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Police appeal for help in finding missing 25-year-old woman Lisa Gadsby who frequents Croydon

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POLICE are appealing for help in finding a 25-year-old missing woman who they think could be in Croydon. Lisa Gadsby went missing from Beckenham on May 1 and is known to frequent the Bromley and Croydon areas. She was last seen at 9.10am and was wearing a white body warmer, white hoodie, black jacket and white trainers. Anyone with information should contact the Missing Person Unit at Bromley on 101 quoting reference 14MIS014555.

Police appeal for help in finding missing 25-year-old woman Lisa Gadsby who frequents Croydon


CRYSTAL PALACE POETRY: Dwight's Gayle force stuns Liverpool

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THE latest Friday slice of poetry from Crystal Palace fan James Miller, aka the Bard of Selhurst Park... Some Fans Fickle, Some hide, some snide, Eagles wear their shirts with pride. Third goal scored, the final nail, But the weather forecast a Dwight force Gayle. 3-0 down, Selhurst still sings, Delaney's shot deflects and swings. Ten to play, still two to score, But Liverpool now insecure. Bolasie's kick, ran into space, Left reds behind, such immence pace. Roars down the pitch, in such good form, For Dwight to cause a Gayle storm. Now nine to play, time on the clock, To equalise, surprise and shock. Consolation no, belief restored, South London roared as Gayle scored. Ultimate fightback, back against the ropes, All but destroying the Reds' title hopes. Bottom to 11th and 11 points clear. Pulis a must for manager of the year. Played 37 and one to play, Amazing year, top flight we stay. So end the season on a high, Watching London's Eagle fly.

CRYSTAL PALACE POETRY: Dwight's Gayle force stuns Liverpool

Anthony Billy 'died by his own hand' says Croydon coroner after inquest into woodland fire death

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A MAN who burned to death in a South Croydon wood "died by his own hand", a coroner has said. An inquest had heard that, in the days before his death in January 2011, Anthony Billy, 32, told care workers he owed money to a drug dealer. Mr Billy's family feared he may have been murdered but, following a four-day inquest, coroner Selena Lynch said a "thorough investigation" had led her to decide his death had not been "suspicious". In recording a narrative verdict, Mrs Lynch told Croydon Coroner's Court today (Friday) that Mr Billy had set fire to himself in Croham Hurst Woods, but she could not be certain why. It was because of this unanswered question, she added, that rumours had spread and "made a bad situation, and the family's suffering, worse". Mr Billy suffered from paranoid schizophrenia but was "stable" in the lead up to his death, said Mrs Lynch, and was receiving "good" care in Russell Hill Lodge supported accommodation in Purley. The coroner added: "He spent Christmas with his family. Some of them described him as extremely well." However, there were signs that "something was going on in the background", Mrs Lynch added. Mr Billy, a frequent cannabis smoker, had become less interested in activities the home organised, his "delusions" – including speaking of a "god of fire" – were becoming more frequent and he was regularly asking staff for money. He also told his key worker he owed cash to a drug-dealer. Mrs Lynch said: "Were these signs of a relapse? Was he desperately worried about debt or was there something else going on in his life which we don't know of?" At around 3pm on January 19, Mr Billy asked Ronald Chiwome, the manager of the care home, for £5. When the request was refused, he became "irritable", "angry" and "hit the door" as he "stormed out". Mrs Lynch told the court: "Mr Billy left his home and went to a petrol station on Brighton Road, Croydon. "He purchased a canister and filled it with almost three litres of diesel. He then walked to the woods at Croham Hurst, doused himself in [fuel] and applied a naked flame using a lighter or possibly a cigarette end." A passer-by called 999 and police, firefighters and ambulance crews were sent but Mr Billy was pronounced dead. The lighter and petrol canister were found at the scene. "Thanks to a thorough investigation we can be satisfied [Mr Billy] died at his own hands," said Mrs Lynch, who added that the remaining question was why. "All the evidence is that this was completely out of character for him," she said. "There was never any suggestion that he would harm himself. "Perhaps he had some insight into his condition. Sometimes paranoid schizophrenics have a period of insight and they feel very distressed about what the future holds for them. "It could be that he decided to take his life impulsively after being declined money. It can be a difficult existence not to have access to one's own money as an adult. "It could be that he had a drug debt or something else that made him feel like taking his own life." Mrs Lynch said she could not return a verdict of suicide unless she could be sure Mr Billy intended to take his own life. "I can't be sure," she said, "because I can't rule out other possibilities." She ruled out that Mr Billy had accidentally started the fire with a cigarette. As to whether he had been killed, she said: "I don't think it was a case of homicide. He wasn't murdered, he died of his own hand. "I'm not able to come to the conclusion that this was a case of suicide. Rather than an open verdict, I have chosen a narrative conclusion." Mrs Lynch said an open verdict might lead some to conclude there was something suspicious about Mr Billy's death. "I have found it wasn't suspicious," she said. As for the care Mr Billy received at Russell Hill Lodge, the coroner described it as "good" and said she could not determine any causative failure. Mrs Lynch said the care home's staff knew Mr Billy owed money for drugs but, as he was not willing to talk about it, it was "difficult for them to do anything to help him". Around a dozen members of Mr Billy's family were present in court, including his mother Sandra. Simmone Simpson, his sister, later said she was upset with the verdict but needed time to collect her thoughts before speaking publicly. One family member held up a picture of Mr Billy as the coroner described how sorry she was for their loss. "These circumstances are devastating for families," she said. "It is hard enough to lose a loved one, but to lose someone like this must be utterly intolerable and I know the inquest has only partially answered your concerns. "You are obviously a close and loving family. I am sure Anthony's death has caused an unending wound for all of you. Time is not always the great healer we may have hoped it would be. "But I hope, given time, you will remember Anthony in happier and healthier times; the Anthony I can see in the photo held up in court this morning; the warm and generous person his mother described to me. Mrs Lynch added: "There is nothing you could have said or done that could have prevented this from happening. "The finest memorial to him would be to enjoy your lives and your family." The Metropolitan Police were forced to reopen the probe into Mr Billy's death last year after his family raised concerns about failures in the original investigation with the Independent Police Complaints Commission. It is expected to report the findings of that new investigation now that the inquest has finished. After Mr Billy's death a former school friend approached his mother and said her son had told him that "bad people" were "trying to get rid of him".

