Category: News

Excessive Noise and ASB on the A24

Views Sought on Reported Excessive Noise and Anti-Social Behaviour on the A24

Mole Valley District Council has launched a public consultation to better understand reports of vehicles making excessive noise and carrying out acts of anti-social behaviour on a section of the A24, including roads in Mickleham and Westhumble, and the impact on people using these roads and those who live and work in the local area.

 The feedback received from Mole Valley District Council’s (MVDC) seven-week public consultation, which ends on Friday 31 October 2025, will help inform whether any action is required to be taken in the future by MVDC, which could include the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), should there be sufficient evidence to support this.

PSPOs can be introduced in an identified location to help address specific concerns of anti-social behaviour. PSPOs give MVDC and Surrey Police the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice or start formal prosecution if one or more of the specific anti-social behaviour restrictions set out in a PSPO is breached.

The short online survey, which should take no longer than five minutes to complete, is available on molevalley.gov.uk/a24. Alternatively, paper copies of the consultation can be collected from the reception of MVDC’s Pippbrook offices in Dorking and Dorking Halls. For more information, please email [email protected] or call MVDC on 01306 885001.

Councillor Caroline Joseph, MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Services and Security, said: “Before it is decided how best to respond to the issues reported to us and the Police, it is essential that we first listen to the views from as wide a range of voices as possible to gain a clear picture of this matter. One possible outcome could be the introduction of a PSPO, but no decisions have yet been made. We require answers to questions that will help us gauge the impact of these reported issues on those who live, work and use the roads in this particular area of the district. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Views Sought on Reported Excessive Noise and Anti-Social Behaviour on the A24

Arts Alive: The Countdown is On

Arts Alive: The Countdown is On for One of the South East’s Largest Community Arts Festivals!

Mole Valley’s Arts Alive festival is nearly here! Since 1997, Arts Alive has provided a month-long community arts festival where visitors can get hands-on with a range of artistic pursuits. 2025’s festival will kick off with launch events in both Dorking and Leatherhead on the following dates:

      • Dorking: Saturday 13th September – 10.30am – 12.30pm – St. Martin’s Square
      • Leatherhead: Saturday 20th September – 10.30am – 12.30pm – Leatherhead High Street

This year will see a fabulous programme of 135 events taking place across Mole Valley throughout October with historical talks, walking tours, music, comedy, dance and theatrical performances all set to provide unique opportunities for people to follow their passions and engage with the arts. Nearly half of these events will be either free, or under £5 to attend.

There are a range of activities for families to enjoy, including during the October half term week, as well as evening events for adults such as dance classes. There will also be events taking place at the recently-refurbished Pippbrook House. Last year saw 14,800 participants attend across the available events, with event browsing and booking for this year opening to the public in early September on the Arts Alive website.

Helping to promote this year’s festival is Magic Radio presenter, as well as Surrey local, Jack Pepper! One of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, national radio broadcaster and featured in HM the King’s “35 under 35” list, Jack can now add “2025 Patron of Arts Alive” to his list of accolades, joining such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Lorraine Kelly and Gyles Brandreth.

To promote the festival in the run-up to the launch, Jack can be available for radio and other media contributions. Email [email protected] to organise.

cllr Nick WrightMVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Community Assets Cllr Nick Wright said: “We are delighted to continue our investment in the arts and culture of the district by supporting the annual Mole Valley Arts Alive festival. The Festival is a tribute to all the talent we have in the district so take the opportunity to book onto as many events as you feel you can. You likely to find something that appeals to your current interests, but the Festival also provides the perfect opportunity to try something new and even discover a hidden talent!”

Arts Alive

Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches its Epsom & Ewell Young Legends programme – 9-11 year olds are invited to try something new this autumn

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.

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeCouncillor 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: [email protected]

Epsom and ewell young legends

Epsom & Ewell Virtual Day Trips

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Launches Two New Virtual Day Trips

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has launched two new inclusive tours, part of their Virtual Day Trips series, in partnership with Whistlestop Tours. These two new virtual tours explore Epsom and Ewell, shining a spotlight on the history and cultural heritage of the two places. The Virtual Day Trips can be watched online for free – from the comfort of home, a school classroom or in shared communal or community spaces.

The tours include film and audio. Immersive resource packs and memory boxes, designed to bring the tours to life, are also available.

