As part of Wimbledon Bookfest 2011, Poet Laureate Carol-Ann Duffy talked to Sixth Formers from around Merton in an effort to encourage their interest in literature. The English students came from local schools around Merton including Wimbledon College
Disappointing news hit Kingston’s much loved theatre earlier this year as it was rejected for Arts Council Funding. As we worried about whether or not we would be able to continue to experience the thrills of its previous productions- the amusement during
A man who ate a live scorpion should undergo psychological tests, according to animal campaigners. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said Louis Cole, 28, had put the creature through agonising pain by chomping it down pincers
Three more Croydon looters have been caged by the courts. The Metropolitan Police have released details and photos of more offenders caught during the August 8 riots. Aaron Douglas, 18 of Gibbs Square, Crystal Palace was sentenced to
Good food at a reasonable price plus excellent service, all add up to a winning recipe for Sanderstead Tandoori, writes Tamasin Coates. The restaurant is one of the most popular in the borough having previously been voted Restaurant of the
The destruction and mayhem caused by this Summer's nationwide riots may now be an image of the past, but for some locals the horrific fear of further uprising and devastation lives on. On August 6th, following the killing of 29-year-old Tottenham
Listen to soulful blues and classic-rock in Balham when up-and-coming singer songwriter Jim Stapley takes to the stage. The rising star will be performing a headline show at The Bedford and treating audiences to tracks from his debut album
Police are appealing for witnesses after a removal van was stolen from a house in Coulsdon and found on fire two days later in the car park of a methodist church. The hired vehicle, laden with furniture and personal belongings, was left unlocked
On the last week of June and the first of July, little pink flags can be seen hanging outside the shops of Wimbledon Village. So the locals or people just passing by know it is that time of the year: the Championships have arrived, and along with them
A defendant in the case of a murdered West Norwood schoolboy was a role model for young people with dreams of becoming a professional musician, a court heard today. The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, denies seeing
A man facing extradition to Greece for beating a footballer into a coma has been found guilty of assault. Joseph Bruckland, 21, is one of six men accused of a brutal attack on semi-professional footballer Robbie Hughes while on holiday in Malia
If you are looking for a pleasant and friendly place to dine, check out Happy Inn, located in the Wing Yip Centre. The new management team took over in April 2010, and owner Stephen has a real passion for food, with more than 20 years experience
As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, there’s nothing I like better than a good curry, writes Tamasin Coates. And one place which offers the ideal cosy atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy your meal is Sanderstead Tandoori.
This sunbeam was certainly shining for Emma Cotter's big day, 22 years after the classic car was used as transport to her christening service. In June 1989, a young Emma Tipping was taken to church to be christened in her father's pride and
Comedy performer and writer, Andy Hamilton, will embark on a mini-tour this autumn with his stage show Hat of Doom. Best known for his appearances on TV shows such as Have I Got News for You and QI, the comedy writer from Wimbledon will be serving up
As a committed carnivore I was slightly concerned to find out the Shahee Bhelpoori was a pure vegetarian and vegan restaurant, writes Matthew Knowles. But within minutes of my arrival all thoughts of chops, steak and lamb tikka masala had flown
A leading jazz singer and legendary screen composer are set to take to the stage for a unique musical performance. Claire Martin, one of the foremost jazz singers of her generation, and legendary classical screen composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett have
The Magic of Queen will be brought back to life next month as one of the most popular tribute acts takes to the stage to perform all of the band’s greatest hits. Magic, the first tribute act to Queen, will recreate the spirit of Freddie Mercury’s super
The Naga is often described as the world’s hottest chilli, writes Matthew Knowles. So when the opportunity arose to have a curry made with one, my fire eating tendencies came to the fore. At Chutney’s in Shirley, the Bangladeshi staff
Senior citizens hoping to catch a performance of this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, are being offered reduced priced tickets for a special showing. A performance especially for pensioners will be staged at the Epsom Playhouse on Tuesday, January 3.
