Ashtead & Leatherhead November 2016.

RUNNER UP

ashtead-leatherhead.com

Issue 133

November 2016 Never underestimate the importance of community

Firework displays 2016 The danger of button batteries Children’s Trust Christmas Fair MVDC search for brownfield sites Rotary Shelterbox appeal for Haiti Winner of Washington DC competition New X-Ray dept opens at Leatherhead Hospital Shocking ‘did not attend’ figures for Ashlea surgeries The truly local magazine produced by a local resident for our community

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What’s in here this month?

Ashtead Residents’ Association

8

Danger of button batteries - ROSPA

50

Leatherhead Residents’ Association

10

Give a cat a home

52

Fetcham Residents’ Association

12

Informing MVDC about changes

54

Ashtead Community Vision

14

Trinity School European Day of Language

56

Sudokus

16

Leatherhead Women’s Institute

60

Haiti Shelterbox appeal by Rotary Club

18

Fetcham Women’s Institute

60

Fathers & Fireworks - a story

22

What’s on? Pages 62 - 70

62

Quiz - Shapes

24

Children’s Trust Christmas Fair

64

Quiz - Car Manufacturers

26

Ashtead Squash & Tennis Club Xmas Event

65

Simple crossword

28

Rotary Quiz

72

Winner of Washington DC Comp

32

Search for Brownfield Sites

74

Book reviews

34

General knowledge crossword

76

Recipe - Salted Caramel

39

Transition Ashtead

78

‘Above & Beyond’ Award winners

40

Cryptic crossword

80

Pictograms - TV Shows

41

Christmas Postal Dates

82

X-Ray Dept opens at Leatherhead Hosp

42

Shared Building Control Services for MVDC

82

Trinity School receives dictionaries

44

‘Did Not Attend’ figs for Ashlea surgeries

83

Don’t lose your computer data

45

Local history article

84

Seeking a ‘parkrun’ site in MV

46

Responses to last month’s LRA article

88

Firework Displays 2016 (centre pages)

48

Gardening - Leaves

90

Sudokus can now be found on page 16 4

5

From the Publisher

I

’m not entirely sure I can believe this is the November edition. This year has just flown by, still it’s a lovely time of year and I have always thought that once we get bonfire night over and done with, it’s a steady slide towards Christmas. Last year was our first Christmas without dad, I’m not sure it gets easier with the passage of time but I know that he’ll looking down at us and hoping that we enjoy ourselves over Christmas.

We had a few days’ holiday back in September in the Peak District. Anyone who works on their own, and for themselves, knows that it’s nigh on impossible to switch off, so you have to make an effort to leave the house and turn off the ‘pooter. The Peak District really is a beautiful part of the world, around every corner is a view more stunning than the last, ‘twas certainly good for the soul. We ate out a few nights and one particular evening we were having supper in a pub in a remote village when the landlord very excitedly showed us the new plastic £5 note. We’d never seen one before and were fascinated with it - and I mentioned to the publican that he must think we were village idiots, when a gentleman sitting at the bar piped up, “Let me have a look at it, I AM the village idiot!” Well, we thought it was funny!

In response to last month’s Leatherhead Residents’ Association article, I received an email from Mr Peter Egan, a Leatherhead resident, and a day or so later, a response from Mr Howard Jones, District Councillor for Leatherhead North and Exec Member for Transform Leatherhead. In the spirit of fairness and balance I have decided to print both for you to read. Both gentleman were happy for me to do so.

As promised in last month’s edition, on the centre pages is a list of fireworks events, and as Guy Fawkes Night falls on Saturday 5th November, the majority of events will be taken place that day.

All the information sourced was correct at the time of going Advertising to print, so hopefully all details will remain the same.

The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local provides local businesses with You may remember Bamber Gascoigne of University affordable, quality advertising. Ads Challenge fame, apparently he has a long history with our cost from £58 +VAT per month, per area and very kindly agreed to open a new X-Ray quarter page for a 10,000 department at Leatherhead Hospital, the funds were raised residential distribution (yes, really!) by the League of Friends of Leatherhead Hospital. The and can be designed where required. story can be found on page 42.

Technical & Legal stuff The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents sent in a Whilst every care has been taken to report on the rather worrying issue of the rise in children ensure that the data in this swallowing button batteries, this can be found on page 50. magazine is accurate, the Publisher cannot accept, and hereby disclaims, The Ashlea Patient Participation Group which covers the any liability to any party for loss or Gilbert House and Linden House surgeries in Ashtead and damage caused by errors or Leatherhead have issued the ‘did not attend’ figures for the omissions resulting from negligence, three months July-September inc, a staggering 255 hours accident or any other cause. across the two surgeries. This figure is of great concern, mostly to those who cannot get an appointment to see a No part of this magazine may be doctor only to now discover that some of those reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form - appointments were not used by the patients that requested them. Come on, it’s just good manners and consideration electronic, mechanical, recording, for others surely to call the surgery if you cannot attend. photocopying, or otherwise Even if the appointment you cancel is on the same day as without prior permission of the your call, I can assure you that it will be taken up by Publisher. another patient in a matter of minutes.

All in-house artwork and editorial I hope you have a happy and safe presented in this magazine remains bonfire night, see you in December! the copyright of The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local Limited.

Cheerio ducks, © Zen George Zen George All rights reserved 2016.

Publisher 01372 376420 01372 376420 leatherheadlocal@btinternet.com leatherheadlocal@btinternet.com www.ashtead-leatherhead.com www.ashtead-leatherhead.com 6

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ASHTEAD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Working for Ashtead since 1945 www.ashteadresidents.org.uk Towards independent Councils

Mole Valley District Council Asset Manager?

As we are all aware, the current direction is for government budgets to be reduced annually and so the council has now to seek new ways of raising revenue to offset the impending loss of RSG. Some of this will be generated from the increased share of business rate revenue across the District. However, this income base is being eroded by the current permitted development rights available for transforming commercial space to residential.

A year ago George Osborne set out plans to devolve more budget power to local Councils by allowing each Council to collect and keep 100% of the proceeds of business rates, up from the current 50%. The yearly cuts to government grants together with the uncertainty of generating income from business rates is having an effect on many Council services and is a cause for concern over the long term.

This means that the Council will now have to look to Asset Management and capital investment projects, which can generate return for the Council accounts. The current "The Council is funded through a combination plan is to spend circa.£45m over the next few of council tax, government grants, nonyears to generate this income through domestic rates and investment income. The investing a loan from the Government via a successful collection of 99% of the net company set up for this purpose. The expected collectable council tax and non- domestic rates interest rate on the loan is circa 1.5% fixed for by the Authority’s Revenues Team places it 50 years and the desired return is a minimum among the top performers in the country. The of 5.5%. Not a bad deal, but there are many Council received the anticipated Revenue players with more experience than MVDC in Support Grant (RSG) and New Homes Bonus, this space also chasing those returns. based on the net number of new homes in the District in the preceding year. The Council has This could certainly be a force for good in the community but it does change the funding benefitted by around £0.6m as a result of this dynamics.

The Association would encourage arrangement in 2015/16." those with experience to take an interest in Currently, the net cost of Services was circa this and to ask questions of the Council as the £138.627 million in Mole Valley for the year to more interaction we have the better the result March 2016 according to the latest set of will be for our area. accounts, with 56% of that being spent on Community Engagement & Resident Services, Word on the street 14% on the Environment, 11% on Finance and Performance, 8% on property and parking,7% As an aside, a recent conversation with "men on Wellbeing and 4% on Planning. with plans" at the Esso site on the Street The Council generally keeps £1.3m in relatively revealed that work on the M&S store is likely to start early November. The work on the 9 liquid assets to counter emergencies and has flats and Food retail store is likely to take 12 no current debt. Though there are some hefty to 18 months with a potential opening date liabilities in the pension funds, it also has a pencilled in for Christmas 2017 or Spring 2018. large amount of property assets and has recently purchased £6m worth of property to John Busby assist with the Transform Leatherhead project.

ARA Committee Member According to the accounts for Mole Valley the funding works like this:

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Poors Allotments Update

development. We lend our voice to discussions about planning proposals, object when there are grounds for objection, and try to suggest changes and conditions which will benefit all.

Few proposals for development bring as much public outcry as the one for the building of 500 homes on the Poors Allotments site and the adjoining Merton College Metropolitan Green Belt land. Although it has been several years since the consultation took place many locals still remain concerned about the potential future of this land because a large development company was given a seven year option on using the land for housing.

Where Have All the Trees Gone?

Allotment holders, many having small or no gardens at home, cherish Poors Allotments at Barnett Wood Lane, Leatherhead. In support of the allotments, 2,750 Mole Valley residents signed a petition and many wrote letters at the time of the Housing and Traveller site consultation. Leatherhead Poors Allotment Society successfully achieved a designation of Asset of Community Value for the allotments in May 2015. This supports a case for the retention of the 150 year old allotments in the future. The land is indeed an asset, as it provides a hub for our community and its health and wellbeing. Presently, allotment holders, as well as their friends and neighbours, are enjoying the fruits of their labours and looking forward to the new growing year. If you are interested in tending a plot and growing your own fresh, organic produce, there are one or two formerly well kept plots now available. Please contact LPAS@hotmail.co.uk or attend one of their open days.)

The LRA is always interested in the concerns of Leatherhead residents and the steps they are taking to protect our Green Belt and Open Spaces from

A huge swathe of trees has disappeared from the Highway Authority’s Weigh Station at exit 9 of the M25 despite the Application (MO/2015/1025) stating that the trees along the edges were to be retained.

Each of these groups of trees provided a screen which protected those living nearby from noise, pollution, and the unsightliness of the works within each site.

According to residents adjacent to Elmer Water Treatment Works, nearby trees have been removed.

We have been unable to find any notification about this.

Furthermore, Randalls Road is about to lose some trees because their adjacent wall is in imminent danger of collapse. In this case the owners are committed to replacing the removed trees in a safer position. However, new trees take a long time to replace large old ones. Most recently we have been informed that the large trees in Church Street are to be removed. All of this occurred in the same month the Surrey C.C. provided an excellent, seven hour long Community Resilience Workshop. One of the gems gleaned from the event was: "In order to Climate Proof” (i.e. flood proof) “our Communities we must increase our green space". The changes to our environment are real and substantial. Why are we apparently ignoring what is the accepted wisdom?

Louise Herrity and Cheryl Allen

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yes I would like to join the Leatherhead Residents’ Association Name

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Enc. £2.50 for one year / £6 for three years payable to the Leatherhead Residents’ Association.

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LRA, Letherhead Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH Tel: 07986 430935 www.leatherheadresidents.org.uk

If you would like to receive information from the Leatherhead Residents’ Association via email, then please contact us by going to our website.

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The unseasonable amount of rain this summer led to vegetation growing extremely well and Rangers and volunteers were very busy trimming How lucky are we to have such splendid the many paths and bridleways whilst dodging countryside on our door step and Norbury Park showers. Volunteers also helped with a log jam, is no exception. We’ve just had some great summer weather and it felt like Fetcham Downs put up two ‘rabbit enclosures’ on Fetcham and Norbury Park were at their best, the colours Downs, to help monitor what damage/good and scents of the wildflowers were amazing and rabbits do and in partnership with the Mole Valley Orienteering Club the permanent the butterflies were certainly out in good orienteering course across the Park has been numbers making the most of things. reinstated. The work of a volunteer is very But spare a thought for the myriad of workers varied! Norbury Park Volunteers meet monthly and volunteers who help to care for our green on the third Friday of the month. spaces. My colleague Patty Harrison from If you would like more information please Fetcham Residents Association joined Surrey contact the Ranger: Wildlife Trust and Norbury Park Volunteers and Andrea.neal@surreywt.org.uk worked along the River Mole clearing the non07990 582291 www.norburyparksawmill.org.uk native invasive species of Himalayan Balsam.

Which reaped rewards I’m told, with passing Make a Diary Note, Fetcham's Christmas Event Kingfishers, a Little Egret, and then the site of a and Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday Buzzard and Red Kite sharing a thermal up into 10th December this year! the blue sky, hard work though!.

