TWRA Magazine October 2020

THE TADWORTH & WALTON

=q o f _ r k b Published by Tadworth & Walton Residents’ Association

Preserving the character and environment of Tadworth & Walton www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

November 2020

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FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

WHY THIS HAS BEEN DELIVERED

D

ear Reader, welcome to the first edition of ‘The Tribune’ which has evolved into the magazine of the Tadworth and Walton Residents’ Association.

Why has this been delivered to you?

If you are already a member of TWRA, then this is the equivalent of the newsletter you are used to receiving twice a year. The advent of COVID19 means that is no longer an option for us to use our Road Stewards to deliver the magazine and to collect subs. We thank them for their hard work over the years but, rest assured we will be finding new and different tasks for them in the future! Happily, Richard Milbourn who launched the original ‘Tadworth and Walton Tribune’, worked with us on a proposal to both publish and deliver ‘The Tribune’ in a new guise.

This is it!

We do need your subs in order to survive and so importantly, we ask you to pay by Standing Order if you do not already do so.

An application form is included on page 5; once completed, just forward it to your bank.

We will never know your bank details or be able to change the terms of your payments.

If you are not a member of TWRA, you may THE TADWORTH & WALTON

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wonder what we’re all about. Our Association is dedicated to preserving the quality of our local environment for our Community. We are a team of volunteers working on a not for profit basis. To this end, among other things, we review planning proposals; we maintain Tadworth’s only green play space: the Jubilee Woodland; we run a tree planting scheme for the grass verges of our two villages; we organise the Tadworth and Walton Tree Wardens, and we sponsor the ‘Tadworth in Bloom’ programme. Additionally, we donate to local charities and maintain a watching brief on traffic and health issues etc.

Reference to this can be found on our website: www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk If as you read on, you feel you would like to be a part of us, you can join online at www.myclubhouse.co.uk/RAandNW The annual subscription is only £5.00. If you have no computer, just give one of us a call.

Finally and Importantly, we aim to be the ‘go to’ shop for questions you may have relating to local issues. However, to access this service you do need to be a paid – up member. Read on and enjoy! Clive Elcome, Chairman

FORTHCOMING ISSUE PUBLISHING SCHEDULES

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= Tadworth & Walton Tribune

April 2021

Please contact Richard Milbourn • T:=MNTPT=OOOPMT • E: êáÅÜ~êÇKãáäÄçìêå]Å~êå~ÜKÅçKìâ • ïïïKí~ÇïçêíÜï~äíçåê~KÅçKìâ TWRA, c/o 64 Sandlands Road, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7HZ.

31st March

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Statements and opinions in the Tadworth & Walton Tribune, unless expressly written, are not necessarily those of the TWRA. Material in the Tadworth & Walton Tribune may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the Editor.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

4 NOVEMBER 2020

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5

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

CHANGES TO PLANNING S Y S T E M

By Gillian Hein A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT!

O

ur thanks to everyone who came to one of our four litter picking sessions in Tadworth and Walton in September. It is much appreciated. This time we also cleaned all the bus shelters and the road and traffic signs, so thanks particularly to Councillor Rachel Turner and Jill Bockmeulen who carried out these tasks.

Rachel also arranged the delivery of equipment and the collection of the rubbish bags by the Council.

We would also like to thank the many unsung heroes who take a bag for litter whenever they go for a walk. It all makes a great difference A UNITARY AUTHORITY FOR SURREY?

T

here has been considerable coverage in the local press recently relating to a single level of government covering Surrey. The Government had been intending to issue a white paper in October encouraging the setting up of unitary authorities and abolishing the district council layer. However, following strong objections from a number of Conservative authorities, we understand that the document has now been put back to 2021 and the proposals may be watered down.

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, had announced plans relating to a proposal for a single ‘unitary authority’ for Surrey which would have involved changing from the current two tier system of eleven districts and the county council to just one covering the whole of Surrey. In response, all the district authorities had strong reservations, requiring additional information on how the new body would operate and a petition against a single unitary authority has been signed by 4000 residents.

Various other options had also been put forward which would have split the county into

6 NOVEMBER 2020

two or three parts, providing for greater accountability and forming areas which local communities could relate to better. Surrey, at 1,200,000 people is above the limit normally proposed as the optimum size for a unitary authority.

The argument put forward by Tim Oliver was that reorganisation would save £30 million (£28 per head of population). There would also be some merit in providing clarity on which body is responsible for which function, and greater efficiency with services such as social planning and spatial planning.

We will have to await the government paper in the new year on the recommended form for local government reorganisation. Certainly, with the pandemic, Brexit and a proposed major change to the planning system, it does not seem the right time to shake up local government.

One change which we understand will be happening is the move of Surrey County Council from Kingston to the former Canon building to the South of Reigate.

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO THE NATIONAL PLANNING SYSTEM = It is difficult to summarise the scale of the changes to the planning system currently being proposed by the Government because of the level of opposition, including from many MPs. It is likely that many of the proposals will be revised.

Two general comments are that the emphasis is on far more housing, particularly in London and the South East and, despite what the Government is saying, that the new system will be far less democratic, with fewer opportunities for local communities to have an input into the planning of their area. Even the local councils’ role will be much reduced.

T R I B U N E To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N Permitted development changes ‘Permitted development’, subject to some requirements, usually does not require planning permission.

One of the main changes is to town centres where planning permission will no longer be needed, for example, to interchange shop, office, cafe and restaurant uses. The idea is to speed up the planning system and introduce greater flexibility, but it will mean councils will not be able to concentrate key uses into a core area and manage any contraction of the shopping area.

There are also proposals which will allow the building of up to two additional storeys on residential and commercial properties, subject to some controls, and the replacement of vacant commercial buildings with new housing.

‘Changes to the Current Planning System’ This document, which has been out for consultation, proposes a number of major short term changes prior to introducing a more substantial reorganisation of the planning system which is covered in the next section. One of the more controversial proposals is a revised ‘Standard Method’ of calculating housing need for each authority based on a complex and illogical formula – or algorithm.

This tends to increase housing numbers in London and the South East significantly because a fundamental consideration in the formula is house prices. The theory is that if house prices are high, more houses are needed to bring down the prices and make them more affordable – a theory which has not worked in our area up to now! In comparison, as a result of the Standard Method, some areas in the North and Midlands in need of renewal will actually have to build far fewer homes than they do now.

It is unclear what account, if any, is to be taken of capacity of the local authority to absorb the new housing and constraints such as the Green Bell and transport infrastructure. This Please mention T R I B U N E when responding to adverts

is a top down approach and councils will have to accept the new targets. If they cannot absorb the new housing in built up areas, it will go into the Green Belt and countryside.

‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper Consultation on this paper continued until the end of October.

Although some proposals are to be welcomed, such as making Local Plans shorter and introducing more technology into the planning process, there are several matters of concern.

