your ISSUE 73 – SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
The streets are alive with the sound of cycling - page 7 Ping! returns with table tennis across the borough - page 6 Summer of fun – calendar of events for all the family - pages 10 and 11
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Celebrating Croydon Welcome to the Summer Special edition of Your Croydon, the first to appear in print for a while. We opted for this format as the magazine you’re holding contains lots of dates and events you might want to keep at hand through the summer months, especially if you’ve got young ones to keep entertained. Yes, despite the wonders of new technology, the magazine format can still be useful. As the leader of Croydon Council, I can see much to celebrate and take pride in when looking at the achievements across our borough in recent months. Some clear highlights have been the amazing run to the FA Cup Final by Crystal Palace; great work by our younger people, with school exam results continuing to improve; the opening of London’s most advanced new tech hub in the centre of Croydon, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the town; Croydon again hosting the Pearl Izumi Tour Series and the Matrix Fitness Grand Prix Series, London’s only professional cycle races for men and women; and much more. From a council perspective, I’m delighted that our £30m pound investment into a major refurbishment of the Fairfield Halls is about to get under way; and that, on a very practical level, we have continued to prosecute those caught fly-tipping and will be increasing the maximum fines to £400 for those prosecuted of this most antisocial of crimes. I’m determined that we continue to make progress in cleaning up Croydon’s streets, and we will use all tools at our disposal to keep the Don’t Mess with Croydon campaign moving forward. If you’re lucky enough to be having a holiday this summer, have a great break. However, as you can see, there is an amazing amount going on in Croydon – including, once again, our free summer swimming for the under-16s at the borough’s leisure centres. Happy reading.
SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
Highlights Pro cyclists storm the streets.....................3 Men’s and women’s professional cycling returned to Croydon to thrill the crowds gathered on the towncentre circuit.
Culture in Croydon..................... 8/9 A two-page overview of the council’s plans for art provision in the borough over the next couple of years.
Summer of fun...................... 10/11 All you need to know if you’re planning a staycation in Croydon over the summer months.
We’re not messing with Croydon....................................... 14-16 Residents get behind the council’s campaign to make Croydon a cleaner, greener place in which to live, work and visit.
Town-centre’s bee haven............................. 19 Croydon Saffron Central is playing host to its own army of pollinators this summer with the installation of an onsite hive.
Highlighting war’s horrors................. 21 A top-class exhibition takes visitors back 100 years to life for soldiers in the trenches and for those left at home.
Cllr Tony Newman Leader of the council @cllrtony
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Thrills galore as pro cyclists storm the streets Fearsome early weather conditions were no deterrent for top-class cyclists as they returned to boost town for second year. Following hot in the tyre tracks of last year’s town-centre pro cycle race, the Pearl Izumi Tour Series returned last month to once again thrill the crowds of Croydon. The only London leg in the series, Croydon was a key stage in the overall
event. And, like last year, this year’s race, on 7 June, enjoyed worldwide TV coverage, with millions of viewers seeing the town at its best. Despite thunder, lightning and torrential rain earlier in the day, the race drew thousands of spectators to the course, many from beyond Croydon, spurring on the international elite racers as they tore round a town-centre circuit taking in High Street, Katharine Street and Edridge Road. The afternoon and evening event hosted pro men’s and women’s races, fun
races for Croydon schoolchildren and, new for this year, the Mayor’s Charity Cup relay race, contested by nine teams from local organisations and cycling clubs. Winners were the team from Croydon Police Station, followed across the line by the TfL team and, in third place, the Old Portlians. The race is expected to raise about £3,000 for the Mayor’s charities. For details and results of the pro-cyclist events, go to www.tourseries.co.uk/ home.php
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SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
Giving power to the people
The decision to give each ward its own budget to fund local improvements has been a winner across the borough – and more is on the way. Devolution – taking power from the Town Hall and giving it to the borough’s communities – is one of the prime aims of the council. Wherever possible, key decisions, and the capacity to see them carried out, have been devolved from the council’s Katharine Street base to residents’ groups and organisations in all corners of Croydon. An early move saw the setting up of Community Ward Budgets, granting each councillor £2,000 to support local projects following discussions with residents. The scheme has proved a great success, resulting in a range of projects. So far, the budgets have helped fund community clean-ups, improvements to children’s playgrounds, and support for young people’s involvement in sporting activities.
Councillor Alison Butler split her money between two community gardening projects, one at Thornton Heath library and another at Thornton Heath Recreation Ground – both of which are, somewhat confusingly, in her ward of Bensham Manor. Fairfield’s three councillors – Helen Pollard, Vidhi Mohan, and Susan Winborn – opted to pool their funds and put all £6,000 into the Park Hill Family Festival, organised by the Friends of Park Hill. This helped bring the Dance Bus to the event, which was a huge success as part of the Londonwide Big Dance project. In Selhurst, Councillor David Wood decided to support digital skills learning by putting £1,000 each into the local Go On Croydon initiative, and a computer Code Club at Whitehorse Manor.
Ward budgets at work: community-building projects
And in Sanderstead, the majority of the funding was shared between improvements to Hamsey Green pond and the Sanderstead Festival, a fun day for local families to get out and enjoy themselves as a community. The success of the scheme has prompted the decision to increase the budgets next year to £4,000 per councillor (a total of £12,000 for most wards), enough to give local
people even more control in their areas. The council feels that the days of “the Town Hall knows best” are over, and that the borough’s residents and local communities are part of what makes Croydon so great. The powers to take decisions will increasingly be put into the hands of the people those decisions will most affect – the residents of Croydon.
Testing the boundaries With a review of the borough’s ward boundaries under way, the opinions of residents’ are being sought. An imbalance that sees councillors in some wards representing many more, or fewer, constituents than the borough average, has sparked a reassessment of the political map of Croydon. As Croydon grows and changes, there is a need to ensure that there is the right number of councillors representing local people and there is consistency in the number of electors each councillor represents. Requested by the council, and independently conducted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, the aim of the review
is ensure each councillor represents a similar number of voters. Visit www.croydon. gov.uk/democracy/electoralreview-of-croydon-council The consultation period follows preliminary work that saw the commission gathering information about the makeup of the council, the number of voters per councillor and forecasts for future local elections. The latest voter population figures show that Broad Green and Fairfield were 10% above the average; while the numbers for Coulsdon East and Selsdon & Ballards were more than 10% below.
