Dundonald Primary in Wimbledon has been given the go ahead to expand
Anti - expansion campaigners say they have been left disappointed following today’s decision to dismiss their appeal by the council.
The Save Our Rec group said expanding onto nearby grounds would mean a loss of recreational space.
A hearing, due to take place on Monday, has now been called off in light of the news. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:46 pm
Lorry fire causing havoc on the M25
Three lanes are closed and there are currently delays of over three hours on the anticlockwise stretch.
It's after a lorry caught fire just after 2.30pm at Junction 13, the turn off for Staines.
Queues are currently tailing back for around 20 miles between Staines and Junction 12, for the M3.
But jams are backing up for over four junctions - currently back to Junction 17, Maple Cross.
There are no reports of any injuries at this moment.
We'll have regular travel bulletins throughout the rest of the day, or find more @Jackie_travel
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:36 pm
Surrey police issues a warning
Surrey Police is urging residents in Ashford and Stanwell to be on their guard after two distraction burglaries in one night.
Keen tennis player, Tom Brake , got a taste of Wimbledon yesterday when he met with school children who have taken part in a programme run by the Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association.
The MP for Carshalton and Wallington spent an hour with children who have benefited from the Aegon Schools Tennis Programme.
The Programme has delivered free teacher training, resources and equipment to local schools including St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls, Carshalton Boys Sports College, Camden Junior School and Tweeddale Primary School.
New Chief Officer for the Surrey Police Special Constabulary
Chris Chapman has been confirmed as the new Chief Officer for the Special Constabulary, replacing James Deller who is moving to the Metropolitan Police.
Chris has been a Special in Surrey for over ten years, in both Waverley and Runnymede.
Last year he was named Special Officer of the year for his leadership and dedication to policing; and his team, part of the Runnymede Neighbourhood team, also won Specials team of the year.
Talking about his new role as Chief Officer, Chris said: I am immensely proud to be offered the opportunity to lead the Surrey Special Constabulary and working alongside my regular colleagues I intend to make the Special Constabulary the best of its kind in the country.
Second Fire Engine For Twickenham
Twickenham could be one of the only fire stations to benefit at a time when huge cuts being made to services across the capital.
Richmond council has welcomed draft proposals that would allow an additional fire engine for the town.
It currently only has one.
Nearby Richmond also has one.
Boris Johnson earlier this week backed plans by London Fire Brigade.
It wants to close 12 stations including Clapham, cut 18 fire engines and 520 jobs to save 29 million pounds in two years.
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance has announced the arrival of its new helicopter. The newer version of the MD902 Explorer aircraft will replace the charity’s existing helicopter based at Redhill ready for night flying in late summer.
In preparation for the 24-hour operation, the charity’s specialist doctor and paramedic crew have already begun to deliver a medical service using an emergency response car through the night.
Adrian Bell, Chief Executive of the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, said: We believe that there is a real and identifiable need for the skills of a specialist medical team during the night as well as through the day. To this end, we have replaced one of our helicopters with a new version capable of night operations. While we are waiting for the necessary regulatory processes to be completed we have started operating by car during the hours of darkness
The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance has helicopters based at Marden and Redhill. The helicopter at Marden will continue to operate during daylight hours and is expected to be replaced with a night flying capable aircraft within the next 18 months.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:46 am
The mens' draw for this year's Wimbledon tennis Championships has been revealed
Laurence Mora has this report from the All England Club.
Photo @Wimbledon
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:30 am
Elmbridge is the UK’s ‘convertible capital’ according to new research
The area, which includes the affluent towns of Esher, Weybridge and Walton, has over 5,000 registered soft tops.
That’s one per every 25 residents.
The City of London and South East counties including Essex also featured in the 10 most popular locations for convertible ownership.
The Outer Hebrides has the fewest registered convertibles per person, with just one drop-top for every 468 residents. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:27 am
Wandsworth Murder Charges
Police have charged two more men in connection with the murder of a teenager in the stairwell of a block of flats in Wandsworth in February.
16-year-old Peter Hagan was stabbed in a ground floor flat on Albion House.
21-year-old Malik Ferguson will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today.
