Transsexual police worker Helen Doe charged with attempted murder

July 8, 2014, 1:35 am

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A POLICE worker who is a prominent member of Croydon's transsexual community has been charged with attempted murder. Helen Doe, 52, of Montgomery Close, Mitcham, appeared in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court yesterday (July 7) charged with the attempted murder of a 64-year-old man at an address in Mitcham on Saturday (July 5). She has been remanded in custody to appear Kingston Crown Court on July 21. Ms Doe was one of the driving forces behind the Croydon Trans Group and began living her life as a woman in 2009. She works for Metropolitan Police Uniform Services. In 2012, she told the Advertiser about her struggle with her identity, saying: "It is the hardest thing you can imagine. You are dealing with your own thoughts while worrying about what your friends and family will say. "When I first told my mum I was meant to be a woman, it was hard for her to accept. She thought I was going out being a prostitute. "She didn't understand what it meant, but these are the sort of prejudices we have to deal with. "It has been a long hard battle to get where I am today. I have had to deal with a lot. I have been attacked twice in Croydon by gangs of young people who think it is OK because I am different. "I have been shouted at in the street and it is just not right, but things are getting better now. "I am at the stage where I have been living as a woman for two years. In February I will qualify for a new birth certificate which will be an amazing feeling. "I haven't had a sex change yet, I have a long way to go until that but when I do I will have a choice between the full job or one they call the showpiece, which basically means you cannot have relations with others."

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Ipswich Town signing wants Crystal Palace star to join him

July 8, 2014, 4:12 am

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NEW Ipswich Town signing Jonathan Parr says he may look to persuade Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams to join him at Portman Road. Parr was released by the Eagles at the end of last season and signed a deal with the Tractor Boys on Monday. Williams spent a successful loan spell at Ipswich for the last couple of months of last season, winning the club's Goal of the Year award. And Parr wouldn't mind if the 20-year-old returned, in what would most likely be another loan move. Swansea City have already been linked with a permanent deal with Williams earlier this summer. "I spoke to Jonny Williams, who was here on loan last season of course and he couldn't speak highly enough of the club," said Parr. "Maybe I can get him to join me. I'll give it a go. It could be fun!" "It's been a long summer trying to sort out where I'm going to play my football. I spoke to a number of clubs but I had a good feeling about Ipswich. "The manager told me what we wants from his team and how he's looking to be pushing for a place in the top six. "Everyone wants to play at the highest level and I've joined Ipswich to help the Club get in the Premier League."

Winterbourne teacher: 'We love it here but Platanos Trust is driving us away'

July 8, 2014, 4:57 am

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THE row over "punitive" lesson observations at an academy in Thornton Heath deepened today as teachers went on strike for the second time in seven days. Eight teachers at Winterbourne Boys' Academy staged a walkout on July 1 in anger at "heavy-handed" tactics used by Platanos Trust, the organisation which runs the school. The NUT had been hopeful of avoiding further action but today (Tuesday) staff went on strike again after school managers cancelled a meeting with the union without explanation. Speaking to the Advertiser on the picket line, Year 6 teacher Mike Tuer said some staff were being subjected to daily lessons observations without feedback. He said: "We're all for monitoring that's constructive, helpful and supportive because it helps us to develop. But, that's not happening here. "Instead teachers are forever looking over their shoulder, worrying about when the next observation will be. It's made them very stressed, very anxious. "For months and months teachers have worked under the threat of unannounced observations, which serve very little purpose, and it's not fair." Winterbourne Boys' Academy, in Winterbourne Road, remained open during the strike, with staff from Platanos College, the trust's other school in Lambeth, asked to cover lessons. Sara Tomlinson, secretary of Lambeth NUT, which supported staff on the picket line, said: "Observing teachers incessantly does not improve results or teaching. It has to be supportive. "You are not going to get good results or happy children if you are making teachers feel miserable." Platanos Trust, which had yet to respond to requests for a comment as the Advertiser went to press, hired a 'bouncer' to provide security on both strike days. However, both passed without incident and parents appeared supportive to those who took part. Matthew Smith, who has one child at the school, said: "It's very sad. There has clearly been a major breakdown in communication, because, knowing the staff, there is no way they would want to strike without good reason. "I have a lot of sympathy for them. Platanos tell you what they want, rather than having any sort of discussion. Since they arrived, the school feels less a part of the community. It feels like they have a point to prove instead of having the best interests of the children at heart." Last week Michael Rush, a consultant representing Platanos, said increased lesson observations were needed to improve teaching. The trust took over the school and converted it into an academy in April, 18 months after it was placed in special measures by Ofsted. However, a monitoring visit in January found the school was making progress. Mr Tuer said: "I absolutely agree that the focus should be on improving learning, but a senior Ofsted inspector recognised that was already happening before Platanos came in. "The danger is that the academy will push things backwards because they will hack off so many teachers. "The kids are really challenging in this school and that's why people love to work here because you can make a difference. "If teachers become so disaffected they want out that would be such a shame."

