Archive
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Creativity Springs from 300th Anniversay Celebration
From Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th November the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington was host to an Exhibition of Art and Design produced by the pupils of the Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton. The exhibition was part of the school’s 300th anniversary
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Cards wave goodbye to the FA Trophy
the cards made a sorry exit to the f.a trohpy at a windy Melbourne Stadium in the week’s second encounter with the Clarets. it was evident why chelmsford have had such a mixed bag at home this season with results and perfoncaes by the way they started
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Residents Protest Against Proposed Shop
This month a proposal has been put forward to turn the triple fronted A1/A2 premises on Station Approach, formerly occupied by the Eric V. Stansfield estate agency, into a bustling express stop shop. However, this proposal has raised some issues with
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How Hobbie Lives
“Smile at me Hobbie!” “Wink at me please wink at me!” And so it went on. These were some of the desperate cries of affection from members of Hobbie’s audience at his recent gig at The Bush Hall, London. Of course none of these were coming from me; I prefer
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The Festive Cheer Is Brought To Kingston
On the 17th November, Kingston upon Thames began to celebrate the Christmas season with Father Christmas switching on the town centre’s lights. He was joined by Stamford the Lion, the Chelsea FC mascot and the mayor of Kingston, Chancellor Patrick Codd
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The Southfields Group Plaza Campaign
The Southfields Plaza group wants to bring back a cinema to Southfields, where it once was in 1917 to 1968. However a pension fund has already brought the building, so now it is up to Southfields as a community to pull together and fight for what they
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Addiction or Glamour?
Why do people do drugs? Many say it is for the glamor, to party, to experiment, while others presume it is merely to have a good time. Despite the exceedingly long list of reasons as to why people decide to take drugs there are usually two main consequences
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8/14th Rianna's Fund Evening
Next Wednesday marks the most important day on the 8/14th Epsom Cub Scouts calendar: the Rianna's Fund charity evening, an event packed with fun games, amusingly titled currency and, above all, enthusiasm. This week, in preparation for the occasion
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Kingston prepares for Christmas!
Everyone loves Christmas, and not many love it more so than the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. On the 11th November, thousands gathered in Kingston town centre to watch Father Christmas and Stamford the Lion (the Chelsea Football Club mascot)
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Fenton Teaches Us A Lesson
Fenton the dog and his owner made their debut youtube performance when a teenage boy filmed the black Labrador chasing deer across Richmond Park. The original video has over 2 million views within days of publishing; the shouting owner has gone viral.
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R.I.P Community
On Thursday 24th November I went to see the annual turning on of Christmas lights in my local area Teddington. This is a festive evening in which shops open their doors and entice us in with offerings of free mince pies and warmth. Personally, I always
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Palace shock Manchester United
Crystal Palace shocked Manchester United 2-1 in extra time to reach the Carling Cup semi-finals at Old Trafford. The Eagles were more than a match for their illustrious counterparts and reaped the rewards for a brilliant rearguard display matched
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EMBASSY 'EYE FOR AN EYE' GOES NOWHERE
On Tuesday the British embassy in Tehran was stormed by hundreds of protestors after Britain informed them of their decision to impose further sanctions on Iran due to their nuclear programme. And in retaliation to this the foreign secretary William Hague
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Public sector strikes leaves 76% of schools affected
Today thousands of workers in the public sector went on strike due to widespread dissatisfaction with the pension changes introduced by cuts. The strikes included many workers, most importantly teachers and health workers, which meant widespread disruption
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Christmas Spirit in East Sheen
As I walk down East Sheen High Street looking into the shop windows already full of lovely presents and twinkling lights, I think about my most favourite time of year approaching - CHRISTMAS. Everywhere you look along the road are rows of perfectly formed
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Sutton on Strike
London’s streets are packed with people, angrily bustling through alleys and side streets in massive groups. Some of them carry picket signs, arguing against cuts to pensions for public sector workers. Amongst them stands the occasional police unit,
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THE AGE OF THE CONSUMER: CHAIN SUPERMARKETS ATTACK BRITAIN
A sad day has arrived for the people of Ewell village, a very sad day indeed. Consumer progress has arrived in the form of freshly stacked bricks, cold glass and plain white pillars; the new Sainsbury’s local, a cold spot for personality. To an extent
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“A DOSE OF REALITY”: YOUNG ENTERPRISE CROYDON
There’s a whole month to go till Christmas but wrapping paper and candy canes abound in the classroom of a Croydon school where a handful of students enrolled in the Young Enterprise scheme are giving me an insight into what it’s like to run their very
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FORGET THE YOUNG APPRENTICE, YOUNG ENTERPRISE STORMS CROYDON.
A group of teenagers with an outstanding entrepreneurial spirit have stormed the local area. The group, Apogee, are members of the Young Enterprise scheme and have already made over £900 from just a few trade fairs selling their products in the Croydon
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Wimbledon Wonderland
Crowds of people waiting expectantly, artificial snow cascading down and the smell of mulled wine in the air. Wimbledon has definitely entered the season of good will. As I watched the parade, I was overwhelmed with the strong sense of community spirit
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Kingston Youth Council
Following on from my previous article on opportunities in Kingston, I am writing about Kingston Youth Council (known as KYC) – a scheme for youth that I currently attend. Kingston Youth Council is a youth organisation made up of young people from all
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Keep...Fit?
With announcements that the country is now the most obese in Europe what can we do to make sure that we all individually keep fit? I refuse to believe that there is any better alternative to a good diet and regular exercise, but what does this actually
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DECEMBER AGAIN, ALREADY?
As the year begins to end and I start to look for insights into what to write for my next article, only one thing stands out in the papers and shops, in our churches and schools. And I’m afraid to say that I have to end this sentence with: ‘It’s that
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'TIS THE SEASON
‘Tis the season. It has been so in the eyes of our leading consumer brands since Halloween passed in all its devilishly dressed and sticky-fingered glory. But last Sunday, 27th November is officially the first Sunday of Advent so the shops can feel
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A strike? I thought we just had the day off!
