Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is proud to announce its new local initiative – Epsom & Ewell Young Legends – an exciting programme of sports and creative activities taking place from 11 October to 24 November 2025. Designed for children aged 9 to 11, this free programme is open to children who live within the borough. Places can be booked on the council’s website and spaces are limited.

The Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme aims to help children boost their confidence, develop new skills, make friends, and ease the transition for those preparing for secondary school.

A diverse range of activities such as Arts & Crafts – with dedicated sessions for children with special needs, Basketball, Girls Rugby, Judo, Musical Theatre (song and dance), Rap Therapy, and Yoga & Meditation. Delivered by trusted and skilled professionals in a safe and supportive environment, the programme encourages children to try new things and have fun.

The Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme forms part of the council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and follows on from the Specsavers Surrey Youth Games.

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community & Wellbeing Committee, commented:

“We’re proud to launch our first-ever Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme – a key step in delivering our Health and Wellbeing Strategy. By offering free access to sports and creative activities for 9 to 11-year-olds, we aim to inspire, build confidence and support them as they take their next steps – including the transition to secondary school.

“Bringing the Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme in-house has allowed us to tailor it to the needs of local children and align it with our Health and Wellbeing Strategy. We’ve made a conscious effort to reach those facing barriers to participation, including children supported through the government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme.

“A huge thanks to the coaches and practitioners from Body & Brain Epsom, Cagers Basketball Club, Creative Minds, Laines Theatre Arts, Rap Therapy, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club and Westcroft Judo Nork, for their support in delivering the Epsom & Ewell Young Legends.

“Whether a child is sporty, creative, or simply curious, Young Legends is about helping children to feel confident in trying new activities, and we warmly invite parents to encourage their children to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.”

Programme timetable & sign-up information

Up to two activities can be selected per child and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. More information including the timetable and sign-up information can be found here – Epsom & Ewell Young Legends | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. Forms can also be completed at Epsom Town Hall during opening hours.

For any questions, email the council’s Community Development team: cdevelopment@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

About Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme 2025

More information is here – More information about the Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme: Epsom & Ewell Young Legends | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

About the EEBC Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2028

The strategy is designed to support all residents, with particular attention given to children and young people, older adults, individuals whose health is affected by broader social and economic factors and those whose personal circumstances may disproportionately increase their vulnerability to poor health and wellbeing. The strategy also includes specific references to those who are disproportionately impacted by isolation, disability, digital exclusion and people with long-term health conditions. (Public Pack) Agenda Document for Community and Wellbeing Committee, 08/07/2025 19:30

About Body & Brain, Epsom

Body & Brain Epsom Centre  offers classes in deep physical, emotional and spiritual healing through meditative movement, deep stretching and shaking exercises. The practice originates from Korea where it has a rich 5,000 year old history of holistic healing and mind-body practices. Devoted to helping individuals better manage and utilize their brains, this beautiful discipline is suitable for people of all ages and levels, and it is the perfect way to increase your physical activity and gain a greater sense of peace. Body & Brain | EPSOM | Class Schedule

About Cagers Basketball Club

Cagers Basketball Club is committed to fostering a love for the game and providing competitive basketball for players of all ages and abilities. Their core values include hard work, respect, discipline, and enjoyment. Through teaching correct fundamentals and improving basketball knowledge and skills, we prepare players for the next level, emphasising individual success within a team-oriented framework. Epsom and Ewell Families » Cagers Basketball Club

About Creative Minds

Founded in November 2012, Creative Minds has been delivering accessible and empowering art sessions for over a decade, earning a reputation as a highly trusted and respected service provider across the UK. Their Creative Minds (CM) Artists bring creativity, expression, and human connection to every session they deliver. We work with a wide variety of venues, including care homes, schools, learning disability services, day centres, and many more, ensuring art is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. About Us – Creative Minds – Accessible Art Sessions For Everyone!

About Laines Theatre Arts

Since its inception in 1962, Laine Theatre Arts has been dedicated to the fostering of creative talent. Among their alumni are some of the most highly regarded performers, teachers, choreographers, and director-choreographers in the world. The College’s outstanding reputation in the performing arts has been built on its unique identity as a training provider, exceptional employment records, and the company values instilled in its students which are noted, time and again by employers. Those familiar with Laine Theatre Arts agree unanimously that it is a unique environment. Who we are – Laine Theatre Arts 

About Rap Therapy

Their focus is to complement the UK education sector by improving the mental health and creativity of students using rap. They equip students with transferable skills that provide benefits inside and outside of the classroom through unique rap based activities, mentorship and practical applications. Rap Therapy

About Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club

Founded in 1881, Sutton & Epsom is one of the oldest active Rugby Clubs in England with a proud and magnificent history. We first played against Saracens as far back as 1883/84, as one of their very early opponents, and in 1901 beat Stade Francais on their home turf.

