All the leaves are down

A place where dreams come
true – one woman’s view of
Croydon after moving here
from another borough.
A place where the
environment is taken seriously
– this year’s Eco Citizen
winners are announced.
A place where childhood
fantasies come to life – a
sneak preview of Fairfield’s
Christmas panto.
Page 14
Page 21
yourcroydon
Page 9
Issue 35 - November 2009
Your primary source of community information from your council
www.croydon.gov.uk
No butts – borough’s
clampdown on litter
Fly-tippers and litterbugs to be targeted in drive to clean borough’s
streets, as Susie Rundle explains.
Not in My Neighbourhood Week
marks the start of a sustained
campaign to make Croydon’s
streets cleaner and safer – with
a major crackdown on littering
and fly-tipping.
The campaign, launched
in response to requests for a
tougher line to be taken against
enviro-crime, will see many
more fixed penalty notices
issued to litter-bugs.
The council’s neighbourhood
enforcement officers (Neos)
will issue a £75 fine, reduced
to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Alternatively, offenders can opt
to do five hours’ community
service.
Dermot Linehan,
neighbourhood enforcement
manager, said: “We know clean
streets and safety are top of the
agenda for Croydon residents
and visitors – and the two issues
go hand in hand.
“If an area is littered, then
it looks neglected and can
attract antisocial behaviour, so
we want people to work with
us and dispose of their litter
responsibly, to keep our streets
clean and safe.”
An irresponsible few are
costing Croydon taxpayers
more than £6m a year on street
cleaning that fills thousands of
bags of rubbish.
More than 200 people
have been issued fixed penalty
notices by Neos since April.
Fines are issued for all forms
of litter, including cigarette butts
– and householders have been
caught for throwing bags of
rubbish out on the street, rather
than waiting for their scheduled
collection.
The council is also cracking
down on fly-tippers, and
offenders risk having their
vehicles crushed or receiving a
fine of up to £50,000.
Residents are being
encouraged to do their bit, by
disposing of litter responsibly,
using portable ashtrays if they
smoke, and reporting fly-tippers.
This can be done through
the council’s online reporting
system at www.croydon.gov.
uk, or calling 020 8726 6200
for fly-tipping on streets,
or 020 8726 6900 for flytipping in parks and open
spaces.
All the leaves are down...
and that’s why the council’s garden-waste service has been extended.
Autumn can be a real headache
for people clearing leaves from
their garden paths and lawns.
So the council has responded
by running collections almost up
to Christmas, with the last of the
fortnightly rounds running from
7 to 18 December.
The boroughwide gardenwaste collection used to end
before the main leaf fall, but
residents have been calling for
some time for an extension to
the service.
All of the green garden waste
that is collected is composted
locally into a rich soil improver
which can be picked up free by
anybody depositing recycling
materials from any of the
council’s three reuse and
recycling centres, in Waddon,
New Addington and South
Croydon.
Retro fun in the sun
Children, staff and parents of
a Broad Green nursery raised
cash for charity at a 1980s
retro-themed fun day recently.
Sherene Marcelle, director
of Tender Care Nursery,
in Oakfield Road, said the
decision to support Rehab UK,
The Brain Injury Centre, came
about after staff and parents
became aware of the charity’s
work.
She said: “We were having
a fun day to raise money for
the nursery. When we learned
about all the great work done
by the charity, it was decided
to make it a joint fund-raising
day.
“We’re just glad we were
able to help a really worthwhile
cause while, at the same time,
having lots of fun.”
In all, more than £200 was
raised on the day.
More information on Rehab
UK can be found at www.
rehab.ie/
2 yournews
November 2009 | Your Croydon
2040 game on
A Croydon of the future is being developed by those that will be living there.
Young people across the
borough are engaged in
a unique game that gives
them the chance to build
the Croydon they would
like to see when they have
children of their own.
One of the key planks of
the council’s recent Imagine
Croydon project was the
offer to the borough’s
younger generation to get
actively involved.
Imagine Croydon
invited people to offer their
views in creating a shared
vision for the long-term
future of Croydon.
With the recent launch
of Croydon2040, young
people can make decisions
on realistic scenarios
affecting the borough –
such as whether there
should be a youth curfew,
where new houses should
be built, and even whether
there should be funding for
a university in Croydon.
The decisions they are
making are drawn directly
from the big issues that
came up repeatedly during
the Imagine Croydon
process.
More than 30 teams
are taking part in
Croydon2040, including
borough secondary schools,
and a number of special
guest teams such as Crystal
Palace FC, Croydon Mosque
& Islamic Centre, and the
Croydon Ambassadors.
A custom-designed
website will allow teams
to make decisions, keep
an eye on budgets and
view their progress toward
making Croydon a place
of opportunity, a place of
belonging, and a place with
a sustainable future.
Visit www.
imaginecroydon.com to
stay up to date.
Hunt comes to
the Clocktower
England’s heritage celebrated in
dance on film and pavement.
Tutor short-listed for top prize
Unsung hero gets deserved recognition for hard work and dedication.
Outstanding, hardworking,
super-supportive and
always there – these are
the qualities that have won
a local adult-education
tutor a nomination
for a national prize.
Sharon Malyan
(pictured), a tutor at
Croydon Adult Learning
and Training (Calat), is
vying with nine other
tutors from across the
country for the teaching,
training and learning
practitioner category
in this year’s Star
award, organised by
the Learning and Skills
Improvement Service.
She was nominated
by her learners in Calat’s
bilingual teaching assistant
class and said after being
told: “I feel humbled
and very honoured to
be feted in this way
by my last group.
“I had no idea they
had nominated me for the
Star award and am thrilled
to have been shortlisted.
“I set very high
standards and year
on year my learners
surprise themselves
when they meet and
exceed expectations.”
The Star awards are
a way of recognising
the work of the unsung
heroes who have made an
outstanding contribution
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20
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13
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21
districtcentrenews
centre pull-out
Editorial team
Editor: Fred Hall
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: Richard Gibbs
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: John Bownas
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Deputy editor: Danny Brierley
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: Susie Rundle
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Advertising: Paula Howell
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Your Croydon welcomes letters for publication. They should be no more than 200 words. Receipt of a letter
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to the quality of learning
that millions of people in
England receive every day.
Nominating Sharon
for the award, her
learners described
her as “outstanding,
hardworking, super
supportive and
always there”.
The winners will be
announced at a ceremony
on 26 November. In
addition to a trophy and
certificate, they will receive
a cheque for £500, plus up
to £1,500 for personal or
professional development.
Bedlam: Morrisman costumed for action
Anybody passing the
Croydon Clocktower at
lunchtime on Saturday,
14 November, could be
in for a bit of a shock.
Weather permitting,
they will see what might
appear to be a group of
whirling demons enacting
ancient rites in modernday Katharine Street.
Actually, they will be
looking at The Wild Hunt
Bedlam Morris, giving
a public display of their
traditional fancy footwork.
The Croydon-based
side will be dancing
from about 12.30 until
1.15pm before taking their
seats in the Clocktower’s
David Lean Cinema to
watch a screening of
the film Morris: A Life
with Bells On, described
as a mocumentary,
and in which members
of the side appear.
For screening details,
see page 22, or visit www.
croydonclocktower.
org.uk
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yournews 3
Have your e-say at [email protected]
Park your vote
Make-over promised for residents’ favourite green space, writes John Bownas.
Does your favourite park
deserve a cash injection?
A shortlist of 15 of the
borough’s green spaces
has been drawn up for a
slice of £1.5m, and now
it’s down to residents to
vote for their favourite.
Votes can be lodged
at www.croydon.gov.
uk/yourparks, and
people have until 24
December to decide which
is the most deserving
park in the borough.
It may be the one
nearest to where they
live, or it could be one
that simply feels like it
is most in need of a little
care and attention.
Council staff will be
out-and-about visiting
schools and shopping
centres during November
and December to promote
the project, and, as well
as the website voting
option, postcards will
be available at libraries
and council offices.
Once the votes have
been counted, the winning
parks will become the
focus of a second round
of public consultation,
with people being asked
their opinions for what
sort of improvement
they would like to see.
Eid: Fairfield event a huge success
Gathering
of
faith
We just keep on
getting greener
Croydon leaves Scots rival in the shade with another eco win.
Days after winning the
London title, Croydon was
named greenest large city in
the UK in the 2009 Britain
in Bloom awards.
The borough was judged
better than its nearest rival,
Edinburgh, by experts from
the Royal Horticultural
Society.
As one of London’s
greenest boroughs,
Croydon has 127 parks and
woodlands – and all helped
impress the judges.
The manicured
walkways, trees and
flowerbeds of Coombe
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email
to yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Wood, winner of London’s
best park for 2009, and
pictured, right, by reader
Danny McLaughlin, gave
Croydon an edge over
Scotland’s capital city.
Judges called it
“spectacular” but were
also impressed by the
nature conservation and
biodiversity work in
Happy Valley and Farthing
Downs, as well as the
borough’s many allotment
sites – notably the one in
Pampisford Road.
Council leader
Councillor Mike Fisher
said: “This is an award that
people who live here can
feel genuinely proud about.
“Those who don’t know
the borough well might
raise an eyebrow, but all
they need to do is pay us a
visit to see for themselves.”
Pretty in pink: Coombe Wood flower display
Helping young people to face the challenges of staying safe in cyberspace.
year’s Anti-Bullying
Week’s theme is Staying
Safe in Cyberspace.
From 16 to 20
November, Croydon
Council will work with
children and young
people to show them
how to get the most from
electronic communication
while keeping their
Members of different
faiths will meet this
month to sign a pledge
that celebrates Croydon’s
religious diversity.
The signing is one of a
number of events planned
for this year’s Interfaith
Week, which runs from
15 to 21 November, and
follows the recent Eid
celebration at Fairfield,
attended by 350 people.
Interfaith Week is
designed to promote
the good relations that
exist between faith
organisations in Croydon,
highlight the contribution
faiths make to building
communities, and increase
understanding between
faiths and wider society.
Faiths Together is set
to meet on Wednesday, 18
November, in the Town
Hall, Katharine Street.
Reverend Barry
Goodwin, chairman
of Faiths Together in
Croydon and part of the
Diocese of Southwark’s
mission team in Croydon,
said: “The idea behind
establishing Faiths
Together in Croydon was
to bring together all major
faith groups.
“We want to share
common concerns and
find solutions to them.
“We’ll talk to one
another, and acknowledge
each other, the dangers
that the world faces
today and how we can
contribute to moving
things on.”
Swimmers dive
in for charity
Beating the bullies
Computers, the internet
and mobile telephones
are exciting ways to have
fun and stay in touch
with friends for the huge
majority of children
and young people.
But, unfortunately,
they can also be used to
bully and intimidate.
That is why this
Meeting set to improve relations
between borough’s faiths.
personal information
safe and secure.
Croydon schools will
promote Anti-Bullying
Week using plenty of
creative ways to stay safe.
Secondary pupils
will be asked to share
their tips with adults on
how to stay safe, to help
prevent cyber-bullying.
The council will
collect good examples of
what schools are doing
for the campaign and
put them on online.
This will also include
advice to parents and
carers to help them
understand how to
respond if they are worried
about their children.
Terminally ill patients to benefit from
Swimathon held at Purley pool.
Swimmers in Purley
crawled, breast- and
back-stroked their way
to raising almost £3,000
when 18 of them took
part in the world’s largest
fundraising swim.
Purley pool, in High
Street, was one of 500
nationwide to take part
in the event back in
April, which collected a
whopping total of £1.5m
for Marie Curie Cancer
Care and the Swimathon
Foundation.
The money will help to
ensure that terminally ill
patients receive the best
possible end-of-life care –
free of charge.
Bernard Searle, Purley
Leisure Centre’s general
manager, said: “It was
great that so many people
in Purley took part and
we’re thrilled with how
much money was raised.
“Swimathon was
a really fun event to
organise and it brought
out a fantastic community
spirit at the pool.
“Now we’re looking
forward to next year, and
an even bigger turnout.”
4 yournews
November 2009 | Your Croydon
Putting your views
on borough crime
and education
Education and crime are huge topics – here’s your
chance to influence what’s being done.
Meetings being staged this
month give people the
opportunity to engage with
the decision-making
process over two of the
most emotive subjects for
borough residents.
Students, parents and
interested parties will be
able to question the council
on its plans that could see
Selsdon High School
closed, and replaced with
an academy on the site.
Croydon Council and
approved sponsor The
Coloma Trust are
undertaking a period of
public consultation, which
closes on 27 November.
And, as part of that
process, a meeting has been
arranged for 6.30pm on 12
November at the school.
If the final decision is
taken to close Selsdon
High, it will be replaced by
The Quest Academy –
Coloma Trust next
September.
Establishing a new
academy will help raise
educational achievement,
improve parental
confidence, and increase
opportunities for students.
The plans form part of
Croydon Council’s
Transforming Croydon
Schools programme, which
aims to improve the
standard of education
throughout the borough.
For further information,
or to express your views on
the plans, visit www.
croydon.gov.uk
And crime goes under
the microscope when
people will be able to quiz
the borough’s leading
policeman and a top
councillor at a public
question and answer
session.
Borough commander,
Chief Superintendent
Adrian Roberts, and
Councillor Gavin Barwell,
Croydon’s cabinet member
for safety and cohesion,
will be at a meeting in New
Addington on 24
November.