Anthony Billy 'died by his own hand' says Croydon coroner after inquest into woodland fire death

Heroin dealer Kwame Gyanfi from Waddon Road, Croydon, jailed for seven and a half years

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A HEROIN dealer from Croydon has been jailed for seven and a half years today. Kwame Gyanfi, 31, of Waddon Road, Croydon, was given the sentence at Croydon Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Officers from Croydon Metropolitan Police Service's Crime Squad raided his address on August 9, 2013 and discovered two kilograms of heroin and approximately 250 grams of crack cocaine. They also found drugs paraphernalia including hydraulic press machines and 27.5 kilograms of cutting agents. Independent experts estimated the street value of drugs was approximately £150,000. Gyanfi was arrested at the scene and charged the following day. He pleaded guilty to the offence at Croydon Crown Court on February 18. Detective Constable Kieran Given, from Croydon CID, who carried out the investigation said: "Gyanfi's arrest and conviction was as a result of a well planned operation and he was literally caught red-handed as we arrested him carrying a hold-all with a kilo of heroin inside. "Drug dealers cause serious harm to our communities and we will carry on targeting those involved in the supply of drugs in Croydon. "This investigation came about from information we received from the local community and it shows that we can achieve real success in ridding neighbourhoods of drugs by working together."

Heroin dealer Kwame Gyanfi from Waddon Road, Croydon, jailed for seven and a half years

Crystal Palace defender: It doesn't matter who we play, we're going to Fulham to win

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SCOTT Dann says Crystal Palace's performance against Liverpool on Monday night proved they didn't want to let their season "fizzle out" despite securing survival nearly three weeks ago. The Eagles head to already relegated Fulham for the last game of the campaign on Sunday and Dann says all he is thinking about is three points. Both sides could make a number of changes too in their preparation for pre-season and beyond. "We have another big game at Fulham on Sunday and we'll be trying to get the three points there," said Dann. "It would be a massive achievement to finish in the top half. It was a massive achievement in getting ourselves safe ever so safe with three or four games to go. "I think we showed against Liverpool, even though we were three goals behind, that we're a top side and we fought back. "We showed we didn't want to just let the season fizzle out and just the let games pass us by. We want to win and that will be no different come Sunday. "We know it will be tough but we'll go there in the right frame of mind on the back of the performance we put in, in the last 20 minutes against Liverpool. "With the goals we scored, we'll hopefully take the game to Fulham and come away with the points. "I wasn't here at the time but I remember watching it on television. We started well but they got two good goals. "But it doesn't matter who we play, we want to win and we'll be going there doing that."

Crystal Palace defender: It doesn't matter who we play, we're going to Fulham to win

Fly-tipping epidemic blights Croydon, with a TEN-FOLD increase in some places over past five years

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THERE is almost ten times more fly-tipping in some Croydon wards than five years ago, new figures show.

Fairfield has had the sharpest rise with a 970 per cent increase, followed by Woodside with 800 per cent and then Waddon with 700 per cent.

Thornton Heath has the smallest rise yet remains the worst ward for fly-tipping with 1,468 incidents last year, closely followed by Woodside with 1,263 and West Thornton with 1,114.

Overall, there is almost four times more fly-tipping now than five years ago across the whole of Croydon. In a report last year, the council claimed it had only increased 26 per cent between 2011/12 and 2012/13.

But new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show fly-tipping actually increased by 250 per cent during that period.

A council spokesman said the rise was "partly down to simple laziness on the part of a minority of people" who leave out "many small items and bags" on pavements.

But he added "the increasing cost of landfill" was also to blame, especially because the "use of legitimate clearance firms who have to pay these fees can sometimes be expensive".

He said Croydon was not alone and, "like most parts of London and the UK, has seen an increase in fly-tipping over recent years".

Between April 2013 and 2014, there were 12,868 incidents of fly-tipping but only 25 prosecutions are currently in progress. The council issued 243 fines and bought 12 new cameras while upgrading 13 existing ones.

There was only one successful prosecution in 2013 when a Battersea resident, Iesha Price, piled her rubbish at Reeves Corner and was fined £535.

Thornton Heath residents gave vent to their frustration with one, Alison Smith, 70, of Pitts Road, labelling her area the "rubbish dump of England".