Today the Club is one of the largest amateur Rugby Clubs in the Country and from its main ground in Rugby Lane, Cheam, remains run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. They have over 30 teams with 1,200 current and former playing members, plus 1,800 social members. suttonrugby.co.uk

About Westcroft Judo Nork

Their martial arts store offers an extensive selection of high-quality gear and apparel for practitioners of all levels. With products sourced from reputable brands, they ensure that both beginners and seasoned martial artists find the equipment they need to excel in their training. Westcroft Judo Nork

Having enjoyed their first winning season since lifting the Level 5 title in 2018-19 Sutton approached this new campaign with renewed vigour, optimism and purpose.

The opening fixture was a delight for those with a sense of history. It may have been the first league encounter with Bromley, but they were originally the formidable Catford Bridge who first crossed swords with Sutton in 1897. Bromley had gained a thoroughly deserved promotion from Counties 1 Kent by avenging their opening day defeat at Ashford with a final day 22-7 win over the Toucans. It was a notable campaign with only two other losses, against the second strings of Canterbury and Sevenoaks, and a draw at Dover. Indeed, Sevenoaks II lost their last three matches including a crucial 28-30 epic against Bromley. On this opening afternoon of the new season it was Sutton who excelled, running in eight tries in a 49-19 win.

First half dominance

Agu Benson was the only debutant in the Black and White ranks. Bromley were weakened by a wedding but could still call upon the experience of centurions Hawkins, Scott and the Griffiths brothers. On a sunny but breezy afternoon at the Warman Sports Club the hosts kicked off against the genteel backdrop of Hayes CC 2nd XI v Chislehurst CC 2nd XI.

With the regular pitch unavailable the home team dominated early possession and territory despite playing against the slope. The pattern of the game in the opening ten minutes was excellent continuity by the Kent team being neutered in the Surrey 22 by aggressive and organised defence. Almost the visitors’ first visit into the hosts’ territory resulted in a penalty. Tom Lennard, making his 50th league appearance and deputising in the kicking duties for the absent Bunting, made it 3-0.

The opening try followed a bizarre incident. A long Lennard clearance went straight to an opponent on halfway but its trajectory was in perfect alignment with the sun. The catcher lost sight of the ball which struck his shoulder, ricocheted and rolled into the in-goal area for a Sutton 5-metre scrum. Grateful for the celestial assistance Sutton scored as Gareth O’Brien jinked through the defence. The Rugby Lane men led 8-0 but soon offered Bromley a chance to open their account.

A poor kick out on the full just outside the 22 was followed by a penalty and in the blink of an eye the Warman crowd were anticipating a score from a 5-metre throw. The ball was overthrown and recovered by Dan Jones allowing Tom Lennard to lift the siege. Bromley’s wastefulness was punished as Sam Lennie made a telling break that released Laurence Wise near halfway and the scrum-half did exceptionally well to evade the cover to score. At the end of the first quarter the Black and Whites led 13-0, rather against the run of play.

A spirited Bromley once more put Sutton under the cosh as wave upon wave of attack ran into the adamantine defence deep in the visitors’ 22. The defence was rewarded with a penalty which Wise took quickly and sprinted off down the touchline. The ball was switched to the open side and the ubiquitous Dan Jones carried it deep into the 22. The pack trundled towards the line before releasing the backs as Agu Benson walked in for a debut try in the corner. From touch Tom Lennard impressively added the conversion for a 20-0 advantage.

Moments later the Lennard boot created the next try as a 50/22 was followed by a penalty kicked into the corner. From the ideal attacking platform Sutton scored their bonus point try just after the half hour. Sustained pressure resulted in a 5-metre penalty and Gareth O’Brien scored his second for 25-0.

The scenario did not improve for the home side in the remainder of the first period. Ewan McTaggart, deputising as captain, stole a lineout ball. Sam Lennie made the break and was ably supported by fellow Kiwi Adam Bibby who weaved his way through the defence with a mesmeric 40-metre run to gift Kyren Ghumra his first try. Lennard added the extras for 32-0.

The mighty McTaggart once more seized a loose ball and the visitors, oozing confidence, opted to run out of defence. Agu Benson took it into enemy territory and passed to fellow wing Ghumra to run in a stunning score. The first half ended with a chastening score reading Bromley 0 Sutton & Epsom 37.