Those variances could possibly require a redrawing of ward boundaries but the forecasts of electors for 2022 show the inequalities growing considerably. A public consultation on how this could affect ward boundaries starts on 26 July and closes on 26 September. During those dates, views can be expressed at http:// consultation. lgbce.org.uk
Croydon - Existing wards by variance Greater than 10%
(1)
Between 10% and -10%
(20)
Greater than -10%
(3)
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
The Mayor of Croydon Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor Croydon has a new Mayor, and he is determined to use his year in office to showcase the borough’s business, arts and cultural offer. Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor grew up in Waddon and went to school at Regina Coeli, South Croydon, and then to The John Fisher School, Purley, which he attributes to helping form his core beliefs and political views. The borough’s first openly gay mayor, away from politics he likes to spend time with family and friends, and walking his and his partner’s two dogs. He also enjoys cycling and genealogy. Working for a number of years for the trade union, MSF (now Unite), he became active in local politics in South Norwood, where he then lived. His union role took him all over the UK, although he says he was never happier than when working with members in Croydon. The theme of his Mayoral year is business, arts and culture, and, as well as working closely with the business community to encourage more businesses to come to Croydon, he is keen to show off Croydon’s rich arts and cultural offerings. Councillor Trakas-Lawlor has elected to support three local charities during his year of office – the Stanley People’s Initiative, Croydon Commitment, and The British Home. His Deputy Mayor is Councillor Toni Letts.
The Mayoralty in numbers
512
Average public engagements per year
£500K+
106 Croydon Mayors
Amount of money raised for nominated charities
1883 5 Year the first Mayor was chosen
Periods in office of Councillor Frederick Edridge
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l a v i t s e f s i Table tenn n o d y o r C o t returns A council-backed free table tennis festival that drew thousands of people last year returns for a summer of fun. Majestic back-hand returns, devastating fore-hand smashes and cunningly placed, net-skimming services with plenty of back spin – these silky skills and more were much in evidence across the borough last summer. The reason? The Ping! table tennis festival. In June of last year, Croydon Council and Table Tennis England installed 15 ping-pong tables and equipment at outdoor and indoor locations across the borough. It gave residents, workers and visitors the opportunity to play impromptu matches as part of the nationwide Ping! festival – and rediscover skills that, in some cases, had not been exercised for quite a while. Now, the expanded festival is back, running until the end of August with more than 25 tables at locations ranging from parks and community centres to cafés. As with last year’s event – which drew about 450 people in the first week alone – Ping! volunteers keep the tables stocked with bats and balls. On top of free use of the tables, there is the chance to take part in ping-
pong master classes and competitions at some of the locations. A festival highlight will be a competition to mark National Table Tennis Day on 14 July at Croydon’s Centrale shopping centre. Ping! this summer at: • Matthews Yard • Ashburton Park • Wandle Park • Thornton Heath Recreation Ground • Croydon Arena • Fieldway Community Centre • Lost Format Society rooftop cinema, Fairfield Halls car park When the festival ends, many of the tables will remain permanently installed in parks and estates, or donated to organisations for the benefit of the community. The festival is just one of a summer of council-backed leisure events returning to Croydon, from last month’s Pearl Izumi cycling races, to this autumn’s follow-up to last year’s Ambition music festival. For more information, visit www.pingengland.co.uk/croydon
SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
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TMRW is here today A new technology hub providing affordable office space and support to tech-savvy entrepreneurs and small businesses has opened its doors in Croydon. An exciting new tech space in the town centre’s High Street has sprung into life thanks to £2m of investment, and a rentand rate-free period from the council. Dubbed TMRW, and located in the council’s Davis House building, it is rapidly cementing the town’s reputation as the fastest-growing tech centre in London. With 21,000 sq ft of offices offering 320 desk spaces, a range of meeting and board rooms, and a 200-capacity technology-enabled events space, it is set to draw the capital’s most progressive technology businesses looking to scale up and grow fast. TMRW also offers business-support services including web development, hosting and cloud services, public relations
advice, recruitment, online customer acquisition, legal services, and accounting. Launched in May, the scheme provides anyone who is looking for a place to develop and grow businesses related to technology or the arts with a sleek new working environment in the heart of the town centre. Users of TMRW’s facilities can access unique business classes, organised meet-ups between people with complementary ideas, and a variety of activities that will help them network with the wider business community. The building also provides space for emerging and established south London artists to display their work, and, to fend off the hunger pangs induced by all that cutting-edge endeavour, there is a café focusing on the use of locallysourced, in-season, freshly made food.
Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for economy and jobs
This is a fantastic project that‘s gone from an idea to inception in under a year and is already helping build a community of entrepreneurs, thinkers, risk-takers, musicians, artists, investors, and businesses. “It’s one of our priorities to bring business and employment opportunities into the town. TMRW is just the latest example of how we’re successfully doing this – we expect to see some £7bn invested here over the next few years.
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LOOKING OUT
SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
FOR CROYDON’S
Murray takes centre court for culture in Croydon Croydon’s new culture director is primed to serve for game, set and match to deliver a crowd-pleasing two-year programme. A revamped Ambition Festival to be held in Boxpark, a visual arts fringe event, and an ‘Arts Partnership Fund’ for Croydon are just the start of the council’s new two-year cultural development programme. And the borough’s new culture director, Paula Murray, is the person tasked with putting Croydon into a more prominent position within the capital’s culture calendar. She has only recently joined Croydon from
Brighton and her initial two-year timetable has been set to coincide with the scheduled reopening of Fairfield Halls in 2018, following a £30m refurbishment. Early talks with Croydon’s key arts organisations, event promoters and venues, have kick-started an ambitious project that will turn Croydon into a cultural force to be reckoned with. “Croydon isn’t in this alone,” she said. “As well as our brilliant local arts groups and many passionate individuals, organisations like the Arts Council and Visit London will have an important part to play in helping to fund, shape and
promote what we have to offer. “I know that the theatre world already shares our confidence because building work hasn’t even started on Fairfield yet and we’ve had several professional operators come to us with early ideas for how the venue might be run in the future.” As well as looking at the sorts of national touring shows that will be drawn to the revamped Fairfield, Paula stresses the important role of youth activity and community-led events. She said: “While the halls are closed, we’ll be putting the focus on Croydon’s other venues. Places like Matthew’s
Yard, Stanley Halls, the Clocktower and Town Hall spaces, local churches, and parks and open spaces. “Big-name acts will be increasingly drawn to Croydon as new venues and improved facilities are made available, but a grass-roots arts movement is vital, too. “Art and culture have to be affordable and everyone needs to be able to access things they are interested in, be that dance and music, or theatre, comedy and the visual arts.”
