Archive
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Hockey-shockey as Ash kill off the giant
Burnt Ash 2nd 4 v 2 Chichester 2nd Hockey Association Cup BURNT Ash 2nd XI continued their giant-killing Hockey Association (HA) Trophy spree this time Chichester Priory Park from the Open Premier Division. The more experienced oppoents fell victim
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VCD Vase hangover
Thamesmead 1 v 0 VCD Ath. Kentish Observer Kent League VCD Athletic came back to earth with a bump following their FA Vase exploits in this dreadful league clash at Thamesmead. Only 42 people turned out to watch the instantly forgetable match where
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Ravens want you
KENT Ravens Rugby League Club want to strengthen their squad as they attempt to add to the 10 trophies won since their formation in 2004. On the back of promotion last year the Ravens men's first team feature in the National Rugby League Conference,
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Island disaster
Jersey 31 v 21 Sidcup Rugby Union London 2 South League TRIES from Danny Mizen, Ian Wilson and Steve Hancox were not enough to prevent defest on the Channel Islands. They had no answer to a hat-trick of tries from Richie Griffiths which sees Sidcup
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Casuals not smart enough
Walton Casuals 0 v 1 Cray Ryman Division One MATT Woolf's well-taken 65th-minute goal was enough for Cray to complete a double over newly-promoted Casuals, writes Jerry Dowlen. Junior Baker, pushed forward to play as an emergency striker, got a powerful
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Wings must rediscover shooting boots
Yeading 1 v 0 Welling Nationwide Conference South THE Wings preparation for the FA Trophy visit to Woking suffered a blow last weekend after a frustrating defeat at Yeading. Adrian Pennock's team take on the Nationwide Conference side for a place
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Exiles ready to bank on Barclay
THE Kent Exiles have unveiled their first signing in preparation for the new British American Football League season. Paul Barclay signed for the club from Ipswich Cardinals of division one and Exiles coach James Mitchell is delighted. He said: "I'm
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Four bouts, four victories — four-midable fighters
THE boxing prowess of our premier fighters was confirmed at the weekend after a quartet of victories in the ring. In the biggest encounter Peter McDonagh, who trains at the Soul Gym in Crayford, beat Michael Gomez in Dublin, Ireland, to take the Irish
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B&B athletes can hold their heads up high
BLACKHEATH and Bromley (B&B) enjoyed a successful South Of England Championships in biting cold weather at Bicton College in Exeter. The club picked up three sets of medals in the 10 Championship races contested by teams from the 19 counties that make
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Haunting tales from the mists of time
MYTH, music and magic from Bulgaria are coming to Eltham as part of National Storytelling Week. The Storytelling-In-Hope club is hosting the British-Bulgarian performance company, A Spell In Time. The group will present their new show this Sunday night
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Live music: Swank Deptford
A BUNCH of seasoned musicians are out to prove you're never too old to rock'n'roll. Swank Deptford are on stage tomorrow night at popular live music venue the Old Tiger's Head. The band say having plenty of experience doesn't mean they are over the
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Istead athletics update
THE first road race of the year in Kent for Istead and Ifield Harriers was cold and windy and improved only by the bright sunshine, writes Bob Carter. Part of the course was over farm roads which, while concrete, were frozen in areas of shade. In
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Music news: Exit Stage Left
RISING stars Exit Stage Left are to headline at a live music gig in Petts Wood this Saturday. The Status Live concert is organised by churches in the area. The Bromley-based rockers are gathering momentum, with several London gigs under their belts,
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Theatre news: Edward Aldterton Theatre
THEATRE lovers have a chance to see plays by Britain's most popular contemporary writers when the Edward Alderton Theatre stages an evening of three one-act plays. The evening includesTom Stoppard's surreal comedy, After Magritte. The play's characters
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TV star in phone sex-line scandal
Raunchy comedy Dirty Dusting comes to the Orchard Theatre next week, starring Last Of The Summer Wine actress Juliette Kaplan. She chats to Paul Revel ... Dirty Dusting is a comedy about three elderly office cleaners facing redundancy. Secretly they
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Film event: Rocky Horror
TOO much make-up, tarty clothes and monstrous high heels and that's just the boys. The cult classic film Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming to town next week. For many years now, the film has been more than just a night at the movies. In a long-standing
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Youngsters in harmony for African jazz concert
Dartford's Mick Jagger Centre is putting the finishing touches to its Mbawula, a concert of African township music. If rehearsals are anything to go by, reporter Louise Tweddell is sure the show will be a night to remember ... AS I took my seat among
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Valley View
CHARLTON'S Premiership match with Liverpool will definitely take place at The Valley on Wednesday, February 8 (8pm), it was confirmed following last weekend's FA Cup fixtures. The game would have been called off if either side had needed a fourth-round
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Keeper scores as Os progress in Shield
Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers 0 v 2 Orpington West Kent Challenge Shield ORPINGTON battled through to the semi-finals of the West Kent Challenge Shield with a 2-0 victory over league rivals Larkfield and New Hythe. The visitors were made to fight
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Charlton consolidate league position
Charlton Park 19 v 7 Eastbourne Rugby Union London 4 South East Division CHARLTON Park scored three tries against Eastbourne to win the match and in doing so consolidated their mid-table position. Charlton scored the opening try when, following
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Dartford into Round Two of Gills Shield
Thanet under-11s 1 v 2 Dartford under-11s Gills Shield BRIAN Williams' Dartford under-11s earned themselves a second round tie away to Dover after a narrow victory over Thanet, writes Brian Page. Dartford took a first half lead when Ryan May of
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Kelly must go over sex offender fiasco
How is it possible there are 88 people with cautions or convictions for sex offences who have not been banned from our classrooms? How many other discrepancies are there in a system which should be under the strictest scrutiny? We have a duty to our
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Am I only person with road rage?
