Historic England has announced £9,988.00 in funding to the Friends of Horton Cemetery Charity in Epsom and Ewell as part of its ‘Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class History.’ [Photo: Aerial shot of Horton Cemetery taken in 1952.]

This grant will help the charity realise their heritage project titled ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ which will amplify in-progress research by 50+ volunteers to reconstruct biographical histories of the thousands of men, women and children buried in ‘pauper graves’ within the largest abandoned hospital cemetery in the UK. Co-creation of 900 ceramic flowers to commemorate former psychiatric patients without memorialisation, an exhibition and crafting workshops.

 This announcement follows an open call earlier this year, inviting community or heritage organisations across the country to apply for grants of up to £25,000.00 in a bid to further the nation’s collective understanding of the past. Competition was intense with 57 successful bids being announced today out of 500 nation-wide applications. 

Historic England hope the grant will contribute positively to participants’ wellbeing, as well as providing innovative volunteering opportunities for young people or those facing loneliness and isolation. Local heritage also gives people a sense of pride in place, a cornerstone of the levelling up agenda, and they are excited to help it act as a powerful catalyst for increasing local opportunities and prosperity.

Dr Alana Harris, Director of Liberal Arts at King’s College London, local Epsom resident and expert consultant to the Friends of Horton Cemetery will direct the Project. She said “The support of Historic England is a ringing endorsement of the importance of Horton Cemetery as a heritage site of national importance and widespread interest. I am excited by the opportunities provided by this prestigious funding grant to involve more people in remembering these forgotten histories.”

Kevin McDonnell, who leads the volunteer research team, responded to the award of this grant: “Winning this grant is down to the skill, dedication and time generosity of the great team of volunteer researchers who are telling the stories of the forgotten people, mainly Londoners, buried in this cemetery as paupers, and bringing them “back to life”.

The Friends of Horton Cemetery are encouraging teams researching other psychiatric hospital cemeteries around London to use a similar model to theirs. Anyone interested in working on these projects should email hortoncemetery@gmail.com

Visit www.hortoncemetery.org for further information

Ukrainian refugee musicians delighted a packed audience in the Epsom Methodist Church Saturday 30th July. On behalf of the local community Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr Clive Woodbridge extended a warm welcome to all Ukrainian refugees and thanked the sacrifices of local hosts who have taken them into their homes.

Organised by Lionel Blackman with Nina Kaye of Epsom Refugee Network and Surrey Stands With Ukraine, the evening was compered by Darina Dvorinchenko, a refugee from Odessa, who also conducted all the required interpretation.

In response to the Mayor professional pianist Natalia Zadorizhna expressed the deep gratitude to our community for all we are doing in standing with her country in the “evil time”. And that gratitude was demonstrated by fine performances also from her young daughter Diana, who played the piano and recited from memory and in English the Ukrainian poem “Love Ukraine” by Volodymyr Sosiura.

Young Liza Pryiemska played piano, recited the poem in Ukrainian and sang beautifully. 21 year old Tetiana Zheliba at short notice replacing an artist who fell sick, took to the fine grand piano at EMC for two compositions.

Young 16 year old Nika Vlasova played Schubert’s “The Bee” solo on violin.

Like a winged harp carrying angel Yulia Komyshan, recently arrived from Ukraine, had heard about the event on a social network and simply turned up unannounced, Bandura in hand. She crowned the night with the audience standing to the national song and included in her performance was a remarkable rendition of a blues number. She certainly blew the blues away. The audience all rose to their feet in a sustained ovation for these remarkably talented and brave Ukrainians.

Harris came to the volunteers at Epsom and Ewell’s Foodbank for help at the end of last year. Epsom and Ewell Foodbank is operated by registered Charity The Good Company (Surrey) and is directed by local hero Jonathan Lees. Over the past two years, Harris has recovered from a major heart operation and a stroke. This completely changed his life as previously he had loved running and being active. The stroke also really knocked his confidence and so he had become withdrawn.

Photo shows Jonathan Lees (left) and Harris (right) with other Epsom Pantry volunteers at its opening.

The charity started to offer him opportunities to participate in focus groups, which he enjoyed being part of. They supported him in a back-to-work interview, liaising with agencies (including the Council, Citizens Advice and his GP). They supported him with his Personal Independence Payment (PIP) application to the Department of Work and Pensions, which has recently been awarded.

Harris was recently introduced to The Epsom Pantry and he has started to volunteer there. The staff say he is a real asset there. He is also a very calming presence for customers and Harris absolutely loves it as it has given him a new purpose.

Harris said “I thought of committing suicide before I met Alison (one of the support workers) but she gave me food, help and hope that things could be better, I couldn’t have gone on without her. I am born again. I don’t know how I would manage if it wasn’t for her, the Foodbank and The Pantry, (these) guys are like family, greatly appreciated. Blessed Love.”

For more information on Epsom Pantry please contact Bex pantry@goodcompany.org.uk

The Foodbank has two vacancies at the moment:

Vacancy – Pantry Coordinator

An exciting vacancy for our new project – Epsom Pantry. Now officially open, our Pantry is a members-only shop.

For £5 members will be able to purchase a weekly food shop including fresh fruit and vegetables and family favourites to stock up the cupboard and fridge.

We are recruiting a Pantry Coordinator to work with our Pantry Manager on this exciting new initiative.

For more details and to apply, please click here.

Closing date is 24 July 2022 at 23:59

Vacancy – Foodbank Manager

An exciting opportunity to join our team. We are recruiting for a Foodbank Manager. Interested? More info and application details here.

Closing date is 30 July 2022 at 23:30

Undaunted by the 4500 miles distance between Epsom and Chilaweni in Malawi, local resident Ruth Markus heads a charity founded in her son’s name. “Alex’s Medical & Educational Clinic in Africa” (AMECA). Before he died at the age of 23 Alex was a junior doctor, a British Army officer and a qualified paratrooper. AMECA is committed to healthcare delivery, training healthcare professionals and to healthcare education in sub-Saharan African countries, through sustainable initiatives.

Feature photo is Alex providing medical care. His passion and vocation.

The AMECA Primary Healthcare Clinic at Chilaweni in Malawi opened in May 2017 and is dedicated to the memory of Alex. The Clinic currently serves 38,000 people in 23 villages. It sees on average, 4,000 outpatients each month. These communities had no prior access to any accessible healthcare facilities.

AMECA supports surgical training at district hospitals in Malawi through Links in Africa for Surgical Training (LAST). Led by AMECA’s Clinical Director, Consultant Surgeon Paul Thomas, LAST is committed to providing surgical training to improve sustainable surgical healthcare in Africa.

On August 7th at 10am at St Martin’s Church, Church Street, Epsom Ruth Markus will speak about the work of the charity and update on the Maternity Unit built at Chilaweni Village. The illustrated talk will celebrate the success of the maternity unit and maternity mentorship programme, implemented to raise standards of clinical care for mothers and babies and to deliver respectful and inclusive treatment to mothers.

More information can be obtained from the website AMECA | Alex`s Medical & Educational Clinic in Africa

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

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.

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.

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