Heathscene Spring 2013_

Heathscene Great Place • Great Community • Great Future

Spring days out in

Park Life Lots to see at the

Surrey Heath Show

Photo Competition Surrey Heath in Bloom FREE Youth Sports Coaching

Spring 2013

in this issue . . .

Surrey Heath Show A must do spring event for people of the borough and beyond.

page 4 Business Breakfast Representatives from over 80 local businesses meet to network.

page 5

What’s on A visit to Camberley Theatre is a must. See what’s coming up soon!

page 8 Surrey Heath in Bloom This year’s competition is bigger and better than ever.

page 13

the Message from

ive Chief Execut

Here at Surrey Heath we are very proud of our community services which we know make a massive difference to the lives of some of the more vulnerable people in the Borough. One of these services is Meals on Wheels (soon to be re-christened Meals at Home) which not only provides hot nutritious meals seven days a week, 365 days a year but also acts as an important link to the outside world for many of our elderly and disabled residents. The heavy snow earlier in the year presented us with a major challenge as many of our side roads became inaccessible to our regular delivery vehicles but the cold weather meant that delivering the meals was more important than ever. Thankfully we have a contingency plan in place for when this happens and during heavy snow our park rangers and their 4x4 vehicles go out with the Meals on Wheels team to make sure no-one goes hungry. Find out more on page 18.

With the Easter holidays fast approaching parents (myself included) will be looking for activities for the children to do whilst off school. If you have any budding performers in the family then you should get them booked onto the Easter Stars week long performing arts course at the Camberley Theatre which culminates in a performance for friends and family on the main stage. Go to page 8 for more details.

Have a great spring!

Karen Whelan Chief Executive Social Networking

plus many more articles of information and interest.

Copywriting by: Ian Macey, Andy Edmeads and Daniel Harrison, Surrey Heath Borough Council Designed and printed by: Frontline, Ashdown House, Charlwoods Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 2HJ Published by: Surrey Heath Borough Council, Email heathscene@surreyheath.gov.uk Tel: 01276 707100 If you require this magazine in a different format, please call the media & marketing team on 01276 707312.

Copyright © Surrey Heath Borough Council.

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Surrey Heath Borough Council is now offering advertising space at competitive rates in Heathscene magazine, distributed to every household in the borough.

For further information contact Frontline on 01342 312570 or email frontline@frontlinedesigners.co.uk

www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 3

council

Surrey Heath Show Saturday 4 May 10am – 4pm • Frimley Lodge Park, Frimley Green www.surreyheathshow.org Admission – FREE The Surrey Heath Show is a ‘must do’ spring event for people of the Borough and beyond.

Hosted at the award winning Frimley Lodge Park, this action packed day out aims to provide entertainment for the whole family.

As well as traditional attractions such as crafts,

community and local business stalls, Surrey Air Ambulance will be making an appearance; as well as live music, food stalls, judo displays and the Companion Dog Show.

Plus there are lots of children’s activities such as the mega slide and the added bonus of the famous

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway operating all day.

Don’t miss out on this year’s show.

Admission to this fantastic event is free. For more show information visit www.surreyheathshow.org Join the converstion on Twitter by using the hashtag #SurreyHeathShow

Surrey Heath is entering Hampton Court Palace Flower Show!

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the world’s largest flower show and has been running since 1990. relocated so they wanted to find ways of growing things they could take with them. That’s where the theme for their Hampton Court Garden entry ‘A Moveable Feast’ came from. It features a wide variety of edible plants and uses cheap and attractive ideas for growing that can easily be moved with The Army Wives or replaced at little cost.

Surrey Heath’s community garden, Flourish, will be entering a garden into the show this year, which takes place in July. The garden has been designed by Kate Turner; community gardener at Flourish and a group of Army Wives from Deepcut who attended a ‘Grow Your Own’ course.

The Army Wives are frequently Follow us on

The garden includes yellow flowers all along the perimeter. This symbolises the ribbon of hope the Army Wives have when their husbands are away.

To keep up to date with all the latest developments or if you are interested in volunteering to help with this project; please use the links below: @surreyheath #SHBCflower Like us on

/SurreyHeathBC

Read our blog - surreyheath.tumblr.com Email Greenspace@surreyheath.gov.uk or call 01276 707338

4 I Heathscene I www.surreyheath.gov.uk

council

Surrey Heath Memorial Tree A special memorial tree has been unveiled in a ceremony at Frimley Lodge Park.

The tree is situated in the park for anyone wishing to remember loved ones and reflect on those they have lost. Rice paper will be available for visitors to leave a message on and pin to the tree. Rice paper has been specially chosen as it is completely safe and biodegradable and will not damage or impact on the rest of the park.

The idea came about after Debbie Webb, a local resident, posted her thoughts on having a memorial tree on a Facebook page. The suggestion received dozens of responses in support and Cllr Paul Deach took the idea to Surrey Heath

Borough Council and was supported immediately.

identifying the perfect spot for making this happen.”

