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Surrey's Chris Tremlett in England squad for Ashes tour

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SURREY'S Chris Tremlett has been handed a call-up to the England squad for their Ashes tour to Australia this winter. The news comes just days after Surrey announced the Southampton-born bowler had signed a new one-year contract extension. Full England squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Michael Carberry, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Matt Prior (vice-captain), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin, Chris Tremlett.

Surrey's Chris Tremlett in England squad for Ashes tour


Domestic violence is at 'epidemic' levels, says police chief

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"IF THE same number of victims who suffer from sexualised or domestic violence had flu, it would be called a flu epidemic. There is an epidemic."

Those were the words of the borough commander David Musker at a meeting with councillors last Tuesday to discuss what types of crime Croydon was facing,

"I have been banging this drum for years – we must do something about domestic violence, it is on the increase," he said.

Reported incidents of domestic violence resulting in injury were up from 920 in 2011/12 to 1,043 in 2012/13 – a 13.4 per cent rise.

The Chief Superintendent has framed tackling the crime as "murder suppression" to the Advertiser in the past – citing that 80 per cent of murders are by committed by someone who is known to the victim.

"When there was spate of murders, we spent a lot of time interviewing people connected to the crimes and they disproportionately had histories of sexualised violence and domestic violence in their families," he said.

"They also often had siblings by different fathers and could have been arrested for the first time by the age of 11.

"This is not to say in any way that people who experience this in their childhood will turn to violent crimes but it does mean that early intervention – in schools, in family support, and enforcement by the police – is crucial."

Leslie Roberts, who runs the council's gang strategy, said there was a "huge connection" between domestic violence and gangs.

"Often children fall into gangs when protective factors crumble, when things happen one after another and they cannot cope," she said.

"Early intervention and family support is very important."

She also noted that high levels of gang crime mirrored areas of deprivation.

Monique Rebeiro, who runs Lives Not Knives, an anti-violence charity, said their projects in schools highlighted the vulnerability of children to crime.

She said: "You often don't know what these children are up against – it can be really scary to see what situation kids find themselves in.

"Violence between children is on the rise and children using violence against their own parents is also going up."

Ms Rebeiro also said violence among children could exacerbate Croydon's gang culture.

"A lot of teachers are not even aware of gangs outside the classroom," she explained.

"When we talk about gangs in Croydon, there is a danger we will start having a second generation.

"We have not had gangs for as long as other boroughs but now many members are parents with children at school.

"Teachers are asking us to go into schools to deliver programmes to kids from the age of seven."

Another factor highlighted by Ms Rebeiro was the number of girls involved in gangs and boys using girls in gang crimes.

According to the Safer London Foundation, which runs its Empower project in Croydon, "as a girlfriend, relative or friend, young women are in danger of serious sexual abuse, including rape and coercion to commit criminal offences such as carrying weapons or drugs."

Ms Roberts said the Met did not include girls in their gang matrix – a tally of members throughout London.

However, she said the council were working on strategies to reduce domestic violence and sexual violence against girls.

Domestic violence is  at 'epidemic'  levels, says  police chief

New school aims to create 'winners'

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IMPROVING children's mental and physical fitness is at the heart of a new school being established in Thornton Heath.

The Paxton Academy for Sports and Science is one of three free schools in the borough given the go-ahead by the Department for Education (DfE) in May.

Now the backers, who include parents, teachers and business and community leaders, are celebrating the acquisition of the site on which the school, paid for by the DfE, will be built.

This site is a piece of wasteland next to the Lidl supermarket in London Road.

The academy will open for 90 primary pupils next September, operating initially from premises at Streatham/Croydon Rugby Club in nearby Brigstock Road.

The rugby club is also working with the school to provide sports facilities as part of a long-term collaboration.

The new buildings in London Road are expected to be ready for September 2015, and the school will eventually cater for around 700 pupils.

