28th July 2022

Our urgent needs list – 28th July 2022:Thank you to those who arranged supermarket deliveries directly to us last week, we really appreciate getting donations we need this way.We have completely run out of:Chocolate spreadChocolatePowdered milk We urgently need:Tinned vegetablesTinned fishNoodlesPasta sauceCooking sauceBrown sauceSmall bags of sugarSponge puddingLong life fruit juiceSquashBiscuitsRice puddingChildren’s treats – Freddo’s, chocolate buttons etc.Sanitary towelsAdult toothbrushesBaby wipesNappies – size 5, size 6 and size 6+Washing powderHousehold cleaning products – antibac spray, cleaning wipes, oven cleaner etc. (No bleach please!)Please no more of these items as we are fully stocked: Pulses, pasta, beans, rice, washing up liquid, cat food, dog food, peanut butter, milk UHT, non-dairy milk.Booking a supermarket delivery? Let us know when to expect it. You can donate at the usual supermarket points, or bring donations to our car park (please wear a mask);Epsom & Ewell Foodbank, Good Company Hub, (Behind West Ewell Primary School), Ruxley Lane, Ewell KT19 0JGDonation drop off times: Monday to Friday 9am – 2pm. We are closed on Bank Holidays.* Please make sure all donations are sealed, in date and do not contain alcohol*

A Pantry has been officially opened by the Mayor Clive Woodbridge last month. It has been launched
in Epsom as another way of helping people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, to try to reduce
dependency on foodbanks.
The shop in South Street stocks a wide range of food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen
and chilled produce as well as tinned and packaged items.
Members pay £5 a visit and can choose items that value around £30, so they can save money on
their grocery shopping bills.
Epsom Pantry has been set up with support from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. The Pantry is
part of the Good Company charity, which runs numerous projects in Surrey including five foodbanks
and the East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission.

Jonathan Lees, Managing Director of Good Company said: “This year Epsom and Ewell Foodbank is
marking 10 years of existence. That is not acceptable. We cannot accept dependency on foodbanks,
which are only meant to be a temporary measure.”

As well as helping with the cost-of-living crisis, Epsom Pantry will offer other community services
such as cooking on a budget, debt management and housing and job advice.

Epsom Pantry Manager Bex Loomes said: “Since the Pantry opened its doors, it has been filled with
a sense of community and togetherness. The cost-of-living crisis means more and more
households are struggling to make ends meet. We know that the Pantry offers vital financial
savings, and we hope that access to healthier foods and the development of skills and confidence
through volunteering will allow us to tackle isolation in our community.”

If you’d like to know more about Epsom Pantry please visit www.goodcompany.org.uk

CLICK HERE FOR LATEST REQUESTS FROM THE FOODBANK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freya Lawrence writes: The amount of sufferers with mental illness has increased immensely in recent years. With a global pandemic, increased living expenses and varying demographic changes, it is certainly easy
to understand how and why. The resources available for those suffering are also on the rise.
Disorders such as anxiety and depression can interfere with everyday life, with physical health and
overall emotional wellbeing evidently being affected directly by mental illness. With 1 in 4
individuals in the UK suffering from a mental health problem each year, it is vital to us that the
resources available in the local area are more accessible.

Starting the conversation about mental health within the borough is also important to us because
of the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. Stigma has the potential to make mental health
issues worse – causing delay or prevention of treatment for some sufferers.
Social attitudes have always played an important role in the diagnoses and treatment of mental
illnesses. The list of reasons for the stigmatisation is long and somewhat endless.

The mental health history of Epsom is worth noting due to the psychiatric institutions that once
lived in the Horton area of the town, which in itself has created stigma.
With the globalisation of media, ideas about certain groups of individuals can be easily accessed.
It is evident that the media portray links between mental illness with dangerous and/or criminal
behaviour- a huge misconception. There is a genuine lack of awareness and education when it
comes to these illnesses, and I would advise many to check out the list of disorders and their symptoms via the following link https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-
health-problems/

Trying to find resources for mental health recovery or crises can not only be daunting, but time
consuming and arduous- in the matter of finding the correct resources. Accordingly, The Epsom
and Ewell Times felt it necessary to provide some information regarding the mental health
resources that exist within the area that can hopefully benefit those suffering, and/or those
seeking help for those around them. Our objective is to lay out an inclusive, easily accessible list.
Below is a compiled list of several of the available services within the borough. It is worth noting
the following list is not comprehensive. The aim is to provide an avenue for those suffering and
looking for help.

