FREE ISSUE 39. APRIL 2021

MASTERPLAN FOR his amazing birds eye view of Thornton Heath The council spent millions on regenerating the High Thas been revealed as the council unveiled the Street but already the paint work on the shopfronts blueprint for the future of what the High Street are peeling, pavements are dirty and planting schemes and Brigstock Road could look like . not maintained. spent £50,000 employing consultants to put One of the biggest success stories of the project though together a plan and manual called Shaping Thornton has been the artwork which has really brightened up Heath but sadly has no funds to progress any of the the area and is now part of an art trail which Croydon ambitions in the two documents and instead is relying photographer Michael Shilling shot for a National City on the community to take forward the proposals. Park commission (turn to page 13). The masterplan for Thornton Heath was created during The council said the Shaping Thornton Heath plan, the lockdown and headed up by a dedicated Thornton seek funding was an important opportunity to involve the job has found employment elsewhere. whichthe local is communityintended to in help change influence so that developers, it provides current and to Heath regeneration officer, who after less than a year in and future residents and businesses with the community facilities, transport and public spaces needed. in the space of the same number of years to have He is the fifth regeneration officer for Thornton Heath But due to the Covid restrictions the majority of the situation will not be replaced. engagement has taken place remotely on line with a moved on and now because of the council’s financial TURN TO PAGES 6 & 7 SERIAL TEEN SEXUAL PREDATOR IN YEAR LONG REIGN OF TERROR HUNT FOR BELOVED he case of the serial teen sex the boy, who can not be named for legal Tattacker who terrorised school girls reasons, admitted one count of assault in Thornton Heath before stabbing two by penetration, four counts of sexual STOLEN SHOP CAT 15-year-olds as they walked to school assault, two counts of causing grievous has shocked the community. bodily harm with intent and one count of common assault. Questions are being raised about the lack of community awareness around the He entered the guilty pleas shortly before sexual attacks on the young girls, which his trial was due to start and was remanded saw the boy who preyed on four 13-year- in custody ahead of sentence on June 7. old's during a 12 month campaign, evade It wasn’t until his arrest that it emerged capture despite the similar pattern of the that he had carried out a string of sexual crimes taking place near to where he lived. the area looking for CCTV and witnesses and assaults stalking the majority of the With each attack the level of violence victims, aged 13, as they walked to school. neighbouringhe was arrested streets, two days that later.detectives flooded escalated and in September last year The teenage boy's guilty pleas said Tamar the 15-year-old boy shockingly sexually North Croydon MP Steve Reed said he Nwafor, an advocate for black survivors of assaulted a 13-year-old trying, to remove would raise the case with the police domestic abuse and sexual violence: “.. will her underwear in front of her mother adding: “I share everyone else’s shock at ocket, the much loved Thornton save the victims, who were all innocent girls after punching the woman in the face in what’s gone on and that the police were Heath community cat who is on their way to school, from having to go R Whitehorse Lane. not able to intervene earlier.” familiar sight at the greengrocers on through the gut-wrenching ordeal of being The disturbing details of the offences Brigstock Road has been stolen. It was only when he carried out two knife TURN TO PAGE 4 attacks within days of each, all in the same unfolded in Croydon Crown Court as The beloved four-year-old moggie was taken from Roberts Fruiterers by a Croydon Council faced a national outcry after terrible scenes white man wearing a black tracksuit on of tenants living in dangerous squalor in Regina Road, South Friday March 19 at 7pm. CCTV tracks a MP DEMANDS Norwood were shown on ITV news. man carrying what appears to be Rocket The council contractor at the centre of an investigation in to how towards the station where he was last ROOT AND council tenants were allowed to live in terrible conditions had its seen. BRANCH contract extended - just weeks before the scandal broke. His owner Sajid Ali said: “We miss him Now concerns have been raised about the ‘data’ used as part of the contracts process which awarded the council’s housing beautiful friendly cat.” and desperately want to find him. He is a REFORM OF repairs contractor Axis Europe, a four-year extension. News of the theft prompted an outpouring COUNCIL There are also questions over the systems in place to benchmark of anger and sadness from shocked locals. the contract and failings in the information provided to the council Sajid has so far responded to sightings, HOUSING REPAIRS scrutiny committee which carried out a review of the contract. at all hours, in Streatham and Sydenham This week the Croydon north MP handed 30 further housing repair but none of them have been Rocket. Mr cases to council that he said he wanted treated as priorities some Ali got Rocket as a kitten and he got his P Steve Reed has said council tenants are being treated involving children living in homes with damp, mould and vermin . name because he was fast. He has another Mwith ‘contempt’ as he revealed that he was lied to over cat at home and when the pair didn’t get constituents cases and demanded a root and branch reform The MP said: “It was 24 originally but we went through of Croydon’s housing repairs service. TURN TO PAGE 11 & 12 TURN TO PAGE 2 thorntonheathchronicle.co.uk editor@ MASTERPLAN FOR HIGH STREET HAS NO FUNDING artists tribute to croydon's musical icons thorntonheathchronicle.co.uk TURN FROM P1 limited take up of interest with many Frequently flytipped he Beatles iconic Sergeant Pepper album cover is the inspiration behind a coming stars and sit alongside the art work of another Thornton Heath native @ThorntonHeathChronicle residents not even knowing about it and Tseries of iconic murals which encompass the richness of Croydon music history. Bareface, whose distinctive street art was the first to be chosen by the judging panel to feature. @THChronicle Thornton Heath’s Wesley Baker who is a well known artist, photographer and of the ideas featured in both documents had creator of CDN is one of eight artists whose work was selected to appear in the His modern day portrait of Afro-British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor #thorntonheathchronicle thoseeither whobeen have discussed participated or tried finding previously. many and Whitgift shopping centres Croydon Music City art trail. sporting a pair of headphones has already won many admirers. Only around 360 people responded to the www.thorntonheathchronicle.co.uk The murals are a tribute to Croydon’s musical icons: past, present and up-and- Here we speak to both artists about the musical influences that inspires their creativity. council consultation out of over 30,000 EDITOR Andrea Perry people living in the two wards of Thornton Anti social alleyway Heath and Bensham Manor. DESIGNER: Jo Dawson, make the area nice, pleasant and liveable. o advertise or if you have It could be a really attractive area for Ta story email editor@ Heath as being ‘very diverse, with high existing and potential residents, if only thorntonheathchronicle.co.uk or The Whilelevels of the socioeconomic plan identifies deprivation Thornton and more was done to address the really stark ChronicleWhatsApp: 07930 354128 health inequality” with 70 per cent of issues that bring parts of it down.” the population from black and ethnic Print circulation 5,000 copies. Some local groups and leaders have backgrounds and 35 per cent aged under been represented on focus panels led by 24, it makes little provision for this thought to provide the quickest wins are original work of various photographers, audience. Instead of tackling historic to improve the gloomy unnamed alleyway it has galvanised limited participation creative directors and the people we see the Forum pub. If you look at Lunar and and endemic underlying issues it focuses opposite the leisure centre which leads to HELP BRING HOME regenerationwith no representation officers and from consultants the business but in it. I didn't feel there was enough of a Apollo House they stand on legs and as a on blue and green infrastructure; with the Gillet Road car park and is routinely floor of the old Whitgift and travelator to community except for a survey involving celebration of the musical talent in this child the buildings were like something fanciful greening projects to re-wild your 21 interviews with unnamed businesses. town and I'm so grateful the Centrale team out of the Jetsons. STOLEN ROCKET driveway, create a rainwater garden, or space outside Iceland which is another believed in the concept enough to allow me TURN FROM P1 green your roof. The plan is a more technical document, flygrot tipped spot but .The now other be resolved is to repurpose with plans the “I knew Croydon had a certain negative to realise this tribute to our local members to inform the Croydon Local Plan and by the supermarket to improve its store perception. When my grandparents It prioritises investigating deculverting of the music industry and music venues.” future development identifying key sites inside and out. moved to West Croydon from Brixton my (opening up) Brook as a natural such as the station, Iceland, Tesco and If Wesley had to pick a favourite artist from mum said her friends said she'd be woken resource all of which could be beautiful but As part of measures to kickstart ’s WESLEY: Ambassador House while the manual sets those he included who would he choose? up by the cows and chickens. The image hugely expensive - ahead of responding to Covid recovery, the Mayor has announced out practical projects that could be taken esley describes himself as “one of now is of a crime ridden concrete jungle 41 per cent of people wanting outdoor a £4m High Streets for All Challenge, “It has to be Nadia Rose,” said Wesley. forward to help deliver the plan. Croydon’s biggest fans” and says like Batmans Gotham City. spaces to be safer and 31 per cent wanting inviting Londoners to come up with ideas W ”She's so underrated for the talent she he has always been passionate about the Wesley has drawn on that love of music and them to be cleaner and better maintained. It touches on markets, entertainment with £25,000 available for each bid. “Having been a pupil at Riddlesdown high borough. all things Croydon to create three digital space and a community hub all of which four videos in Croydon with the Skwod school the bus journey from Thornton It talks about a sustainable development The High StreetTask Force is planning collages which celebrate 110 different have been high on residents wish lists music video being the most recognisable Heath to that part of Purley allowed me and a holistic vision for the town centre further workshops to help the Thornton Since his childhood he has admired the musical alumni who hail from Croydon. exudes. She's filmed about three or but attempts have already been made to Croydon location and I think something a to see how big, diverse our borough is and but what people perpetually complain Heath community apply for funding and skyline and Croydon’s ambition to be a develop these initiatives and the manual lot of Croydonians are proud of. ultimately how beautiful the landscapes about is the lack of a variety of shops. look at developing a Community Trust to city. Back in 2008 he started travelling doesn’t provide any real substance to out who was from Croydon was Des'ree. I are. I wanted to share all of this with the take forward projects. across Croydon to photograph it with the “Talent wise I love how she delivers her lyrics The plan also makes no drive these projects forward. aim of showing people what the area is Hehad said: no idea “The whatsoever artist I was despite shocked loving to find her world in the hope people would see this on Rocket moved in to the shop and soon attempt to tackle long term It's unclear if the pandemic will have a long and give the area a break. Just before Covid Thornton really like to alter perceptions based on complaints about anti social term impact on the High Street as many stories of crime and highlight what’s great Romeo and Juliet movie.” who love to fuss over him. Heath was elected as one withher iconic such ahairstyle seamless can't flow, be there's forgotten.” an element He concludes:“Having created these murals behaviour around the High about Croydon through art. music since hearing 'Loving You' in the 90s became a firm favourite with customers of 15 High Streets to take He has been working on the design for of Missy Elliot like humour, her confidence, it would be great to continue what I've Sajid's employee Asif Ali (pictured with Street except one suggestion stores continued to operate throughout. Wesley started documenting Croydon part in a pilot funded by He said: “Music is important to me started with more murals around Croydon. Rocket) had been in the shop alone, so that local organisations of the takeaways, meat, fish and grocery through photography as he wanted the government providing There are more empty shops :William Hill as I've grown up in a household where the week before I had nerves about taking If anyone has a blank wall they'd like to was unaware that Rocket was missing and businesses could be photos to cherish home when he headed training, face-to-face support at the Whitehorse roundabout and Corals music was always played and loved that. overon such five a yearsbig project and reveals: having only “Even created up to see some art on it would be great to work until a customer said she had seen a man encouraged to “adopt a off to study transport design at Coventry and access to research from underneath Ambassador House are both work on canvas or paper. The previous together to bring some art celebrating local in the tracksuit pick up the cat and walk bench” to help manage ASB. University for four years. industry experts including vacant but both betting shops closure was "It can tell a story or be a source of fun and mural I did was about a tenth of the size of people to the streets. I'd love to feature the off towards the station. Repeated throughout the Design Council. unrelated to the pandemic. anyone frequenting Croydon town centre what you see in Centrale. Brixton-born Wesley said: “What inspires probably knows how much I like to have Sajid has reported the theft to the police though, is residents sense my fondness for Croydon is my memories murals and see how I can develop further The High Street Task Force music accompanying me as I cycle around. “This project means so much and as a and RSPCA as well as putting out missing of pride and desire to make of a town which as a child was exciting. I peopleon what I Iwasn't created able in Centrale.”to fit into the Art Trail has been running a series of for years but now has permission to turn I see the music I love as the soundtrack to digital collage it wouldn't have been posters. improvements: “There is a remember the spiral ramp up to the 1st virtual