An exhilarating evening celebrating the great potential and success of women is the best way I can describe the Aviva Women of the Future Ambassadors Programme reception in one sentence. On Monday 12th October 2011, I was accompanied by one teacher and
It seems that many residents in Ashford, Middlesex are following a new trend. In Fernhurst Road alone, five residents have had an extension or loft conversion in less than a year. So, what is it about extensions? Are they really the new fashion, or just
Oscar Wilde is a literary name that would hopefully ring bells with many, yet there are few young people who may claim to have actually read his works. I was one of the guilty teenagers, perceiving him to be one of a hoard of esteemed playwrights I had
Mentioning ‘The House of Reeves’ or ‘Reeves Corner’ to someone living around Croydon would likely conjure up many thoughts of malice and deplorable violence in their mind. Few recent local stories have invoked such feelings of sympathy among local residents
“I want this to be established as a major music festival all across the world.” This is the major driving force which motivates the director of the Wimbledon Music Festival, Mr Anthony Wilkinson. The festival has been taking place for the last three
On Sunday 16th October 2011 children all over the world would’ve have logged on to Sesame Street’s YouTube to watch a new episode or to just browse the child friendly videos. However, on that day the Sesame Street channel was hacked by what the internet
Holy Cross started in 1931 and is now here in 2011 celebrating its 80th birthday. On September 14th Holy Cross turned 80 years old, and then on Thursday October 20th they celebrated this with a mass. The school started in 1931 with around five students
If you live around the area of Kingston, whatever age you are you have certainly been into the magical Disney Store. As everyone knows the Disney store is magical to young children when they walk in to be surrounded with their favourite Disney characters
In July 2011, State of Mind Fitness Ltd was opened in Hammersmith, West London. Although the studio was only opened in July, the business has been progressing since September 2008. With 12 years of active service in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan,
With the summer over and the sunny days ending the start of a new school term has arrived and the girls from St. Philomena’s are returning after a long, relaxing, exciting summer break. I spoke to a few girls from St.Philomenas beginning sixth form to
Last week, Croydon was part of the annual pilgrimage of ‘The Run’, the race in which vintage vehicles are driven from London to Brighton. It is the event where those die-hard enthusiasts are prepared to lovingly nurture, cajole and coax their perfectly
On the 8th-9th of November a team made up of 60 members of Tiffin School Boat Club set off on the biennial OK row – a relentless event so named after the route it takes from Oxford to Kingston. The rowing crews, made up of the 60 TSBC members from
A well respected business man was killed by a negligent driver during a trip home from his Turkish villa, an inquest heard this morning. Stephen Funnell, a 62-year-old dental technician from Beech Grove, Mitcham, was one of four people killed
A talented pensioner is inviting residents to see his strokes of genius on display this week. Henry Latin, a 73-year-old former architect from Streatham Road, Mitcham, took up landscape painting as a hobby 40 years ago and said his pastime
Safety concerns about a ‘dangerous’ level crossing have been raised in the wake of a pensioner being mown down by a lorry. The 66-year-old man was airlifted to hospital at about midday on Monday, November 7 after being struck at the railway
Another looter is behind bars after being busted with some speakers. Nihad Hassan was jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to stealing the audio equipment from Richer Sounds in Croydon during the August 8 riots. The 35-year-old
Two benefit fraudsters have been prosecuting for cheating taypayers out of thousands of pounds. Tesco worker Gnanendran Canagaratnam, 49, and self-employed builder Patrick Carter, 40, were both taken to court by Sutton Council for housing
It is a long way from Milan but Sutton sees its sartorial history on show this month. A new photography exhibition at the Europa Gallery looks at the changing face of fashion in Sutton since the invent of the photograph in the 19th century.
