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Snow alerts police to West Thornton cannabis factory

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Winter weather - and cool-headed locals - helped police uncover a cannabis factory containing more than 100 plants this morning.

Officers raided the industrial unit in Oakwood Road, West Thornton, at 7.30am after previously receiving a tip-off from locals that snow was melting on its roof faster than on surrounding properties.

Approximately 130 cannabis plants were seized, along with several bags of herbal cannabis and other drugs paraphernalia.

No one was at the property and no arrests were made.

Sergeant James Hodges from the West Thornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team said: "This was a well established cannabis factory, and even when we went inside the building, we couldn't smell the cannabis straight away, so it had been well ventilated and insulated. Cannabis factories, as well as often being linked to other crime in a local area can also be extremely dangerous due to all the electrics and heating systems that are often used, which represent a real risk of fire.

"But thanks to the local businesses we were alerted to the premises and were able to secure a search warrant. We would encourage our local residents to get in touch and tell us if they have similar concerns about drugs and we will take action."

Snow alerts police to West Thornton cannabis factory


Masked raiders threaten man in Thornton Heath

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Masked men armed with a hammer threatened a middle-aged man in his Thornton Heath home.

Croydon Police today launched an appeal for witnesses following the aggravated burglary in Quadrant Road on February 13.

A spokesman said the 47-year-old victim had arrived at his home at 11.05pm and had gone upstairs to his room.

Minutes later two men burst in and threatened the man - demanding his mobile phone, money and house keys.
 
He handed over his phone and keys and the men fled.

Detective Andy Pike, who is investigating the case, said: "It appears that the suspects were already inside the address when the victim returned home, having probably entered through the back patio door, which was smashed. We would urge anyone in the area who may have witnessed the incident or who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact us immediately."

A woman in her 80s was also in the house at the time of the burglary, although it is believed that she remained asleep during the incident and was not disturbed.

The two suspects are described as black men, both in their early twenties and approximately 5ft 8ins tall. One suspect was said to have been wearing a black scarf over his face, with a black hooded-top and black trousers. The second suspect was said to be wearing a black puffa jacket, a black scarf and black trousers. 

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information can contact Croydon police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New date for trial of alleged Croydon tram racist Emma West

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A new date has been set for the trial of a woman accused of racially abusing passengers on a busy Croydon tram.
Emma West, 35, was charged with two racially aggravated public order offences after a video of the incident was posted on YouTube in November 2011.
When the case was adjourned in January, because an expert who needed to attend was not available, it was the fourth time the trial had failed to start. Other hearings in June, July and then September had all been put back.
West, of Grenville Road, New Addington, is now due to stand trial on April 9.
The YouTube video, called my Tram Experience and filmed on a tram travelling between Croydon and Wimbledon, was watched by more than 11 million people after it was uploaded.
Croydon Crown Court had previously heard that West had taken a double dose of medication at the time of the incident which is believed to have occurred on October 18, 2011. Previous trial dates were set back for further psychiatric reports to be produced.
West was due to appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with assaulting two police officers at her home on March 3, 2012.
The mother-of-two, who denies all the charges against her, was bailed in her absence.
The case has been rescheduled for April 15, after her crown court trial.

New date for trial of alleged Croydon tram racist Emma West

EDITOR'S BLOG: I'm back (again)

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It took one week. Just one week.
Having committed myself to blogging, if not daily, at least regular tidbits of glorious insight and information from the Advertiser newsroom, I stopped. I made it past the first fence but stumbled at Beechers Brook, in Grand National terms.
My defence? Events, dear readers, events.
Too much work, too little time. Throw in a mini-staffing crisis at Advertiser towers and a 2-day trip to Bristol for a company conference and, before I knew it, my commitment to blogging was about as successful as my commitment to not eating cake.
And, for those that know me, that aint too successful.
Anyway I'm back, back for good (hopefully) until the next obstacle comes between me and cyber dominance.
My last two weeks have been spent filling in for news editor Gabriel Shepard, now the proud father of a beautiful baby girl. While he got to grips with nappies, dummies and sleepless nights, I spent some time back at the coalface.
Since November, my role has expanded to overseeing not just the Advertiser but also our other titles in East Surrey and Sussex. With great power comes responsibility, they say, but it in journalistic terms it means more meetings, more use for the Sat Nav and less journalism.
But, for the past fortnight, I was back reading copy, putting stories onto pages and at the heart of the creative process. And I loved it - late nights and a few hairy moments aside, it reminded me just why I love this job and I love journalism.
Now, I've handed the reins back to the excellent Mr Shepard, while I get to grips with a to do list which is, quite literally, as long as my arm (copyright: Andy Townsend, 2011)
I've been in on the news meeting, I'm buzzing about the great stories we'll run this week and I'll love tweaking our headlines and running order tomorrow afternoon, to help produce the best possible paper. I also, my list tells me, must do everything from process invoices to 'deal with complaint' and 'sort out pool car forms'.
As my old boss used to say, "I used to be a journalist once.."
But, you know what? I still love what I do and I never, ever look at the clock.
Who else can say that about their job?