I FIND myself getting more and more enraged on the roads. Why do so many motorists not know how to drive on the motorway? Is it just me or have the rules changed and I am not aware? Have we suddenly adopted the American freeway mentality of driving wherever
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Curious behaviour from not-so-gorgeous George
George Galloway what a horrible, mean, duplicitous character he has been revealed to be. For a man of his age and stature to be seen to bully a couple of youngsters for daring to go against him is inexplicable. Why on earth wasn't he able to see things
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TV school on truancy hotspot list
THE school made famous by Jamie Oliver's TV show to improve children's diets is on a Government hit-list of truancy hotspots. Kidbrooke School, Corelli Road, Blackheath, was among 28 London schools on the list. The other Greenwich schools were Abbey
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Police need help to find these men
POLICE investigating an alleged sexual attack on a Woolwich woman are asking News Shopper readers for help. These pictures show two men who police would like to speak to regarding the incident outside the woman's flat between 2.30am and 4.40am on June
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Library visit is bear necessity
YOUNGSTERS took a trip to a library to learn about the bear essentials of reading. Under-fives from across the borough visited Catford Library, Rushey Green, Catford, to meet the Bookstart bear. The bear is being employed by council bosses to encourage
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Uniting against hate and persecution
RELIGIOUS leaders and youngsters joined forces to honour victims of genocide and persecution. A multi-faith service was held at Catford Synagogue, Crantock Road, Catford, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Hundreds of schoolchildren also took part in an
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Borough’s news can be heard worldwide
A BUDDING broadcaster is doing his bit to spread the News Shopper gospel across the globe. Jon Jacob's weekly internet podcast carrying news and views from the borough has fans everywhere from the USA to Iran. And where does the former IT worker get
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Consumers must read small print
MONEY advisors are warning people to read the small print when signing up for a gym membership. Lewisham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) revealed people who sign up to join gyms as one of their New Year resolutions later discover they are unable to cancel
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Trio accused of ‘shameful’ attendance
AN OPPOSITION councillor has criticised the poor attendence of a group of Labour councillors as "shameful". Downham councillor Mark Morris is disappointed councillors Heidi Nash, Ruth Watt and Sabina Padmore have failed to regularly attend council meetings
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Grandmother has her chips at anniversary
A GRANDMOTHER has celebrated 30 years of working at a fast-food restaurant. June Scutts, 62, shared a day of celebrations with staff and friends at McDonald's in Woolwich on January 26. Mrs Scutts has been at the Powis Street restaurant, the American
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Minister for older people suggested
AN ELDERLY campaigner is calling on the Government to introduce a minister for older people. Chairman of Deptford Action Group for the Elderly (DAGE) Harry Haward, 73, thinks pensioners need a minister solely responsible for looking after their needs
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Trust veers towards red
A NEW report has revealed Lewisham Primary Care Trust's (PCT) finances are in poor health. The PCT has reported a £2.28m deficit, in the report penned by its director of finance and resources Tom Breen. Mr Breen admits the figures show the PCT is under
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Jail for drug dealer after police swoop
A DRUG dealer has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment following an undercover police operation. Police found a Bruni 8mm semi-automatic pistol, 19.2 kilos of cannabis resin and £31,143 in cash when they swooped on Gary Alan Cheeseman's
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News in Brief
ACTION: Media agency Film London has revealed out of 33 London boroughs, Greenwich came in as the fourteenth most filmed-in location for last year. Cabinet member for culture and community services Vicky Morse said: "It's encouraging to hear Greenwich
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Lending weight to allotment campaign
ALLOTMENT holders have been handed a boost in the fight to save their plots. Last week News Shopper reported how 30 plotholders at St Norbert's allotments, Brockley, have received eviction notices from UGS Properties. But now deputy mayor Councillor
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Teen killed sister in ‘new life’ plot
A SCHOOLBOY "loner" who killed his sister as part of a plot to murder his family is facing life behind bars. The 16-year-old goth dressed as a character from hit film The Matrix before setting fire to his home in Brockley, leaving his sister to choke
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£5m cuts needed to stop increase
COUNCIL chiefs claim a proposed £5m package of cuts is needed to protect the borough's council tax payers. Two council committees have advised Mayor Steve Bullock council tax will have to rise without the savings package. And the Government has warned
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Competing to be next dancing queen
WANNABE stars flocked in their hundreds to the Laban Centre as the BBC held its popular Strictly Dance Fever auditions with celebrity presenter Graham Norton. The camp chat-show host came to the Laban performance school, Creekside, Deptford, where the
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News in Brief
YOUNG FUNDRAISERS: A school has raised more than £1,000 for the new Demelza children's hospice, in Eltham. Kelsey Park Sports College, in Beckenham, raised the money through a variety of events including a bowling night. The hospice, in Sowerby Close
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Working together to keep ferry in action
THOUSANDS of commuters will continue to benefit from a ferry service from Woolwich Arsenal to Canary Wharf thanks to a multi-agency partnership. The pilot scheme, which was funded by Thames Clippers and Berkeley Homes, was due to end on January 27.