Dean Harmes, who’s 26, appeared in court yesterday and has been remanded in custody.
Two other men have also been charged in connection with the murder.
Wandsworth Nursery Changes
Wandsworth council is to invest more than £1m providing better nursery facilities for disadvantaged children in the borough.
Work is also being carried out to ensure that stay and play services continue to be offered at the borough’s one o’clock centres.
They’ll offer nursery places in the mornings, but offer drop-in stay and play sessions for parents and children under five at other times of the day.
The council has been set an ambitious Government target of providing 1,800 free nursery places for two-years-olds from lower income families by September 2014.
Many of these places can be delivered in existing nurseries and other Ofsted approved buildings, but in order to deliver so many additional new places the town hall is using other council-owned premises, including five one o’clock centres.
Now £1m is set to be spent on bringing these and other council buildings earmarked as nurseries up to standard.
This includes a £370,000 spend on a new children’s centre in King George’s Park which will offer a full range of services for younger children every day of the week, including drop-in stay and play.
At the Bolingbroke, Windmill, Coronation Gardens, Triangle and York Gardens one o’clock centres, these would be used to provide free nursery places in the mornings and play and stay services in the afternoons - and potentially also at weekends for the first time.
Modest charges may be incurred by parents accessing stay and play services at some of the centres, but those at King George’s Park and York Gardens will remain free of charge, as will the drop-in stay and play services at the borough’s 14 other council-run children’s centres.
They are also likely to remain open throughout the school holidays.
Meanwhile the one o’clock centre at Battersea Park is to be transformed into a child and family friendly café with an outdoor play area for toddlers, to complement the recent refurbishment and modernisation of the adjacent children’s playground.
A total of 894 extra nursery places will be available from September this year with another 894 to be provided in September 2014. These are aimed at families whose children qualify for free school meals.
Merton is the top council in the country
The authority has been named Best Achieving Council at the MJ Achievement Awards 2013.
The annual event, which took place last night, recognised the top performing councils in the country, with Merton winning the main award of the night.
The organisers praised the council for consistently delivering for its residents across all service areas, its excellent services and value for money as well as being one of the lowest spenders in London.
It was also praised for often being in the top quartile for performance, having a clear vision, strong forward planning and delivering successful services. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:26 am
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Ponting to retire from cricket
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will retire from all cricket later this year.
The 38 year old, who's currently with Surrey, will bow out in October, after competing in the Champions League with the Mumbai Indians.
He quit Test cricket in December. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:18 pm
Wandsworth Protest
Campaigners will be taking to the streets of Wandsworth this afternoon to show their anger at plans to close one o’clock clubs.
It’ll be what organisers are describing as a children's picnic and family friendly protest.
They’ll get together at 5.30pm in King George's Park and then make their way to the Town Hall at for 6.30pm. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:11 pm
Kingston MP Opens Expo
Kingston’s MP Ed Davey has officially opened the Kingston Business Expo.
It took place at the University’s Business School in Kingston Hill. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:06 am
Wisley Flower Blooms For First Time
A South American plant with a 10ft flower spike is about to bloom at Wisley.
It’s the first time since it was planted 15 years ago.
The RHS at Wisley says the Puya Chilensis would bloom in the next few days and last about a week.
In the Andes it uses its sharp spines to snare and trap sheep and other animals. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 7:52 am
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Richmond Park and North Kingston MP, Zac Goldsmith MP recently visited the Tree House Learning Forest School on Ham Common.
The School teaches children about the natural world by allowing them to explore and interact with an outdoor woodland environment.
Zac discussed the project with teacher April Gutensohn and parents, before being shown a ‘bug hotel’ constructed by the children from bundled sticks. He later took part in a woodland-themed game of charades.
Zac has spoken to thousands of children about the importance of protecting the environment, and recently contributed a chapter to a new children's book on the subject.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:50 pm
Cyclist prepare for South West London Challenge
Finally thousands of people are now in training for Prudential ride London.
It will see cyclists riding a 100 miles through South West London and Surrey in August raising thousands of pounds for charity.
The riders will also go up Box Hill.
