Archive

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Stalemate enough for Beckenham FC

Beckenham 0 v 0 Slade Green Kent League Divisional Cup Group D A DRAW was enough to see Beckenham Town through to the knock out stages of The Kent League Divisional Cup, writes Ian Muir. Manager Gavin Rose has in the past used this cup to rotate

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Wood’s magic sends Bromley up the table

Maldon 0 v 2 Bromley Ryman Premier BROMLEY raised their anchor from the Essex port of Maldon to sail away with all the points, writes Patrick Harris. The game started evenly with both sides struggling to keep the ball on a sticky and bumpy pitch.

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Beckenham’s demolition of Croydon whipping boys

Beckenham 42 v 3 Old Mid-Whitgiftians Rugby Union London 2 South League BECKENHAM put three consecutive league defeats behind them with a comprehensive win over their visitors from Croydon, writes Neil Millan. Both sides were very different from

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Selhurst Shout

ROLLING BACK THE YEARS: This April the club will re-stage the 1990 FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester United to raise funds for Geoff Thomas' leukaemia appeal. Fans will be able to join managers Steve Coppell and Sir Alex Ferguson as they

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Leather Bottle, Cobham

Drink 5/5 Decor 5/5 Food n/a Price 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Staff 3/5 IT'S not everyday you venture down the boozer and find yourself sitting in a plush reception area but such was the popularity of Cobham's Leather Bottle there was nowhere else to perch

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Primary school kids mad for footy

FOOTBALL-MAD primary school pupils are being given the chance to play in their own mini-league. The Lewisham inter-schools league brings together 29 schools across the borough to play in an organised, seven-a-side competition. The competition, which

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Live music news: Len Phillips and the Rat Pack

ONE of Shopperland's most popular and long-standing big bands has teamed up with a Rat Pack tribute act to recreate the swinging concert sounds of golden-era Las Vegas. Len Phillips, from Bexley, has fronted his 16-piece band for 20 years, inspired

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Millwall hold off Wolves at the door

Millwall 0 v 0 Wolves Coca-Cola Championship MILLWALL manager David Tuttle celebrated being handed the manager's job until the end of the season with a hard-fought point against Wolves. Glenn Hoddle's midlanders are chasing a play-off spot in the

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Marathon call-up

THE 26th London Marathon is on April 23, as is the 20th mini-marathon which is run over the last 5k of the course. Trials for the Bromley team for this year's London mini-marathon take place at Norman Park Track on February 12 starting at 10.15am. Races

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Cornish pasting

Launceston 31 v 15 B'heath Rugby Union National League Two BLACKHEATH'S third clash with the Cornish All Blacks ended in a scrappy victory for the West Country men, writes Jack Kay. The hosts scored inside a minute when Blackheath were penalised

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Park’s not so lovely trip to seaside

Hove 32 v 13 Charlton Park Rugby Union London 4 SE League CHARLTON Park rugby club fell to their fourth league defeat of the season at high-flying Hove. The hosts scored the opening converted try before Charlton replied with a running move ending

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New Den News

LIONS fans have seen some great players come and go over the years Barry Kitchener, Gordon Hill, Keith Stevens, Neil Harris, Alex Rae, Billy Neil, Teddy Sheringham and Bryan King to name but a few. Now Millwall want to know who your favourite all-time

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No need to help the aged, these two will run and run

THE Beatles may have sang about taking it easy in their hit When I'm 64' but two north Kent grandfathers show no sign of slowing down after securing top spots in the county running championships. Ranking third and sixth in their age class respectively

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Art exhibition: Maria Strutz

AS WELL being the place to catch the latest productions, Catford's Broadway Theatre is well worth a visit to see a new and vibrant art exhibition. The collection, entitled Chrysalis, contains a variety of works by German artist Maria Strutz, including

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Forest are cut down to a point

DARTFORD won a gritty point at Waltham Forest to maintain their bid for a play-off spot, writes Mike Brett-Smith. The first real attack was from Darts after Ian Pulman set up Ryan Hayes who forced Nej Hussein into a save. Waltham soon let their intentions

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Diva-stating performance

When the Ray Charles tribute show, I Can't Stop Loving You, comes to town, audiences will get two dazzling divas for the price of one. Paul Revel chats to R'n'B stars Kele le Roc and Kym Mazelle ... KELE and Kym are taking a break between rehearsals

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Harriers put on a good indoor show

FOUR Dartford Harriers were among hundreds of competitors at the Southern Indoor Championships last weekend. Megan Edwards came home with the under-17 triple jump silver medal with a leap of 10.80m. Gavin Comber was fourth in the under-20 men's 60m

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Valley View

TICKETS to see Charlton take on European champions Liverpool at The Valley are now available from just £20 adults and £10 under-16s. The match has been rearranged for Wednesday, February 8 (8pm), with tickets on sale to season ticket holders and CAMS

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Lecture: Kenneth Baker

FORMER Tory minister Lord Kenneth Baker is giving a talk on the life and strife of George IV, as seen through the eyes of political cartoonists. As Margaret Thatcher's Education Secretary, Baker was no stranger to caricature himself. His puppet was

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Sidcup win battle of the basement

Sidcup 21 v 19 Gosport and Fareham Rugby Union London 2 South League SIDCUP picked up a valuable two points in the bottom-of-the-table clash against Gosport and Fareham. The hosts saw the return of some old faces with Richard Leamon reclaiming

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Nikhita Kaur Kalsi - 16 months