The main proposal is to introduce a zoning system. All land is put into one of three areas, the ‘growth area’ which will cover new settlements and development on the edge of settlements, ‘renewal’ which will cover most of the built up area, and a ‘protected area’ which will include conservation areas and countryside not in the other zones. The idea is to give more certainty to developers so that if their site is in the ‘growth’ area, they know they can develop.

Local plans will allocate land into the three areas and provide more detailed zones to guide development. Development in the ‘growth’ zone will automatically have planning permission subject to some limited ‘reserved matters’, and there will be a ‘presumption in favour of development being granted’ for specified uses in the ‘renewal’ area.

There will be consultation on the local plan preparation, but this will be more restricted than with the current local plan system, both in the opportunities to make comments and the time available to respond.

In the ‘protected areas’ planning applications will be submitted much as at present but in the other two areas, limited information will be required at the ‘reserved matters/ detail stage and the decisions will be made at officer level not the planning committee. This is the stage when local residents tend to get involved but with the new system their involvement will be CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

NOVEMBER 2020

7

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N smaller – comments will have to be made at the local plan stage when limited information will be available.

There is a welcome emphasis on good design and the Government is proposing to prepare design guidance which local authorities together with residents will be able to amplify. However, it is not clear how design and matters such as biodiversity and heritage will fit into the new system.

Much more information is required but many experts who have experience of the zoning system point out that it tends to be more complicated than the present system and also very inflexible to change.

All these documents are available on the Government’s web site. This is just a short, and perhaps somewhat biased, summary of lengthy and complex documents.

the refusals were strong, it would nevertheless have involved a lot of work on our part.

The Club’s decision not to appeal, we hope, will mean that the plans will be in abeyance for the foreseeable future. It has been an unsettling time in terms of the relationship between the Club and ourselves, but we hope that we can now begin a more constructive and cooperative relationship with the Club, its members and personnel. We fully appreciate the contribution it has made to the history of Walton on the Hill and its continuing important role within the local community, so we are very willing to work together on any mutual matters which affect us.

WALTON HEATH GOLF CLUB

R

esidents will probably be aware of the Golf Club’s proposals to move their club house complex to the other side of the Dorking Road onto the Green Belt and redevelop the existing site for housing. This follows on from the ‘deregistration’ of Beechams’ Field ( open land fronting Dorking Road, used as a practice area), so this is now no longer part of the common.

Land on the other side of the motorway provides replacement common land.

We have tried to reflect our members’ views and so objected strongly to both applications and spoke against the proposals at the Planning Committee meeting in January when the Council refused both applications with a large majority.

The Club then had six months to appeal and did so just before the end of July.

Subsequently the Club had an EGM followed by a Board meeting and at the end of August decided to withdraw their appeals. This is excellent news for the R A. We would have given evidence at a public inquiry but although we were confident that the Council’s grounds for

8 NOVEMBER 2020

COLOUR ON THE A217

W

ith ‘voids’ in the highway, traffic jams and major traffic diversions, the A217 is normally a cause of complaint. However, now there is something positive to be said. Many residents have commented on how much they have enjoyed the flowers on the central reservation near Tadworth. Despite a dry Spring, the flowers have given us a beautiful display throughout the summer months.

Our thanks go to Surrey County Council and, in particular, our County Councillors, Jeff Harris and Bob Gardner, for helping to fund the planting. We had envisaged a more or less continuous stretch of wild perennial flowers from the M25 to the Belmont roundabout in the North and so hope that this will be the start and that there are sufficient perennials in the seed mix to continue the visual display in future years.

T R I B U N E To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

PROGRESS AT JUBILEE WOOD

By Gillian Hein & Robin Parr-Davies

T

he Jubilee Woodland has now been in operation for about eight years. Although the land is owned by the Council, which is responsible for safety and major tree works, a group of volunteers look after the day to day management. We have not done very much this summer because of the restrictions on group activities but we are always looking for new volunteers to help look after the woodland, so please let us know if you would like to help and bring new ideas for improving the ecology of the area and the recreational facilities.

Our finances are healthy. Our balance at £5,895 for 2019 was slightly higher than for 2018 (£5,429) with an income of £690 against expenditure of £223. Two events were held. A Celebration day took place in September, when a mini library and new play equipment were unveiled together with a commemorative seat in memory of Janet Hill, a much loved Council officer, which was provided by her colleagues.

The second event was the annual Carols in the Woodland in December.

The new wooden children’s play equipment was paid for by a Phase 1 Grant from the Government’s “Pocket Parks” fund of £11,354 (managed in conjunction with the Council).

Administratively the Jubilee Woodland Management Committee is now part of the Please mention T R I B U N E when responding to adverts

TWRA and a new Agreement has been signed and the TWRA Constitution amended accordingly.

Turning to this year, the wood remained open during the lockdown and has been well used.

Two pieces of play equipment which had been condemned by the Council as unsafe have been replaced by two lovely ‘pyramids’ which are proving very popular. These were paid for by a “Pocket Park plus” grant from the Government.

The remainder of the grant will be spent on improving some of the footpaths.

Looking to the future, we have been awarded a CIL grant for a larger ‘mini library’ as the existing one is good for adult books but too small for many of the current children’s books, and also a shed where we can store tools instead of having to bring them in whenever we have a maintenance session. We are very grateful to the Council for agreeing to our CIL application.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel a number of planned events this year and the annual carol singing looks very unlikely to take place.

NOVEMBER 2020 9

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

By Gillian Hein & Richard Harris Listed below are the major applications we have

48, Cross Road

considered over the last year.

An application for three backland dwellings has yet to be considered by the Council.

WALTON ON THE HILL

Rear of 2- 10 Vernon Walk

Walton Lodge, Heath Drive

An application for ten units with access adjacent

Planning permission has been granted for two

to 2 Vernon Walk has been refused by the

dwellings on this site but we understand the

Council.

existing house has now been bought in order to

103 Ashhurst Road, and 105 – 125 Ashurst Road

be lived in, rather than utilised for redevelopment.

An application has been submitted for a six flat

The Kitlands Site

apartment block on the site of the bungalow

Planning permission has now been granted for a

next to the two blocks currently under

development of 4 houses and ten flats with

construction. This has yet to be determined by

access on to Chequers Lane.

the Council.

Land between Ebbisham Lane and Sandlands

The development of the Farm Fencing site is

Road

nearing completion. Originally the lower block was

There have been rumours that the land owners

to be for four flats but, through modifications to

hope to develop this field but to date no

the original plans, four terraced houses have now

planning application has been submitted. We,

been built. We will wait to see when the

together with local residents, have requested the

hoardings are removed whether there will be

Council’s Tree Officer to visit the site in order to

room for the submitted landscaping scheme.

see whether any trees not covered by Tree

Former Gemini Restaurant, Station Approach

Preservation Orders are worthy of protection.

