Archive
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Explorers Have The Moves Like Jagger
Last week, the Pinewood Seahorses Scout Unit in Croydon were treated with a very unique surprise. They came to their normal scout hut in Shirley on a Friday evening, thinking that they were going to do a first aid class. It is safe to say that they were
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Young Enterprise Trade Fair
On 19th November, this year’s Croydon Young Enterprise groups attended their first trade fair of the year. Young Enterprise is an organisation set up in 1963 to aid young people to develop their business skills by experiencing what it takes to set up
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U too?
David Cameron’s so-called ‘Big Society’, launched as the Conservative Party’s flagship policy under their 2010 manifesto, has been hailed by many as the most dramatic redistribution of power from elites in Whitehall to the ordinary man or woman on the
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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GAY PEOPLE?
In school life, the word 'gay' is perhaps used multiple times in a derogative manner. Whilst a lot of people may be opposed to the idea of homosexuality, at least 1 in 10 people are gay. This means, in a class of 30, more than 3 people would be gay. But
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MOVEMBER
Some of you may be thinking what Movember is and questioning whether I spelt November wrong, but actually I didn't. Movember was founded in Australia in 2004 and is a charity event held through-out the duration of November to raise funds and awareness
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CROYDON HIGH FOR CROYDON
On the 17th and 18th November, Croydon High School Sixth Form put on a Fashion Show in their school hall to raise money for the ‘Mayor of Croydon’s Charity Fund’ . This fund’s aim is to donate money to those affected by the disturbances that took place
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The Search For A Good Place To Skate
As a skater myself, I know the feeling of being kicked out of a perfect spot by emotionless security guards all too well. We look up, on a sunny Sunday, at the empty office blocks and wonder, just who are we ‘disturbing’? We then look down at the paving
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The Olympic Flame Ignites Sutton
On Monday 23rd July 2012 the Olympic Torch will be travelling through Sutton. The local community will come together to celebrate a truly unique event. Although most people are familiar with the Olympic Torch not everyone knows its history. Commemorating
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Green Immigrants
Some claim they are the descendants of Jimi Hendrix’s released pets. Others say they escaped from Shepperton Studios during the filming of ‘The African Queen’ in 1950. Some see them as vibrant exotic guests; others as malicious invaders. But whatever
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Fireworks
Remember, remember the fifth of November? I certainly will this year as instead of my friends and I sitting inside watching the fireworks alone, we decided to take advantage of one of London’s popular fireworks displays. We had heard that Wimbledon fireworks
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A foreign language: A necessity for the future?
A foreign language today is perhaps one of the most useful and powerful tools an individual can have. It opens a world of opportunities where you can interact with others throughout the world whilst broadening your own cultural awareness of the society
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Christmas Has Arrived In Claygate!
On November 26th Claygate’s Christmas lights were finally switched on. It was organised by Claygate Village Association and supported by many of the local shops as well as the Holy Trinity Church. This exciting event started at 4pm and went on until 5
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Food For Thought
Question: What do Sir Paul McCartney, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Stella McCartney and Brad Pitt all have in common, apart from being famous? Answer: They are all vegetarians. Vegetarianism is a diet comprising of only plant-based products
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Eastenders star shines a little light on Croydon!
The weather that night may have been frightful... and there was definitely no fire that was delightful... and disappointingly it didn’t snow, snow, snow, but for the people of Croydon there was definitely a place to go - their Town Centre! Here the warmth
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Smells Like Teen Spirits
On the 17th of November Dr Aric Sigman, author of the book, 'Alcohol Nation - How to protect our children from today's drinking culture', came to Wimbledon High School to explain the dangers of teenage binge drinking. I’m sure most students, including
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Oh Deer!