Rihanna in Croydon rumour untrue, says River Island

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Internet rumours pop megastar Rihanna is to appear at Croydon's branch of River Island this afternoon have been denied by the fashion chain.

Suggestions the Umbrella singer was to visit the store in the Whitgift Centre have been circulating on Twitter.

Twitter user Grace Harkin posted: "If rihanna is actually going to Croydon tomorrow and i'm not there i'm going to be so mad."

Fellow tweeter Tiana added: "I don't think Rihanna is ready for Croydon."

The rumours follow Rihanna's appearance at River Island in Oxford Street last night where she launched her new clothing range.

But a spokesman for the company told the Advertiser: "We have no idea where this has come from I'm afraid."

Rihanna in Croydon rumour untrue, says River Island

Croydon MP Gavin Barwell: I love gangsta rap and Joan Collins

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CROYDON Central MP Gavin Barwell has revealed he is an unlikely fan of rap music.

Speaking during an interview on LBC radio on Sunday, Mr Barwell said he had attended Public Enemy concerts during his youth and admitted being a fan of the band, best known for their hits Don't Believe The Hype and Harder Than You Think.

But he quipped he no longer wore his hooded sweatshirt emblazoned with the band's logo, in fear of being snapped by a Daily Mirror photographer.

During the lighthearted interview with presenter Iain Dale, the 41-year-old Tory MP also revealed he was an avid fan of trashy eighties American soap opera Dynasty.

Ikea: Croydon cake is free from human waste bacteria

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Ikea has insisted the food in its Croydon store is safe to eat as the company became embroiled in its second food scare in a week. The Swedish furniture giant today pulled its almond cake with chocolate and butterscotch from stores in 23 countries after samples were found to contain bacteria linked with human excrement. Last week the company withdrew meatballs and hotdogs from UK stores after some were found to contain horsemeat. A spokesman insisted the cake scare did not affect the UK or Ireland. He added: "IKEA Group is committed to serving high quality food that is safe, healthy and produced with care for the environment. "Traces of coliform bacteria have been found in two isolated production batches of almond cake with chocolate and butterscotch, produced for the restaurant, from one supplier in Sweden. "There is no health risk associated with consuming this product. The production batches have, as per safety and quality routines, been tested for bacteria that can cause health issues, such as E.coli, and none of these pathogen bacteria have been found."

Ikea: Croydon cake is free from human waste bacteria

Palace 4-2 Hull City: Super Kev bags super hat-trick in emphatic Eagles win

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CRYSTAL Palace bagged an emphatic 4-2 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Hull City this evening.

Kevin Phillips was the star of the show with a superb hat-trick, while Wilfried Zaha made sure of the points with a late fourth after Tigers substitute Jay Simpson had pulled a goal back.

Even a late header by Alex Bruce to make 4-2 wasn't enough to put a dampener on a thoroughly deserved victory.

The win lifts Palace onto 64 points, just one behind Hull in third place, while Watford move back into second after a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Eagles had the first real chance of the game when Jacob Butterfield delivered a free-kick in from the left, Hull goalkeeper David Stockdale fumbled, and Peter Ramage saw a shot cleared off the line on the turn from 12-yards.

The ball eventually fell into the path of Kevin Phillips but his close range effort was well blocked at the last second.

Hull battled back with a number of corners in quick succession, but failed to trouble goalkeeper Julian Speroni, who made a couple of well-taken claims.

Stockdale then managed to claw away a cross-shot by Wilfried Zaha before the winger's low cross caused confusion in defence with Glenn Murray lurking.

Midway through the first half, a Palace free-kick was only cleared away to Jonny Williams just outside the danger area, before he let fly with a dipping volley which flew yards wide.

And Williams was to have the next say in the match when won Palace a penalty on the half-hour mark.

Moxey played a ball into the youngster on the left side of the box but he dummied the ball past his marker, who bundled him over for a clear spot-kick.

Up stepped penalty king Murray, but he saw his ferocious shot superbly saved by Stockdale down to his right.

Murray had a good chance before the break when he got around the back of his marker inside the box, but his first touch ten yards out let him down unfortunately.

But on the stroke of half-time, Palace took a deserved lead thanks to another chance from the penalty spot.

Murray's shot inside the box seemed to hit the hand of a Hull defender, and after consultating his assistant, the referee awarded another spot-kick.

This time, Phillips stepped up and Stockdale got a hand to his effort down the middle, but luckily the ball bounced down and into the corner.