Planning permission has been granted for a small office on the frontage and three flats in the

TADWORTH

remainder of the property. As with Barclays Bank,

24, Epsom Lane South

there is no opportunity to provide off street

There have been several applications for the

parking.

redevelopment of this large site and permission

15, The Avenue

has now been granted for 2 dwellings on part of

The Council refused an application for 20 flats and

the site. There are two appeals pending.

this has now gone to appeal.

10, Tadorne Road

34, The Avenue

An application for a new dwelling was refused by

A proposal for a house at the rear of the site has

the Council and subsequently turned down on

been refused and gone to appeal.

appeal.

Mast near Tadworth Court

Land at the rear of Shelvers Way

An application to erect a high mast for 5G has

Planning permission has been given for a further

been approved. We do not know whether the

phase and the cul de sac can now extend to the

existing one will be removed.

rear of number 41.

Hillside Cafe, 4 Shelvers Hill

76, Shelvers Way

Permission has been granted to extend the

An application for five dwellings has been

opening hours, although not quite as long as

submitted but not yet determined by the Council.

originally requested.

10 NOVEMBER 2020

T R I B U N E To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

ENLARGING THE AONB?

By Gillian Hein

M

uch of south western Surrey is covered by the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) designation, which gives the countryside greater protection from development.

Unfortunately the land covered by the AONB forms only a very narrow band across Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge districts, even though it has long been recognised that much of the adjoining area, currently designated as ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’ is of equal merit to the higher status AONB. Various surveys have been done and Natural England had promised that once it had resurveyed land adjacent to the Lake District and part of the Suffolk coastline, it

was the turn of the Surrey Hills AONB to be enlarged. However, there have been indications that there could be a delay and so we have written to our MP, Crispin Blunt to see if he can expedite the enlargement.

He has indicated that he supports the revised boundaries and is working with other Surrey MPs. All good news.

Earlier surveys had included Banstead Heath and a large area to the East of Kingswood, including Banstead Woods, but we hope that consideration will also be given to the new Centennial Wood. Walton Heath is unlikely to be included because it is considered to be a more artificial landscape.

We will provide an update if there is any progress.

To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk T R I B U N E

NOVEMBER 2020 11

WALTON ON THE HILL VILLAGE FORUM

FRESH VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES

M

any of you will be aware that the Walton Village Forum has been working hard to engage with younger people. If we’re honest with ourselves, there isn’t much for them to do in our village. Although spoilt with an incredible array of outdoor activity options, these past times aren’t for everyone.

As we were preparing to launch our new website the idea of setting up a blog came to mind. As an avid reader of blogs, I felt that this could be a great means to raise awareness of local issues. It also dawned on me that we already have a variety of avenues for keeping our local community up to date with news. This results in us hearing the same voices which isn’t always representative.

I recently heard of a young lady in the village who has a keen interest in journalism. She’d expressed an interest in writing and sharing her perspective as a young person living in our village. It almost seemed serendipitous! What better way to engage with younger members of our community? We all need to be heard and so we’re excited to make this platform available to hear a different voice and perspective.

I’d like to introduce you to Yzanne Pepper who is going to be our primary blogger over the coming months. Over time I’d like to see more young people engaging and sharing their views. It doesn’t matter how old you are, your perspective is important, and we would value hearing your ideas and suggestions.

Yzanne already has some great suggestions for topics. As a committee we’re going to ask her to write about

12 NOVEMBER 2020

particular subjects too. If you’re a younger person reading this and have ideas, feel free to share them by emailing yzanne@waltonvillageforum.org.

As members of the community I’d strongly encourage you to take a look at the blog on the website (www.waltonvillageforum.org) as there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.

As we all continue to deal with COVID19 we have had to take the decision to cancel our final meeting of the year which was scheduled for the Tuesday 2nd November.

We intend to send out an email containing all pertinent updates and keep everyone up to date with what’s been going in the village, so keep an eye out for it later this month.

No update would be complete without mentioning Mere Pond. Many of you may have seen the recent activity of weed and fish removal that has taken place. As the Forum we are working with the council to make this a great amenity for everyone to enjoy and are planning a programme of works over the coming years which will not only improve the pond ecosystem but ensure that the wildlife habitat remains healthy and diverse.

In closing, if anyone would like to get involved with the Forum or share ideas or suggestions please don’t hesitate to get in touch via info@waltonvillageforum.org.

Looking forward to seeing you in and around the village.

Grant Webster Follow and support us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or feel free to reach out to us on www.waltonvillageforum.org.

T R I B U N E To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORT GROUPS

I

was delighted to receive this communication from the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey (right), who was acting as the personal representative of Her

Majesty the Queen, in thanking all of us who took part in our Community Support Team in Tadworth and Walton.

Whilst it is great to have been thanked in this way I am afraid that we cannot yet imagine that the crisis is over and we must expect that further support will be needed by isolating households through the coming winter months. In a recent workshop organised by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, they asked Community Support groups such as ours to consider how they, and the residents they are supporting, might prepare for future lockdowns complicated by periods of severe winter weather. In the meantime I would like to add the thanks of Mo Atkins, Tim Astin and I to those of the Lord Lieutenant, to all those who volunteered in the first place. Keep well. Mike Fox

HOW CREATIVE CAN YOU BE? A pair of swans have long featured in the TWRA’s logo. Sadly, it now seems unlikely that we will see swans back on Walton pond in the foreseeable future. The question therefore is whether we should now look for a fresh emblem.

Please help us here: let us know your feelings one way or the other. A simple email will be enough.

If you believe we now need a new symbol which can better capture the flavour of our two villages, have a go! Are you up for the challenge?

We will find a prize that suitably matches the tastes of our winner.

So, sketch away or exercise your IT skills, and send me your results in the first instance.

C. Elcome, 3 Nyefield Park, KT20 7QR

Church of the Good Shepherd Tadworth Ta

Community n y Supp pport in Ta Tadworth and Walton

Support for all residents This support continues to help those isolated, or isolating, at home. If a second wave of Covid-19 afffeects us, we will be there to offffer a) help with shopping; b) prescription collection and delivery; c) friendship and telephone support.

Also, thanks to donations, a hardship fund can m make small grants where there is a particular short-term need.

Volunteers All volunteers are local residents and are vetted d. It is a tribute to our community spirit that so many of you volun nteered to help.

With some volunteers returned to work, or to college studies, we may ask again those who were not needed in th he Spring. If you would like to join the volunteer list, do contact us.

