Acclaimed physicist and broadcaster, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, will join fellow University of Surrey astrophysicist, Dr Noelia Noël, at the Guildford Book Festival for a conversation exploring one of science’s greatest mysteries: the nature of time. 

Taking place on Tuesday evening, 13 October, at Guildford Baptist Church, the event will centre on Professor Al-Khalili’s new book, On Time: The Physics That Makes the Universe Tick. 

The book explores questions that have puzzled philosophers and scientists for thousands of years, including whether time had a beginning and if it will have an end, why it appears to flow towards the future rather than the past, whether it can be stretched, squeezed or even reversed – and, at the deepest level, whether time itself is real. 

In a conversation with host Dr Noël, Professor Al-Khalili will take audiences on a journey through physics, philosophy and cosmology, unpacking what modern science can tell us about something that governs every moment of our lives yet remains mysterious. 

Professor Al-Khalili said: 

“Time is something we all experience, but the deeper you look, the stranger it becomes. Quantum mechanics, relativity and thermodynamics all give us different ways of understanding what time is and how it works. That’s what makes it such a fascinating mystery – we live our whole lives by it, yet there is still so much we don’t understand.” 

Professor Al-Khalili is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics at Surrey, a Fellow of the Royal Society and one of the UK’s best-known science communicators. He has written numerous popular science books, presented television documentaries and is best known for his long-running BBC Radio 4 programme The Life Scientific. 

Dr Noelia Noël is a Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Surrey’s School of Mathematics and Physics. She has received multiple awards and recognition for her work, including a prestigious 2026 Leadership Fellowship in Public Engagement from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), recognising her contributions to astrophysics and sustainable space research, as well as her commitment to creating more inclusive pathways into science. 

Dr Noël said: 

“Jim has a wonderful ability to make some of the biggest questions in physics accessible, exciting and relevant to everyone. Time is something we all think we understand because we experience it every day, yet in physics it quickly becomes wonderfully strange. I’m really looking forward to exploring those ideas with Jim and sharing the conversation with audiences here in Guildford.” 

The ticketed event, Jim Al-Khalili in conversation with Dr Noelia Noel – On Time, is dedicated to the memory of Patricia Grayburn, in recognition of her strong and lasting connection with the University of Surrey. 

Surrey University

Music students at Nescot college in Epsom have just launched a brand-new radio station, Nescot Music Radio, allowing them to get practical experience of working in radio and broadcasting.

Students take on real industry roles, including presenters, DJs, producers, researchers and music curators, developing skills and building professional portfolios as they go. They are involved in every stage of production, from developing the station’s branding and jingles to writing scripts, planning transitions, creating adverts and curating music.

As well as offering music, the station provides a platform for the whole Nescot community, with content including student and staff interviews, artist spotlights, campus news and events, and themed shows. The project also creates opportunities for collaboration between students on different courses.

The first episode, ‘Your campus, Your Sound’, was recorded over the summer as a pilot. Presenters will change from episode to episode, and around 20 students are expected to be involved across the series, with learners from all levels invited to help shape future shows.

Harry Fairclough, Music Lecturer at Nescot said: “This project is all about giving students the opportunity to step into real broadcasting roles and gain practical, hands-on industry experience. There are many different career paths within the music industry, and the radio station is a great way for students to discover the range of creative, technical and production roles that come together to make a radio show.

“It’s been fantastic to see students’ creativity, confidence and skills develop through a project they are driving themselves. I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far, and I’m excited for everyone to hear the first episode.”

Julie Kapsalis MBE, Principal and CEO at Nescot said: “It’s brilliant to hear that Nescot students are now on the airwaves, entertaining students and talking about the issues that matter to them. They’ve done a fantastic job pulling it all together. I’m hoping for a guest spot at some point, so I can have a look behind the scenes at how it all comes together.”

Alongside the radio project, the Nescot music department has also introduced three other weekly industry skills sessions, giving students experience in events, marketing and promotion, running a record label, and studio management. Together, these sessions give students the opportunity to explore different areas of the industry and develop skills beyond their main specialism.

Nescot Music Radio launches with pre-recorded programmes, with ambitions to develop into internal broadcasting and potentially public online radio in the future. The project is built around student voice, creativity, collaboration and employability, and offers another platform to showcase the work happening across Nescot.

