In the hustle and bustle of daily life, railway stations often feel like transient spaces where passengers rush through without a second thought. However, at Epsom Station, something unique is happening. Thanks to the Art@the Station initiative from The Art Society UK, along with a group of talented young students from Epsom and Ewell’s own Nescot, the station has become a vibrant hub of art and creativity, offering a refreshing experience to commuters.

As part of the Art@the Station initiative, art and design students from Nescot (North East Surrey College of Technology) have created striking artwork inspired by Epsom’s most iconic landmarks. The project, designed to showcase emerging talent in public spaces, not only adds life to the station but also provides passengers with a more enriched and inspiring environment. The station’s subway now serves as a gallery, featuring bold, colourful images that celebrate the town’s rich heritage.

Angie Child from The Art Society Epsom led this creative transformation as project manager. The theme, Sense of Place, invited students to capture the essence of Epsom—its famous racecourse, clock tower, and other key sites. The result is a stunning display that has already stopped passengers in their tracks, prompting them to admire and even photograph the eye-catching designs.

“I am delighted with the outcome of the wonderful images the Nescot students have created for Epsom station,” said Angie. “The students went above and beyond to fulfil the brief. Even while we were still installing the artwork, passengers hurried past but stopped to admire and take photos of the beautiful, colourful pieces.”

The project, supported by a grant from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), is not only a boost for the station’s appearance but also a significant achievement for the students involved. They had the chance to showcase their work to a wider audience, gaining real-world experience in the process. Special recognition was given to Nescot’s graphic design tutor, Miles Merritt, who encouraged and guided the students throughout the project, integrating it as an exciting extension of their coursework.

Out of more than twenty designs, the standout works from George Pearson, Alfie Carr, Callum Jones, and Wiktoria Sawicka won the competition. These students, all from the local area, embraced Epsom’s history and reimagined it in vibrant graphic designs. Their interpretations offer a fresh perspective on the town’s heritage, creating a dynamic fusion of past and present.

GTR’s Community Engagement Manager, Rob Whitehead, worked closely with the students, even providing them with rail tickets to visit an art exhibition in London as part of their creative journey. “We’re thrilled to support this initiative in Epsom and showcase the incredible talent of Nescot students,” Rob said. “Our Station Partners Small Grant fund has helped bring this fantastic community project to life.”

The Art@the Station project isn’t limited to Epsom. Younger students from Epsom Downs School also contributed, creating a large mural titled Rockets at Tattenham Corner Station. The initiative will continue into 2025, with more artwork planned for display at Ewell East Station, ensuring that local creativity continues to enrich the travel experience.

This collaboration between The Art Society, Nescot, and GTR is a powerful example of the impact community-driven projects can have. By bringing art into public spaces, these initiatives not only enhance the visual appeal of stations but also provide passengers with a deeper connection to local culture. Moreover, they offer younger generations a valuable opportunity to actively participate in and be recognised within their community.

For now, as commuters pause to admire the bright, bold designs at Epsom station, one thing is clear: art has the power to transform even the most ordinary spaces into something extraordinary.

Romana Sustar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanasustar/

Find out more:

Nescot, The Art and Design Department:

The Art Society Epsom

https://www.theartssocietyepsom.org.uk/

GTR

Art @ the Station

https://theartssociety.org/arts-news-features/art-station

Changes to the Winter Fuel Payments means that many people are worried that they may not be
able to heat their homes this winter.

For the eighth year running, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) has teamed up with the Rotary
Clubs of Epsom and Ewell to bring much needed support to those in the borough in need of help
with paying fuel bills this winter.

This year, residents in the Epsom & Ewell borough are being asked to donate any amount to Project
Wenceslas to help those affected. All funds will help those struggling with electricity and gas bills, as
well enable energy efficient appliances to be purchased. CAEE manages the distribution for the
benefit for those in fuel poverty, direct to fuel suppliers with no deductions for costs or fees.
Lisa Davis, CEO, Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell, said:

“With changes to the Winter Fuel Payments this winter, an increased number of people in our
community are worrying about heating their homes. Many people relied on the Winter Fuel
Payments to help manage their energy usage and budgets. Some people may be eligible for benefits
but many may not.

“Project Wenceslas is more important than ever to provide that much needed support and peace of
mind for individuals and families across the borough who are struggling. Please get in touch if either
you want to donate or you are in need of support.”

