colourful stencil mural now graces the walls of Goathouse Bridge in Penge Road It was unveiled as part of Croydon Council’s on-going work to revive and regenerate South Norwood Goathouse Bridge overlooks the railway and is named after The Goat House pub that once stood at the entrance to the area It is a key gateway to South Norwood High Street offering a warm welcome to everyone who lives in or visits the area The stencil artwork was designed by Europa a graphic design studio and CarverHaggard Architects in collaboration with Year 9 students from Harris Academy South Norwood and Reaching Higher The creation of the artwork was led by artist Tanguy Bertocchi from Varylab Studios Young people were invited to get involved in the project to share their relationship to the high street and the area The engagement work started with a stencil art workshop led by Varylab Studios where students designed the bold and colourful ’South Norwood’ letters Design concepts for the mural were shared with the public at several local events including the Clock Tower Market and the South Norwood Community Festival the students worked with the artist to create the mural applying stencil art techniques they acquired and spray painting said: “One of the commitments I made when I became Executive Mayor was to invest in our neighbourhoods and make Croydon a place where people feel proud to live and visit This regeneration programme is helping to restore pride in South Norwood “I’m very proud of the enthusiasm and creativity displayed by our young people from Reaching Higher and Harris Academy South Norwood who willingly gave their time to bring this work to life for everyone to enjoy.” Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries at the Greater London Authority (GLA) said: “The talent and creativity of Croydon’s young people is on full display with this vibrant mural which brings an injection of colour to South Norwood The Year 9 students from Harris Academy have shown how art can breathe life and energy into our public spaces and help to create a better London for everyone.” The regeneration programme has been engaging young people in high street initiatives through creative Both projects were funded by Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone The blitz squad is coming to South Norwood from Monday 24 February as part of Croydon Council’s Cleaner Croydon campaign to restore pride in the borough The three-week tailored blitz clean will focus on the High Street Station Road and Portland Road and will see crews complete a series of activities to improve the area and fix issues It will happen alongside improvement works on the high street as part of the South Norwood Regeneration Programme paving and replacing benches and cycle parking The designs have been developed as part of a working group of residents and businesses healthier environment that residents and businesses can take pride in is a key priority for the Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry and the driver behind the Council’s Cleaner Croydon campaign The intensive blitz clean has been tailored using feedback from residents and businesses repairing damaged footways and refreshing road line markings Graffiti and fly-posting – stickers and posters from lampposts and windows – will also be removed and the Council’s trading standards team will be offering support and advice to local businesses New Addington and Addiscombe have been really impactful I’m looking forward to working with South Norwood’s residents and businesses to make locals feel proud of their great high street “Clean streets are an essential part of creating safe welcoming spaces where residents and businesses can thrive “The Council clears 98% of reported fly-tips within 24 hours We can all do our bit to look after where we live I encourage anyone who sees fly-tipping or other environmental issues to report them to the Council so something can be done about them.” An investigation is under way following the death of a man in South Norwood Officers were called to High Street at around 1.30am yesterday morning following reports that a child was being assaulted officers encountered a 45-year-old man who was experiencing a medical emergency He was very agitated and was actively resisting officers He was restrained and paramedics were called the man was transported to an ambulance where he became seriously unwell despite the best efforts of medical professionals The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is aware and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) The Met are keen to stress a referral in these circumstances is not an indication that officers are believed to have done anything wrong It is a mandatory step when anyone dies or suffers serious injury following contact with the police or while in their custody who is overseeing the response to this incident said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died “I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately The IOPC is conducting an investigation to provide that independent scrutiny “We must also acknowledge the impact that incidents like this have on the officers involved In this case they were responding to an emergency call involving a child in danger and on arrival at the scene were met with a very challenging situation “No officer ever wants to be involved in an incident where someone loses their life and we will ensure they get all the support they need.” An IOPC spokesman said: “We have started an investigation into the contact Met police officers had with a man prior to his