60909 - Your croydon 3a · 60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:55 Page 4. news 5 Happy birthday The...

YourCroydonISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006

Don’t let Christmasleave you homelessPage 15

How to have ahealthy christmas& how to tidy upwhen it’s donePage 11

Boosting theborough’s enterpriseculture Page 8

Living independentlyin later yearsPage 6

60909 - Your_croydon_3a 14/11/06 13:53 Page 1

2 YOURCROYDON ISSUE 3 - DECEMBER 2006

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To contact Croydon Council ☎ 020 8726 6000Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JSemail: [email protected] website: www.croydon.gov.uk Community website: www.croydononline.org

To contact the editor ☎ 020 8760 5644Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 3JS email: [email protected]

The next edition of Your Croydon will be published on Wednesday 31 January2007. Commercial advertising is welcome, but inclusion of an advertisementdoes not indicate council endorsement of any products or services mentioned.

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

8 Assault on batteriesWhat to do with your old power cells whenthey've died.

10 Mind the gapKeep warm - and your fuels bills down - thiswinter.

14 Don't hit the skidsHow to stay mobile this winter - and how thecouncil's helping.

16 Show your appreciationIt's time to vote if you've received good councilservice.

17 Switch off and saveHelp the environment and your wallet by hitting"Off" instead of "Standby".

19 Giving something backIt's Payback time for the borough's youngoffenders.

This magazine is printed on environmentallyfriendly, TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) paper,produced from a sustainable source. Whenyou have finished with this magazine pleaserecycle it.

Designed by croydondesign the in-house business within Croydon Council [email protected] 60909/150M/11

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020 8726 6200www.croydon.gov.uk


news

3

People receivinghealth-relatedbenefits can now talkwith Jobcentre Plusdisability advisers atCroydon Council’sOne-Stop receptionto help them take

that vital first step toward employment.

The Jobcentre Plus disability team provides adrop-in surgery in the One-Stop at TabernerHouse, Park Lane, on the last Wednesday ofevery month between 9.30am and 3.30pm(no appointment necessary).

People claiming health-related benefits whoare interested in getting back to full-, part-time or voluntary work can drop in and speak

informally to one of the team’s specialistadvisers, one of whom is pictured, left.

They can provide information, help andguidance on taking steps on job search, and finding and keeping paid work, as wellas associated benefits and working taxcredits advice.

Alternatively, people can telephone 020 82184856 between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Mondayto Friday.

Jobcentre Plus can help in several ways.People already looking for work can visitwww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk to searchonline, or telephone Jobseeker Direct on0845 6060 234 (Textphone 0845 6055 255)between 9am and 6pm weekdays, and 9amand 1pm Saturdays.

Images of the plans for the refurbishment ofSouth Norwood Leisure Centre will reassurelocal people of the council’s intention ofproviding a first-class facility for the area.

The proposed near-£4 million refurbishmentprogramme will see the restoration ofservices much more quickly than if a newcentre had had to be built.

The major modifications and modernisationwork are expected to get under way later thismonth.

Among a comprehensive list of plannedimprovements are: full access for visitors with

a disability; a larger, 70-station gym;improved toilets; dedicated disabled andfamily parking; and improved security.

Extensive landscaping is planned for theprominent corner site in Portland Road, andpeople’s involvement in the public art to beincluded at the Enmore Road side of thebuilding is being sought.

Also, still to come is the confirmation ofdesigns for refreshing the building’s exterior,while residents’ views on details such as thecolouring of the building’s façade are alsobeing obtained through consultation.

Get in contactfor improvedlevel of serviceThe number of services available to callers toCroydon Council’s telephone contact centre hasrecently increased with parking enquiries nowbeing handled by the 120-strong team ofcustomer service advisers.

The new arrangement means that callers willbenefit from more effective handling of thefollowing services:

• Applying for resident and business parking permits

• Penalty Charge Notice enquiries, disputes /complaints, and methods of payment

• Enquiries following correspondence from the bailiff

• Vehicle clamping and removals

• Reporting an abandoned vehicle

• Parking restrictions and car parks in Croydon

• Shop-mobility scheme (assistance for peoplewith disabilities)

• Travel services – blue badges and disabledparking permits and bays

The contact centre was established in January2004, replacing an outdated switchboardsystem that often proved frustrating for callersand council staff alike.

In those days, the switchboard operators wereable to complete only about 10% of calls. Today’scustomer service advisers, thanks to theadoption of modern technology and trainingmethods, are able to answer 60% of customerenquiries directly.

Those that are not answered directly are nowmore efficiently connected to the correctmember of staff equipped to deal with thatparticular enquiry.

The answer to many queries can be found onthe council's website at www.croydon.gov.uk

Jobcentre Plus working with Croydon Council

All going swimmingly for South Norwood pool refit


The equivalent of a grand a day for a year –that’s how much Croydon Council isspending to help boost the borough’srecycling rates.

The £365,000 investment will see a raft ofimprovements carried out across the threecivic amenity sites, mainly over the course ofthe next few months.

Each of the sites – at Fishers Farm, NewAddington; Purley Oaks, South Croydon; andFactory Lane, Waddon – will benefit fromlarger, clearer signs informing users of whatcan be left and where.

Enhanced facilities at Purley Oaks will includenew compactors for specific non-recyclablewaste and cardboard, as well as adedicated shredded paper bank.

New signs will help overcome concernsabout depositing household waste that can’tbe recycled.

Capacity at Fishers Farm will expand inFebruary to take most of the materialsaccepted at Purley Oaks. The layout will be

improved to ease movement on the site andhelp encourage more recycling.

Factory Lane is set to see the greatestnumber of changes, including a separationof traffic between the domestic and tradesites, which will result in improved safety andmovement on the site. Scheduled for May,the work will increase the range of materialscollected for recycling.

Croydon, home to Europe's only FamilyJustice Centre (FJC), is to host an internationalconference on 29 November, to examine, forthe first time, how the FJC model is workingoutside of America.

The pioneering, multi-partner centre inCroydon will have been open for a littleunder a year by the time top internationalfigures meet. In that time, it will have helpedmore than 3,000 families.

By examining how the centre is working inCroydon, and specifically looking at whatfamilies say they want and need, theconference aims to develop the modelbefore it is rolled out to other areas acrossthe UK.

Before Croydon's centre opened, servicesdesigned to help victims of domestic andfamily violence (adults, children andextended family) were scattered throughoutthe community.

Now, victims and their relatives have easyaccess to comprehensive medical and legalservices, police officers, probation officers,doctors, counsellors, advocates, socialworkers, housing providers, benefit advice,education providers, children’s services,adult education groups, and others workingfrom just one location, coordinated by asingle body.

