CHANGING specialist skill requirements are set to drive up the percentage of freelancer's who make up the UK workforce. The 2005 Recruitment, Retention and Turnover survey just published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD),
By Gabrielle Bramley, Erith School Once upon a time I did two weeks' work experience at Birkbeck Nursery and we all lived happily ever after. Work experience gives students the chance to get an idea of what the "world of work" is really like. It gives
By Lauren Cocklin, St Catherine's Now I know what you're thinking, what is the point inviting a moody, back-chatting, lazy, horrible teenager for work experience who has not done a single day of hard work in their life? Ok, so maybe I can agree with
By Jade Sanderson, St Catherine's Why would you as an employer of a well-known top quality company take on a work experience student who is still only a student at school, especially when you hear so many rumours about schoolchildren today? I didn't
By Victoria Mendoza, St Catherine's What comes to mind when you think of work experience? A bunch of immature teenagers messing about, or mature adolescents that are experiencing a taste of the world of work? Work experience is a time for students to
By Katie Kubias, St Catherine's Work experience at John Lewis, Oxford Street: Recommended for employers: Young people being introduced into the world of work has its benefits for both the student and the employer. The student then gets an insight into
By Rebecca Calleja, St Catherine's Many schools around the country have introduced the idea of Year 11 students, before they take their GCSE exams, to organize a placement at a workplace of their choice, so it could be at a vet that is near their home
By Maryanne Ayoola, St Catherine's Work experience is an opportunity for students aged 16 to 18 to go to a placement and experience real work within real working hours and real working environments, minus the pay. This enables the average student to
Welling 2 v 0 Carshalton Athletic Nationwide Conference South WELLING United overcame bottom club Carshalton Athletic with goals at the start and end of the match. However, the victory was marred by two injuries which could see vital players out
Crystal Palace 0 v 1 Brighton and Hove Albion Coca-Cola Championship THE Eagles recent good form was turned on its head and kicked into touch by a Brighton team starting the match bottom of the Championship. Boss Iain Dowie was not a happy man
A new exhibition has just opened in Erith Museum which uncovers an intriguing new dimension to the town's history. Chief reporter LINDA PIPER finds out more ... ROGER Griffith said in his account of the Thames in 1746: "Erith, a small town on the Kentish
When Kate Grimes took her first job in the NHS, it was as a hospital porter. Now she is running Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup. She spoke to chief reporter LINDA PIPER about her plans for the future ... THERE are hard times ahead this year for Kate Grimes
A GRIEF-STRICKEN mum hopes thieves who stole from her baby's grave get their hands "chopped off". Mechelle Thompson's son Cain David died from a congenital heart condition in January last year, when he was just nine days old. Since then, Mrs Thompson
FAMILIES got a taste of community spirit as a charity celebrated its 130th anniversary. Ebsfleet Rainbow Centre threw the event on October 15, featuring music from the Gravesend Borough Band and a range of clog, Morris and Irish dancing. Between 400
A TEAM of 10 women has walked hundreds of miles to raise money to help fund breast cancer research. Christine Farley, 48, of Walker Close, Crayford, Ann Mann, 54, from Dartford, and Denise Turner, 48, from Swanley, joined with seven other women for the
A development spanning three villages linked by parks, lakes and schools is taking shape near Bluewater. SARA NELSON went to Eastern Quarry to see one of the largest regeneration projects on the Kent Thameside ... Multi-million pound proposals to transform
Millwall 0 v 4 Sheffield United Coca-Cola Championship IT WAS a bad night at the New Den as Millwall crashed to their heaviest home defeat since March 2003 and returned to the foot of the Championship. The visit of table-topping Sheffield United
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is under way aiming to encourage women to be aware of the symptoms and raise money towards research. Reporter LOUISE TWEDDELL spoke to a Gravesham mayoress to discover how she coped after finding a cancerous lump ... IT
AN ANGRY motorist has started a campaign against speed cameras labelling them "a sign of the police state". Dave Brown has hit out at the devices, saying they are like a red rag to a bull and located in ridiculous places. The father-of-two wants the
Catford might not seem the most happening place in the world but with the appointment of its first-ever town centre manager, this looks set to change. Reporter GLENN EBREY caught up with the woman who hopes to make Catford cool ... ACCORDING to the council's
ONE hundred people turned out to see the latest Meccano models at the weekend. Aeroplanes, buses and cars, were part of the vast array of models on display in Sherard Hall, Court Road, Eltham. It was the South East London Meccano Club's 27th annual
A SCHOOLBOY awarded £11,000 compensation two years after he was expelled for allegedly carrying a knife says the system "failed him". Mark Bygraves, of Westmount Road, Eltham, has hit back at national media reports which have criticised the payout.
