IAN Holloway admitted Blackpool deserved their point from Selhurst Park on Saturday, describing the match with his former club as a "war".

Palace were held to a 2-2 draw against the Seasiders, thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Nouha Dicko.

In a game where the Eagles looked to have just done enough to claim all three points, good work by Blackpool's man-of-the-match Wes Thomas set up Dicko to fire home from close range.

And the equaliser upset Eagles boss Holloway, who claimed someone on the Blackpool bench looked at him in a funny way, but he was happy his side came out better after a subdued first half showing.

"I recognised a lot of the stuff Blackpool did and how they were doing it and I wanted my new team to hurt them a bit more," he said.

"I had to wait until the second half until we managed to do that. We wasted the first 45 minutes and we didn't get at them so they deserved a point.

"They were delighted at the end but I didn't like the reaction of one of their men on their bench.

"One of them looked straight at me when they equalised. It's a war out there and I carried my shield very proud.

"It was not easy to play down the emotion, I was at Blackpool a long time and had great times, but you have to move on. The second half was much more like us. I took a risk of playing a centre-midfield player at right-back and it almost worked.

"In the end it's taken a wonderful save from one of my favourite Blackpool players Matt Gilks.

"If Glenn [Murray] would have left it, maybe it would have rolled on and been a tap-in, but it was a brilliant run from Bolasie to beat three players."

Michael Appleton's side took the lead thanks to Nathan Delfouneso shortly before the break, but Owen Garvan equalised with a header minutes into the second period.

And Glenn Murray continued his fantastic form at home with his 18th goal of the season, powering home a firm header to put the Eagles 2-1 up.

But in the final minute of normal time, Dicko was on hand to stab the ball home and keep Palace in second place, three points behind leaders Cardiff.

It was a bright start for the visitors as Craig Cathcart headed over from a corner, Isaiah Osbourne scuffed a shot wide and Thomas hooked an effort just the other side of Julian Speroni's post all within the first five minutes.

Palace got back into the game after 15 minutes, with Garvan, Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie looking particularly bright but without testing Gilks in the Blackpool goal.

Just before the half-hour mark, Zaha had Palace's first chance on goal when he burst into the box down the right and forced a good stop from Gilks.

However, Blackpool took the lead shortly before the break. Tom Ince did well down the right before delivering a dangerous ball towards the back post and Delfouneso got in front of Darcy Blake to head downwards past Speroni.

And they went close again on two more occasions in quick succession through the impressive Thomas, on loan from League 1 outfit Bournemouth.

The striker's first chance came when he beat Blake down the left, cut back inside and shot low towards the near post which Speroni did well to gather, while a minute later, a great ball in from the left found the frontman unmarked to head across goal.

On the stroke of half-time, a hard challenge on Garvan inside the box had the home faithful screaming for a penalty, but the referee wasn't interested.

However, it took just seven minutes to grab the equaliser on 52 minutes thanks to the attacking midfielder.

Zaha burst down the right and played the ball across goal, and with no one on hand to convert, Bolasie turned the ball back into the danger area and Garvan was on hand to head home.

And just 90 seconds later, Garvan nearly put Palace ahead when he clipped the top of the crossbar with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box.

Andre Moritz then came on for Blake soon after as Holloway went looking for a second, while Kagisho Dikgacoi switched to right-back.

On 64 minutes, Palace took the lead thanks to top gcorer Glenn Murray, who powered home an unstoppable header from Garvan's pinpoint cross.

Bolasie went close to adding a third with a free-kick on the left that Gilks looked to have tipped away for a corner, but the referee decided to give a goal-kick instead.

However, Blackpool grabbed an equaliser of their own in the last minute thanks to substitute Dicko.

Good play from Thomas on the right side of the box ended with the striker drilling the ball across the six-yard box and Dicko was on hand to stab home.

Blackpool looked for the winner in the five minutes added on, with substitute Kevin Phillips dragging a shot wide and Ramage intercepting well from Thomas.

CROYDON crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Hanworth Villa last Saturday in the FA Vase thanks to Levi King's double strike.

In the first half, Villa's Steve Reddings forced a save from Croydon's Francis Ameyaw after a King cross, while Jason Thompson blasted a free-kick into the arms of the visitors' keeper Terry Buss.

Keimon Robinson also put in a couple of decent crosses but Sean Rivers and Taylor Smith couldn't quite get enough on them to trouble their opponents.

In the second period, the breakthrough for Villa came in the 57th minute in a slightly controversial manner.