Charlotte Davies, a qualified head teacher and chairman of school's board, said the aim was to create an establishment offering children the best primary education, while being firmly embedded in the community.

She said: "If children get the right start they are set for life. We want all our pupils to be winners."

The academy will set out to use sports and pupils' physical fitness to improve general learning.

It will also have specialist science, language, and music teachers to develop subjects that the board believes are critical in preparing children to move on to high school.

Ms Davies said there was a passion among both the school's supporters and the wider community to be successful.

The school will provide much-needed primary places in an area where many pupils are currently "bussed" out by parents to schools in the south of the borough, where more space is available.

Local pupils at a local school, Ms Davies said, would help build on the existing community spirit.

She added: "The school will be available for community use and we want to show it is not somewhere that closes down at 3.30 in the afternoon."

The need for community involvement was echoed by Pat Reid, chairman of the Croydon Black and Minority Ethnic Forum (BME) and also a member of the Paxton board.

He said that working closely with parents and children would increase understanding of problems and lead to fewer youngsters becoming disaffected as they got older.

New school aims to create 'winners'

Unemployment down in Croydon for six months in row

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UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen in Croydon for the last six months and has dropped by more than 1,500 claimants in the last year. The Office for National Statistics releases monthly figures for the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance. In August, the latest available statistics, 8,633 people in Croydon claimed the benefit and this figure has been calculated to represent 3.6 per cent of the working age population from 16 to 64. Since February figures have decreased each month from 10,142. In past 12 months the number of claimants has fallen by 1,609 and 0.6 per cent of the working age population. When comparing the latest figure to the same month last year the decrease is by 1,720 and 0.7 per cent of the working age population. The figures are not an official measure of unemployment, as they only show people who are claiming Jobseekers' allowance.

Unemployment down in Croydon for six months in row

TRAVEL: Heavy traffic on M25 and change to train service

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Heavy traffic is reported on the M25 clockwise this morning. There are long queues between Junction 10 (Wisley Interchange) and Junction 11 (Chertsey). Highways Agency traffic cameras show traffic moving freely in both directions on the M23, although there does appear to be signs of fog so drivers should take care. Southern Rail is reporting the 8.02am Norwood Junction to London Bridge service will only be stopping at New Cross Gate and London Bridge. A good service is reported across the Tramlink network. For people heading into London, Bond Street tube station is closed due to faulty fire equipment. This is causing disruption on the Jubilee and Central lines. Tickets are being accepted on bus routes. A good service is reported on all other lines.

TRAVEL:  Heavy traffic on M25 and change to train service

Croydon journalist nominated for Libyan person of the year

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A FREELANCE journalist who grew up in New Addington has been nominated as Libyan person of the year for helping rebuild the country's horseracing industry.

In April the Abu Sittah track in Tripoli hosted Libya's first race meeting since the fall of Colonel Muammer Gaddafi's regime two years earlier.

The new Government now wants to recognise Former Haling Manor pupil Lissa Oliver for her role in bringing back horseracing to Libya.

The incredible story began at Newmarket in December 2011 when Lissa, 49, overheard talk of wealthy Libyan buyers looking to purchase dozens of horses.

"When Gaddafi was overthrown and there was civil war, the retreating troops stole horses from various stud farms," she explained.

"The head of the Libyan Horseracing Authority had the biggest stud in Libya. Fifty broodmares were stolen as the troops retreated. They were never traced.

"I first heard about it at the sales in Newmarket. The owners of that stud farm, and other Libyan breeders, were trying to rebuild their stock, buying 20 to 30 horses at a time.

"I thought it was a good human interest story so I phoned them up and asked them about it and they were happy to talk. It was from there that I ended being the only English language reporter in Libyan horseracing."

Through her work, the Libyan Horseman's Association asked Lissa to produce a document on the benefits of horseracing to the economy. Using her experience of the industry in Ireland she estimated it might one day lead to 22,000 new jobs, attract 80,000 tourists annually and create £1.1 billion a year.