Cllr Paul Deach said: “Many of us have lost loved ones and it is not always easy to pay our respects, as this can often involve long distance travel. In my own case, my grandparents were laid to rest in Manchester but this allows me to quietly reflect on their life in a beautiful setting close to my home.

The tree was blessed by Reverend Larry Bain from Heatherside Church in a small ceremony on Friday 1 February.

“Lots of local residents will benefit immensely from this wonderful idea.

I would like to thank Debbie for having such a lovely idea and for the councils green space team who have been incredibly helpful in

Surrey Heath businesses make connections over breakfast Representatives from over 80 local businesses joined council officers and councillors at Surrey Heath Borough Council’s Business Breakfast event on Friday 1 March.

The meeting, which is held twice a year at The Camberley Theatre, invites Surrey Heath businesses to sit down for breakfast and network with one another, whilst finding out new information and listening to guest speakers.

The key note speaker was Richard Ashworth, MEP for the South East of England, who talked about economic issues from a European perspective.

Also speaking was Marcus Hall from

Siemens plc, whose UK headquarters are in Frimley; as well as local entrepreneur Graeme Menday who won British Inventor of the Year 2012 from The British Invention Society after inventing new software with a solution for parents to control and manage their child’s mobile phone.

The presentations were followed by a question and answer session which gave delegates the opportunity to quiz the speakers.

Each event provides local businesses the opportunity for valuable networking and the chance to generate leads, as well as to exhibit and raise the profile of their company or organisation among the

160 delegates that attend.

The next meeting will take place at The Camberley Theatre on Friday 27 September 2013 and businesses interested in attending or exhibiting should visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/business You can also view videos of previous events on www.youtube.com/surreyheathbc

www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 5

council

Council Tax Benefit changes As part of the government’s welfare reforms, from 1 April 2013 the current national Council Tax Benefit scheme is being abolished.

It means that councils have to replace it with their own local schemes, known as Council Tax Support. However as part of the reforms, the government is reducing funding for this support, meaning less money for councils to fund their local schemes.

Each Council has the freedom to determine their own local scheme but the government has reduced the funding to pay for it by 10%. To manage this reduction in funding, the council has needed to reduce the support claimants receive to pay their Council Tax. As required by the government, elderly people will continue to receive the same level of assistance as they would have done under Council Tax Benefit.

But most people of working age who currently receive Council Tax Benefit will from April have to pay something towards their Council Tax bill.

where the amount of Council Tax support given to claimants matches the level of funding received from government. The main changes are:

Last autumn, the council consulted the public on its proposals and 113 responses were received.

• Working age claimants will need to pay at least 30% of their council tax bill unless they fall within a specified vulnerable group

Initially it was proposed that all working age claimants would have to pay a portion of their Council Tax. However following careful consideration of the consultation responses, allowances have been built into the scheme to take account of residents with a disability premium and those receiving War Disablement Pension or War Widows Pension.

The council at its meeting on 22 January decided on a local scheme

• Capping the maximum award to a Council Tax Band D property charge • Restricting the minimum award to £5 per week • Reducing support for those with more than £6,000 savings The council has contacted those who receive Council Tax benefit about the changes and the new local Council Tax Support scheme.

Anyone who would like to know more about the changes can visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/benefitchanges or call the council for advice on 01276 707121.

Pay by Direct Debit for a chance to win £200 Paying your Council Tax by Direct Debit not only saves you time and money but keeps the council’s costs down too.

Over 70% of Surrey Heath residents now pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit, but with your help we can improve on this.

If you don’t currently pay by Direct Debit but switch by 18 April 2013 you will be included in a prize draw to win £50, £100 or £200.

If you already pay by Direct Debit you will also be included in the draw.

Make the change by calling 01276 707176 and have your council tax bill and bank details to hand.

Winners will be notified by 21 May 2013.

6 I Heathscene I www.surreyheath.gov.uk

environment

Great value offers from the Green Waste Club Great news for Surrey Heath gardeners – the popular Green Waste Club is freezing prices for new and renewing members this spring, as well as launching a shopping reward card that earns back money. a further generous double discount: £10 off for the new member plus £10 off for the introducing member once their friend has signed up!

Shopping Reward Card for Club Members There’s more good news for Green Waste Club members: Biffa has teamed up with Grass Roots to offer the pure@home shopping reward card which can be used like an ordinary debit card to earn rebates while shopping at many popular everyday retailers.

The club currently has around 6,000 members who benefit from regular and convenient fortnightly collections of garden waste.

Thanks to the price freeze, new customers can join the Surrey Heath Club from just £4.16 a month (or from £49.95 a year). Existing members renewing their 12 month subscription will enjoy the same low price, as will those choosing monthly direct debit. Further discounts are available for customers choosing to buy 24 or 36 month packages.

Any club member introducing a friend who joins the Club will trigger

Cardholders using their pure@home card, which can be preloaded with between £25 and £500, at participating retailers get between three and ten percent of the amount spent credited back to their account.

