Marion Morrison (LibDem), Mark Todd (Labour, leaning on the RA candidate’s empty chair), Keiran Persand (Conservative). Monday 4th July 2022, All Saints Church West Ewell hosted the West Ewell Borough Council Ward by-election hustings. Local residents go to the polling stations on Thursday 7th July to elect a new Councillor. Each candidate paid tribute to the late Residents Association Councillor Clive Smitheram for his long and valuable public service. See Epsom and Ewell Times obituary HERE.

Alan Williamson, the Residents Association candidate, did not attend due to a work commitment. He works in the financial services sector. However, you can see all candidates’ responses to Epsom and Ewell Times questions HERE.

The hustings candidates were quizzed by voters on tackling anti-social behaviour and improving policing, the urgency of getting approved a Local Plan, improvements to transport and local road congestion. The audience was very pleased to have the opportunity to hear and question candidates but were disappointed that Mr Williamson could not attend. There was unanimous support for the Epsom and Ewell Times plan to hold hustings in every ward in the 2023 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council elections.

A 102-year-old Surrey war hero who was unable to wear his medals due to the condition of the ribbons can finally pin on his honours again, thanks to a local veterans’ project which arranged a repair mission.

George, who served in the British Army during the Second World War and now lives in Epsom, showed the old, frayed ribbons to a trained volunteer who was documenting his life story as part of the Force for Change veterans’ project.  

On hearing George’s predicament, Tracey Morris, the project lead for Epsom and Ewell, contacted THE SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION [SSAFA], the Armed Forces charity. Tracey, a communities and prevention coordinator in the county council’s adult social care team, worked with Adrian Mundin, SSAFA’s divisional secretary, to arrange for the honours to be sent to medal specialists in London.

SSAFA has strong links with the London Medal Company, which was pleased to support George’s request. The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans then stepped in to transport the medals to the company’s premises in Leicester Square, because of the age of the medals and to ensure their safe delivery and return.

The taxi collected the honours from an event marking the third anniversary of the Epsom and Ewell Veterans Community Hub, where George was showing his medals, still in the cardboard box in which they were delivered to him more than half a century ago. The honours were then conveyed from the hub to the medals company for repair.

Complete with new ribbons and displayed on a rack, the medals were reunited with their owner at the Comrades Club in Epsom, where George was also able to meet and thank Kim Morton, representing SSAFA, Ian Lingham, of the taxi charity, and Tracey.

The local veterans’ project brings together former service personnel through friendship groups, events and days out and may involve an opportunity to record their life stories for the archives.

It’s a pilot scheme which is initially focused on three areas of Surrey – Epsom and Ewell, Guildford and Surrey Heath. Places are available in all three locations. Former service personnel, whether younger or older, are encouraged to get involved.

The county council is working with armed forces charities and local museums and organisations to deliver the project, which is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, under its Force for Change programme.

Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “Thanks to everyone involved in this heartwarming project and particularly to George for telling his story and highlighting the benefits of the groups and networks for veterans in Surrey. I’d encourage anyone who has served, whether younger or older, to find out more about the opportunities in the county.”

Helyn Clack, chairman of Surrey County Council and the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board, said: “It’s particularly fitting during Armed Forces Week to be celebrating the repair and return of the medals that George so richly earned. I’d like to pay tribute to him and indeed all those across Surrey who have served, and are currently serving, for their courage and contribution.”

For more information about support for veterans across Surrey, visit Surrey Information Point. You can also download the free Forces Connect mobile app which signposts veterans, armed forces personnel and their loved ones to local support and advice. Search “Forces Connect” in Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store.

The Epsom and Ewell Veterans Community Hub is holding an indoor street party on Sunday 26^th June to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Any veteran wishing to attend must register in advance (contact tracey.morris@surreycc.gov.uk or call 07790 585352).

New analysis of Digging up Britain 2022 search data reveals that Surrey residents are the fourth safest diggers in the UK, being beaten to top spot by Nottinghamshire, London and Gloucestershire.  Devon rounded off the top five.

