the riddlesdown recorder · recorder autumn 2019 issue 208 recorder draft nov 19 27/11/19 20:49...

R I D D L E S D O W N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N

THE RIDDLESDOWN

RECORDER

Autumn 2019 ISSUE 208

Recorder Draft Nov 19 27/11/19 20:49

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Contents:

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERSAll Emergencies: (Fire, Police, Ambulance) 999Police Non Emergency Number: 101Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown SNT: 07584 186578Sanderstead Police SNT: 020 8721 2470

NHS Non Emergency Number : 111

Section Heading Page

The RRA Committee Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

RRA Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The RRA Committee Reports

Chairman’s Report – Brian Longman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Planning Report – Phil Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Environment Report – Phil Thomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Transport – John Rapp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Membership – John Rapp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Your Contributions and Articles

Councillors’ Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

19th Purley (Riddlesdown) Scout Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

St Edmund’s Church - Upcoming events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Riddlesdown Collegiate Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Croydon Citizens Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Network Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Community Pages

Community Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Front Cover Photo: “Riddlesdown in Winter”,

by Rachel Tarrant local resident

This is your local Community Magazine – for futureissues we welcome your contributions, either directlyabout Riddlesdown or which are of interest to localresidents – send these to [email protected]

Further information and past issues of this magazine canbe found on our website:

www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk

Printed by Cherrill Print, 297 Brighton Road, South Croydon CR2 6EQ Tel 020 8681 78263

[email protected]


The Riddlesdown Residents’ Associationcommittee members

Brian LongmanChairman and RiddlesdownCollegiate Liaison t: 8657 [email protected]

John RappMembership, Road Stewards andPublic Transport Concernst: 8660 9531e: [email protected]

Neil TarrantRecorder Editort: 8668 4061e: [email protected]

Janice Kedwardst: 8668 2011

Monica Pught: 8660 6008

Phil ThomasPlanning & Environmental;Website Editort: 8668 [email protected]

Nick TennantSecretaryt: 8660 4208e: [email protected]

Bill Whitmarsht: 8660 2178

John PlacekData Protection Officert: 07971 401528

Berni Muntt: 07866 [email protected]

You may write to the Riddlesdown Residents’ Association at any of the following addresses:66 Westfield Avenue, Sanderstead CR2 9JU or 37 Buttermere Gardens, Purley CR8 1EJ,

Please mark your correspondence with the committee member’s name, if applicable. Or you can e-mail any committeemember at [email protected] or at any of the e-mail addresses listed above.

RRA notice boards are situated in Lower Barn Rd by Riddlesdown Pharmacy, on the Green opposite the shops in LowerBarn Rd, on the Green in Lower Barn Rd near St Edmund’s Church, on the side wall of St Edmund’s Church and by K&K

Food & Wine in Mitchley Ave.Website: www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk Email [email protected]

Keith Powellt: 8660 5380

Jan Powellt: 8660 5380

Frankie WheelerFootpaths Liaisont: 8660 3886

Linda BevinTreasurert: 8763 4195e: [email protected]

The Riddlesdown Recorder

4www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk


As I am writing, it is drawing close toChristmas. It is a good time to recall the busyyear that we have had in the RRA, and lookforward to forthcoming events. In addition tothe work of keeping an eye on local planningmatters, environmental issues and localtransport, the RRA have once more organisedtwo well-supported litter picks. In earlyDecember we look forward to welcomingmany of our local residents bringing theirchildren, grandchildren, relatives and friendsto the annual Christmas party. As Brian

Longman reminds us in his report, since the1930s, the RRA have been working hard tolook after the local environment and built ahappy, inclusive community by organisingevents. There are lots of ways to becomeinvolved, please feel free to contact a memberof the committee.

I would like to thank all the contributors to thisedition of the Recorder, and Roger Cherrill forhis work typesetting the text.

Editor’s Notesby Neil Tarrant

nt

[email protected]

[email protected]

Editor’s notes


Riddlesdown is one of the largest Resident’sAssociations in Croydon and as suchexperiences a steady stream of residentsmoving away from the area and new onesmoving in. Our membership secretary informsme that while we lose many old friends, wewelcome up to 100 new members to theAssociation each year. For the benefit of ourmany new members, I would like say a fewwords about what the RRA does and what itstands for.

The RRA was formed back in 1937 topromote the well-being of residents inRiddlesdown and today it still has nearly 90%of households in membership, one of thehighest in Croydon.

High on our agenda then, and still today, is theprotection of the Green Belt that bordersRiddlesdown. At a public inquiry in 1974, theRRA successfully opposed an appeal to theSecretary of State to build hundreds of newhouses on the Green Belt land ofRiddlesdown. The lesson was clear, the GreenBelt cannot be taken for granted and if wevalue it, we must be prepared to fight for it.We have done so ever since.

In 2006, large sections of the Green Beltaround Riddlesdown were once again underthreat, with speculators buying and sellingplots of land. The RRA worked with our localcouncillors and council officers to ensure wehad the maximum protection in place on thesections of the Green Belt land under threat.This also included Mitchley Wood, which isclassified as ancient woodland, meaning thatthe woodland has existed continuously for

more than 400 years. We estimate that around40 individuals now own sections of Green Beltland around Riddlesdown.

The provision of local health services and inparticular, Purley Hospital continues be one ofour top priorities. The RRA has been heavilyinvolved with both the hospitals initialredevelopment and more recently theproposed changes to the increasingly popular,GP Hub walk-in center, at the hospital.

Planning also continues to be high on ouragenda. In recent years we have experienceda steady stream of contentious planningapplications to demolish single houses to buildflats. The RRA fully recognises the need formore housing and supports appropriatedevelopment. However, we are increasinglyseeing applications where the size and densityof the development is not appropriate for thesize or location of the plot of land and takeslittle or no account of the effect on closeneighbours.

Too often, we see applications for up to 9 flatsto replace a single home, with little or nocommitment to any improvements to the localinfrastructure. Primary school places, publictransport, parking issues, local health services,risk of flooding are simply not considered.These and many more infrastructure issuescannot be ignored and they are all key to aplanning process that supports any increase inhousing density.

While writing this report, the RRA has justreceived an application to demolish a singlehouse in Riddlesdown road and replace it with21 flats.

Chairman’s Reportby Brian Longman


www.riddlesdownresidents.org.uk6

Chairman’s ReportThe Riddlesdown Recorder



[email protected]

Chairman’s Report

In addition to the areas highlighted, the RRAworks closely with Croydon Council andother organisations, in areas of publictransport, local environment, localinfrastructure, health, schools, policing and ourcommunity.

Back in 1937 there were twenty-one peopleon the committee, more than double thenumber that we have today. In those earlyyears, the Association ran a number of socialactivities and clubs as the population ofRiddlesdown grew and developed. In 1956 theRRA held its first dance at St Edmund’s hallwith 180 residents inside on the dance floor;many more had to be turned away at the doordue to overcrowding. With a few more peopleon today’s committee with new ideas andenergy, we could do so much more. We stillrun the children Christmas party which isextremely popular. Until a couple of years agoran the extremely successful family Fun Daywith a relaxing picnic on the downs. The FunDay attracted around a 1000 people to theDowns to enjoy the Jazz band, donkey rides,punch and Judy, tractor rides and children’sfun races, including the traditional egg andspoon race.

I was pleased on World Car Free Day inSeptember, when two new families to the areaorganised a very successful car-free play streetfor the afternoon, in Westfield Avenue. Mygrandchildren thought it was brilliant to cyclesafely down the middle of the road but the dayalso had the added bonus of bringing the localcommunity together.

My guess would be that at least 200 newfamilies have moved into the area in the lastthree years and if only a few joined thecommittee, we could organize many morecommunity activities. Please give me a ring if

you are interested, my number is in thisedition of the Recorder.

Moving on to the subject of our local shops inLower Barn Road. I am sure that we will allagree, that our local shops are essential to ourcommunity and can be a lifeline to manypeople, especially the elderly. I have said itbefore: our local shops will only survive if wesupport them. The problem now is, whilemany residents want to support the localshops they often find it difficult due to a lack ofavailable parking bays. We have been talkingto the shops owners in an effort to find asolution, but it is not easy. The big problem,as we all know, is that Lower Barn Road has avery high level of commuter parking. Recentlymany of the parking bays have been occupiedby Network Rail vans with engineers workingat the station, hopefully this situation has nowbeen addressed. We will continue to engagewith the shop owners and local residents totry and find a solution. If you have a viewplease let us know via our RRA email accountin this issue of the recorder.

In the last issue of the Recorder I mentionedthe annual Open Evening for prospectiveparents held at Riddlesdown Collegiate inSeptember 2018. The event attracted morevisitors than in previous years and resulted intraffic chaos and gridlock in many of the localroads around the school. The RRA listened toresidents’ comments both positive andnegative and held meetings with Soumick Dey,Principal of Riddlesdown Collegiate and SimonHoar our local councillor. This year’s OpenEvening for prospective parents atRiddlesdown Collegiate was held on Thursday26th September 2019 and, at the time ofwriting this report, all feedback has beenpositive. Just as many parents attended the


event but there was nothing like thecongestion and gridlock of previous years. Onbehalf of the RRA I would like to thankRiddlesdown Collegiate for their positiveattitude and the actions they took to reducethe negative effect of the high traffic levels andcongestion experienced by local residents onthis a busy night in the school year.

Finally, in my last report I mentioned howsocial prescribing enables GPs, nurses andother primary care professionals to referpeople to a range of local, non-clinical services.These services can involve a variety ofactivities that are typically provided byvoluntary and community sectororganisations. For example, for someone whomight be lonely or socially isolated, the GP’ssocial prescription might include activities suchas joining a lunch club, an exercise or walkinggroup, befriending, volunteering, or somethingas a simple as a drop-in facility for coffee anda chat.

With that mind the Association has teamed upwith the City of London Corporation (Rangerson the Downs) and St Edmund’s Care Groupto provide a new Active Ageing Health walkon Riddlesdown Common. The new walk isaimed at those who have not walked for awhile and might need a little support. Theshort circular walks of 30-45 mins are taken atyour pace, and finish with tea, biscuits andtoilets at the Ranger’s office close to the startpoint.

The walk is currently on the last Wednesday ofeach month starting at 1.30 pm fromRiddlesdown car park. Please check currentinformation before walking, as the date maybe subject to change. Note: No walk inDecember 2019. Walks are advertised on RRAwebsite, RRA Facebook page and RRA noticesboards, St Edmunds notice boards and theCity of London Corporation web site - City ofLondonhttp://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/citycommons



Chairman’s ReportThe Riddlesdown Recorder



It has once again been a fairly busy six monthson the planning front, with some contentiousapplications being submitted and in many casesapproved, especially again for flats. Wesummarise the latest applications and also thedecisions on some others that were reportedin the last edition.

141 Brancaster LaneAs I reported last time, a full planningapplication was lodged in February for the“erection of a two-storey side/rear and aconversion into 6 flats with associated parking(4 spaces).” This site is on the corner ofBrancaster Lane and Lower Barn Rd. It isintended to abut an existing semi-detachedhouse and extend the semi-detached houseand replace it with flats. A previous outlineapplication was approved by the Council andthe full planning application was granted by thePlanning Committee in early May.