workshops which have focussed The 1960s office block has also sat empty possible to have been created without the great community spirit in the area, with my life.” Rocket was ‘fearless’ said Sajid and on pursuing ideas in the manual. The two active local groups, and people wanting to he developed to aid sightings Bareface said: "Much like Coleridge- some of the floors in to apartments. refers to him as being like a ’solider’ even during rescue operations Taylor's music, a combination of African owners of large dogs were afraid to pass caught the eye of keen sailor and Concert music culture, this piece describing Rocket as Panther-like but he victim speaks out about cost of catalytic converter theft Prince Philip. is a fusion of my Croydon underground liked nothing better than sitting in the eople think catalytic converter theft buy the birthday present I had musical roots. It's loud, in your face and Nick chatted with the Duke shop doorway watching the world go by. is a victimless crime but for one planned for my youngest son's playfully rebellious, like a lot of Street P and invited him to sign the He is quite distinctive with a white chest, single mum-of-two it has been the last birthday in May." Art today. If he were alive today, he would schools design and technology along with three scars on: the right side straw leaving her feeling unsafe and appreciate today's music, so he would She added: “I also found it department’s visitors’ book of his mouth, nose and head from his wanting to move. probably listen to that, I feel. But I like that upsetting to be targeted in this (pictured) which he duly did. younger days when he was less streetwise it's open to interpretation." Jo Pickering discovered her catalytic way after having two bikes and had a run in with a couple of cars. Nick said: “It was probably convertor was missing from her Honda stolen in the summer. Aside Bareface whose about 25 years ago now but The longest Rocket has been away from Civic when she attempted to use the car to form the thwarted plans, I don't iconic Dare to winning the Duke of Edinburgh the shop before is when he got in the back collect her children from school on March feel safe where I live anymore. Dream mural is "To me, its heritage Award, meeting him and the of a delivery van and it wasn’t until the the backdrop to lies within the roots "Every night when I hear a and cars are senselessly ruined. I'd rather conversation we had made me driver was 40 minutes away that he heard hybrid and older a replacement part is the rejuvenated of underground noise in the middle of the night, I wake they had stolen the whole car, honestly.” realise that being creative was meowing and returned to the grocers. He 26rare but costing because £2,000. it isWhen a first she generationput in the Ambassador electronic music such up, worry, and then have to go and check also enjoys visiting neighbouring shops claim to her insurance company they Thieves steal the cats for the precious House forecourt as UK Garage, Dubstep on the car, because I'm concerned that I didn't turn back from that and says Sajid ‘is quite big’; as he likes instead wrote the car off. metals inside them, which prevent exhaust in Thornton and Drum 'n' Bass. The someone will come and do it again. definitelymoment.” the path for me and fumes, but can sell for hundreds of pounds Heath, said sounds were loud, in Jo said: “I thought this was a terrible waste him treats. "I was up and outside at 3am last night and are sent oversees. His latest artwork features about his your face and high since the car's mileage is relatively low. It's BAREFACE: YBR cakes and the kebab shop who give after hearing a bang. I'm really sad to say Samuel Taylor Coleridge who latest art energy. It served as a Sajid believes the thief may have thought a lovely drive, and the thought of it being Across London the number of catalytic s a 17-year-old the artist known that since this, I have had three estate fought against racial prejudice with his installation:“I social commentary of Rocket, who is neutered, was a pregnant scrapped made me rather sad and angry. converter thefts rose by 50 per cent to as Bareface met the late Duke A musical compositions. feel proud to have a large scale art piece in , both lyrically and sonically. female and thought they could make some Hence I negotiated to buy it back from the 14,500 last year with Croydon worst hit. of Edinburgh and it left a lasting to put it on the market. such a prominent spot in Croydon; I hope money out of the kittens. insurance company. impression on him and helped settle "I stumbled across Samuel Coleridge- “As you get older and you broaden your agency valuations of my flat and am about people can see what you can achieve if you his creative career path. Taylor's works quite recently," he said. "I was musical horizons, you discover new artists He appealed to the thief: “At the end of the "I found an identical car, took its cat and had part in raids as part of Operation Basswood dare to dream." especially depressing. These are organised taken aback by his dynamic compositions. and genres. Croydon is a blend of diverse day he is part of the community and we to scrap it after. This was very expensive and Last month more than 300 officers took Nick Daley aka Bareface was a sixth- "It'sand coordinated such a rubbish gangs, crime, prepared that I findto go it The fact that he lived locally and is a person Inspired by jazz, classical and hip hop nationalities and cultures. just want him back.” I am, of course, out of pocket. I did manage to led a pan-London and South East region former at , one of four struggling underneath cars at 4am, who of colour made me feel immensely proud." Bareface explains his design concept: whichcrime operation targets the targeting crime. Croydonthieves with officers 20 pupils invited to St James’ Palace to the “I hope the portrait brings a sense of joy If you have any information whatsoever would surely be capable of holding down “The brief was to come up with a piece planned visit to see my mother on April 13th premises searched, four arrests made along The Afro-British composer died in Croydon and inspires more people to investigate please contact Sajid on 07456 877 888. a legitimate job. that captures Croydon's musical heritage, getafter it thefixed lockdown just in time restrictions to compete eased, our long- so I with the seizure of cash, vehicles and 33 of Britain competition. Nick’s illuminated, aged only 37 of pneumonia in 1912 and who Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is and listen which can mean different things." have no regrets, but I haven't been able to "They make a bit of money from the cats catalytic converters were recovered. official launch of the Young Entrepreneurs became referred to as the ‘Black Mahler’. to his great work.”

self inflating helium balloon design which DISTURBING DETAILS OF VIOLENT TEEN PREDATOR WHO ATTACKED SCHOOL GIRLS oftold kids don’twhat sohaving long. the You right can definitelymotivation make and advice to start TURN from PAGE 1 to push him away. in the discussion. Croydon BME-led liketo do beingthey money legitimately. It is about dragged through the court system and organisations have set up a petition calling The last and fourth sexual assault again on who are positive.”. for all investigations involving black, new business a 13-year-old girl happened on October independent. being around the right people She added: "It is extremely disappointing brown and migrant women and girls to be f you are unemployed or a social wantFor me to beI publiclyto see how reliving long it this took horrific the police nightmare. to get equal on www.change.org "We are just sharing our skills. enterprise looking for advice to start of two violent stabbings randomly targeting needed my I to this point, especially when considering AboutIt's not The much Pond, effort Chris to added:do the you on your journey to running your 13.Threetwo 15-year-old weeks latergirls walkinghe carried to outschool. the first own rules, the concerns of local women and girls. I own business then look no further than TIMELINE so if I made question whether quicker actions, including StartUp Croydon. mistakes I better reporting and investigating would've behind at 8:50am on November 4 on 21 November 2019: Norfolk Road sexual job as we enjoy doing our job. would learn The pandemic has taken its toll on everyone prevented more school girls from being HeMoffat knifed Road the leaving first girlher inneeding the thigh stitches. from assault The area looks a bit run down from them from individuals facing unemployment to attacked and sexually assaulted in our Operation Sapphire to release a public to be honest but its only bad Mr Seetal said a girl was making her way February 20: Police make public appeal "People hate Croydon and small businesses struggling to get back on local Thornton Heath area and the wider appeal with CCTV of the suspect in because no one looks after it. to school with friends on 4 November apart from me. track. Croydon Borough.” 2 September 2020: Mother punched and when she was followed by the boy. He brothers clean up and have no one else to blame sexual assault investigation unit had daughter sexually assaulted Whitehorse "We started from nothing Charity StartUp Croydon offers a range of The teenager’s parents made a failed struck again nearby in an almost identical Thornton Heath because February 2020. Officers from the serious Lane services including providing somewhere attack on St Paul’s Road, stabbing a girl, at they think it’s the slums but appealing for witnesses but over a month am a lot happier in myself as I else to work one day per week rather than hearing, claiming they usually monitored around 8:23am on November 6. 6 October 2020: 13-year-old sexually thornton heath pond it’s only because the council leafletedafter the assault. houses near to the attack Pictured: Chris and Jerrell ...definitelyhave accomplished something something. now. I at the kitchen table. attempthim at all to times secure and bail always for him escorted at the firsthim assaulted in alleyway arecleaned doing everywhere nothing aboutimagine it. Mr Seetal added the offences 'all convey to and from his school. he Street triplets could “Then one day we went out Theywhat it aren’t would cleaning look like! it. IfMe you as This is just one of the ways in which some form of sexual undertone to them 13 October 2020: Last of four sexual victim had subsequently encountered her have headed down a very his friends is in jail and others StartUp Croydon can support Thornton The court heard the boy was attacked with and show a nature of violence.’ assaults T Theattacker Chronicle in area. understands the first different path but having cleaning and realised it was Chris spoke about how one of clean everything.” Heath residents. With the appointment a pool queue in custody, after a detention It was only after they had a suspect 4 November 2020: 15-year-old stabbed learned a trade the brothers ingood the money area andand didpeople a bitliked of caught up in knife. violence. a company alone I know I can’t of new CEO, Saffron Saunders, there Following the mother and daughter attack, "When we go to The Pond they in custody that Croydon’s Violent on Moffat Road are now reaping the rewards to see us doing good . They who he grew up with have been are exciting plans and projects in the him to other detainees. on October 6, he again targeted a 13-year- He said: “If you have no plans were loving it saying it's now a Suppression unit along with schools of their honest hard work gave us tips and it seemed a pipeline particularly for those who are officer revealed the allegations against old girl who was walking to school. As she 6 November 2020: 15-year-old stabbed His offending began on November 21 and giving back to the unemployed and looking for advice as they turned in to an alley, she noticed someone on St Paul’s Road forward to anything and day- when he grabbed a 13-year-old girl on her out reassurance and crime prevention community they love. start on their journey. behind her. The teenage boy proceeded for the day, you don’t look 'nicegloomy vibe feel and down energy'. there It lookswith way to school on Norfolk Road at 6.50am officers,patrols in youth Thornton engagement Heath. team carried 7 November 2020: Police launch major goodus off the game streets. to be in and we to jump on her, push her down the stairs The 28-year-old trio Chris, much better than the grey If you would like to try out a co-working and dragged her along the road, sexually investigation have not looked back …it got before pulling out the knife, telling her to The Chronicle contacted the Met for a Callum and Jerrell Street ,who “We set up together and started by-day you get caught up in have started to look after it. space for the day and, if you like it, StartUP assaulting the victim. The last attack give her phone to him. comment on the investigation.. 8 November 2020: 15-year-old boy run We Clean Windows Ltd from scratch. We had to learn routinesI look at andthat bad and habits. me in That the beer cans everywhere and they "I told a couple of them that arrested at residential address in have transformed Thornton a lot. We have had hard times could have been me. When suit you and your business. Paul's Road when he stabbed a 15-year-old She handed over her phone and The tragic murder of Sarah Everard saw Thornton Heath Heath Pond after giving their with myself. Croydon can discuss flexible options to happenedgirl in the armjust minutesthrough herfrom school the first blazer. on St headphones but gave them back and national calls for action on the issue of Based at Wandle Park tram stop near time for free to pressure wash going really well.” situation I’m now really happy pushed her against a wall gripping her women's safety but there has been an 9 November 2020: Police provide “I love my area, I grew up here threwdoing itcans for on money the floor and to would keep Sainsburys on StartUp the whole area to help out getting through it but now its shirt before touching her chest and absence of the voices and experiences reassurance patrols They started with window and it made me who I am today. it‘you clean rather because chill out we arein or not a Croydon offers superb modern facilities November 2019 attack for the Met’s volunteers trying to keep the attempting to kiss her before she managed of women from diverse backgrounds nasty place or clean place? and for up to 12 hours a day, six days a week It took three months after the first place clean and green. Now the triplets are paying they started putting the cans in with the use of a communal kitchen and it forward and have set up a Chris who left school with no cleaningword of mouthin December and soon 2015 were and discounted meeting rooms. company Gain A Trade and built up a customer base from With a maximum of six socially distanced IS PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO KNIFE CRIME AND VIOLENCE WORKING? expelled and sent to a Pupil other services and turned their the bins." roydon council hailed its innovative 12.3 per cent violence against person 10.5 skills to young people at a using our services we can do it desks, the space is available for £19 per qualificationsReferral Unit, said: having “We were been beinghand askedto pressure if they could washing, supply public health approach to violence pc, public order up 8.5 pc