By Steve Bosley Herne Hill Harriers picked up the Development Club of the Year Award at the England Athletics London Region presentation night. The club has enjoyed its most successful year with both senior teams promoted in their National
Despite years of economic doom and gloom, those with money are likely to spend bigger than ever before this Christmas. Omar Oakes advises how you could enjoy that perfect Christmas – with a budget of £20,000. Obviously, you can forget having to
A contentious decision to relocate an advice centre out of a high street has been sent back to the council executive. There are concerns that moving the HelpShop from the centre of Leatherhead to the library in Church Street would make vital services
A council employee is building up the courage to have his legs waxed on Saturday for charity. Ed Vanson, 36, who works for Surrey County Council, said he is getting his ‘quite hairy’ legs waxed to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
A choir of Games Makers are keeping the Olympic spirit alive by setting their hopes on Christmas Number One. Two woman from Ewell and Fetcham Village, near Leatherhead, are part of the choir which has recorded a song with musician Alistair Griffin
Lionel Blair, one of Britain's best-loved entertainers, created a sensation by coming to see Christmas lights switched on at a family home on Saturday. Harvey and Deborah Preston have covered their house in Walsingham Gardens, Stoneleigh, with
Firefighters were called to a blaze in south Croydon this morning. Three fire engines were called to the semi-detached property in Old Farleigh Road at 11.30am. Half of the first floor was damaged in the fire but nobody was hurt in the incident
Wallington based cheerleaders have scooped five trophies. The Surrey Twisters won their hoard at the Future Cheer’s Winter Wonderland competition at Crystal Palace over the first weekend in December. Head coach Georgie Markwell said she was
Croydon North's new MP Steve Reed used his maiden speech in Parliament yesterday to condemn the lack of support for the constituency's "abandoned" residents since the riots. Mr Reed, who eased to victory in the November 29 byelection, told the
A pair of hospital workers "squeezed" each other's necks during a drunken fight which resulted in one of their deaths. Daniel Janik, a porter at St George’s Hospital, is on trial for the murder of fellow Polish national Przemyslaw Lepkowski, a
TV interior designer Linda Barker visited Crystal Palace this week to cast her discerning eye over traders' shopfronts as local firms vie to be crowned the area's most festive. Linda, who made her name on the BBC programme Changing Rooms and has
Aircraft noise over the borough has apparently increased as a result of a trial scheme to cut noise for people living nearer to Heathrow. Neighbours have noticed more noise over Wallington and Beddington in the early hours of the morning after
The future of Merton’s two police stations, safer neighbourhood teams, and officer numbers are set to be discussed before the public. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is set to unveil his strategy for reducing crime over the next four years,
The man arrested on suspicion of Steve Andrews' murder has been released on police bail until February next year. Postman Mr Andrews was assaulted during a fight outside the Duke's Head, in Lower Richmond Road, in Putney, in the early hours of
This picture, taken in Burritt Road, Kingston, a few years ago shows what can be done with lights and a festive spirit. If you think you can do better, we would like a photo for our festive edition of the Surrey Comet. Email or write to us
Addiscombe boxer Chas "Bomber" Symonds wants blood when he defends his Southern Area Welterweight title against challenger Bradley Skeete. The 30-year-old, who trains under Ian Burbidge, out of Rosehill Amateur Boxing Club in Sutton, is defending
Shirley Garden Centre in Croydon is hoping to help customers have a green Christmas by offering free tips on selecting, caring for and disposing of their Christmas trees in an environmentally friendly way. The offer will run right up to Christmas
A missing Tolworth girl has disappeared hours after she returned home. Lauren Servey, 14, had been missing from her home in Hook Rise South, Tolworth, since Friday. The Metropolitan Police believed she had been found earlier today but a spokesman
Social media is taking over the world, from Facebook, Twitter and now YouTube. Now more than ever people are signing up to YouTube. There are over 800 million users who visit YouTube each month. Many young people put their life and their talents online
Campaigners have launched a scathing attack on changes to school crossing patrol services after it emerged junctions used by hundreds of children will not be covered. Mobile phone provider Talk Talk announced a groundbreaking deal to sponsor a
Leatherhead manager Richard Brady says their recent good form is down to being able to select his top 11 players. Back-to-back wictories at Walton Casuals and at home over Herne Bay in Ryman Division One South have been tempered slightly by a 1
Clinicians are set to take control of the NHS Budget, with the borough being one of three in London to pilot new health services provisions. Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be responsible for patients in the area from April 2013