Bromley’s fightback

It was imperative for the hosts to rally and ideally get the opening score of the second period to gain a foothold in a match that had rapidly gone against them. However, Sutton resumed where they had left off and created a perfect scoring opportunity after a minute. The final pass was intercepted with the line begging and Bromley survived.

Buoyed by the reprieve the Kent team were soon on the attack. Securing the ball from a 5-metre line their overwhelming pressure from the pack led to a try from close-range to open their account. Jonathon Griffiths added the conversion as the Warman crowd applauded a much-deserved score.

A determined opposition was frustrating the Black and Whites and ten minutes later they had conceded a second try. Once more the pack powered over with lock Harrison Pullen the beneficiary and Griffiths’ boot making it 14-37. A stunning comeback victory was very unlikely but a bonus point for four tries was certainly achievable at this stage.

To the great credit of the Warman warriors the Black and Whites never regained the fluency and dominance of their first half performance. However, they did add two further tries after butchering another golden opportunity with a wayward pass. The seventh try was of the popular but mundane variety as the excellent Sutton lineout ushered Sam Lennie over the line for a catch-and-drive score.

The eighth, and final try from the visitors, was far more spectacular. Kyren Ghumra gathered a kick and evaded the close attentions of two tacklers to run the ball back 35 metres to complete an impressive hat trick. Tom Lennard added the simple conversion for 49-14 and his personal century of points for the Rugby Lane team.

Bromley, however, had the final say in this highly entertaining match. Full-back George Hawkins scored following some wonderful attacking play. The conversion came back off the upright and referee Oliver Munn concluded the match with Sutton victors by 49-19.

Reflections and next fixtures

Last season Sutton opened their account with a 50-7 triumph over Old Colfeians at Rugby Lane. This was another impressive first outing with eight tries. Captain McTaggart led from the front not only carrying powerfully but disrupting the Bromley lineout. Hooker Lennie once more excelled in a sterling performance in the loose by a mobile Sutton pack. Laurence Wise at scrum-half injected a high tempo into the match creating one try with his tap penalty and scoring another with a marvellous solo run.

Adam Bibby was devastating whenever allowed any space and the wingers benefited with four tries. Debutant Agu Benson impressed whilst veteran Ghumra took the plaudits with a hat trick.

Bromley’s preparations had been hindered by the drought and additionally they were short of key players. Their forwards carried with power but the telling offload was frequently prevented by a stubborn Sutton defence. Their lineout had an afternoon to forget under pressure from the opposition. The back line took every chance to run the ball with Harvey Young prominent. The hosts demonstrated great character to win the second half 19-12 and were competitive to the last.

Next Saturday, 13th September, Sutton host Dartfordians at Rugby Lane at 3pm. The Bexley club opened their account with a home game but endured an horrific afternoon against Sidcup. The Crescent Farm club denied Sutton top spot by annihilating Dartfordians 80-14 in a brutal display. Meanwhile, Bromley will travel to Beckenham in search of their first win of the season.

Teams

Sutton & Epsom: O’Brien, Benson, Scott, Bibby, Ghumra, Lennard, Wise, Johnson, Lennie, Hilton, McTaggart (c), Finney, Rea, Jones, Hegarty. Replacements: Howes, Tame, Munford.

Bromley: Hawkins, A. Griffiths, Young, Rice, Richardson, J. Griffiths, Friday, Milne, Leach, Withers, Pullen, Walder, Laws, Scott, Brown (c). Replacements: Das Neyes, Rowley, Rushton.

Image: Rugby action from a previous game.

A new Centre of Excellence for vision impaired young people has opened at the North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) in Ewell.

The initiative is run by the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC), which has until now only operated its post-16 education hub at Dorton College in Orpington, Bromley. The Surrey launch marks the charity’s first step in expanding its unique “hybrid” model of education beyond London.

A hybrid model of learning

The RSBC approach combines mainstream college life with specialist support tailored to blind and partially sighted students aged 16 to 25. Lessons at Nescot are shared with RSBC staff in advance, allowing them to adapt materials into Braille, large print, coloured text or raised diagrams.

Students also take specialist sessions in Braille, mobility and assistive technology, supported by dedicated Learning Support Assistants. The aim is not only academic success, but building the confidence and independence to prepare for adult life.

Under the model, learners divide their time between their local college and the RSBC hub. It is a system that has delivered strong results in Orpington, where 98% of students achieve good educational outcomes despite half having previously experienced unsuccessful placements elsewhere.