However, it got even better for the 39-year-old in the second-half when he grabbed a further two goals in quick succession to complete a stunning hat-trick in front of the Holmesdale Stand.

The second goal came when Zaha cut the ball across the danger area, Murray let the ball roll past him and Phillips scuffed a shot into the bottom corner.

But the third was stunning. Picking the ball up from 25-yards out, he steadied himself and angled a looping shot via a slight deflection over Stockdale to send Selhurst Park crazy.

What a player. And what a signing. Can he play on for a few more years please?

Zaha nearly created a fourth soon after when he bamboozled Robbie Brady on the right side of the box and it looked as if the defender had tripped the winger, but the referee decided to give a goal kick instead.

Hull pulled a goal back on 73 minutes when substitute Jay Simpson sent a looping header over Speroni from Ahmed Elmohamady's cross, before Yannick Bolasie replaced goal hero Phillips.

However, Zaha made sure of the three points when he made it 4-1 minutes later after racing onto a ball down the right before cutting inside and angling a shot past Stockdale.

Alex Bruce got another goal back in added-on time when he headed in, while further slack defending nearly made it 4-3 at the death, but Palace held on when they went up the pitch and won a free-kick by the corner flag.

And then the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Palace: Speroni, Dikgacoi, Ramage, Delaney, Moxey, Jedinak, Butterfield (Dobbie 78), Zaha, Phillips (Bolasie 74), Williams (Parr 65), Murray.

Subs Not Used:
Price, Dobbie, Marrow, Wilbraham, Moritz.

Attendance: 16,230


By Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson

HIV cases in Croydon double in a decade

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A CHARITY has urged the council to take action on HIV as it emerged the number of people in Croydon with the virus has almost doubled in the past decade.

The borough has among the highest rates of HIV in the UK, with an estimated one in every 170 people living with the virus, compared to one in every 300 in 2002.

More than half were diagnosed late, risking decreased life expectancy and a greater chance of passing the condition on.

Local authorities will be responsible for public health from April and the National Aids Trust (NAT) has called on Croydon to allocate a fair share of its £18.32 million Government funding specifically to HIV.

Deborah Jack, chief executive of NAT, said: "Worryingly, with that budget there will be no ring fencing for HIV. We need a strong commitment from Croydon councillors to ensure prevention and testing continue to receive the necessary funding.

"Disinvestment in HIV prevention and testing would seriously harm public health."

NHS Croydon spent £47,000 on HIV testing and £38,000 on sexual health promotion in 2012/13. The council was unable to say what next year's spending will be.

Nearly 1,100 people in Croydon have Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a condition which weakens and eventually destroys the body's defence system. A further 300 are estimated to be unaware they have the virus. In southwest London, only Wandsworth has a higher rate of infection.

Robert Adams, health promotion officer for Shaka Services, which provides sexual health and HIV prevention information to African communities in Croydon, said the borough is not the only area with a high rate.

He said: "The problem is across South London and you also need to take into consideration that people travel to get tested, often choosing not to test in their own locality, so the figures do not give a true picture of where people live or what borough has a higher HIV prevalence."

Fifty-nine per cent of people with HIV in Croydon were diagnosed late. The sooner HIV is treated, the less likely it is to develop into Aids.

"HIV is treatable, with an excellent long-term prognosis, especially if diagnosed early," said Dr David Phillips, clinical lead for sexual health at Croydon Health Services.

"Unfortunately in Croydon, too many people end up testing too late."

The Sexual Health Centre at Croydon University Hospital offers free and confidential HIV testing, and all patients attending the Acute Medical Unit are encouraged to be screened as part of the normal set of tests.

NHS Croydon has recently launched an awareness campaign, including posters on buses and trams.

The council says it has identified sexual health as a priority.

Margaret Mead, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "The strategies are in place. We will be working with GPs and pharmacies to provide people with as much information as we can.

"Men in particular are not very good at seeking early treatment. They think it's bad news but that's not always the case. The message we have to get across is that by going early it's treatable and the key to that is publicity."

Shaka Services believes advice about the dangers of HIV should be aimed at gay men in black communities. "We feel and strongly recommend there should be a 24-hour helpline for black men who are having sex with men," said Mr Adams. "The phone line would be manned by black men who understand their experiences, prejudices and homophobia within the black community. "Also, it needs to be well advertised within this community." In 2009, more than 2,000 black Africans were diagnosed with HIV – one third of all new diagnoses in the UK. Shaka organises workshops focusing on HIV, sexually transmitted infections and safe sex, particularly focused on the borough's African communities. It also runs a World Aids Day event at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre and has distributed thousands of sexual health information leaflets.

Cash boost for project to defeat gang culture in Croydon

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A MAJOR cash injection has been announced to boost the fight against gang culture.

Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) is setting up an online mentors' bank that will enable approved organisations to access a range of trained volunteer mentors more quickly.

