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Arsonists set fire to a pile of bikes in an alley on Strathmore Road, Croydon

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Police are looking for arsonists who set fire to bicycles in an alley on Strathmore Road, Croydon last night.

Police and London Fire Brigade were called to the scene at around 10.15pm where three bikes had been set alight in a communal hallway.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said the bikes had been stacked against the wall of a block of flats. The fire was safely put out and there were no reported injuries.

A police spokesman said that they are treating the incident as arson. No arrests have been made and police enquiries continue.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Arsonists set fire to a pile of bikes in an alley on Strathmore Road, Croydon


Police warn group in South Norwood after child 'exorcisms'

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APPARENT "exorcisms" of children have been taking place in the early hours of the morning on a street corner in South Norwood.

The Advertiser witnessed a group of eight people congregating at 5.25am on Tuesday (September 23) and chanting in a group around a toddler behind South Norwood Leisure Centre.

Some of the incidents involve children, but it is not known whether it is the same child in all the alleged 'exorcisms'.

On Tuesday, members of the group took up different spots in the roads around Enmore Road, Portland Road and Denmark Road. They then gathered under a street lamp on the corner of Enmore Road and Denmark Road, near Woodside Medical Centre and South Norwood and Woodside Social Club.

Members of the group were heard to say "release your spirit" and "get the demon out" – which has alerted the council and police to monitor what is feared may be an exorcism.

The child stood in the middle of the group appearing not to move while the leader – a woman – repeatedly shouted "in the name of Jesus".

The worshippers spent about 20 minutes chanting very loudly, before abruptly breaking off and driving away at around 5.45am.

When the Advertiser returned on Wednesday, the group started an hour earlier but at exactly the same spot by the streetlight.

A woman who lives in Enmore Road had contacted the Advertiser about the strange goings-on and complained about being woken up by the noise.

A number of other residents getting up to go to work walked past without taking much notice, including one man who said: "It's just some sort of church stuff."

On Thursday morning police attended the scene and spoke to those involved warning them of the potential impact their activities could have on the area.

The council is monitoring the situation. A spokesman said: "When we became aware of this issue we quickly referred it to the police. We've also discussed the situation with local residents to gain as much information as possible. If anyone witnesses any further gatherings they should contact the police directly."

Legal experts told the Advertiser the group are not partaking in illegal activity.

The group was heard to sing "Lord, don't let me go!" and recite the Lord's Prayer, while the apparent leader shouted "We should have married you, Jesus!".

A police spokesman said: "We received a call about this issue earlier in month, although we have had no further calls since and no allegations of crime have been made at this stage. Officers have made local enquiries following the initial report, but have not identified any individuals involved at this time.

"We are continuing with our enquiries to try and establish the identity of the child allegedly involved to ensure that there is no risk to their welfare. We would encourage anyone to contact police immediately by calling 999 if they witness any such activity – especially if they have concerns over the welfare of a child."

Police warn group in South Norwood after child 'exorcisms'

Croydon veterans mark 70th anniversary of Arnhem landings

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PARACHUTE regiment veterans joined serving soldiers and Croydon's mayor as part of the borough's contingent at a service in Arnhem, in Holland, at the weekend.

The service marked the 70th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated airborne landings in 1944 which were made famous in the film A Bridge Too Far.

Only 2,000 of the 10,000 troops dropped as part of the operation came out.

And 1,700 of those who lost their lives in the landings in and around Arnhem, now Croydon's twin town, are buried in a cemetery at Oosterbeek, just outside the town.

The centrepiece of the annual commemoration is the service at the war cemetery.

The event is also marked by hundreds of paratroopers being dropped over the site of the conflict.

Col John Power, president of the Croydon branch of the Parachute Regimental Association (PRA), said: "One of the most poignant moments is when children from Arnhem lay flowers on each one of the 1,700 graves, whispering the name on the headstone as they do so.

"It is very moving."

This year, about 20 members of the Croydon PRA - Second World War veterans and serving personnel - attended the commemoration.

Col Power said: "Unfortunately, our two remaining Arnhem veterans could not attend this year, but the 70th anniversary was particularly important because, in all honesty, as the Arnhem veterans get older, this is going to be the last really big event."

Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, mayor of Croydon, said: "It was a real privilege to be representing Croydon on this historic anniversary of one of the most well-known battles of the Second World War.

"Croydon's ties with Arnhem go back to 1946 and we have been formally twinned since 1985.

"Both towns were heavily bombed during the war and there was a common bond which formed over the years of recovery and rebuilding. It's sad to remember those who died, but events like this let us look forward to a better future."

Operation Market Garden was a plan to capture three major bridges in Holland, three months after D-Day, punch into Germany and hopefully put an end to the war.

It failed for a number of reasons, including troops being dropped too far away from the bridges, a lack of aircraft and strong German resistance backed by the presence of Panzer tank division.

