Your Croydon - January 2010

Hitting the right notes
- kids getting musical
thanks to new scheme
Coleridge Taylor scholar –
travels from the US to read
about his Croydon hero.
Master chef from
Croydon - shares the
recipe of his success.
Page 15
Page 21
Pages 8 and 9
yourcroydon
Issue 37 - January 2010
Your primary source of community information
www.croydon.gov.uk
£4.6m transport boost
A new year boost for regeneration in the borough has
come with welcome news that Croydon Council will have
£4.6 million to spend on local transport improvements
next year.
Nearly half this sum will
be devoted to a huge
environmental facelift for
one of the most traffic
dominated town centres
– Purley. The eagerly
awaited investment of more
than £2.25 million will be
focused on improvements
that local residents
called for during public
brainstorming sessions
at a packed community
planning weekend.
Emphasis will therefore
go on improving the
townscape and creating
a cleaner, healthier and
safer public realm – with
pedestrian needs a top
priority.
Expected highlights
could include a public
space at the junction of
High Street and Brighton
Road, together with
much more tree planting.
Environmental upgrading
will signal that High
Street is the real heart
of Purley. Street clutter
will be removed and
the opportunity will be
taken to link potential
redevelopment schemes at
Sainsburys and the Purley
Hospital site.
Details of possible
schemes will now be
worked up by council
officers with a view to a
further round of public
involvement during
consultation in early spring.
Other parts of the
borough are being lined
up for similar intensive
treatment in future.
The Mayor of London
has also confirmed that
Croydon will be able to
spend nearly £830,000 on
essential road maintenance
around the borough,
£150,000 on measures
to promote cycling and
walking, and £25,000 for
road safety measures.
Council cabinet
member for regeneration
and economic
development, and GLA
member, Steve O’Connell
welcomed the reduction
in funding red tape that
has made it easier for
the council to develop
local schemes in line with
local priorities. “Overall
this is great news for
Croydon and especially
for the town of Purley
where traffic is a perpetual
problem. We’ve a good
idea what local people
want. Now the money’s
been confirmed we can
draw up detailed schemes
ready for another stage of
public consultation. The
bottom line is making sure
Purley benefits in the way
that matters most to people
who live in the area.”
Excellence in care
The care services provided
for adults in Croydon were
judged to be “performing
excellently” in the latest
annual inspection report.
The Care Quality
Commission gave Croydon
Council’s adult social
services its highest possible
rating.
The independent
regulator of health and
social care in England
looked at seven areas,
rating five as performing
excellently and two as
performing well.
It is the council’s best
ever assessment for adult
social services and an
improvement on last year
when the Commission gave
an overall excellent rating
based on four excellent
and three good ratings.
That means that
Croydon Council was
placed among the top 11
Crime fighting boost…
Page 12
per cent of local authorities
in England.
Although the
assessments have been
welcomed, the council
will work hard to make
improvements where they
are needed.
Services highlighted
in the report included
the POP bus, a vehicle
that tours the borough
delivering services to
older people.
Two Croydon musicians
on the rise in 2010
Two rising Croydon
music stars have been
named in the BBC’s
‘Sound of 2010’ top 15.
Norbury’s Roxanne
Tataei, a soul singer,
performs under
the name Rox.
She has appeared
on Later with Jools
Holland and played a
string of sold-out gigs.
Pete O’Grady –
known as Joy Orbison
Arena cash… Page 5
– is a dance producer
who still holds down
a mail room job.
The BBC poll takes
recommendations
from 165 of the UK’s
top music industry
insiders to identify the
best unknown music
about to breakthrough.
Previous winners
include Mika, Corinne
Bailey Rae, La Roux,
Bloc Party, Kaiser
Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand
and Razorlight.
The top five will
be revealed from 4
January, with one act
named each day until
the winner is unveiled.
Each act from the
top five is featured on
the BBC News website
entertainment section.
BBC 6 Music will also
feature the top five on
Lauren Laverne’s show.
Croydon’s Oyster revolution…
Page 2
2x yournews
January
May 2009
2010 | Your Croydon
Croydon’s commuters
join Oyster revolution
Croydon’s commuters are set to benefit from cheaper fares when Oyster
is extended to the borough’s rail stations in the New Year.
From January passengers
will be able to touch in and
out with Oyster
pay-as-you-go at all
Network Rail stations in
Zones 1-6, as well as on the
Tube and buses.
The move comes after
agreement was reached
between Transport for
London (TfL) and the train
operating companies, and
a £40m investment to
install or upgrade Oyster
equipment at hundreds
of rail stations across the
capital.
While Oyster
travelcards have always
been valid on the rail
network, being able to use
pay-as-you-go will make
some individual journeys
cheaper as passengers won’t
have to buy separate tickets
for over ground routes.
The cost of travelling
from East Croydon to
London Bridge will drop
from £4.40 to £3.90 (peak)
or £2.60 (off peak). A trip
to Oxford Street is cut from
Touchy: Croydon commuters can now use their Oyster cards at local stations
£6.00 to £5.00 (peak) or
£3.70 (off peak).
Rail operators are
also expected to benefit
from an increase in
passenger numbers as
they take advantage of the
convenience of pay as
you go.
Oysters allow
passengers to add credit
and pay for journeys as
and when needed – daily
capping automatically
ensures that they will not
pay more than the cost of
an equivalent Travelcard in
a single day.
Mayor of London
Boris Johnson said: “It
has ended the crackers
situation of the Londoners
not being able to use
Oyster on every commuter
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Hendy, added: “London
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ease and convenience
for passengers. This is
excellent news, particularly
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Student Natalie takes off
in college competition
Teenager given behind the scenes look at one of Britain’s biggest companies - and tells its
boss what changes she would make to improve its performance.
Croydon College student
Natalie Waterhouse was
flying high when she won a
competition to tell the boss
of Britain’s leading airport
company how she would
run his business.
Natalie impressed
judges when she created a
video of what she would
do if she was ‘running
the show’ of top UK
company BAA. She said
all passengers should be
given the same standard
of service when flying no
matter how much they paid
for a ticket.
The prize was to
spend the day with Colin
Matthews, CEO of BAA at
the head office at Heathrow
airport.
Natalie’s behind-thescenes experience saw her
sitting in on meetings about
service improvements with
the top 100 managers at
the airport, and being one
of the last people to go
through Terminal 2 before
it closed to make way for a
brand new terminal.
Natalie, who studies
English literature, media
and psychology, said: “I was
FREEDOM PASS: The
council is to lobby for more
money to help pay for the
cost of the Freedom Pass,
travel card for the over 60s.
For the period 2010 to 2011
it is set to cost taxpayers
£9.28 million, part of which
comes from a reduction in
the amount of grant given to
London to cover the cost.
Council leader Mike Fisher
told a meeting: “We will
make every effort to try to
ensure that the distribution is
fair to London and Croydon
in particular.”
MELA: Croydon could
campaign to be the host
of the London Mela, which
is currently held in west
London. The annual event
that celebrates Asian culture
attracts thousands of people
and is regarded as one of the
best in the world. But after
a meeting heard Croydon’s
Mela had outshone the main
one this year, councillors
agreed they would consider
lobbying to host the main
event.
Plane sailing: Croydon College student Natalie Waterhouse gives BAA the benefit of her advice
surprised by it all; it was
very different being on the
other side rather than being
a customer. I learnt a lot,
Colin Matthews showed
me how you need to be
prepared to deal with any
situation and how a small
factor can have a huge
influence on the way your
business is run.”
Mr Matthews said:
“I was delighted to offer
a glimpse of what goes
into running Heathrow to
Natalie. It was great to hear
ideas from her as she got
to grips with the issues we
New healthy hub
People can now walk
in off the street to get
access to health-related
services for the first time
in the borough.
The new Healthy
Living Hub opens its
doors on 21 December at
Croydon Central Library.
Its location at London’s
busiest library means
there are about one
million people passing
through every year.
The opening date was
planned to coincide with
the start of the new year,
the traditional season for
making personal pledges
to improve fitness and
health. Staff at the hub
can give advice on a range
of topics, including how
News in brief
to give up smoking. That
is a big part of what the
hub team will be doing for
visitors to the new facility.
But it is not just help
with quitting smoking that
is on offer.
Visitors can also access
advice and support about
exercise, fitness and
nutrition.
The Hub will
be offering one-toone holistic lifestyle
consultations for local
people who want a
health-improvement plan
covering all aspects of
their lives.
An important part
of their work will be
directing people to other
agencies so that problems
can be sorted.
These agencies will
also spend time at the
site promoting events like
National No Smoking Day,
World Aids Day or the
London Marathon.
The Hub project
is a new joint venture
between Croydon Council,
the Healthy Croydon
Partnership and the NHS
Croydon.
The Hub will be open
six days a week and will
be staffed by our trained
Stop Smoking Team
and the council’s Active
Lifestyles Team.
A high-profile launch
giving people more detail
is due to take place early
in the new year.
face everyday in improving
Heathrow to make every
journey better for our
passengers.”
The national
competition was part
of Colleges Week – a
celebration of the
opportunities that colleges
create for students and
businesses across the UK.
Prizes included
spending the day with
Stuart Rose, CEO of
Marks and Spencer or
behind the scenes with
the Shared Experience
Theatre Company.
Parks poll ends and now
the wait for work begins
Thousands of people have
voted to win their favourite
park a share of £1.5million.
The results of the Parks
to Be Proud Of poll will
decide which receive a
makeover.
Daniella Dorfer of
Thornton Heath - who
has been out and about
canvassing support for
her own local park - said:
“It’s great to hear that this
has been so popular and
it just shows how much
communities care.”
Lloyd Park in Fairfield
is heading the votes only
days before the final count,
but there is still time for the
results to change.
During early 2010
people can help decide
exactly how the money will
be spent.
In January ideas
for makeovers can be
submitted to the teams
doing the work.
This will largely be
done through the council
website but there will also
be a small team of people
out in schools and shopping
centres canvassing.
Experts will then decide
what is practical and what
can be done and between
February and March people
can allocate funding to the
things they feel will most
benefit their favourite open
spaces.
To see the results log on
to www.croydon.gov.uk/
yourparks
COOMBE WOOD: Terence
Meredith a parks gardener
has been given a special
award by the mayor of
Croydon for his work to
make Coombe Wood one
of the best parks in London.
Mr Meredith’s efforts helped
Croydon win the large city
category in 2009’s Britain in
Bloom awards.
GRIT: Four new gritting
lorries fitted with four-wheel
drive and satellite navigation
systems have hit the road.
The new vehicles will help to
better cope with the sort of
heavy snowfall that brought
the south of England to a
standstill in February last
year.
SOOTY: A councillor has
defended the popular
television puppet Sooty.
Councillor Steve Hollands,
the council’s cabinet
member for culture and
sports, stepped into defend
the little bear after his
appearance at this year’s
Fairfield Halls pantomime
was criticised. A member
of the public claimed Sooty
did not have the ‘X-factor’
but Cllr Hollands said: “I
welcome the return of this
iconic little bear and his
friends to our town. Sooty
has featured in children’s
lives for decades.”
4 yournews
January 2010 | Your Croydon
Arena back
on track
Cash taken from criminals is helping to restore
Croydon Arena and upgrade it running track for the
borough’s athletes, including a clutch of 2012 hopefuls.
Thousands of pounds
seized by police has been
given to the people that
manage the sports facility
– a breeding ground for
Olympic hopefuls - after
it was repeatedly targeted
by vandals, arsonists and
heartless thieves.
The money will be
used to bring the arena,
the only amateur sports
arena in the Croydon
borough, back to its
former glory.
It was blighted by
being constantly targeted
by teenagers who broke
in and wrecked its
equipment and sports
facilities.
They sprayed
graffiti on walls, broke
expensive athletic
equipment and burnt
landing areas for pole-
vaulters and high jumpers.
Staff at the arena in
Albert Road, Woodside,
which is used by Croydon
Harriers, said they were
delighted with the cash
award and the work police
had done to help get the
cash award.
Mike Fleet, a senior
coach for Croydon
Harriers, an athletics
clubs that has produced
many track and field stars,
said: “We are very pleased
because we’ve had lots of
damage over the years.
This money will help us
to make the arena more
secure and to upgrade
the track to take it from a
grade two to a grade one.”
The money was seized
from people convicted of
criminal offences in court
and given to the arena
through the Community
Cashback scheme.
The arena is set to get
about £20,000 to help
with the restoration work,
most of which is repairs to
damage caused by vandals
and replace equipment
stolen by thieves.
Andrew Morley, chief
executive of the London
Criminal Justice Board,
which decides where
money taken from those
convicted in the courts
should be spent, said:
“The public response to
Community Cashback in
London has been huge
and we thank everyone
that took the time to
either nominate projects
or have their say on which
project they feel would
benefit from the funding
in their local area.”
