Cabinet Members agreed that Elmbridge Borough Council enters into an Option Agreement with the NHS North West Surrey Alliance Development Partner to enable the development of an NHS Neighbourhood Health Hub at Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames Cabinet also acknowledged the impact on the Walton Bowling Club and agreed to continue to consider alternative options for the Walton Bowling Club which includes a commitment to reasonable financial assistance for a merger or to improve bowls facilities in the borough the Elmbridge Cabinet will decide on the proposal to create a new NHS Neighbourhood Hub at the Elm Grove site in Walton-on-Thames This development aims to ensure all residents have access to high-quality healthcare services close to home are committed to the wellbeing and wellness of the local community Their ambition is to provide high quality healthcare services for the local population reduce unnecessary hospital visits and enhance patient experience.  The aim of the Neighbourhood Hub is to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities and tackle health inequalities by creating multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) These teams will include GPs and other primary care professionals and domiciliary and care staff working together to work more efficiently with healthier outcomes for the local community this NHS Neighbourhood Hub development on the Elm Grove site offers a blueprint to deliver a first-class health infrastructure which will offer integrated health services tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for residents in Walton-on-Thames and the surrounding area Walton-on-Thames has some of the highest levels of need While the average life expectancy in Walton is 83.3 years and 84.9 years in North West Surrey it drops significantly to 78.6 years for men in the southern part of Walton This is a stark contrast to the 87.6 years in Oxshott and Stoke D’Abernon The Neighbourhood Hub approach to community care aims to bridge this gap by ensuring all residents have equal access to health and support services close to home The development of the site will enable the relocation of all health services from the current health centre and community hospital site at Rodney Road in Walton The Neighbourhood Hub will allow the existing 13 services to be significantly expanded operating in specially designed patient care facilities with the latest technology the current 19 GP practice rooms will be increased to 26 there are at least seven more planned services that will benefit the local community specialist nursing support for heart failure talking therapies for anxiety and depression A further benefit of the new building is that it will facilitate a seven-day service Elmbridge Cabinet will be asked to review the outcome of engagement with residents from the end of 2024 During our engagement through November and December 2024 which included a survey and in-person sessions we gathered feedback from around 500 residents on the Elm Grove proposals to Residents’ responses covered green spaces and play areas the NHS neighbourhood Health Hub and Walton Bowling Club A more detailed report on the engagement is available. Elmbridge Cabinet will discuss an extraordinary opportunity to support improving health outcomes for Walton residents by selling land on the Elm Grove site to the NHS development partner Cabinet approval will enable the Neighbourhood Health Hub to be built.  The Neighbourhood Hub would centralise essential services supporting community health needs and reduce pressure on local hospitals the Neighbourhood Hub would offer flexible sustainable facilities to benefit the community.  while the benefits of a Neighbourhood Hub are significant we also appreciate the passion and strength of feeling associated with Walton Bowling Club and the wellbeing value bowling brings to our residents.  Elmbridge is fortunate to have a variety of active bowls clubs in the borough We will continue our discussions with Walton Bowling Club about their future plans and support them as best we can This support includes a commitment to reasonable financial assistance for a merger or to improve bowls facilities in the borough.  Our proposal is to enable a new Neighbourhood Hub at Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames the proposed new Neighbourhood Hub development offers a unique chance to develop a modern integrated service that will support residents and improve healthcare for the local population integrated Health Hub while preserving green spaces and enhancing the much-valued Elm Grove recreation ground ensuring it remains a vibrant and valuable space for everyone to enjoy Portfolio Holder for Resources and Deputy Leader Elmbridge Borough Council      The agenda for the Cabinet meeting is available Watch the Cabinet meeting on 30 April at 4pm the Cabinet meeting will now be held on 30 April at 4pm Meeting agenda. Watch the meeting on webcast. We are aware of inaccurate information circulating regarding the development of Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames When incorrect information circulates it creates unnecessary worry and we apologise for that Included in this information is the assertion that on site tenants such as the Elmbridge Eco Hub are being forced to leave their current location the team is positive and optimistic about their move to Coronation Recreation Ground in Hersham This new location is giving them a permanent home allowing them to enhance their services and increase their positive impact on our community.  The potential development of Elm Grove will be discussed at the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting on 24 April (which will be webcast) At that meeting Cabinet members will discuss the options for the site in the context of the business case presented and the results of the residents’ consultation from November / December 2024 All information about Elm Grove is on the council’s website The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council have also been hosting events around Elmbridge in recent weeks discussing Elm Grove (among other topics) and answering any questions from residents.   If the answer to your query on Elm Grove is missing from the website, please email communications@elmbridge.gov.uk and we will ensure it is added Elm Grove will no longer be on the agenda for the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting in March In order to work through the full details and information needed with our NHS partners and on site tenants we will defer the report until a special Cabinet meeting in April.  The results of the consultation will be published with the reports for the special Cabinet meeting on 24 April The Shaping Elm Grove engagement is live from Monday 18 November until midnight on 18 December 2024  After considering your feedback and adopting the Development Brief for Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames we would like to hear your comments on our emerging proposals for Elm Grove Your thoughts and opinions are valuable to us and we invite you to share any further views you may have about this site Elmbridge Borough Council is seeking to develop part of the Elm Grove site for either a new NHS neighbourhood Health Hub or for housing Redevelopment of the site will facilitate improvements to Elm Grove recreation ground including play area enhancements and more trees to help alleviate flooding on site.  Elmbridge Borough Council and your local NHS are aiming to transform the delivery of health and care services we can bring a range of essential services into one convenient location for the community The focus is to support people in their own communities ensuring they can access the right service at the right time The Elm Grove site is ideally positioned for this and will allow expansion of both primary care community health and wellbeing and care services It will support the population health needs now and as the community grows The site offers a unique opportunity for a broad mix of professionals from health voluntary and community sectors to work together and focus efforts on the needs of the people of Walton-on-Thames Local health practitioners and community providers are collaborating with Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership to shape these exciting plans We understand the importance of Elm Grove to our community The decision on whether to develop homes or a Health Hub will depend on the available space.  we cannot accommodate a neighbourhood Health Hub or an optimum number of homes on the site if Walton Bowling Club and the Eco Hub remain in situ.  Your views matterIn this latest community engagement on Elm Grove we are asking your views on the possible development of the site including the value you would place on a new neighbourhood health hub for Walton We have an online survey available to capture your views but as always if you would like this in another format please email: communications@elmbridge.gov.uk.  We will also be available for the below in-person sessions where you can hear more about the possible neighbourhood health hub and understand more about the options of the site The Shaping Elm Grove engagement is available from Monday 18 November until midnight on 18 December 2024. The views captured during this engagement will be reported to Elmbridge Cabinet as part of an options report in the new year and we look forward to seeing you at our drop-in sessions – no booking needed More information on Shaping Elm Grove Stay up-to-date on council and borough news through WhatsApp and our newsletter.  Join Elmbridge Borough Council’s WhatsApp  Sign up to the Elmbridge Borough Council newsletter Help improve this site by giving feedback Stephen Grove (right) and his son Brenton will compete at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps ahead of their 24 Hours of Le Mans effort together – Credit: Iron Lynx Iron Lynx has confirmed Stephen and Brenton Grove for their FIA World Endurance Championship debut at Spa in preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours The father and son duo will compete in the third round of the 2025 schedule with Iron Lynx at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on 10 May After Claudio Schiavoni suffered a physical injury at the European Le Mans Series’ 4 Hours of Le Castellet last weekend he will focus on becoming fully fit for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Matteo Cressoni will also step out of the driving seat to support the Grove family pairing ahead of their maiden appearance at Le Mans in the third Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 Evo Martin Berry will, meanwhile, join the #61 Mercedes-AMG crew, replacing Christian Ried in the lineup, partnering with co-drivers Lin Hodenius and Maxime Martin Brenton said: “It’s super exciting to make our WEC debut this weekend in Belgium “It’s a shame that it’s in these circumstances and we wish a speedy recovery for Claudio – we will do our best to make him proud “The team were great to work with in Portugal so it made sense to continue our program in the lead up to Le Mans The Iron Lynx team have been working with the Mercedes-AMG package this season Iron Lynx accomplished their first race finish with both entrants Spa will act as a precursor for all teams ahead of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans READ MORE: Iron Lynx ‘satisfied’ with Imola home race despite P13-P15 finish and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Former Test referee Owen Doyle has delivered a withering put-down of Scottish whistler Sam Grove-White after assessing his performance in the recent Stormers v Connacht match in the United Rugby Championship The Irish province were beaten 29-34 in Cape Town on April 19 in the opening match of their two-game tour to South Africa that ended with last Saturday’s 7-26 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg An ex-IRFU director of referees, Doyle now writes a weekly column on refereeing in The Irish Times and his latest contribution didn’t pull any punches when it came to reaching a verdict on the underwhelming effort of Grove-White in Cape Town he lauded the display of Hollie Davidson after she took charge of last weekend’s tour-ending Connacht match “Hollie Davidson is the best referee in Scotland She is also easily in the top half of the other practitioners on the circuit,” wrote Doyle “Connacht finished their tour in South Africa with a solitary bonus point for their efforts They were accompanied on their travels by Davidson “He handled the first match versus the Stormers; with Davidson in charge on the highveld where Connacht were put to the sword by the Lions I’ll bet the westerners wished the appointments were reversed “Grove-White has been around for a long time and I won’t