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ISSUE 73 – SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL Your main source of community news

The streets are alive with the sound of cycling - page 7

Ping! returns with table tennis across the borough - page 6

Summer of fun – calendar of events for all the family - pages 10 and 11 2 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Celebrating Croydon Highlights Welcome to the Summer Special edition of Your Croydon, the first to appear in print for a while. We opted for this format as the magazine you’re holding Pro cyclists storm contains lots of dates and events you might want to the streets...... 3 keep at hand through the summer months, especially Men’s and women’s professional cycling returned to if you’ve got young ones to keep entertained. Yes, Croydon to thrill the crowds gathered on the town- despite the wonders of new technology, the magazine centre circuit. format can still be useful. As the leader of Croydon Council, I can see much Culture in to celebrate and take pride in when looking at the Croydon...... 8/9 achievements across our borough in recent months. A two-page overview of the Some clear highlights have been the amazing run to the FA Cup Final by Crystal Palace; great work by our council’s plans for art provision younger people, with school exam results continuing to in the borough over the next improve; the opening of ’s most advanced new couple of years. tech hub in the centre of Croydon, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the town; Croydon again hosting the Pearl Summer Izumi Tour Series and the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix of fun...... 10/11 Series, London’s only professional cycle races for men All you need to know if and women; and much more. you’re planning a staycation From a council perspective, I’m delighted that our in Croydon over the summer £30m pound investment into a major refurbishment months. of the Halls is about to get under way; and that, on a very practical level, we have continued We’re not messing to prosecute those caught fly-tipping and will be increasing the maximum fines to £400 for those with Croydon...... 14-16 prosecuted of this most antisocial of crimes. Residents get behind the council’s campaign to make Croydon a cleaner, greener place in which to live, work I’m determined that we continue to make progress in and visit. cleaning up Croydon’s streets, and we will use all tools at our disposal to keep the Don’t Mess with Croydon campaign moving forward. Town-centre’s bee If you’re lucky enough to be having a holiday this haven...... 19 summer, have a great break. However, as you can see, Croydon Saffron Central is there is an amazing amount going on in Croydon – playing host to its own army of including, once again, our free summer swimming for pollinators this summer with the the under-16s at the borough’s leisure centres. installation of an onsite hive. Happy reading. Highlighting war’s horrors...... 21 A top-class exhibition takes visitors back 100 years to life for soldiers in the trenches and for those left at home.

To keep up to date with what’s going on, subscribe to Your Croydon and receive a free weekly email that’s full of news and information about your borough. Go Cllr Tony Newman Leader of the council to www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe and visit @cllrtony /ilovecroydon @yourcroydon For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 3

Thrills galore as pro cyclists storm the streets Fearsome early weather event. And, like last year, this year’s races for Croydon schoolchildren and, conditions were no deterrent race, on 7 June, enjoyed worldwide TV new for this year, the Mayor’s Charity Cup coverage, with millions of viewers seeing relay race, contested by nine teams from for top-class cyclists as they the town at its best. local organisations and cycling clubs. returned to boost town for Despite thunder, lightning and torrential Winners were the team from Croydon second year. rain earlier in the day, the race drew Police Station, followed across the line by Following hot in the tyre tracks of last thousands of spectators to the course, the TfL team and, in third place, the Old year’s town-centre pro cycle race, the many from beyond Croydon, spurring on Portlians. Pearl Izumi Tour Series returned last the international elite racers as they tore The race is expected to raise about month to once again thrill the crowds of round a town-centre circuit taking in High £3,000 for the Mayor’s charities. Croydon. Street, Katharine Street and Edridge Road. For details and results of the pro-cyclist The only London leg in the series, The afternoon and evening event events, go to www.tourseries.co.uk/ Croydon was a key stage in the overall hosted pro men’s and women’s races, fun home.php 4 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL Giving power to the people The decision to give each ward its own budget to fund local improvements has been a winner across the borough – and more is on the way. Devolution – taking power Councillor Alison Butler from the Town Hall and split her money between two giving it to the borough’s community gardening projects, communities – is one of the one at library prime aims of the council. and another at Thornton Wherever possible, key Heath Recreation Ground – decisions, and the capacity both of which are, somewhat to see them carried out, confusingly, in her ward of have been devolved from the Bensham Manor. council’s Katharine Street Fairfield’s three councillors base to residents’ groups and – Helen Pollard, Vidhi Mohan, organisations in all corners of and Susan Winborn – opted Croydon. to pool their funds and put Ward budgets at work: community-building projects An early move saw the all £6,000 into the Park Hill setting up of Community Family Festival, organised by And in , the people even more control in Ward Budgets, granting each the Friends of Park Hill. This majority of the funding was their areas. councillor £2,000 to support helped bring the Dance Bus to shared between improvements The council feels that the local projects following the event, which was a huge to pond and days of “the Town Hall knows discussions with residents. success as part of the London- the Sanderstead Festival, a fun best” are over, and that the The scheme has proved wide Big Dance project. day for local families to get borough’s residents and local a great success, resulting in In , Councillor out and enjoy themselves as a communities are part of what a range of projects. So far, David Wood decided to community. makes Croydon so great. the budgets have helped support digital skills learning The success of the scheme The powers to take fund community clean-ups, by putting £1,000 each into has prompted the decision decisions will increasingly improvements to children’s the local Go On Croydon to increase the budgets next be put into the hands of the playgrounds, and support for initiative, and a computer year to £4,000 per councillor people those decisions will young people’s involvement in Code Club at Whitehorse (a total of £12,000 for most most affect – the residents of sporting activities. Manor. wards), enough to give local Croydon. Testing the boundaries With a review of the borough’s ward boundaries under way, the opinions of residents’ are being sought. An imbalance that sees is ensure each councillor Those variances councillors in some wards represents a similar number could possibly require representing many more, or of voters. Visit www.croydon. a redrawing of ward fewer, constituents than the gov.uk/democracy/electoral- boundaries but the borough average, has sparked review-of-croydon-council forecasts of electors a reassessment of the political The consultation period for 2022 show the map of Croydon. follows preliminary work that inequalities growing As Croydon grows and saw the commission gathering considerably. changes, there is a need information about the make- A public consultation to ensure that there is the up of the council, the number on how this could affect right number of councillors of voters per councillor and ward boundaries representing local people forecasts for future local starts on 26 July and there is consistency in elections. and closes on 26 the number of electors each The latest voter population September. councillor represents. figures show that Broad During those Requested by the council, Green and Fairfield were 10% dates, views can and independently conducted above the average; while the be expressed by the Local Government numbers for East at http:// Croydon - Existing wards by variance Boundary Commission for and & Ballards were consultation. Greater than 10% (1) England, the aim of the review more than 10% below. lgbce.org.uk Between 10% and -10% (20) Greater than -10% (3) For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 5 The Mayor of Croydon Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor Croydon has a new Mayor, and he is determined to use his year in office to showcase the borough’s business, arts and cultural offer. Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor grew up in and went to school at Regina Coeli, , and then to , Purley, which he attributes to helping form his core beliefs and political views. The borough’s first openly gay mayor, away from politics he likes to spend time with family and friends, and walking his and his partner’s two dogs. He also enjoys cycling and genealogy. Working for a number of years for the trade union, MSF (now Unite), he became active in local politics in , where he then lived. His union role took him all over the UK, although he says he was never happier than when working with members in Croydon. The theme of his Mayoral year is business, arts and culture, and, as well as working closely with the business community to encourage more businesses to come to Croydon, he is keen to show off Croydon’s rich arts and cultural offerings. Councillor Trakas-Lawlor has elected to support three local charities during his year of office – the Stanley People’s Initiative, Croydon Commitment, and The British Home. His Deputy Mayor is Councillor Toni Letts.

