Archive

  • Home and away from Piggott Place and back again

    Your Lord and Lady Piggott have returned home from 'up north'. Unfortunately, on our return, we were dismayed to discover that our staff had misbehaved themselves. I have no choice but to relay the exploits of Piggott Place in my next blog.

  • Beckenham win takes them into top half of the table

    Beckenham entertained Thanet Wanderers in this crucial league encounter that moved them into the top half of the table whilst condemning their opponents to a place in the relegation zone with a 22 to 5 victory. But it could have been a different

  • BEXLEY: Public is urged to take up swine flu vaccine

    STAFF working for Bexley Care Trust have been lining up to receive their swine flu vaccinations. The frontline doctors and nurses are among the first in the borough to receive the vaccine. Dr Jo Medhurst, the trust’s medical director

  • BEXLEYHEATH: Territorial Army takes on swine flu

    WITH fears of a swine flu epidemic rising, part-time soldiers based at Bexleyheath’s Territorial Army centre in Bexleyheath have just spent two weeks on a training exercise based around a major epidemic. More than 100 TA members travelled

  • NORTHUMBERLAND HEATH: Children open new store

    YOUNGSTERS from a Bexley primary school got the VIP treatment when they were asked to open a new local store. The children, from Northumberland Heath Primary School were invited by the nearby new Co-operative store in Bexley Road, Northumberland

  • BEXLEYHEATH: Guides take a stand on world poverty

    A GROUP of Guides in Bexley have been taking part in an event to break a Guinness world record and do something about world poverty. The 3rd Bexleyheath West Guides were among more than 173 million people across 120 countries who recited a pledge demanding

  • BEXLEY: Who wants to be a councillor?

    A NEW booklet, endorsed by the leaders of Bexley Council’s political groups, is encouraging more people to get involved in local politics. Commenting on the booklet, council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill said: “It contains all kinds of useful advice

  • ERITH: Town forum wants radical rethink on regeneration plans

    THE community forum which represents the townspeople of Erith is demanding a radical rethink of plans to regenerate the riverside area of the town. Bexley Council’s Erith Western Gateway project which would have seen a multi-million pound makeover of

  • BEXLEY: Looked-after children celebrate their successes

    A TABLE magician was one of the highlights of this year’s awards for Bexley’s looked-after children. The children and young people always have a large input into the event, held at the Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath Broadway and this year they wanted

  • BEXLEY: Hall Places pins down the badge competition

    THE landmarks of London which will feature on 33 pin badges in the run up to the 2012 London Olympics have been announced. People living in all 32 London boroughs and the City were asked to vote for their own landmark from a shortlist of suggestions

  • ABBEY WOOD: Charity worker brings hope to young people

    THE founder of a charity which helps young people with education and leisure projects to keep them off the streets and out of trouble has been to meet the Prime Minister and his wife at 10 Downing Street. Florence Emakpose was nominated

  • ERITH: Day centre's work inspires donation

    THE family of a woman disabled by illness has donated cash to the centre which gave her “a new lease of life”. Jill Harbert of Colyers Lane, Erith, attended the Independent Living Centre run by Inspire Community Trust in Whitehall Lane, Slade

  • BLACKFEN: Neighbours get together to gate their alleys

    NEIGHBOURS living in four streets have reclaimed the alleyways behind their homes with help from Bexley Council. Until recently residents of Harcourt Avenue, Burns Avenue and Sherwood Park Avenue in Blackfen and Footscray Lane, Sidcup, have been plagued

  • Villagers march on

    VIGO extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a convincing win over an Olavians side missing so many of their first choice side. The first half was a damp squib as Vigo failed to find any rhythm. Olavians belied their personnel losses with

  • ERITH: Family raises cash for daughter Holly's school

    A FAMILY’S first attempt at fundraising in memory of their eight-year-old daughter has turned into a riproaring success. Holly Gibson of Bexley Road, Erith, who had multiple health problems and disabilities, died in the summer from swine flu

  • Dartfordians pull clear in title chase

    DARTFORDIANS entertained Gillingham at Bourne Rd in a top of the table clash which would give both teams a chance to see how far they have progressed since last season. Gills had only made one slip up this year surprisingly against Becs but had a fine

  • Golden joy for Dartford karate star

    A WILMINGTON Grammar School pupil recently returned home with a gold medal from the WIKF European karate championships in Nicosia, Cyprus. Ben Coward, 16, from Dartford, added this prestigious crown to the spectacular list of other titles that he has

  • Amazing fireworks at Southborough school!

