I am sure Dwight Gayle will get more chances next season, says Crystal Palace defender Jonathan Parr

May 8, 2014, 4:15 am

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Jonathan Parr was delighted to watch team-mate Dwight Gayle come off the substitutes' bench and grab two dramatic goals against Liverpool on Monday. The Norwegian left-back was an unused substitute at Selhurst Park and believes Gayle will get more of a chance next season under Tony Pulis. Parr also credited Glenn Murray for the role he played too in setting up the equaliser later on. He said: "It was amazing. It didn't look good after 70 minutes and I didn't really see how we were going to get back in it, but it was a great goal by Damien Delaney. "It was a big deflection but it got us rolling and you could see Liverpool got a bit nervous. "Gayley and Glenn coming on did really well, with their goals and hold-up play. They did a really big job in us turning it around. "We know Dwight a goalscorer and I'm sure he will get more chances next season. "It was fun to watch, and even though I wanted to be out there playing, it was a great one."

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Crystal Palace star gutted for Cardiff relegation and would welcome Manchester United man on loan next season

May 8, 2014, 4:45 am

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JOE Ledley has revealed his disappointment at seeing hometown club Cardiff City suffer relegation after one season in the top flight. Former Eagles star Wilfried Zaha has been on loan with the Bluebirds from Manchester United and Ledley admitted he could be good addition to Palace if they looked to bring him back in a similar deal. "I have seen and heard a lot of him," said Ledley. "He's a fantastic player, he was brilliant at Palace but I also heard good things about him at Cardiff as well. "He would help anyone as an addition to the squad. "I am devastated for Cardiff going down. They are one of the teams in the Premier League I look out for and I wanted them to stay up. "I am gutted for them and hopefully they can keep their players and go again next season and come back up."

Tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser: celebrating Crystal Palace and the country's best fans

May 8, 2014, 6:18 am

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THE best ideas on a newspaper are usually the result of a brainstorm - reporters, editors and anyone else with two penneth coming together to come up with the perfect package. Sometimes, though, you get a hunch or a feeling for something that might just work at the most unlikely of moments. For me, it was driving along the Brighton Road between Purley and Coulsdon on Tuesday. Reflecting on the afternoon after the night before (if there is such a phrase) I thought - 'Crystal Palace have had a ridiculous season haven't they?' Soon, I'd changed that to - 'Crystal Palace have had a ridiculous four years, haven't they?' A couple of weeks back, I had a meeting with our Palace correspondent and sports editor, planning our end of season coverage. We agreed at the time that, while Palace had enjoyed an extraordinary campaign, running any kind of souvenir supplement or front page to commemorate an 11th place finish would have been, well, a bit weird. I was minded to recall the mockery Spurs fans were once subjected to by Arsenal supporters, for releasing a commemorative DVD of a drawn game a few years back. If we went over the top for finishing mid-table, would you all think we'd lost our marbles? But then, you have to step back and look at the bigger picture. This is so much more than just finishing in a Stoke/West Ham sandwich - for Palace fans, this really is the Nirvana, their Champions League. It's all about the context. This club almost went out of existence four years ago; now it is tearing up the Premier League and tearing apart the title race. Then, there are the fans. Ryan Joy, voted Palace's fan of the year by Advertiser readers this week, sums it up perfectly:"This is a unique club. The fans are brilliant; everyone deserved that award to be honest. They really are the 12th man at Crystal Palace." Every club claims to have the best fans, but at Palace this season, it really has been the case. They make the most noise, provide the most colour and have added some much-needed reality and authenticity to the sometimes plastic world of what Owen Coyle would doubtless call the Barclays Premier League. They say the best singers are those who have lived, and can convey the emotions of that 'living' through their music. This is exactly what Palace fans have brought to the top division. They are real fans who have 'lived' - through administration(s), near relegation, cup semi-final heartbreak - but they've come through and are now enjoying a deserved moment in the footballing sun. And that's why, I hope, tomorrow's Croydon Advertiser wrap front (and back) page isn't just an overblown reaction to finishing 11th. It's much, much more than that. It's about recognising the pride this club has brought to our town. And, most of all, it's about saluting the loud, proud Palace fans.

