Archive
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CAFÉ HO SETE, NOW NO SETE?
If some of you are frequent strollers of the Church St. town centre in weybridge you may have noticed that a certain Portuguese café had all of a sudden disappeared in the Christmas holidays which was called 'Ho Sete'. We all love a good cup of
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I will never forgive him for as long as I live...
A spiteful murderer has boasted how he murdered a mother of three to other inmates in his cell. Reece Ludlow a mere man of twenty was jailed for life for the murder of Louisa Brannan. He was sentenced to a minimum of seventeen years at Belmarsh prison
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RAISING THE BAR
In this day and age, in the midst of the recession, money is tighter than it has ever been before. People are taking measures left, right and centre to save their cash, and yet still more money than ever is being donated to charities. Last year £26.8million
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HMV, CROYDON CLOSING?
After disappointing sales MHV are said to close 40 stores, including one very close to home in Croydon, Centrale. On 15th January 2013 HMV went into administration after disappointing Christmas sales and the VAT rise left them well below desired
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Proposed new Putney Exchange shopping centre front unveiled
Putney's shopping centre is to have a brand spanking new shop front as well as a new name. The Putney Exchange's new frontage, as pictured above, received planning permission in 2012 and will be completed by spring 2014. Popular high street brand
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Daley Thompson offers running tips at Battersea Park Athletics Track
Olympic medallist Daley Thompson offered his running tips to London Marathon participants. The former decathlete ran a circuit training course in Battersea Park Athletics Track last week for Barnardo's London Marathon runners. About 20 fundraisers
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Date announced for Crystal Palace Overground Festival
The organisers of Crystal Palace Festival have announced the dates for this year's event. The four day Crystal Palace Overground Festival will take place from Thursday June 27 until Sunday June 30, and will include a range of free events across
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Parents and children "devastated" after Putney Park School announces closure date
Putney Park School is to close at the end of the academic after its owners told parents they have decided to sell up. The decision means all staff will be made redundant in July and more than 100 pupils will have to find a new school at a key stage
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Nominations open for Wandsworth Young Person of the Year
Do you know an outstanding young person? Nominate them for this year’s Wandsworth Young Person of the Year award. The award, in its 21st year, honours those young people in the community who deserve recognition for their achievements, courage, generous
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Council issues warning on rogue trader
Merton council has tweeted a warning to local businesses that a ‘conman, posing as a Merton Council worker’, is calling round trying to sell adverts. An estate agents and veterinary practice were the first to report the scam to the council yesterday
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Blood testing is extra stress on health staff
Regarding the article on the Jubilee health centre (Health centre troubles to be resolved, February 21) in which Mr Tom Brake MP has said the blood testing facility problem will hopefully be resolved by March and the service will be up and running
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North Kingston free school "a step closer"
A new free school in North Kingston is one step closer after campaigners were invited to meet with the Department for Education. The school would be run by the Kingston Educational Trust - a partnership between Kingston University, Kingston College
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Hampton woman bound and gagged by burglars
A woman was bound and gagged in her own home this week, while two men stole jewellery from her flat. Police are investigating the aggravated burglary which took place on Tuesday, January 29, between 7.45pm and 8pm at White Hart House in Hampton
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Leaving NHS in droves
I disagree with Tom Brake MP when he states that the amount of doctors in England has increased by 2,642 (Committed to protect our NHS, January 24). In the figures he does not show how many people have left the NHS. The part of the NHS I worked
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Is Teaching Cruel Or Kind?