The RRA along with a local resident did seek alegal opinion from an expert planning barristeron the original outline planning decision byCroydon Council and whether it waspotentially unlawful. The legal opinion raisedsome interesting points applicable to thelawfulness of this and many similar planningapplications. This has helped us better tounderstand our position in respect of some ofthe common reasons for objection againstsimilar planning applications, which continueto be decided by the Council in the samemanner. We understand the local resident hastaken matters further with the legal opinion tothe Local Government Ombudsman, whohave now opened an active investigation intothe Council’s conduct, and we await

developments there. However, in this instancethis will not change the Council’s decision as aJudicial Review on points of planning law haveto undertaken within 6 weeks of a planningdecision.

116 Riddlesdown RoadAn application was submitted in late July forthe “Demolition of existing 4 bedroom, two-storey detached house. Erection of new 4storey building including basement and roofaccommodation to provide 8 units includingassociated access, and parking.”

There have been a number of publicobjections on this application by a privatedeveloper. The RRA again submitted a detailedwritten objection as well as the WardCouncillor and the MP. At the time of writing,a decision is still awaited.

48 Mitchley HillIn May, an application was submitted byAventier for the “Demolition of single-familydwelling and erection of one 3-storey block,containing 6 x 2-bedroom apartments, 2 x 4-bedroom houses and 1 x 3-bedroom housewith associated access, 10 parking spaces”

This was the second application for flats at thislocation. A previous application was previouslywithdrawn by the applicant. Despite 46objections, Croydon Council's Planningcommittee on 1 August approved theapplication. As is usual, the voting was politicalby 6 votes (Labour) to 4 votes (Conservative).

A side comment at the end of the 48 MitchleyHill hearing, when Chair, Cllr Toni Letts, forgotto turn off her microphone and said to PeteSmith (Head of Planning) sitting beside her -

Planning Mattersby Phil Thomas

[email protected]

Planning Matters


"now the letters will start" after thecommittee's decision was made! The 33-flatscheme at Barrowsfield (by Sanderstead Rec)was also approved 6 - 4 on the same nightwith identical political voting. It was adisappointing night for Sanderstead.

r/o 36 Riddlesdown Avenue (79kRiddlesdown Rd)In early April, an application was submitted forthe erection of a 3-bed detached dwellinghouse fronting Riddlesdown Road. The RRAonly submitted neutral comments on thisapplication, principally relating to issues on thenarrow access road.

So it was a bit surprising to learn the Councilrefused the application in early August. Thereason for refusal was: “The proposeddevelopment would cause harm to 36Riddlesdown Avenue and immediatelyadjoining properties in terms of loss ofoutlook, amenity and openness as the schemefails to retain a minimum 10m length of reargarden or half of the existing rear garden spacefor the host property, contrary to theprovision of Policy DM10.4(e) and DM10.6 ofthe Croydon Local Plan (2018)and theSupplementary Planning Document: SuburbanDesign Guide (2019).”

So can we expect another application soon fora smaller house and further away from the hostproperty? Or maybe this one goes to appeal.

r/o 38 (and 40) RiddlesdownAvenue (79j Riddlesdown Rd)An application was submitted in early May forthe “erection of a three-bedroom detachedhouse at the rear of No. 38 and 4 x flats at rearof No. 40, formation of vehicular access ontoRiddlesdown Road and provision of associatedparking.”

This is a slightly unusual one, since approvalhas previously been given for the house at therear of No. 40 but not for a conversion intoflats. The application at the rear of No. 38 is anew application. The applicant is the samecompany for both sites. The RRA objected tothis application as we believe that the newhouse rear of No. 38 is too close to the hostproperty (in respect of the 15 and 18 metresseparation and as refused for r/o No. 36) andin contravention of the Council’s new SPD2policy. In addition, there is no parkingwhatsoever for No. 38 which we believe willlead to more on-street parking on the narrowRiddlesdown Avenue.

In respect of the flats for No. 40, we believe itis unreasonable to have 4 flats within thisdwelling, which will be cramped with a smallliving/dining/kitchen open-plan area forpossibly 4 occupants and is an over-development of the site. The accommodationat 2nd-floor level (roof space) does not appearto be to an acceptable standard ofaccommodation for occupiers.

At the time of writing, the Council have madeno decision.

Purley Town Centre – 17-storeytower and associateddevelopmentsSince reporting last time, the former of theSecretary of State, James Brokenshire, has hadto re-open the Public Inquiry. This was due toa Consent Order being issued by the HighCourt on 1 April 2019, quashing the decisionof the Secretary of State contained in his letterdated 3 December 2018 in which he refusedplanning permission for the above proposaland rejected the Planning Inspector'srecommendation that planning permission


Planning Matters




Planning Matters

[email protected]

should be granted. The Developer Thornsetttook this case to the High Court.

Some members of the Rule 6 Party (the sevenlocal RAs) met with the Purley Baptist Churchand the developer Thornsett in early June todiscuss the situation. A very productivediscussion was held and further informationwas then returned to the PlanningInspectorate by the applicant(Thornsett/Nexus/Baptist Church), CroydonCouncil and the Rule 6 Party (RAs).

Information was then subsequently receivedfrom the Planning Inspectorate that the newPublic Inquiry will be held from Monday 3December 2019 for at least 5 working days.We understand the venue will again be thePurley Baptist Church. The new PlanningInspector is to be, Mr Paul Jackson BArchRIBA.

The seven RAs will again attend the PublicInquiry as the Rule 6 party. More informationwill be posted on our website, in our monthlyE-Blast and on our Facebook page in duecourse.

Proposed mobile phone mast inMitchley Ave adjoining 152Riddlesdown RdThe RRA were made aware in late August thatEE & 3 are proposing to replace the existing9.7 metre-high green phone mast in MitchleyAve near to and beside 95 Downs Court Rd(close to the sharp bend on MitchleyAve/Downs Court Rd).

The proposal is to remove the existingshrouded mast and equipment at this locationand install a new 20 metre-high unshroudedmast in a different position and nearer to 152Riddlesdown Road (close to the lamp post) butstill situated on Mitchley Avenue. EE’s agents

say the reason for the doubling of the height ofthe mast is for the new 5G roll out for EE and3 and better service locally.

The RRA realise that phone masts are vital forour community and we usually do not objectjust for the sake of it. Some EE service is verypoor in parts of Riddlesdown because of thetopography, so anything to improve mobilephone coverage would be good. However, webelieve this mast may be too tall and unsightly,but we will wait to see what local residentsthink. And will it mean all other masts have tobe increased in height to take the 5Gantennae?

Other mobile phone masts in the Riddlesdownarea are generally screened and hidden. Theseare located:

• in the grounds of Riddleah Court, LowerBarn Rd, near to Riddlesdown Station - 02and Vodafone.

• at the bottom of Dunmail Drive - 02,Vodafone & EE.

• near the top of Dunmail Drive - close toRiddlesdown Collegiate – EE.

• in Mitchley Ave adjoining 95 Downs CourtRd - 3 & EE

Also at the end of August, a number of pressreports appeared stating that the Governmentis considering allowing taller mobile phonemasts which could be built without councils'permission across the country, under aproposed overhaul of planning rules inEngland. It is part of Government plans tospeed up the roll-out of 5G networks andimprove mobile coverage in rural areas.Currently masts on public land must be nomore than 25 metres (82ft) high but ministerswant to relax these rules. Masts of under 15metres are permitted developments as long as


the mobile phone companies give 56 days-notice to Local Authorities, who must respondin that time period. Currently masts over 15metres (and up to 25 metres high) require fullplanning permission. 5G masts also do nothave the range of coverage as 4G and moremasts may be required for good coverage. Sohigher masts could be the answer.

This application will need full planningpermission. At the time of writing anapplication had been submitted on 8 Octoberbut then had to be invalidated by the Councilbecause the address was incorrect (after wepointed this out). A new application isexpected soon. Residents will then have achance to lodge any objections.

88 Riddlesdown RoadAt the time of writing an application has beensubmitted to the Council for the “demolitionof the existing house and erection of a block offlats comprising of 21 units with parking,landscaping and other associated works.” TheRRA have objected to this application.

Threat to the Green Belt inRiddlesdownAt the time of going to print and accordingly topapers that went to Croydon Council’sCabinet meeting on 21 October, the Council isconsidering the option of de-designating areasof Green Belt, that is, removing Green Beltstatus so the land can be developed forhousing.

Three areas are being considered and theseare;

Land at Borrowdale Drive/MitchleyHill/Rectory Park

Land at Gravel Hill (behind Monks Hill)

Land at Lodge Lane, near New Addington

For Riddlesdown, the suggestion is to buildbetween circa 350 and 750 new homes on thesloping Green Belt farmland in Riddlesdown!This is the first time the RRA have heard aboutthis.

Following this Cabinet meeting, the Councilhave advised a Borough-wide consultation togive residents a say on how the council shouldmanage Croydon’s growth over the next 20years and beyond is set to be the first part ofthe review of the 2018 Local Plan. It will lookat issues facing the borough, such as a need forup to 46,040 new homes, as determined byusing government formula, between now and2039, employment growth and how toimprove sustainability.

The consultation for amendments to theCroydon Local Plan 2018 starts on 8November 2019 and runs until 8 January 2020.It includes the proposal to de-designate theGreen Belt farmland on Rectory Park/MitchleyHill and build up to 750 homes.

Amongst the questions the RRA intend to askthe Council, include:

• Where are the new schools (pre-school,primary & secondary) to be located?Riddlesdown has no primary school and thelargest secondary school in the Borough butRRA residents can not always get a place fortheir children at the Collegiate becauselocation is way down the criteria list!

• Where are the additional doctors, dentistsand other healthcare provision to belocated? Riddlesdown has one small doctor'ssurgery and no NHS dentist. CUH is oversubscribed.

• Where is the infrastructure for improvedrail, bus and tram services?

• Where is the provision for improved foul



Planning MattersThe Riddlesdown Recorder



water and surface water drainage, to stopflooding?

• Where is the improved road network(major roads) for all the additional vehiclesthat will be using the road network;including delivery vehicles to shops to feedand clothe us and home deliveries via theinternet?

• Where is the supply of water to come from,for all new and existing homes, from a verylimited resource?

This list is not exhaustive. It is all well and good

for Croydon Council to say that new homesare urgently needed, but the improvedinfrastructure also needs to be put in place toaccommodate the existing and newpopulation. The RRA have been pointing thisout to Croydon Council in our objectionletters for at least the last 10 years withvirtually no response from the Council aboutthese important issues! We will advise moreon our website, Facebook page and monthlyE-Blast after the consultation opens on 8November.

[email protected]

Planning Matters

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A big thank you to all the beavers and cubsfrom the 19th Purley Scouts, two PoliceOfficers from the Purley Oaks & RiddlesdownSNT, a Council Neighbourhood Safety Officer,and all local residents and children whoattended the RRA litter pick on 11 May. Thiswas the sixth litter pick locally since the RRAstarted organising this in November 2016.

Despite the heavy rain/hail shower an hourbefore the litter pick, about 30 peopleattended. Fortunately the rain just about heldoff for the 90 minutes during the litter pick.

About 30 bags of rubbish, two tyres, trafficcones, plastic and scrap metal were collected.The RRA committee believe that with theseregular 6 month litter picks we are graduallygetting on top of the litter/rubbish issue onlocal Green Belt land. Another litter pick washeld on 2 November.