Love Me Love My Mind –
Love Me Love My Mind is a small registered grassroots charity based in Epsom. The charities aim
is to promote better understanding of mental health, and to provide support to individuals
suffering.
Love Me Love My Mind have drop in services every Monday from 16:00pm-19:00pm at St
Barnabas church, situated on Temple road. The drop in service is a brilliant idea for those isolated
by their mental health issues – with refreshments, activities and a home cooked meal provided.
For more information visit https://www.lovemelovemymind.org.uk

Horizon
Horizon is a mental health, specialist and learning disabilities community service hub, which
opened in July 2021. Horizon is currently working from the following address : 28 Upper High
Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 4QJ
Teams specialising in the following have moved into the hub:
• Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIIP)
• Mind Matters
• Community Mental Health Recovery Service (CMHRS) – Epsom
• Community Mental Health team for Older People (CMHTOP) – Mid Surrey
• i-access: East

• Perinatal Mental Health Service: South West
• ASD and ADHD Service: Surrey

Mary Frances Trust –
Since 1994, the Mary Frances Trust have specialised in mental health support for Surrey
residents. The non profit organisation is located at 23 The Crescent, Leatherhead. The services
provided by Mary Frances trust are extensive, from one-to-one support and crisis support to
wellbeing courses and physical activities.
“Anyone over the age of 16 living in the Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Banstead, Elmbridge areas of
Surrey and experiencing any form of mental or emotional health issues can access our services.”
The website has more information in regard to their services –
https://www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk

Safe Haven: Epsom
The safe haven, located at 44 Waterloo road, KT19 8EX, is a drop in service for those
experiencing a mental health crisis and those who are looking for general mental health support.
For the former, the centre is open from 18:00pm-23:00pm 365 days a year. Those looking for the
latter can drop in between 18:00pm-19:00pm daily. There is also a virtual safe haven offering
crisis support that can be accessed between 18:00pm-23:00pm via this link – https://nhs.vc/sabp/safe-haven-Epsom
‘‘We offer a supportive environment for any adult in crisis during a time of need and when there
may be no-one else around to provide it.’’
The services provided by the Epsom Safe Haven are self referral. The safe haven will be moving to
the brickfield centre in May 2022 – at Brickfield Centre, Portland Place, Epsom, KT17 1DL.

For more information in regard to the Epsom safe haven visit: https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health/safe-havens

Alcoholics anonymous (AA) intergroup:
For those struggling with alcohol addiction, there are several AA sessions throughout the week in
and around Epsom and Ewell. Below are many of the sessions offered – it is worth noting that
many of the below sessions work at a first come, first served basis, and the duration of the
sessions vary from 1 hour – 1 and 1/2 hours.
Monday at 20:00pm – St Joseph’s Catholic Church, St Margaret’s Drive, KT18 7JQ
Friday at 13:00pm – St Martin’s Church Hall, Church St, KT17 4PX
Friday at 18:30pm – All Saints Church meeting room, KT19 9QZ
Saturday at 20:00pm – St Martin’s Church, Church St, KT17 4PX
Saturday at 10:00am – Epsom Methodist Church,11-13 Ashley Rd, KT18 5AQ

Mindworks Surrey –
Mindworks is a Surrey based service specialising in children and young peoples emotional
wellbeing and mental health. The services offered by Mindworks are extensive, delivered by many

alliance partners. Alongside this, Mindworks support and work alongside various organisations
and groups who work with children and young people. The Mindworks website is not only
accessible for a parent or carer, but also children and young adults.
https://www.mindworks-surrey.org

In a different way The Friends of Horton Cemetery are de-stigmatizing mental illness through their project revealing the lives of 9000 patients buried between 1899 and 1955 in the abandoned Cemetery in Epsom. See www.hortoncemetery.org

Author: Freya Lawrence

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

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

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

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

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

Some key findings of the Public Interest News Foundation include:

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

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

Click HERE to read the FULL REPORT

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

Epsom Rotary will be holding a stall at the Epsom Marketplace on Saturday, 02 July 2022
and welcome anyone to come and visit to learn more about Epsom Rotary and ways that
they could get involved.
Each year The Rotary Club of Epsom is involved in a range of local community events. The
club organises the annual Epsom and Ewell Borough Family Fun Day with the Rotary Club of
Ewell. There are gardening sessions at Old Moat Garden Centre and they have created and
now maintain the Community Allotment together with Ewell Rotary. The club also runs the
local Young Musician, Young Photographer, Young Chef and French Speaking competitions
annually. They helped marshal the Cancer Research UK Race for Life event at
Epsom Downs Racecourse this year and of course, there are the annual Christmas
collections around Epsom.

The club has a varied social calendar with recent events including sporting event and nights
out at local restaurants, as well as the regular meetings. Being part of a large, international
organisation they also have the opportunity to compete against other local Rotary clubs in
the district sports competitions.

This year they are fundraising for local charities and charity events have included The Epsom
and Ewell Showcase and quiz nights and of course much more.
They always welcome new members to increase their good community work.
https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=874
https://www.facebook.com/epsomrotaryclub/
https://twitter.com/epsomrotary