The Tandridge Independent - September 2023

Polly is a star on stage!

By Louise D’Costa

A Hazelwood School student has appeared on stage with the English Youth Ballet (EYB) at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford in August, after being selected to be part of the 80-strong cast of their production Cinderella in Hollywood.

Oxted resident Polly Allen, 10, attends the Lisa May School of Dance in Brasted, Kent. She performed on stage alongside other talented young dancers from the local area, as well as international professional dancers.

Polly, who has been dancing since she was three years old, joined the EYB following a competitive selection process in May. She said: “It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience! I loved meeting new people and dancing in front of a large audience. It was a privilege to be taught by professional ballet dancers and to be able to watch them perform their best in rehearsals. I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of freedom you get while dancing, as well as making new friends”.

Her headteacher at Hazelwood, Mrs Louw, said the school is proud of Polly for her outstanding achievement:

“To be chosen from over 150 young dancers shows Polly’s dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent

have truly shone through. Her commitment to her dancing journey is inspiring, and her well-deserved spot in this prestigious production is a testament to her passion and skill. Your dedication has paid off,

and your performance in Cinderella has dazzled audiences and will be an inspiration to all Hazelwood.”

The next English Youth Ballet production in the south east will be Coppelia, at the Hawth Crawley on

3 and 4 November. Find out more at englishyouthballet.co.uk. Polly will be appearing on stage at her ballet school’s annual show at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks on Sunday, 26 November.

Polly (middle) on stage at the Orchard Theatre (Credit: English Youth Ballet)

Letter from the editor

The summer has been amazing, but I have to say I am now ready to wel- come September in, and with it the routine it brings. Lovely days out, trips away and visits to family and friends have meant lots of memories made, but trying to produce a paper in between all of that is pretty tricky. Having my days free once more, now the children are back to school and clubs, makes writing articles and making sales much easier, even if it means it is also time for those last minute cries of ‘Muuuuuum…I can’t find my school book/ tie / lunchbox’ to start up again!

In this paper we bring you events and news from across the district, including pictures of the talented Tandridge students who collected their GCSE and A level results in August. It has been so great to see their incredible achievements. We also catch up with two organisations who are vital in their community: the Westway Centre and East Surrey Dial-a-Ride.

River’s Kitchen is back, with a quick and simple honey chilli chicken recipe, while Deborah Smith from Menagerie Interiors is all about lighting this month. Champ Consultants’ Chantal Baker talks interest rates, and Adrian Van Aalst brings us up to speed with the start of AFC Whyteleafe’s new season. Our competition prize is four tickets to the Caterham Beer festival, which is being held at Soper Hall on the 15th and 16th of September. It’s always a popular event for the beer and wine drinkers out there, so don’t forget to enter!

See you next month.

News from the Westway Centre

“The Westway has now secured a 15-year lease on the centre building with Tandridge District Council. We have a number of grant applications in progress, including the National Lottery, and are working with our partners to secure the financial future of the centre.

We would also like to extend thanks to our small staff team and amazing volunteers. The centre is for the community and run by the community, and our message is ‘Be part of The Westway’. More than 90% of our survey respondents agreed that engaging with the activities and services we provide, as well as volunteering with us, helped them feel part of the community.

We are always looking for more volunteers and trustees, and we

Seated exercise classes, musical entertainment and flower arranging form just part of the activity programme at the Westway

If you would like to be part of the Westway, contact Ralph on 01883 347230 (extension 1013), or email ralph. linsell@thewestway.org. Visit thewestway.org to find out more about the many events, activities and services that the centre provides.

fab jumpsuit I am wearing in my photo? It’s from Laura Hamilton’s Laura x collection by Verity Rosalind Brookman Chief reporter rosalind@tandridgeindependent.com Peter HerringDesign and production designer@tandridgeindependent.com

and Me. Louise D’Costa Editor 01883 818 584 editor@ tandridgeindependent.com Circulated throughout Tandridge

I love the colour and have sported it at quite a few summer events! Socials E @TandridgeIndependent D @tandridgeindpt Q @tandridgeindependent

Louise Advertising advertising@ tandridgeindependent.com 01883 818 191

D’Costa News Desk: newsdesk@ tandridgeindependent.com 01883 671 362 Although every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions or mistakes in content supplied by advertisers. Lake Publishing Ltd t/a The Tandridge Independent is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher. All in-house artwork presented in this newspaper remains the copyright of Lake Publishing Ltd t/a The Tandridge Independent newspaper.

Win 4 tickets to Caterham Beer Festival Please note that by entering the competition you are agreeing to your name being published on our website, paper and socials if you are a winner. Your email will also be added to our mailing list. You can ask to be removed at any time.

Good luck!

This month’s competition T&C’s apply. Donated by: To enter our draw please email your name to; competition@ tandridgeindependent. com The closing date is 12 September and the winner will be announced on 13 September.

Following our article last year about the uncertain future of the Westway Community and Wellbeing Centre, the chair of trustees Ralph Linsell brings us up-to-date with current developments.

East Surrey Dial-a-Ride: the struggle to survive

By Rosalind Brookman

East Surrey Dial-a-Ride, which is based at the Westway Centre in Caterham, is more than a taxi service. It’s a valuable community resource which is relied upon by its many members.

It was a cold winter’s day when the minibus pulled up outside the house. The driver got out, knocked on the front door and waited for several minutes, but there was no response from inside. At this point, a taxi company may well have given up and left, eager to get to their next paying fare. The East Surrey Dial-a-Ride (ESDAR) driver, however, was immediately concerned for the occupant’s welfare, and headed round to the back of the house. Peering through a window, he could see the 90-year-old woman lying motionless on the floor inside and called an ambulance. She was able to make a full recovery, thanks to the diligence and care of the ESDAR volunteer.

Since 1989, registered charity ESDAR has provided travel solutions for those who, due to mobility issues, advanced years or sight difficulties, find public transport challenging. Many people across the Tandridge District postcodes of CR3 and CR6 (Caterham, Chaldon, Chelsham, Farleigh, Warlingham and Woldingham) rely on the reassuring personal service it offers - yet it is currently facing a struggle for survival.

In 2017, Tandridge District Council streamlined the way it supported mobility transport services and, as a consequence, ESDAR lost the regular funding it received from them and Surrey County Council (SCC). It has 12 employees - three part-time

and nine on zero-hours contractsand seven trustees, who receive no remuneration for their duties. When Pat Cannon became chairman of trustees in 2020, he realised the organisation would need to change the way it worked if it was to continue:

“Unfortunately, no Dial-a-Ride can survive just by providing a core service of transporting elderly, disabled and isolated passengers. The overheads, which include the constant maintenance of our five old wheelchair accessible 12-seater diesel minibuses, are just too great.

We had hoped to be able to take on non-essential patient transport for the NHS, but the provider we would have been working with has been unable to

raise the money to pay for it.

We are now, however, after two years of preparation, in a position to bid through SCC for school contracts, including those for children with special educational needs and disabilities, which is good but doesn’t change the stark reality that we are currently losing about £6k per month. Two generous grants by SCC have ensured we will last until the end of this financial year but after that our future is uncertain.”

ESDAR membership (which only requires basic contact details and confirmation of mobility difficulties and disabilities) is currently free, and fares are heavily subsidised at £2.50 per mile for a single journey, with a minimum single or return fare of £5. Longer journeys of over seven miles can also be accommodated, and fares, which are extremely reasonable compared to taxi charges, can be agreed at the time of booking. All ESDAR’s drivers are fully trained, health and safety compliant and DBS checked to at least enhanced level.

As of 30 June this year, ESDAR had 436 registered members, of whom 85 use wheelchairs and 109 require walking aids. Passenger trips during the financial year ending March 2023 totalled 5,965, up from 4,114 in 2021/22. Of these, 2,429 were by users of a wheelchair or walking aid. During the first quarter of 2023, ESDAR had already completed 1,841 passenger trips, with 790 of them providing assis-

ULEZ expands

tance for those in wheelchairs or with walking aids.

Members use the service to travel to a variety of places, including doctor, dentist and clinic appointments, shops, libraries, hairdressers, pubs, restaurants and clubs or to visit friends and family. It transports many people to and from the Westway Centre, the Warlingham Lunch Club, Bletchingley Skills Centre, the Dementia Club in Farleigh, Oxted’s Woodhouse Centre, and clubs at The Miller Centre in Caterham.

