One of my favourite birdwatching activities is to admire the superb aerobatics of black-headed gulls as they scream and squabble over bread thrown to them by lake or riverside. I particularly like to study their head colours, one of my aims
Epsom’s MP Chris Grayling, described as the Conservative party attack dog, has been promoted to shadow home secretary in the shadow cabinet reshuffle. His new job was announced as veteran politician Ken Clarke returned to the top Tory team
Kingston Adult Education has been ranked in the top 14 per cent of all local authority adult education providers in the country. Following a recent Ofsted inspection, KAE was rated 'good' in all nine assessment areas and the Inspectors particulary
A Tulse Hill aid worker is set to swim a gruelling 5km on Wednesday to raise money for children living in poverty in Zimbabwe. Pauline Milligan, 29, who swam competitively for Streatham Swimming Club until she was 15, is hoping to swim 200
It is the moment when a 21st century fox stopped behaving like an animal and found the unlikeliest of friends in high places. This urban creature resisted traditional stereotypes to share a quiet moment with a domestic cat on a shed roof in
A postal worker was jailed for eleven months on Friday after he admitted to embezzling more than £132,000 in cash. Maheah Vaja, of Leander Road, Thornton Heath, stole the £132,000 in a desperate bid to keep his brother’s business afloat.
Molesey enjoyed a 2-0 win at Wembley after a tough CCL fixture on Saturday. Molesey were still without captain Steve Brown with Daniel Coombes filling that midfield hole. But also missing were Rob Lewis and Moses Spencer, which meant a full debut was
Surprised shoppers were handed free money in Staines - but some cynical customers turned the notes down fearing it was too good to be true. Bosses at Two Rivers Shopping Centre decided to give shoppers a new year’s boost by dividing £500 between
Richmond visited Lydney for the second time in three weeks but this time the game went ahead despite heavy conditions underfoot, writes Tim Forrester. Lydney gave Richmond a stern test at the Athletic Ground earlier in the season so this was an interesting
Esher have been drawn at home to London Scottish in the draw for the fifth round of the EDF Energy National Trophy made at Twickenham today. National League Three South leaders Scottish pulled off a shock 33-29 win at Manchester on Saturday, while
London Welsh have been drawn at home to Cambridge in the draw for the fifth round of the EDF Energy National Trophy made at Twickenham today. Welsh ran out comfortable 42-17 winners over Newbury Blues on Saturday, while National League Two side Cambridge
Esher have been drawn at home to London Scottish in the draw for the fifth round of the EDF Energy National Trophy made at Twickenham today. National League Three South leaders Scottish pulled off a shock 33-29 win at Manchester on Saturday, while
West Thornton Primary School has opened a school tuck shop, West Thornton Goodies. The money for the Rosecourt Road school shop was raised by entering an enterprise bid organised by Croydon education business partnerships. Representatives of
A pensioner’s forgetfulness has landed him with a £125 fine courtesy of parking officers at Tooting Leisure Centre. Roel Goffe, 76, who has used the centre for 30 years, came out from his weekly swim to find his car clamped. When he
Team London South have confirmed a number of top British athletes in their team ahead of the McCain Indoor City Challenge (ICC) semi final on Saturday 24th January at London’s Lee Valley Athletics Centre, writes Emma Pickles. London South will
A teenager has been sexually assaulted at knife point by two men in Cobham, sparking an urgent police appeal for witnesses. The 18-year-old woman was dragged on to a public footpath off Hollyhedge Road at about 5pm on Tuesday, January 13, and
Chipstead manager Nick English was delighted after his side secured a vital 2-1 derby victory over local rivals Whyteleafe - despite himself and captain Fred Fleming being sent off. Alec Brown was the hero for the away side converting Josh
The safeguarding of children in Lambeth is “good” and “effective”, according to a review into the borough’s children’s services. Results from the Joint Annual Review (JAR) carried out by a number of bodies, including the Audit Commission and
Twelve hours on a coach for 80 minutes work, that is the glamour of the cup as Esher made their way from leafy Surrey to wet and wild Penzance to take on Mounts Bay. An overcast and windy day at The Mennaye Field saw Mounts Bay supporters hopeful
British Race Elite Academy driver Ollie Millroy has signed with Kent-based Motaworld Racing for his second year in the Formula BMW Europe Championship, which takes place alongside seven rounds of the Formula One and GP2 championships. The 18-year-old