Open to all, it will be
held at the Addington
Community Association,
Central Parade, from 7pm
to 9pm.
This is the latest in a
series of such sessions
giving residents the chance
to hear about future plans
and debate the issues that
matter to the people of
Croydon with those
responsible for community
safety and policing.
Official notice
Control of pollution (amendment) act 1989 and the controlled waste
(registration of carriers and seizure of vehicles) regulations 1991
(regulations 22 and 23).
SEIZURE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER S347 OOV
On Friday, 18 September 2009, at approximately 13.38 hours, officers of
CROYDON COUNCIL accompanied by officers of the Metropolitan Police
seized a vehicle and its contents, the vehicle being a white Ford Transit Tipper,
registration mark S347 OOV. The vehicle was seized in Goulding Gardens,
Thornton Heath. This seizure was carried out pursuant to the regulation
authority’s powers under section 6 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act
1989 and with the authority of a warrant in that behalf issued by a magistrate
sitting at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.
Any person wishing to claim ownership of the said vehicle and contents may
do so initially by telephoning the Council’s Streetscene Enforcement Team, at
Stubbs Mead Depot, Factory Lane, Croydon CR0 3RL, between the hours of
08.00 and 15.00, Monday to Friday inclusive, telephone: 020 8726 6200.
If, by the expiry of 28 days from the date of this notice or the date of service
of copies of the same on the persons specified in Regulation 23 (b) of the
Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations
1991 (whichever shall be the later), no obligation has arisen under regulation
22 of the said Regulations for the Authority to return the vehicle to any person
then notice is hereby given that the Authority may SELL or DESTROY the said
vehicle and contents.
Brighton here we come: South End is a good vantage point to see rally
Four-wheeled
history on move
Big day for veteran car fans as annual rally passes
through borough on its way to Brighton.
A sizable slice of
automotive history will,
once again, be available
for all to see free of
charge when the London
to Brighton Veteran Car
Run, passes through the
borough.
And, as has become
customary, the council’s
Spices Yard car park,
off South End, will be
acting as an informal pit
stop, allowing running
repairs to cars and crews
– and giving the public
an up-close look at the
competing cars.
The origins of the
annual event lie in the
Emancipation Run of
1896, held to celebrate
the fact that it was no
longer necessary for cars
to be preceded by a man
carrying a red flag
This year’s run, on
Sunday, 1 November, will
as ever see about 500 pre1905 cars passing through
central Croydon – along
North End, High Street
and South End – before
continuing the 60-mile
trip along the original
A23-based route to the
south coast.
The first cars are
expected in the town centre
at about 7.25am, with cars
arriving until about 10.45.
• For details of this year’s
run, visit www.lbvcr.
com and to read more
about the Spices Yard
“pit stop” read the
Special Feature interview
on page 6.
One step from a new home
Now could be the time to get a foot on the first rung of
the home-ownership ladder.
Residents and key workers
in Croydon are invited to
attend the latest in the
series of low-cost homeownership open days
The event takes place
on Tuesday, 3 November,
between 12.30 and
7.30pm, at the Croydon
Park Hotel, Altyre Road,
Croydon, CR9 5AA.
Organised by Croydon
Council and affordable
homes specialist L&Q
(previously Tower Homes),
the event will provide
a one-stop opportunity
to learn about the
options available.
The event will provide
a one-stop opportunity
for Croydon residents,
including key workers,
to find out more about
purchasing a new
property on a part-rent/
part-buy basis through
a housing association
(New Build HomeBuy).
Legal advice and free
independent financial
advice will also be
available to prospective
home buyers on the day.
For more details
about the open day, or
if you have any special
requirements, contact
the housing specialist
team at Croydon Council
on telephone/typetalk
020 8726 6100.
For further information
about affordable home
ownership opportunities
across London, visit www.
housingoptions.co.uk or
telephone 0845 230 8099.
Have your e-say at [email protected]
yournews
Marshalling the troops
Afghanistan veteran takes up reins of annual Remembrance Sunday parade.
Croydon’s principal
programme of
commemoration for
Remembrance Sunday, 8
November, will include the
traditional military parade.
Picking up the role of
parade marshal this year is
Regimental Sergeant Major
Scott Younger, taking over
from RSM Paul Easton,
recently promoted to
Captain and posted away
from Croydon.
Based at the Sydenham
Road barracks of
151(London) Transport
Regt, The Royal Logistic
Corps (Volunteers), RSM
Younger has been finding
his way round the town for
three months, following a
six-month tour of duty in
Afghanistan.
“I’m enjoying being
here and I’m quite happy
to walk around the town in
uniform,” he said
“I’ve received lots of
positive comments from
people who are aware of
what’s going on. One chap
stopped me in the street
and said ‘Don’t forget, we’re
all human’.”
He said he was
honoured to be given the
role of parade marshal
and felt certain that
things would run like
clockwork on the day: “But
I’ll be keeping an eye on
everything, just to be sure.”
On Remembrance
Sunday, a nondenominational memorial
service will take place in
Fairfield.
There is no admission
charge, and all are
welcome. Everybody
attending is asked to be
seated by 10.45 for the
11am start and two-minute
silence.
Following the service,
participants will march
from Fairfield, to the Town
Hall where Croydon’s
Mayor, Councillor Margaret
Mead, will lead the formal
wreath-laying at the
cenotaph in Katharine
Street.
The Fairfield service
and the Katharine Street
ceremony are open to all.
Some road closures
will be introduced and
Katharine Street itself will
be closed to traffic from
the morning into the early
afternoon.
Any groups that would
like to attend the service,
take part in the march, or
lay a wreath, are asked to
contact the Mayor’s office
in Croydon Town Hall by
calling 020 8760 5764.
A smaller ceremony,
again open to all, will take
place at the Katharine
Street cenotaph at 11am on
Armistice Day, Wednesday
11 November.
Positive comments: parade marshal RSM Younger
Residents given a say in how the leadership team is chosen.
appoints a cabinet of
fellow councillors.
The alternative, already
being used in some parts of
the country, is the “mayor
and cabinet model”.
This sees residents elect
a mayor who holds office
for four years.
The mayor, who
has more powers than
traditional mayors,
whose roles are largely
ceremonial, then appoints
a cabinet of up to nine
councillors
Croydon Council’s
cabinet committee is now
proposing that the “leader
and cabinet” model be
adopted.
Residents are being
given the chance to have
their say during the
consultation, which is
being run so that people’s
opinions about the
proposals can be learned.
The issue will be
discussed at a specially
convened meeting of the
council on 17 December.
Residents’ views will be
reported to councillors and
taken into account while a
decision on which model
to adopt is made.
The new constitution
will come into effect after
the election next May.
Comments should be
sent to: Solomon Agutu,
head of democratic
services and scrutiny, 5th
floor, Taberner House,
Park Lane, Croydon CR9
3JS, before Friday, 13
November.
Cindy’s North End display set to dazzle
From EastEnder to North Ender, Michelle’s in town to flick the switch.
The days are shorter, the
nights are chillier and,
once again, it’s the time
of year when North End’s
Christmas lights go on in
the build-up to another
bumper festive season in
Croydon town centre.
The Croydon Business
Improvement District
team will be packing in
the crowds on Thursday,
19 November, with a host
of activity for this year’s
Christmas lights switch-on.
And flicking the switch
yourletters 5
More criticism,
please
I’m pleased that Your
Croydon is no longer a
glossy magazine and
is instead becoming an
interesting read with the
kind of stories that make
us feel a bit better about
living in the borough.
I’d be more convinced
if it didn’t pretend that
absolutely everything that
happens here is rosy.
There are problems
and issues and we need to
know how the council is
dealing with them. After
all, it’s our money that
you’re spending.
But as we’re paying
for it, I wonder if you’ve
thought of making it
more widely available to
publicly funded agencies
in Croydon.
It’s good to get a
regular report from the
borough’s top policeman
but perhaps we could
also see something from
Mayday and even the
Home Office in future.
Doug Gibbons,
South Croydon.
Council’s top level to be decided
Changes to the way the
council is governed are to
be decided before the end
of the year.
All local authorities
have been asked to choose
between two models – and
Croydon residents can
have their say about which
they think would be best.
One style is a stronger
“leader and cabinet
model”, which sees the
council appoint a leader
for four years.
In turn, the leader
will be Michelle Collins,
who played Cindy Beale in
EastEnders, appearing at
Fairfield over Christmas.
Getting under way at
4pm, the event will feature
a unique interactive light
show, in addition to the
switch-on itself, and plenty
of family entertainment.
And, joining the
festive spirit, the council
has agreed to allow free
parking in the central
zone’s on-street bays
between 3pm and 6pm.
Editor’s response: Thanks
for these constructive
thoughts. We are settling
into a new approach,
but expect to be more
challenging while also
looking on the bright
side of Croydon. We
would welcome greater
involvement from our public
sector partners.
Efficient query
handling
I just wanted to write to
thank you very much for
your help and efficient
handling and final
resolution of my query.
I would imagine that,
like all businesses, you are
told soon enough of any
problems, so I just wanted
to say thank you.
Pam Stroud
Croydon
Good work,
Shaw Trust
How nice to see that
workers from the Shaw
Trust have won an
extension to their contract
with the council.
As a regular visitor to
the cemetery in Mitcham
Road I know how well the
grounds are kept.
What I didn’t realise
was that some of the
people who help to keep
them so neat and tidy have
learning difficulties.
It was heartening to
read that people with no
previous experience of
work were getting so much
enjoyment from tending to
the gardens.
Having a job you love
is a big plus for anyone,
especially during these
times of recession and
financial doom and gloom.
The council is to be
congratulated for this
approach – long may it
continue.
P Turner
Norbury
Remembering
the fallen
I read with interest the
article Remembering the
fallen in the October
edition of Your Croydon.
I’d like to back up the
message it contained and
ask that people make the
little bit of effort required
to attend the service and
wreath-laying ceremony
in central Croydon on
Remembrance Sunday.
With the conflicts the
services are engaged in
at present, this year it’s
especially important that
we take the time to honour
those we have lost and
offer our prayers to those
that are serving.
T Patterson
Addiscombe
Blooming
lovely
I’d like to offer my
congratulations to
everybody in Croydon who
helped the borough to its
third consecutive London
in Bloom award.
Croydon has a
reputation as being little
more than a concrete
jungle, but that reputation
is ill-deserved.
The whole borough is
well served by parks and
green spaces, and winning
awards like this can only
help dispel the false
impression harboured by
many.
Well done, Croydon –
here’s to next year’s win.
P Hamden
Coulsdon
6x specialfeature
yournews
1959
November
May 2009 | Your Croydon
The year that marked the beginning of three generations of
Kinghams, selling, servicing and repairing cars in Croydon.
Green motoring –
With an eye to the environment, motor trader Keith Kingham is marking his company’s 50th year of
trading in Croydon, and, as Richard Gibbs found out, he is not planning on quitting any time soon.
If we can
repair
something,
rather than
replace it,
that must be
good for the
environment,
and it avoids
the hassle,
expense and
delay of buying
new parts.
It may not be up there
with the trick of turning
water into wine, but Keith
Kingham’s conversion
of used antifreeze into
drinking water is worthy
of attention.
After processing,
the stuff that stops your
engine block freezing
solid apparently becomes
quite a palatable thirst
quencher.
It is just one of many
measures that underline
the car dealer’s passion
for environmental care.
All customers get a
chart showing exactly how
every vehicle component
can be reused or recycled.
Tyres become rubber
for playground surfaces.
Plastics end up stuffing
duvets. He avoids
landfilling aerosols by
bulk buying the solvents
he is obliged to use in his
workshop, and refilling
trigger guns.
And, instead of
tearing off miles of paper
towels, his mechanics use
recyclable rags that are
cleaned and reused.
Refreshingly, he does
not insist customers
should always have newly
manufactured parts for
their vehicles: “If we
can repair something,
rather than replace it,
that must be good for
the environment, and it
avoids the hassle, expense
and delay of buying new
parts.”
industry, but it has been
fundamental to Keith’s
business philosophy
ever since he attended
a council seminar
South End used to be full of
traditional shops, now it’s like
downtown Soho – so full of
restaurants and nightlife,
and we’re in the middle of it all.
The workshop lathe is
in constant use, mending
complicated bits and
pieces.
It is not a commonplace
approach in the motor
promoting better
environmental practice
within business.
He hasn’t worked
out how much he is
actually saving by
rigorously adopting a
green approach, but he is
pretty sure his customers
appreciate the touch.
And many of them
will be joining him at the
beginning of November
when Kinghams celebrates
50 years of doing business
in Croydon.
Economic conditions
rather rule out a big
party and, in any case,
instinctively, Keith would
like to give something
back to his customers.
So the event that will
mark the business’s half
century will be the annual
pit stop he operates from
his South End showroom
specialfeature 7
Have your e-say at [email protected]
Perhaps we’re not as profitable as we could be, but we’re
clean, straight and friendly – and that’s very important to us.
Keith Kingham
the old-fashioned way
for the London-toBrighton veteran car run.
This year it will be
on Sunday, 1 November,
and the normal, eagerly
anticipated bacon sarnies
and croissants will be
supplemented by a jazz
band and a few more
surprises.
The venue offers one
of the few opportunities
for a really close up view
of the early combustion
engines, and to meet their
drivers and passengers.
The council’s Spices
Yard car park is taken
over as a service area and
traditionally everyone has
a really good time.
