Archive

  • Grown up

    When have you well and truly grown up? Once you hit 18 in the United Kingdom you are legally an adult – you can vote, buy alcohol etc., however are you really? Depending which end of the academic year you are born, you are either on your way to start

  • FREE RANGE CROYDON

    Lyndhurst Close, a quiet cul de sac in the suburbs of Croydon-home to the Coker’s and their flock of 8 chickens. Blossom and Bertha, Maisy and Layla, Betty and Dotty, and Amber and Ruby are part of the Coker family and pay their way by laying an astonishing

  • Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra present evening of music and sons

    The Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra will present an evening of music and songs from the Golden Era at the Epsom Playhouse on May 10. Tony Jacobs, who leads the orchestra, presents his foot-tapping performances with wit, enthusiasm and a deep knowledge

  • Garrick's Temple

    When it comes to attractions in London, nearly all of the tourists visiting will go to central London to see the ‘London Eye’ and some of the museums. Well-read tourists may even think to come to Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace. However, just down

  • Doctor's surgery trashed in evening attack

    A doctor’s surgery was trashed and excrement smeared on the walls in an attack on Tuesday evening. The Edith Cavell Surgery in Streatham Hill, which was forced to close until Thursday morning, suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage in

  • Tarpey form holds key to Hampton survival

    Hampton boss Mark Harper has urged striker Dave Tarpey to find his scoring boots if his men are to avoid the nightmare scenario of final day Blue Square South relegation. The Beavers front man has 24 goals to his name, but has not found the

  • Amor close to nailing down Championship squad

    London Scottish head coach Simon Amor has admitted planning for another season in the Championship started well before the final day drama on Saturday. The Exiles, who stayed up thanks to Charlie Hayter’s bonus-point try in a 31-26 defeat at the Athletic

  • Two arrested after cannabis factory found

    Two men were arrested after police found a cannabis factory in Cheam. Police entered the property in Malden Road, Cheam at 12.30pm on Wednesday, April 25, and arrested two men as they tried to leave the property via the rear garden.

  • A Generation Addicted to Socialisation

    Nowadays you're unlikely to find a young person without their mobile phone. The apparent 'addiction' to keeping in contact with friends 24/7 has resulted in a dramatic obsession with social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. With the average

  • Care staff crowned regional team of the year

    Care staff at a learning disability day centre have been honoured as regional team of the year. Staff at Easterly House, Thornton Heath, won the award at the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust staff achievement and recognition

  • Micheal Jackson hits show billed as ultimate tribute

    The countless hits and unique dance moves of music legend Michael Jackson will explode onto the stage at the Epsom Playhouse this month. Jackson Live in Concert is billed as the ultimate tribute show to the singer, who died in 2009, causing devastation

  • Property guardians sought in Sutton area

    Property guardian schemes are proving popular with young people trying to save the deposit to buy a home of their own. A number of companies provide live-in guardian services for empty buildings like old schools and care homes as well as empty houses

  • Plethora of dance musicians join Clapham SW4 festival

    A plethora of dance musicians will be on the line-up of the SW4 festival this summer. Event organisers have revealed more big names will be joining headliners Skrillex and Chase and Status in August. The first day of the extravaganza

  • Monye blow will not send Quins off Premiership course

    Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea insisted the loss of winger Ugo Monye would not derail his side’s Premiership title ambitions. The 27-year-old British & Irish Lion suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s 43-33 defeat to Leicester

  • Cheque centre targeted in robbery

    A cheque centre store in Streatham Hill has been targeted in a robbery, it has been reported. Police were spotted at the scene on the High Road near Streatham Hill station. It is not yet known how much cash was stolen. A Metropolitan

  • Teddington's record haul

    Teddington Swimming Club’s Middlesex County Swimming Championship campaign has been confirmed as the club’s most successful in its history. Teddington scooped a total of 92 medals and collected five of the nine trophies and awards up for grabs at the

  • Man angered by Molesey's St George's Day 'snub'