The project is being funded thanks to a £35,000 handout from the Mayor of London's Office for Policing and Crime

CVA chief executive Steve Phaure said: "This service helps young people regain self-esteem and confidence, and to gain the skills needed to move onto the next stages in their lives."

Police and council chiefs have hailed the move, part of work to steer ex-young offenders and other youths away from crime.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Messinger, from Croydon Police, said: "Many young people have been successfully diverted from gang crime over the past year and mentoring is a key part of this.

"The additional funding will help organisations to do even more to support young people to lead a life away from gangs."

Cabinet member for community safety at Croydon Council, Simon Hoar, added: "The service will also be delivering accredited training to support the mentors themselves, but the main goal is to encourage young people's self-development."

Quest Academy in Selsdon set for £16million rebuild

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QUEST Academy is set for a £16million rebuild, in a bid to create a "truly outstanding" school for Selsdon.

Croydon Council has appointed Wates Construction to rebuild the school, in Farnborough Avenue, alongside the existing site, with the work expected to be complete by September 2014.

The plans will also deliver a community facility, combining Monks Hill Sports Centre and a new landscaped green space on the site of the old school.

Principal Andy Crofts told the Advertiser: "The current buildings were only designed to last 20 to 30 years but instead they have lasted 40 to 50 years.

"With the improvements the school has made, we wanted our aspirations to be mirrored by first-rate buildings."

Since the old Selsdon High School became an academy in 2010, it has made significant improvements, with a 2012 Ofsted inspection rating it as "good".

It was recently commended by education minister David Laws for being in the top 100 most-improved schools in the country.

Mr Crofts said he is sure the rebuild will help continue this upward trend.

He added: "I believe we are on a journey towards a truly outstanding school of choice for Selsdon.

"We have also tried to become a hub for Selsdon, which is what our new community facility will hopefully act as."

The new academy will include a state-of-the-art theatre, innovative learning areas and hi-tech IT facilities.

The new buildings will hold 900 pupils aged 11-16 and include a 215-capacity sixth form facility.

Mr Crofts said: "We are keen to help our students be as creative as possible and a theatre, which the current building doesn't have, will encourage the performing arts."

Subject to planning permission, work will start this summer and take 56 weeks.

The project is part of the government's Building Schools for the Future programme and will be jointly funded by the Education Funding Agency and Croydon Council.

Quest Academy in Selsdon set for £16million rebuild

South Norwood Tourist Board prepare for festival in honour of dog who found World Cup trophy in bush

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IN THE week when footballer Bobby Moore was remembered on the 20th anniversary of his death, the people of South Norwood are about to celebrate another World Cup legend.

South Norwood Tourist Board has major plans for Picklesfest 2013 and events kick-off on March 20 with a re-enactment of the canine's discovery of the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Aptly-named Ian Bone, organiser and South Norwood Tourist Board associate, now wants to see a permanent memorial to the dog, who discovered the World Cup in a bush.

He said: "Pickles does not yet have a blue plaque because English Heritage don't seem keen, but maybe we should erect a statue.

"Along with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Pickles is undoubtedly one of South Norwood's two finest sons."

The Advertiser first revealed plans for Picklesfest last year, but now the full programme of events has been revealed.

The famous dog died in 1967 in mysterious circumstances, but a new, remote-controlled Pickles will be returning to the scene for a re-enactment.

The lovingly recreated papier mache dog will stumble across the trophy in the very same bush as 47 years ago in Beulah Hill.

There will also be a series of speakers, including 'world-leading Picklesologist' Richard Jones, as organisers hope to solve some key Pickles-related mysteries.

Mr Bone said: "Pickles' death remains shrouded in mystery. Some people say he was accidentally hanged after chasing a cat up a tree. I don't buy that explanation. The other two mysteries we hope to solve are how the World Cup found its way to a bush in Beulah Hill and who stole it.

"Unfortunately, we can't get Sherlock Holmes down to solve the mysteries because he is not around anymore."

Pickles paid a visit to Selhurst Park last Saturday and there will be representatives of Crystal Palace Football Club at the re-enactment.

The organisers also have ambitious plans for their 2016 event, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Pickles' discovery.

Mr Bone said: "We want to get the real World Cup down to SE25 for the 2016 event, which will be huge for the 50th anniversary of his discovery."

For more information about Picklesfest 2013, visit southnorwoodtouristboard.com

South Norwood Tourist Board prepare for festival in honour of dog who found World Cup trophy in bush

Croydon rugby player raising money for Comic Relief by wearing 25 fancy dress outfits in 25 days

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STRANGERS are calling him a wally, but one Croydon rugby player doesn't mind looking silly as he raises money for Comic Relief.

Old Whitgiftian Giles Dempsey is donning 25 different outfits in 25 days, as the national fundraising event celebrates its 25th anniversary.