The Mayoralty in numbers 512 10 6 Average public engagements per year Croydon Mayors

Amount of money raised £500K+ for nominated charities

Periods in office 1883 of Councillor Year the first Mayor was chosen 5 Frederick Edridge 6 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Table tennis festival returns to Croydon A council-backed free table tennis festival that drew thousands of people last year returns for a summer of fun. Majestic back-hand returns, devastating pong master classes and competitions fore-hand smashes and cunningly at some of the locations. placed, net-skimming services with A festival highlight will be a plenty of back spin – these silky skills competition to mark National Table and more were much in evidence across Tennis Day on 14 July at Croydon’s the borough last summer. shopping centre. The reason? The Ping! table tennis festival. Ping! this summer at: In June of last year, Croydon Council • Matthews Yard and Table Tennis England installed 15 • Park ping-pong tables and equipment at • Wandle Park outdoor and indoor locations across the borough. • Thornton Heath Recreation Ground It gave residents, workers and • Croydon Arena visitors the opportunity to play • Fieldway Community Centre impromptu matches as part of the • Lost Format Society rooftop cinema, nationwide Ping! festival – and car park rediscover skills that, in some cases, had not been exercised for quite a When the festival ends, many of the while. tables will remain permanently installed Now, the expanded festival is back, in parks and estates, or donated to running until the end of August with organisations for the benefit of the more than 25 tables at locations community. ranging from parks and community The festival is just one of a summer centres to cafés. of council-backed leisure events As with last year’s event – which returning to Croydon, from last drew about 450 people in the first week month’s Pearl Izumi cycling races, alone – Ping! volunteers keep the tables to this autumn’s follow-up to last stocked with bats and balls. year’s Ambition music festival. On top of free use of the tables, For more information, visit there is the chance to take part in ping- www.pingengland.co.uk/croydon For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 7 TMRW is here today

A new technology hub providing affordable office space and support to tech-savvy entrepreneurs and small businesses has opened its doors in Croydon. An exciting new tech space in the town centre’s High Street has sprung into life thanks to £2m of investment, and a rent- and rate-free period from the council. Dubbed TMRW, and located in the council’s Davis House building, it is rapidly cementing the town’s reputation as the fastest-growing tech centre in London. With 21,000 sq ft of offices offering 320 desk spaces, a range of meeting and board rooms, and a 200-capacity technology-enabled events space, it is set to draw the capital’s most progressive technology businesses looking to scale up and grow fast. TMRW also offers business-support services including web development, hosting and cloud services, public relations

advice, recruitment, online customer acquisition, legal services, Councillor Mark Watson, and accounting. Launched in May, the scheme provides anyone who is cabinet member for economy and jobs looking for a place to develop and grow businesses related to This is a fantastic project that‘s gone from an idea to technology or the arts with a sleek new working environment inception in under a year and is already helping build in the heart of the town centre. a community of entrepreneurs, thinkers, risk-takers, Users of TMRW’s facilities can access unique business musicians, artists, investors, and businesses. classes, organised meet-ups between people with complementary ideas, and a variety of activities that will help “It’s one of our priorities to bring business and them network with the wider business community. employment opportunities into the town. TMRW The building also provides space for emerging and is just the latest example of how we’re successfully established south London artists to display their work, and, doing this – we expect to see some £7bn invested to fend off the hunger pangs induced by all that cutting-edge here over the next few years. endeavour, there is a café focusing on the use of locally- sourced, in-season, freshly made food. 8 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

LOOKING OUT FOR CROYDON’S Murray takes centre court for culture in Croydon Croydon’s new culture Brighton and her initial promote what we have to director is primed to serve two-year timetable has been offer. for game, set and match to set to coincide with the “I know that the deliver a crowd-pleasing scheduled reopening of world already shares our two-year programme. Fairfield Halls in 2018, confidence because building A revamped Ambition following a £30m work hasn’t even started on Festival to be held in refurbishment. Fairfield yet and we’ve had Yard, Stanley Halls, the Boxpark, a visual arts fringe Early talks with Croydon’s several professional Clocktower and Town Hall event, and an ‘Arts key arts organisations, event operators come to us with spaces, local churches, and Partnership Fund’ for promoters and venues, have early ideas for how the parks and open spaces. Croydon are just the start of kick-started an ambitious venue might be run in the “Big-name acts will be the council’s new two-year project that will turn future.” increasingly drawn to cultural development Croydon into a cultural force As well as looking at the Croydon as new venues and programme. to be reckoned with. sorts of national touring improved facilities are made And the borough’s new “Croydon isn’t in this shows that will be drawn to available, but a grass-roots culture director, Paula alone,” she said. “As well as the revamped Fairfield, Paula arts movement is vital, too. Murray, is the person tasked our brilliant local arts groups stresses the important role “Art and culture have to with putting Croydon into a and many passionate of youth activity and be affordable and everyone more prominent position individuals, organisations like community-led events. needs to be able to access within the capital’s culture the Arts Council and Visit She said: “While the halls things they are interested in, calendar. London will have an are closed, we’ll be putting be that dance and music, or She has only recently important part to play in the focus on Croydon’s other theatre, comedy and the joined Croydon from helping to fund, shape and venues. Places like Matthew’s visual arts.”

