One of the most thoughtless and controversial policies that the coalition government initiated once they took power was to stop the education maintenance allowance (EMA), which was set up initially to help teenage students from poorer backgrounds stay
Police have released enhanced CCTV images they hope will help identify a man who indecently exposed himself on a train. A 23-year-old woman from Tooting, fell asleep on the train travelling between Clapham Junction and Ewell West on January
Streatham and Croydon RFC could clinch the Surrey Three title by the end of the month after opening up an eight-point gap at the top of the table, writes James Haggis. A 43-14 win over Old Amplefordians last Saturday increased their lead at
Darius Knight is going full steam ahead in his quest to make this summer’s London Olympics. The 22-year-old from Wandsworth has been living a regimented regime in Austria for the past three months as he looks to make the transition from promising
Sometimes I retrospect my life in my old school and thank heaven I am out of there. At the start of a lesson, it would usually take 10 minutes to settle down, because your classmates were busy with all sorts of things. Some were chattering, some arguing
Herne Hill Harriers won 27 medals at the Surrey County Indoor Championships at Sutton Arena last weekend. Across all age groups, they claimed a staggering 12 golds, seven silvers and eight bronzes – with two of those coming in the men’s U17 60m where
Streatham Redskins may be bottom of English National Ice Hockey League One South and on a run of 11 defeats in 12 games, but head coach Barry Spours is still hopeful of survival, writes James Haggis. Despite their terrible run, in which they have a solitary
Shrin Irving won her fourth National title after triumphing in the under 17 women’s pentathlon at the England combined events championships in Sheffield. The 15 year-old Croydon Harrier, won the 60m hurdles (8.92secs), shot (10.41m) and long jump
The Epsom Players are staging a production of the Gershwin classic Crazy for You this month. Directed by Steve Green with musical direction by Nic Luker and choreography by Karen Ward, Crazy for You follows the story of Bobby Child - a well to do
A new comedy will be making its debut next month following three Hormonal Housewives as they battle weight gain, weight loss, PMS and men. Written by husband and wife team, Julie Coombe and Jon McIsacc, Hormonal Housewives follows the lives, loves and
Enjoy an evening of jazz with like-minded musicians at Jenny Green's jazz jam later this month. Bring your instruments to The Green Room at the Leatherhead Theatre for an opportunity to play with professionals and have an impromptu jam.
New Addington’s Gareth Gardner is aiming to become only the second man to hold two Queensbury Boxing League belts at the same time this Saturday. The 27-year-old carpenter already holds the super middleweight title having defeated Luke Dawson in November
Crystal Palace's Lee Hills ended almost two years of injury heartache when he made his debut for Southend United at Burton Albion on Saturday, writes Chris Phillips. Hills, who joined the Shrimpers on loan for the rest of the season, has been out of
England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw returned to his roots to train with Warlingham’s kids on Sunday. The 25-year-old Harlequins flanker, who was a pupil at Cumnor House School, began his career at the club as a seven-year-old.
Banana Tree is a mini chain of restaurants with a branch on Battersea Rise. It was formerly known as Banana Leaf Canteen but recently underwent a rebranding and emerged with a new menu. The cuisine is that of Indochina and can best be
Controversy within Surrey County Council's administration continued with the news that Councillor Ian Lake’s transport member replacement has a recent drink drive conviction. Councillor John Furey’s new role in the cabinet includes promoting
High winds and poor weather conditions have hampered contractor’s efforts to repair the damaged roof at Epsom Racecourse this week. Cranes were on site for much of last week working to replace the wind-damaged roof panelling on the £23.5m Queen's
Escape to a world where there are multiple portals, two moons and an ex-mercenary who runs the best brothel in the city. Fantasy writer Gaie Sebold, 49, from Sutton has published her first book which tells the story of a heroine known as Babylon
At first glance the Surrey Palace might appear to be just another Indian restaurant among dozens. But on arriving you soon realise that the Surrey Palace is striving for a little more than what’s expected. Established for over 20 years
The future of St Helier is in jeopardy after it became the frontrunner for plans to close an accident and emergency (A&E) and maternity unit. One hospital out of the four in south-west London is likely to have both front-line services axed
A special adaptation of Ken Keasey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest is set to mark the 50th anniversary of its publication. The plot tells the tale of Randle Patrick McMurphy, who is transferred to a mental institution for evaluation
