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South West Londoner

South West Londoner: first for all your online news, reviews, features and sport from across Wandsworth, Merton, Richmond, Kingston and Lambeth.

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Featured Writers

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Ben Hart

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Caitlin Chatterton

I am a fast-track NCTJ trainee with News Associates, the UK's top journalism school. I recently graduated from University College London with a First Class Honours degree in History. I …

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Aaron Lacey

I am a freelance journalist writing about anything and everything. Currently Southern England based, and had a stint with the wonderful South West Londoner now wanting to try something new.

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Daniel Stephenson

London based, NCTJ Qualified, Journalist/Writer/Reporter

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Oonagh Turner

NCTJ-qualified history graduate from the University of Manchester. Sub-editor and creative features writer with five years of professional editorial experience. Well-versed in writing, subbing and fastidiously fact-checking print features, front …

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Kat Pirnak

I am an NCTJ-qualified producer at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Previously, I worked for both regional and national publications as a news reporter.

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Latest Articles

WATCH: Battersea Power Station holds re-development celebration

Battersea Power Station has held a week-long festival celebrating the success of its re-development, one year after doors opened to the public. The Behind the Bricks Festival hosted performances from local musicians, heritage talks on the station’s history and children’s activities. A total of 11 million people have now visited …
By Ollie Lewis
• South West Londoner

VIDEO: Halloween at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum welcomed visitors to its after-hours Halloween event last week. Lit up in red, the South Kensington museum opened its galleries, bar, and silent disco on Halloween night for guests who were dutifully dressed to theme as dinosaurs, cowboys, bedbugs and more. The sold-out event also hosted …
By Caitlin Chatterton
• South West Londoner

Sisters bring makers market to Selfridges

From their favourite vintage finds to this week’s Selfridges pop-up, the Tinker twins tell us the story behind their award-winning makers market Salad Days. Daisy and Liv Tinker have always loved a bargain. Growing up, the sisters dreamed of one day working together and, coming from a family of upholsterers, …
By Hannah Bradfield
• South West Londoner

Putney pub worker completes 127-kilometre charity cycle from Cheltenham to Twickenham

A Putney pub worker has completed a 127-kilometre cycle ride from Cheltenham to Twickenham in aid of a children’s charity. Phil Atkinson, 32, who programmes the music diary at The Half Moon pub on Lower Richmond Road in Putney, completed the journey on Tuesday 17 October. He has since raised …
By Stephanie Nourse
• South West Londoner

Lack of play in London's hospitals causes trauma, report finds

Children in London’s hospitals and hospices are at greater risk of long-term trauma because of a lack of play, a leading charity has warned. The findings come from a report by Starlight, a children’s charity that focuses on play in healthcare. Health play workers are trained healthcare specialists who can …
By Madeleine Anderson
• South West Londoner

London reading charity seeking more volunteers

London reading charity Doorstep Library has always recognised the power of the page. Now, however, against a backdrop of widening attainment gaps, rising poverty rates, and the cost of living crisis, its work is more important than ever. The organisation, which now runs 19 projects across London boroughs and online, …
By Hannah Bradfield
• South West Londoner

Abseilers descend from Twickenham stadium in aid of homelessness charity

A group of 100 abseilers descended from Twickenham stadium last week in aid of a charity helping homeless people to rebuild their lives. The team made the 100ft descent on Thursday 12 October to raise money for Change Please, a coffee enterprise that donates 100% of its profits to supporting …
By Stephanie Nourse
• South West Londoner

Richmond Council announces second White Ribbon Champion

Richmond Council have appointed their second ‘White Ribbon Champion’ to work towards protecting women and girls across the borough. Liberal Democratic Councillor, Katie Mansfield, has overtaken from Councillor Ben Khosa who previously held the position. Prior to her appointment, Councillor Mansfield had taken an active role in encouraging residents to …
By Madeleine Anderson
• South West Londoner

Black History Month: Hammersmith and Fulham Council celebrates Black history of the borough

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has organised 15 in-person and online events to highlight and celebrate the Black history of the borough for Black History Month. Suitable for all ages, the festivities aim to shed light on the accomplishments of Black people who shaped Hammersmith and Fulham. Author Tony Warner, who …
By Clara Margotin
• South West Londoner

