april 2017 the selsdon gazette 2017 pp.pdfeditor: heather govier 020 8657 0423...
TRANSCRIPT
Gazett
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he S
els
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Volu
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69.
No.
781
Apr
il 20
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Editor: Heather Govier 020 8657 0423 [email protected] Enquiries: Carlo Rappa, [email protected] payments and Treasurer: Dick Adamson 10 Dulverton Road CR2 8PG 8657 6207 [email protected]: Enquiries to Wendy Mikiel, [email protected] 020 8651 0470Copy for the Gazette should reach the Editor by the 20th of each month and email attachments should be in Word or PDF format. There is no August Gazette.The view expressed by contributors to the Selsdon Gazette are their own and are not necessarily those of the Editor, the Selsdon Gazette or the Selsdon Residents’ Association. All letters printed as received.The publication of advertisements in the Selsdon Gazette does not imply any warranty on the part of the Selsdon Gazette or the Selsdon Residents’ Association as to the quality of services offered by the advertiser. Residents should make such enquiries as they think necessary about any provider of goods or services.Front cover image credit: Bluebells by Ian Leggatt - taken on Foxearth Path in 2016
THE SELSDON GAZETTE
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SELLING OR LETTINGFREE VALUATION SERVICE
SELSDON to SANDERSTEAD216 ADDINGTON ROAD
8651 123477 MITCHLEY AVENUE
8657 5000
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R. H. R. AdamsonE. Frith, P. Holden, R. F. G. Rowsell.Sheila Childs, 6 Cowley Close CR2 8LU Linda Morris, 48 Ravenshead Close CR2 8RLJanet Sharp, 16 Brent Road CR2 7NRIris Jones, 24 Southviews, CR2 8SHSara Bashford, 20 Wagtail Gardens, CR2 8TAYvonne Huber, 121 Farley Road CR2 7NL Dudley Mead, MBE 5 Mountwood Close CR2 8RJErnie Sweeney, 2 Mountwood Close CR2 8RJJohn Waddington, 29 Littleheath Road, CR2 7SG Su Yates, 10 Foxearth Road CR2 8ED Peter Underwood, 12a Abbey Road, CR2 8NGIan Leggatt, 53 Queenhill Road, CR2 8DW
Two vacancies to be filled at the 2017 AGM
Cllr Sara Bashford, 20 Wagtail Gardens CR2 8TACllr Dudley Mead, MBE, 5 Mountwood Close CR2 8RJCllr Phil Thomas, 17 Redwing Close, CR2 8QU
President:Vice-Presidents:
Chairman:Vice-Chairman: Hon. Secretary:Hon. Treasurer:Committee:
Ward Councillors for Selsdon and Ballards
Executive Committee 2016/17
SELSDON RESIDENTS’ [email protected]
8651 22858651 40108651 6882
8405 18508657 45768405 67468657 38158657 35238657 92848651 06018651 1140
8405 18508657 84628651 2361
8651 1907
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Editor’s NoteWelcome to the April 2017 issue of the Gazette!
We have a piece this month from a group new to me - the South Croydon Trefoil Guild who are currently making
quilts for special care babies. This sounds like an admirable enterprise and I hope the skilled needle-workers amongst you will consider getting involved.
Also news to me is the equipment loan scheme from Contact. I am fortunate not to need any of this at present but have filed away the information for future reference.
David Huntley follows up his February piece on LED Lighting with some comparisons and prices and Glimpses of Old Selsdon XXIX tells of the war efforts of the Selsdon Players, our local amateur dramatic society.
Venturing Beyond has lots of ideas for things to do in the coming month, Roundabout, pays tribute to retiring SRA Treasurer Dick Adamson and Nature Notes focusses on birds and other animals that nest in trees. I recently observed a residential tussle in Selsdon Wood - a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets mobbing a squirrel that had darted into a hole. The parakeets eventually settled into a silent siege but my patience ran out before theirs did and I left them to it after about 10 minutes.
Jessica Blake takes a break from her Wendy stores this month to tell us about Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne which sounds like a great place for a day out now that the days are getting longer, warmer and drier. And Janet Sharp invites us all to participate in the Mass Observation on 12th May.
Happy reading!Regards,Heather
∂ SubmiSSionS for may'S edition Should be with the editor no later than the
20th april ∂
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SRA NEWS AND VIEWSOur AGM has not yet been held as I write this but thanks go to all who attended and also to the committee for all they do.
It would seem I was a bit early in saying Dick Adamson, our Gazette Treasurer, would be 90 this year. It transpires he has a few more years to reach the same goal as the Residents Association, of which he has been a long serving member.
Floral Displays 2017The hanging baskets and troughs you have seen the past 12 months were to celebrate our 90th anniversary last year but we hope to repeat the Summer planting this year, finances allowing, as lots of you commented how they brightened up the High Street. Some of the shops sponsored a basket and/or trough and Wetherspoons put up their own hanging baskets outside their premises, so maybe we can prevail upon them again.
Bus ShelterThe shelter outside Tudor Library was knocked down some months ago and the bus stop sign has been replaced but not the shelter. We have contacted Transport for London, who are responsible, but are still awaiting a reply. Any updates we get we will let you know, or you may just see a new shelter before our next Gazette!
“Don’t Mess with Croydon”This is a scheme run by the council to stop people dropping litter and to help clean up Croydon; anyone found dropping litter can be fined up to £500. The council do a weekly sweep and clean of the triangle but I have been informed we have our own “litter pickers” that regularly clean the triangle. I have not seen them (maybe they come in the night!) but our thanks go to them for helping keep Selsdon tidy and to anyone else who takes care of their areas around them.
Councillors’ BudgetOnce again, the Councillors will have a community budget to give to groups and projects in Selsdon this year. It starts in April and they would like to hear from interested parties.
Sheila Childs~~
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JOB DESCRIPTION – SELSDON GAZETTE TREASURER
In the March issue of the Gazette, Sheila Childs, Chair of the Residents’ Association announced that I wished to retire from this position. Although I did mention advancing years as one reason, her comment that I was 90 is slightly in advance of the facts. I may at times feel like 90 but there are still a number of years to go. It was suggested that it might be helpful if I gave a ‘brief’ description of what is involved so here is my first and probably my last contribution to the Gazette.
The income of the Gazette which it uses to pay for printing and ancillary expenses comes from the advertisers and it is the Treasurer’s main responsibility to ensure that this is received promptly and properly accounted for. The majority of the advertising is paid for six issues at a time. There are a small number of single issue adverts – usually for a special event or show which may or may not incur a charge. The cycle of invoicing, receipt of payments and chase-ups (if necessary) is governed by the deadlines we must meet in order that our printers, Tremar Graphics, can print and deliver each month’s Gazette at the agreed date. For instance, renewal adverts to appear in the May issue will go out on the 10th March to be paid for by the 10th of April. New adverts, as advised by the Advertising Manager, for the May issue, whether single or six monthly, must be paid for no later than the 15th of April. It is the duty of the Treasurer to advise the Editor of the situation for each month’s issue no later than the 20th of the preceding month.
