EFFORTS to bring more shoppers into New Addington have taken a leap forward with the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) on the estate.

The area's businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating the BID in a ballot on December 5; creating only the second BID in the borough, after the one in the town centre.

The move means each member business will pay money into a central pot, which they will then invest into the area.

Ken Burgess, chair of the Central Parade Business Partnership, was "over the moon" about the long-awaited formation.

He said: "It was about five years in the making.

"We are probably the smallest BID in the country but we have a strong business partnership.

"The council was very supportive of us, as indeed was Boris Johnson, who gave us some seed money we needed to get if off the ground."

The New Addington BID comprises businesses from the Central Parade shopping area including key streets Central Parade, Chertsey Crescent and Salcot Crescent.

It is anticipated to raise at least £20,000 each year from the annual levy they must pay, which is 2 per cent of their business rates.

The BID will officially be up and running in February, and Mr Burgess said it aims to make sure the area is attractive for shoppers and other visitors.

He added: "It is all about improving the footfall. We want to make sure the area is safe for our shopkeepers and also for our customers.

"We have spent a lot of time over the years looking at that; with a regular income we can revisit all the work we have done in terms of maintenance.

"We also want to make sure more events take place."

Councillor Vidhi Mohan, cabinet member for communities and economic development at Croydon Council, has spoken in support of the BID. He said at the time of a cabinet vote in September: "New Addington is an excellent location for a second BID within the borough because of the district's history of positive business engagement with the council.

"It's an opportunity for the council to strengthen its support for economic growth in New Addington, and for businesses to have a direct impact on transforming their district and increasing footfall."

A CROYDON netballer is hoping to grow in confidence as she prepares to embark on a four-day training camp in the new year.

Seventeen-year-old Alima Priest, who currently plays netball for the Surrey Storm in the National Netball Talent League, has been selected to attend the Youth Sport Trust's National Talent Camp at Loughborough University in January.

The England U19 star, who was born and bred in Croydon, will join around 90 other aspiring young athletes in learning what it takes to become an elite level sports star, with the Coloma Convent Girls School pupil admitting she can't wait for it to start.

"I have never done anything like this before," said the teenager, who has also played for Howard & Shirley Netball Club in Croydon.

"But I think it will be a great experience meeting other people from other sports. Hopefully it will help to improve us as sportsmen and women and I am looking forward to it.

"I want to grow in confidence and face new challenges and this will definitely help to push me in that respect."

Priest added that the camp would be good for her in other ways too, adding that she hoped to learn more about how young athletes juggle their time between competing, studying and enjoying an active social life.

"I think you have to get a good balance of all three," she said.

The camp is quite intense though, with 6am starts, two training sessions a day and a series of challenging workshops led by leading sports psychologists and athlete mentors.

The youngsters will also hear from guest speakers such as Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree from the England RFU coaching team, along with mountaineer Bonita Norris – the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

In addition, Youth Sport Trust ambassador Darren Campbell, who won Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay in Athens in 2004 and silver in Sydney in the 200m, will also talk about the pressures of being an elite athlete.

But Priest, who harbours hopes of breaking into England's senior set-up, is looking forward to the camp, which has previously played host to Olympic gold medallist rower Katherine Copeland.

She says she hopes it will help her as she builds up to the U19 European Championships in February.

The camp begins on January 3.

The latest league tables, published last Thursday, show David Livingstone and St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox academies at the top of the class.

Every pupil at both schools achieved at least a level 4 in English and maths – the national benchmark – in their exams last summer.

Results were positive across the borough, with 79 per cent of 11-year-olds meeting the required level, up five per cent from 2011, and few schools performing below expectations.

However, Thornton Heath and South Norwood had extra reason to celebrate with six schools in the top ten. St Cyprian's, which became an academy last summer, jumped 25 per cent, making it one of Croydon's most improved schools. Nearly half of its pupils also reached level 5 in English and maths.

Kate Magliocco, head teacher at the two-form entry school, said: "This is my seventh year here, so I have seen these children all the way through their time at the school.

"It is about our belief in quality teaching and our commitment to getting the best out of the pupils."

