Heathscene Winter 2022

heathscene Festive

Relax - you’re in great company

We pride ourselves on our family-like community, where residents interact with each other as well as our Signature staff who are always on hand for a warm drink or just a chat. It’s the little gestures that can make the biggest difference. We recognise the richness that good company and friends bring to our lives, not to mention visits by family and friends or excursions to local shops, galleries or theatres.

Leader's message

Christmas is nearly upon us once again, and as we look forward to the festive season this latest issue of Heathscene is here to update you on the different ways we are supporting our local community.

are here to help. The Council and its partners have been working hard to offer support in many different ways, with more information on p8-9, and p20.

Follow us on social media

surreyheath

@surreyheath

Surrey Heath Borough Council

There are plenty of great Christmas events going on all across the Borough in the coming weeks. We’ve collected the details of as many as possible for you – check p4-5 to plan your festive fun. And Camberley Theatre’s panto, Beauty and the Beast, is another family favourite, details on p7.

We’re pleased that our popular Christmas tree recycling scheme is back again this year – great for residents and our local environment. Read more on p6. You can also check your bin collection dates over the festive period on p18.

Amidst the Christmas preparations, however, we are very aware how the increases in the cost of living over recent months have affected many local people. If you are struggling, we

Cover photo: Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Copywriting by Kate Noviss and Joanne Atkinson, Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Designed by Russell Jenkins, Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Another area we’ve been focusing on is our Driving Improvement campaign. Listening to what you have told us about your priorities, we are redoubling our efforts to tackle flytipping and antisocial behaviour, and to promote tree planting. There's an update on p14.

Finally, congratulations to all of the winners at the Surrey Heath Sports Awards. They are great role models, and I urge everyone to try to get active in a way that suits you – it's a positive boost for both your physical and mental health.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and Happy Hogmanay

Cllr Alan McClafferty Leader, SHBC

Printed by Frontline, Nursery Down House, Knights Garden, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3JR.

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 communications and engagement team on 01276 707312.

Copyright © Surrey Heath Borough Council. Surrey Heath Borough Council does not accept responsibility for the views expressed by advertisers in this magazine, nor does it necessarily endorse products or services advertised.

Promote your business with Surrey Heath Borough Council

Would you like the opportunity to promote your business to more than 39,000 households and businesses in Surrey Heath?

Surrey Heath Borough Council offers 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

surreyheath.gov.uk

Cllr Alan McClafferty

SurreyHeathBC

Christmas in Surrey

Christmas is just round the corner and we are rounding up all the wonderful festive events taking place across the borough!

We've listed as many as we could here - and have also set up a special webpage which we'll be updating to let you know what is happening near you at surreyheath.gov.uk/Christmas

Bagshot Craft and Gift Fair

12 November, 12:30 to 4pm

Bagshot Playing Fields Pavillon

Shop locally created arts and crafts and enjoy refreshments. Free parking.

Collectively Camberley

Christmas Light Switch on

Saturday 19 November

Across Camberley town centre

The town centre will be buzzing with live entertainment, music and fun for all of the family from 10am, including our Christmas farmers market and street entertainers! The light switch on will take place from approx. 4:30pm For more information visit collectivelycamberley.co.uk/christmas-in-camberley Carwarden House Community School Christmas Craft Fair and Raffle

25 November 6:30pm to 8pm

3 December

Craft Fair in The Square – 9.30am to 4:30pm

Christmas light up – 4:30pm

surreyheath.gov.uk/christmas

West End Christmas Fair

3 December, 11am to 3pm Gordon’s School

Live entertainment, stalls, arts and crafts and seasonal food.

Windle Valley Fundraisers Santa’s float and Bagshot Christmas tree light switch on

3 December, 4pm

See Santa’s float, join in with christmas carols and enjoy food and drink. The Christmas light switch on will take place at 5:30pm

Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps

Christmas Fair

10 Dec, 10am until 4pm

Fresh Christmas trees, decorations, wrapping service, cake stall, Santa’s Grotto, raffle plus much more!

Frimley Green Carols on the Green

17 December 6:30pm

Hot chestnuts, mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate will be available!

