Claims (Global Claims Services Ltd): Claims Department 6th Floor Central House Clifftown Road Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 1AB

Also at

Advertiser House South Croydon, CR2 6TB

Do not use this so called company EVER

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Just got back from spending a few hours over at Grove Park which is in Carshalton Surrey, i’ve not been over there for donkeys years so as i was in the area shopping and the park is over the back of the main high road i took my camera with me to take some photos

So if your in the Croydon or Sutton area and you want to get some fresh air and get away from the stress of the daily grind of life it’s well worth a walk and having a few hours in the peace and quiet with only the ducks and squirrels to keep you company

To say the squirrels are tame would be an under statement as no sooner had i stepped in the park they were round my feet looking for food and the squirrel below tried to run off with my camera lol

Had to do a swap with said squirrel and after handing over some bread it gave me back my camera

This is my land begone human

After only just surviving the attack from the squirrel the canada geese came after me

Which was followed by two swans

The grounds of Grove Park are a joy to the eye and i could only wish my local park was the same

View of the river wandle running it’s way around the park

And the bridge a cross the river which stands above the waterfall

The river wandle waterfall

Another view

Not sure what the waterwheel below did in the past, maybe run a mill or something but sadly today it stands still

Three Grove Park Carshalton Panoramas

Ps be careful the squirrels will get you

All photos taken with Fuji Finepix F40fd

Related posts:

1. Quick Trip To Guildford
2. A Long Walk Around London
3. Trip To Wonersh

Just spent the day in Wonersh which is just outside of Guildford and the place where my mother was evacuation during the second world war.

It’s been a few years since i’ve been to Wonersh as always went down there most summers as a kid to visit the family my mother stayed with during the war

I’m not the biggest cricket fan in the world but just my luck no one was out playing on the local Wonersh cricket green

One of the many Church’s which can be found in the area

Every cricket green must have it’s Pavillion for a few beers after the game

The main road from Guildford which takes you into Wonersh

As village town squares go this has to be one of the smallest as you just have the local pub and a food shop

View of the local pub Grantley Arms (far left) and the road which takes you up to St Johns Church
ps had a pint in the pub which had a friendly atmosphere but the price of food was a bit over the top

St John’s Church

Dower House Wonersh

And a house i would love to live in

Panorama of Wonersh showing the cricket green and the surrounding area

Main village square

Related posts:

1. Quick Trip To Guildford
2. Grove Park Carshalton

I wouldn’t normally use my Photo Blog for this type of matter but sometimes you have to which is a shame as when you have to put up with idiots at Croydon Council you have do what ever you can which is a shame

It’s a shame that my mother felt safer in her back garden when the Germans were bombing London than she does now
as each and every day she like her neighbours has to put up with footballs flying over from Canterbury Road Football Pitch which if they were to hit her they would knock her over as she is in her 70′s and in a worse case scenario she would end up in hospital due to the fall.

Well after emailing health and safety at Croydon Council all you get back from Colin Davison Safety & Licensing Officer is to phone the Mobile Enforcement Team if a ball comes over, well I think i’m more likely to phone 999 for a ambulance then find a good lawyer if one did and hit my mother.

So surely it’s my mothers and neighbours Human Rights to enjoy using there gardens without having the fret of being hit by a football which is due to the inadequate height of the fencing which was put up by Croydon Council.

It’s funny even sad when you have health and safety laws for everything these days but when it’s down to the council and it’s there doing things don’t get done!!

So when the council back you into a corner you have to come out fighting just like my mother did in the war its just a shame that now the enemy is our local council who are meant to be on are side.

