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Ex-Crystal Palace chief in the running for Apprentice gig?

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Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan is in the running to replace Nick Hewer as Alan Sugar's aide on hit BBC show The Apprentice.

The 47-year-old owned Palace from 2000-2010 and is a shock 33-1 shot with William Hill to appear on the next series of the show - the same odds as David Gold and Sir James Dyson.

Former Apprentice winner Ricky Martin is the hot favourite, with Claude Littner also in the running.

Ex-Crystal Palace chief in the running for Apprentice gig?


Purley pool closure 'will threaten annual swimathon', says organiser

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THE planned closure of Purley Pool could force the end of a charity event which has helped raise more than £400,000 for worthy causes since its foundation, according to its organiser.

Tony Farrell, who runs the annual Purley Swimathon event, said it may cease after 2015 if a suitable alternative venue could not be found.

Next year's swimathon will take place on two days - February 28 and March 5 - before the pool's closure from April 1 as part of the council's plan to save £780,000 on its upkeep next year, unveiled in budget cuts a fortnight ago.

But Mr Farrell said its future beyond that is now uncertain.

"The abysmal thing is the lack of notice they have given, that we have only just heard about the closure," he said.

"There's a likelihood we're going to have to find a new venue - we're being pushed out.

"We're raised more than £400,000 over the years, if we can't get a suitable alternative venue then we're losing that.

"We want to carry on, but the closure may be forcing us in another direction.

Mr Farrell said the brand new Waddon Leisure Centre, touted as a suitable alternative serving the south by Council leader Tony Newman, would not be suitable for the event.

"Waddon is on a bad road junction, there's no car parking and there isn't a proper viewing platform."

When the planned closure of the pool was discussed during last Wednesday's council scrutiny meeting, Cllr Newman said a new report showed the pool was in urgent need of repairs, and it would cost "many millions more" than the 2015/16 saving of £780,000 to keep it open for future years.

The closure of the pool would help pave the way for the "much-needed" regeneration of Purley's town centre while discussions were under way to find alternatives for school swimming lessons, he added.

Purley Conservative councillor Simon Brew and his two colleagues Donald Speakman and Bashar Quadir, were called upon by Mr Farrell to "stand up and be counted" and deliver on past promises made to save the pool.

Councillor Brew, who was elected in May, said he was "extremely concerned at the potential loss" of the "much loved community facility".

He added: "Waddon Leisure Centre may be 2.2 miles away but from Purley it's only served by the 289 bus which runs every 15 minutes.

"Parking spaces at Waddon are already inadequate, they would be even more inadequate if the leisure centre had to absorb all of Purley's pool users, and this makes it infeasible for residents in Kenley, Coulsdon and Sanderstead to consider switching to Waddon.

"There is also a wider issue about the damage that closure of the pool would inflict on local businesses in Purley High Street and the Brighton Road, as a result of the substantially reduced footfall.

"This effect is particularly unfortunate as it comes at the time when the Purley Business Improvement District team has just won some GLA funding for a scheme to re-invigorate the Purley District Centre."

Councillor Newman told the Advertiser the new report into the state of the pool would be published this week.

Purley pool closure 'will threaten annual swimathon', says organiser

Palace suffer blow as they will lose skipper after Queens Park Rangers clash

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CRYSTAL Palace will not have captain Mile Jedinak available for the New Year's Day game at Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old is set to join up with the Australia squad ahead of the Asian Cup at the start of January, and the Eagles had hoped to have the midfielder available for the trip to Villa Park.

However, following talks between both parties, it seems Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has had the final say, after he announced his squad at a press conference.

The Advertiser spoke to Jedinak on Saturday after facing Manchester City and he did hint that the London derby at Loftus Road would be his final game before departing for the tournament in his home country.

Palace suffer blow as they will lose skipper after Queens Park Rangers clash

Crystal Palace Transfer Talk: Crouch, Sanogo, Deeney, Gomis, Balazic, Souare

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THE January transfer window is a little more than a week away and a number of players are being linked to Crystal Palace.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Eagles are hoping to land Slovenian defender Gregor Balazic.

Peter Crouch continues to be linked with a move south, despite Palace boss Neil Warnock playing down rumours last week to the Advertiser.

Yaya Sanogo is the latest striker to be linked, according to various sources. The Arsenal man could be let out on loan to get more game time, but his record of two goals in 20 competitive games isn't something Eagles fans will get excited about, with the club struggling to score goals.