The Government was convinced and invested the equivalent of £5 million into the Libyan Horseracing Authority to develop existing racecourses and promote a sport which had been marginalised under Gaddafi.

Lissa's contacts were called upon again when it came to striking a deal on a software package, with the Minister of Agriculture publically thanking her for saving £1.8 million.

She is now making the most of being one of the few reporters writing about horseracing in Libya, knowing the industry will attract more attention as it continues to grow.

"When you see these people trying to build up from scratch you forget they are wealthy and had 50 horses before," she said.

"Suddenly they are people who are starting from the beginning again, like the country itself.

"Horses aren't a business item, they are one of the family. When these people are talking about not getting them back, you feel for them.

"It's a privilege to have been there at the beginning. Horseracing goes back hundreds of years so to suddenly be there at the beginning is very exciting."

Passion for writing

Lissa discovered her love for writing at an early age, but needed to explore outside Croydon to realise her passion for horses.

"I loved holidaying in the countryside and being out in farms, which we didn't have around New Addington," she said. "Living with houses on top of each other probably didn't help with my interest in horseracing because I'd only seen it on television. I had no experience of horses, so it made it hard to get my foot in the door in the first place."

After leaving school at 16, Lissa moved away from Croydon, working in several stud farms before getting married. A job at Ladbrokes followed before a letter to a horseracing magazine led to a career as a freelance journalist.

She has since been nominated for numerous sports writing awards and has published three novels, two on horseracing and another on the Roman emperor Nero.

First visit

Lissa lives in Kildare, Ireland, but regularly visits her sister at her home in Shirley.

Incredibly, when she travels to the capital Tripoli for the award ceremony in October, it will be the first time she has been to Libya.

"It's amazing, I know," she said. "I didn't even know they had a horseracing industry before I started writing about it."

Lissa added: "I was at Newmarket when I heard about the nomination.

"The head of the Libyan Horseman's Association said he had some good news for me.

"He said I had been nominated for person of the year and I was flabbergasted.

"My first thought was that I was a woman, and foreign.

"I told him it was ridiculous and I hadn't done anything. I thanked him and said I was very honoured.

"I've only been nominated. Hopefully someone much more deserving will win."

Croydon journalist nominated for Libyan person of the year

Surrey's Burns wins County Championship Breakthrough Player award

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SURREY County Cricket Club batsman Rory Burns is the winner of the 2013 LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award, following in the footsteps of Yorkshire's Joe Root who won the award in its inaugural year last season. Launched by County Championship title sponsors, LV=, the award is intended to recognise the most promising young talent under the age of 24 competing in the domestic competition. Burns was one of six players shortlisted for this year's award, as selected by a panel of judges including former England captain and current managing director of partnerships at the ECB, Mike Gatting and PCA chairman Mark Wallace. Competition for the award came from Yorkshire's Gary Ballance, Durham leg spinner Scott Borthwick, Leicestershire's Shiv Thakor, Sussex batsman Luke Wells and Northamptonshire bowler David Willey. At the Oval today, 23-year-old Burns was presented with his award by Mike Gatting. As part of his award, Burns also nominated the Tom Maynard Trust to receive a £1,000 donation from LV=, as part of their commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers. It has not been the best week for Surrey after their relegation to Division Two of the County Championship was confirmed on Friday, but Burns, who also plays for Banstead, was pleased to pick up the award. "I am genuinely surprised to have won the award and it is a real honour to have been voted for by so many cricket fans," he said. "The other nominees are all players I really admire so to win the award is a huge achievement and one that I am very proud of. "I have really enjoyed my first full season of first class cricket, I feel I have made some useful contributions and I am looking forward to building on my performances next season. "I would like thank Surrey for giving me the opportunity over the past twelve months to open the batting in the LV=County Championship and I must also thank all the Surrey members and supporters that voted for me." Commenting on the award, Mike Gatting said: "Rory has had a great season for Surrey and is fully deserving of the LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player of the Year Award. "Competition for the award this year was strong, and it is encouraging to see thousands of county cricket fans supporting the young players coming through the County Championship. "Rory has a bright future, and he should be congratulated on receiving this special award."

