Today I met my childhood hero and it was, for lack of a better word, epic. How can I describe to you how much of an influence Mr Horowitz was in my childhood? I loved the Alex Rider series as a child and it has always left me with fond memories
The judge in the case of a rent boy accused of murdering his lover after bleeding him dry financially, has told jurors he will accept a majority verdict. Ricardo Pisano, 36, allegedly killed Michael Polding who he met in 2009 and lived with in
Detectives investigating the murder of Trevor Ellis who was shot on the night of the riots, have issued a fresh appeal for information about his death. A £20,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those
Former Crystal Palace, Sutton United and Carshalton Althletic players have appeared in court charged with match fixing. Croydon men Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, who most recently played for Brighton Club Whitehawk FC but have been sacked
I consider drinking whisky as a hobby; I'm a full-on whisky geek, writes Mike Pyle. Many people will say that sitting around boozing is not a legitimate hobby but I beg to differ. There is a whole world of whisky out there and learning how to appreciate
Dangerous chimneys were taken down this morning at a fire-damaged historic mansion, allowing a library and tea room to reopen. Surrey County Council today confirmed that early reports of water damage to Ewell Court Library, which suffered a serious
By Andy Weston Forward Paul Spivey says London Scottish are out to set the record straight when Pontypridd come to town in the second of their back-to-back British & Irish Cup games tomorrow. The Welsh Premiership champions secured a narrow
Cheam’s funny man Tim Vine has been signing copies of his latest book. Vine popped into WH Smith, on Saturday December 7, to chat with fans and sign copies of his book, The Tim Vine Bumber Book of Silliness, Daft Jokes, Crazy Pictures, Utter Nonsense
A special show is being put on celebrating 50 years of Simon and Garfunkel. Direct from London’s West End, award-winning actor Dead Elliott stars in the Simon and Garfunkel Story. This special anniversary production commemorates the lives and
The Mayor of London cycled into Wandsworth to officially launch the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme. Docking stations in Putney, Wandsworth Town and Battersea went live this morning, with the remaining docking stations launching in spring. The launch
Plans for two large blocks of flats in Kingston town centre have been rejected by councillors. A building containing student flats and a restaurant proposed for Old London Road was rejected for being out of character with the area, and due to fear
A man in his 60s is critically ill after being rescued from a fire at a block of flats in Norbury. The fire broke out in Norbury Crescent at around 12.35pm today. London Fire Brigade (LFB) sent four engines to the scene and rescued the man
Rosslyn Park’s 19-18 win at Coventry – ending the Midlanders’ undefeated record at home – saw them retain second position in the National League One table. They are three points behind the leaders, Doncaster, who have yet to travel to Roehampton
I’ve often fantasized I’d take quite well to the life of a baker. Commuting in the quiet of the night, surrounded by warm ovens and glorious smells. I’d sport a tall and floppy white chefs hat like in Ratatouille, have incredible forearms, and my working
Country singing legend Johnny Cash will be brought back to the stage next year when the only tribute act endorsed by the Cash family themselves will take to the stage in Wimbledon. The Johnny Cash Road show will see Clive John and the Spirit Band
It can be pretty stressful doing the shopping at this time of year. Despite claims that everyone gets their presents online these days high streets are busier than at any time of year. To help ease the stress Croydon BID have put on a series
A rock band will be hoping to fill you with festive cheer this weekend. Brothers of Mothershovel are playing an array of tunes to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. The band, known for their roots music, are hoping for a full house on
A Sutton councillor showed ‘great community spirit’ by looking after a missing dementia sufferer and helping her to get home. Belmont ward councillor Pamela Picknett sat next to a 90-year-old woman on the 407 bus when she was on her
The headteacher of Southborough High School has said he was "very frustrated" to have to close after a power cut in Surbiton. Niall Smith said he had no choice but to send pupils home this morning because the power failure knocked out fire alarms
Tony Owen and Ricky Boylan will be putting their friendship to one side this weekend when they go head-to-head to be crowned the king of Carshalton. The boxers, both from Carshalton, have been friends for almost 10 years, sparring and socialising
Designing a Crystal Palace which evokes the spirit of the original while being fit for the future is no mean feat. But the job is up for grabs, with ZhongRong Group wanting to hear from any architects who think they can take on the challenge.
Winger Charlie Walker scored his first Heineken Cup try in France last week and is out for a repeat performance – if only to stay in the team. The 20-year-old, who finished last season playing National Division One rugby at Esher, profited
Relive the Elvis years in a one off production. The original star of the West End musical Jailhouse Rock Mario Kombou features in this musical. Led by award winning director David Mackay, some of the singer’s greatest hits are performed.