Heres a quiz for Croydon Planners and Health and Safety so from pic 1 below why is the fencing higher behind the main goals at the length end of the football pitch is it

A: We had some spare fencing over and it was a shame to waste it

B: It looks pretty like that

C: The fencing needed to be higher at the ends because we don’t want to see footballs flying over and hitting the general public as they go about there day as this would be a Health and Safety liability

Now part two of the quiz from Pic 2 below which is the fence which runs down the side of the football pitch why is it a lot lower

A: Someone in the planning office nicked my tape measure that day and i only had a tiny ruler to work with

B: It was a miracle at work today as someone brought in something they call a compass and we spent all day drawing circles

C: We don’t care about the safety of the people who live in the houses which run along the side of the park even if there OAP’s children or anyone else

Also after taken a walk over there it’s also shocking that the fencing which is on the side of the park where the toddler day care center is only has a low fence protecting it so what does it take for the powers that be to get off there arse, a toddle to get a smack in the face from a ball or an OAP to get hurt

Bit of an update from my post on my Google Blog

Well sent emails to all the local MP’s for the croydon area and only one got back to me which was Stuart Collins Labour Member for Broad Green Ward who said he would pass on the matter to the Cheif Officer in charge of that service

Well guess what we got ? No not a higher fence which is needed but signs saying not to climb into the gardens :/ and guess what happened today ? you guessed it a twat in my mothers garden getting there ball back

So it looks like if you need to get things done you have to take the matter into your own hands ……………………….

Update from 22 Aug 2009

Well guess what happened yesterday the 22 Aug 2009 my shed roof has been wrecked plus my neighbours garage roof has been damaged by someone climbing over for there ball plus on the same evening we had a ball come over and hit our back windows right where my 80 year mother was sitting eating her dinner and where my 2 year nephew sits when he comes round and has something to eat

So what does it take for you to fix the problem my 80 year old mother or my little nephew getting glass in the face as if this was to happen i will end up going to prison with what i will do to the person in change at the council

I like anyone else in the world would take it personally what you have or haven’t done and to put the life of my family in danger isn’t on so if you want a war you can have one

Thanks Croydon Council for the stress your putting my 80 year old mother through

So thanks Croydon Council your just as much to blame for the damage as the person who climbed over and just like them you are pure “SCUM”

Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 3JS
Telephone 020 8726 6000

Croydon Council you are the “SCUM OF THE EARTH”

Update 27 August 2009

Just been on the phone to the Croydon Advertiser and a photographer has been round so fingers crossed they run with the story and the problem is fixed by Croydon Council as they said on the phone today it hasn’t got anything to do with them so had to call a Mr Patel from the Parks Department at Croydon Council a few F and C words as if he thinks i’m going to let them get away with this they can think again

Update 2 September 2009

Well the other day i got hold of Mr Jon M Rouse email address who is the chief Executive of Croydon Council so sent him a link to this post so he could have a read so may as well post reply and any follow up emails

From Jon M Rouse

Dear Sir/Madam

I acknowledge receipt of your e-mail and have read your blog. Putting aside the unnecessary threats of violence aimed at me I have asked the Parks and Sports team to see if there is anything we can do to improve the situation. In the meantime can you tell me, honestly, how often the balls are coming over.

Jon

Well i’m not sure where he gets that the threats of violence are aimed at him as there aimed at the Parks Department and at least there only threats as put yourself in my shoes i could now be visiting members of my family in Mayday Hospital

My reply via email

Hello thanks for your reply but when my family’s life is put in danger and could have been killed the other week it made my blood boil as the parks department won’t take any responsibility

How would you feel right now if you were going to visit your 80 year old mother or your 2 year old nephews at Mayday Hospital due to the incompetence of your local council and when you write letters and speak to people at the parks department your only told it’s not are responsibility, well who’s is it then as you own the park and run it !

