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What's going on here? Solve this mys-tree

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PEOPLE may well wonder what a 10ft-tall fake tree adorned with a face and 100 international flags has to do with Croydon.

The answer is that it was one of a number of Croydon entries in the London New Year's Day parade, which together highlighted the theme "We Are Croydon: Going Places."

The tree represented the borough's greenness and the many cultures which call Croydon home.

Along with the other entries – which included iconic buildings such as the Clocktower, a couple of trams, and planes representing London's first international airport – helped Croydon gain a runner up place and a £2,000 award towards the Mayor of Croydon's charities, Age UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

A total of 40 people took part sporting costumes designed and built by Brit School students, young members of Aspara Arts – a Croydon-based arts and heritage organisation – and local charity Sangeetha of the UK.

They were among 8,500 performers who had travelled to London from across the world to take part in parade which wound its ways from the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly to Parliament Square.

The mayor, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, said: "Croydon participants, including the volunteers, talented artists and the community, did a great job." in displaying and celebrating Croydon on the move."

What's going on here? Solve this mys-tree


TRANSFER TALK: Jermain Defoe to Crystal Palace rumours gather pace

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Jermain Defoe could become Alan Pardew's first signing as Crystal Palace boss.

The diminutive forward has returned to England this morning and former club Tottenham Hotspur confirmed that he would be training with them during the MLS break.

He is seeking a return to the Premier League with a number of clubs interested in his signature.

And the rumours suggesting he could make the move to Selhurst Park have gathered pace this morning with the bookmakers reducing his odds to 6/4 to become Pardew's first signing of the January transfer window.

Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers are also thought to be interested.

TRANSFER TALK: Jermain Defoe to Crystal Palace rumours gather pace

FAN VIEW: Why Crystal Palace coach Keith Millen is the club's unsung hero

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COLUMNIST Alex White pays a special tribute to Crystal Palace's perennial caretaker boss...

I would like to take a moment to pay a huge amount of respect to, yet again, the unsung hero that is Keith Millen. 

Much like his last two brief tenures in charge of Palace he brought back organisation and discipline. The two games against QPR and Aston Villa were hardly the most exciting and I accept we didn't play the most expansive football but Millen performed everything that was expected of him. 

Millen's remit was to steady the ship and stop the rot, and that is exactly what he did. I was delighted to see us play to our strengths again; every player was well drilled and knew their jobs and as a result of that, the players grew in confidence and started to believe they could achieve what they did last season. 

Much like prior to the Tony Pulis appointment, Millen has built a neutral platform for Alan Pardew to build on and has made his task a hell of a lot easier. I can't speak more highly of Keith, he is a great guy and he loves Palace. What a great servant to this club.

Super Al's first week in charge of Palace is well under way and I am sure he will be impressed with what he saw at Dover. Granted we should be beating semi-pro sides with ease but in the beauty of the FA Cup, it would have been easy to overlook the Conference side.

I was particularly impressed with how quickly we started. Under the previous regime it was becoming a bit of a habit to be sloppy from the off. Regardless of the opposition, it is key to start quickly in any game and no more important than this game. If you start slowly against teams like this they build confidence and that is when the potential banana skins become a reality.

It is always pleasing to score four goals against anyone and it can only have a good affect. I was very impressed with how professional we were in almost a 'no-win' fixture.

If we could make a quick start in our next game against Spurs we could well be looking at three points. I spoke of how average the Spurs side was prior to our game at White Heart Lane. 

Back in December we all witnessed it first hand. We dominated the game but failed to hit the back of the net for a change! If we can pile on the pressure early and get ahead I am confident enough in our defensive qualities to hold out. 

I can't wait to see the response Pardew will get when he returns home and walks out of that tunnel. I, like most Palace fans, are excited to go and watch their side once again.

FAN VIEW: Why Crystal Palace coach Keith Millen is the club's unsung hero

Waitrose to open new Coulsdon depot in March

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SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose's new online grocery depot in Coulsdon will open on March 3, the supermarket has announced.

The new 80,000 sq ft centre in Ullswater Crescent will employ up to 450 people by January 2016 to help fulfil internet orders placed online throughout London.

It is the firm's second online grocery depot and bosses have previously stated that it is "designed to meet soaring demand for the service".