The study by the UK’s leading online safe digging resource, Line Search Before You Dig,  LSBUD, highlights the country’s safest and most dangerous digging hotspots as domestic digging continues to rise, by analysing how many residents are searching before they dig.

The UK’s Top Ten Digging Regions

• Nottinghamshire
• London
• Gloucestershire
• Surrey
• Devon
• Kent
• Hampshire
• Cornwall
• Wiltshire
• Oxfordshire

With Brits searching before undertaking 185,000 digging projects over the past 12 months, the scale and volume of at-home activity is clear to see. This is an all-time high and a 25 percent increase on the previous year.

It comes amidst a greater willingness to undertake home improvements post-COVID. According to Rated People, there was a 32 percent increase in demand for home improvements in 2021, with homeowners requiring more space to effectively live and work from the same property. Digging up Britain data mirrors this, with domestic works projects increasing by 83 percent.

The nature of these digging projects range from digging in trampolines, putting in new sheds and fixing fencing, through to drainage work, building conservatories, installing heat pumps and planting trees.

What the Experts Say

Richard Broome, MD at LSBUD, comments: “It is great to see the British public wanting to do more to their homes, and to see so many using the proper precautions to stay safe is heartening. With 84 percent of all digging projects now preceded by an underground search, it is clear that the safe digging message is getting through.

“However, there is still room for improvement. When the British public dig ‘blind’, with no prior knowledge of what is beneath them, there results can be significant. You are looking at serious injuries, expensive repairs, major disruptions and in the worst cases, fatalities.

“With this in mind, we urge people to always ‘search before you dig’. This is the message we want to get across as part of National Safe Digging Week, which starts on Monday 4^th July.”

To learn more, please visit lsbud.co.uk/national-safe-digging-week, and to see LSBUD’s consumer-focused safe digging video, click here.

The UK’s Most Dangerous Digging Regions

• Lincolnshire
• Somerset
• Herefordshire
• Berkshire
• Durham

Methodology

Data from LSBUD’s search portal, which recorded 3.4 million enquiries in 2021 was analysed. The data not only identifies the people responsible for each search, with ‘private individuals’ one of the selected groups, but also their location.

Surrey Independent Living Council is evolving! Following on from an independent external review the
trustees agreed to change the name of the organisation to Surrey Independent Living Charity. (SILC)
They believe that the change in name from Surrey Independent Living Council to Surrey Independent
Living Charity better reflects the charitable objectives of the organization and avoids confusion with
Surrey County Council.
SILC is a User Led Organisation that has been active in Surrey for almost 25 years and was formed as
Surrey Independent Living Council in 1998 by a group of disabled people. SILC’s primary purpose was
to provide support to disabled people who wanted to use local authority funded Direct Payments to
employ Personal Assistants to provide the care and support they needed.
Between 1999 and 2017 SILC continued to provide support services in Surrey and their growth
reflected the increasing number of people using Direct Payment in Surrey. During that time, the
charity expanded to provide one off Direct Payments to Carers and Personal Health Budget support
to individuals funded by the NHS.

Chief Executive, Richard Davy, said to Epsom and Ewell Times: “The change in our name to Surrey Independent Living Charity honours the history of the charity and the work that has been undertaken over the last 25 years,
whilst looking ahead to the future and focusing on our charitable objectives and our vision, mission
and values.”

SILC believes that everyone can live independently with the right support. At the heart of everything
they do is the social model of disability and the concept of full human rights. They believe that these
give a basis for treating everyone with respect, understanding and fairness. They also believe that disabled adults, children, older people and carers can learn from and support each other.
Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) will continue to provide its existing range of services, details
of which can be found on www.surreyilc.org.uk.
In addition to this, the charity intends to put a greater focus on its role as a champion and facilitator
of independent living for people in Surrey who require support to live in the community. SILC will
also be further developing peer and volunteer led information, advice and support for residents who
need it.
Chief Executive, Richard Davy, “We at SILC are very proud to have been supporting people in
Surrey to live independently for almost 25 years. We’re on a mission to extend the awareness of the
support we can provide to families and individuals living with disabilities as well as older people with
care needs, and to raise additional funding to widen the range of services we can offer to the people
of Surrey”. 
To find out more about SILC and how you can support them or access their services, please visit the SILC
website www.surreyilc.org.uk.