Spotlight falls on brutalist concrete Getting behind the Fairfield scenes before the curtain falls for £30m refit. The National Trust has teamed up with the council to let people explore the Fairfield Halls’ brutalist 1960s architecture and design like never before. Following a similar project that saw hundreds of people
look inside the workings of the Southbank Centre prior to its refurbishment, Fairfield will be giving visitors one last chance to look behind the scenes before the 50-year-old building is completely modernised. The tours, looking at areas of the buildings never before accessible to the public, will reveal a masterpiece of modernist design. Turning the Fairfield inside out, the tours will explore the history of the site and the utopian visions of the 1960s and brutalism. Running from 16 to 24 July, the tours will include nearby Amp House and No1 Croydon. Tickets and information will be available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/london They delve into the craftsmanship and care that went into these concrete constructions, the relationship of function and form throughout the buildings, and their reception and use over more than half a century. From original 1960s machinery rooms, to dressing rooms, green rooms and more, the tour presents the iconic building at a unique turning-point in its history.
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
CULTURAL
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FUTURE
New lease of life for venerable old lady A wide-ranging refurbishment and remodelling programme will breathe new life into the borough’s cultural arts centre. With a £30m modernisation programme about to be launched, Fairfield Halls can expect to remain the heartbeat of Croydon’s cultural offering for decades to come. Built in 1963 and based largely on the design of the Royal Festival Hall, the building is in urgent need of a makeover. To make this happen as quickly and affordably as possible, the halls will be temporarily closed until August 2018. On reopening, the running and booking of events and shows will be handled by a new organisation, and the concert hall, Arnhem Gallery and Ashcroft Theatre will provide the sorts of facilities that modern productions need and contemporary audiences expect. Alongside the refit of the Halls building, Croydon College will get a brand new building, the gardens around the complex will be completely remodelled, new cafés and restaurants will be opened and hundreds of new homes will help bring the area to life.
Mixing with the A-listers Taking art underground London’s largest independent underground gallery will be built in Croydon. A key element of the wider accessed by a new glazed £750m Fairfield Halls and cloister and will feature a large College Green regeneration bespoke frameless skylight won’t be immediately obvious providing the basement art to visitors to the area when space with natural light. the work is completed in two Paula Murray said: “This years’ time. fantastic new space will offer In space currently given the kinds of light and over to parking cars, a environment control suitable 2,000sq m gallery will play a for major visiting exhibitions, major part in seeing the area loans and displays. transformed into a vibrant “This adds an important centre for arts and education extra dimension to the £30m in the town. refurbishment of the Fairfield/ The underground gallery, to College Green regeneration, be located in the current meaning we can properly subterranean car park beneath embrace the visual arts, as College Green, will be well as performances.”
The arrival in Croydon of a Hollywood film crew was the trigger for what one student hopes will be a career in film production. When the team behind a Hollywood blockbuster decided that Croydon offered some great locations, Croydon Film Office encouraged the production team to offer work experience to local young people.
And that was how Amy Jones who was 17 while the production was shooting, in autumn 2014, found herself on the set of Criminal with the
likes of Kevin Costner, and Gary Oldman. Amy, at the time a student at Croydon High School, Selsdon, said: “I was put in touch with Croydon Film Office when I said I was interested in seeing what happens on a film set. I’m hoping to go in to the film industry when I finish studying. “Criminal was filming around Fairfield at the time, and the film officers arranged for me to go along and shadow the runners. “Kevin Costner and Gary Oldman were in the scenes. For me it was very exciting, of course. You don’t think of them as real people – it’s almost a surprise to find they are man-sized. To keep up to date with all Croydon filming, visit www. croydonfilmoffice.co.uk
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SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
Croydon’s sum Whether you fancy hanging out on the top deck of a car park to watch classic films on an outdoor screen, or you just want to take the kids to the funfair – Croydon has loads to offer. Here’s a selection of what the next few months has in store – more listings and links to details of individual events can be found on our What’s On page at https:// news.croydon.gov.uk/whats-on/ Croydon Airport open days Free tours on the first Sunday of every month. The Grade II listed building was once Britain’s first international airport terminal where Britain’s national airline was initially based and where the distress call “Mayday, mayday, mayday” was invented.
ONGOING EVENTS Rooftop cinema and bar (Thursdays – Sundays) The top floor of NCP Fairfield car park has been transformed into Croydon’s (not-so-secret) rooftop beer garden and outdoor cinema. Every week, from Thursday through to Sunday, enjoy a film, a bite to eat and a drink, accompanied by one of London’s best views of the sunset. Ping! Table Tennis Festival (until end of August) The free table tennis festival returns with more than 25 tables at a range of locations from parks and community centres to cafés.
Whitgift School Exhibition Centre: Remembering 1916 – Life on the Western Front (until 31 August) To coincide with the centenary of the First World War, Whitgift School in South Croydon is hosting a major exhibition which brings together an outstanding range of original artefacts that includes objects, photographs, letters, uniforms and memorabilia. Shirley Windmill open days. 7 August and 4 September Visitors to the mill are given a full guided tour covering the history, operation and principal features of the historic Shirley Windmill.
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
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mmer of fun JULY EVENTS Hashtag @Theatre Utopia (6-10 July) #Hashtag is an explorative piece of theatre into the world of social media. Do we know the difference between the virtual world and the real world? The Streets – South Norwood (9-10 July) Acclaimed soprano Amanda Forbes will be a highlight of two days of entertainment, taking opera to the streets in the company of a mix of works from various artists and genres. Visitors will be able to enjoy street stalls, food markets and many local artists and performers. South Norwood Community Festival (10 July) A free family event with a fun fair, music of all kinds, food of every description, and a varied programme of events. Race for Life, Lloyd Park (10 July) Run 5k or 10k in aid of Cancer Research UK in this popular annual event. Survival of the Fittest @Theatre Utopia (12-17 July) Lippy Theatre presents Survival of the Fittest, a play that concentrates on body image in society today. Thornton Heath Arts Week (16-23 July) This year’s Arts Week will include a book jam, quiz night, film and poetry evening, music workshop, and pop-up arts and crafts stalls in High Street. Millers Pond Summer Fayre (16 July) Millers Pond is a hidden gem of a park in Shirley, and the annual fayre is a chance to bring a picnic, meet with other locals and chat to the various voluntary groups from the area. Suburbaret! @Theatre Utopia (17 July) A cabaret show in celebration of all things suburban! Rhythm‘n’Views Film Festival, Thornton Heath (18-31 July) Celebrating films that have music at the heart of them – from new releases, biopics and musicals, to documentaries, animations and old-time classics.