South Norwood primary school defends lining class up in order of colour

May 8, 2014, 6:19 am

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A PRIMARY school that reportedly asked a class of children to line up in order of colour has defended the lesson as "celebrating diversity". Ryelands Primary School, in Albert Road, South Norwood, has faced accusations from a parent this week that teaching assistants asked a Year 6 class to line up "from lightest to darkest". The school was taken over by Oasis Community Learning last Thursday after Ofsted judged it to have fallen into special measures. The next day, reports came out about the class, which Oasis has not denied and has defended in principle. Oasis founder Steve Chalke told the Advertiser: "The activity that has been so widely misreported wasn't one that was just randomly plucked from thin air. "It was a part of a session intended to help older students, preparing to go to secondary school, learn how to discuss our differences in a positive way while recognising that we are all as important as one another." The class is thought to have involved around 30 children and taken place in the school's playground. No members of staff have been disciplined as a result of the class and Oasis has staunchly defended them. Mr Chalke claimed the students involved in the class were "really sad" to see the school criticised in the national media and they had "always known it to be a warm place of inclusion". He added: "The Oasis badge is a circle, you will see it on all of our buildings as well as on the blazers and sweatshirts of our children. "Our students and staff around the country know it as our 'circle of inclusion'." Nero Ughwujabo, chief executive of Croydon Black and Minority Ethnic Forum, criticised the school's methods of celebrating diversity. He said: "Their explanation is insufficient. It would be good to know their evidence for that sort of teaching. "Some children wouldn't have been best pleased. If they haven't plucked that out of thin air then they need to explain where they got it from." He added: "It isn't a teaching activity I've ever heard of." Ryelands is set to move to new premises around the corner at the old CALAT centre, in Sandown Road, in September. Its head teacher Carmel Dolan decided to leave a few weeks ago and was replaced by Di Morgan, who was previously head at Oasis Academy Johanna in Waterloo.

Two teens arrested after stolen phone tracked to bedroom

May 8, 2014, 6:46 am

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TWO teens have been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods after police tracked a phone allegedly robbed from an 11-year-old boy to a bedroom in South Croydon. The 16-year-old and 17-year-old are in custody after police used the smartphone's installed tracking application to trace it to an address in Heathfield Vale. Police activated the alarm on the phone while at the address this morning (May 8), and it sounded in a bedroom. The device had allegedly been stolen from the 11-year-old in Wickham Road, Shirley, yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. His parents contacted police. The teens are in custody at a south London police station. Officers from Croydon CID are investigating. Detective Chief Inspector Steve Baxter, who leads Croydon's Robbery Squad, encouraged youngsters to install tracking devices on their phones. He said: "The latest smartphones are particularly desirable among thieves and it is important that you are careful in handling these in public so as not to make yourself a potential target. "It's also important to keep a good record of your phone's IMEI number and to think about downloading a security and tracking app onto you phone if possible. "This technology really helps us in tracing stolen phones and will also help to discourage thieves from targeting these devices." For more crime prevention advice, visit www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention.

Croydon Ukip chairman dismisses leaflet 'hypocrisy' row as 'breeze in a teacup'

May 8, 2014, 7:23 am

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A SENIOR Ukip candidate in Croydon has dismissed accusations of hypocrisy over the party's use of Eastern Europeans to distribute election leaflets as a "breeze in a teacup". Ukip was accused of double standards after it emerged that many employees of a delivery company it is using in Croydon are from Latvia, despite the party's claims that EU immigrants threaten British jobs. Peter Staveley, branch chairman for Croydon Central and South, said the company was contracted by the party's two council election candidates in New Addington, Clive Christensen and Chris Johnson. Mr Staveley told the Advertiser the company's use of EU migrants was a "non-issue" and in fact served as an example of the problem Ukip is trying to highlight. "It's an example of where we have got to in this country - that people from Eastern Europe are prepared to work for less than the indigenous population," he said. "Like any good business, we take the lowest bids from the company that is going to deliver the goods. "I don't believe it's embarrassing because it reinforces what the situation is, that companies are able to undercut [each other] by employing people who are prepared to work for less money." Mr Staveley said Ukip's two New Addington candidates paid distribution firm Fast Leaflets to deliver fliers across the estate earlier this week. Andrew Spalis, the company's distribution operative, told the Huffington Post yesterday that many of its employees are from Eastern Europe. Mr Staveley, who declined to identify the candidates, said he had spoken with one of them since the issue had been made public. "I saw him last night, but I didn't bother mentioning [the leaflets] because it's such a storm in teacup, in fact it's more of a mild breeze than a storm," he said. "It's irrelevant. It's simply the other parties digging up a minute thing about how we deliver leaflets." Ukip support stricter immigration controls and were accused of racism after launching a high-profile poster campaign including the line: "26 million people in Europe are looking for work. And whose job are they after?" Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said Ukip's "hypocrisy knows no bounds". "They say they are against Europeans taking our jobs and then, when they have a chance to offer some British people work delivering their leaflets they employ European workers," he added. Mr Staveley, who is standing in Addiscombe ward, said: "There's no hypocrisy here, though I can see why our opponents and the media would say otherwise. "Our voters would have expected us to use the best company at the cheapest possible price. "As long as the company is fully legal then there's no need to do any more regulation on who they actually employ. "Ultimately what this is doing is highlighting the problem we're trying to raise, which is this company is having to employ Eastern Europeans because they are not allowed to employ people from outside the EU." When asked whether Ukip was in fact contributing to that "problem", Mr Staveley said: "I don't believe we're contributing to it. The company would exist anyway."