Passengers can also enjoy ESDAR’s seasonal excursions, when they can meet other members on day trips to the seaside, vineyards and other places of interest.

If ESDAR was to close, Pat says, an additional burden would be placed on the public purse, not to mention the potentially tragic outcomes for the many people who rely on it:

“East Surrey Dial-A-Ride provides a lifeline to so many people with age-related issues, as well as those with disabilities, or who suffer from loneliness and isolation.

The service is bespoke, in that it picks up its passengers from their door, ensuring that all security in the home is taken into account, and helps them board the vehicle, before delivering them safely to their destination.

Unfortunately, the service alone cannot support itself and we’ve been struggling to keep afloat amidst the impending doom. We have produced a business plan, ‘ESDAR to 2030’, which demonstrates that we can survive if we secure both public funding and, ideally, a ‘knight in shining armour’ in the form of a corporate sponsor, who would work with us to secure our future.

Without such corporate help, however, the service is unlikely to survive past the end of the financial year.”

If you are interested in sponsoring East Surrey Dial-a-Ride, please visit eastsurreydialaride.org.uk.

Multi Award Winning Education Happy Children - Top Academic Results

The expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the whole of London began on 29 August, impacting Surrey residents who live near the London border and have a non-compliant vehicle. Matt Furnis, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and growth at Surrey County Council said he is ‘incredibly disappointed’ it has gone ahead, and that “while the extended scrappage scheme looks to be a step in the right direction, this will have no impact on those outside London. People living in Surrey will not only have to pay the ULEZ charge, but also pay all costs to scrap their own car.”

To find out more about the scheme, visit tfl.gov.uk/modes/ driving/ultra-low-emission-zone.

TDC is looking for affordable rental properties

Tandridge District Council has over 1,000 people on its housing register. It is appealing for properties in the private rented sector to provide low income individuals and families with affordable homes.

It can help draft tenancy documents and inventory reports, provide a Guarantee Bond as a deposit to cover damages and/or arrears, help set up housing payments through Universal Credit and offer continued support during the tenancy. It can also assess the housing history of the tenants it puts forward for a property, although the final decision is that of the landlords. TDC will not charge any fees for this.

If you have a suitable property, email homelessness@ tandridge.gov.uk.

Former Woldingham resident to take part in Strictly

Ex-Eastender’s star Nigel Harman will be putting on his dancing shoes for the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing. Nigel, who grew up in Woldingham, and who was also a Woldingham Player and a star of the Woldingham Panto, was announced as part of the new line-up in August.

The 49-year-old actor said “I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn.....gulp!”

East Surrey Dial-a-Ride chairman Pat Cannon with Sir Richard Stilgoe

ESDAR patron Sir Richard Stilgoe in one of the Dial-a-Ride minibuses

Coming up in Master Park

Master Park in Oxted is hosting the 1st Oxted Scouts Bike & Pram sale on Sunday, 10 September from 9:15 - 11:00. You can bring them your old bikes and prams to sell, and pick up new ones while you are there.

Shaws Family Fun Fair will be open in the afternoons and evenings from Thursday, 28 September until Sunday, 1 October. Visit masterpark.org/ events for more information.

Correction

In last month’s edition, we omitted the credit for a quote in our front page story. The quote at the beginning of the continuation of the article on page 2 should have been attributed to Peter Connolly, curator of East Surrey Museum. We would like to apologise to him for our error.

Help with financial hardship

By Catherine Sayer Leader of Tandridge District Council

On Monday, 18 September, from 10:00, residents on low incomes can apply to the council for a grant through the Tandridge Household Support Fund to help with the huge rise in the cost of living.

The fund aims to support households most in need, anyone who is vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get a grant. If you get benefits, they will not be affected if you get a payment from the fund. You can apply even if you have received a household support fund grant before.

If you have any friends, family or neighbours in the district who may be struggling financially, please let them know about these grants.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

Be over the age of 16

Live in the Tandridge district

Be struggling to meet the cost of essential items like food or energy or water bills for themselves or their

dependents. You will need to submit evidence online such as bank statements or arrears letters

How to apply

You can apply online at tandridge. gov.uk/supportfund from Monday, 18 September at 10:00.

Support is available for anyone who wants help completing the form: the contact number for assistance is 01883 722000. Applications can be made by the applicant, their representative or a third party acting on their behalf. In addition, the council is using community groups to support residents who

cannot otherwise access the online form.

How much are the grants?

Eligible households with children will receive £350, and households without children will receive £150.

How big is the Tandridge Household Support Fund?

The money is limited, so it’s best to apply quickly. The fund will close when all the money has been allocated.

Tandridge Council has a total of £316,000 to distribute by 31 March 2024. We’ve decided to do it in two phases, so if you miss out this time round because the money has run out by the time you apply, there will be another chance in the second phase. This starts on Monday, 11 December at 10:00.

If you are eligible, ideally payments will be by BACS transfer to a bank account 10 working days after the date your application is approved, but it may be longer if checks are required.

If you have any comments/questions, please get in touch at: Cllr.Catherine. Sayer@tandridge.gov.uk

Letter from Claire Coutinho, MP for East Surrey

A few weeks ago we had the fantastic news that Royal Surrey and East Surrey Hospitals will be receiving £8.8m to expand capacity this winter. At East Surrey, this will build two new modular wards with space for 64 beds. At Royal Surrey, there will be four new cubicles in A&E, eight new same-day emergency care assessment spaces and eight new spaces in the acute medical unit.

Over the summer, I spoke to lots of you about how cutting NHS waiting lists is one of the prime minister’s top priorities, and how we are making progress to safeguard the future of health services with our 15-year NHS Workforce Plan. I know many residents worry about accessing care if they need it, so this extra £8.8 million for our local hospitals will go some way to increase capacity over the next six months or so.

Over the holidays, I’m sure many of you relied on childminders to provide education and care for your children. In my work as minister for children, families and wellbeing I’ve shadowed several childminders and I’m in awe of the work they do, but

as many as one in eight are being barred from doing the job they love in their own homes due to restrictions from their landlords.

As part of our largest ever expansion of free childcare, I’ve written to housing associations, home builders and landlords to ask them to allow childminders to use their properties wherever they can. Alongside this, we are raising the hourly rate paid to childminders, working with councils to make sure they get paid monthly, and making it easier for childminders to work together in non-domestic properties, like they do in France.

One space that could open their doors to childminders is St John’s Church in Hurst Green. When I visited, the ladies gave me an update on their plans to renovate the building to make it more suitable as a community hub and to co-locate more services for residents in the village. I’m going to work with them to explore grants to fund their plans, and put them in touch with other East Surrey community leaders who have done a really good job of turning their facilities into similar

hubs.

I held a meeting to discuss Southern Gravel’s plans for the future of Oxted Quarry. Although MPs don’t have roles in the planning process, this looks like a really sensible approach to get rid of HGVs from local roads, make safety improvements to Chalkpit Lane and provide affordable, sensitively-designed homes locally. I was encouraged by their plans to give half the site to the National Trust and restore 90% of the quarry site back to nature, with new publicly accessible picnic spots, nature trails, and new woodland.

In its prime, this was one of the most important quarries near London and it’s an integral part of our history - the lime kilns on the site produced lime mortar that would have helped to build much of Victorian and Edwardian London. They will be restored and opened up for the public to enjoy, and a new education centre will welcome visitors from local schools to learn about the history of the quarry.

Finally, I hope you had a chance to respond to the consultation on the future of railway ticket offices,

which closed on 1 September. The next step is for the passenger bodies to go through the responses and decide which ticket offices will remain open. I do think the rationale for their closure makes sense, given that just 10% of train tickets are now bought from ticket offices – but I want to ensure disabled passengers

are able to use the railways safely. I had a really useful meeting with some visually impaired constituents during the consultation period, and I’ll be attending a meeting with GTR and the Surrey Coalition for Disabled People soon. Visit my website: clairecoutinho.com.