To find out more about donating, please contact via the websites epsomrotary.uk or
ewellrotary.club and search for Project Wenceslas.

If you are struggling with fuel bills, then contact Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell on 0808 278 7963
(Mon-Fri, 10am – 4pm) or see our website: www.caee.org.uk.

Sat bang in the middle between M&S and Waitrose on Banstead high street, a new community food store has opened to help people struggling to buy affordable groceries in Surrey. 

Surrey’s second pantry officially opened October 7, stocked with donations and surplus food from supermarkets which would otherwise be thrown away. For just £5 a week, members of the pantry can receive £30-35 worth of food and household items. 

“We want shopping to be a dignified experience,” said Project Manager Bex. She explained that everyone can access good quality food and members have the choice of what they want to buy, like in any shop. 

After a soft launch in mid-September, the pantry already has about 75 members despite no advertising. “There is a really nice buzz when it opens up,” Bex said. “People sometimes shop at the same times to meet people every week, or share recipes if buying the same ingredients.”

Located on Banstead’s high street, Pantry Manager Ashley said it was important for there “not to be any shame associated” with coming to the food store. “Living in Surrey is can be really difficult when you don’t have a disposable income.”

Although Banstead features low on the level of deprivation in Surrey, Ashley explained that there are pockets of hidden food poverty. “Sometimes where there is obvious need, there is obvious help,” Ashley said. Banstead’s pantry aims to address this issue in providing support for people who may be missed in areas more affluent. 

Epsom Pantry first opened in July 2022, as the cost-of-living crisis was beginning to pinch. The typically leafy market town has been ranked in the top 10% of least deprived areas in the UK. Now, with around 400 members to the pantry, Epsom is now oversubscribed. 

Bex, who used to work at Epsom Pantry, said there was a real community feel. “People used to come in at similar times, rely on each other and check-in how people were doing,” Bex said. 

The mission of the Pantry is to bridge the gap between food banks and commercial grocery stores. Some people may not be eligible for crisis support from Food banks but are still struggling to make ends meet in their weekly shop.

Fresh fruit and veg is free, with high value items like Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut and Yorkshire Tea more restricted. Standard cupboard essential like pasta, tinned beans, herbs and biscuits are also on offer. 

Customers can sign up to the Pantry and answer a few questions about their financial situation. Then, they will be invited in for an assessment to see if the Pantry is the right support for them or whether they need any other help. 

Beyond the food store operations, the pantry is also looking at putting on cooking classes, sewing workshops, energy saving guides to help members save money and develop community. 

The initiative is led by a partnership between Raven Housing Trust (RHT), Good Company Surrey, as well as Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. RHT’s housing association and the council can point people in the direction of the service who may be eligible for support.

Link: https://www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/pantry-listings/banstead-pantry-surrey/

Food bank locations: https://epsomewell.foodbank.org.uk/locations/

^{Image: Project Manager Bex and Pantry Manager Ashley outside Banstead Pantry. (Credit: Emily Dalton/LDRS)}

The leader of Surrey County Council (SCC) has apologised to families who have been ‘failed’ over the provision of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services. 

Parents have previously told the local democracy reporting service (LDRS) that they feel SCC is “blocking the process at every single stage” to get EHCPs and SEND provision. Families say that communication  has often been confusing and panic-inducing, including adding new dates for parents to select school places.

Council Leader Tim Oliver said he does not, and will not, “defend the indefensible”, before quickly adding an independent review found good, but inconsistent progress in Surrey’s SEND provision. He also added that the Department of Education (DoE) and Ofsted endorsed the council’s improvement plan. 

The Council leader said the local authority should recognise that “other partners need to step up” to deliver an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Cllr Oliver said he “recognises that not all parents agree with the assessments”, but the council cannot get away from the fact that qualified professionals decide the most appropriate support for children. 

In a full council meeting on October 8, Cllr Oliver said Surrey was investing £240m in SEND, creating 6,000 specialist school places across the county in mainstream schools and in building new special schools. He said 260 places in specialist schools have also been added for the start of the 2024 new academic year.   

“This is far from the first time we have heard things along these lines,” said Cllr George Potter, one of the many council members who responded to the leader’s statement with anecdotes of poor SEND provision in their ward. 

