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MBE for Croydon councillor Margaret Mead in New Year Honours

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A VETERAN Croydon councillor has been recognised for her contribution to the borough in the New Year Honours.

Margaret Mead, who is about to embark on her 25th year as a councillor, has been appointed MBE for civic and community services in Croydon. The citation makes particular reference to her role as the first chair of the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Board and as founder of the Croydon Carers' Support Centre in George Street, which opened in September 2013.

Councillor Mead, 70, now joins her husband and fellow councillor, Dudley, who was appointed MBE in 2012.

She has represented Heathfield ward on the council since 1990 and has always had an interest in health and social services.

Cllr Mead was Mayor of Croydon in 2009/10. When the Conservatives took control of the council in 2006 she was appointed cabinet member for adult care, adding health services to her portfolio in 2011.

The Health and Wellbeing Board officially started its work in 2012 with Cllr Mead in the chair. Since Labour won May's council elections, she has served as the board's vice-chair.

The board is a partnership between the council, hospitals, GPs, other health services and voluntary groups. Its brief is to promote a healthy lifestyle among residents of the borough and help ensure finances are channelled towards those who need them most. Cllr Mead said: "Croydon does have some health challenges and we believe we can obtain a better outcome by working together. The board has an important role in encouraging that."

She said the idea for the carers' support centre came out of her work as a cabinet member and her desire to help the borough's 30,000 or so carers. The centre is supported by the Whitgift Foundation and the council and has dealt with around 22,000 inquiries since it opened.

It offers both direct support for carers, with back up from a variety of voluntary groups which have offices in the premises. Cllr Mead said: "I am delighted with the way the centre has gone. It has been important to make sure that the person carers speak to is someone who can help resolve any issues they have."

Speaking about her honour from the Queen, Cllr Mead said: "It was a lovely surprise but totally unexpected. The letter informing me came a few days after my daughter, Helen, gave birth to her first child and it was great to have two pieces of good news so close together. It is very humbling to find that people think enough of you to your name forward."

The Meads have lived in the borough since they were married in 1970.

MBE for Croydon councillor Margaret Mead in New Year Honours


Croydon review of the year - July

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THE Advertiser's review of the highs and lows of 2014 continues with a look back at the headlines from July...

AN AWARD-WINNING author spoke publicly for the first time about being abused at a children's home.

Alex Wheatle, 51, told how he was sexually assaulted by a doctor at the council-run Shirley Oaks Children's Home, which closed in 1983.

The writer, who was appointed MBE in 1998 for services to literature, claimed "strange, nameless men" had access to the home in full knowledge of the authorities.

In the weeks that followed Mr Wheatle's initial allegations, several other victims came forward with stories of abuse and mistreatment.

These included Pauline Gocan, her brother Leigh and sister Yvonne, who waived their legal right to anonymity to talk, for the first time, about their experiences at the home in the 1970s.

"They would make us do things. They were sexually abusing me," Pauline said.

"When we were allowed out into the gardens, I would refuse to go back inside. Their response was to drag me back into the house and beat me.

"I don't know why I didn't talk about it. Maybe it's because they were always threatening to lock me up. So I stayed silent and carried the shame with me."

YOU might not think those elected to serve the people of Croydon would need a guided tour of the town they govern.

But that's exactly what was mooted for Croydon councillors in the aftermath of the elections.

Jo Negrini, the borough's new director of development and environment, believed the four-and-a-half hour bus tour would be a great educational exercise for those newly occupying council seats.

Branded as a "member learning and development bus tour", the away-day was due to take place on July 12.

But, shortly after our report, the idea was canned due to an apparent lack of interest.

A NEW man took charge of Croydon's police in July.

Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant took up post as the new borough commander, succeeding David Musker in the role.

Tackling domestic violence and addressing the fear of crime were listed among Mr Tarrant's biggest priorities.

He said: "The major crime types – burglary, housebreaking, mugging, theft – they're all down.

"Croydon is on the up, and the challenge for me is getting that message into the communities."

THEY were compared to everything from "something out of The Flintstones" to "an invasion from outer space".

But in July, the decision was taken to banish the New Addington boulders – for good.

The huge rocks, installed in September 2012 via funding from the Mayor of London, were supposed to stop illegal parking in Central Parade, but soon became the butt of local jokes.

A poll on the Advertiser website revealed 60 per cent of people wanted to see the back of the boulders and the new Labour council granted their wish.

Newly elected Councillor Oliver Lewis told us: "We were quite comfortably elected and we knocked on hundreds of doors; this was one of the top issues that were coming back to us. Often politicians are criticised for not keeping their promises; this is a clear pledge that we are sticking to."

HUGE crowds were treated to diverse cuisine from around the world as Croydon's Restaurant Quarter celebrated the third South End Food Festival.

More than 11,000 people flocked to the event which boasted dozens of food stalls alongside music and dance on the main stage.

The festival showcased food for everyone with the range of cuisine available including Italian, Indian, Malaysian, Ghanaian, Jamaican, Greek, Caribbean, French, English hog roast, Mediterranean and Spanish food, while Cronx beer provided some locally brewed refreshment.

Martin Sandler, operations director at sponsors Brakes Food Market, hailed the festival as "an amazing success".

"It was great to see so many people turn up," he said.

"The festival showed off the very best of Croydon and the great offering that we have here."

CROYDON South MP Sir Richard Ottaway landed himself in hot water for suggesting residents who can't afford a house in the area should get "on the trains and up to Manchester".

