CROYDON is in for a cold weekend, if the weather forecasters are to be believed.
The snow is expected to stay away but rain is forecast and temperatures are likely to hover around 3 or 4 degrees throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Snow had been forecast for the early hours of Friday but Croydon managed to escape the wintry showers seen in most of the rest of the UK.
A REVIEW of cycle safety at a junction in East Croydon where a cyclist was killed after his bike slipped on tram lines has been ordered, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Croydon Council and Transport for London (TfL) will review the safety of the cycle route at the junction of Cherry Orchard Road and Addiscombe Road where Roger de Klerk, 43, was hit by a bus on November 12, 2013.
At an inquest into his death last October, South London Coroner Selena Lynch asked Croydon Council to "urgently" look at cycle safety at the junction, and of routes where cycle lanes cross tram tracks more generally.
She said tramlines had the potential to be a "significant danger" to cyclists, particularly when wet, and criticised the "confusing" layout where Mr de Klerk had his accident.
In response to those concerns, revealed by the FOI by Austen Cooper, who runs Croydon Cycling campaign, Steve Iles, head of highways and parking at the council, wrote to Ms Lynch in December.
He said the council has asked TfL to review the Cherry Orchard Road junction and provide both short-term and long-term options to improve safety at the junction.
He said design proposals for the junction should be completely by April, with work due to be carried out in the 2015/16 financial year.
Mr Cooper said it was "sad that Croydon Council wait for people to die and coroners to complain before action is finally taken".
He said: "We need the council to adopt a Vision Zero policy, by which road deaths are not tolerated but actively managed out.
"In 2013, more people died on Croydon's roads than were murdered. We deserve better and we can't afford the body count."
In his letter, Mr Iles also said the council had discussed the possibility of installing third party devices which fill the gap in the rail.
But he wrote: "To date [we] have not found anything that is suitable for in street application and that do not have significant risk to the operation."
According to Mr Cooper, a product like Velostrail, which sits flush with the rails but allows the weight of a tram to pass over unhindered, could help.
He said: "We've been told at Croydon Council Cycle Forum of a product called Velostrail, which is said to make tram tracks safer for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, baby carriages, and inline skaters. As an added benefit it stops ice forming in the track grooves."
Mr Cooper said it was possible for trams to work safely alongside cyclists – as proved by cities such as Amsterdam.
"People cycle alongside or between the tram tracks in George Street and Church Street every day.
"What the coroner was concerned about was the danger at junctions like Cherry Orchard Road.
"There are other hotspots too, like cycling along Addiscombe Road, from East Croydon, just before Lebanon Road tram stop.
"Amsterdam is renowned for its trams and cycling – if the Dutch can crack it, so can we.
"Croydon has a lot of potential to become a great place to cycle. For that to happen, we need Croydon politicians, planners and people to realise that cycling is a form of everyday transport for men, women and children of all abilities."
THE Croydon Heritage Festival is returning for 2015, bringing a range of events and attractions to celebrate the borough's rich history.
Once again the festival, running this year from June 20-28, is being organised by 400-year-old charity The Whitgift Foundation.
The theme of this year's festival will be 'Famous Croydon', highlighting the town's links to many iconic faces and events, while also celebrating local rising stars of the future.
Croydon has a wealth of famous connections, many of which have been forgotten over time.
The town is home of the Brit School, which produced the likes of international superstars Amy Winehouse and Adele; a location for the hit Hollywood blockbuster The Da Vinci Code; the birthplace of the much loved literary imps The Flower Fairies, and the home of the UK's first airport, regularly frequented by Marilyn Monroe.
These stories and icons will be brought to life by the festival programme, which will follow three key strands – Famous Croydon of the past, present and future.
Working with the older generation to uncover fascinating local stories from the past, the festival will explore Croydon's heritage links to famous people and events from years gone by.
The third Croydon Heritage Festival will get under way on Saturday, June 20, with Heritage Day 2015 taking place in North End.
Other highlights of the week will include a newly launched walking trail, inviting people to visit local landmarks and famous spots, following a specially produced map to help them find their way.
Young stars of the future will be invited to use their artistic talents to illustrate how they see their Croydon of the future, with opportunities to exhibit work throughout the festival or perform as part of Heritage Day.
Last year's festival was a huge success, with thousands of visitors enjoying more than 100 events throughout the town.