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Cool for Catford

NEWS SHOPPER readers in Catford will have noticed the war of words raging over the area. It all started in December when a Canadian visitor wrote to the paper saying Catford was the worst place she'd ever been, labelling the town Crap-ford. Since then

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Cray start life without Main man Jon

Cray 0 v 2 Hastings Ryman Division One INJURY-HIT Cray, playing their fourth game in eight days and now without leading goalscorer Jon Main, lost despite dominating long spells of a hard-fought game. Hastings took the lead on 50 minutes through Sean

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Music news: African blues

THE evocative sounds of the African continent can be heard when the band DaDa bring their national tour to the Croydon Clocktower. Dada describe their sound as African blues, combining traditional music with a contemporary Afro beat. The music reflects

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Bragging rights go to Ash

BBHC 1 v 3 Burnt Ash Kent Sussex Hockey League THIS was Burnt Ash's first league win over neighbours and rivals since their promotion to the Kent Sussex League last season. In the first meeting Ash squandered a two-goal lead but things have changed

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Super-sub Kedwell

Welling United 1 v 0 Weston-super-Mare Nationwide Conference South For pictures, click on Non-League Pictures WELLING United returned to winning ways in the league thanks to super-sub Danny Kedwell. The striker came off the bench in the 71st minute

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No horsing about for our side saddle ace

A WELLING teenager is trotting away with prize after prize and she is doing it with the waifs and strays of society. Last year Tanya Chapman, 19, won the pony showjumping class at the national championships in Addington Manor, Buckinghamshire, aboard

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Exiles celebrate season from heaven

THE Kent Exiles changed their American football outfits for dinner jackets to celebrate their best-ever season with a special awards ceremony. Not only did the Exiles finish as unbeaten winners of the Division Two Southern conference title, they also

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Ruthless Combe show Oldies no mercy

Old Patesians 0 v 29 Westcombe Park Rugby Union National Division Three (south) WESTCOMBE Park were in a ruthless frame of mind for their visit to the outskirts of Cheltenham where Old Patesians felt the full force of the visitors' growing confidence

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Honouring man who won the VC

PLAQUES have been unveiled in the former homes of a man posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Northfleet-born Eric Harden was given the top military honour after he was killed trying to save an injured man during the Second World War. More than 30

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Teenagers jailed for racist disorder

AN INDIAN takeaway boss has welcomed the sentencing of two teenagers who racially abused his staff. Abdul Rouf and his staff came under attack at the Red Chilli, Waterdales, Gravesend, in April 2004. The Asian victims were punched and spat at, called

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Regular way of helping hospital

PUB regulars and landlords have put their hands in their pockets to raise more than £2,000 for cancer patients. Drinkers at the White Swan pub, Ash Road, New-Ash-Green, raised the cash by taking part in raffles and donating winnings from a weekly lottery

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Plan for support centre dropped

PLANS to open a rehabilitation home to provide suport for sex offenders have been dropped. Care in the Community and Rehabilitation (CICAR), a privately-funded Norfolk-based organisation, wanted to open the centre in Dartford. It hopes to set up six

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Selling toys by the lorry-load

SALES of limited-edition miniature lorries based on a haulage company's vehicles are soaring. Northfleet-based LV Transport was approached by toymakers Corgi, which offered to immortalise its distinctive lorries into model size. Company owner Len

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Residents gutted by fire at old cinema

RESIDENTS have been left gutted after a landmark building was almost destroyed by a fire "too dangerous" for crews to tackle internally. More than three-quarters of the former cinema in King Street, Gravesend, has been damaged beyond repair in an arson

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News in brief

MAN STABBED: A man was stabbed by two offenders who called at his house in Hibernia Drive, Gravesend, at 11.30pm on January 13. They are described as a 5ft 10in white man with spiky ginger hair and a boy aged between 14 and 15 with a stocky build who

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Chemists open on Sunday, January 29

NORTH BEXLEY, BARNEHURST, ERITH & THAMESMEAD NCC Chemist, CWS Store, 71-79 High Street, Welling. 10am to 4pm. Safeway pharmacy, 2 Twin Tumps Way, Thamesmead. 10am to 4pm. Boots, 31 The Mall, Bexleyheath. 10am to 4pm. Roadnight Pharmacy, 88 Station

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Chemists open on Sunday, January 29

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET Nicholson & Keep, 1 The Parade, Valley Drive, Gravesend. 11am to noon. Darnley Pharmacy, 17 Pelham Road, Gravesend. 6pm to 7pm. SWANLEY Swanley Pharmacy, 47 Swanley Centre. 11am to noon. DARTFORD & GREENHITHE Asda, Station Road

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Chemists open on Sunday, January 29

BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON & GREENWICH Sainsbury's, Horn Link Lane, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. Charlton Pharmacy, 229 Charlton Road, Charlton. 6pm to 7pm. ELTHAM, KIDBROOKE, MOTTINGHAM & NEW ELTHAM Boots, 96-104 Eltham High Street, Eltham. 10am to 4pm. Dickinson's

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Chemists open on Sunday, January 29

BIGGIN HILL Morrisons, Main Road. 10am to 1pm. BROMLEY Boots, The Glades. 11am to 5pm. ORPINGTON Sainsbury's, Locksbottom, Farnborough. 10am to 4pm. PENGE Boots, 5 Colman House, Penge. Noon to 5pm.

