Opinion

Police discovered Kennedi Westcarr-Sabaroche dead in her car in an alleyway Whiston Road, Hackney, on Saturday morning (April 6)

Murder charge after woman found dead inside car in alleyway

How The Light Gets In Festival runs in the grounds of Kenwood House on September 17 and 18, 2022

How The Light Gets In Festival runs in the grounds of Kenwood House on September 17 and 18, 2022

How The Light Gets In: music and philosophy festival takes over Kenwood

Hackney Council workers outside the Town Hall make the case for gender equality.

Hackney Council workers outside the Town Hall make the case for gender equality.

International Women's Day

For International Women’s Day, give us – or yourself – a break

13 Stean Street

13 Stean Street

Architectural view: A tribute to bricks and Haggerston's 'houses of commons'

Many families will be plunged into fuel poverty this winter.

Many families will be plunged into fuel poverty this winter.

There With You This Winter: Fuel poverty makes a grim outlook for families

Riots erupted across London and into Hackney in 2011 after the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan.

Riots erupted across London and into Hackney in 2011 after the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan.

'It felt like the world turned upside down', Hackney MP remembers 2011 London riots

Postmodernism has not always been popular but it has found a home in Hackney, as Rashidat will testify.

Postmodernism has not always been popular but it has found a home in Hackney, as Rashidat will testify.

In defence of post-modernist buildings in Hackney and beyond

'Potemkin Theatre', 2019 by Maich Swift

'Potemkin Theatre', 2019 by Maich Swift

Sharks and rooftop pavilions: Time for planning laws 'middle way'

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy (left) and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli battle for the ball during the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday May 2, 2021.

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy (left) and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli battle for the ball during the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Issue date: Sunday May 2, 2021.

Mikel Arteta must trust Gabriel Martinelli against Villarreal

Sheffield United's Ethan Ampadu clears the ball under pressure from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture date: Sunday April 11, 2021.

Sheffield United's Ethan Ampadu clears the ball under pressure from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match at at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture date: Sunday April 11, 2021.

Arsenal boss Arteta should favour Saka at left-back in Tierney's absence

Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey and Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale battle for the ball during the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle. Picture date: Sunday April 4, 2021.

Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey and Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale battle for the ball during the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle. Picture date: Sunday April 4, 2021.

Top four still possible despite woeful record for Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (centre) celebrates with Thomas Partey (left) and Granit Xhaka after the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 14, 2021.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (centre) celebrates with Thomas Partey (left) and Granit Xhaka after the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 14, 2021.

Liverpool defeat shows the importance of Xhake in Arteta's Arsenal midfield

Burnley's Ben Mee (left) and Arsenal's Willian (right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Saturday March 6, 2021.

Burnley's Ben Mee (left) and Arsenal's Willian (right) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Saturday March 6, 2021.

Arsenal’s season will be defined over the next month with crucial fixtures

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale (right) celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale (right) celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.

Is Gareth Bale back? Welshman guides Spurs to victory over Burnley

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho (right) gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday February 21, 2021.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho (right) gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday February 21, 2021.

How long does José Mourinho really have at Spurs?

St John at Hackney rector Al Gordon.

St John at Hackney rector Al Gordon.

Christmas message: People have been incredible

Steve Allen thinks a Grinch would be useful this Christmas.

Steve Allen thinks a Grinch would be useful this Christmas.

View from a comedian: Queues and rows - same old Christmas

Steve Allen says we need a Grinch this Christmas

Steve Allen says we need a Grinch this Christmas

Queues and rows - same old Christmas

The Pigeon Tree in Springfield Park.

The Pigeon Tree in Springfield Park.

Gazette letters: Covid Christmas, pigeon tree, cars and Christmas charities

Hackney Town Hall Square will be lit up. As the festive season is approaching, we'd love to see what decorations you're putting up this year. Let's brighten up our streets and put a smile on our neighbours' faces as we head into an unusual Christmas.

Hackney Town Hall Square will be lit up. As the festive season is approaching, we'd love to see what decorations you're putting up this year. Let's brighten up our streets and put a smile on our neighbours' faces as we head into an unusual Christmas.

Gazette letters: Policing Plan, feed the vulnerable, traffic and visiting your GP

July 22, 2018 - Top of slip road leading out of kitchens and across a public pathway to access the A41.

July 22, 2018 - Top of slip road leading out of kitchens and across a public pathway to access the A41.

Deliveroo wins an extension - such is Camden’s terror of legal costs

George Binette explains why NEU members in Tower Hamlets are striking on December 9.

George Binette explains why NEU members in Tower Hamlets are striking on December 9.

View from the street: Teacher strike over cuts plan

Steve Allen's rational and superstitious sides are fighting over the Covid vaccine.

Steve Allen's rational and superstitious sides are fighting over the Covid vaccine.

View from a comedian: Let’s not get too excited about vaccine

The statue of Sir Robert Geffrye at The Museum of the Home (formerly called The Geffrye Museum). Picture: Ken Mears

The statue of Sir Robert Geffrye at The Museum of the Home (formerly called The Geffrye Museum). Picture: Ken Mears

Gazette letters: Sir Robert Geffrye, bullying and run 5k for charity

Brooke Road sorting office. Picture: Google Street View

Brooke Road sorting office. Picture: Google Street View

Gazette letters: Brooke Road sorting office, letter from Santa, save stamps and shop for charity

Alice Bonifacio, environmental campaigner and nature writer, has been exploring Abney Park.

Alice Bonifacio, environmental campaigner and nature writer, has been exploring Abney Park.

Nature watch: Sheltering in a labyrinth park

Che O'Grady is looking for memories of her father Leroy Harewood.

Che O'Grady is looking for memories of her father Leroy Harewood.