Holiday support for
victims of crime
Victims of crime can
still get help during the
Christmas and new year
holiday period - thanks to
the volunteers who carry
on working during what
can be a busy time for
support workers.
Trained staff and
volunteers give emotional
support, practical help and
information to anyone
affected by crime.
Victim Support in
Croydon will be open
during the times listed
below over the holiday
period.
Anna Twomlow, the
charity’s local manager,
said: “Everyone should
enjoy Christmas and the
new year but, sadly, it’s not
always a season of
goodwill.
“Anyone who’s a victim
or witness of crime should
not suffer in silence and
that’s where Victim Support
comes in.
“We know from
experience that talking can
help and we’re at the end
of a phone.
“We help people cope
with what’s happened and
help them get their lives
back on track.”
Victim Support Croydon
is at 250 Brighton Road,
South Croydon CR2 6AH.
The confidential Victim
Supportline can offer help
and information, call
0845 30 30 900 at local
rate.
Details of the
Supportline opening hours
are available at www.
victimsupport.org.uk
Date
Time
24 December
9am to 5pm
25 to 28 December
closed
29 to 31 December
1 to 3 January
9am to 5pm
closed
Popping out to help
During January, Croydon
Council’s Pop Service –
taking information and
advice for older people to
the borough’s communities
– will be visiting a number
of venues, including
those listed below. Staff
will be on hand to offer
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 info@
croydonpop.org.uk
yournews 5
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
Croydon’s public sector
in recession jobs fight
More help to get people into jobs and training during downturn.
the scheme, which among
other things, aims to ensure
local unemployed people
are at the forefront of
managers’ minds.
It also seeks to
increase the number of
apprenticeships offered
to give young people and
increase training.
This will increase the
local skills base and ensure
staff are able to develop
their careers.
Apprenticeships will
be available at each
organisation, primarily
aimed at 16 to 24-yearolds. They will be
funded primarily through
Government, with a
contribution from the
recruiting organisation –
also reducing the cost to
taxpayers.
Local unemployed
people, particularly those
who may think there are
barriers preventing them
from working in the public
sector, will benefit.
The current economic
climate has seen a sharp
rise in the skills base of
those registered with local
Jobcentre Plus offices.
The scheme has already
seen 50 local people
being recruited into posts
within Jobcentre Plus and
additional training for staff
at each organisation.
UKYP in the Commons
Members of the UK Youth
Parliament took over the
House of Commons to tell
those in charge a thing or
two – and Croydon’s young
politicians were there.
They pressed for
changes to policies for
young people and for
more action on youth
unemployment.
Montel Peck, 14, a
Member of the Youth
Parliament (MYP) for
Croydon, said: “The House
of Commons was one of the
best places I’ve ever been,
meeting the Speaker was
great.”
“We had official photos
taken in St Stephen’s Hall
and debated not just for
ourselves but to give young
people a voice. I wanted to
speak about Croydon and
talked to the Speaker.”
Joanna Tomlin, a
student at Norbury Manor
Business and Enterprise
College and another MYP
for Croydon, said: “I felt as
though youth were finally
Your letters
Happy snapper
over
It’s been great seeing my picture all
result
the pages of the local papers as a
tion.
of winning the recent photo competi
e
It’s really spurred me on to do mor
to start
able
n
bee
even
I’ve
and
y,
photograph
ery
gall
getting my work on display at a new
–
et
Stre
that has opened in Croydon High
got some
n’s
ydo
Cro
29.
ber
num
at
upstairs
ing for last
great artists, and if anyone is look
ld do a
minute Christmas presents you cou
e for some
lot worse than having a look ther
and prints.
affordable and original paintings
group is
The Croydon Flickr photography
ges all the
also producing tonnes of great ima
el the
time, and anyone who wants to disp
only
myth of the borough being a bit grey
has to take a look there!
r 1)”
Will Armstrong (AKA The Night Ride
being heard and recognised
as being the future. I had
the privilege of speaking
during the debate on young
people and employment.
“I represented Croydon
by speaking of local
unemployment issues
for youngsters. It was an
inspiring experience and
I intend to pass all my
motivation on to youth of
Croydon and give them a
say in changing society by
working on a representative
youth council for Croydon.”
get in touch
How has the recession
affected you?
Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
N
T
FAC
Croydon was
the site of London’s
first ever airport. Several
early world record flights set
off or flew into to Croydon
Airport, including Amy Johnson’s
solo flight to Australia,
and Charles Lindenberg’s
first ever solo transAtlantic voyage.
CROY
DO
Public sector agencies in
Croydon have announced
a new scheme aimed at
getting more local people
into public sector jobs and
improving training for
current staff.
The initiative is being
run initially by Croydon
Council, Croydon College,
the police, JobCentre Plus,
Mayday Hospital and the
UK Border Agency.
Each has committed to
Joanna and Montel outside the House of Commons
Grit expectation
s
Having recently re
ad the November
edition
of Your Croydon,
I noted the article
on road
gritting (Ready fo
r action, Issue 35).
Whilst I’m sure of
the excellent job
done
generally by your
gritting service du
ring the
winter, where I liv
e is rarely, if ever,
gr
itted.
As a disabled pers
on and a wheelcha
ir
user I
was trapped indo
ors for approximat
ely
a week.
Despite many calls
to the council and
pr
omises
made, nothing w
as done. I was ev
en
tu
al
ly
given a telephone
number for the gr
itt
in
g
depot, I was told.
Again despite num
erous calls
to this alternative
number and man
y
more
promises, still no
result.
It was frustrating
to me to know th
at the lower
part of Bedwardine
Road and Gatesto
ne Road
had been sufficie
ntly gritted to allo
w
no
rmal
passage of road tra
ffic.
M Norman, Bedwar
dine Road
Editor’s note
Last February ’s sn
ow was exceptiona
l. Sadly,
the council cannot
grit every road in
the
borough but will
always try to cove
r as many
routes as possible.
Military thanks
Thank you very m
uch for your
support, kind word
s and the
groundwork the co
uncil did to
make the 2 Rifles
homecoming
parade such a mem
orable event
for all who took pa
rt and all who
watched.
Thank you for ha
ving us, thank
you Croydon for em
bracing us and,
in particular, our
injured and lost
fellow Rifleman.
Thank you for offe
ring to
confer the Freedo
m of Croydon on
us (which we will
be delighted to
accept when the fo
rmal approach
is made in due co
urse).
Thank you also fo
r giving such
a very good civic
reception to our
soldiers.
Jan-Dirk von Mer
veldt, Lt Col
(Retd), The Rifles
We want to know your views, email us at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk or write to the address on page 2
News in brief
CELEBRATE: One
hundred and sixty five
adults with learning
disabilities who have
attended CALAT
(Croydon Adult Learning
and Training) courses
celebrated their success.
The scholars, who
attended Adult Learners
with Difficulties and
Disabilities (ALDD)
courses in 2008/09, were
presented with certificates
by the Mayor of Croydon,
Councillor Margaret Mead,
at an awards ceremony.
TRAINS: Croydon
Council leader Mike
Fisher is spearheading the
Londonwide criticism of
plans by the Association of
Train Operating Companies
(ATOC) to increase the cost
of transporting freedom
pass holders by 25 per
cent. During negotiations
over the cost of the pass,
ATOC has demanded
that London boroughs
pay more next year for
the train part of the pass.
This would mean the
boroughs paying the train
operating companies at
least a further £3 million in
2010/11.
In his capacity as chair
of London Councils’
transport and environment
committee, Cllr Fisher said:
“It is totally unacceptable
that the train companies
want to charge the
boroughs so much more
than last year to provide the
same level of service.
LAND ARMY: More than
60 former members of
the Women’s Land Army
and women’s Timber
Corps (WLA & TC) were
entertained by the Mayor
of Croydon, Councillor
Margaret Mead, in the
Town Hall.
The WLA and the TC – or
Lumber Jills at they were
affectionately called –
have been credited with
becoming an integral part
of Britain’s war effort. They
replaced men in farming
and forestry jobs, keeping
agriculture going.
The luncheon for the
local ladies was part of a
national effort to recognise
the valuable contribution
that the organisation made
during the Second World
War. All have also been
awarded a badge and
certificate.
6 yourmemories
January 2010 | Your Croydon
1,000,000
Review of 2009
number of people that visited
the central library in 2009
The end of every year is a time to look forward to the future…but also to reflect on what has happened over the past
12 months and been featured in Your Croydon. 2009 saw massive snowfalls, one of Britain’s biggest bands shooting a
video in Waddon and soldiers marching through the streets.
January
February
March
April
May
June
The month and 2009
began with news of
the untimely passing
of Croydon’s Mayor,
Councillor Jonathan
Driver. The 41-year-old
teacher, the borough’s
youngest ever mayor, was
found dead at home.
Your Croydon also
reported how the borough
was trying to get a park a
share of £4m from the
Mayor of London.
‘Safe for all’ – a joint
council and police drive to
reduce youth crime on the
borough’s streets – saw
teenage crime figures
tumble and a new visitor
centre at East Croydon.
This replaces the old
tourist information service
in the library, which will
soon be re-opening as a
healthy living centre.
The February edition
featured a design
competition to create a
new concept for Wellesley
Road – and a team of
Dutch architects are now
coming up with plans to
remodel this major route
through the heart of the
town.
Also in the news was
the opening of Fellows
Court and Coleby Day
Activity Service and the
critically-acclaimed Mary
Rose exhibition, which
included objects never
displayed to the public
before, opened at Whitgift
School.
The exhibition made
national headlines for the
way it gave an insight into
life on board king Henry
VIII’s war ship.
Heavy snow almost
brought Croydon and
most of the country to a
grinding halt. Gritting
teams worked round the
clock to keep roads clear
but faced a massive task.
The lowest council tax
rise in seven years was
announced – despite
Croydon being given
the lowest increase in
Government grant in the
country.
Benefit cheats David
and Susan Park from
Norbury pleaded guilty to
swindling more than
£100,000 they were not
entitled to after a tip-off
led to an investigation.
The council launched
its biggest ever
community consultation
exercise – Imagine
Croydon – to find out how
people want the borough
to change and reinvent
itself for the future.
In the Mayor of London’s
parks grant competition
Wandle Park got the
second highest number
of votes in the capital winning £400,000 for
improvements.
Another winner was
local singer-songwriter
De’borah, who won the
annual Testing 1-2-3
search for Croydon’s rising
musical stars.
The central library
also came out on top –
when it was named as the
most visited library in the
whole of London, with
more than 1,000,000
people a year passing
through its doors. Work
started in Coulsdon to
improve the town centre,
and the council
announced a refit of the
old library in Thornton
Heath.
Plans to replace Haling
Manor and the Ashburton
schools with two new
academies are announced.
The work is part of a
multi-million programme
to overhaul education in
the borough.
We featured Prince
Andrew’s visit of the
Mary Rose exhibition at
the Whitgift School and
the charity fundraising
efforts of disabled
serviceman Phil Packer,
whose grandmother lives
in Purley. Despite having
been left paralysed
in Iraq he went on to
complete the London
Marathon – in a gruelling
two weeks. He has also
just received the Pride
of Britain Award having
raised a staggering
£1.2m for this and other
remarkable sporting
achievements.
The council’s new
CCTV van hit the roads
and the ‘MyAccount’
service was launched to
let people manage their
council tax or business
rates online.
Phil Preston was jailed
for four months for an
unprovoked and cowardly
attack on retired Barry
Cox, a local lollipop man.
Mr Cox, 66, a former
paratrooper, returned
to work after recovering
from his injuries
John Powis was
awarded recognition for
having spent 40 years
working in Croydon’s
Surrey Street Market.
Hamish McFee, a
popular west highland
terrier who visits hospital
patients to help them with
their therapy, was also
featured in Your Croydon.
Croydon Primary Care
Trust renamed itself as
NHS Croydon, a new cafe
opened in Coombe Wood
and Waitrose opened a
new store in George
Street.
Take That were in
Waddon to film their
video for ‘Up All Night’.
your memories 7
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk 55,000
people visited Croydon’s
Summer Festival last year
July
August
September
October
November
December
Adrian Roberts, born and
raised in the borough,
was given the role of
borough commander for
Croydon’s police service.
Yudaya Nassolo, 41,
was sentenced to three
years, while Rachael
Thorn, 35, got 21 months,
for a £135k benefit fraud.
The sisters face
deportation when they
are released.
The doors opened to
the first new council
houses to be built in
Croydon for 20 years, and
a huge programme of
summer activities for
teenagers and younger
children was published.
The government’s Place
Survey – a public opinion
poll that found that most
people enjoy living in
Croydon and think that
people get along well
together – was revealed.
It also found that
people want cleaner
streets and more
information about public
services. Haling Grove
Park received a coveted
green flag award, and the
council announced the
‘Parks to be Proud of’
campaign – which
promises to invest more
than £1.5m in
improvements to the
borough’s favourite green
spaces. The summer
festival was a roaring
success – despite the rain
– with 55,000 visiting
over the weekend.