Croydon veterans mark 70th anniversary of Arnhem landings

PALACE POETRY: Yannick Attack! Toffees come unstuck thanks to Bolasie and co.

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The Bard of Selhurst Park, James Miller, returns this week to tell the tale of a great away day at Goodison Park...

Shaky start, Speroni beat,

Defence cut apart, feared defeat.

Howard's lunge, McArthur drops,

Mile clinical from the penalty spot.

Second half, our rising star,

Shoots, deflects, it hits the bar.

Searching pass, Howard's call,

Misjudged, Campbell wins the ball.

Advantage Palace, deja-vu,

Everton one- Eagles two.

Momentum with us, toffees spooked,

Push them back, defenders duped.

History repeats, panic panic,

Blue shirts retreat, here comes Yannick.

Ball at his feet, racing, running,

Defence beware, Bolasie's coming.

Puncheon's pass, Yannick's through,

Coolly taken, we lead by two.

With grit, hard work, heart and fight,

Bolasie's first goal in top flight.

First win this season, dare to dream?

Becoming the Toffees' bogey team,

Week in, week out, home or away.

Bring on Leicester on Saturday.

PALACE POETRY: Yannick Attack! Toffees come unstuck thanks to Bolasie and co.

Crystal Palace defender signs contract extension

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Paddy McCarthy has signed a new one-year contract extension. The 31-year-old club captain has made 150 appearances during his six years with the Eagles, including two in the Capital One Cup this year as he battles back from a groin injury. His new deal will keep him at Selhurst Park until the end of next season and McCarthy told the club website that he was delighted to be working with new boss Neil Warnock again, having worked with him before during his first spell in charge at SE25.

Crystal Palace defender signs contract extension

Coulsdon residents unite to fight changes to train services

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RESIDENTS' Associations in Coulsdon have joined forces to fight reductions to the town's train services.

Thousands of leaflets calling for services to be maintained were handed out to passengers at Coulsdon South station on Monday, and more still were distributed at Woodmansterne Station and Coulsdon Town during the week.

Charles King, chairman of East Coulsdon Residents' Association, said the town stands to lose its direct off-peak services to London Victoria in December 2015, while the Tattenham Corner branch off-peak shuttle, which serves Coulsdon Town, will be scrapped, meaning a reduction in service by a third. The changes were revealed in proposed timetables published earlier this summer by transport company Govia.

Their new franchise, Govia Thameslink, replaced First Capital Connect on September 14, and is due to incorporate the South Central franchise, operated as Southern and Gatwick Express, when it expires in July 2015.

The leaflet says: "Unfortunately in the detail of the timetable, Coulsdon is the one place on the network that will have a worse off-peak service."

It also says the associations will lobby Govia and the Department for Transport against the changes.

Mr King, who is also chairman of East Surrey Transport Committee, said it didn't make sense to cut the service which most people wanted to use. "London Travelwatch did a survey a few years ago, and that came up with the figure that 65 per cent of passengers at Coulsdon South want to go to Victoria.

"It's all very well having services to London, but there's no point if they're not going where people want to go."

Coulsdon West councillor Mario Creatura said he "fully supported" the efforts of the campaigners.

A spokeswoman from Go-Ahead, Govia's parent company, confirmed there would no longer be off peak services from Coulsdon South to Victoria. "During the off-peak period there will still be four trains an hour to central London stations, as at present. Two of these off-peak services will run to London Bridge. The other two will run from Gatwick to Bedford, bringing passengers new links to Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras (for Eurostar).

"We will be undertaking a public consultation during this autumn on our detailed plans for the December 2015 timetable change.

"Once the Thameslink Programme is complete in 2018, passengers from Coulsdon South will have far better connections to the rest of London."

The leaflet, which asks for residents to back the campaign by contacting Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway, Govia CEO Charles Horton and Croydon and Sutton GLA member Steve O'Connell, is supported by East Coulsdon Residents' Association, Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, Hartley and District Residents' Association and Coulsdon West Residents' Association, along with Coulsdon Chamber of Commerce.

