A number of Epsom & Ewell Harriers travelled to the beautiful island of Madeira for the European Masters Athletics Championships and returned with a big haul of medals. In total, Harriers athletes brought home seven gold and three silver medals to help GB to its most successful ever championships as the team topped the medal table with 129 gold medals, 20 clear of Germany with France a long way back in third place on 65 golds.
Most of the medals were won in the sprints. Helen Godsell claimed three golds and a silver in the W70 100m, 200m and relays while Anne Nelson was also part of the winning W70 4x100m team. Lisa Boland almost matched Helen with another 100m / 200m double, winning the 200m in a W40 British record of 25.27 seconds and anchoring the W40 team to silver in the sprint relay.
Steve Winder had a busy championships running a total of 37K across four events and capped off an exciting and enjoyable championships with an individual silver and team gold in the M50 Half Marathon on the final day.
Well done to all the Harriers and GB athletes on a memorable championships.
Lisa Boland W40: 🥇 100m 12.49 🥇 200m 25.27 (W40 British Record) 🥈 4x100m GB Team 2nd
Ashley Reid M40: 100m 7th Semi Final 12.35 (12.31 in Heat) 200m 3rd Heat 7 25.05 4x100m GB Team 5th
Stuart Flack
The prefix W stands for Women and M for Men.
The number indicates the age category of the athlete in Masters athletics (veterans’ competition).
So W70 means Women aged 70–74, W40 means Women aged 40–44, M50 means Men aged 50–54, etc.
These age brackets allow athletes to compete fairly against others of similar age at international Masters events.
Photo: W40 100M final – Epsom and Ewell Harriers YouTube
Since 1890, Epsom and Ewell Harriers has been bringing together athletes of all abilities at its home in Epsom. Whether you dream of breaking records or simply want to stay active, you’ll find a place at Epsom and Ewell Harriers. Join HERE
Heathrow expansion – what it may mean for Epsom
23 October 2025
The Government has launched a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which sets out the policy framework for major airport expansion. The key points:
Aiming for faster progress than the previous ANPS, the Government intends a draft for consultation by summer 2026 and to reach a final planning decision on a third runway within the current Parliament.
Expansion of Heathrow is being promoted as a boost to UK economic growth, international connectivity and competitiveness — specifically positioning Heathrow as Britain’s only global hub airport.
The review will test any proposed scheme against four criteria: climate change, noise, air quality and contribution to economic growth.
The Government says it will ask for formal advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to ensure alignment with the UK’s net-zero commitments.
Financing must be purely private, with no taxpayer cost, and transport access improvements must be covered by the promoters.
Two promoters remain under consideration: Heathrow Airport Limited and the Arora Group; one will be selected by end November to proceed.
The Government also flagged wider infrastructure and planning reforms (via the upcoming Planning & Infrastructure Bill) and the establishment of a new UK Airspace Design Service to modernise airspace in the London region.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Government is “backing the builders, not blockers”, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves added that after decades of false starts, “we are backing the builders to get Heathrow’s third runway built, creating thousands of jobs, boosting growth …”
Why this matters for Epsom & Ewell Our borough is already directly affected by aircraft using the London hub airports, and the proposed expansion of Heathrow would likely increase the scale and intensity of that impact.
Flight paths and heights: The borough is within one of the “design envelopes” identified by Heathrow Airport Limited in its previous airspace consultation, meaning more frequent overflights at lower altitudes. Currently some aircraft arrive or depart over the borough at heights of 7,000 to 22,000 ft, averaging around 12,000 ft. Under the proposed expansion there could be flights as low as 3,000 ft and up to 47 arrivals per hour over the area.
Noise and air-quality concerns: The borough’s geography — dense housing, many schools, and a declared Air Quality Management Area — means that increased aircraft at lower altitudes could raise noise, traffic and pollution burdens. The council previously warned of a possible four- to five-fold increase in noise levels in some scenarios.
Community and amenity risk: Residential areas, schools such as North East Surrey College of Technology, and leisure or nature sites like Epsom Common and Horton Country Park could experience greater disturbance.