Many public sector workers all over the UK have gone out on strike today - including the Twickenham area! This is in protest at the proposed changes to their pensions and length of employment: expectations are now to work until the age of 66, rather than
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FINAL WHISTLE BLOWN TOO EARLY
Every Sunday, thousands of people travel miles to get to cut up fields in terrible weather conditions to partake in an activity that does not provide any extrinsic reward; the activity is amateur football. Football is the most popular sport in the world
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2012: Olympic Chaos?
When someone says 2012, no more clarification is generally needed. No one thinks of the predicted apocalypse or the 2009 blockbuster film; it’s all about the Olympics, London 2012. For just over two weeks next summer, all eyes will be on our capital and
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Respect for heroes! Is it returned?
Soldiers do an amazing job in serving for the country, representing the nation and always helping. However we all know there are two sides of the story- so when does the mischievous and uncontrollable side come out? After thirteen years of living directly
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Lowest of the Low!
As November draws to an end, we are reminded of the depths human nature can sink to for self gain. I am shocked to report that information has been gained, that in areas such as Walton and Epsom people have been stealing from the collections boxes in
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Surbiton High School Presents Bugsy Malone!
On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November a large number of Surbiton High School pupils from both the senior school and sixth form took part in a magnificent performance of the musical Bugsy Malone. Auditions for the musical had taken place during the
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Countdown to Christmas
Tomorrow, 1st of December, many of us will begin counting down the days until Christmas. And whether it contains pictures or poems, chocolates or Lego, an advent calendar is a great way to do this. And for the more technologically adept, iTunes is even
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A lost tradition?
For the last 100 years Girl Guiding has been a tradition among girls all over the country. Recently Girl Guiding has become less and less popular with girls, especially between the ages of 14-17, but why? Those who do still attend Guides don't
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WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ACADEMIES?
With many rumours flying around recently about secondary schools opting for academy status, and my school Gumley House Convent School applying for academy status, many people are left confused. Is an academy just a title a different title or a totally
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My Body. My Choice
Naked women flood our TV screens, while new technology means new cosmetics and new ways too become that beautiful Barbie doll most girls aspire to be from the age of about six. Hair extensions, eye contacts and tattoos have become the norm, whilst plastic
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'My Tram Experience'
Surely you all must of heard about the famous video that's been going viral since Sunday? The infamous 'My Tram Experience'. In this video, a middle-aged white woman is seen launching a tirade of abuse about ethnic minorities on a tram, apparently somehwere
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Boris Destined To Be Cut
On 2nd January 2012, TfL services, such as trains, trams, tubes and buses, will be charging an extra 7-8% in fares. This will be the fourth above-inflation annual increase in a row since Boris Johnson was elected in 2008. A single bus journey using an
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New Scientist
Science is not only restricted to a person who has been working in the field for decades. Neither is a scientific discovery only found by an intellectual genius who thinks of nothing else but his work. New advancements are constantly being made with the
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Does Christmas come too early?
In late August this year, I arrived back to a drizzly London having just been on my summer holiday. I was tanned and blonder than ever, having spent the week under the Grecian sun. I was still in a holiday mood and could not erase the image of the white
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The Life of a Wimbledon Ball Boy
The Life of a Wimbledon Ball Boy What springs to your mind when you think of Wimbledon? Strawberries and Cream? Roger Federer? The Williams sisters? Or the disruptive British Weather? Whatever comes to your mind I bet you won’t think about the Ball
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Should Obesity be handled with kid-gloves?
One in seven adults in the entire world are obese; that’s one billion people. That is the whole population of India! But should obesity be treated with kid-gloves? The extent of ‘kid-gloves’ varies from person to person, but loosely speaking it means
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Winter of Words: Richmond Borough Literature Festival
This November, Richmond upon Thames has been host to a range of acclaimed and inspiring writers, who have been sharing their invaluable expertise as a part of the Borough’s 20th annual Literature Festival. Guests included Lisa Chaney, Duncan McLaren
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Surprising benefits from the public sector strikes
Hardly any school children and adults were seen today, Wednesday 30th November, in light of the public sector strikes. Trams, buses, trains and even stations were left empty as thousands stayed at home, protesting cuts in pensions. Private school pupils
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“My Britain is f#*! all now”
The organiser of the Young Journalist Scheme suggested, that if were struggling with ideas for our article, we should articulate about things happening in our local area at the moment. When I thought about my local area, Croydon, I was disappointed with
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A TRIP TO THE COUNTRY?
