Communities - Byfleet, West Byfleet & New Haw

West Byfleet WI celebrates 83rd birthday

2009-10-26T09:30:24Z

On Thursday 22nd October, members of West Byfleet WI enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of laughter and memories as they celebrated their 83rd birthday.
Joining them on this happy occasion were guests from two other neighbouring institutes- Pyrford and New Haw & Woodham. A delicious meal prepared by Margaret Wingham was served by the hardworking committee members. Also present were five former presidents of West Byfleet WI. Rita Paternoster, who was also celebrating a 'special' birthday on the same day as the WI, cut the birthday cake before everyone settled down to the excellent entertainment which was provided by The Thames Valley Accordion Club. The audience joined in with a selection of songs from musicals and other well known, nostalgic favourites to end the afternoon's celebrations.

Courtesy call for pensioners

2009-10-23T13:57:43Z

A new scheme is being trialled by Age Concern in partnership with Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals.

The 'courtesy call' service is for frail and older people who are being discharged from hospital and may need information, advice or help to live independently at home.

Hospital staff will refer patients by phoning the service on the day the patient is allowed home, or by giving the patient a booklet of information.

A spokeswoman for Age Concern said: "This new service has been going for a few weeks and has already ensured that many older people have been discharged home with the support they need.

"The relevant Age Concern branch will contact the patient within 48 hours to discuss their needs, provide information, and suggest services or a home visit."

One such service, the Road to Recovery scheme operated in Spelthorne, provides free help for six weeks with chores such as housework and shopping as well as accompanying clients to appointments, while they recover.

For more information, contact either Age Concern Runnymede on 02932 566 040 or Age Concern Spelthorne on 01784 444 200

Nursery worker runs in memory of sister

2009-10-19T12:44:13Z

A NURSERY worker is running a marathon in memory of her sister who died tragically in a bath.

Anne O'Neill, 50, from New Haw will be running the Dublin Marathon on Monday to raise money for Epilepsy Action after her sister Brigid O'Neill died 8 years ago from the disease.

]]> Miss O'Neill said: "My sister Brigid was only 41 years old when she suddenly died.
"She drowned in the bath whist having an epileptic fit at home.

"It was very sad to loose my little sister in those sad circumstances because we were very close and I always looked after her and kept her bests interests at heart."

Miss O'Neill will also be raising money for Arthritis Research Campaign and Arthritis Care in memory of her mother Kathleen O'Neill who was severely debilitated by the disease before she died in March 1988.

Miss O'Neill who works for the Leapfrog Nursery in Knaphill, said: "My mum originally came from Ireland which is why we are doing the run in Dublin.

"She dealt with her arthritis bravely and always tried to do her best to keep going.

"She had the disease for over 20 years which was hard for all the family.

"As a young child I looked after her.

"It was difficult but my mum needed help, so I did my best helping with the housework and other things.

If you would like to sponsor Miss O'Neill email: anne@brianbourne.com

Spooky half-term adventures

2009-10-16T15:43:31Z

Spooky half-term adventures are being organised for half term week around Runnymede.

The Halloween themed activities, designed to be fun rather than scary, will be running from Monday October 26 to Friday 30, and has been organised by Runnymede Council.

The first activity is a skeleton scavenger hunt and games at St Ann's Hill, Chertsey on Monday, but there will also be Halloween costume making, arts and crafts and party games.

To round off the week, there will be two sessions of free choice play, where youngsters can choose what they do, and can even have the chance to explore Chertsey Museum.

Emma Parnell, the activity co-ordinator at Runnymede Council, said: "These play sessions are held throughout the year, and have been really popular so far.
"There is something for every age group, ability and interest. We want to encourage children to use their imagination, try something new, make friends, be challenged, and above all, have fun."

For more information visit www.runnymede.gov.uk or call Emma on 01932 425 677, or at emma.parnell@runnymede.gov.uk.

Life-savers honoured

2009-10-09T10:08:15Z

The ambulance crew who saved a man's life after he fell ill at New Haw Lock have been honoured at an award ceremony.