Airspace redesign: The Government’s plan to modernise UK airspace may change how routes are drawn. This could either reduce or shift impacts on particular communities, but consultation with affected areas such as Epsom & Ewell will be essential.
The opposing case Environmental and local campaigners have long voiced opposition to expansion.
Climate and emissions: Groups such as Friends of the Earth argue that expanding a major hub airport is incompatible with the UK’s net-zero goals, warning it would lock-in high carbon infrastructure and increase air and noise pollution.
Noise and community disruption: CPRE Surrey has said that the borough could experience up to 47 additional flights per hour at just 3,000 ft, and that such a change would be “unacceptable”.
Consultation concerns: Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has criticised the information provided by Heathrow Airport Limited for lacking clarity around flight numbers, heights, and environmental impacts.
Financial and strategic risks: Critics also question whether the economic case for expansion remains strong in a changed post-pandemic aviation environment, and whether cost burdens such as community compensation and infrastructure upgrades have been fully addressed.
Current status The Government review of the ANPS is underway, with a public consultation on the draft expected in summer 2026. One of the two promoter schemes will be selected by end November. For Epsom & Ewell, the exact flight-paths and altitude projections are not yet finalised, and detailed new routes are unlikely to be confirmed until around 2027. Airspace modernisation may alter or mitigate local impacts.
What to watch Residents and councillors should track: – Future flight path proposals and altitude models over the borough. – Noise, air-quality and health impact data once new routes are known. – Community consultation opportunities. – Any noise-respite or mitigation measures offered. – The outcome of financial and planning reviews.
In conclusion The DfT’s announcement marks a major step toward the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow. For Epsom & Ewell it raises serious local questions — more frequent aircraft, lower flights, and possible increases in noise and pollution balanced against potential economic benefits.
Heathrow shown with a third runway over the M25 (image Heathrow)
Where do we stand on local government reorganisation in Epsom and Ewell and the County?
23 October 2025
The future shape of local government in Surrey is moving into its final stage, with national and local plans converging on the abolition of all borough, district and county councils in April 2027 and their replacement by new, directly elected unitary authorities. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) has already taken steps to ensure residents’ voices are not lost in the process, while Surrey County Council (SCC) continues to pilot new neighbourhood structures that could form part of the post-reorganisation landscape.
Financial pressures driving reform
A new report from the UNISON trade union warns that councils across the UK are facing a combined funding gap of £4.1 billion in 2026/27. Demand for adult and children’s social care, inflation, energy costs and homelessness are all identified as key pressures. UNISON’s General Secretary Christina McAnea said local authorities “are still billions short of the money they need to provide essential services” and that cuts “often hit the vulnerable hardest”. The figures provide the wider context for the government’s push towards larger, self-financing unitary councils and new devolved mayoral regions.
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s position
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council voted in May 2025 to support a “three unitaries” model for Surrey, submitting its preferred plan to government. Under that proposal, Epsom and Ewell would join an East Surrey unitary alongside Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, and Tandridge. Surrey County Council has argued instead for two unitaries – East and West – while others have urged a single Surrey authority. The final decision now rests with ministers.
EEBC has meanwhile carried out a Community Governance Review to explore creating parish or community councils for the borough once the borough council itself is dissolved. The consultation, which asked residents how local representation should continue under a unitary structure, closed at 11.59pm on Thursday 9 October 2025. Results will be analysed and reported to the council later this year.
Chair of the Standards and Constitution Committee, Councillor John Beckett (RA Auriol), said earlier this year that parish councils would provide “an essential link between Epsom and Ewell residents and a new unitary council responsible for a much larger area in Surrey”. He said the borough’s aim was to ensure “that the interests of our residents and local communities have a platform, and that our vital local voice is not lost for future generations”.
All the political parties on Epsom and Ewell Borough Council were asked by Epsom and Ewell Times for their current views. Cllr Kate Chinn (Labour – Court) said: “The Labour group believes LGR benefits all of us. It reduces bureaucracy and increases transparency so reducing the huge administrative back room costs of the 12 authorities which currently deliver services. As devolution develops we will have mayors with strong new powers serving and delivering services for their local communities. It would be best to have 3 unitary authorities in the county which will enable strong local representation without the additional costs of a rather meaningless additional layer with very limited powers.”
