Archive

  • Laughing in the aisle with Owen

    He may date strippers and be nicknamed the Butterscotch Stallion, but broken-nosed Texan Owen Wilson is personally a little surprised he isn't married and settled down by now, writes Robin Walker. Maybe the character he plays in his latest comedy The

  • Devoted fans ensure Marillion’s beat goes on

    Any band that stays together for over 20 years must be doing something right. After a string of hits and chart topping albums in the mid-80s, Marillion appeared to slip off the rock n' roll radar. Yet thanks to an unerring belief in their distinctive

  • Risqué business as usual with lucky Jim

    Controversial, risqu, outrageous and seriously non-PC that's Jim Davidson. He makes no apologies for his opinions and he knows that his fans come to hear him rip his way through forbidden topics as well as his hilarious takes on everyday situations.

  • If you are diabetic get an eye test

    Up to 2,000 people in Croydon could have diabetes but be unaware of it, according to the primary care trust. The trust is raising awareness of the symptoms of diabetes which include, increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision and headaches. Currently

  • A kiss on the lips is quite continental...

    A survey conducted by getlippy.com has revealed that 95 per cent of young British women are not getting their fair share of kisses. So last Wednesday National Kissing Day I single handedly attempted to rectify the situation by giving the ladies of

  • Shoplifters face year-long ban

    Shoplifters beware. Anyone cautioned or charged with committing an offence in the town centre could be banned from central Croydon for up to a year. This comes after Croydon Council and Croydon police officially launched the Croydon Against Business

  • Diner does the business

    Croydon's Frankie and Benny's New York-style diner has set its sights on raising thousands of pounds for its chosen charity Children in Need. The restaurant in Valley Park, Purley Way, held a day of fundraising events last month which included a children's

  • New care for your hair is here

    There is a new salon on the block at Croydon's Whitgift Centre. Supercuts has opened a new branch in the shopping centre for customers after a stylish new look at affordable prices. And at Supercuts no appointment is required. Simply turn up and a stylist

  • Facing up to poster fame

    Four staff at a Vauxhall dealership in Croydon are enjoying a taste of celebrity life after appearing in the car retailer's latest advertising campaign. Sales consultants Jo Knight and Alan Marsh, commercial vehicles specialist Eileen Cousall, and technician

  • How a quick cigarette saved me from a bomb

    Fred Parry said his father-in-law was one of the last people to speak to the ill-fated sappers just minutes before the explosion. Mr Parry from Harrington Road, South Norwood, said: "I was in the Royal Engineers at the time and stationed in Shrewsbury

  • Committed to learn

    Coulsdon College has named Andrew Bullock its learner of the year at a London ceremony. College principal David Goodlet said it was a difficult task to select a winner but chose Andrew because of his enthusiasm, commitment and hard work.

  • Up for first prize

    Physics students at Royal Russell School proved that they weren't talking hot air when they beat schools around Surrey in a science competition. The year 12 pupils rose to the challenge of creating, marketing and selling a product that uses helium gas

  • Treadway away

    Science teacher John Treadway will be putting down his pens at the end of term after 34 years at Archbishop Tenison School. Head of the Selborne Road school's science department, Mr Treadway joined the school in 1971. Mr Treadway was shortlisted for

  • Healthy choice for careers

    Students planning careers in healthcare, social, community and care services can take a range of courses at Croydon College. The courses are tailored to meet students' needs and there are courses designed to help people include specialising in early

  • Runners put their hearts into charity jog

    Nearly 100 people took part in the first Croydon jog in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Teams of runners from Mondial UK and Croydon Logistics joined individuals on the 3k course around Lloyd Park to help raise money and awareness of the charity's

  • Get ready to go Potter potty

    Muggles beware. Wizards and broomsticks will be out on the streets of Croydon this Friday as they await the release of the latest Harry Potter book. At midnight Waterstone's and WH Smith in the Whitgift Centre will open for fans to buy copies of J K

  • Can do attitude wins teacher of year award

    Jackie De Saulles is famous for her catchphrase, writes Patrick Gray. The deputy headteacher at Howard Primary School in Dering Place, Croydon, can often be heard telling her pupils: "Don't say I can't do that you mean I can't do that yet'." It is

  • Hospital parking fees rise

    Car parking charges are to increase at Mayday and Purley Hospitals. The hospital trust says the changes will reduce the number of people who use the car parks for short-term parking and say the revenue generated will go towards maintenance and the costs

  • Government cuts mean 99 college jobs to go

    Croydon College has announced 99 redundancies after changes to Government funding left a deficit of £3million. Further education colleges across the country have been forced to make savings as they lobby the Government in protest. College principal

  • Sort out our courts

    In light of recent sporting events at Wimbledon, tennis for two weeks of the year goes through a boom. However, for the youth of New Addington this is not the case. The unmaintained tennis courts at Milne Park are the perfect example of neglect that

  • Say no to night flights

    No increase in Gatwick night flights required. Noise pollution more than sufficient already. Noise disturbance more than sufficient already. Extra pollution pollution more than required already (!) Antisocial hours disturbance on top of the above

  • Why weren’t black cabs taking fares?