Troy Deeney might come as a surprise link. The Watford man has scored goals in the Championship regularly but it is believed the Hornets would be looking for more than £7m from interested parties as they look to push on in the second half of the campaign.

Swansea forward Bafetimbi Gomis, like Crouch, continues to be speculated surrounding a move to the Eagles. However, with Wilfried Bony off to the African Cup of Nations soon, Swans boss Garry Monk is unlikely to lose another striker.

A new link on Monday saw Palace linked with Lille left-back Pape Souare. The Daily Mail believe Neil Warnock is after the 23-year-old Senegal international.

The tabloid say Souare would even snub playing in the African Cup of Nations tournament to complete a move.

Crystal Palace Transfer Talk: Crouch, Sanogo, Deeney, Gomis, Balazic, Souare

Palace star vents frustration at decision to cancel James McArthur goal

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CRYSTAL Palace defender Scott Dann was left to rue what might have been had team-mate James McArthur's goal at Manchester City stood.

The defender watched the Scottish international place a header into the bottom corner, only to see the assistant referee with his flag up.

McArthur was two yards onside when the cross from Yannick Bolasie was played, and Dann believes it may have been a different game at 2-1.

"James' goal was two yards onside, I don't know how officials make decisions like that," he told the Advertiser.

"It was an obvious goal, and I think when you go to places like Man City, you need decisions like that to go for you.

"We scored a good goal and it was hard enough with decisions like that. It didn't help us.

"When you're two goals down, it might have got us back in the game."

For the full interview with Dann, don't miss the Christmas edition of the Croydon Advertiser.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Palace star vents frustration at decision to cancel James McArthur goal

Joel Ward lifts the lid on new contract latest at Crystal Palace

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PALACE defender Joel Ward has lifted the lid on his new contract negotiations, revealing he is not as close to signing a new deal as first thought.

The defender and his representatives have been in talks with Eagles officials for three months, and it is understood from sources close to the player that the initial offer was turned down.

Improved terms were believed to be on the table for Ward, but the player himself says he hasn't heard anything just yet.

However, the 25-year-old is not looking to leave Selhurst Park and hopes to sign a new deal soon despite the amount of time it is taking to sort.

"There's been no movement," said Ward.

"I haven't heard more since the first round of negotiations, it hasn't come out again or been approached.

"I am just concentrating on football and hopefully things will get sorted out.

"I have loved my time at the club so far and really enjoyed it.

"It's not a hidden thing, it's gone on for quite a while but for me I just need to get on with playing."

For the full interview with Ward, don't miss the Christmas edition of the Croydon Advertiser.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Joel Ward lifts the lid on new contract latest at Crystal Palace

Former Palace boss not ruling out shock Brighton move

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TONY PULIS has not ruled out talking to Brighton & Hove Albion over their managerial vacancy, despite his links with Crystal Palace.

The former Eagles boss is looking for a return to management after five months out since leaving Selhurst Park in August.

And following the departure of Sami Hyypia from Brighton yesterday (Monday) with the Seagulls currently in the Championship's bottom three, Pulis has been installed as an early favourite to take over at the Eagles' arch rivals on the south coast.

Speaking to talkSPORT earlier today (Tuesday), Pulis said he would talk to anyone about a managerial role, seemingly not ruling out a potential shock move.

He said he would not want to be disrespectful to anybody and said he would even consider going abroad if the job was right for him.

Former Palace boss not ruling out shock Brighton move

Brave Croydon girl defies doctors to serve up a treat

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WHEN Alyssa dos Santos was born, her parents were told by doctors there was little hope she would ever walk or talk.

Sixteen years on, she has proved everyone wrong and is now working in her spare time at her parents' Goan food stall, in the new Surrey StrEatery, serving and chatting happily to customers.

She is also carrying on general studies at a special school in Earlsfield and has recently gained a qualification in food health and safety.

Her remarkable achievements, which now see her with ambitions to become a nutritionist, come after being born with microcephaly, which leaves sufferers with a smaller than usual-sized head, resulting in learning difficulties. Alyssa said this week: "The doctors said I couldn't ever walk or talk, but I just decided to try to overcome it.

"It has been a little bit difficult, but I was really positive. I will never give up with anything I do."

Alyssa said she had also been interested in food.

She added: "We do cookery at school and I help my parents out whenever I can. I really enjoy serving customers and I am now more confident. It has helped me grow. "

She added: "I would like to work as a nutritionist."

