Picture by Picture Partnership, Shirley

15 December 2011

Contents
Shirley Life Living Hope Project Christmas Party We love Croydon... Council Sketch by Andrew Pelling Stuart Collins Column A Villa in Umbria Neighbourhood Planning by Cassandra Shirley and West Wickham Christmas Services Kids Stuff for Adults by Tom Dunsmore The Great Book Sale Shirley Community Centre Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign About Andrew Dunsmore of Picture Partnership Shirley Library: January Activities Jill Latter at the Kensington Dollshouse Festival Princess from Wickham Studio, Shirley Front Cover: Christmas image by Picture Partnership, Shirley 5 8 12 13 15 16 20 24 29 33 34 37 40 42 44 48

Editorial Team
Tom Dunsmore, Mike Jackson, Jill Latter, Marzia Nicodemi-Ehikioya (Editor), Andrew Pelling, Russell Elliott (Advertising Consultant), Peter Hacker (Financial Consultant), Robert Dil (Graphic Design Consultant) and Nadia Nazir (Website Administrator).

Contacts
T: 07940 415532

E: shirleylife@rocketmail.com

W: www.shirleylife.com

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4

Happy Christmas

from

Shirley Life

Thank you It does not seem that long ago we started Shirley Life but this is our twelfth issue. I would like to thank the Editorial Team and all our contributors for their support and encouragement. We are an eclectic bunch and respect one anothers views. The Great Book Sale It is a long-standing tradition: thousands of books are for sale. The Great Book Sale is a biennial event which raises funds to maintain and improve Shirley Methodist Church which is also committed to giving to other charitable causes. Please read the article on page 33 for further details. Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign Beautiful screening of Great Expectations at Stanley Hall: read about it on page 46. Shirley and West Wickham Christmas Services Shirley Life has published a list of all Christmas services at the local churches on page 24. Banana: before and after Croydon Council website: A thousand tonnes of food waste have already been collected from Croydon's homes, just a few weeks after the new scheme was launched. This represents a massive saving, both in terms of cash and greenhouse gas emissions.It also proves that the system is working as planned, as weekly collection tonnages have already almost reached the levels predicted before the scheme was launched. Each tonne of food waste that isn't buried in the ground to rot currently saves 56 in landfill tax. That will rise to 80 in a few years' time. This means that every thousand tonnes collected and composted will soon equate to an 80,000 saving to local council tax payers. Over the years that represents a
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www.shirleylife.com

27 January 2011

14 February 2011

14 March 2011

18 April 2011

Now Online at www.shirleylife.com and very soon in print

Now Online at www.shirleylife.com and very soon in print

Now Online at www.shirleylife.com and very soon in print

Now Online at www.shirleylife.com and very soon in print

CLO

SED

If you stay sile nt

SAVE OUR LIBRARIES

and make your voice heard !!!

see page 18

Happy Easter

16 May 2011

13 June 2011

18 July 2011

15 August 2011

Now Online at www.shirleylife.com and very soon in print

NEXT TO GO?

19 September 2011

17 October 2011

21 November 2011

15 December 2011

Picture by Picture Partnership, Shirley

at the Shirley Community Centre

Picture by Picture Partnership, Shirley

Picture by Marzia Nicodemi-Ehikioya

Picture by Marzia Nicodemi-Ehikioya

cash sum that quickly runs into the millions.The savings are environmental as well as economic because a thousand tonnes of rotting food in a landfill site will release as much as a hundred tonnes of carbon dioxide. Methane emissions are also reduced, and this is a gas that is twenty times more damaging to the atmosphere than CO2. By capturing methane in a controlled process, rather than allowing it to just escape into the sky, it can actually be put to practical use as a fuel source. As usual, we have no dates and approximate figures. There is no point in asking questions from the Council as no answers are provided. I monitor my food waste as I have no bucket: 525gr per week was the maximum weight registered in my household. We should be really concerned that the public wastes so much food and run a campaign against

such shameful waste. Moreover, how were the alleged 1,000 tonnes weighed? Look a my banana after 6 days. Day 1: 75gr. Day 6: 40gr. before If you have a lot of citrus peel (better unwaxed), you can go to http://www.care2.com/greenliving/22-usesfor-lemon-peels.html and find out 22 ways to use it. Thanks to Croydon Council, I am saving a lot of money because I must prove that I can live without a after bucket!
United we are stronger I am surprised to see the Chair of the Croydon Green Party, Mr, Shasha Khan, having a dig at the Labour Party over the incinerator in the Sutton Guardian. Not so long ago, I brought together Mr. Khan of the Greens, Cllr Newman, the Labour Party leader in Croydon and Andrew Pelling, the then Independent MP for Croydon Central to see whether they could work together on resisting this threat to our health in both Croydon and Sutton. They all seemed positive in the meeting about working together but then a few days later Mr. Khan pulled out of the arrangement. I fear that Mr. Khan put party political gain and the Greens ahead of the interests of local Sutton and Croydon residents by withdrawing his party's cooperation. He really cannot claim to be the only defender of the world. Together we would be stronger in opposing the lack of transparency of the Croydon Tory Council. Editor