"Everyone clearly just thinks 'let's go and dump our rubbish in Croydon, everyone else does and no one gets caught'," she said.

"It never used to be like this and now it's a horrible area to live in.

"I saw some council men the other day and told them there were names and addresses in the piles of rubbish; all they needed to do was trace a few people. They said it was far too expensive and much easier for them to just keep clearing the rubbish away."

Jane Hobbs, 64, of Bensham Manor Road, said her flats had an area for their rubbish which people just "dumped their old mattresses in".

"I know cameras are expensive but if they could just put them up for a bit to catch a few people then it might help," she said.

The council spokesman said: "We are investing heavily in both prevention and enforcement initiatives.

"People need to take responsibility for the waste they create and if they are lazy or try to avoid the charges for disposal by fly-tipping they can expect a hefty fine."


WARD BY WARD BREAKDOWNFigures show instances for 2013- to-date, 2009/10, and the % increase Addiscombe 818 183 440% Ashburton 458 111 410% Bensham Manor 891 416 210% Broad Green 733 236 310% Coulsdon East 105 31 340% Coulsdon West 188 39 480% Croham 242 45 530% Fairfield 417 43 970% Fieldway 737 78 560% Heathfield 140 51 270% Kenley 187 48 390% New Addington 68 28 230% Norbury 815 198 410% Purley 192 61 310% Sanderstead 91 23 390% Selhurst 918 407 250% Selsdon & Ballards 74 12 610% Shirley 141 29 490% South Norwood 900 196 460% Thornton Heath 1,468 846 170% Upper Norwood 590 151 390% Waddon 592 85 700% West Thornton 1,114 274 400% Woodside 1,263 158 800%

Fly-tipping epidemic blights Croydon, with a TEN-FOLD increase in some places over past five years

Addington residents voice fears at loss of green belt land

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A NATIONAL house-builder is eyeing green belt fields next to the Kent Gate Way for a new development, sparking mounting opposition.

Persimmon Homes wants to build on the land next to Addington Village tram stop, bordering Lodge Lane leading up to New Addington.

More than 100 residents expressed their dismay at the potential loss of green belt land, at a public meeting on Tuesday.

The potential plans are at a very early stage, with the developer approaching councillors last month to raise the idea.

Any planning application is not expected for at least another 18 months to two years.

Chris Heney, development director at Persimmon Homes Southern, told the Advertiser this week: "I can confirm that Persimmon Homes has an option on land at Kent Gate Way.

"Representations on how development can help meet the local need for housing have been submitted for consideration."

He did not elaborate on the potential number or type of housing. The land being looked at spans roughly 25 acres between the tram stop, golf course, Kent Gate Way and Huntingfield.

Asked whether they were "vehemently against any development" on the site, most if not all of the more than 100 attendees at the Addington Residents' Association on Tuesday raised their hands.

The association's former treasurer, Alan Chitty, said one of his concerns was the potential impact on local schools and other infrastructure.

He said: "They had to build extra classrooms at Forestdale school – they cannot cope with what we have got."

Association chair Jim Nayyar proposed hiring experts to fight the proposal, noting the group had about £3,600 but residents would need to set up a fighting fund.

He added it felt as though they were "fighting a ghost in the mist" until and if developers presented concrete plans.

He added: "One of my fears personally is that now it has become (public) I hope we don't have other developers hoping to get the same field."

Tony Pearson, councillor for neighbouring New Addington ward, said: "Any vast development would have an impact on infrastructure in certain areas and it is something I will be keeping a close eye on.

"We are really lucky out here to have the green and lush surroundings, and we don't want anything to spoil that.

"But we also appreciate the need for new homes, so it is a balancing act."

Heathfield councillor Jason Cummings, in whose ward the land lies, said he had made clear in a meeting with developers' representatives they would have to properly consult residents.

Addington residents voice fears at loss of green belt land

Croydon regeneration chief says town is nearing its 'Olympic' moment

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THIS is Croydon's Olympics. That's the message from Jo Negrini, as she settles into her role overseeing the borough's £3 billion regeneration.

Croydon's new executive director of development and environment has moved here from a similar role in Newham, where she had responsibility for the 2012 Olympic legacy, which included construction of Westfield Stratford.

Ms Negrini believes Croydon has the potential to outstrip the east London borough because of its "total package" and told delegates at MIPIM 2014, the prestigious international real estate show, that the south London borough's time had arrived.

"If you have a look at all the development taking place, what we have going on in Croydon now is our Olympics," she said.

"It's our time to make it happen. It's a major event and the London Borough of Croydon needs to plan, deliver and treat Croydon like it is a major event. It is not business as usual.

"Perhaps without Westfield and Hammerson's redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre this would still have happened but what that has done for us is accelerated it all."

Ms Negrini highlighted the fact that Croydon already has the required capacity, with plans to build 9,500 new homes over the next five years, as well as the infrastructure in place to fulfil its ambitions.

"Croydon was a fabulous commercial centre in the Sixties and what is absolutely key for us in all of this is that the infrastructure is already there," she said.

"It is not like other parts of London where we are waiting for the infrastructure to catch up with the demand. We have a lot of developers which work in Croydon, as part of our fantastic Develop Croydon partnership, who have hung in there, kept their investment here and made sure they didn't leave until their developments had taken place. That is starting to happen here now.

