Two ex-Surrey Police officers have been banned from the profession for gross misconduct after engaging in sexual activity on various occasions at police stations whilst on duty.

One former officer was found to have given oral sex to her tutor police officer whilst on duty at Horley Police Station. PC B admitted to performing the sex act on her tutor, PC C, and allegedly told another officer she gave oral sex on a sergeant’s desk at Caterham Police Station. Mr C has continued to deny the allegations.

Epsom and Ewell Times has withheld the names of the former officers involved as we take the view that the news-worthiness in the report is the handling of these matters by our local police force.

The police misconduct hearing panel, held on July 25, found Ms B and Mr C “neglected their duties for their own gratification”. The pair breached professional standards by engaging in sexually inappropriate behaviour whilst on duty.

Evidence was heard from another police officer who said Ms B had admitted to her that she and former PC C had engaged in sexual activity on a number of occasions at Caterham and Horley Police Stations. One officer said she saw former PC’s B and C “getting up off the floor and laughing” after interrupting them “in a darkened room” at Caterham Police Station.

Report documents state the pair were alleged to be “kissing and cuddling” whilst on duty at Horley Police Station, a quieter station, on January 15, 2023. A police officer and former colleague said that he saw Mr C coming out of a dark room with his “outer layer tee-shirt untucked” and not wearing any police protective equipment such as body armour and belt kit. The officer walked past the room which former PC C had left and saw Ms B facing away from him, appearing to be tying up her hair.

Concerned with what he saw, the officer reported it to an inspector who checked in with Ms B’s welfare after her shift. Ms B stated that former PC C had not behaved inappropriately to her and denied anything of a sexual nature happened between them.

But Ms B allegedly admitted to an officer she was in a relationship with former PC C. Mr C’s wife also provided a statement to the panel, in which she said in April 2023, her husband confirmed that “he had an affair with a trainee officer at work”.

In lying to a senior officer about her relationship with Mr C, the panel found the former PC B clearly breached the “most serious” standard of honesty in police professional behaviour.

Making matters worse, the panel considered that both former officers “deliberately” went to the “quieter” Horley station to carry out their sexual activities. Their sexual conduct was “repeated and sustained” over a period of time and in secret because “the officers knew it was wrong”, according to the report.

Members considered that former PC C was especially deserving of blame as he was former PC B’s tutor constable, meaning he had leadership responsibilities for mentoring her. The panel claimed he “failed” to act as a role model to Ms B.

Ms B was also criticised as she “failed to raise concern” about the alleged relationship when reportedly given an opportunity to do so by an inspector and instead lied to her. “No real remorse” was shown by either party and it was noted that Ms B refused to hand over her personal phone in full cooperation with the investigation.

The panel agreed the former officer’s behaviour amounted to gross misconduct and it would undermine trust and confidence in policing if the public had been aware. They found the pair “neglected” their duties and responsibilities whilst on duty at a police station, and “discredited” the force.

Both officers resigned from the force in July 2023 while the investigation was still ongoing. The panel concluded the former officers’ behaviour amounted to gross misconduct worthy of dismissal.

Head of Professional Standards, Superintendent Andy Rundle, said; “Surrey Police expects a high level of professionalism from our officers and staff. The misconduct process for those who do not meet those standards is stringent and we will take all action within our power to ensure that those who do meet these standards are dealt with robustly.

“The hearing found that if former PCs B and C had not already resigned, they would have been dismissed without notice. Both former officers’ details will also now be placed on the College of Policing barred list indefinitely.”

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

Surrey Police purchased the featured premises in Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, in 2019 for over £20 million. The address is just over 5 miles from Epsom High Street and is in the recently expanded Epsom and Ewell Constituency. Will the intended move reported below improve policing in our area?

Surrey Police’s plan to move 400 officers from Reigate to Leatherhead has triggered calls for guarantees on response times and street presence from the area’s MP.

People must not be made to suffer longer police response times or fewer officers on the streets over the police’s decision to permanently move its eastern headquarters from Reigate to Leatherhead, the East Surrey MP has said.