Thompson was bringing the ball out of defence when it looked as if he had been fouled by two Villa players, but the referee didn't blow his whistle for the first infringement but did signal a foul when Thompson attempted to regain control of the ball.

And King stepped up to curl a beautiful free-kick in off the inside of the near post.

Villa scored the decisive second after 81 minutes when Thompson was caught in two minds trying to get another attack going and King nicked in to finish.

On Tuesday night, their game against Egham Town was called off due to freezing weather conditions, but on Tuesday next week, their final game before Christmas is scheduled with a trip to Redbridge for a London Senior Cup tie.

PURLEY John Fisher went quietly about their business during the Autumn International period and returned two wins in league action.

Firstly they dispatched of Old Blues 8-0, with the low score being a reflection of the appalling weather conditions the match was played in.

The game was dominated by the PJF pack, who bettered not only their opponents but also the heavy pitch, allowing captain Dan Leidecker to score the only try and fly-half Johan Malcolm to add a three-point penalty.

PJF then travelled to the Isle of Wight as they took on Sandown & Shanklin.

In a competitive match, PJF shaded their hosts 16-13 with all the points coming from Malcolm.

The fly-half notched a try, a conversion and three penalties to keep PJF's noses in front.

The visitors took the initiative and pressurised the home side in their own half in the first period, and the pack got the upper hand in the set plays, allowing Malcolm to release backs Leidecker and Jarrad Klaver on several occasions.

PJF went off the boil in the second half and managed to defend the win with some aggressive tackling and covering of their line.

The two victories move PJF up into fifth position in the league, a place they will keenly defend tomorrow when they host local rivals Old Mid-Whitgiftians.

TWO lapses in concentration were all that was needed to consign Old Walcountians to their seventh league defeat of the season, which leaves them at the bottom of Surrey One.

The Counts dominated lengthy periods of the game and should have beaten mid-table Cranleigh, but they made things difficult when, in the sixth minute, they failed to clear up possession in midfield and allowed the Cranleigh left-winger to hack the ball forward and win the chase to touch down.

Walcountians levelled the scores four minutes later when the ball was swept out to centre Fred South during a second phase three-quarter move and he touched down in the corner.

For most of the first half, Walcountians dominated both possession and territory as the pack, with prop Pete Cowlin putting in an immense contribution, driving play forward at every opportunity.

Unfortunately, it was Cranleigh who scored next when their speedy left-winger took advantage of a Walcountians fumble to intercept the ball in his own half and outpace the remaining Walcountians defenders for his second try of the day.

And a penalty as half-time approached increased Cranleigh's lead to eight points.

Any hopes that the Counts would reduce the arrears in the second half were soon extinguished as the home side's pack came to life and dominated possession.

Although Walcountians remained penned in their own half for most of the second half, they conceded no further scores.

The Walcountians pack rallied again in the closing minutes and, with a minute of normal time remaining, they cut back the home side's lead when a forward drive for the line set up fly-half Tom Diamond for a try.

There was, however, not enough time for the Counts to add to the score and Cranleigh held on for a narrow victory.

Tomorrow, Walcountians take on Old Wimbledonians.

In our latest Fan of the Week feature, Advertiser Sport spoke to Palace fan Marc Osmond, who talks about Lionel Messi, David Hopkin and Glenn Murray, plus his prediction for tomorrow's game at Birmingham City.

How long have you been an Eagle?

Since I was five years old. I'm now 31, so more than 25 years so far. However, I nearly became a Tottenham or West Ham fan if my family had their way!

Do you watch Palace regularly? If so, where do you sit?

I took my son to the Burnley game that we won 4-3 in October and sat in the Arthur Wait Stand, but I've had a season ticket six times in the Lower Holmesdale.

Most memorable game?

There have been a few, but the one against Sheffield United in the play-off final when David Hopkin scored that cracker in the last minute. What a day that was.

Funniest moment supporting Palace?

It has to be walking to Selhurst Park when I was seven or eight years old and I saw a £10 note on the floor. However, instead of picking it up, I got excited and started dancing around, only for my uncle to come along and pick it up for himself! He probably used it for a pint or two afterwards.

Favourite current Palace player?

Glenn Murray. He is on fire at the moment, but even last season I could see he had that ability and I knew he would come good eventually.

All-time favourite Palace player?

There are a couple, but it has to be Attilio Lombardo. The excitement he brought to the club was out of this world.

If you could bring one player to Palace, who would it be?