Chicken curry kapitan (Serves 6) 1kg boneless chicken; 2tbsp vegetable oil; 2 lemongrass stalks; 400ml coco-nut milk; 6 kaffir lime leaves; 2tsp muscovado sugar; juice of half lime; salt. For curry paste: 6 dried red Kashmiri chillies; 4 heaped tbsps
“Challenging” is how Rick Stein describes his commute to work. While the TV chef, known for his culinary colonisation of the Cornish town of Padstow, hasn’t officially moved to Australia where his fiancée Sarah lives, he does spend a lot of
The USA Olympic road cycling team has decided to train in Surrey to prepare for the London 2012 Games. The exact location could be revealed for security reasons, but Jim Miller, vice president of USA Cycling, said Surrey was chosen for its
(Serves four). 4 baby gem lettuces. 2 fennel bulbs. 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Juice of ½ lemon, plus the finely grated rind or, if you prefer, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper. Wash the lettuces and cut in quarters lengthways. Pull
Autumn is upon us and with the night’s drawing in there’s nothing more cosy and homely than settling down to a warming meal. British Turkey, one of the most versatile of meats, is ideal for all meal occasions. As well as oven ready whole
Nicola Murphy, who is the manager of a McDonald's restaurant at Croydon Valley Leisure Park, has become one of the first people in the country to complete a McDonald's foundation degree in managing business operations. Nicola who is from Croydon,
Students at a school have written their own play inspired by this summer's riots. The Feral Underclass is a performance devised by Year 13 students at Carshalton Boys Sports College exploring the possible causes and consequences of the riots
Nicola Murphy, who is the manager of a McDonald's restaurant at Croydon Valley Leisure Park, has become one of the first people in the country to complete a McDonald's foundation degree in managing business operations. Nicola who is from Croydon,
An Earlsfield woman has been ordered to wear an electronic tag after "shamelessly" using her own mother's blue badge which had been reported lost. Rukhsana Waheed, from Cargill Road, was using her mother’s disabled parking permit to go on shopping
Tube and rail bosses should liaise more effectively with each other to avoid their engineering works coinciding and causing travel misery for residents, according to Wandsworth Council’s transport spokesman. For the second weekend running
The grieving daughter of an artist whose work was admired by royalty has said her father lived his life to the full and died a happy man. Desmond Wimsett was known for his eye-catching watercolours and sepia prints of Kingston Market and the
Police investigating the death of a teenager murdered following an argument after a house party have charged a second man. Kelvin Chibueze, 17 from Croydon, was stabbed outside a car park off Ilford High Street in the early hours of August
A driver clamped hours after he severed an artery in a freak accident has criticised a parking company’s refusal to rip up his fine. Simon Williams was visiting a friend when a cracked glass of gin and tonic caused the injury. He was
He promised to eat a live scorpion as his next food challenge. And despite the danger of being stung, pinched or poisoned he has delivered on his crazy pledge. In the video Louis Cole, 28, carefully holds the stinger in his hand as he
People who receive benefits should be automatically placed on the electoral register, making it easier for them to vote, Mitcham and Morden’s MP has claimed. Siobhain McDonagh said she wanted to introduce a law in Parliament to make it compulsory
Many Surrey homeowners have had negative responses to the recent food waste bins that have been provided to help recycle the 83.000 tonnes of food and drinks being binned in surrey every year. The bins have been given out to help cut down on environmental
A one-stop shop opened to help the victims of the August 8 riots is set to close. Croydon Council set up an advice and information centre at Croydon Voluntary Action resource centre on London Road, one of the worst hit parts of the borough
A teenage Streatham athlete was hunted down and shot dead by members of a notorious street gang in the stairwell of a block of flats, the Old Bailey heard. Sylvester Akapalara, 17, was hit in the neck by a single bullet as he and two friends tried
Three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at their home last night. Up to 60 firefighters and 13 fire engines from across Surrey were called in to tackle the blaze at a bungalow on Shawley Way, Epsom Downs at about 8pm. No