Spotlight falls on brutalist concrete Getting behind the Fairfield scenes before the curtain falls look inside the workings of the Southbank Centre prior to its for £30m refit. refurbishment, Fairfield will be giving visitors one last chance The has teamed up with the council to let to look behind the scenes before the 50-year-old building is people explore the Fairfield Halls’ brutalist 1960s architecture completely modernised. and design like never before. The tours, looking at areas of the buildings never before accessible to the public, will reveal a masterpiece of modernist Following a similar project that saw hundreds of people design. Turning the Fairfield inside out, the tours will explore the history of the site and the utopian visions of the 1960s and brutalism. Running from 16 to 24 July, the tours will include nearby Amp House and No1 Croydon. Tickets and information will be available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/london They delve into the craftsmanship and care that went into these concrete constructions, the relationship of function and form throughout the buildings, and their reception and use over more than half a century. From original 1960s machinery rooms, to dressing rooms, green rooms and more, the tour presents the iconic building at a unique turning-point in its history. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 9

CU LTU RA L FUTURE New lease of life for venerable old lady A wide-ranging refurbishment and remodelling programme will breathe new life into the borough’s cultural arts centre. With a £30m modernisation programme about to be launched, Fairfield Halls can expect to remain the heartbeat of Croydon’s cultural offering for decades to come. Built in 1963 and based largely on the design of the , the building is in urgent need of a makeover. To make this happen as quickly and affordably as possible, the halls will be temporarily closed until August 2018. On reopening, the running and booking of events and shows will be handled by a new organisation, and the concert hall, Arnhem Gallery and will provide the sorts of facilities that modern productions need and contemporary audiences expect. Alongside the refit of the Halls building, will get a brand new building, the gardens around the complex will be completely remodelled, new cafés and restaurants will be opened and hundreds of new homes will help bring the area to life. Mixing with the A-listers The arrival in Croydon of a likes of Kevin Costner, and Hollywood film crew was Gary Oldman. the trigger for what one Amy, at the time a student student hopes will be a at , career in film production. Selsdon, said: “I was put in Taking art underground When the team behind a touch with Croydon Film Hollywood blockbuster Office when I said I was London’s largest independent underground gallery will be decided that Croydon offered interested in seeing what built in Croydon. some great locations, Croydon happens on a film set. I’m A key element of the wider accessed by a new glazed Film Office encouraged the hoping to go in to the film £750m Fairfield Halls and cloister and will feature a large production team to offer work industry when I finish College Green regeneration bespoke frameless skylight experience to local young studying. won’t be immediately obvious providing the basement art people. “Criminal was filming to visitors to the area when space with natural light. around Fairfield at the time, the work is completed in two Paula Murray said: “This and the film officers arranged years’ time. fantastic new space will offer for me to go along and In space currently given the kinds of light and shadow the runners. over to parking cars, a environment control suitable “Kevin Costner and Gary 2,000sq m gallery will play a for major visiting exhibitions, Oldman were in the scenes. major part in seeing the area loans and displays. For me it was very exciting, of transformed into a vibrant “This adds an important course. You don’t think of centre for arts and education extra dimension to the £30m them as real people – it’s in the town. refurbishment of the Fairfield/ And that was how Amy almost a surprise to find they The underground gallery, to College Green regeneration, Jones who was 17 while the are man-sized. be located in the current meaning we can properly production was shooting, in To keep up to date with all subterranean car park beneath embrace the visual arts, as autumn 2014, found herself on Croydon filming, visit www. College Green, will be well as performances.” the set of Criminal with the croydonfilmoffice.co.uk 10 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL Croydon’s summer of fun Whether you fancy hanging out on the top deck of a car park to watch classic films on an outdoor screen, or you just want to take the kids to the funfair – Croydon has loads to offer. Here’s a selection of what the next few months has in store – more listings and links to details of individual events can be found on our What’s On page at https:// news.croydon.gov.uk/whats-on/

Croydon Airport open days Free tours on the first Sunday of every month. The Grade II listed building was once Britain’s first international airport terminal where Britain’s national airline was initially based and where the distress call “Mayday, mayday, mayday” was invented.

ONGOING EVENTS

Rooftop cinema and bar (Thursdays – Sundays) The top floor of NCP Fairfield car park has been transformed into Croydon’s (not-so-secret) rooftop beer garden and outdoor cinema. Every week, from Thursday through to Sunday, enjoy a film, a bite to eat and a drink, accompanied by one of London’s best views of the sunset.

Ping! Table Tennis Festival (until end of August) The free table tennis festival returns with more than 25 tables Exhibition Centre: at a range of locations from parks and community centres to Remembering 1916 – Life on the cafés. Western Front (until 31 August) To coincide with the centenary of the First World War, Whitgift School in South Croydon is hosting a major exhibition which brings together an outstanding range of original artefacts that includes objects, photographs, letters, uniforms and memorabilia.

