08/08/2014 BBC London News

inches of rain, gales are possible around the coast in

The smell has been unbelievable. The house smells, you get it on your

clothes, in your hair Work has begun to reduce the dump, but people

living nearby say not enough is being done. Guilty on terror

charges, the East Londoner who tried to flee the country on the Eurostar.

to flee the country on the Durostar. Protesting in the Blackwall tunnel,

how conflict in the Middle East Protesting in the Blackwall tunnel,

how conflict in the Middle Dast is how conflict in the Middle Dast is

being felt in London. And this is no ordinary shed. Find

out what makes it the best in the country.

Good evening and welcome to the programme. I'm Alice Bhandhtkravi.

People living next to a mountain of waste in Bromley say not enough has

been done to reduce the huge mound been done to reduce the huge mound

which they say smells like "rotten corpses". Today the Environment

corpses". Today the Environlent Agency began work to remove some of

the rubbish piled up at the dump. But earlier on, a fire broke

the rubbish piled up at the dump. But earlier on, a fire brokd out

the rubbish piled up at the dump. But earlier on, a fire broke out at

the site ` the 17th this year, according to London Fire Brhgade. It

according to London Fire Brigade. It says it's now spent ?650,000

tackling blazes there. Rebecca Williams is at the scene for us now.

As you can see, you can makd out this mountain of waste behind me.

Work has been going on all morning Work has been going on all lorning

here. Contractors have been bring out the rubbish. Residents say they

are glad that something is finally being done but they don't think the

Environment Agency acted soon enough. They want the whole lot

gone, not just part of it. This mountain of waste has now bden

mountain of waste has now been towering over residents' holes

mountain of waste has now bden towering over residents' homes here

towering over residents' holes here in Orpington for three years. But

after a lengthy legal battle in Orpington for three years. But

after a lengthy legal battle the Environment Agency is taking action.

Today they've started to relove some Today they've started to remove some

of it. We have not been abld to open of it. We have not been able to open

our doors and wind's becausd of the smell. It's been unbelievable. The

house smells. You get it on your cloerkts you get it in your hair.

It's been like rotting corpses pervading your house. It is not just

the sight and smell. For residents there is also the fear of fhre.

there is also the fear of fire. There's been one here today. One of

17 in the last year. It had cost the London Fire Brigade in the region of

?650,000. As you see from the size of the stack, it poses significant

risks to our crews working hn the risks to our crews working in the

local area. There is a significant risk of the stack collapsing. It is

estimated that giant mountahn of waste amounts to 20,000 tonnes. The

Environment Agency wants to remove some of it in the coming weeks.

That, they say, will make it a safe level, but some want to see the

whole thing gone. This is supposed to be green belt land. We w`nt it

returned to a use that doesn't have a pile of waste which piles over

people's houses and over the flyover it is so big. The site is rtn by

it is so big. The site is run by Waste for Fuel. The company's aim

was to return the rubbish, turning it into renewable income. But that

it into renewable income. Btt that didn't happen. Today we took an

environmental risk assessor along. It looks like a very dangerous pile

that could collapse. It looks very unstable to me. I would worry about

an avalanche of debris and waste hitting my house and my garden.

Residents here say although they are pleased that some waste is finally

being removed, they want thd whole thing gone, and soon. The company

that owns this site, Waste for Fuel weren't contactable today. They ve

told us they may well go into administration. The Environlent

administration. The Environment Agency says it is looking for a

long`term solution and they understand the frustrations of

residents. I think residents and the local MP wants answers.

Rebecca, thank you. Lots more to come, including.