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11

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Croydon Council Sketch by Andrew Pelling

The mockery of representative politics that Croydon Council meetings are was underlined from the start of the last meeting of 2011. The Official Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRL) candidate was expelled from the gallery by security guards before the meeting even started. Well, actually, the meeting didn't start for ages as the Mayor's Mace Bearer refused to let the Mayor enter the chamber until everyone was standing. The OMRL man declined to stand as the mace bearer has taken to just asking people to stand before saying why they should stand as he used to do when asking people to stand for his Worshipful the Mayor. The Mayor's Mace Bearer twice entered the chamber to insist on a 100% stand up rate. Twice he secured 99.5 % but it was to no avail and he wanted his 100 % compliance. Important discussions about cuts to care and about a health threatening incinerator would have to wait for this battle of wills between the Mayor's Mace Bearer and the Monster Raving Loony Party. Both parties thought each other to have behaved less than courteously. When the MRLP had been removed a further hat-tip to Camberwick Green was needed as an adult princess and adult maid in fancy dress were paraded by the Mayor to the assembled company for approval. It's unclear as to whether the Mayor was consulted at all on the MRLP ban as he asked them to pose their question. But then it was down to a very dark business indeed as Cllr. Dudley Mead was asked about the Croydon Advertiser: Why does he think it is appropriate for the Council to advertise with a paper which, unlike the Croydon Guardian which has shown great leadership removing sex adverts linked to human trafficking, continues to run such advertising? Does the Cabinet member think it appropriate that the Council advertises with such a paper? Cllr. Mead replied that I did not expect that question at all so it's unfair but I see no reason why the Council should not place adverts with the Croydon
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Advertiser, a local paper that has served the community for 125 year and should be supported. Shirley Councillor Richard Chatterjee showed himself to be a possible guest for just a minute as he was invited to speak for 3 minutes about issues in Shirley ward. He talked only about street lighting - you would think that he might raise other concerns about Shirley as well - if it had been just a minute it would have been good as at the very least repetition was certainly an offence under the BBC radio programme's rules. Perhaps the Councillor was unaware of other Shirley matters. His main point, actually his only substantive point seemed to be that Shirley residents should appreciate the fact that new street lights are being paid for by a loan from a government of a mainly blue tinge. No one could hear him back in Shirley but now thanks to Shirley Life here's the message - be grateful and vote Conservative. Cllr. Fisher, another Shirley Councillor and the Council Leader seemed to have the Labour opposition on the back foot when he said that Labour's lack of desire to stay in the 450 million new Town Hall would cost the Council taxpayers an extra 174 million if they dare move out. The extravagance of this project just seems to get worse and worse whilst Shirley's services get cut. Cllr Steve O'Connell, who has five political jobs, was cruelly exposed as not knowing the details of his brief at the Council. Cllr. Jason Cummings speaking about Heathfield ward, which includes western Shirley, gave a well-tempered speech about school achievements in the area but soon the barracking was back as Conservatives mocked Labour concerns about big cuts in the wages of Croydon care workers to below the level of the London Living wage which is backed by Mayor Johnson." Cllr Margaret Mead said that she wanted to see all Councillors become dignity champions, whatever they are. Not much dignity was in view as Councillors behaviour became even more childish as the sweet alcoholic aromas of the secret ingredients of the Mayor's renowned Christmas mulled wine punch began to fill the council chamber and to beckon the Councillors from their ever more fractious meeting. 50 of the 70 Councillors were banned by unelected officials from seeing papers to do with the incinerator that in the usual westerlies will blow billions of toxic nano particles from Beddington over Shirley and into our lungs to poison us.
14

With the enticing fumes of the punch just on their own becoming somewhat intoxicating. Cllr. Arram, next year's Mayor, urged colleagues to drop the debate on the incinerator and was supported by some Conservative colleagues. It seemed that the merriment of Christmas was already upon the Councillors. It was time for a Christmas Party in the Mayor's Parlour.

Stuart Collins Column

It is no coincidence that the millionaires in our coalition government, along with their allies, have, in certain areas of the media, teamed up to set private sector workers against public sector workers over the issue of pensions. Whilst the media pedal the myth that public sector workers are receiving gold plated pensions, the reality is the current average public sector pension is around 6,000 a year, hardly gold plated! The governments cuts in public sector jobs and pensions will do nothing to ease future economic problems because by throwing millions out of work or into pension poverty you inevitably increase the welfare benefits bill by having to pay unemployment benefits along with council tax rebates to pensioners on low income. There are other ways to resolve the deficit problem. It was disappointing but hardly surprising to see our government not support a tax on bank transactions that would have raised billions. The banks continue to pay huge bonuses to the few in their industry, the same few who caused the economic crisis engulfing the western world. Rather than our government protecting those wealthy bankers interests they should be ensuring we all have a stake in our society with jobs and opportunities, instead they chose to cut the jobs and pensions of people who provide vital public services . Good governance should be about helping the many not the few; setting worker against worker to justify your cuts is not the way forward.
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A Villa in Umbria