Partnership with Nescot and Surrey County Council

Julie Kapsalis, Principal and Chief Executive of Nescot, said:
“We are delighted to partner with RSBC to host the new Centre of Excellence. Our college community is enriched by its diversity, and we believe all young people should be able to access quality education and support. This partnership is a fantastic step forward.”

RSBC Education Director and Executive Principal Josie Grainger-Francova added:
“Young people with vision impairment are so often excluded from the full education experience. Combining RSBC’s specialist expertise with Nescot’s broad curriculum and inclusive environment, we’re creating a blueprint for what high-quality, person-centred provision should look like. We’re proud to be expanding and supporting even more young people to thrive.”

From Surrey County Council, Eamonn Gilbert, Assistant Director for SEND Commissioning, said:
“The new Centre of Excellence marks a significant step forward in how we support learners with visual impairments in Surrey. RSBC’s proven track record, combined with Nescot’s welcoming and ambitious culture, creates an exciting new post-16 offer for young people with visual impairments.”

A student view

For learners like 19-year-old Lee Roake, the new centre is already making a difference. He said:
“It’s so much more convenient for me to travel to Nescot – previously, I had to commute four hours a day to college. It’s a really inclusive space and I’m supported to be as independent as possible. It’s nice to meet people who are similar to me, too. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.”

About the organisations

The Royal Society for Blind Children is the only specialist post-16 education provider for vision impaired young people in London and the South East. More details: www.rsbc.org.uk

Nescot, based in Ewell, provides a wide range of further and higher education courses from vocational training to degree-level programmes. More details: www.nescot.ac.uk

A former Surrey care home is being given a new lease of life – not for elderly residents but as a mix of hotel rooms and shared housing.

The Elders, on Epsom Road, Ewell, will now officially become a 12-room guesthouse with an 8-bed HMO (house of multiple occupation), plus a manager’s flat, after councillors approved the proposal on September 4.

The decision by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s planning committee follows a rocky planning history of previous refusals, enforcement notices and accusations the owners were running it without permission.

Cllr Clive Woodbridge said: “Moving it from a sort of limbo where it’s operating as it is but without any ability to be regulated – because it’s not supposed to be happening – it probably tips my balance.”

The building has been empty for several years and developers argue it is no longer suitable for modern care needs.

The scheme has divided opinion with some councillors saying they were uneasy about losing a care facility at a time when demand is only growing. Members noted the loss of the care home – capable of housing up to 24 residents – would also mean a loss of housing.

HMOs tend to have a bad reputation and are sometimes attributed for noisy neighbours and anti-social behaviour. But Cllr Phil Neale admitted this one looked “more for professional people” than “itinerant” workers.

Planning documents reveal the HMO rooms are aimed at housing staff employed by the owners in local care homes, providing affordable accommodation for new workers before moving into the housing market.

Cllr Alison Kelly argued the units could help newcomers find their feet. She said: “It’s quite a reasonable use of a HMO.”

Not everyone was convinced. Cllr Jan Mason tore into the design, claiming: “It looks like it’s been produced on a packet of cigarettes.” While Cllr Neale raised concerns about sustainability. He said: “I’m disappointed again that we’ve missed the opportunity to push solar panels.”

Outside the former care home on Epsom Road. (Credit: Google Street View)

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said the “vitriolic” online abuse she faced after an anti-catcalling trial campaign went viral shows why tackling violence against women and girls must remain a priority.

The ‘Jog On’ pilot, launched in the summer, was led by a female police officer who had been harassed while out running. It aimed to address the harassment many women face in public spaces just going about their lives but it sparked fierce backlash online- with some critics questioning whether it was a good use of police resources. 

Ms Townsend, who said she was not directly involved in the campaign, said she received the “most vitriolic messages” on social media and they were the worst she had faced in her time as a PCC. 

She told a Police and Crime Panel on September 4: “The fact that this was the most awful sort of language that I’ve had I think tells you why this work is so important.”

One X (formerly Twitter) user asked her whether the campaign was a waste of Surrey Police;s time, given that catcalling was not a criminal offence. Others said it was a total waste of taxpayer’s money.

Townsend has responded on social media and publicly that early intervention and crime prevention are essential parts of policing, explaining that behaviours dismissed as minor – like catcalling and public intimidation – can escalate into more serious offences. 

The PCC’s comments come as she set out Surrey’s apparent progress against her Police and Crime Plan which says tackling VAWG is a top priority.

