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Tag Archives: Johnny Dobbyn
Coulsdon flats, women boxing, tram troubles – and Council Tax
The latest episode of our Croydon Insider podcast takes a deep delve into the news behind the headlines, as the borough’s residents face another above-inflation increase to their Council Tax, just as Mayor Jason Perry awards himself and senior council … Continue reading
Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Council Tax, Croydon Council, Croydon Insider, Gianella A Basile, Inside Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Under The Flyover
Tagged Brian Finegan, Brick by Brick, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Trams, Gianella A Basile, Johnny Dobbyn, New Addington, Patreon, Paul Ford, Podcast, The Croydon Insider, The Sweet Science of Bruising, Theatre Workshop Coulsdon
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Purley writer Dobbyn named in top dozen of poetry competition
Johnny Dobbyn, one of Inside Croydon’s long-time contributors, has had one of his poems, Kill Switch, highly commended in the 2026 Daily Telegraph poetry competition. Kill Switch was chosen among the best works from a record entry – more than … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
Tagged Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph poetry competition, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
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Highly commended: Johnny Dobbyn’s poem ‘Kill Switch’
Kill Switch By Johnny Dobbyn Highly commended, Daily Telegraph poetry competition 2026 The red-eyed imp ischemia sat in the corner of her kitchen, squatting in the litter tray, and wondering when to make its presence felt. It saw the Post-it … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
Tagged Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph poetry competition, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
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BYOB 6th anniversary open mic night, Boxpark, Tue Dec 9
S U B S C R I B E R A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Posted in Advertisement, Advertisement features, Art, Boxpark, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
Tagged Boozepark, Boxpark, BYOB, Johnny Dobbyn, Poetry
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Met to look at evidence app to counter domestic violence
Reporting by this website has helped to prompt the Metropolitan Police to explore the benefits of an app designed to help victims of domestic abuse gather and store evidence. JOHNNY DOBBYN reports on a significant move The Metropolitan Police has … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, CVA, Inside Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn
Tagged Croydon, Croydon Voluntary Action, CVA, Johnny Dobbyn, Kulpa, London, Metropolitan Police, VAWG, Violence Against Women and Girls
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Remembrance and History: a special Croydon Insider episode
Can you help in our appeal, with the Deputy Lieutenant of Croydon, in providing details of personnel from Croydon who have been killed on active duty in the years since the end of World War II? On Remembrance Sunday, our … Continue reading
Posted in Bourne Society, Croydon Airport, Croydon Insider, Croydon Minster, Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society, David Morgan, History, Inside Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Under The Flyover
Tagged Battle of the Somme, Caterham, Croydon, Croydon Airport, David Morgan, Deputy Lieutenant of Croydon, Fiona Satiro, First World War, Johnny Dobbyn, London, Menin Gate, Phil Swallow, Remembrance Day, Remembrance Sunday, Royal West Surrey Regiment, Second World War, Warlingham, World War I, World War II, World War One, World War Two, Ypres
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The MP hidden away on third floor of a deserted shopping mall
Finding your way around the desolate maze that the Whitgift Centre has become has been made much more difficult since the shopping centre’s managers started blocking off entrances and removing staircases. It’s almost as if no one is welcome to … Continue reading
Posted in "Hammersfield", Annabel Smith, Business, Croydon West, David Morgan, Johnny Dobbyn, Ken Towl, Sarah Jones MP, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Whitgift Centre
Tagged Annabel Smith, Croydon, Croydon West, Destination X, Hammersfield, Johnny Dobbyn, Ken Towl, Sarah Jones MP, Westfield, Whitgift Centre
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Stepping out for a slow, peaceful way to feel benefits of nature
