issue 76 - april 2006 reports reports croydon · nitin mehta’s every action since coming to this...

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ReportsReports

Tony Blair in Croydon

see page 17

Transforming CroydonA new Fairfield on its existing site is just one highlight in ourfeature on the borough’s major projects – starting page 6

A SaferNeighbourhood

Team for every wardsee page 20

C R O Y D O NC R O Y D O N

Tony Blair in Croydon

see page 17

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How to use the service: type inwww.croydon.gov.uk/planning and youwill be taken to the main planning sectionof the website. Click on the words Croydon Planning Online and you will see a selection of online planning services.Simply click on the link that interests youand follow the on-screen instructions.

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Making a positive difference

Just recently, I have been spending considerable time at my desk working on ways to ensure

next year’s council tax continues to deliver value for money for all residents.

Glancing through my office window, I can see evidence of how the council is introducing new

services and influencing the shape of Croydon for years to come.

Just across from The Queen’s Gardens, is the colourfully illuminated Fairfield Halls, set to be

rebuilt on its established site. Over the road, we have just opened Europe’s first Family Justice

Centre – an innovative facility dedicated to tackling the blight of domestic violence which

received the Prime Minister’s nod of approval during his recent visit to the borough.

Even closer are the tired, 1960s office buildings that are set to make way for the brand new

Park Place shopping centre.These sights serve as a constant reminder that, in setting the budget, we have to reflect not

just on the level of council tax but also the quality of services that we provide and the benefit

they bring.Next year’s increase for services provided by Croydon Council will again be less than 5%.

This has been achieved in parallel with the Audit Commission confirming Croydon as one of the

highest-ranking councils in London for providing residents with value for money.

I therefore make no apology for reminding you of some of the headline achievements that

are maintaining the Council’s record for providing good services in return for a modest outlay.

• Household recycling collections will soon include plastic, cardboard and green garden waste;

• Crime in Croydon fell last year by 12%;

• Two out of three residents now say borough streets are cleaner;

• A new community school is about to open as part of the Ashburton learning village project;

• A new pool has opened in Thornton Heath and three more will follow in New Addington,

Purley and South Norwood;• Education results are up once again;• Four new care homes for the elderly are to be built.

Many of these developments stem from the council responding to what residents have told

us about priorities. However, we never lose sight of the crucial bottom line to ensure that every

penny we spend must make a positive difference.

For his part, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, is investing in more neighbourhood police

teams and ensuring that a successful Olympics in 2012 will leave a lasting legacy of value.

I hope, therefore, that you will share my belief that we are seeing major improvements both

in the services delivered in your street and neighbourhood and in Croydon itself – a town which,

only last month, one of our local newspapers described as “very much on the up”.

Tony Newman - Leader, Croydon Council

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contents

CROYDON Reports - your local community magazine, full of news, views and information.

To contact Croydon Council:Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected] Council website: www.croydon.gov.uk Community website: www.croydononline.org

To contact the editor of Croydon Reports:Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected]

The next issue will be published on Wednesday, 26 April 2006. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of an advertisement does not indicate council endorsement of any products or services mentioned.

Please ask if you require a translation in a community language, in large print, on tape or in Braille.

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4 Community serviceNitin Mehta is proud to be British and his selfless service to the community serves

to underline that fact

6 Transforming CroydonOur in-depth study of the exciting and innovative major building projects that are

making Croydon a truly 21st-century town

12 Centuries of shoppingThere has been a street market on or near Surrey Street's present home for

hundreds of years - and it remains as popular today as it ever was

15 Freedom and HonorEx-Avengers and James Bond actress Honor Blackman was on hand to help

launch the latest Freedom Pass

17 Westminster comes to townDuring a flying visit, the Prime Minister found time to address a town-hall crime

conference and local people in Waddon

21 Keeping history aliveYour chance to get involved as the borough’s list of architecturally or historically

interesting buildings comes under review

☎ 020 8726 6000

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Nitin Mehta’s every action since coming to this country proves hisdeclaration that he’s “proud to be British” and his dedication toservice has been recognised at the highest levels

Community is a word that features large in Nitin Mehta’s vocabulary.Community in the immediate sense – life in Croydon – and communityin the wider meaning – on a global scale.

And it encompasses all aspects of community, be it how weconduct ourselves, our diet, the animals around us, our immediatesurroundings and the way we treat the planet on which we live.

Now a managing partner, with his older brother Kirit, of CroydonMotor Spares in Broad Green, the 19-year-old Nitin came to Englandfrom the family home in Kenya in 1973 and his communityphilosophy exerted itself almost immediately as he played a key rolein two local initiatives.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Keep the Pond Tidycampaign from 1974 to 1976, helping to persuade businessmenbased around Thornton Heath Pond to put their hands in theirpockets to provide extra waste bins and to help keep the area aslitter-free as possible.

Also in 1974 he became a voluntary teacher of the Gujaratilanguage to young students – a commitment he was to honour for 20 years.

All this was going on as he held down a succession of jobswhile also studying in the evenings for a sociology degree atGoldsmiths College.

“I wanted to play a positive role in the community and that’ssomething I’ve tried to do over the years,” said Nitin.

“This country has offered us a lot and the Indian community hasdone well in every field. We’ve prospered and we have to putsomething back into the wider community.

“While we have rights, we also realise we have obligations andit’s important to have a balance. At the end of the day we want anice prosperous Croydon and, by extension, a prosperous UK.”

Nitin voices a genuine pride in his hometown and plays aleading role in the Croydon Partnership, investing in the town

and ensuring there are job opportunities: “We’re flying theflag for Croydon.”

Over the years he has served on the executivecommittee of the Croydon Guild of VoluntaryOrganisations; the committee of the Hindu Templein South Norwood; Croydon Police ConsultativeCommittee and was the governor of CroydonCollege for six years.

He led a group of young performers at the VEDay celebrations in Hyde Park; helped found theJain Animal Sanctuary in Burwash, Sussex; is astand-by volunteer for Croydon Nightwatch, whichruns a nightly soup kitchen for the homeless inThe Queen’s Gardens in central Croydon and, forthe past 25 years, has hosted a Christmas lunch towhich a cross-section of the community is invited.

While we have rights, we alsorealise we have obligations and it’s

important to have a balance.

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Recognition for his tireless work came in 1999 when he becamean MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“That was the icing on the cake. Somebody puts your nameforward and, the next thing you know, you’reoffered the award. I was well pleased andthe community was well pleased.”