Meanwhile, Cllr James Lawrence (LibDem College) said: “Local government reorganisation is diverting significant attention and resources away from the day-to-day work of councils, all for the promise of future efficiencies and savings from creating larger unitary authorities. Yet those savings may take many years to materialise—if they ever do—given that the government failed to carry out its own cost analysis of what is the biggest council shake-up in decades.
We welcome reforms that genuinely deliver cost savings, greater efficiency and clearer accountability to residents. But as Liberal Democrats, we believe local government should remain as close as possible to the people it serves. Councils must be representative, accessible, and structured so that people from all walks of life can realistically stand for election. We hope the Labour government upholds these principles in shaping a local government system that truly works in the public interest.”
Leader of the ruling Residents Associations, Cllr Hannah Dalton (Stoneleigh) stated to Epsom and Ewell Times “Our proposal submitted in May demonstrated how three unitary councils formed around existing local economies would set the stage for future economic growth in the county, and provide a strong foundation for governance that keeps decision-making closer to residents. We are waiting to hear from government on whether the decision will be to implement two or three unitary councils in Surrey. Following the announcement and what ever the decision is, our task will be to work together with all our partners across the county to ensure that the new councils are set up for future success.
She added: “Throughout this process, our unwavering commitment is to our residents by ensuring that we continue to deliver high-quality services in Epsom & Ewell without interruption, and that we keep residents informed every step of the way. The local elections for the new shadow authority which will take place next spring will be pivotal; I urge residents to have their say to ensure that the new councils truly represent everyone in our local communities.”
Surrey County Council pilots new neighbourhood model
Surrey County Council is testing new “Neighbourhood Area Committees” to bring together partners from local government, health, police, business, education and community sectors. Farnham became the fourth pilot area in early October, joining Cobham and Esher, Dorking and Villages, and Caterham and Warlingham. SCC Leader Tim Oliver said the pilots are part of a “test, learn and grow” approach to “giving residents a stronger voice and more opportunities to influence decisions that matter to them”.
The first committees in the earlier pilot areas are meeting this autumn, and an evaluation is due in December 2025. SCC says the pilots will help shape how local engagement operates within the new unitary councils and the expected county-wide Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Are elected councils being replaced by appointed bodies?
No. The plan remains for directly elected unitary councils to replace the existing county and district authorities. A Mayoral Strategic Authority for Surrey is also proposed, headed by an elected Mayor and a cabinet of members drawn from the unitary councils. The Neighbourhood Area Committees are advisory forums rather than statutory councils. Their future form will depend on the December evaluation.
Does reorganisation bring government closer to people?
Advocates say the structure will reduce the number of principal authorities while increasing neighbourhood-level involvement through parish councils or local area committees. Critics argue that layering a Mayoral Authority above the new unitaries could have the opposite effect. EEBC’s Community Governance Review is intended to ensure that neighbourhood representation remains genuine once the borough tier disappears.
National context: the LGIU’s October 2025 findings
The Local Government Information Unit’s latest overview, published in early October, confirms that Surrey has been placed among the final “Devolution Priority Programme” areas, alongside Essex and Kent. The LGIU says the government aims to settle new boundaries by early 2026, with the most likely outcome being two unitaries under a directly elected Surrey Mayor by 2027. The report highlights that Epsom and Ewell’s Community Governance Review is being viewed nationally as a model for how parish and community councils can preserve neighbourhood representation after borough abolition.
The LGIU notes that Whitehall intends to restrict transition funding to self-financing proposals, requiring counties and districts to reach consensus by December 2025 or face a structure imposed from above. Across England, 14 regions are now engaged in similar reorganisation or devolution talks, with most combining larger authorities at the top with expanded local partnership boards and parish councils beneath.
What happens next
Ministerial decisions on the Surrey map and devolution deal are expected by late 2025.
Shadow elections for the new unitary councils could take place in May 2026.
The new authorities are scheduled to begin operations on 1 April 2027.
EEBC’s Community Governance Review results will be published before the end of 2025.