CONTTA ACTS Mike Fox TWRAandWatch@virginmedia.com Mo Atkins moatkins@hotmail.co.uk Norma Darter normadarter@hotmail.co.uk Timothy Astin tim.astin@virginmedia.com

01737 350452 07799 136894 01737 812639 07786 667170

clive.elcome@ukgateway.net To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk T R I B U N E

NOVEMBER 2020 13

THE BROOKLANDS STORY _ó=`äáîÉ=bäÅçãÉ

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n the early 1900’s, a wealthy Surrey landowner called Hugh Locke-King, had an idea which would have a far reaching effect on the future development of motoring and of motor racing. Hugh had a passion for driving fast cars but was forever frustrated by the fact that his Continental peers, having far better roads in their own countries, were able routinely to outperform him. His answer to this conundrum was to create a loop of track on which cars could drive at whatever speed they liked, in one direction. He had, at a stroke, created the world’s first motor racing circuit. This circuit evolved as 2 miles of 6 inch deep concrete with banking of the curves to allow cornering at fast speeds. The whole project was completed – without the aid of today’s JCBs – in just 9 months. The first race

14 NOVEMBER 2020

was held in July 1907. The last was held on August 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. Over time, the track has been used for bicycles and motorcycles as well as cars.

It has been associated with many racing legends such as Henry Segrave, Malcolm Campbell and John Cobb among others.

Brooklands is not however solely about wheels. One of Hugh Locke-King’s friends was one A.V.Roe whose ambition was the achievement of man powered flight.

Encouraged by Locke-King, he undertook significant taxiing and towed flight trials in his Roe 1 Biplane from the Finishing Straight. From these beginnings, he went on to found the Avro Aviation Company which was later joined by Sopwith, Hawker, Vickers Armstrong and BAC. Brooklands had become a major centre for aircraft manufacture, and remained

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THE BROOKLANDS STORY

so for most of the 20th century. It is a surprise to people to learn that 30% of every Concorde was built here. In 1909, one of the country’s first airfields was created, and from that, one hundred years ago, Alcock and Brown took off in their Vickers Vimy, to achieve the first manned flight across the Atlantic. During the Second World War, 2,515 Wellington bombers were built here and, as a consequence, the site became a target for the Luftwaffe. Around 90 people were killed in a direct hit in September 1940. Barnes Wallis developed the ‘bouncing bomb’ from his workshop here, and ran practices on nearby Silvermere Lake.

Additionally the site is now home to the London Bus Museum.

Hopefully by now, I’ve led you to understand why Brooklands merits the THE TADWORTH & WALTON

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title of ‘Birthplace of British Motorsport and British Aviation’. To find out more go to the website: www.brooklandsmuseum.com/explore /our-history/birth-brooklands The Museum is currently open Thursday to Sunday, (bookings only), and while only a small section of the track itself remains, there is much to be seen, including Concorde, the Wellington bomber and the infamous 24 litre aero engine Napier Railton (pictured above), owned by John Cobb, who achieved a record breaking average speed of143 mph in it in 1935.

I’ve long been so intrigued by the place that I became a Volunteer Guide here some years ago. Come and take a look; it’s only 35 minutes away by road.

The Museum is at Brooklands Drive, Weybridge KT13 OSL. Tel: 01932 857381.

FORTHCOMING ISSUE PUBLISHING SCHEDULES Email: richard.milbourn@carnah.co.uk

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April 2021

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31st March

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NOVEMBER 2020 15

LOCAL WALKS

WALKING TO EPSOM WITH VIEWS

By Jeff Temple

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y wife and I very much enjoy this walk into Epsom for its several fine views, its route across the Downs, that it is downhill, plus there is a little history attached. One of the charms is also that it is on footpath or back streets for all but a few hundred metres of the way. You can return by the 460 or 480 buses, which have a close to half hourly service (the 480 takes you to the top of Waterfield, close to the Texaco garage at Shelvers Hill), or you can walk back, remembering it’s now mainly uphill!

Refreshments are possible at the “Derby Inn” or at the “Rubbing House”.

Details: Start point Tadworth Station, end in Epsom High Street. Distance (one way) approx. 4 miles. Time, approx. 1 hr 25 minutes.

Route: From Tadworth station bridge go round the corner and down The Avenue, bearing left by Tadworth Tyres. At the end (junction with Downs Way) go left for 100 metres to turn into Motts Hill Lane on the right. Go down Motts Hill Lane to the first bend after about 50 metres and turn right down the bridleway at the sign “Barberry House”. Carry on down with splendid views to your left over the Downs. At the bottom of the hill pass a footpath entering from the right, and then at two “Y” junctions take the left choice at both. The second one is by a notice board. Carry on this path.

At the end of this path you will be in the valley behind the Epsom Downs, by a signpost and a litter bin. Go left down the path for about 150 metres, and then right up a steep hill passing a large blue sign

16 NOVEMBER 2020

“Welcome to Epsom and Walton Downs”.

Carry straight up the hill, and at the top, opening out to a new field, go slightly left, keeping to the left of a single silver birch tree. Keep forward across another track, and after 200 metres cross the race course, to another magnificent view, now of West London, including in the distance Heathrow.

Carry on to the tarmac road, and drop down on this towards the Grandstands (you can also cut directly across the Downs towards the tunnel if you know your way).

In the dip at the bottom of the hill, before the Rubbing House, take the path on the right cutting off the corner, and head up the track about 100 metres towards the tunnel under the course. Take the tunnel, come up towards the road, taking the tarmac path on the right to be able to cross over the road by the traffic island. Now walk left skirting the roundabout, with the golf course still on your right, then cross the next road, with a splendid view of London below to your right, and head down Downs Road with the Derby Arms away to your left.

You should now be on the far side of the large roundabout by the grandstand. After just a few metres, at the horse crossing with traffic lights, turn right down a wide bridleway, with the golf course on your right hand side. Walk about 300 metres, then drop left down a short steep slope to the start of a path with a field on your left hand side. Continue down this straight path, which leads you into Epsom, crossing several paths and roads, but keeping straight on.

Although not indicated anywhere, this is known as “rifle butts alley”, and is where the 8th Corps of the Surrey Rifle Volunteers

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POEM used to train back in the 1850’s, preparing for an expected invasion by the French.

They used to relax afterwards at a pub in East Street, still called the Rifleman. The path passes horse fields on your left, and then past the rear of many houses, and is in good condition and a pleasant walk. It eventually comes out at Fyfield Close on Burgh Heath Road. Turn left, then left again after about 200 metres into Downs Road, and right shortly after into Downside, opposite the Elizabeth Welchman Gardens (with an interesting description of their history on Epsom & Ewell History Explorer).

From Downside carry straight on across Worple Road into Heathcote Road, then turn right into an alley by a pillar box just after Laburnum Road. At the end of the alley turn left into the Parade and walking to the end turn right to reach Epsom High Street.

TWENTY TWENTY

By Noel Phillips, Sandlands Road Death stalks the land Unseen, unheard and little understood An ever present menace to mankind It seeks us out to be its host While we in desperation try to find A vaccination an answer to this ghost Death stalks the land Meanwhile the measures we have put In place to mitigate the danger we face Have unexpectedly brought benefits Cleaner air, silent sky and quiet motorway Remanicent of days before the war When quieter times and slower pace of life Made for a happier state of mind And birdsong found a place Death stalks the land

To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk T R I B U N E

NOVEMBER 2020 17

WOODLAND TRUST

LANGLEY VALE WOOD

By Richard Harris

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angley Vale Wood was purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2014 to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War. It is one of four commemorative woods, the others located in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The English example consists of 640 acres and stretches from Langley Vale and gradually rises across the dip slope of the North Downs almost to Walton-on-the-Hill. As shown on the map, the site can be accessed at a number of points from the network of footpaths which criss-cross the boundaries of Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead and Mole Valley.

