Autumn 2010 Shock. Horror. Despair. These were just some of the feelings that shivered down our spine when we first heard the news. Blockbusters was closing. Yes, hard to believe, but our Blockbusters store in New Malden was closing. The
In 2010 our 14 year long Kingston MP, Edward Davey declared to have ‘Saved Kingston Hospital’ from the Coalition Government’s plans for closing down Kingston Hospital’s Maternity, and Accident and Emergency departments. This ‘victory’ was rejoiced thoroughly
In just under a year, one of the biggest sporting events in the world will be coming to London. A fantastic prospect. So what is it again? If someone asked you this question, you would most certainly pause and look at them in disbelief; and yes,
The population is often split into two different groups on 31st October every year; one being the younger generation who find it amusing and exciting to dress up and go ‘trick-or-treating’ around the neighbourhood and then those who don’t bother about
As a new head teacher there are inevitable challenges that will come your way. Firstly there is the stress of being in charge of a secondary school and then there is always the possibility of un co-operative staff and pushy parents! Reigate School’s new
Kingston Museum is currently hosting an exhibition of photographs by members of the ‘Kingston Camera Club’, lasting from 5th-12th November. The society is made up chiefly of amateur photographers, though a few professionals are members. It was founded
Imagine being hired by a well-known company straight after you finish your university degree. Now imagine earning a higher salary than all of your friends and colleagues only to have to spend it all on repaying your student loan which you had taken out
Perceptive. Observant. Analytical. Are these words that you think apply to you? I thought that, on the whole, today’s teenagers are alert and conscious of the world around them. A recent event and researching the development of the brain through adolescent
Gunpowder, treason or not? This year I went to a fireworks night and to my surprise and disappointment there was no bonfire or any sign of a sock-stuffed Guy Fawkes. Children were running around everywhere and I wondered whether or not they actually knew
Shakin’ Stevens, the most successful UK chart-topper of the 80s and boasting a 147-track catalogue of hits, is kicking off the second phase of his 30th anniversary UK Tour, writes Nicholas Hitchens. The 63-year-old has shrugged off health concerns following
Now that we have entered the month of November it is undeniable that our cherished hours of sunlight are becoming progressively shorter. The days are darkening and this could only mean that Winter has become a dominant presence. But do not fear, as this
The school leaving age in the UK is set to rise, increasing to 17 in 2013 and finally 18 in 2015. With lots of young people already counting the days until they leave school, is this the right thing to do? Many would agree with this, saying that everyone
Britain's first female poet laureate attended the Wimbledon Bookfest on the 6th October 2011, National Poetry Day. The b-b-b-brilliant modern poet Carol Ann Duffy held an intimate poetry reading in the Bookfest tent on the Wimbledon Common. Carol Ann
Every year we set our clocks back one hour, and we say goodbye to that extra hour of daylight which could brighten up our sombre winter evenings. So why are we sleeping through an extra hour of sunshine every morning? When Britain was an agriculture-based
On the 5th of November 1605 a man called Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder plot, attempted to assassinate King James I, by blowing up the Houses of Lord. Thankfully this failed and he was arrested after caught guarding explosives under the Houses
Get ready to put on your sparkly red ruby slippers, because this Christmas Wimbledon is taking a trip down the yellow brick road! This year the Ursuline High School in Wimbledon has chosen to put on a production of ‘The Wiz’ as its annual Christmas
On Saturday the 10th of September, Sainsbury’s entertained us by organising a family-friendly event, in aid of one year away from the 2012 Paralympics’ games. Hosted by two lovely T4 presenters : Rick Edwards and Lisa Snowdon . Clapham Common was packed
Croydon's second Come Dine With Me contestant served her guests an all-vegetarian menu last night. Cat lover Suzie Phillips stunned her fellow diners when she revealed 10 extra mouths would be joining them for dinner. Her fellow contestants
Catering students left the kitchen to run through mud and over walls during an induction session with a difference. The new batch of students on Brooklands’ catering and hospitality course took on a bootcamp challenge at Henfold Lakes near Dorking.
Southern rail have issued an apology to passengers for the delays at Thornton Heath station last night. Train services between Thornton Heath and Selhurst were severely disrupted following a fatality at the station. Southern rail have
My friend, a resident of Surrey, believes that Surrey is the most hated county in England, so I decided to ask residents of Surrey and residents of other counties what they thought. The responses were very interesting. An anonymous contributor
A friend will not walk down it during the day or the night. I have walked down it in early evening with my heart thudding crazily, but have always dismissed the idea that I should avoid it when it is light. My Mum begs me not to walk down it at night.