Waitrose to open new Coulsdon depot in March

Crystal Palace have fantastic fans, says long-standing Dover supporter

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A DOVER Athletic supporter who lives in Croydon has praised the Crystal Palace fans for their support and behaviour towards the opposition before, during and after last weekend's FA Cup tie.

Paul Hamilton, from Shirley, wrote to the Advertiser in the wake of Palace's 4-0 win, to state how impressed he was with the Palace faithful.

He wrote; "I am a lifelong Dover supporter who has lived in Croydon for the last 25 years.

"I follow Dover home and away as much as I can and I was at the FA Cup game on Sunday and I would like to say thank you to the Palace fans for their behaviour and respect for our town on Saturday night.

"I met some lovely Palace supporters and drank with them and after the game on Sunday. It was pleasure to have a Premier League club respect a non league club and enjoy the occasion with us. Thanks Palace supporters."

Crystal Palace have fantastic fans, says long-standing Dover supporter

Croydon strippers donate punters' coats and food to the homeless

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STRIPPERS from a Croydon town centre club have repeated their Christmas appeal in aid of the homeless.

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, in Crown Hill, has once again cleared its cloakroom of all the jackets left by men inebriated or otherwise, and handed them over to Croydon Nightwatch, who will dispense them to those facing freezing temperatures this winter.

The team also clubbed together to collect piles of food to give to food banks in Croydon town centre.

Uthania Jackson, club manager, said: "We believe that sharing is caring and hopefully the donations of food we put together just make someone smile at least once on Christmas day."

Croydon strippers donate punters' coats and food to the homeless

I've spoken to Jason Puncheon about his inappropriate behaviour, says Crystal Palace boss

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew has confirmed reports in the national press that winger Jason Puncheon was involved in a war of words with football fans.

It was reported that Puncheon was drunk and responded to taunts towards him at the final of the World Darts Championship on Sunday night.

And Pardew confirmed those reports at his first press conference this afternoon, admitting he's spoken to the Croydon-born man about his conduct.

"We've had an incident this week with Jason," said the manager.

"His behaviour was inappropriate and I've told him that."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

I've spoken to Jason Puncheon about his inappropriate behaviour, says Crystal Palace boss

Pardew: Finishing a place above dropzone enough to continue building Palace

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ALAN Pardew has admitted that he'd be satisfied with finishing one place above the relegation zone this year.

After witnessing what Tony Pulis did at the club last season, the task of following his work will be tough, with the 40-point barrier still the aim to achieve safety.

Pardew says the squad have a good feeling about climbing up the table but are under no illusions with how difficult it will be, with an in-form Tottenham side up next at Selhurst Park.

The boss hopes to add "one or two" new faces to freshen up and boost their survival chances, and improving the home form is vital.

"I think we have a tough challenge and we find ourselves in the top three at the moment," said Pardew.

"There are 18 games to go and the home form is not good so we need to make sure our home situation into a positive for us.

"In terms of the players I think they need a lift, hopefully by my arrival and maybe a signing or two could do that.

"And then I think hopefully we can go on a run that get us at least to safety.

"Realistically this year, even though there was a terrific ending under Tony Pulis last season, one place above relegation this time would be enough to build this club again with the finances which come with it.

"You have to legislate that 40 point is your mark every year and so therefore somewhere around that region we have to aim for.

"I think there is definitely a feeling among the players that they can do it and that's a good thing. You need that."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Pardew: Finishing a place above dropzone enough to continue building Palace


Palace boss tight-lipped on Swansea star and former England ace

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew says co-chairman Steve Parish has given him funding assurances to bring in new players this month.

A striker has been touted as the number one area to improve within the Eagles' squad, with Bafetimbi Gomis and Jermain Defoe strongly linked.

When asked about Gomis, Pardew didn't deny the link with the Swansea City striker, who has scored just one Premier League goal this season.

But the boss did say Parish is working hard in bringing in certain targets.

"I can't say anything about the financial side of the game," said Pardew.

"I think that is unfair to any club we're talking to. I think the chairman and the board are keen to try and bring a player or two in.

"I know they are working hard towards that.

"For us, we have to wait and see on that side. It's very complicated in the Premier League to secure a player, particularly a striker.

"I spoke to Steve Parish on my arrival here after the club initiated the transfer for me and that we're going to need some funding because we need some new players.

