My grandfather and I would go shopping on a Saturday morning and as a treat he would take me to see the little zoo at Kennards. I remember the animals inside kittens and puppies etc. The only query I have is that I believe I had donkey rides not pony
Is it any surprise that we find Croydon residents only recycled 14 per cent of their waste in the past year, against a target of 28 per cent? Many areas of North Croydon are still awaiting green kerbside collection boxes and existing recycling points
Once again Croydon Guardian letter writers show their great interest in recycling and waste disposal matters. Even when they do not always agree with actions the council is taking, their keenness in this increasingly important subject is valued. For
Allders, dinosaur-like, is collapsing into receivership as more than 60 predators circle around, hoping to bite off juicy bits. Allders of Croydon has already been taken over by the property company Minerva. What about Allders staff, many of whom have
In reply to Ms Brown's letter Sentences are far too harsh' (Croydon Guardian, February 2) about the sentences regarding the football riots and criminal damage. We have been crying out to the courts for ages to get tough on crime and at long last they
Perhaps residents would feel more positive about recycling if the local authority and its employees set a better example. I regularly put out the black box filled with paper but after the collection I still find some of the paper still in the box. Also
I understand that business rates go to central Government not directly to the local council. Then central Government distributes this money throughout the country as it sees fit. While Christmas lights do brighten the dark winter days and their demise
I remember the outbreak quite well as I was one of many that had it, plus I had scarlet fever as well. My mother could not get me into the isolation hospital as it was full up so I was taken to Mayday Hospital. I was in there for 17 weeks in all, plus
With reference to Peter Gainsborough's letter (Croydon Guardian, January 19), I wish I had taken the driver's badge number or the licence number of the taxi I used on January 23. It was 10pm on Sunday night, my case and holdall had somehow increased
I've just read a couple of letters about bad experiences with black cabs. I ordered one this evening. The ordering process was slick and I asked for the car to arrive at 11pm. It arrived at 10.50pm and I wasn't ready by the time I was there was £5.50
Shasha Khan's letter about Feroz Abassi over-simplifies the case (Croydon Guardian, January 19). If a terrorist, Abassi should be imprisoned not roaming Croydon streets; if innocent he should be charged, tried and released unconditionally. Either way
Having initially trained children to use nappies, potties and toilets they then have between 50 and 60 years use of private and communal toilets. It now seems that councils like Croydon have decided to remove toilets when they are most needed, forcing
Fairfield has announced that the Boogie Wonderland tour, starring Sheila Ferguson and listed as playing at the Concert Hall on Wednesday, February 23, has been cancelled. If you need a refund call the box office on 020 8688 9291.
Following the sell out success last month at the Warehouse Theatre, Dingwall Road, Croydon, Laurence and Gus: Men In Love returns to the venue for one night only on Sunday, February 20, at 8.30pm. Laurence Howarth and Gus Brown reveal aspects of love
Acclaimed jazz star Keith James is joined by Georgie Fame and The Hefty Jazz All Stars at Fairfield Concert Hall for a night of top jazz and blues from Basin Street to Broadway. The show epitomises Keith Smith's musical progress during the first years
Remember the 80s? Thatcherism, The Falklands War, the miners' strike and the birth of the yuppie? If you remember all that then you will remember the music of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Wham! and many others. And now the soundtrack from the greed is
As the first and most successful Beatles tribute act in the world, the Bootleg Beatles are celebrating 25 years on the long and winding road. They have built up an awesome CV which includes playing live with Oasis at Knebworth and Earls Court (captured
Get in the groove with 70s soul stars The Real Thing when they perform at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, on Sunday, February 13, at 7.45pm. Original vocalists Chris Amoo, Eddie Amoo and Dave Smith guarantee a night to remember featuring their million
The Younger Generation Theatre Group (YGTG) will be holding auditions for its Britain at it's Best show at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, in March. The production will be staged at the beginning of September. This will be the 17th YGTG show and the
In 1991 a film about an Irish band pf youngsters singing soul became a cult classic and spawned many a hopeful new group. The Commitments captured the hearts of a public who were both familiar with and new to classic soul stars and their music. Alan
Psychic Yvette Tamara returns to the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, tomorrow (Thursday) at 7.45pm. Tickets are £11 and £9.50. Call 020 8688 9291.