The Epsom and Ewell Virtual Day Trips were funded by the Arts, Culture and Heritage UKSPF 2024/25 allocation. The tours sit alongside the Nonsuch Formal Gardens tour produced in 2024.

The project is part of the council’s strategy to widen access to the rich heritage of histories within our borough, allowing people to engage with the information and activities in a way that is comfortable to them.

The tours last for around 30 minutes. Highlights include:

  • architectural elements from Nonsuch Palace that can be found by the Assembly Rooms in Epsom town centre
  • meeting residents and hearing about their passions, from throwing pottery to playing the bandura, the national instrument of Ukraine
  • taking a rare peek inside the Watch House on Ewell High Street
  • hearing ghost stories from residents, and
  • enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour from the Epsom Beekeepers Association.

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeSpeaking of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Virtual Day Trips, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee, said: “I have lived in the borough of Epsom & Ewell for many years, and I found these tours completely fascinating. I thoroughly recommend them, whether you are new to the borough, a long-time resident like me, or someone who is interested in the local area – they can be enjoyed by everyone. These two new inclusive Virtual Day Trips show our commitment to increasing access to our borough’s rich history and cultural heritage. They will help people really get to know our fantastic local area.”

Virtual Day Trips:

Explore Epsom & Ewell here:

https://www.whistlestoparts.org/epsom

https://www.whistlestoparts.org/ewell

The first Virtual Day Trip which was produced was Nonsuch Park, which can be viewed here: https://www.whistlestoparts.org/nonsuch

Digital tours are also available for Horton Country Park and Nonsuch Park on Bloomberg Connects. Take a look:

Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve: Take a Tour of Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve | Horton Light Railway | Bloomberg Connects

Nonsuch Park: Nonsuch Park | Bloomberg Connects

Water Voles return to the Hogsmill

Once extinct in the county, the much loved water vole has made an historic return to the Upper Hogsmill in Ewell. This milestone is the result of a pioneering wetland restoration project led by the South East Rivers Trust (SERT) and reintroduction project by rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo, with support from Wildwood Trust, Natural England Species Recovery Programme, Thames Water and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

Around 50 water voles were released onto the Hogsmill river and Chamber Meads wetland at a celebratory event. This was the culmination of many years of work by the South East Rivers Trust, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Citizen Zoo, and partners to restore the river and create the new wetland habitat. The return of this endangered species marks a major milestone for Surrey’s biodiversity and one of the most exciting rewilding projects in the region.

“Water voles were once a familiar sight on the Hogsmill, but due to habitat loss and invasive predators, they died out.  Now, after years of dedicated river restoration work, and the creation of the flagship wetland at Chamber Mead, as well as extensive monitoring by a band of dedicated local volunteers , we’re thrilled to have brought them back to the upper Hogsmill in Surrey,” said Dr Bella Davies, CEO of the South East Rivers Trust. 

Water voles back in the hogsmill The Wildwood Trust, based in Kent and Devon, is one of the UK’s leading centres for conservation breeding, and bred 50 water voles through its expert captive breeding programme for release on the upper Hogsmill river. Wildwood has played a key role in restoring water vole populations across the UK.

 “The UK’s biodiversity is facing a critical decline – putting our ecosystems, food security, and climate resilience at risk,” said Tyrone Capel, Conservation Officer at Wildwood Trust. “Ambitious rewilding projects like this are central to our mission: returning nature to the places it once thrived. We’re proud to support this initiative by breeding water voles for release along the Hogsmill and ultimately reversing the near 20 year extinction of Water voles in Surrey.” 

Water voles back in the HogsmillThe creation of the Chamber Mead wetlands and river restoration work undertaken by SERT has improved conditions on the Hogsmill and transformed the area into an ideal habitat for water voles. This work forms part of SERT’s broader vision to revive this rare urban chalk stream and inspire nature recovery in towns and cities.

Citizen Zoo, a rewilding organisation that has delivered a previous successful water vole release along the Hogsmill further downstream in Kingston, led on the reintroduction. The team is now calling for local volunteers to support ongoing monitoring of the population.

“This is not just a win for water voles—it’s a flagship moment for urban river restoration across the UK,” said Elliot Newton,  Director of Rewilding at Citizen Zoo. “With the help of local people, we’re giving this species a real chance to thrive again.” 

Cllr Liz Frost “We are deeply committed to protecting and nurturing habitats that help biodiversity flourish, and we are honoured that the Upper Hogsmill River in our borough has been chosen as the second release site for the reintroduction of water voles.” said Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Environment Committee.

