Archive

  • Golden win for Rio

    Ten-year-old Rio Sulley of Brimsdown Junior School was celebrating this week after scooping a gold medal at the British Synchronised Ice Skating Championships at the Lee Valley Ice Centre on Sunday. Rio, who attends Brimsdown Junior School, was part of

  • Ladies to make history

    Southgate Hockey Club's ladies, first team will make history this weekend when they face English Hockey League opposition for the first time. The ladies entertain Doncaster, currently second in Division One, in the last 16 of the HEL Cup after beating

  • Saffron Walden Town 2 Enfield Town 3

    Enfield came from two goals down to keep their championship hopes on track in an eventful match that saw three penalties and a sending off. The league leaders went behind after 18 minutes when Town keeper Andy Hall was adjudged to have pushed one of Saffron

  • Enfield FC - 3 Basingstoke Town 1

    Enfield moved out of the relegation zone after a well-deserved victory at Meadow Park, their first league win in 12 attempts. The E's started the match with plenty of vigour and their quick passing soon brought about the first chance when Matt Waldron

  • When football was still safe

    IT was late October 1963 - Kennedy's assassination was still a month away and of lesser significance, I was heading towards Highfield Road, recovering from a hang-over. I had readily agreed to travel to Coventry that Saturday morning with a group of friends

  • Project Nomads (PC)

    AND now for something completely different. Well, nearly. It's unusual to come across a game that tries to break the mould but that's precisely what Project Nomads is attempting to do. It's heralded as a true cross-genre game that mixes the gameplay elements

  • Our man avoids the drop against fastest pool player

    Prancing around an Edgware pub half-naked is probably not the wisest way to spend a Tuesday night. But that was precisely the forfeit awaiting me when, in a moment of male pride, I challenged the world's fastest pool player to a quick frame at the Mason's

  • Fears grow in Safeway bidding war.

    STAFF at Safeway's head office are still waiting to hear whether their jobs are under threat in the continuing bidding war for the supermarket giant. Negotiations started earlier by northern supermarket chain Morrisons which said up to 1,200 jobs could

  • Gridlock fears over housing development

    No plans have been drawn up by Barnet Council to deal with what campaigners claim will be an increase of up to 1,000 cars in Mill Hill East over the next 18 months. Developer Crest Nicholson is already at work on the former Mill Hill gasworks site in

  • Energy idea generates cash award.

    A WIND turbine could be installed at a Hayes school and "clean" electricity produced for the community after an energy-generating plan won a top national award. The scheme at Harlington Community School, supported by Hillingdon Council, is one of ten

  • Schoolchildren help mark Holocaust Memorial Day

    SCHOOLCHILDREN from across the borough marked this year's Holocaust Memorial Day with services and treeplantings. The event was was themed around children and Ealing Borough Council marked the 58th anniversary of the Holocaust with a memorial service

  • Broncos idols prop up squad

    THE Winners of London Broncos Prop Idol competition will be unveiled on February 23rd at the team's first home game of the season against Halifax at Griffin Park. The Broncos launched a nationwide search for new talent at the beginning of the year and

  • Top Price wins six in a row

    Barnet Copthall's Sarah Price, resently named British swimmer of the year, is continuing the magnificent form that brought her the national award for 2002. Contesting three World Cup meetings last week in Paris, Stockholm and Berlin the 23-year-old was

  • Top Price wins six in a row

    Barnet Copthall's Sarah Price, resently named British swimmer of the year, is continuing the magnificent form that brought her the national award for 2002. Contesting three World Cup meetings last week in Paris, Stockholm and Berlin the 23-year-old was

  • lub vows to punish thugs

    Barnet FC have vowed to take firm action against any fan found to have thrown coins at an assistant in Saturday's match against Burton Albion. Two coins were thrown at the referee's assistant in front of the east terrace when he failed to spot a handball

  • lub vows to punish thugs

    Barnet FC have vowed to take firm action against any fan found to have thrown coins at an assistant in Saturday's match against Burton Albion. Two coins were thrown at the referee's assistant in front of the east terrace when he failed to spot a handball

  • Barnet feel full force of Daggers' FA Cup defeat

    Barnet felt the full backlash from Dagenham's last-gasp FA Cup defeat by Norwich as the home side ran riot on Tuesday. The Daggers were devastating in the first half, launching wave after wave of attacks Barnet simply could not cope with and went in at

  • Barnet feel full force of Daggers' FA Cup defeat

    Barnet felt the full backlash from Dagenham's last-gasp FA Cup defeat by Norwich as the home side ran riot on Tuesday. The Daggers were devastating in the first half, launching wave after wave of attacks Barnet simply could not cope with and went in at

  • Barnet feel full force of Daggers' FA Cup defeat

    Barnet felt the full backlash from Dagenham's last-gasp FA Cup defeat by Norwich as the home side ran riot on Tuesday. The Daggers were devastating in the first half, launching wave after wave of attacks Barnet simply could not cope with and went in at

  • Tony's new hope

    The short-term future of Barnet FC will be placed in the hands of the Football League's 72 clubs after club chairman Tony Kleanthous revealed it may not now be necessary to increase Underhill's capacity to 6,000. Mr Kleanthous was speaking ahead of a

  • Not everyone convinced by leisure centre promise

    Burnt Oak residents have been infuriated by plans to sell the unfinished Burnt Oak Youth and Leisure Centre to a private group. Some have vowed to fight the decision. The Tories claim the Lohanas an Asian community group would continue to run the centre

  • Waitrose under fire

    East Finchley's fight against a new supermarket gathered momentum this week as the Green Party's Jenny Jones branded the proposal a disaster. London Assembly member Ms Jones visited the proposed site for a Waitrose food store, opposite East Finchley Tube

  • Avenue House shares its secrets

    A 45ft well, once used to water one of Britain's finest collections of rare plants, has been found in the basement of Finchley's Avenue House. The Victorian mansion's new trustee, Avenue House Estate Management (AHEM), was trying to solve the labyrinthine

  • Planning for catastrophe

    Barnet is no stranger to terrorist attacks and the borough's emergency planning officer believes we are well prepared if targeted again. Roger Newark received his grounding on August 1, 1988 when 23-year-old soldier Michael Robbins was killed by an IRA

  • Planning for catastrophe

    Barnet is no stranger to terrorist attacks and the borough's emergency planning officer believes we are well prepared if targeted again. Roger Newark received his grounding on August 1, 1988 when 23-year-old soldier Michael Robbins was killed by an IRA

  • Planning for catastrophe

    Barnet is no stranger to terrorist attacks and the borough's emergency planning officer believes we are well prepared if targeted again. Roger Newark received his grounding on August 1, 1988 when 23-year-old soldier Michael Robbins was killed by an IRA

  • Students say Saddam must go

    Sharif left Iraq's second city Basra in 1978. His home city was the site of a massacre of Shia Muslims who rose up, with Western encouragement, after the last Gulf War only to be abandoned to Saddam's helicopter gunships when America thought better of

  • Students say Saddam must go

    Sharif left Iraq's second city Basra in 1978. His home city was the site of a massacre of Shia Muslims who rose up, with Western encouragement, after the last Gulf War only to be abandoned to Saddam's helicopter gunships when America thought better of

  • In Brief

    PRIZE DRAW: Kent Air Ambulance Trust (KAAT) is offering a prize of £10,000 in its annual Community Draw. KAAT is the only independent charity operating an Air Ambulance Service in the UK. It performs more than 1,000 emergency missions per year. To enter

  • Lobby for quiet road celebrates early start

    CAMPAIGNERS for traffic noise reductions on the A2 are celebrating early. Work to lay a new road surface on the busy stretch of dual carriageway between the Midhurst Hill footbridge and the Danson Interchange has begun two years ahead of schedule. The

