A Balham primary school held a day of rap to celebrate national poetry day and launch black history month. Alderbrook School, in Oldridge Road, welcomed rapper and musician, Juice Aleem, who ran workshops for children aged nine to 11 to enable them to
Guitarist Carlos Bonell's playing can be heard in the film City of Angels, Inspector Morse and now at the Clocktower this Sunday, October 7, at 7.30pm. He has performed with Juan Martin and his fame soared in 1981 after recording Rodrigo's Concierto de
Encouraged by the success of their recent Gala Centenary Concert, the Crystal Palace Band is to join forces with another well-loved South London institution, the Horniman Museum and Garden in Forest Hill, to participate in an extra special carol concert
As part of Enfield's Black History Month celebrations, UK Garage singing sensation Asher-D performed his solo single 'They Don't Know' at Southgate College on Wednesday. The So Solid Crew band member was launching a month of activities to raise awareness
Simon Callow, newly-appointed theatrical advisor to Croydon's London Mozart Players, will feature in the first of three concerts to be held at St John's Smith Square in central London. In the first concert on October 17, the actor, writer and director
Spanish guitarist Juan Martin's performance at the Fairfield on Tuesday, October 9 follows hot on the heels of famous Sevilian dance troup Jaleo. The man labelled Doctor Flamenco brings together elements of this Spanish dance from Andalusian music and
This week sees the plethora of musical talent which is The Naughty Rhythms Tour 2001 arrive at the Fairfield. Canned Heat, Dr Feelgood, The Kursaal Flyers and John Otway have been touring since the beginning of November and have been winning critical
The Fab Four filled Fairfield Concert Hall on Friday night with fans that ranged from tots to the, frankly, tottering. A real blast from the past that looked like the real thing, from a distance, and sounded incredibly authentic. The Bootleg Beatles proved
Soft, stirring, harmonious and soaring, that's the sound of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The singing stems from a harsh regime that stifled the migrant workers' weekend celebratory singing and dancing. In their hostels, miles from families and their homeland
Three talented and experienced singers come together in a show that will raise the roof at Fairfield Concert Hall, on Saturday, November 2, at 8pm. Tom Cregan, Ciaran Nagle and Anthony Norton are The Three Irish Tenors and they will perform numbers from
Ex-cruise ship crooner Jane Macdonald was in fine voice at Fairfields concert hall on Sunday night, October 28. Truth be told, Jane's voice soared to R Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly, after opening the show with a medley of Burt Bacharach numbers including
Rock music is back in a big way it's official. And to celebrate the fact that mullets are in, the Worcester Park Club is putting on two nights of cover band rock, Stairway to Zeppelin on Friday, November 2 and Perfect Alibi (Pink Floyd) on Sunday, November
Millions of television viewers are expected to tune in to see if a 22-year-old singer from East Finchley can beat more than 10,000 hopefuls to reach the grand final of ITV's Pop Idol programme. Nicola Thomas, of Elmhurst Crescent, is due to appear with
Boreham Wood 1 Kingstonian 3 A delighted Steve Sedgley enjoyed his first away Ryman League victory as Kingstonian manager on Saturday, writes Phil Windeatt. Ks showed great style and finesse to beat ninth-placed Boreham Wood, as young striker Ronnie Green
Kingston U12s form deserted them as they lost 40-12 to University Vandals.
rugby union: Kingston ran out 31-7 winners against a Farnham XV last Saturday.
football: Corinthian Casuals poor league form continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Hornchurch on Saturday. Jamie White gave Casuals the lead with an excellent strike but Hornchurch hit back with goals from Nick Lowery and Chris Cripps.
table tennis: Matthew Syed from Richmond launches his campaign to win a record-breaking fourth Commonwealth table tennis title today (Thursday). The 31-year-old plays in international competition for the first time since winning his third Commonwealth
Harlequins fell agonisingly short of ending Leicesters four-year unbeaten home record at Welford Road on Friday night. John Kingston and his players went down 23-18 to a Tim Stimpson-inspired Tigers side. The fly-half, unlucky not to be selected by England
Striker Neil Shipperley says Wimbledon must start winning now or forget about challenging for promotion. A late goal gave Wolves a 1-0 victory to inflict the Dons third defeat of the season at Selhurst Park Dean Sturridges strike eight minutes from time
Tooting and Mitcham travel to Bromley for an FA Trophy second round tie on Saturday. They will be looking to make progress against the side who are currently third from bottom in the table. Last weekend the Terrors drew 1-1 with Slough Town at Sandy Lane
A depleted Old Rutlishians side, missing seven first team regulars, went down 2-0 at Ashtead on Saturday. Rob Stephenson, Peter Kamara and Craig Lyle were on target in the reserves 3-3 draw with Battersea Ironsides.
Merton Town stayed second in the Surrey Combination behind Ashtead after thrashing Sutton High 7-1. Dave Cook scored a hat trick for Merton with Paul Hayes, netting two penalties and Dean Webb and Chris Bain also on target.
