New fans: Wilfried Zaha on his arrival in Istanbul last night
So, farewell then, Wilf Zaha, Crystal Palace’s “G.O.A.T.” – Greatest Of All Time – who is to join Turkish champions Galatasaray on a free transfer with a three-year contract expected to be finalised in Istanbul today. Continue reading
Primark stores in central Croydon and Sutton are part of a London-wide trial of a new click and collect service.
Trial service: Primark’s Croydon store is one of 32 in London now offering click and collect
The trial’s launch comes as Primark announces plans to lower prices on hundreds of its autumn-winter range of kidswear products.
Primark at 5-9 North End is among the 32 London stores to be included in the trial, as are the clothing retailer’s outlets in the St Nicholas Centre, Sutton, on Eden Street, Kingston, and on Mitcham Road, Tooting.
The roll-out of click and collect to Primark’s London stores follow a trial at 25 shops in the north-west over the summer.
The service has been made live just in time for the back-to-school shopping season. Continue reading
How green is our Happy Valley: City Commons has maintained its Green Flag status, a signal of high environmental standards
City Commons, the Corporation of London team which manages the open spaces at Farthing Downs, Riddlesdown, Kenley Common and Coulsdon Common, have been successful in maintaining their important Green Flag and Green Heritage award status.
The scheme is an international benchmark, recognising some of the very best-managed parks and green spaces in the world. Continue reading
SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT: Using the parish records from the Croydon Minster archive as his starting point, DAVID MORGAN’s world tour takes him to the harsh Queensland sheep stations of the 1880s
Golden days: one of the Croydon consortiums shows its proceeds in the early years of the Croydon mines
“There’s gold in them thar hills!”
The cry goes up, the claim is registered, word is spread, prospectors flood in.
A new railway line is constructed. Croydon is at the centre of a gold rush.
Not our Croydon, but a settlement more than 10,000 miles away in Queensland, Australia, almost 150 years ago. Within a couple of years, the population rose from just a handful of residents to more than 6,000.
And one of the people who discovered the gold is a man born in Church Street, right here in our Croydon.
The 1841 Croydon (Surrey) census showed that in No32 Church Street lived William Chalmers with some children and grandchildren. William was 55 and a surgeon. What the census doesn’t say is that Chalmers wasn’t just any doctor. He had been appointed as one of the physicians to the Archbishops of Canterbury, who by that time had their residence at Addington Palace. Continue reading
WALTER CRONXITE, our political editor, on the knock-back to a Tory councillor that could prove to be terminal to his huge political ambition
‘Local’ family man: Mario Creatura put his wife and children in the picture in an effort to further his desperate political ambition
Mario Creatura, the former parliamentary gobby factotum to Gavin Barwell, has been thwarted again in his desperate ambition to become an MP.
The Coulsdon Town councillor literally bet the house, his house, in an attempt to be selected as the parliamentary candidate for the ubersafe Tory seat of Reigate and Banstead.
But as Inside Croydon can reveal exclusively, Creatura’s one-man campaign of fawning and scraping to ingratiate himself with the members of the local Conservative Association in the Surrey stockbroker belt has all come to nothing.
In fact, in a humiliating rejection, Creatura did not even make the short-list of four ahead of today’s special selection meeting, where Reigate councillor Rebecca Paul was handed the plum task of inheriting the retiring MP Crispin Blunt’s 18,000 majority.
On the up: Ria Patel has is one of Croydon’s first Green Party councillors. Pic: Louisa Gautrey
There’s been a lot going on for Ria Patel in the past year or so. Aged 20, she’s been in her final year of her degree course at King’s College while in her first year as a Green Party councillor.
LOUISA GAUTREY met her at the Town Hall to find out more about the work of one of the borough’s elected representatives
“It’s been such a long journey over the last year. I’ve learnt so much. I’ve really enjoyed being a councillor.
“It’s a lot of responsibility and there’s definitely challenging times,” Councillor Ria Patel says as we settle down in her office at Croydon’s grand, Victorian-built Town Hall.
“I really love the work I do.”
