A third member of a motorcycle gang has been found guilty of the murder of Mottingham biker Gerry Tobin. Malcolm Bull, 53, from Milton Keynes, was convicted by an 11-1 majority verdict of killing Mr Tobin, who was shot dead on the M40 in Warwickshire
A DRIVER has been given a six-year prison sentence after causing a crash which killed a toddler on the M25 near Crockenhill. John James Woolston, of Windham Road, East Ham, was sentenced today after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous
YOUNGSTERS have been given high-visibility vests to wear on their way to and from school. Pupils at Perry Hall Primary School in Orpington were given the vests by Arco, a supplier of personal protective equipment and safety clothing.
RESIDENTS will know when spring has sprung next year - thanks to the efforts of a few volunteers. Neighbourhood beat officer PC Carly Thompson and Wilmington PCSO Ruth Webb both rolled up their sleeves on November 18 to dig in dozens of daffodil
1st Photo Sessions is an exhibition of photography by Philip Townsend which captures the Rolling Stones on the cusp of fame in 1963 The Rolling Stones have been looking cool in photographs for their entire career. Images of them looking
SIX schools have been found to be performing at the highest level in the latest round of Ofsted inspections. Ravens Wood School in Bromley was named as an outstanding school for the fourth time as part of the Government's recently released
A CIVIL rights group leader commended students of a secondary school on their academic achievements at a presentation evening. Director of pressure group Liberty Shami Chakrabarti presented students from Plumstead Manor School, in Old Mill Road, with
A PETITION has been launched against plans to increase train fares in north Kent by eight per cent in January. On November 21 the Association of Train Operating Companies announced train operators across the country were planning to increase fares by
Tunbridge Wells 0-5 BBHC ON a bitterly cold day, Bexleyheath & Belvedere Hockey Club’s first team romped to a comfortable triumph at Tunbridge Wells. BBHC started off slowly and Wells had the better of the possession, keeping
DJ Jazzie B tells Kerry Ann Eustice about a new project from Soul II Soul and why he’s backing Midi Music Company's new club night at The Albany, Deptford, called Stush. Jazzie B, DJ, producer and, of course, a founding member of Soul II Soul has
WHITE ribbons were handed out by police as part of a campaign against domestic violence. Police officers were on board the Safer Lewisham bus, in partnership with Lewisham Council and the police, to provide information about domestic violence
A POLICE hunt for a man who absconded from a psychiatric hospital ended in Bexleyheath today. John Slavin, 44, escaped from Springfield University Hospital in Wandsworth along with another man John Claydon, 28, on November 18. Slavin
BECKENHAM MP Jacqui Lait has laid the final touches to the building of a hospice for children. Ms Lait visited the building site of a £6.5m hospice in Eltham being built by Demelza Hospice Care for Children. She put down the last
TIME is running out for residents to have their say on a council’s budget. People in Sevenoaks have until December 8 to have their say on its council’s financial priorities for the coming year. As part of setting next year’s budget Sevenoaks Council
Drink 2/5 Decor 4/5 Price 3/5 Atmosphere 3/5 Staff 3/5 A friend called me when I was in the Lord Homesdale and was shocked to learn of my location. They wasted no time informing me the pub was a (insert your own swear word here) hole and I
DARTFORD Harriers duo Nick Wood and Cara Oliver continued their excellent form at the second match in the Kent Fitness League in Canterbury. Wood finished second overall in 29m57s, while Oliver took third place in the ladies’ race in 35m14s
A TEENAGER took the plunge by swimming up a mountain to help provide clean drinking water in Borneo. Lauren Dignum, 18, swam 205 lengths or 4,095 metres in the swimming pool at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Beckenham . The distance
Thom Southerland's production of cult musical Mack & Mabel perfectly evokes the grit and glamour of the silent film era, writes Kerry Ann Eustice Keystone Studios — one of the big-hitting early silent movie hubs — was the training ground
THE second Kent Fitness League match of the season took place at Blean Woods near Canterbury on Sunday, with 20 brave Istead & Ifield runners turning up in snowy conditions. The snow turned to light rain and then to heavy rain and hail for the rest
AFC Wimbledon Ladies 0-1 Ebbsfleet United Ladies FOLLOWING what seemed to be a long break in league action for the Fleet Ladies, they returned with a win at AFC Wimbledon. Victory was vital as they needed to keep the pressure on Denham Ladies, who