As far as Christmas preparations go, seeing this year’s pantomime was pretty much perfect. I admit I bloody love this time of the year, so going along to see Peter Pan, my first panto in more than a decade filled me with that good old festive joy
Not many stand up comedians decide to race Barbie cars outside the Saudi Arabia embassy, except for Mark Thomas. The comedian certainly does not hold back when it comes to sticking his nose into politics and even became a Guinness World Record
With panto season in full swing we caught up with a couple of stars from this year’s production of Peter Pan, writes Andy Bloss. Fairfield Halls’ pantomimes are without doubt the most popular shows of the year with tickets already selling out fast
Take a step back in time with Elvis and some Christmas wartime classics, writes Andy Bloss. The Elvis Years featuring some of the singers greatest hits and Forces Sweethearts at Christmas are both being performed next week. Mario Kombou, who
He may be a self-confessed "miserable old git" but comedian Ed Byrne will be hoping to bring some New Year cheer when he goes on his tour, writes Andy Bloss. Following on from the success of his last shows Crowd Pleaser and Different Class, Byrne
A new book offering help on everyday issues and emotions has been released, writes Andy Bloss. Julie Frost, from Old Coulsdon, has written Light Between the Shadows, a collection of short and thought provoking verses covering many issues people
Comedian and popular TV panellist Alan Davies has announced a new tour. Following the success of Life is Pain, his first live tour in over a decade, Davies has announced his new show Little Victories. Life is Pain sold out venues in Australia
Streatham mums have rallied together to call for a crèche at Lambeth Council's £26m hub development. Members of Streatham Mums' Network waved placards with big pants, signed: "Pants to Lambeth: Fit Mums not Fat Bums"
Ex-Hampton & Richmond Borough Ryan Moss has admitted Beavers fans had not seen him at his best at the Beveree, but that could all change this Christmas. The 27-year-old, as part of a 27-goal partnership with Andre McCollin, has fired 13
A new bar is promising to bring the true spirit of Cuba to the heart of Crystal Palace. The Havana House, opened by Justin Wallace and Lesley Payne last month, offers everything Cuban from dancing to cocktails. The pair say: "The Havana House
Merton Council has unveiled a "transformational" vision for the future of the borough to pedestrianise Wimbledon’s town centre and create a ‘tube’ style network of cycle routes and bike hire schemes across the entire borough. Today the council
Leatherhead boss Richard Brady believes his side are in a better place to challenge for promotion this time round. Tanners missed out on the Ryman Division One South play-offs last season by just one point, but Brady has witnessed a new spirit
An Audi driver is being hunted by police after he ran from the scene of a collision following a chase by officers. The grey Audi vehicle failed to stop for police the A245 Portsmouth Road, Cobham, at about 4.45pm on Thursday, December 12, and then
A car caught fire outside someone's house in the early hours of this morning. Firefighters from Wallington were called to a property in Stanley Road, Wallington, where a Ford Galaxy people carrier was on fire outside. A fire brigade spokesman
A Croydon man has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after posting 'anti-Semitic' comments on Twitter following a football match. The 24-year-old and a 22-year-old from Wiltshire were detained by police investigating tweets referring
Eagle Eye’s last show of 2013 is available to download featuring an interview with co-chairman Stephen Browett. Presenter Andy Bloss from the Croydon Guardian was joined on Croydon Radio by Crystal Palace’s head of communications Terry Byfield
A pub in Thornton Heath was damaged in a suspected arson attack this morning. Firefighters were called to the Golden Lion in Stanley Road at 6am this morning. Two crews from Norbury evacuated the pub, whose residents had been woken by the
Carshalton Athletic boss Ian Hazel says his charges are looking forward to Saturday’s trip to Maidstone United despite the clubs being at opposite ends of the Ryman Premier League table. The Robins sit second bottom as they chase a first league
Teddington-based Andy Vernon finished third at the European Cross Country Championships in Serbia on Sunday, helping Team GB to a men’s team bronze into the bargain,. The 27-year-old St Mary’s University graduate, who finished second at the Richmond
The alleged mastermind of a dad-to-be's brutal murder has told a court his threats to kill him were not serious. Stephen Dougherty, 34, admitted warning Woodside 24-year-old Danny Gough he would pay to have him killed but insisted he never planned
The burnt remains of a emaciated dog have been found in a bin in Selhurst. The RSPCA is appealing for information after the male Staffordshire bull terrier was found wrapped in a blanket and found among a pile of rubbish yesterday morning off Northbrook
A man hit by a train at Kingston station last night was "conscious and breathing" when paramedics took him to hospital, London Ambulance has said. The 41-year-old was struck by a train bound for Waterloo at about 11.45pm yesterday. A London
