New Malden resident Bisher al-Rawi is expected back in London this weekend after four-and-a-half years held captive in Guantanamo Bay. Mr al-Rawi, 39, a British resident, was arrested by the CIA in the Gambia in November 2002 and has been held at the
A serial paedophile from West Norwood has been jailed for at least five and a half years for a sickening knife-point rape on a homeless teenager. Roy King lured the unsuspecting 18-year-old on to a bus bound for his former home in Truslove Road by promising
Family and friends bade a final farewell to 16-year-old James Smartt-Ford this afternoon. A horse-drawn carriage led the funeral cortege along Streatham High Road to the United Reformed Church - next to the ice rink where James was shot. Dozens of people
An armed robber has stolen thousands of pounds from the HSBC bank in the high street in New Malden after threatening the cashiers with a gun. The black man walked into the bank alone at 11.35am and demanded money. As soon as the cashiers handed him
Four-time defending champions England made a good start on day one of the Hong Kong Sevens today, beating the hosts 38-7. The pressure is on England to make it an unprecedented five wins in a row and, despite some first day errors, they seemed to be
.......before I'm accused of a persistently slack attitude towards blogging, I'm just making it known that you won't hear a peep out of me next week because I will be spending it in Devon with my parents, getting a healthy dose of sea air, relaxation
Apologies to those of you who have pointed out what a hopeless slacker I've been this week. I agree - for some reason I just haven't been feeling the inspiration. Also, it's pretty hard to form intruiging prose out of an existence that 70% revolves around
Sunday paper stories that claim singing star Peter Andre has been wowing local housewives with his sexy moves at pole dancing lessons at a Leatherhead gym have been denied this week. The stories say that Peter, married to glamour model Jordan, famous
Leading sustainable transport charity Sustrans is urging Londoners to get behind their Connect2' Lottery Bid which, if successful, would bring millions to develop cycling and pedestrian routes in and around the capital. Sustrans' Connect2' is one of
Nearly 60% of householders in London now claim to regularly recycle their waste according to a new UK-wide survey into consumer recycling habits. The survey, carried out by national waste management company HIPPOWASTE, has revealed that attitudes
A jobless Tooting man has turned his life around by travelling to the subcontinent to become an Indian Goddess. Now thousands of Hindus believe Steve Cooper can cure infertility as a reincarnation of Goddess Bahuchara Mata - who according to legend
A plan to boost the supply of environment-friendly woodfuel to cut greenhouse gases and produce enough energy to power 250,000 homes has been unveiled. The Forestry Commission's Woodfuel Strategy for England (www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodfuel),
I never thought I’d be sorry to see the back of my training sessions. How many times have I flogged around the same unforgiving streets, the wind pinching at my goosebumped legs, rueing the day I signed up for the marathon? You’d think I’d be glad to
Jermaine Darlington is manager Dave Anderson's main injury concern as AFC Wimbledon look to continue their promotion charge against Slough Town. After playing two games in a week Darlington has suffered a reccurence of his knee cartilage problem and
Croydon's Primary Care Trust claims residents should have no trouble finding NHS dentists following reports of a national shortage. A spokesman for the PCT said there were 55 dental practices in the borough, the majority of which were taking on new
With reference to Councillor Leach's correspondence to your newspaper, he obviously doesn't live on one of the new hospital estates. His letter refers to meetings over six years ago and he fails to see the gap between the original plans and the reality
I was really amazed by the strong feelings stirred up by Sarah Clayton's letter criticising the Channel 4 programme The Great Global Warming Swindle. This caused me to look a bit more deeply into that programme, and the whole debate. So who is right
I support Sarah Clayton's criticism of the Channel 4 programme The Great Global Warming Swindle. The derogatory comments about her letter which you published last week were, I think, unjustified. The Royal Society, a prestigious British scientific organisation
Harlequins RL centre Paul Sykes insists his best is still to come 12 months after injury almost wrecked his career. The 25-year-old suffered kidney damage in last season's 10-6 Super League win at Hull FC in March 2006. Since spending most of that campaign
The letter from Stoneleigh Residents' Association (March 22) attacking the county and me over Nonsuch Mansion again misses the point completely. Their assumption seems to be that we should all simply pay more council tax to keep a significant part of
A convicted paedophile is due to be sentenced today for the knifepoint rape of an 18-year-old man. Roy King denied raping the victim in Crystal Palace Park on July 29 last year, but was convicted at Croydon Crown Court on January 27. The offence
I see a number of correspondents appear to be upset by my comments about the Global Warming Swindle programme. Many indeed have emailed me their views, for which I am grateful. There was indeed debate for a long time about whether the earth went round
