Business News

Toyota prevention of future death report

30 November 2025

A senior coroner has warned that more drivers could die because a Toyota braking system failed to stop a woman’s car before a deadly M25 crash. Lisa Bowen, 48, died … Read More

Council Environment

Surrey to get new recycling centre

30 November 2025

Bin lorries rumbling through Wentworth, Virginia Water and Chertsey could become a much more common occurrence after plans for a massive recycling plant on former green belt land just south … Read More

Rugby Sports

A Canterbury tale of woe for Epsom’s Rugby team

30 November 2025

Canterbury II 30 Sutton & Epsom RFC 26. Saturday 29th November. The Pilgrims had belatedly progressed to Level 6 when their glass ceiling was removed by the RFU. After an … Read More

News

Surrey MP intervenes in local prison transgender issue

30 November 2025

The Member of Parliament for Reigate has called for biologically male inmates to be excluded from the women’s estate at HMP Downview in Banstead. Rebecca Paul MP argued that the … Read More

Council Nature

Here’s some Spring cheer as Winter approaches Epsom and Ewell

29 November 2025

Nonsuch Park has been awarded two top honours at the 2025 South & South East in Bloom Awards, taking Gold for both Heritage Park of the Year and Large Conservation … Read More

News Policing

Surrey Police Commissioner responds to morale report

29 November 2025

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has defended a reported drop in police officer morale, pointing to public and media criticism of the force. Only 57 per cent of officers believe … Read More

Community Environment Transport

Leatherhead ruined recycling road repair

29 November 2025

A crumbling, pothole-ridden road that has been the source of countless insurance claims could be given a new lease of life. The North Leatherhead Access Road leading into the Surrey … Read More

Business Community Health

Nirvana comes to Epsom care home

29 November 2025

Sponsored article: Linden House Care Home in Epsom is proud to announce a new era under its new owners, Nirvana Care Group. Established in the 1980s, the home has long … Read More

Community Education News

Epsom celebrity visits his old college

29 November 2025

Joe Wicks MBE, widely known as The Body Coach, recently visited his former college, Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology), the place where his journey into fitness and education … Read More

News Transport

Surrey University balloon study of solar flares informs current air safety concerns

29 November 2025

New balloon-mounted radiation probes developed by the Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey have captured their first readings of a major solar storm, confirming that levels of cosmic … Read More

Environment Nature News

Surrey Hills expansion

28 November 2025

The Surrey Hills could be expanded for the first time since it was first designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty almost 70 years ago. The Surrey Hills National … Read More

Education Health News

Surrey Uni study may show way to reverse vision loss

28 November 2025

New computer modelling could help scientists better understand how the retina regenerates, opening the door to new treatments for vision loss, according to a study from the University of Surrey.  … Read More

Council Finances

Surrey to sell off property in Epsom and elsewhere to fill budget gaps

28 November 2025

Surrey County Council is looking to bank a major cash boost by selling off a string of properties sitting idle across the county. The money is earmarked to help plug … Read More

News Transport

Tunnel vision for Heathrow’s 3rd runway?

28 November 2025

Heathrow Airport’s plan for a third runway – requiring a major re-routing and tunnelling of the M25 – has received Government backing as the preferred option for expansion. A competing … Read More

Council Planning

Epsom and Ewell’s first neighbourhood plan

27 November 2025

A leafy Surrey suburb is about to make its mark for the local community. Stoneleigh and Auriol are poised to be able to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to planning developments … Read More

Council Finances

Surrey consults on next year’s budget

27 November 2025

Surrey County Council has opened a public consultation on its draft budget for 2026/27, asking residents across the county

Sponsored article: Linden House Care Home in Epsom is proud to announce a new era under its new owners, Nirvana Care Group. Established in the 1980s, the home has long served the local community, and the new leadership has already made significant investments to further elevate care standards across Surrey.

Phase 1 of a resident-led refurbishment is now complete, shaped by meaningful input from those who live at the home. Linden House has also invested in modern technologies and strengthened service partnerships to enhance safety, comfort, and wellbeing.

The transition has been warmly received by staff, with six former team members returning to support the refreshed vision. The home is also delighted to welcome back former manager Reshma Tupsy, reflecting Linden House’s strong sense of community and continuity. With a dedicated multicultural team and an in-house chef, residents enjoy personalised menus tailored to cultural and faith requirements, along with fully customised activity programmes.

Following the renewed leadership, upgraded facilities, and a focus on truly personalised care a small number of vacancies remain for families seeking warm, modern, and compassionate care.

