Attendees of a vigil in London to honor the victims of the Air India airplane disaster were deeply moved upon hearing about the two young sisters who were left without parents due to the tragedy. The interfaith service took place on Saturday at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre located in Harrow, north-west London, where Harrow’s Mayor, […]
Category: News
Eight Years Later: Grenfell Survivors Demand Accountability as Memories of Tragedy Resurface
Survivors and family members of those lost in the Grenfell Tower fire are calling for justice on the eighth anniversary of the devastating event that occurred in 2017. The tragic blaze claimed the lives of 72 individuals, including 18 children, and remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police. In the coming months, efforts will commence […]
Kingston Aims for Healthier Future: Proposed Ban on Junk Food and Harmful Product Ads
Advertisements for “unhealthy” foods, along with those promoting vaping and gambling, are poised to be prohibited in Kingston as part of efforts to combat increasing obesity and diabetes rates. A recent report from council officials indicated that this initiative seeks to enhance the health of residents by limiting their exposure to such products, as noted […]
Empowering East London: New Bloom Hub Offers Women and Girls a Sanctuary of Support and Friendship
A new sanctuary for women and girls has been established in east London, serving as a comprehensive resource for assistance and guidance. The Bloom Hub, tailored for individuals aged 13 to 25, functions much like a community center but is exclusively for women. Operated by the charity Advance, which supports survivors of domestic violence and […]
Train Fare Miscalculations: Passengers Face Weeks of Potential Overcharges Ahead of Resolution
Train passengers have been alerted to the possibility of being inadvertently overcharged for their travel until late June. This problem has been impacting commuters using contactless payment methods on certain c2c services connecting Essex and London. The train operator announced that automatic refunds would be issued to those who incurred an extra £3 per trip. […]
Community Unites in Remembrance: Eighth Anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Tragedy
On the eighth anniversary of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, survivors and the families of those who perished gathered for a memorial service to honor the victims. The devastating blaze claimed the lives of 72 individuals, including 18 children, and investigations led by the Metropolitan Police are still ongoing. In the coming months, plans will […]
Royal Recognition: West London Designer Tim Noad Honored with MBE for Crafting King Charles Iconic Cypher
The heraldic artist responsible for King Charles’ cypher is set to be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Tim Noad expressed that he was “over the moon” and “incredibly proud” upon receiving a letter announcing his accolade, which was stamped with his own custom monogram featuring the King’s initials alongside […]
Headline: Community Unites to Honor Grenfell Victims Ahead of Towers Demolition: A Haunting Reminder of Loss and a Call for Justice
This weekend in West London, families who have lost loved ones, survivors, and local residents will gather to honor the memory of those who perished in the Grenfell Tower fire. The Metropolitan Police’s investigation into the factors contributing to this “avoidable” tragedy— which resulted in the deaths of 72 individuals, including 18 children— is still […]
Headline: London Mayor Outraged by Spending Review: Infrastructure Needs Ignored Amid Limited Funding
It’s widely acknowledged that London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, was dissatisfied with the contents—or rather, the lack thereof—of the government’s latest Spending Review. Khan’s aspirations for funding new transport infrastructure projects were met with silence. The increase in police funding, which falls short of addressing the Metropolitan Police’s significant budget shortfall, provided little reassurance, and funding […]
Two private schools in south London to close Текст: Two private schools in south London will close after 75 years due to declining pupil numbers and Labours introduction ofVAT on school fees. Inspired Learning Group (ILG), which runs Park Hill Preparatory School and Nursery, in Kingston, and Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, will close at the end of the academic year. Three High Courtjudges dismissed a legal challengeover the governments policy. Lawyers for the families and private schools argued it was discriminatory. Barristers for the Chancellor, His Majestys Revenue and Customs and the Department for Education said it was to raise standards for state school children by making private school parents pay their fair share. According to theLocal Democracy Reporting Service(LDRS), the board of trustees at Bishop Challoner confirmed on Thursday the Catholic independent school for children aged three to 18 would close on 4 July. The school, which opened in 1950, stated it had been an incredibly difficult decision to close but it had to be made due to the increasingly challenging environment for schools. Amanda, whose 18-year-old son Barney is in Year 13 at Bishop Challoner, told BBC London the news was heartbreaking and came as a complete shock. I feel very much aware of this huge community of people who are being affected: members of staff, support staff, students and parents, she said. She added not all independent schools were full of wealthy families, and this was a small, caring school. Barney is neurodiverse and Amanda said: We chose the school because of its small, community-feel, very calm environment. Its given Barney a social environment that feels safe. I feel very lucky that my son is going to university in September but I cant imagine how parents are feeling with their children in the middle of their GCSEs or A-levels. The schools Chair of Trustees Patricia Colling said: This is a very difficult time for our parents, pupils and staff. We are saddened that, despite our best efforts, the school has to close. LDRS said ILG was offering parents of pupils at Park Hill the option to move to its sister school Westbury House School, in New Malden, from September, which is a 12-minute drive away. Park Hill will be converted into a dedicated full-time nursery, offering 51 weeks of provision for children aged between three months and four years old. ILG said closing the preparatory school, which opened in 1949, and moving its pupils to Westbury House would protect both education settings for the future. Sarah Nunn, Park Hills head teacher, said in a message on the schools website the move would provide pupils with greater opportunities for social development, a wider friendship network and an expanded extracurricular programme – including sport, music and drama. An ILG spokesperson said: The benefit of being in a private group is that we can protect both settings, and ensure the continuity and quality of education for our children, who will always remain our top priority. Additional reporting by Olivia Demetriades, BBC London
Two private schools in south London will close after 75 years due to declining pupil numbers and Labour’s introduction ofVAT on school fees. Inspired Learning Group (ILG), which runs Park Hill Preparatory School and Nursery, in Kingston, and Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, will close at the end of the academic year. Three High Courtjudges […]