A complete record of all advertisers current and past is kept by me on a database program that I have written using Microsoft Access. This program is used to produce all invoices, chase-up letters etc. An Excel spreadsheet program is used to keep a record of all receipts and payments, provisions and accruals, and provides
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our ‘accounts reviewer’ with the information necessary to prepare annual profit and loss statements as well as the combined SRA and Gazette balance sheet. For some years now I have been encouraging advertisers to pay using the BACS system. This speeds things up and avoids the need for constant visits to the bank. Payments for printing and general expenses are paid using this same system.
Finally, I need to make it quite clear that I will be available, for hopefully some time to come, to assist the new Treasurer with whatever help necessary and of course to ensure that the computer data is safely transferred over and fully understood.
Dick Adamson (retiring Treasurer)
~~
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PURLEY HOSPITAL – EXPANDED MINOR INJURY OPENING HOURS FROM 1ST APRIL
After a long campaign that I led together with 8 local residents as-sociations (Old Coulsdon, East Coulsdon, Coulsdon West, Hartley and District, Purley and Woodcote, Kenley, Riddlesdown and Sand-erstead Residents Associations) Croydon’s Clinical Commission-ing Group agreed to restore the morning opening hours at Purley Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit. I am absolutely delighted by this. From 1st April, the unit will open at 8am in the morning (not 2pm as currently) and will stay open to 8pm. This will be 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There will be doctors and nurses available, they will be able to see babies, and be able to treat all kinds of minor injuries and illnesses except for broken bones (broken bones still need to be seen at Mayday/Croydon University Hospital; I am still working on getting this into Purley too). There will be the ability to be referred immediately into the X-Ray facility at Purley Hospital while it is open, which is during normal office hours. They are calling this facility a “GP Hub” but it is essentially an expanded Minor Injuries Unit. I will email with fuller details of the new service in the next few weeks, but it is important that everyone knows about the extended opening hours and expanded service to be available from 1st April. Please pass on these details to your friends and neighbours to make sure that everyone knows.
Chris Philp MP Member of Parliament for Croydon South
~~
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COUNCILLORS’ NOTES
PLANNING MATTERS:PLANNING APPLICATIONS:17/00534/HSE – 62 Benshurst Gardens, South Croydon, CR2 8NU – Construction of pitched roof and erection of single/two storey side/rear extension.17/00677/FUL – 202 Addington Road, South Croydon, CR2 8LD – Erection of a 3 storey building at rear comprising of 3 one bedroom flats and provision of associated parking.17/00867/LP – 124 Arundel Avenue, South Croydon, CR2 8BH – Erection of gable end roof extension with dormer extension in rear roof slope.17/00986/HSE – 4 Old Farleigh Road, South Croydon, CR2 8PA – Retention of rear decking and extension.17/00999/LP – 81 Foxearth Road, South Croydon, CR2 8EN – Erection of first floor rear extension.17/01008/HSE – 27 Rylandes Road, South Croydon, CR22 8EB – Erection of single/two storey front/side/rear extension and rear raised patio.17/01138/LP – 19 Brent Road, South Croydon, CR2 7NS – Erection of gable end roof extension with dormer extension in rear roof slope.17/01165/HSE – 59 Littleheath Road, South Croydon, CR2 7SJ – Erection of part single/two storey front/side extension.
If there are any residents who wish to make any comments or recommendations in respect of the above they can do so by contacting the planning department at Bernard Weatherill House or approaching one of us. The detailed plans of all these extensions are available on the Council’s website at: http://planning.croydon.gov.uk/DCWebpages/AcolNetCGL.gov
BOUNDARY COMMISSION:As we write these notes the Boundary commission have just published their proposals for Council ward boundaries. Should
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you wish to make representations you have till the 8th May 2017. The address is as follows: Review Officer (Croydon) The Local Government Boundary Commission for England ,14th Floor, Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QP or email [email protected]. The final decision will be made on 11th July 2017.
Briefly the proposals for Selsdon are as follows. The present ward is to be split into two the Addington Road/Selsdon Park Road being the boundary between them. To the north of that will be Selsdon and Addington Village ward. This includes all the present roads in Selsdon north of the boundary excluding Arundel Avenue, Norfolk Avenue, Langley Oaks Avenue, Ridge Langley, Upper Selsdon Road west side north of Arundel Avenue, Arkwright Road south side, Moir Close, Courtlands Close and the seven houses in Church Way currently in the Selsdon ward. These roads are proposed to be included in the new Sanderstead ward. The proposal is too keep the parish church of St Johns, Ferns Close, Mountwood Close and the north side of Addington Road in the new Selsdon and Addington Village ward. The new ward extends eastwards to include Monks Hill, Addington Village and the houses on Selsdon Park Road and extending north to the top of Gravel Hill.
The proposed new southern ward is to be called Selsdon and Forestdale and is very similar to the present southern part of the Selsdon ward with Forestdale and the houses along Featherbed Lane.
Each of the new proposed new wards will have two Councillors. These changes will perhaps have a knock on effect to the parliamentary constituency boundary proposals due later this year. It may also be possible that The Selsdon Residents Association will need to consider some boundary changes.
RUBBISH PERMIT:The Council have decided that from the 3rd April 2017 you will need a permit to visit any of the amenity sites in Croydon (Purley, New Addington, and Factory Lane) you can obtain your permit on your next visit to any of the sites by producing a photo driving licence which confirms your address and one other form of ID. You will be issued with a permit to stick in your car window.
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For more information visit www.croydon.gov.uk/permit scheme.
OTHER MATTERS:Despite strong representations to the Yorkshire Building Society, the decision to close the Selsdon Branch was decided by the board of the building society. The logic to the closures is hard to fathom because Selsdon, Coulsdon and East Grinstead are closing whilst Oxted and Streatham remain open.
Council tax is, as predicted, rising by 4.99%.
Council borrowing has risen by several £100m in the last two years. The rise equates to about £40,000 per voter.
Fairfield Halls/College Green planning permission has been passed with a large number of residential units to be built in the area but with very little parking. For those wishing to visit the Fairfield Halls, you are meant to go by public transport. Brick by Brick Ltd the council’s own building company is earmarked to do the development. 20MPH speed limit. The time for representations has closed but there is to be a public meeting on the 8th May where the final proposals will be discussed. We are afraid you will have to look for the council publicity as to where and when it is to be held.
Finally after the 1st April 2017 your ward councillors will be able to make representations for grants to local organisations for funding local projects.