Last years winner Chrissie Tee from Wimbledon was narrowly beaten in the finals of this years Seymour Pierce Club Champions tournament in Mijas, Spain. She trailed Michelle Mair 6-0 5-1 before fighting back brilliantly fighting back to 5-5. But Mair then
Mitcham Golf Clubs Darin Harwood has finished top of the order of merit of the Sunday Times Playontour competition for amateur golfers across Britain. He is among 50 players who will test his skills in Sun City, South Africa, and will watch the world
Several boroughs could miss out on the promised number of extra police officers if allocation methods are changed, according to London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Last year, Barnet Police were promised an extra 32 officers by March 2002 as part of a funding
The collapse of Railtrack will not stall the planned tube extension into south London, The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has said. Battersea MP Martin Linton has sought assurances from the failed company that upgrade work on tracks needed for the extension
Epsom and Ewell Martial Arts Club held a demonstration in the square outside the new library and leisure complex in Epsom. The demonstration was led by chief instructor bill tanikie and included junior and senior members in a display of karate, aikido
At the weekend Collingwood members were in action at the London Cross Country Championships, which included the veterans championships and the London Heathrow Youth Cross Country Championships, writes John Ivers. In the morning Collingwood member Kayleigh
Wimbledon pulled five points clear at the top of National League Division One on Sat-urday with a 3-0 win over Hounslow & Ealing. Kristin Taunton opened the scoring in the seventh minute, but it took until the 60th minute for the second goal to
A Temple Fortune drummer has predicted his band will take the UK pop charts by storm after their new track has been adopted as the official Pokemon song. Dusty Scales, 25, of nu-metal pop group 50. Grind said the band got their lucky break with their
They're off: Weybridge Ladies Amateur Rowing Club gave their new boat Belvedere a Janousek coxless four boat bought with a donation from local developer Try Homes its first run-out in the Four Heads race from Mortlake to Putney earlier this month. December
Kingston University and Roehampton Institute meet in the West London Varsity Match at Rosslyn Park on Wednesday. Roehampton play in a division above Kingston, but with Ks top of their league, a giant-killing result could be on the cards. In their last
Herne Hill Harriers' first woman president Clare Pauzers has finally shrugged off her viral problems to win the second of this season's Surrey Ladies cross country league fixtures on Forestry Commission land at Tilford, writes Tom Pollak. Belgrave Harriers
Herne Hill's Micky Boyle secured his fourth veterans title of the year when he triumphed over the mud and hills of north London's Parliament Hill Fields to win the South of England veterans title, writes Tom Pollak. Boyle, who was disappointed at finishing
Bungled drug-deals, car chases round British inner cities, pop video-esque cinematography sound familiar? Stel Pavlou wrote 51st State while working in a Threshers off-licence during his college years in Liverpool. It tells the story of Elmo McElroy (
Tomorrow (Saturday), Wimbledon Common will be awash with athletes and officials of considerable intellect as Thames Hare and Hounds, the world's oldest cross country club, stages the annual clash of the Blues in the University cross country match, writes
The Mitsubishi Tingle Creek Chase meeting returns to Sandown Park on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, with two days of competitive horse racing. The feature race of the meeting, The Tingle Creek Chase on the Sunday, sees Flagship Uberalles
Four times national champion Matthew Syed from Richmond is competing in the Danish Open International Pro-Tour event this weekend. This will be the first stage of the 31-year-old's campaign to win next summer's Commonwealth Games title in Manchester.
Downs LTC, at Holland Avenue, Cheam, need singles and Surrey League tennis players. The club has excellent floodlit facilities and matchplay is held throughout the year. Call 07785 659879. Experienced club secretary/administrator is needed to assume the
Black cab drivers from Sutton were out in protest at the GLA headquarters this week claiming Mayor Ken Livingstone was letting too many cabbies out into the suburbs. The 22 joined hundreds of others from outer London last Tuesday morning, to tell the
A Battersea pub has promised to rival the Regent Street Christmas light ceremony with its own festive light and firework extravaganza featuring Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson. The rocker, whose band is known for classics such as Bring Your Daughter
If your idea of the circus is clowns, acrobats and animals then you have obviously not been to The Cirque du Soleil which has just made a welcome return to South London. A perfect alternative to pantomimes the Cirque promises "astounding sets, incredible
Local parents are being invited to view Woodcote Infant School's new £250,000 purpose built nursery. A former caretaker's house located on a site next to the school was redeveloped to create the 52-place nursery and enables the school, based in Dunsfold
Around 30 black taxi drivers from Croydon joined hundreds of others to protest over the numbers of new cabbies flooding the suburbs. The demonstration outside the GLA headquarters, in Marsham Street, SW1, early on Tuesday November 27, was a plea to London
Pop queen Madonna has spent more than £10,000 on five large trees to screen her back garden from prying neighbours. A 50-ton crane brought traffic near Oxford Street to a standstill as the trees were winched into the garden of Madonna's new £6 million
Black cab drivers from Bromley drove their taxis to Ken Livingstone's mayoral offices in central London to protest over the issuing of thousands of new licences. More than 400 suburban taxi drivers surrounded Romney House to hand a letter of protest to
If you want a thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seats then look no further than Murder By Misadventure. The play, which stars Robert Powell and Liza Goddard, comes to Richmond Theatre this week and will keep you guessing right up to the
Mecca Bingo in Wandsworth is celebrating the festive season with a special Christmas party this Sunday (Dec 9). During the afternoon and evening every member who goes to Mecca in Garratt Lane will get a free Christmas cake and scratchcard with the chance
Minister of the Trinity United Reformed Church and Methodist Church in Sutton Martin Camroux is now The Times Preacher of the Year 2001. He won the national competition on Wednesday at a preach off ceremony in London. Mr Camroux fought off competition
Greenwich: Harmless ornamental pets modelled on famous ships' cats have caused fury among animal rights activists. Maritime specialist Nauticalia in Greenwich, "the first shop in the world", has been inundated with requests for its best-selling line.