The only serving member of British Army to receive the Victoria Cross talked to pupils at South Thames College yesterday. Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC was given a one per cent chance of survival after saving members of his platoon from
Sutton and Croydon London Assembly member Steve O'Connell has indicated he may stand for election as an MP in one of Sutton's constituencies at the next general election. Mr O'Connell announced this week he has been appointed as Conservative
A fish and chip shop has received a plaque from the RNLI after raising thousands of pounds for the charity, two years after a devastating fire destroyed their shop. The Seine Rigger in Banstead was gutted by a fire in March 2009. The
Cash rewards of up to £1,000 are being offered in a bid to catch burglars in Surrey. The charity Crimestoppers is urging people to report what they know about burglary and the handling of stolen goods. It has pledged to give cash rewards
Comments are recently being brought up about, whether or not an iPad is a PC? Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive officer, has completely disagreed with these statements. In addition, Steven P.Jobs has also once said no to these allegations, and
It has been widely reported that the effect of the catastrophic Japanese earthquake and subsequent tsunami in April has been felt everywhere in the world. One local business, Newton Honda located in Croydon, certainly felt the effects of the disaster.
A man celebrating his 100th birthday said his secret to a long life was being a postman. John Cook, a resident at Elizabeth House in Cheam, was a postman for 20 years. Mr Cook's daughter said that cycling every day for two decades has
A man who destroyed an estate agent's window with his head after a drunken argument with club bouncers has escaped a jail term. Ashley Donoghue, 21, was thrown out of the Boogie Lounge in Epsom on Friday, September 30 where he had been commiserating
With temperatures as low as -20C predicted this winter a former Surrey County Council employee has slammed the council for cutting the number of grit depots. Eric Turner, 48, resigned as highways maintenance engineer for Epsom and Ewell
A primary school worker has been jailed for a year after pleading guilty to burglary during the Croydon riots. Alexis Bailey, from Battersea, has already been dismissed from his job as a learning mentor at Stockwell Primary School, for stealing
Tooting and Mitcham Football club should “demerge” from its financially-troubled community arm to protect its viability, a concerned fan has said. Stan Churchillman said reverting the club to a supporters’ trust would make Tooting and Mitcham
Reigate and Banstead Council is inviting residents to give their views on isues which will affect the borough over the next 15 years. A consultation on the council’s core strategy began last month asking residents where new shops and homes
A man who walked for 24-hours straight has raised more than £8,000 in support of Street Child World Cup. Darren Mee, of Fyfield Close in Epsom, took up the challenge on Friday, October 14, walking solidly for one whole day around the track
The first of a new wave of community-led schools is one step closer to opening in Elmbridge. Cobham Free School has made it through the first stage of a Government application process and is now aiming to open in September 2012 for children
Police cells across the borough could be relocated to Brixton, in a move some fear is a "prelude" Streatham police station closing. Lambeth police said the proposals, which are due to be exhibited at a public exhibition this weekend, are part
Theatre returns to the streets for half term in a three day extravaganza of stilt walkers, clowns and entertainers. Croydon BID is inviting people to the town centre to enjoy a trio of fun-days following on from BIG Get-Together events held
Police have begun a crackdown on antisocial behaviour ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night. With both events approaching the Metropolitan Police will be carrying out patrols outside schools and at transport hubs to disrupt potential involvement
A 19-year-old was sentenced to ten months in prison for handling stolen goods taken during the August 8 riots. Grishaj Gridi, of King Henry’s Drive, New Addington, was pulled over by police in Crown Road, Sutton, on August 13, and found to
Businesses and a charity-minded band are combining to raise funds for a much-loved Croydon shopkeeper whose business was destroyed during the riots. Roy Saunders has worked at his store, The TV Shop, Cherry Orchard Road, for 47 years, beginning
