Archive

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Good marks for housing, but could still do better

HOUSING services in Newham are rated good with promising prospects for improvement, according to an independent report published on Tuesday. The Audit Commission did a two-week inspection of housing management services in June 2004. It looked specifically

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Harmony over the Rex

MEMBERS of the Stratford community forum are planning to put together a small working party to help add residents' input into the Rex music venue redevelopment. Councillors have agreed to plans to add a new gallery, restaurant and disabled access to

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Looking for new blood

A PARENT and community figurehead is organising an awareness event in Stratford to encourage the local ethnic and mixed race community to donate blood. Gowhar Shaikh, of the East Ham Supporter community group, will be highlighting the work of Richard

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Pupils back the bid

THREE schools in Stratford are doing their bit to raise awareness of London's 2012 Olympic bid among young people. Creative experts have been holding workshops for pupils covering banner making, opening ceremony dance displays, citizenship, acting, use

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Police warn of unwelcome knock on elderlies’ doors

POLICE have warned that the number of bogus callers trying to trick their way into older people's homes has been rising again this week. One weekend alone saw four separate incidents across Newham where conmen gained entry to pensioners' homes and stole

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Students support tsunami victims

A COLLEGE in Stratford has urged more than 100 students to support the tsunami victims in devastated Sri Lanka. Members of the Dream Harvest College, The Broadway, made the appeal for humanitarian assistance in front of hundreds at the college's first

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Charity hopes to change more lives

RICHARD House children's hospice believes it is now making a difference to hundreds of people's lives thanks to the hard work of staff. The hospice, in Beckton, has published an annual review of its work in 2004. Staff are now caring for 100 children

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‘Fuzzy’ boundaries of forums under review

PLANS to align community forum boundaries with council ward boundaries would be a sensible idea, according to the chairman of the Stratford forum. Community forums currently have "fuzzy" boundaries so people who live on a border are able to attend one

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Second runway opponents set to meet

A TOTAL of 200 leading opponents of the second runway at Stansted Airport are to meet at a special community conference to plan the next steps in the continuing campaign. The meeting, at the end of January, will see senior members of the Stop Stansted

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Court challenge not to affect timing of plan

A HIGH court challenge to the Stansted Home Owner Support Scheme will not affect the timetable for the plan, according to airport owner BAA. Takeley Parish Council and local residents have lodged documents with the High Court fighting the proposals,

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Learn to work at Stansted

STUDENTS can learn the skills they will need to work at Stansted Airport with a new seven-day programme at Harlow College financed by the European Social Fund. The airport skills pre-employment award, developed by the college in partnership with airport

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GCSE results continue to improve

GCSE results in Waltham Forest have improved at a greater rate over the past four years than the national average, according to figures released last week. The secondary school tables show a 4.3 per cent increase in the number of pupils achieving grade

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Top of the class, girls

WALTHAMSTOW School for Girls has been named as one of London's top schools in a new honours list. It now appears in Ofsted's Internet school hall of fame, which catalogues England's successful schools and colleges. Ofsted's chief inspector David Bell

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Tenants invited to be more involved in housing plans

COUNCIL tenants in Waltham Forest are being invited to have their say on the future of housing services at workshops next week. The events on Tuesday and Wednesday will be held at the YMCA in Forest Road, Walthamstow, opposite the town hall. Ascham

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Top youngsters score in sport

CELEBRITY guest Teddy Sheringham joined students at Chingford Church of England Junior School on Friday to celebrate their achievement of the Sport England Activemark. The prestigious national award is given to schools in recognition of their commitment

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Father’s tribute to brave daughter

A FATHER who lost his daughter to a terminal illness has paid tribute to her courage, as has her school. Yasmin Akwei, 15, of Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, a student at Rush Croft School, Chingford, died at home. She was under the care of her family

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Keep fit and keep green

THE BTCV Green Gym is an innovative project that will help keep you in trim while doing your bit for the community. It offers an alternative approach to exercise by running outdoor conservation projects such as planting trees, clearing hedgerows or creating

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Man lived with goodness, after seeing a face of evil

A church volunteer, who was involved in the relief of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the end of the Second World War, has died two weeks before his 80th birthday. Dennis Webb, of Hollywood Way, Woodford Green, died in Whipps Cross University

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Julia Skinner's news from Isabel Hospice

A NEW year brings new energies and your support is so important. The new year began with a wonderful concert by the Maltings Sinfonia in Ware New Year in Vienna which was so much enjoyed by all who attended. This was the first of many events which

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Ribbons are a sign of how they care

PUPILS at Connaught School are wearing aqua blue ribbons to raise money for the tsunami appeal. Girls in Year 11 got the idea from campaigns in support for breast cancer, aids and against domestic violence. Deputy head teacher Ann Betts said that after

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Man drove wrong way on M11

A 47-YEAR-OLD man drove the wrong way down the M11 for more than a mile near Stansted Airport after missing his turning, a court heard. Unemployed Surinder Budwhal, from Slough, admitted dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen, when he appeared

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Community still divided after teen’s killing

