Local member Yogi Rajah passes away

........................ Yogi Rajah in Croydon Town Centre .......................................

Yesterday, the Sutton and Croydon Green Party were very sad to hear the news that local member Yogi Rajah, aged 73, had passed away peacefully in his sleep. His daughter Lyn telephoned us last night to advise us of his passing.

Yogi was a prolific canvasser and leafleter. He would talk to absolutely anyone about the virtues of a greener lifestyle and society. I will best remember him for his efforts in the 2004 GLA election. He single handedly canvassed most if not all of Upper Norwood! He certainly had a major hand in the 10 per cent the Green Party polled in Upper Norwood that year.

He would take a box load of leaflets and posters from my flat and then return with astonishing speed asking for more. What is even more astonishing, as I found out yesterday, was that he was 70 years old at the time!!! He will always be an inspiration to us all and will be greatly missed.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens demonstrate outside Clocktower

Prees Release - Photo Opp:

Croydon Greens to demonstrate outside Clocktower

Croydon Green Party will be staging a demonstration outside Croydon Clocktower on Thursday 13th December from 7pm onwards. The protest will be directed towards Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister and Croydon North MP, who is due to give a talk entitled 'Lessons from Antarctica'.

Mr Wicks visited Antarctica earlier this year. Commenting on this event, spokesperson for Croydon Green Party said,

"This evening's talk by Mr Wicks is a prime example of this government's approach to climate change - all talk and no action. Was it really necessary to fly all the way to Antarctica to find out about the effects of global warming? I think not - it's just a stunt!"

"The Prime Minsiter has said that climate change is the greatest challenge we face. Yet, Mr Wicks' department has slashed the grants for household renewable energy (1). Other countries such as Germany are way ahead of us in micro-generation."

Mr Khan continued, "It is clear that this government does not have the political will to tackle climate change."

Ends Notes:(1)
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Footage of Climate March with press release

10.12.07

Press Release:


Croydon Greens braved the wind, rain and freezing conditions to march with 6000 others at the National Climate March (1) on Saturday 8th December.

Protesters marched from House of Commons to the US Embassy. The organisers of the protest delivered a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown when marching past 10 Downing Street. The letter demanded the passing of strong Climate Bill.

Spokesperson for Croydon Green Party, Shasha Khan, said, “This is a crucial time because we are midway through the UN Climate Talks in Bali. We were told at the rally at the US Embassy that 50 countries had taken part in this global day of action, including Uganda, Bangladesh and Taiwan. All over the world people are calling for action to stop runaway climate change.”

Ends:
(1) http://www.campaigncc.org/
(2) Picture attached
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter on increased traffic printed

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens attend Green Strategy 2007

Jim Killock and I went along to a business strategy event late last month. It was held at the IET at Savoy Place. The conference covered everything from the relationship between the environment, science and commerce to creating sustainable operations. What I found most interesting was that businesses were keen for government to use regulation to address climate change.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

GP Leadership Result

The following communique was sent to all members:

Jim Jepps, Cambridge Green Party and Electoral Returning Officer, reports after the count on Friday, November 30:

“The leadership motion has been passed by more than the 2/3rd majority required.Votes against 963 (27%)Votes for 2,634 (73%)Eight spoilt papersThe turnout was 48.3% with 3,605 ballot papers cast.”

Green Party Principal Speaker Caroline Lucas said: "I'm delighted about this result. The party can now move forward together and onto the job in hand. We have an urgent green message to communicate and many votes to win.

"This is a fantastic day for the Green Party and will help ensure we have a party that is understandable, recognisable and effective. But we now need to demonstrate to all our members, regardless of which way they voted, that this is not about weakening our principles, it's about strengthening our effectiveness."

Green Party Principal Speaker Derek Wall said: "We need a Green Party which is effective and empowering, doing things differently from the top down traditional politics that turns voters off.

"The result of this referendum challenges the Party to create a leadership structure that is true to green ideals. It has put our future leaders on notice that the membership expects a more focussed, more effective party, with a leadership team that is truly accountable to the membership in a real and effective manner."

Richard Mallender, chair of the Green Party executive, said:

“I’m very pleased to see such a high turnout and that we have a clear result. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the ballot and also extend thanks to the ERO and the standing orders committee for the smooth conduct of the ballot. “The referendum was an excellent example of democracy in action.”

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter to the editor re Croydon 'then and now'

Image scanned from Your Croydon - November 2007


20.11.07

Dear Editor,

Page 15 of November’s issue of ‘Your Croydon’ has an interesting ‘then and now’ comparison photo feature. Twenty five years ago the local photographer Frazer Ashford was asked to provide photographic images for an official guide for Croydon. Mr Ashford has recently gone back to the same spot to recreate those images using the same lenses.
The article shows a comparison of the western end of the Croydon Flyover then, and as it looks today. After briefly looking at the pictures and reading the article, I found myself playing a ‘spot the difference’ puzzle with the two images. I am pleased to say that there are more trees in the 2007 picture - which is good! But what struck me was the number of cars in each image. The picture taken 25 years ago has only two cars and the picture taken this year has eleven cars. Even if you make allowances for the time of day and introduce an element of chance - that’s still quite a jump to roll back from.
Studies by The Department of Transport, which roughly correspond to the time period in the photographs, show that total road traffic increased by 82 per cent from 1980 to 2004. What is even more of a concern is the amount of road traffic that we can expect in the near future. Projections by the Department of Trade indicate that between 2000 and 2015 the level of road traffic is set to increase by 29 per cent, resulting in even more congestion, pollution and frustration for everyone.
I hope Mr Ashford keeps those lenses in good condition because I look forward to more image comparisons. However, in the future I expect we will be looking back at the image in the eighties with an element of disbelief rather than nostalgia.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party

