Crystal Palace fan Q&A: Dwight Gayle to kick on next season

July 20, 2014, 12:30 am

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In the build-up to the new Premier League season, the Advertiser has spoken to a number of our newspaper and website columnists to get their views on the new campaign. This week, we have James Sandford, who believes Dwight Gayle is going to get even better next season. Which fixture(s) did you look out for first when they came out in June? With it being my birthday, I always look out for the New Year's Day game, so a trip to Birmingham for Villa away is on the cards. I also look for the Boxing Day game, as football around Christmas is what makes our league special.Which away fixture are you most looking forward to? Aside from the Villa game, I'd love to get to Southampton in the midweek fixture. It's a ground close to where I live and I've got a few family members who are Saints fans. Plus it's a ground I've never visited so would be another one ticked off the list.And what was your best away day experience last season? Due to not having enough membership points I was unable to get away anywhere last season. I guess that is a testament to our loyal and unwavering fan base as I tried on a few occasions. How do you think Leicester City, Burnley and QPR will do next season? Personally I think all three will struggle. QPR perhaps have the best chance of keeping their place thanks to Harry's little black book of contacts. I can't see Burnley or Leicester scoring enough goals to win games, unless they strengthen. Saying all that though, we were written off before a ball was kicked and look how that ended up! Which Palace player(s) are you most excited about for the new season? I think this season will be the year the Dwight Gayle signing comes to fruition. We saw towards the end of last season what he is capable of, so hopefully we are in for more of the same. I am also looking forward to seeing whether Joel Ward can kick on and get himself recognised on an international level. Are you going to any pre-season matches, first team and/or U21 games? I will be popping along to the development sides game against Havant and Waterlooville as it's only half an hour down the road! Where can the Eagles finish next season – can you finish higher than 11th? I think the second season syndrome may kick in and we will have a tough season on our hands. Teams now know what they are going to get with Pulis' Palace, so will have formulated new plans to break us down. That being said, with a few additions I'm confident we will retain our Premier League status. I'm going for 16th above Hull, West Brom, Leicester and Burnley.Which positions does Tony Pulis need to strengthen in? The obvious one is at left full back. Signing someone to play there will allow Joel Ward to revert back to the right hand side and make the back four even stronger. I would also like us to sign a goal scoring version of Cameron Jerome. Do you have an eye on any particular players you'd like to see sign for Palace? I've enjoyed watching the World Cup and a few players have caught my eye. I would love to see us sign Joel Campbell on loan as he's really impressed during the tournament. In terms of a left back, I think Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea would be an excellent acquisition. I did want Aaron Cresswell but he's gone to West Ham. Is there anything you'd like to see introduced or improved at Selhurst on a matchday? It might be nice not having the battle to go for a half-time toilet break all the time, so more facilities like that would help. Also I used to really enjoy popping a few quid on the game from inside the ground so I'd like to see the owners bring back the bookmaker stands.

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'Olympic-sized task' ahead for council to ensure viable future

July 20, 2014, 5:00 am

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CEMENTING Croydon's future growth is a task of "Olympic-sized proportions", the council's cabinet was told on Monday.

But Councillor Alison Butler, the cabinet member for homes and regeneration, said the council was determined to help bring about changes which should benefit both the town centre and the borough's district centres.

The cabinet approved the principles of the council's new Growth Plan, the cornerstone of policies to create more jobs and homes and make Croydon a place where people want to live and work.

The guiding principles laid down in the plan include creating 16,500 more jobs; kick starting the building of 9,500 new homes; re-establishing Croydon as London's premier retail and leisure destination and outer London's prime office centre; attracting a major university; revitalising district centres; building more affordable homes and investing in world class broadband infrastructure.

With the principles of the plan now approved, the next step will come in September when the cabinet will "A Promise" outlining how sustainable growth will be realise and "Places Plans" to help develop district centres.

Cllr Butler said: "We are talking about making Croydon a different place, one of which local people and businesses will be proud.