If i was to setup a football pitch in my back garden and balls started flying over into neighbours gardens and causing damage or harm i know it is down to me to fix the problem or do you as a Council feel you can just walk over people when the cause of the problem is down to YOU, so i can only put this down to one thing which is you as a Council being Dishonest in this matter and don’t care about people in the borough

As for the amount of times balls come over some days we have had up to 3 or 4 in a short space of time which cause damage to my mothers garden which when someones on a pension she finds it hard to find the money to replace plants or fix the damage, if only she earned £195,300 a year like you, anyway one ball is too many as if one was to hit my mother who now is in her old age it could kill her and after what happened only last week i have come to the end of my tether due to the stress of dealing with your council which has also made my mother ill

PS as to the threats of violence there not aimed at you but at your parks department as if you were to deal with them you would feel the same way when your family’s life was put in danger so i’m not sorry for what i have wrote or said

If you want to report me to the police your more than welcome as it looks like you can get away with nearly killing people and i end up in jail trying to protect them !

My Name
Address
Phone Number

PPS The Croydon Advertiser have taken up the story which you can read this friday

From Jon M Rouse

No reply

Update 4 September 2009

I’m in shock as went up the road this morning to get my paper and had my fingers crossed the Croydon Advertiser had run with the story so as i stood in the shop i turned the pages and there on page 6 was the article in full which you can find below

I would like to thank Aline Nassif for running the story and the photographer which came round and everyone one at the Croydon Advertiser “Thank You”

PS i hope it’s ok to scan the paper and use the article image on my site if not just let me know and i well remove straight away

Update 11 September

Still no reply from Jon M Rouse

Update 14 September

Email sent today

Yes thanks for the no reply as it just go’s to show the type of people i’m dealing with

Update 22 September 2009

Sent emails to Mr Nathan Elvery Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources & Customer Services and Mr Tom Jeffrey Executive Director of Community Services and guess what no reply :/

Update 02 October 2009

After sending a few emails to Croydon Council about the problem i was shocked to find someone had emailed me back today from the Council as sent them a few weeks ago and didn’t get a reply until today

Email reply below from Mike Kiely Director of Planning and Building Control

Emma Peters has asked me to respond to your email.

The services within the Council that she is responsible for will only become involved in this matter when proposals are put forward for planning permission. As the planning authority we have no power to instigate changes to fences or other structures in these circumstances, even where the Council is one of the parties involved. This matter is being dealt with by George Sarkodie, the Head of Sport & Green Spaces. I have copied him into this reply.

Best wishes

Mike Kiely
Director of Planning and Building Control

Update 02 October 2009

Christ!! Like a bus your waiting for one and two turn up as just got a email from George Sarkodie Head of Sport & Green Spaces Community Services Department

Email below

I have been asked by Jon Rouse to contact you about concerns you have raised regarding the height of the fencing around Canterbury Road astro turf facility and the danger of footballs being kicked over the fence and into your garden. Having looked into this matter, I can confirm that the fencing around the astro turf facility complies with the standard height of fencing recommended. I do however note that like any standard astro turf facility, it is possible to kick a ball over the surrounding fence. I am therefore looking at practical measures that would prevent or reduce the probability of footballs flying over the astro turf fence. Some of the options being looked at involve increasing the height of the fence but I understand this will require planning permission and therefore may not be straight forward.

I will come back to you within the next 2 weeks to update you on progress of finding a possible solution.
Regards,
George

George Sarkodie
Head of Sport & Green Spaces
Community Services Department
London Borough of Croydon
Taberner House (10th floor)
Park Lane, Croydon CR9 3JS
tel: 020 8726 6000 (ext. 61316)
email: george.sarkodie@croydon.gov.uk
www.croydon.gov.uk

My Reply

Thank you for your reply but sometimes the standards for a fence can be wrong when they don’t do the job there intended for.