Riding for Ruben

By Patrick Jones

On the 9 September, I will be cycling from London to San Sebastian in Spain to raise money and awareness for Ruben’s Fund, a charity close to my heart. It is in memory of our son Ruben, who passed away on the 12 January 2022 from cardiomyopathy, as a result of the rare genetic condition, GACI. He was three and a half months old. Since losing him, my partner and I have pledged to support the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Charity in their efforts to research the genetic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in children. We will be raising £200,000 to support a dedicated research project: so far, we have raised £137,000.00 towards our goal. We have done many different fundraising initiatives since March 2022, when we launched Ruben’s Fund. However, I wanted to set myself a challenge this year, at around the time of what would have been Ruben’s second birthday. To honour his memory, I’m going to cycle from Ruben’s Hotel in London to San Sebastian, Spain. The journey will be linked to my two boys - Sebastian and Rubenso it has a lot of meaning and emotion behind it.

The 1,019 km route will cover nine stops on route to Spain, which I hope to conclude within 8 days.

I intend to bike pack the whole route

unassisted, although I’ll be joined in some sections by fellow fund raisers to keep me company.

de Stafford alumni win music award

Ex-Tandridge residents Christopher Brown and Neil Faulkner won International Vocal Duo of the Year at the International Singer-Songerwriters Association Awards 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, in August. Christopher and Neil met at de Stafford school in Caterham in 1975, and wrote songs together for a decade, before reuniting 30 years later. As band Sun-Pinned Leaves, they’ve released six albums since 2019 and although they no longer live in the area they still appear regularly on the Simply Country show on Ridge Radio. They are scheduled to play at New Music Nights in Reigate on 6 October.

Patrick Jones

(inset) Ruben Dyer-Jones;

Chris and Neil (Credit: David Stone)

A Scoop of happiness!

By Louise D’Costa

Proprietor of Warlingham’s new dessert parlour The Scoop Company

Maria Grey opened her doors one sunny August evening (yes, there was one where it didn’t rain) to welcome a group of selected guests, including us!

Upon arrival, we were greeted with sweet treats and flutes of candyfloss bubbles. There was time for everybody to meet and mingle, so it was a great opportunity for the invited local businesses to get to know one another. Then we were given a challenge that I found particularly tough: to choose from The Scoop Company’s impressive ice cream menu. Almost every flavour you can think of is included, but I eventually decided on chocolate chip sprinkles over a vegan Mr Whippy cone, as well as a traditional strawberry sundae. Both were absolutely delicious!

As well as ice cream, gelatos and sorbets, The Scoop Company also offers a variety of baked goodies,including croissants, pain au chocolat, brownies and a variety of doughnuts (my favourite was a pistachio one, but it was definitely a close call with the Biscoff-crumbled ones!).

And if that was not all, each guest was given a branded goodie bag when they left (who doesn’t love a goodie bag?!), filled with novelties such as ice cream

cone key rings, reusable straws and other tasty nibbles.

The level of care and attention to detail that Maria put into the evening was evident, but this simply reflects the dedication and effort she puts into making her business a focal point for

ICE CREAM IS NOT JUST FOR THE SUMMER

• New winter menu Oct 2023

• Freshly baked goods

• Something for all allergies & diets

•

Amidst the winter’s gentle embrace, The Scoop Company beckons you to a world where flavours dance and indulgence knows no bounds. Our narrative is one of carefully crafted desserts, the heart-warming aroma of specialty coffee, and a passion that shapes every frozen delight. Keep up-to-date with The Scoop Company by following them on Instagram: @thescoopcompany_

369 Limpsfield Road, Warlingham or give us a call on 01883 338331

the Warlingham community. Whether it’s a coffee stop on the way to the shops, an after-school outing for the children or you’re hiring the venue for a private event, Maria and her team will go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

All photos credited to Sarah Olivia photography

The Scoop Company is at 369 Limpsfield Road, Warlingham. Find them on Instagram: @ thescoopcompany_. To book a table, phone 01883 338331.

Luke’s Lounge opens in Whyteleafe

By Thuy Nguyen

Prospero’s Beth Makes a Difference

Whyteleafe is a thriving village full of people from different walks of life, but with many joint interests and values.

As such, Luke’s Lounge is a recent initiative set up between St Luke’s Church and the Whyteleafe Community Hub, a local charity made up of volunteers working to bring the heart back into Whyteleafe.

Luke’s Lounge is a weekly event held at St Luke’s Church hall, on Whyteleafe Hill. Every Wednesday, between 13:00 and 15:00, there’s free hot drinks and cakes, along with games for all ages. Volunteers from the Whyteleafe Community Hub support the running of this event.

Reverend Annie of St Luke’s Church says, “We are committed to bringing the community together, so we are thrilled to be working with the Whyteleafe Community Hub. St Luke’s Church has always been proud to provide a central point for our residents.”

Chair of Whyteleafe Community Hub Sara Jones says “We have worked

Children have plenty of toys and activities to keep them busy

with St Luke’s before, with our volunteers supporting the hosting of the Ukrainian afternoon tea events, and the warm hub during the cost of living crisis. As a charity, we aim to connect like-minded people together

within and around Whyteleafe, to ultimately make new life-long local friends, build connections and grow our community.”

It is Luke’s Lounge’s ambition to build up a roster of engaging talks,

Right: free cakes are available at Luke’s Lounge

activities and events each week, to cater to the interests of the village. These will be shared in the coming weeks via social media (Facebook: Whyteleafe Community Hub. Instagram: @whyteleafekenleycommunityhub) and at St Luke’s. Luke’s Lounge is grateful to have received funding from Surrey Council’s Your Councillor Community Fund.

Prospero Inclusive Theatre Company director Beth Wood has been selected as a finalist for the 2023 BBC Make a Difference Awards.

The nomination reflects Beth’s work with Prospero, in Caterham, which she founded in 2015. It works with adults and young people with disabilities and mental health challenges, using drama and a range of social and creative activities to improve their quality of life. She says, “It’s always wonderful to be put forward for an award for anything, but to be nominated for making a difference to the lives of people with challenges is really special. The whole team of people at Prospero is incredible. We have worked to build a real community, often referred to as the Prospero family. We see every day what can be achieved when people are valued and given a voice.”

Beth is a finalist in the Together section of the Make a Difference Awards. The ceremony will be held on Monday, 25 September. Interviews with the nominees can be heard on BBC Radio Surrey, BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Sounds.

Marketing & communications volunteer, Whyteleafe Community Hub

Above: the Rev’d Annie and community hub volunteer Natasha

Alex is the UK’s top young physicist

While most A level pupils spent their post-exam summer kicking up their heels, Alex Mylet enjoyed a very different travel experience: one which saw him ranked as the UK’s top young physicist, as well as in the top 50 globally. Alex, 18, was one of the five-strong GB team competing at the International Physics Olympiad in Tokyo, finishing with a silver medal after completing two five-hour papers, one experimental and one theoretical.

Alex’s journey began in November 2022, when a new year of the British Physics Olympiad was launched. He, along with 49 other Caterham School students, applied to take part in the gruelling first stage of the country’s most pres

over 4,000 students nationwide. From here, only 180 participants who achieved the ‘Top Gold’ standard, which included Alex, moved on to the even more demanding Round Two.

This paper required an undergraduate level of comprehension and advanced mathematics to make even a slight headway into the questions posed, but Alex relished the challenge. He made it through to Round Three, the fiveday long Easter camp in Oxford where the GB team was chosen. Once his exams were done in July, he jumped on a plane to Tokyo with his teammates. Alongside the lengthy exam papers, they were also able to get stuck into a range of cultural experiences.

To add to his achievement, Alex was awarded five A* grades at A level in August and will study mathematics and computer science at St

Autumn colour at Hever Castle

Visitors to Hever Castle will be able to learn how to create a dye garden, discover the funghi that grow in the grounds and take part in a variety of workshops and walks as part of Autumn Colour at Hever Castle in October.

Each Wednesday, the gardening team will run a workshop focusing on the seasonal colour in the gardens, which were created by William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th Century. These will include a visit to the dahlia border on 4 October, a container garden workshop with head gardener Neil Miller on 11 October, and a tree-mendous tree tour with gardener Darren on 18 October.

On Friday, 13 October, botanical artist and gardener Felix Green will be showcasing the newly created ‘dye garden’, sharing tips on the best plants to grow for dye harvesting and textile use and how to create your own.

He says: “Every plant has a wonderful colour to it, and learning how we can use them is good for the environment and for our gardens at home, and also takes our own plant knowledge one step beyond. It will definitely bring a new dimension to Hever Castle.”

