The Banstead Beacon
TROOPS ON EPSOM DOWNS Page 8
ISSUE 2
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JANUARY 2017
BEACON COMMENT
PLANTING IN BANSTEAD Where there is a will, there is a way
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here are two excellent examples of ‘people power’ in this edition of the Banstead Beacon. Firstly there is the Sandersfield Road Tree Committee (see page 14) who started an initiative to plant eleven new cherry trees to replace the dead or dying trees that had previously been cut down. Secondly, there is the planting (see page 12) of 5,000 crocus bulbs in the Orchard, Banstead in aid of Purple for Polio. Banstead Horticultural Society undertook the work at the invitation of Banstead Rotary with the help of 20 students from Epsom College. The cherry trees and crocuses will add considerably to the quality of Banstead’s environment and proves that ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. The Banstead Village Residents Association is also keen to involve
more residents in its activities (see page 4) and as the examples above illustrate, the more people get involved in their community the better it is for everyone. This is only the second edition of the Banstead Beacon and in case I have not been in touch I would like to remind you that the magazine is open to all local residents associations, schools, clubs, societies and groups to contribute articles. The next edition will be published on 1st April with an editorial and advertising deadline of 28th Februar y. I hope you enjoy this issue and please do not hesitate to send me any letters, feedback, comments and suggestions. Richard Milbourn, Editor Email: richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk
The Banstead Beacon Editor :
Richard Milbourn 3 Mount Hill, Mogador, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7HZ Tel: 0844 561 1230 Email: richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk The print run for The Banstead Beacon is over 4,000 copies and it is delivered free of charge t]to all households and businesses in Banstead and Nork. The Banstead Beacon is published four times a year and the next issue will be published on 1st April 2017 with an editorial and advertising deadline of 28th Februar y 2017. Advertisements cost from only £109 for a page or £65 for a half page if a series of four insertions is booked. Typesetting and artwork is free of charge. Statements and opinions in The Banstead Beacon, unless expressly written, are not necessarily those of The Editor. Material in The Banstead Beacon may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the Editor.
JANUARY 2017 3
BANSTEAD VILLAGE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
WORKING HARD ON YOUR BEHALF
B
anstead Village Residents’ Association (BVRA) represents the residents of Banstead Village and is one of the largest residents’ associations in the borough. However, there are still a lot of residents we do not reach for a variety of reasons. For example, it can be difficult for our volunteer road stewards to access blocks of flats or gated developments or to keep up with changes of tenants in rented properties. If you live in any of these types of property and are interested in knowing more about Banstead and the work BVRA does on your behalf, could you consider delivering to the neighbours in your road? If you would like to receive news about our activities, subscription is a modest £3 per year per household, which covers three editions of the newssheet and also contributes to supporting our other activities. So what does BVRA do on behalf of the village? A committee of volunteers meet monthly with a series of smaller groups progressing work in specific areas such as planning, infrastructure, highways and transport, the village centre, etc. Issues currently being addressed are influenced by feedback from the member survey earlier in the year. 2016 was a busy year for us which has seen some very tangible undertakings, such as; After years of mis-use of access roads on Winkworth Road, a traffic calming proposal has been put to Surrey County Council. The next step is traffic monitoring by the County Council. You may have noticed volunteers working at the Winkworth Woodland Community Project, near the junction with Bolters Lane, to improve this entry to the village whilst ●
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maintaining the natural appearance and enhancing the environment for local wildlife and plants. Native hedgerow has recently been planted along with bulbs ready for spring. If you would like to get involved please let us know – more volunteers always welcome. In March and November volunteers took part in a village clean up, following Country Life's initiative to mark the 90th birthday of the Queen. This saw the cleaning of village signs, replanting of high street planters by local youth groups and a litter-pick throughout the village. And we are now actively working on various planning issues, including the DMP consultation, which will have an impact on the village and surrounding area. Many people registered their views with the Council during the consultation which is now being reviewed. Please keep an eye out for publicity (including on our website) when the next stage takes place in the new year as your input will be valuable. We are awaiting news of when this will be. The initiatives above are just some of the on-going projects in hand. If you can spare any time to be involved, please get in touch we would be delighted to welcome you along. We are always pleased to hear from anyone interested in knowing more about our activities, who would like to receive the newssheet or join one of the groups or the committee. Further details can be found on our website [www.banstead-bvra.org] or we can be reached by email at BansteadBVRA@outlook.com. Alternatively, contact Sally Hull on 01737 370050. We look forward to hearing from you.