Coulsdon residents unite to fight changes to train services

Crystal Palace legend warns Eagles to watch former Brighton man on Saturday

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CRYSTAL PALACE LEGEND GEOFF THOMAS HAS WRITTEN HIS LATEST COLUMN FOR THE ADVERTISER AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S GAME WITH LEICESTER CITY. LEICESTER will not be an easy game on Saturday, make no mistake about it. Their performance and win against Manchester United last week will give them such a lift going into the game and you hope they may even be a little complacent. Leonardo Ulloa has hit the ground running, and I have to admit I hadn't really heard too much about him previously or knew too much about his ability from playing at Brighton previously. He's proving to everyone he can play in the Premier League and he's doing a good job. He's a big and physical guy who knows where the goal is. However, Palace are unbeaten in the league under Neil Warnock. Tony Pulis built a side last season and you just wanted things to roll on into this season, but the choice of Neil was wise. People will remember him and have warmed to him. He has settled in and is doing a good job. Without too much upheaval, he has got the club back on the track the club were kind of already on. After this weekend, Palace play Hull. We learnt last year that certain games you call them six-pointers when you're always fearful of playing some of the clubs who aren't always going to be at the top. Leicester and Hull are games you know are going to be like that, battling all the way until the last five games of the season. Neil isn't daft. He knows these sort of games need as much attention as the games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United. It's a case of looking after yourself and your own performance. At home I think you should play positively. I know Neil played five in midfield last Sunday, and the old days of playing 4-4-2 are in the past really. You look at people like Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon. You have got quality out wide, it's how you use it. As long as you have players supporting one or two strikers, or getting numbers in the box, that's fine. Meanwhile, I am hoping to come down to Palace in October, possibly for the Chelsea game – I might cherry pick that one. Although West Brom away is a bit closer to me as well. I'll see what I can do to catch Palace in October.

Crystal Palace legend warns Eagles to watch former Brighton man on Saturday

Landlords rail against Croydon Council's 'unjust' licence fee plans and warn tenants will pick up the bill

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LANDLORDS held a public meeting on Thursday night to discuss the council's plans to impose a £200-a-year licence fee for every property they rent out in Croydon. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they're not happy, reports Gareth Davies.

"Ridiculous".

"Unjust".

"Disproportionate".

Landlords had plenty of words for the council's plans to impose a licensing scheme in Croydon, none of which were flattering.

There was widespread opposition to the policy at a meeting organised by the National Landlords Association (NLA) at Hampton by Hilton, in Dingwall Road.

A week earlier Labour politicians held their own meeting to discuss Croydon's housing crisis at which a smaller crowd were told the licensing scheme would help tackle antisocial behaviour and raise standards of accommodation.

No one from the panel – or the council - was present on Thursday night to hear the concerns raised by landlords and letting agents, who questioned virtually every aspect of the scheme.

Licensing every private property in Croydon, they said, would penalise the majority of good, law-abiding landlords and have little impact on the worst offenders.

"They are targeting the reputable landlords and ignoring the rogue landlords," said one man.

There was anger at how much the licence will cost. The council suggests £1,000 per property over five years, twice as expensive as Newham, one of dozens of authorities where a licence is already in place. Gavin Dick, representing the NLA, said a more realistic charge would be £200 to £250.

Crucially, the 100 or so people who attended the meeting all seemed to agree who would end up having to pay.

"Many landlords will make a decision, as a business, to pass on the costs to their tenants," said Sally-Anne Stapleford, who has properties in Croydon and Crystal Palace.

Rachael Board, a senior branch manager for estate agent Leaders, attended the meeting to give feedback to more than 800 clients, many of whom, she said, were unaware of the changes.

"I'm sure both landlords and tenants are going to be saying no to this because it will raise rents," she told the group.

Cllr Alison Butler, the council's housing chief, was attending another civic event that evening and may have decided not to send a replacement to avoid an ambush by the Conservatives.

Gavin Barwell, MP for Croydon Central, is leading the campaign against the changes and was the guest speaker at the NLA meeting.

Mr Barwell said the licensing scheme would exacerbate Croydon's housing crisis by causing landlords to remove their properties from the market.

"That's going to hurt the people this policy claims to be trying to help," he said.

By law licensing schemes can only be imposed where there is either a lack of housing supply or where private rented properties can be linked to antisocial behaviour.

"The evidence the council is relying on doesn't back that up at all," said Mr Barwell.

"The number of private rented properties has been increasing but the number of incidents has been declining, which would suggest there isn't a correlation between the two."

Another issue is the standard of accommodation. The council cites the Building Research Establishment which says 10 per cent (11,397) of private housing in Croydon is in disrepair. The number of complaints received by the council relating to private rented accommodation has more than doubled from 630 in 2010 to 1,371 in 2013/14.

Mr Barwell said the number of complaints was "relatively small" given the estimated 30,000 private rented homes in the borough.

"The issue might be hidden because some people aren't willing to complain but, even so, it's very clear the problem relates to a small minority or private rented homes," he said.

"So why is the council doing something that affects all private landlords instead of dealing with those properties where there is a problem?

"It seems to me this policy is a stealth tax. It's going to raise about £4 million, the costs will be passed on to tenants and the council hopes landlords will get the blame."

Revenue from the licence fee is only allowed to be used to administer the scheme.

Mr Barwell said that his time as a cabinet member on the council, however, made him realise there were "grey areas" where seemingly ring-fenced funds could be used in a variety of ways.

He argued there are a number of existing powers to tackle rogue landlords instead of introducing a "blanket" policy which will lead people to pay higher rents.