Riddlesdown Collegiate - Litterand RecyclingTracey Bellamy, Croydon Council's StreetChampion Co-ordinator arranged a litter pickwith the Collegiate just before the end ofsummer term. There have been a number oflitter picks with the school children that Traceyhas arranged.

Tracey reported: "The Riddlesdown Collegiatecarried out a litter pick today clearing over 25bags of litter from the farm field, the WhitePath and the footpath leading to GrisedaleGardens onto the farmland. The students asusual were great ambassadors for the schooland really set about the task in hand. Theopinion of the students was that most of thelitter would have come from the journey to

school. However we did find bags of greenwaste and cardboard as well. It was great tosee the students so engaged and takingresponsibility for the litter whilst taking pridein their community.”

On behalf of the RRA, well done to all pupilswho took part and to the Staff at theCollegiate.

Riddlesdown has a new bench inMitchley Ave!At the request of Meryl, the Practice Managerat the Doctors’ surgery in Mitchley Ave,Sanderstead Ward Cllr Yvette Hopleyarranged for a new bench to be erected by theCouncil and a replacement waste bin supplied.The new bench is now between the bus stopand surgery on the grass verge and the newbin by the bus stop. On behalf of the RRA,thank you to Meryl and also to theSanderstead Ward Councillors for arrangingthis to come out of their Ward Communitybudget!

The new ‘South London DownsNational Nature Reserve (NNR)’in RiddlesdownThe extract below is taken from the City ofLondon’s July 2019 Newsletter:

“We are thrilled to announce that theCoulsdon Commons have been declared partof a new National Nature Reserve; the SouthLondon Downs National Nature Reserve.National Nature Reserves are recognised forhaving nationally important habitats or speciesand bring greater levels of protection toconserve landscapes. The NNR will be the



Environmental issuesThe Riddlesdown Recorder


Environmental issuesby Phil Thomas


second biggest in London, joining RichmondPark and Ruislip Woods, and will bringtogether the 417 hectares of land managed byCity of London and London Borough ofCroydon to create a landscape both rich innature and where people can engage with thenatural world.”

This new site includes land owned by CroydonCouncil and the City of London atRiddlesdown, Kenley & Coulsdon Commonsand Farthing Downs. A map of all the SouthLondon Downs National Nature Reserve canbe found on the RRA’s website.

Surface Water Disposal fromRoofs and Patios and Driveways inRiddlesdownThe RRA have been made aware that thereare drainage/sewer issues in Brancaster Laneand during heavy rainfall sewage is escapingfrom the foul water system and dischargingsewage and flood water into some properties.We are also aware of other flooding issues atcertain places in Riddlesdown

This is primarily caused by some housesdischarging rainwater from their roofs andpatios, driveways etc. into the foul waterdrains, rather than constructing soakawaysinto the chalk sub strata on properties. Insome instances the foul water sewers in theroad are not large enough in diameter to takeall this excess rain and hence it backs up andfloods in various locations. With all the newflatted developments taking place locally andwith more rainwater being discharged intofoul water sewers this flooding of sewagecould become the ‘norm’ here andelsewhere. The RRA keep remindingCroydon Planners about this in our objectionletters, especially on new flatted

developments!No part of Riddlesdown has a surface waterdrainage system because we are situated onchalk. There are only soakaways. Thisincludes all the gullies/drains in the streetswhich discharge into soakaways. Part H3 ofthe Building Regulations are specific thatrainwater from roofs, patios etc. shoulddischarge into:

a) soakaway or infiltration system;b) a watercourse or finally,c) a sewer.

Following discussions between the RRA,Croydon Council, and Thames Water, LanesGroup acting on behalf of Thames Water havebeen carrying out further investigations inBrancaster Lane. From what we understand,it appears the foul water sewer is not largeenough to take all the surface water in heavyrain.The RRA have pointed out to the Council thatboth Approved Building Inspectors and theCouncil’s own Building Control Officers whooversee the building works should ensure andrequire that soakaways are constructedlocally. If they are not, then flooding of sewageand rainwater in some properties will becomemore widespread locally. UnfortunatelyCroydon Building Control Officers are barredby statute from interfering with the decisionsof Approved Inspectors, some of whom arelocated many miles away and not based inCroydon!Other issues for surface water flooding arehard surfaces (primarily for off-road parking)situated between a wall forming the principalelevation of a house and highway that exceeds5 square metres. If it exceeds 5 square metresthen the hard surface must be made of porous

Environmental issues

[email protected]


materials, or the rainwater directed to a lawnor drain naturally. These regulations applyonly to houses and not flats and requireplanning approval. However, you will notneed planning permission if a new area, usespermeable or porous materials - SustainableDrainage Systems (or known as SuDS), whichallows water to drain through, such as gravel,permeable concrete block paving or porousasphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to alawn or earth border to drain naturally. If thesurface to be covered is more than 5 squaremetres, planning permission will be neededfor laying traditional, impermeable materialsthat do not control rainwater running off ontoroads. Building Regulations will not generallyapply here. However, you will need to makesure that any alterations do not make accessto the house, any less satisfactory than it wasbefore. So for example, changing levels tointroduce steps where none existed beforewould be a contravention of the regulations.If you are making a new access into thegarden across the Council's footway(pavement), then you will need to obtainpermission from the Highways Departmentand pay their costs for a dropped kerb. Insome instances, if the new dropped kerb ismade onto a main principal road, thenplanning permission may be required. TheCouncil have also stipulated in 2015 that ahouseholder can no longer have more than onevehicular dropped kerbs to their property (seecondition 3 on the application form). This isto minimise the loss of kerbside parking!Many residents may not be aware, but SES(our water supplier) do offer a rebate viaThames Water (who are responsible for oursewage water disposal) if all surface waterfrom your gutters, drains etc., discharges into

a soakaway. The rebate is not a huge amount- currently £26.40pa but it is better thannothing.The following information is taken from theSES website:“Surface water is rainwater that falls on toyour property and runs via guttering anddrainpipes into the public sewer, or water thatenters the sewer from activities such as carwashing. Most customers are connected to asurface water sewer or combined sewer.“You can tell if you are connected to thepublic sewer by checking where your gutterslead. If there is evidence of a sewer close by -for instance, a heavy duty manhole cover -then it is likely that surface water from yourproperty drains directly to the sewer, and acharge for this is incorporated in your fixedcharges.“If your property is not connected to thesurface water sewer - for example, if surfacewater drains into a watercourse, stream, riveror soakaway - you may be eligible for arebate. If you are receiving the rebate already,you will see ‘Surface water rebate’ printed onyour bill.“Please write or email us to claim a surfacewater rebate. Please note that claims must besubmitted in writing and that the rebatecannot be backdated beyond the start of thebilling year - 1st April - in which it issubmitted.”More information about this is available on theSES website:https://www.waterplc.com/pages/home/sewerage-services/surface-water-drainage/Or telephone : 01737 772000.



Environmental issuesThe Riddlesdown Recorder



42 Riddlesdown Avenue –Dropped kerb to front of thepropertyIn early 2017, the RRA started to receivecomplaints from local residents about aproposed dropped kerb/crossover to thefront of 42 Riddlesdown Avenue, which theCouncil Highway’s Department intended toconstruct to this property. The front gardento this property was raised about 900mmabove the carriageway and fronts a steepgrass bank from the raised footway to thelower carriageway. The footway waspreviously level.

This crossover was constructed in October2017 despite the RRA pointing out to theHighways Department before constructionthat the crossover/footway should be madeto acceptable standards for the disabled, inparticular, in relation to falls and crossfall, andto comply with current highways standardsand the Equalities Act 2010 (formerly theDisability Discrimination Act 1995).

As a result of the approval and constructionof this crossover by the HighwaysDepartment, the Planning Departmentsubsequently approved a planning applicationfor the formation of an off-street parking areato front the house with associated retainingwalls and landscaping. The PlanningDepartment relied on the advice from theHighway Officers rather than use their ownprofessional judgement that it was perhapsnot suitable. This planning decision was madeafter the Highways Department hadconstructed the crossover!

In late 2018, following the RRA’s commentsand more complaints from residents, the

Council returned to the street and carriedout further works to try and made thecrossover safer for pedestrians and to try andimprove the gradients and crossfall. Thisinvolved re-instating the raised kerbstone(taking out the new dropped kerb) and layinga lump of bitmac into the street for about500mm from the kerbstone. We nowconsider this to be a hazard to cyclistsespecially on a cold wet winter night. It alsointerferes with the water flow in the gutteras there is a road gully immediately beside thelump of bitmac.The RRA also involved Disability Croydonwho give advice about the needs andrequirement of the disabled in Croydon. Oneof their visits was after the first set of workswere carried out and the second visit afterthe subsequent “repairs”! Their two reports(sent to the Council) were scathing about theworks, noting that the Council hadundertaken them without any dueconsideration for disabled, blind and visuallyimpaired pedestrians.The RRA also believe very little considerationhas been given by the Council to pedestriansafety on the formation of thiscrossover/footway. In particular for otherelderly and parents with buggies. Thefootway is especially dangerous for theseusers (as well as the able members of thepublic), for slipping sideways especially insnow, ice, and heavy frosts.As this was a challenging design scheme,especially for the disabled, we have askedwhy the Highways Department did notconsult with organisations such as DisabilityCroydon at the inception.In the RRA’s view, the crossfall on the footway

[email protected]

Environmental issues


which the Council created and then carriedout amended works, still exceeds 3% on thecrossfall, as set out in guidelines from TfL andFootway and Cycle Design from HighwaysEngland. Two felled trees on the grassbank/highway verge have also not beenreplaced in other nearby locations.We also believe that the Council shouldprovide a suitable dropped kerb at thewestern end of Riddlesdown Avenue (evennumber side) at the junction to RiddlesdownRd and/or across Riddlesdown Avenue toallow pedestrians/disabled in wheelchairs tocross these two streets safely. Currently theyare unable to leave the footway safely, or gainaccess to it without a dropped pedestriankerb in place.On behalf of residents, the RRA have nowsubmitted a formal complaint to CroydonCouncil about the actions of the PlanningDepartment and the Highways Department.We will update more in due course.

Website Mailing list, the WebsiteMessage Board and FacebookWe have recently had technical issues with theserver supplying the website Yabb messageboard (a third party server). The messageboard is rarely used by residents to view andpost messages, so we have removed thisfacility from the website.

However, the RRA Facebook page continuesto go from strength to strength and a lot ofuseful information is posted and shared onthere. If you are on Facebook why not give usa “like” or “follow” us! If you are not onFacebook, we have now set up a monthly E-Blast newsletter which will be sent toresidents by e-mail, who register with us. TheE-Blast may be sent out more often ifimportant information needs to be madeavailable to residents, for example, concerningsome planning applications. You will need tosubscribe to receive the E-Blasts and the signup is on our website: riddlesdownresidents.org.uk. Scroll down thehome page and registration is on the bottomleft side of the page where is says: “subscribeto our mailing list”.