16

17

Umbria is one of Italy's smallest regions. The beautiful villa is in Todi, a picturesque medieval hill town in Umbria, surrounded by medieval, Roman and Etruscan walls. The central piazza, originally the Roman forum, has several beautiful medieval buildings. Sights are close together and there are good places to linger, enjoying the views or the ambiance. Todi or the surrounding countryside would make a peaceful base for visiting southern Umbria. You can fly to Rome or Pisa, then drive through beautiful countryside. Built into the top and side of a hill, the villa is on three levels and has several entrances, most of which open onto the furnished porticos that surrounds it. These porticos are ideal for enjoying meals and admiring the panorama. The house is exquisitely furnished with art collections and antique pieces. Most of the ceilings are wooden beamed and the handmade terracotta floors are set in traditional designs. A short flight of stairs leads from the living room to a sitting room in an open gallery overlooking the formal dining hall with its beautiful ceiling. A huge majolica stove is set between the French windows that open onto the portico facing the pool. The kitchen has a central island and is completely decorated with ceramic tiles designed by the owner, while at one end of the kitchen there is a breakfast niche surrounded by glass bay windows with a door leading to the garden. High quality linen and towels are provided. It sleeps eight people. Villa Torricella is 600 square meters (4300 square feet). It features a private swimming pool (10m x 5m) and is set in an acre of land. The services of a maid three times a week for four hours and a gardener are included. The four double bedrooms are en suite and there are two further cloackrooms. There is a veranda where you can sit and relax. Further amenities include dishwasher, washing machine, telephone, satellite TV with Sky, WiFi internet connection, double fridge, fans and mosquito screens in the bedrooms, stone built BBQ, stereo/CD player, microwave and covered parking area.
Rates: Low season from 26/3 to 27/05/2012 Middle Season from 28/05 to 24/06/2012 High season from 25/6 to 26/08/2012 4,150 euros per week 4,475 euros per week 6,025 euros per week

For further details, please email federicacallegari@hotmail.com

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19

Neighbourhood Planning
New regulations appear everywhere and everything around us seems to be changing. So much so that it is difficult to keep track of what is happening. There is a warning that the new powers contained in the Localism Bill may change the position of the following advice published in good faith. The Government claims that for too long local people have had too little say over a planning system that has imposed bureaucratic decisions by distant officials in Whitehall and the town hall and, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the plans will enable communities to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, to have their say on building design and bestow the power to grant planning permission to new developments. It sounds good and highly commendable but it could result in developers defacing further localities like Shirley because they want to see a private sector led recovery. Moreover, as put by James Derounian, principal lecturer in Community Development and Local Governance at the University of Gloucestershire, in an article published on 28 November 2011: And if you investigate further you discover the devil in the detail: while government is encouraging communities to produce neighbourhood plans, these must accord with the principal authorities' strategic priorities. In plain English, a community can approve the same or a greater level of development as that already set down by the district or borough council but they will not be able to approve less development, even if that is a majority view. Local determination is heavily circumscribed, despite the cost of neighbourhood plans which the Department of Communities and Local Government estimates could be up to 63,000 an amount the community may help cover by approving extra housing, for which it would receive payback in the form of a levy. The circle is thus: you approve development, which gives you the money back to afford a neighbourhood plan, which then enables further building. Neighbourhood plans are approved if 51% of local voters back the local strategy. Even in a town with a population of more than 5,000 people, a neighbourhood plan can be approved by 260 people if 500 turn out to vote. Is this democracy? It's a rather different picture than the one painted by Pickles. Rather than ushering a new era of local engagement, perhaps we are simply granting power to those with deep pockets and a lot of spare time on their hands. His parting shot was: Tony Burton, director of Civic Voice, says: "Despite the cracks my glass remains half full on localism the opportunities are too great
20

to turn away now." I echo his sentiments. Let's just hope that the glass proves to be half full of ambrosia and not poison. Please study the following promulgation in Croydon Council Website and come back to Shirley Life with your comments.

