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Cyclist in critical condition after collision with car in Roman Way, Croydon
A CYCLIST is in a critical condition following a collision with a car in Croydon today.
Police were called to reports of the collision at approximately 5.40am this morning.
A male cyclist, believed to be either 23 or 24, was taken to the major trauma centre at St George's Hospital in Tooting in a critical condition with leg, back and head injuries.
However, a police spokesman said the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
London Ambulance Service sent a single responder and a duty officer while London Air Ambulance also attended.
Roman Way was closed and the flyover gridlocked but the road has now reopened.
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Kenley Airfield wants residents to have their say on restoration
KENLEY Airfield Friends Group (KAFG) need residents help to put the finishing touches to a bid for an £800,000 grant to preserve the historic air strip.
KAFG have been working to maintain the airfield since 2003 and in 2011 they began applying for the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. They were given an initial grant of £56,000 to help them prepare an in depth bid for the bigger sum, which is now almost ready.
And they want to hear what residents think they should be doing at the site.
The airfield was instrumental in defeating the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, which proved to be a critical moment in the Second World War. At lunchtime on August 18, 1940, Kenley Airfield was heavily raided and nine people were killed, giving the date the name the Hardest Day.
The airfield has a number of ancient monuments from the Battle of Britain including fighter pens where fighter pilots parked their Spitfires when on the ground.
Alan Morgan, KAFG chair, said preparing the bid hasn't been easy.
"If we're going to restore one of the fighter pens we have to use the right sort of bricks that were used in 1939 or 1940, or have them made to 1940 specifications," he explained.
"It's more than preserving the airfield, it's a memorial to the pilots who gave their lives so we could be a free country."
KAFG want residents to fill in a questionnaire to tell them what think they should be doing at the airfield as part of the funding bid.
Mr Morgan said: "The survey comes in to gather views of local people because they're the ones who will benefit from the project. It's where people walk their dogs and go for a walk, it's a nice open space and an important historical site."
The bid was initiated by Chris Baguley, former chair and founder of KAFG, who died in March this year. Mr Morgan said KAFG are carrying on Mr Baguley's legacy and is it a great pity he will not see his hard work come to fruition.
"We're doing it for Chris," he said. "We miss him hugely, his wisdom and knowledge and his personality. We are determined to keep it all going in his memory."
KAFG plan to commemorate Mr Baguley's life and work at the airfield, but they have not yet decided how.
To fill in KAFG's survey visit: http://www.tricolorassociates.co.uk/kenleyairfieldsurvey
Croydon primary school's exam results under investigation by Standards and Testing Agency
A PRIMARY school's exam results are under investigation by the Department for Education (DfE).
Heavers Farm Primary, in South Norwood, has been unable to release its SATs results while the Standards and Testing Agency (STA), an arm of the DfE, completes its review.
The Advertiser understands the investigation relates to the conduct of a member of the school's support staff during the exam process.
The school believes the issue is "minor" and it is "extremely unlikely" the results will be annulled, a source said.
In another development, Heavers Farm has confirmed head of school Andrea Cousins has resigned and another member of the senior leadership team is on long-term sick leave.
It is understood that matter is not directly connected to concerns about the school's exam results.
It has, however, fuelled rumours among concerned parents that have led several to contact the Advertiser.
Ms Cousins and her deputy worked under head teacher Susan Papas, who spent most of the last school year at Selsdon Primary, where she took over as executive head last September.
They were left in charge of Heavers Farm, in Dinsdale Gardens, while Ms Papas concentrated on raising standards at Selsdon.
Ms Papas said she was unable to comment in detail on changes to the management of Heavers Farm but they were unconnected to the STA investigation.
"There is a delay in getting the results back but we are expecting them any day," she said.
Ms Papas confirmed Ms Cousins had resigned and said the deputy head was away from school for "personal reasons".
"The delay and the other matters are unconnected," she added.
It is understood there were disagreements within the leadership team about how Heavers Farm was managed while Ms Papas was away.
Selsdon posted significantly improved SATs results last month, with 82 per cent of pupils reaching at least a Level 4 in English and maths, the benchmark standard, an increase of 21 per cent. In 2013 Heavers Farm scored 65 per cent.
A spokesman for the council said: "We are aware of the concerns of the Standards and Testing Agency and are working closely with them, the school, and the Department for Education to ensure that the investigation is concluded swiftly."
A Department for Education spokesman said: "The Standards and Testing Agency is currently conducting an investigation into the administration of the 2014 Key Stage 2 national curriculum tests at the school.