Surrey County Council will review its Neighbourhood Area Committee pilots in December.
The combined effect of these changes will mark the biggest shift in local government in Surrey for half a century. Whether the result brings decision-making closer to residents, or simply reorganises power at a greater distance, remains to be seen.
Epsom MP leads cross-party delegation to Ukraine to examine impact of explosive weapons
23 October 2025
A cross-party delegation of UK Parliamentarians has travelled to Ukraine to assess the humanitarian and environmental impact of explosive weapons and to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on mine clearance and victim support.
The visit was led by Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Epsom & Ewell and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Explosive Weapons and Their Impact. The group also included Cameron Thomas MP for Tewkesbury and Baroness Natalie Bennett of the Green Party.
During their visit, the delegation met Minister Oleksi Sobolev, responsible for Ukraine’s economy, agriculture and environment, to discuss the challenges of clearing more than 136,000 square kilometres of land now contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance — roughly a third of Ukraine’s territory. They also visited Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, which has responded to over 235,000 explosive incidents since the start of the war, rescuing more than 6,500 people.
The MPs observed mine clearance operations with the HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group (MAG), and learned about new training programmes in explosive ordnance disposal and emergency response being developed at Lviv State University of Life Safety. They also visited rehabilitation centres Superhumans and Unbroken, which provide prosthetics, surgery, and psychological support to civilians and veterans injured by explosions.
Speaking from Ukraine, Helen Maguire said: “As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons and Their Impact, it has been a privilege to visit Ukraine with cross-party colleagues to observe both the unimaginable devastation caused by explosive weapons, and the extraordinary courage of those working to clear them.” She added “Ukraine faces one of the largest demining challenges in history. Witnessing the bravery of the women and men working to clear this contamination has been deeply humbling. Britain must continue to support the Ukrainian people by championing humanitarian mine action and ensuring our foreign policy reflects the real human cost of explosive weapons.”
Maguire also met Anatolii Fedoruk, Mayor of Bucha, the town that became a global symbol of Russian atrocities against civilians after the withdrawal of occupying forces in 2022. Hundreds of civilians were killed there, many showing signs of execution and torture. Maguire reflected:
“Witnessing first hand the damage and loss caused by landmines has been sobering, but I’ve been heartened to know that the contributions from my own community — through Surrey Stands With Ukraine’s financial support towards rehabilitation for landmine victims — will have made a tangible difference to survivors of these atrocities. I’m proud to represent a constituency whose compassion knows no borders.”
Bucha holds a particular link with Epsom, as the local charity Surrey Stands With Ukraine (SSWU) — based in the town — was among the first UK groups to send aid there following the liberation of the area in 2022. Its director, Lionel Blackman, visited Bucha in July 2025, meeting the Mayor and local officials and other urban centres and aid workers to assess ongoing needs and rehabilitation projects. The charity has delivered more than £4 million worth of humanitarian and medical aid to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Global context: Ukraine among the world’s most landmined nations
Ukraine now ranks among the most heavily mined countries on Earth, joining the grim company of Cambodia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Syria. The United Nations and the HALO Trust estimate that contamination across Ukraine affects an area larger than England, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined. At the current pace of clearance, it could take decades to make all affected areas safe.
Globally, Cambodia remains one of the most mine-affected nations, with around 1,000 square kilometres still contaminated despite 30 years of clearance. Vietnam and Laos continue to suffer from the legacy of the Vietnam War, where unexploded ordnance from U.S. bombing campaigns still kills or injures civilians every year. In comparison, Ukraine’s contamination has occurred over a much shorter period — highlighting the devastating intensity of Russia’s use of explosive weapons in civilian areas.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to fund demining organisations in Ukraine through its Global Mine Action Programme, which supports both the HALO Trust and MAG in their life-saving work.
You can follow the work of Surrey Stands With Ukraine and make donations HERE
Image: Helen Maguire MP with LibDem Party leader Sir Ed Davey and Surrey Stands With Ukraine Chairman Roy Deadman at the “Ukraine Hub” in Global House (courtesy The Ashley Centre) the HQ for the charity and the Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network in November 2024.