ABOUT 25 members of the National Front (NF) marched through Newham to lay floral tributes a year after a local teen was killed. Ashley Hedger, 16, was stabbed to death in the doorway of a grocery store in Plashet Road, close to the Stratford border,

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Communities pay their respects to victims

HUNDREDS paid their respects to the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster on Sunday at a special civic service. And Mayor Sir Robin Wales has announced that he and his colleagues will give up a day's pay to help the aid efforts. The council may make

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Poetry night is a big hit

A PERFORMANCE poetry night was packed to the rafters at the weekend and fans are being urged to attend the next of the weekly showcases on January 30. The free Word4Word Slam enjoyed a successful first night at its new home at the Theatre Royal bar,

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Beware of letter box intruders

POLICE are warning residents about a safety loophole with UPVC doors, which has led to two burglaries in Woodford Green. When the internal door handle is in the closed position without the door being locked with a key, opportunist thieves have been using

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Cash cost rules out festival street closure

THE Wanstead Festival looks set to go ahead later this year but without a significant road closure after a Redbridge Council committee meeting heard it would cost £6,000. Last year's event was held on Christchurch Green on September 19 without any road

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Big boost for victim support

REDBRIDGE Victim Support got a boost from former councillor Lesley Hilton when she held her annual fundraising feast in its support. Guests including Deputy Mayor Joyce Ryan and Ilford North MP Linda Perham attended the event in aid of the Mayor's chosen

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Will you be mine?

IT'S that time of year again when romance is in the air. As we approach Valentine's Day on February 14, we are offering readers the chance to tell their loved one how much they care about them through the local Guardian. Last year hundreds of people

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No excuses from Still as best side wins

Dagenham and Redbridge 1 Bishop's Stortford 2 (FA Trophy Third Rnd) CUP giant-killers Dagenham and Redbridge had the tables turned as Bishop's Stortford sent them crashing out of the FA Trophy. A brace from Stortford's Steve Morison

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Hot Ash has a burning desire for Daggers to take the glory

DAGGERS defender Ashley Vickers is calling on his team-mates to show they are up for the battle as they chase a play-off place. Vickers said the only way for the side to get over the disappointment of crashing out of the FA Trophy to Bishop's Stortford

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Pards hit by Mills’ bombs

Wolves 4 West Ham 2 (Championship) HAMMERS were tamed by Wolves in a game which saw self-inflicted errors, a blast from the past and another inquiry into refereeing decisions, writes Laura Burkin. While the positives were a brace for Bobby

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Chad aims for a Derby win to follow thoroughbred displays

LUKE Chadwick is among the players Hammers boss Alan Pardew will be counting on to make sure West Ham stake a permanent claim in the top six, writes Laura Burkin. With winger Matty Etherington out with a groin injury for at least three weeks, Steve

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More op woes for Matt

HAMMERS will be without midfielder Matthew Etherington for around three weeks, as he recovers from an operation on his groin, writes Laura Burkin. Etherington underwent keyhole surgery earlier in the season, and although the operation sorted out the

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POWELL’S ODDS ON FOR BET-TER SUNDAY SHOW

HAMMERS defender Chris Powell is backing himself and his team-mates to get back to winning ways against Derby, but said halting their inconsistency must come now and not later, writes Laura Burkin. West Ham face the Rams at Upton Park in a televised

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Passion for the past is a write good move

THE rich and varied history of Ilford is examined in a new book from history author Sue Curtis. Reporter Lonnie Hoegh spoke to the author, who says she is fascinated by Ilford's past. THE finding of the Ilford mammoths, Barnardo's at Barkingside and

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A good innings as a voluntary worker

A WOODFORD GREEN man has received the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award for his service to young people. Graham Sandy, 68, has been involved with the Frenford Clubs for young people, and the Hainault and Clayhall Cricket Club for more than 50

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Watch out for new signs at Charlie Brown's

MOTORISTS and pedestrians using Charlie Brown's roundabout will soon have to keep their eyes open for new road signs. Proposals to increase pedestrian safety at the roundabout include installing surface-level crossing points on all arms of the junction

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Cash boost gives recycling the green light

RECYCLING facilities in Redbridge have been boosted by a Government grant of almost £197,000. Redbridge is set to receive the grant as part of the Government's package of measures to help divert waste from landfill and encourage recycling without putting

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Families link their past and present

A RENEWED interest in ancestral research, coupled with an appeal by the Guardian, has boosted the popularity of the Newham and Redbridge branch of the Family History Society. Wanstead committee member and publicity officer Beryl Rickards, whose branch

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Oasis of wildflowers to be created

PART of a Woodford Green park is to be transformed into a rugged oasis this summer when thousands of pounds worth of wildflowers will fill the landscape. Ray Lodge Park, off Chigwell Road, will be home to a number of wildflowers, such as cornflower,

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The capital of adrenaline sports

Karen Armstrong enjoys the thrills and spills of an adrenaline junkie and relaxes with fine food and wine in the charming region of Aveyron in France. ADVENTURE, history, beautiful landscapes and of course good food and wine is all you could wish for