Camberley Christmas Market

17 December, 10am until 4pm Park Street, Camberley

Delicious food, drink and gifts.

Tree-cycling!

Our popular free Christmas tree recycling scheme will be back again this festive season.

A record number of more than 3,000 Christmas trees were collected for recycling in Surrey Heath in January 2022, helping to make our Greenspace team smile from ear to ear!

The face of our real Christmas tree recycling scheme is hoping for an even bigger number of trees to be collected this time around – so bring your trees to one of our 15 recycling points from 5-15 January and help #MakeSteveSmile!

Once collected, the trees will be chipped, with the woodchips used to top up paths in our beautiful parks and green spaces.

Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder For Leisure, Culture & Community, Cllr Rebecca Jennings-Evans, said: “We're

so pleased to be able to offer this popular free scheme again this year.

Heatherside Park (near the recreation ground)

Watchetts Road Car Park GU15 2UZ

Old Dean Recreation Ground GU15 4AF

Prior Heath Car Park GU15 1DA

Frimley Green Recreation Ground GU16 6JZ

Mytchett Recreation Ground GU16 6JD

School Lane, Bagshot GU19 5BP

Lightwater Recreation Ground GU18 5SJ

Windmill Field, Windlesham GU20 6QA

Clews Lane open space, Angelica Road, Bisley GU24 9HD

Rosewood Way, West End GU24 9XG

Yorktown Car Park, Camberley GU15 3AU

Clarence Drive, Camberley GU15 1JT

Woodend Road Car Park, Deepcut GU16 6SD

Chobham Car Park, Chobham GU24 8LZ

Restrictions apply: Only real Christmas trees can be accepted, all decorations and lights must be removed from the trees prior to drop off.

Christmas trees can also be chopped up and placed in garden waste bins by subscribers to the scheme, or dropped off at Community Recycling Centres.

“Its environmental focus supports our climate change priorities, and the woodchips are recycled for use in our parks and greenspaces, so we all benefit." at one of our 15 drop off points across the Borough from 5–15 January 2023 – and make Steve smile!

surreyheath.gov.uk/christmastreerecycle

Beauty and the Beast

Kick off the festive season in style with this year’s pantomime at Camberley Theatre. Christmas isn’t Christmas without the annual pantomime at Camberley Theatre!

This year the theatre will host a spellbinding performance of a brand-new version of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast. This unmissable story will delight the whole family, featuring a fantastic mix of much-loved songs, beautiful costumes and a

dancers.

Watch as the mysterious Beast imprisons beautiful Belle in his enchanted castle. Can she escape with the help of her friends? Will she melt the Beast’s icy heart before it’s too late? Can love really triumph over an evil spell?

Dame Stella Artois will add her unique touch to this traditional pantomime – you’ll be crying with laughter, singing along loudly and be swept up in the magic!

As ever Camberley Theatre’s pantomime will also be raising money for a chosen charity

Special Performances

Accessible Performance (BSL integrated & autism friendly) Wed 14 Dec, 6pm

- this year we will be proudly supporting Chloe’s and Sophie’s Special Ears Fund (CSSEF).

CSSEF brightens the lives of deaf children, and their practical and emotional support helps deaf children overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing the same opportunities as their hearing peers.

■ Beauty and the Beast runs from 10 – 31 December. Tickets start at £15 - get yours now at camberleytheatre.co.uk or call 01276 707600.

Captioned Performance (live subtitles of the show) Wed 21 Dec, 1pm

camberleytheatre.co.uk

Supporting our

The Council and our partners are doing everything we can to help support our local community.

Are you worried about increased energy bills and the growing cost of putting food on the table? Below are some examples of the support available – for more information visit surreyheath.gov.uk/additionalsupport

■ Against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis, the Council changed the terms of the Surrey Heath Emergency Food Poverty grant scheme to allow not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding for energy costs to help support the setting up of ‘warm banks’. Warm banks are places in the Borough such as libraries, community centres and church halls that people can go to keep warm during the day, which will help manage the increasing costs of energy bills, and can help alleviate isolation and loneliness. Up to £5,000 can be applied for via this grant scheme. Visit surreyheath.gov.uk/ grants for more details. For a list of warm banks locally visit our website.