SURGERIES:Surgeries are held on the first Saturday of every month 10am-11.15am at the Selsdon Centre for the Retired, Addington Road, Selsdon (Next to Sainsbury’s). The next surgeries will be Saturday 6th May 2017 and Saturday 3rd June 2017.
We give early notice there will NOT be a surgery in August 2017.
Cllrs. Sara Bashford, Phil Thomas and Dudley Mead~~
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SOUTH CROYDON TREFOIL GUILD
Are you a quilter or part of a quilting group?
I am a member of the South Croydon Trefoil Guild - mostly made up of Girl Guiders and ex Girl Guiders. We meet on a monthly basis and are affiliated to Girlguiding UK with many of our members either still helping to run units (Brownies/Guides) or those who wish to keep in contact with friends in Guiding. We also have other members who have joined because they enjoy meeting up with other like-minded people. Do have a look at our website http://www.trefoilguild.co.uk/LONDON-AND-SOUTH-EAST-ENGLAND-(LaSER) for further information.
Currently we are making quilts for the special care baby unit at Croydon University Hospital. We are making 2 sizes, 26x36 inches which go over the incubators and a smaller one, 16x20 which the babies can lie on. We use cotton and back the quilts with wadding or fleece.
If you would like to make a quilt for the unit and/or you are part of a group or want more information, please feel free to contact me on [email protected].
The parents and staff really like having quilts in the unit, it helps to brighten up the environment and to make it feel less medical.Thank you.
Vanessa and Anne on behalf of the South Croydon Trefoil Guild
~~
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MORE ABOUT LED LIGHTING
Many people have asked for clarification, so below are the typical factors for the sort of lighting we use at home.
Below is a comparison with a traditional 100 Watt bulb: approximate brightness for brightness; but remember that the ‘wattage’ is what affects our bill!
These figures are offered only for guidance, and may not be definitive; they are approximations, and different makes and types may vary appreciably, as may their specifications in adverts and catalogues.
Above ±12 watts, LED bulbs become proportionately dearer, but may still result in overall saving. Not all of those listed below can be used with a dimmer.
LED bulbs on sale in supermarkets are rarely rated at more than about 6-8 watts – equivalent to about a 70-watt traditional bulb. On-line sources give a wider choice of wattages, shapes and sizes.
David Huntley~~
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ROUNDABOUTSo our Highly Esteemed President of the SRA, Dick Adamson, is stepping down as chief beancounter for the Selsdon Gazette. This concludes many years of dedicated service to our community which began with his election to the Executive Committee some fifty years ago.
With his innate boundless energy, Dick always threw himself into the thick of any activity or tasks. His commitment was soon recognised by his being made vice-chairman and then chairman for many years. His energetic contribution was not confined to the Association, as he also acted as treasurer to the Croydon Bowls Club and then had a high involvement with the Little League Football Club project. In the 90’s he was elected as a councillor for the Selsdon ward which he helped represent for some years.
As an example of his energy and commitment to our locale, I recall the period when Sainsbury’s were building their premises on the old car park. He set-up a daily review meeting with the site construction manager. This established a fruitful and positive relationship whereby potential problems, which could adversely affect our residents, were quickly dealt with.
I hope that a more fulsome tribute to Dick’s contribution to Selsdon will be made in due course. In the meantime may I, on behalf of us denizens of Selsdon, convey our sincere thanks to him for his dedication to our community throughout the years. Also, our best wishes for a long and contented retirement for him and his wife, Joy. It should also be noted that Joy has also achieved success and recognition in becoming a distinguished player at the Croydon Bowls Club and by representing County on occasions.
However, it is difficult to imagine Dick Adamson just nodding off in his armchair all day. He will, in any event, still be seen around in his role as our president. After all, Dick does not have a retiring nature.
Regarding the Warlingham District Plan, it is reassuring to learn from the Councillors’ Notes that our member of Parliament is aware of our concerns about the proposals. Should these be implemented
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in full, they will result in an exponential increase in dwellings at Warlingham, many of which would be built on the Green Belt. Such an increase would severely increase traffic through Selsdon. Whilst Croydon Council may not have any direct influence on the proposals, we do have a right to articulate our concerns as nearby residents who could be affected by such large scale development.
In recent weeks, there has been significant ground clearance and felling of trees on vacant land bordered by the Greenhill Lane footpath, Alexandra Road and Chelsham Road (opposite the Greenlawns cemetery). I understand that this area is scheduled Green Belt and that no formal planning application has yet been made.
Friend Sellis is in provocative mood. He alleges that I have an obsession about the weather. His assertion I strongly resent and l I tell him it is just an interest rather than a fixation. He looks unimpressed and suggests that I went on a bit last month. I protest that was just an annual review of Selsdon’s climatological record.
“There you go again!”, he retorts.
“Bet you can’t resist mentioning storm ‘Doris’ on 23rd February?” he adds. Somewhat loftily, I tell him that I have absolutely no intention whatever of mentioning Doris.
“Not even a teeny-weeny mention?” he enquires.
“Absolutely none at all!”
Sellis notes that ‘Doris Day’ turned out to be quite breezy. As he moves towards the door, he attempts to sing. (He is painfully tone deaf.)
“Whatever the weather. will, be; Que Sera, Sera!”
I throw a book at him. It misses.
Carousel ~~
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NATURE NOTESHole Nesters
The quintessential hole nesters are the woodpeckers as they excavate their own nest holes in suitable trees. Most trees that are chosen are likely to have some signs of decay but this is not essential. Various kinds of tree are used and the tree trunk or branch in which the hole is placed obviously has to be large enough to take the hole. The two smaller woodpeckers will often use a Birch tree, digging a new hole each year and leaving a collection of old holes one above another. Sometimes a Birch Polypore fungus will appear above a nest hole and act as a weather and sun shield. Great Spotted Woodpecker is the most common and can be found in most wooded areas. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is now an unlikely nester locally though it has nested in Selsdon Wood, Littleheath, Kings Wood, Rowdown Wood and elsewhere. The larger Green Woodpecker tends to build its nest hole in trees which are close to open areas where it will feed on the ground.
Another bird which makes its own nest cavity is the Willow Tit but this has long vanished locally. Its relative, the Marsh Tit, can be found locally in small numbers but makes use of an existing hole to make its nest, as do most of the other Tits. I have seen a Blue Tit nest in a vertical metal pole and have wondered how the young birds survived in the cramped conditions and how they managed to clamber out. Coal Tit nest close to the ground, often amongst the roots of a tree but sometimes in a hole left by a small mammal such as a Vole. Long-tailed Tit is an exception as it creates a nest in the form of a hollow ball decorated with moss, wool and feathers which
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is flexible enough to accommodate a growing family.