Keith has run the
showroom since he quit
British Leyland in his
mid 20s and bought the
premises from the council
in order to start up a
second-hand car business.
However, it was dad,
Peter Kingham, who
started repairing cars in
Keens Road in 1959. Half
a century later, Peter
is still on the payroll,
keeping a paternal eye
on the way his son has
developed the operation.
It was Peter who
ensured the first vehicles
Keith sold were in
immaculate condition.
He did such a good
job that Keith sold all
four cars that he had
bought in his first week,
and quickly realised that
he would need a ready
supply of vehicles if he
was to survive in such a
competitive area.
His first dealership,
with Alfa Romeo, came
in 1978 and was soon
followed by Daihatsu and
Seat.
The company has
never moved from its
twin locations, although
it did buy up an adjoining
print works to allow the
workshop to expand.
As someone who
has enjoyed a lifetime
association with the town
– he went to Trinity School
when it was still in North
end – Keith has been in
the remarkable position of
finding Croydon life catch
up with him.
“South End used to be
full of traditional shops,
now it’s like downtown
Soho – so full of
restaurants and nightlife,
and we’re in the middle
of it all.
“It’s so much more fun
than being stuck out on a
grim industrial estate.
“Parking is a bit of a
nightmare and the tickets
have become an overhead
we have to meet.
“But the place is quirky
– it suits us.”
Back in the summer,
daughter Chloë became
the third generation of the
Kingham clan to work for
the firm.
Following his own
father’s example, Keith
can’t see himself retiring
from the business. He
might wind down a bit
but really he enjoys it too
much.
He switched from
sales to service a few
years back because he
loves the personal contact
with customers who he
manages to see at least
once a year.
If he concentrated on
selling vehicles he might
see regulars only a couple
of times each decade.
Although he admits
the job has become
something of an
obsession, he gets a
buzz out of seeing his
exacting customer service
standards pay off.
“It really gives you a
high if people are pleased
by the service we give
them,” he says.
“Perhaps we’re not as
profitable as we could be,
but we’re clean, straight
and friendly – and that’s
very important to us.”
FACTfive
Car: Alfa Romeo MiTo.
Reading: The Old Grey
Widow Maker – a book on
naval history.
Music: Any form of jazz.
Best of Croydon: It’s like
a big village and has got
some great characters.
Imagine Croydon:
It’s moving in the right
direction after going
through a difficult patch
when it was a bit soulless.
I would love to see it even
greener in its approach.
Environmental issues
would help people who
live here have a better
quality of life.
The generations game: Chloë Kingham with dad Keith, grandad Peter and a 1934 Austin 10 Litchfield
8 yourcommunity
November 2009 | Your Croydon
I was fed up with being freezing cold, due to a draughty
door and windows that were literally falling out.
Christine Gordon
Calling in the enforcers
Private tenants living in sub-standard accommodation may be unaware that help is at hand.
Housing hazards
Happy: Christine in her new kitchen
They were
absolutely
wonderful,
professional in
their approach
and fair to both
the landlord
and myself.
They’ve
achieved in
six months
something that
I, as a private
tenant, couldn’t
achieve in
40 years.
Sadly, even in this day
and age, there are some
landlords who do not
properly care for their
properties, possibly
endangering the wellbeing of their tenants.
And, all too often,
those tenants carry
on living in squalid or
dangerous conditions
because they don’t know
where to turn for help.
If, like Christine
Gordon, you are such
a private sector tenant,
renting in Croydon,
the council’s housing
enforcement team may
be able to provide the
services that you need.
Christine has lived in
her rented house in South
Norwood for 40 years.
In all that time,
the landlord had never
upgraded or decorated,
and Christine had dipped
into her own pocket for a
series of repairs and refits.
She said: “If I hadn’t
paid for the work, nothing
would ever have got done.”
She hoped a new
landlord would tackle the
problems, but was told
that the financial climate
meant there was no money
available for what Christine
considered essential
maintenance work.
“In January this
year, I was fed up with
being freezing cold, due
to a draughty door and
windows that were literally
falling out,” she said.
“And the kitchen
was beyond repair
and dangerous.”
After calling the
council, a housing
enforcement inspector
visited, and the landlord
was told that work
including the repair or
replacement of the kitchen,
front door and windows
had to be carried out.
Christine said: “I
would have been in a
terrible position with
the cold and damp if it
wasn’t for the council’s
environmental team.
“They were absolutely
wonderful, professional
in their approach
and fair to both the
landlord and myself.
“They’ve achieved in six
months something that I,
as a private tenant, couldn’t
achieve in 40 years.”
Many tenants are
unaware of the hazards
that may be present
in their homes, when
landlords fail in their
obligation to maintain
their properties.
Croydon Council’s
assets and renewal
enforcement team may be
able to help.
Tenants who report
defects and disrepair will
be contacted by an officer,
who may visit and assess
the problem, looking to
see if any hazards listed
in the housing health and
safety rating system are
present.
The most common
hazards are:
•damp and mould
growth;
•excess cold;
•falling on stairs;
•falls associated with
baths;
•falls on level surfaces;
•fire;
•electrical hazards;
•personal hygiene,
sanitation and
drainage;
•food safety;
•crowding and space;
and
•entry by intruders.
The visiting officer
will make an assessment
on the severity of the
hazard, which may result
in a legal notice being
served on your landlord,
requiring works to be
A bathroom: before
carried out to eliminate
or reduce the hazard
identified.
Houses in multiple
occupation
Whether you are living
in a single-family house
or flat, or sharing your
accommodation with
other people, your home
should be safe to live in.
Additional rules
apply to houses that are
shared. These are known
as houses in multiple
occupation (HMOs) and
should:
•be adequately protected
from fire;
•have enough facilities
– such as bathrooms,
toilets, wash basins and
kitchens – for everyone
to be able to use;
•have a restricted
number of people
sharing a house,
so as to prevent
overcrowding; and
•be licensed with the
council if they meet
certain requirements.
So, if you share a
house, check that it
comes up to the relevant
standard by contacting
the council.
Public health
The council’s team also
deals with public health
issues such as:
•accumulations of
rubbish;
•statutory nuisances;
...and after
•excessive dog fouling
in private property;
•pest control; and
•blocked drains.
If you are a private
tenant and are affected
by any of these problems
in your home, please
contact us.
Enforcement
The council has extensive
enforcement powers.
The action that can
be taken ranges from an
informal chat, followed
by a letter to the landlord
– pointing out what
his obligations are – to
serving legal notices and
prosecuting the landlord
for failing to comply with
a notice.
Works in default
can also be arranged
by this team should the
landlord fail to respond
to the requirements of the
notice.
Any private tenant
who is experiencing
difficulty with disrepair,
defects or nuisance in
their home, or is unsure
whether or not their home
complies with the relevant
standard, is advised in the
first instance to contact
their landlord in writing.
If there is no
satisfactory response,
a request for an
investigation by the
enforcement team can be
made by calling
020 8726 6100.
yourcommunity 9
Have your e-say at [email protected]
If someone has a burning desire to achieve something, Croydon will make it happen.
Shakira Sayyed
The sky’s the limit
Moving to Croydon was a life-changing experience for a single mother and her children
– and she is already contributing to the community that’s welcomed her.
Before moving to Croydon,
Shakira Sayyed was
struggling to cope as a
single mother of four,
constantly being shifted
between different bed
and breakfast hotels
in a neighbouring
London borough.
But since moving to
Thornton Heath three years
ago she has built a new life
for herself and her children
and is quick to tell anybody
that will listen that
Croydon is a place where
dreams can come true.
The 51-year-old single
mother spent years living
in a string of places in
Waltham Forest after her
marriage broke down.
The constant upheaval
in their lives ended when
Shakira applied to live in
Croydon and was rented
a home big enough for
her family to settle into
some kind of normality.
Shakira said: “Before I
came here I was nothing.
I was just a single mother
who had been left behind
by her husband.
“I had no money,
no support, no selfconfidence and no selfesteem. I was a nobody.”
The lives of Shakira
and her children –Azra,
25, Faisal, 23, Mahvesh,
14, and Adil, nine – have
now been transformed.
The first steps came
in 2007 when Shakira
enrolled on a course
studying beauty and
nutrition – the first steps
toward achieving her
dream of running her own
business, helping people
in her local community
lead healthier lives.
That led to further
educational opportunities
and brought her into
contact with a voluntary
organisation that gave her
a spell of temporary, paid
employment – her first
Settled: Shakira (centre) with Mahvesh and Adil, happy to have moved to Croydon
for a number of years.
She also completed
a course run by
umbrella group Croydon
Voluntary Action.
Shakira later set up a
course for people in her
to live a healthier life.
It is something Shakira
would eventually like
to do full-time, but for
now is happy with the
progress she has made.
She is now a member
“Nobody and nothing can stop you
if you have the will in Croydon
– the sky’s the limit here.”
neighbourhood, giving
them advice on diet,
exercise and obesity, and
established a club and
website for women with
health problems.
The Azora project
gives lifestyle advice to
anyone who wants to
make the changes needed
of Croydon Asian Women’s
Organisation, Croydon
Voluntary Action, Asian
Resource Centre Croydon,
Elmwood Community
Centre, Croydon
Mosque women’s Group
and Croydon Muslim
Women Association.
She is also a volunteer
at Age Concern Croydon,
as a nutrition adviser.
Shakira added:
“Croydon is a place
that, if a person really
wants to change their
life, they can do.
“Nobody and nothing
can stop you if you have
the will in Croydon – the
sky’s the limit here.
“I am so passionate
about this borough
that I never want to
leave. Perhaps, one
day, my destiny will
mean that I have to,
but for now Croydon is
everything I want.
“This is the place where
anybody can get what they
want. If someone has a
burning desire to achieve
something, Croydon
will make it happen.”
My Croydon
Shops I love Croydon’s shops, you can get anything
from anywhere in the world. There is no need to go
shopping anywhere else.
Mosque Croydon’s mosque is one of the best in
Britain and a wonderful place to go.
Wandle Park The first place I visited when I came to
Croydon. I took my children, so it holds very special
memories.
Voluntary sector It’s so active in Croydon, more than
anywhere I’ve ever known. Croydon Voluntary Action
and Croydon Business really helped me get on my feet.
Trams They remind me of being in Germany, where
there is a very good tram system. We are the only
place in London to have them, which is something to
be proud of.
10 yourcommunity
70,000
November 2009 | Your Croydon
volunteers will help the London 2012 Olympic Games
run smoothy and efficiently.
Striving for his Personal Best
A chance meeting in Croydon Central Library put a South Norwood man on the path to a possible
role in the London Olympics.
The
programme
is a great
opportunity
to gain a
qualification,
as well as learn
new skills.
After suffering an illness
that left him dependent on
incapacity benefit, Aslam
Shanin was desperate to
get back into learning.
Having heard about the
Personal Best training and
volunteering programme,
aimed at getting people
back into employment,
26-year-old Aslam, from
South Norwood, decided
it might offer him his best
chance.
Joining the Personal
Best programme offers the
opportunity to learn new
skills, gain a qualification
and get support looking for
work.
All who complete the
programme successfully are
guaranteed an interview
that could lead to their
becoming one of the
70,000 London 2012
volunteers.
The programme is a
great opportunity to gain
a qualification, as well as
learn new skills. All who
join the programme receive
assistance with travel costs
and childcare, as well as
Luncheon Vouchers.
While in Croydon
Central Library, Aslam met
Naomi Mensah-Bonsu,
the Personal Best adviser
for Croydon. She gave
him information on the
programme, and detailed
how it could benefit him.
This encouragement
made him decide to give
the programme a go.
Aslam has volunteered
at the annual jobs and
careers event in Fairfield,
and is still volunteering
with a local organisation
that deals with immigration
issues and community
development.
He said: “Personal Best
is a very nice and exciting
programme.
“It helps your skills,
teaches new skills, gets you
involved in the community
and gives you clear focus
for the future.”
To qualify for the
programme, you must be
aged between 16 and 65,
and be in receipt of income
support, incapacity benefit
or not claiming. You must
NOT have a qualification at
NVQ Level 2 or above.
Borough residents
keen to learn more about
Personal Best should email
Naomi Mensah-Bonsu
at mensah-bonsu@
wandsworth.gov.uk
or call her on 020 8871
7549.
Alternatively, visit
www.personalbest
programme.co.uk
Opportunity: Aslam has acquired new skills
Popping out to help
During November,
Croydon Council’s
Pop Service – taking
information and advice to
older people around the
borough’s communities –
will be visiting a number
of venues, including those
listed right, offering help
and advice to older people
and those with disabilities.