"This report is about making Croydon a better place in which to live and making sure that everyone who lives in Croydon now will benefit from the changes to come."

One of the main drivers of the town centre regeneration will be the Westfield/Hammerson Partnership's redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre.

The £1 billion investment is expected to provide 5,000 jobs in retail and leisure, and the partnership is committed to providing as many as those as possible for local people.

John Burton, development director for Westfield, told the meeting the partnership welcomed the fact the council's new administration was making a clear statement that it was dedicated.

He said: "This is regeneration on a massive scale and we need to help investors understand this is somewhere in which they should invest."

Councillor Toni Letts, cabinet member for economic development, said: "This paper is about changing the perception of Croydon.

"We want to deliver in such a way that we will sustain growth to transform the town centre and the district centres."

'New schools in Croydon will open in temporary buildings for years to come'

July 21, 2014, 12:00 am

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NEW schools in Croydon will open in temporary buildings for years to come, says the head of governors at one of the borough's newest academies.

Paxton Academy Sports & Science is one of two schools which will start life in September without permanent accommodation. It was supposed to be located on piece of wasteland next to Lidl in London Road, Thornton Heath, but will instead be housed in sheds on a rugby club's playing field for at least a year while the land is purchased and the new school is built.

Charlotte Davies, chairman of governors, told the Advertiser new schools without permanent buildings will be commonplace if the borough is to meet unprecedented demand for places. Projections suggest Croydon could need up to 52 additional forms of entry by summer 2017, the equivalent of an extra 1,560 pupils each year.

Ms Davies said: "This is going to be a problem for a number of years in Croydon; there's going to be a huge number of temporary buildings all over the place.

"Providers won't be able to build quickly enough to meet demand so, when a new school opens, pupils are likely to be in temporary buildings for 18 months while you get the building up. It's going to be an issue across Croydon, particularly the north of the borough. The big risk is children ending up in tower blocks, which we have robustly tried not to happen with Paxton."

The school will be based at Streatham-Croydon Rugby Club, in nearby Brigstock Road, while a permanent building is constructed. The arrangement, however unorthodox, has advantages for a sports-based academy, said Ms Davies.

"The club has kindly agreed to host our temporary huts while we wait for the permanent site.

"They are developing the main clubhouse and they have let us have some space at the back for sheds. They are high quality sheds fitted out as primary school classrooms.

"If we had opened on the permanent site it would have been with quite a small play space. We now have probably the biggest playground of any primary school in Croydon."

Harris Invictus Academy, a new school located on the disused former general hospital site in London Road, will take its first 180 pupils in September. Last week the Advertiser revealed it will open in entirely temporary buildings. The Harris Federation played down the issue, pointing out that Harris Academy Purley received a glowing Ofsted while being taught in similar interim classrooms.

Ms Davies believes the choice is between doing the best with the space available or asking existing schools to take even more bulge classes, with nine more already put in place for September.

"Croydon cannot take any more bulge classes," she said. "We cannot possibly put any more temporary classrooms on our playgrounds. Our solution is not ideal, but what would you want if it was your child? I think you would want us to be in temporary buildings on a rugby club site instead of temporary buildings on a school playground which is reducing play space."

Maria Gatland, Conservative shadow education chief, says the priority has to be creating more places.

"Ideally you would like to see [permanent buildings] in place, but given the difficulty in finding sites and the sheer volume of places needed in Croydon, I think temporary buildings are acceptable," she said.

"This is the reality now. We have to be imaginative about how we use space. If I was a parent I might be concerned, but I would prefer my child to have a place in a school than not."

Alisa Flemming, Labour's new head of education, rejected the suggestion that schools opening before being built will become the norm.

"The preference would always be for children to go into schools that are ready and, moving forward and I hope that is what happens," she said.

"I accept it's not always going to be possible, but I don't agree that this is just the way it's going be now. We need to give children in Croydon the best. It's easier for them to adjust if they are placed on the actual site which they are going to be at long term.