Your readers will be aware that the Epsom and St Helier Hospital Trust are currently in the process of reducing the facilities provided at Epsom Hospital. Such action will seriously damage the health care available to the local community. Your readers
Chris Grayling sets out to put the record straight in his letter of March 15. One needs to go back further than he has done, to information that came out of Surrey County Council prior to the meeting of the executive on February 27. This includes a letter
I think that your article about the Epsom and St Helier car parking fees is very negative and unfair. The money we put to the NHS is for medical care and not for the provision of car parks. I have been grateful for being able to park at the Epsom, St
Having just read your headline story ("Hospital's Fate Sealed", March 22) about the future of Epsom Hospital I am totally outraged. Since October last year I have received the following relevant responses to my many letters to the Department of Health
Having read the letter from David Jeffreys "Not much to show for tax rises and cuts", I must agree with most of his comments. However, he may have lost the plot on some of what he says. Local finance, as I have always believed, is based on a yearly budget
The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) is the main UK charity to provide help and support to people with serious sight problems. We rely on voluntary contributions to keep over 60 services running. In your area, we receive fantastic support
Although we see and hear of campaigns and demonstrations for and against various projects in the borough, there seems to be a quiet revolution taking place in south Sutton. This is transforming the appearance and character of the district, with little
Regarding "Islamic extremist not investigated correctly", Guardian, February 22. The author of the article, Richard Lyons has every right to report on the facts of his story, which was basically that a man by the name of Abdul Lateef "stirred up religious
John Hall's letter only tells part of a story that is becoming a major disturbing influence on those of us who use and rely upon public transport within our daily lives. I wrote a letter back in September 2006 to Ken Livingstone which directly addressed
Mr Hudson makes some good suggestions regarding anti social behaviour in North Cheam (March 15 ), but ends with the illogical assumption nobody wants "bicycle pictures" painted on our roads. Promoting cycling is one of the best things that the council
I am in full agreement with Lyn Sparks' letter (Park must be closed after dark). I have written many letters requesting that Fairland's Park be locked at night like most other parks. I know it has a cut-through for pedestrians, but there are other ways
My wife had the misfortune to suffer a fall while out shopping two weeks ago and was taken to St Helier Hospital by ambulance. The two girl crew were fantastic and very caring. She was quickly transfered to the charge of a nurse for assessment. The
On behalf of the 1st Beddington beaver and cubs, I woud like to say a great big thank you to the response I had for my request for wool. I was overawed with the kindness and generosity of the readers of the Guardian, and we now have enough wool to make
In answer to the letter "Stop the pub extensions when the no smoking ban comes" on March 22. I would like to point out to Jill Whitehead, Chair of Erskine Village and Benhill Community Association, that to my knowledge there is not a smoking ban now
I am trying to find information in regard to a pen pal from North Cheam with whom I corresponded from approximately 1947-1954. We were both pre-teenagers when we began our letters and she was engaged to be married when we lost touch with one another.
I write with reference to the very touching letter you published on March 8 about the closure of the bereavement service. I can appreciate the distress and problems this person experienced as regards finding counselling on several levels. Firstly, I
The countdown has started. On July 1 smokers will become an endangered breed - at least while they are out in public. New laws means that virtually all enclosed and partially enclosed public places and workplaces will become smoke-free zones. This includes
I refer to the letter from Suzy Jacobs, as published in your paper of March 8. I received a fine in exactly the same circumstances as Ms Jacobs did. This was in Selkirk Road in Tooting. I apparently purchased my ticket from the wrong machine. This machine
The Sunday Times carried an interesting and important article by Simon Jenkins which is very relevant to Wandsworth Council's inability to continue its support for our museum and libraries. It was Nigel Lawson who capped our local council tax for fear
One year on from the official roll out of the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening programme (NHSP) and every child in England is now screened for deafness as soon as they are born. The test ensures that hearing loss and impairment is identified on average
Wandsworth Council recently announced that it is going to close Wandsworth Museum in order to save money. At the same time, news emerged that Wandworth's chief executive Gerald Jones is one of the country's highest paid council employees with an annual
If ever the politicians need an understanding of why the British electorate is so dis-enamoured, bewildered and disillusioned with the political process in this country, they only need to look no further than the 1.8 million signatures on the Downing
Tessa Jowell has announced yet another raid on lottery funds - this is bad news for Wandsworth's voluntary sector. Since January 2006 Wandsworth groups have received just under £1million in grants. As the lottery pot gets smaller, the good causes will
