Archive

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Istead and Ifield Harriers' over-40s win team prize at Chingford

SATURDAY is an unusual day for racing but the Orion 15 is run on a Saturday around Epping Forest, writes Bob Carter. Five of the club took part in a field of 207 finishers leading to the club getting the team prize for the over-40s. Results: 9th

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Istead and Ifield Harriers' over-40s win team prize at Chingford

SATURDAY is an unusual day for racing but the Orion 15 is run on a Saturday around Epping Forest, writes Bob Carter. Five of the club took part in a field of 207 finishers leading to the club getting the team prize for the over-40s. Results: 9th

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Bexley under-11s claim KSFA Kent Cup

Bexley and District 3 v 1 Orpington and District Under-11s KSFA Kent Cup Final TWO high-flying neighbouring district sides met in the showpiece of the Kent Primary League at Cockmannings Lane to contest the season's first piece of silverware, writes

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Charlton Park can forget about relegation now

Charlton Park 35 v 8 Bromley Rugby Union London Division Four (SE) CHARLTON Park eased their way out of the relegation mire with a five-try win over Bromley. The visitors took the lead with a penalty after 10 minutes but Charlton responded from

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Eynsford feel backlash of Os 5-0 drubbing

Eynsford 1 v Orpington 6 British Energy Kent County League, Division 1 West THE weather may have turned mild for much of the country but up on the moors at Swanley it was still cold, windy and wet, writes Phil Alder. Orpington had some re-gathering

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Listen to mum's advice

I have been having problems in my marriage and wondered what the future holds for us. Life has been very stressful since losing my mum nearly two years ago. - Claire, Bromley Graham says ... I feel your mum is trying hard to think how to help you, so

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Oscar Clark - six weeks

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Kent Ravens pre-season friendlies announced

KENT Ravens rugby league club have confirmed the schedule of pre-season friendlies for the club's men's team. April 8 - South London Storm (H) April 22 - Bedford Tigers (A) April 29 - Southend Seaxes (H) The following week the Ravens start

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Darts still trying despite the drop

Tonbridge Juddians 44 v Dartfordians 7 Rugby Union London Divisoion Three (SE) WITH three league games to go Darts made the journey to TJs looking for a win despite the dread of relegation, writes Terry Kirk. An overcast, drizzly day made for slippery

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Honours shared between Lavilla and Kiyonari at Superbike opener

THE opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship came to Brands Hatch on Sunday, writes Steve Boniface. Defending champion Gregorio Lavilla set the standard during Saturday qualifying by taking pole position for the two races. Race

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Valley View

THE majority of Charlton fans will pay a reduced rate to watch Premiership football at The Valley next season after the Addicks unveiled lower prices for the 2006/07 campaign on Friday. Fans aged under-11 will be able to see all 19 home Premiership fixtures

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VCD prepare with win

VCD Athletic 1 v 0 Hythe Town Kentish Observer Kent League VCD Athletic won the first of a gruelling schedule of games which will see them play five league matches in nine days. Terry King's second half own-goal gave the hosts three points despite

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Already relegated but the players show true Sidcup spirit to Thanet

Sidcup 7 v 22 Thanet Rugby Union London 2 South League SIDCUP Rugby Club made it hard work for Kent side Thanet Wanderers at the weekend even though they went into the match knowing they were already relegated. Hooker Iain Wilson took over the captaincy

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More Cray thrills but ultimate frustration

Fleet Town 3 v 3 Cray Ryman Division One CRAY Wanderers boss Ian Jenkins has conceded his team will not be in the play-offs. Despite another all-action Wands performance, Jenkins was left ruing a frustrating season. He said: "I said to the team

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Welling believe

Welling United 1 v 0 Weymouth Nationwide Conference South For more pictures, click on non-league pictures WELLING United believe they have a great chance of reaching the play-offs after a nail-biting victory over high-flying Weymouth. Chris Moore

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Old Gs cap remarkable season with win no. 16

Old Gravesendians 33 v 10 Medway Powergen Rugby Leagues Kent 2 OLD Gravesendians ended their league programme on a high with an emphatic victory over Medway, writes John Oxotby. They finished as unbeaten champions of Kent 2 having played and won

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Junior athletics update

JUNIOR athletes from Swanley and District Athletic Club Panthers were in action at the Greenwich 2k fun. The race, set in Greenwich Park, was held in conjunction with the popular senior 10k. With their sights set on the 2012 Olympics the juniors ran

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Burman believes confidence will return

DARTS boss Tony Burman believes confidence will return to his side after a much-improved performance against Corby Town. For a full report and pictures from the Corby match, click on non-league football. Burman told fans on the club's official website

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Darts stop the rot but is point too little, too late?