Croydon man jailed for role in broken bottle robbery

May 8, 2014, 7:51 am

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Two men have been jailed for robbing a man using a broken bottle as a weapon. Jordan Kanon, 21, of Laurel Crescent, Shirley, and Kadele Carew, 19, of Barcombe Avenue, Lambeth, were jailed today for a total of 13 years. The men met their victim in central London on October 25 last year, police said, and invited him to a party in Brixton. Once in Brixton, an area they knew well, they led the 27-year-old man down an alley, stabbed him in the hand with a broken bottle, and stole his mobile phone. Police were called to Sudbourne Road where they searched the area and arrested the suspects. Kanon was sentenced to four years' jail for robbery, at Inner London Crown Court today. Carew was handed nine years for robbery and eight years for grievous bodily harm, to run concurrently. DC Jamie Keane, of Lambeth Robbery Squad, said: "This was a challenging case, particularly with the vulnerable victim and his concerns with the criminal justice process. "I thank him for his courage in supporting Police, which resulted in these successful convictions and lengthy sentences."

Irish trio to release song about Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis

May 8, 2014, 9:45 am

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CORRIGAN Brothers, the Irish band who have charted all over the world with their international hit 'There's no one as Irish as Barack Obama', are celebrating Palace boss Tony Pulis in song. The Brothers, who have amassed tens of millions of YouTube hits as well as playing for Barack Obama, were inspired to write the song to show their support for Pulis with the Manager of the Year awards coming up. Guitarist Brian Corrigan said: "What Tony Pulis has done this season to keep Palace up has been amazing. "He had an impossible task when he joined in November and delivered five Premier League wins in a row on April 19. "There is no better managerial performance in world football this year." The brothers hope to play the song for Tony once he wins the award and the song, called 'Pulis is the Manager of the Year', will be released on May 16.

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Joe Ledley: I made right decision leaving Celtic for Tony Pulis

May 8, 2014, 10:15 am

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JOE Ledley has backed Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis to receive the Manager of the Year award from the Premier League via the League Managers' Association. The January signing has thrived under the manager, playing in a number of positions and contributing with two goals. And Ledley believes he made the right choice in leaving Scottish giants Celtic, especially as he had been approached to play for Pulis in recent years. "I think he's got to be manager of the year, with the points and everything since he's taken over," said the Wales international. "He has been remarkable, not just against the bottom-half teams but also the big teams where we picked up results against Chelsea and now Liverpool. "He's a brilliant manager. I had a couple of opportunities to work with him before and I think I've made the right decision now. "I am happy to be working under him. I have loved every minute. It was difficult to leave Celtic but to come here and be in a good place and under a good manager, it makes everything a lot easier. "That's what he's done. He has put belief in me and the new signings and everyone else. It has worked out."