While the conference is not open to thepublic, anyone wanting more informationabout the Family Justice Centre should call020 8688 0100.

Are you interested in how the borough will look in the future?

Croydon Council has recently submitted tothe Government a statement of how andwhen it intends to involve everybody in theplanning of the borough and in consideringplanning applications.

The Statement of Community Involvement inPlanning gives residents the opportunity tohave their say about how the council intendsto involve the community in planning of theborough by making representations aboutthe statement.

Anybody wishing to register an interest inbeing involved in planning for the boroughcan complete and return a form which isavailable on the planning section of thecouncil's website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/consulteedatabase

Scroll down the page and click on thedocument called “Become involved: join theLDF consultee database”.

Completion and submission of the form onthat page will ensure inclusion on the list ofcontacts and consultees for planning.

Completed forms can be sent by post to:Allan Webber, Head of Policy & Strategy,FREEPOST RLYG - JCCY-UELK, Planning LDF,Policy & Strategy, Croydon Council, TabernerHouse, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1JT.

Alternatively, they can be faxed to: 020 87605408; handed in at: One-Stop reception; or emailed to: [email protected]

news


Grand plans for improved recycling

Get involved in planning the borough

Internationalconference onfamily for Croydon

The Countess of Wessex visited the FJC earlier this year


news

5

Happy birthdayThe Great Giveaway website – Croydon’sown online swap shop – is three years oldthis Christmas.

The Great Giveaway offers Croydon residentsthe chance to give, take or swap items thatthey no longer need – and the service iscompletely free.

It’s a great way to clear out your attic or togive away items that you no longer need.

This Christmas, why not see if there isanything you would like on the website forfriends, family or for yourself? Previous itemshave included pianos, furniture, books, bikes,toys, exercise machines – even a car.

Alternatively, why not give away thatunwanted gift to someone who really does like it? Or swap if for something in return – remember, one person’s rubbish is another’s bounty.

The Great Giveaway is atwww.croydononline.org/giveaway/

Cooking forSurrey StreetAre you a bit of a kitchen whiz?

As part of the planned re-energising of SurreyStreet Market, local people can take part in agreat competition.

Residents’ original recipes are being soughtfor inclusion in a Surrey Street Cookbook, and the best ones printed will win theircreators a £50 voucher for one of a dozenlocal restaurants.

Recipes should be original, seasonal andable to be made largely from produce foundin the market. Full details are available onwww.surreystreetmarket.com

With the bicentenary of the abolition of slaveryonly a matter of months away, in March,Croydon’ s annual Holocaust MemorialCeremony will have a particular resonance.

The ceremony, to be held on Monday, 29January, will be based around the themes offreedom, equality and dignity.

The event will offer an opportunity to reflect onthe lives of those who have been lost, orirrevocably altered, through genocide,persecution, racism and other forms of hatred.

It will also provide a platform for considerationon how people can stand together to counterintolerance and exclusion in today’s society.

The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor JanetMarshall, will be leading a ceremonycelebrating the diversity of the borough’scommunity through music, poetry,presentations and testimony.

Following a candle-lighting ceremony in the Town Hall foyer at 1pm, there will be timefor a light buffet lunch before proceedingsresume at 2pm in the Braithwaite Hall.

A particular feature of the 2007 ceremony willbe remembrance of the victims of slavery. Theceremony is free and open to all.

Old teachers learn new tricksFormer teachers will get the opportunity to go back to school in January as part of a course designed to get them up tospeed with the latest developments in theteaching profession.

Called Croydon Return to Primary Teaching,the innovative school-based programme hasbeen developed by staff at Parish ChurchNursery and Infant School and the council’seducation department.

It targets qualified teachers who have takena break but who now want to go back toteaching, and aims to refresh theirknowledge and understanding before theyreturn to the classroom.

Eighteen participants signed up for a courseearlier in the year and spent two days aweek getting to grips with the latesttechnology, such as interactivewhiteboards. They also learntabout recent focuses on giftedand talented pupils andtook part in a mini-enterprise week.

The 10-week course included group sessionsand workshops, individual tutorials and a 10-day placement in a local school. Supportin finding jobs was offered and most of the group were successful in securing postsfor September.

Sharon Greenwood, one of the returningteachers, said: “This is an excellent coursewhich has been challenging and practicalwith a strong personal element.

“It’s been flexible throughout, catering for ourmany questions as they arise, and beingresponsive to our various situations.”

If you would like to receive information aboutthe next course at Parish Church Nursery andInfant School in January 2007, please [email protected]

Respecting the dignity of difference



Despite being 95 years old and sufferingfrom dementia, Mabel continues to liveindependently in her own home, which isexactly where she wants to be, thanks toTelecare.Norman feared that his Mum may have to move in to acare home as her condition worsened. A prospect thatNorman, Mabel’s main carer dreaded.

He said: “While it’s true to say that I needed extrasupport as a carer, Mum’s state of dementia is such thatit’s important she doesn’t receive shocks, and that wekeep her in familiar surroundings.”

Norman lives about six miles away, in neighbouringLambeth, and drives a licensed black cab. His flexibleworking pattern has enabled him to call in to see hisMum frequently to provide the support and care that she needs.

When Croydon Council, working in partnership withSouth London & Maudsley Mental Health Trust, askedwhether he and Mabel would be interested in tryingTelecare, they were keen to do so.

Known as “electronic assistive technology” a Telecarepackage supports people to remain living at home bymanaging many of the risks facing them in everydaysituations.

For example, during the day, if Mabel has not beenmoving around her home for more than 90 minutes, she could have fallen. This lack of movement will beidentified by the system, raising an automatic alert to the centre.

At night, if she leaves her bed to go to the toilet or makea cup of tea, and doesn’t return within 20 minutes, anautomatic alert will also be raised at the centre andthey, in turn, call Norman, or Croydon Careline responseteam, if he is not available for any reason.

More often than not, all is well but there was oneinstance when Norman found his mum on the floor –she had fallen and couldn’t get up.

Because of the Telecare alarm, she hadn’t been there forlong. Without it, the outcome could have been verydifferent.

Each Telecare package is centred on a person’sindividual needs, using a range of passive sensorsinstalled in the home. These can monitor falls,

independenceA STATE OF

“...if Mabel has notbeen moving

around her homefor more than 90

minutes, she couldhave fallen. This

lack of movementwill be identified bythe system, raisingan automatic alert

to the centre.”


7

wandering, periods of inactivity, floods, fire, gasescapes, extreme variation in temperatures and thepresence of carbon monoxide.

The sensors are individually programmed to a baseunit, which raises a call via the home phone line to thecontrol-monitoring centre when an alarm is activated.

