And with 2013 knocking on the door I thought a fitting way to round off my last column of the year would be to look back at the best moments of the last 12 months. I'll start with individual performance of the season. There have been plenty from those in red and blue, particularly in the last three months where Palace have rocketed up the table but I'd have to say it was me while dancing with the Crystals cheerleaders back in February for Sports Relief. I mean, I totally nailed the dance routine. Seriously, watch the videos.

What about team performance of the season? There have been some great fightbacks from the Eagles, including at home to Cardiff where Glenn Murray nabbed a hat-trick, but I'm going to have to plump for my 'Crystallion' dancer team-mates during the Sport Relief half-time show in February. We were all in time during the three-minute routine, and not at all out of sync as some have claimed. Seriously, watch the videos.

Finally, we come to the style award of the season. Plenty of contenders, be it from Wilf's Mohawk haircut or Lennie Lawrence's suits he would don on the touchline during games, but for me it has to be the skimpy outfits we wore during the Sport Relief cheerleading dance on the pitch back in February. They were classy and cheeky, yet tasteful. Coco Chanel would have been proud. Seriously, watch the videos.

And that's it! Congratulations to the winners and I look forward to seeing more great action next year.

Have a brilliant 2013!

A MAJOR overhaul and expansion is on the cards for the Woodcote Grove House care home.

Friends of the Elderly wants to knock down the Selkirk Wing of the home, in Meadow Hill, Coulsdon, and replace it with a nursing and dementia home.

The development would create 48 care beds and three respite beds - an increase of 31 beds on the old wing, which is not fit for purpose.

Nick Pryor, a consultant from JTS planning, said: "The Selkirk wing was built in the early 1950s so you can imagine 60 years ago it was built to the standards of the time.

"It does not meet current care standards and is nearly empty."

The charity Friends of the Elderly is preparing to submit a full planning application to Sutton Council (the site borders Croydon and Sutton), and held a public viewing of the plans at Woodcote Park Golf Club on Monday afternoon.

The development is on green belt land, set back from the road, and would take the home's overall area from 2,000 square metres to 2,700 square metres.

Mr Pryor said that the consultants have held discussions with the council and hope the project's "special circumstances" will let them expand on green belt land.

He added: "I have to say, in my 35 years of dealing with planning policy, this is one of the strongest I have had to deal with. They are very persuasive and powerful special circumstances: increasing need for dementia care.

"There is a quantitative and qualitative shortfall of nursing and dementia care, and this will build on the established care facility."

The new wing is expected to employ roughly 69 full- and part-time staff, adding to the 79 who already work at the home.

Richard Furze, chief executive of Friends of the Elderly, said the development was critical to the long-term success of the home.

He added: "It is a really important development for us.

"All the people who have been in our homes have been very supportive.

"Clearly they see the need for people with dementia to have really good care.

"It is great if they can stay at home for as long as possible, but there comes a point where the carer may not be able to cope as they feel too stressed."

The developers said they hoped to secure planning permission by spring.

A CROYDON netballer is hoping to grow in confidence as she prepares to embark on a four-day training camp in the new year.

Seventeen-year-old Alima Priest, who currently plays netball for the Surrey Storm in the National Netball Talent League, has been selected to attend the Youth Sport Trust's National Talent Camp at Loughborough University in January.

The England U19 star, who was born and bred in Croydon, will join around 90 other aspiring young athletes in learning what it takes to become an elite level sports star, with the Coloma Convent Girls School pupil admitting she can't wait for it to start.

"I have never done anything like this before," said the teenager, who has also played for Howard & Shirley Netball Club in Croydon.

"But I think it will be a great experience meeting other people from other sports. Hopefully it will help to improve us as sportsmen and women and I am looking forward to it.

"I want to grow in confidence and face new challenges and this will definitely help to push me in that respect."

Priest added that the camp would be good for her in other ways too, adding that she hoped to learn more about how young athletes juggle their time between competing, studying and enjoying an active social life.

"I think you have to get a good balance of all three," she said.

The camp is quite intense though, with 6am starts, two training sessions a day and a series of challenging workshops led by leading sports psychologists and athlete mentors.

The youngsters will also hear from guest speakers such as Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree from the England RFU coaching team, along with mountaineer Bonita Norris – the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

In addition, Youth Sport Trust ambassador Darren Campbell, who won Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay in Athens in 2004 and silver in Sydney in the 200m, will also talk about the pressures of being an elite athlete.

But Priest, who harbours hopes of breaking into England's senior set-up, is looking forward to the camp, which has previously played host to Olympic gold medallist rower Katherine Copeland.

She says she hopes it will help her as she builds up to the U19 European Championships in February.

The camp begins on January 3.

SELF-EMPLOYED decorator Colin Ford admits it was not the best piece of driving in the world.