Tempting Failure @Matthew’s Yard (21-29 July) Tempting Failure brings together an eclectic selection of performance art and noise art from some of the most exciting artists around the world. Wandle Park Garden Party (24 July) The garden party is becoming a firm fixture in the local diary for anyone who loves a great day out in a relaxed oasis. Ashburton Park ‘Funpark’ (28 July-13 August) Europe’s ‘largest travelling theme park’, open from 1pm to 9pm daily.
AUGUST EVENTS Play Day 2016 – Addington Park (3 August) A free, fun day including inflatables, sports, wall climbing, dance, music and lots more. ScreamFest at Scream Lounge (19-21 August) Line-up includes Dog Town Dojo, Coffee Pot Drive, Trevor’s Head, Dave Sears & Mike ‘The Taste’ Brown, Bird of Arms, Rob Bartlitz, Paul ‘The Captain’ Watson, Tenyson, Kyrb Grinder, Out of Context, and many more to be announced. £5 entry per day, or £10 for all three days. Friday 6pm to midnight; Saturday 6pm to midnight; Sunday (suitable for all ages) 4pm to 10pm. Lloyd Park Carnival funfair (26 August-4 September) Family funfair open from noon to 9pm daily. Croydon Pride Fest (28 August) The festival will start with a parade along North End, led by Rainbows Across Borders. This will be followed by music, dance and other activities into the evening. Legendary cabaret act, Topping and Butch, known for their Edinburgh Festival and Radio 4 appearances, will be one of the headline performers.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS Thornton Heath Festival (4 September) Artists currently lined up include national Soca champion Triniboi Joocie, locally based international reggae star Dani-I, Thornton Heath’s own contestant from The Voice UK, Ben Brown, and local songstress Kimberley SK. There will also be dancers, a carnival procession, a fun-fair, and street stalls selling delicious food, and arts and crafts. Circus Fantasia, Addington Park (7-11 September) Traditional circus shows from 5pm to 9pm daily.
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SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
Go On - learn some digital skills The council’s Go On Croydon initiative is helping to arm local people with the confidence and skills needed to make the most of new technology. A project that will see local people better equipped to meet today’s digital challenge is enhancing Croydon’s reputation as the capital’s fastest-growing tech centre. Go On Croydon provides residents with the skills needed to go online to benefit from saving money, searching and applying for a job, finding family members, or the simple enjoyment of keeping in touch or doing some research. The project was launched at the beginning of November, with digital zones in Access Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House, and in Lloyds Bank branches in George Street and North End. Since then, additional zones have been opened by Age UK Croydon, Argos, Croydon African Caribbean Family Organisation UK, EE, and Job Centre Plus. The project, aiming to address the fact that 85,000 Croydon adults don’t have basic digital skills, is available to all, including those most in need of support, such as the homeless, families in poverty, the elderly, and small businesses. Recent research shows that people could save around
£1,000 a year by going online, and many people over the age of 55 say it also makes them feel part of modern society and less lonely. The digital zone in Access Croydon was the first such facility in the borough and has been an innovative and successful way of providing support and assistance to residents. Each digital zone has volunteers who, while confident in using IT, are not necessarily experts, but are keen to use their digital know-how to help others in the community. The project brings together national and local organisations, and community groups, charities and local volunteers, all of which run projects in the community; they include Argos, Lloyds Banking Group, Croydon Tech City, EE, Age UK, CVA and St Philip’s Church, Norbury. One of the aims of the project is to replicate the work taking place in Croydon across the whole of the UK.
Try Croydon’s first digital zone The borough’s first Go On digital zone, in the council’s Access Croydon, in Mint Walk, is open every Friday to provide help and support to people taking their first steps online or building confidence in using a smartphone, tablet or laptop to improve their skills.
To learn about Go On Croydon, and how you can get involved in your local area, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/go-on-croydon
Arthur Roche, a digital zone regular, said: “I came along here one day to make an enquiry about some benefits and they asked me for an email address. I said: ‘Well, I haven’t got one of those, what are they?’ “I ended up coming to the digital zone. At first, when I started learning, was how to use the mouse and you gradually move on to the keyboard, computers, the internet. I can even book a doctor’s appointment. I can find out how to travel somewhere. It’s just endless; an endless amount of information and knowledge. “I just love what I’m doing at the moment and it’s making me just want to get out of bed in the morning.”
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
£6m youth zone on the horizon East side story: new leis
ure and community cen
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tre.
New centre for young people aged eight to 19 will offer range of activities and better life opportunities. Exciting plans to create a £6m facility for young people in Croydon are well under way – and have fired the imagination of those who will use it. The purpose-built OnSide youth zone will offer affordable activities every day of the week in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring to young people aged from eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability. The aim of the joint venture between the council and youth charity OnSide is to raise aspirations, enhance prospects and improve health and well-being for young people in Croydon. The youth zone, proposed for Whitehorse Road in Thornton Heath, will provide 20 different activities during every session for up to 200 young people. The construction costs for the project will be jointly-funded by the council and the charity, with the council also contributing £300,000 per year toward running costs. OnSide will secure its share of construction and running costs from a combination of private sector supporters and charitable trusts and grants. The council invests heavily every year in new and expanded school facilities and the new centre will complement the borough’s four existing youth hubs and let even more young people develop new interests and skills, meet new friends, and become more ready for adult life.
Bethany Monk, 15, from Waddon, a pupil at Oasis Academy Shirley Park, is one of a group of young people taking part in workshops to come up with a name and logo for the youth zone.
She said: I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for Croydon and something the borough needs. Croydon doesn’t have a lot if you need somewhere to go to talk. I think there should be a sensory room or a boxing room where you can just go and let loose. I’m helping because I think sometimes young people should be helping everyone and give back and get things done to make Croydon a better place. I want to make the centre welcoming and reassuring to everyone.
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SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
h g i h e h t g n i t Bea s r e p p i t y fl street
London Road will become the next area to benefit from a council drive to keep high streets clear of fly-tipped business rubbish. Shopkeepers’ backing of a council initiative that has seen a drop in levels of fly-tipping has prompted the decision to expand the scheme. The success of the original trial, in Thornton Heath, and the way traders have embraced the new arrangements, has convinced the council that the model could be rolled out across the borough.