Dartford 1 v 1 Corby Town Southern League Division One East AN OVERCAST and blustery afternoon was brightened by Darts' best display for some weeks as they were held by fourth-place Corby Town, writes Mike Brett-Smith. With Eddie McClements injured

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Daish’s Diary

Well, where do I start? I guess the hot topic of the week is diving. After Didier Drogba admitted on national television, to millions of viewers watching Match of the Day, he dives it seems the "cheating" style of foreign players is creeping more and

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Club step closer to safety

Blackheath 28 v 19 Esher Rugby Union National League Two BLACKHEATH'S talented teenagers were the difference as third-placed Esher were beat and Club secured four valuable points. The hosts climbed to 10th in the league putting 15 points between

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Jive talking with the dancefloor queen

When the ultimate disco show, Saturday Night Fever, rolls into town, the driving force behind the spectacular dance scenes is top choreographer Arlene Phillips. She talks to Paul Revel. ARLENE Phillips is perhaps the world's best-known contemporary

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Parker’s back with a bang but no victory

Charlton 3 v 1 Newcastle Barclays Premiership AFTER a difficult week, Addicks supporters had reason to cheer after Charlton were gifted three goals by a deflated Newcastle side. In a match which saw former Valley favourite Scott Parker return in

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Stars set track alight on day one of DTM testing

RACING stars rolled into Brands Hatch for a three-day test of the fastest touring cars in the world. Mika Hakkinen, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Susie Stoddart were among the famous names testing DTM cars ahead of the championships in July. Former-Formula

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New Den News

CO-EDITOR of fanzine No One Likes Us Keith McKay tells it how it is: THE fat lady may have to gargle a bit more salt before she breaks into chorus following Saturday's amazing win.None of the west end's finest advertising agencies could not have created

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Can Millwall pull off the greatest escape of all?

Watford 0 v 2 Millwall MILLWALL fans have a glimmer of hope after watching their side pull off a fantastic victory at promotion chasing Watford. With six games remaining the Lions dare not dream they will survive but they are not going down without

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Bromley pay for not taking their chances

Bromley 1 v 2 Leyton Ryman Premier BROMLEY paid the price for missing good chances at Hayes Lane while Leyton scored from their only two shots on target, writes Patrick Harris. The Lillywhites started on top with Barry Gardner having an early free

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Woolcombe and Webb victorious in boxing ring

WELLING'S premier boxer Carl Woolcombe has reached 20 fights without defeat after overcoming Eugenio Monteiro on points. The light-middleweight, who was fighting on the David Haye bill at York Hall in Bethnal Green, won by six points after the eight-round

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Swimming with fish

IF YOU have ever wanted to find Nemo for real there is a club nearby just for you. The Orpington branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club is starting a series of training sessions for wannabe divers. It meets at the Dragon's Sports Club, Sandy Lane, St Paul's

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Gemma and pals fight for medal haul

MARTIAL arts fighters from the Beckenham Taoist Arts Organisation (TAO) have come away from the English Wushu Championship with an armful of medals. Gemma Salter won double gold in the under-65kg light and full contact fighting while her partner Adam

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Park ease past lowly Bracknell

Bracknell 10 v 38 Westcombe Park Rugby Union National League Three (South) WESTCOMBE Park beat Bracknell at a canter after starting strongly and denying the league's basement side any chance. The referee's opening whistle was still resonating when

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Savouring the taste of revenge

Beckenham 40 v 12 Lewes Rugby Union London 2 SE League BALMORAL Avenue witnessed one of Beckenham's better performances of the season against a strong Lewes side which had beaten them in early February, writes Neil Millan. The lynhpin of this win

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Bowlers long-term reprieve

THE new bowls season is barely a month away but already members of a long-standing club cannot wait for it to be over. Hayes Country Bowls Club have secured a long-running lease on their West Common Road home which will lead to a new pavilion and facilities

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Stick-fighters battle for world domination at championships

FIVE stick-fighters are set to represent Great Britain in the World Championships with one of them aiming for a hat-trick of triumphs. Phil Ireland is the reigning lightweight single-stick and double-stick world champion having won the titles in 2002

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Rule Beckenham, young swimmers rule the waves

RULE Beckenham, Beckenham rules the waves or rather the swimming pool after annihilating the best swimmers Kent can offer. In the Kent County Championships, Beckenham Swimming Club left the pool with a staggering 108 gold, 60 silver and 68 bronze medals

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Dowie slams ref for wanting to be centre of attention

Derby County 2 v 1 Palace Coca-Cola Championship PALACE boss Iain Dowie slammed Alan Wiley after the referee awarded a last-minute penalty to the Rams. Clinton Morrison had given the Eagles the lead with a tap-in on 18 minutes before Inigo Idiakez

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Motocross? Motohappy more like