  • Public helps clear heath of trouble

    REGULAR visitors to Dartford Heath have joined police to help clean it up. Motorbike thugs, fly-tippers and people committing indecent acts spotted by vigilant heath-users will be noted down and reported. Fed-up dog walkers and ramblers volunteered to

  • DJ Penk is backing Danny's Euro quest

    Capital Radio DJ Steve Penk has shown his support for Barnet's very own Eurovision hopeful by playing his tune on his show. Danny Davies, who has made it to the final eight of the UK's Song for Europe competition, said he was amazed the famous radio presenter

  • DJ Penk is backing Danny's Euro quest

    Capital Radio DJ Steve Penk has shown his support for Barnet's very own Eurovision hopeful by playing his tune on his show. Danny Davies, who has made it to the final eight of the UK's Song for Europe competition, said he was amazed the famous radio presenter

  • Breakfast clubs to be denied funding

    A breakfast club for the children of hard-working parents in Grahame Park faces closure because it has been denied funding. An application for running costs by Blessed Dominic RC VA Primary School was rejected by Putting New Heart into Grahame Park, a

  • Business boost for olympic bid

    A vast majority of the Capital's businesses would back a London bid for the 2012 Olympics and believe the games will bring them extra economic benefits, a survey says. Eight of ten businesses questioned by the London Chamber of Commerce backed a London

  • Rams beaten but not bowed

    Canterbury34 Harlow22 (London League Div One) HARLOW'S recent run of good results came to an end on Saturday against a very good Canterbury side. The visitors took a 5-0 lead with a try from Dwain Bishop, although it wasn't long before the hosts began

  • Wood burn Hawks

    Harlow Town1 Northwood3 (Ryman League Division One North) HARLOW'S promotion ambitions were dealt a blow as league leaders Northwood avenged the 4-1 home defeat inflicted on them early in the season to run out 3-1 winners on Saturday. John Kendall's men

  • Wood burn Hawks

    Harlow Town1 Northwood3 (Ryman League Division One North) HARLOW'S promotion ambitions were dealt a blow as league leaders Northwood avenged the 4-1 home defeat inflicted on them early in the season to run out 3-1 winners on Saturday. John Kendall's men

  • Miles' double the driving force for Swifts success

    Bishop's Stortford Swifts2 Codicote0 (Herts Intermediate Cup Fourth Round) A FIFTH consecutive County cup semi-final place beckons for the Swifts, after two second half goals from striker Damon Miles saw off the challenge of Herts County League side Codicote

  • Miles' double the driving force for Swifts success

    Bishop's Stortford Swifts2 Codicote0 (Herts Intermediate Cup Fourth Round) A FIFTH consecutive County cup semi-final place beckons for the Swifts, after two second half goals from striker Damon Miles saw off the challenge of Herts County League side Codicote

  • Inept Blues suffer

    Chesham United3 Bishop's Stortford1 (Ryman League Premier Division) THE Blues are now well and truly in a relegation crisis after this inept display left them further adrift from safety and cemented their position in a lowly 23rd place. With Freddie Hyatt

  • Inept Blues suffer

    Chesham United3 Bishop's Stortford1 (Ryman League Premier Division) THE Blues are now well and truly in a relegation crisis after this inept display left them further adrift from safety and cemented their position in a lowly 23rd place. With Freddie Hyatt

  • Terror suspects held in London

    Four terrorist suspects arrested after pre-dawn raids in Manchester today are being held at a central London police station. Four men, believed to be North African, were arrested after a joint operation involving Greater Manchester Police and Scotland

  • We must hold LU accountable, Assembly says

    The Greater London Assembly is to launch its own probe into the weekend tube derailment. The Assembly has instructed its transport committee to investigate the January 25 train crash, believed to have been caused after a motor fell off the fifth carriage

  • Divorce law and TV made for each other

    A Finchley divorce lawyer is set to turn TV presenter when her Channel 4 series starts next week. Vanessa Lloyd Platt, who runs Lloyd Platt & Company in Regents Park Road, stars in the six-part series Made For Each Other, which is a cross between

  • Flag flies at half mast to honour Labour stalwart

    THE flag at Watford Town Hall flew at half mast on Monday in respect of former borough and county councillor Stella Meldrum who has died. Mrs Meldrum was a Labour member of Watford Council from 1972 to 1984, representing Queen's (now Central) ward and

  • Safer speeds achieved by flashing signs on roadside

    BIGGIN Hill residents have welcomed measures introduced to reduce the risk of accidents along their road. Bromley Council finished a resurfacing project on Main Road before Christmas and has installed flashing signs to alert drivers when their speed exceeds

  • Senior police boss heading north

    A SENIOR officer with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Deputy Chief Constable Peter Maddison, is leaving to join Northamptonshire Police as its Chief Constable. DCC Maddison joined the county's force in 1997 and was promoted to his current post in 2000. He

  • Sir Sydney Chapman's successor to be named in March

    The Tory candidate earmarked to succeed Sir Sydney Chapman as MP for Chipping Barnet will be chosen in March. Sir Sydney announced last month that he will stand down at the next general election, after 24 years as Chipping Barnet MP. The Tories had imposed

  • Celtic football legend in Croydon

    Celtic legend Ronnie Glavin, a former Scottish International, is running the first Club Football UK Skills for a Season' course in Surrey on Sunday, February 2. This course is aimed at helping junior team managers rejuvenate the way they are coaching

  • Safety inspectors deliver 'good but could do better' report card

    HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors carrying out surprise visits to Watford companies this week found good standards at many of the premises visited, but in some companies there was still room for improvement. Inspectors visited about 30 engineering

  • Ryman League: Croydon only local team to take win

    Croydon FC manager Micky Reids' youngsters certainly did him proud at the Arena last Saturday when they saw off near neighbours Whyteleafe, and in doing so produced the only win for our local Ryman sides. Dulwich Hamlet suffered defeat away at the fast

  • Farmers are poised for market move

    Farmers could be working alongside traditional stallholders when the redevelopment of the 800-year-old Barnet market begins next year. Market owners Nigel and Melanie Walsh this week announced plans to begin a year-long construction programme in spring

  • Man killed by falling tree

    A driver was crushed to death by a falling tree blown down during a wind gust in north London, yesterday. The man, who has not been named, was driving in Hadley Highstone, Barnet, when the tree came down about 1.30pm. A Scotland Yard spokesman said a

  • Estate refurbishment could be delayed due to lack of funds

    CONCERN further work on the Highlands housing estate could be abandoned due to lack of funds was expressed last week. The two-year project on the South Oxhey estate off Green Lane is due to be completed in October. However, residents who stayed put throughout

  • Fake bus stop painted in route battle

    A fake bus stop painted on a Mitcham street by pranksters failed to stop campaigners winning the first stage of their battle against an unwanted bus route. Safety crusaders from Sherwood Park Road believed if the 463 bus route were to go ahead, the narrow

  • Gang sought for burglary

    Detectives are looking for members of an organised burglary gang who tied up a security guard during an early- morning raid at a warehouse in Mitcham. The gang, who were armed with spray bottles of potentially dangerous ammonia, targeted vehicle security

  • June salutes charity

    Comedy actress June Whitfield raised a glass to the South East Cancer Help Centre when she helped launch its 20th Anniversary Year on Friday (January 24). The centre, based at the Tesco development in Purley, has set up an appeal to coincide with the

  • Mullins happy to stay as window closes

    The Premiership transfer window closes on Friday and remarkably Palace have held onto all their young players, with only Birminghams paltry £600,000 bid for Hayden Mullins troubling chairman Simon Jordan. With two days to go, Birmingham are unlikely to

  • Netball: Hillcrest first back in action

    Hillcrest's first team returned to competitive action this weekend after a lengthy Christmas break and despite losing 53-30 to North London side Academy, the team took many positive points from its performance. The two teams are separated by seven divisions

  • Hillcrest first back in action

    Hillcrest's first team returned to competitive action this weekend after a lengthy Christmas break and despite losing 53-30 to North London side Academy, the team took many positive points from its performance. The two teams are separated by seven divisions