"We have got Saffron Square, a big Berkeley development, coming out of the ground, we've got Menta launching its residential scheme for which they sold £2.5 million even before its launch, we've got Ruskin Square and – of course – we've got Westfield and Hammerson."

Croydon regeneration chief says town is nearing its 'Olympic' moment


From the gutter to the stars, the rise and rise of Crystal Palace

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AFTER a season to remember, Five Year Plan fanzine editor ROBERT SUTHERLAND explains why this campaign has meant so much to Crystal Palace fans, after years of pain...

TIME marches on, never ending. Our history is but an element of the passing of time, and as Crystal Palace march on in their pursuit of greatness, it's easy to forget where we were just four years ago – a point where the club's history became almost insignificant in the face of an aggressive creditor.

It would be even easier to forget were it not for our supporters, whose shared experience has galvanised what was at times a fragmented unit.

The last four years have seen Palace's supporters stand behind the club in a way that is unmatched in the league; the uncompromising, unquestionable encouragement that greets every pass, move, tackle and shot comes not just from a "new in the league" experience, as other Premier League fans like to insist. It comes from seeing the club on the brink of abyss, staring into the oblivion that would have been a support without a club.

Core to Palace's support are the Holmesdale Fanatics, who have shown Palace fans a reality where singing isn't something to be ashamed about, where celebrating your colours, your love and your passion for a football club is expected rather than mocked.

Their attendance at the protest outside Selhurst Park provided a body for others to rally behind. Their guidance and verve in chanting has brought a different sound to the stadium, and their tifos and flags have given colour to a club whose stripes were inspired by the most extravagant of managers in Malcolm Allison.

From the final game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday four years ago, to the last home game of the season against Liverpool on Monday night, Palace as a club have gone through a remarkable transition.

Prior to that fixture at Hillsborough, Selhurst Park belonged to a bank, the training ground belonged to a landlord, the players were being touted by an administrator and the squad were being managed by a caretaker.

Since then, we've tasted the fear of relegation, have seen the coming and going of Palace legend Dougie Freedman as manager, experienced the gut-wrenching pain of losing the League Cup semi-final, screamed with adulation at our promotion winning charges, reacted with surprise at the resignation of Ian Holloway, questioned the logic in appointing Tony Pulis and eaten humble pie as he guided the club to a mid-table position in the Premier League.

The owners are supporters first and foremost, but they are also successful businessmen capable of negotiating to Palace's advantage.

Their mantra is that they are guardians of the club – and with such a mantra comes the commitment to never put the club in the kind of position it found itself in prior to their arrival.

They have guided us throughout the last four years with sensibility, helping to secure a Premier League status which, on that day in Sheffield in 2010, looked so very distant.

Much of what Palace have achieved in the last four years has come through hard work and perseverance. Whether it's the supporters, players, management or administrative staff – they've all played their part in transforming us into a Premier League outfit.

Undoubtedly, more is yet to come. The club needs to build on this season's success by seeking to repeat it next season.

Long-term, Palace will look to develop the stadium and will probably seek to invest in the club's other infrastructure; Tony Pulis has already mentioned that the training ground needs more work, for example.

Football is also a dangerously cyclical pursuit, and a few poor decisions can have disastrous consequences. Charlton Athletic are perhaps an example of what to avoid – the sacking of Alan Curbishley had a domino-effect which resulted in two relegations and left the club in a position that it is only now starting to recover from. There is risk in every decision you make, and Palace's owners and fans are only too aware of just how great that risk can be.

There is, however, a great deal of pleasure to be taken at the advancing strides that Palace have made in the last four years. The club can stand proud at what it has achieved since our last administration spell.

Few could write a story as vivid or as tumultuous as Palace's – mediocrity is something that Palace just don't do.

Even with a mid-table finish, the club this season have played a crucial role in deciding where the Premier League trophy might end up.

Four years ago, we would never have envisaged a mid-table Premier League finish. Here's to seeing what kind of adventures Palace take us on in the next four years.

From the gutter to the stars, the rise and rise of Crystal Palace

CROYDON TWEETS OF THE WEEK: The 'road to hell', Eddie Izzard, and Stephen Hendry

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THE latest musings and ramblings from Croydon's Twitter users...@SaulArtPhoto: Just helped an old woman off the train with a massive suitcase. "Its full of wine," she says. #Croydon@MarkyBunny: Memo to Boris Johnson, build a tram extension from Croydon to Sutton ASAP!!@RowenaRickson: It's way too early on a Sunday to have misread the journey plan and have to figure out how to use the Croydon tram link. #unknowntransport@R_SenLive: I'm an #Arsenal fan but I live in #Croydon and too often I hear the noise that #CPFC fans make...unbelievable! #12thMan@britishaussie: Not saying @FirstCC are slow but I missed the 17:40 at St Pancras so got Vic line to Victoria, train from Vic to E Croydon & met it there!@RichSimcox: Why does Stephen Hendry look like George Michael?@SimonThomsett: It's going to be a treat to see Eddie Izzard back on the Fairfield stage...@Haaaaarls: Surely in 21st century Croydon I shouldn't be threatened to be beaten with a belt on a bus.@MrDavidEBrown: On the road to hell. Or Purley Way as it's known round here.@vestachowmein: Sunday morning bus to Croydon, and a man hums with maddening tunelessness on the top deck.@jon_ellacott: So Sky internet down in Croydon. Exchange is down. Great, bank holiday without internet!!! Kids are pleased.@RobinOwenEllis:I am in a place called East Croydon. I believe it is due east of Croydon. A man with a dog is here, and an old lady on a train winked at me.Follow us on Twitter @Croydonad

CROYDON TWEETS OF THE WEEK: The 'road to hell', Eddie Izzard, and Stephen Hendry

Fulham v Crystal Palace: Eagles aim to rub salt into the relegated Cottagers wounds

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THE final game of the season is here – and what a campaign it has been.

