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 out of the town centre all day to grab a piece of the fun, and Epsom & Ewell Times were there to photograph all the action!*
* Special thanks to TWM Solicitors and The Cairds Estate Agents Epsom for allowing our photographer access to their buildings to take photos from high up.
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 weekend in Epsom and Ewell, the unique Derby Hall of Fame was officially launched on Wednesday 1 June in front of an appreciative crowd enjoying the activity and attractions of the refurbished Epsom Market Place.
The Hall of Fame comprises a series of commemorative roundels, celebrating notable and record-breaking Derby winners: jockeys, horses, and trainers. The roundels are installed into the floor on Epsom Market Place, following the line of trees, beginning at the Evocation of Speed statue, and working in date order towards the Clock Tower.
This Hall of Fame is a unique landmark that recognises the borough’s long-standing connection with the Derby, one of the most famous flat races in the world and celebrates Epsom and Ewell’s rich culture and heritage.
READ MORE: Nationals report Queen to miss Epsom Derby
Commemorated here are some of the most famous and recognisable names in horse racing history – including Alex Greaves, the first female jockey to compete in the Derby; Geoff Lewis, the first Epsom-based winner, as well as the legendary jockey, the late Lester Piggott who features in two plaques – as youngest winner of the Derby and as the winning rider on Nijinsky, plus many more.
The roundels have been produced by Richard Wolfströme, an award-winning creative with over 34 years’ experience, who specialises in holistic wayfinding and cultural placemaking that explores and develops unique design solutions for places, buildings, parks, and landscapes.
Together, they will sit alongside notable artworks such as The Evocation of Speed and the new Emily Davison Statue, which capture the richness and historical significance of the borough.
The informative trail was opened by the Epsom & Ewell Borough Council New Mayor, Councillor Clive Woodbridge and included appreciative clapping in memory of the late Lester Piggott. The installation of the Derby Hall of Fame marks the culmination of a significant regeneration project for Epsom and Ewell, funded as part of The Market Place Project by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and Surrey County Council.
The Hall of Fame will continue to be added to over time, as more significant racing landmarks are reached and will provide a fascinating information trail in the heart of Epsom Market Place.
GALLERY: Each and every roundel
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 will take place on Thursday 7 July 2022.
West Ewell ward, in the west of the borough, has three seats on the Council, at present all three are held by the Residents Association.
The formal call for candidates and notice of the election has been issued today.
Forms of nomination for the Borough Election may be obtained at the Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BY from the Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area, prepare a nomination paper for signature.
Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer on any day after the date of the notice (31 May 2022), Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm but by no later than 4pm on Friday, 10th June 2022.
If the election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, 7th July 2022.
In the event of a poll, the polling stations will be at:
Polling District EA: West Ewell Evangelical Church, 23 Lansdowne Road, West Ewell KT19 9QJ (Polling Station 1); and
Polling District EB: All Saints Church & Community Centre, Fulford Road, West Ewell KT19 9QY (Polling Stations 2 & 3)
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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 miss the Epsom Derby due to ongoing episodic mobility problems. The long-reigning monarch, who is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, has already missed many important events, including the opening of Parliament. The Queen is currently resting at Balmoral in the run-up to the Jubilee.
The Sunday Times has said that it is “increasingly unlikely” that the Queen will make an appearance. Her Majesty will instead be represented by her daughter, the Princess Royal.
Hopes were high for the Queen’s appearance at the Derby and higher still that Her Majesty would have a runner, but her colt Reach for The Moon was unable to race.
The Queen is still expected to greet adoring crowds from the palace balcony at Trooping the Colour, as well as the grand finale to the Jubilee, the Pageant Parade.
The absence of the Queen at the Derby is sure to be a source of disappointment for attendees and organisers, although it’s hard to say if they’ll be as disappointed as the Queen herself, as a passionate lover of horses and horse breeding she is famously fond of the racing event.
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 Derby 9 times, a record yet to be broken.
Lester won his first Derby in 1954 on Never Say Die when he was 18 years old. The following 8 wins were on Crepello(1957), St. Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977) and Teenoso (1983).