It has to be Lionel Messi. He's the best player in the world by far, but if I had to pick a more realistic signing, I'd like to see Paddy McCourt brought in from Celtic.

Match prediction vs Birmingham on Saturday?

I think it will be a hard one, and I wonder if Darren Ambrose will be fit to play. I will go for a 1-0 win thanks to Mr Murray.

Where will Palace finish this season?

I hope we will still be up in with a shout of an automatic promotion place. We just need to get cover in certain positions in January as it's a long old season. Plus we're bound to get a few injuries soon and KG could be off to the African Cup of Nations tournament.

ON TUESDAY, it was announced that Palace are one of 13 clubs supporting the idea to reintroduce standing at football grounds, according to the Football Supporters' Federation.

The hope is that the pilot scheme will show that standing is now safe to watch football after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, and Palace co-chairman Steve Parish says the club have been open to the idea initially.

"We worked closely with the fans' federation and they feel safe standing works in a lot of other countries," he told Advertiser Sport.

"Fans do stand up anyway at matches. I think people would like to see some standing re-introduced so let's see where it goes.

"If it was something we'd want to sign up to, we'd want to see all the details.

"I think it could be a home fans' thing where you buy a season ticket, and the idea in mind is a half-seating, half-standing that you can lean against.

"I used to stand in front of the Arthur Wait Stand, so maybe it could go down the front of there."

Meanwhile, Parish revealed his frustration at the latest incident in English football that's putting a black mark against the sport.

"It's a big topic at the moment with the coin-throwing incident at Manchester City last weekend," he said.

"I can't believe that with the CCTV we've got now, they can't find the people that do it.

"I think it's unfair on fans because of one or two idiots who are throwing coins.

"Surely we've got to have the technology to catch the people doing it, get rid of them and let everybody else enjoy their football properly."

Ahead of the Eagles' game at Birmingham City tomorrow, Parish says it's important that he and co-chairman Stephen Browett attend as many games as possible to support manager Ian Holloway and his players.

"I'll be at every game everywhere," he said. "I think it's important, and I do miss the odd game with my car racing, but normally I can get a feed so I watch it.

"I think it's important when you're working with a manager that you know what's going on as much as possible.

"It's important that the lads are supported by the owners everywhere you go. Some people don't realise that at football clubs, you won't get successful unless everyone is moving in the same direction.

"We're there, we know that what we're seeing [on the pitch] is what we've spoken about, so I'll be everywhere unless I get flu or something."

And Parish admits he would expect former player Darren Ambrose to take part in tomorrow's game if he has recovered from injury.

"I'll be shooting up to Birmingham," he said. "They've got some good players and of course Darren is up there as well. You'd think if he's fit for the game, he would be on the bench as an ex-player against his former club."

AFC CROYDON ATHLETIC moved up to eighth in the league after a 3-1 victory away at Feltham last weekend.

And now they are only four points from breaking into the top six places.

Despite a slow start, they took the lead when Kieran Burrell won the ball and released Edward Cardona on the left, who cut inside and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors continued to pose a threat and Danny Penfold went close soon after when he fired over.

However, star man Joe Loyza grabbed AFC Croydon's second after 47 minutes when he beat the Feltham centre-back before shooting past an exposed home goalkeeper, while ten minutes later, Croydon custodian Rose launched a long kick forward that Lee Jansen flicked on to release Loyza, who raced towards goal and unselfishly passed to Cardona to fire home.

However, the Rams were given a wake-up call on 68 minutes when Feltham striker Ryan Curtis found space in the area and crossed to the far post for Omar El-Bakkali to pull a goal back.

A CAFÉ and co-working space has turned to crowdfunding to find money to open an independent theatre.

Matthews Yard owner Saif Bonar believes the project could help fill the culture gap left following the closure of the David Lean Cinema and the Clocktower arts complex.

But he says investors – in the traditional sense – will not touch his idea for a free-to-hire community theatre and rehearsal space with a barge pole.

Instead he has turned to Kickstarter, a crowd-sourcing website where designers and developers pitch projects and ask the public to back them with their cash.

Mr Bonar is seeking £5,000 to transform a 100 square metre space at the back of Matthews Yard, off Surrey Street, into a theatre capable of hosting live performances and rehearsals.

He believes that continuing cuts to arts budgets could mean crowdfunding will become the primary method of financing such projects.

He said: "If I went to a private investor with a business plan for a community theatre they wouldn't go near it with a barge pole.

"Traditional venues such as the Warehouse Theatre have gone into administration, and funding cuts mean there is less outside help available.

