately, there were no injuries thanks to the efforts of the firefighters who removed two gas cylinders avoid them exploding. After over two hours they managed…