The first episode is available to listen to now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/agD8Tnnq9JY

Nescot offers a wide range of other courses for school leavers and adults, including Motor Vehicle, Animal Care, Hair & Beauty, Computing and IT, Performing Arts, Childcare and Health & Social Care. To find out more about studying at Nescot call 020 8394 3038, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or emailadviceteam@nescot.ac.uk

NESCOT

Four Business students at Nescot College in Epsom recently joined Peter Jones at a charity day, following their success in the national Tycoon Enterprise Competition. As part of their course, the students created a business concept and presented it Dragons’ Den style to five local business leaders. Their product impressed and generated enough income to secure them third place in the national competition.

Students on the Nescot Business and Entrepreneurship course had to create a business, research the market, launch a product and try to make as many sales as possible. The winning students – Reem Abid, Johnny Connolly, Nathan Dean and Mattie Ray – created The WalkBottle, a 3 in 1, double insulated dog water bottle with two detachable bowls for food, water, or to carry treats.    

Earlier in the course, a variety of local businesses supported the competition and the college by offering up ‘dragons’, to review each group’s business idea and pitches, giving feedback on each one. Matt Thomas – CEO and Founder of Matthew Thomas Garden Design, Andi Drishi – Director and Owner at HICL Builders, Jon Skinner – CEO and Founder at Glow Homes, Lance Harris – National Sector Lead at Ministry of Justice UK and Vanessa McCormack – Hub Manager at the Epsom and Ewell Hub all gave up their time to help motivate and encourage the students as they competed not just with their coursemates, but also against groups nationwide.

Securing third place in the national Tycoon Enterprise Competition saw the team invited to the Peter Jones Foundation Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot earlier this month at the prestigious Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds. They were able to meet Peter and run a promotional stall during an afternoon showcase, to present their products, branding and entrepreneurial journey to guests.

Julie Kapsalis MBE, CEO and Principal at Nescot College said “I am so proud of our students, who pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and created a credible business, which beat hundreds of others across the country. I want to thank the Peter Jones Foundation and the local businesses who supported them by offering up their experienced, inspiring leaders to act as ‘dragons’ in our Nescot den. Our students learned a huge amount and could absolutely be tycoons of the future. We’ve provided a launchpad and I’m looking forward to seeing them fly.”

Peter Jones CBE said: “My Foundation has been helping to empower young people for over 20 years. With so many challenges facing school leavers, it’s more important than ever to provide young people with support to help them fulfill their potential. Charity days allow us to raise vital funds – every pound raised will support the Foundation’s work to transform the lives of young people and particularly those at disadvantage, giving them the skills, confidence and opportunities to dream big and build brighter futures.”

Samantha Carey, Curriculum Manager for Catering, Business and Travel at Nescot, said: “This was an incredible opportunity for our students, and I’m hugely grateful to the Peter Jones Foundation, as well as the dedicated employers who generously gave their time to support them. Experiences like this not only help students develop their confidence, skills and professionalism, but also provide valuable networking opportunities, enabling them to build connections with industry professionals and gain insight into future career pathways. Seeing our students grow in confidence and realise their potential is incredibly rewarding, and it’s exactly why I chose a career in teaching.”

Students on the business course can now enter the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition, also run by the Peter Jones Foundation, which allows 16 – 21-year-olds to launch or scale a business.

The Business and Entrepreneurship course hones maths skills, teamwork, communication and critical thinking. It also promotes confidence and resilience as students take on the presentations, networking and promotion.

Nescot offers a range of courses for school leavers and adults, including Motor Vehicle, Animal Care, Hair & Beauty, Computing and IT, Performing Arts, Childcare and Health & Social Care. To find out more about studying at Nescot call 020 8394 3038, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or email adviceteam@nescot.ac.uk 

The WalkBottle can be bought on Ebay:https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/thewalkbottle

NESCOT

Image: Peter Jones, Tom Kerridge and Touker Suleyman show off The Walk Bottle, alongside the student entrepreneurs from Nescot.

Could magnesium found in Moon dust help future spacecraft travel further into deep space? A new European Space Agency (ESA)-funded project led by the University of Surrey aims to find out. 

Researchers at the prestigious Surrey Space Centre are working with UK propulsion company Eos Space Technology Ltd to investigate whether the metal magnesium can be extracted from lunar regolith (the loose rock and dust covering the Moon) and used as a solid propellant for electric propulsion. 

Electric propulsion systems can use gases such as xenon and krypton, but they would need to be transported from Earth. Producing propellant from materials already available on the Moon could reduce this reliance and potentially support future deep space exploration and cislunar commercial activity. 