A Crystal Palace XI which cost LESS combined than Ross McCormack

July 8, 2014, 6:19 am

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THE football world has been thrown into something of a frenzy today, with the news that 27-year-old Championship striker Ross McCormack has commanded a fee of £11 million. The Scotsman has joined Fulham from Leeds Utd for the princely sum, despite not having played a single minute of English top flight football. We decided to compare Palace's transfer business with this and it soon became apparent that, lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, you could field an entire Palace XI costing roughly £9.5 million in TOTAL. To put that into perspective, McCormack's fee would fund the 11 men on the pitch, plus the wages of the country's best gaffer Tony Pulis (ok, we may have made that one up). Here's the Palace XI. Please note, we have had to go with estimated fees in two or three cases, where the exact transfer amount was undisclosed.Julian Speroni – £500k Joel Ward – £400k Damien Delaney – Free Scott Dann - £3m Adrian Mariappa – £2.5m Mile Jedinak – Free Stuart O' Keefe - Free Yannick Bolasie - Free Jason Puncheon – £3m Glenn Murray – Free Marouane Chamakh – FreeTOTAL XI: £9.4 million This shows that Palace have snapped up some canny free transfers over recent years, not least skipper Mile Jedinak and goal machine Glenn Murray. But perhaps most startling figure here is the mere £400,000 which Palace paid Portsmouth for the services of Joel Ward in 2012. Is Ross McCormack really worth 28 Joel Wards? According to Fulham he is...

Weed found growing in Croydon park (no, not that kind)

July 8, 2014, 6:35 am

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VOLUNTEERS clearing bushes in South Norwood Country Park came across some weed - but not the kind they were expecting. For, among the nettles, were a dozen cannabis plants hidden within the native herb they were slashing. Stranger still, a mysterious member of the group took particular interest in the plants, which were discovered on June 26. "While clearing the Himalayan balsam and the giant hogweed, our group discovered 12 cannabis plants among the nettles," one of the volunteers told the Advertiser. "Between the park ranger and our volunteer officer the decision was made to pull up the plants and bag them to be destroyed at a later date. "The funny thing is there was a volunteer who came out with us that day who none of us had seen before. "He was very interested in the plants, was apparently a big pot smoker and was right next to the guy who discovered them. "I think between the group we all knew they were really his plants as he was so protective over them and so desperate to take one home. "I saw him rip a few leaves off one of the plants before it was bagged up in a last minute attempt to salvage something from the unforeseen blunder of losing his crop." A spokesman for Croydon Council, which employs the park ranger, said the plants were removed and the neighbourhood police informed.