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Roof Lido for glory
AN historic open-air pool could hold the key to a top swimming club's dreams of Olympic glory. Vice chairman of Greenwich Borough Mariners (GBM) Mike Gregory is calling for a roof on Charlton Lido so his club can secure extra training time in the 50m
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Jail for man who sought out soldier
A WAITER caught with a gun and a piece of paper with the address of a British soldier has been jailed for six years. Abu Baker Mansha, aged 21, tracked down the home of Corporal Mark Byles, 34, after reading a newspaper report on his killing of three
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Strike threat if discussions fail
RUBBISH collectors are in talks with their bosses to try and avoid strike action. Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) are upset about the pay offer from employers Onyx and hope to hammer out a better deal. A strike was planned for
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Bright future for borough
SPORTS facilities for a school and for the borough have been given a boost. Darrick Wood Sports Centre based at Darrick Wood School, Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, has installed £60,000 floodlights in a sports pitch used by school pupils and the community
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Team spirit triumphs as gutted bar re-built
A SPORTS club has risen from the ashes following the efforts of its members and the community. Orpington Rugby Football Club (RFC), based in St Paul's Cray, reopened its clubhouse on Saturday. Although one half of Hoblingwell Wood recreation ground
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Reviews on two licences
A NIGHTCLUB and a newsagents could have licences to sell alcohol withdrawn after requests to have them reviewed. Bromley Council's licensing committee will hear the cases against Delanos nightclub, East Street, Bromley, and The Times newsagents, Glebe
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Pupils make survey soaring success
YOUNG birdwatchers have been helping keep track of the borough's bird population by taking part in an RSPB survey. Children at Parish Primary School spent an hour yesterday noting down the birds they saw in their grounds of their school. This is the
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Payments delayed as staff strike
BENEFIT payments were delayed and appointments cancelled by striking staff. More than 400 members of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Bromley and Croydon branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union went on strike last Thursday and Friday
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Airport plan ‘insult’ to angry residents
RESIDENTS say airport chiefs have ignored their concerns over future plans. Bosses at Biggin Hill Airport published a master plan in January, detailing how they would like the airport to develop over the next 30 years. If given the go-ahead by Bromley
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Blunkett sets tails wagging at party
DAVID Blunkett joined other guide dog owners to celebrate 75 years of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Among the hundreds of owners at the Isle of Dogs event last Thursday was 57-year-old Paulette Obee, of Mayfield Avenue, Orpington. Ms Obee is an active campaigner
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News in Brief
CAMERA SET ALIGHT: A speed camera was set alight in Valley Drive, Gravesend. A tyre was placed around the camera and set fire to on January 27 at 5.17am. Police and firefighters attended the scene. The device had recently been replaced after it was pulled
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Residents ‘fed up’ with weekend noise
COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to give residents a rest and stop construction work being permitted at weekends. Central ward councillor Bronwen McGarrity says residents close to the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Khalsa Avenue, Gravesend, have endured
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Rail delays after vicious attack
RAIL passengers faced delays to their journey after a violent attack forced police to close a station's subway. Northfleet station's subway, near Station Road, was closed between 4pm and 7.35pm after a man was attacked and left bleeding. Police were
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Taking its toll on motorists
A POLITICIAN who believes Dartford Crossing's toll to be illegal is set to raise the issue in the European Parliament. UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass wants to see the tolls scrapped because he claims lorries are charged too much during peak times under EU law
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Honour for man in Thames rescue bid
A FATHER-OF-THREE who risked his life in a bid to save a woman who threw herself off a ferry has been commended. When 36-year-old Mark Springhall saw Shirley Mann floating in the Thames after she threw herself from the Woolwhich Ferry, he launched a
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Fiction writer facing facts
AN AUTHOR of books aimed at teenagers has given a talk to pupils. Award-winning writer Bali Rai gave a talk at Gravesend Grammar School for Girls, Pelham Road, Gravesend. The author has written fictional books on a range of subjects including arranged
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Recycling can lead to prizes for happy shoppers
SHOPPERS could win a prize if they recycle old inkjet cartridges to raise funds for hospital patients. As part of a scheme to help the community, Asda, in London Road, Swanley, will donate £1 for every printer cartridge shoppers send to be recycled.
