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Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman to bring 'patronising' pink bus to Croydon

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LABOUR'S Harriet Harman will be bringing her controversial pink bus to New Addington on Wednesday.

The party's deputy leader will be accompanied by Sarah Jones, the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Croydon Central, Gloria De Piero, shadow minister for women and equalities, and Tessa Jowell MP, widely tipped to run for Labour as their next London mayoral candidate.

The visit to the Addington Community Association is to kick off the London leg of Ms Harman's Woman to Woman tour.

Labour hopes to use the tour to find out what women want from a Labour government and highlight the party's offer to women.

The pink van has been widely condemned as "patronising" and "sexist" by Twitter users although Ms Harman has denied these claims.

The Woman to Woman tour will be at the ACA from 10.45am to 12 noon on Wednesday (February 18).

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman to bring 'patronising' pink bus to Croydon


Lidl has second application for 'death blow' Upper Norwood store rejected

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LIDL has had a second application for a store in Upper Norwood rejected by Croydon Council's planning committee.

The supermarket chain was unanimously refused permission last Thursday (February 12) to build a store on the site of the former Volkswagen salesroom site at Crown Point, in Beulah Hill.

The application was rejected on the grounds the design of the proposed building would have been detrimental to the Norwood Grove Conservation Area.

Lidl were refused permission last February after being told its proposed development failed to meet the requirements necessary for development in a conservation area.

Sue Izzet, of Crown Point Bakery, had said the store would be a "death blow" to businesses at Crown Point, especially as they are already competing with a Tesco Express.

Objections were also made by the North Croydon Conservation Area Advisory Panel and The Norwood Society.

John Hickman, who had also campaigned against the supermarket, said: "I believe it is hugely important news for the conservation area. Big businesses think they can come to Norwood, do what they like, and think it's alright.

"It isn't, and that was the message the committee sent out yesterday evening.

"It certainly appears as if Croydon Council's planning committee is taking its responsibilities seriously and ensuring that development within conservation areas enhances them rather than detracts from their value."

Lidl has second application for 'death blow' Upper Norwood store rejected

Case of South Croydon man accused of possessing animal porn adjourned

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A MAN accused of possessing animal-porn and an indecent video of a child has had his case adjourned until Friday.

Curtis Roberts, of Copse View, South Croydon appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Friday (February 13).

The 26-year-old faces two charges of possessing extreme pornographic images portraying an act of intercourse/oral sex with a dead/alive animal, namely a dog, which were grossly offensive, disgusting, or otherwise of obscene character.

He also faces one charge of possessing an indecent video of a child with a view to it being distributed or shown to another.

Recorder Nice instructed Roberts to return to court on Friday February 20 when the charges will be put to him to enter a plea.

He is on unconditional bail until then.

Case of South Croydon man accused of possessing animal porn adjourned

I can finally get back into my Palace routine this week, says wing wizard

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PALACE winger Yannick Bolasie hopes this week will be a chance to fully get back into the swing of things after his African Cup of Nations experience.

After arriving back in the UK last Tuesday, Bolasie had 24 hours to prepare for the game with Newcastle and then get himself set for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Liverpool.

But now he has a full week to get back to his normal Eagles routine.

"I haven't really had any chance to spend any time with anyone yet," said Bolasie.

"For me, it's been training and then home, trying to spend time with my family as I haven't really been here and haven't had chance to settle back in yet.

"I'm still in Africa, to be honest! Hopefully this week goes back to a bit normal because I've got a routine that I get back into and can look forward to the games coming up."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

I can finally get back into my Palace routine this week, says wing wizard

Police appeal for help after two men run over in pub car park hit-and-run

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POLICE have appealed for help to find a man after a hit-and-run at the entrance of a pub car park.

A 32-year-old man was left with a broken jaw and bruised ribs when he was hit by a car driving from inside the car park at the rear of the Melbourne Pub, Wallington on February 7 at 0.30am.