Is Teaching Cruel or Kind? Miss Dobinson is our Acting Head of Sixth Form here at the Ursuline, I interviewed her as I wanted to find out what are the biggest joys of being a teacher but also what qualities makes it one of the hardest
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Parking can be lost, but not all the jobs
As a Sutton South Councillor, I have followed your correspondence on the future of the Brighton Road car cark. While the recent study showed Sutton has excess capacity in car parking provision in the town centre and close to the station, so we
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Shape up for summer: Manicure your garden
I have to admit it, I love formal gardens, those with a definite structure, sense of purpose and everything in its place, writes Hannah Stephenson. Clipped box hedges, strong geometry using evergreens shaped carefully into balls and pyramids, evenly
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Magdalen Road is the place for Earlsfield drop-off
In response to Anya Rowson’s letter about parking at Earlsfield station (Station parking chaos, February 14) I am happy to clarify that vehicles are allowed to stop on waiting and loading restrictions – indicated by yellow lines and yellow kerb “blips
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Biker in hospital after late night smash
A biker was taken to hospital after a crash with a car last night. The 20-year-old rider and the car collided at the junction of St Dunstan's Hill and Alberta Avenue in Sutton at around 10pm. The biker was taken to hospital and was
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Twickenham's See reluctantly throws in the towel
Twickenham head coach Clive See is reluctantly throwing in the title towel after losing the London Division Three North West top of the table clash at Old Priorians. A 39-10 defeat on Saturday saw Twickenham knocked off the summit, and See admitted
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No need to close playground
There is absolutely no need to close Battersea Park adventure playground for financial reasons in a borough where the community charge is so low, and flats go on sale for £6m. This was raised in a letter last week (Council acted shamefully on adventure
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Shocking roadside scene after motorbike crash
A scooter was seen crumpled underneath a car after a very serious accident seen by shocked passersby. The driver of the light motorbike was seen being treated by paramedics on the roadside near the Brown and Root tower in Colliers Wood at about
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Help us raise awareness of smacking
We are a citizenship group form Carshalton High School For Girls. For our project we are trying to raise awareness of smacking. We feel very strongly about this topic and the fact that it can easily turn into abuse. We would like to know your
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Luke who’s making an impact at Harlequins
Luke Wallace is more than happy filling the sizeable shoes left by Chris Robshaw, who is captaining England to what could be a first Six Nations Grand Slam for a decade. But the Harlequins flanker admits he dreams of the day the two can star side-by-side
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Pair sentenced after assaulting and robbing mini-cab driver
A pair of violent robbers who assaulted a mini-cab driver with a concrete block have been sentenced to more than three years in jail. Aaron Mizen, 32, and Natalie Bivand, 31, of no fixed address were given three and a half years in prison.
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MP experiences being blind in his constituency
An MP went for a walk blindfold last week in order to experience what it is like to have sight loss. The Carshalton and Wallington MP, Tom Brake, has been trying to raise awareness of the challenges facing blind people in Sutton. He was helped
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Protect the wildness of Wilderness Island
I would like to add my voice to the protest at the great loss of trees along the Wandle. Are trees not protected by our sense of their innate aesthetic and ecological worth? Why is it that no plan was made to replace them? There are many unwanted
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Preserve part of pub’s character for flats
Regarding the article in the Sutton Guardian about the fate of the old Dolphin pub (Pubs face a supermarket sweep, February 21)... It is a crying shame that this historic building – which has a lot of character – is due to be levelled, yet
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Curbs on street-drinking set to become borough-wide
Police will be given new powers to stop people drinking in the street anywhere in Merton under a new by-law. Today, Merton Council launched a formal consultation into a borough-wide controlled drinking zone (CDZ), currently in force in Mitcham
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Department For Education have reached a new low over primary academy plans
It would appear that the Department for Education, Michael Gove and the Harris Federation have reached a new low over Roke Primary School. They are ignoring reasons for previous lower Ofsted Reports, and current Ofsted reports that show improvement
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High commissioner of Jamaica speaks at community event
A community group welcomed the High Commissioner of Jamaica to their event last week. The Croydon African Caribbean Family Organisation (CACFO) invited Her Excellency Aloun Ndombet to talk about Jamaica. A number of councillors attended the
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Thousands of children to receive secondary school offer today
Today is the day many parents across Sutton will discover which secondary schools their children will be starting in September. A total of 2,808 children will be offered a place at one of the borough’s 14 secondary schools – which are some of the
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Wimbledon hockey star Hawes relieved to be free of international burden
Although Ben Hawes announced his retirement from Team GB duty last week, he has known for some time that the London 2012 Olympics was going to be his international swansong. The Kingston-based star of three Olympic campaigns is enjoying his club
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Half-time rant does the job for Met Police manager
Met Police boss Jim Cooper admitted blowing his top at half-time after his promotion-chasing team found themselves 1-0 down at home to Wingate & Finchley. However, after two late goals turned the scoreline on its head, the Imber Court side
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We want the truth about BSBV
Having received the Sutton Guardian on Friday, I was interested to note your front page article about the postponing of a decision by the BSBV team - that it had been due to recommend formally the closure of St. Helier Hospital's A & E and maternity
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Did you know Tracey Anne Brown?