■ The Council has distributed £2,543,550 via the £150 nonrepayable energy rebate for households living in Council Tax bands A to D, and also run a discretionary scheme for those in bands E-H on low incomes, totalling £33,150.

■ The latest phase of the Household Support Fund

(HSF) is now open to applications, aimed at helping vulnerable households who are struggling with the rising cost of living. Grants are available to pay for essentials including food and utilities. You may be eligible if you live in Surrey Heath and are on means-tested benefits or a low income.

SHBC is working in partnership with Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) to deliver this scheme, and the quickest way to apply is at citizensadvicesurreyheath.org.uk , or you can call 01276 417906.

The Council distributed more than £150,000 of grants in the second phase of the HSF between April and September 2022. This included 1,436 direct payments to local households in need, totalling just over £135,000, and almost £14,000 in grants to local food banks.

■ The government has announced further support for households, including £400 off energy bills for all households from October, and a cost of living payment of £650 for households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits. More information on this and other cost of living support available can be found at helpforhouseholds.campaign

surreyheath.gov.uk/additional-support

.gov.uk

■ SHBC has provided funding to Citizens Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) to help ensure support, information and guidance relating to the cost of living crisis is available to all who need it. For confidential guidance on the help that is available, visit the CASH website, or call them on 01276 417900

■ You may be entitled to benefits, even if you are in full time employment. Use the online benefits calculator on our website to check your possible entitlement for benefits, including help with your rent and Council Tax costs. You can also call SHBC on 01276 707100 and talk to our officers about any issues you may be experiencing (Mon-Thur 8.30am-5pm, Fri 8.30am-4.30pm).

■ If you need help with debt management, it is important to identify and deal with your ‘priority debts’ first – if you don’t pay these you could be evicted, fined or even imprisoned. There’s useful information at the CASH website, and a budgeting tool at nationaldebtline.org

■ If you are experiencing food poverty, please contact Citizens Advice Surrey Heath via their website or on 01276 417900, or the Council on 01276 707100 or contact.

community

centre@surreyheath.gov.uk

The Council has provided additional funding to our local food banks. Your nearest Citizens Advice can often refer you. Local food banks include Camberley Besom, Woking Food Bank (which covers Chobham, West End, Bisley), and Bisley and West End Food Bank.

Old Dean Community Group and St Martin's Church run a Free Food Stall every Sunday from 12.30-1.30pm in the Youth

Centre, Old Dean, Camberley. St Martin’s Church also run a Free Community Breakfast at St Martin's Church Hall, Old Dean, on Sundays from 10-10.40am. St Martin’s Church also offer a café with free refreshments every Wednesday and Saturday, 1011.30am. Everyone is welcome!

■ If you are experiencing issues due to homelessness, visit our Homelessness webpage, email housing@surreyheath.gov.uk , or call 01276 707100 and speak to

one of our advisors.

■ Surrey County Council has launched a community helpline for residents in need of financial, health and welfare support. Call 0300 200 1008 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) or complete an online community helpline enquiry form at surreycc.gov.uk/welfarecontact For further information on support available in Surrey visit surreycc.gov.uk/welfare

surreyheath.gov.uk/additional-support

Climate Change update

The latest on ways you can help tackle climate change.

Keeping warm this winter

Reduce your bills and help the environment! People living in hard to heat homes could receive grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to improve insulation and install renewable technology - helping to save energy, reduce emissions and combat rising energy prices.

Improvement measures include loft insulation, cavity and external wall insulation, underfloor insulation and renewables, such as solar electricity panels. Check if you’re eligible by visiting the Action Surrey website - actionsurrey. org, or calling 0800 783 2503.

£11.9m of funding has been awarded through central Government to Surrey County Council, to be delivered and managed by Action Surrey – an energy efficiency advice service set up in partnership with all Surrey local authorities.

Solid fuel for wood-burning stoves and open fires

A wood burning stove or open fire can be a lovely feature in a home - but they can also cause air pollution and affect your health, that of your family, and the community.

