Jay Foster - page 11

source from yourlocalguardian.co.uk

By Euan O’Byrne Mulligan  @euanobm 

Over 300 people silently marched through the area, streets away from the house where a cardboard model of the block went up in flames just over a week ago.

Supporters held placards and banners displaying messages of ‘solidarity’ with the victims of last year’s disaster in which 72 people died.

Event organiser Jane Nicholl, 67, from the South Norwood Tourist Board (SNTB), said: “The video was so vile.

“Just imagine how survivors, who have already suffered so much, felt when they saw an effigy being burnt.

“Given how nasty it was and the fact it came from people in our own community, we felt we had to do something.”

SNTB were inspired by Grenfell campaigners who, on the 14th of every month, silently walk past the site of the tower in Kensington, reflecting on the tragedy that took place.

Ms Nicholl said: “The atmosphere was quite solemn. We wanted to show we really meant it and were standing with the victim’s rather than the racists.

“But at the same time everyone was joyous that the community had come together on this. There was an uplifting feeling of solidarity.

“It was a bit nerve racking not knowing how many people turn up, but it turned out to be a big success.

“South Norwood will not tolerate racism.”

Omar Baggili, 39, said: “I wanted to participate to show people that South Norwood is not dominated by idiots like those that made the horrific effigy of Grenfell Tower.”

Sandra Ruiz, whose niece died in the fire, spoke at the end of the rally.

Ms Ruiz is part of Grenfell United, a group for survivors and bereaved families which works with campaigners for improvements in housing safety

She said: “What happened last week was devastating to us but you have shown tonight but you have shown us tonight what a wonderful larger community we all belong to.

“London and the UK have shown us such warmth and support and we can’t thank you enough.”

Two local men were arrested for their part in the effigy incident last week, which took place in their South Norwood home on Norhyrst Avenue.

Father and son Clifford Smith, 49, and Bobbi Connell, 19, handed themselves into south London Police stations.

Croydon Guardian revealed that both men are part of the South Norwood Conservative Club, a social club for conservative supporters, from which they have now been suspended.

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The Holidays are Coming… The iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour is back for 2018, spreading holiday magic across the UK! And this year it is coming to Croydon,  

• Saturday 15 (12pm – 8pm) and Sunday 16 December (12pm – 8pm): Valley Retail & Leisure Park, Croydon, CR0 4YJ

Now in their eighth year of bringing festive joy to people across the UK, the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour has travelled more than 737,000 miles. In that time, thousands of Christmas fans have basked in its 8,772 twinkling fairy lights and enjoyed the magical ‘Holidays are Coming’  jingle, which marks the official start of Christmas for many people.

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

The 2018 tour will kick off in Glasgow on the 9 November and visit 24 locations nationwide, before making its final stop in London on 16 December.

Visit the truck in a glittering winter wonderland setting and enjoy a free 150ml can of Coca-Cola zero sugar, Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Original Taste. Don’t forget to put your empty can in one of our recycling bins to help us with our global World Without Waste pledge – to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one sold by the year 2030.

news source From news.croydon.gov.uk

Over-55s are wanted to be part of Croydon’s first team to take part at an annual sporting festival in the Olympic Park’s Copper Box Arena and Aquatics Centre.

Croydon will be taking part in GLL’s annual Better Club Games for the first time, with the opportunity to compete across nine different sports; badminton, darts, dominoes, short mat bowls, short tennis, swimming, table tennis, timed cycle and timed swim.

So far 11 people are representing Croydon on the day, with another nine participants playing walking football today (Friday 5 October).

Twenty-three different teams will be taking part at the event on Wednesday 10 October, including Greenwich, who won last year.

The competition kicks off at 10am, however athletes are asked to arrive at 9.30am. It costs just £3.50 to enter, with a Team Croydon t-shirt and refreshments included. Spectators can also attend, paying £2 to enter the arena, which will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

Transport can also be arranged for athletes. To sign up, email laura.larsson@gll.org

John, a 57-year-old Croydon resident, is taking part in this year’s games, said: “I am new to Croydon and recently signed up to my local leisure centre, when I heard about this opportunity I thought it would be a great way to meet local people and be part of a friendly competition, something I haven’t done in years!