The Thornton Heath trial was a response to reports that business waste left on the pavement encouraged fly-tippers and made the shops less attractive to customers. Businesses at 100 Thornton Heath addresses now keep their commercial rubbish on their premises until it is collected after 6pm. The new regime means that the businesses dispose of their waste legally, and the council has collected an extra 1.5 tonnes of recycled waste and saved £6,000 in fly-tip disposal costs.
Mohammed Kafeel, manager of Islamabad Halal Butcher, in High Street, Thornton Heath. Most of the shops never cared before; now, because of the council putting on pressure, they do care. It feels nice and clean. A lot of people visit this shop and it’s much better for us. Since its introduction in March, the Thornton Heath scheme has seen an increase in the amount of recyclable waste collected, and saved thousands of pounds in fly-tip disposal costs. The scheme – part of the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign – has seen a daytime ban on private contractors collecting high-street businesses’ rubbish. Now, the council has expanded the 9am-6pm waste-collection restriction to businesses along London Road in Broad Green, and more trials are being considered for other areas later in the year. Enforcement is led by council neighbourhood safety officers, who have needed to hand out only two fixed-penalty notices for non-compliance since the Thornton Heath trial began. They have regularly visited shopkeepers, who have reported a tidier high street. The Don’t Mess campaign combines getting local people to become community champions with enforcement against the worst offences.
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
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‘Don’t Mess’ prosecutions on the climb Two court days in April saw the tally of individuals and businesses prosecuted for fly-tipping and littering grow by 18, taking the total to date to 90. A decorator who fly-tipped 20 bags of building waste at the roadside was among 18 people successfully prosecuted in April under the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon campaign. At Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 5 and 26 April, the 18 defendants were ordered to pay a total of £8,800 in fines and court costs for the offences, which ranged from illegally dumping business waste to urinating in the street. The biggest sentence, of 120 hours’ unpaid community service and £3,300 in overall costs, was handed out on 5 April to Daniel Pierre, aged 29, of Amesbury Avenue, in Streatham. His business, Dinerowork Ltd, was caught after dumping building waste on a grass verge beside Old Lodge Lane in Purley in March. On 26 April, 10 defendants were ordered to pay a total of £2,100 for offences ranging
from fly-tipping business waste, to dumping household rubbish and littering cigarettes. The council has now successfully prosecuted 90 people since launching the Don’t Mess campaign, which combines enforcement with encouraging residents to lead community litter picks – of which more than 280 have been carried out. Anybody found to have flytipped or used an unlicensed waste carrier faces unlimited fines and a possible court conviction. For more information on how to get involved in the Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign, visit www.croydon.gov.uk Dumped waste can also be reported via the council’s dedicated fly-tipping hotline on 020 8604 7000, the council’s My Croydon smartphone app or by emailing flytip@croydon. gov.uk
the 5 April prosecutions included: • Milton Howlett, of Beulah Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £1,040 as both an individual and director of Doctor Bird Global Food Importers Ltd for dumping oil drums, black bin liners and cardboard in Beulah Road on 22 October. • Haart Estate Agents, of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £685 for fly-tipping black sacks of business waste on the pavement in Melfort Road on 29 October. • Joao Soares Da Costa, aged 47, of Kynaston Crescent, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £355 for urinating on the pavement in Beulah Road on 23 October. • Jenny Kimoto, of Whitehorse Lane, Selhurst – ordered to pay a total of £355 for dumping cardboard boxes in Egerton Road on 5 October. • Noreen Chambers, of Burlington Road, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £355 for fly-tipping wooden planks and black sacks next to a bus stop in Beulah Road on 22 October.
The 26 April prosecutions included: • Saima Jan, of London Road, Norbury – ordered to pay a total of £450 for fly-tipping black sacks and cardboard boxes of household waste and business rubbish from Temptations in London Road onto the pavement on 16 November. • Michael Laciofano, of Ten Tonne Tattoo, Godstone Road Purley – ordered to pay a total of £450 for fly-tipping black sacks of business waste on the pavement on 30 October. • Raja Pervaiz Akthar, aged 58, of High Street, Thornton Heath – ordered to pay a total of £150 for fly-tipping black sacks of waste in Bensham Manor Road on 22 October from the Brigstock Road branch of PFC. • Jemma King, of Wentworth Road, Broad Green – ordered to pay a total of £300 for fly-tipping black sacks of household waste on the pavement on 10 November. • Jordanna Emmanuel-Brown, of Wentworth Road, Broad Green – ordered to pay a total of £150 for fly-tipping black sacks of household waste and loose rubbish on the pavement on 10 November. • Michaela Allen, of London Road – ordered to pay a total of £100 for fly-tipping black sacks, cardboard and other household rubbish on the pavement on 20 November. • Denisa Mechurova, of Canterbury Road, Broad Green – ordered to pay a total of £150 for dropping a cigarette in Central Parade, New Addington, on 10 November.
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s s e m t ’ n o d You s r e e t n u l o v with 300
The council’s drive to recruit community champions to lead litter picks as part of its anti-litter campaign has hit the 300 mark as local clear-ups continue. People from across the borough – residents, council staff, even schoolchildren and air cadets – have litter-picked, weeded, planted and painted tired-looking parts of their neighbourhood in support of the council’s Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride campaign. Launched almost two years ago, the campaign, in the past year alone, has seen more than 60 such community-led events from Thornton Heath to Coulsdon, ranging from high-street litter picks and clearing of alleyways to setting up communal gardens.
The most recent, each drawing about a dozen eager volunteers, were held in Chertsey Crescent and Matthews Gardens in New Addington, and Heavers Meadow in Selhurst. The New Addington event included council staff, local residents and cadets of 66 Squadron Air Training Corp. Their endeavours included litter-picking, removal of recyclable items, cutting back overgrown vegetation, repainting, replacing washing lines, and planting rose bushes. The Heavers Meadow clear-up filled 30 rubbish sacks and reported several bulky items to council contractors for removal. The council provides advice, equipment and help from contractors to support their events, as well as the chance to link with volunteers elsewhere in the borough. If you want to become a Don’t Mess with Croydon – Take Pride community champion and lead litter-picks in your area, email Tracey at champions@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6200 or 07825 103788.