Stats 1
Stats 2

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Tags croydon, greenparty

White Poppy at the Clocktower Memorial

Mike's white poppy still sitting proud in the centre of the Clocktower memorial.
Read more

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Advertiser and Guardian coverage on the cycle ride

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Greens ride with the Deputy Leader

Mike Armstrong explains to the Deputy Leader
what the issues are.........Council Officer in the
background taking photos!


30.10.07
ORIGINAL Press Release:

Deputy Councillor joins Croydon Greens on a cycle ride around Croydon

Councillor Dudley Mead will on Friday 2nd November(1) join Croydon Green Party members on a cycle ride around Croydon. The purpose of the event is to highlight the dangers and the risks that cyclists have to endure when cycling within the borough.

The original invitation was made out to Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Fisher.

However, in his to reply to Green Party spokesperson, Shasha Khan, Councillor Fisher indicated that Councillor Dudley Mead would be “happy to join” the cycle ride.

Shasha Khan said, “As a cyclist, I find some of the junctions in Croydon terrifying. I am just pleased that we have the opportunity to impress on the Council the need to improve the current cycling facilities.

“Cycling has so many positive benefits, on health, pollution and congestion, yet previously Labour and now the Conservative Council are failing to put in place the high quality cycle routes that will encourage people to use this greener mode of transport.”

Mike Armstrong, who runs the blog, ‘Crap cycle lanes of Croydon’ (2) said:

“The facilities at present are tokenistic. They do not offer real value for money. The borough needs cycle routes that really make a difference.”

Ends.

Notes:

Details of the route are available upon request
(1) The ride will commence at 3pm outside the Town Hall on Katherine Street.
(2) http://crapcyclelanesofcroydon.blogspot.com/

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Green coverage in croydon Advertiser

Croydon Advertiser Friday 26th October

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Tags croydon, greenparty

City Academy letter

21.10.07

Dear Editor,

Having just read Cllr Speakman’s letter (Croydon Advertiser, October 19th), I feel compelled to remind your readers of a couple of points regarding the plans to hurry the handover of Coulsdon High to the unaccountable private body: Oasis Trust.
Just this week a report by the House of Commons Public Accounts select committee revealed the majority of City Academies have gone millions of pounds over budget. This automatically raises concerns that the Government will pinch funds from other schools in order to meet shortfalls.
Additionally, the select committee found that a small number of Academies were unbelievably paying their own sponsors to provide key services.

Steve Chalke, the founder of Oasis Trust, may well be an impressive individual who is enthusiastic about his plans for Coulsdon High; but it is important to remember that every business or church that has previously been handed millions of pounds of public money to turn a school in to City Academy also made a great impression on local parents. This includes the City Academies that are now failing, overspending and even paying their sponsors.

The jury is still out on the Oasis Trust. Their first City Academies, Enfield and Immingham (Lincoln) only went live this September. In other words, there is no track record for parents to view in order to make an informed decision. Instead, they appear to be pressured into taking the Oasis Trust option - an option which will allow the Oasis Trust control of all aspects of the Academy including, staff appointments, pupil admissions, curriculum and governance arrangements.

I congratulate the staff, parents and pupils in taking Coulsdon High out of ‘special measures’ status. The council and Government must now match this determination by directly investing in the school and not through an unaccountable private body.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens highlight Croydon's disappearing back gardens

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Green Party Party 2007

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens slam council investment record

Press Release: Greens slam council investment record

Croydon Green Party member Bernice Golberg has slammed Croydon Council’s pension fund for its investment record.

She called on the fund to adopt ethical guidelines set out by the United Nations.

Mrs. Golberg said: “In most years, Britain ranks second only to the US in arms exports. Given the relative size of our economies, that makes us as a nation singularly dependent on this trade.”

I was shocked to see Croydon Council ranked quite so high in a recent report, including £2.5 million shareholdings in BAE Systems alone.(1)”

”BAE has not lately been a good investment whereas many green and ethical businesses have. Croydon Council’s pension fund holding of shares in BAE Systems brought them a poorer return in 2005 than if the money had been put into ethical investments. Growth in the FTSE 4 Good Global 100 index, a leading tracker of ethical investments, was more than 50 per cent greater in the past 12 months than the rise in BAE shares.”

“People who choose to invest in a principled way have been justly rewarded. If the council insists on investing unethically it should, at the very least, offer employees an ethical alternative, some will surely find BAE unacceptable – as will many voters.”

“The UK has trailed behind other European countries in developing ethically acceptable and environmentally friendly industries, undermined by attitudes such as that of the Croydon Council pension fund. This means that Britain is still lagging behind in obtaining the economic benefits that such industries are now bringing to more forward-looking countries, both in terms of job creation and return on investment.