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NEWS FROM THE PAST Stuart Sweetman, chairman of the Banstead History Research Group, looks at some local newspaper archives and finds some stories that are both amusing and barely believable
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ewspaper archives are a gold mine of information to the local historian. In them you can find out about both the serious events of national importance and those local events that are only important to a small group of friends and relations like weddings and christenings. You can also find stories that are amusing and barely believable. The first is a story is from over 130 years ago that was reported by the ‘Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence’ on 27 September 1880. ‘A Lion at Large – One of the vans belonging to Mr. Sanger, the circus proprietor, is reported by the Central News to have overturned on Saturday, and it stated that a lion escaped and is wandering at large in the neighbourhood of Banstead. Terror prevails for miles around, several of the villagers being afraid to leave their homes, and many rumours are abroad respecting the escaped beast, it being alleged that it has in one case killed a woman near Banstead.’ But you should not always believe what you read in the newspapers as a few days later in ‘The Sussex Advertiser’ it was reported that ‘It is difficult to know for certain what gave rise to the absurd report of a lion having escaped on Banstead Downs, and which has since created almost a panic in some places. No live lions have been within miles of Banstead for some time past; but a signboard hanging in front of an inn in the neighbourhood, known as the Red Lion, has
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been taken down, and this may have given rise to the stupid report.’ Local crime is a regular subject covered in newspapers – again some are less serious events than others. The Croydon Advertiser reported on 17 May 1879 that ‘John Harbor was summoned to the Epsom Police Court on Monday for furiously driving a horse and cart at Banstead. P.C. Horace East deposed to the facts of the case, the alleged offence taking place in Garrett Lane, Banstead – the Defendant said ‘his horse could not go eight miles an hour.’ Mr. Gadesden: ‘You mean when it trots?’ – Defendant: ‘It can’t gallop, sir’. The Defendant was fined 10s. and warned not to appear in that court again.’ Not all local news is amusing - in that same year the same newspaper reported a local tragedy under the headline ‘Impure water at Banstead’. ‘Mr. Richardson reported that there was a tank or well at Banstead which contained water that was so much infected that a whole family had been poisoned by drinking it. One of the children had died, and the other members of the family were now lying dangerously ill. The people resided in one of a row of cottages nearly opposite Mr. Sarle’s residence. Mr. Richardson was ordered to have the well closed at once, and the clerk was instructed to write to the leaseholder of the property and inform him that unless the well was at once cleansed proceedings would be taken against him at the Petty Sessions’.
NEWS
Research reveals that Mr. Sarle was in fact Sir Allen Sarle, who was Company Secretary of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and lived in a large house called Green Hayes which stood back from Bolters Lane about where Greenhayes Gardens are now. He was a Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Banstead Parish Council. There were many local wells in the area and it wasn’t until the twentieth century that safe piped water became available in Banstead. If we look to the pre-war days of 1936 there was considerable expansion of housing in the Banstead area and the local Council had to try and keep control of this development. If we look at an article in the Surrey Mirror on 20 November 1936 we can see that our village of Banstead and its High Street could have looked very different. Under the headline ‘Two New
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PAST
Banstead Cinemas!’ it read ‘Proposals to build two new cinemas in High Street, Banstead, within a third of a mile of each other, were mentioned to the Surrey Public Control and Licensing Committee at Kingston on Thursday last week, when applications were made for music and dancing and cinematograph licenses for the premises. The first application was made by General Cinema Theatres Ltd. In respect of a cinema at the junction of the High Street and Buff Avenue. The second application was in respect of proposed premises on the Vicarage site in the High Street……with a capacity of 1070 seats.’ Whilst there have been a lot of changes to our High Street I think we can be grateful that neither of the proposals came to fruition. Stuart Sweetman
JANUARY 2017 7
TROOPS ON EPSOM DOWNS FOR THE INSPECTION BY LORD KITCHENER
A local Vaughan Williams enthusiast writes about the day in January 1915 when troops were paraded on Epsom Downs, and what took place at the Commemoration of that day, 100 years later.
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awn was far from breaking on that freezing morning of 22nd January 1915. At 4am, each and every one of the 20,000 army volunteers of the 2nd London Division billeted around East Surrey and Maidstone rose to the icy blackness of perhaps, for many, the most momentous day of their lives. One of their number was the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who’d volunteered as a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps at the age of 42 – considered in those days to be “old”. Vaughan Williams was a member of a 2/4th Field Ambulance attached to the brigade containing the 2nd Battalion attached to the London Scottish, the “179th”. Eight inches of snow had fallen in the night, and it continued to increase to blizzard proportions. The men were dressed ready for parade at 5am, with their packs ready (not forgetting, touchingly, their boot blacking in case a “top up was needed”), and marched off –
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without breakfast, towards Epsom Downs. Two days earlier the University and Public Schools camp at Woodcote Park in Epsom (now the Royal Automobile Club) heard rumours that Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, was on his way to inspect the troops. He was to be accompanied by Alexandre Millerand, the French Minister for War. This exciting news spread around the locality and dribs and drabs of Epsom folk started to turn up to watch the proceedings. The soldiers began to arrive on the Downs at 8am and were paraded in their battalions. The officer in overall charge was General Sir Frederick Stopford. Some were kept moving to keep warm whilst others were stood to, with frequent periods of marking time in order to prevent what in those days was referred to as “the chill”, today known as “hypothermia”. In fact four of the men collapsed and one soldier actually died. The University and Public Schools men (who’d volunteered at the lowest rank
TROOPS
because of being too old at over 30 years, to be officers!) kept their spirits up by singing their favourite songs, larking around to amuse the growing number of onlookers, and within the makeshift military hospital inside the Grandstand, the recovering wounded pelted snowballs at their unfortunate comrades below! Lord Kitchener and Millerand arrived on the scene just before 11am by motor car.Vaughan Williams recalls that Lord Kitchener, purported to have decided not to stay more than five minutes because of the weather, seemed to ignore all but his division. Yet we now know from official history that the London Scottish were the only troops inspected because they alone had just a few practice and drill rifles, enough to make a good appearance in their front row. As soon as Kitchener’s inspection ended, the soldiers were marched off to The Western Front, many of whom were to die at The Somme during that fated summer of 1915. The Re-enactment of this March on Saturday 24th January 2015 was to commemorate that day, 100 years and 2 days later.