For enquiries or to arrange a visit, contact Reshma on 01372 721 447

Council Housing News

Epsom and Ewell homeless costs set to overshoot by £900k

25 November 2025

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is forecasting a substantial overspend on its homelessness budget this year, as reported to the BBC, with demand for help remaining “consistently high”. According to … Read More

Local History News Transport

British Railways’ 200 year celebration train coming to Epsom

24 November 2025

Free exhibition train to steam into Tattenham Corner A free exhibition train celebrating 200 years of the modern railway will arrive at Tattenham Corner station next March as part of … Read More

Rugby Sports

Horsham hound Epsom’s huddle

24 November 2025

Sutton & Epsom were beaten 36–29 by Horsham Saturday 22nd November in a hard-fought and entertaining afternoon at Rugby Lane. The fixture brought together two clubs whose paths diverged at … Read More

Arts Community Culture

Epsom’s Young Performers Light Up Picturehouse Showcase

24 November 2025

It was an unusually busy Sunday morning at Epsom’s Picturehouse, with the main cinema hall filled to the very last seat. It is rare to see it so full at … Read More

Business Education

Is Epsom and Ewell ideal for remote working?

23 November 2025

When remote work is supported well, it can raise job satisfaction, reduce commuting stress and give people meaningful control over their work life balance. However, the recent drive by some … Read More

Arts Culture

Epsom Choral Society maintains its good standing

23 November 2025

Epsom Choral Society’s performance of Dvořák’s Stabat Mater on 22 November 2025 at St Martin’s Church was an evening defined by emotional depth, musical discipline, and an unwavering sense of communal purpose. … Read More

Arts Culture

Epsom gets a bit of French polish

23 November 2025

Those who were fortunate enough to be in the audience for Epsom Chamber Choir’s concert at St Martin’s Church, Epsom, on Saturday 15 November were treated to a superb recital … Read More

Community Health

Sixty years of tea, chat and companionship in Epsom

22 November 2025

A charity supporting lonely and isolated older residents in Epsom and Ewell is marking its 60th anniversary. Re-engage volunteers run monthly free tea parties for people aged 75 and over, … Read More

Council Finances

Need to sell Council property spelt out for Spelthorne

21 November 2025

Spelthorne Borough Council has been warned it must sell off its commercial property empire fast or risk losing tens of millions of pounds and plunging even deeper into financial crisis. … Read More

Arts Education Transport

Nescot students’ artwork brightens Ewell East Station

20 November 2025

Artwork by Nescot’s Level 3 Art and Digital Design students is now on display at Ewell East Station as part of Art@theStation, a national initiative bringing young artists’ work into … Read More

Community Health

QEF to Close After 90 Years as Epsom MP Seeks Answers

20 November 2025

The Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), the long-established disability charity based in Leatherhead, has announced it will enter administration after a 28-day wind-down period, bringing an end to … Read More

Environment News Volunteers

Epsom and Ewell Climate Action Network launches with community events and initiatives

20 November 2025

A new community movement is taking shape in the borough with the launch of the Epsom and Ewell Climate Action Network (eeCAN) – a local volunteer group working to empower … Read More

Epsom Choral Society’s performance of Dvořák’s Stabat Mater on 22 November 2025 at St Martin’s Church was an evening defined by emotional depth, musical discipline, and an unwavering sense of communal purpose. Under the assured direction of conductor Julian Collings, the choir and English Sinfonietta delivered a moving and meticulously shaped reading of one of the choral repertoire’s most profound sacred works.

The church’s warm acoustic proved especially well suited to Dvořák’s expansive, reverent writing; the opening lament, “Stabat mater dolorosa,” unfolded with a gentle solemnity that felt both intimate and monumental. The lower voices of the choir set a somber foundation, their tone grounded and resonant, while the sopranos floated above with clarity. Collings shaped the movement with confidence, never allowing the pacing to sag despite the movement’s extended emotional breadth.

The quartet of soloists—Lisa Swayne (soprano), Judy Louie Brown (mezzo-soprano), John Findon  (tenor), and Niall Anderson (bass)—brought a balanced and expressive presence to the performance. Swayne’s soprano was notable for its bright, ringing top notes, which soared effortlessly. Brown’s mezzo offered a warm, velvety counterpoint, particularly effective in the more introspective sections, where her phrasing carried a natural, speech-like flow.

Tenor John Findon delivered a compelling and lyrical performance, bringing both tenderness and urgency to his solos. His projection was clear, even in the church’s generous acoustic. Bass Niall Anderson provided a strong anchor, his tone rich and reassuring—especially striking in moments where Dvořák’s writing descends into darker, more meditative territory. Together, the four voices blended with admirable cohesion, never overshadowing the chorus but instead weaving in and out of the larger texture with sensitivity.