Anyway thanks for the reply and i hope the problem can be fixed so me and my neighbours can get on with are lives and have something good to say about Croydon Council for a change

Update 13 November 2009

Just this min we have had a ball fly over just missing are back windows

“Oh well see you soon”

Update 22 August 2010

Well they put up a new fence a while ago but being the council they are it’s only about 2″ higher that the old one so still the balls come flying over as the stupid fence they put up is a big pile of s*** so after been told someone was in my garden today getting a ball i did a little something as i’m getting so pissed off

If you want the key it’s somewhere over the park

PS do something about the fence or i get the welder out and make some artwork with the goal posts “you have been warned”

List of Croydon Council Email Address and Phone Numbers which i hope can help anyone if there having a problem with Croydon Council

Chief Executive

Mr Jon Rouse

Email: jon.rouse@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8760 5757

Council Solicitor & Director of Democractic & Legal Services

Ms Julie Belvir

Email: julie.belvir@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8726 6000

Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources & Customer Services

Mr Nathan Elvery

Email: nathan.elvery@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8686 2822

Executive Director of Children, Young People & Learners

Mr Dave Hill

Email: dave.hill@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8760 5787

Executive Director of Community Services

Mr Tom Jeffrey

Email: tom.jeffrey@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8726 6000

Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Adult Services & Housing

Ms Hannah Miller

Email: hannah.miller@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8760 5490

Executive Director of Planning, Regeneration and Conservation

Ms Emma Peters

Email: emma.peters@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8726 6000

Head of Sport & Green Spaces Community Services Department

Mr George Sarkodie

Email: george.sarkodie@croydon.gov.uk

Tel: 020 8726 6000 (ext. 61316)

Related posts:

1. Croydon Panorama Photos

The UK is being invaded by Painted Lady Butterfly’s

Which have come over from Africa and for the last few days i’ve had a few flying round my garden in South London

Can’t believe how many of these butterfly’s are about as had about eight flying around my front garden today looking for nectar

So hope you enjoy the photos and fingers crossed i can get a few more before they are gone

Lift off

Photos taken with Fuji Finepix F40fd

Related posts:

1. Fuji Finepix F40fd
2. Croydon Panorama Photos

The place i call home showing all the main buildings of Croydon town center taken from Jubilee Bridge / Roman Way

Slightly different view of Croydon skyline

Photos are made up from about 6 shots taken with my Fuji Finepix F40fd and then photo merged with Adobe Photoshop which makes making Panoramas pretty easy, if you want to use free software try Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE)

Related posts:

1. Croydon Council Health and Safety

Had a few spare hours and as i’ve not been to Guildford for a few years i fancied a trip into Stockbroker Belt of Surrey plus see if PJ HiFi was still there which is where i always buy my HiFi equipment from even though i didn’t have the money for a new CD player this trip

Day started at West Croydon Train Station and it was my lucky day as train was just coming in as i got there

PS The train fare from West Croydon to Guildford is only about £7 return with trains running about every 15 to 20 mins during the day

Something which i find odd is that Croydon and Guildford don’t have a direct link these day as there two big towns in Surrey and you have to change at Epsom

Guildford Train Station

Photo of the the outside of Guildford Train Station

Photos of one of the main high roads in Guildford as it has two showing the Guildhall Clock

Guildford Castle which i think was build by the Normans and lived in by Henry III in a round 1270

Another view of Guildford Castle which is only open in the summer

Grounds of Guildford Castle

Path up to the top of Guildford Castle which gives you a good view of Guildford Cathedral in the distance

River Wey looking a bit muddy

River Wey still looking muddy

If your up to it you can hire Canal Boats for a long weekend or a Rowing Boat for a few hours

One of the many Locks which run along the river controlling the flow of water

Cheam Train Station where i got off to use the loo on my way home and had to wait an hour before the next train home so wasn’t happy

All photos taken with a Fuji Finepix F40fd

Related posts:

1. Trip To Wonersh
2. A Long Walk Around London
3. Grove Park Carshalton

A few photos from my week in Cape Town South Africa and surrounding area from Table Mountain to the Penguins at Simons Town and the place i stayed in Durbanville which is about 2 miles out side of Cape Towns main centre

The holiday was a trip of a life time and it was something i couldn’t turn down even when i’m someone who has a fear of flying and after a few more flights i don’t think i will ever step on a plane again lol