He had reversed his van against the flow of traffic down the one-way Purley High Street after changing his mind about the direction he was travelling.

The manoeuvre led to a £55 fine – not for going the wrong way but for being parked on the footway. The 57-year-old is adamant he was not "parked" as CCTV photographs show the reverse lights on his vehicle.

But Croydon Council strongly maintains it was right to issue the ticket, having reviewed the footage this week.

Mr Ford, of Fernhurst Road, Addiscombe, said: "As if I would park my van like that.

"I was going to go left but then decided not to and I tried to get back on to the road.

"The cars were going by so I couldn't pull out straight away.

"I was dumbfounded, I knew I hadn't committed the offence. I go out of my way to park legally – I don't like to give them a chance."

Mr Ford, who has been driving since the age of 18, did pay the fine following the incident on October 15 just after 7.30pm.

He thought he might have inadvertently parked illegally somewhere in Purley.

Having been sent the still images from the incident though, it is a decision he deeply regrets.

He added: "Ideally, I just wish they would give me my money back.

"I just don't want it to happen to anybody else.

"It's not the best of driving but I certainly didn't commit an offence."

In a letter to the council, Mr Ford says he is even prepared to go to court.

A spokesman for Croydon Council said: "The council's penalty charge notice carries clear instructions as to how the PCN can be challenged if the motorist feels he's been unfairly penalised.

"In this instance, the motorist is to be commended for making prompt payment.

"Having reviewed the CCTV footage of the incident, we're convinced of the validity of the issuance of the PCN.

"The CCTV images clearly show that the vehicle was parked, with two wheels on the footway, for at least one minute.

"The matter is exacerbated by the fact that the motorist then reversed his car along High Street, a one-way street, against the flow of traffic."

EFFORTS to bring more shoppers into New Addington have taken a leap forward with the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) on the estate.

The area's businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating the BID in a ballot on December 5; creating only the second BID in the borough, after the one in the town centre.

The move means each member business will pay money into a central pot, which they will then invest into the area.

Ken Burgess, chair of the Central Parade Business Partnership, was "over the moon" about the long-awaited formation.

He said: "It was about five years in the making.

"We are probably the smallest BID in the country but we have a strong business partnership.

"The council was very supportive of us, as indeed was Boris Johnson, who gave us some seed money we needed to get if off the ground."

The New Addington BID comprises businesses from the Central Parade shopping area including key streets Central Parade, Chertsey Crescent and Salcot Crescent.

It is anticipated to raise at least £20,000 each year from the annual levy they must pay, which is 2 per cent of their business rates.

The BID will officially be up and running in February, and Mr Burgess said it aims to make sure the area is attractive for shoppers and other visitors.

He added: "It is all about improving the footfall. We want to make sure the area is safe for our shopkeepers and also for our customers.

"We have spent a lot of time over the years looking at that; with a regular income we can revisit all the work we have done in terms of maintenance.

"We also want to make sure more events take place."

Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities and economic development at Croydon Council, has spoken in support of the BID. He said at the time of a cabinet vote in September: "New Addington is an excellent location for a second BID within the borough because of the district's history of positive business engagement with the council.

"It's an opportunity for the council to strengthen its support for economic growth in New Addington, and for businesses to have a direct impact on transforming their district and increasing footfall."

1. Crystal Palace were knocked out of the League Cup in the semi-final after losing on penalties to Cardiff. Which player scored the Eagles' only penalty?
2. Pop World nightclub reopened under new ownership and with a new name, but what was it called?
3. Plans for a massive skyscraper on 1 Lansdowne Road were approved. If built, it will be Croydon's highest building. How many storeys will it have? A)80 B) 55 C) 100
4. Pensioner Barry Kay wanted to swim the equivalent distance from France to Purley to raise money for charity. How many lengths of Purley Pool does this equate to?
5. Croydon Council announced it was looking to reopen an independent cinema in the Clocktower. Which director is it named after?

1. Croydon Tours operates a guided walk based around the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show. What are the names of the fictional friends played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb?
2. Crystal Palace turned down a last-minute transfer deadline day bid of £7 million for which of their players?
3. Former Olympian Blake Aldridge qualified for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, but who was his famous former diving partner? A) Pete Waterfield B) Tom Daley C) Max Brick
4. Mayor of London Boris Johnson compared Croydon's new German trams to which famous car manufacturer?
5. The new Bishop of Croydon was revealed this month. What is his name?

1. What changes did Crystal Palace introduce to its fans' shirts?
2. Which senior Labour politician visited East Croydon to lend his backing to Ken Livingstone's mayoral campaign?
3. Why was the Crystal Palace transmitter set to be illuminated with the same wattage it takes to light the Eiffel Tower?
4. How much money was promised by the Government to refurbish Purley War Memorial Hospital?
5. Which four-legged friends made New Addington residents' lives a misery by digging up their flowerbeds?