I am searching for an old friend Tracey Anne Brown who used to live in the Wandsworth area. Tracey used to live in Putney near the bridge, then moved to Wandsworth near the Newcomen Road, Ganley Court area. This would have been in the mid
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MP's scrap metal bill becomes law
New tougher regulations designed to stamp out illegal scrap metal trading are to come into force after a bill tabled by a Croydon MP became law yesterday. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act will require all traders hold verifiable indentification when
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Moving the boundaries
I was interested to read Hilary Wortley’s letter (Tit for Tat, February 7) about the Lib Dems voting against the boundary changes for Carshalton and Wallington. I was so interested in fact that I Googled Ms Wortley, only to find out that she is
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Thanks for St George
I have visited St George’s Hospital several times in the past few years. I am just back from one of my visits. At this time, when the NHS, hospitals and carers are so often criticised, I feel I have to make public my deep appreciation of the care
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Highway cruising from California to Vegas
Driving into Las Vegas you can be forgiven for wondering exactly which city you've arrived in. On one side the Eiffel Tower decorates the skyline, while elsewhere the Statue of Liberty looms proudly above neon-lit buildings. Then you catch a glimpse
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Heroin smuggler busted by border cops goes to jail
A drug smuggler who tried to import heroin worth more than £80,000 has been jailed. Worcester Park restaurateur Brendan Conrad, 40, was stopped by police at the docks in Dover after he arrived on a ferry from Calais in his Audi on May 17 last
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Bridge Banter - Paradox at the heart of Chelsea FC
There’s a paradox at the heart of Chelsea Football Club, and it concerns Mr Interim, Rafa Benitez. Fans want rid of the temporary manager, believing the team is barely treading water at present. They are marking off the remaining dozen fixtures
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Boy arrested on suspicion of drug-dealing
A 15-year-old Kingston boy has been arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. The boy was arrested in Chatham Road, Kingston, at about 5.30pm yesterday. A witness said: "There was one guy being pushed into the back
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Application submitted for Thames Tideway Tunnel
An application has been submitted to the government for a 20 mile long super sewer snaking across London. The 50,000 page document, submitted by Thames Water, will be analysed by a Planning Inspectorate with a decision to be made within 28 days
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Brentford stopper Moore full of praise for friend and mentor Lee
Brentford goalkeeper Simon Moore may be earning the plaudits between the sticks this term, but he admitted he would not be there without a little help from his friends. The 22-year-old kept his 10th shutout of the season in the 0-0 draw with Walsall
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Precious woodland reduced by unnecessary Wandle tree felling
In setting the record straight as Toby Hull claims in his letter 'Tree work will benefit the Wandle', he fails to mention the word trout, despite the Wandle Trust's mission statement: 'We inspire and help people to protect wild trout and their habitat
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Clinical Commissioning Group should call on MPs to save St Helier
At the packed public meeting held last Thursday evening at Carshalton Sports College to discuss the future of St Helier Hospital, by a show of hands those present unanimously supported a vote of ‘No Confidence’ in the infamous Better Services Better
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Are incinerators linked to infant mortality?