Including. I'm Huey Morgan, finding out why the West End of London was

so important to American troops in World War I. Is

A man found with bomb making plans on his laptop has been found guilty

of terror charges. Afsor Alh, from east London, tried to flee the

country on the Eurostar. He's been on trial at the Old Bailey. Chris

Rogers joins us from there now. Chris, exactly what has been found

guilty of? He was found guilty of three counts of possession of

records containing a inform`tion of a kind likely to be useful to

someone committing or preparing an act of terrorism. 27`year`old Afsor

Ali was arrested outside the act of terrorism. 27`year`old Afsor

Ali was arrested outside the US embassy in December 2011. Hd was

leading a violent protest against drone bombing in Pakistan. When the

police searched his home in Bethnal Green they found Al`Qaeda and

bomb`making documents on his computer, and an MP 3 player. That

included the Al`Qaeda magazhne, included the Al`Qaeda magazine,

Inspire, and the terrorist lanual, 39 Ways to Participate in Jihad. The

39 Ways to Participate in Jhhad The Old Bailey heard he was counselled

by Omar Bakri, known locallx Old Bailey heard he was counselled

by Omar Bakri, known locally as the by Omar Bakri, known locallx as the

tie toll laugh. He was the official spokesman for a banned extrdmist

spokesman for a banned extremist group, Muslims Against Crus`des

spokesman for a banned extrdmist group, Muslims Against Crusades. In

group, Muslims Against Crus`des In March this year he tried to escape

the country using someone else's passport. He was arrested as he

boarded the Eurostar at St Pancras which was heading to parts. Ali will

be sentenced on Tuesday. Thank you: you:

Police have recovered guns, including a machine`gun, from a back

garden in South London. They including a machine`gun, from a back

garden in South London. Thex were garden in South London. Thex were

concealed underneath a paving slab surrounded by pot plants and garden

gnomes. Two men have now be charged following the raid on the property

in South Norwood. A man has been jailed for 13 years

following his attempt to rahd a following his attempt to rahd a

company which stores cash, using a company which stores cash, using a

stolen digger. The plan failed because he knocked down the wrong

wall. Raymond Betson was previously wall. Raymond Betson was prdviously

in prison for trying to steal a in prison for trying to ste`l a

diamond from the Millennium Dome in 2000. To become the first to join

the Met at Superintendent ldvel without rise through the ranks

first. They are joining on a without rise through the ranks

first. They are joining on ` direct entry scheme which aims to attract

entry scheme which aims to `ttract people from the City, the media and

people from the City, the mddia and the armed forces. Next:

How is the turmoil in the Middle How is the turmoil in the Middle

East being reflected on the streets of London? Gaza may be 2,000 miles

away but what's happening there as away but what's happening there, as

well as events in Iraq and Syria, is finding expression here amongst the

communities of the capital. Karl Mercer reports. It is maybe a sign

of the sensitivity of the times Mercer reports. It is maybe a sign

of the sensitivity of the thmes that a flag can get this many pressed

of the sensitivity of the times that a flag can get this many prdssed to

a flag can get this many pressed to a small council estate in E`st

a small council estate in East London. Locals have found they'll

quizzed on their attitudes to politics, the Middle East and Gaza.

Photographers have come to take these imagitos a wider audidnce

Until last night there was a black Until last night there was a black

flag here too. Some said it was like those waved byied haddist fighters.

It has since been removed. One of the locals who could talk, who would

talk, said the area could do without the attention. I don't want to say

that it is a divided community. And that it is a divided communhty. And

also myself I don't know wh`t is behind it. I don't know what the

meaning of it. I just noticdd behind it. I don't know what the

meaning of it. I just noticed a flag. Some of the protests lisplaced

as far as locals are concerned, others just misspelt. But this is

just the latest incident in the capital. This video was posted on

YouTube last week. Dozens of pro`Palestinian demonstrators

stopping and waving flags in the middle of the Blackwall tunnel. Just

night another demonstration, this time people angry at the Tricycle

Theatre, who wouldn't host ` Film Festival because it was backed by

Israeli money. Free Palestine. I'm against anyone who kills kids. There

has been an increase in anth`Semitic attacks in recent weeks. Relation

which have been built between the which have been built between the

two communities for many ye`rs which have been built betwedn the

two communities for many ye`rs are under strain. People become

emotional. People become concerned, and therefore it spills over into

not wanting to co`operate pdrhaps. I'm preparing for Shabbat for the

Sabbath, which begins at dusk tonight. It is a time of reflection

in the Jewish week. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg's congregation h`s

in the Jewish week. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg's congregation has been

worried by recent events but he says London is coping better than other

parts of Europe, where therd's London is coping better than other

parts of Europe, where therd's been much more violence. I think London

has developed a broad toler`nce much more violence. I think London

has developed a broad toler`nce and understanding that we need to live

together, that we need to get understanding that we need to live

together, that we need to get on together, whatever the world picture

people are concerned with their neighbour and their fellow

communities. That's something we have to work at. And London has a

great history at doing just that. A group of families in North London

have found their own solution to London's housing crisis. They've

London's housing crisis. Thdy've clubbed together to build their own

housing project in Stoke Newington, sharing gardens and even washing

machines. They say it has saved them a significant amount of mondy.

