Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 1
Spring 2015 Number 194
Gatwick special Community News is distributed free to Lingfield, Crowhurst, Dormansland, Dormans Park, Felcourt and parts of Newchapel, Haxted, Horne, and Baldwins Hill Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 2
Community News Team
Contact E: mail@communitynewslingfield.co.uk A: c/o Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre, High St, Lingfield, RH7 6AB
Editorial Manager / Chairman Edward Pearcey 07828 993 376 Editorial David Allonby 01342 832 514 Treasurer Michael Pocock 01342 832 685 Advertising Edward Pearcey 07828 993 376 Graham Marks 01342 832 529 Secretary Gillian Pocock 01342 832 685 Distribution Grace Porter 01342 833 841 Production Cox and Co Creative 01342 836 564 Website: www.communitynewslingfield.co.uk
Community News is a non-profit making free newspaper published four times each year. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editorial team. Donations, although always welcome, do not guarantee publication of material submitted by the donor.
The next edition of Community News is the Summer edition.
Contributions for that issue should be emailed to: mail@communitynewslingfield.co.uk or sent to: Community News, c/o Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre, High Street, Lingfield, RH7 6AB not later than Sunday 12 April 2015 please.
Cover This issue covers some of the topics surrounding the potential expansion of Gatwick Airport and the impact on the area.
This issue of Community News has been printed by: Eden River Press Ltd 01883 712 099 www.edenriverpress.co.uk
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Editorial
As we start the new year, and look forward to the next twelve months with a sense of hope, our thoughts return to the tragic events which unfolded at the Plantation mobile home site in Newchapel in December of last year.
The incident claimed the lives of a mother and her two young children, aged one and six, and also saw two other people treated for serious burns. The fire was said by the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to be “fully developed” when they arrived in the early hours of December 30, and there was seemingly little they could do to save the lives of those involved.
It’s a terrible reminder of just how fleeting life can be, and if nothing else proves that we need to work together and enjoy our community while we can.
Community News, its writers, contributors, advertisers, and distributors would like to offer their sincere condolences to everyone caught up in this tragic event, and wish the relatives and friends involved all the best. You’re in our thoughts.
The decision whether or not to expand Gatwick Airport and add an extra runway is fast approaching, with the long consultation process set to reach a conclusion within months.
With the construction of ‘Boris Island’ in the Thames estuary too expensive, a lack of infrastructure at Stansted making expansion too complex, and a third runway at Heathrow having lost political momentum, Gatwick is fast developing into the best (or worst, or most feasible, take your pick) option.
Anecdotal evidence from Dormansland and Lingfield points to sustained opposition to any form of expansion, with concerns over increased traffic, noise and pollution continually being cited. Local political opposition to a second runway also seems to be solidifying.
However, the final say will rest with central government, based (one would hope) on the conclusion of studies and careful analysis. But let’s not forget that this is a long-term process. Decisions can be challenged, plans altered, and planning permissions sought, and there’s always a chance for you (the people that will really feel any change) to have your say.
Speaking of change, Lingfield’s lovely Post Office, with it set to move into an existing retail outlet in the village. The current proprietors, after years and years of serving the local community, are taking a well-earned rest.
I’m sure we’d all like to wish them all the best for the future, and hope their
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retirement is long, lazy and interesting. We’d also like to a say a big ‘hello’ to the new management.
We can’t say just yet who they are (as we don’t have official confirmation). The process of actually setting up and running the services takes several months (manufacturing red tape is always a money spinner!).
However, we've been reliably informed that the coming postal services will be at least as extensive as those offered previously, and there may even be extended opening times.
Finally, please have a look at our new website (www.communitynewslingfield.co.uk), beautifully designed and updated by our fantastic production team of Paula and Simon. Well done them!
The Editorial Team
Friends of St Peter and St Paul’s Church
Hold the dates On Saturday 25 April Nigel Saul, Professor of Medieval History, University of London, will be speaking about the history of Cobham Family and the College they established at the church
On Sunday 28 June an ever popular Lingfield Open Gardens is planned
Times and ticket details will be advised in due course.
By the time of these events the church will have been redecorated and any profits will go towards the cost of this.
For further information contact Pat Dobson T: 01342 834 317 or Felicity Pool T: 01342 832 519 E: [email protected]
Look out for further details and check the church website www.lingfieldparishchurch.org
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The possible Gatwick Expansion - Lingfield area waits to learn its fate
The Airports Commission makes its decision on a new runway for the South East of England this year, and the ramifications for our villages could be huge. CN looks at some of the big issues.
As demand for air travel rockets, many politicians, business leaders, and aviation experts argue the UK urgently needs to expand its airport capacity, or face losing passengers to Europe’s main international hubs.
Moreover, the commission is quite clear - there is an overriding need for one additional runway in the region by 2030, with Gatwick a strong contender to get the nod to grow.
The commission is expected give the UK government its recommendation on airport expansion in the early summer of this year, and it’s then up to Whitehall to make a final decision. It’s worth noting that back in 2010, the UK’s coalition government agreed no new runways will be built at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted.
Quite simply, any additional development of Gatwick will place Lingfield and the surrounding regions in the frontline of a massive housing, transport, and jobs upheaval, with concerns over traffic and air pollution looking set to grow. So where should the expansion take place?
The Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, or GACC, has published a critical examination of the plans for a second runway, entitled Gatwick Unwrapped, in which it argues that there’s NO need for a new runway because of the trend towards larger aircraft.
There is also unused capacity at Stansted which could be better utilised.
Even if a new runway were to be built at Gatwick it would soon fill up, attracting airlines from other parts of the UK and making the overcrowding of the South East even worse, GACC said.
Owner Gatwick Airport Ltd has already announced plans to increase passenger numbers to 40.2 million by 2021/2, and to 45 million by 2030, although this would be achieved by the use of larger aircraft, and by filling up the ‘quiet’ times of day.
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Unsurprisingly, it’s also in favour of building a second runway.
“From greater competition and more destinations, to lower fares and less noise than Heathrow, the reasons for expanding Gatwick are compelling and numerous,” said Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate at the end of last year.
“By contrast, the taxpayer funds needed for Heathrow expansion give us 6 billion reasons why it is the wrong choice, and the number of people to be newly affected by noise gives us hundreds of thousands more,” he added.
But GACC has warned that plans for a new Gatwick runway may blight (affect by serious noise) over 10,000 houses. Gatwick Airport Ltd has been asked to extend its existing scheme, which only covers about 280 houses at present.
GACC has since joined with environmental groups at other London airports to suggest that any airport which wishes to be considered as a site for a new runway must produce a scheme to alleviate blight.
The airport’s management has made a series of local pledges “designed to address the areas that matter most to the local community, including jobs, housing, noise and transport”, it stated recently.
The pledges include £46.5 million to help local authorities deliver essential community infrastructure; a series of noise initiatives including £45 million for Gatwick’s unique council tax initiative and £5 million for noise insulation measures; and improvements to local transport links and a commitment to ensure local roads are no busier than they are today, with a £10 million local highway development fund in place to meet any additional works.
While the extensive consultation process between central government and local pressure groups, academics, and political groupings continues, anecdotal evidence suggest that the majority of Lingfield’s resident are wholly opposed to any Gatwick development.
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Political Opposition There is also substantial local political opposition to any expansion, with Lingfield Parish Council having already written to the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee, or GATCOM (a statutory advisory body with no powers to impose recommendations) to express its opposition to a second runway.
“We believe the presentations given by Gatwick's consultants over the last three months are wholly inaccurate,” said the council in a statement. “How can Network Rail be expected to transport 60% of the additional 40,000,000 passengers expected to arrive at Gatwick when East Croydon and Clapham Junction are already at full capacity?,” it continued.
Moreover, how can the “M23 and M25 cope with the remaining 40% increase in projected traffic? Where are the estimated 40,000 new homes going to be built for those working at or around the expanded airport?,” the council said.
In December last year, while speaking at a meeting in Crawley, West Sussex County Council leader Louise Goldsmith told the Airports Commission the implications of a second runway at Gatwick would be “huge” for the communities close to the airport.
“If there’s to be a second runway at Gatwick then we need to consider how best to mitigate the effects on local communities and the environment,” said Goldsmith, “whilst considering how best to provide the infrastructure and services that are needed for more jobs, new business opportunities, homes, as well as the increase in traffic and transport”.
Kent County Council — which previously supported a second runway — has now decided to oppose it. Civic leaders in Tunbridge Wells formally declared their opposition to a new runway late last year, according to a local media outlet, with council leader David Jukes commenting that this is “democracy in action”.
And at Westminster, five MPs representing constituencies around Gatwick have formed the Gatwick Coordination Group to oppose any new runway.
The chairman is Crispin Blunt, accompanied by Sir Paul Beresford, Charles Hendry, Sir Nicholas Soames, and Sir John Stanley. Francis Maude has also made clear his opposition to a new runway but, as a minister, is not able to join the group.