As Epsom and Ewell Times reported  27th May 2022, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council announced the departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Beldon, “following her decision that this is the time for a new chapter in [my] life.”  Yet, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Epsom and Ewell Times for disclosure of the former CEO’s resignation letter the Council has responded: “We are unable to comply with your request as the Council did not receive a letter of resignation from Kathryn Beldon. The reason for her leaving was stated in the previous press release, which can be accessed on the EEBC website using the following link:
Epsom and Ewell Chief Executive | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk)“

Tonight 7.30pm onward (Monday 4th July2022) in the Council Chamber, Town Hall The Parade Epsom, the Council is due to debate the recruitment of a new Chief Executive and no doubt the circumstances of the departure of the previous one will be discussed. However, as we reported 28th June 2022 the meetings may be held in private as first the Strategy and Resources Committee (7.30pm) and then the Full Council (@8.30pm) will determine if the press and public should be excluded on either the ground of the privacy of an individual outweighing the public interest in the matter or to keep Council finances secret.

Surrey County Council’s lowest paid staff are set to receive a pay boost after unions and council officers agreed a proportionate pay offer that sees pay increases on a sliding scale.

The offer will give people at the lowest pay grade a 7.85% increase and will exceed the UK Living Wage Foundations National Living Wage with a minimum hourly pay rate of £10.24ph.

The percentage increase drops further up the scales, with those earning the most receiving no increase.

Surrey Pay is subject to local agreement and negotiations between the Council and recognised trade unions (Unison & GMB). Negotiations this year focused on the sharp increases in costs of living, with the final offer reflecting the council’s stated ambition of No One Left Behind – helping those who need us most.

The offer is targeted at lower earners who are inevitably struggling most with the costs of living increases, hence the graduated nature of the pay uplift.

Leader of Surrey County Council Cllr Tim Oliver (Conservative) said: “I’m pleased that a strong pay offer has been agreed, one that particularly protects our lowest paid staff.

“We know that the cost of living is proving a challenge for many, but as a council it is our absolute priority to ensure no one is left behind, and that includes our staff. This offer reflects that.

“It is also in recognition of the excellent services staff continued to provide under difficult conditions during the pandemic, which we are all grateful for.”

Ewell Village has entered Britain in Bloom – a national competition which seeks to use flowers and greenery to transform communities. Judges will visit the village on the morning of Tuesday 5th July 2022.
This competition entry is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate the village. Making Ewell high street and surrounding areas more attractive through flowers and planting is just one thing that the community, businesses, groups, organisations and community leaders have been working on to improve our local area.

For Ewell Village in Bloom, volunteers have been working on:

• revitalising the memorial garden outside Sainsbury’s
• getting The Grove cleared up and grass re-seeded
• cleaning up the High Street and Bourne Hall park – with monthly volunteers meeting at 10am on the 4th Sunday of every month
• planting in Bourne Hall park
• getting ready for a yarn bomb attack of crochet flowers in the village for judging day!

Everyone in the Ewell are can take part! The big idea is that if everyone did something small to take a bare area of their property frontage to make it more beautiful, then collectively we can make a big difference. This may be as simple as putting a pot on your doorstep, adding a hanging basket or putting a summer wreath on your front door.

Once one person in the road does it, other people copy, and the momentum starts to build. They would love people to send their before and after photos to Ewellvillage@outlook.com. The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr Clive Woodridge will judge the best road overall.
For more information, please contact Alison Price at Ewellvillage@outlook.com.

Jo Harrop is one of 4 nominees for the prestigious annual Parliamentary jazz award for vocalist of the year 2022.
Epsom’s own Nigel Price, the UK’s foremost guitarist and founder of the UK wide jazz club supporting Grassroots Jazz , has been nominated for the annual award for services to jazz.
The winners will be announced at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn, London on Tuesday 5th July.
Both nominees will play in Epsom on Thursday 7th July at 7.30pm at the Epsom Jazz Club in The Oaks Room in the Conservative Club, Church Street, Epsom.
You can book your tickets for Epsom Jazz Club 7th July for a great evening of jazz.