For advice on how to help maximise fuel efficiency, reduce the risk of chimney fires, and minimise harmful smoke and carbon monoxide, check Defra’s Burn Better page at uk-air.defra. gov.uk/library/burnbetter.

To reduce harmful emissions, the UK government’s Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 came into effect May last year. Manufactured solid fuels, and wood sold in under 2m3 must come with a ‘Ready to Burn’ certification, and the sale of

traditional house coal for home use will become illegal in England from next May.

Wet or unseasoned wood creates more smoke and particulates when burned, which can harm your health. Smaller particulate matter can cause more damage as it can penetrate deep into your lungs. Surrey Air Alliance have produced a short animation about how you can reduce your impact – go to surreyheath.gov. uk/air-quality to watch the video and find out more.

Community Making things easier

How our community services can complement the hospital discharge process.

Returning home after a hospital stay can be a welcome relief, but also a worrying time for some people. The good news is that many of our services can play a key role supporting residents of all ages returning home from hospital.

■ Our Home Improvement Agency can support you with grants to make adaptations to your home so you can continue to live independently. For more details and eligibility information visit surreyheath. gov.uk/disabledfacilitiesgrant or call 01276 707100

■ Our Handyman service, delivered in partnership with four other councils, can help by attending your home to install small equipment such as bannisters, grab rails and other items free or for a small charge. For further information please call 01276 707100

■ Meals at Home can be provided short or long term, ensuring you have access to a hot, nutritious lunchtime meal, as well as a tea pack if needed, for an affordable cost. Our friendly drivers also carry out a welfare check, offering peace of mind to loved ones. Visit surreyheath. gov.uk/mealsathome or call 01276 707659 to find out more.

■ Our Community Alarm and Telecare service can provide you with confidence returning home, by providing help at a touch of a button through our 24/7 monitoring centre. The service usually has a weekly charge - but is

available for free for six weeks for people discharged from hospital. Visit surreyheath.gov. uk/communityalarms or call 01276 707679

■ If you have further appointments at your GP practice or at the outpatients department of your local hospital, our Community Transport service can help you to your appointment, using our fully accessible vehicles, for just a small charge. Our door-to-door service can also be used to help you get out and about around the local area if you find public transport difficult.

surreyheath.gov.uk/communityservices

Visit surreyheath.gov.uk/ communitytransport or call 01276 707655

■ For our older residents, having returned home from hospital you may be interested in meeting new people and engaging in social activities. Our team at Windle Valley Centre in Bagshot run a programme of daily activities and services and would be delighted to see you! Transport can be arranged to help you get there, too. To find out more visit surreyheath.gov.uk/ windlevalley or call 01276 479185

this winter Help us help you

The clocks have changed, the nights are longer and there’s a chill in the air...

This winter we're encouraging you to ensure you have a wellstocked medicine cabinet, helping to deal with the usual coughs, colds and sniffles that appear this time of year. If you're unsure what to keep in your winter medicine cabinet, your local community pharmacy is happy to guide and advise you if you find yourself suffering from a common illness over the winter period.

The NHS winter booster programme is now in full swing. You may be eligible for both the Covid-19 and flu vaccinations, and even invited to have them together. If this is the case, please do accept the invitation and know that having them together is safe. Local GP surgeries are working to government guidelines which outline a priority list of patients, so don't worry if you haven't

How your GP practice has changed

The way your GP practice works has changed over the last few years. Many now include a range of professions including nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, mental health workers and link workers amongst others who can diagnose you and treat your health conditions.

This ensures that you see the right person at the right time more quickly. To help patients understand these changes we have developed a series of animations.

To take a look visit our website frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk and go to the ‘Your GP practice’ section.

heard anything yet, as you will be contacted.

Your NHS will continue to be here for you over the winter period but to help us help you, ensure you are seeking help from the right service for your issue and that you ‘Know Where To Go’. Our helpful booklet ‘Helping you to stay well’ can be downloaded from our website at frimleyheathandcare.org.uk under the 'Living Here' section.

frimley.icb.nhs.uk

Driving Improvement update

Through our 'Driving Improvement' campaign we are enhancing our work against anti-social behaviour and flytipping. The Council is also hugely committed to improving the environment in the Borough, with tree planting an important aspect of this work.