MembershipThe Riddlesdown Recorder



Opening Hours: Tuesday/Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday/Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Monday/Sunday Closed

• Perms • Sets • Tints • Highlights • Cut and Blow Dry Special Rates for Senior Citizens – Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

Tip Top HairLADIES & GENTS SALON

Phone: 8660 2123

(opposite Riddlesdown Station) 100 Lower Barn Road, Purley

St Edmundʼs ChurchRiddlesdownʼs Anglican Church at the Heart of the Community

Part of the Parish of Sanderstead

Sunday Services:8am service every Sunday. 10am Sunday services are shared

with St Antonyʼs, Hamsey Green. Please see notices and website for details.

All welcome – just come alongSusan Atkinson-Jones (tel: 8657 5505)

Church hall for hireVery reasonable rates – Good for childrenʼs parties

Contact: Sanderstead Parish Offices:[email protected]

8657 0665www.sanderstead-parish.org.uk






I will begin with the train network. ThePassenger Benefit Fund (PBF) closed tosuggestions on the 31st July, and GoviaThameslink Railway. It is overseen by threeMembers of Parliament to ensure thatimprovements are as local as possible, isassessing the suggestions received.

The PBF exists because money thatThameslink (part of GTR) set aside tocompensate passengers for the disruptionthey endured in May 2018 was not allclaimed. The available fifteen million poundswas not allocated evenly, but in relation tohow badly each station's passengers wereconsidered to have suffered. To give somefigures: allocations were £30,000.00 forKenley, £50,000.00 for West Croydon, and£80,000.00 for Riddlesdown. As WestCroydon is an Overground Station, money isavailable to be spent at other locations andcan be used with unused money to givegreater benefit at stations with greater scopefor improvement.

Bearing in mind that the money is not to beused to do work that GTR would be requiredto do anyway, for Riddlesdown yourCommittee has put forward the followingsuggestions.

Increase of platform lengths. Many of thetrains passing through Riddlesdown arecomposed of twelve carriages, but thepresent platform can only accommodatenine-carriage trains. This means that in orderto alight from the train it is necessary toensure that one is in the correct carriage.

While it could be said that many residents areaware of the need to be in the correctcarriage when returning home from London,there have been cases of people not beingmade aware of this need and being unable toget off at Riddlesdown – making the railwayless attractive for them. When going toLondon, currently only eighteen (rather thantwenty-four) doorways of a twelve coachtrain are being used. Following extension,people will be able to board quicker atRiddlesdown giving faster journey times forall passengers on the line. With bothplatforms extended to accommodate twelvecoach trains Riddlesdown Station will bemore attractive to our residents.

Station facilities not always available whentrains are running. The ticket office operatesSchedule 17 opening (which in practicemeans being open in the morning fromMonday to Saturday). When it is not open,the waiting room and toilets are also lockedout of use. We hear many announcementsabout carrying water, and the hand basin tapsdispense drinking water. Since the stationopened technology has developed, and wehave asked for Riddlesdown to be used as aprototype to benefit similar stations, usingCCTV, movement detectors (as used by theintruder alarms in many of our homes),electric release of the waiting room doorlock, possibly aided by the assisted travelbutton on the help point.

Seating and shelter. We have suggested theinstallation of further sheltered seating to help

transport

Transportby John Rapp


transport

[email protected]

passengers on wet days. This will benefit usand other travellers on the line from EastGrinstead and Uckfield.

Going onto the buses, there has been aCroydon Town Centre Bus ChangesConsultation that ended in January. Due tothe volume of comment it took until almostthe end of July for the confirmed post-consultation changes to be announced. Manyresidents are not happy that following thereduction of the 412 service reduction from1 September 2018. Further changes whichtake effect from 2 November mean that the412 will only be going to Katharine Streetrather than the West Croydon Bus Station.

I have read the report and noted the manycomments on the 412 route, (which seem tobe more than for any other route) who saythat this service should continue to serveWest Croydon, or alternatively East CroydonStation. Transport for London have been toldthat making bus services less attractive goesagainst the Mayor's Transport Strategy ofgetting more people to use public transport).

I have told TfL that, from November, theirJourney planner will need to give details ofnew journey opportunities. In the context ofthe TfL Journey Planner, I have been quicklylooking at some typical journeys.

Purley Hospital. The 412 used to continuefrom the Purley Tesco stop, via the LondonRoad shops and Purley Hospital beforerunning out of service via the Purley OaksRecycling Centre to reach the Bus Standopposite Purley Hospital. It now runs fromthe Purley Tesco Stop via Pampisford Roadand Christchurch Road to the bus standserving Purley Hospital. Sadly, the stop in

Pampisford Road (called Purley Hospital)helps 405 passengers to reach PurleyHospital. Getting off a 412 at that stop meansfinding the rear of the Purley Hospital (fairlywell disguised) and walking through to theBrighton Road.

Croydon University Hospital - and EastCroydon. I expect that many of us will beusing the Coombe Road stop where all busesstop for our same stop changes. The Swanand Sugarloaf Stop, while not served by the119, is a bus driver changeover point – wherehelp is likely to be more available. On the wayback the Aberdeen Road stop is alsouniversal. A change at one of these stops willalso help in getting to St George's Hospital(the 264 will be curtailled to turn at WestCroydon Bus Station)

St George's Hospital. While the 264terminates at St George's, we can also use the127 (which starts from Purley) to reachTooting Broadway (bus to St George’s aboutevery four minutes. While the routes differ,the 127 and 264 journey times are about 55minutes.

Many of you will know that I am fond of themaxim: “use it or lose it.” I think we are nowmoving towards Use it, and improve /encourage it. I leave you to share thoughtswhen needed with our transport providers.



The Riddlesdown Recorder Membership



With around 1,450 front doors inRiddlesdown, a figure that is likely to grow1,500 early in the next decade, it is hard forany of us to know all our fellow residents.Sometimes, our interactions with our fellowresidents can be fleeting. One example of thiswas my visiting Hazel Kiernan with my wifeMargaret (who had known her for manyyears), to obtain material for the article shewrote for our last magazine celebratingHazel's 100th birthday on the 18th May 2019.Sadly, I have to report that Margaret and Iattended her funeral on 19th August. Welearned that Hazel – who had been aCommittee Member of RRA – had beenmaintaining contact with her birth family, thefamilies of her two husbands, and her friends,neighbours and former voluntary sectorcolleagues, who she developed into friends.

One part of the celebration that will stay withmany people was that the Chapel only hadtwo spare seats.

Having written about Hazel, my thoughtsturned to Gwen another of our localcentenarians featured recently in theRecorder. Her neighbour gave me a lot ofnews. Sadly, Gwen also died in August, aged101. Like Hazel, she lived life to the full and Ilearned that she had attended her newneighbour's housewarming. During the partyshe told of her experiences to a captivatedaudience and I know that her new neighbours– although they know her only briefly – willfondly remember how she helped to maketheir house a home.

I leave you to successfully interact with eachother, building friendships as you go.

Membershipby John Rapp


[email protected]

Councillor’s ReportCouncillor Simon HoarI have written here before about the impactof planning applications within Riddlesdownand the broader area, but the instances ofestablished detached houses being knockeddown in favour of blocks of flats continues togrow. In my opinion, this shows that CroydonCouncil and its Planning Committee areunwilling to defend the existing communitiesand its residents in the same way as ourneighbouring Boroughs do for their residents.

Croydon’s Planning Committee has a recordof approving over 90% of the applications thatcome before it, with the Committee Chairhaving a super referral power to bring anyapplication to committee that they(presumably) think is likely to be rejected byofficers at delegated level. This has resulted indevelopers and land speculators seeingCroydon as a free-for-all planning landscapeguaranteed to give them permission andtherefore boost their profits.

The Council justify this situation by sayingthere is a housing crisis with thousands ofpeople on the housing waiting list hoping for ahome. This is true, to an extent, but thereason that all the blocks of flats being built onplaces like Riddlesdown Road are of nine unitsis to avoid providing affordable housing. Flatscosting £400-500,000 are unlikely to do muchto help those in need of an affordable home.Presumably the Council is building throughtheir Brick by Brick development company?Not a bit of it. Since taking control in 2014, the

current administration has built zero councilhomes and instead designated theirdevelopments, like those been built on greenspace on Montpelier Road, for private sale.

The issue of planning therefore continues tobe a problem for us and is potentially about tobe stepped up. There is a plan, for instance, at88 Riddlesdown Road to replace the existinghouse with a block of 21 flats (though still noaffordable housing) that fills the site and doesnot even attempt to blend in with surroundinghouses. This would be a steep change in localplanning in the way that Pampisford Roadsuffered in the 1990s.

The Labour-run Council is also about to starta consultation in November on revisions totheir local plan that include three options. Thefirst would see 40% of the projected 46,000homes they say are needed over the next 20years built on windfall sites – that is, on siteswhere an existing property such as 88Riddlesdown Road has been demolished – andrequire Purley to have up to 9,390 new homeswith another 2,070 for Sanderstead.

The second option would see windfall sitesaccommodate ‘only’ 25% of new homes withPurley Way becoming a regeneration zone tocover the rest. In Purley this means 7,060 andin Sanderstead 1,450 new homes. The thirdoption has the same figures as option two, butwould also see some green field land de-designated to allow for house building. One ofthese sites is the field next to Mitchley Hill andBorrowdale Drive where up to 780 homescould be developed.

Your Contributions & Articles

Your Contributions & ArticlesThank you to all the RRA Committee for their contributions – we now have yourcontributions, information, articles, letters and photographs on the following pages.






So, there it is, the Council’s grand plan. I holdserious concerns that it will result in much ofCroydon being concreted over, and that theCouncil are not doing enough to push back onnumbers, or to explore options such asfocusing on brown field development andCroydon town centre development. It seems,that there is just an expectation that our areawill either take 12,000 new homes or just8,500 and loses part of the green belt.

Moreover, I am concerned that the figure of46,000 homes figure is not even accurate, justwhat Croydon have accepted from the Mayorof London . The Planning Inspector has issueda review of the London Plan recently and theresults for Croydon would see the projected10-year housing numbers drop from 29,490to 20,790. This is still a significant number, butsubstantially lower than before. Are theCouncil taking heed of this change? No, theyplan to press on with allowing for as muchdevelopment as possible regardless ofGovernment advice.

It seems that after 18 months as a Purley Oaksand Riddlesdown ward councillor, my onlysuccesses in defeating a planning applicationfor a block of flats replacing a house beingthrough the planning officers delegatedpowers is unlikely to be changed any timesoon.

Councillor’s Report Councillor Helen RedfernI would like to share with residents the workof the Governance Review Panel, which I wasinvited to join in October 2018. The Panel wastasked with looking at how Croydon isgoverned and to make recommendations onoptions for improvements to better serve

residents. The Panel is independently chairedby Dame Moira Gibb and, whilst cross-partyin its membership, has more Labour membersthan Conservative.

Initial research, conducted by the Centre forPublic Scrutiny, showed that Council Members(ward councillors) did not find many aspectsof the Council’s governance to be positive andthat there was a strong desire frombackbenchers to contribute more – after all,councillors cannot represent their wards orthe wider Borough if they are not part of thedecision-making process. There was also adesire to ensure that the structure allowedresidents’ voices to be heard.

This autumn, residents were consulted onwhat they think of the current way of working– thank you to Riddlesdown ResidentsAssociation for sharing the consultation detailswith local residents.