Susanne Taylor

Norbury Park

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Ashtead Community Vision Planning for Future Development residential use of some sites. It is planned to complete the adoption of our NDP by mid-2017, at which point our policies will become part of Mole Valley planning policy.

M

ost Ashtead residents will by now have seen the Ashtead Village News, which has a front-page article about the revision of their Local Plan by Mole Valley District Council. The article mentions the conflict between the protection of the Green Belt and the need for more housing in the South -east. The impact of this on our Neighbourhood Development Plan and vice-versa deserves some explanation.

It is inevitable that the results of the council’s assessment of housing needs will increase the current housing target for Mole Valley. What is not yet known is whether those needs can be met without affecting the Green Belt, or whether there is sufficient evidence to support a cap on the development targets in order to protect it. Ashtead Community Vision (ACV) has contributed to this issue in our assessment of the Green Belt land surrounding Ashtead, which was published in 2014 after public consultation.

Over the next six months MVDC will be calling for sites throughout the District to be put forward for future development. This was last done in 2014 and as part of that process, ACV was asked by MVDC to comment on all fourteen proposals affecting Ashtead. This assessment was published in 2014 after public consultation.

At that time, all but the site at Murreys Court A Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) must on Agates Lane were deemed by MVDC to be support the strategic development needs set out inappropriate for development and have not in the Local Plan and plan positively to support been progressed. local development. NDPs are tools for sustainable development and cannot be used to At this point, we do not expect that the prevent development in an area - they can only creation of this new Local Plan will alter our views on the policies that we have proposed in include proposals for an equal (or greater) the NDP. However, both ACV and the Resident’s amount of growth than is set out in the local Association will be keeping a close eye on the authority's development plan. progress of the new MVDC Local Plan and will Our NDP is based on the current Mole Valley respond to any issues affecting Ashtead.

Core Strategy, with its attendant housing Next month we will begin a series of articles targets and existing Green Belt boundaries which safeguard the countryside around Ashtead looking at the comments arising from the from development. As a consequence, our NDP consultation run by MVDC on our NDP during the recognises that other than a single possible site, summer.

Murreys Court on Agates Lane, any further development within Ashtead will be a result of in-fill development or changes from business to Tony Tuley

You can find out more about the Forum’s work at: www.ashteadcommunityvision.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashtead-Community-Vision/ https://twitter.com/AcvComms 14

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Rotary Shelterbox appeal for Haiti th

On Tuesday 4 October, less than seven years after having been devastated by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, southwest Haiti experienced yet another major natural disaster, when Hurricane Matthew’s 145mph winds (the most powerful storm to affect the island in over 50 years!) ripped through the area, killing over 1,000 people and leaving another estimated 750,000 in need of emergency aid.

Once again, as in January 2010 when the earthquake struck, ShelterBox were one of the first aid agencies on the ground, working with local Rotary contacts to provide emergency shelter and survival equipment to those most affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Founded in 2000, by the Rotary Club of HelstonLizard in Cornwall, ShelterBox are now one of the world’s leading humanitarian aid charities, aiming to get the first shipment of emergency shelter boxes dispatched to a disaster area within 2–3 days, where a ShelterBox Response Team is already present to meet it.

Each ShelterBox costs around £600 and Haiti, 2010 typically contains a tent designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, water purification kit, blankets, tools, and other necessities to help a family survive after a disaster. The contents of a ShelterBox are tailored to the nature and location of each disaster.

The Rotary Clubs of Ashtead and Leatherhead have already funded one ShelterBox each and are now appealing to the general public to help fund as many more as possible, either for immediate shipment to Haiti or in preparation for the next disaster, wherever in the world it may occur!

To make a donation, please contact Simon Edmands on 07753 821964 or leatherheadrotary@gmail.com – thank you.

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Fathers and Fireworks If you’d like to hear an audio version of Sarah reading this story, then go to her website www.thememorybook.co.uk and go to the ‘Our blog’ section. You’ll see a page with all of Sarah’s stories.

As soon as it was completely dark, Sam's father would usher everyone outside. He had a tape of the ‘1812 Overture’ in the family cassette recorder and Sam's mother was signalled when it was time to press the play button.

A theatrical experience then followed as Sam's father performed 'miracles' in the garden. He would light each fuse with a long taper and call out, "Stand well clear... Launch in ten seconds!" The family would then yell the countdown, from ten down to one, getting more excited with each number. Most fireworks went off at "four", always taking Sam and his brothers by surprise. Looking back, this was clearly a deliberate strategy but they fell for it every time and then whooped with excitement as each firework performed its colourful magic.

S

am, Ruth and the children were just heading out for the school fireworks display. Everyone was excited as they scrambled to find gloves, hats and scarves. Sarah was clutching money for toffee apples and Daniel was looking forward to hanging out with his mates. However, as Sam locked the front door, he felt a sudden and almost overwhelming wave of sadness.

November the fifth was always a bittersweet day for Sam. His father died in November and this year was the tenth anniversary of his death. When Sam was a child, his father had taken enormous pride in organising family fireworks and there’d always been a great competition with Mr Clarkson, the next door neighbour as to who could put on the most impressive display.

Sam liked to watch his father, at the bottom of the garden, waiting for the brief moment when he'd be framed by the light of an exploding firework. The expression of childish glee on his dad’s face would always fascinate Sam. He felt a real connection with his dad in that instant and the memory was vividly imprinted in his mind.

Sam could still see his dad, standing at the bottom of the garden, in his green wellington boots, tatty brown corduroy trousers and sheepskin coat, holding an enormous metal 'army surplus' torch. He always planned his display with military precision and would refer to his 'order of ignition sheet' which sounded very impressive to Sam but was usually written on the back of a brown envelope.

The climax of the display would be the rocket. They would always buy the biggest one they could afford with names like 'Tornado' or 'Meteor'. Being the eldest, Sam would be allowed to light the taper but his father always held his arm, ready to snatch him away if there was a problem. Father and son would watch in awe as the rocket soared into the sky before exploding into a shower of coloured lights.

"That one's for you Sam," He would say. "Isn't she a beauty?!"

Every element of the display was carefully considered. The weekend before the big day, he would take Sam and his two brothers to choose the fireworks. Not being content with the selection at the local newsagents, he’d drive to a specialist supplier, several miles away and would always go to great length to read the labels and discuss the various effects with the shop owner. Sam loved to hear him talk about rocket cones, screechers, spitting comets and names like 'Tropical Storm', 'Hornet's Nest' and 'Crackling Cauldron'.

The family had a lovely time at the school display but something was missing for Sam. He felt unsettled. As they returned to the house, he realised what he had to do.

A few days later, on the tenth anniversary of his father's death, he bought the biggest rocket firework that he could find and set it up in the garden. As soon as it was dark, he called the family outside. He lit the fuse and stood back to watch. As the rocket soared into the sky he said to himself, "That one's for you Dad... Isn't she a beauty?!"

Each boy was allowed to choose one firework for himself. Sam's younger brother, James, always liked the spinning catherine wheels. Peter liked the exploding traffic lights but Sam and his Dad loved the rockets. The higher they went, the better they were.

Copyright Sarah Lott October 2016 Website: www.thememorybook.co.uk Email: sarah@thememorybook.co.uk Tel: 01372 373844 Twitter: @thememorybook

The garden would be set up during the afternoon. A nail would be hammered into the tall beech tree and milk bottles would be dug into the ground at strategic points. The fireworks would be carefully put into position while Sam's mother prepared Heinz tomato soup, hot baked potatoes and baked beans.

The big treat after the display was always a bowl of steaming hot banana and custard.

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Answers on page 92

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We sell a range of dog products and accessories including: Collars & leads - Toys - Clothing - Food & much more Exclusive to Bonnie Dogs is our 'Design Your Own' service, where you can personalise your own dog’s clothing and accessories.

Our clothing will fit all breeds from the Chihuahua to the Great Dane.

01372 459670 19 Dorking Road, Bookham, KT23 4PU www.bonniedogs.co.uk

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Answers on page 92

Shops & Services

Surrey Home Vet is an independently owned, mobile veterinary clinic offering visits in the local area.

Run by local vet Claire Neuhoff, I provide first rate veterinary care for your pets in the comfort of your own home. My guiding principle is that I offer the same level of care that I would want for my own pets.

Should your pet need surgical or diagnostic procedures I have the backup of a modern, fully equipped surgery and can therefore provide for every aspect of your pet's care.

07872 042 047 | info@surreyhomevet.co.uk www.surreyhomevet.co.uk

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Shops & Services Established 1991

Quality Home Care

To assist elderly and/or disabled persons to remain independent in their own home. We can provide highly trained care staff to help with:-

Bathing & showering • Meal & snack preparation Getting up in the morning • Going to bed at night Supporting with day to day activities Assisting with taking medication

www.tendacare.co.uk

01372 272240

41 The Street • Ashtead • KT21 1AA

Simple Crossword

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Across 7 Factual books (13)

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8 Announced (8) 9 Concerts (4) 10 Large church (7) 12 Main artery in the body (5) 14 Small dog (5)

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16 Removal of data (7) 19 Unsuccessful (4)

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20 Clapping (8) 22 Protest march (13)

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Down 1 Leg joint (4) 2 Rides a bike (6)

13 Get ready (7)

3 Frightened (7)

15 Eight pints (6)

4 Used for digging (5)

17 Begins (6)

6 Female child (8)

18 Artificial (5)

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21 Work hard (4) 28

Solution on page 92

Shops & Services

Tailor Made

Curtains, Blinds & Accessories Free Design, Measuring & Fitting Quality Hand Finished Alterations undertaken Curtains Pelmets Swags & Tails

Blinds Cushions Tracks & Poles

Please call for a friendly, no obligation chat

Justine Evans 01372 272387 / 07533 793705

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Shops & Services

British Summertime ends on Sunday 30th October

Don’t forget to turn back your clocks by one hour

L. HAWKINS & SONS LTD FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Personal 24 hour service from a privately funded family business SERVING LEATHERHEAD, ASHTEAD, BOOKHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS

01372 372435 HIGHLANDS ROAD, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 8ND

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Shops & Services

www.dorkingdomestic.com

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Lucky winner of Washington DC Holiday

Joanne Lloyd-Aziz - an ‘avid’ Ashtead & Leatherhead Local reader!

The Deepdene Trail’s competition to win a five night holiday to Washington D.C. for two people courtesy of Kuoni has been won by Joanne Lloyd-Aziz, a Leatherhead resident who is an ‘avid’ reader of The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local magazine. Joanne went on to say that she reads the magazine from cover to cover every month, and has sourced handymen, gardeners and local suppliers from the mag, as well as enjoying the puzzles!

The competition, run this year to celebrate the opening of The Trail, links the infamous ‘Hope Diamond’ currently residing in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. with Thomas Hope’s landscape and story as described around The Deepdene Trail in Dorking.

Thomas’s family name was given to the exquisite diamond whilst it was owned by Thomas’s brother, Henry Phillip Hope in the early 1800’s.

Councillor Vivienne Michael, Leader of Mole Valley District Council said, “Congratulations Joanne, we wish you a fabulous trip to Washington D.C. We are very grateful to Kuoni for all their support for the Deepdene Trail project. The Trail is now open and everyone is enjoying exploring this wonderful, tranquil green space. There will be more activities and events taking place there in the coming months so, please, be on the look out for those.”

Joanne Lloyd-Aziz exclaimed, “I can’t believe I’ve won – I never win anything! I’m so excited about going to Washington D.C. and we will definitely go and see the Hope Diamond whilst there.”

Derek Jones, Managing Director of Kuoni commented, “We are very proud of our involvement with The Deepdene Trail and this competition is an ideal way of demonstrating our partnership and commitment to the project. We wish Joanne a wonderful holiday in Washington.”

