The Advertiser spoke to Liverpool fan Graeme Huddy ahead of this afternoon's FA Cup clash, and he feels the Reds will come away with a narrow win...

Liverpool don't like Selhurst Park, do they? Bad memories in 2014.

In 2014 we had two nightmare performances there. In May, when we went into a 3-0 lead I thought it was in the bag. Nobody could have foreseen the turnaround to 3-3, even with our leaky defence. We've obviously had bad days at Palace in the FA Cup before thinking back to Alan Pardew's winner in 1990 and a 0-0 draw in 2003 in which we lost the replay 0-2 at Anfield. So I'd say we have struggled at Selhurst Park enough to make us wary of them and not take them lightly.

Saying that, you have picked up some form since the turn of the year?

Yes, we remain unbeaten since the loss at Old Trafford in December and we have only lost to Chelsea in the League Cup 2nd Leg at Stamford Bridge since that. What is encouraging is the level of performance appears to be edging back towards that of last season where we won 11 games in a row. Brendan Rodgers should be praised for changing to 3-4-3 formation and utilising Emre Can as a centre back as this seems to have coincided with an upturn in form. Having Daniel Sturridge back is a massive boost at this crucial time of the season, too.

Is the FA Cup more of a realistic target than a top four finish?

We can't give up on a Champions League spot as I feel it would be damaging for us to have only been back for one season. We need to show that we are up there year in, year out and use it as a foundation to build on in order to challenge. However, I see the FA Cup as a realistic target and I think the club identify with the fans that silverware this season would help support what we have been doing since Rodgers was appointed.

Which Palace players are you cautious of?

Dwight Gayle, for obvious reasons. I like Yannick Bolasie too. He is pacey and has some real quality and caused us issues in November. Jason Puncheon is also a dangerman and Palace even seem to be able to squeeze a goal or two from Marouane Chamakh.

And finally, how do you think the game will go, a score prediction?

I think we will win by the odd goal but as always against Palace we will not have it all our own way and despite the recent clean sheets I think we will concede. If we approach the game with calm and composure and stick to our game I see us winning 2-1.

LAST week, the Advertiser revealed which Croydon eateries came rock bottom in last year's food hygiene ratings.

Now we speak to some of those who are celebrating top marks in inspections.

To receive five out of five, a venue has to score highly in food hygiene and safety, structural compliance and confidence in management.

Amongst those rated 'very good' is Fingers Kebab, in Central Parade, New Addington. Owner Tijen Mevlit, 40, of New Addington, has been running the business for 30 years and works hard with her partner and four members of staff to maintain high standards in food hygiene.

She said: "I'm overwhelmed that we always get five stars.

"You must cook and clean with love and we've won many awards including the Eat Well Croydon Award. Even when we are told we are getting five stars by the inspectors, I always ask them to take samples away to check for bacteria just in case.

"Those getting fails in food hygiene need to buck up their ideas a lot. I've been in a few places which are disgusting, you just walk straight back out again."

Top Star Café, in Lower Addiscombe Road, is run by manager John and only one member of staff, but he still ensures high quality cleaning is completed.

"For two years we have been five stars and I display my rating as it is important for the customer to know where they are eating and where the food is being prepared," said John.

"We make sure we clean the floor with de-greaser and use antibactieral spray everywhere every evening.

"It's good for our business to achieve this rating."

Since 2013, food outlets in Wales are legally required to display their food hygiene rating. In England, it is not yet to become compulsory.

Stuart Mok, 37, is manager at Fry Station, in Mitcham Road, and is proud to display their five star rating to show their hard work has paid off. He said: "After we close every evening we spend an hour to an hour and a half cleaning.

"It's good practice to display our rating but it's also so we can give the customers the information they need to choose where to eat.

"It's a matter of making sure paperwork is up to date and wanting it to be as clean as your kitchen at home."

"We work hard to maintain the rating and hopefully next year we will get five star again."

Many of the hundreds receiving five stars are Croydon's schools.

Linda O'Callaghan is headmistress at St. Mary's Catholic Infant School, in Bedford Park, where they run an "in house" kitchen rather than a contracted service. and praises

She praised the kitchen staff for continually reaching the highest rating, saying: She said: "Our extremely hard working kitchen team ensures that the kitchen is spotless, and food is hygienically handled and prepared, as well as being nutritious and very tasty.

"For our parents, the fact that we have such high standards of hygiene in all areas of our school shows that we care for their health and wellbeing as much as we care for their education."

Anyone can find out the food hygiene rating of any Croydon restaurant, school or takeaway by visiting http://ratings.food.gov.uk/authority-search/en-gb/croydon.

OUR columnist and Five Year Plan fanzine editor ROB SUTHERLAND on why - unlike previous managerial appointments - Alan Pardew represents a long-term proposition for Crystal Palace...

THE road to Premier League safety is a long and arduous one, subject to potholes and bumps that you can't always prepare for, let alone expect. 

Money and transfers can smooth that path ahead, but just as you'll see your local council fill the gaps with temporary solutions that erode as quickly as they're put in place, it takes time and a plan to make sure you get to that destination. Neil Warnock was a temporary solution, Alan Pardew is the long-term answer.

Make no mistake, in Pardew, Crystal Palace have a person capable of navigating the treacherous route to safety. But even he, a manager who has years of experience in the Premier League, will sometimes hit those potholes. The result against Newcastle United was one of those. As was, to some extent, the result against Everton.

Because his former side, for all the talk of having great players and a side capable of much better than their league position indicates, were as awful as Sunderland and Aston Villa - two sides that weren't held to account by a ponderous Palace team.

In fairness to Newcastle, they came to Selhurst Park with a spoiling game plan - its a rare sight to see a side content with taking a 0-0 draw after 15 minutes, but Newcastle did just that. At 1-0 up, thanks to a goal that wasn't deserved, that game plan took on a more defensive shape.