CHILDREN and adults have got into the Christmas spirit by attending a festive themed craft fair. The fair took place on November 22 at Wrotham Road Primary School in Wrotham Road, Gravesend. More than 300 people attended the fair which included
THE restoration of a building in north Kent has been commended at a national competition. The grade I listed Darnley Mausoleum at Cobham Park, was commended in the craftsmanship section of the Stone Federation Great Britain’s 2008 national awards competition
SIX parks in the News Shopper area are competing for cash to pay for a major makeover. By voting for your local park, you can help win one of the grants worth up to £400,000. Forty-seven of the most needy parks around London are competing
DARTFORD Judo Club's girls grabbed gold at the British Judo Association’s junior and senior British championships in Sheffield. With the opportunity for medallists to win automatic qualification to the GB squads, both events proved tough and
Keen to see what happens when you take the ballet out of Swan Lake and replace it with any-ability performers from a community dance project, Trinity Laban has created an exciting fusion of music and dance. Driven by its interests in developing collaborative
NEWS Shopper has teamed up with See Film First to offer you the chance to see the new comedy-drama Dean Spanley before it opens nationwide. We have 100 free tickets for a special preview screening at 11am on December 7 at the Greenwich Picture
On this day in... 1823 – Britain’s first pleasure pier opened in Brighton. 1963 – JFK was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. 1966 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their London debut at the Bag O’Nails Club. 1984 – The all-star recording
Old Gravesendians 38-14 Mitcham A PROLONGED challenge from Surrey side Mitcham almost derailed Old Gravesendians’ EDF Energy Junior Vase hopes. Trailing 14-7 with 30 minutes left, Old Gs finally found some confidence and rhythm to run in four tries
LULLINGSTONE Castle enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 win over Swan Valley in the second round of the League Cup A to book their quarter-final place. Already leading 3-0 at half-time, two further goals in the second period sealed an easy triumph with
A CARE worker’s aspirations to make her street the greenest in London has led to her to being named as a finalist in the Green Guardian Awards. Chloe Hanchen, of Aberdeen Terrace, Blackheath, has been nominated as a green champion for Lewisham for
A TEENAGER has been arrested in connection with the murder of David Cooper in Woolwich. The youth was arrested in a London street last night (November 24 ) and is in custody at a south London police station. He is the fourth person to
Vigo A 44-7 Footscray A VIGO took the opportunity to give some of their third team players a rare run out, but they still proved too strong for Footscray in a friendly match. On a bitterly cold afternoon, Vigo ran in eight tries with Sam Andrews
YOUNGSTERS have launched a scheme to raise money for African communities without access to clean water. It was launched by Year 8 girls at St Matthew Academy in St Joseph’s Vale, Blackheath, on November 20. They had to come up with ways to sell
For six students of Hayes School’s sixth form this year’s Children in Need campaign meant a lot more than usual. Natalie Faulkner, Jenna Lomax, Rebecca Lake, Sarah Perryman, Jennifer Mahoney and Grace Perry all supported each other in carrying out a
Although it was most famously home to Henry VIII, Eltham Palace’s history stretches back much further. Its more distant past is documented in a new book from former Eltham resident John Priestley who in his book Eltham Palace reveals secrets
AN OPPORTUNITY for three parks in Penge to be part of a multi-million pound makeover has been put to the vote. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has launched a scheme to regenerate ten open spaces in London and 47 parks, including a combined
BEEKEEPERS from Bexley have been cheered by the work of an American bee breeder, in tackling the effects of a mite which is wiping out bee colonies. Frank Pendell, one of America’s leading breeders, who is based in California, was invited by Sidcup Beekeepers
VOLUNTEERS have been getting stuck in at one of Bexley’s premier open spaces, making sure the borough has a good supply of young native trees. Friends of Foots Cray Meadows in North Cray, were joined by other enthusiastic volunteers to work on the new
A VARIETY of youth and community groups and residents plan to turn out on Sunday (November 30) for a community clean-up. Organised by the Crayford Safer Neighbourhoods policing team, the clean-up will concentrate on clearing the rubbish from
