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Huge rise in burglary
BURGLARY in Barking and Dagenham has seen a huge rise in the past year, recent crime figures reveal. There were 2,431 reported burglaries up to March 2010 – an increase of 369 on the same period last year. But borough commander Chief Supt Matt Bell said... » MORE
Drink drive killer jailed
AN UNINSURED drunk driver who killed two bright young students when he lost control and smashed into a house, has been jailed for eight years. Aloice Mburu, 24, was giving 19-year-old Tabitha Njenga and Perpetual Muchemi, 21, a lift home from a nightclub... » MORE
New council homes for the summer
FAMILIES could be living in new homes this summer after contractors were chosen to build the borough s first council houses in more than 25 years. Mansell Partnership Housing will construct 31 three and four bedroom houses on the former Lintons site, Bar... » MORE
East London Transit runs every six minutes
A £26MILLION bus route linking Barking and Dagenham Docks every six minutes has begun and is expected to ferry six million passengers a year. The new East London Transit (ELT) will also act as a catalyst to woo the first families to the 10,000-home, £1.... » MORE
Council tax freeze
COUNCIL tax will be frozen for the second year in a row but many residents will face a hike in rent, fees and charges. There will be an annual rise in tenant service charges of £10.92, heating and hot water will increase by £63.22 a year and garage rent w... » MORE
Ford factory film hits cinemas in October
MADE in Dagenham, the star-studded film being made of the Ford factory women s fight for equal pay, will be released in cinemas on October 1. Paramount Pictures UK made the announcement last week. The comedy-drama, which went under the working title of We... » MORE
Prison plan axed
THE Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, has caved in to public demands and scrapped plans for a 1,500-inmate prison in Dagenham. There was a public outcry in April when proposals for the category B jail to be built at Beam Park West were announced. Labour MP f... » MORE
MP's stay puts spotlight on 'forgotten village'
TOWN HALL chiefs are demanding the government review its legislation after the appalling state of the borough s council housing was highlighted on national television. In Tower Block of Commons, being aired on Channel 4 on Mondays, Liberal Democrat MP Mar... » MORE
Barking and Dagenham's booze shame
ALCOHOL-fuelled fights and drunken accidents are responsible for thousands of hospital admissions each year with Barking and Dagenham having a higher number than most other boroughs. Findings published last week by the London Drink Debate suggest that alc... » MORE
'Mercy killing' mum guilty of murder
A DESPERATE mother who injected her severely brain-damaged son with a fatal dose of heroin in a mercy killing , was jailed for life and told she must serve a minimum of nine years, after being found guilty of murder today (Wed). Frances Anne Inglis, 57... » MORE
Hammers
Hammers survive deadline disaster
IT WAS a day that many West Ham fans were dreading, but in the end the Hammers came through deadline day unscathed, BY DAVE EVANS. It was a close run thing. Tottenham made a last-day bid to lure Scott Parker away from Upton Park with the prospect of Champ...
Can Dyer deliver West Ham confidence trick?
HAVING watched frustrated from the sidelines at Upton Park for so long, Kieron Dyer has a unique perspective on what is preventing West Ham from finding their form – the players have no confidence, WRITES DAVE EVANS. The 31-year-old midfielder moved ever...
Knives coming out already for West Ham's Grant
STAYING positive amid disaster is something that Avram Grant had plenty of practice with at Portsmouth last year, but the West Ham boss seems to be reaching new heights this term, writes DAVE EVANS. Like the captain of the Titanic shouting all is well a...
Obinna adds to striking options
WEST HAM new boy Victor Obinna already knows what it s like to score against the best defences in the Premier League, WRITES DAVE EVANS. The 23-year-old striker who signed on a season-long loan from European champions Inter Milan on Friday, grabbed two go...
Hall hat-trick sinks Boro
West Ham 5 Middlesbrough 1 WEST HAM schoolboy Robert Hall sent Middlesbrough packing in their first Academy League home game of the season on Friday with a devastating hat-trick. The England under-17 international was in inspired form, with his shot being...
Cole: Hammers will get things right
IT MAY have been expected, but West Ham s defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday evening, made it a club record 20 games without an away league victory. It was the opening game of last season when goals from Mark Noble and Matty Upson gave West Ham a 2-0 vict...