The English Sinfonietta supported the vocal forces with refinement and expressive nuance. The string section, in particular, brought a glowing warmth to the score, highlighting Dvořák’s gift for intertwining grief with deep spiritual hope. The woodwind solos were elegantly shaped. 

Collings maintained clear and communicative direction throughout, guiding transitions with fluid movement and drawing out the work’s emotional arc with thoughtful pacing. By the time the triumphant closing movement, “Quando corpus morietur,” arrived, the ensemble had built a compelling narrative of suffering transformed into hope, making the final “Amen” genuinely uplifting.

What stood out most across the performance, however, was the sense of collective commitment. Epsom Choral Society attracted a sizeable audience despite, the inclement weather, and there was a real sense of community between the choir and the audience. 

Jane Wilkinson

Those who were fortunate enough to be in the audience for Epsom Chamber Choir’s concert at St Martin’s Church, Epsom, on Saturday 15 November were treated to a superb recital of French choral music. The first half comprised mainly unaccompanied short pieces by 20th-century French composers, with one work by American composer Eric Whitacre. From the outset the choir’s exceptional quality was evident as their exhilarating sound reverberated around the superb acoustic of St Martin’s. Maurice Duruflé’s Quatre motets, based on plainsong melodies, were beautifully sung, conveying every nuance of this intimate music. Whitacre’s Sainte-Chapelle, inspired by a visit to the medieval Parisian chapel, mirrored in vivid choral writing the stunning stained-glass windows for which the building is famous, its dissonant cluster-chords and wide dynamic range skilfully negotiated under the clear direction of conductor Jack Apperley.

The sopranos and altos were then given a chance to shine with three pieces for upper voices only. The ethereal purity of the sopranos’ tone was especially apparent in Lili Boulanger’s Pie Jesu, accompanied by string quartet, harp and organ. The first half concluded with Pierre Villette’s Attende Domine, composed in 1983 for Worcester Cathedral Choir. Villette’s highly chromatic writing, with hints of Poulenc, Messiaen, Gregorian chant and jazz, presents real challenges even for accomplished choirs, but the confident voices of Epsom Chamber Choir proved more than equal to the task, bringing the opening half to a thrilling close.

After the interval the choir gave a moving account of Fauré’s ever-popular Requiem, accompanied by an excellent ensemble of violin, cello, harp and organ. This reduced instrumentation lent a special intimacy to the performance, well suited to the reflective character of much of the work, though perhaps less so for its more dynamic sections. Jack Apperley directed sensitively throughout, and soloists Caroline Burgess, Roger Miller and Nic Ash all sang with assurance and musicality. It is impossible to be unmoved by the ethereal beauty of Fauré’s masterpiece, nowhere more so than in the transcendent In Paradisum, its soaring melody and murmuring harp bringing the evening to a sublime conclusion.

John Bawden

A charity supporting lonely and isolated older residents in Epsom and Ewell is marking its 60th anniversary.

Re-engage volunteers run monthly free tea parties for people aged 75 and over, alongside a call-befriending service for those who live alone.

“Almost part of my family”

Lesley Renwick, who has led the local group since 2005, said they had supported “hundreds of lonely older people who often don’t see or speak to anyone for long periods”. She added: “Our group is very friendly and they’ve almost become part of my family. It’s lovely seeing the older people enjoy themselves, simply having a chat and a cup of tea.”

Re-engage began in London in 1965 when a young lawyer, Trevor Lyttleton, and friends set out to support isolated older people. Epsom and Ewell was one of the earliest groups to follow. Today the charity has thousands of volunteers running hundreds of tea parties, activity groups and call-befriending sessions for around 6,500 older people nationwide.

‘It was worth the wait’

Phyllis, 91, has been attending the local tea parties since 2011. “I love them,” she said. “The volunteers make you so welcome. We all get to know each other and have a good old chat. I like the companionship. It’s nice to have someone to talk to. I had to wait two years to get into the group because it was so popular but it was well worth the wait.”

Pat, 86, whose husband died 14 years ago, said the gatherings helped lift the quiet moments at home. “There are times when I feel lonely but it helps going to the Re-engage tea parties. I’ve made some friends there and there’s always a lovely spread from the volunteers who are so kind. I get to hear everybody’s news and have a lovely time.”