Rosslyn Park head coach Florent Rossigneaux insists his side live in hope teams above them slip-up, despite only edging past bottom club Havant on Saturday. Park, playing their first game in four weeks, only dispatched the league’s whipping boys 18-
South London Harriers lost out to Thames Hare & Hounds at the weekend in this season’s Mob Match held on Thames’ ground at Putney Vale, writes Viv Gardner. Conditions were vastly different to the previous week’s frozen ground, with lots of mud on the
Mike Schmid has told his Esher team to show no fear in Saturday’s big relegation showdown at home to Newbury. The Surrey side are desperate for maximum points to cut into the 14-point gap on 12th spot and National One survival. Schmid’s side got back
Hounslow's MPs have welcomed the Government’s decision not to press ahead with mixed mode at Heathrow airport - meaning residents will continue to benefit from half-a-day’s break from aircraft noise. Runway alternation, which has been in
Epsom and St Helier hospital bosses are banning members of the public from seeing agendas in advance of important meetings. The public now cannot access information on subjects to be discussed at board meetings until minutes before meetings start
Cheam Fields Primary School has splashed out on a healthier future by opening a new swimming pool that will benefit the community. The 17m outdoor pool in Stoughton Avenue was built with funds raised by the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association
By Martin Hartley Posted on January 19 Back in the tent for the first time in ages, I am once again reminded why lack of total recall is a blessing...snow, ice, frozen water, it is the reason we are all here. It is one of the
Police in Elmbridge are appealing to the public to help them find an £850 watch, stolen during a burglary in Walton. The distinctive limited edition Aston Martin watch was stolen along with £70 from a property in Rivernook Close, between 3.30pm
INTERMEDIATE SECTION First Division: Oxted & District 3 Old Plymouthians 0, Puretown 3 Wandgas Sports 4, St Andrews p C S United 08 p, Tadworth 5 Nutfield 0, Westminster Casuals 0 Tooting Bec 1. Geoff Ellis Senior Shield First
Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee believes the Eagles need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to mount a promotion charge this season. The 30-year-old Irishman scored his second goal for the club against former employers Ipswich Town on Saturday
Armed police have sealed off a Thornton Heath street after a passerby discovered two loaded firearms lying on the pavement this morning. The guns, believed to be pistols, were found outside the Somerfield supermarket on London Road about 10am
You wouldn’t imagine Richard Thompson, king of the strings and one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s all-time Top 20 Guitarists, being a fan of Britney Spears. Perhaps ‘fan’ is the wrong word, but Ms Spear’s influence lurks in Thompson’s latest project
John Paul II School has had a rough time. As one of the borough’s only non-selective secondaries, many of its students are often struggling before they even arrive. A high percentage are from deprived areas, and many have English as a second language
Belgrave Harriers’ Richard Ward won the Banstead Woods 5km Parkrun for the third successive week, but he was pushed all the way by 11-time winner Pawel Bal of South London Harriers. Ward clocked 16 minutes 34 seconds to equal that 11-win mark, finishing
As Obi Col Kenobi just blogged (silly name Colin!) Welcome to the Game On blog! Here we will be offering our expert (sort of) opinions on all the latest developments in the world of games and entertainment technology, and I will be insulting Colin every
Without a match since December 20, Park looked out of sorts despite their endeavours and Havant made things very difficult with their 80-minute performance. The home side put Park under pressure immediately with a neat chip ahead and winger John Swords
As the old cliché goes, this was the classic game of two halves. In truth the Robins weren’t that bad in the first half when they fell behind and they weren’t that good in the second, but Hayden Bird’s changes to the players and shape of the side
A vintage driver who was still climbing behind the wheel 10 years ago has now celebrated his 103rd birthday in Sutton. Stanley Robert Frost was one of the oldest motorists the borough has known, before he swapped his trusty car for a mobility
Kingstonian's first league game of 2009 saw them overcome neighbours and old sparring partners Leatherhead with two successive goals on the hour mark crowning a confident display of attacking football. This performance was reminiscent of the Geoff Chapple