Trained operators receive the call and follow previouslyagreed actions to deal with the emergency, whichwould include contacting a relative, neighbour, theCroydon Careline response team and/or the emergencyservices as appropriate.

The system gives an opportunity to manage a situationbefore a crisis point is reached, which often results in anemergency admission to hospital or placement inresidential care.

A suitable Telecare system is, essentially, a preventativesystem that helps people who want to continue living intheir home, do so.

Norman is grateful for Telecare and the extra time henow has to himself. He no longer has to sit for longperiods with his Mum in case of an accident, as he nowfeels confident that he will receive a call if something isamiss.

“I used to go without a social life because always I hadto be near Mum. And, although I still visit two or threetimes a day, I can go out and leave her for longerperiods of time because she’s being monitored and Iknow that she’s safe."

Norman has a message for anyone finding themselvesin a similar position to his: “I’d strongly recommendcalling the Croydon Careline Telecare service on 020 8726 6500 – it’s been a lifeline for me."

Croydon’s more vulnerable residents can feel safer intheir homes thanks to a joint initiative by the counciland London Fire Brigade.

The partnership agreement will help save lives assmoke alarms are fitted in the homes of customers ofCroydon Careline, the council's in-house communityalarm service.

The new alarms are a first for the fire brigade as theywill be remotely monitored by a control centre and donot require any action by the resident.

If smoke is detected, an automatic alarm call will beraised to a control centre, which will immediately alertthe fire brigade.

Although free, the smoke alarm is programmed to acommunity alarm unit, which is provided, for a smallweekly charge, by Croydon Careline to anyone living inthe borough.

The unit, installed by the Careline team, has to be inplace before advantage can be taken of the smokealarm.

The added benefit is that Careline staff have receivedtraining from London Fire Brigade officers, so that,when installing the smoke alarm, they can also carryout a free home fire-risk assessment and offer basicfire-prevention advice to householders.

The smoke alarm will be provided, installed andmonitored free of charge to Careline customers and itis expected that 250 of these smoke detectors will beinstalled in the homes of vulnerable people during thefirst year of service.

If the project proves to be successful, further freesmoke alarms will be made available for Carelinecustomers.

To apply for a Careline community alarm or to obtainfurther information, call 020 8726 6501 or020 8654 7166

Removing thecause for alarm

If smoke isdetected, anautomatic alarmcall will be raised toa control centre,which willimmediately alertthe fire brigade.



Boosting the local economy,

particularly in thetarget areas of

north-west Croydonand Fieldway-New

Addington, is at theheart of the

programme.

When I grow up I want to be…Singer? Dentist? Firefighter?

A helping hand across the road

The sky’s the limit for today’s children, butCroydon Enterprise wants to make sure“entrepreneur” is also on the list. The organisation aims to have enterprise on thecurriculum of Croydon’s schools within three years, sothat enterprise, or self-employment, becomes a validcareer choice.

Of course, a lot depends on getting training and supportto ensure that the opportunities are there when childrenleave school or college.

This is why the Croydon Enterprise programme alsoincludes a range of other initiatives to boost enterprise inthe borough and sweep away the obstacles to creatingnew businesses.

Other initiatives under the programme, which uses theslogan Connecting to Opportunity, include providingquality enterprise information in colleges and gettingthat advice and support to the community to reachpeople who previously missed out on this kind of help.

Boosting the local economy, particularly in the targetareas of north-west Croydon and Fieldway-NewAddington, is at the heart of the programme.

Soon district-centre managers will start work in theseareas as one of the visible fruits of this enterpriseprogramme, which will invest £77m over its 10-year life.

The programme has also begun a survey of 4,000businesses to see what anti-crime measures will helptheir trade. Specialist planning experts will be recruitedto work with businesses at an early stage.

But the big thrust now is to find organisations to deliverthe core projects in the first three years of theprogramme. These include:

• Coordinating enterprise information in colleges

• Providing a beauty and complimentary-therapytraining centre in north-west Croydon

• Helping local communities and businesses benefitfrom public-sector purchasing

• Delivering a package of activities to support new andgrowing businesses.

All the information an organisation needs to bid forthese projects is on the new Croydon Enterprise websiteat www.croydonenterprise.com

Call Croydon Enterprise on 020 8090 1685

Striding up to a pedestrian crossing,pushing the button and stepping out whenthe little green man appears is somethingmost of us give little thought to.For those with a disability, however, crossing a busyroad is far from a straightforward affair.

That is why most crossings in the borough have one ormore aids to help people with disabilities – and thechances are that others have never even realised thoseaids are there.

For instance, did you know that:

• to give blind or sight-impaired people advancedwarning of changes in pavement level, all new zebraand pelican crossings use tactile paving – recognisedby the sense of touch? This is different from the usualsmooth paving as it features raised bumps that canbe felt underfoot.

• in addition to the green man signal, most singlepelican crossings emit a clearly heard beep sound,indicating when it is safe to cross?

• at two-stage pelican crossings – those broken by atraffic island – and some junction signals, a smallridged cone is situated on the underside of the push-button box? The conerotates when the greenman is displayed,indicating which part ofthe crossing or junction issafe to cross.

More details on pedestrianfacilities can be found byfollowing the Transport &Streets link in the left-handcolumn atwww.croydon.gov.uk

A small ridged cone tells when

it’s safe to cross


9

Digital cameras, MP3 players, radios,torches and 101 other gadgets rely onbatteries to power them.With the number of such items in use today beingalmost beyond imagination, it is obvious that thenumber of batteries running them is truly colossal.

Problems arise, however, when the last spark of power is used and all that’s left is something that has to be disposed of.

In the past, it was simply a matter of throwing the spentbatteries into the rubbish bin, along with all the otherhousehold waste. Things today, though, are differentand the public is beginning to realise that thoughtlessdisposal just will not do.

In addition to the fact that landfill sites are almost atoverspill, old batteries cast into the ground pose the very real threat of leaking poisons into the ground,contaminating both the earth itself and, possibly, nearby sources of water.

Croydon Council is doing its bit to minimise thisecological damage by giving residents the chance todispose of their old power cells in a responsible mannerat Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Alkaline batteries can now be recharged, increasingtheir product life, and most batteries, particularly lead-zinc, can be completely recycled. The materialsextracted from batteries during the recycling processinclude cadmium (a component used in new batteries),plastics and even tiny amounts of gold and copper,materials that would go to waste if the battery were not recycled.

This service is costly but the council recognises theenvironmental benefits of recycling householdbatteries and of beginning to provide a service so thatsuch recycling can become more widespread in thefuture.

Using rechargeable batteries reduces the number ofbatteries requiring disposal, but 80% contain nickel-cadmium, known to cause cancer, and therefore needto be disposed of safely.

