Campaign for memorial plaque A bouquet of 44 red roses, one for each of those who died in the 1941 disaster, was laid near the scene by the river. To find out more, call Keith Woods on 8406 0281 or email… beechwoods64mfc@hotmail.com Chance to win £25,000 Sign up to pay your council tax by direct debit – and you could win £25,000. see below News News in brief Blaze in Bow flats NINE people, including three children, escaped from a block of flats in Old Ford Road, Bow when a fire broke out on Saturday, March 15. The entrance lobby and lift were badly damaged in the blaze, which started just before midnight. Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service treated the nine people at the scene for smoke inhalation. Four fire engines were called just before midnight and had the fire under control by 1am. The cause is being investigated. Kebab shop fire A KEBAB shop was damaged in a fire that started at midnight last Thursday, March 20. Four fire engines attended the blaze which was under control by 1.47am. Fire investigators believe the fire started accidentally. Clocks go forward DON’T forget to put your clocks forward by one hour this weekend. Clocks skip an hour at 1am on Sunday, March 30, marking the start of British Summer Time (BST). Pop-up market A POP-UP Mother’s Day market is being held this Saturday, March 29, at Southern Grove Centre, Mile End from 12-4pm. Garden makeover for Mum A TEAM of east London up a garden for someone who deserves landscapers is hoping to a helping hand outdoors. reward an inspirational Caroline Walker, manager of local mum with a garden Growing Concerns Garden Centre, makeover. said: “We want to hear about To mark Mother’s Day on someone who shares our passion March 30, green-fingered enthusiasts for the local community –someone who has made life a little easier for their families or gone above and beyond the call of duty for their neighbourhood.” Residents wishing to apply will need to send photos of the person being nominated, plus pictures of their garden and a brief description of why they deserve a makeover. Applications should be sent before Mother’s Day to Press Office, 1-3 Highbury Station Road, London N1 1SE or emailed to simon.mundell@circle.org.uk In memory of Island’s biggest war disaster BY JESSICA ODUBAYO THE lives of 44 people who died on March 19, 1941, when a bomb hit a community shelter on the Isle of Dogs, were remembered at a small gathering at the site of the disaster. Family and friends of the victims visited the riverfront area, which used to be known as Bullivant’s Wharf, to lay flowers last Wednesday, March 19. More than 100 people had taken shelter in Bullivant’s Wharf, a communal shelter by the Isle of Dogs riverfront off Westferry Road, which took a direct hit. As well as the 44 people killed, 60 were injured. Keith Woods lost his paternal grandmother, Minnie, then 48, and his aunt Doris, who was 19, during the World War II incident. He is campaigning for the erection of a memorial plaque Keith Woods (left) with other relatives and friends of those who died at the site and has approached the council and historical organisations, asking for their support. “The bombing was the Island’s biggest wartime disaster,” Keith, who now lives in Surrey, told East End Life. “Most people who lived through it are no longer with us. But I am hoping there are others like myself, in the next generation, who would support me in asking that a plaque be erected in the area from Growing Concerns –the local enterprise which is part of Circle Housing Old Ford – will devote a full day sprucing £1m for air ambulance LONDON’S Air Ambulance was awarded £1 million by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in last week’s budget. The money will enable the charity to operate a second helicopter covering the capital and has been welcomed by chief executive Graham Hodgkin: “This is fantastic news for the people of London as it is thanks to their support we are able to celebrate this milestone in the charity’s development. “£1 million will give us the opportunity to acquire a second helicopter. We estimate we’ll be able to reach a further 400 patients each year by helicopter.” The money will cover the cost of running a second aircraft and extended flying hours for one year. Sign up to pay by direct debt for chance to win £25,000 RESIDENTS have the chance to win £25,000 in a London-wide prize draw if they sign up to pay their council tax by direct debit. Signing up to pay by direct debit saves the council time on administration, as well as thousands of pounds every year. Residents who already pay their council tax by direct debit are still in with a chance of winning – all 16 participating councils automatically enter their current direct debit payers into the prize draw. There are 40,000 households in Tower Hamlets which already pay their council tax by direct debit – out of a potential 90,000. Tower Hamlets, which charges one of the lowest rates of council tax in England, has frozen council tax for the fourth consecutive year for 2014/15. Cllr Alibor Choudhury, cabinet member for resources, said: “I would urge residents to switch to direct debit. It can help people to budget, it’s easy to sign up to – and it’s a great opportunity to win a fantastic sum of money.” If residents already pay council tax by direct debit, they will automatically be entered into the prize draw. For more information, visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ counciltax or call 7364 5002. that was once Bullivant’s, in recognition of the victims.” 24 – 30 MARCH 2014 N E W S F R O M TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 3
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