The description ‘wood’ is something of a misnomer. Although the area has three patches of ancient woodland, most of the site was originally arable farmland divided by hedgerows. The Woodland Trust has planted up to 150,000 trees since 2014 but much of it remains open to help the re-establishment of rare arable plants such as red lump nettle and ground pine and encourage others such as early

18 NOVEMBER 2020

purple orchid and wild cherry. In turn has encouraged the return of birds threatened by habitat loss including lapwing and skylarks. The aim of the Trust is not to plant the whole area with trees but create a variety of settings including grassland and tree cover free from the use of pesticides and fertilisers to encourage a variety of flora and fauna.

The Wood is only a short walk from Tadworth and Walton-on-the-Hill. This year I have been able to make regular visits and am astonished at how the landscape changes during the seasons. The elimination of chemicals and fertilisers means that not only do wild plants flourish creating an ever-changing palate of flowers but in turn they encourage insects and other wildlife. A visit the summer of 2019 was remarkable for the clouds of painted lady butterflies feeding on thistles and other nectar producing plants, one of 29 butterfly species recently recorded in the Wood. So, if you have already visited and think you know the site, then it’s well worth coming back to see the

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WOODLAND TRUST woodland gradually becoming established and, in the more open areas, the changes as the seasons progress.

Residents of Tadworth and Walton and surrounding communities are particularly fortunate in being able to enjoy access to large and varied open areas of countryside. Within one of the most locally accessible segments of open space inside the M25 it is possible to walk to Epsom and Ashtead commons, the Downs and Walton Heath. All of these are within the Green Belt; some parts of which are designated as Areas of Great Landscape Value adjoining the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Langley Vale Wood forms part of this chain which wraps itself around the west and south of Epsom, Tadworth and Walton. Individual parts do not stand on their own and need to link with similar open landscapes to allow animals and insects to travel between them and enable plant colonisation to take place. The fruits of

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connecting open spaces can be seen by buzzards, long persecuted by gamekeepers, gradually returning from the west to soar over Headley Common, Langley Vale Wood, Waltonon-the -Hill and hunt within the M25.

NOVEMBER 2020 19

TA D WO R T H & W A LTO N R E S I D E N T S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

TWRA FINANCIAL REPORT

By Robin Parr-Davies, Treasurer

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arlier in the year a Financial Report for 2019 was circulated to TWRA Members in lieu of our usual AGM in May which, due to COVID-19, did not take place. In view of the “Substitute AGM” planned for November, which the TWRA is now adopting (see the TWRA AGM article on page 25), we repeat here the main points from that Financial Report (a full set of Accounts can be found on our web site: www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk).

At the 2019 year-end TWRA’s Bank Balance, including Reserves, stood at £25,108 plus Pfizer Funds carried forward of £6,936 for projects yet to be fully specified.

An overall increase in our total Bank Balance of £3,938.

Income from Subscriptions at £6,477 was almost the same as last year. 44% of our Subscriptions were derived from Standing Orders (39% in 2018). Income from Grants and Donations was significantly higher at £25,060, of which £11,223 came from Surrey County Council (SCC), £1,433 from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) and £12,404 from other sources, including the locally based international pharmaceutical company Pfizer, and a number of other local shops and businesses (many specifically for Tadworth in Bloom). We are very grateful to all those organisations that have contributed to our various local projects which included; verge Tree Planting and Stump Removals (Tadworth & Walton Tree Wardens), the Shelvers Hill improvement project, the replacement Tadworth Finger Post and Tadworth in Bloom, whilst £6,000 of Pfizer Grant was passed over to the Walton Forum for a number of projects specific to Walton village.

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FUTURE SUBSCRIPTION FUNDING

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s our Chairman has said, the COVID19 situation prevented the TWRA from collecting cash subscriptions this year because we did not want to expose our Road Stewards to any health risk from their usual ‘house to house’ collections during this time of a Pandemic.

We are therefore, now reliant on our Members paying their £5.00 annual subscription by Standing Order, which almost half already do.

For the future, we ask those members not already paying by Standing Order to please do so now. We have included a Standing Order Form on page 5, it is also available on our web site. We are asking members, who previously paid their subscriptions in cash to a Road Steward, to please complete the Form and send it directly to their own Bank, not us or our Bank. Please remember to complete the top right-hand box with the first line of your address, with no spaces, as a reference to help us identify you on our Bank Statement as having paid. If at any time in the future you wanted to stop paying, perhaps because you leave the area for example, then it is very simple to stop the Standing Order, because you are always in control.

It only remains for us to extend a huge “thank you” to our Road Stewards who have done such a sterling job over many years in collecting subscriptions and delivering our Newsletter. Suffice it to say that we have ideas for things that we would like to ask them to do in support of the TWRA and our local community in the future – but more of that in subsequent issues of our “new look” Newsletter.

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TA D WO RT H C R I C K E T C LU B

CRICKET MAKES A COMEBACK

By Simon Harris

I

n what has been a frustrating summer for everyone, cricket was not immune to the restrictions, and everyone at Tadworth Cricket Club was delighted when the Government gave the green light for training, and then the start of outdoor matches once again. With matches not permitted until July, the league was cancelled, but that did not mean the cricket was any less competitive with the scheduled matches still being played under a friendly format and points being recorded.

The 1st XI were able to finish 4th in the reduced season with stand out performances being a comprehensive 8 wicket victory against Woldingham Village, a 23 run victory against North Holmwood and a 7 wicket win against Nutfield. The club has really benefitted from having a great group of young players playing regularly in 2020 bringing enthusiasm, aggression in their style of play and some athletic fielding.

The 2nd XI were also able to play each week due to good levels of availability which has occasionally been an issue in previous seasons. Availability was so good that we were able to put out 3 Saturday teams twice during the season. This has never been achieved before and we hope it is not the final time we are able to do this. Whilst results were not quite as positive for the 2nd XI, they were able to end the season with a victory against Nutfield 2nd XI and a common theme throughout the club during the year has been the amazing atmosphere and good spirit in which the matches have been played.

TCC continued to have a Sunday side playing friendly fixtures against a variety of opponents. The biggest casualty of the Government regulations was the famous Tadworth Sunday teas but that didn’t stop

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some excellent cricket and closely fought games.

Junior cricket has gone from strength to strength in the last few years thanks to the efforts of a group of core coaches and volunteers. This continued in 2020 despite the obvious problems encountered. From the introduction of 1 to 1 individual sessions to group sessions to finally being able to play matches, it has been a great achievement to get as many children as possible back playing cricket in a fun and safe environment.

