Your Croydon - August 2009 - London Borough of Croydon

Place Survey – your
opinions about the public
services you receive from
the council and others.
Parks to be proud of –
your chance to improve
our green spaces.
Page 8
Croydon Summer Festival
– your guide to the
weekend’s programme of
music, arts and fun.
yourcroydon
Page 6
Page 12
Issue 32 - August 2009
www.croydon.gov.uk
Your primary source of community information from your council
Our waste promise:
clean and green!
Sending to landfill the waste that can’t be recycled is no longer an option, and
Croydon, with its partners, is investigating ways to deal with the problem.
Croydon Council has made
a series of far-reaching
pledges over the way
household waste will be
handled in the borough
over decades to come.
Uppermost is its
promise to continue
investing in ways of
reducing, reusing and
recycling waste.
The council will aim
for more than 50% of
household waste to be
used again in some way.
Knowing that landfill is
no longer environmentally
acceptable – and is
increasingly expensive for
taxpayers – the council has
committed to widespread
public consultation to find
the most suitable site for a
modern waste treatment
plant with facilities for
long-term recycling,
composting and extracting
energy from waste.
A public workshop
on the site consultation
will be held in Croydon
Clocktower, Katharine
Street, at 7pm on
Monday, 7 September.
However, the council
has immediately ruled
out any form of mass
burn incinerator – or
any treatment plant
that produces harmful
emissions, is visually
intrusive on the borough
or has a negative impact
on the local environment.
The council is part of
the South London Waste
Partnership (SLWP),
with Merton, Sutton and
Kingston. Each authority
is prioritising increases
in recycling and reusing
waste – but, realistically, a
solution needs to be found
for the residual amount
No longer an option: alternatives to landfill must be found
that will be left over.
Decisions on exactly
how and where this will
be done will be taken
collectively in 2011 – after
public feedback has been
carefully considered.
The process to
identify what kind of
clean technology can
be used has started.
So, too, has the
exercise to find which of
the industrial
waste plants within the
four boroughs will be
best suited to develop
the operation that will
be needed to process
around 420,000
tonnes of the waste
that can’t be used
again in some way.
All four
boroughs have
firmly declared
their opposition
to poor-performing,
outdated technologies
like messy incinerators.
However, Croydon
might entertain an
entirely different way
of turning waste into
valuable heat or energy.
Non-incineration methods
– including anaerobic
digestion, fermentation
and mechanical biological
treatment – could emerge
as potential solutions.
Councillor Phil
Thomas, the borough’s
cabinet member for the
environment, said: “We’re
pleased this issue has
become something that
people are talking about.
“We need a mature,
responsible debate because,
make no mistake, dealing
with waste can have a
huge environmental and
economic impact.
“Everyone is involved
because everyone
produces rubbish.
“Here in Croydon,
recycling rates are shooting
up as more residents
realise they can no longer
chuck everything away.
“The council is
constantly introducing
new ways to make it
easier to recycle more
and more products.
“At the end of the day,
though, we’ll still be left
with a lot of stuff for which
there’s no further use.
“That’s going to be a big
problem in future unless
we make the appropriate
plans right now.”
For more information
on waste services, visit
www.croydon.gov.uk/
environment/rrandw
This newspaper is printed on environmentally friendly paper from a sustainable source, and produced at lower cost than the previous Your Croydon magazine.
2 yournews
August 2009 | Your Croydon
Howzat? Pro cricket Design a
returns to Whitgift festive light
Borough children invited to play an
illuminating role in this year’s townIn the summer time, when the weather is fine, Surrey’s county team packs
balls, bails and stumps, and heads for the annual Whitgift Festival of Cricket. centre Christmas.
This may well be the
first time you’ve seen
Christmas mentioned
this year – apologies if
it is – but there’s a good
reason for Your Croydon
to be doing so in August.
Croydon Business
Improvement District and
Blachere Illumination Ltd
are behind an exciting
new competition for
Croydon’s Christmas
lights switch-on, and
schoolchildren are being
asked to get their creative
thinking caps on.
Primary school pupils
across the borough are
being encouraged to
come up with an original
design for a Christmas
light which could have
a chance of featuring
in this year’s festive
town-centre display.
Children between
the ages of four and
11 can submit designs
using the entry form,
available online at www.
croydontowncentre.com
Deadline for entries
is midday on 12 August.
Fun in the Triangle
August in South Croydon: crowds expected as Surrey return for annual visit to Whitgift school
The thwack of leather
on willow, cries of
“howzat?” and cheers
of congratulation will
once again be heard in
South Croydon when
professional cricket
returns to Whitgift School.
Back again for 2009,
the Whitgift Festival of
Cricket takes place on the
school’s ground, bordering
Brighton Road, from
Wednesday to Sunday, 5
to 9 August.
With stars such as
former Whitgift pupil
Matthew Spriegel (see
interview on page 19)
likely to figure in the
Surrey side, a bumper
crowd of local cricket
lovers is expected at
one of the county’s most
civilised settings.
Derbyshire Phantoms
provide the opposition
for both matches – the
NatWest Pro40 on
Wednesday, 5 August,
and the Liverpool Victoria
County Championship
from Thursday 6 to
Sunday 9.
They are likely to
include big-hitting
international stars and
will line up against a
Surrey outfit which
could include such
crowd pleasers as Mark
Ramprakash and Andre
Nel, both of whom
are keen to make an
impression on Brown Caps
fans not able to make
regular trips to the Brit
Oval.
For more information
on tickets, visit www.
surreycricket.com or call
yournews
2
yourfinances
17
yourenvironment
6
yoursport
18
yourcommunity
11
yourheritage
20
yourspace
14
yourevents
22
yourbusiness
16
yourdiary
23
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Editorial team
Editor: Fred Hall
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: Alison Turner
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croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: John Bownas
Email: yourcroydon@
croydon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 8760 5644
Reporter: Richard Gibbs
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Tel: 020 8760 5644
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Tickets sold for the
Whitgift Festival of Cricket
will admit the holder to
the Hidden Treasures of
the Mary Rose exhibition,
currently staged in the
school’s conference centre.
So, if rain should
happen to stop play, fans
of modern-day cricket can
step back in time to see
what life was like aboard
King Henry VIII’s flagship.
For information, visit
www.maryrosehidden
treasures.org
Games, dancing and mouth-watering
food – what more could children ask?
Hours of fun activities
are promised when a
special play day is held for
children in Broad Green.
Hosted by Croydon
Council, in partnership
with family support
charity Croydon Welcare,
the fun and games
will take place at the
Croydon Grove Triangle,
located between Sumner
Gardens, Croydon Grove
and Leighton Street.
The event will run
from noon to 3pm on
Wednesday, 26 August,
and the youngsters will
be able to enjoy a range
of foods, face painting,
mask making, dancing,
egg and spoon race, and
other activities that will
encourage them to play,
and to get their parents
and siblings involved.
For more information,
contact Nickie Holland
at Croydon Welcare
on 020 8688 5151.
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The next issue of Your Croydon will be published on Monday,
31 August. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of
an advertisement does not indicate council endorsement of any
products or services mentioned.
This newspaper is printed on environmentally friendly,
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yournews 3
www.croydon.gov.uk Green Flag for
Haling Grove
A hidden gem has won top recognition as it is presented with a coveted honour.
Mary Rose extension
Extra month for popular exhibition.
The popularity of the
Hidden Treasures from
the Mary Rose exhibition
is such that its run at
Whitgift School has been
extended to 1 September.
The flagship of the
fleet of King Henry VIII,
the Mary Rose was sunk
in The Solent in 1545.
When raised in 1982,
the ship offered amazing
insights into life aboard
a Tudor ship, and many
of the artefacts recovered
feature in the exhibition.
The exhibition is being
staged in the school’s
conference centre,
Brighton Road, South
Croydon.
Croydon residents get
a 50% discount on the
admission prices of £8 for
adults; £5 for concessions;
£18 for families (up
to two adults and four
children); and £6 per
person for groups.
For information, visit
www.maryrosehidden
treasures.org
Which way now?
Clocktower day offers career help.
Best-kept secret: despite location in residential area, relatively few know about Haling Grove
South Croydon’s Haling
Grove is on a par with the
country’s finest parks, after
receiving a sought-after
Green Flag at an awards
ceremony in Bournemouth
at the end of July.
Green Flag Awards
recognise and reward the
best parks in the country,
and Haling Grove stood out
by impressing the judges
with excellent facilities
including well-managed
green space, signage and
amenities.
The 10-acre park was
once part of the Haling
Park country estate, which
stretched as far as Duppas
Hill.
Before being
demolished in 1936,
Haling Grove House stood
on the site, the last owner
of which was a horse
breeder of note, Sydney
Shorter, who employed
a coachman, two grooms
and a stable boy.
Mr Shorter died
in 1929 and his wife
bequeathed Haling Grove
to the Playing Fields
Association, which then
transferred it to Croydon
Corporation.
The Green Flag Awards
are run by environmental
charity, Keep Britain Tidy,
GreenSpace and BTCV,
which have been inundated
with applications as parks
value the coveted award.
Warhammering home the message
Borough’s libraries hosting fantasy gaming clubs for young people.
What game is 22 years old,
has a worldwide fan base,
has made its inventors a
fortune, has achieved all
this with no advertising,
and has now gained a
foothold in Croydon’s
libraries?
It’s called Warhammer
40,000 and, chances are,
you’ve never even heard of
the phenomenon, let alone
played it.
That’s because the
company responsible for
the game relies entirely
on word of mouth to get
more people playing. No
posters, no glossy magazine
ads and certainly no TV
campaigns.
However, since being
launched by Games
Workshop in 1987, the
table-top battle game has
earned the company an
income of £50m – with one
tournament in America
attracting more than
40,000 players.
Croydon’s library
service has begun to
host Warhammer fantasy
gaming clubs for anyone
aged between 10 and 18
years. Following the first
session, in May, at the
Central Library, Katharine
Street, the feedback has
been really positive.
For many serious
players, the game’s big
attraction is the creation
of their own custom-made
and painted armies – but
you don’t have to be a
skilled artist or modelmaker to take part. All
that’s needed is a spirit of
adventure and an interest
in playing a game that
mixes skill and luck, and
where no two battles are
ever the same.
Jamil Raymond, aged
10, from Croydon, said:
“It’s great fun and a good
way to meet new friends.
“I’ll probably have to
paint over 20 more pieces
before I start playing, but
then I can keep track of
mine on the table because
of the colours I’ve used.”
The next in-library
session will be held at
South Norwood Library,
Selhurst Road, on Tuesday,
4 August, from 2 to 4pm.
More information is
available from Siobhan
Goddard and Sean
Coules. Send an email to
childrens@croydon.gov.
uk, call 020 8726 6900 or
visit www.croydon.gov.
uk/warhammer
Are you just about to
receive your exam results?
Or do you know someone
who is?
Have you recently
been made redundant?
Are you unemployed?
Would you like to
change your job or choose
a new course?
If you are aged 16
years or above and have
answered “yes” to any
of these questions, the
Advice on Learning and
Work Day at the Croydon
Clocktower, Katharine
Street, could help you.
Running from 10am
to 4pm on Thursday, 27
August, one of the key
features of the day will be
a free CV-checking service,
on Level 2 of the Central
Library.
A number of
organisations will offer
advice and information in
the Court Area, including
Calat, Connexions,
Croydon College,
Coulsdon College, Student
Finance England, Croydon
Employment Support
Service, and Prospects.
For more information,
send an email to fiona.
tarn@croydon.gov.uk
or call her on 020 8726
6900.
Markets prove big hit
Taste of Italy comes to North End.
Always a hit with regular
shoppers, lunchtime
browsers and visitors to
the town centre, the series
of international markets
staged in North End
continues this month.
Running from Thursday,
6, to Sunday, 9 August, the
Italian Market promises
a great selection of
Continental fare.
Hosted by Croydon
Business Improvement
District, the markets
offer an eclectic range
of products, from food
to jewellery, and fashion
accessories to arts and
tapestry.
The market staged in
April is testimony to their
popularity.
Some 650,000 people
visited the market over
four days, translating into
a huge 14.2% increase on
last year and making for
the busiest week of the
year to date.