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Drivers’ lesson in parking
PARENTS doing the school run have received a bad report for their parking skills following a string of complaints. Residents near Culverstone Green Primary School, Wrotham Road, Meopham, made the complaints to PC Helen Lamb after parents parked on footpaths
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Family paying tribute to doting father
ANDREW Jordan was born and grew up in Bexley. He attended St Augustine's Primary School, and later Picardy School (now Trinity School) both in Belvedere. He married Savitri in 1996 and in 1999 his daughter Louise was born. His younger brother Philip
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Andrew’s widow set to consider legal action
THE widow of Andrew Jordan has confirmed she is consulting the family's legal team about taking civil action against all three agencies involved on the day her husband died. Savitri Jordan expressed her thanks to the jury but said nothing could bring
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Death need never have happened
It has taken his Belvedere family 863 days to unravel the events of less than an hour which led to the death of Andrew Jordan. Last Friday, the most comprehensive examination of the circumstances of his death his inquest came to an end after 14 days
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Keep out cold and save cash
ENERGY efficiency is being promoted by Bexley Council as the best way for people to keep their homes warm during the cold winter months. The council has teamed up with a variety of organisations to offer help and advice to people about how to save energy
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Parents planning to squash Orange mast
FURIOUS parents say a phone company is "re-igniting a war" after it applied to place a phone mast meters from a junior school. Mobile phone company Orange has made the application just months after it was told to decommission a phone mast on the school
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Warning to passengers of bus route changes
PEOPLE who used the B14 bus route at Albany Park, Sidcup, are being warned the route is being changed from Saturday. The new route will take buses, heading to both Orpington and Bexleyheath, in the same direction round a loop at Albany Park via Longmead
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News in Brief
HAVING A SAY: The Foresters Arms pub in Wickham Street, Welling, has agreed to regular quarterly meetings with residents to discuss any problems, after scaling back its application to extend its hours under the new Licensing Act. Following objections
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Hopes compromising will end watchdog row
WARRING factions in the row over the future of Bexley's police's public watchdog have agreed to settle their differences and try to reach a compromise. Bexley's Police/Community Consultative Group, which is made up of community forums and residents'
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Housing benefit fraudster hit with fine
A BENEFIT fraudster has been hit with a bill of more than £100,000 after he was investigated by the council and a recovery agency. Bexley Council obtained a confiscation order, compensation order and costs to the sum of £103,949 against Keith Savage
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Sounds like good idea to pupils
CHILDREN were given a taste of life at secondary school at a science workshop. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils at Mayplace Primary School, Woodside Road, Barnehurst, learned about how to view and stop sound waves. The workshop was held as part of Bexley Council's
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Hospital first to go hi-tech
A HOSPITAL is among the first in the country to implement new patient administration software. Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, is the first acute trust in the south east to benefit from the system, which is part of the NHS's £6.2bn national programme
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Pupils discover magical world in their school
A SCHOOL brought literacy to life when pupils dressed as characters from C S Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. Lions, witches and curious children filed into class on the first day of the week-long literacy event, which began on Monday. The children
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Youths from minorities get chance to train up
UNEMPLOYED people from black and other ethnic minority groups are being offered free training in the construction industry. Up to 40 jobless trainees from Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham are being offered the training at the industry's National Construction
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News in Brief
BOGUS CALLERS: North Kent police are appealing for information after a bogus caller visited a home in Beaconsfield Road, Bexley. On January 10 at 2.30pm an 86-year-old man answered the door to a couple claiming to be social workers. The woman, described
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Not a waste to learn life skills
CHILDREN were given a lesson in being green when a recycling club paid a visit to their school. The Bexley Council-run Schools Waste Action Club team came to St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Sheldon Road, Bexleyheath, to carry out a waste audit
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Proposal to create new park for housing estate
A PLAN to create a new park for housing estate residents is set to be considered by planning bosses. The would see a new open space created between Cornmill Lane and Elmira Street, on the Sundermead Estate, Lewisham. The new park, which would be on
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Keeping trim while in a spin
A SCHOOL topped off a healthy eating week by treating youngsters to a lesson in circus skills. Professional clown Stuart Barber, from Doody's Educational Workshop, gave children at St Fidelis Catholic Primary School a lesson in juggling, stiltwalking
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Football club keeps kids’ feet busy
WELLING United FC is the latest recruit to a programme encouraging youngsters to keep off the streets through football. The club, in Park View Road, Welling, will be working with Bexley Council to put together a programme of activities for the Hadlow
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Royal visitor invited back to classroom