A teenager who protested against student tuition fee rises has been jailed. Demi Wilson-Smith, 19, from Clapham, was convicted of violent disorder at Kingston Crown Court on Friday. He was one of about 400 people to be arrested for the
Despondency is never allowed to linger long at Whitgift School. After a more than sub-standard football season last year, the first eleven were keen to get off to a good start a fortnight ago on their home turf. So too were there opponents Ewell Castle
On Sunday 6th November, Royal Russell School once again hosted their annual bonfire and firework night, organised by the Caterham Round Table. The event took place on their school grounds off Combe Lane. As with every year, a funfair with a variety of
Two men are facing long prison sentences after being found guilty today of "executing" a man in broad daylight outside Wandsworth prison. Rupert Ross, 30, from Fulham and Leon De St Aubin, 33, from Chelsea were convicted of murdering Darcy
Charitable pupils slipped on their running shoes to raise money for a charity which grants the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. About 350 pupils from Thames Ditton Junior School, aged between seven and 11, took part in a
Police had to evacuate a station in Battersea after a fire started on the first floor. Staff evacuated from the building in Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea at 1pm. Prisoners were not evacuated, but a spokeswoman said they were not in
A man who flew into violent drunken rages and smashed the windows at his block of flats has been evicted from his council home. Croydon council took action against Carl Curran, of Wingate Crescent, after complaints from neighbours about loud
A top chef with two restaurants in Croydon has won a prize for Britain’s best game dish at his Chiswick establishment. Malcolm John, who owns Le Cassoulet and Fish and Grill in Croydon, picked up the award from Restaurant magazine for his rabbit blanquette
A campaign has been launched to save Stompond Lane sports ground from development. Save Walton was launched by Walton resident and Walton Athletic Club runner James Bartosik. He wants people to join his campaign to fight council proposals to move Walton
When John Bercow addressed the laws student’s of Strode’s college, Egham, none of us quite knew what to expect. Although out knowledge of politics was proficient we had yet to meet someone who spoke in the House of Commons. Stood before us was one of
Childhood is filled with the extravagant aspirations that we all had for later life. One week we were adamant that our future career would most definitely be in Hollywood, the next we were sure that becoming an astronaut is our alternative route to mix
A man has been evicted from his rented home after complaints by neighbours of class A drug abuse and anti social behaviour. Metal grilles have been placed over the doors and windows at the property in Hollymoor Lane in Epsom after the first
The older sister of murdered school girl Milly Dowler has been recognised at Cosmopolitan’s Ultimate Women of the Year awards. The courageous 25-year-old was forced to grow up overnight when her 13-year-old sister went missing. Aged
Philip Seymour Hoffman is probably one of the greatest character actors of his generation. He can be the epitome of cool as he was in ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘The Boat that Rocked’ or a slimy political aid in ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’, he even turned
Police have launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of a dying man in Battersea last night. Police believe the 37-year-old was attacked by a number of people within yards of Clapham Junction station. An ambulance, police and
We know a lot about gangs or at least we think we do. Whether it be from the news or from going to different places and seeing them around, everyone has had a glimpse of them at one point. What I wonder is if sometimes they’re preserved in a different
Police believe a burglary at a property sparked the chemical incident in Sutton this morning. Emergency services were called to an address at Kirksted Road, Morden, at 8.17am today following a report of a burglary and ‘strong chemical smell
War veterans, children and adults will gather to stand in silence and lay wreaths of poppies to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers in the First World War. Remembrance Day Services will take place across the borough to mark Armistice Day
Five contestants from Croydon began their battle to be crowned the borough's ultimate party host on Come Dine With Me last night. The competition was kick-started by Keith Preddie, 43, a childcare practitioner and Michael Jackson impersonator
Around a hundred people congregated at Clapham’s Bread and Roses pub to welcome a team of young people who walked all the way from Jarrow to highlight youth unemployment. The Youth March for Jobs was held to raise awareness of the dwindling
Tessa Jowell visited a market in her constituency on Sunday and picked up a few treats along the way. The MP for West Norwood and Dulwich indulged herself with a selection of cakes, and later collected a free bird feeder at a gardening stall
Elmbridge will be snubbed as the Olympic torch makes its journey via zip wire, balloon and boat across the UK. The closest it will come to the borough is Hampton Court Palace, where it will head down river on the final day of its 70-day relay. The mayor
Streatham residents rejoice in success as Streatham common, recognized and admired for its untouched natural beauty is saved, as plans to erect a temporary ice rink on the centuries old public land have been rejected. Lambeth council and major retailer
Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott was the guest of honour as a new ski store opened in Croydon. The triple Olympian cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the largest Snow and Rock store in the country. She said she bought her first skis from
A plaque is being unveiled on Remembrance Day to commemorate a brave boy soldier who died in one of the bloodiest battles of the World War 1. Reginald Albert Twyford, known as Young Reggie, was just 14 when he was one of the first to enlist
A man was found dead in St John's Road, Battersea, last night. Police and an ambulance were called at 11.45pm. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his death is being treated as suspicious. He has not yet been identified
It seems that many people old, young or somewhere in between dream of being famous. This is especially apparent in London from the many hopefuls who audition for shows such as, the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. There are many positives to fame, for
Crystal Palace's miserly defence has set a new club record by going 619 minutes without conceding. When Kenny Miller scored for Cardiff past Julian Speroni on Saturday, it was the first time the Eagles' defence has been breached since John Carew's 80th
Paolo Di Canio has sent his best wishes to AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown - but is adamant he wants to knock the Dons out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tonight. Di Canio's Swindon host Wimbledon in the southern section quarter-final, with Brown absent
Explosions of colour and noise filled the air for Kingston’s annual fireworks display. Visitors enjoyed funfair rides and Guy Fawkes treats such as candy floss as well as the exciting show at Kingsmeadow Stadium, on Friday, November 4.