Derek Jones, MD of Kuoni with Joanne Lloyd-Aziz (centre) and Councillor Vivienne Michael, Leader of MVDC

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Shops & Services

Family run business Est. 1998

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Fully Insured Free Estimates

Call Rhys on

07957 209708

rhyscleaneasy@gmail.com

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Books To Get You Talking Whether you discuss them at a book club, or just chat about them with a neighbour, these books are sure to get you talking.

The Return of Norah Wells

– Virginia Macgregor Six years after walking out on her husband and children, Norah is back. But her best friend, Fay, has stepped in to fill the space Norah left. Who will the family choose – the Mother Who Left, or the Mother Who Stayed? A beautiful read that tells the story from each family member’s point of view, as they struggle to understand, forgive and find their place.

A Year of Marvellous Ways

– Sarah Winman It’s 1947 and 90-year old Marvellous Ways has got used to being alone on her little creek in Cornwall. Then Frank Drake, battered by the war and grief, washes up on her shore. They form an unlikely friendship and as they reveal the stories they’ve kept hidden, each helps the other to heal. A lyrical, poetic read about friendship, love and the strength of the human spirit.

Pines (The Wayward Pines Trilogy, Book 1) – Blake Crouch Not a recent release this one, but worth a mention

nonetheless. Secret service agent Blake Crouch wakes up in a small American town after a car crash. His partner is dead. His wallet is missing.

And the more he learns about the small town, the more he knows he needs to escape. For a start there’s the dead body of one of his colleagues rotting away in an abandoned house.

Any why can’t he get through to anyone on the outside? A must for fans of Twin Peaks or Lost, this book has inspired a hit TV series. You’ll be ordering the second in the trilogy seconds after reading the last page.

Yellow Crocus –

Laila Ibrahim Mattie is a slave and, as such, has no choice but to leave her own baby in order to act as nurse to the plantation owner’s newborn daughter.

She soon becomes a motherfigure to Lisbeth, who becomes far closer to Mattie than to any of her natural family. But Mattie knows that one day she’ll have to choose between the two children – the one she raised and the one she gave birth to. As Lisbeth grows up, she too will have to make a life-changing decision 34

about whose side she’s really on. Gripping, emotional and impossible to forget.

A Boy Made of Blocks –

Keith Stuart Alex has always struggled to connect with his eight-year old autistic son, Sam, and has become more and more distant from his wife. As his family seems to disintegrate before his eyes, he discovers an unusual way to connect with Sam: the computer game Minecraft. But is it enough to reunite the family? Funny and poignant in equal measures.

The Bees – Laline Paul

In the colony every bee has its place, its duty, its very reason for existence. Difference isn’t tolerated and punishment is swift and violent. Flora 717 wants to fulfil her role and serve her queen, but struggles to fit in. She’s a sanitation worker, destined to spend her entire life cleaning the hive.

But she can’t help but be enticed by the thought of flight, and the world outside the colony. The hive is at risk, and to save it Flora 717 may have to break the most sacred rule of all. Fascinating.

Shops & Services

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Shops & Services

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Food & Drink

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Food & Drink

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‘Above & Beyond’ Reward for Friends of Deepdene The ‘Friends of Deepdene’, the volunteer group who have played an integral role in creating the newly opened Deepdene Trail, were both surprised and delighted for all their efforts and dedication to be acknowledged with Mole Valley District Council’s customer services ‘Above & Beyond’ award.

Mole Valley District Council’s (MVDC) Above & Beyond Awards are designed to recognise members of staff and associated contractors and partners who exceed residents’ expectations in delivering outstanding customer service. The volunteers were each presented with certificates and badges by Leader of the Council, Councillor Vivienne Michael, at a surprise event held outside the Mausoleum on the Deepdene Trail site in Dorking.

Councillor Michael said, “The Trail simply would not be here if it wasn’t for the tremendous amount of hard work that this group has done to repair and reveal this stunning landscape. We wanted to formally recognise their achievements and congratulate them all for their invaluable service. The unique Deepdene landscape really is a jewel in the District’s crown and we are delighted that it is now open for the enjoyment of residents and visitors who I’m sure will come from far and wide to walk the Trail.”

David Stagg, a member of The Friends of Deepdene said, “What a wonderful and completely unexpected surprise we had when the Friends of Deepdene were each presented with an 'Above and Beyond' Award from MVDC for the work we had carried out on the Deepdene Trail over the past 4 or 5 years. As volunteers, we do the work not just because we enjoy it, but also because we are able to contribute to a more pleasant environment for the community of, and visitors to, Dorking and the surrounding towns and villages.

“We really are lucky to be working outdoors in our Surrey countryside, yes sometimes we get wet, we get cold, we get tired, but we also get terrific satisfaction when completing each small project that adds to the Deepdene Trail story.”

For more information on the Above & Beyond awards and how you can nominate a deserving individual or team, please visit www.molevalley.gov.uk/aboveandbeyond.

For more information about the newly opened Deepdene Trail, visit www.deepdenetrail.co.uk.

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Art, Jewellery & Gifts

∗ Bespoke Framing ∗ Framed Originals & Limited Edition Prints ∗ Gifts & Jewellery ∗ Cards ∗ Ready Made Frames & Mounts

22 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8BZ

Tel: 01372 377363

Answers on page 45 41

Here’s your starter for 10! £500,000 X-ray Department officially opened The brand new state-of-the-art X-ray Department at Leatherhead Hospital has been declared officially open by the original quizmaster of University Challenge, Bamber Gascoigne.

“A project of the size can take years to organise and fundraise for, so this official opening comes with a great sense of pride and achievement. I would like to thank all of the volunteers – past and present – for their hard work, and every person who has donated their time or money to The new unit, which has undergone a top-to-toe us in recent years.” As a token of thanks and a refurbishment and is now home to a cutting edge memento of the day, Audrey then presented X-ray machine worth £190,000, was opened in Bamber with a framed photograph of his front of a crowd of delighted staff and grandmother opening the Gascoigne wing more volunteers from the hospital’s League of Friends. than 75 years ago.

Bamber and his family have a long connection Chief Executive of Epsom and St Helier hospitals with Leatherhead Hospital – a wing of the (the organisation that runs the Leatherhead Xhospital was officially opened by his grandray service), Daniel Elkeles, said: “Our brand mother, Lady Gascoigne, in 1940. Then a year new X-ray Department is a brilliant new facility later, when Bamber was staying at his grandwith a warm and welcoming environment and mother’s home in Ashtead because of heavy fantastic equipment. And of course, I would like bombing in London, he needed a routine to pay tribute to the dedication of the League of operation and had personal experience of being Friends – their hard work has really paid off and a patient. is of real benefit to our patients.”

After unveiling the commemorative plaque that James Blythe, Director of Commissioning and marked the official opening, Bamber said: I am Strategy at NHS Surrey Downs Clinical absolutely thrilled to declare the new X-ray Commissioning Group (which buys X-ray services Department open. It is a pleasure to be here, in at the hospital), said: “The new X-ray suite and the hospital where I had my tonsils removed all equipment will help improve an important those years ago. My grandmother was a huge service for the local community. I would like to supporter of this hospital, and was immensely thank the League of Friends for their ongoing proud of the work that happened here. I am support of Leatherhead Hospital and their delighted that the hard work continues and you generous donation.” now have an X-ray Department that reflects your commitment to patients.”

For more information about the League of Friends of the Leatherhead Hospital, including The League of Friends of the Leatherhead how you can support them, visit Hospital funded the total cost of just over www.leatherheadhospitalfriends.org.uk. £500,000. Their Chairman, Audrey Mellers, said: L-R: James Blythe; Audrey Mellors; Bamber Gascoigne and Daniel Elelkes

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Technology

43

Trinity School pupils no longer lost for words!

On Thursday 22nd September 2016, Leatherhead Rotary Club were delighted to present around 50 copies of the Usborne Illustrated Dictionary to Year 6 pupils at Leatherhead Trinity School to assist them with their studies during their final year at the school as well as their future secondary education.

‘Dictionary 4 Life’ is a special project set up by the Rotary Club of Battersea, Brixton and Clapham in conjunction with Usborne Publishing Ltd as part of Rotary International’s global literacy campaign, with the aim of providing as many Year 6 pupils as possible throughout Great Britain and Ireland with their own illustrated dictionary, courtesy of their local Rotary Club. Every dictionary is personalised with the recipient’s name, together with the name of the Rotary Club that donated it and the date it was presented. There is also a special page at the front of each dictionary where pupils can collect each other’s autographs, thereby also making it a unique timeless memento of their time at the school. Almost 100,000 dictionaries are now donated each year to primary school pupils throughout Great Britain and Ireland.

Leatherhead Rotarian, Simon Edmands, said he was delighted that the club were able to help the school and its pupils in this way, adding ‘Youth and literacy are two of Rotary’s biggest and most important programmes, so it is great to be able to combine them in such a simple yet effective way.’

Barbara Sheppard, Assistant Headteacher at Leatherhead Trinity School, said that the school were very grateful to the Rotary Club for donating the dictionaries, adding, ‘Year 6 were delighted to receive their dictionaries and were proudly showing them off around the school. They are such a useful gift.’

For further information about the ‘Dictionary 4 Life’ project, visit www.dictionary4life.com Leatherhead Rotary Club meet at 7pm most Wednesday evenings at the Police Federation Headquarters in Highbury Drive, Leatherhead. For further information about the club and its wide range of community, fundraising and social activities, please visit www.leatherheadrotary.org.uk or contact Simon Edmands on 07753 821964 or leatherheadrotary@gmail.com.

Leatherhead Trinity School Year 6 pupils, together with teachers, Sarah Harrison and Danny Watkins, along with Peter Matthews (middle) from Leatherhead Rotary Club 44

Technology

Don’t Lose The Memories That Matter

If the answer is “yes”, it’s time to think about having a back-up copy of the media that matters to you. You can back up online with internet services such as Google Photos, Apple iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive or Amazon Prime, or you can use an external hard drive and copy everything to that. Best of all, do both.

That way if the internet service suffers you’ve still got your backup drive, and vice-versa.

Pictograms:

1. Odd One Out

2. Train Of Thought

3. Miss The Mark

Whether it’s holiday photos, home movies or your unfinished novel, the media that really matters to you is probably digital. But whether you store your memories on a phone or a PC, a desktop or a laptop, the sad truth is that electronic devices can and do go wrong and they can also be damaged, lost or stolen.

If you lost your PC or phone, would you lose your photos, movies or memories too?

FOR ALL YOUR COMPUTING NEEDS Friendly Local Service For SALES - REPAIRS - UPGRADES REMOTE ASSISTANCE - CALLOUTS TELEPHONE : 01372 801545

THE STREET - FETCHAM - SURREY - KT22 9RD

www.tekmate.co.uk 45

Seeking a ‘parkrun’ site in Mole Valley Working in partnership with a number of eager residents, Mole Valley District Council is on the lookout for sites in the District perfect for hosting a weekly parkrun event. Parkrun is a free and inclusive 5km run, jog or walk organised by the community. It is ideal for anyone wanting to take part in a safe and accessible regular form of exercise In 417 locations across the country, parkrun takes place every Saturday from 9 to 10am and requires a site suitable to cover 5km, either in one, two or three laps. Currently no suitable sites have been identified in the District. Mole Valley District Council’s owned parks are too small to accommodate a parkrun.

If you are a landowner who has one or more sites that might fit the bill, Mole Valley is eager to hear from you. Hosting a parkrun is a great opportunity to be part of a fantastic community initiative. It enables landowners to showcase their land or organisation and help offer far-reaching health benefits for residents.

If you own a potential site or are aware of somewhere suitable please call 01306 879194 or email jonny.pickering@molevalley.gov.uk. For more information, please visit www.parkrun.org.uk.