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics show, Sir Richard Ottaway said the solution to a shortage of affordable homes in the area was for people to move to the cheaper north of England.

But defending his remarks, the veteran MP insisted he was referring to a long-term solution to reduce demand for affordable housing in London by improving the economy of the north.

He told the Advertiser: "It certainly wasn't a 'b****r off to Manchester' statement."

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

"They look like they've just been dumped there really, if they were on some grass they would look great. At the moment people just come out and throw their Kentucky chicken on the floor."

New Addington resident Michael Lyons wasn't a fan of the estate's boulders, which it was announced in July would be removed

"My son once asked me why I leave the light on at night and I told him I do it because of my childhood." 

Pauline Gocan waived her right to anonymity, to tell the Advertiser about the horrific abuse she suffered at Shirley Oaks children's home

"He wasn't just a grandad, he was a best friend too. He couldn't have been more of an inspiration to me." 

South Croydon hip-hop artist Ryan Junior Matthews-Robinson mourned the loss of his idol and grandad, former singer Robbie "King" Robinson

"I want to buy a house in Croydon, but there's no way I can afford it." 

A stark admission from Emily Benn, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Croydon South

Croydon review of the year - July

Elderly woman missing in Croydon returns home

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AN ELDERLY missing woman with dementia has returned home, police have said. 

The Met issued an appeal yesterday in order to trace 79-year-old Yianni Stella, who had last been seen at 11am on Monday morning. 

She has since returned to her home in Thornton Heath. 

Elderly woman missing in Croydon returns home

Motorcyclist killed in London Road crash was student hoping to give family a better life

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A MOTORCYCLIST killed in an alleged hit and run on London Road was a student who came to Croydon in search of a better life for his family.

Kamrul Hasan, of Cameron Road, was killed when his Yamaha bike was struck by a black Lexus car in West Croydon at 1am on Monday (December 29).

He was on his way to get some food having spent the evening at a friend's house.

The 23-year-old was a business management student at the London College of Advanced Studies who moved to England from his home in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, five years ago.

Kamrul was hoping to go on to university before returning to Dhaka to take care of his parents and ten-year-old brother, who he had not seen since he left.

He lived with his only sister, Suria Khatun, 26, and her husband Moktar Hossin, 31, in North Finchley before moving to Croydon a year ago.

Mr Hossin said: "His family was very, very important for him. Everyone at home was relying on him, they are broken. He is the eldest son and should have taken care of everyone.

"Every time I speak to them they can't believe it. When his mum calls him she asks me "where is my son, I want to see him"."

Mr Hossin remembers Kamrul, who worked at Subway in Wellesley Road to support his studies, as "calm and confident".

He said: "Kamrul had lots of friends. He was a very social guy and would keep in touch with every single friend he made. He never hurt anybody in his life. He always made people happy.

"He was tall and looked like an actor, he was very active and he went to the gym regularly.

"Whatever he did he would always do carefully, and he was an honest guy."

Mr Hossin and Ms Khatun, who have been married for eight years, have two daughters; four-year-old Sohana and two-year-old Samira, who loved Kamrul.

"Whenever he came back to the house my daughters would jump on him," said Mr Hossin.

"Every time I got my iPad out they would call 'uncle' because they knew how to do it.

"One day early in the morning me and my wife were sleeping and I woke up and saw my daughters talking to someone, and they had called their uncle."

Mr Hossin said Kamrul's death had been a "heavy shock" for his wife, who Kamrul always looked up to.

"When he was a child he was so good," he said. "If Suria told him to sit there he would sit there until she told him to move.

"In my life I never had someone like him, and we will carry for our whole lives his memory."

'He was a really good friend'

Kamrul's best friend was with him just minutes before he was killed on Monday morning.

Kamrul had visited Md Iftekhar Ahmed on his way home from work on Sunday night and left Mr Ahmed's Greenside Road home to get a kebab at 12.45am.

But when Mr Ahmed phoned Kamrul ten minutes later the police answered and told him his friend had been in an accident.

Mr Ahmed, also 23, met Kamrul a year ago when the student started working at Subway.

He said: "Our natures matched with each other and he was a really good friend. I have lost someone who was really next to me and really close to me."

Mr Ahmed said Kamrul liked to spend time with friends, talking or going bowling or to restaurants.

"He was a really, really good person," he said. "If you shouted at him he would never react. His smile was really nice. Once you have seen his smile you don't forget it."

Two arrested after fatal accident

Police investigating the hit and run have arrested a man and a woman.

The driver of the Lexus involved in the crash failed to stop at the scene and the vehicle was later found abandoned in St James's Road at the junction of Windmill Road.

A 24-year-old man handed himself in to police in Croydon on Tuesday morning and is in police custody.

A 23-year-old woman was arrested at an address in Croydon on Monday and was later bailed pending further investigation until early February.

Kamrul was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.45am. A post mortem and formal identification are due to take place at Croydon Mortuary today (Wednesday).

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Merton are investigating the collision and have appealed for information.

Anyone who can help is asked to call 020 8543 5157 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Motorcyclist killed in London Road crash was student hoping to give family a better life

Man charged with death by dangerous driving after motorcyclist killed in London Road crash

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A MAN has been charged with death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a motorcyclist was killed in an alleged hit and run on London Road.

Kamrul Hasan, 23, of Cameron Road, was killed when his Yamaha bike was struck by a black Lexus car in West Croydon at 1am on Monday (December 29).

Mohammed Asim, 24, of Fieldend Road, Streatham was charged on Tuesday (December 30) with causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop. He will appear in custody at Camberwell Magistrates' Court today (December 31).