“They will be the first water voles living in the wild in Surrey for over 20 years. This milestone reflects the strength of our partnerships to create the right conditions for these once-extinct animals to thrive and reflects our borough’s dedication to managing biodiversity and creating resilient ecosystems that play a role in tackling climate change.”

Water voles—made famous as Ratty in The Wind in the Willows—are one of the UK’s fastest-declining mammals, having disappeared from 94% of their former range. Their return to Surrey is both a symbolic and ecological milestone. 

2 Theme Parks For The Price of 1

Running till the 17th August, the Twice the Fun offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four of UK’s top theme parks including Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, and Thorpe Park.

Families can mix and match their visits across these parks or visit the same one twice, with the flexibility to redeem their second visit at any point before 30th September 2025.

Schools out for the summer! But for many parents that means a full six weeks of keeping the kids entertained which can be a daunting prospect. Fear not, Merlin is here to lend a helping hand in the form of its new money saving offer giving guests the chance to enjoy two of the UK’s top theme parks, for the price of one which means double the fun.

Running till the 17th August, the offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four UK’s biggest and best-loved theme parks including the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.

Whether you’re building memories brick by brick, roaring into action, or flipping out on record-breaking coasters, there’s a world of fun waiting, and with four parks to choose from, families can mix, match, or double down on their favourite.

Guests can simply purchase their Twice the Fun tickets online at the park’s website to unlock free entry to a second day out. And the best part?  Families can extend the summer fun with the flexibility of visiting the second theme park until 30th September.

For the thrill seekers, a stop at Alton Towers Resort is a must. From heart-racing coasters to joy-filled moments that become lifelong memories, there’s no feeling like it! Dive into epic adventures, explore fantastical worlds, take on the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster, and brave Toxicator – the brand-new ride for 2025 at Alton Towers Resort. Find out more at  https://www.altontowers.com/ . 

Can’t get enough? Head to Thorpe Park, the ultimate destination for high-adrenaline fun. Brave the Big Six coasters, including Hyperia – the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster – or cool off on epic water rides like Tidal Wave, with its jaw-dropping splash! It’s the perfect spot for thrill seekers. See https://www.thorpepark.com/ for details.

Dive into unmissable family fun at Chessington World of Adventures with wild rides for all ages and come face-to-face with over 1,000 majestic animals across Chessington Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium. Race through the Jumanji jungle on Mandrill Mayhem and step into the pages of your favourite storybook with The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, before staring wide-eyed at a tower of Rothschild’s giraffe. Head to https://www.chessington.com/ to find out more.

There’s no better way to cool off this summer than the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort where families can splash about at Drench Towers or slide into fun at Splash Safari. The thrill seekers can experience the world’s first LEGO® duelling rollercoaster, Minifigure Speedway, a high-energy race full of twists and turns. Whether you’re a high-flyer, wave rider, or master builder-in-the-making, there’s something awesome for every adventurer. Visit https://www.legoland.co.uk/ for more details.

“We know how much families value quality time together over the summer, and Twice the Fun is our way of making those magical moments go even further,” said Sabrina de Carvalho – Senior Vice President, Managing Director, UK at Merlin Entertainments. “With two visits for the price of one, it’s double the fun, double the laughs, packed with thrills, chills and smiles for miles!”

Whether you want to discover somewhere new or revisit your favourite theme park again, this is the ultimate summer deal to enjoy two days of thrills for the price of one.

So why wait? Pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate ride of your life!

To book your ticket and get a second visit to another theme park for free, visit one of the following sites the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers Resort or Chessington World of Adventures. 

 

Leatherhead Rotary – Give A Book, Grow A Reader!

Rotary Club of Leatherhead is looking for gently used children’s books (ages 0–12) for a community project aimed at getting more books into the hands of local kids.
If you have any kids’ books lying around that your children have outgrown — we’d love to give them a new home where they’ll be read, loved, and appreciated all over again ❤️
All books will go toward a free community resource to support reading and learning.
Please contact Ed Parker on 7860967509 — and feel free to share this post!
Thanks so much for your support ✨

Leatherhead Rotary -Glow Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness in September 2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Join us at Police Federation House for live music from Badger Set Band, a 2-course meal, and a raffle — all to support childhood cancer awareness.
️ £20 pp (includes dinner – drinks not included)
Raffle tickets: £5 for a strip of 5
✨ Dress code: GOLD – because gold is the colour of childhood cancer awareness. Shine bright for a great cause!
Contact Simon Edmands on 07753821964 or email [email protected] for your bookings.