Another man, 41, was knocked down but escaped injury when the car drove into a group of men standing at the entrance to the car park.

Police want to speak to a white man, aged between 22 and 30, of athletic build, with short mousey-coloured hair. He was wearing a t-shirt with the words 'Hustle Ard' on the back and spoke with a soft Irish accent.

The vehicle used in the hit and run was dark and drove off under the railway bridge in Manor Road, where it overtook a bus, before turning into Beddington Gardens.

Officers also wish to speak to the driver of a black Volkswagen Golf that was in the area at the time.

Anyone with information can contact Sutton Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal for help after two men run over in pub car park hit-and-run

Croydon could become 'world class' destination for street art says all-female group that turned rundown shopping precinct into canvass of creativity

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CROYDON could become a "world class" destination for street art says the founder of a group of artists helping to transform one of the town's most run-down areas into a canvass of creativity.

More than 30 female street artists from Femme Fierce descended on St George's Walk on Sunday to add their work to the growing public gallery adorning walls and shop fronts in and around the aging shopping precinct.

The event attracted an estimated 1,000 people to the street throughout the day and the designs have been turning heads ever since.

It was organised by RISE, an art gallery in the precinct, and founder Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison, as part of his attempts to turn St George's Walk into the centrepiece of an 'arts quarter' in the town centre.

Ayaan Bulale, founder of Femme Fierce, said the area could become a popular destination for street artists because the few legal sites in London are overused.

"Kevin got in touch in January and suggested we get some of the girls to come and paint walls and shutters in Croydon," she explained.

"I didn't know what to expect but the reception was amazing. There were pensioners with cameras taking photos, asking for more information and saying how much they like street art. One was 92-years-old! It was absolutely incredible.

"It could be the start of something big. When people want to paint in London they either do it in Leake Street (a tunnel by Waterloo Station) or in Shoreditch, where it's saturated.

"In Croydon there's an opportunity to have a world class outdoor gallery.

"People come from across the world to paint in Shoreditch but half an hour later someone's gone over your work.

"What Kevin has done is to encourage art that lasts at least a few weeks or even months. Only positive things can come from that.

"It's going to encourage quality work. You will get people travelling from all over the place to paint in Croydon."

The Femme Fierce crew have joined other well-respected street artists to have painted murals in St George's Walk, Park Street and Katharine Street since Rise opened last October. Mr Zuchowski-Morrison hopes there will be hundreds more.

"Sunday's event went really well," he said. "It was so busy. During the day there must have been a thousand people. It was a really great atmosphere and the work on show was fantastic.

"We wanted to show Croydon's got it going on, that it's a happening place and it's cool. It's the start of bigger things for the arts quarter."

Femme Fierce is to hold a exhibition at RISE later this month ahead of a series of events on March 7 and 8 to mark International Women's Day. For more information visit www.facebook.com/FemmeFierceEvents. 

Croydon could become 'world class' destination for street art says all-female group that turned rundown shopping precinct into canvass of creativity

Partially sighted 97-year-old woman robbed of £3,000 in her own home by distraction burglars

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A 97-YEAR-OLD partially sighted woman had £3,000 stolen in a distraction burglary after a man knocked at her door asking to retrieve a hammer he said he had dropped in her back garden, police say.

The woman, who also has limited mobility, allowed the caller to enter her kitchen where she started looking for her key to the back door.

While the man kept her attention, telling the woman he had dropped the hammer while working nearby, another male slipped in through the open front door and went upstairs.

The woman later found her bedroom had been searched and £3,000 taken from a tin.

The Met is appealing for witnesses who may have seen the men either before or after the burglary which took place in Carshalton Road, near the junction with Sutton Grove, Sutton, on Saturday (February 14) at about 6pm.

They are looking to speak to a tall white man, of big build wearing white trousers and a striped jacket.

Anyone who saw someone matching his description in the area at the time can contact Sutton Police station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have also warned residents not to allow any unknown or unexpected callers inside. Anyone suspicious should shut callers outside and dial 999. 