  • Croall makes England cut

    ASTON CROALL, the highly-rated Saracens prop, has been named in the England Under-19 side ahead of their Six Nations clash against Scotland on Friday, January 31. The Kent-born 18-year-old, along with Northampton centre Ben Russell, is one of only two

  • Love and rockets night tickets to win

    Valentine's night has brought Halloween back to Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, with Love and Rockets. This is an evening of short films and live music that will make this February 14 a night to remember. The Croydon Guardian have teamed up with

  • Capital braced for cold after record high

    Londoners who on Monday were basking in the warmest January day on record should prepare for subzero temperatures. A record breaking 16.5deg was recorded in London yesterday, beating the previous 15deg set on January 6 1999. The temperature was about

  • Champions both box on

    Anthony O'Donnell and Thomas Ward, of New Addington ABC, boxed at Earlsfield on Saturday in the next round for the School Boys Championships after becoming South East Division champions . Thomas went through on a bye. Anthony O'Donnell boxed Steve Turner

  • Show where freaks come out to play

    As you walk into the foyer of Fairfield, you know you've come to the right place, writes Brendan Thomas. A crazed, screaming hillbilly wielding a large wrench prowls the crowds. He was kidnapped as a baby and taken to a trailer, apparently. And he wants

  • Beware misleading leaflets

    LAST week a company called GV Clothing did a leaflet drop in my area. I would like to draw local residents' attention to this company and its practices. The leaflet is written to give the impression that donations of clothing will be distributed in Eastern

  • Problems triple up for rail passengers

    Passengers using the borough's rail network this weekend faced hour-long hold-ups after a catalogue of delays plagued the train lines leading into East Croydon station. Three separate causes have been cited as the reason behind Saturday's (January 25)

  • Council DID act over flooding

    I WOULD refer to your letters page of January 16 and the letter by Cllr Boyland on the River Roding flood concerns. The letter is both unreasonable and unjustified. Unreasonable because the borough officers he appears to be criticising do not publicly

  • Concern over war

    I WOULD like to express my concern over Britain's apparent determination to join a war with the US which is not backed by the UN and counters international laws such as those on respecting the sovereignty and independence of nations. Such I war, I believe

  • "We don't know the number of asylum seekers"

    A local Council has lost track of the numbers of asylum seekers and refugees living in the borough. Home Office legislation introduced in 2000 means that immigrants seeking asylum are no longer registered by local authorities but are co-ordinated by the

  • A crime-ridden state to live in

    HAVING had a knife put to my throat by a black 'gentleman' last Monday afternoon at 2.45pm in Grosvenor Road, Wanstead, I feel I have to write to your paper. To say that I am astonished by the headline of your January 23 issue of the Guardian (Beating

  • Do you know my cousin?

    MY GRANDFATHER Thomas Dickman Robinson settled in Walthamstow in 1910. My uncle Rhymer W.Robinson who died in 1998 told one of his sons before he died that he had a son by a Wanstead woman in the early 1940s and had been in touch with this boy through

  • Crime being ignored

    I WROTE to MP Harry Cohen in November regarding the problems in the Wanstead area, especially as I had my car stolen from my drive, after thieves kicked in the doors to get the spare keys. Only after this happened to me and speaking to different people

  • Man in burning pub

    A man who collapsed in a burning building in West Croydon last week escaped serious injury when fire fighters rescued him from the first floor. The man declined medical treatment after suffering smoke inhalation from the fire at the derelict Wiseguys

  • Unions crisis meeting over fire strike law

    Leaders of major public service unions are holding an urgent meeting in London today after the Government's decision to enforce pay conditions on firefighters. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told parliament yesterday he wanted to bring back the repealed

  • Commuter nightmare

    COMMUTERS were reeling with frustration as they were forced to wait for overstretched buses during this week's tube closure. Forced to find alternative modes of public transport after Saturday's tube derailment at Chancery Lane, travellers were jostling

  • Weapons and pirate porn seized from car boot sale

    Police and trading standards officers seized a chilling collection of lethal weapons and pirate porn films from a car boot sale in Edmonton. The estimated £200,000 stash at the Harbet Road Industrial Estate car boot sale, included Samurai swords, spiked

  • A pizza scam

    PIZZA diners are being warned by Ilford police about a robbery scam being carried out in Redbridge. Crooks are approaching diners in the Pizza Hut, High Road, Ilford and placing a map on the table over mobile phones, purses or wallets, while they pretend

  • Polka theatre has budget slashed

    Another cultural predicament which could affect youngsters in the borough may soon be facing Croydon Council. The local authority is expected to be called upon for financial support following the announcement that the Association of London Government

  • Warehouse searches for a new home

    The artistic director of the Warehouse Theatre has this week thanked the venue's army of fans and supporters for their unwavering support since the announcement of its building's closure. Despite the current uncertainty surrounding the future of the Dingwall

  • HERITAGE AND AMENITY GROUPS - Richmond upon Thames

    Richmond upon Thames Forum for Older People. All ages welcome. Membership secretary Morris Shaer 8979 6651. Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames 8891 5455. 9.30am-2.30pm monday Trustee Honor Bailey 8948 2323. Friends of Richmond upon Thames Public

  • Freedman, Thomson and Powell all return for crucial fixtures

    Crystal Palace go into a run of three tough away games boosted by the return of last year's player of the year Dougie Freedman. Trevor Francis unexpectedly recalled captain Curtis Fleming for the draw against Liverpool on Sunday, and now with tough trips

  • Bullying claim made by widow at inquest

    The grieving widow of a DFS furniture warehouse manager, who was found hanging at work, claims he was bullied and threatened by bosses. Jane Wagstaff made the allegations at the inquest into her husband's death at Westminster Coroner's Court, last Thursday

  • Crowd laps up Jimmy's jokes

    Jimmy Greaves scored 400 goals in 600 professional games of football, writes Brendan Thomas. That's two goals for every three appearances. What's more, Jimmy scored 47 goals for England from 57 starts. This makes Jimmy the most reliable British goal scorer

  • Mullins happy to stay

    The Premiership transfer window closes on Friday and remarkably Palace have held onto all their young players, with only Birminghams paltry £600,000 bid for Hayden Mullins troubling chairman Simon Jordan. With two days to go, Birmingham are unlikely to

  • Predator attacks girl in home

    Police are searching for a man who followed an 11-year-old into her home and indecently assaulted her at knifepoint. An e-fit of the man who subjected the schoolgirl to an "horrific" assault in her Peckham home, has been released by police. Police last

  • Predator attacks girl in home

    Police are searching for a man who followed an 11-year-old into her home and indecently assaulted her at knifepoint. An e-fit of the man who subjected the schoolgirl to an "horrific" assault in her Peckham home, has been released by police. Police last

  • Reforms closing two care centres

    Two day centres for people with learning disabilities could close next year. The closures are an attempt to revolutionise day care in the borough and develop opportunities. Services are currently provided from three council-run centres: Waylands in Waddon

  • Paul making right noises

    With so many faces disappearing from Albert Square it was good to talk with a man who can say there is life after soap!, writes Christine van Emst. Paul Bradley was the cuddly Mr Nice Guy, Nigel Bates in EastEnders. He played, brilliantly, one of the

  • Paul making right noises

    With so many faces disappearing from Albert Square it was good to talk with a man who can say there is life after soap!, writes Christine van Emst. Paul Bradley was the cuddly Mr Nice Guy, Nigel Bates in EastEnders. He played, brilliantly, one of the

  • An act of grace

    The dazzling Russian Ice Stars glide back into town on February 18, when Wild Rose production company present two brand new shows at Fairfield Concert Hall. The exciting Sensational Ice will feature highlights from a decade of ice shows, and The Nutcracker