Everyone has been so pleased to see the children develop their skills and this has been evident in some excellent victories against some of the larger local clubs.

As always, the local support is greatly appreciated and we hope to be back up and running fully next year. We are particularly grateful for the support of Surrey County Council in providing a grant to support the purchase of junior training equipment allowing greater participation for children of all abilities.

Tadworth Cricket Club is always open to new members and we were delighted to have been able to welcome a number of new members during the season, both young and old. Please visit our website www.tadworthcricketclub.co.uk or follow us on twitter (@tadworthcricket) if you would like further information or would be interested in joining.

NOVEMBER 2020 21

C O U N C I L LO R ’ S U P DAT E

OVERSHADOWED BY COVID-19 JEFF HARRIS

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his year has been overshadowed by Covid-19, which sadly, hasn’t gone away and the advice remains, ‘wash your hands, keep your distance and where necessary, wear a mask’.

Without being melodramatic, these simple steps will save lives. Residents will have seen my Monthly Report which contains more details.

But life does go on, and we’ve suffered with the weather. Sadly many homes were affected and flooded in August. I’ve been working to get some improvements undertaken locally to try and eliminate the flood risk in future.

Within the next couple of months at the longest, work will start in Kingswood Road, to completely clear the storm drain and pipes feeding it from Ashurst Road. This should save flooding in the future.

The same applies to Chipstead Lane, and works have just been completed in Ballards Green.

Residents can help of course. If you’re about to put a driveway in, concrete one or tarmac your garden to get better parking, please think where will the rainfall go….And please, if you see a blocked drain, report it.

On other issues-hopefully people will have noticed that most of the tree stumps across the area have been removed. I continue to fund this work which improves our roads.

Talking of which, it’s pothole season again…

Surrey Highways repairs thousands of holes each month, and relies on residents to report them. It’s really simple and quick to do, so please if you see a hole, don’t leave it to someone else, please report it! If it doesn’t get sorted out, let me know.

I will finish by saying a huge ‘Thank You’ to the dozens of residents from across my area, who turned out in all weathers to litter-pick

22 NOVEMBER 2020

and make our villages look spick and span. The results of your efforts are plain to see.

Well done! With best wishes Jeff Harris, County Councillor RACHEL TURNER

I

n response to the Pandemic situation Reigate & Banstead Borough Council made the early, proactive decision to set up robust welfare support arrangements for our residents. This included both food and pharmacy support run from the Community Support Centre established at the Harlequin, with welfare phone calls by specially trained staff and volunteers.

Between March and August 2020, the Council: · Delivered 2,089 emergency food boxes · Prepared and delivered 7,379 hot meals · Delivered 48,366 grocery items to 7 local food banks · Made 12,902 welfare calls to vulnerable residents · Made 93 welfare visits to vulnerable residents · Collected and delivered 397 prescriptions · Supported 5 local pharmacies with volunteer delivery drivers · Had 24,072 visits to our ‘I need help’ coronavirus webpages · Were directly supported by 70 volunteers – either making befriending phone calls or delivering food or medication.

Our response has involved close partnerships, working with a host of community partners through regular COVID-19 locality meetings.

There have been in excess of 30 meetings held since they were initiated early in lockdown.

Our response to the first wave of the pandemic has been exceptional. Our officers responded whole heartedly to the incredible challenges they faced in their determination to

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C O U N C I L LO R ’ S U P DAT E support all our residents, particularly the most vulnerable, in the borough.

We are now concurrently working on recovery and second wave planning. We have established systems and experienced staff that will support us in responding to any local second wave quickly, and are working closely with our partners across the voluntary and community sectors both to support recovery and to be ready to be able to deliver support to our most vulnerable residents quickly and effectively again if we need to.

Age Concern Banstead have been supporting about 100 residents who live in the North of the Borough, delivering food parcels twice a week, Waitrose have been fantastic helping out with the food, adding flowers and chocolates for the hardworking volunteers. Their volunteers have been making regular phone calls to the elderly and vulnerable Locally thanks to the Community Support in

Tadworth and Walton has been led by Mike Fox, Mo Atkins and Tim Astin with their team of marvellous volunteers. We mustn't forget the local business who have been doing home deliveries of food to the elderly or ill residents Delighted our first two week community clean-up was such a success. Across the whole Ward there have been nine session of volunteers out and about removing the rubbish, cleaning the road signs, bus shelters and notice boards. Many thanks to all who gave up their time to help Rachel Turner, County Councillor Joint Enforcement Team To report abandoned vehicles, anti-social behavior, fly tipping, graffiti, litter, dog fouling etc., please contact the Joint Enforcement Team (JET) on-line at: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/ report or 01737 276300.

To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk T R I B U N E

NOVEMBER 2020 23

VILLAGE ROUND UP

WALTON VILLAGE KITCHEN

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hen ‘lockdown’ brought an abrupt end to the Six Soup Saturdays held in Christchurch Hall, during Lent, the Village Kitchen team, coordinated by Walton Open Group, managed to serve takeaways

from the hall doorstep for a further couple of weeks. It was soon realised how much, not only the weekly soups during Lent, but the monthly Village Kitchen would be missed by the regular attendees, now isolated in their homes.

The Open Group had become immediately part of the newly formed Tadworth and Walton Community Support Group. As part of this endeavour and thanks to Norma Darter together with a small band of volunteers,

Norma Darter.

including husband Bill, Saturday soup deliveries continued weekly, from Norma’s kitchen, throughout ‘lockdown’, until the end of July. Thereafter, on what would have been Village Kitchen Saturdays in August and September (second of the month) sandwiches and cakes were added to the menu, and cheerfully delivered.

It was felt important to keep the Village Kitchen alive and to continue to raise funds for Open Group’s current charity, the Princess Alice Hospice.

Since ‘lockdown’ and with many thanks to everyone’s generosity in providing soup etc, the team has raised almost £1200. A further £560 from the Hall Lunches has been donated to TWOAT. Mo Atkins

LIVE JAZZ AT THE CHALET B A K E R Y

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hat better way to start the weekend than sit outside with a coffee and listen to some live music” – so many people have said how much they have enjoyed doing this on summer Saturday

mornings. Prior to 2018 I had done a few guitar & vocal sessions but decided to turn to saxophone jazz and it has proved increasingly popular, so far raising over £2,500 for various charities, local and national, Children’s Trust, CRY, Marsden, MIND, Brompton Hospital, CRISIS. Chiefly, everyone has a good time! It has been particularly important this year as people looked to “break out” of home and have some “socially distanced” fun!

I started learning the saxophone about 6 years ago, with a brilliant

Ian Wright

teacher called Geoff Driscoll, who since the 60s had backed more big names than anyone could imagine. He encouraged me to read music but also to play freely and improvise. Sadly Geoff died 3 years ago, but since then I have studied with another excellent local tutor, Gary Lewars.