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On-loan Orient keeper holds his own

PAUL Jones, Orient's on-loan keeper helped Exeter City stretch Manchester United at St James' Park on Wednesday night in a nationally televised match. Two weeks ago, the 18-year-old's dream of playing at Old Trafford came true when Exeter City first

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Plucked from the jaws of the Holocaust

"I DON'T know how my parents managed to get me, my brothers and sister on the Kindertransport when so many other children didn't, but it saved our lives. "To stay behind in Berlin was a death sentence. Had we not left, we would not have survived." David

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Half-Life 2 (PC)

I started playing this game at 6.30pm when I got in from work. Its now 2am and I'm eating pasta that I overcooked three hours ago as I wait for the next level to load. Since I got my copy three days ago Half Life 2 has totally taken over my life. Following

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Childrens book reviews

Have you ever noticed how people are always rushing around, complaining that they don't have enough time for anything? It's lucky for us then that hidden away in Greenwich are the Guardians, the carers of time. And if you like your books stuffed full

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Music CD Reviews

Artist: Thirteen Senses Title: The Invitation Label: Mercury Sophisticated rock-pop has had a good few years, with Travis, Coldplay and Keane the most successful proponents. Steaming into the space left unoccupied by Coldplay's search for critical

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Book Reviews

Hotel On The Roof Of The World by Alec Le Sueur Fawlty Towers meets The Shining in this absorbing tale of business management. Keen to unravel the mysteries of the East, Alec Le Sueur moves to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, to become the marketing manager

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Orient News

THE O's youth team secured a 3-1 win over Gillingham on Saturday with two from Raphael Sylvester and a Scott Wallis strike. The youngsters also won 3-1 in the FA Youth Cup against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday thanks to goals from Jason Demetriou, Derek

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MATT’S MATTERS

SATURDAY was a massive disappointment because we really did let ourselves down. We have been told in no uncertain terms by the manager that our home displays are unacceptable. To stay in touch with the play-off places we really have to get it together

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Hard work pays off for teen duo

THERE wasn't many positives to take out of Orient's defeat against Grimsby on Saturday, although the performance of youth team pair Efe Echanomi and Derek Duncan certainly caught the eye, writes Peter King. Echanomi, 18, grabbed his third goal in recent

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Grim result is no fairytale for Orient

Leyton Orient 1 Grimsby Town 2 (League Two) MARTIN Ling laid into his under-achieving team and promised changes after Orient's dreadful home form continued with a defeat against Grimsby, writes Peter King. Goals from Andy Parkinson and

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Follow the path of a forest gipsy

Variety is the spice of life for Len Banister in Epping Forest FIRST let me apologise to all those awaiting the promised Eton walk. For technical reasons this walk has been delayed but will appear in the near future. This week we are starting from

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Win tickets for O’s LDV clash

THE Guardian has teamed up with light commercial vehicle specialist LDV, sponsor of the LDV Vans Trophy, the chance to win tickets to see the O's take on Bristol Rovers in the southern area semi-final In partnership with LDV dealership Morgan Elliott

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Will you be mine?

IT'S that time of year again when romance is in the air. As we approach Valentine's Day on February 14, we are offering readers the chance to tell their loved one how much they care about them through the local Guardian. Last year hundreds of people

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LING PLANS TO FOIL DIAMOND ROBBERS

ORIENT manager Martin Ling is disappointed that he will have to go against his principles and adopt a more defensive approach following Saturday's defeat against Grimsby, writes Peter King. The O's boss is, however, delighted that striker Gary Alexander

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Will you be mine?

IT'S that time of year again when romance is in the air. As we approach Valentine's Day on February 14, we are offering readers the chance to tell their loved one how much they care about them through the local Guardian. Last year hundreds of people

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It's easy to volunteer

EPPING Forest Primary Care Trust chief executive Aidan Thomas showed how easy it was to volunteer when he took part in a "befriender" session at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping. Mr Thomas spent ast Thursday morning on Poplar ward chatting, reading and

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Bottle collection starts

A FORTNIGHTLY collection of glass jars and bottles has started in the district, as Epping Forest Council looks to reach the Government-imposed recycling target of 30 per cent of all household waste by March next year. Homes in Epping, Waltham Abbey,

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Sullivan could bankroll Spurs

MULTI-millionaire publisher David Sullivan could be set to score a striking home result by bankrolling Totten-ham Hotspur or West Ham United. Mr Sullivan currently co-owns Premiership club Birmingham City but in an interview with the Guardian said he

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Sponsor a minute of hospital care

IT costs £1.3m each year to provide high quality care at St Clare Hospice. Now a new project aims to raise funds by asking people to sponsor one minute of care. Fundraisers hope that by breaking it down into affordable amounts everyone can contribute

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Council tax fraud slur

FEAR and suspicion ran through the borough after 17,000 residents received letters from Waltham Forest Council accusing them of council tax fraud. The Guardian was swamped with calls from distressed residents, many elderly and widowed, who received letters