On the question of law and order, he is full of praise for policing in the borough.“Between Croydon’s police and thecommunity we’ve obviously got something right.

“In 25 years there’s never been a majorflare-up or incident. A lot of that has beendown to the police and very goodcommunication – we’ve always had stronglinks with the police.”

A born vegetarian, he has been a vegan formany years and was the founder president, in

1978, of the Young Indian Vegetarians. He is a firm believer in thevalue of a meat-free diet and is on the board of directors ofCompassion in World Farming.

“Food is a great way of breaking downbarriers. My passion is to introduce the great British public to the delights of Indian vegetarian food, of which there’s a great variety.

“This all ties in to my belief that we haveto leave the planet in good order for futuregenerations. A meat-free diet is paramount.”

He decries a system whereby we raiseand kill 55 million animals every year, pointingout that the amount of grain used to feedthem could feed almost four billion people,which would help the fight against worldpoverty and starvation.

He is also vehemently opposed to modernfishing methods that result in everything in thepath of huge factory trawlers being arbitrarilyscooped up, regardless of what’s beingactually fished.

“We should all look at our lifestyles andcarefully consider how we can help the planet.”

Another concern is the state of the National Health Service: “The NHS isn’t able to cope with the growing number of sick peopleand, again, diet and a close examination of our lifestyles would onlyhelp matters.”

An exponent of yoga for the past 15 years, Nitin is convinced thatif more people practised the exercise and relaxation techniques theNHS would be in a much healthier position.

“It’s our responsibility to look after ourselves. The more healthypeople we have, the more money would be available to go into theeconomy and the NHS would be less of a burden on the country.

“That requires a shift to a belief in prevention, rather than findinga drug to cure every illness.”

One aspect of community that Nitin is not so keen on is thequestion of members of the UK’s ethnic populations attempting to putright problems in their countries of origin.

“Members of the Indian community know we must integrate; thisis our home and anything that happens to it affects us.

“It’s important not to get involved in the politics of the mothercountry. That should never, ever, happen. All it does is bring theconflict here, it never solves it.

“We’re here to help build a strong Britain; to build on its corevalues, such as justice, equality and integrity, all the good things thatare going on in this country.

“We have to put back into the community, to make it run better.We’re very proud to be British, no matter the ethnic background.”


Nitin MehtaJob: Runs a motor factor business with brotherBorn: 1954 in KenyaHome: East CroydonEducation: To O level standard in Kenya; degree from Goldsmith’s College Car: Mercedes 300SE and an Indian Ambassador, based on the classic British car, the Morris CowleyRecreation: Yoga, swimming and readingCurrently reading: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown;always have on hand a book on yoga.Personal ambition: To continue playing a positive rolein this country, community issues and animal welfare.Best thing about Croydon: The parks and greenspaces; it’s a great place to live and is the capital’s best-kept secret.Most satisfying work achievement: My 20 yearsteaching Gujarati and promoting vegetarianism andanimal welfare.What I would like to see improved in Croydon:The parking facilities for shoppers, in order to encouragebusiness and compete with the Bluewaters of the world.

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If the above words sound familiar, it’sbecause Croydon Reports used them eightyears ago to explain how the council’shighly acclaimed Vision 2020 master planwould guide, influence and promote thedevelopment of central Croydon for the nextcouple of decades.

Through the Vision, the council set outto show how developers’ individualproposals would fit together to form a bigpicture that would benefit the whole town.

And it’s worked.Already, several major schemes have

been completed and a further £2 billion-worth of ambitious proposals are in thepipeline – putting Croydon at the centre ofthe largest regeneration activity in the UK.

Nor has the enterprise of the Visionbeen limited to the town centre. Thecouncil has been creative in reviewing itsbuildings around the borough to see howthey can be replaced with modern facilitiesthat will better serve residents for decadesto come.

In this progress report we show thechanging face of Croydon and tell howinvestment is continuing to pour into one of the most go-ahead areas of London.

The Vision explained

The main thrust of the Vision is to developCroydon as a modern “lifestyle centre”offering a diverse range of town-centreactivities. This involves developing the 24-hour economy, encouraging mixed-usesites combining, for example, offices andshops, ensuring the town has a reliable,modern transport system with reducedreliance on the car, and providing high-quality open spaces for recreation.

Why was the Visionneeded?

When it was unveiled to critical acclaim,Tramlink was about to open; the WhitgiftShopping Centre had just been refurbished;Croydon’s night life was beginning to takeoff; and the council was encouraging homesto be built closer to the business heart ofthe town. However, the council alsorecognised that relying on officedevelopments left the town vulnerable to adecline through cheaper locations, homeworking and technology. The Vision wastherefore drawn up to ensure a coordinatedapproach that would meet the aspirations ofeveryone in Croydon and underpin its placeas a 21st-century city.

“The transformation of Croydon from an already dynamic community into a city of vision, worthy of the next millennium, is under way. Already it is being hailed as a shining example of public andprivate-sector partnership”

Croydon

“Through the Vision, the council set out

to show howdevelopers’ individual

proposals would fittogether to form

a big picture thatwould benefit

the whole town.”

From left to right: Trams at East Croydon Station, Whitgift Centre, HSBC in Wellesley Road, George Street, new housing on Park Lane, Metro Point, Grants from Surrey street.Page 7: Artists impression of Gateway

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Transforming

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What would change?

To make the town a more interesting placethe Vision emphasised the use of differentsizes and styles. It aimed to bringresidential, leisure and cultural usestogether to enrich the town's mix anddiversity. And it actively encouraged therefurbishment or replacement of tiredbuildings that were past their best in theadvanced IT age. The Vision also welcomedthe arrival of several new, tall, landmark buildings.

What would it do forpeople?

The Vision sought people-friendlydevelopment at street level, with ease ofmovement and safety, high-qualitypedestrian surroundings and accessibleground-floor shopping malls, exhibitionareas or leisure spaces. Enhancedlandscaping, with more open spacebetween buildings was also required .

In 2001 the Vision received theultimate Government accolade whenCroydon was awarded Beacon status fortown-centre regeneration.

What’s the Vision donefor Croydon?

Centrale – a new 800,000 sq.ft. shoppingcentre with a high-street presence, 600-seatrestaurant gallery and now served by itsown tram stop.

Grants – left empty for years, it is now atthe very heart of Croydon’s lively night-timeeconomy with a variety of bars andrestaurants, a health club and multiscreencinema.