Theo van de Kamp, 41, a Dutch tourist, was on a barge holiday in March when he collapsed with a heart attack as he tried to help his father-in-law who had fallen in the canal.

His wife Ingrid performed CPR on him with his sister Marieke, and also received an award for her actions before the ambulance crew arrived.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service team which came to help Mr van de Kamp included technician Michael Gibbons from Walton and two paramedics from Redhill, as well as a control room worker from Banstead, and they were all awarded for their work.

]]> Mr van de Kamp, who spent just a few days in St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, after the incident, said: "An awards event such as this is so important to recognise the valuable work and achievements of ambulance staff.

"I was very lucky to have such great treatment from my wife and sister and all the ambulance and hospital staff.

"It's so special to be able to see the people who have saved your life. You couldn't have stopped us coming if the awards had been in New Zealand."

He is now back at work in Holland, and is enjoying a full and active life with Ingrid and their two sons aged five and nine.

Ingrid added: "Everything happened so quickly on the day so I couldn't remember any faces.

"My sister and I had done a first aid course so we knew what to do.

"We feel it's really important people people know how to provide CPR so we're going to be arranging courses for people to attend in Holland."

The award ceremony was held last Saturday (4) at Lingfield Racecourse.
Ingrid was given a community award and the paramedics, including Mr Gibbons, were awarded Chief Executive Commendations.

Paramedic and clinical team leader, Karl Goodall, said: "I've got a new friend in Theo and it's been great to see him recover so well.

"It was a real team effort between the control room and crews at the scene, some excellent bystander CPR from Ingrid and Marieke, and then brilliant treatment at St Peter's."

Chinese Film Festival comes to Runnymede

2009-10-08T11:27:13Z

Runnymede's first ever Chinese film festival is starting on Monday October 12.

Chertsey Film Society will be helping bring Chinese films to a British audience with the first screening at Chertsey Hall, Heriot Road on Monday.

The first film to be shown will be One Foot off the Ground, a drama from mainland China.

Chris Hunt, head of leisure services at Runnymede Council, said: "Filming East Festival approached us to speculatively screen some of their films to a British audience.

"We felt this would appeal to more than just Chinese people in the borough. The film carries English subtitles."

Filming East Festival director Xiaoxiao Sun (corr) will be at the hall on Monday, and said: "I personally wanted the screening event to be held somewhere in Runnymede as I have been living in Egham as a student of Royal Holloway University."

Tickets are £4 on the door (£3 to members of Chertsey Film Society) and the film runs from 7.30pm to 9.45pm.

There will be another screening at Christ Church in Virginia Water.

]]> Runnymede's first ever Chinese film festival is starting on Monday October 12.

Chertsey Film Society will be helping bring Chinese films to a British audience with the first screening at Chertsey Hall, Heriot Road on Monday.

The first film to be shown will be One Foot off the Ground, a drama from mainland China.

Chris Hunt, head of leisure services at Runnymede Council, said: "Filming East Festival approached us to speculatively screen some of their films to a British audience.

"We felt this would appeal to more than just Chinese people in the borough. The film carries English subtitles."

Tickets are £4 on the door (£3 to members of Chertsey Film Society) and the film runs from 7.30pm to 9.45pm.

There will be another screening at Christ Church in Virginia Water.

Bugs, bees and butterflies at library

2009-10-06T10:29:56Z

Bugs, beetles and butterflies are the themes for a children's activity day being held at New Haw Library on Saturday October 17.

The event, organised by the Friends of New Haw Library, will include craft, face painting and story telling, all for children under 10.

There will be two sessions, the first from 10.30am to 12 noon, and the second from 1.30-3pm.

Tickets cost £2 and are available on the day.

Teenage assult in Tesco car park

2009-09-29T16:32:05Z

A TEENAGER has claimed he was assaulted in a Tesco car park by a security guard.

The 17-year-old boy from Catherine Close in Byfleet, and his friends were in the Superstore in the early hours of Saturday morning buying cleaning products after one of their friends had vomited on the back seat of one of the students' cars.

