As Banstead’s MP Crispin Blunt celebrates reselection today, a letter has emerged indicating that him coming out as gay was the “final straw” for some senior local Tories. Reigate and Banstead Conservative Association members voted by a margin
The owner of Black Sheep Bar has not ruled out a possible return in the future after plans to build flats above the venue forced it to close. Black Sheep bar was Croydon’s longest-standing independent nightclub having run for 15 years. It announced
Experts have said the town needs a rebrand if it is going to be recognised as a tech hub. Croydon should dub itself as Silicon Towers or Silicon Heights according to a panel discussion at the Develop Croydon Conference. More than 200 delegates
An 87-year-old widow of a top civil servant died after her legs became tangled in her dog's lead causing her to fall, an inquest has heard. Lady Jean Hilda Patricia Bancroft died in hospital a week after the fall outside her home in Putney
Whether it’s Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody" or Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe", we all love an excuse to get into the festive mood. To avoid embarrassing ourselves, we try not to get too excited and buy presents or decorations before the right time
A third of customers at Kingston’s John Lewis store are doing their shopping online, the managing director of the company said during a visit to the store on Friday, writes Fran Ivens. Andy Street said: “This area is leading the country in internet
A 47-year-old woman who died following a crash with a lorry has been named. Claire O'Hanlon, of Clarence Lane, Roehampton, was pronounced dead in Danebury Avenue, Roehampton, on Friday. Paramedics were called just before 4pm where they
A drunken sex pest who groped women in Sutton town centre was spared jail today when he appeared in court on his birthday. Tobiasz Piasecki, of Bishopsford Road, Morden, groped two women and attempted to sexually assault a third in Sutton town
Striker Eniola Aluko believes Chelsea Ladies’ trip to Japan for the International Women’s Club Championship will ensure the team are ready to hit the ground running when the Women’s Super League returns next summer. Aluko and co finished seventh
Banstead’s MP Crispin Blunt will stand in the next election after his reselection as parliamentary candidate today. Tory party members in his constituency have voted to reselect the MP after he lost the backing of local senior Conservatives
It is deeply saddening to hear of the cyclist who died after being hit by a bus in Croydon. These accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and that’s why we must do the utmost to prevent them from happening in the future. I recently helped
Following some recent health problems I was admitted to Croydon University Hospital. My initial reaction was 'oh no I have heard it's awful in there' but i must say that my experience was very different from the bad things I had heard
When it comes to making people laugh, these two girls claim to be second only to some. Because as their self-deprecating name suggests, comedy duo Next Best Thing – aka former Tolworth Girls’ School students Jay Bennett and Katie Davison – do not
Popular nightclub the Black Sheep Bar has closed. The venue was well liked amongst students and was well known for its alternative music scene. Paul Bossick and his father Howard ran the club and recently opened another club Bad Apple earlier
A schoolgirl has made the bold decision to have her long hair cut to help children with cancer. Lacie Alessandro from New Addington, told her mum she wanted to cut her long hair so it could be made into a wig for children cancer patients. The
I'm going to be honest and admit I don't really understand odds. Especially since discovering I could change online betting sites to show decimals rather than the confusing 7/4 nonsense. The reason I admit to this embarrassing mathematical stupidity
A panto-loving teaching assistant who loves to organise community events and fundraisers has said she is a great believer in community spirit. Chessington woman Amanda Williams, 47, organises fundraisers from karaoke parties to quiz nights and
The fate of Banstead’s MP Crispin Blunt hangs in the balance before the announcement of a ballot result this afternoon. Tory party members have voted on whether Mr Blunt should stand again in the next election for Reigate and Banstead after he
Hundreds of women gathered for a peace conference this weekend. Over 170 guests joined members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Womens’ Association at Western Europe’s largest mosque - Baitul Futuh Mosque, in Morden on Saturday, November 16.
TV personality Peter Andre officially launched a martial arts school's new franchise business last week. The Mysterious Girl singer, who is a martial arts enthusiast, was joined by Mayor of Croydon councillor Yvette Hopley and company founders
All interest in the FA Trophy came to an end on Saturday as Hampton & Richmond Borough and Carshalton Athletic both crashed out. The Robins will be the more upset as they held the lead over underdogs Whitstable Town at Colston Avenue thanks
The small white butterfly enjoyed its best summer for very many years. However the one I spotted on October 29 just before the St Jude gale struck was an exceptionally late record. The species does not hibernate but spends the winter in the chrysalis
Morden’s Lenny ‘Lightning’ Daws has already begun making plans for next year and insists 2014 will be his year. The 34-year-old bounced back from his controversial defeat in the European light-welterweight title challenge against Italian ‘The King
After seeing their FA Cup hopes ended at Kidderminster the previous week, Sutton United tumbled out of the FA Trophy at Gander Green Lane on Saturday. Their conquerors, Havant & Waterlooville, gained some revenge for United's 5-0 Skrill South
Whyteleafe's interest in cup competitions came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Lordswood in the FA Vase on Saturday. It was an entertaining cup game, where the hosts were only on top for the first few and last few minutes of the game, but it was
Old Walcountians put their league form to one side on Saturday to see off Southsea Nomads 30-18 and proceed to the third round of the RFU Junior Vase. Walcountians held off a fierce opening salvo from Nomads in the first 10 minutes, after which
Plans for a proposed 24-storey tower block will not go ahead after public outcry. The Wimbledon Guardian exclusively revealed plans by the YMCA in September to build a sky scraping 24-storey tower as part of their plans to redevelop their site
A woman has died following a road collision involving a lorry. Paramedics were called to Danebury Avenue, Roehampton, at just before 4pm on Friday, where they found the 47-year-old victim had a suffered a cardiac arrest, head and pelvic injuries
