Crane Park in bid for Green Flag.
Crane Park in Whitton is to be entered in a bid for a Green Flag award.
Four hundred thousand pounds of work is coming to an end in the green space.
The funding was secured from the Mayor of London’s Help a London park project.
It was spent on the entrances, bridges, bins, benches and paths.
Richmond worked with Hounslow Council to improve the area.
Last year the park was the subject of a campaign by Crane Park protestors who objected to the siting of a playground because of fears about anti-social behaviour.
New Tower for Croydon
A new tower for Croydon moves closer to being built as the local authority approves the plans.
The £350 million building will be located at 1 Landsdowne Road.
The plans for its 55 floors includes 400 apartments, a 200 bedroomed hotel as well as office sapce.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:10 am
Runnymede Council to Buy Houses
Runnymede Borough Council is getting ready to take on a £100 million mortgage so it can buy its own council houses from the government.
Taking over the properties will mean the Council can keep the rents it collects rather than passing them up to central government.
At present £6.6 million is handed over to the central fund out of rents of £15 million.
With interest rates low, the Council says despite the debt, this will benefit tenants as well as the local authority.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:06 am
Finding Gold in Croydon
There's a glimmer of gold in Croydon after £4 million worth of jewellery was found in the remains of a Croydon pawnbrokers which was burned down during the summer riots.
It took nearly five months to discover the fate of five safes buried in the basement of Albermarle & Bond's Croydon branch.
The company tried to keep it secret until they could find out what had happened to the items that were being held at the shop.
After the fire burned for 8 hours, the building was too dangerous to enter. And then they had to take security measures to prevent theft.
In the end though nearly all of the 4,500 items were found still intact and are now being reunited with their owners.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:05 am
Friday, 20 January 2012
Biker killed in Clapham
Two men are still being questioned following the death of a motorcyclist in Clapham this morning.
Police were called to Rookery Lane just after 6 o’clock following reports of a van in collision with a motorbike.
The biker was pronounced dead at the scene.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:39 pm
Police appeal after thoughtless mugging in Carshalton
A 73 year old widower has been mugged in broad daylight in Carshalton.
The pensioner had just left his home in Bramblewood Close to go to the shops when he was approached from behind.
The thief made off with his Rolex watch worth £27,000, which was a 60th birthday present from his two daughters.
There is no description of the suspect. The theft took place on Thursday morning at about half past ten.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:35 pm
New tourism guide for Richmond out now
Richmond is putting itself firmly on the map.
A new guide promoting dozens of businesses, hotels and attractions will soon be available nationwide to help drive tourists to the area.
It’s feared outer London is sometimes overlooked by people coming to the capital.
But with such a rich history, Tourism and events manager at Richmond council Angela Ivey says it’s the perfect place to visit.
Investigation continues in East Molesey
A man found dead in woodland last week is believed to have shot himself.
Friends have been leaving tributes for Joe Marchese who was found in Hurst Meadows in East Molesey last Wednesday lunchtime.
A single fire arm was found at the scene.
Police are not treating his death as a suspicious.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:01 am
Bad news for Surrey's residents
Council tax in Surrey is set to rise by almost 3 percent.
The authority has also rejected a government grant saying it would be left with a 70 million pound black hole in 5 years if it accepted.
That’s because the grant is dependent on the council freezing council tax completely.
Council leader David Hodge says it would be the equivalent of wiping out Surrey's road maintenance budget for two years.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:00 am
London - Complaint Capital
New figures show that half of England’s most complained about councils, are in the capital.
Ten of the 20 authorities that sparked the most complaints to the town hall watchdog last year were in London.
Birmingham topped the list with 257, followed closely by Southwark at 198 and Lambeth at 186.
Croydon, which was on the list, recorded 121 complaints while Hammersmith and Fulham had 115.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:00 am
Special visit for youngsters in Mitcham
Young cadets enjoyed a visit from London’s Mayor yesterday.
Boris Johnson went on a tour of the Merton Sea Cadet base in Mitcham to launch the YOU programme.
Youth Organisations Uniform, aims to get more youngsters into volunteering roles in uniformed organisations across the capital.
The Mayor took part in a drill where he gave the commands.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:59 am
Mum from New Malden in Mayoral race
The latest competitor in the race to become London’s next Mayor , is a mum from New Malden.
40 year old Siobhan Benita has left her job in Whitehall after 15 years, to stand in the next elections.
The mother of two, who is the Independent Party’s candidate, lives with her husband and two daughters.
She says London needs real change.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:58 am
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Schwarzer agrees new deal at Fulham
Fulham have agreed a contract extension with veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
The 39-year old Australian's new deal ties him to the club until the summer of 2013.