"I want to do everything I can to make the council see sense and drop this policy."

Mr Dick, local authority policy officer for the NLA, said the scheme was "unjust" and "unequitable".

"The council thinks this will be the panacea for all the problems in the private rented sector but what they don't realise is, as landlords, you are quite restricted in what you can do when it comes to antisocial behaviour," he said.

"They don't understand the rules you have to follow. They seem to be under the illusion that you can monitor tenants 24 hours a day."

James Long, a landlord with 18 properties, had a list of concerns.

He said: "Why can't it be a charge per landlord rather than per property? A lot of landlords have multiple properties. Say a landlord has 30 one-bedroom flats, he could be looking at a £30,000 charge over five years. Where is the sense in that?

"Instead of just charging people money, why not use it for a good purpose and make landlords go on training to improve condition, to learn, to educate.

"Just charging people or fining them doesn't solve the problem. It just puts money into someone's coffers.

"If you put more charges on landlords they will simply get out of the market. If it's not worth it for them, they won't do it."

Mr Long was among the landlords to question the correlation between private sector housing and misbehaviour.

He said: "It's the type of person you put in homes, not the state of the property, which attracts antisocial behaviour."

Ms Stapleford said: "Antisocial behaviour is a societal problem. It has nothing to do with landlords. Society has created a certain class of people who haven't got respect.

"Landlords can't make badly behaved people into well behaved people. The government and schools have to change people's attitudes."

Mr Dick said there was an issue with rogue landlords but it stemmed from a lack of prosecutions. The problem, he said, is those breaking the law are exactly the type of people who won't sign up to the licence. There would be a £20,000 fine for those who do not comply.

"If you are a criminal and you are renting out substandard housing you're not going to walk down to the council and ask for a licence for the shed you're renting out."

Landlords at the meeting were urged to respond to the consultation process which is due to finish on October 17.

Mr Barwell said it would be more effective if they asked people living in their properties to reply to the tenant consultation which begins in November.

When asked about a possible legal challenge, Mr Barwell replied: "I'm not a lawyer but the legislation makes it very clear what evidence you have to provide in order to demonstrate the case. It's certainly arguable in this that the evidence doesn't meet the threshold set out in the law; certainly not to apply it across the whole of the borough.

"There may be clusters of streets, particularly in the north of the borough, which have a problem with antisocial behaviour linked to particular properties, but it's quite clear to me the evidence doesn't support doing it in a blanket way."

Robert Ward, one of the few landlords who attended Labour's meeting, said he recognised many of the issues Labour had raised. It was the solution he was having trouble getting his head around.

He said: "I thought perhaps I had gone mad. There are problems I understand and see but solutions which make no sense at all.

"In general the law is clear in that landlords aren't responsible for their tenant's behaviour unless they are complicit in it.

"Statistically, it is almost impossible to make the link between antisocial behaviour and rented properties. Quite honestly, what Croydon has done is absolutely laughable."

Dudley Mead, shadow cabinet member for housing, was among a handful of Conservative councillors at Thursday's meeting.

He said he had the option to introduce a licence fee "several years ago" but decided not to.

"I realised there was a major housing crisis in Croydon and what I needed to do was protect the supply," he said.

Cllr Mead claimed that, since Labour announced the idea in May, the supply of private rented accommodation made available to the council had "dried up".

"The reason for that is simple. If you are looking round where to invest or expand your portfolio, you will think twice about coming to a local authority which is proposing to impose upon you one of the highest levies for registration in the UK. There's no justification for it. This scheme is absolutely mad.

"Get your tenants to tell [the council] it is bad news because all of you are, in the long run, going to have to pass the costs on to them."

Landlords rail against Croydon Council's 'unjust' licence fee plans and warn tenants will pick up the bill


Croydon firefighters help police search for missing Alice Gross

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Fire fighters from Croydon have been sent to west London to help police search for Alice Gross.

The 14-year-old went missing on August 28 and was last seen walking alone on the Grand Union Canal tow path in the direction of the River Thames just after 4.20pm that day.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed that fire engines and crews from Croydon stations were sent to assist police in the search for Alice at 9.30am this morning.

An LFB spokeswoman said: "London Fire Brigade's Urban Search and Rescue crews are assisting the Metropolitan Police Service with their search for the missing teenage Alice Gross. 

"Crews are using specialist search, cutting and winching equipment to clear the area of heavy debris like fallen trees to ensure that the police can conduct their investigation safely and access difficult to reach areas."

Today police searched an area in Elthorne Park but following a full assessment they have determined the area is not of relevance to the investigation into Alice's disappearance.

Croydon firefighters help police search for missing Alice Gross

Purley boy who survived major heart operation is new face of charity campaign

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THERE can be little more devastating news for parents than being told their child is seriously ill.