Shirley Windmill open days. 7 August and 4 September Visitors to the mill are given a full guided tour covering the history, operation and principal features of the historic . For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 11 Croydon’s summer of fun JULY EVENTS Tempting Failure @Matthew’s Yard (21-29 July) Tempting Failure brings together an eclectic selection of Hashtag @Theatre Utopia (6-10 July) performance art and noise art from some of the most exciting #Hashtag is an explorative piece of theatre into the world of artists around the world. social media. Do we know the difference between the virtual world and the real world? Wandle Park Garden Party (24 July) The garden party is becoming a firm fixture in the local diary The Streets – South Norwood (9-10 July) for anyone who loves a great day out in a relaxed oasis. Acclaimed soprano Amanda Forbes will be a highlight of two days of entertainment, taking opera to the streets in the ‘Funpark’ (28 July-13 August) company of a mix of works from various artists and genres. Europe’s ‘largest travelling theme park’, open from 1pm to Visitors will be able to enjoy street stalls, food markets and 9pm daily. many local artists and performers. AUGUST EVENTS South Norwood Community Festival (10 July) Play Day 2016 – (3 August) A free family event with a fun fair, music of all kinds, food of every description, and a varied programme of events. A free, fun day including inflatables, sports, wall climbing, dance, music and lots more. Race for Life, (10 July) ScreamFest at Scream Lounge (19-21 August) Run 5k or 10k in aid of Cancer Research UK in this popular annual event. Line-up includes Dog Town Dojo, Coffee Pot Drive, Trevor’s Head, Dave Sears & Mike ‘The Taste’ Brown, Bird of Arms, Survival of the Fittest @Theatre Utopia (12-17 July) Rob Bartlitz, Paul ‘The Captain’ Watson, Tenyson, Kyrb Lippy Theatre presents Survival of the Fittest, a play that Grinder, Out of Context, and many more to be announced. concentrates on body image in society today. £5 entry per day, or £10 for all three days. Friday 6pm to midnight; Saturday 6pm to midnight; Sunday (suitable for all Thornton Heath Arts Week (16-23 July) ages) 4pm to 10pm. This year’s Arts Week will include a book jam, quiz night, film Lloyd Park Carnival funfair (26 August-4 September) and poetry evening, music workshop, and pop-up arts and crafts stalls in High Street. Family funfair open from noon to 9pm daily.

Millers Pond Summer Croydon Pride Fest (28 August) Fayre (16 July) The festival will start with a parade along North End, led by Millers Pond is a hidden Rainbows Across Borders. This will be followed by music, gem of a park in Shirley, dance and other activities into the evening. Legendary cabaret and the annual fayre is a act, Topping and Butch, known for their Edinburgh Festival and chance to bring a picnic, Radio 4 appearances, will be one of the headline performers. meet with other locals and SEPTEMBER EVENTS chat to the various voluntary groups from the Thornton Heath Festival (4 September) area. Artists currently lined up include national Soca champion Triniboi Joocie, locally based international reggae star Dani-I, Suburbaret! @Theatre Utopia (17 July) Thornton Heath’s own contestant from The Voice UK, Ben A cabaret show in celebration of all things suburban! Brown, and local songstress Kimberley SK. There will also be dancers, a carnival procession, a fun-fair, and street stalls Rhythm‘n’Views Film Festival, Thornton Heath (18-31 July) selling delicious food, and arts and crafts. Celebrating films that have music at the heart of them – from new releases, biopics and musicals, to documentaries, Circus Fantasia, Addington Park (7-11 September) animations and old-time classics. Traditional circus shows from 5pm to 9pm daily. 12 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Go On - learn some digital skills

The council’s Go On Croydon initiative is helping to arm local people with the Try Croydon’s confidence and skills needed to make the first digital zone most of new technology. The borough’s first Go On A project that will see local £1,000 a year by going online, digital zone, in the council’s people better equipped to meet and many people over the age Access Croydon, in Mint today’s digital challenge is of 55 say it also makes them Walk, is open every Friday enhancing Croydon’s reputation feel part of modern society and to provide help and support as the capital’s fastest-growing less lonely. to people taking their first tech centre. The digital zone in Access steps online or building Go On Croydon provides Croydon was the first such confidence in using a residents with the skills needed facility in the borough and smartphone, tablet or laptop to go online to benefit from has been an innovative and to improve their skills. saving money, searching and successful way of providing applying for a job, finding support and assistance to family members, or the simple residents. enjoyment of keeping in touch Each digital zone has To learn about Go On Croydon, and how or doing some research. volunteers who, while confident you can get involved in your local area, go to The project was launched in using IT, are not necessarily www.croydon.gov.uk/go-on-croydon at the beginning of November, experts, but are keen to use with digital zones in Access their digital know-how to help Croydon, Bernard Weatherill others in the community. House, and in Lloyds Bank The project brings branches in George Street and together national and local Arthur Roche, a digital zone North End. organisations, and community regular, said: “I came along Since then, additional zones groups, charities and local here one day to make an have been opened by Age volunteers, all of which run enquiry about some benefits UK Croydon, Argos, Croydon projects in the community; they and they asked me for an African Caribbean Family include Argos, Lloyds Banking email address. I said: ‘Well, Organisation UK, EE, and Job Group, Croydon Tech City, EE, I haven’t got one of those, Centre Plus. Age UK, CVA and St Philip’s what are they?’ The project, aiming to Church, . address the fact that 85,000 One of the aims of the “I ended up coming to the digital zone. At first, when Croydon adults don’t have basic project is to replicate the work I started learning, was how to use the mouse and you digital skills, is available to all, taking place in Croydon across gradually move on to the keyboard, computers, the including those most in need of the whole of the UK. internet. I can even book a doctor’s appointment. I can support, such as the homeless, find out how to travel somewhere. It’s just endless; an families in poverty, the elderly, endless amount of information and knowledge. and small businesses. “I just love what I’m doing at the moment and it’s Recent research shows making me just want to get out of bed in the morning.” that people could save around For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 13

£6m youth zone on theEast sidehorizon story: new leisure and community centre. New centre for young people aged eight to 19 will offer range of activities and better life opportunities. Exciting plans to create a £6m facility for young people in Croydon are well under way – and have fired the imagination of those who will use it. The purpose-built OnSide youth zone will offer affordable activities every day of the week in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring to young people aged from eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability. The aim of the joint venture between the council and youth charity OnSide is to raise aspirations, enhance prospects and improve health and well-being for young people in Croydon. The youth zone, proposed for Whitehorse Road in Thornton Heath, will provide 20 different activities during every session for up to 200 young people. The construction costs for the project will be jointly-funded by the council and the charity, with the council also contributing £300,000 per year toward running costs. OnSide will secure its share of construction and running costs from a combination of private sector supporters and charitable trusts and grants. The council invests heavily every year in new and expanded school facilities and the new centre will complement the borough’s four existing youth hubs and let even more young people develop new interests and skills, meet new friends, and become more ready for adult life.