Neil is keen to showcase the colour on the estate, where visitors can

explore 150 acres of formal gardens, roam around Lake Walk, find solace in Anne Boleyn’s Walk and create dens on Woodland Walk:

“We’ve thought long and hard about how colourful the grounds are and how visitors can take some of this colourful knowledge home with them, be it through a colourful container filled with vibrant winter plants and bulbs ready to pop in the spring, or by creating their own dye-garden.

Our younger visitors can learn the tree facts that are dotted through the grounds and around Lake Walk. And

our popular annual autumn trail will be available for visitors who we know love to walk beneath the turning trees at this time of year.”

All activities are included in the admission price, and the self-guided autumn tour is available from the information hut from 1 - 31st October. hevercastle.co.uk.

Photo credit: Hever Castle & Gardens

By Caterham School

Credit: Caterham School

Food and fun at Elizabeth Court’s garden party

On Saturday, 12 August, the residents of Elizabeth Court Care Home in Caterham, along with their families, were thrown a garden party. Sonia Hunt, Caterham’s long-standing town crier, opened the event alongside home manager Rimi Sidhu and resident Len. Everybody enjoyed a barbecue lunch, with cakes and treats supplied by Janette Ralph from Tesco. Fiona’s Farm Therapy, which is based in Chaldon, also visited and was a huge hit, with both residents and children spending time petting the animals.

The afternoon raised £375 for Elizabeth Court’s residents’ welfare fund.

What’s happening at Westerham U3A?

By Wynne Gifford

2023 marks our 10th birthday and on August 10 many members enjoyed a special afternoon tea provided by the Courtyard Café, and an anniversary cake specially made by one of our very first committee members. Entertainment was provided by Colin Hill, Hilary Moore, and Eileen Perryer, with humorous sketches. Chairman Tony Pearson congratulated all members on their support, as it is only because people get involved and help out that the organization flourishes.

On Thursday 14 September our meeting will take the form of a quiz, featuring teams of six. This proved a successful event last year.

In October, our speaker will be Tony Harris and his subject will be Henry VIII. Tony lived and worked at Hampton Court for two years and played Henry VIII every other day, for the benefit of more than half a million tourists.

Our November talk will be by Ian Walker on The Legacy of the Great War, and on 7 December we will hold our Christmas Lunch at Westerham Golf Club. As the lunch is limited to members only, why not join U3A join now and enjoy the festive fun?

LEARN, LIVE, LAUGH with us at Westerham U3A. We hold an open meeting at Westerham Hall, on the second Thursday of each month, starting at 14:00, and a coffee morning on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30, also in Westerham Hall, at which we welcome all current members and anyone who would like to join us. You can find all the information you need about our many interest groups, outings and general activities on our website: westerhamu3A.org

For ages 2 to 11

We believe that children have different learning styles and therefore Warlingham Park School provides a learning experience that encompasses a wide and varied curriculum where opportunities to thrive abound.

‘Learning To Grow’ is a phrase that sums up our education and focuses on the skills that children need to learn for the next steps of their education and beyond.

Residents and guests of Elizabeth Court Care Home meet animals from Fiona’s Farm Therapy

Our annual subscription is £20, (£35 for a joint membership) and we levy a fee of £2 at hall meetings to cover hire costs. We welcome new members to join any of our 50+ interest groups from ancestry to yoga.

Grow Learning To Grow

Rimi, Sonia and Len open the party

Review: The Sphere of Light at The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle

By Azra Wilkinson

All credit to the cast of this engaging play for giving such a committed performance despite a change of location and the unseasonable weather. The lack of amplified sound on the new stage meant that those at the back of the audience did lose some of the dialogue to the occasional duck call and overhead aircraft, but the perseverance of the actors and the compelling script meant this became less of an issue as the play progressed.

The playwright, Ann Jocelyn Henning, is to be commended for taking such a complex and layered moment in history and presenting it in such an accessible and engrossing way.

All the performances were engaging, but that by Kitty Whitelaw, as Lady Jane Rochford, was particularly memorable.

The songs of the balladeer (Robert Madeley) - and the subsequent audience participation - added light relief and social context, in contrast to the solemnity on stage, but the

ultimate surprise awaited us in the final act. What may be the true reason behind the fate of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and the others beheaded at the behest of the king, comes as a shock, and provides reason to Lady Jane’s actions. The actor’s powerful and moving delivery of her final speech left the audience entranced.

Henning must be praised for the painstaking research - which has been verified by Tudor historians - that she has put into revealing this previously unknown twist in the Boleyn story. To attempt to change the narrative of such an already documented era is a bold choice - and one that works very well.

Review: The Wimpy Kid Show at The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle

By Theo Brookman, 12

The dreadful weather didn’t make an impact on the quality of the Wimpy Kid Show, which is based on the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. The crowd of excited children were given cushions to sit on, and blankets were handed out to combat the cold. The venue overlooked a lake, providing a scenic view for the adults waiting for their children.

Presenter Alastair Watson did an amazing job of keeping his audience entertained throughout the one-hour performance: he had the perfect mix of information and comedy to create a fun and lively atmosphere. While going through the Wimpy Kid filmmaking process, Alastair made sure to mix it up with interactive games involving children going against each other in quizzes, and a ‘who’s the best rock star’ competition. There was also a

‘draw Greg Heffley’ activity, which produced some impressive results.

I asked Alastair how he got involved with the Wimpy Kid. He said:

“I’ve been doing the show since 2012. Puffin Books asked me to create an interactive show around video clips of the author Jeff Kinney. I read all things Wimpy Kid and fell in love with the books: I loved the comedy, illustrations and the fact it was so universal.

I’ve done quite a few UK tours with Jeff: he’s a lovely guy and really passionate about his fans, and that’s infectious.

I’ve done the show over 100 times at various literary festivals and events all over the country (and in other parts of the world!). I love doing it, because the audience makes the show different every time. It’s only ever as good as the children make it by getting involved, coming on stage and having fun. There is never a dull moment... and it keeps me on my toes!”

Alastair Watson performing The Wimpy Kid Show

I believe my child is being alienated from me, what can I do?

By Megan Milburn EJ Coombs Solicitors

Concerns of parental alienation can arise in family law cases where a child is refusing to spend time with or is hostile to one parent without explanation. It is a very complex area, but it does exist in cases, which in turn can cause emotional and psychological harm to the child. In the context of family law, parental alienation is where a parent turns a child against the other parent either intentionally or unintentionally. This can be through acts by the alienating parent to create negative views or feelings towards the other parent, such as speaking about them in a negative light, preventing the child from spending time with them, or persuading or otherwise encouraging the child to reject them. These acts can be subtle or obvious, but the effects either way can be damaging to both the targeted parent and the child.

If an application to the court is made to determine living arrangements for a child, Cafcass will identify any safeguarding risks that could be harmful to a child, including whether a child is experiencing alienating behaviours.

If there is suggestion that parental alienation has taken place, a family court judge may then have the difficult task of determining the reason why so that further consideration can be made before deciding arrangements for the child going forward.

It is preferable to aim to create an environment where both parents work together to act in the child’s best interests, over

and above their own wishes, to prevent alienating behaviours. This can of course be challenging, particularly if emotions are running high. Attending mediation, if appropriate, may assist you in opening a forum for discussion where a professional third person can assist with avoiding potential conflict. Children can be included in the mediation process if it is suitable to do so, providing them

September at St John’s

By John Woodhouse

St. John the Evangelist will be opening for the Heritage Open Days Creativity Unwrapped weekend on 15 to 17 September.

with an opportunity to see both parents working together when making decisions about them. Encouraging positive communication between both parents can also help to build a healthy relationship and reduce the chances of any misunderstandings. A co-parenting app may assist with this, with many offering shared calendar functions and message facilities to keep communication clear and in one place.

Unless there are safeguarding issues which may put a child at risk of harm, most family courts prefer that the parents have some sort of shared care arrangement so as to ensure that a child maintains a full and meaningful relationship with both parents. Spending regular time with both parents can help to maintain a healthy relationship between the child and the targeted parent.

In some cases, it will sadly not be possible to work with the other parent and it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a specialist legal and/or health professional.

If you need help with any of the issues mentioned, visit ejcoombs.co.uk or email enquiries@ejcoombs.co.uk.