Jurys Inn – a 240-room hotel on the site of what was once a nondescript officeblock. Already it is the most successfulJurys operation in Britain.

Express by Holiday Inn – another hotelaimed at Croydon’s booming businessmarket with competitively pricedaccommodation.

Metro Point, Sydenham Road & Trafalgar House, Bedford Park – well-designed, fully-let office schemesin the town’s cultural quarter that haveboosted Croydon’s reputation for modern, attractive office space.

“In 2001 the Visionreceived the ultimateGovernment accolade

when Croydon was awarded Beacon status for town-centreregeneration.”


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Additionally, the number of homes in thetown centre has grown with several newhousing schemes, including developmentsin Park Lane, Drummond Place andScarbrook Road.

What’s planned for thefuture?

Gateway – the council still aspires to a12,500-seat sports and entertainment arenabeing the crowd-pulling centrepiece of aredevelopment for this long-neglected town-centre site alongside East Croydon station.Plans also include a mix of shops,restaurants, cafés and bars together with800 new homes. Negotiations with twodevelopers are continuing but the councilwill resort to compulsory purchase powers ifnecessary to break the deadlock and secureits preferred outcome.

Park Place – A major high-street retailermay want to open a three-level departmentstore in this 1,080,000 sq ft shopping centreto be built between High Street and ParkLane. The development will ensure Nestléretains its UK headquarters in the town andwill involve a further shopping mallproviding a direct link to the Whitgift Centreand a new town square similar in size toCovent Garden’s piazza. There will also be abus interchange and an improved tram stopin George Street as well as more leisureattractions and parking. A local inquiry willbe held to deal with the compulsorypurchase of land that will enable thescheme to proceed. Work could start early next year.

The Queen’s Gardens – a sunken, pavedamphitheatre, 10ft-high water jets spoutingout of the ground and a seasonal ice rinkare all part of plans for a new-look openspace. The split-level layout will be retainedbut there will be much more planting. Atwo-storey pavilion with a decked seatingarea will include a café and publicamenities.

Pumping Station – this quirky, castle-likeGrade II-listed building currently hiddenbehind Surrey Street market could have anew lease of life as a centre for culturalactivity. It is set to be opened up throughthe creation of a new landscaped area of open space.

Below model of Cultural Quarter with artist’simpression of the Cultural Quarter viewed from Charles Street toward the Pumping Station.

From left to right: Centrale, Grants, Express by Holiday Inn, Drummond Road flats, Gateway development, Park Place model, The Queen’s Gardens model

Pumping Station

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Fairfield – redevelopment is destined to goahead on the present site, with the popularentertainment venue benefiting from anenlarged-capacity concert hall and cleverversatility providing both traditional theatreas well as exhibitions and conferences. A low-level piazza will form an attractivepedestrian area with connections to TheQueen’s Gardens, Croydon College and EastCroydon station. The Richard RogersPartnership has drawn up early designs forthree stepped housing towers that willprovide 1,000 new homes and help fund thenew Fairfield.

East London Line – interest in Croydon’sregeneration owes much to the success ofTramlink. The town’s excellent publictransport infrastructure is enabling lessreliance to be placed on the car andensuring the town’s future viability. Theextension of the East London Line to WestCroydon, in time for the 2012 Olympics, isexpected to be a further boost for publictransport and will also serve as a catalystfor rejuvenating the area around the presentWest Croydon station where a newtransport interchange will be built.

Altitude 25 – a 25-storey residential towerblock next to Croydon Park Hotel housing196 apartments will become a strikinglandmark on Fairfield Road.

The Exchange – enlargement andconversion of the former Scarbrook Roadtelephone exchange will provide commercialunits and 66 flats.

Bridge House – involves replacingundistinguished property in Surrey Streetwith an eight-storey building providing newshops, bar, restaurant and homes.

Both the Exchange and Bridge House are inthe heart of Croydon’s cultural quarter and,along with the Pumping Station, areintended to be a focus for artistic andheritage activity.

North End – hard now to imagine the dayswhen the town's busiest shopping streetwas choked with traffic. It is undergoing afurther renewal with smart new paving,seating areas and bins. Trees have beenthinned to ensure the value of CCTV is retained.

Altitude 25


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What’s happeningelsewhere?

Selsdon – a new library and communitycentre has opened as part of the newSainsbury’s development on a former council car park.

Thornton Heath – a new leisure centre,incorporating two new pools and sports hall,opened on the site of the former Victorian baths.

Ashburton – a 1,200 place communityschool with state-of-the-art environmentalfeatures and new public library are about toopen as part of an innovative learningvillage being built on the site of the former school.

South Norwood – another new pool andleisure centre is about to be built onPortland Road in place of the tired amenitythat was closed at the end of last year.

Waddon – demolition work startsimminently to provide a new leisure andcommunity centre along with a newresource centre and affordable housing.

New Addington – a major transformationis planned that will see a new swimmingpool, supermarket, community centre andhousing on the site of currently ageingpublic facilities on Central Parade.

Coulsdon – although running a little late,Transport for London’s relief road will freethe district centre from through-traffic,allowing it to breathe again as a place for local people to use.

Purley – the council is talking to adeveloper about demolishing the formerSainsbury’s store on the High Street site andintroducing a parade of street-level shops,together with a new pool, library, housingand parking. The council is also backing theBaptist Church plans for renewing theBrighton Road island frontage with alandmark building.

New4Old – an ambitious scheme that willsee the replacement of ageing residentialhomes for the elderly with four purpose-builtfacilities in Addiscombe, New Addington,South Norwood and Selsdon.

All of this shows how Croydon Councilis carrying out its responsibility to lookbeyond the present and plan for a moredistant future. The Vision, which isappreciated by developers for the degree of certainty it offers, is currently beingupdated so that it remains a valuable areaaction plan for the continuing evolution ofthe town centre. And as each newdevelopment comes on stream, so it buildsa momentum that looks unlikely to stop rolling.

From left to right: Bridge House, future extension of the East London Line, North End, Selsdon Community Centre, Thornton Heath leisure centre, Ashburton learning village model,Waddon development model.

Addington Heights

Langley Oaks

Coleby Court

Heavers Farm


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The early history of Croydon, from about the time of William theConqueror, is inextricably bound to the archbishops of Canterbury.

As difficult as it may be to visualise today, Croydon was once nomore than a small hamlet, like many others across the country.However, by fate or good fortune, it became a base of one of the mostpowerful offices in the land.

Archbishop Lanfranc is held to have founded what is now knownas the Old Palace, a building that, for hundreds of years, was home forthe visiting archbishops.