A 23-year-old woman was arrested at an address in Croydon on Monday and was later bailed pending further investigation until early February.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Merton are investigating the collision and have appealed for information.

Anyone who can help is asked to call 020 8543 5157 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Man charged with death by dangerous driving after motorcyclist killed in London Road crash

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa to draw 1-1 priced at 6/1

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An excellent point for managerless Crystal Palace at Loftus Road last weekend with Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew, seemingly, on the verge of a return to Selhurst Park.

Keith Millen looks likely to be in charge of the Eagles, however, for the trip to Aston Villa on New Year's Day and must do without skipper Mile Jedinak who has departed for the Asian Cup a tournament that is not completed until the end of January.

Villa have only scored 11 goals in the first half of the 2014/15 season but are 11/8 to keep all three points on home soil with the draw 11/5 and Palace 12/5.

Villa striker Christian Benteke who scored the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture less than a month ago is 4/1 to score the opening goal against an Eagles' side who won only one of their last 13 PL games in 2014.

Whoever replaces Neil Warnock on a permanent basis knows the priority is for the Club to maintain its elite status in English football and they remain 6/4 to be relegated and ½ to still be playing PL football at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Villa must do without Fabian Delph following his red card against Sunderland and my recommendation would be the 11/8 for Palace (Draw no bet) at BetVictor.

Palace have exactly the same amount of points (16 from 19 games) than they had this time last year when they ended the campaign in 11th place.

It might be asking a bit much for lightning to strike twice but I expect the Eagles to pick up at least a point at Villa Park against a side who scored the fewest goals (32) of those who were ever-present in the PL in 2014.

Palace to score the only goal of the game is 17/2 and to win to nil is 22/5. It would be a surprise to see too many goals at Villa Park (two or fewer is priced at 8/13) and the most popular bet we have laid in the opening salvos at BetVictor has been the 6/1 for the game to finish 1-1.

Palace visit Conference high-flyers Dover in the FA Cup on Sunday. Will Eagles' fans have a new manager in situ by the weekend? Three points against Villa would certainly help the cause in the battle for Premier League survival.

For all your latest odds, head to Bet Victor's website.

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa to draw 1-1 priced at 6/1

Former Hammer sticks the boot into Alan Pardew ahead of Palace move

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FORMER midfielder Don Hutchison says Alan Pardew was difficult to work for during his time at West Ham.

Hutchinson told talkSPORT on Wednesday morning that many of the senior players at the Hammers didn't get on with Pardew.

However, he admitted Pardew is an excellent coach as he looks set to take the Crystal Palace job.

"Alan Pardew comes out and says he hasn't got an ego and he's not big time – he is, absolutely," Hutchison told the radio show.

"That's the sort of make-up that makes him a decent manager. I played under him at West Ham and he rubbed three or four of the senior pro's up the wrong way.

"Some of us didn't really get on with Alan but we got on with it, he threw us out into the reserves - and after three or four months when he's realised his young signings weren't cutting the grade in the Premier League, he had to come back to us.

"He was lucky he had good pro's, because we played for him - but he wasn't my cup of tea.

"My thing with Alan is purely personal, and I won't go into it on the radio, but what I will say about him is that when he puts a tracksuit on and he coaches, he is actually a very, very good coach. 

"Some of his sessions were absolutely outstanding. He's just not a good man-manager and I think for me, especially in the Premier League and in the modern day, you have got to have that in your locker."

Former Hammer sticks the boot into Alan Pardew ahead of Palace move

Croydon review of the year - August

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UPHEAVAL at Selhurst Park dominated the headlines in August, along with heartwarming tales of a local hero and an incredible, one-in-a-million event at Croydon University Hospital...

CRYSTAL Palace were thrown into turmoil just two days before the start of the Premier League season when manager Tony Pulis left the club.

Pulis had guided Palace to 11th place last season after an incredible run in the second half of the campaign.

But a breakdown in his relationship with chairman Steve Parish led to a parting of the ways less than 48 hours before the Eagles' opening day fixture against Arsenal.

Keith Millen took temporary charge before, at the end of the month, Neil Warnock was surprisingly named as manager for

his second spell in SE25. The 'Back to the Future' theme continued as Wilfried Zaha then returned to the club after an unhappy spell at Man United.

On Warnock, goalkeeper Julian Speroni said at the time: "I am delighted he's back, I'm really, really pleased. I didn't think I was going to work with Neil again and when I heard the news, I thought 'wow'."

The wow factor didn't last long – a poor run of results saw Warnock sacked at the end of December, with Palace in the relegation zone.

THE Advertiser reported on August 22 how two families celebrated their own little miracles at Croydon University Hospital when two sets of triplets were born just 24 hours apart.

The incredibly rare coincidence left staff, who had "never seen anything like it" at the hospital, amazed as only around 200 sets of triplets are born across the UK each year. First-time parents Kevin and Farahnaz Field beat odds of 8,000 to one when they discovered they were having natural triplets.

Their non-identical girls, Shanaya, Zahra and Katrina, were born by a scheduled caesarean before, exactly 24 hours later, Manda (crct) and Ken Johnston, from South Croydon, had three new arrivals of their own – Toby, Luke and Elliott – to celebrate. Both dads insisted they were doing their bit with the nappy changes.

"When you've got three there's no way that you can get away with it. It needs more than one pair of hands to change them, sometimes even two pairs isn't enough," said Kevin.