The campaign focuses on these three aspects of life in Surrey Heath. We are engaging with local people and working with partners to tackle problems identified, and promote work to protect and enhance the environment, to make Surrey Heath an even better place to live.

So far, actions taken include:

■ Joint patrols with Surrey Police at anti-social behaviour hotspots

■ Speedy clearance of fly-tips that are reported, with follow up investigations and enforcement action pursued

■ Delivery of larger waste bins for flats to reduce fly-tipping in an identified hotspot

■ Joint work with relevant partners to tackle the issue of mopeds (often delivery drivers) gathering on Camberley High Street and Charles Street

■ More than 2,000 trees being planted towards our target

of 4,000 for the year from April 2022. We plan to plant 3,000 more trees before spring, and beat our target by 25%. Locations include Warren Wood, Frimley Green Recreation Ground, and Windlemere SANG. Let us know where you would like to see trees planted within the Borough - email suggestions to business.services@ surreyheath.gov.uk

■ Joint operation with Surrey Police carrying out test purchase operation for underage alcohol sales – of 16 local premises tested, two failed and follow-up action was taken

■ ‘Skip days’ for free disposal of bulky waste at Accent Housing locations

■ Public Q&A sessions held with partners regarding anti-social behaviour

surreyheath.gov.uk

■ Litter cleared in problem areas, with extra bins added where possible.

SHBC’s Community Partnership, Corporate Enforcement, Community Safety, Environmental Health, Parking and Licensing teams continue to meet with local people alongside Borough Councillors and partners to understand and react quickly to the issues that matter most to our community.

You can read more about our Climate Change and sustainability work at surreyheath.gov.uk/ climatechange

You can report fly-tipping at surreyheath.gov.uk/report-it Anti-social behaviour can be reported via the Noise, nuisance and pollution pages of the SHBC website.

Surrey Heath Borough Council is working hard to tackle the issues that matter to our community.

Draft Local Plan update

More than 150 people attended our related consultation events.

What happens next?

We will consider all the consultation responses in preparing the next version of the Local Plan, which is due to be published for further comment in early 2023.

Following this stage, the Local Plan will be submitted to Government for an independent examination. An appointed Inspector will consider the submitted representations and recommend whether changes need to be made to the Plan before it can be adopted. Further information on the Local Plan can be found at surreyheath. gov.uk/draftlocalplan

Voter ID at elections

If you don’t have one of these forms of ID you will be able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate from January 2023. For further information email vote@surreyheath.gov.uk or call 01276 707165

Sporting greats

The winners of the 2022 Surrey Heath Sports Awards have been announced.

The awards celebrate the achievements of local coaches, volunteers, athletes and community groups, who have gone above and beyond in their performances, dedication and commitment to sport and physical activity.

This year saw the inaugural awarding of The Massage

Company International Sporting Achievement award for Luke Preston of Camberley Judo Club, to recognise his brilliant accomplishments including coaching Team GB and Team England.

Henry Wakes accepted the award on Luke's behalf.

Congratulations to the SHSA 2022 winners:

■ Complete Coaching Sporting Moment of the Year Catherine and Gemma King - first female twins to race for Cambridge in the Lightweight Boat Race

■ Surrey Security Community Project of the Year Rhythmic Collision Dance Company from Surrey Choices

■ Places Leisure Camberley Inclusive Sport Award Gary Dunford of Frimley Phoenix Cricket Club (accepted by Robert Fryer)

■ Surrey Playing Fields Volunteer of the Year Jay Wilcox of Camberley Rugby Club

■ Places Leisure Camberley Outstanding Service Award Ben Rickwood of Maximus Gym, Frimley.

Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community, Cllr Rebecca Jennings-Evans said: "We all know how important physical activity is for our mental

and physical health. The award winners, and everyone nominated, are role models in a variety of ways. From athletes to coaches, volunteers to community group

members – congratulations, and thank you for your contribution to sport and the community of Surrey Heath.”