Last autumn’s Liberal Democrat conference saw delegates vote to continue their existing policy of no new runways. An amendment which would have permitted a new runway at Gatwick or Stansted was defeated by a substantial majority, with attendees arguing Gatwick’s expansion was unnecessary while there is substantial spare capacity at Stansted and other airports.
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The Options: So what exactly are the options for the expansion of the UK’s air capacity. Put simply (and leaving aside Stansted and Luton), they are a) third runway at Heathrow, b) lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, or c) a second runway at Gatwick.
London Mayor Boris Johnson had championed the idea of an island airport in the Thames estuary (the famous ‘Boris Island’), although in September last year the commission declared the idea would not be shortlisted, citing the huge price tag and environmental concerns. However, Johnson has insisted the proposal is not dead, and that Gatwick’s proposals are not a long-term solution.
For Heathrow, the first option involves a new 3,500m runway to the north west of the airport’s two existing runways, with the second option being an extension of the existing northern runway by at least 6,000m, allowing it to operate as two separate entities.
Heathrow’s extra capacity (seen as the best short-term option to keep the UK competitive with its European rivals) would be delivered by 2029. The west London hub — one of the world’s busiest, handling 70 million passengers in 2012, including many transfers — already operates at 98% capacity, within a current limit of 480,000 flights per year. Its lack of capacity often results in cancellations.
Another medium-term option is to switch Heathrow to a ‘mixed mode’ operation, with both runways used for arrivals or departures. However, this would have major implications for noise levels and the commission itself has so far rejected this. Heathrow's owners, Heathrow Airport Holdings, also reject the idea.
For Gatwick (the world’s busiest single-runway airport, but with few transfer to other flights), the development would involve building a new runway, at least 3,000m in length, far enough away from the existing runway to allow for fully independent operation.
The expansion would cost up to £9 billion, be financed privately, could be opened by 2025, and would have less of an environmental impact than a third runway at Heathrow, according to Gatwick’s owners, who back a “constellation” approach - London served by three main airports, each with two runways. Passenger numbers at Gatwick could increase from about 34.2 million a year to between 67- 87 million.
A second runway for Gatwick would definitely affect fewer people in terms of noise and pollution (looking at the bigger picture), and reasonable transport links to London already exist, although a high-speed link between Gatwick and Heathrow (‘Heathwick’) would be a very long-term, expensive project.
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However, an existing agreement means no new runway will be built at Gatwick until 2019, and the current north terminal was built where the second runway would have been (had expansion plans suggested several years ago been followed through).
Public Opinion At the start of the year, a YouGov poll of 1,036 Londoners showed that when given a straight choice of where to build a new runway, 45% chose Gatwick compared with 39% for Heathrow, with factors such as cost to the taxpayer, minimising the capital’s air traffic, and regeneration benefits influencing the results.
The poll also showed that 38% of Londoners believe expansion at Gatwick would create more competition between airports and airlines, compared with only 26% for Heathrow. And according credit ratings agency Moody’s at the end of 2014, Gatwick faces long-term financing risks, and a threat to its creditworthiness, whether a new runway is built there or at Heathrow.
Gatwick could be vulnerable to airlines switching to an expanded Heathrow, while a second runway at Gatwick would increase airport charges and possibly alienate some of the more price-sensitive airlines, commented Moody’s.
Strangely enough, an unexpected beneficiary of expansion at either of the big London airport could be Stansted, said Moody’s, as with the only London airport with substantial spare runway capacity, it would become the natural place to accommodate additional low-cost demand over the longer term.
The Confederation of British Industry has also chipped in to the debate, sating that a single, larger hub airport where passengers can transfer to a range of destinations is critical to the UK's long-term economic growth.
Conclusion The Airports Commission is due to report in mid-2015 on its preferred option for airport expansion in the South East, which will almost certainly be one additional runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick.
Currently, the countryside around Gatwick - mainly thanks to many years of strict planning policies - remains attractive and unspoiled. All the land to the north of the airport is designated as Green Belt, with development prohibited.
It’s hard to imagine that situation not changing should the powers that be decide to build a second runway at Gatwick. Watch this space for updates and responses over the coming months.
Edward Pearcey, Editor and Chairman, Community News
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Your Letters
The Good Samaritan Regrettably there was no one in Dormansland who was a Good Samaritan one Thursday afternoon in January.
I was walking home from the hairdresser when an elderly lady stopped me in Dormans Road. She was very anxious as the bus had not come at 15.20, it was now 15.40 and she had a doctor's appointment at 15.50. I thought, “No problem,” as I was sure some kind person would stop and help out, after all we live in a small community.
I must have tried flagging down about 20 motorists, but to my astonishment nobody would stop and help. I too am an old age pensioner so two elderly ladies waving for help should not have posed a threat! The poor lady thus missed her appointment with the Doctor.
I am very disappointed in the poor community spirit in Dormansland. It would be desirable if everyone could please add Helping Others to their new year’s resolutions. Pat J, Dormansland
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A newcomer to the village speaks I wanted to write this letter as a kind of rebuttal to a recent “My Lingfield” article. I loved reading these stories about growing up here, a real insight into the past, in a village full of charm.
I was, however, a bit hurt by the last one, and the author’s comments that Lingfield is now a “commune of strangers” behind high walls. What a shame, I thought, that a few incidents and observations have sullied this person’s opinion about the village as it is today.
I’m new to Lingfield, been here just over a year, so please let me tell you my story.
A few days after my 40th birthday I found out I was pregnant! Oops, that’s a bit late in the day to be starting a family. Once the shock wore off and it clearly wasn't my imagination, we started to think about getting a house somewhere a bit further out from London, to make a home for the little one, have a garden, exposed floor boards, life insurance, time to live among proper grown ups - rather that staying up and watching US comedy on box sets until 3am.
So Lingfield happened by chance really. A friend of mine lives nearby and when I visited, it just seemed so idyllic. She has two children, her house felt so warm and happy, and we talked about play groups, schools, and living in the area etc.
We looked around East Grinstead and surrounding areas, got very friendly with Howard Cundey (whose help was invaluable), and I explained that I really wanted something in the village itself, to really feel part of it. We were so lucky to get the house we have, it’s just perfect.
There's nothing pretentious about Lingfield, and people really do have a community spirit, even if they’re new to the village. I think Lingfield itself commands it. It’s the first time I’ve realised that community actually works. Look at the station - if it wasn't for people voicing their opinion on the new bridge then we would have that now (rather than installing a lift, as I believe is happening at some point). Community spirit worked! Isn’t that great?
We’ve used the facilities in Lingfield as much as possible since we arrived. We had my mum’s birthday in Lingfield Day Centre, using the wonderful LouLou Jane to do the cup cakes (just yum).
I've been to a few Flix in the Stix, such a good idea, and I’ve attended many Jo Jingles classes, generally with a screaming child, and in the same room as the films are shown. I love that juxtaposition. I’ve ordered fabulous meat from CMB Foods (lovely Lingfield sausages, mmmm). And I have my back dealt with at the local osteopaths - the brilliant Liz can work wonders. Believe me, I could go on.
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I love the community orchard and Jenner’s Field, walking around the church, popping to The Star for lunch, saying hello to CoCo the Horse, and sitting by the pond watching the ducks.
So now we are sometimes up at 3am, but for different reasons. Time to be grown ups, finally … and what a lovely place to do just that. A Happy Newbie, Lingfield
ePetition to Demolish Lingfield’s Pointless Pinch-Points I ran an ePetition from 10 July to 10 September 2014 to try to demolish Lingfield’s Pointless Pinch-Points, which was heard at the Tandridge District Council meeting on 12 December 2014. Following this, Surrey County Council sent the result of that meeting in an email to the 1,061 people who signed the petition:
The committee agreed to defer the decision until the next meeting of the local committee.
This is in order to prepare a new report by March 2015 (proposing potential amendments to the scheme), continue the monitoring, and to consult with the Lingfield and Dormansland parish councils prior to the report being submitted to the Committee.
However, as was stated at that meeting there is actually no monitoring in place and this is confirmed in an email I received from the Police Casualty Reduction Team. So when they say ‘continue the monitoring’ they would first have to start it.
So what is going on here? Do they think it will go away?
And to put it on the agenda for February or March will be yet another waste of public money. We will be called to another pointless meeting unless someone in Surrey County Council and Tandridge District Council admits to the fact that no decision can be made because there is no monitoring taking place on which to base a decision. Pam Erskine, Lingfield
Have your say email: mail@communitynewslingfield.co.uk or write to us at: Community News, c/o Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre, High Street, Lingfield, RH7 6AB
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Lingfield Parish Council
Godstone Road pinch-points Over 1,000 people signed the online petition to have the pinch-points in Godstone Road removed. This petition was presented to the Tandridge Local Area Committee in December (see letters section for a fuller analysis).
At this meeting, officers from Surrey County Council recommended that the developer’s bond could now be released and any adjustments to the scheme should to be funded elsewhere.
However, the committee decided to defer a decision until March to allow members from Lingfield and Dormansland parish councils to offer suggestions for alternatives to the scheme.