Croydon-based Exit Theatre presents Ring For Jeeves. The P G Wodehouse play features the most impeccable of butlers Jeeves, Bertie Wooster's right hand man. In this hilarious comedy of the upper classes floundering on their uppers, Jeeves is not
Half-Moon Young People's Theatre present Grubs, Slugs and Boogie Bugs at the Croydon Clocktower. Aimed at children aged from two to five the performance features original music and design inspired by the Glam Rock period. Bud likes to play and the community
The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra with award-winning pianist Ewa Poblocka come to the Fairfield Concert Hall tonight (Wednesday). Under the baton of Antoni Wit, Poblocka will perform the ever-popular Grieg Piano Concerto, framed by Kilwar's Orwawa and
An evening with Glenn Tilbrook is almost a return to the days of musical hall and variety. While the subject matter in his songs may be bang up to date, the former Squeeze singer retains an element of old-school entertainer as he bounces around the
Matthew Bourne must be one of the hardest working choreographers in the world. With his Swan Lake just finishing a sell-out run at Sadler's Wells, versions of Nutcracker! and Play Without Words being staged in the US and Japan and having choreographed
Teamed up this time with ABC's Martin Fry, Tony Hadley is back at Fairfield Concert Hall. Last time at the venue with Reborn in the USA partner Peter Cox, his show sold out every seat plus every available inch of permitted standing in the auditorium.
POETS ANONYMOUS: Primary Room, United Reform Church, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon. Bring your poetry to read and share. February 12, 2.30pm to 4pm. 8645 9956. OLD COULSDON WI: Cameron Hall, Canon's Hill, Old Coulsdon. Meet every second Monday, 2pm. Next
FAIRFIELD CONCERT HALL: Park Lane, Croydon. Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, February 9. The Bootleg Beatles, February 10. Jane McDonald, February 11. Croydon Symphony Orchestra, February 12. Keith Smith and his Hefty Jazz All Stars with special guest Georgie
FAIRFIELD: Sunlounge, Croydon. The Cantium Group of Artists Beauty of Britain, until February 12. West Wickham Arts Association, February 14- 26. CROYDON CLOCKTOWER: Katharine Street, Croydon. ArtWrite: exhibition of poems and paintings in Space C,
CROYDON OUTDOOR PURSUITS AND SPECIAL EVENTS CLUB: Meets St Andrew's Church Hall, Lower Coombe Street, Croydon. Every Tuesday, 8.30pm to 10.30pm. 8688 5051. OLD PORTLIANS CYCLING CLUB: Weekend cycle rides. Meet at bottom of Corkscrew Hill, West Wickham
Addiscombe 3 Surrey University 0 Addiscombe outclassed relegation threatened Surrey University on Saturday. The hosts controlled the game throughout. After two unsuccessful penalty corner attempts, Addiscombe took the lead when Yeates struck low
Whyteleafe continued their climb up the league on Saturday, writes Mickey Taylor. They travelled down to the south coast to face a Hastings which had not lost in the nine games since former Everton keeper Neville Southall took over as manager. But
Thurrock Schools U11s 0 Croydon Schools U14s 4 Croydon Schools Football Association's U11's borough side pulled off their best result of the season when they were comfortable 4-0 winners in an away London Schools' FA Crisp Shield semi-final against
Purley John Fisher 2nd 27 Old Walcountians 22 A second-half comeback by Old Walcountians was not sufficient to overcome Purley John Fisher last Saturday. The first-half was largely dominated by the home side, who used their larger pack to dominate
Barnes 34 OMW 15 Midwives were overpowered by a strong Barnes pack on Saturday as their hosts continued their dominance in the division. Barnes took an early lead from a line-out 10 metres out, when they set up a driving maul which was expertly controlled
Andrew Johnson in the England team, Simon Jordan leading the calls for Chelsea to be punished for tapping up Ashley Cole and Iain Dowie getting praise from Keith Hackett, the Premier League's chief referee, after refusing to criticise Dermot Gallagher
- Andrew Johnson took part in his first England training session this week and he is determined that he will not be a one cap wonder. "Make no mistake, I'm not just here for the ride," AJ told Sky Sports. "I've come here and I mean business. If it means
West Bromwich Albion 2 Campbell 82, Earnshaw 90 Crystal Palace 2 Johnson 47, Riihilahti 90 Aki Riihilahti scored an injury time equaliser to deny West Bromwich Albion last Tuesday, ensuring 10-man Crystal Palace grabbed a share of the points at
Crystal Palace 0 Bolton Wanderers 1 (Nolan 31) Crystal Palace wasted a golden opportunity to pull further away from the relegation zone after Bolton punished the Eagles inability to convert a host of chances. Iain Dowie's side should have been 3
Crystal Palace assistant boss Kit Symons says the "more clubs around the relegation zone the better" as the once four horse race for survival has been blown wide open. With Palace, Southampton and Norwich all starting to pick up points, clubs such as
Kit Symons admitted this week that signing trial players Nicolas Pavlovich and Sergei Dadu was not worth the gamble despite them both scoring against Chelsea in a specially arranged match. The duo were two of a number of players on trial at Palace
A 17-year-old forced to flee her home country two years ago, paid an emotional tribute to staff at Croydon College after being recognised for her outstanding achievement. Kandia Diallo, from South Croydon, was one of 60 students honoured at the college's
Villa Maria nursing home has earned the Investor in People award. The nursing home in Croham Road, South Croydon, celebrates its 31st year in business this month. The Investor in People accolade, which recognises achieving a standard of excellence,
Centrale will be in romantic mood this Valentine's Day. A heart-shaped ice sculpture will be placed in the atrium of the shopping centre on Monday, February 14, and shoppers will be asked to guess how long it will take for the ice to melt. The first
First Choice travel shop has beaten local competition to be named Travel Trade Gazette's top shop in Croydon. The travel agents in North End scored 75 out of 100 in a mystery shopper survey. The mystery shopper visited four travel shops in the town
A New Addington primary school, which earned an outstanding Ofsted report last year, has been praised as one of the country's most successful. As part of his annual report last Wednesday, chief inspector of schools David Bell, named Fairchildes Primary
Croydon's job market is booming, according to recruitment agency Manpower. Manpower has conducted its first employment outlook survey of 2005, which predicts employers' hiring intentions for the forthcoming quarter and results show that Croydon should
Coulsdon College students were encouraged to get involved with politics by a former House of Commons speaker. Lord Weatherill, who was appointed speaker of the house in 1983 and served as MP for Croydon North, visited the college in Placehouse Lane
Two of the borough's secondary schools have been awarded specialist status giving them access to more money for big projects. Archbishop Lanfranc School in north-west Croydon and Coloma Convent School in Shirley both successfully applied to the Department
New Addington and Fieldway neighbourhood partnership is due to meet tonight (Wednesday) to discuss community issues. The meeting starts at 7.30pm at Rowdown Primary School in Calley Down Crescent, New Addington.
