June 2012 Archives

Investigations have begun to trace the source of a case of Legionnaires' disease after doctors at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, diagnosed a female patient with the potentially fatal lung infection.

The Health Protection Agency has been informed and is working with Westminster Council to try to find the source of the disease.

To date the patient is the one isolated case.

The first parish council to be set up in London for 50 years will be created in Queens Park after Westminster Council rubber stamped the plans.

Plans to create Queens Park Community Council, which will be funded through a precept on top of residents' council tax, was unanimously approved at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday (25).

A public consultation earlier this year on the issue found resounding support for the new council, and at a referendum in the Queens Park ward, 68 per cent of people said they backed it.

In the battle of the academies, Westminster came out on top, beating Chelsea in a contest to find the fastest student on two wheels.

More than 2,000 teenagers from 11 schools, including Chelsea Academy, Westminster Academy, and Sion Manning School raced on specially designed 'rolla racing' bikes, reaching speeds of more than 50kph.

The event, at the Abbey Centre in Great Smith Street, Westminster, on Thursday (21) was organised by charity Sustrans, which works to get more young people cycling.

The Caxton Youth Organisation is holding a celebration of the life of Roy Hinton, who worked at the centre for 50 years, on Saturday July 7.

The memorial will be at the Caxton Clubrooms, in the basement of Tintern House, Abbots Manor Estate, Alderney Street, Pimlico.

Westminster Council has brought the first successful prosecution against a retailer selling items illegally stamped with the Olympic rings and logos.

In September 2010, following a tip-off, trading standards officers raided London Souvenirs, in Buckingham Palace Road, and found more than 1,200 t-shirts and 188 baseball caps bearing 'London 2012' trademarks and the Olympic rings symbol.

The owner claimed to have bought the stock when he purchased the shop.

A murder appeal has been launched after a man was found strangled at Marble Arch in the early hours of Thursday (21).

Police were called at 3.30am, and a man thought to be in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigating a rape in Regents Park have released an e-fit of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the attack.

A 19 year-old woman was raped in the park at around 7am on Saturday May 26, and officers are appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the picture to contact them.

Detective Inspector Nicky Arrowsmith of the Westminster Sapphire Unit, said: "We have had a positive response from park users who were in the area around the time of the incident.

A Lebanese restaurant chain has become the first to be awarded by Westminster Council for its commitment to healthy eating.

Maroush, which has shops in Edgware Road and Brompton Road, is thought to be the first in London to be recognised in this way.

James Armitage, Westminster Council's service manager for food, health and safety presented the prize for the Healthier Catering Commitment Scheme to restauranteur Ranya Abouzaki at City Hall last week.

Police are investigating a suspicious death in the early hours of this morning at Marble Arch.

Officers were called at about 3.30am after reports of a collapsed man, who it is believed had been the victim of an assault.

Outstanding volunteers who have given up their time to support the community in Westminster were honoured at a ceremony last week.

Volunteer Centre Westminster gave out its annual awards at the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone on Wednesday (13), to recognise those who work hard for their community.

Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew MBE handed out the prizes after giving an inspirational speech at the start of the ceremony.