Gatwick Airport Residents are requested to make their feelings known to the Airports Commission, which is running a consultation on an additional runway at Gatwick Airport (see the larger feature in this issue of CN for a fuller analysis).
The five MPs who cover the area all state that Gatwick’s proposals ‘do not stack up’ and that their figures are questionable.
Please respond to: [email protected] by 3 February 2015
Every email will receive a response.
Village Market The parish council is working with the community centre to launch the village market in March.
The aim is to encourage people to shop in Lingfield by offering goods that are not normally available on our High Street.
Elections Parish Council elections will be held in May 2015. If you would like to know more about the role of parish councillor please contact the clerk.
If you are interested in standing for election, nomination papers will be available from the District Council nearer the time.
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The Parish Council meets on the last Tuesday of the month (except August and December) at 7.45pm at Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre. The Planning Committee of the Parish Council meets at 7pm on these dates and usually on another Tuesday mid month. A list of meeting dates can be found on the website and on notice boards. Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings unless otherwise stated.
The parish office is situated in Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre, High Street, Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6AB and is open to the public between 10am and 12 noon Mondays to Thursdays.
Contact details: Parish Clerk - Mrs Fay Elwood Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre High Street Lingfield Surrey RH7 6AB
T: 01342 835 557 E: parishclerk@lingfieldpc.fsnet.co.uk www.lingfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
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Dormansland Parish Council
Dormansland’s Annual Parish Assembly will take place on Wednesday 15 April. This is a meeting that gives villagers the opportunity to meet the Councillors (Parish, District and County) and receive reports based on Village developments over the previous twelve months.
All Dormansland residents are very welcome and there will be opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions.
Gatwick Airport The Airports Commission is asking for your views on whether a second runway should be built at Gatwick. The consultation closes at 11.45pm, 3 February 2015 (see the main feature in this issue of CN for a fuller analysis).
A simple and quick response can be sent by email or post, or you can provide a detailed response using the response form online.
Email [email protected], or write to: Freepost RTKX-USUC-CXAS Airports Commission Consultation PO Box 1492 Woking GU22 2QR
Or, finally, Google “Airports Commission” to find the Consultation Document and “How to Respond”.
Residents are encouraged to respond to this important consultation document. Having done your response, please ask other members of your family to respond. However, to be counted as separate replies it is necessary to use different email addresses. Please also ask your friends and neighbours to respond.
Dormansland Parish Council is opposed to a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
Reporting anti-social behaviour There have been several incidents of anti-social activity in the village over the last few months. If you witness anything at all, please report it straight away, and this can be done by dialling Surrey Police on 101.
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Our local police officer said it is very helpful if residents report anything that appears at all suspicious because the police are then able to react immediately and, hopefully, catch the culprits in action. The 101 number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency always dial 999 however.
Grants for locals The Parish Council has for a number of years awarded grants to local organisations for the benefit of the residents of Dormansland.
If your organisation is interested in applying for a grant from the Parish Council, please note that we consider applications at our monthly meeting in September, and the deadline for applications will be on 31 August.
Application forms can be downloaded from the website. Alternatively please contact the Clerk, who will be able to send a form to you.
The next meetings of Dormansland Parish Council will be: Wednesday 11 February (please note change of date) Wednesday 4 March Wednesday 1 April
They’re all in Dormansland Memorial Hall, at 7.30pm, and if you have anything that you would like to bring to the attention of the Council, you are very welcome to attend.
Contact details: Parish Clerk - Lynn Blake T: 01342 833 989 E: [email protected] www.dormansland.org.uk
Foot Health Practice
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Lingfield Neighbourhood Plan Open Day Success
TOP tips for organising a successful Neighbourhood Plan event suggested at a workshop included: * Tell everyone about it * Use lots of bunting * Give them FREE cakes and tea!
So we did all three (and more) and judging by the turnout on a freezing January day it worked a treat.
More than 170 people poured in Lingfield Community Centre for the Open Day on Saturday 17 January to view the findings of the questionnaire that was sent to every resident of the village.
More than a quarter of you had responded with comments and concerns.
The results were then collated and put into graphs and pie charts to show in a graphic way the chief issues: the need for a larger surgery; traffic; street scene and the concern that Lingfield lacks sufficient infrastructure for new housing.
At the Open Day, visitors added hundreds of "Like" and "Dislike" stickers to the displays, and these views will be added to the final report which forms part of the first Draft Plan we will create.
Sandra Silvester, a resident since 1969, said: "I am concerned that more development on the Green Belt will destroy the character of the village. The disregard of yellow lines is also a problem - we need more enforcement." Plus points for Sandra - and many more besides her - were the community spirit and friendliness of the village.
"It's a pity we did not have a Neighbourhood Plan two years ago," said one resident of Paddock Close who expressed concern about the road and pavements - or lack of them - as a new housing development on the Newchapel Road is set to be built this year.
His concerns were echoed by mother-of-four Joanne Murray who also lives there and says she is now forced to drive every time she leaves the house as it is not safe for a buggy.
Joanne came along to find out more about youth facilities, and the question of
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facilities for young people was certainly highlighted by the Wish Lists drawn up: drop in centres for kids; splash area (and a cafe) in the park; more for teenagers to do.
"We used to have the butcher, baker and candlestick maker and that is what made the village but the diversity has gone," commented someone looking at our Use It or Lose It display.
Well, we cannot argue with that. Perhaps the new Farmers Market coming this year will encourage people to shop locally more often.
The mess at the Co-Op and Scats frontage were both targets of criticism and as one resident said: "If places look smart people will want to keep it that way."
Where now then? The next step for the Steering Group include creating a Business Survey and a new Lingfield Youth Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you all at our next event.
To keep in touch, please visit the dedicated Neighbourhood Plan website at www.lingfield.info where you can leave an email for regular updates. Meetings are held at 8pm on the first Monday of the month in the Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre.
Butterflies & Bows Flowers, Balloons & Decorations, for All Occasions & All Venues Fresh Silk Flowers Arrangements Bouquets & Garlands Helium & Air Balloons Wall & Ceiling Decorations Table Centrepieces & Accessories, Tableware Drapes & Swags Disco, Stationery, Cakes, Catering, Marquees also available Personal, Reliable Service, Competitive prices
Call Annabel Grange Telephone: 01342 892392 Mobile: 07717 527923 www.butterfliesandbows.co.uk
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Dormansland Neighbourhood Plan — Action in Rural Sussex comes on board
The work is continuing behind the scenes on our Neighbourhood Plan, and following the collection and collation of the views of the residents in last summer’s survey and the Open Day in October, the Steering Group is starting to formulate the draft plan.
As this will be Your Plan, you will all be asked to look at it in detail and have the opportunity to make comments about it before it is sent to Tandridge District Council to check it fits its planning policies.
Dormansland is very fortunate to be situated in a lovely part of Surrey, surrounded by highly valued landscapes designated as Green Belt and the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The importance of these areas will need to be included when drawing up the plan. Buildings and open spaces which are cherished by our residents will be given careful thought as how to ensure they can be protected or enhanced.
The Parish Council has instructed an expert team to help make sure these important factors are given the due consideration required, and to assist the Steering Group in writing the best possible plan for our community.
This team is from Action in Rural Sussex (AiRS), who, with its qualified planning consultants, has had considerable success with plans in other rural communities nearby.
A significant portion of the fees for AiRS will be covered by grants from the Community Development Foundation and the Parish Council has enthusiastically given its full backing for the completion of our plan by bringing AiRS in to support the work.
With a Neighbourhood Plan in place, Dormansland will have its say on balancing the needs of the community with the infrastructure required. Should new development be planned, it will be possible for the community to play an important part in deciding what, where, and even for whom! Do keep a look out for further updates on how to get involved.
To encourage you to return your surveys, a prize draw was promised and the winner was selected at January’s parish meeting. Well done Mrs Manlove!
Liz Lockwood T: 01342 870 508 E: [email protected] Facebook Dormansland Neighbourhood Plan Information www.dormansland.org.uk
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A facelift and a lick of paint for Lingfield’s Parish Church
New Year, new you… Not to be outdone by all those New Year diets, the Parish Church is having a facelift! We are subject to regular building inspections, and the most recent one recommended internal redecoration, with some restoration work to the plaster as well as repainting.
Tempting as it is to go for a jazzy new shade, we never lose sight of the fact that the church is a beautiful, Grade 1 listed historic building, and so we are being repainted in a lovely light cream colour, using special paint which lets the walls breathe.
Business as usual It’s a very messy job, so the church building is currently shut during the week, but the office in the vestry is still open. Just knock on the side door if you’d like to talk to us, or ring us on the usual number, 01342 832 021, or email lingfi[email protected].
Liz, our Administrator, or Kathryn, our Priest-in-Charge, will be happy to help. If you’d like to speak to Kathryn directly, you can ring her on 01883 724 501, or email [email protected].
We are very grateful to the Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre for accommodating our mid-week groups.
‘Pop-In’, our coffee and chat session, takes place on Tuesday mornings from 10am to noon in the Orpen Lounge.
