Major News The good and the bad

Here is a selection of Ilford news. Any major stories, national news concerning Ilford or anything that particularly catches the eye you can count on us to tell you! This is not meant to be comprehensive weekly news, for that see Wanstead and Woodford Guardian or similar. Feel free to comment on each story by clicking the link below it! Interpretation and summary by the author of this site.

Valentines Park

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• 17 year old singer from Ilford is a finalist in a BBC Talent competition
  Charlene Russell, 17 entered the annual BBC Talent competition and has got through 1500 entrants to make the final 20 for the Urban Choice category. Doing so she has performed in front of Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson and All Saints producer K-Gee. The winning 5 are to be voted for by the public at the BBC's Urban Choice website. These 5 will perform at a Leicester Square club.
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• Minority groups queue up to condemn World Trade Centre attacks
  Minority groups queue up to condemn World Trade Centre attacks. There is a very real fear that there will be a backlash against refugees, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and other minority groups. Already there has been verbal abuse and threats against Muslim groups which has lead to the closure of three Islamic schools.
  
  Part of the problem appears to be that the main suspects, the Taliban, full bearded men with head dress, dress similarly to members of these minority groups. "They have made suspects and victims of communities such as the Sikhs" the president of Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East said. He adds they share "absolutely no political, religious, cultural or social links whatsoever to the followers of Bin Laden or the Taliban". The Development Coordinator of Redbridge Refugee Forum says "People are looking at pictures in the media and may make the wrong connections to people living in our community".
  
  There have also been images of Muslims in other countries jumping up and cheering when they heard the news. Chairman of Ilford Islamic Centre, Ghazanfar Ali, stressed there must be a distinction between the terrorists and the "vast majority of British Muslims who condemn such acts of violence". "Islam as the religion of tolerance, holds the human soul in high esteem, and considers the attack against innocent human beings as a grave sin. This is confirmed by the Quran". The boxer, Mohammed Ali, speaking as a Muslim said he condemned the attack. On Friday Muslims met at Eton Road Community Centre to pray for the people who died and their families. The Chairman of the centre has sent a letter of condolence to the American Embassy in London.
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• This week's news in brief
  A ten year old boy was mugged at knifepoint in Valentine's Park. He was riding his new bike with a friend when a 17 year old approached him at 1:30pm in the afternoon. He conned them into lending him the bike to show them some tricks.
• Harry Redknapp, trevor Brooking, Eastenders John Bardon (who plays Jim) took part in a charity event for Barnardos at Chigwell Golf club. There were competitions for the longest drive, nearest the pin and best put during the golf. £15,000 was raised.
• Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith has won the Conservative leadership election and will replace William Hague.
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• Woman killed after being hit by road maintenance truck
  Zafoora Begum, 43 of Newbury Park was killed on Friday after being hit by a truck which was working on road improvements. She was walking across a cordoned off area when it happened. The police closed off the A12 dual carriageway as an ambulance and the air ambulance helicopter was flown in. The workman in the truck was very distresed and was suffering from shock. The lady was taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital but she later died from her injuries.
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• Top Redbridge buildings open to the public on Sat 22 September only!
  Some of Redbridge's top buildings opens its doors to the public on Saturday as part of the London Open House celebrations. Entry is free.
  
  Ilford Town Hall open 10am-5pm, tours on the hour 10am-3pm.
  
  Kenneth More Theatre open 11am-2pm tours every half hour.
  
  Redbridge Magistrates Court tours 10am, 10:45am and 11:45am. You need to book this one on (020) 8551 4461.
  
  The Hospital Chapel of St Mary and St Thomas in Ilford Hill (oldest building in Ilford) open 10am-5pm and Sunday 23rd 1pm-5pm.
  
  Valentines Mansion on Emerson Road open Sat 22 and Sun 23 1pm-5pm.
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