By Anthony Hay Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway says the Eagles will need to dip into the transfer market if they are to sustain their Championship form. After a last-gasp Blackpool equaliser denied Palace all three points at Selhurst Park
A brave eight-year-old who has spent many Christmases in hospital has launched a charity to help sick children during the festive period. William Milne, of Addiscombe, has set up his own charity to grant wishes to help other children who are having
St George’s Healthcare Trust (SGHT) has been recognised for having below average mortality rates for patients. The Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2012, which publishes healthcare information, found the trust to have lower than expected mortality rates
This five bedroom detached house at Wishing Tree Place, off Links Road in Ashtead, has just been reduced by £20,000 to £749,950. The home is the last one on this private gated development to be sold. Wishing Tree Place is just a short stroll from Ashtead
Developer Devine Homes reports a new confidence amongst purchasers, with ‘off plan’ buyers coming back to the market. Seven properties have already been sold at two of its new homes developments, which are due to be launched in the new year. Louise
A new report says Londoners and those living in the south east are more optimistic about the housing market prospects than a year ago. The report comes from the Halifax which says confidence in house price prospects is significantly stronger than it
The showhome at Park Wood Mews, Banstead, has just been launched giving prospective buyers the chance to see at first hand the quality of the build. Four homes have been completed by developer Shanly Homes and a further nine are due to be built by March
The National Landlords Association (NLA) is reminding all landlords of the dangers of carbon monoxide and to check their appliances as winter draws in. The NLA reminds landlords that they are required, by law, to have all gas appliances checked every
Tadworth AC’s Geoff Newton took third place in the men’s over-65 class at the South of England Masters cross-country championships at Woodford in Essex. Overall, he finished 55th in 42 minutes, 11 seconds for the 10K race. The club will be
Those keen on buying a new home in Epsom might be interested in the new showhome being launched next month at Ruden Way near Epsom Downs. Antler Homes is building 10 houses, with two, four or five bedrooms at Carinthia Place, with prices from £350,000
The leader of Wandsworth’s Labour group has come under fire from within his own party after he led a Jack the Ripper tour last weekend. Jeanne Rathbone, a prominent member of the Battersea Labour Party, took umbrage with Rex Osborn, who is a qualified
Bus users have a chance to get a once-popular night service reinstated if they want it. Transport for London (TfL) is running a consultation giving people the chance to press for the return of the axed N213 service used by revellers and late night
Retired homeowners have total property wealth owned outright of £756.36 billion, new research from independent equity release adviser Key Retirement Solutions shows. But over-65 homeowners in London and the south east are pulling away from the rest
Croydon Council has launched a new campaign in partnership with the Croydon Guardian aiming to help clean up the borough. The Keep It Clean campaign aims to improve the environment around Croydon, by encouraging residents to treat the borough's
Three Merton residents have received medals recognition of their contribution to the community. Peter Steiner, 85, from Morden, Rosey Hickson, from West Wimbledon and Philip Froomberg, from Wimbledon all received the British Empire Medal at the
Ice-skaters can pirouette to their heart's content this weekend after Balham's eagerly-anticipated temporary ice rink opens. Balham is marking its festive celebrations by offering visitors free skating on a specially-built ice rink in the Balham
A tight-knit company has spoken of its "real betrayal" after its finance director was convicted of milking the business of cash over a three-year period. Amy Cullen, of Pam’s Way in Epsom, was found guilty of 16 counts of fraud by abuse of position
MPs and the council leader are joining forces to press a health minister into intervening to stop services leaving St Helier Hospital. Cost-saving NHS review Better Service Better Value recommended St Helier Hospital should lose its accident and
A former Merton conservative has been accused of manipulating expenses regulations to claim £90,000 on a second home where her parents lived. MP Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and former deputy chairman of the Merton
The owner of popular cafe is looking for donations to help fund a project to revive the town's arts and culture scene. Saif Bonar, founder of Matthews Yard, a cafe and co-working space off Surrey Street market, is hoping to add a new arts venue
The new overground extension to Clapham Junction was suspended for almost an hour yesterday. Signalling failures at Peckham caused trains on the new route to be suspended between 1.05pm and 2pm, much to the frustration of commuters. Travellers
A party atmosphere will be cooked up in Surrey Street market on Saturday as part of a 'Love Food Hate Waste' Christmas celebration event. A demonstration kitchen will host a Ready, Steady, Cook style challenge at the event on Saturday, where a