Parking meters stolen from Coulsdon car park

July 8, 2014, 7:00 am

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Thieves made off with two parking ticket machines from Lion Green Road car park in Coulsdon this morning. Neil Ridulfa from Cycling Made Easy, opposite the car park, said customers had told him the machines had been stolen. He said: "Someone came in the shop, they had gone to the car park this morning and the ticket machines were ripped out of the ground and gone." He added council employees were working to replace them earlier this afternoon. A council spokesman said: "Two pay-and-display machines in Lion Green Road car park were unlawfully removed in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday). "The matter is now in the hands of the police, and the council is unwilling to comment further at this stage. "A new pay-and-display machine has been installed and is operational. Motorists also, of course, have the option of paying for parking via their mobile phone, using the RingGo cashless parking system."

UPDATE: Police raid Thornton Heath home in 'planned operation'

July 8, 2014, 10:35 am

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ARMED police surrounded a house in Thornton Heath this evening (Tuesday). The house in Headcorn Road, and several others nearby, were evacuated during what police called a "pre-planned operation" at around 6pm. Scotland Yard have yet to release any further information about what happened. A neighbour told the Advertiser: "I went out to Tesco to get a few things and saw lots of police pointing guns at a house next door. "Some of the officers were hidden behind a van directly outside the house and others had dogs. The police helicopter was hovering overhead. "They eventually knocked the door down and went inside." The family living in house were led to safety, alongside a number of others, while police searched the building. A crowd of residents gathered at the end of the road as a senior police officer explained the situation to a woman who lived at the address in question. At around 7pm the armed and dog units left the premises and, a few minutes later, an officer led the woman and her family back inside. No one is thought to have been injured during the incident.

Police refuse to disclose why armed police raided home in Thornton Heath

July 9, 2014, 12:58 am

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POLICE have refused to disclose why armed officers raided a house in Thornton Heath on Tuesday evening. The property in Headcorn Road was surrounded by armed police at around 6pm. They forced entry into the house which was evacuated, along with several adjacent homes. It is understood no arrests were made. People were allowed to return to their homes less than an hour later. This morning (Wednesday) Scotland Yard said no details of what happened would be released. A spokeswoman told the Advertiser: "We were in the Croydon area for a pre-planned operation which we're not prepared to discuss further for operational reasons." The police helicopter and a dog unit were also sent to the scene.

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Brother of Crystal Palace midfielder appears in Dagenham & Redbridge friendly at Maidstone United

July 9, 2014, 2:14 am

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ADLENE Guedioura's brother Nabil, who played for Crystal Palace's development squad last season, played for Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday. Nabil came on as a second half substitute for the Daggers at Maidstone United, but he couldn't help them going down to a 1-0 defeat in Kent. He impressed for the Eagles in a few games last season but it seems he is on the lookout for first team football this year elsewhere. In particular, the left-footed attacker scored two goals for Palace against Brighton in a development game last October at Selhurst Park.

Ronaldinho to Crystal Palace? Bookies suggest Eagles are in the running for Brazil legend

July 9, 2014, 3:36 am

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HE WAS once rated the world's best player - a man who starred for Barcelona and helped Brazil to 2002 World Cup glory. But next season, is there a chance Ronaldinho could grace the Selhurst Park turf? Bookies SkyBet suggest Crystal Palace is the fifth most likely destination for the 34-year-old, with odds of 20/1 on him joining the Eagles before the summer transfer window closes. However, the odds suggest the man who lobbed David Seaman from 40 yards in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final will end up playing elsewhere in the Premier League. The former AC Milan man is a 9/2 shot to join Stoke City and 5/1 and 7/1 to join West Ham and QPR respectively.