Calls that make a difference

Jo Kearns, 48, lives in Epsom and volunteers as a Call Companion, making weekly calls to Irene, 79, who lives alone. “She gets very anxious about things. Her friends are dying so she can be a bit isolated but the phone calls seem to help. She’s happier by the time we’ve ended our chat,” she said. “I enjoy the volunteering because I like to help vulnerable people. It must be horrible to be alone and worried so I want to do whatever I can. In fact I’m thinking of taking on another older person after Christmas.”

‘Marvellous job’

Jenny Willott, CEO of Re-engage, said: “Our volunteers in Epsom and Ewell do a marvellous job, making sure some of our most vulnerable older people can find new friends and socialise. The fact they have been doing this for 60 years is astonishing.”

Interested in helping?

Volunteer opportunities supporting older people locally and remotely can be found on the Re-engage website.

Football Sports

Late flash of composure seals Epsom & Ewell’s away win

17 November 2025

Sheerwater 3 – 4 Epsom and Ewell FC. Sunday 16th November – Combined Counties Premier League. Epsom & Ewell finally claimed their first league away win of the season with … Read More

Council Finances News

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to stay put awaiting its demise

15 November 2025

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee has formally abandoned the plan to relocate the Town Hall to East Street, voting on 11 November to remain in the … Read More

Council Council constitution

Epsom and Ewell Council transparency disputes revisited

14 November 2025

The Audit and Scrutiny Committee of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council met on 13th November, with long-running disputes about transparency once again overshadowing its agenda. Questions from the public and … Read More

Council Housing Planning

Epsom and Ewell housing targets in the crosshairs

14 November 2025

The borough of Epsom and Ewell is currently engaged in a critical juncture of its planning future. The Council’s Regulation 19 draft Local Plan is under examination by the Planning … Read More

Crime News Policing

Live facial recognition policing comes to Surrey

14 November 2025

Surrey Police have begun using live facial recognition (LFR) technology after securing two mobile LFR vans in a joint bid with Sussex Police. The first deployment took place this week … Read More

Council Health

Surrey to get a higher level of heart care

14 November 2025

Heart patients and the tiniest and most vulnerable babies across Surrey are set to benefit from major investment in local specialist services, following confirmation of a £3.2 million upgrade at … Read More

Arts Community

From Ukraine to Epsom: How Music and Kindness Struck the Right Note

14 November 2025

When the Ukraine National Opera arrived in the UK on tour in early 2022, none of its musicians could have imagined how the world, and their lives, were about to … Read More

Council Environment

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Green Guide

14 November 2025

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is proud to launch its Green Your Home Guide to help residents take simple, everyday actions to contribute to a healthier environment and help combat … Read More

Council Crime Social care

Sara Sharif murder report on Surrey services

13 November 2025

Numerous safeguarding flaws over many years “cumulatively laid the foundations for the severe abuse” Sara Sharif experienced, a new independent report has revealed. The 10-year-old schoolgirl was found dead in … Read More

Education Nature News

Surrey’s Satellite bio-diversity project promoted at COP30 Brazil

13 November 2025

Surrey’s Space4Nature project, which uses satellite data and community science to protect biodiversity across the county, is currently being showcased by the UK Government at the COP30 UK Pavilion in … Read More

News Transport

Conditional nod to southern rail link to Heathrow

13 November 2025

Spelthorne Borough Council has agreed to support a new rail link between Staines-upon-Thames and Heathrow Airport, but only on strict environmental and local benefit conditions. The proposed Heathrow Southern Rail … Read More

Health News

Epsom Hospital braces for strikes amid winter pressures

13 November 2025

Further strike action by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – is set to add strain to NHS services just as winter illnesses begin to rise. The British … Read More

Business News

Primark finally indicates a season to open in Epsom

12 November 2025

The Ashley Centre in Epsom has confirmed that Primark is set to open its doors in Spring 2026, occupying a two-floor, 44,000 square foot retail unit. The arrival of this … Read More

Community Council

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council gears up for – you know what

11 November 2025

It’s that time of year again – Christmas is coming to Epsom! Join us on Sunday 23 November for the Christmas lights switch-on in Epsom marketplace, led by the Mayor … Read More

Community Health

Epsom and Ewell 5th least obese 10 year olds in the UK

11 November 2025

Year six schoolchildren in Surrey have some of the lowest obesity rates in the country, with Mole Valley leading the way. The figures were published as part of the Government’s … Read More

Football Sports

Epsom and Ewell bow out of FA Vase

10 November 2025

Eastbourne v Epsom and Ewell FC Saturday 8th November. The Salts succumbed to a wonder strike from Eastbourne midfielder Brett Paton early in the second half to bow out of … Read More