BRITISH Motocross Championship racing is stopping off at a dirt-track near you for a day of breakneck competition. Canada Heights, near Swanley, will host round two of the News Shopper sponsored British Maxxis Championship on April 9. Eltham's Ben Lambert

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Organ recital

ONE of Australia's top organists is performing a recital in West Wickham next week. Award-winning musician Travis Baker was assistant organist at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. Travis started his music career as a choir boy at the cathedral. He went

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Children’s theatre : Fireman Sam

ALL the way from Pontypandy, children's hero Fireman Sam and his friends are appearing live on stage this weekend. The show at Croydon's Ashcroft Theatre promises plenty of fun and audience participation. It's Fun Day in Pontypandy. Firefighter Elvis

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Basic Instinct 2

TWELVE years ago Sharon Stone played bisexual novelist Catherine Tramell, who had some unusual sexual appetites ice-picks, hand-cuffs and Michael Douglas. The sequel, Basic Instinct 2, has had a troubled and extended production. There have been more

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Theatre news: Moby Dick

CAPTAIN Ahab and his crew are sailing into Greenwich this week, in a stage version of Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Considered by many as one of the greatest American novels, this 19th-century tale of the epic battle between Ahab and the whale has its

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Railway, Red Lodge Road, West Wickham

Drink 2/5 Decor 3/5 Food n/a Price 2/5 Atmosphere 3/5 Staff 4/5 IN MY experience pubs near railway stations are at best functional, at worst they are tatty and unwelcoming with miserable bar staff. Well, The Railway in West Wickham, I'm pleased

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Power play finds life and laughter in bedlam

Theatre review: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest A LANDMARK American novel is recreated with purity and passion on stage at the Broadway Theatre. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, by 60s rebel Ken Kesey, is a brutal but touching tale of life in a mental

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Bitter Honey - Eef Barzelay

YOU have probably never heard of Eef Barzelay or Clem Snide, the band he normally fronts. Neither Had I, until I saw Eef perform as Ben Folds' support act last year. Eef is a well-kept secret. I was immediately impressed with his acoustic country-meets-indie

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Making a telephone connection

I was just wondering when the right man is going to come along. I recently met someone called DZ and I really like him ... not sure how he feels about me though. So could you please shed some light on this and let me know when, where and how? - Sarah,

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Pensioner appeals for missing dogs

A DISABLED pensioner is appealing for help in finding his two lost dogs. Peter Mowe, 70, of Cray Close Crayford, turned to his Staffordshire bull terriers, Ellie and Buffy, for comfort after his partner of 37 years died from heart failure last Christmas

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News in brief

POLICE CHAT: Residents in the Longlands ward of Sidcup who have been complaining about youth disorder and anti-social behaviour can raise the issue with ward officer PC Steve Clutton, at a police surgery in St Lawrence's Church hall, Hamilton Road, Sidcup

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Celebrating 64 years together

A DEVOTED couple married for 64 years managed to renew their wedding vows just days before one of them died. Elizabeth and James Mealings, both aged 85, celebrated their wedding anniversary with a service of renewal in the chapel at Greenwich and Bexley

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Time to clear up pigeon street

ENVIRONMENTAL health experts are urging people not to feed pigeons because they are a health hazard. Erith town centre and Bexleyheath Broadway's pedestrianised area have particular problems with large numbers of pigeons and Bexley Council is continually

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60th anniversary for Scout group

A SCOUT group has celebrated its 60th anniversary. The 15th Sydenham Scout Group held a music evening at Our Lady and St Phillip Neri Church Hall, Sydenham Road, Sydenham. The Scout group teaches 56 youngsters aged six to 15 life and social skills and

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Planners decide fate of club’s HQ

PLANNING bosses are poised to land a knockout blow on a former boxing club. Greenwich Council's planning board looks set to approve the demolition of the Thamesmead Amateur Boxing Club building in Poplar Place, Thamesmead. If the bulldozers are allowed

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Mums are pretty proactive in pink

A GROUP of mums has raised £600 for Cancer Research by walking from the Cutty Sark in Greenwich to Abbey Wood. They took six-and-a-half hours to complete the walk, calling in at 22 pubs with their collecting buckets. The women know each other from

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Water wreckers leave homes dry

MYSTERY vandals are causing fury among residents by playing havoc with their water supplies. Residents on the Gallions Housing Estate, Thamesmead, have been left without water for hours on several occasions in recent weeks, because yobs keep damaging

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Contest pays tribute to teacher

A MUCH-LOVED teacher who was a dedicated environmentalist, will be remembered in this year's Bexley Environmental Challenge competition. Clive Pugh, 49, taught history, geography and IT at the Howbury Referral Unit in Slade Green. He had been with the

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Judo club enjoys right royal visit