be alone in remaining completely unconvinced by his performances Critical scrum penalties against the tourists were impossible to agree with but some of his verbals seemed meaningless Impressively taking ownership of her decisions she cut out the need for the TMO on several occasions Davidson also called an excellent penalty for a foot trip – she saw it More referees might consider trusting their own eyesight.” A post shared by BKT United Rugby Championship (@urc) Sticking with the URC, Doyle described it as a cop out by tournament administrators to blame a malfunctioning match day tablet and app – and not referee Andrea Piardi and his supporting team of officials – for the gaffe that incorrectly left Munster playing with 14 players in their April 19 loss to the Bulls after the fixture with the South Africans in Limerick went to uncontested scrums early in the second half as the laws state that a team should not lose a player if the reason for uncontested scrums is a head injury but it took some time before Munster were restored to 15 players with Kendellan allowed back on the pitch Doyle said: “What they are blaming is a malfunctioning tablet and app The reasons players leave the field are entered into the app It is programmed to inform the officials of the correct next steps to take The officials overseeing replacements only had to use old-fashioned pen and paper to come up with the same answer as the app But maybe they just didn’t know their business.” READ MORE: The ‘worrying’ 10-year record broken last weekend by the Irish provinces Owen Doyle has insisted that Leinster should have been awarded a game-winning penalty try in the final minute of their Champions Cup semi-final The match officials for the 2025 mid-year internationals have been confirmed World Rugby’s confirmation that Andrea Piardi has been appointed as second Test referee on the British and Irish Lions tour has generated plenty of heat The match officials for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour have been announced which includes the referees handed the whistle for each of the three Tests Orange Grove Hotel and Gardens has been voted Best Events Venue for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the prestigious 2025 Muddy Stilettos Awards The accolade marks the second year running that the venue has won the award Owners Louise Martin and Annaliese Hughes are delighted at this recognition of their significant investment in the heritage venue since they acquired it in 2024 “We are thrilled to have retained our Muddy Stilettos Award for another year,” said Louise we are delighted to have won it twice in a row and we believe it reflects our ambitious vision for the property and the hard work and dedication of our fantastic team.” “We’ve come a long way since acquiring the business a year ago and we’ll be holding a party in the summer to celebrate this win with the fabulous suppliers and customers who’ve helped us get here We will also be offering 100 complimentary tickets to members of the public on a first-come first-served basis – so watch this space.” “A key objective is to diversify our services,” said Annaliese “We’re currently exploring a partnership with a beauty and wellness brand to transform some disused space into treatment rooms This addition would allow us to offer relaxation and rejuvenation services to leisure guests and wedding parties alike elevating both our overnight stays and our events offering with in-house beauty and wellbeing treatments.” “We’re looking to make more thoughtful use of our land too,” Louise explains “Plans include the introduction of shepherd huts nestled among the trees offering a charming alternative to traditional accommodation and appealing to anyone seeking a nature-rich stay We’re also exploring the addition of a gym and cold-water therapy to enhance our wellness offering further.” “Another exciting development in our pipeline is the creation of a greenhouse restaurant at the front of the land This would become a destination restaurant blending seasonal dining with the natural beauty of our surroundings It would also serve as a beautiful new event space supporting the continued growth of our events business.” CLH News is published by RBC Publishing Ltd Contributions are welcome for consideration no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised Take your taste buds to new heights without your feet leaving the ground at this magical immersive dining experience that's returning later this month In partnership with Feast on Cloud 9, the specially-commissioned red and white balloons will be grounded within the picture-perfect gardens of The Grove where they overlook the flowing waters of the magical ornamental canal experiential events and their central focus is always the food so you can pretty much guarantee that it’s going to be good The fact you’re sat in an adorable vintage hot air balloon surrounded by 300 acres of stunning countryside is just the cherry on top Allow your taste buds to soar without your feet having to leave the ground The 2025 menu hasn’t yet been revealed but based on previous menus; we can assume that it’s going to be blooming delicious Tables can be booked in groups of between four and six due to the size of the baskets and just in case our good old British weather isn’t cooperating there’s a secret indoor area for you to continue to enjoy your feast The balloons are available all throughout the summer sun-soaked evenings – remember what those feel like? Find out more and plan your visit here Ian Payne is Leading Britain's Conversation Polls have closed in a series of elections across England which could see Nigel Farage’s Reform UK deal blows to both Labour and the Conservatives Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour faces a battle to hold on to the Runcorn and Helsby seat in the Commons, with Reform hoping to take a seat the governing party won convincingly at the 2024 general election Kemi Badenoch faces her first test as Tory leader with the party braced for a difficult set of results with both Reform and the Liberal Democrats hopeful of stealing council seats last contested in 2021 at the height of Boris Johnson’s popularity with Conservative voters The Runcorn and Helsby by-election was triggered when former Labour MP Mike Amesbury quit after admitting punching a constituent The 2024 result suggests it should be a safe Labour seat – Amesbury won 53% of the vote – but Reform’s Sarah Pochin is the bookmakers’ favourite to secure a by-election victory Read More: Keir Starmer faces growing calls to give MPs 'final say' on any UK-US trade deal Read More: With Reform knocking on the door of local politics, the Tories look set for a bloodbath, writes LBC's Natasha Clark More than 1,600 council seats are up for grabs across 23 local authorities while four regional mayors and two local mayors will be elected Mr Farage said he wanted to “smash the two-party system” But Sir Keir said voters faced a clear choice between Labour politicians “working together to bring change to Britain” or “chaos and division with parties who have no plan for change” Mrs Badenoch said the Tories would offer “better services and lower taxes” but she has acknowledged her party faces a tough set of results A Tory spokesman said: “Tonight will be the first real test of Keir Starmer’s Labour government 10 months after they won an unprecedented majority at the general election “The Conservatives have started on the process of renewing our party under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership “But we also have always been clear that these would be tough elections for the party – defending an incredibly high watermark from 2021 when we took two-thirds of all seats “If the 2024 general election was replicated on today’s battleground we would lose control of almost every single council.” Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said Mrs Badenoch faced “a reckoning at the ballot box as former Conservative voters across the home counties rally behind the Liberal Democrats” Davey was optimistic about his party's prospects as polls closed "We are expecting to see big gains against the Conservatives in their former Middle England heartlands," he said "Last year the Liberal Democrats won a record number of MPs and became the largest third party in 100 years Now we are on course for our seventh year of local election gains "Voters have delivered their verdict on a Conservative Party that broke the country and a Labour government that is too timid to fix it." Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Former Accel investor Candice du Fretay launches Outlier Grove a $20m angel and seed fund backing Europe’s next global B2B leaders The fund aims to accelerate B2B startups through early engagement with the US market du Fretay is bullish about Europe’s ability to create global category leaders The region has become a centre for world-class tech and AI talent which she attributes to its leading universities and the groundbreaking AI and engineering work coming out of research labs like DeepMind in London and Meta’s FAIR lab in Paris winning the US market is required to achieve significant scale Although the conventional wisdom is that European startups should wait until Series A to sell their products in the US du Fretay believes this approach means founders can miss early opportunities to share best practices learn about competitors and sell into the US market reducing their chances of achieving category leadership she saw that many of Europe’s most successful B2B platforms sold their products globally ahead of their Series A du Fretay acts as an extension of the founding team insight and access to the fund’s network of US-based LPs – entrepreneurs directors and C-level executives that have shaped the success of over 25 category-leading companies including Anthropic The fund will take a collaborative approach writing cheques of $200,000 to $500,000 alongside business angels and other seed firms it will invest in around 25 companies from the very earliest stages “Europe is home to world-class tech talent and has consistently produced groundbreaking research and innovation the US is a large and lucrative market where buyers have big budgets and a strong appetite for adopting emerging technologies so Europe’s outliers can think globally from day one Through my own US network and the backing of entrepreneurs and C-level executives from iconic US scale-ups and enterprises Outlier Grove will support these exceptional individuals and accelerate their journey to global leadership.” Southern Grove has secured a debt facility its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Tower Hamlets Southern Grove has secured a financial package for their 111-bedroom £36m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Tower Hamlets Specialist capital advisory firm Arc & Co closed a 70% LTV debt package in partnership with Ingenious Capital Management whilst also sourcing a joint venture equity investor to support the development of the PBSA scheme Andrey Redman structured the debt with the Ingenious and Falco teams over a period of eight weeks The Tower Hamlets PBSA scheme will have a gross internal area of 43,249 sq ft 5,382 sq ft of which will be commercial space The scheme will also deliver both internal and external amenity spaces There will be communal amenity and shared gardens on the first Construction is set to begin in Q4 this year. The design team included Ollie Cooper, Senior Planner at Maddox Planning, Adam Blacker, Director at DMWR Architects Ltd and Jonathan Lonergan “It is a pleasure to support ambitious developers who are acquiring and building to provide much-needed homes in the popular PBSA has the necessary expertise and deep relationships to source funding partners that have the right appetite and experience to back these ambitious strategies “Our advisory approach ensures that the structuring results in the best possible outcome for the borrower—now and as part of their future business plans “We are excited to support all parties as they bring their strategies to fruition.” Southern Grove has ambitions to deliver 50,000 across its living sector brands marine and aviation – allowing it to provide specialist advice across a range of financing solutions Need Help? My Profile Logout JAM students join None of the Above at Jammin’ in the Grove 2025 – photo © G Nicholas Hancock Youngsters from the Caldwell County JAM, Stokes County JAM, Morganton JAM, and the Yadkin County JAM attended the event, and each group performed in between sets from featured bands which included The Zack Brown Band, The Biscuit Eaters, His & Hers, and None of the Above. Tim Frye, DJ at WPAQ and WBRF Radio, served as MC for the event. The local Union Grove Elementary School Cloggers kicked off the music by entertaining the audience