Cream rises to the top as 3 lucky readers win Claptones tickets

Posted on November 6, 2023 by insidecroydon

Inside Croydon is delighted to announce the names of the winners of our exclusive Eric and The Claptones competition.

Eric and the Claptones are performing at The Recreational at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls on Saturday, November 11 – tickets are on sale here.

But three loyal subscribers to this website have no need to book because they’ve grabbed themselves a pair of tickets each – worth almost £60  – because they knew the answer to our giveaway quiz.

So well done Ethel Corduff from Woodside, Peter Scott from Addiscombe (who has been a subscriber of this site for six years!), and Cheryl Fergus-Ferrell, who all knew that the band that Eric Clapton formed with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce was Cream. Continue reading →

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Purley schoolboy who reached for the sky in Battle of Britain

Posted on November 5, 2023 by insidecroydon

SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT: The Minster archives are full of accounts of those who gave their lives in the world wars. DAVID MORGAN recounts the story of one, a fighter pilot who just might have been memorialised in a famous movie

Reach for the sky: Hurricane fighter aircraft on patrol during the Battle of Britain

While I was searching for information about the 80th anniversary of the Croydon Operatic and Dramatic Association earlier this year, I came across a World War II story that deserves an airing when the poppies fall to mark the Remembrance ceremonies for 2023.

Harry Carter was one of the important people behind the founding of CODA in 1942. He stated that one of the aims of the group was to help people take their minds away from the war. He and his wife Edith knew from bitter personal experience how important those words were. Continue reading →

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Thornton Heath Festive Fair, High Street, Nov 25

Posted on November 5, 2023 by insidecroydon

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Met Police free bike marking, Riddlesdown Common, Nov 24

Posted on November 5, 2023 by insidecroydon

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£27,591 per year civic mayor won’t attend Armistice ceremony

Posted on November 4, 2023 by insidecroydon

The council has released details of the ceremonial arrangements and road closures for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday next weekend.

Focus of attention: Croydon’s War Memorial will be at the centre of next weekend’s ceremonials

In doing so, the busy workers in the propaganda bunker of Fisher’s Folly have revealed that despite his being paid £27,591 per year to dress up in ludicrous red robes, a furry hat and a bit of chain bling, puffed-up Tony Pearson, Croydon’s “other” mayor, the ceremonial one, won’t be bothering to turn up for the solemn event on Saturday, November 11.

Missing in action? Or just AWOL? The council press office fails to give any reason for Pearson’s absence from what is among the most important ceremonial dates in the civic mayor’s calendar… Continue reading →

Posted in Church and religions, Croydon Council, Croydon Minster, Mayor Jason Perry, Tony Pearson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Artisan Craft Market, Addiscombe Allotments, Nov 18

Posted on November 4, 2023 by insidecroydon

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Festive Christmas Market at Kenley Memorial Hall, Dec 2

Posted on November 4, 2023 by insidecroydon

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Bureaucrat decides to kick credit union out of council offices

Posted on November 3, 2023 by insidecroydon

Croydon’s credit union, a community finance organisation that provides low-cost loans to thousands of residents in and around the borough, is being kicked out of the council offices on Monday because, officials say, the local authority needs the space for “its own operational needs”.

No Access Croydon: the council is kicking CroydonPlus out on to the street

Credit unions are community savings and loan cooperatives. They don’t have “customers”, but members, and the credit union operates as a co-operative – more like old-style mutuals and building societies.

Owned by and run for the benefit of the members who use its services, credit unions might not provide access to cash machines and many of the other facilities of a bank, but they provide savers with better interest rates and lenders with cheaper loans.

Importantly at a time of a cost-of-living crisis when many people might be short of cash, Croydon’s credit union has helped to keep hundreds of residents out of the grasp of rapacious payday loan companies, which trade on desperate people borrowing money at sky-high interest rates.