So we sent reporter Eliza Philips up the famous Zig Zags:
And if you want to hear how Eliza gets on – go to Radio Jackie’s red button and click on the latest edition of our cycling podcast ‘Two Wheels’.
Nursery school rated outstanding in every category
Ofsted inspectors have rated Thomas Wall Nursery School outstanding in every category following a two-day inspection last month.
Giving the school top marks in all five categories – overall effectiveness, achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management – the inspectors note that, ‘the nursery provides an excellent start to children’s education and equips them superbly to benefit from the next stage of their education.’
Headteacher Pauline Cook, who is retiring from the school at the end of term after 20 years said: “Parents, governors and staff are absolutely thrilled by this vote of confidence from Ofsted.
“Our success is really the result of hard work and good teamwork. We are very good at sharing skills and making sure that everyone is well trained.”
The community school in Robin Hood Lane, Sutton teaches 120 three and four-year-old boys and girls.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:12 pm
Paw - formers roll up! roll up!
The search is on for a purr-fect feline star to mark the new production of the classic ITV comedy, Rising Damp coming to the New Victoria Theatre in Woking.
In the original series, landlord Rigsby had at least one friend in the form of his black and white cat Vienna.
Pet owners are being invited to put their felines forward for the role by emailing the theatre with a photo of their cat.
The chosen cat will take on the role of Vienna as the mascot for Woking.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:42 am
Dramatic Escape In Walton
A family from Walton has made a dramatic escape from a house fire just minutes before the roof collapsed.
Rikki Donovan, his fiancé Amy and their 18 month old daughter Aria were trapped by the blaze late last night at their flat above a shop on Terrace Road.
Their friend Jessica was also there with her 3 month old baby.
They were rescued by neighbours who put a ladder up at the back of the property.
Rikki was alerted to the smell of burning by his partner while he was in the bathroom:
You can hear the full story in Rikki’s own words by going to the red button on our website radiojackie.com/news
Picture courtesy of Nic Merry
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:00 am
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Parents back tougher internet sanctions
The parents of murdered children April Jones and Tia Sharp have called for more action to tackle child abuse images on the internet.
The Government and technology giants have today agreed a fundamental change - which will see the internet watchdog have powers to search out and block abusive material.
12 year old Tia Sharp was reported missing from the home of her grandmother in New Addington last August.
When police discovered her body in the loft of the house seven days later, they arrested her grandmother's partner Stuart Hazell on suspicion of murder.
Hazell was charged with Tia's murder on August 12.
Five days into his trial at the Old Bailey in May 2013, Hazell changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the judge setting a minimum term of 38 years. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:23 pm
Royal Ascot
The Queen has been greeted by cheering crowds as she made a grand entrance to Royal Ascot.
She rode in a carriage with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the head of a procession - which travelled along the course.
Other famous faces at the Berkshire racecourse today include opera singer Katherine Jenkins, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and sports presenter Gary Lineker. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:00 pm
Wimbledon update
British players James Ward and Kyle Edmund have been given wildcard entries for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
They will be joined by USA's Steve Johnson, who won the Nottingham Championship last week, Australia's Matthew Ebden, and France's Nicolas Mahut.
He took part in the longest match in tennis history at the tournament three years ago, losing the final set of his epic three day contest with John Isner 70-68. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:41 pm
Richmond has once again been crowned the most sporting borough in the country
A national survey by Sport England has found 47% of adults there participate in 30 minutes of sport or more every week.
33% of residents also take part in sporting activities three times a week.
Sport England’s survey shows 15.5 million more people are playing sport at least once a week since London hosted the Olympic Games.
That’s a rise of 750,000 on last year. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:39 pm
Success for Sutton
Sutton Council's campaign to bring trams to the borough is celebrating an early success.
Plans to extend the existing Tramlink network to Sutton have been included in the Mayor’s new vision for London document.
“2020 Vision - The Greatest City on Earth” was published last week.
It outlines some of the challenges facing the capital, including housing, employment and transport.
Sutton Council, business and residents support the extension which would vastly improve transport links in and out of, and across, Sutton.
The project will also create and sustain thousands of new jobs, drive economic growth, ease traffic congestion and reduce CO2 emissions. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:36 pm
Chessington update
Rameses Revenge remains closed for a second day at Chessington World of Adventures so a mechanical fault can be fixed.