Surrey Police vacated Reigate Police Station last year and shared offices with Surrey Fire and Rescue after dangerous aerated concrete, known as RAAC –  which can collapse without warning – was found throughout the base.

It has now taken the decision to permanently move out of the borough with up to 400 officers and staff moving across – although a long-term site within Reigate and Banstead for its Safer Neighbourhood Team is still being sought.

It says the move demonstrates the force’s commitment to retaining an operational base in the heart east Surrey and will allow it to maintain a visible presence in the communities it serves, fight crime and protect people.

East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho has written to the force demanding assurances it can deliver on those promises.

She said: “While the RAAC issue at Reigate Police Station must be resolved, residents in the east of the county will want assurances that a move to Leatherhead will not cause longer response times or less police presence on the streets.

“I have written to Surrey Police to get these assurances for residents and I will be discussing what this means for our area when I meet local officers in the coming weeks.”

Surrey Police had to leave Reigate Police Station permanently after RAAC was found throughout the building, and in October 2023 it moved staff into Wray Park, Reigate, on a temporary basis  with Surrey Fire and Rescue.

From there it began its search for a long-term solution including the demolition and rebuild of Reigate Police Station.

Surrey Police said the decision to refurbish its Leatherhead site, bought in 2018, was “based on operational requirements, partnerships with other public services, best value for the residents of Surrey, and long-term viability for the Force itself.”

The former Electrical Research Association and Cobham Industries site in Leatherhead was bought when Surrey Police had planned to sell off its Mount Browne headquarters in Guilford and relocate its main HQ across the county.

Instead the force decided to close its central Guildford police station, refurbish Mount Browne, and offload the Leatherhead industrial site but the enforced closure of Reigate Police Station has meant a rethink about its East Surrey division and the new plan hatched.

This recommendation was approved on August 6 at the Estates Strategy Board.

Tim De Meyer, Surrey Police’s chief constable, said, “The desired move to Leatherhead shows our commitment to retain an operational base in the heart of the East of Surrey where we can maintain a visible policing presence in the communities we serve, to fight crime and protect people.

“This is an opportunity to build a new divisional headquarters which will be operationally fit for purpose and serve the east of our county for many years to come.”

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, said, “This is exciting news and if we get planning approval gives us a unique opportunity to build a bespoke divisional HQ that is fit for purpose for our hard-working police teams on the east of the county.

“The situation with RAAC at Reigate Police Station has presented us with some difficult and unexpected challenges and I would like to pay tribute to all those officers, staff and volunteers for their patience and understanding over the last year.

“I am well aware of the importance Surrey residents place on local policing, and I want to reassure people living in Reigate and Banstead that the neighbourhood presence in their communities will not be affected by these plans.

“There have been some tough choices to make but I believe that Leatherhead presents us with the best option in providing both value for money for Surrey residents and an eastern HQ that is fit for a modern police force.”

Councillor Paul Kennedy, Mole Valley District Council’s cabinet member for internal services and security, said: “While any proposals remain subject to planning permission, this potentially signals yet another boost to the town, alongside the progress of our Transform Leatherhead initiative.

With the addition of an HQ and around 400 members of staff comes the promise of a boost in footfall into the town centre and a positive impact on the local economy.”

Surrey Police said it is still committed to having a presence in every borough and district and that there will be a minimum of one front counter facility in each.

They added that, while locations will be reviewed, there will be no reductions than we currently provided, and no reduction in service.

Image: Premises bought by Surrey Police in 2019 for £20,485,000. Google street view.

The class of 2024 at Rosebery School Sixth Form did themselves proud with one in three A level results including an A* or A.

The excellent results also saw 86 per cent of students achieve grades A* to C and the average vocational qualification saw a distinction, so it was celebrations all round.

“These results are a testament to the unwavering hard work, dedication and determination of our exceptional cohort,” said David Lach, Head of School.

“We could not be prouder of the Class of 2024. We have always known they were a special and talented group, and we are delighted that their efforts have resulted in such fantastic outcomes. Well done, girls!”