I suggest that anyone concerned about health effects due to emissions from the proposed Beddington Farm incinerator asks the three Beddington North Councillors I e-mailed last week whether they'll look carefully at the infant mortality section
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A&E treated me properly
After reading the article on Croydon University Hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department (Hospital ‘in need of drastic care’, February 6) I felt I must write to say how impressed I was by the A&E department and my subsequent treatment
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Harper's in a safe place despite having no players and no points in two games
Hampton & Richmond boss Mark Harper is no longer fearing the Sword of Damocles despite suffering back-to-back defeats in the Ryman Premier Division. At the turn of the year, Harper was given three matches to turn the Beavers’ fortunes around
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Pavilion reopens after revamp
A pavilion was reopened last week after a £64,000 revamp. Gibraltar Recreation Ground Pavilion now has sports male and female changing rooms as well as new water heaters, flooring, toilets and hand basins. Councillor Jan Mason, chairman of
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UPDATE: Cause of death of body-building student unknown
A post-mortem examination has failed to establish a cause of death for the fitness fanatic Epsom student who died hours after allegedly praising deadly body-building pills on Facebook. Sarmad Alladin, 18, who was an art and design student at the
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More killed on roads
I was sorry to read of the fox attack on a baby in Bromley, but I wonder how it entered the house – this is winter, after all, and not a time when doors and windows are likely to be left open. I daresay there are, as Paul Reed says, lots of near
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Nothing to worry about at Kingstonian
Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson remains a contented man despite three Ryman Premier Division defeats in seven days. Dowson’s men have dropped to ninth in the table, although they remain just two points off the play-offs. Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat
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London Welsh coach bemoans worst performance of the season
London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones admits the Exiles produced their worst Aviva Premiership display of the season as they were well-beaten by Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. Back in September Welsh had picked up their first win in the Aviva Premiership
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Why do Barclays get a free ride?
I am pleased plans are moving ahead to install the so-called Boris bikes at Clapham Junction. However, Wandsworth Council should only grant planning permission with one important condition – that all reference to Barclays Bank be removed. I find
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A&E closure bad for businesses
As a director of Kippa Bid, representing over a hundred companies on the Kimpton Industrial Park, we have surveyed our members who are shocked and dismayed that St Helier Hospital’s A&E may be closed. Our members have serious concerns if it
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Hearing loss charity hunt for deaf cat's purrfect home
A hearing loss charity are on the hunt for the purrfect home for a deaf cat. Action on Hearing Loss have joined forces with Caterham, Redhill and East Surrey Cats Protection to find a loving home for Sandy. The charity say the 16-year-old,
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Banned Esher coach Ollie Smith is demanding answers about referee
Esher head coach Ollie Smith is calling on the RFU to investigate referee Terry Hall after being suspended for verbally abusing the match official. Smith, although contrite over comments made to Hall after his side’s narrow 21-20 defeat at Old
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Quins boss O'Shea is staying put
Conor O’Shea has pledged his future to Harlequins and distanced himself from speculation linking him with the Ireland coaching job. O’Shea emerged as the bookies’ favourite this week to succeed Declan Kidney, whose contract ends in the summer,
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Croydon Council appoint interim chief executive
Croydon Council has confirmed the appointment of Nathan Elvery as interim chief executive. Mr Elvery, 43, was approved by Full Council on Monday and will take over from outgoing chief executive Jon Rouse, who leaves the council on March 10.
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Hopes grow for cycle race to come through Epsom
Hopes are growing that the Tour of Britain cycle race could come through Epsom in September. Epsom Council has expressed an interest in hosting the start of the Surrey leg of the race which would draw huge crowds to the town. Organisers have
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Wallington revamp efforts wasted by thieves
It is sad that I have to report that most of the Laurel bushes in the troughs outside Wallington station have been taken after just a few months!! Much attention has been focused on Woodcote Road over the past years, with new Xmas Lights, flower
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Resources up in smoke?