  • Tax hike looms over police funding crisis

    Council taxpayers could face a hike of more than 40 per cent in police charges to compensate Surrey's force for the lowest government grant in England. Surrey Police Authority (SPA) has not ruled out an increase of that magnitude in the police precept

  • Tax hike looms over police funding crisis

    Council taxpayers could face a hike of more than 40 per cent in police charges to compensate Surrey's force for the lowest government grant in England. Surrey Police Authority (SPA) has not ruled out an increase of that magnitude in the police precept

  • Mysterious death of man accused of being a "pervert"

    A suspected sex attacker from Ponders End was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Kriz Ruzz Arsenal Chapman Watson, also known as Richard Watson, was found dead at his Kennedy Avenue home in August last year, having not been seen for four days. The

  • Mysterious death of man accused of being a "pervert"

    A suspected sex attacker from Ponders End was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Kriz Ruzz Arsenal Chapman Watson, also known as Richard Watson, was found dead at his Kennedy Avenue home in August last year, having not been seen for four days. The

  • Task force plan for town centre

    A PLANNING task force is being proposed for Enfield Town centre which could turn it into ''a cultural focus as well as a shopping centre fit for the 21st century consumer'', according to council leader Michael Rye. The creation of a Project Board to review

  • Witnesses sought over attack

    POLICE are appealing to clubbers to come forward with information on an assault at an Enfield nightspot. The attack at Eros in Dearsley Road, which came just a week after two incidents in the car park of the club, resulted in a 27-year-old man from Edmonton

  • 'Co-operation is the key to saving house'

    PLANS to restore Broomfield House to its former glory have been given the green light by Enfield Council. The estimated £3.5 million proposals, which aims to turn the house into a community facility providing space for education, training and social and

  • Merton gets the green finger treatment

    Environmentalists have been pulling out the stops to make Merton greener. Students, including those at Garden Primary School, Mitcham, and volunteers from around the borough, have taken the opportunity to plant trees at schools and in Morden Park. But

  • Lack of places mars 'good' school report

    ENFIELD'S education bosses have been told by an independent watchdog that depsite improvements there is still work to be done to solve the school places crisis. The report on the local education authority (LEA) by Ofsted, which follows a three-week inspection

  • Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights (PS2)

    THE recent film version of Scooby Doo had a computer generated Scooby cowering at the sight of evil fairground owners covered in white sheets so this should be one computer game that resembles its cinematic inspiration. Scooby-Doo is a traditional platform

  • Battling Hornets' youngsters lose out in extra-time

    DESPITE a fine performance, Watford Reserves' excellent ten game unbeaten run ended at Top Field on Tuesday, January 28, as they suffered a 2-1 Herts Senior Cup quarter-final defeat after extra-time against Hitchin Town. A Young Hornets line-up created

  • Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights (PS2)

    THE recent film version of Scooby Doo had a computer generated Scooby cowering at the sight of evil fairground owners covered in white sheets so this should be one computer game that resembles its cinematic inspiration. Scooby-Doo is a traditional platform

  • Free cash

    Community groups who think it could be a waste of time applying for Lottery or Community Fund cash have been urged to think again after it emerged Battersea causes get more than the average share of good causes' money. Martin Linton MP said figures showed

  • Heritage correction

    The Croydon Guardian would like to apologise to historian John W Brown for the error in last week's paper which mistakedly credited his article about the Lost Prince Of Norwood to one of our own reporters. We sincerely regret the mistake and any undue

  • Flat plans

    Plans for six more "hidden homes" on Roehampton's Lennox estate have been approved by councillors. Last week's planning committee approved the plans for the conversion of the garage and store areas below Ludovick Walk and Sarah House. The two-bedroom

  • Bubble at teenage forum

    Teenagers from Wimbledon had the chance to speak up about issues affecting their lives during a youth forum event attended by Big Brother Two joker Bubble. The lively contestant, also know as Paul Ferguson (above, centre), took time out from post Big

  • Call of the wild

    The Wandsworth Borough News and Surrey Comet's wildlife correspondent Tony Drakeford is showing himself as a true Renaissance man not only a man of letters, he has also begun tutoring keen photographers in how to best capture the wonders of our urban

  • Head injury victims need better support

    Victims of brain injuries and their families should be given greater support from the Government, Siobhain McDonagh MP has told the House of Commons. Addressing the house during a debate on brain injury rehabilitation services, the Mitcham and Morden

  • Post office sell-off provokes protests

    The Post Office faced a storm of criticism from residents and trade unionists at a public meeting over plans to sell its Edgware branch. The proposed franchise deal would see the existing post office in Station Road double as a general store. Communication

  • Message of peace for students

    Pacifists from Woodside Park International School flew to New York last week to attend an international conference. The group of six GCSE students were the only European students to attend the one-day conference held in Manhattan's Natural History Museum

  • Hospital wildlife haven is far from a dead duck

    Plans to save a wildlife haven and much-loved park land surrounding Atkinson Morley's Hospital from being sold off to the private sector have moved a step closer, after receiving backing from Merton Council. The Launching Urban Neighbourhood Green campaign

  • Worried about school closure

    I am the parent of a little girl at John Milton School's nursery. I am very disappointed with the idea to close the school because it has made a tremendous effort over the last two years to improve something that is really noticeable each day when we

  • MPs' crocodile tears don't fool us

    When will the borough's Labour MPs start telling the truth to their constituents about the realities of their Government's funding cuts for Wandsworth and other London councils? In this borough alone the potential deficit for residents is around £5million

  • Polka calls on public to fight against cuts

    A massive cut in funding for a specialist Wimbledon theatre threatens to curtail entertainment and education for thousands of children across London. The Polka opened in The Broadway 24 years ago and is the only theatre in Britain producing and presenting

  • Collect rubbish from gardens

    In reply to Sheila Hansford's letter on January 8, regarding the clearing of leaves and cuttings from ones garden, I must agree. She is perfectly correct. This should not be the local council's duty. However, the problem lies with rubbish collectors who

  • Alton estate is back on track

    Residents on the Alton estate in Roehampton have voiced overwhelming support for the action the council has taken in bringing management of the estate back under town hall control. Under the RMO, requests for repairs were ignored, routine maintenance

  • College site may become housing

    Merton Council is offering two different housing developments as options for the Merton College Sixth Form site, despite impassioned pleas by residents for a church school. The fate of the site, in Central Road, Morden, was discussed on Saturday, January

  • Clinic's just the tonic required

    If you feel the need to get in shape, look no further than the Fulham Slimming Clinic. You can have a free consultation to find the right treatment method for you. This will include dietary and exercise advice plus use of other slimming aids including

  • Hair-raising experience

    If you have thinning hair, bald patches or are completely bald it can really knock your confidence but you don't have to put up with this. Forget daunting surgical procedures and unnatural hair transplants and visit the Fulham Hair Restoration Clinic.

  • Treat yourself to a massage

    Suffering from back pain disrupts your day and leaves you feeling drained and run-down. One of the main causes of back pain is muscular tension. At the London Relaxation Clinic therapists concentrate on alleviating muscle stress with deep tissue massage

  • All your beauty needs

    Juliet's Hair and Beauty store specialises in human hair extensions, synthetic hair, wigs and beauty products for style-conscious women or men, with emphasis on affordable prices and impeccable service. Dedicated to meet the needs of its target market

  • CCTV grant will help fight crime

    Potential criminals beware there are fewer places in Merton for you to hide as a £56,000 grant will take the number of CCTV cameras in the borough above 150. Merton Council and Merton Partnership Against Crime (MPAC) a joint initiative between police,

  • What's going on with Daewoo?