with a couple of dance demonstrations. Blake Farms owner, Brenda Blake, said she hopes the event will continue annually as a fundraiser for JAM, and members of None of the Above quickly agreed. The Blakes purchased the farmland formerly owned by the Harper Van Hoy family, who produced the annual Ole Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival at the site they called Fiddler’s Grove every Memorial Day Weekend from 1970 to 2013. Featured bands began with Zack Brock and his four-piece ensemble. Zack is from Yadkinville, NC, and his musical influences come from country, bluegrass, rock, and Americana. Brock has released two EPs titled Old House Sessions and Sunday Morning Turnaround. The Biscuit Eaters are a bluegrass family band from Surry County, NC comprised of the Wilkerson family that includes Samuel, 15; Josiah, 12; Maggie Jane, 10; Silas, 8; and Molly age 6. Meredith on guitar is the mom, and Jason on bass is the father. The kids are multi-instrumentalists. His & Hers is a husband and wife fronted folk Americanagrass band from North Carolina. They have four albums, among them Come On In, in September 2022 and Live at The Primavera Roadhouse, Volume 1 in March of 2024. None Of The Above, out of both Surry and Yadkin Counties, NC, has been performing in the Piedmont Triad area with their bluegrass-based acoustic music for well over 25 years. Their music incorporates elements and material from a variety of styles including bluegrass, alternative country, folk, rock, and their own original compositions. According to Brenda Blake, the next Jammin’ in the Grove will be scheduled for May 2, 2026. emailAbout the AuthorNicholas HancockNicholas Hancock is a former newspaper writer and editor who also played rhythm guitar in The Bluegrass Gentlemen from 1968 through mid-1974 he is retired and enjoying his hobby of photographing bluegrass and other music events Latest Event ListingsSearch Events powered by AhSo © Bluegrass Today 2025powered by AhSo Harriet Brewis checks in I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For north Londoners it doesn’t get much better than this: a 40-minute drive up the M1 and you’re there It would be easy to think that you’re in the heart of the British countryside rather than a 15-minute drive from Watford and the famous ‘Making of Harry Potter’ Warner Bros studio But the Chiltern Hills are just a half-hour drive away and there are plenty of quaint nearby villages to visit Arriving at the hotel is The first thing you hit is the vast championship golf course before you roll up the driveway into the ominously large car park Passing two imposing event spaces before you even reach reception the lobby – located in an 18th-century red brick mansion – bustles with families and groups of friends The aforementioned conference centres (there are three onsite) are found in the more contemporary west wing which was added in 2003 and looks more like a boarding school or new-build flats teamed with the endless stream of golf club-wielding men gives parts of the place a disconcertingly corporate feel But all of that is forgotten once you start exploring the estate whose award-winning spa and outdoor spaces are the main attraction Read more: The UK’s best spring walks to make you feel alive Whilst an intimate, boutique experience this ain’t, personal touches are still paramount. The staff are as available and attentive as in any smaller hotel and, although busy, nothing feels frenzied. Indeed, more than a corporate hub or golfers' paradise, The Grove is clearly geared towards families my two-year-old swiftly grew besotted with a staff member called Lizzie who was manning the arts and crafts section they decorated flags and paperchain-style people and painstakingly threaded a beaded bracelet The hotel’s bedrooms and suites are divided between the 189 rooms in the west wing and the 12 suites and 13 bedrooms in the Grade-II listed mansion All rooms boast separate baths and showers overlooking the perfectly manicured gardens decorated with muted greens and browns in an obvious nod to the natural surroundings But the real highlight was the carefully thought-out additions we found dotted around the room staff had left us a box containing toys and books robata-grilled meats and fish prepared right in front of your eyes Breakfast is also served in the three-tiered dining hub with yet more stations manned by chefs whipping up fresh omelettes as well as table upon table blanketed with all the typical “full English” and continental goodies you’d expect you can opt for more measured à la carte options at The Stables or Madhu restaurants with an ample outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course is a bright and airy conversion of the estate’s original 18th-century stable block with a focus on seasonal British classics with a modern twist and omnivorous tasting menus (all at £80 a head) with optional wine pairings Afternoon “high chai” is also served between 12 and 3pm the pottery shed hosts a series of pop-up dining experiences and guests can book the “feast on cloud 9” experience – a nine-course tasting menu taken in a hot air balloon firmly tethered to the ground Read more: I hiked to the UK’s most remote gastropub and foraged for my own dinner A hotel as big as this is all about the facilities with the spa alone equipped with 18 treatment rooms an indoor pool and its own restaurant serving health-boosting broths and bowls there is a (very separate) indoor pool on the other side of the hotel as well as an outdoor playground and OFSTED-registered kids club for children aged two to nine There’s also plenty to keep adults and children occupied across the rest of the estate with free activities on offer including archery the hotel creates its own sandy beach next to the outdoor pool and offers hot air balloon rides and sporting camps at an extra cost There are lifts in both sections of the hotel and two accessible bedrooms The hotel will accommodate dogs provided they weigh less than 30kg and are fully house trained Guests also need to pay £50 per dog per stay Dogs are only allowed in a selection of bedrooms located on the ground floor of the west wing and they are not allowed to enter any of the restaurants or the spa All of the west wing rooms can accommodate at least two adults and a baby and the deluxe rooms have capacity for two adults and two children For anyone wishing to take advantage of the available childcare Anouska’s Kids Club is open daily throughout the school holidays and on Saturdays all year round and can be booked in three-hour time slots costing £45 per child Best thing: The activities. In the summer, the outdoor pool and deck-chair-strewn Ralph’s beach is the perfect place to while away the afternoon, while woodland walks (with wellies provided) and bike rides can be enjoyed all year round Perfect for: Families with young kids or large groups of friends Not right for: A couple looking for an intimate which are lined with candy-striped hot air balloons in summer Website: Thegrove.co.uk Read more: Best Lake District hotels for lakeside views, spa breaks and Michelin-starred meals Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Mansion bedroom (6)","description":"The Grove ","caption":"The Grove in Hertfordshire is ideal for a family-friendly stay or a country break with friends The Grove in Hertfordshire is ideal for a family-friendly stay or a country break with friends Hertfordshire hotel review","description":"Harriet Brewis checks in Apologies to those patiently waiting on March’s report (there have been some but with our April fixture list looking threadbare The fact that I missed the deadline has nothing to do with it Join us for an electric two months of football It began with consecutive season-defining performances in March as The Mighty Salads took their game to a new level week after week with two frustrating games taking a bit of the shine off the miracle month that came before it got embroiled in a scandal that unfortunately I can’t talk about I used to write these blogs to take friendly jabs at teammates and less friendly swipes at the opposition who outclassed us with ease Not that we’re safe from the occasional humbling It can be tempting to compare our club to others but I’ve come to the belief that I just don’t care there are so many more interesting things going on We now have to cast an eye to the prestigious awards ceremony Who will take home the trophy for the most assists Who will be outed as the biggest teacher’s pet of all (given to the Manager’s Player of the Year) and this edition was box office by anyone’s definition This usually wouldn’t be anything to write home about of which three games remained at this point We’ll come back to our double header in April Marcus alone had a hat-trick of nearly goals stopped only by the strong hand of the keeper Talisman Rory stepped up to the plate first pouncing on a loose ball in behind to get the scoresheet going the latter’s a particularly impressive smack into the top corner from distance were already asking for the game to be called off Sunday League throws up all kinds of quirks asking the referee to blow the final whistle twenty minutes in Dan and Joel added to the goals in the second half A late double to seal yet another hat-trick in Rory’s glittering career made it 7-0 Academy team PROFA – who had done the double on us in the league – were all that stood in the way of a place in the final The stakes were raised when news broke that the winners of the other semi had been disqualified This match wasn’t just another cup game anymore Winning meant going into the final as bona fide favourites Few have been more present in these moments than Dan who had been enjoying his freer role from the back line a man-mountain to squash the technical football we knew the opposition had we watched as the ball fired past the outstretched hand of the keeper It took a special effort to open the game up PROFA retaliated with a goal shortly afterwards to level proceedings was due to go on trial for Dundee United the following week It was a surreal piece of information to hear sucking on his vape and rubbing his beer belly Disaster struck at the start of the second half A mean bobble caught our defensive line by surprise and the opposition striker’s quality did the rest despite the effectiveness of our game plan The second half was predictably wrought with tension we went hell for leather and threw every available forward onto the pitch Having prioritised the needs of the team over personal success for 90 minutes A lofting pass bounced towards PROFA’s goal Gavin got his body in the way of the onrushing defender If you thought the term “limbs” only applied to the professional game and even a rogue pooch piled on Jeff as he wheeled away in celebration Football is about these rare feelings of pure elation They are what remain after everything else is history but the lads had done everything they could None of us would have believed it was possible to get the opportunity when we started the season And our re-introduction to Division four had been a rude awakening Little did we know at the time that Newton City were the league favourites adopting a playing style of smash and grab Their strengths were equal parts psychological and physical dominance Then we learned that none of our three goalkeepers would be available The ghosts of our past had come back to haunt us once again I’ve mentioned that heroes in Sunday League aren’t always apparent but after five minutes it was clear to all of us that Mike knew what he was doing Several key pieces of goalkeeping gave us the spine we needed to feel comfortable if the referee hadn’t made himself the star of the show Without re-visiting what was a painful day his failure to control the game took away from its intensity Newton went 1-0 up through a very dubious penalty Having started the second-half on the front foot then went up 2-1 with two incisive finishes Newton were brutes who were looking for pushovers A sharp attack and smart forward play brought the scores level once again The last ten minutes should have been played out with as much passion as the first eighty Some incredible decisions from the ref led to a penalty for both teams Several yellow cards and a sinbin were brandished I’m glad that we have developed our own version of “Fergie Time” but even the opposition manager graciously admitted his team got a little lucky It was time to go back to DAR for two back-to-back fixtures to end a memorable season I’m afraid that I cannot discuss the games much but you can find a full report of both on our website I write to you at the tail end of the season but it’s time to reflect and have a well-earned break When does a football club become more than just a football club This club began as a means to an end – a simple desire to play the game and