Cllr Fiona Davidson, who chairs the council’s children, families, lifelong learning and culture select committee, agreed with the leader that the council is making progress, but “extraordinarily slow progress”. She said this meant the local authority is not addressing quickly enough the needs of parents and carers of children with additional needs and disabilities. 

SCC currently has around 15,000 children with EHCPs compared to about 10,000 in 2017, according to the council leader. Although Mr Oliver said the “huge rise in demand” has made it difficult for the council to manage SEND provision, he accepted there are some “local Surrey issues” such as communication problems.

Cllr Davidson said she “cannot believe” the SCC is still having communication issues with parents that it had two years ago. She added there has been “little improvement in the quality of communication” with parents, impacting the trust and relationship families have with the council. 

Recommendations looking at ways SCC could improve its communication with parents found the workforce needs to be bigger to cope with the demand, more personable to parents and easier to access as well as making the EHCP process less complicated. Cllr Jonathan Essex amongst other members appealed for Cllr Oliver to implement the recommendations immediately, with Cllr Oliver responding not all of the suggestions would be pragmatic to do so.

Cllr Oliver appealed to members of the council to “not politicise” the issue of SEND provision. He argued that it is the responsibility of all members, officers, MPs and the government to help the council “deliver the best service” possible.

_{Image: Council Leader Tim Oliver speaking at full council meeting October 8. (Credit: Surrey County Council live stream)}

Related reports:

Give back OBE for SEND failures parents demand

King’s Gongs for Surrey leaders

Council pays £3,900 to mother of SEND child

Surrey County failed SEND boy

Meet DARWIN – the award-winning, small satellite that could detect and track wildfires, built by students from the University of Surrey. 

Surrey’s Peryton Space team has won the prestigious UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (UKSEDS) satellite design competition, beating teams from around the country for the second year in a row. 

DARWIN – also known as Detection, Analysis and Research for Wildfire Investigation Network – is just 10cm x 10cm x 30cm. 

Team leader Mya White, who recently finished the second year of her BEng degree in Aerospace Engineering and who has started a year-long industry placement, said: 

“We used a thermal camera to detect heat spots and an optical camera to determine distance so that we could calibrate the temperature readings. We also wrote software to split the area we monitored into a grid so we could pinpoint exactly where the simulated fires were.” 

Peryton Space also enjoyed success at other UKSEDS competitions. 

They won the In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing competition, which gives students experience in mission design, engineering, business development, and other industry-relevant skills. 

Peryton students came second at the competitive Mach-24 rocketry competition, where their high-powered rocket reached an altitude of 2.5km, Peryton’s highest rocket launch to date. It successfully launched and deployed the CanSat built by the team. 

Away from UKSEDS, Peryton Space also won an award for the best presentation at the Race2Space National Propulsion competition, which challenges students to design, manufacture and test rocket engines. 

Harvey Nixon, who leads the research and development branch of Peryton Space and who is studying for an MSc in Space Engineering at Surrey, said: 

“We are delighted with our 2024 results and really proud of the team at the University of Surrey’s Peryton Space. On our team, there are students of all backgrounds and disciplines, which ensures we have a range of expertise, and our members get invaluable experience ready for careers in the space sector. 

“Some members of Peryton Space are working on the Jovian-1 satellite project here at the University of Surrey. This involves collaborating with industry professionals and students from partnering universities and applying the skills learnt from Peryton Space to working on a space-bound project.” 

Charles Moseley of Hurstpierpoint complained in a letter dated 8th October to the Epsom and Ewell Times about the running out of Epsom Playhouse beer and the Ashley Centre Car Park during his visit to the Counterfeit Stones performance. Just five hours later (by coincidence) Epsom and Ewell Borough Council wrote to us with a new plan to improve the parking experience. They could not be expected to fix an unexpected peak in the demand for beer at the Borough’s showpiece theatre venue. Here are the communications in full.

8th October 2024 10:28 hrs

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to say how much we enjoyed a gig by The Counterfeit Stones, who were really good.  However we arrived fairly early and decided to have a drink in the theatre bar and were served by a very nice bar lady who proceeded to pour two pints of London Pride.  But she only managed one and a half before running out!  She was very apologetic in saying that she had no more bitter of any description, only lager, cider and spirits.  Apparently this was due to the audience of the previous night’s show supping all the bitter. What are about 400 mainly middle or above aged Rolling Stones fans supposed to do with no beer?  We had to plunge the depths of Epsom’s society pubs and eventually found, at the third attempt, something resembling beer in Wetherspoons.  As for the car park, well that was something else with two queues out and at least one in each line that had not paid or lost their little yellow disc! It was chaos! And £5.00 for the privilege! So it’s full marks for the band and bar lady, as for Epsom Council?  Give me strength!