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Bike yob stopped by have-a-go hero

A HAVE-A-GO hero who was clobbered with a log after making a citizen's arrest says he has no regrets. David Chillman says yobs make the lives of residents in Castlecombe Road, Mottingham, a misery. The 40-year-old claims they steal cars and burn them

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Healthy children helping hospital

ENERGETIC children have kick-started the year in a healthy way to raise money for a hospital. Pupils at the Riveston School, Eltham Road, Lee Green, have all been taking part in the school's annual healthy living week to raise funds for Great Ormond

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Dentist banned after partner’s operations

A DENTIST who let her unqualified boyfriend loose on her patients' teeth has been struck off by the General Dental Council. Iranian-born Mogjan Azari, aged 38, of Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham, who was jailed for a year in March last year, has now been banned

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Mediation service for young parents

YOUNG parents experiencing problems with their partner can benefit from a new service being offered in Lewisham. The Mediation Service for Young Parents will be open to single or married parents in the borough, aged 25 or younger, who are having difficulties

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Group wants new A&E department

A PATIENTS' group is calling on Lewisham Hospital to completely rebuild its A&E department. Lewisham Primary Care Trust Patient and Public Involvement Forum has called for a total revamp of the emergency ward, saying it is at "breaking point". And forum

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Remembering Alex at service

FAMILY and friends packed into a church to celebrate the life of Alex Wardrope. More than 200 people crammed into All Saints Church, Bercta Road, New Eltham, for the funeral of the 19-year-old. Alex, of Sidewood Road, New Eltham, died earlier this month

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House sparrows top of the flocks

TWITCHERS in the borough are most likely to spy sparrows through their binoculars, a survey has revealed. The house sparrow is the most commonly-sighted bird in Lewisham. The next two most-seen birds are the starling and the wood pigeon, according to

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Ex-BNP member loses libel case

A FORMER far-right election candidate has lost her appeal against the outcome of a libel case. Ex-British National Party (BNP) member Tess Culnane fought an unsuccessful libel action against Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Morris in November last year

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News In Brief

BRICK ATTACK: The Old Bailey heard how a teenager was battered over the head with a brick as he chased a gang of robbers. Sebastian Blades was allegedly attacked by Nicholas Mynott while chasing robbers who stole his watch and chain in Brockley Cross,

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Conman hit with prison sentence

VICTIMS of a conman who ruined Christmas for hundreds of children and pensioners have slammed the "diabolical" jail sentence handed to him. Members of the Coldharbour Tenants' and Residents' Association are angry former chairman David Cooper could spend

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England coach visits college tournament

ENGLAND coach Sven-Goran Eriksson joined pupils at a sports college to kick off a Football for Unity scheme. The England boss was accompanied by girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio at Eltham Green Specialist College for the launch of the programme. Teams from

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Ordered to stand trial

A 28-YEAR-OLD man accused of murdering his flatmate before setting fire to the body is facing a retrial. Michael Rogers-Wilson is accused of beating Brett Youngs to death with a baseball bat after a row at their flat in Northbrook Road, Lee. He then

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News In Brief

TRIAL DATE: John Joseph McGrady, aged 47, of Milford Towers, Catford, who was charged with the September murder of schoolgirl Rochelle Holness, 15, appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on January 19. His trial date has been fixed for June

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It’s hall about building’s centenary

DIGNITARIES from across the world gathered to celebrate the centenary of one of the borough's landmark buildings. Greenwich mayor Councillor Paul Tyler and more than 100 guests attended a reception to mark the 100th birthday of Woolwich Town Hall, Wellington

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Posties told to snap to it

POSTMEN are being urged to snap out of their habit of dropping rubber bands on the floor. Lewisham Council estimates posties in the borough drop around 5,000 elastic bands every month. Now Mayor Steve Bullock has written to Royal Mail, demanding its

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Eye on the prize after better GCSE results

A SECONDARY school was invited to the London Eye to celebrate its 50-per-cent improvement in GCSE results. Fifty-two pupils got five or more A* to C GCSE grades. As the league tables came out on January 19, staff and students from Abbey Wood School,

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News In Brief

LANGUAGE LESSONS: Blackheath High School, Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, introduced Mandarin as a GCSE subject when new term started in September. Pupils will be celebrating Chinese New Year with a show on Friday. CUSTODY DEATH: A public meeting is being

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Fundraising swimmers going to great lengths

SWIMMERS are being urged to do their bit to help raise £2m for a children's charity. Lewisham residents of all ages and abilities can take part in Swimathon 2006 between March 23 and March 26. The annual event, which is in its 20th year, aims to raise

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Chemists open on Sunday, January 29

BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON & GREENWICH Sainsbury's, Horn Link Lane, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. Charlton Pharmacy, 229 Charlton Road, Charlton. 6pm to 7pm. ELTHAM, KIDBROOKE, MOTTINGHAM & NEW ELTHAM Boots, 96-104 Eltham High Street, Eltham. 10am to 4pm. Dickinson's

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Timeline of tragic events

As more information has been revealed a better idea of the timing of the incident has emerged. 11.30am: Mr Jordan's care worker calls to persuade him to go to hospital. Noon: Mental health assessment team arrives but waits for police who were on a 999

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Pregnant again after News Shopper appeal

A COUPLE who got married thanks to News Shopper are now expecting a baby again because of Kent's top paper. Helen and Nick Hooper met through the lonely hearts column of the Bromley News Shopper in 1994. In 2001 they made an appeal for readers to help

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Computer centre to open soon