    A pensioner has expressed his disappointment at the lack of businesses flying the country’s flag on St George’s Day. West Molesey resident Reginald Day said the lack of patriotism made him angry. He said nearly all of the shops in Shepperton had the

  • Pensioners pretty in pink for hospice

    A group of pensioners were pretty in pink to raise funds for St Raphael’s Hospice. The event, at the Wimbledon Trinity Road Club on April 21, was organised by Lawrence Hutchinson, 63 from Faraday Road, whose wife died in 2009 after being treated

  • Broncos look for cup boost to ease Super League woes

    London Broncos will enjoy a welcome break from their Super League struggles when they take on Batley Bulldogs in the fifth round of the Carnegie Cup on Sunday. Broncos are second bottom of the table after 10 defeats in their opening 12 games – the latest

  • Scottish saviour faces uncertain future

    The man who secured London Scottish survival on Saturday is not even certain of a future in professional rugby. Centre Charlie Hayter’s interception score secured the bonus-point try that saved the Exiles from the Championship chop in front

  • Richmond draw first blood in promotion assault

    Director of rugby Steve Hill reckoned his men drew first blood in the National Division Two South promotion race with a 33-12 win over Lydney on Saturday. The triumph still gives them a chance of winning the title should they win this weekend at Hartpury

  • Worcester Park "tube" blunder

    Mind the gap, Worcester Park is now connected to the London Underground Network, according to a new pawnbrokers. Maps in the window of the new H&T Pawnbrokers on Central Road show that the shop is only a short walk from the Tube station.

  • Man caught with child sex images avoids jail

    A man caught with more than 100 images of child-sex abuse on his home computer has avoided an immediate jail sentence. Simon Congram, 47, of Wallington, who uses a wheelchair because he has multiple sclerosis, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates

  • Bryant marks marathon man in London

    Kingston resident John Bryant celebrated the release of his biography of Chris Brasher – the founder of the London marathon – by completing Sunday’s 32nd marathon in five hours, 58 minutes and 48 seconds. Bryant’s book gives an insight into the life

  • East Molesey's Mace is ace in Birmingham

    East Molesey athlete Sophie Mace has set her sights on becoming a Team GB athlete after winning gold at the Aviva Athletics Academy Sportshall Finals in Birmingham last weekend, writes Sam Wakefield. The 13-year-old Elmbridge Junior Sports Personality

  • Onslow-Cole has nerve for Thruxton

    New Malden racer Tom Onslow-Cole is set to draw inspiration from the history books in the British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton this weekend. A BMW 320si E90, Onslow-Cole’s current car, has finished in the top four on seven occasions in the past

  • Quins steel can secure silverware

    Former Harlequins centre and World Cup winner Will Greenwood insisted his former club are still a tough nut to crack as the Aviva Premiership title race hots up, writes Sam Wakefield. Quins have been in superb form all season, but saw their lead at the

  • Journalist back home after fifth tour to Helmand

    A female reporter, who has completed five tours in Afghanistan with the British Army, has described going on foot patrol there as "like a game of Russian roulette". Charlotte Cross, from Battersea, arrived back in the UK in March having spent

  • Man conquers mountain and two marathons

    A wildlife photographer has raised £27,000 after battling through snow and ice to scale Africa's highest peak and running two marathons in one week – all with a 30lb tiger suit strapped to his back. Paul Goldstein, 49, of Pelham Road, Wimbledon

  • Blues put sharp shooter on top of summer wishlist

    Met Police boss Jimmy Cooper is after a new striker to fire a Ryman Premier League play-off push next term. Former Sutton United striker Richard Jolly hit the winner in play-off chasing Wealdstone’s 2-1 win at Imber Court on Saturday. “The difference

  • Fire above nail salon forces woman to flee flat

    A woman had to flee her home when a fire broke out in a flat above a Wandsworth nail salon last night. Four fire engines were called to the blaze in Mitcham Road at 9.30pm yesterday. It was put out just before 11pm, with fire crews using

