Imagine Croydon – three Major changes are Work experience provides generations of one family proposed for the way a valuable insight into what do just that. trauma and stroke victims the future may hold for Read their views. get initial treatment. young people. Page 4 Page 10 Page 17 Issue 29 - May 2009 yourYour community newspaper from your councilcroydonwww.croydon.gov.uk Keeping an eye on community safety Crowd management and street safety set to improve as hi-tech vehicle takes to Croydon’s streets. Improving public safety started patrolling the mounted telescopic and protection is the No streets of the borough. camera that can extend 1 consideration behind Apart from its to a height of six metres, Croydon Council’s distinctive branding, giving a commanding newest acquisition. leaving nobody in any view of any situation. A specially fitted out doubt as to who is Images – still or Ford Transit High Roof, controlling the van, the moving – can be recorded bristling with the latest £100,000 mobile CCTV on board, or fed to state-of-the-art surveillance unit’s most noticeable the council’s security equipment, has just feature is the roof- team in the Taberner House control room. And the van isn’t rendered incapable when night falls – infrared cameras can collect pin- sharp pictures in the most demanding of conditions. Any recorded images will be able to be used as evidence should prosecutions result from a situation. It is expected the Prince views Mary Rose CCTV unit will be used principally in situations Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, amazing time capsule, illustrating the needing a degree of crowd visited Croydon recently to officially daily life of officers and sailors, as well management – at sporting open a landmark exhibition. as the military equipment of the ship. events, festivals or any Hidden Treasures from the Mary Running until 7 August, the location where large Rose, being staged in South Croydon, exhibition is taking place in Whitgift crowds might gather. marks the 500th anniversary of Henry School’s conference centre. And its constant radio VIII’s accession to the throne. Pictured with Whitgift headmaster link to Croydon’s police The Mary Rose, which sank Dr Christopher Barnett, Prince Andrew station means it will be in July 1545 at the Battle of the viewed some of the 200-plus exhibits, able to call for assistance, Solent, was the flagship, and which together provide a unique should it ever be required. a favourite, of Henry VIII. insight into life aboard a Tudor ship. For more on the She was raised in 1982; and the For information, visit www. mobile CCTV vehicle, resulting collection of artefacts is an maryrosehiddentreasures.org see pages 14 and 15. 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 May 2009 | Your Croydon Man plagued by memories One step at a time of torture Man admits excessive Richard Gibbs talks to an extraordinarily courageous man who, despite all the odds, is taking volume from stereo. part in this year’s London marathon – even if it takes him a fortnight. A South Norwood man told magistrates that he Purley grandmother, determination and I know far worse than mine, played music at high Jenny Jones, will be he’ll succeed.” and they make their lives volume in an effort to following the course Major Packer’s aim better in so many ways.” forget the torture he had of this year’s London is to raise £1m for the Tributes to Major undergone in Columbia, marathon with charity Help for Heroes, Packer’s courage – from his home country. unprecedented interest. supporting those injured service chiefs, politicians, Freddy Mureno, of Her grandson Phil, 36, while serving in the sports personalities and Whitworth Road, admitted will be taking part – and armed forces. celebrities – have been led four charges relating that’s pretty remarkable He said: “This has by HRH Prince Charles to breaches of a noise- because, just over a year been a difficult year for who said: “I can only abatement notice served ago, he was expected me and I’ve experienced imagine how exhausting on him last September. never to walk again. a wealth of emotions, and challenging life is for He was conditionally In February 2007 he however with faith, hope you now as you wrestle discharged for 12 months, suffered a severe spinal and friendship, my life with the physical damage told to pay £750 costs, cord injury after a rocket has changed around and caused by your injury. and his equipment attack in Basra while I want to use it now to “You are a credit to the was destroyed. serving as a major with make positive difference British Army and we are The court heard that, the Royal Military Police. to others. enormously lucky to have from February, 2008, Rehabilitation at the “Like the other extraordinary men and Croydon Council received military’s specialist centre, thousands of fundraisers women, such as yourself, a number of complaints of Headley Court, in Epsom, who support Help for who are prepared to very loud music coming has got him back on his Heroes, I have reasons risk life and limb for his from Mureno’s flat. feet again and, cussedly for feeling so passionate country.” A noise-abatement resolute, Phil expects to about this charity. While A widowed notice was served but complete the distance on in hospital, I really needed grandmother in Purley has loud music continued. crutches. something to pull me very personal reasons for On 12 November Managing just two through some very dark agreeing wholeheartedly, council officers seized miles a day it will take and lonely days; Help for and will be feeling every his stereo equipment. him the best part of a Heroes has done this and agonizing step Phil takes. He obtained fortnight. really helped me cope Jenny Jones hopes replacement equipment, Said Jenny, a former with what’s happened. many more will take the resulting in further occupational therapist “The team at Help for opportunity to follow her complaints and more visits who lives just a couple of Heroes show compassion, grandson’s progress and from pollution officers. On minutes from the library: understanding and support Help for Heroes one such visit a reading “I’m immensely proud sincerity in all that they through the website: of 70dBA was recorded. of Phil; I’ve always had do and the donations www.philpacker.com. Guidelines state that tremendous faith that they receive are used to For more inspiring daytime readings above my grandson would walk support fellow injured Flora London Marathon 50dBA and night-time again. servicemen and women; stories, please visit www. readings above 30dBA “He has guts and many who have injuries memory-joggers.co.uk Royal backing: Phil has support of Prince Charles are a noise nuisance. yournews 2 yourenvironment 16 yourcommunity 6 yoursport 22 Take advantage of our yourfinances 9 yourbusiness 24 competitive advertising rates yourhealth 10 yourheritage 25 FULL HALF QUARTER yourvote 12 yourevents 26 page from £990 page from £444 page from £222 355x259mm 148x259mm 148x127mm specialfeature 14 yourdiary 27 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: Jon Bownas 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 25 May. 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] 90040/150M/4 sustainable source. When you have finished with this newspaper please recycle it. www.croydon.gov.uk yournews 3 Have fun in Foxley Clamping down on Woodland friends’ group hosts special day for all the family. The Friends of Foxley are coppiced wood. holding a Foxley Woodland A barbeque and blue badge scams Day in Purley on Sunday, 3 refreshments will also be May, from 10am to 4pm. provided by St Barnabas Londonwide database will enable crackdown on parking fraudsters. Events at the local Scout Group. nature reserve will include For more information A crackdown on the a system designed to help guided natural trail walks, about the event contact fraudulent use of the blue those with disabilities. rural craft stalls, coppicing Freda on 020 8668 badge parking scheme Blue badges offer a demonstrations and 2008, Carl on 020 8660 for disabled people has range of on-street parking children’s activities. 7790 or visit www. resulted in the seizure concessions to people with The Working Horse friendsoffoxley.co.uk of more than 90 fake or severe mobility problems. Trust will demonstrate Entrance to the event stolen badges in London. But theft of badges from Ardennes horses towing can be found in Higher Now, London Councils vehicles and the use of fake timber from the wood for Drive, Burwood Avenue, is expanding its blue badges have increased.