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
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Kiss of life for abandoned homes A council drive to turn derelict properties into homes for Croydon families has passed the 100 mark in only a year. In 2015, the council launched its empty-homes campaign to identify, refurbish and offer for rent homes that had lain empty for more than a year. Aimed at boosting the rented sector in Croydon, and helping to cut the number of families living in bed and breakfast accommodation, the scheme will reduce the blight of empty homes on the local environment. The first year has seen landlords do up and re-let 108 flats and 29 houses for temporary accommodation. The latest properties to be reoccupied are 16 homes in Haling Grove, South Croydon, that had been empty until the council stepped in to revamp and re-let them. Other improvements to the council’s medium-term housing stock in the past year include converting Windsor House, a former office building in Norbury, into new medium-term temporary accommodation. Residents are encouraged to report empty properties via the My Croydon app, available online at ow.ly/WJW9Q by calling 020 8760 5470 or at www.croydon.gov.uk
Tanya’s story Single mother-of-two Tanya Sharman moved into her Haling Grove flat with Olivia, four, and one-year-old Leo after spending three years in Essex because there had been a lack of available temporary accommodation for her in the borough. The 25-year-old, now studying for a degree in criminology, says the new flat is much larger than her previous one. Tanya said: “It makes a big difference to my life as it’s hard living on your own; my sister is 10 minutes away and Olivia likes it here, especially with the park just here. As soon as I moved back, I got a job and now I’m at uni and everything has changed.”
Plans for £17m leisure centre Central Parade redevelopment set to change the face of New Addington. Major change is on the cards for New Addington’s Central Parade, as established plans swing into action while others await formal approval. Residents recently viewed exciting new plans that, if approved, will see a £17.5m leisure and community centre built on the western side of the road. The proposals include a new multi-level leisure and community centre, improved community space and the facilities for a range of sports to be played, including badminton and basketball.
Local people helped shape the priorities and told the council that, in addition to a community centre offering fresh, modern facilities, they were keen to see a new, state-of-the-art leisure centre incorporated into the plans for the district centre. The community centre proposals feature two multi-purpose halls – each with kitchen space – a café, meeting rooms, offices and dressing rooms, and there is the option of licence applications for booked events. A demountable stage will be
available for community shows and the ever-popular annual panto. Proposals for the new leisure centre – in addition to a 25-metre, six-lane main swimming pool – include a learning pool and spectator seating. Other facilities in the complex could include a café, fitness suite, sport hall, crèche and studios.
Meanwhile, across the road, a 16-week project to replace paving, street furniture and improve the street scene is under way with £1m-worth of upgrades, as part of the council and Mayor of London’s £50m Connected Croydon street-improvement project. The plans were drawn up following a major consultation with local people in 2014.
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Building homes Brick by Brick Council’s development company lays out plans to build 1,000 new and affordable homes. An ambitious house-building programme that is set to help boost the supply of new and affordable homes in Croydon has been launched by the council.
A number of councilowned sites across the borough have been earmarked as potential sites for about 1,000 homes by the council’s development company, Brick by Brick. An ever-expanding
population is having a huge impact on the demand for, and the affordability of, homes, and is leaving many local families struggling to buy or rent. Croydon is one of a handful of local authorities to take an innovative commercial approach to house building. The council’s approach has seen the setting up of Brick by Brick to address housing shortages and meet increasing demand in the borough’s communities. As well as being able to
£500k makeover for town’s market Plans on the drawing board promise major update and reboot for 740-year-old market. Funding of £500,000 from the council will improve Croydon’s historic Surrey Street and give the market a much-needed makeover. Residents, businesses, stakeholders and traders have helped the council draw up a shortlist of priorities that will create an even more vibrant public space and create a real attraction that will draw more people into Croydon town centre. At the same time, the council is determined to protect the existing market’s unique character. New paving will help declutter the street, widen footways for pedestrians and create a more flexible market space to cater for extra trading and special events.
The project will also include improved arrangements and facilities for traders, and enhanced street lighting will ensure a safe and friendly atmosphere after dark. Public art installations will form a big part of the proposals and these are likely to include murals, art installations and architectural lighting. Feedback from the consultation is under consideration, and it is hoped that work will start later this year. The scheme ties in with the council’s ambition to enhance the night-time economy in the town centre by bringing more people out to enjoy the many local pubs, clubs and restaurants.
deliver directly, and act quickly to new opportunities in the market plan, it will be able to generate income through land value and development returns, helping the council to reinvest in core services. Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning, said: “With many parts of the country in the grip of a serious housing crisis, Croydon
is taking control and getting back into the house-building business to help our local communities and address the shortage of homes. “We can no longer afford to sit back and let the market take its course, as it is just not delivering enough homes to meet demand, leaving many of our residents homeless or stuck in temporary accommodation, unable to afford to rent or buy.”