“For instance, Denmark is home to Vestas Wind Systems, the world's biggest manufacturer of wind turbines. Vestas employs 11,900 people and has seen its share price more than double this year, from 104.5 euros to 229.

The Green Party calls on the council's pension fund to scrap its current immoral investment policy and to adopt the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.

“If Croydon Council's pension fund adopted a more ethical policy, such as the UN guidelines, it could achieve a double benefit. It would improve the fund's investment returns and, if it invested in appropriate UK companies, it could help encourage faster growth in ethical business sectors in this country.”

Notes:

(1) http://www.caat.org.uk/campaigns/clean-investment/2007/la-london.php

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Solar Panel Idea

Letter received from from Bernie Rickman, Secretary of Croydon Retired Peoples Campaign.

Dear Shasha,
Thanks for speaking to us on Monday. I thought it went very well and everyone appreciated your visit. My letter to the Guardian has not appeared, which is slightly disappointing but not unexpected. You have to be Prince Charles to be sure of gaining their attention and I am only a very common commoner! However, if you feel the following has any merit, do please use it as an issue:

"Hilary Benn's point that replacing traditional light bulbs with low energy ones by 2012 will save five million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year underlines the domestic sector's enormous potential for fighting global warming.
One way to realise this could be a wide use of solar panels. I suggest they should become as common on our rooftops as television aerials.
The problem is cost. Panels, plus their fitting, are out of reach for most, even with subsidies included. They might become cheaper in time, but can we afford to wait for prices to come down?
I say not, and I suggest the solution lies with creating not-for-profit co-operatives to fill the gap. They offer real advantages. Lowering prices to the consumer by eliminating profits and based firmly in the local community, they present a popular way forward.
Their start-ups could be financed by central government, but with a bottom line covering running costs they should aim to become self supporting,and with local councils helping by donating empty premises, viability can easily be possible.
The propaganda value in seeing a visible effort being made down every street will create a sense of urgency and change attitudes, propelling everyone, especially government, into ever more positive action.
Global warming is making its presence felt today. We know we most act now."

Hope you see some potential here, Shasha. Anyway, nice to meet you, and very best wishes,
Bernie Rickman.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Green cycling and recycling coverage in the Croydon Guardian

Link to article

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter on recycling sent to the local paper

28.09.07

Dear Sir,

It’s happened again! Hundreds of thousands of council tax payers in Croydon are not getting value for their money. This is because the council is persisting with a policy of expanding kerbside recycling predominately in marginal wards (Kerb your (eco) enthusiasm – Green Guardian). Safe Tory and Labour wards like Croham, Purley, Heathfield, Bensham Manor, Thornton Heath and Selhurst are still waiting for their plastics cardboard and garden waste collections to commence. A full 19 months after marginal wards.
If you live in Waddon, Norbury, South Norwood, Upper Norwood, Addiscombe and Coulsdon East you can count yourself lucky because the Tory council want to impress you with new services in order to clinch crucial votes to secure victory for their councillors. This is not a new phenomenon; Labour played the same game when they were in power.
This Conservative council is continuously bemoaning about a fair deal for Croydon with regard to government money but conveniently chooses to ignore a fair deal for its tax paying residents?

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Greens at London Freewheel

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Press release: Greens go to Freewheel!

----Press Release: Croydon Greens go to Hovis London Freewheel.

Members of Croydon Green Party will join 38,000 other cyclists this Sunday (23rd September 2007) for the Hovis London Freewheel. In fact registrations for the event reached capacity two weeks ago.

Spokesperson for Croydon Green Party, Shasha Khan, said:“The fantastic response to the event just goes to show how many cyclists will take to the roads if they were made much safer.”

It is estimated that 40 per cent of Londoners have access to a bike, but only five per cent use one regularly (1)Metropolitan Police research has revealed that 63% of motorists break the capital's 30mph speed limit.

As well as being a major cause of death and injury, the intimidation caused by speeding traffic is a key factor dissuading more Londoners from getting on their bikes. (2)The Green Party has consistently called for a 20mph speed limit in London’s residential areas. It is estimated that this measure would save up to 200 lives and 25,000 injuries.

Shasha Khan continued:“Reducing the standard speed limit in Croydon’s residential areas is one way to encourage more people to cycle to work or school. Another measure is to improve cycle route design in Croydon. The council acknowledges there are many urgent cycle route corrections that need to be carried out in the borough. On 2nd July I wrote to Tory Council Leader Mike Fisher to join me in a cycle ride around Croydon so that he could experience the dangers that cyclists endure. I am sad to say that despite receiving an acknowledgement card, to date I have not received a reply. “

Ends

Notes:
(1)http://www.bbc.co.uk/
london/content/articles/2007/06/26/freewheel_feature.shtml

(2) http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=213
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens lead city academy condemnation

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Tags croydon, greenparty

City Academies letter sent to the papers

-11.09.07

Dear Editor,

News that The Oasis Trust has won the task of transforming Coulsdon High School into a City Academy is of grave concern and somewhat confusing considering the schools’ web site points out that Ofsted now say that Coulsdon High is a rapidly improving school.

Councillors and those officers involved in this decision have shown a lack of patience with this school.

Creating this academy will result in the transfer of £25 million of public money to an unaccountable sponsoring body – the Christian based Oasis Trust. They will receive the entire school budget directly from the Government.