"There's definitely still demand but if you are going to try to do this sort of thing then, increasingly, it makes sense that the community buys into it.

"If people value arts and creativity then they should step up and fund it."

Kickstarter gives each project a month to reach its goal. If the target is not met Mr Bonar will get nothing.

To encourage people to lend their support, project creators are able to offer incentives.

Whoever pledges £5 towards the theatre will have their name permanently painted on a supporters' wall, plus a free tea or coffee and a cake. Back Matthew's Yard with £25 and perks include 12 months' social membership to the lounge, with benefits increasing incrementally the more money is promised.

Mr Bonar hopes to encourage other businesses to pledge larger sums in exchange for having their logos displayed above the entrance to the studio.

He said: "It's not just about asking people for money, or being greedy with the equity. If someone puts £5 in, they get £5 back. If they put £50 in they will get £120 worth of stuff."

Matthews Yard opened as a café and co-working space in April. Since then, however, events, including art exhibitions and live music, have become its main source of income.

Even though groups get the space for free, the business benefits from selling food and drink.

Mr Bonar hopes the theatre project will help build on this momentum, and also help the office space to thrive.

He said: "A community theatre is a risky idea but I think there's a demand for it. For me this isn't just about making money.

"It's about creating something people can take ownership of and which really adds something to what's on offer in Croydon."

To back the Matthews Yard theatre project visit http://kck.st/SBOkj2

THE council's lowest earners are to receive a pay rise after the authority agreed to meet an increase in the London Living Wage.

As of January, all staff directly employed by the authority will be paid at least £8.55 per hour, council leader Mike Fisher announced on Monday.

However, Cllr Fisher said it would remain the responsibility of its contractors to ensure that their staff are paid at the same level.

Currently, all 3,200 council staff are paid above £8.30, the previous minimum hourly rate recommended by the scheme.

There were calls for Croydon Council to meet the new level after it was increased by 25p by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in November.

Cllr Fisher, speaking at a cabinet meeting at the Town Hall, said: "I am delighted to be able to say that we will make sure that all staff directly employed by the council will be paid at least the new level of the London Living Wage."

Simon Hall, a Labour councillor in Fieldway ward, questioned whether the council's contractors would also receive a pay rise.

Cllr Fisher replied: "In terms of contractors we have sent a very clear message about what we do but it's a matter for them to decide what they do."

BUDDING string musicians from around the world can win a scholarship to Whitgift School through a new competition.

The school's first annual International Music Competition is now open to boys aged 12 to 17, in three age categories.

The grand prize is a scholarship to the leading independent boys' school in South Croydon, with boarding, accommodation and instrumental fees covered.

The winner and runner-up will also get the chance to perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Whitgift Chamber Orchestra.

To enter, musicians have to submit a solo performance via video website YouTube. Successful applicants will be invited to Whitgift to perform in front of a jury.

The deadline for the competition is March 1, 2013.

Whitgift headmaster Dr Christopher Barnett said: "Whitgift offers wonderful opportunities for musical development, within a context of all-round educational excellence.

"This is an exciting, prestigious competition; it has the potential to attract some of the finest young British and international students seeking to demonstrate their talent."

The competition is supported by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom the school has a partnership.

The prestigious jury will include Remus Azoitei, violin professor at the Royal Academy of Music, and Guy Johnston, cellist and BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2000.

SANTA and his helpers may be a rare sighting in most parts of the world but not for the lucky people of Old Coulsdon.

Mr Claus and the team are making their way around the village, delivering presents to children, singing carols and collecting money for charities.

The annual December collection organised by the Coulsdon Manor Rotary Club sees the team trying to cover all the village's streets in a pre-advertised rota.

Former president and collections organiser John Power said the event "had become a local institution." He added "[It is] greatly enjoyed by all, particularly the many children who each get a personal gift from Santa."

Rotarian Don Macleod sported a fake beard as Santa, having shaved off his own perfectly white one for charity.

Mr Power added: "He had the beard for 40 years and his wife had never seen him without it. His fellow Rotarians note that he is now having to grow it back."

A BETTING shop has attracted so much crime that police have stood in the way of a bid to extend its opening hours.

Officers have been called to Betfred, in High Street, Croydon, 57 times in the last 18 months due to violent or abusive customers in store.

It has also been revealed that police have had to attend 430 incidents in Betfred bookies across the borough in the past two years.

The figures were made public after the High Street Betfred put in an application to extend its opening hours to 7am to midnight seven days a week, as opposed to closing at 10pm as it does now.

