Month: November 2022

1922 bike restored in time for centenary celebrations.

Brooklands Motorcycle Team restore 1922 bike in time for centenary celebrations.

Friday 25th November 2022 marks the centenary of the last land speed record set by a motorcycle at the Brooklands motor circuit in 1922, and also the unveiling of the newly restored Rudge motorcycle from the Museum’s collection. It was a dry and sunny November morning on the Railway Straight, when the team wheeled out the 1922 988cc V-Twin Rudge, unlike 100 years before, when the original riders had set records through damp and overcast conditions, and on the uneven surfaces of the famous Brooklands motor racing circuit.

Current members of the Brooklands Motorcycle Team and Museum volunteers Martin Gegg, Gareth Pemberton and Ian Dabney were on a mission to bring the motorcycle back to life in time for the centenary and had gathered a small group to witness what was hoped would be another historic day.

Martin Gegg said: “This is the very bike that set the last record of the season in 1922 and it was gifted to the Museum in 2019. We don’t how long it is since it last ran, but what we do know is that it was found in an orchard in 1956. It was in pretty good condition when we got it; we had to straighten out the frame and work on a few other things. but it’s looking good. Rudge spare parts are non-existent, so the team had to make the parts themselves, as authentically as possible. The carburettor, which was only installed this morning, is the final piece of the puzzle and we’re hoping that today will be the day we get to see the Rudge run again.”

Bert Mathers, one of the two riders. pictured on the 1922 Rudge at Brooklands before attempting to set a speed record.
Bert Mathers, one of the two riders. pictured on the 1922 Rudge at Brooklands before attempting to set a speed record.

Having spent the best part of 70 years in storage, the day had finally arrived to put the recommissioned machine to the test. After carrying out the safety checks and getting the team into position, the Rudge spluttered to life. With a little push from team-mate Ian, rider Gareth suddenly took off along the Railway Straight! Punching the air, Ian and Martin looked on with pride and beaming smiles as the Rudge drove down the iconic Railway Straight for the first time in 100 years, to sounds of cheers and applause, recreating a moment from Brooklands history.

Gareth Pemberton, said: “What an amazing experience! It was great to ride; it’s a fast bike but it was built to break records, so it’s what you’d expect. I didn’t get out of first gear, mainly because it was going fast enough in first – and the brakes are barely existent – but the controllability was very good, and the result is exactly what we had hoped for. I know the team will be pleased.”

The Rudge will be on display next year at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey.

Visit brooklandsmuseum.com to learn more about what’s on and to book advanced priced tickets.

Consultation on Epsom & Ewell’s Draft Local Plan going live in February 2023

The public consultation on Epsom & Ewell’s Draft Local Plan will start in early February 2023, and run for a six week period.

The Council’s Licensing and Planning Policy Committee approved these dates for the consultation at their meeting on 21 November 2022, after a delay due to the national period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, as well as to allow further member briefing sessions to be undertaken to enable members to fully engage with and help shape the Local Plan.

The Local Plan is the statutory plan setting out the principal policies and proposals for land use and development in the borough. It will set the vision and framework for future development of the borough to 2040, including addressing the provision of new homes, supporting the local economy, environmental considerations, and infrastructure needs. The Plan will allocate sites for development and set out a suite of policies used in decision making on planning matters.

The key milestones for the Local Plan are:

      • February – March 2023 – Draft Local Plan public consultation (Regulation 18)
      • February – March 2024 – Submission Public Consultation (Regulation 19)
      • June 2024 – Submission to the Secretary of State
      • Spring 2025 – Estimated date of Adoption

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, commented: “This Draft Local Plan public consultation (Regulation 18) is a crucial stage in the process of developing the Local Plan. It ensures local residents, businesses and stakeholders have the opportunity to engage and comment on the proposals, which are significant for our borough. There will be a wide variety of ways the local community can find out more about the Local Plan – watch this space for more information as the consultation period approaches.”