Alyssa's parents, Sarah and Alex, have been running their business at the Surrey StrEatery since it opened a few weeks ago as the latest outlet for their range of Goan food.

Their authentic curries and other products are made in premises in Windmill Road, West Croydon, where the family business has been based for the past four years.

In addition to the Surrey StrEatery, the products are also on sale at farmers' markets around London.

Sarah said she and her husband were very proud of how well Alyssa had done.

She said: "As a family we are very motivated and we wanted to help to give her every chance to do well. "Alyssa has also received a lot of support from her older sister, Simone."

She added: "She was never prepared to accept what the doctors said and it has helped that she is a very determined person.

"It may sometimes take her ten times to do something that many people could do first time, but she always perseveres. Life can be hard for her but she is a very special child. She always has a smile on her face and always keeps on going."

Brave Croydon girl defies doctors to serve up a treat


Attempted robbery at Barclays Bank in Crystal Palace

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THREE men reportedly tried to rob Barclay's Bank in Crystal Palace this morning (Tuesday).

Police were called at 10.42am to reports of an attempted robbery at Barclay's Bank in Westow Hill but the suspects had gone before police arrived.

Officers believe the three men made their way to the bank in a vehicle they abandoned in the middle of the road.

They entered the bank and fled on foot shortly afterwards, heading in the direction of Dulwich.

Officers from Lambeth are investigating although enquiries continue and there have cyurrently been no arrests.

There were no injuries sustained by anyone in the attempted robbery.

Attempted robbery at Barclays Bank in Crystal Palace

Ambulances 'not responding to serious calls quickly enough' in Croydon

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AMBULANCES are failing to respond to the most serious calls in Croydon quickly enough and the numbers reaching patients inside their target time have fallen significantly, data shows.

Only 54 per cent of ambulances on a so-called "red" call – which includes cardiac arrest and traumatic injuries – in the borough arrived within eight minutes in October, according to the latest figures from London Ambulance Service (LAS).

It represents 19 per cent drop in performance since May, when LAS was two per cent shy of the service's Government-set target that 75 per cent of the most urgent calls be reached in the eight minute target.

And while the LAS response in Croydon was better than the London average in May, it was four per cent worse in October.

LAS said a rise in calls in the borough and a nationwide shortage of paramedics was to blame.

Sarah Jones, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Croydon Central, said she would raise the issue with Richard Hunt, the chairman of London Ambulance Service, after being contacted by concerned residents. She said: "These figures raise real concerns that more lives are being put at risk in Croydon. For people in a life-threatening state, every second counts and that is why this slump in standards cannot continue."

Kevin Brown, LAS's deputy director of operations, said a national and international campaign had been launched to bring in 1,000 more front line staff in 2015. A shortage of paramedics in the UK had been making it difficult to recruit new staff, he added.

"Every year demand on our service increases and we are responding to nine per cent more patients in a serious and life-threatening condition in Croydon compared to last year," he said.

"Residents in Croydon can help us by thinking before calling for an ambulance and using other healthcare providers where possible, such as calling NHS 111 or visiting their GP or walk-in centre for less serious injuries and illnesses."

The highest priority calls are designated Red 1 (cardiac arrest or life-threatening injury) and Red 2 (serious breathing difficulty or suspected stroke). They are classified as an immediate danger to life and require an emergency response with blue lights.

In September Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group expressed concerns to LAS that the ambulance performance measure had dropped from 72 per cent in May to 66 per cent in June.

A spokesperson for NHS Croydon CCG said: "Urgent care services in the NHS have seen significant increases in demand over the last few weeks as we enter the winter period. This is an issue across London, not just in Croydon.

"The Commissioners of the service for the whole of London hold weekly performance meetings with the London Ambulance Service (LAS), the Trust Development Authority and NHS England where performance is reviewed as well as what actions can be taken to get the health system as a whole to support LAS.

"In recent months, LAS has been supported in their drive to recruit more staff and there has been work with providers to reduce the time ambulances spend at hospitals.

"In Croydon, we have been working with our local providers to help patients to use local health services more appropriately."

Ambulances 'not responding to serious calls quickly enough' in Croydon

Schoolboy brothers jailed for double Whitgift Centre stabbing and named for the first time

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TWO schoolboy brothers have been jailed for five years after being convicted of stabbing two teenagers in a "vicious and unprovoked" attack in the Whitgift Centre in January.

Recorder Judge Kenneth Hamer said they had committed a "serious and wicked act" and gave each of the boys the sentence at Croydon Crown Court today.

