Saturday, August 17, 2024

The beautiful seaside walk that shares its name with a London Underground station

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The beautiful seaside walk that shares its name with a London Underground station

The London Underground has 272 stations with many being named after the area that they are in. There are also some that share their names with places much further afield like one North London Underground station.

Usually, a trip to Seven Sisters incorporates getting on the Victoria Line or London Overground. But there is also a beautiful walk amongst animals, scenic greenery, and chalk cliffs, which shares its name with the London Tube stop.

Seven Sisters in Eastbourne is a series of chalk sea cliffs on the English Channel coast, with Seven Sisters National Park being a 280-hectare grassland situated on the South Downs Way at the heart of Sussex's coastline.

READ MORE: The picnic-perfect gardens near London with a 'crystal clear' river

The Seven Sisters near Eastbourne in east Sussex has been used many times as a film location.
The Seven Sisters near Eastbourne in east Sussex has been used many times as a film location.

The cliffs are called the Seven Sisters because there are seven of them. The cliff peaks and the dips between them are individually named with an eighth hill having been made since their naming because of sea erosion.

There are lots of lovely fauna to see through the downs and along the cliffs, along with a breathtaking view of the English Channel. The cliffs run from the mouth of the River Cuckmere near Seaford to the headland of Beachy Head outside of Eastbourne. The whole walk itself is about eight kilometres and can take three to four hours. There are also many other walks that are shorter and even a beach you can visit.

There are lots of habitats for animals too with many wading birds and sea birds, including kittiwakes and fulmars. Cattle and other livestock use the downs around the Seven Sisters for grazing.

Undated handout photo issued by South Downs National Park Authority of a Short-eared owl at Seven Sisters Country Park. A resurgence of short-eared owls has been witnessed in the South Downs National Park thanks to a "renaturing" project which has created a "boom" in voles - the bird of prey's favourite food. Rangers at the Seven Sisters Country Park in East Sussex said they are delighted at the success of the scheme which has led to five of the owls being spotted in the area. Issue date: Monday February 7, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ANIMALS Owls . Photo credit should read: Peter Brooks/South Downs National Park Authority/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
You could see a Short-eared owl at Seven Sisters Country Park

The country park has many things to see in it such as the medieval village remains. It used to be a strategic naval base for King Alfred The Great so that he could look over the English Channel in case of invasion. The village was abandoned by the mid-1400s with the remains being hidden over time, before they were excavated in 1913.

In more modern times there was a tramway used by the East Sussex Transport and Trading Company for the extraction and movement of gravel from the beach at Cuckmere Haven. The tramway lasted for around 30 years, between the 1930s and 1960s, and has now become overgrown and sunk into the grasslands.

Perfect isolation - a man fishes in the English Channel. The iconic Seven Sister chalk cliffs in East Sussex
A man fishes in isolation at Seven Sisters chalk cliffs

The cliffs have also been included in many film and TV shows, with the chalk-white cliffs being perfect stand-ins for the White Cliffs of Dover. These cliffs have been featured at the beginning of the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and also at the end of Atonement, which starred James McAvoy, Keira Knightley and Saoirse Ronan.

For the Potter heads out there, the cliffs are also used in the background of the Quidditch World Cup in the fourth instalment of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Or maybe you could recognise them as one stock background image you could have for Microsoft Windows 7 on your old PC.

Getting here

It is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from London, out through the A3 and onto the M25. You follow that until you turn off on the M23 and then past Crawley and onto the A23. Before you get to Brighton you take the A27 to the A26 through Seaford and then down to Seven Sisters.

You can also take a train from Victoria to Eastbourne and then walk the reverse way along the Seven sisters from Beachy Head.

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Friday, August 16, 2024

Man found dead in Tower Hamlets park named as post-mortem causes more questions

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Man found dead in Tower Hamlets park named as post-mortem causes more questions

A man found dead in an East London park last weekend has been named for the first time as Alan Semadeni. The body of the 39-year-old was found in Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets shortly before 10am on Saturday, August 10.

Following a request from the council, police officers went to a wooded area near to Gore Road Gate where they found the body of a deceased man. The police have now identified the man to be Mr Semadeni, who was believed to be living within Victoria Park.

A post-mortem was unable to determine the cause of Mr Semadeni's death. It remains under investigation by the police.