Good news for schools as
it was announced SATS
scores were up across
the board. Croydon’s
two per cent increase in
the number of primary
pupils achieving the
required standards
in English and Maths
was in contrast to the
national picture which
saw a one per cent fall.
Soul singer Mica Paris
told Your Croydon of her
hopes that young people
could find a positive
future.
The percentage of
Croydon students gaining
five good A* to C GCSEs
rose from 64 per cent to
74 per cent - far
outreaching the national
average increase of 1.4
per cent and making
2009 the most successful
year for the borough’s
schools.
More than 100 soldiers
from the 2 Rifles
Battalion marched
through Croydon
town centre during a
homecoming march that
attracted thousands of
well-wishers.
Upper Norwood was
given a splash of colour
when local artist Roy
Patterson began to
transform a series of
empty shopfronts.
Croydon also
celebrated winning the
‘Britain in Bloom’ awards
– beating Edinburgh into
second place for ‘best
large city’.
An A to Z of online
council services was
revealed…although we
ran short of any zoos for
the full 26 letters of the
alphabet.
Not in My Neighbourhood
Week – a campaign to
tackle antisocial behaviour
and littering was launched.
Voting opened for the
Parks to be Proud of and
the council’s hidden art
treasures were unveiled
in the Scene Unseen
exhibition at the
Clocktower in Katharine
Street.
The government
announced that
Croydon’s bid for £500
million to rebuild its
secondary schools had
been accepted. The
borough’s joint bid with
Kingston was accepted
on to the latest round
of the national Building
Schools for the Future
programme.
More than 60 former
members of the Women’s
Land Army and women’s
Timber Corps (WLA &
TC) were entertained by
the Mayor of Croydon,
Councillor Margaret
Mead, in the Town Hall.
8 specialfeature January 2010 | Your Croydon
34
Surrey Street was Malcolm John’s first taste of
Croydon’s growing restaurant community.
Chef’s tasty
It all
adds up to a
bourguignon
of achievement
that has been
simmering away
in the ultraperfectionist
chef’s mind
since he was a
teenager.
A career that began with peeling potatoes in The Savoy’s kitchens has led Malcolm John to
his current position as the respected chef-proprietor of three restaurants, two of them in
Croydon. He described his culinary journey to Danny Brierley.
It is rare for a restaurant
critic from even one
national newspaper to
visit an eatery in Croydon.
To get a handful to
endure the “ordeal” of a
20-minute train journey
from central London,
and then to win a flurry
of favourable reviews is
unheard of.
But Malcolm John,
the man behind a growing
list of critically acclaimed
restaurants that
includes two in Croydon,
managed it.
He admits it was much
to the bewilderment of the
friends and associates who
told him he was a sandwich
short of a picnic, when he
opened a new venture in
Croydon, where he has
lived for the past 18 years.
The place in question
was Le Cassoulet, in
Selsdon Road, South
Croydon, an awardwinning restaurant that is
about 350 yards from his
latest venture, Fish & Grill,
which is in the middle of an
increasingly respected food
scene in South End.
It opened last December
and is garnering similarly
favourable reviews to Le
Cassoulet.
Malcolm’s recipe for
success is a bouquet garni
of ambition, determination
and drive that led him as
a teenager to The Savoy,
where he began work as a
lowly vegetable chef.
Eventually he climbed
the kitchen ladder to
become head of team of
roast chefs whose duties
included plucking, trussing,
cooking and garnishing
game birds to order.
From there he travelled
to Italy, spending two years
cooking in restaurants
in Positano and Florence
before returning to
Chiswick in west London,
where he ran an Italian
restaurant.
Next came three and
a half years at 34 Surrey
Street, a seafood restaurant
in the heart of Croydon’s
famous street market,
which he remembers as
being “very busy”.
When that ended, he
went back into London,
into the heart of its
premium restaurant
business with spells at
Café Royal, Brasserie
San Quentin and Terence
Conran’s Bluebird Club in
Chelsea’s King’s Road.
Finally, Malcolm was
able to take the first major
step toward running his
own business with a share
in Niksons in Battersea.
The taste for success
he got there spurred
him to open Le Vacherin
in Chiswick, a French
restaurant named after a
type of cheese.
It is now famed for its
elegant menu, décor and
fine food, and its regulars
include the BBC presenter
Adrian Chiles and Ant &
Dec, although, contrary to
popular myth, not always
together.
When it first opened,
Le Vacherin was nominated
for the best new restaurant
award in Harpers & Queen
and Tatler magazines, and
given an Egon Ronay star
and two AA rosettes.
Its success paved the
way for Le Cassoulet, his
second French restaurant,
this time named in honour
of the classic duck, sausage
and bean stew that
originated in the southwest of France.
It opened 18 months
ago and was Time Out’s
best local restaurant for
2008.
specialfeature 9
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
You’ve got to believe in yourself when others don’t.
Like when I said I was opening a restaurant in Croydon
local dishes
The father of four, who
was born in St Vincent in
the Caribbean but raised in
Coventry in the Midlands,
said: “To open a restaurant
in Croydon was fantastic, it
was my dream come true.
People think I’m mad to
open restaurants here.
“Friends and people in
the industry still look down
their noses at Croydon
because of a misconception
and an unfair stigma.
Saying that, I think more
could be done to promote
Croydon.
“It’s central to
everything I do. I can easily
get to the M25 to visit
family in the Midlands and
friends on the coast.
“We have great train
links into London, and there
are lots of green spaces.”
The 46-year-old’s
favourite open space is
South Norwood Lake, where
he often goes to relax with
his family.
Sitting in Fish & Grill,
Time Out’s runner-up as
best new neighbourhood
restaurant of 2009, he
recalls why he opened a
second Croydon business so
soon after his first.
“I loved the location and
the site,” he says, “If I hadn’t
taken it, someone else
would have; things have
gone very well.”
There are plans to open
a new venture in Sutton and
other ideas are bubbling on
his back burner.
It all adds up to
a bourguignon of
achievement that has been
simmering away in the
ultra-perfectionist chef’s
mind since he was
a teenager.
His recipe for anyone
wanting to follow in his
footsteps? “If you want to
own your own restaurant
you have to have a passion,
dedication and drive.
“You also need a fair bit
of business skill, as well –
I got mine from 26 years in
the industry.
“You’ve got to believe
in yourself when others
don’t. Like when I
said I was opening
a restaurant
in Croydon.”
Recipe for success: Malcolm John’s dream has come true
10 yourhealth
January 2010 | Your Croydon
All you’ve got to do is dig out your
trainers and book an induction.
New year, new beginning
Don’t become disillusioned and drop your resolution to live a healthier life – follow our tips
and you will soon notice a difference.
The
qualified fitness
instructors are
always around
to help you with
your routines
and offer advice
on working
toward your
goals
Like many, it is possible
that you have started the
new year full of good
intentions to lose some
weight, improve your
fitness and eat a healthier
diet.
However, it is also
equally possible that, after
a couple of laps, the idea
of running round the park
has already begun to lose
its appeal.
That is when a little
advice from somebody
with years of experience
in helping people become
more active can prove
invaluable.
One such is Verena
Trend, the sport and
community development
manager at Thornton
Heath Leisure Centre, and
she has plenty of ideas on
how to stay on track and
get fitter in 2010.
There are fitness
instructors at all Croydon
sports and leisure centres
who can advise people on
how to get started on a
fitness programme.
There is also a range of
activities to choose from,
each designed to keep you
motivated.
They range from
Primetime sessions
specially designed to help
the over-60s achieve a
healthy lifestyle in a
relaxed and social
environment, through to
gyms and weights, yoga
and dance classes.
Verena says: “The
qualified fitness
instructors are always
around to help you with
your routines and offer
advice on working toward
your goals.
“We give any
newcomers an induction
to measure their fitness
levels and show them how
the equipment works – it’s
all very casual and
friendly, and nobody is put
under pressure to do more
than they’re happy with.”
You can pay each time
you visit, or, if you decide
to go regularly, take up
membership – and the
good news is, there is no
contract.
So, you have made the
decision, how do you get
started? See our tips box
below.
For more information, visit
www.croydon-leisure.com or contact any of the
following centres.
Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
100 High Street, Thornton Heath CR7 8LF
Tel: 020 8689 5300
Monks Hill Sports Centre
Farnborough Avenue, South Croydon CR2 8HD
Tel: 020 8651 0984
South Norwood Leisure Centre
104 Portland Road, South Norwood SE25 4PT
Tel: 020 8662 9464
New Addington Leisure Centre
Central Parade, New Addington CR0 0JB
Tel: 01689 842 553
Purley Leisure Centre
50 High Street, Purley CR8 2AA
Tel: 020 866 87251
Official notice
10 tips for people starting out in the gym:
Control of pollution (amendment) act 1989 and the controlled waste
(registration of carriers and seizure of vehicles) regulations 1991
(regulations 22 and 23).
1. Wear comfortable clothing and
footwear that is appropriate for
exercise. It doesn’t have to be new,
just loose
SEIZURE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER M518 PMS
On Tuesday 28 July 2009 at approximately 14.20 hours, officers of the
CROYDON COUNCIL accompanied by the Metropolitan Police seized a
vehicle and its contents, the vehicle being a white Ford Transit 190 LWB van
registration mark M518 PMS. The vehicle was seized in Kensington Avenue,
Croydon. 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 Magistrate’s Court.
2. Bring a small “sweat” towel and
shower towel
3. Eat approximately 90 minutes to two hours before exercise
4. Keep hydrated (you can bring a bottle with you, or buy
water or isotonic drinks at reception).
5. Warm up and cool down appropriately, to avoid injury.
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
09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday inclusive, telephone: 020 8726 6200.
6. The first time using the gym is not your last, so you don’t
have to do it all in one day; pace yourself.
If, by the expiry of 28 days from the date of this notice (21 December 2009) 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 notices is hereby given that the Authority may SELL or
DESTROY the said vehicle and contents.
8. The weights are not your enemy; they can be very helpful in
improving joint health and flexibility and improving posture,
which can benefit in later life, as well as today.
.
7. Train with a partner to add a bit of motivation.
9. Set yourself achievable goals. (Small goals, step by step,
will add up to achieving your big goals)
10. Update your programme with the fitness instructor every
six to eight weeks, but don’t hesitate to make things that
you find easy a little bit harder.
yourhealth 11
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk You gain a real sense of achievement when you learn
the fancy steps and it’s been a great form of exercise,
while introducing me to a whole new group of friends.
Deborah Roachford
Stepping out: Deborah Roachford with instructor Jack Semple
Stretching out: Helen Read (left) with instructor Pam Lyons
Stepping out to a healthier tomorrow
It’s January – what better time to shake off the old year’s ways and start to work toward an active, healthier you?
When Deborah Roachford
and Helen Read decided
it was time for them
to do something about
improving their fitness,
little did they realise the
positive impact their
decisions would have on
their lives.
Better posture,
improved confidence and
new friends are just some
of the benefits that have
resulted from joining
Croydon’s physical activity
programme.
Like many, Deborah
and Helen were not
entirely sure how to go
about things.
Each felt she would
probably fare better in a
group exercise situation,
but was unsure where to
look, or if she could find
the time.
And that is where
Active Lifestyles came
in – they signed up to the
council-run programme,
and haven’t looked back.
This year’s programme
aims to improve the health
of Croydon residents,
aged 16 or over, through
physical activity classes.
Physical activity is
great for your health, and
has many benefits such as:
•lowering blood pressure;
•reducing the risk of typetwo diabetes;
•aiding weight loss; and
•improving wellbeing.
It can also be a great
way to spend more time
with family and friends.
The programme has
helped lots of people
increase their physical
activity levels, so why not
join them today?
Whether you are
experienced or a beginner,
we have the course just
for you.
Courses include: line
dancing, Pilates, Strictly
Tango, yoga, So You Think
You Can’t Dance, t’ai chi,
Latin dance, crown green
bowling, circuits, aquacise,
aerobics, golf, and Legs,
Bums and Tums.
Our friendly and
experienced instructors
are on hand to guide you
through the courses.
They will help you
learn new skills and can
support you along the way.
Take the first step to
feeling great, join a course
today.
For more information,
and to receive a
programme, email ashley.
Deborah Roachford,
50, from Addiscombe,
joined the Active
Lifestyles physical
activity programme last
October and attends
the lively Strictly Tango
course, in Croydon Clocktower.
Her ability to exercise had been
compromised since sustaining a back
injury a few years ago. However, since
regularly stepping out on the dance
floor, Deborah has seen a noticeable
improvement in her posture.
Additional to that, tango has helped her
strengthen her inner core to support
her back, and even her osteopath has
noticed an improvement in her flexibility.
Deborah says: “I really liked the dance
the first time I saw it on TV.
“You gain a real sense of achievement
when you learn the fancy steps and
it’s been a great form of exercise, while
introducing me to a whole new group
of friends.