call out those who claimed they would have gone pro if not for ‘that knee injury’ It’s hard to negotiate the right balance in Sunday League Clubs are in a constant battle to sink or swim and the cost of living has everybody looking over their shoulder The politics of running a side is far more nuanced than you might think Thank you very much if you have followed along for the journey Anybody who can call themselves a Salad has contributed to making this team what it is I stated that Grove Park Rangers was here to stay You can find out more about Grove Park Rangers and catch up with their old blogs on their website: groveparkrangers.co.uk See also: Decision imminent on plans for tower block at Hogarth Roundabout See also: New classical music festival for Hammersmith – Black Lion Festival Privacy Statement Cookie Policy info@thechiswickcalendar.co.uk About The Chiswick Calendar  Newsletter & Club Card by dwmultimedia We may request cookies to be set on your device We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites and to customize your relationship with our website Click on the different category headings to find out more You can also change some of your preferences Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website refusing them will have 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appearance of our site Changes will take effect once you reload the page You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page Ohio (WCHS) — Police are investigating after "highly explosive materials" were found at a home in Coal Grove as well as the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the home along Pike Street overnight where they removed and “disposed” of the fireworks Police said they were called to the residence about 9 p.m Sunday after a report of highly explosive materials at a residence in the 300 block of Pike Street according to a news release from the Coal Grove Police Department Officers were granted permission to enter the home where they said they discovered the reported illegal explosives a series of controlled discharges were conducted during the removal process residents within 100 feet of the home were evacuated and the street was closed “While we understand many were inconvenienced by the timing of the material disposal and the loud explosion without prior notice we ask for understanding given the severity of the situation and the need to maintain a secure spectator-free scene,” the city said in the news release An investigation into the incident is ongoing but the police department said no arrests have been made The city initially reported that a person was arrested in the incident but has since said no arrests have been made No injuries were reported in the incident and Pike Street has since reopened Ash Grove Court is a studio and two bedroom apartment led high-end PBSA and boasts strong bookings for 2025-2026 Beachrock has been instructed to sell Ash Grove Court a 99-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) asset adjacent to the University of Surrey Stag Hill Campus The bid deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 7 May 2025 The Guildford-based scheme is a studio and two bedroom apartment led high-end residential specification and the asset boasts strong bookings for 2025-2026 The accommodation boasts a vibrant courtyard with a games area and private terrace or soak up some sunshine during the warmer months Residents can also gather together and enjoy movie nights or gaming sessions in the communal lounge equipped with comfortable seating and modern entertainment facilities the Ash Grove Court scheme includes an on-site fitness suite featuring state-of-the-art equipment and facilities A dedicated study area also provides quiet spaces and residents benefit from convenient bicycle storage facilities and comprehensive contents insurance included in the rent Ash Grove Court is a five-minute walk from the University of Surrey and a 23-minute bus ride or eight-minute car journey to The Academy of Contemporary Music Guildford’s historic landmarks include Guildford Castle and Guildford Cathedral Stoke Park offers acres of green space for outdoor activities while The Star Inn is an ever-popular public house On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May the Revenues & Benefits Online Forms for Benefits and Council Tax will be unavailable while an upgrade takes place  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.  East Herts Council and housing association have announced the handover of affordable homes at Limsi Grove a brand new development built by Cala Homes with 20 being rented at an affordable rate to local people on the council’s housing register The remaining seven are being sold on a shared ownership basis (part-buy The properties include one and two-bedroom flats and two and three-bedroom houses with two of the two-bedroom flats having wheelchair access Limsi Grove is situated in the open countryside but is within easy walking distance of Hertford town centre with all its shops and amenities including the brand new BEAM entertainment venue affording children the opportunity to walk and cycle to and from class whilst two train stations regularly offer services to London East Herts Executive Member for Neighbourhoods said “I am delighted to be able to open the doors at Limsi Grove to the people of East Herts The completion of this development is another milestone in the growth and evolution happening in our corner of Hertfordshire offering new and affordable housing opportunities to our community.” Executive Director of Development for Paradigm “The East Herts Council housing team is really proactive and understands the growing need to more affordable housing Producing new neighbourhoods that actively add value to the Council's local communities is not easy  We’re thrilled that our relationship with the Council continues to go from strength to strength allowing us all to provide more homes for those that need them the most.” Designed and built by Webcurl Get instant access to ITR on your home screen Add ITR Wrestling to your Google News feed > Here is the latest update on Chris Jericho and Fozzy’s canceled concert situation Earlier today, just a few hours before the 3rd May episode of Collision, the Royal Grove in Nebraska announced that Jericho’s band, ‘Fozzy’, has canceled their May 3rd show in the venue. The venue uploaded a statement on Instagram and updated its fans about the situation “IMPORTANT UPDATE‼️ Fozzy has canceled their show at The Royal Grove on May 3rd The band’s lead singer has chosen to prioritize a wrestling match and despite our efforts to keep the show as agreed we’re offering all ticket holders a 2025 All-Year Or you may request a full refund instead.” The venue emphasized in their statement that Jericho chose to prioritize a wrestling match over the show This prompted several fans online to question Jericho’s return tonight on the 3rd May edition of Collision The former ROH World Champion had been absent from television since the April 9th episode of AEW Dynamite when he expressed his disappointment in Big Bill and Bryan Keith It's worth noting that despite the venue's claims, Fozzy actually cancelled this show three months ago. https://t.co/pttEspmQaapic.twitter.com/Vo1c8qvgyY — ITR Wrestling (@ITRWrestling_) May 3, 2025 Speaking at the Horror, Rock & Wrestle Fest 2025 event Chris Jericho shared the story of how he had turned down his first WWE contract ‘Should I put you down with an asterisk?’ And I was like ‘No put me down with a ‘no,’ I’m not interested,’” Jericho recalled which I’m convinced was supposed to be me.” who asked me if I wanted to come in for a try-out.” In other news: A budding WWE star has vowed to end John Cena’s career early. This week's WWE Raw featured a Gunther-Pat McAfee confrontation and Jey Uso facing Seth Rollins in the main event A former WWE champion has competed and won his first match on Raw in over five years Paul Heyman has explained why he turned his back on Roman Reigns A former WWE Champion has announced their wedding engagement AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm wants to wrestle this Academy-Award winning actor CM Punk has opened up on the women wrestler's role in WWE A WWE Hall of Famer's daughter is currently training to become a pro-wrestler New update has emerged on Chelsea Green's WWE contract Southern Grove appoints a new CEO - a senior board-level professional in the residential development sector Southern Grove has announced that Nick Vaughan is their new CEO He brings a depth of talent and experience including as the former Head of Greater London Residential Development at Savills Nick is a senior board-level professional in the residential development sector with experience in leading on both the development and funding sides of the industry He is also a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors directing and leading innovative projects that reflect a commitment to excellence and sustainability Southern Grove is looking to expand and explore new opportunities and Nick shares their passion for creating thriving communities while tackling the housing crisis head-on With their brands – Future Generation Evolution and Mast – the business is committed to ensuring at least 50% affordable housing across all of their schemes Southern Grove is a specialist mixed-use developer dedicated to delivering highly sought-after residential schemes and hospitality projects the company also seeks to increase the amount of desirable affordable housing in partnership with housing associations Future Generation is Southern Grove Group’s purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) arm Future Generation creates superior quality award-winning student living with superb finishes high-tech interior design features and a unique approach to creating cohesive communities Both companies champion a design-led approach which creates best-in-class developments that consistently create high sales demand and reliable rental income ‘[A] compelling new brand that will be modern and dynamic’ What former Aberdeen CEO Stephen Bird said about the company’s name change to Abrdn in 2021 — a decision that was reversed last month to “remove distractions” Aberdeen isn’t the first company to experience a branding malfunction… ‘The best has been made even better’ What Coca-Cola CEO Roberto Goizueta said in 1985 about the launch of New Coke an allegedly ‘improved’ formula the company was forced to reinstate the original after just 79 days CEO John Roberts’ take on Royal Mail’s rebranding as Consignia in 2001 This was ditched within a year after suggestions that it sounded like a shipping container ‘A fresh take on a beloved brand’ Tropicana president Neil Campbell describing its new intended to “reinforce the emotional connection” consumers had with the drink It turned out those emotions were largely anger ‘A reflection of our heritage and a vision for the future’ Weight Watchers CEO Mindy Grossman in 2018 which apparently stood for Wellness that Works inspired by nature but enhanced by man’ this time plugging its new “highly sophisticated” bottled water An article in The Grocer claimed that it was actually treated tap water from Sidcup MM received the following comment from chartered financial planner Greg Neall (right) on an article about IHT pension changes: “This is just sour grapes from advisers with egg on their face.” You’ve joined the hallowed ranks of the Mixed Metaphor Brigade “It only took one bad egg to create the chain of events that led to this economic shitstorm.” (Eggs again “The financial bailout machine has trapped America into playing Cliffhanger on The Price Is Right only we’re heading on an upwards path to Nowhereville and the yodelling never stops.” (We’re sure that path to Nowhereville is quite the hike.) they have quietly reattached the daisy chains of toxic sludge.” (Are toxic-sludge daisy chains a thing?) Ivor Harper of Park Financial gives his suggestion for a future Aberdeen name change (all right This article featured in the April 2025 edition of Money Marketing.  If you would like to subscribe to the monthly magazine, please click here You must be logged in to post a comment Young students from Brentford School for Girls also helped plant the orchard which consists of 14 apple and pear trees.   