    Are there any other Daewoo owners of Croydon (especially cars covered by the three-year warranty), who have suffered since the demise of Daewoo, and the takeover by GM Motors? Does anyone know the story behind this take-over? Why was it so painful for

  • Hassan is first home

    Belgrave Harriers men and women were in action in the South of England Cross Country Championships in the West Country last Saturday. The men were led home by Hassan Raidi, who closely trailed the leading group for the first third of the race, but fell

  • Don't plead with Brown over taxes - talk to Tony

    Councillor Hugh Malyan pleads with Prescott over taxes (Letters, Guardian, January 15) regarding the Labour council leader's warning of an up to 30 per cent increase in Croydon's council tax in April. I suggest that he pleads with Tony Blair. I well remember

  • Neighbourhood watch and ignore

    I have lived in Shirley for 13 years now, and have been very proud to be a Shirley resident until now. On the evening of Wednesday, January 15, I was taking my seven-year-old son to football practice, heading up The Glade towards Orchard Way, when suddenly

  • Hockey heroes up for the cup

    Spencer play the biggest match in their history on Sunday, writes Jo Halpin. The Wandsworth side are in the last 16 of the National Hockey Cup, the sport's equivalent of the FA Cup. This weekend they head for Nottinghamshire to face Beeston, who are gunning

  • Appeal for witnesses at Tesco Express

    Police are appealing for witnesses after three youths robbed a Tesco Express supermarket on Shirley Road last week, assaulting staff as they made their escape. The robbery occurred at 8.30pm on Wednesday, January 22, when three black youths aged around

  • Terrors keep up away run

    Tooting & Mitcham United's impressive away form continued with a 2-0 win at Worthing on Saturday. Daniel Nwanze and Nigel Webb were on target for the Terrors, who have home games against Molesey on Saturday and Bognor Regis Town next Tuesday. Tooting

  • Council finance team impresses judges

    Croydon's cash has been proven to be in good hands with the council's finance team shortlisted for a national award in the local government equivalent of the Oscars. The council is one of only three in the whole country, and the only London borough, to

  • Drug gang crime bust nets Edmonton man

    AN EDMONTON man is facing drug charges after being arrested in a massive police raid on organised crime in neighbouring Haringey last week. Omer Durnan-Celebi, 46, of Pasteur Gardens, has been charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and cannabis

  • Same old story

    Regarding the front page of the Guardian of January 16, Unique scheme to regenerate Mitcham. Well, how long ago was Morden town centre on the front page for regeneration? It was September 12, 2002. As I said, we've heard it all before. What we want is

  • Tigana's men look like cup specialists

    Fulham earned an FA Cup fifth round tie with First Division Burnley after crushing rivals Charlton Athletic at Loftus Road on Sunday afternoon. The home tie with Stan Ternant's play off chasing side will be the 19th cup fixture for Jean Tigana's men this

  • Hotel lends bus to help elderly

    A group of elderly Selsdon residents were able to continue their regular lunches at a day centre when a hotel stepped in to replace their broken bus. Selsdon Park Hotel are giving the Selsdon Centre for the Retired a bus and driver as cover while their

  • Predator attacks girl in home

    Police are searching for a man who followed an 11-year-old into a south east London home and indecently assaulted her at knifepoint. An e-fit of the man who subjected the schoolgirl to an "horrific" assault in her Peckham home, has been released by police

  • Elderly Eagles fan killed by car

    An 82-year-old died after being hit by a speeding motorist as he crossed the road outside his Thornton Heath home, an inquest heard last Thursday, writes Patrick Bruce. Life-long Crystal Palace fan, Douglas True died on May 21 last year when he tried

  • Car distress

    On Tuesday, January 14, my car and a neighbour's car were broken into and the person/persons responsible know who they are. This message is for you. My neighbour is elderly and has a pacemaker. He treasures his car and the shock of seeing parts of his

  • Purley firms want cut rates

    Small businesses should be given money off their non-domestic rates, in a bid to encourage them to settle in Purley, according to residents and traders. The view was expressed at a recent Purley and Kenley Neighbourhood Partnership meeting when some said

  • Ken should bring attention to area

    Ken Livingstone's visit to Croydon at the end of January will focus some much-needed attention on the area, according to a South London business leader, writes Patrick Bruce. South London Business (SLB) chief executive David Main told the Guardian he

  • Mystery surrounds death of a suspected sex beast

    A SUSPECTED sex attacker from Ponders End was unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled this week. Kriz Ruzz Arsenal Chapman Watson, also known as Richard Watson, was found dead at his Kennedy Avenue home in August last year, having not been seen for four days

  • Residents want more for money

    Residents in Purley and Kenley believe they are not getting the services they pay for, writes Cara Lovell. The views were expressed at a recent neighbourhood partnership meeting, where Croydon council held a consultation to find out what residents think

  • Winterbourne boys grill MP on war views

    It was question time for Winterbourne Boys who grilled Croydon North MP on whether he thought we should go to war. "What is the government doing about the recent discovery of ricin?" and "Do you think the English cricket team should play in Zimbabwe?"

  • Meet Humphrey the giant toad

    Snakes and spiders greeted children when they arrived at Purley Nursery on January 16 but many of the new arrivals settled in well. Humphrey the giant toad and a Russian glass lizard were just two of the weird and wonderful creatures stroked and stared

  • Holocaust survivor Janina Martinho

    Not a single day goes by without Holocaust survivor Janina Martinho remembering her escape through the sewers of the Cracow ghetto. The retired Croydon teacher is a Polish Jew. All her family, except her and her elder brother, Joseph, perished under Nazi

  • BRIT gets top exam results

    On its 10th anniversary, the BRIT School was not only honoured with a visit from the Queen but has achieved its best ever exam results and a good OFSTED report. A team of 20 inspectors visited the performing arts and technology college in the Crescent

  • CRPC meet

    Croydon's retired population will be examining the government's policy on pensions next week at their monthly meeting. Croydon Retired Peoples' Campaign will meet on Monday (February 3) at Ruskin House between 11am and 1pm. January 29, 2003 13:00

  • Hunt for CS gas robbers

    Burglars who raided a pub in Purley at the weekend sprayed CS gas into the face of a manager as they made off with the night's takings. The two suspects got in through the back door of the Jolly Farmers pub on Purley Cross after staff had locked up for

  • Grateful for generosity

    Poverty stricken Gambian children have thanked Guardian readers for their generosity after a Tooting charity delivered tonnes of food, clothes and medical supplies last month. Hearts To Africa collected everything from school books to building materials

  • Rugby: Streatham stay on track for promotion

    Raynes Park 6 Streatham-Croydon 15 Streatham remain on course for promotion from Surrey Division 2 with a 15-6 win at Raynes Park. Tries either side of half time from Dean Taylor and Stefan Van Wyk were sufficient reply to Park's two converted penalties

  • 'Money Makers' gang jailed after shop raids

    A "steaming" gang who waged an 18-month campaign at businesses in Wandsworth and across south London were jailed for a total of 18 years this week. The 13 men, aged between 18 and 24 years, stole thousands of pounds worth of DVD related software, electrical

  • Burns Night is a hair cut above the rest

    It was a helping of haggis with a short back and sides as a bagpiping barber served up a Burns Night bonus for customers at a Surbiton hair emporium. Lord and Brant barbershop in St James' Road was draped in tartan as Scottish snipper Malcolm McGregor

  • Rugby: Warlingham fall to legal eagles

    Law Society 36 Warlingham 3 Played on a soft pitch in Kingston, Warlingham were yet again unable to mount a sustained challenge over the full course of 80 minutes. Turning around 3-3 at the interval, there was serious hope among the travelling supporters

  • Hockey: Purley lose to Richmond

    RICHMOND 4 PURLEY WALCOUNTIANS 1 In a very disappointing game Purley Walcountians suffered at the hands of Richmond. They were unlucky to lose Captain Simon Letchford early on. They dominated play for long periods but there was no penetration in the forward

  • Hockey: Croydon ladies see justice done

    Croydon MO 1 Epsom 0 Croydon faced a team riding high in the league above them at Richmond's neutral ground. Croydon maintained possession in and around the Epsom D and applied the pressure to win a series of short corners. From one of these, Helen put