That is just what hit Ray and Vicky Harris when they learned last year that their son, Dan, needed major open-heart surgery if he was to survive.

But Dan, now 10, was not going to be daunted by the prospect and he not only took the five-hour operation at the Brompton Hospital in London in his stride but surprised just about everyone by making an amazing recovery – and less than a year on is back leading a normal life.

So impressive was his story that he was nominated by the Brompton Fountain charity to head up a major fund raising campaign for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

He is featuring this month on YouTube and is the face of the BHF's Bag It Beat It campaign.

The "little heroes" campaign urges people to donate bags of goods to the charity for sale in its shops or for recycling to help boost funds for research into helping the 40,000 children who like Dan, suffer from congenital heart disease.

Ray and Vicky who live with Dan and their other son, seven-year-old Robbie, in Plough Lane, Purley found out when he was baby that Dan had a heart murmur and a small hole in his heart.

But it was not until a scan nine years later they found the hole had grown and his heart had become seriously enlarged.

The only option was life-saving surgery which was performed by Professor Hideki Uemura in December last year.

Dan said: "I didn't really ever feel poorly but when I went into hospital and they told me about the operation I just said I wanted it done ASAP."

Once he came through successfully, his thoughts turned immediately to getting back to normal and most importantly to his beloved football –he plays for Old Coulsdon Colts and will be Crystal Palace's mascot at their home game against Chelsea next month.

He was due to spend three days in intensive care after the operation but came out after 10 hours.

Dan said: "I got bored really quickly and I went to the ward school because I love maths, particularly long division."

He admitted, a little shyly, that he wants to be an accountant when he grows up.

He was home after four days where his remarkable recovery continued.

Dan, a pupil at Margaret Roper school in Purley, was off school for six weeks and was banned from contact sport for three months.

He is now back on top form and picking up man of the match awards with his team.

And he does not have to return to the Brompton for two years for a check up.

His role in the BHF campaign sees him talking about his operation and showing off his scar in "Super Boy" style.

Dan said: "Filming for the first time was surprising. It was hard and long but I am proud to have done it."

His parents, too, are proud both of Dan's bravery and the role he is playing in helping the BHF's campaign.

Dad, Ray, said: "Nothing has gone to his head, his feet are still on the ground. He is still the same boy, he is just more lovely."

He said he and Vicky were pleased that Dan had been able to get involved in the BHF campaign.

He said: "It is a massive positive which has come out of something that was quite serious."

He was also full of praise for everyone involved with Dan at the Brompton.

Ray added: "A lot of people have said we are unlucky, I look at it as we have got a son who has been fixed.

"What Dan has been through is special but now he is a normal child doing normal things. What more could you wish for?"

Purley boy who survived major heart operation is new face of charity campaign

Addiscombe horror crash victim meets team who saved his life

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A FATHER of four who suffered life-changing injuries when his friend sped past police and crashed a car through a central reservation and into an articulated lorry, has met emergency crews to thank them for saving his life.

Kelvin Walker, 33, from Addiscombe, was trapped in the wreckage of Ferdinand Page's Ford Focus after Page fled the scene of the crash on Streatham High Road the early hours of December 28, 2012.

The friends were returning to Croydon after Kelvin's birthday celebration.

Police, paramedics and fire crews worked to keep Kelvin alive after he suffered a broken neck, elbow and leg in the crash.

He spent nearly a year in various hospitals and after originally being told by doctors he had a 99 per cent chance of being completely paralysed from the neck down, he noticed sensation returning and can now move his hands and stand with assistance.

On Tuesday, more than 18 months since he last saw them, Kelvin and his mum Michele Morrison-Walker, were reunited with the people who saved his life.

"It's extremely emotional after such a traumatic event where Kelvin would have died without help, he was moments from death," said Michele, also from Addiscombe.

"The fact that he spent a whole year of his life away from his young family in hospital is emotional for him and he's always said 'I have to meet the people that saved me'.

"It's absolutely wonderful that everyone can be here for Kelvin to thank them personally, and for me to thank them for saving my boy."

Kelvin said: "When something like this happens and you can meet the people who have made a difference, it matters.

"At the same time, it's exciting to show how I'm still smiling thanks to these guys who do a tough job, if it makes them go home and say 'I've done a good job' then it's really worthwhile, because people do bad-mouth the police."

It took more than 18 months to bring Page, 31, of Vanguard Close, to justice because he fled to Jamaica while on police bail, but was arrested earlier this year when he tried to re-enter the UK at Manchester Airport.

He was jailed for three years at Southwark Crown Court on September 2 after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, an offence which came into force just weeks before the crash.

Michele said she was pleased with the verdict and glad the new law could be used.

"It doesn't bring back Kelvin's use of his legs or his body but it gives you a bit of closure and satisfaction that justice has been done."

Kelvin added: "Once I got down in that physio room, that was it, I wanted to be able to walk again.