No final-day scrap and no relying on other clubs for help, Palace have been comfortable for three weeks and certainly produced an electric performance on Monday against Liverpool.

Against an already relegated Fulham this Sunday, the Eagles can stick the knife in even further if they play their cards right.

We could see a number of changes for both sides on Sunday though, with Dwight Gayle and Glenn Murray pushing for starts in what could be a lethal partnership heading into the summer.

Julian Speroni, the fans' player of the year, could also be rested as talks over a new contract look certain to commence next week, and Wayne Hennessey may get a run-out instead at Craven Cottage.

Danny Gabbidon, Paddy McCarthy and Jonathan Parr may also get some game-time to end the season in defence, with the latter also set to find out if he will be offered fresh terms.

Eagles winger Yannick Bolasie wants to come away with three points to compound the hosts' misery further as they prepare for life in the Championship.

He said: "Football is a strange game. At the start of last season we were in the bottom three of the Championship but ended up getting promoted. It was doom and gloom here when Fulham beat us 4-1 in October. Everyone thought it was going to be a long season so it's funny how things turn out.

"They will have pride to play for and they will want to show they can bounce straight back next season.

"Everyone knows the Championship is tough. It's a strange league. As for us, we'll be going into the game confident and looking to end the season on a positive note."

Indeed, defender Scott Dann insists Palace will not want to let their season peter out just yet after the thrilling comeback against Liverpool – and he is targeting nothing but a victory.

"It would be a massive achievement to finish in the top half," he said.

"It was a massive achievement in getting ourselves safe, ever so safe with three or four games to go.

"I think we showed against Liverpool, even though we were three goals behind, that we're a top side and we fought back.

"We showed we didn't want to just let the season fizzle out and just the let games pass us by. We want to win and that will be no different come Sunday.

"With the goals we scored on Monday, we'll hopefully take the game to Fulham and come away with the points."

And Joe Ledley has echoed Dann's comments and wants to finish on 47 points – a feat no one could imagine last October when Fulham thumped the Eagles.

He said: "They are down and they've got no pressure. It will be an intense game and we're not going to switch off.

"The more points, the better."

At the time of going to press, Palace had no new injury concerns.

On top of those possible changes mentioned, Kagisho Dikgacoi will want to face his former side, while Stuart O'Keefe may also feature.

Bolasie and fellow winger Jason Puncheon look set to continue though, although Ledley can operate on the left if needed. Marouane Chamakh is also set for talks about staying, yet Sunday could be his last game for Palace.

A lot has changed since that 4-1 defeat by the Cottagers last year and, for Fulham, their planning for an instant top-flight return starts now and we could see some of their youngsters given the nod to impress.

Wandsworth-born Steve Sidwell has been earmarked as a possible signing for Palace in the summer and he has been one of the few successes in a poor season at Craven Cottage with eight goals.

He could line up in the middle of the park with Scott Parker, with Spurs loan signing Lewis Holtby cutting in from the left and Ashkan Dejagah from the right.

Manager Felix Magath wrote an open letter to Fulham fans earlier this week and he wants his side to put in a performance against Palace for them.

He wrote: "The reality is that we have been relegated, but my commitment and desire to Fulham remains.

"In the short space of time that I have spent here, I have been very impressed with so many aspects of our football club and, with this in mind, my one priority is to give Premier League football back to you.

"On Sunday, we play our final game of this season against Crystal Palace, and we owe it to you [Fulham's fans] to put on a good performance that is worthy of your fantastic support."

Fulham v Crystal Palace: Eagles aim to rub salt into the relegated Cottagers wounds

GEOFF THOMAS: The Crystal Palace fans have helped turn this campaign around

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Eagles legend and former Palace skipper Geoff Thomas gives us his views ...

MONDAY night shows why the Premier League is so special.

It was incredible to see Palace come back from 3-0 down and I have to be honest, I was starting to think about turning over to watch something else, but I am glad I didn't.

It was a fitting way to end the season at home and games like that show the culture of English football and why we love it.

To be fair to Liverpool, they were showing why they deserve to be where they are, but one goal changed things and the atmosphere was just brilliant. Everyone I speak to always talks about the fans and I think it is a really great credit to them and the club.

There is the section that just does not stop bouncing and that spreads around the ground, and they should take credit for their part in turning things around.

I was pleased for Dwight Gayle too, who has had a tough season. Maybe it was the expectation of the big money move and people looking for him to deliver straight away, but he is young and he is still learning and it was good to see him come on and do so well.

I was also pleased to see Julian Speroni pick up the player of the year award and that is very much deserved.

He has been a tremendous servant for the club and I hope he is rewarded with a new contract.

I hope things get sorted out because he deserves to be playing in the top flight and I hope it is still in a Palace shirt.