READ MORE: London man faces court on terror offences over 3D-printed gun

Detective Superintendent Vicky Tunstall, acting Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets and Hackney, said: "We know that the unexpected discovery of the deceased within Victoria Park will have caused residents in both Hackney and Tower Hamlets deep concern. The park is used by a lot of people within the community and also provides a venue for large events.

"I would like to reassure our communities that we are working hard to support the detectives leading this investigation to understand exactly what happened to Alan. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this difficult time."

DS Tunstall added that there will be more police officers in the area over the next few days and weeks following the incident. No arrests have been made at this stage, the police have confirmed.

DS Tunstall said: "We want to hear from anyone who has had contact with Alan recently, even if you only saw him briefly. We want to build a picture of who Alan was, and what may have happened to him. Any information would be highly appreciated."

Anyone who can provide further information is encouraged to call police on 101, the incident room on 0208 345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, giving the reference 4451/08AUG.

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

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Thursday, August 15, 2024

BBC EastEnders fans gobsmacked to learn Kathy Beale star Gillian Taylforth's real age

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BBC EastEnders fans gobsmacked to learn Kathy Beale star Gillian Taylforth's real age

Devotees of the popular BBC One soap EastEnders were recently left amazed when they learned the actual age of Gillian Taylforth, who has portrayed Kathy Beale since the show's inception in February 1985.

Kathy, who was initially paired onscreen with Peter Beale, brother to the iconic Pauline Fowler and noted for his fruit and vegetable stall at Bridge Street Market, once decided to leave the drama of Albert Square behind.

In 1998, she chose a new life in South Africa with Ben and her second husband Gavin Sullivan and said her farewells to the Square in January 2000 after a couple of guest returns the previous year.

Gillian Taylforth has floored EastEnders with her real age
Gillian Taylforth has floored EastEnders fans with her real age

The plot took a dramatic turn when her son Ian received the devastating news of Kathy and Gavin's supposed fatal car accident, a twisted storyline that later proved false. In a remarkable twist, Kathy dramatically re-emerged in Walford in 2015 and has been stealing scenes ever since.

While Kathy has been a fixture on our screens, it seems some viewers have only just caught up with Gillian's real-life milestone: turning 69 this August 14. The revelation has sparked an outpouring of admiration for her seemingly timeless appearance.

Kathy Beale star Gillian Taylforth has floored fans with her real age
Kathy Beale star Gillian Taylforth has floored fans with her real age

In an EastEnders fan Facebook group, accolades for the actress came thick and fast, reports the Daily Star.

Celebratory messages like "Happy Birthday to Gillian Taylforth who is 69 today" were coupled with comments reflecting astonishment, as fans marvelled that she'd "aged really well".

Others shared their compliments, with one stating: "Very pretty still today. Another added in disbelief: "More like 39!!!! Some women just never seem to age... Gillian is one those fortunate Ladies!!! She's great." (sic)

"She looks fantastic," another exclaimed, while one more shocked fan wrote: "She is never 69?!" (sic)

Kathy Beale during an EastEnders episode in 1988
Kathy Beale during an EastEnders episode in 1988

Kathy has been missing from recent episodes as her character visits her incarcerated son in America, serving time for fraud. However, the beloved character is set to make a comeback to Albert Square next week.

As soon as Kathy returns, she promptly informs Phil Mitchell, portrayed by Steve McFadden, that their son Ben is struggling and that Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, is remaining behind to try and secure him a better lawyer.

In a state of desperation, she implores Phil to concentrate all his efforts on assisting with Ben's appeal. But will he prioritise his son?

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Wednesday, August 14, 2024

EastEnders fans demand 'fantastic' character returns full-time after brutal threat to Reiss

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EastEnders fans demand 'fantastic' character returns full-time after brutal threat to Reiss

EastEnders enthusiasts had quite the dramatic moment on Wednesday (August 14) when Debbie Colwell's parents made quite the stormy comeback.

It was far from celebrations at Sonia Fowler and Reiss Colwell's engagement bash, which spiralled into mayhem as parents Brenda and Hugh Collins recoiled in horror upon seeing a pregnant Sonia sporting an engagement sparkler that belonged to their daughter lying in a coma.

Soap followers are clued up on Debbie's tragic fate: aside from being struck down by a crippling stroke, she fell victim to murder at the hands of Reiss, who found himself drowning in debt with a baby on the way with Sonia.

