Two attempted abductions are believed to have taken place in Beckenham Another abduction attempt has been reported in Beckenham just 500 metres from an attempt on a young schoolboy that same afternoon. Two schoolboys aged 8 and 11 reported to their parents that they had been followed by hooded men on Friday, April 30. News Shopper previously reported that an 11-year-old boy was chased on his way home from school, by two men on foot and another in a car on Whitmore Road at around 4 pm. A second abduction attempt was reported at 4.30pm on the same afternoon, where an 8-year-old boy was approached by a hooded man wearing a mask in Kelsey Park.
The Lourdes grotto in Lowell is pictured in 2021. The building that was the former Franco-American School is seen in the background. Pilot photo/courtesy Kevin Roy A boy prays at the Lourdes grotto in this photo from the days of the Franco-American School.
Pilot photo/courtesy Kevin Roy
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LOWELL -- It's not actually Lourdes, France, or the praetorium in Jerusalem, or the hill of Golgotha. But looking up at the scale replica of Our Lady of Lourdes' grotto, lined with a "scala sancta" and Stations of the Cross, and topped with a crucifix that can be seen from a distance, one could easily imagine being in any of those places.
Second child snatch attempt yards from where Line of Duty starâs son was chased
A headteacher wrote home to parents after a child was targeted by a hooded man near to where the son of Line of Duty star Sherise Blackman was chased in Beckenham, south-east London
Updated
Line of Duty star Sherise Blackman reported that three men tried to abduct her 11-year-old son (Image: INSTAGRAM)
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WBFO's Michael Mroziak reports.
Though Howard died in 1966, his legacy remains actively celebrated in Albion. Earlier this week, New York State formally dedicated a portion of Route 31 as the Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway. His name is featured on many of the holiday-themed banners hanging from the lampposts lined up along Main Street. Within an open space between two building just south of the Erie Canal there is a mural and a sign, both honoring his memory.
"Albion people are very proud of the association with Charles Howard and he is indeed celebrated here," said Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian, who welcomed WBFO to peruse through numerous documents including vintage photos, newspaper clippings, brochures and other pieces from the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park.
ALBION â Not only did lifelong Albion resident Charles Howard play Santa Claus at the Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City for 18 years, he taught others how to portray Saint Nick. Partly for this reason, state Route 31 between Transit and Wood roads was dedicated to his memory Monday.
Before the ceremony got underway, Joe Gehl, co-director of the Albion Betterment Committee, said the effort to rename the highway began with the committee. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, and state Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, sponsored a bill based on what the committee presented.
âThe governor signed the bill, I believe it was in September,â Gehl said. âSteve Hawley said heâd like to have a ceremony unveiling the sign before Christmas. Thatâs why weâre here today.â