Putting on the style
Budding designers show their skills.
Warhammer: Jamil Raymond
Design-savvy youngsters
will be displaying their skills
when they take part in the
Shrublands Fashion Show.
Young people aged from
five to 16 years have been
working hard at special
workshops held at Shirley
Community Centre on the
Shrublands Estate over
the past four months.
Anybody keen to see
the fruits of their labours
can go along to the show,
at which there will be a
free champagne reception
plus barbecue, being held
on Friday, 28 August, at the
Community Centre between
6 and 10pm.
4 yournews
August 2009 | Your Croydon
Future brightens
for special needs
Major projects hold promise for young people with special needs in Croydon.
St Giles: new extension part of £1.2m improvement works
Work has begun on a
near-£1m project to boost
local opportunities for
young people with special
needs and disability,
by converting a former
infants school into a
16-plus centre for young
people with learning
difficulties.
This is a key move in
the council’s response to
the concerns of parents
about young people being
sent out of the borough
for specialist support.
The refurbishment
of the Rockmount lower
school site in Hermitage
Road, Upper Norwood,
will equip the nearby
Priory School with the
extra space it needs for a
new 16-plus centre.
Works will include the
refurbishment of the main
school building including
classrooms, kitchen
Have your say
...and make your neighbourhood a nice place.
The council is inviting
residents to comment on
the area in which they live
and what they feel would
make it better.
You are invited, until
the end of August, to
make representations
on the Imagine Croydon
Core Strategy – Issues and
Options Report.
This initial
consultation gives you the
chance to get involved
with the formulation of
this important planning
document that will shape
development in the
borough over the next 20
years.
The report is available
on the council’s website
at www.croydon.gov.uk/
corestrategy
Visit the website, or
contact us directly, to
find out about meetings
and workshops that will
be conducted over the
coming months.
There are a number of ways in which
you can get involved:
•email: ldf@croydon.gov.uk;
•consultation portal: http://consult.croydon.gov.uk;
•Imagine Croydon wiki: www.imaginecroydon.com;
•Facebook group: search for “Croydon – Third City”;
•mobile: text ‘Vision’ to 60660;
•post: Policy and strategy, 18th floor north-west
quadrant, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon
CR9 1JT; or
•telephone: 020 8407 1385.
Crosfield Signs
and offices. The former
nursery is being converted
into an art space and
sensory rooms while the
caretaker’s house will
become a life skills centre.
In addition to the
works to create the
Priory Post-16 Centre,
the council has recently
completed the final stage
of expanding St Giles
School, in Pampisford
Road, Waddon.
What goes
around...
There’s nothing new in the world,
and some wartime memorabilia
proves the point.
With increasing numbers
of people opting for a
staycation – instead of
a vacation – a wartime
pamphlet, recently
rediscovered in Croydon’s
Central Library, shows
that what goes around,
comes around.
Entitled Stay-At-Home
Holidays, the leaflet
was produced by the
Your FIRst stop for quality signs
Crosfield Signs have provided the local authority and general public with a personal
sign making service for more than 20 years. Some of our services include:
• Custom-made signs
• Vehicle livery
• Vinyl banners
• Fascias
• Free-standing pull-ups
• Large-format printing
• External signs
• And more!
For more info call: 020 8689 4056
or email: crosfieldsigns@croydon.gov.uk
We offer site surveys, free
estimates, full installation
and maintenance, through
to final placement of signs.
The £1.2m
improvements include a
new extension to provide
a third classroom, as well
as a second “sensory
room” and courtyard.
The works mean
that capacity has now
increased so that the
council can provide post16 education for up to 30
young people with special
educational needs and
disability.
Corporation of Croydon
as part of the national
drive to keep the railways
as clear as possible for
the movement of the
war machine around the
country.
Present-day reasons
for staying in Croydon
may have more to do with
financial constraints than
the fight against Herr
Hitler, but some of the
tips offered then hold true
now.
Among the suggestions
are: angling at South
Norwood Lake (6d, or
2.5p, per day), bowls in
borough parks (including
Ashburton and Norwood
Grove), and a trip to the
cinema or a guided walk.
Others that might
be more difficult to find
in 2009 are: boating in
Wandle Park, a swimming
gala at the Central
Baths, and any number
of concert parties in
the pavilion in Park Hill
Recreation Ground.
One tip that can
certainly still be taken,
though the numbers may
have changed, is: “For
quiet hours and rainy
days, get a book from
your public libraries.
There are nine of them,
with over a quarter of a
million books, ALL FREE,
and it is very easy to
become a member.”
No mention, you’ll
note, of CDs, DVDs or
internet access.
yournews 5
www.croydon.gov.uk Communities to benefit
Met matters
from ill-gotten gains
Profits made from criminal activities set to be turned around for good causes.
Communities in London
could benefit from
“cashback” from criminals
as millions of pounds
in seized assets are to
be spent on worthwhile
projects nominated by
members of the public.
Community
organisations and
individuals can nominate
a local project for a share
of a £95,000 pot, and
then vote on a shortlist of
projects.
The money comes
from a national £4m
Community Cashback
fund recently announced
by the Home Office.
Nomination and
voting is done through
a dedicated website
– http://cashback.
cjsonline.gov.uk/
cc.asp?area=23 –
and communities are
encouraged to think
about projects that tackle
antisocial or criminal
behaviour.
The closing deadline
for nominations is 3pm on
21 August.
Then, from September
7, the site will carry a
shortlist of about 20
projects on which the
public can vote.
Bids should ideally
be between £10,000 and
£40,000 and successful
bids will have to show
how the local community
is involved in suggesting
the project, demonstrate
good value for money and
be related in some way
to tackling antisocial or
criminal behaviour locally.
This might include
a project to renovate a
children’s playground,
or other area for young
Recovered: unclaimed paintings and other high-value goods
could help fund scheme.
people, that has become
unusable due to criminal
damage; or a project that
provides or enhances
information, facilities or
services for victims of
crime and/or antisocial
behaviour.
Successful bids will
have to show how the
local community is
involved in suggesting
the project, and make a
noticeable difference on
the community.
For more information,
email london.cjb@cps.
gsi.gov.uk
No cold calling here
South Norwood residents make it clear that an appointment is necessary.
Cold callers not welcome
– that’s the message
from residents in South
Norwood, who have set
up Croydon’s third No
Cold Calling Zone.
The Elm Park
Residents’ Association
worked with the council’s
trading standards service
to canvass the views of the
235 households covered
by the zone (NCCZ).
Its aim is to hand
power to residents,
particularly the elderly, by
giving them help and the
confidence to say “no” to
bogus callers and rogue
traders.
It has the full support
of local police teams
and the council’s trading
standards service.
Signs warn rogue
traders that they are
visiting an area, off South
Norwood Hill, where they
are not welcome.
Packs full of handy
information and “no
cold calling” stickers to
display in windows have
been delivered to local
households.
Residents’ associations
who want to set up their
own NCCZ can contact the
council’s trading standards
service for an information
CD by emailing trading.
standards@croydon.
gov.uk or calling
020 8407 1310.
New number for police
Non-emergency number changes, 999 service continues.
The Metropolitan Police
Service has introduced
a new non-emergency
telephone number.
Anybody needing
non-emergency assistance
or advice should now call
0300 123 1212.
All calls to this number
will be redirected to the
appropriate borough
police service.
For callers requiring
urgent assistance, the
999 emergency remains
unchanged.
I am aware of the
growing feeling,
particularly in the north
of the borough, that
we are experiencing an
increase in gun crime in
Croydon.
Although yearly
figures suggest that
gun crime is actually
decreasing, I am not
satisfied that this reflects
the mood on the street.
Saying that gun
crime has decreased
does not alter
perceptions, or, indeed,
confidence.
I am determined to
do everything we can
to reassure the people
of Croydon that we are
serious about tackling
this issue, and that we
will be relentless in
our efforts to deter and
disrupt those who seek
to bring guns into the
borough.
I believe that we
have had a great deal of
success in tackling knife
crime on the borough,
through Operation Safe
for All and working with
our partners.
I want to see the
same kind of success in
tackling gun crime, and
I want to make people
feel safe, so that they do
not have to worry about
gun crime in their local
area.
With this in mind,
we have set up a Gun
Crime Taskforce Group,
in consultation with the
local authority.
This joint initiative
will see an increase
in patrols in certain
areas, targeted
automated number plate
recognition operations,
and intrusive and
proactive targeting of
criminals
We will be working
closely with specialist
units, such as Trident,
to raise awareness,
particularly among
young people, about the
dangers of gun crime
and the penalties if you
become involved.
The other point I
am keen to stress is that
incidents of gun crime
are still relatively rare
and isolated – less than
1% of overall crime
on the borough – and,
more often than not,
the people involved are
known to each other.
This is something
that needs to be tackled
across the borough in a
coordinated way.
Burglary
Last month, I talked
about the problem of
burglary on the borough.
We are still putting a
great deal of effort into
tackling burglary and I
can tell you that we are
arresting more burglars
than any other London
borough.
However, we also
need your help.
My CID officers
discovered that more
than 100 burglaries
(over a 12-week period)
happened in premises
that were either open or
insecure. In other words,
doors and windows are
being left open, which
makes it much easier for
the burglars to target
these properties.
My message is
simple – don’t make it
easy for burglars, keep
your doors and windows
locked and secure.
Finally, I want to
reassure you that I will
continue to use this
column to give you
the facts – good and
bad – about policing on
the borough and to tell
you what I’m doing to
tackle the issues and
challenges facing us in
Croydon
Ch Supt
Adrian Roberts
Borough commander
6 yourenvironment
71%
August 2009 | Your Croydon
of those questioned said they were satisfied
with Croydon as a place in which to live.
The importance of
A major survey of Croydon residents shows that borough life is on the up – and highlighted
some vital pointers for improving local services. John Bownas explores the 2008 Place Survey.
Overall, you
are satisfied
with Croydon
as a place
to live.
With more than 340,000
residents and the largest
youth population in
London, it’s no surprise
that Croydon has a
lot to say for itself –
whether it’s about public
services, hot topics or
the overall quality of
life in the borough.
Now, one of the
largest opinion polls
ever undertaken in the
area – the government’s
Place Survey – has given
Your Croydon readers
an unprecedented
opportunity to tell local
services – including the
council, police, and NHS
– what they think the
borough does well and
what needs improving.
The results paint an
increasingly positive
picture of Croydon as a
place to live – satisfaction
with the overall area
is up by 8%, to an
impressive 71% overall.
And, in one of
London’s most diverse
boroughs, almost 80%
of those questioned
said Croydon is a place
where people from
different backgrounds
work together to
improve the community
and get on well.
That sense of
community spirit is
reinforced by residents’
commitment to
volunteering in the
area they live, with
volunteering rates in
Croydon higher than
almost ANY other
borough in London – due,
THE NUMBERS GAME
On the up:
Positive results
include how
you feel
about libraries
and parks.
71%
of people feel Croydon is a great place to live
86%
are satisfied with their home
78%
are happy with better recycling services
76%
say people in the borough get
along well together
67%
say drug-use is less of a problem
now than in 2006
65%
say there is now less graffiti and
vandalism in the borough
Under the spotlight:
47%
say the streets should be cleaner
63%
say there aren’t enough sports facilities locally
65%
feel they don’t have a say on
what happens in Croydon
66%
don’t know enough about how their tax is spent
27%
feel they get value for money
from local services
in no small part, to the
fact that the town boasts
one of the strongest
volunteering communities
in the capital.
Areas that need to
be addressed include
the fact that almost half
those questioned said the
streets should be cleaner,
and two-thirds felt they
didn’t know enough about
how their tax is spent.
And, worryingly,
the result that showed
only 27% felt they
got value for money
from local services.
However, 86% of
people said they were
happy with their home.
There have also been
significant improvements
in perceptions of
antisocial behaviour
– including a 15%
drop in concern about
young people hanging
around on the streets,
and a 17% reduction in
concern about vandalism,
graffiti and other
deliberate damage.
As well as giving a
snapshot of life in the
borough overall, the
survey has given some
clear pointers for local
public services as to
what works well, and
what needs improving.