"But, having a place comes first. If the building's not up to scratch, well, needs must."

When work does start on Paxton's permanent home, which could be finished by 2016, the free school intends the building to be as tall as possible in order to maximise play space on the site.

It is likely to have a playground on the roof similar to options being considered for the new primary school at Segas House, a listed building in the town centre.

So, while classrooms in sheds are the current concern, the issue looming on the horizon is whether Croydon's children should be taught in converted offices.

Crystal Palace supremo hopes for big USA tour support following World Cup success

July 21, 2014, 4:00 am

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CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish is excited about the club's current pre-season tour of the United States and hopes to have big crowds to support the Eagles. Following the USA's impressive showing at the World Cup last month, the game of 'soccer' has continued to capture the imagination of their fans, with hopes of now landing the global tournament in 2026. The Eagles jetted off on Sunday across the Atlantic Ocean and are set to face Columbus Crew on Wednesday. And Parish has headed out to support the tour with manager Tony Pulis. "We have got a lot of things to give away, there is a lot of radio station stuff for us, and the clubs out there will promote the games a lot too," he told the Advertiser. "We'll support them, we'll do interviews and whatever we can to drum up interest for it. "The USA's performance at the World Cup will help perhaps. Even England's performance, people might think about our impact on football out there, but obviously the Premier League is a very international league. "People think of it in a different way, but with their national team I thought they were amazing, absolutely first class. "The effort and endeavour, especially from the likes of Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley, they have got some quality. "Hopefully it does add to a lot more interest. "America is a big market so we'll be PRing the hell out of it while we're out there, just doing as much as radio, just making people aware out there of Crystal Palace. "I will go to ease the burden from Tony as he's trying to get the team ready, but he'll do as much as he can to promote the club. "It will be great to see American-based Palace fans but also any UK-based Palace fans who are out there."

South Norwood cocaine smuggler part of jailed gang

July 21, 2014, 4:41 am

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A WOMAN from South Norwood who was part of a gang that tried to import £400,000 worth of cocaine has been jailed. Sharon Dixon, 52, of Whitehorse Lane, was sentenced on Friday (July 18) to nine years behind bars after being found guilty of conspiracy to import class A controlled drugs at Kingston Crown Court on March 26. She was the only one of seven defendants to deny the offence throughout her trial. Dixon had acted as a drugs mule during the complex operation and had travelled to Jamaica and Portugal as part of the operation. Dixon had previously been sentenced to ten years in 1996 for importing 3kgs of cocaine in her luggage via Stansted Airport. As well as Dixon, three of the gang members were from Liverpool, one from Penge, one from Lewisham and another from Lambeth. They were caught after a joint investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the National Crime Agency at Gatwick and Titan and the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit. Dixon was bought flights by Glenroy Williams, 51, from London Gatwick to Montego Bay in Jamaica with a transfer flight specifically booked for Porto in Portugal so Gatwick baggage handler Derek Giles, 56, had access to her luggage. She left London on September 11 last year and returned from Jamaica on September 19. Dixon did not leave the airport as she had been booked on the transfer flight to Porto. As a result her baggage was "in transfer" and was collected by the transfer baggage handlers. Giles was seen to travel from the North terminal to the South terminal to collect the transfer luggage from Dixon's inbound flight from Jamaica. She then boarded the flight to Porto with her baggage weighing 5kg less than it did when she left Jamaica. Dixon stayed just one night in Portugal and she only travelled there to ensure her baggage was "in transfer". She flew back on September 20 and was arrested as she left Gatwick because police had raided Giles' home the previous day and found four sealed tins labelled 'Jamaican Pride Callaloo' with an estimated £400,000 worth of cocaine in. Williams, of Lambeth, was jailed for 11 years for conspiracy to import class A controlled drugs and possession of a stun gun. The rest of the gang all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import class A controlled drugs apart from Williams, who also pleaded guilty to possession of a stun gun. Giles, of Penge, was sentenced to seven years. Craig Accra, of Liverpool, 33, was sentenced to six years. Lee Edward Kent, 36, of Liverpool was sentenced to five years and eight months. Lawrence French, 57, of Lewisham, was sentenced to four years and four months and Eileen Adams, 55, of Liverpool was given eight months.