A BLACK officer who was offended by a warrant card with an ape on it wants to "put matters behind" him and get on with his career. Detective Sergeant Jimi Tele was distressed when the warrant card featuring a gorilla's head was placed on the notice board
Dartford 3 v 2 Dover Athletic FA Trophy 1st Round qualifying replay DARTFORD are in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Trophy after beating Dover in a pulsating five-goal replay at Stonebridge Road. Despite being held at home last weekend Dover
Brain Ache are familiar faces on the Shopperland music scene. They have rocked local venues such as the Amersham Arms and the Old Tiger's Head and played at the Danson Festival last year. Hailing From Bexley, Sidcup and Belvedere, Brain Ache are singer
POLICE have turned to Shop a Yob in a bid to track down youths responsible for vandalising buses. The 16 youths were all captured on CCTV scrawling graffiti or damaging buses. Our award winning Shop a Yob campaign has teamed up with Operation Bustag
THIS weekend Bromley FC have a great chance of reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time since 1996. The Ravens host Aldershot Town at Hayes Lane on October 22 after wins over Bedfont, Chipstead and Mangotsfield United in previous rounds
Bromley - For players in Bromley borough call 0906 739 0327 - For Bexley, Dartford and Gravesham boroughs, call 0906 739 0329 - For Lewisham & Greenwich boroughs, 0906 739 0331 - Calls are charged at £1 a minute but listings are free. - These
Vandals 21 v 36 Beckenham Powergen Intermediate Cup 2nd Round BECKENHAM rugby club progressed to the 2nd round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup with a comfortable win over Weybridge Vandals and a Leigh Woodcock hat trick. Beckenham, known as Becks
Coventry City 1 v 4 Palace Coca-Cola Championship THE Eagles recorded their second consecutive away win as they finally began to soar in the league, as forecast by pre-season pundits. It was their first appearance at Coventry's Ricoh Stadium and
British police are to re-investigate the death of a toddler killed by a speedboat on a crowded beach in the Bahamas. One year on from the second inquest, SARA NELSON speaks to the Gallagher family about their desperate fight for justice ... TWO-YEAR-OLD
Blackheath 38 v 24 Launceston National Powergen Trophy 4th Round BLACKHEATH have negotiated the first hurdle in their quest to win the Powergen National Rugby Trophy with a revenge win over the Cornish All Blacks. It was Launceston's second visit
Nim Hoy lost her three children and husband when the tsunami struck south east Asia last Boxing Day. She tells CHRIS JOHNSON why being spared was not easy ... THE last time Nim Hoy saw her children and husband alive she was being swept away by a violent
Norwich City 1 v 1 Millwall Coca-Cola Championship THE Lions extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a hard-fought Championship point at Carrow Road. While boss Colin Lee was pleased with a point it came at a cost as Barry Hayles' dismissal
MIDFIELDER Will Hendry has been awarded a professional contract which will keep him at The Den until the summer of 2007. The 18-year-old was on the bench for the FA Cup 3rd round tie at Wolves in January and has been a regular in the reserve team this
SYDENHAM snooker player Barry Hawkins came within a whisker of beating the world number one to reach the Grand Prix final in Preston. In a close semi-final Hawkins, who hit a 145 break in the match, was beaten by Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-5 before the Rocket
Lewisham - For players in Bromley borough call 0906 739 0327 - For Bexley, Dartford and Gravesham boroughs, call 0906 739 0329 - For Lewisham & Greenwich boroughs, 0906 739 0331 - Calls are charged at £1 a minute but listings are free. - These
ONE of the country's biggest coaching honours has been bestowed on a man who turned a swimming club into national finalists. Tony Beckley was voted British Swimming Coach of the Year in recognition of his work at Beckenham Swimming Club. Lewisham-born
A COMMONWEALTH judo gold medallist stopped by Northbrook Judo Club to give members some top-flight training. Simone Callender, who won gold in 2002 in the under-78kg category, spent more than an hour passing on the secrets of her success. She put the