David Livingstone's success is further proof of its remarkable improvement since becoming part of the STEP Academy Trust run by Gonville Academy. In the two years the schools have worked with each other, sharing teachers and best practice, the number of pupils meeting the benchmark in English and maths has doubled, though head of school Claire Slade is not getting carried away.

"We are delighted at our results and this is down to the teaching and the hard work of our dedicated children, staff and parents," she said.

"Equally though, in a one-form entry school, we need to be mindful that every Year 6 cohort is different and league tables can change accordingly."

Croydon's most improved school was Oasis Academy Shirley Park, in Addiscombe. The school posted Key Stage 2 results which were among the worst in the country last year, with just 39 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 in English and maths.

But this year the percentage reaching the minimum standard doubled to 78 per cent.

Neil Harvey, head of the all-through academy's primary phase, said: "This excellent achievement was due to a sense of unity and purpose among the staff team."

In total, 46 of the 69 schools which provide information to the Department for Education improved their results, with other success stories including Courtwood Primary, in Forestdale, which went up 28 per cent, and Whitehorse Manor Junior, which leapt 23 per cent.

Three schools fell below the Government's standard of 60 per cent of pupils achieving at least level 4 in English and maths, including Woodside Junior (now Woodside Primary and Children's Centre) and Broadmead Primary.

Though it improved on last year's results, Castle Hill Primary, in New Addington, finished bottom of the table with 53 per cent, compared with 90 per cent at Fairchildes Primary, on the other side of the estate.

Head teacher Mary Watts said five of the 45 children who sat the exams last May had arrived at Castle Hill in Year 6, while almost one third of the year group have special educational needs.

"Clearly we don't want to be at the bottom of any league table but you don't see what's going on behind the figures," said Mrs Watts.

TRAM travellers will be waking up with an extra headache today (Tuesday): fare rises.

Mayor Boris Johnson has raised fares across London's transport network by 4.2 per cent, taking a single tram or bus fare with an Oyster card from £1.35 to £1.40.

Travellers at East Croydon station were unhappy about the hikes, which are one per cent above inflation.

Latoya Reid, 30, who travels each day to Waddon Marsh, said: "That is just extra money from your cheque that is not going to be there."

Mitchall Laban, 18, of South Norwood, who takes the tram to Wimbledon every day, said: "I hate that it goes up every year, but it is always going to go up each year.

"It is at least one of the more reliable services. I have never known a tram to be late."

Amos Adeolu, 33, of South Croydon, said: "It is normal for them to increase the fares every year. The service is good but the fares are too expensive."

Greater London Assembly member Steve O'Connell says the increase is justified if the money raised is reinvested, in particular to extend the trams.

The mayor had promised to extend the tram to Crystal Palace but was criticised this month after no extension was mentioned in Transport for London's seven-year investment plan.

Mr O'Connell said: "I think it is a defensible position because I want the mayor to be investing in new capital projects and route extensions. Raising fares within responsible limits means the mayor can invest, so I will hold him to account on that."

Val Shawcross, a former leader of Croydon Council and Labour's spokesman told the Advertiser: "I think that hitting Londoners with another above-inflation fare rise is staggering.

"Not only are many people struggling financially at the moment but we also know from TfL's latest business plan that no funding has been put in place to deliver much-needed extensions to Croydon Tramlink.

"We know from TFL's own figures that they are running with a big operating surplus, so above inflation rises are unnecessary."

Concessionary fares for young people and veterans are unchanged, as is free travel for the elderly and disabled.