“The instructors are brilliant and very
patient – if anything, the 90-minute class
is too short!”
gordon@croydon.gov.uk
or call her on
020 8667 8416.
Programmes are
available from local
libraries or can be viewed
at www.croydononline.
org/leisure/sports_clubs/
Keep a look out for our
New Year offers.
The fun way to feel
great and meet new
friends.
Helen Read, 44, from
South Norwood, has
been attending the Legs,
Bums and Tums course,
in the Waterside Centre,
Avenue Road, for the
past six years.
Over that time, Helen has improved her
level of fitness, and that has given her
the confidence to try her hand at other
types of physical activity.
Helen says: “The time and location
of the class fits in perfectly with my
work schedule, and especially around
my children.
“The instructor is very approachable,
and she ensures the class suits
everyone’s need.
“She’s also very inspirational, and makes
sure everyone enjoys the class”.
12 yoursafety
300
January 2010 | Your Croydon
The number of people
involved in the new force.
Met matters
Crime busting force
to unite in Croydon
Croydon residents will
benefit from pioneering
plans to bring police and
council officers together
as a single unified crime
and grime fighting force,
working to tackle crime
and antisocial behaviour in
their local area.
Croydon is thought
to be the first London
borough to adopt such a
model, which will vastly
improve both agencies’
abilities to respond
effectively to residents’
crime, environmental and
safety concerns, using all
their powers.
The proposal will bring
together police officers
from Safer Neighbourhood
Teams, and uniformed
council officers working,
on streets and in housing
estates, as one integrated
service.
A new head of
service would report
jointly to the council
and the Metropolitan
Police at director and
superintendent level.
Tom Jeffrey, Croydon
Council’s executive director,
community services, said:
On the beat: NEOs will soon form part of a single force
“This is an innovative
proposal and one that will
benefit residents across the
borough. Tackling crime
and antisocial behaviour,
and making our streets and
public places clean, and
welcoming environments,
are our first priorities. Both
we and the police believe
that bringing these services
together will enable
do all these things for
residents – more quickly,
more efficiently, and more
effectively as a unified
force – while saving them
money. “
Croydon Council
currently provides a range
of street-based services,
including street scene
officers, neighbourhood
enforcement officers,
the mobile enforcement
unit, the environmental
response team which deals
with graffiti, staff who
deal with street cleaning,
flytipping, neighbourhood
wardens, and two separate
antisocial behaviour teams
in community safety and
housing.
Many of them work
alongside the police Safer
Neighbourhood Teams,
who have wholly separate
systems and management
arrangements. The
resources involved are
considerable – more than
300 staff between the
two organisations plus
contractors.
The plans would
also reduce duplication
among the teams, making
significant savings for local
taxpayers.
The new unified
team would include both
area-based teams and a
central response unit that
can be deployed to parts
of the borough facing
challenges at any point
in time. The proposal is
for these area teams to
be linked to Croydon’s
local communities rather
than wards, which do not
necessarily reflect real
community boundaries.
The announcement
follows the street based
services review which
began in February 2009,
and involved extensive
research, including
interviews with residents
and staff from across all
teams providing street
based services.
Cameras not the only tools
A range of measures are used to help keep the borough’s roads safe.
Roadside cameras are not
the only way to get motorists
to keep to speed limits.
A host of measures
is used to encourage
compliance with the law.
They range from
changing road layouts to
slow traffic and installing
signs that display vehicle
speeds.
The council is also keen
to support the work of Road
Watch, which sees trained
residents monitor speeds in
their areas.
In addition, the council
works closely with the Met
to get speed enforcement at
problem sites.
The council will
continue to support their
use on roads where four or
more serious collisions have
taken place in a three-year
period and where speed is
a factor.
Ultimate responsibility
for approving, siting and
maintaining cameras
in Croydon remains
with the London Safety
Camera Partnership – the
organisation covering the
whole of the capital and
including the police and
Transport for London, as
well as all the borough
councils.
Fact box
In 2008, 1,129 people
were injured in 933
traffic collisions in
Croydon; 19% of
those collisions were
speed-related.
The Year Ahead
In this month’s column I’d like to
reflect on 2009 and look forward
to our work in 2010…
Burglary was obviously
one of our biggest
challenges this year,
although it’s fair to say
we weren’t the only
borough to suffer.
We also had to keep
up the momentum and
success of Safe for All
from 2008 and keep
youth violence and knife
crime down. Aligning
our resources to achieve
all this has been very
tough.
We’ve had great
success with our
performance on
domestic violence and
hate crime. Looking at
our performance from
April to November,
we’re making successful
prosecutions for almost
half the domestic crimes
reported to us, which is
better than most other
boroughs and we’re one
of the top 10 performing
boroughs for bringing
hate crime offenders to
justice as well.
I’m proud of the fact
that there are fewer
criminals on the streets
of Croydon than this
time last year.
The number of
emergency calls we
respond to in less than
12 minutes has also
improved. Because
of our size we get
some of the highest
volumes of 999 calls
in London, I think
this is a tremendous
achievement.
The town centre is a
safer place, with crime
levels down on last year.
It still has its ‘moments’
but we’ve worked hard
to make it safe and crime
continues to fall there.
Whilst I’m aware
we’ve still got work to
do, I also think that
we’ve improved in the
way we communicate
with our communities.
I’ve met with so many
people over the last 12
months, but I genuinely
get a sense that the
communities want to
help us to make Croydon
safer.
We’re facing budget
challenges in 2010. I also
think that the challenges
around burglary and
robbery will continue
next year. On top of this,
I want to improve public
confidence in Croydon
Police, so that all our
communities feel safer.
I’ll continually review
my resources and I
want to make us more
flexible in our response
to emerging issues, so
that we can get the right
people in the right places
at the right times.
We’re already doing
this to an extent, but
I think we can still
improve and get better.
I also want to further
improve communications
with our communities to
ensure that they know
we are listening to their
needs but also by letting
them know the truth
about the issues we face,
and what we’re doing to
tackle them.
Ch Supt
Adrian Roberts
To find out the dates of your next Neighbourhood
Partnership meeting – where a range of topics
including crime and antisocial behaviour are
discussed with police and councillors - turn to
page 27. Details of the Police Consultative
Committee Meetings which are held at the town
hall in Katharine Street can also be found on the
same page.
District
Centre
A new year…
News
a new Coulsdon
JANUARY 2010
Recent arrivals help the
town’s shopping revival
New shops are opening in Coulsdon at the rate of one
a month, and a town that once had a reputation as a
roadworks obstacle course is blossoming again.
The common thread among all the new businesses is an
appreciation of the welcome they have received from this
friendly, community-minded district.
From baby clothes to kitchen design, household goods to
children’s shoes, Coulsdon’s new arrivals offer competitively
priced alternatives to the town-centre malls, combined with
easy access and service with a smile.
Christine Samson, Coulsdon’s district centre manager,
believes the revival will continue through 2010, and is
optimistic that there will be genuine progress on filling the
big gap in Brighton Road once occupied by the Red Lion pub.
“Talks are continuing with the council, and the design
team is looking at the town as a whole to do what’s best for
the area,” she said.
“We have several large sites with big potential, and there
are a lot of interested parties. I’d hope everything will be
a lot clearer in the next 12 months, and we’ll see some
movement.”
Sainsbury’s is known to be interested in opening a
Coulsdon store, while other options include provision of
more community leisure facilities, with a pool and a multiscreen cinema put forward as possibilities.
“All schemes have to consider the impact on the town as
a whole,” added Christine. “Meanwhile, new businesses are
arriving at the rate of more than one every month.”
The town’s business partnership, under the chairmanship
of Sonia Poleon, is spearheading the retail revival, with shop
vacancy rates tumbling from 15% at the worst point of the
recession to a single-figure level today.
A new website, www.shopcoulsdon.com, will highlight
special local deals, and there are plans for a town loyalty
card, with offers geared to shoppers’ needs.
So check out the new shops in Coulsdon, make the
most of the widened pavements and improved facilities, and
prepare to be surprised by the January bargains and offers
on your doorstep.
Putting her best
foot forward
Children’s shoe shop owner believes
it is vital that footwear fits well.
Rebecca Mahmood is a shopkeeper on a
mission. She opened Shoo – her first shop
venture – in August, next to Coulsdon
Library, and is determined to spread the
word about the importance of well-fitted
shoes for children’s feet.
“We stock children’s shoes from newborn up to adult size 8, with everything from
school shoes to wellies,” she said. “It’s so
important that children’s shoes are properly
fitted, with width measurements; it’s a
hugely neglected area, and ill-fitting shoes
can cause all sorts of problems. “We offer
shoes for children who need arch supports,
although most children just need good shoes
that hold them well round the back of the
foot.”
Although Shoo concentrates on quality
shoes that are different to the ranges
available elsewhere, prices start at just £20.
Brands include Lelli Kelly, Gant, Ricosta,
Petasil, Bo Bell, Buckle My Shoe, Angulus and
Hush Puppies, and opening hours are 9.30am
to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to
4.30pm on Saturday.
Rebecca, who is originally from
Newcastle, has always wanted to run a shoe
shop and firmly believes in the advantages of
local shopping.
“You don’t have to do a whole day’s
shopping, and keeping things local is
important,” she said. “Most people do want
good local shops.” The bright, airy shop has a
fresh, contemporary look. Eye-catching lines
include Kidorable fire engine wellies (£15),
with a matching brolly at £6.50.
Shoo is at 169 Brighton Road, CR5 2HN,
or visit www.shoo4kids.co.uk
For the young fireman in your life – Rebecca Mahmood at Shoo in Brighton Road
Spotlight
on...
Coulsdon’s centre
offers the lot
The district centre in the south of the borough offers a range
of shops providing variety, value and personal service.
Many nappy returns
Fiona McRae and Sue Bartram met while working at
indoor markets, and joked that they needed a shop so
they could take a break from lugging boxes backward
and forward. Six months ago their wish come true.
They converted Sunflower Cottage, the wood-beamed
former café at the corner of Brighton Road and Victoria
Road, into Rascalz and Suzibees – two complementary
businesses in one shared shop.
Fiona’s Rascalz sells clothes and special-occasion wear
for children and babies, while Sue’s Suzibees concentrates
on home-made soaps, candles, bath bombs, costume and
silver jewellery.
Then, as a joint venture, they have added christening
gifts, baby gifts, traditional wooden toys – basically,
anything and everything that doesn’t plug in.
Among the eye-catching ideas is a nappy cake, a
three-tier eco-friendly cake-shaped mountain of nappies
for between £25 and £35, depending on size.
The cake is an American idea, and Fiona and Sue
make them themselves, with rolled nappies, powder,
booties and a teddy on top.
“It’s a little Aladdin’s cave of a shop and we just fell in
love with it,” said Sue.
Added Fiona: “We love Coulsdon; it’s so friendly and
everyone supports each other.
“It’s such a nice community. We even have customers
sent to us from Waitrose and Boots.”
So, if you need a feather boa, a glow-stick bracelet,
a skipping rope or a mobile, you know where to come.
Rascalz and Suzibees is open Tuesday to Saturday,
9.30am to 5pm. Call 020 8668 1600 or visit
www.suzibees.com or www.rascalz-online.co.uk
Getting steamed up
Sue Bartram (left) and Fiona McRae with their nappy “cake”
Sue and Fiona’s shop front
Making a noise in town
Boys who like to make a real noise in their toys head to
BCSS Car Sounds in Brighton Road – the car audio and
security experts.
Run by father-and-son team Brian Steer jnr and
Brian Steer jnr and snr at BCSS Car Sounds
snr, the shop even has a Top 20 chart of the noisiest
customers.
It’s currently led by an enthusiastic (if slightly deaf)
motorist known as LD, who has a Peugeot 206 fitted
with two sets of speakers in each door and eight 12inch
sub-woofers, capable of delivering an ear-splitting 147.1
decibels.
BCSS (it actually stands for Brian Car Sounds
Security) customises vehicles in workshops at the back,
and sells everything to do with car audio.
“The only limitations to our customers are their
wallets,” joked Brian snr, 57. “We’ve even customised
coaches with sound systems, too.”
The average customer is male and in his early
20s, but a fair few mid-life crisis forty-somethings are
regulars.
Shop hours are 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday,
and BCSS is at 186 Brighton Road, CR5 2NF.
Visit the shop’s website at www.briancarsounds.com
or call 020 8645 0655 – and be prepared to shout.
In March, Tracey Johnson and her three colleagues will
celebrate the first anniversary of The Iron Inn in a cloud
of steam.
The tiny shop, right by Smitham station in Brighton
Road, specialises in dry-cleaning, ironing (collection and
delivery) and alterations.
Tracey, who lives in South Drive, was a cleaner and did
ironing in people’s homes, but after doing her homework
and chatting to her sister-in-law, who has a similar shop
in Orpington, she decided to open The Iron Inn.