PUPILS are looking forward to getting a new library and computer centre. At some point in the next two weeks Kent County Council (KCC) planners are expected to allow a roof to be built over the courtyard at Downsview Primary School. The school's 180

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News In Brief

VALUABLES: A handbag was taken from a silver Vauxhall Meriva in County Park, Shorne, on January 21, and trainers were taken from a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Aspdin Road, Gravesend, on the same day. Call police on 01474 565221. PAK ROBBERY: A 45-year-old

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Free legal expertise

PEOPLE with legal problems can call a free advice service. Residents from Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley will be able to get information on legal difficulties from the Kent Law Clinic from January 30. The advice will be given by 100 law students from

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Ambulance crew 'dismissed concerns'

THREE police officers who travelled with the ambulance which took Andrew Jordan to hospital, all told the inquest the ambulance crew had been warned by their sergeant about the danger to Mr Jordan of keeping him lying on his stomach. They claimed the

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Gran says police must stop ‘scum’

A GRANDMOTHER is calling for more police on the streets after four generations of her family were targeted by "scum". Audrey McKivett claims Swanley's youngsters are out of control and wants police to take more action. The 61-year-old, of Laburnum

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Store in a flap to get rid of birds

IT TAKES more than a cat among the pigeons to clear a supermarket of the pesky birds. So Asda supermarket in Thames Way, Gravesend, employed the services of a Harris hawk and a falcon to scare them away. The birds of prey are handled by falconers from

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Send message for love on the buses

CUSTOMERS are being asked to drive their loved ones crazy by displaying romantic messages on the buses this Valentine's Day. Bus operator Arriva, which operate services in Dartford and Gravesend, is inviting people to ring them with their amorous messages

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Range of activities at club’s open day

PARENTS and their youngsters are being invited to a party to show them what a new youth club has to offer. If you live in Westcourt, Gravesend, and have children aged between 10 and 14 then book Saturday into your diary. The party, which will include

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Jury must hunt for the truth

AN inquest jury has listened to differing stories about how doctors, police and an ambulance crew dealt with a mentally ill man they were trying to get to hospital. They were trying to persuade Andrew Jordan, aged 28, of Sycamore Mews, St John's Road

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Pupils waste no time with recycling project

HUNDREDS of pupils are getting to grips with the issue of waste after a charity delivered 40 recycling bins to four schools. Environmental charity Groundwork, based in Dartford, is encouraging the children, aged between four and 11, to think about waste

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Taking pride in award nomination

A TOWN which fought back from decline has been selected as a finalist for a national award. The Taking Pride in Gravesham project is one of four shortlisted in the Deputy Prime Minister's Award for Sustainable Communities 2005. The award recognises

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Keep fit without visiting the gym

A FITNESS course aimed at people who do not feel comfortable in the gym is being launched. Gravesend Adult Edication Centre, Darnley Road, Gravesend, is offering a six-week Circuits and Fitness For All class, which will start on February 4. It is designed

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New details emerge at inquest

Conflicting stories and major disagreements about the facts have emerged at the inquest into the death of Erith man Andrew Jordan. LINDA PIPER reports ... A PARAMEDIC who drove the ambulance which took Andrew Jordan to hospital and helped give emergency

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Youth football team nets award during Valley visit

A YOUTH football team has been presented with a prestigious award by the chief executive of a professional football club. Swanley-based Hexley Rangers visited Charlton Athletic FC at the club's home ground, The Valley. Charlton chief executive Peter

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Library event offering fair way to keep fit this year

PEOPLE who made New Year's resolutions to get fit were offered a helping hand at a sports fair. Gravesend Library, in Windmill Street, held the fair to promote ways of exercising in the area after Christmas. Representatives from clubs in Gravesham were

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Fashion show supports mums

WEDDING dresses, saris and high street trends will all be on display at a fashion show in aid of stressed-out mums. Home Start is putting together the finishing touches for its February 10 show at Riverview School, Thong Lane, Gravesend. As well as

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I want money back after car clamping

I TOO, like so many of your readers, have fallen foul of the Priory Centre clampers. Before Christmas I retuned to my car with my disabled mother-in-law and young baby. I was horrified to find my vehicle had been clamped. Within five minutes of calling

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Terrible mess

I AM amazed at the amount of dog poo on the pavements of Temple Hill. Walking from Temple Hill School to St Anselm is a nightmare in the mornings as the pavements are littered with dog waste. I believe dog owners who are not responsible enough to clean

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We helped build Scout premises

HEXTABLE Residents' Association cannot use the Scout headquarters in College Road for its open days, as Swanley Town Council owns the building's lease. But the opposition to the association can have their open days in the Heritage Centre next door, also

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To The Point

MATTER OF FACTS: After the word Eton in my letter (Old News, News Shopper, January 11), (sic) was added. Whether you consider the information obtained from the national press is doubtful is up to you. If on the other hand my spelling is considered to

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Academy defends its GCSE results

BEXLEY'S Business Academy has hit back at suggestions it is one of the worst-performing secondary schools in the country. The latest league tables for England and Wales, based on last year's GCSE results, show the Thamesmead school in the bottom 200.