death during an incident at a property in South Norwood on Sunday “We have been informed that police went to the address after receiving reports of an assault just before 1.30am Paramedics were called and the man was transported to hospital where he sadly died shortly after 3.30am “After being notified by the force we declared an independent investigation and sent investigators to the scene and police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence That included obtaining initial statements from the officers involved Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and we will be in contact with them to explain our role.” Pictured top: South Norwood High Street (Picture: Google Street View) Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Croydon’s ambitious Regina Road regeneration is in full swing but a lot of work has still yet to be completed on the former council tower blocks Following widespread reports of mould and poor conditions in the 1960s-built blocks residents voted to demolish and rebuild homes on the South Norwood estate Residents of flats 1-87 were all relocated throughout 2024 following the 88 per cent vote to demolish the flats in the Spring of last year Hoardings have since surrounded that block for the past few months with demolition officially starting in January Demolition contractor Colemans has secured the site which sees over 30 workers on site each day Despite a constant buzz of activity on the site the demolition is made difficult due to the abundance of asbestos in the building One of the workers on site said: “There’s a lot of work needs doing here I think it’s going to be many more months of work before we get rid of the lot.” the council expects the demolition of flats 1-87 to be complete by August resident engagement will continue with community consultations on the design for replacement housing plus monthly working group meetings covering topics like demolition Submitting a high-quality planning application is key to the Regina Road project but other critical steps must also be addressed before These include securing full vacant possession is scheduled for demolition between Autumn 2025 and February 2026 According to a source in the Regina Road resident’s working group it is now empty following the recent relocation of its last two families The council is now in the process of finding alternative homes for the families in the third block Mayor Jason Perry acknowledged Croydon’s shame after the conditions at Regina Road were exposed The council has since approved a new direct delivery model for the project which includes demolishing the three high-rise blocks and replacing the 191 council flats with up to 450 homes A spokesman from Croydon council said: “Work to demolish the first block at Regina Road is set to begin this month and will be completed by summer and residents will continue to receive regular updates “The demolition is part of wider plans to regenerate the estate and build at least 225 new council homes We’ll submit the full plans for approval in summer 2025 We will continue working with residents to help them find new homes ahead of this next stage.” Pictured top: Regina Road work under way (Picture: LDRS/Harrison Galliven) Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 29th October 2024 by ianVisits in London Art News which passes over the railway tracks in South Norwood has been given a mural makeover as part of Croydon Council’s ongoing work to revive and regenerate the area The pub is thought to have taken its name from when the site was a clearing in the ‘North Wood’ where a goat herd lived and is marked ‘Goat House’ on an enclosure map of 1797 the landlord kept a goat in the garden to amuse the children the pub closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2007 to be replaced with a block of flats The road bridge it gave its name to was rebuilt in circa 2012 to replace a low metal wall with a high brick one and now that plain brick wall has gained a lot of colour a graphic design studio and CarverHaggard Architects in collaboration with Year 9 students from Harris Academy South Norwood and Reaching Higher Artist Tanguy Bertocchi led the creation of the artwork from Varylab Studios The mural project is part of the council’s South Norwood Regeneration Programme a £2.4 million programme funded by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone to revitalise and revive South Norwood High Street This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here and website in this browser for the next time I comment and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits A woman has died after a fire broke out in a house in South Norwood yesterday afternoon Three fire engines and about 15 firefighters tackled the blaze at a semi-detached house in Selhurst Road after being alerted to the incident at around 3.30pm One woman was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews She was taken to hospital where she later died A small part of the front room in the ground floor maisonette was damaged by fire Croydon and Norbury fire stations brought the blaze under control by around 5pm Scotland Yard informs watchdog after man dies following police incident in South Norwood News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A 45-year-old man has died in south London after police were called to reports of a child being assaulted The Met Police said it had made a referral to the police watchdog over the incident shortly before 1.30am on South Norwood’s High Street after being called to reports of a child being assaulted Officers