Leathehead Community Garden

The Leatherhead Community Garden project is now up and running. Details of the project can be found on their website: www.leatherheadcommunitygarden.org.uk . If you want to learn more about organic growing then this is the place.

There are working parties every Saturday in October, November and December (excluding Christmas). All the work parties will start at 9am and finish around 3pm. Helpers are free to come along at anytime during these hours.

Topaz Musical Theatre presents Mainly Music Hall

We are a local singing ensemble. We have performed at the Leatherhead Day Centre as well as other venues around Mole Valley and beyond. From the proceeds of our shows we have donated substantial sums to charity.

Topaz Musical Theatre presents

Mainly Music Hall

Saturday 7 November 2.30 and 7.30pm
Fetcham Village Hall

Friday 13 November/Saturday 14th 7.30pm
Cobham Village Hall

Matinee £6 Evenings £9.50(includes a drink and light
refreshments)

BOX Office 01372 458163

From our proceeds this year we support Marie Curie Cancer
Care and Rainbow Trust Childrens Charity

Epsom Hospital Meeting 11th November 2009 7:30pm

The next meeting regarding Epsom Hospital is to be held on WEDNESDAY,11th November at Epsom Town Hall at 7.30pm. This will outline "the vision for the Epsom Hospital Site".

Open Meeting, Monday 2nd November in the Letherhead Institute at 7.00 pm

Agenda

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of meeting on 5th October

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. "Campaigning to protect the Surrey Countryside"
   - Tim Murphy, Chairman of CPRE Surrey Branch

5. Reports from sub Groups

   a) Membership

   b) Highways -
     Parking
     'Avenue of the Stars'
     Other highway matters

   c) Planning

6. Report of Ashtead-Leatherhead Area Forum on 15th October

7. Any Other Business

My impressions of the recent Leatherhead-Ashtead Forum

Last Thursday evening (15th October) we had another Ashtead-Leatherhead Forum. The first item was the Chairman's: "Stop Smoking Campaign." The speaker spoke to the converted, there being apparently no smokers present. We had the usual statistics and learnt that whereas in England (never a mention of the situation in Scotland or Wales) 23% of the population smokes, in Surrey it's only 19.5%. We we told the targets for 2015, among which is one to reduce smoking to 4% for 11 to 15 year olds. I could not help remembering those far off days of my youth when the target was 0% for 11 to 15 year olds."O tempora! O mores!"

We did learn that in Mole Valley, it is 17.2% of the population that smokes - yes, we're far better than England as a whole & are even below the Surrey average. But here's the rub: whereas it's only 13.5% in leafy Leith Hill, it's a whopping 27.9% in North Leatherhead (that's above the average for England!). There was a bit of discussion afterwards about what to do in North Leatherhead - but, as far as I could make out, nothing about the underlying social problems that give rise to the problem in the first place.

Just over half an hour later, Allan Berridge updated us on Neighbour Watch and Sergeant Simon Cox gave police reports for North & South Leatherhead and for Ashtead.

By 8.44 we were ready to listen to the presentation: "Strong Leader/ Elected Mayor - which model?" Apparently, after introducing the current 'Executive model' in March 2008, the 2007 Act requires up to change this to either a "Strong Leader" or "Elected Mayor" model. Wait about! Didn't 2007 come before 2008? So if it was already known that we'd need to change to one of these two models, why did we bother to introduce the Executive model in 2008? Why not leave things as they were while we decided the model to go for?

Also, as I read the title of the talk I could not help wondering why a directly elected mayor was not a strong leader. In fact the more I heard, the more I wondered about the "strong" leader; this leader would be elected from the Councillors by the Councillors - in effect, it means, unless we have a hung Council, from the ruling party by the ruling party. Doesn't that make the "strong" leader a creature of the Council and probably of a political party as well? The powers and functions of both a directly elected mayor & of a Council elected "strong" leader would be much the same: "determine functions delegated to other Cabinet Members, committees of the Executive or officers; determine the size of the Executive; appoint/ remove Executive members." So who, dear reader, will be more effective: a Council elected leader or one elected directly by the people of Mole Valley?