However, using metals such as magnesium in conventional Hall-effect thrusters (a type of electric propulsion system that uses electrically charged particles to generate thrust) presents several challenges, including condensation, unstable plasma and erosion of the channel through which the plasma travels. 

The nine-month MAGPIE project (MAGnesium Propulsion from In-Situ Extraction on the Moon) aims to tackle these barriers by testing a novel Hall thruster design and assessing, from extraction through to propulsion, whether lunar-sourced magnesium could become a viable propellant for future spacecraft. 

Dr Sungwoo Lim, Principal Investigator of MAGPIE, and Senior Lecturer in Space Applications, Exploration and Instrumentation at the Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, said: 

“The exciting question behind MAGPIE is whether spacecraft could one day use a resource that is already available on the Moon instead of having to carry all of their propellant from Earth.  

“We are proposing to melt the regolith and dust to see if it is possible to extract usable magnesium on the Moon’s surface. Using the specialist facilities here at Surrey Space Centre, we will confirm the effect of changes on how thrusters perform and will develop a way of feeding in magnesium.” 

The research team will assess how much magnesium could be obtained from different types of lunar regolith, test ways of extracting it and develop a system for feeding the metal into an electric thruster. They will then test how the thruster performs with different propellants and how tolerant it is to impurities in the magnesium. 

Dr Szymon Dworski, CEO and Co-Founder at Eos Space, said: 

“We will provide the first dataset grounded in actual experimentation which links lunar extraction pathways to a functional thruster architecture. We hope to define the feasibility envelope for metallic-propellant electric propulsion, which will enable future lunar mobility and orbital logistics concepts that do not rely on propellants that are launched from Earth.”  

Running from September 2026 to May 2027, the MAGPIE project is backed by £112,795 in funding through the European Space Agency’s Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), which supports novel ideas for new space technologies and applications. 

Surrey University

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Rich historical records of how the small town of Dorking sheltered people fleeing Nazi persecution during World War Two are now fully searchable and publicly accessible online, thanks to a partnership between the University of Surrey and Dorking Museum.  

Formally launched today (24 September), dorkingrefugeearchive.org digitises the papers of the Dorking and District Refugee Committee – a group of volunteers who were able to find housing, work and medical care for refugees arriving in the Surrey town between 1938 and 1949. Until now, the records, which are frequently requested by researchers, have only existed in paper form at the Dorking Museum. 

The website organises the committee’s work into five themes – solidarity, caring for refugees, children, the post-war years and the people involved.  

In collaboration with the history department at Dorking’s Ashcombe School, the project has also produced teaching resources, which are freely available to other schools, researchers and community groups.  

Professor Constance Bantman, co-project lead and Head of Literature and Languages at the University of Surrey, said:  

“Making this archive accessible means the stories held in these records, of both the refugees and the people of Dorking who supported them, can finally reach the audience they deserve. It is a resource for researchers, but just as importantly, it’s a resource for the town itself.” 

Surrey first announced the project in May 2026, sharing individual stories held within the collection, including that of Sir Erich Reich, who arrived in Britain on a Kindertransport in 1939. Ralph Vaughan Williams (the composer) personally brought the four-year-old to safety in Dorking. 

Dr Beth Palmer, co-project lead from the University of Surrey, said: 

“These remarkable papers hold enormous detail, individual cases, letters, decisions that changed lives. Dorking’s history as a place of welcome and support is genuinely remarkable, and until now, only a small number of people knew about it. Putting the archive online, alongside resources for schools, means this chapter of Surrey’s history can be taught, studied and understood well beyond the archive’s four walls.” 

Kathy Atherton, Chairman of the Dorking Museum, said: 

“The Refugee Committee papers are among the archive’s most frequently requested resources. Digitisation not only opens them up to a far wider audience but also protects the physical fabric of the collection from over-handling by researchers.” 

Surrey University

Related reports

• Dorking’s role as a refuge from Nazi oppression — the town’s organised support for people fleeing Nazi persecution from 1938. epsomandewelltimes.com
• Ugandan Asian refugees in Surrey 50 years on — recalls Surrey’s response to the 1972 expulsion from Uganda. epsomandewelltimes.com
• Flight of refugees: history repeating? — connects earlier refugee experiences with the work of the Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network. epsomandewelltimes.com
• Ukrainian refugees made welcome by King’s rep. — Surrey’s Vice Lord Lieutenant welcomes Ukrainians who found refuge in the county. epsomandewelltimes.com
• Epsom and Ewell Borough of Sanctuary — recognition of the borough’s continuing welcome to refugees of all nationalities. Epsom & Ewell Times

A former Glyn School head boy is preparing to flip a 100kg tractor tyre continuously for 24 hours in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record and raise £20,000 for his old school.