Charles Moseley

Hurstpierpoint

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council are installing a new Auto Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) parking system at the Ashley Centre car park in Epsom town centre this month. Work will begin from 14 October and is expected to take three weeks to complete.

The ANPR system will mean that car users can drive up to the barrier and enter the car park with their registration being used for identification and payment upon exit.

The new system will remove the need for tokens and the associated charges that are incurred when they are lost. Cash and card payment options will be available on all floors, as well as the ability to pay remotely.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee, said:

“The works taking place at the Ashley Centre car park are a welcome upgrade to a more modern and convenient system. We know the tokens have been a cause of frustration to many drivers as they are small, difficult to find and easily lost (leading to penalties being issued).

“We appreciate that the necessary work may cause some inconvenience for drivers during the installation of the new ANPR System, and we apologise for this. However, we feel the upgrades will be a great improvement and make it easier and quicker for people visiting Epsom Town Centre to park.

“With Christmas just around the corner, we believe the upgrades to the car park support the ongoing work we are undertaking to boost the local economy by making Epsom Town centre a more hassle-free and therefore more attractive place to visit.”

Epsom and Ewell Brough Council 8th October 2024 16:00hrs

Despite being home to ancient hedgerows, a locally significant population of brown hairstreak
butterflies, and a small fragment of wetland, the series of seven meadows spanning 42 hectares (about 100 acres) at Tolworth Court Farm is far from reaching its ecological potential.

Citizen Zoo is working with Kingston Council and The Community Brain to change that! Our
shared vision is to establish a dynamic, mixed-mosaic nature reserve that nurtures a more
diverse and abundant wildlife population. We will restore and enhance the site’s ecological
balance while honouring its rich farming heritage through innovative rewilding measures
inspired by rural projects such as mixed grazing regimes.

Mixed-Grazing Scheme
Despite its size and location along the green corridor of the Hogsmill, the site is
underperforming in terms of the wildlife it supports. After 20 years of annual hay cuts that should
increase botanical diversity, the site’s plant communities have degraded since the last surveys
were conducted in 2003. Additionally, while the 1000+ insects and 40+ bird species recorded
sounds an impressive number, this is far below what a site of this should support. Indeed, a few
decades back the site was home to nationally rare ground-nesting birds such as skylarks and
lapwing, plus increasingly scarce bullfinches.

Adopting the mixed grazing methods of successful rewilding projects in rural areas, such as
Knepp and Wild Ken Hill, we are currently preparing the site for the re-introduction of livestock!

We will be introducing a small number of cattle and pigs, which through their varied grazing
behaviours, will improve plant diversity, aerate the soil, and create a diversity of habitats. This
will create a dynamic ecosystem within Kingston’s largest nature reserve helping to restore
ecological balance and create a healthier ecosystem for local species and people. With the
invaluable support of our dedicated volunteers and local students, we are clearing vegetation
around the perimeter of the site, and preparing to install a secure livestock fence. Once in place,
the cattle will be free to roam within the designated area. Each individual will be fitted with a
GPS tag, allowing us to monitor their movements and make adjustments if needed, ensuring
their welfare and the protection of the environment.

We are aware of the vital importance of the site in terms of local people’s access to green space
as well as its popularity among dog walkers. However, with the presence of cattle, it will be
increasingly important to keep dogs on leads. We will be using Sussex cattle, which will have
received training around the presence of humans and dogs, and also be individually selected for
their docile traits. This is a common breed for grazing in urban areas and means we can be
confident of no issues arising, however, as with other projects, we will ask dog walkers to keep
their dogs on leads within the enclosure as an extra precaution.

We are recruiting a dedicated team of ‘Wild Guardians’ to conduct checks on the livestock and
their welfare every day. If there are any issues flagged with the individuals or regarding their
safety on site we will respond immediately. Do get in touch if you would like to be a part of this
group. It will be a wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience with a traditional breed, and
we would love to have you on board!