Local History

Bit of Epsom history for sale

10 November 2025

A distinctive slice of Epsom’s high street history has surfaced for sale — the original “Ladies at Lester Bowden” shop sign, once proudly displayed beneath the old walkway of the … Read More

News Policing

Leatherhead to be home to 500 Surrey Police Officers

10 November 2025

Surrey Police will get its new East Surrey headquarters after huge plans including hundreds of homes was approved. The force has been on the lookout for a new hub after … Read More

Rugby Sports

Batteresea stun Sutton & Epsom rugby

9 November 2025

Battersea Ironsides 24 Sutton & Epsom 22. Saturday 8th November. This fixture has produced last-minute drama since the sides first met in league action two seasons ago. It is certainly … Read More

Council Transport

Vital Surrey bus reduced from hourly to three mornings a week

8 November 2025

People who wait for buses are often left disappointed and that only looks set to continue after the company behind an axed service said it was “not likely” to return. … Read More

Council Transport

Epsom Station joins app helping visually impaired bus users

8 November 2025

Epsom Station has become one of eight new locations added to a Surrey County Council (SCC) scheme that uses an innovative app to help blind and partially sighted people travel … Read More

Arts Culture

Blackhawk Quintet bring West Coast cool to Epsom

7 November 2025

For an increasing number of informed regulars, Epsom Jazz Club has become a nearby haven of quality music attracting national and international talent down to our own corner of Surrey. … Read More

Council Environment News

Free trees for Epsom and Ewell residents

7 November 2025

Surrey residents are being invited to collect free trees later this month, as part of Surrey County Council’s drive to plant 1.2 million trees by 2030 – one for every … Read More

Community Health News

Epsom Hospital braces for flu spike

7 November 2025

Hospitals serving Epsom, St Helier and St George’s are warning of a potentially severe flu season as national data reveals the number of deaths linked to the virus in England … Read More

Local History

Tracing the history of poor relief in Epsom and Ewell

6 November 2025

Residents and researchers in the borough now have enhanced access to a fascinating trove of historic records that shed light on how our local community dealt with poverty, welfare and … Read More

For an increasing number of informed regulars, Epsom Jazz Club has become a nearby haven of quality music attracting national and international talent down to our own corner of Surrey.

For those not yet in the know, it’s worth broaching the growing roster of world-class musicians and singers who’ve walked through the doors at the Comrades Club venue.

It includes Tony Kofi, who blew his sax at Glastonbury this year in the long-running jazz funk outfit Cymande’s latest incarnation, trumpeter Andy Davies who with local guitar star Nigel Price brought along the rest of the amazing Ronnie Scott’s house band (EJC also has jazz lamps on the tables), and Alan Barnes – for whom the cliché ‘luminary’ is, in his case, actually warranted.

Past line-ups of award-winning players also include Hannah Horton, Allison Neale, Emma Rawicz, Karen Sharp and, in a genre that may be said to err sometimes on the side of seniority, the club has carefully promoted some up-and-coming artists, with exciting young vocalists on the bill like Ineza and Annie Majin.

Backdrop set, it is celebrated drummer Matt Skelton breaking new ground in October bringing his Blackhawk Quintet to Epsom – it’s been strictly quartets on the Comrades’ small stage to date – for an evening exploring the work of fellow sticksman Shelly Manne. The show focused on an intense week in the life and career of this West Coast “cool” jazz innovator, band leader, club owner and movie music composer, who in the 1950s and 60s was often pictured nattily dressed at his drums, in jacket and tie, a big smile on his face.

This five-piece is named (deliberately portmanteau, it seems) after a short residency of concerts at San Francisco’s Black Hawk club in the autumn of 1959, recorded with a view to releasing a single live album that became a series of four scintillating records, such was the quantity of quality material, followed by a fifth album in the early 1990s when the whole lot was re-released on CD.

Skelton’s men for the evening were Leon Greening – perhaps my favourite jazz pianist working in the country right now – Mark Crooks, whose tenor sax croons, glides and purrs like Lester Young, Stan Getz or indeed Manne’s tenorman on the Black Hawk records Richie Kamuca; hard-swinging young horn player Jim Davison (once lead trumpet in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, now leading his own bands and scooping awards); and Jeremy Brown, one of the go-to bassists on the UK scene who’s played at Epsom at least half a dozen times in various line-ups.

It’s a rare treat to hear five musicians on this stage, with two brass-blowing front men. The sound is full and punchy, hitting right to the fore during the energetic thematic heads, and adding that extra bit of variety as the players take their solo turns.

The band took the vocally enthusiastic crowd on a fabulous journey through the recorded sessions, from the mid-tempo bopper Pullin’ Strings to the smoothly striding Eclipse of Spain, via the hard bop of Benny Golson composition Step Lightly.