1. In mid-May the Croydon Advertiser met Billy Smith, who asked for help to trace a girl he'd met in Croydon nightclub Shooshh. The pair swapped a kiss or two, but the mystery woman left without giving Billy her number. Sadly, the couple were not reunited.
2. The same month six men were jailed for a brawl outside a cab office in Norbury. The fight, in the early hours of March 26 in 2011, saw the men attack one another with planks of wood and metal bars.
3. A 28-year-old woman was left with life-threatening injuries in May after she was pulled underneath a tram at Sandilands. The incident happened on May 16 and saw the woman, from Croydon, trapped underneath the vehicle and against the edge of the platform. She was freed by fire crews and rushed to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where her condition was stabilised. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an enquiry into what happened, which remains ongoing.
4. An 18-year-old was also left fighting for his life after the motorcycle he was riding crashed in New Addington. The teen, named as Armani Broomfield, broke both his legs, fractured his wrist and pelvis, and also suffered a collapsed lung and head injuries. Armani required a number of operations but was then discharged from hospital.
5. Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish told the Croydon Advertiser that getting the Eagles into the Premier League would be difficult to achieve, but said he was 'always working to improve the club'. Palace have enjoyed a good run at the end of 2012, climbing to the top end of the Championship table.
6. The Croydon Advertiser spoke to the mother of Kevin Boyle, who said she had always felt her son would take his own life. Patti spoke frankly about the effect the disappearance of her popular son the previous October and the discovery of his body 101 days later had on her family.
7. Former Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman chose his all-star Championship team of the season - but he wasn't allowed to pick any of his own players. His choices included Kasper Schmeichel, Guirane N'Daw and Mustapha Dumbuya.
8. Sudden heavy downpours in May left roads closed and public transport delayed in central Croydon. Water levels went down rapidly following the flash flooding.
9. The first weekend of June was of course a Bank Holiday to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This article, showing off the best ways to mark the occasion, was among the month's most-read.
10. A special report by Ross Lidbetter in May considered whether the £1million spent on CCTV in Croydon had been a worthwhile investment or 'Big Brother gone mad'. To show the extent of the cameras, Croydon Council agreed to track reporter Sarah May Hayes as she walked through the town centre.

Tony Hilton, 48, South Croydon: "I think there should be more trams and more tram routes. We were promised tram extensions but they never happened. Croydon is so inaccessible by road and people find it hard to get in and out of the city centre. I think this is why big corporations like Nestlé left Croydon."

Melissa Littlemore, 16, who works in Croydon: "I think the trains in Croydon need improving. There is no station that is harder to get to than West Croydon. It is such an inconvenience and there are so many cancellations and delays which means that I don't always get to work on time and makes me late going home."

Ian D'Mello, 35, Purley: There are so many clothes shops in Croydon; I think some of them need to go. I'd like to see them replaced with smaller business start-ups. When you look at areas like Kensington and Chelsea, a lot of their shops are independent, I'm sure there are a lot of people in Croydon with good ideas, but there is just nowhere to put them."

Cheryl Wadey, 45, Croydon: "I was working as a PA and have just been made redundant. My Christmas wish would be for a new job and more jobs for people in Croydon. I have applied for five jobs since my redundancy and am hoping to find a new position sometime in the new year."

Robert Wright, 48, Addiscombe: "I am a keen cyclist and I come into Croydon quite a lot to go shopping and to the gym. It is so expensive to park everywhere and so that's why I ride my bike. The cycling facilities are pretty good, but the parking costs are ridiculous.

"I like to ride my bike everywhere, but there needs to be more parking spaces, and it needs to be cheaper."

Zaza Curran, 37, Crystal Palace: "I regularly come into Croydon to do my shopping and I wish Croydon had a nicer place to shop. If there were some more cafes, it would be easier to stop. I would wish for more places in the town centre where it is greener and looked a bit less industrial."

Rebecca MacDonald, 25, Addiscombe: "I wish for people to be more approachable in Croydon. Having a little baby around, I worry for when she grows up. There's a lot of crime, a lot of problems among young people in Croydon and a lot of issues involving gangs. I think if people were generally approachable, and less aggressive, it would improve the area."

"I just would like to make the area nicer for people to live in."

Jessica Keningale, 24, New Addington: "I would like to see more trees, more grass and more plants in Croydon. The area definitely looks a bit grey. Croydon would be more attractive if there was more colour in the town centre. I think some plants would be a lot nicer than the council just painting the buildings."

"I think some more colour in Croydon would make it a much nicer area to live in."

Stephen Curran, 55, West Norwood: "I come into Croydon on the occasion to do my shopping. I wish people would be happier. People look down when they walk and sometimes look very aggressive. I have had some people rudely walk up to me, saying, 'You got a fag, mate?' and I say no. There's definitely a lack of common courtesy in the area."