A YOUNG father died after being stabbed in broad daylight during a fight on a Croydon estate. Adrian Young, 24, was attacked in Cromwell Road shortly before 4.30pm on August 26.

Paramedics fought to save his life by the roadside before rushing him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Jordan Glasgow, 26, was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty at a court hearing in November. He is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey in April.

SNAKE stories proved to be a bit like London buses at the start of August. First, we reported how seven-year-old Mia Chambers' pet corn snake turned up in a neighbour's garden – 18 months after it went missing.

Mia and her mum Anita John, of Normanston Road, South Croydon, had given up all hope of finding Corny. But Anita then saw a post about a snake discovery on Facebook – and it turned out the slippery customer was only across the road.

"It must have hibernated through the winter, but it was digesting a little mouse it had managed to catch," said Anita, who sold was left to curse her decision to sell its tank for £10 on eBay just days before.

Then, In other snake news, there was the tale of the serpent which poked out of a Sanderstead pensioner's toilet bowl. It turned out The reptile which gave Mary Curtis a fright belonged to her neighbour upstairs, who lost it four months ago. "This head, with the forked tongue, just poked out the toilet bowl, it freaked us all out," said fellow neighbour Michael Eva.

ONE minute Dennis Wootley was relaxing in his garden with a crossword – the next minute he saw his neighbour was on fire.

Without so much as stopping to think, our local hero hurdled the fence, ripped the burning top from her back and rushed to called the emergency services, who were on the scene within minutes.

Lorraine Quartey, 40, needed skin grafts to both of her arms, but without Dennis's heroic intervention it could have been much worse. "I'm so thankful to him. I wouldn't have known what to do, he probably saved my life," she said after the accident suffered at home in Broad Green while cooking the family dinner.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

"To this day, one of the things that makes my blood go cold is if someone treads on a stick. That snapping sound – he must have stood on a twig and it snapped – and then the next thing I knew his arm was around me." 

Gill Smith spoke to the Advertiser about how she was raped and attacked, aged 9, in woodland in Coulsdon in 1972. Her attacker has never been caught

"I thought 'how the hell did it get in there?'" 

Michael Eva's understandable reaction to seeing a snake poking its head out of his neighbour's toilet in Sanderstead

"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, I've been here for two weeks." 

Palace defender Brede Hangeland on the departure on Tony Pulis – the man who'd just signed him

"I didn't think I trained that badly yesterday!" 

Defender Martin Kelly, signed the day before Pulis' departure, sees the funny side

"I'm getting locks on my bedroom door, and definitely soundproofing it all." 

Hannah Darke, 16, on welcoming three little brothers – triplets Luke, Toby, and Elliot – into her family

Croydon review of the year - August


Former Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor sacked by Gillingham

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FORMER Crystal Palace player and manager Peter Taylor has been sacked by League One Gillingham.

The Kent club today announced on the club website that Taylor, 61, had been "relieved of his duties with immediate effect".

Taylor, who was in his second spell at the club, had overseen a poor run which has left Gillingham perilously close to the relegation zone.

The former England Under 21 boss managed Palace between 2006 and 2007.

Former Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor sacked by Gillingham

Croydon has 4,000 tonnes of salt ready for the big freeze

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GRITTING lorries were out in force at the beginning of the week as the borough experienced its first real cold snap of the winter.

Roads and pavements were covered with morning frost as overnight temperatures dipped below freezing between Christmas and the New Year.

No heavy snowfall has yet hit Croydon but the council's cabinet member for transport and environment, Councillor Kathy Bee, said she was confident the authority was ready to deal with any bad weather.

This week, six gritting lorries were out on Sunday and Monday nights, covering around 240km of roads each night. The operation was part of a winter service programme approved by the cabinet in October which will use salt to pre-treat roads to help prevent the formation of ice.

The plan also identifies priority areas for salting operations including main traffic and bus routes, approaches to transport interchanges, roads leading to hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, and other hazardous routes such as steep gradients.

Cllr Bee said there had been extremes of weather in the last few years and it was impossible to say whether every extreme could be coped with. But she added: "We have the grit in place and we can bring in more if it needed. I am sure that we are ready for a standard winter."

The council has almost 600 roadside salt bins spread across the borough, situated mainly near hilly roads and junctions.

Salt from these bins can be used by residents to treat ice and snow on the roads and pavements in their immediate locality.

The council has more than 4,000 tonnes of salt ready to deal with any further deterioration in the weather. There is also a contract in place with its supplier guaranteeing that a further 10,000 tonnes will be kept in reserve for exclusive use in Croydon and two neighbouring boroughs – Bexley and Bromley.

Fieldway councillor Simon Hall has called for particular attention to be paid to New Addington as it has been cut off from the rest of Croydon in previous winters, as the main access road, Lodge Lane, has become gridlocked.

He told the Advertiser: "New Addington is known as Little Siberia because it is generally two degrees colder up here than in the centre of Croydon. Because there is only one road in and out it is absolutely critical that, in terms of preventative gritting and clearing any ice and snow, New Addington is seen as a priority."

Cllr Hall plans to ask Transport for London to run trams through the night around the clock to stop the rails from freezing, thereby helping and from the estate, to keep a link open with between New Addington and the rest of Croydon if the weather gets worse.

Croydon has 4,000 tonnes of salt ready for the big freeze

Is Peter Taylor in line to be Pardew's assistant at Crystal Palace?

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Could Peter Taylor be in line for a shock return to Crystal Palace?

The 61-year-old, who played for Palace in the 1970s before returning for an ill-fated spell as manager in 2006, was sacked as Gillingham boss this morning.