The night’s focus on the short series of Black Hawk gigs – with occasional forays into other Shelly Manne albums (the grooving, Latin-tinged The Breeze and I from Boss Sounds!) or pieces by his various collaborators including Henry Mancini (the exquisite ballad Dreamsville) – provided a satisfying coherence to the concert you don’t always get.

That satisfaction only deepened with the scholarly asides, stories and nuggets of background about Manne, the gigs and the man’s musical life that Skelton amused us with between numbers.

Oh, and did I mention the drums? Skelton beats them hands down.

Amanda Gregory

Epsom Jazz Club puts on concerts at the Comrades Club, 1 The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BT. The next evening will feature violinist Matt Holborn and his quartet on 27 November, starting 7:30 pm.

Photo by Steven McCormick of Steven McCormick Photography

Horse racing Sports

Epsom’s Famous Turf Set for a Smoother Ride

5 November 2025

Racehorses galloping down Epsom’s famous turf could soon enjoy a smoother start, after The Jockey Club won backing to re-route a battered path cutting across the six-furlong chute on the … Read More

Community Council

4 November 2025

Bourne Hall is delighted to announce the return of its much-loved Christmas Lights Switch-On event, taking place on Saturday 29 November from 4pm until 7.30pm. This free, family-friendly celebration invites … Read More

Arts Community Culture

Music and dance for Ukraine at Epsom Methodist Church

4 November 2025

The 13th Ukraine Music Evening took place on Saturday 25th October at Epsom Methodist Church, organised by Lionel Blackman with the support of the Epsom Refugee Network and Surrey Stands … Read More

Community Faith

Epsom Methodist Church launches new Story Club and Warm Wednesdays

1 November 2025

Epsom Methodist Church (EMC) is organising two exciting ventures for local people and families this autumn. First out of the blocks is a new Story Club for parents and toddlers … Read More

Council Council constitution News

Surrey resident’s views on County split ignored?

1 November 2025

The Government has been accused of ignoring Surrey residents’ views on how to dissolve and merge the county’s councils after it emerged there was a clear preference for three unitaries … Read More

Council Council constitution News

Government Casts Doubt on Surrey’s Mayoral Devolution Promise

31 October 2025

No promises have been made that Surrey will get full devolution and a directly elected mayor – despite it being the “entire purpose” of the lengthy and arduous process of … Read More

Crime News

Surrey prison drug smuggling drones might be investigated

31 October 2025

Drones smuggling drugs into prison will be investigated in an inquest into a man who died in custody. The full inquest, which opens next month, will also look at his … Read More

Education News

Surrey Uni show AI systems based on the human brain’s save energy

30 October 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) could soon become more energy-efficient and faster, thanks to a new approach developed at the University of Surrey that takes direct inspiration from biological neural networks of … Read More

Council Finances News

Residents sigh of relief if Government bail out bankrupt Woking

29 October 2025

The government’s whopping £500m bailout for debt-ridden Woking Borough Council may not be the last. The cash injection, announced as part of Surrey’s local government reorganisation on October 28, will … Read More

Council Elections

Some election detail on the new Surrey Councils

29 October 2025

Election dates in Surrey, and how the seats will be split in the two new mega councils, have been confirmed as more details emerge of how everything will work following … Read More

Council Officers will be available to speak to you in person at the following places

• Monday 13 February 14:30 – 19:30 Bourne Hall, Azalea Room
• Thursday 16 February 12:00 – 17:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
• Tuesday 21 February 14:30 – 19:30, Bourne Hall, Azalea room
• Wednesday 22 February 10:30 – 15:30, Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road
• Saturday 25 February 11:00 – 16:00, Ashley Centre, Central Square
• Tuesday 28 February 10:30 – 15:30, Community & Wellbeing Centre, Sefton Road

Epsom and Ewell Times exclusive: 21st June 2022 HRH The Princess Royal entered the Borough of Epsom and Ewell. The Court Circular states: Her Royal Highness this afternoon opened the First World War Centenary Woods’ “Regiment of Trees”, Langley Vale Wood, Langley Vale Road, Epsom, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey (Mr. Michael More-Molyneux).

The Epsom and Ewell Times requested The Woodland Trust to explain activity at the Headley Road Car Park entrance that day. The owners of the Centenary Wood fell silent. Our investigation reveals that no “song-and-dance” has been made of the Royal event as the car park cannot open until electric vehicle charging points are working.

As today’s photos show, they are nearly ready but the car park remains closed. Walking is the best way to get to the Wood at the moment. The narrow country roads that surround the wood have no safe places to park.