Surrey Police are appealing for help to identify this man, who they believe may be able to help with their investigation into a residential burglary in Epsom on Sunday, 26 June. 

The burglary took place on Linden Place in Epsom at around 12:50am. During the burglary, a coat was stolen.

Surrey Police believe the man seen in these CCTV images may be able to help with their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any other information that could assist with their enquiries, please contact Surrey Police quoting PR/ 45220067795 via:

• Webchat on https://surrey.police.uk/
• Online https://www.surrey.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
• Calling 101

If you do not wish to leave your name, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11

Some key findings of the Public Interest News Foundation include:

• Most independent news publishers cover a broad range of news topics within a tightly defined local place. The smaller the area covered, the smaller the revenue.  ​
• The staff at independent publishers are not yet representative of the UK population, with women and ethnic minorities underrepresented. More than half of publishers say they’re making efforts to serve diverse audiences. ​
• Independent publishers make a big difference to the communities they serve – and to democracy. Publishers say they increase civic engagement, increase public debate and inspire more people to be involved in public life, among other things.  
• Publishers face significant challenges around revenue, staffing, costs and the social media giants. 

​Amid rising demand for high quality local news, publishers have high hopes for the future. They see opportunities to build trust with communities that feel far from economic or political power.  

Click HERE to read the FULL REPORT

Epsom and Ewell Times is your news service. Contributors, subscribers and advertisers, our doors are open. Remember we are not-for-profit. No salaries and no fees are paid.

Epsom Choral Society (ECS), which is celebrating its Centenary this year, put on a spirited
performance at its “Songs from the Shows” concert on Saturday 25th June at St Andrews Church in
Cheam.

The choir has traditionally concentrated on lighter repertoire for its summer concert and this year it
caught the mood with a programme of medleys from famous musicals such as Porgy and Bess, Guys
and Dolls and Oklahoma! Les Misérables received particularly enthusiastic applause. The evening
was enhanced by two soloists from the Epsom Light Opera Company: Lian Downes, who performed
‘Meadowlark’ from The Baker’s Wife and James Turnbull, who sang ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’
from Les Misérables. The evening came together under the expert baton of Musical Director Julian
Collings with a band which, despite being much reduced by the rail strike, provided all the rhythm
and colour needed for a great evening.

The final concert in the choir’s Centenary Season will be Handel’s Messiah at Epsom Playhouse on
Saturday 3rd December, and ECS would love to see you there. What better way to celebrate 100
years of singing? Visit their website HERE

NEWS

Lorry Undercover: Is this PC?

June 9, 2022

“You have to ask yourself is it worth it?”: Undercover officers stop 106 vehicles in just three days for road traffic offences. A dedicated road safety campaign by Surrey officers … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

The Local Plan to plan The Local Plan

June 7, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LLPC) met on the 26th of May 2022 to agree on a timetable for consultation on drafting “The Local Plan”. … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Celebrating the Jubilee from one end of the Borough to the other

June 7, 2022

All over the Borough of Epsom and Ewell for the past days and weeks, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been celebrated by residents and businesses in Epsom & Ewell. 70 … READ MORE

JUBILEE

GALLERY: Inside the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival!

June 1, 2022

Today, Epsom held the Epsom Jubilee Family Festival, hours of fun for all the family. The festival included market stalls, face-painting, stilt-walkers, dancing and much more. Crowds packed in and … READ MORE

COMMUNITY NEWS

Derby Hall of Fame unveiled in Epsom Market Place

June 1, 2022

Today, Epsom’s very own racing Hall of Fame was unveiled by Mayor Clive Woodbridge alongside representatives from The Jockey Club. Starting off the Queens’ Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Derby … READ MORE

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Epsom & Ewell Health Walks are looking for volunteers

May 31, 2022

Epsom & Ewell Health Walks is a small Charity registered with HMRC No. XT 37422. The objective is to provide walks for older people who are unable to walk long … READ MORE

NEWS

The View from Westminster: Chris Grayling MP on Military aid to Ukraine, Energy levy and the Queen