Japanese restaurant chain officially launches in Clapham

Clapham’s newest gastronomic kid on the block celebrated its launch on the high street with cocktails and tasters on Wednesday last week. An evening of DJ-led music, freshly shaken cocktails, unique samples of Japanese wine and samples from what the menu has to offer, the ramen-famous restaurant Tonkotsu boasted a …
By Jasmine Laws
• South West Londoner

Putney Common and Wimbledon Common tax hike criticised

The leader of Wandsworth Council has criticised last week’s tax hike proposal from Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators amid the cost of living crisis. The conservators want to increase the levy paid by 28,000 Wandsworth, Merton, and Kingston households towards the maintenance of the commons by a minimum 25% starting …
By Clara Margotin
• South West Londoner

Uxbridge care home celebrates Caribbean culture ahead of Notting Hill Carnival chaos

An all-inclusive Uxbridge care home hosted its own fiesta on Friday 25 August ahead of the notorious Notting Hill Carnival. Ryefield Court, one of the homes associated with Berkley Care Group, hosted its own carnival-themed celebration of culture, community and the heritage of Caribbean people. This came two days before …
By Jasmine Laws
• South West Londoner

UK scientists lose research funding after negotiations to rejoin EU flagship scheme hit rock-bottom

The year-long UK-EU dispute over the readmission of British applicants to Europe’s top scientific programme caused a brain drain of talent and the loss of millions in research funding, researchers claim. The UK has already missed the first two and a half years after failing to reach an agreement with …
By Emanuela Gioia
• South West Londoner

The organisation tackling loneliness one ukulele at a time

From care home visits to community classes, The Ukulele Project has donated more than 300 ukuleles across London to schools, community groups and libraries since its inception in 2019. One day, it hopes to host a Ukulele Proms at the Albert Hall and to have ukuleles in every library in …
By Hannah Bradfield
• South West Londoner

New ramen bar coming to Clapham this September

Wandsworth residents will soon be tucking into some tasty ramen, as a Japanese restaurant famed for its homemade noodles and broth, is set to open in Clapham in September. Ramen specialist Tonkotsu is launching its 17th restaurant on Clapham High Street, bringing its signature bowls of ramen, gyoza, and its …
By Jasmine Laws
• South West Londoner

Wage War: Record-breaking NHS strike ceases as doctor pay dispute persists

Junior doctors in England return to work today after a five-day strike, the longest walkout in NHS history. For the fourth time this year, strikers demanded the restoration of junior doctors’ pay to 2008 levels from 13th-18th July. Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen branded the British Medical Association’s …
By Effie Webb
• South West Londoner

WATCH: The Other Art Fair returns to Kings Cross

The Other Art Fair returned to Kings Cross, brighter and bolder for its summer fair. The international art exhibition was back for its summer edition to exhibit over 100 of London’s independent artists. Presented by Saatchi Art, the world’s leading online art gallery, the fair advocates the selling of affordable …
By Poppy Dippnall
• South West Londoner

Westminster’s connections with a south Italy English school

Throughout its 50 year history, an English school in the south of Italy has welcomed Lord Mayors of Westminster and even His Majesty the King. Lord Byron College in Bari, Puglia channels English culture to the south of Italy, and has hosted visits from four Lord Mayors of Westminster: in …
By Jasmine Laws
• South West Londoner

Fleur Anderson leads Big Putney Bike Ride to promote safer cycling

As part of the Great Big Green Week to celebrate community climate action, MP for Putney Fleur Anderson led the Big Putney Bike Ride. The event aims to promotes cycling in the area, highlight the need for safer cycle routes and instil confidence in anyone less experienced on two wheels. …
By Douglas Gibson
• South West Londoner

Number of Romanian speakers in London trebled between 2011 and 2021

The number of Romanian speakers living in London more than trebled between the years 2011 and 2021, ONS data shows. Harrow had the highest percentage of all London boroughs with over 7.5% of the population reporting it to be their main language. Other London boroughs with a large number of …
By Douglas Gibson
• South West Londoner