Issue 4 of Enfield Dispatch is now being distributed to more than 250 locations across the borough, so go and pick up your copy. You can also get it delivered to your door by becoming a member.
The top story is the big rise in violent crime across Enfield over the last seven years. Other highlights include:
- Enfield Asian Welfare Association launches a new project to combat loneliness.
- A new service for pet owners opening in Enfield.
- Sadiq Khan makes a two-wheeled visit to Edmonton Green as he announces new cycling initiative.
- Local campaigners issue a final plea to cancel Brexit.
- An artist from Palmers Green launches a new series of workshops to help people's mental health.
- Southgate Hockey Club chairman Neil Murphy explains why the club is still leading the way.
Editor James Cracknell welcomes letters from readers of up to 200 words to be considered for publication in the next edition - email . If you have an idea for an article, you can pitch it to James using the same email address. The deadline for all submissions is Tuesday 22nd January.
Local Democracy Reporter
Starting from this month's issue, the Dispatch now includes reporting by Simon Allin, a "Local Democracy Reporter" employed by the Enfield Independent. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LRDS) was launched in 2017 and has created up to 150 new journalism jobs to help fill a gap in the reporting of local democracy issues across the UK. The journalists are funded by the BBC, but employed by regional news organisations. The news content they generate is then made available to other partner publications. Enfield Dispatch successfully applied to become one of these partners in December 2018.
The purpose of LDRS is to provide impartial coverage of the regular business and workings of local authorities in the UK, and other relevant democratic institutions. The brief of LDRS reporters is to report on the decision-making process: what decisions are made in the public’s name, how they are arrived at, and what evidence is presented to the council.