Where the Palace side of Warnock might have repeatedly tried the same tactics over and over again, in the vain hope it might somehow work, Pardew saw fit to make a change and, by introducing Yannick Bolasie, he found a player capable of a single moment of brilliance that won the club a point. Frustration lies in the disappointment of knowing that, like Villa and Sunderland, we should have taken more from the game.

It isn't the first time that Pardew has made a game-changing substitution and it won't be the last - proof as to why having a manager of his calibre will help our long-term ambitions. And while the club still have a fair distance to go before safety is achieved but with Super Al finding the way, the chances of getting to where we want to be are greatly improved.

A FORMER drug addict and smuggler who turned his life around to open a counselling service in Harley Street has started helping Croydon addicts.

Mark Dempster, a 50-year-old addiction counsellor and published author, grew up in Glasgow. By 15, Mark was smoking dope, at 18 he was arrested for intent to supply cocaine and by 20 he was addicted to heroin and cocaine.

Aged 20 Mark, who now lives in South Croydon, moved to England where he joined the Irish National Liberation Army, a splinter of the IRA.

Living in Brixton, he started to smuggle drugs internationally. Mark brought drugs into England from Spain, Morocco and Holland, hiding hash in the panels of cars, as well as smuggling drugs between India, Thailand and Malaysia.

Mark said: "The people I was around were ruthless and, at times, quite violent. There was a lot of fire if you did or said the wrong thing and around certain individuals you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. It was high pressure and explosive at times."

Mark said as his drug use escalated he became more "unmanageable and powerless", and at 31 he had a breakdown.

The morning after his 25th birthday party Mark found the body of his friend Ian, also 25, who died choking on his own vomit after an overdose.

"I didn't give him the drugs that killed him, but it was my party," said Mark. "I woke up and came downstairs and his dog was sat there beside his bed. I found the body. I was in the middle of my addiction and I knew the police would be involved."

Shortly after, Another friend, Kevin, deliberately infected himself with HIV so he could claim disability living allowance and get diamorphine injections from hospital.

"He went to visit a girl he knew with HIV and he took some of her blood and infected himself with it," said Mark. "Even in my drug use I thought 'that's completely crazy'. That really opened my eyes to how powerful addiction is. It's not rational to do things like that – it's a mental health issue."

Mark hit rock bottom. He lost everything and started sleeping rough and selling the Big Issue.

"I was either going to become suicidal or get clean. So I applied for rehab," he said.

At 33 Mark went to the Bethlem Royal Hospital, which he credits with saving his life. He got clean in 1996, and has not used drugs or alcohol since. Mark said self-help groups, exercise and helping others have all been key for his recovery.

He studied for diplomas in counselling and family therapy and in 2009 opened his Harley Street practice, counselling people with addictions to drugs, alcohol, gambling and more.

Mark moved to Croydon a year ago and has already started to counsel addicts in the borough.

Mark predicts that as Croydon becomes a more sought-after place to live, more commuters will move here.

"There's going to be an influx of people and they are going to need help to deal with high pressure jobs," said Mark. "Addiction is a completely equal opportunities condition – it can affect anyone."

Eventually Mark hopes to set up a residential rehab centre in Croydon. His approach to addiction starts by identifying if someone has an addictive personality. If they do, he helps them work towards complete abstinence. If not, he helps them break their habit.

He said: "I help people see the harm addiction is causing them. I help them break down the denial about their problem to see the potential in their future, and I support them and encourage them achieve their goals.

"You have to change people's thought processes. If you just get them clean, they will start using again."

Mark works voluntarily for a helpline and visits colleges to talk to students about addiction.

"I was a disillusioned young man around the wrong people at the wrong time, a lot of this is about redemption," he said.

Mark's life has brought him in contact with many famous faces, and after prompting from Pete Townshend of the Who, in 1999, he wrote his first book, Nothing to Declare: Confessions of an Unsuccessful Drug Smuggler, Dealer and Addict.

Last year he published the sequel, The Ongoing Path. Both books and information about Mark's counselling services is available at markdempstercounselling.com

THE council's chief executive has promised to investigate why a member of staff told a business owner he was investigating a break-in that never happened.

The mysterious incident occurred on January 26 at Matthews Yard when owner Saif Bonar was meeting with Tracey Rabbetts, director of Croydon Radio, in the town centre cafe's co-working space.

As they spoke, Dayo Ogunmuyiwa, senior retail project officer at the council, entered and made his way towards the store room, stopping when he saw Mr Bonar.

The businessman said Mr Ogunmuyiwa seemed surprised to see him and, when asked how he could help, the council officer replied that the police had sent him an e-mail to say Matthews Yard had been burgled the previous evening, and he was investigating.

Mr Bonar explained there must be a mistake because his business had not been burgled and Mr Ogunmuyiwa left. He has not yet explained his actions.

The Advertiser has seen an e-mail from Ms Rabbetts in which she corroborated Mr Bonar's account and described the incident as "most unusual".

Mr Bonar raised concerns about the encounter with several councillors, Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell and Mr Ogunmuyiwa's manager.

Last Saturday he received an e-mail from chief executive Nathan Elvery, in which he confirmed he was aware of the issue and had "instigated an investigation".

That afternoon, Mr Bonar met with the police who said the authority needed to look into the matter internally.

The Advertiser contacted the council and asked them to explain what Mr Ogunmuyiwa, who is listed online as the lead contact for Surrey StrEatery, the pop-up market near Matthews Yard, was doing at the café that day.

On Tuesday we were told by a press officer there was "nothing in it" and the council would not be making any comment. The officer would not confirm or deny that Mr Ogunmuyiwa was there.

Mr Bonar told the Advertiser: "I'm just confused by the whole thing and the wall of silence.

"A simple and honest conversation two weeks ago could have saved a lot of time and effort.

"He wasn't there to see me about a burglary. There was no doubt about it."

The unexplained visit came the morning after Mr Bonar publicly appealed for funds to help prevent Matthews Yard from going into administration.