    While most of us carried on as well as possible with our normal business last Thursday, the black cab drivers in Croydon (and I believe London) were too frightened to take passengers. My friend had gone to Croydon in the morning with her three-year-old

  • We’ll definitely get the Tube now

    London's successful Olympic bid has boosted the proposed London Underground East London Line extension and the Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace. Preparation work on the extension of the East London Line, which will bring the Tube to West Croydon,

  • Follow our example: Fix water leaks

    We read with interest Steve Caldwell's letter about water leaks (Croydon Guardian, July 6). We do our best to conserve water in our own home. We have a water meter, four water butts, and a dual flush toilet. In very dry periods we also put water from

  • My dad saved our lives – he saved us from bomb

    It was with great interest that I read your news item on the heritage page Residents recall a bomb blast tragedy' (Croydon Guardian, June 29). Being the same age as Bernard Sumner, the events of wartime Croydon bring back some old memories. There was

  • Smart card is not so

    Not wishing to be a technophobe I recently acquired a Smart card which Croydon library seems anxious to promote. It was, so I thought, an intelligent move, Oyster card and library card all in one and nothing to pay. It seems it was not such a smart

  • I’ll definitely be leaving the borough

    I received, in the post this morning, a penalty charge notice for "using a route restricted to certain vehicles, buses, cycles and taxis only" in Addiscombe Road by Canning Road East at 8.12am on July 1. It must be true as they have videotape evidence

  • Arena will be a superb training ground in 2012

    Just for the record if an arena is built on the Gateway site, as we hope will happen, it will be a commercial venture fully funded by the private sector. Croydon Council is convinced that East Croydon would be a superb site for such an attraction a

  • We need to show defiance in the face of terrorism

    London has experienced an indescribable horror with many innocent victims and large numbers affected by the bombings. In the aftermath we must face together three challenges. The first is the need for defiance in the face of terrorism. London is commemorating

  • I am a Muslim and I am appalled at the attacks

    I would like to comment on the recent terrorist attacks on London. As a resident of Croydon and born and raised in this town I am very much British. I am a Muslim and I am proud of that fact and doubly proud that I am a British Muslim. But let me say

  • Fear in Queen’s Garden was difficult to describe

    Sad to say, attacks on homeless people are common, but the attacks which led to the life imprisonment of Kenneth Smith last week were the worst we have known in our almost 30 years of caring for homeless people in Croydon. It is difficult to describe

  • Miscellaneous

    POETS ANONYMOUS: Primary Room, United Reform Church, Addiscombe Grove. Bring your poetry to read and share. 8645 9956. OLD COULSDON WI: Cameron Hall, Canon's Hill, Old Coulsdon. Meet 2nd Monday every month at 2pm. Guests welcome, 75p. SALSA: SalsaAddict

  • Exhibitions/talks

    FAIRFIELD: Sunlounge, Croydon. The Falkland Island's Exhibition, until October 2. MEDITATION: The Friends Meeting House, opposite Fairfield, 60 Park Lane, Croydon. Asanas, Dharanas, Dhyanas, Satori. The Second Jewel of the Yellow Dragon, September 30

  • Comedy

    UP THE CREEK TOO COMEDY CABARET CLUB: 3 Brighton Road, Croydon. Mick Ferry MC, Alan Cochrane, Roger Dee, Mickey Flanagan, July 15. Mick Ferry MC, Mickey Flanagan, Lucy Porter, Alan Cochrane, July 16. 8680 5363. WAREHOUSE THEATRE: Dingwall Road, Croydon

  • Activities

    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

  • Music

    FAIRFIELD CONCERT HALL: Park Lane, Croydon. Brit School: Primary Schools Performance, July 14. Lunchtime Concert: The New Foxtrot Serenaders, July 19. 8688 9291. THE CARTOON: 179/183 London Road, Croydon. Youth of Orpheum, July 13. Finally Found, July

  • Theatre

    FAIRFIELD CONCERT HALL: Park Lane, Croydon. Brit School: Primary Schools Performance, July 14. The Keith Barrett Show, July 15. 8688 9291. ASHCROFT THEATRE: The Fairfield, Park Lane, Croydon. Murder Mystery Season: Dangerous Corner, until July 16. Merton