He's set himself the target of playing at the 2014 World Cup for his country.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:50 pm
Police investigate another bank scam case in Surrey
Police in Surrey are investigating another bank scam case.
An elderly man from Staines was targeted by fraudsters who phoned him then posed as couriers to obtain his bank cards.
The suspect managed to withdraw around £800 from the victim’s accounts.
Police have carried out house to house enquiries and are reviewing local CCTV footage.
The case is being linked to a series of similar offences in Egham and Epsom.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:42 pm
Police try to identify body found on Mitcham Common
Police say they think a man found dead on Mitcham Common a year ago may be of Hungarian descent.
The partially decomposed body of the man, was found by a member of the public in an industrial estate in Redhouse Road.
Tests indicated the man probably died in September or October 2010, but a cause of death has not been established.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:39 pm
Woking burglar jailed for over 30 offences
A man from Woking has been sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to numerous burglaries.
41 year old Paul Brabin from Knaphill, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of burglary.
A further 22 burglary offences were also taken into consideration at a hearing at Guildford Crown Court.
He was arrested in November last year. as part of a series of co-ordinated dawn raids.
Police say Brabin was a prolific offender responsible for more than 30 burglaries in and around Woking.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:38 pm
VC cross soldier visits Hampton school
Pupils at a school in Hampton have received an inspirational talk from Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry.
He paid a visit to the Newhouse Centre for children with behaviour, emotional and social development problems.
Lance Corporal Beharry is the youngest living recipient of Britain’s highest military honour – after rescuing wounded colleagues in Iraq in 2004.
He told the pupils how, before he joined the army, he’d been involved in anti-social behaviour and crime – but that didn’t stop him turning his life around.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:24 am
West Molesey woman admits sexual assault and fraud
A court's heard how a young woman posed as boys to have sexual relationships with other girls.
Gemma Barker from West Molesey created three identities.
Even the police were fooled by the 19-year-old cross-dressing and believed they had arrested a male on suspicion of sexual assault.
It was only when Barker undressed in the cells that officers realised their error.
Barker admitted two counts of sexual assault and one of fraud at Guildford crown court and will be sentenced in March.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:22 am
Croydon Athletic folds
Croydon Athletic Football Club is no more.
The owner yesterday informed the Ryman League that they were no longer able to compete due to financial pressures.
They’ve had to deal with a number of off-pitch controversies and tragedy’s involving people linked with the club recently.
Among them, the jailing of Croydon businessman Mazher Majeed for his part in the Pakistan cricket fixing scandal.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:20 am
Legal move starts over Surrey libraries
Lawyers acting for campaigners opposed to Surrey County Council's library plans have issued proceedings at the High Court in London.
The council agreed in the Autumn to devolve responsibilities to groups of volunteers at 10 libraries in the county.
The Surrey Libraries Action Movement is seeking a judicial review of the council's decision-making process.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:19 am
Carshalton man jailed for sex offences
A school IT assistant from Carshalton has been jailed for luring young girls into performing sex acts over the internet.
25 year old Martin Herzog called himself Sandra in internet chat rooms and claimed he was 15.
When police raided his home, they found over four thousand indecent images on his computer.
The father of one, who worked at John Fisher School in Purley, pleaded guilty to a number of charges including making indecent images
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:17 am
Balham gets a funding boost
Wandsworth council has secured a 1.9million funding pot to improve Balham town centre.
The bulk of the money will come from the Outer London Fund which was set up by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to help liven up the capital's town centres.
The cash will be spent on a series of local projects.
These include improvements to the railway bridge over Balham High Road and pedestrian improvements to Hildreth Street
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:17 am
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Chance Discovery of Charles Darwin Fossils
A treasure trove of fossils – including some collected by Charles Darwin – has been rediscovered in an old cabinet.
The fossils, which were lost for about 165 years, were found by a lecturer at Royal Holloway University.
Dr Howard Falcon-Lang who’s based in Egham, made the discovery by chance in the vaults of the British Geological Survey HQ.
The collection of hundreds of beautiful translucent fossil samples can now be viewed online at:
Tanker and car collide on Reigate Hill
A tanker and a car have been involved in a collision on the A217 Reigate Hill.
The road up to the M25 was briefly closed in both directions following the accident just before 1 o’clock.
There are no reports of any injuries but the emergency services remain on scene.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:09 pm
Hampton game postponed
Hampton and Richmond's cup game tonight is off due to a frozen pitch.
The beavers were due to take on East Thurrock in the second round of the FA trophy.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:08 pm
QPR close to signing Henrique
It looks like QPR have won the race to sign highly rated Brazilian striker Henrique.
