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Weekly world food markets at East Croydon to continue throughout summer

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World food markets are set to become a weekly fixture over the summer at the new pedestrian link to East Croydon station. A run-out for an international food market proved a hit a fortnight ago on Lansdowne Walk and will be returning every Thursday for the next five weeks, with the hope for them to be extended until the end of the summer. Lamb and hog roasts, curry and Italian stalls were all part of the first market at Platform, the new community space run by Stanhope and Schroder. This week, Platform has been home to deckchairs and giant tennis balls to accompany a big screen for people wanting to watch Wimbledon.

Weekly world food markets at East Croydon to continue throughout summer


Croydon's oldest Rotary Club appoints first ever female president

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A retired teacher has become the first female president in the history of the Rotary Club of Croydon. Barbara Harker, 63, from Sanderstead, became the first lady president of the 36-strong club last Monday, June 23, during a handover dinner at Addington Palace Golf Club. She described being chosen by her fellow members to make such a milestone in the 92-year history of the club as an "honour". "The other members are all very friendly and supportive, so I'm really looking forward to it," she said. "I was honoured to be chosen and I'm very excited about the coming year, it's going to be very busy." Barbara was looking to enrol the help of her husband and former president Graham, who used to be head teacher of Shirley Road School, where she taught. She said: "I think he's very pleased, but I'm going to make him do a load of the work for me!" Under Barbara's presidency the club is attempting to raise £4,000 to buy specially adapted bicycles for pupils at St Giles' School. "We're also looking to carry on our support for local charities like Lives Not Knives," she said. To top off a busy year, in 2015 the club is set to welcome fellow rotarians from all over Europe for a visit to Croydon. "People tend to think of rotary as just rummaging tins, but there's a very substantial social element to it too. "It will be a special year because we belong to a group of European clubs. Every year we all get together and have a long weekend, we have all sorts planned for when they visit." And since the club only boasts two lady members at the moment, Barbara hoped her presidency would help bring more ladies in. "We have one or two potential recruits lined up," she said. The Rotary Club of Croydon was founded in 1921 and meets weekly at Croydon Masonic Halls.

Croydon's oldest Rotary Club appoints first ever female president

People of Croydon - is this your tortoise?

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A CHARITY animal hospital is hoping the owner of missing tortoise, discovered in a garden in Sandilands, will come out of their shell. The tortoise was brought to Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London. Anyone hoping to claim him will need evidence of ownership, either photographs or detailed descriptions, before he can be returned. If the owner is not found, he will be rehomed. If your tortoise is missing, contact Blue Cross on 03007 771 890.

People of Croydon - is this your tortoise?

Benefits cheat pub landlord Stephen Sussams who sold £125 champagne truffle burgers and tried to avoid prison by saying he was too fat kicked out of Upper Norwood home

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A BENEFITS cheat whose pub sold 'the world's most expensive' burgers and tried to beat prison by claiming he was too fat had been kicked out of his Upper Norwood home. Stephen Sussams, 61, who was jailed for a year in 2013 for pocketing £17,600 in care fees paid into a dead man's bank account, lost his legal battle to stay in his property in Marston Way last Thursday (June 26). He had also claimed more than £14,000 in housing and council tax benefit after failing to tell the council he was living with his civil partner. A judge at Croydon County Court gave council officers the green light on Thursday to evict Sussams after a lengthy battle to remove him from the property. Sussams is the former landlord of the Royal Dart Hotel in Devon, which was famous for selling a £125 champagne and truffle beefburger. He had tried to avoid jail in January 2013 by pleading with the judge over his obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Councillor Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said: "This has been a long, drawn-out case and it's a credit to our housing legal and tenancy teams for their determination and hard work in bringing about this eviction. "We don't take these decisions lightly, however this was an individual who abused the benefits system and in the process deprived a family in need of a home. "The council's housing service will always take a hard line against those that try and cheat the system." Sussams was found guilty of theft, dishonestly making a false statement or representation, and three counts of fraud by failing to disclose information at his trial in December 2012. He had scammed £17,600 from the account of an elderly man he used to care for the day after he died in 2008. He took the money from Keith Dickenson's account in five instalments before taking over the tenancy of his house. He also fraudulently claimed housing and council tax benefit until September 2011 on the property.