Exclusive: Crystal Palace star Julian Speroni reveals his emotional feelings following Liverpool classic

May 8, 2014, 10:45 am

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CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni says he would have regretted not waving to the fans if Monday's game against Liverpool proves to be his last at Selhurst Park. The custodian spoke exclusively to the Advertiser following the stunning 3-3 draw and revealed his emotional state, with his current contract set to run out in June. Speroni was also overwhelmed by the fans' response and the special banner made by the Holmesdale Fanatics at the start of the second half. He said: "It was very emotional (tonight). When I was walking in and going onto pitch, I had a funny feeling. "I thought to myself that it's been ten years and this could be the last time I am walking onto this pitch at Selhurst Park. "It was such an emotional game as well and I think it's fair to say I felt different to most games. "Ten years is not a short period of time. For a footballer it is a huge amount. "There weren't any nerves or anything like that, I don't know how to explain it. "I remember seeing the banner in the Holmesdale Stand and it was only up for a little time but I was overwhelmed by the whole thing, plus everyone speaking to me before the game. "Somebody asked me if I was saying goodbye when I was waving at the end and I said on paper, it was my last game playing at home for Palace. "I am hoping that it wasn't the last game, but if it is, I didn't want to let that chance of saying goodbye go otherwise I would have regretted it. "If in two months it turns out that it was my last game and I didn't say goodbye, that would have been horrible for me."

Danny Quigley jailed for tormenting victim of Croydon nightclub assault

May 8, 2014, 12:47 pm

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A THUG who hit a man over the head with a snooker cue and threatened to pour petrol through his letterbox has been jailed for three years. Danny Quigley, 23, attacked his 19-year-old victim outside a nightclub in Croydon on August 4 last year. He then threatened the man and his family in the days following the attack. Quigley, of Redwing Close, South Croydon, was jailed for 33 months at the Old Bailey yesterday (Wednesday) after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and a section four public order offence. His victim had been involved in an argument at the club with two women who had, as a result, been asked to leave. Later the man left the venue and made his way to East Croydon. However, one of the women involved in the incident called Quigley, who turned up and hit the man over the head with a snooker cue. He was taken to hospital and required six stitches. In the days that followed, Quigley phoned the victim and his family, making threats of violence and even to pour petrol through their letterbox. He was arrested on August 10 after throwing a hammer at the windscreen of the victim's brother's vehicle. While in custody, police seized Quigley's phone and linked it to the calls that were being made to the victim's family. Quigley was also arrested for assault and witness intimidation, although he denied involvement. Through various ID parades Quigley was identified as the attacker. Police also analysed recordings of the threatening phone calls and linked them to him. Detective Constable Lorna Sillett, from Croydon CID, said: "The assault alone on the victim was extremely serious and left him needing stitches to his head. However, Quigley's threatening behaviour towards the victim and his family following the assault is what made this case all the more traumatic for them. "Throughout the investigation, Quigley repeatedly denied his involvement, but he even made a call to threaten the family while a police officer was with them discussing the case. "Thanks to the forensic voice work, and other witness accounts identifying Quigley, the weight of evidence was so great that he was left with no choice than to plead guilty when he appeared at court and will now be behind bars for a considerable time. "I would like to praise the courage and conviction of the victim and his family throughout the entire ordeal and hope this case helps to give other people in similar situations the confidence to come to the police and know that we will do everything we can to bring violent offenders to justice."

Crystal Palace fans: Our best moments of the season

May 8, 2014, 11:00 pm

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IT'S been an unforgettable season for Crystal Palace FC, so we asked a selection of fans to choose their favourite moment - and tell us what makes supporting Palace so special...