"It's coming along slowly but surely, making progress, I'm doing a bit of standing and walking with assistance, and I do sessions on the cycling machine."

Michele added her son was "absolutely determined".

"He has a positive outlook now. He has had his dark moments and there's been times where he's said 'Mum, what's the point in carrying on? I can't hold my children, I'm not the big strong dad that I was'. But since he's been doing physio, it's starting to come back and he can hold the kids and more. He's doing really well.

"He's determined that he wants to walk again. His name is Walker, he has to walk again."

Addiscombe horror crash victim meets team who saved his life

Fifteen fire fighters dragged a huge dog from a burning building in Croydon

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IT TOOK fifteen fire fighters to drag an enormous bullmastiff from a burning building last weekend.

A second floor flat caught fire after the bullmastiff's owners left food cooking on the hob and went out. The food set fire, which caught some tea towels near the cooker before the spreading to the kitchen curtains.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said three fire engines were called to the fire in a detached building in Park Road at around 9pm on Saturday 20.

Neighbours realised there was a fire and called the fire brigade after hearing the flat's fire alarm and smelling burning.

Three fire engines were sent to the scene. Crews in breathing apparatus were inside the flat putting out the fire in the kitchen when they came across the huge black bullmastiff.

The LFB spokesman said the dog was four foot long and two feet high and "scared the life out of the fire fighters".

He said: "There was heavy smoke when crews went in to find the fire, and they came face to face with a whopping great bullmastiff looking down at them."

It took all 15 fire fighters to coax and shepherd the dog from the building before a police dog handler was called to take it to a vet to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The spokesman warned people never to leave cooking unattended and to make sure there is a working fire alarm in the building. Anyone who does not have a fire alarm can contact their local fire station who will fit one for them.

Noone was hurt and the residents form the other two flats in the building were able to go back after the fire had been put out. 

Fifteen fire fighters dragged a huge dog from a burning building in Croydon

Crystal Palace 2–0 Leicester City: Campbell and Jedinak move Eagles up to eighth

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By Mark Ritson at Selhurst Park CRYSTAL Palace are up to eighth in the Premier League this evening after a comfortable 2-0 win over Leicester City at Selhurst Park. After a goalless first half, the Eagles killed the game off with two goals in three minutes shortly into the second period. Fraizer Campbell grabbed his second in as many games, as did captain Mile Jedinak moments later to continue Neil Warnock's unbeaten record going in the Premier League since his return to south London. The game started at a decent pace, with both sides getting on the ball and looking to create the first chance. That came in the way of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who controlled the ball inside the box and saw his goal-bound shot brilliantly saved by Julian Speroni. The ball eventually fell into the path of David Nugent on the edge of the area and the forward curled inches wide of the far post. Palace hit back as Fraizer Campbell headed towards goal from Jason Puncheon's free-kick, only to see Kasper Schmeichel make an easy save, before Nugent went on a galloping run past four Eagles players and shot wildly over the crossbar. In an end-to-end contest, Mile Jedinak saw a long-range shot well held by Schmeichel. And approaching the half-hour mark, Palace went up another gear and should have taken the lead with three terrific chances. First, Yannick Bolasie's brilliant cross was nodded back by Puncheon towards James McArthur, but the Scotland midfielder's shot was deflected over. From the resulting corner, Joe Ledley's header at the back post was cleared off the line by Esteban Cambiasso, before Puncheon forced Schmeichel into a good save from range. The loose ball was played back into the mixer and Campbell glanced a header wide of the far post. Into the second period and after a goalless first half, Palace were two goals up after 53 minutes. They drew first blood when Scott Dann rose above his marker from a corner to power a header towards goal, only for Campbell to help the ball on and into the back of the net. And then moments later Bolasie won a free-kick on the left in a dangerous position, which Puncheon delivered into the box and skipper Jediank leapt to glance home into the bottom corner. Palace were rampant and went looking for a third but Leicester managed to regain their composure and made a couple of changes to their pack. In-form striker Leonardo Ulloa had not had a sniff all afternoon at this point, with Dann and Damien Delaney keeping the former Brighton man quiet. Marouane Chamakh came on for Campbell after four weeks out with a hamstring injury, and the Moroccan nearly got himself on the scoresheet with a diving header, only to see it go inches over. Bolasie tested Schmeichel with a stinging effort from the right side of the box before Puncheon fizzed a shot wide from the left. Leicester were poor and offered little in the second half, with Palace happy to see the game out quite comfortably. Adlene Guedioura came on for the hard-working Bolasie in stoppage time but it was an easy ending Neil Warnock's side. Indeed, Palace are still unbeaten in the league under the new manager and move up to eighth. Palace: Speroni, Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Puncheon, Jedinak, McArthur, Ledley, Bolasie (Guedioura 90), Campbell (Chamakh 73). Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Mariappa, Doyle, Zaha, Gayle. Attendance: 24,311 Referee: Mr K Stroud

Crystal Palace 2–0 Leicester City: Campbell and Jedinak move Eagles up to eighth

Family opticians celebrates 100 years in business

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CHAMPAGNE flowed as staff and customers celebrated a special anniversary for Rawlings opticians.

