News in Richmond

THE 'powerhouse' Orange Tree Theatre, which has become renowned for showcasing new writing, directing and acting talent, is to be celebrated in an exhibition at the Museum of Richmond.

Theatre lovers are being asked to help the initiative, which is designed to mark the theatre's 50th anniversary, by contributing memories and any objects that could help tell its remarkable story of triumph over adversity.

The well-publicised labour shortages across the economy are now hitting the ability to go for a bracing swim in Richmond.

Pools on the Park will be shutting its outdoor pool on weekday afternoons through until November 6.

Rumours are circulating that Marks & Spencer is considering moving into a large portion of the former House of Fraser store in the centre of Richmond.

The retail giant, which already has a store on the other side of the road in George Street, is understood to have held preliminary talks with the owner of the building.

Thirty-two groups across the borough have benefited from a share of £75,000 in donations from customers of Tesco through the supermarket's Community Grants scheme.

Those given support include The Poppy Factory in Richmond, which supports veterans back into work, and the TAG Youth Club for Disabled Young People, based in Ham.

A Japan Festival begins at Kew Gardens this weekend featuring stunning large-scale artistic and horticultural installations along with live music, theatre and dance.

The event will be based in the majestic Temperate House, which is the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, with over 10,000 plants.

Richmond borough now has the highest Covid infection rates in the city.

Richmond has the highest Covid infection rate in the capital (295 per 100,000 of the population).

ARSONISTS have caused thousands of pounds of damage after setting alight motorbikes on the street.

The attacks risk turning the motorbikes, which are effectively petrol tanks on wheels, into fire bombs, posing a huge threat to people and passing vehicles.

Brindisa Kitchens, the renowned group of Spanish restaurants, is looking for a team of staff for its new outlet on the riverside near Richmond Bridge.

The company, which has five tapas restaurants and one kitchen bar, will be opening its biggest tapas site in the building that was previously occupied by Jackson + Rye.

Actor Sally Phillips has paid tribute to the success of local charity Skylarks as a 'wonderful family, which provides a supportive community for children with special needs.

She has personal experience of the issue and is Patron of the charity, which has been named as a winner of a Community Organisation Award at the prestigious National Diversity Awards.

A cycling campaigner has triggered a row after posting a video of a car involved in an apparent near miss with a woman pushing a baby buggy through Richmond Park.

Watch the video here.