This month sees a host of new artwork, visual art and live performances at the Construction Gallery. The pop-up creative hub in Upper Tooting Road, Tooting, is showcasing locally-based talent for three months with a constantly changing programme. Newly
Where’s Wally and an Umpa Lumpa, were some of the characters who turned up to school on Thursday (March 1). Children at Culvers House Primary School came dressed as their favourite book character as part of Book Week. Children and parents
A football team conceded a winning goal after a kit blunder left them a man short. Volunteers have been asked to help wash Tooting and Mitcham United’s kit after the clothing disaster struck during an away match on February 14. Tooting
An elderly woman has died following a two car crash in Thornton Heath. Police and three ambulance crews were called to the junction of Melfort Road and Strathyre Avenue following the crash at 9.45am this morning. A spokesman from London
A controversial polyclinic will benefit from a £5.2m cash boost in the wake of fears over the closure of A+E and maternity wards. The Government announced Kingston NHS would receive the money which will help pay for the planned centre at the
Motorists are facing possible delays after a water leak in Croydon. Emergency repairs are taking place in Purley Way at the junction with Waddon Road and Mill Lane. Traffic will be “severely affected” by the work, which takes place between
The England rugby captain and a classical singer visited young cancer patients in Sutton. Chris Robshaw, England Rugby Union and Harlequins captain and his partner, Camilla Kerslake, spent a couple of hours touring the Oak Centre for Children
Where have all the children gone in Croydon? The Croydon Guardian is on the lookout for the favourite tot of 2012 and it could be your lucky year. Simply take your little one to the photography stand at Centrale, in the Lower Mall, near
A road traffic incident has left Melfort Road and Strathyre Road in Thornton Heath closed. Motorists are advised to avoid these roads if possible and allow extra time for journeys if going in that area. MORE TO FOLLOW
The search for stripped down, no make-up and certainly no airbrushed beauty has come to Croydon. A group of five women, who showed off their natural beauty at Centrale Shopping Centre as part of ITV show Larraine Naked, appeared on the programme
A playgroup that looks after almost 50 children is facing homelessness. Burwood Playgroup rents a classroom and office space in Burhill Infant School, Hersham, but was told at Christmas time that they had to move on. The school, currently an infant
Artist Mark Stammers unveiled an art piece called Motional Figure on Monday, March 5. The sculpture in front of the Xcel Leisure Centre in Walton symbolises the movement and energy channelled in engaging in sports and physical activity. The art installation
Get to the front of the Kew and learn about Ancient Mayan culture and the creation of chocolate this Easter. To celebrate the holidays Kew Gardens will be offering a self-guided, interactive family trail, an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and a number
A five-year-old child prodigy has had a personal invite from the Queen ahead of her Diamond Jubilee this summer. Carshalton wonderkid Aadarsh George will head to the celebrations with his parents on June 6. After numerous television
A son has paid loving tribute to a kind hearted woman who devoted 40 years of her life to raising cash for a Tolworth scout group. Much loved Muriel Drury died after a battle with cancer at the beginning of the month aged 72, leaving behind
A footballer beaten into a coma while on holiday in Greece four years ago remains in the dark over when his alleged attackers could face justice. Former Sutton United and Croydon Athletic footballer Robbie Hughes needed four lifesaving operations
Could your little one be the Wimbledon Guardian Child of the Year? We are on the lookout for the favourite tot of 2012 and it could be your lucky year. Simply take your little one along to the photography stand at the Centrecourt shopping
Friends of a Surbiton photojournalist killed by pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya one year ago will take part in a gruelling bike race to raise cash for his children. As the first anniversary of the death of Anton Hammerl approaches, fellow photographers
Firefighters put out a chip pan fire in a flat this morning. A crew from Sutton fire station was called at about 12.20am to a flat in Cotswold Way, Worcester Park. The kitchen was alight but firefighters said the resident did the correct
A warehouse and distribution centre could create 500 jobs on an industrial estate. The proposal was put to Croydon Council strategic planning committee on Thursday March 1 by Indigo Planning, for the Ullswater Industrial Estate in Coulsdon,
Staff at the Royal Star and Garter attended a special memorial service for a fearless World War II spy who lived at the care home for the last eight years of her life. Nancy Wake, who was one of the most decorated women in the armed forces,