46

Health & Beauty

Newlife Fertility Clinic We can help. www.newlifeclinic.org.uk

01372 738 932 The Pines, 2 The Parade, Epsom KT18 5DH

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Firework Dis

(Details correct at tim

WEDNESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER

Gates and funfair 6.30pm, fireworks 8pm, last entry 7.45pm. Advance tickets adults and children (over 5s) £4 from website below, £5 on the day. www.kingstonfireworks.co.uk

Fetcham Schools Fireworks Oakfield Junior School, Bell Lane, Fetcham, KT22 9ND

Jointly held by Fetcham Village Infant and Oakfield Junior school PTA’s, profits to be shared between both. Tickets on the gate at £6. Gates open 4.30pm fireworks approx 6.15pm, until 7pm. Limited availability of hot food. Hot and cold drinks (no alcohol), candy floss, popcorn and confectionery. Bell Lane and Kennel Lane Recreational ground will be closed from 4pm-7pm, with parking restrictions in School Lane and The Street.

People are encouraged to walk to the event.

SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER Brockham Bonfire

Brockham Village Green, Brockham, RH3 7HP

Car parks open 4.30pm; 6.15pm torchlight procession; 7.45pm bonfire; 8.15pm fireworks (please note these timings are yet to be confirmed). Buses from Dorking. Voluntary donations welcome. www.brockhambonfire.com

FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

Carshalton Park Fireworks

Carshalton Park, Ruskin Rd, SM5 3DD

Coldharbour Fireworks & Bonfire

Organised by Wallington & Carshalton Round Table. Gates open 5pm, fireworks 7pm, bonfire 7.30pm. Advance tickets £5, on the gate £7.50, under 5s free, profits to charity. www.carshaltonfireworks.org.uk

Coldharbour Cricket Club Ground, RH5 6HF

Adult £5, family £10. Torchlit procession from The Plough Inn, Coldharbour 7.30pm, bonfire and fireworks 8pm, food and drink available on site. Expected end 10pm.

Chiddingfold Bonfire Chiddingfold Green, Chiddingfold, GU8 4TX

Godalming Fireworks

The Burys Field, Godalming, GU7 1HR

Road closures from 3pm, 5pm park & ride from Witley Stn (small charge). Burgers, hot drinks, refreshments. 6.30pm torches on sale at St Mary’s School, 7pm torchlight procession, 7.30pm bonfire, 8pm fireworks. Free event but voluntary donations welcome. www.chiddingfoldbonfire.org.uk

Tickets in advance: Adults £6.40/Child £3.50/ Family 2 adults, 3 children £15 purchased from website below. Tickets can be bought on the door. Beer tent, hot dogs, burgers, candy floss, mulled wine, and hot drinks. Torchlit procession 7.15pm, fireworks 8pm, funfair closes 9.30pm. In aid of local charities and good causes, run by the Rotary Club, Round Table and 41 Club, Godalming Town Council.

More info on parking and tickets from: www.godalming-tc.gov.uk/fireworks

Cranleigh Lions Fireworks The Common, Cranleigh, GU6 8LU

Free event, but please give generously, minimum of £2 is suggested. 1pm Benson’s funfair (also on Friday evening too). 6.30pm torchlit procession, 7.20pm bonfire lit, 8pm firework display to music. More info on: www.cranleighlions.org

Kingston Fireworks Display Kingsmeadow Stadium, Kingston, KT1 3PB

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splays 2016

me of going to press)

SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

Lingfield Park Firework Display

Racecourse Road, Lingfield, RH7 6PQ

ctd from previous page

5pm doors open for funfair and refreshments, bonfire lit at 6.45pm, 7.30pm fireworks. Gate prices £7 adult / £4 child. (Exclusive VIP tickets and packages available via website from £18 - £45 per adult). www.lingfieldpark.co.uk/events/fireworks

Epsom Fireworks Display Hook Rd Arena, Epsom

Gates open with funfair and food from 5.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Free park & ride Chessington Garden Centre or Longmead Ind Estate, or bus pick ups from Epsom and Tolworth railway stations Tickets at the gate £7.50 (cash only), or £5 in advance from website below or from selected retailers in Ashtead and Leatherhead, details on website. www.epsomfireworks.com

Reigate Rugby Club Fireworks Colley Lane, Reigate, RH2 9NB

Gates 6.30pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm.

50% of profits donated to Brooklands primary school for pupils with severe and complex needs. Adults £6/ children £5, or in advance (£2 less) from The Lemon Tree, 10 High St, Reigate and Knights Haberdashery, 32 High St, Reigate. www.pitchero.com/clubs/reigaterfc/news/ firework-night-1706563.html

Farnham Fireworks

Farnham Park, GU9 0AU

In advance from website below, adult £6/child £4, Family £16, or at the gate. Torchlit procession 6.15pm, bonfire 7.15pm, fireworks to music 7.45pm. In aid of the Farnham Round Table Charity Trust. Funfair, amusements, refreshments, park and ride, live band, chestnuts. www.farnhamroundtable.org.uk

Woking Fireworks Extravaganza

Woking Park, Kingfield Rd, GU22 9BA

In advance from Woking Pool in the Park, adult £5/child £3, Family £12, or at the gate (£6/ £4/£15). Gates and funfair open 6pm, fireworks 8pm. Event ends 10pm. Presented by Working District Rotary in aid of local charities. Park at railway station, Heathside Crescent CP or other town centre CPs. www.wokingfireworks.co.uk/wordpress/

Fireworks Live @ Imber Court

Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey, KT8 0BT

Via website below: adult £8.50/child £4.50, Family £20. Fun fair, bonfire 6.30pm, entertainment (Ed Sheeran tribute) 7pm, fireworks approx 7.30pm. Expected end time 9.30pm. Car parking, street parking and park and ride. Nearest stations Thames Ditton and Esher. www.fireworkslive.co.uk/

SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER Meath School Bonfire Night Brox Road, Ottershaw, KT16 0LF

Guildford Fireworks Fiesta & Torchlight procession

Stoke Park, Guildford, GU1 1ER

No more details at time of going to press. See website for timings etc: www.guildfordlions.com/fireworks-fiesta2016 49

Meath School is a special needs school run by the charity I CAN all profits go towards equipment etc for the children. Gates open 5pm, fireworks 6pm, event ends 7.30pm. Gate prices: Adult £7, £4 children/OAP / Family tickets £20 (2 adults & 2 children). Burgers, chips, hot dogs, home made soup, mulled wine, hot and cold drinks. www.meathschool.org.uk Tel: 01932 872302

The button battery experiment For most of us, science lessons at school are a distant memory. If you’re like me, you may not remember them as being overly interesting. There is one science experiment though that you can do at home today that is both staggering and terrifying - and is an absolute must for parents with small children.

Take a normal button cell battery – they can be found in items such as children’s toys, musical Christmas cards, remote controls and lots of other electronic items – and place it on a piece of raw pork. Leave it for a couple of hours and then come back to it. The results will amaze you. This is because lithium batteries react with saliva causing a build up of caustic soda which acts like acid eating through flesh, or in this case pork (which is very similar in texture to human flesh).

The danger here is around children swallowing these batteries.

Most items that children swallow pass naturally through the body, unless the child needs an operation to remove it. But in the case of button cell batteries, as soon as one is swallowed, the clock starts ticking and with every minute passing, the child is being injured more and more as the battery burns through their internal organs.

In February, two-year-old Logan Swift swallowed a battery that fell out of a remote control. He needed emergency surgery and spent three weeks in hospital. He has since had various operations to repair his throat and keep it open. Tragically, Logan could not eat, speak or breathe without further operations.

We have also noted reports where children have swallowed multiple toy magnets. Although these will pass safely through the body if swallowed individually, they will attract together within the stomach if multiple magnets are swallowed. This causes serious medical problems and usually means surgery is required.

We have some general tips on the RoSPA website for ensuring that your children stay safe when it comes to batteries, but the key advice is: 1.

2.

3.

4.

KEEP OUT OF REACH: Keep devices with button batteries out of reach if the battery compartments aren't secure and lock away any loose or spare batteries.

TAKE THEM TO HOSPITAL: If a child swallows a button battery or gets one stuck in their nose or ear, take them straight to the nearest A&E department. Don’t be afraid to call an ambulance – it could save their life. Dial 999, not 111.

NIL BY MOUTH: Do not let them eat or drink anything and do not try to make them sick.

GET HELP FAST: It is important to get to hospital as soon as possible and the sooner the battery can be removed, the less chance of permanent damage. Don’t “wait and see” – you don’t have the luxury of time being on your side – in fact, time is very much against you.

We all need batteries in our lives, and the law is very clear on toys needing button cell batteries to be inaccessible to children.

What we want at RoSPA is for parents to be more aware of how something so small can cause such terrible injuries to our little ones. If only we had that battery and pork experiment when we were at school...

Philip LeShirley

Product Safety Consultant The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

www.rospa.com

50

Health & Beauty

51

Cameron & Cavendish

Cameron (short haired) and Cavendish (long-haired) are handsome tabby & white brothers who had to come into care as they were abandoned as young cats by their previous owners.

Because of what happened to them in their past it has taken Cameron and Cavendish quite some time to be able to trust humans again. Though very nervous when they first arrived in care, these lovely boys are becoming more and more confident as time goes on.

They are looking for a quiet, adult-only home, with experienced owners. They adore other cats.

Can you give Cameron and Cavendish the loving home they so deserve?

Please ring Rosemary on 01737 350307 for further information.

Epsom Ewell & District Branch http://www.epsom.cats.org.uk

If you cannot adopt a cat but would still like to help us please go to: www.justgiving.com/Epsom-Cats-Protection www.cats.org.uk WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK THIS CHRISTMAS? Children at school? Retired? Want a new challenge?

Part-time/Job Share temporary Manager and also Volunteers urgently needed to help run the Charity Christmas Card outlet in St Martins Church, Dorking Early October to mid December

Please Call Kathy for an informal chat

07802 851884 / 020 8941 2928 Kathy.hill@cfgc.org.uk

Please help 28 different charities and contribute to the ÂŁ6 million we raise each year for charity

Modest Managers’ remuneration paid at the end of the season Visit our website at www.cardsforcharity.co.uk or telephone 01264 361555 Cards for Good Causes Ltd is the trading company of The 1959 Group of Charities

52

Health & Beauty

• Well-Established Modern Practice • Fully Air Conditioned • Same Day Emergency Service • Cosmetic Dentistry including Tooth • • • •

Whitening & Advanced Facial Aesthetics Full Disabled Access Hygienist Service NHS For Children Easy Parking

Dr Sue Taylor

Dr R Woodriffe

Dr M Talbot

Dr T Than

Phone Now for an Appointment 01372 363670 135 Cobham Road, Fetcham, KT22 9HX 53

Informing Mole Valley District Council about changes that could affect your benefit Mole Valley District Council is alerting all residents who receive Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support to immediately report any changes which could affect their benefits.

Following a central government campaign looking at national expenditure on benefits, Mole Valley is reminding those who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support that they must report any changes in their living or financial circumstances immediately.

Changes could affect the amount of money individuals are entitled to.

Any benefit overpaid by Mole Valley District Council due to not reporting changes will need to be recovered and individuals could be prosecuted for fraud.

Individuals must report changes in individuals or their partner’s earnings or other income, changes within the household, for example if a partner, adult, child or lodger moves in or out, or significant changes in savings.

To make notifying of changes as simple as possible Mole Valley has introduced a new online method of reporting. Quick and easy to use online notifications can be submitted via www.molevalley.gov.uk/benefitchanges or by visiting the MVDC website and follow the ‘Report It’ links .

Councillor Corinna Osborne-Patterson Executive Member for Communities, Services and Housing said, “We urge everyone to notify us immediately if there are changes in their household. If you fail to notify us of a change, or delay telling us, you could end up owing the council money. All such benefits will have to be repaid and you could be committing a criminal offence if you do not alert us. To avoid this happening tell us straight away of any changes. The easiest way to report changes to us is via our new online option, however you can still use the other traditional methods of contacting us, such as writing, phoning or visiting us at Pippbrook.”

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Health & Beauty

Leatherhead Podiatry Love your feet!