Nicknamed “The Long Fellow” due to his above-average height for a Jockey, Lester had a decades-spanning career and accumulated thousands of wins (4,493) in 9 different countries, before retiring in 1985 at the end of the flat season. He returned to racing in 1990 and continued to win races until officially retiring in 1995. His last race on British soil was in the November Handicap in 1994, his last race was in Canberra in 1995, where he won the Black Opal Stakes riding Zadok.
When Piggot was inducted into British Racing’s Hall of Fame, jockey Frankie Dettori told BBC Sport: “I’ve managed to win two Derbys and Lester won nine, which is beyond anyone’s imagination,”
“Looking back at the footage of Lester ride, he was 20 years ahead of his time, like Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan.
“He was ruthless. He had such a will to win, he had balance, he had everything. He is the greatest.”
In his later years, Piggott moved to Burisnel, Switzerland, with his partner Lady Barbara FitzGerald. He published a book, Lester’s Derby’s in 2004.
Epsom crowds will never forget the rising tide of the crowd urging “Come on, Lester” as he neared the Derby-winning post. A true legend.
This week will witness the climax of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and, Her Majesty’s health permitting, the Borough of Epsom and Ewell will be privileged to receive The Queen, when she attends the Derby race-meeting on 4th June.
70 years of continuous service as the United Kingdom’s Head of State is unprecedented. Equally unprecedented is Prince Charles’s longest ever service as Heir Apparent to the British throne. Never before has anyone served such a long apprenticeship nor has a “handover” of responsibilities ever been so thorough.
Closer to home the Heads of the Council Administration of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell have served declining periods of service in a societal era of constant changes, career progressions and “movings on”.
The post of Chief Executive Officer of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, previously known as “Town Clerk”, has been occupied by Douglas Grimes for 11 years (1973 – 1984), David Smith for 23 years (1986 – 2009), Frances Rutter for 8 years (2009 – 2017) and lastly Kathryn Beldon for 5 years (2017 – 6th June 2022).
Ms Rutter’s departure was announced several months before her final day, presumably allowing for an orderly transfer of responsibilities to her successor. At the time of her leaving it was reported that her salary was £133,000 per annum. For such rewards, one would expect a requirement for the service of a reasonable notice period. What has happened today that a CEO on a Council taxpayers’ funded salary of that magnitude leaves with apparently little more than 11 days’ notice? Alternatively, with the aid of computers and central government-driven detailed operational guidelines, is it possible the Chief Executive post is now not so demanding? That a shorter handover or no handover period at all, is adequate? If so, is a salary of £133,000 or more still justified?
Whatever the answers we wish the departing CEO well for the future and good luck to her successor. If the Borough attracts a good one let’s hope we see a return to long-service.
Wherever you live in the Borough of Epsom and Ewell there is a good chance on the evening of Thursday 2nd June you can see a Platinum Jubilee Beacon lighting. On Epsom Downs and Wandgas Sports Field on Grafton Road.
There’s something for everyone at the Cuddington Beacon Party, featuring Beer-pong for the adults and Crown-making for the children. The beacon will be lit at 9:45 PM, with food huts around the ground and a fully-licensed bar, it’s definitely not one to miss.
Meanwhile, on Epsom Downs, the Mayor will be present to light the beacon that has been so generously donated by GoEpsom and will be lit at 9:45 PM.
Note: Grandstand Road will be closed to traffic before the event with limited parking in the area.
If Beacons aren’t your cup of tea, why not have a look at the various other events taking place in Epsom & Ewell across the coming days?
If you get no buzz from Beacon burning, then alternative evening entertainment on Thursday 2nd June includes a night of Jubilee Jazz from Epsom’s very own Jazz Club. Performing at Oaks Room of the Conservative Club, it will surely be a wonderful evening. Vasilis Xenopoulos is considered to be one of the most accomplished Greek contemporary musicians of his generation and celebrated tenor sax. He will be accompanied by Nige Price – UK’s top jazz guitarist, leading the evening’s modern jazz quartet.
All profits from the evening will go to Epsom-based charity Surrey Stands With Ukraine.