South London: Fare dodgers on commuter services to and from London will be punished by a football-style red and yellow card system. Train operator Connex will scrap its current method of issuing £10 on-the-spot fines in a bid to claw back the £30m it
Pupils in north Kent are marking their mobile phones in an initiative to reduce thefts. North Kent police is providing more than 70 schools with ultraviolet pens to allow staff to mark mobiles. Officers will be equipped with ultraviolet lights which can
table tennis: Matthew Syed from Richmond launches his campaign to win a record-breaking fourth Commonwealth table tennis title today (Thursday). The 31-year-old plays in international competition for the first time since winning his third Commonwealth
THE mother of a 10-year-old girl who almost died after suffering an allergic reaction has lavished praised on a hero teacher. Gail Beale says her daughter Lauren would have died if it was not for the quick thinking and coolness of Nicki Green. Little
Pupils at West Dene School and St David's School will be battling with the Tweenies for the coveted Christmas number one spot. West Dene's three, four and five year olds and older pupils from St David's visited the Sony recording studios on Friday, October
BUSINESS WORKSHOP: Thinking of starting up a business? Why not take part in the free Business Awareness Workshop on December 14? Run by the Enterprise Agency of North Kent, the half-day event at the Gravesham Business Point, in King Street, Gravesend,
PATIENTS in Gravesham and Dartford will be able to get medical advice more quickly, thanks to a government pilot scheme. An out-of-hours call system for north Kent residents wanting to contact their family doctors has been set up by the Government. The
tWO day-care centres are looking for volunteers. Dene Holme, in Northfleet, and Leyton House, in Wilmington, are looking for people to join with activities such as skittles and cards and help serve refreshments. All volunteers are offered training and
GIFTS donated by shoppers and residents in Dartford are making their way to British soldiers overseas. Dartford mayor Councillor Tom Maddison helped members of the Royal Artillery 16th Regiment from Woolwich Barracks to pack festively wrapped shoeboxes
RUSSIAN ministers visited Bexleyheath to find out vod-kan be achieved in services for young children. Homestart, a charity which helps families with children under five, welcomed three ministers from the Sverdlovsk region to its Crook Log offices. Minister
A DRIVER broke his shoulder after his car hit a lamp-post and then colliding with another car, on Tuesday, last week (November 27). Firefighters were called when the accident occurred near the Wrotham Road exit and collided with another vehicle on the
GREENWICH: World's 'first shop' causes an outcry over animal rights HARMLESS ornamental pets modelled on famous ships' cats have caused fury among animal rights activists. Maritime specialist Nauticalia in Greenwich, "the first shop in the world", has
Moved by press reports that the Haven House children's hospice faces eviction from the White House, rock band Glorious has planned a charity gig on Friday, November 23. Steve Garton, the landlord of the Three Blackbirds in Leyton High Road, is making
Dulwich Hamlet boss Martin Eade is hoping his young side can pull off a shock in the FA Umbro Trophy this weekend. He says Saturdays clash with Ryman Premiership high-flyers Billericay Town will provide an indication of the progress his team is making
East Dulwich athlete Alastair Robertson rowed to third place at the largest indoor rowing championship to have been held in this country. The 35-year-old won bronze in the mens 35 to 39 heavyweight category at the PPP healthcare British Indoor Rowing
Jingle bells. What are jingle bells? I've never met anyone who plays jingle bells; I've met guitarists, drummers, a saxophone player or two but never a jingle bell virtuoso. Every Christmas though they appear on everything, they are as much Christmas
Local band Boot-Led Zeppelin blasted the roof off The Cartoon, London Road, Croydon, at a gig last Sunday. Playing to many die-hard Led Zeppelin fans, they achieved tremendous vocal and instrumental closeness to the real thing. If you are an LZ fanatic
Despite the fact that jazz outfit Sonarfly is still relatively unknown, the band has managed to build up a surprisingly loyal fan base writes Kerry McQueeney. The Braithewaite Hall at the Croydon Clocktower was packed with painfully pretentious students
Surrey Sinfonietta's annual Family Christmas Spectacular this year is on Sunday, December 2, at the Ashcroft theatre, Croydon. The concert will be conducted and compered by Jonathan Butcher, and will include music from the movies including James Bond
United By One, is presenting A Godly Affair at Purley Way's Hilton Hotel on Friday, November 30 to celebrate the launch of a local gospel R&B group's debut album Take it to the Streets writes Angeline Albert. Gospel group IDMC, short for Individuals