and possession Pupil Referral Unit. C naughty. We used to get in to gutter and roof cleaning, waste will be teaching practical “If people want to contribute by day but with the opportunity to receive a reduction, as the answer to stemming of a weapon 2.5 pc. cent towards expenses. At least sizeable discount for regular usage. clearance and removals. Chris said: " We have learned a the tide of knife crime. morethen they often are as wegiving will something put 10 per He asked: “Do you think those increases mates like every other kid lot from our mistakes and now Chris said: “I am the type of Contact StartUp Croydon on: 0207 474747, The last four months have seen multiple are due lack of community safety strategy aaround little bitThornton of trouble Heath. with ourWe we can share our mistakes and guy who likes to do my own [email protected] or feel free to stabbings and the murders of three young or the fact no one is in charge of the would just hang around not what we have learned with drop in for your free trial day (Monday to thing. I realised me having a back to keep the place clean.” men. In June 2019, the council set up a violence reduction unit? doing anything. them so they don't have to wait www.wecleanwindowsltd.com Friday from 9 am) . Violence Reduction Network to work But Cllr Shahul-Hameed refused to 0800 009 6995 closely with communities to identify those be drawn and instead chastised Cllr boss wasn’t going to work. Lots If you need help with mental at risk of offending. Charterjee for revealing the details of the joseph remembered for facing mental health battle with a smile health or drug addiction Despite all his battles she will remember Director Rachel Hayward was appointed to crime statistics which she claimed were Joseph for his bravery, happy smile and and attended St Joseph’s College in Upper Samaritans 116 123 spearhead the department but now she has ‘sensitive’ and should not be discussed in kindness. Norwood leaving with eight GCSE’s. been seconded to head up the investigation a public forum especially during purdah Joseph was the fourth of five children, Shout (for under 19 years old) 0800 This was a great achievement for a child to the Regina Road housing scandal. (the pre election period). In the last years of his life he lived 1111 that came from a very troubled family number in London. Croydon also at Bellevue in the supported living The community safety plan for 2020-2023 CEO of youth charity Music Relief fourth man has been charged with background and had to move many times NHS 111 Emergency help consistently has the highest number accommodation in Thornton Heath where which the council should have consulted Magdalene Adenaike (pictured) has just the murder of Lavaun Witter. in his youth, including being in care. and of missing children in London which A he was fed and cared for. Premier 0300 111 0101 (prayer line) on 12 months ago and published in March been elected as the CVA youth and crime throughout life. is perpetuated by having substantial The 22-year-old (pictured) was found has expired. representative on the Partnership. Jane said: “If you ever gave my brother your Frank 0300 123 6600 (drugs related) numbers of foster carers with more than suffering a stab injury in Wisbeach Road, He was a trained carpenter, could use time, food, a smile, a nice word or money Current council leader, Councillor Hamida She said: “Communities are the bedrock of 400 children from other London Boroughs in on February 5 and despite the sign language and had at one point been 999 - if you feel like you are in any – I am grateful. He fought mental and Ali, who was cabinet member for safer any society, and community organisations placed in Croydon. efforts of the emergency services, he was a worker at the Royal Mail. Joseph was danger (even to yourself) emotional battles most of us could never Croydon and communities which launched echo the feelings and the needs of the pronounced dead at the scene at 9:09pm. a ridiculously good break-dancer when dream of and he was very brave. Many SANE 0300 304 7000 the VRU in June 2019, said it would work people within the society. Having a younger and would often just join in young man admitting to sexual assaults and people attended his funeral as he was loved on building on 31.7 per cent reduction in strategy that fails to understand this and groups on the estate where we grew up. The Mix (under 25 years) 0808 808 Shestabbings added: of “The his fellowhorrific peers case agedof the between 15-year Thornton Heath and Tyreece Riggon, 20, by anyone who actually knew him. Despite knife crime with injury, and the 21 per does not empower its community through He was fun, creative and an inspiration. 4994 13 and 15 is every parent's nightmare and of Armistice Gardens, , being 44 – he was like a young child in his cent reduction in serious youth violence its community champions, the registered Julian Russell, 22, of Sandfield Road, a massive community problem. Tyreece Wolfries-Parkin, 18, of Rothesay soul: kind, trusting, innocent and respectful Joseph started his young life cared for by CALM (for men only) 0800 58 58 58 achieved in the borough. voluntary groups is set up for continued Road, Selhurst and Alex Pasley, 25, of to those Nanny Finnegan, a wonderful old Irish systematic failure. “The mistrust from the community to the is something I am glad Joseph did when Paxton Grove , have all been around him. Catholic lady who used to babysit him, and council and the police has deepened even he was ill. Had Joseph not suffered from on knife crime in England and Wales “Even with the lockdown resulting from charged with Lavaun’s murder, These are from that he joined a church and became further with the section 114 notice by the mental illness, he would have easily been a A recent parliamentary briefing paper the global pandemic, we have seen and words told a choir boy. Throughout life, despite his council, poor housing and families having They will appear at the Old Bailey on doctor. He was highly intelligent and very knife crime had in 2019/20 in Croydon heard of young people going missing, some by everyone to live in inadequate housing, and the May 10. caring.” producedincreased figuresby 10 per by centborough to 555 and with showed 178 due to county lines and others resulting who knew tried his best to stay out of trouble and case of Sarah Everard that caused a public sustaining injury. from mental health issues with increased • Leon Rashid, 18, of Dunheved Road, him, helped difficulties,harms way andhe was would always often kind be foundto people, just Now he joins his eldest brother Carl cases due to the lockdown. We have seen Thornton Heath has been charged with him or popping in for a visit. who sadly died at age 30 from suspected Cllr Manju Shahul-Hameed, the new her murder." roubled soul Joseph Whitby in Croydon a bloodbath of stabbings, with attempted murder of James Bascoe-Smith worked with carbon monoxide poisoning and they have cabinet lead for Cllr Ali’s old job heading uproar as a police officer was charged with struggled with mental health A christian charity in London helped him get some leading to fatal deaths within the last Croydon noted the highest number of who was left critically injured after being T him.” been buried in the same plot together. up the Croydon Safer Partnership refused and ensuing drug addiction all housed in Wandsworth where he was closer three months of this year alone. victims under 18 of domestic abuse (249 stabbed on Tuesday February 23. to reveal details of the latest crime stats at his life which started from being Born in He never got over Carl’s death and life was victims during the period June 2019 to the last council meeting when challenged Croydon has the highest child population • A 31-year-old man on suspicion of abused as a child. Tulse Hill Hospital and St Mary’s did a great job in much more troubled from then onwards. March 2020 ) with the highest number of by Conservative Cllr Richard Chatterjee. in London and so it is not surprising that attempted murder after a man in his 20s on January caring for Joseph, who had schizophrenia, However, he will now be remembered for domestic incidents in London Despite the best efforts of his family: to his brother Carl. Springfield Psychiatric Croydon has high numbers of children suffered stab injuries to his head and 1 – the time over the years when he would admit himself the happy smile, resilience having dealt The Partnership recently met and becoming known to the Police. Magdalene added: “The need for preventative legs just before 7am on Saturday March of new if he felt he was getting unwell. with mental health issues since a young discussed rising crime rates which Cllr his sister Jane Whitby who paid measures is now more apparent than ever; 6 in a residential property in ElliotRoad, beginnings age, kindness to all and his pure gentle Chatterjee as a member was privy to. He During 2019/20 2641 children were “Wetribute never to her could beloved fix it forbrother him,” after said Joseph with his niece Jane said: “This took amazing bravery and this is not a tick box activity.... “ Thornton Heath. - in 1977 soul, said Jane. revealed increases in drugs offences up by victims of crime which is the highest he died aged 44 on February 2. and nephews vip tributes to heroes behind vaccine roll out VACCINATION CLINICS POP UP IN 'TRUSTED' PLACES OF WORSHIP op up vaccine centres offering jabs to hard to reach members of the Pcommunity have been overwhelmed with demand. The Primary Care North Croydon Primary Within three hours and with the Care Network (PCN) and One Thornton support of medical vaccinators, Heath PCNs set up three pop-up clinics local doctors, and volunteers at His Grace food bank on Beulah Road, for the Hindu worshippers at Sakthy Oxford, AstraZeneca jab. Ghanapathy Temple on Brigstock Road 126 people got their first Pastor Bola and Croydon’s homeless community Thomas said: “We with Croydon Nightwatch. had to outside the council offices, in partnership Dipti Gandhi, Clinical Director for Primary turn some Care North Croydon PCN, said: “Hosting people back many people as possible get the Covid-19 jab. 500 people per week. Working ‘pop-up’ clinics like this is really important because we Dr Nana Oppong, from One Thornton fivein collaborationyears now and with we servethe localover because it gives people the opportunity to ran out of Heath PCN and one of the vaccinators at medical centres to set up this raise any concerns they might have, seek available the His Grace church, said: “The clinic went 'pop-up' vaccination centre, it’s reassurance from familiar and trusted vaccine for really well. It’s great that so many people been amazing to see so many voices and have the vaccination in a place the day. The from the church and the local community individuals and families turn up to they know well. queue kept came along to have their Covid-19 jab.. growing take up the opportunity of having “The Covid-19 vaccination is our path out for vaccine the vaccine so we can help stop the “We’re working really hard to make sure of this pandemic. It is vital that everyone take up spread of coronavirus.” people who are eligible can access the comes forward for their vaccination when vaccination, which is safe, effective and within our It was another example of a it is their turn.” offers the best protection against this community." vaccination centre popping up in Camilla, spoke to NHS staff, administrators AstraZeneca vaccine.After the visit Dr The take up was so high at His Grace virus for them, their family and all those His Grace Evangelical Outreach is actively a place of worship. Croydon Mosque and and volunteer marshals, and met members Fernandes described the Royal visit as a Evangelical Outreach Church which runs around them.” working with others to reduce the spread Islamic Centre successfully hosted a clinic of the public receiving their injections ‘wonderful boost’. a weekly food bank that some of those of coronavirus said Pastor Bola: “We have previously – to provide a convenient and at the church. The duchess chatted to queuing had to be turned away. he amazing dedication Lay Preacher Gill Borthwick, who been running the foodbank here for over familiar community location and ensure as Thornton Heath GP Dr Agnelo Fernandes, of the borough’s vaccine welcomed Her Royal Highness to St Paul’s T leading local efforts, about her own heroes has been highlighted said about the Royal visit: “It was especially vaccination. by a visit from Royalty nice as the church is celebrating 150th and The Chancellor of the She said: “No side effects and it didn’t anniversary this year. Everyone in the GOLDEN HEARTED NETWORK OF WOMEN HELPING THE HUNGRY FOOD CHARITY FOUND TRACEY Exchequer . hurt and I’m not a lover of needles.” The centre is working as a team and it is a joy Last month Camilla, The Duchess Duchess asked: “Are you having a lot of to be part of that and to truly be a church in NOMINATED AS A LONDON HERO of Cornwall, visited Thornton numbers coming in? What are your main the community.” he founder of a food problems?” Heath’s St Paul’s Church followed Since the beginning of February Selhurst Tcharity for struggling by Rishi Sunak who got a tour Camilla was told misinformation was an Park has been operating as one of London’s families has been nominated Camilla also heard how misinformation of Crystal Palace’s stadium which has also obstacle. Dr Fernandes explained that there biggest Covid vaccination centres. by Croydon Council as a was playing an obstacle in delivery of the doubled up as a vaccine centre. was a high degree of hesitancy but despite London hero for going the jab locally and that 30 per cent of people, Club Chairman Steve Parish said: “I’m that "we have been doing really well.” extra mile to support others Nigel Farage, the man who played a key particularly among the black, asian and pleased that the Chancellor has seen during the pandemic. role in Brexit and is the former leader of ethnic community, were refusing to take it. He said they were dealing with a rate of community network of UKIP also shared his positive experience about 30 per cent of people who did not done by NHS staff at to Tracey Davis, of voluntary Frontline care worker for the elderly mums and grandmothers want to take the vaccine. first-handdeliver vaccinations the fantastic to members work of being our A organisation Guiding Hands, Sabina Eze, 51, told the duchess she had are providing a lifeline to community. ". was nominated by leader of The Duchess of Cornwall shared her put off having the vaccine as she was He added: “We are working on different thousands of struggling at receiving his first jab at Selhurst Park. the council Hamida Ali for dislike of needles when she visited St scared of needles. ways of combating this, with community Nigel Farage, received the Oxford- families who without their BBC Radio London’s Make A Tracey said: “When the Paul's continuing the royal family’s leaders and faith leaders, giving them AstraZeneca jab at the Selhurst centre support would go hungry. pandemic hit, we could not She said: “I am really afraid of needles but Difference campaign prominent support of the UK’s vaccination information to make an informed choice..” and said: “Very well-run and such a happy do it socially anymore, so all my colleagues have been pushing me to The Golden Hearted UK was set biggest form of rollout. However, she said she suffered no atmosphere." Throughout the Covid crisis, we changed to just having do it, so here I am. I have to do it now. It’s He said they were able to vaccinate about up by two women, Rachel Osgood and Vicky Humphrey advertisements side effects from her Covid-19 jab, and it Guiding Hands has supplied deliveries. What we found was the responsible thing to do.” 400 to 500 people a day with the Oxford/ in late November 2019 just on the basis that the with family and was painless. a weekly food box to Croydon a lot of our mums who we had women had experienced hard times in life and wanted friends talking families with around £50 not heard from for a year or to ensure that no on went hungry over Christmas. to their family worth of groceries provided by and friends. two were coming back. The pandemic saw the demand for help increase and food stores including Greggs, Donations could be "They had lost their jobs and couple provide lifeline to hundreds of refugees fleeing tyranny the group’s Facebook page has in relatively short time Sainsbury’s and Tesco. a tin of beans to a they would say ‘is Guiding Hands Thornton Heath couple are and were overwhelmed when they made countries where you are brutalised for grown to 24,000 members with a 50 strong network whole food shop. The Chronicle reported in still doing Foodie Friday?’ It was providing a much needed lifeline to wanting to have an education. of like minded volunteers in Thornton Heath, Croydon A People have been 2019 on Tracey’s Foodie Friday very busy, and very harrowing. refugees who are arriving in this country people wanting help. and Surbiton helping people in crisis. Others have faced traumatic journey’s absolutely amazing. project, a food a friendship Hopefully we can all go back with just the clothes on their back. their first delivery to be met by crowds of Zeenat said: “Most arrive with only one set being lost at sea for days on end and only The only requirement is the desire to go ‘above and group being run out of St “We have people to being social in the coming managing to survive by drinking sea water beyond to help others’ with volunteers using their Andrew’s Church on Quadrant come to us who months with our programme. from Sudan and Eritrea or war torn Syria given to them by the hotels.” until the coastguard found them, said Bibi. homes as hubs to collect and dispatch donations Road, providing young mums “We have expanded who we Theand refugeeshave travelled are fleeing thousands tyranny ofin Africamiles of clothes and the men had only flip flops of food parcels, clothing, as well as assisting with and pregnant women with At the beginning it was 11 men, who had She said: “We have developed some really deliver to; we do families, furniture or domestic appliances. skills on healthy ways to cook just arrived, needing: socks, underwear good friendship. My husband showed one of have literally no food or they have had a house fire arriving in Croydon with often not even a inexpensive fresh food. vulnerable adults and referrals and shoes, but then requests came Recently, the Co-op in Green Lane agreed to have a drop orhelp their with home all sorts has of flooded crisis cases and theynot just have food. nothing to through social services and acrosspair of shoes land andon their water feet. to find sanctuary through from families and Bibi sent out a skinny and completely drained to how he box in their store to help collect donations for the group women fleeing domestic violence with children. We Now Guiding Hands, which “In the beginning it was just a Facebook page with 1,000 other agencies. The system we Good samaritans teaching assistant Zeenat message asking her friends and family for thelooks refugees now. He pictures is like of a when different he first person. arrived, It which accepts PayPal donations as well to provide has premises on Whitehorse people on it which is not such a big idea, but when our have in place works for them, Bibi and her husband biomedical scientist donations. Some how word spread and the shows how much they have suffered.” Road works with around team members now go to supermarkets or businesses and they stay on our books until Feroz Maudarbocus, who has worked appeal went viral and Bibi was inundated 20 volunteers and recently which has a network of volunteers helping Donations are still needed particularly asking for donations and say this who we volunteer for they tell us they don’t need it.” for the NHS for over 30 years, have been with donations. The closed Facebook page is made up of givers and featured on . refugees seeking asylum in this country. clothes, small to medium sized clothing for support for those in desperate financial dire straights. and take a look for yourselves - they realise we are not providing food, clothing and toiletries but receivers with those in need able to post privately to On her nomination, Tracey said: She said: “Everyday I was coming home to young men aged 20 to 30 such as joggers, just a two second wonder trying our luck. The charity which had been also friendship to hundreds of refugees. She is now the Care 4 Calais link volunteer the group’s management requesting assistance. “To have been singled out for bags in my porch and even boxes of clothes tracksuits, trainers and football boots for running a mini-market for for Brigstock House. During lockdown last “I think especially because of the pandemic the the work we do, it goes to show The mum-of-two boys became involved kept arriving from Warwickshire. My boys matches in Thornton Heath Rec. Claire Briscoe - Assistant Managing Director, said: “I local families on low incomes year lots of refugees arrived in Croydon. amount of people that have needed help has gone up we are reaching the people we with Care 4 Calais, which was initially set were saying ‘mummy you have stop this as joined in January 2020 and saw the aftermath of the or Universal Credits switched They were being temporarily housed The majority of refugees the couple work dramatically. Even now as much as pandemic is starting need to be in contact with. The up to support refugees living in the worst there is no space left’. One day seven boxes, during to Covid to home honour is on the service we with are muslims and during Ramadan women they did an amazing job getting out as much to ease down still so many people need help. conditions across Northern France and big boxes, arrived with new clothes, Zara deliveries and online cookery provide, that everyone has been Western hotels on London Road, while there has been a lot of requests for dates. firstfood Christmas.as possible Consideringto families who it was would initially not have just twohad Belgium, when she took part in a cake sale and Next brands, some with new tags still “It is not just young people it is everyone from parents lessons with the number of happy and we have been able to bytheir the claims Home for Office asylum in were the Ibisprocessed. and Best Toiletries are also always welcome. food for Christmas. at Beulah Junior School, where she works. on them. It was amazing!” to those who are near reaching retirement age. There families it helped rose from 16 help the community.” The couple were initially using their own If you would like to donate text Bibi on is such as spectrum of people losing their jobs and to 80 a week. Soon she was volunteering to collect and The stories are unimaginable of families “It is now run on the basis that we are volunteer and money to buy clothes for the refugees 07960 726 158. enduring such hardship.” deliver emergency aid for the charity donation based. Word of mouth has been our

separated, and fleeing the militia in READING HUTS BUILT TO HELP PUPILS CATCH UP REASONS TO SMILE COMEDY GOLD AS OVERJOYED MUM THROWS WIG IN THE AIR humanitarian primary school nspectors have praised the progress t was a comedy gold moment when Ahas built Ibeing made by a flagship free school Ian overjoyed mum stole the show on honour awards reading huts in its despite the challenging impact of Covid Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway playground to help on primary education. by celebrating winning a holiday by pupils catch up on waving her wig around before putting In July 2019 Paxton Academy was taken literacy after an it back on backwards. over by the Wandle Learning Trust inspection report but just weeks later in October 2019 Single mum Aderemi Adejokun from on children’s Ofsted inspected Paxton and gave it an Thornton Heath became a superstar over learning during the ‘inadequate’ rating. night and the clip of her tossing her wig in Covid lockdown . the air in delight went viral. in Thornton Heath and she was wearing a Remi has the whole nation laughing as The December different wig! she celebrates winning a well deserved changes to leadership and governance Her daughters had surprised her for Ofsted visit of yet managed to deliver a holiday as only she can…” Subsequently,which have seen the trustimprovements made significant to the Mother’s Day and when presenters Ant Aderemi is the founder of Relief Africa, a non- Winterbourne Nursery and balanced budget for the curriculum and ‘high expectations’ for McPartlin and Declan Donnelly gifted her Following their new found fame the family Infants, was part of a review pupils’ learning. with a well deserved free holiday she was and empowers children and families, who also appeared on Good Morning Britain on the impact of Covid on As the country was going overwhelmed. profitare economically charity through and socially which disadvantaged she supports and had presenters Susanna Reid and Ben children’s learning. The 2020/21 financial year. The Academy moved to its new building into lockdown in early 2020, across the UK, Nigeria and Ghana. experience is common among on London Road and saw the appointment Dec tried his hardest to get his words out he doctor at the forefront of the local Winterbourne Nursery and many schools, highlighting of a new headteacher Theresa Moses, who As the founder of Just Smile Entertainers, Aderemi explained: “It was freedom, joy, vaccine roll out has been awarded an Infants, whose head teacher Shepherd in fits of laughter. T pupils falling behind in maths, joined in September 2020. raised four daughters on your own, and Aderemi and her four daughters perform excitement… we have been in lockdown humanitarian honour by the grandson of is also on long term sick you run a charity providing toys, clothes together as a family under the stage name ,everything that has happened inside of Nelson Mandela. leave, started looking at This latest inspection which took place through the laughter as he explained: "You and books to underprivileged children. The Levites at local churches. They also me my only way of bringing joy was just options for a partner school the form of printed work packs review had already been acted in January concluded that: “Leaders The distinguished Regal British Award requiring extra lessons in PE to cheer up patients in hospital with Aderemi to take off my wig and swing it around.”” fluency in reading socially to develop with, and considered and recorded videos which are on when Ofsted returned to and those responsible for governance was presented to Dr Agnelo Fernandes impersonating Elvis! being less confident and joining an academy chain but accessed through the school the school in February for a are taking effective action to provide we think you deserve a takeaway getaway." Her oldest daughter Marian, a youth Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided againt it. website. Staff have contacted monitoring visit. education in the current circumstances. " "Your kids say you’re a mum to everyone and After her TV appearance MP Steve Reed advocate, said: “My mom has passion to Matt Ratana by Mandla Mandela MP for improve fitness. She caused more hilarity later when the is reportedly planning to families not accessing the work Tweeted: “Thornton Heath’s very own put a smile on everyones face. " andtheir theexceptional late Croydon leadership Police which officer has Sgt The school found the main Mr Swadling said: “The TV presenters cut back to the family home announce an emergency plan to to give support.” superstar (and my wonderful friend) inspired others around the world. barrier to providing remote monitoring visit doesn’t absence due to COVID but noted the help children, particularly from education was that many In school the priority was provide a grade for the Leadersinspection were team: managing ”Leaders significant have taken staff Dr Fernandes, who is the chair of NHS disadvantaged backgrounds families could only access the to make space for pupils of school, but does provide an steps to ensure that staff absence is not Croydon and a senior GP at the Parchmore catch up, especially with reading. internet through a smartphone key workers, nursery pupils indication of the path the affecting the curriculum provided.” rescue cat’s story turned in to children’s book Medical Centre, said he was: “humbled In December 2019 the and in addition, many families with specialist needs in the school is on. Ofsted reviewed illustrations for the book which features and honoured” to have received an award Headteacher Ms Moses said: “At a time school received a Requires Enhanced Learning Provision the school plans, its website, some of London’s beautiful landmarks and “overwhelmed by distinguished and Improvement (RI) Ofsted their children’s learning, (ELP), and other Special and classes. They also take along with Crystal Palace Football Club’s inspiring guests.” fear and uncertainty, Paxton's most report,. which came on the wereparticularly not confident in English. in supporting Education Needs (SEN) pupils. feedback from staff, and legendary eagle, Kayla. whererecent theOfsted world Section was filled 8 inspection, with so much gave back of a ‘No Assurance’ audit parents. Due to the hard work Initially most In January the Auditors the staff, children and families of Paxton The aim of the book is to support rescued of Trinidad and Tobago, launched and of staff, and commitment of of the school’s returned and following much a reason to smile. cats and dogs and a part of each sale is Anthonypresented Carmona,the Grand theSaviours fifth Award President to the wider school community, extra Covid hard work over the previous donated to Quatar based charity Evenstar Croydon NHS and Croydon Metropolitan "Winterbourne Nursery and Ofsted found the school was "As Headteacher, the past seven months funding was year the school received a that rescued Kody. Police for being compassionate in risking improving and on the path to a have provided me with the opportunity to Infants, can rightly say, its spent on laptops commendable ‘Substantial their own lives to save others. ‘Good’ assessment.” build positive relationships with the parents Vân said: “I for pupils but Assurance’ audit. escue pets are the recurring theme whole community should and create an inclusive enquiry-based never thought The President presented the Regal British subsequently The inspectors pointed to of an animal loving artist who has Mr Swaldling said:“Reading curriculum with the staff for the children. R I‘d love a Award as a tribute to honour Sgt Ratana who be proud of its journey of investmenthas “Teachers provide a warm, just published her first children's book across the school has continued cat let alone Vân is now working with was murdered in custody suite by a suspect, gone