Archive
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How safe is Croydon?
I believe that it is not only myself who is vulnerable to attack in Croydon and think you will find that a great deal of young women would feel even more vulnerable in the area especially after the tragic murder of Sally Ann Bowman. As the latest statistics
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Dress up for charity Bond premiere
Film lovers can get into the spirit of the new James Bond film at a charity showing in Esher. The latest Bond offering, Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig, has its regional charity premiere on Wednesday, November 15, at the Odeon in Esher High Street
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Leave your tributes for Eugene Attram
Leave your tributes for Eugene Attram, a talented schoolboy from Thornton Heath who died after being stabbed during a savage street brawl between 30 youths in Mitcham on November 4. Click here to read the full story.
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Will our MPs explain their expenses?
I was astounded to read that our three MPs had together claimed expenses totalling more than a third of a million pounds (MPs' expenses top third of a million, Croydon Guardian, November 1). This was on top of an attractive salary that most of their
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Book of Remembrance
ON Remembrance Sunday people across the region will pay their respects to the men and women who gave their lives serving their country during two world wars and more recent conflicts. As well as the national service taking place at the cenotaph in
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Halloween assault belies silent night
A gang of youths wearing Halloween masks attacked a man in Esher last week. The 48-year-old was walking home at 7.45pm on Halloween, last Tuesday, when he was approached by the youngsters in Hare Lane. Police reported the man felt a bit threatened so
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Musicians make house call for the sick
Two members of a national orchestra have deserted the concert hall to perform a concert for a house-bound East Molesey woman. June Coope, from Kent Road, was nominated by a friend as part of Radio Three's first national Musicians on Call campaign, in
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Eco-friendly gardens
If your garden could scrub up on its eco-principles such as recycling and effective use of energy or know of one that does, UKTV Style Gardens wants to hear from you. A new TV series to transform gardens from eco-catastrophes to eco-friendly spaces is
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Anger as ward remains closed
New physiotherapy and diagnostic units will be opened at Cobham Cottage Hospital this month but a newly-refurbished 18-bed ward remains empty as Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT) decides whether it will open at all. The situation is galling for people
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Cyclists take life in their hands in Kingston
It is all very well to fine cyclists for riding on the pavement. If, however, you cycle on the roads of Kingston, you take your life in your hands, with excessive and inconsiderate traffic. Cycle lanes are discontinuous and don't continue across side
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Rethinking recycling
Don't get me wrong, I am an avid recycler and believe we should do everything we can to prevent global warming. I don't want to leave future generations with an irreparable legacy. But to encourage everyone to do their bit, recycling should be at the
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Time to speak up for cyclists
With reference to the article by Hollye Blades in the Guardian, October 26, (town chiefs want cyclists off), I think it is time to speak up for responsible cycling. I cycle every week in Kingston, instead of using the car. Every time, there is a conflict
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Why are we being green at home and not work?
Don't get me wrong, I am an avid recycler and believe we should do everything we can to prevent global warming. I don't want to leave future generations with an irreparable legacy. But to encourage everyone to do their bit, recycling should be at the
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Dedicated vet is animal crackers
Our final nominated vet for the Kingston Best Vet competition is Jackie Cox from the Hope and Davies Surgery. Jackie, 41, from Putney, was nominated by Claire Spraggs, who said: "Knowing Jackie is there to help has kept us living in the area and I can't
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Thrashing out the issues left unfinished by Blair
Jack Straw's reform proposals for the Lords and the story of Prince Charles' tax raise again the crying need for a new constitutional settlement. Picking off these issues one by one as they surface wastes time and energy. The main political parties
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Housing project could fall flat without new amenities
The Conservative project to have A2 build 400 houses in Stanwell is presented as all about affordability and improvement. Who could possibly object to such a noble aim, proof that honest Daves' new Conservative are all heart. Well, a large number of
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‘Another fine mess you have got us into Tony, now only the public can correct it’
As most readers will remember the New Labour Government issued the Local Government Act 2000 forcing local Government to decide to adopt one of three similar options that took the vote on all matters away from the ward councillor. In the case of Spelthorne
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Right up our street
Just a note to say how very welcome the S4 bus extension is. It's been running for a month now and it is such a help to so many people especially the elderly as it goes through many side roads, to all local hospitals, stations and shopping centres.
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Worcester Park’s traffic woes getting earlier
How much longer and how much worse will the traffic get through Worcester Park before the council addresses the problem of the Green Lane lights? There are now queues as early as 6.30am down Central Road as drivers try desperately to beat the gridlock
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Lights are on but is anybody home in EU?