  • Laughing in the aisle with Owen

    He may date strippers and be nicknamed the Butterscotch Stallion, but broken-nosed Texan Owen Wilson is personally a little surprised he isn't married and settled down by now, writes Robin Walker. Maybe the character he plays in his latest comedy The

  • Inspirational music project is yours for free

    Four local schools are getting together to create an exciting afternoon of music for youngsters during the school holidays all for free. The man behind the idea is Sanderstead resident Derek White. Life coach Derek has lived in the area for 18 months

  • Piano recital for all tastes

    Elena Tserpitskaya is presenting a piano recital at St John the Evangelist Church. Born in 1978 in Kletsk, Belorussia, Elena's formal education in piano began at the age of 15 when she entered music college. Winning a place at the Belorussian State Academy

  • Farce to be reckoned with

    Caught in the Net is the long awaited sequel to Ray Cooney's Run for Your Wife. The sequel finds bigamist taxi-driver, John Smith, still keeping both his families happy and blissfully unaware of each other. That is until John and Mary's teenage son and

  • Boo is cleaning up in soap music

    If the name of Boo Hewerdine isn't immediately familiar to you, then some aspect of his work almost certainly will be. You may know the songs Patience of Angels or Joke as recorded by Eddi Reader or Last Cigarette by KD Lang. You may have heard author

  • Edinburgh previews showing at Warehouse

    The pre-Edinburgh comedy nights start at the Warehouse Theatre. One of the more diverse acts is Ray Peacock and Son at the Dingwall Road venue. This is the story of a short, brash Yorkshireman with songs, swearing, blasphemy, world record attempts and

  • Murders most foul

    The Murder Mystery Season continues at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, with Dangerous Corner, an exciting and dramatic play by JB Priestly. Suspense is maintained almost until the curtain falls as a man struggles to find the truth surrounding his brother's

  • Olympic benefits for Croydon

    When the London 2012 bid team made their final presentation in Singapore last Wednesday they had one message for the members of the International Olympic Committee: London's bid was on behalf of the youth of today and the athletes of tomorrow. It was

  • ‘It would be a dream come true'

    Sprinter Joscelyn Hopeson says it would be a dream come true if she was to win a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Starlet Joscelyn is one of the country's most promising track athletes and is delighted that London's bid, spearheaded by Seb

  • Risqué business as usual with lucky Jim

    Controversial, risqu, outrageous and seriously non-PC that's Jim Davidson. He makes no apologies for his opinions and he knows that his fans come to hear him rip his way through forbidden topics as well as his hilarious takes on everyday situations.

  • Diving for gold

    Four years ago Blake Aldridge won the World Junior Diving Championships, in 2012 he aims to add an Olympic gold medal to his collection. Blake, 22, from Croydon, is part of Great Britain's diving team, and is excited at the prospect of competing in the

  • Tube, arena, business – we will reap the benefits

    Businesses will reap the benefits of London's successful Olympic bid. Tony Hart, Croydon Business' town and district centre director, is sure Croydon can take advantage of the lucrative opportunities that will emanate from the games. He said: "I didn't

  • Cross Country: Really reliable on relay route

    Striders of Croydon produced another good team performance to win their annual inter-club cross-country relay at Lloyd Park last Wednesday. Justin Macenhill gave them an excellent start on the first leg, leading the field home and covering the four-kilometre

  • Cricket: Whyteleafe wrap up easy win

    Seveno 80 Whyteleafe III 81-3 Nine-man Whyteleafe's third string sealed an easy victory over Seveno by seven wickets on Saturday after having their league fixture conceded by Kempton earlier in the week. Losing the toss, Whyteleafe were asked to

  • Cricket: Amin does for Wimbledonians

    Old Wimbledonians 227-9 Warlingham 230-8 A superb hundred from left hander Dil Amin took Warlingham to victory at Old Wimbledonians on Saturday. Wimbledonians set a challenging target of 227, with all batsmen reaching double figures, except for

  • Cricket: Trinity lift cup for first time

    Trinity School's U11s brought to an end Elmhurst's run of nine consecutive victories when they lifted the Croydon Schools' Cricket Association's Primary League Foss Cup for the first time at Addiscombe Cricket Club last week. Trinity elected to bat and

  • Cricket: Low-scoring match turns into something of a thriller

    Old Mid-Whitgiftian 107 Ashtead 108-9 Five wickets from Gary Butcher and a half-century from Jamal Babu proved not quite enough as a spirited Old Mid-Whitgiftian side succumbed to Ashtead by a single wicket in a low-scoring thriller at Lime Meadow