Martin Corney, chief executive of The Whitgift Foundation, said: "This is our third year for Croydon Heritage Festival, and it looks set to be the best yet.
"It's fantastic to see the local community are again ready to support the festival with an overwhelming level of enthusiasm and engagement, especially working around our exciting new theme for 2015.
"There is so much going for Croydon; the festival will be a great asset to the changing image of the town."
COLUMNIST Alex White doesn't understand why Crystal Palace are signing more strikers - and thinks Dwight Gayle is on the cusp of some England recognition...
IN THE words of one of our former managers Ian Holloway "If I could bottle confidence and sell it I would be a millionaire."
Well, Alan Pardew is certainly earning his money. Having taken on a side that's confidence was ripped apart by former manager Neil Warnock, in just four games Super Al has managed to help the players re-find their hunger, confidence and self-belief.
Credit, of course, has to go to Keith Millen for steadying the ship but nobody expected Pardew to have won four out of four. Although we shouldn't get carried away just yet, the boost that Pards has given the squad has put us in a really strong position and platform to build on.
The Pardew reign has seen our strikers grow in confidence and we have yielded 12 goals in four games, with 10 from our strikers. For me that is evidence we don't need more strikers, we need to get more out of what we have got. A returning Glenn Murray, Chamakh back to full fitness, Dwight Gayle nominated for Player of The Month, the experienced goal scorer Campbell and the addition of Sanogo is plenty strong enough.
We have certainly seen more of Dwight Gayle and his performances must have him on the verge of the England squad. From his first ever game for Palace it was evident that Dwight is a natural goalscorer.
Former managers have struggled to fit Gayle in their system but now it looks like he will be suited perfectly in the Pardew set-up. I can understand why Dwight didn't fit in the Pulis mold; at the time we were a side that focused on keeping a clean sheet, structure and tactical discipline and we had to play so deep we needed a centre forward like Cameron Jerome or Maourane Chamakh to hold the ball up and wait for the cavalry to arrive. Dwight just naturally isn't a target man and looks to play on the shoulder rather than hold the ball and slow the game down.
I know some people thought I was unfairly harsh towards Neil Warnock during his time at Palace in my columns but I think his comments last week summed up my view on his management ability. Talking to TalkSPORT, Warnock spoke of how he feels Pardew is lucky that Jedinak and Bolasie are gone, as it has forced him to play Gayle. He said how he thought Dwight is the best finisher at the club but he couldn't fit him in the line up. Well that pretty much sums up why Neil is out of a job if you ask me! Yet again another excuse.
Like all Palace fans, I am much more comfortable under the Pardew regime and am excited to go and watch Palace rather than worried about the outcome.
CROYDON'S two main political parties - Labour and the Conservatives - spent almost half of their election funds last May in five of the borough's 24 wards, the Advertiser has found.
Spending in the battleground wards of Waddon, Addiscombe, New Addington, Fairfield and Ashburton represented 40 per cent of the total expenditure during the campaign.
The figures have been calculated from the expenses submitted to the Electoral Commission following the election on May 22, 2014, which are available to view by appointment at the Town Hall, Katharine Street.
We have used per candidate spending rather than the total amount spent on each ward as New Addington and Fieldway are each made up of two seats, rather than the other three-seat wards.
Labour spent highest trying to prise the three seats in Waddon away from the Conservatives, submitted spending returns of £791.91 per candidate. Next was Fairfield (£702.21) and Addiscombe (£685.75).
In fact, it spent four times as much in Waddon than in the six other Conservative-held wards in the south combined (£210.81). That includes £0 in Selsdon and Ballards.
The Conservatives, which went on to lose power in Croydon for the first time in eight years, concentrated on Waddon (£751.89) but also targeted New Addington (£710.71) and Addiscombe (£710.71).
They lost their only councillor in New Addington and failed to wrestle any seats in Addiscombe away from Labour.
While its expenditure in Labour-controlled Croydon North appears not as low as its rivals spent in the south of the borough, the vast majority of its costs in West Thornton and Selhurst, for example, were borough-wide expenses, such as office and administration, as well as two four-page adverts taken out in the Croydon Guardian as a combined cost of £5,000.
The Advertiser revealed earlier this week that Labour did not declare the wrap around front page advertisement it took out in the same paper on May 14 in its local election expenses.
Nor was the estimated £2,000 bill included in its returns for the European election, which occurred on the same night.