Sunderland clash for Hammers in Carling Cup
IT COULD have been worse. It could have been Bolton Wanderers home or away, but in the end, few West Ham fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of a trip to Sunderland in the third round of the Carling Cup. Saturday s draw brought in those Premie...
Manchester United stay in first gear to take points
WHEN MUHAMMAD ALI was in his prime, he used to fight a lot of no-hopers and then toy with them before putting them in their place, WRITES DAVE EVANS. Manchester United were Ali on Saturday night and though West Ham played the ball around nicely at times...
Don't panic! ... West Ham boss confident his side can avoid relegation fight
NOT A single point on the board and with the prospect of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham to come in the next month, but West Ham boss Avram Grant is refusing to press the panic button. The Israeli coach could suffer a similar start...
Hands off! Grant aims to keep hold of Parker
WEST HAM talisman Scott Parker bailed the team out of trouble in the Carling Cup against Oxford United on Tuesday night. And Hammers boss Avram Grant is convinced that he will be able to keep the influential midfielder after next week s transfer window....
Sport
Muir isn't feeling grand after falter
ILFORD'S Malcolm Muir threw away a lead at the halfway stage of the Guernsey Marathon as he missed out on the £1,000 prize....
Reis cruises to victory
ILFORD AC walking ace Francisco Reis cruised to a comfortable victory in the 3,000 metres walking race at Ilford AC on Tuesday....
Blow me – breeze robs Aaron of best time
AARON BALOGUN continued his late season form to run a campaign best in the London Inter-club Youth Championships at Parliament Hill Fields....
Beagles deserve national recognition
NEWHAM & ESSEX Beagles team manager Rowan Griffiths doesn t believe the athletics club gets the recognition it deserves, WRITES BEN WELCH. The east London club enjoyed another trophy-laden summer season, with the men s team winning their third successive...
Amazing Grace leads the way as Beagles win promotion
BASILDON BEAGLES under-20s won promotion to the Premier Division of the National Junior League after a dramatic day of athletics. The Beagles, comprised of Newham & Essex Beagles and Basildon, erased the disappointment of last season s failed promotion bi...
Tomlinson targets spot on Delhi medal podium
CHRIS TOMLINSON may have finally broken his international medal duck in Barcelona – but the Newham long-jumper insists that was only one item on his 2010 to-do list. Tomlinson finally scratched the longest of itches by claiming bronze with a leap of 8.23...
Record breakers!
NEWHAM & ESSEX Beagles secured their third successive BAL Premier League title at the weekend with an all-conquering performance. The club retained their British League title with 409 points, to beat their club match record of 399 and registe...
Beagles make it three on the trot
WHAT A season it s been for the Newham & Essex Beagles. The weekend s dominating win for the men s team at Lee Valley, broke club records, secured the club it s third BAL Premier League title on the bounce and ensured east London would be represented at t...
Farah is best of British
MIGHTY Mo Farah s season continues to get better and better after he smashed the British 5,000m record in Zurich on Friday. The Newham & Essex Beagle became the first Briton to dip under 13 minutes for the distance and at the same time smashed David Moorc...
Victoria's Singapore sting will only inspire her
VICTORIA OHURU-OGU might have failed to steal the show at the Youth Olympic Games – but she insists her first taste of international medals is just around the corner. The 17-year-old Newham and Essex Beagles star earned her ticket to Singapore by finishin...
Mighty Mo ready for challenge
NEWLY-crowned double European champion Mo Farah believes he has only just scratched the surface of what he can achieve. Farah etched his name into the history books in Barcelona last month becoming the first Brit to top the podium in both the 5,000m and 1...
A sad day as old adversaries part
PLASHET PARK S clash with near neighbours Salamander on Sunday was tinged with sadness. Not because Park found themselves beaten on two of the three rinks, but because this is likely to be the last time they ever play the disbanding club. The East Ham-bas...
Lomax earns new English title shot
MICHAEL LOMAX is looking forward to an autumn date when he will challenge Nottingham title-holder Adnan Amar for the English welterweight belt after the British Boxing Board of Control ordered the championship clash, WRITES LEN WHALEY. The Board Stewards...
Nice little Hearn-er for Audley's camp
By Len Whaley ACCORDING to Audley Harrison, he has already signed for his Battle of Britain, showdown duel with current WBA titleholder David Haye to take place at Manchester s MEN Arena in November. Harrison and Eddie Hearn, son of Matchroom boss Barr...