40 people, including around 25 children, were left stranded on the ride on Sunday afternoon after it stopped working mid -air.
The website encourages theme park goers to enjoy an exhilarating ride which turns you upside down, spins you around and lowers you head first over water fountains.
The website just reads it is closed today, with no word on when it will reopen. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:36 pm
Motorways warning
Half of the emergency roadside phones on the UK’s motorways are off-line until 4 o’clock this afternoon.
It’s so maintenance work can be carried out.
The Highways agency says if you break down on the hard shoulder, you should wait well away from the car for a patrol vehicle to collect you.
Or you can dial a breakdown service from your mobile. If you breakdown in a live lane, you must call 999. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:35 pm
Richmond Park Deer Cull Objection
Protestors who object to the deer cull in Richmond Park are organising a public meeting to discuss alternatives.
Royal Parks says the deer population has to be kept to around 650 and culling is the only realistic option and has been reviewed and agreed with the British Deer Society.
Venison sold from the twice a year cull is thought to make tens of thousands of pounds a year for the parks but the exact amount is kept secret.
Lesley Dove who’s organising the meeting told Radio Jackie about other options:
The meeting is taking place at 7pm tomorrow at the Richard Mayo Centre in Kingston - and you can hear the full interview with Lesley on the Red Button on our homepage.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:17 pm
Tooting Bar Objection
The owners of a bar in Tooting have been ordered to switch their music off earlier each night.
They’ve also been warned that their licence could be at risk if they do not curb noise problems they are causing in the area.
The owners of Honey & Venom in Trinity Road were called to appear before councillors on the licensing sub-committee this week.
It’s after neighbours complained to the town hall about the venue’s late night noise – especially the loud music it was playing. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:15 pm
Sports scheme offers vital outlet for the profoundly disabled
A new project which will offer vital sports opportunities for the profoundly disabled in Sutton is getting underway after a successful pilot scheme.
Sportsability provides people with profound and multiple learning disabilities the chance to take part in a range of activities specially adapted to suit their needs during tailor-made sessions at the Phoenix Centre in Wallington every Friday.
The pilot, which finished earlier this year, showed that not only were the exercise classes beneficial in health terms to participants, but they also enjoyed the chance to socialise.
Sessions run from 11.15am-12.15pm every Friday at the Phoenix Centre, Mollison Drive, Wallington.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:11 pm
New plan to boost opportunities and lives of younger residents in Richmond
Richmond Council has launched a Children and Young Peoples' Plan for 2013 to 2017 which set outs out how it intends to use its services to improve opportunities for younger residents over the next four years.
Building on the success of the previous 2009 to 2013 strategy, the plan outlines a vision and commitment to local children, young people and their families, and explains what the council expects to achieve.
The plan covers all children and young people aged 0 to 19, and a range of services including adoption and fostering, family support, and leisure activities for young people. In addition the plan sets out services that we will provide for young people up to the age of 25 if they have recently left care or have a disability or learning difficulties.
The latest plan was developed following extensive consultation with children, young people and families in the borough.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:56 am
Wandsworth One O'clock Club Saved
Plans announced by Wandsworth council to close an education club have been scrapped.
It’s after Tooting MP Sadiq Khan campaigned alongside parents and the community.
The Windmill One O Clock Club is an education and learning place for parents or carers and their children.
Only for youngster 5 years and under it helps children to reach their full potential through participating in activities.
Fifteen year old Nada Montague was last seen seven o’clock last night.
Nada is Arabic around 5’5" tall, medium build, with brown eyes and very long black hair.
She was wearing a grey hooded top and black skinny jeans.
It’s thought Nada might be in Acton.
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact police at Hammersmith and Fulham via 101. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 7:53 am
Monday, 17 June 2013
Father jailed for shaking his baby in Woking
A father who shook his baby so much, she later died, has been jailed today.
Benjamin Curtis allegedly ‘lost control’ when he shook his three month year old daughter in Woking back in April 2007.
The 30 year old father pleaded guilty for manslaughter and has been jailed for two years. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 5:43 pm
Wimbledon Update
There's been some early success for Britain's Jamie Baker and Alex Bogdanovic on the first day of qualifying for Wimbledon.