There were many outstanding results, but to highlight a few of the school’s most notable performers: Ysabel C was awarded an incredible 4 A*, Ilana A and Edith P achieved 3 A*s and 1 A, Rachel A achieved 4 A grades. Jessica W received 3A*s. Connie H, Becca J, Elizabeth Q P and Maya S were awarded 2A*s and an A in their core A levels but with Maya and Connie also achieving an A* in their EPQ.  

“Following the school’s recent Outstanding Ofsted Judgement for Sixth Form Provision, and building on last year’s record-breaking results, Rosebery School Sixth Form continues to excel and grow stronger each year – with the school receiving a record number of both internal and external applications to join the Sixth Form in September,” said Mr Lach.

The action continues at Epsom Downs this week with a competitive six-race card on offer for punters heading to the track on Friday 16th August.

Racing gets underway at 1.40 with a class five nursery contest before rounding off at 4.35 as eight runners tackle a class five handicap. 

Read below to discover the latest tips for Epsom’s card on Friday, courtesy of OLBG:

The opening race of the afternoon (1.40) sees a field of nine head to the start for the class five nursery for two-year-old’s. Liberty Bird was a runner up last time out at Leicester for trainer Charlie Johnston and gets the nod here to bag a second win of the campaign, having been victorious at Beverley in June. Enchanted Eye rates the main danger from the Eve Johnson Houghton yard, a good second on nursery debut at Leicester 29 days ago. 

A small field of four will take on race two of the afternoon at Epsom in the maiden fillies’ stakes (2.15) over the seven furlong distance. The Amy Murphy-trained Creative Lady is the clear pick on form here, a decent second in a Lingfield maiden last time out and is the one to beat here. Graduated, for trainer Dr Richard Newland, can fill the second spot, second at Brighton on her last spin. 

A class four handicap marks race three on the Friday card at 2.50, with eight runners set to travel over the six furlong sprint distance. Winner of this race last year, Musicka is back for another crack for trainer David O’Meara and has hit form at the right time with a second in a big-field handicap at York last month so is the one to beat again. Of his rivals, Tourist can make his presence felt if bouncing back to form following a fifth at Doncaster last time out.

Race four (3.25) is an 11-runner handicap in class six for horses aged three and older, with preference heading the way of Imperial Cult, who landed a career best when scoring in a 12-runner handicap at Lingfield 17 days ago to follow up another win at that venue a month previously so is taken to complete the hat trick here ahead of Corporate Raider, a Brighton winner in June and second at that track 45 days ago. 

The penultimate race on Epsom’s card this week arrives at 4.00 as six runners head to the start for the extended mile handicap in class five. Unreal Connection for trainer Amanda Perratt looks the one to beat here, a previous winner at Epsom who was fourth in a Sandown handicap when last seen. Eretat is the main danger, a cosy winner at Wolverhampton three weeks ago who is bidding to follow up. 

Finally, the card comes to a close with the class five handicap over seven furlongs (4.35) and eight runners will take it on, with preference heading the way of Marlay Park, a four-time course and distance winner who has yet to fire this season but is sliding down the weights as well as dropping in grade here.  

Epsom selections – Friday

1.40 – Liberty Bird

2.15 – Creative Lady

2.50 – Musicka 

3.25 – Imperial Cult

4.00 – Unreal Connection

4.35 – Marlay Park

_{Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0}

Epsom and Ewell 0-2 Jersey Bulls. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South – Tuesday 13th August 2024.

Jersey Bulls are not the sort of team you want to face, having just been hit for five goals in our previous outing. However, we acquitted ourselves fairly well on the day and a two goal defeat, the second of which came quite late, was a lot better than I had feared it might be. An attendance counted at just 84 was a disappointing one, considering the opposition.

In terms of personnel, Callum Wilson and Carl Oblitey returned to the starting line up, although Craig Dundas remained absent and Thompson Adeyemi was also missing, while Reece Tierney’s head injury ensured that he would not be available for selection either. Stefan Aiwone made his first start, while Kenny Antony was on the bench, but would join the fray later.