Nuthatch will take over a hole and will use mud to plaster the entrance until it is reduced to an acceptable dimension. Treecreeper prefers to squeeze into a crevice, perhaps behind a loose piece of bark, and often has an entrance and an exit.
Tawny Owl will occupy a hollow tree if available, or even a large nest box, but in the absence of these it will take over an abandoned nest of Carrion Crow or Sparrowhawk and will lay the eggs directly on the material that is present without actually building a nest. Kestrels, like the Tawny Owl, will build on an old Carrion Crow nest but will adopt hollows in trees or large branches, and will build on man-made structures and in nest boxes.
Jackdaws may choose a hollow tree but are just as likely to nest on buildings, as are Starlings. Swifts are restricted to gaps under the eaves of buildings but will sometimes adopt a suitable nest box. Sand Martins nest in holes near water and in some reserves they are provided with a wall of artificial nest holes which they seem happy to take over. The raucous Ring-necked Parakeet is unable to dig its own nest hole so has to take over an existing hole and can be seen investigating suitable sites in late winter and probably squabbling with other species which are doing the same. Tree Sparrows are hole nesters which used to breed in Selsdon Wood but they have now vanished from the area.
In the competition for holes in trees Squirrels often have first choice. A tree with a rotting heart might provide a roosting place for Bats which can enter through even a tiny entrance hole.
There are other hole nesters which do not appear locally, such as Barn Owl and Redstart, but Little Owl nests not far from Selsdon Wood and we are hopeful that we might entice a pair to nest on the edges of the wood one day.
Ted Forsyth~~
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LOAN EQUIPMENT
Did you know that Contact your Neighbourhood Care Scheme has a number of items available for short term loan? Take a look below and see if any of the items listed are beneficial to you or someone you may know.
Wheelchairs (lightweight) with seatbelts, wheelchair bag, cushion & pump.
Zimmer frames (folding) Walking aids, one with wheels/seat-all fold.
Folding indoor Trolley-with 2 shelves for carrying items.
Adjustable Bed Cradle (Holds bedclothes of user
Long-handled shoe horn
Walking sticks
Booster seat for armchair
Crutches.
Bath Boards.
Radar Keys (to open toilets for disabled)
Chair raisers
Perching stool
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GLIMPSES OF OLD SELSDON XXIXThe War Effort of The Selsdon Players
The Selsdon Players, a local amateur dramatic society, was founded in 1929, mainly due to the enthusiasm of Len Jones. In the years before the War in 1939 it had gained an excellent reputation in the district and had won several awards in local amateur dramatic festivals. In the immediate years after the War, this reputation continued and by then Len had become their main producer, whose speciality was in producing the first amateur performances of new plays. However, the society suffered a great loss when all their scenery and props were destroyed in a fire in early 1940.
In a programme note for their first post-war production (their 20th), the first amateur performance of “Happy New Year”” by John Sand and Fanny Jocelyn at the Selsdon Hall on May 17/18th 1946, Len recalled how the society fared during the war years:-
“In 1940, having lost all our scenery and props by fire, we gave our first Revue in Selsdon. It was a jolly, unpretentious affair - the outcome of a previous Social. But soon the quicker call up, evacuation and the Blitz made themselves felt and with downcast hearts we packed up, as we then thought, for the duration or even longer.
“Then came the appeal from the War Office for troop entertainment and I was approached by the Y.M.C.A. for assistance. There were still a few of the old Players left in Selsdon, so I gathered these together and badgered others to join us. Thanks to the unfailing kindness and generosity of Mrs Tulett, we commenced rehearsals at the Sanctuary Tea Rooms* Soon I enlisted the interest and generosity of certain professional script writers, Robert Rutherford, Nina Warner-Hooke, Audrey Hyslop (who actually took a rehearsal for us at the Sancturay) and later Tolly Rothwell**, and before long we were using first class material, often in advance of the West End and the BBC. It didn’t take us long to find out what the troops wanted and, rightly or wrongly, all the numbers chosen had the primary aim - troop entertainment.”
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“Off we went then to perform in camps, huts and converted houses, playing under all conditions (sometimes no dressing rooms!) and in all weathers.”
“A wonderful spirit of friendship and comradeship developed among the Players and it became evident in their work. They were a jolly crowd, grand to work for and to work with. It wasn’t all beer and skittles to do a day’s work, go straight off to do a show, arrive home in the early hours, often in the middle of a blitz and then to crown it all - to have to go on Civil Defence Duty.”
“There was the night the lorry (ten seats - 15 in the party) broke down and we walked the last few miles to Aldersley Heath. That bitterly cold night, too, when the snow was so deep we lost the road on Limpsfield Common and ended up in a snow drift on Crockham Hill. But the troops had their show, even though Edna Medrow***, our excellent pianist, opened up just over an hour late. And the night we met at London Bridge Station when Jean (our Treasurer) arrived to tell us she’d lost her handbag and with it the Society’s balance in hand (just over £3!!)”“Yes, there are memories – plenty - the steak and chips supper after a Canadian show at Brasted. To Gondal Camp, only to find that Leslie Henson and Company had been there three days previously! To Redhill aerodrome a few hours after it had been blitzed and two of their pilots shot down and killed. To Marden, just after the Normandy landings to give 700 R.A’s their last show in England as they crossed two days later. Here we performed in the open air, changing behind a couple of blankets strung up between two trees.”
“By common consent we defrayed all the expenses incurred on the shows given to the troops. And always our reward was the appreciation shown by the troops - grand audiences …”
“Five times to Redhill. four to Limpsfield, six to Shirley … here was the proof! Charity shows at Ashtead, Warlingham, Bough Beech. Savings week at Selsdon, Holidays at Home at Addington ... and so it went on, once a week, twice a week, and even three times …”
“Six minutes at the most for change of costume! ‘You’ll have to reduce
3030
that to five minutes’ (‘Yes, Len’) ‘to four’ (‘Yes? Len’) ‘to two and a half ‘ (Blimey -YES LEN!) What a team!”
“And now it’s Adieu Revue” Thanks then, Revue Party God bless you all, Carry on Selsdon Players!”
Notes * The Tea Rooms were where the Village Club now is.** Talbot Rothwell later wrote the scripts for several Carry On
films.*** Edna Medrow was the mother of our late Selsdon Gazette
editor Pam MooreAll quotes from Len Jones’ programme notes.
Ted Frith~~
VENTURING BEYOND
April brings seasonal sale promotions in many shops, adverts for bargain holidays, a marked surge of activity in garden centres and the general hope that at last the gloom of winter is behind us. Venturing Beyond aims each month to offer you its own brand of mini “bargain” in the form of free outings, free events or free venues to visit. This month I am starting close to home with events in Croydon that you may or may not already know about.