Robin Grove Park is situated in Syon and Brentford Lock Ward near the club’s previous stadium Griffin Park which was built on an orchard owned by the brewers Fuller Smith and Turner owner of the Fuller’s beer and brewing business contributed towards costs of the orchard and were also present at the event The Robin Grove Park Orchard was created as part of Brentford’s commitment to nature and creating biodiversity According to International Union for Conservation of Nature 24 per cent of Europe’s bumblebee species are threatened with extinction They are in decline due to loss of habitat New green spaces such as the orchard are vital for bees to thrive the orchard also serves as a place that the community can visit and enjoy the club also established the Gtech Community Garden a natural space just outside Gtech Community Stadium which consist of different plant species Brentford sustainability manager James Beale said: “We’re grateful to Hounslow Council for helping us develop this orchard as well as all those from the community who planted trees with us.   “Nature is a key pillar of our work here at Brentford but significant steps to nurturing our environment for our habitat and society We hope the community can enjoy this space and benefit from it.”  leisure and public spaces on Hounslow Council added: “Our orchards are a cornerstone of our borough's history as a place that once supplied London with its fruit and vegetables teaching the next generation the value of sustainability and living healthy lives we've honoured this legacy by planting 16 new orchards in parks such as Lampton Park and to club ambassador Marcus Gayle and players for their collaboration on planting our borough's newest orchard in this once-neglected patch of land "It was wonderful to see local school children planting the new trees and making sure they were given the best start in their new home I hope these same children will join other local people in watching the trees grow thrive and bear fruit."      Opening with Rudyard Kipling’s 1903 poem ‘Boots’ – now known for soundtracking the recent trailer for the upcoming film 28 Years Later – False Reality indicate or even promise a lot of things for their set But whilst rage carriers are notably absent here the crossover thrashers do certainly live up to some of the promises indicated Riding high following a string of headline shows and sounding on absolute brilliantly form the London unit don’t shuffle but spree through their set with all the haste and persistence of the murderous lunatics from the aforementioned upcoming film There’s nowt grace or hesitation to False Reality tonight just the ceaseless stomp synonymous with the UKHC movement as of late that’s further complimented with that classic lacerating and timeless thrash edge that’s clearly enjoyed by the battlejacket-donned punters here especially with it’s solo sounding akin to Slayer in their prime and whilst some of this large room may have all the energy of the undead there’s still plenty of stank faces and headbangers abound clearly enjoying this fantastic set Continuing along the edge of crossover thrash are Grove Street Back in Bristol after supporting Power Trip just a few weeks back the band’s position as main support on this bill feels a bit odd to begin with they are undoubtedly a product of the hardcore and adjacent scene that has birthed all three bands on the lineup there’s a touch of contrast between what Grove Street offer and the musical threat posed by their peers tonight as the band bounce around to the likes of ‘Ultimate Penalty’ there’s almost a level of playfulness and overt fun to their set it’s an expected to an extent: who can forget Grove Street’s origins as a homage to a certain video game we all played at a dubious age As push-putters and two steppers mosh for supremacy whilst collectively trying to avoid the pillars that characterise this venue Tracks from their most recent record The Path To Righteousness are performed with a level of flair that ultimately showcases their right to be playing to crowds of this size with ‘Ulterior Motives’ becoming the catalyst for the first stage dive of this evening it does become clear why Grove Street have been handpicked to play main support here tonight; their energy can probably power this venue for a year alone Heriot has a decorated history with this city In 2022 the band played their EP release show to a sold out Crofters Rights Late last year their played their debut album release show at the Exchange a space almost twice as large as the room they conquered just months back As they lurch into ‘Sentenced To The Blade’ prior to bludgeoning Bristol with ‘Enter the Flesh’ Heriot sound like a band with tightly closed fists bloodshot eyes and jaws clenched so tight their teeth are close to cracking Flying through material from their aforementioned debut Devoured By The Mouth Of Hell Heriot genuinely sound furiously determined It could be said that this band have long held a sense of hellbent determination that has allowed them to scale up the metaphorical ladder so to speak so rapidly such intent feels almost palatable and borderline dangerous ‘Foul Void’ and ‘Soul Chasm’ sound positively lethal and are delivered with a sense of malice their signature HM-2 delivered sound essentially driving pitters to cease both pushing and moshing in favour of just daftly lunging at each other A sense of blind rage essentially becomes the theme of the evening but as the band continue through their 45 minute set As Heriot flog Bristol to an inch to it’s life it’s clear what has allowed this band to scale up so quickly is how they are able to channel and articulate their inherent extremity in a way that’s more palatable than most extreme metal most would argue that tracks such as ‘Solvent Gaze’ and ‘Mourn’ would counter such a notion of palatability especially with the way they’ve delivered with spittle and phlegm tonight but it’s not since likes of Rolo Tomassi have we seen a band able to deliver blinding extremity in a way that’s agreeable and digestible A sleek performance of ‘Opaline’ validates such a sentiment perfectly it’s growling beauty wonderfully showcasing the inherent nuance and intricates of this band the hyper-agression and musical ultra-violence is still the primary factor draw and catalyst for Heriot; a fact made proven by a thunderous and pummelling rendition of ‘At The Fortress Gate’ a closer that bolsters the fact that this band have managed to engineer their sound to appeal to the masses without comprising the danger their name has become to resonate it’s impossible not to reflect upon the posters that until recently adorned the walls behind the bar of this venue Show flyers of colossal acts who The Fleece has hosted in bygone years But there’s no questioning their future as one of the biggest and most celebrated names in extreme music Whilst heavy music is becoming more and more commercialised in general tonight shows how Heriot are able to still animate a sense of real threat in their craft whilst still being approachable to anyone with an interest in alternative music Who knows just how far up that ladder this band is going A feasibility study into a new railway station at Wantage and Grove is to be carried out this year Oxfordshire County Council has commissioned SLC Rail to put together the strategic outline business case for the project It is expected to be published by the end of September 2025 Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy said: “Oxfordshire County Council has long been an advocate of a proposed Wantage and Grove Station “This area has had a rapid increase in population in recent years and if we are going to be able to meet our ambitious targets set in our Local Transport and Connectivity Plan regular and reliable transport options that serve our local communities and businesses across the region is essential for supporting the people our economic centres and climate change objectives.” The proposed new station would support the substantial growth in population that has taken place over recent years and provide residents with a high-quality and sustainable alternative means of travel Oxfordshire County Council is leading on the promotion of the station and will be working closely with Network Rail Great Western Railways (GWR) and South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils to progress any plans Network Rail’s industry programme director said: “We welcome the feasibility study into a proposed new station for Wantage and Grove “The industry strategy – the Oxfordshire Rail Corridor Study jointly commissioned by the county and city councils and the Department for Transport – highlighted opportunities to expand Oxfordshire’s railway and help deliver economic growth to the region This recommended a number of potential future improvements to support increasing interconnectivity across Oxfordshire which could support the provision of new stations.” A Wantage and Grove station was initially opened in 1846 but has seen no trains since 1964 GWR’s Business Development Portfolio Director Tom Pierpoint said: “We welcome the development of new stations across our network and are proud of our record working with partners to connect communities to the railway in recent years with new stations opening in Bristol “We look forward to engaging with the study rolling stock and crew requirements.” Proposals for the new station will feature in Oxfordshire County Council’s emerging OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail strategy which is expected to be adopted later this year according to an independent opinion in 2018 it is estimated to become the fifth busiest station in Oxfordshire attracting at least a million users a year There is also a strong economic case for the station as it is estimated to generate £2.48 for every £1 invested Rail Business Daily’s market leading news and profile enhancement services enable your business to tell your story to the wider rail community Engage with thousands of readers via our rail news platforms including the hugely popular 7am newsletter rail news website and Rail Director magazine you agree to us sending you emails on behalf of railbusinessdaily.com New homes along Corbett Street in the Love Grove neighborhood have brought in people and families in the once secluded neighborhood Archie Blue Park in the Love Grove neighborhood in Wilmington a lifelong Love Grove resident dedicated to the mentoring the youth in the community and was employed for more than 30 years by the Boys & Girls Club One Tree Hill Way leads residents across the Love Grove Memorial Bridge into the Love Grove area of Wilmington Smith Creek can be seen on both sides of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge that opened in 2018 and leads into the Love Grove neighborhood of Wilmington Homes along Stanley Street in the Love Grove neighborhood in Wilmington Smith Creek can be seen on both sides of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge that opened in 2018 and leads into the Love Grove neighborhood Homes along Stanley Street in the Love Grove neighborhood New homes along Corbett Street in the Love Grove neighborhood have brought in people and families in the once secluded area of Wilmington One Tree Hill Way leads residents across the Love Grove Memorial Bridge into the Love Grove neighborhood of Wilmington played a key role in advocating for the Love Grove Memorial Bridge in Wilmington This photo captures him on-site during the bridge construction The Love Grove Memorial Bridge in Wilmington on March 31 Traffic travels over the Love Grove Memorial Bridge on Tuesday The tracks use to be the only way in or out of the community until the completion of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge The Love Grove Memorial Bridge crosses over Smith Creek on Monday The railroad tracks leading into the Love Grove community on Tuesday The Love Grove Memorial Bridge crosses over marshlands in Wilmington One day back in 2013 architect Jane Middlehurst was on her way to her Peckham studio when she spotted “just a scrappy junk waste site” backing onto a railway viaduct and sandwiched between housing on one side and industrial workspace on the other Jane had founded Poulsom Middlehurst with her friend Amy Poulsom a couple of years earlier they tracked down the site’s owner and asked if he was interested in selling The GLA had just launched its custom build fund and they thought the site might lend itself to a self-build scheme “We huddled together a random group of people who might be interested,” Jane recalls and there were some other local people that we’d met.” The plan was to get funding as a group end up living as neighbours – and build a flagship project for their practice in the process They quickly discovered that the GLA fund was designed for developers; would-be residents couldn’t apply as a group They couldn’t borrow from commercial lenders as they didn’t have the resources to pass the financial checks the boutique development company founded by Roger Zogolovitch and his son Gus Solidspace had built a reputation for building carefully- crafted homes on small sites that others might overlook with a view to becoming London’s first custom build enabler; developing projects as well-insulated airtight shells that purchasers could adapt to their budgets