Founded in 1999 as the Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union, it is now known as CroydonPlus and is part of a movement that has been in existence for more than 150 years. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Community associations, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Foundation abandoned new school plan after taking £70m loan

Posted on November 3, 2023 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: The decision to close Old Palace marked a rapid U-turn on all previous policy at the property-owning charity, according to documents obtained by this website.
EXCLUSIVE by STEVEN DOWNES

Summed up in six words: an Old Palace School protester outside the Whitgift Foundation during half-term

As recently as last year, the Whitgift Foundation entered into a £70million loan facility to enable it to build a new school on Melville Avenue in South Croydon, but abandoned those plans at an emergency meeting in September and opted to close the Old Palace girls’ school instead, Inside Croydon has discovered.

Staff and some parents despair that the school may now be beyond saving. “They’ve crossed the Rubicon,” one source told Inside Croydon. “The Foundation has completely lost the trust of the staff and the parents. There’s few people who want to stick around now,” they said.

Inside Croydon has learned that since the end of September, when the closure decision was announced, more than 100 girls attending the 600-pupil school have left, seeking to continue their education in a more stable environment elsewhere. Continue reading →

Posted in "Hammersfield", Business, Education, Jane Burton, Old Palace, Schools, Trinity School, Whitgift Centre, Whitgift Foundation, Whitgift School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tesco seeks your change to round-up their Poppy Appeal cash

Posted on November 3, 2023 by insidecroydon

Tesco is asking its customers to give generously for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Worn with pride: Tesco are doing their bit for this year’s Poppy Appeal

Last year, their support for the charities saw £3.1million raised as the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland sold the poppies in all Tesco stores across the country. Money raised goes to provide lifelong support for servicemen and women and their families.

Until November 12 this year, volunteers from the charities will be in store asking customers to give what they can and wear their poppies with pride.

In addition to the collections in store, Tesco will give customers the opportunity to round up their shop to the nearest pound at the self-service tills in all London stores from today to Sunday, November 5.

“Just a few extra pence quickly adds up,” Tesco says, “and last year this raised more than £135,000 – making a significant contribution to the £3.1million raised in stores.” Continue reading →

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Rolex watch and Cartier bracelets linked to Henry investigation

Posted on November 3, 2023 by insidecroydon

The Metropolitan Police have named the third person who has been charged in connection with the disappearance of Justin Henry.

Watch it: the distinctive Rolex that Justin Henry was wearing when he disappeared

Jamal Ali-Richards, 28, thought to be from Thornton Heath, appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday having been charged with murder.

Louis Benjamin, 29, from Waddon New Road, was arrested “at an address in Croydon” late on October 24 and charged with murder; he appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday.

On October 18 the police arrested an unnamed 27-year-old woman on suspicion of kidnapping. She has since been bailed until January.

Scotland Yard has released a series of images of the watch and jewellery that Henry, 34, was wearing when he went missing on October 15, in the hope that witnesses may recognise them and come forward with further information. Continue reading →

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Mattia’s Wine Club at La Spezia, South Croydon, Nov 10

Posted on November 3, 2023 by insidecroydon

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Starmer’s ‘moral compass is broken’ says Labour ex-councillor

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

EXCLUSIVE: While the borough’s Labour MPs and councillors continue to support the party line on Israeli war crimes in Gaza, one senior member has quit with a highly critical parting shot. By STEVEN DOWNES

Taking a stand: former Labour councillor Robert Canning

Robert Canning, an ex-councillor described as “one of our best” by a former Croydon Town Hall colleague, has resigned from the Labour Party over its continued mishandling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s “moral compass is completely broken”.

Canning was a Labour councillor in Waddon ward for eight years until May 2022, having helped to win the ward from the Tories in 2014, an election success that also secured control of the council.

Canning sent in his resignation letter on Tuesday, and wrote to the Labour group leader at Croydon Town Hall, Stuart King, as well as his Constituency Labour Party secretary in Croydon South, Lynda Graham, and his former council ward colleague, Joy Prince.