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As I arrived at a car park near the Queen’s Stand during the morning of 24th January 2015, my ears suddenly tuned in to the strains of the haunting violin solo of “Lark Ascending”, composed by Ralph Vaughn Williams. I found Tim Richardson the Co-ordinator of the event, resplendent in his Great War kit as a Major, and he explained how he came to be involved in this reconstruction. “My own Great Uncle, Guy Richardson, was there on that day as a Captain in the London Regiment.” “A military historian, I liaise with The Woodland Trust who are dedicated to creating their flagship of a First World War Centenary Wood in Surrey. Their vision is a UK rich in woods and trees which can be enjoyed and valued by everyone. The Wood will be a peaceful, protected place for native wildlife to flourish. We hope that visitors will spend time enjoying this special place at least once, with its rare butterflies and birds”. “The WWI Memorial Wood is located on nearly 700 acres of Down land at Langley Vale By co-incidence the site chosen has the same CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
OCTOBER 2016 9
TROOPS
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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 9
Above: The tallest solider in the front row of the line up in the top right hand corner of this photograph is believed to be Vaughan Williams. He was over six feet tall, and in those days, considered virtually a giant. It is known for certain that he was in the front row of the line up because his battalion, on that day, were the only ones with rifles. He is recorded as commenting that as Kitchener walked past him, he noted that Kitchener did not even look at the men in his row.
ecology as the Somme battlefield and in 1915 the army built a training camp there on the Tadworth side. The Woodland Trust did not know of this when they purchased the land. That is where I (Tim) came in! I had planned and co-ordinated an event on the 90th anniversary of the March, and it was then that we put the plaque of commemoration in place on the Racecourse.” “I already knew of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams’ (1872-1958) work “Lark Ascending”, and of his participation on the day of the inspection, and during a walk across one of the fields that make up the wood – which will be a mixture of ancient and new woods with wild flower meadows in between – I disturbed about 20 Larks as they nested nearby. It was then that I saw the link, and began to plan the March in which I hoped to include all the elements I’d discovered.” “Another association with Vaughan Williams was the music running throughout the commemoration. Tim got in touch with Graham Lodge the Director of Music at Epsom College to ask if he knew of a violinist to play “Lark Ascending” at the service, and Richard Smith was recommended. Richard, who teaches violin at the College, seemed the right person because of 10 OCTOBER 2016
his own personal links with Vaughan Williams, and when asked, he was thrilled to take part. His rehearsal at an end, I asked Richard how his life had unfolded to lead him to this day. “It was at the Birmingham Conservatoire that I was taught the entire “Lark Ascending” by my teacher Jeremy Ballard, who sadly passed away very recently. It will be an honour to play in his memory.” Richard added that his violin was made by William E. Hill & Sons during the First World War...in fact in 1915! “I purchased it from Michael Byrd the instrument restorer in Kingston, now sadly no longer with us. The way the instrument responds has transformed my approach to sound production. It was always wonderful to play “Lark”, so atmospheric and evocative. He explained: “My favourite marking of Jeremy Ballard, who taught me the piece, is where he simply wrote ‘Ethereal Sound’. I’ve always felt this so deeply, and it was words and phrases like this which helped me understand this beautiful sound world, and how to draw from the violin the innocent sounds of bird song floating on the air. Knowing the larks were overhead nearby was also special.” He added that teaching “Lark” to his students is somewhat of a ‘rite of passage’, so fundamental as it is to the British identity in music. It was not long before the distant sound of a marching band was heard approaching the Downs from Epsom where they had rallied, and soon the first bright red of their uniforms appeared as they marched towards the Queen’s Stand........(to be continued in the next Beacon). M. Page
BANSTEAD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
CROCUS PLANTING IN BANSTEAD
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t is a wonderful thing to be out in the fresh air doing something useful on a lovely Autumn day. At the invitation of Banstead Rotary, Banstead Horticultural Society was invited to contribute to the planting of 5,000 crocus bulbs in the Orchard, Banstead in aid of Purple for Polio. We in turn invited Epsom College, our long standing helpful friend, to help too. They were delighted to send along 20 students to help with the project in week one. There is a quick way to plant crocuses in grass. With a spade, slice through the turf and lift back- as if on a hinge. Remove the underlying soil and loosen the surface. Then set out the crocuses, randomly is best, replace soil and turf, and have fun jumping up and down to flatten back into a level surface. That was the task. We planted a little deeper than usual at a depth of about 10 cm (4 inches!) so that it is harder for squirrels them to dig them up after all our hard work... and indeed squirrels were in evidence, sitting cheekily, perhaps hungrily licking their lips, under and in the trees as the planting took place. The great set-to began with lots of excitement and energy, and an initial attempt to follow the planting demonstration that had been given. I
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think our student friends were soon surprised that this was not as easy as it looked and it became quieter as concentration on the task settled. Different, sometimes quite imaginative, styles of planting developed to tackle the concrete hard ground that had not yet softened from Autumn rain. The team work was both purposeful and chaotic seeming, but highly successful as the planting was completed in less than the time allowed. I think helpers of all age ranges will have felt their muscles twinge the next day. Now all we have to do is to wait for spring to see the results and whether we can enjoy a purple field or a group of fat squirrels too heavy to climb the trees. Either way, Nature is served and hopefully polio a step nearer total eradication. Meanwhile, the crocuses will evoke memories of a happy day of community effort shared with friends. In week two we went through a smaller process as Banstead Community Junior School was very keen to help. So we kept some corms back for them to plant. All ages all styles, job well done! For more information please contact Diana on 01737 271243.