But police stood in the way of the application and told the council's licensing committee that if the opening hours are extended "incidents of crime and disorder will increase".

The list of incidents that have been reported at the shop include armed robbery, theft, and the possession of drugs.

In a report sent to the council, a Croydon licensing officer said: "I am concerned that if the additional hours are granted, that incidents of crime and disorder will increase at this shop, particularly in view of its location next to Croydon's main pubs and nightclubs.

"It can be seen that, in general, quite a number of the reported crimes at this shop have an element of violence or disorder.

"Staff safety is another area which is a concern. I am concerned to know whether the applicant will have a minimum number of staff on the premises during extra hours and how they will be trained.

"I hope that Betfred does not envisage calling the police every time a situation occurs."

The report also states that if the opening hours are extended, other gambling shops in the borough may then apply to extend their hours to keep up with the competition. The report adds: "I am already aware of one similar licensing application that has already been made."

Betfred's application to extend its hours was discussed on Wednesday night at a meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee at the town hall.

The decision comes in the wake of Labour leader Tony Newman telling the Advertiser last month that betting shops were "taking over the high street".

He said: "No one is against people having the odd bet, but when the bookmakers start taking over the high street and there are four in one road it is just ridiculous.

"We must stop them taking over."

CROYDON Council chief executive Jon Rouse (JR) says his expectation was to have a meeting with the WCCF and feels uncomfortable that the press are present.

Bushra Ahmed (BA), who formed the WCCF, said: "Were you not aware that it was going to be an open meeting?

JR (looks at other council officers): "Well I don't know if anybody else... they're all shaking their heads."

BA: "Well, I apologise for that."

JR: "It's just not appropriate for an officer to be placed in this position.

"If you want to have an open forum with the politicians, fair enough, that's what they're elected to do.

"In terms of me being accountable then we have scrutiny committees to do that and I'm called to appear before scrutiny committees, as are my officers."

A member of the audience then asks the press if they would leave.

BA: "It was an open meeting and we have asked people who have now come. If we follow the questions, is there anything on there...

JR: "The point I would make is it's going to be a very, very different meeting if the press are here because I'm going to give very factual and very closed answers.

"It isn't my job, or my officers', to place ourselves in a position which is rightly the position of the democratically elected politicians. We will have a meeting, but it is going to be quite stilted."

Mr Rouse is asked if the pre-prepared questions are OK and he says they are fine.

But when asked to press on with the answers he replies he will do so "up to a point".

Andrew Pelling, blogger and former Croydon Central MP: "Surely it's better for the community if the press are not here, in terms of communicating and trying to move things forward.

"I speak on behalf of my organisation and not the other two. It does strike me, I am an ex-politician, that I know sometimes officials are neutral, they're not politicians and maybe they want to share things with you that would be difficult to share openly at this stage."

Clive Locke, chairman of the WCCF: "Can I please ask the press to retire then please?"

One audience member says it would be "very rude" to ask the press to leave.

JR: "There are two types of meeting here, if you want to have an open forum and you have an open debate with the press present then that is the role of the politically elected members and that's why in the Croydon Advertiser you see the elected members regularly quoted."

BA: "I think that's probably on our part that we didn't make it clear to yourselves that we were having an open meeting and that means anybody was invited."

Ross Lidbetter, Croydon Advertiser reporter: "We've come here to write a story to present it to the community.

"If as a community, the community wants us to leave then I will accept that.

"But my role was to come here tonight to write a story to present to the West Croydon community about what is going on within the area. I don't think the questions are that controversial, but I will have to accept the decision."

Audience member calls for a vote, and it is decided six to four in favour of the press leaving, with some not casting a vote.

The Advertiser Says – page 4

Jon Rouse sent this response the Advertiser on Tuesday...

FOLLOWING reports about my attitude to being scrutinised by the media at the West Croydon Community Forum meeting last week, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I value and expect press scrutiny of my actions in administrating council services.

Where I seek to draw the line, though, is in not getting involved in public debate about council policy, which is more properly a matter for cabinet members. That is because I am not an elected politician and I need to be politically neutral at all times. This is crucial to my role as the most senior public servant on the council and, indeed, as acting returning officer for the borough. During my time at Croydon, I have always been prepared to give account for the matters for which I am responsible. I would also like to make clear that it was the forum's community representatives who made the decision to exclude the press. I would have abided by their decision either way.

CROYDON South MP Richard Ottaway says he is undecided on the gay marriage debate that is dividing his party.