A tormented Brenda challenged Reiss about the jewellery choice, pressing him with the line: "What did you do, nip it off her finger in the mortuary?"

Debbie's parents returned with some harsh words for Reiss and Sonia
Debbie's parents returned with some harsh words for Reiss and Sonia

He conceded that he'd cherished feelings for Debbie all this time. Brenda, consumed by grief and scorn, countered with fury: "So in love that she's not even cold in the ground and you've emptied her bank account and you're getting engaged. What sort of monster are you?"

Reiss attempted to hush the escalating quarrel away from Lauren, Martin, Jack, Amy, and Ricky's attentive ears, but he only provoked Brenda's wrath more, reports the Express.

As Brenda berated Reiss for committing to another whilst looting their dead daughter's savings, Sonia let slip about Reiss's dire financial straits.

Explaining the ugly truth, Sonia said: "It's not like that, Reiss has been in a bit of a mess financially but he's going to pay it all back once the life insurance comes through."

Brenda was livid when Sonia mentioned Debbie's life insurance
Brenda was livid when Sonia mentioned Debbie's life insurance

Irate Brenda lashed out, stating Sonia and Reiss wouldn't get a penny of Debbie's life insurance.

She took it up a notch by threatening police action, despite pleas from Reiss who claimed she got it wrong.

Brenda threw down the gauntlet with a scathing remark: "You're a money-grabbing leech."

Signalling her intent to take legal steps, Brenda's move spells potential doom for the duo.

Viewers of EastEnders promptly hit social media to back Brenda's tough approach towards Reiss, as one fan tweeted: "Brenda ripping Reiss apart. She doesn't trust him. Little does she know Reiss did kill Debbie. #EastEnders." (sic)

Another fan praised: "Make her a regular character she's fantastic Brenda #EastEnders." (sic)

A third supporter exclaimed: "Yes Brenda! #eastenders." With another urging: "Bring Brenda on full time please #EastEnders." (sic)

EastEnders airs Monday - Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Tuesday, August 13, 2024

EastEnders' fans fear for Linda Carter as they say they 'know' what happens next

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EastEnders' fans fear for Linda Carter as they say they 'know' what happens next

EastEnders fans have been left on tenterhooks following a heart-wrenching twist involving Linda Carter (portrayed by Kellie Bright), sparking fears that her character may meet a tragic end.

In recent episodes, Linda has been tormented by anonymous threatening letters and text messages, sent by Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) in cahoots with Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo).

The latest episode, aired on August 13 and available for early streaming on iPlayer, saw Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) frustrated to find his mother Linda passed out in the kitchen after a night of heavy drinking. Despite Johnny's insistence that she freshen up before her two youngest children woke, Linda chastised him for preventing her from accepting Fraser's deal to retract her statement against Dean.

EastEnders Linda and Jonny Carter
Linda Carter has been left tormented by poison pen letters

Meanwhile at The Vic, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) voiced her worries to Johnny about the case potentially being reopened, unaware that Bernie was eavesdropping.

Johnny confided in Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) about Linda's alcohol problem, expressing his fear that it could lead to her death if not addressed. Gina reassured him that he can only do so much and agreed to keep an eye on Linda while Johnny tried to convince the prosecutor to reinstate his mother on the case, reports the Daily Star.

A relieved Linda joined Gina in the kitchen to prepare lunch, but their work was interrupted by Bernie who insisted on having a private conversation with Linda.

Bernie, wanting to revisit the topic of Keanu's death, whipped out a bottle of vodka in Linda's presence, much to her shockthough she didn't turn down a drink.

Johnny is forced to take matters into his own hands
Johnny is forced to take matters into his own hands

As Gina got sidetracked, Bernie kept on topping up Linda's glass, urging her to spill the beans on what really happened to her brother.

Johnny got back home to find Gina had let Linda drink and was livid, while Linda sneaked off with the bottle of vodka to continue drinking in private.

A concerned Johnny implored his mum to consider rehab, so she'd be fit to testify at Dean's trial, but Linda stubbornly refused.

Blaming Johnny for her removal from the case and his part in giving her booze during the meeting pushed him to the brink.

In heated exchanges, Johnny blurted out that he wished it had been Linda instead of his dad Mick Carter (played by Danny Dyer) who had died, and then he stormed off.