Baker fought back from a set down to beat Italian Matteo Viola 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Bogdanovic got past Slovakia's Marek Semjan 7-6, 6-3.
But it wasn't such a good day for fellow Brit Josh Godall at Roehampton - he crashed out after going down 6-4, 7-6 to Australian Sam Groth. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:01 pm
Man missing from Croydon
56 year old Colin Stuart who’s from Croydon was last seen at Kings Cross Underground Station yesterday afternoon.
Colin is black, 5' 9" tall, of medium build with short greying hair.
When last seen he was wearing a charcoal duffle coat, blue jeans and brown sandals.
Colin is autistic and is likely to be in a distressed state.
He also suffers from asthma and will be without his medication. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:57 pm
Civic Pride award allows bowling club room to expand
Strawberry Hill Bowling Club will be able to expand their changing rooms and storage area, following a Civic Pride fund award of £2,400 from Richmond Council.
The funding award will allow the expansion of the Radnor Gardens based club and increase its appeal to young people, disabled people and older residents.
The club applied for a one off grant from the council-managed fund which was established to offer cash support to schemes benefiting the community.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 3:47 pm
‘Don’t touch’ warning over oak processionary moth caterpillar nests
Residents and visitors to Richmond are reminded not to touch the nests which oak processionary moth caterpillars are building in oak trees around London.
Last month Richmond Council again started work on its annual programme to prevent the spread of a moth in South West London which damages trees and is a potential health hazard.
As well as damaging trees, the caterpillars can pose a risk to human and animal health. The tiny hairs from the caterpillar can be blown in the wind and can lead to itching skin and, less commonly, sore throats and eye problems.
As part of the preventative action being taken by Richmond Council, oak trees across the borough are being examined and specialist exotic pest controllers have undertaken spraying work in an effort to destroy the larvae of the moths.
So far there have been very few reports of the nests in this borough, however there have been sightings of caterpillars building nests in neighbouring areas.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 2:46 pm
Event to help start ups and existing businesses coming to Kingston
Kingston’s MP Ed Davey is celebrating the town’s efforts to beat the economic downturn.
He’ll officially open the Kingston Business Expo on Thursday.
Jerry Irving is Chief Executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce.
He popped into our studios to explain a bit more about the event.
For more info on Thursday's event, click here posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 1:06 pm
Live Penguins won't be coming to Epsom
The Ashley Centre in Epsom has decided not to run an event featuring live penguins following concern from shoppers.
The Humboldts were due to visit the centre on June the 29th as part of an educational roadshow about the effects of climate change on the birds.
The event will still go ahead, but with a range of penguin related activities instead of a close encounter. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:20 pm
Chertsey Stab Charge
A man has been charged in connection with a stabbing incident in Chertsey on Saturday.
Officers were called to Galsworthy Road following reports that a man in his 20’s had been injured during an incident in the street between 1.10pm and 1.20pm.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
48-year-old Richard Donovan from Woking has been charged with assault occasioning GBH with intent.
He’ll appear before Staines Magistrates Court today.
Serious Crash Near Heathrow
One man is in hospital with life threatening injuries this morning following a serious crash near Heathrow.
It happened on the anti-clockwise stretch of the M25 just before 1.30am when a car a van and a lorry collided close to junction 14.
The injured man was trapped in his car.
He was cut free and taken to St. George's Hospital in Tooting.
A woman in the same car was taken to St George's with more minor injuries while the male van driver was taken to Frimley Park Hospital. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 12:06 pm
Rameses update
Rameses Revenge will stay closed until further notice.
That’s according to Chessington World of Adventures following yesterday’s mechanical failure.
40 people, including around 25 children, were left stranded 20 feet above the ground for over two hours after it ground to a halt.
Fire crews say they had to cut through harnesses to free those on board.
No one was injured, but a witness told us many were left extremely stressed. The theme park is now looking at what caused the problem.
The video below shows what happened following a mini break down at the theme park less than a year ago - in August 2012.
And on July 23rd, 2001, around 40 visitors were trapped upside down on the ride when it suddenly stopped due to a technical hitch.