"While these types of investigation are undertaken it is standard procedure to suppress a school's results until the investigation is concluded. As no final decision on the case has yet been made the school's results have not been returned to them."
Last year SATs results at South Norwood Primary were annulled by the STA after discrepancies with how maths exams were administered.
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Michael Hunt trial: Man accused of murder blames lover for doing 'most of the damage', court hears
A murder suspect accused of kicking an Irishman to death in an alleyway blamed his lover for doing "most of the damage", a court heard.
Arry Green, 21, confessed to stamping on 37-year-old Michael Hunt after being told the victim had died in hospital, it is claimed.
He allegedly told his mother and stepfather: "I didn't mean to kill him. I can't believe it. I have killed him."
Green then claimed 24-year-old Fiona Nalty also kicked and stamped on Mr Hunt's head, jurors heard.
His stepfather, Philip Cumber, told the Old Bailey: "He told us that Fiona was the one who did most of the damage and was kicking him in the head.
"He said he hit Mick once in the face because Mick hit him on the nose. He stamped on him. Fiona was kicking and stamping on his head.
"He said he didn't mean to go that far and he was sorry. He was trembling, going hysterical when I broke the news to him. He nearly collapsed on the floor. I told him to hand himself in and tell the truth."
The court heard Green was having an affair with Nalty while he was in a relationship with a girl named Stacey.
"It was a secret," said Mr Cumber. "They were sleeping with each other. Arry would go to her house."
Mr Cumber, who was also a close friend of the victim, said he found out about Mr Hunt's death when they saw the police at the scene of the attack in Station Road, South Norwood, south London, on the morning of March 15 this year.
Jurors have heard Nalty and Green attacked Mr Hunt after the victim tried to chat Nalty up during a drunken night out.
Witness Amanda Crowther told the Old Bailey she was woken up by the sound of laughing in Station Road at around 3am.
She said: 'There was a man and a woman, they had their hands round each other's necks. It looked like they were messing about.
"Then they fell over and another bloke appeared. The girl got up and she looked like she was kicking him in the head.
'The other bloke tried to pull the man up and said, 'Come on mate, let's go down there and sort it out."'
Ms Crowther said the three of them then disappeared out of view and she went back to bed, only to hear the sound of a bin lid banging.
A 15-year-old boy has already told the court he heard Mr Hunt shouting "please stop" as he was being attacked.
The prosecution claim Nalty and Green then stripped off Mr Hunt's clothes before dumping his body in a skip.
Mr Hunt, originally from County Waterford in Ireland, was still alive when he was found the next morning but died later that day in hospital. He had suffered a fractured skull.
Nalty, of Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, and Green, of Dinsdale Gardens, Norwood, both deny murder.
The trial continues.
Advertiser poll shows divided opinion on 20mph speed limits in Croydon
READERS' opinions were divided about the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Croydon last week.
After the Advertiser's report on the council's plans to introduce 20mph speed limits in the borough we asked you if you wanted the limits in an online poll.
The council plans to split the borough into five and introduce a 20mph limit in one area a year, at a cost of £300,000 a year, in a bid to increase safety on the roads.
While 45 per cent of you said you strongly agreed that you would like to see the limits in the street you live in 39 per cent strongly disagreed.
And opinions were just as close in response to whether you would like to see the limits in other streets in the borough, with 39 per cent strongly agreeing and 36 per cent strongly disagreeing.
There were 132 responses to the poll. One comment said: "The current speed limits need to be enforced. A 20mph limit will not stop those who always drive above 30mph."
But another said: "Sooner the better. If it only saves one life it's worth it."
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Croydon chess prodigy, eight, selected to represent England in Brazil
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD chess prodigy from East Croydon is looking forward to a trip to Brazil after being selected to represent England in the World School Chess Championship.
Robert Akeya-Price, on a scholarship at Cumnor House School, in South Croydon, said he dreams of becoming a grandmaster before he turns 12 and is "really excited" about the prospect of competing in Brazil.
The tournament gets under way on November 26, and with 23 trophies to his name already, Robert will be hoping to add to his collection.
Asked why he loves the game so much, he said it was all down to mental focus, adding: "I just like to concentrate when I play - and I like to win!"
Robert, who is ranked among the top under-nine chess players in the UK, picked up chess at a very early age thanks to encouragement from his mum, Sholpan Namazbayeva.