For details of additional
venues, visit www.
croydonpop.org.uk,
check with your local
service provider, call 020
8654 4440 or email
[email protected]
Date
Time
Service Venue
Tues 3 Nov
10am – 2pm
Bus
North End (near Barclays Bank) Croydon CR9 1SX
Wed 4 Nov
10am – noon
Table
Croydon Darby & Joan Club, 58 Addiscombe Road CR0 5PH
Thur 5 Nov
10am – noon
Table
Castleton Court, 21 Maberley Road, Upper Norwood SE19 2JP
Fri 6 Nov
10am – noon
Table
Lindsay Court, 2 Eden Road, Croydon CR0 1FA
Tues 10 Nov 2 – 4pm
Table
St Andrew’s Church, Woodmansterne Road, Coulsdon CR5 2DL
Wed 11 Nov 10am – noon
Table
Longheath Community Centre, Longheath Gardens,
Addiscombe CR0 7TD
Thur 12 Nov 2 – 4pm
Bus/
table
St Albans Church, Whitehorse Lane, Thornton Heath
Tues 17 Nov noon –1.30pm Table
Kenley Lunch Club, Memorial Hall, Godstone Road, Kenley
Wed 18 Nov 10am – 2pm
Bus
Lidl, 845-853 London Road, Broad Green CR7 6JH
Tues 19 Nov 10am – 2pm
Bus
North End (near Barclays Bank) Croydon CR9 1SX
Tues 24 Nov 10am – noon
Table
Ashburton Memorial Homes, Stroud Green Way,
Addiscombe CR0 7BD
Tues 24 Nov 1 – 3pm
Table
Shrublands Community Centre, Shrublands Avenue CR0 8JA
Wed 25 Nov 10am – 2pm
Table
Mayday University Hospital, London Road, Croydon CR7 7YE
Thur 26 Nov 10am – noon
Table
Croydon Darby & Joan Club, 58 Addiscombe Road CR0 5PH
Service
provider
Welfare rights
Welfare rights
yourcommunity 11
Have your e-say at [email protected]
In addition to the produce competition, the vegetable show
incorporated a number of demonstrations as well as information
displays from local environmental and food groups.
Can we dig it?
“Yes we can” is the answer as residents from across the borough prove they have green fingers.
Vegetable printing, saladdressing demonstrations
and plant-pot decorating
were just some of the
skills displayed at a
fabulous vegetable show
held recently at Croydon
Clocktower.
The borough’s network
of amateur gardeners came
together for the finale of
the summer’s Can We Dig
It? competition, run by the
council, which sought to
get residents growing, and
eating, their own food.
In addition to the
produce competition,
the vegetable show
incorporated a number of
demonstrations as well as
information displays from
local environmental and
food groups.
Gardeners brought
herbs and vegetables from
their gardens, windowsills
and allotments, and
there was an impressive
display of jams, chutneys
and cakes, made from
homegrown produce.
The competition was
judged by Jack DudleySwale, from Spa Hill
Allotments, and Joby Wells,
head chef and co-owner of
South Croydon restaurant
Albert’s Table, who
awarded the six category
winners with prizes
donated by town-centre
store Clas Ohlson.
Two-time winner Grace
Onions (vegetable growing,
and homemade cakes
with daughters Aoife and
Céadí), of Waddon, said: “It
was really wonderful to be
part of this local event to
promote growing our own
food.
“Aoife was especially
thrilled that her muffins
won a prize – she really did
bake most of them herself,
even blitzing the beetroot,
which was grown by the
children of Parish Church
Junior School in their
Gardening Club.
“Both Aoife and Céadí
were encouraged to
continue growing fruit and
vegetables – they’re already
asking to try different
things next year.”
If you would like to join
the ongoing Can We Dig It?
campaign, or are keen to
find out more, email
[email protected]
Both Aoife and
Céadí were
encouraged
to continue
growing fruit
and vegetables
– they’re already
asking to try
different things
next year.
Winners: Grace and daughters Aoife and Céadí
12 yourcommunity
21 C
o
November 2009 | Your Croydon
the recommended room temperature to
keep the cold at bay this winter.
Keeping the winter
blues at arm’s length
Don’t let the cold, dark winter months take their toll.
Every winter more than
20,000 people aged over
65 die in England and
Wales from cold-related
illnesses.
Many of those deaths
could be avoided – and
following our simple tips
could help.
Croydon’s director
for older people, Pauline
French, said it was
imperative that older
people get the help they
need.
She said: “People who
live alone are particularly
vulnerable and it’s
important that family,
friends and neighbours
look out for them at this
time of year.
“It takes only a minute
or two to knock on their
front door to find out if
they’re all right. Pop in
for a cup of tea and a chat
– a lot of the time they’ll
probably be grateful for
the company.”
Here are some tips on how to beat the cold this winter.
• Have regular hot meals and drinks.
People who
live alone are
particularly
vulnerable and
it’s important
that family,
friends and
neighbours look
out for them at
this time of year.
• Get a flu jab – it’s free to the over65s.
• Avoid sitting down for long periods.
• Stock up on basic foods and
medicines.
• Wrap up indoors and out. Wear warm
clothing in bed and use a hot-water
bottle or electric blanket, but be sure
not to use both at the same time.
• Keep your home warm, especially
your living room and bedroom. You
may be eligible for a grant for central
heating or insulation – call your local
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on
0800 512012. If heating bills are a
great problem, consider living and
sleeping in one room.
• Keep a thermometer handy. The
recommended temperature for all
rooms is 21°C (70°F) but you may be
comfortable at a higher temperature.
Below 16°C (60°F) and you will be at
risk of hypothermia, heart attack and
stroke.
• If you were 60 before 20 September,
make sure you get your cold-weather
payment of £250 per household from
the Government – you’re entitled to it
and it is there to help with the costs
of keeping warm. Call 0845 915 1515
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
Pension change: rules are changing this month
Many pensioners are
not claiming all their
entitlements, meaning
billions of pounds go
unclaimed every year.
Rules are changing in
November, meaning that
more may qualify for help,
particularly for pension
credit, housing and/or
council tax benefit.
If you are a carer,
or have an illness or
disability that affects your
mobility or makes it more
difficult to do everyday
tasks, there may be
entitlements that you can
claim.
It takes only a few
minutes to get advice;
contact the council’s
benefits advice line
on 0800 731 5920
– available Mondays
between 2 and 7pm,
Have a cuppa: more than just a social visit
Wednesdays 11am to 2pm,
and Fridays 9am to noon.
Alternatively, you can
see the government local
pension service at Access
Croydon, Taberner House,
on Mondays between
10am and 1pm, or visit the
Pop bus in a locality near
you.
Pop is a service for
the over-55s that travels
the borough Monday to
Friday to give advice and
information. Visit www.
croydonpop.org.uk
Additionally, Age
Concern Croydon provides
advice, support and
information on the many
areas to ensure older
people stay warm and well
through the winter.
For more
information visit www.
ageconcerncroydon.
org.uk, email acc@
ageconcerncroydon.org.
uk or call 020 8680 5450.
Stuart Routledge, chief
executive Age Concern
Croydon, said: “There are
many different services
that older people can
access.
“It’s important that
they or their carers contact
the relevant services if
they feel in any way at
risk.”
More information is
available on the Home
Heat Helpline (Monday
to Friday, 9am to 8pm,
Saturday 10am to 2pm)
on 0800 33 66 99,
minicom 0800 027 2122
and www.direct.gov.uk/
keepwarmkeepwell
To contact Croydon
social services, call 020
8726 6500.
District
Centre
Thornton Heath News
loves to party
NOVEMBER 2009
The expressions say it all on the swinging boat
“It was a great family day out
- even bigger than last year.”
The fine weather on Sunday, 20 September, attracted
the crowds, as Deputy Mayor Councillor Russell Jackson
performed the opening honours.
The day’s most popular attraction was the performance
stage, where a stream of lively acts competed to win the
Thornton Heath’s Got Talent competition.
A young five-piece dance act, Tribute, went through
to represent Thornton Heath in the finals in Croydon, with
Adam Hughes and Victoria Okoro the runners-up.
Thornton Heath Business Partnership chairman Tony
Rowland said: “It brings everyone together, and as a
festival it’s really taken off. It was a great family day out –
even bigger than last year.”
High Street was packed for the festival
I
TRICT
District centre manager Jason Grant added: “The
business partnership did an outstanding job. A huge
thanks has to go to them, as well as DJ Peter Lewis,
who compèred the day, and Everton Brown for his
PA system.
“We’ve had great feedback. It was compared to a mini
Notting Hill Carnival, but this is Thornton Heath, and it
BU S I ESS
N
Late summer sunshine and the promise of a fun-filled day
saw 5,000 people pack High Street as Thornton Heath’s
festival firmly established itself as an annual event in the
calendar.
The street was sealed off from early in the morning
as barbecues, funfair attractions, a performance stage
and dozens of stalls representing the full spectrum of local
groups were set up.
has its own identity and culture, and we need to work
to keep that.”
With music from the Endurance Steel Orchestra and a
bagpipe band, and a festival parade winding along High
Street, it was a gloriously noisy and colourful event.
From bouncy trampolines to a full-size crazy house,
from the swing boat to face-painting,
there was plenty for the hundreds of
youngsters to do.
And, everywhere, the air was full
of the smells of cooking, from stalls
including a full hog roast, jerk chicken
M
N
PR
OVEME
barbecues and vegetarian food vendors.
DIS
Crowds fill the streets as community festival
celebrates the area’s diversity and talent.
T
Sassy five-piece Tribute won the talent show
Spotlight
on...
Festival fun
If a picture is worth a thousand words, these images of a sun-drenched Thornton Heath
Festival must represent enough to fill a book. Pictures: Ernest Simons and Tim Harrison
Shennai Hall, who is nearly 2, has her face painted
Everyone loves a parade
Sorry, Sir, you’re just a little past our upper age limit
Members of the Endurance Steel Orchestra perform
Chris Rutter (left) and Bill Juby play their cards right at
the Rotary Croydon East stand
Adding spice – chilli sauce provides the zing
Jerk chicken proved popular
Suits you – trying on necklaces
Talent judges (from left) Nat Goodridge, Peter Lewis and
Emmanuel Botchway
Flower power in the High Street
Business is blooming for a local brokerage firm with
interests overseas as well as close to home.
Jason Grant (left) and Leroy Drummond proud of the flowers
Every time Leroy Drummond strolls out of his office in
Thornton Heath High Street, he allows himself a little smile
as he gazes round at the hanging baskets, overflowing
planters and bountiful tiers of flowers.
“They’re really good this year,” said Leroy, whose firm,
Drummonds Mortgages, has been a fixture in High Street
for more than a decade.
“They’ve come out very nicely, and it presents a
better environment for everyone, which can only help.
Aesthetically, it’s making a difference.”
Leroy can take an extra pride in this year’s displays as
he sponsored the best school garden in this year’s Croydon
in Bloom competition.
Sharon Baldwin, district centre development manager,
praised the community spirit of sponsors such as
Drummonds: “We’re grateful to all our sponsors, who help
make our district centres so bright and colourful in the
summer months.”
Work-wise, independent broker Drummonds is still
busy, despite the credit crunch.
Leroy’s firm is expanding in new areas, with a lot of
work focused on overseas properties in the Caribbean and
– more recently – west Africa.
“It’s a good High Street in Thornton Heath,” said Leroy.
“Although the credit crunch is affecting everyone, there
aren’t many gaps among the shops, which is a bonus in
these times.”
With more than 26 years’ experience in the industry,
Drummonds is well placed to provide assistance to people
looking for a broker with strong local roots and market
expertise.
Drummonds Mortgages is at 99 High Street.
Call 020 8683 2900
Why I love Thornton Heath
…and what I would change
Kay O’Meara 73.
I’ve lived in my current flat
in Thornton Heath for the
last 15 years, and I use the
gym regularly; I really like
it, they’re very friendly
people. I think we need more variety of
shops for everyone. I also think safety at
night is an issue.
Danata Smith 18.
I’ve been here about eight
months and there isn’t very
much for people my age to
do; it’s very quiet. Where’s
the community centre? The
shops are all right, but there needs to be an
off-licence open later. I’d like more events
for the community.
Jack Charalambous 63.
We go forward as partners
Local businesses, working in unison, are making a difference
– and more can be achieved.
Tony Rowland, who chairs
the Thornton Heath
Business Partnership, has
urged local shops and
companies to join together
to help the area prosper.
“The business partnership
is all about listening to
people’s concerns, and if
businesses want change they
have to contribute,” he said.
Tony Rowland urges
businesses to join
Thanks to the
together
partnership, issues such as
litter, lighting and the overall
appearance of Thornton Heath are being addressed.
“It’s about each and every business in
and around the High Street,” he said.
“We’re working on helping everyone, and
people need to know that we’re doing things.”
He said that Thornton Heath was an area with a
distinctive identity, and its own slogan – Diversity and
Harmony.
“The business partnership is about people giving
up their time to help the community; it involves a real
commitment.”
One campaign he is particularly keen to introduce is
short-term free parking in High Street – say for 15 or 20
minutes – to assist small businesses.
“The supermarkets are well looked after for parking,
but it’s the small shops that keep this place alive,” he said.
He was delighted with the success of the festival,
which he said had knitted the whole community together.
“All cultures are coming together and working with
each other,” he said, adding that it had been a bumper
year for the area’s youth, with 150 youngsters joining the
local scouts and cubs – a really positive contribution to
the efforts to curb the gang culture and address crime.
Tony aims to build on that growth in youth activity in
the coming year, through the business partnership and in
his role as next president of Croydon Jubilee Rotary Club.
Muhammad Shafi 74 .
I’ve been here 24 years, and
I think there’s a good mix of
shops. I run the Wimpy bar,
and the one thing I would
like in Thornton Heath is
public toilets, because people just keep
coming in and using ours, and then leaving
it in a mess with paper everywhere. I think
it’s generally good for the area that there
are more local police around.
Gurpreet Kaur 36.
Pass the plates
Lunchtime is partytime
Thornton Heath enthusiastically joined in The Big Lunch,
the national community get-together during the summer
which saw streets unite over plates of home-cooked
food.