That’s up to £1 back for every £10 spent - and means a cardholder could earn back the cost of their Green Waste Club subscription several times over by making just one small change to their usual shopping habits!

For more information on the great-value Surrey Heath Green Waste Club, the pure@home shopping reward card and other

offers, visit the Club’s website www.greenwasteclub.co.uk or call 0800 0858 286.

Reasons to join the Green Waste Club 1. Low cost service 2. Convenient kerbside collections 3. Recycle your garden waste 4. Reduce your carbon footprint 5. Saves on trips to the local tip

✔

You can recycle Grass cuttings Twigs

Dead flowers Leaves

Clippings and prunings

www.surreyheath.gov.uk/recycling I Heathscene I 7

camberley theatre

What’s On at The Camberley Theatre There’s much to do and see at Camberley Theatre this spring and here are just some of the highlights, but for a full run down of events go to www.camberleytheatre.biz

The Easter Holidays are just around the corner and Camberley Theatre has plenty for the family to enjoy over the break. Young budding performers won’t want to miss Easter Stars, the theatre’s popular performing arts course that teaches acting, dancing and singing from Monday 8 to Friday 12 April. The course finishes with a performance from the students on the main stage to friends and family.

There’s plenty for the younger ones to see too, such as pre-school show Hey Diddle Diddle on Wednesday 10 April, a magical show of songs, laughter and audience participation set in Rhyme Town at the annual ‘Jumping over the Moon’ contest!

Plus Michaela Strachan will be performing her stage adaptation of children’s poetry; Michaela Strachan’s Really Wild Adventures on Saturday 13 April where those between 5-10 years old can enjoy a

delightful journey through an alphabet jungle of animal rhymes.

Discerning music lovers will be spoilt for choice too, from Rock ‘n’ Roll classics courtesy of Showaddywaddy on 13 April to British Rhythm and Blues from The Manfreds on 12 June, starring both lead singers from the original 1960s band. Top tribute acts also include And Finally…Phil Collins on 14 April and more than just a twang of an electric guitar riff can be heard on 29 June from 'Are You Experienced?' - The Ultimate Jimi Hendrix Tribute Band.

With Ballet Theatre UK’s beautiful production of Alice in Wonderland on 27 April and the longest running comedy in London’s West End, Reduced Shakespeare Company, on 6 June, the season is rounded off nicely, ensuring that the theatre has something for every genre to enjoy.

Dates for your dia ry!

28 June Des O’Conno

r

29 July – 9 A ugust Summer Stars

Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01276 707600 or visiting www.camberleytheatre.biz.

8 I Heathscene I www.camberleytheatre.biz

At a glance Wednesday 3 April Bobby Socks and Blue Jeans Performing the most popular hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s Thursday 4 April Chris & Pui Roadshow CBeebies' favourite double act return to Camberley Wednesday 10 April Hey Diddle Diddle Theatre show for pre-schoolers featuring all nursery characters Friday 12 April Comedy Club Laugh your way into the weekend with this month’s comedians Monday 8 – Friday 12 April Easter Stars Easter Holiday performing arts course Saturday 13 April Michaela Strachan’s Really Wild Adventures Poetry, dancing, music and wildlife facts Saturday 13 April Showaddywaddy Tour Enjoy all the classic top 40 hits in this nostalgic treat Sunday 14 April And Finally…Phil Collins Two hours of Phil Collins hits by an uncanny impersonator Thursday 18 April Silly Songs of Shakespeare A joyfully daft exploration of the Bard Tuesday 23 – Wednesday 24 April Les Misérables (12A) Much anticipated film adaptation of the stage sensation Saturday 27 April Alice in Wonderland Delightful dance entertainment for all ages

youth

Young Citizen scheme for Surrey Heath Year 7 pupils More than 300 school pupils from around Surrey Heath have taken part in the Young Citizen scheme, a one-day course providing activities to help them broaden their social responsibility skills.

Young Citizen is designed to give youngsters the knowledge and skills to lead safe, healthy lives and to understand how their behaviour can have an impact on others.

Held at Collingwood School College in Camberley, the Year 7 pupils took part in practical sessions to learn first-hand about personal safety, wellbeing and dealing with emergency situations.

With sessions provided by Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey Police and local charity Your Sanctuary; the topics covered included road and fire safety, anti-social behaviour, alcohol awareness and healthy relationships.

The Solomon Theatre Company performed their play called 'Last Orders', about alcohol abuse and its consequences, followed by a workshop discussion.

The Mayor of Surrey Heath

Cllr Bruce Mansell, together with Cllr Liane Gibson, portfolio holder with responsibility as Children's Champion, were shown around the event and chatted to the young citizens about their experiences.