“I know all customers by their first names,” she said.
“It’s mainly ladies who work and just don’t have the time
to do the ironing, and lots of men with their shirts.”
There are special deals. To iron 25 items is £18, and
shirts are £1 apiece. There is also a full wash, dry and iron
service.
The Iron Inn is at 125 Brighton Road. Call 020 8660 1111
or 07501 509573.
Dashing away with the smoothing iron – Tracey Johnson
(left) gets steamy at The Iron Inn
The shop that’s on the ball
If you can’t get to Rolling On Cycles, they’ll collect
The football fanatic in your life will make a beeline for
Prezzies 4 Men – a shop and website where buying for
dads, brothers, sons and boyfriends has never been easier.
Opened at the end of June, in Chipstead Valley Road,
by Alison Caswell, the shop (and a companion outlet in
Redhill) specialises in giftware for men.
Games, coasters, badges, clocks, tankards, wallets,
snow shakers – everything comes customised to your
favourite Premiership football team.
From Liverpool training mugs to Arsenal children’s
cutlery sets, all the items are official authorised
merchandise… and January is sale time, with bargains
aplenty.
Call in at the shop at 3 Chipstead Valley Road, or visit
www.prezzies4men.com. Opening hours are 9.30am
to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
A new shop in the frame
Bike fanatic Steve Dickinson’s dream came true a
couple of months ago when he finally opened his own
shop.
Rolling On Cycles in Chipstead Valley Road aims
to get Coulsdon back on two wheels by offering a
comprehensive sales and repair service.
Explained Steve: “I’ve been riding forever, but this is
my first shop. I’ve worked in the bike trade for the past
10 years, most recently for Halfords.”
As well as bikes, the shop stocks every conceivable
accessory, from cycle clothing to helmets, carriers to
car racks.
Rolling On will service and repair bicycles, and even
offers to collect and deliver your steed.
Rolling on is at 324 Chipstead Valley Road, CR5 3BE.
Opening hours are 9.30am to 8pm weekdays, 9.30am
to 6pm Saturdays, and 10am to 5pm Sundays.
Call 01737 552 268.
Rosemary Carter with some of the football-themed
gifts at Prezzies 4 Men
Fancy a new-look kitchen?
Look no further than Chandlers Home Design
Time for a new kitchen
Launched last summer, Chandlers Home Design in
Brighton Road is a one-stop shop offering help in
transforming all parts of your home.
A company of garden designers, interior specialists,
and kitchen and bathroom experts, Chandlers has
accessories to enhance homes, and the expertise to
modernise and alter any room.
Owned by Terry Chandler, who has an established
history in interior design, the shop undertakes
redesign projects from mapping out to installation,
with many of the products it offers through its
comprehensive glossy catalogue exclusive to the area.
It’s the perfect place for a makeover, with experts
and specialists brought in at every stage of the
process.
The shop and showroom is open 9.30am to 5pm,
Monday-Friday; 10am to 4pm, Saturday; and Sundays
by appointment.
Call 020 8668 7963 or visit 181 Brighton Road,
Coulsdon CR5 2NH.
Are you being served?
For good, honest pub grub and a fine pint, look no
further than the Pembroke at 12 Chipstead Valley Road.
The real ales regularly change, with Jennings Cocker
Hoop, Brakspear’s Oxford Gold and Jennings Sneck Lifter
on when we paid a visit.
Landlord Pawel Tulacz offers a hearty welcome, and
a surprisingly broad range of food, with the accent on
trad English.
Pies, fish and chips, peri peri chicken melt, burgers,
all-day breakfasts, pizzas (Tuesday nights are two-forone) are all on offer – and for 65p you can upgrade
your ordinary chips to curly fries.
Tuesdays are quiz nights, while Fridays are livemusic nights, with everything from old Led Zeppelin and
Stones standards to soul singers.
The pub has been awarded the Cask Marque for its
beer-keeping, and there is a friendly atmosphere in the
big woody interior.
Hours are 11 to 11 daily, with midnight closing at
weekends.
It’s always worth visiting the website www.
smithandjonespubs.com to print out two-for-one
meal offers and other deals.
Mine’s a pint – barman Danny Woodward prepares to
pour at the Pembroke
An Aladdin’s cave
The closure of Woolies left a gap in Coulsdon which is
being filled by two guys called Mo.
Muhammad Agan and Muhammed Ibrahim run the
stationery, toys, household goods, odds-and-ends shop
Harris & Danyal at 10 Chipstead Valley Road, and it is
hard to think of anything they do not stock.
From duvets to fizzy drinks, Clingfilm to saucepans,
party plates to rolling pins, mug trees to cushions – it
is all on the shelves stretching right to the back of the
shop.
“We opened in the summer in what used to be the
toyshop in Coulsdon,” said Muhammad Agan.
“Business is good, now that the roadworks are
finished. The junction outside is so much better now.”
The partners also run a similar shop in Addiscombe
It’s an Aladdin’s cave at Harris & Danyal, where
Muhammad Azan (left) and Muhammed Ibrahim stock just
about everything
The shop front of Harris & Danyal
District
Centre
News
What a talented lot
The final of the borough’s premier talent competition showed just how
gifted local people are
Pic: Mark Palmer
A teenager has sung her way to victory in the Croydon’s
Got Talent final at Fairfield Halls.
Ruth Brown, 17, scooped the top prize of a
professional recording session at the Antenna studios in
Crystal Palace after impressing judges by belting out a
version of Jennifer Hudson’s I’m Telling You.
“I was really excited to win,” said Ruth, who hopes her
victory will be a springboard for a career as a professional
singer.
The final, in the Ashcroft Theatre, was the culmination
of half a dozen district talent shows that demonstrated
the performing skills of young and old across the borough.
Ruth Brown triumphed in the final at Fairfield Halls
Organiser Hayley Smith, the district events
coordinator, said: “I was really pleased with the
enthusiasm of local people who came forward to take
part in the talent shows – and of the family and friends
who gave them so much backing.
“Some of those who took part want to really get into
music long-term, and they can all say they’ve sung at
Fairfield Halls.”
They are in good company. Over the years the venue
has hosted The Beatles (back in September 1963), Chuck
Berry, The Who and Status Quo, among many others.
The Croydon’s Got Talent show gave 20 acts the
chance to shine over three hours in front of a 500-strong
audience, with Michael Jackson impersonators, rock
bands, soulful singers and even an electric violin played by
Coulsdon musician James Lin.
Sharon Baldwin, district centre development manager,
shared Hayley’s enthusiasm for the whole competition.
“It was an opportunity to showcase the talent in the
district centres, and it’s really set a terrific level for next
year,” she said.
“We knew there was a lot of talent out there, but I
and all the judges were so impressed by the level of that
talent. The engagement with youth was wonderful, and
showed what Croydon’s all about.
“Everything in our districts is about people getting
involved, and this is a fun way of doing that.”
Former Palace and England midfielder John Salako
was one of those bowled over by the performers. He has
now pledged to help make next year’s competition even
bigger and better.
November’s Croydon’s Got Talent final was part of Ice
UK’s Life Without Boundaries concert, and was organised
by Justyn Hollett.
Hayley Smith said afterward: “It was an excellent
example of the talent in Croydon, and it was great to
hand over the event to a young entrepreneur as it
demonstrates that anything is possible if you put your
mind to it.”
It’s time to pop the question
Following last year’s events, 2010’s wedding
fairs are set fore even greater success.
Coulsdon’s reputation for wedding planning is growing.
There have already been half a dozen well-attended
wedding fairs at the Coulsdon Manor Hotel and Golf Club,
bringing together suppliers of everything from dresses to
catering, luxury cars to honeymoons.
As well as shops, stores and major suppliers, the fairs
have also attracted the smaller, more personal workfrom-home companies offering years of experience and
know-how.
District centre manager Christine Samson, who is
coordinating 2010’s wedding fairs on Sunday, 7 March,
and Sunday, 3 October, takes a pride in combining
mainstream and niche suppliers.
“The fairs bring together well-established companies
and also meet the needs of a lot of our home-based
businesses, too,” she said.
“Coulsdon has gained a good reputation for that.”
Last year’s fairs, in April and September, attracted
large numbers of brides, bridegrooms-to-be, and wedding
industry providers, despite intense competition from
televised sporting events.
The first wedding fair of 2010 is on Sunday, 7 March,
from 11am to 4pm, at Coulsdon Manor Hotel and Golf
Club, off Coulsdon Road.
There is a free wedding pack, and entry to a free prize
draw, for everyone who attends, plus special discounts
and offers. Entry is free.
If you are interested in taking a stall at the fair,
call 07775 824826 or email Christine.Samson@
croydonenterprise.com
Get involved in
your local district
Make a difference in your area
by joining your local business
partnership. Get in touch with
your local contacts.
Thornton Heath, Selhurst and
Norbury
Jason Grant
07771 842945 / 020 8090 5577
jason.grant@croydonenterprise.com
Purley
Amber Rusk
07997 628085 / 020 8090 5573
amber.rusk@croydonenterprise.com
Coulsdon
Christine Samson
07775 824826 / 020 8090 5572
christine.samson@croydonenterprise.com
New Addington and Purley Way
Ken Sherwood
07876 034008 / 020 8090 5579
ken.sherwood@croydonenterprise.com
South Norwood
Carol Clapperton
07776 477366 / 020 8090 5575
carol.clapperton@croydonenterprise.com
Crystal Palace
Ray Hall
johnraymondhall@hotmail.co.uk
The complete wedding show at Coulsdon Manor Hotel
yourenvironment 13
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
19
Christmas tree collection points located
around the borough.
Recycling the past
Seasonal excess is responsible for much unnecessary waste – do your bit to cut it down.
When the hubbub and
excitement of Christmas
and the New Year have
died down it will be time
to consider what to do with
that mountain of empty
chocolate boxes, biscuit
wrappers and bottles that
seems to have grown over
the past few days.
An easy way to
assuage any lingering
feelings of guilt over the
obvious signs of excess is
to make sure you recycle
all you can.
That way, you’ll feel
content that you’ve done
your bit this Christmas.
The easiest way, of
course, is to make full use
of the kerbside recycling
collection service.
Above is a table of the
revised collection dates
for the holiday period.
Normal collection date
Revised collection date
Monday 21 December
Saturday 19 December
Tuesday 22
Monday 21
Wednesday 23
Tuesday 22
Thursday 24
Wednesday 23
Friday 25
Thursday 24
Monday 28
Monday 28
Tuesday 29
Tuesday 29
Wednesday 30
Wednesday 30
Thursday 31
Thursday 31
Friday 1 January
Saturday 2 January
Check to see if your usual
dates have changed.
The revised dates are
also marked on your
calendar (phone
020 8726 6200 if you
don’t have a calendar).
With no collections on
Friday, 25 December, or
Friday, 1 January, there
are changes to the days
when people need to put
out their bins and boxes.
Normal collection
schedules will resume on
Monday, 4 January.
After it’s all over, put
those extra wine bottles,
glass jars, cans and tins out
with your normal recycling
collection, you can also
support the Woodland Trust
by taking your Christmas
cards to branches of
WHSmith and TK Maxx for
recycling.
And don’t forget that
your Christmas tree can be
recycled, too. This year’s
collection points are listed
below.
giveaway) and swap or
Make “reuse” your
resolution
Take your old natural
Christmas tree to one of
the following recycling
collection points between
Sunday 3 and Sunday 10
January – but please be
sure to remove tinsel and
decorations.
When you clear out the
clutter in the new year,
make sure you visit the
popular Croydon website
The Great Giveaway
(www.croydononline.org/
give away those items you
no longer want. Or, if you’re
really strapped for cash this
year, visit the website and
see if you can pick up a
bargain!
There is a host of charities
in Croydon that would like
your unwanted items.
Don’t be a Scrooge; give
away those unwanted items
to a good cause while, at
the same time, doing your
bit for the environment.
Christmas tree
collection points
Christmas tree collection points
You can support
the Woodland
Trust by taking
your used
Christmas cards
to branches of
WHSmith and
TK Maxx for
recycling
Take your old natural Christmas tree to one of the following recycling collection
points between Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 January – but please be sure to remove
tinsel and decorations.
Addiscombe
Co-op, Lower Addiscombe Road
Ashburton
Ashburton Park, access from Tenterden Road
Broad Green
Homebase, Purley Way
Coulsdon
Lion Green Road car park
Coulsdon East
Grange Park Recreation Ground, Canon’s Hill
Fairfield
Oaks Road/Coombe Road car park
Heathfield
Addington Park Recreation Ground car park, Gravel Hill
Kenley
Kenley Residents’ Association, Oaks Road green
New Addington
Central Parade car park
Norbury
Granville Gardens car park
Purley
Upper Woodcote Village RA, Woodcote Village green
Sanderstead
Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road
Selsdon
Selsdon Recreation Ground, access from Woodlands Gardens
Shirley
Monks Orchard green
Shirley
Shirley Park RA, Green Court Gardens green
South Norwood
Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse Lane
Upper Norwood
Secret Garden, Westow Street
Waddon
Homebase, Fiveways, Purley Way
Waddon
Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way
An easy way
to assuage any
lingering feelings
of guilt over the
obvious signs
of excess is to
make sure you
recycle all
you can.