Our keeper Faebian Witter was in action early, diving low to his left to keep out a low free kick from James Sunlay and another shot went just over our crossbar as the visitors tried to assert themselves. They probably should have scored in the 18th minute but Fraser Barlow scuffed his shot wide from in front of goal. We had showed fairly little to this point, struggling to get the ball up to our front two, Oblitey and Will Kendall. However, Luke Miller took a long pass in his stride in the 25th minute and made tracks down the right, only for his ball across goal to be spooned over the bar by Oblitey from eighteen yards.

The visitors were doing more of the work, but we were keeping them mostly at arm’s length. A free kick was sent into the wall by Barlow, before Sunray got down the right wing after some clever interplay, but there was no one on the end of his cross. They had a penalty shout in the 31st minute after Witter collided with a visiting player, but it looked ambitious and nothing was given. However, four minutes later they took the lead after a right wing cross was met at the far post by a header from Miguel Carvalho that Toby Young tried to keep out, but was unable to, with both he and the ball ending up in the net.

We had a decent chance in the 38th minute with a free kick. Adam Green’s delivery was flapped at by the Jersey keeper Evan van der Vliet under pressure from Oblitey and the ball was nodded back to Kendall whose header entered the net, despite an attempt to block it with the hand of a defender. Just as we were wondering whether the defender would be penalised for the handball, it transpired that the Assistant’s flag had already been raised for an offside against Oblitey and the chance was gone. Wilson then blocked a good effort just before the break and the teams went in separated by just the one goal.

The second half followed a similar pattern, although we did register a shot on target just after the hour mark when Fabio Nunes struck at goal from twenty-five yards, providing Van der Vliet with a comfortable save. Carlos Polo-Infante came on for Alex Kodjo but we never had the chance to see whether this would make a difference as in the 69th minute Young was sent off for a challenge on Carvalho that was extremely solid, but just a little high for the referee’s liking.

The extra man enabled the visitors to attack with a little more freedom and in the 78th minute they had a second goal with a move that started on the right and was finished off from a narrow angle by Jonny Le Quesne. Although we had battled well to this point, Jersey did deserve that two goal lead and despite a late cameo from Antony, which included one mazy run, there was more chance that we would concede again and Aiwone did really well to block a shot from Lorne Bickley who had scored both goals against us when we last visited the island in September of last year.

Witter made a good block from a volley at goal from the subsequent half cleared corner and the final whistle blew soon after. Whilst always disappointing to lose, it was maybe no surprise that we would concede twice as this was our fourth meeting and Jersey have scored two goals in each of them. No one could argue that the better side had won, but from an Epsom point of view, this was a marked improvement on our Saturday shocker against Guildford City and although we face another difficult match on Saturday, a hard working shift is the minimum requirement expected by the supporters. I believe we got that in this match.

Epsom & Ewell: Faebian Witter, Toby Young, Callum Wilson, Adam Green ©, Stefan Aiwone, Fabio Nunes, Luke Miller, Axel Kodjo, Will Kendall, Carl Oblitey, Ethan Nelson-Roberts

Subs: Carlos Polo-Infante for Kodjo (67), Kenny Antony for Oblitey (86)

What’s it like being neighbours to one of the biggest theme parks in the UK? “It depends if you like screaming,” residents say. Living next to Thorpe Park has split opinion with some locals saying they like the ‘nice screams’ and others saying they struggle to sit in the garden.

The park, between Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey, has recently introduced its newest and biggest ride, Hyperia. Some locals said they could hear the screams and noise from the ride about a mile away on opening day, but not all of the park’s neighbours are bothered by it. 

Joyce Hunt, 93, has lived next to the theme park for 40 odd years and “loves to hear” the screaming. She said: “It’s great to see young people go and enjoy it. They have a good scream there.” Joyce said the park was handy when her grandchildren were young and she could walk to the park with them. 