It would be nice for Palace to end the season with a win this week at Fulham – they have done it in front of their own fans, but I am sure that finishing on a high will carry over to pre-season.

I am sure Tony Pulis is already thinking about next season and he will know you can't sit still, but he has experience of that and a manager's job never stops, even when everyone goes on holiday.

GEOFF THOMAS: The Crystal Palace fans have helped turn this campaign around

Fulham v Crystal Palace: Cottagers are shell-shocked by relegation, but Eagles must beware the man who moves like Dejagah

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WE caught up with Lyall Thomas, the Fulham reporter for West London Sport, to take a look at Sunday's final game of the season…Thirteen years in the top flight has come to an end. It's certainly been an enjoyable journey in Fulham's history? There's definitely plenty of memories for Fulham supporters to look back on but I'm sure most of them would swap it all to stay in the Premier League. It's been a tumultuous season that has ended in disaster and heartbreak. I'm not sure how philosophical one can be about Fulham's relegation and their previous 13-year stay in the division when there have been a number of questionable decisions made by the club over the course of the season that have arguably contributed to their downfall.Looking back at the previous meeting in October, you must be impressed with Palace's turnaround? The turnaround says much about the chasm in Premier League experience between Ian Holloway and Tony Pulis. The latter, for me, was unlucky to be sacked by Stoke – seemingly let go based on a style-of-play issue – and so his ability to organise and inspire players to pick up points and win games in the Premier League is invaluable, as we've all seen.Should Tony Pulis be given the manager of the year award? He's certainly a candidate, in my opinion. If you look through the list of managers in the Premier League, there aren't that many you can say have done a fantastic job this year. In the limited time Pulis has been in charge, you can safely say he has made a real difference and really improved Crystal Palace, and for that reason he is definitely in the top-three along with Brendan Rodgers and Steve Bruce.Is Pajtim Kasami's strike at Selhurst Park your Fulham goal of the season pick? Possibly, although Ashkan Dejagah has scored a couple of scorchers within the last month or so which have arguably taken place at much more crucial and high-pressure times of the season.

Which player(s) should Palace look out for on Sunday? Dejagah is an attacking threat, while Lewis Holtby has creative quality, and if Hugo Rodallega has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the defeat at Stoke, then he will hope to pick up his recent good form.

And finally, a score prediction? Fulham have been left shell-shocked by their relegation. I'm going for a 2-0 Palace victory.

Fulham v Crystal Palace: Cottagers are shell-shocked by relegation, but Eagles must beware the man who moves like Dejagah

COUNCILLOR WHO? Advertiser poll fails to find a single person who knows full name of their elected representatives

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AN ADVERTISER survey suggests few people in Croydon know the identity of their elected councillors – just two weeks before voters are set to go to the polls.

We asked 75 residents in four corners of the borough if they knew who their local elected representatives were.

In reply, none could fully name any of their councillors. Four people mustered first names or partial names, while many others simply said: "No idea."

Carried out in Coulsdon, New Addington, Fieldway, South Norwood and Waddon, the survey suggests many voters will go to the ballot boxes without knowing who they are voting for, while many are not interested enough to venture out at all.

Some residents said they had simply never had a reason to find out who their councillor was, while others said they were disillusioned with the way the council was run and were therefore not interested in voting.

Mel Murray, 50, from South Norwood, said: " I have not voted for years to tell the truth because you know the way things are going right now. I don't think really that the council or them are concerned about us."

Coulsdon West Conservative David Osland was the most widely named councillor in the survey, with two people offering his first name – but he said that was unimportant.

"I don't really believe in the cult of personality," said the former Met commander.

"I think the important thing is there are councillors out there who no matter who they are, no matter which party they are from, that you can pick up the phone and contact them, and I think in Croydon you can."

Coulsdon was the only ward in which residents could identify any councillors.

One remembered "Jeet" [Bains, Coulsdon West councillor], another named Chris [Wright, Coulsdon East] as having "helped" with a problem.

While some might view lack of recognition as a sign of voter apathy, Coulsdon West Tory candidate Mario Creatura said it could speak of underlying contentment.

He said: "There is another way of looking at it which suggests that people don't know the councillors or MP because they have not needed them [to sort out any problems]."

Indeed, those who said they did not know their local councillors admitted they had never had a reason to try and get in touch, while the few who had been in contact with councillors were generally positive about the experience.

Waddon councillor Tony Harris said he was "amazed" at the result, having been highly active in his ward – where he has lived for 34 years – and done plenty of work with young people in the area.

He added he felt it was important people knew who councillors were, even if they did not need them to sort out problems.

"I think it is important because that is their conduit through which to express their opinions," he said. "That is what happens at the forums and the meetings.

"We discuss various issues and a perfect example of that is the building of the Waddon Leisure Centre. Various suggestions were put forward which were incorporated into it – and some that were not."

Two Fieldway residents thought Conservative candidate Jayne Laville, who runs a job club in Central Parade, was their councillor.

Simon Hall, one of the ward's two representatives, both Labour, said he and fellow councillor Carole Bonner were always recognised out and about delivering leaflets and on the doorsteps.

He added: "We are always there to support people and help them at times of need and we are always keen to promote what we do and when we do it, to make sure people know who their councillors are and the different services we do."

The results appear to broadly reflect the wider picture.