Every Monday evening during April and May, the upstairs area at the Spread Eagle Pub & Theatre Venue in Central Croydon, will be transformed into a boutique cinema with sofas and complimentary popcorn! Free screenings start around 8.00pm but spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance on 0208 7811134. There is a different film screening each Monday with the theme for April being “Superheroes” followed by “The Roaring Twenties” throughout May. Call or check the web site for individual film listings.
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One for the calendar is the Addiscombe Carnival on Sunday 28th May offering a Family Fun Day with music, stalls, food, arena displays and stage shows, 11.00 - 5.00 in Ashburton Park, Lower Addiscombe Road.
Or how about a step back in time at Croydon Airport Visitors Centre, Airport House, Purley Way which is open on the first Sunday of every month from 11.00 - 16.00.
National Mills Weekend takes place on the 13th & 14th May and Shirley Windmill kick off their season by opening on the Sunday 14th May from 12 - 5. Shirley windmill is located at Postmill Close, Croydon CR05DY. Two more windmills taking part in the weekend event are Reigate Heath Windmill RH28QR, which is a mid 18th century mill currently used as a Chapel (open 12 - 5 phone 01737276103 for details) and Buckland Windmill nr Reigate - however this mill will only be open by appointment so please phone 01737843388. Sadly, Outwood Windmill at Outwood Common, which is said to be Britian’s oldest working windmill built in 1665, is currently listed as closed but it might be worth checking the National Mills website nearer the time for up to date information.
For information on all guided walks in the Borough and on friends of parks open days contact the community partnership officer 0208726 6000 or check www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/parkandopenspace/walks
Venturing into London and one for all the family is The Feast of St George celebrations in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 22nd April from 12 - 6.00. According to the web site there will be live music, cookery demonstrations, food stalls, a beautiful banqueting area and a host of indoor and outdoor family games. Free entry.
I have to thank one of my neighbours for the next suggestion, namely a visit to Canada House, the Grade II listed Greek revival building, home of the High Commission of Canada in England situated in Trafalgar Square. In 1993 Canada House was closed by the Canadian government as a cost cutting measure with the
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intention of selling it. It has since been re-opened a couple of times and currently offers tours of the building on selected Friday afternoons, the next being 28th April at 3.30 followed by the 5th May at 4.00 and the 19th May at 3.30. Each room has an individual provincial theme and the tour takes approximately one hour. Admission is free but you will need to register in advance using the web site http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca. Alternatively, Canada Gallery, situated within the building, is open Monday to Saturday 11 - 5.45 (no booking required) and “serves as a window into the world of contemporary Canadian art”. The current exhibition is by Rodney Graham, Canadian Impressionist. Entrance via Pall Mall.
Finally, whilst there is a charge for a Chelsea Pensioner led tour of the Chelsea Royal Hospital, you can watch the Chelsea Pensioners on Parade wearing full ceremonial uniform in the Royal Hospital central courtyard, every Sunday from April to November from 10.40 to 10.55 followed by a Service in the Wren Chapel at 11.00 which is open to members of the public. The Wren Chapel was built between 1681 and 1687 and is a rare example of Wren’s pure ecclesiastical work. The Chelsea Royal Hospital Museum is also free and is open Monday to Friday, 10 - 4.00 (entrance in London Gate).
Happy Venturing.
Sue Yates
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MASS OBSERVATION
A little, Would you like to keep a one-day diary for Mass Observation? Historians are interested! Sussex University is again calling for anonymous entries for their Mass Observation on May 12th. They are interested in capturing the everyday lives of people across the UK though ‘overseas’ entries are also accepted. (Last year 1,164 diaries were received. Only 14 people said they vacuumed but lots of tea was drunk.) The written diaries will be securely stored in their Archive and
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be used by a wide range of people for research, teaching and learning. This includes academics and students, schools, writers, producers, artists, community and special interest groups and the general public I have copied the following from their website http:// www.massobs.org.uk
How to take part
● Write as much as you can about what you do, who you meet, what you talk about, what you eat and drink, what you buy or sell, what you are working on, the places you visit, the people you meet, the things you read, see and hear around you, how you are feeling and, of course, what you yourself think.
● Diaries should be in electronic form as email attachments (as word documents preferably) to [email protected]
● Please refrain from including your real name, contact details, or the personal details of the people mentioned in your diary. Please remember that these diaries will be read and used for research and teaching, so don’t include anything that may identify you or others.
● You should include a brief self-portrait: your age, where you live, your relationship status, your present job or occupation if you are working and any other information that you think is important to record.
● If 12th May was a typical day for you please say so. If not, please say why it wasn’t. Any reflections on the day and on how you felt while keeping the diary are welcome.
● So that we can add your diary to the rest of the Archive for the future, please include the statement below at the end of your diary. If you don’t attach this statement, we won’t be able to keep your diary or make it part of the Archive.
“I donate my 12th May diary to the Mass Observation Archive. I consent to it being made publicly available as part of the Archive and assign my
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copyright in the diary to the Mass Observation Archive Trustees so that it can be reproduced in full or in part on websites, in publications and in broadcasts as approved by the Mass Observation Trustees. I agree to the Mass Observation Archive assuming the role of Data Controller and the Archive will be responsible for the collection and processing of personal data and ensuring that such data complies with the DPA.”
You can also take part on Twitter. Tweet your day using the hashtag #12May17
Schools and Community GroupsWe would also welcome diaries from school children, community groups, or other organisations. Please get in touch Phone: +44 (0)1273 337515
Email: [email protected] if you would like to discuss how your group can take part or download our 12th May diary pack from the website.
Janet Sharp~~
SOVEREIGN HARBOUR
Perhaps we are mad, but my husband and I love to go to Sovereign Harbour at Eastbourne on Winter days, preferably when the sun is shining because it can make the water appear to sparkle like diamonds and the light reflect from the masts and rigging. Of course, everything looks better when the sun is out. The harbour is an interesting place to visit, with all the large and small super boats, and there is a separate part for fishing boats, making it a working harbour too. The original plan, years ago, was to build two large harbours and a series of small ones off them, all approached through lock gates to the outer harbour and then to the open sea. The whole harbour has taken many years to build and there are chandler shops and other small shops and quite a good choice of restaurants, and the restaurants often have people from overseas eating in them because there are mooring spaces for visitors. So a meal eaten in a harbour restaurant can have educational
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advantages as we eat and try to fathom out what is being said in French or some other language. No of course we are not nosey!
Our regular plan is to use one of the restaurants and then walk our lunch off while enjoying the holiday atmosphere, the boats and the architecture, because although many flats and houses have been built, each new phase has a different type of building. At night, if we have dined instead of lunching, there is an area where pretty channels and fountains has been built and it is floodlit in the dark giving the area a magical feeling. We struggled to find this pretty gem at first after a friend’s recommendation.