Cassandra

From Croydon Council website To increase planning powers for local people the government is creating a new Neighbourhood Planning tier that will be led by the community rather than the council. The legislation that will embed Neighbourhood Planning in the formal planning system is currently making its way through Parliament, in the Localism Bill. We anticipate that the Localism Bill enabling the process will become enacted in late 2011 or early 2012. The purpose of the legislation is to allow community groups to become involved in enabling and shaping and promoting growth and development that takes place in their local area. Some of the questions raised by this process are addressed below: Who is responsible for Neighbourhood Planning? As the Localism Bill currently stands local authorities will be able to appoint new Neighbourhood Forums in areas such as London where there is no parish or town council governance. A community group wanting to achieve Neighbourhood Forum status will be able to approach the council and ask for this. Minimum standards will apply. At this stage it is proposed that a Neighbourhood Forum will have to have at least 21 members who either live, work, or are a Councillor in the area concerned. The Forum will also need to have a written constitution, and will have to act to further the economic, environmental and social well-being of their area. Only one Neighbourhood Forum will be appointed in each neighbourhood area, to prevent overlap.
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Will my area have to be covered by Neighbourhood Planning? No, Neighbourhood Planning is optional. However, it could be a beneficial process to help proactively shape the growth and development in the area in which you live. What will Neighbourhood Planning consist of? Neighbourhood Planning covers three new tools, Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs), Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs) and Community Right to Build Orders (CRBOs). Some communities might choose to write just a NDP, while some might want to design some NDOs to accompany the NDP. Neighbourhood Development Plans Neighbourhood Forums will be able to write a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) to set out policies and plans for their area. They should only cover land use planning issues, and not broader local concerns. Nor will an NDP cover strategic issues such as major development or major public transport infrastructure, but it will be able to guide local issues. For example, the Plan should be able to say which important green spaces will be protected, or could identify sites that are appropriate for new local shops or a small affordable housing development. NDPs will also be able to guide design standards in their area, to make sure that new development is of a high quality. The NDP will form part of the Development Plan which comprises: The London-wide policies in the London Plan produced by the London Mayor Croydon Councils planning policies Any NDP The NDP will need to conform with the Development Plan and the relevant national policies. The NDP will be able to be adopted as a formal part of the Development Plan (thereby gaining the status of a Development Plan Document). This means that planning decisions will have to be made in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan, (and other parts of the overall Development Plan), unless there are good planning reasons not to. (bold inserted by Cassandra) Neighbourhood Development Orders Neighbourhood development orders (NDOs) will grant planning permission for specific types of development in a particular area. This could be either a particular development, or a particular class of development (for example retail or housing). A number of types of development will be excluded from NDOs, however. These include Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, development over a certain threshold, and development that would trigger an Environmental Impact Assessment. It could be useful for NDOs to be linked to the NDP for the area. For example, the plan could identify the need for a local shop and a broad location. The NDO
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could then apply a planning permission to a particular site or existing building where the shop will be built. NDOs will grant planning permission, therefore removing the need for a standard planning application to the local planning authority. However, the NDO will have to meet some minimum standards, and be approved by the community, before it can come into force. First, the NDO must be passed to the council, which will check that it has been properly consulted on, and that the development does not need an Environmental Impact Assessment. Then the NDO will be assessed by an independent examiner, who will check that it conforms to national and local planning policies, (including an NDP if one exists for the area). The independent examiner will also check that the NDO would not damage local heritage assets. If the independent examiner approves the Order, then a local referendum on whether the NDO should be adopted will be held. If a majority vote in favour of the NDO in the referendum, then it will come into force. Community Right to Build Orders Community Right to Build Orders (CRBO) will be a special type of Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO). Unlike NDOs and Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) however, any local community organisation, not just a Neighbourhood Forum, will be able to create CRBOs. To be eligible to develop a CRBO at least one half of a community organisations members must live in the neighbourhood area. The organisation must also exist to further the economic, environmental and social well-being of the area in question, and any profits made as a result of community right to build orders must be distributed among the organisations members. Development brought about by community right to build orders will be small scale, and will not be able to take place if it would need an Environmental Impact Assessment or would be on a European designated site, for example a Site of Special Scientific Interest. CRBOs will be adopted in the same way as NDOs, where subject to the Order meeting certain minimum standards a local referendum will ultimately decide whether the proposed development should go ahead.

Further Information As stated above, these new powers are contained in the Localism Bill and it is not expected to complete that process for several months. The position will therefore change. This advice is published in good faith as a summary of the position in October 2011. When the position becomes clearer with the enactment of the Bill and the issuing of further regulations and guidance from government we will issue further advice.
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Christmas Services
St George the Martyr Church, Elstan Way, Shirley
Sunday 18 December Saturday 24 December 3pm Carols by Candlelight 4pm Crib Service 5pm Crib Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass 8am Holy Communion 10am Parish Communion Sunday 25 December

St John's Church, Shirley Church Road, Shirley

Sunday 18 December 10am Parish Communion with Childrens' Nativity Play 6pm Carols by Candlelight followed by mince-pies and mulled wine 5pm Childrens' Crib Service with a real Nativity Scene 11.30pm Midnight Mass The First Communion of Christmas 8am Dawn Eucharist An Early-morning Celebration 10am Family Communion Children bring a favourite present to show and tell

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

All Saints Church, Bridle Road, Shirley

Sunday 11 December Sunday 18 December 10am Christingle 10am Sung Eucharist 6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Church Hall Saturday 24 December 5pm Crib Service & Nativity Play 11.30pm Midnight Mass Sunday 25 December 10am Christmas Eucharist & Carols Wednesday 28 December 10am Said Eucharist Sunday 1 January 2012 10am Sung Eucharist

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Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Bingham Road, Addiscombe

Saturday 24 December Sunday 25 December 6 pm and Midnight (starting at 11.30 pm with carols) 8.30am, 10am and midday