The Electoral Commission is considering whether to launch a formal investigation.
In total, Labour spent £21,892 and the Conservatives £21,224.13 during the local election campaign.
Spending by political parties during election campaigns is monitored by the Electoral Commission. During local authority candidates must abide by a spending limit for each ward - £740 plus 6p per elector. Ward-specific spending, such as leaflets promoting specific candidates, is applied to the area in question, while general expenditure, such as administration and office costs, is shared across the borough as a whole.
A BIT of Friday fun, as we list a few things you would NEVER hear people in Croydon say. If you have any suggestions of your own, please leave a comment below or tweet us @croydonad
A MARRIED couple in their late 70s were brutally attacked and burgled by three men in Ashburton last week.
Three men broke into the pensioners' house in Shirley Park Road at approximately 9pm on Thursday, January 22, through the kitchen window.
They punched the man in the face before forcing his wife upstairs and holding a cloth over her mouth to stop her screaming out.
They then searched the house and stole several thousand pounds worth of Asian gold and jewellery, cash and mobile phones before leaving.
When the suspects left, the victims called their son who called the police.
Two of the men are described as white, with the third described as mixed-race.
Police are appealing for information and for witnesses who may have seen anything or anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact them.
Detective Constable Emma Crowley, from Croydon's Burglary Squad, who is investigating the case said: "This has understandably left the victims extremely shaken up and we're determined to try and identify who is responsible.
"I'd urge anyone who might have seen or heard anything unusual or suspicious in the area to get in touch with us, however insignificant you think the information may be - it could help us to solve this case."
Anyone with information is asked to call DC Crowley at Croydon CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous on 0800 555 111.
WITH both Palace and Everton on 23 points, this has become a rather big clash at Selhurst Park tomorrow.
Few would have thought the Toffees would be in their current position after their impressive finish last season.
The Europa League may have had an effect on their domestic progress but, for Palace, it seems like an excellent time to play Roberto Martinez's side.
Not forgetting that the Eagles are unbeaten in their past six games in all competitions and go into the game with huge confidence under Alan Pardew.
After repeating last season's 3-2 win at Goodison Park in September, Palace will be buoyed further on their own patch.
Pardew certainly has a welcome selection headache. Julian Speroni is expected to return to the starting XI after being rested in the FA Cup at Southampton.
However, going forward, the manager has to decide whether to stick with Marouane Chamakh or bring back Dwight Gayle, who was also rested at St Mary's despite his two goals at Burnley the weekend before.
Of course, Yaya Sanogo may also make way, while Glenn Murray has come off the bench in the past two games, too.
Fraizer Campbell is also in the mix despite featuring on the wing last week, but Jason Puncheon is likely to come back in.
One man who looks certain to keep his place is Wilfried Zaha after some impressive displays lately, and if talk of a permanent move back before Monday's transfer deadline is true, he'll need to turn in another top performance.
Pardew will probably opt to keep the same backline of Joel Ward, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney and Martin Kelly, although Adrian Mariappa, who has come on from the bench in the past two games, is pushing for a start.
Despite the excellent form Palace are in, Dann is keeping his feet on the ground and just wants to collect another three points, whichever way they come.
"I think it's really about just taking each game at a time in the league and FA Cup at the moment," he said.
"We are going into every game wanting to win and confident to do so with the run we're on at the moment.
"We wanted to keep the momentum going at Southampton, winning three in a row, so now it gives us that more going into Everton.
"The league is our bread and butter but if you can go on a run in the cup then it's obviously nice.
"It doesn't matter who we play. Personally, and on a whole, we want to get the three points.
"Everton is a massive game, it's at our home and we'll be looking to come away with another win."
For the visitors, they have had a two-week break since a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Tim Howard is still out for another month so Joel Robles will continue in goal.
Martinez is likely to stick with the same formation and strategy despite falling down the table, persisting with a 4-2-3-1 system, which will see Gareth Barry and Muhamed Besic in the holding midfield positions.
However, James McCarthy is back in contention after a hamstring injury and could come up against former Wigan Athletic and Hamilton Academical team-mate James McArthur.
McCarthy's absence has been felt, coinciding with Everton slipping downwards, according to statistics.
With the Europa League return in less than three weeks, the Toffees need to start picking up points in the Premier League before the extra competition takes a possible toll.
