New Holmes in Coulsdon
As the old century wanes, a new threat rises…
The mortal remains of a young aristocrat vanish without explanation in the dead of night from Brompton Necropolis.
But no sooner is consulting detective Sherlock Holmes asked to investigate, than a second mystery presents itself – a beautiful heiress afflicted with unaccountable night terrors that are slowly draining her life away. Continue reading
In an extraordinary demonstration of cross-party action (for Croydon, at any rate), all three of the borough’s MPs, plus the council leader and councillors, have written to Crystal Palace Football Club to ask them to distance themselves publicly from the Democratic Football Lads Alliance.
Stickers from the far-right DFLA have begun appearing around Croydon
In moves reminiscent of the dark days of the early 1970s, when the National Front and far-right organisations backing loyalist terrorist groups in Northern Ireland openly recruited from the terraces of London’s football grounds, the DFLA has been actively seeking to sign up Eagles fans to its organisation.
The DFLA has links to the former leader of the far-right English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and to the Islamophobe Anne-Marie Waters.
Steve Reed OBE, the MP for Croydon North, and his Labour Party colleague, Croydon Central’s Sarah Jones MP, together with Croydon South’s Conservative MP Chris Philp, have all signed an open letter warning Crystal Palace that the DFLA has begun spreading its “message of racism, Islamophobia, anti-migrant sentiment and violence” at Selhurst Park.
According to a report in the Grauniad, “DFLA stickers incorporating the club’s logo have begun appearing across Croydon, including in the area around Selhurst Park stadium, activists say. On Facebook, a closed Crystal Palace DFLA group has almost 500 members.”
CODA’s 2017 summer production of the Pirates of Penzance, staged around the bandstand in Wandle Park, was acclaimed as a hugely enjoyable success. Pic: Angela Johnson
After a seven-year absence, Croydon’s foremost AmDram group is preparing for a return to the Fairfield Halls when the council-owned arts venue re-opens in September after a £41million-plus refurbishment.
And CODA wants you to be part of their week-long run of The Producers at the Ashcroft Theatre. Continue reading
Could Croydon’s high streets become even emptier of active shops than some already are? Our retailing and betting correspondent, M.T. WALLETTE, with a hot tip for the 5.15 at Aintree on Saturday*, reports on how even the borough’s turf accountants are feeling the pinch
Saturday’s Grand National is the biggest betting event of the year
It’s the Grand National on Saturday, the biggest single betting event of the year, with bookmakers expected to rake in more than £250million in wagers on the historic Aintree steeplechase, as 1 in 4 of the nation has a flutter.
But according to reports in the trade press this week, there’s another stat which could impact Croydon’s landlords and high streets very soon: 1 in 3 of betting shops in the borough run by bookmakers William Hill could be about to close.
Inside Gaming News is reporting that William Hill, Britain’s second-largest betting firm with annual revenue of £1.6billion, is having a “personal conversation” with 2,000 landlords to reduce their rents by half. Continue reading
The description of the rise of knife crime on our streets as an “epidemic” has been backed up by a report, published today, which shows hospitals across the country treating as many as 21 young victims of violence every day, following assaults with knives and other weapons.
The head of a charity supporting youth affected by knife crime described even these startling injury statistics as “just the tip of the iceberg”.
The research was carried out on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on knife crime, which is chaired by Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones.
The figures also demonstrate a worrying gap in the recording of youth violence, including knife injuries.
The APPG surveyed all NHS hospital trusts in England via Freedom of Information requests. Just half of NHS trusts were able to provide the correct data for weapon assaults on 11-to-25-year-olds. The researchers did not provide any breakdown by individual hospital, such as Croydon’s Mayday or St Helier in Sutton.
Responses from 58 per cent of NHS trusts show that more than 4,500 young people – 12 per day – attended an Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre in 2018 following assault by a knife or other weapon.
Since nearly half of trusts were not able to provide any data, there is a strong likelihood that the actual number of victims could be much higher.
The BBC is looking for enthusiastic amateurs from around Croydon who would like to be an antiques dealer.
Catherine Southon and Paul Martin were flogging the dealer’s books, too, at the last televised auction
The Beeb is recording the second series of Make Me A Dealer, and the programme, hosted by antiques expert Paul Martin, will be filming at Catherine Southon’s auction at Farleigh Court Golf Club in Selsdon on May 1.