It is very encouraging to see that with food waste recycling now in full swing in the borough, over 45% of household waste is now being recycled. This is great progress in a few short years and everyone involved, from the Council to the individuals
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New Clinical Commissioning Groups must find innovative ways to pay for patient care
Sir, The replacement of Primary Care Trusts with new Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) like NHS Sutton CCG now serving the Sutton area is an important development in ensuring healthcare budgets are allocated locally. Doctors are best placed to
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Bookmakers do not take advantage of the impoverished
I am writing on behalf of the association of British Bookmakers (ABB). The ABB is the leading association for high street bookmakers and represents the operators of about 7,000 betting shops in the UK. Although we were quoted in the article
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Banton just wants to play football, as a Pilgrim or an Eagle
Crystal Palace winger Jason Banton is enjoying his time at Plymouth Argyle, even though it is a world away from life at Selhurst Park. Banton has one game as a Pilgrim remaining – this weekend’s visit of Barnet - before his month-long loan comes
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Recycle your furniture and help a family in need
The number of sofas and beds in Surrey thrown away last year was enough to stretch across the width of the county if they were laid end to end. The 30,000 pieces of furniture, which could have been reused in new homes, would have stretched for
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British Lions hero lays top tribute on Harlequins and England captain Chris
British & Irish Lions hero Jason Leonard has likened England skipper Chris Robshaw to legendary Lions and England captain Martin Johnson. Johnson, a three-time Lions tourist, lifted the World Cup for England in 2003 having won a Lions series
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Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers dominate the field
Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers youngsters are in prime position for a clean sweep of medals going into the final round of the Downs League. After Sunday’s third round meeting, the Harriers lead all three younger age categories from U11s
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Small independent businesses are part of our local identity
Your correspondent R Rogers (Guardian, February 20) is quite right to fear for the future of independent shops as the supermarkets move in ever larger numbers, and indeed the same issue of the Guardian highlights the imminent conversion of two Sutton
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Garden statue stolen from Cavendish Court
Last weekend a garden statue was stolen from outside the front of Cavendish Court in Wallington, the sheltered accommodation in which I live. I know this doesn't compete with the reprehensible crime of stripping the names from the Carshalton War Memorial
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Funding cut for advice service as it faces more work
A vital advice service has had its funding cut just as it is faces a big increase in workload caused by benefit changes this year. Leatherhead and Dorking Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has had to accept 10 per cent less funding for the coming year
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Golf club steps back to the Edwardian era
A golf club took a step back in time to the Edwardian era at the weekend. Epsom Golf Club held its annual Hickory Golf Day on Saturday to commemorate its founding 124 years ago. Head professional Stuart Walker dressed in tweed and used hickory-shafted
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Cost of "scandalous" healthcare review soars to £11.5m
The cost of the BSBV review has escalated to £11.5m. In November last year the review had cost the taxpayer £2m however four months later the review has now cost £5.5m. With a three month consultation, expected to begin in the summer, the review
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Stop fake £20 scam
I am writing in response to the article about the influx of fake £20 notes (Traders warn of £20 notes scam, February 20) This criminal activity has been going on far too long. I have links to Streatham and know small businesses who have been
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Ofsted did not give school enough chance to improve
Parents recently received a copy of a letter about forced academy at Roke Primary school from Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Schools to Richard Ottaway, our Conservative MP for South Croydon. Lord Nash's letter casts Roke Primary
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Can you spot the difference between High Street and charity shop?
