2012 was an amazing year! So many great things took place such as the 2012 London Olympics and the failed apocalypse. However, there were some tragedies such as the hurricane Sandy that ruined thousands of lives and the devastating shootings that took
Residents in Motspur Park road, New Malden had an interesting start to the New Year, with upturned sidewalks, and noisy machinery as builders started to dig out holes and commence repairing the entire area’s gas works. The reparations are causing traffic
The end of 2012 showed some worrying plummeting figures in British wild bee populations decreasing in number. Although the cause of these phenomena is unknown, many florists continue to fear the availability and variety of flowers decreasing in Britain
For those of us who must experience it, I send my condolences. The dreaded January modular exams are often met with anxiety and sheer fear! Revision casting a shadow over any ideas of a ‘Christmas holiday’ and rendering New Years celebrations null
It is annual tradition that each January, every man and his dog is suddenly taken over by an intense desire to change everything about themselves by making and sticking to the dreaded New Year's Resolutions. If you haven’t already made some for yourself
A lively audience at the Orange Tree Theatre was left stunned on December 6, following the performance of a play written by members of the theatre’s youth group. Teenagers at the Richmond youth theatre had previously spent time discussing and
Every winter, various bird species migrate to the UK from the northern hemisphere. The availability of insects and their other food resources decreases, so they migrate south, as stated on the All about Birds website. Many of these birds migrate from
It all started off on the 15th July 2012 when South Korea’s now largest and most renowned entertainment company, YG Entertainment, released the music video of the now global superstar, PSY, in commemoration of his 6th album. The name was, 'Gagnam Style
In my experience as a passenger in numerous cars, there has never been much of a hurry in Surrey. If you put the average Surrey resident behind a car with an ‘L’ plate, however, they are suddenly overcome with the need to hurry and overtake by any
The freezing evening of the 7th of December was met with a mix of cheers and groans as Cheam residents met for some Christmas shopping. The late night shopping extravaganza in the small shops along Cheam high street ran into the night, giving many
The end of 2012 closed one of the busiest years Britain has ever had as a nation. For some people, they believed it would also bring an end to life as we know it. On the 21st December, the end of the Mayan calendar, hundreds of people prepared
New year, new me. This seems to be the general thought everyone has when the clock strikes twelve on December 31st; and so follow the typical New Year’s resolutions that everyone swears to keep this year. However, it is said that actually on average
Oppan Gangnam style. These few revolutionary words have had people up on their feet across the world. The video of now world famous Psy has very recently reached a whopping one billion views on Youtube. The public has seen the likes of American show
Prezzo, located in Cheam village, is part of an Italian restaurant franchise and chain. Extremely successful, it is busy almost every day of the week. This New Year’s Eve, the restaurant closed refreshingly early (9pm) keeping it calm and controlled
I’m sure none of us are strangers to the growing number of people being affected by flu. Last year’s flu scare went by the name swine flu. However, this year there has been a different predator travelling through the air. Norovirus. Norovirus
A vulnerable 13-year-old girl bullied at school plunged to her death just weeks after telling a teacher that she had been raped, an inquest heard. Chevonea Kendall-Bryan fell more than 60ft to her death on March 29, 2011, from the window of her
It is of much concern to the borough of Kingston upon Thames and her residents to hear of troubled waters in their river. The Thames has long run through Kingston yet, with the recent unexpected meteorological events, this seems now to be a concern
Conor O’donoghue, aged 17, attended year 13 at the Tiffin Boys School after achieving a high standard of GCSE results at his former school. His sister last saw him as he was walked to the tube with his friends. He was on the way to Camden, to celebrate
Christmas break is for resting and enjoying the holidays with your family, right? Wrong! Well, for some students, that’s not all that the break is for, anyway. Many students, at various school levels, from the entrance exams to Secondary School
Merton started the new year with a deserved 27-10 win over Surrey Division Four bottom club Old Oundelians. With many enforced changes, captain Edgar Barros played scrum-half and Will Hitchcock stepped up from the second XV. The hosts started
Many misconceptions have led to the belief of an apocalyptic end-of-the-world scenario happening on December 21st, 2012. Fortunately, and unfortunately for those who have already bought their ticket to the moon, the world did not end in 2012. The origin
A controversial decision to allow an exclusive golf course, luxury hotel and spa to be created on a historic estate is to reviewed by the High Court. Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) granted planning permission last May for the development of