So far Giles, 36, has transformed himself into everyone from Edward Scissorhands to children's TV character Pingu.

When the Advertiser spoke to him this week, Giles was on day seven and had just finished taking a marketing workshop while dressed as a dragon.

The wacky fundraiser also attended last weekend's Six Nations rugby clash between England and France, dressed as another children's character – Wally from the Where's Wally? books.

He said: "I had French fans coming up to me and shouting 'Eh! Wally!'

"It got a little tiresome after a while but if you're dressing up like that, you've probably got to expect a bit of stick."

Giles' charity bid was aided by comedian Rob Brydon, after he bumped into the Gavin And Stacey star while dressed as Wally at Twickenham.

Brydon tweeted about the charity bid and Giles now has nearly 1,000 followers.

He is keeping his outfits a closely guarded secret – only revealing them to the world via his Twitter account (@25Outfits) every morning.

Friends have been telling Giles he needs to pull out all the stops for the last day.

He said: "The whole thing has a crescendo-like feel to it. People are saying at the end of the 25 days I will have to go out with a bang.

"Quite a few people are suggesting my birthday suit, which I'm not overly keen on but it might be the logical conclusion."

Giles, who works for a marketing agency, has so far raised more than £1,300 for Red Nose Day and hopes he can do more for the cause.

"I spent some time in Africa and it helped me understand what they lack and what we have," he said.

To support the cause, click here

Croydon rugby player raising money for Comic Relief by wearing 25 fancy dress outfits in 25 days

New Addington boxer confident ahead of Epsom Downs contest

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AFTER dominating the UK's premier boxing league last season, New Addington middleweight sensation Gareth Gardner says he is ready for another exciting year when he laces up the gloves this month for his return to action.

The 28-year-old carpenter secured his position as the number one competitor in the Queensbury Boxing League last season after winning all five of his league appearances on Sky Sports with some impressive displays.

But the likeable champion will face arguably his toughest assignment on Saturday, March 16, at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, when he drops down a division to face British light middleweight Aaron Lowery in one of the biggest title clashes in the history of the competition.

But after claiming titles in three different weight divisions during his 18-month undefeated reign in the league, Gardner feels confident he will have all the tools necessary to add Lowery's title to his trophy cabinet when the pair meet.

"I'm really looking forward to facing Lowery next month and I'm very confident I've got the skills to beat him," commented Gardner.

"I had a blinding year in 2012 and had some tough fights which did take its toll on me, but I've had a nice break now and feel confident and ready to continue my winning streak starting on March 16."

"I've known Aaron for a while now after boxing on a number of the same events, and although I've got a lot of respect for him and his gym, that will all be left outside the ring come fight night as I'm coming to take his title."

Also appearing alongside Gardner on the bill will be fellow Queensbury champion Steve Orford, who will make the second defence of his Southern Area cruiserweight strap.

Orford was last in action back in September when he defeated Bournemouth challenger Louis Kerley in an all-action affair that featured as part of the league's main event show on British Eurosport.

But Orford will now face Brighton's big-hitting Mark Smith, nicknamed the Hammer, and he has promised the champion he will be facing his biggest challenge so far.

With the show promoters promising fight fans the most talent-packed line-up of boxing in their history, both Gardner and Orford look set to star on another big evening of action.

For more information on the duo's big night, visit www.queensburyboxing.co.uk or contact Alan Foley on 07725218399 and e-mail alan@queensburyboxing.co.uk

New Addington boxer confident ahead of Epsom Downs contest

EDITOR'S BLOG: Eagles soaring high, Murray's mint and opponents' wings clipped

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I'll explain the headline first of all. I have a running joke with our otherwise excellent sports team that headlines built around the image of Eagles "soaring" or having their "wings clipped" and "swooping for a star striker" should be banned. And don't even get me started on 'Murray's Mint'...
Anyway, the reason for this introduction is that I went along to Selhurst Park last night to see Palace give Hull City what, without exaggeration, I can say was a footballing lesson.
Many of you may know I'm a Spurs fan but, coming from a family of Palace supporters, I've always had a soft sport for the Eagles and probably go to see them 3-4 times a season. I cannot remember them playing as well as they did last night.
The atmosphere was cracking too. Selhurst Park might be falling apart but it has a rawness and edge to it that you don't get from the flatpack, identikit stadia that now dominate our football landscape. It's an old school football ground and (lack of terracing apart) an old school footballing experience, but give me that over St Mary's or the King Power Stadium anyday.
In terms of the game, Zaha showed exactly why Sir Alex shelled out £15 million (added bonus that he doesn't kick people in the chest in big games too) Kevin Phillips scored a fine hat-trick and Jedinak impressed in midfield, but a special word for string-puller in chief Jonny Williams who looks, as a certain H Redknapp esq might say, a proper player - the conductor and of Palace's tuneful orchestra.
The only downside was they switched off from two crosses, helping give the scoreline a more flattering feel for Hull.
But how fantastic to see Palace not only doing well, but also playing proper football with some quality, homegrown talent.
Long may it continue.

