Author: Times Series

Times Series, The News from the London borough of Barnet, and Borehamwood & Elstree.

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16 of the best Christmas markets in London for festive fun UK News

From the show stopping all-out festive extravaganzas, to the neighbourhood markets with community vibes, here are some of the best Christmas markets in London spreading the festive cheer.

1 ICE at Kensington Palace

While primarily London’s plush new ice skating rink, ICE at Kensington Palace will also have luxurious shopping and food options, as it has partnered up with Fortnum & Mason. If you’re looking for elaborate hampers and sublime edible gifts, head here

Dates: October 21 to February 24, 2024

Tickets: From £19/£16

Address: Kensington Palace Grounds, Bayswater Road, W8 4QP

Website: iceatkensingtonpalace.co.uk

2 Miracle in Leake Street Christmas Market, Waterloo

As part of Leake Street’s Home Alone 2 inspired Christmas event, the street will host a craft market. There’s also a screening of Home Alone 2, a street party, performances, free wreath making workshops and face-painting, as well as food and drink from Lower Marsh Market traders.

Date: Thursday, December 7

Tickets: Free but register for a ticket here eventbrite.co.uk

Address: Leake Street Waterloo SE1 8SW

Website: wearewaterloo.co.uk

3 Ram Quarter Christmas Market, Wandsworth

A one day festive pop up market opens in Ram Quarter in November, peddling indulgent food and drink as well as crafts and clothing and other unique treats suitable for presents and stocking fillers.

Date: November 25

Tickets: free

Address: Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth, SW18 1TH

Website: ramquarter.com

4 Eccleston Yards’ Makers Christmas Market, Belgravia 

***2023 event details unconfirmed*** This wonderful Christmas market in the picturesque courtyard of Eccleston Yards sees independent traders peddle a variety of hand-crafted gifts, from candles and jewellery to socks and slippers. Complete the festive experience with live music, mince pies and spiced mulled wine. 

Date: November 26-27 

Time: 11am-5pm 

Tickets: Free 

Address: Eccleston Yards, SW1W 9AZ 

Website: belgravialdn.com

5 TOAST Market, Mexican Christmas Market, Crafty Fox & Canopy Market Lates, King’s Cross 

Several festive Christmas markets pop up at King’s Cross, all with their own individual flavour. Lifestyle retailer TOAST will host Coal Drops Yard festive market this year, showcasing the makers who have collaborated with the brand (Nov 9-Dec 23). Canopy Market Lates return (Nov 9 – Dec 14) with artisan gifts, live music and street food and drink each Thursday until 9pm. Lower Stable Street Market Lates will also run until 9m every Thursday (Nov 9 – Dec 14). Christmas under the Canopy (Nov 23-Dec 23) runs Tuesdays to Thursdays peddling artisan traders and food stalls including mulled wine and cider stalls. Also look out for a Mexican Christmas Market (Dec 1-3), an Illustrators Festive Fair (Dec 9), Crafty Club Market (Dec 10), and Crafty Fox brings its Christmas edition to the crossing once more (Dec 16-17) which supports emerging designers, makers and artists.

Tickets: Free 

Address: In and around Coal Drops Yard N1C 4DQ and Granary Square, N1C 4BH 

Website: kingscross.co.uk 

6 London Christmas Beer Festival, Tobacco Dock 

***2023 event details unconfirmed*** From the London Craft Beer Festival team comes this festive, yeasty festival. A bumper two-day celebration, more than 100 bars and stalls will be packed with your favourite festive treats, which you can enjoy with your mates then and there, or (and) order ahead in time for Christmas. The market features brews from UK’s finest indie breweries, food from a selection of fab restaurants and food vendors, a drag queen and a live Christmas gospel choir.  

Dates: TBC

Tickets: TBC

Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping E1W 2SF 

Website: londonchristmasbeerfestival.com 

7 Novikov’s Mayfair Christmas Market 

Packing a lot in, expect santa and reindeer as well as an Asahi bar and a champagne bar and house DJs on every night. Also, Minstrels & Carol Singers will woo you at various times over the day while you peruse stalls and tuck into indulgent treats such as chocolate, caviar, and oysters.  

Date: November 23-25

Time: 11am-9pm 

Tickets: Free entry 

Address: Mayfair Place W1 

Website: novikovrestaurant.co.uk

8 Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park 

It’s hard to beat Winter Wonderland, one of London’s biggest festive attractions. Browse the 100+ fairy light lit Bavarian-style wooden chalets near the ice-skating rink and pick out gifts for friends and family. Open during the day, but far more impressive at night. Look out for craftspeople holding live demos of their skills. 

