BRIT School graduates make BBC Sound of 2018 poll Two former BRIT School students have been nominated for BBC Music's prestigious Sound of 2018 poll. Rex Orange County and Jade Bird, both 19, were among the 16 acts long-listed for the title. Both artists have enjoyed a strong year, with Bird appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Rex Orange County landing a feature on Tyler, The Creator's hit album Flower Boy. Previous winners of the award include Adele, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith. The winner of the 2018 poll will be announced on January 12. BRIT School graduate Rex Orange County. Pic: Rex Orange County UK's second-tallest building coming to Croydon Croydon will soon be home to the country's second-tallest building, after Mayor of London Sadiq Khan gave the the go-ahead to the One Lansdowne Road project. The 68-storey skyscraper will feature 794 flats, as well as office spaces, shops and the highest bar in the capital. At 236 metres tall, the skyscraper will tower over Canary Wharf, the Crystal Palace radio mast, and every chicken shop stacked on top of each other, according to The Croydon Advertiser. Only the Shard, at 310m, will be taller. How One Lansdowne Road will look. Pic One Lansdowne Ltd
By Sara Feigin
By Jamie Macwhirter
Pranksters dupe police with lifelike doll in Regent's Canal A hoax wasted police time on Monday, when a lifelike doll dumped in Regent's Canal caused passers-by to believe someone had drowned. A marine unit was dispatched to the scene near Dunston Road, Haggerston, and officers worked for two hours before the "body" was discovered to be a boiler suit filled with a duvet and rolls of toilet paper. Acting Chief Inspector Iain Williams said: "This was a strange incident and unfortunately took away a lot of units that could have been dealing with calls from the public, which is disappointing." Regent's Canal in Hackney. Pic: Clem Rutter School streets traffic ban consultations launched by Hackney Council A scheme to shut off roads outside three Hackney primary schools during school run times is to be put to residents in a public consultation. The proposals would see all traffic apart from busses banned from the streets outside London Fields, Queensbridge Park and Gayhurst Primary Schools in an effort to improve air quality for students. The council scrapped a similar set of proposals in May 2016 after a report found “a high level of opposition” from commuters. The current consultation will launch in this month and if successful the traffic ban could be implemented by February 2018. Pupils from Gayhurst school learning about air pollution. Photo: Erlend Evans
By Holly Pyne
By Emma Snaith
Proportional Representation vote narrowly defeated at Lewisham Council By Khaled Azizuddin A Green Party motion to introduce proportional voting in Lewisham was rejected by the borough council last Wednesday. The decision to retain the current first past the post system - by just a single vote - came despite the motion being seconded by mayor Sir Steve Bullock. It was put forward by the sole opposition councillor, John Coughlin of the Green Party. A statement released by the Green Party contrasted the 51 per cent of the overall vote won by Labour in the 2014 local elections with its dominance of 98 per cent in the council chamber, calling Lewisham a “one-party state.” Councillors debate the motion Pic: Khalid Azizuddin Fundraisers cycle around Lewisham five times to raise money for theatre tickets for children Employees of the Albany Theatre in Lewisham held a sponsored cycle on Tuesday, raising over £600. The team cycled the equivalent of the distance of Lewisham's perimeter five times for the "5 for 5 Challenge". The proceeds will go fund their community giving scheme A Theatre Trip for Every Child, which aims to send every five-year-old in Lewisham to a theatre performance. Theatre Tickets for Every Child launched on June 24 this year and has raised over £17,000, giving 1,700 5-year-olds in Lewisham a chance to go the theatre. The campaign ends on the 11th December. To find out more, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/the-albany/everychild545 Volunteers take part in the sponsored cycle. Pic: Ugbad Elmi Man dies after being found collapsed in road A man has died after being found lying in a road in Forest Hill. The man, who is believed to have been in his late 40s, was found lying in Waldram Park Road on Saturday November 25 at 02:52am. He later died at 03:35am. Police have not yet formally identified him. The Metropolitan Police are looking to talk to a member of public seen waiting at a bus stop nearby on Waldram Park Road, near Montrose Way. Anyone with dashcam footage that may help the investigation is encouraged to give it to the Police,Anyone who might have been in the area, or may have witnessed anything, should call the incident room number 0208 8285 1574 or call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101
By Ugbad Elmi
By Holly Pyne
Residents bid to save historic Isle of Dogs pub By Chloe Leung A campaign has been launched to save the 150-year-old Pier Tavern from demolition on the Isle of Dogs. Although it closed five years ago, residents founded the campaign in opposition to recent plans to demolish the building and replace it with residential blocks. The campaign has since won the support of Conservative councillor Andrew Wood and independent councillor Maium Miah. Andrew Waller, the creator of the group, told East London Lines: "This place has become more significant to me than I ever imagined. I hope we can protect it.” Campaigner Andrew-Waller stands outside the Pier Tavern. Pic: Chloe Yeung