Wetland Restoration Project
Another key feature of the Wild Tolworth project is the restoration of a large wetland area in the
Great Meadow. Historically, the Hogsmill River flowed through the western corner of Tolworth
Court Farm Fields, which acted as a floodplain for the site stream The river was straightened
around the 1950s to reduce flooding in the area. This was a commonly used method of flood
reduction that counterintuitively passed the risk of flooding on further downstream, as the water
flows quicker from A to B. While we would like to have re-diverted the river back through the
site, due to electrical, sewage, and gas utilities on site, this was not possible. Instead, we will
mimic the flow of the river with an enhanced closed-system wetland. By restoring this important
feature, we will rejuvenate the ecological balance of the area, providing vital new habitats for
local wildlife while also reconnecting the site with its historical roots. This will increase the
presence of many bird species and amphibians on site. Additionally, by storing surface runoff
and slowing water entering the river, the wetland will help to prevent flooding downstream.
We will increase the accessibility of the site with a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk over the
wetland, offering everyone the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Tolworth Court Farm
and experience this unique habitat up close.

This restoration project required us to gain planning permission from the council (as shown by
the green planning notice signs at the entrances to the site). There will be no buildings
constructed on site.

Work to Date
This project has been a long time in the making. Citizen Zoo, alongside Kingston Council and
the Community Brain, has coordinated comprehensive ecological surveying including engaging
with nationally recognised invertebrate experts and botanists. Further to this work, in
conjunction with the Field Studies Council and Biological Recording Company, we have run
over 10 Community Field Recorders Days, where volunteers can learn from species experts to
help survey the site and learn more about the incredible species that can be found within the
reserve. This has provided insight into the biodiversity of Tolworth Court Farm and informed the
changes that can be made to improve the health of the ecosystem and bring benefits to wildlife
and people.

We intend to begin work on our livestock fences and wetland restoration project in late 2024 to
early 2025.

Nature-Friendly Dog Walks
Tolworth Court Farm is a cherished local space, and we want everyone to feel informed and
involved. If you have any questions regarding the logistics of these changes please come along
to one of our Nature-Friendly Dog Walks on site. This provides a great opportunity to ask any
questions you have while we show you the vision for the site. You can find more information on
these on our website (citizenzoo.org) or our Eventbrite page!

Further Questions
If you are unable to make it to a dog walk but you have any questions regarding the logistics of
these changes please see our website by googling ‘Citizen Zoo Wild Tolworth’ for some FAQs
or email hello@citizenzoo.org.

Pia Trevelyan-Ashby

Redhill 2-2 Epsom and Ewell. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South. Saturday 5th October 2024.

I wrote last week that matches against Redhill and Fleet Town would give us a better idea of where our likely final position would be, and against the league leading Lobsters we recovered from a slow start and a two goal deficit to send a message to the League that we are perfectly capable of holding our own in this division, as we drew 2-2 at Kiln Brow on Saturday afternoon; only the second time this season that they have dropped points.

The sharp eyed amongst you may have noticed that this was our third consecutive 2-2 draw and wondered whether this has happened before, and the answer is NEVER! This week was the eighth time in our history we had recorded a pair of 2-2 draws; the last time in 2010, but this third consecutive “Desmond” was the first time in club history that this had happened.

We made three changes from the draw against Balham on Wednesday. Callum Wilson returned to the squad after some time out injured, ahead of the absent David Romer, while Ali Fofahan came in on the right wing ahead of Luke Miller who was at a wedding and Jason Bloor made his first start for our club in place of Fabio Nunes who was on the bench, possibly in preparation for his upcoming three match suspension. However, best laid plans don’t always work out and a pair of injury enforced substitutions ensured that both Nunes and Niall Stillwell were both on the field by the end of the first half.

For the opposition, former Salts Adam Grant and Tommy Smith were in the starting line up, with Gavin Quintyne joining the action in the second half, although another in Jaevon Dyer was injured. The connections weren’t restricted to the playing field though, as former Coach and Caretaker Manager Matt Chapman was in the Redhill dugout, along with our former Assistant Manager Jordan Clark, now in charge at Kiln Brow. The hosts were four points clear at the top going into this match, with only Cobham taking points from them to this stage and they kicked off in front of a very decent crowd of 264, which was boosted by a number of children that were invited along, providing an example for our club how to do things like that properly.