said when they arrived they encountered a 45-year-old man suffering a “medical emergency” saying he was in an “agitated” state and “actively resisting” police he was transported to an ambulance where he became “seriously unwell” The force said it had made a mandatory referral to the police watchdog over the incident which is a compulsory step when someone dies after contact with police Probe as man dies after officers respond to reports of child being assaulted Bus driver charged after nine-year-old girl killed in collision What protests are taking place in London this weekend First picture of man stabbed to death in Ealing Met Commander Andy Brittain said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died “I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately. The IOPC is conducting an investigation to provide that independent scrutiny “In this case they were responding to an emergency call involving a child in danger and on arrival at the scene VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham extends olive branch to son Brooklyn amid 'family feud' Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital Firefighters rescued ten people from blaze on block’s first and second floors in Upper Norwood News | London Ten people were rescued from a major fire at a block of flats in south London early on Wednesday morning Around 60 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze at a block on Church Street in Upper Norwood at around 3.30am They rescued ten people from the first and second floors using ladders, while the Met Police also helped to escort another six people from the lower ground floor Six of those rescued were rushed to hospital by paramedics The Brigade said both it and the Metropolitan Police were investigating the fire with 999 control operators delivering fire survival guidance to those in the building before they were rescued Norbury and surrounding fire stations to the scene with the fire deemed under control by 5.10am A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm News A man was left with serious facial burns after petrol was thrown at him in a park in south east London frequented by families and dog walkers was in South Norwood Country Park when he was doused with fluid and set alight before 3pm on Thursday Emergency services rushed to the incident, which took place near a school, and found the man with burns to his face, Metro reports A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and remanded in custody One dog walker said: "I use the park all the time it’s just horrific especially as it’s next to a school and on broad daylight The Met Police stated: "[We] were called at 2.45 pm on Thursday February to reports of an incident involving petrol allegedly being thrown in a man’s face and set alight at Albert Road "Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and supported a 37-year-old man suffering from facial burns "He was taken to hospital where his injuries were deemed non-life threatening A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm A London Ambulance Service spokesman added: "We were called at 2.58pm on Thursday 13 February to reports of an incident at the junction of Ferndale Road and Albert Road "We sent ambulance crews and a clinical team manager to the scene We took one patient to a local hospital and discharged the other patient at the scene." IOPC Director Amanda Rowe: ‘Our thoughts are with all those affected by his death’ The police watchdog is to investigate the death of man restrained by officers attending reports of a “child being assaulted” inside a house in south London The 45-year-old suffered a medical emergency after “actively resisting” police at a property in High Street, South Norwood He was taken to hospital by ambulance at 1.27am on Sunday The Independent Office for Police Conduct said a post-mortem has been carried out and it awaiting further tests Metropolitan Police officers were called the address following a report of concerns that a child may be being assaulted Police body-worn video shows him resisting officers after being restrained and was then held on a bed Masked robbers launch hammer attacks on cyclists in Regent’s Park Met officer dismissed for throwing flare and ‘tragedy chanting’ at Arsenal games Piers Corbyn to face trial over pro-Palestine protest outside BBC building Three charged with murder of young man who was stabbed in Hackney He remained in an agitated state and officers requested the London Ambulance Service over concerns about his behaviour His condition deteriorated and he was transported to hospital where he sadly died at around 3.40am IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends “We understand that his death while in police custody will be a matter of concern for them “I want to reassure people that we are undertaking a thorough robust and independent investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding his death “We will continue to gather evidence to piece together the events that took place We have been in contact with the man’s partner to explain our role and will keep them updated as our enquiries progress.” A man from South Norwood has been charged after a video of a burning cardboard model of Grenfell Tower was shared online grossly offensive material via a public communications network This is contrary to section 127 (1) (a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003 He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday We'll never send you spam or share your email address Find out more in our Privacy Policy. 