The backdrop of railway arches and the adjacent industrial space give the project a gritty edge funding the project as part of the GLA Custom Build Housing Programme and commissioning Poulsom Middlehurst to obtain planning consent for a terrace of three houses and four apartments to be sold as a shell the submission was a textbook infill on a tight urban site but with a polite nod to the rhythm and scale of the residential street clean-looking brick – a waterstruck brick manufacturerd using a traditional ‘soft mud’ process – to reflect the project’s contemporary style and the Zogolovitches insistence that the houses should incorporate Solidspace’s signature split-level configuration eating and sleeping to flow across a series of interconnected levels View looking east along Blenheim Grove towards Rye Lane The new terrace responds to the pre-existing mix of Georgian and Victorian houses and more recent apartment blocks who lives in one of Solidspace’s early split-level houses (Zog House in London’s Queen’s Park designed by Groves Natcheva) is quick to point out that the split-level section has much to recommend it “It’s really complicated but it optimises every square inch of space because it effectively gets rid of all the corridors.” In addition it makes full use of both volume and light The changes in level create ‘natural’ divisions between different rooms or zones Overall it “allows small houses to punch above their weight.” a fact that exacerbated the perennial problem of finding contractors willing and able to deliver high-quality work on relatively modest projects Gus concedes he had unrealistic expectations Maybe it would have worked with something more traditional But you can’t outsource the implementation of innovation I cycled here every single day for seven months If I was to change one thing it would be go slower; not take on so many projects “Building a shell is standard practice in many countries throughout the world Raising development finance is a challenge The custom build fund set up by Boris Johnson came with an interest rate which was based on how risky we were in that it meant we were able to refinance Though we still ended up owing a million pounds in interest to the GLA.” and their friends from the original working group had held onto the idea that they might still buy into the project once the base build was complete But the project took so long to realise that people had got married Jane had moved to Sheffield; Amy had moved to the Czech Republic Gus had to find a new generation of purchasers; simultaneously marketing the location Case study 1 Would-be purchasers quickly discovered that mortage finance for custom build is as elusive as development finance each resident has established their own ‘playbook’ for customising their home Some designed and project managed the fit-out themselves Matthew Shepherd and Matthew Wood have all delivered projects on the scheme Case study 2 A couple of the residents approached Poulsom Middlehurst to design and deliver their fit-out and we’ll always be grateful to Gus for keeping us as architects He is thrilled that the project has been shortlisted for a RIBA London Award “how do you want us to judge this?” – a question he struggled to answer Residents have found radically different ways to express their individuality while working from the same shell We’ve ended up with really interesting diverse homes.” In commercial terms the big win has been the location it’s been a lengthy project; but the costs have been counter-balanced by the concurrent rise in Peckham’s fortunes Gus opted to retain two flats rather than take any profit from the scheme gambling that the long-term rise in value will validate the immediate financial pain the flats are earning their keep as rental properties and “a bit of a show project – I was keen to build up my portfolio and doing up my own place felt more satisfying than buying off the shelf.” but it would have to be the right site and the right price You don’t make as much money on a shell scheme.” Then again “I made the decision a long time ago that I’m not going to be the kind of developer who follows the easy money © Built Environment and Architecture Media Ltd 2025 We use cookies and other tracking technologies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website analyse your use of our products and services assist with our promotional and marketing efforts These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies but some parts of the site may not work then These cookies allow the provision of enhance functionality and personalisation They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages then some or all of these functionalities may not function properly These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site All information these cookies collect is anonymous we will not know when you have visited our site These cookies are set through our site by our advertising partners They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites you will not experience our targeted advertising across different websites These cookies are necessary to display content from social networks such as Facebook In such a way that you can share our content with your favourite social networks Bell Phillips has submitted plans to replace a former school in Ladbroke Grove The scheme for client Manak Homes would redevelop a 769m site that was once home to the Lloyd Williamson school It was submitted to Kensington & Chelsea earlier last month The proposal involves demolishing existing buildings at 2-14 Telford Road and 246-248 Ladbroke Grove around 500m north of Ladbroke Grove tube station The building provides a nursery on the ground floor with a courtyard play space providing homes for 90 people in a mixture of one Both the flats and the nursery will have entrances on Telford Road while bike storage and refuse would be at the rear of the site next door to North Kensington Fire Station Bell Phillips says the nursery will retain the site’s existing social and community use the practice says it has taken references from surrounding buildings such as curved glazed brickwork referencing the rounded corner of the Eagle Recessed bays and finely detailed metalwork balustrades reference details found in terraced housing on Ladbroke Grove Biodiverse green roofs and planting will contribute to the biodiversity net gain and urban greening across the redevelopment A timeline for the scheme has yet to be set out Tags MVRDV and Mecanoo are among five finalists vying to design… BDP’s College of Arts & Society at Coventry University has been named… Lewisham Council has given Turner Works planning permission for a mixed-use regeneration… Wandsworth Council has given Gehry Partners planning permission for two more residential… This website uses cookies to improve your experience and analyse information on site performance and usage. Learn more about how we use cookies Sustainable and active transport in Normanton and Arboretum is getting a boost thanks to a new mobility hub Building on the success of similar schemes elsewhere in the city the new mobility hub will be installed into the Grove Street car park giving citizens and local businesses greater choice when deciding how they travel around their local community Mobility hubs provide the local community with a range of sustainable and active travel methods making it easier for citizens to access local amenities whilst also helping the Council to learn more about the area’s transport needs Work on site to install the Grove Street mobility hub will begin in Spring 2025 Work will also be carried out to make improvements to the car park which is situated adjacent to the busy Normanton Road area We’ve been working hard over the past eighteen months to enhance and diversify Derby’s active and sustainable transport offer giving citizens greater choice when it comes to deciding how to travel around the city Our teams have listened to citizens and learnt from other mobility hub sites and now we’re ready to introduce another mobility hub into Grove Street This latest mobility hub will be a welcome addition to our ever-growing network of active and sustainable travel choices playing a key role in our combined efforts to combat climate change through reduced pollution and congestion in Derby Work on site to create the hub will begin in Spring 2025 and is expected to be completed within a few months  The mobility hub will be funded by the Department for Transport (DFT)’s Future Transport Zones Fund which was awarded to Derby City Council to trial new and exciting developments in transport citizens and local businesses will have the opportunity to quiz Council Officers about the new hub at a community engagement event on Tuesday 17 December Officers will be in the Grove Street car park from 11am – 3pm sharing information about other mobility hubs within the city such as the already established Six Streets mobility hub and the new hub on Nottingham Road in Chaddesden This is also an opportunity for the Council to learn more about any potential transport challenges and needs Residents who would like to know more about the mobility hubs can get in touch with the Future Transport Zones team by emailing traffic.management@derby.gov.uk Cookies used on the site are categorized into 'necessary' and 'analytical'. You can read about each category and allow or deny some or all of them. You can see a list of cookies assigned to each category and detailed information on the cookies page Sign our campaign for a grant funding review One of the largest social housing developments in the country is currently under construction in Liverpool Place North West went along to find out more about the project Regenda Group’s regeneration of the 1970s Grove Street estate aims to provide more and better homes on the cusp of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter the scheme will see the number of homes on site double to more than 300 as the ageing apartments are levelled to pave the way for the delivery of energy efficient homes for existing and new residents Metro Mayer Steve Rotheram said partnerships like the one with Regenda at Grove Street could help the city region make “a big dent” in its housing target while also pushing the nation towards Labour’s 1.5m homes target Regenda Group’s executive director of operations and customer service outlined how the future of Grove Street has been crafted with the existing community in mind “We looked at [the ongoing regeneration of the Knowledge Quarter] and thought we want better for our residents,” she said “They want to be part of this regeneration so we extended the boundaries to include [Grove Street].” including the social value Regenda and contractor M&Y Construction are generating Can’t see the video? You can watch it on the Place North West YouTube channel Read our comments policy 300 units as the largest social housing development in the country…..really This is a great development and the terraced housing element should be copied throughout the city in places like Scotland Rd Developer BXB has selected the Warrington-based firm to prepare the ground for a link road aimed at unlocking the Cowley Hill residential 104-acre site in St Helens Liverpool City Region’s largest brownfield site DB Remediation is scheduled to begin the 12-month package of work in June The firm also delivered a package of enabling works […] The local developer has submitted proposals for a £12m project comprising 20 properties on a prime site in the south Liverpool suburb Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" A planning application has been submitted on North Somerset Council’s behalf outlining proposals for Grove Park in Weston-super-Mare Permission is being sought by We Made That the council’s appointed architecture practice for the project has been closed since December 2023 due to vandalism This project is part of North Somerset Council’s ambitious placemaking vision for the town made possible thanks to the authority’s successful bid for £20 million from the UK government Proposed designs have been shaped by local people community groups and organisations as a result of a series of engagement events led by We Made That This included a free family-friendly public event – the ‘Grove Park Gathering’ – held in Grove Park on 1 June North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for placemaking said: “It’s great to see these proposals being submitted for planning approval the work would make a positive difference to the park’s main entrance from the High Street and relocate the public toilet block back into the park We want to draw more people to and from the town centre to enjoy this beautiful town centre green space encouraging more footfall and trade into the town “It’s a key priority for the council to involve the local community in