• 25 YEARS AGO: December 22, 2004

A gala concert capped a hugely successful fundraising drive at Tolworth Girls’ School 10 years ago for the victims of Hurricane Ivan.

The school, in Fullers Way North, Tolworth, put on a host of events to raise money for the people of Grenada, whose island was ravaged by the storm in September 2004.

The appeal raised a total of £3,000.

The Grenadian commissioner and his wife travelled from their home country to personally thank the school for all its hard work.

The appeal organiser, teacher Gwyn Andrews, said: “The response of the parents, pupils and staff at Tolworth Girls’ to the relief effort was absolutely fantastic.

“We were inundated with very generous donations of food, clothes and essential items for the people of Grenada.

“All donations arrived safely and have already been distributed to the people who need it most. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all on behalf of the Grenadian people and the relief effort.”

The final event, a multicultural benefit concert, had a wide range of entertainment including Indian dancing and a fashion show performed and choreographed by pupils.

Junior Mix, dubbed the world’s youngest reggae band, with members aged six to 16, also performed.

Hip-hop group Kristylz, soul singer Sister Joy Mack and up-and-coming R&B group the Charles Family made the concert one to remember.

Almost 500 people attended the evening event, held in neighbouring Tolworth Recreation Centre free of charge, and helped bolster the collection with a raffle and prize draw.

As the Surrey Comet went to press that week donations were still pouring in.

Ivan caused widespread damage throughout the Caribbean and the United States and was the 10th most-intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded.

Grenada suffered a recession due to the damage, even though its economy was predicted to grow that year.

  • 50 YEARS AGO: December 19, 1964

Work was due to start on a new £1.5m flyover on the Kingston bypass between Albert Road, south of Shannon Corner, and a point north of Carter’s bridge.

The modernisation of another mile of the by-pass featured a bridge and viaduct providing 1,550ft of road.

  • 25 YEARS AGO: December 22, 1989

Kingston Council took the decision to buy “Colditz”, a famous eyesore in Chantry Road, Chessington, 25 years ago.

Bitter local residents campaigned to have the prison-like blot on the landscape demolished ever since construction began in 1981.

  • 10 YEARS AGO: December 22, 2004

Police were planning a crackdown on drunken revellers at Christmas-time 10 years ago.

Partygoers found brawling, urinating or being sick in the street were to be fined up to £80 on the spot.

The previous December, the London Ambulance service took three alcohol-related calls every day.