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Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radiolondonnewsInvestigation launched after death of a man in South NorwoodOfficers were called in the early hours of yesterday morning to reports of a child being assaulted An investigation's been launched by the police watchdog following the death of a man in South Norwood Met Police Officers entered the property on High Street around 1:27am yesterday morning A 45-year-old man was found experiencing 'a medical emergency' and was restrained by officers after resisting arrest and becoming agitated with a mandatory referral now made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have started an investigation into the contact Met police officers had with a man prior to his death during an incident at a property in South Norwood on Sunday "We have been informed that police went to the address after receiving reports of an assault just before 1.30am "After being notified by the force we declared an independent investigation and sent investigators to the scene and police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and we will be in contact with them to explain our role." has sent his thoughts to the man's family First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) A community café says it’s seeing ‘all kinds of people’ come through its doors as homelessness continues to spike over the Christmas period While the café in South Norwood has served over 19,700 meals this year volunteers say they ‘need five of these in each community’ to start addressing Croydon’s homelessness issue the pay-if-you-can café that provides meals will see the full spectrum of people entering its doors daily From those escaping street homelessness to the young professionals volunteering in the kitchen the variety of personal experiences and people’s reasons for coming also pose a challenge The circumstances leading to homelessness are innumerable and complex and they are becoming more and more noticeable to those trying to make a difference at SNCK represents a side of homelessness that SNCK and organisations like it are encountering more and more mechanical design engineer Armand would come to the UK to ply his trade yet this has become more complicated since 2020 Despite having 25 years of experience in France Armand must pass an engineering exam to ensure his continued employment He said: “You need the training to continue work Before Brexit I used to come here a lot for work I was sleeping on the streets and even in Lloyd Park for a bit I had never done anything like that before.” The EU settlement status that previously would have been available to Armand was no longer an option he was put in touch with of one of Croydon’s squatter groups and eventually housed in the former offices of Croydon’s failed housing builder Armand told the LDRS: “It was a place I could rest Croydon Council’s zero tolerance for squatting soon saw Armand forced back onto those streets he would soon come into contact with another of Croydon’s community ventures He said: “I was sleeping on the streets in South Norwood at the time gave me some money and told me to go to the kitchen if I needed help Armand continues studying for his exam and hopes to return to France to see his family when it is completed Dion is a Croydon local who has always lived near the SNCK She first walked through the café’s doors in May She told the LDRS the continued exposure to those experiencing addiction and trauma in temporary accommodation is not helping She said: “Some people choose to be on the streets because they feel safer there They put me in a hostel with raging alcoholics when I was homeless It was so hard to get away from that life when there’s these guys who want to drink with you in the morning Fellow SNCK volunteer Hugo told the LDRS how council-supported sheltered accommodation like this can often exacerbate people’s most destructive tendencies He went as far as calling Croydon Council-run Palmer House ‘a paradise for drug addicts’ This hostel is one Dion also found a frightening place to be Dion experienced her own trauma during a stay at a YMCA over the border in Merton She said: “I was outside the hostel one day and thought I heard what sounded like loose change dropping from behind me I looked around and saw what I thought looked like a black bin bag falling from the window It turned out to be someone jumping from the top of the building She now uses the experiences she got from living in hostels to help support those coming through SNCK’s doors but admits that period of her life left an impression on her “It’s so easy to get into bad habits and hard to get out of it but I believe in the saying ‘you can lead a horse to water While many volunteers do bring their own professional skills to the café most of them excel in the simple ability to listen to people’s problems and give advice based on their own experiences While some problems may be a seemingly simple matter of form-filling others may require volunteers to share their experiences and be a ‘shoulder to cry on’ Another volunteer who asked not to be named said: “People realise here that there are some problems you can fix some that may take longer and others that you absolutely can’t.” who has been experiencing homelessness with her family since 2008 added: “We see a lot of people coming in here that are sleeping in toilets and train stations Some have family that may have a room in the house but because of the impact of drugs and drink The breakdown in family relationships features in many of the stories of those coming to SNCK