It is thought Rangers have agreed an 18-month loan deal with a view to signing permanently after.
A work permit is needed for the Brazil under-20 player, who was the top scorer at last year's World Youth Cup.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:45 pm
Police appeal after fatal crash in Fetcham
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was killed in a road crash in Fetcham.
The driver who was in her eighties died when her car collided with bollards on Bell Lane yesterday afternoon.
The woman's next of kin have been informed and a post mortem will take place.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:44 pm
Police investigate armed robbery in Kingston
Police are appealing for witnesses to an armed robbery in Kingston.
Staff were threatened at gunpoint when suspects marched into PC world in Fife Road yesterday morning.
It’s not known how many suspects there were, or how much cash they made off with.
Police want anyone with information to contact them.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:24 am
QPR in cup action
QPR are in cup action later against the MK Dons.
Mark Hughes will again have to do without skipper Joey Barton who serves the last of his three-match ban.
He will also be without Adel Taarabt and Armand Traore who are on African Nations Cup duty.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:24 am
500 complaints about Heathrow noise
Wandsworth Council says it's received more than 500 aircraft noise complaints.
It's since BAA introduced a new flight pattern trial at Heathrow.
During the trial Heathrow is allowed to land more planes over central London during daytime respite periods.
It's when residents would normally get an eight hour break from aircraft noise.
A second trial is scheduled to take place from July until September.
BAA says the aim is to explore ways of making the airport run more efficiently and to cut down on flight delays.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:23 am
Rail delays
Thousands of commuters faced another day of disruption today after cable thieves struck once again.
All South West Trains services from Waterloo were delayed with some cancelled altogether.
All trains between Basingstoke and Woking were delayed as a result after rail operators raised the alarm just after 4am.
A cracked rail at Vauxhall will mean delays throughout the rest of the day.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:21 am
Food waste roll out across Merton
Merton Council has given the go-ahead to roll out its food waste collections across the whole borough this year.
The remaining 32 thousand households, including flats will now be able use the service.
Currently the council collects food waste from 50,000 properties after introducing the scheme in 2009.
By making the move Merton is also set to reduce its landfill tax burden by over £100,000.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:20 am
Monday, 16 January 2012
Self-proclaimed role model from Streatham gets 11 year jail term
A Streatham man who wanted to set up his own youth foundation to give back to the community has been jailed for a series of armed robberies across South London.
26 year old Ismail Farouk Abbas of Danbrook Road was given 11 years behind bars.
He was involved in a robbery from a T Mobile store where staff were threatened with imitation guns.
72 blackberries and £4, 500 was stolen.
Abbas runs his own clothing line which is popular with urban music stars.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 8:27 pm
Cahill completes Chelsea move
Chelsea have completed the signing of Gary Cahill from Bolton.
The England defender had been in talks with The Blues for over two weeks.
Cahill said it was an opportunity he 'couldn't turn down.'
It's manager Andre Villas-Boas' first signing of the January transfer window.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:38 pm
Danny Care banned from driving and fined
England rugby union international Danny Care has pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
The Harlequins scrum half has been fined three-thousand-one-hundred pounds and banned from getting behind the wheel for 16 months.
Care was dropped from coach Stuart Lancaster's Six Nations squad as a result of the incident.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:47 pm
Talks continue over Chelsea's Alex
QPR and Chelsea are still discussing a fee for centre-half Alex.
Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas believes an agreement isn't far away.
The 29 year old Brazilian defender has been told he has no future at Chelsea after handing in a transfer request.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:46 pm
Woking car park shuts next month
A date's been set for one of Woking's main car parks to shut.
Brewery Road will close on Monday February 6th.
It's to allow construction work to start of the new WWF building which will be built on stilts.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:46 pm
30 groups gets cash in Surrey
With temperatures set to drop below freezing for much of the week – there’s some good news for people in Surrey.
Nearly 30 voluntary groups in the county and the council have received over 250-thousand pounds for cold winter schemes.
The money will go towards helping people with insulation and boiler repairs.
A meals on wheels service will also be launched in the Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:44 pm
Gang banned for shops in Wandsworth
A gang of shoplifters have been banned from a shopping centre in Wandsworth.
The group of eight men were arrested after they were caught trying to steal clothes from the Southside Shopping Centre.
Photo packs have now been distributed to all the stores there so staff can identify repeat offenders.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:43 pm
Wandsworth Council cancel good samaritan's parking ticket
Wandsworth Council has cancelled a ticket a driver was given as he fought to rescue a motorcyclist who had crashed.