Cllr Gibson said: “Young Citizen is a valuable scheme giving youngsters important life skills to stay safe and help others when needed. I was extremely pleased to see so many involved from schools all over the borough. The young people learnt a

great deal and it was good to see them getting so involved in the interactive learning and workshop discussions.�

Young Citizen was organised by the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership (SSHP) and Surrey Heath Confederation of Schools (SHC).

www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 9

sports coaching

Free sports coaching in run-up to P&G Surrey Youth Games Surrey Heath is providing free coaching sessions for young people aged 7 to 16 in no less than 13 different sports.

Those getting involved will have the chance to be selected to represent Surrey Heath at the P&G Surrey Youth Games, the county’s largest annual youth sports festival.

Coaching sessions take place at various venues across the borough before the Games are held on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford.

The event will see over 2000 participants from the county’s 11 boroughs and districts competing, with the Surrey Heath squad aiming to build on its impressive 3rd position and Fair Play Trophy from 2012.

Sports on offer include badminton, basketball, boxing, girls cricket, girls football, hockey, judo, netball, girls rugby, squash, swimming and tennis.

Sports Development Officer at Surrey Heath Borough Council, Gary Clifford, who is co-ordinating the Surrey Heath squad, said: "The games give so many young people the opportunity to try sports for the first time in a pressure free and enjoyable environment where the focus is on long term participation as opposed to win at all costs.

"Through the coaching sessions

10 I Heathscene I www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure

and games, young people will learn new skills or enhance existing ones, increase self-esteem, build lasting friendships, develop a sense of pride from representing their borough and experience competing in front of hundreds of spectators."

Young people interested in taking part should register online at www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/syg where they can find further information on training days, times and venues. Alternatively please call 01276 707272 or email gary.clifford@surreyheath.gov.uk

leisure

Surrey Cricket choose Frimley to base new Visually Impaired Squad “Listen to the ball onto the bat” is the call you may just hear in Frimley this year as Visually Impaired Cricket is launched.

Surrey Cricket Board is basing their newly formed county side at Frimley Cricket Club’s ground in Chobham Road, offering blind and visually impaired people the opportunity to learn to play cricket.

Frimley's chairman, Gary Dunford, says the club is proud to be helping Surrey develop a squad, enabling those who are Visually Impaired (VI) to enhance their life opportunities by not only taking part in sport, but also experiencing other benefits that an active club can provide.

Mark Allen, a highly experienced VI coach who has worked at international and county standard explains: "VI Cricket is very similar to the traditional game except with larger stumps and a ball bearing filled football. The teams are made up of players from different sight classifications from B1 (totally blind) to B4 (sight of 6/24)."

Mark was recently nominated in Sky Sports ECB Coach of the Year Awards for his work with Visually Impaired Cricket in England and Wales.

He added: "Frimley Cricket Club offers a friendly and social atmosphere where sport and sporting achievements take the centre stage. The club is already proving an attraction, with players from Reigate to Ealing joining Surrey Heath residents for the fun but challenging sessions where participants bat, bowl and field."

Anyone interested in playing

VI Cricket, with the chance of representing Surrey in the Blind Cricket England & Wales League should call Mark on 07710 324954 or email Gary Dunford on vicricket@frimleycc.co.uk Male or female players should be aged 11 and over but do not need any experience of cricket.

www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 11

leisure

Park life Take your pick of these events happening in your parks and open spaces – or come to them all!

The Great Easter Bunny Hunt Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April Join the fun at the Visitor Centre, Lightwater Country Park and meet the animals from the Farms 2 Ewe mobile farm. Turn up anytime between 11am and 3.30pm.

Cost is £4 per child (with one accompanying adult free - £4 per additional adult).

Field Safari at Frimley Lodge Park Tuesday 28 May Join a Greenspace Officer for a safari session amongst the long grass and flower meadows of Frimley Lodge Park. Nets provided but places are limited, pre-booking essential. Sorry, no dogs.

Cost £2.50 per child. Family event.

Totem Maypole Madness!

Thursday 30 May Bring your children along to Lightwater Country Park and watch as they unleash their creative sides, painting their own totem poles. Paints and poles are provided and the finished totems are yours to take away.

Cost £8 per child, pre-booking essential.

Ranger Patrol – Dusk Discoveries on the Heath 30 May and 6, 13, 20 and 22 June Join a Ranger on his moonlit patrols of Lightwater Country Park. See the dark side of the Heathland and hunt for amazing nocturnal beasts.

Wear warm clothing as it may become cool later. Sorry, no dogs.

Cost £3. Pre-booking essential for these 2-3 hour events.

Water Beasts of Watchmoor!

Sunday 16 June Join a Greenspace Officer, for an afternoon of family ponddipping at the Watchmoor Reserve. Dipping nets provided. Meet in the car park behind Sainsbury’s petrol station, Watchmoor Park. Prebooking essential. Sorry, no dogs.

Cost £2.50 per child.

Family event.

Trophy. Teams of up to 4 members – cost £6 per team.

Pre-booking essential as places are limited.

Meadow Beasts of Blackwater!

Saturday 20 July Join a Greenspace Officer for an afternoon of mini-beasting in a lush wild-flower meadow next to the River Blackwater.