All councillors and
staff at Croydon
Council wish
everybody a happy
New Year
Woodland Trust: changing Christmas cards to trees
14 youreducation
January 2010 | Your Croydon
I really enjoyed working with my host and the team. I enjoyed directing
the photo shoot as I got to tell everyone what angles to shoot from.
Design student Nisha
Designs on their future
Work-experience students from a South Croydon school made such an impression during
their time at a leading publishing house that their work was seen nationally.
It was fun
and hugely
rewarding
working with
this group of
highly motivated
and talented
students.
We’re looking
forward to doing
this again
Patrick Morrissey
Masthead – a magazine
or newspaper’s title, as it
appears on the front cover.
Standfirst – a short
introductory paragraph,
sitting between the
headline and body text.
Reverse block – type,
usually in white, on a black,
or coloured, background.
This text is an example of a
reverse block.
Masthead, standfirst and
reverse block – not everyday
terms in the life of your
average school student.
But, after a stint of work
experience at magazine
publishing house IPC
Media, they have become
quite familiar to students
from Harris Academy
Purley.
The youngsters were
given the chance to try their
hand at magazine design –
and so impressive was their
creativity they saw their
work published after just a
week on the job.
The six Year 11 students,
who learnt the tricks of
the magazine design trade
as part of a work-related
learning scheme, worked
alongside some of IPC’s
magazine art editors on
titles such as Guitar & Bass,
VolksWorld and Prediction.
The work experience
was part of IPC Media’s
Schools’ Design Programme,
which aims to open up the
world of magazine design
to young people.
Before starting the
placement at IPC, the
six students completed a
specially-created 10-session
design course as part of the
programme.
They also took part in
a week’s “work simulation”
at Croydon College, where
they designed pages for
their own magazine.
By the time they arrived
at IPC, they had already
gained a high degree of
competence in the design
software and were ready to
impress.
IPC’s designers were so
pleased with the attitude
and technical ability of
the students that all six
succeeded in producing
work that was published in
an IPC magazine.
Nisha was one of the
students on the programme,
and she worked on Guitar &
Steven Bailey: art editor of Guitar & Bass, shows student Nisha the tricks of the trade
Student Leon: with SuperBike art editor Huw Williams
Arabella: with Prediction art editor Alexandra Bourdelon
Bass magazine.
She said: “I really
enjoyed working with my
host and the team.
“I enjoyed directing the
photo shoot as I got to tell
everyone what angles to
shoot from.”
Catia, who worked on
Camper & Bus magazine,
said: “I learnt a lot about
how magazines are
designed, the teams that
students, it allows IPC to
build positive relationships
within the local community
and to have close contact
with a key audience.
It is also a positive
experience for the
company’s art editors.
Patrick Morrissey, group
art editor at IPC’s Croydon
office, said: “It was fun and
hugely rewarding working
with this group of highly
produce the magazine and
the different careers on offer
in this industry.”
The IPC Schools’ Design
Programme was set up in
2005 in partnership with A
New Direction – a Londonbased charity that works
with schools and young
people to develop creative
approaches to learning.
As well as offering a
valuable experience to
motivated and talented
students.
“We’re looking forward
to doing this again.”
IPC’s Schools’ Design
Programme was extended
to Croydon for the first time
in 2009.
Harris Academy became
involved through the
support of the Croydon
Education Business
Partnership.
youreducation 15
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
3,000
primary school children every year receive expert tuition from
SoundStart teachers on instruments ranging from violin, trumpet
and flute, to the ukulele and trombone.
After just four
weeks, parents
and teachers
have told me
they’ve noticed
a difference
in children’s
confidence,
concentration
and self-esteem.
Headteacher
Mary Watts
In tune: Castle Hill pupils Cynthia, Sian, Ryan, Megan, Caitlin, Gabriel, Camray and Patrick with teacher Sheila Smith.
Hitting the high notes
in Croydon schools
The joy of playing a musical instrument has entered the lives of thousands of young people,
thanks to a free initiative.
A young musician says her
life has changed thanks
to the opportunity she
got through a scheme
aimed at realising the
hidden talents of Croydon
schoolchildren.
Jade Jaldoo began
learning the violin, when
she was eight years old, at
Whitehorse Manor Junior
School, Thornton Heath,
one of the first schools
to join the SoundStart
programme.
Now, she’s 14 and an
accomplished musician.
Notable among her
achievements to date is
a tour to Prague with the
Croydon Youth Orchestra
earlier this year.
“I would never have
had the chance to play an
instrument if weren’t for
SoundStart,” she said.
“Now I can’t imagine
my life without my violin,
the skills I’ve learnt thanks
to Croydon Music and
Arts, and the friends I’ve
made through making
music.”
The SoundStart music
initiative, which, free of
charge, gives children the
chance to learn a musical
instrument, has recently
seen the launch of its
100th programme since
launching in 2002 .
Castle Hill Primary
School, in New
Addington, is the latest
recruit, and pupils were
thrilled when, to mark the
occasion, the school was
presented with a giant
celebration cake.
Pictured with teacher
Sheila Smith are pupils
Cynthia Ho, Sian Lavey,
Ryan Atkinson, Megan
LeVine, Caitlin Giles,
Gabriel Kabongo, Camray
McLean and Patrick
Forlani.
Headteacher Mary
Watts says the initiative is
already having an impact:
”I’d heard so much from
other headteachers about
how SoundStart had
transformed their school.
“Learning an
instrument is fun, but
benefits the children in so
many other ways, too.
“After just four weeks,
parents and teachers have
told me they’ve noticed
a difference in children’s
confidence, concentration
and self-esteem.”
More than 3,000
primary school children
every year receive expert
tuition from the service’s
teachers on instruments
ranging from violin,
trumpet and flute to the
ukulele and trombone.
Graeme Smith, head of
Croydon Music and Arts,
says the service’s initiative
is one of many that are
transforming lives across
the borough.
“Over the past three
years we’ve seen a 10-fold
increase in the numbers
of children having the
opportunity to learn an
instrument.
“That’s a 10-fold
increase in developing
young people’s skills in a
way that opens doors and
supports every aspect of
their lives.”
Find out more
about the SoundStart
programme at: www.
croydonmusicandarts.
co.uk
16
x yournews
yourfinance
£3,000
May 2009
January
2010 | Your Croydon
maximum Home Repair Loan
for minor home repairs
Interest free loans
Costly repair work for homes can be
a worry for anyone, but when you
are no longer working and unable
to afford repairs it can become
extremely stressful.
Getting
the loan took a
lot of the worry
away. I had
repaired it a few
times but I don’t
think the work
had been done
properly.
Ali Sugga
Ali Shugga, a former black
cab driver now unable to
work because of health
problems, desperately
needed work to be carried
out on his leaking roof.
Every time it rained
water leaked into a
bedroom and the attic
but the cost of getting it
sorted was too much for
Mr Shugga and his wife
Salma to bear.
That was until he
was told about Croydon
Council’s Staying Put
team, which provides
interest free loans to
owner occupiers to
help with repairs and
improvements to their
properties.
The loan is registered
as a charge on the
property and is only
repayable on the sale,
reassignment or transfer
of the home.
Unlike conventional
loans no interest is
charged, so those that are
lent money only ever pay
back what they originally
borrowed.
Mr Shugga, 64,
borrowed £15,000 to get
his roof repaired and is
now enjoying not having
Relieved: Ali Shugga got a new roof after qualifying for a loan
water pouring into his
home.
He said: “Getting the
loan took a lot of worry
away. I had repaired it a
few times but I don’t think
the work had been done
properly.
“We are really pleased
with it; it took a lot of
weight off our shoulders
because the roof was so
badly damaged.”
Others who have
recently benefitted from
the loans service include
a New Addington couple
who had new windows
and doors fitted and
a Thornton Heath family
who were able to get
damp in their home
repaired by professional
workers.
Getting a loan to help with home repairs
There are two types of
loan available – The
Home Repair Loan which
provides a maximum of
£3,000 for minor repairs
and the Home Investment
Loan for renewal works
with a maximum of
£15,000.
Common areas of
work are roof repairs
and renewals, rewiring,
damp problems and
replacement windows.
The loan is registered
as a charge on the
property and is only
repayable on the sale;
reassignment or transfer
of the property (this does
not apply to a partner) at
which time the original
loan amount will be
repaid without any
interest.
The Staying Put team
can help apply for the
loan and enquiries can be
made directly to the team
at Taberner House.
The loans are
available to any home
owner over the age of 18
who has owned and lived
in their property for at
least three years.
The team will discuss
what work is required,
and carry out a basic
check to see if applicants
are eligible for the loan,
as it is subject to a
financial assessment.
They will then
be offered either an
appointment to come
into Taberner House
for an interview for the
application process.
Or, if you are an
older home owner or
are unable to get to the
council, a home visit from
someone who responsible
for assisting you with
the loan process through
to the completion of the
works will be arranged.
A surveyor then visits
the property and prepares
a schedule of eligible
work. The agency can
then assist with obtaining
estimates through the
contractors who have
been verified and vetted
in accordance with
council guidelines. They
can then work with you
to choose your preferred
contractor and make the
arrangements for the
approval of the loan.
Once the loan is
approved the agency can
organise the start dates,
and its technical officer
will visit for the duration
of the works to ensure
they are carried to a good
standard.
Once the work is
complete they will ensure
all necessary checks are
done and any building
regulations are met.
Finally, the team will
finalise payment for the
work and make sure the
necessary guarantees are
sent.
If there should be
any problems help will
be given, even after the
guarantees for the work
expire.
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
yourbusiness 17
My life philosophy is quite simple: Make the
most of every minute in every day.
Paul Grimwood
my croydon
In the first of a series of features highlighting the work of people connected to the
borough, Nestle chief executive Paul Grimwood reveals his favourite Croydon things…
Home is...?
I split my time between Croydon, where Nestlé’s
head office for the UK and Ireland is, and York where
Nestlé Confectionery is based. I worked for Nestlé
Confectionery for three years as managing director. York
is also where I grew up and where my family lives.
How long have you been in Croydon?
I have only been based in Croydon since September
2008. Before becoming CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland,
I was managing director of Nestlé Confectionery (UK)
and was thus based in York. Before that I worked at
Nestlé’s headquarters in Vevey in Switzerland.
What are your favourite things about Croydon?
Croydon has great transport links, in 18 minutes
you’re in the heart of London. And let’s not forget the
good shopping and the multi-cultural environment.
What’s your life philosophy?
My life philosophy is quite simple: Make
the most of every minute in every day.
If you could give one piece of advice
to someone, what would that be?
I think it is extremely important to be open,
honest and approachable to everybody
both personally and professionally.
What’s your first memory of Croydon?
My first was to be honest with you, not really great,
Imagine East Croydon station, a cold December
night in 2005, lots of rain and you get the picture.
Who is your hero?
As a supporter of Middlesbrough I’d have to say
George Hardwick, who captained his club and
England… The stuff of boyhood dreams.
How important is Croydon to your organisation?
Extremely important. Nestlé moved from Soho Square in
London to Croydon in 1965, so we have been here a very
long time. When we relocated, our company magazine
had the heading “we’re moving to the country!” A lot has
changed since then!
What would you change about Croydon,
if you could?
Many things have changed over the years but I’d like to
see a clear regeneration plan - especially the area behind
St George’s House - I’d like to see less concrete and more
open public spaces.
18 yourcommunity
January 2010 | Your Croydon
Having fled the Congo after her job as secretary to an opposition
politician put her life in danger, Helene Ramazani has published her
story with a view to helping other newcomers to the UK.
Learning English
through Our Lives
As human
beings, we
also have a
responsibility to
care for others,
protecting them,
allowing a place
for everyone
Britain has given
me life, and hope
for the future
With tales of fortitude and endeavour, two women offer hope and advice to newcomers
struggling with the English language, as John Bownas reveals.
Relocating to a new country
is never easy. And it is made
more difficult when, along
with having to deal with all
the bureaucracy associated
with such a move, a new
language has to be learned.
Back in the 1980s, a
small group of Croydon
English teachers saw a way
to help their students tackle
the problem of learning
the language of their new
home. They quietly began
publishing the stories of
their students’ lives.
Their Our Lives series
allowed newcomers to
England and the English
language the opportunity
to share their experiences
– while at the same time
helping others to learn how
to read and write.
The initial five titles
in the series, by women
from Somalia, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Vietnam and
the Canary Islands, were
published between 1987
and 1994.