The celebrations marked the 100th anniversary of the long-established family business moving into its premises in High Street, Croydon.

Richard Rawling, the present managing director of the company, which first opened its doors in North End 119 years ago, said: "It was an absolutely fantastic occasion.

"It was good to meet so many of our customers on the day. We have been around for a very long time and we have a tremendous loyalty from people.

"People were coming in throughout the day to wish as well which was very nice."

The event also included a prize-giving ceremony to winners of a competition for children to design glasses, and the presentation of a cheque for £400 to Croydon Vision, the charity supporting the visually impaired.

Half the total was raised from a prize draw run by Rawlings.

Family opticians celebrates 100 years in business

Mile Jedinak is a bread and butter pudding player, says Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock spoke of his delight at continuing his side's unbeaten run in the Premier League this season. Palace stretched their unbeaten record to four in the league thanks to second half goals from Fraizer Campbell and Mile Jedinak against Leicester City this afternoon. Warnock said: "The wins are so important, to get three points is unbelievable. But when you get three points and you play well and you deserve it, I'm determined to enjoy it myself and I asked the players to enjoy it. "I think you can see that they are enjoying it too. It's a privilege to play at a club like Palace in the Premier League and they just have to embrace it and enjoy every moment." A quiet first half saw the teams enter the break goalless but an inspired talk from Warnock ensured Palace came out fighting in the second. He added: "At half-time we said about being a lot more positive and I thought the wide players could win us the game or our set pieces and I thought they were a threat throughout the game. "Campbell, when he put himself out the second half I thought he made the difference. He deserved his goal and two goals very quickly was very welcoming. "Leicester had a good start so we were a little bit deeper than we should have been but having said that I thought we changed after about 20 minutes and gradually we got more positive." Captain Mile Jedinak's glancing header gave Palace a two-goal lead as well as the Australian earning his second of the campaign and Warnock spoke of his praise for the skipper. "We could have got a bit further forward in the first half and I said to Mile I fancy him for a goal but I thought it might be a shot from outside the box," said the boss. "He's a leader. He's our leader. He's what I call a bit of bread and butter pudding player. He's always the first on the manager's team sheet and it's nice when he gets a reward of a goal," Warnock added.

Mile Jedinak is a bread and butter pudding player, says Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock


Neil Warnock praises Crystal Palace midfielders after Leicester City win

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NEIL Warnock believes it's a tough decision selecting his starting eleven with such talent running throughout the squad. With Marouane Chamakh returning from injury, the manager has an almost full squad to pick from ahead of his side's 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday. He said: "It was difficult today, I had to leave Barry Bannan out today and I thought he was outstanding against Newcastle (on Wednesday), so it is tough. "I went with four forwards today and I could see a position where I could have to use every one of them and that's why I went with a positive bench. "I thought every one of them could have been used." Warnock started the game with Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon on each wing in an unchanged starting XI that faced Everton last Sunday. Warnock said: "Jason's probably not getting as much limelight as Yannick but as I've said to him when they mark Jason tight this year they leave Yannick a little bit of space. "He played a team game last week against Leighton Baines, he was fantastic. His contribution is a manager's dream really at the moment." "I think the last couple of years he's been phenomenal and we're really pleased to have him playing like he is. "I wouldn't like to mark either of them at the moment as they are very difficult to play against." Palace's centre midfield trio of Mile Jedinak, James McArthur and Joe Ledley worked fantastically on the counter attack and Warnock praised McArthur in particular. "I said to James McArthur, 'You'll be hell of a player when you get fit son,' and he said, 'I'll be a couple of weeks yet.' "He's been great off the field as well. Joe's just fitted in lovely and I think Jedinak has done a really good job too."

Neil Warnock praises Crystal Palace midfielders after Leicester City win

Reality TV star and nephew of Theo Paphitis sets up Croydon salon

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A SALON run by the "nephew" of entrepreneur Theo Paphitis was launched with a visit from the Dragons' Den star last week.

Hektik Hair opened in the Whitgift Centre over the summer and is run by Vassos Kesta, who knew Paphitis as an "honorary uncle" growing up as he was a good family friend.

Mr Kesta, 30, also appeared in short-lived reality television programme The Salon from 2003-04, when he cut the hair of celebrities including the late Jade Goody and comic Michael Barrymore.

The Whitgift Centre salon is his fourth, having opened others in Chelsea, Bromley and Forest Hill since 2009.

And despite the impending redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, Mr Kesta sees now as the perfect time to come to Croydon.