More people are
satisfied with rubbish
collection (79% up
from 71% in the last
survey, in 2006), while
the council’s efforts
to increase recycling
services have resulted in
higher satisfaction in this
area, with almost 80% of
residents suggesting they
received a good service.
This is an increase of
9% over the 2006 survey
– exactly the figure by
which the council has cut
the amount of rubbish
Satisfied: most residents are happy living in Croydon
being sent to landfill sites.
Crucially, satisfaction
with Croydon Council
services has risen by 3%.
Although this is a modest
figure, it has bucked the
trend across London,
which has seen a drop in
satisfaction in most areas.
A crucial area – and
the top priority locally
both for the police and
the council – is that of
community safety, an
area where real progress
is being made every day.
Despite the oftennegative headlines, gun
crime accounts for less
than 1% of crime in
the area. As borough
commander Chief
Superintendent Adrian
Roberts points out in this
edition, his officers are
successfully arresting
more burglars than any
other force in the capital.
Positively, 83% of
those asked said they
felt safe during daylight
hours – although
the figure dropped
significantly at nighttime.
That is something
the police and council
are currently working
together to tackle – the
perception of crime,
compared to the low
actual likelihood of
being a victim.
Other positives
included libraries and
parks, both of which
gained increased
satisfaction levels, while
other areas for local
services to improve
included more sports
facilities and more
cultural activities
in the borough.
Interestingly, the most
popular local service
providers proved to be
the borough’s GPs.
Overall, the verdict
for Croydon is that things
aren’t perfect, but they
are getting much better
– primarily due to the
strong community spirit
championed by residents
and the way that local
services work together to
improve the areas people
want to see prioritised.
yourenvironment 7
www.croydon.gov.uk I am in the lucky position of meeting and working with the
fantastically diverse range of people who live in the borough.
Nero Ughwujabo
knowing our place
Liam Allingham, South Croydon
Jean Watson, Purley
“There are less graffiti tags these days,
but I do think that class A drugs are
becoming a problem in some places.
“Green waste recycling is excellent,
but the bin men could take more time
putting bins and boxes back neatly.
“Feeling safe is mostly about where you
are. Most places are fine, but there are
a few areas to avoid sometimes.
“From what I read in the papers I
wouldn’t walk out at night, but nobody
I know has ever actually had a problem.
“Gangs are something you grow out of – once
kids get out of school they do learn to get
along with more people without judging them.
“There’s plenty for kids to do if
they just look hard enough.
“We’ve got a really good monthly
community meeting and we’ve
managed to have our opinions
listened to by councillors as a result.”
“I do read local news to find out
what’s going on if I see people or
places I recognise in the paper.”
Comments of the service providers
Your Croydon asked some of the borough’s senior people what they see as the most
interesting things from the survey – and what they are planning to do to as a result.
Tony Kildare, chief executive, Croydon
Economic Development Company
As I am relatively new to Croydon the survey is
interesting in its entirety to me.
The new economic development company is focused
on skills and employment, business investment,
marketing, strategic sites and the improvement of the
underlying economic infrastructure. It will be providing leadership and
expertise - working with business, investors and the public sector to
establish Croydon as an economic centre for the capital and to address
gaps in Croydon’s economic offer.
Jon Rouse, chief executive,
Croydon Council
With the recession still biting and people having to
think more about their money I am personally
concerned about how few residents know where their
council tax goes.
I want us to do a lot more over coming months to
make sure that we are communicating effectively with people who live
in the borough about all of the things that matter to them.
Steve Phaure, Croydon Voluntary Action
It’s great to see from the survey result that people are
more likely to give up their time on voluntary work in
Croydon than in the average London borough.
However we always want to encourage more.
Right now we are in the middle of supporting another
season of ‘Summer Uni’ courses for young people over
the summer holidays. These courses offer some great opportunities to
volunteer in an exciting range of activities.
Nero Ughwujabo, Croydon BME Forum
Although the figures for people getting along are
excellent I’d like to see them higher still in the future.
Our work will continue to focus on bringing
together people from all of the borough’s different
communities to ensure that they appreciate each other’s
differences and to see that they have a voice when
decisions need to be made that can affect their lives.
Nick Hulme, chief executive,
Mayday Healthcare Trust
I was pleased to see that the survey shows that people
seem to believe that Croydon is a good place to live
and work.
I have been very impressed with the way the
statutory, voluntary and business sectors are committed
to working together to improve services across the board, and I hope
that this is what is reflected in the survey results. Here at Mayday we
are committed to working with our partners to provide the excellent
healthcare that the people of Croydon expect and deserve.”
Chief Superintendant Adrian Roberts,
Croydon police
People’s fear of crime remains a huge concern for me as
this is something that affects everyone’s lives in some
fashion.
We want people to be able to exercise their right
to go about their lives free from the fear of becoming the victim of
crime. That is why we are continuing to target the sorts of violent and
antisocial crimes that so often lead to people feeling unsafe on the
borough’s streets.
Bipin Radia,
Purley
“I’ve been abroad
for a few years, and,
although recycling still
isn’t as big here as in
Europe, it’s definitely
better than it was.
“I do worry about people
respecting others. I know
that most people are
friendly underneath, but
too many have a really
aggressive attitude that
you have to get past first.
“Drugs, graffiti and
crime are mainly
youth problems, and,
although it sounds a
bit tired, I do generally
blame the parents.”
Have your say
Let us know how you feel
about the findings of the
Place Survey.
Where, in your opinion,
could the council offer you
better value for money for your
council tax?
Are you happy about
the fact there’s less graffiti
and vandalism around the
borough?
Have your voice heard.
You can send an email to
yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk
Alternatively, send a letter
to Your Croydon, 7th floor,
Taberner House, Park Lane,
Croydon CR9 3JS.
No anonymous
communications accepted;
editor’s decision is final.
8 yourenvironment
August 2009 | Your Croydon
127
Parks for life
parks and open spaces help
to make Croydon one of the
capital’s greenest boroughs.
Here’s your chance to vote for parks to be proud of.
Green facts
A shortlist
of 15 parks has
been drawn up
and a dedicated
website will be
launched in the
next few weeks
that will allow
you to cast
your vote.
Croydon is far from the
grey concrete monster
that some people like to
imagine it is.
In fact it is one of the
greenest places in London.
Did you know that in
Croydon we have:
•127 parks and open
spaces;
•7 nature reserves;
•15 allotments sites;
•35,000 street trees;
•55 children’s
playgrounds;
•65 football pitches;
Well-used: the multi-ball games court in Selsdon Rec, opened earlier this year, is an example of how
targeted funding can make our parks more attractive and appealing.
Along with our schools
and churches, parks
traditionally are seen
as being at the heart of
local communities.
So, when a recent
survey reminded the
council that Croydon
residents still rank their
parks and open spaces as
important, a decision was
made to invest more than
£2m in them by 2012.
The project has just
been launched, and – after
residents have had the
chance to vote on which
parks are to be included –
will breathe fresh life into
nine of your favourite open
spaces around the borough.
Not that those
responsible for parks have
been resting on their laurels
– nor the rhododendrons,
for that matter.
Already, over the past
two years, some £2m has
been invested in everything
from new planting schemes
and playgrounds, to
landscaping and sports
facilities; and the work
continues as Croydon
strives had to succeed in
the London and Britain
in Bloom competitions.
However, the survey
results have shown that,
despite this, Croydon
residents want to see more
time, effort and resources
invested in their parks.
The new project is
funded from two pots of
money that have recently
become available to
Croydon – a reward grant
from central government,
and a VAT refund cheque
achieved through
prudent accounting
in the Town Hall.
The most important
element of the scheme,
though, is that it
will genuinely allow
you to have a say in
what the council does
with the money.
A shortlist of 15 parks
has been drawn up and
a dedicated website will
be launched in the next
few weeks that will allow
you to cast your vote
for those that you think
most deserve the cash.
You should also see
postcards in your local
libraries and council offices
that will allow you to
vote without a computer,
and there will be people
out and about, talking
to residents in the parks
themselves and district
centres throughout the
voting period – which will
run later in the year.
•19 seven-a-side pitches;
•11 bowling greens; and
•14 cricket pitches?
And that:
•29% of our land is
designated as green belt
or open land; and
•8% of the borough is
covered in woodland.
We also have 22 million
visits to our parks each
year (equivalent to
everyone in the borough
visiting a park every
other day; annually we
use 640 tonnes of locally
composted green waste
to improve the soil; and
we benefit from 4,500
volunteer work days
every year.
yourenvironment 9
www.croydon.gov.uk 15
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2
3
parks have been shortlisted to benefit from
planned improvements – here’s your chance
to vote for your favoured park.
Norbury Park
South Croydon Recreation Ground
10
Currently a bit of a ‘green desert,’ Norbury Park
is potentially a great local space that already has
some sports facilities but that could benefit from
the brook being brought back to the surface and,
maybe, some new toilets and sports facilities.
Surrounded by woodland trees, Rickman Hill
has two senior and three junior football pitches
with a sports pavilion, basketball and tennis
courts. There is a children’s play area and toilets
and the park is within walking distance of
Woodmansterne station.
Mature oak trees give Grangewood a proper
woodland feel in an otherwise built-up area.
Tennis, basketball and bowls are popular, but the
park could use improved facilities, and there is a
great deal of possible heritage value.
Thornton Heath Recreation Ground
With an active friends’ group (www.
thorntonheathrec.org.uk), bowling green and
Milne Park is home to the Kickz Project run by
Crystal Palace Football Club. It has a bowling
green, tennis courts and two ball games courts
and pavilion, however its pitch-and-putt course
and sports pavilion are currently closed.
Rickman Hill Recreation Ground
11
Grangewood Park
Milne Park and Addington Vale,
including Mickleham Way
13
Close to Purley Oaks and Sanderstead stations,
the recreation ground is a large open grass area
with junior football facilities and a footpath
network around the whole site.
Coulsdon Memorial Ground
12
With putting, bowls, tennis, basketball, cricket
and football facilities, the memorial ground has
something for everyone. Unfortunately the café is
closed at present, but there are toilets, changing
rooms and a ranger on site.
two floodlit ball games courts, Thornton Heath
Rec shares a park ranger with nearby Trumble
Gardens. Norbury Brook runs alongside it, and it
is at the heart of a densely populated part of the
borough.
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Sanderstead Recreation Ground
15
Ashburton Park
The recreation ground has a mini cycle track,
sports pavilion and bowling green, as well as
cricket and football pitches. There is also a car
park, and a multi-ball games court.
Ashburton is home to Croydon’s petanque rink, as
well as having tennis, basketball and bowling
facilities. There are toilets and a park ranger, as
well as a refreshment kiosk, and events are often
held on the large grassed area.
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For more information,visit
www.croydon.gov.uk/yourparks
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At the centre of the borough and the home of
the summer festival, Lloyd Park was one of the
first places in the UK to become home to an
18-hole ‘disk golf’ course, as well as being home
to lacrosse and korfball. There is a new sports
facility opening soon, toilets, a bowling green
and football pitches.
AD
Parkfields has a pleasant woodland copse at one
end, cricket and football pitches and a children’s
play area. Its designated cycle path is part of the
water link way. Its toilets are currently closed.
AD
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Wandle Park
Wandle Park is already earmarked for some great
things, having recently got the second highest
number of votes in the Mayor of London’s parks
project – and winning £400k as a result. With a
skate park and other sports facilities, the park
could be transformed if the river Wandle was
brought back to the surface.
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The country park is a 125-acre nature reserve on
the border with Bromley. It has a visitor centre,
new children’s play area, 18-hole pitch and
putt course, dedicated park ranger team and a
network of footpaths. Two tram stops make this
an easy park to reach from central Croydon.
Unsurprisingly there are extensive ponds
at the centre of this hidden gem of a park –
inhabited by a wide range of aquatic birds
and surrounded by an ornamental garden.
The park has its own dedicated gardener and
there are toilet facilities available.
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South Norwood Country Park
The new project is funded
from two pots of money
that have recently
become available.
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Crystal Palace Football Club use this site for
their Positive Futures project after investment
from Barclays Bank helped improve the local
sports facilities. Two ball games courts and the
tennis court are floodlit and there are three grass
football pitches, a sports pavilion and toilets that
are open when the ranger is on site.
