Outcome Portrait Exhibition in Lewisham. Pic: Tom Dingley
Lewisham hosts LGBT art exhibition
Lewisham is currently hosting a portrait exhibition by local photographer Tom Dingey as part of LGBT history month.
The Outcome Portrait Exhibition features portraits of people from the LGBT community each holding a picture of them as a child.
The free exhibition is on in February at the Broadway Theatre Gallery, Catford.
Tom Dingley hopes to take his project to new heights by publishing a book – in which he’ll be working with Lewisham-based publisher Arachne. A crowdfunding page has been set up in order to raise enough funds to publish the book.
Police appeal for help to find beauty shop burglary suspect
Detectives from Tower Hamlets are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a theft in a Shoreditch beauty store.
It is thought that the burglar got in by smashing the shop window with a paint pot in the early hours of January 23. He took cash, a tablet and a laptop.
The theft took place around 3am on Redchurch Street, Shoreditch and the suspect is described as a white male and in his mid-20s.
At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a blue hooded top and blue jeans.
CCTV footage has now been released in order to help find the man.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 203004 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
New Addington multi-million pound leisure centre unveiled
Plans for a multi-level leisure and community centre in New Addington have been revealed to the public – as part of one of two schemes which aims to regenerate the local area.
Residents of New Addington are soon to be welcoming the £17.5m multi leisure and community centre which will be opening up in Central Parade.
It will provide sports facilities as well as multi-purpose halls, a stage, swimming pool and a fitness suite.
Councillor Alison Butler said: “As a council, we’re keen that the people of New Addington benefit from first-class regeneration that will enhance and improve their lives”.
Two meetings will be held over the forthcoming weeks – which gives the public a chance to view and comment on the plans.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meetings – which will be held on February, 26 and Saturday 27.
Detailed information on times of meetings plus a full list of what can be found at the leisure centre can be found at Develop Croydon.
Youth who pushed man on train tracks has been released on bail
A 18-year-old Croydon man accused of deliberately pushing another man onto the tracks at East Croydon station has been released on bail.
The 53-year old-victim – who was dragged away from an oncoming train by staff at the station suffered serious facial injuries and requires surgery.
Following an appeal issued by British Transport Police, the man handed himself in at a Croydon station – where he was arrested on suspicion of endangering safety and grievous bodily harm.
He was released on bail until March 26.
Lewisham toy library proves to be a success
A Lewisham toy library has moved its base to a shopping centre in the town.
More than 243 families belong to the scheme, which allows parents to borrow toys and return them after a set period much like a lending library.
Paul Redden, centre manager at the Lewisham Shopping Centre, where the library now operates from, said: “We couldn’t be happier that the toy library is now available in the centre, offering a cost effective, environmentally friendly option for families who want to borrow toys.
“The toy library is a great addition to our retail mix and I encourage all families in Lewisham to sign up”.
To be a part of the toy library, membership is available to all families, childminders, carers and charity groups. Cost varies with the two different membership types of six or 12 months.
Garden shed blaze in Bow
Around 20 firefighters tackled a blaze which started in a garden shed – which soon spread to three neighbouring properties in Bow on February 17.
London fire brigade were called to St Stephen’s Road at 8.36am, where four fire engines from Bethnal Green, Homerton and Whitechapel where sent to the scene – at which firefighters spent almost two hours tackling the blaze.
The fire completely destroyed the shed, a ground floor and roof of one property and both roofs of the other two properties.
No one was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Man who shot himself has been named
The Independent Police Complaints Commission have identified a man who shot himself in the face on January 30 as Tony Hanley – a civilian employee of the Metropolitan police.
Hanley, 53, from Wallington shot himself during a confrontation with armed police in Bridge Road.
Mr Hanley was taken to St George’s hospital in Tooting, but died in the early hours of January 31.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “[Our] thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Hanley’s family and friends and this difficult time”.
Investigations are ongoing as to the source of Mr Hanley’s non-police firearm.
