A bus that offers a safe haven for vulnerable town centre visitors is rolling through Haringey once again. Following success last year, the SOS Bus is returning to the borough’s streets for a series of weekends until the New Year. The bus, which is funded by Haringey Council and the Metropolitan Police and provided by Colchester-based charity Open Road , is manned by volunteers from HAGA (Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol) and BUBIC (Bringing Unity Back into the Community).

Residents in Birmingham are being reminded of this year’s Christmas waste collection arrangements with one month until festivities begin. As is normally the case, the council’s crews, who work on all other Bank Holidays, will not operate on Christmas Day, Boxing Day (or any Bank Holidays staged when either of those two days are at the weekend).

IT’S A case of being upfront and dropping those hints early for locals in Birmingham where Christmas presents are concerned, according to new research. 1 in 4 say the earlier loved ones drop hints, the more likely they are to fulfil them - and as 32% of residents will start their Christmas shopping after November pay day, now really is the time to start dropping hints.  

Haringey “will become London’s first zero-carbon borough” as it bids to lead the way in tackling climate change. The ambitious pledge was made as the fifth annual Haringey Carbon Report was presented to Full Council. Haringey remains the only borough to track and publish its record on reducing local carbon emissions.

Christmas is fast approaching, and as ever looks set to be a busy and potentially stressful time. While 43% of people feel that buying presents is the main worry at Christmas, cooking Christmas dinner comes second along with family arguments! That’s not surprising, considering that nearly a third of people will be eating Christmas dinner with more than seven guests and nearly half will spend over five hours preparing and cooking the festive meal.

A wonderful seasonal start to Christmas will sound out when Sandwell’s mayor hosts the 126th annual Civic Carol Concert at West Bromwich Town Hall. And there'll be plenty of mince pies to tempt the taste buds during the interval. The popular concert, compered by the BBC’s Mike Wyer, features the Langley Band, Sandwell & District Scouts Choir and well-known singer Maggie O’Hara.