Shrublands Christian Fellowship, Shirley Community Centre, Shirley

Friday 16 December Christmas Event - Food, Fun and Father Christmas Afternoon, Community Carols with the SingCROnise Choir from 7pm 10.30am Christmas Nativity Service Service followed by Church Family Christmas Party Christmas Morning Service Starts 10:30am

Sunday 18 December

Sunday 25 December

West Wickham and Shirley Baptist Church, Wickham Road, Shirley

Sunday 18 December 10.30am Junior Church Christmas Celebration 6.30 pm Carols by Candlelight 10am Christmas Family Celebration

Sunday, 25 December

Shirley Methodist Church, Eldon Way, Shirley

11 December 18 December 24 December 25 December 10.30am All-age Gift Service. 6.30pm Christmas Carol Service. 11.15pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion. 10.30am Christmas Day Worship.

Coney Hill Baptist Church, Coney Hill Road

Sunday 18 December Christmas Eve Christmas Day 10.30am Family Nativity service 3pm Carols for the Community 6pm Childrens Service. 10.30am Christmas Family Worship

Emmanuel United Reformed Church, The Grove, West Wickham

Saturday 17 December Sunday 18 December 4pm Carols on the Green 10.30am Family Festival Service 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight
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Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

4pm Crib Service 11.30pm Christmas Worship with Holy Communion 10.30am Christmas Family service (bring a toy to show!)

St. Francis with St. Mary of Nazareth

(services marked * are shared)

St. Francis, Ravenswood Avenue, West Wickham

Sunday 18 December 8am Holy Communion at St Mary of Nazareth* 10.30am Holy Communion with childrens involvement 6.30pm Carol service 6pm Lighting the Lamps 11.15pm Midnight Communion at St Mary of Nazareth* 8am Holy Communion at St. Mary of Nazareth* 10.30am Family Communion *

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

St. Mary of Nazareth, The Avenue, West Wickham

Sunday 18 December Christmas Eve 8am Holy Communion* 4pm Family Carol service. 3pm Christingle service 4pm Christingle service 11.15pm Midnight Communion* 8am Holy Communion* 10.30am Family Communion at St. Francis*

Christmas Day

St. John the Baptist, Layhams Road, West Wickham

Sunday 18 December Christmas Eve Christmas Day
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10am Morning Worship 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight 3pm & 5pm Christingle services 11.15pm Midnight Communion 8am Holy Communion 10am Family Communion

St Marks Roman Catholic Church, High Street, West Wickham

Christmas Eve 6.30pm Vigil Mass 8.30pm Carols 9pm. Sung Mass 10am Mass with Childrens Liturgy 11.30am Mass with Carols

Christmas Day

The Convent, Layhams Road, West Wickham

Christmas Eve Christmas Day 8pm Mass with Carols. 9am Mass with Carols.

West Wickham Methodist Church, Hawes Lane, West Wickham

Sunday 18 December Christmas Eve Christmas Day 10.30am Holy Communion 6.30pm Lessons & Carols 4pm Crib service 11.15pm Christmas Communion 10.30am Family Worship

West Wickham & Shirley Baptist Church, Wickham Road, Shirley

Sunday 18 December Celebration Christmas Day 10.30am Young Peoples Christmas 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight 10am Christmas Family Service