Handmade in Epsom and Ewell: local makers unite to support Epsom Foodbank
23 October 2025
Handmade in Epsom and Ewell (HiEE) will hold its first community event, The Festive Makers Fair, on Saturday 29th November 2025 from 10am to 3pm in the Youth Hall at Epsom Methodist Church, Ashley Road (KT18 5AQ).
The fair will offer an affordable platform for local artisans to showcase their handmade products while supporting a vital community cause. All proceeds from the event, apart from stallholder sales, will be donated to Epsom Foodbank.
HiEE was founded by a group of local makers keen to create a space where craftspeople from within the borough can share their work and at the same time raise funds for charity. The organisers are particularly encouraging new makers to take part, alongside some of the area’s more established names.
Visitors will find a range of handmade gifts and festive items including soaps, ceramics, upcycled furniture, art, jewellery and metalwork, all produced in Epsom and Ewell. Prices will range from pocket-money treats to larger special gifts. Twenty-two local makers are already confirmed, including Annette’s Gemstones Jewellery, Bird & Bear Soaps, Colour and Sparkle, EpsomPots, H for Handmade, Martha Moon Creations, Surrey Woodcraft and Wadey Smithing.
Adding to the festive spirit, The AMP Voices choir from Nescot College will perform in the Roots Coffee Shop at the Methodist Church, which will be open for refreshments and cakes throughout the day.
All funds raised from event profits and entrance donations will go directly to Epsom Foodbank. Entry is by a suggested £1 donation. Attendees are also invited to bring non-perishable food items for the foodbank’s Christmas drive. A list of items particularly needed can be found at epsomewell.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food.
Organiser Janice Heyes said: “We really hope the Epsom and Ewell community will support this event which is taking place right in the heart of town. Shoppers will find unique handmade Christmas gifts made with care and passion while giving something back via the Epsom Foodbank. This really is an event run by the community for the community.”
The event is being coordinated by volunteers Imogen Curran, Janice Heyes, Jo Jones and Helen Worwood, supported by local craftspeople and small businesses. The group hopes that this first fair will be the start of an annual tradition, with future events expanding the initiative’s reach and community impact.
Event details Date: Saturday 29 November 2025 Time: 10am–3pm Venue: Epsom Methodist Church, Ashley Road, KT18 5AQ Admission: Suggested £1 donation Parking: Please walk, use public transport, or park in town centre car parks. Limited on-site parking for Blue Badge holders only.
Surrey solar study shows cheapest energy source
23 October 2025
Solar energy is now so cost-effective that, in some of the sunniest parts of the world, it costs as little as two pence to produce one unit of electricity – cheaper than power generated from coal, gas or wind. That is the finding of a new study by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), who say solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has become the key driver of the world’s shift to clean, renewable energy.
Publishing their work in Energy and Environment Materials, the Surrey team point out that the global capacity of installed solar power passed 1.5 terawatts in 2024 – double the figure in 2020 and now enough to supply hundreds of millions of homes.
Professor Ravi Silva, Director of the ATI and co-author of the study, said: “Even here in the UK, a country that sits 50 degrees north of the equator, solar is the cheapest option for large-scale energy generation. Simply put, this technology is no longer a moonshot prospect but a foundational part of the resilient, low-carbon energy future that we all want to bring to reality.”
The study notes that the price of lithium-ion batteries has fallen by almost 90 per cent since 2010, making combined solar-plus-storage systems as cost-effective as gas power plants. Such hybrid installations allow solar energy to be stored and released when required, turning an intermittent source into a dispatchable one that helps balance grid demand.
However, the researchers warn that the next major challenge lies in connecting vast amounts of solar generation to existing electricity networks. In regions such as California and China, high solar output has already caused congestion on power lines and wasted energy when supply outstrips demand. Co-author Dr Ehsan Rezaee said: “Connecting growing levels of solar power to electricity networks is now one of the biggest challenges. Smart grids, artificial-intelligence forecasting and stronger links between regions will be vital to keep power systems stable as renewable energy use rises.”