Scottish managed to take full advantage of National One side Manchester in this away victory. The two teams have had polar opposite seasons so far, with Manchester having lost all but one game and Scottish starting this game unbeaten. Manchester
Despite a host of chances, Sanderstead Firsts failed to come back from 2-1 down against Old Cranleighans Seconds in a friendly fixture on Saturday, writes David Fitzpatrick. Having conceded a breakaway goal mid-way through the first half, Sanderstead
After a lengthy lay-off due to the extreme weather conditions, this was never going to be an easy return to action for Bob Langford and his team. Kingstonian currently sit at the top of the Ryman League Division 1 South and, although their form has
With the arrival of the New Chinese Year, that is the year of the Ox and in Buddhist philosophy, the celebration of 750 years 'Peace in the Land based on the True Law of Righteous Cause', we furthermore enter the bicentennial celebrations of Charles Darwin's
Croydon Ladies began the second half of their league campaign with a home game against London Edwardians. Having lost 3-0 away at the start of the season Croydon were determined to make a fight of the return match. On a surprisingly
Mark Phillips rescued a point for Brentford with a stoppage time equaliser in a game that will be remembered more for referee Stuart Attwell’s performance as Brentford drew 1-1 with Notts County at Griffin Park on Saturday. Attwell changed the face
My mother always said that when you get to a certain age you should try something new everyday, just to make life a bit more interesting. With that in mind, I decided to try my hand at fencing, in a sword fighting masterclass for Epsom residents
Herne Hill Harriers members had a blast from the past last week when their Gables Silver Cup, missing since 1993, was discovered in an attic by a member of the public. The trophy, which was presented to the club in 1924, was awarded to the
Old Walcountians returned to the top of Surrey League Two after recovering from an early shock to record a comprehensive win over Old Rutlishians at Poplar Road, Morden, last Saturday. The week’s delay because of the previous weekend’s freezing conditions
This may have been a vets cup match on Saturday at Rugby Lane, Cheam, but both teams of old timers put on performances that made it a thoroughly entertaining and quality game of rugby. Sutton & Epsom’s vets side the Dodos have been the holders
Arsenal Ladies 4 Chelsea Ladies 1 A battling Chelsea performance ended in a disappointing defeat as reigning champions Arsenal took a giant stride to regaining their Premier League title on Sunday. Dunia Susi’s second-half strike gave
Combined Counties League points are desperately needed at Alwyns Lane if Chertsey Town are to regain top spot this season, especially with those taken from promotion seeking rivals such as Bedfont Green, Town's opponents last Saturday. A tight, tense
A local golf centre is starting off the New Year by encouraging people to take up golf or improve their existing skills. Addington Court Golf Centre, in Croydon, is offering a new season of coaching sessions for adults of all abilities, with
Sutton Council and Transport for London (TfL) were warned to grit an icy road in Cheam just hours before it became the site of a fatal crash. Entrepreneur Steve Stone, 58, called an emergency line at 10pm on Saturday, January 3, to say “
A professional photographer taking pictures of Woolworths closing down was suspected of being a terrorist. The Sutton woman, who did not want to be named, was working when she was stopped by a police community support officer for taking photos
Hampton & Richmond Borough completed a league double over Team Bath (having won 3-0 at the Beveree), beating them 2-0 at Twerton Park on Saturday. The players also have an advantage in that they are able to train on a daily basis, just as if they were
Ashford very nearly caused a major upset leading the champions elect for three quarters of the match until, after a period of intense pressure, Dover equalised. Then Ashford were cruelly undone by a very soft penalty decision given by referee Mr Smith
‘What will this weekend’s National Lottery numbers be?’ A question TV medium and psychic, Sally Morgan, is often asked by eager members of her audience, along with ‘When will John/Fred/Bill finally ask me to marry them...’? Does the
Staines Town’s League campaign finally reached the halfway mark with this first ever visit to Dartford’s magnificent Princes Park stadium, peopled by 1148 fans. With the Kent side in fine form at the moment (6 wins and a defeat by leaders Dover
Croydon is a shining example of good dementia care, according to a documentary on Alzheimers. The Channel 4 Dispatches programme investigated the struggle of Alzheimers’ sufferers and their families to get adequate care and support.