shaping plans I was delighted that over 120 people attended the Grove Park Gathering event in June and to see that those people’s comments have fed into these proposals.” People can find out more about the proposals, including detailed drawings, on the council’s website The planning application number is 24/P/2162/R3 To find out more about the improvement programme in Weston, visit the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingweston.The photographs below were taken at the Grove Park Gathering event held on Saturday 1 June 2024 Named for Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery The Ophelias' fourth full-length album is a stunning ode to mid-size cities It feels almost unbearably emotional to listen to an album so intricately entwined with a city that I haven't called home for over a decade My grandparents are buried in Spring Grove; I have a deep connection to the river and to the cicadas that basically eclipse the sun every 17 years I also worry about running into my exes on Ludlow or Vine But one needn't be from Cincinnati to connect with this album Cincinnati is the vehicle through which The Ophelias explore self-narration and the process by which our experiences become our histories the album ranges from melancholy nostalgia to the more rageful sounds of Salome Andrea Gutmann Fuentes on violin and Spencer Peppet on guitar and lead vocals the fullness of the sound so completely echoes the emotional content of the lyrics imbuing our collective memories of Cincinnati with a folkloric quality an album executed with honesty and compassion Spring Grove by The Ophelias When you first reach the final stretch of North 11th Street the road twists down King Street across the railroad tracks revealing Love Grove -- a Wilmington neighborhood rich with history "My grandmother lived out there for many years and now my brother has taken over the property there on King Street," Islah Speller creator and tour guide for Journeys Wilmington African American History Walking and Riding Tours Speller fondly reminisced about childhood visits to her grandmother in Love Grove -- picking berries along the railroad tracks feeling the clay from Burnt Mill Creek beneath her feet and racing with friends past the cemetery 11th Street just before what was formerly the neighborhood's sole entrance "We couldn't go out when the train was coming because we would just look out the screened-in porch and see the train ride down the middle of the street and the house would tremble," Speller said recalling the old railroad that once ran straight through the neighborhood Raised with her parents on Wilmington's Southside Speller affectionately described visiting the natural haven of Wilmington's Love Grove as "the country within the city." Although much has changed since 6-year-old Speller once ran through the streets many longtime Love Grove residents still say it's the enduring quiet they cherish most once home to just a few dozen single-family dwellings While a bridge built in 2018 gave the neighborhood a second entrance and addressed safety concerns it's also spurred on an abundance of new homes constructed as recently as 2023 Now longtime residents adjust with the changes while holding tight the neighborhood's historic roots Less than 10 years ago, Love Grove was only accessible via King Street -- a route frequently blocked by passing or stopped trains along the CSX right-of-way. Since the 1940s residents and community leaders had urged city officials to create a second entrance "We were like hostages," Elder Lynda McMillan longtime resident of Stanley Street and preacher with Spiritual Educational Outreach Ministries said when she sat down with the StarNews at her home in March they couldn't get out of Love Grove and no emergency transportation could get in and that would be blood on somebody's hands." The problem was amplified in June 2013 when six flammable tankers carrying hazardous materials derailed blocking the neighborhood's only access point for more than 12 hours while others grew anxious about health issues and access to care one thing was particularly heartbreaking -- missing her brother's wake in Georgia She eventually managed to leave the neighborhood by driving over a makeshift bridge atop the train tracks despite opposition from officials on scene about another way out of here," McMillan said Located at the intersection of Stanley and Liverpool streets McMillan's house is commonly referred to as the "Praise the Lord House," with its bright orange shutters symbolizing strength McMillan recalled turning to prayer during that pivotal moment in 2013 "The Lord spoke to me in the spirit saying you will be like David that went before Goliath," said McMillan She connected with Ronald Sparks -- engineer former councilmember and advocate for the Love Grove community -- alongside at least six other community leaders they successfully undertook the mission of securing a second entrance for Love Grove A 2004 interoffice memorandum from former city manager Sterling Cheatham reveals $280,000 was allocated in 1996 to fund a second entrance into Love Grove The plan was to construct a two-lane ribbon pavement section from Corbett Street to McRae Street When CSX denied permits for grade crossings city staff met with community leaders and $95,000 of that funding was instead redirected to construct sidewalks widened cross sections and curbing along King Street "I was an engineer for the city of Wilmington .. but nobody would take action on it," Sparks said adding that he went on to become a councilmember in 2007 They were locked in here and couldn't get out Having worked on what he estimates to be around 800 bridges in his career his proposed solution wasn't immediately agreed upon "We had to fight hard to get this," Sparks said The Love Grove community created campaign signs led marches and eventually sat down with councilmembers at McMillan's home Recalling that meeting inside her residence McMillan said she told councilmembers "If the train derails They had to feel what we felt over here," McMillan said you don't know if the train is going to derail you don't know if something is going to explode Ultimately, the Love Grove Memorial Bridge was included and approved by voters as part of the city's 2014 Transportation Bond. After approximately a year of construction the $5 million bridge opened in April 2018 Love Grove, named after the Love Grove Plantation located there before the Civil War, has been home to a predominantly Black community on Wilmington's Northside since the 1920s.   The property was sold or leased as farmland in the 1880s and in 1909 started selling 50-by-100 foot lots priced between $100 and $125 the city of Wilmington tried unsuccessfully to evict community residents to build a sewage treatment facility in the area Nearing the 21st century, Love Grove was comprised of approximately 60 single-family homes, predominantly occupied by Black residents. Train tracks, which cross the King Street entrance to the neighborhood, once extended down the center of the street to a plywood manufacturing plant that was demolished more than two decades ago.  Infill development brought in new homes to Love Grove throughout the 2000s some built by Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity In 2004, city council approved a request for high-density development along 25 acres at the back end of the neighborhood known as Clarendon Park -- a decision opposed by residents In 2023 -- five years after the opening of the bridge -- McKee Homes built a wave of new residences the half mile-long neighborhood houses both longtime residents and newcomers Love Grove is also the location of Archie Blue Community Park the park underwent significant improvements It has served as a gathering place for cookouts community meetings and even a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic Just a few years after the opening of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge in 2018 straight from that neighborhood right to (North) 23rd Street," Sparks said of Clarendon Park "This last stretch took off after the bridge was completed." but many newcomers in Clarendon Park now cite the location's convenience as a primary draw "When I first came and I saw the bridge I thought 'wow that's so pretty and the area is really nice,'" said Naomi Pyle a renter originally from New York who has lived along Creekfront Drive for approximately a year-and-a-half new residents seem to have mixed opinions on how they describe the area both new and longtime residents agree those in Clarendon Park and Love Grove rarely interact "Safety is occasionally a problem," Pyle said "I will say Wilmington police have stepped up their patrol," adding that she'd also like to see the creation of a community watch The new development and the opening of the bridge has also brought more thru traffic into Love Grove but newer residents near the bridge see it differently "I wish there were speed bumps," Heather Harris who has owned a home along Creekfront Drive for approximately a year-and-a-half Harris said another common issue is a lack of parking which can make getting through the neighborhood streets a problem -- something McMillan has also noticed "That can bring about confusion sometimes because people don't want you parking in their drive .. and there's no place on the street now," McMillan said Though she doesn't believe the addition of new housing has changed the overall culture of the neighborhood McMillan said her main concern is with the density of the new development "I think the houses are too close together," McMillan said that's the only thing I have an issue with." With the area's rapid growth in the last few years it doesn't sound like development in Love Grove is slowing soon What that ultimately might mean for the historic neighborhood and its longtime residents remains uncertain "I get letters and calls and things everyday about wanting to sell (my house,)" McMillan said And I think the lady said something about $160,000 New Hanover County property records currently appraise McMillan's property at $322,500 Love Grove and Clarendon Park continue to see a steady flow of traffic from residents The area even draws in the occasional tourist "There's a lot of people that come and they just take photos of that sign over there that's One Tree Hill Way," said Pyle a nod to the "One Tree Hill" TV series that filmed in Wilmington "At least once a week we'll have people come take pictures at that sign." Molly Wilhelm covers the city of Wilmington and public safety for the StarNews ORR protects the interests of rail and road users Major changes in the management and regulation of railway safety in the UK were introduced following the accident along with what was Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (now part of ORR) formed a three-way approach to safety: standards-setting accident investigation and regulatory functions There was also the re-writing of safety standards and implementation of new mandatory safety measures to rail infrastructure and trains ORR’s Head of Interoperability and Rail Vehicle Engineering recalls his experience attending the site as an inspector a few days after the accident I remember setting off for work on 5 October 1999 I’d started my day late after a visit from the gas man and was slightly surprised to see an Intercity train stopped at the fast line platform at Ealing Broadway as I hopped onto the tube into town  But it was only when I reached the office that I heard something had happened at Paddington  First reports were sketchy – a DMU derailed  A small group had already left the office to attend  It took a while for the true scale to become clear; that this was an era-defining event I was an inspector in the Southern Field Team of HMRI at the time having joined the inspectorate the previous year  I attended the site several days after the accident to relieve those from the initial group who had been working from dawn to dusk  And yet the devastation was still fresh  The incongruity of the carriages at the back of the High Speed Train while at the front was a stinking sooty oily chaos of twisted metal the leading end of the front power car covered with tarpaulin where once there had been a driving cab Walking through the Thames Turbo it was a similar story: at the back of the train it all looked familiar its aluminium bodyshell splitting along weld lines leaving an entire bodyside wrapping around one of the HST carriages Everywhere were reminders that this was a human catastrophe  There were mundane items left on the trains and scattered on the track reminding us of the normal day that had been shattered for those caught up in the event frightened ourselves with the possibility that it could go far beyond the thirty-one counted so far By now it was pretty clear that driver had simply missed a red signal probably because of the low sunlight on that autumn morning  How such a relatively simple error could result in an accident on such a scale was something to be considered in detail away from the site  Those of us there on the track worked with the police and with technical experts from Railtrack the train operators and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure evidence was gathered before the wreckage could be removed and rail services reinstated Discussions about how Railtrack intended to remove the damaged vehicles from the site On site we were very aware of the line of cameras poking over the wall of the adjacent Sainsbury’s car park mindful that directional microphones might be picking up our comments enforcement action relating to the management of the worst-performing 22 signals on the network those with a history of being passed at danger – SN109 had been on that list At home in the evening the news relayed the wider fallout of the accident  The Deputy Prime Minister proclaimed that such a thing should never happen again many details barely dimmed by a quarter of a century But the industry itself has moved on a long way  There was no magic bullet to make things safer: instead it has needed a lot of hard work and attention to detail We remember those whose lives were lost or changed irrevocably  Their losses are why we have to do what we do.  