Sadly, the council cannot accept nickel-cadmiumbatteries as the UK has no facilities for their recycling.Running such a service would be uneconomical ascollected NiCads would have to be sent to France, thenearest available facility. It is a situation that is beingmonitored, and the council will develop a servicewhen it becomes feasible.

More information about battery recycling can be foundat www.wasteonline.org.uk

All three of Croydon’s reuse and recycling centrescollect car batteries for recycling.

Using rechargeablebatteries reducesthe number ofbatteries requiringdisposal, but 80%contain nickel-cadmium, known tocause cancer, andtherefore need to bedisposed of safely.

RechargeablesNickel cadmium (NiCad)batteries represent one ofthe fastest-growing sectorsin the battery market. Usedfor cordless power tools,personal stereos, portabletelephones, lap-topcomputers, shavers,motorised toys, etc, with alife of four to five years.

Nickel metal hydride(NiMH) batteries are a lessenvironmentally harmfulalternative to NiCad andtend to have a longer life.

Lithium ion (Li-Ion)batteries have agreaterenergy storage capacitythan NiCad and NiMHbatteries.

Assaulton batteries



While it remains true to say that the humble apple is agreat addition to any diet, it is now accepted that, to eathealthy to be healthy, your Granny Smith or Cox should bebut one of at least five fruits or vegetables eaten every day.

But the real trick is to not fall into the trap of eating thesame five fruit and veg day in, day out.

As well as limiting the intake of vitamins and nutrientsavailable from the huge range of fresh produce that isavailable, this strategy could see you paying over theodds by not buying goods that are in season.

Seasonal eating means that, in addition to being moretasty, the food has not travelled from some far-flungcorner of the Earth to reach your taste buds.

That means its journey has made less of an impact onthe environment – it hasn’t had to travel by aeroplane, forinstance – and, being fresher, will taste so much better.

If your regular five-a-day comprises, say, green beansand apples all year round, you could be deprivingyourself of the host of goodies available in any givenseason.

A wonderful source of fresh seasonal fruit and veg ismarkets. Croydon boasts at least two well-establishedstreet markets – in Surrey Street and New Addington’sCentral Parade.

December’s seasonal produce includes Brussels sprouts,cabbage, apples, leeks, onions, turnips and pears.

For a more comprehensive list and some mouth-watering recipes visit www.thefoody.com

You might be wasting at least £200 a year on yourheating costs. Find out how to save it… and to get £50off your next council tax bill!

Lower heating bills and a council-tax discount could beyours – just by filling a gap.

The gap in question is the cavity that exists in the wallsof a great number of homes in Croydon and which, if leftunfilled, can be responsible for the loss of valuable –and expensive – heat.

Similarly, if lofts are not insulated with 270mm of loftinsulation (almost one foot), winter heat will leak awaythrough the ceiling.

In a bid to save householders money – and help protectthe environment – Croydon Council has joined forceswith British Gas to offer a home-insulation scheme thatcould benefit the borough’s homeowners bydramatically cutting their heating bills. It also rewardsthem with £50 toward their council tax if they have theenergy-efficient measures installed.

The initiative includes:

• Insulation, for cavity walls or lofts, by British Gas at adiscounted price;

• £50 credited to residents’ council-tax accounts byBritish Gas if the company installs cavity-wallinsulation.

British Gas funds the council-tax payment, buthomeowners do not need to be a customer of thecompany to benefit.

The average cost of having cavity-wall insulationinstalled by British Gas is £250. That outlay is offset by ahousehold saving of about £200 a year through havingthe insulation fitted.

And the savings on your heating fuel will help to reduceclimate change!

Anyone interested in taking up the offer can arrange fora free home-energy survey by calling 0845 971 7731and quoting reference CCCT. Lines are open from 8amto 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

Mind the gap – and help the environment

Well seasonedHistorically, all it took to keep the doctor away was an apple a day.

The average cost ofhaving cavity-wall

insulation installedby British Gas is

£250. That outlay isoffset by a

household saving ofabout £200 a year

through having theinsulation fitted.

Surrey Street Market


11

Food hygiene is an important issue at anytime of the year – but at Christmas it takeson even more significance.Croydon Council is urging local people to take extra careduring the Christmas and New Year festivities to avoidthe risk of food poisoning.

The council’s environmental health service is highlightingthe potential dangers in storing and cooking poultry, andgiving tips to ensure everybody enjoys a non-queasy time.

• Check the weight of the bird and follow therecommended times for defrosting and cooking(if using foil, add 30 to 60 minutes to cooking time). To check the meat is cooked, insert a clean skewer intothe thickest part of the bird to see if the juices run clear.If they run pink, return the bird to the oven for a further15 minutes before repeating the test.

• Ensure poultry is fully defrosted before cooking,checking that legs are flexible and no ice crystalsremain inside the body cavity.

• Stuff the neck end only and cook extra stuffingseparately.

• Always wash your hands before preparing food, andwash hands and kitchen utensils, including cuttingboards, after touching raw poultry.

Other foods, such as paté, ham and shellfish, also need proper care and treatment to reduce the risk offood poisoning.

Useful tips include:

• Don’t buy more food than you have fridgeor freezer space for.

• Use a suitable thermometer to check thatyour fridge is operating at below 5ºC.

• Prepare raw and cooked food separately,and cover and store cooked foods aboveraw products in the fridge.

• Eat cooked food immediately. Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerateor freeze. Use leftovers from the fridgewithin three days and, if you must reheat,ensure the food is piping hot.

• Use oldest food first and observeexpiry dates.

• If in doubt, throw it out.

For more information or advice about food hygiene, visit the council’s website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/abande/advice/480032or contact the environmental health service on 020 8726 6700

This Christmas keepfood poisoning at bay

Other foods, such aspaté, ham andshellfish, also needproper care andtreatment to reducethe risk of foodpoisoning.



COLLECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON SATURDAY 6 AND SUNDAY 7 JANUARY AT THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

Addiscombe Co-op, Lower Addiscombe Road Broad Green Sainsbury’s Homebase, Purley WayCoulsdon Lion Green Car Park Coulsdon East Canon’s Hill, Grange Park Recreation GroundFairfield Oaks Road/Coombe Road Car ParkHeathfield Gravel Hill Car Park, Addington Park Recreation GroundKenley Oaks Road Green, Kenley Residents’ Association New Addington Central Parade Car ParkNorbury Granville Gardens Car ParkPurley Woodcote Village Green, Upper Woodcote Village

Residents’ AssociationSanderstead Occasionally Yours, Limpsfield RoadShirley Green Court Garden Green, Shirley Parks Residents’ AssociationShirley Monks Orchard GreenSouth Norwood Sainsbury’s, Whitehorse LaneUpper Norwood Secret Garden, Westow StreetWaddon Sainsbury’s Homebase, Five Ways, Purley WayWaddon Wyevale Garden Centre, Waddon Way

The largest element of the council’s annual Christmasrefuse-collection operation is the disposal of thousandsof Christmas trees from right across the borough.