A loan shark who made over £83,000 profit through years of illegal high-interest lending has been sentenced to eight months behind bars. Stephen Chapman, 47, of Gorse Road, Addington, made around 144 high-interest loans to 86 people across London
Every year the same thing happens to me: I make myself a promise that I will follow my new years resolutions, whether it be to work harder, eat more healthily or simply to act kinder towards people. Every year however I fail my resolution and completely
Christmas may be over, but events such as this tree dressing of willow lanterns sees the spirit continue. (Or, maybe I just uploaded this article a tad late). We made our way to the shot tower in Crane Park, the only surviving building in
While some celebrate New Years day and figure out what their New Year resolutions are, 1354 miles away the Serbian nation anxiously awaits the UN conference, which will be held during April 2013. It has been around 17 years of building up
Last season, Twickenham-based professional rugby club, Harlequins, stunned the rugby world by winning the Aviva Premiership Title, the top trophy in English club rugby. Some rugby commentators thought that the success of the club, widely known as the
The word pantomime usually induces a low groan and a pained expression from any normal person. They’re cheesy, predictable and almost exclusively for little children. They also happen to be a longstanding tradition at Waldegrave School. The script
Con artists masquerading as bin men to get Christmas tips from neighbours will be sentenced later this month. George Smith, 36, of Davidson Road in Croydon and Terrance Smith, 26, of Selbourne Square in Godstone, Surrey, pretended to be bin men
Shoppers can recycle their Christmas cards at Sainsbury’s this year. The Crystal Palace store, in Whitehorse Lane, has a Christmas Card recycling bin which will be in place until January 25. It will be situated at the back of the checkouts
A purse containing £140 was stolen from an 87-year-old woman. The purse was taken on Thursday, November 22, when the woman was shopping at WH Smith in Worcester Park. The victim said she may have been followed into WH Smith from the Post Office
Ever wanted to learn how to grow your own healthy, organic fruit and veg? Carshalton-based charity, EcoLocal, has expanded its range of training courses delivered at the community allotment. Beginners courses promise to teach you everything
A new cashpoint will be introduced in Cheam to help elderly residents. Following the closure of the Barclays branch in November, elderly residents on Upper Mulgrave Road were concerned how far they would have to walk to get money out. But now
Plans to rebuild Purley Fire Station have been approved by the council. The station is set to close for refurbishment in 2014, with the Purley crew moving to Mitcham Fire Station, which is also being rebuilt this year. The three storey building
Brentford will have a potential FA Cup fourth round home clash with Chelsea on their minds when they face Southend United in a replay next week, but boss Uwe Rosler reckons it should already have been a done deal. The Bees had one foot in the next
New Years Resolution, You might not believe it but this is one of the trickiest things ever, people can dream up the easiest or hardest things ever about what they are willing to achieve for the new year depending on how wild they let their imaginations
A star of MTV reality show The Valleys was arrested on suspicion of rape after appearing at a Croydon nightclub. Leeroy Reed from Bridgend is an aspiring music star and appeared at Shooshh nightclub on New Year's Eve as part of the venue's Geordie
In a match strewn with mistakes, Wimbledon came out on top against Beckenham 19-6 in London Division One South. Both teams looked rusty after the Christmas break, but Wimbledon had hooker Dave Roberts and forward Rob Tait to thank for a hard-working
A young woman is aiming to help inspire others in Africa. Caroline Odogwu, 24, is one of eight young people selected to be a part of Igniter, an online fundraising tool will allow young social activists to fundraise for community projects by attracting
Council staff have been praised for their generosity after donating trolley-loads of food to the Croydon Food Network. More than 90 families and 160 homeless people were give food over the Christmas period. Staff at Taberner House donated more
Injustice is lying just down your street A shocking 41% of people in the UK volunteer with the elderly care homes, and homes for those who live alone at an elderly age. The Abbeyfield Society cares for those elderly people who live alone. Although
A time when people flock in there thousands, in search for the best bargains to spend their cash on. Yes, it is only December 26th the awaited Boxing day sales. Everywhere excited shoppers wake up early to get ahead of everyone and have first choice
Richmond were left disappointed after conceding a 15-point lead at National League One title chasers Blaydon. In the end, the visitors had to make the six-hour journey back to London nursing a 24-22 defeat and a dissatisfaction at squandering a
An elderly care home choir made its debut performance after months of hard work and practise. A group of residents at Sunrise Senior Living of Banstead home performed to friends, neighbours and family members over Christmas. The singers, whose
A man has denied stealing a car and £20,000 worth of valuables from a house in Kingston. Harry Mackay, 22, from Queens Road, Thames Ditton, is charged with burglary and theft following a break-in at a home in Acre Road between August 31 and September