The Panel has spent a lot of time consideringdifferent governance models – from theStrong Leader model that we have now to fullcommittee-based systems. We had aninteresting visit to Sutton Council to exploretheir hybrid committee system that involvescabinet members chairing decision-makingcommittees. Councillors from both electedpolitical parties in Sutton seemed to like thismodel and appeared to be able to worktogether well. It is unclear whether this was asign of a good governance model or simplythat there is a positive working culture withinSutton Council.

And perhaps that’s the elephant in the room.

Much of what Members want to achieve inCroydon could be achieved already withoutexpensive changes in the governance structure. The Council Constitution permits the



[email protected]

creation of neighbourhood partnerships, areaforums, area committees, focus groups andservice or user-based consultative groups aspart of its community leadership role. Existingcommittees could give more weight tocomments made by councillors outside of theAdministration’s leadership - and committeesand meetings could focus on finding the rightsolutions for the residents of Croydon, andnot what suits a small group of people. Thegreatest problem in Croydon’s governancemay be the culture in which decision-makingtakes place. In my opinion, it often feels thatunder the present-system, pre-determineddecisions are being implemented withoutsufficient consultation. Even the GovernanceReview Panel meetings themselves have notalways demonstrated a positive workingculture in action.

Initially tasked to report back to Full Council inApril 2019, with a budget of £25k, the Panel isnow expected to report back in January 2020with the budget increasing to £100k. Despitebeing a member of the Panel I have not beenadvised on how this additional money is beingspent. However, it is certainly time for us toreach some decisions on how the Council bestserves residents in all parts of the Borough.

19th Purley (Riddlesdown) ScoutGroupSince our last report in Spring 2019, onSaturday 11th May and 2nd November wejoined Riddlesdown Residents Association fortheir litter pick. This is always an event thatthe children enjoy, using the pickers andsometimes collecting some weird andwonderful items of rubbish! This all goestowards their community challenge award

badge.

We held our second Family Fun Day onSaturday 18th May. It was a great successraising nearly £900. This time we had theaddition of a dog show which was very wellreceived. The date for the next Family FunDay is Saturday 5th May 2020. We hope to getbigger and better every year.

We had our big group camp this year atDowne Adventure Scout Camp from 25th to28th May. 44 children, young leaders andadults attended and lots of fun was had by all.Activities they took part in throughout theweekend included crate stacking, rifleshooting and grass sledging. The childrenlearnt so many new skills over the weekend,for many it was their first time away fromhome and for too many their first timewashing up! We are looking forward to our bigcamp next May 2020 which is a District-widecamp which is where many of us leadersattended our first ever camp back in 2012. Wehave come such a long way since then.

On the 30th May our Assistant Beaver Leader,Ellen, was lucky enough to be picked to help atthe Queen’s garden party. This was a realprivilege and one Ellen will not forget. Notonly did she represent Scouting in such a greatway but also the 19th Purley.

On Saturday 8th June the 19th Purley tookpart in the annual Gruffy 5-a-side footballtournament against other Cub packs in thearea. After 9 years of getting so close this yearwe were victorious, not only coming first butalso second! It was great to be able to sit backand enjoy the final knowing that we weregoing to win either way. We are so proud ofthe team work and commitment of thechildren that took part.






The Riddlesdown Recorder Your Contributions & Articles

On Saturday 22nd June the 19th Purley wonthe Gruffy which is a district competitiondating back many many years. We last won itin 1971 so we were thrilled and were certainlyon a winning strike this year.

On 21st July our Assistant Beaver, Ellen, tookon a bungee to raise money for our Group.Although we thought she was completelymad, we are so proud of her and she raised£500.

On Saturday 28th September we attendedSanderstead Community Day on behalf ofCroydon District Scouting, which we havedone now for the last 3 years. The climbingwall is always a great attraction, this year therewere over 300 climbers throughout the dayand we represented Scouting well, collectingnames of families interested in finding outmore about their local groups.

Refurbishment project

We are still working on our refurbishmentproject, which seems to have a never-endinglist! Next on the list is to replace the internalceilings now that the hut is finally water tight.This will include insulation and soundprotection which will make such a differenceto us on a day to day level as it is still very coldin the winter and the large hall is incrediblynoisy. Once that is complete, we will plan apainting work weekend and then we will getthe floors sanded and varnished. If anyone canhelp us in anyway, we are always looking forfunding, materials, expertise, etc so please docontact me.

Upcoming events:-Monday 9th December ‘19 Carol singing atSanderstead, Riddlesdown, Purley Oaks andPurley train stations

Saturday 5th May ‘20 Family Fun Day

Fri 22nd – Mon 25th May ‘20CroyCamp 2020

To find out more about our Group, my scoutemail address is [email protected] orvisit our websitehttps://19thpurleyscoutgroup.org/

Liz O’Brien

Group Scout Leader

Upcoming Events at St Edmund’sPlease see the noticeboard outside theChurch for details of upcoming ChurchServices

On 17th November, St Edmund’s PatronalFestival, we will give thanks for the 14 yearsthat Susan Atkinson-Jones has served as TeamVicar at St Edmund’s Riddlesdown and StAntony’s Hamsey Green and celebrate hernew role in a neighbouring Diocese

Please note 10.00 a.m. services and specialservices are live streamed. St Edmund’sRiddlesdown was the first Church isSouthwark Diocese to regularly Live Streamit’s services. The broadcasts can be seen attwitter.com/revsusan5 (Links may be found onThe St Edmund’s page of The Parish website(https://www.sandersteadparish.org.uk/st_edmund). The last broadcast of this series will beon Sunday 17th November

On Sunday 22nd December at 15.00 there willbe a Community Carol Service withChristingles

On Christmas Eve at 22.00 there will be a FirstCommunion of Christmas


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Riddlesdown CollegiateSoumick Dey, PrincipalAt the time of writing we are half way throughthe autumn term at Riddlesdown Collegiate,having celebrated another set of fantasticresults in the summer and made an excellentstart to another academic year. At A Level, ourYear 13 students broke all previous recordswith almost 60% of all grades at A*-B andover a quarter of all grades A*-A. 13 studentsachieved at least 3 A*/A grades and 28% havenow begun undergraduate courses at RussellGroup universities. These outstanding resultsfurther demonstrate why College VI, ourspecialist post-16 provision, is the place to befor sixth form success – put simply, no otherlocal school or college has matched theseresults. We continue to invest in College VIand have, over recent months, started torefurbish the classrooms and Common Room,enhance the dining facilities and improveaccess through the College with a walkwaythat connects two adjacent buildings – withmore to follow.

At same time, students in Year 11 matched lastyear’s best ever results with 89% achieving atleast a Grade 4 in English, 80% achieving atleast a Grade 4 in Mathematics and 78%securing at least a Grade 4 in both. At the topend, more than a quarter of all grades were 9-7 and 157 Grade 9s – aimed at the top 2%nationally – were achieved in total.

Chamber Choir & Jazz Band, “HairsprayMedley” Such impressive results led to ajubilant start to the new year, when staff andstudents renewed their efforts and ambitionsfor what we would achieve in the year ahead.We were delighted to welcome approximately3000 visitors to the Collegiate over the courseof our open events for prospective parents

and students. Despite offering moreopportunities for visitors to see us during theschool day, our annual Open Evening on 26thSeptember 2019 was just as busy as always. Iwas very pleased that the efforts we had madeto implement a one-way traffic system in thevicinity of the Collegiate helped to ensureeffective traffic management and we plan todo this again in future years.

Sadly, I know that some residents wereinconvenienced by the volume of cars drivingto and from the Collegiate the followingSaturday for the Entrance Exam. We received600+ applications for the 49 places availableand had organised candidates in two sittings.Unfortunately, not everyone followed theinstructions given about time of arrival andparking on-site and this led to some difficulties.My apologies if you were affected. I have beenasked whether we might take further stepsnext year to reduce the impact of such trafficat the Entrance Exam – in the same way inwhich we have effectively addressed the issueat Open Evening. However, I have explainedthat this may have been the last time that weoperate the Entrance Exam.

The Collegiate Trust, who act as theadmissions authority for RiddlesdownCollegiate, is consulting on possible changes toour admissions criteria for entry to Year 7 inSeptember 2021 which propose the removalof the Feeder Schools and the Ability criteria.The key reason for this proposal is that, overrecent years and especially since RiddlesdownCollegiate’s outstanding OFSTED judgment in2016, our school has continued to becomemore and more popular – last year, wereceived almost 1500 applications for the 328places available. Subsequently, and due to factthat under the current admissions criteria,


[email protected]


children who attend any of the five namedFeeder Schools (Atwood, Greenvale,Gresham, Harris Primary Academy Kenley &Selsdon) have priority, we have seen a growingnumber of children who live close to theCollegiate unable to gain a place. By makingthe proposed changes, RiddlesdownCollegiate would better serve the localcommunity, enabling more local children toattend their local school, as well as the fringebenefits of fewer cars on the roads and fewerchildren relying on public transport. We hopethat you will see this as good news. Theconsultation ends on 16th December 2019and all – including local residents – arewelcome to respond. Please do so bycompleting the short questionnaire athttp://tctorg.uk/admission-criteria. Full detailsof the consultation and the proposedadmissions criteria for entry in 2021 can befound athttps://www.riddlesdown.org/admissions.

Proposed Admissions Criteria forEntry to Riddlesdown Collegiate inSeptember 2021The Collegiate Trust is the admissionsauthority for Riddlesdown Collegiate and incarrying out this function complies with all therelevant provisions of the statutory codes ofpractice as they apply at any given time. TheLocal Governing Body (LGB) of RiddlesdownCollegiate operates the agreed procedures ofthe Trust and participates in the co-ordinatedadmission arrangements operated by CroydonCouncil.

During July in any year information about thearrangements for applying for the intake inSeptember of the following academic year will

be available; this will include details of openevenings. Opportunities to visit RiddlesdownCollegiate are provided during September andOctober.

Riddlesdown Collegiate, in common with allother schools in Croydon, will admit studentsreferred under the Hard to Place protocol viathe Fair Access Panel, even if this meansexceeding the admission number.

Entry to Year 7 The Planned Admission Number (PAN) forRiddlesdown Collegiate is 328.

Applications for places must be made on theCommon Application Form provided andadministered by Croydon Council or by theBorough in which you live.

In the event of applications exceeding thenumber of available places, the followingcriteria will be applied.

1. Looked After Children: Priority will be given to students in the care ofa local authority at the time of application andalso students who were looked after, butceased to be so because they were adoptedor became subject to a child arrangementorder or special guardianship order,immediately after being looked after. Anapplication made under this category must besupported by a letter from the relevant LocalAuthority’s Children’s Department and / orrelevant documents including a copy ofadoption, residence or special guardianshiporder where applicable.

2. Medical Reasons: Places may be offered to any children whoseparents are able to provide medical evidence,at the time of application, from a registeredhealth professional that entry to Riddlesdown






Collegiate rather than any other school isessential. Such applications will be consideredby members of the Local Governing Body onbehalf of the admissions authority.

3. Children of staff at RiddlesdownCollegiate: A member of staff is defined as:

a) Someone who has been employed by TheCollegiate Trust at Riddlesdown Collegiate fortwo or more years at the time at which theapplication for admission to RiddlesdownCollegiate is made, or

b) Someone who has been recruited to fill avacant staff post at Riddlesdown Collegiate forwhich there is a demonstrable skill shortage.