A YouGov survey in 2011 found that fewer than one in three people in London and the South East could name their councillor.

COUNCILLOR WHO? Advertiser poll fails to find a single person who knows full name of their elected representatives

Julian Speroni 'emotional' after Crystal Palace player of the year honour

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PALACE'S end-of-season awards ceremony was a huge success at Fairfield Halls on Tuesday night, with goalkeeper Julian Speroni scooping the fans' player of the year award.

It has certainly been a season to remember for the Argentine, who has now been with the Eagles for nearly ten years – and his recognition for a fine campaign was fully deserved.

Speroni beat off competition from Joel Ward, who landed the young player of the year, Damien Delaney, Jason Puncheon, Marouane Chamakh and skipper Mile Jedinak.

And he was presented with his award by manager Tony Pulis, who looks set to make a decision on whether to keep the custodian at the club, with his contract due to run out next month.

After picking up his award, Speroni said on stage: "I'm very, very pleased with the award, I can't thank the fans enough for all the love they've shown me.

"I think we all deserve a little piece of this as it's been such a great season and all the lads have done so well so it's a bit unfair for one player to have it, we should all share it.

"It's been a very emotional week for me and it's always nice to be rewarded but this is a special award for me."

Ward came out on top against the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Dwight Gayle and Stuart O'Keefe for the young player of the year.

The goal of the season award was contested by Cameron Jerome, O'Keefe, Chamakh, Puncheon and Gayle, and it was the latter's last-gasp strike against Aston Villa on Boxing Day which won it.

Advertiser sports reporter Mark Ritson also gave away an award on the night, recognising the fan of the year, which went to Ryan Joy, who picked up the most votes out of the 2,411 received in total.

Former chairman Ron Noades, who sadly died at Christmas, was recognised with the club's special achievement award, picked up by his wife Novella. And his legacy was played out by a fantastic video tribute of his time at the club.

Co-chairman Stephen Browett was delighted with the evening and felt it brought everyone connected with the club together to top off an amazing season.

He said: "It was a wonderful night and everyone was very together – it was a real Palace evening.

"Julian Speroni is such a wonderful bloke and he has been brilliant this year, he hasn't put a foot wrong.

"He totally deserved the player of the year award.

"It was incredibly emotional for him. The fans absolutely like Julian, and quite rightly."

Meanwhile, Browett revealed the club were in talks with "three or four" kit sponsors with big-money offers for next season too.

"Instead of coming at it with a Championship angle, we're now suddenly an established Premier League team so we are negotiating with three or four shirt sponsors," he said.

"They are offering us serious amounts of money. I hope GAC still have some sort of sponsorship around the ground, because they have been a fantastic sponsor for Palace.

"They have been with us for a long, long time.

"But now we're relatively big time in the Premier League, I think it will be serious amounts of money offered.

"Ultimately, it's who offers the most money but it is Premier League amounts of money, absolutely."

Julian Speroni 'emotional' after Crystal Palace player of the year honour


Move over Nigella Lawson - new cookery bible is inspired by ingredients from food banks

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MOST kitchens are full of cookery bibles from the likes of Delia, Jamie, and Nigella.

Now a Croydon woman has produced a food book of her own, but one with a difference – as the ingredients are all obtainable from food banks.

Amateur cook Hortense Julienne, 38, took on the culinary project for Lent and completed the book in 40 days and 40 nights.

The Bank Cook, which is now available via her blog, contains more than 20 budget recipes to help food bank users make the most of their ingredients.

Hortense, who lives in central Croydon and works for a media company, said: "I absolutely love cooking and I love food because I come from a French background where food is obviously very important.

"I think people should be able to eat well however much money they have, so hopefully this will give people a bit of guidance."

The devout Christian would like Croydon Council or local companies to help with the printing and distribution of her book, currently only available as an online PDF file.

"I need this to be in the hands of the people who need it," Hortense added.

"It is vital we support people with food banks. When there are so many people homeless, food banks are stopping people from becoming homeless as well."

Recipes in the book range from household favourites like chilli con carne and beef casserole to more unique creations such as stuffed aubergines with peanut butter sauce and corned beef pizza.

Hortense said: "The corned beef pizza just came from me looking at what I had in and seeing what I can make from it. It's always random.

"I live on my own and the recipes are typically for four or five people so I would bring the leftovers in for my colleagues and to my church. They were all very kind about the food.

"It's about making the most of what you have got."

Hortense's top tips for saving money with your weekly shop are to go out after 8pm when stores start making reductions and to avoid any 'buy one get one free' offers.

Earlier this month, the Mail on Sunday printed an investigation in which its reporter appeared to lie to a food bank to expose how easy it is to exploit them.

Hortense said the report was "unfortunate" and that 99 per cent of food banks users were genuine. "The man had a job to do and I was sad that he had to lie as part of his job," she said.

"There are a few people who exploit the food banks but the way I look at it; it's like racism. There will always be racists but most people are not like that."

To read Hortense's book, visit thebankcook.files.wordpress.com

Move over Nigella Lawson - new cookery bible is inspired by ingredients from food banks

Homes will not be built after felling of trees at Purley Beeches

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THE felled trees at Purley Beeches will not mean the site is turned into a housing development, despite fears.

The mature trees were cut down in April after experts discovered they were riddled with disease. Many residents are dismayed at the devastation.