His decision came before the controversial cancellation of the Labour fund-raising dinner, planned for tonight, which was reported exclusively by Inside Croydon. The event, to be attended by almost 200 members and supporters, was to raise campaign funds for Steve Reed, a member of Starmer’s front-bench team and among the leading Labour apologists for the Israeli military action. Continue reading →

Posted in Croydon South, Robert Canning, Stuart King, Waddon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Storm Ciarán: Met caution as more bad weather yet to come

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

The Met Office and major rail operators have advised Londoners to stay at home and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, as the south coast braces itself for further gales later today and into Friday.

Obstacle course: fallen trees, collapsed walls and flying debris have been among the hazards in the latest storm

Storm Ciarán is the third major storm to batter the British Isles so far this season. It is the first this year to have significant impact on southern England and London, with river levels rising rapidly, walls collapsing and trees felled by the 50 to 60mph winds.

Parts of the Midlands, northern England and Scotland suffered significant flooding as a result of Storm Babet last month. Continue reading →

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Bumper berry crop could save wildlife from winter storms

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

A bumper crop of hawthorn berries – reckoned to be the biggest since records began 20 years ago – is bringing a big boost for wildlife across Croydon’s commons and open spaces.

Bumper crop: fieldfares and other birds enjoy the wild autumn harvest of hawthorn berries

Hedgerows and woodland across the nation are awash with the red berries which experts at the Woodland Trust are describing as one of the biggest ever crops.

This could prove vitally important for migrating birds that have been battered around and blown off course by the high winds of Storm Ciaran and the recent wild weather.

Nature’s Calendar recorders have sent in reports with this year’s crop being given 4.2 on the fruit scale – deemed “exceptional”. This takes in dozens of records where hawthorns are judged on the abundance of their berries, also known as “haws”. Continue reading →

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Westfield, the incinerator, NHS and Croydon’s Gaza response

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

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McGlashan takes over to conduct Stormzy’s Athletic project

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

Off the bench: changes have been coming thick and fast at Croydon Athletic since the club takeover by Stormzy, Wilf Zaha and new chair Danny Young

NON-LEAGUE NEWS: They might need a revolving door at the Mayfield Stadium soon, such has been the pace of the comings and goings at Wilf Zaha and Stormzy’s football club. ANDREW SINCLAIR, pictured right, keeps tabs on who’s in and who’s out, plus catches up with rivals Croydon FC’s progress

Changes, changes and more changes – Project Reboot at Croydon Athletic has continued apace over recent weeks with a new manager and some of the club’s longest-serving players on the way out.

First, manager Kevin Rayner left in mid-September after seven years at the helm.

Former Cheltenham Town winger Jermaine McGlashan took over in the dug-out at the Mayfield Stadium dugout at the end of October.

Yesterday, it was the club’s record appearance-maker (241) and top goalscorer (61), Nahum Green, who went, the forward moving on as part of the squad’s reshaping and redevelopment under McGlashan. Continue reading →

Posted in AFC Croydon Athletic, AFC Whyteleafe, Balham FC, Croydon FC, Football, Sport, Wilfried Zaha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Selsdon Hall, Nov 9-12

Posted on November 2, 2023 by insidecroydon

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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Demo threat sees Labour fund-raiser for MP Reed ‘postponed’

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

EXCLUSIVE: Major fund-raising event has been cancelled over fears of protest against shadow cabinet member by local Muslims angered by Starmer’s failure to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. By STEVEN DOWNES

‘Inappropriate’: MP Steve Reed’s 45-quid-a-head piss-up has been cancelled as anger over his Gaza comments increases among Labour members

The Croydon Labour Party has cancelled a gala dinner planned for tomorrow night after complaints from local Imams and other Muslims over the party’s obdurate stance in failing to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The dinner, “Labour Road to Victory Fundraiser”, was to have been held at the Grand Sapphire Hotel off the Purley Way, with shadow cabinet member Steve Reed, the Croydon North MP, an honoured guest.

It is thought that almost 200 people had bought £45 tickets for the event.