Parts of Sutton High Street were cordoned off in a bomb scare on Sunday. The incident followed a report shortly after 4.08pm explosives might be attached to a car close to Sutton police station. As a precaution while police investigated
The council has applied for £160,000 in grants following the August riots, but officials say it will never be enough to compensate for the full extent of the devastation. Deputy leader of Lambeth Council, Councillor Jackie Meldrum, said the
Plucked from obscurity and playing open mic sessions in the pub a teenager is preparing to support a pop star who has sung with Beyonce Knowles. Lily Kenny, a Woodcote High School pupil who began teaching herself guitar 18 months ago will play
Eleven prison officers have been guarding an empty prison despite the last inmates leaving two months ago. The Ministry of Justice closed Latchmere House, an open prison on the border of Ham and north Kingston, in September to save money, axing
Thieves who stole a large metal safe, cash and jewellery from a house in Raynes Park are being hunted by police. The burglars raided the property in Cannon Hill Lane, near the junction with St Mary's Avenue, on Friday, October 21, between 2.25pm
Firefighters have been called to reports of a chemical incident in Sutton. It is understood hazardous materials have been found in Kirksted Road, close to the A217 Reigate Avenue. A London Ambulance Service spokesman said they were called
The Wimbledon Bookfest, hosted annually, was a great success throughout October. Not only does it include activities for all ages, but also ranges through a whole load of various topics, for example poetry, arts, and drama. To celebrate popular picture
Residents have responded on mass to say why they love their town. Following the August riots Croydon Council launched the 'I Love Croydon' campaign and discovered people in the borough certainly do. Top of the list of loves was the town
Police are appealing for information after four puppies were stolen from their home. The five-week old Patterdale Terrier puppies were stolen from a property in Lower Kingswood on Wednesday, November 2, at about 8pm. Worth about £200
Stall holders at a revamped food market continued to experience booming trade last weekend. Traders at Venn Street Market, in Clapham, which was re-launched in October as part of the Clapham Gateway development, sold a range of food, from spit-roast
A third man has been linked to shootings on the Winstanley Estate, Battersea, on Thursday afternoon. The ambulance service was called to the estate at about 4.15pm after being informed that two men had suffered gunshot wounds. Both were
A couple celebrated 60 years of marriage this week with a telegram from the Queen. Sadie and John Hayes, from Epsom, married on November 3, 1951, at the English Martyrs Catholic Church in Streatham. The couple, who have five children
A woman who stole more than £10,000 worth of scratch cards from the newsagents she worked in has escaped jail. Tracey Bashford of Milne Park East, New Addington, pleaded guilty to theft at Croydon Magistrates court on November 7. The
Mrs Jean Matthews, Brisbane Avenue, Merton Park The Boundary Commission state on their website that they have tried to retain existing constituencies or make minor changes. This is certainly not the case in Wimbledon where two vital town centre
A Battersea artisan bakery and confectioner has won the MasterChef LIVE and BBC Good Food Show Winters’ prestigious Bursary Award Scheme. Founder of Sugargrain, Caroline Ahern, entered the competition for the first time having only started
A Croydon primary school benefited from a Community Day organised by Santander Consumer Finance. Eighteen members of staff volunteered their services to St Thomas Becket Primary School on October 24, as part of a new initiative supported by
“What have the Romans ever done for us?!”, the famous scene for the Monty Python's The Life of Brian, always comes to mind when questioned about what other cultures have done to benefit us over the course of history. The Romans were probably the
Not only is it black history month but 2011 is the international year for people for people of African descent. Ego Ahaiwe from Lambeth Women’s Project has been asked to make a speech and hold a workshop for “Black, British, Feminist: Then and Now” seminar