The Conservative outlined his thoughts to the Advertiser, amid a growing backlash among Tories against David Cameron's plans to legalise gay marriage.

On Tuesday the Government outlined plans which would make the ceremonies legal.

But it said ceremonies would be banned from taking place in Church of England churches.

Mr Ottaway said: "I've not yet reached a conclusion.

"I want to study the Government's proposals in depth and then I will make my position clear."

But he added he agreed with a guarantee offered by the Government that churches and other religious organisations would not be forced to conduct same-sex marriages.

Mr Ottaway, an MP since 1992, added he had received "about 200 e-mails and letters" from constituents on the subject.

He said: "Most of them are not in favour of gay marriage on religious grounds. However, many are identical letters – implying a degree of coordinated lobbying."

About 100 Conservative MPs are thought to oppose legalising gay marriage, while in Shrewsbury, MP Daniel Kawczynski said he would hold a public meeting to help decide his vote, after receiving hundreds of letters from constituents.

Asked whether he would consider doing the same, Mr Ottaway said: "I'm not minded to hold a public meeting."

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has stated his support for gay marriage alongside religious freedom protections.

On December 8, he and 18 other leading Conservatives launched the Freedom to Marry campaign group.

Mr Barwell explained his views in a lengthy post on his website, published on December 9.

He wrote: "I have thought long and hard about this issue and taken the time to listen to the concerns of those who are opposed.

"I am voting for it, provided there is protection for religious freedom, because I think it is the right thing to do.

He added: "Society benefits from people forming stable, mutually supporting relationships even if those involved don't have children – they are likely to be happier and they are less likely to need help from the state if they lose their job or get sick.

"If marriage is such a good thing, why wouldn't we want to extend it to same sex couples?"

STEVE Reed has used his maiden speech as MP for Croydon North to highlight how victims of last year's riots were "abandoned" by the Government.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Reed said victims had not received compensation because of a "lack of support from the public authorities" and that one family had been left "struggling in debt".

Among the examples he mentioned during his speech in the House of Commons was Charlene Munro and her four-year-old son Cam'ron, whose home was gutted by fire.

"These are hard-working people – the backbone of their community, strivers," he added.

"I want to make a plea on their behalf, and on behalf of so many others like them, that the promises made to Croydon North after the riots must be met in full.

"The people who live and work there deserve nothing less."

Mr Reed, who was elected in last month's by-election, also paid tribute to his predecessor Malcolm Wicks, who passed away in September.

"If, when I finally leave this place, I have earned even a fraction of the respect and warmth that people felt for Malcolm Wicks, I will have done well," he added.

He was congratulated on his "exceptionally articulate" speech by Conservative MP for North Swindon Justin Tomlinson.

DEMENTIA will become 20 times more prevalent in Croydon's black and ethnic minorities than white communities, a report has found.

The figures are contained within a document outlining the council's new approach to the syndrome to meet rising demand for treatment and support.

In Croydon, 3,300 people have been diagnosed with dementia which affects 800,000 men and women in the UK.

The new strategy is based on early intervention and helping to support people to build confidence so they can live life as independently as possible.

Croydon Council expects more resources will need to be found or care homes and care home placements over the next five years.

Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities have been identified as a key focus, with their dementia rates expected to increase 20 times higher than those of white UK origin.

Councillor Margaret Mead, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "This strategy will change the landscape of dementia care across the community.

"Dementia is a terrible illness and we need to increase our understanding and awareness of the condition.

"Focusing on early diagnosis and prevention will help manage demand and improve quality of life, both for patients and their carers."

The new strategy was adopted during a cabinet meeting at the Town Hall on Monday.

MICHAEL Parker - chairman of Croydon University Hospital - is resigning after just nine months in his post, the Advertiser can reveal.

Mr Parker's departure, after replacing Brian Phillpott at the helm in March, will make him one of the shortest serving chairmen in the trust's history.

The Advertiser understands Mr Parker is unhappy with the imminent appointment of John Goulston as chief executive and "is resigning before he is pushed".

His position is believed to be backed by the board but not NHS London, who make the appointment.

Sources have told the Advertiser Mr Goulston, currently the interim chief executive, will now be permanently installed.

The resignation is the latest in a series of departures that has dogged the trust while it attempts to deal with a number of failings highlighted in a damning health watchdog report earlier this year.

A spokesman for NHS London said yesterday: "Michael Parker has decided to step down as chair of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.

"We will now begin the process of looking for a successor and an announcement will be made in due course by the NHS Trust Development Authority."