Stephen Baron, 66, South Croydon: "My Christmas wish for Croydon would be for less traffic. I want to complain bitterly about the situation of the traffic.

"The road over the underpass into Croydon has been changed into one lane, instead of three. It has been changed from three lanes so that people can cross the road. I think the old system of going from three lanes to two was much better."

"I think the new system is dangerous and I would imagine it's got the potential for causing accidents."

Sarah Ghaziri, 17, Croydon: "I wish Croydon would have some more restaurants. The restaurants here, at the moment, are packed all the time. There isn't enough space for me and my friends to go out. I like going to restaurants and like to go out from time to time, but I would like more selection in the town centre and new places to eat."

Beth Hicks, 17, South Croydon: "I wish for better Christmas lights. Croydon, they're really slacking this year. The lights are not as good as London. The town centre is looking a bit drab and more lights, I think, would make it more festive. The shops are looking all right, but I'd like to see some more lights on the trees.

"I have just been to New York and I really liked the Christmas lights there."

Marlowe Brown, 20, Croydon: "I think there should be more youth clubs. There's not enough for kids to do in Croydon, so they all go and hang around on street corners. I think the youth clubs should have a music studio, football, things that people would look forward to doing when they come home from school.

"Kids will be kids at the end of the day, but there should be more education which helps them learn how to survive and to stop people hanging about on the streets."

Marcus Mills, 21, Croydon: "I think there should be more opportunities for young children so they don't get into bad cycles. Teachers need to break all the things down and explain more about keeping good credit, so that people don't get into debt problems and make mistakes when they're older.

"Teachers need to do more to show them that staying in school is a good thing. I trained as an electrical engineer, but am finding it hard to find a job."

Blaine Field, 19, Croydon: "I would like a big water fountain on the High Street. It would make the area look more presentable and a bit nicer. The water fountain could be surrounded by benches and would make the town centre more presentable.

"I think the town centre is drab and looks boring and I think the fountain would make the High Street look nicer."

Emily Dean, 21, Sanderstead: "My new year wish for Croydon would be for some nicer bars and clubs. There are some OK ones in South Croydon. I would like to see a nice cocktail bar, selling half-price cocktails, for me and my girlfriends to enjoy on a night out.

"A new club would improve the area and bring in more students."

Rob Johansen, South Croydon: "I wish for more music tuition and community groups in Croydon. I think there should be more workshops for young people with musicians.

"I have been a drummer for 13 years and now have three drum kits. I think music always brings people together and drumming has given me some opportunities. It certainly breaks the ice in certain situations."

Marlene Williams, 72, Addiscombe: "I wish for more Christmas characters for children. I used to come here every Christmas eve when I was younger as a ritual with my sister, Nina. We used to love coming here, in the evening, in the dark to see the characters in the shop windows. There used to be lights in every shop, animated characters, the lot. I think it is sad there's nothing for the children now.

"I would like to see donkeys and reindeer giving children a ride down the High Street. It would be something for people to look forward to. I think the council should get away from how much it costs and make the area feel more special and Christmassy."

