Archive
-
Date
Dumb entertainment ‘rools’ in 2008
I have touched on the subject of how 11 years of New Labour has dumbed down the nation before, but what passes as entertainment these days really takes the biscuit - and before a collective groan emanates, I’m not going to be blogging about Jonathan
-
Date
Budding Welling pop star to unveil new tracks
Welling's answer to Gwen Stefani will premiere tracks from her forthcoming album at a musical showcase at the Soho Revue Bar, London, next week News Shopper started following budding pop star Lucy Lawrence’s career back in 2006 when she left her
-
Date
Lewisham shoppers warned on measles immunisation
RESIDENTS have been offered advice by health experts on childhood immunisations. It was organised by the Lewisham PCT school nursing team who also reminded people there is still a measles epidemic in the borough. All people under the age of 25 are
-
Date
Doctor surgery staff wear pink in aid of breast cancer research
STAFF at a doctor’s surgery dressed in pink clothing to work to raise money for breast cancer research. About 20 staff members at the Rushey Green Group Practice, in Hawstead Road, Catford, wore pink in aid of charity Cancer Research’s breast
-
Date
Unexplained Gravesend death: Neighbour hears fighting
FIGHTING in the Gravesend house where a woman’s body was discovered was nothing new, according to a nearby resident. She says she heard people arguing in the house just hours before the corpse was found in Russell Road at around 2.15am yesterday
-
Date
Bluewater to feel the force of Darth Vader
STAR WARS fans will be able to feel the force when Darth Vader visits the Bluewater shopping centre. Darth and his Storm Troopers will be appearing at the John Lewis store throughout the day on November 22 to meet and greet shoppers. This is part of
-
Date
Greenwich Theatre relaunches Musical Futures festival
Musical Futures – Greenwich Theatre’s annual festival celebrating new musical theatre – returns after taking a year off, this weekend. The theme for this year’s event explores alternative takes on the form, with particular focus on circus skills
-
Date
Bromley peer volunteers support those with mental health problems
A MENTAL health charity is training up some of the people it helps to support others. As part of a Bromley Mind pilot scheme, Peer Volunteers have been running drop-in sessions at Bromley Mind’s Stepping Stones centre in Masons Hill, Bromley. Bromley
-
Date
Boris Johnson unveils transport plans
GETTING passengers from A to B as quickly and safely as possible is the aim of Boris Johnson’s transport improvement plans. In a paper, entitled Way to Go, which was launched today (November 5), the mayor of London outlines how he intends to
-
Date
Homework should be abolished
Homework: We all have it, we all hate it. There seems no way to avoid the extra work we bring home from school every evening. Or is there? Right from the moment we start primary school, we are given additional work to do at home. Whether it be reading
-
Date
More fireworks in Blackheath but concern over care cuts
A MAYOR has backed down over proposals to scrap a popular fireworks display. But he still faces criticism over plans to cut care services for disabled or elderly people and warned that further savings might have to be made as the recession
-
Date
Plans for derelict Eltham cinema given go-ahead nine years after it closed
PLANS for the redevelopment of a derelict cinema have been given the green light. The Coronet Cinema, in Well Hall Road, Eltham, has remained disused since it closed in 1999. But developer Cathedral Group’s plans to partly demolish and
-
Date
Learn how to do clean-up
LONDON’S water charity Thames21 is hosting a training day on November 24 for people who want to organise a water clean-up. The free event runs from 10am to 4pm and is aimed at people who may have a local spot on their river or canal which needs attention
-
Date
Eco news
The red squirrel, which is at risk of extinction in England and Wales within 25 years, may have developed an immunity to a squirrel-pox virus. The disease, which is spread by its American cousin the grey squirrel, was thought to be threatening
-
Date
Scheme gives help to firms on estates
BUSINESSES on the Foots Cray industrial estates are benefiting from a scheme aimed at reducing their environmental impact. The Industrial Area Support scheme is funded by the London Development Agency and overseen by environmental organisation Groundwork
-
Date
Getting children to walk to school is major feet
MULTI-COLOURED cardboard feet were spotted in streets all over Northumberland Heath as schools were about to break up for half-term. The feet, nicknamed Frankie’s Feet, were part of a campaign by a primary school to persuade more children to
-
Date
Your reviews: Over the Rainbow, Greenwich Theatre
Geoffrey Billingsley happily discovers the talents of songbird Eva Cassidy for the first time at the musical depicting her life, Over the Rainbow. Until recently, I hadn't even heard of Eva Cassidy. I am ashamed to admit it but I know quite
-
Date
Council needs to act over dog poo
I AM writing in support of David Cutler’s letter (Dog Owners Should Clean Up After Pets, News Shopper, October 22). Here in Bromley I have only every witnessed one person picking up their dog’s mess. Usually it is just left there. Often the problem
-
Date