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James DalyBest moment: Dwight Gayle's equaliser against Liverpool will live long in the memory; just like Palace under Pulis this season, it's hard to beat. For what it symbolised (a team that won't give up now matter what how bad things look) and the atmosphere it created in the final home game of a what's been memorable season, it's definitely my favourite moment.What does it mean to support Palace? Being a Palace fan used to mean being part of this cool secret club that only you and a few mates are allowed in. A club that's just the greatest thing in the world but only you knew that. Now everyone else knows and even some wants to be a part of it. The plaudits Palace fans have been getting this season have made all the efforts over the last few years, dragging ourselves away from administration, all the more sweeter.Lee BowmanBest moment: The recent home games against Chelsea and Liverpool are up there due to the results, the incredible atmosphere and generated at Selhurst at both games, plus the headlines and coverage that followed. What does it mean to support Palace? I struggle to put into words just how proud I feel to be a Palace fan. We have had some bad times in recent years but from that day at Hillsborough four years ago to where we are now, I cannot praise everyone at the club highly enough. The spirit and unity of everyone in and around the club has gone to a new level, particularly this season.Zoe MessenbirdBest moment: A toss up between beating Chelsea at home 1-0 and the also last Monday's incredible comeback against Liverpool. I think Monday slightly wins for me because it illustrated everything I love about our club. When you're sitting there thinking, 'Christ, we could get thumped', Delaney of all people scores an incredible goal, and it turns into the most amazing night.What does it mean to support Palace? Coming home from Monday's game, I was talking to my dad about how it was only four years ago we travelled up to Hillsborough, where we survived relegation into League One and also saw our club survive extinction altogether. To think this season we would be walking away from our final home game in the Premier League this season positioned 11th in the table, having just upset a team challenging for the Premier League title, is quite unbelievable. Mark GeorgeBest moment: I think Dwight Gayle's last-minute winner at Aston Villa was a real turning point. Palace had hung on for dear life and looked like earning a very good point when Gayle's thunderbolt made sure they picked up all three points. It gave the team a real boost, especially showing they were capable of good results away from home. Honourable mentions to the John Terry own goal, a very good January transfer window and Puncheon's second goal at Cardiff.What does it mean to support Palace? This has been the best season for Palace since I started supporting them. My first game was the final one of the 90/91 season, so it has been mostly downhill since then. It's great the club has managed to come all the way back and survive in the Premier League. The next step is to become an established Premier League club.Alex WhiteBest moment: It has to be The victory away at Hull under Keith Millen, which really gave me belief that we had what it took to stay in this division. Equally, the 3-3 draw with Liverpool wasn't too bad either! What does it mean to support Palace? It seems bizarre to most fans that As a group of fans, our priority is to enjoy ourselves and back our team for 90 minutes rather than caring too much about the result. Of course we want to see Palace succeed and do the best possible but a few years back we nearly lost our club and we realised you don't know what you have until you have lost it. This made us appreciate every single moment we have a chance to cheer on the red and blue.Stephen EllisBest moment: It would have to be the pandemonium that ensued after Gayle's equaliser against Liverpool; Selhurst Park exploded.What does it mean to support Palace? For me, being a Palace fan is so much more than the football. It's about the comradery that exists between all Crystal Palace supporters. We are not there to be entertained, we are there to support the greater Palace community, together.Amy LatterBest moment: When we realised we were safe from relegation. I think it's fair to say that there was a time when a lot of fans had started to accept relegation. What does it mean to support Palace? Being a Palace fan means being a part of something unique. The way the fans unite together as the 12th man through the good runs and the (very) bad runs – is something special. It may be cliché, but it really is one big massive family.What have been your highlights of the season? Join the debate by commenting below.

Joe Ledley: I made right decision leaving Celtic for Tony Pulis

May 9, 2014, 12:00 am

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JOE Ledley has backed Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis to receive the Manager of the Year award in the Premier League. The January signing has thrived under the manager, playing in a number of positions and contributing with two goals. And Ledley believes he made the right choice in leaving Scottish giants Celtic, especially as he had been approached to play for Pulis in recent years. "I think he's got to be manager of the year, with the points and everything since he's taken over," said the Wales international. "He has been remarkable, not just against the bottom-half teams but also the big teams where we picked up results against Chelsea and now Liverpool. "He's a brilliant manager. I had a couple of opportunities to work with him before and I think I've made the right decision now. "I am happy to be working under him. I have loved every minute. It was difficult to leave Celtic but to come here and be in a good place and under a good manager, it makes everything a lot easier. "That's what he's done. He has put belief in me and the new signings and everyone else. It has worked out." Meanwhile, Ledley is looking to add more goals to his game next year, but admitted it may depend on having a fixed position in the starting XI. "I have been happy with my performances," he said. "I have got two goals, and of course you can't be greedy and have them all, but I am happy with how I am playing not just for myself but for the team as well. "Hopefully I can score more goals next season, it may depend on what position I'm playing in."

Croydon cancer sufferer's blog wins him national award

May 9, 2014, 12:15 am

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A CANCER patient who was diagnosed with an aggressive strand of the disease seven years ago has won an award for his blog.

Chris Lewis, 57, of South Croydon, was diagnosed with incurable stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma in 2007 and told he might only last six months.

He has undergone treatment since then and has now received recognition for writing on the subject by winning the Health Individual title at the National UK Blog Awards.

Mr Lewis, a former business consultant, started his blog Chris's Cancer Community in 2012 after he appeared on Channel 4 show You Deserve This House, a home makeover show rewarding community heroes.

He said: "When I went on the show someone said I'd have to have something online about myself because people would be searching for my story.