There will be crafts to do and take home, music and dance, a church quiz, Tower Tours and refreshments. East Surrey Museum are bringing paintings, drawings and embroideries of local scenes and people, the Bourne Society are hoping to produce an historic display of St. John’s Church, and other local community groups will have displays to show what they represent and do.

Friday 15th:

13:00: St. John’s School Choir (Years 4, 5 and 6)

15:45 - 16:45 - Tower Tour

Saturday 16th:

10:05 - 10:40 - Free Spirit Music Group

10:45: KCA Dance Academy dance showcase

11:15 - 12:15 - Tower Tour

12:30 - 14: 00 - Caterham School singing recital

14:00 - The Westway Hand Chimes

14:30 - The Westway Singing Group, followed by The Westway Hand Chimes

Sunday 17th:

10:00 - 11:00: Songs of Praise service (all are welcome)

11:45 - 12:45: Tower Tour

13:00 - 14:00: Sketching in and outside the church (bring your own materials)

14:00 - 15:00: Organ recital (30 minutes), followed by the chance to have a go at playing the magnificent Walker organ

Other news

On Monday, 25 September at 19.30, the Revd Jaimee Summers will be inducted as our new vicar. Please let us know if you are coming to this special event! Singers are needed to join our choir. The rehearsal will be at 18.30. Please contact johnwoodhousecat@gmail.com. St John the Evangelist Church is located on Clareville Road, Caterham Valley. Visit stjohnscaterham.org.uk for more information.

News from Caterham, Oxted & Godstone Lions

Limpsfield Common air raid shelters open to the community

By Peter Drysdale

July seemed like a month when not much happened (except dreadful weather) but Caterham, Oxted and Godstone Lions weren’t idle, and spent time planning future activities.

Members were thrilled to be invited to visit the wonderful new premises under construction for St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley. The club has been a regular supporter and the new building will provide 24 beds for inpatients and better facilities for day patients. State of the art and eco-friendly, it has a wonderful garden and will continue the valuable work of the hospice, helping patients and their families through end-of-life care.

A new and innovative feature – the only part actually completed at the present time – is the coffee shop & community hub. It is open to the public, visitors and patients, and the idea is to try to remove the fear and trepidation some people feel at the mention of the word ‘hospice’. All profits will go to the hospice, which should be up and running by Christmas (visit stch.org/newhospice) .

In October, COG Lions will celebrate its 45th birthday. This is known as the Charter Anniversary: the anniversary of being chartered by Lions Clubs International. We will be holding a lunch, with an opportunity to put on glad rags, invite

friends along, join in the celebration and hear what’s been done during the year.

On 18 November we’ll be holding another charity fundraising dinner: a three-course Italian-themed evening at White Hart Barn in Godstone, with a licensed bar and cabaret provided by Nat Rhodes. Tickets are £15. Contact Tony (01883 335945) or John (01883 742680) for more details and tickets.

Our Lion Secretary reminds us it’s never too early to think about our door-to-door Father Christmas collection around the villages in December. We have a band of ‘friends of Lions’ who help out but would welcome a few more to spread the load of this major and much-enjoyed fundraising effort. The children adore coming out to speak to Santa on his sleigh. For more information, phone Lion Secretary John on 01883 742680.

The end of September sees our second fundraising Trivia Quiz of the year. All tickets sold out a month in advance, so we must be doing something right. People like to support good causes and have fun while doing it…that really sums up Lionism in a nutshell!

To find out more about your local Lions club, visit coglions.co.uk or call Lion Tony on 01883 741809. We also have a minibus available for hire – contact Lion David on 01342 893353.

By Tony Pearson Friends of Limpsfield Common

The Friends of Limpsfield Common recently invited members of the public for a guided tour of the air raid shelters, which were built in 1940 to protect the children at Limpsfield School. Volunteers, dressed in military uniforms, took groups down into a shelter and talked about how it must have felt for the young children.

When the air raid siren sounded during the war, the children had to walk to the shelters but were instructed to lie flat on the ground if bombs dropped before they reached them. Each of the six shelters could accommodate up to fifty children, and were lit by oil lamps. Keeping the children calm and entertained was up to the teacher, with singing or seeing who could suck a sweet for the longest time popular activities. No one knew how long the children would be in the shelter and toilet needs were accommodated by a bucket behind a curtain: the contents of which the teacher had to deal with at the end of the day!

The volunteer guides also took the visitors to the nearby lookout point. Local features, such as St Michael’s School, a factory in Hurst Green and the North Downs were used as guidance by pilots on both sides of the conflict. Stories were told of planes crashing and a German pilot parachut-

ing out to land on a roof in Limpsfield, before being arrested.

The site of a spigot mortar anti-tank gun was then examined and discussion took place as to why it was situated in this position on the common. The army didn’t like the system and so the guns tended to be given to the Home Guard. The ultimate idea was to stop enemy tanks moving towards London.

Wendy Pannett (nee Mitchell) travelled from Eastbourne to visit the shelters. During the war she lived at

the Plumbers Arms and was a pupil at the school. She remembers the class singing Ten Green Bottles during an air raid, and she brought an old school report to show us. Another visitor, who had travelled from near Dover, remembered the German plane that crashed on Limpsfield Common.

The next open afternoon is on Sunday, 17 September, from 14:00- 16.30. To book, email lorna@chartcroft. com.

Planning action

By Cllr John Moffatt Planning committee chairman

Council

If you have been waiting for a planning application decision lately, you will be very aware of the recent delays at Tandridge District Council (TDC), our Local Planning Authority. This is partly due to resource constraints - staff shortages - and partly due to computing and processing issues. This is not a political comment, just a fact of life. In an attempt to remedy the situation, TDC have made several changes to work practices and we hope that their service continues to improve week by week.

What this means for us on the planning committee of the village council is a backlog of applications and decisions. There have been some notable applications recently and we, as a council, are keen

to support the protection of the green belt. We are also keen that TDC ensures there is adequate amenity space within any residential development. And, of course, we are also mindful that development should not exacerbate road congestion or add to the threat of flooding.

Set against that, we cannot say no to everything: people should have access to, and be able to live in, a property that meets their needs. We also want to support the local economy and ensure rejuvenation of the parish so that we have a sustainable community for decades to come.

We now have the Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe Neighbourhood Plan,

adopted in 2021 (for information visit: ccwnp.org.uk), which forms part of TDC’s development plan. Members of the village council participate in meetings of the plan’s Implementation Group but we must all remain vigilant and utilise our role as consultees to help TDC make planning decisions that incorporate local knowledge.

So do let us know your views on cases that impact you - either via our website or by attending one of our Planning Committee meetings. The dates and agendas for all village council meetings are detailed on our website: whyteleafevillagecouncil. gov.uk.

Visitors experience what it was like inside the Limpsfield shelter

of Whyteleafe Village

COGs members visit St Catherine’s Hospice

Closed Lingfield care home site to be redeveloped

By James Highsted

The site of a Lingfield care home which fell into a state of disrepair will be redeveloped as ‘Homes for Life’ for older people, after getting Surrey County Council (SCC) cabinet approval.

Orchard Court, in East Grinsted Road, was a purpose built residential care home, constructed in the 1970s, with care provision for those suffering from dementia, as well as other age-related conditions. Despite being able to house 63 people, and receiving an overall rating of ‘good’ from the Care Quality Commission, the regulator for adult social care, in April 2021, numbers had dwindled, and only thirteen residents were living there by the time the decision was made to close it. The pandemic was cited as a reason for the home’s reduced admissions.

In February 2022, SCC announced that they had looked at all the options available for Orchard Court but, due to its ageing building and infrastructure, increasing maintenance fees and its lack of suitability for its elderly residents, they felt that closing it, plus seven other care homes in Surrey, was the most viable option. The

remaining residents and their families were consulted about being moved to other homes.

In July 2023, an SCC cabinet meeting recommended that approval was granted for the development of Orchard Court Site, along with other sites in Egham and Redhill, as part of their Extra Care Housing remit. It was stated that the new dwellings must be ‘an enabling and accessible environment which makes independent living possible for older people

with a spectrum of care needs…their design and nature should mean that it is a ‘Home for Life’: in most cases people should be able to maintain their tenancies and live comfortably and with dignity without needing to go into residential and nursing care homes when their care needs increase.’