South Norwood NBA star Luol Deng replaces LeBron James at Miami Heat

July 21, 2014, 5:24 am

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SOUTH Norwood basketball superstar Luol Deng will have some big shoes to fill next season after signing for Miami Heat. The NBA star joined the Heat last week and replaces one of basketball's all-time greats, LeBron James, who left to join the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month. Deng tweeted to confirm the deal: "It's official. I'm really looking forward to this new chapter with a special organization. "I'm excited to have an opportunity to play here and contribute to the culture of success. Thank you to all the fans that have supported me and the new ones welcoming me to Miami." Deng's season will get underway with the Heat in October. He captained Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

'Unscrupulous' man jailed for burglaries in Addiscombe and Old Town

July 21, 2014, 5:46 am

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AN 'UNSCRUPULOUS' man has been jailed for burglaries in Old Town and Addiscombe. Patrick Horeatko, 25, of no fixed abode, broke into a property in Old Town, Croydon, on the evening of April 20 this year, taking laptops, Apple gadgets, bracelets, game consoles and a jewellery box after breaking in through the patio. He had also admitted in his police interview to being involved in the burglary of a restaurant in Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, on Thursday, May 8, where he stole £200. He was forensically linked by officers who had examined the Old Town house and he was arrested on May 14 after members of the public called police when they noticed three men behaving suspiciously in Elmwood Road, Croydon. He was initially searched and arrested at the scene after being found in possession of cannabis. He was charged on May 14 and was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday (July 17) after pleading guilty to burglary. DC Simon Nicholls, the investigating officer, said: "I am pleased with the results of our investigation and would like to thank the eagle-eyed members of the public who spotted Horeatko in Elmwood Road. "Thanks to their prompt actions, we were able to quickly arrest him and bring him before a court. I hope he will take some time, while behind bars, to think about his unscrupulous actions."

Moped owner not moping anymore after police make light work of thief

July 21, 2014, 6:48 am

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A MOPED driver was rapidly reunited with her stolen ride as police made light work of a thief yesterday. Police were called in the early hours of Sunday morning by a woman in her 30s whose moped had been stolen from outside a shop in London Road, West Croydon. But eagle-eyed officers PC Matt Heathcote and PC Stuart Graham coincidentally spotted the black Piaggio Zip moped with two helmetless riders in Roman Way at the same time and signalled for them to pull over. When the moped carried on down the road, the officers chased the moped to Lower Coombe Street, where the two riders made off on foot towards South End. They managed to stop a 16-year-old boy and arrested him on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and failing to stop for police. The passenger has not been found but the moped has since been returned to the owner. The 16-year-old boy has since been bailed to attend the Croydon Youth Offending Team. DC Louis Murphy, of Croydon CID, said: "Thanks to the excellent work of the Response Team PCs Matt Heathcote and Stuart Graham, who spotted the moped, we've managed to recover the vehicle and return it to the owner, who was extremely pleased to get her moped back. "This case really shows the value of contacting police as soon as possible to report a crime - particularly if you have something stolen. The sooner you can report it to police, the more chance we have of locating, identifying and arresting any suspects involved."

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Travellers take over Morrisons supermarket car park in Waddon

July 21, 2014, 9:17 am

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FOURTEEN caravans belonging to travellers appeared in a supermarket car park in Waddon last week. The travellers arrived on Thursday in the Morrisons car park at Fiveways and are yet to leave despite pressure from the police and the supermarket chain. They were served a 24 hour eviction notice by Morrisons on Thursday, with their company bailiffs issuing a further 24 hour notice on Friday. Bailiffs arrived with two police officers to serve a final notice on Saturday and when two police vans and bailiffs returned this morning, six caravans had departed. Police are now working to remove the other eight caravans remaining on the site. A Morrisons spokeswoman insisted customers had not been affected by the change. She added: " Our Croydon store, along with our security team are working closely with the police and the local authority to ensure we are doing everything we can to vacate the car park through the correct channels, which is still easily accessible to customers."