Once a month, an ordinary road in Surbiton is visited by the country and is transformed into a wonderland of fresh and local produce. November 19th was a standard day, until Surbiton’s farmer’s market hit Maple Road. Everyone was up bright and early
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Local Restaurant Fundraises for Childrens’ Hospice
On Tuesday the 29th of November Deea , a local Bangladeshi restaurant in Kingston hosted a fundraising dinner to raise money for Shooting Star Chase Childrens' Hospices. Diners were able to enjoy a delicious meal consisting of a selection of starters
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A QUESTION OF TIME
On Sunday 30th October at 02.00 clocks across the whole of the UK moved back to 01.00 to mark the end of British Summer Time (BST) and welcome back Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) until 25th March 2012 when we will once again welcome lighter evenings with BST
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The Remembrance Parade
On the 13th November-Remembrance Sunday- Wilson’s School Combined Cadet Forces joined with cadet forces and youth groups from all over the local area, including the ACF, St John’s Ambulance and the Scouts to perform the annual Remembrance Parade in Central
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SENSATIONAL SKATEPARK STRUCTURE UNDER WAY
Despite being a much loved part of Clapham common, the skatepark has long since been a place filled with dangerous rocks, glass and graffiti. But to the joy of local skate boarders within the last month Clapham Common skatepark has begun to undergo huge
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Now That’s What I Call ‘Show Business’… Bugsy Malone at The Rose Theatre
Surbiton High School pupils ranging from Year 7 to 13 have been auditioning their hearts out and rehearsing tirelessly for months for their annual school production, which this year was the spectacular Bugsy Malone. Mrs Haydon, Principal of Surbiton High
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CHRISTMAS COMES, VERY EARLY, TO SUTTON
On the 17th November, the Christmas lights were turned on in front of a local crowd, and they have continued to light up Sutton’s High Street, and will do so until after Christmas. They look lovely, and the Christmas tree at the top of the High Street
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Danebury Drinkers
The law states that it is illegal to drink alcohol on the streets and in public. If you are caught doing this you can be faced with a fine and have your alcohol taken off you. In Roehampton, Danebury Avenue outside the Doctors Surgery there is a small
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The Grass is Greener on the Other Side (of the High Street)
As part of the recent year-long redevelopment of Sutton Town Centre, Sutton High Street has seen some rather interesting features added to the area. One of the most eye-catching and prominent additions is the vertical ‘Green Wall’ located above Wilkinson
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DOES SUTTON NEED GRANT?
Recently, the Sutton council have asked for another £1.5 million from the Mayor of London’s Office to further enrich Sutton High street. Already, they have spent much more than the £3 million budget they were given this year, and many residents have complained
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Fulham Cross Dance Off
International fundraising is in full swing with the Fulham Cross dance off teachers vs. students. On Tuesday 28th November at 12:35 in the drama room there was an epic battle of students versus teachers in a dance off many teachers were caught doing the
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Torchwood Celebrate Miracle Day DVD Release With a Signing!
Torchwood celebrated the release of the Miracle Day DVD box set yesterday with a public signing in HMV at Oxford Circus. The signing was scheduled for the 29th of November at 6pm, with access only to people who had bought a wristband at 8:30 that morning
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CROYDON HIGH FASHION SHOW
The 17th and 18th of November saw the return of Croydon High and Whitgift School's annual charity fashion show. After the atrocious events of the summer with the Croydon riots, both schools decided to go with the 'Mayor of Croydon’s Charity Fund’ whose
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The November 30th strike: The young peoples perspective
We've all had a day of relaxation, lie-ins and social gatherings all thanks to one event. Teacher strikes. Ok so maybe not only teachers. Today the United Kingdom faced mass disruption as workers at airports, schools, rail services and hospitals striked
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School Worries?
It’s nearing Christmas and as the Christmas trees go up, and the amount of Christmas related adverts fly through our TV screens, and the frantic rush of getting friends presents. However that’s not the only problem that Year 11 students are facing.
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Suicide of local resident questions the police's ability
Last Sunday, Frances Murray, aged 57, fell from her first floor apartment in the Heart, Walton-on-Thames. After suffering serious injuries from the fall, she died on Monday 14th November, the following day. The 57 year old had made two phone calls
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A Genius
Steve Jobs has been dead for just over a month and it is already becoming apparent that the world has suffered a great loss. Steve was born in California and was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs who he always saw as his true parents. The entrepreneur
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SIXTH FORM DRESS CODES
With the opening of new sixth forms such as Chelsea Academy comes a new dress code. Its time for the attending students to stock up on suits, suits and even more suits because long gone are their jean wearing days as in some sixth forms once years 12
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Staines Brass Band: Communal Pride
Staines Brass Band is one of the many local communities in Staines that symbolises the heart of our town. Formed in the 1930s by people in and around Staines, the Band started off as just a small gathering of them who shared a passion and talent for
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SURBITON GETS THE X-FACTOR
On the 29th November 2011, Ken Burton: singer, conductor and composer (as seen on the X-Factor and BBC Choir of the year); performed a workshop master-class with singers from local schools as part of the Kingston Festival of the Voice. The master-class
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Nature’s Divine Cure
As Christmas is approaching, winter has set its footsteps with its brutal winds and ongoing rain. It is this time of the year that we all have been looking forward to but equally dreading. Nevertheless, you may have also experienced the multiple strains
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From Well Loved Pub to Chinese Restaurant
It’s been well over six years since the Three Kings Pub in Mitcham closed down. Now it’s been taken over and turned in to an all you can eat Chinese Buffet restaurant. I take a brave step back into my child hood to see how far this business has come.
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A Great British Bang.
Our society is obsessed with promoting ‘Britishness’. For instance, TV advertisements are flooded with supermarkets competing over how ‘British’ their food is. Waitrose has copied Sainsbury’s tactic saying their produce is so British, it makes you
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Old Reigatians Clubhouse Conundrum
When you have over 6 seperate sporting clubs within one mile of each other you would think that there would be a focal point for them all to band together? This isn’t the case for Reigate’s rugby, football, athletics, tennis, cricket and boxing clubs.
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Business Battles
My school was closed today, due to the pension strikes. I was sat on my sofa and as many do and decided to turn on the TV. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, was speaking in a visibly heated manner in the House of Commons over the government's economic
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Dress Up or Dress Down
It seems as though, a variety of issues have risen amongst sixth formers in the all-girls school Gumley House. It is a never ending issue between students on the debate of whether to scrap the idea of ‘own’ clothing – which will essentially lead to students
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WANNA BE A MODEL?
Wanna be a model? Yes!!! Sorry your to FAT. Not all humans can be a size Zero(0) its impossible. The modelling industry has ridiculous ideas of what women should look like, what size they should be. Its like being told that your going to die without a
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Tesco? Tes-go!
Flyers through doors, word of mouth, petitions in shops; the news that Tesco has put in a bid for the premises of "The Grid Inn" in Southfields, SW19, has sparked a lot of outrage among those who live in Southfields. "It's a disgrace," argues one
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GOING THE DISTANCE…. IN THE DARK?