“I’m really looking forward to the day.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport

“The Better Club Games are a great opportunity for our older residents to be active.

“It’s also a chance to play sport at the Copper Box, somewhere that inspired a nation during the amazing 2012 Olympics.

“While fun is the order of the day, the title is keenly contested and of course it would be nice for Croydon to win. I’m looking forward to visiting the Copper Box next week to cheer team Croydon on.

“Let’s get as many people involved as possible and try and win it.”

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The so-called Croydon cat killer does not exist, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

The force launched an investigation in 2015 into reports of mutilated cats in Croydon and the surrounding area.

Twenty-five post-mortem examinations were carried out but found no evidence of “human involvement”.

Scotland Yard said injuries inflicted on cats were “likely to be the result of predation or scavenging by wildlife on cats killed in vehicle collisions”.

Foxes are believed to be behind some of the mutilations.

During the probe, detectives received more than 400 similar reports of cats being mutilated across London and surrounding counties.

However, all of the cases will now be recorded as “no crime”.

Commander Amanda Pearson said each individual report had to be investigated, which led to an “increased workload” for officers working on the case.

“The decision was made to allocate a large number of similar reports of mutilated cats to the officers who were investigating the initial spate of such allegations,” she said.

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“In particular, they were following up six suspicious cases identified by the post-mortem examinations.

“It is this collating of reports that enabled officers to work with experts and reach the conclusion that no further police investigations are required into any of the allegations relating to mutilated cats.”

The Met’s inquiry found there was CCTV footage showing foxes carrying pet body parts in three cases.

Dr Henny Martineau, head of veterinary forensic pathology at the Royal Veterinary College, carried out post-mortems on the six cats whose deaths were initially treated as “suspicious”.

She found puncture wounds not previously uncovered on some of the animals and concluded some had been potentially scavenged.

Ch Insp Stuart Orton from Hertfordshire Police, which led a linked investigation, said the prospect of “a person or persons travelling the country and mutilating animals” had been “eliminated”.

“Evidence suggests the animals had been predated by foxes – in a rabbit’s case after being removed from a hutch, and in a cat’s case after death, likely caused by a road traffic collision,” he said.

“I hope this conclusion brings comfort to pet owners who have, up until now, been frightened to let their animals out at night.”

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Source From bbc.co.uk

Folio Education Trust are proud to announce they have secured funding for a brand new comprehensive, mixed secondary school for children aged 11 – 18 living in South and Central Croydon. Over £30 million is to be invested in building a purpose built, state-of-the-art school which will include enhanced sports facilities, comprising of a competition venue within the sports hall, a full size 3G artificial floodlit surface and a closed circuit cycle track.  In addition to the sporting facilities, Coombe Wood School aims to be a centre for Music, Art and Dance Education.  The School’s MADE Academy will provide outstanding facilities and learning experiences in this area as part of the school curriculum.  We anticipate that these superb facilities will encourage our students to participate in their chosen activity in the evenings and at weekends, as well as creating a hub for extra-curricular activities for other children and members of the community in the local area.

Sport and the values it projects will be at the heart of this new school demonstrating that Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are at the cornerstones of educational development.

The School will open in September 2018 for 180 Year 7 children, the second phase of opening will be in September 2020 with the introduction of the Sixth Form.

The proposed location of the new school is the existing site of the Coombe Road Playing Fields, a site designated by London Borough of Croydon in the Croydon Local Plan as being a possible location for a new secondary school.  Local Plan Reference Number – 662 – Coombe Road Playing Fields, CR0 5RB.  It is invisaged that the School will open in temporary accommodation for the first academic year.

FROM cws-croydon.co.uk  @Coombe wood School

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From croydonadvertiser By Deborah Morris

Go on, treat yourself because you deserve a bit of time out

There is little in life as luxurious and decadent as a day spent pampering yourself at a spa.