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JANUARY 2017 13
SANDERSFIELD ROAD
TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE
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n initiative started by local residents in Sandersfield Road has led to the replanting of eleven cherry trees in November to replace the dead or dying trees that had previously been cut down. Budget cuts at Surrey County Council meant that tree planting and stump grinding were a very low priority. After many years of attempting to persuade Surrey County Council to remove the numerous unsightly stumps of former cherry trees and replant trees along the grass verges, Cliff Glanfield leafleted Sandersfield Road, Banstead in February 2016 with a proposal for the residents to club together to replace the trees themselves. This prompted a number of residents to contact Cliff via e-mail, letter and phone. A core of about 10 residents came together to form a committee and the first meeting took place on 13th April 2016. The meeting decided that the first tasks were to agree objectives and set realistic boundaries on what the group
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could achieve. Project timelines, communication and fundraising were also discussed. A website was set up at www.sandersfieldtrees.org and over a series of five further meetings the tree planting plan gained momentum. It involved lobbying Surrey County Council to remove the existing stumps, keeping all the residents informed and raising the money necessary to plant the new trees. Progress was further made when Councillor Ken Gulati agreed to contribute £1,000 to the fund and residents of Sandersfield Road were asked to pay about £60 per household. The hard work by the Committee and support of local residents culminated in the momentus Tree Planting Day on 8th November 2016 when Surrey County Council contractor’s Tim George Tree Services went on site to plant the eleven trees into carefully chosen locations. The result is Sandersfield Road now has eleven new trees which will provide much joy to the residents for many years to come.
LOCAL NEWS NEWSREADER AT WI
BIATHLON SUCCESS
Nicholas Owen with Maureen Dixon.
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he North Heathland Group of WIs welcomed Broadcaster, Newsreader, author and speaker Nicholas Owen to their Coffee Morning on 19th October at the Community Hall, Park Road, Banstead. The meeting was very friendly with a raffle, craft stall and 4th leg of the Anthony Rose Bowl competition. The talk by Nicholas was very interesting and informative and he took the opportunity of signing copies of his books for members. The Anthony Rose Bowl competition was judged by Tessa Langmead and and won by Woodmansterne Evening WI; the Rose Bowl was presented by WIA Chris Butterfield to Denise Owen, Homecraft Leader for Woodmansterne.
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ompeting against over 400 competitors from a large number of Surrey Schools, 31 Downsend School pupils competed in this regional biathlon event. Between them they achieved two Surrey Schools’ title and a team Bronze medal. Joe M was once again crowned individual champion of his age group for the second year running. Marie Seivewright, Head of Girls’ Games, said “I am always inspired by the effort that emanates from each and every Downsend representative and the way they cheer each other on for the collective good of the School and the Team. It is the support they give each other that helps to produce these spectacular results.”
COUNCIL RECOGNISED FOR ITS ENTREPRENEURIALISM
R
eigate & Banstead Borough Council has been recognised for its entrepreneurial approach to delivering services in the prestigious LGC Awards. The Council has been shortlisted in the Entrepreneurial Council category for a second year running for the way it generates income to assist in providing services to customers in the face of ever-decreasing government funding. Cllr Victor Broad, Council Leader, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been
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shortlisted for this award again. The LGC Awards is one of the highest profile accolades in the country for local councils. The nomination closely follows Reigate & Banstead’s shortlisting for Local Authority of the Year in the MJ Awards earlier this year and demonstrates again that we are among the best performing council’s in the country. The winners will be announced on 8 March 2017.
£13,000 RAISED AT CHARITY’S CHRISTMAS FAIR
O
ver 1,000 people attended The Children’s Trust Christmas Fair on Saturday 26 November and raised more than £13,000 to help support children with brain injury. The popular annual event, sponsored by Toyota GB, was officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Reigate and Banstead at 12pm. The Mayor, Cllr David Powell, was celebrating his 81st birthday at the fair. The day provided visitors with a host of Christmas activities to enjoy including a skating rink, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas market, donkey rides, fairground rides, arts and crafts, tombolas, raffles and much more. The Mayor said: “It was an honour to officially open this event which raises money for such a worthy cause. The Children's Trust is one of my charities of the year and I look forward to supporting it in as many ways as I can – which started with doing some of my Christmas shopping at this fair.” Hannah Vince, Community Fundraiser for The Children's Trust said: “We would like to thank everyone from our local community
Above: (L-R) The Children’s Trust mascot Tadworth the Hound, Karen Phillips Community Fundraiser at The Children’s Trust,The Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Cllr David Powell, Mayoress, Mrs Caroline Durance, and Jenny Smith a volunteer from The Children's Trust.
who came along to our Christmas Fair this year, we are so delighted with the amount of money raised. We would particularly like to thank Toyota GB for sponsoring the event and our loyal band of volunteers who helped before, and on the day. We hope a great time was had by all.”
BUSINESS GUILD ORGANISES CHRISTMAS EVENT
T
he Banstead Business Guild is a newly formed association of businesses and business people and various community groups who have an interest in the ongoing success and improvement of Banstead High Street. The group work to develop and deliver a plan for now and in the future, to ensure that the High Street is a place where businesses want to start and grow, individuals want to shop and spend leisure time and residents are proud to have at the heart of their community. The ethos is very much that members collaborate and have not only a voice, but a real stake in the the delivery of activities that improve the High Street.