The Advertiser can name the brothers as Mohammed and Abdul Walker, aged 16 and 14 respectively, after Judge Hamer lifted reporting restrictions banning their identification.

Judge Hamer also said Abdul appeared to be a member of Croydon gang, though that was denied by the boys' defence.

The brothers, of Cordrey Gardens, Coulsdon, who were 15 and 14 at the time of the attack, were found guilty unanimously by a jury at the same court last month of two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of violent disorder.

Judge Hamer said: "You were part of a gang of five youths, each armed with a knife. You took part in a vicious and unprovoked attack and stabbing of two other youths who were innocent persons in the Whitgift Centre.

"Both victims suffered really serious injuries, the condition of one of them being described by London Ambulance Service as a stab wound to the lower back, which they treated as life-threatening."

The Walkers, who lived with their mother in New Addington at the time of the attack, would serve an additional two years on licence after their time in custody, he said.

"The Whitgift Centre is a large shopping complex filled with hundreds of shoppers, and your actions, carrying knives in a public place and using them, was a serious and wicked act"

"The courts have repeatedly said that such persons should expect serious punishment, no ifs, no buts.

"This offence simply fortifies my view that each of you pose a very real danger of committing serious harm to members of the public by the commission of further serious offences."

The boys attacked Glodi Mobwano, then 17, and his 16-year-old friend, at the shopping centre in Croydon town centre on January 14.

Glodi, now 18, suffered a punctured kidney after being stabbed in the back and his friend, for whom reporting restrictions remain in place, was slashed across the face and knifed in the arm.

Glodi spent four days in hospital recovering after the attack, which took place shortly before 6pm outside sports nutrition store GNC, on the second level of the centre.

The brothers were convicted under the joint enterprise law, which meant they could both be charged with the same offence, even though the prosecution could not show they were the ones who stabbed the boys.

During the trial, the prosecution argued the boys had been "in it together", along with three others who have not been caught.

Judge Hamer said the jury had unanimously agreed both brothers were at the scene of the attack, which was backed up by CCTV evidence, and the gang of five had all been in possession of knives.

The jury were not, however, told that both the brothers had knives in their room when police investigated the incident, since the weapons could not be linked to the attack.

The younger of the two brothers, Abdul, was also sentenced, though not given an additional punishment, for intimidating a witness in February, while he was on bail for the attack.

At an earlier trial, he was found guilty of sending threatening Facebook messages, to a youngster who was the victim of a violent robbery, calling him a "police snitch".

Fearing for his life, the youngster asked to be moved from his sheltered accommodation in Croydon to outside of London, the court heard.

Counsel for the boys denied they were involved in gang activity.

John-Paul McNamara said his client, Abdul, had been affected by "peer influence, immaturity and impulsivity". He also argued the injuries to the victims had not been "life threatening."

Giles Newell, for Mohammed, said he had received excellent reports from teachers in school, and was "on course for grades A-C in his GCSEs".

Schoolboy brothers jailed for double Whitgift Centre stabbing and named for the first time

Crystal Palace fan complains about official club mug which censored the word 'Gay' in Dwight Gayle's name

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A CRYSTAL Palace fan has complained to the club after the word 'gay' was starred out in Dwight Gayle's name on an official mug.

Eagles supporter Amanda Hollidge posted a photo of the mug on Twitter in which the first part of striker Gayle's surname appears to have been censored.

She posted: "disgusted!! Was for someone's Xmas present, I'm gay and I think it's disgusting!!"

Many fans have put the incident down to a mistake although a number of fans criticised the club shop's quality control procedures.

Ms Hollidge has since deleted the photo after receiving abuse on Twitter.

The club has since apologised to Ms Hollidge on Twitter and asked her to email the club shop to organise a replacement.

Crystal Palace fan complains about official club mug which censored the word 'Gay' in Dwight Gayle's name

James McArthur 22/1 to open scoring against Southampton with Bet Victor

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Palace entertain Southampton on Friday and have a good record on Boxing Day losing just one of their five PL fixtures played on this day.

Palace are 11/4 to get back to winning ways against the Saints, who have also lost just one of their last six PL Boxing Day fixtures, who are 23/20 favourites with the draw at 9/4.

James McArthur should have scored his second headed goal in as many games at City and the midfielder is 22/1 to score the opener and 35/1 for the game to finish in a draw and for him to score at any time.