Mr Bonar set up the venture after being inspired by the civic response to the 2011 riots.

It has become a popular café and community space but ran into difficulty last year – failing to pay staff and accruing debts of about £100,000.

CRYSTAL Palace are out of the FA Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool this evening.

It looked to have been another memorable game against the Reds after Fraizer Campbell had given Palace the lead at Selhurst Park.

Despite going into the break ahead, it took just four minutes into the second half for the visitors to get back into the tie, when Daniel Sturridge fired home on the volley.

And then Adam Lallana turned out to be the match-winner, tapping home a rebound after Julian Speroni saved Mario Balotelli's free-kick.

Liverpool started the brighter early on but Palace caught them on the counter after ten minutes when Dwight Gayle, utilised on the wing, burst down the left and delivered for Fraizer Campbell but Martin Skrtel came to the rescue.

Yannick Bolasie went down in the box moments later after colliding with Alberto Moreno but the winger was adjudged to have run into the Reds player.

On 15 minutes, the Eagles took the lead thanks to Campbell with his second goal in the space of three days.

Joe Ledley sent a ball over the top, Skrtel's wayward clearance fell to Gayle running in behind him and the striker's header was saved by Simon Mignolet, before Campbell buried the rebound.

The lead was under threat, however, as Adam Lallana's shot from close range was superbly turned around the post by Julian Speroni, before the shot-stopper got his body behind a Philippe Coutinho effort after the midfielder's first effort was blocked by Scott Dann.

Joe Allen volleyed first time a yard the wrong side of the post on the half-hour, while Lazar Markovic and Coutinho fired further efforts in search of an equaliser.

Against the run of play, Gayle should have put the hosts 2-0 up when Bolasie's through-ball cannoned off Skrtel and into the striker's path, but he was denied by Mignolet from close range.

Jason Puncheon came on for Chamakh at the break, and the winger had the first chance of the second half inside 20 seconds when he curled over from the edge of the box.

But Liverpool were on level terms after 49 minutes through Daniel Sturridge, who volleyed in first time from Henderson's pinpoint delivery to beat Speroni low down.

The Eagles went up the other end and Gayle had a goal-bound effort brilliantly saved by Mignolet, but it was the visitors who got the third goal of the match to take the lead.

Substitute Mario Balotelli fired a free-kick through the Palace wall from 20 yards out and Speroni got his body behind it, but the rebound fell nicely for Lallana to score from several yards out.

Pardew sent on Adlene Guedioura for Martin Kelly, with Joel Ward moving to his natural right-back position just past the hour.

Soon after, Wilfried Zaha replaced Bolasie as Palace's third and final change with 18 minutes to go, but Palace's play was flat at this point.

Liverpool were comfortable, making a couple of changes themselves as the clock ticked down. Out of nothing, Ward fired in a cross from the right which Campbell was inches from connecting with, and in the first of five added-on minutes, Gayle fired a free-kick over.

Palace had a free-kick again at the death, but Liverpool managed to clear in the end and Palace's FA Cup run is over.

They return to action next Saturday at home to Arsenal.

Palace: Speroni, Kelly (Guedioura 63), Souare, Hangeland, Dann ©, Bolasie (Zaha 72), Ledley, Ward, Gayle, Chamakh (Puncheon 46), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Mariappa, Delaney, Murray.

Referee: Robert Madley

Report by Croydon Advertiser sports reporter Mark Ritson

A HEAD teacher is "elated" after his school's grade was bumped up from 'requires improvement' to 'good' this week by the education watchdog.

Ofsted inspectors said Woodcote High School, in Coulsdon, required improvement after their inspection in 2013, but they upgraded the school to 'good' in a new report published yesterday (February 12).

After visiting last month, the inspection team said the school was now 'good' in all five categories examined – leadership and management, the behaviour and safety of pupils, teaching quality, pupil achievement and its sixth form.

Head teacher Mark Southworth, who has been in charge since 2003, said he was particularly pleased the school had improved in the context of Ofsted taking a tougher approach to inspections.

"A lot of schools, not just in Croydon, but in the country as a whole, are being downgraded, so we were really pleased," he said.

Particularly praised by the inspection team was the school's approach to integrating disabled students, and those with special educational needs, into school life.

A new disabled support unit has been built at the school since inspectors' previous visit.

Mr Southworth said: "Its quite moving, because a few of our disabled students spoke really well to the inspectors about how they really feel they've been accepted so much by the school that they just feel like they're no different to any other student, and accepted by everyone.

"The inspectors almost got quite emotional when they were feeding back to us about that.

"They said it was outstanding – unfortunately there isn't a judgement they can tick a box for that though. I'm really proud of that."

The inspectors, who were led by Clare Gillies, visited on January 21 and 22, and also singled out the school's GCSE results for being "well above average".

They also said teaching had improved since the last inspection, when the education watchdog highlighted maths and sixth form teaching as needing particular improvement.

Mr Southworth said the school was "on a steep learning curve" with the new sixth form at the time.

"We've gained a lot of experience now about how to work with students at A-level and that really is starting to show now, particularly in the number of students going on to university," he added.

And looking further ahead, Mr Southworth said he wants to build on the good report to push the school into the 'outstanding' category in the future.

"There are one or two subjects where we need to start getting more As and Bs, and that's what will get us to outstanding.

"The biggest one for us now is to make sure that the students we get the pupil premium for start to achieve as well as the rest of the students.

"We know what we need to do, the inspectors know we know what we need to do, we've got an action plan, so hopefully we can move on and get there."

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy who died of a cardiac arrest three days before Christmas has been remembered as a deep thinker with an amazing humour and a deep love of life.

Paul Herbert, from South Croydon, was born with an abnormally shaped heart and suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – which can cause breathlessness, palpitations and sudden cardiac arrest – throughout his life.

But Paul's family and friends said he taught them how to always make "something good flourish".