Surrey's Burns wins County Championship Breakthrough Player award

Tories in 'Trappist vow' over hospital, say Labour

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LABOUR has repeated the call for cross-party support for its campaign to protect services at Croydon University Hospital.

Closing the trust's A&E and maternity units is the least preferred of three options being considered by a controversial review of healthcare in south west London.

Croydon North MP Steve Reed believes closure is a genuine possibility and says he wants to ensure the hospital is not seen as an "easy target".

However, he has failed to secure the support of Conservative Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell who described the campaign as "misleading".

The former Lambeth Council leader said it was time for the Tories to put aside party politics.

He said: "Labour is doing what we can to make sure Croydon residents are aware of the threat to local hospital services, but why aren't our Conservative MPs using their influence and supporting the campaign for Croydon?

"Epsom is part of the same NHS review, and their Tory MP is actively campaigning for his local hospital.

"It increasingly seems Croydon's Tories have taken a Trappist vow of silence because they have put party politics before the interests of local people."

Sarah Jones, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate in Croydon Central, added: "We will not take our eyes off the ball when it comes to ensuring the voice of Croydon residents are heard by NHS decision makers. I urge the Croydon Conservatives to join our campaign.

"St Helier has a strong public campaign against closures and we cannot afford to be complacent.

"Our focus is on protecting and improving the services we have here in Croydon and making sure the voice of Croydon's residents is heard."

While the Better Services, Better Value review includes the option for closing key departments at the hospital, the more likely outcome is a £75 million revamp of its A&E and maternity departments.

Tories in 'Trappist vow' over hospital, say Labour


Lottery winner and Fifty Shades of Grey a turn off - five stories making the news elsewhere

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From the self-employed roofer who has scooped £3.6 million on the National Lottery to the thieves who flew off with a prized owl – here's five stories which have made the news in our sister papers across the south east over the past week or so. Second hand copies of Fifty Shades of Grey are piling up in East Grinstead after charity shops refused to sell it because it's too raunchy – http://www.eastgrinsteadcourier.co.uk/Charity-shops-ban-sale-raunchy-Fifty-Shades/story-19813434-detail/story.html A self-employed roofer and dad-of-three from Crawley had an incredible £3.6 million win on the National Lottery – http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Lottery-winner-talks-3-6-million-win/story-19810721-detail/story.html Thieves did not give a hoot about taking a hotel's prized stuffed owl as reported by the Kent and Sussex Courier – http://www.courier.co.uk/APPEAL-Thieves-fly-hotel-s-prized-stuffed-owl/story-19833589-detail/story.html Olympic gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins and manx missile Mark Cavendish were among the riders passing through Surrey during the Tour of Britain – http://www.dorkingandleatherheadadvertiser.co.uk/Tour-Britain-comes-Surrey/story-19828715-detail/story.html There are fears In Sevenoaks a second runway at Gatwick Airport could spell the end for Hever Castle – http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk/Gatwick-runway-spell-end-Hever-Castle-tourism/story-19806450-detail/story.html

Lottery winner and Fifty Shades of Grey a turn off - five stories making the news elsewhere

TRAVEL: Delays on London bound trains on Southern Rail network

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SIGNALLING problems are causing delays on trains heading towards London this morning (Wednesday). Southern Rail is reporting issues on the south coast which is having a knock-on effect across its train network. There delays of 15 minutes between Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath due to signalling issues. There is no estimate for when normal service should resume. On the roads traffic is building on M25 clockwise between Junction 9 (Leatherhead) and Junction 10 A3 (Wisley Interchange) with vehicles moving slowly. Problems are also being experienced on A23 London Road North northbound in Hooley heading towards Purley. In the other direction heavy traffic on A23 Brighton Road southbound in coulsdon at the Hollymeoak Road junction. For those heading to London, once you get there, a good service reported across the Tube network.

