Community goal is celebrated Newham councillors and East Ham MP Stephen Timms attended a Parliamentary reception to hear how the work of the West Ham United Foundation should inspire other football clubs to get young people involved in sport and the local community. The reception celebrated 25 years of the Foundation’s work in Newham and surrounding areas and guests included politicians, business leaders, health professionals and charity heads. Hammers staff currently work in 35 schools on projects involving 3,000 young people. The Foundation is set to expand its work when the club moves to the former Olympic Stadium next year. Councillor Unmesh Desai, a trustee of the Foundation, said: “Having provided opportunities and support to 1.5 million people over the past 25 years, the target is to reach another million people in the next ten years.”
Cllrs Desai and Lester Hudson, Hammers joint chairman David Gold, Mr Timms and VIPs
Deputy Young Mayor appointed Following the election of Newham’s ninth Young Mayor, Alex Jarrett, a new Deputy Young Mayor has also been selected. Newham’s Youth Council, made up of Young Mayor candidates and young people from schools, colleges and youth groups across the borough, elected Aisha Balhweesal, 15, from Royal Docks Community School to the role. The Youth Council also appointed Saadia Sajid from Newham Sixth Form Collegiate Centre as Newham’s member of the UK Youth Parliament. Alex Holmes from the London Academy of Excellence in Stratford will be Head of the Youth Council’s Mental Health Board. Priscilla Hossain from Sarah Bonnell The successful candidates School will head the Events Board and Deborah Conteh from Kingsford Community School will be Head of the Learning and Leisure Board. Young Mayor Alex Jarrett said: “I look forward to working with everyone to deliver my manifesto promises and ensure young people have a voice.”
Free parking at Christmas Newham Council is hoping to take some of the stress out of Christmas shopping by offering residents four days of free parking next month. Parking charges will be suspended on Friday 11, Monday 14, Friday 18 and Monday 21 December in six council-run car parks at St John’s Road East, St John’s Road West, and Madge Gill Way, all East Ham; Shaftesbury Road in Forest Gate; Queens Market in Upton Park; and the Old Town Hall, Stratford.
Councillor Ken Clark, Cabinet member for public affairs, building communities, planning and regeneration, said: “By offering free parking we are supporting local businesses to get the most out of the Christmas season. We want shoppers to visit our retail areas on either side of the weekend to ease the rush.” The car parks will still be patrolled to ensure drivers are parked legally within marked bays and valid Blue Badges are on display in disabled parking bays.
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