Benefits cheat pub landlord Stephen Sussams who sold £125 champagne truffle burgers and tried to avoid prison by saying he was too fat kicked out of Upper Norwood  home

Failed tram in central Croydon causing severe delays on London Tramlink

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A FAILED tram in central Croydon could make rush hour a misery for commuters this evening. The broken down tram is expected to cause severe delays on the network for at least the next hour. Kate Thompson (@KerzKate) said on Twitter: "What's the delay @TramsLondon ? Been on tram from Wellesley road to east croydon for 10 minutes now. 1 stop!!!"

Failed tram in central Croydon causing severe delays on London Tramlink

Teachers strike at Croydon academy in row over lesson observations

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TEACHERS at an academy in Thornton Heath went on strike today in a row over lesson observations. Staff at Winterbourne Boys' Academy took part in a walkout on Tuesday after talks between the NUT and the school's sponsor failed. The union says staff have been subjected to lesson observations on an almost daily basis since Platanos, which also runs a secondary in Lambeth, took over in April. Platanos was asked to sponsor what was then Winterbourne Junior Boys' after the school was placed in special measures by Ofsted following an inspection in October 2012. David Winters, NUT caseworker, told the Advertiser that the organisation had been "heavy-handed". He said: "Our members have asked for support because of the pressure they have been placed under. "In some cases they are subject to observations on an almost daily basis, which has caused caused a great deal of anxiety. "We feel that, rather than being a developmental experience, it has become punitive. "The teachers believe they have not been given the opportunity to work on the feedback they have been given. In some cases they have not been given feedback at all." Acting head teacher Susan Ballon has not responded to the Advertiser's requests for a comment. The school remained open despite the strike, which saw staff on the picket line hand out leaflets to parents explaining their stance. Winterbourne is the second Croydon school where teachers have taken industrial action over how often their lessons are observed by senior staff. Last year teachers went on strike at Westwood Girls' College in Upper Norwood after the Harris Federation, which has since taken over and rebranded the school, imposed regular assessments in response to a damning Ofsted report and the borough's worst GCSE results. Harris said the measures were necessary to drive up standards. Ofsted rated Winterbourne as "inadequate" and described teaching as "weak" because it failed to give pupils the necessary reading and writing skills to prepare them for secondary school. Mr Winters said the union appreciated the need for improvement, but insisted school managers had gone too far. "When a school has failed an inspection one can expect to work additional hours and to modify teaching so that learning has improved," he said. "However, there's a limit to what can be done. We believe the management has tried to do too much in too short a space of time – hence the dispute." As well as a limit of three observations per academic year, the NUT advises that teachers should only be subject to 1,265 hours of "directed time" – such as parents evening, staff meetings and inset days. Mr Winters says the school breached that figure in April. Despite this week's action, however, he is confident further strikes can be averted. "I believe there's a willingness on the part of management to roll back some of the demands being placed on our members," he said. "What we don't have is precise details about what they are going to do. No concessions were forthcoming that would have allowed us to call off the action that took place this week." Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, families and learning, called on the union and the school to resume talks. "The needs of the pupils must come first," she said. "This is why we urge both parties to get round the table to reach a solution as soon as possible. "There is still time for this to happen and I am hopeful that it can be done."

Teachers strike at Croydon academy in row over lesson observations

We love Marouane Chamakh at Crystal Palace, says supremo Steve Parish

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CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has lavished praise on Maroaune Chamakh and hopes a new contract can be agreed between the two parties. The striker is free to talk to other clubs, but the Eagles are hoping to convince the Moroccan to stay in SE25. Boss Tony Pulis is a fan of Chamakh and deployed him in a position behind a lone striker last season. Parish also says he did his background research on the 30-year-old too last summer. "I can't tell you what a great character he is – Marouane is such a lovely, lovely man," he told the Advertiser. "He genuinely fought for this football club all year and you can see all the hard work and effort he puts in that certain position. "We character referenced him at Bordeaux where he played for many years, because Steve Browett has good relationships with the owner there. "They said they'd have Marouane back in a heartbeat last summer. "He has no big time mentality, he's a really good asset to the squad and has fitted in really well. "Marouane has enjoyed his football this year and we love him at Palace."

