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Election Update 22.3.22 and Lib Dems join the Mayoral race
The Mayoral race is starting to gather pace. Tonight will see the first hustings meeting of the election.
The event is being organised by the Thornton Heath Community Action team to give Thornton Heath residents a valuable opportunity to question Mayoral Candidates directly.
If you would like to attend, the hustings is being held tonight at St Pauls Church, St Paul’s Road, Thornton Heath CR7 8NB.
Time to quiz the candidates 
Lib Dem candidate Richard Howard An extra mayoral candidate will be attending the hustings tonight as the Liberal Democrats have now selected their mayoral candidate. Former Army officer Richard Howard will be running on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Howard’s entry into the mayoral race now brings the number of candidates to 6 – is there a seventh candidate waiting in the wings? Nominations close on 5th April.
The election debate is starting to hot up, so subscribe to the CRO to make sure you get an accurate overview of what’s going on as the candidates set out their stalls to secure your vote.
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Mayoral Candidates – Please save the Leslie
The Leslie Arms, a well known local landmark in Addiscombe, has been closed for more than 20 years. The Leslie is a very attractive turn of the 19th and 20th century building which is such a good example of its kind that it has now attracted a Grade II listing. This means that the building is protected and cannot be demolished or altered in any way that will detract from its special character.
Unfortunately, as the Leslie has been left vacant (other than some small flats on the first and second floor)and poorly maintained for so long, the building is now beginning to deteriorate to such an extent that heritage organisations like English Heritage and the Victorian Society have placed it on their ‘at risk’ registers.
At risk – the Leslie Arms shrouded in scaffolding and poor quality hoardings There has been a Leslie Arms public house on this site since the 1850s and the pub as it now stands was completed about 1900. The Leslie Arms was originally built by Croydon’s largest brewer, Nalder and Collyer who were based on Croydon High Street approximately where Leon House stands today. The Leslie Arms building is jam packed with historic detail and needs to have its future safeguarded.
The Leslie in happier times c.1910 
Historical detail – the Nalder and Collyer insignia This type of large building could offer a valuable place for Croydon residents and visitors to the town to enjoy, but as things stand the current owner who has had possession of the building for twenty years does not seem to be able or willing to bring the Leslie back to life. There have been a number of planning applications considered by the Council but there seems to be what is described by the Victoria Society as an ‘intractable problem’ with getting the Leslie moving again.
The law has methods for just this sort of eventuality. Local authorities, the Secretary of State or Historic England all have powers they can use to compulsorily purchase a listed building that is at risk. Everybody knows that money is in short supply in local authorities these days, but perhaps a question that needs to be asked of all Croydon’s mayoral candidates is how they propose that this building should be brought back to life.
The CRO’s view is that this would be a great site for a pub/theatre or some small scale music venue with food and drink being served. Croydon is very short of smaller venues for new bands and artists to showcase their talents. A pub theatre would bring more footfall into the Cherry Orchard Road junction which it is sorely lacking at the moment
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Music in the Minster – Lunchtime Friday 18th March 2022
Incredibly popular – Croydon Minster Lunchtime Recitals Croydon Minster has another one of its incredibly popular lunchtime recitals tomorrow at 1.10pm. These lunchtime recitals have been giving Croydon residents and workers a chance to sit in the beautiful surroundings of Croydon’s very own Minster and enjoy some fabulous music over a packed lunch.
Croydon’s very own minster (photo – Gary Watson) 
Beautiful surroundings (photo – Ilse Luyens) Entry to the recital itself is free, but a donation to the Minster’s funds would be gratefully accepted, to enable to Minster to carry out its work in the community and take care of this great listed building..
Croydon Minster is very accessible on public transport and there is some on road parking nearby.
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Another CRO in Croydon – the Textile Repair Cafe
There is another CRO in Croydon and they are doing great things to help all of us here in Croydon to think about how our shopping habits can result in waste piling into landfill. The Croydon Reuse Organisation are showing how small everyday steps by Croydon residents can help halt climate change. The Croydon Reuse Organisation is now providing a new Textile Repair Cafe where everyone can learn new skills working with textiles that will help keep waste to a minimum.
The café’s new home in Croydon at the Whitgift Centre – opposite the Marks & Spencer’s entrance (Poplar Walk) – has been donated by Centrale & Whitgift for a trial period of six months, with Croydon Council providing administrative and day-to-day support, and workshops organised by Croydon ReUse volunteers.
The Textile Repair Cafe opened yesterday with a launch event attended by members of the community and Councillor Muhammad Ali, who’s brief at the Council includes sustainability. Croydon ReUse volunteer Lucia Briault said: “Around 350,000 tonnes of used clothing end up in landfill in the UK every year, at a time when most of us are no longer taught the skills we need to fix even the simplest of problems, like a button that’s come off. We aim to teach people to extend the life of their clothes and other textiles through repair or refashion’. She added ‘alongside the environmental impact, sewing is increasingly becoming recognised as an effective way to combat depression, encourage mindfulness and reduce stress’.
Councillor Muhammad Ali learning the art of sewing Councillor Ali said ‘this initiative will help reduce waste, ensure people can keep their clothes looking great for longer, reduce our carbon footprint and bring the community together in a friendly and creative place’.