As the sun began to set on the evening of the 26th November 2011, 8 teams of Explorer and Ranger Scouts bundled up against the (expected) cold and descended on the village of Woldingham. The teams, up to seven 14-18 year olds, came from all over Croydon
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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE EPSOM FIREWORKS DISPLAY!
The 5th of November is a well-known date in Great Britain and many people celebrate it with fireworks or a bonfire. This year in Epsom, it was celebrated with the ‘Epsom Fireworks Display & Funfair’ which took place at Hook Arena, with tickets costing
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MANORGATE ROAD: A 'HOME ZONE'?
In the summer of 2003, the decision was taken by Kingston Council to turn Manorgate Road, along with a few other neighbouring roads, into a Home Zone; with the vision of the road to be not simply a place for cars, but for pedestrians to have right of
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Domestic Violence in Wandsworth
Domestic violence is an issue for society as a whole and one that local authorities have in recent years been trying to tackle. But what is domestic violence? Well it is not just physical violence it also includes threatening behaviour towards the victim
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CROYDON CRIME RATES CLIMBING
Crime rates, especially robberies and cases of anti-social behaviour, seem to be on the rise in Croydon. A third mugging has occurred on Elmwood Road, a hotspot for crime, but why is the area not being policed? On Monday, the 21st November 2011,
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Tumbledown and abandoned the ruins of Takapuna
On Tuesday 22nd November flames engulfed a derelict house adjacent to The John Fisher School in Purley. The alarm was raised shortly after 7:00pm. Fire fighters were quickly on the scene and battled the blaze from Peaks Hill road and the school’s car
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LOCAL CHLDREN SHINE ON STAGE
Children of all ages banded together to put on a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales at the Charles Cryer Theatre in Carshalton last Sunday. The young performers are members of Spats Theatre School, founded by actor and director John Hester
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Hence The Fence Offence
Last July, local residents became outraged by the sudden appearance of a vicious metallic fence, running along the boundary of Surbiton Girls playing fields, on Telegraph Hill. However, the local residents were not just outraged by the view of this metallic
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OUR VIEW OF BEAUTY
Most of us think that we’re fat and ugly because we see adverts of these perfect women and we want to look like that. In the UK children as young as 6 are wearing makeup to school on a regular basis. By the time they get to 14, 9 out 10 girls are wearing
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Fantastic Food at the Fox
In the heart of Wimbledon, off the common lies the 18th Century building, the Fox and Grapes Pub. It is now a family run and family owned business which underwent a huge contemporary renovation back in September last year; it took five months to complete
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Surbiton High's Grand Slam: 'Bugsy Malone' at the 'Rose Theatre'
For two nights and two nights only Surbiton High School presented the famous ‘Bugsy Malone’ at the ‘Rose Theatre’ in Kingston on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th November 2011. After 8 weeks of rehearsals the Surbiton High cast performed ‘Bugsy Malone’ with
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THE THAMES ESTUARY AIRPORT: GOOD OR BAD?
It was in 1971 that the plans for a Thames Estuary Airport came about. Back then the government intended for the new airport to be located in the small village of Maplin Sands in Rochford, Essex. Plans then included a high speed rail network connecting
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Disney Display
It is well and truly the month to have the sparkles at the ready and to know which fireworks display to go to; whether it be your local park or your back garden, its hard to escape from the loud sound of fireworks. This year I decided to go Wimbledon
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What Is It Really Like To Be A Prisoner?
On Tuesday the 29 November a group of sixteen to seventeen year olds at Tiffin girls school were very privileged to hear about the reality of prison. In the past months, with the economic crisis many people seem to have turned against the effectiveness
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LUCKY HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM
What makes our borough unique, superior and unlike others? Could it possibly be renowned buildings such as the Hammersmith Apollo which holds highly labelled events and concerts such as the 'Live at the Apollo' stand up comedy show? HMV Hammersmith Apollo
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The Akenkan Project or The Read-Along Project
I have decided to write this article about a wonderful project I and many of the students at Surbiton High School are involved in. The Akenkan Project aims to write, illustrate and professionally print reading books to send to schools in Ghana located
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Violence On the Up in Esher
Esher town centre is known for its serene lifestyle, but is there an underling issue at the heart of it all? Recently opened Aquum Lounge, frequented by the likes of Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, has topped a list of police callouts in the past six
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LAMPTON'S LITTLE NIGHT OF HORROR!
On Tuesday 29th November, Lampton School, Hounslow, held its opening night of the production ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. For three nights only, the students and staff of Lampton School are showing off their talent.
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SOLOMON'S CHILDREN
The UK-based charity that launched in 2002 under the name ‘Solomon’s Children’ has recently renamed its self to ‘All Our Children’. With a new name and hopes of venturing out the charity threw a launch party at William Morris Sixth Form in Hammersmith
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Remember I Need Experience To Gain Experience
It has already been pointed out that youth unemployment is at an all time low and the current economical downfall is making it harder for everyone to gain employment however some businesses seem to put youth on the black list purely down to the fact that
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Hundreds of council workers strike over pension plans
Almost 300 council workers were on strike today over a national row over pensions. Angry teachers, council staff and hospital workers joined together to strike, following government cuts to public sector pensions. A rally was held outside
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Church Street- A street with appeal
Tucked away in Twickenham’s bustling town centre, adjacent to the Thames riverside lies a historic, charming street called Church Street. Slowly walking down the street, I was engulfed by a gushing sense of warmth, noticing that virtually everyone who
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Sutton Council's Transport Cuts - The Effects
From the beginning of November, Sutton Council has introduced transport cuts, saying that they simply are not able to afford transport services for everyone. One place that has been particularly affected by the cuts is the Euro-Asian organisation,
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It’s just Christmas. Right?
