Category: News

Croydon Council Update on public disorder and unrest across the UK

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Update: 10:40pm – Tuesday 6 August 2024

Croydon Council are aware of rumours circulating online about reports of attacks in Croydon tomorrow (Wednesday 7 August). We want to confirm that our position remains the same – that at this time there is no police intelligence that we will see violent activity in Croydon. However, we must all remain alert, vigilant and report any issues to the police.

When going about your day, you may see more police officers in your local area. If anyone is concerned, has questions or needs help, please speak to them. They are there to help.

We will continue to work with the police who are monitoring the situation. The police have also given assurance that if anything were to change, they have plans in place.

Joint statement from the four political parties of Croydon Council on public disorder and unrest across the country

“We, the representatives of the four elected political parties of Croydon Council have come together to say we are shocked and saddened to see the recent media coverage of public disorder and unrest across the UK.

Whilst we respect the right of anybody to peacefully protest, we will not stand by and allow violence, intimidation or any other form of criminal behaviour. In Croydon, we have a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime.

We are working closely with the Police and at this time there is no intelligence that we will see protest activity in Croydon. However, we must all remain alert, vigilant and report any issues to the Police.

We are proud of Croydon and its diversity and the maturity of the relationships between our communities. Our diversity is our strength – and we know how our communities come together in times of need. Nearly eight out of ten residents have told us that they feel they strongly belong to their neighbourhood, and that Croydon is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together.

Now is the time for us to support each other, stand together and support our Croydon communities.”

Save Our Shirley Library – Meeting Friday 24 May 2024

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Shirley Library is under threat of closure from Croydon Council.

We need to support this valuable social and community asset and preserve an iconic art deco building.

The library is Shirley’s only social hub available free to all, regardless of age or background.

Users of the library include young people doing Duke of Edinburgh awards, toddlers learning to read, children on holiday doing the Reading Challenge, older people from one of the many retirement homes, young people doing their homework on the computers. It provides:

  • access via the Libraries Consortium to 350 branches, 23 local authorities and access to over 7 million books.
  • support for people preparing for their driving test or citizenship test and for exams in general.
  • computer courses and support with IT problems for many who cannot afford to have a computer at home and offers a space for study and reflection.
  • children’s craft sessions and adult events, such as taster courses on deaf language.
  • advice on many of the social issues that affect people, such as homelessness, domestic violence, unemployment.

There will be a meeting at Shirley Library on Friday 24th May at 1.00pm to discuss our next actions, everyone is welcome.

We need to act now by spreading the word to friends and family.

A group of concerned residents have branded themselves Friends of Shirley Library and have started a movement to save our library.

There is a petition which can be signed in Shirley Library or online https://chng.it/Ww96qMBX6y

If you want to make contact with the Friends of Shirley Library, please email your name, email address, and telephone number to spra.comms@email.com. By so doing, you agree to your details being passed to others similarly interested.

You can also help by emailing our local councillors –

Jason.Cummings@croydon.org.uk

Scott.Roche@croydon.org.uk

St Mildred’s Organ Restoration Project

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St Mildred’s Church, Addiscombe is in the process of refurbishing its organ. St Mildred’s has a very strong choral tradition and refurbishment of the organ will help this continue to flourish, in addition to being used to lead the worship and for recitals and concerts. In particular, the junior choir, for children aged 7 to 18 years, provides musical education and singing tuition, free of charge, to local children and provides them the opportunity to experience the challenges and sense of community of singing in a choir. St Mildred’s also operates an Organ Scholarship scheme, supporting local young musicians who are learning the organ.

The current West Organ was built by NP Mander in 1959, replacing a smaller organ by Lewis that had been purchased second-hand by the church when it opened in 1932. The magnificent copper facade, with pipes of up to 16 feet in length, is thought to be the first of its kind in the country and this will be retained as part of the new organ. As was common in post-war England, the West Organ was built from disparate components and pipework recycled from older instruments (including the Lewis organ it replaced). Much of it appeared to be Victorian, and by the end of 2017 it had reached the end of its useful life and was no longer playable.

The current Project involves the replacement of virtually all of the West Organ pipes, sound boards, wind supply and all the other electrical and mechanical components required for the organ to work. Nearly all of the pipework for the refurbishment comes from a local redundant organ, built by Lewis & Co in 1906 for St Paul’s URC, Croham Road, South Croydon, and one of only two in Croydon (and only 16 in Surrey) to be awarded a Historic Organ Certificate for its excellent pipework.

