WALTHAMSTOW: Destitute men living in 'filthy' derelict pub
12:56pm Friday 22nd June 2012
CONCERNS have been raised about a group of destitute men living in filthy conditions in a derelict pub.
Neighbours say the men have been squatting in the former 'Central Station' in Brunner Road, Walthamstow, for several years, but their numbers have grown to around 15 in recent months.
They have no running water or electricity, and reportedly use a nearby alleyway and pavements to go to the toilet.
Nigel Jenkins, of MNJ Motors opposite the site, said businesses in the area were very concerned about what was happening in the “filthy” building, which he said was over-run with rats.
Traders also claim it attracts anti-social behaviour and crime to the area.
Mr Jenkins said: "There's so much mess from there we have to use pressure washers to clean the front of our premises on a regular basis.
“People are very intimidated and some are scared to walk down the alleyway.
"The men are aged between 25 and 50 and spend a lot of time drinking. Every morning a van comes to pick some of them up and then they come back again in the evening.
“There was someone who went inside the building to inspect it and they told me they found hand sanitizer bottles from Whipps Cross Hospital which they may have been drinking from. It's terrible.
"But when we call the authorities nobody does anything or seems to care."
The pub closed after a devastating fire in 2007 and has since been hit by a number of other blazes in recent years.
Property firm Edward Symmons sold the building at auction in April for more than £300,000 - double the guide price. But the company will not reveal who bought it.
Mr Jenkins said a Polish colleague had overheard the men speaking and believed they were of Russian origin.
A council spokesman said its planning department had received a complaint and were investigating.
But he added: "generally it is for the owner of the property to evict squatters and we would explore that avenue before serving an enforcement notice."
When the Guardian visited the scene two men were inside but they appeared intoxicated and unable to speak.
A spokesman for the UK Border Agency denied reports that it had received a complaint that the men were suspected illegal immigrants.
But he said: "We work closely with other agencies to deal with the challenges presented by homeless migrants and are determined to crack down on illegal immigration.
"Those found living or working here illegally is are liable to be detained and removed.
“Anyone with information about potential illegal working or immigration crime should contact Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime."
The Guardian is awaiting a comment from Waltham Forest Police.
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Source: www.guardian-series.co.uk
Tips for firms as they get ready for the relay - Burton Mail
As the arrival of the Olympic torch in Burton grows ever closer, a list of tips has been produced to help businesses in the town.
Staffordshire County Council and Asda supermarket, in Orchard Street, have teamed up to advise companies and shops on their preparation for the relay coming through the town on Saturday, June 30.
The tips include:
Talk to customers - Make sure customers know about any changes to business hours, parking or access.
Deliveries - Remember there will be traffic disruption and road closures on the day, so plan deliveries accordingly.
Staff - Consider the needs of staff, in terms of them being able to get into work or get home. If the company is on the route itself, it could be busier as people line the streets to watch the relay. Make sure enough staff on duty.
Parking - If staff normally park on the road, make sure they are aware of parking restrictions.
No parking will be allowed on the route itself and further parking restrictions may apply off the route to help traffic flow.
Get into the Olympic spirit - Why not decorate premises in red, white and blue? Staff may also want to dress up.
Pat Corfield, the council’s cabinet member for culture and communities, said: “We want local businesses based on or near the route of the relay to be well prepared and, if possible, to join the celebrations.
“It will be a momentous occasion for the county when the relay comes through and I want everyone to be able to enjoy it and join in.
ASDA community officer Lucy Clipsom said: “Here at ASDA we can’t wait for the torch relay.
“Follow our top five tips to ensure minimum disruption to customers and staff in your business, and to encourage everyone to join in the celebrations.”
Len Milner, the mayor of East Staffordshire, added: “I would urge all residents of East Staffordshire to come out and support what will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Source: www.burtonmail.co.uk
Roy out to end third hoodoo - The Sun
The Three Lions have never beaten a major football nation away from Wembley in a knockout game.
But after guiding his troops to victory over Sweden for the first time in a competitive match and getting one over Euro co-hosts Ukraine for the first time in nearly 60 years, Hodgson is on a roll.
The England chief said: “All these negative statistics that we have to learn to deal with can only be put to bed when you get a positive, that’s the bottom line.”
And as manager of West Brom he learned to beat the odds.
Hodgson earned the Baggies their first win at Liverpool for 45 years, won at Stoke after 30 years of trying — and finished above neighbours Villa after playing second fiddle for 33 years.
He added: “I came across negatives quite a lot at West Bromwich. We’ve never finished above Aston Villa, we’ve never won at Stoke, we’ve never won this or done that.
“I got used to it in the end and I was lucky enough to put some of those hoodoos to bed.
“It’s a minor form of history if we beat Italy and it’s nice not to have that situation going into the next tournament where the question comes up again.
“I’m not going to add to the pressure though by saying to the players ‘Oh. . .and by the way, you can be historic.’
“Let’s just win. If it comes off it will be fantastic because we’ll be in a semi-final and it would give us a bit of an extra glow.
“And it would put one of those nasty statistics for a team of England’s stature to rest.”
Hodgson does not regard Italy as favourites, especially as they struggled to get out of their group.
He said: “Italy have been stable in their performances without actually tearing the tournament up.