STUDENTS took time out from classes to speak to a royal visitor. Pupils at Thomas Tallis School, Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke, welcomed HRH the Duke of Kent into their classroom. The Duke visited the school to find out more about its role in the Skill
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Kids enjoy healthier take on life
A SCHOOL has ditched the turkey twizzlers and held a healthy eating week. Partly influenced by the TV show Jamie's School Dinners, St Fidelis Catholic Primary School began its initiative in September last year. Starting on January 23, the school in
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Lord calls for greater police presence
LIBERAL Democrats on the London Assembly are proposing the Met Police put officers on London railway stations and trains to help cut crime. Lord Tope, leader of the Assembly's Lib Dems who also chairs the Met Police Authority's finance committee, says
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Residents happy with free tree
OLD folks are enjoying the addition of new trees given to them free from the council. The Hollies Residential Home, Darnley Road, Gravesend, was given three trees under Gravesham Council's IMPACT scheme. The scheme allows residents to choose one of
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Firefighters stamp out deliberate fires
FIREFIGHTERS have sent a clear message to residents in two streets where 225 fires have been deliberately started in just 36 months. Between 2002 and 2005 Gravesend firefighters were called to Thistle Road and Dering Way more times than to any other
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Decision due on plans for police headquarters
A PROJECT to build new police headquarters to serve the whole of north Kent is gaining pace. Kent Police Authority submitted detailed planning permission for the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) station to Gravesham Council on December 28 last year.
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Navigation warning given to motorists
POLICE are urging motorists to remove satellite navigation systems from their cars after a spate of thefts. In three separate incidents on the same evening, vehicles in Bluewater shopping centre were targeted by criminals eager to get their hands on
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News In Brief
KEEP THE PEACE: Susan Sturrock, aged 47, of Marriott Road, Dartford, was bound over to keep the peace for the sum of £100 for a period of 12 months. Police were called to her home following an altercation with her husband. Sturrock was taken into custody
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TO THE POINT
DISMAL SIGHT: The ponds in Priory Park are a dismal sight. I believe they are normally sourced by artesian groundwater. Lack of any prolonged rainfall periods since last summer together with the heavy extraction at the Thames Water pumping station at
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Help find family
I WOULD like to make contact with the family of a great aunt of mine. Her name was Ethel Austin, maiden name was Girvan. She had two daughters, Audrey and Rita who would be in their late 70s or 80s now and they lived in Southborough Lane in Bickley.
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Mum ‘bumped off’ by Blair?
I would like to bring your attention to my dilemma. I lost my mother four years ago, she went into hospital for a minor operation and never came out alive. She was bumped off' by Blair's extermination plans for pensioners so he doesn't have to pay out
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Full steam ahead at exhibition
ENTHUSIASTS browsed more than 30 different railway tracks packed under one roof at a model railway exhibition. The Erith Model Railway Society, founded in 1962, hosted the exhibition at Temple Hill School, St Edmunds Road, Dartford. More than 1,700
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Idiot drivers to blame on roads
Mr Grey thinks the new layout at the Hewitt's roundabout should be changed (News Shopper, Janaury 18). I sympathise with the experience he had but surely this was more due to the idiot driver he encountered? I have driven round it a number of times since
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Female whale died due to dehydration
THE results of a post-mortem examination on the Thames whale have been released. Scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) examined the whale's body for six to eight hours during the autopsy, which took place on a jetty close to Gravesend
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Fundraising event for war survivors
A PROFESSIONAL women's group raised money to help war survivors with a Burns Night supper. Members of the Gravesend Soroptimist Club raised £129 in a raffle at the event in The Granby Hotel, The Hill, Northfleet. The money will be donated to Project
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Push gangs out of community
Far from asking the police to rethink the dispersal orders as these are pushing gangs of youths from Bromley to Croydon (News Shopper, January 18) I think they should extend it. Why doesn't Croydon issue its own dispersal orders, which in turn would
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Parking fiasco can’t go on
As a resident I am outraged that the fiasco over parking at the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, goes on. Our road has seen a marked increase in staff parking since the introduction of these parking charges. It appears the hospital's
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Grave cost hinting at hidden agenda
I read with interest the item in News Shopper, January 18, regarding Bromley Council intending to inspect headstones in local cemeteries. In light of my own recent experiences with the council in relation to the headstone on my parents' grave, I wonder
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Silence is golden for cancer charity after pupils’ Big Hush
ONLY the sound of silence could be heard during a fundraising school assembly. The 275 children from Sutton-at-Hone Primary School, Church Road, Dartford, were hoping to raise more than £1,800 for charity by taking part in the Big Hush. The sponsored
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It’s not safety but vandalism
Regarding the gravestone flattening (News Shopper, January 18) my parents and sister share a grave in Staffordshire and last autumn we made our annual visit to clean the headstone and place flowers. We were dismayed to find the stone on the floor with