"He gave me the assurances he would do his very, very best to do that."

And when the Advertiser asked Pardew about the link with Defoe, with bookmakers reportedly suspending their betting on the 32-year-old joining Palace, the boss again was fairly tight-lipped.

"There isn't a striker out there I'm not interested in," he said.

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Palace boss tight-lipped on Swansea star and former England ace

Two men from Croydon jailed for 23 years for stabbing property developer to death during Downham robbery

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THREE men who stabbed a property developer to death while trying to rob him of drugs have been jailed for a total of 35 years.

Afyon Saint-Hilaire, 22, was ambushed and knifed in the leg in his car after arranging a meeting to sell £450 of skunk cannabis.

He managed to get back in his Mercedes and drive away before crashing into a parked car and collapsing from loss of blood near the scene in Downham, south London.

Shyheim Green, 20, from South Croydon, Lance Sloley, 23, from Thornton Heath and Jordache Smith-Challis, 20, of Brighton, were all convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob by an Old Bailey jury. They were cleared of murder.

Sloley and Green were both jailed for 12 years and Smith-Challis was jailed for 11 years for manslaughter.

Mr St Hilaire's cousin Mickyle Bromfield, 24, was convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and jailed for 10 years.

Sentencing Smith-Challis, Green and Sloley, Judge Gerald Gordon said: "In my judgement they [the jury] were satisfied that the three of you arranged what appeared to be a genuine drugs deal.

"At some stage [this] involved for the three of you a plan not just to deal drugs but to rob the deceased.

"While the precise timing of the start of the plan to rob is unclear, I am satisfied that it was not at the last minute nor on the spur of the moment.

"That would have firstly been far too dangerous.

"At least one of you took a knife to the scene, doubtless for the purpose of using it should that need arrive, in pursuance of the robbery in a way that risked harm as it was bound to.

"The other two knew of the presence of that knife, and knew it might be used in that way with the potential consequence.

"Bearing in mind the small value of the transaction it may be that the real motive for the three of you has still not been revealed.

"It matters not. Whatever the real motive you fall to be sentenced for what you planned.

"This was knife crime leading directly to the loss of yet another young life, with all the consequential devastation - in particular for his family, his parents, his siblings and his child.

"The crime or crimes were committed in pursuance of, at the very least, drug crime and robbery, and was committed by a group of you in a public street where ordinary, decent people were like to be and were indeed present.

"Those who use weapons such as knifes in pursuance of drug crime must expect very long sentences."

It remains unknown who carried out the stabbing.

Smith-Challis - who earned the nickname 'Gruesome' as an amateur boxer - admitted having a fight with Mr Saint-Hilaire on the night of his murder but insisted he had nothing to do with the stabbing.

He claimed the first he heard about the victim's death was on the news the next day.

Two other suspects, Marcus El-Alfy, 18, and Vishal Deowram, 18, were earlier cleared of all charges.

El-Alfy, of Riverside Court, Vincent Close, Bromley; Deowram, of Wharfedale Gardens, Thornton Heath, south London; Smith-Challis, of Bexhill Road, Brighton; Green, of Joshua Close, South Croydon and Sloley, of Broughton Road, Thornton Heath, all denied murder and conspiracy to rob.

Sloley and Green were both sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for manslaughter, and concurrent sentences of eight years for conspiracy to rob.

Smith-Challis was jailed for 11 years for manslaughter, with a concurrent sentence of seven years for conspiracy to rob.

Bromfield, of Field Lane, Brentford, Middlesex, denied possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and an alternative of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Two men from Croydon jailed for 23 years for stabbing property developer to death during Downham robbery

Croydon's Allen Taekwondo Academy has successful 2014

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THE year of 2014 was a very successful one for Allen Taekwondo Academy, based in Thornton Heath.

After Stephanie Allen stepped down from the GB Taekwondo Academy, she is now working twice as hard to maintain her A-Class level, with help from her father Master Richard Allen, who is a former Team GB Coach and currently an England Commonwealth Coach since 2006.

Stephanie trains every morning alongside her team-mates Feyi Pearce, Amin Badr, Jibreel Maleek, and at her first competition after the Academy, she lost in a sudden death to Canada in the semi-finals at the Commonwealth in Edinburgh.

Stephanie is working very hard to win more G1, G2, G3 and G4 competitions and more in 2015.