OLYMPIC hopefuls took their first tumble at a new judo centre as it was given a royal opening. Princess Anne spent more than an hour meeting members of Dartford Judo Club, Dartford Council and the architects of the new £4.5m Judokwai at the official

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Jailed for firing weapon

A GUNMAN who opened fire after a row about a drinking session has been jailed for four years. Michael Ward, aged 28, fired two shots after Devon Clarke refused to let him into his flat in Arnulf Street, Bellingham. His brother, Joseph Ward, aged 22

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Golfers pitch in for charity

A LIVELY Labrador-cross puppy was the guest at Bexleyheath Golf Club. The puppy, named Bracken, is the latest recruit to the Guide Dogs for the Blind training school, thanks to golfers at the club in Mount Road, Bexleyheath. They managed to raise the

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Group to get new president

A FORMER national president of a professional women's group will formally appoint a new leader for its Gravesham branch. The Gravesend and District Soroptimist group has chosen Farida Usman as the club's new president for 2006/07. Soroptimist International

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Getting gardeners to attract wildlife

A FREE bird box is on offer to gardeners joining a scheme designed to bring wildlife to their doors. Sevenoaks District Council has once again launched Gardening for Wildlife, a scheme to improve the environment and encourage birds, insects and animals

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Takeaway’s recipe for traffic delays

AFTER enduring disrupted evenings and traffic jams while a new anti-skid road surface was laid, residents have now discovered the work has got to be done all over again. Andrew Baldwinson, 43, of Alexandra Road, Erith, was furious when he discovered

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Bluewater bomb plot revealed at Old Bailey

RETAIL staff and shoppers could have been caught up in a terror attack after a court heard of a plan to bomb Bluewater on a busy Saturday. The plot was revealed on day two of the trial of seven men who trained in Pakistan terror camps and are suspected

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Woman showing bags of energy

A 57-YEAR-OLD woman managed to fend off a man who twice tried to take her handbag despite being knocked to the floor. The woman was walking from St Hilda's Way where she had got off a bus and was approached by a man in St Dunstan's Drive. As she passed

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Miniature railway club on track to celebrate Mother’s Day

MUM came first at the beginning of a miniature railway's season. Gravesend Model Engineering Society held its first event of the season on Mother's Day after its winter break. The group offered free rides for mothers, who had to be accompanied by a

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Guides in the pink at event

GIRL Guides paraded in pink at a talent show with circus acts and drama to raise cash for cancer sufferers. More than 100 guides from Meopham, Vigo, Istead Rise and Cobham gathered at Culverstone Community Hall, Whitepost Lane, Meopham, to stage the

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Residents sign pavilion petition

A PETITION signed by 200 residents is calling for a sports pavilion to be rebuilt after it was destroyed by vandals in an arson attack. Thornhill Tenants and Homeowners' Association is demanding Greenwich Council replaces Hornfair Park Pavilion, Charlton

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New identity for old trailer

A TRAILER truck which was converted into a 36-seat cinema has been given a makeover by a group of students. Ten pupils from Sedgehill School, Sedgehill Road, Lewisham, spent last week painting the outside of StagesTruck in preparation for future outings

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News in Brief

NEW HOMES: Residents have celebrated the latest developments in a £110m regeneration programme on the Silwood Estate in Lewisham and Southwark. The first phase has been completed with more than 600 new homes built by London and Quadrant Housing Trust,

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Surgery plans go back to the start

A PRIMARY Care Trust (PCT) wanting to build a new £1m surgery has come full circle in looking for a suitable site. In June 2004, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley PCT announced its plans to close the Manzoori Clinic, Claremont Road, Hextable and give

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Sex attacker given 11-year sentence

A RAPIST who attacked a schoolgirl at gunpoint and dragged another woman into his flat for sex has been jailed for 11 years. Sheldon Stewart, aged 26, of Mountearl Gardens, Streat-ham, denied rape, sexual assault, kidnap, two counts of false imprisonment

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Pupils pitch in during sporting celebration

TWO hundred and fifty children took part in a balloon race to mark the opening of a £700,000 all-weather sports pitch. The prep-school children from Colfe's School, Hornpark Lane, Lee, released the blue and yellow balloons into the sky on Monday. The

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Ward closures to cut costs

HOSPITAL bosses have named the three wards which will close as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Lewisham Hospital is to close the trio of wards in the next three months, meaning the loss of 55 beds. But Lewisham has avoided having to make the major

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Getting in character for history event

CHILDREN at one primary school took in a big chunk of history, ranging from Queen Victoria to Nelson Mandela, at their history day. Pupils at St Joseph's RC Primary School, Old Road, Crayford, took a trip through history, looking at different periods

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Mums’ 22-pub trek for charity