 

Update From Chris Grayling MP

Dear constituent

I am writing to share with you my contribution to the debate about the Epsom and Ewell Local Plan which is now beginning its formal process. I expect the Borough Council to publish its initial thinking about the plan shortly.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is currently in the process of publishing and developing its local plan for the area for the next 10-15 years. Every local authority is obliged to do this, and to explain how it will meet housing need, look after its local economy and protect its local environment.

Each council has also prepared an assessment of local housing need, based on national guidance of how to do this.

We clearly have a need for new homes locally. There are too many young people who grow up or are educated here but cannot afford to remain in the area. And we have a serious shortage of social housing.

The housing assessment for Epsom and Ewell is though impossibly high, and I have been clear both nationally and locally that we need to use the provisions in the National Planning Policy Framework that limit what is expected from a local council. Very probably this involves a battle with national planning inspectors, but I am ready to fight that battle for our area.

But we do need to do all we can to meet the housing need, and I have proposed a comprehensive redevelopment of the Kiln Lane and Longmead areas of Epsom to achieve this without building all over our green belt.

On my website, www.chrisgrayling.net you will find the original proposal document I put to the Borough three years ago to explain the rationale for the plan.

Since that time I have had several conversations with the Borough, and also organised the preparation of a draft masterplan by a firm of architects with local connections.

The picture below gives an overview of the plan, but there is a much more detailed presentation about it on my website.

The plan involves the construction of a mixed use area of development, with retail and offices on the lower floors and flats above, with some terraced housing on the site as well. This kind of mix is typical of what is being done elsewhere. The buildings would be no higher than those already in and around the town centre.

The scheme provides a comparable amount of commercial space to the present plus nearly 5,000 homes. The plan would be to have car showrooms and parking areas built upwards rather than across large areas of parking as at present. But over time I would expect the commercial space to attract more creative businesses, given the presence in Epsom of the University of the Creative Arts which is now one of the country’s leading institutions of its kind. It would also aim to provide more homes for younger people rather than simply building more executive homes on open land.

My worry is that developing the green belt is an easy option for the Council. It is always more complicated to reorganise what has already been developed than to build on a green field, but in our area it is much better to take the more difficult approach.

I hope this plan serves as a route for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to plot a different way forward and protect our open spaces.

 

Energy Crisis Update

Firstly a reminder that if you do not need your £400 rebate from the Government and are happy to use it to support the Epsom and Ewell Energy Efficiency Scheme, being organised with the Foodbank and Citizens Advice in Epsom to help those struggling with their bills, you can do so via this link.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/epsom-ewell-energy-support-scheme

Both organisations cover a wider area including Epsom Downs, Ashtead and Leatherhead, and so if you are based there your contribution will also be a big help.

Warm Space Schemes

In addition two local churches have also asked me to let you know that they are running Warm Spaces schemes – where when the weather is colder those worried about their bills can spend a few hours in the warm.

Ruxley Church is launching their Warm Welcome, Warm Space on Thursday 24th November from 11.30am to 2.30pm. As well as a warm welcome, people will be able to enjoy complimentary hot drinks, soup and a roll, read a newspaper or book, play a game, chat with others or simply sit quietly.

The church is in Ruxley Lane, KT19 0AF. People are welcome to drop in on any Thursday between now and the end of March 2023.

And the café at St George’s Church in Barnett Wood Lane in Ashtead is also joining the scheme. People are welcome to come and be in the café for a while or all day…….if they can buy one hot drink the team there will then offer them coffee/tea for free.

With best wishes

Chris Grayling

Kingswood House School is asking local people to opposing redevelopment plan

Kingswood House School is asking local people to join hundreds of residents in opposing the school’s landlord’s redevelopment plan.

Around 100 local residents turned out at a community meeting on 10th November in support of Kingswood House School.  The School’s current landlords, the Aczel brothers who own extensive property in Epsom, have for many years made no secret of the fact, that they would like to replace the School with a housing estate.

The brothers have teamed up with local developer Steve Curwen and have confirmed that the plan is to get planning for a small school first and then apply to build houses on the remaining part of the site. With objections on the Council’s website already approaching 200, local people have made their views abundantly clear.