Cressida finally owns her dream home. House prices in London are so

crazy I had to think of a different way of doing it. And that's what she

did. She joined forces with I've other families and together they

came one a more affordable solution. And here it is. Tucked away behind a

row of Victorian houses on this street in Stoke Newington. The six

families came together to bty this plot of land. They commissioned an

architect to design their homes. architect to design their homes.

While that sounds costly it was cheaper than them buying

individually. That's mainly because the residents share facilities. I

the residents share facilithes. I couldn't have afforded to buy a

house this size in this are`. couldn't have afforded to bty a

house this size in this are`. We've got two washing machines rather than

six. These are probably about got two washing machines rather than

six. These are probably about 20% cheaper. Because you are sh`ring

facilities the houses can bd slightly smaller, so it is better

land use. You can put fairlx land use. You can put fairlx

generous houses on a small plot of land. In that way the econolics of

it work. The families who were all it work. The families who wdre all

friends beforehand formed a company which owns the freehold. The

which owns the freehold. Thd individuals own the lease holds to

their proper. For cress ka due and her neighbour, Lily, there is more

to this than pure economics. They've created a community. I've been

to this than pure economics. They've created a community. I've bden here

created a community. I've been here three days and I've really dnjoyed

meeting a lot of people and sitting out here and people come out.

Because you can do that, if you want company, you park yourself at the

company, you park yourself `t the table with a cup of tea and someone

comes out. While finding suhtable plots of land for sale in London is

rare, this model could address plots of land for sale in London is

rare, this model could address some of the capital's housing issues

People are constantly looking at ways of affording to live. That s

the big pressure really. I think if we can start to build things that do

make better use of the land, there is an economy of scale. The project

took almost five years to complete, but for the families living here it

was well worth the way. , worth the way.

Still to come: The ride London cycling festival hits the c`pital

and Surrey this weekend. Events on and Surrey this weekend. Evdnts on

Saturday and Sunday featuring the likes of Laura Trott and Br`dley

likes of Laura Trott and Bradley Wiggins, but the message is simple.

If you are out and about do, check before you travel. I'm in Tottenham

taking a look round the shed of the year and meeting the man who built

it. He spends more time in here than he does in his actual house.

All week our World War I at home series has been unearthing some

extraordinary accounts from around the capital to mark the centenary of

the first world 1. America fought on the side of Britain and her allies

and thousands of US troops came to London on their way to the front.

Huey Morgan from the band the Fun Lovin' Criminals and a former US

marine has been founding out how London welcomed them. I've gotta

confess as a New Yorker in London I can always find some place that

reminds me of home. If you know where to look for it. 100 ydars ago

if you were an American soldier you didn't have to look much further

than the heart of London's West End. Because right here in a verx busy

Because right here in a very busy part of London stood the Amdrican

Eagle hut, where American troops could relax and enjoy the comforts

of home. Run by the young mdn's Christian association, or as we know

it better today, the YMCA, the Eagle Hut opened in the summer of 1917, a

Hut opened in the summer of 191 , a few months after America entered the

war. It was attended by the US ambassador and astonishinglx veteran

ambassador and astonishingly veteran obvious the American civil war. The

opening was big news. In an article published in the Graphic well known

British society writer reported. published in the Graphic well known

British society writer reported . British society writer reported .

There's a delay spirit of freedom and good spirits over the whole

place. America's home in London. place. America's home in London.

Here masses of fresh fruit lay place. America's home in London

Here masses of fresh fruit may be seen and the ceaseless fizz of the

soda tap testifies to the popularity of the Eagle Bar. The streets would

have been thronged the people. They are hugely welcomed. People had

stars and stripes to wave to people as the troops marched past.

Christina has been looking hnto the Christina has been looking into the

hut's history. It was one of nearly 3 #2,000 huts and temporary dugouts.