The seasonal fortnightly kerbsidecollection of household green garden

waste finished at the end ofNovember. It is anticipated that the

service will resume in March 2007 –affected households will receive a

notice nearer the time.

There will be no kerbside collection of trees this yearbut, wherever you live in the borough, you won’t be toofar from a collection point. Please remember, though, toremove tinsel and decorations from trees left out.

Keeping Christmas

As usual, Croydon Council will be doing its bit this year to help lessen theimpact on the environment of the excesses of Christmas.

green

The largest element of the council’s

annual Christmas refuse-collection

operation is the disposalof thousands of

Christmas trees fromright across the borough.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

U S U A L Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesdaycollection day 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 1 Jan 2 Jan

Altered Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursdaycollection day 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan


13

Trees and green garden waste can be taken to any ofour three main reuse and recycling centres at any timeof the year.

Factory Lane Civic Amenity SiteFactory Lane, Waddon. Tel: 020 8288 8700.

Fishers Farm Waste and Recycling CentreNorth Downs Road, New Addington. Tel: 01689 849312.

Purley Oaks Reuse and Recycling CentreBrighton Road, South Croydon. Tel: 020 8668 2086.

For information on recycling and waste call the councilon 020 8726 6200.

O P E N I N G H O U R SThe One-Stop reception in Taberner House will close for the Christmas and New Year break at 4.45pmon Friday, 22 December, and reopen at 8.30am onTuesday, 2 January.

Borough libraries will close at 5pm on Saturday, 23December, and reopen at 9am on Tuesday, 2 January.But don't forget that many library facilities, including loanrenewals, are available on the library pages atwww.croydon.gov.uk

All councillors and staff at Croydon Council wisheverybody a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

There will be nokerbside collection of trees this year but,wherever you live inthe borough, you won’tbe too far from acollection point.

Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan

Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday5 Jan 6 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan

All councillors and staffat Croydon Council

wish everybody a merry Christmas

and a happy New Year.



Keeping the roads clearFour new multi-purpose vehicles will be doing their bit over the coming months tokeep Croydon’s roads as free as possible from the worst effects of winter weather.

The council will bereceiving detailedweather forecasts

four times each day,ensuring timely

decisions can bemade as to when to

send the grittingtrucks out.

Mindful of the need to get the most from each pound ofcouncil tax-payers’ money, Croydon Council has opted fora new design of truck which allows use throughout theyear on conventional road maintenance work yet bereadily available for gritting duties.

Additionally, they carry more grit than the trucks they havereplaced, reducing the number of trips needed goingback and forth to the depot for refilling.

The council will be receiving detailed weather forecastsfour times each day, ensuring timely decisions can bemade as to when to send the gritting trucks out.

Over the summer months, salt-stock levels have beenreplenished and Croydon now has 2,100 tonnes of thestuff ready to be put to use. And grit bins around theborough have been replaced and topped up.

The warm days of last summer, and eventhe autumn, are well and truly past andonce again motorists face the possibilityof snow- and ice-covered roads, freezingfog and all the other conditions thatmake winter driving so challenging.

Check lights areclean and working,

and use dippedheadlights in

poor visibility

Before the bad weather really gets a grip, however, takea few minutes to assess the condition of your vehicleand its contents to make sure that, if the worst comes tothe worst, you’re equipped to deal with the situation.

Before winter really sets in:• Make sure your vehicle is serviced

and properly maintained

• Check tyres have plenty of tread, are in good conditionand are correctly inflated

• Check the antifreeze level

• Check battery and charging systems

• Make sure windscreen wipers and washer areworking and that the washer bottle is full and containswinter non-freezing wash solution

If you must drive in wintry conditionsensure that you:• Clear steamy or frozen windows and mirrors so that

you can see clearly

• Carry spare bulbs and fuses, a warning triangle and a shovel

• Check lights are clean and working, and use dippedheadlights in poor visibility

• Leave a safe gap between you and the vehicle in front

• Watch the road and expect slippery patches

• Keep a careful eye on other road users

• Watch out for pedestrians and playing children

• Above all, watch your speed

For more information, visitwww.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/winterdriving.htm

Winter driving tips


15

Peer pressure and ever-present advertising lead tochildren asking for this year’s latest must-have toy, game,item of clothing, mobile phone, electronic gizmo – the listis almost endless.

And it’s precisely parents’ desire to please the kids thatcan put their family’s future security at jeopardy bythinking that it will not hurt to miss a month’s mortgagerepayment in order to buy that longed-for gift.

House repossessions usually peak in the early months ofthe year and Croydon Council is warning homeowners togive festive-season mortgage payments the priority theyshould always enjoy.

More than 200 properties were repossessed betweenJuly and September 2006 and the knock-on effect ofpeople becoming homeless is putting an increasingstrain on the council’s housing department.

Croydon Council currently has 11,500 people on itshousing waiting list. In contrast, about 1,200 councilhomes become available for rent each year, showingthe huge gap between supply and demand.

The council dealt with 39 applicants threatened byhomelessness as the result of repossessions duringthe first six months of this year.

People who are in mortgage arrears can seek adviceand assistance from Housing Advice, the Citizens’Advice Bureau or the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Croydon Council is also reminding tenants to keep ontop of rent payments, especially in the New Year whencredit card bills start landing on the doormat.

For more information, ring Croydon Council on 020 8726 6000.

Put the mortgage before presentsAs most know only too well, Christmas is probably the most expensivetime of the year for families. House repossessions

usually peak in theearly months of theyear and CroydonCouncil is warninghomeowners to givefestive-seasonmortgage paymentsthe priority theyshould always enjoy.



Thankfully, death while in service asCroydon’s Mayor is a rare event – in fact, in more than 100 years, it’s happened only twice.Shortly after the first, the Frank Denning Memorial Charitywas established to honour his service and to giveassistance to young people.

Alderman Denning died in office during the First WorldWar, in February, 1916, and the charity bearing his namewas set up to help engineering students as, at that time,no public grants were available.

The work of the charity has broadened over the yearsand it now helps full-time students from any discipline,between the ages of 19 and 25, who live (or whoseparents/guardians live) within the borough.

Any student keen to be considered for a grant of up to£800 from the charity needs to apply by Friday, 9 March.

The charity’s trustees will interview short-listed applicantsduring the Easter holiday period for any foreign travelscheduled to begin after 1 May 2007 but before 30 April2008. No support can be given to journeys started orcompleted before 1 May; similarly, holidays are exempt.