Firefighters were called to a bus on fire in the early hours of Sunday morning. The bus caught alight in Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, at about 2am on November 17. It took fire crews 30 minutes to put out the small blaze. Chris McQuiggin from
Three tries in each half lifted Rosslyn Park to second in National League One, two points behind leaders Doncaster, and ahead of Esher – whom they play at Roehampton this weekend – on the same number of points. However, the 41-13 scoreline did
Leatherhead consolidated their fourth place position in Ryman Division One South with a comfortable 4-1 win at Three Bridges on Saturday. Tanners grabbed an early lead but missed a hatful of chances to extend it before half time. Three Bridges
Five men have been arrested after a man sustained head injuries during an attack outside a pub on Friday night. The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital with head injuries sustained during the attack outside the Fox and Hounds in Walton
Carshalton Athletic's interim boss Ian Hazel described his team's second half performance as lacklustre after they were dumped out of the FA Trophy 2-1 at home to underdogs Whitstable Town. Despite leading through defender Adriano Moraes’ first-half
An injured man who turned up in Crystal Palace yesterday with serious injuries had not been shot, police have said. Emergency services including the Metropolitan Police helicopter were called to Crystal Palace Parade, close to the bus station,
By Ben Gilby London Cornish's dreams of gracing Twickenham in the RFU Intermediate Cup are over for another year as Rochford Hundred ran out 21-11 winners in an extremely tight game in Essex. Rochford, unbeaten on their Magnolia Road ground
Five teenagers from Warlingham RFC have been selected by the RFU as young rugby ambassadors. Peter Gee, Mark Stevenson, Stephanie Wright, Adam Hollidge and Harry Blainare are part of the first group of ambassadors with the role of developing young
A former gang leader who turned his life around after a prison sentence has written a poetry collection to warn young gang members against a life of crime. Justin Rollins’ latest book was inspired by the tragic suicide of his friend Jamaine Taylor
A mother who tragically lost her daughter after she was poisoned in her own home is promoting National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. Katie Haines, a former Sutton High school pupil, died in February 2010, just two months after her wedding, of
A post-mortem examination has revealed the body found in a well on Friday sustained injuries consistent with an assault. An initial post-mortem examination on the body, found in a well at an address in Audley Drive, Warlingham, has concluded.
A home care provider is celebrating the nominations of five members of staff for awards. The home care team from Managing Care, of Disraeli Road, Putney, were honoured at the Great London Care Awards gala dinner and presentation evening at the
Croydon has two acts in the final six of the popular talent show X Factor. Rough Copy and Hannah Barrett both progressed with ease this week without the nerves of being in the last two. Greggs bakery worker Hannah Barrett narrowly avoided elimination
Croydon Business Month continues this week with a series of events. A business information workshop takes place from 5pm to 7pm today at Central Library in Katharine Street, Croydon. It will demonstrate how best to use online resources to get
Residents have raised concerns over plans to build sheltered housing with 24-hour care on part of playing fields in Ewell. Despite worries over traffic and loss of sports facilities, attendees at a public meeting this month also recognised the
A diabetic patient with brittle bone disease and his pensioner mother were made to wait three hours for a ride home after an appointment at Kingston Hospital last week. The incident appears to have been caused by a mix-up between the hospital and
A school is building new classrooms at its site in Epsom as well as helping a charity to build schools in Sierra Leone. Kingswood House School, in West Hill, Epsom, opened its new junior school building this month and aims to finish building pre-prep
A retired teacher has finally fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming a published author. Stephen Hilliam, 61, from West Ewell, is celebrating after his first book Lisa the Moaner was accepted by Onwards and Upwards Publishers. Mr Hilliam
A new music academy was launched inside Chessington Community College this week. Jampod Academy was opened with a bang on Tuesday following performances by music students at the Garrison Lane school. The facility hopes to allow students in
An entertainment venue is bringing up-and-coming hip hop, R&B and urban acts to Epsom. Native Tongue, which grew out of a performers’ collective, is launching a bi-monthly showcase called Fired Up Fridays. Danish rapper Frhetoric, Hackney
Bright lights and huddling together in a crowded street can only mean one thing; the boroughs Christmas lights are about to be turned on. With the festive season creeping up quickly, sparkling lights will soon be gracing the high streets as the
Croydon is on the cusp of a great era of regeneration, according to the council’s planning chief. Paul Spooner, Croydon Council’s executive director of planning and environment, was one of the key speakers at the Develop Croydon Conference on Wednesday
The standard of adult education in Kingston has dropped and needs to improve, according to a new Ofsted report. The borough’s rating for its adult and community learning services has fallen from a rating of “good” to “requires improvement” following
The 1950s singer Glen Mason and the residents of Southborough Nursing Home will be serenaded for eight weeks by an up-and-coming banjo band, writes Aniqah Choudhri. The charismatic actor and musician was a regular on 1950s TV shows the Midday Music
A woman who broke the silence on an honour killing that ripped apart her family life has been nominated in the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards. Sarbjit Athwal, 42, from Kingston, who volunteers at the Metropolitan Police Football
A West Molesey teenager has won the holiday company Park Resort’s talent competition. Rebecca Lacey, 16, who attends Heathside School, came out on top at the Park Resorts Has Stars competition after winning her weekly heat while on holiday in Clacton
A small army of volunteers waded into the River Wandle earlier this month as part of a sponsored clean up. The Wandle Trust, working with estate agents Seymour Green, hosted the event on November 10, which was attended by 73 people. Among the