Fraizer Campbell is certainly due a goal and is 13/2 to open the scoring at Selhurst Park with Saints' Graziano Pelle 5/1 favourite after breaking his own drought against Everton last weekend.

Forty-eight hours later, Palace go to QPR, who are currently 11/8 to maintain their excellent recent home record against the Eagles, who have not won any of their last six games against the R's.

Mile Jedinak remains the Eagles' top scorer in the PL with five and is 5/2 to end the campaign as leading scorer with Campbell the uneasy 11/8 favourite.

James McArthur 22/1 to open scoring against Southampton with Bet Victor

Council leader slams government cuts as 'attack on Croydon'

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COUNCIL leader Tony Newman has branded a cut to the authority's grant from central government as an "ongoing attack on Croydon" after 2015/6 budget figures were revealed last week by Whitehall.

The Government last week unveiled the amount of grant funding it would provide for councils in England.

Croydon will suffer a £5.8 million cut to its revenue budget next year – a cut of 1.8 per cent to the £322 million it received overall this year – though in line with the average level of cuts throughout the UK.

Councillor Newman told the Advertiser "enough was enough" when it comes to cuts from central government and criticised Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell for voting through the settlement.

Mr Barwell said that both Ed Miliband and Ed Balls have "made it clear that a Labour Government wouldn't give local government any extra funding next year".

The £5.8 million cut will not mean the council will have to cut extra services or find additional savings above the £33 million identified in its draft 2015/16 budget, said Cllr Newman, because officers had "anticipated the bad news".

He said: "Across the board, including the reduction in some of the welfare support, it's an ongoing attack on Croydon and local government generally.

"Although I'm pleased we kept council tax bills frozen for next year, council tax only contributes some of the money a council such as Croydon receives. Therefore, the direct grant from central government is absolutely vital in the provision of local services and the figure is now over 40 per cent cuts to this council's budget compared to five years ago – and that is hugely damaging."

"I am appalled that yet again Gavin Barwell has voted to cut Croydon Council's share of the national budget.

"He says one thing locally and then votes for cuts in Westminster that he knows will harm Croydon."

Mr Barwell pointed out that Croydon will next year benefit from £9.65 million boost in funding from the New Homes Bonus, given to authorities where extra housing is completed against pre-set targets.

Without that extra funding, the council's revenue budget would have suffered a £15.45 million cut. He said: "Tony Newman needs to wake up to the fact that the country is still struggling to recover from the financial mess the last Labour government left us in – and tough decisions have to be made.

"Indeed, things might be even worse for Croydon if [a Labour government] were in charge because Ed Miliband has said he will scrap the New Homes Bonus, the one part of the local government finance system that works in our favour.

He also criticised Cllr Newman for setting up a £200,000 Fairness Commission. "Running Croydon Council isn't easy in such circumstances but wasting money on a Fairness Commission and proposals to change the name of East Croydon station doesn't help."

Sarah Jones, Labour's prospective challenger for Mr Barwell's seat, said he had "voted against the interests" of Croydon. She said: "The people of Croydon deserve fair funding from Government. In the last four years Croydon and other urban boroughs have had disproportionate cuts to their budgets, with funds diverted from areas of serious need to wealthy rural areas.

"We desperately need investment in local NHS services and to deal with the huge shortage of primary school places."

When he unveiled the funding settlement in the House of Commons last week, communities and local government minister Kris Hopkins said that the settlement is "fair to all parts of the country".

He said: "Every council should be able to deliver sensible savings while protecting frontline services for local taxpayers."

Council leader slams government cuts as 'attack on Croydon'

'Dogs are not just for Christmas' - Croydon dog warden

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THE council's dog warden is urging that pooches are not just for Christmas and to consider adopting man's best friend this festive season.

Tara Boswell, who has been Croydon Council's dog warden for nearly six years, works all hours to help the borough's hounds find a loving home.

The 28-year-old sees many young stray dogs in January and February because of the people abandoning dogs after buying them as Christmas presents.

Tara said there has been a general increase nationwide in dog abandonment and misconceptions of strays often lead to less people re-homing them.

She said: "Puppies in general can be hard work because they can chew and need training.

"Times are really hard at the moment for rescue dogs and we encourage people to adopt rather than buy. The biggest mistake people make is that rescue dogs are somehow broken, have issues and are hard work, and that's not always the case.

"There are dogs that are given up by owners that have lived with children, other animals and people and are perfectly fine to go to a new home with no behavioural issues at all.