27

The Goat
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28

KIDS STUFF FOR ADULTS

by Tom Dunsmore

Since, as a primary school pupil evacuee I boarded a train bound for I know not where on the day war was declared, I have witnessed many changes some for the good of mankind, some to its detriment and others neither. Supersonic speed raises no eyebrows to-day; then, a Spitfire attaining 360 mph in a dive was considered the epitome of speed. Hip, knee and heart transplants are everyday highly successful operations; anti-biotics were unheard of. Clever people used slide rules (ask grandpa) for quick calculations and you had to ask a telephone operator to connect you to another subscriber, generally from a public phone box as private phones were not numerous. I was then allowed to go to the pictures once a week, with my pals or on my own, through the streets of a small town with no street lighting at night due to the nationwide blackout, with a fair proportion of allied servicemen of various nationalities from neighbouring camps or on leave, and I was never forbidden to talk to anyone indeed, collecting autographs from servicemen, and stamps, was one of the few hobbies available to me nor was I otherwise curtailed in my activities. No one ever attempted to subvert me, but had they done so I hope my parents training and example would have come to my rescue, as would the bulk of the community who shared the same common moral standards then. Yes, in those days, some of us used bad language, but never in front of adults, any adults, and told jokes, which we often didnt really understand and which would be too innocuous for some modern comics to rise out of the mire to repeat. There isnt the same restraint on the use of foul language to-day by many youngsters since the media, especially radio and TV, have no qualms in its use, often with no relevance to context or circumstance. This, however, is a comparatively minor drop in standards compared to one of the most profound and detrimental changes brought home to me recently when attending a talk by SAFERMEDIA on the increased purveying of pornography among the young and even the very young. I was not aware of any particular problem when my children were growing up (perhaps I was nave?) but now that they have families of their own and I AM aware, I am greatly concerned for my grandchildrens welfare and protection and have sent my sons some warning literature in case they, too, are unaware. The talk
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was given to a largely older generation and pitched in general terms but, even so, it was a revelation to learn how degrading, violent and obscene media content can be so easily accessed on the internet and how much of it is specifically targeted at childrens sites. Samples of the more hardcore and disgusting material was available for inspection on request as it would have been embarrassing to display it to a mixed, older generation. Where do YOU, parents, carers and teachers stand on this issue? Be aware that a Christmas present of a computer, iPlayer or any device, which has unrestricted access to the Internet, may NOT be in the best interests of your child, without taking adequate steps to ensure their protection from easy access to gratuitous violence and pornography. Did you know that one in three of under 10 year olds in the UK has accessed pornography on line? Pornography is a $60 million global industry, very profitable to those who will do their utmost to maintain it, but at the expense of our childrens healthy mental and physical development, that of their families and society at large. Are you prepared to make a stand on their behalf? I cannot hope to cover adequately all the issues raised by SAFERMEDIA, nor the actions taken by them in pursuit of their objectives the protection of the young and vulnerable. I do wish to touch on SAFERMEDIAs background and actions and, more importantly, give you contact details so that, if you care enough about your and the nations children and education and protection, you can obtain more information and help SAFERMEDIA achieve its aims. You can involve yourself in their work by supporting one of their campaigns and raising concerns about media harm with your local MP. One of the founders of SAFERMEDIA is Miranda Suit who, as a teenager and into her 20s, enjoyed watching TV but realised that the insidious portrayal of violent and sexual behaviour and crime on TV was compromising her own attitudes to sex and marriage which were founded on a strong Christian faith. Miranda, therefore, decided to try and counter these affronts to basic decency, both for herself and later for her children. In 2000 she teamed up with Pippa Smith and formed SAFERMEDIA (earlier named mediamarch) and they now liaise with several MPs and present their case to government departments, as well
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as the main media regulators such as Ofcom and the British Board of Film Classification. Although prompted by Mirandas and Pippas Christian faith, SAFERMEDIA is not a religious organisation per se, but appeals to people of all religions and none to anyone who has concerns about lax public morals; about the portrayal of explicit violence, sex and bad language in the media; about video games, like Grand Theft auto which glamorises criminal and anti-social behaviour; and about the link between violent media content and crime, e.g. knife crime, which is often portrayed in such a way as to make it seem fun, cool and entertaining. SAFERMEDIA presents cogent research evidence for their views and actions and takes account of recent scientific data linking such media portrayals to criminal behaviour. They also suggest that some responsibility for the recent riots and lootings in our streets should be borne by the media. Most importantly, their Block Porn Campaign explains the measures that could easily be made available to protect children more effectively from internet pornography: ISP-level filters if only the will is there or legislation enacted. SAFERMEDIA work with Claire Perry MP on this. PLEASE, if you value the future of our children and their children, contact SAFERMEDIA to obtain more information on how you can help oppose this tide of unrestricted pornography being directed at our youth even as you read this. Take a stand against harmful media. Perhaps the title should have been ADULTS STUFF FOR KIDS CONTACTS Miranda Suit and Pippa Smith on 020 8467 6452 or 07941 947765 Email: office@safermedia.org.uk Website: www.safermedia.org.uk Safermedia, PO Box 1046, Bromley BR1 9PF

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The Great Book Sale takes place in March. Please help us during January & February by sorting out your unwanted Hardbacks, Paperbacks, Childrens Books, Records, CDs, & DVDs (No VHS videos). If possible, please deliver to one of the following collection points: Wednesdays, 10am 12pm ONLY Shirley Methodist Church, Eldon Avenue 90 Devonshire Way 72 Hartland Way 109 Shirley Avenue 42 Ash Road Stephen Hunt Jonathan Baxter Bob Wakefield Dave Bateson 020 8777 4700 020 8777 3158 020 8654 3318 020 8777 7141

Collecting stops 29th February. We cannot accept items after that date. The Great Book Sale takes place Sat 10th March 2012, 10am to 4pm, Shirley Methodist Church, Eldon Avenue Further information at www.greatbooksale.org.uk Many thanks. Steve Hunt (on behalf of the GBS organising committee, Shirley Methodist Church)
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Shirley Community Centre (SCC)

ACTIVITIES at the Centre

Monday Tuesday AM Available Available PM Youth Activities Available until 7pm Tenshin Tsunami Ryu 7 - 9pm Racquet Club 4 - 5pm Shirley Table Tennis Club 7.45 - 9.45pm Fit n Funky 2 - 3pm Racquet Club 4 - 5pm Available 6 to 7pm Legs, Bums & Tums 7 - 8pm Road Cycling Club 8 -10pm GKR Karate 5.30- 7pm Youth Activities Available Available