Members of the Gillett, Garnet & Laxton Court
Residents’ Association had a lunchtime dance party,
with chairman Alf Walters and secretary Paul Phillips
coordinating the food and entertainment.
I’m originally from Cyprus,
but I’ve been here about 30
years. Thornton Heath has
changed; there’s a bigger
mix of ethnic minorities. It
went downhill about five
years ago, but recently it’s really been
improving. I like the people; they’re really
down to earth. We need fewer hair-andnail salons, and better-looking shopfronts.
Alf Walters (left), chairman of the Gillett, Garnet &
Laxton Court Residents’ Association, and secretary Paul
Phillips hand the food around
I’ve lived here for the past
seven years in Thornton
Heath, and I’m associated
with the local temple,
where I try to save energy
and recycle. For shopping, Tesco has taken
over, but the smaller shops in the
community are very useful and we should
all do something to keep them going,
especially in this financial crisis.
District
Centre
News
Here’s a tip: don’t dump!
Fly-tipping – the council’s Neos are on the case.
Andrew Gordon investigates rubbish dumped at the
back of High Street.
Neighbourhood enforcement officer Andrew Gordon
spends part of his working week burrowing through
rubbish bags.
Which might seem a little odd unless you knew that
a major part of his job is spearheading Croydon’s war on
fly-tipping.
“It’s a big issue in Thornton Heath,” said Andrew,
whose role as a uniformed council official also includes
cracking down on antisocial behaviour.
On his hi-vis fluorescent tunic he proudly displays
his Community Safety Scheme badge; an accreditation
which gives him the power to, for instance, confiscate
alcohol from street drinkers, take cigarettes from
underage smokers, and issue fixed penalties – on-thespot fines – to litter louts.
We stopped in an alleyway just off Thornton Heath’s
High Street, where Andrew had spotted several dumped
televisions and other rubbish.
He immediately started looking for any clues about
who might have dumped the unsightly mess.
“If I can identify who’s dumped it, we’ll issue a fixed
penalty notice,” he said.
Fly-tipping is a year-round problem, but it gets
worse when the weather improves.
“It’s seasonal,” said Andrew. “In spring and summer it
gets worse.
“In winter, people aren’t clearing things out so
much.”
Fly-tippers beware. The borough’s CCTV cameras
and enforcement officers are watching
You have to be an optimist
Local bank manager sees signs of positivity and
is keen to see Thornton Heath thrive.
If the bank manager is looking on the bright side of life,
things must be looking up.
Karen Finnegan, who manages the HSBC branch in
High Street, detects positive vibes in the economy.
“I’m fairly optimistic; you have to be,” she said. “I think
people are feeling a bit more positive, although everyone
is still having to save the little they’ve got.”
Karen, who is also treasurer of the Thornton Heath
Business Partnership, is a great supporter of the district
centre’s festival, and clearly recalls the feelings of
nervousness about last year’s inaugural event.
“I was just amazed at how well it came off; we really
were on tenterhooks as it was the first one ever, and it
involved a lot of hard work just to get people involved,”
she said.
What are her aims for the business partnership? “I’d
like to bring the community back into the High Street,”
she said.
“Yes, I’m HSBC, but I’m also trying to support the
community, so that Thornton Heath isn’t about a bad
reputation, but is about local people doing things and
making a buzz.”
She said that the bank was working hard to help
people, and that there are a lot of support networks and
assistance for nurturing new businesses.
Going to Market
Purley Market
Jolly Farmers pub car park, opposite Tesco,
10am-3pm. Farmers market with tasty
produce; the focus on food.
November 28
Coulsdon Market
Brighton Road, 10am-3pm. Good mix of
food and produce, and general stalls.
November 7
December 5
Alma Market
The Alma pub garden, Crystal Palace, every
Saturday 10am-3pm. Garden market with
arts, crafts and food.
November 7
November 14
November 21
November 28
December 5
December 12
New Addington Market
Central Parade, New Addington, every
Tuesday and Friday, 8am-4pm. General
market with clothes and plants, food and
bric-a-brac.
November 3
November 6
November 10
November 13
November 17
November 20
Crystal Palace Market
Victory Place, Westow Street, third
Saturday of the month, 10am-3pm.
Good food, fairtrade and general stalls.
November 21
December 19
South Norwood Market
Karen Finnegan, Thornton Heath’s HSBC branch manager
The gremlins got into our article on the Bigger Picture Gallery, in Crystal Palace, in September’s District Centre News.
The correct website address is www.biggerpicturegallery.co.uk, and the project manager’s name is Roy Peterson.
Apologies for the errors
Somerfield car park, Station Road,
every Wednesday, 10am-3pm.
General market stalls.
November 4
November 11
November 18
November 25
December 2
December 9
yourfinance 13
Have your e-say at [email protected]
For practical advice visit:
www.croydoncrunch.org
Back in profit
Last month’s edition carried details
of the Croydon Enterprise Loan Fund,
designed to help struggling but viable
local businesses. This month we speak
to a restaurateur who has turned his
fortunes around, thanks to help from
the loan fund.
New jobs: government funding will provide opportunities for young people in Croydon
Jobs for the boys – and girls
New money will give young people valuable experience in job market.
Croydon has won a share
of a £1bn government fund
to create 50 new jobs for
young people in the social
and environmental labour
market.
Selected local
companies will be able to
use the cash to help
provide new jobs for young
people aged 18 to 24 who
have been unemployed for
more than a year.
The jobs are in the
fields of social enterprise,
administration, waste
management, event
management, maintenance
and IT.
The jobs will last a
minimum of six months
and be at minimum wage.
It is intended that every
young person placed into
one of the new jobs will
leave with additional skills
and, where possible,
further qualifications and
accreditation.
Pressure from a
consortium of partners
comprising Croydon
Economic Development
Company (CEDC), Croydon
Council, Croydon College,
JobCentre Plus, and
Croydon Voluntary Action
secured the funding.
Tony Kildare, CEDC
chief executive, said: “This
is a new and innovative
approach to working with
young people.
“The experience gained
will give each of these
young people a higher
probability of getting into
future long-term
employment, while
businesses with a clear
community benefit gain
from taking on an extra
employee at no, or very
little, cost to themselves.”
The money comes from
the government’s Future
Jobs Fund which provides
funding for jobs for young
people and the long-term
unemployed.
The bid for the cash
formed part of Croydon’s
economic recovery plan,
led by the CEDC.
Help with redundancy
When successful Sardinian
chef Efisio Fronteddu’s
restaurant fell empty
during the peak of the
credit crunch, the Croydon
Enterprise Loan Fund
secured the finance to keep
his business afloat.
“It was like a tsunami,”
said Efisio. “I’d opened the
restaurant in 2007 and
although it was tough at
first, 2008 was a good year,
up to around October.
“But then the economic
downturn hit, and trade
just stopped.
“The December period
was a disaster and then
January and February
were even worse. I burned
through all the profits I’d
made in 2008 and was
starting to make a loss.
“The banks wouldn’t
help, but luckily Croydon
Enterprise realised I still
had a viable business and
helped me apply to their
Loan Fund for temporary
help.
“It saved me – that loan
was the only thing that kept
me going, and I’m already
paying it back.
“They also gave me
a business mentor who
provided really good advice,
which means my business
is now growing even better
than before.”
Just a few months
on, Efisio’s Mediterranea
restaurant in Crystal Palace
is back in profit, with
regular bookings and sellout nights.
One of the UK’s few
specialists in Sardinian
food, Efisio featured on the
TV show The F-Word with
Gordon Ramsey about the
Sardinian maggot-infested
cheese Casu Marzu.
He is gradually
expanding his business
with support from Croydon
Enterprise and now also
supplies the delicacies he
serves, including specially
imported Sardinian ham,
cheese, olive oil and bread.
Even high-earners can feel the effects of the credit crunch.
As the recession continues
to bite in Croydon, a new
initiative has been
launched to support
executives who have
recently been made
redundant.
More than 30 newlyredundant executives
recently attended a series
of Executive Plus
workshops in a joint
initiative by the Croydon
Economic Development
Company (CEDC) and
JobCentre Plus .
“We’re seeing a new
kind of person to come
onto the unemployment
books now – high-flyers
who have probably never
been out of work since they
left college,” said a CEDC
spokesperson.
“Events like this are
important to ensure they
receive all the necessary
help, advice and re-skilling
they need to get back into
work quickly.”
The workshops
provided a range of
information to help the
attendees understand the
free support available to
them.
A range topics –
including managing stress,
coping with reduced
finances and an overview
of the programmes
available to provide support
and training – was covered
by the workshops.
The seminars also
provided a valuable support
network for the attendees,
many of whom had been
made redundant from
senior jobs in the banking,
retail and IT industries.
“It exceeded my
expectations, the speakers
were all very
knowledgeable and it was
very beneficial to be able to
talk to people in similar
situations,” said one
delegate, a former bank
manager.
The Executive Plus
seminars form part of
Croydon’s economic
recovery plan which aims
to help local people and
businesses survive the
recession.
The plan was drawn up
earlier this year by Croydon
Council and the CEDC
(then Croydon Business) in
partnership with a range of
key agencies.
Full details of the plan
can be found at www.
croydoncrunch.org
Loan and advice: kept Efsio’s business afloat
14 yourenvironment
croydon
ec citizen
2009
November 2009 | Your Croydon
The proud winners are featured here, but there were many others
doing great work all around the borough.
Greener citizens
If you
wanted a
snapshot of all
that is meant by
the phrase ‘more
environmentally
friendly living’,
you couldn’t
do better than
read about our
Eco Citizens.
A second year of Croydon Eco Citizen is celebrated in style, with winners of all ages.
The sheer diversity,
ingenuity, range and
number of nominations
for the second Eco
Citizen campaign is
something of which the
borough can be proud.
All of those qualities
were exhibited at this
year’s Eco Citizen award
ceremony, held in the
Braithwaite Hall, Katharine
Street, on 14 October.
If you wanted a
snapshot of all that is
meant by the phrase “more
environmentally friendly
living”, you couldn’t do
better than read about
our Eco Citizens.
The proud winners
are featured here, but
there were many others
doing great work all
around the borough.
Jenny Ellis: Eco Citizen
2009
We have individuals
like Brian, endlessly
giving advice to friends
and neighbours about
recycling; the quiet
power of Neeham and a
poem of trees in danger;
and endless examples
of educational creativity
and commitment at the
borough’s primary and
secondary schools.
The categories and
their winners:
Primary School
Parish Juniors, in
Warrington Road,
Waddon, has made
a great commitment
to sustainability.
The school has an eco
task force, and a gardening
club that looks after a
well-planted garden.
Pupils at the school
held an eco fashion show,
with clothes made from
reused materials: took part
in the Big Tidy Up, clearing
litter from the school
grounds and local streets;
and even held a Blackout
Day last October when no
computers or photocopiers
could be used.
The school won a
cash prize of £350.
Secondary School
Thomas More, in Russell
Hill Road, Purley, won the
Green Secondary School
category last year and put
the prize money to great
use with the creation of an
organic vegetable garden.
After using unwanted
timber from a local builder
to make raised beds, a
core group of Year 7 and
8 pupils have planted
the garden with an
abundance of vegetables
and fruit, including
cabbage, courgettes,
potatoes and peas.
They were over the
moon to win a further
cash prize of £500.
Recycler of the Year
We are all recyclers now.
Every house in Croydon
is now able to recycle
plastic bottles, cardboard
and green waste as well as
bottles, cans and clothes.
And a network of
1,000 recycling sites for
blocks of flats is now in
place. Some individuals
do more than others, to
challenge and inspire us.
Pete Bundock has
supported the council in
delivering five recycling
sites to his residential
estate in Upper Norwood.
He was voted onto the
estate’s board of directors
with the aim of improving
the recycling facilities,
and, together with the
council recycling team,
got the sites set up, and
has promoted them to
the estates’ residents.
The sites have been
very well received and as a
result, residents have been
able to reduce their impact
on the environment.
The ethos of this
community project is to
grow organically and
be environmentally
aware and pro-active
as a “green” project.
Favourite Green
Project
Natural Croydon
When people get together
and are committed to
making the borough
more environmentallyfriendly, it is amazing
what can happen. The
judges were particularly
delighted to see how
many projects involved
local businesses working
with community groups.
This year, there
was a great range of
initiatives – big and
small – but one stood
out as a real favourite.
The Dale Park
Community Allotment
Club, in Upper Norwood,
began as an idea for
improving the quality of
life for older people.
The club has
developed, and the
allotment now has up
to 20 beds for use by
older people, people with
mobility difficulties or in
wheelchairs, and people
with learning disability.
The great news of
Croydon’s winning
Britain in Bloom brought
all of us some cheer.
Behind it is the work,
not just of the council and
its contractors, but of very
many projects, individuals
and businesses playing
their part in improving
the natural environment
right across Croydon.
This category
recognises that
commitment, and the
award went to the
conservation volunteers
of the Friends of
Foxley, in Kenley.
Since 1992, the
volunteers have worked in
partnership with Croydon
Council, and the owners
of Foxley Wood and
Sherwood Oaks Field, to
promote public awareness
and involvement in the
care of the 11-hectare
local nature reserve.
They have continued
Have your e-say at [email protected]
yourenvironment 15
croydon
ec citizen
2009
to manage the site
for recreational,
educational and nature
conservation interest.