Councillors challenged Surrey Police’s record claiming it is not possible to tell whether violence against women and girls has increased or decreased. The volume of violent domestic abuse crimes reported has decreased by 4 per cent from 7,995 in June 2024 to 7,673 in June 2025. However, the volume of serious sexual offences has increased by 2 per cent from June 2024 to June 2025.

The PCC said: “I hope to see reports of violence against women and girls go up during my term as PCC because we know it is one of the most under-reported crimes in this country, not just in Surrey but right across this country.

“I don’t take an increase in reports as a bad thing. I think everyone that comes forward to talk about an experience that they may not have had the confidence to do before is a good and important thing.

“I don’t expect to see a reduction in reports anytime soon.”

Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner. (Credit: Surrey PCC office)

Podcaster and historian Tom Holland was in Kingston on Thursday 4th September to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the coronation of King Athelstan, regarded as England’s first monarch.

At a ceremony on Platform 1 of Kingston station, Holland unveiled the name “King Athelstan” on one of South Western Railway’s Class 450 trains. The event was staged with Saxon re-enactors, children from King Athelstan Primary School wearing crowns, and a choir from Tiffin School.

The Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough, offered a blessing for the train. Dignitaries included local MP Sir Ed Davey, the Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Noel Hadjimichael, and representatives from Malmesbury, where Athelstan is buried, and Oldenburg in Germany, twinned with Kingston.

Remembering England’s first king

Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, was crowned in Kingston in 925 before becoming known as the first ruler of a united England. While less famous than later monarchs such as William the Conqueror or Elizabeth I, a poll run by The Rest is History in 2021 saw him voted England’s “greatest king”.

Kingston played host to the coronation of Athelstan and six other Saxon kings. South Western Railway remains the only operator serving the town, making it a partner in the Kingston 2025 celebrations marking this heritage.

Voices from the ceremony

Tom Holland said: “Who better to have a train named after him than Athelstan, the great Anglo-Saxon king who first set England on track to becoming a united kingdom?”

Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at South Western Railway, added: “As it travels around the network, we hope our train will inspire customers to discover more about Athelstan’s reign, and his coronation in Kingston 1,100 years ago.”

Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, described the event as “a little unusual but absolutely in the spirit of the occasion”.

Mayor Noel Hadjimichael called it “a wonderful part of our six-month festival of past, present and future across the royal borough”.

Part of Kingston 2025

The naming ceremony formed part of wider Kingston 2025 cultural celebrations. Later in the day, commemorations continued at All Saints Church, the site of Athelstan’s coronation.

3rd September Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, spotlighted in a Parliament debate a pressing local frustration: pavement parking.

A Daily Struggle on Our Footpaths

Maguire painted a vivid picture of everyday life here in Epsom & Ewell—where pavements are meant to be safe, shared spaces, but too often become obstacles.

According to Guide Dogs UK, four out of five blind or partially sighted people report difficulty walking on pavements at least once a week, and 95% have been forced onto the road because vehicles encroach even slightly. For wheelchair and mobility scooter users, this alarming figure leaps to 99%. Even parents aren’t spared: 87% say they’ve had to step into the road, and 80% would walk their children to school more often if pavements weren’t blocked.

Maguire also revealed a telling local anecdote: on one evening alone, a constituent counted 23 mopeds and motorbikes cluttering a pavement, forcing people into traffic and weaving in and out unpredictably. It’s these small moments that undermine our sense of safety—and, by extension, our freedom.

The Patchwork of Laws

Here’s the head-scratcher: pavement parking is banned in London (for fifty years) and across Scotland unless your council specifically says otherwise. But elsewhere in England, the rule is reversed: it’s allowed unless a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is put in place—a long, expensive local process.

Driving onto pavements is already illegal under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835—but, as Helen pointed out, few people even know the finer points of the law. One survey found just 5% of drivers understand all aspects.

A Consultation Left Hanging—and Growing Frustration

It’s now nearly five years since the government ran a consultation titled Pavement parking: options for change, which closed in November 2020. It proposed everything from simplifying the TRO process to introducing a national default ban—but still, there’s been no government response or action. Helen called on ministers to act before the consultation’s fifth anniversary rolls around this autumn.

Lessons from Closer to Home—and Farther Afield

London and Scotland show what’s possible: clearer rules, better enforcement, safer walking spaces. In Scotland, since the Transport Act 2019 came into force, councils have issued thousands of fines—raising almost £1 million in the process, with Edinburgh alone accounting for around £441,000, and showing that civil enforcement works.