You may have seen the video yourself: a man is filming deer when a commotion commences. To the right hand side, with the background screams of a frenzied dog owner, the now infamous ‘Fenton’, comes into view chasing another herd of deer. Fenton, loving
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Riverside Robo - Attack in leafy Richmond
At the Riverside Gallery in the Old Town Hall on Whittaker Avenue you will find, amidst leafy Richmond and its picturesque surroundings the graphic artist and the co - founder of the now revered underground dance record - label, Finger Lickin' Records
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ENCOURAGING ENTREPENEURS
Monday the 21st of November saw the beginning of Sutton Grammar’s annual enterprise week. Each year there are lots of different events which give students information about and experience of the business world. One of the highlights is the trade fair,
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Don’t Fall to Peer Pressure
Everyone cannot deny falling victim to peer pressure, but most peer pressuring I have seen and heard of happens in secondary schools. No one wants to feel left out and most students will do what they are uncomfortable of doing due to influences from other
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Kingston strikes: Join us live
Kingston is set to experience the most widespread public sector strike for a generation tomorrow and we'll be covering it live. The dispute over changes to public sector pensions is expected to close dozens of the borough’s schools, and threatens disruption
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Financial Disaster Cutting EMA!!!!
Students 16-19 in education or training receive EMA which is Education Maintenance Allowance. Many students rely on it to buy books to aid with research for subjects, pay for field trips in subjects and most important the costs of travel to sixth form
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On Earth, Peace and Good Will Toward Men?
Christmas: what is the first thing which you think of when you hear this word? Joy, presents, Jesus’ birth, or maybe it’s the unwanted stress which comes with this time of the year. Nearly everyone in the country can safely say that Christmas takes a
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School Debating Society Inarguably a Runaway Success
Debating has often been viewed upon, especially by those who have little experience of it, as a practice used only by the elite of society: such as politicians and lawyers. But students at Ernest Bevin College have completely shattered this generalization
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THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
Christmas is supposed to be a time of sharing and today we can agree that most have grown to interpret it as a time where we give and receive material objects. Retailers in the business world have taken advantage of this generalised view of the meaning
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Respectful Signs of Remembrance
Remembrance Sunday is a very important day in the year where people of all ages and from all backgrounds come together to pay their respects and to remember those brave men and women who have fought for their country in the wars throughout the 20th century
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Hairless Teens
It seems that teenage girls are becoming more and more hairless, whether it be waxing; epilating; shaving; hair removal cream or all of the above. It seems that we have learned to despise our natural body hair and will try anything to get rid of it. So
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Libraries win reprieve
Libraries across the county are set for a reprieve following a u-turn by the Surrey County Council leader. Councillor David Hodge proposed to put an end to the second phase of plans for community-run libraries. He said it was in line
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Walkouts to hit schools and offices across Merton
Strikes are set to bring hundreds of public sector workers on to picket lines across Merton tomorrow. Dozens of unions have voted for strike action in a dispute with the Government about changes to pensions. Unions taking action include Unite, Unison
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Schools closed and services disrupted in strike action
Thousands of children will be locked out of class on Wednesday as all of Elmbridge’s state schools close or partially close due to industrial action. Surrey County Council said 243 of the county’s 375 state schools had notified it about closures
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School Strikes, good or bad?
School Strikes, good or bad? After strike action today many schools in and around the Epsom area have been closed or partially open. Is this right? Are the strikes justified? I believe that it is fully justified that teachers are outraged about their
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STRIKE ACTION
On Wednesday the country will see two million people, including a number of teachers, policemen, health service workers, librarians and other employees in the public sector, either participating in demonstrations or just not going to work at all on this
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UPDATE: Fire at Thornton Heath fish and chip shop extinguished
A fire in a fish and chip shop in Thornton Heath is now out. The blaze has caused damage to part of the ground floor and the shop's extractor fan. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
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List of strike-affected schools released by council
Schools in the borough will be closed tomorrow due to staff striking over a national pensions row. A total of 39 schools in Wandsworth will be closing, whilst 41 will remain open or partially open. Parents should receive a text message
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Wimbledon High Junior School Girls Give Back To The Community
This half term all junior students from Wimbledon High School have been very busy. Every year the girls are encouraged to give to others, by participating in different fundraising activities for their house’s chosen charity. Girls from as young as Year
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REALITY TV-HARMLESS?
Reality TV- a genre of television that presents unscripted ‘real life’ situations following ‘ordinary’ people, not actors. The reason I say ‘real life’ ‘ordinary people’ is that many of the shows watched avidly by the public documenting people’s lives
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Firefighters tackle fish and chip shop blaze
About 20 firefighters are tackling a blaze after a fish and chip shop went up in smoke. The fire is believed to have started on the ground floor of Golden Fry Fish Bar, Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath at about 4.20pm on Tuesday November 29
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The best Christmas advert ever?