FARE dodgers on commuter services through north Kent will be punished by a football-style red and yellow card system. Train operator Connex will scrap its current method of issuing £10 on-the-spot fines in a bid to claw back the £30m it loses annually
HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, has invited a local choir to sing at a concert of Christmas carols in aid of the charity she heads. Children, parents and teachers of Royal Russell School, Croydon, will sing at the Royal Gala Carol Concert next
RUSSIAN ministers visited Bexleyheath to find out vod-kan be achieved in services for young children. Homestart, a charity which helps families with children under five, welcomed three ministers from the Sverdlovsk region to its Crook Log offices. Minister
Here's something different to get you in the festive mood a step back in time to the laughter and excitement of the Victorian music hall and you are encouraged to dress accordingly! Bromley Little Theatre, Bromley, has put together a riotous programme
A local drama group has set aside the first performance of its pantomime just for disabled people and it is free for them and their guests. Orpington Repertory drama group will be holding a special performance of Sleeping Beauty exclusively for a disabled
A DRIVER broke his shoulder after his car hit a lamp-post and then colliding with another car, on Tuesday, last week (November 27). Firefighters were called when the accident occurred near the Wrotham Road exit and collided with another vehicle on the
GREENWICH: World's 'first shop' causes an outcry over animal rights HARMLESS ornamental pets modelled on famous ships' cats have caused fury among animal rights activists. Maritime specialist Nauticalia in Greenwich, "the first shop in the world", has
COUNCILLORS in Greenwich are to back plans for a wide-ranging advice and guidance service for young people. The Government-backed Connexions service will provide a network of personal advisors, based in school, colleges, sixth form centres and specialist
OSCAR winning actress turned politician Glenda Jackson took time out from parliament to welcome Charlton Toy Library to its permanent home. Glenda, who lives in Blackheath, met some of the youngsters benefiting from the toy library which caters for 800
The newest addition to Futue Legend Records' cult themes series tackles a cornicopia of songs and themes from the 80s, writes Ali Masud. FLR boss Russell C Writer continues his innovative idea of avoiding obvious tracks and artists to create an intriguing
Putney tennis player Richard Mayers took the overall mens title in the finals of the Seymour Pierce Club Championships held in Mijas, Spain, writes Sally Jones. But the tall, powerful Mayers was made to fight hard all the way by flamboyant 18-year-old
Tooting and Mitcham travel to Bromley for an FA Trophy second round tie on Saturday. Last weekend the Terrors drew 1-1 with Slough Town at Sandy Lane in a Ryman League match. Mark McGibbon scored the Tooting goal from a free kick. Tootings reserves went
Every week in Leisuretime we list the best events going on. If you want an event to be considered for our listings pages send the details to Joan Gardner AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFOREHAND by phone, fax, post or e-mail at the addresses below PANTO To Jan 13
The Harlem Gospel Choir, performing at Fairfield on Tuesday, October 23, have decided to re-name their tour the "We Shall Overcome" tour as a tribute to those who died or lost loved ones in the American terrorist attacks. Billed as the Big Apple's greatest
A musician who has been dubbed the 90s Hendrix is going to be on tour this month. For those already familiar with Ron E Carter's work, it will come as no surprise he has recently dedicated an album, Play Hendrix, to the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Audiences
In 1962, The Searchers (pictured left) were merely four kids making a few extra pounds playing small gigs around their hometown of Liverpool. One year later, they found themselves at number one in the British charts with Sweets For My Sweet. Now the Searchers
One of the top female pop singers and pin-ups is coming to the Fairfield, the Guardian can reveal. Tickets are now on sale to catch Louise, who made her name initially with girl band Eternal, on February 25. She has close Croydon connections, having previously
A LITTLE girl has personally thanked supermarket staff for keeping cool when she suffered a "terrifying" allergic reaction to an ice lolly. Sophia Iandoli, three, sent her mum into a panic when her lips and hands swelled up "like a balloon," after licking
Care for an evening of excellent classical entertainment while supporting charity? Popular works by Strauss, Elgar, Verdi, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Puccini, to name but a few, are being performed by a gathering of talented musicians at Fairfield Concert
