Local News
Mayor Lutfur Rahman mourns drowned teen
THE DEATH of a 14 year old boy, who drowned in Millwall Dock on 3rd August saddened the whole community. The teenager has now been named as Banta Sillah. Mayor Lutfur Rahman spoke for the whole community when he expressed his sadness at the loss of such a young life. Here is his statement – ... Th...
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Tragedy as teenager drowns in Millwall Dock
THERE HAVE been warnings all summer: the rivers, the canals and the docks are dangerous – don’t go into the water. And now a 14 year old boy has drowned in Millwall Outer Dock on the Isle of Dogs. The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, 3rd August. Few details have been made public, ... ...
Is Golden Andy Burnham’s crown slipping?
IT’S BEEN A short honeymoon. Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20th July 2026. His initial message of hope – and a few eye-catching policy announcements – led to good ratings in the opinion polls for Labour. Just two weeks later, we have to ask whether he is making mistakes. Keir Starmer...
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Deputy Mayor is proud of new Women’s Centre
Cllr Maium Talukdar praised the Nari Centre – a new women’s centre for women in Tower Hamlets – after they held the Centre’s first Summer Fest. Tower Hamlets Council has given its Cabinet members very long job titles, and Cllr Talukdar is the Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Tackling Ineq...
Lay’s sour cream & dill crisps recalled
LAY’S SOUR cream and dill crisps contain milk and wheat – but these ingredients are not on the label. This makes them dangerous to eat for anyone who has a milk or gluten allergy. The product has therefore been recalled. The crisps are manufactured by ASR Solutions Ltd and were sold in Home Barg...
Woman assaulted staff at Whitechapel Tube station
WHO IS this woman? British Transport Police are asking members of the public to help them find her. They wish to speak to her in connection with an assault which took place at Whitechapel Underground station. The assault took place at 11.30am on Monday, 29th June. A woman was standing on an Elizabet...
Find out about fostering
IT’S A REWARDING activity, fostering children – and now Tower Hamlets Council is running an event so that you can find out more about it. As well as children, the Council also runs a scheme – “Shared Lives” – which allows people to help look after adults in need. It’s a kind of daytime...
Let’s avoid more fire tragedies this summer
THE WILDFIRES in France and Spain have hit the headlines this summer – but there have also been wildfires in England and Scotland. Now we know how quickly a small blaze can get out of control, we all need to be careful not to start one Just how quickly a small fire can escalate can ... The post Le...
Sounds on Sunday: 50 years ago – 1976-16
FIFTY YEARS AGO we were humming along to the hits of 1976. Some have magnificently stood the test of time; others have not. Join us on Memory Lane as we review them on their golden anniversaries. Elton John and Kiki Dee were still hogging the number 1 chart position this month, and the number two .....
B&Q recalls table fan due to overheating danger
IT’S BEEN the sort of summer that’s sent millions of people out to buy a domestic fan to use at home. Now B&Q has issued an alert: one of the fans it has been selling could set fire to your home. B&Q has recalled the product – a white 9-inch table fan. The product has ... The post B&am...
Congrats Providence – as Council cuts it short
IT’S CONGRATULATIONS to Providence Row Outreach Psychotherapy Service’s “A Place Within”, which is one of the three winners of the London Homelessness Awards for 2026. The London Homelessness Awards are sponsored by the London Homelessness Foundation, London Housing Directors, the Mayor of L...
Council issues swimming warning
IT’S THE WEATHER for swimming – but the waterways running through and past East London boroughs are not the place to do it. They are dangerous. That’s the message emphasised by Tower Hamlets Council today, as they have reminded residents and visitors not to swim in Shadwell Basin (see picture)...
War and weather cause food crisis in Bangladesh
EVERYONE in Bangladesh relies on the country producing food to eat. But a staggering number also rely on the Bangladeshi agricultural industry for their job: the sector accounts for around 10% of the economy and it employs around 40% of all workers in the country. Now that sector – and the food it...
Man charged after motorcyclist dies in Romford collision
THE COLLISION took place at 9.15pm on Whalebone Lane – the A12 – in Romford. A car had collided with a motorbike. The emergency services responded quickly. The London Ambulance Service, the Air Ambulance and the London Fire Brigade all attended. Despite their best efforts, the motorcyclist died ...
Act now to claim a School Clothing Grant
ONE OF the down sides to children going back to schools is that parents have to fork out for school uniforms, PE kits, etc. That’s why Mayor Lutfur Rahman has stepped in to cheer up less well-off families by funding a school clothing grant. If your household income is less than £50,350 per year, ...
Sounds on Sunday: 50 years ago – 1976-15
FIFTY YEARS AGO we were humming along to the hits of 1976. Some have magnificently stood the test of time; others have not. Join us on Memory Lane as we review them on their golden anniversaries. Elton John and Kiki Dee hogged the number one spot with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart for most of ... The...
Community grants consultation starts in Tower Hamlets
A business-as-usual consultation on community grants has started in Tower Hamlets. Sadly, despite the cheerfulness of the Council’s press release, the consultation exercise misses the point. What are community grants? Councils would say that they are funds they spend on community groups which deli...
A day at the seaside ends in tragedy
Hafsa Noor WHAT WAS meant to be a joyful family outing turned into a tragedy when a mother and daughter lost their lives at West Mersea Island in north Essex. The pair died after entering the sea in an attempt to help a young relative in difficulty. The victims, Shalina Rahman, 42, and her 15-year-o...
Is Trump trying to wreck world economy?
TWO MOVES made by US President Donald Trump in the last few days will increase pressure on the world economy. They seem designed to boost the US economy before the mid-term elections, but are unlikely to do so. •First, he resumed bombing Iran. (Everyone seems to call them “air strikes” now, bu...
Tower Hamlets is to have a summer of fun
HAVE FUN… or else! is the message coming from Tower Hamlets Council. Their press release showcasing activities and events available to residents this summer is quite exhausting. There are events for residents of all ages. You have “opportunities to come together, make lasting memories, try somet...