Communities - East & West Molesey

Former Molesey head teacher dies

2009-11-10T22:02:11Z

PUPILS and family members have paid tribute to a popular former West Molesey head teacher who had a lifelong passion for music and travelling.

Keith Bartlett, 73, who had been suffering from prostate cancer, died on Saturday October 31 at home in Fleetside, with his wife Maggie of 50 years holding his hand.

]]> He was the head teacher of Rivermede School, in High Street, before its name changed to Chandlers Field, in the early 1990s where he taught piano, guitar and recorder and enjoyed putting on school productions, retiring from the post in 1993.

His wife Maggie said: "He left life as he began it struggling to survive with great fortitude, never once complaining and greatly thankful to all those who helped him especially those from the Princess Alice Hospice, who cared for him in our home.

"He had a great sense of humour and kept everyone smiling to the end."

Keith, who moved to Molesey in 1976, also leaves behind two sons, Andy and Simon, daughter-in-law Kim, and grandson George, seven.

Son Simon, who now lives in West Sussex, said: "He was an amazing man with a fantastic sense of humour. Everyone at the school has such happy memories of him.

"He loved his music and was a good story teller. He was a top headmaster and a fantastic man - a real pillar of the community."

Keith also loved travelling in his motor caravan becoming the first president of the Surrey group of The Motor Caravanners' Club.

At the club's annual general meeting this year, he proudly watched Maggie become the 5th president and thanked everyone for all the support he had received during his battle with cancer.

Keith, originally from Brighton, reached the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Corps Signals, and in 1949 appeared in a Saturday morning matinee film, Rover and Me, which starred Edward Rigby and Campbell Singer and was shown in cinemas as a supporting film, but his parents decided that he should concentrate on his studies instead of carrying on filming.

Former pupils have been sharing their recollections on social networking site Facebook.

Rebecca Tatum posted: "I am really sad to hear about Mr Bartlett, he is one of the teachers I will never forget. He was a great teacher, will never forget his music lessons with all the different instruments."

Heidi Barton wrote: "The sad loss of a wonderful man. I hope he knew what a lasting difference he made to all of the lives that he touched."

Anyone who knew Keith is invited to his funeral at Randalls Park Crematorium, in Leatherhead on Thursday November 12 at 2.45pm.

Donations in lieu of flowers to The Princess Alice Hospice, Esher, who cared for Keith in his home, or via Mears & Cotterill Funeral Directors, 169 Merton Road, Wandsworth, SW18 5EF, telephone 0208 874 7698.

Remembrance Sunday events in Molesey

2009-11-02T17:19:16Z

Residents in Elmbridge will be commemorating Remembrance Sunday on November 8.

A full day of events is taking place across the borough to help raise money for the British Legion's annual poppy appeal.

The first official Legion poppy day was held in Britain on November 11, 1921 inspired by the poem 'Flanders' Fields' written by John McCrae.

After the fighting in World War One in the Flanders and Picardy regions of Belgium and Northern France, the poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath.

In East Molesey a service will take place at the war memorial at Molesey Lock, by Hurst Road at 2pm.

In West Molesey a service will take place at the war memorial in Walton Road, at 10.45am.

Free play session for youngster

2009-10-21T16:11:18Z

A free play session is being held on Friday, October 30 at Groveland recreation ground, in Walton Road, between 1pm and 4pm.

The session will be supervised by play rangers from Elmbridge council, and children aged eight are allowed to come and go as they please.

Children are encouraged to use their initiative and make the most of the equipment that will be available to them.

The children can join in with games, arts and crafts and sports.

For more information phone the leisure and cultural services at the council on 01372 474568.

Half term activity for budding archaeologists

2009-10-13T16:13:26Z

Elmbridge council is calling all Indiana Jones wannabes for a half term activity session which will look at what archaeologist's do.

The scheme, named Calling Young Diggers, will be held on Wednesday, October 28, at Elmbridge Museum, in Church Street, Weybridge.

Children aged eight to 12 are being invited to get a hands on experience to explore the world of archaeology, between 10am and 3pm at the museum.

There will be a chance to examine trays of Roman, medieval and pre historic objects and take part in a mini dig, as well as cave painting and pot reconstruction.

]]> To book a place, phone 01372 474634, quoting code MUS. Places cost £15 with a more card or £17 without.

Councillor Jan Fuller, portfolio holder for leisure and cultural services, said: "Participants in the Shout! Holiday activity scheme have a fantastic opportunity to experience different activities.

"Who isn't intrigued by what an archaeologist does?

"Being able to handle real objects from Roman, medieval or pre-historic times will be undeniably memorable.

"Spaces are limited so it is best to book as soon as possible."

Elmbridge council launches 2009 photographic competition

2009-10-08T16:24:33Z

The 2009 photographic competition has been launched by Elmbridge council.

The theme of this years competition is beautiful birds, bugs and butterflies.

For full details and an entry form contact the arts development officer on 01372 474 584 or by emailing leisure@elmbridge.gov.uk

Winning entries will be displayed on the council's website and an exhibition of all entries will be held at the Civic Centre, in Portsmouth Road, Esher in November.

Tickets on sale for Elmbridge has talent

2009-10-07T15:59:46Z

Tickets are available for the talent show Elmbridge has Talent, which will be taking place on Saturday, October 24, at Reeds School, in Sandy Lane.

Doors open at 7pm, with the show starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for under 19's and are available from the Civic Centre, in Portsmouth Road, Esher.

The competition will feature 10 unique acts from the Borough performing a combination of singing, dancing, live music and dramatic readings.

For more information, phone leisure and cultural services on 01372 474 568.

DRESS LIKE AN OSCAR WINNER OR A POP PRINCESS!