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South Norwood Recreation Ground
BE U LA
10 yourenvironment
August 2009 | Your Croydon
It’s not too late to plant broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower;
and, for those who have a greenhouse, there is even a
tomato that can be grown over winter without heat.
What’s the big idea?
Sow your own, grow your own, eat your own – and, at the same time, help Croydon in Bloom.
In recent
years there
has been a
tremendous
upsurge of
interest in
food growing,
so much so
that there is a
waiting list at
every Croydon
allotment site.
Croydon in Bloom needs
your help – to support the
capital by encouraging
everyone to become part
of the Capital Growth
campaign to create
2,012 new food-growing
spaces by 2012.
That translates into
Croydon creating some
80 new spaces by the
time of the London
Olympic Games.
In recent years there
has been a tremendous
upsurge of interest
in food growing, so
much so that there is
a waiting list at every
Croydon allotment site.
But you don’t have
to have an allotment
to grow vegetables.
The current level of
interest in “grow your
own” is as a concern about
food prices, food miles
and the environment.
People want better
access to good, healthy
and affordable food,
and to enjoy cultivating
beautiful green spaces,
and meeting local people.
The Capital Growth
campaign, supported by
Croydon in Bloom and
London in Bloom, offers
practical advice and
support to communities
around London, helping
people get access to land
and create successful
food growing spaces.
The Capital Growth
campaign encourages
small groups or local
communities to create
areas for growing food;
so this is not about
allotments, it’s about
finding areas locally –
perhaps a disused car
park – that are currently
unused, and creating
space for food.
If you need access to
land, the Capital Growth
campaign can help by
letting you know the
location of land locally.
Or it can put you in touch
with people who can help.
On the other hand,
many people have space
at home – in their front
or back garden, roof
or a window ledge.
If you have space to
grow your own at home,
but are looking for some
help to get you started,
there is a wide range
of organisations, both
local and Londonwide,
that can offer help.
For more information,
visit www.capitalgrowth.
org/links/
If you are just starting
out with growing your
own, why not join your
local horticultural society?
Alternatively,
membership of the
National Vegetable
Society opens the door
to plenty of advice.
But if you just want
to give it a go, even
this late in the season,
there is still time to sow
salad crops, spinach
and Oriental leaves.
It’s not too late to plant
broccoli, cabbage and
cauliflower; and, for those
who have a greenhouse,
there is even a tomato
that can be grown over
winter without heat.
Also, you will
be making a major
contribution to Croydon
in Bloom, as vegetable
growing is one of the
features judges will
be looking for and
on which they will be
making their decisions.
Budding photographers wanted
It’s time to point your camera’s lens at the greener
aspects of life in Croydon.
Croydon might have a
reputation as being a
grey town, but that’s only
among people who don’t
know that the borough
is, in fact, one of the
greenest in London.
So, as part of
Croydon in Bloom 2009,
a photo competition
has been launched to
find some of the best
images of Croydon’s
parks, woodlands,
wildlife and plants.
There are five selfexplanatory themed
categories of flowers,
wildlife, parks, landscapes
and gardens, with
another called Imagine
Croydon, giving snappers
the scope to capture
anything that inspires
them about the borough.
Pictures under any of
these themes, taken on
a mobile phone, can be
entered under a special
“mobile” category on the
competition website, and
full-time photographers
can also have a go in
the professional class.
The prize in each
category is a package
of photo gifts created
from your own pictures
courtesy of moo.com, and
the overall winner will
receive a 16”x12” canvas
print of their picture from
Croydon’s BeaumontWright Photography.
To enter the
competition, simply
register at www.
flickr.com/groups/
croydonbloom09/
and then join the
competition group.
Rules, details and
picture submission details
are available on the site.
Roses are red: but enter our competition to highlight Croydon’s greenery
yourcommunity 11
www.croydon.gov.uk We’re really excited about the prospect
of being a part of Imagine Croydon.
St Andrew’s High School students
Young people
are the future
This will
engage our young
people in thinking
constructively
about their future.
... and we’re giving them the chance to say how they
would like to see Croydon develop.
Over the past few months,
we have been asking
thousands of local people
one simple question –
“What kind of place would
you like Croydon to be in
2040?”
A long-term vision will
set a direction of travel that
will ensure we are able to
build toward the Croydon
we all want.
And, given that we
are looking 30 years into
the future, it is hugely
important that we involve
the thousands of young
people living in Croydon.
We are working with
schools, colleges and local
organisations across the
borough to facilitate these
opportunities and have
already had some fantastic
responses.
Alongside more
traditional ways of
talking to people, such as
surveys and interviews,
we are running an online
competition called
Croydon2040 with teams of
young people from across
the borough, putting them
in the position of decisionmakers of the future.
Teams from more than
20 secondary schools,
colleges and youth groups
will be presented with
a series of decisions to
make that will determine
whether they have been
successful in helping to
deliver Croydon’s vision.
St Andrew’s High
School, Waddon, is one of
the schools taking part. The
students said: “We’re really
excited about the prospect
of being a part of Imagine
Croydon and can’t wait to
get started in September.”
Gordon Smith, principal
of Riddlesdown High
School, Sanderstead,
another participating
Looking ahead: St Andrew’s students are ready to have their say
school, said: “We’re really
excited at Riddlesdown
to be part of the Imagine
Croydon project.
“This will engage our
young people in thinking
constructively about their
future and that of their
families and friends.“
Croydon2040 will be
launched in September, to
run for 10 weeks.
Keep an eye on the
Imagine Croydon wiki at
www.imaginecroydon.
com for more details about
Croydon2040.
Alternatively, if you
would like information on
any aspect of the vision, or
know a group of children
and young people that
would like to take part
in Croydon2040, please
contact us by email at
info@imaginecroydon.
com or by calling 020
8407 1329.
12 yourcommunity
August 2009 | Your Croydon
World Party – Saturday, 1 August.
Festival fever
Jump aboard the Croydon Summer Festival express for a two-day intercontinental musical and
cultural journey – all right on your doorstep.
Giant
lobsters, polar
bears, space-age
inflatables and
afternoon tea
at the bowling
green make the
festival a free
day out not to
be missed.
Croydon Summer
Festival returns to Lloyd
Park in August, bigger
and better than ever.
As in past years, the
festival will comprise two
days. World Party will be
held from 1pm to 8.30 on
Saturday, 1 August, with
the Croydon Mela, one of
the biggest and longest
running in the UK, taking
place on Sunday, 2 August,
running from 1 to 8pm.
Festival favourites The
Proclaimers (I’m gonna be
[500 miles], Letter from
America), from Scotland,
and US disco diva Candi
Staton (Young hearts run
free, You got the love)
will headline the main
stage on Saturday, with
flamenco guitar virtuoso
Eduardo Niebla playing
on the World Stage.
Kwassa Kwassa
king Kanda Bongo Man
brings his sun-drenched
Cameroonian grooves
– always guaranteed
to nice up the area;
as are major festival
favourites Dreadzone,
and Bishi’s mix of British
folk and pop alongside
her rock sitar playing.
Also up for grabs will
be the Hispanic stylings of
the Latin Dub System, the
Balkan beats of Alejandro
and the Magic Tombolinos,
and the gorgeous voice
of this year’s Testing
1,2,3 winner, singer/
songwriter De’borah.
And as if all that weren’t
enough, the DJ/compere
on Saturday’s main stage
is none other than man
about town and cultural
barometer, Normski.
The legendary bhangra
superstar, Malkit Singh,
headlines the exciting
line-up for Sunday’s
Festival
favourites The
Proclaimers, and
US disco diva
Candi Staton
will headline
the main stage
on Saturday.
Candi Staton
The Proclaimers
Mela. Last year he was
appointed an MBE for
services to Punjabi music,
and is probably the world’s
biggest bhangra star.
Singer, performer and
songwriter Veronica is one
of the UK’s finest Asian
female artists, first rising
to prominence alongside
Rishi Rich before achieving
Bollywood success with
the film Kya Kool Hai Hum
with the hit Dil mera.
We’ve got so
much talent!
District
Centre
News
AUGUST 2009
Districts prove they have the x-factor
When it comes to talent, Croydon’s districts lead the way.
For creativity, style, performance and energy,
communities including Norbury, Waddon, South
Norwood and Purley are streets ahead, following a series
of well-supported events.
A host of new names to watch have emerged from
the local talent shows staged around the borough, with
events coordinator Hayley Smith praising the participants’
“x-factor”.
Since May, open-invitation events have been
entertaining the crowds, building community spirit and
unearthing potential stars of the future.
“The response to all our events has been terrific,”
said Hayley, who has been a key part of the Croydon
Enterprise team since Easter.
District development manager Sharon Baldwin echoed
her words, adding: “It’s wonderful to see our diverse local
communities coming together to show everyone what
they can do.”
And is hasn’t just been about singing and dancing.
Some events have had a more serious purpose, helping
equip young people with the skills to shine at job
interviews, cementing links between schools and local
businesses, and supporting worthy causes.
A South Norwood business partnership collaboration
with Harris Academy gave students the chance to make
a presentation to the business community about ways of
developing the local High Street.
Croydon Enterprise’s Sharon Baldwin, Anupa Patel
and Hayley Smith also helped academy students gain job
application and interview practice, with six students going
on to gain summer work placements.
June’s Waddon’s Got Talent show in Wandle Park
– a part of the Wandle Valley Festival – saw Croydon
Enterprise team up with community youth worker Katy
Hall for a well-supported day of singing, dancing and
music, with the winners going through to the major
Croydon’s Got Talent finale show in the autumn.
Meanwhile, several hundred extra customers poured
through the doors of Outfit in Valley Park, off Purley Way,
for a summer VIP evening, with special stalls and major
discounts.
In June, the South Norwood business partnership
Traders’ Day was well supported as part of the People for
Portland Road arts festival weekend.
“That went so well,” said Hayley. “It really brings
everyone together and builds a great atmosphere.”
Purley Music Week, at the end of June, was another
big success, thanks to district centre manager Christine
Samson’s hard work.
Music of all styles was performed in a host of different
venues, from pubs and shops to recreation grounds and
churches.
Purley and Coulsdon’s Got Talent ran alongside the
music week, with an exciting rock band of 10-year-old
musicians winning through to join 20 other acts in the
Harris Academy students strut their stuff during the charity fashion show
Valley Park offers a wealth of shopping opportunities
Croydon’s Got Talent finale.
More than 500 people supported New Addington’s
Got Talent at the end of June, coordinated by district
centre manager Ken Sherwood. The event took place in
Milne Park, with food stalls from around the world helping
to create a festive atmosphere.
The Harris Academy fashion show in South Norwood
gave young fashion designers and models a chance to
shine, as well as benefiting a children’s hospice, as part of
the Croydon Fashion Festival.
Last month, another fashion show gave local
businesses new trading opportunities at Coulsdon Manor,
with a fundraiser for the Old Coulsdon Christmas lights,
while the Crystal Palace Arts Festival was again supported
by Croydon Enterprise, with a Crystal Palace’s Got Talent
show and a chance for local artists and designers to
exhibit their work in empty shop premises.
Norbury’s Got Talent provided a stage for singers and
dancers to perform at The Norbury pub in London Road,
and later this month it will be South Norwood’s chance to
reveal its hidden gifts.
And we’re still only halfway through the summer!
There is plenty more to come, including Get Twisted
in the Park, a picnic and social networking afternoon
benefiting The Prostate Cancer Charity, on Saturday, 29
August, in Wandle Park.
Lily Day, on 22 August in Valley Park, will help
raise awareness of the Lily Foundation (www.
thelilyfoundation.org.uk), the charity battling to find a
cure for the mitochondrial disease which led to the tragic
death of local youngster Lily Merritt at just eight months.
And all eyes will turn to the Thornton Heath Festival
on 20 September.
Spotlight
on...
Valley value
Looking for variety, value and easy parking? Seeking bargains,
designer names and friendly service? Enjoy a meal? Like to take
in a film? Look no further than Valley Park.
There’s a lot more to Valley Park than Ikea! The huge
shopping park by the Ampere Way tram stop, under
the famous chimneys in Purley Way, is full of big-name
retailers.
