Shisha is the passing of tobacco flavoured smoke through a single or multi-stemmed instrument, where the smoke is passed through a water filled basin before it is inhaled by the user. Shisha originates from India and the Middle East and is now gaining
This month at Fulham Cross Girls School, students have been working together along with the teachers to organize fundraiser events to raise money for Amnesty International; a well-known charity fighting for human rights around the world. Firstly there
Chess is an old game by anyone's account, roughly 1500 years in the making. The original version of the game is believed to have come from India-prior to 500 AD-. The game then spread to Persia. When Persia was conquered by Arabs the game also became
A first half double from Bobby Traynor gave Kingstonian a crunch 2-0 triumph over Aveley at Kingsmeadow on Saturday. Traynor struck in the 22nd and 42nd minutes to give Ks a comfortable win to keep within six points of the Ryman Premier League top five
The John Fisher Schools’ Fair-Trade Evening On Friday 9th March, The John Fisher School celebrated fair-trade industry with the help of the John Fisher staff and several Fair-Trade activists. The event was hosted by Mr Dean. From a general consensus
A woman has been taken to hospital with a serious back injury after a three car collision this afternoon. Police were called to the Wellesley Road underpass in Croydon at about about 12.45pm. The woman, who was in her 30s, was taken
Five people including two children have been hospitalised after a four car collision this afternoon. Fire fighters were called to Forrester's Drive at the junction of Sandy Lane in Wallington at about 12.46pm. One man had to be cut free from his vehicle
Opening batsman Arun Harinath has said he will draw on the experience of hitting one of the slowest first-class half-centuries in history to save his Surrey career. The 24-year-old Sutton cricketer took five hours and 53 minutes to compile
On Friday the 16th March, New Malden was swarming with Girl Guides from the 28th Wimbledon pack on their annual scavenger hunt throughout New Malden. Armed with pens, paper and cameras, each Patrol, and a group from the pack’s Senior Section, set out
A founder of the internationally renowned Hampton Court Flower Show has died aged 65. Adrian Boyd had the idea for the horticultural event as he walked past the historic landmark to his work as a management consultant. He brought together Historic Royal
The council is to invest nearly £4m to meet demand for primary school places in the borough. The investment will help secure 570 additional places at 14 primary schools to cope with increasing demand for reception places, late and ‘in-year’ applicants
Schoolchildren in Croydon have been given 5,192 free tickets to the Olympic Games. The Mayor of London's ticket bonanza saw thousands of children awarded the tickets under the Get Set Ticketshare scheme run in partnership with 2012 organisers LOCOG.
A bus driver has been honoured for his bravery during the summer riots. Dennis Holligan, who drives a bus in Merton, received a commendation at the London Bus Awards last week for his ‘actions above and beyond call of duty’ during the riots
The old theatrical adage of never working with animals or children has not deterred the Ember Players from mounting a major spring production of Animal Farm. Adapted by Sir Peter Hall from the novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm hits the newly-refurbished
Merton’s library service has been named the most efficient in the UK. The council was recognised at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards for making savings of 40 per cent to their library service over the last five years while continuing to
A medical engineering student has received a top award for her study into the cells. Bernadette Deere, 21 from Carshalton Beeches, was presented with the award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ last Wednesday in London. Now studying at
Children and staff celebrated world book day earlier this month by dressing up as their favourite book characters. Students from Battersea Park School in Battersea Road were also visited by London author Echo Freer who spoke to the students about what
Mo Farah was bounced around like a ping-pong ball at the World Indoor Championships, but when the dust finally settled and he was left empty-handed, he acknowledged he deserved no other fate, writes Gerard Meagher. Farah found himself with
Top fashion designers gave students at the University of the Creative Arts (UCA) in Epsom a master class in “up-cycling” recently. A group of 28 students were joined by Red or Dead founders Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway who led a workshop teaching the
A hospital cleaner has been charged after being caught on camera stealing a £160 cashmere cardigan. Police received reports from a member of staff at St George’s Hospital last year after the pricey cardigan went missing. A 22-year-old cleaner was
A £128,000 new unit has opened at Leatherhead Hospital thanks to a generous donation by the Friends of Leatherhead Hospital. The newly refurbished colposcopy unit opened last Thursday (March 9) will help to diagnose problems with women’s reproductive
