December 2008 Archives

Police in Westminster are gearing up for one of their busiest nights of the year - New Year's Eve.

Superintendent Brian Pearce said: "Across London on 31 December people will be going out and about to see in the New Year.

Tube journeys could be delayed by engineering works after New Year.

London Underground has planned to close sections of the underground, overground and DLR on the weekend Saturday, January 3 to Sunday, January 4, 2009.

A ceremony to mark Sir Simon Milton becoming an Honorary Alderman of the City of Westminster took place at Westminster City Hall on Friday.

The former council leader was made an Honourary Alderman for his service to the city as a councillor in Lancaster Gate ward, over a period of 20 years.

Children's services in Westminster were praised by Ofsted inspectors.

The annual assesment report by government inspectors said Westminster Council "continues to make outstanding progress in helping to improve the health of children as well as providing access to services for the most vulnerable groups'."

An exhibition of paintings produced by children from Nepal will be unveiled at a Paddington hospital tomorrow.

The children's unit at St Mary's hospital, in Praed Street, will be filled with paintings by 60 young people from children's homes in Kathmandu.

A fire broke out at a Bayswater restaurant last night, filling the ground floor and kitchen with smoke.

Six fire engines and 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at La Maja restaurant in Porchester Road, between 8.30-9.30pm.

Secret Santas will visit children and elderly people at St Mary's hospital on Friday.

The helpers will bring gifts to the Lewis Lloyd ward at the Praed Street hospital, bring cheer to those who will be spending this Christmas in hospital.

Seven young people from Queen's Park paid a visit to China.

The team from Avenues Youth Club, in Third Avenue, went to Beijing and other provinces to meet young Chinese students and to find out about youth projects in China.

Paddington was filled with festive fun as the Christmas lights were switched on last night.

Santa switched on the Christmas lights, with entertainment including a live band and free mulled wine and mince pies.

See next week's Paddington Mercury for more pictures.

A medical centre specialising in cancer treatment looks set to be coming to St John's Wood.

A six-storey building in Lodge Road, currently used by an oil company, could be converted into a medical centre for up to 280 patients per day.