Meanwhile, Feyi Pearce, also of Allen Taekwondo Academy, has been juggling A-Level college work and Taekwondo trainings.

Feyi is now seven-time British Champion, winning both Senior and Junior level at various competitions.

He represented Team GB at the World Grand Prix in Manchester, reaching the top 16th position in the world.

And Feyo then went on to win medals in both Junior and Senior at the Commonwealth in Edinburgh, topping the year of spectacular achievements with ATA 2014 Student of the Year.

A number of of other students from Allen Taekwondo Academy have also been action.

Georgia Stanley won Gold at the Poomsae Nationals in Crawley and Silver at the Commonwealth in Edinburgh.

Neil Patel won medals at the G1 international competitions – Dutch and German Open; Silver at the Nationals in Manchester and Bronze at the Commonwealth in Edinburgh, while Daniel Oluwatoyin won Bronze at the Commonwealth in Edinburgh.

Dharnell Nugent, 11, became National Champion both in Poomsae and Fighting, and Darhys Nugent was given the BYA Sport Award.

The Academy's Poomsae team consisted of Winston Casaclang, Darhys and Dharnell Nugent, Georgia Stanley, Thu Hoang Nguyen. Donna Harrison Nguyen also included, and was selected for the GB Team after winning several Gold medals.

The Allen Taekwondo Academy does not only focus on Taekwondo. All students take the discipline they learn from training and apply it to all aspects of their lives, what is showing in their other achievements.

For example, Stephanie Allen and Piers Elliott are studying at Loughborough University, Neil Patel achieved 9A* and 4A's at GSCE, Rhianna Dorris was the youngest British Taekwondo black belt and now she is performing on the big theatre stage in Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The Academy want all of their students to achieve the best of their abilities and to go above and beyond the targets set for them.

Master Richard Allen and the Academy wouldn't be able train and teach the students without the fantastic support and help of the schools who facilitate their sessions.

A special mention goes to Susan Papas, the Head of Heavers Farm Primary School, Selsdon Primary School, Management at Kensington Avenue Primary School in Norbury, Jane Mines at Alleyn's Junior School in Dulwich and Claudine Payne at Studio 74 in Bromley, as well as the management at the Fusion Fitness Centre in Thornton Heath.

And of course, the Academy has to thank to parents, carers and student who the ATA sessions.

The Academy will now focus on looking to break boundaries further and work hard to have even more achievements to be proud of in 2015. 

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew salutes the Holmesdale Fanatics

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew says every club in the Premier League would like to have supporters like the Holmesdale Fanatics.

Pardew is all set for his first game in charge at Selhurst Park against Tottenham on Saturday.

And he hopes the Fanatics continue their fantastic support of the team and it helps Palace pick up victories, especially on home soil from now until the end of the season to achieve survival.

""You don't want to hit a team in red-hot form - and Tottenham are," said Pardew.

"You don't want that for your first home game. I'm hoping to put real belief in the team. 

"The new pitch may play a factor, we're not used to it and neither are they. All those factors I hope point to a win for us. 

"It is a special place for me as I played here and I think our Holmesdale Fanatics have made a statement in the Premier League that every Premier League club wishes they had.

"That little corner of the ground that doesn't stop singing and stays behind the team.

"I think it's important I serve up for them belief and for the rest of the season we're going to need it.

"The rest of the stadium follows suit and we have to try and create some pressure here and some momentum to get us victories.

"Sir Alex Ferguson told me the most important thing in the Premier League is momentum.

"At the moment we don't have that and we've got to go out there and get it."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew salutes the Holmesdale Fanatics

Budget supermarket Aldi holding recruitment day for jobs at its new Coulsdon store

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Aldi is holding a recruitment day today (January 9) as the budget retailer seeks staff for its new store in Coulsdon.

Those interested in a job at the new supermarket have been asked to bring their CV to the company's existing store in Addington Road, Selsdon, until 6pm.

Construction started on the new store, on the former site of the Red Lion, in the middle of Coulsdon town centre back in August. It is expected to open in March.

Budget supermarket Aldi holding recruitment day for jobs at its new Coulsdon store

Meet the New Addington woman with TWELVE dogs

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A CANINE-CRAZY woman from New Addington is so besotted with man's best friend that she lives with 12 DOGS.