    One of the children in year 5 wrote: Every year Southborough primary school has a fun, exciting firework display that lasts about half an hour. It includes shooters, bangers, sparklers and many more. Loads of people go every year. On site you can

  • NORTH KENT: Remembrance services held across the region

    REMEMBRANCE services were held across north Kent this weekend to honour those who died fighting for their country. On Saturday people gathered at Stone Recreation Ground in London Road, while on Sunday services were held in Windmill Gardens

  • Bexley crash at Norbury

    BEXLEY District girls suffered a heavy defeat in an away kwik cricket match at Norbury Manor School. Playing in a much smaller hall than they have been used to against a team of much older and bigger players, Bexley struggled to adapt. Batting first

  • Thamesmead Documentary

    Chocolate Films will be holding a free screening of Thamesmead: 21st Century during the afternoon of Saturday 5 December at the Greenwich Picture House. Spaces are limited. To reserve a seat, call Chocolate Films, T: 020 7793 4287 (Ana). Chocolate

  • Big turnout for open meeting

    DARTFORD District Swimming Club’s annual open competition welcomed all comers to the Black Lion pool in Gillingham. Competitors came from across the county and from over the water in Essex to take part in the event. Personal bests were the order of

  • Young boxers put on Bexley show

    BEXLEY’S best young boxers will battle top class opposition from around the country at Bexleyheath School on Saturday, looking to show they have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of new world champion David Haye. The amateur show, put on by

  • Double joy for Fleet U10s

    BOTH of Ebbsfleet United’s U10 sides enjoyed emphatic wins in their respective games. The U10 whites smashed Our Lady Youth 5-0 to regain top spot thanks to Finley Martin, Jack Manktelow (2), Ben Kelly and James Miles. Meanwhile, the U10 reds romped

  • More misery for Ebbsfleet

    EBBSFLEET United Ladies suffered a first round FA Cup exit at the hands of lower league Littlehampton Town. Littlehampton took the lead at the end of the first half, but Ebbsfleet equalised through captain Kelly Philpott just after the break. Neither

  • Parkinson ready to fight FA charge

    AFTER being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association last week, Phil Parkinson said he would contest the allegation. The Charlton manager was sent to the stands during the 3-0 defeat to Carlisle United on October 31, but said: “I will

  • Erith pick up crucial victory

    ERITH secured a vital win in Saturday's clash with fellow strugglers Sheppey. Despite another couple of changes in the pack, Erith managed to frustrate the much larger pack of Sheppey and preformed magnificently in defence, both close and out

  • BLACKHEATH: Rosimeiri Boxall 'upbeat' before death

    ROSIMEIRI Boxall seeemed "upbeat and postive" before her death, the Old Bailey heard today. Miss Boxall, of Battery Road, Thamesmead, was found beneath an open window after falling from a building in Coleraine Road, Blackheath, on May 17 last

  • THEATRE REVIEW: The Full Monty ****

    IF YOU were in any doubt about what to expect from this musical stage adaptation of the hit comedy film of the same name, the opening two minutes featuring an oiled, muscled stripper called Keno will dispel any illusions you had of having an intellectually

  • Gravesend League: Lullies hit five to book place

    LULLINGSTONE Castle made progress into round three of the Kent Junior Cup Group A after a convincing victory over Farnborough OBG Reserves. Luke Pearson (2), Ian Hall (2) and Ross Lovett all found the target in a 5-0 triumph. Premier Division leaders

  • BEXLEY: Robber makes his escape on a scambler bike

    POLICE are hunting a man who robbed two restaurant employees as they went to bank the takings. They were on their way into the post office in Blendon Road, Bexley, to deposit the money, which was in a rucksack, when they were approached by a man.

  • Ransley unveiled as passenger for new F1 team

    BEN Ransley from Meopham has been confirmed as passenger for a newly launched F1 sidecar team. Norfolk-based Team Ryder Racing (TRR) based in Norfolk believe Ransley’s experience at both F1 and F2 level over the last three years will bring

  • Istead claim top three finish

    ISTEAD & Ifield Harriers got off to a cracking start at the opening fixture of the Kent fitness league in Swanley Park. The club’s men came second and the ladies sixth, results which left Istead & Ifield third overall on the day. Results: Men

  • GREENWICH: Gaga and Buble to play London gigs at The O2 arena

    TWO of the world's biggest selling artists will be raising the roof at The O2 arena next year. Lady Gaga will bring her quirky brand of electro pop to the Greenwich venue next February and it will be the only London date on her highly-anticipated

  • Pickett does Dartford Harriers proud

    THE latest Kent fitness league meeting was held on Sunday in Swanley Park, with Dartford Harriers AC runners turning out in force. Conditions were dry and the course was flat. There were 450 runners, which is a league record, and Dartford Harriers

  • The solution.