The existence of a facility to give priority to children of a particular faith means it is possible for The Oasis Trust to refuse places to local pupils. The impact of faith may not stop there. The City Academies set up Sir Peter Vardy, the wealthy entrepreneur behind the Reg Vardy chain of car dealerships, disclosed that its pupils were being taught the Old Testament belief that God created the world from nothing in six days.

The Oasis Trust will have responsibility for all aspects of the Academy, including staff appointments, pupil admissions, curriculum and governance arrangements. Indeed it is already clear that most spots on the board of governors will be filled by representatives of the trust.

Reports show that City Academies damage the operation of local accountability, breaking the links between parents and elected councillors. Croydon Council will have no responsibility for this Academy, but may still end up having to make up any shortfall in funding from the Oasis Trust or Department of Children Schools and families.

The argument that Coulsdon High has lost the confidence of local parents is difficult to make when one considers that as a City Academy, local parents will end up having NO influence on how their local school is run.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party

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Tags croydon, greenparty

London Peace Run

LONDON WEEK OF PEACE (LWOP) 9th – 16th September 2007 is an annual week of high profile events, initiatives and action aiming to promote community cohesion, safety and peace across the capital. On Sunday I ran the London Peace Run in Greenwich Park. It was a 5km run through the hilly park. I am pleased to say I finished the course without stopping! I came 38th out 120 in a time of 27:22.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens in the papers

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter to the editor (Labour's greenwash)

17.08.07

Dear Editor,

I wonder if Labour’s Cllr Mansell noticed what was directly opposite her response to my letter on the floods in Croydon. Discerning readers of this paper would have seen that opposite her ‘greenwash’ ridden letter was an article highlighting Croydon Green Party’s Chris Sciberras peaceful visit to the Climate Camp at Heathrow airport.
The irony was overwhelming because it is her government that is backing airport expansion at Heathrow and other airports.

Aviation is the UK’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists at the Tyndall Centre predict that aviation’s emissions alone are set to exceed the government’s target for the UK’s entire output of greenhouse gases in 2050.

If Cllr Mansell is genuinely concerned about climate change then maybe she needs to start writing letters to her own party leader rather than the local paper.

Yours sincerely


Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party




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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Advertiser reports on Chris Sciberras' visit to Climate Camp

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Labour on the defence regarding flood letters

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Letters on the floods in both local papers

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Press Release: Local Greens heads off to Climate Camp

Local Green heads off to Climate Camp


Croydon Green Party member, Chris Sciberras, will be going to Climate Camp at Heathrow Airport next week.

The purpose of the camp is to increase awareness of the causes of climate change – and one of the main ones is air travel.

Speaking before heading off to Heathrow Airport, Mr Sciberras said,

“I want to help draw attention to the significant contribution that flying makes to greenhouse gases. I also want the Government to understand that expanding airport capacity only leads to more flights and more emissions.”

Climate Camp made headline news when the British Airports Authority (BAA) attempted to ban 5 million members of environmentalist organisations from entering the Heathrow Airport.

However, the court refused BAA’s demands for an injunction of Airport Watch, an umbrella group for environmental and conservation groups, including the Woodland Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Commenting on BAA’s demands for an injunction, Mr Sciberras said,

“I also want to protest against BAA's attempts to stop people exercising their democratic rights to protest peacefully.”

Croydon Green Party spokesperson, Shasha Khan added,

“We are becoming increasingly concerned about the attacks on people’s right to protest. BAA’s actions were completely unreasonable. Understandably, the focus of the Climate Camp is now as much about the right to protest as is it about climate change.”

The camp will explore grassroots solutions to climate change through workshops, skill-sharing, education, debate and entertainment.

Ends

Notes:
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2143257,00.html
http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/


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Tags croydon, greenparty

Council bans recycling on foot

Residents fuming over car-only rule from the Croydon Guardian

Croydon Green Party member Shasha Khan said he was "100 per cent" behind pedestrian and cycle access for people wishing to recycle.

He added: "It is ludicrous. It's another example of how the systems in place in Croydon are outdated for the present climate.

"People are much more in tune with green issues and environmental best practice and yet the system is stopping them."

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Tags croydon, recycling, greenparty

Take A Stand

I attended the Take A Stand event in Thornton Heath earlier today. The purpose of the event was to give young people in the locality a chance to find out about some of the many activities and services that are available for them.

I spoke to a number of young peoples support groups at the event. These groups are reliant on Childrens Fund money from the council. It is important that these groups do receive adequate funding in March 2008 to continue their excellent work.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Free cycling lessons

Winterbourne School,
Winterbourne Road
CR7 7QT

SATURDAYS from 2 to 5pm
4, 11, 18 & 25 August

Crystal Palace Football Stadium,
Selhurst Park,
Whitehorse Lane,
SE25 6PU

SUNDAYS from 3 to 6pm
19 August and 26 August

This is a pilot scheme and if successful, will continue every Saturday and Sunday.
- IMPROVE & GAIN CONFIDENCE
- CYCLING ON THE ROAD & PLAYGROUND
- CYCLING WITH CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, ETC.
- CHILDREN UNDER 8 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
- CYCLE CHECK & MINOR REPAIRS WITH Dr BIKE

Instructor-led ride for one hour at end of the session. Adults and
accompanied children only.
Limited places. You may book on 079040 21944 / or otherwise just turn up.