PHONE masts could be hidden in more than 100 of the borough's lampposts if mobile phone company plans are approved. Various firms have approached Bromley Council offering financial deals for the new masts, which could see the borough scooping £50,000
Dover Athletic 1 v 1 Dartford FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying DARTS' third FA Trophy visit to The Crabble ended in a battling draw in front of the competition's second-best crowd of the afternoon. Dover Athletic currently lie fourth in the Ryman First
FOR 30 years the Formula Ford Festival has been the single-seater racing event every young aspiring racing driver wants to win. The festival, previously won by F1 stars Jenson Button and Mark Webber, returns to Brands Hatch this weekend for the blue-riband
THE North West Kent Netball League winter season is well under way with two full meetings already being played, writes Tim Ashton and Clare Cox. The early leaders have their noses in front thanks only to goal averages but teams playing at Coldharbour
THE top brass at Gravesend and Northfleet FC have been gathering to discuss falling attendances at Stonebridge Road. In a statement chairman Brian Kilcullen announced the club will be bringing out new initiatives to increase numbers very soon. As a
Tamworth 0 v 1 Fleet FLEET boss Liam Daish admitted his side's display against struggling Tamworth was "as poor as we have played in a long time". He singled out Paul McCarthy and Ross Smith as deserving credit but could not hide his disappointment
YOUNGSTERS set sail for The Valley as part of Charlton Athletic's anti-racism celebrations. The Addicks' 13th Red, White and Black Day took place at their Premiership match against Fulham on October 17. As part of the celebrations 200 youngsters from
Welling 1 v 1 Cambridge City Nationwide Conference South THIS early-season top-of-the-table clash took place amid a lot of back-slapping among the fans and sky-high confidence in the team. Adrian Pennock was crowned manager of the month and his team
A GOOD Samaritan saved the life of a motorcyclist whose heart stopped after his bike came off the road. Bromley town centre was brought to a standstill on October 12 following the rush-hour crash. Cardiac nurse Tracy Ennis was heading to her Orpington
A THREE-STOREY mural of one of the borough's most famous citizens has been unveiled. The painting in Market Square, Bromley, is a tribute to Charles Darwin, who lived and worked in Down House, Downe, in the 19th Century. It also ties in with the World
NIGHTCLUB owners have been prosecuted for illegally promoting events. Flux nightclub licensees Marie Randell, of Apex Close, Beckenham, Ian Buchan, of Isla Road, Plumstead, Nipul Desai, of Shirehall, Hendon, and Wendy Prowse, of Oak Road, Erith, admitted
A MAN in his fifties is being sought after an unprovoked attack left the victim needing surgery on his right eye socket. The 50-year-old victim was punched in the right eye outside the Sainsbury's store, High Street, Penge. The attacker came out of
GOOD WORK: Bromley NSPCC volunteers Sheila Mitchell and Linda Foulstone have been given a Loyal Service Award and Medal. They have raised more than £100,000 in 10 years through the Open Garden Scheme. Call 01689 854408 for more information about fundraising
BURNT Ash hockey club are still looking for their first win of the season after their second 4-3 reverse in a week. Ash started brightly in the Kent/Sussex South Hockey League clash against Ashford but following a defensive mix up they conceded the first
SERIOUSLY-ILL teenager Alex Wardrope is "back to square one" after his lifeline was cruelly snatched away. Two weeks ago leukaemia-sufferer Alex was jubilant when he was told a life-saving bone marrow match had been found for him. But the 19-year-old
AN OUT-OF-WORK dustman hanged himself the day before he was due to face a charge of arson. Michael Leigh's body was discovered by an employee of Bibas nightclub, Widmore Road, Bromley, on July 31. Mr Leigh, a divorced 57-year-old, of Southover, Bromley
A USED car salesman has been found guilty of unlicensed street trading. Trinity House Car Sales' owner Mr G Makrell, who was not in court to give his full name, illegally parked cars on the road outside his premises in Leaves Green Road, Keston. Bromley
FEAR FUN: Farnborough Dramatic Society's first production of the season is Portrait of Fear by Edward Taylor. It is at the Farnborough Village Hall, Farnborough High Street, Farnborough, on October 27, October 28 and October 29. Doors open at 7.30pm.