On Saturday the 12th of November, the Twittersphere was lit up with news of the 2011 John Lewis Christmas advert. As a self confessed connoisseur of TV ads, I had to look it up. I clicked on a link and there it was. I watched it numerous times and found
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2011 Bar Mock Trial Competition
Months of preparation, every Monday from 3.10pm till 5pm rehearsing our court case and trips to Wimbledon Magistrates Court and Kingston crown Court, finally led us to this year’s local heat of the Bar Mock Trial competition on Saturday 26th November
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'Business as usual' at council despite threat of strike
It will be 'business as usual' at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council tomorrow, despite the threat of staff walking out in the biggest public sector strike for a generation. Two million public sector workers are expected to walk out across the
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Campaigners welcome library U-turn
Campaigners have welcomed a U-turn by Surrey County Council to scrap plans for volunteers to take over nine libraries across Surrey. Leader of Surrey County Council, Councillor David Hodge, made the announcement today, Tuesday, November 29, to end ‘
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Grumpy Old Man cuts ribbon at charity shop opening
Top comedian and ‘grumpy old man’ Arthur Smith officially opened a charity shop in Epsom earlier this month. The Have I Got News For You regular stopped by St Raphael’s Hospice shop on the High Street in Epsom on Tuesday, November 15, before performing
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World Class running track given green light
Plans for a world class running track and football pitch to be built at a Coulsdon school have been given the green light. Woodcote High School teamed up with the South London Harriers for the project Track Coulsdon, which will see an eight-lane
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List of schools striking in Kingston released
A total of 32 Kingston schools set to be closed or partially closed by tomorrow’s strike action, it has been revealed. Kingston Council said 14 primary schools are due to close and 11 partially close, while 10 are expected to open. All
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CONCERN OVER ATTEMPTED ABDUCTIONS IN STREATHAM
PARENTS, police and schools had to be cautious and vigilant this past week after two attempted abductions. They both occurred on Becmead Avenue on separate occasions as 2 young girls were walking to school. The first occurred at 8:35am when the 12 year
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Moxey looking for repeat of Exeter heroics
Going toe-to-toe with Manchester United will be a new experience for most of the Crystal Palace squad on Wednesday night, but Dean Moxey hasn’t just played at Old Trafford, he’s come away with a result. A then 18-year-old Moxey was part of the Exeter
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Freedman: We must come back with our heads held high
Dougie Freedman has told his Crystal Palace squad to go and enjoy themselves at Old Trafford tomorrow night and come back with their heads held high. The Eagles travel to Manchester United for a Carling Cup quarter final full of hope that they
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Festive fun kicks off with Santa and Robot
Sutton’s countdown to Christmas began this weekend with a host of seasonal events. Father Christmas joined the Mayor of Sutton Gerry Jerome to light up the Christmas tree in Trinity Square on Thursday. There was entertainment from local
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'Feral scum' or just bored?