Bethany Monk, 15, from Waddon, a pupil at Oasis Academy Shirley Park, is one of a group of young people taking part in workshops to come up with a name and logo for the youth zone. She said: I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for Croydon and something the borough needs. Croydon doesn’t have a lot if you need somewhere to go to talk. I think there should be a sensory room or a boxing room where you can just go and let loose. I’m helping because I think sometimes young people should be helping everyone and give back and get things done to make Croydon a better place. I want to make the centre welcoming and reassuring to everyone. 14 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Beating the high street fly-tippers

London Road will become the next area to Mohammed Kafeel, manager of Islamabad benefit from a council drive to keep high Halal Butcher, in High Street, Thornton Heath. streets clear of fly-tipped business rubbish. Most of the shops never cared before; now, because Shopkeepers’ backing of a council initiative that has seen a drop of the council putting on pressure, they do care. It feels in levels of fly-tipping has prompted the decision to expand and clean. A lot of people visit this shop and it’s scheme. much better for us. The success of the original trial, in Thornton Heath, and the way traders have embraced the new arrangements, has convinced the council that the model could be rolled out across the borough. Since its introduction in March, the Thornton Heath scheme has seen an increase in the amount of recyclable waste collected, and saved thousands of pounds in fly-tip disposal costs. The Thornton Heath trial was a response to reports The scheme – part of the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign – has seen a daytime ban on private that business waste left on the pavement encouraged contractors collecting high-street businesses’ rubbish. fly-tippers and made the shops less attractive to Now, the council has expanded the 9am-6pm waste-collection customers. restriction to businesses along London Road in Broad Green, and Businesses at 100 Thornton Heath addresses now keep more trials are being considered for other areas later in the year. their commercial rubbish on their premises until it is Enforcement is led by council neighbourhood safety officers, collected after 6pm. who have needed to hand out only two fixed-penalty notices for non-compliance since the Thornton Heath trial began. They have The new regime means that the businesses dispose of regularly visited shopkeepers, who have reported a tidier high their waste legally, and the council has collected an street. extra 1.5 tonnes of recycled waste and saved £6,000 in The Don’t Mess campaign combines getting local people to fly-tip disposal costs. become community champions with enforcement against the worst offences. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 15 ‘Don’t Mess’ prosecutions on the climb Two court days in April saw the tally of individuals and businesses prosecuted for fly-tipping and littering grow by 18, taking the total to date to 90. A decorator who fly-tipped from fly-tipping business 20 bags of building waste waste, to dumping household at the roadside was among rubbish and littering 18 people successfully cigarettes. prosecuted in April under The council has now the council’s Don’t Mess with successfully prosecuted 90 Croydon campaign. people since launching the At Croydon Magistrates’ Don’t Mess campaign, which Court on 5 and 26 April, the combines enforcement with 18 defendants were ordered encouraging residents to lead to pay a total of £8,800 in community litter picks – of fines and court costs for the which more than 280 have offences, which ranged from been carried out. illegally dumping business Anybody found to have fly- waste to urinating in the tipped or used an unlicensed street. waste carrier faces unlimited The biggest sentence, of fines and a possible court 120 hours’ unpaid community conviction. service and £3,300 in overall For more information on costs, was handed out on 5 how to get involved in the April to Daniel Pierre, aged Don’t Mess with Croydon – 29, of Amesbury Avenue, in Take Pride campaign, visit Streatham. www.croydon.gov.uk His business, Dinerowork Dumped waste can Ltd, was caught after also be reported via the dumping building waste on a council’s dedicated fly-tipping The 26 April prosecutions included: grass verge beside Old Lodge hotline on 020 8604 7000, Lane in Purley in March. the council’s My Croydon • Saima Jan, of London Road, Norbury – ordered to pay a On 26 April, 10 defendants smartphone app or by total of £450 for fly-tipping black sacks and cardboard boxes were ordered to pay a total emailing flytip@croydon. of household waste and business rubbish from Temptations in of £2,100 for offences ranging gov.uk London Road onto the pavement on 16 November. • Michael Laciofano, of Ten Tonne Tattoo, Godstone Road the 5 April prosecutions included: Purley – ordered to pay a total of £450 for fly-tipping black sacks of business waste on the pavement on 30 October. • Milton Howlett, of Beulah Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £1,040 as both an individual and director of • Raja Pervaiz Akthar, aged 58, of High Street, Thornton Doctor Bird Global Food Importers Ltd for dumping oil drums, Heath – ordered to pay a total of £150 for fly-tipping black black bin liners and cardboard in Beulah Road on 22 October. sacks of waste in Bensham Manor Road on 22 October from the Brigstock Road branch of PFC. • Haart Estate Agents, of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £685 for fly-tipping black sacks • Jemma King, of Wentworth Road, Broad Green – ordered of business waste on the pavement in Melfort Road on 29 to pay a total of £300 for fly-tipping black sacks of household October. waste on the pavement on 10 November. • Joao Soares Da Costa, aged 47, of Kynaston Crescent, • Jordanna Emmanuel-Brown, of Wentworth Road, Broad Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £355 for urinating Green – ordered to pay a total of £150 for fly-tipping black on the pavement in Beulah Road on 23 October. sacks of household waste and loose rubbish on the pavement on 10 November. • Jenny Kimoto, of Whitehorse Lane, Selhurst – ordered to pay a total of £355 for dumping cardboard boxes in Egerton • Michaela Allen, of London Road – ordered to pay a total of Road on 5 October. £100 for fly-tipping black sacks, cardboard and other household rubbish on the pavement on 20 November. • Noreen Chambers, of Burlington Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £355 for fly-tipping wooden planks • Denisa Mechurova, of Canterbury Road, Broad Green and black sacks next to a bus stop in Beulah Road on 22 – ordered to pay a total of £150 for dropping a cigarette in October. Central Parade, , on 10 November. 16 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL You don’t mess with 300 volunteers