Bosco, in Italian, means a small forest, a wood, writes Bob Noble. However, what you won't find at this trendy lounge bar on Surbiton's St Mark's Hill, is any sign of trees, leaves or furry woodland creatures. What you will find is
Some people were just born to do a job, and for rising stand-up star Adam Hess, it was to make people laugh. The one-line specialist from Purley is through to the semi-finals of the national Laftas competition, to be held on November 15, and
A man who was arrested in connection with a rape in Epsom has been re-bailed for a second time. The 31-year-old man from Epsom was arrested on September 19 after a woman was raped following a night out in Epsom. The victim met two black
Ice cream is the foundation to our everyday lives. Whether it be eaten on a hot summers day or a cold winters eve. No one cares about it being cold. It's amazing. How you can make different flavors ranging from the classic vanilla to double chocolate
The much anticipated Rizzle kicks who have finally made a new album which is named ‘stereo typical’ they claim that it is a ‘mixture of pop, hip hop and indie’ incorporating the fun elements of the hip hop era -1988-92. Rizzle kicks are a teen hit sensation
Sadly, losing his battle with cancer on 27th July 2011, local man Frank Tomes was one of the last British makers of natural trumpets. Francis James Tomes, born 16th August 1936, had lived in Wimbledon all of his life. Starting as an apprentice in
A gang of thieves are stealing charity poppy collection boxes causing outrage among war heroes and their families. Poppy Appeal charity boxes have been snatched from five sites across the borough since they were distributed by the Royal British
The Merton Music Foundation (MMF) has a thriving community of young musicians, who use the MMF’s facilities to help them develop their musical knowledge and ability. Established in March 1991, their charitable aim is “to advance music education… for the
A man found dying near Clapham Junction station on Monday night was just a few hundred metres from his home. Richard Ward, 37, who was found dead near St John's Hill at around 11.45pm, lived in a Victorian ground-floor flat in upmarket Buckmaster
A cat who spends his days lounging at an exclusive designer clothes store has won his owner a £20,000 prize. Horace, who lives in Streatham with his doting owner Christina Bennett, enjoys long pampering sessions and sitting on designer chairs
On the 31st of October every year, I spend my evening giving out sweets to the many trick-or-treaters that come by my house. But this year, I only heard one knock on my door, that of a father with his two sons who could have been no more than 6 or 7 years
This competition has now closed Newsquest South London has teamed up with Twentieth Century Fox to offer five readers the chance to win an exclusive goodie bag containing an iPhone 4 case, playing cards and T-shirt. In addition one lucky
I had never seen so many blue t-shirts; or bikes, for that matter. It was a 10:30 on a mild September morning at a small green in the outskirts of Woking and I was standing amongst a sea of blue t-shirts as an army of charity cyclists invaded. The charity
Firefighters are tackling a large blaze in Upper Tooting Road, close to Broadwater Road. They were called out at midday, after fire broke out in the basement of a three storey building. There are a number of shops and flats in the building
Craig Dundas reckons Sutton United have the fire power to put the fear of God into any defence - including Blue Square Premier Kettering Town. The 30-year-old was the stand-out player in his side's FA Cup fourth qualifying round win over
Could baby Eliza Bull be the world’s 7,000,000,000th person? Vivian Bull, 35, of Norbury Cross, Norbury, gave birth to her second daughter Eliza in the early hours of October 31 and has been picked by charity Save the Children as a contender
Maternity wards could be closed as health bosses admit drastic changes must be made to South West London NHS, with current standards of care falling short. Medical directors at South West London NHS Dr Howard Freeman and Dr David Finch made
Shoe boxes containing Christmas gifts will be sent to children in the poorest part of the world thanks to the efforts of generous school pupils. Children from Thames Ditton Infant School helped fill more than 100 shoeboxes in support of the charity appeal
Charlie Edwards will be out to put his World Championship heartache behind him when he defends his British title this weekend. The 18 year-old from Beddington went to the worlds in Azerbaijan last month hoping to reach the quarter-finals and qualify
A plan to beat the economic gloom and invigorate Wimbledon’s businesses will be put to entrepreneurs who will vote on their future in the New Year. On Monday night, Merton Council agreed a timetable in which businesses in Wimbledon town centre
A controversial multi-million pound civic centre revamp has been scrapped, amid concern about town hall finances. Sutton Council had intended to close its district offices and relocate staff under one roof in Sutton Civic Centre, but said the
Mike James and his Orchestra are set to bring the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Woody Herman to life in their toe tapping production, The Last of the Big Bands. With a career spanning 40 years including stints on the QE2, Blackpools
The European ballet will be performing one to the most popular and enchanting fairy tales, The Nutcracker, at the Harlequin Theatre later this month. Set to Tchaikovsky famous score with over 45 hand crafted costumes and performed by award winning
Police are looking for a lorry driver who drove away from the scene of an accident which left a Jaguar badly damaged. The accident on the northbound A309 Kingston Bypass, in Hinchley Wood, happened at about 6.30am on Friday, November 4. It happened
Trials are being held for Merton and Wandsworth residents to try out as ballboys and ballgirls for the London 2012 tennis event at Wimbledon’s All England Club. The tryouts will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at South Thames College’
A vivid green door in the middle of East Sheen’s busy high street. It’s 4’oclock and school was out long ago but there is still a steady stream of children disappearing through that door. It’s opposite Robert Dyas, enclosed on either side by a nick-nack