Joyce Cowan, Paul's 19-year-old sister, said: "He had some very grave moments and I think he was a total fighter. He had such a deep love of life and of learning.

"There's a difference between being ill and feeling ill. He was smiley, intelligent, he was a deep thinker. He had an amazing spirit so he was never negative about anything.

"He had a really good, intelligent humour.

"He was smiley but serious at the same time.

"I have lots of memories of us bursting into laughter. You know... when your tummy hurts from laughing so much."

Paul and Joyce moved to Croydon from Argentina five years ago.

Paul was in Year 12 at Thomas More Catholic School studying for physics, history, geography and government and politics AS Levels, having moved from Addington High School in Year 9.

Joyce, who lived with Paul and their mother, said Paul loved school and never let his heart problems hold him back. He played the bass and loved to draw and read. He liked superhero comics, the Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, and had a deep interest in mythology.

"He didn't make excuses for himself, and never let his illness make him feel he was less able or less willing, or with less responsibility, than anyone else," said Joyce.

Joyce said her first memory is of running around with Paul and the pair shared a bond that was "life defining". "I am so fortunate because I wouldn't be the same person without having had him," she said.

"Every birthday I would always write in his card 'thanks to life for you', because it was a wonderful thing and I still feel that.

"Despite what has happened I still feel thankful that life showed me such a person. All the family feel like that."

Joyce, who is a first-year history student at Kings College London, and Paul used to enjoy watching Family Guy and Horrible Histories together and listening to Nirvana.

The family own a Yorkshire Terrier called Amy, who Joyce describes as their "third sibling".

She said one of their favourite things to do was take Amy for afternoon walks with their mum and chat, or go for dinner with their step-dad.

Joyce said although Paul was shy he never feared judgement because he never judged others. "He could connect with people. When he met them he knew who they were and understood them.

He knew himself and he was at peace with himself and that really showed when he was around anyone.

"Whenever you were with him you felt you could be completely natural."

Paul's tight-knit family say he was one of their "great teachers". Joyce said the family have a "deep, deep empty space" without him which they will never fill. She said they missed him "100 per cent, all the time".

"You might just learn to live with that emptiness because there is no other way. Even as a way of honouring him, we have to go on," she said.

But the family have found comfort knowing Paul was happy. "What's important in life... he never had anything missing, whether it's love, understanding or somebody listening to him.

"We all have crosses we have to carry, but he was 100 per cent happy and healthy in his spirit and his soul.

"And he made us be 100 per cent happy and healthy spiritually. He was a really loved person and he loved back."

School in red tribute

PAUL'S school turned red for the day to raise money for a defibrillator for the school and funds for the British Heart Foundation in his memory.

Thomas More Catholic School are also raising money for a plaque for Paul and Years 7, 8 and 9 seven, eight and nine and teachers were sponsored to come to school dressed in red. The school also held a bake sale and offered nail painting.

Head teacher Margaret Mulchrone said Paul was a "lovely, lovely boy" who touched many people.

"It's actually quite heartbreaking to talk about it," she said. "He was quiet and unassuming, everybody really loved him. He had a really cheeky side to him but he was a really serious, committed student.

"In terms of living life every day because we've only got today, he did that, and he did that without being precious about himself. He never took time off when he didn't need to."

Abdul Chowdry, head of sixth form at Thomas More, said Paul was an "inspiration" to the school. He added: "When he first came he had a whole wodge of papers in a file because of his heart problems. We went to the PE teacher and said just be careful when he comes in. But when he came into the next lesson he was dressed for PE and said 'I'm ready for football, sir'.

"Everybody was worried about him and he'd have a nice smile on his face. He had a very humorous side to him as well and a twinkle in his smile."

Ms Mulchrone said Paul's death has been a huge loss to the school, who have offered counselling to students.

"He was really loved," she said.

'A superhero friend who was always inspiring pals'

PAUL'S school friends said the comic book fan who read about his Marvel idols was a superhero himself.

Albert Morris, one of Paul's best friends, used to go to the Forbidden Planet comic ship in Croydon with him to get their fix of X-Men, Spiderman Spider-Man and the Avengers, as well as play games.

"It's not often somebody likes those kind of things so it was special having someone to share it with," said the 16-year-old. "He was inspiring. He would always try and make sure he could come to school whenever he could despite any problems.

"We read about superheroes and he was like a superhero himself because he would try to carry on every day no matter what."

Another friend, Dharumir Maharaj, 17, said Paul was "very, very thoughtful". He said: "There was one geography lesson where the teacher was telling him off for not doing his homework and people were laughing because he had his homework in his hand.

"Because he was so quiet he didn't want to say anything until the end of all the drama."

And he said he was a great, trustworthy friend.

"He was someone you could really trust ," he said. "You could tell him anything and it wouldn't leak out."

Dave Murugan, 16, added: "He was very helpful to everyone around him and if you didn't know something he would help you with it. He always had a joke to tell."

PALACE boss Alan Pardew accepted that Saturday's FA Cup opponents Liverpool deserved their victory at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles were below-par, particular in the second half after the Reds had turned around a one-goal deficit to go in front with two goals in nine minutes early on.

Pardew felt Palace may have even scored too early through Fraizer Campbell, but did think had Dwight Gayle put them 2-0 ahead, it could have been a different story in south London.

But Daniel Sturridge equalised and then Adam Lallana capitalised on a Julian Speroni save to change the game dramatically.

"I felt we didn't put enough pressure on Liverpool," said Pardew.

"They can keep the ball well at times, and I kind of thought getting the goal was a negative getting it early and sitting back a little bit.

"Liverpool have fantastic technical players who ask questions, and it was a great first goal – unstoppable to a degree; great pass, great finish.

"Maybe the pivotal moment was in the first half when Dwight Gayle was one-on-one and if he has put that in then we would have been very difficult to beat.