Croydon Council to house homeless families in former office blocks in Thornton Heath

July 9, 2014, 4:08 am

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TWO former office blocks in Thornton Heath are set to be leased by the council as flats in order to reduce the number of homeless families placed in bed and breakfasts. Concord House and Sycamore House, in London Road, would provide 189 flats for people in emergency accommodation if the plans are approved at a cabinet meeting next Monday. It is hoped the deals will make the council far less reliant on shared housing such as Gilroy Court Hotel, also in London Road, which has come in for high profile criticism due its low grade conditions and unsuitability for families. The latest figures show 513 families - or households - placed in bed and breakfast by Croydon Council. Though the number fluctuates, it has not fallen below 400 in the last two years. That could change if the deal to lease Concord and Sycamore houses for ten years is approved. Both former office blocks have already been bought by developers and are in the process of being converted. Alison Butler, cabinet member for housing, said: "This is a far better alternative to putting people in bed and breakfast accommodation. "The rooms households are placed in at the moment are far too small. You've got families living in a single room while having to share a bathroom and a kitchen with others. "I don't think it's suitable that families are being asked to share a bathroom with a number of other people, particularly when many of them have young children. "What we're proposing is have self-contained accommodation which would mean people would have their own front door key, bathroom and a small kitchenette." Concord and Sycamore houses would provide 149 purpose-built studio and 40 one bedroom flats. Eight of the flats on the ground floor of Concord House would be designed for disabled use. Similar conversions have been used by Hackney, Camden, Barnet and Merton councils. Research shows that nearly half of people placed in bed and breakfast accommodation are single parents. Conditions are typically cramped, lack privacy and are not suitable for families with young children. Croydon has, in the past, come in for criticism for its failure to get to grips with the rising number of families placed in emergency housing. In October 2012 a government minister branded the council "doubly illegal" after a BBC investigation showed 180 families had been living in "unacceptable" low quality housing, such as Gilroy Court, for unlawful periods of time. Measures introduced by the authority since then mean there are no longer any families living in bed and breakfasts longer than the six week time limit. The deal to lease Concord and Sycamore houses will not end the council's use of Gilroy Court, which has both self-contained and shared accommodation, but it should reduce the reliance on it. The council sad use of the two blocks of flats would save £2.5 million over the ten year length of the agreement. Cllr Butler said the previous Conservative administration had considered adopting the same policy but had been unable to find affordable solutions. "We've been quite lucky to access these two sources," she said. If Croydon's housing situation improves dramatically the units in Concord and Sycamore could be converted into student accommodation. The flats could be in use by the council by January 2015.

Croydon star James Dasaolu runs 10.03 seconds in Switzerland

July 9, 2014, 7:10 am

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CROYDON star James Dasaolu ran 10.03 seconds in the B race at the Diamond League fixture in Lausanne, Switzerland, last weekend. It takes the 27-year-old to second in the United Kingdom this year and puts him in contention for selection at the European Championships in Zurich, having missed the UK Trials due to injury. Following the race in Switzerland, Dasaolu said: "I was pleased – I started well to my season and I'm just happy to my name down on the board. "I didn't have much time analyse the race, it just went pretty well. "After about ten or 20 metres I just had to be myself and just try and relax and not be too tense. "I had to fight for the line. It's a bit hard when you're out by yourself but I gave it my best and I'm just happy with 10.03 seconds. "I was happy to just come along and just show what form I'm in." And on Friday, Dasaolu is set to compete at the Sainbury's Grand Prix up in Glasgow. With the XX Commonwealth Games taking place in the Scottish city just a matter of weeks later, the event will give spectators and athletes the chance to experience competing in the stadium that will host athletics during the Games between July 23 and August 3. Dasaolu said of the Grand Prix: "It's a Diamond League, it's a Commonwealth stadium and it's going be great on home soil. "I can't wait to compete against the rest of the world." The world's only two-day IAAF Diamond League meeting always attracts world class fields and will undoubtedly provide a superb weekend of athletics action. Already confirmed alongside Dasaolu are Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu, Greg Rutherford, Yohan Blake, Adam Gemili, Richard Kilty, Jessica Judd and Kim Collins.