Fancy an afternoon of 1950s style family dance fun in collaboration with Surrey Dance Addicts? Come on down to the Horton Cafe for a day of toe-tapping 1950s tunes.
Timed teaching sessions will be held throughout the day for anyone who wishes to learn some new moves from Surrey Dance Addicts. The sessions take place at 2:15, 2:45, 3:15 and 3:45.
Come along for a traditonal afternoon tea (running 12 pm – 5 pm) in the garden of The Marquis of Granby. With a television in the garden, coverage of the Jubilee will run all day. So come along, relax, have some tea, sandwiches and cake.
The tea will be followed by live music out front, from 7 pm – 10 pm.
READ MORE: GALLERY: Epsom wears its Royal pride as the Jubilee approaches
Today (Fri 27th May) in Epsom Square, a String Quartet performed in honour of the NHS workers of Epsom & Ewell who have worked so hard these last few years. As the pandemic froze our country (and the world) to a halt, the brave, dedicated health workers up and down the country worked around the clock to help bind up the wounds that COVID-19 opened.
The event was organised by Epsom Music to raise funds for the Epsom and St Helier Hospitals charity for the welfare of the local NHS staff.
The Salieri Quartet played music by Bach and Mozart, to an excited crowd on a beautiful sunny day in Epsom Town Centre. Passersby stopped to take photos and to listen. Children sat calmy on the laps of their parents and grandparents as the Quartet’s music filled the surrounding area with lovely music.
A certificate, featuring an original poem by friend-of-the-paper Audrey Arden-Jones, was read out (by Arden-Jones herself) and presented to nurses from Epsom Hospital preceded by some nice words from Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Mayor of Epsom & Ewell. Chris Grayling MP was in attendance as well and shared some brief words with the crowd, extending his thanks to not only NHS workers but their families too.
Audrey’s lovely poem is as follows:
Thank you for your devotion
Thank you for your dedication
Thank you for going beyond the call of duty
Thank you for all that you do to make a difference
Thank you for your patience, your kindness and your talents
Thank you for being there for all of us during the long days, the long nights
Thank you to each one of you for your hard work during the Covid pandemic
We photographed the event, and are delighted to share the photos with you all.
5.30 pm 26th May 2022 Epsom and Ewell Borough Council announced the departure in July of its Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Beldon, following her decision “that this is the time for a new chapter in [my] life.” Ms Beldon joined the Council in 2014 as the Director of Finance and Resources before being appointed as the Chief Executive in April 2017.
Epsom and Ewell Times has seen evidence that in fact, the current CEO’s last working day in office will be in just 11 days’ time on June 6th and that the current Director of Corporate Services, Jackie King, will “take on some of [the CEO’s] responsibilities on an interim basis whilst the longer-term arrangements are determined.”
Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Residents’ Association Majority Group said, “It is with regret that Kathryn will be leaving Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. As Chief Executive, Kathryn has led many initiatives including the development of the borough’s Future 40 vision and more recently she has been pivotal in the borough council meeting the immense challenges presented by COVID-19”.
“Kathryn has led the organisation to support our community and has worked with councillors and our partners to deliver plans to benefit residents and local businesses. She has risen to meet many challenges and leaves the organisation in a strong position for the future.”
Ms Beldon said: “It has been a privilege to work for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. The last few years have been a period of exceptional challenge and I am deeply grateful for the commitment and dedication of colleagues who have worked so hard to support our residents and businesses during these unprecedented times. With a clear vision and plan for the future, I wish members and officers well as I move on to the next chapter.”
The loss of the CEO follows the departure of a number of Departmental Heads following re-organisations over the course of the last two years. Will the Council now be able to attract a dynamic Chief Executive and how long will the process take?
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meet Epsom & Ewell’s new Mayor, Clive Woodbridge.
A man who preyed on lone women has been jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to three sexual assaults, two common assaults and breaching his Sexual Risk Order (SRO).
Warren Morton 23, from, East Street, Epsom, was sentenced on Tuesday (24 May), at Guildford Crown Court. As well as the prison sentence, he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), with prohibitions.
