November 2011 Archives

Campaigners are hoping to get the royal seal of approval on their bid to save a historic cinema.

The Odeon in Kensington High Street, built in 1926, is under threat from developers Minerva, who originally obtained planning permission to redevelop the cinema and add luxury flats to the site in 2007.

That permission is due to expire, so the developers have reapplied, but campaigners say the plans need to be looked at again.

Around half of the borough's schools were forced to close on Wednesday (30) as public sector workers went on strike over pension cuts.

Out of 38 schools, 21 closed completely, a further eight were partially closed with lessons for just one or two year groups still being held, and just nine schools were open as usual.

There were picket lines outside schools, the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and at Kensington Town Hall with representatives from UNISON, the NUT and several other public sector unions joining the strike.

A 20 year-old student has died from a serious bacterial infection which can cause meningitis.

The victim, a foreign student living in the IES halls of residence in Manresa Road, Chelsea, was taken ill at around 9.30am on Wednesday (23) and emergency services were called.

In Kensington and Chelsea 21 schools will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) during the public sector unions' strikes over pension cuts.

Eight of the borough's schools will be partially closed, with only nine open as usual.

Other council services, including libraries, youth and family services are expected to be open as usual throughout the day.

Chelsea and Westminster has been named as the hospital with the best death rates in the country.

The Fulham Road hospital is the only one in England to have low rates across all four mortality indicators in the independent Dr Foster guide, which is published annually.

According to the report, 'This is an impressive achievement and warrants a special mention.'

From humble beginnings the W11 Opera for young people has grown almost beyond recognition.

It was the brainchild of mum-of-four Serena Hughes and classical conductor Nicholas Kraemer, who decided to set up a musical project for youngsters in 1971.

They noticed a lack of musical education in nearby schools, so decided to try and tackle that by providing a musical programme for young people, to get them into opera, but also into composing and playing music.

Police in Kensington and Chelsea raided 13 homes in the borough as part of the London-wide Operation Hawk.

On Thursday (24) officers around the capital carried out warrants and visible policing operations to try and crack down on crime.

In the Royal Borough, 12 people were arrested, two for prostitute carding, two for possession of Class A or B substances, three for possession of Class B drugs, and two for possession with intent to supply.

THE Red Cross is hoping to raise £20,000 by selling designer branded clothes cheaply at its shop in Old Church Street, Chelsea, on Thursday December 1.

The entire shop will be transformed, with all usual stock being replaced with one-off vintage and designer pieces including labels such as Vivienne Westwood, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

A 26 year-old man has died after apparently setting fire to himself in the street outside his girlfriend's home.

Emergency services were called to Pond Place in Chelsea at about 8.25pm on Friday (25) after neighbours reported seeing a 'fireball' outside their homes.

Several passers-by tried to help him and put out the flames, but he was barely conscious when paramedics arrived.

Personal details of residents including health and income details alongside photographs were left in a pub by a council employee.

The incident was one of four since July 2008 where sensitive information has been lost by the council, or left behind in a public place.