"By that point, I'd already told people my story so many times, it seemed a logical step to write it down somewhere people could see. Now it is read in most countries around the world."

The father-of-two, married to Sue, is currently undergoing treatment because his body is rejecting the stem cell transplant he had in 2007 to save his life.

"When I started my treatment it was very aggressive and my prognosis was very poor," Mr Lewis added.

"We had to talk about it [dying] and plan for it because it was stage 4 lymphoma. There is no stage 5. I've been living on the edge for years."

Mr Lewis talks about his own experiences in the blog but tries to make it as broad as he can, so it relates to as many people affected by cancer as possible.

He said: "I have to put my own experiences in because otherwise it would have no credence.

"That comes with confidence; being able to talk about your own diagnosis.

Mr Lewis has started a charity to raise money to buy specialist equipment for the ward at St George's Hospital in Tooting where he was treated.

To donate visit www. justgiving.com/chrislewis2 and to read his blog visit www. chris-cancercommunity.com

Croydon's tallest building could have 900 homes

May 9, 2014, 1:30 am

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RADICALLY changed redevelopment plans for what would become Croydon's tallest building received their first public airing yesterday (Thursday).

Developer Guildhouse-Rosepride revealed pre-planning application proposals for their Lansdowne Road development at a meeting of the council's strategic planning committee.

The company now wants to build a wholly residential development, comprising 900 homes with a 57-storey tower as its centrepiece.

The tower would be 203.5 meters high - just 24 meters shorter than the famous One Canada Square building in Canary Wharf.

In pushing for the change, the company has abandoned much of the scheme for which it was granted planning permission at the beginning of 2012.

The approved scheme had a 55-storey housing tower and overall included nearly 400 flats, 13 floors of offices, a 217-bedroom four-star hotel and a health club.

The offices and hotel have now disappeared from the plans.

David Hudson, chief executive of Guildhouse, told the Advertiser this week: "This is one of the most important regeneration sites in Croydon."

Mr Hudson said there was little doubt that when the Westfield/Hammerson redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre was completed there would be "a massive demand" for offices.

But at this time, he claimed, nobody will fund speculative new office buildings.

Guildhouse-Rosepride believe it is important to keep regeneration rolling and Mr Hudson said if planning permission is eventually granted work could start next year, with completion in 2018.

Mr Hudson said: "When people see our scheme and Westfield/Hammerson's happening they will see Croydon as it is going to be and there will be a whole new dynamic to the town."

The council planning officers' report presented to the committee last night showed the housing provided in two blocks; one of 57-storeys and one of 35-storeys.

They would be made up of 164 studio flats; 348 one bedroom flats; 305 two bedroom flats; 72 three bedroom flats and 11 penthouses.

The basement area would contain a fitness centre and pool and the ground floor a "flexible commercial space." The main tower is at the back of the development while the 35-storey tower will front Wellesley Road.

Any comments made by councillors this week will be considered by the developers when they come to draw up a formal planning application.

Mr Hudson said he was hopeful the future application would receive council approval.

He added: "Officers have been supportive. They like the design."

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Croydon College technician has close shave for cancer day

May 9, 2014, 2:00 am

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A HAIR and beauty technician from Croydon College shaved her head to raise awareness of ovarian cancer on Tuesday.

Sue Rosier chopped her locks off in memory of her mother who passed away from the disease 12 years ago.

The event took place in the college's hair and beauty salon, Aura, to mark World Ovarian Cancer Day yesterday (May 8).

Sue said: "Ovarian cancer is called the silent killer, but it really isn't, because it whispers.

"Today is to help make everyone aware of educating people about the dangers and making you aware of your own bodies.

"The whole point of shaving my head is to help people understand more about the symptoms."

Sue was raising money for Target Ovarian Cancer. To donate to Sue's cause text SUEM57 (followed by the sum you wish to donate, eg £1) to 70070.