Pat's poised to settle old score with rival
PAT McALEESE is still smarting from the one blemish on his otherwise perfect record of 10 wins – a draw which came in his clash with Lee Noble at Dagenham s Goresbrook Centre in March. Now he is counting the days until their return clash at York Hall, on...
Boxing's back with a blast!
BOXING comes back to life after its summer siesta with a double blast at York Hall, Bethnal Green, which has two shows booked just 24 hours apart in September. The curtain was due to go up at Britain s busiest boxing venue on Saturday, September 11 with n...
Goresbrook date for Marsh?
ULTRACHEM TKO Gym boss Johnny Eames is relieved to hear this week s news that his fighter Matthew Marsh s bid for the vacant Commonwealth belt against unbeaten Scottish prospect Kris Hughes is now booked for a London venue, possibly Dagenham s Goresbrook...
What's On
The Switch (12A)
JENNIFER Aniston just keeps churning out the romantic comedies. In THE SWITCH (12A), she is Kassie, a smart, fun-loving, single woman who decides she wants a baby. Despite her neurotic best friend Wally s objections, she opts for the services of a charmi...
The Girl Who Played with Fire (15)
HOT on the heels of Swedish murder mystery The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, comes THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (15). Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) and crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) find themselves caught up in another investig...
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG)
TO GREG Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It s a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor – and a festering piece of cheese. T...
Grown Ups (12A)
FIVE friends – Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade – reunite to honour the passing of their childhood basketball coach. With their wives (Salma Hayek, Maria Bello and Maya Rudolph) and children in tow, they spend the Jul...
Scott Pilgrim vs The World (12A)
MEET charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera). A bass guitarist for totally average garage band, Sex Bob-omb, the 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers is that her seven evil exes...
The Expendables (15)
WHAT do you get if you put all Hollywood s tough guy action heroes in one film? You get THE EXPENDABLES (15). Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, even the Governor of California himself, Arnold Schwarzen...
Marmaduke (U)
THE world s most lovable great Dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in 600 newspapers in more than 20 countries) to the big screen in MARMADUKE (U). In this family comedy, the super-sized, ultra-awkward lap dog is living the good life with the Win...
Salt (12A)
AS a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honour and country. But her loyalty is tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy and she goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude cap...
Black Dynamite (15)
WHEN The Man murders his brother, pumps heroin into local orphanages, and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, there is only one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. M...
The Sorcerer's Apprentice (PG)
BALTHAZAR Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluct...
Dagenham rapper Devlin has all the best tunes
RAPPER James Devlin is taking the grime scene by storm and has been tipped as one to watch by the BBC Sound of 2010 List, alongside artists such as Ellie Goulding, The Drums and fellow rapper Giggs. His single, Brainwashed, has had airplay on several rad...
Urban stars' Re:Definition of east London
AN EXCURSION through the musical landscape like you ve never seen before, Re:Definition explores east London s rich past, present and exciting future through the eyes of its homegrown talent. Urban music stars Ghetts, Maxsta, Devlin, Maverick Sabre, Miss...
Grime newcomer takes it to the Max-sta
RISING teenage grime star Maxsta grew up hoping he would one day emulate his east London heroes Wiley and Kano, and has now already worked with both, writes MATT TROLLOPE. And, as an ambassador for the Stratford-based youth organisation Urban Development,...
DJ Tony Nicholls buys Romford clubs
ROMFORD DJ Tony Nicholls has turned club owner, buying not one venue in the town, but two, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Tony, 33, was born in Hackney, and moved to Harold Hill with his family when he was 10. His DJ career began with a residency at the Culture Sh...
The thoughts of Akala
FORMER West Ham trainee Kingslee Akala Daley may not have decided to do his talking on the football pitch, but this rap star in the making has certainly got plenty to say on stage and on his new album, Double Think. Akala – whose older sister is singer...
Grace, Roxy and Dizzee at Lovebox
OUR latest festival round-up focuses on a new dance music event in Orsett at the end of next month and an amazing line-up for an expanded Lovebox in Hackney in July. Dance Crusade launches at The Orsett Showground on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 30, with DJ h...
Guetta and Leftfield play LED
THE mighty David Guetta and legendary electronica pioneers Leftfield are to feature at one of the capital s most exciting outdoor festivals this summer. The inaugural London Electronic Dance festival kicks off at Victoria Park, Hackney, on the August Bank...