Footsteps Our toddler group, takes place on Thursday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3.00pm (except 17 February, half term) in the Allison Room.
Messy Church And finally, our monthly Messy Church takes place on 9 February and 9 March, from 3.30pm to 6pm, in Jennings Hall (formerly the Day Centre).
Sunday services are taking place in church as usual each week. We’re surrounded by scaffolding, but it doesn’t matter, so come along. The times are as usual: 8am and 9.30am (10am on first Sunday of each month).
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Please look at our notice boards for details of specific services, and if you’d like to receive email alerts about services and news, just contact the Parish Office and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
If you haven’t been to one of our groups before, why not take the chance to give it a try? The building is very important, and we are ensuring that it is in good condition for generations to come, but the real church is the people, so come and be part of it!
The wraps come off! We are hoping that all the work will be finished by Palm Sunday, 29 March, ready for Holy Week and Easter. The church will look wonderful, so come and see!
Are you moving hou use this year? Don’to getge caughtcaug ou ut,u , getge ana independent depe de property survey or HHome Buyer Report by a local, family-ruun company based in Dormansland, ser rving Surrey, Sussex and Kent. 01342 837 7 164 www.robinson-elliott.co.uk
23 Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 24
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24 Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 25
RH7 History Group
Our speaker on 9 March will be Richard Filmer who will explore the history of hop growing in this country (hops were once widely grown in this area).
We meet as usual in the Community Centre; doors open 7.30pm; the talk starts at 8pm. Non-members welcome (£2.50)
Apart from our regular meetings the RH7 History Group is involved in several local history projects. Following our World War 1 exhibition last year it is planned that, in conjunction with the Surrey History Centre (Woking), all the material will be available on the internet in due course.
We are grateful for the many documents and items that are donated. The group catalogues these and there are plans for a database.
We have a large number of Fact Sheets, written by members and covering a wide range of topics. These are available in the library and can be purchased for a small charge.
If you want to know about any aspects of local history visit the library to see what is available. Use our website www.rh7.org where you may find the information you need; alternatively we have some knowledgable members who may be able to help.
We are a thriving group with over 100 members and always welcome more. Please contact me if you would like further information.
For further information about the group please contact the secretary: Felicity Pool T: 01342 832 519 E: [email protected] www.RH7.org
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Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 27
Lingfield to have a ‘satellite’ Foodbank
Over the past year we have seen an increasing number of people coming to East Grinstead foodbank as the recession continues to affect people's lives. Many have previously been just about coping financially, then something has happened to completely stop or dramatically reduce their income. The reason for this income crisis can include a sudden loss of earnings, change in family circumstances or housing problems. For many people on low income the cold winter months can mean a choice has to be made between paying for heat or putting food on the table.
Since opening in December 2012, The Foodbank team have noticed that a number of clients have come to Foodbank from the Lingfield and Blindley Heath area. For many this has caused extra hardship as they have had to rely on friends or family to provide transport or catch a bus, which they cannot afford. As a last resort some clients have even walked to the foodbank.
For this reason we have decided to set up a Foodbank 'satellite' in Lingfield.
From 6 March 2015, volunteers from East Grinstead Foodbank will meet residents from Lingfield and the surrounding area who are in need of food at Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre on the first and third Friday of the month, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Access is by referral only, vouchers can be obtained from: St Piers Sure Start Centre Lingfield Primary School Lingfield Surgery Affinity Sutton Housing Tandridge District Council Tandridge Locality Parashoot/Raven Housing Guinness Housing East Grinstead CAB
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated in any way to the foodbank this year. We have been totally amazed at the on-going generosity of our local community giving through Supermarket Collections, School and Business enterprises, ranging from non-school uniform days to staff and customer food collections, cake sales and sponsored bike rides, Harvest Festivals and most recently donations of Advent Calendars and all things Christmassy.
It's been such a privilege passing these items on to those who have come to us.
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A Walk around Medieval Lingfield
Have you ever wondered how a village like Lingfield started? Unfortunately it wasn’t mentioned in the Domesday Book. In fact Lingfield seems to have always had two centres which are now Conservation Areas: PLAISTOW and the area round the CHURCH.
May I take you on a walk round the Plaistow Street Conservation Area, where there are six really early houses still standing but rather disguised by later additions and alterations.
Let’s start opposite the petrol station in Newchapel Road with BRICKLANDS: this was one of the earliest and largest farmhouses built in the 1400s with a central hall, with a fire in the centre of the room with smoke billowing up into the rafters and a floored solar over a buttery and pantry next to it. Then if we go round the corner, on our right is the GREYHOUND pub, built in about 1500 as a hall house but again suffering from a ‘facelift’ and extensions in the 19th century.
Now we come into the area round The Gun Pond with, on the left, ROSE COTTAGES which originally was a small Wealden farmhouse. Wealden farmhouses were quite prestigious. They had a central recessed hall with two crosswings where the upper floor was jettied (projecting out over the lower floor) and we are lucky because we can see what they were like by looking at the Guest House Library at the entrance to the Church from Vicarage Road. Just across the road behind the pond in another Wealden, BILLSHURST COTTAGES again built in the 1400s but later added to and made into four cottages.
Across the other side of the pond and road is MAGNUS DEO quite late by our standard as it was built in the 1600’s.
Now we have to turn right into East Grinstead Road, past the parade of shops and two later houses we come to DRIVERS COTTAGES: this again was a well designed 15th century hall house. Look over the road at the timber-framed building behind the little courtyard: it is marked on a map of the Manor of the College and Billshurst of 1607 as the PARISH BARN. These grand farmhouses of the 15th century must have meant that Lingfield was a prosperous place and although they have been much altered we are lucky that we still have them.
You can find all this information in books by Peter Gray in the Guest House Library and maybe at some future date we could walk around the Church Conservation Area which again is full of interesting buildings and our magnificent Church.
Sheilah Gray
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Film club to host Q&A with Headline Pictures Director
Stewart Mackinnon is one of the founding directors of Headline Pictures (Quartet, The Invisible Women) and will be taking part in a Q&A session preceding the screening of Headline’s film in April of The Invisible Women (see facing page).
Stewart has extensive knowledge of the film and television industry and has a wide range of contacts in the industry. He has worked with leading broadcasters in Europe and the US and with many leading writers, producers, directors and actors including Ridley Scott, Harvey Weinstein, Mike Newell, Dustin Hoffman, Sir Ronnie Harwood, Michael Hirst, Abi Morgan, Tom Courtney, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas to name a few. Please buy your ticket early as seating is limited.
8 February - 3.30pm The Railway Man 8 March - 3.30pm Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid 12 April - 7.30pm The Invisible Woman
Based on the remarkable bestselling autobiography, The Railway Man tells the extraordinary and epic true story of Eric Lomax (Colin Firth), a British Army officer who is tormented as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labour camp during World War II.
Decades later, Lomax and his beautiful love interest Patti (Nicole Kidman) discover that the Japanese interpreter responsible for much of his treatment is still alive and set out to confront him, and his haunting past, in this powerful and inspiring tale of heroism, humanity and the redeeming power of love. (8 February, 3.30pm)
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With its iconic pairing of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, jaunty screenplay and Burt Bacharach score, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has gone down as among the defining moments in late-'60s American cinema.
Join us for one cinema’s classic westerns – a funny and poignant tale of two famous outlaws. (8 March, 3.30pm)
The Invisible Women - Nelly (Felicity Jones), a happily-married mother and schoolteacher, is haunted by her past. Her memories, provoked by remorse and guilt, take us back in time to follow the story of her relationship with Charles Dickens (Ralph Fiennes) with whom she discovered an exciting but fragile complicity.
Dickens - famous, controlling and emotionally isolated within his success - falls for Nelly, who comes from a family of actors. The theatre is a vital arena for Dickens - a brilliant amateur actor - a man more emotionally coherent on the page or on stage, than in life.
As Nelly becomes the focus of Dickens' passion and his muse, for both of them secrecy is the price, and for Nelly a life of "invisibility". (12 April, 6.30pm - Doors, 7.00pm - Q&A Headline Pictures’ Stewart Mackinnon, 7.45pm - Film)
Tickets Now on Sale Box Office: 01342 833 893 (LDCC Office) Robert Leech Estate Agents, Lingfield, High St E: enquiries@lingfieldcentre.org www.lingfieldcentre.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter @lingfieldfilms For Trailers visit: www.lingfieldfilms.wordpress.com
The Cooperative Community Fund supports Flix in the Stix.
We are also grateful to Robert Leech Estate Agents who continue to support us this season and will be selling tickets as well as the Community Centre office. This will mean you can buy tickets when the centre office is closed.
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LINGFIELD MARATHON FUN RUN ON BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY 3rd MAY 2015
www.Lingfield-marathon.org
Would you like to have a stall, sideshow, or promotional unit on the day to raise money or publicity for your own Charity or Business .