  • Football: Southborough School

    Southborough School's year 11 football team will play Suffolk champions Stoke High School from Ipswich in the next round of the National U16 Championships, after victory over Middlesex champions St Ignatius in the last round. January 29, 2003 10:30

  • Rugby Union: Old Emanuel

    Old Emanuel shocked high-flying Barnes 27-15 in the Surrey Cup last Saturday. Warren Appel, Simon Parley, Dave Bushell and George Nice scored Old Emanuel's tries. Emanuel will be looking to maintain their form when they entertain London South West Four

  • Mistake proves costly for Jardine

    Kingston businessman Tony Jardine crashed out on stage nine of the Artic Lapland Rally last weekend. Jardine, partnered by Des Kelly, ploughed his RAC Auto Windscreens MG ZR into a snow bank. The pair had been moving steadily up the field on day two of

  • Kingston Wildcats 76 Hackney Whiteheat 73

    Injury-hit Kingston Wildcats ran out narrow winners over Hackney Whiteheat in the National Basketball Conference last Saturday. Jamie Whitaker was the main offensive threat in the first quarter, scoring regularly, but a series of three-pointers meant

  • Kingstonian 2 Sutton United 1

    Kingstonian overcame two red cards to dent their old Ryman enemy's promotion hopes on Saturday, writes Phil Windeatt. Ks gave a thrilling display of attacking football in the first 20 minutes, with striker Tim Sills scoring twice. Danny Bolt pulled one

  • Fewer pensioners

    There are 2,000 fewer pensioners in Kingston than there were 10 years ago, according to figures released by GMB this week. The union found elderly people are moving from cities into the shires. In 1991, 18.5 per cent of Kingston's population were pensioners

  • Police link violent attacks

    Police are linking two brutal muggings to the same man. In one case, a 38-year-old Epsom woman was knocked unconscious by her attacker who stole her cheque book and credit cards in Nonsuch Park. She had been walking her dog behind the David Lloyd Centre

  • Sports shorts

    FOOTBALL: The Football League is being urged to block Wimbledon FC's bid to move to the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes before the end of the season. Nicole Hammond, chairman of Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association, said: "The FA Commission

  • Ruts run out worthy winners

    Old Rutlishians produced a workmanline performance to beat Old Caterhamians 20-3 on Saturday, writes Bill Griffin. After soaking up early pressure, a well-worked try saw winger Darren Ramen score Ruts' first try in the corner. The visitors reduced the

  • Party criticised for fee pledge U-turn

    Sutton Liberal Democrats have been accused of "saying anything to get elected" after levying a manifesto-breaking charge to collect bulky waste. The party has come under fire from both opposition groups for the £10 fee, which breaks a pledge made in the

  • Dereje leads promotion bid

    Hercules Wimbledon men will be aiming to maintain their good start to the Sweatshop Surrey Cross Country League campaign in Lloyd Park, Croydon, on Saturday. Hercules are currently fourth in their division, giving them a good chance of promotion. "There

  • The Questors Theatre

    Mattock Lane, Ealing, London W5 5BQ Box office 020 8567 5184 STEEL MAGNOLIAS The Studio, 18 Jan - 1 Feb --- DESIGN FOR LIVING The Playhouse, 8 - 15 February --- The Questors Youth Theatre in ERNIE'S INCREDIBLE ILLUCINATIONS & THE CHRYSALIDS The Studio

  • Get active and get fitter for life

    Residents are being encouraged to get active and improve their lifestyles. Ushma Mistry reports on getting active in Ealing. GETTING fit and staying fit is not as easy as it sounds but it can be with a personal guide to activities on your doorstep. Recommended

  • Public meeting about airport noise

    Public consultation on introducing three noise insulation schemes to help reduce the impact of noise on people living near Stansted Airport is to be held by airport operator BAA. The consultation, due to take place in the spring, will include a review

  • Views on 'sleazy' show

    AS part of this year's budgetary process Harlow Council is proposing to cut The Playhouse's grant by £100,000. Given we have one of the highest council taxes and some of the poorest services in the country, I welcome the coalition council's attempt to

  • Housing strategy launched

    THIS week sees the launch of Harlow Labour Group's new housing strategy. Most of our councillors were newly elected last May, and their new ideas have been combined with the expertise of our experienced members to produce exciting new policies. Our conclusion

  • Housing strategy launched

    THIS week sees the launch of Harlow Labour Group's new housing strategy. Most of our councillors were newly elected last May, and their new ideas have been combined with the expertise of our experienced members to produce exciting new policies. Our conclusion

  • Parking victimisation

    WHY is Harlow Council victimising residents who have parking permits in their area? These residents live mainly near the town centre, and the reason that permits were issued in the first place was because certain tight-fisted motorists would not use the

  • Commons Column January 29 - with Harlow MP Bill Rammell

    HOUSING is the number one issue at my advice surgeries. We need more rented housing and better quality housing stock. We also need a better housing service so that tenants are treated with the respect they deserve. Harlow Labour Group launched its new

  • Commons Column January 29 - with Harlow MP Bill Rammell

    HOUSING is the number one issue at my advice surgeries. We need more rented housing and better quality housing stock. We also need a better housing service so that tenants are treated with the respect they deserve. Harlow Labour Group launched its new

  • Sports plan fails to win funding

    A LOTTERY bid by East Herts Council and St Mary's Catholic School to improve and extend sport facilities in Bishop's Stortford has been rejected by Sport England. The partnership application for £2.8m was submitted last September to help towards providing

  • Sports plan fails to win funding

    A LOTTERY bid by East Herts Council and St Mary's Catholic School to improve and extend sport facilities in Bishop's Stortford has been rejected by Sport England. The partnership application for £2.8m was submitted last September to help towards providing

  • Lions roar loud against Saints

    Millwall kept their FA Cup hopes alive last Saturday with an impressive 1-1 fourth-round draw against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. Indeed, but for an undeserved last-minute equaliser from Kevin Davies, the Lions would be already through to a fifth-round

  • Estate agents deny house price slump

    RESEARCH suggesting that Harlow will suffer a house price slump this year has been greeted with scepticism by local estate agents. The Nationwide Building Society claims Harlow is one of 20 local authority areas most likely to see a dramatic decrease

  • Students brush up on their Italian

    Newport Free Grammar School students brushed up on their Italian during an eight-day exchange visit to schools in Meduro and Spilimbergo in north east Italy. They attended lessons with their Italian exchange partners and visited Venice and the ski resort

  • Students brush up on their Italian

    Newport Free Grammar School students brushed up on their Italian during an eight-day exchange visit to schools in Meduro and Spilimbergo in north east Italy. They attended lessons with their Italian exchange partners and visited Venice and the ski resort

  • Students brush up on their Italian

    Newport Free Grammar School students brushed up on their Italian during an eight-day exchange visit to schools in Meduro and Spilimbergo in north east Italy. They attended lessons with their Italian exchange partners and visited Venice and the ski resort

  • School's award success

    Bishop's Stortford High School has received the Investors in People award following a visit from an independent assessor. January 29, 2003 09:00

  • Teenager bailed over rape claim

    A 17-year-old youth has been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl in the Bush Fair area of Harlow between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday, January 19. January 29, 2003 09:00

  • Cabbies call for law change

    PRIVATE hire drivers are pressing Harlow Council to change its licensing system so that all cab drivers can become hackney carriage licence holders. More than 30 private hire drivers attended a meeting of Harlow Council's licensing committee last week

  • Restaurant's offer to pupils

    THE Gatekeeper Beefeater at Hastingwood has teamed up with St Mark's School, Harlow, to encourage pupils to aim for a 100 per cent attendance record throughout the school year. Pupils who achieve the 100 per cent record will be given the chance to receive