Date: November 17 – January 1, 2024 Closed Christmas Day 

Time: Daily…

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-11-01 11:00:00

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Millions of Brits eligibile for important flu and Covid jab UK News

This has since prompted fears among health officials that millions of Brits are yet to have their flu of Covid jab.

So far 11.7 million have had the flu vaccine and 8.6 million eligible people have taken up the offer of a Covid-19 booster jab.

However, figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that about 30 million people are eligible for the flu jab and approximately 21.5 million can get the Covid vaccine.

That means less than half have had their jab.

UKHSA said that flu and Covid-19 cases are expected to peak during the festive period as it launched its new Get Winter Strong campaign.

It is hoped the campaign could boost vaccination numbers among people who do not typically come forward when called, including people with health conditions, pregnant women and children aged two and three.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UKHSA, said: “As the weather turns colder, respiratory viruses spread more easily and usually reach their peak over the festive and new year period.

“For those most vulnerable both flu and Covid-19 can cause severe illness, often hospitalisation.

“protect yourself from serious illness this winter”

“Nobody wants to miss out on the festive celebrations with their friends and family this winter and the vaccines provide the best possible protection.

“I urge all those eligible to join the millions of others who have taken up their free vaccine offer to get winter strong – don’t put it off, book your appointment today and arm yourself against the risk of severe illness.”

Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations at NHS England, said: “Getting the flu and Covid-19 vaccines are two of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from serious illness this winter.

“There are thousands of sites open across the country and eligible adults can book both vaccines online or through the NHS App in just a few minutes – if you’re eligible, we’d urge you to get both vaccinations as soon as you can, to help protect yourself and your loved ones and get winter strong.”

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-11-01 00:01:00

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Storm Ciaran tracker: Met Office shows time storm will hit UK News

The Met Office has already issued several yellow weather warnings for parts of southern England, Wales and areas of Yorkshire ahead of the storm.

Warnings for Storm Ciaran start from late evening of Wednesday, November 1 and are expected to last until late on Thursday, November 2.

Some areas will have the warning of heavy rain and wind last until Friday evening.

It’s expected that Storm Ciaran will bring around 80mph winds and 60mm of rain throughout the week.

Ahead of the storm’s arrival, you can track its movement and find out exactly when it will hit your region.

How to track Storm Ciaran

The Met Office’s tracker allows you to see the movement of Storm Ciaran throughout the next few days.

As late evening Wednesday shows the storm moves across the southwest of England before moving to the east and up towards Wales.

The Met Office storm tracker also allows you to see the impact of the storm, with the rainfall, wind gusts, cloud cover, and temperature all available to see.

You can access the storm tracker via the website here.

What advice has the Met Office given ahead of Storm Ciaran?

Ahead of Storm Ciaran, the Met Office has shared that you can expect: “Spells of heavy, showery rain accompanied by gusty or squally winds are expected on Wednesday morning, this rain clearing from the west during the course of the morning. 10-15 mm of rain may fall in quite short periods of time and gusts may reach 60-70 mph in some exposed coastal locations.”

The Met Office has shared that regions can expect interruption to power supplies and damage to trees.

Plus, there will be some spray and flooding on roads adding journey time and some travel disruption is likely.

Some properties could be impacted by flooding and should prepare for large rainfall

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-31 17:05:46

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London’s best Christmas switch ons and light trails UK News

Here are the best Christmas light displays in London from 2023, and when London’s big switch ons take place.

1 The Spirit of Christmas, Regent Street and St James’s

The angelic Spirit of Christmas returns to create a glittery canopy of angels above the central London streets.Regent Street has long been famous for its spectacular festive lights display, being the first central London destination to introduce Christmas lights in 1954. There’s no switch on event, and in an acknowledgement that Christmas lights are pretty, but also a strain on the planet, these lights will only be on for the evenings.

Date: TBC but usually from early November to January. 

Website: regentstreetonline.com

2 Covent Garden

Gosh Covent Garden does Christmas well. It even has snow. This year there will be a new festive installation – the first change up in about a decade. Inspired by traditional golden bells, it will feature 40 gigantic bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls. The ginormous Christmas tree should make a comeback this year too. As always, there will be bucketloads of festivities and Christmas spirit, and a throng of shoppers and diners taking advantage of all the buzzy happenings. 