"We can never really say why a dog has been abandoned but reasons include cost, if a work situation changes or moving house."

Around 350 stray dogs a year are picked up by Tara, many that are mistreated, thin and ill with 50 per cent being Staffordshire Bull Terriers and bull breeds.

Ziggy, pictured, is thought to be a three-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross.

He was found walking around central Croydon this month after being rescued by a member of public and will be up for re-homing. "Staffies are lovely but I don't think people realise how much energy they have got," said Tara. "My job can be hard at times, but all I can do is my bit to try and help which I enjoy.

"Sometimes you have to try and put the emotions aside to be able to properly and effectively get those dogs to a good place."

Tara picks up stray dogs and those needing to be re-homed. Once in care, there is a statutory obligation to keep them for seven days. If current or new owners are not found in that time, they then go to independent rescue organisations around the country.

She said: "Seeing a dog going to its new home and recover is definitely one of the best parts of my job. I keep in contact with some of the people who have [given a new home] to our dogs."

Tara has two rescue dogs of her own, Millie and Riley, but wishes she could have more. However, she knows that there are dogs for every lifestyle.

If the warden's kennel cannot find a suitable dog for an inquirer, they are put in contact with a rescue organisation.

"We tend to do home checks, there's an adoption fee which goes back into rescue, and ensure dogs are micro-chipped," Tara said. "If anything is to go wrong, we know they are in the best possible condition they can be.

"If you're thinking of rescuing, keep an open mind because a lot of the time people want something specific but then go to rescue centres and come back with a dog completely different."

Some rescue centres are based in Croydon. However, for those who want a dog from an organisation outside of the borough, Tara transports the dogs to their new homes.

"We work with several rescue homes to create a network for stray dogs. My priority is getting the dogs out of the kennels and into rescue organisations so they have the chance to be re-homed and so we have more space at our rescue kennel."

Tara advises potential dog-buyers to go to the Kennel Club and not to buy puppies online without seeing the parents and researching the lifestyle that breed needs.

For more information, call 02087266000 or e-mail Tara on tara.boswell@croydon.gov.uk

'Dogs are not just for Christmas' - Croydon dog warden


Rush-hour trains from Coulsdon South late 'up to 83 per cent of the time'

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RUSH-hour train services from Coulsdon South are so unreliable that they're late to Clapham Junction up to 83 per cent of the time, statistics published last week show.

Network Rail performance data shows that in the 100 days to December 16 seven peak services, between 7.33am and 9.23am were more than five minutes late to Clapham 52 per cent of the time.

One service, the 8.27am, made the journey more than five minutes late, the maximum target set by the Government, an enormous 83 per cent of the time. The journey is timetabled to take just 21 minutes, but runs an average of 11 minutes late.

Chris Philp, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Croydon South, provided the figures to the Advertiser and described the performance as "totally unacceptable". He added: "These delays cause people to miss connections at Clapham Junction and be late for work," he said. Southern Railway must take urgent steps to improve the reliability of the service. People rely on the train to get to and from work, and need to be able to trust that it will be on time."

Mr Philp pointed out that improvements are slated for the peak service at the station by 2018 as part of the Thameslink programme.

Southern has admitted the performance has been "disappointing" and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience the delays have caused.

A spokesman for the franchise, which is due to be amalgamated into the Govia Thameslink Railway next year, laid the blame at Thameslink improvement works taking place around London Bridge.

Referring to the 8.27am service, he said: "Looking back as far as July, the train was an average of four minutes late, however since September that average has increased to an average of ten minutes.

"Our team has studied the performance of this service and the majority of the time it is affected by reactionary delays from incidents involving other trains, losing time on the busy stretch of track between Coulsdon and Clapham.

"Although not the sole cause, the worsening of performance since September can be linked to the capacity challenges around London Bridge during the Thameslink Programme, which have resulted in fewer platforms and less routes into the station being available to Southern services."

Charles King, chairman of East Surrey Transport Committee, said he would be raising the issue, along with further problems about cancellations and clearing leaves from station areas, with the group's meeting with Govia in January.

He said he was concerned about the levels of staffing on the line and said things may be slackening at the franchise ahead of its amalgamation with Govia Thameslink.

"I do hope this isn't a case of end-of-franchise-itis," he said.

"It's a difficult time for Southern with all the works going on around London Bridge."

Last week, rail minister Claire Perry condemned performance of services along the Brighton mainline as "unacceptable".