At 20, Patel is Croydon’s youngest councillor. When she was elected in May 2022 for the town centre Fairfield ward while still in her teens, it was suggested that she was one of the youngest, if not the youngest councillor ever to be elected in the borough. Continue reading
Burnt out: the saddening sight of a memorial bench for covid victims, after an overnight fire in Grangewood Park
The ill-informed and tiresome calls from the borough’s third-rate politicians of “cut the grass” ignores modern and ecologically sound approaches to the maintenance of our parks and public open spaces. “No mow May” is a thing, and has been shown to work to improve the biodiversity in our parks.
But something is going on in Croydon’s parks in 2023 which goes far beyond a short period each year of benign neglect. What’s happening is the wholesale abandonment of many of the borough’s parks, after a decade of council budget cuts and two years of bankruptcy in the borough. Continue reading
“Culture” in Croydon can take many forms, and the borough’s arts venues are varied and many (though not as many as they once were, sadly…).
Energising: the SING choir performing earlier this year
Next week, Croydon will enjoy a new “arts venue”, when the Energise E-bikes showroom in Coulsdon will become a concert hall as S.I.N.G. a cappella choir hosts an open rehearsal on the shop floor.
The choir discovered the surprisingly vibrant acoustics of the Energise E-bikes last December.
“We were asked to perform at the Christmas fair in Coulsdon, and we used the bike shop as a place to meet and to warm up our voices,” Neil Ridulfa, the choir’s musical director, said. Continue reading
So just what do we get for the £220,000 of Lottery cash splurged on Croydon’s Music Heritage Trail? We sent LOUISA GAUTREY along to road-test the trail and its accompanying app
Recognisable: but who are the others on the mural?
As a teenager who listens to a wide range of music, I was intrigued when I heard about the Croydon Music Heritage Trail, and hoped that it might give me some insight into the area’s musical history.
I set out for Queen’s Gardens, because according to the map in the trail’s app, that’s where it is all supposed to start. I walked past the mural in the gardens. I didn’t know what it was, nor that it is in any way connected with the trail. I thought it was just well-drawn graffiti.
I couldn’t find anything about it on the app, beyond that it is called “Croydon Symphony”. So I Googled it. According to something on the Croydon Council website, it was designed to represent the “diverse musical culture” in the artists’ hometown.
Of the nine artists featured on the mural, I could only recognise one: grime rapper Stormzy. Of all points on the Heritage Trail map, it is probably the easiest to find. But I didn’t see anything in the Gardens or on the app to explain what the mural is there for, or to tell me who the various people in the mural might be. Continue reading
Joanna Scanlan, the award-winning actress and recently appointed patron of Croydon’s David Lean Cinema, delighted the audience at a screening of The Girl with a Pearl Earring this week when she arrived accompanied by friend and Oscar-winning colleague, Tilda Swinton.
Cinema stars: Joanna Scanlan and Tilda Swinton (right) at the David Lean this week
The two luminaries were full of praise for the volunteer-led establishment, part of the Croydon Clocktower arts complex, commending its warm and welcoming atmosphere and expressing admiration for its dedication to fostering a community of film enthusiasts.
Scanlan appears in the 2003 movie in which she delivered a captivating performance as the cook, working alongside Scarlett Johansson as Griet, the girl in Vermeer’s famous painting which gives the film its title.
The film, brought to life by Colin Firth’s rendition of Vermeer, masterfully captures the essence of art and passion. Continue reading
The 19th hole: the clubhouse at Croham Hurst Golf Club, whose Timothy Trod is hoping to qualify to play at next week’s Senior Open
While Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy take on the world’s top pro golfers at Hoylake in the Open Championship this week, two of the best players from local clubs have been getting in their last practice rounds before trying to qualify for next week’s Senior Open.
To stand a chance of competing alongside the likes of golfing legends Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie at Royal Porthcawl next week, Banstead Downs Golf Club’s Jonathan Collier and Timothy Trodd, a member at Croham Hurst GC, must first qualify at one of a series of tournaments being staged on Monday. Continue reading
ANDREW FISHER on yesterday’s by-election results, and the key role played by a Croydon politician in Labour’s flawed campaign in an outer London seat
Mis-step: Labour candidate in Uxbridge, Danny Beales (right), was guided by Croydon MP Steve Reed
Yesterday’s three parliamentary by-elections tell us that the Conservatives will lose the next General Election.