If you would like to book in to one of (the other) CRO’s mending workshops, just click on the picture of the Textile Repair Cafe’s picture below to go to their booking site, Eventbrite.
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The CRO’s Election Roundup 11/3/22
70 seats waiting for Croydon’s new councillors 55 days to go until the municipal elections where Croydon’s voters will be electing their first ever executive Mayor. As well as the Mayor Croydon will also be electing 70 new councillors who will be holding the mayor to account on behalf of the electorate. It’s a big change for Croydon and this means that the candidates for the main parties have been in campaign mode since before Christmas and now independent candidates are joining in the battle for Croydon’s votes.
Three of the main parties have now selected their candidates. The Conservatives have selected Jason Perry, the leader of the Conservative group on Croydon Council, the Labour Party have selected Val Shawcross, former leader of Croydon Council and Deputy Mayor of London and the Greens have selected Peter Underwood, a long standing environmental campaigner. All three candidates have been visible on the campaign trail. Jason Perry and Val Shawcross have both been putting forward their differing visions for the future of Purley swimming pool with Perry favouring a refurbishment of the existing swimming pool and Shawcross favouring a plan for an entirely new pool and facility in Purley. Peter Underwood meanwhile has been backing protesters concerned about the sale of a council building at Grangewood Park .
On the campaign trail, Peter Underwood, Val Shawcross and Jason Perry So far there is no news yet from the Liberal Democrats.
From a smaller party, Farah London (left) from the Taking the Initiative Party (TTIP) has indicated that she will be standing and also that her party will also be fielding candidates for the elections for councillors.
Former Conservative party member Ms London stood as an independent in the London Mayoral elections last year. She was born and raised in Croydon.
Gavin Palmer, previously a Conservative candidate in rock-solid Labour Woodside ward, was unhappy that he had not been selected as the mayoral candidate by the Conservatives. He has now declared his intention to run as an independent.
Another potential independent candidate is Andrew Pelling, who has been hinting at a run as mayor for some time on his Twitter feed. No word from the Pelling campaign at the time of writing.
If you or your party are running in the May elections, the CRO is happy to report on your campaign events – drop us a line at thecroydoncro@gmail.com
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International Women’s Day 2022 Special
March 8th is the worldwide date for International Women’s Day so here at The CRO we are running our own International Women’s Day special.
Women in Croydon play a great part in the various sectors of the local community in business, the voluntary sector, education, local politics and in the home. Things have come along a great deal for women, but there is still a long way to go with women facing discrimination in many areas of life. International Women’s Day this year has has the theme of #break the bias. Today is a day where we can all reflect on how to ensure equality of opportunity for all women.
There is one particularly prominent woman in Croydon at the time of writing – Val Shawcross who (so far) is the only woman running for election as the executive mayor of Croydon.
Val Shawcross CBE – woman on a mission Val Shawcross has had a long career in public service and has put a particular emphasis on the interests of women in her work. Her first career move was working with the Commonwealth Institute where she was a project manager dealing with women and development, providing training and education programmes for Commonwealth government aimed at encouraging women in fields like agriculture and business.
Val’s record as a member of the London Assembly and as Deputy Mayor for transport is well known and while Deputy Mayor Val had a particular interest in the needs of women using public transport, stressing the accessibility and safety of public transport for women travelling alone. Since leaving her post as Deputy Mayor of London she has continued to pursue her interest in promoting active transport such as walking and cycling.
Val had recently retired from front line public life but having worked in a mayoral system at the London Assembly and as Deputy Mayor, she felt that she had a solid set of skills to offer Croydon as its first directly elected mayor. She told The CRO ‘I have worked inside the Mayoral system since 2000, both as a scrutiniser of the Mayor of London’s work and as a Deputy Mayor myself. I have seen how effective the mayoral system can be and am looking forward to helping Croydon make the most of the opportunities that can come from having a directly elected mayor’.
Val concluded ‘as a woman I feel that we need to stand up for the interests of women in Croydon. I know personally some of the challenges we women face in day to day life so I will be doing everything I can to make sure that women get better access to all the things that men can take for granted. There is still a bias against women and I will be doing all I can to break it’.
Click on the picture to book for this brilliant free event at Box Park Bring Your Own Bar Poetry South are hosting an International Women’s Day celebration at Boxpark this evening.
This special one-off FREE event at Boxpark Croydon celebrating International Women’s Day with an all-female lineup featuring British Egyptian poetess of the moment, Fatima El Eify!
Looks like a brilliant night, click on the picture to go to BYOB’s Eventbrite page for tickets.
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Mr Motivator and Oasis students launch Zaian Centre appeal
Zaian Aimable-Lina tragically killed in Ashburton Park in December Hundreds of primary and secondary school students from Addiscombe and South Norwood gathered today in Ashburton Park along with local residents, representatives of the local police, and Mayoral candidate Valerie Shawcross to join in the launch of the fundraising campaign for the proposed youth centre in Ashburton Park.