That might have been
an end to the idea, but,
in 2007, with the help of
a grant from Get London
Reading, the former
teachers – now all retired
– decided to relaunch their
project through Croydon
Adult Learning and
Training (Calat).
As a result, Achieving
Against the Odds, by
Congolese Helene
Ramazani, and Never Give
Up, by Albanian Kristy
Krasniqi, are the inspiring
stories that have found
their way into print as a
result – in partnership with
publisher Longstone Books.
Targeted mainly at
adult students of the
English language but also
of interest to the general
Inspiring women: Helene Ramazani (third from left) with other brave women involved in the Our Lives project.
reader, all of the books
give first-hand perspectives
on the problems faced by
immigrants to the UK.
Each story starts in the
author’s native country
the Congo after her job as
secretary to an opposition
politician left her life in
danger.
Her determination to
contribute positively to UK
“Our Lives allowed newcomers
to England the opportunity to
share their experiences.”
and follows their journey
through to their new life in
Britain.
The books are relatively
short and are simply
written, but their themes
are adult ones that include
fleeing from harsh political
regimes and coping with
being sold into the human
trafficking trade.
This makes them ideal
for use in teaching English
as a foreign language
to students who may
well share similar life
experiences.
Helene Ramazani fled
society meant that she was
eager to learn English, and
she quickly sought work in
care and nursing.
As she says in her book:
“As human beings, we also
have a responsibility to
care for others, protecting
them, allowing a place for
everyone.
“Britain has given
me life, and hope for the
future.”
Kristy Krasniqi was sold
by her father for £500 and
then trafficked from Albania
to Italy, France, Belgium
and England.
Here, a friend helped her
escape from the violent men
that were exploiting her.
Thanks to her lawyer,
she won her case to remain
in Britain and is now
planning for the future for
herself and her daughter.
In the closing lines of
her book she writes: “Most
of all I want Mia to grow up
and be proud of my hard
work for her.
“My parents were never
proud of me and never
will be. I will make sure I
will always be proud of my
daughter, whatever choices
she makes in her life.”
Apart from the Get
London Reading grant, the
project has been entirely
self-funding.
The teachers give their
time on a voluntary basis,
and all other publishing
costs are covered through
sales of the books – largely
to English-language schools
across the country.
Sales even allow the
writers to be paid a small
royalty for their work.
One of the volunteers,
Jackie McLoughlin, said of
the project: “The books are
ideal for the national adult
skills and literacy market
– because when people
are learning to read they
want adult material, they
don’t want to be reading
children’s books.
“That’s why we try to
sell them to schools and
colleges around the country
who run adult literacy
classes.
“It’s also fantastic to be
able to pay these writers –
even if only a small sum.
“It gives affirmation and
encouragement to them
that their stories have been
heard and recognised, and
that they have something of
value to give to others.”
For further information
call CALAT on 0870 556
1630 www.calat.co.uk
specialfeature 19
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
27
January – this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day
commemorating the 65th anniversary of the liberation
of one of the most notorious Nazi camps, Auschwitz.
Courage and hope
A Holocaust survivor speaks about the atrocities suffered by Europe’s Jews during the war.
Each January marks a
particularly poignant
anniversary for one brave
Croydon resident.
Janina FischlerMartinho is a survivor
of the Holocaust – the
World War II atrocity
that claimed the lives of
many thousands of Jewish
people, including her
parents.
Born in Krakow,
Poland, in 1930,
she experienced the
deportation of huge
numbers of her community
by the occupying Nazi
forces in 1942.
Her own survival
was due, in large part, to
the courage of her elder
brother.
She survived for two
years, working as a casual
labourer and disguising
her real identity before
her brother found her
again in 1945, when they
journeyed to reach their
uncle.
When he was offered
the chance to go to
Britain, he took both
children with him as his
family, arriving in 1946.
Janina later went on
to make her own life,
qualifying as a French
teacher, and marrying.
Speaking to Your
Croydon, she said: “I am
never ‘happy’ to talk about
my experiences, but it is
out of a sense of homage
and respect to those that
died, that I recount them.
“School visits to the
camps are important for
young people, but must
be supported with the
right information and
knowledge beforehand;
otherwise it would be a
wasted experience and
wouldn’t stay with them.”
She applauded the
decision of the council
to host a Holocaust
exhibition at Croydon
Clocktower.
“The exhibition is
Poignant: ceramic replica of a victim’s shoe
Artist at work: Jenny Stolzenberg prepares an exhibit
important in helping to
provide the necessary
information and
knowledge of the
Holocaust to young
people”
She has visited Krakow
a number of times and
has written her story in
a moving autobiography,
Have You Seen My Little
Sister?
The exhibition, which
runs from 8 to 30 January,
in the Space C gallery
Memorial: The Yellow Star
of the Clocktower, in
Katharine Street, features
the works of awardwinning photographer
Marion Davies, and
celebrated ceramic artist
Jenny Stolzenberg.
Marion Davies’
photographs, exhibiting
under the banner Absence
and Loss focus on the
remarkable number of
Holocaust memorials in
Berlin (right and below).
Jenny Stolzenberg’s
I am never
‘happy’ to
talk about my
experiences,
but it is out
of a sense of
homage and
respect to those
that died, that I
recount them.
Finishing touches: care taken on details
Forgive and Do Not Forget
exhibition features row
upon row of glazed and
fired ceramic shoes.
These are replicas of
the footwear left behind
by the victims of the
Holocaust when the Nazi
concentration camps were
liberated.
The exhibition is a
poignant memorial to the
victims and their families.
Jenny has a personal
connection to the story
of the Holocaust, as her
father was a survivor
of the Dachau and
Buchenwald camps, and
the exhibition allows
her to reflect on her own
legacy as a child of a
survivor.
This year’s Holocaust
Memorial Day falls on
Wednesday, 27 January,
and will commemorate
the 65th anniversary of
the liberation of one of
the most notorious Nazi
camps, Auschwitz.
This will be marked
at noon by the traditional
public candle-lighting
ceremony and reading of
the Holocaust Memorial
Day pledge, in the
entrance foyer of the
Town Hall.
Prior to that, at
10.30am on Level Two
of the adjacent Central
Library, there will be
storytelling and readings
for adults on the theme of
heroes and heroines.
As well as listening
to stories of courage,
members of the public will
be invited to contribute
their own reading or
anecdote about someone
they admire.
All events are free to
attend.
For more information,
email amanda.guest-
collins@croydon.gov.uk
or call 020 8726 6000
ext 64324.
27.3.1945: 18 Jews Berlin –
Theresienstadt
The Abandoned Room
Memorial
20 yourheritage
January 2010 | Your Croydon
People who are new to the borough are often amazed at the
vibrancy, the diversity, the amenities and the sheer number of
things you can do here.
Reasons to
love Croydon
What is it about our borough that you particularly admire? The shops? The nightlife?
The parks? Something else? Don’t be shy, let everybody know.
get in touch
What are your
Croydon top tips?
Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk
Living in Croydon, it’s
easy to take the town for
granted.
We all know its great
points – and also the bits
we’d like to see improved.
But sometimes it takes
others to open our eyes to
what’s all around us.
People who are new to
the borough are often
amazed at the vibrancy,
the diversity, the
amenities and the sheer
number of things you can
do here.
And that got the Your
Croydon editorial team
thinking.
How do you go about
telling your friends and
relatives who are not so
familiar with our town
what we have to offer?
If they are coming over
for the weekend, what do
you tell them about what
is happening here?
Surrey Life magazine, a
glossy leisuretime read
that can be bought
throughout the south-east,
recently revealed itself as
a fan of Croydon and set
out its 10 special reasons
to visit the town.
But those of you living
here know the town best
of all. Do you agree with
Surrey Life or can you do
better? What do you think
is best of Croydon?
Tell us your top tips
about your town. Share
your Croydon secrets.
We’re not asking for
too many – three will be
just fine.
Then we’ll add them
all up and reveal
Croydon’s very own top
ten as voted on by the
people of Croydon.
Send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.
gov.uk or write to the
address that appears on
page two.
Below is the list of the
magazine’s reasons…
Surrey Life’s 10 special reasons to visit Croydon
1.
Music and theatre – at Fairfield
2.
ating out – at restaurants like Le Cassoulet, Fish & Grill,
E
Albert’s Table, Bagatti’s and Le Moulin Rouge
3.
hopping – at the Whitgift and Centrale malls, and one-off gems
S
like Beanos’ Market Place
4.
udor history – the architectural legacy of John
T
Whitgift, the former Archbishop of Canterbury,
which can be seen in the Almshouses and Old
Palace
5.
roydon Clocktower – not just a landmark but
C
a centre for culture
6.
amous names – Brit School protégés like
F
Katie Melua (right) and Amy Winehouse are
following a path set by Sir David Lean
7.Flight and fancy – Croydon Airport made aviation history
8.Transport innovation – the Surrey Iron Railway was Britain’s first
public railway; today Tramlink is one of the UK’s top tram systems
9.Festivals – fashion, jazz, food and an amazing summer event
attract thousands of visitors.
10.Parks and open spaces? – fashion, jazz, food and an amazing
summer event attract thousands of visitors.
Have your e-say at yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
yourheritage 21
It seems as though I’ve been interested in him all my life. It was
a dream come true, one that I’ll never forget and never thought
would happen.
Professor Earl Stewart
A dream come true
Danny Brierley speaks to a US professor visiting the home of arguably Croydon’s most famous composer.
An American academic
has finally realised a 30year dream by visiting
Croydon – the home of his
hero, the composer Samuel
Coleridge-Taylor.
It was during the spring
of 1977, while still a
student at the University of
Texas, that Professor Earl
Stewart, an accomplished
musician, was introduced to
the work of ColeridgeTaylor.
That was the beginning
of a passion that has
become all-consuming for
the respected music scholar
who has made the Croydon
composer a central strand
of the black music course
he now teaches at the
University of California.
Prof Stewart recently
made an emotional
pilgrimage to Croydon after
giving a talk about
Coleridge-Taylor to an
audience at the British
Museum.
“The first time I heard
his music I was spellbound,”
Prof Stewart said.
“I just played the album
Dedicated: Prof Stewart (centre) with council staff Rob Shakespeare and Chris Bennett
over and over again. It was
romantic, but a new kind of
romantic – and profound
and lyrical at the same
time. I became dedicated to
him and made it my aim to
learn as much as I could
about him.”
After seeing the grave of
the “African Mahler”, Prof
Stewart was taken to the
house in St Leonard’s Road,
Waddon, where ColeridgeTaylor died of pneumonia
in 1912, aged 37.
The final leg of his
journey saw Prof Stewart
visit Croydon Museum,
where he was shown a
portrait of the composer
that currently forms part of
the Scene Unseen
exhibition, and then to the
borough’s local studies
library.
There he was shown an
array of documents,
photographs, manuscripts
and musical scores that
have been collected on
behalf of the people of
Croydon.
Archivist Chris Bennett
(pictured above with Prof
Stewart) also unearthed a
log book from the British
School in Tamworth Road.
One entry, written
by Coleridge-Taylor’s
headmaster, John Drage,
showed that his musical
promise had been spotted
at a Christmas concert in
which he played a violin
solo at the age of nine.
After spending a
couple of hours poring
over the collection, Prof
Stewart spoke of how it
felt to get so close to
someone he has spent
decades researching.
“It was absolutely
wonderful.
“It seems as though
I’ve been interested in
him all my life. It was a
dream come true, one
that I’ll never forget, and
never thought would
happen.”
Before returning to the
US, Prof Stewart said he
intends to revisit Croydon
to spend more time
gathering information
about Coleridge-Taylor.
Steaming into the future
Pic credit - Croydon Local Studies Library and Archives Service
It’s soon to be “all change” at West Croydon – but can you identify this piece of locomotive
history, taken at the station when the railways were young?
West Croydon station
is about to enter a new
phase in its 170-year
history as work continues
to get it ready to become
part of the Tube network.
The station has been
in the hands of Transport
for London (TfL) since
September 2008.
It is one of 10
overground stations,
including Norwood
Junction, that are about
to become part of the East
London Line.
It is all a far cry from
when this picture of a
steam train was taken at
the station.
The photograph is
thought to have been
taken when the station
was part of the London &
Croydon Railway, which
opened on 5 June, 1839.
The image is part of
the collection at Croydon
Local Studies Library
and Archives Service at
the Central Library in
Katharine Street.
There is no
accompanying information
and the only clue to where
the train may be going, or
to whom it belonged, is
the name BEEDING on the
side of the engine.
Beeding, of course, is a
town in West Sussex, near
Horsham.
Perhaps you know
more? Let us know by
emailing yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk or by
writing to the address on
page 2.
Coleridge-Taylor facts
Born in Holborn, London,
in 1875.
Middle name was taken
from poet Samuel Taylor
Coleridge.
Greatest success was
Hiawatha’s Wedding-feast.
Visited the USA three
times, where musicians
name him the African
Mahler.