  • Argentinean race-ace finds the British rain a pain

    The recent downpours have been great for gardens, but not so great for an Argentinean hotshot staying in Esher while he makes his mark in the Formula Ford premier division. Eric Lichentstein, 17, is seen as a prime contender for champion Cavan Corcoran

  • Dowse: Tanners win changes nowt

    Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson insisted a 2-0 triumph over Leatherhead would not paper over the cracks of last Wednesday’s London Senior Cup final defeat that left him vowing to clear the decks at Kingsmeadow. Ks looked battle-weary as they

  • In Shaw Doswell trusts

    If Sutton United are to make the Blue Square South play-off final they will have to do it with the help of the cuddliest keeper in Britain. Kevin Scriven’s straight red card in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Salisbury City means he will miss the

  • Send pulses racing

    Keira wears pale pink strapless cross over dress and nude and red beaded jacket both by Antonio Berardi, shoes by Rupert Sanderson and pink feather hat by Piers Atikinson. Keira wears pale blue long sleeve chiffon dress with white

  • Cheeseman: Esher gave it everything

    Centre Tom Cheeseman has told his Esher team-mates they have not let anyone down in suffering the Championship drop. The former Quins and Bath centre was in the team as a 31-26 win at London Scottish on Saturday was not enough to save them from relegation

  • Only Fools' Boycie visits Sutton

    An Only Fools and Horses star came to Sutton on Sunday. John Challis, best known as Boycie in the BBC sitcom and follow up the Green Green Grass, met fans at Waterstones and signed copies of his autobiography, Being Boycie. Michelle

  • Vaccine reminder to Surrey parents

    Health experts at NHS Surrey have pushed the importance of vaccinations for children. They are using European Immunisation Week, from April 21 to 27, to remind parents to immunise their children against childhood illnesses. According to latest figures

  • Wheelchair marathon winner encourages youngsters

    Six times London wheelchair marathon winner, David Weir, is urging youngsters to represent Sutton at the London Youth Games. Training sessions and trials in various sports including table tennis, hockey and football will take place throughout

  • Husband and wife duo inspire scouts

    A husband and wife team who have run a Scout Troop for nearly 20 years have been nominated as Croydon Community Champions. Brian and Yvonne Lamont have run the 8th Purley Scout Troop since their daughter Vicky became the first girl scout in

  • Student paramedic finishes 95th in marathon

    A student paramedic has finished 95th in the London Marathon completing the 26-mile course in just 2 hours, 35 minutes, 36 seconds. Patrick Wright, 27, from Wimbledon, has been fitting his training in around his full-time job as a paramedic

  • Kevin's Grand Designs for a better life

    You’d think the TV presenter famous for showcasing the best in modern house design would live in the ultimate designer home. Most of us picture Kevin McCloud of Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated Grand Designs living in an eco-temple of glass and

  • Catholic school in gay marriage row

    A catholic school in Carshalton is at the centre of a row over schoolchildren being encouraged to join a campaign against gay marriage. The Roman Catholic Church has written to every state-funded Catholic secondary school in England and Wales

  • Lead thief snared after resident's tip-off

    An eagle-eyed woman has been praised after tipping off police about lead theft in Roehampton. The council tenant tipped off police after spotting two men on the roof of Sarah House, in Arabella Drive, on April 11. The thieves fled before

  • Teenager grabbed by man in Claygate

    A teenager was grabbed from behind by an alleyway in broad daylight during a frightening incident in Claygate. The 17-year-old was walking out of an alleyway which leads in to Raleigh Drive when a man grabbed her around the waist. She screamed, pushed

  • Review: Vinopolis, Bankside

    Dedicated wine lovers may already be familiar the sprawling 2.5-acre site at Vinopolis. Set in the heart of the vibrant bank side between London Bridge and the Tate Modern, the venue offers wine enthusiasts a chance to learn more about their favourite

  • High streets receive £100k Portas boost

    High streets in Epsom and Ewell are to receive a £100,000 boost thanks to an initiative by the Queen of Shops, Mary Portas. The borough has been awarded the money from the Government’s high street innovation fund. The £10million fund, which