Rush-hour trains from Coulsdon South late 'up to 83 per cent of the time'

Scarlett's wish granted thanks to generous community donations

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LITTLE Scarlett Hewitt started this year unable to walk unaided and with only faint hope of ever receiving the treatment required to reduce the effects of her cerebral palsy. 

But after a phenomenal fundraising effort from the New Addington community, from Advertiser readers, and all around Croydon, she will spend Christmas well on her way to her goal.

The nine-year-old Gresham Primary pupil, of Uvedale Close, flew to St Louis, in Missouri in the USA for a £65,000 selective dorsal rhizotomy procedure from world-leading expert in the field Dr T.S Park.

But before her family first made the internet appeal for help in March, her parents were unsure if the risk would be worth it at all.

Mum Lisa, 35, said: "We weren't sure because it's a dangerous procedure and we just thought 'how are we going to raise £65,000'? But we were so wrong, it has been totally worth it just to see Scarlett now how she's coping with it."

As it turned out, the £65,000 target was not only achieved but smashed in half the time the family originally set for themselves. To date, including gift aid on the Just Giving page, Mrs Hewitt estimates more than £95,000 has been raised for Scarlett's cause. The money on top will be used to aid Scarlett's rehabilitation, with any additional money left after three years being given to the SDR charity.

Scarlett's dad, postman John, 36, said: "It's incredible how much support we've had from everyone. When we flew out to America, there was a man sitting next to us on the plane who saw our T-shirts and asked about Scarlett.

"He got his laptop out on the plane and donated a thousand dollars right there and then. When we contacted him afterwards he said he was lucky that he had three healthy children and felt he would like to help. I couldn't believe it."

Scarlett is still in splints but is rehabbing and practising her walking every day as she continues what Mrs Hewitt said was still a long road ahead of her.

"She does have lots to do but we're so proud of her and she's working so hard. She's always up and trying to walk, she's our little trouper."

The funds were raised by many different sources, including Crystal Palace Football Club, New Addington-based football team Nugget FC, social club the Over 21 Club, and phone giant O2's head office.

Mrs Hewitt, who is full-time mum to Scarlett, Sienna, eight, and Saffron, three, added: "We just want to thank everyone for being incredible. It really does show the good in people."

The whole family will spend Christmas together this year although Scarlett can't quite decide what she wants Santa to bring her.

But with her new, brighter future ahead of her, she has set her sights on a career that would certainly make the most of her procedure.

Mrs Hewitt added: "She wants to be a postman like her daddy at the moment – but that keeps changing all the time."

Scarlett's wish granted thanks to generous community donations

Two Croydon stations to get step-free access but Norwood Junction overlooked

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TWO of Croydon stations will get step-free access in the next round of government-funded upgrades, the Department for Transport has announced.

Coulsdon South and Selhurst will both benefit from the Government's Access For All scheme, which provides funding for better access to stations nationwide.

Carshalton station in Sutton will also benefit from the funding. However, Norwood Junction, for which the Advertiser is campaigning to get such access, will not get a share of the £60 million funding pot for upgrades.

Transport minister Baroness Kramer announced the successful bids last week. She said: "Making the rail network accessible to all is a vital part of our plans to build a stronger economy and a fairer society."

Charles King, chairman of East Surrey Transport Committee, agreed that the announcement was great news. "Coulsdon South is the busiest station on the Brighton mainline without step-free access, so we're really pleased," he said.

Peter Appleford, of Coulsdon West Residents' Association and a wheelchair user, also welcomed the plans, since at the moment he can only travel north from Coulsdon South. "It'll be good to give people more choice and allow them to travel more freely," he said.

At Coulsdon South, the southbound platform is currently only accessible via 44 steps over a footbridge, or 37 steps to the rear entrance in Reddown Road.

Mr Appleford said to journey south towards Gatwick he had to travel up to East Coulsdon first.

It has not yet been announced when works to bring the step-free access will be underway, though it will be before 2019.

At Coulsdon South, work to lower ticket counters to make them access-friendly and install better hand rails on the station's footbridge would take place in the new year, Mr King said.

David Scorey, deputy managing director of Southern Railway, said improving accessibility was a "key priority" for the operator.

"The allocation of funds to create new step-free routes at these stations will make it easier for even more people to travel by train," he said.

In response to the Advertiser's Better Access for Norwood Junction campaign, Transport for London last week said it would re-evaluate introducing step-free access, which it had previously said would not be possible, at the station.