Would you like to nominate someone whoworks on behalf of Croydon Council and hasgiven you outstanding customer service? If so,let us know!

We hope you will want to recognise the outstandingservice you received by making a nomination for aCustomer Service Excellence Award.

How can we help you to make a nomination if you are unable to use the form on our website?

Telephone me (tick box) on:

or

Post me a nomination form (tick box)

Name

Address:

Please return this slip to: Customer Service Development Team, Croydon Council, 5th Floor, Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS or call us on: 020 8604 7124

Simply fill in the form on the council’s website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/csawards being sure to provide the details necessary for us to be able to judge the nomination.

If you are unable to use the council’s electronic form, wecan arrange for a nomination form to be sent to you or callyou at home so you can give us the details. You choosehow you would prefer to nominate – just let us know!

Attention full-time

students

Customer Service Excellence Awards 2006/7

Recent successfulapplicants have

undertakenarchitectural studies,

teaching, conservationwork, medical

electives, voluntarywork, youth work,

language studies,veterinary work and

many other varied,worthwhile projects.

Recent successful applicants have undertakenarchitectural studies, teaching, conservation work,medical electives, voluntary work, youth work, languagestudies, veterinary work and many other varied,worthwhile projects.

For more information, or to obtain an application form,please email the charity’s assistant honorary secretary,Gerry Hudson, at [email protected] or call020 8726 6000 ext. 62812

Postcode


17

Televisions left onstandby waste £50million a year inthe UK. For videosthe figure is evenhigher, so reachfor the Off buttonrather than theremote control.

Leaving applianceson standby creates one million tonnesof greenhousegases each year.

Appliances on standbywaste a million

Leaving appliances on standby creates one million tonnes of greenhouse gaseseach year.Wasting the electricity equivalent of all the UK’s streetlighting for over four years is quite a sobering thoughtbut we can all do something about it.

This is the message from South West London EnergyEfficiency Advice Centre.

Who would have thought that something so convenientand seemingly innocent as leaving your TV, video orDVD player on standby would waste so much electricityor cause so much environmental damage? Appliancesleft on standby (with the little red light on) produceenough carbon dioxide – the main greenhouse gascontributing to climate change – to fill more than 20 million double-decker buses or more than 730million hot-air balloons.

This wasted electricity would also power nearly 400,000 homes for a whole year – that’s nearly as much as Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Sutton and Richmond combined.

“Switching off unused appliances saves an awful lot ofmoney, too,” said Tracey Mills, of South West LondonEnergy Efficiency Advice Centre.

“Televisions left on standby waste £50 million a year inthe UK. For videos the figure is even higher, so reach forthe Off button rather than the remote control.”

For more details on how to save energy and money athome, simply call South West London Energy EfficiencyAdvice Centre FREE on ☎0800 512 012 or visitwww.est.org.uk/myhome/swlondon

Centre staff can provide free and impartial advice onsaving energy.

By curbing your energy wastage, you will bring your billsdown – a welcome relief in these times of ever-risinggas and electricity prices.

Who would have thought that something so convenient and seeminglyinnocent as leaving your TV, video or DVD player on standby wouldwaste so much electricity or cause so much environmental damage?



Winter is the time of year when cold, wetweather can lead people to realise theirhome is not in quite the good shape theythought it was.

Not everybody, however, is in a position to be able to fundwork that requires urgent attention.

Help, however, is at hand for homeowners whodesperately need to make repairs to their properties butare finding it difficult to afford to get the work done.

Croydon Council makes grants available to homeownerswho are on low income, are receiving benefit or are overretirement age with little or no savings.

For those who are eligible, the council is able to help withhome improvement works such as rewiring, reroofing,installation of a damp-proof course and providing aninternal toilet.

Croydon’s Home Improvement Agency officers canprovide advice and help to complete grant applicationforms, obtain estimates from reliable builders and ensurethe work is carried out to a satisfactory standard and theywill even handle the payments to the contractor.

A South Norwood pensioner benefited from the schemeafter contacting the council for help. He was left distraughtand not knowing what to do after cowboy builders hadbotched a job to repair his roof and fit a new bathroomand kitchen – then fled with his cash and his ladders.

This is an excellentscheme, which provides

residents on lowincome with a helping

hand to get the job doneprofessionally and with

the minimum of fuss.

Our officers arejust a phone call

away and are readyand willing to help.

Home-improvementwishes granted

The council’s home improvement team ensured that the work at his property was put right and he is now the proud owner of a new kitchen, bathroom and leak-free roof.

Whether it’s fixing out-of-date wiring, mending a leakingroof, sorting out a damp problem, or minor repairs – suchas replacing leaky gutters, replastering and minorplumbing jobs – funds and assistance are available fromthe Home Improvement Agency within the council’shousing department.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the followingquestions, you may be eligible for a grant toward thecost of works to your home:• Have you been a homeowner of an older-style property

for three years or more?

• Are you a first-time buyer of an older-style property?

• Are you buying an older-style property that has beenempty for six months or more?

• Are you receiving benefit or on a low income?

• Are you over retirement age with little or no savings?

Councillor Dudley Mead, the cabinet member for housing,said: “If you've put off getting home improvement worksdone because you can't afford it, think again.

“This is an excellent scheme, which provides residents onlow income with a helping hand to get the job doneprofessionally and with the minimum of fuss.

“Our officers are just a phone call away and are readyand willing to help.”

For more information, contact Croydon HomeImprovement Agency on:020 8407 1337 or 020 8760 5549.


19

Young offenders learn it’s payback timeYoung offenders will have to roll up theirsleeves and help clean up the borough aspart of a joint rehabilitation initiative byCroydon Council, London Probation andthe police.Community payback puts offenders to work cleaning up their own mess and began with eight young peopleclearing a large area of fly-tipped material at theHumdard Centre, Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath.

The centre has been burgled twice in recent monthsand proved an ideal location for the first Payback teamto launch the scheme, with some much-neededclearance work.

Offenders are given unpaid community sentences by the courts and sent to clean up areas worst hit by graffiti and vandalism.

As well as providing environmental improvements to local areas, Payback provides the youngsters with essential life skills, aimed at preventing thembecoming involved in further offences.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, deputy leader and cabinetmember for public protection and crime reduction, said:“Community Payback is a first-class scheme that allowsoffenders to give back to the community by contributingto the local community in a positive way and improvingpeople’s quality of life.

“It has proved a great success elsewhere in London andI’m confident it will have a positive impact here, too.”

Croydon’s borough commander, Chief SuperintendentMark Gore, said: “Community Payback is a joint initiativewhich will see offenders making a real difference.