The hosts got off to a fast start and a near post corner in the first minute was flicked just over our cross bar, before a raking ball out to the left three minutes later was followed by a great cross, although the Redhill striker wasn’t quite able to get enough purchase on the ball. It would have been a superb goal if it had gone in.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have to wait long before the ball was in our net as in the ninth minute Kionte Gillfillian-Waul was robbed (mugged?) around the half way line by former Salt Adam Grant, who then set Nathan Hogan off down the right. Wilson almost got across to cut the ball out, but only got half a boot on it and Hogan continued his run and he cut in and smashed the ball past Dan O’Donovan from an angle. Some say a keeper shouldn’t be beaten at his near post, but to be fair, this was a very powerful strike and I’m not sure any keeper could have reacted quickly enough as the ball flew into the roof of the net.

Gillfillian-Waul had taken a blow to the head after Grant’s robust challenge and required treatment before walking off, clearly dazed and Nunes was thrown on down the left with Ethan Nelson-Roberts dropping to left back. Soon after this O’Donovan was on the deck after he had come out to head the ball clear, only to be clattered after this. There were to be a number of stoppages in this match for treatment and it was clear that Redhill were going to try and outmuscle us. They even struck a free kick directly against a retreating Carl Oblitey before trying to get him booked, which was a little classless and fortunately the referee wasn’t interested in such games.

We hadn’t created much to this point and Redhill were certainly worth their lead at this stage, but we had our first real opportunity in the 34th minute when a free kick in was met by a Craig Dundas header and as the hosts failed to clear, Wilson knocked it goalwards and it required the intervention of a defender to hook it clear before it crossed the line. For those wondering, it was about a foot away, but did have the momentum to go in, so it was an important clearance.

Regrettably we were unable to build on that chance as our opponents extended their lead just three minutes later with a right wing cross to the far post that was met with a downward header. It wasn’t the greatest or most powerful of contacts, yet it still squirmed past O’Donovan who may not have had much chance with the first goal, but will certainly be annoyed with this one.

At 2-0 down this was an important test of our resilience. We really needed something back before the half time break and that’s exactly what happened, and from an unlikely source too. In the 43rd minute we won a free kick out wide on the right. Adam Green usually takes most of our set pieces, but appears to have reduced his workload in that area and Fofahan sent the delivery in, but before it could reach one of our players the Redhill Captain Eoin Fraser jumped higher and diverted the ball superbly past Luke Roberts in the Lobsters net from about eight yards out.

We were to play an extra five and a half minutes of injury time but plenty would still happen before the break. Wilson picked up a booking for a foul before Fraser took one for his team by bringing down Bloor as he threatened to break through. In the third minute of injury time we were forced into another replacement as Stillwell came on at right back in place of Brazier who has struggled at times this season with his hamstring and after feeling it was tight, had to make way. Finally, we had the unusual sight of another former Salt in Tommy Smith, cropping up on the right wing to send a decent cross over, although the header wasn’t on target, and after O’Donovan had comfortably gathered Ethan Ford’s low shot the players finally went for their half time break.

Our boys came out with a little more belief and we had an early chance in the 50th minute when Oblitey saw his shot blocked with the loose ball being struck only just over the bar by Wilson from the edge of the area. Redhill’s lead looked vulnerable and a great ball over the top of the defender from Stillwell set Fofahan through on goal before he was brought down by Joe Dyett. Or so everyone else in the ground thought. The referee was clearly awaiting an indication from the Assistant, but it never came and as Fofahan lay crumpled on the ground there was a lot of protestation, particularly from Bloor who was treading a very fine line on the sin-bin rule. It’s possible the referee gave him a little more leniency because he too thought that his colleague had got it wrong!

Bloor then told the Assistant to concentrate just ahead of our next free kick, which was ironic as our man was then pulled up for a foul! However, the pressure continued and as we pressed, Oblitey collected the ball and guided it over the advancing Roberts from ten yards to level the match up at 2-2 in the 58th minute.

The hosts looked rather wobbly at this stage and Nunes then got away on the left wing and his delivery found Fofahan just five yards out, but Roberts spread himself to make a superb block of his strike, and he was up quickly to repel the follow up from Green before Bloor’s attempt was blocked by a defender. Somehow Redhill survived this and Roberts continued his one man defiance by heading clear from outside of his area before being well positioned to save another strike from Fofahan. Both Bloor and Nunes picked up yellow cards as our threat began to wane and in the final minutes the hosts finished the stronger of the two sides as they made a belated attempt to claim a winner that they didn’t deserve. Stillwell cleared from a dangerous position and then Anthony Nazareth produced a great tackle to dispossess a Redhill forward as they pushed, but without success.

