A headteacher has moved to reassure parents after a 14-year-old was allegedly found with a six-inch knife at a school rated 'outstanding' for child safety. The teenager, a pupil at the school at the time who cannot be named for legal reasons and
Twins used to conquering triathlons are taking on gruelling new challenges in a bid to raise awareness of a disease that killed their brother. Claire Bloom and Lawrence Shafier, 50, who both represent Great Britain in the sport are hoping to encourage
A scheme which will see a number of roads closed to allow children to play in them has been widely welcomed. The Play Streets scheme, announced yesterday by the council, allows residents to shut their roads to traffic so that children can play
Families fear they could be left without vital childcare after three children’s centres were told to leave the sites they have occupied for decades. Parents were shocked by the decision made by King Harold Academy last week, which has left Waltham
A social care provider which supports people with disabilities in Waltham Forest and the surrounding area has changed its name. Vibrance, previously called Redbridge Community Housing Ltd (RCHL), offers community day services, low-support housing
Teachers and staff at a secondary school dressed up in 1940s attire to raise money to feed the homeless. The staff at Walthamstow School for Girls spent yesterday teaching dressed in dungarees, big hats or colourful dresses to raise hundreds for
Tottenham youngsters Massimo Luongo and Grant Hall have joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan. Luongo, 20, is well thought of at Spurs and returns to the club where he spent two months last season and scored twice in nine games. Hall, 21
West Ham United have reportedly made an offer for Vitesse Arnhem striker Wilfried Bony. The Hammers are keen on signing the £10m rated forward but could face a battle with Swansea for his signature. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international
Three rogue landlords have been fined a total of £10,000 in a latest round of housing prosecutions by Redbridge Council. Teslim Olawale Kuti, 54, was slapped with a £5,000 penalty and £1,100 costs after his property in Paget Road, Ilford, was found
More than half of Waltham Forest schoolchildren do not speak English as a first language. Just over 17,000 pupils in the borough do not have English as their native tongue, according to official figures from the Department of Education. The
A grandfather who has donated 75 pints of his blood over the past 30 years has been recognised for his dedication. Anthony Riley, 72, of England’s Lane, Loughton, was honoured by the NHS blood and transplant department at a ceremony involving 93
A woman convicted of murdering an 18-year-old in Woodford Green has had her prison sentence increased after an intervention by the attorney general. Emma Hall, 21, was one of three people jailed for killing Luke Harwood at the playing fields in
A parking overhaul has been announced following a six-month campaign by traders who said business was damaged by commuters parking in shoppers’ spaces. When daily parking charges at Epping station, operated by National Car Parks (NCP) for London
Seaside 'cockle rockers' Grand Reunion headline Loughton Folk Club on Thursday (July 4). Support comes from Dan-n-Steve-n-Dan, a singing-guitar-fiddle trio. Entrance is £5 and doors are at 8pm. It is at the Loughton Club in Station
Litter louts, spitters and those who refuse to clear up after their dogs will be hit with hefty fines after the launch of a council campaign. The Guardian is supporting the authority’s ‘Don’t Mess with Waltham Forest’ campaign to stamp out so-called
A benefit fraudster has been told to work 150 hours for free to pay back his debt for dishonesty. Ian Gerrish of Copperfield, Chigwell, was found guilty of withholding information over his savings, whilst claiming benefits over a period of four
A winner of The Apprentice will attend a careers event in Walthamstow to advise on how to get hired. Tim Campbell MBE, winner of the first series of The Apprentice, will attend the Inspiring the Future event along with dozens of employers at Walthamstow
An information event for people interested in becoming foster carers in Redbridge is being held on Wednesday. Organised by Redbridge Council's Fostering Team, it takes place at Redbridge Central Library's Gloucester Room, in Clements Road, Ilford
A bike ‘doctor’ can perform a check up on your bicycle for free at next weekend’s E11 Market. Dr Bike and his mechanics are offering free bicycle health assessments and practical advice at the market outside Matalan in High Road, Leytonstone, on
The family of a murdered father-of-six are appealing for information about his killer as the third anniversary of his death approaches. Wayne Powell, then 38, of Tottenham, was shot dead in Higham Station Avenue, Chingford, at around 11.10pm on
Thousands of people turned out to have fun and watch local groups perform at a town show over the weekend. Waltham Abbey Town Show featured fairground rides, ferret racing and marches by Epping Forest Pipe Band, as well as demonstrations by community
A 63-year-old man has been jailed for breaching the terms of his anti-social behavior order after he launched into an abusive rant. David Bickers was sentenced to 18 weeks behind bars at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday despite pleading
Leytonstone Arts Trail marks its sixth anniversary when it begins this weekend with the aim of boosting trade and promoting artists. Co-organiser Hilary Douse hopes to encourage more people to use the high street when the trail starts on Saturday
Every week, the Guardian looks at issues affecting our town centres in our Help the High Street campaign. We asked people using shops in two of Loughton’s main centres why they are worth a visit and what could be improved. In Loughton High
The London Fire Brigade has launched an investigation into a fire in a property above a shop in Ilford this morning. The blaze broke out at the property in Green Lane at about 7.30am today. Firefighters took an hour to bring it under control
A pub has had its hours cut following concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime. The Bell, in Ley Street, Ilford, was ordered to shut by 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays after previously being licensed to stay open until 3am. The restrictions
The future of Walthamstow Wetlands will be unveiled at an exhibition on July 13. The exhibition, at The Mill in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, will reveal the plans for the look of the wetlands. Running from 11am until 3pm consultants will display
An art group that has counted a well-known Tube poster designer among its members was praised during its annual exhibition. The group, which meets in Buckhurst Hill and counts transport artist Walter Spadbery among its founding members, put on
Landlords and letting agents are being targeted by the council to make a property accreditation scheme the best in London, which one estate agent says is a two-fold benefit for his business. The Property Accreditation Scheme, which the council
Children will be able to play safely in the streets under a new policy that would see neighbourhood roads have a regular closing time to traffic. Pensioners who remember playing games in a road empty of cars may get the chance to see their grandchildren
A support group for families with new born babies is set to be re-launched. The Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Support Group is based in Ongar and run by volunteers who have undergone specialist training. Families and carers are invited to a picnic
A barbecue, a bouncy castle and beat the goalie will be just some of the attractions at a school's summer fayre. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Chingford will host the annual event, which will also include face painting, arts and crafts and
An investigation has been launched into a flat fire. Firefighters were called to the property in Burrow Road, Chigwell, at 3.20pm on Sunday. Part of the first floor and ceiling of the four-room flat was damaged. No one was injured.
