While next year’s Olympics will give talented sportsmen and women a chance to shine, during the past twelve months artistically-minded young people have been getting stuck into the 2012 experience by taking part in the Cultural Olympiad, writes
A gang of 30 “brazen” thieves that struck twice in Wimbledon during a string of 33 jewellery raids has been jailed. They used CS spray and smashed windows with axes and hammers at jewellers across southern England and in mainland Europe, stealing £3.5m
The dream to restore an old picture house could still be on track, despite a residents’ group still waiting to hear whether its offer has been accepted. The Southfields Plaza Steering Group – formed by a group of residents – made an offer for
A mother who gave birth unexpectedly after being told she was suffering from early menopause has formally complained about the treatment she received at her doctor’s surgery. Anita Arora, 46, has lodged an official complaint with NHS Wandsworth
Bedford Blues take to the road once more this weekend for the always tricky trip to Old Deer Park to face fourth placed London Welsh. It’s been less than a month since the two teams faced each other and at this stage of the season the Blues have two
A vigil outside Streatham Ice Rink marked the fourth anniversary of the unsolved murder of a 17-year-old. James Andre Smartt-Ford was shot dead on February 3, 2007, and police continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward, even offering a reward
Passengers are being advised that the Route 151 bus will temporarily start and finish at North Cheam instead of Worcester Park from Saturday (February 5). The on-going gas main improvement works on Central Road, Worcester Park are expected
Smooth-talking teenagers have shown off their verbal dexterity and impressed judges by delivering speeches on everything from environmentalism to political correctness. Students from Kingston schools competed for the Youth Speaks award organised
I loved the first Dead Space. For me it was a landmark title on the current generation of consoles, and not since the first Silent Hill did a game leave me so petrified. The idea of creating a Dead Space game on Apple’s smaller handheld devices
This week the team discuss the potential casting of Javier Bardem as the next Bond villain. Simon, Mark and Colin also talk about the casting of Henry Cavill as Zack Snyder's Superman and Mark gives his thoughts on David O'Russell's latest film
The words ‘women’, ‘horror’, and ‘month’ probably conjure up ghastly menstrual images that most male horror fans would be squeamish about. Thankfully for them, I am actually referring to the second annual Women In Horror Recognition Month, which runs
The dark days of homophobia and the battle to achieve equality have been remembered in part of an exhibition about to arrive at the Rose Theatre. The exhibition, 1967 and All That, charts the history of the gay rights movement with a national
Bungling tree surgeons have decimated Worcester Park’s treasured war memorial. Devastated war veterans gathered round the fallen plinth, just off Central Road, this morning convinced it was the work of vandals. But on closer inspection
Gun crimes, rapes and sexual offences all increased during 2010 in Kingston. However burglaries, car crime and robberies were lower than the previous year. The results mean the borough has kept up its claim as the safest in London again
Croydon Athletic FC co-owner Mazhar Majeed has been charged with attempting to fix international cricket matches. Mr Majeed faces charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat alongside Pakistani cricketers
If you've ever wondered how beatboxers create every noise under the sun with just their mouth, a microphone and a loop sampler, here's your chance to find out. World Loopstation Champion Shlomo is holding a one-hour beatboxing masterclass at Rose
Whyteleafe pulled off a dramatic victory at high-flying Met Police in a nine-goal thriller at Imber Court on Saturday. An extraordinary game was on a knife edge all the way through, up to the end of nine minutes of stoppage time when Steve Sutherland
Mitcham’s Lee Cannon will be looking to put the disappointment of his previous outing behind him and focus on the task at hand when the welterweight prospect makes his first appearance of 2011 on the undercard of the Queensbury Boxing League's big March
Despite beating Esher 54-6 at the Mennaye Field back in October, the Cornish Pirates are expecting a much sterner test this Saturday. Tenth placed Esher, who were given a lift when they beat Rotherham Titans 23-19 in a thriller of a game played at
Tadworth’s Queensbury British Welterweight champion Jimmy Mizon has promised he will not hold back this time around when he steps through the ropes on Saturday March 12 to defend his Queensbury British Welterweight title against the dangerous Fatjon Gola
Roundshaw's Lewis Pinto has set his sights on further title glory when he challenges Kid Bucko for the vacant Queensbury Boxing League’s British Light Middleweight title on the promotion's first event of 2011 at the impressive Epsom Downs Racecourse on
Last year was monumental for Lauren Samuels, writes Will Gore. Not only did she make it to the final of the BBC talent show, Over the Rainbow, but she also enjoyed a stint starring as Sandy in the West End production of Grease. She is now taking
The United Arab Emirates was only born 1971 and on landing in Abu Dhabi it is not long before you realise they're making up for lost time. Moments after an eight-hour flight from frozen Heathrow and virtually every preconception you may have of a cash-rich
A double from former Brentford forward Ricky Shakes condemned Hampton & Richmond Borough to a twelfth league game without win, a run that has plunged the club into a relegation battle, writes Daryn McCleave. James Simmonds' spot kick right on half-time
Gino Rea and the Step Racing Team have finished a positive two-day test at the Aragon Circuit albeit in cold and bitter conditions. The test went well, providing the team with nearly 2 days to get through parts they couldn’t at the Portimao test.