However, in 2011, he turned down the chance to be Pardew's assistant manager at Newcastle, and with Pardew set to take over at Selhurst Park, is the path finally clear for Taylor to link up with Palace's 1990 FA Cup hero?

Is Peter Taylor in line to be Pardew's assistant at Crystal Palace?

UPDATED: Elderly woman dies in South Croydon flat fire

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AN ELDERLY woman has died in a fire at a block of flats in South Croydon.

Firefighters found the woman while tackling flames in a flat in Oakfield Court in Pampisford Road, South Croydon, at 10.18am today (December 31).

Crews wearing breathing apparatus escorted a woman to safety from a different flat in the block who was treated at the scene for shock by paramedics from London Ambulance Service.

Andrew Williams, 48, has lived in Oakfield Court, opposite St Giles School, for 17 years and was home when neighbours became aware of the blaze. He said residents were able to stay in their flats but were ready to leave if they needed to.

"We saw black smoke coming out of the vent of the flat," said Mr Williams. "We called for the fire brigade; they were here within minutes.

"All the residents are shocked. It was traumatic, everyone heard the alarm going off and smelt the smoke.

"The fire brigade were superb with how they dealt with it. The residents were all very impressed with the response of the emergency services, they were sensational."

It took crews from four fire engines from Croydon, Purley, Woodside and Wallington stations an hour to bring the flames under control.

Police also went to the incident, which a spokeswoman said is not believed to be suspicious.

She added the woman's next of kin have not yet been informed of her death and enquiries are ongoing.

Half of a flat on the second floor was damaged. London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

UPDATED: Elderly woman dies in South Croydon flat fire

THE ADVERTISER SAYS: Alan Pardew 'gets' Crystal Palace, which makes him the perfect appointment

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ANYTIME now, it is likely that Alan Pardew will be named the new manager of Crystal Palace. Let's get it right – this is a very, very good appointment.

There are some reservations about the former West Ham and Charlton boss – head-butting opposition players is hardly a feather in his cap for one – and Newcastle fans seem glad to see the back of him.

But Pardew is an experienced campaigner with a decent track record at Premier League level.

Perhaps more importantly, having played for the club during arguably its most successful ever era, he 'gets' Crystal Palace FC.

Pardew will have an affinity with the supporters and the club as a whole – he understands Crystal Palace and what it stands for.

At Newcastle he was a fish out of water but here he can be King Cnut, ruling the waves and running the show.

Steve Parish and the Palace hierarchy should also be applauded (assuming the deal is tied up smoothly) for acting so quickly and decisively.

Their previous managerial appointments have taken a little longer than is ideal but, on this occasion, they've identified their man and got him tied up quickly, even if it did cost a couple of million quid in the process.

In hindsight, decent man though he is, the appointment Neil Warnock was clearly an error but Palace have admitted their mistake and are trying to fix it before it is too late.

On many levels – romantic and practical – this appointment makes sense.

THE ADVERTISER SAYS: Alan Pardew 'gets' Crystal Palace, which makes him the perfect appointment

Tony Pulis set to take charge of West Brom

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REPORTS suggest former Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis is on the verge of agreeing a deal to take over at struggling West Brom.

The Welshman, who has been out of work since leaving Palace two days before the start of the season, is expected to attend the Baggies match at West Ham on New Year's Day.

it is understood he has agreed a two and a half year deal to succeed Alan Irvine, who was sacked on Monday.

West Brom lie 17th in the Premier League table - two places and one point above Palace.

If Pulis does take the reins at The Hawthorns he'll be set for a return to Selhurst Park on April 18, when Palace are due to entertain West Brom in what could be a crucial game.

Tony Pulis set to take charge of West Brom

Croydon review of the year - September

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AN EXTRAORDINARY story which made national news led the headlines in September...

IN ONE of the most shocking stories of 2014, the Advertiser exclusively revealed that apparent "exorcisms" of children were taking place in the early hours of the morning on a South Norwood street corner.

We witnessed a group of eight people congregating in the early hours on successive days and chanting in a group around a toddler behind South Norwood Leisure Centre.

They were heard to say "release your spirit" and "get the demon out" while the child stood in the middle of the group.

After we alerted the police, officers attended the scene the following day to warn those involved of the potential impact their activities could have on the area.

However, legal experts told the Advertiser the group were not breaking the law.

FORMER council leader Mike Fisher resigned as Conservative opposition leader after it emerged he had secretly accepted a £10,000 pay increase in his final year in charge.

Cllr Fisher took the rise at a time when cuts, including the £60,000 axing of several school crossing patrols, were being made following a reduction in Government funding.

His successor, Labour's Tony Newman, suggested the acceptance of a 18 per cent rise was "an act of hypocrisy and betrayal" but his predecessor was initially defiant and refused to stand down.

However, as the storm around him grew and his former cabinet colleagues refused to publicly back him, Cllr Fisher did eventually step aside, saying that he hoped "people will forgive me for my lapse in judgement".

Tim Pollard, one of Cllr Fisher's deputies, took over as Tory leader.

THE people of South Norwood opted against becoming part of Scotland – but instead voted for their own independence.

A grand total of 268 votes were cast in an unofficial referendum staged by the South Norwood Tourist Board (SNTB), a week before the serious business kicked off north of the border.

The residents of SE25 backed the forming of its own state, with 143 voting for the area to become the People's Republic of South Norwood.

The movement's leader, Paul Fearon, declared September 12 a public holiday in the new "state".