Crystal Palace TRANSFER TALK: Campbell, Slimani, Murray, Shelvey

July 9, 2014, 7:13 am

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EACH week the Advertiser will take a look at who the media are linking with moves to and away from Palace, with the speculation set to continue through to the end of the summer transfer window at the end of August.Daily Mirror: Palace are understood to be keen on striker Joel Campbell, who impressed for Costa Rica at the World Cup. The 21-year-old had a loan spell at Greek side Olympiacos last season. He has also spent time on loan at Lorient in France. Earlier this summer, Campbell, whose Arsenal contract expires in 2016, was linked with a loan move to Newcastle.Daily Express: Sporting Lisbon have disappointed a host of Premier League sides including Newcastle, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton by slapping a £10million price-tag on Algerian striker Islam Slimani. Reports had claimed that the pacey 26-year-old could be snapped up by a Premier League outfit for just £6m. However, an impressive World Cup campaign for the fearless Algerian side appears to have inflated the 26-year-old's price-tag. Slimani's sharp rise to prominence is courtesy of his fine World Cup performances and goals in successive games against both South Korea and Russia.News At Den: Ian Holloway has ruled out a move for Crystal Palace's Glenn Murray. But Holloway has admitted that he is in the market for a powerful forward who can "lead the line" in the Championship next season. "Not in a million years would Murray be let go by Palace," Holloway said. "That would be absolutely ridiculous."Daily Mail: Jonjo Shelvey has emerged as a target for Palace next season. The Swansea City playmaker is reportedly wanting first team football on a regular basis. Shelvey came through the ranks at Charlton before leaving for Liverpool in 2010. The 22-year-old has an eye for goal from range too.

AFC Croydon boss calls for new players to come forward

July 9, 2014, 8:24 am

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AFC CROYDON Athletic's pre-season training began last week and manager Ant Williams admits he may look at three individuals in particular. Furthermore, the club are currently on the lookout for a new U18 manager for the new season in the Southern Youth League Central Division. Williams feels the youth team will provide a solid foundation for future talent as the club look to progress and achieve promotion next season. And the boss says any U18 players good enough for the first team will certainly be looked at and considered. "The club continues to move forward and we felt adding a youth side was critical as we look to develop once again," said Williams. "The position is still open, we have had some interest and interviews are being arranged as we speak, but there is still time to show an interest. "If the younger are good enough then I believe they are old enough, and I will be taking a close interest and work with the U18 manager to ensure we develop players capable of playing first team football." After playing the last two seasons from scratch at the Croydon Arena – ground sharing with Croydon FC – the club are on the verge of returning to their spiritual home at Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, for next season. Promotion from the Combined Counties League Division One is the main target next season and Williams has appealed to anyone good enough to come down and prove they can cut it. "AFC Croydon Athletic is a club on the up, we are a local based side and we want players to be part of that journey," he said. "We want committed lads who are not just on the non-league merry-go-round looking for £20 per game - we have no budget. "If you want to play football at a great venue and be part of a club progressing each season then Mayfield Road is where you should come." If you would like to join AFC Croydon for the forthcoming season, email Williams at manager@afccroydonathletic.co.uk with the following details: Name, position you play, contact telephone number, area you live in, and your previous club(s). For those interested, and feel they have the experience for the U18 management role, should send their application, giving details of their football CV, by email to youth@afccroydonathletic.co.uk.

Houses being built at site where New Addington schoolgirl Tia Sharp was murdered

July 9, 2014, 11:04 am

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NEW houses are being built on the site where Tia Sharp was murdered – but no one will ever have to live at the same number again. Two new family council properties are being built on the site of the house at The Lindens, which was demolished last summer. But because two houses are replacing three, there will be no number 20 - a chilling reminder of the horrific crimes Stuart Hazell committed at the property in the summer of 2012. Simon Hall, Labour Fieldway councillor, said: "Myself and Carole (Bonner, the other Fieldway councillor) talked to a lot of local people and we think it was about striking that balance between never forgetting that a young girl's tragically lost her life here and carrying on with things as normal. "The houses will be in keeping with what's there now but obviously will be slightly different. We decided this was the best option. It's very difficult. "No one wanted this to become a crime-tourist attraction." The houses were torn down last August, ten months after 12-year-old Tia's body was discovered in the loft by police. Hazell was jailed for 38 years for the sickening crimes after pleading guilty a week into his trial. He had wrapped Tia's body in a sheet, covered it in bin bags and hidden it in the loft at some point on August 3. But Hazell, 37, spent the next week appearing in front of cameras appealing for Tia to come home.