"I showed him how to play when he was just four years old, because I wanted to distract him from the television," she said.
"Once he started showing an interest in chess, I started to take him to different tournaments, and it grew from there."
According to Sholpan the game runs in the family, since two of Robert's aunts are well-known grandmasters in her native Kazahkstan.
Robert joined Coulsdon Chess Club when he was five, and has since learned under the watchful eyes of grandmaster John Emms and chess manager Chris Ward.
He also represents the Kent Junior chess association under-nine, under-11, and under-13 teams, and last year in the County Chess Tournament his game was published on the English Chess Federation website as the best chess game.
Away from chess, he also sings three times a week as a choirboy at Croydon Minster.
Peter Clare-Hunt, headmaster at Cumnor House School, said everyone at the school was "extremely proud" of Robert's achievements in chess.
"We wish him the best of luck at the World School Chess Championship," he said.
The tournament costs £2,480 to take part. Any sponsors willing to help Robert's family to meet the costs of the trip should contact Cumnor House.
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Undercover Croydon police officer sold 'stolen' goods to scrap metal dealer, court hears
AN UNDERCOVER police officer posing as a thief secretly filmed a scrap metal dealer buying over 300 kilograms of "stolen" copper, a jury was told on Wednesday.
The footage shown to the jury at Croydon Crown Court shows Joseph Collier buying eight rolls of pure copper, stamped UK Power Network from the undercover officer, identified only as Paul, earlier this year.
Collier, of Woodhall Drive in Dulwich, denies knowing the rolls were supposedly stolen.
The 72-year-old is also charged with possessing and disguising criminal property in the form of memorial plaques and handling a stolen statue of a dragon.
The memorial plaques were allegedly taken from graves at Croydon Cemetery, among others. He denies all the charges.
The footage was secretly filmed by Paul on three visits to DSM scrap metal merchants in Bensham Lane, in March this year.
For the visits, he posed as someone trying to get rid of stolen copper cables.
The supposedly stolen goods were supplied to the police legally.
Footage filmed on March 19 and 22 shows Paul selling Collier copper and aluminium cables and pipes, but on these visits he does not tell Collier the cabling is stolen.
On March 27, Paul returned to DSM at around 10am with two large rolls of red cable, eight rolls of pure copper stamped UK Power Network and some thin, tangled orange cabling.
The footage shows Paul and a DSM employee unload all the cabling from the van and place it on the scales. Collier then comes over to weigh the metal before going into his office with Paul to write a £1,134 cheque for the 324 kilogram delivery.
As Collier writes Paul the cheque, the footage shows Paul say: "Just so you know, it's got UK f****** power cables stamped on the f****** side, you may not want to hang on to it for too long."
Giving evidence, Paul said: "I was suggesting it was obviously stolen and he knows to get rid of it as soon as possible."
Paul agreed with the defence that Collier did not respond to this statement.
Defending, James Martin said that Paul said UK power cable, not UK Power Network, which Paul confirmed had been an error at the time.
Mr Martin said: "Even if he did hear you and understand what you were saying you're just saying there is some sort of ownership stamp on the side."
The footage also shows Paul ask Collier to pay him in cash for the goods, which is illegal. Collier is shown refusing each time.
The case continues.
Police warn Croydon residents and businesses about 'FBI' hoax
SCAMMERS claiming to be from America's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been targeting residents and business owners by warning them there is a warrant out for their arrest.
The Selsdon and Ballards neighbourhood policing team say they have received a number of reports in recent weeks from people in the area who have had messages left on their answerphones.
In the automated messages, a person claiming to be from the FBI says a warrant has been issued for the victim's arrest.
They then explain the victim needs to contact a fictional legal firm, who will drop the arrest, but only if a fee or fine is paid, before giving instructions on how to make a credit or debit card payment.
The Metropolitan Police have urged anyone who receives the message to ignore it and not give any personal information to the fake legal firm.
Councillor Sara Bashford said: "I think it's one of those things where we do have a high elderly population in the area and often, they are the targets of these sorts of scams."
"The fact that people are saying it's the FBI is slightly worrying, but it's not that believable. You'd expect them to say they're from the CID."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the Selsdon and Ballards team were not aware anyone in the area had yet fallen victim to the scam.
"People should check with elderly or vulnerable friends and family to make sure they're aware the messages are a scam," he added.
A spokesman for Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, said the scam was known to investigators.
An advice section on Action Fraud's website explained the scam normally gives a deadline for victims to respond to the fictional law firms, which are often named Walsh & Peters, Schwartz & Peters or Lodge & Peters.