into the nurturing start to each day "Along the way, the journey may have be at based on the exploits of her cat. self-improvement," to be developed and we have illustrating Andrea Perry - Editor of The for his beloved services to humanity. upskilling of with a live online session. times challenging, but we can already see Vice Chair of Governors built some small reading huts in and publishing Chronicle on another book both teachers They give clear guidance and the positive difference our hard work ." World Humanitarian Drive (WHD), is the playground for pupils to use April 2020, Vân Dang, who is the artist a book about about the famous white and teaching support to pupils and parents an international non-governmental from Croydon Council and a during play and lunchtime. The Atwho the painted beginning the ofpeacock the first mural lockdown by the in one. However squirrel of assistants subject knowledge. about the day’s learning tasks.” organisation founded by Croydon-based purpose of this is to promote Ghanapathy Temple and helped set up The seeing all the so watch this space! peace activist, Dr Abdul Basit Syed. Inspectors had said that pupils the love of reading.” Mr Swadling responded that Chronicle - revealed a mural 'Hope Lives abandoned Vice chair of the governors 10-YEAR-OLDMAPS The pair are aiming to deficit budget of £202,000. returning to school “could not “This past year has been a Here' by the alley leading to Bensham Manor cats and the The event took place on April 5, marking Michael Swadling said: “ None All pupils are having extra publish more books about recall some letter sounds or challenge for everyone, some allotment (see picture). dedication the the International Day of Conscience. The of these are good positions for lessons in physical education to OUT THORNTON HEATH equality and diversity. Get understand simple text and of us have used the time to set rescue put in, I day aims to promote a culture of peace, a school to have. The school It is a rainbow dog based on her rescued in touch if you also want to that pupils have returned to goals, many of us have failed am so grateful based on a set of values, attitudes and facing all three to work on, outdoor learning has also been sheep dog Bell. By the end of lockdown III, publish your book and make to achieve them, but one local for their work. behaviours inspired by the principles plus the challenges of 2020, improveembedded their through fitness the levels school’s and alternative voices a reality in social skills and independence.” school, Winterbourne Nursery If you think of of freedom, justice, democracy, human stretched everyone.” curriculum, both in early years book Have Fear Kody Is Here which follows the publishing world. school much less confident in and Infants, can rightly say, its giving a pet rights, tolerance and solidarity. However, the inspection visit and key stage one. Aprilthe journey 2021, sheof her has rescue just published cat Kody sinceher first his Simultaneously the school whole community should be a home then Read more about the highlighted that leaders had arrival in London from Doha. The WHD has been supporting was working on its Ofsted Many of the challenges proud of its journey of self- book and get a copy at: "delivered remote education in humanitarian values, with peace and love Action Plan, and its Audit Plan, highlighted in the December improvement.” The family have now moved but Thornton #adoptdontshop. The love and trust you www.hopeliveshere.co.uk/kody being its core ideology, aiming to build Heath still plays an important part in the gain from them are the best reward.” The book is also available on Amazon Kindle. a just, peaceful and inclusive society to support the United Nations 2030 Agenda curriculum set to reflect of Sustainable Development Goal. FIREFIGHTERS PLAY CATS AND LADDERS WITH STRANDED MOGGIE Hosted on line by WHD patron, Mayor en-year-old Luella White loves borough's diversity his cool cat had kitty down from the tree in the ladder the cat decided it of Croydon Maddie Henson, Anthony Thornton Heath so much that she firefighters playing Harcourt Road had failed so couldn’t wait any longer and urriculum for Change is being driven Chair of the Curriculum for T T Carmona presented the Patron of created a map which features some of feline snakes and ladders residents called in Stepping came down the ladder by itself. by local teachers who want the Change Board Josephine Humanity title award posthumously to C her favourite places. after getting stuck up a tree Stone Rescue based in school curriculum to be more relevant Copeland, Head Teacher at All “Everyone was just stunned Nelson Mandela with Mandla receiving the for three days. Wellington to assist but they to children in the borough to include Saints C of E Primary school, Among Luella’s top attractions is the as we watched the cat come awarded in recognition of his grandfather's generation, activism, British identity, and couldn’t get the cat down either. the full story of colonialism and reflect ’amazing art bridge’ on Bensham Manor Crews from Norbury Fire down, then just ran off. He outstanding services as a role model and diversity in the arts and science. the achievements of black and minority council on the proposals. Passage, between Bensham Manor Road Station who were preparing to They alerted the RSPCA who global leader. ethnic people. will be presenting a briefing paper to the In June last year the former Chair of the and Elm Road, which she helped paint climb up to rescue the cat were arrived in an hour but also failed hope he was running off home According to council documents school Croydon Health and Wellbeing Board Cllr as part of a Thornton Heath Community stunned when the kitty made its to coax down the feline and to a decent meal and family.” The groundbreaking project aims to effectiveness advisers have been involved seemed fit and well. We just Louisa Woodley, said: “Institutionalised Action Team project transforming the own way down the ladder they realising it was well and truly promote diversity, unconscious bias, in acting as critical friend to the group, A Fire Brigade spokesman said: racism was abundant and it was not had pitched in Thornton Heath. stuck called in the Fire Brigade. potential curriculum changes and training writing resources and brokering training pedestrian walk way. “The last thing we want is for is being piloted in a small number of from Hackney on cultural competence. However, after a slow descent In a post on Facebook Stepping people to put themselves at risk while real change was not being delivered. uninviting and former graffiti ridden Croydon schools. Her mum Ashleigh Jade said: “She down the nine metre ladder Stone Rescue said: “They were rescuing an animal themselves Last year Hackney launched its Diverse sufficient to hear of policies changing "It was hoped that the coming weeks and absolutely loves drawing and has become instead of falling in to the arms amazing! They decided to take – but we do encourage people The Board's remit emerged from the Curriculum - the Black Contribution with months would see real change, including really rather good at it. Her favourite place the massive ladder off the top Black Lives Matters agenda and has been the aim of ensuring Black British history to the school curriculum to include the full in Thornton Heath is the bridge she helped even a 'thank you' meow. of the engine and placed it instance and we will assist if extended to look at tackling the issue of is taught in all schools. The nine-week story of colonialism, and work to tackle the to paint with Vân Dang because it was a fun of firefighters it ran off without up to where the cat was. But toour call specialist the RSPCA equipment in the first is school exclusions of black boys. Previous attempts to lure the issue of school exclusions of black boys.” day and it makes her smile to look at it.” before anyone could get on required, as in this case.” lessons on subjects including the Windrush plan provides pupils aged five to 14 with HOUSING REPAIR DATA IS 'FICTION' SAYS MP AS HE ACCUSES CROYDON CONTRACTOR OF TREATING TENANTS WITH 'CONTEMPT' TURN from PAGE 1 “Their experience of their own homes and favourably with other boroughs. their neighbours will tell them when Axis some that had been closed once I This contrasts the experiences of tenants or any other contractor is putting forward discovered they had been lying to me.” in Regina Road - and elsewhere in Croydon - who had been complaining since 2019 He said that in a number of case repairs "I think the council needs to do a complete were being signed off as “done” and Axis performance data that is a fiction. review of Axis’ role in this and how Axis properties and black mould coating the were “being paid” but in many cases “no are being managed? Whether Axis are walls. investigation one” had turned up to do the jobs and “if about persistent water leaks flooding an appropriate contractor to continue into housing conditions will explore the they do them they are botched and not working for Croydon council. role of both staff and contractors that led done properly.” “There’s only one metric that matters and He said: “If you or I had someone in to do but now won't be published until after that is residents satisfaction or in this case some work we would check the work was ITV report focused on the plight of tomayoral, conditions GLA in and the flatslocal deteriorating,by-elections tenants satisfaction. " done before we paid them but the council Fransoy Hewitt (pictured above) period as it could be ‘politically sensitive.” “In fact it is really, really good so in my role included a break clause at seven years in of the work being done. They don’t ask don’t give tenants that same courtesy.” In February last year the council’s scrutiny and as part of the investigation which is March 2021 with the option to terminate tenants for their view on whether the job According to council documents the committee for Streets, Environment and He said he was disgusted adding: “I think underway I want to understand how those or extend the contract. that is in their own property has been decision to extend the Axis contract Homes was asked to review the repairs people have been treated with contempt, completed or not. followed an ‘extensive review’ of its MP Steve Reed said: “I was very surprised contract. The committee heard from that’s the truth of it. The scale of failure what is the quality of the assessments performance and relationship with key it was extended. I want to hear why that “Even after Regina Road I had people Lorraine Smout who was head of repairs going on here demands a root and branch that are being made to ensure that we stakeholders including council staff and benchmarking figures are carried out and was done. When something is failing that coming to me who had been treated and maintenance. She said there was an reform of that whole service and the thing as cabinet members and the council as a tenants which is contradicted by tenant badly why do you renew it? abysmally as council tenants by Axis. I average of 65,000 repairs a year for the I think is missing above all else is they are whole has the right data before it in order representative Les Parry. had another case I raised with the council council’s 16,000 property portfolio and not listening to their own tenants. If they had to reach decisions in the future. Just “For me a big part of this is they have got on behalf of a tenant with children living that the council monitored 10 per cent of listened they would know what’s going on.” looking back and seeing what we have to give tenants a real voice of over how in a bedroom covered in mould in the those repairs. seen I am quite worried.” the housing service is managed and over Tenants leaders are also due to have a high same area, in Regina Road and somebody Hewas says passed he first in raisedto repairs the issue and ofhousing mould the complaints handling process because However, an appendix (shown) within level talks with council chiefs to discuss voids The Chronicle has learned the council paid knocked on their door, without arranging andmanagement damp to officers but he in says 2019 no and action the issue was clearly it is going very, very badly wrong the report contradicted that information after uncovering a new scandal on the turn they were going to come around and told taken hence Regina Road. and the thing you hear again and again showing annual statistics in 2014/15, around times on empty council properties, Limited to advise it on a housing asset the resident I have ‘come here’ to see if you from tenants is that the council just does 63,000 repair jobs were completed but in He said: “The attitude we got when we which are meant to meet a 20 day target and strategy, which according to Echelon’s are ‘telling the truth’!” the Council to account. To do this, we must a firm of consultant Echelon Consultancy not listen to me and I’m the MP and they 2019/20 this had considerably reduced to raised such things with operational are currently running at 119 days. web site included creating a new suite see the right information.” are not listening to me either. “In housing in particular, given that is a 38,914. Complaints during that period also Vice Chair of Scrutiny Streets, Environment managers was the dismissive stock of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to report did not reflect this.” At the last council meeting, Cabinet real crisis right now I think they need to increased from 0.34 per cent to 0.41 per and Homes Sub-Committee, Conservative The report also highlighted that customer answer: ‘ I’ll investigate’ and then nothing evaluate the success of the services against “There doesn’t appear to be any system in look immediately at ways to give tenants cent. The discrepancy was picked up by Cllr Jeet Bains told The Chronicle: “It’s not satisfaction had improved in the current happens.” He said they also challenged a number of objectives. place for tracking cases in the council. They you look at the contract which came to a real voice over how the services are Conservative councillor Cllr Vidhi Mohan unusual at all for information not to be year, that the repairs completion time for how the data was collated and asked don’t know whether a thing has been dealt Financecabinet you Lead will Cllr see Callton that on Young every said: single “If Axis were appointed by the council in April run and an oversight over the complaints provided, or provided at the last minute emergencies was ‘very good’ in the ‘upper for extra due diligence on the contract with or not. They don’t have dates where indicator for Axis performance that they 2014 as part of a 15 year contract which handling process. sense: “..the number of jobs completed in an impenetrable format, or it’s just quartile’ and that keeping appointments extension but were told it had already perform above the average benchmark. but the officer’s response made little irrelevant. It is so important that we hold and completion times compared been signed off. they can sort, chase or get confirmation council tax hike as croydon takes former council labour leadership duo fluctuatedCROYDON seasonally and theSITTING end of year ON OVER £20 PETITION REACHES ALMOST 4.5K he council is forging head with plans newman and hall quit over witch hunt to sell Heath Lodge in Grangewood government millions but at a cost T The