But it is the better-than-expected Conservative result in Uxbridge and South Ruislip that is dominating the headlines. That result has important lessons for Croydon, too, not least because a leading figure in Labour’s campaigning in Uxbridge was Croydon North MP Steve Reed.
In the local council elections held in May, the Conservatives suffered catastrophic defeats – losing councils and councillors to Labour, the LibDems and Greens. Continue reading
Council to remain under the supervision of government-appointed panel, which has been given extra statutory powers, until 2025.
By STEVEN DOWNES
Not in charge: Jason Perry
No matter how many times, or in how many different ways, that Jason Perry, Croydon’s piss-poor, part-time Mayor, stamps his feet and says “I’m in charge!”, the reality is that he really is not.
Michael Gove, the Conservative Government’s minister in charge of local government, made that abundantly clear today with a statement to Parliament that doubled down on his decision to extend the statutory intervention powers of his improvement panel. Continue reading
At lunchtime today, Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing, dropped a written statement to the House of Commons – just before the start of the summer recess – on the progress, or otherwise, made in the last two years since the Government’s intervention over Croydon’s financial collapse.
Here is that statement in full:
Update on the Intervention in the London Borough of Croydon
On 16 March 2023, the Minister for Local Government updated the House on the work of Commissioners and Improvement Panels at three councils, including the London Borough of Croydon. Whilst acknowledging the significant steps that had already been taken by the Council over recent months, given the depth of the historical challenges and the extent of improvement required, that we were minded to move the existing Improvement and Assurance Panel, chaired by Tony McArdle OBE, to a statutory footing.
This proposal followed the evidence provided in the Improvement and Assurance Panel’s latest assessment that the Council under the leadership of Mayor Perry has made good progress in laying the foundations for its recovery. At the same time, historic issues continue to be unearthed at Croydon and their potential impact on the Council and the progress made to date cannot be underestimated, particularly given its continuing precarious financial position.
I concluded that the Authority was not meeting its Best Value Duty – a requirement set out in the Local Government Act 1999 to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
Cage fighter: Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye in action at last year’s Commonwealth Games. The same Birmingham throws cage is being installed at Croydon Arena
In the very week when the future of the Commonwealth Games was thrown into doubt by the abrupt withdrawal of Victoria as 2026 hosts, so a piece of Games legacy is being installed in Croydon.
The athletics throws cage from where Croydon Harrier Lawrence Okoye launched his discus to claim Commonwealth silver at the 2022 Birmingham Games is being officially installed at Croydon Arena at a ceremony tonight attended by various dignitaries, as well as a couple of star athletes – former Commonwealth champion Lorna Boothe and Inside Croydon podcast star Donna Fraser. Continue reading
Our latest podcast includes among our guests former Olympic sprinter Donna Fraser.
It’s the first time on our podcast we have had the pleasure of the company of someone who holds the Freedom of the Borough, as Donna does. Continue reading
CROYDON IN CRISIS: Officials look to cancel supply contract with American-owned tech firm after discovering they could not provide parking enforcement cameras required
Big Bother: drivers in some parts of the borough have dodged fines because the council’s ANPR cameras don’t work
Croydon Council has moved to cancel a contract for ANPR cameras – Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras – after discovering that the equipment intended for use in parking enforcement… does not work.
Council papers suggest that the contract may have been worth as much as £5million.
Inside Croydon broke the news in May of the latest procurement omnishambles at Fisher’s Folly. The council is taking great care to avoid saying publicly how much this latest sorry saga might be costing the borough’s long-suffering residents, although the amount will be at least six months’ worth of lost fines from motorists. Continue reading
Harrow hairdresser Susan Hall will be the Conservative Party’s candidate for London Mayor next May, up against Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan.
Born to run: Susan Hall, the Conservatives’ London mayoral candidate
The Trump-supporting Hall ran for selection on the slogan “Safer with Susan”. Safer than what, or whom among her Conservative Party colleagues, she never quite explained.