Meet in the car parking area in Admiralty Way (off the A331), behind the gas storage towers.

Sorry, no dogs.

Cost £2.50 per child, prebooking essential. Family event.

❇ ❄

Really Wild Quiz Night – Stonechat Challenge Wednesday 3 July Come along to the Visitor Centre at Lightwater Country Park and pit your wits against other teams for the Stonechat

The Great Easter Bunny Hunt

❈

Water & Meadow Beas ts

Field Safari .. and more!

Call 01276 707166 for bookings or for more information about any of these events. To see the full list of leisure events and walks happening across Surrey Heath this spring/summer go to: www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure

12 I Heathscene I www.surreyheath.gov.uk

leisure

Surrey Heath in Bloom 2013

COMPETITION

My Surrey Heath

The borough’s Surrey Heath in Bloom competition provides an ideal opportunity for people to get growing and gardening!

photography competition This spring sees the launch of My Surrey Heath – a photo competition aimed at showcasing what you love about the place you live. Open to anyone of any age that lives in Surrey Heath, the entries will be split into two categories – under 18s and adult.

Your photograph can be of anything in the borough that you like. It could be a place, people or a landmark. You can submit a new photo that you’ve taken especially for the competition or one from your own archives.

• Best Front Garden • Best Hanging Basket • Best School Garden • Best Wildlife Garden To make this year’s competition even better we have been working with local schools to get more young people involved. Kate Turner from Flourish Community Garden has been running workshops in schools ranging from Scarecrow Making and Grow Your Own Veg, to Build a Wildlife Hotel.

This year’s competition will feature a celebration event including a presentation for the winners of each category. The event will take place on Sunday 8 September at Frimley Lodge Park and is open to all, so put the date in your diary!

The Surrey Heath in Bloom categories this year are:

• Best School Grow Your Own • Best in Bloom Photo • Best Allotment • Best Scarecrow • Best School Wildlife Hotel Closing dates are throughout June and July. For further information including category criteria, the judging timetable and a competition entry form visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure email Greenspace@surreyheath.gov.uk or call 01276 707338.

Competition entry forms are also available from the council offices, Surrey Heath Museum and local libraries.

Full competition rules and information can be found at www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ photocompetition The competition is open now and the closing date for entries is 31 May 2013. Judging will take place after this point and the shortlist will be announced on 14 June. There will be an exhibition of work and the winners announced at Surrey Heath Museum on 5 July.

As well as their photo being on display at the exhibition, winners will also get the chance to take part in a Winners Workshop led by experienced and professional photographers. Judges will include a lecturer at the University of Creative Arts in Farnham, a member of Windlesham and Camberley Camera Club and representatives from the council.

COMPETITION www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 13

community

County Council Elections The election of County Councillors to Surrey County Council takes place every four years and will be held on Thursday 2 May 2013.

How the County is managed affects every one of us. Councillors are your elected representatives and the strength of the vote, including those for unsuccessful candidates, is the best indication of the wishes and feelings of the electorate.

Any elector can now vote by post if they cannot or do not want to vote at the polling station. All you need do is complete and return a postal voting application form before 5pm on 17 April 2013. We will make sure your ballot paper is sent to you by post.

Please be aware that postal votes are sent out approximately eight working days before an election.

Your vote sends a powerful message, please don’t waste it …it counts!

For further information and application forms, please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 01276 707165 or e-mail: vote@surreyheath.gov.uk Alternatively, write to: Electoral Registration Office, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HD.

Bisley Strawberry Fayre Don’t miss this traditional country fayre at Bisley Village Green on Sunday 30 June with over 60 stalls comprising crafts, games and food.

Open from 1.30 to 5pm, visitors can look forward to a brass band, morris dancers and a children’s funfair.

Refreshments on offer include a hog roast as well as strawberries and cream.

Fun and entertainment for all the family!

Entrance by Lucky Programme: adults £1, children free.

See www.bisleyvillagehall.org for more info.

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22

www.surreyheath.gov.uk I Heathscene I 15

community

Surrey Heath Museum In 2012 Surrey Heath Museum was awarded over £8,000 in Heritage Lottery funding. As well as enabling the museum to put on an exhibition highlighting local Nepali Connections, the remaining funding was used to design a new museum logo and leaflet. yesteryear and be even more thankful for the labour saving devices of today.

The new logo, pictured above, aims to reflect the history of Surrey Heath. It portrays a tree representing the borough’s heathland; the Camberley Obelisk the built environment and the highwayman - the rich character of Surrey Heath’s past.

Surrey Heath Museum is located on Knoll Road, Camberley and is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Admission is free. Call 01276 707284 or email: museum@surreyheath.gov.uk

Events Local history and community month The museum will be marking Local History and Community Month on Saturday 11 May with Behind The Scenes at Surrey Heath Museum, from 11am to 2pm. Find out about the work of the museum and see our hidden treasures.