MoMo, the pioneers of Dar' music, are to appear at the Croydon Clocktower, Kathar-ine Street, on Friday, October 12, at 8.30pm. The band, whose name stands for music of moroccan origin', are the London-based dons of a style of music which is the result
Four years ago, Shakespeare 4 Kidz found a way of attracting young audiences to the Bard's work by giving it a modern twist and that's just what the company intends for Twelfth Night. The company's production of Twelfth Night is at the Ashcroft until
HUNDREDS of carol singers from all parts of the borough will be taking part in a carol-singing event in December. Members of all types of organisations will be wassailing in The Glades, Bromley, to keep shoppers in the festive spirit. Many of them will
SKATERS are celebrating a campaign victory after a youth charity pledged £20,000 to improve facilities at a skate ramp park thanks to the News Shopper. The campaigners, who range from professional stunt riders to kids as young as eight, contacted the
TRANSPORT: System aimed at cutting back on railway fare dodgers FARE dodgers on commuter services to and from London will be punished by a football-style red and yellow card system. Train operator Connex will scrap its current method of issuing £10 on-the-spot
Like or loathe it, the UK garage sound spearheaded by artists like So Solid Crew and Hendon stars DJ Luck and MC Neat is definitely the musical flavour of the year. That opportunity knocks for the likes of young West Hendon entrepreneur Brian Pennells
If you have attended any of the annual Carol Concerts at St Andrew's School Croydon over the past 10 years, you are certain to have heard a Christmas carol written by Ian Rae. During this time, at least one, and sometimes as many as five, of his original
A London Mozart Players' Fairfield season wouldn't be complete without an appearance by Howard Shelley in his dual role as conductor and soloist and he joins the orchestra on Sunday, December 8. Needing no introduction as a world-renowned pianist, Shelley
Top brass is on stage at Fairfield on Saturday, December 1, at 8pm, when the Grimethorpe Colliery Coal Band perform in the Concert Hall. Best known, perhaps, for their hugely successful film Brassed Off, over the past 80 years the band have played at
Philly soul legends The Stylistics pay a visit to the Fairfield Concert Hall on Monday, December 3. Formed (in 1968) from the amalgamation of two rival vocal groups in Philidelphia, the original quintet epitomised the city's soul sound. Under the tutelage
In a concert that ended like biggest, hottest, sweatiest disco in town at Fairfield, Errol Brown proved he's Still Sexy . That's the title of his new album, which caused him some embarrassment, he claimed the title was his record producer's idea not his
Crystal Palace Band was founded by the Upper Norwood Temperance Society and held its first rehearsal on 31st January 1901. The band was first called the Upper Norwood Temperance Prize Band and lived up to its name in its first year by securing prizes
If you are curious about bhangra electronica, juju soul and Afro-Asian pop you won't want to miss top percussionist Trilok Gurtu when he plays at the Clocktower on Thursday, November 8 starting from 8.30pm. Blurring national and musical boundaries Gurtu
Smoketrader - Too Late/ Smokin'/Right Time Boybands are a strange commodity, writes Andrew Richards Part asexual Aryan e-fits, part air, part water and part make-ups of every demographic ever displayed at an ad meeting. Why they exist, no one knows, why
Concert pianist Hayley Elton, who has taught footballers, babies, chimps, and even Victoria Beckham to play the piano, is to offer music lessons via the internet. Hayley, from Dollis Avenue, Finchley, is to launch her new internet service next week, where
The beat does indeed go on, and so too, inevitably, does time. With the bright young things of the swinging 1960s now hitting their sixties it's tempting to paint a caustic picture of pathetic entertainers still trying to hold on to their youth in increasingly
More More More and Can't Get You Out Of My Head are two songs you'll be singing along with Kylie after listening to Fever, writes Heidi Wyithe. As Kylie's new status as a brand name threatens to conquer our world it was vital she came up with the goods
Hampton & Richmond 1 Canvey Island 5 Four goals in a 16-minute second-half spell kept Canvey Islands promotion bandwagon on course, writes Les Rance. Despite the result, Hampton manager Steve Cordery can take heart from the fact that the first
boating: Tiffin School won six events in the Tiffin Small Boats Head, rowed over a 3,500m course from Hampton Court Moorings to Canbury Boathouse in Kingston on Saturday.
A youth team from the United States Fencing Association won the Leon Paul Junior Series team epe at Kings College School, Wimbledon on Saturday. They beat KCS Wimbledon in the final. For more details see tomorrows Wimbledon News.