Overall, we were well worth at least a point and it looked to me as though we just gave our opponents a bit too much respect to start with. Maybe we do need to start better, as this was the fourth time in eight days that we had gone behind, all in the first half. We have still only scored two League goals in the opening forty-five minutes all season, and one of those was the own goal in this match! However, we didn’t lose any of the recent games where we trailed and now have just one defeat in our last nine matches. Another difficult challenge awaits us when Fleet Town visit on Saturday, but another good result will set us up for the League Cup and F.A. Vase ties at home to Berks County. Yes we are playing them at home in both cups!

The final word today goes to the Redhill programme. As a programme editor for thirteen seasons with nearly a dozen top ten finishes in the National awards, I think I’m qualified enough to comment that this was undoubtedly the best I have seen at this level all season, and it is an example to all that a few random photos and “static” pages moved into different places each week do not make for interesting reading, as you need actual articles to go with them, and at just £2 it is far better value than the others I’ve seen this season. If Redhill go up this season I’ll miss their programme, although on this performance it appears to me as though Redhill still have much work to do, regardless of their current League position.

Epsom & Ewell: Dan O’Donovan, Ethan Brazier, Kionte Gillfillian-Waul, Adam Green (c), Callum Wilson, Anthony Nazareth, Ali Fofahan, Craig Dundas, Carl Oblitey, Jason Bloor, Ethan Nelson-Roberts

Subs: Fabio Nunes for Gillfillian-Waul (10), Niall Stillwell for Brazier (45+3)

Report Source: www.eefconline.co.uk

A Surrey Police sergeant who shared racist texts and a video of a man attempting to take his own life has been stripped of his rank – but will continue on active front line duties.

Daniel Hebborn admitted to sending a series of Whatsapp messages to friends in 2019 and 2020 which included a video which showed a man attempting to take his own life by jumping from a high rise building. The video showed the male with “devastating injuries” on the floor, a police misconduct panel heard.

During the two-day police misconduct hearing this September, the former sergeant accepted the messages were inappropriate, breached of the standards of authority, respect and courtesy. The panel said his behaviour had the “obvious potential to cause serious harm to the reputational standing of the Surrey Police and national policing in general and undermine public confidence”.

The messages also included an image deemed an “inappropriate racist joke” showing a photo of an elderly black man with his arm around the shoulders of an elderly white man with the accompanying title ‘is this a mugging?. In a separate message, the officer was asked whether he “beat a guy like you did when you arrested him for littering” to which the officer responded “he was white”.

He also shared an image of an empty articulated lorry trailer with the heading “Trailer for sale, serious offers only, sleeps 39 people”, followed by “Guess my favourite restaurant will be short staffed again too”.

Hebborn continued to serve as a sergeant with Surrey Police in the years between sending the racist messages and the conduct hearing.

The report read: “There was some concern that the ‘banter’ contained in the WhatsApp messages may have extended beyond the private group and into his position as a sergeant and role model to those in his team or station. based on comments made in his own submitted character references including; “Dan’s sense of humour is best described as pushing boundaries that are deliberately controversial but always intended as a joke”.

The panel determined that the multiple breaches of the Standards as admitted, amounted to gross misconduct and were arguably so serious as to justify dismissal. However Hebborn avoided being sacked and was instead given a final warning and reduced to the rank of constable.

The report reads: “A clear message had to be given that where an officer behaved in a way demonstrated by the conduct in this case, such conduct was not tolerated within the police service. There was a strong need to build and maintain public trust in the police.”

The report added that action had to be taken in order to maintain public confidence and respect especially when it came to the police “tackling issues of racism within their forces.”

Head of professional standards, Chief Superintendent Andy Rundle, said; “Surrey Police expects a high level of professionalism from our officers and staff and we will take action when these standards are not met.

“The hearing heard that former PS Dan Hebborn had admitted to the offensive and inappropriate messages and shown significant remorse for his actions. Due to their historic, non-work-related nature, as well as his previous record of service, on this occasion the panel has determined that reducing his rank to PC is an appropriate course of action.