It was also noted that the Council elected "strong" leader with his or her executive Cabinet is not so very different from the Executive model introduced in 2008. One of those present asked if in fact after the period of consultation (to conclude early in 2010 (How early?), the Council need take any notice of the findings. Could they not opt for their chosen model irrespective of consultation? There was no clear answer given. 'Um', I thought, 'why was the Executive model introduced in 2008?'

After this presentation the meeting was asked to vote on whether they wished to continue the present arrangement of electing a third of MVDC each time, as at present, or to have a singled election every four years to elect the whole Council in one go. Yes, folks, you've read aright! We were not asked for a straw poll on the "strong leader" ~ directly elected mayor business that we'd been discussing for nearly three quarters of an hour; we suddenly had sprung on us a straw poll on a different issue. It was pointed out by several members from the floor that we had not discussed the pros and cons of the present system vis-a-vis the one-off election, so what would be the validity of such a vote? What indeed!

By this time it was fast approaching 9.30, when we got to the next item: "Public Question Time." Our LRA planning officer was allowed to ask a question about the recent decision to allow Nos. 52-56 Church Street change of use from retail premises to restaurant. But after this had been answered, it was deemed that we had run over time and no more public questions could be asked. So much for consultation with the public!

How much consultation was there about matters to do with Leatherhead (or, indeed, Ashtead)? We learnt that more people smoke in North Leatherhead then the national average. We heard police reports that are made, in any case, at police panels in North & South Leatherhead and in Ashtead and, if I am not misaken, at the Leatherhead & District Forum. We heard about the "strong leader" ~ directly elected mayor business, which will affect the whole of Mole Valley. Then we were allowed one question only.

Which is a more genuine forum for real consultation: a Council controlled 'area Forum', or the Leatherhead & District Forum which has evolved from grass roots level over many years? Yet our Council refuses to recognize the latter.

If MVDC really wants to save money, why not scrap the Leatherhead-Ashtead and Bookham-Fetcham area fora, which the Residents' Associations never wanted in the first place, and have proper consultation at the Leaherhead & District Forum?

SEASONAL FLU – PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

I have been asked by the The Central Office of Information to put the following information on our website:
_________________________

Free vaccinations against seasonal flu are available for people aged 65 and over and for adults and children aged 6 months to 65 years in certain risk categories from October 2009.

Amid all the publicity surrounding swine flu, it is important not to under estimate the impact of seasonal flu. Every year it accounts for approximately 8,000 deaths. It can bring on serious complications for people in “at risk” groups and lead to other serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

In the average winter, up to 15% of the population will be affected.

All people aged 65 and over qualify for the free annual seasonal flu jab, and in addition adults and children aged six months to 65 years with the following conditions should also contact their GP for a free seasonal flu jab:

* a heart problem
* a chest complaint or breathing difficulties including, bronchitis, emphysema
* a kidney disease
* lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
* a liver disease
* had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
* diabetes
* a neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
* a problem with, or removal of, their spleen e.g. sickle cell disease.

The jab can never offer 100% protection from seasonal flu, but does have a success rate of between 70 and 80% while others are more likely to get milder symptoms.

Don’t forget, the seasonal flu jab does not protect against swine flu.

Patients with seasonal flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38°C / 100.4°F) and two or more of the following symptoms:
• unusual tiredness

• headache

• runny nose

• sore throat

• shortness of breath or cough

• loss of appetite

• aching muscles

• diarrhoea and/or vomiting

In those circumstances you should stay at home, keep warm and rest, let a member of your family or friend know that you are ill, drink plenty of liquids and eat what you can. If you are in an at risk group or your symptoms get worse and you have chest pains or experience shortness of breath, you should contact your GP.

Seasonal flu peaks each winter between December and March, which is why the Department of Health and (insert your user group name if appropriate) is urging those in the at risk groups and those aged 65 and over to make sure they get their free jab now before flu starts to circulate.