]]> The police were called to the store in Addlestone at 1.20am following a report of assault.

The youth sustained very minor injuries and did not need medical attention.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "Detectives at Staines CID are carrying out a thorough and extensive investigation into the incident, including speaking to witnesses and reviewing local CCTV footage.

"At this stage no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RM/09/6175, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Atlantic Rowers train on the Thames

2009-09-29T15:51:50Z

Ahead of their 3000 mile voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, two Surrey based rowers were in training on the River Thames on Sunday, September 27.

Byfleet boat club member Steve Coe, 48 and Weybridge rowing club member, Richard Hoyland will be taking part in the Atlantic Rowing Race in December raising money for the Princess Alice Hospice, in West End Lane, Esher and the British Heart Foundation.

They have chosen the charities as Mr Coe's father in law was given care at the hospice and Mr Hoyland's father died of heart disease.

]]>
They are hoping to raise £50,000 to split between the two charities.

The pair will fly to the Canary Islands in early December and will be hoping to reach Antigua by early February 2010.

On Sunday, both Mr Coe and Mr Hoyland took their 23ft ocean rowing boat, No Fear out on the Thames, by Shepperton Lock.

Mr Hoyland, who lives in Leatherhead, said: "We've been following a dedicated training regime, and are now fit, confident and ready for our voyage.

"Our boat ships out to the Canary Islands next month and we are currently preparing all the emergency kit and provisions we will need."

To donate money or for more information visit www.rowacrossthepond.co.uk

Future of Byfleet Parish Council to be decided by voters

2009-09-23T15:06:00Z

The future of Byfleet Parish Council is being decided by voters during the coming month.

Survey forms are being posted to all voters in the village, asking them what they think should be done about the council, which is currently inactive.

The parish council was formed in 1989 after a campaign by residents, but after the elections in May 2003, the council passed a resolution for its own abolition.

]]> After a long public consultation, Woking Borough Council agreed, and recommended the closure of the council to the government, who ruled that it should stay, and the parish council has been inactive ever since.

Councillor John Kingsbury (con), leader of Woking Council's executive, said: "The current situation in which Byfleet Parish Council continues to be 'in mothballs' is not satisfactory for wither Byfleet residents or Woking Borough Council and we are keen to get some clarity about whether Byfleet should continue to have a parish council or not.

"We would like to encourage residents to tell us what they think so that we can carry out their wishes."

The survey follows an act introduced in 2007 which gives local authorities the power to carry out its own reviews and to establish or abolish parish councils without the government's consent.

Voters are being asked to complete the short survey, the results of which will be put together independently by a market research company.

The deadline for responses is October 30, and the results will be presented, along with a recommendation on the future of Byfleet Parish Council at a Woking Council meeting on Thursday December 10.

For more information, contact Charlotte Griffiths, Woking Council's electoral manager on 01483 743 215 or at charlotte.griffiths@woking.gov.uk.

Nearly New Sale

2009-09-22T13:32:11Z

A nearly new sale of baby and toddler clothes, toys and accessories will be held on Saturday October 3 at Byfleet Village Hall.

The sale, which will raise funds for the Byfleet branch of the National Childbirth Trust, will run from 10.30am to 12 noon.

Joshua Deller lookalike prompts parents to make contribution

2009-09-22T10:06:27Z

A striking resemblance between one baby boy and Joshua Deller the brave 14-month-old who is battling cancer, has prompted his parents to raise money for the cause.

]]> Jeff, and Lynsey, Batten have taken it upon themselves to fund-raise for Joshua Deller after Mrs Batten, 32, saw a picture of Joshua in a hairdressers in West Byfleet and was struck with how similar he looked to her own son Thomas who is one year old.

Joshua has a neuroblastoma a rare childhood cancer, that without treatment only available in The States will leave him with a 20 per cent chance of survival.

The treatment will increase Joshua's chances by 50 per cent and will cost £150,000.