Highly commended
was St Mary’s Church
Footprint Group, for
taking steps to save
energy, creating a wildlife
garden on a piece of
disused land, and a host
of events and campaigns
to raise awareness in
their community.
Fairtrade Network’s
achievements for Fairtrade
Fortnight in March.
A particular feather in
the group’s cap was being
able to bring to Croydon
two cocoa producers
from the Kuapa Kokoo
plantation in Ghana.
James Adiyiah and
Anane Mensah promoted
the Fairtrade ethos to local
businesses, school children
and community groups.
Best Environmental
Message/Campaign
Our Eco Citizen
for 2009
So much is known now
about the impacts of
climate change, and
the value and need of
changing our lifestyles.
Which means that
telling people about it
and urging a change of
habits is an essential part
of being an eco citizen.
Again, there was a
fabulous selection of
projects, but the tastiest
of all was Croydon
This year’s Eco Citizen
is Jenny Ellis, who
worked tirelessly as
a green champion at
Mondial Assistance, in
George Street, central
Croydon, to promote
green initiatives and
environmental awareness,
and for organising
the hugely successful
Mondial Remade
recycled fashion show.
Jenny received an
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
elegant Citizen Eco Drive
watch, kindly presented on
behalf of Citizen Eco Drive.
The success of the
Eco Citizen scheme is
proof that local people
take environmental
matters seriously.
But we must not sit
back on our laurels. We
need more eco citizens –
not just the modest few
who were nominated
for these awards, but,
ideally the other 330,000
borough residents, without
whom there can’t be a
sustainable Croydon.
The challenge to all of
us is to make that happen.
Details of the
awards can be found
on the council website
at www.croydon.gov.
uk/environment/
Entries were judged
according to: sustainability
of the project, outcome,
originality, and
positive impact on the
wider community.
16 yoursafety
November 2009 | Your Croydon
Six local police officers were joined by Dutch colleagues for the last
leg of their bike ride from Croydon’s twin town, Arnhem.
A pedal too far
To mark a special anniversary, six Croydon bobbies cycled more than 200 miles to Arnhem.
The
officers’ efforts
have so far
raised more
than £2,000
for Marie Curie
Cancer Care,
and they are
hopeful of
reaching their
£3,000 target.
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
Sore of limb but high in
spirits, a group of Croydon
police officers recently
completed a cycle ride
from their Park Lane base
to Arnhem.
The ride marked the
65th anniversary of
Operation Market Garden,
the unsuccessful World
War II mission that sought
to save the strategically
important bridge in the
Dutch town.
The officers’ efforts
have so far raised more
than £2,000 for Marie
Curie Cancer Care, and
they are hopeful of
reaching their £3,000
target.
Organised by Sergeants
George Shannon and
Kenny Parker, they were
joined on the trip by PC
Mike Newbrook, PS Lance
Lamnea, Inspector Mark
Major and Neil
Doughwaite.
And the support vehicle
was driven PS Ieuan Isaac.
Cycling through the
night, they caught the ferry
from Harwich to the Hook
of Holland, where they
Ferry nuff: Croydon’s intrepid boys in blue refuel before their trip across the water to Holland
were joined by a group of
Dutch police officers, who
cycled with them to
Arnhem, arriving in the
town on the afternoon of
18 September.
PS Shannon said: “That
evening we were in full
dress uniform to lay a
wreath at the Arnhem
memorial.
“There were a couple of
thousand people there,
including the British
Ambassador, the Mayor of
Croydon, and veterans
from Britain, the US and
Poland.
“This was the second
year we’ve made the trip
and, despite all of us
aching in places we didn’t
know we could ache, we
hope to make it an annual
event, to reinforce the links
between Arnhem and
Croydon.
“We’d like to thank
Croydon council for their
support in assisting with
the ferry and travel costs;
and also Lanfranc School
for the use of their bus for
the support vehicle; and
Evans Cycles, in London
Road, for parts and
servicing of the bikes.”
Anybody wishing to
contribute to the funds
raised so far can do so by
visiting www.justgiving.
com/kennyparker where
PS Parker’s diary of the
event can be read.
How to survive the celebrations
Take heed of the fire brigade’s tips on dealing with candles, fireworks and
general safety around the home.
Dazzling: but potentially dangerous
For many local people,
winter is a time for festive
fun.
Many of us get time off
to spend with our families,
but extra time spent in the
home can lead to more
fires.
Make home safety a
priority this winter by
following the London Fire
Brigade’s tips:
•Fit a smoke alarm,
they are inexpensive
and readily available
from many DIY stores,
electrical shops and
supermarkets. Be sure
to buy an alarm that
complies with the British
Standard and check it
every week to ensure it is
working. Ideally, an alarm
should be fitted in every
room except the kitchen
and bathroom.
•It’s fun to celebrate with
candles or fireworks, but
both can be dangerous.
Do not leave candles
unattended, and do not
put them near curtains or
inflammable materials.
Ensure fireworks conform
to British Standards,
and be sure to read the
instructions carefully.
•One in three accidental
fires starts in the kitchen.
If cooking or holding a
dinner party, make sure
cookers are never left
unattended. Tell guests
how to find door or
window keys so they can
leave in the event of a
fire.
•Never place cards,
stockings, decorations
or gifts near an open fire
and tidy wrapping paper
away once gifts have been
opened. Christmas lights
should conform to British
Standard regulations
and should not be left
switched on for long
periods.
If concerned about fire
in the home, be safe and
contact the London Fire
Brigade to arrange a free
home fire-safety check.
Fire safety advice is
available, as are free smoke
alarms, if needed. Call
0800 028 4428 for more
information
yoursafety 17
Have your e-say at [email protected] This is about deterring people who we believe are, or are at risk of
becoming, involved in serious group or gang-related violence.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts
Following the right path
Met matters
Susie Rundle takes a look at an innovative scheme offering young people
the chance to avoid a full-blown criminal career.
A pioneering project to
combat gang crime is
seeking people who have
been affected by serious
gang or group-related
violence, to help prevent
others following the same
path.
Croydon’s Pathways
project, a Home Office
initiative being piloted by
the council, the police and
the probation service, has
been set up to prevent gang
or group-related violence
among people of all ages.
Now the project team is
looking for the community
to play its part.
Pathways is looking for
people whose lives have
been affected by gang or
group-related violence –
this could mean losing
someone close to them,
seeing them hurt in gang
violence, or having been a
victim or gang member
themselves.
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
These volunteers –
known as “community
voices” – will share their
experiences with those at
risk of offending to try to
make them realise the
consequences of their
actions.
Cllr Gavin Barwell,
cabinet member for safety
and cohesion, said:
“Pathways is about taking
early action to get people
out of gangs and steer them
toward a different path.
“Too often, agencies are
afraid of talking about
initiatives to tackle gang
crime, because they’re
worried that they’ll be
associated with it.
“Tackling crime is our
top priority in Croydon – we
don’t want gang violence in
our borough and we’re not
afraid to say that we’re
taking action to prevent it.
“By working together as
a community we can
deliver the message far
more effectively – and the
message is that the violence
must stop.
“We already know that
by sharing their experiences
with someone on the brink
of crime, people who have
been affected by gangrelated violence can be a
powerful catalyst for
change.
“It’s about saying – look,
this is where this road will
lead you. Are you sure
that’s where you want to
go?”
The Pathways team in
Croydon comprises officers
from the police and the
council’s youth offending
service, and aims to address
serious youth violence and
gang membership at all
ages and stages.
The first stage of the
project is to identify an
individual involved in, or at
risk of becoming involved
in, gang or group-related
violence.
The Pathways team
then visits them with an
individual from the
community – a community
voice – whose life has been
affected by gang violence.
This person will share
their experiences with them
to try to make them
understand the
consequences of their
actions.
The second stage of the
project – called Help if You
Want It – involves the
Pathways team working
with those involved in
gang-related offending to
come up with realistic exit
strategies to help them
change their ways.
If a known gang
member does not respond
to the help offered, and
continues down the path of
criminality, the police will
take enforcement action.
Borough commander
Chief Superintendent
Adrian Roberts said: “This
is about deterring people
who we believe are, or are
at risk of becoming,
involved in serious group or
gang-related violence.
“It’s about us working
with the community and
with the council, and giving
gang members an
opportunity and the
support to walk away,
before they get themselves
into trouble and someone
gets hurt.
“We won’t hesitate to
take tough action against
those that don’t take the
opportunity to mend their
ways, and put their own
lives, and the lives of
others, at risk.”
In one of my early
columns I spoke about
confidence. For me,
ensuring that the
communities of Croydon
have confidence in
their police is the most
important priority.
There has been a
great deal of research
into what gives people
confidence in police and
there are four key areas
that affect confidence:
• how we deal with
crime, by reducing it
and ensuring that those
responsible are brought
to justice;
• the way we engage,
listen and respond to
our communities;
• ensuring that
everybody in the
community is dealt with
fairly and with respect;
• the way in which
we tackle antisocial
behaviour and support
our communities in
dealing with this.
In terms of what
we’re doing to tackle
crime on the borough,
you’ll probably already
know that burglary is a
main priority at present.
We’ve had extra
police officers working
to reduce burglary and
arrest those responsible
and we’re also benefiting
from Operation
Bumblebee, which is
tackling burglary across
London.
The signs are that
we’re having a positive
effect, but burglary
continues to be a
significant challenge.
However, my
top priority remains
tackling violent crime.
I’m pleased to say that
compared to this time
last year, we’ve seen
a reduction in youth
violence and knife
crime, but, far from
being complacent,
I’ve realigned our
resources to create a
new team, which will
be relentlessly targeting
violent offenders on the
borough.
Engaging with the
public is something
that we’re working hard
to improve. I’ve held
a number of public
question time sessions
across the borough
with Councillor Gavin
Barwell.
These have all
been really useful to
understand what the
issues are for particular
communities across
Croydon.
Fair treatment is
something that I feel
passionately about,
including the fair
treatment of youths.
As I’ve said before,
youth is the future for
Croydon and it is one
of our great strengths.
I want to find out
what their views are
on policing and how
they think we should
be tackling some of the
major policing issues.
We’ve just completed
an online youth survey,
to get some of their
views and I will also
be setting up a new
youth think tank, which
will help me shape my
policing strategies for
Croydon.
In conclusion,
I believe that we
are moving in the
right direction and I
really think the work
mentioned above (and
much that I haven’t
been able to talk about)
is having a real impact
in reducing crime,
but, perhaps more
importantly, I hope it will
improve the confidence
of our communities in
their police.
Ch Supt
Adrian Roberts
Borough commander
18 yoursafety
3,050
November 2009 | Your Croydon
tonnes of salt is now piled up in a warehouse – more than
40% more than last year.
Ready for action
Last winter’s snow was a once-in-a-generation freak, but the council is
ready should the outside chance of a repeat occur.
The heavy snow that
covered Croydon’s 456mile network of roads
in February saw the
council’s highways team
pushed to the limit.
Within half an hour of
the first falls on the evening
of Sunday, 1 February,
Croydon town centre – like
many others in London –
almost ground to a halt.
For days the gritter
truck teams worked
round the clock in 12hour shifts clearing roads
and streets, helping the
emergency services carry
on with their jobs.
Gritters were sent out
days before the snow came
but the sheer volume –
more than 25cm fell in
some places – meant the
salt took longer to work.
When it did fall, some
routes that had to be kept
clear needed to be gritted
several times before they
could be made safe.
Supplies of salt did not
run out last year, but a
large dent was made in the
stockpile by the once-ina-generation snowfall.
John Algar, the council’s
highways operations
manager, said: “All of
our staff got here, I’m
not sure how. Some of
them had to walk miles,
but it meant we could
get all our gritters out.
“All nine gritting
vehicles were on the
roads because none of
our staff were absent.
They deserve a big pat
on the back for that.”
As well as keeping
all main roads and bus
routes clear, the team had
to make sure ambulances
were able to get to Mayday
Hospital and clear routes
for the fire brigade.
They continually
topped up 600 grit salt
bins across the borough
and cleared routes for
the tram network.
The snow was so heavy
that even one of the gritters
got stuck. It was eventually
moved after the drivers
got out and dug their
Wilting: tributes can quickly lose their freshness
Snow bother: council workers sprung into action
own tracks in the road.
Plans for this winter
have been in place for
months and a mountain
of 3,050 tonnes of salt
is now piled up in a
warehouse – more than
40% more than last year.
If potentially hazardous
road conditions are
forecast, all pre-defined
routes will be salted to
prevent ice forming.
All additional resources
will be mobilised for
clearance once the
severity of lying snow
and ice, and the likely
effect on the weather
conditions forecast for
the next two to five days,
have been established.
Footways will be
cleared of snow as soon
as additional resources
can be mobilised.
Cycle ways that form
part of carriageways will be
cleared where reasonably
practicable after securing
free flow of vehicle traffic.
Cycle ways that
share footways will be
cleared in accordance
with the priority
allocated to footways.
Crosfield Signs
Your FIRst stop for quality signs
Crosfield Signs have provided the local authority and general public with a personal
sign making service for more than 20 years. Some of our services include:
• Custom-made signs
• Vehicle livery
• Vinyl banners
• Fascias
• Free-standing pull-ups
• Large-format printing
• External signs
• And more!
For more info call: 020 8689 4056
or email: [email protected]
We offer site surveys, free
estimates, full installation
and maintenance, through
to final placement of signs.