1. In June promising boxer Lewis Pinto was found hanged in a park in Wallington. The former Purley schoolboy was aged just 24. The super-middleweight was due to fight his second bout the next month, and said he drew inspiration from Mike Tyson. At his inquest in October, Lewis was described by his girlfriend as a 'Peter Pan', and said it 'broke her heart' that Lewis had never known how many people looked up to him. Croydon Coroner Roy Palmer ruled that Lewis had taken his own life. For confidential support 24 hours a day, contact The Samaritans in confidence.
2. New Addington was the subject of an episode of Channel 4 programme Secret Millionaire. Some members of the community were critical of the show, which they said made the estate 'look like scumland'. Croydon businessman Bobby Dudani had pledged £50,000 to a variety of good causes, including the Timebridge Centre, Pandemic Steel Orchestra and New Addington Boxing Club. Following the show, the boxing club was 'brought back from the dead, the Timebridge Centre was damaged in an arson attack, and the Croydon Auto Bike scheme is now facing closure.
3. June was, of course, when Britain marked the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. One of the most popular picture galleries from the street parties held in Croydon was this one, from Croham Park Avenue in South Croydon.
4. On June 15 it was confirmed Allders in Croydon had gone into administration. Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher said it was a 'sad day' for the borough, and the council later said it had only been told about the problems at Allders 'days' before the collapse. The store closed for good in late September.
5. Former Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman said the club would be interested in players like Sam Baldock. The striker then played for West Ham, but signed for Bristol City in August.
6. A Kenley drug lord was jailed for 15 years in June after two men were caught using a barbers shop in Whyteleafe as a front for their multi-million pound empire. James Arthur of Zig Zag Road and Billy Sales, then living in Whyteleafe, used Sharp Barbers on Godstone Road to pump cocaine across Croydon, Surrey and Sussex. The Advertiser had previously revealed a branch business manager of Barclays in Purley, Indipaul Sra, had been found guilty of conspiracy to commit a money laundering offence and jailed for four years.
7. Poisonous caterpillars were thought to have returned to New Addington, a year after an outbreak that saw two people hospitalised and many more suffered breathing problems.
8. We also reported on the case of a teenage boy who needed 101 stitches after being attacked by a dog in New Addington. C-Jay Hall told how he tried to fight off the pitbull with his scooter.
9. Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish spoke of his desire to see the Eagles get promoted and stay in the top league. Parish spoke of needing to expect the unexpected.
10. Finally for June was this picture gallery, of a street party in Shaw Crescent in Sanderstead to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

1. The Olympic torch relay came to Croydon on July 23, and this event of course dominated the most-read stories and picture galleries of the most. Among the most popular, drawing tens of thousands of visitors, were part one and part two of our live blog. Our three galleries of the day in pictures, which you can find here, here and here, attracted hundreds of thousands of page views. Also popular were the route of the relay, which was released in March, and our interactive map. Croydon was one of the last places the Olympic torch was carried through, and was in London Road almost exactly one year after the riots.
2. A teenage girl described her 'coach journey from hell' after a toilet exploded on a National Express coach. Jessica Squires, from New Addington, described the result as a 'tsunami of urine and excrement'. A National Express spokesman said the toilet had been flooded deliberately, and that the driver had been verbally abused.
3. A Canadian pastor who believes he can 'heal' the sick by kicking them in the face was due to visit Croydon, the Advertiser revealed. The pastor was set for a three-day event at Croydon Conference Centre on Surrey Street. His controversial methods have included injuring people, and once said he was 'told by God' to kick an elderly woman in the face with his biker boot. Late Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks said the pastor should be banned from the UK, and days before his scheduled visit the Home Office did, saying his presence in the UK was 'not conducive to the public good'.
4. Dougie Freedman, then Crystal Palace manager, poured cold water on rumours he was about to sign Leeds United striker Ross McCormack. Rumours had been rife online. Freedman said he knew McCormack well and described him as a 'fantastic player', but said rumours of him joining Palace were 'far-fetched'. McCormack then signed a new deal with Leeds, but in August Steve Parish said he was still interested in the player if he became available again.
5. However, Freedman did admit the club were in talks with Jose Baxter. In August Freedman admitted the move 'couldn't happen for a number of reasons' and Baxter later signed for Oldham Athletic.
6. Pictures of Crystal Palace's 3-0 win over non-league Dulwich Hamlet were one of July's most-viewed galleries. Dougie Freedman surprised everyone by stepping onto the pitch in the second half, and provided an assist to Reise Allassani.
7. A story in which a Sanderstead resident claimed pet cats were being eaten by foxes got 129 comments after being published in early July. John Jefkins blamed a fox for the death of his pet cat Jasmine, likening the scene to the film Jaws. Mr Jefkins said it was becoming an epidemic, adding: 'The foxes can't get to the recycling bins any more so they eat our pets'. A week later John Bryant from Humane Urban Wildlife Deterrence said it was rare for a fox to kill a cat, but recommended owners keep pets in at night.
8. In July images were released showing Croydon during the 1920s. The images, taken by former World War One pilots, showed Stoats Nest Village in Coulsdon, Church Street, Addington Hills and Croydon Aerodrome.
9. Dougie Freedman said he'd decided against signing Alexis Allart and Peter Kurucz. Speaking exclusively to Crystal Palace reporter Mark Ritson, Freedman said French striker Allart's fitness was 'nowhere near where it should be', while Hungarian goalkeeper Kurucz was rejected after Julian Speroni was said to be 'coming along nicely'.
10. Finally for July, Lidl bought land in Sanderstead. The budget store is hoping to build a unit on the land currently occupied by the now-closed Good Companions pub on Limpsfield Road on the Surrey border. Images of the design Lidl is planning were released last month.