TRAVEL: Delays on London bound trains on Southern Rail network

Could the underground be coming to croydon?

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Boris Johnson has urged campaigners for Croydon Tramlink to be extended not to dismiss the possibility of improvements to other forms of transport instead.

The Mayor of London had previously given qualified support for proposals to extend Tramlink to Crystal Palace and Sutton and called on interested parties to submit business cases supporting improvements to the hugely-successful network.

But responding to question's at Mayor's Question Time last week, Mr Johnson refused to rule out underground extensions or railway improvements instead.

"You can deliver just as many benefits by properly integrating those Overground trains, increasing frequencies, improving the stations, for much less capital investment and much less disruption," said Mr Johnson, who said there was a "reasonable business case" for the Sutton extension.

"I also think it is important in south London not to shut our minds to the possibility of Underground extensions.

"One thing that worries me is that these are not popular in south London because people think 'Oh my god, if the tube comes, then we really are being colonised, we really are becoming part of London and we want to think of ourselves as leafy suburbs'.

"I am just putting it out there, as they say. It is important that we should not fetishise trams at the expense of underground railways."

Mr Johnson was responding to questioning from Steve O'Connell, the GLA member for Croydon and Sutton, who said business cases for tram extensions would shortly be presented to the mayor.

"One of the reasons why we are so keen to bring Tramlink to Croydon and Sutton is because up to now, when we have made representations around Underground, we have had an incredible pushback, not necessarily from yourself, but from others," said Mr O'Connell.

"It is refreshing to know that your door is open to this potential around tram, and I know my constituents would indeed welcome the Underground to come to their boroughs."

The question has to be asked would having a underground link to Croydon be a benefit for the area? with the increase expected of city workers and traffic congestion caused by the new Hammerfield& luxury property developments could this idea which Boris has hinted really work. 

Could the underground be coming to croydon?

Former England skipper believes Burns will be key to Surrey's future

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FORMER England captain Allan Lamb believes Surrey can bounce straight back to the top flight if they put greater trust in their young talent – insisting Rory Burns leads the charge. A six-wicket defeat to Warwickshire last week sealed Surrey's fate as they dropped into Division Two of the LV= County Championship for a third time in their history. Chris Adams and first-team coach Ian Salisbury paid the price for Surrey's slow start as the pair were sacked in June, with acting director of cricket Alec Stewart unable to stop the rot. And while Durham took the Division One crown without a single overseas player, the high-profile arrivals of some of the world's leading batsmen – Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Hashim Amla – also couldn't stop Surrey circling the drain. But amid the turmoil at the Oval the form of 23-year-old Burns at the top of the order has been a shining light in an otherwise dark season. Ahead of the final game of the season against Yorkshire, Burns was Surrey's second-top run scorer with 835, behind Vikram Solanki's 944, at an average of 33.40 – earning him the title of LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player of the Year. Along with Burns other young talents such as Jason Roy, Dominic Sibley and Zafar Ansari have made their mark this season. And Lamb, who won two Ashes series in the 1980s, is adamant youth over experience is the way forward for Surrey next year, with Burns at the forefront of it all. "Rory Burns has had a great season – I'm just disappointed that it has been set against the backdrop of Surrey being so bad," said Lamb. "He has got a lot of potential and it really started to show this summer. He has not done badly at all – it is very difficult getting 1,000 runs and to pass 800 in a season is a very good achievement. "I think you have got to develop your youth and I think that is the problem with Surrey. They have brought in older players instead of bringing through the youngsters. "Surrey have a very large salary budget and they have brought in some amazing players this season but you can't keep buying overseas players. "For a county of their stature to finish how they have done and be playing second division cricket – it is not a good sign. They have gone wayward and the players have lost their way quite a bit. "I know that Chris Jordan went to Sussex because he wasn't playing so much and I think Surrey need to trust their youngsters a bit more. It is even more impressive that Rory has managed to thrive this season in that environment." Burns is just the second winner of the LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player of the Year Award, with the first recipient being Yorkshire's Joe Root. Root has set the bar very high after going on to help England win the Ashes this summer but Lamb insists Burns' wicketkeeping skills mean he could yet follow suit. "I think Rory will be right up there in terms of England in the future – there are a few others pushing for it but he has done well," Lamb added. "There are a lot of players who can keep these days. Matt Prior is going to be around for a while yet and then you have Craig Kieswetter, Jos Buttler and a number of others. "But it is still an important skill and may increase his chances of breaking through." For more information on the LV= County Championship and this year's LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award, visit www.LV.com/cricket