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
Bee haven for the good of Croydon From saffron to honey – nobody can say the old Taberner House site isn’t being productive in the time before its redevelopment gets under way. Things are buzzing in the town centre, and the gentle sound is coming from thousands of honey bees, busily working to pollinate local plant life and produce deliciously healthy honey. During the spring, a colony of bees was introduced to the vacant site at the corner of Park Lane and The Croydon Flyover with the hope of it growing over the course of the summer and consolidating the work done on the same site last year by Croydon Saffron Central. The brainchild of naturalist Ally McKinlay, the saffron project saw the cultivation of crocuses and the harvesting of its valuable spice crop. This year’s bee haven scheme will see the bees working to pollinate the crocuses and a range of plant life within a three-kilometre radius of the site, an area taking in Selhurst Park, Heathfield House, Croydon Cemetery, Wettern Tree Gardens and many other
green spaces and domestic gardens. Ally said: “We very much hope to have a second potting event of the crocuses in September. “We’ve also planted woad, Shirley poppies and lavender, which both have connections to Croydon heritage, and we’re looking for donations of more lavender, marjoram and other bee-friendly plants. “In planting four heritage plants we’re keeping the bees sweet, which is a global issue as the population is known to be in decline.” A hive populated by a queen bee and her colony is on the site, with the queen laying eggs on a daily basis, and the beekeeper checking weekly for any new queens, which would cause the hive to swarm. In addition to funding, Croydon Saffron Central is in need of willing hands to help out around the site. To volunteer or make a donation, email ally_mac22@ hotmail.com
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SUMMER/AUTUMN SPECIAL
Target achieved – and exceeded April saw the end of our four-year challenge to reduce crime in Croydon by a minimum of 20% and I am glad to say that we exceeded the target. Thanks to the support of the council and other partners, there are more than 4,000 fewer victims of crime in Croydon than there were four years ago; a tremendous achievement. To try to challenge the perception of crime, we have been rolling out a quiz asking people to guess how many crimes, on average, are committed in Croydon per day. You would be surprised at the results. For house breaking, I have had answers as high as 25 crimes a day, when actually, on average,
there are only two. In terms of muggings, the perception is that we suffer 10 or more crimes a day, when actually we have only 0.8! As you can see, the fear of crime far exceeds the reality, as Croydon is far safer than some believe. Summer is at last upon us, a season that sees burglars and thieves on the look-out for any chance of a bit of villainy. There is, however, a lot you can do to keep safe. The tendency, when it’s warm, is to open all your doors and windows, but please make sure that all ground-floor windows and doors are kept locked/secured as it’s all too easy for a thief to enter your home or business. To make your home even more secure, why not join Neighbourhood Watch? Croydon has a very active Watch and
membership offers the chance of obtaining crime prevention equipment, such as SmartWater, at a much reduced cost. Joining a Neighbourhood Watch might also result in reduced home insurance premiums, so why not join today? Details can be found at www.cbnwa.com/ Hot weather also encourages people to drink more, but please be aware that even one alcoholic drink can impair your driving and, if you have had a heavy night, please be conscious that you may still be over the limit in the morning. Thanks for reading, and, remember, you can contact me at andy.tarrant@met.police.uk
Andy Tarrant
Chief Supt Andy Tarrant Croydon borough commander
PROUD TO SAY THEY ARE FROM CROYDON Young people have shared their views on Croydon in a three-minute film shot at a range of locations around the borough. While focusing on 17- to 22-year-olds, the film aims to encourage people of all ages to join the conversation by speaking of their views on Croydon as the place they live in, work in, or are visiting.
The Safer Croydon Partnership worked with charity Lives not Knives (LNK) to produce the footage to promote the pride that many young people feel for their home borough.
LNK founder, Eliza Rebeiro “This video shows young people speaking honestly about their hometown, and the place where they work and study. “We want to build on these comments and get people of all ages and backgrounds to tell us how they feel about Croydon so we can strengthen our community’s voice.”
To see the full three-minute film, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH4o1jx1TBc To join the conversation, tweet comments, pics and video clips to @yourcroydon and @livesnotknives Facebook I Love Croydon – www.facebook.com/ ilovecroydon/ Facebook Lives not Knives – www.facebook.com/ LivesNotKnives Snapchat – Lives Not Knives
Instagram – @livesnotknives And, if you don’t like using social media, email: WeAreCroydon@croydon.gov.uk or write to #WeAreCroydon, Safer Croydon Partnership, 10A Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA.
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
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6 1 9 1 g n i r e b m e Rem rn Front Life on the Weste
A major, five-star exhibition depicting the lives both of soldiers and those left at home during the First World War is being staged right in the heart of the borough. Remembering 1916 – Life on the Western Front explores a pivotal year of the “war to end all wars”, through a unique series of personal stories; individual voices of ordinary people who led extraordinary lives. Set in the grounds of Whitgift School, Haling Park, visitors step into an unusual exhibition space that will surprise you, fill you with intrigue and leave you thinking about the lives we should never forget. Awarded five stars by Londonist, and described as “one of the best exhibitions of the year so far”, this is a professionally-executed, hard-hitting attraction, that Croydon residents can simply
not afford to miss. For a limited time only, Remembering 1916 showcases a range of more than 600 original objects; many of these items are rare and have not been on public display before. Read first-hand accounts from British, French and German servicemen and women, and uncover a fresh perspective on the battles of Verdun, Jutland and the Somme. Carefully-crafted scenes provide an insight into what life was really like for those on the front line and back home; from reconstructed Edwardian-style rooms, to British and German trenches, and a bombed-out cellar at Verdun.
Remembering 1916 is not just for history buffs; there is something for everyone. Younger visitors will enjoy Reynard, the cartoon fox, who will guide you round the exhibits; art fanatics will enjoy contemporary work in a broad range of styles; and cream tea and cake lovers will enjoy the Edwardian Café. And, as an added incentive, Croydon residents are offered discounted tickets.
Remembering 1916 – Life on the Western Front Open daily 10am – 5pm (last entry 4pm) until 31 August Whitgift Exhibition Centre, South Croydon CR2 6YT
For more information, visit remembering1916.co.uk, email remembering1916@ whitgift.co.uk or call 020 8633 9902.
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s e v i l g n i v o r Imp s e v i L d e r a h with S A council service that offers help, support and a stable home to vulnerable adults has been awarded the Care Quality Commission’s top accolade. Losing her husband and son within months of each other was the catalyst for Frances Gilbert to get involved with the council’s Shared Lives scheme. And it’s the dedication of Frances and others like her that has helped the service to an “outstanding” rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Now, the council is calling for volunteers to join the Shared Lives carer service, which places adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and other support needs in the homes of specialist carers for day-to-day support and help.
Deborah Ivanova, interim deputy chief executive of adult social care for the CQC, said: “We found that Croydon Shared Lives was providing an outstanding service to the people it supported.” To see the full inspection report, go to www.cqc.org.uk/ location/1-1886378191 If you are a Croydon resident and are interested in becoming a Shared Lives carer, visit www.croydon.gov.uk/healthsocial/ adult-care/support-at-home/sharedlives-scheme/sharedlives or call 020 8726 6000 ext 63516.
CASE STUDY Frances Gilbert, 70, decided to become a Shared Lives carer six years ago after her husband, Jim, and physically-disabled son, Mark, died within months of each other. Marion Cordell, who has learning disabilities and limited mobility, lost touch with her stepfamily after her father died, and she moved in with Frances four years ago. The 47-year-old also shares Frances’s Thornton Heath home with another Shared Lives client, and has taken part in church Nativity plays, enjoys theatre trips and has even been on a dream holiday to see the Graceland home
of her idol Elvis Presley. Marion said: “I like going out with Frances, going to the theatre and outings and seeing family. It’s worth getting into Shared Lives.” Frances said: “When she arrived she had a long way to go - she was not very happy. Within three months we went to tea at The Dorchester and I think it woke her up to a whole new way of life and it was a complete eye-opener.”