capitalisation from the government ormer council leader Tony Newman Park despite almost 4,500 people different’ financial position. roydon Council is no longer bankrupt MILLION IN S106 AND CIL FUNDS comes with conditions which they say announced he was quitting as a signing a petition opposing the sale of after getting a government bail out F he council is sitting on over £20 includes the asset disposal programme C councillor on Twitter but not before he the green space, which will be auctioned but the interest payments alone will million in contributions from with the proceeds used to fund the cost of had taken a swipe at the investigation T in the summer by the council along with saddle tax payers with an additional developers which could be spent on public borrowing the £120m and not going in to probing financial mismanagement at the historic building. debt of £24million. infrastructure projects, it has emerged. other general fund activities the council describing it as a 'witch hunt The lodge and part of the park were included As tax payers faced an average council tax and a shambles'. Community Infrastructure Levy and Section The council say this is a small slither of in a list of council properties for disposal, 106 contributions are paid by developers land and that without it being attached to His ally former cabinet lead Simon Hall had council also borrowed £13million from in return for being allowed planning the sale it is unlikely the lodge could be resigne,d an hour before Newman claiming hikeScottish of almost tax payers five perduring cent the it emerged Covid crisis. the permission for their proposed schemes sold and that it may, given its deteriorating he was being made a scapegoat and that his partsome of of interim the council’s finance debt. director Chris Buss’s Hall, who is an accountant by profession, with the monies intended to be used for been forthcoming. A report to the council’s state and lack of investment, otherwise Worst still Croydon had agreed to pay back family had faced harassment as a result of fire sale of public assets towards paying off not have to borrow.” similarly complained with both men taking social and community infrastructure streets, homes and environment scrutiny The intention is to sell exactly the same strip be demolished. By selling this land to high interest rates on both the Scottish the council’s widely publicised bankruptcy. advice from legal counsel. Hall said he sub-committee was told the council has of land, so 195sq around the Lodge as was provide pedestrian access from Grange loan and the £120million it borrowed from The loan means the council can balance its projects such as tree planting, public art, The pair were already under an viewed: “complaints against me from a £17million available to spend - a difference previously advertised on Boxing day Day Road it minimises the impact on park. the government to secure the investment. in year budget and set one for 2021-22 but employment and skill training, education, the bail out is conditional on the council ‘administrative suspension’ imposed by the open space and libraries. 2019. The council is due to advertise the They also contend this section of parkland The formal ending of the section 114 Labour Party pending an inquiry and had baseless. But scapegoating and threat to provided to Property Week in response to disposal of the land (in accordance with is not presently used by park users and so delivering its renewal improvement plans The Council’s Infrastructure Finance notice, which was issued in November, was been allowed to stay on as councillors but flawedfamily madefactually situation inaccurate untenable." draft report as ofa freedom-of-information £5.5million from the £22.5million request. figure Local Government Act 1972 s 123), which its sale won’t have a detrimental effect on Group (IFG) which was established in July possible after the government allowed the Croydon’s Renewal Plan maps were banned from taking part in Labour invites public representations.. the use of the park. The father-of-three said he was leaving 2012 decides which projects are worthy. The March scrutiny report goes on to say as of council to borrow the money but if it can’t out proposals for further savings, Party business, including policy meetings. the council a year before he had intended December 2020 the S106 balance in Croydon The sale reneges on a public statement The council leader Hamida Ali, giving meet the repayments on the loan it may It oversees the processes for providing Newman, a councillor for 27 years stood adding: “…..I have always acted in the best stood at £4.7million while the CIL balance the council made a year ago that it would evidence to a government select have to borrow more. practices, bolstering reserves and new access to possible funding of projects from down as Labour group leader, a position interest of and Croydon. If was £12,544,171. This was as of March 31 NOT sell the lodge and would instead committee last month was asked: Does the strengtheningways of working governance to put the andborough financial on a Section 106 agreements and Community The council leader Hamida Ali, interim CEO he held for 15 years, in October despite a all of this were not serious enough, there last year so could now be more. In November, work with the community over the future direction require you to dispose of assets? Interest Levy but it is unclear who sits Katherine Kerswell and interim director has been an invasion of my and my family’s Crystal Palace Football Club agreed a use of the property. This is the third time on the IFG and how often it meets but it She responded: “I think I am right in saying It will also need to address funding gaps Hall had already resigned from the cabinet privacy and harassment, which has led £1million community levy deal as part of the the council has tried to sell the Victorian more sustainable financial footing. that, in the conversations the interim chief government select committee last month caused by the demands of tackling the voteciting of 'personal confidence reasons'. in him by his colleagues. to me having to take additional security redevelopment plans for their stadium. park building. Previously the council had ofabout finance Croydon’s Chris S114 Buss experience. gave evidence to a Covid-19 crises, which has already cost measures to keep my family safe, on the assured the Friends of Grangewood Park As the full extent of the crisis being faced projects it isn’t necessarily spent on them. S106 agreements are negotiated between with Ministry of Housing Communities and Croydon over £46m. advice of police.” is likely to include officers and councillors. that at least 25 per cent of any sale would MP Bob Blackman asked whether the by the council began to unfold the Local Even when money is assigned to specific the developer and council based on the executive and other officials were having For instance a total of £3,582,344 of Section be ploughed back in to improving the park. Treasury attaching a borrowing rate of In April last year Croydon borrowed Government Association's Richard Penn A government review published in our approach would be and reviewing our 106 income was meant to be distributed one per cent above the normal Public £13million from Midlothian Council was brought in to investigate and presented February exposed that the former Labour is predetermined as applied to the gross Deputy leader Stuart King, who is Cabinet Localassets Government to make some officials, contribution the assets, in what that in 2019/20 but only £775,674 of money Works Loan Board borrowing rate for the agreeing to pay 1.85 per cent in interest council leader created an “inner circle of specific needs of the community while CIL Member for Croydon Renewal and the way was a feature of those discussions. It is secured under these agreements was spent. loan was “fair and reasonable, especially payments per annum for the two-and- Executive Katherine Kerswell months ago. a small number of cabinet members who development liable for the levy. council’s head of assets and estates fair to say that it is an expectation, if not an given interest rates at the moment?” a-half year loan period which will see a draft of his findings to interim Chief were controlling in their management Unspent money includes £275,000 on the internal floorspace of the net additional Stephen Wingrave met with The Friends explicit condition.” She has sat on the report but by standing This includes 15 per cent of the Croydon pay back an ‘attractive’ £600,000 Playground Investment programme which of Grangewood and said there was no down the former councillors are unlikely to borough’s levy going towards the ‘Local The petition against the sale of the lodge, return on the Scottish council’s investment. claiming there was 'culture of bullying'. is meant to see the initial regeneration of Chris Buss said: “Our hope is that we will face disciplinary action. Meaningful Proportion’ which in 2020- garden and parkland will be presented of the council and its finances” with staff three playgrounds in the borough which land and or any proceeds from the sale The council’s interim finance director Cllr Ali, leader of the council said: 21 was £3.9million and included funding at the next council meeting by ward Clearly, it is content particularly upset should have been completed in Summer 'flexibility'being used overto improve the sale the of park the lodge, because park of amount we will have to borrow through “Although the section 114 notice is no pressured to reword cabinet reports to for Community Ward budgets where councillor Karen Jewitt. Newman who criticised it for having 'many 2020. However, work on upgrading bethe able realisation to deal with of capital a significant assets—we part of may the longer in place, there is still a lot of work to It also said that council officers were councillors allocate funding to local issues' adding that it contains 'factually playgrounds in Northwood Road, The council has already indicated it will not be able to do all of it, but we do hope to projects which was frozen due to the Cllr King explained the difference from inaccurate and baseless allegations'. A May by-election has been called in both Grangewood Park and New Addington the council’s financial position put a covenant on the site to prevent do that—and the repayment of loans that to live sustainably and within its means for present a more favourable financial picture. Section 114 restrictions. when promises were made previously wards of Woodside and New Addington. haven’t even begun and no start date has development other than as a family home. we have outstanding. Hopefully we will bethe done long andterm.” savings to find for the council is that the council is in a ‘dramatically DEALER'S CLAIMS OF birds eye view MODERN DAY SLAVERY A County Lines dealer who packed more than 100 drug of thornton wraps up his bottom has been jailed for four years after claiming he was a heath art victim of modern slavery. hese incredible birds eye views of the Thornton THeath art trail were commissioned to feature in a guide of London. The images captured by photographer Michael Shilling, Director at Memory Gate Studios in Croydon, OPERATION VAN BUREN

new London National Park City Wiki. Joshua Campos, 20, was using a fisheye lens, appear on the home page of the POLICE NET 40 SUSPECTS convicted of four counts The wikipedia is a collaborative guide to all aspects of dedicated operation to conduct searches including on Specialist tactical pursuit and for a full forensic examination. of selling heroin and crack the London National Park City. Atargeting criminal activity Brigstock Road and on Thornton cocaine at opposite ends of the Michael who is also a member of the photography in Thornton Heath resulted in Heath High Street. involved in a chase involving country in Bury St Edmunds, patrols around the Thornton group Lenses of Croydon, created an amazing series 40 arrests and the seizure of an containmentmopeds which officers were becamebeing in Suffolk and Weston-super- Among the arrests was a vehicle OfficersHeath areacontinued and onresponded their targeted to of 350 degree angle shots of the mosaics and murals impressive array of weapons. ridden dangerously by multiple Mare in Somerset. which was stopped and searched an Automated Number Plate in and around Thornton Heath. passengers and matched the with Class A drugs and drug Recognition activation relating to Campos admitted dealing description of one used in knife They take the traveller on the trail from Grangewood police pursuits carrying out forced paraphernalia found in these socks, a potential burglary and catalytic drugs on behalf of the point robberies. During the pursuit Park, along the High Street and Brigstock Road via Specialiststops on aofficers number were of vehiclesinvolved asin believed to be prepared for selling converter theft, where the suspect “Albert” drugs line in Bury the bike was ridden dangerously Brook Road and Frant Road to Thornton Heath Pond. suspects tried to evade capture. to people in Thornton Heath. had repeatedly made off from St Edmunds between at speed on the pavement. police since. December 2019 and March The murals and mosaics were commissioned by the Many of the offences were detected The week long Operation Van 2020, then for a new drugs council, and Thornton Heath Community Action Team during the proactive use of stop Buren, replicated the success The vehicle was boxed in by a moped and detain by force both line in Weston-super-Mare. as part of its Street Action initiative and The Friends and search. Among those detained of Operation Cleveland in West specialist pursuit team after Officersthe rider were and ablepillion to boxpassenger in the of Grangewood Park. were individuals suspected of Croydon which is part of a new attempting to make off and the However, he claimed he’d after they attempted to run down drug dealing, carrying out knife Met initiative to tackle violent driver was detained for a search. been acting under duress, point robberies and a well known crime in the Croydon area. The suspect was linked to Catalytic advancing the relatively new shows a map and gives the background to the artworks burglar armed with this impressive Converter thefts in Modern Slavery Act defence. THCATalong with created the locations a leaflet and to can support be downloaded the trail which here: The violence suppression units thedrugs officers. and Bothoffensive were well weapons known tool kit, who was also a suspect in and Bromley and was found in He had a previous conviction www.thorntonheath.net/art-trail/ also visited local shops and tooffences police and for were violence, arrested firearms, for an catalytic convertor thefts. possession of tools associated to for possession with intent to businesses liaising with the array of offences. that crime. The man a well-known supply cannabis. Police stopped and searched 189 owners and customers to gain Police are investigating whether burglar was arrested. people and carried out 19 weapon intelligence on the activities that Campos, of Ashley Road, PLANNERS 'LIKE' UNCONVENTIONAL DESIGN COMPARED TO A PRISON the moped was also stolen from sweeps in parks and car parks are affecting the area most. north London and it has been sent Property owner with the Met's Specials brought in child was born while he and developer Thortonwas remanded, Heath, had whose written