  • Restaurant's offer to pupils

    THE Gatekeeper Beefeater at Hastingwood has teamed up with St Mark's School, Harlow, to encourage pupils to aim for a 100 per cent attendance record throughout the school year. Pupils who achieve the 100 per cent record will be given the chance to receive

  • Capital braces itself for the cold after record temperatures

    Londoners who on Monday were basking in the warmest January day on record should prepare for subzero temperatures. A record breaking 16.5deg was recorded in London yesterday, beating the previous 15deg set on January 6 1999. The temperature was about

  • Restaurant's offer to pupils

    THE Gatekeeper Beefeater at Hastingwood has teamed up with St Mark's School, Harlow, to encourage pupils to aim for a 100 per cent attendance record throughout the school year. Pupils who achieve the 100 per cent record will be given the chance to receive

  • Part of plane wing lands in garden

    AN investigation has been launched after part of an aircraft wing fell off and landed in a garden near Stansted Airport. A BAA Stansted spokesman confirmed that pieces of metal flap from a Federal Express plane heading to the airport from Paris had landed

  • Part of plane wing lands in garden

    AN investigation has been launched after part of an aircraft wing fell off and landed in a garden near Stansted Airport. A BAA Stansted spokesman confirmed that pieces of metal flap from a Federal Express plane heading to the airport from Paris had landed

  • Bag snatcher warning

    POLICE are warning shoppers in Bishop's Stortford to be extra vigilant following a spate of bag snatches at supermarkets. A 65-year-old Little Hallingbury woman had her handbag stolen when she was approached by a foreign woman at the Waitrose store in

  • Close call on Ricketts

    Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle faces a race against time to secure the services of Bolton's Michael Ricketts after Trotters manager Sam Allardyce said he wouldn't let the striker go until he had signed a replacement. Ricketts has made no secret of his desire

  • Project Nomads (PC)

    AND now for something completely different. Well, nearly. It's unusual to come across a game that tries to break the mould but that's precisely what Project Nomads is attempting to do. It's heralded as a true cross-genre game that mixes the gameplay elements

  • Teenager caged for attack.

    A SCHOOLBOY horror film addict who hit a teenage girl with a vodka bottle during a 'Silence of the Lambs' fantasy has been locked up for 12 months. The 16-year-old youth from Hayes, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been accused of throwing the

  • Support on patrol

    POLICE officers with a new community role are to be posted across the borough over the next few months. Police Community Support Officers (PCOS) were first introduced to the capital last September to carry out security duties in Westminster. Now the scheme

  • Calling all would be writers

    ASPIRING young writers are to be given the chance to work with some of the best writers in the UK in a unique competition. Write Up Your Street, a programme run by East-Side Educational Trust supported by John Lyon's Charity and London Arts is looking

  • New lease of life for elm tree

    EALING'S last elm tree has been saved from the axe after being transformed into a sculpture merging wildlife and fantasy. The 120-year-old, 28ft tall wych elm tree in Acton Park has been diagnosed with Dutch elm disease and rather than cutting down the

  • New lease of life for Elm tree

    EALING'S last 120-year-old, 28ft tall wych elm tree in Acton Park has been diagnosed with Dutch elm disease and rather than cutting down the tree, sculptor Dennis Heath has transformed it. Photo by Robert Knightsbridge. Ref: E08/30/01 January 29, 2003

  • Restaurant is creme de la creme

    A FRENCH restaurant has been short-listed out of more than 6,000 London eateries for a top award. La Trompette in Devonshire Road, Chiswick, has been hand-picked by judges of the Tio Pepe Carlton London Restaurant Awards 2003 for the title of French Restaurant

  • Broncos idols prop up squad

    THE Winners of London Broncos Prop Idol competition will be unveiled on February 23rd at the team's first home game of the season against Halifax at Griffin Park. The Broncos launched a nationwide search for new talent at the beginning of the year and

  • Stan: Bees can still join big boys

    STAN Ternent, who's Burnley side knocked Brentford out of the FA Cup on Saturday, has backed his old pal Wally Downes to join him in the First Division next season. Downes and Ternent won the Second Division Championship with Bury in 1996 and the Burnley

  • Stan: Bees can still join big boys

    STAN Ternent, who's Burnley side knocked Brentford out of the FA Cup on Saturday, has backed his old pal Wally Downes to join him in the First Division next season. Downes and Ternent won the Second Division Championship with Bury in 1996 and the Burnley

  • Top Price wins six in a row

    Barnet Copthall's Sarah Price, resently named British swimmer of the year, is continuing the magnificent form that brought her the national award for 2002. Contesting three World Cup meetings last week in Paris, Stockholm and Berlin the 23-year-old was

  • Wares go Brazilian

    Edgware Town hope to sign Brazilian Paulo Cezar in time for their Associate Members Trophy tie against Kingsbury Town on Saturday. Cezar has played for Rio Branco, Commercial and Fluminense in his native Brazil, as well as in China. Cezar said: "I am

  • Wares go Brazilian

    Edgware Town hope to sign Brazilian Paulo Cezar in time for their Associate Members Trophy tie against Kingsbury Town on Saturday. Cezar has played for Rio Branco, Commercial and Fluminense in his native Brazil, as well as in China. Cezar said: "I am

  • Wares go Brazilian

    Edgware Town hope to sign Brazilian Paulo Cezar in time for their Associate Members Trophy tie against Kingsbury Town on Saturday. Cezar has played for Rio Branco, Commercial and Fluminense in his native Brazil, as well as in China. Cezar said: "I am

  • lub vows to punish thugs

    Barnet FC have vowed to take firm action against any fan found to have thrown coins at an assistant in Saturday's match against Burton Albion. Two coins were thrown at the referee's assistant in front of the east terrace when he failed to spot a handball

  • Tony's new hope

    The short-term future of Barnet FC will be placed in the hands of the Football League's 72 clubs after club chairman Tony Kleanthous revealed it may not now be necessary to increase Underhill's capacity to 6,000. Mr Kleanthous was speaking ahead of a

  • Tony's new hope

    The short-term future of Barnet FC will be placed in the hands of the Football League's 72 clubs after club chairman Tony Kleanthous revealed it may not now be necessary to increase Underhill's capacity to 6,000. Mr Kleanthous was speaking ahead of a

  • Primary schools bid for £97m in funding

    A multi-million pound bid has been made for a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) to improve Barnet's primary schools despite independent warnings of poor quality and value for money. Barnet Council's application for £97million to improve facilities and

  • Children's breakfast club faces closure

    A breakfast club for the children of hard-working parents in Grahame Park faces closure because it has been denied funding. An application for running costs by Blessed Dominic RC VA Primary School was rejected by Putting New Heart into Grahame Park, a

  • Chemical spill not terrorism

    Fears of a terrorist attack were dismissed by firefighters after four poisonous gas canisters were found in West Hendon. Five fire crews were called to the Garrick Industrial Centre in Garrick Road just after 10.15am on Friday last week when a security

  • Divorce law and TV made for each other

    A Finchley divorce lawyer is set to turn TV presenter when her Channel 4 series starts next week. Vanessa Lloyd Platt, who runs Lloyd Platt & Company in Regents Park Road, stars in the six-part series Made For Each Other, which is a cross between

  • Students say Saddam must go

    Sharif left Iraq's second city Basra in 1978. His home city was the site of a massacre of Shia Muslims who rose up, with Western encouragement, after the last Gulf War only to be abandoned to Saddam's helicopter gunships when America thought better of

  • High street traffic calming scheme finally underway

    LONG-AWAITED work to slow traffic in Bean High Street has begun. The £35,000 project, which started last week, should take five weeks to complete. The traffic calming scheme consists of constructing speed cushions and gateways, laying red surfacing and

  • Business boost for olympic bid

    A vast majority of the Capital's businesses would back a London bid for the 2012 Olympics and believe the games will bring them extra economic benefits, a survey says. Eight of ten businesses questioned by the London Chamber of Commerce backed a London

  • Rams beaten but not bowed

    Canterbury34 Harlow22 (London League Div One) HARLOW'S recent run of good results came to an end on Saturday against a very good Canterbury side. The visitors took a 5-0 lead with a try from Dwain Bishop, although it wasn't long before the hosts began

  • Win keeps Harlow in the hunt

    Harlow3 Ipswich1 (Printwize East League Division Four) HARLOW safely secured a vital win which maintains their outside chance of League glory, against Ipswich on Saturday. It wasn't long before Shearman-Slack found the space to exploit his direct running

  • Win keeps Harlow in the hunt

    Harlow3 Ipswich1 (Printwize East League Division Four) HARLOW safely secured a vital win which maintains their outside chance of League glory, against Ipswich on Saturday. It wasn't long before Shearman-Slack found the space to exploit his direct running

  • An alternative to District Line disruption?