Let's just hope that is on hold until after tomorrow's game.
RUGBY players at a Croydon school had a pair of experienced eyes poring over their tackles and tries during a visit from French international head coach Philippe Saint-Andre ahead of the Six Nations tournament.
Trinity School has been chosen as a training base for the French national rugby union side for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Saint-Andre, who won 69 caps for France, said: "The countdown really is on and we are looking forward to staying at Trinity School and experience the World Cup not only in the match venues, but in and around the local area,".
The former winger met the school's first XV and joined in with their video review session.
The school's director of rugby, Aaron Liffchack, said: ""It was great to get some input from someone who is so experienced and knowledgeable about the Game, the boys really absorbed everything that he had to say".
The French finished as runners up in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, losing out to the hosts. They reached the final by edging out Wales after a somewhat controversial red card was given to Welsh captain Sam Warburton.
This year's World Cup is due to get underway in September.
Trinity's director of sport, Matt Richbell said the school was "really excited about hosting a team as distinguished as France".
"The students and staff really enjoyed meeting some of the French coaching staff. We genuinely appreciate Philippe and his team taking so much time out of their busy schedule to talk to everyone."
THE majority of Crystal Palace season tickets for next season have been frozen as the club aims to keep football affordable for its fans.
There is a slight increase in the Director's Box and the two blocks immediately next to it - the Malcolm Allison and Stanley Stephenson lounges – will have a new pre-paid food scheme.
These seasons tickets will have an additional £100 added to the price but this money can be spent over the course of the season on food and drink via the ticket holder's season ticket card.
Stephen Browett, Palace co-chairman, told the Advertiser the scheme would hopefully significantly increase the speed of service in these areas.
Adult prices start at £420, seniors students and 18-21-year-olds are from £280, under 18s are from £190 and under 10s are from £95.
Browett added: "We think that these are pretty modest prices and certainly they compare very favourably with those of other London Premier league clubs."
The pre-paid food scheme is not being introduced in the rest of the main stand or in the other three stands.
'Earlybird' fans who buy before February 28 will receive a ten per cent discount and those booking in March and April can choose to spread payments over 12 months using a new interest free credit option – payable by direct debit and with no administration or interest charges.
DRINKERS in Croydon may have to pass a breathalyser test before they are allowed into town centre clubs and pubs in a move to crack down on alcohol-related violence.
The Met have launched a trial of the new policy in Croydon, where bouncers can use a breathalyser to test to check whether punters are drunk.
Police say the move will help door staff make judgements on who is, and is not, too drunk to enter premises. The breath alcohol limit has been set at 70 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, twice the legal limit for driving.
Violent crime in Croydon was up by 33 per cent in 2014 and figures show that the town centre is a hot spot for alcohol-related violence.
Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Andy Tarrant told the Advertiser his force was working with pubs and clubs to tackle the problem.
"We now have introduced breathalysers whereby for those people that drink before they go out, they're now breathalysed before they go into a venue so they can be turned away if they're found to be drunk."
The move would help to cut down on binge-drinking and the practice of 'pre-loading', where people drink before heading out, he added.
Croydon council has purchased six breathalyser units to be used in the town centre from the start of February.
A MUM of two has written a children's book based on her east African heritage to encourage children to broaden their horizons.
A Dance to Remember is the first book of Lorna Liverpool, from Croydon, and tells the story of Kaa'hina as she travels back in time to meet her ancestors.
Mrs Liverpool, a 49-year-old identity unit assistant for the BBC, is from Camberwell but now lives in Croydon with her husband Dennis, nine-year-old daughter Aset and four-year-old son Sekhem-Shu.
She said: "It's important to learn about other cultures because it broadens children's horizons. It makes you more understanding when you identify with people's backgrounds and where they are from."
In the story Kaa'hina keeps getting a dance she is practising wrong so her parents give her a gold Ankh chain from her Grandma Pea which takes her on a magical adventure.
Ms Liverpool said: "Some children might lack self-esteem, and think 'I can't do this, I can't do that'. I want to promote that it's okay, you will have problems sometimes, but persevere and believe in yourself.
"It's important for children to have that belief from a young age."
Ms Liverpool will be visiting Croydon libraries to speak to children about her books.
A CROYDON man has appeared in court accused of possessing almost 6,000 indecent images of children and of making 12 indecent videos, photographs and images of children.
