Transport for London (TfL) is looking at proposals that could benefit residents south of Lewisham if an extension to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) goes ahead. An image on the TfL website shows a number of proposed routes, including one that extends the current branch from Lewisham to Ladywell, Medusa, Catford and Forest Hill.

The proposals have been put forward by TfL to support the London Plan, which sets out a strategy to improve the economic, environmental, transport and social framework of London over the next 25-30 years.

New DLR extension proposed for Lewisham

According to a recent survey conducted by AA Home Emergency Response, the number of men passing on valuable DIY skills to their children is declining. A generation of ‘techno-sexual’ men is apparently to blame, as men prefer to focus on their gadgets than learn basic home maintenance skills.

Just how important are these findings? The AA has predicted that by 2030 just one in five men will receive basic DIY knowledge from their father, and within forty years these skills could be ‘extinct’.

Sue Beeson from the AA thinks this is because “the whole world has changed technology wise”. She predicts that this could be a problem for future generations, but could represent an opportunity with a rise in the use of professional tradesmen, “which is not a bad thing, because of employment figures”.  

Kevin Byrne, Managing Director of Checkatrade.com agrees that more and more people may start using professionals, which would be a boost to economy. But he does urge caution, “spotting a rogue trader just by what they look like or how they present themselves is virtually impossible”. 

So how will future generations learn how the skills necessary to put up a shelf or a picture? Click on the audio below for my interview with Sue Beeson from the AA, Kevin Byrne from checkatrade.com and the Clisby family from Witley, Surrey.  

D.I.Y. skills could soon be extinct

A preview of The Apprentice Series 7 which starts on BBC One this evening. Canditates include Susan Ma from Croydon, and former student Edna Agbarha who studied a Masters at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The Apprentice Series 7 Preview

If you applied for tickets to the London 2012 Olympics you should find out soon if you were successful. Organisers will start taking money from account today, but payments will be made in batches until June 10th. 

A student has earmarked £3,500 worth of his savings to pay for tickets. Meanwhile Lord Coe insists random balloting for oversubscribed events was the fairest way of allocating tickets.

London 2012 Ticket Payments Now Being Taken

Transport for London has  begun consulting residents of Wapping on proposed changes to help improve traffic flow around London during the Olympic Games. 

It's all part of the Olympic Route Network, which aims to ensure athletes and officials get to venues on time.

Residents along the A1203 - The Highway will be affected as the road is reduded from four lanes to two, with no right turns, diversions to bus routes and temporary closure of pedestrian crossings.

Travel disruption for Wapping during Olympics

Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair 2011

Charity shops have long since been a destination for students and the elderly alike to update their wardrobes on a budget. But as people reign in their spending, are they becoming more profitable?

I spoke to Amanda, Manager of the Enterprise shop for the charity Mind, in Croydon. She explained that the shop is performing well, as people watch what they spend on the high street.

Charity Shops In The Recession

Lord Taylor Expences Scandal

Joe Daniels is the owner of Independent record label Angular Records. I spoke to Joe to find out more about how the label was set up.

Interview with Joe Daniels (owner of Angular Recordings)

This 15 minute radio documentary explores the use of echolocation by a group of blind people. It was created for my MA Radio course.

Through The Ears

After 3 nights of rioting across the country, the streets of London are somewhat quieter than normal. But what kind of impact will this have on people visiting the country? Will they be cancelling their trips or changing their plans? I spoke to some tourists on London's South Bank to find out.

RiotsTourismVOX

Phil Brown Radio Demo - Late 2011

Freelance Journalist / Reporter / Presenter / Producer / DJ

DJPhilBrown