The news also comes as the trust is about to relaunch its bid for foundation status and represents the latest development in a saga of instability at the top.

Former chief executive Nick Hulme stepped down in February, with chairman Mr Phillpott later following suit.

NEW Addington teenagers swam more than a mile to raise hundreds of pounds for a cancer charity, inspired by former Mayor of Croydon Brenda Kirby.

Robert Booth swam 80 lengths and classmate Paul Mouette 78 at New Addington Leisure Centre last Friday.

The pair, and fellow student Ben Sidibe who helped organise the event, hope the sponsored swim, part of their citizenship course at school, has raised as much as £500 for the Brenda Kirby Cancer Centre, named after the former New Addington councillor, who was diagnosed with inoperable brain and lung cancer in 2010.

Ken Sherwood, former district centre manager of New Addington's Central Parade, said: "For the boys to raise money for the charity as part of their school work was a fantastic gesture.

"Their teacher and friends supported them during the swimathon, which went really well. The boys could end up raising nearly £500, which is brilliant."

The cancer centre opened a base in New Addington Baptist Church last December.

Money raised will continue to fund free counselling for anyone affected by cancer.

CHAS SYMONDS has continued the war of words with Bradley Skeete ahead of their all-south London title clash on Saturday, insisting he "can't wait to make heads turn" by defeating the "very over-rated" opponent in front of him.

The pair will meet at the ExCel Arena on December 15 for Symonds' Southern Area belt, amid a huge Frank Warren promotion which includes British champion George Groves against Glen Johnson and another Ricky Burns' world title defence.

Skeete had added fuel to the fire earlier in the week, telling local press he may as well retire if he isn't able to beat a fighter like Symonds.

But the "Croydon Bomber" has hit back, laughing off the levels of hype surrounding Skeete, who is taking part in only his tenth professional bout.

"He's boxed no-one," Symonds told Advertiser Sport. "The only person he has fought with any sort of record was Pete McDonagh and I thought Pete won the fight by a round.

"Some are calling him the next Thomas Hearns - where do people get this stuff from? If he thinks he's going to stop me he's going to have a big shock. I can't wait to see everyone's heads turn when I knock him out."

Skeete faced McDonagh last time out, but in the end only got the nod by a narrow points margin.

Of nine opponents defeated by the Penge fighter so far just two had winning records, while 270 losses were racked up between them.

"I haven't been watching his fights - I don't need to," said Symonds.

"I'm confident for a knockout and I have probably got to get one if I want to win it. I'm the away fighter, fighting one of Frank Warren's boys on his own show."

Symonds, meanwhile, is looking to use the pay-per-view event, broadcast on the PremierSports channel, as a platform for bigger and better things.

The Addiscombe-based 30-year-old, who fights out of Rosehill boxing club, has won three of his last four fights, in the process reclaiming the vacant Southern Area belt he lost to Gavin Tait at the end of last year.

"I'm in brilliant shape - this is as fit as I have been in my whole career and it was the best camp I've ever had," he said.

"I'm looking to fight for the British or Commonwealth title next. I would have no problems with Denton Vassell [the Commonwealth holder].

"This guy [Bradley Skeete] is nothing special. I'm a local warrior. I've got nothing to lose on Saturday."

Symonds would like to thank his sponsors for their continued support: Simply Constructions, a building company based in Croydon, Gilmore Support Shorts, his trainer Ian Burbridge, and everyone down at Dynamo and Rosehill.

But this week, it was announced that nearly half of school crossing patrols could be axed or outsourced, as part of a latest round of cuts which centre around children's and adult social care.

Labour has accused the council of "dismantling" preventative services and disproportionately targeting Croydon's most vulnerable communities; from young people at risk of involvement in crime, to the disabled, elderly or those with mental health problems, who face cuts in their support budgets.

Journeys, a youth project launched this year, and New Addington-based Croydon Auto and Bike Scheme (CABS), which does outreach work with teenagers involved in crime, are both set to lose their council funding.

Croydon's Tory administration says the cuts, part of £36million in savings it aims to make over the next two years, are the unavoidable result of a significant loss in central Government funding, and will help keep council tax bills down.

But it could face stiff opposition over its austerity measures, including plans to cut or transfer 42 per cent of school crossing patrols to save £60,000.

The council has yet to reveal which of its 26 lollipop men and women will be affected but it says the proposals will focus on patrols near zebra crossings and automated crossings.

Kathy Bee, Labour's education spokesperson, told the Advertiser: "A lot of parents are concerned about road safety and will be reluctant to let their children travel to school on their own if their school no longer has a lollipop man or woman.