Emma Morris, 26, rescued her first pet, Doodles, six years ago and her Pedigree Chum bill has only continued to soar since.

With the addition of three extra pooches in the last year, she now owns a dozen and may still continue to expand her dog dynasty.

She runs a thriving dog grooming business called Posh Pooch and has recently been nominated for the Kennel Club's Eukanuba Friends for Life competition at Crufts 2015 with six-year-old jackadoodle Doodles.

Emma now owns four jackadoodles, one Staff, three poodles, a Chinese crested dog, a Chihuahua, a Pomeranian and a shih tzu.

For more pictures of Emma's dogs, dressed up in various costumes, click here.

The former Ashburton pupil was severely bullied at school, causing her to self-harm and attempt to take her own life on a number of occasions.

She credits meeting Doodles with changing her outlook.

"Doodles has saved my life," Emma said.

"He's helped me try everything and have the confidence to meet new people again.

"Dogs are brilliant, they don't judge you, they don't call you names behind your back."

Emma lives with her partner Barry and although he may not share quite the same level of puppy love, he helps and is accepting of her doggy devotion.

She added: "He's not as crazy about the dogs but he spends a lot of time with them too.

"For me it is like having kids and meeting someone. If he doesn't like the dogs then we are not going to have a relationship.

"There is no point in getting to know a person if they can't handle the dogs."

Every morning before she goes to work, Emma has to get up extra early so she can take all her 'babies' for a walk. This takes up to two hours because Croydon Council does not allow one person to be in control of more than four dogs at a time.

"Bailey [the Staffie] needs by far the most walking," she said.

"I have to take him out quite a few times a day and he loves running about but the poodles and the shih tzu, you basically have to push them out of the door."

The dogs have even got their own bedroom upstairs where all of their clothes and outfits are kept in a wardrobe and five chests of drawers.

Emma added: "I do like to dress them up. People think I'm mad but I'm not, they are my babies.

"I think if you had kids, you would dress your kids up."

Meet the New Addington woman with TWELVE dogs

Family of Croydon toddler who made miracle recovery from leukaemia made homeless

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A TODDLER who made a miraculous recovery from leukaemia has been left without a home after a housing association placed his family in a 'void' property.

Three-year-old J'Ssiah Brown, from Kenley, was given a life-saving bone marrow donation by his six-year-old brother, Kyerell, last year after being diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia in June 2013.

Now J'Ssiah has no immune system and must live in a clean environment.

He also cannot stay long in public places.

J'Ssiah's doctors wrote to Croydon Council explaining this. Wandle Housing Association found his family a permanent home in September this year, ready for J'Ssiah's release from hospital in November.

But when J'Ssiah's mum, Jeanene Walters, went to the property she found it had no heating, no flooring, the plaster on the walls was crumbling and there were no fire alarms.

"They said we had to accept it or I would make myself intentionally homeless," she said. "I can't explain how I felt, I poured a bucket of bleach over the whole house."

Jeanene moved into the house with J'Ssiah, Kyerell and her six-year-old daughter Ashiya at the beginning of November.

But she said the house was so ramshackle that, on one occasion, when J'Ssiah was in hospital, she became locked in a bedroom for two-and-a-half hours after the door handle broke.

"A passerby saw me stuck in the room and went home and got tools for me and threw them up, so I could get out," said Jeanene. "Imagine if J'Ssiah had been locked in the room and needed medication and I couldn't get to him. It's disgusting."

Numerous workmen went to repair the house but Jeanene said the condition was so poor they refused to do anything.

And then a surveyor sent by Wandle to look at the property deemed it "void".

Jeanene said the family were told they would have to move out while the house was renovated.

But J'Ssiah's health means he cannot live in an hotel and the family stayed with Jeanene's mum, until she was unable to cope and they had to go to friends.

Jeanene and her children had stayed with two friends when the Advertiser spoke to her on Monday. They had to all sleep in one bed and she did not know where they would go that night.

"Wandle have found a property for two weeks from now but we haven't got two weeks. I'm homeless," she said.

"My whole life has been uprooted since we had to move out of that house. I have nowhere to rest my head, my children have nowhere.

"The amount of stress is ridiculous, I have to laugh otherwise I'd be having a nervous breakdown.

"I feel really low. I should have somewhere for my kids to go, especially with J'Ssiah's condition."