Date: November 7 – January, 2024

Switch on: November 7

Tickets: Free

Website: coventgarden.london

3 Carnaby Christmas Lights

Always a glitzy display, this year Carnaby Universe will immerse visitors in a “dynamic and vibrant” display of neon colour and light waves that create a “moving vortex” along the shopping and dining strip. For the switch on, Carnaby will host a dining and shopping party, so register to take advantage of the offers and promotions. 

Date: November 2 – January, 2024

Switch on: Tuesday, November 2; 4pm-8pm

Tickets: Free, but register for a ticket

Website: carnaby.co.uk

4 Belgravia, London

Dazzling white lights brighten up the already charming Motcomb Street and Elizabeth Street from November 15. For the switch on, many of the area’s vendors will have specials and happenings, and find mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate on Elizabeth Street, Pimlico Road and Motcomb Street. Also enjoy choral sets by the London Gay Men’s Chorus

Date: November 15 – January, 2024

Switch on: November 15

Website: belgravialdn.com

5 Winter Light at Southbank

As part of Southbank Centre’s festive extravaganza, Winter Festival, the cultural hub will once again illuminate the site’s iconic buildings and the Riverside Walk with a free open-air exhibition Winter Light. Each sculpture and installation uses light, colour and experimental film to touch on thought-provoking topics, from nature and technology to modern cities and spirituality.

Date: October 28 – January 7, 2024

Address: Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1

Tickets: Free

Website: southbankcentre.co.uk

6 Christmas at Kew, Richmond

Christmas at Kew’s world-class trail illuminates the UNESCO World Heritage site with more than one million lights. Individual installations colourfully remind people of the vital role plants and the natural world play in our lives. There’s displays lighting up the Temperate and Palm Houses, a 15-metre dome siting on top of a reflective water pool, and installations set to classic festive tunes.

Date: November 15 – January 7, 2024

Address: Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE

Time: 4.20pm-10pm

Tickets: From £22.50

Website: kew.org

7 Leadenhall Market, City

Leadenhall Market lights up it’s Victorian splendour with its giant Christmas tree, decorations and garlands. The London Youth Choir kick celebrations off with a couple of carols and this is followed up with a sing-a-long, firework fountains and a festive speech by the Lord Mayor of London. After the ceremony, people are welcome to stay for a few drinking or a spot of festive shopping, and to bask in the loveliness of the Christmas tree and festive light tunnel.  Date: Thursday, November 16

Switch on: From 5.15pm

Address: Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LT

Tickets: Free

Website: leadenhallmarket.co.uk

8 Oxford Street

A display to look up for, Oxford Street’s festive lights are always a delight, running the 1.5 miles of shopping heaven (or hell). This year, the strip partners up with children’s charity Starlight to present Feel the Magic which aims to sprinkle a little bit of wonder and delight on your central London visit. 

Date: November 2 – January, 2024

Switch on: November 2

Tickets: Free

9 Marylebone Village

Marylebone Village’s annual Christmas celebrations sees its shops, cafes, bars and restaurants open late offering special menus and discounts. Live music, charming…

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-31 10:30:00

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Nigel Farage issues I’m A Celebrity 2023 update amid rumours UK News

Despite previously turning down requests, the GB News presenter could prove to be an even more controversial ‘celebrity’ than former health minister turned reality TV star Matt Hancock.

On his GB News show on Monday Farage said he was considering it this time around as he feels he might be able to “connect” with a younger audience.

He said: “Several times since 2016 I’ve had I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! from ITV saying to me ‘Come into the jungle’.

“And they’ve always offered me really quite substantial sums of money to do so, and I have always thought ‘No, it’s probably not the right thing for me to do’.

The politician-turned-TV presenter said the show has approached him again this year but that “unlike previous years” he is “giving it very, very serious consideration”.

A spokesman for the show told PA: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation. We’ll announce our line-up in due course.”

Farage continued: “Well, you’ve got about 10 million young people who watch that programme.

“These are people who don’t really watch the news or read newspapers, but they still care about the country they live in and their futures.

“I might be able to connect with that audience”

“And actually, in many ways, the futures of young people in Britain had been blighted.

“They haven’t got the same opportunities that their parents and grandparents had and they’d love to look for solutions.