A SCHOOLBOY who survived life-saving surgery became the face of a charity's national advertising campaign.

Ten-year-old Dan Harris, from Purley, spearheaded the British Heart Foundation's Bag It Beat It campaign, appearing on a YouTube video and other promotional material to encourage more people to donate goods to its charity shops. Only a year previously, Dan underwent major open-heart surgery to potentially save his life. The video depicted the Margaret Roper school pupil showing off his scar in "super boy" style, as an inspirational show of the BHF's vital work.

HUNDREDS of children did not return to school as building work delayed the start of the new term.

Four schools in Croydon were unable to open as planned because new buildings were not ready.

Work took place at 17 schools in the summer as part of efforts to meet demand for places, but up to 1,500 pupils were unable to go to school on time as a result of the delays.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

"Nothing has gone to his head, his feet are still on the ground. He is still the same boy, he is just more lovely." 

Ray Harris on his son Dan, who survived open-heart surgery to front a major advertising campaign for the British Heart Foundation

"I do not want this mistake to damage my reputation and the reputation of the Conservative Party, which I have been proud to represent for over 20 years." 

Cllr Mike Fisher resigned as Tory leader after he admitted giving himself a 'secret' pay rise while running the council

"Some people don't understand because they think it's just a cat, but it's not. She was a member of the family." 

Alison Moss, from New Addington, was devastated after her pet cat was found beheaded in a neighbour's garden

"I've got the waxing down to a fine art – only about 15 minutes each day – involving a combination of Vaseline and beeswax, one of which has a gorgeous melted marshmallow smell." 

James Dyer, a call centre operator for Allianz Global Assistance, on owning (and looking after) 'Britain's second best moustache'

Croydon review of the year - September


Palace striker could face Dover Athletic but not Aston Villa

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CRYSTAL Palace striker Glenn Murray has return to the club following his loan spell at Reading.

However, he will not be available for the New Year's Day clash at Aston Villa.

It has been confirmed to the Advertiser that Murray can play against Dover Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday onwards, if selected.

The transfer window, which opens on Saturday, will close at 11pm on Monday, February 2, before clubs submit their 25-man squad list to the Premier League.

Murray could make another loan move, or even a permanent one elsewhere should the Eagles decide he's not in their plans for the rest of the season.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Palace striker could face Dover Athletic but not Aston Villa

Croydon review of the year - October

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A HOLLYWOOD A-lister brought some star quality to Croydon town centre in October, a month where the plght of a gravely ill young father led to heated scenes at Croydon University Hospital...

FAMILY and friends of a man on life support at Croydon University Hospital led a heated demonstration outside the hospital protesting about his care.

More than 100 people held up placards and chanted demands for change after Marcus Campbell's family was told by doctors they would not resuscitate him if his heart stopped.

The 22-year-old from Thornton Heath was in intensive care after being diagnosed with a rare brain inflammation. The family say they were told by medical staff he was "dying" and nothing further could be done for him.

Members of family were also banned from seeing their sick relative by the hospital.

The emotionally charged demonstration was inspired by a Twitter-led campaign called #PleasesaveMarcus, which also included a petition since signed by nearly 60,000 people.

Led by Marcus' mother Sandra Campbell, the crowd shouted "Mayday murderers", in reference to the hospital's former name, "Stop NHS injustice" and "Do it for his kids".

Tonicka, Marcus's 21-year-old sister, told the Advertiser: "The main thing for us was for our voices to be heard. We're standing up for justice so they understand what they're doing is wrong."

ONE story this month permitted us to run the headline – "Kevin Costner loved my shop".

The Hollywood A-lister was among several big names in town in October, shooting a new film at locations including Croydon College and High Street Radio, a long-standing family-run store owned by Paul Roach.

And Mr Roach received a glowing endorsement from the Dances With Wolves and Bodyguard star, who told him he "loved the shop".

Costner, who is starring alongside other household names including Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman and Ryan Reynolds, was pictured outside the store wearing sunglasses, jeans and a green coat.

Mr Roach, who runs the business with his father Reg, said: "A location manager approached us and said he thought our shop would be ideal for a scene in the movie. It was a bit bizarre, to be honest. I thought someone was having a laugh. It has been pretty surreal ever since we agreed to do it."

A PAIR of lovers were found guilty of murdering a man they savagely beat and left naked in a skip.

Fiona Nalty, 25, of Fairdene Road, Coulsdon, and Arry James Green, 22, of Dinsdale Gardens, South Norwood, were both jailed for life after being convicted at The Old Bailey of murdering Michael Hunt.

Mr Hunt, 37, originally from County Waterford in Ireland, was found in a skip off Station Road in South Norwood on March 15.

The father of three, known as "Irish Mick", was taken to hospital with multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, but died later the same day.

THE case against a vicar and six others accused of involvement in a "sham marriage" ring collapsed, amid allegations of Home Office corruption.

The Reverend Nathan Ntege was accused of carrying out a "conveyor belt" of bogus weddings at the Church of St Jude's and St Aidan's in Thornton Heath so illegal immigrants could remain in this country.

But on the trial's 31st day, Judge Nic Madge at Inner London Crown Court threw out the case, citing "serious misconduct" on the part of investigating immigration

officers, who were said to have tampered with evidence and lied under oath.

A FORMER school caretaker died after being hit by a lorry in Croydon town centre.

Maurice Baxter, 80, was struck by the articulated vehicle in Wellesley Road on his way home from an afternoon out with friends.

