With all manner of gadgets and gizmos taking priority in the lives of our youngsters and environmental issues at an all time high it has never been more important to introduce children to the long lost skills of growing and gardening. To promote this
Furniture reuse charities in London report a 14% increase in households choosing to send unwanted furniture for reuse and not to landfill. The 2006 figures - produced by the London Furniture Reuse Network (London FRN) - confirm Londoners donated
NEC Harlequins boss Dean Richards insists Saturday's sell-out clash with Wasps will not be any easier despite the west London side having five first-choice players on England duty, writes Stuart Amos. Josh Lewsey, Joe Worsley, Tim Payne, Tom Palmer and
Crops and vegetation throughout Sussex experience unhealthy and potentially damaging concentrations of ozone pollution, the Anglo/French Air Rives Manche - Ozone (ARMO)' project has found. This, and other results, will be presented at a conference in
Fewer and fewer people are able to see the natural wonder of a star filled night sky. This is the conclusion of a survey run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the British Astronomical Association's Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS).
Today, Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, led a delegation of business and trade union leaders to a meeting with the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP and senior Treasury officials to discuss the next steps in
An agreement to boost renewable energy across the EU could allow taxpayers' cash to subsidise the nuclear industry in France and the UK, Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has warned. Speaking ahead of this week's meeting of EU leaders to discuss climate and energy
Over the last 12 months many local businesses have suffered from soaring energy bills. With increases of 70% and even 100% in this area not uncommon, I thought local firms may find the following simple energy efficiency tips helpful: . If you can't
The Beatles, Wham, S Club 7 and even the recently reformed Take That, have all decided that, at one time or another, enough is enough and called time on their careers. However, the old adage that all good things must come to an end does not ring true
Croydon has become a regular stop on the Fairport Convention itinerary during their 40 year road trip and the band, and their fans, reconvened at Fairfield Halls last Thursday night. Right from the start we heard strong vocal harmonies over well-crafted
Las Vegas is coming to Croydon on Mothers Day, as big band swing legends Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr grace the Fairfield Halls - well, sort of. Big band swing music, featuring all the panache and attitude of the old masters, rolls into
Ex-Neighbours star Mark Little is bringing back his acclaimed show Defending The Caveman to Fairfield Halls. Little, best known for his stint on Ramsey Street as the lovable Joe Mangle, will be presenting the one-man show that won the Olivier Award for
I would like to take issue with the comments made by Ray Horry, March 1, suggesting that Nonsuch Mansion and 300 acres of Parkland are hardly used. As the parents of a young toddler, my wife and I frequent and enjoy the park and its facilities regularly
I am grateful to the editor for agreeing to print this letter, confirming the misprint in the Guardian article on the council's budget this year. The article incorrectly stated that the grant to the Centre for the Environmental Initiatives (now Ecolocal
In reply to Mrs C Williams of Worcester Park (Letters, February 22). I have two notices on the approach to my door and they are sized A4 and the one in English states that I do not want 2lbs of rubbish stuffed through my letterbox each week or any salesman
I was surprised and not a little alarmed to read your article on the future of Nonsuch Mansion. Your article will be read with some dismay by all those - including myself - who attended the Surrey County Council meeting on 27 February. Surrey County
I am writing to you in response to the article in the Sutton Guardian dated Feb 15 regarding the closure of the bereavement counselling service for the Sutton and Merton area. I lost my father to a painful battle with lung cancer in November last year
On the afternoon of February 26, I dropped my wallet containing cash and credit cards in the Ashley Centre. Somebody picked it up and without leaving their name and address left it with the staff at one of the shops in the centre. I would very much like
Your readers may not be aware that next week Parliament will decide whether this country should replace its ageing fleet of Trident nuclear submarines with four more updated versions, which will prolong the nuclear arms race for another 50 years. The
Your readers who are concerned about the future of Epsom General Hospital may wish to sign the following e-petition on the Downing Street petition website. "We call on the Prime Minister to ensure that the Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust halts the
What an ignorant letter from Ray Horry, (Letters, March 1). Obviously he has never been to Nonsuch Park. I challenge him to show me a park more widely used, in either borough. Go there any time, on any day - it is never empty. I DAVEY The Mount
I was one of several hundred people who attended the meeting in Kingston on February 27 to demonstrate opposition to Surrey County Council's plans for Nonsuch Park. Despite pleas from the joint management committee that has funded the upkeep and maintenance
Stoneleigh and Nonsuch Residents' Association councillors joined hundreds of supporters of the Save the Park campaign in a mass lobby of county councillors who were meeting on February 27 to decide the fate of Nonsuch Park and mansion. The Conservative
Five men have been jailed for their roles in a string of burglaries across Bromley and Croydon. The gang are believed to have targeted 26 homes across Beckenham, Bromley, Forest Hill and Croydon between September 2005 and March last year. A business
Wandsworth Council's chief executive and director of administration Gerald Jones has come under fire for his fat cat' salary. A report issued by the Taxpayers' Alliance revealed Mr Jones has the third highest salary of any council officer in the UK.