The application to replace Kingswood House School, a registered charity, which local residents regard as a trojan horse to facilitate the building of a housing estate, was described by MP Chris Grayling, in a message of support as: “an example of the worst form of business practice”.  Grayling continued: “In reality this application is a sham. There is no known requirement for or plan to open a more limited facility like this on the site. Surrey County Council has said clearly that it has no intention of funding the development of such a school on the site, and there are no known private sector plans to do so.”

A very high percentage of Kingswood House’s 245 pupils have special needs and in recognition of its valuable work, the School has been made an Asset of Community Value by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.  Local residents heard first-hand about the difference the school makes as a former parent Helen Beckman, described in the most moving of terms, how the School supported her son who moved to it having suffered severe depression and mental anguish brought on by living through the tragic impact of Parkinsons on his father.  Headmaster Duncan Murphy explained that this was but one example of many similar cases within the School.

If allowed, the new school would be a privately operated “for profit” venture aimed at 60 pupils with severe special needs for whom public transport would be out of the question, requiring travel to and from school to be by private transport.  In order, to allow space for the housing estate on the current School’s playing field, access to the new school would be via a new road from West Hill Avenue, currently a quiet residential road.  The findings of the independent traffic experts were shown to the audience and demonstrated that given the level of traffic required, total gridlock in West Hill Avenue and surrounding roads would ensue at drop off and pick up times.  Additionally, at least four trees would need to be felled to allow sufficient visibility for traffic exiting the new school. Experts explained that the gridlock effect would be exacerbated if the housing estate were to follow.

The application would appear to have been made without proper ecology reports having been undertaken.  Curwen’s own ecology report submitted with his application, accepts that one of the buildings on the current site that is proposed to be demolished shows a high propensity as a bat habitat.  As a protected species a bat survey should have been carried out over the summer months, but has not.  It is understood that it is the Council’s practice to require full surveys before considering any planning application.

Given the lack of demand locally for the new school, the school would be looking to attract pupils from outside the borough with Curwen Group themselves admitting that pupils will be travelling at least 40 minutes to get to the new school.   As regards Kingswood House’s pupils, none of them would qualify for the new school and all of them would need to find new homes.  Given the special needs of many Kingswood House pupils and the scarcity of places locally, this is likely to pose a severe challenge.

Those wishing to object should endeavour to do so by 21st November via the Council’s website tinyurl.com/epsomewellplanning and entering the reference number 22/01653/FUL or by email to the case officer, Gemma Patterson at [email protected] (ref 22/01653/FUL)

A week’s a long time in football

After last weeks disappointing loss to mid table Worthing United at home, Epsom & Ewell FC  were on the road again to visit Wick FC at their Crabtree Park home ground.  The pitch had ben passed fit after a 10am inspection and we travelled knowing that we would be in for a hard game against the team lying below us second in the league.  We played Wick at Home earlier in the season and had beaten them 6-1; we were expecting them to come out trying to put that result right.

There were a few of changes from the team that lost at home last week with Aaron Bogel being absent so Gideon Acheampong moved into central defence, Jonny Akoto (aka Sonic) came into he right back berth and up front Jaevon Dyer started.  It has to be said that in the opening exchanges Wick were on top but they never actually created a clear cut chance and as the game went on and into the second part of the first half we were very much in the ascendency and a Wick foray into our half was a rare sight.  We had a few half chances the best of which was a free kick from just outside the box which the Wick goalkeeper did well to parry it to safety and then in injury time of the first half, who else but Jamie Byatt was in the 6 yard box to stab home our opening goal.  It was nothing short of what we deserved so at half time it was 1-0 to Epsom.

As the second half began our front line were giving the Wick defence a torrid time with tormentor in chief Athan Smith-Joseph creating all sorts of havoc down the left flank.  The game was stopped after a misfortunate slip by the Wick No2 with no one around him which led to a long delay as a stretcher was called for and he was carried off in a lot of pain (we subsequently learnt that he was not as bad as first thought and we at Epsom wish him a speedy recovery). 