“The particular challenge with Italy is in the midfield where they have a lot of very gifted and experienced players who are technically good on the ball “Their average age would be a lot older than ours.
“There are a lot of 29-34 year olds in the team who have the experience and many of whom have a medal already in their locker. We’re aware we’re meeting a technical and experienced team — and a team that’s been together for a while.
“But we’ll prepare for the challenge and we’ll try and give them a few little headaches of our own.
“We have good quality players who are recognised worldwide and would get into a lot of top European teams.
“We’re aware it’s a tough task and we don’t go into it thinking this is our game for the taking.
“But our chances are at least 50-50 and we’re not underdogs.
“I’d be surprised if any of our players will go on to the field feeling inferior.
“There is now a more positive than negative feeling.
“But whenever we lose in this tournament, whether it’s in the quarters, the semis or the final, it’s going to be a sad day.
“Like the rest of the country, we dream as well.
“We dream of doing well and winning matches. There’s no particular comfort in thinking there’ll be kind words for us if we go out.
“We will be ready. We’ll go for the result. We believe we’re a good team and we’ll go out and play well.
“Whether that wins us the match or not is another matter.”
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Steven Gerrard finally flourishing as England captain - BBC News
It is all a far cry from the day in February when England's interim manager Stuart Pearce turned to Tottenham's Scott Parker with the armband for the Wembley friendly against the Netherlands - a move that privately hurt Gerrard despite his dignified acceptance of the decision.
Gerrard has become the personality and player England's squad look to here at Euro 2012 and they will do so again as they attempt to extend a satisfying tournament even further against Italy.
He is a character of contrasts, a trait that mistakenly led Capello to believe he was too timid to be England captain, going to John Terry and Rio Ferdinand before effectively only turning to Gerrard when he was last man standing.
If Capello expected to be greeted by an in-the-face "I'm Your Man" reaction from Gerrard when the subject of captaining his country was broached then he was always going to be disappointed. It also meant that he was only ever going to lead England out in extreme circumstances under the Italian.
Despite enduring an injury-hit season with Liverpool, Gerrard looks to be 100% fit for the tournament. Photo: Reuters
This happened most notably in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 when Capello gave the captaincy to Gerrard after Rio Ferdinand sustained a knee injury on the first day of training in Rustenburg.
Gerrard was one of the better performers, scoring against the United States, but the fact that he wore the armband meant he was tainted in the eyes of some after a hopelessly flawed England campaign.
Now he is making up for lost time. He is not taking temporary care of the captaincy for anyone else and has accepted the responsibility in a way Capello felt - harshly - was beyond him.
The driving midfield force seen in Ukraine is the public face of England's captain. Away from the action he is serious and occasionally introspective - which may have also been his unwitting downfall when Capello conducted what amounted to a "beauty parade" to find his leader.
Glen Johnson, a team-mate for Liverpool and England, offered an insight into Gerrard when he said: "He's not loud and you wouldn't know he is there half the time. He lets his football do that talking."
It was a message repeated by Parker, the man he replaced as captain but who now partners him in the centre of England's midfield when he said: "He's quiet and quite subdued at times but his football has done the talking for him."
And Gerrard's football has spoken eloquently on his behalf as he has created goals for Joleon Lescott against France, set up striker Andy Carroll with a wonderful cross against Sweden then created the crucial winner for Wayne Rooney in Donetsk.
Gerrard may still have to convince some - often praise given to him here has met with nothing short of abuse - but there are no doubts in the minds of those who matter, namely his manager and team-mates.
There has also been a discipline to Gerrard's displays that some of his critics claimed was a flaw. Confidence in himself and those around him means he has felt no need to take on every task - and the result has been that less has proved to be more in Euro 2012.
Gerrard has been a creative force for England, laying on three goals so far in the tournament. Photo: Getty
After 95 caps and 19 goals in an England career stretching back to his debut against Ukraine in May 2000, a day after his 20th birthday, he is playing better than ever at international level.
The relationship between Hodgson and his captain has also been a feature of Euro 2012. They had an unfulfilling time together during Hodgson's 191-day reign at Liverpool - but it was immediately clear here that the pair were happy to work together.
Hodgson said: "Steven has been fantastic ever since I was given the job. My first thought was to contact him and since then he hasn't put a foot wrong as a captain, a person or a player.
"He's playing as a captain should, as one of the best players in the tournament."
The manager's confidence has been repaid by Gerrard and can even be illustrated by small incidents off the field.
Gerrard was clearly insulted by a French journalist's suggestion before the opening game that England were no longer a major footballing nation, bristling as he said: "I think once we click and get a bit of luck we will prove an awful lot of people wrong, not just in this country but around the world - and people like that fella sitting at the back."
And when informed ahead of England's meeting with Sweden that his former Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson had expressed concerns about the game, Gerrard smiled broadly and asked with a confidence clad in concrete: "What's he worried about?"
Hodgson and Gerrard have an interesting personal dynamic, with the manager occasionally deferring to captain in media briefings, seeking out the Merseysider's opinion. This is not the disciplinarian straitjacket Capello imposed but an inclusive, more relaxed regime.
England hope he can lift them again on Sunday and help secure a place in the last four of Euro 2012.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
RELIABLE WEMBLEY MINI CABS TO AND FROM LONDON OLYMPIC 2012 VENUES! - travpr.com
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