A spokesman for the Met said officers would rather come out and check everything is okay rather than find someone has been a victim of crime.

Partially sighted 97-year-old woman robbed of £3,000 in her own home by distraction burglars

Croydon strip club bids to recruit Pippa Middleton

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A CROYDON strip club has made a bold approach to Royalty - well, semi-Royalty - as part of its latest recruitment drive.

In what may or may not be a shameless PR stunt, Larry Flynt's Hustler Club has written an open letter to Pippa Middleton, seeing if she fancies joining the scantily clad ranks of the town centre club's honeys.

The letter, penned by the club's marketing boss Lily Carousel, uses a touch of flattery, suggesting Ms Middleton fits the bill because she exudes "passion, confidence, and exceptional beauty," and goes on to talk about how becoming a Hustler Honey promotes "the empowerment of women".

She's also offered the tidy sum of £100,000 - though it seems her skills as a party planner are in demand, rather than any obligation to take her clothes off.

Here's the full transcript of Lily's letter:

Dear Ms Pippa Middleton:

We at Larry Flynt's world famous Hustler Club cordially invite you to become an Honorary Member of the Hustler Honeys.

This might seem like an odd proposal, but let me explain why we feel that you would be perhaps our most exceptional Hustler Honey to date.

At Hustler Club UK, over the past few years we have expanded to welcome new Honeys into our exclusive fellowship, whose stories, personalities and inner strength serve as inspiration for the empowerment of women. We value many of the characteristics in our girls that, we believe, you too exude. Qualities such as strength, bravery, determination, passion, confidence, and of course, exceptional beauty.

We are fully aware of the demands of your current roles have and it occurs to me that your existing commitments are crowded with formalities and that you might enjoy two or three nights of excitement at the Club with no formal engagements and an opportunity to have a little fun.

Exempt from stage performances you could focus solely on entertaining your guests in our luxurious private VIP rooms. Your experience in the event planning industry is an asset that would ensure your comfort in entertaining in your new environment whilst our ever-exciting parties would surely benefit from the flair of a professional party planner.

The tact, the graciousness and the understanding of our guests would certainly make for a smooth transition to an exciting new project and I'm sure all the Hustler Honeys would be most accommodating should you have any further questions.

We sincerely hope you will honor the club by accepting its invitation. If this should become a reality, I hope very much that you would accept our offer of £100,000 in addition to the gratuities afforded to our top-tier entertainers. Nothing would give us greater pleasure than if you were to accept.

Thanking you for an early, and I trust, favorable reply.

Lily Carousel
Social Media & Marketing Executive

On the off chance one of the country's most elegant women doesn't fancy taking her clothes off for a living, Lily adds a footnote:

PS. In the inevitable event that you become engaged, we'd very much like to host a private hen party at our Club for you and your guests as well as an exclusive stag party for your groom-to-be (separate of course!). We would include bottle service and entertainment in our private VIP rooms, including time with some of our amazing Hustler Honeys and their tantalizing performances on 3 stages. We'll guarantee you the most fun you've ever had!

There has been no word yet from Ms Middleton's camp but Advertiser sources understand she's almost certain to snub a late shift at a Croydon nightclub and, instead, continue her lucrative career writing books and magazine columns and supporting her sister, one of the world's most famous women.

Croydon strip club bids to recruit Pippa Middleton


Croydon Council takes down 'propaganda' posters as 'precautionary measure'

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POSTERS branded election "propaganda" by an MP have been taken down by the council.

The billboards said the government had cut Croydon's funding by £100 million and that the council was "doing all it can to protect local services".

Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central, called for the posters to be removed because they breached strict guidelines as to what information councils can publish in the lead up to elections.

A council spokeswoman told the Advertiser today that in "in light of the Selhurst by-election, the council has removed them as a precautionary measure".

Sixty posters were printed at a total cost of £768.83 - £545.50 on printing and £223.33 on design costs.