Again we were on top with no notable chances for Wick at all apart from the odd speculative shot from way outside the penalty box which resulted in the ball either going over the top or well wide of the goal.  Because of the nine minute stoppage for the aforementioned injury to the Wick No2  we knew there would be a long period of injury time and in the 96th minute we put the game out of reach of Wick with Josh Alder, a second half substitute for Jamie Byatt got onto a long ball from Zac Powell and beat the keeper even though he had got a hand to the shot so 2-0 to Epsom. 

We then saw the game out, the only real disappointing aspect of the late stages of the match was a booking for Nick ‘Tricky’ Wilson for what was a fairly innocuous challenge which means he will miss the match against 2rd place Shoreham at Home next week.

In summary, a very good win which puts us 6 points clear at the top of the table going into the game against Shoreham next weekend. 

Why not come on down to Fetcham Grove in Leatherhead next week with no live football to speak about locally and cheer on the ‘lads’ in this crucial game – you will be made most welcome and don’t forget the Bar is open all match and hot food is available.

Tickets are just Adult: £8, Concession: £4 and Under 16: £4 Go on give it a try you will be made most welcome.
 

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Southern Combination Football League Div 1

Match Report by Peter Mutton
Images by Gemma Jarman , club photography. 

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Epsom Based Business Named Property PR Agency of the Year

The annual Property Press Awards were held last night and saw The Oracle Group named as Property PR Agency of the Year, a momentous achievement showcasing the impressive work and capability of the company. The awards, organised by Property4Media, celebrate the work of professionals across the industry and for the first time, five PR categories were also included to recognise the crucial work of this sector.

As well as the triumphant win, The Oracle Group also celebrated two shortlisted entries with Viv Onslow named as a finalist in the PR Professional of the Year category and Bethan Millett as a PR Newcomer of the Year finalist. The successful agency sponsored the Influencer of the Year category which saw Property Tribes’ Vanessa Warwick named as the winner. Caroline Coskry, Chairman of The Oracle Group, was also part of the judging panel alongside 20 other senior property executives, media editors, industry experts and personalities.

Caroline Coskry, Chairman at The Oracle Group comments: “This is the award which everyone wants to win as it signifies incredible teamwork which is what we are all about at Oracle. We were up against some very stiff competition which made this win even more significant for us. I am very proud of my team and thank them for all the hard work that has gone into being the best in class.”

This year, the ceremony celebrated its twelfth anniversary which was marked by a gala dinner for the first time, at Hilton London Bankside, with property celebrity Phil Spencer returning to anchor the show for the third year running. The ceremony covered 18 media categories, 2 special recognition awards and 5 PR categories.

Based in Epsom, Surrey, The Oracle Group has been providing remarkable communication services to leading housebuilders, local organisations and others from the housing sector for over 10 years. With a team of industry experts, the well-established agency covers traditional PR, crisis communications, events, content creation, innovative campaigns and outstanding award writing.

Future of Meadowbank Community Football Facilities – Update

***UPDATE***

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council, said: “This past weekend, Mole Valley District Council’s (MVDC’s) Members were contacted by a number of residents and grass root clubs that currently use the Meadowbank facilities, raising concerns and asking for clarity about the impact the proposed purchase of the stadium by Dorking Wanders Football Club (DWFC) could have on them in the future.

“With regards to DWFC’s offer to buy the freehold of the stadium from MVDC, we have been very clear from the start that any such exchange of the freehold would bring with it many pre-requisites, not least of which being that DWFC must commit to continuing to provide the football stadium for local community use.

“While our position as landowner of the Meadowbank facilities means we have no direct links with community groups or grass root clubs currently using the site – that is the responsibility of the leaseholder, Surrey County Football Association (SCFA) – it is clear that these important stakeholder groups require further information in order to provide the reassurance they need. I would therefore like to engage directly with them to better understand their concerns and answer any questions they have in advance of the matter being considered by Scrutiny Committee.We will share further details about how this process will be undertaken as soon as possible.

“To allow a meaningful period of time for views to be shared, I have asked that the paper be withdrawn from tomorrow’s (15 November) Scrutiny agenda and I am grateful this has been agreed by the Chairman Cllr Slater, subject to the same full consideration at an Extraordinary meeting of Scrutiny on 13 December 2022. That being the case, the final decision would be made at an Extraordinary meeting of Cabinet on 17 January 2023.”