Frances urged more volunteers to come forward to join the Shared Lives scheme, and said it has taught her to not expect anything, and to be more patient. She added: “It’s like watering a flower with the pair of them – the more they open up, the more beautiful they are every day. It gives me a life and people to get up for. Marion has taught me lots.”
For up-to-the-minute council news visit www.croydon.gov.uk/news
Council meeting dates
Useful contacts
Deadlines for public questions for the forthcoming full council meeting (starting at 6.30pm) – noon on the relevant deadline date.
For police, fire brigade, ambulance, call: 999 or 112, Text phone 1800
Meeting: Monday 18 July The format for questions for consideration at a full council meeting has changed. Questions should be emailed to council. questions@croydon.gov.uk; alternatively, write to Questions for the council, Legal and democratic services, 7th floor, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA; or call 020 8726 6000 extn 63876. Unless otherwise stated, cabinet meetings start at 6.30pm, in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Meeting: 11 July 19 Sep For information on meetings, minutes and agendas, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/meetings For information on cabinet and shadow cabinet members, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/ cabinet Meeting: 19 July Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee Meeting: 13 Sep Children and young people scrutiny sub-committee Meeting: 20 Sep Streets and environment scrutiny sub-committee
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Croydon Council general enquiries 020 8726 6000 Croydon NHS Walk-in Centre 020 3040 0800 Non-emergency urgent care - 111 Croydon University Hospital 020 8401 3000
Get in touch To get in touch with the Your Croydon editorial team, email: yourcroydon@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8760 5644 If anybody you know isn't receiving the online Your Croydon weekly, tell them that they can ensure delivery by subscribing at www.croydon. gov.uk/subscribe
Meeting: 27 Sep Health, social care and housing scrutiny sub-committee For information on scrutiny, go to www.croydon.gov.uk/ scrutiny or email scrutiny@croydon.gov.uk Meetings of the Safer Neighbourhood Board are held in the venues indicated. For further information, look www. croydononline.org/safer-neighbourhood-board/ Forthcoming public meeting dates are: Meeting: Wednesday 21 September at 6.30pm Community Space, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon CR0 1EA Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the council website www.croydon.gov.uk/meetings.
Guided Walks JULY
Sunday 3 July & Sunday 10 July Women in the woods Have a chat around the camp fire, make nettle cordage and feel at home outdoors. Email info@wildinthecity.org.uk for information. Venue is South Norwood Country Park. Sunday 3 July Ron’s ramble through the North Downs Join Croydon Outdoor Pursuit and Social Events Club for a social six-mile ramble or 15-mile bike ride. For details www. copsecroydon.co.uk or call Ireen on 01483 823531
Sunday 10 July Grangewood Park Summer Fair From 1-5pm. Details at www. grangewoodpark.co.uk/ Saturday 16 July Butterflies in Selsdon Wood Meet 11am by the bear in the Selsdon Wood car park for a stroll over the summer fields. Sunday 17 July A walk with the warden Join the Happy Valley Countryside Warden to find out what makes the valley a very special place. For details, call 07966 113413. Saturday 23 July Wandle Park garden party Featuring live music with Freedom of
Central Library and Museum of Croydon Katharine Street, Croydon CR9 1ET Open: Monday to Saturday (see website for daily hours) Library – www.croydon.gov.uk/central-library Telephone: 020 8726 6900 Email: libraries@croydon.gov.uk Museum – www.museumofcroydon.com Telephone: 020 8253 1022 Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
For full details, visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/ leisure/parksandopenspaces/walks Expression in the band stand, children’s activities, gardening, pop-up bar and much more; 1-6pm. Bring a picnic 27-30 July CODA presents: Much Ado About Nothing Open air theatre in the Bandstand; 7.30pm, plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Ticket hotline 07858 879019, www.codashows. co.uk
AUGUST
Wednesday 17 August Mini-beast hunt in Selsdon Wood A family walk searching for critters and creepy crawlies in field and wood. Meet at 2pm by the wooden bear in Selsdon Wood
car park, off Old Farleigh Road. Saturday 27August Haling Grove Evening picnic Join the Friends of Haling Grove for an evening in the Walled Garden 5- 8pm, bring a picnic. For more information Saturday 27 August Mini-beast hunt in Littleheath Woods Search for the creepy crawlies that hide in dark corners of the woods or lurk among the leaves. Meet at 10am for 90-minute family event at the junction of Queenhill and Littleheath roads. For all general enquiries, email biodiversity@croydon.gov.uk
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Your A to Z of council services The council provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer help and advice to residents. Below is only a small selection of those services – for the full list, visit www.croydon.gov.uk and follow the “A-Z” link at the top of the home page. Adult education Information on the courses available to older students. Blocked drains Information on how to deal with drain problems. Bulky waste collection What it is, how to book it and how much it will cost. CCTV Helping to ensure the safety of people in Croydon.
Disabled parking Providing parking bays throughout Croydon for vehicles used by the holders of blue badges. Emergency planning Keeping Croydon running in the event of serious incidents. Extended schools Providing a range of services and activities to help meet the needs of pupils, their families and the wider community. Fly-tipping How to report it, your responsibilities as a landowner, and how the council prosecutes fly-tippers.
CCTV
Croydon Careline Providing a home safety and personal security system, helping people to live independently within their own homes. Direct payments Giving a person the choice to buy and arrange their own social care services.
Job search Find the latest vacancies for positions within the council.
Recycling
Lottery registration Running a lottery to raise funds for a charity or an organisation such as a sports club, church or school, requires registration.
Safer Croydon Partnership Working to make the borough safer for all who live, work and visit here.
What to recycle, how to recycle and where to recycle.
Mice and rats Information on the telltale signs and how to get help eradicating them. My Croydon Download the council’s app for easy reporting of a number of issues.
Gambling The different types of licences – and how to apply for them.
Neighbourhood wardens Offering help and support to local communities.
Home safety advice See if you are eligible for a free home safety check.
Out-of-school activities After-school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday play schemes – they’re all here.
Instrument tuition Service for children and young people.
Recycling
Leisure centres Links and information on all the borough’s leisure centres.
Planning applications Advice on all aspects of the planning process.
Planning
Trading Standards
Trading standards Dealing with doorstep crime and rogue traders, and offering advice to residents and businesses. Voluntary organisations Details on available funding. Welfare benefit advice Know what you’re entitled to and claim it. Youth projects All you need to know about Croydon’s youth provision. Zoo licence You need to apply for a licence to run a zoo – should you really want to!
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www.cro ydon. gov.uk/atoz