"Liverpool had a grip of the game from the off. We only had control in minimal periods. Towards the end we had a little bit more and it could have easily been a draw.

"I'm not too disappointed but I do feel it's an opportunity we missed. We're not going make excuses, Liverpool deserved to win and therefore you have to accept that sometimes."

This week, Kenley Young Reporters' Club turned their hand to theatre review, as they witnessed Riddlesdown Collegiate's production of Les Miserables.

Set in 19th-century France, we follow Jean Valjean who is convicted of stealing bread and jailed for 19 years. Valjean (also known as Prisoner 24601) goes on to become a town mayor and respected by everyone. This breaks the conditions of his parole and he is pursued by Inspector Javert who makes his life a misery.

He becomes an adoptive father to Cosette, whose mother, Fantine, he once helped. The grown-up Cosette later falls in love with one of the student revolutionaries called Marius. There are a lot of revolutionaries who join together to fight the French army at the barricades, including a street urchin called Gavroche. The story all ends in one big final battle climbing up the barricades!

The original story of Les Miserables is by Victor Hugo. This story was taken and used for a French musical version in 1980. An English-language version opened in London in 1985 and is now the second longest continually running show after The Mousetrap.

The School Edition shortens the musical to just over two hours and is approved by the writers of the original. It also has the condition that it cannot be performed to more than 500 people and performers must not be over the age of 19.

The Riddlesdown Collegiate production was a long show, but it seemed to go by in an instant as it was so much fun. Actors would appear from either side of the stage and walk along the aisles dancing and singing right next to you.

The stage was full of smoke and lights and the actors ran around in a square with the orchestra pit in the middle, which was very unusual. The show was always full of exciting moments and sad ones too; but the singing and performances were just like seeing a performance in the West End. It was also quite a weird feeling when the cast came and sat right in front of you - and started singing, or even dying!

The most exciting roles on stage were the two leads – Jean Valjean and his arch enemy Javert.

The actor who played Valjean had a huge cheer from the audience at the end of the show. But Valjean is the character we follow most.

Sixth form student Liam Woods-Williams plays Valjean and had some fantastic vocals that were either amazingly deep or hitting the highest notes. We all thought Liam has to be a big star one day and during the interval we were able to speak to him, before he had to rush away for the second act.

Emma from Reporters' Club reports how Liam told us that it was "brilliant" playing the role and that it was also: "lots of hard work – but worth it!"

The cast have all been practising since last October and Liam told us it took him a month to learn all his lines for Valjean.

He was already a big fan of Les Miserables and this was a role he really wanted.

CRYSTAL Palace chairman Steve Parish had a message for gloating Liverpool fans on Twitter, after a few got a little carried away in the aftermath of their FA Cup victory at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles have held the wood over the Merseysiders in recent encounters, with a 3-1 win in SE25 earlier this season following the famous, dramatic night last May, since dubbed 'Crystanbul', when title-chasing Liverpool surrendered a 3-0 lead to all but end their hopes of winning the league.

So, after winning the FA Cup fifth round tie on Saturday 2-1, the Liverpool contingent took to social media to rub the Palace noses in it. But lest they get too smug, as Parish put them in their place with this Sunday night reply:

When we took over we just avoided going to the third tier. Yesterday #LFC beat us. They are celebrating like they won the league #progress

— Steve Parish (@CEO4TAG) February 15, 2015

IF YOU see a Croydon councillor munching on a meat and two bread at a future town hall meeting, rest easy - it won't be a taxpayer-funded snack they are munching.

Pre-meeting refreshments have been something of a tradition in Croydon and were introduced to provide sustenance for members who may have to turn up for early evening meetings without having eaten beforehand.

But now, council leader Tony Newman has announced the town hall's salad (or sandwich) days are over, to help keep some extra money in the council coffers.

Cllr Newman said council staff seemed to have no problem coping, so it was only fair members were asked to do the same.

He said: "At a time when staff are effectively being asked to take a pay cut again this year, it is right that everyone is seen to be having a share in the cutbacks."

CRYSTAL Palace defender Scott Dann was left to rue what might have been in the FA Cup after the Eagles 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.

With Palace two games way from featuring at Wembley in the semi-finals of the competition, there wasn't that Selhurst sparkle this time around against Brendan Rodgers' side.

It did, however, start so well for the south Londoners, who took the lead thanks to Fraizer Campbell after 15 minutes before Dwight Gayle had a massive chance to double the score.

But Liverpool bounced back early in the second half through Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana strikes.

"It was disappointing to go out, especially after taking the lead in the game but to be fair to Liverpool I thought they played really well," said Dann.

"We didn't play as well as we have done in recent weeks. It was a good chance to get further in the competition.

"It just wasn't to be. To go a goal ahead, you'd think we'd do it again (against Liverpool) and it's a good chance to progress in the FA Cup.

"When you win a couple of games, you get closer and closer. If we would have won against Liverpool, we'd be in the quarter-finals and then one game away from Wembley.

"We have just got to concentrate on the league and look ahead now to the Arsenal game.

"We probably weren't up to the standards we've set ourselves in recent weeks and we've got to get back to that."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

SCOTT Dann was disappointed with referee Robert Madley's decision to award Mario Balotelli a free-kick in the build-up to Liverpool's winning goal on Sunday.

The Italian went down after it appeared his leg went into Dann's on the edge of the 'D' rather than the other way round.

Balotelli's set-piece was fired through the Palace wall, goalkeeper Julian Speroni did all he could to beat the swerve away before Adam Lallana was first to the loose ball to fire home.

"I'd have to see it again, but I didn't think it was a foul," said Dann.

"My leg is there but he played the ball, the ball has gone away and he's fell over it.

"These things happen in games and you have to get on with them. Unfortunately it led to the goal.

"We're disappointed to concede any type of goal. Even if it has come back off Jules, we should have players in the position to clear the ball and that's what we work on."