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Unions' public sector strike expected to disrupt Croydon services and schools

July 9, 2014, 11:08 am

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TEACHERS, firefighters, civil servants and council staff are due to take part in a national strike today (Thursday. The action is expected to cause severe disruption to many public services, with at least 18 schools across the borough closed. They are joined on the picket line by staff from five leisure centres in Croydon, who are striking in a row over pay with Fusion Lifestyle, which runs the services for the council. Members of Unite, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and Unison have planned the walkout in protest over pay, pensions and working conditions. Parents have been urged to check whether schools are shut, partially open or operating as normal. London Fire Commissioner Rob Dobson warned residents against complacency as the London Fire Brigade will be operating a reduced service between 10am and 7pm, with only 27 engines covering the whole of the city. Laurie Pocock, Croydon branch secretary of Unison, who represent some 1,300 council workers, warned the public sector pay freeze meant the council's workforce were struggling to afford to live in the borough. He said: "The strike is because our pay has been held back for three or four years now and effectively we have had a pay reduction of about 18 per cent all told. "Our members feel that they want to do the best for Croydon in terms of providing adequate services." A Croydon Council spokesman said it was working hard to avoid disruption to services. He said: "Whilst the council can sympathise with any employees who have felt the pressure of rising prices we must bear in mind the financial pressure which has been placed on the council over recent years and our wider responsibility for the welfare of local residents on a day-to-day basis. "This is why our first priority must be to protect the operation of council services for the most vulnerable members of society. "If there is any significant disruption we will post details on the council website and via social media." Purley, Thornton Heath, Waddon, New Addington and South Norwood leisure centres are affected by the strike. Fusion has said the centres will remain open with minimum disruption.

New Addington punter hits World Cup jackpot after backing Germany to beat Brazil 7-1

July 9, 2014, 11:12 am

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A CRONX brewer won a cheeky little flutter made when Brazil were at their lowest ebb on Tuesday (July 8). Simon Dale, co-owner of the estate's Cronx Brewery, in Vulcan Way, put a quick tenner on Germany to win 7-1 against Brazil when Joachim Low's side was already 5-0 up before half-time. He made a return of £130 for his gamble, which paid off when Oscar scored the most pointless of consolation goals for the World Cup hosts in injury time.

Exclusive: Crystal Palace in talks to extend contracts with duo

July 9, 2014, 11:45 pm

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CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish says the club are talking to two players who are out of contract next summer about extending their stays at Selhurst Park. Parish was unable to reveal which players they were talking to about staying on beyond June 2015, but one of them could be centre-back Damien Delaney. The Republic of Ireland international stepped up to the Premier League well last season and could be offered a another year or two. Parish is hoping to tie up those deals soon as well. "We're very hopeful of agreeing terms with a couple of players," Parish said. "Marouane Chamakh is one of those who is out of contract at the moment. "We're hopeful on a couple of others at Palace who only have a year left, but we're not overly concerned. I'm fine with that – if we can't get an agreement on those two, we can't get an agreement. "Conversations are being held, just to try and extend things with them but we won't let those drag on. "In terms of bringing in new players, I was fine with it last year, we stayed in the league and it was great. "The reality of it is we're not the masters of our own destiny entirely, are we? We're in the market of who is available and we're not prising players away from people physically. "But we do have one or two conversations going on."For the big back page interview with Parish, do not miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