Huge 1,100 per cent rise in employed Croydon residents claiming housing benefit

May 9, 2014, 2:09 am

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THE number of working people claiming housing benefit in Croydon has shot up 1,100 per cent since 2010. Labour Party research shows Croydon to have seen by far the highest increase in the country as 12,610 employed people claimed the benefit in 2013 compared to just 1,051 in 2010. This is compared to a 60 per cent increase across the country since 2010 and the closest local authorities to Croydon were Fareham (883 per cent) in Hampshire and Pendle (777 per cent) in Lancashire. But the total number of housing benefit claimants rose by just 11 per cent in the same period from 32,953 to 36,559, meaning there was a drop in the amount of unemployed claimants. Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves and shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds were at the Sir Philip Game Centre in Addiscombe this morning to discuss the figures with housing benefit claimants. Rachel Reeves, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "The huge increase in people who are in work claiming housing benefit is the result of the government's failure to make work pay, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and build the new homes we need. "Labour will tackle the rising cost-of-living by freezing gas and electricity bills and we'll make work pay by restoring the value of the national minimum wage and getting more employers to pay a living wage, ensuring more people earn enough to cover the cost of living." The Conservatives have said, however, that the rise in benefits is a knock-on effect of policies of the previous Labour administration. A Conservative spokesperson said: "We know people have been facing tough times. That's because they are still feeling the effects of Labour's Great Recession. "Labour are talking about a problem they created. "The truth is the housing benefit bill spiralled out of control under Labour, doubling to £20 billion in a decade and forecast to rise further. "Action this government has taken is bringing that bill under control - saving the taxpayer over £2bn a year. "And contrary to these figures, we have seen the number of housing benefit claimants fall over the last quarter. "We have also taken action to help hardworking people by increasing the tax-free personal allowance, freezing fuel-duty, and introducing free school meals and tax free childcare."

Crystal Palace defender named in Ireland squad for summer friendlies

May 9, 2014, 3:01 am

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Damien Delaney has been named in the 32-man Republic of Ireland squad for summer friendly matches with Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica and Portugal. The Crystal Palace defender has been a key part of the Eagles' successful campaign, with his goal against Liverpool on Monday sparking the incredible fightback that saw Palace come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Selhurst Park. And his reward is a place in Martin O'Neill's 32-man squad for the summer friendlies, which will prepare Ireland for their first European Championships qualifier against Georgia in September.

Crystal Palace's Joe Ledley: Friendships went out of window against Liverpool

May 9, 2014, 4:00 am

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CRYSTAL Palace midfielder Joe Ledley described Monday's 3-3 draw with Liverpool as a "crazy game" and was delighted to see Dwight Gayle grab two goals from the substitutes' bench. Ledley was up against fellow Welshman and international team-mate Joe Allen, who opened the scoring in the first half. And Ledley says he was blocked off from marking the midfielder from the corner which led to the goal. He told the Advertiser: "It was a crazy game. That what happens in football and the beauty of it. "I was blocked off for the first goal and the referee said the ball wasn't in play. It was a blatant block on me and I thought it was a bit harsh. "We didn't defend well as unit, but Dammo's goal got us the belief and it happened. It was fantastic and we just got stronger and attacked Liverpool in wide areas. "It was great for Dwight Gayle, he's been working hard in training and I am delighted for him to get his goals. "I know a lot of people at Liverpool, like Joe Allen and some of the staff as well. "I feel for them but at the end of the day I play for Palace, I am a Palace player. It was fantastic to get a point against a fantastic team. "You have to be professional in football, you don't switch off. "Just because you're playing against your friends, that goes out of the window the minute you cross that line."

Croydon ambulance man gets award for 22 years of service

May 9, 2014, 5:00 am

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A CROYDON medic has been recognised for his hard work over the last 22 years by the London Ambulance Service (LAS).

Retired emergency medical technician Steve Wollcott, 55, was among 35 people commended during a ceremony in Westminster on May 1.

Steve joined the service in 1991 as a patient transport worker in Croydon and stayed there for his 22-year career.

"I just loved working with people – every day brought something very different," he said. One day you could be treating a homeless person and the next could be the town mayor. My job was to always be the voice of calm in sometimes extreme situations."

Around ten years ago Steve was called to a woman in labour whose baby had breached.

The baby was born fighting for life, but he and his crewmate kept it alive until they could reach a hospital.

Mr Wollcott, who grew up in the area and now lives in South Croydon, said: "Every road I drive down I remember a job I attended there, and it has different memories and meanings to me. I miss the people – both staff and patients, as there were people we went to on a weekly basis and you got to know quite well."

LAS chairman Richard Hunt said: "We were incredibly proud to recognise these staff for their bravery and dedication. Their commitment over the years has ensured that Londoners get the very best urgent and emergency medical care."