MUMS have raised £600 for Cancer Research by walking from the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, to Abbey Wood. They took more than six-and-a-half hours to complete the walk, calling in at 22 pubs along the way with their collecting buckets. The women know each

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Taking on PM job challenge

A SECONDARY school pupil got to meet Tony Blair after winning a regional writing competition. Charlotte Clark, from Colfe's School, Horn Park Lane, Lee, was one of 17 winners who took part in the Parliamentary Press Gallery Writing Competition for 2006

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Public asked about alcohol consultation

DRINKING in the street in Bexley Village could be banned if residents and businesses give the idea the thumbs-up. The proposal is being put forward by the police after residents identified alcohol-fuelled disorder and anti-social behaviour as a major

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Cadets aiming to be good citizens

AN ARMY cadet unit has won a trophy for taking part in a 13-mile challenge and raising money for charity. The ninth regiment South East London Army Cadet Force won the Cadet Challenge Cup and beat nine other units across the country. Gulf War commander

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Selected to teach anti-fraud technique

A COUNCIL'S fraud team will be used as a shining example to others after it recovered more than £84,000 in the last financial year. The Government's Benefit Fraud Inspectorate will meet Gravesham Council's fraud team on June 19 for a two-week investigation

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Parents’ fury as son’s killer given £100 fine

A COUPLE are lobbying Tony Blair after a driver who knocked down and killed their son escaped a jail term. Carol and Peter Living feel the justice system has failed them after Marek Tomi, 23, was given community service, a £100 fine and a two-year driving

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News in brief

PHONE STOLEN: A 19-year-old man was walking through an alleyway between Crossways Boulavard and Steele Avenue, Gravesend, when a man got out of a white car, hit him with a baton and stole his silver Samsung mobile phone. The robber, aged 20 to 25, was

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New centre to transform education

A NEW flagship centre is set to transform adult education in the borough. The Granville Park Centre, opening on April 24, will be Lewisham's first purpose-built community education centre. The centre in Granville Park, Lewisham, is accessible to disabled

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Hop along the Easter egg trail

CHILDREN can get their hands on a treat this Easter by following a secret woodland trail. Darenth Country Park, near Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, is gearing up to host an Easter egg hunt for the borough's under-12s on April 9, at noon. Families will

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Council under fire as election looms

A POLITICAL storm has erupted over the relationship between the ruling Labour party and council officers. Opposition members claim Lewisham Council has become too involved in "partisan politics" and have accused some officers of being politically motivated

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Attack leaves youth with facial injuries

POLICE are hoping News Shopper readers will be able to identify the men pictured here. Some of them are believed to have been part of a gang which attacked a teenager outside Hayes train station. The others are witnesses to the attack whom police hope

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Police force will stay independent

KENT police are celebrating remaining independent after escaping a Government proposal to merge the force. Police chiefs fought to avoid becoming sucked into a south eastern "super force". Last year a report into the national policing structure

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Callum Bristow - 19 months

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Water shortage stems planting

A TOWN will be less colourful this summer after a council cut the number of hanging baskets in the face of water shortages. Swanley Town Council will only put up 100 hanging baskets this year instead of the 400 it usually installs as part of its entry

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Doctor's notes

DARENT GOES DIGITAL: Darent Valley Hospital is the first in the country to use state-of-the-art digital radiographic imaging technology which provides high-definition medical images at the click of a mouse. The hospital claims the equipment has improved

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New set of wheels for historic landmark

WELLING has lost its landmark cannon which has stood at Welling Corner for more than 20 years. But it will not be gone for long. The 36-pounder carronade which dates back to the late 1700s has been removed temporarily while a new wooden gun carriage

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Pupils link up for sports fun

CHILDREN from three primary schools battled it out in a competition designed to boost fitness and teamwork. The 64 youngsters from Crockenhill, St Mary's and Whiteoak Primary schools gathered at Swanley Technology College (STC), St Mary's Road, Swanley

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Passenger grateful to her Good Samaritan

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has been reunited with the Good Samaritan who nursed her after her scalp was ripped open during a bus journey. Barbara Botten suffered a 15-in wound to her head after flying into a hand rail when the driver of the 96 bus slammed

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Alternative help to stop smoking at the Positive Place

Positive Place in Deptford is a support sanctuary for anyone living with HIV in the Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley boroughs. Positive Place has recently launched a stop smoking service to offer counselling and treatments to its visitors. Dr David Dore

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Shooting club aiming to break clay record

A RECORD-BREAKING gun club is going to try and smash its own achievement while raising money for charity. Kent Gun Club members are attempting to break their own Guinness World Record for shooting the most number of clays in half a day. They have already

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Canal buff gets into his flow

HISTORIANS can discover the hidden secrets of a canal used by barges in the 1800s at a talk by a waterways expert. The history of the forgotten canal between Gravesend and Strood, last used in 1846, will be brought to life by Brian mcKnish, assistant

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Fair set to be soaring success

THE world's finest aircraft - past and present - will take to the skies at this year's Biggin Hill International Air Fair. And News Shopper, which stepped in to save the show in 2002, is proud to once again be sponsoring the event in its 44th year.