Wimbledon pulled off a shock victory over National League Stourport in the fourth round of the EHA Cup at Raynes Park High School on Sunday, writes Sean Cotter. The result was even more of a surprise as Wimbledon had lost 3-1 at Old Georgians the previous
Sutton youngster Katie Dean wrapped up a great judo season by winning a bronze medal in the British National Championships at Crystal Palace last weekend. The 11-year-old who was representing the Southern Area in the over-44kg girls' category beat the
NEC Harlequins are lending their support to a woman who is aiming to raise £300,000 for the Orchid Cancel Appeal through the British Women's Antarctic Expedition. Susan Denham-Smith will attempt to ski solo and unsupported across Antarctica via the South
Leatherhead Swimming Club members took a national title and a silver medal from the British Modern Biathlon Championships in Sheffield. Mark Inkester, 10, from Epsom, who was seeded first in his age group, was awarded trophies for overall winners and
Sunday sees the second of this season's Surrey Sports Hall meetings at Guildford's Spectrum, writes Tom Pollak. Herne Hill Harriers, who dominated the first match at Carshalton's Westcroft Leisure Centre took three of the four age group contests with
Teenager Mohammed Farah from St Mary's College, Twickenham, made a winning debut in the third of this season's London Colleges cross country league meetings on Wimbledon Common, writes Tom Pollak. He was fresh from an impressive victory in the British
Croydon will be added to the Tube map, transport minister John Speller pledged this week. In an exclusive interview with the Croydon Guardian as he rode the town's tram network, minister for transport John Speller pledged that West Croydon would feature
A youth team from the United States Fencing Association won the Leon Paul Junior Series team epe competition hosted by King's College School in Wimbledon. The American team has been touring Britain for the last week, led by fencing coach Andrea Lagan
The big carp have been fairly quiet lately, writes Ray Robson. But they are back with a bang this week as I have had reports of two 30-plusses paying a visit to landing nets this week. Surbiton angler Seb Pereda, 34, had only recently joined a syndicate
A motion put forward by Judy Miller of Sutton and Surrey, that women bowlers be given permission to wear trousers for outdoor play, has been carried at the AGM of the English women's bowling association, writes Geoff Martyr. Judy has been defeated in
Travel sickness hit Crystal Palace again last Wednesday as they were soundly beaten at Highfield Road. Goals from Laurent Delorge and Lee Mills sealed a fine victory for Roland Nilsson's men, making it three away defeats in a row for the Eagles. Palace
This week sees the plethora of musical talent which is the Naughty Rhythms Tour 2001 arrive at the Fairfield. Canned Heat, Dr Feelgood, The Kursaal Flyers and John Otway have been touring since the beginning of November and have been winning critical
B-movies either become cult classics or unmitigated flops. Ghosts of Mars is more than likely a candidate for the latter. It's Mars, 2176 AD. Clusters of human colonies are living and working at far flung outposts all over the red planet, mining it for
A state-of-the-art eco-friendly residential development for the retired could inspire similar developments if a multimillion pound planning application is given the go-ahead. Designed by architects behind Beddington Zero Energy Development, developer
The main problem with reviewing plays is that you cannot escape during the interval, as you are duty bound to stay for the whole thing. And I would have paid a king's ransom to have escaped from The Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Orange Tree Theatre. For
The good news of cheaper costs for property buyers in New Addington was tinged with disappointment last week when the area was branded one of the most deprived in the country. Mixed reactions came as the news that New Addington and Fieldway wards have
Having to place the sold out boards for an illusion show is quite an achievement so if you want to get in to see The Rose and Crown Theatre's Christmas show, you need to book now. Illusion enjoyed a sell out run in Wimbledon this summer and now the magic
Award-winning comedian, musician and cabaret artist extraordinaire Earl Okin comes to Wimbledon Theatre on December 16 with two sensational acts on one day. Expect an evening of droll anecdotes, amusing songs and amazing vocalised instrumental athletics
Boreham Wood 1 Kingstonian 3 A delighted Steve Sedgley enjoyed his first away Ryman League victory as Kingstonian manager on Saturday, writes Phil Windeatt. Ks showed great style and finesse to beat ninth-placed Boreham Wood, as young striker Ronnie Green
Frustrated Royal Mail customers fed up by postal delays have been told their delivery service is the second worst in the country. Figures released by Postwatch - a consumer representatives council - have shown that only 86.4 per cent of first class mail
Santa's elves will soon be bringing Christmas to the Wandsworth Shopping Centre thanks to interactive performance company, Ladder to the Moon. For the next two Fridays, Ellie and Eddie the Elves will be handing out copies of Santa's shopping list giving
Hampton & Richmond 1 Canvey Island 5 Four goals in a 16-minute second-half spell kept Canvey Islands promotion bandwagon on course, writes Les Rance. Despite the result, Hampton manager Steve Cordery can take heart from the fact that the first
Kingston U12s form deserted them as they lost 40-12 to University Vandals.
rugby union: Kingston ran out 31-7 winners against a Farnham XV last Saturday.
Worcester Park parents protesting against the long-term absence of a safe crossing for their children almost had their worst fears confirmed before school last Wednesday, when one was knocked over. Fortunately, the five-year-old boy - a pupil of Cheam
football: Corinthian Casuals poor league form continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Hornchurch on Saturday. Jamie White gave Casuals the lead with an excellent strike but Hornchurch hit back with goals from Nick Lowery and Chris Cripps.