Crystal Palace starlet challenged to follow Wilfried Zaha scenario

July 21, 2014, 11:30 pm

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JAKE Gray has been challenged by Crystal Palace Academy boss Gary Issott to "never come back" to his U21 Development side after being taken to the first team's pre-season training in Austria last week. The attack-minded midfielder, along with Hiram Boateng and Jerome Williams, were included by Tony Pulis on the tour. And Gray wasted no time in impressing the first team manager with a goal in the 13-1 rout of GAK Graz. Boateng and Williams were also given game-time in their respect positions. "The big test now is if they can stay in that group," Issott said. "And then it's down to them to impress the manager more. "It's great that Tony included them and took them away. The training has certainly been different out there, and it's a psychological one as well. "If they get through that, and they've been getting up at 6am and having treble sessions, I think psychologically it makes you stronger. The manager is big on that. "You never know if they'll come back to train with us. I remember the story of Wilfried Zaha, when George Burley wanted him and then he never came back. "That's what you want really. Hopefully this will happen with one or two of them."

Croydon children's home 'paedophile ring' claims disputed by former resident

July 22, 2014, 12:09 am

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AN HISTORIAN and former resident of a children's home in Shirley has questioned claims it was exploited by a paedophile ring. Author Alex Wheatle, 51, alleged this week that he was sexually abused while living at Shirley Oaks Children's Home in Wickham Road, where he lived between 1966 until 1978. The father of three, appointed made an MBE in 1998, said he was "convinced" a network of paedophiles were operating in the home and that "the authorities knew about it at the time but did nothing". His account of life in Shirley Oaks, which was run by Lambeth Council and closed in 1983, has made headlines in several national newspapers and been covered by the BBC. But, according to a man who lived at the home during the same period, his claims have deeply distressed some former residents and staff. Gerry Coll, 53, who co-authored a history of Shirley Oaks, told the Advertiser: "Some of the things he has said are disrespectful to the people who passed through [the home], the vast majority of whom had good experiences there. "I agree with some of Alex's account, but what I cannot accept is that Shirley Oaks was rampant with sexual abuse. In no way was it. "I lived there from 18 months to 13 years old and the staff were very good. I've had phone calls from people who are shocked and taken aback. They think what Alex has said is quite scandalous." Mr Wheatle arrived at Shirley Oaks aged three in 1966. His account includes how he was sexually assaulted by a doctor within the grounds of the children's home. He wrote in the Mirror: "The first thing he told me to do was to strip naked. I stood there traumatised, unable to utter a sound as he sexually assaulted me. "I wanted to ask my friends if they had suffered something similar but couldn't bring myself to do it." Mr Wheatle, who would later go on to wrote Brixton Rock, said "strange, unnamed men" would regularly visit Shirley Oaks. One, a swimming instructor, "manipulated himself" into the cottage where boys lived some of the boys were housed in, "sleeping overnight in the sofa bed within the office". He explained: "He targeted boys in our cottage but also facilitated swimming lessons for other lads in the pool within the grounds as well as private clients. At these sessions he was the only adult present. There were no CRB checks in those days. "It was only decades later that he was jailed for his disgusting crimes. I'm still unsure whether all of his victims came forward." After Shirley Oaks closed, the