Local News
Thousands of people flocked to this year's Chingford Village Festival leading its organiser to proclaim it the 'best ever.' The chime of bells at SS Peter and Paul's Church marked the start of festivities at noon today (Saturday)with visitors of all ages heading to the green, off Station Road where tents offered tempting bargains, real ale, and information about local clubs and societies. Attractions on offer for youngsters included a giant pink slide and a 'Busy Bee' puppet show, with music lovers treated to impressive performances by a number of groups, including the William Morris School Gospel Choir, the Epping Forest Pipe Band, and members of the Chingford Ladies Choir. Festival organiser Irene Bull said: "This is the best ever Chingford Village Festival. We've had something in the region of 15,000 people coming and going throughout the day. "When I first helped set up the festival I had dreams of a day like this. Now it is reality. I want to thank everyone on the Festival Committee for helping make this happen." (Waltham Forest News)
A bunch of selfless bankers got green fingered preparing for a charity garden fete. Twenty Barclays workers from across east London spent two days varnishing benches, clearing paths and raking up grass at Haven House Children's Hospice, in High Road, Woodford Green. The vital resource for life-limited children is holding its annual summer get-together on Sunday, July 5, from 11am to 4pm, and needed volunteers to help spruce up their grounds. Emer Roche, Barclays' area community champion, said the experience was a hit with her colleagues. She added: "The weather was lovely and sunny on Thursday but rained a bit on Friday although we did not let that dampen our spirits. "It was very hard work bit we have worked with Haven House before and it helps us with our team building work." David Newport, of Bowes Hardware, Cockfosters, Hertfordshire, donated tools and material for the project. (Redbridge News)
Borough residents are preparing to celebrate and recognise HM Armed Forces as part of Britain’s first ever Armed Forces Day on Saturday. The Guardian spoke to serving members of the Armed Forces’ past, present and future to find out why they chose to serve their Queen and country. Falklands War veteran Nigel Thomas, 53, of Norton Close, Chingford, grew up knowing he would join the Royal Navy because he was inspired by his father who served in the Navy and his mother who was a WREN during the Second World War. The father-of-two was sent to the Falklands War as a weapons electrical mechanic on the fleet air arm in 1982 where he lost several friends and saw many return home wounded. (Waltham Forest News)
After 30 years apart, a South Woodford Waitrose worker has told of her shock in discovering the uncanny similarities between her and her long lost sister. Carla Westburgh, 41, of Washington Road, South Woodford, has worked at Waitrose in the High Road for eight years, unaware that just six miles away in Canary Wharf, her missing sister was employed by the same super market chain. Carla met her half sister Lisa Fretwell, 45, for the first time when she was just eight years old, but the pair lost contact when their dad moved to Australia. Carla said: “When we were younger my dad took us out on a Sunday and I met Lisa, but I didn’t realise at first that she was my half-sister. “I never stopped thinking about her and I decided to try and find her by setting up a family tree online. (Redbridge News)
Nearly 1,700 homes in Chingford were left without power yesterday because of a fault on an underground electrical cable. The fault occurred on 8.32pm yesterday (Monday) but electrical company EDF Energy has now restored electricity to all but 59 homes by 10.55pm. The remainder of the homes received their power back by 3.15am today (Tuesday). An EDF Energy spokeswoman said: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused." (Waltham Forest News)
D-DAY has finally arrived for controversial night spot Funky Mojoes as its licence goes back for review following months of anticipation. After a decision by the licensing sub committee to reduce the trading hours of the bar on South Woodford High Road was appealed against by the owners last November, the case will return to Ilford Town Hall today. Over 70 representations have been made by South Woodford residents against the venue, which has suffered numerous disturbances since its opening in July last year, including the shooting of a doorman and the glassing of a girl. Most of the submissions, which include photographic and video evidence as well as in depth diaries, have been supplied by residents of nearby Tempus Court and the Manor Court Lodge retirement flats that neighbour the premises. Representations will also be made by a member of the council and the anti social behaviour team, who have received 78 complaints from 32 different residents, commencing on the bar's opening night. (Redbridge News)
National News
Ministers announced that financial support for students would be capped because of "difficult economic times". But at the same time, tuition fees will increase by two per cent to £3,290. The announcement was described as a "kick in the teeth" for the record number of young people applying to university because of the dire state of the job market. Student leaders warned that the freeze in grants and loans represented a real-terms cut and would saddle graduates with higher debts. Many current graduates face debts of more than £20,000. Student groups and university lecturers warned that yesterday's announcement would only increase that total still further. Grants for new teacher trainees will also be cut, bringing them in line with support for other students. (The Daily Telegraph)
£30bn shortfall threatens rail and road plans
The full scale of the funding crisis facing Britain's transport system was exposed today as the country's most expensive rail contract was nationalised, while details emerged of a potential £30bn spending gap. A leaked industry memo seen by the Guardian warned of "looming spending cuts" on major transport projects after Department for Transport officials described the consequences of restoring order to public finances. There are now fears that major schemes could be delayed, reduced or scrapped in an expenditure freeze. They include:
• The £16bn Crossrail scheme linking Heathrow airport to Canary Wharf and Essex, which could be delayed.
• A £6bn road building programme including the extension of the hard shoulderon Britain's motorways, which could be cut.
• A proposed high-speed rail route could be pushed back by a decade.
• The rail fare cap of inflation plus 1% could be lifted, raising fares.
The DfT's financial constraints were exacerbated as National Express announced it will hand back its £1.4bn east coast contract at the end of the year, the second time in three years that a company has bid more than £1bn for the route and then quit after admitting that it could not afford it. GNER gave up its £1.3bn contract in 2006, only for National Express to place a higher bid less than a year later. (The Guardian)
Two police dogs die after being left in their handler's car on the hottest day of the year
Two police dogs died yesterday after they were left in their handlers' car on the hottest day of the year. The German shepherds were found dead in the vehicle parked outside Nottinghamshire Police headquarters. It is unclear how long the dogs had been left in temperatures of up to 29C (84F). The RSPCA said temperatures inside the car could have reached 47C (116F). The police dog handler was off duty but had called into the HQ at Sherwood Lodge, in Arnold. Police refused to confirm what type of vehicle was involved. The RSPCA has launched an investigation but the Independent Police Complaints Commission has handed the case back to Nottinghamshire Police. No-one has been suspended. (The Daily Mail)
Okay, so it's a bit strange to label a Wimbledon quarter-final an anti-climax. Particularly when Andy Murray's victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero meant he is about to equal the best performance by a Brit here since Bunny Austin got to the men's singles final in 1938. Particularly when he had dismissed a former world No.1 in straight sets to storm into the semi-finals. Particularly when the young Scot is now just two wins away from pulling off what would be one of the most celebrated triumphs in British sporting history. But put it this way, Murray's mum didn't even bother to watch it. Well, she caught the first set but then she high-tailed it over to Court 4 where Andy's brother, Jamie, was playing in a mixed doubles. And because Jamie's game was a bit of a cliffhanger and he's in a rotten run of form, she stayed there and left Andy to it. Not a bad choice, really, because even though there were moments of breathtaking tennis in Murray's straight sets triumph, the match never got close to hitting the heights of his fourth round classic against Stanislas Wawrinka. It was probably just as well. The last thing Murray needed after his Herculean efforts under the roof on Monday night was another five-setter. (The Mirror)