Meanwhile, in England, research from Guide Dogs underscores the human cost—injuries, forced urban detours, isolation—and Living Streets found that 65% of drivers admitted to pavement parking, while 43% had done so in the past six months.

What It Means for Epsom & Ewell

For our residents—those with visual impairments, mobility challenges, parents with prams—the pavement should be a path to independence, not a blockade.

Maguire’s plea is clear: she wants a national default ban on pavement parking—one that gives the police and councils clarity, hones enforcement, and safeguards community spaces.

What Could Come Next?

• A national ban as the starting point, with councils able to allow exceptions where needed.
• Proper powers for civil enforcement—think PCNs—not just confusing laws in dusty books.
• A public campaign: educating drivers, building understanding, reducing dangerous impromptu parking.
• Local upgrades to pavements: smoother, wider, safer—so more of us feel confident walking around Epsom & Ewell.

Related report:

Epsom High St in need of more love?

Deliveroo drivers outside McDonalds Epsom

Godstone residents are up in arms over suddenly announced gasworks on a ‘major cut through’’, warning the closures could turn traffic into a nightmare and hit local businesses – all while the High Street’s massive sinkhole still has not been fixed.

The works, due to be carried out by SGN, are set to start on September 29 and could last around 23 weeks. Water Lane has already been closed since September 1 for similar work.

But people say the timing is crazy. Charlie Mayall, who lives on Tilburstow Hill Road, called the plan “bonkers”. “I’m absolutely furious. I’m spitting feathers,” He said. “It’s adding insult to injury.”

“The diversion is going to be at least twice as bad,” he said. “Some of the side lanes aren’t wide enough for two cars, let alone a lorry.”

Things are made worse by claims from councillors that Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council didn’t know about the works — though SGN insists the project has been in the pipeline for some time and agreed with the authorities.

But residents remain unconvinced, claiming the council should have just told SGN to wait. People aren’t stupid. We understand the gasworks need to be done but they clearly don’t need to be done when the high street is also closed.”

Carol Ward, who lives on the high street, said people feel ignored. She said: “It’s ridiculous — no consultation, no signs, and no proper accountability. People feel walked over,” she said.

She added that local businesses are already struggling, including the Fox & Hounds pub, which has been around since 1603.

“I feel like I’m living on a building site,” Carol said, explaining the village has already put up with a road collapse in the high street. “I think most people have been very very patient …but there’s a limit to the what people will put up with,”

A Surrey Highways spokesperson said: “We are sympathetic to the concerns of residents… Our Highways Officers are meeting with SGN on September 3 to fully understand the need for their works in Tilburstow Hill Road, their duration and timing. At this stage, only a ‘provisional advanced authority’ has been approved and an official permit has not been granted.”

SGN defended the work, a spokesperson said: “It’s essential we replace these 100-year-old mains to keep gas flowing safely. Delaying the work increases the risk of unexpected interruptions… We’re reviewing with Surrey County Council whether temporary traffic lights could be used instead of full closures.”

SGN says businesses will remain accessible and compensation is available for those affected. Bus services and refuse collections should continue, though residents are advised to check for updates.

Carol Ward on Godstone Green. (Credit: Emily Dalton/LDRS)

Related reports:

Godstone “Sink-hole” residents to return

Surrey sink-hole major incident

This November marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Robert Cedric Sherriff (1896–1975), the Surrey-born playwright and screenwriter best remembered for his First World War play Journey’s End.

Sherriff, who attended Kingston Grammar School, originally worked as an insurance clerk before serving with distinction on the Western Front. His experiences in the trenches shaped Journey’s End (1928), the searing drama set in a British officers’ dugout during the last year of the war.

The play, which launched the career of a young Laurence Olivier – barely 21 at the time – was first staged at the Apollo Theatre in London. It became one of the defining anti-war works of its age and continues to be revived on stage and screen nearly a century later.

But Sherriff’s talents extended far beyond the theatre. He went on to become the highest-paid English scriptwriter in Hollywood, penning screenplays for classics such as The Invisible Man (1933), Goodbye Mr Chips (1939), The Four Feathers (1939), and The Dam Busters (1955). His work combined dramatic structure with cinematic flair, leaving an enduring legacy on both sides of the Atlantic.

To mark the anniversary, Surrey History Centre is hosting a special event in Woking on Saturday 8 November (10.30am–12.15pm). The programme includes:

• Dr David Cottis – “RC Sherriff and the Well-Made Screenplay”
  A look at how Sherriff brought stagecraft into cinema, illustrated with material from the Centre’s archives.
• Roland Wales – “Shirkers or Spies? RC Sherriff in Wartime Hollywood”
  Exploring Sherriff’s move to America during the Second World War, where British expatriates were accused in some quarters of being shirkers at home and even suspected spies abroad. Despite this, their patriotic films resonated strongly with American audiences, helping shape wartime morale.