The Banstead Business Guild (BBG) organised the Christmas Community Event back in December. There were plenty of activities for children such as biscuit decorating, face painting and a treasure hunt. Special guests taking part included Surrey Show Choir, Woodmansterne Primary School Choir, Jenny Green Jazz Singer, Theo the Magician, Mikey JC Michael Buble Christmas Tribute, Caribbean Band, Crafty Faces Face Painting, CADA Stars, Street Entertainers plus many more wonderful talented acts. The Worshipful The Mayor of Reigate and Banstead Councillor David Powell also attended. JANUARY 2017 17
A BIG THANK YOU FOR BANSTEAD
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23/11/2016 18:13
LOCAL CHARITIES
EVER HEARD OF APHASIA?
A
phasia is a communication disability that is caused by damage to the language processing centres of the brain, most commonly through stroke. It can affect the ability to speak, read, write and understand what is being said though not affecting I.Q, it is a very frustrating and isolating condition. In addition to aphasia acquired through brain trauma, a gradual loss of language ability can be the first symptom of a rare type of dementia called Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), which is caused by changes to the frontotemporal lobes of the brain. Aphasia is one of the most enduring consequences of stroke and can be the most difficult to overcome. Depression and low self-esteem are regular side-effects of the condition and stress upon family members is great. An estimated 110,000 strokes occur every year in the UK and there are an estimated 900,000 stroke survivors living in England. Research shows that 33% of stroke survivors experience difficulties with communication. There are therefore thought to be over 300,000 people in the UK with aphasia. The village of Walton on-the-Hill is home 20 JANUARY 2017
to, Dyscover, a specialist charity established in 1994 providing the original vision of its founder, experienced Speech and Language therapist, Gill Jackson MBE: long-term support and opportunities to people and their families with aphasia. Daily sessions are accessed by 90 members each week, professionally led and designed to help people to adjust to living with aphasia. Our members are adults who have acquired aphasia at some stage in their lives. Many are still of working age and have young families. We rely upon a wonderful team of volunteers to help us provide our services. Most volunteers help support the work of our speech and language therapists in our weekly group sessions, others help us with fundraising events, project work or office duties. “It is a privilege to be a volunteer at Dyscover. I have learnt so much during these past years and made some good friends along the way. Each volunteer is recognised for the individual skills they bring and is a valued member of the team. Dyscover is friendly, organised, professional and forward-thinking. With so many activities to get involved in there is never a dull moment.� Julie, volunteered.
Both stroke and the onset of a progressive aphasia are traumatic events which impact whole families, and the primary carer in particular. Frustration and stress are commonplace. At Dyscover we support families along their journey of adjustment with a range of support opportunities, courses and services. We hope, by raising awareness of aphasia and equipping others to provide the right sort of support, we will make life easier for people with this disability. Our Aphasia Ambassadors Group (all of whom have aphasia) visit a wide range of organisations (free of charge) to tell their stories which increases the understanding of aphasia as well as develops their own skills using communication strategies developed at Dyscover. Dyscover receives no NHS or other government funding. Members pay a small fee to attend regular groups with the
majority of our income coming from a variety of one off grants from charitable trusts, community fundraising events and donations from individuals and local organisations. We welcome all forms of support financially, through opportunity, skill based or time giving. For further information visit www.dyscover.org.uk, email info@dyscover.org.uk or call 01737 819419.
JANUARY 2017 21
CHURCH ROUND-UP
PART OF THE COMMUNITY
B
anstead URC is a Christian Church located on the corner of Woodmansterne Lane and
Fiddicroft Avenue, close to the Village Well. Our church was formed in the 1940s by Congregationalists from Sutton. In 1972 the members of Banstead Congregational Church voted to become part of the United Reformed Church. Here in Banstead we work closely with other denominations through the Banstead Five Churches.
strong emphasis on having fun! At various times in
Our weekly service is on Sunday mornings at
the year, but especially at Christmas, our young
10.30 and anyone is always welcome to join us for
people contribute to our morning worship and
worship and then for refreshments afterwards at the
twice a year they fundraise for their chosen
back of the church.
charities.There is also an annual Sunday Club outing.
Our service is made up of hymns and songs, an all
We have a number of groups and activities that
age talk, prayers, Bible readings and a sermon, with
run throughout the year, some of which are there to
music a mixture of traditional and contemporary –
help us grow in faith, some of which are simply to
hopefully something for everybody! Recognising that
provide an opportunity for friendship and support.
this style of worship doesn’t always work for
To find out more about us and all our activities visit
everyone we also occasionally experiment with
our website: www.bansteadurc.org.uk or come along
different patterns.
one Sunday morning and pick up a welcome leaflet.
Normally we all worship together at the start of
We have a well-maintained suite of halls. As part
the service, then the children leave for their own
of our commitment to village life we make these
‘Sunday Club’ where they have Bible centred
available for community use at reasonable rates.
practical activities in a more informal setting, with a
Details of these can also be found on our website.
B A C K TO CHURCH S U N D A Y ON 1 S T J A N U A R Y
B
anstead Community Church has been meeting on Sundays in the Junior School in
the Horseshoe for some 12 years. We seek to live up to our church name by serving and engaging with the village community in a number of ways. Not having a church building of our own provides us with the opportunity to be out and about around Banstead. We put on
group in the Banstead Centre. For anyone with questions about the Christian faith, we have a monthly meeting in the comfy surroundings of Lily’s Coffee Shop & Pantry, Nork (SM7 1RN). We meet on the third Thursday of every month, from 8 – 9 pm, and all are welcome. On Sunday January 1st, 2017, we are having a
services in a number of care homes, and run a
Back to Church Sunday. If you are out of the
toddlers group in Banstead Community Hall on
habit of coming to church, why not join us at the
Thursday mornings in term – time. Our senior
Junior School at 10.30am?
citizens group, “Evergreens” meets on Friday afternoons, and we have a fortnightly ladies’ craft 22 JANUARY 2017
For details contact Tim Bongers on 07761 747170.