The council’s drive to recruit community The most recent, each drawing about a dozen eager volunteers, were held in Chertsey Crescent and Matthews champions to lead litter picks as part Gardens in New Addington, and in Selhurst. of its anti-litter campaign has hit the The New Addington event included council staff, local 300 mark as local clear-ups continue. residents and cadets of 66 Squadron Air Training Corp. Their endeavours included litter-picking, removal of People from across the borough – residents, council staff, even recyclable items, cutting back overgrown vegetation, schoolchildren and air cadets – have litter-picked, weeded, repainting, replacing washing lines, and planting rose bushes. planted and painted tired-looking parts of their The Heavers Meadow clear-up filled 30 rubbish sacks and neighbourhood in support of the council’s Don’t Mess with reported several bulky items to council contractors for Croydon – Take Pride campaign. removal. Launched almost two years ago, the campaign, in the past The council provides advice, equipment and help from year alone, has seen more than 60 such community-led events contractors to support their events, as well as the chance to from Thornton Heath to Coulsdon, ranging from high-street link with volunteers elsewhere in the borough. litter picks and clearing of alleyways to setting up communal If you want to become a Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take gardens. Pride community champion and lead litter-picks in your area, email Tracey at [email protected] or call 020 8726 6200 or 07825 103788. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 17 Kiss of life for abandoned homes A council drive to turn derelict properties into homes for Croydon families has passed the 100 mark in only a year. In 2015, the council launched its empty-homes campaign to identify, refurbish and offer for rent homes that had lain empty for more than a year. Aimed at boosting the rented sector in Croydon, and helping to cut the number of families living in bed and breakfast accommodation, the scheme will reduce the blight of empty homes on the local environment. Tanya’s story The first year has seen landlords do up and re-let 108 flats Single mother-of-two Tanya Sharman moved into her Haling and 29 houses for temporary accommodation. Grove flat with Olivia, four, and one-year-old Leo after The latest properties to be reoccupied are 16 homes in spending three years in Essex because there had been a lack Haling Grove, South Croydon, that had been empty until the of available temporary accommodation for her in the council stepped in to revamp and re-let them. borough. Other improvements to the council’s medium-term housing The 25-year-old, now studying for a degree in criminology, stock in the past year include converting Windsor House, a says the new flat is much larger than her previous one. former office building in Norbury, into new medium-term Tanya said: “It makes a big difference to my life as it’s hard temporary accommodation. living on your own; my sister is 10 minutes away and Olivia Residents are encouraged to report empty properties via likes it here, especially with the park just here. As soon as I the My Croydon app, available online at ow.ly/WJW9Q by moved back, I got a job and now I’m at uni and everything calling 020 8760 5470 or at www.croydon.gov.uk has changed.” Plans for £17m leisure centre Central Parade redevelopment set to change the face of New Addington. Major change is on the cards Local people helped shape for New Addington’s Central the priorities and told the Parade, as established plans council that, in addition to a swing into action while others community centre offering await formal approval. fresh, modern facilities, they Residents recently viewed were keen to see a new, exciting new plans that, if state-of-the-art leisure centre available for community shows Meanwhile, across the approved, will see a £17.5m incorporated into the plans for and the ever-popular annual road, a 16-week project to leisure and community centre the district centre. panto. replace paving, street furniture built on the western side of the The community centre Proposals for the new and improve the street scene road. proposals feature two leisure centre – in addition to a is under way with £1m-worth The proposals include a multi-purpose halls – each 25-metre, six-lane main of upgrades, as part of the new multi-level leisure and with kitchen space – a café, swimming pool – include a council and Mayor of London’s community centre, improved meeting rooms, offices and learning pool and spectator £50m Connected Croydon community space and the dressing rooms, and there is seating. Other facilities in the street-improvement project. facilities for a range of sports the option of licence complex could include a café, The plans were drawn up to be played, including applications for booked events. fitness suite, sport hall, crèche following a major consultation badminton and basketball. A demountable stage will be and studios. with local people in 2014. 18 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL Building homes Brick by Brick Council’s development company lays out plans to build 1,000 new and affordable homes. An ambitious house-building population is having a huge programme that is set to help impact on the demand for, and boost the supply of new and the affordability of, homes, affordable homes in Croydon and is leaving many local deliver directly, and act quickly is taking control and getting has been launched by the families struggling to buy or to new opportunities in the back into the house-building council. rent. market plan, it will be able business to help our local Croydon is one of a handful to generate income through communities and address the of local authorities to take land value and development shortage of homes. an innovative commercial returns, helping the council to “We can no longer afford A number of council- approach to house building. reinvest in core services. to sit back and let the market owned sites across the The council’s approach has Councillor Alison Butler, take its course, as it is just not borough have been earmarked seen the setting up of Brick deputy leader and cabinet delivering enough homes to as potential sites for about by Brick to address housing member for homes, meet demand, leaving many 1,000 homes by the council’s shortages and meet increasing regeneration and planning, of our residents homeless development company, Brick demand in the borough’s said: “With many parts of or stuck in temporary by Brick. communities. the country in the grip of a accommodation, unable to An ever-expanding As well as being able to serious housing crisis, Croydon afford to rent or buy.” £500k makeover for town’s market Plans on the drawing board promise major update and reboot for 740-year-old market. Funding of £500,000 from the The project will also include council will improve Croydon’s improved arrangements and historic Street and give facilities for traders, and the market a much-needed enhanced street lighting will makeover. ensure a safe and friendly Residents, businesses, atmosphere after dark. stakeholders and traders have Public art installations helped the council draw up a will form a big part of the shortlist of priorities that will proposals and these are create an even more vibrant likely to include murals, art public space and create a real installations and architectural attraction that will draw more lighting. people into Croydon town Feedback from the centre. consultation is under At the same time, the consideration, and it is hoped council is determined to that work will start later this protect the existing market’s year. unique character. The scheme ties in with the New paving will help council’s ambition to enhance declutter the street, widen the night-time economy in footways for pedestrians and the town centre by bringing create a more flexible market more people out to enjoy to cater for extra many local pubs, clubs and trading and special events. restaurants. For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 19 Bee haven for the good of Croydon From saffron to honey – nobody can say the old site isn’t being productive in the time before its redevelopment gets under way. Things are buzzing in the town green spaces and domestic centre, and the gentle sound gardens. is coming from thousands of Ally said: “We very much honey bees, busily working to hope to have a second potting pollinate local plant life and event of the crocuses in produce deliciously healthy September. honey. “We’ve also planted woad, During the spring, a colony Shirley poppies and lavender, of bees was introduced to the which both have connections vacant site at the corner of to Croydon heritage, and Park Lane and The Croydon we’re looking for donations of Flyover with the hope of it more lavender, marjoram and growing over the course of the other bee-friendly plants. summer and consolidating the “In planting four heritage work done on the same site plants we’re keeping the bees last year by Croydon Saffron sweet, which is a global issue Central. as the population is known to The brainchild of naturalist be in decline.” Ally McKinlay, the saffron A hive populated by a project saw the cultivation of queen bee and her colony is on crocuses and the harvesting of the site, with the queen laying its valuable spice crop. eggs on a daily basis, and the This year’s bee haven beekeeper checking weekly for scheme will see the bees any new queens, which would working to pollinate the cause the hive to swarm. crocuses and a range of plant In addition to funding, life within a three-kilometre Croydon Saffron Central is in radius of the site, an area need of willing hands to help taking in , out around the site. Heathfield House, Croydon To volunteer or make a Cemetery, Wettern Tree donation, email ally_mac22@ Gardens and many other hotmail.com 20 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Target achieved – and exceeded