The most recent assault occurred on 30 June 2021 whilst Morton was on court bail for assaults he had committed in 2020. A woman in her 20s reported that she had been attacked in a wooded area on Epsom Common close to the Wells Estate. She was walking along a wooded pathway on the common when Morton attacked her from behind, causing her to fall backwards onto the floor.
The woman managed to fight back and free herself. She immediately contacted the police and flagged down a dog walker. Morton ran off out of the common and back towards Epsom town centre.
Morton also pleaded guilty to an assault on 16 September 2020, when he approached a woman walking along a street and grabbed her buttock from behind. The woman confronted Morton and he made off. A short time later, on the same day, Morton approached a girl under the age of 16. She challenged Morton’s behaviour and he fled the location.
Morton also pleaded guilty to a further attack on 28 July 2020, when he followed a woman into an alleyway and grabbed her from behind, causing her to fall on her back, before kissing her and making off.
Detective Constable Hollie Say, who investigated the incident, said: “The fact that Morton is behind bars for 10 years reflects the seriousness of his offending, which continued despite the fact that he had been given a Sexual Risk Order and was on bail for previous similar offences. Knowing that he will be in prison for a significant length of time will hopefully allow the victims to begin moving on with their lives.
“This man’s predatory behaviour simply cannot be condoned and knowing that is off the streets will reassure the local community that his offending has been curtailed.”
If you have been the victim of a sexual assault and you would like advice, please go to Surrey Police’s web page here https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
Epsom is gearing up for a big week. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee approaches fast, and with the crowning jewel of the events taking place at Epsom Racecourse, it’s hardly surprising that Epsom is adorned with art, flags and murals commemorating the Queen’s long reign.
Epsom’s railway bridges are being prepared for Her Majesty with murals painted by local artists. The jubilee-themed artworks are meant to celebrate the Queen’s long reign and energise the local people, making sure everyone feels the buzz of the coming celebrations.
Local businesses are feeling the spirit too. When you walk through Epsom Town Centre, Union Jacks and images of the Queen’s likeness are everywhere.
We’ve gone around the town snapping photos of all the amazing decorations that local people and businesses are adorning our town with.
We take our hats off to these businesses and people who have shown their pride in our Queen, and look forward to seeing even more decoration as the Jubilee appraohes ever faster.
Have a photo of some nice Jubilee decorations? Have you decorated your house in a Jubilee theme? Let us know on Twitter @EpsomandET or via email admin@epsomandewelltimes.com
One of 9000 forgotten and buried patients in Epsom’s Horton Cemetery, Grace Jones went into the workhouse aged about 13 and after transfer to Long Grove Hospital in Epsom died aged just 19. That even the expert research of The Friends of Horton Cemetery Charity reveals so little about her tells its own tragic story.
Grace Ethel Primrose Jones was born on 19th April 1899. She was the eldest child of Frederick Albert Jones (1874 – 1927), a stationer’s packer, and Ada Rebecca née Byford (1878 – 1983). The couple had married in 1898 in St George, Hanover Square. In the 1901 Census, the family is living at 10, Southwark Bridge Road in Southwark. Grace and her younger brother, Frederick, (born 1st February 1904) were both baptised on 8th March 1904 at St Matthias’ Church, Earls Court.
Grace was admitted to Millbank School on 11th March 1904 but later moved to the Convent, according to the school records. At this time the family was living at 2, Rosetta Buildings in Southwark. Grace was still attending school in 1911 when her father – described in the census of that year as a wholesale newsagent and bookseller – was living with his wife and two children at 43, Jessel House, Page Street in Westminster.
Grace was admitted to the Fulham Road Workhouse on 8th September 1913 and then transferred to Tooting Bec Asylum on the 19th November 1913. No reason is given in the register for her admission.
We do not know when Grace was admitted to Long Grove but she sadly died there on 22nd July 1918 from Lobar Pneumonia of 22 days duration. There was no Post Mortem. Her death was registered by David Ogilvy the Medical Superintendent of Long Grove. Grace was buried in Horton Cemetery in plot 490b.
READ MORE: Emily Elizabeth Campbell – Horton Cemetery Stories