BUYING A TV THE NEW JARGON UNWRAPPED
Y
ou might have noticed buying a new TV has just got a little more confusing with a load of baffling jargon to get to grips with. The good news is that these new features will deliver a potentially superior picture than current HD broadcasts with the new wave of on-demand streaming services from SkyQ, Netflix and Amazon Prime. If you walk into a high street TV retailer today you will see many of the following on display, UHD, 4K, SUHD, OLED, LED, HD, Quantum Dot, HDR and many more, this can be a little daunting when the TV will likely have to last 5 years or more and not become obsolescent. The following breaks down some of the jargon into something more relatable, and to make life interesting, vendors have a habit of creating marketing jargon to describe the very same jargon. Firstly flat screen or curved, I’d have to say flat all the way, just because they can make it curved is not a reason to do so. Screen resolution, HD 1080 and 4k it makes sense to put these numbers in context, until recently (with 4k) the number of vertical lines was the industry measure of picture quality. For decades we have been watching TV in 625 lines (incidentally VHS was 250 lines, hence the noticeable lower picture quality). I’m sure you will be familiar with HD services, using 1080 lines yields a noticeable picture improvement over 625 lines. 4k is really marketing of numbers, strictly speaking 4k is 2000 lines vertical when we measure by the vertical convention, 4k has 3980 horizontal lines so it sounds bigger (and better), and just to confuse UHD (UltraHD) is the same 4k, with 24 JANUARY 2017
SUHD just Samsung’s twist, but still 4k. The good news is that the standard has been agreed so any 2016 4k set will deliver 4x the picture detail over HD1080 when watching a 4k service. LED and OLED (Organic LED), are the two screen display types available, without going into too much detail OLED black levels are unbeatable, the picture detail due to this is incredible. Because OLED is really only made by LG other vendors have ‘Quantum Dot’ or ‘Reality Engine’ jargon to squeeze the best out of LED, it’s a difference seen only in store, which is really the best place to make a choice. Lastly HDR (High Dynamic Range), possibly the biggest current leap in picture quality, even more so than 4k, but it is new and dependent on content (via streaming services supporting HDR), if your main TV and your budget will stretch to a set with HDR support, do so. Eddie Moore, We Cable It, Banstead, Surrey. Tel: 07599 288 370 www.wecableit.co.uk
POLICE
MAKE YOUR HOME SECURE
W
e do not want residents to be worried about burglaries but would like to make you aware so that you can remain vigilant and take precautionary measures. We have also provided some guidelines below to keep your home safe and secure: ● Consider a sensor light outside your home address. ● Consider parking the car in a garage and lock both the car & the garage & side gate. ● CCTV cameras are available and may deter car crimers and burglars. ● If you go on holiday ask a neighbour to keep an eye out for the home and vehicle. ● Ask a neighbour to pop in and remove the post which may be showing through the door identifying that no-one is home. ● Do not leave keys and personal possessions on show at any window. ● If you do not have a Neighbourhood watch please do consider this as it does have many benefits. ● Do not leave your recycle bins or rubbish bins out the front – they can be used to step on and over your side gate. ● Put away all gardening tools which could be used to open windows and doors.
Make sure the curtains are shut and some lights are on if you are going out in the evening or the day time. ● Consider timer lights throughout the day and night if you’re going away and leave the radio on suggesting that someone is at home. ● Consider the use of IMMOBILISE which can register your most valued items on the internet for us to check when we find them in a warrant. ● Consider joining www.Intheknow.community/ ● Have you got a Neighbourhood watch in the area so that you can all be vigilant for each other. If you would like any home security advice please contact 101and ask for our Crime Prevention Officer Thank you for your assistance and cooperation, To report a crime or incident or to contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team call 101 or report your crime on line via Surrey Police website. Only call 999 in a genuine emergency requiring urgent police attendance WWW.SURREY.POLICE.UK ●
KINGSWOOD VILLAGE VOICE The cost effective way to reach Kingswood
* 1,600 copies distributed to every household and business in Kingswood * Quarterly magazine with 68 to 72 pages in full colour * Published by Kingswood Village Community Association (Reg. Charity)
For a rate card and details of publication dates, please contact Richard Milbourn on 0844 561 1230 or email richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk
26 JANUARY 2017
LOCAL BUSINESS
NEW WINDOW SHOWROOM
G
uild Home Improvements, rated number one on Which? Trusted Traders for double glazing in Surrey and London has recently opened its second stylish windows, doors and orangery showroom in Weybridge, Surrey. The opening builds on the success of its popular Epsom showroom located in South Street which showcases a number of stylish, up to the minute, products including Heritage 100, part of the much sought after Residence 9 window portfolio. Heritage 100 is ultimately designed to replicate the flush timber designs found in heritage properties in local towns, villages and cities, enabling you to replace your windows and doors with an authentic design, in different colour options, without losing the character appearance and feel of the period. The windows are also A+ energy rated and deliver PAS 24 enhanced security performance as standard. The Heritage Collection currently has up to 10% discount at the moment, for a limited period, to celebrate the new store opening. GHI Epsom also stock Endurance doors, a very popular brand renowned for its
28 JANUARY 2017