When Britain was urged to join the Common Market (as it then was) we were assured that all we were joining was a trading bloc. Today, the European Union costs us a staggering £4.7billion pounds each year and interferes in all aspects of our day-to-day
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Great to have such a good greengrocer
With recent publicity in the news and on television regarding English apples, I was delighted to find in the Country Harvest greengrocers in Carshalton High Street a great selection of old favourites such as Falstaff, Red Pippin and Lord Lambourne alongside
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Sport facilities play useful role for NHS
When so much money is being spent on construction for the 2012 Olympics, it really makes little sense suggesting that sports and social facilities in Sutton are under the threat of closure. The Olympics are about the general health of everybody in every
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Praise indeed for weed killer
I have complained in the past about the paths but I must give credit where it's due to the man who cleans our road who does a very good job. With the street cleaning team out in full force the other day, there was our man scraping up weeds along the
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Bus timetables are ‘lopsided’
The new schedule which gives a choice of three buses an hour from 7am to 7pm is greatly appreciated by most users. The drawback is the last bus leaves Worcester Park station at 8.05pm which only adds one extra bus. There is a total imbalance in the schedules
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Chapter closing on Sutton shops
As a locally-based children's author, I was very upset to learn of the demise of Kendrake Children's Bookshop. I am frequently asked the question, "What should I read next?" and in response, I have been pointing children and their parents in the direction
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New website for the disabled
Being a parent who has a disability, I have realised that there is a distinct lack of support groups on the internet. Therefore I have started my own message board where parents who suffer with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities can
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Sutton planning strategy accused of inaccuracy
After reading Keith Percy's letter (Say no to housing development plans, October 26) I decided to read the proposals for Sutton in the document Core Planning Strategy: Policy Issues and Options. I found the proposed changes outlined in it for society
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Is the council asset drop down to ‘bookkeeping’?
It is a shame that Councillor Tim Crowley (Borrowing going up while assets going down, October 26) did not see fit to check his facts before rushing into print to try to score political points. The reason why the council's assets fell by £49million last
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Family support
A group offering support services for dads across the borough is looking for new members. It's Time 4 Dads is a well established group offering a range of free activities for father, carers and their children. The New Addington group is open for weekday
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Speed of Graffiti
The council said graffiti is now removed faster than it was last year. In April to June, 2005, the average time for graffiti to be removed was just over nine days. The same quarter for this year shows that the removal time has reduced to just over six
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Time for heavy metal crime
Two men have been jailed after stealing lead from the roofs of lock up garages in Croydon. John Turner, 38, of Chertsey Crescent, New Addington, and Raymond Howard, 31, of Erica Gardens, Shurblands, pleaded guilty to stealing £1,756 worth of metal, which
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Helping to rebuild in prison thanks to self-esteem education
Home Secretary John Reid announced last month that floating prisons were going to solve the problem of overcrowding in jails across the country. This plan means that hundreds of offenders and re-offenders could be crammed into boats to take pressure
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Dave: Spirit saw us through
Boss Dave Anderson believes AFC Wimbledon demonstrated their progress by staying in the FA Trophy on Saturday. They threw away a 2-0 lead against Tonbridge Angels, with early strikes from Luke Garrard and Paul Barnes cancelled out in the second half.