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Pleased with results of Safety Action Zone

A SURVEY of residents in Bexley's longest-running Community Safety Action Zone (CSAZ) has given it a huge thumbs-up. People living on the Hollywood Way estate in Slade Green were surveyed this month and 93 per cent of them said work done by the police

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Join register to cast your vote

PEOPLE hoping to vote in May's borough elections are running out of time if they are not already on the electors' register. Despite achieving one of the highest rates of registration in London Bexley achieved a 96 per cent return in its annual review

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Spooky night at haunted building

THERE has been no shortage of volunteers after the education team at one of Bexley's oldest houses decided on a novel way of raising funds. The team is helping to raise cash for the restoration of Hall Place, Bourne Road, Bexley, which dates back to

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Travelling back to Tudor times

CHILDREN took a journey back through time to take part in a cathedral's Tudor Day. Year 4 pupils from St Michael's East Wickham CE Primary School, Wrotham Road, Welling, enjoyed a day trip to Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge. Led by teacher Rob Walker

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Funds on offer for community groups

GROUPS working in Bexley's Areas of Opportunity could be entitled to grants of up to £5,000. The grants scheme is open to all community and voluntary groups to help support activities and services in the Areas of Opportunity programme in Thamesmead,

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Children juggling circus skills

CHILDREN enjoyed having a go at juggling and plate spinning. Youngsters from St Michael's East Wickham Primary School, Wrotham Road, Welling, took part in a workshop to learn circus skills. Performers from Splats Entertainment, an organisation which

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Pupils take tour around the world after winning award

THERE was a whirlwind tour around the world for one Bexley primary school last week. Bursted Wood School, Swanbridge Road, Barnehurst, was celebrating its International Schools award from the British Council for its work embracing global issues and international

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Politicians fighting for power and glory

I AM sure all News Shopper readers would have witnessed the great demonstration of humanitarianism shown to us by the people we elect to eventually run our country, on behalf of its people. I give you the British politician. We have all witnessed the

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Waste collection is load of rubbish

I MUST question the wisdom of having no refuse collections between the Christmas and New Year holidays. This has meant missing out on one week of collection, resulting in an excessive amount of normal waste, plus the additional wrapping and bottles

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Stupid to replace Routemaster bus

THE Government has launched icons.org.uk to search for a list of the greatest icons of English culture. Items on the list ranged from the song Jerusalem to Punch and Judy, as well as the Routemaster bus. It's ironic in the few months after the Routemaster

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Little benefit in changing times

SINCE Nigel Beard is no longer an MP, I hoped we might have a rest from agitation to come in line with Europe regarding our clock settings. I am surprised News Shopper has resurrected this waste of time' again so soon. You claim the readers' views expressed

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Chance to boot out New Labour

IT HAS already become clear the New Labour Government with its imminent Green Paper to reform' incapacity benefit is quite happy to inflict hardships on people with disabilities. Now, it appears it is being joined by New Labour on Bexley Council. In

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Left disgusted by dog mess

I WOULD like to express my disgust and contempt at irresponsible dog owners who still think it acceptable to let their precious mutt foul our footways. When will these people learn? Do they not read the signs the council put up? Walking to the station

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Exploring local history

Northfleet History Group will be looking into the Great Exhibition of 1851 at its next meeting. An illustrated talk will be given by Anne Carter on February 7 at 2pm. Northfleet History Group meets at the Rainbow Centre, Rose Street, Northfleet, and

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To The Point

POOR SHOWING: We went to see the film Memoirs of a Geisha at Cineworld in Bexleyheath. In spite of the fact the reels were in the wrong order, so an important chunk of the story was missing, the cinema manager chose to ignore our complaint and continue

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News in brief

WHALE TALE: Thousands of people lined Greenwich Pier on Saturday to watch rescue workers attempting to return the Thames Whale to sea. The 18ft northern bottle-nosed whale, which died around 7pm on Saturday, was seen by Woolwich Port of London Authority

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Star treatment for diamond duo

A COUPLE celebrated their diamond wedding by having tea at a luxury London hotel. Fred Orford, 85, and his wife Mary, 84, were picked up by limousine and taken to The Savoy Hotel, The Strand, on Sunday afternoon. The former printer and his wife married

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Rapist receives five-year sentence

A BUILDER who raped a woman in her own home has been jailed for five years. Nigel Doherty, of Rectory Place, Woolwich, sneaked into the woman's home, after finding a spare key, and talked to her. He dragged the 54-year-old victim into her bedroom and

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Plan to kill off market

GREENWICH Council's leader is opposing a charity's plans to bulldoze the borough's renowned market, saying he will "not entertain" the idea. In a letter to News Shopper, Councillor Chris Roberts reassured traders and visitors the council would not permit

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News in brief

BOGUS CALLERS: Two purses containing cash were taken from the home of an 80-year-old woman in Trevithick Drive, Dartford, after she let in two men claiming to be from the water board. The men are white, 6ft tall and were wearing navy blue jackets. Anyone

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Thief knocks down 84-year-old woman

THIS is the picture of a man police want to trace in connection with an attack where an 84-year-old woman was pushed over and had her handbag stolen. The pensioner was walking with a friend past garages in St Aiden's Way, Gravesend, on November 15 last

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Packed service for Alex

FAMILY and friends packed into a church to celebrate the life of Alex Wardrope. More than 200 people crammed into All Saints Church, Bercta Road, New Eltham, to pay their respects at the funeral of the 19-year-old. Alex, of Sidewood Road, New Eltham

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Refuse collector rushed to hospital after glass cut

A COUNCIL is asking residents to be careful what they throw away after a refuse collector was injured by broken glass. The call to Swanley residents comes after the Sevenoaks Council employee was rushed to hospital and needed stitches for a deep gash