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Flower show must go on

A SPRING flower show went ahead despite recent bad weather threatening many categories. Meopham Garden Association, which has 60 members, holds two shows a year. More than 20 people, who entered between 10 and 15 exhibits each, faced the judges at

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Council refuses extended hours

ANOTHER bar has been refused planning permission to extend its hours in line with its new alcohol licence. OHM, Albion Road, Bexleyheath, is the latest licensed premises which had hoped to open later, after winning permission from Bexley Council's licensing

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Gallic delights for residents

SHOPPERS were treated to a taste of life across the channel at a French market. More than 30 French traders joined the traditional stallholders at Lewisham Market in Lewisham town centre, over the weekend. Visitors had the chance to sample a range of

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Fun had by all at praiseworthy school

INSPECTORS have praised teaching and learning standards at a primary school. Lee Manor Primary School, Leahurst Road, Hither Green, has been given the thumbs-up by schools inspection body Ofsted. The inspectors, who visited the 405-pupil school last

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Passenger grateful to her Good Samaritan

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has been reunited with the Good Samaritan who nursed her after her scalp was ripped open during a bus journey. Barbara Botten suffered a 15-in wound to her head after flying into a hand rail when the driver of the 96 bus slammed on

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Two-week closure for roadworks

WORK to turn Thames Road, Crayford, into a dual carriageway is to move onto the section of road by the railway bridge. From April 3, the Erith-bound carriageway will be closed at the bridge for about two weeks. This will allow energy company EDF Energy

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Soldiers’ Iraq work rewarded

TERRITORIAL Army soldiers have been awarded medals for service in Iraq. The nine reservists from the Grove Park Territorial Army centre, Napier House, Baring Road, are all members of the 265 (Home Counties) Battery Royal Artillery. They were based around

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School bus pressure pays off

PRESSURE from Bexley Council on Transport for London has succeeded in getting a second bus to run between a Sidcup school and Erith town centre. The 669 route between Cleeve Park School, Bexley Lane, and Erith was introduced in 2004 and runs exclusively

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Planting legacy for future generations

copses are being planted in Bexley's five Green Flag open spaces, to mark the borough's 40th birthday. In April 1965, the old boroughs of Bexley and Erith and the urban districts of Crayford and Sidcup and Chislehurst ceased to exist and were amalgamated

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Past and present pupils at opening

A SCHOOL has been celebrating the end of a multi-million pound project which has seen a major part of it rebuilt. Welling School, Elsa Road, together with Bexleyheath School, Graham Road, have benefited from a £34m Private Finance Initiative project.

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Sick of watching our money drain away

What an absolute waste of money the memorial fountain to Princess Diana is. It is criminal public money should be wasted in this way. It costs an estimated £700 a day to maintain. Am I the only one who thinks this is a disgrace? The fact it cost a

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Library swinging into action

FOR a generation of baby boomers, the 1960s was the "tune in, turn on, drop out" era. Bexleyheath Central Library, Townley Road, is celebrating the flower power decade with The Sixties, its latest promotion. The 1960s saw the rise of pop groups such

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Get on your bike for Easter break

YOUNGSTERS can use the Easter holidays to brush up on their cycling skills. Bexley Council's road safety unit will be running three free cycling courses each day from April 3 to April 7. To take part, children must be aged at least 10, have their own

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Council satisfies judges

A COUNCIL'S efforts to improve the quality of school dinners has won national acclaim. Greenwich Council has been commended for its healthy school meals campaign at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. The award reflects the council's attempts to

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Videophone launched

DEAF residents are invited to help the council test out new equipment to make it easier for them to access services. Greenwich Council the and Royal National Institute for the Deaf will launch a Videophone Interpreting Service at the Housing and Council

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Scouts clean up in time for jamboree

TWO Scout groups worked together to clean a river and raise money for charity. More than 30 youngsters from the 1st Penge Scout Group and the 10th Penge Scout Group collected rubbish from the Pool River in Sydenham on Saturday, to support environmental

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Staff on strike over pensions plan

LOCAL government workers took part in the biggest countrywide strike for 80 years yesterday. About 1,000 trade union members went on strike in Bromley to protest at the Government's plans for local government worker pensions. The row centres around

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Why telling tales is a good thing

A PROFESSIONAL storyteller held children rapt with traditional tales of mystery and intrigue. Tricia George visited Bromley Road Infant School, St George's Road, Beckenham, to entertain pupils with a combination of storytelling and dance. Ms George