He said: "We've come here for the long term to Croydon. We saw a great opportunity to get in there, we've got a long lease and when Westfield comes even if we have to get out we are going to be in Croydon for the long term.

"We wanted to get in now so we can build up our client base."

Having worked in top-end salons in London, Mr Kesta is now permanently based at his Croydon branch, as he looks to hit the ground running.

And unlike many who start their own salon, Mr Kesta is still happy putting the graft in.

He said:"I love cutting hair, a lot of people who run salons don't get out on the floor any more, but I love it."

Reality TV star and nephew of Theo Paphitis sets up Croydon salon

Coulsdon College principal: 'I knew exam results would pick up'

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THE principal of a college once branded "inadequate" by inspectors says he has been vindicated after he promised results would improve earlier this year.

Coulsdon Sixth Form College was upgraded to "good" by Ofsted in April, after it was taken over by Surrey's Reigate College in March 2013, and the college celebrated a 99 per cent A-level and BTEC pass rate this year.

When he took charge in January, principal Brett Freeman was "absolutely certain" results would improve and this week he said a new culture and work on four key areas - student discipline, attendance and punctuality, teaching quality and literacy - had helped.

"When I came in, I could see already that the changes that been earmarked by Reigate would mean results would pick up enormously," he said.

"The changes we made meant students were here, they weren't dropping out and they were happy, and, as the Ofsted report said, really courteous as well."

A new culture of "openness, respect and teamwork" had helped drive improvement, said Mr Freeman, who added teachers were encouraged to play the role of "domestique" - the Tour de France cyclists who enable the team's stars to succeed.

"The students are the ones that have got to get over the line first, our job as teachers is to fill that domestique role. We're not trying to trip them up on the way to the line. We are there as part of one team for their success and making them see that A-levels and BTECs are not an end point, they're a jumping off point."

April's inspection noted a "significant improvement" in attendance and punctuality and Mr Freeman said the college was "just not tolerating" lateness or disruptive behaviour.

"If students aren't here to learn, then I don't want them here. If students are here disrupting the learning of others, I don't want them here."

So far this year 15 students have been sent home for turning up late more than once, he said.

"It's a terrible answer, but if I keep telling them that punctuality is important and they're late, then I've got to do something about it.

"Students not being in lessons is the worst thing. It sounds contradictory, but we know already that attendance and punctuality has improved enormously because we're meaning what we've said."

Though Mr Freeman said he was proud of the improved results at the college, he was especially pleased with an improvement in the number of students who completed courses of "around 15 per cent".

"I could kick out half my kids halfway through the upper sixth, and get a 100 per cent pass rate, easy. But that's not what it's about. It's about allowing all students to be successful," he said.

"You will see statistics which are published all over the place about pass rates, in some 'more prestigious' institutions. 

"If you start talking about success rates, then you're talking about how many people started and completed, not just how many people passed. That is key to a successful institution."

Mr Freeman said raising the quality of the college would lead to a change in the way it is viewed by the wider public.

"Reputation takes a long time to turn around. There is only one way, to raise quality and maintain it at the highest possible level.

"The basic rule for staff, whether you're teaching, marking, praising, disciplining, you do it in a way in which you'd want your own child to be treated. If we're getting that right and we continue to raise quality, people can't ignore it."

Mr Freeman singled out a new extra-curricular programme for special mention.

"One thing that we've started is our 'Young Leaders of Tomorrow' programme. The students who are performing at the highest level, either academically or otherwise, are enrolled on to that and encouraged to become leaders, through various talks and seminars and trips and activities, to put them in a position where they can apply for the top jobs and the top universities."

He said the college was focused on "maintaining the quality we've got" and "showing students the positive future that's out there. I think that'll lead to even better results."

Coulsdon College principal: 'I knew exam results would pick up'

Crystal Palace star like you've never seen him before in rap battle

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He is normally running down the wing for Crystal Palace fans, but Yannick Bolasie has showcased his talent off the pitch with his love of rap and grime music in recent years. The 25-year-old scored his first Premier League goal last weekend at Everton and put in another top display at home to Leicester City yesterday. Bolasie's passion for music, however, has seen him call out former Manchester City, Southampton and Charlton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips for a rap battle. In friendly banter, Bolasie mocks his friend for his footballing talent while playing in England before departing for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Check out the video below to see the Eagles star like you've never seen him before...

Crystal Palace star like you've never seen him before in rap battle

Elderly man found dead in Derby Road, West Croydon

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AN ELDERLY man has died after collapsing in Derby Road, West Croydon this morning.

Police were called at 11.30am this morning to reports of a man, believed to be in his 80s, collapsed at the address.

Croydon police officers and London Ambulance Service went to the scene where the man was pronounced dead.

A police spokesman said the next of kin have been informed and the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Elderly man found dead in Derby Road, West Croydon

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