Croydon's Young People Invited to Have their Say

As Croydon's youngest councillor I try to encourage other young people to become involved in their local communities by attending resident or council led meetings or participating in Council led initiatives to improve their local areas. All  decision makers across Croydon have a duty to listen to young people having their say in how our town is run. 

On Monday 8th October, Croydon Council is hosting a Young People's Question Time at Croydon College from 5.30pm to 9.30pm where young people across the borough will be given a chance to question Council cabinet members and senior council officers about the issues and services that matter most to them. 

I hope to see many of the young people in Waddon and across the borough attending this important event.

For more information and to register please email: communications@croydon.gov.uk 

Conservative Future Women Update

Conservative Future Women was launched six months ago by the Rt Hon Theresa May and since then we have held hosted several events across the UK, have met many of our members and campaigned across the country in the local and London Mayoral elections. 

During the summer we hosted a Jubilee Summer Picnic in conjunction with Conservative Future and heard from a variety of politicians on the importance of the Diamond Jubilee. We held a very successful policy debate on whether women can shatter the glass celling with a panel of very successful female entrepreneurs and politicians.

Next week we have two events for our members to attend- a Networking and Skills Workshop that we will be hosting on Thursday 13^th September, (7-9:30pm) where attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a range of people in business, politics and professional networking including Baroness Jenkins, Mary MacLeod MP and Charlotte Argyle giving their advice on the skills, attributes and acumen it takes to be successful in business and politics. Get your ticket here

We are also hosting a campaign day for Surrey PCC Julie IIles with Marina Yannakoudakis MEP on Saturday 15th September and please click here for more information. 

We are also very supportive of the recent government reshuffle that has seen a new intake of female MP's stepping up to ministerial posts across education, health, welfare reform and justice and look forward to supporting them in the future. 

Croydon's Olympic Legacy

Despite all the negative headlines in the lead up to the Olympic Games, everyone knew deep down that London 2012 was going to be a success. What I don’t think anyone could have realised was just how successful it was going to be.

Not only have our glorious and dedicated Team GB athletes shattered their medal score from Beijing, but our sporting heroes have dominated every single Olympic discipline with flair and commitment. It’s not only our athletes that deserve praise, the many thousands of volunteers who have helped with security, planning, the opening and closing ceremonies have shown the world that London really is the beating heart of the world. With every day comes a new, inspirational headline alongside a life changing imagine of a Team GB athlete winning gold and often breaking records.

As someone privileged to have lived in Croydon all my life, we must also recognise the huge contribution our town has made to this year’s athletics team. Croydon athletes like Martyn Rooney, Lawrence Okoye, James Dasaolu, James Ellington, Luol Deng have already made headlines for their efforts in London 2012, in four years time will they be bringing home gold medals for our country? Quite possibly.

As I watched the Olympic flame pass through my own Council ward in Waddon as residents cheered, I knew London 2012 was already going to be something special. Croydon’s famous community spirit was indeed united behind making the Games a great success and our home grown athletes made us proud.

Today, the Prime Minister has called for more investment and time to be spent on competitive sports in schools. This policy should be embraced moved forward to by everyone who has benefitted from the joy of this truly golden Olympic Games.

Have you seen Tia Sharpe?

Police have renewed calls for public help over the disappearance of 12 year old Croydon school girl Tia Sharp.

Tia was last seen leaving her grandmother's home in New Addington, South London, at around midday on Friday after telling relatives she was going to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon town centre.

She was wearing a yellow bandeau top over a white bra with visible cross straps, very faded grey jeans and a pair of black Nike trainers with pink tick on.

Tia is described as white, slim build, 4ft 5in tall and wearing glasses.

Anyone who has seen Tia or knows of her whereabouts should call 0208 721 4005 or 116 000.

Can Women Shatter the Glass Celling?

Last Friday Conservative Future Women hosted a joint debate with the Conservative Future Policy Forum on the challenges of seeing more women in senior leadership positions in business. We were lucky to have a distinguished panel of top females including:


- Claire Noyce (CEO of Hybridan)
- Marina Yannakoudakis (London MEP)
- Susan Greenwood (Destiny CIC)
- Natalie Campbell (CEO of A Very Good Company)


The debate was chaired by Conservative Future Women's Policy Director Elizabeth Anderson and all of the panel agreed that aspiration and education were key to empowering women to achieve. After a lively debate between the panel and the floor of approximately 50 people Elizabeth concluded by asking the panel what practical methods women can 'shatter the glass celling' including:


- Change your own view of success
- Don't wait for others to make it happen
- Look out for opportunities to join boards of even local and social enterprises
- Be confident when pitching for investment for business ventures
- Make sure that you have the skills that are needed- not technical or hard but soft skills such as communication and inter-personal skills


Well done to our panelists for their expertise, Elizabeth for chairing so efficiently and our audience for participating so enthusiastically!


To read more click here


Conservative Future Women's next event will be a networking skills event in September 2012. Look here for more details.

Sun Shines in Waddon on Historic Day

Today, tens of thousands of people lined the streets across the borough to witness the Olympic Torch's path through Croydon.

After passing the Town Hall and Queens's Gardens the torch was carried into Waddon along Southbridge Road, Duppas Hill Road and then onto Warrington Road where the Olympic convoy stopped for lunch.

At St Andrew's School, hundreds of school pupils from schools within the Waddon Inclusion Network (WIN) had turned out to welcome the Olympic Flame that was carried by Sir Patrick Stewart. As soon as he approached the choir from St Andrew's broke into song and pupils from Aerodrome and Howard Primary Schools danced with hula-hoops symbolising the Olympic Rings.

Many thanks to St Andrew's School for inviting me to this historic occasion, for the excellent lunch that they provided and to the pupils and parents for their enthusiasm and excitement.