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Tags croydon, greenparty

Flash floods letter set to the local papers

26.07.07

Dear Sir,

The flash floods in Croydon during July may well be a tiny taster of the chaos that lies ahead. The governments’ own Chief Scientific Officer, Sir David King, pointed out that the flash floods across England were predicted in climate change projections back in 2004. One could argue that it is too early to say with conviction whether the flash floods are just a ‘flash in the pan’ because floods of this kind do occur as was the case in 1912 and 1947.

However, extreme weather is consistent with global warming and July’s rainfall is the highest since 1766. If you marry that with the fact that: ten of the last 12 years have been the hottest on record then it is clear that something out of the ordinary is occurring.

That is why I was very interested to read Cllr Tony Newman’s rather rich letter regarding the exposure, by a Conservative councillor, that members of the Conservative-run council do not believe climate change is happening or is even is an issue they should take seriously.
You see on the one hand we’ve got the Labour group who, when in power, portrayed a semblance of awareness of the issue but did scant little locally; on the other, we’ve got a Conservative group who ostensibly, won’t believe the overwhelming evidence before them and consequently are not going to do anything about it. I don’t know what is worse!

Labour and Conservative MP’s and councillors must never forget that the Stern Report, commissioned by Gordon Brown, highlighted how failure to act on climate change would trigger a catastrophic global recession.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party
Windmill Road
Croydon
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Flashfloods in Croydon!?!

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"Tour de farce"

This week's Croydon Advertiser devoted the whole of page three to the Crap Cycle Lanes of Croydon blog started by Croydon Green Mike Armstrong.




The piece came about as a result of Shasha Khan's letter about cycle lanes.

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Tags croydon, green party

Pictures from our stall on Saturday.

Last Saturday was Live Earth: A series of global concerts designed to highlight climate crisis. In line with the event, Croydon Greens ran a stall in Croydon.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Press release: Andy Lindsay completes epic journey

Croydon Green Party member Andy Lindsay has finally returned from his epic two week journey from Croydon to Edinburgh on his Rhinocycle. During the journey he had to cope with some of the worst weather conditions locals could remember when riding through northern England. On one day he rode through the rain for two days solid. However, his efforts have raised to date over £1000 for specific Javan and Sumatran rhino projects run by Save the Rhino International and also massive amounts of awareness for rhinos.

Upon returning to London, Andy Lindsay said:

"Although the bike was designed for two riders, I was on my own for most of the journey and driving rain, headwinds and hills made it all the more challenging. I received fantastic help and encouragement along the way including donations, food and free accommodation."

Andy Lindsay noted that the journey was a light hearted approach to a serious issue and was keen to point out that:

"Javan Rhinos have been brought to the edge of extinction (there are now fewer than 60 left in the world) by poaching for their horn and as a direct result of rainforest destruction. By riding Rhinocycle007 from London to Edinburgh I hoped to make as many people as possible aware that these and many more of our fellow creatures are going extinct as a direct result of our actions. We cannot continue to pollute our planet while destroying our rainforest without unleashing severe climate change. It’s like burning the candle at both ends…with a flamethrower! "

People can still donate at http://www.rhinocycle007.org/

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Andy Lindsay in the local paper

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter to the local papers

02.07.07

Dear Sir,

I hope Tory Council leader, Mike Fisher, attended one of the Bike Week events (16th-24th June) in Croydon. After all, his party leader, David Cameron MP, is forever trying to portray his party’s green credentials. Mr Cameron even cycles to work for that crucial photo opportunity! By the way, we are encouraged to dismiss the fact that his official car is carrying his shoes and his briefcase in tow. This exposes the level of hypocrisy and greenwash the main three parties peddle – no pun intended.

So how much does Mr Fisher buy into his party leaders’ supposed green enlightenment? The answer is ‘not very’ if you look at the amount of investment on cycle routes in Croydon
In London around 2% of journeys are by cycle. Yet cyclists represent 8% of road users who are killed or seriously injured. Cyclists and also pedestrians in Croydon are all too aware of the perilous roads in the borough. One cyclist has started a blog called ‘Crap Cycle Lanes in Croydon’.

On the one hand we are all being encouraged to “get on our bikes” but this Conservative Council has failed to put its money where its mouth is.

I contacted the council about an accident waiting to happen on the junction between St James Park and Windmill Road, which is part of the London Cycle Network. It is a two way street for cyclists but one way for motor vehicles with a glaring blind spot where cyclists approaching Windmill Road cannot be seen. The council officer came to view the road layout and was quick to acknowledge the danger. However, 6 months later nothing has been done. Moreover, I was told when I called to chase up my enquiry that there were many other urgent cycle route corrections which have not been carried out. One can deduce that it is the usual reason -‘cuts!’

Cycling in Croydon is fraught with danger. It is essential the council leader is fully aware of this. That is why I have written to Mr Fisher asking him to join me on a cycle ride around Croydon. Only then will he realise the risks cyclists have to endure.

Yours sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party
Windmill Road
Croydon

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Dr Derek Wall speaks in Croydon

"Infinite economic growth on a finite planet is impossible - ecological considerations are more important than supply side economics and free market globalisation."

