January

A helicopter exploded into a ball of flame after crashing into a construction crane, killing the pilot and a pedestrian during morning rush hour.

A review found early morning fog was a major cause for the accident, while also criticising the pilot for flying in such difficult conditions.

 

 

Heavy snow once again struck south London causing traffic chaos and bring many public transport services to a standstill.

It wasn’t bad news for all though, as thousands of children were able to enjoy a white weekend of snowman building igloo making and sledding.

 

Wandsworth Times:

The protest group Occupy London, better known for protesting against ruthless capitalism, stood off against council workers for more than two weeks to attempt to prevent the demolition of an adventure playground.

Eventually a court order was issued to evict the protestors and work took place. New equipment has since been installed.

 

February

An inquest into the death of a popular cricketer touted as a potential international found he had consumed drugs and alcohol before jumping in his car to pick up his girlfriend in the early hours of the morning.

Spotted by police Surrey star Tom Maynard fled onto train tracks near Wimbledon station and died.

 

Wandsworth Times:

A community was in shock after a teenager was left to die in a stairwell.

16-year-old Peter Hagan was stabbed to death after attending a house party in Wandsworth Town.

Four men were convicted of his murder and sentenced to a combined 72 years in jail in December.

 

 

The Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to Wandsworth displaying her baby bump.

Kate Middleton was at Hope House treatment centre to meet with women being treated for alcohol and narcotics addiction.

 

March

 

Plans to reduce the number of 24-hour police stations covering the borough to just one in Lavender Hill were formally published.

The move, which came into action in September, saw Battersea police station close, and Tooting station become a contact point for just a few hours a week.

 

Wandsworth Times:

Head coach at Rosslyn Park Jan Bonney revealed he planned to part company with the historic rugby club.
Bonney would lead the Roehampton based club to a fifth place league position for the second year in a row.

 

The month ended with grisly news an old ice cream tub filled with human placenta had been discovered by dog walkers on Tooting Common.

Tests revealed the human tissue was about two weeks old.