All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 The information you submit will be stored and used to communicate with you about your interest in Commercial UAV News. To understand more about how we use and store information, please refer to our privacy policy  Commercial UAV Expo it allowed EGPD to easily scale and integrate new technologies EGPD built on that foundation by integrating Mark43 CAD with  Flock Aerodome Drone as a First Responder (DFR) system Mark43’s ability to adapt to EGPD growing needs and their strong relationship with the force set them up as the best vendor Nate Lange at EGPD identified as key measures of success public safety must be paramount over profits,” said Lt “When vendors prioritize profit over the mission you see it.”  A vendor that takes into consideration every need and every problem that a department is facing instead of just the sale is a key indicator that they have the best interest of the department’s success in mind This includes ensuring the software is easy to learn and use by anyone in the department As a DFR program that’s under a year old the police force at Elk Grove is learning how valuable drones are to the force From gaining critical situational awareness for a call to locating a suspect while protecting officers it’s become abundantly clear how important the drone’s role is in the department’s day-to-day operations “We decided it was too dangerous not to have a drone program,” Lt and are committed to constantly re-evaluating and improving it we weren't focused on what the drone platform can do — we were focused on what we needed it to do and what we wanted it to do As the primary role of EGPD is to serve and protect the community there was not originally a strong foundation of technical knowledge on drones or the programs that run them within the department Rather than attempting to become technological experts in the process of starting their drone program Laying this foundational groundwork before launching a drone program provides a clear path of what types of hardware and training a department will require to successfully operate DFR in their communities Drones elevate efficiency and safety with faster response timesSince integrating Mark43 CAD with its Flock Aerodome Drone as First Responder (DFR) program EGPD has seen a major decrease in call response times Every second counts when it comes to responding to a 911 call having the response times cut down to just a minute and half or less can change the trajectory of the incident possibly saving lives or preventing disaster we've been documenting response time based on a CAD data and a 911 call,” Lt with drones and listening to the 911 call in progress we're getting to scenes before the CAD call is even created We're calling that a negative response time We used to average about seven minutes for officers to get to a call we're averaging response times at a minute and a half." the drone provides critical details about the call before officers arrive on-scene the drone can tell officers the exact location of a suspect or accident This context is invaluable to officers and is something that they never had before EGPD’s ability to align real-time drone data with CAD activity was made easier by Mark43 and Flock Safety’s open architecture and focus on interoperability — helping improve coordination between systems and giving officers clearer context faster This information allows officers to make better informed decisions on how they are going to respond to a call The drone could reveal that the situation is not dire and only requires one officer to respond letting the rest of the force remain available for other needs or it may reveal that officers need back up and they can send the appropriate number of resources the kind of information that the drone provides is critical and would be otherwise nearly impossible to capture “We had an ATV pursuit where the drone located the suspect hiding inside a construction pipe,” Lt Lange explained “Instead of officers methodically clearing dozens of pipes with flashlights—putting themselves at risk—we had precision information: 'pipe seven north end.' There's just such a significant difference between someone trying to describe a scene to you versus showing you the live video situational awareness is immediate and complete." the drone has proven itself to be especially helpful to the force the nightshift force is smaller than the daytime force having the drone on hand has become an important asset  These capabilities are providing the team with a tactical advantage that is impossible to quantify “Flying at night was a non-negotiable for us,” Lt Lange said “We were trying to augment and offset those times when officers have the least number of additional resources we don't have a lot of additional units working evenings or weekends Having a platform that truly augments patrol services and provides air operations and situational awareness at night was critical.” Education and transparency are key to positive public perceptionDespite all the good drones are doing for EDPG and other police departments gaining trust and educating the communities remains a hurdle to adopting and integration When community members aren’t aware of public safety drone operations it can be alarming or confusing to see a drone flying around their town It’s easy for misconceptions and fear to arise as a result EGPD recognized this issue before they launched their program and made it a priority to educate their community before taking to the skies “We don’t wait for the questions — we proactively go out and say exactly what we’re doing and what safeguards we have in place,” Lt we have a forward-facing portal where you can see 100% of our drone flights City council can shut down our technology use at any time if it's used unethically — and they see everything we do.” arguably one of the most important ideas to drive home is that drones are not replacing officers or existing air operations like helicopters Drones are meant to solve the same problem by using different tools They’re meant to serve as an augmentation to the current technology and be a force multiplier EGPD recognized the value of transparency to its public and has taken a few different courses of action to give the public all the information they need This department holds and event called “Barbecue in the Beat” where the force brings all the drones to a park where community members can see drones and ask questions Attendees can touch all the tech and ask officers clarifying questions highlighting a sense of transparency that can be the difference between a positive or negative assumption about what exactly departments are doing with emerging technologies Beyond gathering the community in person, EGPD offers even greater transparency into their drone program by having a virtual library of each flight they make that the public can access on their department website Every single drone flight is video recorded and saved for a year and any community member can ask about a flight and see the related case number and flight path This kind of access to information by the public is paramount to successful acceptance of drone use by police departments It provides the community with a sense of security knowing that the drones are strictly used for public safety efforts Success with such endeavors is more about a comprehensive mindset than any single tactic.  “Transparency isn’t just one method,” Lt “It’s a combination of outreach and being intentional about showing the community what we’re doing." Erin Sewall is the Content Specialst for Commercial UAV News and Expo Prior to joining Diversified Communications Erin contributed to news sources for a major outdoor retail company Erin graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Subscribe to our weekly global newsletter for news insight and market information about commercial drones Subscribe Free reports focused on the commercial drone industry         View Reports Commercial UAV Expo Geo Week Commercial UAV Forum The history of entertainment on Bruce Grove is a colourful one still traceable in the buildings you see here today Bruce Grove became a destination for movie-going locally when Bruce Grove Cinema opened in 1921 It was an independent cinema initiated by Tottenham Cinema & Entertainment Company issuing shares in 1920 for investment to support their development – and the venture was a success which was larger than any other local cinema With its distinctive tall tower looking over Bruce Grove (The illuminated Bruce Grove Cinema in 1938 taken by a member of the Tottenham Camera Club From the collections and © Bruce Castle Museum and Archive) The cinema is best described by local resident Jim Clark (1925-2018) who in his reminiscence of Tottenham’s entertainments singled out Bruce Grove Cinema as his ‘favourite’ This oral history is part of the collections at Bruce Castle Museum and Archive: trains could be heard puffing their way out of Bruce Grove Station towards White Hart Lane not very frequently but it marred the illusion of reality […] The main entrance to the Bruce Grove Cinema had a glamour all of its own Up a few steps and through glass panelled doors with large curved brass handles to the centrally-placed glass-surrounded ticket kiosk—sometimes we took Circle seats and went up the stairs which were carpeted in red rubber […] It was a comfortable cinema seating 1500+ and the fine quality screen had rounded corners To the bottom corner was a clock illuminated in subdued deep red for those who needed to know the time (View of Bruce Grove Cinema in 1927 when it was showing the film The Magic Garden as advertised on the large bill poster on the side of the building By 1963 Bruce Grove Cinema closed like many others with the decline of cinema-going. After its closure the ballroom nextdoor was converted into cinema screens – this was in 1974  Following the fate of so many other former cinemas the original Art Deco building of the Bruce Grove cinema was taken over as a bingo hall The company that ran the bingo hall also did the conversion of the new cinema It was very welcome as Tottenham had been without a cinema for many years.  Eventually the former Bruce Grove cinema became the venue for the Freedom Ark church until that moved to Tottenham Town Hall; and in more recent times it has reinvented itself yet again to become the splendid Roller Nation Today the former dance hall turned cinema has now become the Regency Banqueting Hall 8 – cinema that replaced the Bruce Grove Dance Hall In the 1970s Edward Daley approached the Trades and Labour Club to hire the Rear Hall of No.7 Bruce Grove to run a night club mainly aimed at the recently arrived African Caribbean population. The Shady Grove Club became an important centre for reggae music. Avril Nanton remembers working there for a while running a comedy club at the Shady Grove - one of the first Black women-led comedy nights in London Roller Nation occupies the former Bruce Grove Cinema building Aware of its prestigious history as a cinema in 2021 Roller Nation ran a successful anniversary event to celebrate 100 years since the cinema had first opened They transformed Roller Nation back in time to a cinema auditorium set up with an organ to play live music whilst watching an early movie on the screen we'd like to know more about your visit today Unfortunately we are currently having issues connecting to our feedback service