One of the most famous, John Whitgift, built what we now callthe Whitgift Almshouses, on the corner of George Street and NorthEnd. And his name continues to be linked with the town through theWhitgift Foundation – the organisationbehind three of the borough's leadingschools and residences for the elderly.

But it was to Robert Kilwardby,Archbishop of Canterbury for five years from 1273, that Edward I issued a charterauthorising him to hold a weekly Wednesday market, and an annual nine-day fair every June.

It is thought that the triangular market place (the area bounded bythe modern High Street, Surrey Street and Crown Hill) was laid out atabout the same time.

A second charter, for a Thursday market and a three-day fair inSeptember, was issued in 1314; and a third, for a Saturday market,

and a one-day fair on 24 June, in about 1343.The establishment of the market was a major factor in the growth

of Croydon, which, in addition to becoming one of the principal markettowns of east Surrey, developed as a staging post for travellers to andfrom the south coast. Its role as a coaching town increased afterBrighton developed as a fashionable resort in the 1780s.

Bell Hill, linking Middle Street and Surrey Street, is a narrow alleythat, to this day, retains much of its medieval character. In the 18thcentury, The Britannia pub sat on its south-east corner; the site isvacant today, following the closure of the restaurant which mostrecently occupied it.

A glance up to the portico of the adjoining property reveals astatue of a lion, a clue to the fact that The BlackLion pub was on the site in the 17th century.

Of the three chartered markets, the Saturdaymarket was the one that survived, continuing to beheld in the area of the old marketplace, despite thebuildings that began to grow around it.

Meat was sold in Butcher Row (modern SurreyStreet), and corn on the better-drained High Street side of the site.

Toward the end of the 16th century, a Market House (also knownas the town hall) was built in High Street and the open-sided groundfloor was used for the trading of corn.

There was also a butter market in High Street, where dairyproducts and eggs were bought and sold; and, in the middle of the

The second of our reader-nominated Wonders of Croydon came into beingin the 13th century when the king’s nod of approval was given to theArchbishop of Canterbury


The establishment of the market was a major factorin the growth of Croydon

THRIVING IN THE

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market triangle, a small fish market flourished.The town hall was rebuilt in 1809, with the ground floor

comprising a large open hall, the Cornmarket, which was convertedinto a criminal court when the assizes were held in Croydon.

The new arrangements gave the authorities the opportunity toregulate the market more closely than before and, by 1818, themarket was described as "the best [corn] market on thesouthern side of London".

However, as Croydon grew, trade fellaway and continued to do so despite themain market being moved to Thursday(the day of the cattle market) in 1861.Within a decade, the market hadbeen squeezed out of the town halland moved to a room at the King'sArms Hotel.

When the present town hall openedin 1896, the complex included a smallCorn Exchange in Katharine Street: this was,however, never popular, and closed in 1907 –although the name still exists over the entrance. Corndealing on a small scale then returned to the King's Arms, beforedisappearing from Croydon entirely in about 1915.

A beast market was originally held in Surrey Street, with animalspenned in the yard of the Three Tuns inn. A purpose-built cattle marketopened at the Greyhound Inn in 1844, but closed within a year.Another cattle market had been started in 1838 in South Croydon thatenjoyed success until being closed in 1935.

The butter market was rebuilt in 1810, on two levels to takeadvantage of its sloping site. But, by the late 1860s, the general

market was in decline, and the butter market closed in 1874. TheCroydon Chronicle newspaper moved into the building before itsdemolition in the early 1890s.

After the butter market closed, street trading continued, mainly onan informal basis, and this unofficial market soon became centred onSurrey Street.

The modern market dates from 1922, when the councilfirst approved it as a six-day event, Monday to Saturday.

A remaining interesting feature of SurreyStreet as it once was is the row of properties

numbering 34 to 38. Retaining the pre-1834name of the original Surrey Street, ButcherRow, it has galleried upper floors with shopsbelow. The row once had hooks and railsbeneath the galleried upper floors from

which carcasses were hung. The rear facades of Nos.11-13 Crown Hill

overhang Bell Hill giving an impression of whatthis part of Croydon was like before the Victorian

redevelopment.Overton's Yard, one of several yards and industrial culs-de-

sac off Surrey Street, has interesting physical and historical links tothe market. In Victorian times, it was the site of a brewery, a largeflourmill and the town's first gas works. The only remaining buildingfrom that time is now a club, The Granaries.

The 1960s saw major redevelopment of central Croydon to amodern business and shopping centre. Surrey Street's reputationsuffered in comparison but, despite accusations of its being shabbyand outdated, it survived and is now regarded a vibrant feature of thetown centre.


1900 (from Scarbrook Road - The Old King's Head)

MARKET PLACE

Butcher Row (pre-1910 - The Royal Oak on right)

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Please send your answers by 15 April 2006 to: Emma Wiggins, Croydon Council, 12th Floor, Taberner House, CR9 3BT,or e-mail to [email protected]

Public spaces – they are often taken for granted but CroydonCouncil is looking for your input to make them more attractive

Attractive, good-quality and clean environments make people feel better about the place in whichthey live. They bring communities together and encourage people to take pride in theirsurroundings. They enhance the vitality of an area, making places safer and more sustainable.

This is known as the public realm and comprises everything from our doorsteps, streets,squares, space between buildings, transport interchanges, parks, conservation areas and footpaths.It is also concerned with elements such as street furniture, signs, lighting, paving, roadimprovements, regeneration and transport schemes.

Croydon Council, working in partnership through its cultural and environmental partnerships, is in the process of developing plans to improve the borough's public realm. It aims to enableimprovements in the local environment with a more coordinated approach to designing, managingand maintaining the streets and spaces, making them more liveable and free of clutter – a place for people.

What do you think will make Croydon a place for people?We are interested to know your views on where the focus should be. You will be contributing

to our plans so that actions are based on what you think is important. Below are a few questionsfor you to answer that will make sure we get it right.

A place for people

1. What do you think makes an area look attractive?

■■ Clean streets

■■ Clear signs

■■ Less traffic

■■ Good lighting

■■ Good-quality footpaths and paving

■■ Trees and shrubs

■■ Architecture and street furniture (such as seats, artwork, railings)

Other – please state in space below

2. What in your opinion contributes to making an area lookunattractive?

■■ Litter■■ Fly-tipping■■ Graffiti■■ Poor-quality lighting■■ Too many signs■■ Too many lighting columns■■ Too much street furniture


3. In your opinion, which are the most important parts of theborough that should look clean and attractive? (please prioritise1-4, 1 being most important, 4 being least important)

■■ Central Croydon

■■ Town centres such as Thornton Heath, Purley (which concerns you most?)