Last time we were there, we decided to cross the water via the lock gates. We usually stop to watch the water gushing in or out and see who is waiting to come or go. The locks are beside the RNLI building, and in summer the life boats are kept outside in the outer harbour. That looks to me as if it needs dredging now as low tide reveals the mud flats. In winter the life boats are kept inside, presumably because there are no queues to get in and out of the locks.
As we watched the water pouring through the lock gates, I thought, “Phew what is that strange smell?” I knew that I had smelled it somewhere before, but it was very faint this time and my husband couldn’t smell it. Then as we walked to look over the sea wall, the answer came flooding back, for basking on the outer harbour mud flats, were two seals. They may well have been sea lions for one was big and the other smaller. Perhaps we will get to watch pups playing in the sea later this year. For anyone lucky enough to have visited San Francisco the smell was a much weaker version of Pier 39.
The sea lions of San Francisco used to live on an island called Seal Island and just swam in and hauled themselves out for a sunbathe at Pier 39, but after the Loma Preta earthquake in 1989, they decided they felt safer staying at the Pier. Over a thousand sea lions have been recorded at the pier and the smell is eye watering! We actually ate in a restaurant beside them but I found the thought of eating fish too overwhelming and ate meat instead.
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When writing this piece, I decided to look up on the internet the definition of seal and sea lion. The answer was, if the creature looks like an overfull tube of toothpaste, then it’s a sea lion. Not too helpful then. All I can say is when these sea mammals emerge from the water and flipper their way up the beach, they look large to me and nothing like a friendly toothpaste tube.
Jessica Blake~~
WHAT’S ON
You will find here information of events that are taking place in our area that may not have been mentioned elsewhere in the Gazette.
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ST. JOHN’S DRAMATIC SOCIETY11th-13th May – Snake in the Grass by Alan AyckbournSt John’s Community Hall, Upper Selsdon Road. Tickets £8 (concession £7)To book your seats phone the Box Office on 020-8651-1326.
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SELSDON AFTERNOON TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILDOn the 21st April we have Sue Henning speaking about “The Isles of Scilly”. Our talk is followed by “Show and Tell”, which sounds intriguing. It is not a naughty chat but we have been asked to take in to the hall, something of sentimental value or which just might be of interest to others and tell the other members about it. Perhaps our own version of “The Antiques Roadshow”, may be a better description.
In May, the (19th to be precise), Dr. Linda Makepeace is booked to speak on “Poles Apart”, which is a Geographical talk. In the second half of the afternoon we have a plant stall. This raises money for our
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charity, which will be to help support the new Air Ambulance for Sussex and Surrey. Victims of road crashes etc. will be taken to St. George’s Hospital in Tooting. Our members will have a chance to thin out their abundantly growing plants and other members to acquire new plants at reasonable prices, whilst helping the Air Ambulance cause. With luck we may never have to call upon this wonderful service.
Our meetings are held on the third Friday of every month in the church hall at St. John the Divine, in Selsdon between 1.30 and 4.00 pm. We look forward to seeing prospective new members in April and May, but although visitors are welcome we can only add you to our waiting list for the present time as we now have 100 hundred members. If you do enjoy a Guild visit, we can report quite a rapid turn over in membership because older members regularly move away to be nearer their families. For further information contact Jenny Turvill [email protected].
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THE RSPB CROYDON LOCAL GROUP Monday May 8th 2017: “Reserved for Birds”. Brian Nobbs will talk about RSPB reserves in Scotland,
Wales and England, each requiring a very different management approach and regime to maintain habitat and visitor interest. The RSPB works with the Environment Agency and others to make the most of land given in recompense for important areas that have been lost to projects such as port expansion.
Venue: Whitgift Sports Club, Croham Manor Road - off Croham Road. South Croydon, CR2 7BG. Second Monday of each month, 2pm and again at 8pm. Admission £4.00. Everyone is welcome, not just RSPB members. Free refreshments. A selection of RSPB goods, nuts & seeds are on sale. Parking limited on site but free in adjacent roads. 64 & 433 buses stop nearby in Croham Road. For more information, contact John Davis on 020 8640 4578 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydonNote: on request we give illustrated bird talks to local organisations.
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SELSDON FLORAL CLUB
We had a very enjoyable afternoon with Graham Harmer his Demonstration as always was lovely. On the 12th April we will be practicing an Easter Arrangement.
We are a small friendly Club our meetings are held at the rear of St. Johns Church Upper Selsdon Road on Wednesday Afternoons. The subscription for the Year is £15.00 Half Year £7.50 There is a charge for Members and Visitors at Demonstrations and Work Shops. Further Details from Brenda Pinkett 020 8405 9582
Forthcoming events:April 12th - Practice - Easter ArrangementApril 26th - Demonstration - Alison GallantMay 10th – Workshop – Eve JohnsonMay 24th - Practice - Think Thin
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FRIENDS OF LITTLEHEATH WOODSAGM - Tuesday, 9th May, 8pm in the Scout Hut alongside St John’s Church.We welcome anyone who would like to meet members and find out more about Littleheath Woods.
If you are interested in joining a work party or helping in any other way, then please ring Chris on 020 8651 4914. If you would like to be a member of the Friends of Littleheath Woods, the membership is £5 per household for the year. More information can be found on our website: www.folw.co.uk and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Littleheath-Woods-433674263471968For Your Diary:
Saturday 22nd April - Spring Flowers in Littleheath WoodsCome and see the beautiful bluebells and other flowers that appear in
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spring before the trees are in full leaf. Meet at the junction of Littleheath and Queenhill Roads at 10am. (Walk lasts about 1½ hours.)
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THE ROTARY CLUB OF CROYDON JUBILEE are organising a Big Band Concert on Friday 9th June at Warlingham Rugby Club, Limpsfield Road at 8.00 pm (doors open 7.30.)The era of the Big Band goes back to the 1940/50’s with the likes of Ted Heath and Joe Loss but the music and arrangements live on to a surprising extent.
The BIG BAND of Nigel Garrard is a full band of 16 professional musicians – 5 saxophones, 4 trombones and 4 trumpets with percussion, double bass and keyboard - a sound to be relished to the full with the music of Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Ted Heath.The venue offers more than adequate parking on site & with a licenced bar this is an occasion not to be missed – tickets £15 a head with children under 15 at £12 a head.