Schools close across Croydon as teachers join mass public sector strikes

July 10, 2014, 12:42 am

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AT LEAST 18 schools in Croydon are closed today as teachers take part in a mass walkout by public sector workers across the UK. A further 15 primary and secondary schools are only partially open as result of the dispute over pensions, pay and working conditions. Riddlesdown Collegiate, St Joseph's College, Heavers Farm Primary and Chipstead Valley Primary are among the schools which have decided to shut. Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said teachers "deeply regretted" taking strike action. The strike is being held alongside action by five other public sector unions, representing firefighters, council staff and civil servants, but the NUT is the only teachers' union taking part. The Department for Education has said there is no justification for strikes and Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to tighten ballot laws. It is unclear exactly how many schools in Croydon are affected by the walkout, as a number have not published information on their own website or the central register. In a message on the school's website Gordon Smith, principal of Riddlesdown Collegiate, which has closed, said he had hoped to "run a relatively normal day". He added: "However, it is now clear this will not be possible and that I would have over 100 students each lesson of the day that I could not provide adequate teaching or supervision for. Therefore, with regret, I need to inform you that Riddlesdown Collegiate will be closed." At least nine schools remain open as normal, including Gonville Academy Archbishop Lanfranc School and Norbury Manor Business & Enterprise College. To view the official OpenCheck website, which lists whether a school is open or closed, click here.Closed: Chipstead Valley Primary Ecclesbourne Primary Academy Heavers Farm Primary School Kingsley Primary School Park Hill Infant School Purley Oaks Primary School Selsdon Primary and Nursery School St Joseph's Catholic Junior, Infant and Nursery schools* Whitehorse Manor Infant and Nursery Academy Whitehorse Manor Junior Academy Winterbourne Junior Girls' School Riddlesdown Collegiate St Joseph's College Thomas More Catholic School Cypress Primary School Fairchildes Primary School Rockmount Primary School Rowdown Primary School Open: Courtwood Primary School Gilbert Scott Primary School Gonville Academy St Peter's Primary School The Archbishop Lanfranc School Edenham High School Norbury Manor Business & Enterprise College for Girls Atwood Primary School Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School Partially open: Beulah Infants' School Beulah Junior School Coulsdon CE Primary School Davidson Primary School Downsview Primary and Nursery School Elmwood Infant School Kenley Primary School Park Hill Junior School St Chad's Catholic Primary School St Mary's RC Junior School Woodcote High School Archbishop Tenison's CE High School Virgo Fidelis Forestdale Primary School Forest Academy * One class going on a school trip

Sanderstead Lawn Tennis Club set for summer finals day

July 10, 2014, 1:00 am

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FOLLOWING months of fierce competition the Sanderstead Lawn Tennis Club champions will be decided on Summer Finals Day on Saturday July 12. Juniors, seniors, singles, doubles, ladies, men's and mixed – all of the activity kicks off at 10am, with tea and coffee available for purchase all day, as well as lunch and from 3.30pm. The lounge and bar will also be open throughout the day. This is a great chance to learn more about this friendly neighbourhood club and its membership opportunities, both tennis and social. On Saturday July 19, SLTC's junior members will take to the courts for the fun junior tournaments. Several round robin games are planned for various age groups as the juniors mark the end of their summer coaching term. On Sunday, September 14, SLTC will host the second annual Bill Silvey Memorial Tournament. Following its successful launch last year, this inter-club event of mixed doubles is open to all U18 from local tennis clubs and promises to be a great tennis day with plenty of friendly competition. With this new tournament on its calendar, SLTC honours a member who always had the time and patience to help others with their tennis, especially juniors. "SLTC welcomes new members of all ages and tennis ability, as well as social members," said Carrie Askew, club captain. "The variety of tennis and social events on our calendar offers something for everybody all year round." Sanderstead Lawn Tennis and Social Club is located in Penwortham Road, South Croydon CR2 0QS. For more information please visit www.sandersteadltc.co.uk or email sltc.captain@gmail.com or call 07981 442985.