Drop-in activities for under 5s 10.30am to 12pm, free Easter Cookies - Saturday 13 April Mad Mapping - Saturday 25 May Washing on the Line - Tuesday 18 June

Exhibition Spring Cleaning 23 March – 15 June

Children’s holiday drop-in workshops 10.30am to 12pm, £2.50 Making Doll Pegs - Wednesday 3 April Chocolate Delights - Wednesday 29 May

The latest exhibition is ‘Spring Cleaning’, looking at housekeeping 100 years ago, including washing, cleaning and cooking. Discover the changes in domestic duties and social attitudes.

Rediscover household tips of

Looking for a new challenge?

Fire Service recruiting ‘On Call’ firefighters in Chobham ‘On Call’ Firefighters, also known as Retained Firefighters, do the same job as their full time colleagues but respond from home or work when called out via their pagers.

If you live or work within four minutes of any of Surrey's seven on call fire stations, including Chobham, this could be the perfect job for you.

‘On Call’ Firefighters are a diverse group from various vocational backgrounds. Ready to go to an incident the moment an emergency comes in, they are committed, professional, highly trained competent people on the front line, saving lives and making headlines.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service can offer you the perfect way to give back something to your community – not to mention a great team environment and flexible hours to suit your lifestyle, including evenings and weekends.

You can also look forward to an attractive remuneration package and continuous training and development.

Visit www.surrey-fire.gov.uk or call 01737 242444 to find out more about opportunities from April 2013.

16 I Heathscene I www.surreyheath.gov.uk/community

community

Faiths come together over lunch Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths were represented at the Surrey Heath Faith Lunch held at the IGC, Camberley Theatre.

Its aim was to encourage different faith groups in Surrey Heath to come together and strengthen good inter faith relationships and was held during National Interfaith Week.

The lunch was organised by Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Police, Churches Together in

Camberley, Surrey Faith Links and Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF). Its theme was ‘Bring and Share’ and people brought along a cultural dish for everyone to share; there were curries, samosas and even a Simnel cake!

Cllr Liane Gibson Corporate portfolio holder responsible for equality and diversity said: “The faith lunch is an important event that Surrey Heath Borough Council and partners are delighted to offer.

This was our biggest and most diverse event yet and I look forward to talking with the working group in the near future to develop further links amongst the many groups and faiths in the borough.”

After lunch the attendees participated in a workshop looking at how different faith groups could work together. The group was keen to meet again in the future and the organisations who arranged the event will be meeting to take this forward.

For more information contact Joanna Hardy, business and community development officer on 01276 707545 or email Joanna.Hardy@surreyheath.gov.uk

Armed forces community workshops Surrey Heath Borough Council has a long standing relationship with the local armed forces and in 2012 it signed a Community Covenant with the Princess Royal Barracks (PRB) in Deepcut, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), as well as various partners.

The PRB will close in the coming years but service housing will remain and Deepcut will host a legacy military population.

The MOD Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme awarded the borough £3,000 to run three local workshops exploring ways of improving mutual support between the military and civilian communities within Surrey Heath.

The workshops were attended by local military personnel, their spouses and partners, as well as non-service residents, councillors, local police and military welfare staff.

Issues covered ranged from

transport, housing and schools, to employment and youth services.

The first two workshops focused on the Camberley and Deepcut areas respectively; while the third discussed the issues identified and brought partners together to lead on actions.

Funding for the workshops also came from Surrey Heath Borough Council and Surrey County Council.

Following the workshops, a report has been produced with suggested actions; these will be consulted on with partners and then considered by the Surrey Heath Partnership who will lead on and regularly monitor the progress of the supported actions.

Community portfolio holder Cllr Vivienne Chapman said: “There was a high level of commitment from those attending the workshops who agreed to assist in taking the actions forward. The role of the council and the local military authorities will be essential in taking ideas forward, setting objectives and putting them into action.

Further meetings are planned in the coming months.”

Visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ communitycovenant for more details.

www.surreyheath.gov.uk/community I Heathscene I 17

community

Vital meals keep coming in all weathers Meals on Wheels is a year round service, delivered in all weathers. When heavy snow fell earlier this year leaving tricky conditions on paths and roads for a week, the service continued every day to bring hot meals to more than 100 elderly and vulnerable residents.

Meals are brought round at lunch time, including at weekends, by the council’s own dedicated team of Meals on Wheels drivers.

During the bad weather, help was given by the Green Space team using their 4x4 vehicles, as well as Community Transport and Helpline officers, ensuring customers continued receiving a hot meal.

The service acts as a lifeline to many vulnerable people, helping them to remain in their own homes as well as have a chat and see a friendly face.

Deliveries can also be made to customers who only require meals on an occasional basis.

Anyone of any age is eligible if they live in Surrey Heath and find it difficult or impossible to prepare at least one nutritious meal a day.

Aline Poulter from the Meals on Wheels team said: "When it snows we have a contingency plan in place which has been used several times over recent years. We use the plan as soon as we receive any weather warnings to make sure we can get out to all our customers. We might be the only people they see

that day and we act as an extra pair of eyes to make sure everything is ok with them."