A spokesman for Croydon council said Wandle is now Jeanene's landlord, and the case is now its responsibility. He added: "The last thing we did before Wandle became Ms Walters' landlord was to make sure the property her family was moving into was suitable for their needs."

Wandle Housing Association also said the house met their quality standards and they have done everything they can to support Jeanene's family.

Wandle's statement: 

A Wandle spokesman said: "Since Ms Walters was allocated a Wandle home by Croydon Council in September 2014, we have done everything we possibly can to support the family and meet J'ssiah's health needs.

"Our then repairs contractor and a member of Wandle staff inspected the property prior to them moving in, and we are confident that it met our agreed quality standard.

"Sometime after the family moved in, we were able to bring forward the improvement works to the property and we prioritised Ms Walters' home for a new kitchen, bathroom and general modernisation. In order to carry out these works, whilst accommodating J'ssiah's health needs, Ms Walters and her family needed to move out temporarily. 

"We were assured that Ms Walters had made arrangements to stay with family during this period and we provided a package of financial and practical support totalling more than £1000 to help the family during this period.

"We only became aware of Ms Walters' change of circumstances on Monday morning. Since then we have worked tirelessly to find a more permanent solution for the family, and we will continue to do so."

Family of Croydon toddler who made miracle recovery from leukaemia made homeless


Jedinak on target as Australia start Asian Cup with victory

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CRYSTAL Palace skipper Mile Jedinak was on target to help Australia kick off their Asian Cup campaign with victory today (Friday). Jedinak netted the third goal from the penalty spot as the hosts came from behind to beat Kuwait 4-1 in the first game of the competition.

Jedinak on target as Australia start Asian Cup with victory

Nick Clegg slams radio caller 'Omar from Croydon' over Charlie Hebdo Paris attack comments

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DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg denounced a Croydon caller to his LBC radio phone-in who suggested that American foreign policy may be to blame for the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris.

A man, who identified himself as 'Omar from Croydon' agreed with Mr Clegg in denouncing the attack on Wednesday in which 12 cartoonists, journalists and police officers were shot dead.

However, he said said anger over the magazine's controversial cartoons was "the straw that broke the camel's back", and the focus on those cartoons was "superficial".

During the show on Thursday morning (January 8), the Liberal Democrat Leader said: "There can be no excuse, no reason, no explanation [for the killing]. They have killed cartoonists who have done nothing more than draw drawings."

He then criticised Omar, who had said:  "Why is the rest of the discussion not brought in? If they feel that America was complicit in torture globally, Iraq being invaded…"

Mr Clegg replied: "There is no link which can in any way seek to explain such a random, such a cruel, such a cowardly act as what we saw in Paris yesterday."

Watch video footage of the call below:

Nick Clegg slams radio caller 'Omar from Croydon' over Charlie Hebdo Paris attack comments

Transfer talk: Palace set to swoop for South Korean star

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CRYSTAL Palace are targeting a January move to sign Bolton Wanderers midfielder Lee Chung-yong, according to reports. The South Korean international, who is currently away in Australia for the Asian Cup, is expected to leave Bolton with his contract expiring in the summer. But reports suggest that Palace may look to swoop for the 26-year-old midfielder this month, with Bolton keen to recoup some money rather than let him leave for nothing.

Transfer talk: Palace set to swoop for South Korean star

Interview with Cavern Club owner Ray McFall - who has died aged 88 - by his granddaughter on legendary venue's 50th anniversary

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RAY McFall, who helped launch the careers of The Beatles as owner of Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club, has died aged 88. After being declared bankrupt in 1966, McFall closed the club and lived the rest of his life in and around Croydon. On the venue's 50th anniversary in January 2007, Sally McFall – Ray's granddaughter – interviewed him while on work experience at the Advertiser. Today we reprint that interview in his memory.

Ray McFall could tell the Beatles were something special the first time he met them.

As owner of the Cavern Club during its heyday from 1959 to 1966, Ray was responsible for booking some of the UK's brightest bands as the Mersey Beat phenomenon swept the country.

But the mop-topped band – then a five-piece – stood out when they made their Cavern debut.

Ray, 80, now lives in Hooley with wife Shirley.

He recalled: "The Beatles swept me off my feet. I had never actually heard them perform before we booked them at The Cavern.