The 650 acre Centenary Wood at Langley Vale is the English site of the four for the four nations of the United Kingdom. Epsom and Ewell is very privileged to have this extraordinary amenity at our doorstep.

^{Ed: This story was ready to break just before Queen Elizabeth II died. Out of respect for the Royal Family we put a hold on publication until after the State Funeral. The car park remains closed as of today.}

The Developers promoting the development of the site of Kingswood House School bizarrely failed to
show up at their own public consultation on Thursday night (7th July). The event which had been organized by
Steve Curwen of Stonegate Homes Ltd on behalf of the freeholders of the site (the Aczel brothers)
was scheduled to take place at The Cricketers Inn on Stamford Green between 5pm and 7pm on
Thursday 7th July.

Had Mr Curwen or the Aczels attended, they would have been greeted by between 70 and 80 local
residents who despite having been given barely 72 hours notice of the event by the developers,
turned up in force to show their support for the School and their objection to the development
proposals.

It was standing room only in the small room which the developers had organized for the meeting
and in their absence and that of the freeholders, it was left to the School to thank residents for
showing up and for indicating their strong opposition to the plans. Headmaster Duncan Murphy noted
the valuable role the School plays, providing education for 250 boys and girls, very many of whom are
SEND pupils (Special Education Needs and Disabilities).

Chris Grayling MP also attended and voiced his strong support for the School and objection to the
plans and was supported by councilors Bernie Muir and Steve Bridger. Bernie Muir encouraged all
attendees to sign a register noting their attendance.

Steve Bridger (Councillor for Stamford Ward) told Epsom and Ewell Times “I support and will continue to support Kingswood House in every aspect against this planning application, being a local school providing first class education. It is a great asset to the Borough and the students that attend.”

Sited in West Hill Epsom for over 100 years Kingswood House is a renowned special educational
needs and disability (SEND) school and is facing the termination of its lease as developers seek to
build a housing estate on the land. The valuable role the School plays has been recognized by
Council’s recently awarding the School the status of an: “Asset of Community Value”. This is a rare
accolade, unusual for a school and reflects the high value of the school to the local community. Also,
the school has been shortlisted by Independent School Parent magazine for an award in this year’s
annual Contribution to Social Mobility category. See Epsom and Ewell Times exclusive breaking the story.

Epsom’s Kingswood House School faces closure as developers move in.

Sited in West Hill Epsom for over 100 years this renowned special educational needs and disability (SEND) school is facing the termination of its lease as developers seek to build a housing estate on the land. 250 pupils enjoy first class facilities and green space at the Council’s recently recognised “Asset of Community Value”. This is a rare accolade, unusual for a school and reflects the high value of the school to the local community. Also, the school has been shortlisted by Independent School Parent magazine for an award in this year’s annual Contribution to Social Mobility category.

Tomorrow (Thursday 5pm 7^th July) at The Cricketers Pub, Stamford Green Road, Epsom the freehold owners of the land, (James, Richard and David Aczel) are staging a “public consultation”.

Richard Evans, the Chair of the School’s governors said “Our school is already a thriving SEND-focused school for 250 boys and girls and the proposed school is on a small part of the site and will only accommodate a fraction of this number.”

Headmaster Duncan Murphy said “100% of the site should be kept for a school, and no housing should be allowed. Although the landlords will say otherwise, there are other sites for housing which are far more appropriate.” The school are urging local residents to attend the meeting at the Cricketers and make their views known.

The freeholders claim “Epsom is far behind its local housing delivery targets and needs a great deal of housing for local people, with a high demand for family housing. The scheme delivers a specialist school for local children that will be funded by the local education authority. The scheme delivers new local housing with 1, 2, 3 & 4 bed homes. All high quality and with parking (incl electric charging) and grounds to provide a high standard of design. This is a local scheme for local people. The scheme is highly sustainable, re-using buildings where possible and creating highly energy efficient new buildings where required.”

Below is the registered land (edged red) leased till March 2023 by the Axzels to Kingswood House School Trust and an aerial view of the site. Lastly, the proposed development demonstrating how most if not all the green space available to 250 pupils will be swallowed up by new housing.

The Conservative-run Surrey County Council plans to axe “area committees”. Will this reduce local people’s voice in Council decisions? “Surrey to reign over us? Happy and glorious?”

“Local and Joint Committees” have been the mainstay of local democracy in Surrey over the last 20 years, providing a forum for county councillors to join with their counterparts In Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and other local councils in the County, to discuss issues and make decisions on local county council spending. Members of the public participated in the meetings by bringing petitions and asking questions about council services.