first Omo Ayoade, has to the judge expressing his been prosecuted dramatic moment stolen jaguar acid attack on refugee was motivation to change. twice by pursued by police crashes racially motivated The judge Recorder Richard Southwark his is the dramatic moment a stolen car which Smith QC acknowledged that Council for being etectives investigating a brutal double acid was involved in a police chase crashed in to a Campos had initially been an a ‘negligent T Dattack which left a teenager permanently stationary van and demolished a wall. “easy target” for exploitative landlord’. blinded in Thornton Heath now say it could be a racially motivated. dealers, but said that had changed as he got older.” lanners dismissed objections that design proposals to The application was referred to the Planning Committee the Met’s In the last edition of The Chronicle the 19-year-old who Predevelop garages in to a block of three storey houses because of the number of objections, with 47 received OfficersViolent Crime from was walking along the road with another man, aged 25, The activity to arrest and charge Campos was part were unconventional after residents complained it would He already has planning permission to demolish two Task Force spoke exclusively about the moment when a stranger of Operation Orochi, which be like looking at a ‘prison’ complex. recommended the development be given approval relying large houses at 30-32 also on Chipstead Avenue from [VCTF] had threw a cup of corrosive liquid over the pair. againston the need and for two more in homes favour. and The the planning precedent officer set by hadthe indicated focused on analysing mobile Dozens of residents objected to plans to replace 10 garages February 2020 when approval was given to replace He has since revealed his belief that he might still be other neighbouring Brick by Brick Flora Court development, for a Jaguar phone data to disrupt the which sit at the rear of 42-50 Chipstead Avenue and border the houses with a part three-storey, part four-storey able to see if the police had acted more swiftly. to pull over activities of criminal gangs. homes on Quadrant Road, with four detached houses built in Thornton The victim, then 18, had been walking to college with a over two and three-storeys. MP Steve Reed has also backed the residents campaign but Credit: ID PIX which offers 27 flats over three and four storeys. Heath but when fellow Eritrean refugee at about 8.10am on December it is unclear at this stage whether the revised plan will go building comprising of eight flats (pictured above) police hunt driver Residents on Chipstead Avenue and Quadrant Roads who On Companies House Mr Ayoade, describes himself the vehicle failed to stop a valid driving licence or 7 when the pair were approached by a man. back to the planning committee for decision or be delegated using the same firm of architects. will be affected by the development have described it “at as a property developer and is the director of a brief pursuit ensued insurance, possession of in electric scooter The 25-year-old said: “Suddenly, completely best as being like a warehouse and at worst prison like.” several companies which are based at 30 Chipstead with the car crashing on an offensive weapon and unprovoked, the man threw acid at my friend’s face hit and run Joseph and Margaret Scanlan, who are long term residents Avenue including Chipstead Garages Ltd which was Hythe Road on Thursday possession with intent to Their main objections were on the grounds of: to an officer. and then my face too. It was more than painful. I was n electric scooter rider of Quadrant Road, said: “To deliver the developers’ desired incorporated in April 2019. In June of the same year (March 18) at 4.34pm. supply a Class B drug. overdevelopment, the negative impact on neighbouring completely blinded. I ran out into the road, not seeing has been left with ‘life- unit size the proposed buildings end up being of an intrusive Chipstead Garages Ltd had a Registration of Charge A properties, design, emergency access and the impact on The driver of the A 19-year-old woman where I was going. My friend ran away, screaming, changing injuries’ after height of three storeys. against it with Commercial Acceptances Ltd, which was arrested on car parking. is a loan secured against the business. vehicle attempted to along Thornton Road." being knocked down in a hit- “In addition to the impact of the excessive and looming make off on foot but suspicion of allowing and-run at about 12.45pm The proposed ‘car free’ development would use heavy stone The attack was featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch height, the development would be located just 10.3metres In February 2019 Mr Ayoade was taken to court by was detained following herself to be carried on March 18, in Thornton Live and Crimestoppers are offering a £5,000 reward. from the back wall of our property, whereas Croydon’s Southwark Council and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs. a short foot chase. in a stolen vehicle and Heath High Street, near the say they chose as a reference to the ‘historic use of the site Detectives believe the attacker previously targeted ‘Suburban Design Guide’ sets out a minimum back-to-back His female passenger possession with intent junction with Grange Road andas gravel green pit’ corrugated and the ‘later cladding, use as which garages’. architects Office S&M He appeared at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court for to supply a Class B drug. the teenage refugee on September 7, after he called at separation of 18metres.” failing to apply for a landlord license and following remained in the vehicle. and Whitehorse Lane. Local resident Simon Carter spoke on behalf of residents The garages are accessed by a narrow entrance between complaints from his tenants. A 23-year-old man was Both were later bailed to The driver of the car did not opposing the plan which the virtual planning committee CCTV footage showed the suspect punching him twice of this year to launch a witness two existing houses and were originally the location of arrested on suspicion of return on dates in early the victim’s flat claiming to be delivering a letter. stop at the scene and police in the face with a bicycle chain wrapped around his appeal. I feel hopeless now.” two houses, which were destroyed in a Second World War aggravated taking and April and police said: are appealing for witnesses defeated Conservatives who wanted to refuse the application had complained to Southwark Council about bed- bombing raid. Residents say that the access to site should driving away, dangerous "enquiries continue.” The suspect is described as or any information that may ofas onlythey fivesaid membersit was out voted of character 3-2 to defer.with Labourthe neighbouring members Abugs resident in November living in one2017 of and his threethen theflats council in Camberwell learned white van driver who may have seen the assault or be at least 3 metres for emergency services to get through.. driving, driving without white or Asian, slim, with a black help track down the dark- properties and resembled an 'army camp'. fist,even beforespoken walking to the attacker off. Police before are he trying left the to scene. trace a hooded jacket, dark trousers and coloured vehicle. The police In a letter to the council objectors say this is a measured in following a leak eight months previously. But the Labour councillors Paul Scott, Leila Ben-Hassel and The refugee who was blinded in the attack said: “I shoes or boots. He wore a light are looking to speak to anyone response to a scheme that has “ignored" not only the that a collapsed ceiling hadn’t been fixed after falling committee chair Chris Clarke favoured the ‘innovative, creative, blue medical mask and a dark who may have witnessed council’s planning policies and standards, but also the and modern interpretation’ but wanted the deferral to address action against Mr Ayoade. In 2013, he was told to baseball cap during both attacks. the accident or captured it consultative and advisory role of the London Fire Brigade." This wasn’t the first time the council had taken I would not have been blinded in the second one. I on dashcam footage. Anyone reported the first attack to the police but they didn’t Do you know the acid attacker? comply with an improvement notice after a various with information can call 101 catch him. If they had caught him after the first attack Crimestoppers-uk.org or ‘more sensitive relationship’ with neighbouring properties. payproblems costs with and fineshis homes totalling came £1,938 to light. over failing to Credit: ID PIX Credit: ID PIX With the acid attack the police waited until January quoting CAD 3233/18MAR21. the distribution of floorspace and the necessity for a third freephone 0800 555 111. floor feeling it would work better as a terrace and provide a asked for help after the first attack but I didn’t get it.

THORNTON HEATH IN BLOOM baptism of fire for new women's football club chair TED'S RED 'N' BLUE ARMY ONE WOMAN'S JOURNEY FROM MUMBAI TO FIND BACK FOR A SIXTH YEAR rganisers of Thornton football behind the scenes. We I think everyone involved in MATCH REPORT Heath in Bloom are hoping hope to lead the transitions the club is onboard with that O Croydon Women FC returned for another bumper crop of for providing opportunities for and that’s our primary goal.” entries as people have been women within football to be HER LOST CHILDHOOD IN THORNTON HEATH MP Sarah Jones is the honorary absence and were beaten by spending more time on their more representative.” president of the club which the much more alert Sporting ubla Basu was born in India and aged four gardens during lockdowns. to football after a five month came to England to have harelip and cleft Emma, whose day job is as this season has played at B Volunteers from Thornton palate surgery at Great Ormond Street. Her family a civil servant working for Beckenham Club Langley but their West London opponents Heath Community Action Team moved to Thornton Heath in 1968 but after her the Department of Education hopes next season to return to Duet.as Croydon The 5-0had resultthe majority flattered of (THCAT) are organising this father’s sudden death from stroke her mother has never played football and playing at Croydon Arena. possession. annual event for the sixth year admits to not being particularly returned to India. Emma added: “We have a really he runaway American comedy running. Judges will be looking TURN from P16 athletic but: “very much enjoys good diverse team. It is a nice a header, a one on one, a long hit Ted Lasso which follows the A teacher for over 20 years Bubla, a published for the best, most colourful and sport as a fan.” T Emma said:“I would love to see different experience for those shot, a dribble and a far post fortunes of a small-time American author who lives in Mumbai, now divides her varied planting in Thornton All five goals were different, us get back in to the FA Cup She added: “For me it is about players starting out aged 16, 17 tap-in. There were plenty of football coach who moves to England time between teaching Shakespeare to adults and Heath and will be awarding competition. I think it would solidifying where we are now right through to players in their encouraging signs however for to manage a professional soccer team working with stray animals. Here she writes about prizes for the top three in these be such a brilliant story to go just happens to be set at Crystal Palace the sentimental journey she made to Thornton as a club looking at how we 30’s who have been playing for a the future once players gel and from FA cup winners to the club can really develop our roots long time, so it is a good balance. football club. Heath to search for a lost childhood. front garden; concrete front being disbanded to the club and expand the team. We are speed. fivespace; hotly business, contested categories:group or "Every game hasn’t been easy The Eagles Selhurst Park stadium is the coming back and being able to looking at different ways we get their match fitness up to Since1972 when I left England at age 10, I followed imaginary routes My father’s sudden death organisation frontage; children’s but we have got a committed The Trams were away at backdrop for the hit show which has won enter that competition. I am not might do that whether we look from my home in Manchester Road to places I used to walk and cycle. ended my childhood plants or vegetables; street group of players and coaches Molesey on Sunday before a an array of awards including a Golden expecting us to win the trophy to have a youth team as well in England. I had spent planter or planted tree pit. who want the best for the club home tie versus Civil Service Globe. Filming on the second series of Ted If I went down my road, past the corner shop and turned left towards in the next few years but just as the all ages team we have four years in the school, and are prepared to put the on the April 25th. Lasso has been taking place over the last Parchmore Road, I would be on my way to Julie’s house. If I turned right, to be back in that would be an now. It has been particularly moving up from the work in but also a bunch of few weeks. it would be towards where Helen and Lisa lived. Further was where I link between nature, the incredible ambition!” disruptive this season because If anyone is interested in trialing Infants to the Juniors people who want to have fun went to Lorraine’s birthday party and further again where my father and Alsoenvironment to reflect and the our important well of the pandemic so our primary to play and is over 16, or wants The club’s stadium is being used in the Current Chairman Jason Casey, and enjoy spending time with On that June afternoon being, THCAT have added new ambition is just to establish a to help with the organising or from Thornton Heath, is passing each other which I think at in 2019, I hoped to look prizes: one for the best nature sponsoring of the club please English Club AFC Richmond who Ted, a As we walked back with him, we met Tony -the best looking boy in my over the chair reigns but will this level is what it is about.” I went to get my first dog. around my old school but front garden, showing water the players are happy to be visit: www.croydonwfc.co.uk sitcomcollege asfootball the home coach ground from of Kansas the fictional - aka class. My dog was named Tony on the spot because he was a handsome remain as a coach with the with no appointmentI was conservation such as a water reallythere, strongfeel supported first team and where we Jason Sudeikis - is hired to manage. chap too! club. He said: “There is a lack disappointedly turned away. of women involved in women’s are playing really good football. Ted, is based on a character created by I also had memories of the Recreation Ground, Grange Park and of the friendly planting. The second Going up Manchester Road, not on a Raleigh cycle (how I had wanted a Sudeikis, of Horrible Bosses and We’re the Swimming Baths where Mr Gower did classes on Wednesdays – when I buttis for plus the bee, best butterfly dustbin and planter bird Chopper!) I thought of other Thornton Heath times – like walking into Millers fame, for an NBC sketch to promote wanted to watch Ace of Wands on tv. The only compensation was cheesy where plants are grown in a the police station to report a lost dog. Jeannie and