And there could soon be good news on the access
front, with all the pieces of the jigsaw now in place for a
second road to ease the entry and exit traffic bottlenecks.
Business is booming at Valley Park – a point that
was proved during the recent Summer VIP night at the
Outfit store, where the franchisers reduced prices by up
to 20%, and the first 300 shoppers through the door at
6pm received reusable goody bags containing vouchers,
chocolate bars, scarves and magazines.
The Ikea towers
The response to the promotional evening surprised
everyone, including district centre manager Ken
Sherwood, whose job is to sing the praises of Valley Park
and stimulate business, and Outfit manager Jayne Jones,
who said that the queues which formed outside the store
were better than the January sales.
“The response was so good that we’re determined to
do it again,” said Ken. “People poured in, and the store
was still really busy until well after 8pm.”
From left: district centre manager Ken Sherwood, Outfit store manager Jayne Jones, sales manager Victoria Williams,
and Outfit area manager Andy Griggs
VUE cinema
As well as in-store bargains and offers there were
market stalls inside and around the doorway, including an
Avon lady and a woman who recently set up in business
selling cup cakes.
“As a first event it was a great success,” added Jayne.
“We probably had quadruple the number of people
pouring in than we would normally expect, and all the
individual managers have congratulated us. Now other
shops want to do it, too.”
Outside Outfit, sister act Trufull – singers Amarra and
Chanice Smith – entertained shoppers with a three-hour
festival performance. The girls made it to the Boot Camp
stage of X-Factor in 2007, with Amarra now studying
drama at university, and Chanice polishing her act at the
Brit School.
As well as Outfit, the event also involved McDonald’s
(drinks vouchers), Bella Italia (free wine bottles with
meals), and Frankie & Benny’s (25% discount). Sainsbury’s
provided canapés to keep the queue of eager shoppers
fed. The event also benefited Outfit’s chosen charity,
Macmillan Cancer Care, and Valley Park’s adopted charity,
the Lily Foundation.
A good day out at Valley Park should start with
breakfast, and that has to mean Ikea where the 99p
special includes scrambled egg, sausage, bacon, tomato
and hash browns.
After a busy afternoon’s shopping at the numerous
stores, there is a good choice of dining venues before you
take in a film at the Vue cinema complex.
Sainsbury’s supermarket
Why I love Valley Park
…and what I would change
Tony Obling
61, lives in Coulsdon,
shops in Valley Park.
The freedom to park is
great. There are numerous
outlets, but it’s really all
about the ease of getting here during the
week. Regretfully, Marks & Spencer has
gone – we used to shop there, so I’d like a
replacement for M&S.
4
David Desborough
26, lives beside Valley Park.
1
It’s easy to get to ... I just
walk here! It could really do
with a Tesco Express, but
there are plenty of shops.
My missus likes Next best. We often take the
kids to the cinema. Generally, it’s perfect,
but it does need some little local shops.
5
2
1. Ikea
2. Vue cinema
and restaurants
3. Sainsbury’s
4. B&Q
5. Retail shops
Past problems about traffic congestion when exiting
Valley Park seem close to being resolved with real
progress being made on plans to open up Latham’s Way
as an alternative route.
A second access route has been on the agenda since
1993 and, following detailed surveys into traffic flows in
the area, everything is in place for action.
Meanwhile Valley Park experimented with a full-scale
market early last month in the car park area outside
3
Outfit, with a hog roast, craft, fairtrade and general stalls.
“We’re trying to expand and build on the business
partnership here, to stimulate trade in the whole of
Purley Way,” said Ken.
“Our most recent business meeting was at Chiquito,
which has generously given raffle prizes, while the cinema
also gave us free tickets to raffle for charity.
“It’s wonderful that the whole of Valley Park is coming
together.”
Kim Barnes
46, lives near Gatwick,
works in Valley Park.
Bring M&S back! We also
need a little newsagent’s to
buy papers, cigarettes,
sweets, milk, and so on.
A new road to get in and out can’t come
soon enough; weekends and bank holidays
can be a nightmare. Customers tell us they
need more signs to show the way into
Valley Park.
Peter Hunt
57, from Coulsdon,
works in Valley Park.
We could do with an area
of grass and seating in the
middle of the car park to
break things up a bit, and give people
somewhere to sit out. I’d like to see a small
newsagent’s to buy things, but I think the
market idea is great; it’s just what’s needed.
Bella Italia restaurant
McDonald’s restaurant
Isaac Dickson
47, lives in Bromley,
works in Valley Park.
People love a balanced mix
of retail and leisure;
somewhere to eat,
somewhere to shop. I think the selection of
shops in Valley Park is quite good. We see
ourselves as destination stores. IKEA always
attracts people, and there are great family
deals at the cinema.
Frankie & Benny’s restaurant
Chiquito restaurant
District
Centre
News
What a super
summer
We may be only halfway through the summer,
but it’s shaping up to be a real belter!
Going to Market
Purley Market
Jolly Farmers pub car park, opposite Tesco,
10am-3pm. Farmers market with tasty
produce; the focus on food.
August 22
September 26
October 24
November 28
Coulsdon Market
Brighton Road, 10am-3pm. Good mix of
food and produce, and general stalls.
August 1
September 5
October 3
November 7
December 5
Alma Market
The Alma pub garden, Crystal Palace, every
Saturday 10am-3pm. Garden market with
arts, crafts and food.
August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
September 5, etc
New Addington Market
Cup cake sales soared when this tasty market stall opened in Outfit on the evening of the Summer VIP event at Valley Park
All the district centres have held successful talent events,
and there is plenty more to come – including the
Thornton Heath Festival on September 20.
The recent Summer VIP event at Valley Park proved a
big hit with shoppers who were entertained by X-Factor
stars Trufull.
The event also drew in market stalls and other
retailers, and was such a success that similar events are
now being planned.
Valley Park is also the site of the district centres’
newest market – in the car park near Outfit store. A
range of fairtrade, food, craft and general stalls gave
visitors to the Purley Way retail park some different
options early last month, and seems sure to be repeated.
Crystal Palace Market
Victory Place, Westow Street, third
Saturday of the month, 10am-3pm.
Good food, fairtrade and general stalls.
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19
Your district centre manager
Make use of your district centre manager – they’re
here to help you get the most from your district
centre.
For Thornton Heath, Selhurst and Norbury, call
Jason Grant on 07771 842945 or email
Jason.Grant@croydonenterprise.com
South Norwood Market
For Purley and Coulsdon, call Christine Samson
on 07775 824826 or email Christine.Samson@
croydonenterprise.com
For New Addington and Purley Way, call Ken
Sherwood on 07876 034008 or email Ken.
Sherwood@croydonenterprise.com
For South Norwood, call Anupa Patel on 020 8090
5575 or email Anupa.Patel@croydonenterprise.com
For Crystal Palace, call Amber Rusk on 020 8090 5573
or email Amber.Rusk@croydonenterprise.com
Central Parade, New Addington, every
Tuesday and Friday, 8am-4pm. General
market with clothes and plants, food and
bric-a-brac.
August 4
August 7
August 11
August 14
August 18
August 21, etc
Singers Amarra and Chanice Smith, better known as
X-Factor stars Trufull, entertained the crowd at Valley
Park’s Summer VIP event
Somerfield car park, Station Road,
every Wednesday, 10am-3pm.
General market stalls.
August 5
August 12
August 19
August 26
September 2
September 9
yourcommunity 13
www.croydon.gov.uk Croydon Mela – Sunday, 2 August.
returns
For further information and full line-up details, visit www.croydonfestival.com
A new
feature for
2009 will be the
bandstand, the
perfect place
to picnic and
see a variety of
acoustic acts.
Swami is a hot
alternative UK Asian band
fusing traditional Asian
and Western electronic
beats to create the sound
of the new British Asian
generation. Lokkhi Terra
is the amazing new
project from Bangladeshi
musician Kishon Khan,
blending Bangladeshi
traditions with African,
Latin American and
jazz traditions.
Sunday’s classical stage
hosts Bireswar Gautam, a
marvellous exponent of the
north Indian devotional/
romantic thumri singing
style alongside abhinaya
(mime), as well as
Kathak dancing, and
will be accompanied by
tabla and harmonium.
Grand Union
Bangla Band featuring
Baluji explores Indian
classical music, bhangra,
Bangladeshi folk music,
Bollywood, jazz, African
and Latin rhythms.
Hannah is a Kathak
dancer and will be
accompanied by Tarun on
sarod and Manjit on tabla.
As usual, entry to the
festival site, accessed
from Coombe Road, will
be free. Festival goers
are urged to leave the
car at home and use the
Tramlink service, alighting
at the Lloyd Park stop.
However, for those
opting to drive, a £5
charge for all-day parking
will be in place, with
the car park entrance
in Conduit Lane.
A new feature
for 2009 will be the
bandstand, the perfect
place to picnic and see a
variety of acoustic acts.
As well as three stages
of international and UK
artists, there will be a
village green featuring
a community stage and
interactive zone, kids’
area, street theatre,
funfair, international food
and craft market, dance
and music workshops.
Giant lobsters, polar
bears, space-age inflatables
and afternoon tea at
the bowling green make
the festival a free day
out not to be missed.
Festival
goers are urged
to leave the car at
home and use the
Tramlink service,
alighting at the
Lloyd Park stop.
Malkit Singh
Testing 1,2,3 winner De’borah
14 yourspace
August 2009 | Your Croydon
We’re thrilled that Aaron has been selected as the National
VQ Hero from over 400 nominations.
Mariane Cavalli
Practical makes perfect
Teenager proves it is possible to bounce
back from disappointing schooldays.
My
vocational
qualification has
helped me to
achieve so much
already, and I’m
really proud to be
able to highlight
the benefits
of vocational
learning.
The future didn’t look
bright for Aaron Collins
when he was excluded
from school and sent to a
pupil referral unit.
But, against the odds,
the 19-year-old has turned
his life around, gaining
qualifications at Croydon
College, and being offered
a place at Kingston
University to study
architecture.
And, possibly most
impressive of all, he has
recently beaten more than
400 other students to the
title of VQ Hero – Learner
of the Year 2009 for
England.
The VQ Hero Awards
are a national celebration
of vocational achievement,
demonstrating the talent,
commitment and rigorous
standards involved in
gaining a vocational
qualification.
The judges selected
Aaron, from Croydon,
for his dedication to
vocational learning and
huge success in his chosen
field.
On receiving news
of the award win,
Aaron said: “It’s such an
honour to be named as
the National VQ Hero –
Learner of the Year for
England.
“My vocational
qualification has helped
me to achieve so much
already, and I’m really
proud to be able to
highlight the benefits of
vocational learning.”
At the time Aaron
started his Foundation
Success story: excluded from school but now the country’s top learner
Construction Award, he
was being educated in a
pupil referral unit after
being excluded from
mainstream education.
After enrolling at
Croydon College, he
progressed to the BTEC
First Diploma in art and
design (for which he
gained a distinction)
and then to the National
Diploma in art and design.
And, complementing
his studies for a
qualification in mentoring,
he volunteers to support
young offenders.
Aaron said: “I’ll be sad
to leave the college, but
am very excited about
starting at Kingston
University in September!”
College principal
Mariane Cavalli added
her congratulations:
“We’re thrilled that Aaron
has been selected as the
National VQ Hero from
over 400 nominations.”
Do you own an
empty property?
Are you having difficulty raising finance to renovate it?
Empty property grant could be the answer...
• Grants of up to £22,000 per two bedroom unit
• Grants of up to £27,000 per three bedroom unit
• Grants of up to £15,000 per bedroom for empty buildings that are on the
English Heritage at Risk Register, Listed or in a Conservation Area
• Designed for properties in need of repair/updating
• For properties in Croydon that have been empty for six months or more
• In return for providing grant assistance, the council will nominate tenants
for the property for three years.
We have substantial funds now available.
For more information:
• email us at hsg-emptyproperty@croydon.gov.uk
• or see our website for full details and application forms www.croydon.gov.uk
and search for “empty properties”
• contact our Empty Property Hotline on 020 8760 5470
yourspace 15
www.croydon.gov.uk 71
further homes to be built by Croydon Council
by the end of the year.