This was spread over 35,000 square feet and needing all of its 800

volunteers, mostly women, to keep it running day and night. It h`d a

running day and night. It had a Barber shot, a billiard rool,

running day and night. It h`d a Barber shot, a billiard room, a

Barber shot, a billiard rool, a concert hall. There were beds for

450 troops to sleep every nhght It had just about everything you could

think of. And every effort was made to give the troops a slice of home,

especially in the canteen. Everything and anything deemed

quintessentially American, so pancakes were popular, but there was

also hash browns and chewing gum and chocolate. They even many a soda

found table. On average 5,000 meals were served up every day. What I

found interesting was the c`re the found interesting was the c`re the

YMCA provided for the troops. Exactly. If they didn't know them,

they took them on sight seehng tours they took them on sight seeing tours

and they had a system where volunteer drivers toured the

and they had a system where volunteer drivers toured thd streets

volunteer drivers toured the streets of London looking out for soldiers

who had too much to drink o`r were who had too much to drink o`r were

getting involved in something they should not have been doing. The hut

was meant to be a home away from home, tending to the physical,

home, tending to the physic`l, emotional and spiritual needs of

young man thousands of miles from their home. It was eventually closed

in August 1919. A year after peace was declared. All that remains of

Uncle Sam on the Strand is this memorial set into bush housd,

memorial set into bush house, marking not just the sight of the Am

Eagle Hut but in the hearts op Well, that's of course just one

of many local stories unearthed by BBC London and the Imperial

of many local stories unearthed by BBC London and the Imperhal War

Museums to mark 100 years since by BBC London and the Imperial War

Museums to mark 100 years shnce the Museums to mark 100 years since the

outbreak of the First World War If you would like to find ott more,

just go to the website. outbreak of the First World War

Now for the sport with Sara Orchard, and football is back

but cycling takes top billing, as far as I'm concerned!

Yes, thanks Alice, this weekend London and Surrey will host

a two`day cycling festival called "Ride London".

On Saturday, ten miles of roads in the capital will be closed off for

families to cycle on, and on Sunday there's a 100`mile race, whhch

families to cycle on, and on Sunday there's a 100`mile race, which takes

riders out through the Surrdy there's a 100`mile race, whhch takes

riders out through the Surrdy hills. Laura Trott and Bradley Wiggins are

the star attractions, and today I went to meet riders

registering at the Excel. Last year, 16,000 riders took the

London's streets for the evdnt dubbed the London Marathon on

wheels. Demand to take part in ride London Sousa grow to 24,000 this

year. A friend of mine signdd up London Sousa grow to 24,000 this

year. A friend of mine signed up for year. A friend of mine signdd up for

me and her, she did not get in and I did, so she has the hump but I am

still doing it. London and Surrey is a fantastic place to ride our

a fantastic place to ride otr bicycles and because we are really

keen on promoting women of a certain age taking part in sport. Dhd 8

age taking part in sport. Did 87 miles up in Yorkshire at thd

age taking part in sport. Dhd 8 miles up in Yorkshire at the end of

June which will be more dearly than on Sunday so hopefully it should be

OK. With rain expected on Stnday, who better to advise the Lycra

masses than Laura Trott, who also take part. Make sure you brhng

take part. Make sure you bring enough clothing. People think it is

going to be warm, at when it is wet and you have been going for 50

miles, you will get cold. Ldt some miles, you will get cold. Ldt some

air out of your tires. If it is chucking it down, you don't want

your tyres to be rock hard. On Saturday, ten miles of roads in

central London are closed for the free cycle. That area on Sunday

remains closed around the ground pre`. `` the Grand Prix. Thd 10

mile event start out at the Olympic Park before travelling out hn the

Surrey. All roads should reopen before 8:30pm on Sunday. 19 pieces

of paper printed off that represent all the road closures in London and

Surrey over Saturday and Sunday. It Surrey over Saturday and Sunday. It

includes 11 Bridge closes on Sunday. The message is simple, if

you are out and about this weekend, check before you travel. Thdre

you are out and about this weekend, check before you travel. There are

you are out and about this weekend, check before you travel. Thdre are a

check before you travel. There are a lot of improvements we have made

this year in terms of the classic event, which Sir Bradley Wiggins is

riding. That is going under a rolling road closure which will

allow us to open the street earlier, so we really hope patience

and understanding. Anyone with and understanding. Anyone whth

access fears should contact the organisers for assistance, but the

event is set to grow to 35,000 riders by 2016. It is not going

away, as more and more people find their inner Sir Bradley Wiggins

Good luck if you're taking part, and keep an eye on the weather.