TfL should give us a bus route
HAVING read recent letters about changes to the R7 bus route I feel I must express my concern that the area where I live has no public transport at all. Felstead Road, Hillcrest Road, Park Avenue and Goddington Lane are completely without public transport
-
Date
Treatment centre puts patients first
I REALISE this letter comes too late to have any effect on the “accountant” decision to partially close Orpington Treatment Centre but I feel that, even at this late stage, the more people who register their feelings and exercise their right under a democracy
-
Date
Simple way to sort out mess
IN RESPONSE to Dog Owners Should Clean Up After Pets and Think Of Others (News Shopper, Letters, October 22), there is a simple answer to getting owners to clean up their dog’s excrement. Simply permit those who have been given a community service
-
Date
Organisation supports UK’s armed forces
AT THIS time of year our thoughts once again turn to remembrance. We think not only of those who fought so bravely in the last century but also of our recent losses and the continuing sacrifices made by members of our armed forces on a daily
-
Date
To the point
REAL ACTION NEEDED: It was good to read the story Council Determined To Reduce Carbon Footprint in the Green Guardian (News Shopper, October 22). The Carbon Trust seeks to potentially save £8m by 2012/13. I furnished the council with a paper back
-
Date
Greenwich residents achieve their 'Personal Best'
DISADVANTAGED Greenwich residents have achieved their “personal best” through a training programme which is linked to the 2012 Olympics. The 122 people who took part in the Personal Best scheme gained a volunteering qualification, work experience
-
Date
La Cage Aux Folles, Playhouse Theatre, London.
Leisure's Strictly Come Dancing blogger Simon Gross enjoys the return of La Cage Aux Folles to the West End stage Originally produced on Broadway more than 20 years ago and in 1986 at the Palladium, La Cage Aux Folles finally returns to the stage
-
Date
Swimming pools for Beckenham spa draw criticism
A TENNIS club has put forward an application for two outdoor swimming pools and extra tennis courts despite objections from residents about increased noise during the summer months. Amida Racquets and Fitness Spa in Stanhope Grove, Beckenham
-
Date
Trek will raise money for Dartford hospice
PEOPLE are invited to take part in an expedition to raise money for a hospice. A two week expedition which will combine Himalayan trekking with a visit to India's exiled Tibetan community has been organised by the Ellenor Lions Hospice at Coldharbour
-
Date
Gravesend shoppers guaranteed a white Christmas
SHOPPERS are guaranteed to have a very white Christmas this year thanks to a snow machine. Gravesend’s White Christmas is the theme for the town centre this year and it will launch on November 15 when the Christmas lights are turned on.
-
Date
Health walk launched in Hartley
VOLUNTEERS launched a weekly walk on Tuesday (November 4) to encourage a healthy lifestyle. The first ever Hartley health walk left Hartley Library in Ash Road at 10am and will take place at the same time from the same place every week.
-
Date
North West Kent College students take part in team building exercise
STUDENTS took part in a sports day as part of a team building exercise. The day was organised to help develop leadership and team work skills amongst motor engineering students at North West Kent College. It took place at the college
-
Date
Petts Wood teen pulls victory out of a hat
A 16-YEAR-OLD conjured up first prize at a magician’s competition. Edward Hilsum pulled victory, as well as a white dove, out of the hat at the Young Magicians' Club stage competition. It was run by the Magic Circle, a society for professional
-
Date
Fuming at possible pollution from A2 park
IN REGARD to the A2 activity and cycling park, I think it is a wonderful idea to have a park of this type and hope the idea of footpaths and cycle tracks will be kept to. My objections are mainly about using a polluted area as a park. The park is to
-
Date
Win state-of-the-art TV worth £900
NEWS Shopper is teaming up with Panasonic to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a state-of-the-art TV worth £900. The Olympics was not only memorable for the Team GB results, but also for being the first Games to be broadcast in High
-
Date
Mottingham pensioners happy over benches decision
PENSIONERS are celebrating after a housing association ruled out removing the benches where they sit and chat. The group claimed Bromleigh Housing Association was threatening to take away the benches outside its sheltered homes in Horning Close, Mottingham
-
Date
Savour Santa and family search
SAVOUR SANTA: I am subjected every day of the year to the doom and gloom which surrounds our society. Hospital closures, crime on our streets, the state of the economy, child abuse, world famine, the list is endless. At the moment I am reading and hearing
-
Date
MURDER AT PIGGOTT PLACE – THE BREAK-IN
Welcome to all you blogging detectives out there. After conducting a thorough investigation, Your Lord has cracked the case of ‘Murder at Piggott Place’. Now it is your turn to play Sherlock Holmes. Clue: Red light goody used a bolt to break
-
Date
Space for science and God to exist