police and Lambeth Council launched a joint investigation into abuse at homes run by the authority. Three people were jailed as a result of Operation Middleton, which found 16 alleged abusers had died and 19 others "could not be identified". Shirley Oaks is one of three Lambeth-run children's homes the Mirror has linked to an alleged paedophile ring thought to involve an unnamed MP in Tony Blair's government. Those allegations include claims that the politician took boys out of South Vale children's home in West Norwood in the 1980s. Mr Wheatle told the paper: "I'm convinced there was a paedophile ring operating in both South Vale and Shirley Oaks and that the authorities knew about it at the time but did nothing." Mr Coll, who lived at Shirley Oaks during the same period as Mr Wheatle, said: "I don't believe there was a conspiracy. "Hundreds, if of not thousands, of children lived at Shirley Oaks and the vast majority were not abused. "Where bad things happened they did so because people weren't properly vetted. There was a police investigation 20 years ago and those responsible were caught. "I don't understand why it's been dragged up again. We feel dirtied by it. Purley Oaks was a proud institution."'Questionable behaviour was overlooked' THE co-author of the history of Shirley Oaks says "questionable behaviour" of staff was overlooked because they were difficult to replace. Jad Adams, chairman of homeless charity Nightwatch, told the Advertiser: "It was very, very likely there was abuse there. "It was so easy for people who were potential abusers to get jobs because there weren't the sort of checks that are now. "The staff also lived closely with the children so the potential abuser would hit on a place like that. "People who are inclined to commit these crimes find places where there are a lot of victims and they inveigle their way in. "Children in care were certainly potential victims as we've seen from other cases." Mr Adams' book, written alongside Gerry Coll, did not mention specific cases of abuse, but highlighted the potential for it due to the practices at the home. It makes particular reference to staff difficulties in 1970s. "Hours were long, wages low and staff difficult to recruit," he told the Advertiser. "The management was keen to retain the staff they had as they were difficult to replace. "This meant staff were allowed to get away with being less vigilant than they should have been – people just weren't checking on them, or if they were, questionable behaviour was overlooked. "I don't think there were enough staff to secure that large a site either." Shirley Oaks was one of six homes built by Poor Law Guardians towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. They were later transferred to the London County Council and then to London boroughs.'Police inquiry a failure' ALEX Wheatle described the police investigation into abuse at children's homes including Shirley Oaks as a "failure" because more needed to be done to explore why perpetrators had access. His account follows the announcement of an independent inquiry to investigate the way public bodies handled sex abuse claims and a separate review by the Home Office into how it dealt with written allegations about powerful paedophiles in the 1980s. Mr Wheatle called on Home Secretary Theresa May to ensure "all aspects of child abuse including violent, neglect and emotional abuse" are taken into account. "Victims have their lives ruined by sexual assault," he said. "Some even take their own lives because of it. "I really hope my testimony will prompt others who have suffered to come forward and bear witness to the horrific crimes inflicted against them." Lambeth Council said it would co-operate fully with the reviews announced by the Home Office.

'Teenager who supplied drugs that killed my son must be given help to change his ways', says mother of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs

July 22, 2014, 1:17 am

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THE dealer who supplied the drugs that killed 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs must be given help in prison to change his ways, the teenager's mother has said. Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, faces jail after he admitted supplying ecstasy to the Addiscombe schoolboy and his friends ahead of an illegal rave on January 17. Daniel later collapsed at the unlicensed event in Hayes, west London, and died in hospital. Ryan Kirk, 21, was acquitted last Friday of being involved in supplying the drug following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court. Pitrora, of London Road, West Croydon, initially denied being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs, but changed his plea on the first day of the trial. Superintendent Des Rock, who led the investigation, said Pitrora was "very much responsible for coordinating the drugs deal" but had "shown little remorse and has failed to understand the consequences of his actions". Despite this, Daniel's mother Fiona told the Advertiser her family bear Pitrora no "ill-will" because his life had also been damaged by drugs - a "massive evil in our society". "We don't hate Nicqueel Pitrora," she said. "Nor do we hold him solely responsible for Dan's death. "But, nevertheless, he played a very significant role in what happened and we pray that he will be able to make that connection and, in making it, that he will stop doing this." Pitrora, who told the court he had passed on the request for drugs rather than supplying them himself, could face as much as seven and a half years in jail when he is sentenced next Friday (August 1). Mrs Spargo-Mabbs says, while a custodial sentence is right option, it must include some form of rehabilitation programme, beginning with understanding his role in Daniel's death. "What we've always wanted from this process is for those who were responsible to be convicted but, more than that, we want them to stop doing what they are doing because it is a waste of their lives as well as the lives of those they are selling the drugs to," she said. "Pitrora may not have set out to harm Daniel, but he sold drugs to schoolchildren. He is the man who put the drugs in the bag that killed my son. "Unless he is able to see he was part of [Daniel's death], he's unlikely to change. That's what we want from him. "It's good that he will be off the streets for a while, but only if it is combined with some sort of education or programme. "We need to help people involved in the supply of drugs to understand that what they're doing causes a great deal of harm. "Daniel believed very much that prison should be about change, not punishment; about helping people to live better lives and make better choices. "Otherwise it's time off the streets but, in the long term, he's likely to go out and do it again." Following the tragedy, the family set up the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, which aims, among other goals, to educate young people about the dangers of drugs. Mrs Spargo-Mabbs said the trauma of last week's trial had reinforced how important that message is. "I looked around the courtroom and thought about the damage drugs do to young lives," she said. "You have these two young men in the dock, with others having to stand witness, and Daniel's death, and the effect that has had on all of his friends. To think of all those young lives that have been damaged by drugs." Following next week's sentencing, Fiona and Tim, Daniel's father, are looking forward to concentrating on the foundation's work. "We both feel it's the next chapter," said Mrs Spargo-Mabbs. "The trial has been hanging over me and I've found it incredibly stressful. I'm just so pleased that's now behind us."

Crystal Palace target signs £8m Queens Park Rangers deal

July 22, 2014, 9:43 am

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CRYSTAL Palace target Steven Caulker has completed a move to Queens Park Rangers, the club's owner Tony Fernandes has confirmed. The central defender was wanted by a number of Premier League clubs, including the Eagles, but the Englishman has decided his future lies in west London.

Croydon crazy golf attraction proves a hit

July 23, 2014, 1:59 am

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CRAZY golfers are swinging into town after a new course opened up at East Croydon station for the summer. Putt Putt #2, created by art collective Turf Projects, opened last Friday (July 19) in Lansdowne Walk, next to the new footbridge, and will be open from 11am-5pm from Wednesday-Saturday until August 30. Turf Project founder Alice Cretney invited different artists to create their own holes to try and better last year's inaugural Putt Putt in Exchange Square. She said: "I live in Croydon and I don't think there is enough contemporary art here. There is a great fine art course at Croydon College and I want to start projects which will encourage them to produce that art in this town." Artist Alice, 25, curated the nine-hole course with David McLeavy and will be manning the exhibition during its opening hours. It will be free for members of the public to play throughout and there will also be family-friendly workshops at the course. Alice added: "Putt Putt has come out of an interest in artists working to a brief and also art's relationship with sport. "I've been interested in crazy golf for about three years now and it allows some very complex and interesting pieces to be made." For more information on the project visit www.turfprojects.com

Crystal Palace in for tough Columbus test, says boss Tony Pulis

July 23, 2014, 2:03 am

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Tony Pulis insists Wednesday night's game against Columbus Crew isn't about the result but he does want to put on a good performance for the fans. A large crowd is expected at the Crew Stadium for the visit of the Eagles, while a number of fans have flown over to the USA to follow Palace on their pre-season tour. And if past experience is anything to go by, Pulis knows his players are in for a tough game. The game kicks off at 7.30pm in Ohio, which is 12.30am BST. "We're not really concerned about the result, we're really concerned about getting match fitness and fitter ourselves for when our season starts," said Pulis. "We want to win though and give a good performance. I think it's important we do that. "The lads have only played 45 minutes of football so far we know it's going to be tough. "Columbus are a decent team, we played them last time I was with Stoke and we were fortunate not to get beaten badly because they played really well that day. "I have told the lads they will find this game difficult."