Professor Silva added that advances in materials such as perovskite solar cells could raise energy output by up to 50 per cent without using additional land. “With the integration of energy storage and smart grid technologies, solar is now capable of delivering reliable, affordable and clean power at scale,” he said. “But progress depends on consistent, long-term policy support. The US Inflation Reduction Act, the EU’s REPowerEU plan and India’s Production Linked Incentive scheme show how clear direction can drive investment and innovation. Sustained commitment and international collaboration will be essential if we are to accelerate the world’s transition to a clean and reliable energy system.”
Across the UK, renewable sources supplied just over half of all electricity in 2024 – the first time that clean generation surpassed fossil fuels. Wind power dominated with nearly 30 per cent of total generation, while solar contributed about 5 per cent, equivalent to one unit in every ten generated from renewables. Biomass, biogas and hydro made up most of the rest. When nuclear is included, low-carbon sources together delivered around two-thirds of the UK’s electricity.
Globally, renewables produced about 30 per cent of electricity in 2024, with wind and solar together accounting for roughly 15 per cent and expanding faster than any other energy source. The International Energy Agency expects global renewable capacity to rise by almost half again before 2030, with most new investment in solar.
While Britain’s relatively low sunshine hours limit its solar potential compared with southern Europe or Asia, domestic generation costs have plunged, making rooftop and community-scale arrays increasingly popular. Planning delays and grid connection backlogs remain obstacles, but the UK Government has set a target to increase installed solar capacity fivefold by 2035.
As Professor Silva observed, solar power has crossed the threshold from promise to practicality. The next test, he said, is building the smart, interconnected systems and political consensus needed to make affordable solar energy work everywhere – even in less sunny countries like the UK.
EEBC publishes an Annual Report amid some questions over priorities and spending.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has released its 2024/25 Annual Report, showcasing a range of achievements over the past year — but opposition councillors have questioned both the purpose and timing of the publication.
The report, available on the council’s website, highlights milestones such as a balanced budget for 2025/26, the allocation of over £2 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to neighbourhood and strategic projects, and a 100% success rate in determining major planning applications within statutory deadlines. It also notes environmental achievements, including Epsom Common’s eighteenth consecutive Green Flag Award and new solar panels installed at the Rainbow Leisure Centre.
Chief Executive Jackie King said she was “proud to present Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s 2024/25 Annual Report which reflects the dedication and impact of our teams on the borough over the last financial year.”
She praised the efforts of the council’s 280-strong workforce, highlighting the Waste Services team’s 99.9% on-time bin collection rate and the Planning Policy team’s award-winning work at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s South East Awards for Planning Excellence.
“I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and I know we are in a good position to meet the challenges ahead,” said Ms King. “I look forward to continuing to deliver the council’s new strategic priorities and working towards local government reorganisation – whilst continuing to provide the high-quality services our residents depend upon.”
However, some opposition councillors have some reservations about the report.
Cllr Alex Coley (Independent – Ruxley) said: “I wonder who the audience is for this brochure and what the staff resource was for this work at a time when the Council is already struggling to deliver work on its strategic priorities. I also wonder who decided to do this piece of work.”
Cllr James Lawrence (Liberal Democrat – College) drew attention to ongoing financial pressures, particularly on housing budgets: “It is worth noting that at the same time this report is being published, an £875k overspend on temporary accommodation by the end of the financial year is being predicted. This is due to a combination of an increase in temporary accommodation need, and a substantially too optimistic budgeting of 71 temporary accommodation spaces when for the past year and a half approximately 90 spaces have consistently been required. It would not be accurate to describe the current 2025/26 budget as balanced.”
Neither the Labour nor Conservative parties, both with small representations on the Council, offered comment.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council continues to be run by the borough’s network of Residents’ Association councillors, who hold the majority of seats.
Reducing food waste nationally and in Epsom and Ewell
23 October 2025
A growing number of major UK supermarket chains are removing ‘best before’ dates from many fresh fruit and vegetable products in an effort to reduce food waste.
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Co-op have each begun phasing out the labels on selected produce such as apples, potatoes, citrus and salad vegetables. The move follows guidance from the government-backed Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), which says that scrapping date labels from uncut fruit and vegetables could prevent thousands of tonnes of perfectly edible food from being thrown away every year.