WITH so much debate in the media about science and religious belief, some readers will be interested to learn of the following curious fact. Immediately after Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969, his colleague Buzz Aldrin celebrated Holy Communion
-
Date
Kent police seek feedback
VICTIMS of crime are being encouraged to have their say on the service they have received from police. From November 1 Kent police officers have been giving feedback surveys to every victim or reporter of crime they come into contact with,
-
Date
Developer in Dartford hotel move
A PLANNING application has been submitted to build a hotel with more than 100 rooms. The application, which was sent to Dartford Council on October 31 by Lexview Ltd, based in Middlesex, includes plans to demolish an existing building in Spital
-
Date
Music and dance at Bromley school beat down cultural differences
A SCHOOL shook to the sound of a drum beat as youngsters learnt about ethnic minorities and their impact on the community. Pupils at Bishop Justus School in Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley, celebrated their second successive heritage day with drumming
-
Date
Hunt for family
I AM trying to trace any members of the McKenzie family related to my grandfather George who lived in Forest Hill and who died in around 1960, or his brothers Leslie, Reg, Colin and Roy. If you can help, call 0161 224 7711. G Brooks, Manchester
-
Date
Working to help our armed forces
AT THIS time of year our thoughts once again turn to remembrance. We think not only of those who fought so bravely in the last century but also of recent losses. The number of our servicemen and women killed and seriously injured on operations
-
Date
Safety message in wake of tragic Belvedere fire double death
FIREFIGHTERS have visited the street where two children were killed in a fire to offer advice and reassurance to residents. Twenty-five fire brigade staff visited Clive Road in Belvedere last Saturday, where they knocked on doors and offered to carry
-
Date
On this day
On this day in... 1605 - King James I discovered the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, hours before the whole government was due to gather together. 1909 - Woolworths opened their first store in Liverpool. 1912 - Woodrow
-
Date
MCCH working to help people with learning disabilities
MCCH is a non-profit-making company which supports people with a learning disability, autism or a mental health need to lead full and valued lives. Our vision is to provide a home, a job and a social life to all our service users. In
-
Date
Pumpkin pandemonium at Orpington school
YOUNGSTERS held a day of pumpkin pandemonium at their school for Halloween. All 222 children at Midfield Primary School, Grovelands Road, Orpington spent the day carving pumpkins as well as making pumpkin soup, sweets and cakes. The
-
Date
How much have changes cost?
IT WAS good to see Bexley chief executive Will Tuckley responding to a News Shopper story (Staff Volunteered To Go In Reorganisation, Letters, October 22). What is strange is why he felt the need to defend the reason why two senior executives are leaving
-
Date
Scheme would have helped the disabled
THERE is an old saying about how “the first casualty in war is the truth”. However, I was not aware war had been declared against the Belvedere Village Regeneration Scheme. That was until I read the clearly distorted and inaccurate propaganda produced
-
Date
To the point
DO SOMETHING: In regard to the story Welcome To Ghost Town (News Shopper, October 28), I have been a resident of Welling for more than 30 years. The town centre has had its ups and downs over that time but it is shocking to see the decline over
-
Date
Force is strong with star Bexley fundraisers
THE Force was with a group of fundraisers who startled shoppers in Bexley with their Star Wars homage while raising cash for the Bobby Moore Fund. The characters walked from Bexleyheath Broadway to Welling in costume and carrying collecting buckets while
-
Date
Bexley Council cuts social care
ELDERLY people are having the help they need to lead their daily lives cut by Bexley Council. Home carers say they are becoming increasingly alarmed at the number of older people whose care has been removed or substantially reduced in recent months.
-
Date
Queen Excalibur in frame at huge price at Chepstow
The Sports Investor Bet of the Day for November 5 is a two point each way bet on horse number six Queen Excalibur in the 1pm at Chepstow. You can expect odds of around 33/1. Trained by Craig Roberts and ridden by 7lb claimer Michael
-
Date
Two taken to hospital after escaping Deptford flat fire
TWO men were taken to hospital after a fire in a flat in Deptford yesterday. Firefighters were called to a fire in a ground floor flat Gosterwood Street at 10.54am on Tuesday (November 4). A man who escaped from the flat before fire
-
Date
US...oops. They never learn...........
These Americans, they never learn, do they? What an unmitigated disaster - after all's been said and done they've only gone and elected another American to the White House! Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!
-
Date
Win a pair of designer glasses worth £125
TO CELEBRATE its sponsorship of Crystal Palace FC manager Neil Warnock, Specsavers, Beckenham and Penge, are giving four readers the chance to win designer glasses. The prize includes a pair of designer frames up to the value of £125, with