A few weeks ago on the usually quiet Sunday morning day on St Mary’s running track. A coach load of young, aspiring athletes drove off to compete. Little did they know, that they were driving away from the fastest man ever, training on THEIR track. Though
One of the first Punjab Indians to emigrate to England has returned to his former country to give a charity hospital nearly £100,000 in memory of his late wife. Makhan Roy, who ran Roy’s newsagents in Tolworth Broadway, met his wife Catherine
Upon turning sixteen it suddenly dawned on me that I may no longer have the privilege of free buses in and around London. I live outside London, in the Surrey borough, in the village of Oxshott and despite attending a school in London am not granted free
As the numerous pumpkins and copious supplies of sweets are briskly packed away following the recent annual merriment of Halloween, it becomes evident that despite the fact that the month of October is two months prior to the actual month of Christmas
An amateur photographer has scooped a brace of prizes in two weeks after taking up the hobby only two years ago. Lauri Hytti, from Kingston, won third prize in the Insight Guides’ annual travel photography competition and the Sunday Times monthly
An 8-year-old boy who is fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer has celebrated his birthday with school friends during a break from life-saving treatment in Germany. Adam Bird, from Epsom, who suffers with childhood cancer neuroblastoma
Friends will pay their last respects to a mum found dead in her Kingston home when they gather for her cremation service this week. Filipino carer Che Cruz, 37, suffered fatal head injuries in her house in Cambridge Road on Monday, September
A Banstead couple have been left distraught by the suspected theft of their prized pet tortoise. Mina, a 15-year-old Mediterranean spurside, went missing on October 17 from a garden in Banstead Road. Mina was one of a breeding pair and
Kingston and Surbiton MP Ed Davey joined school children, patient representatives and health practitioners as building got underway for a new school and polyclinic. A ceremony to celebrate the start of the construction phase of the new facility
A man found dead in Battersea on Monday has been named. Police launched a murder investigation after Richard Ward, 37, was found near St John's Hill at around 11.45pm. A post-mortem yesterday at St George's Mortuary gave cause of death
A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital after his bike was involved in a collision with a car. The incident happened at around 8.10am this morning on the A236 Lombard Roundabout, Mitcham Road. Emergency services were called to the
Striker Michael Grella says Brentford's 6-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy thrashing of AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday was a night to remember for everyone - not just himself. The former Leeds United frontman bagged four as boss Uwe Rosler's men remained
A man died after being hit by a train yesterday evening. Officers from British Transport Police (BTP) were alerted to a report a person had been struck by a train at Thornton Heath station at around 8.30pm. Emergency services attended
A disabled woman's friend has slammed Croydon Council for not emptying her general waste bin for five weeks. John Cheeseman, 59, visits Eileen Burley every day to check on the 82-year-old who lives alone, and to ensure she is eating properly
An official announcement a major waste management facility containing an incinerator is proposed for Beddington is expected to occur within weeks. Viridor is being presented by the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP), as its preferred
Legal action to evict squatters is under way after residents and councillors complained they were turning the area into a dump. The squatters, who set up camp in Knight’s Hill, could be turfed out following a county court hearing on November
The oldest worker at a DIY superstore has finally hung up his apron days before his 97th birthday. Syd Prior, who has worked at B&Q for nearly 21 years, started out at the Wimbledon branch at the age of 76 before moving to the New Malden store
A teenager has travelled to Holland to explore its universities following the Government’s plans to triple UK tuition fees. Max Gibson, 18, from Streatham, is now considering whether a Dutch education could prove better value for money than
An address in Sutton was searched as part of a fraud investigation after allegations Tottenham Hotspur spied on Olympic officials during its stadium bid. The search took place today, along with searches in Sussex and Westminster, after a 29
The Government has announced an extra £12m will be spent on primary school expansion, but Sutton Council said more is still needed to cope with the borough's baby boom. The funding will help fulfil a commitment for a further five primary schools
A marathon runner who raised £8,000 for rape victims has scooped the Cosmopolitan magazine ultimate man of the year award. Chris Jackson, 27, of Earlsfield Road, Wandsworth picked up the award for running 12 marathons in 12 months to help women
The route that the 2012 Olympic torch will take through Surrey next year has been announced, but does not include Epsom or Leatherhead. The flame will pass through nine towns and villages in Surrey during its nationwide tour but will be missed
by J.R. Kendall; Graham Road, Mitcham As a resident of Mitcham, I think everyone in Mitcham, Wimbledon and the whole of Merton should be told how our MP in Parliament voted in the referendum on the EU. I have waited until now for them to tell
It’s Show Time! On Tuesday November 15th Kingston College will be hosting a regional sexual health showcase event. It’s free and open to all young people and professionals who work with them. If you live in the London boroughs of Richmond &
Article: 1 By Jennifer Ngoy Black History Month is something celebrated annually as part of tradition at Gumley House Convent School in Twickenham. Every year in the month of October, students, Miss. Casey who is head of the drama department and other