Bricklayer Kevin Nye, 52, said it’s “great” living next to the park and hearing the “nice screams”. He moved into the street eight years ago for “peace and quiet”. Although it’s busy in the summer, Kevin said it’s calmer the rest of the year.

But one couple said Thorpe Park “encroaches on [our] daily lives” and they “don’t leave the house after 5pm”. Jackie, 55, said the traffic on the roads is so bad after the theme park closes she “doesn’t bother” leaving the house. One time, Jackie said she was stuck on the roundabout for 25 minutes, when her home was just a short walk away.

“It’s one of the reasons why we’re thinking about moving away from Surrey,” said Jackie, “Staines is too congested”. Jackie and partner Neil, 60, moved to the area 20 years ago when Thorpe was just a “small park” but now they say the number of customers is “out of proportion”. 

First opened in 1979, Thorpe Park has grown from strength to strength and expanded its rides and attraction offerings. A spokesperson for Thorpe Park said it has not received any complaints from local residents next door to the park about recent issues of parking, noise or litter. 

Sitting outside in the garden, the couple said it’s not so much the screams that disturb them but the click click clicking of the rides as the cars climb to the top, and the sudden whoosh that follows on its way down. With Halloween parties, late functions in the evening- the pair said it’s “never quiet”. 

Other locals, like Alan, 59, said he “didn’t want to sound like an old fogey” but sometimes the PA system for the autumn functions was “too loud” and lasted until 11pm at night. But he accepted it is a theme park: “What do you expect? There are worse things to live next to.”

Thrill-seekers visiting Thorpe sometimes park down residential streets around the site to avoid paying parking fees. Although some neighbours said they “don’t blame” people for trying to save a few quid, one couple had even taken to putting bricks on the curb outside of their house to stop people parking.

Liz and Barry Taylor, 58 and 73, said people parking outside their house at the weekends can cause a lot of traffic and congestion down their quiet road. They said sometimes they struggle to get out of their drives and dodge other cars, but it has not been “too bad” since Hyperia opened. “It’s alright,” said Liz, “but I’d rather it wasn’t there.”

Not all the neighbours mind it: Johanna said it is “no problem”, adding that she is “all in favour of working people” trying to save money. She said: “When you think about the problems of the world- it’s nothing. They are youngsters.”

Neighbours raised issues of people chucking litter out of their car and onto the kerb as hometime comes around. “Lots of rubbish gets left along the road,” said Joanne Bolton, 65. She moved next door to the park three years ago to be closer to her daughter. Residents complained of fast food packaging and wrappers being thrown out of cars and “left tumbling down the street” before people drive home. 

But Joanne said: “I like looking out at the green area [of trees around the park]. If that goes I’d be mad.” Although she “quite likes the screaming”, she gets more wound up about the planes that fly over her garden.

A Thorpe Park spokesperson said: “Thorpe Park is very much part of the local community we operate within and has been positively contributing to the local area for 45 years. We strive to do all we can to ensure we keep our local residents, staff and guests happy, and we pride ourselves on being an established part of the community, taking our responsibility as a good neighbour seriously. We have a long-standing positive relationship with our local residents and this is something we value and want to maintain.”

The vast majority of park guests visit for a single day. “Substantial” on-site car parking is available, along with good public transport links near Staines Train Station. The Thorpe Park Express bus transports guests directly between Staines Train Station and Thorpe Park at regular intervals during the day and during operational hours.

The spokesperson added: “Here at Thorpe Park we pride ourselves on being a significant employer of local people. Our teams work closely with our local community to ensure we are giving back to our local area and contributing towards making it a positive place to live and work on a number of levels.” 

“Thorpe Park worked hard to support the residents association in working with Cllr Hulley and Surrey Highways to bring improvements to the roundabout – at our own cost – to accelerate and resolve long standing issues impacting residents.”

Some more of these initiatives include Site Conservation teams doing daily litter picking along the main road leading to Thorpe Park, in both directions, and beyond the perimeter. Teams also make regular landscaping support from our teams to ensure local green spaces are kept well maintained.