“So in my mind, if I was to do it, I might be able to connect with that audience because goodness me they all watch I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!”

He added that he feels there are “downsides” to him doing the show but said he would give an “absolute definitive answer within the next 48 hours”.

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-30 21:30:18

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17 Best restaurants and places to eat in Covent Garden UK News

1 Bunsik

Purveyors of the viral K-dog – turbo battered savs or Dagwood dogs. These calorific snack see a hotdog skewered the battered and fried twice and loaded with various dirty additions. Most popular is the potato and mozzarella K-dog, but you could also try the octo-leg K-Dog too. 

Address: 62 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0BU

Website: bunsik.co.uk

2 Donutelier, Charing Cross Road

Donutelier by Roladin takes the intricate craftmanship of the world’s greatest fashion ateliers and applies it to the beloved doughnut.  The boutique bakery and its team of pastry chefs showcase each step of the doughnut masking and designing process. Each of the doughnuts will be handmade and are so artfully decorated it seems almost a shame to eat them.   

Address: 48-50 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0BB

Website: donutelier.co.uk

3 Luci, Long Acre

The Aqua Restaurant Group (also found in the Shard) has opened an ‘Italian dining bakery’ on Long Arce in the style of Milanese cafes. The venue’s bancone counter on the first floor comes stocked with fresh baked goods and Al Forno dishes, while in the upstairs dining room, diners can order a la carte.

Address: 136 Long Acre, Covent Garden WC2E 9AA

Website: lucirestaurant.co.uk

4 Seven Dials Market

Created by food stall incubator KERB, the food here is good, tasty and fast. The recently opened Bar Nana serves up fresh juices and cocktails, if you’re lucky in a banana contraption, but there’s also pizza, curry, bao buns and so many things in between. 

Address: Seven Dials Market, 35 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9LD

Website: sevendialsmarket.com

5 Marquess of Anglesey’s rooftop bar, Bow Street

The Youngs pub has reopened following an extensive makeover that includes the addition of a rooftop bar. It comes with a retractable roof, and is ready for dinner reservations as well as just a couple of pints or a cocktail or two – a great place to have up your sleeve for a pre or post-West End show drink.

Address: 39 Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AU

Website: themarquess.co.uk

6 Gaucho, James Street

It’s been 10 years since steak house Gaucho have opened a new restaurant, and it is now bringing the flavours and colours of Buenos Aires to the West End. With all the glamour of its sister venues, this restaurant plates up premium steaks alongside a menu of Latin American dishes and indulgent cocktails in an art deco-inspired dining room. Open for breakfast from 8am and open to mid-night, also look out for tango performances, live music, djs and pre-theatre dining options.

Address: 8-9 James Street, WC2E 8BT

Website: gauchorestaurants.com

7 Story Cellar, Neal’s Yard

Two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers opens a Parisian-style rotisserie restaurant. Alongside half or whole chicken served with salad and fries, try a seasonal terrine or perhaps the snail Bolognese on toast with parsley butter. You can also get a variety of shellfish dishes, or something from the grill. For drinks, the focus is on fine wines by the glass plucked from the restaurant’s expansive walk-in cellar.

Address: 17 Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, WC2H 9DP

Website: storycellar.co.uk 

8 Frenchie, Henrietta Street

Chef Gregory Marchand’s Covent Garden brasserie is one chic affair and a sister venue to Marchand’s Micheli-stared Parisian restaurant. It serves up traditional French dishes with an elegant modern twist which are made with British ingredients, pick from the a la carte menu, or try a tasting menu – which also comes vegetarian – or from a set menu if you’re off to catch a show.

Address: 16 Henrietta Street Covent WC2E 8QH

Website: frenchiecoventgarden.com

9 The Petersham, Floral Street

Bursting of floral romanticism, the Covent Garden outpost of Richmond’s Petersham Nurseries is an elegant affair. The organic Italian kitchen plates up rustic yet refined dishes that speak of the seasons and taste of nature. A sommelier is on hand to help you find the right something to drink, and the restaurant offers a short, but delicious pre-theatre menu too.

Address: 2  Floral Street, Covent Garden WC2E 9FB

Website: petershamnurseries.com

10 Ave Mario, Henrietta Street

Part of the Big Mamma Group that spawned Gloria’s, Circolo Popolare and most recently Jacuzzi, Ave Mario is right on point with the group’s jazzy, over-the-top and extra-as interiors that are embellished in camp Italian flair. Dressed in bold red and white interiors that are busy and glossy, the restaurant serves up super-sized pizzas and pastas, as well as a gelato, which comes in as a 60cm tall “tower”.