It was a belated happy new year at Grasshoppers when they welcomed London New Zealand to Macfarlane Lane a week late due to the frosty start to 2009. Grasshoppers opted to play up the slope in the first half into a strengthening breeze. So with 15
Steve Cordery’s men saw their first action in 17 days following a string of postponements, one of which was the earlier attempt to play this League Cup tie that fell foul of the frost a week earlier. The break had allowed time for both Dave
London Welsh eased their way in to Round Five of the EDF Energy National Trophy with a comfortable win over Newbury Blues at Old Deer Park. The Dragons maintained their recent high scoring form as they ran in six tries to take their points tally from
Sittingbourne 1 v 1 Croydon Athletic Croydon Athletic came away with a well-earned point from Bourne Park after dominating the first half and grabbing an equalizer via a goalkeeper own goal in the 70th minute. Sittingbourne started strongly
Julian Speroni: Punched a couple of times when he should have caught but not at fault for any of the goals. 6 Nathanial Clyne: Tried to do too much at times and might be beginning to believe his own hype but also produced a couple of wonderful last-ditch
A former local schoolboy is among her Majesty’s elite after he was commissioned as an Army officer. Daniel Berry was officially commissioned from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, at the Sovereign’s Parade before Christmas. The
Surbiton eightball pool star Steve Petty added another title to his ever-growing list of achievements at the weekend when he travelled to Solihull to join the ranks of the GB9 Tour, the UK’s premier series of professional nineball tournaments. The 18
Surbiton sailor Alex Groves was one of 80 top British junior athletes who took part at the third Youth Sport Trust National Talent Orientation Camp at Loughborough University. The 17-year-old RYA youth squad 29er crew member admitted the camp was an
Furious Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock launched a blistering tirade at referee Clive Penton after Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park. The Eagles were denied a blatant penalty when 2-1 behind as Tommy Miller hacked down Nick
TWP St George’s Hill put up a great fight before going down 19-6 to Premier Squash League leaders Surrey Health & Rackets Club. The 19-6 win for Surrey leaves them top of the table, with TWP now in fourth place with an outside chance of making the play-offs
Swimexcell Esher Swimming Club produced a string of excellent results at the Black Swan Meet at the Xcel Leisure Centre. Eleven-year-old Meggan Cloherty and 10-year-old Ajay Divakharan swam particularly well, winning two silvers and two bronze trophies
Epsom Rotary Club are putting on their annual black tie ball at the Queen’s Stand in Epsom Racecourse. It will be held on February 14th which makes it ideal for couples wishing to celebrate St Valentine’s Day although the programme is not specifically
England World Cup winner Will Greenwood reckons Harlequins back row star Chris Robshaw’s unassuming on-field demeanour may be holding his international ambitions back. The 22-year-old was re-called to the England Saxons squad last week having been omitted
Seven animal rights activists - including one from Croydon and another from Chiswick - are due to be sentenced for blackmailing companies who supplied Huntingdon Life Sciences. Gerrah Selby, 20, from Chiswick and Gavin Medd-Hall, 45, from Croydon
Pupils from Wimbledon primary schools have been getting their hands dirty and planting trees as part of the £1m restoration of South Park Gardens. Green students at Holy Trinity, Pelham, St Mary’s and The Priory primary schools were planting
An ex-soldier is attempting to right an injustice by putting together a Roll of Honour for the 11th Hussars who fought in the Second World War. David Eason fought with the Royal Hussars in the Gulf in 1991. After leaving the army he developed a fascination
A Balham shopkeeper’s son has bought a Great Britain-shaped island in Dubai because he says he misses home. Property developer Safi Qurashi, 39, who grew up in Balham and went to school at Emanuel School, Battersea, bought the 11-acre island
Surrey County Council (SCC) has urged adults in Elmbridge to get involved in a new scheme that will teach cycling proficiency to the borough’s younger residents. The Bikeability scheme is designed to give the next generation the skills and
One the country’s quickest wits is going back to his roots for a night of off-the-cuff comedy. Former Merton resident Paul Merton, the star of topical quiz show Have I got News For You, was born Paul Martin - but after learning about a performer
Samantha Jones, chief executive of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is expecting twins. She will go on maternity leave in March and expects to return to her highly pressured job in October. During her absence her duties
This month marks the 24th anniversary of the Putney gas explosion which took the lives of eight local residents. Dozens were also left injured after iron gas pipes fractured at Newnham House in Putney Hill on January 10, 1985. The explosion
Pop legend Sting has donated his bass guitar to a lucky Lambeth school child, as part of the Mayor’s musical instrument amnesty. The musician is the latest in a string of high-profile artists who have contributed to the No Strings Attached
Two explorers have returned from a two month trip around the Antarctic, in which they raised over £20,000 for charity, and want to thank the East Molesey woman who gave them a helping hand. Gavin Booth, 33, and Adam Wilton, 30, set out from
To celebrate the launch of ‘Close Encounter of a Very Green kind’ by Garry Errill the Guardian are offering 10 lucky young readers a chance to win the adventure book for children. Close Encounter of a Very Green kind follows the exploits of
The Croydon Police Independent Advisory Group (IAG) has extended its deadline for members of the community to join. The IAG is a group of community volunteers who provide independent advice to senior police officers in Croydon. The aim of