Staff and children at a Croydon pre-school had cause for celebration last week when they completed a quality assurance scheme. Councillor Janet Marshall went to the Little Pandas pre-school at the Salvation Army in Croydon Citadel to present a certificate
Heybridge Swifts striker Richard Jolly has been drafted in by AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson to replace the departing Paul Barnes. Jolly, who has scored 14 league goals for Swifts this season, has signed for the Kingsmeadow club as boss Anderson looks
We would like to thank AFC Wimbledon for all the support they gave us last Saturday (daffodil day). Despite all the problems the club are currently facing, they still took the time to donate prizes to our raffle and also went out of their way to make
Re. your article (Council keeps quiet over high earner pay), for these officers to refuse to divulge their full salaries this year will cause the residents of the borough to rightly view this stance with the greatest suspicion. By hiding behind the
It appears that Kingston Conservatives former leader Kevin Davis has had a "Saul on the road to Damascus" moment. In his letter (Guardian 22/3/07) he made the following points: 1. Kingston has a poor Government grant. Will he not then add his ample
Last week's announcement on the Thames super-sewer stinks to high heaven. Not only has the Government dithered for seven years before opting to back the essential upgrade, it now expects London households to foot the bill. Water bills have already
I would like to voice my support for John McCarthy's letter concerning The Picture Palace of New Malden which is due for redevelopment. New Malden used to boast three cinemas, one at Shannon Corner, one on the site which is now McDonalds, and the Picture
Whilst I applaud Kingston police for taking action on blue badge fraud, I fear they are fighting a battle they can never win. The blue badge system is sadly so flawed policing it is almost impossible even by the police. The design of the badges makes
My Council Tax bill has just been delivered and demands £2536.67, which shows my house is in Band G. "Serves you right," some people may say, "for living in an expensive house. You must be able to afford it." Not so. My wife and I bought our house in
Neil Pearson is used to working with the best - Leonard Rossiter, John Cleese, Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant among them - so when he pays tribute to his latest co-stars in Old Times, which comes to Richmond Theatre next week, it is high praise indeed
I received this morning a leaflet from Kingston Council indicating that my green bins were not used correctly during this week's collection and I need to use plastic bags to separate the rubbish. Having read that only 75 per cent of Berrylands residents
As the new series of The Apprentice is about to hit our screens again, students from one Croydon college have proved you do not need to face Sir Alan Sugar to get ahead in business. A-level media students from John Ruskin College in Selsdon were paid
The amalgamation of Waddon Infant and Duppas Junior Schools has been approved by parents, carers, teachers and governors. A full consultation was given at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Monday night before the amalgamation in 2009. Council plans
As a local resident, I parked in Purley on a deserted week day and found I had no change for the meter. I walked 20 yards to the bakers to get some change. By the time I walked back - maybe three minutes - an attendant was printing a parking ticket.
Beyond the southern valley of the Zambezi river in Zimbabwe where buffalo roam under bleached skies and tsetse flies linger on human flesh... Beyond the scattering of bamboo huts where river beds dry up and dirt tracks end and the nearest police outpost
Stead and Simpson, Coulsdon's last shoe shop, closed on Saturday (Declining' Coulsdon, Croydon Guardian, March 21). The reasons given were poor trading conditions over the past 12 months, an increase in rent, and no prospects of regeneration in a declining
A man who has spent the past 11 years regenerating Croydon's woods has been named the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) regional volunteer of the year. Rob Sowter, 47, leads Croydon's sustainable woodland group which works towards preventing
Croydon Council is offering primary schools a free performance from Recycler the Rapping Robot in support of this year's Green Guardian school awards. In a 45-minute routine Recycler will highlight the benefits of the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle
Former Eastenders star Wendy Richard and Dragon's Den entrepreneur Duncan Bannantyne were in Allders in North End launching a new fashion range for pampered pets. Marks and Spencer heiress Samantha Glass chose the Croydon store to market her new range
Businesses in Croydon can now get more advice on how to make their companies grow and succeed. Through the Croydon Enterprise programme, local businesses can access free business development workshops. Croydon Enterprise is the name given to the Local
The extraordinary bravery of a former Royal Russell pupil during World War Two is to be formally recognised by the school. A sapling has been planted in honour of Gerald Hood at the Coombe Lane school - and by a spooky coincidence it stands in the exact
Mayday Hospital is trying to trace 16 people who were in a ward with a patient at the centre of a tuberculosis scare last year. Doctors want the former in-patients to be screened and have sent letters to their homes. They had prolonged contact with
