Month: March 2026

College CEO Remarkable Trio of Honours

Julie Kapsalis, CEO and Principal at Nescot College in Epsom, has achieved a remarkable trio of prestigious awards – including an MBE –  in recognition of her leadership, dedication, and outstanding contribution across the region.
 
Julie’s year of accolades began with national recognition in the King’s 2026 New Year’s Honours List, celebrating her transformative work as Chair of the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from 2020–2025. During her tenure, Julie championed and delivered major investments in skills, infrastructure and business support, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s economic landscape. This week, Julie was presented with her MBE for Services to Economic Development by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.
 
The success didn’t stop there. At the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards on 19 March, Dee Mathieson, Chair of the Gatwick Diamond Business Council, presented Julie with the Outstanding Contribution to the Gatwick Diamond Award — a special accolade widely celebrated by colleagues, partners, and all who have worked with her. The citation shared: “Over the span of two decades Julie’s career in economic development, skills enterprise and inclusive growth has made her one of the region’s most influential and transformative leaders. For her exceptional leadership, her sustained dedication to the region, and the tangible, lasting positive impact of her work, Julie is a profoundly deserving winner.”
 
Rounding off an extraordinary week, Julie was also named ‘Gamechanger of the Year’ at the Dynamic Business Awards in Brighton on 26 March. The award celebrates businesswomen who deliver significant, positive change within their industries — something Julie has consistently demonstrated through her bold leadership, commitment to innovation, and passion for skills development.
 
NESCOT College Julie KapsalisJulie Kapsalis, CEO & Principal at Nescot said: “I love working in this incredible region, building networks and (hopefully) making a difference. This recognition and the awards are shared with the wonderful colleagues I’ve worked with over the last 25 years, including at Nescot, Chichester College Group and Coast to Capital LEP. Meeting the Prince of Wales was such a proud moment – and made all the more special by having my family with me.”
 

Bursary to help tackle sports inequality

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches bursary to help tackle sports inequality

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) is proud to launch its Access to Activity bursary, designed to help tackle the financial challenges that may prevent 12–15-year-olds in the borough from taking part in sport.

The bursary offers up to £200 to help fund, or part fund, sports club membership costs, subscriptions and match fees. It is open to young people who receive free school meals and/or whose parents or guardians receive Universal Credit payments, and those who are living or have previously lived in care.

The bursary will open to applications on Monday 30 March 2026 and will close on 31 December 2026, or when the funding has been fully allocated.

The bursary will see a variety of local sports clubs participate throughout the year, and more clubs are welcome to apply to take part.

The bursary supports the aims of EEBC’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2025-28) which focuses on increasing physical activity, improving wellbeing and reducing health inequalities in Epsom and Ewell.

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeCouncillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community & Wellbeing Committee, commented: “We know that for many families, the cost of taking part in sport can be a real obstacle. By helping to ease financial pressures, the Access to Activity bursary can help ensure 12–15-year-olds can take part in a sport they enjoy, feel included and thrive! We encourage parents, guardians and young people to explore what’s available and apply.

“Through our Health and Wellbeing Strategy, we remain committed to supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of our children and young people. The bursary now offers eligible older children the same opportunity that younger children received through our first Young Legends programme, launched last year to help 9–11-year-olds build confidence, learn new skills and form social connections. Having seen the positive impact on participants, we’re excited that Young Legends will return this summer.

“We would like to thank our partners for their invaluable support with the Access to Activity bursary and the many community activities delivered throughout the year. Their help is essential in bringing our strategy to life.”

Application process

This is a one-off grant, and priority will be given to eligible residents who have not received an EEBC grant aimed at facilitating access to physical activity in the past five years.

If the 12–15-year-old is eligible, applicants will need to follow this process:

        1. arrange a taster session directly with participating sports club – the list of participating clubs can be found on the council’s website and it will be updated on an ongoing basis
        2. following the taster, if the 12–15-year-old wants to continue and enrol with the club, the council’s application form will need to be completed
        3. EEBC will then be in touch to confirm next steps.

Note: If the application is successful, the applicant will be asked to contact the sports club directly to enrol in their chosen activity.

