West Ewell by-election, our Q&As and your hustings
On Thursday 7th July 2022 voters in the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Ward of West Ewell have the opportunity to vote for the candidate who will take the seat held for many years by the late Cllr Clive Smitheram of the Residents’ Association.
The candidates are Marion Morrison (Liberal Democrat), Kieran Persand (Conservative Party), Mark Todd (Labour Party) and Alan Williamson (Residents’ Association).
Q and As You can read the candidates’ answers to Epsom and Ewell Times’ questions HERE
HUSTINGS
Epsom and Ewell Times is holding an election hustings that three of the four candidates will attend. Alan Williamson (Residents Association), who works in the financial services sector, has advised that he is working that evening and cannot attend. The hustings will start at 7 pm on Monday 4th July at All Saints Church, 7 Church Rd, West Ewell, Ewell, Epsom KT19 9QY and will last one hour.
Attendance in person is encouraged but you may participate online if you register in advance HERE
Another £1/4 m to plan planning
COST OF NEW LOCAL PLAN GOES UP BY ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS.
A meeting of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 21 June 2022 was presented with a shortfall of £255,000 in funding the delivery of the Local Plan. The shortfall was discovered following a full review of the Local Plan progress and supporting evidence base that was undertaken by the Head of Place Development earlier this year “to understand the implications of changes in legislation and local context post Covid.” These additional funds would be required to cover the Planning Inspectorate’s public examination of the Plan, including their fees. The total amount of money so far allocated to the Local Plan process was unclear. When Cllr Julie Morris (Lib Dem, College ward) said that she had totted up the cost to be at least £1.3 million, the Head of Place Development agreed to investigate and report back on the full official figure. Cllr Peter Webb (Res Ass, Auriol ward) asked whether officers could assure the committee that no further fund increases would be required. The Head of Place Development confirmed that she was sure the latest requirement would be sufficient to cover the standard process as long as the Council kept to the agreed scope and timetable but that there was still uncertainty about unknown variables such as the level of response to the public consultation. The committee was warned that the new Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill announced in the recent Queen’s Speech could include some significant changes to the way local plans are produced and may involve some additional duties. As the Local Plan is a mandatory document, the Council has no alternative but to find the necessary funding for it. The committee meeting started at 7:30 pm and closed at 7:48 pm.
On Saturday 18th June Epsom Music with Surrey Stands with Ukraine organised a very special evening with Ukrainian musicians at the Epsom Methodist Church. The evening was hosted and presented in Ukrainian. Church Minister CatherineHutton welcomed an audience of Ukrainian refugees and their English hosts.
Picture above features Ukrainian pianist Anastacia Tolstonog and her musically gifted children, Maryan and Hannah.
Robin Sebastian (aka Kenneth Williams on stage and screen) and on behalf of Headley Parish Council presented to Anne-Marie Carlin of Surrey Stands With Ukraine a cheque for £6000.
Recently arrived from Ukraine, Mariya Zhornikova, of Kharkiv Arts University, opened the music with Debussy’s Pagodes from the Estampes Suite for piano.
Vadym Perog and Svitlana Kosenko
Svitlana Kosenko, professor of piano at the Yehudi Menuhin School in nearby Cobham, accompanied outstanding violinist 17 year old Vadym Perog, who’s technical mastery of a work by Maurice Ravel was spellbounding.
Anastacia Tolstonog, professional pianist and piano tutor, accompanied her recently arrived 16 years old son Maryan van Prooijen, who was enrolled, together with his musical 14 years old sister, Hannah, at the Yehudi Menuhin School. They had been studying at the Kyiv Lisenko State Music Lyceum. Anastacia also played solo pieces by Scarlatti and three works by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko.
Many in the audience were moved to tears by the passion of the players and the beauty of their music.
Nina Kaye, of the Epsom Refugee network, recited a moving poem written by local poet Audrey Ardern-Jones entitled “White Roses”, written in honour of Audrey’s mother, who fled to England from Lviv, during the Second World War. You can read the poem HERE in English and Ukrainian
The evening’s success was assured by the interpreting skills of Darina Dvorinchenko, also recently arrived from Odessa, Ukraine.
If you know of opportunities for Ukrainian pianists to perform or tutor get in touch with The Epsom and Ewell Times and we will pass your message on.
Youtube video courtesy of Cllr Steven McCormick of parts of the concert HERE
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WsRSl0hZG7E
Yehudi Menuhin School’s professor of piano Svitlana Kosenko accompanies violin virtuoso Vadym Perog.
Witness appeal following burglary in Ewell
Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Ewell on Wednesday, 8 June.