■■ Local centres such as Addiscombe, Sanderstead (which concerns you most?)

■■ Residential streets


4. How can the public realm in Croydon be made to feel like aplace for people? (please tick your top two)

■■ Make it safer through improved lighting, CCTV and wardens

■■ Cleaner through street sweeps, washing, chewing-gum removal

■■ Include safe and pleasant areas for people to stop and chat

■■ Ensure footpaths, spaces and streets are accessible and easy tomove around

■■ To make it more visually attractive with well-designed paving,furniture and signs.


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FREEDOM PASSUsers are reminded that the final deadline for the latest issue of the Freedom Pass is fast approaching

LAST CALL FOR THE NEW

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The recent launch of the latest issue of the Freedom Pass wassplashed with glamour when actress Honor Blackman joinedCroydon Council leader, Councillor Tony Newman, wearing his hat asvice-chair of the Association of London Government.

Now in its 22nd year, the Freedom Pass has proved a popularand versatile means of providing free travel and independence fordisabled people and the elderly.

The process for renewal of the 2006/07 Freedom Pass is nownearing completion and by 25 March those whose surnames beginwith the letters Q to Z will have been processed.

People whose surnames begin with earlier letters (A to P) andwho may have missed their allotted renewal dates need not feel,however, that they have missed out.

Anybody who missed their dates will have another chance torenew their pass from 27 March. Freedom Passes that are not

renewed will expire as from 1 April, and most public transportoperators may then turn away any passenger whose Freedom Passhad expired. All passes that have not been revalidated will bedeactivated by Transport for London.

The process of renewal involves the pass holder taking theirexisting pass and photocard, along with proof of identification and,in the case of applicants for the Disabled Freedom Pass, theircompleted authorisation form along to their nearest post office. A new expiry date sticker will be fixed over the old date. Careshould be taken not to tamper with or damage the label strip.

Applicants aged 60 years or over applying for an Elderly FreedomPass for the first time need to complete a form available at the postoffice. Simply take along two passport-sized photographs with proofof age, name and address. The Elderly Freedom Pass will be issuedimmediately with its new 2006/08 sticker already in place.

14 & 15 22/2/06 15:32 Page 2


Hours of concentration and meticulous positioning have resulted in a piece of art that willdelight the people of South Norwood for years to come

Schoolchildren and community members have, quite literally, gottheir hands dirty to produce an exciting new mosaic destined forSouth Norwood library.

Under the supervision of, and following an original design by,artists Tamara Froud and Sylwia Billinghurst of south London-basedArt Mosaic Design, visiting groups have painstakingly cut and gluedin place thousands of tiny pieces of ceramic tile to produce agraphic representation of local landmarks.

The design featuring depictions of such buildings as StanleyHalls, the district's green spaces and the former canal that evolvedinto railway lines followed a number of workshops at which localpeople enthusiastically offered ideas and recounted stories of the area.

Tamara said: “The project has brought together people of all ages,cultures and backgrounds to create a pictorial record of past andpresent experiences in South Norwood for future generations to enjoy.”

When completed, the mosaic, measuring 2.5m square, will beinstalled outside the library in time for the official opening ceremonyfrom 11am on 29 April.

Schools taking part in building the mosaic have included:Stanley Technical College, Cypress Junior School, South NorwoodPrimary, St Chad's Primary, The Priory School and the SamuelColeridge Taylor Pupil Referral Unit.

Joining Croydon Council in backing the project are theCommunity Builders Fund and Awards for All.

Croydon Council is confident that its web pages dealing withhealth, well-being and social care are clearly presented, easilyunderstood and informative.

However, being a listening council, we are always keen tolearn what you, our customers, feel about the services we offerand are giving you the opportunity to let us know how you feelthe web pages could be improved.

We want to know:• How easy it is to find the information you want; • How helpful the information is; • What we could do to improve it.You can fill in our online survey in less than 10 minutes by

going to www.croydon.gov.uk/socialcare-health/surveyOr, if you prefer, why not come along to one of our

sessions? We've organised 14 in venues across the boroughwith internet access, so that you can see the website working,view printed information and talk to us face-to-face.

The survey will run until 28 April.

W E S T

Age Concern Croydon, 158-162 London Road, Croydon. ☎ 020 8680 5450; email: [email protected]: 020 8288 9229; website: www.ageconcerncroydon.org.ukFriday, 31 March: 10-11am and 11am-noon.Wednesday, 5 April: 2-3pm and 3-4pm

N O R T H

Asian Resource Centre of Croydon, Suites 14D -162nd Floor, Day Lewis House, 324-340 Bensham LaneThornton Heath CR7 7EQ ☎ 020 8684 3784; email: [email protected]: 020 8683 7029; website: www.arccuk.org/arccuk.htmlTuesday, 11 April: 5-6pm and 6-7pmTuesday, 18 April: 11am-noon and noon-1pm

E A S T

Octagon Cyber Café, 120 Central ParadeNew Addington, Croydon CR0 0JW ☎ 01689 841058; email: [email protected]: www.theoctagon.org.ukThursday, 20 April: 12.30-1.30pm and 1.30-2.30pmMonday, 24 April: 12.30-1.30pm and 1.30-2.30pm

S O U T H

Purley Cross Centre, 12 & 12A Brighton Road, Purley, Croydon CR8 3AA ☎ 020 8668 4189; email: [email protected]: 020 8763 6214; website: www.purleybaptist.org/pccThursday, 6 April: noon-1pm and 1-2pm

Use our survey to let us know how you feel about the information we provide for you

Are our web pages in good health?

16 & 17 22/2/06 15:34 Page 1

In a return visit to the borough, the Prime Minister held Croydonup as an example to local authorities across the countryPrime Minister Tony Blair has praised Croydon during a visit to the borough for itsinnovative work in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking exclusively to Croydon Reports Mr Blair, who visited the borough lastmonth for the Safer Croydon Partnership's first crime conference, said: "Croydon Councilis known as one of the best authorities in the country and it is important that we takesome of the initiatives they are using here and spread them elsewhere."

Innovations the Prime Minister wants to see replicated across the country includedCroydon's Family Justice Centre the first in the country which he praised for its ground-breaking work in helping victims of domestic violence.

