Alas, farewell. The time has come to say goodbye.

I must go on to pastures new. I think I have managed to promote Croydon as a good place to live, work and study. What more is there to say?

Adult Education has been going well, and I am hoping that the students will all re-enrol for the new units starting after half term in February. My best class has been the one I teach at Croydon High Street, which is a lovely centre.

The students have done very well and have been socialising during the breaks. Some of them have also joined a social networking site in order to communicate with one another in Spanish.

I have also heard that the new centre at New Addington is well worth a visit - I must go there some time.

The council have done a lot for us as well. Many of the playgrounds have had improved facilities.

I am amazed at how quickly our council react to things.

If I inform them about graffiti, it is cleaned up within a couple of days.

The streetscene officers always clean up whenever I let them know about other issues - ie dead foxes, rubbish strewn across the parks, etc. etc.

If I contact our local councillor about anything at all, it is acted on straight away.

The other week I e-mailed him to let him know that Pixton Way in Forestdale was full of holes. On the very same day a team came out and filled them up. If our grit box is empty, it gets filled up. When we asked for a "Keep Clear" sign in our street, that was done. I then had one done in the street below, at a neighbour's request.

Parking issues are also dealt with.

I feel lucky to live in Croydon borough.

Last night we were having an enjoyable Mexical meal at the Polo Club we are members of.

The chef usually comes out and greets us - he waved at us from the door this time.

The owner of the club, who used to be the drummer with Faces, Small Faces and The Who, loves standing at the bar chatting to us because we are both musicians and therefore interested in his music.

It is a very friendly atmosphere, and there are usually hugs and kisses all round.

There is one thing missing, though.

It is near a small village and everyone is white English. I am always pleased to be back in lovely, multicultural Croydon.

All the best,

ANNE