STALL HOLDERS ENTRY FORM Please arrive between 07:00 & 09:00 Vehicles must be parked by 09:30
Stalls Organiser: Mike Ellis, Bidbury House, Hollow Lane, East Grinstead, W Sussex RH19 3PS Email [email protected] Tel; 01342-870261
LINGFIELD FUN RUN AND FAMILY DAY AT N.C.Y.P.E, ST PIERS LANE, LINGFIELD, SURREY RH7 6PN
This event is to raise funds for local Charities. There is a special price for booking for a pitch of £10.00 for Charities and £15.00 for businesses.
If you would like to book a pitch for a stall or side show, please complete and return the form below to Mike Ellis at the above address and make cheques payable to “Lingfield Marathon”. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Please reserve a pitch at the Lingfield Marathon Fun Run event on Sunday 3rd May 2015
Name:
Address:
Telephone Number: Day ………………………….………… Evening ……………………………………...
E-mail Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name of Charity………..……………………………………….….…………………………………..
Type of Stall: ……………………………………………….…….Fee Enclosed: ……………………………….
Charity number if applicable: …………………………………………………………………………………….
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Lingfield Marathon Minibus Committee
Reg Charity No.287788 Phone 01342 870 261 E-mail; [email protected]
24th Annual Quiz Night You are invited to enter a team in the Annual Victoria Sports & Social Club quiz night to raise funds for the Lingfield Marathon Community Minibus. Last year 16 teams crowded into the Victoria Memorial Hall, and the winners were Quizteam Aguilera led by David Pearl who took the trophy having been placed 3rd the previous year at their first attempt. In second place came General Ponder’s Think Tank led by Sue Fox who have won the trophy for the previous four years. In 3rd place came The Missing Link led by Rosemary Bridger who always seem to get in the first three places maybe they will take the trophy next year. In 4th Place came Redhill Raiders led by Stuart Holland who have won the event seven times but need to revise a bit more if they are to regain former glory. The evening was enjoyed by all and thanks go to the quizmasters Brian Wilkins & Michael Hales as well as Kevin Staples for providing the PA and music round questions. The sum of £565 was raised to support the Minibus.
This year the quiz will be held on Friday 24 April 2015
Venue; Main Hall at the Victoria Sports & Social Club RH7 6AA Assemble from 7.30pm for 8pm start. Teams of maximum 6 persons per table Quizmaster Michael Hales
------
Entry form. We enclose cheque for £24 payable to ‘Lingfield Marathon Minibus’
Team Name ………………………………......
Contact name ………………………………......
Address ………………………………......
………………………………......
Telephone number ………………………………......
E- mail ………………………………......
Return to Michael Ellis, Bidbury House, Hollow Lane, East Grinstead RH19 3PS
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Lingfield Cricket Club announces pre-season development programme
Following on from a highly successful 2014 season, Lingfield Cricket Club has launched its 2015 Junior Winter Development Programme. The programme, which runs between January and April, is designed to develop and enhance the core cricket skills of our junior club members and is important preparation for the season ahead.
It is open to all players, existing and new, boys and girls, from five years up to and including school year 10 (next season’s U15s).
The Winter Development Programme comprises a mixture of batting, bowling and fielding sessions, which are tailored to the needs of the age group and their level of cricketing development.
Emphasis will be placed on developing the necessary athletic skills as well as technique and tactics. Each session will be led by an experienced ECB Level 2, or higher, coaches.
Building on the success of last season, the club is committing to increasing the number of coaches at each session in order to provide more focused support to the players. Where we did this last season, we saw accelerated improvements in both player and team development.
This includes bringing in external Level 3 coaches, including former professional players, to help support the juniors who are playing hard ball cricket. The programmes for each of the six different age group timings takes place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and last about 90 minutes.
As usual, the club will be entering competitions across Surrey, Sussex and Kent in various leagues, cups and festivals. Coaching and nets for the senior Colts (U16s upwards) and senior players start on Monday, 26 January and new players of all standards and experience will be very welcome. The club will be putting out five senior league sides in 2015 with the fifth XI joining the Mid-Sussex League, while they will also compete in the Surrey Championship for the first time following the second XI promotion last year.
Both the junior and senior programmes will be held in the sports hall at Lingfield Notre Dame School.
For more information please contact Robert Mitchell on 01342 832 737, 07767 231 504 or Jan Robertshaw on 07779 251 854.
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School celebrates scholarship results
The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley is celebrating an exceptional set of scholarship results achieved by its Year 8 pupils.
A total of 45 senior school scholarships have been awarded to pupils this term, with an incredible 68% of children receiving awards.
The variety of scholarships awarded by senior schools, reflect the roundedness of a Hawthorns education, with one third awarded for academic success, another third for sport and a sixth for all-rounder scholarships.
Other scholarships awarded were for music, performing art/drama, art and DT.
One senior school commented that they had offered more scholarships to Hawthorns’ pupils than to all other schools put together.
Of particular significance was unanimous feedback from senior schools, commenting on the well-rounded and likeable nature of all of the pupils.
Headmaster Tim Johns commented: “These results recognise first and foremost the hard work and dedication by all our Year 8 pupils, of whom we are justifiably proud. However, they also reflect the quality of teaching and commitment of the Hawthorns staff and the support of the parents.
I would like to congratulate our Year 8 pupils and I am sure they will all go on to achieve great things.”
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Down on the Allotment
Picking up my favourite gardening book ‘Your Garden Week by Week’ by AG Hellyer (published 1958), I read the same sentence about January that strikes fear in me every year: “For the sluggards amongst you who haven’t finished your winter digging there is still a few weeks to complete the task”. Needless to say, I still have a lot of digging to do and from now until the beginning of March I’ll be keeping an eye on the weather, looking for any dry periods where I can get out and dig, weed and manure.
When the weather isn’t kind I’ll use the time to prepare for the year ahead by ordering seeds and seed potatoes, sowing sweet peas and planting up the dahlia tubers so that they sprout and provide material for cuttings. Around one third of our allotment is devoted to flowers (mainly sweet peas and dahlias), one third to vegetables and one third fruit. Many ‘old school’ allotmenteers often look disdainfully at growing flowers on allotments, while many ‘modern’ plot holders see their plots more akin to leisure gardens rather than mini farms - ours is somewhere in between.
The preparations will carry on until mid-March when, dependent upon the weather, the soil should start to warm up sufficiently to start sowing. Parsnips, broad beans, beetroot, carrots and peas can all be sown outside directly in the ground. It will be ‘all systems go!’ in the greenhouse too, with tomatoes, aubergines, chillies, cabbages, cauliflowers and lettuces all being started off in seed trays. The sweet peas will be planted outside (hopefully to produce some show winning blooms in the July show).
April will see any spare greenhouse space filled with sowings of sweet corn, runner and French beans; all crops that will need protection from frosts. Meanwhile outside, potatoes will be planted along with leeks and spring onions. I’ll also be continuing to sow more of the types of seeds I sowed in March. This is because one of my resolutions for 2015 is to sow a little and often – having 40 lettuces ready at the same time means most bolt and end up in the compost bin, sowing a few lettuces, cauliflowers, and beetroot each month will provide harvests over several months. Armed with a new calendar I will mark down what needs re- sowing each month and all will be ordered Chez Nous. Watch this space!
As I arm myself for the busiest months of the year – March and April – I think that maybe Mr. Hellyer was right about us sluggards needing to pull our fingers out!
Adrian Colombini
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The Lingfield Horticultural Society
The society completed the final monthly meeting of last year on Friday 12 December, when we held the 113th Annual General Meeting in the Lingfield Day Centre.
The meeting provided members of the committee with the opportunity to report on the events of the previous year, as well as outline the plans for the future.
As indicated a year ago, Kate Reynolds stepped down as Secretary (after 18 years) and Michael Pocock relinquished his position as Treasurer (after 26 years), so we were in need of people to step forward to take on these roles.
Also retiring from her role overseeing the catering arrangements was Marlene Scholes, together with assistant Jacque Knowles. The catering will now be overseen by Angela Kirk who will organise a rota system, so ensuring that a different pair will be responsible for the refreshments after each monthly meeting and at the various shows.
Ron Brewer is also retiring from his role on the committee, and the assembled members recorded the above retirements with several rounds of well-deserved applause!
It is with great delight that we can confirm that Adrian Colombini has volunteered to take on the role of Treasurer, and Sylvia Parker will become the Programme Secretary.
It is also with great pleasure that we can announce that Michael Pocock has accepted the position of President of the society, with Kate Reynolds becoming vice-president.
The remaining members of the current committee all agreed to continue in their present roles and so, to complete the evening, there were several presentations.
First, there was the presentation of awards to those members of the society who had achieved the greatest success in shows taken over the whole year. The Centenary Trophy was presented to joint winners Sylvia Parker and Adrian Colombini for gaining most points from selected classes in all our shows.
Then, the Secretary’s Shield was presented to Claire Chapman for gaining most points in the spring and autumn shows.
Finally, there was a special presentation to Janet and John Barnes who were made life members of the society. Following a very successful AGM, the evening
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was rounded off with a Christmassy social, with a wine and savoury buffet supper (not forgetting the mince pies of course).