With 2011 seeing what seems like more strikes and riots than ever before, it begs the question, as phrased by my younger sister, ‘ What is going so wrong?’ After spending two relaxing, peaceful weeks in the summer holidays in sunny Italy, what awaited
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Apple orchard unveiled at Ashley Primary School
Excited children slipped on their wellies to watch their school become the first in the country to have a native species apple orchard planted on their premises. Ashley C of E Primary School’s sustainable project will see the trees become the focus of
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Celebrations as Molesey woman hits 100
A Molesey woman celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday, November 26. Born in 1911, Edith May Stewart, known to her friends as Maisie, has lived through both world wars and once worked making explosives. Mrs Stewart celebrated her
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FUNDRAISER AT FULHAM CROSS
This week at Fulham Cross Girls School the forces of students and teachers united together in the name of good…. A little dramatic! Throughout the week students of Fulham Cross Girls school have pulled together to raise money for two charities; one
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Put the bus lane on the right hand side
By Councillor David Dean, Merton Council (Conservative, Dundonald ward) The Labour Council has ridden roughshod over residents' views again with the re-introduction of the infamous Hartfield Road bus lane. Regardless of the fact the
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Woman appears in court following racist rant on Croydon Tram
A woman has appeared in court following an alleged racist rant on a Croydon Tram. Emma West, 34, from New Addington, was charged with committing a racially aggravated public order offence. Miss West, wearing a white and pink Adidas tracksuit
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Rape case detectives revisit Beddington Park to question passing motorists
Police carried out a visit on Sunday night to the scene where a woman was raped in Wallington last weekend. The woman was making her way home along London Road near the Grange Restaurant on Sunday 20 between 10.30 and 11.15pm when she was knocked
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Last chance to see history exhibition
There are just a few days left to explore a local community’s collective history at an exhibition in the Circle Library. The Men of the Wrythe exhibition explores the lives of residents from four roads in The Wrythe: St John’s Road, St James’
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COVENT GARDEN LONDON ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE
The Covent Garden London Enterprise Challenge is an annual event led by Year 12 students from the Ursuline High School, such as myself for Year 5 primary school children in local primary schools. The idea of the challenge is for the Year 5 students to
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Businesses to do battle
Businesses in the borough will go head to head following the launch of Sutton Business Awards. The awards were launched by South London Business in conjunction with Sutton Chamber of Commerce and the Sutton Guardian newspaper. After
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Chancellor Osborne backs Northern Line extension
Chancellor George Osborne visited Nine Elms this week and gave his backing to a project to extend the Northern Line into the heart of north Wandsworth. The Northern Line Extension (NLE) will form part of a £30bn infrastructure investment package
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Cream of curry industry gather for British Curry Awards
The cream of the curry industry gathered in Battersea on Monday for the 2011 British Curry Awards. More than 1,500 restaurateurs, VIP guests and celebrities attended the gala awards dinner, now in its seventh year, at Battersea Evolution. Prime Minster
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Looter jailed for clothes shop raid
A 20-year-old man has been jailed for six months after he looted a shop during the August riots. Leon Thomas, burgled the H&M store in Brixton Road on the evening of August 7 and was later traced by police from blood found at the scene, the
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Staff set to strike at St Helier and Sutton hospitals
Nurses and midwives are among the staff at St Helier hospital who are set to take part in a national public sector strike tomorrow. They will be joined by therapists, radiographers, NHS professionals, medical secretaries and support staff working at
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Housing improvements max out Lambeth's credit
A £147million loan to shake up Lambeth’s housing stock will see the council max out its housing credit. Lambeth Council plans to borrow the money over five years in order to implement 31 recommendations made by the Housing Commission in July
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Care workers honoured at Surrey Care Awards
Two care workers have been honoured with a ‘beyond the call of duty’ award at the Surrey Care Awards 2011. The achievements of over 300 care workers across Surrey were celebrated at a gala ceremony at the Epsom Downs Racecourse on November 18. Out
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Champion traders celebrated at business awards
A husband and wife team scooped the top prize at this year’s Kingston Business Awards, which saw Surbiton traders shine. The cooking and service at The French Table won owners Eric and Sarah Guignard first place in the awards, which are sponsored
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Rotary Club seeks Christmas Day volunteers
Most people have family and friends to visit on Christmas Day but some elderly people are on their own and need somewhere to go to. Once again this year, the 48th in total, the Rotary Club of Battersea Park will host a Christmas Day lunch for elderly
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Adult education centre opens its doors to the public
An adult education centre received a visit from the mayor as part of a day to promote its activities. The Myrrh Education & Training school in Brixton Hill, which offers a variety of classes including carpentry and joinery, opened its doors
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Woman charged after racist YouTube rant on tram
A woman will appear in court this morning following an alleged racist rant on a Croydon tram was broadcast on YouTube. A woman was filmed on a tram travelling between Croydon and Wimbledon making racist comments to other passengers.