The introduction of a new A-Z of community safety in Croydon, a new online resourceto speed up the reporting of crime, also met with Mr Blair’s approval. He said: “I think it’sa great initiative. I think it will allow the council to map out very carefully where theissues really are and how to best deal with them.”

During his visit, Mr Blair addressed the Safer Croydon Partnership conference, wherehe acknowledged the partnership of the council, police, businesses and localorganisations as an “important innovation” forits success in cutting crime and anti-socialbehaviour in the borough.

Speaking in the council chamber – the firstPrime Minister to do so – he told a packedconference that safer neighbourhood policingteams, to be seen in every ward in the boroughby April, will bring great benefits to Croydon.

He said: “Every time I go to a community inany part of the country, people derive enormousbenefit from the sight of uniformed officers outon the street, people that they feel a localconnection with, and people that they can go to with their problems.”

Mr Blair said that other measures being taken as part of his “respect agenda”, suchas on-the-spot fines, action against pubs and clubs that have regular disturbances andthe ability to seize the assets of those who deal drugs, were also helping localauthorities like Croydon deal more effectively with low-level crime.

Later he met residents at Waddon Youth Club, where he said that investment in suchlocal facilities for young people was crucial in helping to tackle crime.

While there he was shown plans for Waddon’s proposed new community and leisurecentre which will provide extra recreational and sports facilities for local people.

To view the conference online, go to: www.croydon.gov.uk click on Webcastingand then under the heading Recent Webcasts click on either of the Safer CroydonConference links.


Praise from the top

Tony Blair with Councillors Charlotte McAreeand Paul Smith

Croydon wins £20.3m LEGI pay-outWithin days of the Prime Minister’s visit,Local Government minister Phil Woolasannounced that Croydon has beenawarded £20.3 million over the nextthree years from the Government’s newLocal Enterprise Growth Initiative.

Only ten proposals from councilsaround the country were successful.Not only did Croydon receive thesecond-highest sum but the councilwas also praised for submitting one ofthe strongest bids.

The funding is an unprecedentedboost for local business growth and is avote of confidence in the council’sability to work with business partners tohelp revitalise the economy and providenew forms of job opportunities. As aneighbourhood-renewal programme,LEGI aims to encourage localentrepreneurs; support the growth oflocally-owned businesses and attractinward investment.

Angelina Purcell (third left, above)chief executive of Croydon Business,whose commitment, vision anddetermination were key factors in thesuccess of the town’s ambitious bidsaid: “This funding will help stimulatethe ‘can-do’ attitude that local businessneeds to thrive. It will bring practicalbenefits in terms of advice, finance andaccommodation for local enterprise.”

Council leader Tony Newman(second left, above) welcomed theannouncement as “the biggest boost for business in the borough.” He added:“We’re delighted the Government hasshown trust in the council and thestrategic partnership to revitalise the economy of our neighbourhood renewal areas and create more jobopportunities.”

Look out for what LEGI will meanfor Croydon in a future issue ofCroydon Reports.

Funding bidfor businessreaps rewards

16 & 17 27/2/06 12:54 Page 2

Fear of crime and a lack of support for victims were highlighted asmajor causes of concern among the disabled in a survey carried outby a partnership including Croydon Council.

And the same poll showed that personal disability had been amajor factor in crimes committed against disabled people.

Conducted late last year, the survey was part of the council'sdisability equality strategy and was instigated following calls frommembers of disability groups in Croydon who have identified crimeand harassment as priorities they want to see addressed by thepolice and the council.

Only half the respondents said they had reported all the crimesagainst them but the highest proportion of respondents said they had

not been offered any form of support afterreporting the crime.

Many said they would havewelcomed victim supportfollowing their experience.

A large number of disabledpeople harboured genuine fearsabout becoming victims of crime,particularly of being mugged,robbed or attacked by strangers.

While many felt safe tosome extent when alone in

their home during daylighthours, more felt unsafe at

home alone after dark. And those who

admitted to feeling

unsafe when at home alone at any time said it was the fear of bogusand unexpected callers that caused them most anxiety.

Worries over their home's security and their inability to properlydefend themselves because of their physical restrictions also ranked highly.

Being out alone in Croydon after dark proved worrying for manyrespondents and others said they also felt unsafe when out alone inCroydon during the hours of both daylight and darkness because offeelings of vulnerability to attack and mugging, and the fear of largegroups of youths.

A worrying statistic showed that a significant number ofrespondents had reported that they felt their disability had been afactor in their becoming a victim of crime.

When asked if they felt the crime had been motivated by anyother prejudice, most stated that they either did not think it wasmotivated by prejudice or did not know the motivation behind it. Of those who did specify a prejudicial reason, the greatest proportionsaid that age had been the issue.

Anti-social behaviour proved to be the biggest cause ofcomplaint among disabled people who had been victims of crimeover the past five years.

Other high-ranking crimes included burglary of their homes androbbery with violence.

The majority of those who had been a victim of crime over thesame period had experienced the individual crimes approximatelyonce but victims of harassment said that five or more times was all too common.

Borough police commander Chief Superintendent Mark Gorepraised the work that had gone into setting up the survey and

collating its results.He said: “This survey provides us with valuable information as

to how we, Croydon’s police and other agencies, can best offerhelp and advice to a section of the community that often feels

vulnerable and, in some cases, forgotten and isolated.“We’ll be talking to the other groups involved and

looking at ways we can address the problems that havebeen highlighted, thanks to this survey.”

A survey carried out by the council and partner organisations has thrown the spotlight on how crime affects disabled people

“We’ll be talking to the other groupsinvolved and looking at ways we canaddress the problems that have beenhighlighted, thanks to this survey.”


18 & 19 22/2/06 15:36 Page 1


April sees the start of the bowls season at Croydon’s 11 publicbowling greens. Bowling is a sport for all, with greens across theborough. There are clubs at all the greens that welcomeexperienced players and beginners.

If you have seen recent coverage of indoor bowls on televisionand would like to have a go, all our bowling greens have one area or‘rink’ available for public hire at all times. When you start, bowls canoften be borrowed from the club and play costs just £2.80 per hour foradults and £2.00 per hour for juniors and concessions. Day andseason tickets may be obtained at each green from the resident club.

Many of the clubs have qualified coaches who will be happy to

offer advice and training to help youbecome a skilful player. Bowlers mayplay any time when the green isopen, which is most afternoons fromMay to September. No specialclothes are required by beginners butyou must wear flat-soled shoes.