“This decision carries a financial impact as well as potentially impacting any transfer request and future career development. Surrey Police is committed to being an anti-racist organisation, where all forms of discrimination are entirely unacceptable. We place immense value on serving and protecting all our communities with fairness and respect as well as ensuring those who work within our Force enjoy a sense of belonging and respect from their colleagues.

“Earlier this year, we shared our anti-racism statement across the organisation. Our expectation is that all officers, staff, and volunteers uphold the commitments outlined in this statement to challenge injustice and uphold anti-racist principles. We are developing training to deliver to officers and staff that will support the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to ensure respect for all in the service we deliver. In September, we began a series of training sessions that all leaders are required to attend which include a focus on race equality and guidance on how to ensure an inclusive team environment.”

_{Surrey Police ethics print on wall at Mount Browne HQ. (Credit: Emily Dalton/LDRS)}

Guildford Lido, in Stoke Park, used to be open 12 months a year from 2014, but that ended during the pandemic. This year’s summer season ended on September 15.

Nestled between Dorking and Reigate within the picturesque Surrey Hills, the Surrey Hills Activity Centre’s (SHAC) private lagoon at Buckland Park offers a 400m loop and is the perfect setting for your open water swimming and cold water training needs.

Outdoor swimming enthusiasts have called on Guildford Borough Council (GBC) and operator Freedom Leisure to reinstate all-year-round swimming in the contract when it is renewed in November.

Reaching over 1,600 signatures, a petition has said restoring the lido’s ‘off-season’ (autumn to spring) will promote health, well-being, and athletic achievement throughout the year.

“Not a financially viable model”

Councillors quizzed the Lead for Commercial Services about the lido at GBC Overview and Scrutiny Committee on September 30. Cllr James Walsh, referencing the petition, asked if a viable compromise could be made where winter swimmers can enjoy the pool without a financial loss.

“I don’t know how many of those 1,600 people would like to swim in the winter,” said Cllr Catherine Houston, Lead for Commercial Services at GBC. She told the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, on September 30, that she went down to the lido a week before it closed and there were only 12 people in the pool. “That is not a financially viable model,” Cllr Houston added.

Run at £140k loss in the summer, the lido is still able to operate because it is paired with the Spectrum centre, according to Cllr Houston. She described it as a ‘loss leader’ model: where the lido is sold at a loss to attract customers to the Spectrum.

Cllr Houston said the lido is “already not a profitable operation in the summer” but the council chooses to run it because “we all love it”. She added: “It’s such a wonderful facility and it provides a really valuable asset to the residents, visitors and beyond.”

Questions were raised about where the money is coming from for the council to invest to keep the pool open. Although there are some super keen winter swimmers, there are not the other leisure swimmers that may spend the whole day in the lido.

Cllr Walsh asked whether letting the pool out to clubs would subsidise the running costs. Officers explained that once the pool is open, the filtration and heating will be on so it is “tough” to see how many clubs and extracurricular sports groups will be needed to offset the costs. GBC would have to pay extra for the staff, heating, energy and catering arrangements.

The “grand old lady” needs upkeep

Around 91 years old, the 50m lido is a “grand old lady” in need of “tender loving care”, according to Cllr Houston. The off-season closure allows operators to have a safe area to operate the annual works without people in the pool.

Six new boilers will be installed this winter, as part of the lido’s annual maintenance season. Three pool blankets, with an accompanying structure, will also be fitted on the lido to maintain the water’s temperature.

GBC invested £2.1m into refurbishing the lido last year, including new changing rooms, improved drainage systems, environmental technologies to reduce energy and water usage, and updated poolside catering. Freedom Leisure also put in £1m towards the upgrade.

Contractual obligations

The contract renewal in November creates a new opportunity for the operator and the council to see if a new out of season activity can be put on offer.

Cllr Houston speculated Freedom Leisure might be asked to extend its opening hours by Friends of Guildford Lido. But the operator would have to look at a financial model to see if it is worth it without the extra cash input.

Operators of the lido are contracted to keep it open for 20 weeks, so the council cannot force it to stay open unless there is a big investment. “We’re in financially challenging times so we have to make tough decisions,” the Lead for Commercial Services said.

NOTE: Friends of Guildford Lido and the petitioners were contacted for comment. Neither have got back in touch.

Image courtesy SHAC