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Comment made to the Croydon Guardian

Upon hearing that the street lighting on the TFL owned Coulsdon by-pass are left on during the day, I am aghast on three fronts. First of all, will someone please switch the lights off!

Secondly, it is a waste of energy and it completely sends the wrong signal to the general public. On the one hand we are encouraged to switch lights off at home yet, as I understand it, we are seeing electricity companies content with leaving the street lights on, claiming that it only costs 20p per day/per light and that EDF will foot the bill. The reality is that it will be household customers and businesses that will have to foot the bill with increased energy prices.

Finally, I am baffled why solar powered or photo sensitive lighting was not installed or even stipulated during the design and build stage.
I have spoken with Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones on this issue and she has demanded an explanation from the head of TFL, Peter Hendy.
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Tags croydon, greenparty

"Wall speaks on the environment"

From the Croydon Guardian

The Croydon Green Party is holding a public meeting on Monday to discuss what individuals, businesses and Government can do to save the world.

Dr Derek Wall, the Green Party's principal speaker, is due to give a speech in the club room of the Spread Eagle pub in High Street from 8pm to 10pm.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Letter to the editor

Dear Sir,

I am not surprised Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks is quick to respond to my letter regarding MP’s exemption from the Freedom of Information Act. He must recognise that levels of trust for our elected Labour and Conservative MP’s is at an all time low. Altering the Act to exempt MP’s is nothing short of a public relations disaster and adds to the cynicism that voters feel towards members of parliament.

Your sincerely

Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party --------------------------------------------------
Tags croydon, greenparty

Greens In the local papers

Links to some of the articles and letters:
FOI Letter
Missing 2600 Trees
Vegetarian Challenge

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Green MEP Caroline Lucus beats Brown and Cameron!

LUCAS BEATS OFF BROWN AND CAMERON TO TITLE ‘POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR’

GREEN Party Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has beaten Gordon Brown and David Cameron to be named ‘politician of the year’ in the 2nd Observer Ethical Awards inassociation with Ecover.The MEP, who serves on the Parliament’s Environment, International Trade and Climate Change committees, was chosen ahead of the other two shortlisted politicians by readers of the Observer.

She was presented with the award last night at a central London ceremonyhosted by TV presenter Simon Amstell. Dr Lucas, who is also a Vice President of the RSPCA, said:

“I am delighted to have been named ethical politician of the year – but ofcourse this award isn’t really about me.“It’s about the Green Party, its policies and its fresh approach to politics.

“People are increasingly disillusioned with the three main parties and arelooking for a progressive alternative which genuinely has social andenvironmental justice at its heart.“

While the other parties might be beginning to wake up, to the issue of climate change, for example, only the Greens have both the radical policies needed and the political commitment to deliver them.

“Cameron and Brown may talk green – but its only the Green Party that’s doing green, as an increasing number of people up and down the country are realising.”

Ends

Full results

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Tags croydon, greenparty

How to Save the World

HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD:
GREEN ACTIVISM FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

A public meeting hosted by the Croydon Green Party

Admission: FREE!

The core values of the green movement are people, planet and peace. With global poverty, environmental degradation and war seemingly ever increasing, what can individuals, business and government do to save the world?

Speaking at the event will be special guest Dr Derek Wall, Principal Speaker of the Green Party.



Monday 25th June 2007

8pm-10pm

The Club Room,
The Spreadeagle 39, High St, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1QD –
020 8781 1134

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Local Green encourages everyone to recycle.

The possibility of producing an adult fleece by recycling 25 two litre plastic bottles, among other recycling ‘transformations’, gives the UK the opportunity to dramatically enhance the environment’, local Green Party member Bernice Golberg said today as she encouraged everyone to make a change in Recycle Now Week (2nd – 9th June).

Mrs Golberg warned that although there have been many improvements, urgent progress still needs to be made before the UK matches the efforts of other EU member states.
Speaking with regard to the launch of the ‘transformation’ themed Recycle Now Week, funded by WRAP, Mrs Golberg commented; “Every home in the UK produces over 1 tonne of rubbish every year, that’s over 30 million tonnes each year for the UK as a whole. We must all reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill or incineration and recycling plays its part in that.

“By recycling just one aluminum can enough energy will be saved to run a television set for three hours – an achievement that is essential as we face the climate crisis before us.

“What we need to see now is council support for these opportunities that really could ‘transform’ our future”

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Tags croydon, greenparty, recycling

Dr Bike at Winterbourne School

Well done to Green campaigner Channa and his volunteers who organised the free cycle check at Winterbourne school, Thornton Heath.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Bike Week

National Bike Week · June 16 - 24 is the UK's 9 day celebration of cycling. Whether you're a beginner or returning cyclist or a committed rider who fancies a longer all-day scenic tour of the borough, there'll be something for you.

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Tags croydon, Bike Week

Press Release: South Norwood trees

Press release: Trees in South Norwood are being ‘stumped’

Croydon Green Party contacted the council several months (almost one year) ago to find out why trees were being cut in Archer and Lonsdale Roads, leaving stumps. A resident on Archer Road had notified the local party of this extreme action. Croydon Green party were informed by the council that the tree in Lonsdale Road was cut to a metre high stump because fruit falling from the crab apple tree was causing a hazard as the pavement surface was becoming slippery. The tree on Archer Road was cut to a metre stump level because of subsidence claims.