A fitting farewell
Roadside tributes – memorials or
constant reminders of painful events?
Imagine the sudden
death of a loved one on
the streets of Croydon.
It’s your worst
nightmare – whether it’s a
road accident or even an
isolated act of violence.
Understandably,
you want to visit the
site and leave some
flowers, or something
personal, as a tribute.
It is possible the
impromptu memorial
could grow to quite a
size as others are quick
to follow your example.
Then imagine you
live on the doorstep.
How would you feel
with a full-frontal reminder
of a tragic incident every
time you go in and out of
your home? Worse, what
happens if the flowers
linger and wither?
Or, indeed, if they’re
regularly refreshed so it
becomes a permanent
feature? What if the tribute
is hijacked for some kind
of political protest?
How on earth do
you deal sensitively
and consistently with
something that someone
may desperately want
to stay in place, which
someone else may be just
as eager to see removed?
The solution, the
council hopes, rests in
adopting a protocol which
aims to strike a balance
between sympathy for
the deceased’s family and
friends, and the genuine
concerns of residents
who may not welcome a
permanent reminder of a
tragic event that occurred
in their neighbourhood.
In fact, the council
has said that, unless
there are exceptional
circumstances, permanent
roadside tributes, floral
or otherwise, won’t
generally be permitted.
But it will consider
requests for something like
a tree or a bench in the most
suitable, nearby location.
The protocol also
says that, although it’s
not appropriate to have
a set time in respect of
how long they should be
left in place, temporary
tributes won’t usually
be removed until after a
funeral has taken place.
By letting people know
of the protocol, the council
wants to give some comfort
to those involved in these
unhappy situations –
whether through knowing
the victim or because
they happen to live in the
immediate vicinity where
the death occurred.
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email
to yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
yourbusiness 19
Have your e-say at [email protected] 89%
of businesses felt Bid-backed schemes, such as the business
crime-reduction partnership, assist in tackling crime.
Businesses back town centre
Survey reveals traders’ satisfaction – and their key concerns.
The general appearance
of Croydon’s town centre
has received a thumbs-up
from local businesses.
A recent survey
revealed that two-thirds of
traders were satisfied with
the way the centre looked
– up 10% on a similar
survey conducted last year.
Businesses got an
opportunity to express their
views on a range of issues
when Croydon’s Business
Improvement District team
(Bid) commissioned a
comprehensive local survey.
Environmental charity,
Keep Britain Tidy, returned
to the area one year on
to question a sample
group on a range of key
issues including safety,
cleanliness, accessibility,
perception and events,
and to gauge overall
levels of satisfaction
with the Bid’s work.
The survey also found
that crime remained a
clear priority for towncentre businesses, with
84% placing security as
the most important issue.
More than half of
those questioned said
they felt that police levels
had improved since 2008,
while 83% remarked that
this added layer of police
had made a “positive
impact on their business”.
It was felt by
89% that Bid-backed
schemes, such as the
business crime-reduction
partnership, assist business
in tackling crime.
There was also
positive feedback
regarding the events and
festival programme.
A significant 74%
of businesses felt that
such events, including
Croydon food, fashion and
Christmas festivals, had
“improved perceptions and
enhanced the reputation of
the area”, with two-thirds
reporting a corresponding
increase in footfall.
“The results of the
survey are very interesting
and show us what really
matters to businesses in
the town-centre area,” said
Ros Morgan, Bid manager.
“I’m pleased that
The results of
the survey are
very interesting
and show us
what really
matters to
businesses in
the town-centre
area.
Break an egg: kitchen theatre captivated crowds
some of our work is being
recognised as having
made a positive impact on
town-centre business, but
clearly there’s more to do.
“We’ll keep pushing to
promote the interests of the
local business community,
building on some of the
positive feedback.”
Ros Morgan,
Bid manager.
Vacant units to be re-invented
Vibrant window displays will enhance district centres.
Colourful new shopfront windows that
promote local goods
and services are going
up in 35 empty business
premises in Croydon.
The idea is to
brighten up the shopping
centres and promote
local trade, and is the
brainchild of the Croydon
Economic Development
Company’s district centre
managers (DCMs).
It is hoped the
big, bright vinyl signs
– covering the whole
window – will encourage
shoppers to look around at
what the local shops and
businesses have to offer.
“We’re calling it ‘shop
dressing’,” said DCM
development manager
Sharon Baldwin.
“The displays will also
provide an opportunity
for us to promote our
enterprise services and
the business hotline.”
Eco policies boost company
Taking on sustainable working methods saved money and won awards.
Mindful of the recession,
but keen to be seen to be
doing its bit to conserve
the environment, local
refurbishment and
maintenance company
ITC Concepts was
concerned about the
costs this might incur.
Managing director
Ian Conway was aware
the company would need
some expert help, so it
contacted and began
working with Envibe, now
a part of the Croydon
Economic Development
Company, but at that time
the council’s environmental
business advice unit.
In these recessionary
times, sustainability
can save a business
money, and help the
planet in the process.
Ian says that the Purley
Way-based company always
strives to achieve best
practice in its day-to-day
activities, while looking to
minimise the impact it has
on the local community.
By taking part in the
“Envibe challenge”, ITC
Concepts committed
to environmental
improvement, and has
received both bronze and
silver Envibe awards since.
And, in addition
to winning the Green
Guardian Business Award
for Croydon in 2008,
with commended status
in the regional finals,
this year it won the Best
Large Business category
in the South London
Business Awards.
Ian said: “In 2005,
ITC Concepts made a
conscious decision to be
pro-active with regard
to its environmental
responsibilities.
“However, with little
experience in this area,
as a company we needed
some assistance.
“All of our initiatives
have been borne out of,
or come directly from,
our relationship with
Envibe, and the fantastic
support and guidance
they continually and
unstintingly gave.
“In monetary terms,
our environmental
drive has cost us very
little but has saved us
a great deal, and it has
also provided a valuable
marketing opportunity
for the company.”
The Government has
pledged to cut carbon
emissions by 80% by
2050 and, to keep this
promise, it needs the
help of all businesses.
For further information
about how Envibe could
help your business, email
[email protected]
Ian Conway
20 yourspace
November 2009 | Your Croydon
Which seminal Genesis album is being played in its entirety
at Fairfield this month? See page 22
Young athletes’ boost
Brother and sister basketball stars lend support at junior sporting awards ceremony.
Arek Deng
Team GB basketball player
Arek Deng helped celebrate
the achievements of the
borough’s young sporting
champions and 2012
hopes at a recent awards
ceremony.
Arek, from South
Norwood, addressed the
gathering, which also
heard a recorded message
for the athletes from
her basketball-playing
superstar brother Luol,
who is patron of the
London Youth Games.
The event was held
to acknowledge the hard
work, determination
and sportsmanship of
the young athletes who
represented the borough
in this year’s London Youth
Games and mini marathon.
It also recognised the
contribution made by
team managers, coaches,
volunteers, teachers and
parents who helped the
squad to success.
Luol, who moved from
Croydon to the US to play
the sport professionally for
the Chicago Bulls team, is
said to be Barak Obama’s
favourite player.
The 6ft 9in forward
is also a member of the
GB basketball team, and
helping to raise the profile
of his sport in Britain.
But he has maintained
his links to Croydon, where
his family lives, and makes
regular trips back to the
borough where he enjoys
not being recognised as
much as he is the US.
Held at Whitgift School,
the event was organised
by the Croydon Council’s
sports development
team, also responsible
for coordinating and
managing all the borough’s
teams participating in the
games.
Deputy Mayor of
Croydon, Councillor
Russell Jackson, and
Councillor Steve Hollands,
cabinet member for culture
and sport, helped Arek
present the young athletes,
who claimed a credible
ninth place overall in the
London Youth Games and
13th place in the mini
marathon, with their
certificates and trophies.
Outstanding individual
and team displays resulted
in gold medals for
Croydon’s male disability
athletics team and the boys
Luol Deng: 6ft 9in in his socks, huge in the US
13-14 years mini marathon
team, silver medals for the
female disability team,
diving, tennis, and the
boys 11-12 years mini
marathon team and bronze
medals for angling and
male swimming teams.
Pavements are for people not cars
Pavement parking – it’s bad for the footpath, it’s bad for pedestrians and bad for your wallet.
The council has a
responsibility to keep the
roads and footpaths safe
to use.
A Londonwide ban
on pavement parking
is strictly enforced and
applies to all parking on
pavements, verges and
central reservations, 24
hours a day.
Pavement parking is
allowed only under certain
circumstances.
Such exceptions are
indicated by roadside signs
showing where pavement
parking is permitted, while
painted white boxes on the
ground show where and
how far onto the pavement
it is permitted to park.
It is illegal to park with
any part of your car outside
the white boxes, or where
there are no boxes or signs
indicating that footway
parking is allowed.
Illegally parked
vehicles cost the council
and council taxpayers
thousands of pounds a year
in damage to paving and
grass verges, and cause
serious problems for blind,
disabled and older people.
If you park a vehicle
with one or more of its
wheels on a pavement or
verge, and the area is not
exempt from the ban, you
risk receiving a penalty
charge notice.
The pavement parking
ban applies at all times,
including overnight,
weekends and public
holidays.
Blue badge holders
are not exempt from the
pavement parking ban.
The hazards of pavement parking
Pavements are constructed and provided for pedestrian use. Vehicles parked
on pavements are:
Why is pavement parking a problem?
get in touch
Let us know what you
think. Send an email
to yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
• a hazard to
pedestrians, causing
an obstruction which
may result in them
having to step off
the pavement onto
the highway, putting
themselves in danger;
• a hazard by restricting
the width of the
pavement making it
difficult for somebody
with a pushchair or
wheelchair to pass
safely – again, such
a person may have
to step into the
highway to avoid the
obstruction; and
• a hazard due to the
damage caused by
driving on and off the
pavement.
Have your e-say at [email protected]
12
yourheritage 21
inspirational big ideas for culture in Croydon
Wish you were here
Croydon launches new cultural strategy for all.
signed off by the
borough’s leaders.
They form actions
plans that will bring about
a sea-change in people’s
lives and in their
perceptions of the
borough.
Plans embrace
everything from arts and
heritage to sports and
open spaces and are
detailed in Wish you were
here: Croydon’s
partnership strategy for
culture and sport.
A new community project
includes a list of a dozen
suggestions that will
improve the culture and
sport opportunities for
everybody in the borough.
What’s the 12 big ideas?
Croydon’s cultural future
looks as bright as the
flowers that helped the
borough to its recent
Britain in Bloom win.
Based on the views of
local people, the 12 big
ideas were this month
The exhibition
showcases
works by wellknown artists
and runs until
May 2010.
This report highlights
Croydon’s rich history and
its diverse, talented and
creative population.
It acknowledges,
however, that there is still
some way to go before
culture and sport feature
as central themes in the
lives of the majority of
local people.
As the report puts it,
“we want Croydon to buzz
with life and offer great
experiences to everyone
– day and night.”
The 12 big ideas
• Stage 1,000 high-quality
cultural events every year
• Get more people involved
in community activity
• Animate Croydon’s public
spaces through art
• Promote healthy lifestyles
• Give young people opportunities
to build their ambition
• Improve access to theatre and
other night-time entertainment
• Encourage more people to take part
in sport in the lead-up to 2012
• Improve the facilities available
for cultural activities
• Invest in better parks
and open spaces
• Unlock the history of the
borough’s archives
• Find champions for our
local cultural offer
• Build on and develop the
creative skills of local people
It’s panto time again
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to Fairfield Halls we go – for the
launch of this year’s Christmas pantomime.
Stars from the production
of Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs were
unveiled at the theatre
complex.
They include Letitia
Dean – a former Strictly
Come Dancing competitor,
and landlady of the Queen
Vic pub in the BBC soap,
EastEnders – who plays
the wicked queen.
She said: “We’ve
worked together as a
group before, so it’s really
nice to be back with
everyone, it’s like coming
back home.”
The actress will have
her work cut out to stop
being upstaged by her
co-stars, Sooty, Sweep and
the presenter of their
ever-popular television
show, Richard Cadell.
Wicked fun: Letitia Dean rules Fairfield stage
He plays Muddles in
the pantomime, a friend to
Snow White who is played
by former B*witched
singer, Keavy Lynch.
Adam Daye is Dame
Donut and Stephen Dean
– Letitia’s brother – plays
Prince Danilo.
The show runs in the
Ashcroft Theatre from 4
December to 3 January.
For tickets, call the
Fairfield box office on 020
8688 9291 or log on to
www.fairfield.co.uk
Popular: exhibition appeal is wide ranging
Art for all
Riley, Moore and McLaren – just
some of the artists featured in a
new Museum of Croydon exhibition.
Scene Unseen is a new
exhibition that celebrates
the eclectic range of artists
who have lived in, worked
in or been inspired by
Croydon.
The exhibition
showcases works by
well-known artists and runs
until May 2010.
It is the first major
exhibition of the Croydon
Art Collection since 1988,
so a rare chance to see the
images.
Scene Unseen features
work by artists of today
and yesteryear, including
Bridget Riley, a painter who
was born in Norwood and
became one of the foremost
proponents of Op Art – or
art that uses optical
illusions to create visually
arresting images.
Henry Moore paintings
of reclining figures and
scenes that depict
Croydon’s pastoral past will
also be on display at the
Museum of Croydon’s free
exhibition.