The council said the wording was decided by the communications team and approved by its head of communications.

Mr Barwell said it was "blatantly obvious" the posters had been created to influence the Selhurst by-election on March 5, called following the death of councillor Gerry Ryan, and the general election in May.

"The only reason for this timing is because there is an election coming up," he said.

Council leader Tony Newman defended the posters on Twitter.

He said the council had a "duty to inform residents that [the] Tory led government has chosen to cut Croydon Council's funding by 40 per cent".

Mr Barwell said the figures were wrong, adding that the funding settlement for next year and the year after had yet to be decided.

Councils have to abide by strict rules as to what they publish ahead of elections and must follow a code of practice for publicity more generally.

Mr Barwell said it was an "open and shut" case as to whether those rules had been breached.

"It's inappropriate," he added. "If I was just a Conservative voter in Croydon, I pay my council tax for local services.

"I don't pay for the council to take sides in an election."

A council spokeswoman said: "The posters form part of the council's wider 'Fair Share for Croydon' funding campaign, which had been planned for a number of months.

"However, in light of the recent Selhurst by-election, the council has removed them as a precautionary measure." 

Croydon Council takes down 'propaganda' posters as 'precautionary measure'

Kardashians star Scott Disick coming to Tiger Tiger in Croydon

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ONE of the world's biggest reality TV stars is coming to a Croydon nightclub next month.

Scott Disick, who appears in Keeping up with the Kardashians, will be making a personal appearance at Tiger Tiger on Friday, March 6 - one of a series of similar appearances at nightspots across the UK.

The 31-year-old is married to Kourtney Kardashian, sister of model and businesswoman Kim. The family's trials and tribulations have been chronicled in various reality shows broadcast across the globe, attracting millions of viewers.

Tickets are already for sale, at £10 each, available from www.tigertiger.co.uk/croydon/whats-on

Kardashians star Scott Disick coming to Tiger Tiger in Croydon

Pedestrian suffers head injury after being hit by car in South Croydon

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A WOMAN has been taken to hospital after being hit by a car in South Croydon this evening. 

The pedestrian, believed to be in her 60s, was struck by the vehicle in Lower Coombe Road at around 8.20pm today (Monday).

She was taken to hospital having suffered a head injury. 

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. 

Pedestrian suffers head injury after being hit by car in South Croydon

How to make the perfect pancakes - with beer!

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IT'S Shrove Tuesday today – but do your pancakes come out like a flipping mess, rather than a chic crêpe?

Chef Romain Havard shares his recipe for pancakes – or crêpes as they are known in France – which includes beer among the ingredients – and some tips for getting them right...

Perfect pancakes

Makes around 15 crêpes

Ingredients

250g flour

4 eggs

250ml whole milk

250ml beer

20g melted butter

1 drop of vanilla extract or 1/4 of a vanilla pod

1 pinch of salt

Method

I like to make pancakes with beer as it makes them lighter instead of just milk.

Mix all the ingredients together in the same order as in the list above.

Instead of just melting the butter, place it into a saucepan and let it become slightly brown – it will give a nice nutty flavour.

To avoid any lumps, pour the mix through a sieve.

Don't use the mix straight away – leave it to rest for one hour (the gluten in the flour it makes it elastic) and then add some milk if it has become too thick.

Use a thin non-stick frying pan – the lower the edges, the better. Heat the pan on the gas and spread some oil – use a potato cut in half and pike it with a fork, dip the cut part into some oil and use it like a brush.

Pour some of the mix into the pan and spread it all over, leave it to cook for one minute, then flip it over and leave for an other minute.

To serve

Crêpes can be eaten with anything – jam, sugar, chocolate spread. But I love them with caramelised apple flambeed with Calvados, which is a French apple brandy, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or caramelised banana and rum.

In a frying pan melt 15g of butter until golden, add your apple or banana in wedges, stir until they are slightly brown, add 15g of demerara sugar and flambé with a shot of Calvados or rum.