strength and security without compromising on style. Endurance specialise in providing a timber core unlike most composite doors that tend to use foam. At 48mm thick and with cross bonded laminations, they are also 10% thicker than most composite doors and have over 50 different door designs to choose from. The 1930’s inspired Endurance Walton door is a huge hit in Epsom thanks to the abundance of 1930’s style properties locally and in the surrounding areas. The Epsom showroom also showcases aluminium windows and doors, PVCu windows, traditional timber windows, aluminium bi-fold doors, timber alternative windows and orangeries. James Bath, Managing Director at Guild Home Improvements commented, “We are extremely proud to open our second showroom in Weybridge, Surrey. The branch opening forms part of an overall ongoing expansion plan. We have taken the popular Epsom store format that was developed to help our customers see products in the flesh. We developed stylish merchandising bays that enable a customer to see and feel
the quality of the product and see it in its ideal setting. Our friendly sales advisers are on hand to inform customers about the various style and combination options that we provide as a business. We also have our own in-house fitting team and it is due to all these factors that we are rated number one on Which? Trusted Traders for double glazing in Surrey and London. We are extremely proud of this rating and we hope to replicate the success of our Epsom showroom over in Weybridge, Surrey. The additional store enables us to offer even greater levels of products, service and support to our clients in London and the South East. We look forward to welcoming customers into our showrooms.� Call GHI Epsom today on 01372 727 007 to find out more about the products on display or stop by the showroom located at
5-7 South Street, Epsom, Surrey. KT18 7PJ. www.ghiwindows.co.uk
Banstead History Centre Banstead Local History Centre is based in Banstead Library, and you can use the local history centre resources at any time that the library is open. Even better, visit us at the following times each month when volunteers are available to help you use the resources and equipment. First and third Tuesday 2.30 - 4.30pm Saturday 10am - 12noon Banstead Local History Centre exists to encourage interest in local and family history in Banstead, Burgh Heath, Chipstead, Hooley, Kingswood, Lower Kingswood, Netherne-onthe-Hill, Preston, Tadworth, Tattenhams, Walton-on-the-Hill and Woodmansterne. We offer an extensive range of resources including census records, parish registers, large scale maps, directories, illustrations and photographs. We provide a microfilm and microfiche reader-printer and there is access to the internet on the library computer terminals. If we can't answer your question, we can refer you to local experts or Surrey History Centre. When the centre is not staffed you can leave a written enquiry. The centre is a partnership between Surrey Libraries, Surrey History Centre, Banstead History Research Group and other local community and history organisations. The Banstead History Research Group has a very good website www.bansteadhistory.com and has published many books on local history.
JANUARY 2017 29
TRAVEL
I
AN AMAZING BREAK IN THE SUN
travelled with my family to Marrakech for a 4 night sunshine break. The friendly airport Staff, including the cleaners, made us feels very welcome, which dismissed all worries of such a different culture to ours. Our bags arrived quickly and the driver was waiting. After 10 minutes in the car we arrived at the hotel, it was so beautiful, clean and spacious. The staff spoke perfect English and helped us with all our needs. Our first vision was the amazing large pool in the shape of a crescent with beds immersed in the water and with easy slopes to access it. The following day we hired a guide who took us around four temples, a market and the amazing gardens of Yves Saint Laurent, the president’s house where his four legal wives lived! All the floors were of colourful tiles with their wooden ceilings carved out in very intricate detail. The visit to the market and souks were so fascinating and colourful. We had a talk about how they make Argon oil and all the herbs and their qualities. We would never need a
30 JANUARY 2017
Doctor again! We visited a carpet weaver where we saw beautiful rugs in all sizes. We sampled the traditional Moroccan Tagine with fresh bread, listening to the calls from the Mosque whilst watching the sun go down over the temples, absolutely stunning. We strolled through parks with Mosques and all the beauty of flowers and shrubs. As we walked around the market amongst the sellers, the snake charmers and the Henna stall, the sun shone all the time with clear blue skies. On the way back to the hotel we noticed many lovely hotels and restaurants all along the way, including the Buddha Bar, a fantastic bar and night club. All the restaurants had shades protecting you from sunlight and water sprays for cooling you. The selection of non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails were mouth-watering. The sun always shines in Marrakech! Do give Symphony World Travel a call to discuss a trip to Marrakesh, you won’t be disappointed. Sue Dow 01372 375 361 www.symphonyworldtravel.com
* Painting & Decorating Specialists * Handyman Services * Carpentry * Property Maintenance & Alterations Comprehensive Public Liability Insurance, Police Vetted and CRB Checked. Call Mark Jackson for professional, friendly advice and free estimates. Daytime: 07890 394197 Evenings/Weekends 01737 357285 Email: lester.jackson@hotmail.co.uk 34 Buckles Way, Banstead, Surrey SM7 1HD (30 years working for Banstead/local residents, recommendations/references available) LINKEDIN Mark Jackson
JANUARY 2017 31
BANAOS
BROADWAY BLACKOUT
I
f you missed this musical production which took
understand they come from productions recently on
place at Banstead Community Hall in November,
Broadway, some of which I are coming to London –
then you missed a treat.The concept, by Jeff
Finding Neverland, Spring Awakening, Something
Chinnappen who directed the show, was inspired by
Rotten! and The Color Purple.
the real life blackout in North America in 2003 and
If I have any criticism at all, and it is only a small
centres around a New York theatre endeavouring to
one, many of the songs were very sombre. Having
cope with a concert for the President, and no lighting.
said that, they did suit their voices.