Shasha Khan pointed out, “I was told by the council that these trees would be replaced but the resident has told us that this has not been the case. Furthermore, I was under the impression that trees needed to be removed completely to satisfy subsidence claims. I think a full explanation should be given to the local residents.”

He continued, “Urban trees have a range of benefits, including promoting habitat for wildlife, improving the street aesthetically and combating the effects of global warming. Yet, they are disappearing due to insurance claims, the majority of which are probably unjustified. We should be exploring funding and sponsorship from private developers through planning agreements and even consider root pruning where appropriate.

Leaving these trees as stumps has created a different type of hazard, especially for those residents parking their cars after dark.”

Ends

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Tags croydon, greenparty

FOI Letter sent to local papers

Link to story

Dear Sir,

I am dismayed but ultimately not surprised that all three Croydon MP’s backed the bill which makes them exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. This latest contemptible action is indicative of the ‘self serving’ nature of Wicks, Pelling and Ottoway. Over the last few years MP’s have increased their pensions and secured £25 million from taxpayers to cover a shortfall in their pension fund. This latest episode further displays their selfish motivations.
This exemption from the Freedom of Information Act means that the Croydon Guardian cannot scrutinise on our behalf the ‘expenses’ of our elected MP’s, and lets not forget - its taxpayers money that they are spending! If the MP’s have a concern regarding the confidentiality of letters received from their constituents then what is wrong with amending the Data Protection Act? It’s a no brainer!
By securing this exemption to the Freedom of Information Act, constituents will wonder where the MP’s interests lie. Is it with serving the people of Croydon or is it with serving themselves?

Yours sincerely

Mr Shasha Khan
Croydon Green Party


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Tags croydon, greenparty

Protect Brownlow Road & Park Hill

Yet more proposed demolition of houses in Croydon to make way for blocks of flats, this time in Brownlow Road, in Park Hill, Fairfield.

Local Resident Erik has set up a web site Protect Brownlow Road & Park Hill and we (the local residents) are fighting the proposals.

The proposed development would see two houses replaced by a block of 13 flats. The two large gardens would be tarmacked over to create a car park, removing a substantial amount of wildlife habitat from the area.

One of the issues is the presence of badgers in the area, and the probable existence of an active badger set in one of the gardens. This video from last year shows a badger in one of the adjacent gardens.



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Tags croydon, greenparty, Badger

Croydon Meeting

Monday May 28th at the Spreadeagle 39, High St, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1QD - map.

The meetings will start at 8.00pm, upstairs in the function room at the back which faces the Town Hall.

This is a Sutton & Croydon Green Party meeting.



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Tags croydon, greenparty

FREE CYCLING LESSONS

FREE CYCLING LESSONS

FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY

Winterbourne School, Winterbourne Road
CR7 7QT 2 – 5pm

SATURDAYSon 19 & 26 May, 2 & 9 June

This is a pilot scheme and if successful, will continue every Saturday.

- LEARN TO RIDE A BICYCLE

- IMPROVE & GAIN CONFIDENCE

- CYCLING ON THE ROAD & PLAYGROUND

- CYCLING WITH CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, ETC.

- 8 YEARS UP WITH ADULT CONSENT

- CYCLE CHECK & MINOR REPAIRS WITH

Dr BIKE 2 TO 4PM

Limited places. You may book on 079040 21944 / dezoysa@aol.com or otherwise just turn up.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Beulah Hill Fun Day

Beulah Hill Fun Day at Beulah Hill school on Saturday 19th May was by all accounts a success. However, there was a shadow over the event with news that there had been a fatal knife attack on nearby Parchmore Road the night before. With the local Sergeant being called away, the local Police Community Safety Officers for the Bensham Manor ward filled in for the day.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Press release National Veggie week

LOCAL GREENS RISE TO THE VEGETARIAN CHALLENGE

To mark the 15th annual National Vegetarian Week, the Vegetarian Society is asking politicians to match environmental taxes and carbon trading policies with a personal commitment to a greener way of life, by going vegetarian. Vegetarians’ meat and fish-free lifestyle reduces their impact on the environment. Almost a fifth of climate-changing greenhouse gases come from livestock production. Animals reared for meat are a major source of water pollution and the majority of deforestation is carried out to clear land for livestock pasture and the growing of their feed crops. (1)

Local Green Party spokesperson, Shasha Khan, said: "To meet the challenge I am going to go fully vegetarian for a week. I am technically a pesco-vegetarian as I occasionally eat fish. I am afraid my mum’s fish curry beats me every time! "

I think everyone would benefit in a super sized world from cutting back and I am hoping other politicians take up the Vegetarian Societies challenge of giving up meat for a week. The range of tasty alternatives to meat is ever growing, so its easy to make the switch. ”

Local Green Party spokesperson Bernice Golberg said: "I am fully vegetarian every week! It’s great that that so many are joining the growing numbers of vegetarians.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

(1) http://www.vegsoc.org/vegweek/reasons.html

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Rhinocycle latest

Andy Lindsay is building a new rhinocycle for his ride up the
country. Above is a glimpse of what the finished article will look like. Andy has agreed to keep us updated during his epic journey by forwarding photgraphs from Internet cafes en route. Watch this space!