So i hope you enjoy the photos which were all taken with my Canon EOS 500 and then scanned

Blouberg beach situated between big bay and table view beach

Blouberg beach which offers great views of table mountain

Think this photo was the first day i was in Cape town and is outside the blue peter pub just outside Durbanville on Blouberg beach so as it was the first day there we had to have a beer a very cheap beer  

Table mountain view from blouberg beach

The place where i stayed in Durbanville, Cape town

The place where i stayed in Durbanville, Cape town which had a pool something you don’t get in south london

Baboons on the road to Cape point (if you look close the rear one is carrying a baby)

The path up to Cape point

The path up to Cape point where the Indian and the Atlantic ocean meet

Gordons Bay

Gordons Bay

“Just Nuisance” who can be found at simon’s town

Boulders penguins simons town

Boulders penguins cape town

View from table mountain of the twelve apostles, Cape town

Doughnut no-nuts

Doughnut no-nuts

No related posts.

Had a great days racing at brands hatch and i was knackered as the day started at 9am and didn’t finish tell 6pm which was filled with tyre smoke the odd crash a few beers and a belly of burgers

Will got there about 9am which was just in time for the free practice of the Ginetta Junior Championship which is pretty mad as the drivers are only about 12/14 years old and there were going for it big time which was then followed by races from Formula Renault, Seat Cupra, Renault Clio and Porsche Carreras which have about two races over the day

Brands hatch is a great place to see motor racing as even if you don’t buy tickets in the stands which are placed round the track you get good views as you can just stand round the fencing and get a lung full of tyre smoke which will save on buying cigs for the day

Never been to Brands Hatch before but some tickets came up so had to go as wanted to see the last round of the touring car championship which had which had fabrizio giovanardi and jason plato locked in the battle to see who would pick up the crown this year

Jason Plato and Darren Turner come out in the Seat Leon TDi

Rest of the cars come out for the first race of the day from Honda Civic’s, Integra’s, BMW’s plus many more makes and models also a Chevrolet Lacetti but there was no Stig to be seen

Last few checks on the grid before the off

Paul Hogarth No 50 silver porsche which raced in the Carrera Cup

Tommy Dreelan No 56 Porsche Carrera

Photo of me with the Seat Leon TDi which was the last outing for the SEAT Sport UK car in the Touring Car Championship which is a shame a it was a great car showing what a diesel engine could do on the track

Also during the day you can walk down to the paddocks to see the teams working on the cars like the Alpine Racing Team working on there two Formula Renaults driven by Ross Worswick and Dean Stoneman

Adam Christodoulou Formula Renault being worked on in the paddock and at the end of the day he was crowned the 2008 Formula Renault Champion

During the day we had a fly past of a Spitfire

Formula Renaults lined up on the grid

Helicopter taking a driver home

So had a great day and hope to go back next year, also all photos were taken with a Fuji Finepix F40fd

Just added a panoramic picture of Brands Hatch which i did using Microsoft ICE which came out pretty good and shows the whole race track

No related posts.

Had to pop into London the other day to get a camera battery and just my luck the shops gone lol but had two of my cameras with me the Kyocera Finecam S5R and Fuji Finepix F40fd so went on a long walk around London

Day started at London Bridge train station which is just round the corner from HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge which is just up the road/river

Then it was off down Mincing Lane to see the 3 horses which is just round the corner from The Monument which marks the starting point of the great fire of London

Then walked up the road to see the Natwest (tower 42), Lloyds and Gherkin buildings

Then down Threadneedle street

Feet starting to hurt but off to St Paul’s Cathedral

On the way home over Southwark Bridge

Back into South London by the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge aka the Wobbly Bridge designed by the architect Sir Norman Foster

Then last but not least got the Golden Hinde home as train was late which is a replica of a tudor warship/galleon in which Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world in 1577–1580

PS my feet still hurt

Related posts:

1. Quick Trip To Guildford
2. Grove Park Carshalton