Professional trainer and fitness instructor James Farmer will begin the challenge at midday on Sunday 25 October, finishing at midday on Monday.

He will flip the tyre around a marked course within the Epsom school’s grounds, continuing throughout the night under the observation of independent witnesses.

The current Guinness World Record for the greatest distance covered by tyre flipping in 24 hours stands at 11.21km. James hopes to exceed 15km.

Money raised will contribute towards a new sports pavilion at Glyn School, which is part of the 43-school GLF Schools trust.

The proposed pavilion would provide improved facilities for physical education, competitive fixtures and after-school sport. It would also offer opportunities for use by the wider community.

James has worked in health and wellbeing for more than 20 years, training athletes and Olympians and appearing on ITV as a fitness expert. He credits Glyn with setting him on the path to his career.

He said: “I owe Glyn a debt of gratitude for providing the foundation upon which I built my entire career.

“Twenty-four hours of flipping a tyre is a hard way to say thank you. But if it puts a pavilion on those playing fields, it will have been worth every hour.”

Glyn headteacher Jo Garrod said: “James left here in 1999 and he has never really left us behind, which says something about Glyn, and James as a person.

“What he is taking on is extraordinary, and the pavilion he is raising money for will be used by our pupils every week for decades. We will be out there cheering him on through the night.”

The challenge comes as Glyn prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2027. James hopes the new pavilion will honour the school’s history while supporting its ambitions for the future.

Spectators are welcome to attend and encourage James during the challenge. Local businesses interested in sponsoring his attempt can contact the school.

Donations can be made through the James World Record for Glyn fundraising page.

Further information about the school is available from the Glyn School website.

Image: James Farmer flipping a tyre and inset when head Glyn boy

Children in Epsom will have a new opportunity to try gymnastics, parkour and free running when a community sports club opens at Blenheim High School in September.

Gymfinity Kids is launching gymnastics and “ninja” classes for children aged from two to 14, with an introductory opening weekend taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September.

Olympic medallist and former Commonwealth Games champion Beth Tweddle MBE, who designed the organisation’s gymnastics programme, will support the launch by visiting schools in the Epsom area.

The new club will run one-hour sessions intended to help children develop physical skills, confidence and an enjoyment of exercise, regardless of their previous sporting experience.

Its ninja classes combine elements of parkour and free running, while the gymnastics programme introduces children to the core skills of the sport. Sessions will be led by trained coaches.

Inspiring children to get moving

Beth Tweddle said: “I’m really excited to be bringing Gymfinity Kids’ gymnastics and ninja classes to Epsom and creating more opportunities for children in the area to get active and try something new.

“Whether they’re discovering gymnastics for the first time, giving ninja a go, or simply finding a new way to move and have fun, I want every child to feel welcome and encouraged to explore what they’re capable of.

“Community clubs like this are a fantastic way to make activity more accessible to children and families, while giving children the opportunity to build confidence, learn new skills and find something they really enjoy.

“I’m looking forward to visiting schools in the area and helping inspire the next generation to get moving.”

Tweddle won bronze on the uneven bars at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was a three-time world champion. Her career also included Commonwealth Games gold medals for England.

Five community clubs in the area

The opening will bring the number of Gymfinity Kids community clubs in the wider area to five. The company also operates purpose-built centres in Bracknell and Walton-on-Thames.

Paul Kirwin, chief executive of Gymfinity Kids, said: “We’re passionate about making it easier for children to get active and discover a sport that they enjoy, which is exactly what our community clubs are designed to do.

“Our new Epsom Community Club will give children the opportunity to try something new, develop physical skills and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.

“Whether they discover a passion for gymnastics or ninja, or simply find a new way to enjoy being active, we want every child to feel that sport is for them.”

The club will be based at Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom, KT19 9BH.

Further information and booking details are available from the Gymfinity Kids Epsom club page and its online timetable.

Sam Jones – Reporter

Photo: Beth Tweddle with a child

Students collecting their GCSE results today are being reassured that there is still time to apply for courses at Nescot college in Epsom. Options range from Animal Care and Public Services to Travel & Tourism, Business and IT.