But an announcement issued today by the event organisers said, “We apologise for any inconvenience, but this has been postponed.” Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Croydon North, Sarah Jones MP, Steve Reed MP | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tory Mayor Perry admits: ‘Essentially, we’re insolvent’. Again

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

CROYDON IN CRISIS: Without significant help from Government, the council is unable to find a solution to its debt crisis. By STEVEN DOWNES

Schooling: scrutiny chair Rowenna Davis

Croydon Council’s intractable financial problems will never be resolved until the Government agrees to write off hundreds of millions of pounds of its toxic debt.

That can no longer be a controversial point of view.

It is the view shared by Tony McArdle, the chair of the Government-appointed improvement and assurance panel.

It is the view of Jane West, the senior council official in charge of the borough’s finances.

It is the view of Rowenna Davis, the Labour councillor who chairs the Town Hall scrutiny committee.

And it is the view of Jason Perry, the part-time Mayor of Croydon who, since being elected in May 2022, has already had to issue one Section 114 notice, the council’s third, when admitting that he could not balance the budget for 2023-2024. Continue reading →

Posted in Council Tax, Croydon Council, London-wide issues, Mayor Jason Perry, Rowenna Davis, Section 114 notice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Ticket office decision was ‘Halloween nightmare’ for Tories

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

Hailing yesterday’s decision to reject Department for Transport plans to close railway station ticket offices, one local campaigner has described the outcome as a “Halloween nightmare for the Government”.

Strong opposition: 600 passengers who use Sanderstead station signed a petition opposing ticket office closures

In July, nine train companies announced plans to close 269 station ticket offices across the London area.

Govia Thameslink, including Southern and Gatwick Express, operates the majority of services through the stations in Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon, Thornton Heath and Norwood. They wanted to close ticket offices at 113 stations.

More than 750,000 responses from individuals and organisations were sent in during the nationwide consultation period on the closure plans, with about one-third of those sent to one of the bodies reviewing the plans, London TravelWatch. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Chris Philp MP, Commuting, Croydon South, East Croydon, Norwood Junction, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas cheers! 15% off Anspach & Hobday beers with iC

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

Inside Croydon is delighted to offer its loyal readers a special offer that will put the Merry into Christmas, and some Happies all the way through to the New Year, too.

Our friends at locally based brewery Anspach & Hobday are offering 15% off all online orders of their exceptional beers between now and the end of the year – with a special ordering code for iC readers.

That means that loyal readers can save £££s on their Christmas shopping – and shrewd shoppers who place orders valued at £70 or more also qualify for free delivery, direct to their door. Continue reading →

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Warlingham youngsters prepare the ground for Remembrance

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

Doing their bit: members of the local rugby club help prepare Warlingham Green for the Remembrance Day ceremonies

Preparations for the solemn ceremonials on Remembrance Sunday at Warlingham Green War Memorial were much helped last weekend by a work party from the local rugby club.

Warlingham RFC, which is itself in its centenary year, put out a call for its academy players to lend a hand preparing the ground for the annual memorial event, which this year will be taking place around the country on Sunday morning, November 12, with some ceremonies also staging events at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month on Armistice Day itself. Continue reading →

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Hold the line, please: BT digital phone service comes to London

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

BT has announced plans to roll out its controversial replacement phone service, called Digital Voice, across Greater London during November and December, with a series of public information events planned for Croydon, Sutton, Bromley and Merton.

The events are intended to familiarise Londoners with its new voice-over-internet system which came in for widespread criticism last year when customers were unable to make 999 calls while trapped by storm conditions.

Digital Voice, a replacement for old-style, traditional phone lines, has already been introduced in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Northern Ireland and the North West.

“An industry-wide shift from analogue to digital landlines will see BT and many other telecoms operators in the UK provide services over a broadband line, similar to work taking place in many other countries around the world,” BT said in announcing the capital-wide roll-out. Continue reading →

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Kaupo Kikkas at Croydon Photography Forum, Nov 11

Posted on November 1, 2023 by insidecroydon

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