Neil Danns is targeting six points from Crystal Palace next two home matches to ease relegation fears. The Eagles battled to a point thanks to a 1-1 draw at Watford on Tuesday night to take them out of the drop zone for the first time since November.
After the success of last year’s The Promise, Ben Brown’s superb play about the events leading up to The Balfour Declaration, The Orange Tree Theatre is returning to that most divisive of political conundrums – the Israel-Palestine conflict – with
Surbiton’s 2010/11 league fixtures finally resume this Sunday with a vital home clash against Bowdon, in third position, but who Surbiton trail by only three points and beat 2-1 in September’s away clash. Surbiton Hockey Club - January/February home
Developed by TT Games and due for a May release, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean promises to carry on the trademark quirky humour from the previous Lego games. Key features include: Exploration – Players will explore familiar locations
Ballet Boyz, Richmond Theatre Making dance accessible is the driving force behind Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s latest BalletBoyz project. Take an open audition, choose nine young male dancers of different backgrounds and experience, give
A councillor who helps run an anti-crime charity in Streatham is being urged to quit after failing to disclose a conviction for shooting and wounding a man in America. Stephen Govier, a Labour Councillor in Southwark, is the business crime
Make him fall in love you all over again this Valentines’ with a romantic new look new at award winning Metropolis Hairdressing. Worth £200 each, three lucky readers will receive a refreshing colour, a complementary hair cut and a volumising blow dry
Former captain Tony Popovic is to return to Crystal Palace as a member of Dougie Freedman's coaching team. The 37-year-old, who made 144 appearances for the Eagles between 2001 and 2006, is currently assistant coach at Australian side Sydney
With the first half of the Premier Squash League (PSL) season now behind them, both LEBC Group Chapel Allerton and TWP St George's Hill remain unbeaten - and have extended their leadership of Groups A and B, respectively, after the fifth round of the
EA have released the teaser trailer for Battlefield 3. Once again developed by DICE, the latest instalment is confirmed for release later this year.
This spectacular in-the-round production of the opera is staged in an enchanting Japanese water garden. No opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly. Set in Japan at the turn of the century, this tale of the doomed love of
Mike Friday is looking for a performance from London Welsh when they welcome high flying Bedford Blues to Old Deer Park on Saturday (2pm). Welsh missed the chance to move up to third in the table last Sunday when they slipped to a second consecutive
The parents of Meredith Kercher have demanded offensive screen shots showing a film recreation of their daughter’s murder are withdrawn from the internet. The disturbing images form part of a trailer promoting an American TV film about the
Quins fans voted with their feet over Sunday's historic first competitive domestic rugby fixture to be played in Abu Dhabi, according to those who made the trip. Director of rugby Conor O'Shea's men beat 'hosts' London Wasps 38-13 in front
Three people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a couple gunned down while laying in bed. Jordan Jackson and Leyla Djemal-Northcott were both murdered in a flat in Upper Norwood in 2006. Masked gunmen entered the flat
Two Sri Lankan immigrants have been found guilty of shoplifting after they admitted stealing to send clothes back to their homeland. Tharsan Sivagnani, 24, from Mitcham and Joe Jeyaratnam, 27, from Wimbledon, were caught at Debenham’s, in Sutton
People should talk about their poo to help save lives, Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow said. The care minister is fronting the first ever Government cancer awareness campaign, Be Clear on Cancer, showing people how to look for signs of bowel
A temporary lorry ban in a residential road in Coulsdon was so successful that Croydon Council is attempting to make it permanent. A weight limit, banning goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes, was imposed in Sandown Road in June, 2007, to stop
A charity has been launched in memory of former heavyweight British boxing champion Gary Mason. Mason died when he was knocked off his bike during a collision with a white van in Sandy Lane South, Wallington, on January 6. The Gary Mason
It measures only 16mm in length but this tiny butterfly may scupper plans to build a children’s playground on a nature reserve. Sutton councillors and parents want to put a playground in the Devonshire Avenue Local Nature Reserve in Sutton.