THE mother of a 10-year-old girl who almost died after suffering an allergic reaction has lavished praised on a hero teacher. Gail Beale says her daughter Lauren would have died if it was not for the quick thinking and coolness of Nicki Green. Little
THE mother of a 10-year-old girl who almost died after suffering an allergic reaction has lavished praised on a hero teacher. Gail Beale says her daughter Lauren would have died if it was not for the quick thinking and coolness of Nicki Green. Little
boating: Tiffin School won six events in the Tiffin Small Boats Head, rowed over a 3,500m course from Hampton Court Moorings to Canbury Boathouse in Kingston on Saturday.
Harlequins fell agonisingly short of ending Leicesters four-year unbeaten home record at Welford Road on Friday night. John Kingston and his players went down 23-18 to a Tim Stimpson-inspired Tigers side. The fly-half, unlucky not to be selected by England
A YOUNG woman was left bruised and battered after a harrowing roadside attack by two teenage girls. The woman, 26, was set on by the young thugs as she drove her car through Gravesend. During the attack, one girl grabbed the driver through the car window
A LIFE spent helping others has proved to be super for nurse Gladys Xavier. For Gladys is a supernurse and thats official. Gladys has just been appointed the first ever Nurse Consultant in Public Health for the Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority
FARE dodgers on commuter services through north Kent will be punished by a football-style red and yellow card system. Train operator Connex will scrap its current method of issuing £10 on-the-spot fines in a bid to claw back the £30m it loses annually
THESE pupils at Snaresbrook Primary School are just some of the hundreds who have taken part in the Guardian's Passport Reading Scheme. Youngsters at the school in Meadow Walk have been eagerly reading their weekly delivery of the Wanstead and Woodford
SEVERAL voluntary organisations in Redbridge are set to benefit from a grants scheme over the next year. Bridge House Estates, part of the Corporation of London, has designated the borough as one of many it will help fund for various projects. The Trust
As the unstoppable greatest hits compilation machine that is now Pink Floyd gets set to release their latest stocking filler, Echoes, there's the chance tomorrow to sample what the band were like during their legendary live performances. Think Floyd (
ELDERLY residents in Dartford will benefit from a scheme to make their homes safe and secure. Under Help the Aged's Handy Van Scheme, workers will visit homes and carry out odd jobs to improve security, such as fitting locks, door chains and smoke alarms
Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of all 21 MTV awards from the MTV HQ at 180 Oxford Street, W1. The theft occurred sometime between 5:30pm on November 12 2001 and 10:00am on November 13. Police were alerted by a member of staff who
Stand aside for the next big star as Bromley's Chris Guzzard (above) is in the final 50 on TV's Pop Idol. Millions of viewers have seen 10,000 hopefuls whittled down on ITV and 22-year-old Chris from Mead Way is one of the select few. For the next five
Two Bromley borough beauties are set to do vocal battle this Saturday when they go head-to-head on ITV's Pop Idol show. Crofton's Davina Perera and Penge teen-sensation Tania Foster will be take on eight other hopefuls including the infamous Darius, who
"This time I have written a work that is all clarity and vivacity, full of colour and melody. It will be entertaining," wrote George Bizet in 1873 when he finished the music for Carmen writes Linda Kirby. From the first rise of the baton from conductor
"Where you been?" asks diminutive rock star Midge Ure as the interval ends and the evening gets underway. Giving the support a miss' is the audience's silent answer. We came to the Fairfield to see a bona fide British rock star with a cast iron back catalogue
Nils Lofgren, when he came on stage at the Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on Thursday night, seemed more diminutive than ever writes Christine van Emst. He is a small man, but when he picks up a guitar he becomes a giant of a man. A big talent linked with
A local band hand-picked from BCUC's musical depths are offered the surprise chance to headline at a leading London venue. Great, I thought. The privileged chance to tap into something as yet untapped. Boy, was I wrong. Seeking out a transit bus, my lift
More than £850 was raised for Elstree's St Nicholas Church recently when musicians from the Purcell School in Bushey gave a concert. The evening was organised by the Friends of St Nicholas, a fundraising group set up to help maintain the church's buildings
Is this loud enough for you, said the guitarist cupping his hand behind his ear? "Yeah!" roared the audience as they underlined their enthusiasm with fist punching in the air. An impressive sight of unity and an impressive feeling of claustrophobia as
S Club 7 are top of the charts with the charity single Have You Ever. It's the band's second annual Children in Need record and has followed last year's Ever Had A Dream Come True to No1. Boyband Blue were pushed down to No2 after one week at the top
The Stereophonics lead the way in the list of nominations for this year's Q awards. The Welsh band are up for best single, best album, best live act, and best act in the world today. Irish veterans U2 aren't far behind - they're up for best album, best
GIFTS donated by shoppers and residents in Dartford are making their way to British soldiers overseas. Dartford mayor Councillor Tom Maddison helped members of the Royal Artillery 16th Regiment from Woolwich Barracks to pack festively wrapped shoeboxes
A YOUNG woman was left bruised and battered after a harrowing roadside attack by two teenage girls. The woman, 26, was set on by the young thugs as she drove her car through Gravesend. During the attack, one girl grabbed the driver through the car window
Father Christmas will be taking a short break from his busy preparations to meet children of all ages on board tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. The sailing ship will be festively decorated to extend a warm welcome to Santa Claus and all his visitors. The
A cinema has set aside a day for special screenings of the biggest box office film ever made. The newly re-furbished Odeon Beckenham will show four screenings of a subtitled version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this Sunday. The £1.5m re-furbishment
ELDERLY residents in Dartford will benefit from a scheme to make their homes safe and secure. Under Help the Aged's Handy Van Scheme, workers will visit homes and carry out odd jobs to improve security, such as fitting locks, door chains and smoke alarms
CRIMEFIGHTERS from Estonia made a special trip to Lewisham to learn about neighbourhood wardens. Dubbed street wardens, they have been patrolling the Honor Oak Estate since August. Here they have been dealing with anti-social behaviour, reporting environmental
When last years South of England Cross Country Championships for veterans were postponed due to foot and mouth, the veterans of Herne Hill Harriers were disappointed as the club felt it was in with a shout for individual and team titles. Last Saturday
Thames Boat Club member Helen Day won a silver medal at the largest ever indoor rowing championship. Helen, 32, from Putney came second in the womens 30-34 heavyweight category at the British Indoor Rowing Championship in Birmingham.