At a Sanderstead Residents' Association meeting on May 1, fears were voiced that the land had been cleared to make way for a housing development.

Councillor Tim Pollard assured locals that this was not the case, saying: "There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that this work is all about clearing the way for a housing development.

"Purley Beeches is protected in our planning policies and there is no prospect at all of that changing.

Locals also expressed suspicions that the trees were not diseased enough to actually need felling. However, Croydon Council's trees and woodland manager, Nigel Browning, has insisted the beeches were "hazardous" to the public, although this was not obvious to the "untrained eye".

In a letter copied to Cllr Pollard, the tree expert said: "We are as upset as you are to fell these trees. However, the trees were not felled simply because they were over mature. They were felled because they were found to be hazardous."

The trees were found to have Kretzschmaria deusta, a fungus which causes the trunks and branches to snap.

Mr Browning said the disease was a "particularly dangerous decay fungus" which often gives "no warning" of when a tree might collapse.

"As a landowner we have a clear duty of care and simply cannot ignore trees that we find to be hazardous, especially in an areas such as Purley Beeches, which are both heavily used by the public and surrounded by residential properties," he added.

The tree expert said the felling had been particularly noticeable because the wood had been significantly thinned ever since the 1987 hurricane.

Although several hundred new trees had been planted, many of them had been "ravaged by grey squirrels", prompting experts to think "the only long term answer to this problem is to cull all the squirrels from the site which, again, is a very emotive issue for the public".

Despite this, Mr Browning explained Purley Beeches had since become "improved ecologically as there is a far greater diversity".

In response to residents' criticisms that the felled trees had been left to lie, Mr Browning said the foliage provided key habitat for further flora and fauna.

Dennis King, chairman of the Sanderstead Residents' Association, said there was a move to set up a Friends of Purley Beeches, in partnership with the nearby Wettern Tree Gardens.

"We will of course, support this as a residents' association," he added.

Homes will not be built after felling of trees at Purley Beeches

Royal seal of approval for Sanderstead church volunteer

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A Sanderstead mum who started volunteering for the Mothers' Union in her village church has risen through the Christian organisation to be appointed a CBE.

Rosemary Kempsell, 70, began her work with the international charity at All Saints' Church 35 years ago when she was a mum with two young children.

The All Saints Drive resident then moved to the organisation's central branch in London and began pioneering several different projects.

Last Thursday (May 1), she received the insignia of the CBE from Princess Annefor her services to family life in the UK and abroad.

"It was a really wonderful day," she said. "The Princess Royal engaged with everyone and she really wanted to know about the work of the Mothers' Union. We were made to feel very welcome and honoured."

Mrs Kempsell was the Worldwide President of the Mothers' Union for six years, having been chosen from a group of three in 2007.

"The reason I won the award was because I spearheaded getting overseas people onto our central trustee board," she explained.

"There are more than four million members worldwide and at the time, there was not a single person not from the UK on the board."

She said she was proud that the board – made up of 16 people plus the presidents – now had five overseas members, reflecting the diversity of the organisation.

Mrs Kempsell said she was "surprised and delighted" with the CBE.

"It is wonderful to see the way that the work of Mothers' Union is being recognised, and that is reflected in this award.

"While we are building on the past, Mothers' Union is today an organisation that is forward looking. I've been so warmed by the messages of support from all over the world."

One of Mrs Kempsell's outreach projects was to improve adult literacy in developing countries, most recently in Uganda.

"I have been to many countries in Africa and across the world with our projects," she said.

She also ran a parenting programme in the UK and worldwide to give mothers and fathers crucial skills when they were struggling.

The charity delivers its projects through a Christian ethos, encouraging parents to develop the faith of their children, promote married life and support families facing adversity.

Rosemary is still an active member of the Mothers' Union and is now a grandmother of twins.

Royal seal of approval for Sanderstead church volunteer

Crystal Palace star Julian Speroni expected to sit out Fulham test

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CRYSTAL Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni is expected to sit out of this afternoon's game at Fulham. The Advertiser has been told that the number one and player of the season will stand aside so that boss Tony Pulis can possibly take a look at Wayne Hennessey in action in the top flight. Speroni is out of contract next month and talks to extend his stay at Selhurst Park are expected to begin next week. Hennessey was signed in the January transfer window from Wolverhampton Wanderers but has been unable to take Speroni's place in goal after a number of fine performances. Indeed, the Argentine may have played his last game for the Eagles but it is understood he is willing to sign a new deal. We await official team confirmation shortly at Craven Cottage.

Crystal Palace star Julian Speroni expected to sit out Fulham test

Crystal Palace Team News: Wayne Hennessey starts at Fulham

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CRYSTAL Palace have named Wayne Hennessey in their starting XI at Fulham this afternoon. Julian Speroni drops to the bench. Tom Ince and Dwight Gayles also start for Tony Pulis' side. In defence starts Adrian Mariappa, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and Joel Ward. Mile Jedinak starts in the middle of the park with Joe Ledley, with Yannick Bolasie and Ince on the flanks. Gayle is partnered by Marouane Chamakh up front. On the bench with Speroni is Danny Gabbidon, Stuart O'Keefe, Jason Puncheon, Glenn Murray and Cameron Jerome.

Crystal Palace Team News: Wayne Hennessey starts at Fulham

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