I had done that – two Premier League coverage in the states Quavers from the crisp machine outside. structure over the bins to make DOCU-DRAMA BREAKS DOWN BLACK SWIMMING STEREOTYPES serious children whom two policemen took very seriously. They drove which went viral. the space more attractive. film documentary about a Black that black people can't swim head-on. On 26th June, 2019, I returned to Thornton Heath inspired to wander us back to where the dog was at age nine we were so excited and felt so Briton whose fear of not being It travels to the very root of this racial Sudeikis who joined forces with writer Last year, despite all the A important to be in a police van! able to swim and drowning has been prejudice and begs the question of why? Bill Lawrence sold the idea to Apple, and in the ‘70s, I had not been in touch with anyone here. As we rode home, the policemen reassured us that the dog would be dramatised in a gritty drama which began searching for a football club to the streets of my childhood alone. After the first few cards and letters entrants participated in the sent to the RSPCA. I was almost at the head of Manchester Road now battles stereotypes set by society. become their show’s backdrop. difficultiescompetition with compared lockdown, to the 100 39 the release: "There comes a point where longer the bright orange colour and I wondered what chances I had of and another wonderful memory brimmed up - attending the wedding It is just over a year now since Ed Edthis who generational also produced cycle the has film to saidbe broken about Lawrence, who is the creative force meeting Julie. of Snowy, our Brownie pack leader in a church not far from my home I chose first go to Julie’s house on Parchmore Road. The door was no Instead of the usual prize-giving Accura, producer of new documentary and that time is now. behind award-winning shows such as ceremony in a local church hall, feature Blacks Can’t Swim: The Sequel co- Scrubs, Cougar Town and Spin City said: “No, luv, I’m sorry I can’t help you," said the man who answered the doorbell. My parents were no more Christian than they were anything else but entries received in the first year. “Black youths drown at a horrendous rate. they wanted me to have the fullest experiences available. doorstep awards were arranged founded the Black Swimming Association “One of the main stipulations was we had Well, of course. Why should anyone be in the same place after 47 years? Hence the reason why I am focusing on for all the winners. (BSA), set up to encourage black and to shoot it in London so it was authentic that age group.” Smiling at my foolishness, I headed towards my school. My mind maps I stopped at what used to be my house - now a dull grey and maroon ethnic minorities to swim. Chair of THCAT, Linda Watson were foggier than I had thought, so I had to ask for directions. structure with a small unattended front patch and a crumbling step. Danielle Obe, Interim CEO for the BSA, that would let us use their facilities and I drew in my breath and walked up to the door. I watched my hand said:“We hope for even more It follows the success of Accura and Children were swarming noisily in the playground and as I looked at the said: "Blacks Can’t Swim: The Sequel is andwhat we we had would to find base a Premier our team League on: a local,team entries this time. Seeing songwriter who also has a day job in IT, teachers on duty, I wondered if any one of them could be as reassuring an accurate representation of the barriers community team as opposed to any of the second...then the last. No response to any of them. beautiful plants as you walk that delved in to reasons why 95 per plays Frank Awuah in the sequel which as my favourite teacher who used to let us warm our hands in her coat the black community face when it comes big juggernauts. reaching for the first of three doorbells (we used to have two)...then the down the street rather than directorcent of black Mysterex's adults firstand 80 film per last cent year of focuses on Layla and K-Frost two Black pockets on winter mornings. What an anticlimax. No Julie, no school, nobody home. This trip had to swimming, whether that stems from just rows of dustbins can make black children in England do not swim. It teens from a south London council “What’s a team stadium that still feels like been nothing but an idiotic indulgence. an inherited cultural belief, or simply such a positive difference.” combines acting and documentary style estate. After enrolling in a community it’s part of the community and localised? Could there be anyone as vigorous as our music teacher, always so not having the access, knowledge or noticeable in his bright shirts and broad ties? How I had wished my Back home in Mumbai, however, I found myself suddenly galvanised into interviews with black teens and adults program designed for young adults with Entry forms need to be teacher’s thick hair and sideburns could be part of a wig for my dear, bald action. I found my school on Facebook and through it, Julie, her sister in an attempt to action change from the disadvantaged backgrounds, they soon Bill Wrubel, who’s one of the executive submitted by Friday July 9 Lesley, another friend, Debbie, and incredibly enough, our music teacher. ground up in local communities. learn that they must face their ultimate “Blacks can't swim' is not just a racial Notproducers only did and Crystal writers Palace on thefit theshow… bill, buthis with judging between July 10 confidence they need to get in the pool. fear, the water, to complete it. stereotype. It denies communities an uncle is one of the ownership partners of Couldn’t I have simply done the Facebook search and connected with and 17. For more information We featured Ed’s relentless one man old dad!. Could there be a Principal as dignified as the wonderful lady I essential skill that could save someone's life.” Crystal Palace, so we had a connection to On what turned out to be one of my last days as a student in the school, a ball friends and teachers without going to Thornton Heath? Of course, but I and for the entry form visit: mission to address this stereotype in an had known so many years ago, so firm of manner and so calm of face? go in and talk to their management group. hadn’t done that. There had been no sense of urgency, only sentimentality www.thorntonheath.net new swimmer who has recently overcome www.blackscantswim.com my Principal had phoned my mother to tell her I needed to be taken home. and nostalgia, no realisation of putting something back into my life which featured his brother Darren who is Theyhis own find personal a mentor barriers. in Frank Fuelled (Accura), by a “We told those folk what we were looking Email your entry to cr7inbloom@ because I hadn’t even known how much was missing or even lost. interviewbased in Thornton about hisHeath. first film in 2019 true testimonies, this deeply thought- to do and said: ‘Look, our team will be an had struck me in a game of rounders and though I had been given first aid, gmail.com or pop your form When she put down the receiver, there was nothing in her manner imaginary team and if we shoot in your through the letter box at The In this latest offering, the rapper and which betrayed my mother’s words on the end of the line – “I’m afraid I It took half a day of rudderless desolation for me to discover the value of stadium Crystal Palace will kick our butts can’t come right away, you see, I have just lost my husband.” belonging and identity. Salvation Army, 66 High Street. provoking film tackles the age-old myth GRACE WILL NEVER FORGET CLUB THAT STARTED HER RUGBY JOURNEY When episode two of Ted Lasso launched in the first game.” A club spokesperson said: • There have been big numbers Those passing the front of the Palace side beat their Selhurst hosts 4-1 in “Grace’s hard work and at men's and women's training club on Brigstock Road may WHY I love thornton heath infront August of a sea last of red year and a blue. fictional As the Crystal show bravery is paying off and she since training returned on have noticed the scaffolding Emma Hayward imagined I’d also end up working here. we have children from all backgrounds There is an amazing sense of community ends, Glad All Over rings out over rolling is an awesome role mode for March 29, following the latest recently. attending - and you don’t need to be Greek here in Thornton Heath and I can’t imagine credits. The whole show feels inherently explains Why She During the time I have lived here, I feel up-and-coming females taken lockdown easing, writes to work there or send your children there! living anywhere else now. The new clubhouse roof is now related to Palace, with its colour scheme, Loves Thornton I have really become part of the local in the SCRFC family.” Owen Howells. It is a fantastic place to work and I love complete, and the bar will be setting and closing track being familiar Heath. community. I decided to give up my job I’ve attended neighbours’ weddings and being able to make a difference to the Grace who is training in Ireland The men have been training on reopening from Friday April tropes for any Eagle. in publishing and retrain to be a primary birthday parties, celebrated Eid and Diwali I’ve lived in children in the community where I live. ahead of the tournament said: a Monday and Wednesday and 16 for outside hospitality. school teacher. with friends I’ve made on my street. When Lawrence continued: “We kept the colours Thornton Heath “What an honour it was to start the women on a Tuesday and I worked throughout the Covid pandemic Additionally, the men's tour and stuff because ....it was one of the for around 15 years. I originally moved I got a job at St. Cyprian’s Greek Orthodox my journey with such a great Thursday as the back pitch has and the lockdowns and I had a brilliant England I didn’t think I’d even talk to my to Trinidad and Tobago to things Apple wanted us to do.....We wanted here as it was an affordable place to buy Primary School here in Thornton Heath in TURN from P16 club! Will never forget where I been re-seeded. time teaching the children of NHS staff and Ineighbours! first moved to London from north-east celebrate the 150th anniversary a place with personality that we knew a house and the transport links to my job 2012 and I’ve worked there ever since. started, hope I’ll be able to give other essential workers. Grace then moved on to play Minis and youth rugby for season has been announced for actually meant something. in the City were good. I didn’t know too If anyone were to ask me if they should back someday. in the Premiership with boys and girls 6-17 returned Easter 2022 with the SCRFC. much about the area at the time and I A lot of the children have parents who work move to Thornton Heath, I wouldn’t “For me - I’ve got to shoot a couple of times as it is the only Greek Orthodox primary Richmond and moved to the “Thank you to all the coaches, last Sunday (11th April) with Carnival 7s men's and ladies’ only intended to live here for a couple of at Croydon University Hospital so I felt like hesitate to recommend it to them. in big stadiums, where I’ve seen iconic schoolThe school, in the on UK. Springfield However, Road, the isschool unique is teammates, physios and staff record numbers. rugby tournament at the club years. However, I didn’t realise how much in some small way that I was helping to do a huge part of the local community as abilities caught the eye of the for helping me along the way.” on July 31. I would love Thornton Heath and I never my bit. one of the top three. " nationalback row side. (flanker) where her teams play – this [Selhurst] is definitely ROLE MODEL GRACE PICKED RAMS RAMP UP FOR IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PREPERATIONS FOR treatham-Croydon Rugby Grace played for The Bulls as right FOOTBALL SEASON SFootball Club could not be back when the women's team was FC Croydon Athletic are ramping up prouder after learning one of Apreparations ahead of the 2021/2022 their own has been selected to went off to University in Brighton football season and already have their play for Ireland. firstwere establisedshe mostly inplayed 2015. netbalhl She then but first friendly fixture scheduled. in her last year of uni returned to the Grace Moore from Croydon is one The club were successful in securing Thornton Heath based club where of five uncapped players to feature she played centre and wing. in the Ireland’s 35 strong squad for Football and Lockdown funds. the upcoming Women’s Six Nations She was the club's player of the financial support through the Return to The easing of restrictions saw the junior Championship. season in 2017-18. teams return to football on April 11. The TURN to page 15

firstHolmesdale team will FC on return May 8. to training at the end of April, ahead of a friendly fixture at EMMA TAKES THE LEADING ROLE Works are already underway to prepare he newly reformed Croydon supplied six of the England team that took part in the the pitch and facilities at the ground. Croydon Women’s 1995 World Cup, with going on to manage the England team with T Seán Ryan, Commercial and Fundraising Football Club, once one some considerable success. Manager said:“Welcoming children and of the forerunners of the Emma’s love of women’s football began at primary school when English game, are hoping pupils were given free tickets to watch the women’s World Cup represents a huge step towards normality to regain their position in games at Selhurst Park and for the last few seasons she has been parentsat the club. back to the Mayfield Stadium domestic football under the an avid fan and season ticket holder at Chelsea FC Women. leadership of a woman. August and we’re optimistic that it will Emma Bowell, 29, has just become the club’s new chair and is more and more women stepping in to leadership positions "Thecoincide first with team the are return due to ofkick spectators off in early at looking forward to the challenge of returning the club to its heyday Emmanot necessarily said: “Things coaching are changingor playing and but we more are interested definitely seeingin the non-league football. when it was one of the country’s best teams, winning League and FA strategic side of the game. It is a really exciting time and I think it Cup Doubles in 1996 and 2000 and completing a hugely impressive "We’re always on the lookout for volunteers is important to have that representation in the game for women unbeaten campaign in 1999. who can turn their hand to a variety of jobs to be taking on these sorts of roles. at the ground. If you can spare a few hours, Croydon women were resurrected in 2019-20 as an under 18 team “It’s really good having been involved in the club last season as you’ll be guaranteed a very warm welcome." and this season have competed as an all ages side in the GLWFL Please get in touch at thinking about what we want to do over the course of the season, [email protected]’ Among those to have featured for Croydon’s trailblazers were Pauline theirnext seasonplayer liaisonand beyond officer at and a timenow havingwhich istaking exciting on a for different women role in South Division 2 where they currently sit fifth within a league of 12. Cope, Debbie Bampton, Brenda Sempare and Hope Powell – all of football generally. TURN to page 15 whom have since been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

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