Wednesday Available Thursday Available

Friday Saturday Sunday

Available Available SCF

Care Direct UK and Living Hope Project are now running activities for Older Adults in the south end part of the Centre each Friday afternoon. Please contact them on 8776 2562 or 07590 202547 for further details.
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What the Centre offers... The main hall is complemented by a well equipped kitchen, there are two other rooms, and a separate room suited to smaller committee meetings. Where to find us... We are at Shrublands Avenue, Shirley CR0 8JA. These premises are ideally placed in a residential area and are well served by two bus routes, 194 and 198. There is some on-site parking. Availability... The Centre is available most mornings, the early part of each afternoon and some evenings. It is also very popular for private parties at weekends. To hire the Centre, please contact 020 8777 4298 on Thursdays between 9.30 and 11.30am or email lettings4scca@hotmail.co.uk. For any other purpose, please email scca-shirley1@hotmail.co.uk. There is also a website, www.shirleycca.com, to keep you abreast of events . Charges... Midweek charges are 10 per hour until 5pm and 12.50 thereafter (40 for a whole morning or afternoon, 50 for a whole evening) or 250 for private parties on a Saturday or 350 on a Sunday. The small Meeting Room cost is 5 per hour at any time.
Made by Jill Latter

SOS

The Shirley Community Centre is under used. Consider holding you meetings or activities in the Centre. Come and see us.
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w w w. s h i r l e y e l e c t r i c a l . c o m

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Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign

reat expectations was a title that befitted the evening. Great expectations were indeed met because of the number and the quality of people who attended the screening.

Imagine a film without any sex, violence or special effects. Can you? It was refreshing and truly enjoyable. The group had hoped to hire the original David Lean Cinema but the transfer of the cinemas digital projector to the Fairfield Halls made this impractical. The atmosphere of the intimate and much-loved 68 seat venue within the Croydon Clocktower was almost re-created in Clyde Hall. Adrian Winchester, the Chair of The Save the David Lean Campaign, said: Our first film presentation and what a memorable night for the Campaign! We had a pleasing turnout and there was a great atmosphere, with the audience in such good spirits that even the "Merry Christmas from the management" clip at the end inspired loud cheering! We gained many more signatures for the petition and 14 new people joined the Campaign. Sincere thanks to all who came - and who gave generous donations that more than covered our considerable expenses. And special thanks to all who helped in various ways, including the volunteers who assisted in the kitchen, slaving away to get all the sandwiches, etc, ready. In view of the enthusiastic response, we will consider the possibility of one or two special film presentations next year, in addition to the digital screenings at the Spreadeagle. This first screening will be followed by a series of other David Lean films at the Spreadeagle in Katharine Street, presented by the Campaign in association with the Spreadeagle. These will be at 8pm on all five Tuesdays in January, i.e. on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. Screenings are on the first floor so access involves using the staircase.
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About Andrew Dunsmore of Picture Partnership, Shirley

Early in 1999, two things excited the attention of the nation. Would the Dome be finished in time? and Would the Millennium Bug strike and disable computers world-wide leading to global chaos? Such was the fervour with which these things were discussed that the Archbishop of Canterbury commented on a missing priority using the phrase The crib before the Dome which received banner headlines in the Daily Mail. This set me thinking as to how I could reinforce the Archbishops message without saying a word, and the accompanying picture is the result. This is how I went about it. On a suitable November evening, accompanied by an assistant, we took along the crib, table and tripod and, of course, camera and flashgun and searched for the best position on the north bank of the River Thames to enable us see clearly both the crib and the Dome. A short telephoto lens mounted on a tripod was set to get the correct view and the depth of field adjusted to keep the crib in sharp focus and the Dome only slightly out of focus in order to emphasise the greater importance of the crib. The Dome was self-illuminated and our exposure timed accordingly; the flash was then used to expose the crib. The Picture was favourably received by the Press and was used on the front page of the Daily Mail, but it is a sign of our secular times that no newspaper, in spite of clever headline writers, associated it with or detected any relevance to the Archbishops words. For the technophile: the exposure was approximately 1/2 sec at F11 at 800ASA. Happy Christmas

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www.picturepartnership.co.uk.

27 January 2011

January 2012 Monthly Adult Reading Group on Monday 9 January from 7pm. The group will discuss The www.shirleylife.com Now Online at Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry and Singing babies and Rhymetimeveryforsoon their parents and carers on the following Fridays: 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 10am in print Wiggle and Jiggle stopped in December 2011 and will no longer run Storytime Stories and crafts for 3-7 year olds on the following Thursdays: 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 2.15 to 2.45pm Once upon a Rhyme A mix of rhyme, stories and craft on the following Saturdays: 7 and 21 at 10am Stories and Craft Sessions For 4-9 year olds and their parents and carers on the following Saturdays: 14 and 28 from 2.30 to 3.30pm Chatterbooks, a fun and exciting reading group for 8-11 year olds, restarted as a monthly group. Come in on Thursday 8 December from 4 to 5pm Games Club Do you like playing cards, dominoes, chess and other board games? Come and join us on Tuesday 3 from 2.30 to 4.30pm Craft Workshops & Card Making There will be a charge of 3 to cover the cost of materials. Tuesday 10 from 2.30 to 4.30pm Stitch, Knit and Natter Get together with other knitters for a cup of tea and a chat. Beginners welcome. Friday 6 and 20 from 2.30 to 4.30pm Ancestry Library Edition for beginners on Thursday mornings 9.30 to 10.30am from Thursday 5 January Y SURGER Computer sessions for beginners will be offered on POLICE od bourho Monday and Saturday mornings. Please contact the afer Neigh rday e Shirley S Th ery on Satu library for further details. Drop-in Surg 3.30pm and Teams Our display boards are available for use free of y 2.30 to 14 Januar anuary 10 charge to advertise your club or society. Please Friday 27 J and make your contact Fiona or Irene at Shirley Library on 020 to 11am 8726 6900 ext.14300 voice heard !!!