An active member of the community around his home in Longheath Gardens, Addiscombe, Maurice also spent 25 years as the caretaker at Ashburton Junior School.

His biggest passion in life was birds and he was kept company by a talkative parrot called Rocky Boy.

"Dad loved wildlife," said son Gordon. "He was always trying to get him [Rocky Boy] to say new phrases. He taught him to say things such as 'Gordon, come here you naughty boy', 'Rocky Boy, I want my dinner' and 'Cheeky boom boom'."

A NEW Addington head teacher declared war on spitting – but PARENTS, not her pupils, were the target of her ire.

Wolsey Infant and Nursery School, in King Henry's Drive, issued a carefully-worded missive to all parents on October 14, to ask them to stop spitting as it sets a bad example to children.

The note also asked parents to take their young children who don't attend the school to its visitors' bathroom rather than "using a discrete tree".

The letter, on paper headed with the name of head teacher Terry Cefai, told the spit-happy parents: "If you are 'caught short' the office would be more than happy to give you a tissue."

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

"Let's face it, to put it quite bluntly the investigation was a total balls-up." 

Church verger Brian Miller, after the case against him and six others accused of involvement in sham marriages collapsed, amid Home Office corruption allegations

"On a cheery note we often find that head lice are considerably less frequent in the winter; we don't know why but every blessing helps." 

Having told parents to stop spitting, Wolsey Infant School head teacher Terry Cefai ends her newsletter on an upbeat note

"They don't care, they're uncompassionate. They're very dismissive. They don't see the importance of why we're here." 

Tonicka Campbell was furious at Croydon University Hospital's treatment of her critically ill brother Marcus and their reaction to his family

"It's no wonder ordinary folk don't trust politicians any more." 

Labour councillor Pat Ryan, after Boris Johnson went back on a pledge to extend the Tramlink to Crystal Palace

"I've been telling him for years to go and see Simon Cowell." 

X Factor finalist, as he was at this point, Ben Haenow's famous Nonna Rita. How right she was...

Croydon review of the year - October

Friends' shock at death of John and Enya Maguire in Purley Way crash

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A TEENAGE girl and her father killed in a Boxing Day crash have been remembered by friends as kind, funny and always happy.

Enya Maguire, 15, from Kenley, and her dad John, 53, who lived in Streatham, were pronounced dead at the scene of the two-car crash, which happened on Friday at around 3pm at the junction of Purley Way and Imperial Way.

Enya, who went to The Norwood School, lived with her father at his Streatham High Road home before moving to Kenley when he and his wife separated.

Jane Dillon, 48, has been John's neighbour for seven years since moving to the area and her daughter, 16-year-old Amy Greenwell, was friends with Enya.

She said the community are in shock: "We're devastated. She was just a 15-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her. It's terrible, we can't get our heads around it.

"John was a lovely bloke, he was friendly and we often had a laugh with him. Most people around here had known them for a long time. It's going to be a big loss."

Amy and friends laid flowers in remembrance of Enya, and Ms Dillon said the pair used to like the "same things as most young ones", hanging out and listening to music.

"Enya was nice young girl, she was always happy," said Ms Dillon. "She was very fun, her friends are devastated."

A tribute site to the teenager, titled RIP Enya Maguire, has been set up on Facebook, with

many friends leaving heartfelt messages and memories of the schoolgirl.

Charley Louise wrote: "Rest in peace baby girl can't stop looking at your pictures and crying miss ya so much no one would ever understand."

Ms Dillon said Enya had a lot of friends but she didn't realise just how popular the teenager was until she saw the site.

She said Enya, who had nieces and nephews, was "very kind" and had wanted to be a social worker once she left school.

Fred Bebono, 66, another neighbour and old friend of John, said Enya loved music and knew "the ins and outs of all the popstars".

He said: "Enya was good as gold. She went to school every day, always smart. We always had a little chip and a laugh, me and Enya.

"I'd poke fun and call her the ugly duckling and she would take the mick out of me, which I didn't mind. I'm just gutted for her."

Mr Bebono said John, who was from Scotland, was a hard worker and had an ice cream van and a hot dog stall 20 years ago. But he said he has not worked recently and suffered from mental health issues.

"Me and John would have a laugh. We'd watch a bit of telly and when things were a bit rough he helped me out a few times. He had a heart," Mr Bebono said.

"I'm so cut up about his daughter, it broke my heart and a lot of people around here."

Friends' shock at death of John and Enya Maguire in Purley Way crash

Croydon review of the year - November

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OUR look back at 2014 in Croydon continues with a review of the main headlines in November...

THIS was the month of the great Croydon Council playing fields hokey cokey.

A report put before the council's cabinet initially stated that housing could be built on those school playing fields which were considered to be "excessive".

Simon Hall, cabinet member for finance, said schools found to have "surplus" space would be approached with a view to the land being used for affordable homes or council services.

But, by the end of the month, the council had performed an apparent U-turn, with leader Tony Newman stating no playing fields would be built on – plus a good old-fashioned spot of political spin to suggest it was never on the cards in the first place of course.

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher, who attended Trinity School, was among those to condemn the idea.

He told the Advertiser: "I appreciate housing is at a premium, but I think [developing on playing fields] is a very dangerous idea because you remove places for kids to be able to get out and run around.

A RETIRED firefighter was charged with beating his adopted son to death.

The body of dad-of-one Shaun McSweeny, 24, was found in the back of a car near Deptford Wharf after officers responded to a call saying a man was trying to put a body in the River Thames.

Police said the former All Saints CofE Primary School and Croydon College student was killed in Thornton Heath. A post-mortem examination found he suffered a blunt force to the head.

