By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Fresh from her work as a judge on the recent series of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, Chef Monica Galetti has taken over the Searcys – the restaurant at the top of 30 St Mary’s Axe AKA. The Gherkin for a unique dining experience. Taking place throughout the rest of January until mid-February, the Chef’s residency within the renowned London landmark is heavily inspired by Monica’s passion for seasonal ingredients, thus providing a strong focus...

By Tayler Groom, Groundwork London Groundwork London and the London Community Resource Network (LCRN) have launched innovative new reuse hubs across five London housing estates. Known locally as ‘The Loops’, the hubs will collect, refurbish and redistribute unwanted furniture and household goods, reducing the number of re-useable items going to landfill. Fly-tipping across the capital is increasing every year, costing tax payers an estimated £20 million in 2015 (according to data analysis from UBRS). The aim of the new reuse...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food As the result of a collaboration between the Chase Distillery and the acclaimed restaurateurs behind Pizza Pilgrims, Pococello was inspired by a trip to Italy, using specially selected Amalfi lemons for a drink that’s not too dissimilar to classic Limoncello. Pococello, however, is far less sickly-sweet – crafted with some of England’s finest spirit and hand-crafted in small batches. And in the time of brutally cold weather, Pizza Pilgrims have recently added the Hot...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor A police officer has claimed that police improperly destroyed files complied on Green Party Peer Lady Jones. David Williams believes his unit destroyed records to prevent Jenny Jones from uncovering the degree to which her political work had been monitored. Williams claims it was part of a “highly irregular” cover-up. Lady Jones, who is also Deputy Chair of the committee that supervises the Met police, was kept away from the records regarding the surveillance operation...

News that the fun crushing Government has decided there is no such thing as a safe level of drinking has had the opposite effect. Drinkers across the country have thrown caution to the wind and got completely wasted instead. James Sawerbridge, 24 a trainee Quantity Surveyor from Wandsworth, hanging onto a lamppost at 11am on Friday morning, drawled: “I just thought let’s get pissed then, so I downed a bottle of Archers Peach Schnapps at 9am Monday morning, I think...

By John Rendel, founder of PEAS (promoting equality in African schools) The introduction of reusable sanitary pads and lessons to reduce the stigmatisation around menstruation is transforming access to education in Africa. As a girl in Uganda you have less than 25% chance of staying in school after completing primary school and, even if succeeding in getting a school place, a girl will miss three days of school a month simply because of her period. Many girls drop out of...

It’s the home of Rowntree and Terry’s; George Cadbury and Lewis Fry studied their trade there – no wonder York has a reputation as the spiritual capital of chocolate. So where better to go for a staycation with the sis? We’re the daughters of a cornershop owner, so we were reared on York’s finest: the likes of Aero, Kit Kat, Quality Streets and Yorkies. Bring it on, say we. That’s fighting talk, as we soon found out. Make no mistake,...

By Bea Patel, TLE Property Editor and Director of Shop for an Agent Rising demand and higher property prices make it increasingly difficult for buyers to stand on their own two feet. Indications point to a worsening picture during the next 12 months, despite recent government moves to help first-time buyers, as outlined in the recent Comprehensive Spending Review. JMW Solicitors, a Manchester law firm predict that in 2016, we’ll see a record number of family-funded house moves, as property...

By Alex Lodge (@alexlodgemusic | Insta @alexlodgemusic7) Alex Lodge is a music supervisor for film, TV and advertising at Studio 32 Music.  Welcome to the Weekly Report. This is a playlist I’ve been releasing on my blog Liquid Architecture every Monday for the last 29 weeks. It’s made up of tracks I’ve come across in my digging sessions throughout the week, along with some old favorites from my record collection. To keep it interesting, I try to include stuff that you're unlikely to...