The result of a membership poll was revealed this morning, with Hall, who until recently was the leader of the small Tory group at City Hall, getting 57per cent of the vote in a two-candidate field following a controversial selection process.
Paul Scully, the Sutton and Cheam MP who is the Tories’ Minister for London, was not even included in the shortlist, while another candidate, Daniel Korski, dropped out after he was accused of groping a woman, allegations which he denied. Continue reading
Faced by four teaching unions staging co-ordinated strike action from September, the Government has provided funding for an improved pay offer
Decision time: striking teachers gather outside Croydon Town Hall after their march
Since February, Croydon’s teachers have taken eight days of strike action, affecting 80per cent of schools in the borough.
But now they have a decision to take over whether to continue striking into the autumn term, or to accept the latest government pay offer of a 6.5per cent rise.
Officials at the National Education Union have made a strong recommendation for members to accept the pay offer.
During the dispute, Croydon NEU has staged a series of public demonstrations, including delivering a petition to the Croydon Conservative headquarters in Purley for passing on to Tory minister Chris Philp, and hundreds of teachers marching to the Town Hall. Continue reading
Serious questions over safeguarding raised as Labour Party election candidate now faces sentencing
On bail: former Croydon Labour staffer Tom Dewey
The Labour Party’s former borough organiser for Croydon has admitted serious charges of possessing indecent images of children.
He admitted a charge of making five Category A indecent images of children on April 29, 2022 in Hackney, a further charge of making four Category B indecent images on the same date, as well as making 203 Category C indecent images of children on the same date.
Dewey also admitted a charge of possessing 78 extreme pornographic images of children on April 29, 2022, and having 1,523 prohibited images of children in his possession on or before January 20, 2022.
The dates entered with the charges are key in the case of Dewey and the manner it has been handled by senior figures in the Labour Party, including the Mayor of Hackney, a local MP, a parliamentary candidate and even David Evans, the party’s General Secretary. Continue reading
Four years since the council established a commission to report on the environmental threats, its recommendations have not been implemeted, according to Cllr Ria Patel. By LOUISA GAUTREY
Climate crisis: firefighters tackle a wildfire in northern Spain, as temperatures reached record levels across much of Europe
Ria Patel, the leader of the Greens at Croydon Town Hall, has criticised the council’s lack of action over the climate crisis, saying that proposals to reduce the borough’s impact on global warming have “sat on a shelf” for four years.
The council has been slow to respond to the growing threats caused by the ecological crisis, despite establishing a climate commission in 2019, Councillor Patel said. “Very minimal action has happened, and if it has happened it’s not been very well coordinated in a big wider plan,” she said. Continue reading
Croydon is far from alone as a cash-strapped local authority. And bit by bit, evidence is emerging from the series of financial crashes of councils that implicates not only Michael Gove but also Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
By STEVEN DOWNES
Asleep at the wheel: Rishi Sunak was in charge of local government finance
The normally staid and sober pages of the Local Government Chronicle, the trade paper for the nation’s civic servants, never usually stray far from the uncontentious, and almost make a virtue of being downright dull.
So when in the aftermath of the latest financial collapse of a local council, LGC editor Sarah Calkin published an editorial and posted it outside her website’s usually sacrosanct paywall, she clearly had a message that she wanted to be seen as widely as possible.
This was the voice of local government fighting back, after a decade in which the government had outsourced pain to councils, by cutting grants to authorities across the country while luring them into an addiction to borrowing, like a street-corner crack dealer. Continue reading
Something a little weird and a bit wonderful will be appearing around the bandstand in Wandle Park next week.
In the round: Alice Through Wonderland is coming to Wandle Park next week
In its 80th year, CODA, the Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association, is performing Alice Through Wonderland, an innovative production of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale of discovery, curiosity and madness, from Wednesday, July 26.
Adapted by Peter Davis from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Though The Looking-Glass, and directed by Peter Davis and Charlie Allen, this “sparkling and dynamic outdoor theatrical production combines the stories of Lewis Carroll’s classic books”.
This is will be CODA’s seventh summer outdoor production staged in and around Wandle Park’s restored Victorian bandstand. “Expect madness, curiosity, challenge – and lots of jam tarts,” they say. Continue reading