Gazette letters: Leroy Harewood, lockdown and refugees

André Langlois doesn't think lockdown #2 has come soon enough.

André Langlois doesn't think lockdown #2 has come soon enough.

Editor’s comment: Tough winter ahead - but there is help out there

Dabirul Choudhury has raised more than £200k for over 50 countries across the world including the UK and his home village in Bangladesh. Picture: The Choudhury family

Dabirul Choudhury has raised more than £200k for over 50 countries across the world including the UK and his home village in Bangladesh. Picture: The Choudhury family

Gazette letters: Congratulations, enironment, shop for charity, breast screening and BAME children

Alice Bonifacio has been getting a 'frog's eye view' of Woodberry Wetlands.

Alice Bonifacio has been getting a 'frog's eye view' of Woodberry Wetlands.

Nature Watch: Open swim a real spectacle

One of the new aspects of lift we have become familiar with this year. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Images

One of the new aspects of lift we have become familiar with this year. Picture: Yui Mok/PA Images

Gazette letters: Migrant centre, free speech and Covid

The trees at Dixon Clark Court are scheduled to be felled. Picture: Alex Hofford

The trees at Dixon Clark Court are scheduled to be felled. Picture: Alex Hofford

Gazette letters: Dixon Clark Court trees, voting system, LTNs and Covid

Gridlock in Amhurst Road, Hackney Central - where the council is considering putting up traffic filters to prevent through-traffic. Picture: Hackney Council

Gridlock in Amhurst Road, Hackney Central - where the council is considering putting up traffic filters to prevent through-traffic. Picture: Hackney Council

Gazette letters: Low traffic neighbourhoods and flu jab

Steve Allen has faced some road blocks in Hackney.

Steve Allen has faced some road blocks in Hackney.

View from a comedian: My name’s Steve and I have a car

George Binette, CLP Trade Union Liaison Officer, is concerned about the impact of privatisation across social care.

George Binette, CLP Trade Union Liaison Officer, is concerned about the impact of privatisation across social care.

View from the street: Impact of outsourcing

Are we becoming complacent about coronavirus? Picture: TfL

Are we becoming complacent about coronavirus? Picture: TfL

Gazette letters: Covid complacency, Zip cards, support charities and track, trace and testing

Steve Allen tells students to be nice to their teachers.

Steve Allen tells students to be nice to their teachers.

View from a comedian: Mask fashion and schooling

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden arrives in Downing Street, a cabinet meeting, ahead of MPs returning to Westminster. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden arrives in Downing Street, a cabinet meeting, ahead of MPs returning to Westminster. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Gazette letters: Sir Robert Geffrye statue, toxic air and NSPCC

North London front pages, dated September 3, 2020. Picture: Archant

North London front pages, dated September 3, 2020. Picture: Archant

Editor’s comment: Cannot give our councils a choice of ‘cuts or bust’

Steve Allen ponders the logic of encouraging people back to work with a fare hike.

Steve Allen ponders the logic of encouraging people back to work with a fare hike.

View from a comedian: Bad time for a rail price hike

City Hall. Picture: Ken Mears

City Hall. Picture: Ken Mears

Gazette letters: Free transport, fly-tipping and walk for dogs

George Binette if fighting to bridge the salary gap between ISS staff and the lowest paid NHS employees.

George Binette if fighting to bridge the salary gap between ISS staff and the lowest paid NHS employees.

A new NHS private contract - but the fight for fair pay is far from over

Passengers wearing face masks on a platform at Canning Town underground station in London. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Images

Passengers wearing face masks on a platform at Canning Town underground station in London. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Images

Gazette letters: Clear masks, stop and search and cycle challenge

Steve Allen is asking for support for the Save Live Comedy campaign.

Steve Allen is asking for support for the Save Live Comedy campaign.

Opinion: Help us save live comedy

The Lexington, like other music venues, is shut.

The Lexington, like other music venues, is shut.

Opinion: Music venues need and deserve government support

Steve Allen is blaming his snoring on lockdown.

Steve Allen is blaming his snoring on lockdown.

Opinion: Snoring again, apparently

Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally. Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally. Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

Gazette letters: Toppling statue, Homerton Hospital, BAME Covid report and Brexit

Did Dominic Cummings break lockdown rules by taking a trip to Durham? Picture: PA images/Kirsty O'Connor

Did Dominic Cummings break lockdown rules by taking a trip to Durham? Picture: PA images/Kirsty O'Connor

Gazette letters: Dominic Cummings, NHS and Happy Man Tree

Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home as the row over the Durham trip taken by prime minister Boris Johnson's top aide continues. Picture: PA images/ Kirsty O'Connor

Dominic Cummings leaves his north London home as the row over the Durham trip taken by prime minister Boris Johnson's top aide continues. Picture: PA images/ Kirsty O'Connor

Ham&High letters: The Heath, traffic, care for NHS staff, Immigration Bill, congestion charge, Dominic Cummings and Sue Ryder

Comedian Steve Allen is getting used to wearing a face mask.

Comedian Steve Allen is getting used to wearing a face mask.

This is a face worth hiding

A banner in support of the NHS. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA.

A banner in support of the NHS. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA.

Gazette letters: NHS, Covid costs, N Lee & Sons, public parks, free school meals and heart health

The Day of Prayer held by Hackney Faiths Forum on May 3.

The Day of Prayer held by Hackney Faiths Forum on May 3.

Gazette letters: Shared faith, BAME inequality and emissions

A rainbow in support of the NHS. Picture: PA Images.

A rainbow in support of the NHS. Picture: PA Images.

Readers’ letters:

Steve Allen asks if coronavirus is forcing us to live in a better way.

Steve Allen asks if coronavirus is forcing us to live in a better way.

Opinion: Overhaul the drinking rules