Fed up with Their Local Park's Bad Reputation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Imagine Croydon – we’re Gimme shelter – one Speaking out for youth – offering you the chance man’s tale of how how two teenagers offer to influence the way our sheltered housing gave inspiration to their peers borough develops him a new lease of life Page 18 Page 2 Page 12 Issue 27 - March 2009 yourYour community newspaper from your councilcroydonwww.croydon.gov.uk People power does the trick Fed up with their local park’s bad reputation, residents decided to do something about it. With spring beckoning, a Over the past year, the group of Thornton Heath group’s achievements have residents are looking back included: with pride at what they • holding a family fun day, have achieved for their attended by more than community. 150 people; The Friends of • holding a toddlers’ Thornton Heath Rec was sponsored walk in formed in 2007 when the area; a group of concerned • working with the residents decided to come council to improve litter together to try to improve collections, increase the security and facilities the ranger service, within the recreation and secure funding for ground, occupying about improved play facilities; 13 acres between Melfort • bulb planting with local and Bridport roads. schools; Since its formation, Kim said: “There is the group has established much more to do, and the meaningful links with coming year will see the Croydon Council and group working to run more neighbourhood police, events and activities. making their local park a “We all want to see the safer and more enjoyable park as a clean and safe place to visit. resource for all to enjoy. Founder member Kim “With everybody’s Esnard said: “We did this help, we’re sure that because we believe that people will find it’s a safe the Rec could be a great and clean environment.” resource for all local For further information people and our visitors. about the Friends of “Sadly, for too long, Thornton Heath Rec, visit the Rec has been neglected the website at and has gained a bad www.thorntonheathrec. image. It became a place org.uk. You can also email which many people – friendsoftherec@yahoo. young and old – were co.uk or telephone Paul reluctant to use.” on 07786 076131. Pulling together: residents worked to bring park back into community ownership This newspaper is printed on environmentally friendly paper from a sustainable source, and produced at lower cost than the previous Your Croydon magazine. 2 yournews Can you imagine Croydon? What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think about Croydon? What type of place would you like it to be in 30 years time? These are just two of the Over the next six months By Donna Lightbown questions that Croydon’s we will be carrying out Local Strategic Partnership the largest consultation will be asking local people we have ever undertaken like you between now in Croydon, seeking views and September as part from the widest number of Imagine Croydon, an of local people, across all ambitious plan to create ages and backgrounds a long-term vision for the – people who live here, borough. work here, study here, All successful cities shop here, do business have a clear, long-term here, volunteer here, it’s not just about what the meet people in Croydon email them to info@ vision of what they want chill out here or just pass council and its partners and see what they think. imaginecroydon. Kail Gunaratnam to achieve. By imagining through here! do, but what we can all Events will be advertised com or upload them to and planning ahead, it is However, thinking do together to make our in the local media and on www.imaginecroydon. easier to build a future about the future is not neighbourhoods and the internet, including at com. You can also send I’m excited that everyone can enjoy easy. No one could our borough safe, clean www.imaginecroydon. us your mobile phone and share in – which is have predicted 10 or and beautiful. If people com. videos. about Imagine why we are taking action 15 years ago just how see worthwhile things There will be lots of Or, just email info@ Croydon because now, especially in these much technology would happening, organised by creative, fun ways for you imaginecroydon. challenging times, to transform our lives today. local people, they’ll want to get involved. Keep com or visit www. it’s not just about develop a vision for the However, if we all use our to get involved.” your eyes peeled for the imaginecroydon.com for what the council borough. imagination and start to Big Brother - type diary more details on how you We want to ensure that really think about the sort How can you get room that will be touring can get involved. does, but what we we harness the significant of place we’d like Croydon involved? the borough, visiting