A Croydon-based well-being initiative seeks to take the principles of Japanese ‘forest bathing’ and put them to good use in our suburban open spaces. JOHNNY DOBBYN goes mild in the country During the lockdowns, one indicator of who the haves … Continue reading
Podcast: LibDem candidate says he’d clear-out council execs
EXCLUSIVE: Our Croydon Insider podcast, exclusive premium content for our paying subscribers, this month went behind the headlines to look at the scandal of agency payments at the cash-strapped council, where they are paying more than £700 per hour for … Continue reading
Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Coulsdon, Croydon Insider, Elaine Jackson, Inside Croydon, Katherine Kerswell, Marie Snelling, Mayor Jason Perry, Richard Howard, Under The Flyover
Tagged Animal Farm, Anya Destiney, Commissioners, Conservative, Coulsdon, Council Tax, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Insider, Johnny Dobbyn, Katherine Kerswell, LibDems, Liberal Democrats, London Borough of Croydon, Major Richard Howard, Mayor Jason Perry, Oumesh Sauba, Richard Howard, Under The Flyover
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Met’s new Archway and Kulpa app offer ways to stop violence
Victims of domestic abuse are being urged to make use of a new app to help bring perpetrators to justice, as police pioneer a digital evidence-gathering device in the fight against VAWG, as JOHNNY DOBBYN reports Victims of domestic abuse … Continue reading
Fear on the streets – our latest podcast looks at crime and ASB
The Croydon Insider is the only news podcast for London’s most populous borough, and in our latest episode our panel discusses a range of news stories and the issues that matter to them – including difficulties encountered in reducing the … Continue reading
Posted in 2026 council elections, 2026 Croydon Mayor election, Boxpark, Business, Council Tax, Crime, Croydon Council, Croydon Greens, Croydon Insider, CYTO, Esther Sutton, Fairfield, Inside Croydon, Local media, London-wide issues, Theatre, Under The Flyover
Tagged Cllr Esther Sutton, Conservative, Council Tax, Crime, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation, CYTO, East Croydon station, Fairfield, Green Party, Johnny Dobbyn, Lee Townsend, London Borough of Croydon, Our Croydon, PSPO, Rebecca Clarke-Irons, Street drinking, Tory, Town centre Task Force, Yusuf Osman
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Dobbyn’s team win second cup final without playing a game
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The 2024-2025 Surrey Veterans’ competition ended much as the 2023-2024 season did – quietly, in farce, another signal of the grassroots’ game’s sad decline A 50-season career of playing rugby, old man and boy, has staggered to an … Continue reading
After weeks of mud and guts, Warlingham still have a chance
RUGBY ROUND-UP: With one Saturday of the season left to play, our local clubs’ fates are already decided – with one notable exception. PLUS: a grassroots rebellion against the blazers at Twickenham falls flat as controversial CEO survives his no … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, PJF, Purley John Fisher RFC, RFU, rugby, Rugby Football Union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham, Warlingham RFC
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Trinity manage to shine as local clubs find life’s no walkover
Inside Croydon was first to report the collapse in player numbers in local men’s grassroots rugby. The Daily Torygraph played catch-up with their broader look at the alarming decline in coarse rugby across England. Here, in JOHNNY DOBBYN’s 2024-2025 half-term … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Hamsey Green, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Caterhamians, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley John Fisher RFC, RFU, Rugby Football Union, Sanderstead, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Twickenham, Warlingham RFC
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Here’s our wish-list for a better Croydon and Sutton in 2025
What do you want for Croydon, and Sutton, in 2025? We approached a wide range of figures, including loyal readers, religious leaders, educators and business people for their thoughts – and hopes – for the New Year Ken Towl Addiscombe … Continue reading
Posted in "Hammersfield", Allders, Andrew Fisher, Claire Bonham, Climate Crisis Commission, Council Tax, Crime, Croydon Council, Croydon Harriers, Croydon Insider, Croydon parks, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace FC, David Morgan, Environment, Housing, Inside Croydon, Jerry Fitzpatrick, Ken Towl, Knife crime, Lloyd Park, Mayor Jason Perry, Nick Mattey, North End Quarter, Peter Underwood, South Bank Poly, Sutton Council, The Andrew Fisher Interview, Under The Flyover, Waste incinerator