St George’s Hospital charity, Giving to Georges, has received a donation of £2830 from the Provincial Charity committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey. The donation will be broken down into £2230 for the Neurology Unit, £250 for the Renal
Walton Athletics Club’s Anna Gilmour helped her team to a fourth place finish in the Surrey Ladies Cross Country Division Two match at Coulsdon on Saturday. Gilmour clocked 25 minutes 29 seconds to lead Walton home with Jo Locker stopping the clock
Let’s not be too mean. Chelsea finished top of their Champions League group after the 1-0 defeat of Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. But it looked unconvincing. When the Blues are drawn from Uefa’s well-upholstered hat
Former Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has revealed the decision to join Wigan Athletic was not as easy as some may think. The 45-year-old agreed to join the current FA Cup holders last week after the former Premier League outfit called time on Owen
Hundreds of people are being asked to brave the cold and sleep rough to raise funds for the YMCA. The annual Sleep Easy event invites people to spend a night sleeping in a cardboard shelter to raise awareness of homelessness and raise funds for
Kingston's historic All Saint’s Church has a stunning new entrance, following the completion of phase one of its refurbishment works this week. The Market Place church has been undergoing a refurbishment which is expected to be completed by next
New Brentford boss Mark Warburton has told his players to make sure they entertain the fans and results will look after themselves. The 51-year-old former Bees sporting director stepped out of the backroom shadows to take over from departed
A shocked couple awoke to discover that their Christmas tree, complete with fairy lights, had been stolen from outside their house. A resident, from Arundel Avenue, East Ewell, said the wire connected to the lights had been cut and the tree stolen
Nearly 800,000 listeners in Surrey can tune in to four local stations on DAB digital radio for the first time. Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford was at Epsom Downs Racecourse yesterday to officially mark the switch on of three new transmitters
Firefighters have urged drunken partygoers to get themselves a takeaway while they are on strike. The Fire Brigades Union is staging two further strikes this weekend and has asked people to avoid cooking if they have been out drinking at a Christmas
A new independent health group has launched that will help residents get the best out of health and social care services in Croydon. Croydon Healthwatch was officially launched on November 28 at the Community Space at Bernard Weatherill House.
With the festive season in full swing, karaoke joints are seeing an influx of Christmas partygoers ready to belt out their favourite sing-a-long numbers. Karaoke, which means 'empty orchestra' in Japanese, has well and truly become a worldwide
A policewoman has been recognised as a community hero for her outstanding policing of south Leatherhead. PC Gaynor Grout has policed the area for a decade and once faced a violent offender who tried to escape in a vehicle. PC Grout received
A stunning picture of a Grey Heron in Wimbledon has won a teenage photographer a place in a national competition. Danielle Connor, a student at Ursuline High School, took this picture, titled "Bokeh Heron", while at Queensmere pond on Wimbledon
Images of drunken revellers brandishing scaffolding poles during the mass brawl outside Essence nightclub in Kingston have been released by police. Police are asking members of the public for help in identifying some of those involved in the shocking
More than 800 vulnerable children from Kingston will be given Christmas presents this year thanks to generous well-wishers in the borough. For the past seven years the Growbaby campaign has been helping the borough’s most in need children by making
By Clive Whichelow Merton had never seen anything like it, and probably never will again. Fifty years ago tomorrow, on 14 December 1963, the Beatles came to town and pandemonium broke out. The Fab Four had staged a concert the previous
Mobile phones, ambulances and midwives played an important in St James Church of England Primary School’s nativity play. All 120 children in year 1 and year 2 at the Weybridge school performed their modern version of the traditional Christmas story
A teenager was assaulted and his mobile phone was stolen in a woodland area near Brooklands College in the middle of the day. The 16-year-old was walking in the wooded area between Heath Road and Brooklands Lane at about 12.40pm on Monday, December
Patients at Sam Beare Hospice enjoyed a performance of Christmas carols from a school choir. Members of the senior and chamber choirs of St George’s Junior School visited the Weybridge hospice on December 5 to boost spirits in the run up to Christmas
Mercedes-Benz World is usually filled with supercars, but for one day only it was filled to the brim with Santas. This year’s Santa fun run in aid of Woking and Sam Beare Hospices began at the Weybridge attraction on Sunday, December 8, before