Colin McSweeny, 58, of Parry Road, South Norwood, was charged with murder and remains in custody.

A 21-YEAR-OLD knife crime crusader was named on a list of the world's 100 most inspirational women.

Eliza Rebeiro, who runs Lives Not Knives (LNK) from Croydon, was featured on the BBC list along with the likes of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and comedienne Ruby Wax.

She started the charity in 2007 aged just 14 to give young people a support network after two of her friends were stabbed, one fatally.

ONE particular story this month showed Croydon at its very worst – and best.

On November 14, the Advertiser reported how a thief had stolen a Poppy Appeal tin from the counter at Danny's fish and chip shop, in Old Coulsdon, leading owner Danny Tevfik to brand the man responsible a "scumbag".

But, within a week, eight-year-old Millie Timmins roused her family and schoolfriends and raised £52.52, to replace the charity cash stolen.

Sister Izzie, 6, even chipped in, adding another 60p from her own pocket money.

Mr Tevfik, who has run the shop in Marlpit Lane for three years, said: "I was nearly in tears when she gave me the money. It was just unbelievable."

THE care worker brother of a schizophrenic woman who died in a house fire in South Norwood said the care system failed his sister.

Janet Ramsey, 63, was found dead in the back lounge of her house in Waverley Road on November 14.

Her brother Tony Ramsey – who fears his sister started the fire that killed her – said she had fallen into a deep depression coming to terms with family bereavements and had threatened to take her life on a number of occasions, including one failed attempt in early September.

But Ms Ramsey, who was placed at the Royal Bethlem Hospital, in Shirley, was allowed to return to the Waverley Road house alone, despite her brother's pleas not to let this happen.

Mr Ramsey said: "Where is the care in the care system? I know at the end of the day this comes down to resources and I understand that, but how can you put a price on a life? She should not have been at home on her own."

AT THE ripe old age of 79, Darth Vader, aka the Green Cross Code Man, aka actor Dave Prowse returned to our screens.

Mr Prowse, who lives in Addisconbe, reprised his famous Green Cross character of the 1970s for a new series of adverts.

In an interview with the Advertiser, he also took time to talk about his other great claim to fame – his part as that Star Wars character.

"Star Wars has taken over everything I've ever done," he said. "I still go to lots of conventions all over the world which are fantastic. I enjoyed working on episodes 4, 5 and 6 but I think they dropped a clanger with the last ones; they were cobblers."

PLANS were announced in November for a major summer festival to return to Croydon for the first time in five years.

Croydon Council is planning a four-day event over a weekend at the end of July or early August 2015.

Ambition, as it has since been called, will be held across various indoor and outdoor venues in the town centre, with a number of high-profile acts earmarked to headline the stages.

John Bownas, the council's festival manager, said the event would be a very different entity to the Croydon Summer Festival, which ended in 2010.

He said: "Hopefully it will be something that anybody coming to town that weekend can enjoy."

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

"It was quite upsetting everyone thought I wasn't used because of my accent. I could have done just as good a job, I wasn't going to say 'ooh arr lightsabre', but I have to live with that." 

Croydon-based actor Dave Prowse on the decision to use his body, but not West Country accent, in the Star Wars films

"What faith can I have? What else can go wrong? Will one of their attorneys be the first man on Earth to have a baby?" 

A frustrated Maggie Hughes after the Greek retrial of her son Rob's attackers was delayed for at least another year

"Luckily Shannen has been brought up quite broad-shouldered and to remember the whole 'sticks and stone won't break your bones' thing." 

Rachel Holdsworth was shocked to learn Dr Salma Uddin had dubbed her daughter Shannen"obnoxious" and "grossly obese" in a patient report

"At the moment, I'm still angry and I still want blood. I want them gripping the rails. I want to see them suffer for what they did to me and my family." 

Private investigator Jonathan Rees, who has twice been charged but not tried for the murder of Daniel Morgan in 1987, harbours plenty of anger towards those who falsely accused him

Croydon review of the year - November

Where in Croydon can I get my Christmas tree recycled?

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CHRISTMAS trees will be recycled by the council if residents drop them at designated recycling collection points in the new year.

Almost a million of the trees are thrown away each year in London alone, so the council will recycle real ones.

There are collections on two consecutive Sundays – January 4 and 11 – although residents are asked not to leave trees at any of the collection points after January 10.

TREE COLLECTION POINTS

Ashburton

Ashburton Park, access from Tenterden Road

Coulsdon

Lion Green Road car park

Coulsdon East

Grange Park, Canon's Hill

Fairfield

Oaks Road/Coombe Road car park

Heathfield

Addington Park car park, Gravel Hill

Kenley

Kenley Residents' Association, Oaks Road green

New Addington

Central Parade car park

New Addington Fisher's Farm reuse and recycling centre, North Downs Road

Norbury

Granville Gardens car park

Purley

Upper Woodcote Village RA, Woodcote Village green

Purley Oaks reuse and recycling centre, Brighton Road

Sanderstead

Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield Road

Selsdon

Selsdon Rec Ground, access from Woodlands Gardens

Shirley

Monks Orchard green

Shirley Park RA, Green Court Gardens green

South Norwood

Sainsbury's, Whitehorse Lane

Upper Norwood

Secret Garden, Westow Street

Waddon

Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way

Waddon Factory Lane refuse and recycling centre, Factory Lane

Waddon Morrisons car park, Purley Way

Where in Croydon can I get my Christmas tree recycled?

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