Oh, to be in Croydon now that...
Sumnertime is here
A new generation of public, affordable housing has won the backing of the Mayor of London – and the approval
of the development’s first tenants.
London’s Mayor Boris
Johnson has visited
Croydon to see for
himself the first new
council housing to be
built in the borough for
more than 20 years.
The Mayor of London
was greeted by council
tenants Erica and John
McCartney at the door of
their new five-bedroom
home in Sumner Gardens,
Broad Green.
The couple, who have
five children, previously
lived in a three-bedroom
flat in Shirley, where they
shared a bedroom with
their two youngest.
Erica, 37, a dental
nurse, showed the Mayor
around the property,
pointing out features such
as the wind turbines and
solar panels on the roof,
which will generate much
of the family’s energy
needs, and the water butt
and recycling facilities in
the garden.
She told him her
children couldn’t wait to
move in and have their
own bedrooms.
She told Your Croydon:
“He was very impressed
with the green features of
the property and the
extra space and balconies.
“He asked me if I was
excited about my new
home and I said ‘who
wouldn’t be excited, who
wouldn’t want to live
here?”
Their house is one of
13 large, recently built,
family homes. A further
19 are due to be
completed in Fieldway
– all part of the council’s
new house-building
programme to help ease
overcrowding and reduce
waiting lists.
The Mayor described
Welcome: Erica and John McCartney greet the
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
the houses as “fantastic”,
adding: “I really
congratulate Croydon
Council on the speed with
which they’ve got this
together – three years
from start to finish.
“I’m very please that
we have been able to
contribute to it.”
The Mayor wants to
reward successful housing
authorities such as
Croydon by giving them a
greater say over the new
homes that are built in
their boroughs.
He said:
“This development
demonstrates exactly
what can be achieved if
boroughs, like Croydon,
are empowered, as it’s
often the borough council
that best knows the
housing needs of its
residents and how to best
deliver on those needs.”
In 2008, Croydon
became one of the first
London boroughs to
begin building a new
generation of publiclyfunded housing, and is
committed to providing
new, affordable homes
every year.
By the end of this
year, construction is due
to get under way on a
further 71 homes, which
form the second phase of
the council’s programme.
The new homes are
being built on underused
council sites, and to the
highest sustainable
standards.
Installing energysaving technologies will
help reduce fuel bills and
carbon dioxide
production, setting an
example for the kind of
green building the council
wants to encourage on a
wider scale.
Councillor Dudley
Mead, deputy leader and
cabinet member for
housing, said: “We
believe that the quickest
and most effective way of
addressing the affordable
housing shortage in the
borough is through
investment in council
housing.
“Croydon has an
excellent reputation for
looking after its tenants
and we welcome a new
role and funding
opportunities to be able
to construct more good
quality, eco-friendly,
council homes to tackle
overcrowding.”
He was
very impressed
with the green
features of the
property and the
extra balcony
space.
16 yourbusiness
MBE
August 2009 | Your Croydon
appointed to Bryan in 2008 for services
to international trade.
Have business, will travel
Despite the economic slowdown, overseas trading continues, as David Callam discovered
when he spoke to a Coulsdon man who regularly leads trade missions to far-away places.
Selling in a
number of
markets helps
any business
to smooth even
the bumpiest
trading cycle.
Globe-trotting is nothing
new for Bryan Treherne.
He has spent most of his
working life travelling the
world on business.
And, despite having
passed what many
consider retirement age, he
is still travelling, but these
days this long-time
adopted native of Coulsdon
travels for different
reasons.
Instead of selling his
own wares – a range of
instruments for recording
the specific gravity of
alcohol – he helps other
people to sell theirs.
In addition to work he
undertakes locally, Bryan
leads British Government
trade missions to far-away
places, missions that
frequently introduce
Croydon businesses to
international markets,
often for the first time.
In the past six months
his travels have taken him
to the Caribbean, Eastern
Europe and southern
Africa.
“I should be retired
really,” says the 68-yearold, appointed an MBE in
2008 for services to
international trade, “but I
still enjoy what I do.
“I can’t tell you how
satisfying it is to see a new
exporter land his or her
first order – and the more
difficult the market, the
greater the satisfaction
when we crack it.”
Bryan is a firm believer
in overseas trade; and his
commitment has been
recognised by the Institute
of Export, which appointed
him to its national
executive committee two
years ago.
“We’ve been a trading
nation for centuries and it
makes sense
commercially,” he insists.
“Whatever the
economic climate –
Croydon-based: but Bryan’s work often takes him overseas
especially the present
British one – there is
always somewhere in the
world that is enjoying
faster growth than we are.
“Selling in a number of
markets helps any business
to smooth even the
bumpiest trading cycle.”
Bryan knows people
who believe you need to
conquer this country
– become a national name
– before you consider
selling abroad.
He disagrees. “I can
quote examples of local
firms – particularly
one-woman bands – who
have made a great success of
overseas trading,” he says.
“But international
business is not a get-richquick solution; particularly
in the Far East, where it
can be painfully slow.
“Wherever possible, I
try to encourage would-be
exporters to look for a
long-term business partner
– maybe by forming a joint
venture in which each
brings something unique
to the table.
“Very often the British
partner will have the
know-how, while one from
a developing country will
have access to a plentiful
supply of labour. The
annual profits from this
kind of venture tend to be
smaller in the early years,
but they go on for longer
and are therefore greater
overall.”
Bryan also runs the
South London Export Club,
which meets ten times a
year, usually in central
Croydon, and offers advice
and support to actual and
would-be international
traders.
“Invariably there is
someone who has the
answer to any given
question, or knows
someone who does.
We open a lot of otherwise
locked doors that way,”
he says.
Bryan’s wife Betty is
a regular visitor to these
friendly meetings and
knows many of the
members well.
“I couldn’t do any of
the travelling or evening
meetings without her
support,” he says. “This
year I was away for almost
the whole of March. I
returned from the
Caribbean about the
middle of the month and
was back on a plane within
24 hours with a suitcase
full of clean clothes. You
can’t do that without a lot
of help.”
And what do the
Trehernes do for their
annual holiday? They go
abroad, of course. But
only as far as southern
France, where they cut
themselves off completely
for a well-earned threeweek rest.
yourfinances 17
www.croydon.gov.uk Small pensions, reduced income on savings, and rising household bills
are conspiring to make life difficult for many of the community’s older
citizens. David Dalgleish looks at the help that is available to them.
Age is no protection
Older people are, in some ways, more vulnerable to the effects of the recession than other
members of the community.
Whether it is because of
abysmal savings and
interest rates, or a rising
weekly shopping bill, some
of our older residents have
felt the effects of the
recession in more ways
than one.
A great number of our
older residents are unable
to work, or are not able to
be as competitive in the job
market.
As a result, they are
experiencing more
financial pressures as a
result of the recession than
Gloria, who lives in
Coulsdon, is 76 years
old. Just over four
years ago, her husband
Marcus passed away.
Since then, Gloria
has been heavily reliant
on her pensions and
savings. Toward the
end of last year, with
large increases in her
outgoings – thanks to
increased food and fuel
prices – Gloria’s income
shrank by almost 25%.
Luckily, Gloria
had a few friends
who had used the
welfare benefits
service after finding
out about it at their
local doctor’s surgery.
So Gloria rang them
and was delighted
to find out that not
only was she entitled
to a winter fuel
payment, she could
also claim a council
tax discount, because
she lived alone, and
pension credit.
Thanks in part
to the extra income,
coupled with making
a few changes to her
weekly shopping bill,
Gloria feels much less
worried about her
finances, and is more
prepared to face any
similar challenges
in the future.
some of their younger
counterparts.
Back in April, Your
Croydon contained a
feature on younger
residents, and their
experiences of the
recession.
This month, we look at
older people in the
borough, how they are
coping and what help is
available to them.
How the recession is
affecting older people
Croydon’s older people are
experiencing very similar
problems to other
residents, such as financial
strife, redundancy, or
finding it more difficult
than normal to obtain
work.
Some are unable to
work at all, and are reliant
on pensions and savings as
their only sources of
income.
With savings and
interests rates decreasing,
the income of many of our
older residents has been
affected quite significantly.
The challenges of rising
food costs and transport
have made a dent in many
people’s income.
On the plus side, some
costs are starting to come
down, and some older
residents have found out
that they were entitled to
claim more benefits than
they had realised.
Nevertheless, until
there are significant
improvements to interest
on savings, or a drop in the
weekly shopping bill, it is
important that older
residents – like everyone
else in the borough –
ensure that they are
maximising their income,
and making any savings
they can.
The council is trying to
ensure that our residents
are kept informed of ways
they can save money –see
the “available services”
section for more details.
Available Services
Welfare benefits team
(free confidential welfare rights advice)
Tel: 0800 731 5920 (Monday 2-7pm;
Wednesday 11am-2pm; Friday 9am-noon)
Citizens Advice Bureau
(for legal, money and welfare benefits issues)
Thornton Heath Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 020 8684 2236
Coldbusters (fuel poverty reduction scheme
for private-sector properties)
Tel: 0800 512 012 (freephone)
Web: www.cen.org.uk/energy_
efficiency/coldbusters.asp
Warm Front (energy-efficiency grants for
people receiving benefits and living in private
accommodation)
Addington Citizens
Advice Bureau
Tel: 0800 316 28 14 (freephone)
Tel: 01689 846890
Web: www.croydoncab.org.uk
Winter Fuel Payment Helpline
(available to people who are 60 years old
before 20 September)
Tel: 08459 151515 (local rate)
Croydon Savers Credit Union (a savings and
loans cooperative offering its members access
to ethical savings and affordable credit)
Tel: 020 8760 5711
Web: www.credit-union@croydon.
gov.uk
Croydon Council’s housing advice service –
for advice on mortgage/rent arrears, housing
rights and welfare benefits
Tel: 020 8726 6100
Email: housing@croydon.gov.uk
Web: www.croydon.gov.uk
Housing and council tax benefit team
(telephone service opening times Monday
8am-6.45 pm; Tuesday to Friday 8am - 6pm)
Tel: 020 8726 7000
Age Concern
(Your Money Matters project – financial
advice for older residents)
Tel: 020 8681 2061
Creative Environmental Networks,
Ambassador House, Brigstock Road,
Thornton Heath, CR7 7JG
Tel: 020 8683 6600
Fax: 020 8683 6601
Email: enquiries@cen.org.uk
Web: www.cen.org.uk
Typetalk: 08456 015613
Web: www.dwp.gov.uk
Energy Saving Trust (free, impartial advice to
help residents reduce their energy
consumption)
Tel: 0800 512 012 (freephone)
Email: advice@est-london.org.uk
Web: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk\
london
Keep Croydon Warm (a partnership between
Croydon Council and British Gas that
provides loft and cavity wall insulation at
discounted prices. Residents who arrange
insulation through the scheme will receive a
£100 council-tax discount).
Tel: 0845 971 7731
(quote reference CCCT).
Web: http://www.keepcroydonwarm.
org.uk/
Energy advice and guidance for council
tenants from John Healy, environmental
engineer. Tel: 020 8760 5768
ext.63888.
Email: john.healy@croydon.gov.uk
18 yoursport
25
August 2009 | Your Croydon
years of bouncing with
the Rock Steady Crew
Crew bounces to silver
Trampoline club that has seen local athletes hit the heights, celebrates a notable anniversary.
For a club that started with
a loan from a man whose
daughter was keen to start
bouncing, the Rock Steady
Crew trampoline club has
achieved a great deal.
Not least of which
achievements is the
fact that the club is this
year celebrating its 25th
anniversary.
Based at the council’s
Fusion Lifestyle-managed
Monks Hill Sports Centre,
and still run by volunteers,
Rock Steady Crew started
from humble beginnings,
training only once a week
on two trampolines bought
with a loan from Lee
Zanatou, whose daughter
Zoë was itching to start
bouncing.
From an enthusiastic
and committed base, the
club has now trained more
than 300 individuals –
some going on to become
national athletes.
Over the years, the
club has celebrated many
successes, including:
winning the London South
Eastern League, providing
teams for the London
Youth Games, qualifying
for national championships
year after year, and
travelling to international
club events.