*************************************************

First posted 2nd November 2022

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), said: “Having received a number of enquiries concerning the potential sale of Meadowbank Football Ground Facilities, including a misleading figure being quoted, I would like to provide clarification and assurance on the situation.

“The Mole Valley District Council (MVDC)-owned Meadowbank community football facilities in Dorking opened in the summer of 2018 following a comprehensive regeneration of the site and we’re very proud of its success. The facilities consist of the football stadium – home to Dorking Wanderers Football Club (DWFC) – leased to Surrey County Football Association (SCFA)’s and used by other community sports clubs/groups, as well as soft play and café facilities leased to Churchill Catering, part of the Vertas Group.

The football stadium is not only an important community asset, but also a significant contributor towards the town centre’s economy and the profile of the district.

“DWFC has made an offer to MVDC to purchase the freehold of the Meadowbank community football facilities, including SCFA’s offices, the soft play and café. Following discussions with DWFC and SCFA a paper has been prepared for consideration by the council’s Scrutiny Committee. While the exact details of the financial offer must remain confidential to protect the interest of the council and the third parties involved, the offer that MVDC has received, and Members will discuss, is considered to comply with statutory requirements imposed on MVDC under Section 123 Local Government Act 1972 not to dispose of land for “a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained” and, compared to the current position, to be in the best interests of the council’s taxpayer.

“The potential sale of the Meadowbank community football facilities will be discussed at meetings of Mole Valley District Council’s Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet on the 15 and 29 November 2022 respectively. The transfer of the freehold from MVDC to DWFC would also require the consent of the two sporting bodies that financially contributed to the construction of the facilities, Sports England and the Football Foundation, and a condition of sale would be that DWFC would retain community use of the facility for sports.

“While transfer of the site might be a natural progression, should it be decided to proceed with the sale, a range of permissions must be obtained, financial sustainability demonstrated and not least, provision made for ongoing community use of football stadium. These are all absolute pre-requisites.

“Irrespective of the decision reached, MVDC remains committed to completing the construction of the sound barrier that surrounds the football stadium. Subject to securing planning consent for the variation to the design of the barrier and weather conditions, work is anticipated to recommence on site in early 2023.”

Charities join forces for urgent home improvement SOS

The Sunnybank Trust and the Rotary Club Ewell join forces for urgent home improvement SOS 

Whilst advocating for David*, a man with moderate learning disabilities, The Sunnybank Trust became aware that his flat was in a bad state of repair and had not been updated for over 15 years due to the cost. This was not only a huge risk in health and safety but also greatly affected David’s mental health and wellbeing. 

With the help of the Rotary Club Ewell, a team from the club offered to take on the challenge of redecorating his the flat. With the support of his Sunnybank advocate, David moved into a temporary flat whilst the work took place. Thanks to the support and help of his advocate, David didn’t get too stressed or anxious about the move or the changes. Within a week, the flat was transformed into a bright and airy space that felt both welcoming and clean. 

David was speechless with delight when returning to his flat and has not stopped talking about the improvements both to his flat and his sense of pride. 

Annie Dougherty, Sunnybank Advocacy Manager said: ‘It is so important that we make sure our partners have a voice and are listened to. David has never been asked to choose his paint colour and was delighted! Our special thanks to his Housing Association, Transform Housing for assisting in providing a place for David to stay whilst this was done as well as giving him new carpet to also enjoy.’ 

Dorothy Watson, CEO of the Sunnybank Trust commented; ‘We were thrilled to have the help of the Rotary Club Ewell, this job would not have been possible without them. This project has shown what a difference can be made when communities come together to help each other. Thank you Rotary Club Ewell!’ 

Rotarian Maureen KilminsterPresident of Ewell Rotary Maureen Kilminster said: ‘Rotary Members enjoy helping those in need in the Community’.

