Comedy Fyles are worth seeing when they get to Edinburgh

Posted on July 4, 2026 by insidecroydon

Stalin performance: Emmy Fyles in one-woman show Not Like That – You’re Doing It Wrong at Stanley Arts takes a stab at the patriarchy, all with the help of a PowerPoint presentation

FRINGE REVIEW: As the Croydonites festival enters its final two days, KEN TOWL (Croydon’s answer to Tynan), pictured right, conducts a compare and contrast of two of the shows this week, and marks your card for tonight and tomorrow, and for Edinburgh next month

We are a month away from the start of the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest arts festival in the known universe. We in Croydon are 400 miles away from the nearest Edinburgh Fringe venue, so we are lucky to have the Croydonites Fringe on our doorstep.

Croydonites Fringe in many cases showcases acts that are bound for Scotland, often having a final run-through in south London before heading north. This week, I saw two of them, one called Emmy (book your Edinburgh tickets here), the other Emma (or here).

Both of them promised a PowerPoint presentation. Other slideshow software packages may be available, but I’ve never heard of one.

One of them was very funny, one of them quite disturbing. So, not a bad sample of the Scottish festival to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Comedy, Croydonites Festival, Ken Towl, Poetry, Stanley Halls, The Front Room, The Front Room, The Oval Tavern, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fire at Hindu temple took Brigade three hours to subdue

Posted on July 4, 2026 by insidecroydon

It took 70 firefighters drawn from four fire stations three hours to get a blaze at a converted warehouse on Elmwood Road under control yesterday.

Big blaze: half the building on Elmwood Road was on fire

There were no reports of any injuries at the fire, in building which is now being used as a Hindu temple, although residents in surrounding roads were advised to keep their windows closed because of the amount of smoke generated by the blaze.

There were road closures on Elmwood Road between London Road and Lodge Road, and on Wellington Road between Elmwood Road and St James’s Road while firefighters tackled the emergency.

Station Commander Craig Fenner, who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters worked hard to bring the incident under control.

“One of the Brigade’s 64-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower to tackle flames from height. Drones were also deployed to provide the incident commander with a greater situational awareness of the incident. Continue reading →

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Blues at the Oval, Sunday nights in July from 6pm, entry free

Posted on July 4, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Free SWLLC benefits and housing advice sessions, Selhurst

Posted on July 4, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NOTE the revised timings and venue details

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Trauma at Lanfranc as boy waits 2 hours with knife in his head

Posted on July 3, 2026 by insidecroydon

Headteacher tells mother that the school’s failure to seek emergency treatment for her son was ‘a judgement call’

Gruesome: the boy was left waiting for two hours, as school staff failed to call for an ambulance

A mother was distraught and angry when she arrived at her son’s Croydon school one morning this week to discover the boy had been left sitting in a corridor for two hours, alone and unattended, with a wooden knife stuck in his head.

The boy had been violently attacked by another pupil, a matter that is now subject to a police investigation.

But no one at the school had called for an ambulance to send the injured child to receive urgent treatment for his head wound.

The shocking incident occurred at Archbishop Lanfranc secondary before school on Monday. The school, on Mitcham Road in Thornton Heath, is just a short distance from Mayday Hospital.

Continue reading →

Posted in Archbishop Lanfranc, Broad Green, Education, Schools, Thornton Heath, West Thornton | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Coughlan’s directors moved £9m out of bakery firm since 2023

Posted on July 3, 2026 by insidecroydon

EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES

National news: the closure of a Croydon bakery chain this week was covered widely, without many reporting Ranganathan’s loss of £400,000 in shares

  • Romesh Ranganathan stands to lose up to £400,000
  • Staff were only informed of business’s closure by text message
  • Since 2023, directors transferred £5.7m property assets to another company while £2.9m was also taken out of the business

For all the outpouring of public sympathy over the closure of a long-established Croydon business, as Coughlan’s shut the doors on their bakers’ shops for a final time on Tuesday night, the public records for the company tell a story of a business that, according to their own accountants as recently as last September, could have continued to operate as a going concern “for at least 12 months”.

The decision to close Coughlan’s was announced by director Sean Coughlan via social media on Tuesday night. Key is that Coughlan’s is a voluntary liquidation, a choice made by Coughlan and fellow directors, including his sister, company secretary Virginia Coughlan, and Jacqueline Taylor.

All three are also co-directors of another company, Smitham Lodge Estates Ltd. Continue reading →

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Air ambulance called out to double stabbing on George Street

Posted on July 3, 2026 by insidecroydon

Police have increased patrols in central Croydon today, after a double stabbing off George Street during yesterday evening’s rush hour saw the town centre shut down as the Met started a manhunt.