"These cuts must be viewed in the context of local authorities being absolutely hammered by a Government which, quite frankly, doesn't care.

"But this council chooses where they are levelled. Whether it be school crossings, adult social care, youth services or early intervention programmes, these proposals will have a huge impact on families in Croydon."

The measures, which were laid out at a cabinet meeting on Monday, are part of the council's ongoing attempt to come to terms with the Government's austerity programme.

After losing 26 per cent of its funding as a result of the first Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in 2010, the council slashed funding for voluntary groups, youth clubs and the arts.

Last year, children's centres, burial and cremation fees and parking charges were affected.

The council already had to contend with a 8.3 per cent drop in its grant for 2012-13 and if the next CSR, announced by George Osborne in this month's Autumn Statement, reflects what happened in 2010, it will lose a further £26.3m (7.5 per cent) per year from 2014.

Only £3.7m of the £35.92m two-year programme has been labelled as "cuts".

As well as its formula grant, the council has also seen cuts to some of its core grants, including the Early Intervention Grant (EIG), which will drop from £17.131m to £11.82m in 2014-15.

The Department of Adult Services, Health and Housing (DASHH) will be the hardest hit, with £11.1m of cuts and efficiencies, followed by children, families and learning with £10.93m.

Cutbacks include Journeys and CABS, as well as £1.7m being found from reviewing early intervention services, which were only redesigned last year.

The council also wants to axe two school improvement officers, reduce commissioning for domestic violence services, youth counselling, and claw back money linked to fostering. It will also close "under-used" football pitches and South Norwood Pitch & Putt.

The proposals put 78 jobs at risk, including 32 in the council's corporate resources and customer services department, 23 in planning and environment and 19 in children, families and learning.

Cllr Simon Hall, Labour's spokesman for finance, said: "I do have some sympathy in terms of the position the council is being put in, both in terms of the headline cuts and the shifting of risk to this council from central Government.

"However, I do have some serious concerns about whether this council has a clear direction. Preventative services are being dismantled, which might provide short-term savings, but boy does it have longer costs.

"Assumptions are also being made that the number of looked-after children, and by extension fostering costs, are going to be significantly reduced at a time when the pressure on families is increasing."

Steve O'Connell, the council's cabinet member for finance, replied at Monday's meeting: "You ask whether we have a clear vision, well clearly we do. We are here to deliver a balanced budget, to have low council tax and to invest in the infrastructure of our borough. In 18 months' time we will be judged on that, and I believe we will be judged well."

Council leader Mike Fisher refused to reveal whether council tax would be frozen for a third year, saying residents would have to wait until the budget is set in February.

Labour leader Tony Newman replied: "However you look at this budget, it is absolute crisis facing this council."

Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: "We have an extremely good record of delivering efficiencies but in the current financial climate, and with the current settlement from the Government, we are now at the point where we are going to have to close down some services."

The council will be running a budget questionnaire online from December 13 so residents can have their say on the budget options. This is the third year in a row that Croydon Council has announced a programme of pre-Christmas cuts. The council wants to save £36million over the next two years – but has only labelled £3.7m of the proposals as cuts. The Department of Adult Services, Health and Housing (DASHH) will be the hardest hit, with £11.14m of cuts and efficiencies. Children's and family services are also affected, with £10.93m of savings and cutbacks. Services which the council will cut between 2013 and 2015 include:

• Review and redesign of early intervention, family support and integrated youth services – £1.7m;
• Axing two school improvement officers – £184,000;
• Cut in care support budgets for older people, people with learning and physical disabilities and those with mental health problems – £150,000;
• End Journeys youth service – £140,000;
• Smaller contribution to Upper Norwood Joint Library – £114,000;
• Reduction of council's role in 'facilitation of culture', including reducing archive service to statutory minimum – £105,000;
• Further reduction in payments to the voluntary sector – £80,000;
• Reduction of funding for supplementary education, mentoring and community languages – £78,000;
• Transfer or reduce 42 per cent of school crossing patrols – £60,000;
• Reduction of tree planting and maintenance – £35,000;
• Reduction of Safer Croydon Partnership Budget – £23,000;
• Non-maintenance (closure) of South Norwood Pitch & Putt – £20,000;
• Removal of 'under-used' football pitches – £12,000;
• Less commissioning of domestic violence services – £20,000;
• Reduction in park related costs (trees/sports equipment) – £10,000;
• Reduced commissioning for youth counselling – £10,000