Whether students are keen to help look after the college alpacas as part of the Animal Care course or visit a cruise ship to learn about the industry up close, Nescot has a range of courses which blend practical skills, theory and real-world experiences.

Those who didn’t get the results they wanted today are able to get support from Nescot’s advice and guidance teams. Most courses start at level 1 and students can re-take their English and Maths GCSEs alongside their new course. Last term, 1,367 students sat Maths and English GCSEs at Nescot, with entries significantly increasing compared to the previous year – a 16% rise in students taking Maths and a 29% rise in those taking English.

Nescot Principal and CEO, Julie Kapsalis MBE said: “Whatever your results today, it’s not too late to explore your options and enrol on a course starting in September. Our expert team is on hand to give you personalised support and advice, and we’ve got a wide range of subjects to get you inspired and excited about your next step.”

Katie, Level 3 business student said: “If anyone is thinking of coming to Nescot, I would definitely recommend it. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’m happy with the decision I made.”

Nescot is located on a 60-acre campus near Epsom, Surrey. Learning spaces cover a wide range of sectors and include construction workshops, a garage, labs, kitchens, salons, and a farm. There’s also a theatre, gym, café, day nursery and a hair and beauty salon.

Students who didn’t achieve the grades they were hoping for, or are still not sure what’s next can contact Nescot’s Admissions and Careers team, who are on hand to help. They can discuss alternative pathways, progression opportunities and the support available to help students reach their goals. Students can call the team on 020 8394 3038 or email adviceteam@nescot.ac.uk.

Nescot provides college courses for school leavers and adults, with a wide range of career-focused vocational courses on offer. Located on a 60-acre campus near Epsom, Surrey, Nescot is a modern, exciting, and innovative college, which cares about students and invests in their future. Learning spaces cover a wide range of sectors and include construction workshops, a garage, labs, kitchens, salons, and a farm. There’s also a theatre, gym, café, day nursery and a hair and beauty salon. Visit www.nescot.ac.uk to find out more. 

NESCOT

Rare posters from Ewell Technical College (today’s NESCOT) concerts featuring Nick Drake, Genesis, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are among more than 300 pieces of music memorabilia being auctioned from the collection of industry veteran Lindsay Brown.

A remarkable collection chronicling both Ewell’s place in British rock history and one man’s five-decade career in the music industry is to be sold at auction next month.

More than 300 posters, records, autographs, backstage passes and other pieces assembled by Lindsay Brown will go under the hammer at Omega Auctions in Merseyside on Tuesday 15th September.

Mr Brown began his music industry career in 1969 as social secretary at Ewell Technical College – now part of Nescot – where he helped bring emerging and established performers to the college.

The venue hosted concerts by artists including Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Caravan, Taste, Genesis, Nick Drake and Atomic Rooster. Other celebrated acts associated with the college’s musical heyday included Led Zeppelin, King Crimson and Queen.

“It was a thrilling time to be involved in music,” Mr Brown told the Epsom and Ewell Times. “The great artists of the day were available for all to see. Hendrix, The Doors and Led Zeppelin, to name but a few.

“New artists were emerging all the time, some of which were booked to support at Ewell – Genesis, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, Queen and the now legendary Nick Drake.”

Mr Brown said the college became an important stop on the national concert circuit because successive social secretaries and entertainment committee members were adept both at securing major performers and identifying artists with the potential to become stars.

The college was also well placed near venues including the Toby Jug in Tolworth and the Fox Club in Croydon, with London’s music clubs within easy reach.

“Many managers and agents would offer their talent and new signings for support slots at Ewell,” he recalled.

Among the most valuable lots is an exceptionally rare poster advertising an Ewell Technical College concert by Atomic Rooster, Genesis and Nick Drake on 24th January 1970. It is expected to sell for more than £5,000.

Posters featuring Drake are particularly scarce because of his reluctance to perform live. The auction house believes the Ewell poster may be the first example of its kind to reach the open market.

Another lot is a small poster advertising what is described as the final public concert of Drake’s career, held at Ewell Technical College on 25th June 1970. It has an estimated value of more than £2,000.

A red-and-gold poster by artist David Arnott, produced for a college performance by Black Sabbath supporting Caravan, is expected to fetch more than £1,000. An Arnott poster for Deep Purple’s appearance at Ewell Tech on 18th April 1970 is being offered together with a ticket from the concert.