What is Christmas? A question we all ask ourselves and when we do, it stimulates a variety of answers; presents, decorations or the pudding your mother has spent hours preparing! The participants at the recent ‘Intergenerational Question Time’ at
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I Don't Get a Bang Out of Fireworks
Call me cynical but being November, it was once again that time of year for fireworks, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t really see the point. Don’t get me wrong I love an explosion as much as the next movie goer or pyromaniac, however to actually
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Public sector to strike back
The largest strikes to occur in Britain since the 1920’s are expected to take place this Wednesday, with hospitals and school both staging walkouts across surrey. The effects closer to home will certainly be noticeable, but how exactly will we be disrupted
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Pensioner dies after road traffic accident
An 86-year-old woman has died following a road traffic accident in Tulse Hill. The incident happened at about 1pm on Station Rise at the corner with Christchurch Road. Ambulance crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene but
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DISCOUNTS IN A CHARITY SHOP
The Debra charity shop in Raynes Park is raising money for children who suffer from EB. EB is a painful blistering of the skin and contact with a sufferer is very agonizing for them, as it feels like touching a cactus. An employee from the charity shop
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THE EMPIRE BACKS STRIKE
On Wednesday the 30th of November, dozens of public service trade unions have called their members to strike against the government’s proposed public sector pension reforms. These protests embody the thousands of voices who are crying out as one against
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Is the Christmas Holiday Too Materialistic?
These are the days before Christmas and everyone seems to go crazy about finding the perfect gifts for friends and family. Every year is the same routine of exchanging gifts and having special dinner parties, but all these don’t especially arise the spirit
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East ticks all the boxes
If the purpose of theatre is to entertain, stimulate and shock the senses, East ticks all the boxes. Steven Berkoff’s dramatised observations of his early life in Stepney, simultaneously hilarious and harrowing, are not for the faint-hearted. The language
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Dorking Christmas Lights Switched On
The cast of Snow White turned on Dorking's Christmas lights last Friday in St Martins Walk, signalling the beginning of the countdown to Christmas. The lights were switched on after many of the shops in Dorking had unveiled their festive shop windows
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Sharing Sandwiches with Sartre
With another 6th form student Poppy Rushforth, I have recently started a Tuesday lunchtime Philosophy club for students in Year 12 at the Ursuline High School in Wimbledon. Our quest is to bring back Philosophy. At each lunchtime session we discuss
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Bus and car smash causes standstill
A road smash brought a busy junction to a standstill at lunchtime after a crash involving a double decker bus and two cars. No injuries were reported following the accident at 12.45pm which involved a Renault and a red Vauxhall Astra, which
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Teen arrested after attempt to con pensioner
A teenager has been arrested after attempting to con a pensioner in West Ewell. The 82-year-old man received a phone call at about 10.30am on Thursday, November 24, from a man who claimed to be from the water board. The caller told the man that repair
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Mother at signing for book inspired by daughter's battle with diabetes
A mother who wrote a book inspired by her daughter’s battle with diabetes will be signing copies of her first children's book this month. Trisha Bridger, 40, wrote Why Can't I Fly? inspired by her nine-year-old daughter Niamh’s struggle with Type 1 diabetes
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Legendary magician Paul Daniels comes to Epsom this Christmas
Legendary magician, Paul Daniels, will be lending a helping hand to Santa Claus this Christmas. Paul Daniels, known for his illusions, is set to join the creative team behind the magic for the stage production of Santa Claus and the Christmas Adventure
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Wheels of justice keep turning despite striking staff
Criminals were being sentenced and trials conducted at Kingston Crown Court as the remaining staff attempted to keep the wheels of justice turning. A message on the court's reception desk said it was endeavouring to ensure a normal service.
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Cupcakes: The Next Big Thing
Several bakeries and stores are opening around the UK as customers are desperate to get their hands on the new craze: cupcakes. The cupcake business has become extremely popular in the last few years. First established in the US, it has increased rapidly
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STRIKE IS IN FULL BLOW
The last day of November is celebrated by the strikes, where at least 51,700 schools have closed in order for the teachers and school support staff to protest over pensions. Unions have said that this could be the biggest walkout yet, due to the angry
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Champion: Sutton and Notts County too close to call
Football commentator Jon Champion may have covered games involving Premier League bright lights Fulham, Aston Willa and Manchester United this week, but it is his trip to Gander Green Lane that has got the juices flowing. The 46-year-old, who was at
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
Streets are filling up with starry lights. Shops are filling up with Christmas deals. Markets are filling up with evergreen trees. Adverts are filling up with more happy families. It's that special time of year once more. Winter has never been my favourite
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A Level Politics Conference: A Coalition of Hope?
The 28th of November 2011 saw about 2,000 sixth form and college students (and their teachers), attending a special A Level Politics Conference, entitled ‘Coalition Politics: The Future?’ Situated at Westminster Central Hall (just minutes away from the
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More Sports for Girls!
After years of waiting, the Ursuline High School, Wimbledon may be lucky enough to finally have access to some fantastic playing fields in Morley Park. This was once the site of the Atkinson Morley Hospital but was sold in 1998 to Berkley Homes who plan
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92 per cent of schools affected by public sector strikes
A total of 22 schools in Epsom and Ewell were closed or partially closed on Wednesday following the biggest public sector strike in a generation. The figure represented 92 per cent of the borough's schools and many parents were forced to take
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Kingston Gets Into the Christmas Spirit Early
Christmas adverts and offers seem to start earlier and earlier every year. This week, Kingston joined in the Christmas spirit by inviting Father Christmas himself to flick the switch for the town’s festive lights. The event took place on Thursday 17th
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Call in will delay decision over controversial waste facility
Croydon Council’s decision on a project which could see an incinerator built on the borough's border has been delayed. Labour councillors, desperate to hold talks on the proposal for a large waste disposal facility in public, have called it
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Man jailed for dodging tax on electrical items he sold online
A man has been jailed for trying to dodge paying VAT on items he sold online. Gregory Allnutt of Ellery Road, Upper Norwood, avoided paying more than £420,000 in VAT. The 40-year-old internet trader pleaded guilty to twelve counts of
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Google Plus: Google’s Knight In Shining Armour?