1. On which leafy estate did we reveal residents are banned from wearing shorts and hanging their washing up outside?
2. Which borough was deemed to have the sexiest women in the UK by a poll of users of a mobile dating site?
3. How much taxpayers' money did it cost to sent two council officers to a property conference in the south of France, as revealed by the Advertiser in April? A) £2,000, B) £3,000 C) £4,000
4. Which 'super-head', believed to be Britain's highest paid teacher, was picked to open a new school on the site of the Davidson Centre in Addiscombe?
5. Which high-profile politician walked out of an Advertiser interview when we tried to test his knowledge of Croydon, departing with the words: 'What do you want me to do next, kiss a model?'

1. How many can of lager were drunk at the Diamond Jubilee street party in Kenmore Road, Kenley? A) 800 B) 80 C) none
2. The historic heart of Croydon, Old Town, was awarded a grant of £100,000 by which retail queen?
3. Which Croydon school beset by scandal and poor performance revealed plans to become an academy in June?
4. When the Advertiser stopped 50 people on the street, how many were able to name a single one of the borough's MEPs? A) 1 B) 5 C) 10
5. Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas was featured as our Croydon Character. How many caps did he earn for England?

1. Which celebrity boxer presented a cheque to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust for £20,000?
2. Which openly gay Fieldway Croydon councillor was given the green light to adopt?
3. Britain's tallest man, Neil Fingleton, was this month revealed as the star of Fairfield's 2012 panto. But how tall is he?
4. The cover version of which hit song by the Crystal Palace cheerleaders gained more than half a million hits online?
5. What percentage of Croydon residents did we reveal would be overweight or obese by 2050? A) 70%, B) 80%, C) 90%

1. Which two words did former Observer writer Robert Chesshyre use to describe New Addington? A) uneducated and illiterate; B) caring and unselfish; C) Laurel and Hardy
2. Crystal Palace slumped to a 3-2 defeat in their opening league game of the season against which team?
3. How many homes will be built as part of the Cane Hill development in Coulsdon?
4. We revealed Costa Coffee was planning to open yet another outlet in Purley. How many would this mean there are in total?
5. Croydon musician Alexa Sage attracted more than a million hits on YouTube, playing which instrument?

1. Croydon's finest Michael Jackson impersonator Keith Preddie announced plans for an European tour. But what was the name of the song he recorded in his idol's honour?
2. How many hours did it take ironman Mark Bayliss, 35, to complete the Enduroman Arch to Arc triathlon, from Marble Arch to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris?
3. Who did Crystal Palace beat 2-1 on September 1, to record their first league win of the season?
4. Which Selhurst school celebrated its first anniversary this month?
5. How many gold medals did Wallington's David Weir win at the London Paralympic Games?

1. According to figures released in a health report, what percentage of Croydon children were said to be living in poverty? A) 10 per cent; B) 25 per cent; or C) 35 per cent
2. Which legendary Archbishop gave a talk at Fairfield Halls?
3. The Advertiser revealed in October how much former mayor Graham Bass cost us in his year of service. Was it... A) £155,000; B) £270,000; or C) £315,000?
4. Name the Gavin and Stacey star who opened the new-look Superdrug store at the Whitgift Centre.
5. How did the authorities find out £100k benefit fraudster Emmanuel Ikem was cheating the system?

1. Of the 12 parties that stood in the Croydon North by-election, how many lost their deposit by polling fewer than 5 per cent of the votes?
2. Which MP's parliamentary bill cracking down on metal thieves made progress towards becoming law in November?
3. Ian Holloway was appointed Crystal Palace manager this month. Which seaside club did he join from?
4. Which supermarket chain revealed plans to open a new store in High Street, Purley?
5. Why did the boss of one of Croydon's biggest employers say his firm might have to leave the borough?

1. A promoter revealed plans to reopen which popular town nightclub for one last night?
2. What was the score when Ian Holloway's new team met his old club at Selhurst Park?
3. Name the chairman of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust who stepped down amid controversy
4. Which Wallington athlete finished fifth in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year vote?
5. How much money will the revamp of Purley War Memorial Hospital cost?

JOHN Goulston – the interim chief executive of Croydon University Hospital – has applied for the top job permanently, despite receiving a vote of no confidence from hospital board members due to dwindling standards under his watch.

News of the dissatisfaction in Mr Goulston's performance comes as a third director is set to leave Croydon Health Services NHS Trust – the trust that runs the hospital. Richard Parker, director of operations, will leave on January 11, the Advertiser understands.