STAFF at Bexleyheath Broadway’s Asda store pulled out all the stops for their fundraiser. Given a target of £2,500, store greeter Sid Waite serenaded customers while Pudsey Bear gave his encouragement. The staff were also set another
THE Met Police has launched a new telephone number for the public to call to free up its 999 service from non-urgent calls. In an emergency, such as when someone is injured, in danger or being threatened, if a crime is happening, or someone suspected
YOUNGSTERS at a Bexley children’s centre got the chance to celebrate Black History Month and learn a little about other cultures. The centre in West Street, Erith, held two sessions, inviting children and their parents to celebrate their own black
Explorers Henry Worsley, Henry Adams and Will Gow have taken a flag to Antarctica to fly in the extraordinary weather that is going on there at the moment. The flag is to represent Birkbeck Primary School, Sidcup, who received a visit from Henry Worsley
A CAMPAIGN group claims that by 2020 transport’s contribution to climate change could be reduced by a quarter. Research by the Campaign for Better Transport has been released in response to the Government’s Climate Change Bill. The group wants
Before you ask, I’m not a typical 19-year-old who lunges straight on to the sofa to watch Hollyoaks or neither do I consider High School Musical to be highly entertaining. Since I was born I appear to been blessed with a good memory of miscellaneous
QUEEN Mary’s Hospital is ahead of the game when it comes to meeting Government waiting targets for treatment. The Sidcup hospital has achieved the 18-week target wait between a doctor’s referral and treatment beginning — two months before the December
INCREASING numbers of residents in Bexley are being caught by unscrupulous traders. Now Bexley Council’s trading standards team has issued a warning and given advice to residents. Bexley already runs a What Tradesman scheme — a list
TWO much-loved people from Sidcup Youth Centre have been given a permanent memorial there by its members. A new seating area at the centre in Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, has been unveiled in memory of James Herring and Richard Gough, who both died in July
A VOLUNTEER with Bexley police is one of three across London to win an award. John Cobbett, 67, a retired engineer who lives in Bexleyheath, has been working as a volunteer at Bexleyheath police station in Arnsberg Way since June last year. Mr Cobbett
My grandma lives in sheltered accommodation and is suffering from progressing Alzheimer’s. The other day she fell out of bed and wasn’t found until three in the morning by the carers that check on her. She had bruises all down the side of her and from
CELEBRATIONS for this year’s achievements by Bexley’s looked-after children took on a more informal look. The young people and those leaving care were invited to plan the event, held at the Marriott hotel in Bexleyheath Broadway, and opted for fairy
FOURTEEN years of work for her park has led to one woman being named as a finalist in the Green Guardian Awards. Chairman of the Horn Park Forum and Horn Park Friends Frances Walker has been nominated as a green champion for Greenwich.
As those of you who regularly read my highly entertaining, amusing and informative blog will know, last night Your Lord and Lady P. were booked up to see David Essex performing in his latest musical entitled, ‘All The Fun Of The Fair’, at the Orchard
CROWD CONTROL: In previous years at the end of the Blackheath fireworks display, crowds were free to stream away in all directions without any problems whatsoever. This year the barriers preventing access to Montpelier Vale created a herding of
STAFF at a travel agent in Welling are looking for lots of Santa’s helpers to help them fill a suitcase with toys and books for sick children. The Co-op Travelcare, in Welling High Street, plans to donate all the gifts to the children’s ward at the Queen
ONE of the stipulations in the new rail franchise is stations should be manned until the last train at night. In the case of Sydenham station, which I use frequently at differing times of the day, this would require at least an additional three or four
IT IS a national disgrace we do not allow, as a matter of course, retired Gurkhas to settle in the UK. These men have served this country with great distinction, punching far above their weight in any conflict, showing great loyalty and often paying
COMMUNITY groups and residents are being offered the chance to view the new Olympic Park site and the home of the Olympic Arena. The free guided bus tours of the sites in Stratford, Newham, are available to Greenwich residents. If you are interested
HUNDREDS of people celebrated with family and friends at an awards ceremony for adult students. More than 200 people studying with Lewisham Council’s adult learning service received awards at a ceremony at Lewisham town hall on November 12. Certificates