Married Jessie at Holy
Trinity, Selhurst, on 31
December 1899.
Died of pneumonia in 1912,
four days after collapsing
at West Croydon station
22 yourevents
January 2010 | Your Croydon
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
Fairfield
The Nutcracker
Sun 3, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Mon 4, 7.30pm
Performed by The Russian
State Ballet & Orchestra of
Siberia. It begins as night
falls on a traditional fireside
scene on Christmas Eve.
On the stroke of midnight
we are transported to an
enchanting world where
nothing is as it seems.
£27.50, £29.50, Seniors
£24.50, Children £15
Goodbye . . . Pete ‘n’ Dud in
the afterlife
Wed 6 – Sat 9, 7.30pm
Sat matinee 2.30pm
Dudley Moore dies to find an
impatient Peter Cook, who’s
been waiting for seven years
in Limbo in a bizarre bar.
£17
Croydon Comedy Club
Fri 8, 9pm. Doors open
8pm
See some of the circuit’s
top comedians.
£9
Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown
Thurs 14, 7.30pm
Outrageous and
controversial and always
funny. Guaranteed to make
your toes curl. His shows sell
out fast, but coming with the
warning – if easily offended
please stay at home.
£20.50, £21.50 (£2.50
booking fee per ticket)
Film: Fame (PG)
Friday 15 & Saturday 16,
7.30pm
Fame follows a talented
group of students over four
years at the New York City
High School of Performing
Arts, where students are
given a chance to live out
their dreams and achieve
fame.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
London Mozart Players
Saturday 16, 7.30pm
Poet Roger McGough reads
a selection of his animal
poems with the orchestra
performing the music that
inspired them: Saint-Saëns’
Carnival of the Animals. £10
- £29.50
American Superslam
Wrestling Spectacular
Sunday 17, 3pm
Superslam wrestling is now
in its 11th year of presenting
the best of live wrestling
action.
£10, £12, children £8, family
£35
Lunchtime event: Martin Bell
Tues 12 January 1.05pm
Martin Bell was among
those who defined the term
war correspondent. £5,
ShowCard £4.50
Brendan Cole – Live and
Unjudged
Wednesday 13, 8pm
Brendan and his guests
perform their choice of
everybody’s favourite
dances, up front and
personal. Set to songs
from legends such as
Frank Sinatra to Michael
Jackson, mixed with music
as contrasting as Carmina
Burana and Guns N’ Roses.
£29.50
Lunchtime event: Opera
della Luna
Tues 19, 1.05pm
Opera della Luna has earned
itself a matchless reputation.
This is a unique opportunity
to see the musical director
at the piano, taking the
audience on a journey
through light opera.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Sing-A-Long-A Sound of
Music
Thurs 28, 7pm
Complete with subtitles
so that the audience
can sing along! Includes
fancy dress competition
in which everyone in
costume is invited on
stage not obligatory but
recommended!
£13.50
Die Fledermaus - Opera
della Luna
Tue 19 & Wed 20, 7.45pm
Wed Matinee 2.30pm
Dr Falke was once left to
wander home, drunk, and
dressed as a bat, by his
friend Gabriel von Eisenstein.
To exact his revenge he
arranges for Eisenstein to
attend a risqué party and
there Eisenstein seduces
a mysterious Hungarian
countess, who is his own
wife in disguise.
£20.50, £22.50, matinee £16
Choreographics 6
Thurs 21, 7.30pm
High-school students from the
borough display their creative
talents. This creative platform
enables students to perform
their choreographic work.
£6, students £3
Film: The Imaginarium of
Doctor Parnassus
Fri 22, 7.30pm
Starring Heath Ledger,
Johnny Depp, Jude Law
and Colin Farrell. Parnassus
is blessed with the gift of
guiding the imaginations of
others but is cursed with a
dark secret.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Johann Strauss Gala
Sat 23, 7.30pm
Waltz back in time to the
glittering ballrooms of 19thcentury Vienna. The Johann
Strauss Orchestra will be
directed from the violin in
traditional Viennese manner.
£19.50, £23.50, £25.50
Lunchtime event: Phillip
Dyson – Chopin Bicentenary
Concert
Tues 26, 1.05pm
A programme of Chopin’s
music, including: the Military
Polonaise, Revolutionary
Study, Waltz in C sharp
minor, Fantaisie Impromptu
and more.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Old Time Music Hall
Wed 27, 2.30pm
CODA presents a hugely
entertaining performance in
the time-honoured tradition
of Old Time Music Hall. Preshow fish-and-chip lunch
available in the coffee shop
for £4.75 (not included in the
ticket price).
£10
Film: The Time Traveler’s
Wife
Thurs 28, 7.30pm
Starring Eric Bana and
Rachel McAdams. Henry is
cursed with a rare genetic
anomaly that causes him to
involuntary time travel. This
causes his romance with
the love of his life, Clare, to
run into all kinds of difficult
complexities.
£5, ShowCard £4.50
Lee Hurst
Sat 30, 8pm
Lee Hurst is in the ‘premier
league’ of British stand-ups.
Hilarious, no-holds-barred
comedy at its best.
£16.50
James Sherwood
Sun 31, 8pm
Sony Award nominee and
BBC Radio 4 regular, James
Sherwood comes to Fairfield
as part of his first national
tour. He is the creator and
chief writer of Radio 4’s new
topical panel show I Guess
That’s Why They Call It The
News.
£15
Skool Roolz
Fri 29, 8pm
Skool Roolz perform a show
paying homage to the school
disco craze. Come in school
uniform...
£15
David Lean
Me And Orson Welles (12A)
Sat 2, Mon 4 to Thu 7
Citizen Kane (U) Reissue
Wed 6, Thu 7
A Serious Man (15)
Sat 2, Mon 4 to Thu 7
Me And Orson Welles (12A)
Sat 2, Mon 4 to Thu 7
Jake & Elwood
Fri 22, 7.45pm
A fantastic stage set, live
soul band and powerhouse
performances from Jake &
Elwood. Witness the masters
at work in this world-class
musical extravaganza.
£18.50
Citizen Kane (U) Reissue
Wed 6, Thu 7
Croydon Comedy Club
Fri 22, 9pm. Doors Open 8pm
See some of the circuit’s
top comedians plus special
guests and exciting new acts.
£9
An Education (12A*)
Fri 8, Sat 9, Mon 11 to
Thurs 14
A Serious Man (15))
Sat 2, Mon 4 to Thu 7
Amelia (PG)
Fri 8, Sat 9, Mon 11 to
Thurs 14
Heavy Load (12A*)
Wed 13, Thurs 14
White Ribbon (15)
Fri 15, Sat 16, Mon 18 to
Thurs 21
Sherlock Holmes (TBC)
Fri 15, Sat 16, Mon 18 to
Thurs 21
Seraphine (PG)
Wed 20, Thurs 21
Bright Star (PG)
Fri 22, Sat 23, Mon 25 to
Thurs 28
Nowhere Boy (15)
Fri 22, Sat 23, Mon 25 to
Thurs 28
Harry Brown (18)
Wed 27, Thurs 28
Nine (TBC)
Fri 29, Sat 30
It’s Complicated (TBC)
Fri 29, Sat 30
yourdiary 23
yourevents
Details of all Croydon
Council meetings can be
found on the council website
at www.croydon.gov.uk/
meetingsofthecouncil
Croydon Clocktower,
Katharine Street, Croydon
Ticket office: 020 8253 1030
Online: www.croydonclocktower.org.uk
Clocktower
Mark Thomas – A People’s
Manifesto
Thurs 14 Jan 7.30pm
Comedian-activist Mark
Thomas is trying to create
a People’s Manifesto and
wants your help. Each
audience gets to come
up with their own policies,
which Mark will include in
the final manifesto and then
campaign upon.
Tickets from £10
Heavy Load LIVE
Fri 15 Jan 8pm
Heavy Load are Brighton’s
answer to The Ramones. A
punk outfit uniquely made
up of musicians with and
without learning disabilities.
£6
Ugly Duckling
Sat 16 Jan 11am &
2.30pm
New musical adaptation of
Hans Christian Anderson’s
classic tale of belonging and
identity. This is a must-see
show for little ones and their
families.
From £5
unwind with a ball of wool
and new friends in Croydon.
Free
Full Twist
Thurs 21 Jan 7.30pm
A witty tale of lust and
love, quirky romance
and cynical twists, using
physical humour with
poetic moments and slick
choreographed object
manipulation to create a
light hearted world of four
flustered hearts and more
than a few surprises…
From £6
London Mozart Players
Fri 22 Jan 2.30pm
A string trio from Croydon’s
resident orchestra return
with a wonderful programme
of duos and trios.
Tickets from £8
Sounds Like…
Sat 23 Jan11am & 2.30pm
A sound… where does it
come from? Is it loud? Is
Dates for your diary
it quiet? Can you catch it?
Listen to the symphony and
contribute your own sounds
to the soundscape created
in front of you.
Tickets from £5
Meeting: Monday, 25 January
Deadline: Monday, 11 January
Meeting: Monday, 22 March
Deadline: Monday, 8 March
To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) for consideration at a full council
meeting, email it to council.questions@croydon.gov.uk; 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.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Sat 30 Jan 11am &
2.30pm
Gerald the giraffe was not
a good dancer. Every year
he dreaded the great Jungle
Dance. But, one beautiful
moonlit night, Gerald
discovers that when we’re
different, sometimes all we
need is a different song to
dance to…
From £5
Meeting: 12 January Children learning and leisure
Scrutiny
Deadlines for the forthcoming scrutiny and overview committee public question sessions
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Deadline: 4 January
Meeting: 19 January Health and adult social care
Deadline: 11 January
Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust: Stuart Bell
Meeting: 26 January Community services
Deadline: 18 January
Councillor Gavin Barwell (Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion)
To submit a question (maximum number of words: 50) to the cabinet member detailed above,
email it to scrutiny.public.questions@croydon.gov.uk ; 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: 13 January
Group: South Norwood and Selhurst
Venue: South Norwood Baptist Church, Oliver Avenue, South Norwood
Meeting: 20 January
Group: Sanderstead, Croham and Selsdon & Ballards
Venue: St John the Divine Church Hall, Upper Selsdon Road, Selsdon
Meeting: 27 January
Group: New Addington and Fieldway
Venue: Rowdown Primary School, Calley Down Crescent, New Addington
Warehouse
January fixtures
Date Team
Kick-off
9
Bristol City
3pm
30 Peterborough 3pm
Deadlines for public questions for forthcoming full council meetings (all start at 6.30pm).
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Abigail’s Party
Wed 27 to Fri 29 Jan
7.30pm
Goodmann Productions
present an exciting new
production of Mike Leigh’s
phenomenally successful
“Abigail’s Party”!
From £6
Jane Austen Book Club
Mon 18 Jan 6.30pm
The first rule of the Jane
Austen Book Club is there is
no book club. As part of the
explosion of knit and natter
groups across the nation this
is where you can relax and
Crystal
Palace
Council
Dick Barton – Quantum of Porridge (World Premiere)
Playing until Sun 21 February
Our favourite Special Agent returns in a new adventure.
Urgent message from Dick Barton: “Help! I seem to be
trapped within my own past and I can’t get back! You must
help me solve the riddle of the Queen’s vibrating Orb and
Sceptre! Help me fight Britannia’s foggy foes in not one, but
two, time zones as I reunite with some old chums and sing a
few dinky tunes into the bargain…”
Tuesday 6.30pm £14 (£11); Wednesday 8pm £14 (£11));
Thursday 8pm £12; Friday & Saturday 8pm £17; Sunday 5pm
£14 (£11)
The Princess and The Pea
Sat 16 January at 11am
The playful and colourful story of a prince in search of a
real princess, a clever queen, a girl who is not as she first
appears, a tower of mattresses and, of course, a tiny pea.
Suitable for children from three to six years.
Grown-ups £6, children £5.
For information on Neighbourhood Partnerships, visit the website at www.croydononline.org/
neighbourhood_partnerships/, email neighbourhood.partnerships@croydon.gov.uk,
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
Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website at www.croydon.
gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil
Contact us
General enquiries
T: 020 8726 6000
Opening hours
8am-7pm (Monday),
8am-6pm (Tuesday-Friday)
F: 020 8760 0871
Minicom: 020 8760 5797
Email: contact.thecouncil@
croydon.gov.uk
Housing
T: 020 8726 6100
F: 020 8760 5745
E: housing@croydon.gov.uk
Environmental reporting
T: 020 8726 6200
E: contact.enviroteam@
croydon.gov.uk
Planning and building
control
T: 020 8726 6800
F: 020 8760 5406
E: planning.control@croydon.
gov.uk
Adult social services
Tel: 020 8726 6500
Fax: 020 8633 9428
Email: referral.team2@
croydon.gov.uk
my council...
“...helps me keep fit”
Find out more about leisure services in your area
020 8726 6000
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