All information about the Access to Activity bursary — including eligibility, the application form and participating sports clubs (updated as the bursary progresses) — can be found here: https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/access-to-activity 

For any questions, email the Community Development team at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council: [email protected]

 

Review – The Victoria Pie Club

We were invited to experience Thursday night Pie Club at 3 AA Rosette pub The Victoria, and it’s safe to say this is no ordinary pie and mash—this is a more refined, indulgent take that’s absolutely worth seeking out.

Set along Oxshott High Street, the pub blends a cosy country charm with a modern touch. It’s dog-friendly, relaxed, and instantly welcoming, with a warm atmosphere that’s matched by genuinely attentive and friendly staff who make you feel right at home from the moment you arrive.

The Victoria Pie ClubThe Pie Club menu keeps things simple, offering a choice of two freshly made pies, each cooked to order. There’s a short wait of around 20–25 minutes, but the quality more than justifies the patience. We went with the Steak and Guinness Pie which had a bone in the middle with melting butter and marrow bone. The pie is served with creamy mashed potato, seasonal vegetables, and a generous helping of parsley liquor, creating a comforting yet elevated dish.

The Victoria Pie Club

The pastry is a standout—light, crisp, and golden—while the filling truly steals the show. The steak is beautifully tender, melting in the mouth, and the pies are generously packed with rich, flavourful filling. There’s no skimping here.

We were initially unsure about sharing a pie between two, but any doubts quickly disappeared once the food arrived. The portions are impressively generous, and by the end of the meal, we were both completely satisfied.

The Victoria Pie ClubAt £70 for two—including a 500ml carafe of Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon (or the option to swap for individual 250ml glasses or a pint of Victoria Lager or Victoria Hazy IPA)—it represents excellent value for the quality and experience on offer.

All in all, Pie Club at The Victoria delivers a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience: comforting food done exceptionally well, generous portions, and a welcoming pub atmosphere that makes it an easy choice for a return visit.

THE VICTORIA, OXSHOTT WEBSITE 

Review – Colombo Kitchen

At the top of Worcester Park Central Road is the Colombo Kitchen, which offers a vibrant introduction to authentic Sri Lankan cuisine — perfect for anyone like me trying it for the very first time.

colombo kitchenWe started with a sharing platter. This consisted of 2 Vadai, a spiced, doughnut-shaped fritters served with creamy coconut sambal, 2 fish cutlets, a spicy breaded croquette, 2 mutton rolls, a fried savoury crepe roll with a spicy, juicy mutton filling and 2 fish Pattis, a spicy empanada with fish filling encased in a flaky, buttery crust

Colombo KitchenWith this, we tried a traditional Sri Lankan street food dish egg hoppers,  The hoppers were particularly interesting: delicate bowl-shaped pancakes served with fried onion, coconut and a fiery raw onion and chilli relish that certainly wakes up the taste buds. This was a great way to sample a range of flavours.

 

Colombo KitchenFor mains we chose the king prawn curry, a dish inspired by the chef’s  home town, perfectly cooked prawns in a mildly spiced fragrant, creamy coconut curry and Negombo black pork, A traditional curry made with Negombo dark roast curry powder. These were accompanied by saffron rice and rotti. The restaurant allows you to choose your spice level, and I opted for a medium — what they describe as “English spicy.” Even at this level, the black pork delivered a wonderful tangy heat that lingered pleasantly.

Colombo KitchenOne of the highlights of the visit was the live kitchen visible from the restaurant area, which adds a sense of theatre and excitement as you watch the dishes being freshly prepared.

Service was excellent throughout. We weren’t entirely sure what to order, but the manager, Dinuka, was incredibly helpful and guided us to the perfect choices. His recommendations were spot on.

The restaurant itself strikes a nice balance in atmosphere — very clean, comfortably lit (not dark, but not overly bright) and with a relaxed, welcoming feel.

Portion sizes are generous. In fact, we found that one portion of rice was more than enough for the two of us.

There’s also a selection of traditional Sri Lankan desserts on the menu for those wanting to complete the experience, but we were full.

Overall, Colombo Kitchen is a fantastic place to discover the bold, aromatic flavours of Sri Lanka, delivered with friendly service and a lively atmosphere. A great choice whether you’re already a fan of Sri Lankan cuisine or trying it for the first time. Takeaway deliveries are also available.

For More Details or To Book Click Here Colombo Kitchen