Google Plus, finally available to the public. This is supposedly Google’s breakthrough social network, but will it live up to expectations? The first interesting feature of Plus is the “Circles” feature.These are groups in which you put your fellow
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A Forgotten Sport
Real or ‘royal’ tennis is not a term that many people would be familiar with today, due to its relative hibernation as a sport over the last hundred years. It originally evolved, throughout three centuries, from a sport involving hitting the ball
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Mum's anger after toddler's legs trapped in bus doors
A young mum has accused a bus driver of failing to help or apologise after her toddler son's legs got trapped in a double-decker's doors. Suzie Cane and one-year-old son Leo were alighting from a number 270 bus on Putney Bridge on November
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Your body is perfect
Teenagers all over the world feel uncomfortable with their weight or the way they look, and its not just girls it boys too. So why is it that the media feel its best to have a size 2 model as a picture for a magazine? Or a muscular man? Shouldn’t they
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Public Sector Strike Affects Millions
It is Wednesday 30th of November, and two million people have been affected by the nation-wide public sector strike. Thousands of Schools, Hospitals, Probation Services, prisons and even the UK Border Agency are striking in protest over unfair pensions
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Making A Difference With FareShare
Sainsbury’s customers in Wimbledon made a huge donation to UK-based charity FareShare last weekend. On Saturday 26th November 2011, shoppers were asked to kindly donate one item of food from their shopping list to the charity which aims to tackle poverty
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Concern grows for missing care home resident
Police are growing increasingly concerned for the safety of a care home resident who has been missing since Sunday. Maria Santos-Gouveia, 69, was last seen at around 7.45am on Sunday, November 27, at the home in Eversley Road, Upper Norwood
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Fish and chip shop recognised as one of the best in the UK
A fish and chip shop in Croydon has been recognised as one of the best in the UK. McDermotts of Croydon has made it through to the finals of the Independent Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year category, at the National Fish and Chip Awards
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Twilight fans! Take a break! Have a kitkat!
Stephanie Meyer is amazing when it comes to capturing the heart of millions. What is it that makes twilight films so successful is it the buff, well-built wolf Jacob? Or the sexy count Edward? Whatever it is its working… or is it? Some may fall star
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London Road lights up for festive period
Kids’ faces lit up after a face painter and stilt walkers were among the attractions at the London Road Christmas switch on. Mayor of Croydon Councillor Graham Bass turned on the festive lights last night as the community came together for
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FIGHTING WORLDWIDE POLIO IN HUMBLE STREATHAM
What started off as a small campaign in Chicago in 1905 by a lawyer called Paul P Harris to create a club where friendship between business community members was encouraged, has now as of 2011 spread to 200 countries, accumulated 1.2 million business
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Crystal Palace fans to descend on Manchester for the Eagles Carling Cup tie
More than 5,000 Crystal Palace fans will descend on Manchester tonight as the Eagles look to cause a Carling Cup upset. Palace go to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup but face a tough task against
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When trees go to war - debate rages over the tallest
An arboreal war over the height of the country's largest plane tree has sprouted between Cheam and Carshalton. For years, the Plane Tree in the Ecology centre grounds in Carshalton has been widely regarded as the tallest in the country.
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Two teens arrested after wallet discovered at scene of assault
Two teens have been arrested for assaulting a 45-year-old man on a bus. The incident happened on the 466 bus in Brighton Road at about 8.50am on Friday, November 25. The man had been assaulted by two youths on the bus and when police
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Post office owner jailed for stealing from safe
A postmaster who took money from the post office safe to pay for a shop extension has been jailed for a year. Yogesh Patel, 53, who ran the shop in Southend, Croydon, pleaded guilty to fraud at Croydon Crown Court. An audit on February 4, revealed
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Hearts raced and emotions ran high
Two hundred pupils from Bromley High School took part in a concert at Southwark Cathedral last week performing The Armed Man, a mass by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. The mass was originally commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium
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Multi-million pound East Croydon improvements to start on Christmas
Multi-million pound upgrades to East Croydon Station are set to begin on Christmas Day. Engineers are set to tear up the disused Royal Mail conveyor bridge running across the platforms to make way for a new footbridge which will eventually
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Rubbish collection severely disrupted by strike action
Rubbish collection in Sutton has been severely disrupted by today's public sector strike action. A mass walkout from refuse collection staff has meant no recycling, garden or commercial waste will be collected in the borough today. Sutton Council
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The Buzz of School Admittance
They say time flies by when you’re having fun-no- time files by when you’re not having fun. Stressed to the brim. Why is it that work seems to be swarmed on you all at once? And this includes school applications, with deadlines buzzing away. For me this
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Hospital workers claim they are "presence not picket line"
Striking Kingston Hospital workers claim they are a presence not a picket line as they protest over changes to public sector pensions. Ros Sainsbury, 51, from New Malden, works at the pathology laboratory at Kingston Hospital and has never
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Volunteer wins award
A volunteer has won an award for his contribution to the borough's arts and culture. Sutton Arts Council’s visual arts officer John Thornton, who is also secretary of the Carshalton Society, was declared volunteer of the month as part of Sutton’s
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LIVE: Public sector workers strike over pensions
Hundreds of public sector workers are out on strike across Lambeth today in a dispute over the Government's proposals to change their pensions. Unions taking action include Unite, Unison, the GMB and several representing teachers with as many
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Schools closed as teachers go on strike
Thousands of public sector workers in Lambeth are on strike today in a row over pensions. Some 76 per cent of schools in the borough are closed, a further 17 per cent partially closed, in what is expected to be the biggest national strike since
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Riot report highlights public's "lack of confidence" in police