EDITOR'S BLOG: Eagles soaring high, Murray's mint and opponents' wings clipped


Croydon gets extra funding for school places - but will still have to borrow £100m to meet demand

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CROYDON is to receive more money than anywhere else in the country to create new school places.
The borough has been allocated £63.2 million over the next two years by the Department for Education (DfE).
While significantly more than expected, it still leaves the council having to borrow £100 million, with the interest expected to be around £10 million.
Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said the funding package was recognition of Croydon's school places crisis.
Labour welcomed the settlement but said the Government should meet the full cost.
An extra 660 primary places will be created for this September and research suggests there will be a need for as many as 96 extra forms of entry at secondary level in a decade's time.
Despite this week's windfall, the council will not be building more schools than already planned - or refurbishing additional existing buildings.
Instead Cllr Pollard said it would be better placed to fund other projects which had been scaled back or shelved because the majority of its capital funding was destined for schools, such as investment in Fairfield Halls and improvements to the borough's roads.
The council is to spend £163 million on a huge school expansion program over the next two years. The settlement means it will have to borrow £100 million from the Public Works Loans Boards (PWLB), around £40 million less than expected.
"The capital program as it was saw pretty much all the money going into schools, because that's the overwhelming imperative," said Cllr Pollard. 
"We have a statutory duty to provide school places. We don't have to refurbish Fairfield Halls or resurface the roads. It meant there was no money left for anything else.
"This settlement means a smaller proportion of the money we needed will come from borrowing.
"But just because we have more money than we expected doesn't mean you're going to see gold-plated taps in schools, or that the plan has changed. The pressure is still there, but we won't be creating more spaces than we need.
"We will know more when we have a sit down and check through the priorities, but things people say they really value and feel need doing are things like Fairfield Halls and continuing the roads program.
"These are the things that get set aside but in this coming year we will most likely be under less pressure so we can be more flexible around the capital budget. That's where people will see the benefit most."
In January, the council approved the creation of 22 new forms of entry at primary level, eight from permanently expanding seven schools and 14 from bulge classes. Plans are underway to two open two new secondary schools.
The settlement for the next two years is around £33.7 million more than the council received for 2011 to 2013.
Cllr Pollard credited the increase to the strength of the case built by a specialist external research company commissioned to revise the council's own estimates of the demand for places.
The new predictions are based on Office for National Statistics' birth date, school pupil counts and transfer rates and London Assembly population projections.
"This is one of the occasions when spending money on outside expertise has really paid off," said Cllr Pollard.
Kathy Bee, Labour's education spokesperson, said: "I know there was a lot of concern about what the settlement might be, so to receive significantly more than expected is welcome.
"It still leaves the council with a big capital investment to make, and the Government should arguably meet the full cost, but this is good news and staff should be congratulated for making such a strong case for more money."

Croydon gets extra funding for school places - but will still have to borrow £100m to meet demand

South Norwood woman using grandfather's battle with Alzheimer's as inspiration for modelling

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AN ASPIRING catwalk queen is using her grandfather's Alzheimer's battle as inspiration to succeed in the world of modelling.

Irene Jewhurst, of Sangley Road, South Norwood, has been shortlisted for the natural beauty category at the Top Model UK grand finals in April.

The former Oasis Academy Shirley Park pupil says she is proud of her achievements but wants to dedicate any success to grandad Ernest Luckey, 85.

Irene, 22, said: "This is the first thing I've applied for, so to be chosen is really flattering.

"I have been raising money for Alzheimer's charities for the past few years and I want to continue raising awareness for them.

"My grandad badly suffers from the disease and it's such a terrible thing."

Irene's brother Jack, 26, provides sole care for his grandad on the Isle of Wight.

She added: "It is very difficult but we want to care for grandad for as long as is feasibly possible.

"If I made a success of modelling, I would hope to use any kind of power for good."

Irene, who has a BTEC in public services from Croydon College and is soon starting a job at a school for the deaf, is hopeful of continuing her glamorous sideline.

She added: "This is a great confidence boost and hopefully the exposure means I will be able get some more work from it.

"But I applied for this competition because it aims to give a lot of the proceeds to charity."

Irene faces competition from 40 girls as she vies for the prestigious prize at the Hilton London Metropole on the weekend of April 12-14.

You can vote for her by visiting www.topmodeluk.com

South Norwood woman using grandfather's battle with Alzheimer's as inspiration for modelling

New Addington vicar starts text service to help people pray

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TECHNOLOGY may sometimes be blamed for shortening attention spans, but one vicar is hoping it can help people focus on their faith.