Lesley Pennington S.R.Ch., D.Pod.M., B.Sc.Hons., HPC reg

25 years experience

• Corns • Calluses • Orthotics • Ingrowing Toe Nails • Verrucae

• Problematic Nails • Athlete’s Foot • Bunions • Sports Injuries • Heel Pain

10% off your first appointment on production of this ad (offer ends 30th November 2016)

01372 374125

63b High Street, Leatherhead 55

Health & Beauty QUALIFIED COUNSELLOR

Margaret Spice

MA, BA (Hons.), MBACP, BICA • • • •

Specialist foot and lower limb care, including: Corns & Callus Cracked heels • Verrucae treatments • Flat feet

•

•

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Loss of Confidence Relationships All aspects of Infertility

Ashtead Practice Tel: 01372 277802

Orthotics Heel pain • Ball of foot pain • Ingrowing toenails

•

Abuse Anxiety Depression Bereavement

www.surreycounsellor.co.uk

I am writing to say thank you for placing a full page for us, it was hugely successful and a third of our new volunteers are from reading your magazine with a few more enquires in the pipeline. Many thanks for your continued support.

Hayley Ronald, Family Support CoOrdinator, Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead

Emma Ashdown

(BSc)Hons MChS HCPC Registered

01372 270571 62 West Farm Ave, Ashtead, KT21 2JY

ashteadpodiatry@mail.com

European Day of Languages 2016 Leatherhead Trinity School celebrated European Day of Languages on Friday 30th September. The school decided on an art theme for 2016 and each year group was given a different European artist to study. The pupils had to complete a fact file on the artist’s country of origin, find out some words in their language and look at the work and style of painting. This culminated in all the pupils producing a piece of artwork in the style of their chosen artist.

An exhibition of this work was shown in the Spiritual Area reflecting a wide range of artistic talent across Europe, that will hopefully provide inspiration for even more creativity.

The school will be sharing its work with two French schools and a school in the Czech Republic as part of their e-twinning projects for this year.

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The small, local, friendly, GREAT VALUE garage between Leatherhead and Guildford

Specialists in all VW Group vehicles, large and small.

Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda.

Servicing & Repairs • ABS brakes • Clutches • Tyres • Exhausts • Diagnostics • Air conditioning

All Makes Welcome We also service and repair other makes so please call with your enquiry

Performance Tuning Increase your engine’s efficiency Free Loan Car Available while we work on your car Tel: 01483 285792 Email: info@ct-cars.co.uk www.ctcars.co.uk

Where to find us Open View Farm, Epsom Road, West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6AP

Education & Tuition

Thank you for publishing the information about our trueCall Care initiative, Zen. We have already had enquiries from local people who have read about the project in The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local. Thanks and regards. Katherine Preston, Senior Trading Standards Specialist, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards 59

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Taxis & Garages

Clubs & Activities

Leatherhead Morning WI September Meeting Our annual outdoor event, in August, had a different flavour this year. In previous times, it has been a garden party, but instead we had a trip to Garsons Garden Centre, where a delicious cream tea was the highlight of the day. A good chance to spend money in the shop too!

Apologies all round.

As there were five Thursdays in September this year, the WI meeting was on the 22nd. This confused a few people and I confess that included me.

However, it was a good one, as usual, and the speaker was Tina Cox, talking about the paramedics. Her talk was very entertaining and informative.

The November meeting will be on Thursday 24th at 10.15am at the Leatherhead Parish Hall. It will be our Annual Meeting.

Visitors are always welcome, so do come along. For any further information, please ring Betty on 01372 374570.

Mole Valley WI (Fetcham) - October meeting Meriel Sexton, our President, welcomed everyone to the October meeting and wished everyone with an October birthday a very happy birthday.

There had been an outing in September to Adam Hensons Rare Breeds Farm which everyone had enjoyed. We were reminded of a a few forthcoming events – Fashion Show in Claygate, Dorking Halls Meeting, Emlyn Downs Quiz evening and our own Quiz night. Meriel had met up with a Canadian lady from Ontario who was very interested to find out about our WI as she is President of a WI but only has 8 members and was keen to find out what our WI got up to.

We have an outing to Woking Theatre in April 2017 to see Funny Girl.

Our meeting this evening was given by The Rev. Dr Nicholas Henderson on ”Fortitude and Fancy” Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, being two wives of Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon (14851536) was betrothed at the age of 3 to Arthur, Prince of Wales, Henry’s elder brother. They were married in 1501 but he died 5 months later. In 1507 she became the first female Ambassador in European history. She subsequently married Henry VIII in 1509. She served as Regent of England whilst Henry was in France and during that time England won the Battle of Flodden. In 1525 Henry became infatuated with Anne Boleyn, (1501-1536) a lady in waiting to Queen Claude of France, and as Catherine had only given him a daughter Henry became dissatisfied that Catherine had not given him a son. He had their marriage annulled and in 1533 he married Anne who became Queen of England and gave him a daughter, the future Elizabeth 1, in July of that year. Henry was disappointed not to have a son, and after 3 miscarriages, Henry starting to court another Lady in Waiting, Jane Seymour. And so it goes on.

Mole Valley WI meets at Fetcham Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.45 and our AGM will be held at our November meeting on 8 November with a Silent Auction. You will be made very welcome. Throughout the year we have various activities available for members – badminton, bridge, homecraft, bookclub, rambling, knit and natter, mah-jong and scrabble.

Further details can be found on our website www.molevalleywi.btck.co.uk/ Carol Murray

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Clubs & Activities

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What’s On?

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What’s On?

Ashtead Friday Market Christmas Special Friday 11th November - 9am-3pm

Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, Woodfield Lane, KT21 2BE Once again it is time to hold our Christmas Special market following on from the success of previous years. We will have 32 stalls with lots of great ideas for Christmas and all the usual lovely things too.

We have a longer market running to 3pm with free entry all day, so there is plenty of time to get a cup of tea or coffee and browse through the marvellous selection of goods including gifts, cards, toys, collectables, cakes, plants, jams and marmalades, china, glass, handicrafts, pottery, books, children's clothes, charity stalls, antique and contemporary jewellery, bric-a-brac and much more besides. All proceeds go to eight charities, including the RNLI Do come along and see what we have to offer - there is something for everyone and a friendly welcome is guaranteed!

For further info ring Judy on 01737 357332

Christmas by Candlelight 7.30pm Tuesday 20th December

St Mary & St Nicholas Church, Leatherhead The concert will feature music by the Brandenburg singers and brass ensemble and include some seldom performed gems as well as readings and many old favourites.

Following the concert please join us in the Parish Church Hall for wine, soft drinks and mince pies.

Tickets are £15 each, which includes a donation to the Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church.

Tickets can be obtained from John Andrews 01372 373083 Email: shardcroft@btinternet.com 63 63

The medieval Church of St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead is the oldest building in Leatherhead – it belongs to us all. The Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church is a non-denominational charity dedicated to raising funds exclusively to maintain the fabric and grounds of the Church to ensure this beautiful building and its surroundings are preserved for future generations

What’s On?

Halloween Family Fun in Leatherhead Monday 31st October 3pm-6pm

This popular family event in Leatherhead returns with spooky goings on and scary surprises around the corner. There will be killer clowns and the return of the crazy chimp, creepy crawlies and snakes from Animazing, a marvellous mad professor will be entertaining the crowds. There will be mesmerising magical mirrors and an opportunity to fly your own broomstick! The Surrey Society of Model Engineers will once again be offering rides on their miniature steam train throughout the day (at a cost of 50p per ride). There will be a chance to take part in the various competitions: fancy dress, pumpkin carving and the skeleton scavenge!

These and lots more games await you at this fun family event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

More info on www.molevalley.gov.uk or the Events Co-ordinator MVDC on 01306 879287, emily.ayres@molevalley.gov.uk or Swan Centre Mgt on 01372 376358

Please note, there will be a small charge for some of the games and competitions.

The barrier to the High Street will be closed to traffic until 7.00pm

The Children’s Trust Christmas Fair

Join the Festivities on Saturday 26th November It’s time to get your skates on for The Children’s Trust Christmas Fair, taking place at Tadworth Court, Tadworth, from 12 noon to 4pm.

The annual Christmas Fair, sponsored by Toyota GB, promises an enjoyable afternoon of activities, which include the ever-popular skating rink, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas market, fairground rides, arts and crafts, face painting, donkey rides, tombola, raffles and lots, lots more! Peppa Pig and mascot friends will be joining in the afternoon fun, along with a caricaturist to sketch portraits. Surrey Police Band will be making a special appearance to entertain crowds with popular Christmas Carols and other musical favourites. There will be plenty of refreshments on hand, with hot food, cakes, mulled wine and mince pies.

FREE entry for children and just £3 for adults.

To book advance entry tickets for Santa’s Grotto £4, Skating Rink £4 or a combined visit £7 (advanced booking only), please visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/christmasfair 64 64

What’s On?

65 65

What’s On?

WHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER? Wed 2nd

Polish Fund Raising dinner with the Little Red Hut at The Wheatsheaf, Kingston Road, Ewell, 7pm in aid of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. Tickets £20 from Bess Harding, 020 8337 8181 for three course meal and welcome drink. Please book early.

Friday 4th & Saturday 5th

Pilgrim Quilters 22nd Exhibition in aid of St Raphaels Hospice, Priory School, Bolters Lane, Banstead, SM7 2AJ. Admission £2.50, 10am-4pm. Display of quilts, demos, craft and trade stalls. Raffle for handmade quilts. Call Lin Jones 020 8644 3490.

Saturday 12th

Bookham Choral Society with The Burley Ensemble conducted by Christopher Hann perform Vivaldi’s Gloria and Bach’s Magnificat at Manor House School, Little Bookham, 8pm. Tickets £12, (under 18s are £6) from Cascade, High Street Bookham or the BCS Box Office on 01372 375644. For details please go to www.bookhamchoralsociety.co.uk

Sunday 13th & Crafts & Gifts Shopping Events, Denbies Wine Estate, 11am-4pm, free entry and parking.

Sunday 27th Friday 25th

Ashtead Park Garden Centre Late Shopping Night. Mulled wine, mince pies and music while you shop (20% off most items exc Christmas trees, wreaths, fuel, gift tokens, Sale items and The Olive Tree restaurant). See ad in House & Garden section.

Friday 25th

The scandalous days of the Deepdene Hotel, 7.30pm, Abraham Dixon Hall, Letherhead Institute. Free event, all welcome. A talk by Richard Hughes, former Head of History at St John's School. In the 1920s and 1930s, Deepdene House functioned as a hotel and quickly established a reputation for excess, debauchery and irregular activities, including witchcraft. Its owners comprised a motley collection of European exiles, suspected spies and questionable wheeler-dealers. Retiring Collection to support the work of The Friends of the Deepdene. Leatherhead Community Assoc 01372 360508

Saturday 26th

Christmas Craft Fair, Old Barn Hall, Great Bookham. 10am-3pm, free entry. Organised

by St Nicolas Church, Great Bookham.

Saturday 26th

The Children’s Trust Christmas Fair, see page 64 for more details.

Saturday 26th

Christmas Fair, Mickleham Village Hall, Dell Close, Mickleham, RH5 6EE. 11am-2pm, free entry. Raffle, stalls - books, jewellery, cards etc - craft corner, fun games stalls for children, refreshments, cakes, BBQ, and Father Christmas Grotto. Raffle tickets £1 and Grotto tickets £3 on the door. In aid of St Michael’s Community Nursery School, Mickleham.

Saturday 26th

Battle of the Somme Centenary Commemorative Concert, Leatherhead Choral Society, Epsom Male Voice Choir and Farnham Youth Junior Choir, performing Ian Assersohn’s DIES IRAE, forming part of centenary of The Somme, Dorking Halls, 7.30pm. Pre-concert discussion with the composer, 6.30-7.00pm. Tickets £16, £14, £12, £5 (under 14s) 01306 881717. www.leatherhead-choral.net/diesirae As a prelude to this world première concert Dorking Halls will be screening The Battle of the Somme film on Sunday 6th November at 2pm and 4pm.