May 31, 2022

The situation in Ukraine remains appalling and the brutality that has been wreaked on its people defies understanding. I think that most of us thought that this kind of war … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

West Ewell By-Election to be held on July 7th

May 31, 2022

Further to the sad recent death of Councillor Clive Smitheram, an election is to be held to elect one Borough Councillor for the West Ewell ward, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. This … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Nationals report Queen to miss Epsom Derby

May 31, 2022

It is looking increasingly likely that the Queen will not attend the Epsom Derby on June 4th, The Sunday Times reports. The Sunday Times is reporting that the Queen will … READ MORE

NEWS

Record-breaking Epsom Derby legend Lester Piggott dies at 86

May 30, 2022

Lester Piggott, a legend of horse racing, passed away at 86 in Geneva yesterday (29th May). Lester had a long and colourful career as a Jockey and Trainer, winning the Epsom … READ MORE

BOROUGH HISTORY NEWS

Boy Soldier buried in Epsom

June 16, 2022

Leslie Charles ATTWOOD, b.1899 – d.1917 Enlisted in the army in 1914 aged 15. Awarded the Silver War Badge. Buried in a pauper’s and now unmarked grave in Epsom’s abandoned … READ MORE

NEWS

Cost of Living Crisis Scams – Epsom and Ewell’s Citizen Advice Bureau can help:

June 15, 2022

Citizens Advice Epsom and Ewell (CAEE) is joining Scams Awareness Fortnight 2022, a national campaign to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of economic fraud. CAEE advisers are helping an increasing number of … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Witness appeal: sex assault Epsom 13th June

June 15, 2022

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following reports of a serious sexual assault in Epsom in the early hours of the morning of Monday 13th June. The victim was walking … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

£225,000 to plan the unplanned

June 13, 2022

Council to spend £225,000 on consultants for Epsom Town Centre “Masterplan”. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) has secured a total of £225,000 from The Department for Levelling Up and the … READ MORE

BOROUGH HISTORY COMMUNITY NEWS

Borough celebrates being a Twin for 25 years

June 10, 2022

Over the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, Epsom and Ewell  entertained a large group of visitors from its French twin town, Chantilly. Guests included Chantilly’s  Deputy Mayor and members of the Chantilly Comité … READ MORE

COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOLUNTEERS

Wells Centre’s Appeal

June 10, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Times reported 25th April 2022 on the new lease of life promised for the Wells Estate, Epsom community centre. The charity Epsom Wells Community Association hope to … READ MORE

NEWS VOLUNTEERS

Epsom aid hero returns from Ukraine

June 10, 2022

In an exclusive for Epsom and Ewell Times, we report on Paul Matthews’ (of Lewins Road Epsom) recent experience taking aid provided by Epsom based Surrey Stands With Ukraine [SSWU] … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Lorry Undercover: Is this PC?

June 9, 2022

“You have to ask yourself is it worth it?”: Undercover officers stop 106 vehicles in just three days for road traffic offences. A dedicated road safety campaign by Surrey officers … READ MORE

COUNCIL NEWS

The Local Plan to plan The Local Plan

June 7, 2022

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee (LLPC) met on the 26th of May 2022 to agree on a timetable for consultation on drafting “The Local Plan”. … READ MORE

JUBILEE NEWS

Celebrating the Jubilee from one end of the Borough to the other

June 7, 2022

All over the Borough of Epsom and Ewell for the past days and weeks, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been celebrated by residents and businesses in Epsom & Ewell. 70 … READ MORE

WEEKLY UPDATE Thursday 23rd June 2022

COUNCIL NEWS

Another £1/4 m to plan planning

June 23, 2022

COST OF NEW LOCAL PLAN GOES UP BY ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS. A meeting of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 21 June … READ MORE

NEWS

Ukrainians in tune with the hearts of Epsom

June 20, 2022

On Saturday 18th June Epsom Music with Surrey Stands with Ukraine organised a very special evening with Ukrainian musicians at the Epsom Methodist Church. The evening was hosted and presented in Ukrainian. … READ MORE