Tagged 2025, Addiscombe, Allders, Andrew Fisher, Anna Arthur, Beddington, Bishop of Croydon, Claire Bonham, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon Harriers, Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace FC, David Morgan, Deborah Bowen, Donna Fraser, East Coulsdon Residents' Association, Green Party, Jerry Fitzpatrick, John Jefkins, Johnny Dobbyn, Ken Towl, Labour, London, London South Bank University, Maureen Levy, Mayor Jason Perry, Nick Mattey, Peter Underwood, Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Tim Coombe, Vanguard Way, Vanguard Way Association, Whitgift Centre
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Rapid decline in numbers shows that ‘coarse’ rugby is ‘at risk’
The club rugby season is well underway, with a couple of crunch derbies this Saturday – Old Walcs against Purley John Fisher, and Streatham and Croydon versus Warlingham. But will all local sides be able to field a full XV? … Continue reading
Posted in Elliot Daly, Marland Yarde, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, rugby, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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How the ‘Mighty’ have fallen: relegation haunts rugby clubs
RUGBY ROUND-UP: After ill-tempered local derby clashes which had more cards than Christmas, and a revised formula for relegation that would leave Einstein confused, JOHNNY DOBBYN pulls on his flanker’s jersey, right, for the final time this season to preview … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead RFC, Croydon RFC, Hamsey Green, Johnny Dobbyn, Lime Meadow Lane, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley John Fisher RFC, Sanderstead, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC, Woodmansterne
6 Comments
Middling at mid-season: Trinity lead way for bragging rights
RUGBY ROUND-UP: Halfway through the season, the local rugby clubs have so far done so-so. JOHNNY DOBBYN, left, packs down to get you the details If most local clubs went into the season feeling fairly upbeat about their prospects, whether … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Chipstead, Croydon RFC, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, PJF, Purley-John Fisher, rugby union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Surrey, Surrey RFU, Trinity, Warlingham RFC
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Philp gets caught flat out by Chancellor’s development plan
By JOHNNY DOBBYN, housing writer The campaign against flat developments in the south of the borough that has been led by Tories Chris Philp and Jason Perry has been dealt a severe blow by… the Conservative Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Buried … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Chris Philp MP, Croydon South, Environment, Housing, Mayor Jason Perry, Planning, Property, Purley, Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown, Purley Pool
Tagged Chancellor, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chris Philp MP, CIL, Community Infrastructure Levy, Conservative, Croydon, Croydon Council, Croydon South, Johnny Dobbyn, Mayor Jason Perry, Permitted Development, Tory
11 Comments
Memorial matches stand out as rugby clubs prepare for kick-off
RUGBY ROUND-UP: While the England team’s preparations for the World Cup are in disarray following injuries, brainfade and piss-poor performances, the outlook locally is far brighter, with clubs using the off-season to re-group, re-build and, in some cases, lick some … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon RFC, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC
Tagged Croydon, Johnny Dobbyn, Old Walcountians, Purley-John Fisher, Sgt Matt Ratana, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC
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‘Counts finish on the up as clubs struggle with league shuffle
RUGBY ROUND-UP: The RFU’s league reorganisation has taken a heavy toll on clubs in and around Croydon these past few months. JOHNNY DOBBYN, right, provides the end-of-season report, and discovers some worrying developments down Croham Manor Road Walcountians ended the … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Community associations, Croydon RFC, John Fisher School, Old Mid-Whitgiftians/Trinity RFC, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, Rugby Union, Sport, Streatham-Croydon RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
Tagged Alex Dombrandt, John Fisher School, Johnny Dobbyn, Kieran Treadwell, Old Walcountians, Old Whitgiftians, Purley-John Fisher, RFU, Rugby Football Union, Streatham and Croydon RFC, Trinity RFC, Warlingham RFC, Whitgift School
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