Special anti-racism night at The Broadway
SKA legend and fervent anti-racism campaigner Jerry Dammers is coming to Barking on Saturday and has words of warning for the British National Party (BNP) and its supporters. Dammers, a founding member of Two-Tone/ska band The Specials, was an anti-apart...
Mumzy's the word
EVERY now and then you interview someone starting out in the music business who you hope goes all the way to the top, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Mumzy Stranger is one such person. Muhammad Mumith Ahmed, 26, from Plaistow, is one of the good guys out there and...
Electro-pop pays the Rent for Alexander
ARMED with a dancefloor full of electro-pop anthems, his own clothing designs and a kitsch girl dance troupe to wear them, Alexander Price is living the dream, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Growing up in Sheffield, the 25-year-old got his first taste of London li...
End of The Bill
ITV1 S longest running cop show, The Bill airs for the final time on Tuesday, after 27 years. Originating from a pilot called Wooden Top, it has provided work for virtually every recognisable British actor, including Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone, Robert...
Battle of Britain Air Show - win tickets
IMPERIAL War Museum Duxford commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a fascinating range of events in 2010 and we are giving away tickets to its Battle of Britain Air Show. The museum celebrates the role played by RAF Duxford in the...
Shardinay's a YouTube star
OVERNIGHT internet R&B sensation Shardinay King has been dubbed the Marmite of pop music – you either love her or you hate her. But with 93,000 YouTube views in the last month alone, it appears Shardinay may have the last laugh over her critics. The sin...
Gulliver's Land - win tickets
THE RECORDER is giving readers the chance to win one of three family tickets to visit Gulliver s Land in Milton Keynes. Gulliver s Land is a magical theme park for children aged two to 13. In Newland, Milton Keynes, it can be easily found by following sig...
From Chadwell Heath church hall to TV drama
A RISING young actress with her roots firmly in Chadwell Heath is set to hit our screens this autumn alongside the great Dame Maggie Smith. Michelle Dockery, who grew up in St Chad s Gardens, has a leading role in a much anticipated ITV costume drama cal...
Why Threebee's Rick Asiyani loves Bollywood
DANCER Rick Asiyani owes a lot to Bollywood – he was part of the dance troupe Threebee which became the only Bollywood act to make it to the semi-final of Britain s Got Talent this year. As the group limbers up for a busy summer, Rick, 31, has one eye on...
Vivyan Ellacott retires from Kenneth More Theatre
THE man who has done more than anyone to transform Redbridge s theatre scene from rags to riches, has announced his retirement after more than three decades at the very top. Vivyan Ellacott will step down as general manager of the Kenneth More Theatre, Oa...
Sky's the limit for Cynthia at TRSE
AN Upton Park actress is returning to the theatre she worked at as a teenager to star in her second professional production. Cynthia Erivo spent four years doing a variety of jobs at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, including serving drinks in the bar a...
Author Tamsyn Murray introduces showbiz rabbit
AN up-and-coming author s latest book has children hopping with excitement, thanks to its lively lead character – a super pet rabbit with stellar ambitions. Harriet Houdini plays the starring role in Stunt Bunny: Showbiz Sensation, the most recent work fr...
Shanna's 'honour killings' film in running for award
A YOUNG director who has made a short film exploring the shocking reality behind honour killings , is in the running for an award. Shanna Preston s film, Disgraced, is representing Redbridge in Film London s Best of Boroughs award. It is the 21-year-old...
Music for Lovvers at Offset
ROCK music lovers from around the country descend on Hainault this weekend for the Offset Festival. Some 200 artists will perform on eight stages in Hainault Forest Country Park on Saturday and Sunday. The festival features a blend of established artists,...
Offset Festival, Hainault - win tickets
OFFSET, the two-day showcase of cutting edge music, returns to Hainault Forest on September 4 and 5, and we are giving away three pairs of weekend tickets. Headlined by Mystery Jets, the event boasts established names as well as emerging talent. Atari Te...
Under the Stars
WHETHER you want to boogie to some funky disco grooves, pick up the Latin vibe with some big band salsa, feel the rhythms of the finest Asian beats or celebrate under the fireworks, there s a feast of musical delights for all ages this weekend at Newham s...
Win tickets to see McFly, Tinchy Stryder, Alesha Dixon and more in concert
MCFLY, Alesha Dixon, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk and The Wanted headline mega charity pop concert, Summer Live Music Fest, at Sandown Racecourse, Surrey, at the end of this month. And we will be giving two readers four tickets each so they and three mates c...