CRIME NEWS

Witness appeal following burglary in Ewell

June 20, 2022

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Ewell on Wednesday, 8 June. Officers were called to a residential address on Cheam Road near to the junction with … READ MORE

COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUNTEERS

Epsom Rotary in Motion

June 20, 2022

Epsom Rotary will be holding a stall at the Epsom Marketplace on Saturday, 02 July 2022and welcome anyone to come and visit to learn more about Epsom Rotary and ways … READ MORE

NEWS

Bowled Over in Epsom

June 20, 2022

Epsom Bowling is proud and delighted that Martin Harbottle, Club President and member for many years , has been elected as Surrey County Bowling Association President for the year 2022. … READ MORE

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Who let the dogs big day out?

June 20, 2022

Cuddington Residents Association did. That’s who. On June 18th Saturday’s “BIG DAY OUT” in Shadbolt Park, Worcester Park in the north-east end of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell, a … READ MORE

COMMUNITY

Help for Heroes

June 20, 2022

‘EVERY LITTLE HELPS’ AS ARMED FORCES CHARITY COLLECTS AT TESCO STORES COUNTY-WIDE Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes has supported more than 250 veterans and their families in Surrey since its … READ MORE

ARTS BOROUGH HISTORY NEWS

Epsom’s first Oaks race winner for sale

June 20, 2022

Epsom based sculptor Kendra Haste has created a painted galvanised wire sculptor of Lord Derby’s 1779 inaugural Oaks winner, Bridget. Epsom’s own “The Oaks” became the second oldest “classic” horse … READ MORE

NEWS TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT

Driving to Sutton or Kingston in an old car could cost you £12.50 next year!

June 17, 2022

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that charges old diesel and some old petrol cars £12.50 a day 24/7 for travel in inner London might be expanded to Epsom and … READ MORE

EDITORIAL

Where to draw the line?

June 17, 2022

Mayor of London’s proposal to expand the charging area for old and polluting vehicles to the borders of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell inevitably brings out the “not-in-my-backyard” responses … READ MORE

On Saturday 18th June Epsom Music with Surrey Stands with Ukraine organised a very special evening with Ukrainian musicians at the Epsom Methodist Church. The evening was hosted and presented in Ukrainian. Church Minister Catherine Hutton welcomed an audience of Ukrainian refugees and their English hosts.

Picture above features Ukrainian pianist Anastacia Tolstonog and her musically gifted children, Maryan and Hannah.

Robin Sebastian (aka Kenneth Williams on stage and screen) and on behalf of Headley Parish Council presented to Anne-Marie Carlin of Surrey Stands With Ukraine a cheque for £6000.

Recently arrived from Ukraine, Mariya Zhornikova, of Kharkiv Arts University, opened the music with Debussy’s Pagodes from the Estampes Suite for piano.

Svitlana Kosenko, professor of piano at the Yehudi Menuhin School in nearby Cobham, accompanied outstanding violinist 17 year old Vadym Perog, who’s technical mastery of a work by Maurice Ravel was spellbounding.

Anastacia Tolstonog, professional pianist and piano tutor, accompanied her recently arrived 16 years old son Maryan van Prooijen, who was enrolled, together with his musical 14 years old sister, Hannah, at the Yehudi Menuhin School. They had been studying at the Kyiv Lisenko State Music Lyceum. Anastacia also played solo pieces by Scarlatti and three works by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko.

Many in the audience were moved to tears by the passion of the players and the beauty of their music.

Nina Kaye, of the Epsom Refugee network, recited a moving poem written by local poet Audrey Ardern-Jones entitled “White Roses”, written in honour of Audrey’s mother, who fled to England from Lviv, during the Second World War. You can read the poem HERE in English and Ukrainian

The evening’s success was assured by the interpreting skills of Darina Dvorinchenko, also recently arrived from Odessa, Ukraine.

If you know of opportunities for Ukrainian pianists to perform or tutor get in touch with The Epsom and Ewell Times and we will pass your message on.

Youtube video courtesy of Cllr Steven McCormick of parts of the concert HERE

Yehudi Menuhin School’s professor of piano Svitlana Kosenko accompanies violin virtuoso Vadym Perog.