It comes weeks after we revealed hospital chairman Michael Parker was "asked" to resign by NHS London – the strategic health authority which appoints the chairman – and a week after news that Karen Jones, a non-executive director, has stepped down.

The Advertiser understands Mr Goulston, who was hit with a vote of no confidence by the hospital's non-executive directors before Michael Parker's departure, sent an e-mail saying Richard Parker is being made redundant.

The further departure has heightened fears the hospital will continue to struggle longer than is necessary in getting its house in order, after a turbulent year of resignations, questionable decisions and damning reports.

Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell suggested everybody's role at the hospital needs to be scrutinised in the interests of care.

He said: "Someone needs to take a good look at the whole thing."

A spokesman for health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) added: "Poor or inconsistent management can have an impact on patient care."

The vote of no confidence in Mr Goulston would have allowed Michael Parker to bring his interim contract to a premature end, the Advertiser understands, but the chairman was asked to resign by NHS London before he could do that. A rift between the pair has been rumbling on for several weeks.

In August the CQC found standards at Croydon University Hospital had deteriorated further and issued two "major impact" warnings – the highest category and unprecedented in the hospital's history. Mr Goulston was appointed interim chief executive five months previously in March.

It has also emerged that Mike Spyer and Ruth Carnall, chairman and chief executive of NHS London respectively, advised the vice-chairman of the hospital, Constance Hall, not to become acting chairman after Michael Parker's departure – something the Advertiser was told may be in breach of Croydon trust's constitution.

An interim chairman will not be taking over until January 2, meaning the hospital will have been without a chairman for three weeks.

A source said: "NHS London is interfering with things in Croydon to the detriment of local healthcare services. To block the vice-chair becoming acting chair is just irresponsible when it comes to patient care."

NHS London and Croydon University Hospital had not commented at the time of going to press.

1. In April we covered the story of a man secretly recorded by neighbours beating a dog with a plank of wood in New Addington. Lee Dyer attacked three-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Bullet in King Henry's Drive, as well as throwing faeces over the fence. Dyer said he had done nothing wrong and that the dog liked 'playing rough'. The 28-year-old admitted failing to ensure the welfare of an animal and causing unnecessary suffering, and was given 200 hours' community service and ordered to pay £300 costs.
2. Also in April was the story of Surrey Heights, a reality show said to be Croydon's answer to TOWIE. Amelody Productions held auditions in town centre nightclub Shooshh, but said 'chavs' were banned from the cast. More than 5,000 people applied to be part of the show, but views were mixed over whether 'Surrey Heights' would be good or bad for Croydon. A poll on our website showed 51% of respondents thought the show would have a negative impact on our borough, while 28% thought it could be beneficial. Others raised concerns over the name, because Croydon is in London, not Surrey. There is no word from the production company over when and if the show will be broadcast.
3. Labour's Ken Livingstone was the third in our series profiling the candidates to become London Mayor. Mr Livingstone talked about overseas investment, the Crystal Palace tramlink extension and his ideas about reducing crime, but then stormed out of the interview after refusing to take part in a quick-fire quiz on Croydon. He scored zero out of five, compared to Boris Johnson's 2.5 and Brian Paddick's one out of five
4. In April the Croydon Advertiser also covered the story of a man sentenced after admitting possession of indecent images of children. Vernon Quaintance, who was then aged 68 and living in Upper Norwood, was sentenced to a 40-week jail term suspended for two years. He was also ordered to attend a sexual offenders rehabilitation course and to pay £300 in costs.
5. Croydon Advertiser reporter Gareth Davies revealed never-seen-before video footage of House of Reeves arsonist Gordon Thompson stealing from Iceland during the riots. The footage, recorded by Gareth and freelance photographer Greg Mack, shows 34-year-old Thompson in a distinctive red hooded top. The picture was used on the front page of the Croydon Advertiser following the riots, and he was arrested after a reader spotted him in Surrey Street. Thompson was later jailed for 11 and a half years.
6. In April Hollywood hardman Jason Statham was filming new movie Hummingbird in Old Palace of John Whitgift School. The film, said to star Statham as a former Special Forces soldier who becomes homeless, is due for release in the UK in early May 2013.
7. News editor Gabriel Shepard also interviewed Boris Johnson before the London Mayor elections. Mr Johnson, who was re-elected the following month, promised to extend the bike hire scheme to Croydon, and said the borough has 'absolutely everything going for it'.
8. Ross Lidbetter asked whether the Croydon cruise scene was getting out of control. Ross described the scene that greeted him on Purley Way one Thurday night, with motorbikers riding on one wheel and cars speeding at more than 70mph, while enthusiast John Carlos defended the events.
9. The digital switchover happened in South London in April. Our story about the Crystal Palace transmitter being lit up like a Christmas tree was widely read. You can also see our three picture galleries of the event here, here and here.
10. Our final two most-read pieces of the month were this story about some kittens getting stuck in a wall at a house in Purley, and the accompanying picture gallery. The day-old kittens had fallen through a tiny hole in the loft, where they were born, and become trapped in the cavity walls. Fire crews used special equipment to pinpoint the tiny animals' exact locations and to rescue them.