Head coach Lindsay
Hedmann said the club
has nurtured many
outstanding gymnasts and
exceptional performances:
“Among those receiving
international recognition
are local girls Juliette
Taylor and Naomi Martin
Clark.
“Juliette was a member
of the GB development
squad and national youth
squad in the late ‘90s,
and Naomi trained with
the National Squad and
competed for England in
2002.”
As a family-orientated
club, Rock Steady Crew
has seen many gymnasts
leave, but many have
kept in touch, with some
introducing their own
children to the club.
Lindsay said: “Recently
Josh Lloyd, son of Laura
Lloyd, one the club’s first
bouncers, took third in the
London Dungeon Novice
event.
“We’re always on the
lookout for energetic
youngsters to join the
club and take part in this
enjoyable sport.”
To learn more, visit
www.rocksteadytc.com,
send an email to
linzncid@aol.co.uk or
call 020 8651 4741.
Rocking steady: Kia Wnuk, Katie Law, Juliette Taylor and Carolyne Law
yoursport 19
www.croydon.gov.uk 14
Matthew Spriegel’s age when he made his debut in
Whitgift School’s first XI. He returned to his old school
last year to make his debut for Surrey.
Taking the Whitgift wicket
This August, South Croydon’s Whitgift School again hosts first-class cricket when Surrey
welcome Derbyshire. Turning out for Surrey is likely to be former Whitgift pupil Matthew
Spriegel. Your Croydon spoke to the home-coming hero about his formative years.
We had a strong side
from under-nine, all the
way up to under-13 level,
and I played against guys
who are now top players,
like Arun Harinath and
Chris Thompson.
Playing for Whitgift,
I made my debut when
I was 14, and was a
regular from when I was
15 until I left the school.
Where did you play
cricket when you
were growing up?
Apart from my school,
Whitgift, I played a lot
for my club Banstead CC,
just outside of Croydon.
I was also part of the
successful East Surrey
team that played in the
Penny Davis Competition,
a tournament that
included sides from the
north, south, east and
west of Surrey, as well as
the London boroughs.
East Surrey has produced a number of
Surrey cricketers; why
do you think this is?
Well, the schools around
the area definitely have
a strong impact.
The more that young
players get exposed
to good coaches and
facilities, the better
they’re going to become
– it’s that simple really.
Another important
factor is that this
infrastructure has been
in place for a long time,
you only have to look
at the fact that more
experienced local guys
like Mark Butcher have
been coming through
for years to see that.
How important are
school coaches like
David Ward and Neil
Kendrick to the cricket
scene in Croydon?
Guys like them are
very important.
They are integral to
both Whitgift’s cricket
development programme
and the Whitgift Festival.
Also, the context they
have with Surrey is really
important, as well as the
high-quality coaching they
give to kids at the school,
which is an important part
of their development there.
Having quality cricket
coaching is so important
to the school in attracting
promising young cricketers
as well, because the
parents know that their
kids are going to get
high-level coaching.
What was it like to
make your first-class
debut at your old
school last year?
Making my debut at
Whitgift was pretty
surreal, to be honest.
The last time I’d
played there beforehand
was in a school game a
couple of years before.
So it was fantastic to
come back after a couple
of years away and it
really made my debut
for Surrey extra special.
How important is the
Whitgift Festival to
cricket in Surrey?
It’s very important because
a lot of people who love
cricket in Surrey aren’t
Idyllic scene: Whitgift School again plays host to first-class county cricket as Surrey take on Derbyshire
able to get to the Brit
Oval on a regular basis.
Surrey is a big place
and the ground can be
a long away for some
people, so playing at
Whitgift, and also at
Guildford, is important
because it will attract
people to watch the game
and, hopefully, involve
youngsters with both
Surrey and the game of
cricket from a young age.
If kids in Croydon
want to be the next
Matt Spriegel, what
should they do?
Hard work – there
really is no quick fix.
You’ve got to put
in a lot of hard work,
and take your chances
when you get them.
If you’ve got the
right attitude, then
you’re three-quarters of
the way to success.
Playing
at Whitgift
is important
because it will
attract people to
watch the game
and, hopefully,
involve
youngsters.
20 yourheritage
438,551
August 2009 | Your Croydon
the number of items borrowed
from Croydon Central Library
in 2008-09
Croydon’s quiet oasis
Crime novelist Nicola Williams likes nothing better than to settle down in Croydon Central
Library when it’s time to get creative, as she told Alex Louis.
After trial
and error, this
library has
become one of
my two favourite
places to write.
If I want a
quiet oasis and
friendly staff this
is the place.
If you’ve ever sat down
to write a letter, an essay
or an entry for your blog
you’ll know about the need
for inspiration.
Finding the frame of
mind to help you choose
the right words for what
you want to say isn’t
always easy.
If, like Nicola Williams,
you’re a writer it’s even
more important to be in
the right place and mood.
You may find it
surprising, then, to learn
that Nicola leaves her
home in Streatham to
come to Croydon’s Central
Library, in Katharine Street,
where, having found her
favourite seat, she sits
down to write.
“After trial and error,
this library has become one
of my two favourite places
to write,” she said.
“If I want a quiet oasis
and friendly staff, this is
the place.”
Nicola is the author of
don’t feel like going into
central London, this can be
a good place to hang out.”
Inspiration for Nicola’s
work began with her
“day” job as a barrister,
and, more recently, as
a commissioner for the
Independent Police
Complaints Commission.
Prior to joining the
IPCC, Nicola was a
member of the Police
Complaints Authority
and is a member of the
Advertising Advisory
Committee.
“The law is one area
that affects all of our lives
at some point – even if it’s
just buying property. That’s
why I find it fascinating
and exciting – and my
readers do, too.”
The Central Library
opened its doors to the
public in November 1993,
having cost £13.5m to
build.
Aileen Cahill, Croydon’s
head of library services,
Nicola has recently finished
her second novel, Trial and
Error and has just begun to
work on her third book.
Without Prejudice, a legal
thriller featuring a female
criminal lawyer. Nicola
has recently finished her
second novel, Trial and
Error – no pun intended –
and has just begun work
on her third book.
”I lived in Croydon
for about 10 years from
my mid-teens, and I
still sometimes come
back for shopping and
entertainment,” she said.
“I love the way
Croydon bars and nightlife
have become destinations
in themselves. When I
said: “Since then, it’s been
attracting users of all ages.
“The library was
designed by internationally
renowned architects
Tibbalds Munro, and
covers four floors. It was
described as ‘amazing’,
‘breath-taking’ and
‘wonderful’ when it first
opened its doors.”
Earlier this year, the
Museums and Libraries
Archive Council published
its 2007-2008 survey,
which reported that
Croydon Central Library
was London’s busiest
Thriller writer: Nicola Williams finds the library’s atmosphere inspiring
library with over one
million visitors – a fact
that pleases Aileen and the
library team.
“It’s terrific that 16
years later it’s kept its
position as the busiest
library in London,” said
Aileen.
“Its secret has been to
combine excellent design
values with a range of
diverse services to meet
the needs of everyone,
from babies to teenagers,
students, IT lovers, local
history buffs and, of
course, readers.
“Everyone is able to
find a niche, a nook or an
activity to suit their needs
and interests.”
For Nicola, the
other visitors disappear
when she is writing: “I
find it relatively easy to
concentrate in the library,
and I can always escape to
the café for a break when I
need it.”
Without Prejudice is
published by Headline
Books.
yourheritage 21
www.croydon.gov.uk Pandering to the needs of the borough’s pedestrians and young
readers – we look at a traffic-stopping event in South Croydon
and this summer’s Book Trail in Thornton Heath.
Croydon’s first panda crossing
Local photographer Frazer Ashford was on hand when
motorists got a bit of a shock.
This picture from 1977
shows Pampisford Road in
South Croydon in the days
when pandas ruled the
world.
In reality I had just
started taking production
pictures for the Ashcroft
Theatre and one of the
highlights of Aladdin, the
pantomime that year, was
‘The Parade of the Pandas’
and in an effort to get an
interesting publicity
picture we took the
pandas to a couple of
local locations.
The first was the
Panda Restaurant in
Purley and the second
was this crossing on
Pampisford Road.
I well remember the
looks on the motorists’
faces as the line of pandas
stepped out onto the
crossing, forcing the cars
to stop.
Imagine the disbelief
if they were late for an
appointment and blamed
a load of pandas on a
crossing.
The pandas of
Pampisford Road have
long gone but the
memories of Croydon’s
first panda crossing still
remain.
For more examples of
Frazer’s work, visit www.
frazerashford.com
Thornton Heath Book Trail hits the road
Annual reading event for children and teenagers goes ahead despite the temporary move of
the Brigstock Road library.
Young readers in the
Thornton Heath area
have been assured they
won’t miss out on this
year’s Croydon libraries
summer Book Trail.
With refurbishment
work to the Brigstock Road
library temporarily forcing
the service into a smaller
building, children’s
librarians Sonia Knight
and Navin Kohli will be
running the Book Trail at
Thornton Heath
Recreation Ground, the
Parchmore Centre and
Thornton Heath Children’s
Centre.
Library manager
Richard Roberts said:
“Thornton Heath library
usually welcomes just
fewer than 400 children
onto the Book Trail.
“This year we hope
children will still take part
and go to meet Sonia and
Navin as they take Book
Trail books outside the
library for the first time.”
To take part, children
just turn up, choose a
library book and start
reading. For every book
read, children win special
rewards such as badges,
pencils, a free DVD loan
from the library and an
entry into the Book Trail
Prize Draw to win
vouchers worth £50, £25
or £10.
Teenagers, too, can try
for a £50 voucher by
taking part in the Teen
Summer Reads challenge.
By reading six books, they
can enter the prize draw,
and win other rewards
along the way.
The Croydon libraries
Book Trail and Teen
Summer Reads will be
running at all libraries
until Saturday, 29 August.
For further
information, call 020
8726 6900 or email
children@croydon.gov.uk
Where and when
To take part in the Thornton Heath summer
Book Trail, children can go to:
Parchmore Centre 53-55 Parchmore Road
Every Monday until 24 August – 10am to 4pm
Thornton Heath Recreation Ground
(play area), off Carew Road
Every Wednesday until 26 August – 10am to 4pm
Thornton Heath Children’s Centre
51 Pridham Road
Fridays, 31 July and 28 August – 10am to 3pm
For Baby Rhymetime and Baby Book Crawl, go to:
Thornton Heath Children’s Centre
51 Pridham Road
Tuesdays, 28 July and 25 August – 10am to noon
The Yellow Book Trail for older children, and
the Teen Summer Reads, will be available at:
Thornton Heath Library, 282 Brigstock Road
Every day (except Thursdays and Sundays) until
Saturday, 29 August
Ready to lead: Thornton Heath librarians, prepared to set out on
the Book Trail
For further information, contact
Richard Roberts, Navin Kohli or Sonia Knight at
Thornton Heath library, 282 Brigstock Road.
Call 020 8726 6900 or email thorntonheath@
croydon.gov.uk
Teenagers,
too, can try for a
£50 voucher by
taking part in the
Teen Summer
Reads challenge.
22 yourevents
August 2009 | Your Croydon
Croydon Clocktower,
Katharine Street, Croydon
ticket office: 020 8253 1030
email: ticketoffice@croydon.gov.uk
text: 07771 837121
David Lean Cinema
The Hannah Montanna
Movie (U)
Wed 12
Stars: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray
Cyrus
Adaptation of the American
children’s television series
Hannah Montana. After having
a catfight over a pair of shoes,
her father Robby decides to
take her to Tennessee. He
gives her the chance to be
Hannah and to learn what
family is all about.
Last Chance Harvey
Star Trek (12A*)
Sat 1, Mon 3 to Thurs 6
Stars: Chris Pine, Jennifer
Morrison, Simon Pegg,
Eric Bana, Winona Ryder,
Zachary Quinto, Zoe
Saldana, Karl Urban,
Rachel Nichols, Diora Baird,
John Cho, Anton Yelchin,
Leonard Nimoy, Clifton
Collins Jr, Tyler Perry, Majel
Barrett-Roddenberry, Ben
Cross, Bruce Greenwood,
Jimmy Bennett, Scottie
Thompson, Christopher
Doohan.