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Rainfall only cure for thirsty ponds
IN reply to the letter concerning the Orpington Ponds (News Shopper, January 18), yes the lack of water may be down to local roadworks etc, but it is more likely to be due to the severe lack of rain that we have experienced over the past six months at
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Reverend rewarded for service
A CONGREGATION is set to celebrate the dedication of their church reverend with a service. The Rev Bob Callaghan, of St Edmund's Church, St Edmund's Road, has been serving the community of Temple Hill since 1991. To commemorate his commitment, a service
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Studio time for children
YOUNGSTERS could win a day in a recording studio by composing a song about their community. Children from Greenhithe aged between 10 and 16 could win a day at Streets Ahead, a Strood-based community studio. They need to write at least three verses of
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Talk offers wild time
FAMILIES have been invited to find out what hides beneath marshland reeds at a talk about snakes. The event, at the St Edmund's Living Well Centre, St Edmund's Road, Temple Hill, has been organised by environmental charity Groundwork to encourage residents
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Support for campaign against cameras
I applaud the stand made by Dave Brown in his campaign against the iniquitus speed cameras. The current speed limits stem from a system which replaced a man with a red flag and relate to conditions long-since gone. If the limits are to be widely observed
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TO THE POINT
GET THE TUBE: In the run up to the May local elections, there is a campaign running to abolish the tolls on the Dartford tunnel and bridge on the grounds that the capital cost of these crossings has been recouped. This idea is being promoted by UKIP.
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Centre’s parking is driving me crazy
Regarding the Parking Farce letter (News Shopper, January 18), I wrote to Bluewater Management in February last year with precisely the same comment, plus my concerns regarding access should an incident ever occur. After almost a year of excuses and
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Chemists open on Sunday, February 5
GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET R S Bains, 2 Livingstone Road, Valley Drive, Gravesend. 11am to noon. Echo Pharmacy, Oakfield Health Centre, Off Windsor Road, Gravesend. 6pm to 7pm. SWANLEY Boots, 32 Swanley Centre. 11am to noon. DARTFORD & GREENHITHE Asda,
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Powerful pictures
I would like to say a big thank you to the person who took the photos you printed in Caught In The Act (News Shopper, January 11) and a big thank you to you for printing them. It is about time people knew what was happening to 71 Rancliffe Gardens. It
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R’n’B dancers more hip-op than hip-hop
OVER-50s were treated to a taste of bling bling' with a one-off hip-hop and R'n'B dance session. The class at White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley, is usually attended by teenagers. But the one day only session was used to judge whether
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Action to stop mucky pups
Regarding your front page story We Are Sick Of This Filth (News Shopper, January 18). I agree with the residents near Hayes Road, Greenhithe, about wanting action about dog dirt. They are not alone with this problem Sutton-at-Hone and South Darenth
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Gang’s revenge on elderly pair
AN ELDERLY couple who refused to give cash to a group of young carol singers at Christmas say they are now being terrorised by the youngsters in revenge. Pensioners Joan and Jimmy Cronin and their son Paul, who live on the North Cray estate, all have
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Burning ambition at firefighting course
YOUTHS taking part in a scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour demonstrated their firefighting skills. Graduates of The Local Intervention Fire Education programme scrambled into action at Erith fire station, Erith Road, Belvedere. The scheme, which
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Diving in to make splash at swimathon
GET fit and help raise cash for a good cause by taking part in a national charity swim. Bexley's three swimming pools are taking part in Swimathon 2006 in March to raise cash for the National Children's Homes charity. Organisers are urging people to
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News In Brief
BRIDGE WORKS: Work began on Monday to reinforce the parapets on the bridge over the A2 at Arbuthnot Lane, Bexley. Traffic on the bridge will be restricted to a single alternate lane, controlled by temporary traffic lights. The works are expected to last
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Toy donations needed after theft at children’s centre
THIEVES have struck at a children's centre for the third time in two years. Board games, karaoke microphones and a Sony PlayStation with games worth £400 were taken in the theft from childcare unit Creative Kids on January 19. The unit, which helps
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Chapel visitors helping charity
VISITORS to the chapel in Bexleyheath Cemetery over the Christmas holiday donated more than £600 to the Bexley mayor's charity appeal. The cemetery chapel, in Banks Lane, off Bexleyheath Broadway, was opened to the public over the festive period with
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GCSE students make the grade
EXAM results in Bexley are continuing to rise according to the recently-published secondary school league tables. The percentage of pupils gaining five GCSE passes at grades A* to C rose from 56.7 in 2004 to 57.5 last year. This compares with a national
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Pupils have flaming good time with dragon dancers
A SCHOOL has celebrated Chinese New Year by laying on a lavish spread of traditional lion and dragon dancing and calligraphy lessons. Members of the Step Out Arts education dance troupe, in Plumstead, performed for students at St Paulinus CE Primary
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Soothing headache problems
PEOPLE who suffer from disabling head pains including migraine and cluster headaches have won support from an MP. Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Derek Conway is one of 67 MPs who have signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons urging the Government