The spokesman added: "If you or anyone you know has parted with any money and has become victim to this, then it can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Or if you have not parted with any money, you can simply ignore the scam phone call and report it to Action Fraud."
Council leader called chief executive to voice 'concern' over Westfield's involvement in Conservative MP's rally
COUNCIL leader Tony Newman called the council's chief executive to express his "concern" that a senior figure from Westfield was about to speak at a Conservative political rally.
John Burton, Westfield's director of development, was one of the speakers at the launch of Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell's reelection campaign at Fairfield Halls on Monday.
Though he told the near 400-strong crowd his involvement was not "political" it has led some to question the retail giant's impartiality.
Westfield and co-developers Hammerson are behind the £1 billion planned redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, involving a new shopping complex, hundreds of homes and the creation of up to 5,000 jobs.
The redevelopment has cross-party support and is seen by many as the key to reviving Croydon's fortunes.
Labour leader Cllr Newman only discovered Mr Burton was to appear at the Tory rally late on Monday afternoon.
He told the Advertiser he rang chief executive Nathan Elvery to voice his "surprise" at Mr Burton's decision and "concern" that Mr Barwell was using the scheme as a "political football".
Mr Barwell said he had made the nature of the event "crystal clear" and had the right to promote one of his "biggest achievements".
The list of speakers - which included a head teacher, a knife crime campaigner and the co-founder of Croydon Tech City - was a closely guarded secret ahead of Monday's meeting.
The Advertiser revealed the line-up several hours before the rally and, when Cllr Newman realised Westfield would be involved, he called Mr Elvery.
He said: "I had a conversation with the chief executive. I wanted his understanding [of what was happening]. My own view was that I was surprised [Mr Burton] was doing it. When I heard it was a political rally, I had concerns.
"My concern was that Gavin was turning Westfield into a political issue when it's remorselessly not been the case."
Cllr Newman said he did not ask Mr Elvery to try to stop Mr Burton from taking part.
"I am sure [Mr Elvery] would have had a conversation with John about how much he did and did not know about the event. At this point we're talking less than half an hour before the thing started," he explained.
"I was concerned that Westfield could become a party political issue when it's crucial that's not the case. The scheme is bigger than any individual."
When Mr Burton did eventually take the stage he told the invite-only audience he would not be making a "political speech" but was there as an "apostle of Croydon and one of the true believers".
He did, however, mention the role Mr Barwell and Mayor of London Boris Johnson played in brokering the deal between Westfield and Hammerson, known as the Croydon Partnership.
In a statement provided to the Advertiser following the meeting, a Westfield spokeswoman said: "Westfield, along with other key Croydon business, education and community stakeholders, was invited to provide an update on the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre and attended the meeting in a non-political capacity only.
"The redevelopment has received cross-party support and it's vital the Croydon Partnership continues to work with all political parties to ensure that this important retail regeneration program is brought forward at the earliest opportunity for the benefit of Croydon."
Cllr Newman has since spoken directly with Mr Burton and says he received a commitment that he would attend similar rallies held by Mr Barwell's opponent Sarah Jones and Croydon North MP Steve Reed, if they choose to do so.
"I'm completely reassured by his response," said Cllr Newman.
"The responsibility for John being dragged into this lies with Gavin Barwell. Presumably [Mr Burton] did not know what the stage was going to be like when he agreed to speak.
"I'm disappointed Gavin tried to deliberately blur a community rally and a campaign launch.
"I don't think there's any further reason to be concerned as long as Gavin doesn't print 250,000 leaflets with pictures of John Burton and claiming, in any way, that he endorses his campaign.
"It would lead to the growing feeling that Gavin's campaign is all around spin and instant headlines."
Mr Barwell said he had invited Mr Burton to speak at the event through an intermediary and later met with him to explain the format and the possible fallout from his involvement.
He said: "It was blindingly obvious that when the list of speakers was made public Labour wouldn't be happy.
"So I made a point of going to see John and I explained to him what the event was and what I thought the possible reaction would be. I went out of my way to make it crystal clear because I didn't want to place someone who was doing me a favour in an awkward position.
"I don't accept that I made it into a political issue. What I tried to do is talk about what I have done as an MP.
"If Tony is suggesting that I am not allowed to talk about my involvement in what is one of the most important things going on the town, and one of the biggest pieces of work I have done since being elected, that's ridiculous and he should grow up."