Former England skipper believes Burns will be key to Surrey's future

Teenager dies after being stabbed

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A TEENAGER has died after being stabbed at a house in Ockley Road. Police and ambulances were called to reports of a stabbing shortly before 2pm. The 17-year-old boy, named locally as Fico, was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police confirmed he had died at around 4.30pm. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in custody at a south London police station. Officers from Croydon are investigating. The house in question is understood to belong to Sharon Miller. Dionne Smith, a friend, told the Advertiser: "[Sharon] was in Portsmouth today, she's asked me to find out what's going on. "How is this boy's mum going to hear this? "He was a lovely boy, liked girls and always on his BlackBerry. Just a boy. "It's absolutely mental. They're not gang related they're not those kind of children."Friends pay tribute to victim on social media.

Teenager dies after being stabbed

East Croydon and Purley rail users to be impacted by festive upgrades

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TRAIN passengers are being warned about changes to rail services which will impact travel during Christmas and the New Year period, with some routes not running. Between Christmas Eve and January 1 2014 inclusive, infrastructure work will be carried out at a major junction between Redhill and Purley, at Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station by Network Rail. Services operated by Southern, First Capital Connect and First Great Western on the main Brighton line and branch line will all be affected. Gatwick Express services will not operate from December 25 to January 1. On Boxing Day, passengers will be advised to use a Southern run service from London Bridge to East Grinstead where buses will continue to Gatwick Airport. From December 27 to January 1 Southern will operate services between London Victoria and Gatwick. First Capital Connect won't run trains between East Croydon and Gatwick Airport during this period but tickets will be valid on Southern services. These services have been amended to allow three upgrade projects to take place. The Stoats Nest junction between Redhill and Purley will be replaced to remove the need for speed restrictions and aim to increase reliability of the infrastructure. A new platform, and associated track and signalling work, will be created at Gatwick Airport. This extra platform will be in operation from February 2014. Signalling work will also be carried out between London Victoria and Battersea. Tim Robinson, Network Rail's route managing director for the Sussex route, said: "These are three significant infrastructure upgrades which have been carefully planned to take place at the same time to keep disruption to a minimum. The result will be a more reliable network and more flexibility for trains calling at Gatwick, which continues to attract more passengers travelling there by train. "All three upgrades are part of our commitment to invest in and improve the Brighton main line to provide a safe, reliable and efficient railway which meets the increasing demands of today's passengers." A spokesman for First Great Western said: "While we will continue to operate services between Reading and Redhill, unfortunately we will not be able to run direct services to Gatwick airport. An hourly bus replacement service will be available from Reigate Station, adding an extra 20 minutes to journey times. We recommend that passengers travelling to the airport change at Reigate and check journey times before they travel." Gatwick Airport has been involved in the decision process so plans can be put in place to minimise the impact on airline passengers during the festive period. A Network Rail spokesman said the decision has been made to carry out work at three locations simultaneously to keep disruption to one period of time rather than several different weekends in an effort to affect fewer passengers. Information and reminders will be shared over the coming months in stations, at Gatwick Airport, to keep passengers informed of the work and the changes to services.