The latest league tables, published last Thursday, show David Livingstone and St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox academies at the top of the class.

Every pupil at both schools achieved at least a level 4 in English and maths – the national benchmark – in their exams last summer.

Results were positive across the borough, with 79 per cent of 11-year-olds meeting the required level, up five per cent from 2011, and few schools performing below expectations.

However, Thornton Heath and South Norwood had extra reason to celebrate with six schools in the top ten. St Cyprian's, which became an academy last summer, jumped 25 per cent, making it one of Croydon's most improved schools. Nearly half of its pupils also reached level 5 in English and maths.

Kate Magliocco, head teacher at the two-form entry school, said: "This is my seventh year here, so I have seen these children all the way through their time at the school.

"It is about our belief in quality teaching and our commitment to getting the best out of the pupils."

David Livingstone's success is further proof of its remarkable improvement since becoming part of the STEP Academy Trust run by Gonville Academy. In the two years the schools have worked with each other, sharing teachers and best practice, the number of pupils meeting the benchmark in English and maths has doubled, though head of school Claire Slade is not getting carried away.

"We are delighted at our results and this is down to the teaching and the hard work of our dedicated children, staff and parents," she said.

"Equally though, in a one-form entry school, we need to be mindful that every Year 6 cohort is different and league tables can change accordingly."

Croydon's most improved school was Oasis Academy Shirley Park, in Addiscombe. The school posted Key Stage 2 results which were among the worst in the country last year, with just 39 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 in English and maths.

But this year the percentage reaching the minimum standard doubled to 78 per cent.

Neil Harvey, head of the all-through academy's primary phase, said: "This excellent achievement was due to a sense of unity and purpose among the staff team."

In total, 46 of the 69 schools which provide information to the Department for Education improved their results, with other success stories including Courtwood Primary, in Forestdale, which went up 28 per cent, and Whitehorse Manor Junior, which leapt 23 per cent.

Three schools fell below the Government's standard of 60 per cent of pupils achieving at least level 4 in English and maths, including Woodside Junior (now Woodside Primary and Children's Centre) and Broadmead Primary.

Though it improved on last year's results, Castle Hill Primary, in New Addington, finished bottom of the table with 53 per cent, compared with 90 per cent at Fairchildes Primary, on the other side of the estate.

Head teacher Mary Watts said five of the 45 children who sat the exams last May had arrived at Castle Hill in Year 6, while almost one third of the year group have special educational needs.

"Clearly we don't want to be at the bottom of any league table but you don't see what's going on behind the figures," said Mrs Watts.

TRAM travellers will be waking up with an extra headache today (Tuesday): fare rises.

Mayor Boris Johnson has raised fares across London's transport network by 4.2 per cent, taking a single tram or bus fare with an Oyster card from £1.35 to £1.40.

Travellers at East Croydon station were unhappy about the hikes, which are one per cent above inflation.

Latoya Reid, 30, who travels each day to Waddon Marsh, said: "That is just extra money from your cheque that is not going to be there."

Mitchall Laban, 18, of South Norwood, who takes the tram to Wimbledon every day, said: "I hate that it goes up every year, but it is always going to go up each year.

"It is at least one of the more reliable services. I have never known a tram to be late."

Amos Adeolu, 33, of South Croydon, said: "It is normal for them to increase the fares every year. The service is good but the fares are too expensive."

Greater London Assembly member Steve O'Connell says the increase is justified if the money raised is reinvested, in particular to extend the trams.

The mayor had promised to extend the tram to Crystal Palace but was criticised this month after no extension was mentioned in Transport for London's seven-year investment plan.

Mr O'Connell said: "I think it is a defensible position because I want the mayor to be investing in new capital projects and route extensions. Raising fares within responsible limits means the mayor can invest, so I will hold him to account on that."

Val Shawcross, a former leader of Croydon Council and Labour's spokesman told the Advertiser: "I think that hitting Londoners with another above-inflation fare rise is staggering.

"Not only are many people struggling financially at the moment but we also know from TfL's latest business plan that no funding has been put in place to deliver much-needed extensions to Croydon Tramlink.

"We know from TFL's own figures that they are running with a big operating surplus, so above inflation rises are unnecessary."

Concessionary fares for young people and veterans are unchanged, as is free travel for the elderly and disabled.