Bring your sparkle, your friends, and your support

#GlowGold #CharityEvent #ChildhoodCancer #RotaryLeatherhead #GoldForACause #LeatherheadEvents

Epsom & Ewell Consults Residents on New Parish Councils

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council consults residents on new parish councils

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is asking residents and stakeholders for their view on whether to create parish areas, along with a parish council or councils, in Epsom & Ewell. The Community Governance Review (CGR) consultation opens on 17 July and will run for 12 weeks, closing at 11.59pm on 9 October 2025.

Epsom & Ewell is currently an unparished borough which means there is no lower tier of localgovernment below that of the borough council. As part of local government reorganisation in Surrey, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and the other district and borough councils and county council will be dissolved in April 2027. Two or three unitary councils will then be responsible for local government in the county, with each unitary council representing between around 330,000 to more than 650,000 residents, depending on whether the Government opts for a two or three unitary model.

epsom ewell Councillor John Beckett, Chair of Standards and Constitution Committee, said: “We feel it is vital that residents, businesses, and local communities within Epsom & Ewell are given the opportunity to explore the creation of parish councils. This will give them a greater local voice and enable them to stay closer to the decision-making process within local government in the future. A parish council could take on responsibility for parks, playgrounds, community centres and cultural events in the borough, keeping decisions locally on how these are delivered as well as having the ability to drive economic growth by attracting funding and grants that would boost the local economy.”

“Another key factor which is close to the hearts of residents is planning. A parish council would be a statutory consultee on planning matters, and as such would be able to reflect the concerns and aspirations of residents during any planning application process.”

The CGR consultation asks residents:

• whether to create new parish areas and a parish council or councils

• what the geography should be, and

• how many councillors should be elected.

Residents will also be asked, if parish councils are formed, whether they should be divided into wards, and if they should be called parish, community, neighbourhood or a village council(s).

The consultation can be completed online on the consultation website: Community Governance Review – Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Consultations or by completing a paper consultation questionnaire. Paper consultations can be found in Epsom Town Hall, in Bourne Hall, in local libraries across the borough and in the Community & Wellbeing Centre, Longmead (during normal opening hours).

This summer, the council will also hold a series of events across the borough where residents will be able to ask Councillors questions about local government reorganisation and the community governance review, including this consultation, the process and timeline.

Councillor John Beckett continued:

“I urge every resident of voting age within the borough to have their say on the future of your local democracy and representation in your local government for Epsom & Ewell. Tell us what you think by completing the Community Governance Review consultation questionnaire online or on paper and posting it back to us.”

As part of the Community Governance Review a second consultation would take place in early 2026. A timeline and frequently asked questions about CGR can be found on the council’s website: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/CGR

Two Baby Alpacas Born at Hobbledown

Two Adorable New Arrivals at Hobbledown, Epsom: Baby Alpacas Born Healthy and Happy

Exciting news from Hobbledown Farm & Adventure Park in Epsom as the park welcomed the arrival of two brand new residents – two adorable baby alpacas, known as a cria.

Born on June 28th and weighing in at a very healthy 8.9kg, baby George is already a firm favourite amongst the keepers. Mum Yoyo is doing a fantastic job keeping a close eye on her newborn and ensuring he’s feeding well and staying by her side.

Baby Preston arrived exactly one week later, on Saturday 5th July, and sports a stunning jet-black coat – a stark contrast to George’s pure white fur. The black-and-white pair are already fast friends, and are often spotted frolicking together in their field.

The births mark the end of a long and eagerly awaited journey for the animal team at Hobbledown, as alpacas have a long gestation period of 11 to 12 months. The team has been closely monitoring the mothers throughout their pregnancies, and were delighted to see everything go smoothly.

“It’s always such a special moment when we welcome a new arrival – let alone two!” said Lucy White, Hobbledown’s Zoo Operations Manager. “We’re absolutely overjoyed, and can’t wait to introduce everyone to the newest members of the Hobbledown family.”

Visitors to the farm park will be able to catch a glimpse of the baby crias in the upcoming days, once they’ve had time to safely settle in after the birth. Currently, the pair are enjoying some peaceful bonding time under the watchful eyes of the keepers.

For more information, or to plan your visit to meet the newest member of the Hobbledown family, head to www.hobbledown.com.