  • Cricket: Adds positive after falling 20 runs short of victory

    Epsom 200-9 Addiscombe 181 A youthful Addiscombe side were close to grabbing their first victory of the season on Saturday but finished up 19 runs short of victory. After winning the toss, Addiscombe inserted the hosts into bat and some tight bowling

  • School Athletics: Four from Trinity

    In the week that London was awarded the 2012 Olympic Games, Trinity School provided no fewer than four athletes for the Surrey team that competed in the English Schools Athletics finals in Birmingham. Jermaine Alexander was slightly disappointed with

  • Hannah is a VIP at new Woolies

    Little Hannah Olateju experienced the star treatment last Wednesday when she was made VIP for the day after winning a competition. As part of her VIP day Hannah officially opened the new-look Woolworths store in North End watched by proud mum Rebecca

  • Nurseries closed by Ofsted for having unchecked staff

    A chain of three nurseries in Croydon has been temporarily closed amid concerns for children's health and safety following an inspection by the education watchdog Ofsted. The privately-owned Children's Paradise nurseries in Elgin Road, Addiscombe, Chatsworth

  • Athletics: Fraser finds her best form

    Croydon Harrier Donna Fraser was the cream of Manchester as she claimed both the women's 200m and 400m AAA crowns at last weekend's Norwich Union World Championship and Commonwealth trials, writes Ziad Chaudry. It was quite a busy Sunday for the 32-year-old

  • Great-grandfather is great fundraiser

    Who says when you retire that it is time to slow down? Stephen Thurlow, 83, certainly doesn't believe in taking life easy. Every year, four weeks before Armistice Sunday hundreds of poppy tins are delivered to his branch of the Royal British Legion

  • New centre is support, not court

    Last week's story about Croydon's Family Justice Centre incorrectly described it as a court. The centre will provide support to the victims of domestic violence and will play an important role helping the courts bring abusers to justice.

  • Newly-weds devastated as wedding photos stolen

    A newly-wed couple say they are devastated after vandals stole, torched and dumped their car in a pond, totally destroying their precious wedding photos. Maria and Angus McRae now face forking out hundreds of pounds to replace their official wedding

  • School Athletics: Croydon youth excel at school championships

    A very successful 10-strong, Croydon contingent, inspiringly led by international sprinter Joscelyn Hopeson, who was joint Surrey girls team captain, made a key contribution to the county's outstanding overall second place in the English Schools Athletics

  • Happy to be... a glider pilot

    For many retirement is an opportunity to start a new hobby, say something quiet and relaxing like gardening or bowls. But not for Peter Bolton. The former civil servant says he had been looking for a sport that tested his mind and body and found that

  • We want peace

    Croydon's Muslim community condemned the bomb attacks labelling them "barbaric" and "evil" and say they will work towards a more peaceful society. A statement released by Croydon Mosque, in London Road, Thornton Heath, said: "This barbaric act last Thursday

  • Town centre paralysed by false alarms

    Croydon police are urging people to remain vigilant following last Thursday's terrorist attacks in London. Parts of the town centre were sealed off after reports of suspect packages at East Croydon station and HSBC bank's offices, just hours after seven

  • Condolence book

    A book of condolence has been opened for people who want to pass on their sympathies to those who have been affected by the London terror attacks. The book is in the town hall, Katharine Street, open Monday to Saturday, 9am-8.30pm.

  • Year 8 flee terror

    A group of year eight students from Archbishop Tenison School had to be recalled from a museum trip after the terror attacks in the city. The students were in London to visit the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in South Kensington last

  • Croydon centre shut during emergency

    Central Croydon on a Thursday lunch time. Ordinarily the streets would be teeming with people heading out of their offices for lunch, traffic would pass along the Underpass on route to its destination and the trams would go about their day-to-day business

  • Kolkka stays put while Palace look for three more

    Speculation linking Crystal Palace winger Joonas Kolkka with a move away from Selhurst Park is unfounded according to Eagles Director of Football Bob Dowie. The 30-year-old Finn, who never cemented a regular first team place last term, has been heavily

  • I didn’t look back... God knows what we left behind

    A mum-of-two from Sanderstead has spoken of the moment she was convinced she would die as she waited for the roof of a bombed Tube train to collapse on top of her, writes Kerry McQueeney. Mary Burke, 50, was on board the first carriage in last Thursday's

  • Stand by your Granville

    Crystal Palace Director of Football Bob Dowie has praised Danny Granville for turning down big money offers elsewhere in favour of committing his future to the Eagles. The 30-year-old left back penned a new two-year contract last week after mulling over