1. In mid-May the Croydon Advertiser met Billy Smith, who asked for help to trace a girl he'd met in Croydon nightclub Shooshh. The pair swapped a kiss or two, but the mystery woman left without giving Billy her number. Sadly, the couple were not reunited.
2. The same month six men were jailed for a brawl outside a cab office in Norbury. The fight, in the early hours of March 26 in 2011, saw the men attack one another with planks of wood and metal bars.
3. A 28-year-old woman was left with life-threatening injuries in May after she was pulled underneath a tram at Sandilands. The incident happened on May 16 and saw the woman, from Croydon, trapped underneath the vehicle and against the edge of the platform. She was freed by fire crews and rushed to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where her condition was stabilised. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an enquiry into what happened, which remains ongoing.
4. An 18-year-old was also left fighting for his life after the motorcycle he was riding crashed in New Addington. The teen, named as Armani Broomfield, broke both his legs, fractured his wrist and pelvis, and also suffered a collapsed lung and head injuries. Armani required a number of operations but was then discharged from hospital.
5. Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish told the Croydon Advertiser that getting the Eagles into the Premier League would be difficult to achieve, but said he was 'always working to improve the club'. Palace have enjoyed a good run at the end of 2012, climbing to the top end of the Championship table.
6. The Croydon Advertiser spoke to the mother of Kevin Boyle, who said she had always felt her son would take his own life. Patti spoke frankly about the effect the disappearance of her popular son the previous October and the discovery of his body 101 days later had on her family.
7. Former Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman chose his all-star Championship team of the season - but he wasn't allowed to pick any of his own players. His choices included Kasper Schmeichel, Guirane N'Daw and Mustapha Dumbuya.
8. Sudden heavy downpours in May left roads closed and public transport delayed in central Croydon. Water levels went down rapidly following the flash flooding.
9. The first weekend of June was of course a Bank Holiday to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This article, showing off the best ways to mark the occasion, was among the month's most-read.
10. A special report by Ross Lidbetter in May considered whether the £1million spent on CCTV in Croydon had been a worthwhile investment or 'Big Brother gone mad'. To show the extent of the cameras, Croydon Council agreed to track reporter Sarah May Hayes as she walked through the town centre.

Tony Hilton, 48, South Croydon: "I think there should be more trams and more tram routes. We were promised tram extensions but they never happened. Croydon is so inaccessible by road and people find it hard to get in and out of the city centre. I think this is why big corporations like Nestlé left Croydon."

Melissa Littlemore, 16, who works in Croydon: "I think the trains in Croydon need improving. There is no station that is harder to get to than West Croydon. It is such an inconvenience and there are so many cancellations and delays which means that I don't always get to work on time and makes me late going home."

Ian D'Mello, 35, Purley: There are so many clothes shops in Croydon; I think some of them need to go. I'd like to see them replaced with smaller business start-ups. When you look at areas like Kensington and Chelsea, a lot of their shops are independent, I'm sure there are a lot of people in Croydon with good ideas, but there is just nowhere to put them."

Cheryl Wadey, 45, Croydon: "I was working as a PA and have just been made redundant. My Christmas wish would be for a new job and more jobs for people in Croydon. I have applied for five jobs since my redundancy and am hoping to find a new position sometime in the new year."

Robert Wright, 48, Addiscombe: "I am a keen cyclist and I come into Croydon quite a lot to go shopping and to the gym. It is so expensive to park everywhere and so that's why I ride my bike. The cycling facilities are pretty good, but the parking costs are ridiculous.

"I like to ride my bike everywhere, but there needs to be more parking spaces, and it needs to be cheaper."

Zaza Curran, 37, Crystal Palace: "I regularly come into Croydon to do my shopping and I wish Croydon had a nicer place to shop. If there were some more cafes, it would be easier to stop. I would wish for more places in the town centre where it is greener and looked a bit less industrial."

Rebecca MacDonald, 25, Addiscombe: "I wish for people to be more approachable in Croydon. Having a little baby around, I worry for when she grows up. There's a lot of crime, a lot of problems among young people in Croydon and a lot of issues involving gangs. I think if people were generally approachable, and less aggressive, it would improve the area."

"I just would like to make the area nicer for people to live in."

Jessica Keningale, 24, New Addington: "I would like to see more trees, more grass and more plants in Croydon. The area definitely looks a bit grey. Croydon would be more attractive if there was more colour in the town centre. I think some plants would be a lot nicer than the council just painting the buildings."

"I think some more colour in Croydon would make it a much nicer area to live in."

Stephen Curran, 55, West Norwood: "I come into Croydon on the occasion to do my shopping. I wish people would be happier. People look down when they walk and sometimes look very aggressive. I have had some people rudely walk up to me, saying, 'You got a fag, mate?' and I say no. There's definitely a lack of common courtesy in the area."