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Village shops open late for Christmas
Shop owners have pledged to help customers with late-night openings in the run up to Christmas. Traders in Wimbledon Village said they were “taking a stand” against a recent Merton Council decision to reduce short-term free parking outside
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St Andrew's School in the festive spirit
A Santa’s grotto, story time sessions and Christmas games helped raise money for St Andrew’s School in Cobham. The primary school held its Christmas fair on Saturday, November 27, and more than 300 people attended. Entertainment included
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Excited kids follow Santa in his sleigh
A procession of excited children followed Father Christmas as he rode his sleigh through New Malden. More than 350 children flocked to St Georges Square in a record turnout for the annual Christmas lights switch on. A brass band belted out festive
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Senior nurse warns people to wrap up warm this winter
The most senior nurse at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals is urging people to protect themselves against the cold this winter. Every year up to 30,000 people die from cold related illnesses every winter. Director of nursing, Pippa Hart said: “A large number
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South Norwood Safer Neighbourhoods Team named Team of the Year
South Norwood Safer Neighbourhoods Team has been crowned Team of the Year. The team won the annual George Hammond Team of the Year Award for 2010/11, after receiving more than 400 nominations from residents and community partners on the ward
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Police appeal after serious assault outside pub
A man was left with serious head injuries after he was attacked outside a pub in Sutton. Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack outside The Gander Inn, St Dunstan’s Hill at about 8pm on Saturday, November 26. The 50-year-old
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Man kills himself after washing up row
A man who stabbed himself to death during a family row had struggled to get over the loss of his brother, an inquest heard. The 46-year-old from Merton Park killed himself in March after an argument that began over washing up. On Tuesday,
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LITTERING: A DROPPING ISSUE?
No matter how much money a government spend refurbishing and maintaining an area, this image will never be complete without our cooperation. All it takes is for a few pieces of litter stalking across the ground to make the whole area look unappealing
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No payback two years after council blunder
A blunder by council officers saw £66,000 of taxpayers’ money awarded to a developer that illegally built flats in Mitcham. Two years after the gaffe, Merton Council is still trying to recover the money but has refused to say how much it is
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Beckford-Chambers helps England to world title
Sutton netballer Eboni Beckford-Chambers reckons England's World Series final win over New Zealand has struck a blow against the game's established world order. The 23-year-old goalkeeper starred for her country as they beat the world champions
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Underage cigarette sale costs £233 fine
A newsagent has been caught selling cigarettes to children in an under-cover operation to crack down on underage sales. Peter Capone, who runs The Railway Kiosk at Wallington station, admitted selling a packet of 10 Benson and Hedges cigarettes
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Fundraising campaign launched to honour childhood sweetheart
A dedicated man who lost his childhood sweetheart in tragic circumstances has kicked off a fundraising mission in her honour. Matthew Spring, 22, lost the love of his life Laura Pearson, 21, in October when her car hit a tree in Claygate following a
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Raynes Park named road death hot spot
Merton’s fatal road accident hot spot is Raynes Park town centre, new statistics show. Five people were killed in accidents on the streets around Raynes Park station between 2000 and 2010, police data reveals. The figure is higher than for any
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Mystery surrounds loaded gun in loft raid
Mystery still surrounds why a scaffolder hid a loaded gun in his loft for his own protection. Daniel Young was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday, November 25, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a weapon.
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Last chance to have Elizabeth House say
Elderly residents of Elizabeth House have a final opportunity to have their say on the future of the sheltered housing complex on Friday. Consultation for residents ends this week following their three year struggle to have the buildings refurbished
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Assaults at hospitals increase
Physical assaults on staff at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals are on the rise. New figures show there were 110 physical assaults in the hospitals during 2010-11, compared to 96 in 2009-10, a rise of 14 per cent. Accident and Emergency
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Coldplay: old play or new play?
Last month, on 21st October 2011, Coldplay released their latest album: ‘Mylo Xyloto’. The new album consists of a wide selection of brand new tracks with a brand new edge- this time creating a new modernised quirky sound. Over the past decade,
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ST HELIER HOSPITAL
As 2011 nears to its end, St Helier Hospital announces some great news- it is going to get redeveloped! The plan means the demolition of the hospital’s five-storey Ferguson House which will be replaced with a brand new, state-of-the-art building which
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The key to student employment
Opportunity and experience. These two words will make a London student either feel hope, or roll their eyes with a dissatisfaction that is too commonly become less than a stranger to most. With every job comes roughly 70 other applicants all desperately
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EMPOWERING THE YOUTH
Empowering the Youth Last month was a fun and eventful month with the Youth Parliament Elections taking part in the different constituencies in the UK. Anyone between the age of 11 and years old and 24 years old can stand for these elections.