A degenerate who looked at pictures of child porn and people having sex with animals will be sentenced by a judge after magistrates decided they did not have the power to punish him strongly enough. Selhurst man Derek Eastoe admitted looking at
A world leading cancer hospital is holding its annual 14-mile sponsored walk. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s Marsden March sees thousands of people padding the streets between the hospital’s two bases in Chelsea and Sutton. There is also
Transport for London (TfL) has revealed tentative plans for improvements to bus stations in the capital, including Kingston’s Cromwell Road station. Its draft business plan, which sets out TfL’s investment programmes for the next 10 years, states
North Cheam Baptist Church is encouraging people to start 2013 with a financial makeover. Members of the church have been trained by a charity, Christians Against Poverty, to help people get their New Year finances in order. To find out more
Old Walcountians hauled themselves out of the Surrey Division One relegation places with an impressive eight-try 46-13 demolition of fellow strugglers Croydon at Kent Gate. From the start, the Walcountians pack was in control of the game with props
The east of Epsom could degenerate into "Armageddon" because of an onslaught of ill-considered housing developments, a councillor has warned. Local Lib Dem councillor Julie Morris said the area - which includes East Street where the controversial
A McDonald's restaurant is hoping to stay open till 3am at the weekends. The fast food chain in Mitcham Road, Tooting, has applied to Wandsworth Council for a licence to extend it's opening hours. If granted the restaurant will stay open until
A charity has knocked back the offer of profits from a comedy event because the content did not uphold its Christian values. The all day festival on Sunday in The Half Moon, Lower Richmond Road, Putney, was originally being held to raise money
By Ben Alsop Steatham-Croydon’s dreams of promotion from Surrey Division Two suffered a blow on Saturday after a poor first half performance led to a 38-25 defeat against struggling Old Emanuel. Only a late fourth-try bonus point gave a positive
Recently CCTV cameras have been on the rise; they are in most public buildings, schools, shops, streets and facilities. Many people haven’t noticed the change; many don’t care, whereas others are forced to change their behaviour. Surely an increase
Children with special educational needs are getting some hands on experience. Every Monday year 11 pupils from Carew Manor School, in Wallington, have been spending the day at Carshalton College gaining an insight into the different vocational
A charity art fair was held in memory of a popular teacher who died of methothelioma. The memorial art fair was organised by friends and family of Christine Wright, who died of the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It took place in The
One of the borough’s finest chamber music ensembles combined with a Dubstep DJ at the New Years Day Parade. A quintet of brass players from Croydon’s London Mozart Players and DJ Toby Harrison joined forces to produce some Dubzart, a mix of Mozart
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Thornton Heath mum Janelle Duncan-Bailey. Jerome McDonald of Fairlands Avenue, appeared via video link from Croydon Police Station. The 30-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date
Occupy London protesters have set up camp inside an adventure playground in a bid to save it from destruction. The protesters have been inside the Battersea Park Adventure Playground since Saturday after it was rumoured the bulldozers would be
Wimbledon tennis star Ross Hutchins has targeted the US Open in August for his return to action after being diagnosed with cancer. The 27-year-old, due to start chemotherapy this week, announced on Twitter that he would be “away from tennis for
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses after three men suspected of a burglary in Walton fled from a vehicle in Hampton Court. The men ran away after crashing a vehicle into a lamppost in Hampton Court Road. Officers received a report shortly
Andrew Cosslett may now have a lot on his plate, but 30 years ago his journey to the upper echelons of rugby’s hierarchy started somewhere less complicated - the muddy fields of Weybridge. The 57-year-old Fitness First chief executive, chairman
Police believe a fire that destroyed Croydon Athletic Football Club's clubhouse last week was started deliberately. Officers are investigating a suspicious cause of the blaze, which tore through the single storey building at the Keith Tuckey Stadium
Popular magazines will be available to read for free after the council launched its e-zine service. Sutton council became one of the first authorities in the country to offer magazines at the touch of a button. Library users will be able to
A motorcyclist has been hospitalised with a severe leg injury after swerving to avoid a pedestrian this morning. Ambulance crews were called to Carshalton Road outside Mitcham Junction station at 7.14am to reports of a collision involving a motorcycle
Anyone who attended a Merton Park girls’ school in the 1960s is being sought for a final reunion. Diane Mundy (nee Arthur) has invited anyone who attended St Mary’s Church of England Secondary School, in Church Road, and was 15-years-old between