    Commuters tired of battling endless disruption on the Richmond branch of the District Line were being offered solace by a London Assembly member this week, who said a solution could be in sight. Lib Dem London Assembly member Lynne Featherstone has met

  • Terror suspects held in London

    Four terrorist suspects arrested after pre-dawn raids in Manchester today are being held at a central London police station. Four men, believed to be North African, were arrested after a joint operation involving Greater Manchester Police and Scotland

  • We must hold LU accountable, Assembly says

    The Greater London Assembly is to launch its own probe into the weekend tube derailment. The Assembly has instructed its transport committee to investigate the January 25 train crash, believed to have been caused after a motor fell off the fifth carriage

  • An alternative to District Line disruption?

    COMMUTERS tired of battling endless disruption on the Richmond branch of the District Line were being offered solace by a London Assembly member this week, who said a solution could be in sight. Lib Dem London Assembly member Lynne Featherstone has met

  • Divorce law and TV made for each other

    A Finchley divorce lawyer is set to turn TV presenter when her Channel 4 series starts next week. Vanessa Lloyd Platt, who runs Lloyd Platt & Company in Regents Park Road, stars in the six-part series Made For Each Other, which is a cross between

  • Art of relaxing waiting patients

    SCHOOLCHILDREN and artists have joined forces to create works of art for the new hospital in Farnborough. Pupils from Hayes School created 40 pieces of work, based on the theme of "journeys", which will be exhibited when the hospital opens in March. Other

  • Thieves make off with top up cards

    A SHOP in Little Oxhey Lane was targeted by thieves who took mobile phone top-up cards. Two men in their mid twenties were in Little Oxhey News at about 10.15am on Wednesday, January 22. They asked for top-up cards and were each given a £25 card. They

  • Lunchtime best time for clubs

    TEACHERS at a Bromley primary school say a new initiative to improve youngsters' communication and social skills is a great success. Poverest Primary School, in Tillingbourne Green, St Mary Cray, is one of several schools in the area which receives special

  • Man in court charged with murder of roofer

    A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of 33-year-old Derek Andrews whose body was found on wasteland near the Grand Union Canal. Mr Andrews had been missing since Wednesday, November, 2. His body was discovered between the River Gade and

  • Market trader finded for selling counterfeit clothing

    A TRADER who deals in clothing at Bovingdon market was found guilty on three charges of selling counterfeit clothing and fined £2,100 plus £2,000 towards costs at Watford Magistrates Court last week. The trader, Neil Wilkinson, of Castle Donnington, Derby

  • Excitement in Division 2

    The excitement was confined to Division 2 this week with Goodfellas losing only their second game of the year to Selbrook Wanderers. A brace from Purssey was good enough to seal the points whilst Brown hit the target for Goodfellas. Selbrook now have

  • Campaign inspires poet

    A Croydon woman who has written a poetry book based on her experiences living in Croydon has leant her support to the Guardian's We Think Croydon's Champion campaign. Jillian Henderson-Long was so inspired by living, working and socialising in the borough

  • Tackle crime by being proactive, says parish councillor

    RESIDENTS of Radlett are being encouraged to join or create neighbourhood watch groups to prevent an increase of crime in the area. Members of Aldenham Parish Council are concerned about the rising level of crime in the area, such as thefts from building

  • Warrant issued for murdered au-pair's boyfriend

    Detectives investigating the murder of a Czech au-pair who was found suffocated under a block of flats in New Southgate almost two years ago have issued a warrant for the arrest of her former boyfriend. Twenty-five-year-old Dana Prokesova was found in

  • Credit union needs volunteers

    VOLUNTEERS are required for a new community organisation opening in West Watford. Watford Credit Union is a non-profit making financial co-operative governed by the Credit Union Act 1979 and the Financial Services Authority. Ms Alison Larholt at Credit

  • Korfball: Croydon win comfortably

    Cambridge 11 Croydon 22 It was not a match for the purist, but Croydon emerged with a comfortable victory and progressed to the BKA Cup semi finals and a meeting with old rivals Nomads. Cambridge have been on the receiving end of plenty of maulings from

  • Falling tree kills driver in 'freak accident'

    A motorist was killed on Tuesday when a rotten tree crushed his convertible sports car in Hadley Highstone. Matthew Warden, 32, from Tamworth Road, Hertford, was hit by the falling tree on the junction of Great North Road and Beaumont Place at 1.30pm.

  • Pop stars slam dunk

    Pop idols Liberty X, Blazin' Squad and Jamiroquai will be battling it out on the court instead of in the charts when they take part in a charity basketball match in the borough. The annual Dunk 'n' Funk event will be taking place at the Crystal Palace

  • Dead man may have been slowly tortured

    A man who was found bound and gagged in his home on the Norbury borders may have been slowly tortured to death before his body was discovered last week. Keith Webb, 57, was found with multiple injuries in his Ellison Road home by a family member last

  • Play group benefiting from golf

    A play group for children with special needs is one step closer to having a sensory garden, following a cash boost of over £4,000. The Croydon Opportunities Pre-school Playgroup is benefiting from the money raised at a charity golf match at Woodcote Golf

  • Capital braced for cold after record high

    Londoners who on Monday were basking in the warmest January day on record should prepare for subzero temperatures. A record breaking 16.5deg was recorded in London yesterday, beating the previous 15deg set on January 6 1999. The temperature was about

  • Council tenants' rents staying low

    Croydon's rents will remain low for another year after the council's tenants and lease-holders agreed an average 2.6 per cent rise for the coming year, less than last year's increase and well within the London average. The council looks after 17,000 homes

  • Nestl relent on Ethiopia

    Oxfam campaigners are hailing the success of a demonstration at Nestl's Croydon headquarters last year after the company slashed a compensation claim against the Ethiopian government by millions. The coffee giant announced last week it had reduced a compensation

  • Croydon's indoor aces

    A large contingent of Croydon-based athletics took part in the National Indoor Athletics Championships last Saturday. One gold medal, three silvers and a host of personal bests were achieved. Pride of place goes to gold medal winner Danny Doyley (Croydon

  • Schools football: Under 13s in semis

    A solitary goal was sufficient to see Croydon Schools' Under 13s through to the final of the South East Area Wimbledon Challenge Trophy, when they took on Brighton Schools at Greenacres, Warlingham, on Saturday morning, writes David Lomas. Croydon skipper

  • Reforms closing two care centres

    Two day centres for people with learning disabilities could close next year. The closures are an attempt to revolutionise day care in the borough and develop opportunities. Services are currently provided from three council-run centres: Waylands in Waddon

  • "We don't know the number of asylum seekers"

    A local Council has lost track of the numbers of asylum seekers and refugees living in the borough. Home Office legislation introduced in 2000 means that immigrants seeking asylum are no longer registered by local authorities but are co-ordinated by the

  • Jobs opportunity

    Employment needs and opportunities for both young people and adults are to be showcased at an exhibition. More than 80 exhibitors and 15-20,000 visitors are expected to attend the London Jobs and Training Exhibition, including dedicated careers advice