How to make the perfect pancakes - with beer!

Crystal Palace star can't be far away from England chance again, says Brede Hangeland

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Crystal Palace's Brede Hangeland has talked up Scott Dann's chances of landing an England call-up again.

Earlier this season the 27-yer-old was allegedly watched by Three Lions officials against Aston Villa, but a rare mistake which allowed Christian Benteke to score the winner looked to have ended an initial hope.

However, Dann has continued to have a good season for Palace and Hangeland believes his defensive team-mate can't be too far away from an opportunity.

"Scott is a top player and a pleasure to play with," he said. "For me, he can't be far away from a sniff at the England team.

"He has been playing really well for a while now. He's a good player, but it's not for me to decide. I've seen loads of players over the years and he's certainly an honest lad who tries his best to improve all the time.

"He is in that golden age where he can still improve, too. I would be delighted if he was given a go."

Hangeland and Dann were given a good test by Liverpool on Sunday in the FA Cup but were on the end of a 2-1 defeat.

The Norwegian felt it was an "open game" and that the Eagles needed more in the final third.

"It was a difficult game as Liverpool played really well and have a lot of good players going forward," said Hangeland.

"I thought we restricted them for most parts in the first half, and although they put pressure on us we were happy with the way the game went.

"It was a bad start in the second half and when you're chasing the game, it is difficult against a team like that.

"It became an open game. You have to be realistic that they were a good team and we didn't manage put enough balls into the box

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

Crystal Palace star can't be far away from England chance again, says Brede Hangeland

Croydon headteacher honoured by Prime Minister at special 10 Downing Street reception

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THE headteacher of Coloma Convent met the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street last week after she was specially selected by her MP.

Maureen Martin, who has been in charge at Coloma for more than two decades, was picked by Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell to meet David Cameron at a special reception for teachers from across the country last Wednesday (February 11).

Mrs Martin, who has led the school to 'Outstanding' Ofsted status, is also executive principal at Selsdon's Quest Academy, which is run by the Coloma Trust.

The trust has also been chosen as the sponsor for Archbishop Lanfranc.

Mr Barwell said: "I have a huge amount of respect for anyone who devotes their life to shaping the future of our young people and I can think of no better way of honouring the profession than to invite Maureen to Downing Street." 

Croydon headteacher honoured by Prime Minister at special 10 Downing Street reception

Seven things Croydon should give up for Lent

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MANY of us will be giving up everything from chocolate to alcohol, as we look to make a sacrifice for Lent.

But what could Croydon do without for 40 days and 40 nights? Here's seven suggestions of things we'd like to see Croydon give up for Lent.

The word 'ambitious'

Yes, yes - we know you're 'ambitious' for Croydon, 'ambitious' for culture, 'ambitious' for education. You've even named the town's new summer festival sodding 'Ambition'. But here's a really ambitious idea Croydon Council - why not stop using the word 'ambitious' for a while. Or is that too ambitious?

Fly-tipping

As has been established by now, too many people are messing with Croydon. Maybe the council needs a campaign or something, to stop people messing with Croydon....

Anyhow, on a serious note, this borough continues to be blighted by fly-tippers and people who refuse to take responsibility for their surroundings. Let's stop tipping and keep Croydon tidy for a while, eh?

Politicians and political types on Twitter

Is there anything more tedious than watching Croydon's political class perform the social media equivalent of two bald men fighting over a comb? The Twitter battles surrounding Croydon politics are almost always utterly tedious, repetitive and have all the debating quality and gravitas of a game of top trumps. Worse still, it's a huge turn off to a general public already disenfranchised with the political process. Enough!

All forms of transport apart from trams

Croydon's trams are really, really great. We all know this. So, why not sack off the trains, park up the cars, deroute the buses and create one giant land of trams.