Stephen Baron, 66, South Croydon: "My Christmas wish for Croydon would be for less traffic. I want to complain bitterly about the situation of the traffic.

"The road over the underpass into Croydon has been changed into one lane, instead of three. It has been changed from three lanes so that people can cross the road. I think the old system of going from three lanes to two was much better."

"I think the new system is dangerous and I would imagine it's got the potential for causing accidents."

Sarah Ghaziri, 17, Croydon: "I wish Croydon would have some more restaurants. The restaurants here, at the moment, are packed all the time. There isn't enough space for me and my friends to go out. I like going to restaurants and like to go out from time to time, but I would like more selection in the town centre and new places to eat."

Beth Hicks, 17, South Croydon: "I wish for better Christmas lights. Croydon, they're really slacking this year. The lights are not as good as London. The town centre is looking a bit drab and more lights, I think, would make it more festive. The shops are looking all right, but I'd like to see some more lights on the trees.

"I have just been to New York and I really liked the Christmas lights there."

Marlowe Brown, 20, Croydon: "I think there should be more youth clubs. There's not enough for kids to do in Croydon, so they all go and hang around on street corners. I think the youth clubs should have a music studio, football, things that people would look forward to doing when they come home from school.

"Kids will be kids at the end of the day, but there should be more education which helps them learn how to survive and to stop people hanging about on the streets."

Marcus Mills, 21, Croydon: "I think there should be more opportunities for young children so they don't get into bad cycles. Teachers need to break all the things down and explain more about keeping good credit, so that people don't get into debt problems and make mistakes when they're older.

"Teachers need to do more to show them that staying in school is a good thing. I trained as an electrical engineer, but am finding it hard to find a job."

Blaine Field, 19, Croydon: "I would like a big water fountain on the High Street. It would make the area look more presentable and a bit nicer. The water fountain could be surrounded by benches and would make the town centre more presentable.

"I think the town centre is drab and looks boring and I think the fountain would make the High Street look nicer."

Emily Dean, 21, Sanderstead: "My new year wish for Croydon would be for some nicer bars and clubs. There are some OK ones in South Croydon. I would like to see a nice cocktail bar, selling half-price cocktails, for me and my girlfriends to enjoy on a night out.

"A new club would improve the area and bring in more students."

Rob Johansen, South Croydon: "I wish for more music tuition and community groups in Croydon. I think there should be more workshops for young people with musicians.

"I have been a drummer for 13 years and now have three drum kits. I think music always brings people together and drumming has given me some opportunities. It certainly breaks the ice in certain situations."

Marlene Williams, 72, Addiscombe: "I wish for more Christmas characters for children. I used to come here every Christmas eve when I was younger as a ritual with my sister, Nina. We used to love coming here, in the evening, in the dark to see the characters in the shop windows. There used to be lights in every shop, animated characters, the lot. I think it is sad there's nothing for the children now.

"I would like to see donkeys and reindeer giving children a ride down the High Street. It would be something for people to look forward to. I think the council should get away from how much it costs and make the area feel more special and Christmassy."

1. The Olympic torch relay came to Croydon on July 23, and this event of course dominated the most-read stories and picture galleries of the most. Among the most popular, drawing tens of thousands of visitors, were part one and part two of our live blog. Our three galleries of the day in pictures, which you can find here, here and here, attracted hundreds of thousands of page views. Also popular were the route of the relay, which was released in March, and our interactive map. Croydon was one of the last places the Olympic torch was carried through, and was in London Road almost exactly one year after the riots.
2. A teenage girl described her 'coach journey from hell' after a toilet exploded on a National Express coach. Jessica Squires, from New Addington, described the result as a 'tsunami of urine and excrement'. A National Express spokesman said the toilet had been flooded deliberately, and that the driver had been verbally abused.
3. A Canadian pastor who believes he can 'heal' the sick by kicking them in the face was due to visit Croydon, the Advertiser revealed. The pastor was set for a three-day event at Croydon Conference Centre on Surrey Street. His controversial methods have included injuring people, and once said he was 'told by God' to kick an elderly woman in the face with his biker boot. Late Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks said the pastor should be banned from the UK, and days before his scheduled visit the Home Office did, saying his presence in the UK was 'not conducive to the public good'.
4. Dougie Freedman, then Crystal Palace manager, poured cold water on rumours he was about to sign Leeds United striker Ross McCormack. Rumours had been rife online. Freedman said he knew McCormack well and described him as a 'fantastic player', but said rumours of him joining Palace were 'far-fetched'. McCormack then signed a new deal with Leeds, but in August Steve Parish said he was still interested in the player if he became available again.
5. However, Freedman did admit the club were in talks with Jose Baxter. In August Freedman admitted the move 'couldn't happen for a number of reasons' and Baxter later signed for Oldham Athletic.
6. Pictures of Crystal Palace's 3-0 win over non-league Dulwich Hamlet were one of July's most-viewed galleries. Dougie Freedman surprised everyone by stepping onto the pitch in the second half, and provided an assist to Reise Allassani.
7. A story in which a Sanderstead resident claimed pet cats were being eaten by foxes got 129 comments after being published in early July. John Jefkins blamed a fox for the death of his pet cat Jasmine, likening the scene to the film Jaws. Mr Jefkins said it was becoming an epidemic, adding: 'The foxes can't get to the recycling bins any more so they eat our pets'. A week later John Bryant from Humane Urban Wildlife Deterrence said it was rare for a fox to kill a cat, but recommended owners keep pets in at night.
8. In July images were released showing Croydon during the 1920s. The images, taken by former World War One pilots, showed Stoats Nest Village in Coulsdon, Church Street, Addington Hills and Croydon Aerodrome.
9. Dougie Freedman said he'd decided against signing Alexis Allart and Peter Kurucz. Speaking exclusively to Crystal Palace reporter Mark Ritson, Freedman said French striker Allart's fitness was 'nowhere near where it should be', while Hungarian goalkeeper Kurucz was rejected after Julian Speroni was said to be 'coming along nicely'.
10. Finally for July, Lidl bought land in Sanderstead. The budget store is hoping to build a unit on the land currently occupied by the now-closed Good Companions pub on Limpsfield Road on the Surrey border. Images of the design Lidl is planning were released last month.