A CHARITY for children with life-threatening illnesses hopes to raise thousands of pounds by hosting a ball. The event will help fund the Maypole Project's work with children and their families. The Orpington-based charity gives ongoing emotional support
A CORONER has advised a family to see a doctor in case they suffer from their dead relative's heart weakness. Computer programmer Clifford McKnight, 43, collapsed while at work in the Princess Royal University Hospital's computer department on April
THE London Development Agency (LDA) has hit back at suggestions parkland may be sold off for housing. The agency, responsible for encouraging the capital's economy, will introduce proposals for the future of Crystal Palace Park tomorrow. But members
CRAY Wanderers are gearing up for the biggest cup game in their 145-year history and the prize of victory is too mouth-watering to contemplate. On Saturday the Wands travel to Grays Athletic to make their first ever appearance in the final qualifying
ANGRY youngsters came home from school to find they had been denied access to their playground. A 3ft-wide trench has stopped up to 100 children from the St Hugh's estate from using the play area in the former James Dixon Primary School. The school
AN AUTHOR entertained children with stories about his magical car to celebrate a school's 20th anniversary. Val Biro, 84, from Sussex, returned to Ashgrove Primary School, Widmore Road, Bromley, 20 years after he opened the school. The school's 100
A COMMUNITY says it is furious its concerns over plans to turn a school into houses are still being ignored. Bosses at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Chislehurst, want to move to a site in Greenwich so student numbers can be expanded
AN ARTIST has helped distract hospital patients from their ailments with artwork sessions. Stephen Chaplin ran the sessions at Orpington Hospital, Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, last Friday. The Orpington-born artist, who studied at the Slade School of
FOLLOWING the recent flooding across the country a lot has been said about global warming and the effects it is going to have on this part of the world. I even read in News Shopper some time ago about some professor talking about malaria taking hold
AT LAST the council has been forced to recognise same-sex couples in Bromley are equal to heterosexual couples (Council Makes Gay Ceremonies U-Turn, News Shopper, October 12). But let's face it, Bromley Council did so through gritted teeth, barely hiding
WHAT a delightful letter sent in by Mr Burcher (Cyclists Kill Fewest People On The Roads, News Shopper, September 14). When he speaks of relatively unimportant detail of the odd cyclist on the pavements, then I hope he uses his bus pass more than his
YOU always hear about problems and the bad things about schools. It is about time we heard something good about schools. There is a teacher at Ravensbourne School, Hayes Lane, Bromley, who is outstanding. My daughter went to Ravensbourne and my son
ACROSS the country councils have been allowing the erosion of public parks and even selling off parts of our Victorian parks. At the same time schools have sought to bolster their budgets by selling their playing fields. In response the 120th Liberal
I READ with amazement the letter from Councillor Adrian Marshall, Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom ward, with regard to protecting our green belt (Continue Fight For Green Belt, News Shopper, October 5). When one reads the lethargic history of this council's
IAM writing about the constant implication in the media our children are obese. Now I am sure figures confirm the facts but I see the fitness of the hundreds of children who attend my son's soccer skills schools in the Orpington and Bromley areas. They
LARGE COST: Regarding Mum's Plastic Surgery Nightmare (News Shopper, October 5). Your article did not say if the plastic surgeon told Ms Young how much it was going to cost her when she has to have the breast implants explanted? The price for this costs