Earlier this year the council approved the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the sites necessary to begin construction work.
Negotiations are ongoing, parallel with a legal challenge by one of the interested parties, ahead of a public inquiry.
'Last' Croydon office block abseil raises thousands for charity
AROUND 50 brave souls with a head for heights took the plunge on Friday to abseil 200 feet down the side of one of Croydon's office blocks.
The event was the fourth annual fundraiser organised by corporate charity, Croydon Commit-ment, and is likely to be the last.
This year's abseil had an even greater edge with participants being asked to "freefall" down Carolyn House in Dingwall Road.
This meant they were dropped down on the abseil rope without their feet touching the side of the building.
Last year's event down the council's former Taberner House headquarters was a record breaker, raising a total of £14,000.
This success prompted the organisers to set themselves a target this year of £15,000 but unfortunately the total looks like falling well short.
Money is still coming in but it is expected the amount raised will only reach around £6,000.
Melinda Ashford of Croydon Commitment said: "We just did not attract enough people this year. This is the fourth year we have organised it and perhaps it has lost its edge. We are also running out of buildings to use."
She added: "I don't think we will do it again and are now looking around for another fund raising stunt for next year."
Ideas being looked at include a trip down a zip wire or even a bit of tightrope walking.
Despite the financial disappointment, Ms Ashford said the abseil had been supported by teams from Croydon Council, Allianz and Mott MacDonald as well as a number of individuals.
She said: "People did enjoy taking part and 98 per cent of those who went down wanted to go back up and do it again."
The money raised will go into Croydon Commitment's general funds. The charity gives annual donations from the funds to voluntary organisations and charity groups across the borough.
Use of Purley Minor Injuries Unit has dropped since controversial changes to service
A REVIEW has found that the number of people using the urgent care services at Purley War Memorial Hospital has dropped in the three months since the controversial downgrading of the unit.
Residents were upset when the Minor Ailment/Minor Injury service at Purley War Memorial Hospital (PWMH) was changed to a Minor Injuries Unity (MIU) in May this year, halving opening hours and removing access to the hospitals x-ray machine.
The review, by Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), found that from May to July 2014 the number of people going to the MIU dropped by 12 per cent. There was also a 14 per cent drop in in the people actually treated at the unit, and a nine per cent drop in the number of people successfully sent on to be treated by more elsewhere.
It also found that in July only eight per cent of patients to visit the centre would have benefitted from being able to use the hospital's x-ray machine.
The Minor Ailments service was removed from the unit in May, when it also changed from nurse led to GP led and opening hours were cut from 8am to 8pm, to 2pm to 8pm.
But almost all of the patients to visit the unit in the three months since the changes said their experience of the service had been excellent.
Every month one in ten patients answer a questionnaire about their experience using the MIU. In May 122 evaluated their experiences, with three quarters of people rating the service they received as excellent. Just over 15 per cent said it was very good, and just under eight per cent said it was good. Noone said their experience had been poor or very poor.
The questionnaire also found just over 50 per cent of people who used the MIU said they would have gone to A&E had it not been there, raising questions of whether an extra burden is placed on A&E in the morning and at times when the MIU I closed. But data from A&E do not show a spike in use since the change in May.
There has been much confusion surrounding the MIU since it was previously incorrectly labelled an Urgent Care Centre. The review recommends that consistency in the way the service is referred to on websites will continue to be addressed, and better signs at PWMH have been agreed and will be put in place soon.
But the review concluded that because the new service has only been in place since May this year more evidence will be needed to make firm recommendations on changing the service again.
Dr Tony Brzezicki, Croydon CP and Clinical Chair of Croydon CCG, said that the review was ordered to address resident's concerns about the changes to the unit and that they will be meeting local residents associations to look at the data and make sure the MIU is meeting local needs.
But he said that it is still too early to spot meaningful trends in the data.
"Attendance at Purley minor injuries does seem to be down slightly, but use of Parkway in New Addington has increased," he said.
"This could be because people are getting the treatment they need from more appropriate places, like local pharmacies. If that is the case then that would be positive. We'll keep reviewing the data, and talking to local residents, so that we can get the full picture and take any action needed."
Residents' Associations from areas close to the hospital met today to discuss the review but concluded they cannot comment on the data until more information about the use of other urgent care services for people in Croydon is available.
The associations that met were: Hartley and District, Kenley and District, East Coulsdon, West Coulsdon and Riddlesdown.
There will be another review at six months.