A pioneering US surgeon could change 12-year-old Dana Johnston’s life – if she can find the money, writes Jeff Kuntz... Dana has had a lifelong battle with cerebral palsy and has never let the condition get the best of her. But after
More than 250 health and safety issues raised about Sutton High Street during its £3.2m redevelopment have emerged. The Sutton Council records list 130 urgent and 50 priority works listed on Sutton High Street between July 2009 and September
Police officers paid a visit to residents of a sheltered housing scheme to show them the importance of marking their valuables. Graveney safer neighbourhoods team used special pens which are invisible to the naked eye to mark belongings in
A dead ringer for Ricky Gervais made a surprise visit to Croydon PC World to launch their new Office Depot outlet today. The David Brent lookalike browsed the aisles before launching into a rendition of the character's famous dance routine
A catalogue of missed opportunities left a women’s college with a £443,000 bill for a pop concert supposed to raise funds, in part, for vital building work, the Comet can reveal. In December we revealed Hillcroft College sold 3,000 of 14,000
A Hollywood special effects expert whose humble beginnings transformed into a remarkable career rubbing shoulders with the stars has died aged 89. From creating quicksand in Lawrence of Arabia, to blowing up a bridge on the River Kwai, Eddie
A delegation from Croydon is lobbying the minister for universities to have a multiversity in the borough. There are already 1,200 students at Croydon College studying for a degree from the University of Sussex. The idea is to build
Opening hours will be slashed at four of Merton’s five Tube station ticket offices from this weekend. London Underground said the cuts made sense as more and more journeys were paid for using Oyster cards and automatic machines – but a charity
A 26-year-old woman has been punched and kicked by three teenagers who robbed her handbag. She was walking from Atlantic Road into Railton Road, in Herne Hill, and as she reached the junction of Leeson Road she was approached by three thugs
Future Olympic cycling stars could saddle up for the first time at a new BMX track in Mitcham. The track is set to be build on land adjacent to St Mark’s Academy in Acacia Road. The track would be funded and delivered by the school,
Croydon’s revellers are safe at night thanks to a new peak activity team. The team, led by the London fire brigade (LFB), makes unannounced visits to pubs and clubs at their busiest times. Inspectors are usually on patrol in the evenings
Merton’s police boss has spoken out about radical changes to community policing teams – claiming they are necessary, regardless of impending budget cuts of 30 per cent. Last month, borough commander Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden revealed
A vulnerable prisoner who died unexpectedly in his cell had medical reports missing from his file, an inquest heard. The standard of record keeping at Wandsworth prison’s substance misuse unit was criticised by a jury at Westminster Coroner
The number of drugs offences committed in the town centre has increased by more than a third. New figures published by Sutton Police have shown more than 100 drug offences were committed between April and December last year. It showed
Plans to enhance Epsom’s status as a market town are to get under way after it was revealed it could soon have its own town centre manager. The idea for the post came about after it was revealed the management of Epsom Market is to be given
Radio Marsden has challenged Sutton’s romantics to prove how much they know when it comes to love songs and movies. The radio station – based at Sutton’s Royal Marsden Hospital – has teamed up with Times Square Shopping Centre to celebrate