Rosslyn Park suffered the anguish of losing to the last kick of the game at Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday. Park were so heavily delayed on their train journey to the north west they had to change and be strapped up on the train. It showed as Preston
The greatest white soul voice of all time, Dusty Springfield, will sing out again on Sunday at Fairfield, when Karen Noble returns with her tribute to the star. A short way into this second tour Karen is still bursting with enthusiasm for her work and
Calling all community theatre companies are you having a panto? The News Shopper will be running a competition to offer young readers a chance to see their local show and fall in love with theatre. To take part all you will need to do is send in full
KIDS! The News Shopper is offering you the chance to become a journalist for a night and tell the world what you think of some of the top Christmas shows. The winners of our competition will each receive a family ticket to one of the seven biggest pantos
A 60-strong, female-only barbershop chorus from Coulsdon are battling it out with choirs from all over the world in an international singing competition in the USA writes Angeline Albert. Despite the recent terrorist attacks in America, the Surrey Harmony
No sooner has a new pop band hit the charts than they have spawned another tribute band to mimic the songs and styles and the ubiquitous dance routine. We have more wannabees than you can shake a stick at, yet the mother of all tribute bands stands apart
East meets West on stage at Fairfield on Thursday, November 15, at 8pm. Three famous bands, plus international dancers and guest soloists, will share the spotlight in a unique musical spectacular. The Central Band of the White Russian Army (formerly the
Kenley-based record company Future Legend Records have just released a new compilation album called Cult Themes of the Eighties. Ali Masud talks to label founder Russell C Writer. In these blandest of pop times it's unusual to find anyone in the music
ECO EXHIBITION: An exhibition about the environment should satisfy the aesthetic yearnings of Bromley's eco-warriors. Jacqui Newell and Mara Lindemann will look at the environment using media including prints and ceramics. The exhibition runs until December
MORE than 1,062 truckloads of garden waste has been recycled by Bromley residents in the last year. Bromley Council sold 650 compost bins to households throughout the borough, which could make about 17,000 tonnes of compost. Composting garden waste prevents
BLACK cab drivers from Bromley drove their taxis to Ken Livingstone's mayoral offices in central London to protest over the issuing of thousands of new licences. More than 400 suburban taxi drivers surrounded Romney House to hand a letter of protest to
One of America's most accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriters is the legendary Nils Lofgren. This pedigree player comes to The Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon on Thursday, November 15 at 7.45pm. Lofgren was a former member of Neil Young's band and is
Acoustic blues star Eric Bibb's rich, sensitive voice and virtuoso guitar playing has brought him much acclaim. His intimate performances are always an enriching experience, both musically and spiritually, blending American blues and folk tradition with
Playing to a capacity audience at Fairfield on Thursday, September 27, Bond brought a fusion of classical string playing and rock together in a show that was fast, furious and an awful lot of fun. Whatever their critics have levelled at them, sparking
The shock of being the subject of This Is Your Life prompted singer-songwriter Midge Ure to embark on his first major UK tour for over ten years. Speaking after his television appearance on This Morning, the Scotsman said: "I didn't think of doing a UK
Legendary 70s singer and songwriter Errol Brown, having experienced a massive revival due to the success of Full Monty soundtrack You Sexy Thing, surfs back to the Fairfield Hall on a new wave of success to perform his current and classic hits on Saturday
POLICE are urging parents to be vigilant after a mystery driver attempted to grab an 11-year-old boy in Catford. The boy, who has not been named, was walking along Waters Road at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 18, when he passed a silver car. He heard a shout
GREENWICH: World's 'first shop' causes animal rights upset HARMLESS ornamental pets modelled on famous ships' cats have caused fury among animal rights activists. Maritime specialist Nauticalia in Greenwich, "the first shop in the world", has been inundated