not e still do W t now wha k to l happen wil ! Libraries our

E LOS C
If you stay s il

ent

SAVE OUR LIBRARIES

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Jill Latter

at the

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Jill Latter, miniaturist, took part in the Kensington Dollshouse Festival at Kensington Town Hall on 3 December 2011. She said: This was the fist time I'd exhibited at Kensington and I really enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to talk to so many interesting people. I am really looking forward to the Summer festival in May. It was the first time for me too. I was mesmerized by the incredible number of crafts exhibited at the Festival and wandered from floor to floor. There were lots of miniature books but my attention was definitively stolen by a German exibitor whose Le petit prince was exquisite. You can look her up on www.janas-minibuecher.de
From www.dollshousefestival.com Kensington Dollshouse Festival - 25 years on Established in 1985 by Caroline Hamilton & Sue Atkinson, The Kensington Dollshouse Festival (formerly the London Dollshouse Festival), has become the top international show for quality dolls' houses, miniatures & models. Faithful customers travel to London from Japan, USA and Europe just to visit the Festival every year, there are 175+ craftsmen exhibiting, many of which also come from abroad and all of who make the items they sell themselves. In fact 95% of all the items for sale are hand made. In 2005, Charlotte Stokoe took over the organisation of the Festival, and has introduced other events alongside the main show, including workshops with some of the most established names in miniatures, tours to places of interest, free children's activities & free Sunday talks from dolls house experts. She also introduced the one day Christmas Festival, which quickly became as important as its May counterpart. You will find everything you need for your dolls' house or model at the Festival, from a gilt console table to a humble clothes peg, you can buy kits to assemble & decorate yourself with the wide range of DIY components available, or a completed mansion with lights and furniture already installed. We provide a free catalogue with full details of all the exhibitors at the Festival and clear floor plans, free cloakroom facilities & excellent refreshments, with hot lunches & cold snacks available all day. We are now the only place to buy top quality miniatures in Central London - a fantastic day out for everyone.
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CariAd

Dolls House Furnishings

Jill Latter
DOLLS HOUSE FURNISHINGS

www.cariaddollshousefurnishings.com

Princess Pamper Parties @ Wickham Studio are available from January 2012
Wickham Studio 804 Wickham Road Shirley CR0 8EB Book on 020 8777 2714 or 8777 2670 or email wickhamstudio@yahoo.co.uk
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HAIR STYLED AND GLITTER SPRAYED GLITTER TATTOOS FACE AND HANDS NAILS PAINTED TIARA FOR EVERY PRINCESS TIARA, WINGS AND WAND FOR THE SPECIAL GIRL SWEETIE BAR AGES 5 10 MINIMUM 5 PRINCESSES MAXIMUM 8 PRINCESSES WE RECOMMEND THAT PRINCESSES WEAR THEIR FAVOURITE DRESSING UP OUTFIT PRIOR TO EACH PARTY EACH PARENT MUST SIGN A CONSENT FORM ENSURING THAT NO CHILD HAS ALLERGIES TO HAIR, NAIL OR GLITTER PRODUCTS. ADHESIVE USED FOR THE TATTOOS LAST 2-3 DAYS BUT THEY CAN BE REMOVED BEFOREHAND

15.00 PER PRINCESS

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Picture Framers & Art Gallery

t: 020 8654 0073 f: 020 8656 3360 e: fish@fishframes.co.uk www.fishframes.co.uk

Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm

Lynn MacAskill, GCF 182 Wickham Road Shirley, Croydon Surrey CR0 8BG

Wickham Studio offers professional Hairdressing and Nail services in a relaxing and friendly atmosphere. We have a member of the team to suit any individual and welcome all clients from one to one hundred. As well as being passionate about hair and offering honest and professional advice to help you make the best of your locks, we offer BioSculpture gel manicures and mini, classic and luxury manicures. Also on offer is Fake Bake spray tanning only 18.00 the best value for miles around. We are the only local salon to have the wonderful Flabelos exercise machine, the ultimate 10 minute workout. In 2009 Wickham Studio were awarded 4 Stars in the prestigious Good Salon Guide. Please call 020 8777 2714 to book an appointment.

We look forward to welcoming you to our salon.

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