Titled as the most successful female British gymnast of all time, Beth Tweddle MBE took time out of her busy schedule to visit Gumley House School on Thursday 20th December. The three times Olympic athlete gave a talk to the sixth formers about her
The case of mum Janelle Duncan-Bailey, found dead this weekend, is to be looked at by the police watchdog. The Metropolitan Police referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission after concerns over officers' contact with the
Tributes have poured in from the tennis community after one of Britain’s top doubles players revealed he has cancer. Ross Hutchins, who was born in Wimbledon and attended King’s College School, told fans this weekend he is suffering from Hodgkin
Police are searching for a callous burglar who tricked a woman into letting him into a sheltered accommodation block. An 87-year-old woman had £50 stolen from Dorothy Pettingell House on Vermont Road, Sutton, along with a jewellery box on December
Leatherhead moved up to third in the Ryman League Division One South table after a comfortable 3-1 win at Worthing on Saturday. Two goals from Tommy Hutchings, one a penalty, and a strike from Tom Bradbrook were enough to beat the hosts in a workmanlike
A man suffered head injuries after he was thrown from his car during a crash. The 61-year-old was taken as a priority to the major trauma unit at St Mary’s Hospital after the accident on the A316 Hounslow Road in Hanworth on Sunday at about 7.30am
Kind-hearted people are being asked to continue the season of goodwill into January and donate any unwanted Christmas gifts to Princess Alice Hospice. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and unwanted clothing, books, DVDs or bric-a-brac
Universal blood donors are being asked to help fill a sudden shortfall in stocks because of the norovirus outbreak. The NHS Blood and Transport Team revealed the number of appointments for donations from those with O negative type – known as the
Residents are gearing up to the prospect of seeing an increase in their council tax bills for the first time in three years. Leader of Kingston Council Derek Osbourne admitted he was not hopeful about council tax being frozen in Kingston for the
A pledge of support to the armed forces will be made by councillors this year. It is understood Merton Council has agreed to sign up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a voluntary statement, signed in order to pledge mutual support to the
By Anthony Hay Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak says the Eagles did not really want an FA Cup replay. After the third round 0-0 deadlock at Selhurst Park, Palace must travel to Stoke City's Britannia Stadium on January 15 for the right
A man was taken to hospital after his car hit a tree in the early hours of Sunday morning. The car collided with a tree several metres off Oaklawn Road, Leatherhead, at about 3.30am. The injured man managed to get out of the car before firefighters
By Jonny Muir Herne Hill Harriers' class of 2013 made history on Saturday, claiming a club record haul of medals at the Surrey Cross-Country Championships. The Tooting-based club won team gold in three of the 10 races at Croydon's Lloyd Park
By Matthew Kiernan Croydon Harriers’ U20 men enjoyed a golden Surrey Cross-Country Championships at Lloyd Park by clinching the team title for the first time in the club’s history. The team were led home by Peter Chambers who clinched individual
Crystal Palace and Stoke City will have to meet again after a 0-0 draw in the third round of the FA Cup. The replay at The Britannia Stadium is on January 15, and the winners will be rewarded with a fourth round clash against Premier League champions
Crystal Palace and Stoke City will have to meet again after a 0-0 draw in the third round of the FA Cup. The replay at The Britannia Stadium is on January 15, and the winners will be rewarded with a fourth round clash against Premier League champions
Emergency services tackled a bin fire in the early hours of this morning. Firefighters were called to extinguish flames in a recycling bin on Portland Road, Woodside at 3am. One crew from Woodside and police officers attended the scene.
A driver was taken to hospital this morning after a crash in Cheam Common Road Road causing traffic hold-ups. Firefighters from Sutton had to remove the woman from her BMW convertible after she was in a head-on collision with a white van shortly
I had been dreaming of a white Christmas, not a wet one! However, the shortest day is behind us and almost unnoticed, each day will become lighter by about two minutes. I liken the months of the year to the face of a clock with the minute hand
Makes 12 large muffins Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes You’ll need: For the muffins: 200g golden syrup 200g black treacle 150g unsalted butter 125g dark brown sugar 100g stem ginger, cut into fine dice
A former Weybridge Vandals captain has promised the 2015 Rugby World Cup will unite the English game in the same way the London 2012 Olympics did. And organising committee chairman Andy Cosslett, who skippered the Brownacres club in the mid
Fiery from the chilli, sour from the tangy tamarind and naturally sweet from the delicious Pink Lady apples. This meal in minutes will excite your taste buds and soon get you coming back for more. Try and choose stir fry vegetables that have lots
In this review I will attempt to explain why the Hobbit is excellent, a very deserving movie in its own right, and how it works as a very good prequel both to The Lord of the Rings films and also books and as an incredible adaptation. Now to give