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Residents let down by plans for care home
ON JANUARY 16, we attended a meeting arranged by Bexley Mencap at the Betty Tod Centre in Erith to discuss charity MCCH Society Ltd's plans for modernising its services in Bexley. MCCH is commissioned by Bexley Council to provide day services and accommodation
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Setting record straight on tax
BEXLEY Council is not perfect and it is part of the democratic process councillors should accept and respond to criticism. However, I think it is fair to expect criticism is based on fact, otherwise it serves no purpose except to confuse people. John
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Motorists driving me crazy
I SUFFER from frequent driveway blocking by thoughtless and selfish parking, even when my car is visible on my drive, preventing my exit. The law is an ass since although an obstruction offence is being committed the police, who have the authority to
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Wait for collection was much too long
I AM in total agreement with Mary-Anne Brooks (Cashback For Missed Bins, News Shopper, January 18) about the lack of refuse and recycling collections over Christmas and New Year. I already have in my drive two maroon boxes, two green bins one black box
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We must punish selfish drivers
REGARDING whether Bexley Council is right to impose a £50 fine on kerb blocking motorists (News Shopper, January 4). I fully support Bexley Council's stance and do not view it as over-zealous interference. I have no doubt many of the same motorists
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Pool is now out of bounds to public
I HAVE lived in Belvedere for more than 29 years and visited Belvedere through most of my childhood having had grandparents living in Raglan Road. I have always regarded the paddling pool or lido on Heron Hill as one of the pleasures of living in this
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To The Point
FIGHTING BACK: As a long-time supporter of VCD I am disgusted with the article VCD Slammed As Vicious, Callous And Dirty By Press (News Shopper, January 4). I was at the game mentioned with my husband and friends. The Littlehampton Gazette have totally
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Schoolkids celebrate Chinese New Year
PUPILS put on a night of entertainment with an Oriental theme to mark the Chinese New Year. Visitors to Blackheath High School were treated to musical performances and short films prepared by the youngsters. Professional lion dancers also entertained
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Help out at our parks
PARK users are being encouraged to get more involved in protecting their favourite open spaces. Greenwich residents can sign up to a number of newly-established groups representing parks and open spaces across the borough. The Friends groups are being
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Traders receive support
GREENWICH traders have been flooded with support following revelations last week of plans to demolish the market. Chairman of Greenwich Town Centre Traders' Association Rob Toogood says he has been overwhelmed by support from local officials, including
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Go-ahead for flats at wharf
HERITAGE campaigners have promised to continue their fight to save an historic wharf even though it looks set for demolition. Last week planning chiefs approved Wimpey Homes' plan to knock down Borthwick Wharf, Deptford, and replace it with 247 new
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News in brief
HAVE YOUR SAY: A campaign group is calling for people to express their views on the NHS. The Greenwich Steering Committee for the Keep Our NHS Public campaign will hold a meeting at 7.30pm on February 2 at Greenwich Forum, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich. Chief
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Appeal for council to come clean on centre
COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to come clean about the future of a leisure centre. Greenwich Council is refusing to confirm whether Plumstead Leisure Centre, Speranza Street, Plumstead, has a long-term future. Now one prospective councillor has spoken
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Bomb scare near junior school
A BAR being built on a restored Grade II Listed pier is almost complete and will open to the public this month. Q Breweries will hold an official VIP opening for the bar, called Riva, on Gravesend Town Pier on February 9. The public will be able to
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Bomb scare near junior school
RESIDENTS and shoppers were evacuated while police cordoned off streets after reports of a suspicious package. Police were called after the package was discovered outside The Bakery, College Road, Hextable, at 12.35pm on Monday. The road was cordoned
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Team needs help to take on world
BATON twirlers chosen to represent England are searching for sponsorship because their event is not officially recognised. Riverside Reflections have been chosen as part of a national team of 80 to attend the World Baton Twirling Championships in Holland
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Councillors: just the fax, please
COUNCILLORS have passed up the chance to move with the times by giving the internet the thumbs down. Dartford councillors were asked to ditch their fax machines in favour of a broadband internet connection. But they declined the offer at a cabinet
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Lucky escape as car catches fire
A COUPLE and their baby had a lucky escape after the engine of their car caught fire. The parents first thought a burning smell was coming from the car in front as they approached the junction of Hawley Road and Church Road, Wilmington. As they opened
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Looking at ideas for car parks
A MEETING is being held to look at whether Gravesend should get extra parking spaces. Gravesham Council has arranged an extra meeting of its overview scrutiny committee to consider town centre parking arrangements. The meeting will consider a report
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Table-top sale brings in money for children