On Friday Mr Batten, 39, and colleague Matt Buckley, 27, who both work for Bupa, cycled 108 miles from the Bupa offices in Staines to their offices in Brighton and back again, raising £2,423 for the Joshua Deller Appeal.

Bupa will add a further £2000 to Mr Batten total.

Mr Batten said: "I thought what would happen if I couldn't raise the money for my child when I knew there was better treatment available?

"Sometimes you just have to help people, it doesn't matter if you know them or not."

To donate money to the Joshua Deller Appeal please make cheques payable to The 2Simple Trust - Joshua Deller Appeal and sent to: The 2Simple Trust, 3-4 Sentinel Square, Brent Street, London, NW4 2EL.

Or donate online: http://www.joshua-appeal.org/donate.php

Police stop 177 drivers in one day

2009-09-18T16:00:22Z

POLICE officers stopped 177 vehicles in Runnymede on Thursday for various motoring offences as part of a million pound campaign to stop antisocial driving.

Teams were on patrol at five different sites from 10am until 2pm, including the Thorpe bypass, New Haw Road, Chertsey Bridge, Staines Road and one site in Englefield Green.

]]> Forty drivers were stopped for not wearing seatbelts, six drivers were found to be using mobile phones, and 12 drivers were speeding.

Enforcement action was taken against 45 motorists.

The stops were part of Drive Smart, a campaign launched by Safer Runnymede to educate drivers, and encourage more considerate driving.

One of the first initiatives of newly elected leader of Surrey County Council, Dr Andrew Povey, was to pledge £1million to set up the campaign after anti-social driving was regularly identified as a concern for residents.

Runnymede Neighbourhood Inspector Roger Nield said: "This day was a terrific example of how we are working together in Runnymede to address the concerns of local people.

"With comparatively low levels of crime and disorder and high levels of vehicle usage it is not surprising that anti-social driving is near the top of the list of concerns for many local people.

"I hope this gives local people confidence that together with our partners we are listening to them and we will do our best to address the issues they raise."

A policing team from Mauritius were also on hand for the week observing Surrey Police in a move to modernise their national policing system.

Roger Gasper retired British Chief Officer, organised the initiative, he said: "There are areas that they want to improve in Mauritius, like traffic, crime, intelligence policing and community policing.

"They chose Surrey because it has a similar population size, and because Surrey is a country leader in neighbourhood policing and national intelligence policing."

Assult outside church

2009-09-15T14:45:38Z

A distraught teenager had a lucky escape after she fought off an attacker who assaulted her outside a church.

The girl had been at a house near St Mary's Church Hall in Byfleet, on Friday August 29, but had gone off on her own at about nine pm after a heated argument.

]]> While she was sitting alone in the car park of the hall, a white man approached her and grabbed her, she managed to fight him off and run away.

The man is described being between 18 and 19-years-old, as having a muscular build with dark short hair and an oval face.

PC Cathy Lawrence, investigating the incident, said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact us so we can move our investigation forward.
"It is believed that three passers by may have heard the girl crying and we would also like these people to come forward to help the investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference number WK/09/6712, or Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.

Action-packed summer for W I

2009-09-11T17:49:20Z

West Byfleet W I members have been making the most of the summer months to get out and about locally. Included in their busy schedule have been visits to the Harvester for lunch, RHS Wisley and the Cranleigh Show. The highlight of the month was, of course, the annual garden meeting in the beautiful Gertrude Jekyll designed garden of one of their members. The hard-working committee provided a delicious selection of refreshments, and everyone enjoyed a delightful summer's afternoon.
The varied autumn programme began on Thursday 10 September with a card bingo session, and members were very pleased to welcome three new visitors to the meeting.
The next meeting at the Cornerstone Centre will be on Thursday 8 October at 2.15 p.m. when Miss Joan Tubbs will give a talk entitled 'An Anatolian Tour'. Visitors and new members will be most welcome; please ring Freda Collins on 01932 340982 for more details or visit www.windowonwoking.org.uk