for homelessness support When the LDRS first encountered the volunteer she was delivering impromptu counselling to a man experiencing his own family and housing issues This ended with the recipient thanking her for ‘making it make sense’ She told the LDRS: “You can only give your experiences you’ve journeyed enough to give back what you’ve picked up along the way “I walked through these doors two years ago loved what was within and stayed ever since not noting what tomorrow was or where I was going SNCK’s project lead Emma Gardiner said the problem in Croydon was growing despite their constant efforts and it’s only set to worsen over Christmas Emma said: “We’ve been seeing more and more new faces as the weather has gotten colder and we reach Christmas This year’s fundraiser was for our hardship programme – making sure people can get what they need quickly when other routes are not an option whether that’s a couple of nights in a hotel “Communities like ours need to take care of each other first and foremost we’ve shown how that mutual care model can actually work.” A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “Croydon Council is committed to addressing homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough We recognise the importance of working with key partners such as Street Link and other voluntary organisations to provide effective support to vulnerable residents when they need it most we have our own dedicated Outreach Team that works directly with individuals experiencing rough sleeping This team actively engages with people on the streets and helping them access the services they need They also identify pathways into further assistance to make sure individuals get the right help at the right time “We also provide accommodation through services like Palmer House which supports single residents with a range of complex needs and provides tailored help to address these challenges We understand that supporting people with complex needs requires a sensitive and personalised approach and we regularly review and adapt our services with our partners to make sure they are effective and meet residents’ needs.” A link to the SNCK Christmas fundraiser can be found here Find out more in our Privacy Policy Please enter your username or email address to reset your password News | UK An investigation has been launched by the police watchdog following the death of a man in south London after officers were called to reports of a child being assaulted, the Metropolitan Police said Officers were called to High Street, South Norwood at 1.27am on Sunday after reports that a child was being assaulted Police said he was “very agitated and was actively resisting against officers” I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately He was taken to hospital where he later died A referral in these circumstances is not an indication that officers are believed to have done anything wrong it is a mandatory step when anyone dies or suffers serious injury following contact with the police or while in their custody “I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately. The IOPC is conducting an investigation to provide that independent scrutiny Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin win supporting actor gongs at Bafta film awards Kneecap director picks up Bafta for outstanding debut dies after police called to ‘child assault’ in south London Don’t miss this free immersive light experience at Westfield London We have started an investigation into the contact Met police officers had with a man prior to his death during an incident at a property in South Norwood on Sunday Independent Office for Police Conduct spokesperson An IOPC spokesperson said: “We have started an investigation into the contact Met police officers had with a man prior to his death during an incident at a property in South Norwood on Sunday “A man, aged 45, was restrained by officers, who subsequently lost consciousness. Paramedics were called and the man was transported to hospital where he sadly died shortly after 3.30am “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and we will be in contact with them to explain our role.” Students at Harris Academy’s joint Beulah Hill and South Norwood sixth form are celebrating a fantastic set of A-level results Performances were very strong across the board at the school with more than 50 per cent of grades at A* to B and particular successes in subjects such as A-level history results in vocational subjects were exceptional with 85 per cent of results at A*/A equivalent in vocational tech awards A number of students achieved amazing outcomes including Dylan and is pursuing creative writing at the University of Warwick Dylan said: “I am really excited to be starting university on the course I wanted and is off to study interior design at Middlesex University said: “The staff are so supportive when you ask for help “It’s a mark of strength that the school works hard to support all students to achieve their best.” Principals Billy Goldsmith and Rob Hitch issued a joint statement of appreciation of the students’ efforts It said: “Students worked extremely hard to prepare for the summer exams combined with brilliant support from our excellent subject specialists is reflected in the stellar results we are celebrating today “We would like to thank families for their support and wish all students future success at the university or on the apprenticeship of their choice We wish students success at the next stage of their education.” Pictured top: Dylan and Keira enjoying the moment after getting