These committees have gradually reduced in the frequency of meetings and their remit. Decision-making on highway functions was removed at the Surrey County Council Cabinet meeting in February this year. Various ideas have been floated about replacing them with a new model of partnership working but as yet, no firm proposals or timeline have been set.

The abolition of Local and Joint Committees is now set for the 31 October 2022 latest.

Epsom and Ewell and Surrey County Councillor Eber Kington (Residents Association) said to the Epsom and Ewell Times: “It was a decision taken without consultation with most County Councillors and made without any detailed plans in place to replicate many of the functions of Local Committees.  Getting “how will this work” responses has been difficult and met with evasion and delay.  However, we now know that petitioners will have their requests for action determined by a Cabinet Member (not from Epsom and Ewell), and residents can only ask in-person questions related to their local community if they travel to Surrey County Council’s Woodhatch HQ in Reigate, accessible only by car.  My ability to promote a highway safety scheme amongst my Epsom and Ewell County Councillor colleagues is gone, and such schemes now have to take their chance in competition with 80 other county councillors across Surrey.”

“The outcome of this centralisation of highway spending decisions is self-evident when you see that for highway improvements to reduce road casualties, tackle speeding and make walking and cycling to school easier and safer in 2022/2023, there are 42 schemes listed with a total spend of £2,200,000. Unfortunately, the Epsom and Ewell area has just one scheme listed at a cost of £5000.  That is just 0.2% of the budget for 2022/2023 being allocated to Epsom and Ewell.”

Epsom and Ewell College Ward Councillor David Gulland (LibDem) told Epsom and Ewell Times “This move threatens to undermine local democracy and reduce Epsom and Ewell’s voice in County Council decisions. The Conservatives have been looking to abolish Local and Joint Committees for a number of years but have yet to come up with any firm proposals for anything that will work better. My concern is that if they are completely abolished without their replacements up and running, there could be a temporary or even a permanent deficit in local democracy. We want to press the County Council into committing to a future that provides for local participation in local decision-making. My LibDem colleagues on the County Council will move a resolution to preserve Local and Joint Committees.”

The Conservative County Councillor was also asked to comment.

The Epsom and Ewell Times has previously reported the surprise resignation / departure (?) of Kathryn Beldon, the Council’s Chief Executive Officer.  The Strategy and Resources committee decided on Monday night (July 4^th) to exclude press and public from its meeting to discuss the recruitment of a new CEO.

The motion to hold the meeting in private was opposed by Cllr. David Gulland (Lib Dem, College Ward) and Cllr. Kate Chinn (Labour, Court Ward), arguing that there was no reason for any of the information that would be discussed to be exempt from public scrutiny.

But the council officer presenting the report responded that, while it was a decision ultimately for councillors to make, it would be difficult to discuss the matter without referring to the financial remuneration of other individuals employed by the council.  The committee chairman, Cllr Neil Dallen (Res Ass, Town Ward) suggested to the meeting that this would restrict the discussion needed.

A vote on Cllr. Gulland’s motion to keep the meeting open to the public was defeated by 5 votes to 2.  The public gallery was therefore cleared and the ensuing discussion in private lasted for about an hour.

The S&R meeting was immediately followed by a meeting of the Full Council, where Cllrs. Gulland and Chinn again argued that the discussion should be held in the open, but were again defeated by the Residents’ Association majority.

The public is still none the wiser in terms of what was discussed or what conclusions were reached.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been contacted and advises:

“In recent years public authorities have published an increasing
amount of information on salaries of public sector officials.
Government departments and other public bodies now routinely
publish the names, job titles and salaries of senior civil servants on
www.data.gov.uk, as part of the government’s policy on open data
and transparency. Salaries are given in bands of £5,000 (eg
£120,000 to £124,999). For more junior posts the job title and pay
scales are shown.
It is well-established practice that local authorities, fire and police
authorities and certain other public bodies in England publish
salary-related information in their annual accounts. For example, for
each employee who earned over £50,000 in the previous year, they
publish actual salaries, allowances, bonuses, compensation and
employer’s pension contributions. This also includes the names of
those staff who earned over £150,000.”

The Epsom and Ewell Times will apply to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council for full disclosure of all the secret papers of the meetings of 4th July and the minutes. Failing which an appeal will be made to the ICO as Epsom and Ewell Council’s secrecy appears to be contrary to the spirit of the age of transparency and accountability.

5th July the Council made a statement through its press office: “These meetings were part of the required democratic process to ensure a robust recruitment of the most senior Chief Officer position of the Council. “