Mark Nuti, SCC cabinet member for adults and health said: “Our focus as a council is on supporting older people to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in their own

homes and communities, with specialist accommodation and the latest technology. With many more people staying safely at home until much later in life, those who do reach the point of needing residential care are more likely to have complex needs.

Orchard Court was a dated building from the 1970s and lacked the facilities many people now need and expect of a care home – there were few en suite bathrooms and it had small rooms which struggled to fit important equipment, while lifts and pipework were ageing.

We worked closely with residents at Orchard Court and their families to make sure that all moves to new homes were arranged sensitively and carefully.

It’s great news for Lingfield and the surrounding area that the cabinet has agreed that the Orchard Court site can now be taken forward for affordable extra care housing, which will enable older people to live in their own homes with care and support always on hand and will, for some people, provide an alternative to residential care. This is, of course, subject to planning approval, and the local community will be able to have their say on our proposals.”

Lesley Steeds, Surrey County coun-

Cheryl Soul, Wedding and Events Singer

In her role as a social worker supporting disabled adults and children, Cheryl Goff often uses a strength-based approach to focus on her clients’ abilities and ensure they can live a fulfilled life, but it took a chance encounter in a restaurant for her to find the courage to embark on her own dream of becoming a professional singer.

Cheryl, 36, was at Samsara in Hamsey Green when she met Holly Banis (currently touring as Tina Turner in the hit show What’s Love Got To Do With It), who was performing at the venue that evening.

“I told Holly that I’d always wanted to sing and would love to be doing what she was,” says Cheryl, mum to Tia, 16, and Lyla, 4, and who is due to give birth to her third daughter in the autumn. “Holly told me that I should just go for it! She explained all the equipment I would need to set myself up, and showed me how to promote myself.”

With Holly’s support, Cheryl began putting videos of her singing on Instagram and Facebook, under the name Cheryl Soul.

cillor and Tandridge District councillor for Lingfield and Crowhurst ward said, “Having visited Orchard Court over the years I can only say that the ambience in the home was one of warmth, friendliness and caring.

When it was first mooted that refurbishing the premises was not an option because of cost, I had several meetings with the manager and staff who were dedicated to the wellbeing of the residents in their care, and subsequent meetings there with SCC’s cabinet member and senior officers as well.

It was obvious that refurbishment to bring the building up to modern day standards was not a viable option and we had to come to terms that Orchard Court would be closed.

I had more meetings and correspondence with Surrey officers over the year, as to the way forward to give something back to Lingfield residents. I lobbied for a health centre that Lingfield so desperately needs but after having meetings with the doctors at the surgery and SCC, it sadly was not a viable option.

I am so pleased that SCC has made the decision to demolish Orchard Court and build extra care housing for our residents. It is an excellent outcome and one that I fully support.”

She also started as a youth worker at Warlingham Methodist Church, where singing with the children as well as at the church’s monthly Ignite service, helped her increase her confidence and overcome her fear of appearing in public. Not long after, she received her first paid booking: the wedding of the midwife who delivered her youngest daughter!

“It’s so easy to get caught up in busy lifestyles, focusing on our children and everyone else before ourselves,” says Cheryl.

“We can benefit from reflecting on who we are and what we were created for.

We are all born with gifts: thanks to the confidence I’ve gained from the kindness and encouragement of Holly and my church family, I am now able to use mine.”

Cheryl Soul is available for weddings and events. To hear her sing, visit her Instagram page: instagram.com/cherylsoulweddingsinger. For enquiries and bookings, email Cherylsoulweddingsinger@gmail.com.

The original Orchard Court Care Home

Are you getting more interest on your

By Chantal Baker Champ Consultants

Unless you have been living in a cave, I am sure you know that interest rates rose yet again in August. For those with a variable mortgage this is bad news, but for those with savings it is great news to hear.

If you are one of those who will benefit from interest rates going up, this article is for you.

As an individual, we may need to pay income tax on the interest received on any savings that are not in an ISA. Any interest earned in an ISA is tax exempt.

Many years ago, we received our interest net of tax deducted. However, interest is now received gross and we are responsible for our own tax on it. There are some tax-free allowances for interest received. The personal savings allowances at 0% tax are as follows:

£1,000 if you are a basic rate taxpayer

£500 if you are a higher rate taxpayer

£0 if you are an additional rate taxpayer

If you earn interest over these thresholds, it is your duty to inform HMRC and pay the tax on it. If the interest is earned in a bank account, your bank will usually inform HMRC of the amount earned, and HMRC will usually contact you for any unpaid tax. However, you MUST NOT simply rely on HMRC to contact you.

There are a few ways that you can reduce your tax liability on the interest you receive:

Maximise your ISA allowance

Ensure you have used your ISA allowance and remember you have different ISA options available to you.

Invest in premium bonds

Investing in premium bonds means that your winnings are exactly that. They are not treated as interest and are treated as winnings. Therefore, this is not taxable income.

Use spouse’s allowances

If your money is all tied up in a bank account in one person’s name, consider sharing it out with your spouse as they have their own allowance too.

You cannot use the allowance of your children for bank interest as this is then deemed your interest.

Pay your self-assessment bill early

If you have a self-assessment bill to pay by the end of January 2024, you may want to pay it early. HMRC will pay you interest on the amount you have paid to them and this interest is NOT taxable income to you. HMRC will actually give you TAX FREE income. From August 2023, HMRC will pay you 4.25% interest on overpaid income tax.

Remember that the taxable interest you earn is added to your total income. You need to consider the interest you receive in deciding whether you need to pay back any of your child benefit. The increase in interest rate for savers can have huge consequences, so make sure you plan your sources of income in order to minimise your tax liability.

Please always seek professional advice before taking any action. We are happy to answer questions in future issues. Please send your questions through the Contact Us page on our website: champconsultants.co.uk

Chantal Baker is the director and founder of Champ Consultants Ltd, an accountancy and tax consultancy practice in Caterham. She can be found on TikTok as ‘business_finance_mentor’. You can also follow Champ Consultants on their social media channels.

GCSE & A Level Results Summer 2023

In August, pupils across the country opened their GCSE and A level results.

We visited several Tandridge schools to celebrate with our amazing students, who did incredibly well yet again. A massive congratulations from us to you!

(Photos from Oxted School, Caterham School, de Stafford School, Woldingham School and Warlingham School & Sixth Form College. Please note: anybody holding a glass of champagne is over 18!)

Green Tips: a new term in the garden

By Neil Miller

Head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens

That back-to-school energy is here with us again, and it definitely feels like a new term in the garden. My own school days may be a distant memory but I still enjoy that buzz from my earlier years and I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen in the gardening year ahead.

September is often a time of on-boarding new employees and this month is no different. We have a new gardener joining our team and, just like the teachers at school, I will pair the new joinee with a different member of staff each day, so they can shadow them, learn the different areas we have, and have the time to fall in love with the different garden spaces at Hever. They might start off in the Blue Corner with Darren, tidying this magical space where the house colour is most definitely blue, before going off to check out the incredible ferns under the Golden Staircase, or tidying around the hostas on Pergola Walk.

The key thing is for the new employee to feel a part of the team: the horticultural element of the job literally ‘grows’ from that.

There’s a lot to do and a lot to learn in September. We will continue to cut the kilometres of yew hedge that we have here. The yew was central to William Waldorf Astor’s garden plan in 1904. After a visit to the British Museum at the turn of the 20th Century, Astor produced a set of drawings of the type of chessmen that were used in the time of Henry VIII and asked his contractors Cheal and Sons to reproduce the chessmen in

yew. A man named Peter Braden was assigned the task of training the yew and after just three years they were ready for planting at Hever.

You can still enjoy the yew chess set now - you’ll find them if you wander through the Tudor Garden and pass the herb borders.

Following the request for the chessmen, Astor told Cheal that it was appropriate to create a maze. The maze was formed by 1,000 yew trees imported from Holland, each six metres high at the time. It would have been an extraordinary job to transplant trees of this size but according to Cheal, each survived.

The maze is one of the elements that Hever Castle & Gardens is famous for - it’s definitely a favourite among school children who visit. I wonder what Astor would think now, if he were able to see us cutting his yew and getting lost among the fine smelling trees…

September is a great time of year to think about what you might want to do next year. What bulbs do you plan to plant in October? Do you want to

replace your rose bed in November?