    The rise in violence in London over Halloween brought in to sharp focus the issue of law and order in 21st century Britain. Britain has been policed since 1829 by a largely unarmed police force policing "by consent". This concept derives from the first

  • Medway end Charlton's unbeaten run

    CHARLTON Park’s unbeaten start to the season was brought to a shuddering halt when an inept first half of play allowed a free-running Medway side to establish control of a match which seemed to be out of the home side’s reach for long periods. An error

  • Tea at 3 raises cash for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

    135 people attended a Tea at 3 Afternoon Tea event with author Fiona Castle (October 29) at the Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath to raise money for Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice. Fiona has been a great supporter of Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice

  • Old Gs fall short at Crowborough

    OLD Gravesendians were not able to carry forward the good form from their last match against league leaders Heathfield & Waldron and felling to dispiriting defeat against in-form Crowborough. Flanker Mark Thompson damaged his back in the warm-up and

  • Ambrose starting to fulfil potential at Palace

    DARREN Ambrose believes he is starting to fulfil his potential at Crystal Palace after netting his fourth goal in four games on Saturday. The attacking midfielder scored his 10th of the season in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park,

  • Warnock praises Palace players after Boro win

    PALACE boss Neil Warnock praised his players for earning a hard-fought win over Middesbrough days after a battling draw with local rivals QPR. Speaking after the 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Boro at Selhurst Park, he said: “They had a week

  • Jewiss at the double for Gravesend

    GRAVESEND Hockey Club made an excellent start against Tunbridge Wells and took an early lead when Kerry Jewiss managed to get on the end of a cross from Karen Howell. They remained in control for long periods in the first half but Tunbridge Wells managed

  • NORTHFLEET: Massive fire at recycling centre

    FIREFIGHTERS tackled a huge blaze at a recycling centre in Northfleet yesterday morning. Six crews were called to Pepperhill Household Waste Recycling Centre in Station Road, Northfleet, at around 6.40am. They spent more than five hours

  • Burgess leaves it late to rescue point

    A LATE equaliser from Billy Burgess saved Dartford’s blushes as they shared the spoils with basement side Bognor Regis Town in a six-goal thriller. Bognor Regis were able to parade Slovakian U18 international Andrej Pornecky in goal thanks

  • Mead thump Cheshunt for five

    Cheshunt 1-5 Thamesmead Town Thamesmead go second on goal difference in the Ryman League Division 1 North after a resounding win against Cheshunt on Saturday. Andy Constable walked away with the match ball after bagging a hatrick, while

  • ORPINGTON: Library relocation agreed 'in principle'

    A £1.9M scheme to move a town’s library has been agreed ‘in principle’ by councillors despite protests from users. Bromley Council is proposing to move it from its current site in The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, to the ground and first

  • WEST WICKHAM: Operation Christmas Child appeal at The Pickhurst

    A PUBLICAN is urging people to spread some Christmas cheer by filling shoeboxes with gifts. These boxes will be sent from The Pickhurst in West Wickham to children across the world as part of Operation Christmas Child, which is organised by the Samaritan

  • BEXLEY: Londoners to foot the bill for others' free travel

    THE cost to London councils of the Freedom Pass for the over-60s and disabled people, may be getting a whole lot more expensive. Furious Bexley councillors were told last week of government plans to reduce London’s £55m-a-year subsidy by £28.9m

  • ORPINGTON: Youngsters dress up for Diwali

    YOUNGSTERS have had fun learning about another culture. The 22 children from Tubbenden Nursery in Sandy Bury, Orpington, all dressed up to celebrate the Hindu festival, Diwali. Not only did they wear traditional outfits, but the three to four-year-olds

  • BEXLEY: Thumbs down again for an elected mayor

    BEXLEY Council has rejected the idea of an elected mayor to take over the running of the borough, for a second time. The council says it consulted on its website for two months over this summer on the issue and placed a public notice about