4. Sibling: Priority will then be given to siblings. Theword sibling refers to all blood, half, foster,step and adoptive brothers and sisters (notcousins) who are on roll at the date ofadmission of the younger sibling and who liveat the same home, in the same family unit asthe child on a permanent basis. A siblingconnection does not apply for children whoseolder siblings will / may be attending theCollege VI in Years 12 & 13 unless that siblingpreviously attended

Riddlesdown Collegiate in Year 11. Should thenumber of sibling applications take thenumber of offers past 328, the tie-break willbe distance from Riddlesdown Collegiate,measured in the same way as for Proximity,below.

5. Proximity: All remaining places will then be allocated tochildren on the basis of distance fromRiddlesdown Collegiate. The distance will bemeasured in a straight line from the child’shome address to the designated entrance of

the school using a computerised measuringsystem (GIS) and geographical referencepoints as provided by the National Land andProperty Gazetteer (NLPG). Those livingcloser to the school will receive higherpriority. If a child lives in a shared propertysuch as flats, the geographical references willdetermine the start point within the propertyboundaries to be used for distance calculationpurposes. In the case of separated parents, if achild spends time with both parents, the homeaddress is deemed to be that of the parentwho receives the Child Benefit payment. Inthe event of a tie, priority will be given to thechild whose journey to school via publictransport is the shortest distance.

Note i. Please check the Croydon Education

website for details of all deadline dates foreach year. Applications received after theclosing date will not normally be considereduntil after the offer date.

Admission of children outside theirnormal age group Parents may request that their child isexceptionally admitted outside of their normalage group. Any such requests must includeevidence of the child’s circumstances from arelevant professional detailing the child’seducational need which makes educationoutside the normal age group necessary, andwill be considered by The Collegiate Trust.

Operation of Waiting List Riddlesdown Collegiate operates a waiting listwhenever there are more applicants thanplaces. The list will operate from the day afteroffers are made and will remain operationalfor the duration of Year 7.

A child’s position on the waiting list will bedetermined solely in accordance with the



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admissions criteria. Where places becomevacant they will be allocated to children on thewaiting list in accordance with the criteria.

Arrangements for Appeals Parents have the right of appeal to anIndependent Appeal Panel if they aredissatisfied with a decision made by theAdmission Authority. Appeals are conductedin accordance with the Code of Practice onSchool Admission Appeals published by theDepartment for Education as it applies toAcademies. The determination of the appealpanel is binding on all parties. The CollegiateTrust will provide guidance for parents abouthow the appeals process works. The contactfor this is the Clerk to The Collegiate Trust atRiddlesdown Collegiate. Appeals must belodged with the Clerk within five weeks ofreceipt of the Local Authority offer letter; fulldetails on the appeals process will bepublished at www.riddlesdown.org.

In-Year Admissions In-year admissions will continue to be co-ordinated by the Local Authority. Anapplication form must be obtained from,completed and returned to the LocalAuthority to apply for an in-year admission.Applicants must also complete an online Year7-11 Application Form (in-year) which isavailable at www.riddlesdown.org. A hardcopy can be requested by calling theAdmissions Officer at Riddlesdown Collegiate,on 020 8668 5136.

A Waiting List is maintained for each YearGroup.

Entry to Riddlesdown College VI (Year12) The admission number for RiddlesdownCollege VI (Year 12) is 40 (externalcandidates). Candidates who currently attend

Riddlesdown Collegiate and who meet theentry criteria for the appropriate level of studywill be admitted to College VI.

Applications should be made online on theRiddlesdown College VI Application Formavailable at www.riddlesdown.org. Hardcopies of the form can be requested by callingAdmissions Officer at Riddlesdown Collegiateon 0208 668 5136.

a. To study the A Level route

_ Seven or more strong GCSE passes (atgrades 9-5)

_ Grade 9-6 in the subject to be studied, orthe most similar subject

_ GCSE 9-4 in English and Mathematics

b. To study Level 3 route

_ Five or more strong GCSE passes (at grades9-5)

_ GCSE 9-4 in English and Mathematics

Candidates must meet the ability criteria setout above.

In the event of applications exceeding thenumber of available places, the followingcriteria will be applied.

1. Looked After Children: Priority will be given to students in the care ofa Local Authority.

2. Medical Reasons: Priority will then be given to any studentswhose parents are able to provide medicalevidence from a registered health professionalthat entry to this school rather than any otheris essential.

3. Proximity: All remaining places will then be allocated tostudents on the basis of distance fromRiddlesdown Collegiate, measured in the






same way as in Proximity above. If a studentsplits their time between separated parents,the home address is deemed to be that of theparent who receives the Child Benefitpayment. In the event of a tie, priority will begiven to the student whose journey to schoolvia public transport is more direct.

Operation of Waiting List Riddlesdown Collegiate operates a waiting listwhenever there are more applicants thanplaces. The list will operate from the day afteroffers are made and will be maintained for oneterm in the academic year of admission. Astudent’s position on the waiting list will bedetermined solely in accordance with theadmissions criteria. Where places become

vacant they will be allocated to students on thewaiting list in accordance with the criteria.

Appeals Arrangements Parents have the right of appeal to anIndependent Appeal Panel if they aredissatisfied with a decision made by theAdmission Authority. Appeals are conductedin accordance with the Code of Practice onSchool Admission Appeals published by theDepartment for Education as it applies toAcademies. The determination of the appealpanel is binding on all parties. The CollegiateTrust will provide guidance for parents abouthow the appeals process works. The contactfor this is the Clerk to The Collegiate Trust atRiddlesdown Collegiate.


RIDDLESDOWN PHARMACY104 Lower Barn Road, Purley, Surrey

Tel/Fax: 8660 7150

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am-1pm, 2.15-5.30pm

Wednesday: 2.30-5.30pm, Saturday: 9am-1pm

For caring, friendly, confidential adviceWe also offer:

A FREE automated electronic prescription Order / Collection /Home Delivery

Service (local area only ) for surgeries including; Dr Woolf ( Mitchley Avenue

Practice), Woodcote Practice, Parkside GP Practice, Selsdon Medical Practice,

The Moorings, Keston House: Purley Memorial, Queenhill Surgery and Farley

Road Medical Practice.

* Free Medicine-Use Review Service * Qualified On-Site Adviser for Vitamin

Supplements * Private Consultation Room * Community Medicine Trays * Walk-in

Flu Jabs * Brand New Vitamins/ Supplements Range * Blood Pressure Checks

*Accredited Healthy Living Pharmacy * Emergency Contraception *new NHS 111

emergency referrals service offered *

Support your local independent pharmacyALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED



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Croydon Citizens AdviceAs we approach our 80th birthday, the workof Croydon Citizens Advice has never beenmore important.In 1939, the same year the national CitizensAdvice service was established, CroydonCitizens Advice opened its doors for the firsttime.The service began as an emergency serviceat the outbreak of World War II, assistingpeople with a variety of problems such asfood shortages, evacuees and bomb damage.Over the decades, the service has evolvedand grown to the service it is today, offeringadvice across a range of problems such ashomelessness, money and debt,employment, family and relationships,consumer rights and welfare benefits.Brian and Donna’s story below is just oneexample of the thousands of problems wedeal with every year. We are living in anincreasingly complex world, where reducingsupport from statutory services and aneconomic climate that for many remainsbleak, results in unprecedented demand forour services.Brian and Donna’s StoryBrian and Donna both in their 50’s, livetogether in a small flat in Croydon. Two yearsago Donna was diagnosed with breast cancerand forced to quit her office job in order toreceive treatment. Her husband, Brian, wasstruggling to keep up his usual full time hoursas a chef at the same time as caring for hiswife.Unable to manage on reduced wages andStatutory Sick Pay, financial troubles werethey last thing they needed when battling

cancer together.Luckily, Croydon Citizens Advice was able tostep in and help.Donna had already made an application for aPersonal Independence Payment (PIP – abenefit for people with long term health and/or disability) before she came to see us, buthad never received a response.We helped her process the request, ensuringshe was awarded the benefits she wasentitled to, as well as a backdated sum thatenabled Donna and her husband to pay offtheir rent arrears. We also helped the couplesecure a grant of £380 from MacmillanCancer Support so that they were able topurchase post-surgery bras and cover thecost of increased heating bills.Thanks to support from Citizens Advice inCroydon, Donna and Brian are now accessingan additional £215 per week in income,alleviating some of the financial pressuresthey faced and allowing them to focus onrestoring Donna to good health.Supporting Our Next 80 YearsHere at Croydon Citizens’ Advice we’redetermined to make the next 80 years assuccessful as the last and to remain theanchor of support to those in need in Shirleyand our borough, to alleviate poverty andhardships, reduce anxiety and changepeople’s lives, with the provision of qualityassured advice that is always free, impartial,confidential and Independent – whoever youare and whatever the problem.Make a DonationWe are only a small charity funded byCroydon Council, grants from trusts andindividual donations. Despite the hard work


of all our staff and volunteer team, we knowthat there are still people in Croydon notgetting the help they need.We are using the next twelve months tocelebrate our 80th Birthday and to ask localpeople and local businesses for a littlesupport. Your donation, however small, willmake a difference, and help us to recruit andtrain more volunteers, improve ourtelephone advice service and maintain theopening hours at our South Norwood office.If you’d like to donate money you can via thislink:https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1003226Or you can telephone the office on 01689808139Volunteer with usOr maybe you’d just like to donate your timeand give back to the community in the formof volunteering. With more volunteeradvisers we could listen to more vulnerableCroydoners’ concerns and ensure morepeople like Donna and Brian get the supportthat they desperately need. Wouldn’t that bea really rewarding way in which to spendsome of your retirement or spare time?If you’d like to Volunteer or learn more aboutwhat we are doing, don’t hesitate to contactme. Claire Keetch, Chief [email protected]

Community engagement is key tosuccessful rail engineering worksThose of you aware of the Brighton Main LineImprovement Project, will know thatproactive engagement has been a centraltenet of the Network Rail projectcommunications strategy. Given the impactengineering works can have on the localcommunity, it is critical that we ensure thatgood relationships are developed with ourneighbours and local businesses. In the last 20years the number of people travelling on therail network has doubled, and the railnetwork, our stations and our platforms aredealing with more passengers than they wereever designed for. This makes it all the moreimportant to ensure we are communicatingeffectively with neighbours, passengers, localbusinesses and anyone else impacted bymajor works. Research has shown that byundertaking major engineering works overlonger closures, our teams can complete thework faster and in a more cost effectivemanner. Having successfully completed anumber of major projects recently, the nextfive years will see us focus on maintenanceworks which will keep the railway in goodcondition and ensure fewer disruptions.

Network Rail regularly collaborates with thelocal community on engineering projects andworking with the Riddlesdown communityhas been no different. As trains servingRiddlesdown Station now have more






carriages, wear and tear on the track hasbecome greater given the additional wheelsrunning over the track each day. Thisadditional wear and tear requires moremanual track work and therefore the need toprotect worker safety as they undertake thiswork is crucial. When the new equipment iscompletely installed, the time needed (beforework can be started) to ensure worker safetywill reduce significantly. We appreciate thatthe Riddlesdown community has beenaffected by the installation work and arepleased to confirm that final stage work willtake place in December. There are plannedengineering works from 15 April 2020 furtherdown the line on the Oxted Viaduct so theremay be some disruption but we will continueto keep you to keep you updated on anyworks.