Sam Beare Hospice has launched its annual High Street or Hospice Shop? ladies lunch and fashion show, to show just how fashionable charity shops can be. The event will be the second time guests are invited to spot the difference between High Street
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St Helier hospital fails on "deliverability" say scoring experts
Efforts to overturn some of the results of the scoring panel in favour of St Helier Hospital have failed. An expert panel of eight met on Monday, February 11, and scored 11 options of hospital configurations against a range of criteria - including
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Croydon MP's mental health bill makes it into law
A Croydon MP is leading the way against mental health discrimination after having his bill made into law. Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, has been praised by leading mental health organisations and politicians for his Mental Health Discrimination
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ECG machine donated to test young people's hearts
An electrocardiogram used to record the heart's electrical activity has been donated to a charity based in Tadworth. Rotary Clubs of Epsom and Ewell and Epsom Rotaract Club presented the ECG to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) on Thursday, February
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We’ve got one Pell of a good spirit, says AFC Wimbledon defender Hussey
AFC Wimbledon full-back Chris Hussey praised team-mate Harry Pell after the midfielder redeemed himself in the 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle. On a tense Tuesday night in south-west London, the proverbial League Two six-pointer crackled into life
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Croydon Youth Theatre receive £3,000 donation
Croydon Youth Theatre have received a £3,000 donation raised by an annual concert. The organisers of The Last Night of the Croydon Proms presented the group with the cheque at their Shoestring Theatre last week. The money was raised at the
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Mitcham bus lane plan built on 'misleading' survey
By Alan Hutchings, Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage Councillor Andrew Judge is once again flying in face of public opinion regarding the bus lane through the heart of the Fair Green at Mitcham. It appears that his decision, along
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Town centre car park set for sell off
Merton Council has announced plans to sell off a Wimbledon town centre car park making way for developers. The car park, behind the New Wimbledon Theatre on the Broadway and Russell Road, is expected to be put out for tender later this year, pending
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‘Block these lorries before a child is hurt', urges MP
Cars and property are being damaged by lorries driving down small residential roads and the council should do more to help, Wimbledon’s MP has claimed. Stephen Hammond said Merton Council should block lorries from going down Haslemere Avenue, Wimbledon
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Spotlight on Health: Men should think more about their health
Men tend to leave their health to chance – with shattering consequences. For many, the findings of the Department of Health’s ‘gender and access to health services’ (2008) study will not be a surprise, as it has long been established that men are
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Blind patient who got trapped in hospital toilet slams "diabolical" care
A blind patient with severe health problems was forced to grope his way to the toilet while in hospital because there were no nurses to help him. John Allan, 72, was later found doubled up in pain in the toilet in Croydon University Hospital by
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Convicted killer brags about stabbing mum to inmates
A killer’s boast in prison of how he murdered a mother-of-three has left the victim’s father calling for him never to be released. In July last year Reece Ludlow, 20, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 17 years in Belmarsh prison for the
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Fight to get Epsom station into Zone 6 continues
The fight to get Epsom station into Zone 6 will move up a gear next week when MP Chris Grayling meets the Government's transport minister to discuss the change. Epsom’s MP said he has a meeting with Norman Baker to discuss getting the station into
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London Mayor unveils new river journey measures
The Mayor of London and TfL have unveiled a host of measures designed to increase river journeys on the Thames. More than £10m has been allocated to river services in an attempt to double passenger journeys to 12 million per year by 2020. River
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Leisure centres compete for award
Three of Sutton’s leisure centres are taking part in this year's national Health Club Awards. The Phoenix Centre, Cheam Leisure Centre and Sutton Arena have all put themselves forward for the national voting stage of these awards. Mark Basker
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Council tax increase revealed
Council tax in Elmbridge will rise by 1.95 per cent this year, after the council refused to accept the Government’s council tax freeze grant. People living in a band D property will pay 7p more a week. Delivering his budget speech, Councillor
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Lib Dems hold Berrylands as voters keep faith in ruling party
The Liberal Democrats held Berrylands last night as voters opted to keep faith in the borough's ruling party. Victorious candidate Sushila Abraham won by 187 votes. She said: "The campaign was fantastic and the response we had from the residents