Our first meeting of the New Year in January was a talk by Colin Jones on ‘Blooming Britain’. Colin is an accredited lecturer with the Royal Horticultural Society and a flower judge for the Surrey Guild of Horticultural Judges. As a photographer he has travelled the world and recorded in pictures some of the great botanic gardens and their plants.
On Friday 6 February John Buckingham will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Natural History of South East England’. At this meeting we will also start to take bookings for the summer visit on 7 June to Waddesdon Manor, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire.
More than 350,000 visitors a year visit Waddesdon Manor to appreciate the exceptional architecture, art collections and gardens. On 6 March Graham Spencer will address the society on ‘New Plants – the Future for your Garden’.
All our meetings take place in the Lingfield Day Centre, starting at 8pm, and we always extend a warm welcome to people (of all ages) who might be considering joining the society.
Over the next few months members of the society will also be busy preparing for the annual Plant Sale, to be held in the Lingfield Day Centre on Saturday 9 May. So please make sure that you put this date in your diary – there are bargains to be had and you will be supporting the work of the society, as well as providing your own garden with the flowers and for that magnificent summer display!
If you’re interested in finding out more about the society at any time then please contact our Membership Secretary, Alan Reynolds, on 01342 833 155.
Visit our website to find out more www.lingfieldhortsoc.org
Local Art Exhibition
Three established local artists, Valerie Osbon Saul, John N. Joseph and Tayder Page will be exhibiting an interesting and varied selection of their oil and watercolour paintings and three dimensional work at The Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre from 4 February to 2 March.
Admission is free and all works are for sale. 10% of all sales will go to the Community Centre.
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Top floral designer to visit Lingfield 2015 is our 20th Anniversary and we’re celebrating in style! From a special anniversary demonstration in April by superstar floral designer Mig Kimpton, to ‘how-to’ workshops, special social events and regular floral art demonstrations, there’s lots to enjoy in 2015.
Winter/ Spring 2015 Programme 23 February 2015 - ‘Floral Theatre’ with Sachiko Pearce Sachiko’s ‘East meets West’ style combines floral art with theatre.
23 March 2015 - ‘The Coming of Spring’ with Elsie Chapman Spring’s almost here, and Elsie’s demonstration leads the way.
27 April 2015 - 20th Anniversary Celebratory Demonstration ‘Into the Woods’ with Mig Kimpton, International Floral Designer Multi-award winner Mig Kimpton combines his 30 years of working in theatre with his passion for floral design. From winning gold at RHS Chelsea to working with stars such as Sir Ian McKellen and Elton John, to producing West End plays, you won’t fail to be entertained. Please note we have a different venue for this special event: Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre, High St, Lingfield. For tickets or for more information, please contact us (see below).
This Season’s Flower Tips When you think the dark days of winter will never be over, cheer yourself with bunches of daffodils. In water, they’re happier alone, as they exude a sap when cut that can shorten the life of other blooms.
Take a look in your garden, it may be less barren than you think! Branches of sweet smelling or delicately blossoming shrubs popped in a vase of water or floral foam will brighten any room. Try witch hazel (hamamelis), wintersweet (chimonanthas praecox), daphne (D.bholua) and viburnum. Or look for the catkins of hazel and alder or the winter flowering Algerian Iris (iris unguicularis) - they look great together.
For more top tips and floral inspiration, come along to one of our monthly meetings, usually held at Victoria SSC, High St, Lingfield - doors open 7pm. Visitors are always welcome, entry £5, or why not join us and enjoy a range of member
benefits, practical workshops and events. E: info@LingfieldFlowerClub.com T: Karil 01342 832 038 www.facebook.com/LingfieldFlowerClub
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The Lingfield Nature Reserves
My reflections on the Lingfield Wildlife Reserves in 2014
By chairman John Madden 2014 was our fifth best year for total butterfly records since 2002 and more detail is given in the pages of the annual butterfly report on our website. New butterfly friendly sections (the pond, new ditch and a section crossing Bloomers Field) were added to the transect last year. They are some of the richest butterfly areas on the reserves and are boosting our counts. The new ditch and Bloomers Field in particular are proving excellent for essex/small skipper and common blues.
Yet another new species, the purple hairstreak, was seen on the transect under the oak in the North East corner of Jenners Field. It is now officially on our list. I was really lucky to catch this canopy loving insect at ground level. I was also pleased to spot dingy skippers in the new ditch again this year. They are obviously hanging on.
Among the birds recorded were yellowhammers, skylarks, kestrels, buzzards, sparrow hawks and a host of others. My favourite sightings were a family of pied wagtails in Jenner’s Field, family groups of whitethroats in the orchard hedge and in Bloomers Field and the red kite which joined us for pond dipping. I was surprised that common redpolls were present throughout the winter and spring. They were most often in Bloomers Field, primarily but not exclusively in Coldharbour Copse.
My observations of amphibians were the product of having to carry out four lamp surveys of the ponds in May to help with the ecological risk assessment needed by the Scouts to build their extension to the scout hut. I visited at dusk. My highest count was 20 great crested newts. Apparently this could indicate a total population of around 200. I also saw frogs and a splendid toad.
In terms of management, I am pleased to see the small area of coppicing in Coldharbour has shown strong regrowth and I was relieved to see the hornbeams I pollarded had not only survived but are growing well. I passionately feel we need to do more of this on a wider scale to make this copse more structurally varied to encourage more plants, birds and invertebrates.
The most notable success this year is our new agreement with Natural England. We had thought our funding would cease when our previous agreement came to an end in 2014 but thanks to a huge effort by our Grants Secretary, Anne Richards, a new agreement for the next 10 years has been secured.
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I see the Natural England’s award of a stewardship agreement to the reserves as an endorsement of what we are doing and the progress we have made. One of the most pleasing points is that Natural England’s experts have judged the reserves as being in good condition and were impressed with the range of plant species now growing in our grasslands.
Meanwhile we have had exciting new species of bird, butterfly and plant added to our reserve lists. I am already looking forward to more surprises, discoveries and progress in 2015.
National tree week event On a very wet November day hardy volunteers planted up gaps in the hedge in Bloomers Field with Alder buckthorn and elsewhere standard Scots Pines, Alders, Hawthorns and a Hornbeam for the Community Orchard hedge. Our grateful thanks to all those who supported and organised in the field shelter and others who did some muddy digging and planting, not forgetting our MP Mr Sam Gyimah who helped enthusiastically, and also soroptimists from their East Grinstead club.
New year’s day work party A big thank you to all those who came to help. Plenty of hedge work was achieved which is important to keep those good dense habitats needed for wildlife. We did some clearing from the arisings made by the splendid hedgelaying in the Wild Flower Meadow. Thanks again go to Danny and Roger Ohlson for their expertise and hard work.
On the other side of that meadow we pruned and lifted some of the wild rose hedge. This hedge was being overshadowed by some of the trees growing on the allotment boundary that have now been reduced. The annual hedge prune in The Butterfly Garden will keep this diverse hedge in bounds too. Best of all, of course, was the mulled wine to finish off the morning!"
2015 Work Parties: 10am to 12 noon Sunday 22 February Sunday 29 March Sunday 26 April
Contacts: Anne Richards 01342 870 200 Sally Cole 01342 833 814 Steph Dickson 01342 833 482 Julie Hearn 01342 835 313 www.lingfieldreserves.org.uk
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Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre
Lingfield Day Centre under new management We are excited to announce that from the beginning of the year Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre (LDCC) has taken over management of the Lingfield Day Centre, which has been renamed The Jennings Hall.
Following an agreement with Tandridge District Council, the two centres have been merged under the banner of Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre.
With tightening budgets and increasing costs the aim of the merger is to make best use of the building and continue providing facilities for vital groups and services such as Meals on Wheels, Lunch Clubs, Darby & Joan Club and the Lingfield Volunteer Centre.
Under the new management it will be business as usual but we will be working on new initiatives to increase use of the centre in order to build a sustainable future for the building and the members of our community who use it.
The Day Centre has been renamed The Jennings Hall in recognition of Pam Jennings, one of the founders of our highly successful and much-valued Meals on Wheels service.
The Jennings Hall is a great venue for groups, classes and functions and we also have a small meeting room and treatment/therapy room for hire. If you'd like to have a look at the facilities please give us a call 01342 833 893 or pop in to the centre office.
Improvements at LDCC Thanks to grant funding from The Big Lottery Fund, GACT and Surrey County Council with support from Councillor Michael Sydney, in October we were able to upgrade our old and rather erratic central heating system with new boilers and controls.
The new system will be more economical to run and hopefully we can say goodbye to those very chilly days when the old boiler ground to a halt!
Thanks to those involved in this project, and others such as the redecoration by the Community Payback team, which enable us to continue improving facilities for our visitors.
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Classes, Groups and Events In December, after 13 years, we were sorry to say goodbye to the music and activity group, Jo Jingles. However, there are still plenty of activities for children with Little Chums Pre-school extending their sessions to four days and introducing a pop-in Mother & Toddler group on Wednesday mornings 9.30am to 11.30am.