Linda Carter was in grave danger when she was found by her son Johnny
Linda Carter was in grave danger when she was found by her son Johnny

While Linda carried on drinking alone in her bedroom, Sharon offered some sage advice to Johnny downstairs in the pub.

Checking in on Linda later, Johnny was aghast to find her unconscious and choking on vomit in her bed.

Gina begged Johnny to dial for an ambulance, leaving everyone to wonder if Linda would survive. Some EastEnders aficionados are predicting a grim fate for Linda, doubting she'll come through this.

Johnny Carter was left frightened after finding his mum struggling for breathe in bed
Johnny Carter was left frightened after finding his mum struggling for breathe in bed

One fan shared online: "I'm sorry but the amount of alcohol Linda has drank over time she would be yellow or worse dead... #EastEnders."

Another viewer expressed: "The fact that the massive argument Linda and Johnny had today might be their last ever conversation #EastEnders."

A third fan simply commented: "Linda noooo #EastEnders."

"Just watched tonight's Duff Duff - I'm absolutely devastated. Please don't let anything bad happen to Linda. #EastEnders", pleaded another.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer

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Monday, August 12, 2024

Brixton paedophile blackmailed girl, 14, over nude pics - she needed 2 abortions after he raped her

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Brixton paedophile blackmailed girl, 14, over nude pics - she needed 2 abortions after he raped her

A paedophile who bought nude photos from a 12-year-old girl then blackmailed her friend with them so he could rape her has been jailed. Abdallah Abdallah groomed three girls over five months, offering them shopping trips to Westfield and cash for indecent photos which he then threatened to leak on the internet so that one of the victims would meet him in person, Inner London Crown Court heard on Monday (August 12).

The 34-year-old - who probations officials have decided is a high-risk sex offender due to his 'distorted and sexualised' view of teenage girls - paid for an Uber to transport one 14-year-old victim from her home in Essex to an estate in South London in March this year. Here he took her to bike sheds, told her to ignore her worried father's phone calls, then raped her without contraception and impregnated her.

After the victim reported the terrifying attack to police, it emerged Abdallah, of Clemoes House, Brixton, had persistently targeted three underage girls between October 2023 and March 2024. Prosecutor Fiona Ryan said Abdallah used the pseudonym 'Ryan' to speak to 'a number of girls' over social media, deploying a 'particularly nasty' blackmail tactic to force the meeting with the rape victim.

READ MORE: Michael Costin's victims face paedophile scoutmaster in court as they tell of harrowing sexual abuse

The outside entrance to Inner London Crown Court
The case was held at Inner London Crown Court near Elephant and Castle

Abdallah contacted the first victim, who was aged 14, over social media and asked to meet her at Westfield shopping centre three times during the course of their conversations. In light of the child rape offence, to which he pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing, Abdallah was charged and later admitted attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence in relation to these proposed meet-ups.

The second victim was aged 12 when she joined a group chat containing Abdallah, posing as 'Ryan', and the third victim, who was later raped. Ms Ryan said the 12-year-old victim was 'wary' of Abdallah, after he refused to show his face, and she also realised she had previously blocked him. But her friend, the third victim, convinced her Abdallah was 'fine'.

Abdallah, who knew the victim was only 12, asked for photos of her face, then called her 'fit' and 'pretty' when she sent them. The third victim, who was also being groomed, then told her to 'hurry up' and provide more photos for Abdallah. The 12-year-old victim sent two naked photos to the other victim, who passed them on to Abdallah and he replied with an 'eye heart emoji'.

After this the conversation turned to meeting up, which the young victim believed was for sex. Abdallah sent money to the third victim over PayPal, which was to pay for the second victim's photos. In the meantime, the second victim refused to provide more photos and did not respond. She then deleted the existing photos from the group chat and blocked Abdallah on March 17 this year.

The next day, on March 18, the third victim's parents discovered the transferred money and asked where it had come from. The revelations that would later follow, after a disclosure to her friend, triggered a police investigation, in which the third victim told officers she had been contacted by Abdallah over Snapchat and asked for naked photos, even after telling him she was 14.

Victim needed two abortions

The third victim told detectives she had sent Abdallah photos of her friend on March 16, in exchange for money, but then he threatened to leak them online if she did not meet him and asked her for new ones of herself. After sending him her own naked photos, he also included these in the blackmail threat, threatening to circulate both sets of photos if she did not meet him.