Michael Wallbridge who compared the show gave it
Lastly but by no means least I must mention the
just the right amount of aplomb and the small cameo
three children who were a complete delight. Emilia
at the start by Pat McFarlane which raised a laugh from
Aris (who took the part of “Annie” in Banstead`s last
the audience set the scene for the performance to
production of that name) has real talent and I am
come. I particularly liked some of the sketches which
sure will go far. Her two companions Grace Kain and
interspersed with the songs and especially enjoyed two
Amy Cleather were most engaging and with their
- catching the train, and the one where they were all
cheeky smiles and confidence they made an
on their mobile phones. How true to life!
enchanting trio.
The whole cast threw themselves into the show with gusto, but I must pick out a few.There were very strong performances from Helen Clark, Lottie Millar,
The Musical Direction was in the capable hands of Dawn Tolley and Choreography by Teri- Ann Carter. BANAOS next production is “Made in Dagenham”
Claire Weston, Jess Lyons, Helen Strong and Alma
to be performed at the Adrian Mann Theatre
Griffith for the girls and Sebastian Roughley, Michael
(NESCOT) 17-20 May 2017. If you want a good
Wallbridge, Steve Clemo and Colin Bousfield for the
evening out don’t miss it or even join them on stage.
men. Many of the songs I did not know but I
www.banaos.org.uk
BANSTEAD BOWLS CLUB WINNERS On Friday 18 November 2016 Banstead Neville Bowling Club celebrated its winners. The annual Presentation Dinner was held in their Club House in Avenue Road, Banstead. Seventy members sat down for a slap-up meal provided by Robert Foster who is the Catering Manager at the nearby
rats at the end. The Sunday weather was much
Walton Heath Golf Club. All through the summer
better and the afternoon tea and cakes made by
members had been battling their way through the
the members brought the weekend to a fitting
various competitions and over the first weekend
close.
in September the finals were held in rather mixed
Roy Knowles won the Open Competition as well
weather. Saturday was a potential wash out but
as winning five other events. Barbara Rourke was the
the competitors got their ‘wets’ on and certainly
Ladies Champion (and two other events) and Stuart
lived up to the saying ‘..but bowls is an all-weather
Sweetman was the Men’s Champion.Their names
sport’. All the finals were completed on time even
along with the other winners are now proudly
though some players looked more like drowned
displayed on the Honours Boards in the Club.
32 JANUARY 2017
WHAT’S ON BANSTEAD ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY
Saturday 4th February at 7.30 pm ALEXEI GRYNYUK, piano First Prize-Winner at the Vladimir Horowitz International Piano Competition, Kiev and the Shanghai International Piano Competition, Alexei Grynyuk has performed world-wide in such venues as the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire, London’s South Bank Centre and Wigmore Hall, and the Salle Cortot and Salle Gaveau in Paris. His programme features those twin peaks of the repertoire, Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata and Liszt’s B minor Sonata, which will ideally showcase his musicianship and technical mastery.
Saturday 11th March at 7.30 pm TRIO ISIMSIZ Winner of First Prize and Audience Prize at the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition 2015, and selected for representation by the prestigious Young Concert Artists Trust,Trio Isimsiz gives chamber music concerts throughout the UK and Europe. Its
individual members also have flourishing careers as soloists.Three works from the Classic and Romantic repertoire, including rarely-heard Schumann and emotionally tempestuous Dvorák, make up an engaging programme rich in contrasts. Concerts will be at the Community Hall, Park Road Banstead. Tickets £12 (school pupils: free) may be purchased at Banstead Library (4 weeks before event), online at www.bansteadarts.co.uk or at the door as available. Ticket reservations may also be made by phone: 01737 350288 or email: Marionh.bafs@hotmail.co.uk
Wed 18th January 2.30pm to 4.30pm The Durdans - the Story of a House a talk by Roger Stamp Banstead Community Hall Park Road, Banstead SM7 3AJ (Free on-site parking) Open Meeting (Non-members welcome) The Durdans is a house in Chalk Lane, Epsom, which in the 1600’s was considered to be on a par with Nonsuch Palace. Roger, who is a past Chairman of this U3A, will tell us of its many reconstructions and gives us some ideas of the illustrious people who have passed through its doors. Entry: free for members, £2 for non-members including tea/coffee and biscuits after the talk Local contacts: Membership – 020 8642 1718, Groups – 01737 812646 Secretary – 01737 554927 www.bansteadu3a.org.uk C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 0
JANUARY 2017 33
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 9
Thursday 23rd February 2017 2.30pm to 4.30pm The Lavender Fields of Banstead a talk by Lorna Maye St Mark’s Church Hall Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs KT18 5RD (Free on-site parking) Companys such as Yardley and Potter & Moore founded their reputations on Surrey’s lavender for a time during the 19th century. Lorna has been involved in developing organic lavender for many years and she will share with us her first hand experience of everything to do with lavender. Entry: free for members, £2 for non-members including tea/coffee and biscuits after the talk Local contacts: Membership – 020 8642 1718, Groups – 01737 812646 Secretary – 01737 554927 www.bansteadu3a.org.uk
34 JANUARY 2017