Sustainable Christmas

Save money and the planet over the festive period.

As our attention turns to all things festive, don’t forget to check out Surrey Environment Partnership’s top tips for gifting the planet as well as your loved ones, including upcycling ideas for homemade gifts and cards, how to make sure your wrapping and cards are recyclable, and recycling the right things.

Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas tree, find

out more on page 6, and check surreyheath.gov.uk/ christmastreerecycle for free drop off points.

Recycling right

Look out for your 2023 guide to recycling and bin collections in Surrey Heath through the post, which includes details of changes to this year’s collections over the festive period. Only one week of collections will change, see details below:

In the new year, the Surrey Environment Partnership will focus on encouraging more of us to caddy our food waste as part of its Own Your Impact campaign.

Did you know that food waste recycling generates energy that could power your home?

Find out more at: surreyep.org.uk

Your guide contains handy tips about what goes in your recycling and rubbish bins including signposting to the Surrey Recycles search tool and app. Using the search tool and app is a great way to protect the environment as it will prevent you from accidentally putting non-recyclable items in your recycling bin – known as ‘wish-cycling’.

Thanks to your efforts, Surrey Heath’s current recycling rate is 61.3%, the fifth highest in England! Please keep going, as we still need to increase the amount we recycle, and recycle more of the right things, to save money and the planet.

THE

W RKSHOP

surreyheath.gov.uk/theworkshop

Supporting young people from Surrey Heath into employment and opportunities.

The Workshop is a comprehensive information hub signposting the services and support available to young people and supporting them to get ‘work ready’.

Based in The Square, Camberley, the team help with CVs, cover letters, interview skills and mock interviews. They also work alongside local businesses and organisations to deliver careerstyle events, skills workshops and advice about the opportunities that are available to them in Surrey Heath.

If you are aged between 18 and 24, living in Surrey Heath and need careers support, message the friendly, knowledgeable team on theworkshop@surreyheath. gov.uk to register. Or drop to see them in their new home next to Superdrug in The Square shopping centre. Get involved!

The Workshop also needs companies and organisations who can offer support to young people.

Is your company/organisation able to offer any of the following?

■ Employment, volunteering opportunities, traineeships, internships, apprenticeships or work experience

■

■ Basic IT workshops

■ Self-employment advice & support

If so, please get in touch with Lia Rosina, Youth Hub & Corporate Social Responsibility Supervisor

on lia.rosina@surreyheath.gov.uk or telephone 01276 707502.

Follow The Workshop on Instagram

@CamberleyWorkshop and Facebook @WorkshopCamberley or visit surreyheath.gov.uk/ theworkshop

Do you own or manage an independent business in Surrey Heath? Join !

The Indies launched in September at The Cabin in Camberley, with over 30 businesses represented at the event.

This new network aims to bring independents together and initiate discussions around local supply chains - and help the

SHBC Economic Development team to better understand the needs of local businesses from across the Borough.

The next networking will take place in January 2023. To register your interest email economic.development@ surreyheath.gov.uk

surreyheath.gov.uk/business

Grants and funding to support our local community

■ More than £11,000 in Community Fund Grants were awarded to local groups in September this included Chobham Recreational Ground Charitable Trust was awarded £6,050 to undertake safety repairs to five play areas at the recreation ground. £5,500 was awarded to Frimley Cricket Club towards the purchase of a muchneeded new roller for the cricket green.

■ Since the Ward Councillor Community Fund Grant Scheme began in December 2020, 86 organisations have been awarded more than £56,000 in grants. Since 1 April 2022, 19 different organisations have applied for grants, with £5,800 awarded so far.

SURREY HEATH

L TTERY

Help close to home Lucky Lottery winners

■ From the Community Fund Grant Scheme, £10,000 was awarded to Chobham Rugby Football Club to support improvements to the Club House and facilities. £1,500 was awarded to West End Village Society to support the installation of public art in the centre of the roundabout at the junction of Guildford Road (A322), Fellow Green and Kerria Way. The large stag sculpture will be constructed from scrap metal by renowned sculptor George Hider.