A framed 1968 Ewell Technical College poster originally advertising The Yardbirds is also expected to attract considerable interest. Following changes to the group, the concert instead featured an early incarnation of Led Zeppelin before a reported audience of just 150 people. The poster is estimated to sell for more than £2,000.

Mr Brown retains especially fond memories of concerts by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Taste, although he said Caravan – which appeared at Ewell on several occasions – was the venue’s most successful act.

“Seeing a very early King Crimson concert was a real privilege,” he added.

After leaving Ewell Tech, Mr Brown went on to hold senior positions at Red Bus, MAM, Rock Exchange, Polydor and Eagle Rock Entertainment. As managing director of Eagle Rock, he signed The Rolling Stones for visual rights.

Across his career he worked with artists including Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, Barclay James Harvest, Dr Feelgood, 10cc, The Cure, Van Morrison, Björk, Alice Cooper, Queen, Jeff Beck and Simple Minds.

The wider collection reflects those associations. It includes authenticated Beatles autographs expected to fetch more than £3,000; a Fender Telecaster signed by Keith Richards; Rolling Stones autographs including that of Brian Jones; a 1969 Woodstock ticket; and Kate Bush tour posters, clothing, passes and merchandise.

A Queen collection relating to the band’s 1976 Hyde Park concert includes autographs, a framed show flyer and a map of the band’s route formerly owned by their driver. It is valued at more than £3,000.

Also for sale is a three-foot-high poster for the New York Dolls’ first UK performance at the Rainbow Room at Biba in November 1973 – a concert attended by figures who would later help shape British punk.

A 1969 flyer for the Toby Jug Blues Club in Tolworth features Led Zeppelin’s name misspelt and is valued at more than £500.

Although Mr Brown is parting with most of the collection, he has retained six particularly personal pieces. These include a poster from his farewell Caravan show at Ewell in 1970, a set of Rolling Stones autographs, a Kate Bush tour poster, a Barclay James Harvest gold disc and sales plaque, and a poster personally dedicated to him by Jeff Beck.

“It’s sad to see the collection go, but I am thrilled by the continued worldwide interest in Ewell Tech’s heritage, told through its posters, many of which were designed by the Redhill artist David Arnott,” he said.

“Knowing these posters are going to good homes is very gratifying and lets the story continue to survive.”

He believes collectors have an important role in protecting evidence of performances and events which could otherwise disappear from public memory.

“Without people keeping what might seem at the time inconsequential – tickets, stubs, flyers and so on – many of these shows would be completely forgotten in future years.”

The collection, entitled “Time Has Told Me – 50 Years in Music”, will be auctioned by Omega Auctions on Tuesday 15th September, with a public preview on Monday 14th September. The catalogue and bidding details are available from www.omegaauctions.co.uk.

1968 – 1971 Ewell Tech. Gig List – click here

Julie Kapsalis, CEO of NESCOT, responded to this story and told the Epsom and Ewell Times: “Music continues to be an important part of Nescot. The Entitled Sons played a gig at the college last year and Bazil Meade ran a masterclass on gospel music. Our music department also trains young people to enter the sector and this year they showcased their talents on the community stage at The Epsom Derby Festival. We now have a DJ club and college bands who regularly perform at college and external venues.”

Lionel Blackman

Epsom and Ewell acknowledges with thanks the main contributions and research undertaken by Faye Blaylock of www.jvpublicity.com for this article

Photo: The band Barclay James Harvest with Lindsay Brown: Left to right: Wooly Wolstenholme, John Lees, Lindsay Brown, Les Holroyd, Mel Pritchard

Related report:

When the Rolling Stones rolled into Epsom — twice

Could geothermal roads help prevent potholes before they form? Surrey trial aims to find out.

The UK’s pothole problem could one day be tackled from beneath the road surface, as researchers at the University of Surrey launch a pioneering trial that uses heat stored underground to keep roads cooler in summer, warmer in winter and less prone to damage. 

The Thermo-active Roads for Heat Harvesting and Pavement Temperature Regulation project will test whether a ground-source heating and cooling system can regulate road temperatures throughout the year – helping roads better withstand increasingly extreme weather while reducing the carbon footprint of highway maintenance, improving safety and reducing the inconvenience of roadworks. 