A drawing of a tower
block by Malcolm McLaren,
the self-declared founder of
the punk movement, and
sometime artist, features in
the exhibition that will also
include pieces from today’s
arts scene.
Visitors will be
encouraged to produce
their own Croydon
landscape and during the
autumn a guest artist will
work with local groups to
produce a response to the
collection.
For more information
about the exhibition,
including details of guided
tours and other events, log
on to www.museum
ofcroydon.com
It is the first
major exhibition
of the Croydon
Art Collection
since 1988, so
a rare chance to
see the images.
22 yourevents
November 2009 | Your Croydon
Croydon Clocktower,
Katharine Street, Croydon
ticket office: 020 8253 1030
email: [email protected]
text: 07771 837121
Fairfield
Hi-5 Surprise Party!
Sun1 November 1pm &
3.30pm
Get ready to jump up, dance
and sing as TV sensations
Hi-5 perform their brand new
live stage show.
£14.50, children £12.50,
family £50. £1 off tickets for
groups of 10 or more.
Croydon Comedy Club
Fri 6 November 9pm.
Doors open 8pm
See some of the circuit’s
top comedians plus special
guests, fresh from the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
£9
Remembrance Day Service
Sun 8 November 10.45am
– noon
Free admission.
Andy Parsons
Mon 9 November 7.45pm
Andy Parsons’ delivery and
style are unique and his
jokes are clever, substantial,
beautifully crafted and very
funny.
£15
Lunchtime event: Croydon
Centre for Young Pianists
Tues 3 November 1.05pm
Hear exceptional young
artists performing a wide
range of piano music.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Rich Hall
Tues 3 November 7.45pm
Rich will be performing in his
usual style as the grouchy,
deadpan comic genius, and,
back by popular demand,
his alto ego, the redneck
jailbird character Otis Lee
Crenshaw.
£15
London Mozart Players
Wed 4 November 7.30pm
David Stern conducts
the LMP in a sparkling
programme that includes
Schubert’s Fifth Symphony,
Beethoven’s Pastoral
Symphony and Mozart’s
hauntingly beautiful Clarinet
Concerto.
£10 - £29.50
Dominic Kirwan
Thurs 5 November 8pm
One of Ireland’s most
dynamic and versatile
performers. Featuring Colm
Kirwan and Elaine Boyle.
£16.50
Lunchtime event: Croydon
Music Festival
Tues 10 November
1.05pm
Another great opportunity to
enjoy some of the talented
performers from this year’s
festival.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Musical Box performs
Genesis – A Trick of the Tail
Thurs 12 November 8pm
A Trick of the Tail is
performed in painstaking
detail, including original
slides, movie projections,
laser effects, special effects
and original song list, as
presented by Genesis in
1976.
£37, £41
All Star Wrestling
Sun 15 November 3pm
See the latest team of World
Federation Superstars battle
it out against a team of
British stars.
£10, £12, child £8, Family
£35
Alistair McGowan
Mon 16 November 7.45pm
His first solo stand-up tour in
10 years.
£15
Lunchtime event: Pastime
– Historical Dance
Tues 17 November
1.05pm
Music and dance from the
16th and 17th centuries in
authentic costume, including
a comic mummers’ play.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Status Quo
Tue 17 & Wed 18
November 7.30pm
Britain’s best-loved rockers
follow the enormous success
of last year’s Pictures:
40 Years of Hits album.
£33.50 (£3 Booking fee per
ticket)
The Searchers
Tues 17 November
7.45pm
A concert that includes all
their famous hits, such as
Sweets for my sweet and
Needles and pins.
£16, £17
Dave Spikey – Best
Medicine Tour ‘09
Thurs 19 November 7.30pm
Dave’s dad used to say to
him ‘laughter is the best
medicine’ so this is his small
contribution to improving the
health of the nation.
£18.50
Jane McDonald
Fri 20 November 8pm
A magical evening of music
and laughter, starring
Britain’s best-loved diva,
international recording
artiste and television star.
£27.50
Croydon Comedy Club
Fri 20 November 9pm.
Doors open 8pm
See some of the circuit’s
top comedians plus special
guests, fresh from the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
£9
Born to Shimmy
Sat 21 November 7.45pm
A sparkling night of
bellydance with the hipsinc
bellydance school.
£12.50
Naturally 7
Sun 22 November 7.30pm
£14.50, £18.50 Senior/child
£10
Lunchtime event: D’Arcy
Trinkwon
Tues 24 November 1.05pm
Renowned for his
evangelism of the organ as a
concert instrument.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
David Essex
Thurs 26 November
7.30pm
In concert plus support.
£22.50, £25
Jack Jones
Fri 27 November
8pm
Swinging renditions of
contemporary pop, rock
and classic standards, with
Jack’s wit, sensitivity and
vocal power.
£32.50 (£2.50 booking fee
per ticket)
Tales from the Golden
Age (12A)
Fri 20, Sat 21, Mon 23
to Thurs 26
Brendan Shine Show
Wed 18 November
7.45pm
One of Ireland’s best-loved
singers who has had a string
of hits including Catch me if
you can, My son and Rose of
Castlerea.
£14
The Nick Ross Orchestra –
Annual Glenn Miller Tribute
Concert
Thurs 19 November
7.45pm
Recapture the sounds of a
bygone era with the classic
big-band sound of the 1940s.
£17.50
Seussical the Musical! –
Croydon Stagers
Wed 25 – Sat 28
November 7.30pm,
Mats Thu & Fri 2pm &
Sat 3pm
£12 - £17. Wed 25 Nov all
tickets £12. Concessions £1
off all performances except
Wed 25. Family ticket £50
David Lean Cinema
Burma VJ (12A)
Wed 25, Thurs 26
Bright Star (PG)
Fri 27, Sat 28, Mon 30
to Thurs Dec 3
Taking Woodstock (15)
Fri 27, Sat 28, Mon 30
to Thurs Dec 3
Taking Woodstock
Katalin Varga (15)
Fri 30, Sat 31 Oct, Mon 2
to Thu 5 Nov
Dorian Grey (15)
Fri 6, Sat 7, Mon 9
to Thurs 12
Julie & Julia (12A*)
Fri 30, Sat 31 Oct, Mon 2
to Thu 5 Nov
Big River Man (15)
Wed 11, Thurs 12
Double bill:
Nosferatu (PG) and Shadow
of the Vampire (15)
Sat 31 Oct
The Vanishing of the Bees
(PG tbc)
Weds 4, Thu 5 Nov
D’arcy Trinkwon
BBC Concert Orchestra –
Friday Night is Music Night
Sat 21 November 7.30pm
Be a member of the live
audience at a recording of
the show.
£10 - £29.50
The Imaginarium of
Dr Parnassus (12A)
Fri 6, Sat 7, Mon 9
to Thurs 12
Little Foxes (PG)
Wed Dec 2, Thurs 3
Morris: A Life with Bells
On (12A)
Fri 13, Sat 14, Mon 16
to Thurs 19
Army of Crime (15)
Fri 13, Sat 14, Mon 16
to Thurs 19
Julie and Julia (12A)
Wed 18, Thurs 19
An Education (12A)
Fri 20, Sat 21, Mon 23 to
Thurs 26
Julie and Julia
yourdiary 23
yourevents
Details of all Croydon
Council meetings can be
found on the council website
at www.croydon.gov.uk/
meetingsofthecouncil
Fairfield, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG
Box Office 020 8688 9291
Book online at www.fairfield.co.uk
where you can choose your own seats.
A booking fee of £2.25 per ticket may apply
Clocktower
Dates for your diary
Council
When the Shops Shut
4 November 7.30pm
Evocative, charming and
funny, When the Shops
Shut, brings to life – in a
vivid blend of dance, theatre,
film, poetry and music – the
characters found in rural
villages.
£7.50/£6 concessions
Created by cscape dance
company.
Switch
5 November 7.30pm
Zippy’s life suddenly
An exciting blend of
sophisticated dance, music
and visual imagery by ACE
with Douglas Thorpe (ex
Phoenix Dance Company)
and Andile Sotiya.
£7.50/£6 concessions
Created by ACE Dance and
Music
Hip-Hop Shakespeare:
Lyric-writing and
performance workshop
6 November 6.30pm
Join us for an energetic
workshop which explores
the parallels between two of
the world’s most famous art
forms.
Ages: 14-plus
£5
A living legend… or is he?
Sherlock Holmes… the
death and life
12 November 7.30pm
Author Conan Doyle is tired
of his super-sleuth Sherlock
Holmes and invents the
malevolent Moriarty to
dispose of him. In this wryly
humorous tale of murder,
mystery and the occult, the
world’s greatest detective
refuses to leave the stage.
£7.50/£6 concessions
Created and performed
by Roger Llewellyn in
association with Guildford’s
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
London Jazz Festival
13 November 7.30pm
Artists from the Croydon Jazz
and Blues Festival play some
of the great jazz tracks.
£10/£8 concessions
Created by the Croydon
Jazz and Blues Festival with
Serious in association with
BBC Radio 3
Deadlines for public questions for forthcoming full council meetings (all start at 6.30pm).
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Meeting: Monday, 7 December
Meeting: Monday, 25 January
Meeting: Monday, 22 March
Deadline: Monday, 23 November
Deadline: Monday, 11 January
Deadline: Monday, 8 March
To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council
meeting, email it to [email protected]; fax it to 020 8760 5657; print and
complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/councilquestion and post it to Questions for the
council, Democratic and legal services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS; or call
020 8726 6000 extn 63876.
Scrutiny
Deadlines for the forthcoming scrutiny and overview committee public question sessions
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Meeting: 3 November Community services
Deadline: 26 October
Cabinet member: Cllr Gavin Barwell (community safety and cohesion)
The Brute Chorus
The Three Musketeers
14 November 2.30pm
Radio 4’s intrepid female
double act Faultless and
Torrance play everyone in
Dumas’ classic. A fastpaced escapade of high
drama, swordfights, absurd
physical comedy and
ridiculous plot twists for all
the family.
£6/£5 Concessions
The 14th Tale
25 November 7.30pm
The hilarious exploits of a
natural mischief growing
from the clay streets
of Nigeria to roof tops
in Dublin, and finally to
London.
£7.50/£6 concessions
A BAC Scratch Commission
with Apples & Snakes,
presented by Fuel
Fever - five dances based
on one song
19 November 8pm
Dance ensemble MIKS
create five different
responses to the song Fever
with an inventive company of
seven international dancers
and choreographers. Which
will be your favourite?
£7.50/£6 concessions
Moonfleet
26 November 7.30pm
Weaves together Meade
Falkner’s classic novel, local
stories, sea shanties, live
music and puppetry to tell
a thrilling tale of smuggling,
dastardly deeds and wicked
escapades.
£7.50/£6 concessions
Created by Angel Exit
Theatre and The Dorchester
Arts Centre
The Specialists
20 November 8pm
Join pluck in their hilarious
new show of classical
buffoonery – a string trio
meets Marx Brothers!
£7.50/£6 concessions
Created by pluck
Little Hippo & His Magic
Pen
21 November
11am/1pm/2.30pm
This interactive version of
the popular tale, told in
English and French, includes
the chance to have a go with
Little Hippo’s magic pen.
Ages: two-plus
Created by Tam
Tam Theatre
The Brute Chorus
27 November 8pm
The Brute Chorus’ influences
stem from rockabilly, folk
fusions, blues and indie. Say
you saw them here first (and
mean it!).
£10/£8
Meeting: 10 November Health and adult social care
Deadline: 2 November
Cabinet member: Cllr Lindsay Frost (health and adult social care)
Meeting: 16 November Health and adult social care/children, learning and leisure
No public questions
Meeting: 17 November Children, learning and leisure
Cabinet member: Steve Hollands (culture and sport)
To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) to the cabinet member detailed above,
email it to [email protected] ; fax it to 020 8760 5657; post it to
Scrutiny public questions, Democratic and legal services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon
CR9 3JS; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 62529 or 62315.
Neighbourhood partnership
Neighbourhood partnership meetings (start at 7.30pm)
Meeting: 11 November
Group: Coulsdon East and Coulsdon West
Venue: Old Coulsdon Congregational Church, Coulsdon Road, Old Coulsdon CR5 1EH
Meeting: 18 November
Group: Thornton Heath, Bensham Manor and West Thornton
Venue: St Andrew’s Church Hall, Brook Road, Thornton Heath CR7 7RD
Meeting: November
Group: Fairfield, Heathfield and Shirley
Venue: Shirley High School, Shirley Church Road, Shirley CR0 5AF
For information on Neighbourhood Partnerships, visit the website at www.croydononline.org/
neighbourhood_partnerships/, email [email protected],
write to Neighbourhood Partnerships, Democratic and legal services, Taberner House, Park
Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or call 020 8726 6000 extn 62564 or 62811.
Croydon Community Police Consultative Group
Meetings of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group are held in the Council Chamber
of the Town Hall. All are open to the public and begin at 6.30pm. For further information, go to
www.croydononline.org/ccpcg
Forthcoming meeting dates are: Wednesday, 11 November.
Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website at www.croydon.
gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil
Contact us
Little Hippo
Deadline: 9 November
General enquiries (customer contact centre)
T: 020 8726 6000. Opening hours 8am-7pm (Monday), 8am-6pm (Tuesday-Friday).
Minicom: 020 8760 5797
E: [email protected]
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