All profits to Prostate Cancer UK. More information from Cliff Quartly 020 8651 1164
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FRIENDS OF SELSDON WOODWalks – Our next walk is the Bluebells and Birds Walk with the Friends on Saturday 6th May @ 2pm. All our walks are free of charge and take about 2 hours. See our website for more details www.friendsofselsdonwood.co.uk
Workdays – Our next workdays are on March 26th and April 2nd – meeting at 10am in Selsdon Wood car park. We would love you to join us. For further information contact our Workdays leader, Ted Forsyth, at [email protected]
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SELSDON CENTRE BOOK CLUBThe Club meets at the Selsdon Centre on the third Thursday of the month at 2.45 p.m. The cost is £3.50 for each session, which includes a drink and biscuits. New members are always welcome. For more details, please call Barbara Ewing on 020 8657 8099 or e-mail [email protected]
This is our forthcoming programme: 20th April - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell18th May - The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot15th June - Members afternoon of prose or poetry on the theme
of Holidays20th July - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins17th August - Novels by Victoria Hislop
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COMPANY CLUBEstablished over 35 years ago, COMPANY CLUB welcomes lively over 45’s to social events including barbeques, theatre, walks, meals out, and visits to places of interest etc. We currently have over 50 members, some of whom are couples. Although based in Croydon, members come from Coulsdon, Carshalton, Wallington, Caterham, Purley, Selsdon, Sanderstead, West Wickham and surrounding areas. New members evening - 1st Thursday of the month. For further details please contact Linda 020 8668 1382, Glenn 020 8656 9007, Shirley 020 8651 5835. www.companyclub.co.uk
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BE SOMEONE AMAZING IN SOUL SYMPHONY CHOIR!If you love to sing, have the potential to take your passion to a higher level, you’re inspired by singing great music in different places, and enjoy supporting your community, then we know you should join Soul Symphony Choir.
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Weekly rehearsals, 7.30pm on Tuesdays, from 2 May at The Holy Church Family Hall, 115 Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, CR2 9LF. The first workshop is FREE for new comers, termly fees apply. For more information contact [email protected]
Join in with amazing people and experiences.
SOUL SYMPHONY CHOIR present their SPRING LOVE CONCERTJoin Soul Symphony Choir in their uplifting charity fundraising concert, Saturday 29 April 2017, 7.30pm at St Paul’s United Reformed Church, Croham Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 7HF. Great music, including other performers, laughter and other surprises. £8 early bird tickets, £10 at the door.
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EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS & ACTIVITIES AT SELSDON LIBRARY
Weekly Activities:
Storytime, 0-5 Years, Tuesday 10:30 – 11:00am & Saturday 2:30 – 3:00pm. Stories with crafts and colouring. Free. No booking required.
Crafternoon. 4-8 Years, 3:00 – 4:00pm Saturday. Weekly afternoon craft making event. Free. No booking required.
Rhymetime, 0-18 months. Monday 11:00 – 11:30am & Friday 10:30 – 11:00am. Wiggle and Jiggle for 18+ months Friday 11:30 – 12:00pm. Rock & Rhyme. Saturday 10:30 – 11:00am. Rhymes and Singing for Babies, Small Children and their Carers. Free. No booking required.
Monthly Activities:Chatterbooks. Friday 28th April 4:00 – 5:00pm. For Children ages
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7-11. Chat with others about the books you have read, take part in games, crafts, quizzes, and other activities. This month we’re celebrating our capital city with a special, London themed Chatterbooks. Free. Booking Required.
Laughing Club. Monday 1st May 4:30 – 5:15pm. For Children ages 4+ Chat with others and take part in riddles, quizzes, and other activities. Free. Booking Required.
‘Aprende Español’ Thursday 11th May 3:30 – 4:30pm. Adults. Basic Spanish sessions for beginners. Free. Booking Required.
One-off Activities:St.George’s Day Crafternoon. Saturday 22nd April 3:00 - 4:00pm. Ages 4+ Celebrate St. George’s day, make your own fearsome dragon, and frighten your friends. Free. No Booking Required.
Dementia Friends Session. Monday 15th May. 2:00 - 3:00pm. Adults. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends program to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts. Free. Booking Required.
Local History Talk: Cane Hill Hospital. Friday 19th May. 2:00 - 3:00pm. Adults. Cane Hill, ‘The Tower on the Hill, a Victorian pauper lunatic asylum, was opened in Coulsdon in 1883. It housed 1,150 people and continued to treat patients until it was closed in 1992. Join historian Pam Buttrey at Selsdon Library for an illustrated talk on its history. Free. Booking Required.
Lego StoryStarter Taster Session. Tuesdays 2nd & 16th May. 4:00 - 5:00pm. Ages 8 - 12. Try out LEGO Education StoryStarter; let your imagination run wild and create your own story with this special kit! Admission: £1.50 library members / £3.00 non-members. Advanced booking required.
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Lego WeDo Taster Session. Tuesdays 25th April & 9th May. 4:00 - 5:00pm. Ages 8-12. Try out LEGO Education WeDo kit; make some of the twelve models such as a plane, crocodile or giant and program them to move! Admission: £1.50 library members / £3.00 non-members. Advanced booking required.
Selsdon Library E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 3700 1017
For details of regular activities for children and adults in all Croydon Libraries please see: http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/
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LEPROSYWould you be surprised to hear that Britain’s beloved Red Squir-rels are, amongst their many other survival challenges, effected by leprosy? (Don’t worry - there have been no cases of transmission to humans from squirrels for centuries and the hardy Greys are, of course, immune!)
I guess many of us thought of leprosy as a disease of the past. Indeed, in Britain domestic cases in humans have long since been eradicated. However elsewhere in the world, mainly in poor countries with little access to education, healthcare or money, this disease is still very active. There is no approved vaccine but there drugs available (6 to 12 month course) for a full cure but only if people can get access and someone with the funds to pay.
Fr Doug Bull, who was raised and even ordained here in Selsdon (currently Parish priest at Holy Cross in Catford), has been raising funds since 1994, for a leprosy rehabilitation centre in Ghana, West Africa (near the infamous former slave trade capital of Elmina). The Centre is called ‘Ahotokurom’ which means ‘Place of Serenity’ (See www.Ahoto.org). Selsdon has a ‘Friends’ group for this charity based at Fr Doug’s childhood church - St Columba’s, Queenhill Road.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, attacks the nerves leading to loss of sensation and therefore a higher chance of injury and infec-tion. Untreated infections and injuries lead to disfigurement, disability and for many unemployment or rejection from communities. Whilst it strikes fear in people’s minds it should be known that is not a hereditary disease and 95% of people are naturally immune. The transmission process is not fully understood but it is thought that susceptible peo-ple need to be in close contact with an untreated sufferer to catch it.
Getting drugs to those infected is just the start of the help they will need if not treated in the early stages. Counselling, rehabilitation to adjust to disability, access to medical aids, skills and education for help living an independent life as just as important. For some, long
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term care and housing may be needed.