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Croydon Greens join residents campaign

Norbury residents invited Shasha Khan to join them to

protest against plans to erect storage containers on the

green triangular space where Semley and Hatch roads

meet (opposite the church).

The containers will store bathroom suites for 12 months whilst

urgent work is carried out to former LCC housing nearby.

The residents have not been properly consulted and have

raised several objections:

1) The area is known to be hallowed land that was used as a

burial site for victims of the bubonic plague.

2) The storage containers will be subject to vandalism.

3) There are no guarantees that the land would be

returned by the workman to its present condition.

4) The green space is used by the church for events.

The residents all agreed that the work needed to be carried out

BUT an alternative storage location must be sought.

Link to story in Croydon Guardian

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Local Green camapigner in the local paper!

Link to article
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Tags croydon, greenparty

Press release: Election Round Up

Press release: Greens make dramatic council gains

Whilst Croydon was election free this year, town halls around England were a hive of activity for the council elections in the first week of May. The Green Party now has 111 councillors - an increase of almost 20 per cent. Local party spokesperson, Shasha Khan said,

“Whilst other parties continue to squabble about who polled how much and how well, relatively speaking, they have done; the Greens, without question, continue to grow in England. Significant gains were made in Brighton, which doubled its number of Green councillors to twelve, plus Norwich and Lancaster. The evidence is clear: wherever Greens get elected, the electorate like what they see and want more!”

Even though London was election free this year, local members took the train to Redhill to assist Green activist, Jonathan Essex, in his campaign to get elected on to Reigate and Banstead council. Shasha Khan continued,

“We are all thrilled for Jonathan because he polled 22% per cent of the vote and finished second in Redhill East. It just goes to show that even under the archaic first past the post system, the electorate is not dissuaded from voting for what they believe in – that is genuine ethical and sustainable policies.”

Ends

Link to Green Party election round up
Link to Reigate and Banstead election results


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Tags croydon, greenparty

Historic Green wins in Brighton and Hove Council

The Green Party is celebrating a doubling of its councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council today, Friday 4th May.

With twelve city councillors, it makes it the largest single unitary Green councillor group in the country. The party won more than 20% of the vote across the city at the election.



It gained two seats in central Brighton’s Regency Ward and another in Hanover & Elm Grove Ward, with 22 year old Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett taking a seat from veteran Labour councillor Joyce Edmond-Smith.

The Greens also took three council seats in Queens Park Ward from Labour, doubling the total number of Greens to twelve out of 54, only one less than Labour's 13.

Green councillor Keith Taylor thanked the voters for what he called a historic result which he said proved that voters in the city were ready to trust the Greens to develop a greener, fairer vision for the city in the long term.

Greens also have the largest number of council seats of any party in Brighton Pavilion parliamentary constituency, a top target for the party at the next general election. They now hold nine seats in the constituency to the Tories' six and Labour's five.

The council remains in no overall control.

Full party results:

Conservative 26 (+6)
Labour 13 (-10)
Green 12 (+6)
LibDem 2 (-1)
Independent 1 (-1)

http://www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk/

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Tags brighton, greenparty

Video: CTC Mayday rally

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Green soothsayers in the local papers!

Croydon Guardian prints the recycling story!

Croydon Greens foretold, lets face it,

the enitirely predicatable wards

that would be selected for the

extended kerbside recycling facilities.

The movie below was shot on 31st March 2007.

The council made public their plans in the last week of April.

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Tags croydon, greenparty

Next Croydon Meeting

Monday April 30th at the Spreadeagle 39, High St, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1QD - map.

The meetings will start at 7.30pm, upstairs in the function room at the back which faces the Town Hall.

This is a Sutton & Croydon Green Party joint business meeting, and one of the main topics of discussion will be election candidates.



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Tags croydon, greenparty

RHINOCYCLE007

Croydon Green Party member Andrew Lindsay will again peddle his way up the country to highlight the plight of the rhinos. This time he is welcoming volunteers to join him!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !

WESTERN BLACK RHINO DECLARED EXTINCT IN 2006! JUST 4 NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS REMAINING! LESS THAN 50 JAVAN AND 260 SUMATRAN RHINOS IN THE WORLD TODAY! WE URGENTLY NEED TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF ALL CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES NOW!

LOOKING FOR AN ADVENTURE?

UP FOR A CHALLENGE?

JOIN ME ON RHINOCYCLE007 FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH, ANY TIME BETWEEN JUNE 16TH AND JULY 8TH TO RAISE AS MUCH PUBLICITY AS POSSIBLE AND HELP SAVE THE JAVAN RHINO (AND OTHER CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES) FROM EXTINCTION.

TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT ANDY:
Mob: 07939 035109
Email: jock.lindsay1@tiscali.co.uk
Or sponsor me:
www.justgiving.com/rhinocycle007

Andy (Jock) Lindsay

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Tags rhino, greenparty

Comment to Croydon Guardian

Comment made in response to the report that 6 more wards are to have a second recycling box
"Looking again at our 'odds board', 3 out the first 5 wards in the 'market' were selected for the second recycling box. In essence, the Tories protected their councillors and no safe Labour seats were chosen. I have contacted the environment department to explain the decison making process when selecting these wards. By the way, I have bag of used batteries which is getting heavier every year. I am waiting with bated breath for the moment I will be able the put them in my green recycling box."

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Tags croydon, greenparty