A new report has found that a "lack of confidence" in the police following the first wave of riots in London led to further disturbances across the country. The Riots, Communities and Victims Panel found it had "encouraged people to test reactions
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PARENTS SUFFER IN THE FACE OF STRIKES
Today, as many teachers across the country head to the picket line in protest of their reduced pensions and school-children rejoice at the prospect of a day free from the discipline of school, working parents face the disruption and uncertainty of having
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Patients urged not to call 999 after ambulance staff join strike
Half of ambulance staff across London have joined today's strike prompting a call to think before calling 999. All emergency calls are being answered but patients with minor illnesses will not be sent an ambulance. Jason Killens, deputy
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Lights to remember service for lost loved ones
Families who have lost loved ones can light candles in their memory at a special service in Kingston. Marie Curie Cancer Care is inviting people to dedicate a lantern in memory of a loved one, family member or friend at the Lights to Remember event
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Teachers' union calls strike action "regrettable but necessary"
Members of the largest teachers’ union in the country have called today’s strike action a “last resort”. Nearly 1,400 teachers in Croydon are members of the NASUWT, which is taking part in a nationwide day of industrial action. A spokesman
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Claygate Escapes Parking Charges
I live in Claygate, a small village in Surrey. It is known for its countryside and town having a woods and a train station within metres of each other. Up until recently, Claygate was proud to be one of the few places in Surrey where on street parking
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Ursuline High School students living up to SERVIAM
SERVIAM meaning to serve others! At the Ursuline High School, Wimbledon many students are willing to live up to SERVIAM, their school ethos this Christmas. One of the ways they are doing this is by volunteering to help out with Operation Christmas Child
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Join the Zumba® party!
The nation is going crazy for Zumba fitness® and here's why... Zumba® is a Latin inspired dance fitness program that incorporates moves from different dance rhythmes from salsa to flaminco. With easy to follow steps and hypnotic music from around the
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Is Bonfire Night Toxic?
Hundreds of people from different generations attended a spectacular firework display and fun fair at Wimbledon Park last Saturday the 5th of November 2011; young children, teenagers, adults and older people . It was the local event that everyone was
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Halford looters jailed
A pair of looters who targeted a car accessory store on the night of the riots have been jailed. Jason Grant, 32, and Vrajesh Patel, 25, were sentenced to 12 months and 10 months in prison respectively for non-residential burglary when they
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Schools, libraries and hospital all affected by strike action in Croydon
Schools in Croydon will be shut today and hospital and council services possibly affected as public sector workers go on strike. Fifty schools are set to be affected by the day-long industrial action as staff walkout in a row over pensions. Croydon
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Young Apprentice visit to Croydon ends in disaster
The decision to search for a pocket watch in Croydon, “because it would be cheaper” backfired for contestants of The Young Apprentice in Lord Alan Sugar’s BBC show. Contestants on the sixth week of the show, aired on Monday November 28, were
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Mourners cheer to celebrate life of newspaper man at funeral
Three cheers rang out to celebrate the life of a great newspaperman at his funeral service. Friends and family applauded as they bid farewell to John Vivian, better known as JV, who was a consummate wordsmith, former assistant editor and chief
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Striking teachers stir up mixed reaction among public
Pupils across Kingston are staying at home today as their teachers strike, but not everyone supports the move. Coombe Girls School in New Malden was empty this morning, one of 24 primary and secondary schools confirmed as closed for the day
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Taggart: FA Cup lightning can strike twice
Sutton United are no strangers to FA Cup giantkillings and neither is winger Tony Taggart. United's conquest of Coventry City in 1989 still ranks as the last time a top flight team fell foul of non-League opposition in the competition, but
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Croydon tops list of reported crimes during the riots
Croydon saw the highest level of crime in the UK during the riots an official national review panel has revealed. Figures show 430 reported crimes took place in Croydon, 44 more than the next highest Manchester and 116 more than Southwark,
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Former council leader to become mayor
A former leader of Merton Council will take on the role of mayor next year. Conservative councillor David Williams is set to replace current mayor Gilli Lewis-Lavender as the borough's first citizen next spring. Coun Williams was first
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Conmen try to dupe elderly woman
Conmen tried to trick a 78-year-old out of hundreds of pounds by claiming her home needed unnecessary maintenance work. The pensioner became suspicious of a doorstep caller who tried to talk his way into her home in Anne Boleyn’s Walk, Cheam
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Road chicanes put cyclists 'in line of fire'
Cyclists have savaged the creators of a “patently dangerous” traffic system in a damning report. Merton Cycling Campaign (MCC) examined controversial road changes in Martin Way, Morden, which caused outrage when they were introduced in 2007
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NOVEMBER: A Time To Remember
In the aftermath of the horrific scenes of wanton thuggery and violence, the young people of Croydon are continuing the steps to redeem the sullied name of the youth of today.The images plastered over the television screens and newspapers of rioters,
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Army to discuss Iraq and Afghanistan wars at TA event
A talk on the army's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq will take place tomorrow evening. Brigadier Matthew Lowe MBE, deputy commander of Headquarters London, the main headquarters for all army regular and Territotial Army (TA) units in the
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Girls hone footy skills
Schoolgirls from all over Sutton took part in a day of 4-a-side football on Thursday November 16. It was all part of an initiative by the Surrey County FA to get more women and girls involved in playing the sport. Girls in year three
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Public sector strikes cause disruption in Sutton
Schools will be shut today and hospital and council services disrupted as public sector workers go on strike. Twenty-six schools in Sutton will be closed, and 28 part-closed, while nine will stay open as staff walkout in a row over pensions
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Dead body discovery is 'not suspicious', say police
The body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a tree on the Balham/Streatham border last week in an apparent suicide. On November 22, reports of a police cordon and a white tent, usually used to house a body, flooded into the newsroom