East Croydon and Purley rail users to be impacted by festive upgrades

TRAVEL: Heavy traffic in Coulsdon

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THERE is heavy traffic in Coulsdon for drivers heading out of Croydon this morning (Thursday). Serious congestion is reported on A23 Brighton Road southbound in Coulsdon at the Hollymeoak Road junction. For drivers heading towards the M25 there is slow traffic clockwise between Junction 9 (Leatherhead) and Junction 11 (Chertsey). Southern Rail is reporting a good service across the network with no major issues. There is a good service running across the Tram network. For those people heading into London a good service is being reported across the Tube network.

TRAVEL: Heavy traffic in Coulsdon


Waitrose move is a 'huge boost' to Coulsdon

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Waitrose has confirmed it will open an online grocery depot in Coulsdon next year, creating up to 500 new jobs.

The multimillion-pound development is expected to begin trading in autumn 2014 at the industrial estate in Ullswater Crescent.

It is the firm's second online grocery depot and bosses say it is "designed to meet soaring demand for the service". Recruitment will start in summer 2014.

The news has been welcomed by community leaders and politicians. Charles King, chairman of the East Coulsdon Residents' Association, said: "I think it is fantastic. We will be encouraging them to employ as many local people as possible.

"It is a vote of confidence for the town."

The council and MP Richard Ottaway have urged Waitrose to come to town ever since it first expressed an interest in March last year. The company was said to be choosing between Croydon and Crawley at the time.

Coulsdon West councillor Ian Parker said the company's choice was "further evidence that Coulsdon and Croydon are particularly attractive places to invest in."

The depot is replacing outgoing occupants Ricoh and Iron Mountain, which last year employed about 100 people, meaning an overall gain of 400 jobs.

Croydon South MP Mr Ottaway said: 'This is terrific news and a major boost for our local jobs market."

The depot will join Waitrose's town centre supermarket, which has been operating in Brighton Road since 1971.

The news comes amid several ongoing developments in Coulsdon, including a new Volkswagen showroom and plans for hundreds of homes at Cane Hill.

Cllr Parker added: "We will continue to encourage developments which deliver the regeneration of Coulsdon – not just physically but also economically and socially."

Waitrose move is a 'huge boost' to Coulsdon

Tag rugby festival is big hit with children

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LAST Friday, more than 160 primary school children from 16 schools across the borough of Croydon gathered at Whitgift Sports Club for the second Croydon Primary Schools tag-rugby festival.

The event was organised by the Whitgiftian Junior Rugby Club and the Croydon Partnership, who will redevelop the retail centre of Croydon.

A team of coaches from the Rugby Football Union community rugby team, including England Ladies scrum-half La Toya Mason along with Whitgiftians coaches and volunteers from the Croydon Partnership, held a variety of training sessions for the children.

The schools all entered an exciting and closely fought tag-rugby tournament, with St Peter's School beating Chipstead Valley School 4-3 in the final.

John Burton, Westfield's director of development, said: "The Croydon Partnership is committed to supporting and promoting grass roots projects across the borough.

"The Croydon Schools tag-rugby festival, in its second year is a great example of inclusive, grassroots sports at its best.

"The kids had great fun and learned a lot. The Croydon Partnership was delighted to be supporting an important event like this."

Tag rugby festival is  big hit with children

Speroni says new-look side will soon click

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JULIAN Speroni isn't pressing any panic buttons just yet and insists the new-look Palace squad will come good once they start getting used to each other.

The Eagles were outplayed by Swansea City last weekend, but he insists Palace have been playing well so far this season in the Premier League.

"It wasn't nice to lose and I think it's the first time we've felt we were never in the game," Speroni said.

"Swansea dominated completely but I think we need to take the positives and learn from the negatives.

"We tried to play, the attitude was good, but we played against a very good team. They move the ball so, so well. They're a top team, it's no secret.