Officers were called to a residential address on Cheam Road near to the junction with the A24 following reports of a burglary. It is believed the suspect entered the property at some point between 8.10am and 5.30pm. The suspect conducted an untidy search before leaving with two high-value watches, a Breitling Chronospace Military and Tag Heuer Aquaracer.
PC James Wheatland said: “If you were in the area at this time and saw anything suspicious, or have dashcam footage, please get in touch. We are doing everything we can to reunite the victim with their watches and we’re releasing images of the watches in the hope this might further our investigation. The watches have sentimental value to the victim and we’re asking the public if they recognise the watches, or have any information about where they might be found, to contact us.”
If you have any information which may assist with our investigation, please contact Surrey Police quoting PR/ 45220060913 via:
If you do not wish to leave your name, you may call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Epsom Rotary in Motion
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.
Supporting community events
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.
Allot a lot more allotments say Rotarians as they tend this one.
Epsom Bowling is proud and delighted that Martin Harbottle, Club President and member for many years , has been elected as Surrey County Bowling Association President for the year 2022.
Martin has won numerous County, District and Club Competitions and been part of League and Knockout squads for his Club. He is still an active member and also has an administrative role as Club Match Secretary. Having been a guardsman on active service in his past he is tough, but a fair competitor and administrator and well liked and respected my his fellow players.
Bowls is a quietly played game that need not be the preserve of the older generation. In some communities a bowling club is at the heart and all generations play . Why not contact your local bowling club? There are a number in the Borough.
Epsom Bowling Club
Worple Road, Epsom KT18 5EW
Epsom Park Bowling Club
Bowling
41 Alexandra Road, Epsom
Ewell Village Bowling Club
Gibraltar Recreation Ground, West Street, Ewell, Epsom
Epsom and Ewell Times will report regularly on match results. Click HERE for our first batch.
Who let the dogs big day out?
Cuddington Residents Association did. That’s who. On June 18th Saturday’s “BIG DAY OUT” in Shadbolt Park, Worcester Park in the north-east end of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell, a thriving community came out in their hundreds, with their dogs, to enjoy a wide range of “external activities”. Duck dogs, sorry shepherd dogs, duckflocked ducks, while Cllr Eber Kington “dogpacked” (?) the dogs in the many classes show. Dance groups of all ages danced in the performance area. The people enjoyed a wide range of charity, community and craft stalls from the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Surrey Stands With Ukraine, honey makers (“apiarists” to you and me) and many more. Watch out for the Big Day Out next year. All photos courtesy of Richard Johnson who promotes Worcester Park via his Facebook
Help for Heroes
‘EVERY LITTLE HELPS’ AS ARMED FORCES CHARITY COLLECTS AT TESCO STORES COUNTY-WIDE
Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes has supported more than 250 veterans and their families in Surrey since its inception in 2007, and, with demand for its services increasing, it is, once more, appealing to the Great British Public for support.
With more than 90 per cent of its income coming from the public via donations and fundraising, its upcoming Tesco national collection weekend is crucial to maintain its essential support services.
Overall, the Charity has supported more than 26,500 veterans with physical or psychological injuries or illness as a result of their military service.
Trevor Fudger, Help for Heroes’ Supporter Experience Manager, explained: “We’re always immensely grateful to Tesco for allowing us to collect vital funds at its stores across the country, but especially so this year, given the effects of the pandemic since 2020.
“Covid and its consequences – such as the lockdowns which caused added psychological issues for some of our veterans and the cancellation of our fundraising activities – created something of a perfect storm: increased demand on our support services and less capital with which to fund them.
“We are hoping that the wonderful British public, which is always so supportive of its veterans, will once again dig deep to help fill our collection buckets at Tesco stores across the country. And we’d like to thank them in advance for any support they can give.”
Volunteers and supporters of the charity will be out in force at Tesco stores in Surrey on Armed Forces Day weekend (25/26 June). Veterans supported by the Charity will also make appearances at some stores and will be able to chat to shoppers about how Help for Heroes has helped – and continues to help – veterans from our Armed Forces.
Help for Heroes believes those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds. The Charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives.
n If you are not visiting a Tesco store this weekend but would still like to donate to Help for Heroes to enable the Charity to continue its much-needed work, please visit helpforheroes.org.uk/donate-online – it takes just 60 seconds and a warm heart.
For further information on Help for Heroes, or to get support, visit helpforheroes.org.uk.
Epsom based sculptor Kendra Haste has created a painted galvanised wire sculptor of Lord Derby’s 1779 inaugural Oaks winner, Bridget. Epsom’s own “The Oaks” became the second oldest “classic” horse race after Doncaster’s 1776 St Leger. The Oaks race is for three year old fillies and is run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards of Epsom’s Downs racecourse. So called as the first race started from Edward Smith Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby’s estate, in the area now known as Oaks Park in Carshalton.