The funeral of a 16-year-old boy gunned down at Streatham Ice Rink is to be held today. James Smartt-Ford James will be laid to rest at the United Reformed Church in Streatham High Road at noon. Family and friends will gather at the church to say a
Around 35 to 40 people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer every year in Croydon. In the UK there are more than 7,000 cases of the disease, which Dr Michael Mendell describes as a "rapidly growing problem". Dr Mendell, a consultant gastroenterologist
Festival fever is finally upon us this Sunday as Glastonbury tickets go on sale after what seems like an age. But for those sorry souls who forgot to pre-register, hope is at hand. Four days in muddy Somerset are all well and good, but why frolic in
A Croydon man at the centre of a cancer diagnosis blunder at Mayday Hospital has died. Ron Jones, 71, passed away after contracting an infection. His death was not connected to a complaint lodged with Mayday about the length of time it took to diagnose
A new chief executive is due to take over the reins of Croydon Council following his predecessor's retirement. Jon Rouse, the chief executive of the Housing Corporation, will replace David Wechsler, who is retiring after 37 years with the council. A
A teenage murderer who gunned down a hard-working father after he dared to stand up to a gang of hoodies terrorising his neighbourhood is facing a life sentence. Bradley Tucker, 18, was convicted of murdering Croydon-born Peter Woodhams by an Old Bailey
A Shirley residents' association has accused senior police officers of hand-picking members for a committee designed to scrutinise neighbourhood policing. Senior members of the Spring Park Residents' Association (SPRA) claim police ignored its requests
The Croydon Guardian has won a Mighty Men of Valour Award for its commitment to the local community. The news team was nominated for the award alongside companies including Crystal Palace Football Club and the Croydon Advertiser to scoop the award for
A 16-year-old youth from South Norwood was arrested last Wednesday in connection with the murder of 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford at Streatham Ice Rink, on February 3.
A multi-faith concert is due to be held this week to raise money for a community centre for young people. The concert on Saturday, March 31, at Mount Zion Church in Sydenham Road is part of an initiative to get kids off the streets. It has been organised
A 18-old-man was charged last week with possession of cannabis and possession of a firearm and prohibited weapons after police raided a room at the YMCA in Croydon. Reon Wong was arrested and appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court last Thursday after
There has been a lot of talk recently, mostly from Spelthorne council, about the political edge to the Day Centre debate. However, if anyone is being political about the Day Centres it is the City Fathers themselves. When you take away their smoke screen
Standing up and being counted is an important philosphy of life. Recently I read in the letter's section of the paper about a Mr Ken Callanan, a retired paramedic, the organiser of the Surrey petition to obtain signatures to prevent the closure of the
The New Labour Government have again decided to penalise private car drivers. Abolition of private property as advocated by Spartacus Weishaupt in his manifesto constructed in Bavaria in the late 1700s may have been considered forward thinking at the
At the Stanwell Forum last week residents raised the car parking issue. Cars parked on the pavement on the grass or anywhere they are not supposed to park. It is necessary to remember that the Government reduced the number of off street parking places
Allders has come under after it offered free knives to shoppers. Audrey Burke, from Shirley, was in the department store last Tuesday when she heard an announcement that free pairing knives worth £5 were being given away in the store's kitchen department
A Wimbledon-based radio station with a green message has teamed up with this newspaper to support this year's Green Guardian awards. Passion for the Planet has been sending out its mix of world music and features about health and the environment for
Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor has hinted he may rest the club's internationals for the clash against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Striker Shefki Kuqi and skipper Carl Fletcher featured for Finland and Wales respectively over the international
London's growing gang culture needs to be tackled before there are more murders like the shooting of James Andre Smartt-Ford at Streatham Ice Rink, Met Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair says. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Metropolitan Police
The court hearing the case of a Mitcham man accused of murdering his niece have heard he made death threats against the dead girl's sister for being too "Westernised". Mahmod Mahmod, 52, and Ari Mahmod, 50, of Mitcham, deny charges of murdering Mahmod
Security at South Norwood pool has been blasted after Croydon Council admitted costly materials were stolen from the site by an organised gang. Valuable copper piping and sinks were stolen during a raid which contributed to damage that will cost taxpayers
When the England squad flew in for the Hong Kong Sevens, which get underway today (Friday), it was something of a homecoming for NEC Harlequins star Tom Williams, writes Jessica Chambers The 23-year-old, whose dad is a pilot for Cathay Pacific, grew