Dean Stuart Cook, of Towpath Way, Croydon, did not indicate a plea at the hearing at Croydon Magistrates Court earlier today (January 30), where he appeared charged with possessing indecent videos of children.
The 26-year-old, who wore a black waterproof coat, black trousers and glasses, faces 18 charges relating to May 5, 2014, or before.
Cook is accused of making six indecent videos of children. Two of the videos were allegedly category A, the most serious, two category B and two category C.
He is charged with making one category A indecent photograph of children, one category B and one category C.
And Cook also allegedly made three indecent images of children, one at category A, one at category B and one at category C.
Cook is accused of possessing 3,407 level A indecent photographs of children, 1,826 level B photographs and 631 level C photographs.
He is also charged with possessing four level A indecent videos of children, two level B videos and two level C videos.
Cook, who has no previous convictions, was granted unconditional bail and will appear at Croydon Crown Court on February 13.
Boris Johnson has defended comments he made yesterday, when he branded jihadists "losers" who were "rejected by women".
The Mayor of London, who visited Norbury Manor Primary School today, had comes under fire for saying those turning to extremism were "tortured", had low self-esteem and "typically looked at porn".
At the launch of his "Breathe Better Together" campaign at the school this morning, the Mayor remained resolute on his stance.
He said: "I think there is a big problem of general self-esteem and people's feeling about what the world holds for them, are they winners in life or not, and the crucial thing for young men from all backgrounds is to get them into work."
When asked what more Muslim leaders should be doing to counter the threat of IS, he said: "I think a lot of Muslim leaders are doing fantastically, after the atrocities in Paris there have been some fantastic statements from Muslim leaders in Britain.
"It is very hard, somehow or other a language has got to be found and it needs to be made by intellectuals, leaders in the Muslim community, to knock on the head the whole jihadi ideology.
"Somehow it really needs to be eradicated at an intellectual level."
The Advertiser spoke to Everton fan Chris McKernan ahead of tomorrow's big clash at Selhurst Park – and he admits he is slightly worried about facing an in-form Eagles side…
How big is this match on Saturday with both clubs on 23 points and similar game records?
Huge - for Everton at least. Just one win in our last 13 games has left us looking over our shoulder recently. Our next few fixtures include Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal so picking up points is going to be difficult which makes this game all the more important. Palace are looking better and we have taken one point from nine9 against you so far since your return the top flight so we certainly aren't coming to your place thinking we have an easy three points waiting.
How shocked are you with Everton's position and season so far?
Shocked isn't the right word as it's what we've deserved, to be frank. Disappointed is an understatement as with the players we have we should be challenging for Europe again. We have had more than our fair share of injuries and major decisions going against us from officials but that is not an excuse for a club like Everton to be where we are.
Do you still have faith in Roberto Martinez?
Absolutely. I genuinely believe he is the right man for the club. He is very stubborn and my one criticism of him that he won't change the game plan even when needs must. His style is definitely a way forward but the odd longer ball wouldn't be the end of the world. The club as a whole is still a lot more positive and I feel he will lead us in the right direction.
Palace have turned the corner under Alan Pardew. Are you slightly worried?
In a word, yes. I think that is more to do with the importance of this game due to our run of fixtures I mentioned earlier. We simply must get something out of this and you do look like a new team. Pardew took three points off us in December for Newcastle so it would be nice to get some off him tomorrow.
And finally, what's your score prediction?
My head says 1-1 but heart says 2-1 to the Blues.
SENEGAL international Pape Souare has signed for Crystal Palace - ending the club's long hunt for a new left-back.
The 24-year-old's arrival was confirmed on Friday night by Palace co-owner Steve Parish, who tweeted: "Delighted that Pape Souare has just this minute signed for Crystal Palace. A warm welcome from all of us."
Souare, who played for Senegal in the African Cup of Nations, joins from the French club Lille and becomes Alan Pardew's fourth signing of the January window, following the arrivals of Yaya Sanogo, Shola Ameobi, and Jordon Mutch.
It means the Eagles have finally filled a problem position, having been without a recognised, specialist left-back since Jon Parr and Dean Moxey departed the club last summer.
Palace did sign Zeki Fryers from Spurs on deadline day last summer but he failed to make an impact and is currently out on loan at Championship side Rotherham.
Martin Kelly and Joel Ward have filled in on the left, but are usually more comfortable playing at right-back.