_{Image: Suntooooth License details}

Hundreds of people desperate for social housing will finally have homes to call their own after a seven storey block was approved – despite concerns it would blight historic views from Box Hill.

There are 640 names on Mole Valley District Council’s housing waiting list and the plans, approved on Wednesday, August 7, will add 126 new affordable homes to the borough’s stock.

Developers Clarion Housing Group will demolish the existing office and residential buildings at the vacant Regent House. The homes will be spread across two blocks ranging from three to seven with shops on the ground floor.

Officers told the meeting the council was behind its housing targets and the huge number of affordable housing on offer meant it was hard not to recommend the proposals.

Of the 640 names on the council’s housing waiting list, 218 households are currently waiting for two bed units and this development will accommodate 42 per cent of those with a further 10 per cent of the 316 households waiting for one-bed homes also set to benefit.

Councillor Monica Weller (Liberal Democrat:  Bookham West) said: “I am particularly mindful of the horrendous number of people on the housing list.

“That really is quite shocking, 640 on the housing list. A lot of my time is spent with people who are actually living with a partner and children in their parents houses or homes or flats.

“The situation is actually dire and I think there are a lot of people who don’t actually realise that.

“A lot of people who I have contact with do not have cars, they can’t afford cars, and I think that with this site so close to Dorking, it is walkable.

She added: “I am particularity interested in the National Trust’s case about the view from Box Hill but seeing the proposal from the planning officer and the photographs I think there is a limit to how much we can protect these views weighed against the need for homes

Some spoke out against the plans and warned of a “slippery slope” of allowing too many tall buildings.

Andrew Holden speaking on behalf of a number of residents in Lincoln Road and the surrounding area said a development with fewer floors could still provide a large number of homes while minimising the impact on the area.

He told the meeting: “The view of Dorking from Box Hill and to visitors arriving by train will be of a significant cluster of multi-storey  buildings thoroughly out of character with our historic market town.

“To avoid this slippery slope leading to irreversible harm, its important that councillors draw a clear line in the sand of what the scale of development is appropriate n this area..”

The plans were approved unanimously by planning committee members.

Image: New homes set for Dorking (credit Clarion Housing)

Children and young people using mental health services have been taking part in a ‘My Voice Matters’ exhibition, which allows participants to express themselves through the medium of art.

 The exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the talents of the children, young people, parents and carers and to support them in using art to tell us how their voices matter.  The “My Voice Matters” Exhibition opens from 2pm on August 27 and runs until September 6 at The Horton Arts Centre in Epsom. 

Children and young people who use services such as STARS and New Leaf were invited to create art and encouraged to think about how their voice matters. “I feel satisfied when I do art,” said a young person who contributed to the exhibition. “It is simple.” They are displaying a painting called ‘Flowers’ at the show. 

“Being able to express yourself through art can be a therapeutic experience for some but can also during the process release traumatic thoughts, experiences, and feelings,” said Rebecca Robertson, who works as a Specialist Mental Health Therapist within STARS and is also a qualified Art Therapist. She explained: “It’s not just the finished image, which is useful, but also the process of creating it.” 

New Leaf and STARS provide specialist mental health services for children in Surrey.  They offer trauma and attachment therapy to children in care, care leavers, adopted children and those subject to Special Guardianship Orders (New Leaf) and children who have suffered sexual trauma (STARS).  The service is delivered by Mindworks Surrey. 

The STARS service supports children and young people who have been affected by sexual abuse and assault. The New Leaf Service supports children and young people who are in care, leaving care, adopted or under special guardianship orders.

Emina Atic-Lee, Service Manager for STARS and New Leaf services, said: “Last year’s exhibition received the most incredible feedback from young people, their carers and families, as well as the members of the local community who visited. We are really pleased to be able to put on another exhibition this year.”

The exhibition is free to enter and showcases artwork by both young people and their parents/carers and staff.