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Port team leads task force to rescue whale

STAFF from the Gravesend headquarters of the Port of London Authority (PLA) led the rescue mission to save the whale in the Thames. The 18ft northern bottle-nosed whale, thought to be the first whale sighted in Thames since 1913, was seen by a patrol

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Football kicks off

A NEW season of ball court football kicks off this week in Bexley. The league involves young players aged 14 to 19 years old, in teams of five to seven players, who play in a series of five-a-side matches. The matches are played on a small enclosed

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Police car in collision at traffic junction

AN INQUIRY is under way after a police car responding to an emergency call collided with another vehicle. The marked police car hit a Renault Megane as it sped through traffic lights at the junction between Gravel Hill and Albion Way, in Bexleyheath

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Tories hit out at site sale plans

TORY councillors are urging people to attend the next meeting of Bexley Council's cabinet when it will discuss selling off a care home site. A charitable trust, MCCH, took over former Bexley Council care homes in Novemeber 2002, with an agreement to

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Left in deep sewage

A COUPLE was forced to endure raw sewage in their garden for three days after it overflowed from a nearby manhole. Thames Water and its contractor have apologised to the Lyons family of Lenham Road, Bexleyheath, after workers failed to clean and disinfect

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Leisure plan consultation

RESIDENTS have another week to comment on plans for a major new leisure and community centre. The public consultation into the proposed East Greenwich Centre, on the site of the former Greenwich District Hospital, ends on January 31. The development

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Orient expressed already at school

BLACKHEATH not Brighton is leading the way in teaching pupils the Chinese language, according to a headteacher. Last week bosses at Brighton College in East Sussex claimed it was set to become the first place in the country to make Mandarin Chinese

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Forced to drink blood in passport torture ordeal

A RESTAURANT owner who tortured a man by making him drink his own blood has been jailed for nine years. Linh Le, of Marathon Way, Thamesmead, subjected Joe Smith to a terrifying ordeal after mistaking him for a police officer. Ivory Coast national

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Financial gift for garden

A MUSEUM has donated more than £1,000 to landscape a garden for the benefit of people with mental-health illnesses. The Hornimam Museum, London Road, Forest Hill, has donated the proceeds from its Christmas carol concert to neighbour Sydenham Gardens

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Feeding jail birds banned at prison

INMATES doing bird at Belmarsh Prison have been banned from feeding pigeons. In a leaked memo, staff at the prison in Western Way, Thamesmead, have warned prisoners if they are found feeding pigeons through the window cages they will be put on report

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Joint initiative proposes community centre plan

BUILDING work has begun on a community centre which will provide activities for 600 young people every week. The Moonshot Centre, Fordham Park, Deptford, will have facilities including IT rooms, dance studio, cafe and creche. It will provide a base

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Schools celebrating top GCSEs

Government tables have shown a four per cent rise in the number of Lewisham pupils gaining five or more A* to C grade GCSEs over the past year. The improvement means the borough's schools have helped an additional 85 pupils gain at least five GCSEs at

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Notice served to allotment users

ALLOTMENT users face being evicted from the plots their families have occupied for 75 years. Around 30 plotholders on St Norbert's Allotments, St Norbert Road, Brockley, have been given eviction notices and told they must be off the land by April. They

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Chain of order nets suspects

BOBBIES on bikes have proved a success against crime and disorder after officers rode into action and made four arrests in connection with a burglary. Two officers from Bexleyheath Safer Neighbourhoods policing team got to the scene of the crime quickly

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Building blocks of new business

A NEW company is to be set up to run a business centre which is currently being built. The East Thames-mead Innovation Centre, which is due to be completed in February next year. And will offer space for new and innovative business enterprises. Bexley

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Tube boss pay-off ‘shambolic’

BEXLEY'S London Assembly member Bob Neill has criticised the deal which will see London's transport chief walk away with thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash. Former CIA agent Bob Kiley, brought in from New York by London Mayor Ken Livingstone to

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Parent-support groups given chance for cash

ORGANISATIONS which offer support to parents are being invited to apply for cash. The Parenting Fund is offering grants of at least £50,000 to charities or non-profit organisations which help parents or carers of young children. Groups which aim to

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Cafe shell torn down

A POPULAR cafe which was torched by vandals has been demolished. The remains of Le Cafe, in Avery Hill Park, Avery Hill Road, New Eltham, have been knocked down because the building was becoming unsafe. The cafe, popular with dog walkers and students

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Celebration of Alex’s life

FAMILY and friends packed into a church to celebrate the life of Alex Wardrope. More than 200 people crammed into All Saints Church, Bercta Road, New Eltham, for the funeral of the 19-year-old. Alex, of Sidewood Road, New Eltham, died earlier this month

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Cinema vandals push plan’s pace

FEARS over vandalism have forced a developer to bow to pressure and scale down its plans for a former cinema. Residents and traders were angry the Cathedral Group wanted to include a supermarket in its revamp of the Coronet Cinema, Well Hall Road, Eltham

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Course will be life-saver for kids’ carers

A FIRST-AID course is offering people who look after children the chance to learn emergency care skills. Gravesend Red Cross is offering the Save a Life course to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and new or expectant parents. Qualified Red Cross

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Freebies thrill young readers

CHILDREN enjoyed a morning of fun to celebrate the launch of a scheme to encourage their interest in books. More than 30 excited under fives and their parents turned up at Dartford Library, Central Park, to see what Book Start Plus was all about. After

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Programme gives out warm feeling