Father Martin Powell at St Edward, King and Confessor Church in New Addington has started a text service to help people on the go find the time to pray via their smartphones.

Congregants who sign up to his "I-pray" service will receive three messages containing prayer pointers and ideas from the priest each week.

"I have promised them no more than three times a week," said Father Powell, who started the service last October after seeing a counterpart in Exeter reach his teenage flock via text.

"I started doing it just because I was aware that people found it hard to fit prayer into life," he added.

"This was really something just to give them a few words and some inspiration.

"We have busy lives – work and family and also leisure time. We want to find time for all these things and somehow prayer often gets squeezed out.

"This is just a chance for people to rediscover that time."

Messages typically include a scripture passage followed by a suggestion for related prayer.

A recent missive read: "Remember that u are dust & to dust u shall return. How is God challenging u to walk with him this Lent? Pray for strength 2 follow."

Father Powell, who also tweets the messages via his account @ipraytweet, added: "It focuses my prayer as well. If it is a saint's day I will try and make it fit with the saint, or last Wednesday was Ember Day so tried to make it fit around that.

"There is no particular time, just whenever the wind or spirit takes me."

The service has about 80 followers so far, Father Powell said, a mix of young and old from St Edward's and further afield.

"Some have been coming for years and others are fairly new and want to find out a little bit more," he said. "I think it naturally applies to younger folk – about 30 per cent of those who receive the texts are under 30."

Father Powell also has his own active Twitter account and says it fits in with a wider church strategy to "engage people where they are".

"The way things are going, a number of people are relying on mobile technology to help them in their daily lives, so it is a good thing the Church is going along with that.

"I am hopeful that it will encourage people to think about coming to church.

"It is about trying to make the Church more relevant for people and accommodating of their lives.

"So often there are expectations of people they cannot possibly achieve. It is a more realistic way of being a Christian."

New Addington vicar starts text service to help people pray

New Addington Job Club to help tackle unemployment

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A NEW job club has been set up to tackle unemployment in one of Croydon's most deprived areas.

The New Addington Job Club will be open for all and is targeting unemployed young people, as well as providing special help for autistic jobseekers.

The latest census showed that 7 per cent of 16 to 74-year-olds in New Addington ward and 8.4 per cent in Fieldway were unemployed, compared with 5.2 per cent across Croydon.

Of 16 to 24-year-olds, 2.5 per cent were unemployed in New Addington ward and 3.4 per cent in Fieldway, compared with 1.4 per cent across the borough as a whole.

Jayne Laville, a lead organiser of the club, said: "There are lots of young ones in New Addington and Fieldway who might never think about presenting themselves to something like this.

"But I know them and I have grown up with them.

"I know their mothers and I tick all the same boxes, so they listen."

The club, which will be open on Tuesday mornings in The Octagon, Central Parade, has been set up with funding from the London mayor's office and is being supported by the area's MP Gavin Barwell.

Volunteers will help jobseekers compile CVs and prepare for interviews, before referring them to local employers, vocational and training courses, and work experience placements.

Andy Stranack, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate, who runs a similar club in Monks Hill, said he hoped to help jobseekers "break down barriers".

He said: "A lot of people who come have got low self-esteem and low self-confidence.

"For example, some of the young mums say, 'I have just been looking after my children' – whereas in fact that gives you a lot of transferable skills."

New Addington resident Mark Rochester, who said he had been unemployed for about five years, attended the launch on Tuesday.

He said: "I think it should be good. It's looking like it is going to be a little bit more old-fashioned in its approach, but professional. In central Croydon it is about computers and just moving you on; this looks like it is more about people getting involved a little bit more.

"It is very frustrating [being unemployed]. Everyone needs a job."

New Addington councillor George Ayres said the scheme was a "wonderful exercise in local concern and commitment".

He added: "The problem of unemployment and the implications of lack of employment are going to get greater as more and more people have their benefits cut."

Croydon loan stores: Is it too easy to borrow money?

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STORES handing out 'instant' loans are taking over Croydon and, as Rachel Millard discovered, getting hold of hundreds of pounds is easy. But with huge interest rates potentially dragging people into more debt, we ask – is it too easy? RACKING up high-interest debt in Croydon could take a matter of minutes, an Advertiser investigation has discovered.

We managed to reach agreements to borrow nearly £900 of payday loans on a trainee reporter's salary, in just two hours hopping between the high street loan shops that have mushroomed in recent years.

With interest rates of up to £2.01 per day, that would mean hundreds of pounds would potentially have been owed by the time the next payslip hit the doormat.

And lenders did not ask many questions about our ability to repay, beyond a quick credit check.

At Speedy Cash in Tamworth Road we were told: "We are going to give you the most that we can, so you will leave here with the absolute maximum."

It may have been an experiment for us but for many, that tempting, easy cash can lead to months or years of debt.