Wed 30th

The Crafter’s Market, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.30pm-10.30pm, free entry. A festive Christmas Market full of local people selling their beautiful crafts. Enjoy an evening of shopping in a lovely warm environment- surrounded by unique gifts for you to buy for your friends and family.

SAVE THE DATE IN DECEMBER Saturday 10th DECEMBER

Fetcham village, Christmas Event and Tree Lighting, more details next month

If there’s an event in December that you’d like mentioned, please contact Zen (details p.6) before Saturday 12th November. All entries appear on a first come, first served basis.

Details of the above events66are correct at time of print.

What’s On?

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What’s On?

WHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER? - REGULAR EVENTS Tuesday 1st (1st Tues monthly)

Topic of Cancer is a support group for those with a cancer diagnosis and/or their supporters and meets every first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm, Thatcher’s Hotel, Guildford Road, East Horsley KT24 6TB. Contact details on the website or just come along to a meeting. www.topicofcancer.org.uk/

Wed 2nd

Wednesdays (weekly termtime) 10am - 12noon The Parish Church Parent & Toddler Group for all under 5s with a carer - lots of toys and coffee too. Parish Church Hall, Church Rd, Leatherhead. New members welcome.

Wed 2nd

Ashtead Flower Arrangement Group, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall. 1.45pm-4.30pm, Demo by Angela Turner - ’All is calm, all is bright’. Visitors welcome, tickets for visitors, £8 from Di Stirling 01372 279501

Wed 2nd

Ashtead WI, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.15pm for 7.30pm. AGM, followed by Mary Forlenza on ’Women’. Info from Sandra Brown 01732 276737

Thurs 3rd (weekly)

Ashtead over 60s Lunch Club meets every Thursday in the Ralli Room APMH, for a freshly prepared hot lunch and dessert. Doors open at 10.30am for a cup of tea or coffee. More information call Brenda (chairman) on 01372 813276.

Thurs 3rd

Leatherhead Barn Dance Club. 8pm-10.15pm. First Thurs of month. Abraham Dixon Hall, Letherhead Institute, £2.50. Ruth Gwilliam. 01403 750844

Thurs 3rd (weekly)

Sequence dancing, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Rd. 7.45pm-10.15pm. More info from Mrs Gibson, 01372 374160

Friday 4th (weekly)

Morning coffee and scones served in the Ralli Room, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall.

Prepared and served by volunteers to raise money to help run the Hall.

Friday 4th & Friday 18th

Oasis, open for all women aged 20-50 years, is hosted at St George’s Church, Ashtead, from 9.15 until 10.30am. This term we are exploring themes within the popular series Gray’s Anatomy; from friendship, marriage, rivalry and mental health. No need to have watched the series, we will show clips. Free tea, coffee and homemade cake and a chance to bring along friends or make new ones. Crêche provided for pre-schoolers.

Friday 4th (monthly)

Soup Lunch held in St Michael's Church Hall, the Marld, Ashtead. Homemade soup, bread and pudding, served with tea/coffee, between 12 noon and 1.30pm, all for £5. In aid of Princess Alice Hospice, CAFOD (CAtholic Fund for Overseas Development) and BESOM. Enjoy a great meal and raise funds for three charities.

Friday 4th (weekly)

Martha’s Market 10.30am-11.30am, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Rd. Come and join us for coffee and buy a range of goods including special stalls for Christmas and a new baker/preserves maker! Contact Janine 01372 374914

Sunday 6th (weekly)

Leatherhead Parish Church welcomes you to all its services. For full details of November services and events including 13th Remembrance, please visit our website on www.leatherheadparish.co.uk

Sunday 6th (weekly)

St Giles’ and St George’s Churches, Ashtead — 7 worship services held across our two churches every Sunday. From lively gospel songs to quiet, reflective Communion. All welcome. Details on www.sgsgashtead.com.

(1st Thurs mthly)

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What’s On?

REGULAR EVENTS ctd Mondays 7th & 21st

(First & third Mondays), Bookham Folk Dance Club, Harrison Room, Rear of Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Bookham, 8pm–10pm, £3. Beginners welcome. Contact Jan on 01306 889329 for more info.

Tuesday 8th

Mole Valley WI (Fetcham), Fetcham Village Hall, The Street, KT22 9QS. 7.45pm AGM & Silent Auction. More info from Meriel Sexton, merielsexton@hotmail.com

Wed 9th

Leatherhead DFAS illustrated lecture on the 20th-century renaissance in Czech (Bohemian) glass design. 7:15 pm in Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, KT22 8BD. Guests welcome: please contact info@ledfas.org.uk or John Andrews on 01372 373083.

Wed 9th

2nd Wed mth

Tilney Lunch Club for ladies, meet at 1pm for 3 course meal and speaker, £14.50 for lunch (annual sub £10), Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Call Pat Date info on 01372 454879

Friday 11th

Ashtead Friday Market Christmas Special, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, see page 63

Monday 14th

Leatherhead branch, Royal British Legion, Women’s Section, Leatherhead Community Centre, Kingston Rd, 8pm, 2nd Monday of the month. Interesting speakers and events.

For more info and to book please contact Jane on 01372 811422

(2nd Monday monthly)

Ashtead Decorative & Fine Arts Society lecture, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, coffee from 9.45am. Lecture by Mrs Clare Phillips - Stocking Fillers from Fabergé. Anyone on Tuesday 15th the waiting list for membership is welcome to attend, £5 payable on door. More details from Pat Anderson, Membership Secretary, email pat@junct9.demon.co.uk, or mobile 07958 560707 Wed 16th

BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS: St Mary & St Nicholas Parish Church, Leatherhead.

SESSION TIMINGS: 1.30PM-4PM & 5PM-7.30PM

Wed 16th

Ashtead Friendship Centre, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 2pm. Speaker Colin Jones on ‘Blooming Britain’. Info from Don Butt 01372 274288

Wed 16th

Ashtead Bridge for Charity (this month’s charity - Mid Surrey Mencap), Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start. £6 refreshments included. Bridge prizes and raffle.

More info from Peter Cox, prwcox@btinternet.com, 01372 275855

Thurs 17th

‘Stepping Stones’ Club, meets at Ashtead Baptist Church, Barnett Wood Lane at 2.15pm.

Varied programme of events, £2, over 55’s welcome. Brian Chandler 01372 275206.

Thurs 24th

Leatherhead Morning WI, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Road. 10.15am. AGM For info contact Betty on 01372 374570

(3rd Thurs mthly)

(4th Thurs)

Thurs 24th

(last Thursday monthly)

Open Monthly Meeting of the Ashtead Cancer Group, a support group for cancer patients, their families, friends and carers, providing support. Free. 7pm-9pm St George’s Christian Centre, Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead. Workshops and occasional speakers. Call 07843 620295, email ashteadcancergroup@gmail.com, or www.ashteadcancergroup.org

Friday 25th

Heironymous Bosch: His life & Works. What was it that inspired the man who created some of the weirdest images in the 15th century, but there was much more to his work than monsters and psychedelic fantasy. Find out more. 2.30 & 7.30 pm £10 inc

Wed 30th

Ashtead Townswomen’s Guild, Ralli Room, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. Geoff Lunn on Surrey Safari. For info contact Di James on 01372 273948

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What’s On?

Music on Thursdays

Leatherhead Methodist Church, Church Rd, KT22 8AY &

Music on Wednesdays Christ Church United Reformed, Epsom Rd, KT22 8ST

12.30pm lunchtime concerts Featuring international students of the Royal Academy of Music, recent graduates, professional musicians, local musicians of similar standard and organists from around London, SE England and France

Concert admission is free with a retiring collection to cover costs

Thursday 3rd Nov - LMC Solo piano

Thursday 10th Nov - LMC AtĂŠa Wind Quintet Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon

Leader: Anna Hashimoto, clarinet Wednesday 16th Nov Christ Church Ed Sutton, Organ Recitalist and Teacher

SEASON FINALE

Thursday 24th Nov - LMC Andrews Massey Duo

Emily Andrews, flute David Massey, guiter

artiste appears courtesy of the Royal Academy of Music

www.musiconthursdays.org 70

House & Garden

Tel/fax. 01372 200583, Mobile 0777 444 1991

Tel/fax. 01372 200583, Mobile 0777 444 1991

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St Nicholas Church take Rotary Quiz Title In early October, around 120 enthusiastic quizzers took part in a special ‘Purple4Polio’ Quiz Night at East Horsley Village Hall, organised by Bookham & Horsley Rotary Club’s Community MAD (Make A Difference) Group to raise money for ‘End Polio Now’, Rotary’s international polio eradication campaign.

After eight rounds of questions, 'St Nicholas Church' emerged triumphant out of the sixteen teams taking part. As well as the quiz itself, everyone present enjoyed an excellent lasagne supper, and a raffle helped to raise over £900 for ‘End Polio Now’, Rotary’s international polio eradication campaign. Team members were also encouraged to wear something purple at the event, to represent the purple dye applied to children’s little fingers after being given the polio vaccine to show they have been vaccinated.

Since 1985, the Rotary organisation has worked tirelessly to eradicate polio from the planet once and for all. At that time, there were over 1,000 new cases of polio every day in over 125 countries around the world. Today, 31 years later, that figure is fewer than 100 a year, a reduction of over 99%, with polio now still endemic in only three countries; Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, with India now having been polio-free for almost four years.

In 2007, Microsoft Founder, Bill Gates, joined Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio by promising to match every dollar raised by Rotary for ‘End Polio Now’, increasing this figure to two-to-one matching in 2013, in support of the World Health Organisation’s five-year Global Polio Eradication Initiative to eradicate polio completely by 2018.

For further information about Rotary’s polio eradication campaign and how you can help, please visit www.endpolio.org

Bookham & Horsley Rotary Club’s Community Make A Difference Group at East Horsley Village Hall 72

House & Garden

New Roofs - Repairs - Flat Roofs All minor and major repairs undertaken uPVC Fascias, Soffits & Guttering

From just a broken tile to an entire new roof... we cover all aspects of roofing

After

Before

Main office - Leatherhead: 01372 889698 Mobile: 07511 704 252 (24 hr emergency service) Email: roofcraftofsurrey@gmail.com www.roofcraftofsurrey.co.uk 73

Search for Brownfield Sites Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is inviting landowners to tell them about brownfield sites which might become available to help meet the District’s development needs over the next 15 years.

This is part of the background work for a new Local Plan and provides an opportunity for landowners to engage with the process of deciding where development should take place.

MVDC is focussing on the potential for meeting development needs within existing built up areas and on sites that have already been developed. This “brownfield first” approach reflects MVDC’s commitment to safeguarding the Green Belt, whilst recognising that communities will need new homes, jobs and other facilities over the next ten to fifteen years.

Councillor Duncan Irvine, Executive Member for Planning said “Our preparations for a new Local Plan will give everyone the chance to have a say about where any new development should be located, how much should be planned for and what type of development is required. We are currently inviting landowners to step forward to help us in our search for brownfield sites so that MVDC can understand how much development could take place on land that has already been developed. This work will help to ensure that Mole Valley remains an attractive area in which our communities want to live.”

Definition Brownfield sites are those which have already been built on and either still contain buildings/structures, or have done so in the recent past. They may be within a town or village or they may be in the countryside. The important thing is that they have been developed before.

The gardens of private houses are excluded from the definition of brownfield land.

However, MVDC would be interested to hear about available garden sites within existing built up areas to help build up an understanding of the capacity for development within the District’s towns and villages.

If you own, or have interest in, a site which meets the above definition and which you would like the Council to consider for future development, please visit: www.molevalley.gov.uk/localplans for further information.

Sites can be submitted by downloading and completing the “Submit a Site” form.

Please note that you must include a map identifying the location and boundaries of the site.

Completed forms should be submitted by email to: planning.policy@molevalley.gov.uk

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House & Garden

Reliable Fetcham based plumber

• • • •

Bathroom installations Tiling Radiators Tap & shower repairs/ replacements • All the small jobs other plumbers don’t like!

Your magazine is one of the best local magazines ― it is a credit to you.