JJ Abraham’s stunning
reimagining of the early
days of the iconic crew of
the Starship Enterprise.
*Contains moderate violence
and threat.
Dragonball Evolution (PG)
Mon 1, Wed 5
Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Justin
Chatwin, Emmy Rossum
The live-action adaptation of
the phenomenally successful
Japanese manga series.
The story centres on the
heroic Goku, a powerful
warrior who protects the
Earth from an evil rogue
bent on dominating the
world by controlling the
mystical objects known as
Dragonballs.
My Sister’s Keeper (15)
Sat 1, Mon 3 to Thurs 6
Stars: Abigail Breslin, Sofia
Vassilieva, Cameron Diaz. .
Based on the book by Jodi
Piccoult.
Anna Fitzgerald looks to earn
medical emancipation from
her parents who, until now,
have relied on their youngest
child to help their leukaemiastricken daughter Kate remain
alive.
Last Chance Harvey (12A*)
Fri 7, Sat 8, Mon 10 to
Thurs 13
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Emma
Thompson, Eileen Atkins,
Kathy Baker, Liane Balaban,
James Brolin, Richard Schiff
Harvey Shine is on the verge
of losing his dead-end job
as a jingle writer. He attends
his daughter’s wedding but
promises to be back on
Monday – or else. A serious
of misadventures follows and
he is fired. He meets Kate
and the growing connection
between the pair inspires both
to transform their lives.
*Contains one moderate sex
reference.
The Secret Life of Bees
(12A*)
Wed 5, Thurs 6
Stars: Dakota Fanning, Queen
Latifah, Jennifer Hudson,
Alicia Keys, Paul Bettany.
The home of the honeymaking Boatwright sisters
is thrown into upheaval with
the arrival of 14-year-old Lily
Owens as she escapes from
her father’s rule.
*Contains moderate violence
and emotionally intense
scenes.
Public Enemies (tbc)
Fri 7, Sat 8, Mon 10 to
Thurs 13
Stars: Johnny Depp,
Channing Tatum, Christian
Bale, Billy Crudup, Marion
Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, Rory
Cochrane, David Wenham, Lili
Taylor, Stephen Dorff
The Feds try to take down
notorious American gangsters
John Dillinger, Baby Face
Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd
during a booming crime wave
in the 1930s.
Burma VJ (tbc)
Wed 12, Thurs 13
Armed with video cameras, a
tenacious band of Burmese
reporters confront death to
expose the repressive regime
controlling their country.
In 2007, Burma became
headline news across the
globe when peaceful Buddhist
monks led a massive rebellion
and Burma was closed to
world. Clandestine reports
and films were shipped
to Norway and the world
watched.
Burmese and English with
English subtitles.
Coco Before Chanel (12A*)
Fri 14, Sat 15, Mon 17 to
Thurs 20
Stars: Audrey Tautou, Benoît
Poelvoorde, Emmanuelle
Devos, Alessandro Nivola.
The story of Gabrielle ‘Coco’
Chanel, who begins life as
a headstrong orphan, and,
through an extraordinary
journey, becomes the
legendary couturier.
*Contains moderate sex
references. French with
English subtitles.
Moon (tbc)
Fri 14, Sat 15, Mon 17
to Thurs 20
Stars: Sam Rockwell, Kevin
Spacey
Sam Bell is an employee
contracted by the company
Lunar to mine on the Moon
the natural gas Helium 3,
with only a robot. Before
completing his three-year
assignment he begins feeling
out of place. An extraction
goes wrong, and Sam
suspects Lunar of trying to
replace him as he realises
someone else is on the Moon.
Hotel for Dogs (U)
Sat 15, Wed 19
Stars: Don Cheadle, Lisa
Kudrow, Jake Austin
Two mischievous orphans
attempt to hide dozens of
stray dogs in an abandoned
hotel. Adventures follow as
they transform the rundown
hotel into a four-star canine
retreat.
North by Northwest (PG)
Wed 19, Thurs 20
Stars: Yves Saint, Cary Grant
A suave, successful New
York advertising executive
finds himself, through a
case of mistaken identity,
embroiled in a web of intrigue
and murder that takes
him across the country to
prove his innocence to the
police and get an evil crime
syndicate, looking for a lost
microfilm, off his tail.
Harry Potter & The HalfBlood Prince (12A)
Fri 21, Sat 22, Mon 24 to
Thurs 27
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma
Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie
Smith, Julie Walters, Alan
Rickman, Jim Broadbent,
David Thewlis, Helena
Bonham-Carter, Robbie
Coltrane, Timothy Spall
As Harry Potter begins his
sixth year at Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he
discovers an old book marked
mysteriously “This book is
the property of the Half-Blood
Prince” and begins to learn
more about Lord Voldemort’s
dark past.
Mesrine: Killer Instinct (15)
Fri 21, Sat 22, Mon 24 to
Thurs 27
Stars: Gerard Depardieu
Inspired by the life of
France’s most notorious
criminal, charts the rise and
fall of the often marvelled, yet
utterly ruthless gangster,
Jacques Mesrine. Featuring a
career-defining performance
from Vincent Cassel and
Ludivine Sagnier, the film
follows the incredible series
of hold-ups, prison breaks
and kidnappings throughout
the 1970s and ‘80s over
several continents.
French with English subtitles.
Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum 2 (PG)
Sat 22, Wed 26
Stars: Ben Stiller, Robin
Williams, Ricky Gervais,
Owen Wilson
Ben Stiller returns as the
unfortunate night watchman
who continues to encounter
living and breathing museum
exhibits in the Smithsonian
Museum.
The Grocer’s Son (Le Fils
de l’Epicier) (12A*)
Wed 26, Thurs 27
Stars: Nicolas Cazalé, Clotilde
Hesme
Having left 10 years ago,
Antoine finds himself thrust
back into rural life when his
father is taken ill and he is
enlisted to drive the grocery
van. His real motivation is to
be able to lend money to his
flatmate Claire, who
accompanies him. Tensions,
however, soon mount and he
is forced to take a fresh look
at his relationships and his
goals.
*Contains strong language,
an attempted suicide and
moderate sex references.
French with English subtitles.
Guided walks
Off the beaten track in
Happy Valley
Sunday 2 August
2pm, meet by the notice
board in the Happy Valley
car park, Join the warden
to discover the history and
wildlife of some of the less
well-trodden areas of Happy
Valley. This walk covers
some steep, uneven and
overgrown ground, so strong
footwear and long trousers are
recommended!
Nearest bus: 404, 466 – The
Fox pub, Coulsdon Rd.
Robust ragwort
Sunday 8 August
10am – 3pm, Sanderstead
to Whyteleafe Countryside
Area. Come and help the site
warden remove the lateflowering hoary ragwort in
preparation for the hay cut.
Tea/coffee and biscuits, all
equipment supplied.
For more information call
07771 715812.
Bats in Spring Park Wood
Thursday 20 August
7pm, meet the Friends
of Spring Park Wood at
the Bridleway entrance to
wood. Wrap up warm
and bring a torch, if you
have one.
Bus: 194, 198.
Be a tree detective in
Littleheath Woods
Saturday 22 August
10am, junction Queenhill
and Littleheath roads,
Selsdon. Meet the Friends
of Littleheath for a stroll
through the woods and
learn to identify the trees
as you go.
Bus: T33, 64, 409 to
Queenhill Road.
yourdiary 23
yourevents
Details of all Croydon
Council meetings can be
found on the council website
at www.croydon.gov.uk/
meetingsofthecouncil
Fairfield, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG
Box Office 020 8688 9291
or Book online at www.fairfield.co.uk
A minimum booking fee of £2.25 per ticket may apply.
Fairfield
Dates for your diary
Council
Muaythai Legends
Saturday 1 August
4.30pm
England vs Thailand –
World-class Thaiboxing
Tickets: £25, £30, £40,
£50, £75
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
THEATRE SUMMER
SCHOOL
for children aged 8 – 12
Monday 3 – Friday 7
August, 10am – 4pm
each day
EduStage comes to the
Fairfield Halls for the first
time, offering a fun-filled
week of rehearsals and
performance for children
aged 8 to 12. Working with
professional directors and a
choreographer, participants
will produce an original
musical, The Music Box, to
be presented on stage with
sound, costumes and lights
on the final afternoon.
Tickets: £135 for the whole
week, please contact the
Fairfield Halls box office for
an enrolment form. Places
are strictly limited. www.
edustage.co.uk
The Green Room
Theatre Company
Every Night Something
Awful
Tuesday 4 August 1.05pm
Founded by actress Hal Dyer,
this group of professional
performers presents platform
productions, and, on its
second visit to Fairfield’s
Lunchtime Event series,
takes a nostalgic look at
entertainment in the ’40s
in music, song, radio and
cinema.
Tickets: £5, ShowCard £4.50
Deadlines for public questions for forthcoming full council meetings (all start at 6.30pm).
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Meeting: Monday, 19 October
Deadline: Monday, 5 October
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.
Children’s Musical Theatre
Ken Wharfe
Former Personal Protection
Officer to Diana Princess
of Wales
Tuesday 11 & 25 August
1.05pm
Ken Wharfe was Scotland
Yard’s Elite Royalty
Protection Officer and
confidant to Princess Diana.
The SAS-trained officer was
chosen to head up security
for Prince William and
Prince Harry and, in 1987,
was appointed as personal
protection officer to the
Princess of Wales, becoming
a close friend. He talks about
his career during this time
and after his resignation.
Tickets: £5, ShowCard £4.50
Si Cranstoun & His Band
Friday 14 August 7pm
Known for his successful
partnership with his brother
and their band, The Dualers,
Si embarks on a new solo
project returning to his
singing roots and paying
tribute to the great singers
that inspired him: Sam
Cooke, Jackie Wilson and
Otis Redding, among others.
An energetic night of doul
and doo-wop.
Tickets: £10
Scrutiny
John Gent
Croydon’s Lost Heritage
1800 – 2000
Tuesday 18 August
1.05pm
Croydon is a historic market
town which underwent
many changes from the
mid-19th century as it
became a desirable place
for suburban and, later,
commercial development.
As a result, many of the
old interesting buildings
and places have been lost.
Local historian John Gent
describes and presents
illustrations from the past
200 years.
Tickets: £5, ShowCard £4.50
The Younger
Generation Theatre
Group
London Calling
Thursday 27 to Saturday
29 August 7.30pm, Sat
mat 2pm
With a cast of more than
90 young people, aged
from 10 to 18, and from the
Croydon area. This year’s
show is all about London
in song and dance.
Tickets: Adults £11,
Concessions £9, Sat mat £8
(no concessions)
Deadlines for the forthcoming scrutiny and overview committee public question sessions
Noon on the relevant deadline date
Meeting: 8 September Scrutiny and overview Deadline: 27 August
Cabinet member: Cllr Sara Bashford (resources and customer services)
Meeting: 15 September Community services
Deadline: 7 September
Cabinet member: Cllr Phil Thomas (environment and highways)
Meeting: 22 September Health and adult social care Deadline: 14 September
Cabinet member: Cllr Lindsay Frost (health and adult social care)
Meeting: 29 September Children, learning and leisure Deadline: 21 September
Cabinet member: Cllr Tim Pollard (children’s services and adult learning)
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: 15 September
Group: Purley and Kenley
Venue: Christ Church Hall, Brighton Road, Purley
Meeting: 23 September
Group: South Norwood and Selhurst
Venue: The BRIT School, The Crescent, Selhurst
Meeting: 30 September
Group: Sanderstead, Croham and Selsdon & Ballards
Venue: Selsdon Halls, 138 Addington Road, Selsdon
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
Forthcoming meeting dates are: Wednesday, 9 September.
Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website at www.croydon.
gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil
Contact us
Si Cranstoun & His Band
Ken Wharfe
General enquiries (customer contact centre)
T: 020 8726 6000. Opening hours 8am-7pm (Monday), 8am-6pm (Tuesday-Friday).
Minicom: 020 8760 5797
E: contact.thecouncil@croydon.gov.uk
For practical advice visit:
www.croydoncrunch.org