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Competition for places is so important
Dulwich Hamlet boss Wayne Burnett believes the form of striker Shawn Beveney is the reason why his team are among the Ryman Division One South frontrunners - but not because of his goals. The 24-year-old Guyanese international spent the past three months
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Robins ready to come to the party
Watch out Sutton town centre, Carshalton Athletic's players have been given permission to go out on the town on Thursday night as manager Dave Garland bids to boost team morale. Garland called an emergency meeting after last week's league defeat at Staines
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Wheelie bins should be a priority
I am writing in anger with response to Tariq Ahmads' quotes in the Wimbledon Guardian. He said that "bringing wheelie bins into service would be a nice thing to do". Surely wheelie bins are a priority, not a nice thing to do. If I knew now what the Conservatives
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Bins would be an eyesore in street
Why are people so keen on wheelie bins? I think they are a total eyesore. People who live in terraced houses with no back access will have to have them permanently outside their front doors. I visited Bournemouth this summer and the place seems to be
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Problems caused by dumping bags
My husband and I have lived at our address for about 30 years, and manage very well with old fashioned dustbins. They sit in our front garden, fitting neatly behind the wall. All our rubbish goes in there, inside a black bin liner, then we replace the
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Tory image work a load of rubbish
Councillor Ahmad says the Tories have ditched plans for wheelie bins as they are "not a priority". Surveys show around 80 per cent of local people want wheelie bins. They deter foxes, reduce litter, increase recycling and save money as they are easier
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Strikers urged to fill Charlie void
Manager Ian Hazel has challenged his strikers to fill the shoes of Charlie Ide, whose loan spell at Sutton United was cut short by Brentford. Ide, who starred in Sutton's 4-0 win at Bognor Regis two weeks ago, played 90 minutes in both of Brentford's
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There’s wheelie no bin support
It's difficult to believe Councillor Kirby's assertion that the council was inundated with letters of support for wheelie bins. At a consultation with residents, at which she was present, it was made clear we did not support them. As for the development
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Plough Lane dumping ground
In last week's Wimbledon Guardian we ran a letter from Ingrid Dickenson called Plough Lane has become council's dumping ground. One sentence should have read: The fact remains that the conditions attached to this development will never be checked on
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Disabilities messageboard
Being a parent who has a disability I have realised there is a distinct lack of support groups on the internet. Therefore I have started my own messageboard where parents who suffer with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities can come
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Impressed by new academy
I had the fantastic opportunity on Wednesday to visit Harris Academy Merton, which opened in September and is in Pollards Hill ward. I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of staff and indeed Lord Harris himself. The biggest surprise was
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Call to all communities to ‘have faith in the police’
On Friday, October 20, 2006 at about 11am a minor incident occurred at my residence. I tried every number possible to contact from 999 to Neighbourhood Safety. Failing all I contacted Morden Police Station. The person who answered my call, Sam, was
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Colossus Kohn back on top
NEC Harlequins may have waited six games to secure their first Guinness Premiership win of the season but, for second row colossus Ollie Kohn, Northampton Saints had it coming. The Stoop outfit romped past the Midlanders 34-19, earning a bonus point
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Cuts impractical and uncaring for patients
Having read the October 5 issue of your paper I am disturbed about the proposed cuts by St Helier Hospital including the decision to stop serving hot meals, asking patients to bring their own drinking water and pyjamas and also eliminating office cleaners
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Tax-paying customers demand wheelie bins
I am very disappointed to see the Conservatives are denying us wheelie bins. I live in Flaxley Road, Morden and every Monday have a nightmare putting black sacks out for collection and the mess that is left on the pavements where animals are ripping the
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Terrors boss aiming to complete the puzzle
Tooting & Mitcham manager Billy Smith is hoping that Saturday's impressive 1-1 draw against Bromley in the FA Trophy will help to pave the way for new signings. The Terrors held the Ryman Premier Division leaders thanks to an equaliser from former Bromley
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Rude awakening for Surbiton
Surbiton's improved form in the elite Slazenger EHL National Premier Division came to an abrupt halt as they crashed 6-2 to championship rivals Reading at Sonning Lane on Sunday, writes Sean Cotter. In bright sunshine for the early start, Surbiton took
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Terrific tales of World War Two as told by Mr Nimse
Your name is Gordon Nimse and your retirement is spent holed up in a library cubicle pursuing your lifelong dream of writing a novel. You have four sharpened pencils, a ream of unspoiled paper and enough tales to fill any number of boys' own adventures
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Russ wins it for big bruv
Russell Banyard made it a family affair after scoring Banstead Athletic's winner against Reading Town on Saturday - to the delight of boss and older brother Graeme. The 21-year-old netted with 15 minutes remaining as Athletic edged it 4-3 to sneak into
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Merton Rovers 10 Westside III 0
Merton Rovers hammered Westside III 10-0 at Wimbledon Common Extensions on Saturday, thanks to a superb 5 star display by Man of the Match by Paul Tuckey which condemned Westside to their seventh straight league defeat of the season and cemented Rovers
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Lost in the wilderness
I am writing regarding the disgraceful upkeep of land fronting Beulah Hill in Upper Norwood. Since the trees were massacred last year, the land has not been looked after, despite several warnings from Croydon Council and despite a petition presented
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Honour of flying the flag
A Croydon woman is to be the first female standard bearer at the Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance. On Sunday millions of television viewers will see Julia Poulter take centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall. The 23-year-old, who
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Winston McKenzie takes on political heavyweights
Croydon's Winston McKenzie is aiming to knock out his political opposition to become the next mayor of London. The former boxer launched his campaign to become the next Ken Livingstone at a press conference yesterday (Tuesday). Despite his past political