A £1.2M initiative is helping thousands of people feel warmer in their homes. The money, provided by British Gas, has helped 2,400 Lewisham households benefit from free energy-efficiency advice and improvements such as loft insulation. An extra £210,000

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Diving in to hunt for bargains

BARGAIN hunters with an eye for detail were out in force at an antiques and collectables fair. More than 2,000 residents attended the fair at the Crook Log Leisure Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, which is managed by Parkwood Leisure. The event was

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Runners needed to do charity footwork

HOSPICE workers are looking for runners to help them raise funds this year. Staff at St Christopher's Hospice, Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, are asking anyone running the London Marathon to choose it as their nominated charity. The hospice also has 60

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Councillor’s comment was ‘misleading’

EDUCATION campaigners are calling for a cabinet member to resign after they claim she "misled" the public. New School Campaign member John Hamilton and Save Ladywell Pool chairman Max Calo are unhappy with comments made by member for children and young

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Keep driving safely when you are over 60

COURSES to enable older people to drive safely after the age of 60 are being run by Bexley Council's road safety unit. The free two-and-a-half-hour courses will cover health, fitness and driving performace, vision and visibility, driving and the mature

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Party of the century as resident reaches 100

A CENTENARIAN celebrated his birthday with cake and an entertainer singing songs from the 1930s. Retired glove maker John Hardcastle enjoyed the celebrations with friends and family at Glebe Court Nursing Home, Glebe Way, West Wickham. Long life is

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Family firm wants to preserve wharf

A FAMILY business steeped in history could hold the key to saving an historic landmark which is under threat. Developer George Wimpey Homes wants to demolish Borthwick Wharf, Deptford, and build 247 new flats in its place. But businesswoman Chris Carey

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Residents heard for planning statement

VILLAGERS are contributing to the planning process by saying what any new housing should look like. Meopham Parish Council is consulting with villagers to help create a Village Design Statement. The statement allows residents the chance to say what

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Bird buddies drop high-flyers’ haven

BIRDWATCHERS are being invited to brave the cold and catch a glimpse of Arctic birds seeking warmth in the UK. Members of RSPB Grave-send are visiting the Dungeness Nature Reserve, Lydd, Kent, on February 5. The group say the area provides a safe haven

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Urging our readers to listen up

For two decades young radio producer Kate Wright struggled through life with the hearing of an 80-year-old. Then one routine visit to a doctor changed her life. As a charity reveals nearly four million of us could be suffering with poor hearing, reporter

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Pupils go green with big clean

PUPILS picked up litter in their school grounds as part of a week learning about caring for the environment. Year 6 pupils at St Mary's CofE Primary School, Hayes Road, Greenhithe, armed themselves with litter picks and bin bags to clean up their school

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Shoppers clowning around

BUDDING circus entertainers got an opportunity to learn a range of big-top activities from the pros. The Clowning Around day at the Priory shopping centre, Lowfield Street, Dartford, was officially opened by performers from the Moscow State Circus.

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Victims of violence can call for help

VICTIMS of domestic abuse are to get mobile phones to alert police to possible attacks. North Kent police hope the 20 telephones will enable both men and women who are physically abused by their partners to dial 999 in emergency situations. The pay-as-you-talk

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Beautiful start to year

AN AMATEUR drama group helped people beat the January blues by staging an adaption of pantomime Sleeping Beauty. The Pavilion Players took to the stage throughout January at Joydens Wood Community Centre, Birchwood Drive, Wilmington. More than 20 actors

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Court fines ‘family man’ for leaving crash scene

A FATHER-OF-TWO has admitted two driving offences. Bir Singh, aged 41, of Stanbrook Road, Graves- end, appeared before Dartford Magistrates' Court on January 17 charged with careless driving and failing to stop. Prosecutor David Skelton told the court

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TO THE POINT

STOP YOBS: I must add my own greetings to the police and our MP Mr Clive Efford. They must take great pride in the fact people have stopped using the park because of yobs. I have called the police many times and on one occasion was told they would not

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Abolishing system is the way forward

Liberal Democrat Chris Maines is right to be standing on a platform intending to abolish the elected mayor. Lewisham is one of only three London boroughs (and only 12 nationally) to have this system which is an expensive flop. Getting rid of the directly

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Borough’s youngsters have summit to enjoy

CHILDREN aged from five to 13 are being invited to attend Bexley's first-ever Children's Summit. The youngsters will be invited to take over Bexley's council chamber at the civic offices in Bexleyheath Broadway for the event on Friday. Those attending

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Our buildings are plain ugly

Can anyone tell me why so many ugly buildings are going up in Lewisham? Take a bus down Lee High Road and look at the flats overhanging the pavement, or the mess they are making of what used to be the pool at Granville Park, to say nothing of the brooding

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I am not smiling

Residents of Catford will not have been greatly reassured by the smiling faces of deputy mayor Gaving Moore and Ms Petra Smith on your front page, allegedly "fighting back" against the well-merited criticism of the degeneration of Catford in recent years

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Psychic fair sees palms crossed with silver

RESIDENTS had a glimpse into the future at a psychic fair. Palmists, tarot readers and mediums were on hand to give readings, healings and answer pressing questions at the event at Freemantle Hall, High Street, Bexley. Gifts, refreshments, music and

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News in brief

POOR REPORT: Bexley Business Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, has been condemned by Ofsted as having inadequate sixth-form provision and unsatisfactory teaching at secondary school level. Only 29 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs. ECO