In the Ahotokurom project, the wonderful care, facilities and time given to these patients and their families who travel from across Ghana for help, has meant that its reputation has spread far and wide. This has meant that the project has had to widen its scope to care for those who arrive and ask for help who have physical or mental difficulties unconnected with leprosy but just as in need of compassion and practical aid. This heartening work, aided by funds from here in Selsdon, has lead Ghana towards eradicating leprosy but elsewhere there are other countries that are not so fortunate. World Leprosy Day takes place each year on the last Sunday in January. See www.lepra.org.uk to find out more.
Janet Sharp
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ACROSS7 Suitable colour scheme given to interior of house (8)9 One having a peep at attractive woman (6)10 Some admit Chris is an irritation (4)11 Some larks give rise to great delight (10)12 Having superior quality, exude largess initially when working (2,4)14 Eccentric partner keeps one marine reptile (8)15 I pay a rent, originally designed to get place for workers (6)
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD - APRILSet by Alberich – www.alberrichcrosswords.com
(Puzzle Ref: XC254812 – Gazette Ref: 040)
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16 Old fellows given one church duty (6)19 Orwell’s pig is a 25 Across (8)21 Earth is scattered around new part of plant (6)23 Spurs team’s struggling to appear adequate (4,6)24 Headgear to go with oriental garment (4)25 Informer finds tin with 10 Across (6)26 Sounds like meal’s untouched in Warwickshire town (8)
DOWN1 Item of furniture needs fixed support (6)2 Boy rejected hot food (4)3 Refrain from taking Ecstasy with older family member (8)4 Changing rules takes time in Irish province (6)5 Deny Diana is involved in agreement (10)6 Note pay increase and learn it by heart (8)8 It may be sung in humble dwelling (6)13 Almost the whole of creation goes to city, we hear – Oxford
perhaps (10)15 Familiarise Bill with unusual antique out East (8)17 Outrageous tirade about the Union Jack? (8)18 Idiot caught with mixture of nitre (6)20 Shows amusement when lass endlessly conceals disgusted
expression (6)22 Use stratagem to pursue half of them (6)24 Bit of paper from African country (4)
MARCH’S CROSSWORD SOLUTIONPuzzle Ref: XC254711 – Gazette Ref: 039
ACROSS3 pitch. 8 poseur. 9 origin. 10 babe. 11 shot-putter. 12 cellar. 13 interest. 16 all over the place. 18 possible. 21 ignore. 23 censorious. 25 left. 26 alpaca. 27 oyster. 28 pylon.
DOWN1 locale. 2 rebellious. 3 preserve. 4 throw in the towel. 5 hotpot. 6 gift. 7 divers. 12 champ. 14 relentless. 15 theme. 17 emission. 19 overly. 20 burlap. 22 reflex. 24 scam.
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We have had no correspondence this month. We do welcome your letters so do please get in touch if you have something to share with Selsdon residents.
Please remember to state your name, address, contact number, and publication anonymity requirements in all correspondence to the Editor. Anonymity can be granted on request, but anonymously sent letters/e-mails will not be published.
Heather Govier, Editor
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No job too small
We are a friendly Croydon-based kayaking and
canoeing club: Flat water and White-Water
Beginners and experienced paddlers welcome
Variety of trips and activities for all abilities
Pool sessions - skills, fun and games.
Contact Sarah at [email protected]
WWeb: www.croydonactivepaddlers.org
Facebook: search ‘Croydon Active Paddlers’
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A SELECTED LIST OF SELSDON ORGANISATIONSThe information provided is, we hope, accurate, but we cannot take any responsibility for any mistakes. Any alterations should be sent to the Editor, as well as contact details of any organisation omitted.
CHURCHESForestdale & Selsdon Community Church 8657 0078St John the Divine (Church of England) Parish Office 8657 2343 Selsdon Baptist Office 8651 4308St Columba’s (Roman Catholic) 8657 3747St Francis (Church of England) Monks Hill 8657 7864Croydon Jubilee Church Office 8651 2807Upper Selsdon Road Hall (Christian meeting place) 8657 2417Church of Jesus Christ of LDS Bishop Hawkins 01883 349914
DOCTORS, DENTISTS & EMERGENCY CAREFarley Road Medical Practice 8651 1222Queenhill Medical Practice 8651 1141Selsdon Park Medical Practice 8657 0067Chapel View Family Dental Care (Non NHS - private patients only) 8462 0200Croydon University Hospital (formerly Mayday Hospital, 24/7) 8401 3000New Addington Minor Injuries Unit (Mon-Fri 14:00-22:00/Sat-Sun 12:00-22:00) 8251 7225Purley War Memorial Hospital (Urgent Care Centre, 14:00-20:00, 365 days a year) 8401 3238
CLUBS, GROUPS & CHARITIESCONTACT (neighbourhood care) Andy Stranack 8651 4944 Selsdon Centre for the Retired Pat Blyghton 8651 1111 Croydon Hearing Resource Centre Office 8686 0049 Bourne Society Roger Packham 01883 349287Croydon Friendship Centre Derek Woolnough 8645 9109 Croydon Natural History & Scientific Society Brian Lancaster 8668 6909Croydon Voluntary Association for the Blind 8668 2486Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline 8916 0855Friends of Littleheath Woods Ian Leggatt 8651 1140Friends of Selsdon Wood Heather Govier 8657 0423Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Senior Section Girlguiding UK: http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get_involved.aspx 0800 169 5901Police (Selsdon & Ballards SNT) Beat Officer: 8721 2464RSPB, Croydon Local Group John Davis 8640 4578Rotary Club of Croydon South Wendy A Parr 07774 186792Probus Club of Croydon South John Barker 8657 2093St John’s Dramatic Society Caryl Rapps 8651 1326St John’s Wives Jane Guglielmi 8657 6672Sanderstead Plantation Partners Michael Lishmund 020 8651 27601st Selsdon & Addington Scout Group: Website: www.1stselsdon.org.uk Beaver Colony (6-8yrs) James Gordon 07855735722 Cub Pack (8-10yrs) Louise Baker 07737 404668
Scouts Troop (10-14yrs) Ken Jackson 07789 641112 Croham Valley Explorers Anthony Woodin 020 8651 3780
Selsdon Art Group Mrs S Hooper 07973 412952Selsdon Bridge Club Tony Cherrett 01883 730304Selsdon Camera Club Roy Stansbury 8657 5131Selsdon Community Hall Tim Potter (Centre Manager) 8657 4300Selsdon Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild Elizabeth Veasey 8657 1092Selsdon Floral Club Sheila Last 8651 1005Selsdon Social Club Lorraine Carley 01689 638728Selsdon Tennis Club Geoff Littlewood 8651 474866 (Selsdon) Squadron Air Training Corps Rob Cleeter 8651 5958
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