The event will be held both in person at the Surrey History Centre, Woking (130 Goldsworth Road, GU21 6ND), and online via Zoom. Tickets cost £6 and must be booked in advance. Book HERE

For those interested in Surrey’s literary heritage, the occasion provides a rare chance to revisit the remarkable career of a local man who made a global impact – from Kingston schoolboy to West End dramatist, Hollywood insider, and chronicler of the war generation.

For more news and events from Surrey History Centre CLICK HERE

A former Surrey Police officer secretly got back with his ex while under investigation for behaviour in their relationship – then tried to persuade her to retract a statement, a misconduct panel has ruled.

The officer, referred to as Officer A in the report, was supposed to stay away from his former partner, Ms A, after concerns were raised about his behaviour. But the hearing in July and August 2025 was told he started seeing her again behind the force’s back and even pushed her to withdraw what she’d told investigators.

The panel said it was a clear attempt to interfere with a witness and undermine a formal investigation to the alleged misconduct.

The panel concluded the officer’s behaviour as gross misconduct because he tried to interfere with a live investigation, secretly rekindling a relationship with a key witness and pressuring her to change her statement.

His harassment, aggressive behaviour and invasive social media posts were judged so serious they risked undermining public confidence in the police.

Further incidents of harassment were also proved by the hearing. Ms A said the former officer showed up to her home uninvited and barged his way in, leaving her with bruises, and confronted her in a pub where he made crude remarks in front of others.

Officer A denied contacting Ms A and asking her to retract her statement to the police. He also refuted barging into Ms A’s home.

Investigators also discovered that Officer A had been posting personal and sexualised material on Pinterest- including symbols from their relationship like a fake boarding pass for her birthday trip, yellow tulips (her favourite flowers) and photos of home-made sexual restraint gear.

While not every allegation was proven, the panel ruled that Officer A had broken police rules on honesty, respect and professional conduct, and said his actions were serious enough to damage confidence in the force.

The report read: “We do note that before these matters the former officer did serve the public well as demonstrated by the service record provided. He undertook a difficult and stressful role that required a lot of hard work to achieve and maintain during his career.

“We thank the officer for that service, however this past record would not allow us to impose a lesser outcome, given the serious nature of our findings.”

In terms of mitigating factors, the panel noted Officer A was emotionally distraught at times during the misconduct hearing and was finding matters personally difficult, as confirmed by another officer.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “As soon as we were made aware of the allegations involving Officer A, a thorough investigation was carried out by the Force’s Professional Standards Department.

“It was determined that former Officer A would have been dismissed had they still been serving and was placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

“Domestic abuse by any of our officers and staff simply will not be condoned and such allegations against any of our officers or staff are always subject to a thorough investigation by our Professional Standards Department.”

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

An ‘Outstanding’ Surrey school could open a new satellite site at another primary- around eight miles away. 

Surrey County Council has revealed plans to expand a top-rated school for children with severe learning difficulties. Woodlands School, in Leatherhead, could have a second location at Cranmere Primary and Nursery school in Esher – a mere 25-30 minute drive away.

The move would create up to 28 extra places for children with severe learning difficulties and autism, all of whom have an Education, Health Care and Plans (EHCPs). 

Currently Woodlands only has room for 83 pupils – though it has been squeezing in an extra 16 thanks to temporary classrooms.

Meanwhile Cranmere Primary, which has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, has been running under capacity for years because of falling birthrates, council documents state. The building can take 630 pupils, but numbers have dipped enough there’s now space to share. 

The part of the Cranmere site earmarked for the expansion will need adapting so it can properly meet the needs of Woodlands pupils, according to reports. The work is said to have been planned to take place over the summer holidays, ready for a gradual roll-out of places from October 2025.

Surrey County Council says the set-up makes sense both for families and the budget. Officers say having local specialist places means children do not have to travel far away to school. 

By providing places within the state system, the council’s education bill drops and saves money for the taxpayer. Should these pupils be required to attend an education provision in the independent sector, costs would equate to around £1.484m per year every year. This is compared to the average cost for state-maintained specialist places of £644k.

Staff at the new site will be employed directly by Woodlands School and numbers will grow slowly over time, depending on demand. 

The council says the move is part of its wider ambition to increase high-quality specialist school places across Surrey as the number of children with EHCPs continues to rise- with a 10 per cent increase expected over the next five years. 