A mum dedicated to promoting peace in her community has been awarded £5,000 toward a week-long event in the borough later this year. Anna Nolan, 38, from Streatham was recognised as a “Champion Mum” after entering a nationwide competition run
A teenager running for mayor has vowed to change negative stereotypes of the borough’s youngsters if elected. Santiago Sanchez-Chu, 16, a student at Streatham’s Dunraven School currently studying for his GCSEs, is vying for the youth mayor position which
I love cooking with a theme in mind. It could be a British Summer Time barbecue, a get well soon chicken soup or, this week, a St Patrick’s Day feast with wonderful food sent over from the Emerald Isle. The St Patrick’s Day challenge was particularly
The YMCA have said they are deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one their residents. Rajendra Patel was assaulted at the Lansdowne Hostel in Lansdowne Road, Croydon, on February 21. The 48-year-old was taken to hospital where
A charity that raised more than £2,000 over the festive period will be deciding what to do with the donations later this month. Chessington Youth Action was able to set up a wishing well appeal at the grotto of Chessington Garden Centre alongside
Brownies from Worcester Park met the Queen this week when they escorted the Commonwealth Flag in Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Observance day service. Ten girls were given the opportunity, together with their leaders, to represent Girlguiding
Users of a community facility must relieve themselves in the bushes after the council made its park keepers redundant, volunteers have complained. Dundonald recreation ground, which is used throughout the week for volunteer-led activities and
Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Mark Harper is confident in-form frontman Charlie Moone can fire his side to Blue Square South safety. New signing Joel Ledgister has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a fractured patella suffered in the
People have woken up to demolished front walls after a spate of late night vandalism. A lady reported that her wall was knocked down on March 6 between 12.30-6am. At least two other walls have been demolished in a similar fashion.
The Rose Theatre’s chief executive and artistic director are taking part in a fundraiser for Kingston’s Liberal Democrat Party. The evening with Robert O’Dowd and Stephen Unwin at L’Esperance restaurant, Surbiton, on March 19, costs £18 a head
A cycle-powered cinema and World War One fighter plane sculpture are part of a new arts festival, which aims to bring the town to life. A programme of dance, theatre, music, puppetry, film, sculpture, circus art and lighting installations have
Transport for London (TfL) has caved in to pressure and promised to introduce 131 cleaner buses in Putney High Street this year. The announcement came during a meeting on Monday between TfL chiefs, Greater London Authority (GLA) bosses and Wandsworth
A bakery in Battersea has launched a story time session for parents and tots. Gail's Artisan Bakery, in Northcote Road, Battersea is hosting the free children's story times to entertain little ones and their parents. They will run every
A year’s worth of centenary celebrations kicked off at a launch party on Saturday, March 10. The opening ceremony saw old scout leaders return to 1st Oxshott Scout Group to share stories of their time with the pack. The scouts have a year of activities
A vicar and a blind woman are planning to abseil off their church's bell tower to raise funds for its restoration. Reverend Simon Talbott, of St Martin’s Church in Epsom, who has never abseiled before, has volunteered to take the plunge on
A magician gave a presentation to businesses about neonatal care. Sutton Magician Theo gave a presentation to the Business Executive Association Croydon about the neonatal unit at St Helier Hospital at the Purley Downs golf club on Thursday
A South Asian arts organisation from Wallington has been awarded £5000 to develop their artistic and creative skills. Subrang Arts, trained a group of 45 youngsters ranging from of 7 – 25 years old under the guidance of director and choreographer
A father-to-be faces being in prison while his first child is born after he was found guilty of sexually molesting women in Wimbledon. Pawel Jasiak, of Glencairn Road, Streatham, looked on as his pregnant fiancée sobbed during a two-hour trial
Thai Green Chicken Curry. Prep and cooking time: 40 minutes. Serves 2 as a main course. Ingredients. For the curry paste. 2 x 15cm/6-inch Lemongrass stalks OR 2 teasp. Lemongrass Paste. 3-6 Medium-hot Green chillies
Families of children with Down’s Syndrome said their children had missed out on speech therapy because of a lack of therapists. Kevin Burchell, 49, said his son Carlos had not been able to receive vital help at Moor Lane Children’s Centre in
By Councillor David Simpson, Merton Council (Conservative, Hillside ward) I find it quite extraordinary that it has taken Labour two years to announce a cleaner streets and anti-chewing gum policy. When the Conservatives ran Merton Council
Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled teenager was robbed of his mobile phone. Officers were called to Parkway Tram Stop, New Addington, at about 10.50am to reports a young male had been assaulted and robbed. When they attended the