TfL also said it may then look at applying for future rounds of Access for All funding for Norwood Junction.

Two Croydon stations to get step-free access but Norwood Junction overlooked

Parking restrictions to be relaxed in bays and council car parks over Christmas and New Year

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PARKING restrictions in bays and council car parks will be relaxed over the Christmas and New Year period.

The council has decided the whole borough will be free of parking enforcement on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

In addition parking in council run car parks will be free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and regulations will be relaxed in on-street bays within the central Croydon zone on both days and after 5pm in all other zones.

Yellow line restrictions, however, will remain in place on these two days and the council is asking motorists to park in a reasonable manner, showing consideration for other road users and pedestrians.

Normal parking enforcement will resume on January 2.

Councillor Kathy Bee, the council's cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "As the council does each year at this special time, we're taking the opportunity to give a little back to the residents of, and visitors to, Croydon by relaxing the usual restrictions.

"All we ask is that motorists are sensible and thoughtful when parking their car."

Parking restrictions to be relaxed in bays and council car parks over Christmas and New Year

Crystal Palace 1–3 Southampton: Scott Dann grabs consolation for Eagles

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THERE was little Christmas cheer at Selhurst Part this afternoon as Crystal Palace were on the end of a 3-1 hiding to an impressive Southampton side.

The Eagles just couldn't get out of first gear for the majority of this Boxing Day clash.

And some sections of the home faithful turned on manager Neil Warnock after he substituted Yannick Bolasie with Martin Kelly in the second half.

With the visitors leading 3-0, Scott Dann grabbed a late consolation for the Eagles, heading home from a free-kick in front of the Holmesdale Stand.

Nothing less than a win will do in 48 hours' time at Queens Park Rangers for Palace, who drop into the relegation zone following their latest result.

Southampton nearly opened the scoring inside three minutes in speculative fashion.

After Palace cleared their a corner, centre-back Toby Alderweireld spotted Julian Speroni off his line and attempted to loft the ball over the stopper from a full 25 yards.

The back-peddling Speroni got the faintest of touches on the ball before it struck the crossbar and out for a corner.

Palace might have been ahead, however, when Jason Puncheon arrived in the danger area and struck a clean shot at goal with his weaker foot but Fraser Forster got down well to save.

It was the Saints who struck first approaching the 20-minute mark when a through-ball found Saido Mane, who rounded the onrushing Julian Speroni to fire home on the right side of the danger area.

Mane was nearly in again minutes later, this time on the left, and after rounding Speroni, the assistant referee had his flag up on the near side.

Fraizer Campbell was close to equalising when he struck the underside of the crossbar in front of the Whitehorse Lane Stand.

The assistant referee had his flag up on the far side but television replays showed Campbell was in fact onside.

The Eagles were certainly putting the pressure on at this stage with several minutes of the first half remaining.

However, Southampton went close to a second when Mile Jedinak failed to clear properly with his head inside the six-yard area, and with Speroni off his line, James Ward-Prowse's header looped just over him and the crossbar.

Into the second half and Palace were dealt a huge blow after 47 minutes when they conceded a second, this time through Ryan Bertrand, who blasted home past a flat-footed Speroni.

Boss Neil Warnock threw on Dwight Gayle for Campbell, but it was soon 3-0 to the Saints when Toby Alderweireld header powerfully past Speroni from a corner.

The shot-stopper got a hand to it but the header was just too hot to handle for the Argentine.

Instantly, some section of the home faithful sang for Glenn Murray, currently on loan at Reading and with two goals to his name away at former club Brighton at this point.

The Eagles huffed and puffed against an impressive Saints outfit. Gayle had a chance at the back post but Forster clung on, before Warnock took Ledley off and replaced him with Wilfried Zaha.

However, the next change was greeted with boos as the manager substituted Bolasie and put a defender on in the shape of Martin Kelly.

With the clock ticking down, Palace looked down and out, failing to really create anything in front of goal.

And then with minutes remaining, they grabbed what looked to be a consolation when Scott Dann rose highest to plant a powerful header down into the bottom corner from a free-kick.

However, Southampton managed to hold out for the win despite some late pressure from the hosts.

Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Jedinak ©, Ledley (Zaha 67), McArthur, Puncheon, Bolasie (Kelly ), Campbell (Gayle 49).

Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Hangeland, Bannan, Thomas.

Referee: Mike Dean

Report by Mark Ritson, at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace 1–3 Southampton: Scott Dann grabs consolation for Eagles

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