If so, you need to order your bare-root roses for delivery in eight weeks time. Another job that’s high on the list is the dead-heading of the roses - this can be continuous in September - so we get a good second flush of blooms. This is the month to lift and divide the ‘clumpy’ perennials that have performed well this summer. It’s possible to double your achilleas once they’ve finished flowering if you lift them gently with a fork, divide them with your hands and replant them. Remember to give them a good soaking once they’re back in the ground. September will also see us working on the new Dye Garden, so it’s ready for the tour and tutorial that forms part of our Autumn Colour activities next month. We are planting 240 plants that can all be used in the dying process. These include achillea, solidago, coreopsis, camagrostos, sporabolus and astors.

And finally, there’s still life in your hanging basket in September: make sure you keep it tidy, feed it and deadhead the plants and it will last a few more weeks. Following that, don’t forget to make a date in your diary for next month’s winter-spring container demonstration, where I’ll be imparting some plant suggestions and showing you how to layer the bulbs and winter plants. hevercastle.co.uk

River’s Kitchen: honey chilli chicken with cashews

By River-Blue

12-year-old River-Blue is an aspiring chef. This month he is sharing his own original recipe for honey chilli chicken with cashew nuts.

Ingredients (serves 6)

6 skinless boneless chicken thighs

Salt and pepper

1 oz cornflour

1 spoonful of butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 handful of cashew nuts

3 tablespoons of soy sauce

4 tablespoons of honey

4 garlic cloves, crushed

5 green chillies, chopped

2 large spring onions, chopped

Method

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper

Coat them in the cornflour

Add the butter to your pan and fry the chicken for 4 minutes each side until cooked through Remove the thighs from the pan and keep to one side

Add the oil to the pan and heat the cashews for 2 minutes, until lightly roasted Add the soy sauce, honey, garlic and chillies into the pan and mix together Allow to simmer for a couple of minutes and then add to the chicken thighs Sprinkle the chopped spring onions on top Enjoy with plain boiled rice or noodles!

Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence

Nela Scaffolding Ltd of Flat 27 Cromarty Court, 126-128 Widmore Road, Bromley, BR1 3BX

is applying for a licence to use Paddock Barn Farm, Godstone Road, Caterham, CR3 6SF

as an operating centre for 2 goods vehicles and 0 trailers

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

Planting achilea from Perennials RHS Hampton Court Garden (Credit: Vikki Rimmer); the Blue Corner at Hever Photo credit: Hever Castle & Gardens

By Deborah Smith Menagerie Interiors

Although we often do get a last burst of sunshine in September if we’re lucky, we also start to notice the nights drawing in a little earlier. So I thought this would be a good month to talk about lighting!

When designing your interior spaces, lighting is a key consideration so ensure you include lighting in your early planning stages, rather than it being an afterthought. Then it can be incorporated into any refurbishment work that is taking place, to avoid additional costs later on or potentially having to replaster. So where do you start with lighting design? Likewise with the rest of the scheme, consider what you primarily use the space for. What time of day will you mostly use it? Where are the natural light sources coming from? Which compass direction does the room face? This will have a significant influence on how much light will come into the room at certain times of the day and help you plan what artificial light you may require. Also consider the type of vibe you

want for the room. Is it a home office which will require maximum light and potential task lighting? Or a cosy snug which will mostly be used in the evening and require soft lamp lighting, reading lights or subtle light from a wood burner.

Kitchens require a number of light sources. It is generally recommended that you have task lighting under wall mounted cabinets (there are

Chaldon Village Fete

some great cost effective LED strip lights available now). Also, with kitchen islands still very much on trend, consider LED strips around the bulkhead for a stylish look, and pendant lights that hang over the island to provide great task lighting for chopping veg. Wiith so many styles on offer, they can really add to your design scheme. Spots in the ceiling are the best type of functional lighting for kitchens, but consider dimmers for when you might be entertaining in the evening. As with bathrooms, do ensure you’re using the right type of lightbulb if being used in close proximity to water.

When it comes to design style, the sky’s the limit, with many amazing independent designers as well as the more famous who specialise in lighting. Some of my favourites on the market at the moment:

Tom Dixon – previously creative director of Habitat, I love his wide range of interior products including the stunning ‘Melt’ lighting range. tomdixon.net

Lee Broom – particularly his modern art deco style ‘Crescent’ range. lee-broom.myshopify.com

Coming up at the Tandridge Handicraft Society

Tiger Moth – a lovely independent retailer with a mix of modern and traditional lighting options. Check out their unique Alabaster range with little bronze moth motifs, just gorgeous! tigermothlighting.com

Tala – provider of high quality and highly sustainable contemporary LED lights. tala.co.uk

And if your budget is a little more modest, my go-to is Ikea: they have a great purse-friendly range! ikea.com

Lastly, don’t forget outdoor lighting. Try Cox and Cox for festoon lights that can really add a pretty look for any late outdoor parties we can squeeze into September!

#shoplocal

If you’re looking for brightly coloured, fun and unique lampshade designs, visit local artist Emilia Hunt’s Instagram: @emiliahunt

Deborah Smith is the founder and design director of Menagerie Interiors (menagerieinteriors. co.uk). Enquiries to deborah@ menagerieinteriors.co.uk and follow her on Instagram: @ menagerie_interiors

By Jenny Beal Chairman

On 18 September, the Tandridge Handicraft Society (THS) will be hosting a talk by Sara Cook on Bojagi, a Korean textile art. The doors open at 3:30 and the talk starts at 14:00.

On 16 October, there will be a talk with examples. ‘Inspired by Stitch’ is presented by Jane Robinson. The doors open at 13:30, with the talk starting at 14:00. Both events are £5 entry, including tea and biscuits, and visitors are welcome.

The THS meets every Monday at the Woodhouse Centre, Hoskins Road car park (opposite Tandridge Leisure Centre), Oxted, RH8 9HT (the postcode for satnavs is RH8 9JQ). Further details are on our website, tandridgehandicraftsociety.org.uk, or contact Jenny Beal on 01883 620730.

The annual Chaldon Village Fete took place in August in Six Brothers Field. Entertainment included stalls, a bouncy castle, a petting zoo, refreshments, a barbecue and bar and the traditional dog show, which demonstrated a wide variety of canine talent.

All About Mini Diggers are a small & reliable local company based in Caterham but covering a large area including ALL of South London and the southern home counties.

• Many years of experience.

• We offer our digger and driver service to a wide range of areas.

• We have two of the finest mini diggers on the market and a top of the range 1 ton mini dumper to boot.

• We are fully insured.

Call now for days rates or to arrange a quote for larger jobs. Whatever your requirement we will give you the best price, the best customer service and a job well done!

We have a simple work ethic; we work hard, you get quality work and value for money and we get repeat custom.

Emilia Hunt has a range of brightly coloured lampshade designs.

(Credit: Emilia Hunt)

A Passion for diggers and a passion for great customer service!

Join the Surrey FA Youth Forum

The Surrey Football Association (FA) Youth Forum is looking for new members for its 2023/24 season.

The forum provides a voice for its volunteers, who are between 16 and 24 and who work together to develop inclusive and relevant opportunities for young people in local grassroots football.

A day of all-round cricket

By Roger Easter

We were recently delighted to support Caterham Cricket Club’s 150th anniversary Cricket Festival.

This was the second consecutive year we had taken part in a day of cricket for all ages at the Old Caterhamian’s Sports Ground in Park Avenue, Caterham on the Hill.

The spacious field enabled several events to take place at the

same time, namely:

• An under-15s tournament

• A 6-a-side adult tournament

• Free cricket coaching for children

• A fun session of Kwik Cricket

• Batting against an automatic cricket machine Caterham Rotarian Julie Pescod said, “The day proved to be a great success and was enjoyed by all who took part, including the spectators. We will be starting to plan early next year for a similar event in June 2024.”

Retro Tech Audio

• The current available roles are:

• Marketing and communication champion

• Equality, diversity and inclusion champion

A new season at the Miller Centre Theatre

The hotly-anticipated new season at Caterham’s Miller Centre Theatre has a broad and exciting programme already in rehearsal. September kicks off with The Girl on the Train, a theatrical adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel. Rachel longs for a different life until her daily commute connects her with the disappearance of a young woman, becoming a witness in a complex mystery. With tickets already selling well, this exciting thriller promises a gripping experience.

