Recently by Emma Heseltine

Parking restrictions are due to be eased over the festive period in Kensington and Chelsea.

There will be no parking enforcement, except for vehicles causing serious or dangerous obstructions, on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

On the following Bank Holidays, Monday December 27 and Tuesday 28, only the usual parking restrictions on single and double yellow lines will be enforced.

A last-ditch attempt to save a North Kensington day centre has been launched.

The EPICS care centre for the elderly, at Westway, is due to close in March, leaving around 700 people a month without the services it provides.

Labour councillors have invited Prince William and Kate Middleton along to the centre - which was opened by his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales - to give it a much needed boost and to try and save it from closure.

Seven tenants and residents associations received a cash boost after achieving the council's Gold Standard Award.

Kensington Court, Clysedale House, Lancaster West, World's End, Victoria Road and St Helen's Residents' Associations, along with the Kensington Society, were all honoured by Deputy Mayor Councillor Maighread Condon-Simmonds at a ceremony last week.

These groups join nine others to have been recognised in previous years.

The award consists of a one-off grant of £500 and an invitation to an annual event giving members the opportunity to network with councillors and key partners.

A man was subjected to a brutal attack by a robber who tried to steal his £6,000 Rolex watch.

The 39-year-old was walking along Powis Terrace in Notting Hill at about 5.30pm yesterday and passed the suspect who was leaning on the railings outside Hedgegate Court.

As he walked past, the suspect reached out for his arm, saying: "Oi bruv, what's on the wrist?"

A new all-weather garden was completed at Earls Court Nursery just in time for the children to enjoy their time in the snow.

The Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor James Husband, cut the ribbon at an opening ceremony for the garden, which includes a play area and nature study space.

It cost £18,000 to build - a sum given to Kensington and Chelsea Council by the government for the project.

There is Christmas spirit in abundance at Portobello and Golborne Markets with the most extensive festive lights display ever seen.

The Portobello and Golborne Management Committee funded the Christmas lights, which stretch along Portobello Road from Chepstow Villas to Bonchurch Road and along Golborne Road from the junction with Portobello Road to St Ervans Road.

Kensington and Chelsea Council helped the traders organise the installations in a bid to try and add extra Christmas cheer to the markets.

The lighting up ceremony was performed last week by two of the markets' newest entrepreneurs, Hamza Chentouf who runs 'Banana Clip' and Naja Omaregie from 'It's Now or Never.'

Building and roadworks may have been causing problems for drivers in Knightsbridge, but congestion for tube passengers is about to ease.

A new entrance to the underground station opened this week, to coincide with the construction of a new apartment block at One Hyde Park.

The steel and glass north entrance to Knightsbridge station has been funded by the developers working on the new luxury building.

Get spoiled and donate to a good cause with a discounted pamper evening at Dalgarno Community Centre.

Beauty treatments will be offered at a reduced price at the event on December 20, and proceeds will be used to help run the centre in Dalgarno Way.

The event starts at 6.30pm and entry costs 50p.

Treatments will be offered on a first come, first served basis, and to book, call Kim on 07940 925 098.

Learn how to identify different trees in a tour around Holland Park, focusing on those of specific botanical interest.

One of the borough's tree experts, Alan Harrington will be leading the tour on Saturday December 18 at 11am.

It is free to take part, and anyone interested should meet outside Holland Park Ecology Centre.

Pre-booking is recommended by calling 020 7938 8186.

Chelsea Town Hall is hosting another designer sale with up to 90% off retail prices of clothes and accessories.

A VIP preview hour will be held at 10am on Sunday (12) where visitors can grab a bargain before the others and will also receive a goody bag and a glass of bubbly.

Then from 11am to 6pm, the main sale will be open at Chelsea Old Town Hall.

Tickets for the preview cost £25 and are available at www.designersales.co.uk, while admission to the main sale is £2, which can be paid on the door.