A CHURCH has held a table-top sale and raised £145 for a children's charity. Gravesend Methodist Church, Wilfred Street, organised the sale to collect funds for NCH. The charity, which was founded by a Methodist minister, helps young children who face
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Grass budget plan gets on my goat
A RESIDENT claims a town may need a herd of "hungry goats" if budget cuts go ahead. Sevenoaks District Coucil is proposing to give Swanley Town Council only £7,000 to cut the town's grass verges this year. It means the council will only have enough
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Getting ready for action in 11 wards
EVERY council ward in Bexley will have a dedicated local policing team by April. The decision, announced by London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, means each area will be one step nearer to reaching the policing levels
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Black-tie event to help charity
THE Ellenor Hospice at Home will benefit from a "communities" charity dinner on Friday. Ellenor Hospice at Home supports adults and children in Bexley with serious and terminal illnesses. The dinner, at the Marriott Hotel, Bexleyheath Broadway, is being
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Lucy is going from beer to the stars
A BARMAID is to pour her last pint before jetting off to the USA to launch her pop career. Lucy Lawrence, of Budleigh Crescent, Welling, has been snapped up by producers at the label of Black Eyed Peas frontman Will Adams. The 22-year-old, who has been
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Cab driver denies driving charge
A 52-YEAR-OLD cab driver has pleaded not guilty to driving with undue care and attention. Robert Charles Skinner, of Woolwich Road, Bexleyheath, appeared at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court on January 26. The charge was brought against Mr Skinner after single
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Look at town in old times
A VIEW of old Erith is on offer at a new display in the town's museum. The event involves newly-discovered photographs which, when put together, give a 360-degree view of the town. Local historian Ken Chamberlain made the find when a man from Faversham
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Calling for action after cash stolen at centre
A RUNNER is boycotting her gym after becoming the latest victim of a string of thefts. Penny Swallow returned to her locker in Crook Log Leisure Centre, in Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, to discover her purse had been stolen. Miss Swallow, of Portland
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Historic park to get major facelift
BEXLEY'S premier park is undergoing a £1.7m facelift which will take it back to its 18th-century past and make it fit for the 21st Century. The work on Danson Park, Welling, is being funded by a £1.2m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund plus nearly
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In court for benefit fraud
A BENEFIT fruadster has been sentenced to 60 hours' community service. Maria Butcher, aged 25, pleaded guilty to claiming housing benefit of £1,287 and council tax benefit of £993 to which she was not entitled from Bexley Council. Investigations revealed
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Youngsters learn about business
GIFT packages for the London Eye, customised T-shirts and iPod covers were all on sale to the discerning shopper in Bexleyheath at the weekend. The sellers were not experienced commercial operators they were school students taking part in an annual
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Act now to get vote in May’s elections
PEOPLE hoping to vote in May's borough elections are running out of time if they are not already on the electoral 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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Dog mess
LAST October my husband had a leg amputated and is now in a wheelchair. I was taking him to the shops but Arran Road is so fouled with dog mess I had to keep swerving his chair to avoid it. I turned back home. I phoned the council which, within 30 minutes
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Chemists open on Sunday, February 5
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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Cost of travel
I WONDER if Mr Livingstone realises since putting up the fares in January my husband and I have to pay £6 one way to visit either Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary's hospitals for an early appointment, does he know our passes are not valid until after 9am
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Chemists open on Sunday, February 5
BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON & GREENWICH Sainsbury's, Horn Link Lane, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. Duncan's Chemist, 193 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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Shop incentive
REGARDING Playtime is Over (News Shopper, January 18), to my two children going to Lewisham meant going to the play area in Lewisham shopping centre. They would happily come shopping knowing they would be able to go and play afterwards. Since it disappeared
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‘Informal’ plan for Knee Hill
I LIVE in West Heath Road, Bostall Heath, I was shocked and appalled to learn an informal proposal had been made by Greenwich Council to straighten and widen Knee Hill and for Harrow Manor Way to be made a four-lane road. This proposal appeared in a
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Chemists open on Sunday, February 5
GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET R S Bains, 2 Livingstone Road, Valley Drive, Gravesend. 11am to noon. Echo Pharmacy, Oakfield Health Centre, Off Windsor Road, Gravesend. 6pm to 7pm. SWANLEY Boots, 32 Swanley Centre. 11am to noon. DARTFORD & GREENHITHE Asda
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Chemists open on Sunday, February 5
NORTH BEXLEY, BARNEHURST, ERITH & THAMESMEAD Station Road Pharmacy, 8 Station Road, Crayford. 6pm to 7pm. Safeway, 2 Twin Tumps Way, Thamesmead. 10am to 4pm. 7 Day Chemist, 175a Bellegrove Road, Welling. 9am to 11pm. NCC Chemist, CWS Store, 71-79
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Situation ludicrous at railway station
IN March last year I was walking slowly down the steps at Blackheath Station towards the London-bound platform. My heel caught the steel tred on the stairs and I lost my balance and had the unfortunate experience of falling down the stairs. I was in
