Many apologies for leaving you uninformed for so long about your Community Association. And many many thanks for keeping faith all these months. More apologies for the lapse of time in getting a few words to you. As some of you may know, our dynamic chairman John Payne has not been at all well – for some years in fact. Early last year he had a serious heart operation which has not given him the relief he and we, his friends on the committee, had hoped. While this was going on, other members of our committee have struggled with their own personal health problems, so that we have had to…

The CPCA is sorry to have to report the sad passing of CPCA member Monica Clarke. Monica was a stalwart and passionate supporter of the CPCA, for many years, and threw her considerable energy into supporting its aims, ideals and beliefs. She could be relied upon to attend every event we organised, whether it be social or campaigning. Monica had a strong moral compass and a passionate sense of right and wrong. Her contribution to our work was outstanding and, not being afraid to speak her own mind, she gave many a seasoned politician a ‘hard time’. Monica was extremely charismatic, being made of stern stuff, and I am proud…

From the Motorsport at Crystal Palace team – Please find below our newsletter previewing what’s new for 2015 and who will be bringing back their classic race cars to the circuit where they raced in yesteryear. If you didn’t see it, take a look at last 2014’s event through the eyes of the Channel 5’s “The Classic Motor Show”, you might even see yourself on it – view it here!!A provisional list of the competitors and their cars can be seen on the Competitor’s section of our website.

In October 2013, London Mayor Boris Johnson announced proposals for development by the Chinese group Zhong Rong International Group Ltd of a new 900,000 sq ft plus ‘Crystal Palace’ on the hill-top of the park, which would also require acquisition of further large areas of precious parkland. At totally inadequate ‘public consultation’, ARUP, representing the Chinese interests, were unable to provide even fundamental information, and at disastrous meetings in the Paxton Suite, where hundreds were excluded from admission, ARUP conceded, under heavy questioning, that the large ‘glossy pictures’ of the proposed development were no more that artist’s impressions, which might not resemble the final building. In desperation, ARUP said that…