Phone Scam

A new telephone scam has started where people are called and told they will be disconnected due to an unpaid bill by someone pretending to be a BT representative. The 'rep' then asks for payment over the phone using a credit/debit card and when this is declined, they offer to demonstrate that they are genuine by asking the person to hang up and try phoning somebody and the 'rep' will prevent this by disconnecting the line. To do this, the 'rep' stays on the line with the mute button on so the person cannot dial out and believes they have been disconnected and then the 'rep' cuts off the call (because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it) and immediately calls the person back. The 'rep' is unfazed by people saying their phone is with a different provider to BT and responds saying that all providers have to pay a percentage to BT for line rental. A false number for BT - 0800 0800 152 - is also given.

Please ensure you are aware of this scam as there have been a number of cases and its simplicity could easily fool people - some people might not even realise they have been tricked until it is too late and victims have given out their credit/debit card details.

Proposed revocation of existing, amendments to existing & provision of new waiting restrictions & on-street parking places in the Leatherhead area

Doubtless many residents have already seen notices on lamp posts in certain streets concerning Surrey County Council - District of Mole Valley proposals for the above.

This is the result of consultation exercises in certain roads earlier this years when the inhabitants of those roads were given the opportunity to comment on proposals made by the Council. To the best of my knowledge, the roads are:
Epsom Road, Oak Road, Linden Road, Leret Way, Garlands Road, Kingston Avenue, By-Pass Road, Oaks Close, Poplar Road, Randalls Road, Windfield, Kingston Avenue, Park Rise, Minchin Close.

A copy of the proposed Orders, together with plans showing the lengths of roads to which those Orders relate and a statement of the Council's reasons for proposing to make these Orders, together with a statement of the Council's Guidelines for the Acceptance of Objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders, may be inspected free of charge at the Help Shop in the High Street, at Leatherhead Library and at MVDC Administrative Centr, Pippbrook, Dorking.

Anyone wishing to object to the proposed Orders must send in the grounds for objection in writing to J Russell, Head of Surrey Highways, at County Hall in Kingston (quoting ref. 21684/MV/AK) by 12th November 2009.

There will be an opportunity to air views at our Open Meeting on Monday, 2nd November; the matter will also be discussed at our Committee Meeting on 4th November.

These proposals, if implemented (possibly with revision in some case) will no doubt improve matters in some roads; but many of us fear it will only push the problem into other roads. It is the opinionof many of us that a comprehensive review of the parking problems of the Leatherhead area as a whole is long overdue.

Annual Quiz Night Fundraiser - FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER 2009

Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce

.…. * N E W S F L A S H * …..

“Annual Quiz Night Fundraiser”

In support of the Leatherhead Christmas Festival
FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER 2009

Police Federation of England and Wales
Federation House, Highbury Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7UY
Doors at 7 o’clock for Quiz Start at 7.30pm PROMPT
WITH THE POLICE FEDERATION'S VERY OWN QUIZMASTER !

If you’ve a talent for trivia, now’s the perfect time to put it to good use !
TEAMS of SIX are invited to compete for the highest score in our Fundraising Quiz Night ... but don’t worry if you’d love to take part but can’t field a full team or would like to come along alone ... we’ll be delighted to introduce you to fellow competitors and make you part of a full team.

Entry Fee is £10 per person ... which includes a delicious Fish Supper !
Drinks may be purchased from the bar (please do not bring your own due to licensing regulations)

*PRIZE RAFFLE* tickets will be on sale, and the winning numbers will be drawn during the evening.

If you would like to donate a raffle prize, please contact Andy Newbold, Chamber Vice President,
on: 01372 383018 or via: andy@andynewbold.com.

Please indicate by FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER if you wish to attend by detaching & completing the slip below and then mailing it along with your cheque made payable to Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce for the attention of:

Mr John Hickey, Leatherhead Chamber President,
c/o Buchanan & Curwen, The Fairfield, Upper Fairfield Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7HJ
[Please note that booking payments are non-refundable, and bookings will only be accepted when accompanied by full payment]

Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival

Don't forget that this year's Mole Valley Arts Alive festival is taking place right through this month.

If you've missed the first week, make up for it in the next three weeks!

There are many events taking place right here in Leatherhead; and other events not too far away. Many of your fellow residents are taking part in these events - give hem your support.

Don't know what's on? Take a look at www.arts-alive.co.uk.