"They had played at a town hall in Liverpool and it was a sell-out, so I thought they must be good.

"We booked them to perform the following day at The Cavern and we had a full house that night.

"They had to be regulars, because I would never have problems filling the place if they were there."

Before finding himself at the hub of the Liverpool music scene, Ray was a clerk at an accountancy firm. It was his number-crunching skills and a meeting with a client that eventually changed his life.

Dr Joe Sytner had asked Ray to work with his son, Alan, as he started up a new business - a jazz club – in Mathew Street, Liverpool.

Inspired by jazz "caves" in Paris, Alan wanted to create the same thing in Liverpool.

An empty factory basement was the closest he could find and, in January 1957, The Cavern was born.

Two years later, when Alan left Liverpool, his father asked Ray to run the club.

Ray said: "I was interested in listening to traditional jazz. But I could see that music was moving away from this and so I had to change the way The Cavern worked."

When Ray took over, The Cavern was open from Thursdays to Sundays, with jazz gigs.

Ray decided to scrap the less popular Thursday gigs and also opened the club at lunchtimes during the week. It was a masterstroke.

Mathew Street was in the heart of the business and shopping districts, so Ray took a chance and decided to put on a two-hour afternoon show from Monday to Friday.

Ray kept the weekend shows for jazz music, as this was still in demand.

However, the lunchtime shows became more popular with the young fans of skiffle and beat music which began to dominate the scene.

As this was a difficult slot to fill with local bands that had other jobs, Ray had to find professionals.

One group who played in the early lunchtime slot was The Quarrymen, led by John Lennon and later featuring Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

It was February 1961, after honing their live act during a gruelling tour of Hamburg nightclubs that Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe (who quit the band weeks later) and Pete Best (later replaced by Ringo Starr) made their debut at The Cavern as The Beatles.

Ray said: "They were your typical young, Scouse lads. They were not refined at all. The best way I can describe them is like rough diamonds. They were very talented – a bit rough around the edges, but they knew what they were doing.

"What impressed me most about them was how different they were from other bands.

"With The Beatles you got three lead singers, and from time-to-time Pete Best, and later Ringo Starr, would sing lead.

"It was refreshing to see their unique style. John and Paul were also itching to write their own music.

"I once spoke to John at The Cavern and asked him how many songs had he written. He just shrugged and said: 'I dunno, hundreds maybe!'

"Before long they were a success. They were clearly the best group in Merseyside at the time, if not the country."

With rising stars like The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers pulling in the punters, Liverpool became the centre of the British pop music scene and Ray's family were seeing the benefits of The Cavern's success.

Ray's wife Shirley, who worked at The Cavern snack bar while her children were at school, said: "I was one of the very few in Liverpool to have a proper washing machine. That's why I ended up washing shirts for Little Richard."

During their holidays, the children – Peter, Stephen, Susan, Valerie and Trisha – would go to the lunchtime shows and meet the bands after the shows.

Unfortunately for Ray, by 1963 The Beatles' chart success mean the band had outgrown The Cavern.

Without the Fab Four, attendance figures dropped, but Ray had already decided to extend the club and add a recording studio.

There was not enough capital to pay for everything and, by 1966, Ray decided to end his career at The Cavern and leave the music scene.

Ray, Shirley and the children moved down to Balham and stayed with Shirley's mother until their house was sold.

Ray worked in insurance and retail, and the family moved to a flat in Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, where their sixth child, Richard, was born.

A chance meeting with a member of a housing association led to the McFalls being the first family to move to new houses in Rutherwick Rise, Coulsdon.

Ray finally settled into an office furnishings business, Flexi-form, and worked there until he retired in 1999. He and Shirley, who have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, then moved to Hooley.

He said: "At first I didn't like to talk about The Cavern because it was a sore subject.

"But, after a while, when people asked me what I used to do, I said 'I owned The Cavern'.

"I worked with some amazing people and will never forget them." 

Interview with Cavern Club owner Ray McFall - who has died aged 88 - by his granddaughter on legendary venue's 50th anniversary

Premier League predictions: Can Palace halt Tottenham's good form?