Most recently, in May 2019, we have workedto improve power systems at the station.This involved breaking out concrete slabs andremoving them from site. We also completedall snagging works and will be back on site inDecember to route new cables under thefootpath.

While work has been ongoing at Riddlesdownstation, we have been working to increaseour communications; ensuring busreplacement operations are arranged so theydo not coincide with roadworks or clash withdiversion routes. This proved particularlysuccessful for the Brighton Main Line projectas Network Rail, the train operatingcompanies, Highways England, the councils,police and emergency services all workedtogether to ensure a unified approach for allof their works. As works are completed atRiddlesdown, the planned improvements will

help to reduce delays on the line and makefuture journeys much more reliable. Firstimpressions are critical and we want the localcommunity to have a pleasant experiencewhen arriving and departing the station andthe improvements being undertaken as wedeliver our project, will help to improve thestation. This has included cutting backvegetation to ensure bridges and footpathsremain accessible and installing bird boxes ina natural habitat near the station.

When the bridge strike happened overSanderstead Road in April 2019, we workedwith emergency services to have the lorryremoved as quickly as possible. While bridgestrikes, happen all too frequently, we havebeen promoting the dangers across our socialmedia channels to raise awareness and helpdrivers to think twice before proceeding iftheir vehicle exceeds the height restrictions.

Finally, we would like to thank Riddlesdownresidents for their patience and support asengineering works have progressed. Large-scale engineering projects can be challengingbut the relationships developed with the localcommunity have enabled us to keep the localcommunity updated and provide you with aninsight in to the work we are undertaking.Although work at Riddlesdown will bedrawing to a close at the end of 2019,communication is key and we welcome yourcontinued thoughts and views on work as wemove to commence works on other parts ofthe network.


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VIRGINIA STONE GGSM

PIANO, SINGING andMUSIC THEORY LESSONS

in a comfortable environment with a relaxed atmosphere from an experienced

professional musician

Children and Adults welcome

Preparation for all grades of ABRSM andTrinity exams, Singing Diplomas and

Music Festivals. Grades 1-5 Music Theory

Vocal Tuition for established or aspiringchoral singers and training formusic theatre and auditions

Just learning to play / sing for pleasure

Contact Ginnie on 020 8668 1916or email [email protected]


[email protected]

Community Information: A - Z of organisations in or close to Riddlesdown(more details on the RRA website)Bourne SocietyTheir website includes details of localpublications, historical information,downloadable leaflets of walks around thearea and photographs of Riddlesdown.Member only meetings; membership £10 ayear. There is also a specific SandersteadLocal History Group, which holds monthlymeetings for a charge of £2 per meeting forBourne Society members only.www.bournesoc.org.uk

Cantilena SingersA long established choir for female voices - wesing light popular songs, folk songs, songs frommusicals, and carols at Christmas. There areno auditions and you don't have to read music.Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at7.30pm, Methodist Church, 102 LimpsfieldRoad, Sanderstead,CR2 9EF (between AllSaint's Church and Hamsey Green on the 403bus route; parking available).

COME AND EXPERIENCE THE JOY OFSINGING IN THIS FRIENDLY ANDWELCOMING CHOIR. For moreinformation contact Jill on 07957 627783 orat [email protected]

Croydon Art SocietyHolds meetings & exhibitions – information athttp://www.croydonartsociety.org.uk/

Croydon Camera ClubMeets at Shirley Methodist Church Hall mostWednesdays of the year & has outings tophotogenic locations. Further Informationwww.croydoncameraclub.org.ukCroydon Decorative and Fine ArtsSocietyLectures take place on the 2nd Thursday ofeach month except August and December at10.45 a.m. in All Saints Church Hall, OnslowGardens, Sanderstead CR2 9AB. Tea/coffeeand biscuits from 10.00 a.m. Visitors welcome.Other activities include Special Interest Days,Visits and Study Tours. Membership Secretary;020 8680 3049.CNHSS – Croydon NaturalHistory and Scientific SocietyIndoor meetings are usually held in the SmallHall of the East Croydon United ReformedChurch, Addiscombe Grove, almost oppositeEast Croydon Station. www.cnhss.co.uk/Croydon Symphonic BandAn amateur community wind band with 50 orso players that was formed by an exRiddlesdown resident over 40 years ago. Theband is based in Croydon. New membersalways welcome. www.csb.org.ukFoFD - Friends of Farthing DownsRegular talks & walks & meetings &exhibitions. Hold a Sunday Tea on FarthingDowns the last Sunday of each month, May toSeptember. For more information - e-mail;[email protected] or telephone: 01737554449.

Community Pages

Community PagesShort pieces on local associations, events and activities. Submissions should be of around 150-200 words.Each edition we will also offer a ‘Featured Group’ section, in which an individual group can give a moredetailed account of its activities and aims. If you would are interested in submitting an extended feature onyour group please contact the editor at [email protected] or on 020 8668 4061 to discuss.


London Mozart Players For details of concerts some of which takeplace locally.www.londonmozartplayers.com/

North Wood Morris Men -Croydon’sOwn Morris Dancers They are always looking for new membersto dance or play music. They will traindancers and musicians from scratch if needbe. All are welcome. http://www.northwoodmorris.co.uk/

Parkrun; Riddlesdown CommonFree 5km Run Every Saturday at 9am - Furtherdetails and to register www.parkrun.org.uk/riddlesdown/

Purley Bury Sports & Social Club (Brancaster Lane):Bowls www.purleyburybc.co.uk/Croquet www.purleyburycroquet.org.uk/Tennis www.purleyburytennisclub.net/Purley and District Townswomen’sGuildMeet in the Lounge, United ReformedChurch, 906 Brighton Road, Purley CR8 2LN(next to Purley Hospital). First Tuesday everymonth, 2 – 4pm. Hold regular talks, lunches,etc. Try before you buy! First meeting free.www.purley-guild.webplus.net/ or [email protected]

Purley Literary SocietyMeetings run from October to March. Talksare in the hall of the Purley URC Church,906 Brighton Road – next to Purley Hospital,at 8pm. Visitors pay £5 at the door or seasonticket; £22 for eleven talks or 6 talks £12.More information: www.purley-literary-society.com

Ramblers (Croydon) -www.croydonramblers.org.uk

Ramblers (Surrey) –www.surreyramblers.org.uk

Riddlesdown Lawn Tennis Club,Lower Barn Rd A small friendly club where everyone iswelcome - regardless of age, experience orskill. Junior section with full coaching sessionsorganised by MDL Coaching on Sat morningsthroughout year. Further details – Dave Kerr- 07773 818443. www.riddlesdownltc.com/

RSPB Croydon Local GroupMonthly Illustrated Wildlife Talks in SouthCroydon at Whitgift Sports Club, CrohamManor Road -off Croham Road. South Croydon, CR2 7BGSecond Monday of each month, 2pm and againat 8pm.Admission £4.00. Everyone is welcome, notjust RSPB members.Free refreshments. A selection of RSPB goods,nuts & seeds are on sale.Parking limited on site but free in adjacentroads.64 & 433 buses stop nearby in Croham Road.Whitgift Sports Club, Croham Manor Road -

Monday Dec 9, 2019: “A NorwegianExperience” - Mick White. In this talk we willtravel to Norway, a country of Culture,History, and the Aurora Borealis. We look atsome of the bird life that can be found north ofthe arctic circle, before finally experiencing thecelestial wonder of the Northern Lights.

Monday Jan 13, 2020: “Orchids of Italy'sGargano Peninsula” - Andrew Cleave. TheGargano Peninsula is home to over 50 speciesof orchids and hybrids, several of them




The Riddlesdown Recorder Community Pages


endemic to this area. Flowers, birds,butterflies, lizards and beautiful scenery makethis a photographer's paradise.

Monday Feb 10, 2020: “50:50” - GaryPrescott. The intrepid Biking Birder will regaleus with tales of 50 RSPB and WWT Reserveshe is planning to visit on his beloved cycle,aiming to see fifty bird species at each.

Monday Mar 9, 2020: “East AnglianWildlife”. Gordon Small will tell us stories,backed by stunning photographs, of thewildlife in East Anglia.

Monday Apr 6, 2020: “Birds of theGambia”. Colin Kirtland will treat us to amixture of local colour, interestinginformation, amusing anecdotes and lots ofbird species in this narrow country,surrounded inland by Senegal, and with acoastal strip either side of the Gambia Riverestuary.

For more information contact John Davis on020-8640 4578

or see www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon

St Edmund’s Church &Community Hall, RiddlesdownSt Edmund’s Church & Community Hall,Riddlesdown St Edmund’s Church &Community Hall, Riddlesdown St Edmund’sis a dual-purpose building, used both as achurch hall and a Riddlesdown communityresource. Its congregation are mainly fromthe Riddlesdown resident community andare friendly and welcoming to all. Worshipvaries week by week so please look at thenoticeboard outside the Church or TheParish website (https://www.sandersteadparish.org.uk/st_edmund) for details

St Edmund’s Caring GroupSt Edmund’s Caring Group SECG is avoluntary group in Riddlesdown whichsupports residents in remaining independentand at home when life becomes a little moredifficult. We have wonderful volunteers whoare happy to help in numerous ways; shoppingand being taken to medical appointments arethe most popular. Volunteering is such arewarding experience knowing that you havehelped someone to do something that wouldotherwise have seemed impossible ismarvellous. Young or old, if you requiresupport, reassurance or any information,please do give us a call. If you are interested inbecoming a volunteer, please call our newtelephone number 020 8651 9442. We areopen 10-12 weekday mornings and at all othertimes there is an answer phone

ScallywagsScallywags is delighted to offer local childrenfrom 0 to school age the chance to playtogether – and for their parents/grandparents /carers to meet and chat overa cup of coffee! The group meets in StEdmund’s Church on Thursdays duringterm-time from 9.30 to 11.30 am. Lots ofexciting equipment to play on, craft activities,singing…… St Edmund’s Tuesday NightBadminton ClubTuesday night badminton takes placebetween 8 - 9.30pm in St. Edmund's churchhall during term time. We are a friendlymixed club with a mix of ability and wouldencourage new members to join. Noabsolute beginners please. Contact details:Mrs Christine Whitmarsh on 8660 2178 orjust drop in one Tuesday evening.

[email protected]

Community Pages





The Riddlesdown Recorder Community Pages

Scouts and Girl Guiding19th Purley (Riddlesdown), DunmailDrive, off Mitchley Hillwww.croydonscouting.org.uk/11th Purley Scout Group; St JamesChurch Hall, Lower Road, KenleyBeavers – Fridays; 1630 - 1730; Cubs – Mondays; 1830 - 2000Scouts – Tuesdays; 1900 - 2100Enquiries to Peter Pearce (Group ScoutLeader) 07947 889920 orwww.http://11thpurley.org.uk/16th Purley Scout Group (All Saint’sGroup, Sanderstead)www.croydonscouting.org.uk/where-do-we-meet/beavers-cubs-and-scouts/16th-purley-7th-sanderstead-all-saints-group/18th Purley (United Reform Church). ScoutHQ in Farm Fields.http://www.18thpurley.org.uk/Beavers – Thursdays; 5.00 – 6.00pmCubs – Mondays; 6.30 to 8.00pmScouts – Thursdays; 7.30 to 9.00pm

Croydon Girl Guidingwww.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/gdlgallery/croydon

Sanderstead Cricket Club14 Old Saw Mill, Limpsfield Rd, Sanderstead(entrance opposite The Gruffy). Website;http://sanderstead.play-cricket.com/

Sanderstead Dramatic Club - Contact Mr John Desbottes - Tel 01883625656 - http://www.sdclub.org.uk/

Sanderstead EveningTownswomen’s GuildContact Mrs Doreen Nicholls - Tel 020 86572072. Meets 3rd Monday of the month at7.45pm at Sanderstead Methodist ChurchHall. www.the-tg.com/Guild/sanderstead-evening/375.aspx

Sanderstead Horticultural SocietyWettern Tree Garden, Purley Oaks Road.Membership £6 per family. Contact ValBurley 020 8651 5837. Five member lecturesa year & Garden Outings to great gardens.Other member benefits includinghorticultural advice & Knights discount.