Whichever way is can all do together growth and regeneration to be, we can make the We will be holding a shopping centres and easiest, we want to hear that is planned for our right decisions today wide range of exciting other community facilities, from you. Together, we to make our borough to achieve even to secure our vision of events and activities to but if you can’t wait to get can help shape the future neighbourhoods greater things for the Croydon as a place of real enable everybody to have involved why not: of Croydon. people of Croydon. And to opportunity and one that their say, from those that • take part in our online and our borough do this we need your help. we all want to belong to in have only a few minutes to survey now at www. safe, clean and A long-term vision for the future. spare, to others that want imaginecroydon.com Croydon will be successful As Norbury resident to participate more fully. • email your ideas to beautiful. only if it reflects the values Kail Gunaratnam says: The Imagine Croydon info@imaginecroydon. and aspirations of local “Every one of us needs team will be out and com people, so we need as to be an ambassador for about at all sorts of events • take photos of the many people as possible to Croydon. I’m excited about – both in public places and things you like or don’t share their ideas with us. Imagine Croydon because for specific groups – to like in Croydon and yournews 3 youreducation 20 yourcommunity 11 yourhealth 21 Take advantage of our yourspace 12 yourbusiness 22 competitive advertising rates specialfeature 14 yourdiary 24 FULL HALF QUARTER yourenvironment 16 yourevents 24 page from £990 page from £444 page from £222 355x259mm 148x259mm 148x127mm yourfuture 18 yourheritage 26 If you would like your business to benefit from advertising in one of the country’s Editorial team leading community newspapers and would like more information, a copy of our rate card or a booking form, please call: Paula Howell & 020 8760 5644 Editor: Fred Hall Reporter: Alison Cann Reporter: Briony Key Email: yourcroydon@ Email: yourcroydon@ Email: yourcroydon@ croydon.gov.uk croydon.gov.uk croydon.gov.uk The next issue of Your Croydon will be published on Monday, Tel: 020 8760 5644 Tel: 020 8760 5644 Tel: 020 8760 5644 30 March. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of an advertisement does not indicate council endorsement of any Reporter: Richard Gibbs Reporter: Helen Parrott Advertising: Paula Howell Email: yourcroydon@ Email: yourcroydon@ Email: yourcroydon@ products or services mentioned. croydon.gov.uk croydon.gov.uk croydon.gov.uk Tel: 020 8760 5644 Tel: 020 8760 5644 Tel: 020 8760 5644 This Newspaper is printed on environmentally friendly, Produced by croydondesign the in-house business within Croydon Council. TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) paper, produced from a [email protected] 81369/150M/11 sustainable source. When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it. March 09 | Your Croydon yournews 3 Time for a Bloomin’ marvellous new look No, you’re not imagining things – you are looking at the new community newspaper from your council Since first appearing in 1994, under the Croydon Reports banner, the council’s regular, publication for residents has appeared as a full-colour, A4 glossy magazine. Now, though, it’s time for a change. A number of factors have led to the switch to a tabloid format, produced on high-quality newsprint. We’re confident that the newspaper will be a wider reflection of what’s happening to local people. It will continue to provide information on council services and amenities, and increasingly we expect it to be used by other public sector partners. There will be a greater emphasis on community news – whether it’s a Croydon in Bloom: start planning now for this year’s competition children’s nursery in Upper Norwood or an Following last year’s the first two weeks of Britain in Bloom last year, contributing to making wildlife, are all welcome. older people’s day centre successes in the London July, and the nation’s top and did tremendously well business and community No matter what kind of in Coulsdon, a mothers’ in Bloom and Britain judges will be here in early in achieving a prestigious areas more attractive to activity you are involved group in Waddon or in Bloom competitions, August. Silver Award. residents, visitors and in, let us know by entering a youth club in New Croydon in Bloom is In London, Croydon in So, if you are a customers. Croydon in Bloom. Addington. calling for boroughwide Bloom has achieved the gardener, veg grower, Croydon in Bloom The closing date for We feel the newspaper involvement this year, Best Large City award two help with a school garden is not all about having entries is 1 May, so now will make for lively and Briony Key reports.