Call out: London’s Air Ambulance was called to Croydon town centre

The London Air Ambulance was called out, after a man in his 20s and a 16-year-old boy were stabbed.

Eye-witnesses say that they saw blood along the pavement on George Street. Tram services were halted at East Croydon Station and buses put on diversion, as police taped off the roundabout at the junction with Wellesley Road as part of their crime scene.

Both males were taken to hospital after being treated at the scene, where their injuries have been assessed to be not life-threatening.

No arrests have been made, with the suspect still at large. Continue reading →

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Gibson is handing over the baton after 27 harmonious years

Posted on July 3, 2026 by insidecroydon

Ahead of their conductor’s final performance tomorrow, PETER GILLMAN looks at the changing of the guard at one of Croydon’s largest musical organisations

Musical leader: David Gibson has been the Croydon Philharmonic Choir’s director since last century

The Croydon Philharmonic Choir has an historic event in prospect tomorrow.

Its summer concert at St Mark’s in Purley will mark the final appearance of its music director and conductor, David Gibson.

Gibson has been at its helm for 27 years. “I’ve done a fair stint,” he told the choir at his last rehearsal on Tuesday, when he was presented with a framed collection of the programmes for many of the 100-plus concerts he has conducted. “It’s probably time for somebody else to have a go.”

Gibson is only the fourth music director in the Croydon Philharmonic Choir’s 112-year existence. Continue reading →

Posted in Addiscombe East, Addiscombe West, Art, Croydon Male Voice Choir, Croydon Philharmonic Choir, Fairfield Halls, Music, Purley | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mayor Perry’s ‘Motorists’ Charter’ to deliver more accidents, higher car insurance and even put children’s safety at risk

Posted on July 2, 2026 by insidecroydon

20s plenty: Mayor Jason Perry seems to be in a terrible rush to remove a measure that is proven for reducing collisions and for reducing car insurance premiums

Just what might be coming round the corner in council business now that Jason Perry is back in the Town Hall? Probably a BMW being driven at close to 40mph, reports PAUL LUSHION, our environment correspondent

Jason Perry, Croydon’s failed Mayor, has used his re-election for a second term as an excuse to declare war against cyclists, pedestrians and even young children walking to school.

The man whose big mouth has already cost the cash-strapped council around £10million over his money-spinning Low Traffic Neighbourhoods has now pledged to make Croydon’s roads more dangerous for all road users, including motorists. Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Croydon Council, Cycling, Environment, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Mayor of London, Policing, Sadiq Khan, Schools, TfL, Transport, ULEZ, ULEZ expansion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Burnham’s challenge is to rebalance Britain yet cherish London

Posted on July 2, 2026 by insidecroydon

What would a ‘No10 in the North’ under a Prime Minister Burnham mean for London? Is it possible to devolve power, and spread wealth, across the country without undermining the economic engine of the nation? ANDREW FISHER sifts through some of the first indications of what Burnham might bring to the job – can he be Our Friend In The North?

As one door opens…: Andy Burnham wants to divide his time as PM between the regions

The North-South divide is one of the most enduring stories of English life.

The folklore of Dick Whittington, a servant boy fleeing the north to come to London to seek his fortune where the streets are paved with gold is perhaps the oldest such tale, but there are many modern versions.

Phrases such as “it’s grim up north” tell of the sense that the capital’s hinterlands are neglected hellscapes, while London and the south-east are a land of milk and honey.

Data dispels such myths. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s analysis of government data shows 26% of people in London living in poverty, compared to 23% in the north-west of England and 21% in the north-east (19% in south-east England live in poverty). London currently has the highest rate of unemployment of all the country’s regions and nations at 6.6%, compared to 5.1% averaged across England. Continue reading →

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Poetry emotion: We’re doing it for the craic and for the Cronx

Posted on July 2, 2026 by insidecroydon

The 2026 Croydonites Fringe began last night. Here, JOHNNY DOBBYN, pictured right, goes behind the scenes to explain the work that goes on to bring the festival’s shows to the stage

Fancy being a theatrical, musical or literary performer – and then finding yourself doubling up as a theatrical, musical or literary promoter? That’s what accidentally happened to me and my poetry colleague, The Civilised Savage, thanks to Inside Croydon.

I hate musicals, especially those of the “Hey! Let’s put on a show!” kind that seemed to feature Judy Garland or Mickey Rooney, or Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, in the 1930s and 1940s. The whole “Let’s put on a show!” schtick has always struck me as faintly preposterous.