For those wanting to get fit in the new year we have two new exercise classes - Total Body Conditioning (Monday 10.30am) and KS Extreme HIIT workout (Wednesday 9.30am).
Brooks Williams to play LDCC We have several social events planned for the coming months including renowned blues guitarist Brooks Williams in concert on Saturday 7 March (tickets on sale now), pop-up theatre events and of course our monthly film club, Flix in the Stix.
We look forward to welcoming you to LDCC in 2015.
Details of all the activities are on our website www.lingfieldcentre.org or pop in to the centre to pick up a programme.
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Meet the Mormons
The London Temple Visitors’ Centre is excited to invite members of all faiths to attend its full-length film, Meet the Mormons.
The film, produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, depicts snippets from the lives of six people from diverse backgrounds whose faith in Jesus Christ blessed them, their families, and their neighbors. Regardless of your religious background or age, this film will inspire you. Please join us!
Admission: Free Scheduled Showings: Tuesday – Friday*: 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Saturday: 6:00 p.m.
*Except the second Friday of each month. Showings on days other than the second Friday and at times other than those shown above can be arranged by calling us at 01342-837-952. Address: West Park Road, Newchapel, Surrey RH7 6NB
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The Woodhouse Centre Spring Sale
Located opposite Tandridge Leisure Pool, The Woodhouse Centre has a Spring Sale on Thursday 19 March from 10am to 12 noon.
Cakes - collectables - jewellery - gifts - raffle - books - fancy goods - tea and coffee
We are well known by many customers for skilled work in the caning of chairs, upholstery and seagrassing. We also carry out a variety of repairs as well as being very handy with a needle and thread.
The Centre is open Monday to Thursday inclusive from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm with breaks for Easter, Summer and Christmas. We are delighted to have visitors and have a large selection of handmade goods for sale – baby clothes, aprons, oven gloves, cushions, bags, scarves to name but a few.
We are always looking for new members, young and old alike. Why not come and see what we have to offer – if transport is a problem call our Manager, Mrs Dee Graham on 01883 715 189, and we will try to help.
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Covering all aspects of interior and exterior decoration, the quality of the finish achieved by a professional service shows, and it lasts. ! detailed quotation with no hidden extras ! honest, reliable and experienced local decorator ! from one room to a whole house ! references available, full public liability insurance Contact me now for a free quotation T: 01342 870 373 M: 07881 405 478 E: [email protected]
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Support Fairtrade in Lingfield and Dormansland
Promoting Fairtrade for producers in the Developing World And Fair Trade for Local Producers
Happy New Year to all! Swing into Fairtrade – our popular Quiz – returns on Saturday 21 February, 7.30pm at the Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre. Tickets are £10, include Fairtrade supper and free glass of Fairtrade wine/ale or fruit juice, and maybe (just maybe) a banana or two! Oh yes, and there’s a licensed bar, so come along one and all.
Please book soon (tables of 8) by calling 07746 564 702, or emailing us at [email protected]. Hope this appeals to you!
The Quiz is a prelude to FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT, 23 February to 8 March. The journey continues to make bananas Fairtrade and there will be a focus on other core commodities – cocoa, sugar, tea and coffee.
Everyone would choose Fairtrade chocolate if they knew the difference it can make. Monique’s community in Côte d’Ivoire were able to rebuild their school, which teaches 200 students, with the Fairtrade Premium.
We will be asking businesses directly to switch to Fairtrade in a ‘stock it’ challenge.
You certainly came along in number to our AGM and Fayre at Lingfield Park Pavilion – so good to see you. Councillor Elizabeth Parker, Chairman of Tandridge District Council, came with her husband; Surrey County Council Vice Chair, Councillor Sally Marks and County Councillor Helena Windsor, District Councillors Maureen Young, Lesley Steeds and Brian Perkins and Parish Councillors, with representatives of lots of local organisations and individuals came too. It was a splendid evening with an excellent speaker, Safia Minney, MBE, founder of People Tree Fashions. Two films were shown, ‘Fair at 20’ and the other, ‘a surprise message’!
FAIRTRADE Celebrated 20 years of The FAIRTRADE Mark in October 2014 with a landmark event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London – Fair Future – looking forward to how we can create a fairer future over the next 20 years, and attended by an amazing mix of guests from around the world, including campaigners, producers, business leaders, politicians, NGO representatives, academics and journalists.
Secretary of State for International Development, Rt Hon Justine Greening,
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announced that DFID would be investing £18 million to ensure people in the South and less developed world get a fair price for their products and produce.
She commented on the film – Fair at 20 – with captions about Fairtrade from students at Imberhorne Secondary School, East Grinstead, one of which was “[Fairtrade] doesn’t become a charity, a movement, it becomes more an entire notion in itself for everyday life”.
HRH The Prince of Wales sent a surprise recorded message, offering his warmest congratulations and said that the principles of Fairtrade are close to his heart!
TV presenter and businessman Nick Hewer then took to the stage. He had recently returned from visiting Fairtrade banana farmers in the Windward Islands and used his speech to encourage businesses to take responsibility for their relationships, saying ‘Supermarkets need to build up a reservoir of goodwill with their customers and seeing Fairtrade in store brings that goodwill and even affection’.
Please continue buying products with the FAIRTRADE mark which helps small producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty.
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NHS web app goes live in East Surrey
The NHS East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a web app, Health Help Now (www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net), to help people find the right treatment for health problems, especially when they are not sure what to do or who to contact.
The web app, formerly known as Right Care Right Now, has been used effectively by residents in Crawley, Horsham, Mid-Sussex, Kent and Medway since 2013, and is now available in East Surrey.
Health Help Now was developed with input from GPs, hospital consultants, paramedics, and other health professionals, and has useful information and advice for people of every age.
By using the free web app, people should be able to find the service that can help them, whether they are at home or out and about.
Thank you for your support.
Dr Patrick Kerr Assistant Clinical Chair, NHS East Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group
The Garth opens its garden again for charity
There will be another opportunity this year to visit the garden of the Garth in Newchapel Road, Lingfield, which will be opening under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2015.
Every year under the NGS, more than 3700 privately-owned gardens across England and Wales are opened. The money raised from opening these gardens supports seven charities: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Carers Trust, the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Perennial and the National Trust. Last year we raised £2052 for the NGS from entrance tickets and the profit of £171 from the sale of teas and cakes went to Young Epilepsy.
The garden at the Garth covers 9 acres and was designed by a distinguished historic buildings and landscape architect, Walter Godfrey, in 1919.
David and Lana, the current owners, will be opening the garden for The NGS on 9 and 10 May from 1.30pm to 5.30pm both days, admission £5 with children free. They would again be delighted to welcome local residents.
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Lingfield Youth Club welcomes you! Come and join us at the Lingfield and Dormansland community centre every Friday in term time from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
We welcome members from the ages of 10-14 (Years 6-9)
We have planned activities including karaoke night, a Quiz Night and many more. We have a tuck shop and plenty of games and prizes.
Entry is just £2, so come along and have some fun!
Volunteers, we need you! If you have a spare Friday evening and would like to support our members and the community, please get in contact.
For more info call the Youth Club leader Victoria on 07855 463 520 or for admin call Rachel on 07885 287 428
Carers Support If you are a child or adult caring for someone at home or elsewhere who is ill, frail or disabled and the care you provide is unpaid
YOU ARE A CARER
There are a number of services available to carers across Surrey. For further information, call the Surrey Council Adult Social Care Team on: 0300 200 1005 or
Contact the Local Independent Carers Support schemes via the Contact Centre on 03456 009 009 or by going to www.surrey.gov.uk or www.carersnet.org.uk
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All Change at Cavendish House
After some 17 years Gerry Loney, founder of the Monica Cantwell Trust, is stepping down and heading for a well-earned retirement. Many people will know of the Trust and the wonderful job that Gerry has done in setting up this care home in Saxby’s Lane, Lingfield for a group of five adults with learning difficulties.
Most of the residents came to Cavendish House from St Piers (now Young Epilepsy) where Gerry was the Principal Care Officer.
The Trust was established in 1991, funds were raised and Cavendish House was purchased in 1996. The first four residents moved in and Gerry took early retirement from St Piers in 1997.
Since then both Gerry and the residents have become well-known in the area and take part in many local activities.
The charity shop in the courtyard opposite Costcutters was established as a link with the community and as an additional source of funding. Many other fundraising projects have been organised over the years.
Both Gerry and his wife Aileen have worked tirelessly to establish a comfortable welcoming home, providing holidays and many other extras, underpinned by a Christian ethos.
Gerry and Aileen formally retired on 23 December 2014 but will still be living at their home further along Saxbys Lane, when they are not in Montrose. When the retirement process began Gerry was appointed Life President of the Trust and there will no doubt still be much contact.
After a long search for a suitable person to replace Gerry the Trustees have appointed Carmen Gonzales as Registered Manager and Marissa Stewart as Care Manager and look forward to working with them and the staff in caring for the Residents.
The Trustees thank Gerry and Aileen for their years of dedication and service and wish them well for a long and happy retirement.