Dann returned to the starting XI after a head injury against Leicester City last week forced him to miss the second half at the King Power Stadium and then Wednesday's draw with Newcastle United.

And the centre-back admitted James McArthur's absence against Liverpool was felt.

"His energy is great, he gets around the pitch and he was a miss to us," said Dann.

"We had others missing like Mile Jedinak too and Jordon Mutch was cup-tied."

"I'm all good now. It was a strange one, I was a bit dizzy last week and I had to come off.

"It was too soon on Wednesday against Newcastle but it feels good to be back."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

SO now we know. From around this time next year – CPO inquiry not withstanding – Croydon's flagship shopping centre will be bulldozed.

It won't open again for at least another 34 months.

That's a pretty scary thought, on the face of it. For three years, the centre of a borough which has 360,000 residents will, in effect, resemble a huge building site. It's hardly going to be an attractive destination for a while, that's for sure.

But if, as this newspaper does, you broadly support what this £1.5 billion scheme is going to bring to our town centre in the long-term then, frankly, what choice is there?

Westfield/Hammerson could have done this in stages, true, but that would have been just as – perhaps even more – disruptive and time consuming. Plus Westfield's John Burton is right to say the transformative effect and, to coin a horrid phrase, 'wow factor' of this will carry far greater weight if done in one big hit.

There is no point in complaining about what is likely to face Croydon from 2016 to 2019.

Rather, we should look ahead with optimism and excitement to the future and, most crucially in the meantime, do everything possible to help existing businesses and ensure this doesn't become Britain's biggest ghost town.

Get that right, and the short-term pain will be minimised, making the long-term gains all the sweeter.

Plenty of bodies have a role to play in this – certainly the council and groups like the FSB and Croydon Chamber of Commerce, but also the Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) who will go to ballot next year seeking a mandate for another five-year term.

Hopefully they will get the result they want, as Croydon will need a town centre body standing up for its businesses' interests more than ever over these next three years.

HALF-TERM holidays are here – when the weather is gloomy it can be a difficult time of year to keep the kids amused but we have some ideas for places to go in Croydon and a little further afield...

£2 Films, Fairfield Halls

Enjoy a family flick (PG or U) for just two quid at Fairfield Halls. Tuesday's screening is The Book of Life, Wednesday is The Penguins of Madagascar, Thursday is Annie with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, Friday is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and Saturday is Paddington.

Where: Fairfield Halls, Croydon

When: Tuesday, February 17 – Saturday, February 21

Times: 2.30pm, except The Book of Life which starts at 3.30pm

Price: £2

Phone: 020 8688 9291

Web: www.fairfieldcinema.co.uk

Dora the Explorer at Centrale, Croydon

Come along and say. 'Hola' to Dora the Explorer when the kids' character visits Centrale. She will be hosting meet and greet sessions outside House of Fraser on the Lower Mall. It's free but you will need a ticket which you can book online. Some will be available in the centre on the day.

Where: Centrale, North End, CR0 1TY, Crawley

When: Wednesday, February 18

Times: 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Price: Free but you need to book online

Phone: 020 8681 5841

Web: www.centrale.co.uk/events/dora-the-explorer

Superhero half term at Whitgift

If you are a member of Whitgift Weenies you can join in with their superhero fun this half term. Learn superhero moves with Bop and Boogie, take part in a superhero fancy dress competition, have fun with arts and crafts and facepainting and enjoy learning with Explore. You have to have registered as a Whitgift Weenies member at least 24 hours before booking a place on the event. Whitgift Weenies is for children aged three to 10 and it is free to become a member – visit www.whitgiftweenies.co.uk

Where: Whitgift

When: Tuesday, February 17 – Wednesday, February 18

Times: 9.30 – 11am, 11.30am – 1pm, 2 – 3.30pm, 4 – 5.30pm

Price: Free, for Whitgift Weenies members only

Phone: 020 8688 8522

Web: www.thewhitgiftcroydon.co.uk/weenies/events.php

My Pet Pals Activity Club, Pets at Home, Croydon

Pets at Home experts teach children how to care for reptiles and fish responsibly but in a fun and interactive way.

Learn about different species and get information and advice before taking on the responsibility, such as what they eat, how to feed them and how each animal has their own unique needs.

Store manager Teresa Abbott says: "Fish and reptiles make extremely rewarding pets, especially for older children. The free workshops are a chance for the pet lovers of Croydon to engage with our colleagues who will be able to offer tips and advice on pet care, while making the workshops fun and interactive.

"To make sure the children get the chance to be as hands-on as possible, they'll also be given the chance to meet the stars of the workshops."

After completing the workshop, each child will receive a certificate and sticker, along with a pet promise card.

Where: Pets at Home, Waddon Goods Yard, Purley Way, CR0 4NX

When: Monday, February 16 – Sunday, February 22

Times: 2pm daily for 45 minutes

Price: free

Phone: 0845 600 9519

Web: www.petsathome.com

Spitfire Kids, Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham

Discover what it was like to be an evacuee during the Second World War with this interactive trail. Uncover time capsules left by evacuees containing objects with special meaning. You may find silk knickers made from a recycled parachute or a banana. Maggie Greville, who owned the house until her death in 1942, bought a spitfire for the RAF – help recreate Mrs Greville's spitfire in papier-mâché.

Where: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD

When: Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 22

Times: 11am – 3.30pm

Price: £2 per trail plus normal admission of £3.90 – £13.75

Phone: 01372 452048

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

Build a birdbox, Denbies Hillside

Make your own bird box with the National Trust's countryside team and encourage birds into your garden.

Where: Landbarn Farm, Denbies Hillside, Ranmore Common Road, near Dorking, RH5 6SR

When: Friday, February 20

Times: 10am – 1pm

Price: £15 per person, booking essential

Phone: 01372 220644

Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/denbies-hillside

Half Term Fun, Bocketts Farm Park, Leatherhead

Early spring lambing begins with more than 70 new born lambs due. Meet the shepherd and learn all about the sheep. Birds of prey demonstrations are held twice daily from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. Visit the Pony Parlour and meet and groom the Shetland ponies. Plus there is heated indoor play and lots of outdoor play, as well as daily animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pony rides and pig racing.