A record number of Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were dished out in Wandsworth at the end of last year. The council's antisocial behaviour unit issued 13 ASBOs in the last three months of 2006, against individuals whose unruly and disorderly behaviour
The son of Status Quo rocker Rick Parfitt is advertising for a housemate to share his luxury pad in Hampton Court. Rick Jr, currently dating former Glamour model Emma Noble, ex-wife of Sir John Major's son James, posted an advert on internet networking
Long-delayed work to improve a controversial road junction in West Croydon that was earning the council around £1,500 in fines every day was finally due to start this week. As reported previously in the Croydon Guardian, an average of 30 drivers a day
Sheen Lions U9s won a close fought game with Wandgas at the weekend. With both teams hindered by the wind and rain, Sheen ran out 2-1 winners thanks to two inspired saves by Alex Haswell in the Sheen goal and sublime finishes from James Mcauley and Jack
AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson wants to emulate Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as he faces a central defensive injury crisis. Paul Lorraine was forced off with an ankle injury in Saturday's goalless draw with Margate after falling awkwardly. The injury
Surbiton will face league leaders Cannock in the semi-finals of the English Hockey Cup at Reading on March 31. But the Long Ditton-based Premier Division side made hard work of beating National First Division promotion hopefuls Havant 3-2 on Sunday.
England Students have named an unchanged side as they attempt to complete an unprecedented double over France at in Oxford tomorrow night (7pm), writes Simon Mills. The Students claimed their first win on French soil in 14 years with their heroic
St Paul's Barnes, who have a good pedigree in the Daily Mail Schools U15 Cup as losing finalists two seasons ago, are bidding to reach another final by overcoming Bishop of Hereford's School at RFU Castlecroft this Saturday, writes Simon Mills. St Paul's
An 18-year-old has appeared before Kingston magistrates charged with murdering mum-of-two Laila Rezk. Lloyd James Edwards from Langmoor Point, Norley Vale, Roehampton, was heavily policed when he appeared in the dock this morning. Mrs Rezk's husband
London Scottish cemented top spot in London League Division One with three games to go by gaining a 50-8 win in horrible conditions at Portsmouth on Saturday, while Ealing defeated Worthing to replace them in second place. Coach Jim Kelly came off the
Richmond's impressive run continued with a 43-7 victory against Bishop's Stortford on Saturday and they must be confident of gaining revenge over Barnes, the only side to beat them in 2007 so far, when the local rivals meet this weekend in the Surrey
The deadline for the inaugural South London Business Awards has passed and all focus is now on the event. Top radio presenter David Jensen is to host the event at Crystal Palace Football Club on Monday, May 21. More than 400 top business people from
I am trying to trace some school friends for a special reunion this year. Our school was The Joseph Hood County Secondary School at Raynes Park. Pupils came from all over Surrey and south London. If you attended this school during 1957 to 1960 please
A former NEC Harlequins star hopes he can add a few more names to the club's production line of talented youngsters when he returns to Croydon in May. Former Stoop second-rower Alex Codling will quit Welsh Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale at the end of
Croydon FC 1 Erith Town 0 Croydon edged past Erith Town to retake their place at the head of the pack chasing runaway Kent League leaders Whitstable Town. The Trams dropped to third after last week's washout at a water-logged Tunbridge Wells, but
Joice Maduaka failed to make further progress during last weekend's European Indoor Championships in Birmingham as she crashed out in the semi-finals stages of the women's 60m, writes Ziad Chaudry. The 33-year-old Croydon sprint star, who got a late
Whyteleafe 3 Burgess Hill 0 Danny Platel scored all three goals as Whyteleafe followed up their mid-week win over Kingstonian with an impressive victory over Burgess Hill. Both sides tried to play some nice football despite the poor playing service
Striders of Croydon did well to place second in the team event in the Sussex Beacon Half-Marathon at Brighton last Sunday. They were led home by Justin Macenhill, who produced an excellent performance to finish ninth in a field of more than 3000 runners
Old Whitgiftian 29 Old Freemans 7 Old Whitgiftians, unbeaten in the League since November last year,thoroughly deserved their win against top of the table Freemans. This was a match that was crucial to maintain promotion hopes, and on a bright sunny
Old Paulines 13 Warlingham 32 Warlingham got back to winning ways by beating Old Paulines 13-32 at Thames Ditton last Saturday. Two tries from fly-half Alex Glover helped them to consolidate their third position in the London South West Four table