We love Marouane Chamakh at Crystal Palace, says supremo Steve Parish

Croydon 'will become London's biggest growth area'

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CROYDON is on target to become London's biggest growth area, business leaders have been told.

But Jo Negrini, the council's executive director for development and the environment, also made it plain the town needed to be talked up by businesses already here if all investment opportunities were to be realised.

Ms Negrini made her points during a question-and-answer session with Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce, at an executive club lunch held by its Croydon Chamber last Thursday.

She stressed the Westfield/Hammerson Partnership's redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre would be "transformative" in helping bring about Croydon's regeneration.

And she told her audience the council's new Labour administration was committed to supporting investment and development.

It would also work with the partnership to ensure benefits from the development, such as job and business opportunities, were felt across the borough.

Ms Negrini hinted there might have been concerns among some businesspeople that a Labour administration would "shut up shop".

But she added: "Our clear message is that this isn't the case."

Ms Negrini said it was not just development opportunities which would be Croydon's growth strength.

She said Croydon was investing £240 million in a school building programme, had 127 parks, was looking to develop a cultural quarter and promoting the town as a tech city.

Regeneration was not, she said, just about big development sites, and Croydon had the advantage of being able to give new companies and developers and the people they brought with them a "full complementary offer".

She said: "They are not just looking for office space, they are looking for place where they can go for drink, the family out, or perhaps play a round of golf."

Ms Negrini conceded one of the main challenges to regeneration was the wider perception of Croydon.

She said the idea of Croydon being "dull, grey and boring" needed to be shed if full potential was to be achieved.

And people – "some of whom may be in this room" – needed to stop talking Croydon down.

She said: "We are talking about this being third time lucky."

Croydon had been through two booms and busts, and had in the past not had a good reputation for delivering.

She concluded that this time, working with partners and responding to the demand for growth in London, is "pushing us to being in the right place at the right time".

Croydon 'will become London's biggest growth area'


Crystal Palace legends take part in charity bike ride from London to Paris

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CRYSTAL Palace legends John Salako and Geoff Thomas cycled from London to the city of love to raise money for leukaemia research last week. The two former Eagles and England midfielders departed from Greenwich Park on Thursday (June 19) and arrived on Sunday in Paris after a 500km bike ride. They were joined by more than 200 other cyclists, and were raising funds for blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Former Palace captain and Advertiser columnist Thomas was diagnosed with leukaemia 11 years ago and now raises awareness about the disease across the country.

Crystal Palace legends take part in charity bike ride from London to Paris

Nathan Elvery appointed Croydon Council's chief executive

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AFTER 16 months as temporary chief executive of Croydon Council, Nathan Elvery is to get the job on a permanent basis. Mr Elvery has held the interim post since February last year, when he took over from Jon Rouse. Since then he has played a leading part in delivering major opportunities for Croydon, including approval for the £1bn regeneration of the town centre, securing the largest funding allocation for school building in the country and leading the Gold Command in helping to avert a flooding crisis in the borough earlier in the year. Mr Elvery, 45, joined the council as director of finance in 2004. He became executive director of resources and customer services in 2008, and was also appointed deputy chief executive in the same year. Mr Elvery has extensive local government experience and has held previous roles with Westminster City Council, the Greater London Authority and district government. He will be confirmed as chief executive, subject to approval, by full council at its next meeting on Tuesday, July 15. Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council, said: "We feel Nathan is the right person to help steer this borough through the challenges ahead and has already been instrumental in helping us to implement the changes we want to make in our Ambitious for Croydon agenda for the people of our borough. "He supports the interests of Croydon, sharing our ambition to make this council more open and transparent, and to tackle the inequalities we see in our communities." Cllr Newman added: "It is testament to Nathan's talents and ability that both political sides of the council unanimously backed this appointment, recognising the excellent job he has been doing over these past 15 months. "We're delighted to have him as chief executive of the council." Mr Elvery said: "There are exciting times for Croydon and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the way in securing homes, jobs and a strong economic future for all residents of the borough. "We face a series of major challenges but I am confident that the political leadership of the council is bold and ambitious and I am looking forward to working with the new administration. "It will be my job to support the members of this council in lobbying central government to get a better deal for the people who live and work in Croydon. "I'm passionate about Croydon and proud to be appointed chief executive of this council".