Where: Bocketts Farm Park, Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9BS

When: Saturday, February 14, to Sunday, February 22

Times: 10am – 5pm

Price: Included in admission £8 – £9.80, plus pony rides 32, tractor rides £1.25

Phone: 01372 363764

Web: www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Woolly Week at Godstone Farm

See the new lambs and if you are lucky you might even see one being born. There will be talks in the main barn, facepainting and you can learn how to spin wool on the spinning wheel, make felt and take home a little crafted sheep made from your felted wool. Don't forget to say hello to Shelley the sheep.

Where:Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, RH9 8LX

When: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22

Times: 10am – 5pm

Price: included in admission price £3 – £7, extra for facepainting and tractor ride

Phone: 01883 742546

Web: www.godstonefarm.co.uk

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking

The annual Lego Exhibition takes place from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20. There is a daily Lego build at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Admission is free but you can make a £1.50 donation to the Rainbow Trust. Plus, join the Lego Building Workshop on Wednesday, February 18 at 11am and 2pm, £7.25 per child.

Take your furry friend to the Teddy Bear's Valentine's Disco on Monday, February 16 at 11am and 2pm. £7.25 per child.

Henfold Birds of Prey fly in on Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19 from 10am – 2pm. Admission free. And it's pancake day so flip, run and race between 11.30am and 12.30pm and raise money for the Rainbow Trust.

Enjoy traditional capers with Punch & Judy on Friday, February 20 at 10.30am, noon and 2pm. Free admission.

Reservations recommended.

Where: Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA

Phone: 01306 876616

Web: www.denbies.co.uk

Hobbledown, Epsom, Surrey

Explore the mystical land of Hobbledown adventure farm park. Join Huck and the gang for character led activities including story time and face painting. Enjoy the interactive puppet show, The Wonder of Winter, which takes place daily inside Topperpot's Teepee Theatre. New this year is the designated animal petting zone, The Granary, where you can meet giant snails, mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The High Ropes course will be open daily from 10.30m to 4.30pm and the Underground Tunnels will also be open. Animal feeding and talks place at various times, get arty in the Creation Station and burn off energy in the indoor play barn.

Where: Hobbledown, Horton Lane, Epsom, KT19 8PT

Open: School holiday opening: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday February 22, Sundays and Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday and Saturdays 9am – 8pm

Price: Included in admission price during half term £3.50 – £8.95, extra charge for facepainting

Phone: 0843 289 4979

Web: www.hobbledown.com

ONE of the stars of the Apprentice TV series and former Croydon businesswoman, Bianca Miller, will be taking another key role on March 11 when she speaks at the first Croydon Apprenticeship graduation ceremony.

Focusing on advanced and higher apprentices, the ceremony will highlight the quality of apprenticeships as well as the progression opportunities available to former apprentices.

There is still a chance for local apprentices to show that they are the best in Croydon.

To enter the competition, apprentices must upload a five-minute video to YouTube, explaining why their placement and employer offers the best experience.

The video should describe the employer and apprentice experience, include a skills demonstration and explain the benefits both to the apprentice and employers.

Apprentices who wish to participate in the graduation ceremony or enter the competition must be doing a Level 3 or 4 apprenticeship placement; have completed the Level 3 or 4 in 2014, or have done so before 28 February 2015 and live and/or work in the borough.

Entries close on Friday 27 February.

Council leader Tony Newman said: "I'm confident the ceremony will help engage employers and young people who may not have previously considered an apprenticeship, and highlight an apprenticeship's quality and value."

Miss Miller said: "I've learnt from my experience of hiring apprentices what a valuable addition they can be to a business.

"More importantly, the apprentice is able to gain a rewarding experience with an unrivalled on-the-job training opportunity, learning from experienced colleagues who are more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise."

To book a place at the ceremony and/or enter the competition e-mail bestapprenticeship@croydon.gov.uk

THE distraught widow of a former Croydon Council painter and decorator who died from asbestos-related cancer is appealing to his former colleagues for help securing justice.

Harry Russell, of Addiscombe, died aged 82 in August 2013 from mesothelioma just two days after his diagnosis which his family believes was caused by his exposure to asbestos while employed by the council.

His family told lawyers Irwin Mitchell they remember him talking about working on the cooling towers at Taberner House, the former council HQ.

He also painted a number of public buildings including schools, old peoples' homes and childrens' homes while working for the council between 1964 and 1995.

Mr Russell's wife Gwen, 79 and two children, Sharon and Gary, have asked Irwin Mitchell's industrial disease experts to investigate the working conditions during his time working for the council.

Mrs Russell hopes his former workmates will come forward to tell lawyers about the measures put in place to protect workers from inhaling asbestos dust and fibres in this period.

She said: "I am still coming to terms with the loss of Harry, but I am determined to get justice for him and make sure those responsible for failing to protect him are held to account."

Sarah Wolf, of Irwin Mitchell, said: "The dangers of asbestos have been known for a long time, but sadly we continue to see examples where employers have failed to take responsibility for the safety of their workers.

"In this case, Harry paid the ultimate price for going to work every day to provide for his family, and suffered a significant amount of pain and distress in the final months of his life.

"We hope that his former workmates will come forward and provide information on how and where he was exposed to asbestos during his work, and what measures, if any, were put in place to prevent tradespeople working for Croydon Council from inhaling the deadly substance."

Mr Russell's daughter Sharon, 56, said her dad was an active man who spent lots of time in his garden and allotment growing fresh produce he gave to his family, friends and neighbours.

She added: "We are trying to do everything we can for mum and I have given up my career as PA to take care of her.