Sanderstead Village WIhttp://www.sandersteadwi.btck.co.uk/

Selsdon Camera ClubMeet Fridays at 7.30 pm (for a 7.45 pm start)The Methodist Halls 102 Limpsfield Road,Sanderstead.http://www.selsdoncameraclub.co.uk/

Selsdon Little Leagues Football &NetballProviding Football and Netball for localchildren in the Croydon area.http://selsdonlittleleagues.leaguerepublic.com/l/newsArticle/new_website.html

Stagecoach Croydon - TheatreArts Schools for ChildrenFridays at Riddlesdown Collegiate4.30 - 7.30pm; 6 -18 years; 4.15 - 5.45pm; 4-6 years.Saturdays at Croydon High School10 am - 1pm or 2.30pm - 5.30pm; 6-18years; 9.30 am - 11am or 11.15am -12.45pm; 4-6years. Tel 0845 265 7083www.stagecoach.co.uk/croydon


Community Pages

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StorisseEACH STORY IS UNIQUE. After manymonths of planning, storisse.com is finallyhere. Storisse is a website which celebratesworthwhile work carried out by worthwhilecharities, in a different way. Being astoryteller by profession, Alex Cuncev tellsreal life stories that are meaningful, movingand engaging. Her personal stories are linked tothoughtfully researched charities. Read storisse.com for weekly updates onamazing work, positive thoughts and heart-rendering stories! You can also submit yourown story on the website.This is what her readers say: ‘These storiesare like big hugs. Just enjoy a cup of tea anddive into this sweet universe filled withsunshine and kindness.’ All on storisse.comSurrey Wildlife TrustMore Information Tel: 01483 795440 orwww.surreywildlifetrust.org

The Jolly Farmers Live Music & Entertainment several times aweek, usually free.7 Purley Road, Purley CR8 2HA, Tel: 0208660 2076 or www.jollyfarmers-purley.co.uk

The PROBUS Club of Sanderstead& RiddlesdownMeet at Whitgift Sports Club, Croham Rd, SCroydon. From noon on first Tuesday of everymonth. Further details contact:- Chris Babbsemail: [email protected]

The University of the Third Age (U3A)The Third Age Trust is the nationalrepresentative body for the Universities ofThird Age (U3As) in the UK. U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in fulltime work, providing opportunities for theirmembers to share learning experiences in awide range of interest groups and to pursuelearning not for qualifications, but for fun.http://www.u3a.org.uk/

Walk & Cycle SurreyFurther information:http://www.walkandcycle.co.uk/surreytrailsWarlingham Horticultural SocietyHold Regular flower shows & plant sales inWarlingham & outingshttp://home2.btconnect.com/bransby/hort/hort.htmYoga with VeronicaA mixed ability class suitable for all ages whichtakes place on Tuesday evenings in StEdmund's Church Hall during term-timebetween 6.15 - 7.30pm. Yoga will improveyour flexibility and strength and help you relaxand de-stress after your busy day. Contact:Veronica Moulder; Tel 07803 728868.

Younger Generation Theatre Groupgive an opportunity to 9-18's to appear onthe professional stageAll auditions and rehearsals in PurleyWww.youngergeneration.co.uk or contactJohn Blundell 02086573214

DISCLAIMEREvery effort is made to ensure that the above information is factually correct and is made ingood faith but accuracy must not be assumed and no responsibility can be taken for any actionsarising in the case of error or otherwise. Please bring to the attention of the Editor, anyinaccuracies.


PageAnnabees Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Andrew Delgrosso – Painter and Decorator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Des Res Blinds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Gin Jewellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13The Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Riddlesdown Lawn Tennis Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Riddlesdown Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Rokewood Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44St Edmund’s Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19James Thom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Tip Top Hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Village Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Virginia Stone – Music Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Thank you to these Advertisers, without whose support this magazine couldnot have been produced

If you would like to place an Advert, please contact [email protected] or on 020 8668 4061

Index to Advertisers

PURLEY OAKS &RIDDLESDOWN WARD (Conservative)Helen RedfernTel: 07783 152334Email: [email protected] HoarTel: 07783 152372Email [email protected]

SANDERSTEAD WARD (Conservative)Yvette Hopley Tel: 8657 0973 Email: [email protected] HaleTel: 8405 6721Email: [email protected] PollardTel: 8251 8500Email: [email protected]

Our MP (Croydon South - Conservative); Mr Chris Philp MP , The House of Commons, LondonSW1A 0AATel; 020 7219 8026Email; [email protected] website; www.chrisphilp.comIf you would like an appointment then telephone or e-mail.Note – the above is depending on outcome of General Election on 12 December2019. Please see RRA website for any changes after this date.Our Ward Councillors: All letters to Councillors should be sent: c/o The Town Hall,Katharine Street, Croydon CR0 1NX.

GREATER LONDON ASSEMBLY MEMBER FOR CROYDON & SUTTON Steve O’Connell (Conservative) Tel: 020 7983 4405 Email: steve.o’[email protected] Website: www.london.gov.uk/people/assembly/steve-oconnell/more-about


RIDDLESDOWN/LONDON/LUTON/BEDFORD TRAIN TIMES Southern Rail and Thameslink trains to and from Riddlesdown with effect from 15 December 2019 until Saturday16 May 2020National Rail Key; RDD - Riddlesdown; VIC - London Victoria; LBG - London Bridge; STP - London St Pancras;BDM - Bedford; ECR - East Croydon; LUT - Luton; OXT - Oxted; EGR - East Grinstead.To London and/or Bedford from Riddlesdown;Weekdays: All trains terminate at London Victoria, unless otherwise stated in brackets; 6.06, 06.15(toLBG, STP, BDM), 06.35, 06.42(to LBG, STP, BDM), 07.06, 07.15(to LBG, STP, BDM), 07.36, 07.45(to LBG,STP, BDM), 08.06, 08.15(to LBG, STP, BDM), 08.36, 08.45(to LBG, STP, BDM), 09.06, 09.15(to LBG, STP,BDM), 09.36 and then 06 and 36 mins past hour until last train at 23.36.Saturdays (To London Victoria only): 07.06, 07.36, and then 06 and 36 mins past hour until 23.36.Sundays (To London Victoria only) 08.42, and then 12 and 42 mins past hour until 23.44.To and from London Bridge and Bedford - No direct services Saturdays & Sundays.From London Victoria to East Grinstead stopping at Riddlesdown;Times in brackets are the arrival times at Riddlesdown for departures on to Oxted & East Grinstead.Weekdays: 05.20(05.49), 05.50(06.18), 06.20(06.48), 06.50(07.18), 07.20(07.48), 07.50(08.18), 08.20(08.48),08.50(09.18), 09.20(09.48), and then 50(18) and 20(48) mins past the hour until 22.52(23.18), 23.22(23.48),23.53(00.23 - to Oxted only).Saturdays: 06.20(06.48), 06.50(07.18) and then 20(48)and 50(18) mins past hour until 23.53(00.23 - to Oxted only).Sundays: 07.43(08.17), 08.51(09.17), 09.21(09.47), 09.51(10.17), and then 21(47) & 51(17) mins past hour until22.51(23.17).From Bedford (BDM) or Luton (LUT) via London St Pancras (STP) & London Bridge(LBG) to EastGrinstead stopping at Riddlesdown;Weekdays only: 15.49(LUT)(17.05); 16.06(BDM) at LBG 17.11(17.35); 16.32(BDM) at LBG 17.41(18.05);17.21(LUT) at LBG 18.11(18.35); 17.28(BDM) at LBG 18.41(19.05); 17.56(BDM) at LBG 19.11(19.35).From East Croydon to East Grinstead stopping at Riddlesdown;Weekdays: 05.41(49), 06.10(18), 06.40(48), 07.10(18), 07.40(48), then 10(18) and 40(48) mins past hour until16.55(05), 17.10(18), 17.25(35), 17.40(48), 17.56(05), 18.10(18), 18.25(35), 18.40(48), 18.55(05), 19.10(18),19.25(35), 19.40(48), then 10(18)mins and 40(48) mins past hour until 00.14(23 - to Oxted only).Saturdays: 06.40(06.48), 07.10(07.18) and then 40(48) and 10(18) mins past hour until 00.14(00.23) - to Oxted only).Sundays: 08.09(08.17), 09.09(17), 09.39(47), and then 09(17) and 39(47) mins past the hour until 23.09(17).Enquiries: Southern Railway: Tel: 03451 27 29 20 (07.00 - 22.00 hrs) or southernrailway.com Thameslink: Tel; 0345 026 4700 (07:00 to 22:00 hrs) or thameslinkrailway.comNational Rail Tel: 03457 48 49 50 or nationalrail.co.ukLocal Bus Route and FrequencyBus 412 (Arriva) – From Croydon, the 412 starts at the Croydon Flyover High Street, and travels along High Str,South End, Selsdon Rd, Upper Selsdon Rd, Addington Rd (stop for Selsdon), Rectory Park, Mitchley Ave, DownsCourt Rd, Godstone Rd, & ends on Brighton Rd at the Purley Hospital.From Purley, the service is in reverse direction from Purley Downlands Precint and terminates in Katharine Street,Croydon.Approx Frequency Weekdays & Saturdays: Early; 20 mins, Peak; 15 mins, Daytime; 15 mins, Evenings; 20 mins,Late Evenings; 30 mins. Frequency Sundays; 30 mins. For exact timetable, consult the Tfl website: tfl.gov.uk/bus/timetable/412/Enquiries: Tfl London Buses: Tel; 0845 300 7000 or Tfl website: www.tfl.gov.ukLinks also available via the Transport section on the RRA website: riddlesdownresidents.org.uk/transport.htmlTimetables are subject to change, so if in doubt, check with the rail and bus operator, Tfl or National Rail. The RRAcannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of any of the above information and times.

Libraries: Purley and Selsdon - Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. Sanderstead – Closed on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Croydon Council’s telephone number for all enquiries: 020 8726 6000, website www.croydon.gov.uk Address: London Borough of Croydon, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA

RRA Committee Meetings: usually 3rd Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September and November.Contact a Committee member for details. The AGM is to be held in May 2020 in St Edmund’s Church Hall,

Mitchley Ave. Please check the RRA website, E- Blast, or RRA Facebook page for the date.


the riddlesdown recorder · recorder autumn 2019 issue 208 recorder draft nov 19 27/11/19 20:49...

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