Now, the football season gets underway this weekend.

And the traditional curtain`raiser to the start of the Premier League

takes place on Sunday. FA Cup winners, Arsenal, take on

league champions, Manchester City, in the Community Shield at Wembley.

But the Gunners won't have defender Thomas Vermaelen in their spuad

Thomas Vermaelen in their squad. The Belgian's expected to complete

a move to Barcelona this weekend a move to Barcelona this wedkend

in a deal worth around ?15 million. Whilst the regular Premier League

season starts proper next wdek, season starts proper next wdek,

the Championship, League One and Two are readx

the Championship, League One and Two are ready to go.

League One and Two are readx to go. For the first time in over a

League One and Two are ready to go. For the first time in over ` decade,

For the first time in over a decade, Fulham won't be playing

in the top flight. There have been big changes at

the club, as it bids to go straight back up to the Premier League.

Emma Jones has been to Craven Cottage to speak to

the players and the fans. Fulham's younger fans have only ever

known their team as a top`flight side, but larcenies and, after 3

years of competing is one of the 20 best clubs in the country, they were

relegated. I don't like to think it but I think the lack of leaf or

willpower was not in some of the players in the squad. Defensively,

we did not look like we had any training or tactics. It is hmportant

training or tactics. It is important we get straight back up, and I think

many people would think we deserve to be in the Premier League, having

been ever so long. Relegation has meant a major clear out the

players, but one standout edition Isla season's top scorer in the

Championship, Ross MacCormack, who reportedly cost ?11 million, a clear

indication that the new look side does not intend to stay in `

indication that the new look side does not intend to stay in a lower

divisions along. I think Fulham is a really big club in England `nd they

really big club in England and they have to be in the Premier Ldague,

have to be in the Premier League, and we will do our best to be there

next year again. While the fans got to know lots of new faces at this

open training session, therd were open training session, there were

some people they recognised. Rufus Brevet was part of the last Fulham

team to win promotion. To get back at the first asking will be a

difficult task, because in the Championship it is a differdnt ball

Championship it is a different ball game. You have probably 15 teams

vying for three places will be a difficult shout but I am sure with

the young players in there, they will be there or thereabouts. Before

a ball is even kicked, Fulh`m were a ball is even kicked, Fulh`m were

one of the favourites to go up from the Championship. The long campaign

kicks off tomorrow at Ipswich. the players and the fans.

And, of course, where else to keep up to date with all London's

football clubs this weekend than our radio station, BBC London 94.9 FM.

Tomorrow, you can follow Brdntford's return to the Championship at

Tomorrow, you can follow Brentford's return to the Championship `t three

o'clock against Charlton, whilst on Digital Radio at 5.15 pm, Fulham

open their season away at Ipswich. Good luck to all our teams,

that's all the sport, Alice. And of course Alice, I hope you win

on Sunday. It is the taking part that counts! Thank you very much.

that's all the sport, Alice. Now, what makes Britain's best shed?

Now, what makes Britain's bdst shed? Well,

a man in Tottenham seems to have the answer; he's built what is now

officially the "Shed of the Year". It's made from recycled odds

and ends that he's collected over the last few years.

It's powered by solar panel and wood burner, which makes it eco`friendly.

What's even more curious is what's inside, and what's on its roof.

Wendy Hurrell has been to investigate.

Lets face it, you are not going to find broken plant pots and cobwebs

in Britain's best shed, but this exceeds all expectations. This is a

music studio filled with musical instruments. If you come thhs way,

we have an artist's studio with everything laid out that you could

everything laid out that yot could need to be as creative as possible.

It is all housed in a shed that cost between ?500 and ?1000 to m`ke,

because it is also all that is it is an eco`shed, and you have not even

seen the best that yet, because on seen the best that yet, because on

the top is an allotment with tomato plants and rhubarb, and herbs and

all sorts of things growing, and the man who has made all of this happen

is Joel Ward Bird. Congratulations on getting shed of the year. Do you

spend any time in your own home I spend any time in your own home I

literally spend more time in the shed than I do in the house, so yes.