"There's no amount of money that could compensate for Dad's loss, but we want those who were responsible for his exposure to asbestos to be held to account for their lack of preventative measures, and for mesothelioma to be highlighted to employers and workers alike, so no more families need to go through what we have."

A Croydon Council spokeswoman said: "We would like to express our condolences to the family of Mr Russell. As this is now a legal matter we are unable to comment further at this time."

Anyone who worked with Harry at Croydon Council between 1964 and 1995 and has information on the working conditions is asked to contact Sarah Wolf on 0207 421 3968 or email Sarah.Wolf@IrwinMitchell.com

IT IS a year since parts of south Croydon was submerged under water as severe wet weather caused flooding so bad Croydon Council declared a major incident.

Twelve months on residents have returned to their homes but are still feeling the effects with mould and condensation invading their homes.

And a council Repair and Renew grant of £5000 for flooded properties has helped four premises to date despite 37 applications. This totals £18,000 work, and 14 properties also approved for funding are still in the process of applying.

Marilyn Poulton's flower shop, Westbourne Florist in Godstone Road, Kenley, is one of those to have received help.

The florist, Zina Pharmacy and Deep Sea Fish Bar, also on Godstone road, have had work to seal the their basements against future flooding, called tanking. It began three weeks ago and was finished last week.

Ms Poulton said: "Last year I was an expert in sand bags, this year I'm an expert in finding a tanking firm.

"When you know you are entitled to something you just have to keep persevering so because I knew I was entitled to the grant I had to just keep going at it.

"It was a new initiative and teething problems were going to be there."

Mark Kelly, of Godstone Road, lived in rented accommodation until October last year after his home was flooded in February.

Mr Kelly, his wife Anbreen and their 22-year-old daughter Sasiyah were pleased to be home for Christmas. But soon after they moved in out the heating on secondary flooding [when water comes out through the walls] caused damp so bad mould formed and wallpaper came off the walls.

He said: "So much for a better start to the year than last year. I look at my garden which I haven't even started repairing yet and it will be the end of the year before its finished.

"All this will be over when I can sit in my garden and have a beer, then it will be behind me.

"It is what it is so I have got to make the best of it."

Mr Kelly, who has fitted pumps in his cellar to deal with any future floods, estimates he has spent almost £10,000 on repair work on top of that covered by insurance. He has not started work on his decimated garden.

He also applied for the Repair and Renew grant but has not yet received any money.

Mr Kelly said: "The applications for the £5000 have been going on and on and none of us [Godstone Road residents] have seen anything.

"The council seem to be dragging their heels. We have to supply invoices for each individual part of the work but I have got one bill for the building site so I have got to go back to the builder for a list of all the work.

"If I was still waiting now I wouldn't be back in my house."

The council said any delay in the grants - which only cover work not paid for by insurance companies - is due to applicants not supplying insurance reports or waiting for surveys to take place.

A spokeswoman said: "While the government have set criteria, which must be met in order to claim the RRG, we have always encouraged all those making enquiries to complete the application form as best as they can and let the independent surveyor assess their property and determine if any resilience/resistance measures that can be installed."

In December the council also announced that an £850,000 council emergency fund had enabled Purley Oaks depot reservoir, which protects residents from future floods, to be increased to the size of three Olympic swimming pools.

The council has appointed experts to map Caterham Bourne flooding hotspots, started a £45,000 drainage project in Kenley and planned new back up floodwater storage areas off the Godstone Road and Brighton Road.

Residents of Nicholass Court in Dale road lived in hotels and with relatives after water four steps deep flooded the ground floor flats.

June Holmes, 82, lives on the first floor of the block and spent six weeks in a hotel after being carried out of her home by firefighters. Residents of the four flats on the ground floor only moved home in October, but have also experienced secondary flooding.

Ms Holmes said: "We're all alright. Downstairs they are all very unhappy because of the condensation.

"New windows have been fitted and there is no air circulation so you are going to get condensation.

"Were all very conscious of rain at the moment, but I have lived in the area for 20 years and never flooded so I'm sure it won't happen again. It was exceptionally wet weather."

The council have taken a number of steps to protect Dale Road and surrounding areas. These include sending water down a raw water mains and using pumps to reduce water flowing past the road.

A damaged section of culvert under Old Barn Lane has been replaced and the culvert in Dale Road is surveyed by CCTV and has been cleaned.

An agreement between Surrey County Council, Tandridge, Sutton and East Surrey Water and the Environment Agency will monitor the Bourne flow.

And the Environment Agency has introduced flow meters in the Bourne to monitor the flow rate.

There are further works in progress including cutting of the tree roots in Dale Road which have entered the culvert.

The council has yet to confirm when an investigation into the floods under Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act will be published. It was set to be made available to the public in December last year.

THIS is the first picture of the gunman who shot a young couple 15 times during a terrifying attack in a South Croydon flat. 

Zarak McKoy, 23, forced his way into Channel Wilson's home in Kingsdown Avenue in the early hours of July 6 last year and shot her boyfriend, 19-year-old Shaquille Forde-Morgan, 13 times at close range. 

Miss Wilson, 20, was hit in the back and thigh as she tried to help her partner.  

They were taken to hospital where it was discovered all of Mr Forde-Morgan's wounds were in his legs or groin. 

Surgeons decided it would be too risky to remove a bullet lodged in his tibia. 

McKoy, of Hambrook Road, South Norwood, was cleared of two counts of attempted murder earlier this month following a trial at Croydon Crown Court. 

He was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent as well as possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

DC Peter Whibley, of the Metropolitan Police's Trident Shootings Team, said: "I am pleased that the jury has found McKoy guilty.

"He went out that morning intent on causing fear and intimidation. When the victim did not open the door, he forced his way into the address and without hesitation repeatedly shot her and her boyfriend.

"The injuries that both victims received were significant. Between them they received 15 gunshot wounds. It is sheer luck that they survived these injuries."

McKoy will be sentenced for the shootings and possession of an offensive weapon on March 20.