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CRYSTAL Palace boss Ian Holloway hopes that defender Danny Gabbidon will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup 3rd Round clash against Stoke City, but is set to welcome back Damien Delaney.
The Irish defender has completed his three-match ban following his red card against Huddersfield Town and could be involved against Tony Pulis' side.
"It was only a precaution," Holloway said on taking Gabbidon off against Wolverhampton Wanderers on New Year's Day.
"That was only his third or fourth game in a very short period of time and he just felt his hamstring, so it's great to be able to get him off at half-time.
"Hopefully he'll be OK, and we've got Delaney back now with an FA Cup game next.
"I've been told by the chairman that he doesn't want me win the FA Cup, so that's a relief.
"We'll have a good go at it, but the cup run last year didn't really help this club with the league position it was in."
And the manager revealed he may give central midfielder Stuart O'Keefe a chance to shine in the next few weeks.
"Obviously, with Kagisho Dikgacoi going (to the African Cup of Nations), it's going to force one or two in that area, but I've got young Stuart O'Keefe as well and I'm going to give him a chance," said Holloway.
Meanwhile, young midfielder Jonathan Williams says Palace will be up for the game on Saturday and is happy to be back playing again after suffering a hamstring injury.
"Everything is feeling good and I've had no more niggles," he said.
"It's exciting (to play Stoke) and we want to play against Premier League teams.
"It's a tough draw but we look forward to the test on Saturday."

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WHILE many people were ringing in the new year with champagne and nibbles, one mum was welcoming a new arrival to her family.

Shaheen Codabaccus gave birth to her second child, Luqman Chowdee, at 5.17am on New Year's Day.

Six days later than expected, he was, by just a minute, the first baby born at Croydon University Hospital (CUH) this year.

Shaheen, 32, said: "He was overdue by six days so maybe he was just waiting for the new year.

"It was all very quick once it started: I just got some pain at about 11pm and went to the hospital at 3.30am."

Mum and son are now back at home in South Croydon where they have introduced Luqman to his sister Asiyah, 21 months.

Shaheen added: "He looks just like his sister: he has the same face she had when she was born, exactly the same."

Shaheen's husband Mamode Chowdee, 42, has returned to work after the holidays, while some of Shaheen's family have flown from her native Mauritius to help with her young charge.

Luqman was the first of four babies born on New Year's Day at CUH, all boys and all within an hour of each other. After Luqman at 5.17am, the others were born at 5.18am, 5.48am, and 6.10am.

Shaheen, whose first child was also born at CUH, added: "Even though it was early morning on New Year's Day, the staff were great."

The family had chosen the name Luqman, she explained, after the Islamic prophet.

PALACE boss Ian Holloway hopes that Wilfried Zaha is still with the club for the second half of the Championship campaign as his side look to get back on the automatic promotion trail.

With the January transfer window now open for business, the speculation surrounding the star winger is expected to go into overdrive, while the manager says he's already made a number of enquiries about bringing in some new faces to Selhurst Park.

"We know where we are, we like the boy," said Holloway.

"I brought him off last weekend [at Nottingham Forest], but that was a great response from him [against Wolves] and when he's got a smile on his face, I know Palace have played well.

"The rest of the team do their job for them. He's a wonderful lad, he's had a hard couple of months and hopefully he'll have a hard run in – with us.

"The chairman and I are ducking and diving now, we've already started a load of phone calls.

"We're trying to help the squad and build it to have a second half of the season which will keep everybody singing."

Meanwhile, Zaha has stated he would like to make it to the Premier League with the Eagles after experiencing a number of highs and lows already in his short career so far.

"It'd be a great feeling to get promoted with Palace because I have been with the club for a long time," he told Palace's official matchday programme on New Year's Day.