the good news (Picture: Harris Academy Beulah Hill/South Norwood) killed Jamie Gilbey just one week after they met at supported housing accommodation A man who murdered and dismembered a vulnerable 20-year-old before disposing of his body parts in a park has been jailed for life killed Jamie Gilbey just one week after they met at supported housing accommodation in January 2022 repeatedly stabbing his victim and inflicting multiple blunt force injuries In the days following the murder, Jones made several trips to South Norwood Country Park with a purple suitcase containing Mr Gilbey's dismembered body wrapped in bin bags filled with bloodstained bedding and clothing belonging to both men Police later discovered Jones had attempted to cover his tracks cleaning fluids and air fresheners hidden in his room Following a two-month trial at the Old Bailey Jones was unanimously found guilty of murder saying he struck Mr Gilbey with a broom after being confronted with a knife Catherine Gould from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Jamie Gilbey was a vulnerable unimposing and defenceless young man who suffered a sustained and disturbing attack at the hands of Dajour Jones "Jones said that he had acted in self-defence claiming that he hit Mr Gilbey with a broom after the victim had confronted him with a knife and stole his phone – but the reality was that Mr Gilbey was the innocent victim of a very dangerous man who had planned to kill him for reasons only he knew." "Our thoughts remain with Jamie and his family today and we hope that today's outcome will provide a sense of justice for this barbaric crime." The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response A woman has died in a house fire in South Norwood near Croydon Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Woodside, Croydon and Norbury fire stations tackled the blaze but a woman was taken to hospital where she later died A small part of the front room was damaged by the fire - the cause of which is still under investigation The fire on Selhurst road happened about half way between Norwood Junction and Selhurst railway stations It lead to the closed in both directions which led to severe traffic across South Norwood and Thornton Heath A London Ambulance Service (LAS) spokesperson added: “We were called at 3.30pm yesterday (March 17) to reports of a fire in Selhurst Road We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews an advanced paramedic and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesperson said: “Sadly a woman has died following a fire in South Norwood Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Woodside Croydon and Norbury fire stations were called to a fire at a ground floor maisonette in a semi-detached house on Selhurst Road “A small part of the front room was damaged by fire One woman was treated on scene by London Ambulance Service and taken to hospital “The Brigade’s 999 Control officers received a call alerting them to the fire at 3.27pm The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment Receive the latest Croydon news, breaking updates, and features directly in your inbox. Sign up for our Croydon Central newsletter here. Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Volunteers working tirelessly to protect and improve Croydon’s only country park claim the council is ignoring their requests for more support South Norwood Country Park (SNCP) has a full-time warden but volunteer groups like the Friends of South Norwood Country Park (FSNCP) also play a part in its upkeep Its members say Croydon council does not value their work and is ‘ignoring’ pleas for more support in running park facilities and protecting the site from harm yet has had no word from the council on a long-term renewal a visitor centre damaged in an arson attack in 2020 remains closed despite promises to reopen it and fly-tipping and illegal fishing go unchecked said: “I’m absolutely at a loss as to why there’s no engagement from Croydon especially when you have highly motivated councillors and people in the community who are essentially working for you for free “We’ve completely regenerated a disused space within the park and to have no support on that project is frustrating It feels like the Mayor is just paying us lip service and saying the same thing over and over again he just has not followed through on his promises.” as its lease is up for renewal in just a few months She feels the ‘small gesture’ of providing a temporary extension for The Kiosk would mean a lot for the park but she has yet to see any chance of this happening Mayor Jason Perry promised the Friends he would work to reopen the visitor centre Yet the centre and the park’s only accessible toilets remain locked to the public and a magnet for graffiti Ms Hopkins claims: “The council would not even support us painting a bird mural at the visitors’ centre because now we’re just left with graffiti there In addition to serving as a park for residents SNCP is a nature reserve for local wildlife while the grasslands are home to many small mammals with the recurring blight of illegal fishing along its banks “We have a lot of illegal fishing all the way around the lake and nobody enforces it,” a volunteer claimed “We see professional dog-walking vans from Bromley walking loads of dogs and we just want that balance between nature and public use Croydon council and Thames Water have been approached for comment Pictured top: The Friends of South Norwood Country Park work to keep the park a place that people and wildlife can enjoy (Picture: Harrison Galliven)