Did you know?

The Meals on Wheels service operates 365 days a year, providing around 45,000 hot meals per year to older and vulnerable residents.

A weekday two course meal costs just £3.60 and at weekends it is £5.25.

We offer a choice of soup, standard or large main meal and pudding.

There’s no referral process from Social Services or GPs – a simple phone call is all that’s needed to start the service.

Sandwich and Snack Delivery Service From April, the service will be expanded by offering healthy snacks, sandwiches and drinks.

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These will be delivered to homes at lunchtime using vans with built-in fridges to keep them cool. If you are interested in receiving the snack service or want to find out more please let us know using the contact details below.

For more information about Meals on Wheels, phone Community Services on 01276 707660, email community.services@ surreyheath.gov.uk or visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ community/communityservices

community

Flexible Home Improvement Loan offer

Dates for your diary

One of the council’s aims is to help improve the warmth, comfort, safety and security of housing in the borough.

April Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 – anytime from 11am to 3.30pm. The Great Easter Bunny Hunt at Lightwater County Park.

May Thursday 2 – 7am to 10pm.

County Council Elections.

Saturday 4 – anytime from 10am to 4pm. Surrey Heath Show at Frimley Lodge Park.

As part of a partnership with several other councils, we are offering loans that will help homeowners in or nearing retirement to enjoy a wellmaintained home, while paying off as little or as much of the loan as they like each month.

The loans, offered for those who are aged 60 or over, must be used for work such as: • Essential home repairs and maintenance • Central heating or improvements • Replacement doors and windows • Improvements to insulation • Roof and structural repairs • Replacement of kitchens and bathrooms • Plumbing and drainage repairs • Installing security alarms • Fitting stairlifts

As part of the not-for-profit Surrey Heath loan scheme, interest will be charged at a low rate linked to the Bank of England rate.

During the term of the flexible loan you can choose to make regular monthly payments, occasional payments or no payments until leaving the home or it is sold.

Furthermore, you are free to vary the arrangement at any time.

In each case the council will assess need to ensure that the work makes good use of the available funds.

If you would like to find out more visit www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ flexiblehomeloan or call on 01276 707100. We can arrange an appointment to visit you in your home at a convenient time to discuss your requirements.

Friday 31 – My Surrey Heath Photography Competition closing date.

June Saturday 15 and 16 – Surrey Youth Games at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford.

Sunday 30 June – 1.30 to 5.30pm. Bisley Strawberry Fair, Bisley Village Green.

July Saturday 20 – Meadow Beasts of Blackwater!

Visit: www.surreyheath.gov.uk/events

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community

101 – The police non-emergency number There are two telephone numbers you can use to contact your local police, 101 and 999.

101 is the number to call for all non-emergency enquiries, when it’s less urgent than 999 and does not require an immediate response.

For example use 101 to: • report a crime that has already happened • to seek crime prevention advice • make the police aware of any relevant issues in your local area • give the police information about

crime or speak to them about a general enquiry The 101 number is a national number enabling access to all forces in England and Wales. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and costs 15p from both landline and mobile networks, no matter what time of day or how long your call lasts for.

If there is an emergency always dial 999.

Fact file Surrey Heath is generally a safe place in which to live, work and visit and the chances of you or a member of your family becoming a victim of crime are low.

• During the last year, there has been a reduction in overall crime of nearly 14% and in violent crime of 39% • Confidence in local police is over 92%* • Satisfaction with how antisocial behaviour is dealt with and resolved is 82%* *Based on surveys with a random sample of people who reported incidents to the police.

Fight crime without revealling your identity “Put the phone down or press send on your email and just walk away, nobody will ever know it was you. That is what anonymous means to Crimestoppers callers”, says Surrey Crimestoppers Area Co-ordinator Angela Hollinshead, who is keen to ensure that residents in Surrey Heath know how the scheme works.

When a call is made or an email sent by a member of the public to Crimestoppers, it is 100% guaranteed that they will never be identified in any way, by anybody.

If you don’t want anyone to know who you are - not even the police then stay anonymous and contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the online secure information form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Angela Hollinshead continued: "Crimestoppers is an independent charity, the whole ethos of which is to guarantee anonymity. Even we don’t know who contacts us."

So, how does Crimestoppers maintain the anonymity of people who give them information about crime?

• They don’t record the calls • They cannot trace calls as there is no caller id or 1471 attached to

the phone lines and no email addresses are noted or seen • No record is made of any personal details, such as gender, accent or age - even if inadvertently supplied by the caller • All information is checked to ensure anonymity before it is sent to the police Angela adds: "Crimestoppers is only for those people who are not talking to the police and need a trusted avenue to pass on sensitive information about crime. However, we are not a crime reporting service – you should contact the

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police on 101 or 999 in an emergency as we cannot get back in touch with you to ask more questions!”

