Rich boy, poor girl theme takes Hackney stage

As you’d expect of a Caribbean-style piece, Once On This Island has aplenty reggae music.

You romantics will be pleased to know it’s mainly about a poor gal who falls in love with a wealthy planter.

The course of true love is put to the test as the young girl must prove to the island's mythical gods that the power of love is stronger than death. Poor thing!

If you liked Sharon D Clarke’s stuff in the TV drama Holby City and also as a judge on the recent Last Choir Standing, then you’re not likely to be disappointed this time with her performance at Hackney Empire.

The play is based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy.

Ever heard of her?

Tower Hamlets becomes England’s swine flu hot spot

If you live in Tower Hamlets, your worst fears about swine flu may have been confirmed with the news that the borough is the worst affected.

The Guardian reports that people in Tower Hamlets, are visiting their GP about swine flu more often than anywhere else in England, with 759 consultations per 100,000 population.

The boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Lewisham are also badly affected.

Dr Stephen Field, the chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said:: “We know the highest rate in the country has been in Tower Hamlets, and there is evidence of [swine flu] spreading across the capital.

So, what do you do if you suspect the nasty virus has got you? You can call the national swine flu information line: 0800 1 513 513 or 0845 4647.

Alternatively, you can visit the NHS’s symptom checker, which may be quicker than the phone help.

And, ah yes, you can also stay at home.

Serial rapist lurking in Walthamstow

Ladies be on full alert : the Walthamstow serial rapist is still prowling the area. So far three women in E17 have been raped (the third woman, Michelle Samaraweera, was raped and killed).

Police said they had linked the three attacks with a DNA profile of the offender. They also announced that they will go door to door targeting 9,000 local homes and will ask for any men who match the suspect's description to voluntarily provide a DNA sample.

Officers believe the suspect has detailed knowledge of the E17 area and is likely to reside locally.

The first attack was on 24 March 2009 at 1:00am as a 59-year-old woman walked to her home address close to Queens Road. She approached her front door and noticed the suspect standing nearby. She walked around him and as she entered her property he forced his way inside, raping her in her own bedroom.

The suspect has been described as being of Asian appearance, or with dark skin, and is aged between 30 and 40 years (see the e-fit pictured). He may have an accent.

Have you got any information you might have to help out? Contact the police on 020 8345 3715; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Students jam Brick Lane brewery with art

Brick Lane’s drawing masses of arty types again.

This time it’s the annual art and design show at the Old Truman Brewery. The Free Range 2009 exhibition is Europe's largest graduate art and design show with free admission (phew).

In this mix of it all, you’ll find work from students from the University of East London.

Take Barbara Bargiel, for instance. She studies at the university and lives in Hackney.

She says of her work: “My current research revolves around grotesque figures such as the court jester, the mime, the clown. I am intrigued by people’s behaviour from the masks hat each of us put on, willingly or not. In my belief, everyone is a clown. We all pose and pretend and it is unpredictable, endless. To reflect this I embody different characters ‘in’ myself by dressing up and posing as a clown or mime.”

She makes you want to make your way to the crowded and oh-so-mad Brick Lane to see their stuff.

Stinking fine for animal products factory in Silverton

Silvertown residents can now breathe after an animal by-product factory was taken to court for causing them stinking nightmares.

John Knight(Animal By-Products) Ltd, caused the smell by leaving flesh out in the open air at their premises in Knights Road, Silvertown.

The smell was described by some as "sickening" and by others as "rancid". Many complained that they were unable to open their windows due to the smell from the factory.

The factory receives deliveries of animal by-products, collected from around the United Kingdom and brought to the site by road. These include parts of slaughtered animals not intended for human consumption.

The animal by-products are used to produce meat and bone meal which are used in pet food and tallow which can be used in many household products including soap, cosmetics and paint.

The company claimed it used the best available technology to minimise odours and investigate complaints immediately. It was ordered to pay £20,000.

Shocking number of poor children in East London

A recent report shows that East London has the poorest children in the country.

With 69% of Newham’s children growing up in struggling families, the borough was revealed to be one of the most deprived boroughs in London. It scored lower overall than neighbouring Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

Research conducted by the City Parochial Foundation and New Policy Institute, shows that London is the most deprived region in the UK and the East of the capital is worst affected.

The research looked at issues like children in workless families, low paid residents, infant deaths and households in temporary accommodation

4in10: The End Child Poverty London Project is highlighting the need for action to address Newham’s child poverty following the release of ‘London’s Poverty Profile’.

Dead man gets eviction warning – three years late

A widow this week got perhaps the most disturbing letter in her life from housing chiefs at Hackney Homes.

The organisation wrote to her late husband, war veteran Dennis Isherwood, asking him to curb his anti-social behaviour. Mr Isherwood died three years ago.

The letter said he'd face eviction if he didn't comply.

Distressed Mrs Isherwood told the Hackney Gazette : “I sat down and cried because this is incredibly upsetting and disturbing. Dennis was a much-loved person and a fun-loving guy. This blackens his name and isn’t fair.”

When the issue was brought to their attention, Hackney Homes said a complaint was received about abandoned vehicles and this letter was an initial request to Mr Isherwood to discuss it.

The organisation admitted it was not aware he had died.