_{Image: Sibling painting from My Voice Matters exhibition. (Credit: Surrey and Border Partnership NHS Trust)}

Epsom and Ewell 0-5 Guildford City. Combined Counties League – Premier Division South. Saturday 10th August 2024. On Tuesday our club acclaimed a “great” performance in defeating Step Four Phoenix Sports; a club that faced severe budget cuts and a new Manager who started eleven new players against us in the first tie, and who will surely struggle this season at that level. I wrote at the time that it had been a solid performance but nothing more. Fast forward four days and I was proven right as we threw in a shocker to open our League season as Guildford City; one of the few teams to finish below us last season, handed us a five goal lesson at King George’s Field and provided a reminder that no club in this League will give us anything unless we earn it in every single game.

We were missing Carl Oblitey, Callum Wilson and Craig Dundas from Tuesday’s win, with Kenny Antony coming back in to the starting line up and at the back Reece Tierney made his first start of the season, alongside new signing Axel Kodjo. Just 93 were present, despite the sunshine, to witness this display which was probably just as well! It was also disappointing to note that our club have now increased adult prices to £9 and as a result we now charge as much as anyone in this division and more than most, which I wish they had been open and honest about, instead of sneaking it under the radar and hoping no one would notice. When considering our finishing position of 16th last season, it’s hard to see the justification for this increase at a time when they should be trying to attract supporters. A lazy “double-issue” programme priced at £2.50 didn’t help either. In fifteen years as programme editor, I only ever did that over Bank Holidays when printers were closed and can confirm from much experience in this area that the excuses provided within the programme for doing this were bogus. If our new Editor wants some help or advice, he only has to drop me a line.

We had an opening warning as early as the sixth minute when Manny Acheampong was left in a lot of space on the right, requiring Faebian Witter to make a really good low save to deny him from only twelve yards. However, we didn’t heed the warning and five minutes later they worked their way down the left, dragging our players across and leaving Darnell Jon-Peter with an easy finish when the ball was sent over to him on the right.

This was frustrating, but there was plenty of time left to rectify matters if we could improve, and to be fair things did get better for a while. Luke Miller combined well with Thompson Adeyemi to set up Antony, only for our striker to miss his kick completely from the edge of the area. Antony redeemed himself by hitting the target with his next effort after some really clever skill from Ethan Nelson-Roberts, but visiting keeper Jacob Terry made a good block at the near post. Then Miller sent in a good delivery that was flicked on and punched out off a defender for a corner, from which the ball was half cleared to Will Kendall at an angle and on the edge of the area, but his powerful strike cleared the bar by about a foot.

It was looking as though we were quite likely to get back into this match, but in the 34th minute the game took a fatal turn as a cross in from the left was met with a close range header that Adam Green did really well to tip over the bar. The only problem was that Green was not our keeper and his inevitable red card, followed by Jake Brown’s penalty conversion, left us in a mess. Some might say that his actions were instinctive and I’d agree with that if he were our keeper! In fact, I’d say it was a worthwhile thing to do, had we been defending a narrow lead towards the end of the game, but at 1-0 down, the handball was inexcusable. Green will also now have to serve a one match suspension, which I believe will be our next F.A. Cup tie on Saturday.

In difficult situations like this, you often find out how your players will react, but nothing really happened by way attacking threat, with our only chance coming in the third minute of first half injury time when a great pass from Nelson-Roberts was chested down by Miller and he was through on goal from a slight angle, but Terry stood firm between the City posts and Miller uncharacteristically put his shot into the side netting from ten yards. Had it gone in, maybe it would have given us a chance of second half redemption, but instead we went in completely deflated.

Our Manager understandably made changes at the interval with Carlos Polo-Infante and Stefan Aiwone (called Hiwone by the club) coming on for Antony and Thompson Adeyemi respectively, but the visitors came out in confident mood against the ten men and extended their lead in the 50th minute with a strike that was at least twenty-five yards out and swerved viciously away from Witter who had no chance as it flew into the top corner. Even their keeper Terry said “he’ll never score another one like that again!” It was a wonderful strike, and nine minutes later there was another one of high quality, as Malachi Cole made it 4-0 when we were caught cold by a short free kick; the Guildford man cutting back and striking across Witter into the far corner from a narrow angle. It clearly wasn’t going to be our day today!