April saw the end of our there are only two. In terms of membership offers the chance four-year challenge to muggings, the perception is that of obtaining crime prevention reduce crime in Croydon we suffer 10 or more crimes a day, equipment, such as SmartWater, when actually we have only 0.8! at a much reduced cost. by a minimum of 20% and As you can see, the fear of crime Joining a Neighbourhood I am glad to say that we far exceeds the reality, as Croydon Watch might also result in reduced exceeded the target. is far safer than some believe. home insurance premiums, so Summer is at last upon us, why not join today? Details can Thanks to the support of a season that sees burglars be found at www.cbnwa.com/ the council and other partners, and thieves on the look-out Hot weather also encourages there are more than 4,000 fewer for any chance of a bit of people to drink more, but please victims of crime in Croydon villainy. There is, however, a be aware that even one alcoholic than there were four years ago; lot you can do to keep safe. drink can impair your driving and, if a tremendous achievement. The tendency, when it’s warm, you have had a heavy night, please To try to challenge the is to open all your doors and be conscious that you may still perception of crime, we have windows, but please make sure be over the limit in the morning. been rolling out a quiz asking that all ground-floor windows and Thanks for reading, and, people to guess how many crimes, doors are kept locked/secured remember, you can contact me on average, are committed in as it’s all too easy for a thief to at [email protected] Croydon per day. You would enter your home or business. be surprised at the results. To make your home even For house breaking, I have had more secure, why not join Andy Tarrant answers as high as 25 crimes a Neighbourhood Watch? Croydon Chief Supt Andy Tarrant day, when actually, on average, has a very active Watch and Croydon borough commander PROUD TO SAY THEY ARE FROM CROYDON Young people have shared their views on Croydon in a three-minute film shot at a range of locations around the borough. LNK founder, Eliza Rebeiro While focusing on 17- to The Safer Croydon “This video shows young people speaking 22-year-olds, the film aims Partnership worked with honestly about their hometown, and the to encourage people of all charity Lives not Knives (LNK) place where they work and study. ages to join the conversation to produce the footage to “We want to build on these comments and get people of by speaking of their views on promote the pride that many all ages and backgrounds to tell us how they feel about Croydon as they young people feel for their Croydon so we can strengthen our community’s voice.” live in, work in, or are visiting. home borough.

To see the full three-minute film, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH4o1jx1TBc

To join the conversation, tweet comments, pics and Instagram – @livesnotknives video clips to @yourcroydon and @livesnotknives And, if you don’t like using social media, email: Facebook I Love Croydon – www.facebook.com/ [email protected] ilovecroydon/ or write to #WeAreCroydon, Safer Croydon Facebook Lives not Knives – www.facebook.com/ Partnership, 10A , LivesNotKnives 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA. Snapchat – Lives Not Knives For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 21

Remembering 1916 Life on the Western Front

A major, five-star exhibition depicting the lives both of soldiers and those left at home during the First World War is being staged right in the heart of the borough. Remembering 1916 – Life on not afford to miss. the Western Front explores a For a limited time only, pivotal year of the “war to end Remembering 1916 showcases all wars”, through a unique a range of more than 600 series of personal stories; original objects; many of these individual voices of ordinary items are rare and have not people who led extraordinary been on public display before. lives. Read first-hand accounts Set in the grounds of from British, French and Whitgift School, Haling Park, German servicemen and Remembering 1916 is not For more information, visitors step into an unusual women, and uncover a fresh just for history buffs; there is visit remembering1916.co.uk, exhibition space that will perspective on the battles of something for everyone. email remembering1916@ surprise you, fill you with Verdun, Jutland and the Younger visitors will enjoy whitgift.co.uk or call 020 intrigue and leave you thinking Somme. Reynard, the cartoon fox, who 8633 9902. about the lives we should Carefully-crafted scenes will guide you round the never forget. provide an insight into what exhibits; art fanatics will enjoy Awarded five stars by life was really like for those on contemporary work in a broad Londonist, and described as the front line and back home; range of styles; and cream tea “one of the best exhibitions of from reconstructed and cake lovers will enjoy the the year so far”, this is a Edwardian-style rooms, to Edwardian Café. professionally-executed, British and German trenches, And, as an added incentive, hard-hitting attraction, that and a bombed-out cellar at Croydon residents are offered Croydon residents can simply Verdun. discounted tickets.

Remembering 1916 – Life on the Western Front Open daily 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm) until 31 August Whitgift Exhibition Centre, South Croydon CR2 6YT 22 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL

Improving lives with Shared Lives A council service that offers help, support and a stable home to vulnerable adults has been awarded the Care Quality Commission’s top accolade. Losing her husband and son within months of each other was the Deborah Ivanova, interim deputy chief executive of adult catalyst for Frances Gilbert to get involved with the council’s social care for the CQC, said: “We found that Croydon Shared Shared Lives scheme. Lives was providing an outstanding service to the people it And it’s the dedication of Frances and others like her that has supported.” helped the service to an “outstanding” rating from the Care To see the full inspection report, go to www.cqc.org.uk/ Quality Commission (CQC). location/1-1886378191 Now, the council is calling for volunteers to join the Shared If you are a Croydon resident and are interested in becoming a Lives carer service, which places adults with learning disabilities, Shared Lives carer, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/healthsocial/ mental health problems and other support needs in the homes of adult-care/support-at-home/sharedlives-scheme/sharedlives specialist carers for day-to-day support and help. or call 020 8726 6000 ext 63516.