Helen Mason, operations manager of the Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union, said more and more people are turning to the union for help after getting into payday loan debt.

She said: "They give people the impression they are convenient and fast and that is why a lot of people go to them because they get them out of a hole.

"They are very accommodating and very helpful, but the longer term result is people are saddled with debt.

"The problem is people think yes, that is fine, and they are so relieved. They think, 'I will deal with this when it happens'.

"Then they cannot pay it back and it goes on and on."

Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said he was "not very happy" about the borough's loan shops, but added the council's powers were "limited".

They typically need planning permission for financial use but their licences to trade are granted by the Government.

Cllr Mohan said: "I think the long-term solution is to encourage a proper mix of businesses, to ensure proper economic growth and make sure that there are jobs, so people are not encouraged to go to these lengths.

"If people's financial situation improves, the motivation to go to these companies goes down."

Selhurst councillor Timothy Godfrey said financial difficulties featured in all his casework and loan shops were a cause for concern.

He said: "I would like to see more support for alternatives such as the Credit Union.

"Would it not be fantastic for the Credit Union to have a premises on the high street to counter some of the loan shops?

"If we could have one, for example, in South Norwood and one in New Addington, that would be better. We can push loan shops off the high street but they will still be online."

The Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union, based in Taberner House in Croydon, offers a less expensive way of borrowing. In 2011/12, the union gave out 695 loans, averaging at £1,104 each. Borrowing £300 with the credit union could cost £6.79 over 12 weeks; £13.15 over 24 weeks; £28.30 over one year; and £57.74 over two years. Borrowers need to be members and are encouraged to save regularly. Membership costs £5 if you are working, £1 if not. Operations manager Helen Mason said: "We do ask more questions than a payday loan company because we are bound by our rules not to get you into more debt. "We will then make the payments according to how you can manage it." To contact or join the CMS Credit Union, call 020 8760 5711, visit www.cmscu.co.uk or email cu-manager@btconnect.com
Reporter Rachel Millard visited five loans shops during one afternoon and, armed with one, outdated payslip, walked away with offers for three high-interest loans, totalling around £900. Here, she tells of her loan-shopping experience... I started at the CHEQUE CENTRE, in High Street, Purley, where I provided proof of address, bank details and a payslip. After completing a credit check, I am told I can borrow £300 based on my take-home pay of £1,072 monthly. The salesman explains that will cost me £25 per £100, meaning I will owe £375 when I next get paid on March 14. If I cannot pay that, he says the loan can be 'rolled over' three times, for a fee of £50. He added that my credit limit will increase whenever I pay on time, so I could always borrow again as soon as paying one off. At SPEEDY CASH at the corner of North End and Tamworth Road, I am offered a loan of £268. That will cost me 75p per day per £100, or £2.01 per day for that loan. I can pay it back any day. If I pay the whole loan plus interest on my next payday, that would be £340. However, the costs quickly mount up if I cannot pay that. If I wanted to pay over a year, I would end up paying £1,502.58. At H & T PAWNBROKERS in George Street, I am told that I cannot apply for a loan without my most recent bank statement. At neighbouring OAKAM I am approved for a loan of £300. I am offered a payment scheme over six months that would see me pay a total back of £486. However, the offer was provisional on the condition I provided references. At CASH & CHEQUE EXPRESS in Surrey Street, I am told the maximum they would offer a first time customer would be £83. They refer me to a loan company for anything more. They also suggest I could get more by loaning against my car. We contacted the three loan stores that offered our reporter money. Frederic Nze is the chief executive of Oakam, based in Dingwall Road, Croydon, with 15 stores nationwide. He said: "I can understand there is a change in the high street with lenders trying to fill space where the banks are closing their doors. Five years ago probably everyone had a credit card or an overdraft, so in fact it is becoming a bit more difficult [to get a loan]." He added that his company specialises in lending amounts of £2-300 to people with small salaries and little to no debt history. Its loans can be paid back by the day, offering a what he deemed a convenient alternative to bank overdrafts. He added that it was sometimes 'patronising' to think borrowers did not know what they were getting into. "Our customers all know what it means to borrow say £200. Yes, there is temptation to take on money at any price, and our responsibility is to give advice. "But customers stay with us and have been with us for years now." A Cheque Centre spokesman said the popularity of its loans was 'reflected in the number of stores that have opened'. He said: "Our aim is to be a responsible lender, and we are always adapting our procedures to improve our lending practices." He added: "We are never complacent about financial hardship, we have been working with the Government to introduce more consumer protections. "A small proportion of our customers will see circumstances change and find themselves unable to repay. When they contact us we can provide help by freezing their debt, giving them time to get organised and directing them to free debt advice." Speedy Cash had not responded to requests to comment as the Advertiser went to press.

Croydon loan stores: Is it too easy to borrow money?

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