The system works by embedding a network of heat exchange pipes beneath the road surface, running through both the asphalt and the layers below. During summer, water circulating through the pipes absorbs heat from the asphalt and transfers it to a 100-metre-deep borehole, where it is stored underground. In winter, that heat is circulated back through the pipes to warm the road surface, helping to prevent ice from forming and reducing the freeze-thaw cycles that contribute to potholes. 

Installation has already begun in the Senate House car park on the University’s Stag Hill campus, with the first phase of the trial underway and the second phase starting in mid-August 2026. Once operational, researchers will monitor the system over a number of years using underground sensors to assess how effectively it regulates road temperatures. 

Project lead, Dr Benyi Cao, who is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Surrey and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, said: 

“Rather than reacting to potholes after they’ve formed, we’re asking how we can prevent them in the first place. Potholes are more than an inconvenience – they are a safety hazard; they disrupt journeys and are costly to repair. Our project will explore whether geothermal technology can help prevent that damage from happening at scale.” 

Unlike many emerging infrastructure technologies, Surrey’s project uses mature, readily available materials, including standard plastic pipework and water circulation pumps, making future deployment both practical and affordable. 

Previous studies in Europe and the United States have explored similar concepts, but Surrey’s project will provide detailed real-world evidence of how the technology performs in UK conditions. 

As well as monitoring the road itself, the team will measure air temperatures above the test section to investigate whether cooler pavements could also reduce surrounding air temperatures during periods of extreme heat. 

Dr Nikolas Makasis, Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Surrey and project co-investigator, said: 

“This trial will give us real-world evidence of how geothermal road systems perform outside the laboratory. If the results are promising, road authorities will have the evidence they need to deploy this technology to create longer-lasting roads, reduce maintenance costs and make transport infrastructure more resilient to a changing climate.” 

The project is funded through Dr Benyi Cao’s Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship, with additional support from Surrey County Council’s Lane Rental Scheme. 

Surrey University

Image: Construction underway outside Senate House, University of Surrey. Image credit: University of Surrey.

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Students at two Epsom and Ewell secondary schools are celebrating impressive A-level and vocational qualification results, with Rosebery School recording its best results to date and seven Glyn School students securing straight A* grades.

At Rosebery School in Epsom, 43% of all A-level entries received an A* or A grade, while 73% were graded A* to B and 88% A* to C. All three figures represent new records for the girls’ school.

Twenty-four Rosebery students achieved A* or A grades in every subject. Five secured straight As: Emma Glencross, with four A*s, and Emily Woodville, Grace Worley, Amy Box and Amy Helyar, each with three.

The school also highlighted students whose results demonstrated particularly strong progress since their GCSEs. Emily Gromova, Amelie Dale, Lara Sollewijn Gelpke and Jacqueline Tetteh were among the strongest members of the cohort when measured by the progress made from their earlier attainment.

Rosebery headteacher David Lach said: “These results are truly outstanding and reflect the talent, resilience and determination of an exceptional group of young women. We are enormously proud of what they have achieved and the way they have supported one another throughout their journey.

“At Rosebery, we believe there should be no limits to what girls can achieve, and this year’s results demonstrate exactly that.”

Members of the Class of 2026 will now progress to destinations including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, King’s College London and the universities of Warwick and Bath. Others have secured degree apprenticeships or will pursue specialist training, including pilot training and drama school.

Mr Lach thanked Rosebery’s teaching and support staff for helping the students to believe in themselves and fulfil their potential.

At Glyn School in Ewell, staff and students were meanwhile celebrating A-level and vocational qualification results in which more than 51% of students achieved A* to B grades.

Seven students obtained straight A*s. Vrushabh K achieved four, in chemistry, further mathematics, mathematics and physics, and will study mechanical and electrical engineering at the University of Bristol.

Oliver H gained three A*s in mathematics, further mathematics and physics and is heading to the University of Sheffield. Amri R achieved the same top grades in computer science, mathematics and further mathematics and will study at Imperial College London.

Amelie S secured As in biology, chemistry and mathematics, while Ilario Lok C achieved As in further mathematics, mathematics and physics and will attend the University of Hong Kong.

James D received three A*s in chemistry, mathematics and physics, while James Y achieved three in economics, mathematics and geography.

Glyn headteacher Jo Garrod said: “We are thrilled to see this year’s A-level and BTEC exam success. With over 51% of students achieving A* to B grades, they should all be extremely proud of their efforts, and we wish them the very best for their futures.”