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'Fast food Croydon' to be combated by healthy eating campaign

July 23, 2014, 2:04 am

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FAST food and takeaway outlets are the target of a new drive to promote healthy eating launched by Croydon Council. The Eat Well Croydon campaign has been launched by the council to invite food businesses to come forward and demonstrate they offer healthy menu choices as well as healthier cooking methods. Those complying with the qualifying criteria will receive an Eat Well Healthier Catering Award certificate and sticker which they can display to customers. To qualify they must meet a number of criteria for healthier cooking practices and have a food hygiene rating of three or above. Councillor Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for people and communities, said: "Our campaign is about reducing child and adult obesity, which can lead to serious and life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer."

Gatwick second runway 'will boost Croydon'

July 23, 2014, 2:30 am

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THE borough's London Assembly member says the expansion of Gatwick Airport would act as a "catalyst" for growth here. Steve O' Connell believes that a second runway at Gatwick would have "huge economic benefits but less environmental impact than the other plans put forward". Writing in the Daily Telegraph last week, he added: "Huge infrastructure projects create wider economic growth, and an expanded Gatwick would deliver these benefits where they are needed most: in the south east. West London is already well-established; expanding Heathrow would focus regeneration in the wrong place. "It is south London that is crying out for growth, and Gatwick is the perfect catalyst to produce new jobs, homes and business opportunities from Croydon to Clapham, Brighton to Bermondsey."

Frazier Campbell set for Crystal Palace medical

July 23, 2014, 3:57 am

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CARDIFF City striker Frazier Campbell is understood to be having a medical at Crystal Palace today. The forward has been linked heavily with a move back to the Premier League in the last month, including Palace, and it looks like the Eagles are set conclude a deal. Campbell suffered relegation with Cardiff in May and scored nine goals in 40 appearances in all competitions. If Palace can complete the deal, Campbell will be competing for a starting position with Marouane Chamakh, Dwight Gayle, Glenn Murray and Stephen Dobbie.

Crystal Palace festival organisers hunt for the next Kate Moss

July 23, 2014, 6:03 am

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A POSTER girl is being sought to help promote the Crystal Palace International Film Festival. The festival's organisers are looking for a female aged 20-35 to front their 2014 campaign, in a poster designed in the film noir style. The festival judging panel consists of comedians Johnny Vegas, Mark Steel and Neville Astley, creator of Peppa Pig. Now in its 5th year, the festival provides an opportunity for independent filmmakers from around the world to have their work shown to audiences in venues around Crystal Palace. . Festival Director Roberta Gallinari says, "We are an emerging festival and we know how hard it is to get noticed in a massively competitive arena. "An opportunity like this could help a young woman trying to break into the modelling industry." The job will consist of a paid single day shoot in Crystal Palace with local photographer David Boyes, who has photographed Kate Moss, Katie Holmes and Charlize Theron in the past. If you are interested in this opportunity, send a photo to roberta@cpiff.co.uk, with 'casting call' in the subject field. Entries must be submitted by Friday, August 8.

Reducing the 'fear of crime' should be Croydon police chief's priority, says council leader

July 23, 2014, 6:08 am

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COUNCIL leader Tony Newman says Croydon's new police chief Andy Tarrant must work to tackle the fear of crime in the borough. Cllr Newman said work needs be done to ensure people had no fears about visiting the town centre, especially at night. Speaking alongside Chief Supt Tarrant last week, he said: "We're actually seeing very welcome reductions in some of the crime stats, but there are still very high levels of fear of crime and that needs to be addressed," he said. "The message needs to be Croydon is a safe place to work, live and shop. "One crime is one too many, but I think the bigger crime is people who perhaps don't come into the city centre or will stay at home simply because of the fear of crime. "It's absolutely critical that together we work on the reputation of our borough and say it is somewhere that is safe and people should be proud to live and work." Councillor Newman also hailed the arrival of Chief Supt Tarrant as an opportunity for public services in the borough to foster a new working partnership.