Nathan Elvery appointed Croydon Council's chief executive

Released Crystal Palace defender fails to agree Bolton terms

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BOLTON Wanderers have failed to agree personal terms with released Crystal Palace defender Jonathan Parr. Dougie Freedman is on the lookout for a left-back as Marc Tierney recovers from an operation. The former Palace boss was keen on reuniting with the Norwegian but it seems his attentions will now turn elsewhere. Parr played 15 times for the Eagles last season in the Premier League, plus two games in the FA Cup.

Released Crystal Palace defender fails to agree Bolton terms

Bolton go for another former Crystal Palace man after missing out on Jonathan Parr

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RELEASED Crystal Palace defender Dean Moxey looks set to complete a move to Bolton Wanderers. The Bolton News report that the 28-year-old underwent a medical on Tuesday night. A move will see Moxey link up with former boss Dougie Freedman again. Wanderers have been on the lookout for a left-back as Marc Tierney recovers from an operation and see Moxey, who has a wealth of Championship experience, as a perfect fit. Jonathan Parr had also been heavily linked with the club but reportedly failed to agree terms.

Bolton go for another former Crystal Palace man after missing out on Jonathan Parr

Former Crystal Palace loan man reveals Hull City talks success

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TOM Ince will not rush into a decision over his future despite holding talks with Hull City on Tuesday, reports the Hull Daily Mail. Ince began a courtship with the Tigers by travelling to the KC Stadium for an opening round of negotiations on the same day that he formally became a free agent. The 22-year-old, whose Blackpool deal has now expired, said a meeting with City vice chairman Ehab Allam had "all gone well" but stressed no agreement had yet been reached. City are prepared to remain patient for a target manager Steve Bruce believes has the potential to become a top-flight star and will seek to advance talks in the coming days. Premier League sides such as QPR and Crystal Palace, where Ince spent the second half of last season on loan, are reportedly waiting in the wings if a deal cannot be struck at the KC, but City believe they hold an early advantage. Ince, who was in the region along with famous father Paul, said: "That's the first day of talks but it's all gone well. It's still ongoing. We'll see where it goes in the next couple of days. "They've brought in some good players, Robert Snodgrass being the latest one. He's a fantastic player who showed what he could do in the Premier League last year. "I've had a look round the facilities and the way they want to go with the club is forwards. They've got the right backroom staff and Steve Bruce has been absolutely fantastic for this club. "The club are looking to go forward and it looks like they're bringing in the right type of players to do that." A fee for Ince would need to be set by the Professional Football Compensation Committee. A panel including representation from the Premier League, Football League, PFA and LMA would consider the valuation proposed by each club before settling on a figure based on the player's history, wages and demand. Blackpool will ambitiously seek to recoup £8m for a player they signed from Liverpool in 2011 but the Tigers believe half that sum is a more realistic price to pay. The £1.5m loan fee that took Ince to Crystal Palace in January would support Blackpool's high valuation for a player capped by England under-21s on 14 occasions, but that would be subtracted from the eventual payment City would be liable to pay. Ince's decision to remain in the Premier League will aid Blackpool's cause and he cited "unfinished business" as his reason for turning down Italian giants Inter Milan last month. "Inter Milan is an unbelievable club but at my age, at this time in my career, I wanted to show what I could do in the Premier League. I feel I have unfinished business at this level. "I spent a great six months last season at Palace but hopefully this will be my first full season in the Premier League. "Further down the line, in years to come when I'm older, maybe I'll have that opportunity to play abroad. It's a dream of mine but for me at this moment in time for me it's about playing in the PL and hopefully show people what I can do."The Advertiser and the Hull Daily Mail are part of the same media group, Local World.