Hot on its heels is a touch of warmhearted nostalgia with The Good Life, a witty reimagining of the television classic, and a chance to reconnect with Tom, Barbara, Jerry and, of course, Margo as they balance self-sufficiency with life in Surbiton suburbia.

The Real Eddie Spencer is a new adult-themed play exploring the story of A Christmas Carol but set in Australia. Eddie visits his son for Christmas, with revelations that will set a whole host of events in motion, encountering secrets, ghosts and decisions to be made.

In contrast, you can chase away the January blues with Treasure Island, a comedy adventure based on Stevenson’s classic, packed with pirates, tropical islands, bottles of rum and a parrot called Alexa... With four actors playing dozens of characters, this promises to be a riotous and slightly chaotic production for all ages!

Whisper it if you dare, the Miller Centre Theatre is taking on the chal-

• Women and girls’ champion

• Safeguarding champion

The Surrey FA Youth Forum supports the Surrey FA, the FA and the FA National Youth Council, and its members are the foundation for influencing change for youth participation. It can help build experience for those looking to work in the football sector by involving participants in a variety of initiatives. Find out more and apply for a role by visiting surreyfa.com/ volunteers/surrey-fa-youth-forum.

lenge of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Packed with witches, prophecies, murders and the relentless pursuit of power, this haunting exploration of betrayal and ambition is still highly relevant and will be brought thrillingly to life in a contemporary setting.

Terence Rattigan’s The Winslow Boy is set amongst the strict codes of conduct of Edwardian England. A young Royal Naval College cadet is accused of stealing a five-shilling postal order. To be found guilty would decimate the family’s honour as well as his own career. The boy’s father must battle for justice - and face the inevitable repercussions on the wider family.

A new dark comedy, Laura Wade’s Home, I’m Darling explores one woman’s quest to become the quintessential 1950s housewife. But Judy’s obsession with domestic perfection is spiralling out of control, proving that being queen of the kitchen isn’t as easy as it looks.

Far away from domesticity, Handbagged explores the fascinating relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II. Moira Buffini imagines their private meetings through 11 years of Thatcherite Britain with plenty of satirical humour and sharp wit, as well as questioning our views of political leaders.

Finally, July’s offering comes from the world’s best-selling novelist. Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None promises a classic mystery of ten strangers, each harbouring a secret. Summoned to a remote island, one by one they are brutally mur -

dered in accordance with the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme - deliciously thrilling and classic Christie. The theatre has a spacious, air-conditioned auditorium with a fully licensed bar. For tickets and further information on this season’s productions, as well as monthly film showings, see themiller.net.

The Miller Centre Theatre Company presents:

Thursday, 21 September - Saturday, 30 September

The Girl on the Train Daily - 20:00

Matinee - Saturday, 30 September: 14:30

The Miller Centre Film Club presents:

Allelujah

Monday, 2 October: 20:00

The new season at the Miller Theatre

Advertorial

Rotary Club of Caterham

AFC Whyteleafe: let’s go!

By Adrian Van Aalst

And, in the blink of an eye, football is back! Following a summer that has seen an influx of experienced, high level additions to an already talented squad at Church Road, our pre-season has gone incredibly well as we gel the ‘new’ with the ‘old’. Five wins and one draw against some formidable opposition, both home and away, gave us great encouragement for the season that lies ahead.

And so, we began with our first league game against FC Elmstead. A few key injuries to the visitors did our chances no harm as we immediately went on the front foot, putting their defence under a lot of pressure. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute, with Gus ‘Barnes’ Ward slotting home: 1-0. The rest of the half saw more pressure from us and occasional Elmstead counter attacks until the 38th minute, when new signing Taurean ‘Taurz’ Roberts finished well to make it 2-0.

Into the second half and it was more of the same: scintilating attacking play from us, with waves of attacks and the occasional counter attack from them. In the 65th minute, from a throw-in on the other side, Aaron ‘Azza’ Watson played the ball into Helge, who drove forward and laid the ball into Mike Hill on the edge of the box. Losing his man with trademark trickery, he returned it to Helge Orome in the box, whose beautifully weighted return flick pass found the onward rushing Hill again, who thumped it home. 3-0!

The next week saw us on our first - and likely to be our longest - away fixture of the season, as we took on the then league leaders Canterbury FC, boasting three wins in three and who are currently playing in Margate (a 150-mile round trip). Glorious sunshine welcomed us and the game got off to a great start as we created numerous chances. Then, completely against the run of play, the ball was played over our defence and fired into the box where it was met with some confusion, resulting in Canterbury slotting it home: 1-0.

More of the same for the rest of the first half, with some close offside decisions going against us and a number of half chances not being taken…until one was! Alton Leeward, with a trademark laser pass from the halfway line, found Ward out wide, who laid a ball across the edge of the box for that man Taurz to place it in the bottom corner. 1-1 at the break.

Just eight minutes into the re-start, and from their freekick into our box, we hit them on the break. The ball got played out to Taurz on the halfway line, whose first touch lost the two defenders. He drove it to an unmarked Azza who shot into the bottom corner: 1-2 to the Leafe. The rest of the second half saw us put on a show of silky play, much to the delight of the travelling fans. Canterbury applied more pressure as the half went on, but without really creating anything of note.

And then, in the 85th minute, our captain fractionally mistimed his tackle and was sent off for his second yellow of the afternoon. In truth, the sending off didn’t really alter the game: the 10 Leafe men continued to create chance after chance, sprinkled with some jaw-dropping skills. That was until

the 99th minute (yes, these extended additions have also found their way down to non-league too) when Canterbury won a corner. A ball into the box found a Canterbury player, who tapped home past a stationary defence. 2-2, and scenes of utter jubilation from the home side.

Bizarrely, from a relatively comfortable afternoon, we now found ourselves asking the question, could Leafe hang on for a point? Putting the ball down on the spot, Taurz asked the ref, “how much longer?” “One minute” came the reply and Taurz charge dforward, much to the shock of the opposition. Spotting the run of the speedy Temi Alaka, he found him with a perfectly weighted pass, and Alaka drove into the box.

The ball hit a Canterbury player in the middle of a panicked defence and went in. Our ten men restored the lead in just nine seconds from the restart: utter jubilation from the Leafe army and the game finished 2-3 to AFC Whyteleafe.

The next week we were back on the road again, this time in the opening round of the FA Vase against high-flying Molesey FC. Injuries, suspensions and absences forced us into a new formation, with a number of players having to play out of position. Not a dissimilar story to the week before, we were

comfortable for the first 20 minutes, and took a 1-0 lead. We then allowed Molesey two very weak goals against the run of play, going in at the break 1-2 down.

In the second half we made adjustments, moving some players into their recognised roles and taking back control of the game. We relentlessly attacked and produced two goals to win the game 2-3. We now face Steyning Town away in the next round, on the 23 September.

For our final game of this round-up, we took on Forest Hill Park at Church Road on the August bank holiday. The prematch kids’ entertainment, including a bouncy castle, face painting and barbecue, ensured a large crowd for this one.

FHP were certainly one of our bogey teams last season,

taking just one point from them over two games and not registering a shot on target.

This time however, we created a host of chances against one of the best defensive teams in the league in the first half. Goalless? Yes. Boring? No. The

crowd were entertained by some great attacking football from us and resolute, organised defending from them. In the second half, FHP offered little attacking threat, and it just became a question of whether we could break them down.

Well, the answer came in the 77th minute, as the fresh legs of Ward caused them problems down the left with his direct play. His tenacity led to the breakthrough: driving down the left into the box he somehow (through a melee of defenders) managed to get a ball across that was smashed into the top corner from close range by Temi Alaka. 1-0 to the Leafe, and that is how it ended.

Three wins out of three in the league and through to the next round of the FA Vase: on we march!

Dates to look out for at Church Road this month:

9 September Vs Faversham Strike Force

16 September Vs Thamesmead FC

30 September Vs Larkfield & New Hythe

Your Community. Your Club. Come down and see what all the fuss is about!

As always, follow us on all of our socials for all the latest news and match information. afcwhyteleafe.com.

AFC Whyteleafe’s victory over FC Elmstead. Photo Credits: Andy Crayford, Crayford Media

BACK BACK TO TO SCHOOL! SCHOOL! TIME TIME FOR FOR A A MOVE? MOVE?