"I've been with them through the hard times when we've nearly been relegated so actually making it to the Premier League would be great.

"Going through all the struggles, to be able to achieve something with the side would be a great achievement for us and me."

And the 20-year-old admitted that he's not been playing to his full potential in recent matches, but wants to forget the media attention on the back of his England call-up in November and concentrate on what he does best.

"During the last month I think my performances have dropped a bit but I just needed to get my confidence back up," he added.

"I would never have thought I'd have an England cap this time last season but all the hard work I've put in is paying off.

"All the media attention is new to me, so at first I was finding it hard but the only thing I decided to do now is keep away from it.

"I'm here to play football so that's all I want to do. I don't need to be in and around the media all the time."

In regards to the current transfer window, Holloway says he won't be getting any players in for the sake of it and hinted that he may look at people who have performed well for him in the past.

"I think we need to strengthen in one or two areas, but I'll also look at the academy set-up," he said.

"There are a couple of good players in that – are they ready to help yet? Probably not. Give them another year then who knows?

"We're working on some targets but I only want good ones. There is no point in having another player if he's no good, so hopefully I'll bring some good ones to help this group.

"It's not about how much money you spend, it's about what sort of player you've got.

"There are some great players who might not be wanted by people or there are players I've managed to borrow who were brilliant for me but weren't quite doing it for others.

"Hopefully we can do that again and get the right sort of specific player to play the way I want."

One player who will feel like a new addition to Holloway is Jonathan Williams, who has returned to action in the past two games against Nottingham Forest and Wolves after injury.

And the diminutive midfielder revealed he's feeling good again and hoping for a successful 2013.

"Everything is feeling good and I've had no more niggles," he said. "It's just getting that match fitness and being involved with this great team.

"I'm hoping to have a good run of games in the squad, especially when we're doing so well – it's exciting times for Palace and everyone at the club.

"It was frustrating to pick up that niggle in a reserve game a couple of months ago – it was a Grade One hamstring strain.

"The new manager spoke to me and said we needed to get it sorted, so the physios and the staff have worked really hard to get me fit.

"I hope all that work will pay off and the New Year is a good one."

PARISHIONERS saved a church from disaster after a candle set its curtains on fire.

The ceiling-high curtains in St Stephen's Church, in Warwick Road, Thornton Heath, caught fire at 11.15am on Saturday.

Father Geoffrey Thompson was among a small group inside the church when the "spectacular" blaze started.

He said: "A candle was placed where it should not have been placed and it was also very windy that morning.

"The curtains went up like tissue paper so it was very spectacular; they burnt out very quickly.

"Fortunately there were about five or six people in the church and they quickly stopped it; people were very good with the fire extinguishers.

"The fire brigade was quick; it was all a bit of a blur but they were here within ten minutes, by which time everything had been put out."

Father Thompson added that no harm had been done and he was "a bit grateful" to see the back of the curtains, which separated the main part of the Anglican church from the lady chapel.

He said: "They were rather old, musty curtains so I was actually a bit grateful as no real harm had been done.

"The curtains won't be replaced and now there is a lovely open view into the chapel."

A firefighter who attended the scene praised the parishioners' quick actions for saving the church.

Watch manager Shaun Howlett said: "Just by fate there were some people on the premises.

"Luckily they managed to put the fire extinguisher on it; they did really well. One lady in particular was cool as a cucumber.

"Apart from one row of pews and some sacrificial timber, the damage was kept really light."

Two crews from Norbury and one from Croydon attended.

Mr Howlett added: "It had the potential to be really bad."

PLANS to rebuild Purley's fire station have been approved.

Croydon Council has given the thumbs-up to knocking down the building in Brighton Road and replacing it with a three-storey building, drill tower and car parking.

The new station will include enough room for two crews, a gym, and a host of other amenities.

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Andy Hickmott said: "The rebuilt state-of-the-art facility will not only provide a fire station with better training provision for firefighters, but community facilities which will allow members of the public to more easily access vital lifesaving fire safety advice."

The project is part of a £57 million private finance initiative to rebuild nine stations across London.

Construction is planned to start in June 2014 and will last about a year.

Purley's fire engine will be stationed in Mitcham during the rebuilding work.