Kate Moss

As tabloid newspapers are forever telling us, Kate Moss is from Croydon. But when have you ever seen her speak about her home town, with any degree of pride and affection? Is she an ambassador for Croydon - or just someone who happens to come from here but wishes she didn't? If you don't care about us Kate, it's time we gave up on you for a while.

Holmesdale Fanatics' banners

The HF's support of Crystal Palace has won widespread acclaim across the football world - a throwback to the days when supporters actually used to sing at games, rather than take selfies and eat Haribo Starmix. But perhaps we could give the banners a rest for a month lads, especially those carrying that self-righteous 'we hate modern football' nonsense.

Fear and self-loathing in Croydon

If you believe social media and most correspondence received by the Advertiser, people in Croydon don't like Croydon very much. It's goes beyond gallows humour - rather the vitriol and level of self-loathing towards our town is, frankly, depressing. Much is said about changing the perception of Croydon from the outside, but let's start loving ourselves first, shall we?

Seven things Croydon should give up for Lent


FAN VIEW: Forget Liverpool, Steve Parish Tweet shows how far Crystal Palace have come

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COLUMNIST Alex White looks back at the defeat to Liverpool and post-match comments made by Eagles chairman Steve Parish...

Unfortunately, the FA Cup run we all dreamed came to a disappointing end last weekend. 

When the draw was made, all we could see was Pardew thumping the ball in the Scousers' net at Villa Park and we hoped a re-enactment of sorts would be possible.

A large majority of Palace fans went into the game excited about the prospect of advancing through to the quarter finals of the competition. Even though we didn't finish the game with the result we all wanted, it does suggest how far this club has come in such a short space of time.

In fact, lots of Palace fans went into the game kind of expecting to get a result, maybe an element of complacency setting in but the bigger picture is we made an in-form Liverpool side really earn their win.

In reality, it wasn't the strongest Palace side we could've put out, largely down to injuries, but the very fact that Liverpool only just edged past us with what wasn't our strongest setup is a perfect measure of our progression. 

Steve Parish hit the nail on the head with his Twitter comments -  when CPFC2010 took over, the club was on the verge of the third tier of English football and now Liverpool had just beaten us at Selhurst and celebrated like they had won the league. 

Of course with social media being social media, every Liverpool fan and journalist made a fuss of what Parish had said claiming he was having a dig and being bitter. What scares me is that no one saw the Tweet as an opportunity to praise Parish and CPFC2010 for how far they have taken Palace over the past four to five years. Rant over.

The team selection against Liverpool raised eyebrows and, for the first time, we saw Pardew's selection being questioned by many. The choice to play Ward in midfield over Guedioura was surprising to say the least. The way I saw that decision was that with Pape Souare coming in at left back, it gave Martin Kelly the perfect opportunity to stake his claim at right back with Joel Ward clearly being Pardew's number one choice in that position. Unfortunately for Kelly, he didn't have his best game and I wouldn't be surprised to see him dropped to the bench for the next.

And for that next game, it doesn't get any easier. Apart from losing in the North London derby Arsenal have been in great form, having only lost one in their last 14 outings.

I don't think many Palace fans will be expecting to walk away with any points but the game is achance to get back to winning ways at home. Our away form has been magnificent but regaining our home presence will be essential to us staying up with less stress than we have come to expect as Palace fans.

Mile Jedinak is aiming to be back to fitness for this game and his return could be a timely boost. Having a player of Jedinak's influence back will make a huge difference and I can't wait to see him put a huge tackle in bright and early; boy have we missed that hard hitting brutality in the side. 

With Jedi's return I feel a whole lot more confident going into this one. At Selhurst under the winter lights, anything is possible.

FAN VIEW: Forget Liverpool, Steve Parish Tweet shows how far Crystal Palace have come

Hundreds pack Purley church to remember former Croydon councillor Gerry Ryan

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MORE than 400 people packed St John the Baptist Church in Purley on Monday to say goodbye to Gerry Ryan, who has been described as one of Croydon Council's most committed members.

Councillor Ryan died last month on his 57th birthday after battling cancer for six years.

