“My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters.”- Boris Johnson. Does this apply to Croydon? Boris will perhaps be remembered locally for his comment: “My argument to the Treasury is that a pound spent in Croydon is of far more value to the country from a strict utilitarian calculus t han a pound spent in Strathclyde.” Perhaps while he remains Prime Minister he will back Mayor Jason’s Perry’s approved submission of a £20m Levelling Up Bid for the Town Centre.
Perry has ordered an in depth ‘Opening the Books’ exercise to improve its understanding of current financial risks. The findings, however, will not be reported to Scrutiny & Audit Committees until January 2023. Former Councillor Andrew Pelling called for a forensic review in the months before the local elections. Perry’s promise to re-open Purley Pool could cost £3.4m. Options are being looked at. He has welcomed the proposed immersive theatre and new shops project (LOST) for the former Allders/Village Outlet building. It has been created by Fabien Riggal of Secret Cinema. Perry has met with representatives of the Friends of South Norwood Library group to discuss how the modern and improved library can be provided. Sine he was elected Perry has visited Norbury three times while supporting the officers decision toward the lease to manage Harlow Hall to a Church rather than a partnership of local community organisations.
From 9 July. Gadgeteers 2022 Summer Reading Challenge
This year’s theme for the Croydon Libraries Summer Reading Challenge aims to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them. Children from the age of four to 11 can take up the challenge which has been designed in partnership with the Science Museum Group. Children just need to visit their local library and read six books over the summer. Participants will receive a fold-out poster and can collect stickers along the way.
Monday 11 July. Croydon Music and Arts Showcase Concert
Fairfield Halls
Thursday 14 July Onwards. MHA Communities South London Events
MHA Communities South London wants to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst vulnerable older people aged 55 and over living independently in South London.
It does this through initiatives like coffee mornings, lunch clubs, walking groups, bereavement support, social initiatives, gardening, mindfulness, exercise classes and assisted technology projects:
- Thursday 14th July from 10.30am – 12.30pm: Coffee and Conversation
- Monday 18th July from 12pm – 2pm: Soup & Chat
- Thursday 21st July from 10.30am – 12pm: Wellbeing Walk
- Thursday 21st July from 12.15pm – 2pm: Pub Lunch
- Friday 22nd July from 11am – 12.30pm: Gardening for Wellbeing
- Tuesday 26th July from 11.30am – 12.30pm: Bereavement Café with St Christopher Hospice
- Wednesday 24th August: Intergenerational Summer Day with Croydon BME Forum
- Friday 26th August: Big Bug Fun Hunt
- MusiCare project in September
- Assisted Technology project in September
- Trip to the RHS Wisley garden in October
MHA Communities South London, 17 Shirley Church Road, CR9 5AL
Saturday 16 July. Yamaha Music School – Summer Concert
Fairfield Halls
10 August. 10am. Radical Wimbledon Walk
Former Croydon Councillor Peter Walker, son of Councillor Jim Walker, and former husband of Cllr Mary Walker is leading a walk about radical Wimbledon, including the history of how women got the vote, the works of William Morris and artist Edward Burne-Jones, roots of Wimbledon’s socialism and much more. Starts at William Morris House, 267 The Broadway, SW19 2SD. Ends at Leather Bottle pub, Kingston Road.
£3. Book with
I have shared my notes on radical Wimbledon with Peter, who I knew back in our Battersea days. For details about the Walkers see:
www.croydon.org.uk/CroydonLife/2006/09/articlefarewell-jim.html
Croydon Life was run by former Labour Councillor Michael Tiedemann between 2005 and 2008.He works for the Labour Party and is a Lambeth Councillor.
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mtiedemann
Sunday 21 August. Puccini’s La Boheme
Fairfield Halls
Lack of Common Sense In Healthy Schools Driving Bans
One of the problems with the current Healthy Schools driving ban on drivers at the beginning and end of the school day is the length of time the ban operates. For example the afternoon ban starts at 2pm. Why so early when schools do not normally finish until 3pm? The signage is poor so that a driver can turn left from Upwood Rd into Abingdon Rd (Norbury Manor Primary) and find they are in the ban area subject to being fined. There should be a sign in Upwood so that drivers know before they turn left and therefore can turn right into to avoid infringement.
Croydon And The Resignation Of Boris
Chris Philp, the Tory MP for Croydon South, was one of the last Ministers to resign – number 52. Perhaps he had sympathy for Boris because of his own ability to mislead people – the suggestion that a directly elected Mayor could refuse planning permissions.
A Norbury team took part in Bensham Manor Labour Party’s Quiz at Ruskin House on Thursday. Calling themselves ‘Tory Leadership Candidates’ they won. Is this a prophetic omen for the next General Election?
Co-founder of Talawa Theatre Mona Hammond Obituary
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jul/05/mona-hammond-obituary
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62048413
Co-founder of Talawa Theatre Mona Hammond, who starred in Desmond’s and East Enders has died aged 91. Talawa is now based at Fairfield Halls. It would be fitting if the Theatre organised an event to celebrate her life.
History & Social Action News and Events 
Pingback: Norbury Update 13 July | Norbury Watch