■ The Council actively works to re-cycle and reuse ICT equipment wherever possible, with desktop PCs no longer being used by staff available to not-for-profit groups through our ICT Equipment Recycling Scheme. SHBC has refurbished more than 100 PCs for local families, schools and young jobseekers in need of computer equipment. Eligible organisations can apply via our website.

Since the Surrey Heath Lottery launch in July 2019, more than £38,000 has been won in cash prizes, and more than £74,000 raised for the 67 local organisations who raise funds through the lottery.

Just this year, local players have achived 50 x £25 wins, 10 x £250 wins, plus one lucky local winner bagged the national prize of a £1000 B & Q voucher.

One recent winner said: “I have been happy to support the lottery over the years for the good of local people – I would recommend other people to get involved!”

Support local good causes by playing the Surrey Heath Lottery – or sign up as a good cause – at surreyheathlottery.co.uk

Find out more on all these schemes at surreyheath.gov.uk / grants

surreyheath.gov.uk/grants

Applications for the annual lottery grants are open until 7 December. For more information and to apply visit surreyheath.gov.uk/ lotterygrants

Trusts & Estate Planning

What are the reasons for setting up trusts?

Trusts are legal structures for holding or transferring assets between people in a controlled way, this might be in relation to a property, cash or investments.

Despite the perception that they are primarily to do with saving tax, there are many different types of trust and reasons for using them – mostly to do with protecting assets for family and loved ones.

Our trust solicitors regularly advise

on:

Why, when and how to set them up trusts

Which type of trust to choose

When they can be implied from existing circumstances

What

are the reasons for setting up trusts?

Holding assets for minor children until they are old enough to receive them

Providing for a spouse while protecting assets ultimately for your children

Holding funds for a vulnerable beneficiary

Paying grandchildren’s school fees

Guarding against divorce or bankruptcy claims against children

Protection from Care Fees assessed against a loved one

Continuation of existing means-tested benefits

Protection from Inheritance Tax

Tax consequences and tax mitigation

Choice of Trustees

Asset selection

Trust management

Compliance with tax obligations and regulatory requirements

Winding up Trusts

BOOK A FREE 15 MINUTE CHAT

Are you interested in discovering more about the above trusts and ways that they can be used to protect property or perhaps to assist in tax planning, speak to one of our specialist team.

Email: HCprivateclient@herrington-carmichael.com or call us 01276 686 222 and our team will do our best to accommodate you. Quote: WINTER2022

Community News

lease of life!

The Council is partnering with a local charity, who support people living with drug, alcohol and mental health issues to provide a safe place for both mental and physical wellbeing.

The aim is for the garden to be open to local residents and community groups to help promote the benefits of gardening and being outdoors in our beautiful green spaces.

We'll share more information on our website and social media channels as soon as it is available.

Want to find details of local facilities and useful information?

Go to surreyheath.gov.uk/residents/my-surreyheath, enter your postcode and you can find relevant details on topics like planning, polling stations, public facilities like playgrounds and toilets, highways, education, flood risk, recycling centres and public rights of way.

Want to find a local hall for hire? Choose the community filter and you’ll find a list of all the community halls near you. Pretty useful!

Men’s Shed

It was agreed in September that a local Men’s Sheds group will lease the pavilion at London Road Recreation Ground in Camberley, under a community rent subsidy. The charity, Camberley and District Men's Shed, will benefit the local community and address social isolation by creating a place to go, learn activities and socialise with others. Anyone can join the group, but it is especially aimed at older men.

More information at canddmensshed.org

The Flourish Community Garden at Frimley Lodge Park is coming back with a new

My Surrey Heath

The Flourish Garden in 2017.

HM The Queen

Along with the rest of the country, SHBC councillors and officers were deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen in September.

The Leader of SHBC, Cllr Alan McClafferty said: "Her Majesty's commitment to public service and duty over many decades was an inspiration to us all. The Queen has been a constant presence for most of us throughout our lives and will be hugely missed."