A church is looking for help to clear up a run-down green space near Worcester Park station. Worcester Park Baptist Church came up with the idea of restoring the open space at the end of The Avenue. Kingston Council laid a new path in
Parking wardens will get police escorts as they clamp down on blue badge fraud, in a pilot scheme that could be rolled out across Merton. Fears for the safety of those checking the badges – used by some disabled people entitled to free parking
A man has died after being hit by a train just minutes after a domestic assault. Tariq Goss, 44, was struck by a train in the early hours of Friday March 2 near Upper Warlingham Station. About 20 minutes earlier police were called to
The owner of House of Reeves has slammed vandals who have damaged the hoardings around the old shop. At the beginning of the year, hoardings which displaying a gallery of images were put up around the site of the old store, which was destroyed
A controversial mosque attracting a congregation of up to 120 people is planned for Purley. Plans to build an Islamic centre on Russell Hill Place, Purley, just metres from Purley United Reform Church, have divided the community with 216 letters
An armed robber who used website Gumtree to target a couple and threaten to shoot them in their own home has been jailed for two years. Awhan Edani posed as a buyer for two iPhones listed on the online classifieds site but, when he met the
A woman was lucky to escape uninjured after she fell asleep while cooking last night. Firefighters were called to the property in Acres Way, Coulsdon, at about 10pm after the woman's neighbours were alerted to the smell of smoke. They
By Shas Sheehan, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Wimbledon Liberal Democrats Even a cursory glance at the budget figures shows that had the Labour run council wished to do so, it could have safeguarded services for third sector organisations
A gang of angry youths "tormented" a terrified bus driver who had to seek counselling after she thought she would be shot. A 15-year-old boy from Mitcham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted by Wimbledon magistrates court yesterday
A member of a hooded mob that attacked Kingston mosque hung from the front of the building and tried to pull parts of it off as the violence raged, a court has heard. Nine men accused of the attack on November 21, 2010, are currently on trial
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service will receive £2m from the Government to improve and expand its emergency control room operation. The funding is an endorsement from central government and will enable the county to improve its control centre at a time when
Paranormal experts and monster hunters have been queuing up to give their interpretation of a mysterious "dark figure with no features" spotted in Ewell last month. Scott Martin and his family were travelling home by taxi on Tuesday, February
The UK’s first and only touring burlesque show is coming to town. Theatregoers are promised corsets, killer heels and stockings aplenty. Showcasing award-winning talent from across the country, it’s an opportunity to see some of the world’s biggest
Budding young artists are asked to compete to create a design for an 8ft model inspired by the Diamond Jubilee. The Arc Arts & Recreation centre, Caterham, in partnership with Jean Hammond from Tollers Design Centre, Coulsdon, and the Caterham
A couple have donated a historic item from their own collection to a WWII exhibition after relics were stolen from a newly discovered air raid shelter. Val and Tony Tait, of Wallington, were shocked to hear thieves had removed a skip placed
Putney MP Justine Greening could face legal action from Heathrow for blocking the third runway plan. Airport operator BAA said a judicial review was an "option" if it was felt the Transport Secretary had ruled out the option unfairly or without
The Sutton Guardian is now available to you any time, at home or on the move as we launch our new iPhone app. Simply download the app for free from iTunes to your iPhone, iPod or iPad and see the latest news, sport and features from the
A police operation has led to a gang of “untouchable” teenage armed robbers who rode on superbikes to rob banks, hospitals and newsagents being jailed for more than 50 years. In a six-month crime spree starting in September 2010, they robbed
By Laurie North, via Email I find the article on Miss Mba (Entire Sunday off work not core component of faith, March 1) quite extraordinary, not only because of its content, but because of the accompanying 'What do people think?’, which
A couple are facing financial ruin after a row over scaffolding and a religious festival has led to them owing a Hindu temple £62,000. The two-year legal battle began in 2010 after 60-year-old Olga Nitsche and her husband Alan, 62, of Kenilworth
A pensioner murdered in his home was facing charges for alleged offences committed just five weeks before his death, it emerged this week. The body of Winston Fernandez, 69, was found at his home in Longdown Lane North, Ewell, on the morning