  • Mayoral candidates back Guardian campaign

    Candidates in London's mayoral race have backed our No to Lee Valley Tax campaign. Current Conservative mayor Boris Johnson, and his Lib Dem rival Brian Paddick, both gave support to our calls for an end to an unfair tax that has seen south

  • Conservatives not complacent in Wimbledon Park

    Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Merton Council (Conservative, Wimbledon Park ward) Labour has done no favours in Wimbledon Park Ward either before Conservative Councillors were elected in 2002 or since! Labour councillors sold the Wimbledon

  • Second shot at Olympics

    A swim coach and child psychologist who gave up the chance to represent her country in the Olympics to further her studies will carry the Olympic torch. Vicky Panagiotidou, who was born in Greece and was three-time 200m breaststroke national

  • Bus crashes into garage in New Addington

    A bus crashed into a garage in New Addington yesterday. The crash is believed to have happened at about 6.30pm. Witnesses said the T31 bus, which travels from Homestead Way/Milne Park, Selsdon to Markfield, New Addington, crashed while

  • Coroner rules ‘no neglect’ after blood test blunder

    An elderly man had his condition wrongly diagnosed and was discharged from hospital hours before he died of organ failure. An inquest heard errors by hospital staff saw Edward Wood, 82, sent back to Shirley View Nursing Home in Cheam from St

  • Website launched to keep track of tenants

    A landlord tired of tenants breaking contracts has launched a first tenant rating website. The free web service, Tenants History, has been launched by landlord Steven Hanbury, 35, of Croydon, allowing landlords and letting agencies across south

  • Brian Paddick campaigns in Worcester Park

    Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick, visited Worcester Park to garner support for the upcoming mayoral election. Mr Paddick was joined by Lib Dem Assembley candidate Abigail Lock and local MP Paul Burstow on Saturday, April 21

  • Sutton primary school children get digging

    Primary school pupils have been planting an orchard in their local nature reserve. Youngsters from Devonshire Primary School planted six apple and pear trees on Tuesday April 24 at Devonshire Avenue Local Nature Reserve. Officers from

  • Living on £5 for five days

    A woman spent just £5 on food for five days to experience living below the poverty line. Kathleen Prior, of Haling Park Road, South Croydon, restricted herself to spend just £1 a day on all food and drink. The five-day challenge saw

  • Lib-Dem candidate warns of incinerator

    An incinerator could be built on the site of a disused recycling centre, a Merton Council by-election candidate has claimed. Dave Busby, a Liberal Democrat campaigner who is standing in next week’s election for the vacant Wimbledon Park seat

  • Croydon looter changes his life

    A looter jailed for raiding Cash Converters during the riots is turning his life around, volunteering at a youth magazine. Peter Bint, 20, admits he joined the rioting in Croydon town centre on August 8 as a chance to cause mayhem, but after

  • School squeeze means temporary classrooms

    Children will be taught in temporary classrooms for years to come as the demand for primary places remains, despite a new £11.5m school being built in a bid to ease the shortage. Kingston Council announced six schools would take on additional

  • Trinity Hospice seeking volunteer drivers

    A hospice is appealing for volunteer drivers to help patients who are treated in their own homes. Trinity Hospice, in Clapham Common, provides end of life care to people at home and in its inpatient centre Mulberry Place. The hospice

  • Palace blog: Time for revenge

    Such an oddity, and perhaps in a lot of respects a welcome one, that we have nothing to play for as the clock ticks down to the final game of the season. Or do we? We play Cardiff this Saturday as the Welsh side look for the points that will secure

  • Dons blog: 51 not out

    After last weekend’s draws at Crawley and Macclesfield, even creative accountancy couldn’t mathematically relegate Wimbledon. The pressure of the drop was avoided and we could stop looking over our shoulders. Torquay were due at the soon to be facelifted

  • Sacking of councillor is strange

    By Rod Chunn, Mitcham I was most interested to see your front page about the councillor sacked for ripping down the posters. It seems there is now one law for some and another for others. A few years ago I was threatened with