There is club play most days aswell as a programme of friendlymatches with other clubs, providing an opportunity to meet otherplayers and visit other clubs in the area.

Facilities vary at the sites but most have pavilions beside thegreens with a clubroom, changing rooms and toilets.

You can visit any of the greens to meet the club members or, ifyou would like more details, ring our sports booking division to getdetails of club secretaries. There is also a number of private bowlsclubs in the borough, with both indoor and outdoor facilities, whichwould welcome enquiries. For more information visit the website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/parks, email Croydon Council sportsbooking division at [email protected] or call

Alternatively, visit the Borough of Croydon Bowling Association’swebsite at www.bcbabowls.org.uk

BOWLING the greensSpring is the time of the three ‘B’s – birds, bees and . . . bowls. And now is the time to take up this skilful and engrossing sport

☎ 020 8726 6900 extn 61444

Armed with just an acoustic guitar, ahaunting voice and a clutch of well-writtenoriginal songs, Joshua C Edwards was apopular winner at this year’s Testing 1,2,3.

And, after stunning audience andjudges alike with an enthralling andmesmerising performance in the finals, heis booked to perform before thousands atthis year’s Summer Festival in Lloyd Park.

For the second year running, theCroydon Council-run event proved theborough is home to some extraordinarymusical talent. Held over four nights in theClocktower’s Braithwaite Hall, Testing 1,2,3

brought together a huge range of genres,from solo singer-songwriters through urban rappers and up to full-on soul androck bands.

The wide range of audiences whomingled together and supported the actswith equal enthusiasm was a credit toeveryone involved. It demonstrated howthe diversity of backgrounds representedacross Croydon could be so easily broughttogether and united by the enjoyment ofgreat music.

Joshua said after his win: “The crowdwas really receptive and fair to everyone

who played, they didn’t just give it up forthe band they had come to support – itwas excellent!”

Panels of judges drawn from across themusic industry were amazed – and, insome cases, surprised – by the variedtalents on show from Croydon's aspiringmusical stars of the future.

Congratulating the winner, CouncillorStuart Collins, cabinet member for cultureand sports, said: “Joshua’s done really wellto beat an exceptional line-up and Isuspect this is just the start of great thingsfor him.”

Public greens are available in the following parks:Ashburton Park, Tenterden Road, AddiscombeCoulsdon Memorial Ground, Marlpit Lane, Coulsdon Grangewood Park, Grange Road, Thornton HeathLloyd Park, Coombe Road, CroydonMilne Park, Milne Park West, New AddingtonNorwood Grove, Gibson’s Hill, NorwoodSanderstead Recreation Ground, Limpsfield Road, SandersteadShirley Church Ground, Shirley Church Road, ShirleySouth Norwood Lake, Woodvale Avenue, South NorwoodSouth Norwood Recreation Ground, Selhurst Road, South Norwood Thornton Heath Recreation Ground, Melfort Avenue, Thornton Heath

PASSING THE TESTYoung musicians and would-be stars of the future have gone head to head in Croydon’sannual talent-spotting competition

18 & 19 22/2/06 15:37 Page 2


With spring bringing warmer weather and longer daylight hoursCroydon Council and borough police want to make users of mini-motorbikes and scooters aware of the strict restrictions placed on their use.

Mini-motos are pocket-sized motor bikes, while motorisedscooters are powered by electric or petrol motors. Quad bikes arefour-wheeled motor bikes.

In the case of mini-moto bikes it is illegal for them to be used onroads, pavements, cycle paths, public woods and other commonland to which the public have access. They may be ridden only onprivate land.

Motorised scooters and quad bikes, which are technically motorvehicles, may be ridden only on private land or on the road; theymay not be ridden on the footway. Riders must be aged 16 years orover, wear an approved crash helmet and possess the following:

• A provisional licence (or a suitable licence for a moped DVLA Category P)

• Compulsory basic training certificate• Insurance• Road tax

• MOT certificate (ifthe vehicle is overthree years old)

• Vehicle registration• European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (or motorcycle

Single Vehicle Approval)Riders causing nuisance will initially be issued with a warning

which, if not heeded, will result in seizure of the bike. The ownerwill be liable to a penalty of £105 for the cost of recovery andstorage charges of £12 per day for up to 21 days. After 21 days thebike can be destroyed.

Superintendent Peter Gibbons of Croydon police said: “Localcommunities place the anti-social and illegal use of these machinesas a high priority for police to tackle. We've already seized a numberof machines and will continue to enforce the legislation.”

For more information, please contact Croydon Council’scommunity safety manager Cheryll Jones-Wright on

Parents and young people warned over use of mini-motorbikesand motorised scooters

Managing mini-motos

The presence of the Prime Minister was only one element of the Safer Croydon Partnership’s firstcrime conference.

Helping make a Safer Croydon

☎ 020 8604 7032

The launch of a major crime-bustingonline resource was one of thehighlights of the first Safer CroydonConference, held recently in thetown hall.

The key speaker at theconference was Prime MinisterTony Blair, who praised the workdone in Croydon and urged otherlocal authorities to adopt some ofthe ground-breaking initiatives.

Among those new projects, theconference was told, is The A to Z of Community Safety which, inaddition to speeding the reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour,will improve how the effects of crime can be dealt with and provide aclear means of demonstrating all that is being done.

Councillor Paul Smith, chair of conference host the Safer CroydonPartnership and cabinet member for public protection and crimereduction, told delegates that the A to Z will be published in printedform later this year, ensuring it is available to as wide a cross-sectionof the community as possible.

He said it was important that everybody should be able to access

its information, useful telephonenumbers and list of people andagencies to contact.

“None of this information isnew,” he said. “But, all too often,people say to me that they don’tknow who to contact, where tocomplain or what to do. This simpleguide will answer those questions.”

The first Safer CroydonConference came at a time when thepartnership had made real inroads in

helping the fight against crime, having seen, over recent years, thenumber of crimes fall by about 5,000 per year.

The packed council chamber was told that, within a few months,every ward in the borough would have its own dedicated SaferNeighbourhood police team, a measure that would go a long way tooffering a visible deterrent to criminals and reassuring people thatcrime really can be beaten.

To view the conference online, go to: www.croydon.gov.ukclick on Webcasting and then under the heading Recent Webcastsclick on either of the Safer Croydon Conference links.

20 & 21 27/2/06 16:56 Page 1

Croydon's planning team has produced a revised Local List of about1,100 buildings that, although not of sufficient quality to meritstatutory listing, are of local significance and make a valuablecontribution to Croydon’s townscape.