“We also hope the scheme will show themconsequences of their criminal actions and of makingthe wrong choices in life.

“We wish to emphasise the importance and value ofbeing a responsible member of the community, with aclear message that they’re also paying something backfor some of the harm they’ve caused.”

Planning on reducing crimeCrime, and reducing its level and the impactit has on people, is the main thrust of aplanning initiative that has gone out topublic consultation.The new draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) isopen for comment until 18 December.

The SPD is accompanied by another document –Sustainability Appraisal on Designing for CommunitySafety – providing additional guidance for policies inCroydon’s Unitary Development Plan.

The aim of the SPD is to provide guidelines on how toapproach the design of safe and successful communitiesto make the borough a safer and better place in which tolive, work and play.

Croydon’s Crime Reduction Strategy 2005-2008 identifiedthat residents’ main priority is the reduction of crime.

By following the advice and guidelines of the SPD, all newdevelopment in the borough should help toward this aim,reducing the fear of crime, opportunities for crime, andthe number of incidents of antisocial behaviour.

The council recognises the importance of the involvement of local communities in the planning of Croydon’s future and welcomes comments andresponses on these documents.

You can see the SPD on the council's website atwww.croydon.gov.uk/environment/dcande/ptconsultations/

Copies of the draft SPD and the Sustainability Appraisalcan be viewed at all borough libraries and are availablefrom One-Stop Reception, Taberner House, Park Lane,Croydon CR9 3JS.

Comments should be sent to the address at the end of both documents, or emailed to:[email protected] [email protected]

West Thornton SaferNeighbourhood team withSupt Chris Bourlet CroydonPolice, Chief Inspector PhilWillis Croydon Police andCouncillor Steve O'ConnellDeputy Leader of CroydonCouncil with Mike WellsSenior Probation Officerand Community PaybackProject Manager.

Offenders are givenunpaid communitysentences by thecourts and sent toclean up areas worsthit by graffiti andvandalism.

The aim of the SPD is to provide guidelines on how to approach thedesign of safe andsuccessful communitiesto make the borough asafer and better place in which to live, work and play.

One of the offenders chopping down the trees outsidethe Humdard Centre in Mayfield Rd, Thornton Heath.



Don’t let the cold, dark winter months taketheir toll on you.Every winter more than 20,000 people aged over 65 die inEngland and Wales from cold-related illnesses.

Many of those deaths could be avoided – following oursimple tips could be a help.

Croydon’s director of social services, Hannah Miller, saysit is imperative that older people get the help they need.

“People who live alone are particularly vulnerable andit’s important that family, friends and neighbours look out for them.

“It takes only a minute or two to knock on their front doorto find out if they’re all right. Pop in for a cup of tea and achat – a lot of the time they’ll probably be grateful for thecompany.”

Here are some tips on how to beat the coldthis winter:• Have regular hot meals and drinks.

• Get a flu jab – it’s free to the over-65s.

• Avoid sitting down for long periods.

• Stock up on basic foods and medicines.

• Wrap up indoors and out. Wear warm clothing in bedand use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket.

• Keep your home warm, especially your living room andbedroom. You may be eligible for a grant for centralheating or insulation – call your local Energy EfficiencyAdvice Centre on 0800 512012. If heating bills are a greatproblem, consider living and sleeping in one room.

• Keep a thermometer handy. The recommendedtemperature for all rooms is 21ºC (70ºF) but you may be comfortable at a higher temperature. Below 16ºC(61ºF) and you will be at risk of hypothermia, heart attack and stroke.

• If you were 60 before 20 September, make sure you getyour cold-weather payment of £200 per household fromthe Government – you’re entitled to it and it’s there tohelp with the costs of keeping warm. Call 0845 915 1515

Age Concern Croydon provides advice, support and information on the above and many other areas to ensure older people stay warm and well through the winter.

For more information visitwww.ageconcerncroydon.org.ukemail: [email protected] or call 020 8680 5450.

Stuart Routledge, chief executive, Age Concern Croydon,said: "There are many different services that older peoplecan access.

“It’s important that they or their carers contact the aboveservices if they feel in any way at risk.”

For more information on grants to make your homewarmer, call the Warm Front Scheme on 0800 072 0151.

For information on winter fuel payments, call 0845 915 1515.

To contact Croydon social services, call 020 8726 6500

Fending off the winter blues

l If you were 60 before20 September, make

sure you get your cold-weather payment of£200 per household

from the Government –you’re entitled to it and

it’s there to help with thecosts of keeping warm.

Age Concern Croydon providesadvice, support and information onthe above and many other areas to

ensure older people stay warm andwell through the winter.


21

There are a number of badger setts on Riddlesdown. Badgers areusually only seen in the early evening and at night. They feed oninsects, berries and small mammals. At this time of year they spenda lot of time sleeping.

Did you know that they mate earlier in the year, in the warmerweather, but the foetus doesn’t start to grow until December? The young badgers are born in February.

In the 18th century, people were very suspicious about badgers,thinking it was bad luck if one crossed the path in front of them, and good luck if one crossed the path behind them!

December’s damp weather usually signals the appearance of a lot of toadstools. A number of different types of fungi can be found, including the common puffball, which I’ve seen in RaggedGrove woods.

The spores of toadstools were, for some time, used as a medicine to stop bleeding in small cuts.

Other species of toadstool I have seen include the orange navel-capand the shaggy parasol.

And, on a tree stump in a meadow, I found a many-zoned polypore,which is a fairly common type of bracket fungus. Its appearancedoesn’t change much when dried and, in the past, was often usedas jewellery.

Beware: while some sortsof fungi are edible, manyare poisonous. Always seekprofessional advice.

December

Local advertising hasnever been so effectiveYour Croydon, the magazine for your borough, provideslocal businesses with theopportunity to target allpotential customers in all areas of Croydon.Six good reasons to advertise in Your Croydon:

• 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 Your Croydon on:020 8760 5644 or email [email protected]



Scrutiny Sub-committeeDeadlines for forthcoming Scrutiny Sub-committee public question sessions. Noon on each relevant deadline date

Meeting Deadline Cabinet member5 Dec Education and lifelong learning n/a n/a12 Dec Safer communities 27 Nov Cllr Enley Taylor (community cohesion)19 Dec Scrutiny and overview committee n/a n/a9 Jan Clean and green Croydon 22 Dec Cllr Chris Wright (planning and environment) 23 Jan Working, living and leisure in Croydon 8 Jan Cllr Steve Hollands (culture and sport)30 Jan Health and social care n/a 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 call ☎020 8726 6000 ext 62529 or 62315

I

Croydon Community Police Consultative GroupMeetings of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group are held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. All begin at 6.30pm andare open to the public. For further information, go to www.croydononline.org/ccpcg

Forthcoming meeting dates are: Wednesday 31 January, Wednesday 21 March

These meetings are to be transmitted using webcasting. They can be viewed at www.croydon.gov.uk/meetingsofthecouncil

Details of all Croydon Council meetings can be found on the same page.

