‘What date did Hamas attack Israel?’ – inside the council’s 7 October blunder
Internal messages reveal officers had moved the closing date forward from the end of October
tit-bits
Seven-year itch
Read more from the bird that pecks at the crumbs of news in the borough
Analysis
Cabinet member acknowledges ‘stark disproportionality’ in Hackney school exclusions
Council does not dispute figures showing a pattern that runs opposite to the national picture
food
Residents can claim unused council land to grow food under new pilot
Groups of five or more people can apply for verges, vacant plots and land around council buildings, with the first ten schemes to be approved this year
Stage
Veteran actor Greg Hicks climbs Ibsen’s tower at the Arcola
The RSC favourite on ageing, wrestling with God, and why Hilde is no victim
art
Late Hackney artist’s unseen abstract paintings go on show
Former trade unionist and Homerton councillor Robin Cornell painted for decades but would never part with his work
Books
Graphic novel brings Spitalfields-born feminist Mary Wollstonecraft to life
The Talbots draw Mary Wollstonecraft’s messy, radical life in ink
planning notices
Planning applications near you: 17 October 2026
Every application advertised by Hackney Council this week
traffic notices
Road changes near you – road closures, school streets, EV bays and cycle hangars: 17 October 2026
Road changes near you – five schemes open to objection, including Dalston road closures and 16 new cycle hangars