 

The Sunnybank Trust supports adults with learning disabilities across North East Surrey to say what they want and live the life they choose. They offer a range of services, including free impartial advocacy, regular clubs and social activities and a transition programme for young adults leaving education. If you would like to hear more about The Sunnybank Trust and the work they do, visit www.sunnybanktrust.org  

To find out more about the Ewell Rotary Club, visit www.rotary-ribi.org 

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of our partners 

Reigate St Mary’s Pupils Quiz a Lioness

Pupils at Reigate St Mary’s were delighted to have the opportunity to virtually meet Lioness Lauren Hemp and ask her all about her career as an International footballer.

Year 4 pupil Hanna was the successful winner of a competition run by the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 national sponsor, Starling Bank, to have a virtual Q&A session with Lauren and the whole of the school were lucky to join in. Each class submitted questions that Lauren said were very interesting and the pupils eagerly listened to her answers. She was incredibly humble and gave some excellent advice to the children. Having started football at the age of six she left home at 16 to train and she talked about having to overcome terrible home sickness.

Lauren’s three strongest pieces of advice were to believe in yourself, to work hard and to commit yourself to being the best version of yourself, which really resonated with the school’s ethos. She also talked about how fantastic it is that these days there are opportunities for girls to play elite sport and have female role models as well.

Fraudster sentenced following Trading Standards investigation

A fraudster has received an immediate 32-month custodial sentence after being found guilty of 14 charges following a Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards investigation.

On Friday 4 November 2022 at the Crown Court in Guildford, Stewart Munnery (aged 46, Tadworth, Surrey) was charged with the following:

      • Three substantive fraud counts, totalling over £100,000.
      • Three aggressive practice charges, including one involving the use of racist, abusive language.
      • Five breaches of professional diligence.
      • Three misleading actions, including by using false customer testimonies on websites and photos on his website of work that was not carried out by him.

Mr Munnery received individual sentences for all the charges listed above, but as these are to run concurrently it results in a total sentence of 32 months. 16 of these will be served in custody while the remaining 16 months will be served on license.

Mr Munnery has also been disqualified from being a company director for five years commencing from the date of his release from prison, and over the same period of time has been issued with a restraining order banning him from any contact with the witnesses or their families.

In addition, Mr Munnery is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order, which prevents him from unsolicited calling at domestic properties to provide quotations for work.

Mr Munnery operated both as a sole trader and as sole director of multiple companies. Whether acting as an individual or for one of his companies, Mr Munnery would use the trading name “Surrey Construction”.

Presenting himself as a knowledgeable and reputable local builder, Mr Munnery would exploit vulnerable customers by presenting seemingly reasonable schedules of work at underquoted fees, but which he had no intention of honouring.

Once payment was received and initial works were undertaken, Mr Munnery departed from previously agreed schedules and demanded further payments, inflating the cost of the works to take advantage of the vulnerability of the homeowner.

When payments were not forthcoming, Mr Munnery resorted to threats and unreasonable demands. Mr Munnery would even use emotional blackmail, exploiting his own ill health and using it against victims when initial agreements were inevitably not adhered to.

The works he did undertake were assessed by an independent expert as having a value far below the contracted price and in many instances were substandard.

In mitigation, Mr Munnery’s representative explained how he is suffering from complex medical issues requiring regular hospital treatment and that this appears to have been the reason for his fraudulent behaviour. The court also heard that Munnery was remorseful and has no relevant previous convictions.

Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards have supported five residents who lost significant sums of money for poor quality building work that required extensive remedial work.

Denise Turner-Stewart, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety said: “To deliberately target vulnerable residents in this way is shameful, and I’m glad this individual has now been brought to justice.

“The financial losses incurred, while significant, were only part of the suffering experienced by his victims, some of whom were left with uninhabitable and unsafe homes.

“I’d like to thank the Trading Standards officers involved with this investigation for their diligent work, and I hope it brings some comfort to the victims to know he will now get the punishment he deserves.

“Together, we will continue to do all we can to keep the residents of Surrey safe.”

Find out more about scams and how to prevent them by visiting www.surreycc.gov.uk/business-and-consumers/trading-standards.

Find a trusted trader by visiting our Trading Standards approved website www.traders4u.co.uk.

 

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