Purley John Fisher 25 Deal & Betteshanger 7 Purley John Fisher avenged their defeat earlier in the season, to Deal & Betts, as they posted this resounding home victory on Saturday. In probably what was one of their better performances of the season
Croydon Harriers' high jumpers took the plaudits in the club's 17-medal haul at the Surrey Indoor Championships last weekend, writes Mike Fleet. Royal Russell student Tsidi Dagadu comfortably took the title in his first year as an U20. With narrow failures
Naomi Campbell will mop floors and sweep corridors as part of her punishment for throwing a mobile phone at her maid. The 36-year-old Streatham supermodel is expected to spend her five days of court-ordered community service cleaning a New York office
A teenage driver who admitted killing his best friend by dangerous driving has been spared jail after the victim's dad pleaded with the judge to treat him leniently. The court heard how Nelson Draper-Smith, 19, lost control of his van on a notorious
After Dave Martin took the plaudits following his impressive substitute appearance against Luton Town, it was Lewwis Spence's turn to take the floor last Saturday. Making his full debut against Burnley, the 19-year-old showed much promise and something
Ben Watson plans to make amends for a frustrating campaign by making a big impact in the Eagles' final 10 games of the season. Injuries and loss of form mean the England U21 international has not made more than four consecutive Palace starts since Peter
A man has been found guilty of exposing himself to a dog walker in Addington's Spring Park. Croydon Crown Court heard how in May last year Soloman Odam, of Lodge Lane, New Addington, approached a woman who was walking her three dogs. The 6ft 5in
Peter Taylor has played down reports linking Eagles midfielder Tom Soares with a move to Premiership side Bolton Wanderers. A Trotters scout was rumoured to have watched the England U21 midfielder during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday
The story of Twickenham's season was summed up in Saturday's 24-7 London Two North defeat at Thurrock. Early dominance eroded away to leave bottom club Ts still searching for their second victory of the season. After a point-less first 38 minutes, Thurrock
Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison insists he is happy to play the father figure to the current crop of youngsters making a name for themselves at Selhurst Park. In recent weeks, academy graduates Lewwis Spence and Lewis Grabban have received call-ups
I was sitting reading a copy of the Croydon Guardian when I was jolted out of my chair. In two days the exhibition Sunshine in Suburbia at the Clock Tower was to close. I could not believe it, to coin a phrase. It is quite amazing how time flies when
Harlequins Rugby League has this week launched the six pack' - semi season ticket. It's a new product which allows supporters to pick and choose which games they wish to attend, without committing to all 13 home games. Research over the past couple
While I would agree with D Banda (Letters, February 7) that Croydon needs a swimming pool, I do not agree that Waddon is forgotten. It is not a huge estate and to get to Croydon Library (one of the best in the country) would only require D Banda to walk
When England Counties XV flanker Dave Allen decided to try his hand in better company three years ago and join a mate at Blackheath, he could not have imagined that he would be running out at the Rectory Field on Saturday wearing an England shirt, writes
Roads were closed off and offices evacuated this morning after a motorcycle part sparked a security alert in Wimbledon. Police cordoned off Alexandra Road, Leopold Road, Compton Road, and part of Springfield Road, at around 8.55am after a suspicious
I really think there should be a giant cheque book on one side of the road and a giant pen on the other (Welcome, Croydon Guardian, February 28), this will remind motorists they are entering the London rip-off zone. MERVYN ELLIS Stafford Road
I’ve had ‘green tendencies’ for a long time. I don’t really know when it started. When I was young my Dad was a greengrocer, so I was always used to eating plenty of fruit and veg - although sometimes that was the stuff that wouldn’t last the weekend
I’ve had ‘green tendencies’ for a long time. I don’t really know when it started. When I was young my Dad was a greengrocer, so I was always used to eating plenty of fruit and veg - although sometimes that was the stuff that wouldn’t last the weekend
The argument over who is to blame for Croydon's financial problems rumbled on at the town hall as councillors rubber-stamped the budget for the next financial year. During a debate over council tax - which has been set at a 4.3 per cent increase for
An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of mum-of-two Laila Rezk. Lloyd James Edwards from Langmoor Point, Noiley Vale, Roehampton, is due to appear before Kingston Magistrates' Court this morning charged with murdering the 51-year-old.
A man accused of robbing brothels in Surbiton, New Malden and across south London claims he was trying to stop Albanian gangsters forcing a young Asian girl into prostitution. Kingston Crown Court heard last week that Daniel Fuller, 25, claimed he was