The list includes a wide range of buildings including churches,houses and pubs of different ages, all being substantially unalteredand retaining most of their original features.

To qualify for the local list, buildings must fulfil two of thefollowing criteria:

● Authenticity: buildings and groups selected for the local listshould be substantially unaltered and retain the majority oftheir original features;

● Architectural significance: buildings that are of goodarchitectural quality or are good examples of a particularbuilding type;

● Historical significance: buildings that represent specificarchitectural and social building periods or which areassociated with local historical events, the development ofCroydon, well-known people or noted designers;

● Technical significance: buildings that display exceptionalinnovation and craftsmanship; and

● Townscape Value: Buildings and/or groups of buildings – suchas key corner buildings, local landmarks and uniformly designedterraces – that enhance their area by their form, massing,appearance and positive role in the streetscene.

The Local List currently forms part of the Unitary DevelopmentPlan (UDP), due to be replaced later this year. The list needs to be updated and it has been decided to take this opportunity toremove it from the UDP altogether and publish it as its owndedicated document.

It is also due to be published online and will be fully accessibleto the public and have the capacity to be searched by street nameor by ward. It will include building names, addresses, photographs

and architectural descriptions. Until then, the current Local List canbe found in Schedule 3 of the UDP atwww.croydon.gov.uk/environment/dcande/Buildings/LocallyListedBuildings/LocalList

As part of the review, we welcome suggestions regardingpossible additions, deletions or other alterations to the list.

To comment, or for further information, [email protected]

or call her on☎ 020 8726 6000 ext 63872


REVIEWING CROYDON'SARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

20 & 21 22/2/06 15:39 Page 2

Neighbourhood Partnership meetings (all start at 7.30pm)Date Meeting Venue

15 Mar Norbury and UpperNorwood

22 Mar Fairfield, Heathfield andShirley

28 Mar Purley and Kenley

Salvation Army Community Hall,Westow Street, Upper Norwood

Shirley High School, ShirleyChurch Road

Christ Church Hall, Brighton Road, Purley

Details of all Croydon Council meetings, including those to be webcast, can be found on the council website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil

For information on Neighbourhood Partnerships, visit the website at www.croydon.gov.uk/neighbourhood, [email protected], write to Neighbourhood Partnerships, Democratic and Legal Services, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or call

Deadlines for forthcoming Scrutiny Sub-committee public question sessionsNoon on each relevant deadline dateDate Meeting Deadline

21 Mar A clean and green Croydon 20 Feb

28 Mar Safe and inclusive communities in Croydon n/a

4 Apr Scrutiny and overview committee n/a

To submit a question to a cabinet member at a Scrutiny Sub-committee Q&A session, email it to [email protected],fax it to 020 8760 5657, print and complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/scrutinyquestion and post it to Scrutiny Public Questions,Democratic and Legal Services,Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or telephone ☎ 020 8726 6000 extn 62529 or 62315

☎ 020 8726 6000 extn 62564 or 62396

Local advertising hasnever been so effective

Croydon Reports, the magazine for your borough, provides local businesses with the opportunity to target all potential customers in all areas of Croydon

Six good reasons to advertise in Croydon Reports:

• Blanket coverage of the borough• Official publication of Croydon Council• Strong editorial environment – higher

reader uptake• High production values• Bespoke articles and photography• A longer shelf life – your advertisement

keeps on working

To advertise, call Croydon Reports on☎ 020 8760 5644 or [email protected]

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

22 & 23 22/2/06 15:40 Page 1

The Beat That My Heart Skipped Chicken Little Walk the Line 13 (Tzameti) Zathura Syriana Transamerica Whisky

Mrs Henderson Presents Bee Season A Cock and Bull Story Tsotsi The World’s Fastest IndianHidden (Cache)

ONin croydon


Sunday 26 MarchMigrants return (Riddlesdown)

Sunday 26 MarchHappy Valley nature detective

Tuesday 28 MarchEarly spring in King’s Wood

Sunday 2 April Springtime in Foxley Wood

Thursday 6 AprilMitcham Common midweek meander

Saturday 8 AprilSpring Clean at Sanderstead Plantation

Sunday 9 AprilSunday morning stroll on MitchamCommon.

Sunday 16 AprilSpring flowers of woods and grassland(Dollyper’s Hill)Saturday 22 AprilSelsdon Wood dawn chorus

Sunday 23 AprilSpringtime splendour (Happy Valley)

For information of these and other walksand wildlife events go towww.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/eventsor call the community partnership officeron

F I L M S I N T H E D A V I D L E A N C I N E M A

L I V E E V E N T S A T T H EC L O C K T O W E R A P R I L

12A

U

G U I D E D W A L K S & W I L D L I F E E V E N T S

15

15

15

15

15

PG

12A

☎ 020 8726 6900 extn 64952

15

15

AprilApril

Walk the Line

www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure

12A

12A

15

TICKET OFFICE: 020 8253 1030

Mind The Gap presentsON THE VERGEWednesday, 5 April at 8pm

Upfront Comedy ClubROB STAPLETONThursday 6 April, 8pm

Double bill from members of the F-IRECollective ORIOLE and THE INGRIDLAUBROCK QUINTET Friday, 7 April at 8pm, band on stage 8.30pm

People Can Run presents in collaborationwith, and scripted by, Rob EvansARUBA Tuesday, 11 April at 8pm

The Breeze and I CompanyOL’ BREEZYThe story of Alan Breeze, vocalist with theBilly Cotton Band for more than 36 years.With Olivia BreezeWednesday, 12 April at 3pm and 8pm

VOODOO VAUDEVILLEThursday, 13 April at 8pm

Angika presentsETHER and URBAN TEMPLEThursday, 20 April at 8pmPart of COLLISION 2006 “In this hypnotic performance Angika givesBharatanatyam a contemporary makeover,blending it with Midival Punditz’s score of fusion electronica. It works like a dream.” The Stage

Transfusion presentsCULTURE CLASHFriday, 21 April at 8pm, on stage 8.30pm

ARUBA

Syriana

Chicken Little

22 & 23 22/2/06 15:41 Page 2

Being made bankrupt fornon-payment is no joke.For assistance in paying call the benefits hotline

☎ 020 8726 7000.www.croydon.gov.uk/counciltax

24 22/2/06 15:45 Page 1

issue 76 - april 2006 reports reports croydon · nitin mehta’s every action since coming to this...

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