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Learn to read signs

SIGN language classes run by the Bexley Deaf Centre will begin next month. Three courses in deaf awareness sign skills are running this year. The first starts on February 2 at the centre in Vicarage Road, Bexley Village, and runs until March 16. The

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Deadline looms for school applications

PARENTS whose children are due to start school in September this year or January next year are being urged to apply for a school place before the end of the month. Children born between September 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, can start school this

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Paws for thought as cat tale grows

FUR is flying as experts try to explain a sighting of the Beast of Bexley. Last week News Shopper reported a big cat had been seen near Churchfield Woods, Bexley Village. Dog walker John Costin described the animal as measuring a foot-and-a-half in

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News in brief

CARE WORKER CHARGED: A former care worker, Raxa Patel, of Ranelagh Gardens, Gravesend, is due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 3 charged with eight counts of mistreating patients suffering from learning difficulties, at Greenacres, Bow Arrow

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Future stars join film-making club

THERE was expert advice on hand as Bexley's film-making club for young people welcomed its new intake of members. Graham Cole, the actor who plays PC Tony Stamp in the ITV drama The Bill, is patron of Welling-based Pointless Taxi Productions. He was

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Tickets sell out for Windy production

AN AMATEUR drama group's production of The Wind in the Willows has become a sell-out before it is staged. The Cobham Amateur Dramatic Society has rehearsed for six months for the show at The Meadow Rooms, The Street, Cobham. More than 20 actors, the

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School wins prize for green thinking

PUPILS celebrated the success of their environmentally-friendly school after been given a prestigious award. After eight years of recycling and energy saving Shorne Primary School, Cob Drive, Gravesend, has been awarded permanent Eco-Status. The international

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Leisure centre puts on information fair

OLDER people can find out more about how to improve their lives at a free information fair. The Living Well event, at Waterfront Leisure Centre, High Street, Woolwich, is open to residents over 50. The fair, which takes place tomorrow between 1pm and

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Deadline looming for school applications

PARENTS are being urged to make sure they secure a primary school place for their children. The deadline for parents of children starting school in September is just a week away. A new admissions system has been introduced this year, which is designed

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Bear-faced fun for book enthusiasts

WINNIE the Pooh fans joined forces to celebrate the birthday of the famous bear's creator. Youngsters were transported into the world of the Hundred Acre Wood during a party at Wavelengths Library, Giffin Street, Deptford. The children were joined by

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Present saved for future

A FIRST-TIME mother is sealing her baby's first News Shopper in a time capsule. Rosie Austin, 33, came up with the idea for her four-month-old daughter Ruby. The capsule will also contain Ruby's first baby photos, her baby clothes, a cast of her footprints

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Lit up

CAN someone tell me why the clocks are put back less than two months before December 21, the shortest day, but put forward over three months from it? JOHN ALLEN Beckenham

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Bike theft

I HOPE the little girl whose daddy got her a new purple bike for Christmas is grateful and proud of him, as he helped himself to our daughter's bike from our garden during the early hours of Christmas morning. My nine-year-old is very upset and unsettled

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Icon irritation

THE Government has launched a website to search for a list of the greatest icons of English culture (icons.org.uk). Among the list is the Routemaster bus. It is ironic in the few months after the Routemaster was killed off by Ken Livingstone we are

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Lane pain

I WOULD like to register a formal complaint regarding the geographic set up of the bus lane running from Orpington Carlton Parade down Cray Avenue, past the turning left into Station road St Mary Cray. Whoever designed the length of the lane must be

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Thanks for help

I WAS unfortunate to have my bag snatched on the London to Orpington train on January 10. I was returning home from my father's funeral the previous day and my bag contained some of his personal effects. Other passengers were kind enough to lend me

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Let’s return to democratic life

LAST week's News Shopper letters page about daylight hours, left me with a smile on my face because it is a traditional way of shining brightness, like discussing the weather. I am, however, concerned about our rights to continue these subjects before

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Shedding light on time change

REGARDING News Shopper's Double Daylight Saving campaining, we feel readers may be rather confused by some of your correspondents who are suggesting a different time change from the one proposed in your paper. Under single/double summer time, clocks

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Spend the money on car drivers

For some reason my paper recycling is never collected. When I moved to this house five years ago, my recycling bin was stolen the first week. I telephoned the council for a new bin, which never arrived. I went to the Civic Centre and was given a new

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Dishing the dirt on messy dog owners

I WOULD like to express my utter disgust and contempt at irresponsible dog owners who still think it acceptable to let their precious mutt foul or footways. When will these people learn? Do they not read the signs the council puts up? Walking to the

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Every one sold

Award-winning housebuilder Asprey Homes is pleased to announce all its exclusive homes at Trinity Place in Orpington, Kent, have now completely sold out. The result of this success has led to the company commissioning more sites to be built and there

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Unused land called for development

Over the last few years John Prescott has been pushing local councils for more houses and apartments to be built to meet the demand for new homes. Many estate agents have taken up the mantle and are appealing for unused land to develop in order to

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Design your own

Millwood Designer Homes is offering a unique opportunity for discerning homebuyers to create the home of their dreams in an enviable park in Bromley. Using Millwood's exclusive Design and Build service, purchasers can create the home they've always

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It's a royal restoration

Style is an integral element to making a new-build property cutting edge and appealing and the Reflection development at Royal Arsenal aims to achieve the highest level of style and interior design in every home. Reflection is a new building among Royal