If we are blessed with enough decent weather, I hope to do a few more sessions this year so people can keep in touch via the Chalet Bakery & Café or on the Nextdoor website. Certainly I will aim to do the Saturday before Christmas for CRISIS. A big thank you must go to the Gambins who own the Chalet, Clare the manager, Mimi and Lauren who keep the customers supplied with drinks and pastries, and to all the super people who come along to support “the project”. Please note I am always interested in playing at any charity fundraisers. Ian Wright

24 NOVEMBER 2020

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N E I G H B O U R H O O D W ATC H

NEW WAYS TO CONTACT POLICE

By Mike Fox

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oth Surrey Police and Neighbourhood Watch are looking to increase their interactions with the public by means of Social Media. The Police crime reporting 101 line is to be augmented with additional facilities for contacting the Police including links via Police facebook pages and online chat facilities. These new facilities are currently being live trialled and so are partially available. They are expected to be launched formally in October.

Surrey Neighbourhood Watch has recently introduced a Code of Practice for the use of Social Media by Neighbourhood Watches. The Code is mainly concerned with Social Media Watches that span a whole community such as a village or a housing estate. It addresses two main issues – firstly how intelligence relating to crimes provided in posts onto NhW social Media sites should be passed to the Police especially when this intelligence is provided by several different posters addressing the same or related incidents.

The answer to this is that the NhW site administrator should obtain a Police reference number via the 101 mechanism so that posters can use that reference to pass their own aspects of the intelligence to the Police also using 101.

The second issue addressed by the code is to set out mechanisms to describe how a new community based Watch should interact with street-based Watches that already exist in that area. You can find details of the Code and a list of currently approved community based Watches in Surrey by visiting www.surreynhw.org.uk Surrey Neighbourhood Watch obtained a grant from the Tesco Bags of Hope Scheme in June 2019 to help it develop the use of Social Media by Watches in Surrey. In view of the COVID restrictions on public gatherings and meetings part of this grant was used to acquire Zoom licences to be used by the NhW

organisations in each of the three Surrey Police Divisions to help train NhW Coordinators in the use of Social Media and to spread best practices from the early adopters. If you are involved with a group which is playing a part in improving community cohesion and you would like to take advantage of the NhW Zoom licenses available to Reigate & Banstead please contact me using the email address below.

Sadly the level of crime across Surrey has risen back to pre-COVID levels and in particular there has been a considerable increase in burglaries perpetrated locally. If you do not already receive Neighbourhood Watch or Police Alerts and Bulletins which give details of these please contact me. Mike Fox Chair Surrey Neighbourhood Watch 01737 350452

TWRA AGM

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ne of the difficulties arising from the 2020 Pandemic, COVID-19, has been the forced postponement of our Annual General Meeting which we would normally hold during May each year. Having taken some advice and had further discussions, your Committee has decided to hold a “substitute AGM” during our November Committee Meeting on Tuesday November 17th. We would then plan to hold a true AGM in May 2021.

Much of the Reports used at our AGM have been circulated or are included in this publication, so if any Member has any comments or questions could they please direct them to any member of your Committee, and we will do our best to address them. In addition, each of the Committee Members is prepared to continue in post for this year.

We hope that Members will understand why we have taken this decision.

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NOVEMBER 2020 25

SCOUTS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Share your skills, gain new ones

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eek by week our volunteers across the country empower thousands of young people to learn new skills, make new friends and stand on their own two feet. They’re our everyday heroes. They shape young people’s lives for the better and find out a whole lot about themselves in the process, too.

Today, in Walton-on-the-Hill we have 20 Beavers and Cubs, and young people on the waiting list to join us, without Leaders.

Scouting is more relevant and more needed than ever, but it’s not always easy to keep up with the demand.

That’s where you come in. You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent. Our door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and we’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. We’re keen to talk to you if you are looking for a Leadership Role but we're also talking about tidy-uppers and skill sharers and first aiders. We’re talking about students who want to boost their CV, and parents who volunteer so they can spend more time together as a family.

26 NOVEMBER 2020

Whatever your skillset, lend a hand for as little or as much time as you can spare, and we promise you’ll get more out than you put in. Because whether you’re helping a leader to run an activity in our local Scout and Guide hall or organising a night away - no two Cub or Beaver meetings are the same. The difference you make, though, is always great.

We provide the training. You show up, get stuck in, and make memories for life.

Sounds fun? Worthwhile? It is.

We look forward to hearing from you: waltonscoutgroup@hotmail.com Take a look at the Scouting website www.scouts.org.uk Avril Farley, Group Scout Leader 1st Walton-on-the-Hill Scout Group

HOW CREATIVE CAN YOU BE? A pair of swans have long featured in the TWRA’s logo. Sadly, it now seems unlikely that we will see swans back on Walton pond in the foreseeable future. The question therefore is whether we should now look for a fresh emblem.

Please help us here: let us know your feelings one way or the other. A simple email will be enough.

If you believe we now need a new symbol which can better capture the flavour of our two villages, have a go! Are you up for the challenge?

We will find a prize that suitably matches the tastes of our winner.

So, sketch away or exercise your IT skills, and send me your results in the first instance.

C. Elcome, 3 Nyefield Park, KT20 7QR clive.elcome@ukgateway.net

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TA D WO RT H & W A LTO N OV E R S E A S A I D T RU S T

RESERVE FUNDS KEEP PROMISES

By Mike Fox

T

adworth & Walton Overseas Aid Trust (TWOAT) is a local charity supporting aid projects in impoverished communities around the world that have a specific connection to this area. It is entirely run by volunteers, and any money that you donate to it will be passed to the projects that it supports, without any costs being deducted for UK administration or professional fundraising staff.

After the first lockdown in March, TWOAT was unable to run any of its traditional fundraising events until September 26th. That date saw the first of two John Allinson Memorial Sponsored Walks started from Epsom Downs with 23 participants on a 5 mile circular walk via the Centenary Woodland in Langley Vale.

Unfortunately, at the time I am writing this article, we have had to postpone the second iteration of the walk from October 2nd to October 23rd, due to the forecasted arrival of Storm Alex. We are hoping that further COVID restrictions will not subsequently prevent it.

It was fortunate that we took a policy decision some years ago to retain a substantial reserve of funds in order to fulfil any specific promises of support that we had made to our projects. Thus despite losing several thousand pounds worth of expected income, we were still able to provide all the previously promised financial support up until the end of September. The support has typically been funding the wage costs of teachers or health workers, or supplying money for food so that impoverished children can have at least one decent meal a day via a school lunch. Several communities would have really suffered had

our support stopped.

We did take on one additional commitment when many of the parents of the children attending The Little Sapphires School, which we support in Madagascar, could no longer contribute the £3.65 per month they had been paying towards the costs of running the school, due to the impact of COVID on their opportunities to work. We launched an appeal for an additional £1,000 and our supporters in Tadworth, Walton and Kingswood responded magnificently, so that we were able to send that extra £1,000 to Madagascar in September. We are aware that many people helped by our projects are suffering additional hardships due to COVID. It is, for example, impossible for infected family members to isolate themselves when the whole family, including grandparents, have a single roomed hut in which they all live.