PAST president Laurence Basden gave a fascinating talk on his hobby, woodcarving, entitled Carving a New Career at our meeting on November 5. At the November 12 meeting Kay Salter, the chairman and senior coach of the Falcon Spartak Gymnastics Club in
ON NOVEMBER 9 The Kentones, the chorus name of the club, under the direction of Mike Corr, had the honour of taking part in a Festival of Remembrance service in St Michael’s Church, East Wickham. The event, organised by the East Wickham and Welling War
MEMBER Keith Heard recently raised more than £400 in support of the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign by growing a moustache. It was part of a fund raising event called Tacheback —Grow a Tache Raise Cash, hoping to reach £1m for vital research. Cancer
IT WAS crunch time for some exhibitors when Hayes Horticultural Society held its annual chrysanthemum show at Hayes Village Hall on November 8. This is the show in which those gaining the most points throughout the year receive their reward. Doug Wingrave
MEMBERS have had a very busy and interesting past few months, including an entertainment afternoon in which members took to the stage in front of an audience of 80 to raise money for sufferers of Alzheimer’s. There was also an afternoon river trip
To take action over dog mess in the borough, switch Bromley’s vast army of traffic wardens over to catching and ticketing dog mess offenders and get dog mess personnel to deal with parking meter overstay. Problem solved, and less harassment for motorists
I really hope your Kindness Club takes off. Recently at around 6pm I was crossing the roundabout at the end of Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath. As I crossed I noticed a car being pushed by an elderly couple from one side of Long Lane to the other, across
I AM writing to express my joy after hearing the new coffee shop and toilet facilities at Hall Place will now be a dog-free zone. On a recent visit my toddler fell into dog mess and I had to remove most of his clothes and wrap him in a blanket to take
I WAS saddened to read about the death last month of Councillor Alf Catterall. Alf took over from me as Mayor in 1991/92 and was an excellent ambassador for Bexley. He and his wife, Joan, were an ideal partnership, carrying out their civic duties for
WHAT an earth is going on with so-called social care? I read with disgust the story Council Cuts Social Care (News Shopper, November 5) about the cuts the council has made, especially with the elderly and disabled people. Have these people no heart or
One of the stipulations in the new rail franchise to be offered to Southern or anyone who wishes to tender against it is stations should be manned until the last train at night. In the case of Sydenham station, which I use frequently at differing
MAYOR of London Boris Johnson has set up a musical instrument amnesty as part of a drive to get more young Londoners playing music. There must be hundreds of musical instruments gathering dust in homes and attics. We believe they could be put to far
RECENTLY I was beside myself with anger to see a pensioner dropping litter as he walked down my road. On asking him to pick it up, he initially denied dropping it but then did pick it up, but not before telling me had fought in the war “on the submarines
LEGENDS died and a phenomenon was born in 1977, with Elvis Presley, Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx passing away and the release of the first Star Wars film creating a legion of over-zealous fans. Another legend was born in 1977, with Welling’s Dick
The Sports Investor Bet of the Day - Tuesday a 3 point each way bet on horse number 9 Milton Of Campsie in the 3.40 at Southwell - at odds of around 12/1 Trained by Stuart Parr this three year old fily actually ran in the Irish 1000 guineas earlier
It should come as no surprise those who delight in inflicting abuse or turn a blind eye to it are adept at lying to cover it up. This is true whether the abuse is directed at children or women at home, the elderly in care homes, wildlife in our countryside
I AM writing in regard to the points raised by S Blyde on the recreational area planned for the site next to the A2 (Fuming At Possible Pollution From Park, News Shopper, November 5). I welcome the plans and feel the Gravesham area has been missing a
FEW people would deny the loyalty of a dog to its owner but it would appear this loyalty is not being rewarded. The Dogs Trust annual Stray Dog Report reveals 96,892 stray dogs were taken in by councils in the UK last year, 6,710 of which were put to
A BROMLEY man convicted of having sex on a beach in Dubai has had his three-month jail sentence suspended. Vince Acors, 34, of Homesdale Road, Bromley, was freed at Dubai's Court of Appeal, along with Michelle Palmer, aged 36, from Oakham in