I

Neighbourhood PartnershipNeighbourhood partnership meetings (all start at 7.30pm)

Meeting Group and venue5 Dec Purley and Kenley, Christ Church Hall, Brighton Road, Purley (opposite Rotary Field)17 Jan South Norwood and Selhurst, (venue TBA)24 Jan Sanderstead, Croham & Selsdon and Ballards, (venue TBA)31 Jan Addiscombe, Woodside & Ashburton, (venue TBA)

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 ☎020 8726 6000 ext 62564 or 62396

I

Council Deadlines for public questions for forthcoming full council meetings (all start at 6.30pm) Noon on each relevant deadline date.

Meeting DeadlineMonday, 22 Jan, 2007 Monday, 8 Jan, 2007

Monday, 23 Apr, 2007 Monday, 9 Apr, 2007

To submit a question for consideration at a full council meeting, email it to [email protected]; fax it to ☎020 8760 5657;print and complete the form at www.croydon.gov.uk/councilquestion and post it to Ms Wriotheseleynn Rehill, Democratic and Legal Services,Taberner House, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS; or call ☎020 8726 6000 ext 62327

I

I


The History Boys

The Page Turner

Rebecca (PG)

The Queen

Marie Antoinette

Red Road

The Stepford Wives

Casino Royale tbc

Hoodwinked

Stormbreaker

Open Season

The Chronicles of Narnia

March of the Penguins U

PG

PG

PG

U

12A

15

18

12A

12A

15

15

www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure

FILMS AT THE DAVID LEAN CINEMA

LIVE EVENTS AT THE CLOCKTOWER

What’s On December 06GUIDED WALKS &WILDLIFE EVENTS

The Chronicles of Narnia

Thursday 7 DecemberMitcham Common midweek meander

Sunday 10 DecemberSunday morning stroll on Mitcham Common

Sunday 3 DecemberPre-Christmas energizer

Sunday 17 DecemberHappy Valley winter tree ID & folklore

For information go towww.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/eventsor call the community partnership officer on ☎020 8726 6900 ext 64952

The Active Lifestyles section runs weeklyhealth walks, lasting about one hour. Theyare a great way to start exercising whileenjoying Croydon's green open spaces.

MondayLloyd Park, tram stop, at 11am and 1pm.

TuesdayKings Wood or Riddlesdown, meet atHamsey Green at 11 am

WednesdaySouth Norwood Country Park, at 11am

ThursdayGravel Hill tram stop at 10.30amNorbury, station at 1.30pm

FridaySelsdon Wood, car park at 1.30pm

Ticket office: 020 8253 1030The Impossiblessee something impossible this Christmas.The Impossibles guarantee an unforgettable show of circusskills which will amaze the whole family this Christmas.Wednesday 13 to Saturday 23 December, 8pm. Matinees:Thursday 14 and 21 at 1.30pm, Saturday 16 and 23 at 3pm£11.50 (£7.80 concessions)Matinees £7.80 (£5.50 concessions)Special Christmas offer – Two adults and two children:£30. Suitable for ages 5-plus

Upfront Comedy ClubTojo, John Simmit & Victor DanielThursday 7 December, 8pm, on stage 8.30pm£10 (£7 concessions) Featuring Tojo, John Simmit and Victor Daniel scorching subjects from celebrity airheadsto kung-fu film dubbing, hustling on London estates and ghetto kiss chase…

ExhibitionsSunshine in SuburbiaUntil Saturday 24 February 2007Mondays - Saturdays, 11am - 5pm(Late-night opening on Mondays and Thursdays until 8pm)Exploring the lives of Croydon's first suburban dwellers in the1920s and ’30s.£1.50 (50p concessions)

Deco DecorationsThursday 21 December, 10 to 11am and 2 to 3pmCome and make Christmas decorations inspired by the1920s and ’30s. We will hang the best ones inside theSunshine in Suburbia exhibition for our visitors to see. FREE,but please get a ticket in advance from the Ticket Office

23


Most of the work we do for you can be grouped in to just a dozen areas. So we’ve set up 12 distinct phone numbers – each ofwhich will be answered by staff with specialist knowledge.

From now on you can get straight through to someone who really understands your specific needs. This will make calling thecouncil quicker, simpler and more efficient.

If you’re not sure who you need to speak to, call our new general enquiries number – 020 8726 6000.

Housing

Environmental Reporting

Registration Services

Children, Youth, FamiliesSchools

Social Services for Adults

Business Advice &Council Partners

Life in the Community

Planning &Building Control

Leisure &Continuing Education

Revenues & Benefits

Streets & Transport

General Enquiries

020 8726 6100

020 8726 6200

020 8726 6300

020 8726 6400

020 8726 6500

020 8726 6600

020 8726 6700

020 8726 6800

020 8726 6900

020 8726 7000

020 8726 7100

020 8726 6000

For all council tenancy issues, housing options and private sector housingenquiries.

For reporting pests, dead animals, litter, dog mess, leaves, graffiti, noise,missed rubbish collection and fly-tipping, to arrange bulky waste collectionsand get information about trade waste and recycling.

To notify change of address, arrange for the registration of births, marriagesand deaths, find out about Croydon crematorium and cemeteries, arrange toattend a citizenship ceremony and get information about election matters.

For information and assistance concerning child protection, drug and alcoholservices, adoption and fostering, children with a disability and other familysocial services issues.

For information about school places, Early Years and childcare, special needseducation, general education enquiries, bullying and harassment, studentloans, youth services and making complaints about education.

For information and assistance concerning homecare, residential care, drugand alcohol services, mental health, domestic violence, learning disabilitiesand physical disabilities (including sensory impairment).

For business advice (for rates contact Revenues and Benefits) and working inpartnership with the council.

For consumer advice, health and safety, crime and disorder, antisocialbehaviour and harassment issues.

For advice and application information on planning and building control issues.

For information and assistance concerning libraries, parks, sports and leisurecentres, leisure events, continuing education training services (CETS) andfurther education.

For advice and applications on housing and council tax benefits, business rates and other benefits, payment of council tax.

For reporting street lighting, street cleaning issues, road damage and safety,trees, abandoned vehicles and parking issues; and advice on supported travel services.

For ‘Who do I contact?’ enquiries, asking for someone by name, generalinformation requests, council job vacancies, council and community meetingsinformation, language support services and Minicom communication.

Croydon CouncilWe’re making it easier for you to contact us

Calling✁


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