Open Meeting, Monday 5th October in the Letherhead Institute at 7.00 pm

Agenda

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of meeting on 7th September

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. "Leatherhead as it was - How do we preserve it?"
   a presentation by Linda Heath, local historian & author

5. Reports from sub Groups

   a) Membership

   b) Planning

   c) Highways

6. Report of Civic Trust South East Conference in Guildford on 26th September

7. Any Other Business

Article from the Ashtead & Leatherhead Local

The Leatherhead Residents Association have had two more monthly open meetings since our last report. At the first we were given a set of drawings for the modifications to the Knoll Roundabout, details of the revised parking restrictions (double yellow lines) on residential roads. We were also given a list of future works which are proposed to be financed by the Section 106 fund. This money is a contribution made by developers in respect of the increased demand which their project will make on the infrastructure.

The Knoll roundabout works have come about as a result of a parent whose daughter was nearly knocked down whilst walking round the corner by Pegasus Court. This was rather a blind corner, and one where vehicles turning left were often tempted to drive over the kerb whilst squeezing past those which were queuing to drive on into Ashtead. In the past promises had been made by Highways to install high kerbs or cast iron ‘bell’ bollards, but nothing was done (no money, being the reason given). The LRA supported Sally Edward’s campaign to get something done. When Section 106 funds became available as a result of Unilever’s new head office, scheme was rushed out, perhaps with undue haste. Some of the work appears to be rather wasteful. For example a new footway down the side of the bypass to the footbridge which links Linden Gardens to Grange Road, in Ashtead. Since crossing the bypass has never been much of a problem, this footway does nothing to avoid the Pegasus Court Corner, which still has to negotiated. Members who frequently use is roundabout found a few other matters where some improvements might be helpful – mostly in terms of signage and road markings. These are being reported to Highways. But in general the scheme met with approval and gratefulness that it was being carried out at last. All credit must go to Sally for her tenacity, in the matter.

At our last meeting we were delighted to welcome Rod Shaw, who is the Senior Planning and Conservation officer in Mole Valley Council. Rod explained how the Council’s Planning policies were applied to the Conservation areas. In particular he listed the many buildings in Leatherhead which need to be conserved, together with their settings. At a time when there is much controversy about the future of the central streets of the Town, this was a very informative talk.

In addition to our monthly open meetings, the committee have been very active in attending and contributing to other meetings held by related organisations including the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England, and the Public Examination of the Council’s proposed Local Development (Planning) Framework. The former Leatherhead Society derived much benefit from its membership of the Civic Trust. This organisation has been undergoing some trauma , but at least in this part of the country, it is re-emerging, and our representatives will be attending a meeting in Guildford on behalf of our members.

The Chairman

Anyone spot whats wrong with this ?

This is at the children's playground at Forty Foot Road:

Did they get planning permission for this ?

A couple of snaps of the Lego House over at Denbies Vineyard for those that didn't get a chance to see it. It's being dismantled today ...

Ashtead-Leatherhead Area Forum Agenda

The next Ashtead-Leatherhead Area Forum to be held on 15th October at 7.30pm in the Christ Church Hall, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8ST.

If you would like to view previous agendas, minutes, presentations and information relating to the Forum, please click on the link below:-

http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5709


Agenda
Meeting of: Ashtead - Leatherhead Area Forum
To be held in: the Christ Church Hall, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8ST

On: Thursday 15th October at 7.30pm

District Councillors of the Ashtead – Leatherhead Area Forum:
Sylvia Sharland (Chairman), Bridget Lewis-Carr (Vice-Chairman), Bryan Davis, Rosemary Dickson, Bob Hedgeland, Penny Hedgeland, David Howell, Chris Hunt, John Northcott, Chris Reynolds, David Sharland and Chris Townsend.

Invitees:
County Councillors Tim Hall and Chris Townsend, Ashtead Residents’ Association, Leatherhead Residents’ Association, NHS Surrey and Surrey Police

Chairman’s Invitees:
Ashtead Village Traders’ Association, Proprietor of Bartons Bookshop, Leatherhead Area Partnership, Leatherhead Community Association, Leatherhead and District Chamber of Commerce, Leatherhead Town Centre Manager, The Swan Centre Manager, Surrey County Council – Area Director East

1. Welcome by the Chairman

2. Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of the Forum held on 9th July 2009.