Family and friends were joined at the funeral by the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, fellow councillors from both the ruling Labour council group and the Conservative opposition and Croydon MPs, Steve Reed and Gavin Barwell.

There was also a large contingent of colleagues from the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) including the union's general secretary, Billy Hayes.

Cllr Ryan, who lived with his family in Purley, was a telecoms communications engineer by profession and had been a union negotiator and official for a number of years, serving on the CWU's national executive committee.

Colin O'Callaghan from the CWU told the congregation that the union was setting up an award in Cllr Ryan's name which will be presented annually to the person considered to be the union's best recruiter and negotiator.

Praising Cllr Ryan's work with the CWU, Mr O'Callaghan said: "Gerry Ryan spent all of his adult life fighting for working people.

"His optimism was unfailing and he had an irrepressible spirit, a spirit he took to his fight against his illness for six years."

Cllr Ryan was first elected to the council in 1998 as a Labour member for Whitehorse Manor ward and after reorganisation of wards was elected to serve Selhurst.

He was appointed the cabinet member for highways, transport and public services and during his time in the post oversaw the introduction of the borough's recycling service and the street lighting renewal programme.

The Mayor said at the funeral that Cllr Ryan was a genuine man who was always willing to give help and support to others.

She said: "He served his constituents with passion and care."

Close friend Charles King, who worked with Cllr Ryan in the Croydon South Labour Party before he was elected to the council, said: "Whatever he did, whether it was his work with the council and the community or supporting Crystal Palace Football Club, he always gave 110 per cent. If it wasn't that, it was more."

Mr King said he had looked up tributes on social media to Cllr Ryan and saw repeatedly words like "dedicated", "full of enthusiasm", "a really decent bloke" and "always a good friend".

Mr King added: "It didn't matter what you asked him to do, he would do it. He was still working right up to the end of his life."

The funeral service was followed by a committal for family, including his wife Jackie and sons Lee and Dan, and close friends at Croydon crematorium and a wake at Crystal Palace Football Club.

Cllr Ryan was a long time supporter of the club and served on the board of the Crystal Palace Supporters' Trust.

Collections are being held for the Afro Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, a charity with which Cllr Ryan was closely involved, in his memory.

People wanting to make donations should visit www.justgiving.com/gerryryan

Hundreds pack Purley church to remember former Croydon councillor Gerry Ryan

Croydon man accused of driving Porsche Boxster at more than FOUR TIMES the speed limit through Sussex town

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A CROYDON man has been accused of driving a Porsche Boxster at more than four times the legal speed limit in what may be one of the largest ever breaches of the limit in Britain.

The car was clocked doing 128mph through a Sussex town last year - exceeding the 30mph speed limit by an astonishing 98mph.

The 30-year-old man, who has not yet been named, has been summonsed to appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court on April 15 to face charges of speeding and failing to provide the identity of the driver of the car.

The Porsche breached the speed limit by 98mph in London Road, East Grinstead at 2.30am on September 23 last year.

A spokesman for the RAC said they had never heard of a car hitting such a speed in a 30mph zone.

The breach was revealed in a Freedom of Information request by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, whose figures also showed two motorists were caught by Kent Police clocking 147mph on the M25 last year.

The court summons was issued by Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, which manages the data collected by speed cameras in the county.

Croydon man accused of driving Porsche Boxster at more than FOUR TIMES the speed limit through Sussex town

Tony Newman accuses MP Gavin Barwell of 'censoring political debate' in Croydon Council poster row

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COUNCIL leader Tony Newman has accused Gavin Barwell of using a row over posters to "censor" political debate about government funding cuts.

Mr Barwell branded council posters claiming the government had cut Croydon's funding by £100 million as publicly-funded "propaganda" designed to influence forthcoming elections.

The council took the posters down yesterday as a "precautionary measure" ahead of the Selhurst by-election.

Mr Barwell, who faces competition from his seat in May from Labour's Sarah Jones, welcomed the decision.