Crimestoppers also have a Most Wanted website for finding criminals wanted by Surrey Police see www.crimestoppers-uk.org/surrey

health

Alcohol – how much is healthy?

Did you start 2013 with a New Year’s resolution? If so, did it involve drinking less alcohol or being more healthy? Many people like to unwind in the evening with a glass of something, but the odd glass can quickly add up. When it comes to sensible drinking, all too often people think drastic changes are needed, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be hard to cut back.

Gail Hughes, Public Health Lead at NHS Surrey said: “Most people don’t realise that small changes to their drinking behaviour can have a big impact on their health and happiness. For instance, having at least two alcohol-free days a week is recommended by experts and is

a realistic goal for most people, along with no more than 3-4 units for men and 2-3 units for women on the days when alcohol is consumed.”

by volume of pure alcohol. If that doesn’t mean much to you, you’re not alone, evidence shows most people do not understand alcohol units.

So what is a unit?

Here are some drinks and their units:

A unit of alcohol is defined as 10ml

3 Units

1.6 Units

1 Unit

1.7 Units

PINT CIDER ABV 5.3%

RED WINE (125ml) ABV 12.5%

SAMBUCA SHOT ABV 42%

BOTTLE OF LAGER ABV 5.2%

Drinking above the recommended amount can lead to a range of health problems such as liver disease, high blood pressure, weight gain and an increase in the risk of some cancers, so the benefits of cutting down really are huge.

How do I cut down?

• Set yourself a goal. Do you want to drink less during the week? Or do you want to avoid binge drinking at the weekends?

• Keep a drink diary. This will help you to work out how much you're drinking. You can use the online alcohol tracker to help

calculate your units www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/ NHSAlcoholtracker.aspx • Pace yourself. Try alternating alcoholic drinks with soft or low alcohol ones.

• Have alcohol-free days. Try and have at least two alcohol-free days each week.

For further help, information or advice National Drinkline: 0800 917 8282 • Alcoholics Anonymous National Helpline: 0845 769 7555 Surrey Drug & Alcohol Care 24hr Helpline: 01483 300112 NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol/

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Directory of local services Customer Contact Centre enquiries@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707100 (this is a 24 hour line) Opening Times: Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.30pm; Friday 8.30am to 5pm Arts and Leisure commercial.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707338 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure Benefits benefits@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707121 Benefit fraud hotline: 01276 707372 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ctbenefits/ benefits Building Control building.control@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707223 www.shbcc.org.uk Car Parks parking.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707152 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/transport/ carparking Camberley Theatre camberley.theatre@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707600 www.camberleytheatre.biz Community Services Windle Valley Centre Park Street, Bagshot Phone: 01276 479185 windle.valley@surreyheath.gov.uk www.surreyheath.gov.uk/community/ communityservices Community Transport (Dial-a-Ride) community.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707658 Community Alarm Help-line community.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707659 Community Centres commercial.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707338 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/ communitycentres Meals on Wheels Service community.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707651 or 707660

Council Tax revenues@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707176 Please ensure that you have your Council Tax Account Number when you call. www.surreyheath.gov.uk/ctbenefits/ counciltax Dog Warden environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707390 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ dogwarden Elections and Electoral Registration vote@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707165 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council/ electoralinformation Flooding land.drainage@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707100 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ floodingdrainage Food Safety environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707330 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ foodsafety Greenspace commercial.services@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707338 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/ parksandrecreationareas Health and Safety environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707330 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ healthsafety Housing housing@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707127 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/housing Payments enquiries@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 0845 5645697 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council/ onlineservices Leisure and Recreation Centres Arena Leisure Centre Grand Avenue, Camberley Phone: 01276 417111 enquiries@arenaleisurecentre.co.uk www.arenaleisurecentre.co.uk Lightwater Leisure Centre Lightwater Country Park, The Avenue, Lightwater Phone: 01276 472662 reception@lifestylelightwater.co.uk www.lightwaterleisurecentre.com

Noise environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707330 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ pollution Planning development.control@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707222 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/planning Surrey Heath Museum museum@surreyheath.gov.uk 01276 707284 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/ tourism/shm Street Cleansing environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707330 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ streetcleansing Waste and Recycling enquiries@surreyheath.gov.uk Phone: 01276 707690 www.surreyheath.gov.uk/environment/ wastecollection Surrey County Council Phone: 03456 009 009 www.surreycc.gov.uk Parish Councils Bisley Parish Council 194 Guildford Road Bisley, Woking Phone: 01483 480172 clerk@bisleyparishcouncil.co.uk www.bisleyparishcouncil.co.uk Chobham Parish Council Recreation Ground Station Road, Chobham Phone: 01276 856633 parish@chobham.net www.chobham.net/parish/ West End Parish Council Benner Lane West End, Woking Tel: 01276 855361 westendparish@btconnect.com www.westendparishcouncil.org.uk Windlesham Parish Council The Avenue, Lightwater Phone: 01276 471675 clerk@windleshampc.gov.uk www.windleshampc.gov.uk

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