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‘Ceilidh renaissance’ lures gen Z offline in search of real-life joy

Young dancers at the Ivy House in south-east London join the older crowd amid a renewed appetite for authentic, community events

The Ivy House pub in Nunhead, south-east London, has long been associated with raucous music, with the rock legends Ian Dury and Elvis Costello gracing its stage in the 70s, and indie favourites caroline and Kiran Leonard pulling in crowds today. But last Friday, it was a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance rather than a grassroots gig luring London’s cool kids to its sticky dancefloor.

The event is emblematic of a renewed appetite for analogue, in-person experiences among a younger generation plagued by a loneliness epidemic and fatigued by meeting people on dating apps.

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© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

‘Ceilidh renaissance’ lures gen Z offline in search of real-life joy

30 October 2026 at 16:00

Young dancers at the Ivy House in south-east London join the older crowd amid a renewed appetite for authentic, community events

The Ivy House pub in Nunhead, south-east London, has long been associated with raucous music, with the rock legends Ian Dury and Elvis Costello gracing its stage in the 70s, and indie favourites caroline and Kiran Leonard pulling in crowds today. But last Friday, it was a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance rather than a grassroots gig luring London’s cool kids to its sticky dancefloor.

The event is emblematic of a renewed appetite for analogue, in-person experiences among a younger generation plagued by a loneliness epidemic and fatigued by meeting people on dating apps.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

© Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

Hitting the fan: London council angers residents with removal of 700 dog-waste bins

30 October 2026 at 09:00

Conservative-run Hillingdon aims to save £100,000 but local people fear dog poo will ‘be dumped everywhere’

People in a west London borough fear it will become covered in dog poo after their cash-strapped council decided to remove 700 dog-waste bins to save money.

“People are worried there’s going to be dog shit everywhere,” said Daniel O’Neill, the chief road steward at Ruislip Residents’ Association.

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© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

Hitting the fan: London council angers residents with removal of 700 dog-waste bins

30 October 2026 at 09:00

Conservative-run Hillingdon aims to save £100,000 but local people fear dog poo will ‘be dumped everywhere’

People in a west London borough fear it will become covered in dog poo after their cash-strapped council decided to remove 700 dog-waste bins to save money.

“People are worried there’s going to be dog shit everywhere,” said Daniel O’Neill, the chief road steward at Ruislip Residents’ Association.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

© Photograph: Daniel O'Neill

Greener front gardens could help combat air pollution and summer heat

30 October 2026 at 09:00

Scientists call for incentives to preserve vegetation as study highlights benefits of plentiful planting in London

Your front garden could be a first line of defence against air pollution, according to a year-long field study in two London neighbourhoods.

The UK’s 26m gardens cover nearly 5% of the country’s land area, but they account for a much larger share in urban areas. In Greater London, domestic gardens cover 41% of the city, compared with 27% of Cardiff and 23% of Edinburgh.

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© Photograph: Graham Turner/The Guardian

© Photograph: Graham Turner/The Guardian

© Photograph: Graham Turner/The Guardian

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