"It's not the best to concede a goal after a minute or two – it killed us a little bit.

"The previous four games we played really well, and obviously we couldn't get the points we needed apart from Sunderland.

"We have played some good football so I think we need to carry on the same path."

And the custodian pointed out it's still early days in the top flight and believes the new players will be looking to "put the work in".

"You have to be professional and you have to stay positive," said Speroni. "There's no point us feeling sorry for ourselves – we need to move on.

"We have a good team, we need to put all the new players together, and as soon as we start knowing each other a little bit more we'll be fine."

Freedman among mourners at Morley's funeral

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STEPHEN BROWETT has revealed his pride at the number of Palace's past and present who attended club president Peter Morley's funeral this week.

The co-chairman paid tribute to Morley, who he described as a man who "loved Palace", while adding that if there was anyone who could bring the previous owners together into one room, it would have been him.

And Browett revealed former boss Dougie Freedman also travelled down from Bolton especially.

Browett said: "The fact that Mark Goldberg and Simon Jordan were there, plus Ron Noades' wife was there – Ron is not very well – and obviously us [CPFC2010], I don't think there are many people who would have got four of the previous owners of Palace into one room at one time.

"Peter was a really nice guy and had the knack of getting on with everybody.

"He loved his football and he loved Palace. Mark Bright was there and also Ian Evans, who was our captain in the 1970s a long time ago.

"But one thing that was really nice was that Dougie Freedman came down.

"He's moved up north but he came all the way down just for the funeral, which was great because he didn't have to and he made that effort.

"We caught up a bit and he was in good form. I half expected him to be a bit down due to what's happening at Bolton but he seemed positive.

"It was really nice to see him, he was really friendly so we had a good chat."

Freedman among mourners at Morley's funeral

EXCLUSIVE: Palace in talks to knock down the Arthur Wait stand

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PALACE have begun talks over knocking down and improving the Arthur Wait Stand, Advertiser Sport can exclusively reveal.

A number of small upgrades were made to that area of Selhurst Park during the summer, but co-chairman Stephen Browett insists the concourse areas are "hopelessly inadequate".

And it seems the board of directors have to make a decision whether to start on the Arthur Wait first or look at improving the Main Stand, which Browett says will "bring in the most income".

"We've upgraded a number of things around the stadium like some of the toilets, seating in the Main Stand and doing up the boxes," he said. "But ultimately we'd like to build some new stands. We've done what we can to make the experience at Selhurst Park a bit more comfortable.

"It's a toss-up at the moment – we have spoken about it this week, in terms of which stand will be first to develop.

"The Main Stand would bring in the most income because it's the Main Stand, you can charge higher prices and you can get corporate deals, so financially it's probably best to do that first.

"But on the other hand, the Arthur Wait Stand is probably the most in need of knocking down because the concourses are so hopelessly inadequate.

"The actual view, if you don't have a pillar in the way, is very good. It's just the concourses, they're far too small.

"We've done up the food areas and toilets there, but it's just a small bit of work and it needs a lot work really.

"Staying in the Premier League is the number one job this season, and there will be things happening in the stadium, but not straight away. Staying in the league will affect what is done."

Meanwhile, after witnessing last Sunday's defeat to an impressive Swansea City side, Browett insists the fans can't expect the new players to "gel overnight".

And he believes they will need to take points off their "nearest competitors" if they're to survive this season.

"It's great to be in the Premier League and we always knew it would be a challenge," Browett added. "You try your best in every game, but what you really need to do is to beat the teams around you.

"At this stage of the season, you don't know who those teams will be, but you can probably work out who might struggle and who won't.

"Our track record against what you might perceive to be our nearest competitors is played one and won one.

"It would have been nice to have more than one win, but we're only five games in, especially as we've got two difficult away games now."

EXCLUSIVE: Palace in talks to knock down the Arthur Wait stand

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