“We always enjoy it when TV crews come along to our sales – it adds an element of excitement,” Southon told Inside Croydon.
“This is the second time that Paul’s programme has joined us and not only will be offering a few tips of the trade on the day, they are also looking for possible contestants – so contact the show now if you want to get involved.” Continue reading
WALTER CRONXITE on how Croydon and other London local authorities have been told to prepare for the worst: European elections in May
Jo Negrini, Croydon’s barely competent £200,000 per year council chief executive, confirmed to Monday night’s full council meeting in the Town Hall chamber that staff at Fisher’s Folly have begun work to prepare to hold elections for the European Parliament on May 23.
Some councils in London are preparing for demonstrations, perhaps rioting, in the event that the European elections go ahead.
Council officials have asked their political leaders and local councillors for their support “in ensuring that whatever transpires is carried out in a safe and professional fashion”.
In correspondence sent to local councillors, and seen by Inside Croydon, a senior local authority figure has written about the European elections that:
“… there will be people who find the prospect most unwelcome and who may seek the election process as an occasion to demonstrate their views. I will be thinking… about the safety and security of the ballot, and of those staff who will be working on the preparation, management and counting of the vote”.
KEN LEE reports on how the Conservatives have decided to block their usual mass debates
Gloat? Us? Shurely shome mishtake
As new splits, divisions and dissent over Brexit rent the Conservative Party asunder at Westminster, here in Croydon, local Tories have shut down all discussion by restricting their WhatsApp group.
Alasdair Stewart, until last month the chair of the Croydon Conservative Federation, revealed as much last night, when he tweeted, “So, things have got so heated after May’s terrible speech that the Croydon Tories members WhatsApp group has been SHUT DOWN.”
Stewart used the capitalisation, presumably for emphasis, in case any of the ageing Croydon Tories who manage to use social media could not assimilate the meaning of the words in regular lower case.
Sounding somewhat like a latter-day Private Frazer from Dad’s Army, Stewart continued, “I can’t help but think this is an omen for the future of the Conservative Party. We’re doomed, might as well bring the shutters down now.”
Thousands of people across Croydon have vowed to join George Clooney in his boycott of the Dorchester Hotel because of its owner’s use of the medieval punishment of stoning people to death for homosexuality or adultery.
The Dorchester on Park Lane, owned by the Sultan of Brunei
That’s easily done, of course, for those of us unable to afford the £4,000 per night top-priced hotel rooms.
But this Saturday, those who oppose this barbaric punishment have an opportunity to join a demonstration outside the Dorchester Hotel in swanky Park Lane.
The Dorchester is one of the many hotels worldwide owned by the billionaire Sultan of Brunei, who is responsible for calling for the archaic executions. Continue reading
The clocks have gone forward, there’s signs that spring has sprung, and one of the true delights of an English summer, swifts on the wing, will soon be back in the skies above Croydon.
The RSPB wants you help to monitor the arrival of Croydon’s swifts
These small, fast-flying birds are returning to our shores after a 7,000-mile migration from sub-Saharan Africa. A week or so into May should see them back in areas where they should breed.
But a survey conducted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Croydon Local Group has found that the number of gardens reporting sightings of swifts had dropped from 73 per cent in 1995 to just 42 per cent by 2016.
This trend is reflected elsewhere with the British Trust for Ornithology‘s Breeding Bird Survey showing a nationwide population decline of 53 per cent between 1995 and 2016.
In London, the figures are worse, with a 58 per cent decline over the same period. Continue reading
The drinks were on the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign last week, as they celebrated five years since their return to the Clocktower’s arthouse venue.
Movie-goers enjoyed a free drink and nibbles before the screening of Can You Ever Forgive Me, for an anniversary marking the re-opening of the cinema after a public campaign, inspired by Ronnie Corbett and supported by Inside Croydon, which reversed another woeful council decision, to close the cinema in an ill-judged move intended to cut spending. Continue reading
CROYDON COMMENTARY: Fewer than a hundred protestors turned up at the Town Hall last night in support of MP Chris Philp’s planning demo. The default position of the Labour group that controls the council was to dismiss their concerns by claiming that they are all ‘Nimbys’.