We have to assume that our normal Christmas fundraising, such as Carol Singing in the streets of Walton, will also be prohibited due to COVID. We are trying alternative methods of fundraising such as online auctions, but we will be mainly relying on the continuing generosity of our supporters to help ensure that we can continue to meet the promises we have made. We will be arranging further Zoom presentations to keep them in touch with the specific needs of our projects. Please check our web site www.TWOAT.org to access our online auctions and to be informed about any Zoom presentations or other events that we are able to organise.

Keep well.

Mike Fox, Chair, TWOAT 01737 350452

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NOVEMBER 2020 27

STOP PRESS TSB TADWORTH Sadly, we have just learnt of the closure of the Tadworth Branch of TSB, planned for March 2021, just one of 164 Branches closing across the country. Our nearest alternative branches would seem to be Wallington or the Belfry, Redhill as the Branch in Sutton is also scheduled to close in May 2021.

We would like to wish the Tadworth staff who have served us so well over the years, the very best for their futures.

There is a petition for keeping TSB open, search ‘Keep TSB Tadworth Open.’

HEADLEY COMMON ROAD SES Water have announced a programme of mains replacement which will require a system of traffic management to be put in place until July 2021.

PLEASE VISIT THE TADWORTH ART GROUP EXHIBITION As our Art Group is unable to mount our usual exhibition in St John’s Hall this autumn, we will be replacing it with our first online exhibition instead. This will start on November 20th, initially for two weeks.

Dive into the virtual world from the comfort of your own home and see what the artists have been creating. This is a great opportunity to view and buy affordable artwork in a variety of styles and media - examples right.

You can keep up to date with our latest news via www.tadworthartgroup.com www.facebook.com/tadworthartgroup and Instagram.

Please support your local art group, and don’t forget us!

28 NOVEMBER 2020

T R I B U N E To advertise call 01737 222307 or visit www.tadworthwaltonra.co.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS TWRA Committee Officers: Clive Elcome – Chairman – 01737 813110 Gillian Hein – Vice Chair & Tadworth Planning gillian.hein@virginmedia.com Robin Parr-Davies – Treasurer – 01737 812871 Gillian Bockmeulen – Secretary – 01737 814989 Mike Fox – Membership Secretary, Neighbourhood Watch & Police Liaison – 01737 350452 Richard Harris – Walton Planning – 01737 813784 Patricia Brookwick - TWTW - 07949 209234 Jubilee Woodland Management Committee Officers Rachel Turner – Chair & Local Councillor Cllr.turnert-banstead.gov.uk – 01737 812565 Gillian Hein – Secretary Robin Parr-Davies – Treasurer Gillian Bockmeulen – Community Liaison Local Representives Rachel Turner – Borough Councillor – cllr.turner@reigatebanstead.gov.uk Rod Ashford – Borough Councillor – cllr.ashford@reigate-banstead.gov.uk Jeff Harris – Surrey County Councillor – jeffrey.harris@surreycc.gov.uk Crispin Blunt MP – crispinbluntmp@parliament.uk Westminster Office – 0207 219 2254 Constituency Office - 01737 222756 Reigate & Banstead Borough Council 01737 276000 (Emergency number & outside office hours – 0151 221 2928) reigate-banstead.gov.uk/contact_us Surrey County Council - 03456 009 009 SCC Highways Department

30 NOVEMBER 2020

Emergency Number Only – 0300 200 1003 Gas Leak Emergency Number – 0800 111999 Police Non-Emergency No. – 101 NHS Advice Number -111 Reporting Potholes You can report potholes and damaged pavements at: Surrey Police – 01483 571212 or 101 Anti-terrorist hotline - 0800 789 321 Local Charities Dyscover - 01737 819419 Friends of St Peter’s Church, Walton on the Hill – 01737 813832 Living at Home Scheme – banstead.liveathome@mha.org.uk Home Farm Trust – 01737 812223 Tadworth & Walton Overseas Aid Trust – 01737 350452 The Children’s Trust – 01737 668254 Local Medical Centres: Heathcote Medical Centre – 012737 360202 Tadworth Medical Centre – 01737 303217 Local Hospitals: Epsom General – 01372 735735 Leatherhead – 01372 384384 East Surrey – 01737 768511 St Helier – 020 8296 2000 Local Chemists: Jubichem – 16, Shelvers Way, Tadworth – 01737 813131 Day Lewis Pharmacy – 20, Cross Road, Tadworth – 017837 813130 Walton Pharmacy – 12, Walton Street Walton on the Hill – 01737 813251 Day Lewis – 1, Tattenham Crescent, Epsom – 01737 355260 Downs Chemist – 33 Tattenham Crescent, Epsom – 01737 354714 Local Scout & Guide Groups: Tadworth Sea Scout Group – Fiona Hawker – 01737 358097 Walton Scout Group (Beavers & Cubs) - Avril Fairley – 01737 3561260 or Anna Yates – annafeatherstone@hotmail.com

Tadworth and Walton Guide Groups – Avril Farley Local Schools: Chinthurst – 01737 812011 Walton on the Hill Primary – 01737 812103 Tadworth Primary – 01737 354541 The Children’s Trust Special Education - 01737 3658109 Local Groups & Committees Christchurch Guild – Sheila Brotherhood - 01737 813678 The Gage Players, Amateur Drama Group – Box Office - 01737 812703, Membership - 01737 8123245 The Open Group – Mo Atkins 01737 813834 or Pauline Shaw – 01737 812223 Local History Society – Peter Denyer – 01372 377337 Walton Village Forum – Grant Webster – 01737 819915 Mothers Union – Karen Rand 01737 213311 Walton Warriors Football Club – chair@waltonwarriors.co.uk Local Churches St John The Evangelist Church, Tadworth – 01737 813102 Church of the Good Shepherd, Tadworth – 01737 813152 St Peter’s Church, Walton – 01737 812105 Local Halls Church of the Good Shepherd Hall, Tadworth – 01737 819646 or ergogery2@madasafish.com St John’s Church Hall, Tadworth – bookings@stjohnstadworth.org.uk Breech Lane Community Centre, Walton – 01737 01737 819959 Christchurch Hall, Walton – 01737 813678 Lord Riddell Hall, Walton – 01737 813265 Walton Primary School – 017837 812103 Walton Scout & Guide Hall - 01737 81237

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01737 632736 or 07852 833802

ESTABLISHED 1997

YOUR HOME IS HOT PROPERTY! We’re seeing extraordinary demand for homes in the local area to meet the stamp duty holiday demand. If you’re considering a move or would just like to get an up-to-date valuation, call one of our local experts to book an appointment today.

KINGSWOOD

01737 360000 kingswood@richardsaunders.co.uk

LETTINGS

01737 370700 lettings@richardsaunders.co.uk

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