The event, headed by fitness legend Mr Motivator and BBC Radio 1xtra DJ Milktray revved up the young people’s energy and enthusiasm for the work ahead of them raising the funds to create a brand new service for young people in Croydon. The centre will be dedicated to the memory of one of their fellow students Zaian Aimable-Lina who was knifed to death in a random, shocking attack in Ashburton Park on 30th December last year.
Dancing in the Park – Oasis students and residents listening to Mr Motivator Derrick Evans – Mr Motivator – spoke out to the youngsters enjoying the music and one of his famous workout routines. ‘Every single one of you is important, I want you all to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourselves that. Try also to spread just a bit of kindness every day. It works’.
Local residents stopped to watch the event. Dog walker Sam, from Lower Addiscombe Road stopped to talk to the CRO. ‘Everybody is shocked about what happened to such a lovely young man. Glad to see the young people getting involved in this project’.
The proposals which are headed by the Oasis Trust and other community groups, are centred on the acquisition of Ashburton Lodge a dilapidated ex-council property in Ashburton Park for a new youth service which will help young people stay in school to complete their studies and keep them out of the reach of gang culture.
Cllr Maddie Henson thanks Mr Motivator in Ashburton Park today Local Councillor and former civic Mayor Maddie Henson said ‘Zaian’s death is a tragedy that happened right here in our community in Addiscombe East. Youth services have been decimated by central government cutbacks and its young people like Zaian who pay the price. We need to start standing up for our young people here in Croydon and the Zaian Centre will be a great place to start’.
The Oasis Trust have created a fundraising page here if you would like to help.
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Cycling and Coffee in SE25
Cyclists in South Norwood are banding together to enjoy some fresh air and exercise and a cup of coffee on Sunday 13th March at 11 am.
Organiser, Elliott-Jay Munroop said ‘We have a beautiful cycling community here in South Norwood. We want to socialise a bit and perhaps explore some new local routes’.
‘We want to get together to explore some of our common interests when it comes to shaping the future of our streets’.
‘It will be good to get out there together and have a coffee at Cafe No. 241 – one of South Norwood’s brilliant coffee shops’.
The Great Cycle will be meeting at 11am on 13th March 2022 at the junction of Park Road and Holmesdale Road, before they head off on a route round Heavers Meadow and South Norwood Recreation Ground. Please contact Elliott-Jay Munroop if you have any further questions.
Happy cycling!
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CRO Gigs – 23.2.22 – Blues at the Oval
The CRO will publicise your event so contact us on our email TheCroydonCRO@gmail.com or on our Twitter feed @thecroydoncro.
There are some brilliant venues in Croydon where you can have a great night out without leaving town. The Oval Tavern in Oval Road needs no introduction. The Oval offers real ale, great food and a great atmosphere. It is one of the CRO’s favourite venues.
The Oval is easily accessible by public transport being close to East Croydon Station for trains, buses and trams so you can leave the car at home and enjoy some of The Oval’s hospitality.
On Sunday 27th February Blues at the Oval are presenting Little George and the Blue Stars. A free gig to wind up the weekend at 8pm. This is a free gig so ring The Oval Tavern on 0208 686 6023 book your table.
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Croydon Plan Review – Val Shawcross slams intensification ‘vandalism’.
Labour’s candidate for Croydon Mayor Valerie Shawcross has criticised Croydon Plan Review timetable in her contribution to the Review consultation.
Val said ‘I am running as the Labour candidate for Executive Mayor on the 5th May 2022 and I hope to be leading the new administration after the elections. My administration will be very different to the current one. The timing of this series of amendments is completely inappropriate. In the normal run of things decisions that will last for years would never be taken in the run up to a local election’.
She asks that the Local Plan Review process is paused until after the May 5th election and the timetable reviewed to allow more time for residents’ point of view to be taken into account.
Val Shawcross – new administration to break from past Val was particularly critical of the planned new areas of ‘moderate’ intensification – ‘In recent weeks I have received a number of approaches by residents from all parts of the borough expressing deep concern and distress about the proposed increase in intensity of development in designated areas. There is no doubt that Croydon needs family housing that is affordable and attractive. It is imperative however, that this housing reflects the character of our town. One of Croydon’s great strengths is the diversity of environments it provides to give residents present and future places to settle that reflect their needs’.
Val backs Croydon’s small green spaces
Valerie is determined to see that Croydon’s small greens and parks are safeguarded.
‘One of the great things about Croydon is its parks and green spaces. Green spaces are vital for peoples’ health and the our planet’s health. The concreting over of Croydon is something that has concerned me for some time’.
She adds that she is also very impressed with the brilliant work being done by resident volunteers and friends organisations in the smaller parks and open spaces that make a huge contribution to Croydon life.
Residents take care of green spaces in Addiscombe Railway Park ‘It is vital that we protect the character of Croydon. Croydon is a town with a vibrant urban heart and quiet, pleasant suburbs. There is also some amazing architecture from all periods, and heritage and archaeology that must be safeguarded. I will be present at the enquiry to make sure we do that.’
‘This plan needs to recognise the needs of residents, businesses and community organisations’ concludes Val. ‘As it stands at the moment, it does not and I intend to make sure that the voices of Croydon’s residents are heard’.
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