Credit where credit’s due Zen, you obviously work hard. Gill Kassar, Aspen Live in Care Service

Contact Simon on 01372 374326 07889 219453

srlplumbing@hotmail.co.uk 75

House & Garden General Knowledge Crossword Across 1. Grassy plain (7) 5. Bored, having had enough (3,2) 8. Region of South Africa, KwaZulu-___ (5) 9. Quality of spirit that enables one to face danger bravely (7) 10. Preference that comes from considerable experience (8,5) 11. Drag the bottom of a lake (6) 12. Mutton stew with a potato topping (6) 15. Name applied to 17 March (2,8,3) 18. Vitamin important in vision and bone growth (7) 19. Clock that wakes a sleeper at a preset time (5) 20. Air cavity in the skull (5) 21. Main body of riders in a cycle race (7)

Down 1. Bamboo-eating mammal (5) 2. Old-fashioned (7) 3. Rock group associated with Mick Jagger (7,6) 4. Cut or impressed into a surface (6) 5. Salad of finely chopped apples, peaches, grapes, etc (5,8) 6. Hands out playing cards (5) 7. Senior pupil authorised to enforce discipline in a school (7) 11. Leaves in order to join an opposing cause (7) 13. Sound file distributed by an internet server (7) 14. Stimulus or boost to an activity (6) 16. Communion plate (5) 17. Country of the Arabian Peninsula (5) Solution in next month’s edition

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House & Garden

Ashtead based building company offering: Loft conversions Extensions Renovations Planning Service Liaison with Building Control throughout Fixed price quotations Workmanship guaranteed Please contact us to discuss your project

01372 276328

info@simplyhomebuild.co.uk

77

Transition Ashtead Working towards a sustainable Ashtead

River Mole joins global party!

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways, held on the last Sunday of September. We joined this global event by holding the first ever River Mole Discovery Day at Leatherhead. We were blessed with a lovely sunny day so the river looked its sparkling best.

Marquees housed various organisations, including British Canoeing, Lower Mole Project (LMP) and Surrey Wildlife Trust.

SWT staff and volunteers ran ‘kick sampling’ demonstrations, armed with nets and buckets; all were surprised by just how many invertebrates and fish there are in the river. Their catches were tipped into white trays for ease of identification. They used pipettes to suck up the small invertebrates so they could be sorted into a divided tray and counted. Apart from the ‘good guys’ they also found a 2cm long non-native American crayfish which are very invasive and numerous in the Mole. We had a snapping bucketful of fully grown 20cm crayfish which the children had fun picking up with litter pickers! They also enjoyed a plant identification game, ticking off each one they found, including another non-native invasive plant species, Himalayan Balsam. We are very lucky that along this stretch of the Mole there are a few Small Teazles, a quite rare native British plant. They were first spotted in 2014 by Alan Thornhill, a Friends of River Mole Leatherhead (FoRML) volunteer, and since then a larger area of grass has been left un-mown to encourage it to spread.

Conor Morrow, Senior Project Officer for the LMP, led two guided walks up to Common Meadow.

He explained about the fauna and flora and the management of this stretch of the River Mole useful maps and guides were on display in their marquee. Visitors enjoyed finding out more about the Rye Brook too, which feeds into the Mole below Fetcham Splash. David Baker, volunteer and chairman of the Ashtead Rye Meadows Wetlands project (www.ryemeadows.org.uk), talked about the latest work they are doing, including making a pond and scrapes. Down on the Rye Brook at Teazle Wood, volunteers led by SWT and LMP have been busy clearing scrub and improving the bank habitat.

With my FoRML hat on, I was recruiting volunteers to help monitor and manage the river Mole nature reserve, from Thorncroft Bridge to Common Meadow. The Leatherhead & District Countryside Protection Society (L&DCPS) founded in1929 are responding to the needs of the 21st century, guided by their new chairperson, Lucy Quinnell. They have just launched a new website (www.landdcps.com) and were publicising the important work they do in protecting and enhancing the beauty of the area and how they manage Splash Island, Fetcham.

As well as learning about our local river and getting stuck in to some conservation jobs, the first River Mole Discovery Day was a great family day out - people brought along picnics, and the icecream van and face painting tent were kept very busy. Everyone agreed that it was very successful so we will definitely hold this event again next year so watch this space for the date!

Caroline Cardew-Smith www.TransitionAshtead.org.uk email info@transitionashtead.org.uk 78

House & Garden

79

Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Fear they start by mistake (6) 4. Deck occupants still thrilled (8) 9. An eyepiece broken near it... (6) 10. ...put a stop to outrage risk (8) 12. Lonely royalist given a makeover (8) 13. Endless money in circular gambling den (6) 15. Plant back in Paris somewhere (4) 16. A cut not right in any ravaged peninsula (7) 20. US city fashionable in the past (7) 21. Plot point lauded as novel initially (4) 25. 'Dancing On Ice' has made first profit (6) 26. Level rig that's transformed (8) 28. Beds a bad actor makes fun of (8) 29. Get to a bin a different way (6) 30. Copses stupid alien saw first (8) 31. Quality of loud music heard (6) Down 1. Meteor is oddly annoying (8) 2. Callous girl boy gets back (8)

3. Give a speech about nitrogen, then elaborate (6) 5. Cheats from Quebec on site… (4) 6. …rip off someone rebellious (8) 7. River grit's moved around, I added (6) 8. Element of twisted arc good for Frenchmen (6) 11. Curt one customised clobber (7) 14. Topless celebrity achieves goals (7) 17. Stone beneath artificial plant (8) 80

18. Tirade about pennant? It's blatant (8) 19. Nine cats put out, for example (8) 22. Trendy humorist on strike (4-2) 23. Seafood pics ma rearranged (6) 24. Chance of dog ending walk casually (6) 27. A sketch in Minsk, I thought (4)

Solution in next month’s edition

House & Garden

M D Edwards & Son Kitchen Specialists

Friendly Family run local business established over 25 years.

Kitchens supplied and installed to a very high standard.

Excellent Portfolio and local references.

We also have a complete team of qualified tradesmen: Builder, Plasterer, Electrician, Heating Engineer, Tiling and Flooring Specialists Fully Insured for your peace of mind Project managed by us from design to completion Kitchen facelifts also undertaken, Choose from large range of bespoke door styles, Granite, Engineered Stone, Corian, laminate and wood worktops, sinks, taps and integrated appliances.

We also undertake remedial jobs - new hinges, drawer runners, etc.

Telephone Beverley Edwards for a free estimate M D Edwards & Son Cressida House, 10 Humphrey Close, Fetcham, Surrey KT22 9PZ web: www.mdedwardsandson.co.uk e: beverleyedwards586@btinternet.com

Tel: 01372 450677 81

New Shared Building Control Service for Mole Valley At a recent Council meeting, Members of Mole Valley District Council will be asked to consider a report setting out a plan to create an East Surrey shared Building Control Service.

The proposal would deliver a new joint Building Control service for the residents and businesses of Tandridge, Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley as part of a new inter-authority agreement.

Councillor Duncan Irvine, Executive Member for Planning for Mole Valley District Council said: “Building Control is a vital part of the planning process. Whilst many choose to seek this service from their local authority, there is also direct competition with the private sector. In order to meet the challenge of competition we believe that it is in the best interests of our residents and businesses, to work in partnership with other local authorities. This will provide an effective, efficient service that benefits from economies of scale and so safeguards the council’s provision of this service into the future. We also look forward to the sharing of ideas and experience between members of staff from the three authorities, who are themselves very supportive of this initiative. This shared service will deliver a resilient and customer-focussed service, and excellent value for the taxpayer.�

The three authorities have been cooperating to ensure that the affected staff remain fully supported. Team members will be transferred to the employ of Tandridge District Council and two local hubs will be created: one in the council offices at Tandridge, and the other at Pippbrook.

This enables the Councils to work flexibly for the benefit of customers.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Tandridge District Council will be considering the report and, if agreed, the new shared service would come into effect from February 2017 and be overseen by a Joint Partnership Board.

82

House & Garden

MATTHEW GOODIN

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Bathroom Fitting Kitchen Fitting Painting & Decorating

AshLea Medical Practice Patient Participation Group The ‘Did Not Attend’ figures for the months of July, August and September are now in and make very sad reading.

(Interior & Exterior)

Plastering Tiling Fencing Small Extensions Roofing

Gilbert House lost 100.75 hours in the three months and Linden House, a whopping 155 hours.

How can we bring these figures down?

Fully insured. Prompt Service.

Family business est. 20 yrs.

We would love to hear from you but please spread the word to encourage everyone to pick up the phone and cancel an appointment if they can't make it!

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howard@dpm1.co.uk

Contact us via email on:

ashlea.ppg@talktalk.net

EAN: 962265

83

Leatherhead & District Local History Society Potted Histories No 93

The Plough Inn, Kingston Rd, Leatherhead In 1841 two carpenters ran The Plough, but by 1855 John Walker is recorded as the beer retailer. In 1862 he is listed as publican / shopkeeper.

Just what he sold is not defined. The directory for 1899 lists Felix Walker as the publican/ builder and that the premises had good stabling accommodation. The Swan Brewery, Leatherhead at one time owned the Plough.

The Original Plough Inn

The present building is Edwardian. In the past the Plough had three bars, public, saloon and private, also a Billiards Room and a Club Room upstairs. An off-licence selling wines, spirits and minerals were at the front of the building. For many years the owners were Friary Ales of Guildford.

They merged with Meux's Brewery Co Ltd to form Friary Meux, who in turn became part of Allied Breweries. Today an Award Winning Thai Restaurant operates from the old saloon bar area.

The Plough c: 1920s

Goff Powell

For information regarding Membership, Lectures and Museum opening hours contact: Leatherhead & District Local History Society, Leatherhead Museum, Hampton Cottage, 64 Church Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP Tel: 01372 386348 mail to: staff@lheadmuseum.plus.com Website: www.leatherheadlocalhistory.org.uk 84

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Friday 25th November, 6-9pm 20% OFF MOST ITEMS INSTORE!*

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Family Fun at Festive Weekend

Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December • • • •

Help us raise money for the Oak Centre for Children

Meet Santa in his traditional grotto: Tickets £5 Come along when the time is right for you – no need to book!

You are welcome to take your own photos Christmas craft, face painting, bouncy castle, bear hunt, stories and choirs all add to the fun!

Watch the website for details: www.ashteadpark.com or call us on 01372 273891

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New Year’s Eve Black Tie Dinner Dance

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Christmas Party Nights Prosecco on arrival 3-course set dinner Music and dancing!

Friday 2nd December – Live Music and Cabaret Show: BEE GEES TRIBUTE Monday 5th, 12th & 19th December - DJ Friday 23rd December – Live Music: ELVIS TRIBUTE £27.95pp

Christmas Menu Available 1-24th December For menus visit: www.ashteadpark.com/the-olive-tree

Find us at: Pleasure Pit Road, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 1HU

Last month’s Leatherhead Residents’ Association article created a flurry of emails, the first from Leatherhead resident, Mr Egan, and consequently a reply to it from Howard Jones, District Councillor for Leatherhead North. I have decided to print both in the spirit of balance:

‘Dear Mr Egan, The developments off Cleeve Road are subject to planning law. That broadly favours the redevelopment of previously developed land for housing. The Council has no control on developers choosing to put in applications. Each must be considered on its merit according to planning law.

‘A recent article by Susan Leveritt, writing as spokesperson for the Leatherhead Residents’, discussed the conversion of office space into residential developments. She completely failed to mention many of the negative aspects of this policy.

The vast majority of these conversions have taken place in North Leatherhead in the area around Cleeve Road; hundreds of flats have been built on the site of the PIRA buildings; in the industrial sites to the north of Cleeve Road; plus in the industrial site at the Kingston Road junction with Cleeve Road. Whilst these have been completed the additional building in South Leatherhead, Ashtead and Great Bookham has been minimal. This disproportionate and discriminatory building policy is totally unacceptable.

