Family

Jim Harding grew up in a household where knitting was very important, so he finds one shop in town charming.

Columnist Sarah Juggins sees a railway concrete concourse transformed in a new plant project run with schools and community gardening groups.

Although John Maiden applauds West Ham United for success in Europe it was disappointing to see a small section of badly behaved fans.

The new cabinet member for tourism, events and marketing gives a flavour of a packed summer events programme that the borough council has organised.

After an MRI scan, Jim Harding and his doctor agreed that “The Times’ cryptic crossword was beyond us both now” and the quick version appeals more.

Natureboy has found his plants have taken a knock due to extreme and unusual weather during the past year.

In her final column, Nikki Scott details a “surreal” experience including the following day’s Big Lunch at a famous building, plus a fine fundraiser.

An overseas trip causes Andy Tyler to praise the variety and quality of local entertainment including gigs, festivals and May half term activities.

Trying to recall her grandfather’s favourite colour gets Sarah Juggins’ pulse racing, and as for ‘computer says no’...

This picturesque coastal spot contains tributes to Ukraine and a Victorian Baptist church being turned into a cinema. Clue: it’s not ‘Sunny Hunny’!

“We’ve been able to educate, inform and hopefully inspire readers to do the right thing with renewable energy,” says columnist in his swansong.

“When my wife and I were married in 1975 we had been living cheek by jowl” with this type of building says Jim Harding.

Columnist John Maiden sees evidence that the NHS could save more than £2 billion in treatment costs using a treatment of natural spaces.

This is a different building, painted here in 1874. Find out more in Picture This.

It’s a Dad’s Life on the joys of spring: “Instead of suncream, ice creams and bucket hats, we’re armed with umbrellas, winter coats and wellies.”

In May’s The Ward Round column, nominations are now open for awards and there’s news on car park plans.

This sell-out event takes place over a fortnight, raises nearly £100,000 per year for a charity and is so colourful, says blogger Rebecca Fisher.

“Election manifestos have interested me ever since I was old enough to vote,” comments John Maiden.

Find out where this was: “I encouraged the crowd to give three cheers to the King, something they responded to with much enthusiasm.”

This location is famous for Nell Gwynn, probably King Charles II’s favourite mistress, and flat racing.