She said the school was delighted that students had secured places at their chosen universities, apprenticeships and careers, while paying particular tribute to those who had overcome significant barriers before sitting their examinations.

“They should be incredibly proud of themselves and the results they have secured under difficult circumstances,” she added. “Thanks also go to the staff for their immense effort this year to ensure our students got the grades they deserved.”

Warwick Sharp, chief executive of GLF Schools, which includes both Rosebery and Glyn, congratulated the students and staff.

Describing Rosebery’s results as “record-breaking”, he said its students had been set on a path towards future success by the school’s committed team.

Addressing Glyn’s results, he added: “We are excited to see what these wonderful young people go on to do next as they shape their futures. A huge thanks and well done to the brilliant team at Glyn who should be proud of these impressive achievements.”

Sam Jones – Reporter

Nuclear physicists at the University of Surrey have become the first to carry out a scientific experiment using the world’s most advanced gamma-ray spectrometer – investigating a sudden change in the shape of the atomic nucleus that could challenge existing theories.

Nuclear physicists at the University of Surrey have become the first to carry out a scientific experiment using the world’s most advanced gamma-ray spectrometer – investigating a sudden change in the shape of the atomic nucleus that could challenge existing theories.

The experiment took place at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) in Michigan, USA, using the newly delivered and characterised Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA). Led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and delivered by a collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and FRIB, GRETA is a $58 million detector designed to reveal the structure of atomic nuclei in unprecedented detail.

Working with collaborators from FRIB and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Surrey team investigated a radioactive isotope of germanium to help answer a long-standing question about the shape of its atomic nucleus.

For many years, physicists predicted that the nucleus should resemble a rugby ball. However, more recent evidence has suggested it could instead be flattened like a disc – a result that would challenge current theories describing how protons and neutrons behave inside the nucleus.

Dr Jack Henderson, Co-Project Investigator, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey’s School of Mathematics and Physics, said:

“Beam time at facilities like FRIB is exceptionally competitive, with proposals assessed by an international panel of experts. Being selected to lead the first scientific experiment using GRETA is an incredible achievement for us here at Surrey.

“Nuclear physicists deliberately study the most unusual atomic nuclei because they provide the toughest tests of our understanding. In this case, we wanted to investigate whether this isotope of germanium really does have an unexpected disc-like shape – a bit like chocolate Smarties.”

GRETA uses highly segmented high-purity germanium detectors to detect, localise and track gamma rays emitted by unstable atomic nuclei, allowing scientists to study their structure with unprecedented sensitivity and precision. Compared with the detector originally planned for the germanium experiment, GRETA is around five times more efficient, meaning measurements can be completed faster and with far greater precision.

Because access to rare isotope beam facilities is limited, GRETA’s efficiency enables scientists to study more exotic, short-lived isotopes within the available beam time.

Beyond Surrey’s experiment, GRETA opens up new opportunities to study how the elements are formed in explosive astrophysical events and deepen scientists’ understanding of how protons and neutrons interact within the atomic nucleus. Its exceptional sensitivity also allows researchers to detect tiny signals hidden within complex datasets and investigate increasingly rare isotopes that were previously beyond reach.

Paul Fallon, GRETA project director and interim director of Berkeley Lab’s Nuclear Science Division, said:

“The completion of GRETA and the first installation for physics experiments is a major milestone. This is the result of years of effort from a very big team.”

The experiment was led by Dr Jacob Heery, a postdoctoral research assistant at the University of Surrey, whose proposal secured the highly sought-after beam time after being selected by an international panel of experts.

Jacob Heery said: “Securing the first scientific experiment using GRETA is a huge achievement within the nuclear physics community. The detector gives us a level of sensitivity we’ve never had before, allowing us to investigate extremely rare isotopes that were previously beyond reach. We’re only just beginning to explore what’s possible, and I hope this will be the first of many collaborations between Surrey, FRIB and the GRETA team.”

Analysis of the experiment is now underway. The work formed part of the JANUS (Joint Arrays for Nuclear Structure) collaboration between FRIB, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Surrey. It also builds on Surrey’s leadership of the £3.1 million FAUST project, which is developing a next-generation detector system that will operate alongside GRETA in future experiments.

Surrey University

Photo: Credit  University of Surrey. Caption: From left to right: Chris Cousins (Surrey), Stephen Gillespie (FRIB), Jack Henderson (Surrey), Tom Parry (FRIB – Surrey PhD), Daniel Doherty (Surrey).

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