51-year-old Anthony Mottram of Wandsworth discovered the biker unconscious at a busy road junction.
As Mr Mottram attended to the man a traffic warden put a ticket for 110-pounds on his car which was parked on the pavement.
A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council said Mr. Mottram’s action was a “highly commendable act of public spiritedness” and it would be wrong to penalise him.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:25 am
Trains between Surbiton and Hampton Court disrupted
Over-running engineering work has caused the disruption of train services between Surbiton and Hampton Court.
South West Trains says that due to the work by Network Rail they will not be able to operate any services between the two stations until approximately 8-o’clock this morning.
A replacement bus service will be in operation for South West Trains ticket holders.
For more information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:27 am
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Police foil burglars in Byfleet
Surrey Police are appealing for information in tracing a blue rucksack containing stolen items.
Officers were called to an address in Byfleet yesterday afternoon at about 2pm after two burglars was surprised by residents returning home.
One of the men, in his 20’s was arrested at the property in Oyster Lane.
The other man, also in his 20’s, ran off in the direction of the Byfleet and New Haw train station with the bag believed to contain stolen items including jewellery.
He was later arrested at the station but the rucksack was not recovered.
Police are appealing to residents and business owners between Oyster Lane and the Byfleet and New Haw station to help in recovering the rucksack, which may have been dumped by the fleeing man.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 5:25 am
Non-emergency number has success in Surrey
Following a successful launch in Surrey the non-emergency telephone number is now being used by all police forces in England and Wales.
The easy to remember 101 number was introduced in Surrey in September last year.
According to Surrey Police more than 50 percent of the non-emergency calls they receive are made by members of the public using 101 rather than the previous number.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:04 am
Life-size camel stolen in East Molesey
Surrey Police are appealing for information after a life-size fibre glass camel was stolen from a property in East Molesey.
The camel, which has been used on film sets, was taken from a back yard in Bridge Road between 1am and 11am on Monday January 9th.
The distinctive camel has a faded finish and police believe that more than one person was involved in the theft.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:28 am
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Rod Bradbury
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Rod enjoys and plays all sports and could have been a cricketer if hadn't taken his eye off the ball at a crucial moment.
Lucy Mayer
Lucy is the Senior Broadcast Journalist at Jackie and also the Travel Editor. Find out more about her on the Presenters page.
Sarah Onions
Sarah was schooled in Kingston and she likes jogging around Bushy Park.
Mike Oban
Mike enjoys playing and watching sports and is a budding football coach.
Deborah Martin
Deborah may have started life on a farm in Ohio, USA, but is a long time resident of South West London. Her current loves are fusing glass, good meals out, and dancing.
Dave Stevens
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Natalie presents both news and travel - more on Presenters page.
Alex Loveridge
Alex loves watching tennis at Surbiton and Wimbledon and also plays a bit too. He swims at Richmond, but not in the Thames.
Haz Childs
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Sharmeen lives in Worcester Park and loves lie-ins, kittens, books, politics, make-up and anything with sugar in it, but hates Monday mornings with a vengeance.
Scott McGee
Scott has lived around Kingston all of his life, but has a special connection to Richmond Park. He loves watching sport.
Iona Stewart-Richardson
Iona enjoys writing plays, poetry and kayaking.
David Walker
David´s philosophy is you only live once so go out and grab every opportunity no matter how small.
Sandra Aggrey
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Danielle Boxall
Danielle lives in Epsom Downs, she enjoys music and loves discovering new artists both new and old. She likes history and politics and has a special interest in the 20th Century.
Anna Kretschmer
Anna is an amateur ballerina and ballroom dancer. She also enjoys reading, sewing, and looking after her cat Bess.
Faye De Silva
Faye absolutely loves singing and dancing, even though she can't sing or dance.
Jamie Pearson
Jamie is passionate about Chelsea and bacon sandwiches.
Luke Williams
Luke spends his free time playing synthesisers and watching old sitcoms. Journalism helps remind him of the 21st century.
Ben Chapman
Ben lives in Cheam and loves sport.
Paul Francis
Paul grew up in Fetcham and now lives in Teddington with his wife, two cats and a dog. He supports Fulham and plays in a band.
Chuck Adolphy
Chuck is a huge Chelsea fan and loves all sport, especially cricket.
Helena Skinner
Helena is an avid cyclist, swimmer, and radio documentary listener.
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Jacqui enjoys all sports and has had a go at most! She loves talking, current affairs, music, and walking her polar bear sized dog.
James Kitchin
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Winston’s first love was Geography. Now mapping his way as a journalist, you’ll also often find him singing and dancing in the shower.
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