Former Crystal Palace loan man reveals Hull City talks success

Crystal Palace on alert as Ipswich set to cash in on star defender

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CRYSTAL Palace are set to be alerted of Ipswich Town defender Aaron Cresswell's availability this summer. It is believed the sought-after left-back will be sold inside the next two months. Cresswell has been regarded as one of the best defenders outside of the Premier League and Palace have previously been linked with a move. In fact, it was reported last summer that Palace had a bid rejected for the Liverpool-born man. And with the Eagles on the lookout for someone in that position, having released Jonathan Parr and Dean Moxey, they could be ready to make a move for 24-year-old. Palace fans will remember Cresswell for the screamer he scored against them at Portman Road in April 2013.

Crystal Palace on alert as Ipswich set to cash in on star defender

Strike hit Croydon academy says extra lesson observations 'obviously' needed to improve school

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THE academy trust which runs a school where teachers went on strike in a row over lesson observations insists the measures were necessary to improve standards. Eight teachers took part in a walkout at Winterbourne Boys' Academy yesterday (Tuesday), angered at what the NUT describes as "heavy-handed" tactics employed by the Platanos Trust, which took over the school in April. Michael Rush, a consultant representing Platanos, told the Advertiser increased scrutiny was needed in order to improve the school as quickly as possible. "When we took over in April the school was in special measures and some of the teaching was inadequate," he said. "We put a lot of time into the staff and obviously we have to do regular monitoring based on that training. "It is designed as a constructive process and it's normal practice where we come from. Obviously it's going to be quite intensive because we have got to make some changes very quickly." Mr Rush said he was "surprised" that the teachers had gone on strike, pointing out that five of them have decided to leave at the end of the school year. He said: "If you are leaving a school and you only have three weeks or so until the end of term, I'm bemused as to what they see is the purpose of taking strike action. "If they were staying there and they had a grievance they thought would affect them next year then it would be more understandable. "As for the others, I have been down [to the school] and worked with the staff and they were very receptive to the input we were giving them." Winterbourne remained open on Tuesday by drafting in staff from the trust's parent school, Platanos College in Lambeth. While talks between the parties will now resume, the school's position on observations is unlikely to soften significantly. "We appreciate it's not going to be a comfortable process but it's necessary," said Mr Rush. "One of the things Platanos knows about is school improvement. We know what it takes."

Strike hit Croydon academy says extra lesson observations 'obviously' needed to improve school


Bishop of Croydon likely to join council's Fairness Commission

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THE Bishop of Croydon is expected to join the council's Fairness Commission, which will examine how best to target limited council finances in the future. The launch of the commission was approved by the council's cabinet on Monday and the Bishop's willingness to get involved was announced at the meeting by council leader, Tony Newman. Cllr Newman said: "We can see from his commitment how serious this piece of work is." The Bishop, the Rt Rev Jonathan Clark, told the Advertiser: "I would like to join the commission to be part of a wider voice. "It is important that it is not a party political thing and that it addresses the needs of the people of Croydon across the whole borough." The cost of the commission's work will be around £200,000 and members, who have yet to be formally appointed, could publish their report in January 2016. Cllr Newman told Monday's meeting: "We are going to have a fundamentally different look at how we provide services." The commission will examine how vital services such as housing, health and social care should be provided when finances are getting tighter, to ensure benefits reach the people who need them most. The whole idea was branded as a waste of money Conservative opposition members on Monday. Councillor Vidhi Mohan, shadow cabinet member for transport and environment, said he believed the commission would be packed with Labour party supporters and would not be independent. Councillor Simon Hall, the cabinet member for finance and treasury, said: "The investment that this money represents will allow to have better information on priorities." That information would be essential, he said, in helping the council target spending and "get things right for the people of Croydon." Expanding on his reasons for wanting to be part of the commission, the Bishop said the north/south divide made political decisions difficult. He said: "Whatever party is in power is seen to represent one half of the borough rather than the other. "There is nothing the parties can do about that, it is not their fault but it does create problems." It was therefore important in this case to have an independent voice on the commission who had equal responsibilities across the borough. The Bishop said: "Fairness is pretty close to being a key Christian virtue." And he welcomed the idea of a plan which set out to make sure that people lived in a society which was equally responsive to the needs of all. He said: "We have to make sure that those who don't have a voice or are not particularly articulate are equally cared for." He hoped the work of the commission would reflect that. The Bishop would not, however, be drawn on the financing of the project. He said; "The decision to set it up or not and where to allocate money is one for the council. "I am responding to something that is going to happen and I would like to be part of it."