Address: 15 Henrietta…

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-30 17:30:00

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Rebecca Loos says David Beckham has not denied affair claims UK News

The former assistant was discussing David and Victoria Beckham’s new Netflix documentary.

When asked by presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley if she was bothered by the footballer’s refusal to admit to the alleged affair, she said: “He’s not denied it, he’s never denied it.

“He has said my claims are ludicrous, ludicrous is not denying, ludicrous can be truth, ludicrous is a term used by lawyers to give to their clients when they don’t want them to admit the truth.

“They say ‘use the word ludicrous, it will deflect attention,’ he’s never denied it.”

She was later asked how much warning she was given about the new documentary to which she claimed she was given “none at all”.

She added: “That’s okay, it’s their life, it’s their documentary.”

GMB host Kate Garraway chimed in to say: “I guess they would argue that you didn’t give them any warning when you went public.”

Rebecca Loos agreed, saying: “So their we go, now we’re even, fair fair.”

David Beckham says time during allegations was ‘an absolute circus’

Loos alleges she had an affair with David Beckham in 2003 while he was playing for Spanish footballing side Real Madrid and when she was his personal assistant.

She previously told Sky News: “The chemistry between David and I was so strong that everyone was aware and people weren’t happy, obviously, because I was being very unprofessional and he’s a married man.

“He just kept looking at me and then it dawned on me what he’d asked me – and I did want to go back with him.”

The pair were alleged to have slept together with Loos saying she felt “used” but went back to him because “there were still feelings there”.

Opening up about his time during the allegations, Beckham said: “It was an absolute circus – and everyone loves it when the circus comes to town, right? Unless you’re in it.”

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-30 09:57:45

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Barnet Council approves Temple Fortune Health Centre plans UK News

The redevelopment of Temple Fortune Health Centre, in Temple Fortune Lane, will see the current two-storey 1970s unit demolished to make way for a four-storey block.

The new block will contain a replacement medical centre on the ground floor and eleven flats on the upper floors.

It was waved through by a Barnet Council planning committee on Thursday (October 26), despite objections from neighbours.

People had warned the taller building would overlook homes, block out daylight and sunlight, and add to parking and congestion problems in nearby streets.

There were also fears the scheme, which contains no affordable housing, would be out of keeping with the neighbourhood and harm Hampstead Garden Suburb Conservation Area.

Other residents have welcomed the plans, which are designed to provide a larger, better-equipped surgery to meet growing demand for healthcare, with the money raised from the sale of the flats used to fund the expansion.

The original proposals were scaled back following consultations, leading to an 18.5% smaller building with upper storeys stepped back to reduce the impact on neighbours.

But Zahava Shore, who lives behind the centre in Finchley Road, told the planning committee the revised proposals failed to meet the council’s own guidelines for proximity to neighbouring homes.

She said the basement car park and ground floor of the health centre, at 9.5-metres away from her home, would be “virtually in my living room” and even closer for some neighbours, causing “loss of light, loss of outlook, loss of sky” and “an overwhelming sense of enclosure”.

Marc Trup, a local resident and a patient at the health centre, spoke in support of the plans, telling the committee the “self-financing project” would create a “landmark building” and “future-proof our health needs for years to come”.

Dr Karen Myers, who along with her colleague Dr Leora Harverd applied to redevelop the centre, said they had personally financed improvements to the building since acquiring it in 2001 but were now “at a crossroads”.

Warning the “exhausted” building suffered “recurring floods, uncontrollable heating and structural decay”, Dr Myers added: “There is no magic wand and there are no public funds, so we will have to pay for the improvement. To manage our risk, we need the apartments. The building can’t happen without them.”

Under questioning from committee members, planning officers admitted the distances between the development and some neighbouring homes were shorter than those set out in the council’s residential design guidance document.

However, they claimed measures taken to protect privacy, such as windows glazed with obscure glass, meant the scheme was considered “acceptable”.

Officers also said an assessment showed the impact on light levels to neighbouring homes was “acceptable”.

Two members of the committee had left the meeting for the duration of the discussion on the scheme after declaring an interest.

When it came to the vote, the four remaining members voted in favour of approval.

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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2023-10-29 15:45:20