Planning permission is likely to be granted for developer Arrowcroft's vision for the Croydon Gateway site. But rival developer Stanhope and Schroders, which owns the land next to East Croydon station, has said it will challenge the decision. Arrowcroft's
A group of police officers from Croydon helped to raise more than £1,400 for the tsunami relief fund at a charity curry night and auction. The officers, part of a team based at Croydon police station, joined Sutton Sea Cadets for the event in Wallington
The organiser of Croydon's ill-fated youth games has joined Robert Kilroy-Silk's new political party Veritas. Winston McKenzie, owner of the now derelict McKenzie's pub in Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, plans to run against pensions minister Malcolm
Not all of the young worshippers shown in this picture have been located yet by former Purley Baptist Church worshipper Michael Shergold, one of the organisers of the reunion on April 30 this year. He is calling on any of those active in youth groups
Poet Laureate Andrew Motion will be signing copies of his book at a multi-media exhibition uniting artists and poets. Called Artwrite, the exhibition is the brainchild of Poet's Anonymous. Artists were invited to submit work to be interpreted in verse
An 18-year-old was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail for his part in last summer's football riots. Terry Kevin's family wept as he was led from the dock at Croydon Crown Court last Friday. Kevin, from Walton Green, New Addington, pleaded guilty
Prince Andrew chatted to pupils at Whitgift School during a visit to officially open its £9million sports and conference centre. The sports centre has been built to meet national standards and includes a sports hall with partitions, indoor climbing wall
A man was tied up and robbed of a large quantity of cash and gold coins by two men posing as police officers. The man, in his 40s, had his hands and feet bound and was pinned to the ground while his house in Tindale Road, South Croydon, was ransacked
A motorist who was given a parking ticket before he had a chance to pay for a permit has had his fine quashed following intervention from the Croydon Guardian. Roger Sailes was originally told he would have to pay the unfair penalty after a traffic warden
Two new sponsors have signed up to support this year's Croydon Champions campaign. Khana Peena Indian restaurant and Tramtrack Croydon Limited are the latest companies to join the campaign which rewards the borough's unsung heroes and champions Croydon
Situated on the Purley and Kenley border, Foxley Woods is an area of historic woodland severely damaged by the 1987 gales. But a small group of volunteers, led by John Bishop, has transformed the site. Nominated for the Community Champion award, he
Thirteen-year-old Genevieve Bismouth from Croydon will be practising her moves on her personalised skateboard. Her eye-catching Scooby Doo design was chosen by a panel of judges from more than 1,500 entries in the national competition organised by Yorkshire
Sandra Lawman has been selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the Croydon South seat. The 46-year-old, who runs an NHS charity supporting mental health causes, stood in Croydon North in the last general election. Her
The headteacher of Stanley Technical High School for Boys has set his sights on having the most improved GCSE results this summer after the school was taken out of special measures. The school, in South Norwood Hill, was put in special measures in May
For Paddy Millard, a volunteer relationship counsellor, the most fulfilling part of her job is being able to help couples improve their lives and enabling them to steer their relationship back on track. Paddy works as a counsellor for Relate and at the
Two of Croydon Council's chief officers will take on extra responsibilities when three central departments are merged into two in April. Finance director Nathan Elvery, 35, will become director of finance and resources, while Will Tuckley, 45, currently
When 74-year-old Donald Mayle accepted a part-time job as a lollipop man to supplement his small pension, he never imagined it would put him in debt. However, eight weeks into his employment the great-grandfather was forced to give up his job because