On the morning of March 18, Abdallah booked the 14-year-old girl an Uber to South London and met her in an underground area. She received a call from her dad, but Abdallah told her not to answer it. After touching her, he raped her.

Abdallah said he would pay for emergency contraception, but this never materialised and the girl needed two abortions to get rid of the unborn child. The victim later said she was yet to come to terms with the trauma of the terminations.

Police were able to track down Abdallah's Uber account, booked under another pseudonym 'Abs Izra', and he was arrested on March 26. Under questioning, Abdallah remained silent. He was charged with one count of rape, two counts of blackmail, two counts of attempting to arrange a child sex offence, and two counts of inciting a child under 13 into sexual activity.

Abdallah, who has never previously been before the courts, admitted all seven offences at a pre-trial hearing. His defence counsel, Alexia Nicol, said he was remorseful, and the offences had arisen from his own inadequacy in conversing with women, and paedophilia. The court also heard Abdallah disclosed porn-watching, masturbation and sex worker use in his conversations with a probation officer.

'Devastating and life-long'

Abdallah closed his eyes as details of his crimes were heard by the rape victim's tearful mother and father who sat in court. In their daughter's victim impact statement, she described feeling socially isolated, her emotions being 'in turmoil', and feeling 'numb, annoyed, upset, and tired'.

Recorder Martin Rose said Abdallah used 'deception, the promise of gifts, and giving of money' to groom the children, while deploying blackmail to obtain indecent photos, and 'isolating' the rape victim from her father so he could abuse her. These aggravating features led Recorder Rose to impose a sentence of 13 years and six months for rape, with the lesser offences to run concurrent.

"However adult [the victim], like all teenagers, might have pretended to be, she was a child. A child of parents who loved and cared for her. A child who should have been at school. You sought to isolate her from all those sources of protection, using blackmail and threats so you could abuse her - a child - in the most appalling fashion. The impact of the your abuse will be devastating and life-long," said Recorder Rose.

The judge also concluded Abdallah was legally 'dangerous', due to his persistent pursuit of three young girls and the eventual goal of serious sexual offending, demonstrated by the rape. Recorder Rose imposed an extended sentence, with an additional five years to be served on licence along with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Abdallah can be released after two thirds of his custodial sentence, but only after a review by the parole board. He is entered on the sex offenders register for life.

Got a story or a court case we should cover? Please email callum.cuddeford@reachplc.com or WhatsApp 07580255582

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Sunday, August 11, 2024

M&S 'yellow sticker addict' names the times to visit for the best discounts

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M&S 'yellow sticker addict' names the times to visit for the best discounts

An M&S 'yellow sticker addict' has named the times to go to the supermarket for the best discounts.

The Instagrammer, who goes by freeloading_chaz, documents his life as a 'yellow sticker addict'. In one of his recent videos, freeloading_chaz documents what he does at M&S to get the best deals.

The first thing he reveals is that the yellow stickers go on the sandwiches at 5pm. He then goes on to show what else he does to get the bargains, saying he has mastered the 'snatch and grab' to get things right under people's noses.

READ MORE: 'I beat Ryanair's strict cabin bag rules with a £17 backpack that fits a week's worth of clothes'

But eventually, in the video, freeloading_chaz reveals when the best time to snag the stickered items. According to Chaz, the best time to is an hour before closing time, as things may be discounted even further as it gets later and later.

Many people in the comments have admitted they are also yellow sticker addicts with loads of comments like 'me too' and another person said 'why do I feel seen'.

However, there is also a darker side to the yellow sticker game as one person said in the comments. This person said: "Literally just today I had to tell a lady off in M&S cause she was harassing a poor worker, following him around the store and snatching the items from his hands even before he could put them back on the shelf, some people are losing their damned mind."

Another person had similar experiences and said: "Used to do the yellow stickers. Had 2 types of addicts. The vultures who would just hang around the staff doors and stare through the glass as you're doing it only to swarm you the moment you come out with stickers, and piranhas who would be snatching things out your hands before you even got the sticker on and then get mad that it wasn't as low as they wanted. These people are mental."

Another person in the comments revealed their tips for getting the best deals at Tesco too. They said: "As someone who lived on top of a 24-hour Tesco extra for 3 years. Best time for stickers is about 4.30pm and again at 9.30-10.30pm. Occasionally midnight can be good."

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