All the Lewis pipework has been retained (other than the facade pipes which remained in St Paul’s URC) and used to form the core of the new organ. This important piece of Croydon’s heritage has been preserved to speak again for future generations.

There is much more information on the project available on our website at www.stmildredsorganproject.com, where donations can also be made. Details of services, recitals and concerts are available on our main church website at www.stmildredschurch.org.uk.

On 16th November 2024, Olivier Latry, the world-famous titular organist of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, will give the Inaugural Concert on the new organ. Tickets and further information are available at www.stmildredsorganproject.com

Finally, we are still fundraising for the Project and there is a great opportunity to be part of the legacy through our “Adopt-a-pipe” Scheme, where individual pipes can be adopted from as little as £5. You may wish to adopt a pipe for yourself, as a gift or in memory of a loved one. Full details are on our website here: www.stmildredsorganproject.com/adoptapipe

Voter ID Required to Vote at May 2 Elections

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The Mayor of London and Greater London Assembly elections (GLA) will be held on 2 May 2024.

A photo ID is now required to vote in polling stations. Anyone who does not show a valid form of photo ID will not be able to vote.

What documents can you use as photo ID?

There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, including:

  • passports
  • driving licences
  • Older or Disabled Person’s bus passes
  • Oyster 60+ cards

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name stated on your ID must be the same name that you used to register to vote.

What if I don’t have photo ID?

You can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, if:

  • you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
  • you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
  • you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to register to vote for the elections is Tuesday 16 April.

The deadline to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate before the May elections is Wednesday 24 April.

Take action now!

Check you have the right ID in time for polling day. If you do not possess an accepted form of photo ID, apply for a Voter Authority Certificate as soon as possible.

Make sure you are registered by midnight, Tuesday 16 April to vote in these elections. Register to vote now.

For more information on Voter ID, click here.

Have Your Say on the Proposed Changes to Library Services

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Have Your Say:
The council is keen to hear the views of residents including any impacts and alternative options to closing buildings and improving the service for residents. The consultation will also ask for ideas for future library outreach services and community venues that could be used to reach more people.

Through the consultation, residents will be asked for their views and ideas for developing the offer in New Addington, Purley and South Norwood to help design how library services can be improved in these areas, to make them more accessible and better used by local people.

The proposal:
Six ‘library hubs’ (Central, Ashburton, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Selsdon and Coulsdon) are proposed to be open five to six days a week, including Saturdays, and will deliver an extensive offer of books, wifi, PCs, study spaces and events. These libraries have all proved to be well-used, accessible buildings that meet local needs. Future investment in these sites is recommended to improve the facilities and extend the opening times and services available.

To make the improvements proposed, four library buildings; Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley are proposed to be closed. This proposal is based on analysis of the buildings including visitor numbers, size and condition of the buildings, the size and needs of the communities they serve and running costs.

Activist’s research found three areas — New Addington, Purley and South Norwood — need library services, but low visitor numbers suggest the current set-up isn’t working. The council is proposing to introduce ‘community hubs’ in these areas, where a library would be available alongside other services such as family and adult education services and community partnerships.

Other library services – such as the home library service and the extensive digital offer, including e-books and magazines, online learning and training resources – are set to continue and be improved as part of the future service.

There are many ways you can get involved in the consultation:

  • Take the online survey by 11.59pm, Friday 19 April 2024
  • Pick up a paper survey from a Croydon library (available from Monday 12 February) – check library opening times here
  • Join one of the public events being held in libraries and community venues. See the list here
  • Request a paper copy of the consultation proposals and questionnaire by calling 020 7884 5159 and leaving a message including your name, full postal address and a contact number

Please return paper surveys by Wednesday 17 April 2024.
Paper surveys can be returned to libraries.
Or by post to:
Library Consultation Questionnaire, Croydon Central Library, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET
Alternatively, you can return your questionnaire to your nearest library with a letterbox: Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Coulsdon, Norbury, Purley, Sanderstead, Selsdon, Shirley, South Norwood or Thornton Heath.

What happens next?:
Feedback received will help the council develop further recommendations which are due to go back to cabinet in June 2024.