A husband and wife who stole £100,000 from the taxpayer have been jailed. Abiodun Ganiat Animashaun, 50, and her husband Kehinde Ade Solate, 60, created dual identities in an elaborate scheme to con Merton Council and Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Frontline services face the axe and dozens staff could lose their jobs as Croydon Council prepares to slash its spending by £36m over two years. Seventy-eight council workers face the chop while funding for youth counselling, help for domestic
A mum-of-three has been jailed after her injured puppy was left to starve on a urine soaked mattress with a bone sticking out of his leg. Lorraine Farrell of The Coppins, Croydon, and her husband Patrick, were accused of neglecting their injured
A controversial Christian preacher who was banned from the UK after a campaign led by Malcolm Wicks has provoked outrage by claiming that the late Croydon North MP's death was divine retribution. Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley, 36, was blocked
Older gardeners could pick up some tips from a new generation of young horticulturists who have grown up with the eco-friendly, sustainability mentality. So says TV gardener David Domoney, who is mentoring students from six UK horticultural colleges
A sweeping case of flu has caused more than 100 children to stay off sick from a single primary school. Wimbledon Chase Primary School in Merton Hall Road saw an unprecedented number of pupils struck down with a "flu-type" virus on Tuesday with
An elderly Belmont couple were taken to hospital after their bungalow filled with fumes from a pan being left on the hob after they went to bed. The couple, thought to be in their 70s, were woken by their smoke alarm and called firefighters to
Traffic never really rushes through Thames Ditton High St but on the evening of the 2nd of December it was stopped altogether when the road was closed for a Christmas Fair. Cars were replaced by crowds walking between food and drink stalls and admiring
Plans have been submitted for a major housing development which would see the old Nestle building turned into hundreds of flats. Legal and General Property developers has submitted their application for St George’s House, Park Lane, East Croydon
Primary schools across Elmbridge put their hockey skills to the test at Suburban Hockey as part of the Schools Games. The tournament, held at Surbiton Hockey Club, Long Ditton, on November 22, saw teams from six schools compete. Year 5 and
An alleged gang member told a shop owner he was the "King of London Road" and would kill him if he helped police as a witness, a court heard. Edward Armstrong-Anton, 37, of Broadstairs, Kent, went into the Phoomi Supermarket Store on Tuesday August
You only turn 12-years-old once but for one girl it is extra special as it lands on December 12, 2012. Despite the unique sequence of turning 12 on 12/12/12, schoolgirl Serena Brugnoli of Thornton Heath, will be celebrating her birthday with a
The Beddington Evening Townswomen Guild held their Christmas Party last night (December 11). Members supplied food for an 'American Supper' and with mulled wine, games and carols sung by the Entertaiment Group who are also singing carols on December
Esher and Walton Conservatives will be holding a Christmas drinks party, hosted by Councillor Elise Dunweber and Tommy Dunweber, with special guest Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab. The party takes place at Netherlea, 15 Goldrings Road, Oxshott
The changing face of Kingston has been revealed in census data published yesterday, writes Andrey Bulay. The 2011 census show large shifts in Kingston's population and an increasing ethnic diversity. Since the previous census in 2001, the population
Swishing is the new shopping and Elmbridge Council and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) are getting firmly behind the new craze. The two groups will riase momcome together to raise money for charity and to help the environment by holding a swishing
Three budding chefs rolled up their sleeves and rustled up the best mince pies in Surrey as part of a festive food competition at The Ashley Centre. David Gillott, chef patron of Four Gables Food Academy in Ashtead, who won the best young entrepreneur
MP Paul Burstow is championing a campaign aimed at cutting the physical and mental health problems brought on by loneliness. Mr Burstow, the former care secretary, has rallied other MPs to support the charity Campaign to End Loneliness and is asking
The London Wetland Centre is offering a fairytale journey to the north pole, with husky drawn sleigh rides to visit Father Christmas. Children will be thrilled to hop aboard for a husky sled ride to visit Santa in his log cabin grotto in the Barnes
Plans to turn a historic Ewell pub into a KFC have been refused by councillors to the delight of residents. At a meeting of Epsom and Ewell Council’s planning committee, councillors voted 10-2 to reject an application to turn the Organ and Dragon
Hundreds of bombs that rained down on Sutton and Cheam during the Second World War have been put on the map. From 1940 to 1944 the Nazi war machine fired 434 bombs on Sutton and Cheam. After the war Fred Darbyshire, from the municipal borough
By Benedict le Vay, Southfields Would someone at Merton Council give a well-deserved pat on the back to staff at Wimbledon Park? The meadow wildflower patches were an inspired idea which gave months of ever changing old favourites such as poppies