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Volunteers on forums should be impartial

WHEN plans to abolish Community Health Councils were framed the intention was to set up new Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) forums. The membership of PPIs would be drawn more widely from the community and be independent of the NHS so complaints

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Re-examine evidence in Billie-Jo’s murder

I wonder how many people believe Sion Jenkins is innocent? It seems to me we have our very own OJ Simpson case. We can't prove he is guilty but what other possible explanation can there be for Billie-Jo's death? What I can't understand is why he was

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To the point

NO SYMPATHY: While I agree with Miss Filotrani (News Shopper, March 8) Ken Livingstone should only be removed from office by an election committee, I feel no sympathy for him. I remember the image of my aged mother when I visited her one morning in the

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Villagers regarded matter as settled

IN YOUR extremely unbalanced report, Survey Complete For Split Decision, on the Hextable referendum (News Shopper, March 15), a Swanley councillor implies all the unreturned survey forms from Hextable, about half of the total, are to be regarded as no

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Chemists open on Sunday, April 2

BLACKHEATH, CHARLTON & GREENWICH Sainsbury's, Horn Link Lane, Greenwich. 11am to 5pm. ELTHAM, KIDBROOKE, MOTTINGHAM & NEW ELTHAM Boots, 96-104 Eltham High Street, Eltham. 10am to 4pm. Dickinson's Chemist, 130 Westmount Road, Eltham. 10am to 9pm. Sainsbury's

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Chemists open on Sunday, April 2

BIGGIN HILL Waitrose, 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. NHS DIRECT HELPLINE 0845 4647. Open 24 hours for advice

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Chemists open on Sunday, April 2

NORTH BEXLEY, BARNEHURST, ERITH & THAMESMEAD 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 High Street, Welling. 10am to 4pm. Roadnight Pharmacy, 88 Station

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Learning all about how to cut crime

THE last in a series of community safety days gave residents an opportunity to learn about crime reduction. It was held as part of Making Gravesham Safer month, a series of events promoting community safety issues and crime reduction. Representatives

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Chemists open on Sunday, April 2

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET RS Bains, 2 Livingstone Road, Valley Drive, Gravesend. 11am to noon. Echo Pharmacy, Oakfield Health Centre, Gravesend. 6pm to 7pm. SWANLEY Boots, 32 Swanley Centre. 11am to noon. DARTFORD & GREENHITHE Asda, Station Road, Greenhithe

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Permission to revamp schools

A MULTI-MILLION pound revamp of Lewisham's secondary schools is set to get under way. Planning bosses have given permission for two schools Catford Business and Enterprise College and Sedgehill School to be rebuilt. The work will signal the start

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Park cash boost for action group

AN ACTION group is celebrating after receiving a £16,000 cash boost to improve a park which it fought to save from developers. The future of Rochester Way Open Space, Kidbrooke, was uncertain four years ago when developers wanted to include the land

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Vote of confidence for political project

A PROJECT aimed at getting more young people interested in politics has won a national award. Lewisham is the only London borough to have a young mayor with his own youth cabinet and a budget. Now this scheme has been recognised, with Lewisham Council

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Heath events need premises licence

PUBLIC events on Blackheath Common are set to be subject to tighter controls under new licensing laws. The body responsible for looking after the heath has lodged an application to have the land covered by a premises licence. This means all events on

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Good value?

WHEN council tax money is spent by Bexley Council, why is there no physical inspection to check a job has been satisfactorily completed? Had someone in authority checked the strip of ground outside Erith Leisure Centre, they would have seen countless

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Sports scheme going for gold

ROWING legend Sir Steve Redgrave was given an oarsome welcome when he visited a college. The five-times Olympic champion visited Woolwich Polytechnic, Hutchins Road, Thamesmead, to launch a sports scheme. Sports Search is a computer-based initiative

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Learning gospel truth at concert

A SINGING group visited a school to spread the gospel about its favourite style of music. The Project Music Workshop performed a gospel concert at The John Roan School, Westcombe Park Road, Blackheath. The group makes visits to schools across the borough

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Olympic levy

IN RESPONSE to the Olympic Games levy, to me it is not how much or who pays, a decision which has clearly divided opinion. My question would be, who gave Ken Livingstone and Lord Coe the right to commit Londoners to help pay without at least asking them

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Road care

AT LAST Crayford's roads are getting a facelift, but will it help Crayfords residents or shopkeepers? No, unless they have plans to control the traffic and keep the lorries away, with the noise pollution and congestion they inflict on pedestrians. I

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Deal or no veal

WE NOW learn the EU has lifted its ban on the import of British beef. One of the sad consequences of this ruling is thousands of two-week-old calves will again face arduous and distressing journeys to the cruel veal farms of France, Belgium and the Netherlands