London Music Show
THE LONDON Music Show – aiming to give visitors every possible opportunity to make music, interact with musicians, experiment with and buy instruments – is coming to ExCeL in Custom House in October. Confirmed artists to date include ex-Prodigy guitarist...
Tasha Kenny - from Barking Market to R&B diva
EXTRAORDINARY talent and a stroke of luck turned a Barking market girl into an R&B diva. Tasha Kenny, 19, is already working with established artists such as US rapper Juelz Santana (who had a No.1 with Chris Brown), Young Spray, and producer Dial Tone –...
Ruby Turner at Canary Wharf Jazz Festival
POWERHOUSE vocalist Ruby Turner is set to be one of the big attractions at this weekend s free Canary Wharf Jazz Festival. The music kicks off on Friday at 7pm with the Robert Mitchell Trio and Alex Wilson s Salsatalk. Saturday s bill starts at 1.30pm an...
Bob Marley's son plays One Love reggae festival at Hainault
THE ONE Love reggae festival starts on Friday, August 6, in Hainault Forest Country Park. The line-up includes Bob Marley s son, Julian alongside the likes of Luciano, Benjamin Zephaniah, Don Letts, Tippa Irie, David Rodigan, Trojan Sound System and many...
Tribute night to Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple
THE big hair, guitar wizardry and rasping vocals of classic Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple are recreated in Canning Town tonight (Friday). Rockers are in for a massive treat when tribute bands Led Zep Too and Deeply Purple bring the anthems of the legendar...
Make friends with Black Soul Strangers
BEAL High music teacher Brendan O Mahoney may not have many school terms left in him if the band he formed soon realises its early potential, as many tastemakers are predicting, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Black Soul Strangers are being compared with the likes...
Rat Pack is back
THE RAT Pack is back in That s Life!, a new musical comedy celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Not only did they sing, act and dance, they exuded style, finesse and most of all, class. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sa...
Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine - win tickets
WILLY Russell classics Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine are being staged at Trafalgar Studios, Trafalgar Square, starring Tim Pigott-Smith and Meera Syal. And the Recorder is giving away tickets to see either show. Much to the dismay of her husband, R...
Learn from Take That dancer Micheal
AFTER a decade of busting professional dance moves on some of the biggest nights in music, stage star Micheal Downing is developing a new breed of promising young talent. The 27-year-old, of Brookside, Hainault, is opening Stadium Theatre School at West...
Parkside Players win five awards
PARKSIDE Players, of Goodmayes, won five awards at the annual Felixstowe Drama Festival for their production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Ame Tillett, who played Gwendolen Fairfax, picked up the best actress award for her debut role. Her husband, Greg Tillett, sc...
Boxing is clever ringside theatre
BOXING has always been theatre, though in a bone-crunching and sometimes blood way. But at Canning Town s Peacock Gym on Monday real theatre will be taking place in the ring. The world-renowned training gym is to host a performance of Gloves On by Roofto...
Half a Sixpence
CLASSIC musical Half a Sixpence is brought to the Kenneth More Theatre this week by Ilford Operatic and Dramatic Society. The show, written in the 1960s, starredTommy Steele as a poor draper s assistant who briefly flirts with high society after inheritin...
Bhangra musical makes history
THE COUNTRY S first bhangra musical opened at the Theatre Royal in Stratford on Saturday. Britain s Got Bhangra charts the huge success of bhangra music and its influence on British culture – from traditional dohl drums to R&B mash-ups. Featuring a live f...
Hilda, 89, celebrates a life in opera
A LEADING lady both on and off the stage, Ilford s own opera star Hilda Hooper has been delighting audiences for nearly seven decades, writes LINDSAY WATLING. But she admits she was caught off guard at the Kenneth More Theatre s (KMT) annual Kenny Awards...
Kenny winners
ILFORD S Kenny Awards were announced yesterday (Sunday), rewarding those involved in shows at the Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Road, Ilford. The winners were: Judy Walker Award for Young Person of the Year – twins Lee and Nicky Caulfield Best Actor - Jo...
Cole-fired play has true grit
THE dark violent world of a Martina Cole novel is not one that immediately springs to mind as an entertaining evening in the theatre. The first adaptation of one of her best-selling books for the stage is so gritty it could have solved this winter s snow...