Until now. Continue reading →

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Emergency services on call after worker falls from site lift

Posted on July 1, 2026 by insidecroydon

Emergency services: the Fire Brigade, ambulance and police were on hand at East Croydon just before 1pm today to deal with an emergency at the former City Link House

PHOTOSTORY EXCLUSIVE
Pictures by DAVID WHITE

East Croydon was lit up with blue lights at lunchtime today, responding to reports that a site worker had fallen off an inner lift on a building site on Addiscombe Road, opposite landmark No1 Croydon.

“We’re getting him out,”, according to a police officer at the scene. Continue reading →

Posted in Addiscombe West, East Croydon, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, Policing, Property | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perry’s council facing High Court threat over Access Croydon

Posted on July 1, 2026 by insidecroydon

No Access Croydon: the public access area of Fisher’s Folly was closed to the public in March 2025. Homeless people were directed to Central Library to book appointments for face-to-face meetings with council staff

CROYDON IN CRISIS: The council is being dragged into the High Court next week to face claims that it is failing to meet its statutory responsibilities on housing as a consequence of making its offices open only on an appointment basis. EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES

Failed Mayor Jason Perry’s omnishambles council will be back in the High Court next week, this time to face claims that its cost-cutting move to shut itself off inside its Fisher’s Folly office building from the people it is supposed to serve breaks the law in respect of its statutory responsibilities for homeless people. Continue reading →

Posted in Bernard Weatherill House, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Housing, Katherine Kerswell, Mayor Jason Perry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Croydon bakers firm Coughlan’s closes blaming Labour NI hike

Posted on July 1, 2026 by insidecroydon

Croydon history: the always-busy, ever-dependable Coughlans in the Allders Arcade. Both are now just fond memories of a bygone town centre

175 jobs to go across south London, Surrey and Sussex as family-run bakery based in Thornton Heath goes into voluntary liquidation

Coughlan’s bakers, their daily bread a staple of Croydon’s high streets for almost 90 years, has ceased trading.

The shock announcement was made on social media late yesterday by Sean Coughlan, the third generation to run the Thornton Heath-based family business. Around 175 jobs are likely to be lost across the company’s 31 stores across south London, in Surrey and Sussex.

Coughlan’s survived a World War, several financial disasters and, mostly, the covid lockdown (though no thanks to Croydon Council’s shambolically slow distribution of emergency grants).

But according to Coughlan, what they could not survive was Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ employers’ National Insurance increase, a rise in business rates and the latest heatwaves in May and June. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Coughlan's | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Demolition works get underway for Selhurst £200m main stand

Posted on June 30, 2026 by insidecroydon

It has finally started: bulldozers moved in last week, in the biggest sign yet that the £150m-plus project is really, finally, under way

Almost nine years since the proposal was first aired to build a modern main stand and increase home capacity for Crystal Palace games to 34,000, physical, visible works have begun in and around Selhurst Park on a project that may now end up costing close to £200million.

Bulldozers were sent in last week to begin the demolition of the six houses on Wooderson Close, with a video of the work posted by the club as its latest “update” on the long-awaited development – only the second official update from Palace in two years. Continue reading →

Posted in Crystal Palace FC, Football, Planning, Property, Selhurst | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Google and Gatwick among employers attending MPs’ jobs fair

Posted on June 30, 2026 by insidecroydon

MPs Sarah Jones and Natasha Irons are jointly hosting a jobs fair for young people in the borough.

Intended for those aged 16 and over, the fair brings together major industry players including Google, EY Foundation, the NHS, Transport for London and others.

It will be an opportunity to speak directly to employers who will be hosting stalls throughout the event.

Tech giant Google will be delivering training on digital skills, while  charity Croydon Commitments will be running mock interviews.

The Department of Work and Pensions will be offering a workshop on careers in the Civil Service. Continue reading →

Posted in Activities, Business, Croydon Commitment, Croydon East, Croydon West, Gatwick Airport, Natasha Irons, Sarah Jones MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three things that change for you when you inherit £500,000

Posted on June 30, 2026 by insidecroydon

SPONSORED CONTENT

Receiving a large inheritance is a major life event that brings a mix of complex emotions and sudden financial responsibilities.

For many people in the UK, a windfall of this size completely shifts their long-term security and opens up new possibilities.

It also introduces unexpected challenges that need careful thought and clear planning. Continue reading →

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Family Film Club screenings at David Lean Cinema in July

Posted on June 30, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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From cabaret to the World Cup, from Sea Cadets to LTN refunds

Posted on June 29, 2026 by insidecroydon

PODCAST: The Croydon Insider returns with a new panel of readers to discuss the latest Croydon news, in a Croydonites Fringe special that picks some of the must-see shows at the festival from July 1 to 5.