Things got worse still in the 67th minute after we again failed to react to a deep free kick to the far post that was put back across by Tobi Falodi with Young being unable to clear the ball off the line before it had crossed. However, the visitors X feed advised this as an own goal, so clearly it wasn’t quite as straightforward as I described. Either way though it was 0-5.

With fifteen minutes remaining Polo-Infante sent in a good cross from the right that was met by a bullet header from Kendall from just inside the penalty area that Terry reacted superbly to tip over the bar. This was a superb passage of football from both teams and we then saw Young’s header from the subsequent corner aim goalwards, only to hit teammate and debutant substitute Sean Omoigiade-Agun and rebound to safety!

Witter made two more good saves and we finished with nine men after Tierney suffered a head injury and had to leave the field in the 85th minute. Although the visitors then hit the post with a low shot in the 92nd minute, they were unable to breach our defences again and the referee helped us out here by only playing four minutes of injury time, despite there being closer to ten minutes expected in my opinion.

So what positives can we take from this defeat? As you might expect, not many. Witter did as well as he could and from where I was, I don’t believe he could have done any more with the goals. Kendall provided a threat on occasions, but the whole task was rendered impossible after Green’s unnecessary red card. With very difficult looking home matches coming up against Jersey Bulls and Hayes & Yeading United in the next seven days, it will take a monumentally better performance than this one if we are to get anything out of either of those contests. If we do, then they truly will be “great” performances.

Epsom & Ewell: Faebian Witter, Toby Young, Reece Tierney, Adam Green ©, Axel Kodjo, Fabio Nunes, Luke Miller, Thompson Adeyemi, Will Kendall, Kenny Antony, Ethan Nelson-Roberts

Subs: Carlos Polo-Infante for Antony (HT), Stefan Aiwone for Adeyemi (HT), Sean Omoigiade-Agun for Nelson-Roberts (62), Sirak Negassi for Miller (70)

_{Report Source: www.eefconline.co.uk}

Wine aficionados will soon be able to sample the delights of pinot noir, chardonnay, and cabernet in their famous fermented form after a Surrey Hills vineyard was granted planning permission to build a new tasting room.

The Tanhurst Estate, on the southern slopes of Leith Hill began planting grapes in spring of 2020 as part of a growing shift away from traditional hay and dairy farming.

The family, who have been living amidst the semi-ancient woodland there for the past 40 years, decided the best way to promote their wines was to let people visit and sample the fruits of their labour. At Mole Valley District Council’s Wednesday August 7 planning committee, their efforts became a reality after members unanimously granted approval.

Speaking to the committee, the owners said: “The estate, has been in my wife’s family since 1826. The estate comprises traditional farmland and semi ancient woodlands. The estate used to have milking herds but this became unviable in the 1980s although there remains a small herd of beef cows on the estate.”

He added: “In order to keep its agricultural use we needed to find an alternative and economically viable way to farm the land so we consulted two of the most respected vineyard consultants in the country.” The land’s southern slopes make it ideal for growing grapes as it allows the berries to soak up as much sunshine as possible, while the hilly terrain helps water run off.

He said: “I believe the general public enjoy visiting vineyards and this is part of the experience of enjoying a bottle of wine that they buy. They need to see where the grapes were grown to understand the process the grapes have been through; from growing on the vine, to harvest, to fermentation in the tanks, and then bottling.

“We do all this at Birketts Farm. We are a small scale business and therefore rely on selling directly to customers and this requires interaction at the point of sale. We need to use these barns for wine tasting and other events in order to persuade customers that our wine is made totally on site, available, and worth the money they pay for English wine -once they see how much time and passion and effort goes into making it.”

The plans for the Birketts Farm, in Tanhurst Lane, Abinger, allow for the existing barns to be converted and used for wine tasting and associated sales, as well as for hosting educational classes and private events and a cafe. There will also be added onsite parking and toilet facilities.