CASE STUDY Frances Gilbert, 70, decided to become a Shared Lives carer six years ago after her husband, Jim, and physically-disabled son, Mark, died within months of each other. Marion Cordell, who has learning of her idol Elvis Presley. Frances urged more volunteers disabilities and limited mobility, Marion said: “I like going out to come forward to join the Shared lost touch with her stepfamily after with Frances, going to the theatre Lives scheme, and said it has her father died, and she moved in and outings and seeing family. It’s taught her to not expect anything, with Frances four years ago. worth getting into Shared Lives.” and to be more patient. The 47-year-old also shares Frances said: “When she arrived She added: “It’s like watering Frances’s Thornton Heath home she had a long way to go - she a flower with the pair of them – with another Shared Lives client, was not very happy. Within three the more they open up, the more and has taken part in church months we went to tea at The beautiful they are every day. It Nativity plays, enjoys theatre trips Dorchester and I think it woke her gives me a life and people to get and has even been on a dream up to a whole new way of life and up for. Marion has taught me lots.” holiday to see the Graceland home it was a complete eye-opener.” For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news 23

Council meeting dates Useful contacts Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council For police, fire brigade, ambulance, meeting (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date. call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800 Meeting: Monday 18 July Croydon Council general enquiries The format for questions for consideration at a full council 020 8726 6000 meeting has changed. Questions should be emailed to council. [email protected]; alternatively, write to Questions Croydon NHS Walk-in Centre for the council, Legal and democratic services, 7th floor, 020 3040 0800 Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876. Non-emergency urgent care - 111 Unless otherwise stated, cabinet meetings start at 6.30pm, Croydon University Hospital in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. 020 8401 3000 Meeting: 11 July 19 Sep For information on meetings, minutes and agendas, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/meetings For information on cabinet Get in touch and shadow cabinet members, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/ cabinet To get in touch with the Your Croydon editorial team, email: [email protected] Meeting: 19 July Health, social care and housing scrutiny or call 020 8760 5644 sub-committee Meeting: 13 Sep Children and young people scrutiny If anybody you know isn't receiving the online sub-committee Your Croydon weekly, tell them that they can Meeting: 20 Sep S treets and environment scrutiny ensure delivery by subscribing at www.croydon. sub-committee gov.uk/subscribe Meeting: 27 Sep  Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee  For information on scrutiny, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/ Central Library and scrutiny or email [email protected] Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours) Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in the venues indicated. For further information, look www. Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library croydononline.org/safer-neighbourhood-board/ Telephone: 020 8726 6900 Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Meeting: Wednesday 21 September at 6.30pm Email: [email protected] Community Space, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA Museum – www.museumofcroydon.com Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website www.croydon.gov.uk/meetings. Telephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: [email protected]

For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/ Guided Walks leisure/parksandopenspaces/walks JULY Sunday 10 July Expression in the band stand, children’s car park, off Old Farleigh Road. Summer Fair activities, gardening, pop-up bar and much Sunday 3 July & Sunday 10 July From 1-5pm. Details at www. more; 1-6pm. Bring a picnic Saturday 27August Women in the woods grangewoodpark.co.uk/ Haling Grove Evening picnic Have a chat around the camp fire, make 27-30 July Join the Friends of Haling Grove for an nettle cordage and feel at home outdoors. Saturday 16 July CODA presents: evening in the Walled Garden 5- 8pm, bring Email [email protected] for Butterflies in Much Ado About Nothing a picnic. For more information information. Venue is South Norwood Meet 11am by the bear in the Selsdon Wood Open air theatre in the Bandstand; 7.30pm, Country Park. car park for a stroll over the summer fields. plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Ticket Saturday 27 August Sunday 17 July hotline 07858 879019, www.codashows. Mini-beast hunt in Littleheath Woods Sunday 3 July A walk with the warden co.uk Search for the creepy crawlies that hide in Ron’s ramble through the Join the Happy Valley Countryside Warden dark corners of the woods or lurk among North Downs to find out what makes the valley a very AUGUST the leaves. Meet at 10am for 90-minute Join Croydon Outdoor Pursuit and Social special place. For details, call 07966 113413. Wednesday 17 August family event at the junction of Queenhill and Events Club for a social six-mile ramble Mini-beast hunt in Selsdon Wood Littleheath roads. Saturday 23 July or 15-mile bike ride. For details www. A family walk searching for critters and copsecroydon.co.uk or call Ireen on 01483 Wandle Park garden party creepy crawlies in field and wood. Meet at For all general enquiries, email 823531 Featuring live music with Freedom of 2pm by the wooden bear in Selsdon Wood [email protected] 24 subscribe to Your Croydon weekly at www.croydon.gov.uk/subscribe SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL Your A to Z of council services The council provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer help and advice to residents. Below is only a small selection of those services – for the full list, visit www.croydon.gov.uk and follow the “A-Z” link at the top of the home page.

Adult education Disabled parking Job search Information on the courses available Providing parking bays throughout Find the latest vacancies for to older students. Croydon for vehicles used by the positions within the council. holders of blue badges. Recycling Blocked drains Leisure centres Information on how to deal with Emergency planning Links and information on all the drain problems. Keeping Croydon running in the borough’s leisure centres. Recycling event of serious incidents. What to recycle, how to recycle and Bulky waste collection Lottery registration where to recycle. What it is, how to book it and how Extended schools Running a lottery to raise funds for much it will cost. Providing a range of services and a charity or an organisation such Safer Croydon Partnership activities to help meet the needs of as a sports club, church or school, Working to make the borough safer CCTV pupils, their families and the wider requires registration. for all who live, work and visit here. Helping to ensure the safety of community. Mice and rats people in Croydon. Information on the telltale signs and Fly-tipping how to get help eradicating them. How to report it, your responsibilities as a landowner, My Croydon Trading Standards and how the council prosecutes Download the council’s app for easy fly-tippers. reporting of a number of issues. Trading standards CCTV Dealing with doorstep crime and Gambling Neighbourhood wardens The different types of licences – and rogue traders, and offering advice Offering help and support to local to residents and businesses. Croydon Careline how to apply for them. communities. Providing a home safety and Voluntary organisations personal security system, helping Home safety advice Out-of-school activities Details on available funding. people to live independently within See if you are eligible for a free After-school clubs, breakfast clubs, their own homes. home safety check. holiday play schemes – they’re all Welfare benefit advice here. Direct payments Instrument tuition Know what you’re entitled to and Giving a person the choice to buy Service for children and young Planning applications claim it. and arrange their own social care people. Advice on all aspects of the planning services. process. Youth projects All you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision.

Zoo licence You need to apply for a licence to run a zoo – should you really want Planning to! www. croydo z n.gov.uk/ato 160320