There’s even a live performance by one of the acts.

We also hear from Capt Mark Windsor RN Retd about what adult volunteers can get from helping teenaged members of the Croydon Sea Cadets.

Plus we talk about the weather, about how Croydon Council is on a go-slow over refunds of its unlawful LTN fines – and most important, how you can claim your refund. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Comedy, Commissioners, Croydon Council, Croydon Insider, Croydonites Festival, Elaine Jackson, Inside Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Music, Poetry, Sea Cadets, Stanley Halls, The Front Room, The Front Room, The Oval Tavern, Theatre, Under The Flyover | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Westow Hill stab victim had criminal record for GBH and drugs

Posted on June 29, 2026 by insidecroydon

Kamahl Cameron-Williams, the 31-year-old stabbed to death on Westow Hill in Crystal Palace last week, was a convicted criminal who was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in September 2018 for grievous bodily harm – GBH – and for possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Drug dealer: Kamahl Cameron, as he appeared in a police hand-out following his convictions in 2018

The sentence arose from a gang’s attack on Beckenham High Street earlier that year which left their victim with a punctured lung, and which the police at the time described as “lucky not to have been fatal”.

Then known as  Kamahl Cameron, and giving an address on Colby Road in Gipsy Hill, he was described as being part of a gang of “three thugs”.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sent to prison for three years for GBH and an additional three years and nine months for possession with intent to supply cocaine. Continue reading →

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New Addington’s first World Cup player about to face England

Posted on June 29, 2026 by insidecroydon

On Palace’s youth books from the age of 11, the former Good Shepherd primary pupil is now a World Cup player – but for DR Congo. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s biggest international test yet could come this week against former club-mates

International duty: Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing in the colours of DR Congo

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, born in Croydon and brought up in New Addington, could be about to play the biggest game of his career: against England.

The former Crystal Palace youth player, now playing his club football at West Ham, is thought to have become the first player from New Addington to appear at a World Cup finals earlier this month, when he played in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 1-1 draw with Portugal in Houston.

Wan-Bissaka, 28, has played all but five minutes of DR Congo’s matches in Group K – including in the 1-0 defeat to Colombia, with the only goal of the game being scored by current Palace star Daniel Munoz.

And Wan-Bissaka was part of the Congo team which pulled off the 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Sunday – their first ever win at the World Cup finals – which propelled them up the World Cup’s “Losers’ League” of teams that had finished in third place in their groups.

That result pits DR Congo against England in the “Round of 32” in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Wan-Bissaka plays at right-back or wing-back for club and country, a position where injuries and selection controversies have created what many see as a weakness for Thomas Tuchel’s England at the World Cup. Wan-Bissaka played for England at under-20 and under-21 level, and might have been in the mix for selection for the country of his birth had he not opted to switch to Congo 12 months ago. Continue reading →

Posted in Crystal Palace FC, Football, New Addington North, New Addington South, Sport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Meridian High scoops national award for ‘making a difference’

Posted on June 29, 2026 by insidecroydon

Meridian reaches a high: Year 7 and 8 pupils celebrating winning a National Teaching Awards bronze for ‘Making a Difference’

Meridian High School in New Addington has won a bronze award for “Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year” in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards recognise whole school communities that “radically transform the life chances of their pupils and enrich their wider local communities”.

The judges recognised the Fairchildes Avenue school’s curriculum as “knowledge-rich, carefully sequenced and ambitious for every child”. Continue reading →

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The weather warnings from history: thunderbolts and lightning

Posted on June 28, 2026 by insidecroydon

Swooning in the shade: dealing with extreme heat has been a problem for many centuries, including at Wimbledon in the long hot summer of 1976

CROYDON CHRONICLES: A timely trawl through the Minster archive has discovered reports of extreme weather episodes going back more than 400 years. By DAVID MORGAN

“Rycharde Esteinge, a young man, being killed suddenlye with a stroke of thunder and lightning on the neck and under the right ear. Nothinge but blackness seen. Was buried the 29th, and smelt of brimstone exceedingle.”

Extremes of weather, with deadly consequences, of course are nothing new. The above grim record is from the Parish Church register in April 1607.

Newspaper reports have mentioned extreme conditions ever since they began to be printed in the 17th Century. Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon Minster, David Morgan, Environment, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gardening bargains, MHA The Wilderness, Shirley, Mon-Fri

Posted on June 28, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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South Norwood Community Festival, free entry, Sun July 5

Posted on June 28, 2026 by insidecroydon

C O M M U N I T Y
A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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