FLAT-DWELLERS in New Addington are starting 2013 still without doorstep rubbish collections, two years after a boycott was announced on safety grounds.

Residents of the private flats above Central Parade have since had to haul their rubbish down unlit, slippery stairs deemed too dangerous for the council's rubbish collector, Veolia Environmental Services.

Delays over lighting the stairwells is thought to be the main reason behind Veolia's decision to continue collecting rubbish only from street level.

Emma Washington, 22, who lives in one of the flats, said: "The stairs are very slippery and the hygiene is awful. It is hard to manage them, especially with my little boy."

Neighbour Kevin Spinks, 34, said: "It is fair enough they don't collect them because it is very dark. It is OK for me but there are elderly people here, too."

A spokesman for Veolia said it would consider reinstating the rubbish collections if the lighting and other problems were addressed.

He said: "The arrangements made for residents to put out their refuse once a week are still in place and are working satisfactorily.

"However, if the owners do carry out repair work to the staircases then we will of course look at reverting to the previous collection system."

Lighting in the stairwells was delayed due to power companies squabbling over which firm should provide the electricity, as the Advertiser reported last November.

Traders on the parade have now installed new lights and say they are waiting for UK Power Networks to install the electricity supply.

UK Power Networks, however, claims it is ready to carry out its work and is waiting to be told when it should start.

Company spokesman James Barber said: "We are trying our best to resolve this issue."

Ward councillor Tony Pearson said: "I do not think it is right the residents are suffering in this way. Until we get the lights fixed, Veolia will not go up there. There are no other issues they have told us about."

The new lights have been paid for with some of the £50,000 pledged by London mayor Boris Johnson in the summer to improve New Addington.

The borough's Greater London Assembly (GLA) member, Steve O'Connell, said: "We had a site visit there a couple of weeks ago and we – the council, the GLA and the traders – are all pushing to get the stairwells lit."

A TWO-YEAR sponsorship deal to support Paralympic champion David Weir up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been signed by a Wallington company.

International IT and telecommunications recruitment company Penta Consulting, in Stafford Road, will provide direct financial support for Mr Weir, together with backing through marketing and producing an enhanced website.

Full details of the sponsorship package will be announced early in the new year.

Paul Clark, Penta's chief executive, said the company was really excited about working with an athlete who has ten Paralympic medals and six London Marathon titles to his name.

Mr Clark said until recently the company had been involved in supporting major charities.

But a decision has been made to switch that financial support to projects based in the Sutton and Wallington community.

Mr Clark said this change of tack has seen Penta supporting a variety of local projects, including the Orchard College for severely disabled people, and providing a mentoring scheme for business students at Green High School in Sutton.

The success of the programme has been demonstrated by the fact that Penta in the Community was rated as the UK's number one "Giving Something Back" programme by The Sunday Times earlier this year.

Mr Clark said: "We see working with David as an extension of that. We are a Wallington company doing 70 per cent of its business internationally and David is a Wallington hero competing on the international stage.

"This is a perfect fit for us as we are both top Wallington 'brands' committed to supporting local charities and not-for-profit organisations."

Mr Clark added: "As well as supporting him in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games we see him as an ambassador for what we are doing in the community."

Mr Weir, who lives in Wallington, said: "It is an honour to be recognised in the locality by a massive company like Penta."