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We want better health service

WHEN the plans to abolish Community Health Councils were framed the intention was to set up Patient and Public Involvement forums. The memberships would be independent of the NHS so complaints and suggestions would be impartial and constructive. However

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Imprisoned by Broomleigh

I write regarding your front page Don't Take My House (News Shopper, March 8). I sympathise with Mr Jubb considerably. I have had an ongoing battle with Broomleigh, as I live in one of their properties on the Ramsden Estate. But unlike Mr Jubb, who

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TO THE POINT

HEALTH HAZARD: Your item Clean Scheme Is A Waste Of Money (News Shopper, March 8) quoted Bromley Council's leader inviting readers to suggest areas which need cleaning by calling 020 8313 4557 or visiting bromley.gov. uk/neatstreet. Many Orpington residents

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No to 2012 tax

REGARDING people opposing Olympic levy (Pensioner Refuses To Pay 2012 Tax, News Shopper, February 22), I do not wish to pay. I can't understand why this should be imposed on the London boroughs when the majority of us will receive no benefits. We

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Election looms, Tories turn up

NOW I know there must be an election happening soon because I have seen a newspaper from the Sidcup Conservatives delivered to some homes in my ward. This is the first publication I have seen from them since they were elected four years ago. Do these

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GLA members must keep Ken in check

With regard to London Mayor Ken Livingstone's suspension, I think he should be suspended until he apologises. Livingstone complains an unelected body suspended him from his mayoral duties and said as the public voted him in, they should be the only ones

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Quitting in the workplace

Cracking down on smoking is a top Government priority with strict deadlines. A target has been set to cut the smoking population from 25 per cent to 21 per cent by 2010. Parliament has already introduced a smoking ban in NHS and Government buildings

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Let neighbour stay in house

I think Broomleigh's attitude towards the Jubbs is disgusting (News Shopper, March 8). I moved into that same house with my parents more than 50 years ago when the houses were first built (I now live a few doors away) and Mr and Mrs Jubb and Tom moved

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Stop moaning and get on your bikes

I think it's important to clarify a few facts from the letter of March 15, concerning parking at the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough (left). Before Sainsbury's appeared on the scene, all the staff were in the envious position of parking

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Stop garden conversions

WITH regard to the letter about turning gardens into driveways, (Tearing Up Of Gardens, News Shopper, March 8), residents have little choice. What was once a scene of admiration has been demolished. The car has taken over, but in many cases it's a caravan

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Right to say no to demolition

I am writing with regard to the proposed plan to demolish two houses in Madeira Avenue, Shortlands, and replace them with town houses. Madeira Avenue sits on one side of the Ravensbourne valley with a wealth of mature trees. The area would therefore

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Happy about safer neighbourhoods

AT THE Bexley Police/Community Consultative Group meeting, I was delighted to hear every ward in Bexley will be getting a safer neighbourhood team of police officers. Bob Neill, Conservative GLA member for Bexley and Bromley, said the Conservatives on

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Cancer of spine went undetected

IN REGARD to your article Cervical Tests Updated (News Shopper, March 1), my mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1999. She had a hysterectomy and was given the all-clear. She then had a smear test every year at which it always came back normal

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No need for a water shortage in England

Recently we have been warned of water shortages and told this is the result of low rainfall. But as two articles on facing pages of News Shopper, March 15, demonstrate, the picture is more complex that that. Insufficient rain is just one reason. Others

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Hold on if you are taking a bus ride

REGARDING the front-page story last week about the bus doing an emergency stop (Bus Ride Horror, News Shopper, March 15). For the past 20 years or so I hardly used the buses. The nature of my job meant I was car-bound. Recently I have been using buses

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Where is evidence of school support?

REGARDING the proposed new school on the Ladywell Leisure Centre site. Steve Bullock says it is what the people of Lewisham want. I was campaigning for Save Ladywell Pool outside the library. At least 75 per cent of passers-by signed my petition and

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Fear of fumes

HOW nice to know from next year I can enjoy a pint in a pub without worrying about the unproven effects of passive smoking. As a pedestrian, I am still without choice concerning the passive breathing of vehicle fumes and their proven adverse effects

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Junction needs urgent repairs

THE lack of a yellow box at the junction with Deptford Bridge and Greenwich High Road is still causing delays when the lights change. Commercial drivers pull across when there is no chance of them moving off, the faint paint is barely noticeable and

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To The Point

NO BENEFIT: Brian Dawe is right (Pensioner Wants To Fight 2012 Tax, News Shopper, March 1) to protest Ken Livingstone's levy for the 2012 Olympics. It is a principle of local authority finance long-term investments should be paid for by the beneficiaries