Bishop of Croydon likely to join council's Fairness Commission

Kane Boyce admits killing girlfriend Paula Newman in New Addington

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THE boyfriend of Paula Newman has admitted killing her. Kane Boyce, 33, of Aviemore Close, Beckenham, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but continues to deny murder. The prosecution has not accepted the plea, and Mr Boyce is expected to stand trial for murder on January 26. His trial was due to start at the Old Bailey this morning (Wednesday) but was put back after his manslaughter plea at 12.30pm today. Miss Newman, of Beckenham, died on November 16 last year, the day after injuring her head when she fell from a car in Dunsfold Way, New Addington.

Kane Boyce admits killing girlfriend Paula Newman in New Addington

Police keen to trace missing boy, 15, believed to be staying in Croydon

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Police are eager to locate a 15-year-old boy who is believed to be staying in the Croydon or Sutton area. Reece Chell went missing from an address in Littlehampton on June 24, just before 8pm. He is white, 5ft 7in tall, and of skinny to medium build. He has short straight ginger hair, is clean shaven and has blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and with a white satchel style bag. Police also believe he might have a white mountain bike, although this could have been sold. Anyone who sees Reece should immediately phone police on 999. Reece appears on the Missing People charity website under the ref: 14-002881.

Police keen to trace missing boy, 15, believed to be staying in Croydon

Trial of brothers accused of stabbings in Croydon's Whitgift Centre moved to November

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THE trial of two brothers charged with stabbing two teenagers in the Whitgift Centre has been moved to November. The trial of the boys, aged 14 and 15, who deny two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, was due to begin at Croydon Crown Court on Monday (June 30). A courtroom could not be found for case and, on Tuesday, a decision was taken to rearrange it to November 24, the next available date. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were attacked in the shopping centre just after 6pm on January 14. The 17-year-old was stabbed in the back and suffered a punctured kidney. He remained in hospital for several days with severe injuries. The 16-year-old was slashed across the face and stabbed in the arm.

Trial of brothers accused of stabbings in Croydon's Whitgift Centre moved to November

Peter Andre visits Selhurst music therapy centre

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POP star Peter Andre sprinkled a touch of stardust on a music therapy class. The Mysterious Girl singer joined in with a session last week at the Nordoff Robbins unit, based at the Brit School, in Selhurst. The star took part in 21-year-old Hassan White's piano therapy session on Monday. Hassan suffered a devastating brain injury during a car accident in October 2010. After intensive rehab work, he is now able to walk independently. Before the accident Hassan played clarinet and guitar and has been learning the piano since March. Lucy Jackson, head of communications at Nordoff Robbins, said: "It was an honour and privilege to welcome Peter. "Music therapy is a specialist use of music to help people in many different ways – for some it has physical benefits, for others emotional or social ones and helps many to communicate where they've struggled to do so previously." Nordoff Robbins is a national charity dedicated to providing musical therapy to vulnerable children and adults across the UK.

Peter Andre visits Selhurst music therapy centre

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