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After the excitement of the FA Cup third round, it is back to the bread and butter this week as the Premier League returns. And Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew takes charge for the first time at Selhurst Park as the Eagles welcome in-form Tottenham to SE25. But can Palace spring a surprise and climb out of the bottom three? Our resident tipster, Bobby Dubz, gives his predictions for this weekend's matches. Sunderland v Liverpool (Saturday) Sunderland really do need to start turning draws into victories, after 11 draws in 20 Premier League fixtures. The Black Cats have only won three league games all season, but their 1-0 win against Leeds in the cup last week will have boosted confidence. And with Liverpool still not finding top form, despite the performances of MLS-bound Steven Gerrard, Sunderland will fancy their chances. I cannot see them keeping a clean sheet though and with their lack of goals, another point could well be on the cards. Prediction 1-1 Burnley v QPR This is a crucial game for both sides and if the form guide is anything to go by, it could be a good game. Burnley are much improved in recent weeks, but still find themselves in the bottom three, while QPR are just outside the relegation zone, albeit based on their home form alone. Harry Redknapp's men are still yet to pick up a point away from home this season, and Burnley will be confident after fighting back against Tottenham last week, while QPR will be looking for a reaction after their disappointing cup exit at the hands of League One side Sheffield United. Prediction 2-1 Chelsea v Newcastle Normal service was resumed for Chelsea last week as they brushed Watford aside, just three days after their 5-3 defeat at Tottenham. And Jose Mourinho's men will not want to stutter again against a Newcastle side that beat them last month in the north east. The Blues' home record is superb and with the Magpies dipping in form in recent weeks, this one has a home win written all over it. Prediction 3-0 Everton v Manchester City Some people have suggested that Everton's late equaliser against West Ham could be a turning point in their season. But the Toffees have been poor at the back this season and unless they can stop leaking goals, they will not get close to repeating their fine exploits of last season. And they will have their work cut out against Manchester City, even if they are missing a few key players. City have proved they have enough in the squad to deal with absentees and their good form should continue at Goodison Park. Prediction 1-3 Leicester City v Aston Villa This could well be a defining game for Leicester City. The Foxes have improved in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions. But they are still bottom of the league and simply have to win games like this if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Aston Villa are sitting 12th despite only scoring 11 goals so far this season in the league, but could be dragged back into trouble if they do not improve. Prediction 2-0 Swansea v West Ham It will be interesting to see how Swansea fare without Wilfried Bony. Regardless of whether or not his proposed move to Manchester City goes through, he is away at the African Cup of Nations this month. Swansea did not appear to struggle last weekend, putting six past Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup, but West Ham will be a different challenge. The Hammers have dipped a little over the Christmas period, but are still a force to be reckoned with and will provide a tough test for Garry Monk's men. Prediction 1-1 West Brom v Hull City Can Tony Pulis work his magic with West Brom like he did at Crystal Palace last season? Last weekend's 7-0 drubbing of Conference Premier side Gateshead was a good start, but it is league points that will be crucial in the Baggies' bid for survival. And Pulis will know that home form is key for his side, with games like this vital to the Baggies' hopes of avoiding the drop. Hull City are enduring a difficult season, but have won two of their last three games in the Premier League, and will hope to continue in that same vein to stay above the bottom three. Prediction 2-1 Crystal Palace v Tottenham Alan Pardew has a tough start at Crystal Palace, with in-form Tottenham the visitors to Selhurst Park. Spurs have been impressive on the road so far this season and have one of the country's top strikers on current form in Harry Kane. With Palace struggling for form at home, Mauricio Pochettino's men will be confident of spoiling the party at SE25, but there should be a good atmosphere and Palace were unlucky not to win at White Hart Lane last month. Prediction 1-1 Arsenal v Stoke City Arsenal may have lost at Stoke City at the beginning of December, but this should be a very different game at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are strong at home and should have enough to avenge that defeat at the Britannia, although they still need to improve defensively if they are to finish in the top four. Stoke, on the other hand, are on course for another mid-table finish, but Mark Hughes will want more consistency from his side as they bid for a place in the top ten. Prediction 2-1 Manchester United v Southampton Manchester United somehow managed to win the last game between these two sides in December, despite only having three shots in the whole game. Southampton were certainly the better side on the day, but paid the price for not taking their chances, and they need to learn from that. With United's injury problems in defence, Southampton will get chances and if they can take them, they are capable of taking something away from Old Trafford. Prediction 2-2

Premier League predictions: Can Palace halt Tottenham's good form?

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