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The Jennings Hall Bookings Formerly Lingfield Day Centre One of the village’s best kept secrets!
This delightful, well-equipped small hall is carpeted and curtained, with a homely feel to it, and is an ideal venue for family parties, social occasions and meetings, groups, classes and functions. We also have a small meeting room and treatment/therapy room for hire. It has its own kitchen, good toilets, and complete facilities for the disabled.
The hall is available at a charge of £10 per hour
If you would like to make a booking, or just have a look at the facilities, call 01342 833 893
Do you know someone in need of Meals on Wheels? Our service, run entirely by a local group of volunteers, is offered to housebound residents of Lingfield, Dormansland and Crowhurst who are unable to cook for themselves. We provide freshly cooked, nutritious lunches prepared by our cooks and brought to you by our deliverers.
These are provided every week, Monday-Thursday.
Our older folk are often very independent and don’t like to ask for help, so often our “customers” come from family, neighbours or doctors referrals.
If you think someone you know would really benefit from this service do contact Pat Smith or Sara Watson on: 07504 481 289
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The Caterham and Tandridge Division of SSAFA
SSAFA is a national charity for Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, and their families. We help and support those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve and the families of both.
The Caterham and Tandridge Division of SSAFA specifically deals with cases within the District of Tandridge, which of course includes Lingfield, Caterham, Oxted, Hurst Green, Godstone and the surrounding villages.
Qualification for help is simple. Anyone who has completed one day’s paid service in our armed services can make a request for assistance. This includes those who have served in our reserve forces and anyone who did National Service, as well as widows and widowers and dependent children.
We have helped many well-deserving cases, over the last few years, to obtain disability equipment, respite breaks, basic kitchen equipment, furniture, and assisted in finding accommodation and minor fundamental housing improvement. We have even helped in arranging gardening.
Our trained caseworkers are non-judgmental, friendly and treat information obtained on a confidential basis.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients that we have helped and those who we have worked with a very Happy New Year.
If you think you require HELP the next step would be to telephone Andrew Ostrer on 01342 893455, who will be pleased to hear from you.
Come and join The Darby and Joan Club Lingfield Day Centre Every Tuesday 1.30pm - 3.45pm Entertainment, Meeting people, Outings, Meals out, Quizzes, Tea, Coffee & Biscuits, Raffles, Bingo
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Finance Tea & Teach Lingfield & Dormansland Community Ceentre Tuesday 24th February 11am to 3pm
customers are invited to takee part in a free Finance Tea & Teaach The event will be run by Barclays Digital Eagles and aims to help people to find alternative ways to do their banking now that the branch is closed. The session will includde:
• Alternative ways of banking including Telephone, Online, Direct Debits etc • Help with digital banking • Post Offffice services • Using debit cards, cash back and cash machines
If customers have iPads, tablets or smart phones they should bring them along. No need to book, just turn up on the day.
Lingfield and Dormansland Community Centre, High Street, Lingfield, RH7 6AB 01342 833893 [email protected]
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Sight for Surrey Outreach Worker, Tandridge
Hi, my name is Sue Grass and I work for Sight for Surrey as the Outreach Worker for the Tandridge District. My role is to provide information, support and advice to anyone with a visual impairment, and their carers.
I am able to put people in touch with the relevant service at Sight for Surrey and with services, clubs and organisations within the local community. I also work in partnership with our local volunteer network.
Sight for Surrey is committed to working with blind and partially sighted people in Surrey, and to providing services so that they may lead fuller, more independent lives
If you would like any information about Sight for Surrey and the work we do, please contact: Sue Grass T: 07884 580 798 E: [email protected]
New volunteering website
By the time you read this, we will be well into the New Year. Is this the year you decide you would like to ‘give something back’? Whether you are interested in long term, short term or one-off event volunteering we will be able to find something to suit you, in person, over the telephone or online at our new volunteering website, www.do-it.org.
Our host organisation is now The Do-it Trust and although there’s not much of a change in the website address, if you have used the old site you will find the new one quite different – it looks fresh and modern and will mean a new way of working for us, in the Volunteer Centres too. If you decide you wish to do some volunteering and try out the new site, we would welcome your feedback.
The Volunteer Centre is located in an office in The Lingfield Day Centre, just behind the Community Centre in Lingfield. Currently the opening hours are Mondays and Wednesdays 10.30am to 3.30pm, or Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm. Or why not ring or email us and we can fix a mutually convenient time to meet.
Karil Greenhalgh, Manager T: 01342 836 774 E: lingfi[email protected] www.do-it.org
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Advertise in
We offer some of the most highly targeted advertising in the region!
For each edition, 4,200 copies are hand delivered by our volunteers to all dwellings in Lingfield, Crowhurst, Dormansland, Dormans Park, Felcourt and parts of Newchapel, Haxted, Horne, and Baldwins Hill.
We publish four editions per year, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Advert costs and sizes Quarter page portrait: £30 90mm x 60mm Quarter page landscape: £30 125mm x 42.5mm Half page landscape: £50 125mm x 90mm Full page portrait: £100 125mm x 185mm Inside covers: £200 125mm x 185mm Outside Back cover: £300 148mm x 210mm + 5mm bleed Please submit your advert via email to: mail@communitynewslingfield.co.uk
2015 Community News Closing Dates Summer edition (May June Jul): Sunday 12 April 2015 Autumn edition (Aug Sept Oct): Sunday 5 July 2015 Winter edition (Nov Dec Jan): Sunday 4 Oct 2015 Late entries delay publication and may not be used. Using your own artwork? Please use .pdf, .eps, .jpg or .tiff file type. Need artwork help? Provide text and any images/logos and we can create a simple advert for you with the layout in our house style.
Occasional editions are printed with colour, however black and white is our standard print, so we’ll change any colour adverts to grey for printing.
Advert costs are per edition.
To place an advert, discuss prices, or simply ask a few questions, contact: Edward Pearcey t: 07828 99 33 76 e: [email protected] Graham Marks t: 01342 832 529
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Community Support
CARE for Lingfield, Crowhurst and Dormansland If you are elderly or infirm and cannot afford other forms of help when needing a lift to a medical appointment, shopping or essential gardening jobs done. Ring CARE on 01342 410 086 between 9am and 2pm
Crossroads Caroline Williams or Penny Burns 01883 714 641
The Jennings Hall (formerly the Day Centre) Bookings 01342 833 893
Lunch Club Jean Morrell 01342 833 079
Meals on Wheels Pat Smith or Sara Watson on MOW mobile 07504 481 289
IS YOUR HEARING AID PLAYING UP OR DO YOU WANT REPLACEMENT BATTERIES?
For cleaning and new batteries Call Sylvia Butler on 01342 836 219 or Susan Millidge on 01342 836 879
If you only need batteries visit the Community Centre 01342 833 893
NOW ACTIVE! The local telephone number for
Lingfield Surgery: 01342 836 327
Please use this number for appointments, test results, queries etc.
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What’s the number? Emergency – fire, police, ambulance 999 or 112 Police (Surrey), non emergency 101 Health • Lingfield Surgery (8.30am to 6.30pm) 01342 836 327 • NHS (out of hours service) 111 • Queen Victoria Hospital 01342 414 000 • East Surrey Hospital 01737 768 511 • Pembury Hospital 01892 823 535 • Boots Chemist, Lingfield 01342 833 831 Utilities (Emergency numbers) • Gas 0800 111 999 • Water 01737 772 000 • Electricity (UK Power Networks) 08007 838 866 • Telephone – faults 0800 800 154 Transport – rail, air, bus, coach • Gatwick Airport 08448 920 322 • Heathrow Airport 08443 351 801 • Stansted Airport 08443 351 803 • Lingfield Marathon Minibus 01342 870 261 • Lingfield Minibus 01342 835 099 • National Express Coaches 08717 818178 • Rail Enquiries 08457 484 950 Councils • Tandridge District Council 01883 722 000 • Lingfield Parish Council 01342 835 557 • Dormansland Parish Clerk: Lynn Blake 01342 834 989 • Surrey County Council 03456 009 009 Schools • Lingfield Primary School 01342 832 626 • Dormansland Primary School 01342 832 359 • Oxted School 01883 712 425 • Notre Dame, Lingfield 01342 832 407 Others • Citizens Advice Bureau 01883 715 525 • The Samaritans 08457 909 090 - 24 hours 01737 248 444 - Reigate • Childline 0800 1111 • Lingfield Library 0300 200 1001 • Monica Cantwell Trust Charity Shop 01342 833 297 • Lingfield & Dormansland Community Centre 01342 833 893 • Lingfield & Dormansland Volunteer Centre 01342 836 774 • Young Epilepsy (NCYPE) 01342 832 243 • St Piers Sure Start Children’s Centre 01342 831 306 63 Community News 194 Spring 2015.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2015 14:09 Page 64
www.communitynewslingfield.co.uk
Now you can read Community News online, from your mobile, your tablet and your pc. Visit us at our redesigned website www.communitynewslingfield.co.uk for the latest edition and an archive of digital back issues.