He said: "They're obviously covering up, saying it's just about the by-election, but a U-turn is welcome whatever excuse is given for it."

Speaking to the Advertiser today, Cllr Newman hit back.

"We have to set the tough decision we're having to take in the context of the settlement we receive from government," he said.

"It was the right message at the right time.

"The completely over-the-top attitude the MP for Croydon Central has taken on this, in my view, amounts to an attempt to censor political debate in Croydon."

A statement sent to the Advertiser by the council on Monday said the wording was decided by the communications team and approved by the head of communications.

Challenged as to what role Labour politicians had, if any, in publishing the posters, Cllr Newman told the Advertiser they were the result of his "strategic direction" but the "details" were decided by council's press office.

Advertiser (CA): Did you or any other politician have an input into the posters? Did you see the posters before they went out?

Tony Newman (TN): "No, they were signed-off by our communications team. You've seen the statement.

CA: I saw that. Did you know about the wording before it went out?

TN: "No, it was signed off by our communications team."

CA: Who came up with the idea?

TN: "We've got a fantastic communications team."

CA It was all them? There was no input from members?

TN: "No, the member input was very much at a strategic level which is to drive home the fair funding for Croydon thing, which is a wider thing, and to drive home the fact that any debate around the council tax has to be in the context of huge government cuts to funding for Croydon.

"The wording and design was down to the communications team.

"We made it very clear we wanted to put a message out about the context and we trust out communications team with the details."

CA: So you asked them to put the posters out?

TN: "I've nothing else to add to what I said."

CA: But I want to be clear that you think it's the right decision to take them down.

"In light of the Selhurst by-election and campaigning actively starting it is now the right decision to take them down."

CA: But a week ago, or a couple of days ago, it wasn't?

TN: "In my view there's still a debate but if we have a senior MP locally...what Gavin Barwell is doing is challenging senior officials of the council."

CA: He thinks a Labour councillor has had an input into either the wording or the final decision as to whether this poster should be sent out.

TN: "If you read most of what I've seen from him he seems to be attacking the officers of the council."

CA: He has also asked you directly as to which, if any, politicians had prior knowledge of this poster.

TN: "We've given the answers to that so I've got nothing else to say."

CA: You haven't given an answer.

TN: "I've given you a very clear answer indeed."

CA: Yes or no, did any member, cabinet member or yourself, have knowledge of that poster and roughly what the wording would be before it went out?

TN: "You're playing with words. We gave the strategic direction that we wanted a very clear message..."

CA: What does 'strategic direction' mean?

TN: "It means we think the public of Croydon have a right to know that the council's budget has been cut by 40 per cent by the current government."

CA: So you gave the strategic direction to publish these posters?

TN: "I've got nothing else to add. You're putting words in my mouth."

CA: It's quite important...

TN: "It's not quite important.

"I've said all I have to say on it.

"You're linking the words strategic and these posters. We gave the strategic direction that there should be publicity that the budget was being set in the context [of a cut in government funding]."

CA: So did you know that publicity would form these posters at this time?

TN: "Those specific posters? No, but a publicity campaign looking very much like what's on those posters, maybe."

Tony Newman accuses MP Gavin Barwell of 'censoring political debate' in Croydon Council poster row

Runners invited to Kenley 10k Charity run this Sunday

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Runners of all abilities are invited to enter the Kenley Airfield 10K Charity Fun Run, to be held this Sunday (Feb 22), at 10am.

You may enter on the day, reporting to the Surrey Hills Gliding Club, at the airfield's main entrance, for registration and collection of race numbers between 09:00 and 09:30 on the day.

Entry to the aerodrome is via Victor Beamish Avenue (formerly named Caterham Close) off Salmons Lane West, CR8 5YG. Parking is available but limited.

The race will be run around three laps of the airfield perimeter (3K per lap), plus 1K, to the finish at the War Memorial.

The cost is £12 and all participants will receive a medal.

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