Kendra Haste at her workshop. Image Iona Nicol
Bridget, a thoroughbred, was kept in a stable block on the estate and has a very special link to Kendra. 243 years later, the building is home to the sculptor’s studio.
The piece depicted above is the first in a series of small unique maquette sculptures depicting Bridget. For further information about these works, you can enquire here.
Driving to Sutton or Kingston in an old car could cost you £12.50 next year!
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that charges old diesel and some old petrol cars £12.50 a day 24/7 for travel in inner London might be expanded to Epsom and Ewell’s borders from August 2023.
You can examine exactly where the proposed ULEZ will be located near the Borough’s borders via this detailed online map CLICK HERE
The Mayor of London’s case for the expansion of ULEZ is summarised in the consultation document: Health crisis, climate crisis and road congestion.
“London’s air quality is a public health crisis. In 2019, it’s estimated that more than 4,000 Londoners died prematurely because of filthy air, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London boroughs. The London boroughs with the highest number of air pollution related deaths in 2019 were Bromley, Barnet, Croydon and Havering, proving that poor air quality is not just an inner London problem. More than 500,000 Londoners suffer from asthma, making them vulnerable to toxic air pollution. If we do not act now, it is estimated that more than 500,000 Londoners will develop diseases attributable to toxic air pollution in the next 30 years.
We face a climate crisis. Last year the COP 26 conference concluded that without urgent action, there will be catastrophic temperature increases and extreme weather events. London is already suffering these, such as flash flooding of some stations, schools and hospitals in 2021.
Road congestion is still a big problem. Congestion cost the capital £5.1bn last year alone. This heavily impacts businesses, bus customers and other essential services. Longer journey times affect us all. Traffic can negatively impact our health and wellbeing, and increases road danger. This makes our city a less pleasant place to live, work, visit and do business.”
Epsom and Ewell Times asked all the Councillors representing Wards in the Borough with London area borders:
The irrepressible Jan Mason (Residents Association) for Ruxley Ward was first off. “My Ward is on the Boundary of Chessington and would be greatly affected by these proposals. Plus of course the thousand of vehicles which use the Chessington Road to go to work or to go to the Merritt Doctors’ Surgery and the shops and schools and to join the M25 etc. In other words the proposal is ridiculous. Yet again an ill thought out proposal”.
E&ET: [Note that in fact by using Ruxley Lane, the Ewell-By-Pass and A3 you will be able to get to the M25 without crossing into the proposed expanded ULEZ.]
Next we have a response from John Beckett (RA) Auriol Ward: “I oppose the plans as they stand but, if they do go ahead, there need to be more ULEZ free travel corridors that enable Epsom and Ewell (E&E) residents to access locations such as Worcester Park shopping area, Tolworth shopping area, Malden Rushett access to the A3 along the A243 Hook Road, Chessington without having to be penalised for supporting London businesses by paying the charge.
Many residents in West Ewell, Ruxley, Auriol, Stoneleigh, Ewell Court and Nonsuch have their doctors’ surgeries, medical facilities, local shops, leisure facilities, open spaces (Nonsuch Park), friends and family and schools etc just across the border. Many hundreds of residents in Nonsuch Ward live so close to the border that their postal addresses fall under Sutton and not Epsom and Ewell. The new hospital for Epsom & St. Helier Trust will be located next to the Royal Marsden Hospital in the London Borough Of Sutton. This would mean that Surrey residents would have to pay to go to their local hospital. Epsom’s Maternity Unit will be transferring to this new hospital site which means that our expectant mothers will have to pay to have scans, check-ups and to give birth!”
Epsom and Ewell Times notes from the map of the proposed ULEZ that Malden Road, where the Worcester Park shops are, is not in the zone.
Chris Grayling MP states:
“Those who live at the north end of Epsom and Ewell and in Nork are probably particularly aware of the Mayor of London’s plans to extend the Ultra Low Emission zone to the London boundary. This would mean that older vehicles would have to pay a daily charge to drive across the boundary.
Clearly this has major implications for many people living locally, and while I understand the intent behind the policy, it is in my view damaging and unworkable for the areas immediately adjoining the boundary. Transport for London has yet to give clear details about how it would work on the border – for example what do they plan to do with cases like that of Sparrow Farm Road in Stoneleigh? This road is in Surrey on one side and in London on the other. But it would mean a charge for many Surrey residents doing local journeys or driving from one place in Surrey to another if the route crossed the boundary.
I have lodged an objection to the scheme because of this, and would encourage residents here to make their views known to TfL.”
The consultation ends on 29th July 2022. You can have your say via this link