Every square inch is used, which is important. I used the front as an

artist studio, the back as a important. I used the front as an

artist studio, the back as ` music artist studio, the back as ` music

studio, and then the allotment on the, yes. And you collect r`inwater

the, yes. And you collect rainwater off the top as well. I do actually,

yes, and it waters the plants on the way down as it filters through. It

way down as it filters throtgh. It is powered by a solar panel and in

the winter I use a wood burner to heat it. How does it feel to have

the best shed in progress? It heat it. How does it feel to have

the best shed in progress? Ht was heat it. How does it feel to have

the best shed in progress? It was a the best shed in progress? It was a

great surprise to win, and ht has great surprise to win, and it has

been great. It was just nicd to meet been great. It was just nice to meet

all the other shed holders,. Is it about the man shed now or is it all

changing? I think things ard changing, it is no longer a place

for middle age men to escapd, although I am a middle`aged man!

for middle age men to escape, although I am a middle`aged man In

London, it is nice, it feels like a little tiny countryside really.

Thank you very much, and well done. Here is the trophy to prove it, the

golden shed. Now for the weather golden shed. Now for the weather

with John Hammond. Possibly good for allotments, not great for Rhde

allotments, not great for Ride London.

Yes, good growing weather, xou won't have to water the garden over the

next few days because there has been plenty of the wet stuff. We had some

really serious storms this afternoon really serious storms this `fternoon

to the east of London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire,

torrential downpours. Some of this rain will sweep right the w`y across

rain will sweep right the way across the London area. Quite a lot of

surface water around later this evening. That will play awax

overnight and then we will settle into a fine dawn, quite a cool Dawn

in actual fact, temperatures in some rural spots dipping down to single

figures. A nice fresh start to the weekend. Saturday is the dax to

weekend. Saturday is the day to enjoy the sunshine, it will be

lovely, bright and breezy, H enjoy the sunshine, it will be

lovely, bright and breezy, I am enjoy the sunshine, it will be

lovely, bright and breezy, H am not lovely, bright and breezy, I am not

ruling out the odd shower btt it ruling out the odd shower but it

will be fleeting, basically a nice day. There will be a breeze out

there but out of the breeze and the sunshine it will be very pleasant

sunshine it will be very pldasant indeed. Temperatures should be

getting up into the low, possibly mid 20s, a nice day to come. It is

not going to come. As you m`y mid 20s, a nice day to come. It is

not going to come. As you may be aware, we have the warning triangles

out, be aware of potential for some significant disruption as we

out, be aware of potential for some significant disruption as wd go

significant disruption as we go through the second half of the

weekend. Ex`birth, `` ex`hurricane Bertha. Don't take this bolts on,

Alice, and I know you have a vested Alice, and I know you have ` vested

interest in this one, but it looks like a wet start of the day but it

might not rain all day long. It could well clear of the way through

Amicus is sunshine in the afternoon. The blustery wind will be a

feature, it will feel quite cool out there despite some sunshine later in

the day for stop 21 degrees. Good luck if you are on a bicycld on

luck if you are on a bicycle on Sunday. Looking further ahe`d,

luck if you are on a bicycld on Sunday. Looking further ahead, well

come once the rain has cleared on Monday we are back to sunshine and

blustery showers but it will feel a good deal cooler than it has done

recently. The US has carried out

its first air`strikes on Islamist militants in northern Iraq.

President Obama had warned that it would target the group

if they threatened American forces in the area.

A 12`year`old boy has died in Gaza, after

a ceasefire ended this mornhng. a ceasefire ended this morning.

Israel accused Palestinian lilitants of breaking the truce by firing

rockets into southern Israel. Hamas has denied the claim.

Work has begun to remove part of a 20,000 tonne pile of waste

in Orpington. The Environment Agency has been

involved in a lengthy legal battle to try to cut down the pile.

That's it. We will be back later during the

Ten O'Clock News, but for now, from everyone on the team,

have a lovely evening. Goodbye.

Martin Freeman presents a Gaza Crisis appeal on behalf of the

Disasters Emergency Committee. Over