3. Apologies for Absence
To receive apologies for absence.

4. Chairman’s Item – Stop Smoking Campaign
To receive a presentation from Helen Thurlow, who runs the stop smoking campaign for the Primary Care Trust.

5. Police Update
To receive updates from the Neighbourhood Watch Manager, Alan Berridge and Sergeant Simon Cox.

6. Strong Leader / Elected Mayor – which model ?
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 makes provision for new governance arrangements for all Councils including:-
- A directly elected Mayor
- Strong Leader Model
Mole Valley District Council is required to move to one or other of these two models and wishes to consult with local residents and stakeholders to seek their views. The Leader of the Council, together with representatives from Democratic Services will be in attendance to provide further information and canvass views from those attending the Forum.

7. Public Question Time
To receive public questions at this meeting. Fifteen minutes will be set aside for this purpose.

8. Dates of future Area Forums Meetings
The next meetings of the Ashtead – Leatherhead Area Forum will be held on:-
Thursday 21st January 2010, in the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, (Ralli Room),
Woodfield Lane, commencing at 7.30pm
Thursday 22nd April 2010, in the Green Room, Leatherhead Theatre, commencing at
7.30pm

If you require a copy of this agenda, any of the reports within it or a large print version of the agenda, please telephone Arabella Davies on 01306 879137 or
e-mail: arabella.davies@molevalley.gov.uk

The Leatherhead Theatre 40th Birthday Party! Thursday September 17th @ 7:30pm

STOP PRESS!!

The Leatherhead Theatre 40th Birthday Party!
Thursday September 17th @ 7:30pm

TOP COMIC TIM VINE JOINS THE PARTY!
"Continuously funny and utterly unique" The Guardian.

Celebrity comedian Tim Vine is the latest to be confirmed in a star-studded line-up for Leatherhead Theatre’s 40th birthday gala night.

Tim joins Bobby TV funnyman Bobby Davro, West End star and ex-Thorndike favourite Mike Holoway and a host of names and local talent to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

The bill also includes the fabulous Mike Berry & The Outlaws, Leatherhead’s own Danceshack, swing sensation Lewis Dixon, Ceolsha (ex-Riverdance dancers) and the ever-popular Guildford School of Acting Singers.

A fantastic night out for all the family!

To help the party mood we want you to bring your friends. We are offering a special birthday group deal of one free ticket for every five booked.

Tickets cost £25 (or buy 5 tickets and get the 6th free) and the dress code is formal – black tie is optional.

To book your tickets call the Box Office on 01372 365141 or visit www.the-theatre.org

Many Thanks,
Best Regards
The Leatherhead Theatre

Speakers at Open Meetings

You will see on the agenda below for the September meeting (Monday, 7th September) that we shall have Rod Shaw speaking on "Leatherhead: Creating a Sense of Place."

The following will speak at the October & November meetings:

• Monday, 5th October - Linda Heath, local historian & author of several books dealing with local history of the area


• Monday, 2nd November - Tim Murphey (CPRE Surrey)

The meeting on December, 7th will be our Christmas Social.

All meetings are held in the Letherhead Institute and begin at 7.00 pm

Agenda for Meeting on 7th September 2009

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of meeting on 3rd August

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. Rod Shaw, Principal Conservation Officer MVDC -
     “Leatherhead: Creating a Sense of Place”

5. Reports from sub Groups

     a) Planning

     b) Highways.

6. Any Other Business

Bikeathon on Sunday September 20th

The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation holding a Bikeathon on Sunday September 20th from QEF in Woodlands Road Leatherhead and returning there after a pleasant ride around the Surrey Downs. First groups start at 9:45am.

With the emphasis on fitness and reducing the number of cars on the road this could be the opportunity you have been looking for with the charity also benefitting.

Please go to www.leatherheadbikeathon.com

Leisure Centre - Progress to Date

If you don't get out much, this is what you are missing.

The main building ...

The new tennis courts/all weather pitches ...