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Charity urges residents to get tested for HIV
A charity has issued a renewed appeal to residents to get themselves tested for HIV, as figures reveal 1,400 people could be unaware they have the virus. According to the National AIDS Trust (NAT), almost 3000 people in Lambeth, roughly one
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Police present at Smiley death will not be charged
No police officers will face criminal charges following the death of reggae star Smiley Culture during a police raid, an investigation has ruled. David Emmanuel, 48, known as Smiley Culture, allegedly stabbed himself in the heart when four police officers
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Thousands wasted after thieves steal picnic tables
A spate of picnic table thefts have left taxpayers thousands of pounds out of pocket. Park users could be forced to eat on the ground this winter after officers at Lambeth Council decided to replace the concrete benches in Streatham Vale Park
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Labour dismayed by Wimbledon boundary changes
By Paul Cowling, chairman of Wimbledon constituency Labour party I would like to voice my dismay at the current proposals to change Parliamentary boundaries which would split Wimbledon town centre into three parts and thereby undermine community
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Full scale fun at Surrey Reptile Centre
Slithering snakes, crawling tarantulas and peaceful tortoises were all on hand to help an animal centre raise funds for Children in Need. Surrey Reptile Centre, Hersham, held a handling day on Saturday, November 26, where children and adults could touch
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Palace boss: Ferguson is one of the best
Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman has nothing but admiration for the man he will come up against tonight - but admits he didn't like him when he first came on the scene. The Eagles boss goes head-to-head with Sir Alex Ferguson as Palace compete against
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Mums seek help after abuse from drug addict sons
Mums are seeking help after being threatened by their drug-addicted sons. Four women have visited Sutton’s Domestic Violence One Stop Shop with the problem since its launch in the summer. Police said in one case, a teenage son has constantly harassed
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Eagles prepare for United cup clash
More than 5,000 Crystal Palace fans will descend on Manchester tonight as the Eagles look to cause a Carling Cup upset. Palace go to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the League Cup but face a tough task against
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Emergency services braced for strike action
Some routine appointments at Kingston Hospital could be cancelled and 999 calls for minor illnesses may not receive an ambulance response during today’s strike action. Nurses, hospital porters, midwives and cleaners are among Unison members
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Community groups fight back over deep-rooted riot causes
Community groups from across Wandsworth met this week to discuss the deeper issues behind August's riots. In recent weeks, the Government, the police and Wandsworth Council have issued their responses to this summer's civil unrest. This
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5-year old told he 'will walk unaided' after life changing surgery
A 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy has been told he will be able to walk on his own after life changing surgery. Joe Elliott, from Banstead, spent four weeks in the US this summer undergoing spinal surgery, not widely available on the NHS
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Cream of curry industry gather for British Curry Awards
The cream of the curry industry gathered this week for the 2011 British Curry Awards, founded by Epsom restaurateur, Enam Ali. More than 1,500 restaurateurs, VIP guests and celebrities attended the gala awards dinner, now in its seventh year, at Battersea
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Ex-troops to be boosted up housing lists
Former soldiers are set to have council homes set aside for them under a new scheme. One of the councillors behind the plan, which could be introduced next year, said it would "give something back" to former servicemen and women. A motion
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Black Cultural Archives to bring National Black Heritage Centre to South London
An exciting historical hub celebrating Black History and culture – the very first in the UK- is to be brought to the heart of Brixton, South London. The development will transform an existing grade two listed building that has not been used
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HOOK LINE AND SINKER!
Remember remember the 5th of November! Well at Hook Road Arena, you are pretty much guaranteed an unforgettable night, with £20,000 worth of fireworks creating an amazing display, and ‘The Worldwide Travelling Theme Park Experience’ bringing a wonderful
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'Google is not the only place to find the answers'
Walking in Wimbledon Village there are many beautiful buildings, and a vast array of shops and restaurants. However, there is one building, Emmanuel Church, that always catches the eye of those wandering through the Village, not for its architecture,
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MOLESEY ART EXHIBITION
On the weekend of 19th and 20th November, the Molesey Art Society staged its annual Christmas art exhibition in the hall of St Alban’s School, Beauchamp Road, East Molesey. The exhibition provides members of the Molesey Art Society with the opportunity
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HOUSE OF COMMONS EUROPEAN UNION DEBATE
On 2 December Blenheim High School students will participate in a Parliamentary debate, discussing and arguing with other schools, over UK membership of the European Union. The motion of the debate will be: “This House believes UK membership of the EU
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Recessions impact on charities
One of the main issues in today’s society is the economic downturn. Many people, companies, organization, industries and most of the countries on the planet have been seriously hit by the recession. However, let’s look at our charities specifically
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ARE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES TAKING UP TOO MUCH OF OUR TIME?
An average day for a teenager nowadays often consists of school, facebook, sleeping, twitter, eating and occasionally some homework. Are social networking sites taking up too much of our time? After asking a range of teenagers how much time
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TEENS ACROSS THE GLOBE HAVE BEGUN 'DEFEATING THE LABEL'
She walks down the hallway; her head down as she tries to ignore their piercing stares and menacing laughter. The tears cascade down her face; as each second ticks by her strong façade shatters. He holds his books close and pushes his glasses further
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STRIKE ACTION TO CAUSE HAVOC
Wednesday 30th November, the day that 2 million public sector workers will leave their jobs to march the streets in aid of getting an increased pension. Workers from many different public sector jobs have been appalled by the governments latest proposal
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HOW HEALTHY ARE TEENS
A series of interviews were taken on a group of adolescents in Epsom to find out how healthy they were. These interviews took into account the amount of exercise they did, their diet, and the amount they slept. The amount of time that most of the candidates