In line with national protocols, the Union Flag outside Surrey Heath House was lowered to half-mast for the period of national mourning, and a book of condolence made available in the Council offices.

Surrey Heath has been fortunate to have welcomed Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband HRH Prince Philip on several occasions.

The Queen first came to the area in 1945 at the age of 19 to complete her Auxiliary Territorial Service training at Maywood House, Camberley. She was known simply as No: 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor of the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

After her marriage to Prince Philip, the couple lived at Windlesham Moor from 1947 to 1949, and the thenPrince Charles, now HM King Charles III, was born while they lived there.

The Queen's later visits included a trip to Princess Royal Barracks in Deepcut.

On Sunday 11 September, Surrey Heath Mayor Cllr Helen Whitcroft read the proclamation of King Charles III in an event held on the lawn outside Surrey Heath House.

Green Flag success

Frimley Lodge and Lightwater Country Park awarded prestigious Green Flag Awards as two of the country’s best parks.

The award, won by more than 2,200 UK locations this year, is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

This year marks 22 consecutive years of Green Flag awards for Frimley Lodge – a brilliant achievement – while Lightwater Country Park is celebrating its fourth award.

After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that two of our premier parks have achieved the Green Flag Award

is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make those green spaces great spaces that everyone can enjoy.

Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community Cllr Rebecca Jennings-Evans said: “These

Upgrade for tennis facilities

The Council approved a proposal to redevelop the tennis courts at Frimley Green Recreation Ground and Mytchett Recreation Ground with lighting installed to enable year-round play.

The courts at Watchetts Recreation Ground will also be refurbished to create a floodlit, mixed-use tennis and netball facility.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) are providing match funding to support major elements of this project, along

with the introduction of online gate access technology at each site.

Surrey Heath Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Community Cllr Rebecca Jennings-Evans said: "This project will bring our tennis courts at Frimley Green, Mytchett and Watchetts up to an excellent standard, supporting our commitment to improving access to quality sporting facilities, and helping to achieve our aim of healthier, more active communities.

awards are further evidence of our commitment to offering high quality parks and open spaces for local people to enjoy, as we appreciate the importance of the great outdoors to our physical and mental health.”

surreyheath.gov.uk/parks

“We are grateful to the Lawn Tennis Association for the extra funding which makes it possible.”

More information: surreyheath. gov.uk/tennisinthepark

surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure

What’s on at the Museum

Exhibition: First World War Internment, Surrey Heath, until 25 February 2023.

This is a joint exhibition with Knockaloe Centre for World War I Internment Camp, Isle of Man (knockaloe.im). The partnership was first suggested during the pandemic lockdown.

The museum will display items from their collection from November through to February, hanging alongside our collection of George Kenner watercolours.

Kenner was a WWI internee at Frith Hill, Frimley. Check our website for details of related events: e-voice.org.uk/surreyheathmuseum

Children’s Christmas activities

Wartime Christmas - Make your own wrapping paper. 20-24 Dec, 11am - 4 pm. £2 per child. Drop in, no booking required.

The Museum Calendar

The museum's 2023 calendar is 'Natural Surrey Heath' - £7.50, available from the museum shop.

Support for our forces

The Council is proud of its historic connections with the Armed Forces, and always seeks to strengthen the links between our civilian and forces communities. SHBC became a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 - a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged through

their service.

SURR E Y HE ATH

MUSEUM AND HERITAGE SERVICES

33 The Square, Obelisk Way, Camberley. Tues to Sat, 11am-4.30pm, FREE ENTRY. Email museum@surreyheath.gov.uk Call 01276 23771

Twitter @surreyheathmuse Facebook @surreyheathmuseum

YouTube Surrey Heath Museum

The museum will be closed 27 Dec - 3 Jan.

Cllr Adrian Page is our Armed Forces Champion, representing Surrey Heath on the Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board. Cllr Page said: “As a veteran myself, I am proud that we can support our armed forces personnel through helping with access to healthcare, employment and housing needs both during

and when they leave service.”

The free Forces Connect App offers comprehensive information on what services, discounts, support and advice are available in the local area for service families and veterans. Search: Forces Connect on the App Store or Google Play.