Here, Purley resident JACK GRIFFIN suggests that the council’s approach ‘veers between the inappropriate, unnecessary and, sometimes, incoherent’
Council leader Tony Newman says he is ‘proud’ to be building so many homes for the private market
While it may be inferred that Chris Philp & Co are seeking “a ban on building homes in south of the borough”, it is not what’s being called for (at least, not out loud).
I received the MP’s communication through my residents’ association and he asserts that the council “should not destroy any family homes until all the brownfield sites in the borough have been used”.
I agree that it is likely – even probable – that there are more brownfield sites in other parts of the borough than the south. Yet it is a leap to claim that is seeking “a ban on building homes in south of the borough”.
I could post his communication at length, but it’s a bit turgid really, yet it does move to address an important point about how Croydon’s approach to local planning veers between the inappropriate, unnecessary and, sometimes, incoherent.
Being a councillor is becoming an increasingly shitty proposition. Our political editor, WALTER CRONXITE, reports ahead of tonight’s Town Hall meeting on how ‘a council motion’ has taken on whole new meaning
Toni Letts: planning chair, subject of a special delivery
Tension is running high at the Town Hall, as trouble is feared at tonight’s council meeting following a campaign orchestrated by MP Chris Philp and backed by Tory councillor Mario Creatura that seeks a ban on building homes in south of the borough.
One senior Labour councillor says that they have reported to police what they described as the “hand delivery” of excrement through the letter box of their home. The incident is linked with growing dissatisfaction with Croydon Council’s development policies.
Philp, the Conservative MP for Croydon South, has urged residents to stage a demo outside the Town Hall at 6pm, ahead of tonight’s meeting and debates of the full council.
Philp adds, “Please bring any signs or placards you feel suitable.” Continue reading
EXCLUSIVE: Our housing correspondent BARRATT HOLMES on a possible breakthrough to solve a development crisis across the capital
Under the radical plans seen today, the 17-storey Purley skyscraper would no longer tower over local shops, but would be built mainly underground
A document leaked from the council’s planning department suggests that a solution may have been found to one of the longest running political disagreements in the borough.
The memo, seen by Inside Croydon this morning, could save the council and the government millions of pounds by averting the need for a public inquiry – a second one – into plans for what some people have come to call the Purley “skyscraper”.
The proposal, apparently the brainchild of councillor Paul Scott, the Labour council’s planning “guru”, would see the so-called “skyscraper” reduced in height from 17 storeys to just four floors, to make it more in keeping with the surrounding area.
“He’s turned the problem on its head, literally,” a Town Hall source said.
Under the radical proposal, additional housing units would be constructed in as many as 10 basement levels, dug deep under the site, and extended out under the Purley roundabout.
“It’s such a work of genius,” the council source told Inside Croydon, “we’re just surprised that Councillor Scott did not think of it sooner.” Continue reading
MP Chris Philp: open to debate
And you thought you might get away without having to go to the polling station at all in 2019.
It is looking increasingly possible that, borough-wide, there will be at least one election day coming up, with a General Election, and thanks to the over-running Brexit process, perhaps even European elections (remember them?).
A return to the polling booths is threatened by Theresa May if the Prime Minister can’t get her wretched Brexit deal through at the fourth time of asking.
The continuing support for May’s government from the Northern Ireland unionists of the DUP looks very flaky. No Deal or indeed May’s Deal, passed unaltered, will see the DUP remove its support for the government. May is already a lame duck Prime Minister, following her “ultimate sacrifice” this week. Stripped of her parliamentary majority she had bought from the DUP thanks to £1billion of public cash, she would be forced to go back to the country.
So the Coulsdon and Purley Debating Society has got its timing spot on for its political debate for next Thursday, April 4. Continue reading
The council cabinet meeting at the Town Hall on Monday saw Alisa Flemming present the council’s draft strategy for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – SEND.
Alisa Flemming: the cabinet member for apologies
Councillor Fleming is the council’s cabinet member for inadequate children’s services and failing schools.
It is perhaps a measure of the impact that Flemming has made since being put in charge of the borough’s education programmes five years ago that the official agenda item for Monday’s cabinet meeting managed to misspell her name.
If you were expecting to be amazed by the outcome of the council’s work and public consultation on its SEND strategy, then stand by for disappointment.
The most amazing part of the document is probably the fact that they have produced an easy read version of it, too. Continue reading
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