After a couple of seconds the safety system activated, lowering them to the ground.
It took 20 minutes to release them.
Emergency services tended to 6 people for asthma/panic attacks, although no one was seriously injured.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 11:14 am
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Rameses gets his revenge as riders are left stranded at Chessington
Around 40 people have been rescued from a ride at Chessington World of Adventures.
Fire crews were called to the theme park this afternoon, when "Rameses Revenge" developed a mechanical fault.
Riders were left stranded about 20 feet in the air for at least two hours, however, no one was injured in the incident.
The theme park has apologised for the discomfort experienced by those affected. posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 10:09 pm
Pothole nominations received in Kingston
Following the News item broadcast last month about troublesome potholes in Kingston, we were inundated with pictures.
We cannot display all of them, but have a couple here sent in by residents in the New Malden area, where badly covered potholes appear to be a huge problem. One resident told us they counted 12 large holes, some covered up, some not, along one small stretch of Mount Pleasant Road, pictured below.
One resident in Elm Road told us the pothole problem is so bad there, people are swerving to avoid them for fear of damaging their cars.
Our original story, the council's reply, and details on how to nominate your pothole for repair, can be seen below.
People living in Kingston are being urged to nominate potholes for repair.
The council spent £3/4 of a million sorting the damage last year.
However, a number of listeners have complained to Radio Jackie about the state of their roads following the harsh winter.
We took their concerns to Councillor Simon James, lead member for transport.
To report a pothole, click hereposted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 5:30 pm
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Rod Bradbury
News Editor
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.
Leigh-Ann Gerrans
Leigh-Ann loves news and current affairs. She started life in Zimbabwe, but lives in Clapham. She's embraced life here and loves making the most of everything the area has to offer.
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
Dave never cooks and likes a glass of red wine while not drinking Guinness. He is also a chocoholic.
Natalie Osborne
Natalie presents both news and travel - more on Presenters page.
Andrew Catford
Andrew is Wimbledon born, loves challenges: trekking Nepal, diving with sharks, snowmobiling the Arctic. He says there's nothing better than being just outside your comfort zone as you're only here once.
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.
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.
Haz Childs
Haz is from Hampton and loves all genre in music, but has a soft spot for reggae and Bob Marley.
Emma Adams
Emma used to walk past Jackie when she was younger and wonder what it looked like inside. Now she knows.
Sharmeen Ziauddin
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.
Juliette Ivie
Juliette says she's generally one of those people who hates to miss out on things, so she can sometimes be quite hard to pin down! She's probably at a gig, theatre, bar, pub, or on a walk.
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.
Ed Drake
Ed was born and raised in South West London. Having competed in alpine skiing at the Olympic Games, he’s a lover of speed on a motorbike, car or on skis.
Grace McGachy
Grace wants to be the next Mary Berry, failing that, she's happy being a journalist! She recently started a vinyl record collection and loves old movies.
Katie Shanahan
Katie is a Kingston girl who loves sport. She’s played hockey for England, but now enjoys cycling in the Surrey Hills with a good coffee and cake to finish.
Adam Shaw
Adam is passionate about football and Jaffa Cakes.
David Walker
David presents both news and travel - more on Presenters page.
Holly Snelling
Holly would love to have a job that pays her to travel round the world and is a firm believer houmous goes with almost anything.
Sandra Aggrey
Sandra wants to travel the world in 60 days.
Shona Duthie
Originally from Scotland, Shona has lived in London since 2015 and is passionate about football.
Tayo Andoh
Tayo used to watch Sir Trevor McDonald present the news and that inspired her lifelong dream of becoming a broadcast journalist. She is also a keen baker.
Aimee Miller
Aimee is fascinated with Asian cultures and languages and dreams that one day she'll be working in North East Asia. You can often find Aimee awake in the dead of the night with her head in a horror novel.
Helena Lambert
Helena was born in Hammersmith, plays the violin and loves to travel.
Abbey Thorogood
Abbey lives in Epsom and loves writing, travelling and going to the theatre.
Saskia Lumley
Saskia studied English at Oxford University and used to work in PR.
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.
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