WRAP research has shown that many households confuse ‘best before’ dates, which indicate when food is at its best quality, with ‘use by’ dates, which mark when food may no longer be safe to eat. As a result, millions of items are discarded while still fit for consumption.
‘Use by’ dates remain compulsory on foods that pose a higher safety risk, such as meat, dairy and ready meals. These indicate the final day on which food can be safely eaten, cooked or frozen. By contrast, ‘best before’ dates are about quality, not safety, and appear mostly on products such as bread, rice, tins and dried goods.
Marks & Spencer has removed best before dates from about 85 per cent of its fresh produce, while Waitrose has dropped them from nearly 500 lines. Some retailers are instead using small printed codes visible to staff for stock rotation and freshness checks.
Food safety expert Dr Richard Anderson of High Speed Training said that while ‘use by’ dates should always be observed, ‘best before’ guidance can be treated more flexibly. “Best before dates are an indication of quality rather than safety. You can still eat food after its best before date, but its flavour and texture may not be as good as before the date,” he said.
WRAP encourages consumers to rely more on sight, smell and touch to judge whether fruit and vegetables remain good to eat. The organisation says there is no legal requirement in the UK to label uncut produce with a ‘best before’ date.
According to WRAP, the average UK household wastes the equivalent of eight meals a week, with 4.5 million tonnes of edible food thrown away annually. The removal of best before dates is part of a wider drive across the food retail sector to tackle avoidable waste and reduce environmental impact.
Some critics warn, however, that removing dates altogether may cause confusion for some shoppers or make them more cautious, leading to continued waste. Others say the change puts greater responsibility on consumers to decide what is still edible.
The UK government’s food waste reduction roadmap aims to halve national food waste by 2030 in line with UN sustainability goals. Industry groups say supermarket labelling reforms are a practical step towards achieving that target.
In Surrey, FareShare Sussex & Surrey plays a key role in reconnecting surplus food with those who need it. The charity rescues safe, in-date food from farms, retailers and producers and redistributes it to charities, community groups, food banks, pantries and other support services. In 2024, FareShare opened a new depot in Surrey to handle more fresh, chilled and frozen food for redistribution across the region.
Locally, Epsom & Ewell Foodbank, part of Good Company Surrey and the Trussell Trust network, distributed almost 8,000 emergency food parcels last year to people in crisis. The network serves Epsom, Ewell, Banstead, Leatherhead and Tadworth through a voucher referral system and provides three days of nutritionally balanced food to those referred. It operates from local church halls and community centres, with donation points in major supermarkets and strong support from volunteers.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council also promotes “Help with Food” schemes, directing residents to emergency support and a community pantry in Epsom that offers fresh fruit, vegetables and store cupboard items for a small weekly subscription.
Jonathan Lees, Good Company’s Managing Director and Founder told the Epsom and Ewell Times: ‘At Good Company, both our food provision projects, Foodbanks and Pantries, are very grateful for the food surplus we receive from local supermarkets. These donations ensure there is variety in our offer and are a very welcome addition to the ambient food donations. We offer the food on a help yourself basis to people that use our projects ensuring that there is some for all. If dates were removed, then we would need to look at how we used the food under appropriate guidance and of course less waste would mean we could have less to offer people in need.’
As supermarkets adapt their labelling to cut national food waste, the efforts of local redistribution organisations such as FareShare Sussex & Surrey and Epsom & Ewell Foodbank remain vital in ensuring surplus food finds its way to those who need it most.
Dr Madhav Parik holder of Indian Passport No. Z5989629 residing at 4 Rutland House, Epsom KT187EZ & Dr Pritha Roy holder of Indian Passport No. Z5991976 residing at 70 George Roche Road Canterbury CT13FG intend getting married at the High Commission of India, London under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 of India. Objections, if any, may be conveyed to the High Commission of India, London within 30 days.
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Epsom and Ewell Borough Council reveals scale of vacancies and agency costs
23 October 2025
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is currently carrying 56 vacant posts, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act. The disclosure sheds light on the staffing challenges facing the Borough at a time when discussions continue over local government reorganisation (LGR) across Surrey.