And in Croydon we are not far from some wonderful places where we can relax and unwind.

Perhaps you might enjoy a luxury therapy and some time in a Jacuzzi at a hotel.

Or maybe you will visit a leisure centre or health club for a wonderful treatment and the use of its spa area.

If you really want to indulge you might travel a little further afield for a country house experience.

And of course, we are not far from the centre of London where there are some luxurious city centre hotels offering a place to escape and unwind.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is – whether it is National Spa Week, Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, your birthday or just time to unwind – you don’t need an excuse to visit a spa.

In no particular order of preference we list 7 spas and places to enjoy a spa day in and near Croydon and south London.

1. Wellbeing Croydon Therapy Rooms at Croydon Park Hotel, Croydon

Wellbeing Croydon Therapy Rooms is based at Croydon Park Hotel and offers massages, facials and body treatments along with detox and weight loss programmes. You can also choose from three packages as well.

If you really want to pamper and relax, the leisure package includes full use of the Croydon Park Hotel’s pool, jacuzzi, sauna and gym as well as a 30 minute massage or express facial package; or a 60 minute package, including a massage and express facial; or a 60 minute massage package.

Perhaps you might like to book lunch, afternoon tea or dinner at the hotel too.

Where it is: Croydon Park Hotel, 7 Altyre Road, Croydon CR9 5AA

Phone number: 07766 388 661

Website: www.wellbeingcroydon.com and www.croydonparkhotel.com

2. Little Treats at Solutions Health and Fitness Club, Croydon

Little Treats offers holistic therapies at the club and if you book a treatment you can also buy a day pass to use the clubs facilities, which include the sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, swimming pool and gym.

Treatments include massages like the dessert hot stone massage, the UK’s hottest lava relax massage and Indian head massage

Where it is: 1 Lansdowne Road, Croydon, CR9 2BN

Phone number: 07931 642785

Website: www.facebook.com/LTHTherapies/ or www.solutionsfitness.com

3. Nuffield Health Bromley Fitness and Wellbeing Gym, Bromley

There is a beauty suite at this Nuffield Health centre and, among other treatments, you could book yourself a Facial and Massage Treat package or a Face and Body Boost package.

There is a swimming pool and sauna and steam room which non-members can use if they register for a day pass – this can be done on the website.

Where it is: Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF

Phone number: 020 3432 1955

Website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/bromley

4. Nutfield Priory Hotel & Spa, Nutfield near Redhill

If you would like to travel a little further afield to Surrey, then this hotel and spa is worth the drive.

Just a short stroll from the luxury four star hotel at Nutfield village near Redhill, the spa will allow you to revive mind and body, whether you are on your own, with a loved one or seeking some indulgence with friends.

It includes nine treatment rooms, a quiet lounge and relaxation room, indoor swimming and Jacuzzi pool, sauna and steam rooms and secluded outside seating and lounge area.

The swimming pool and Jacuzzi area has been recently refurbish and extended so is looking really beautiful. There is also an afternoon tea spa package among others – perfect for anyone that enjoys cake.

Where it is: Nutfield Road, Nutfield near Redhill, RH1 4EL

Phone number: 01737 824400 or 0845 072 7485

Website: www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/nutfieldpriory

5. Amida Spa at David Lloyd, Beckenham

Amida Spa has an indulgent selection of therapies and products as well as a wet spa which includes a 25-metre training pool, hydrospa, plunge pool, relaxation pool, sauna, sanarium, steam room and heated relaxation beds.

You could take a day out of the rat race to wrap up in a robe with slippers and enjoy one of its packages which include unlimited use of all wet spa and gym facilities, a light meal with refreshments and use of relaxation areas.

Perhaps you might treat a special man in your life to a men’s grooming day package.

Where it is: David Lloyd Beckenham, Stanhope Grove, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3HL

Phone number: 020 8662 6161

Website: www.amidaspa.co.uk/spa-locations/beckenham

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Two London boroughs have launched Ultra Low Emission Streets banning petrol and diesel cars during peak hours

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