Ms Leveritt fails to comment on the fact that whilst this over development of North Leatherhead has taken place there has not been a single new primary or secondary school, GP practice, post office, play area, parking space or improvement to the local infrastructure. She writes that this policy is better than losing green spaces. What she fails to mention is that North Leatherhead is losing these as well. A current building project in Cleeve Road at the junction with Randalls Road will see the loss of a huge area of green space for a housing development.

Near to this site for years there has been an illegal travellers’ housing development built on green space next to the River Mole. Why is it that the green spaces of North Leatherhead deserve less protection than those of South Leatherhead, Ashtead and Great Bookham?

The green space in Cleeve Road you refer to has been a Reserved housing site for some years and was therefore always going to be developable. In fact the first scheme put forward was rejected by the planning committee and they had to redesign the scheme. They do not just go through on the nod.

Infrastructure issues have frequently been raised. But unless Surrey Highways object to a scheme it is not easy to turn it down because of the extra car journeys that will be generated.

Transform Leatherhead is focussed on Leatherhead Town Centre, the old PIRA site has not been part of its focus. The aim of Transform Leatherhead is to create new retail, jobs & homes in the town itself which will fund improvements to the roads & infrastructure.

The PhotoMe site in Bookham is a recent example of major development in Bookham, the Parsons Mead site is a recent -ish example in Ashtead. There has also been a recent one in River Lane Fetcham.

The existing Planning Policies of MVDC focus new development in the existing built up areas. Principally the North of the District & Dorking.

In fact Ashtead and Bookham both have larger populations than Leatherhead. They have developed & grown more quickly than Leatherhead for decades.

Leatherhead South is relatively small and towards the south is in the Greenbelt. There are accordingly fewer chances for development there. It has grown much more slowly than North Leatherhead in the last decade accordingly.

The only current, MAJOR, house building projects and There are infrastructure needs for Leatherhead that will proposals in the Leatherhead, Ashtead and Great need to be addressed. However it's worth pointing out that Bookham areas are all in the area around Cleeve neither Therfield or Leatherhead Trinity are oversubscribed.

Road.

Indeed Therfield could do with a significant boost to its It is time that the Leatherhead Residents’ pupil numbers.

Association, the planning authority, local MP and Transform Leatherhead's is working with Surrey CC to put in local Councillors started representing the residents Sustainable Transport Bids to improve non car transport of North Leatherhead. options around the station, the business parks, Randalls The current building policy needs to be scrapped and Road & Cleeve Road. They are being worked on currently. a fairer and more proportionate policy adopted I appreciate that what I have set out above is not likely to where all local communities take an equal share of additional building and loss of green space. relieve all your concerns. We are where we are. But as a Council we have a prime focus on improving Leatherhead & Peter Egan addressing its infrastructure needs.

Leatherhead resident’ Howard Jones District Councillor for Leatherhead North Executive Member for Transform Leatherhead, MVDC’

88

House & Garden

89

Leaves

By Pippa Greenwood Are you surrounded, engulfed and swamped with huge quantities of fallen leaves? The deluge that falls at this time of year is often enough to make even the most level headed, tree-loving gardener eye up a chainsaw.

So what can you do? Turn them in to gardeners’ gold: leafmould. If you want an environmentally friendly and very effective soil conditioner or mulching material, leafmould is the answer.

mower will then be full of a brilliant mix of chopped leaves and even the slower-to -rot-down types will rot speedily as they have been chopped up quite finely. Mixed with the lush, high-nitrogen grass clippings, the whole process is sped up.

If you have the space, make yourself a leafmould cage. Simply drive four treated softwood stakes into the ground, each stake marking out one corner of the ‘cage’. The stakes need to be about 1.5m (5ft) long so that they can be driven in really well, to a depth of 1-2ft, leaving 34ft above ground. Then attach some galvanized chicken wire to the stakes to create the sides of the cage and cram the cage full of leaves. If they aren’t moist, add a watering can of water to the heap of leaves, pouring some in after each six inches of leaves. You can also speed up the process by using a leafmould activator (available from garden centres, mail order catalogues and websites).

If space, time or money are short then you can also make leafmould in a bin liner or bin bag. Choose a good quality bin liner and cram it full of leaves, again adding water and/or activator if you wish. Then stab a few holes in the bag with a garden fork, loosely fold over the top of the bag and weigh it down with a brick.

You should have a useable product in 1218 months, but the longer you leave it the better. Leafmould will help to improve the moisture-retaining capacity of a light, sandy soil and increase the aeration and drainage of a heavy clay soil. It also makes wonderful mulch that can be used on flower beds and borders, the vegetable plot, around trees and shrubs and on your fruit as well. It’s not often you get something for nothing, is it? So take advantage of all those leaves while you can.

Most deciduous leaves rot down well, especially oak and beech trees. Leaves from fruit trees, garden shrubs and climbers work well too. Try to avoid including too many twigs or evergreen leaves as these take much longer to rot, as do tough, leathery leaves such as those from sycamore, horse chestnut and plane.

Most of us collect leaves using a springtined rake and although slower, it helps you avoid some materials more easily. A leaf sucker or a leaf blower is quicker but will often mean you end up with more twigs and stones.

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com for some great gift ideas and items for your garden including: signed copies of Pippa’s books, hand-made terracotta herb planters and wall plaques, cloches, pop-up plant cloches, raised bed kits, ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Cards, heated propagators, Nemaslug and other natural pest controls and lots more. You can also sign up for Pippa’s newsletter and receive a free ebook on organic gardening.

If your leaves are a wide-ranging assortment, then a good idea is to use the lawn mower – just mow the lawn with the leaves on it. The collection bag on the 90

House & Garden

91

Ashtead Handyman No Job Too Small Free Estimates, Fully Insured Decorating, Gardening, General Maintenance

Contact Steve Jenkins

07734 005741 / 01372 273832 ashteadhandyman@gmail.com

Simple Crossword Across: 7 Encyclopedias, 8 Declared, 9 Gigs, 10 Minster, 12 Aorta, 14 Corgi, 16 Erasure, 19 Fail, 20 Applause, 22 Demonstration.

Down: 1 Knee, 2 Cycles, 3 Alarmed, 4 Spade, 5 Adagio, 6 Daughter, 11 Isolated, 13 Prepare, 15 Gallon, 17 Starts, 18 False, 21 Slog.

1.

2.

Quiz - Shapes

October’s crossword solutions

Isosceles b) cubes with two coloured stickers (there are 12 of these compared to 6 with one colour and 8 with three colours) 3. Surrey 4. (Johannes) Kepler 5. The ear 6. Stop 7. One 8. Virginia 9. Jean Paul Gaultier 10. Seven (roughly in the shape of the letters I, J, L, O, S, T, Z)

Across: 1 Squeal, 4 Overseer, 9 Astray, 10 Stanford, 12 Tom Thumb, 13 Egrets, 15 Efts, 16 Seconds, 20 Anxiety, 21 Iago, 25 Loiter, 26 All right, 28 Traverse, 29 Retina, 30 Overturn, 31 Closet.

Down: 1 Startled, 2 Ultimate, 3 Apathy, 5 Veto, 6 Renegade, 7 Erodes, 8 Radish, 11 Amnesia, 14 Hostile, 17 Indecent, 18 Bargains, 19 Contract, 22 Clotho, 23 Pirate, 24 Orwell, 27 Tsar

Quiz - Car Manufacturers 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Across: 1 Tack, 3 Barbados, 9 Seaport, 10 Spade, 11 Absent-minded, 14 Ohm, 16 Blurs, 17 Day, 18 Introduction, 21 Corgi, 22 Syrians, 23 External, 24 Moss.

Dacia - Romania Holden - Australia Kia - South Korea Lada - Russia Mazda - Japan Proton - Malaysia Seat - Spain Ĺ koda - Czech Republic Smart - Germany Volvo - Sweden

Down: 1 Testator, 2 Chaos, 4 Aft, 5 Business card, 6 Dead-end, 7 Seed, 8 Sound barrier, 12 Mould, 13 Hypnosis, 15 Minaret, 19 Idaho, 20 Acne, 22 Sea.

92

House & Garden

USEFUL NUMBERS Ashtead Art Group 01372 272987 (Jan Cheeseman - Mem Sec) Ashtead Bowling Club 01372 278538 (Anne Wallace) Ashtead Chess Club 01372 813487 (Richard Jones) Ashtead Choral Society 01372 272835 / 278359 Ashtead Community Vision 07530 373975 (Andy Ellis) Ashtead Cricket Club 01372 276286 (Sarah Culhane) Ashtead Day Centre Over 60s Lunch Club 01372 813276 or 375640 Ashtead Decorative & Fine Arts Society 01372 813994 (Membership Secretary) Ashtead Flower Arrangement Group 01372 279501 (Di Stirling) Ashtead Friendship Centre 01372 274288 (Don Butt) Ashtead Good Neighbours 07752 665066 Ashtead Horticultural Society 01372 373348 (Jennie Pilfold) Ashtead Library - 0300 200 1001 Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall 01372 272921 Ashtead Players/Young Players 01372 279614 Ashtead Residents’ Association 07804 026577 (Glynis Peterkin) Ashtead Squash & Tennis Club 01372 272215 Ashtead Tennis Players Club 01372 721104 Ashtead Townswomen’s Guild 01372 273948 (Di James) Ashtead Women’s Institute 01372 276736 (Sandra Brown) Carers’ Support Mole Valley 01306 640212 Childline - 0800 1111 Citizens Advice Bureau - 08444 111444 Cruse Bereavement Care 020 8393 7238 Electricity (UK Power Networks) 0800 783 8866 (powercut information line) Epsom General Hospital - 01372 735735 Fetcham Residents’ Association 01372 375212 (Marion Doherty) Fetcham Singers (ladies choir) 01372 276736 (Sandra Brown) Gas (Transco) 0800 111999

(minicom/textphone for deaf/hard of hearing 0800 371787) Leatherhead Choral Society 01372 372553 (Cathy Smith, Secretary) Leatherhead & District Angling Society 01372 377654 Leatherhead Helpshop - 01372 363385 Leatherhead Community Association 01372 360508 Leatherhead Horticultural Society 01372 373493 (David Wells) Leatherhead Leisure Centre 01372 377674 Leatherhead Library 0300 200 1001 Leatherhead Lions Club 01372 274618 (Jim Malynn) Leatherhead Museum - 01372 386348 Leatherhead Residents’ Association 01372 370091 Leatherhead Theatre - 01372 365141 Mid Surrey Community Mediation 07513 524241 Mole Valley District Council 01306 885001 Police - Non-emergency 101 Probus Club of Ashtead 01372 272595 (Peter Waterhouse) Probus Club of Leatherhead 01372 450930 (Andrew Crawford) Rotary Club of Ashtead 01372 727573 (Keith Allardyce) Rotary Club of Leatherhead 07753 821964 (Simon Edmands) Royal Association for the Deaf 01306 881958 Royal British Legion Leatherhead/Fetcham Branch 01372 811422 Samaritans - 01372 375555 Shopmobility Leatherhead 01372 362400 Surrey County Council 03456 009 009 (8am-6pm weekdays) Surrey Trading Standards - 01372 371717 U3A: Leatherhead & District 01372 375756 Ashtead 01372 274388 Volunteer Centre Mole Valley (based in Dorking) 01306 640369 (10am-1pm, answerphone) Water (Sutton & E Surrey Water) Emergencies/general 01737 772000 Wildlife Aid 09061 800132 (24 hr helpline)

94

M.P.S

Garden & Estate Machinery Established 1952

• Large selection of new and second hand machines • Part exchange service offered • Comprehensive hire fleet • Manufacturer trained mechanics • Servicing on garden tractors, cylinders and rotary mowers, 2-stroke machinery and shear/secateurs sharpening.

• Collection and delivery service • Large spares department Tel: 01372 453411 Email: enquiries@mpsgardenmachinery.co.uk

www.mpsgardenmachinery.co.uk

D.B

Garden Services

Established 1985

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Qualified Tree Surgeons We are fully insured

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