The Council confirmed that five senior officers have left since April 2022, with all but two of those positions permanently replaced. Two roles were deleted as part of an internal reorganisation.
Despite the vacancies, the Council reported no “vacancy savings” for the current financial year. In previous years, however, unfilled posts generated savings of £286,000 in 2023/24 and £340,000 in 2022/23.
EEBC’s expenditure on agency, consultant and temporary staff remains significant, totalling £1.47 million so far in 2024/25, following £1.76 million in 2023/24 and £1.89 million in 2022/23.
The figures show that Operational Services consistently account for the largest share of agency spending — around £985,000 this year — followed by Property Management (£181,000) and Venues (£130,000). Other notable areas of spending include Community Services, Environmental Health, Finance and HR.
No senior management posts are currently filled by consultants or agency staff. The Council also said it holds no internal reports identifying recruitment difficulties or pressures linked to potential LGR changes, and no shared service arrangements have been entered into as a result of staffing shortages.
While EEBC stated it aims to operate “as an open, transparent authority”, the figures highlight the extent to which local authorities are relying on temporary staffing amid wider uncertainty over Surrey’s local government future.
Written and visual sources for the lived experience of Romany Gypsies in the county are rare so a collection of copy photographs of the Baker family of Sunridge/Sundridge Camp, Old Woking, and a memoir written by Rose Baker (later Burch) recalling her family’s life there, make for an extraordinary testimony (reference 10066/1/9). Rose (born 1918) was a twin and one of 13 children of James and Clara Baker. Gems in the collection include a handwritten list of where she and her siblings were born, including in tents, in a meadow by Old Woking cemetery and in ‘the little field by the river near the park which is now overgrown’ (10066/1/6).Nellie Violet & Rose Baker Jackmans Nursery
The Bakers and other families in the camp worked for Mr Carter at his farm in Kingfield. The work was arduous, and Gypsies provided cheap labour as they were generally not well paid. From the age of 14, Rose worked at Cartbridge Laundry, then at Jackman and Son’s Nursery in Egley Road, where some of her sisters were already employed. Annually in September, the family would travel to Hampshire for the hop-picking season. New building byelaws and public health concerns meant that by 1931 Woking Urban District Council compulsorily purchased the privately owned land which the encampment stood on and a year later evicted its nine resident families. The Bakers moved into settled accommodation in Westfield. Rose’s son Geoff used her memoir to research his Romany roots and, in the process, collated a whole collection revealing a fascinating insight into their lifestyle. The collection will be a huge help to enquirers tracing their own Gypsy ancestry.
A game of cat and mouse?
This intriguing drawing was discovered among records of Greenfield School, Woking, recently deposited before the school’s merger with Hoe Bridge School (10768/1/2/2). The pencil sketch, depicting a cat teacher with a classroom of mice pupils, is captioned, ‘But when her Highness is near, Dear Cat you need have no fear’.
Who is the Cat examining the maths paper in her hand, and who is ‘her Highness’? Helpfully, though, all the mice are all individually named, including K Green (creator of the artwork) and K Barbier (whose name appears on the maths paper).
The mystery is further deepened by a cryptic poem that accompanies the drawing: Cat poem
Now look amidst the senior mice, Serene and calm Her Royal Highness stands, How could you Cat, suggest these mice Would game and play in little bands. Never, never could the Girls’ School mice Be other than polite and nice When such a Highness took command And ruled with love that lively band Dear Cat, in all humility we you advise To show our portrait (we’re sure that’s wise) To that same Royal Highness who here stands And say you’re sorry – we feel she’ll understand.
We think the drawing dates from the early 1940s, as some of the names have been traced on the 1939 Register as born around 1926 to 1927, and were most likely senior pupils, as the poem suggests. This was before the school was purchased by Ockenden Venture founders, Joyce Pearce and Ruth Hicks (in 1948), so we are no closer to identifying ‘Cat’ and ‘Her Royal Highness’. If you can help us solve this enigma, we would love to hear from you!
Surrey History Centre.
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