The current stage of the consultation will close on Friday 5 September 2025

Outside Woodlands School, Leatherhead. (Credit: Google Street View)

Related reports:

£4.9 million not enough to solve Surrey’s SEND problems?

SENDing Pupils to Epsom’s Mainstream Schools?

Surrey sent on a U-turn on SEND by MPs?

This September, Epsom pauses to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its parish church, the Church of St Martin of Tours. For two centuries the building has stood at the centre of town life — a place of worship, history, and identity for Epsom and Ewell.

The anniversary weekend will feature a range of special events. On Sunday 14 September at 3pm, historian Peter Ross will deliver a talk entitled Dining with James and Jane: Eating at Home with the Georgians. Drawing on the vivid diaries of Norfolk clergyman James Woodforde (1758–1802), who recorded every meal he ate, and the letters and novels of Jane Austen, Ross will reveal the food, manners, and household rhythms of Georgian England. His illustrated lecture will include images of paintings, prints, cookery books, and everyday domestic objects, offering a glimpse into the lives of our Georgian forebears. The afternoon will conclude with tea, followed by a service of Choral Evensong.

A stone laid in 1825

On 19 May 1825, the Rev. Joseph Darby, vicar of Epsom, laid the first stone of a new parish church. The medieval church that had stood for centuries was by then both too small and in disrepair. A meeting in 1823 resolved — after some debate — to rebuild. The sturdy medieval tower at the north-west corner was spared, along with the ancient font and wall memorials, but the remainder was swept away.

The contractors, William Blofield of London, working to plans by architect Mr Hatchard of Pimlico, expanded the footprint of the building. Side aisles were widened and lengthened, the west front was advanced, and new staircases and galleries provided for greater capacity. The rebuilt church could now seat around 1,120 parishioners.

At the stone-laying ceremony, Rev. Darby was presented with a handsome silver trowel, inscribed to mark the moment. Sadly, the trowel has since been lost, but the act it commemorated continues to shape the heart of Epsom today.

Victorian Epsom: railways and renewal

Within a generation, however, Epsom was changing again. The arrival of the railway in the 1840s transformed the town from a quiet settlement of around 3,300 people into a rapidly growing commuter hub. Two lines, one from London Bridge and another from Waterloo, brought new residents and prosperity. By the mid-nineteenth century, the population had more than doubled.

The parish church once again felt the strain. Inadequate for the growing congregation, its galleries deemed unsightly, and its facilities cramped, it became the subject of another ambitious rebuilding plan. The vicar at the time, Rev. Waldegrave Bainbridge-Bell, rallied support from influential local figures, including Lord Rosebery and Sir Thomas Bucknill MP.

There was even talk that Epsom Parish Church might become the cathedral of a proposed new Diocese of Guildford. With such aspirations in mind, the architects Nicholson and Corlette were commissioned to draw up a design of “cathedral proportions”.

The 1908 extension

In August 1907, the foundation stone for the grand new east end was laid. A year later, on St Martin’s Day (11 November 1908), the Bishop of Winchester consecrated the new extension. The project cost £13,000 — a significant sum at the time — and gave the church much of the form it has today.

Not all of the plans could be realised: financial pressures meant the most ambitious elements of the Nicholson and Corlette design were never completed. But the east end remains one of Surrey’s most impressive ecclesiastical interiors, a testimony both to the ambition of its builders and to Epsom’s growth in the early twentieth century.

What remains today

Today, three key layers of history meet in the building:

• The medieval tower, the oldest surviving structure in Epsom.
• The 1825 nave and west end, the fruit of the first great rebuilding.
• The 1908 east end, marking the town’s Edwardian expansion.

Together, they tell a story not only of the parish church but of the town itself: medieval market village, Georgian spa settlement, Victorian commuter suburb, and Edwardian provincial centre.

Looking to the future

While this year’s anniversary recalls the laying of the 1825 foundation stone, there are further milestones ahead. In just three years’ time, the church will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its great east end. That event, too, will provide an opportunity for reflection and celebration.

For now, parishioners and townsfolk alike are invited to join in the September festivities — to mark 200 years since the church we know today began to rise from the foundations of its medieval predecessor.

As one of Epsom’s most enduring landmarks, St Martin’s stands not only as a house of worship but also as a witness to the town’s history. Its tower and walls have looked down on 200 years of change. In celebrating this anniversary, the community also honours the generations who built, rebuilt, and preserved Epsom’s parish church at the heart of civic life.