2009-10-07T14:54:24Z

Princess Alice Hospice and The Bentall Centre, Kingston are hosting a star-studded fashion exhibition, titled 'Fit for a Princess' with celebrity party attire being showcased in store windows. Head down to the centre and see which item catches your eye before bidding online at www.ebay.co.uk/charity from 8pm on Monday 19th October.

Over forty personalities and luminaries, including; Dame Helen Mirren, Strictly Come Dancing's Lynda Bellingham, West End stars Kerry Ellis and Leanne Jones, Samantha Cameron, Beth Ditto, Helena Bonham Carter, Geri Halliwell, Paloma Faith, Joanna Lumley, Trinny Woodhall, Fearne Cotton, Twiggy and The Saturdays have all kindly donated dresses in aid of this vital and important charity.

]]> Unique pieces include an Alberta Ferretti sequin skirt and top, worn at The Planet of the Apes premiere by Helena Bonham Carter in 2001, newest singing sensation Paloma Faith has given a gorgeous green silk and lace prom dress, which she wore in her latest 'New York' music video. There are couture pieces including a Herve Leger gown from soul diva Beverley Knight.

There is a wonderful two piece worn by Joanna Lumley at a James Bond gala, which in her letter given with the dress boasts that they have been 'shaken and stirred' by two 007 agents - Daniel Craig and Roger Moore. Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren has donated a George Chakra Couture jacket that she wore in Paris at a dinner in the company of President Nicholas Sarkosy, Carla Bruni and many other distinguished guests.

The auction goes live on October 19 and runs until October 29 to be sure of getting your hands on a celebrity treasure visit www.ebay.co.uk/charity and type in Fit for a Princess as your search term.

The Hospice is also selling raffle tickets for the grand draw with a £1,000 shopping spree at The Bentall Centre up for grabs, so if you do not fancy a celebrity wardrobe and fancy some new treads you can buy tickets by visiting the Hospice reception or calling 01372 461869.

Elmbridge council launch new bin service

2009-10-06T16:19:48Z

As part of Elmbridge council's new bin collection service, a fleet of 12 new vehicles have been brought in.

Under the new bin collection service, which was launched on Monday (5), a vehicle will visit homes each week to collect either food and refuse or food and recycling.

The vehicles have front and rear steering as well as two sections at the back for food, and either refuse or recycling, depending on which week it is.

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Councillor Glenn Dearlove, portfolio holder for the environment, said: "I'm really pleased by resident's responses to the new service which has started really well, and will increase recycling and composting levels to around fifty per cent.

The new service has many other benefits, not least the reduction in the number of vehicles collecting waste that helps reduce traffic congestion and fuel use with lower emissions."

For more information, contact Elmbridge borough council at www.elmbridge.gov.uk/bins or by phoning 01372 474 775.

Public exhibition on Lower Thames flood risk to be held at Mole Hall

2009-09-29T15:05:19Z

A public exhibition about plans to reduce flood risk within the Lower Thames floodplain is to be held at Mole Hall, on Tuesday, October 6.

Taking place at the hall, in Bishop Fox Way, the exhibition, being put on by the Environment Agency, will be start at 3pm and finish at 7.30pm.

The Environment Agency's recommendations include three flood diversion channels, improving existing river weir structures and providing localised protection for houses.

Elmbridge council to hold consultation on school holidays

2009-09-24T15:56:08Z

Elmbridge council is holding a consultation for parents in the borough to find out families views on holiday activities for children.

The consultations will be available to collect from libraries, the Xcel leisure complex, in Waterside Drive, Walton, children's centres, schools and the council's website, at www.elmbridge.gov.uk

The council want to know if families are happy with holiday activities, if there is one holiday scheme provider that children love most and what families do with their free time during the holidays.

]]> The results of the consultation will be published on the council website.

Jan Fuller, portfolio holder for leisure and cultural services, said: "Consultations are a vital part of the service we provide.

"Organising interesting and affordable activities for children during school holidays is always a high priority for parents and we want to make it easier for them to access holiday schemes that will meet their expectations and those of their children.

"Your opinions are valuable to us so we invite you to take part in this survey. By knowing what our residents want, we can strive to enable the holiday activities they need for their children."

Elmbridge reaches its 500th Neighbourhood Watch

2009-09-22T16:27:01Z

Elmbridge borough has reached its 500th Neighbourhood Watch, with residents in Burwood Road, Hersham becoming the latest to introduce the scheme.

The news of the latest borough Neighbourhood Watch, comes at a time when the Association of Chief Police Officers reports that areas with a watch scheme suffer from 79% less incidents of crime than the rest of the UK.

The objectives of a Neighbourhood Watch are to prevent anti-social behaviour and crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life for tenants and residents.

]]> Peter Kipps, Elmbridge community safety manager, said: "We are delighted to have so many households involved in Neighbourhood Watch.

"This allows the police and other organisations to keep in touch with members of the public and the figures are there to prove that the scheme works."

PC Mark Howells, Elmbridge crime reduction officer, said: "I am delighted to see the 500th Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

"Every watch means less crime.

"I commend the residents in Burwood Road and wish them every success."

Young entrepreneurs at Thames Ditton Junior School

2009-09-22T13:07:00Z

Pupils at Thames Ditton Junior School were encouraged to become young entrepreneurs for the week.

]]> Enterprise Week began on Monday September 14 and pupils from the Mercer Close school were tasked with coming up with innovative and profitable ways to make money which will later be used to enhance learning in their classrooms.

Set with a budget of £20 per class, pupils were given guidance on some basic principles of business and conducted market research to develop products which would sell at a profit. Using skills taught in core areas of the curriculum including maths, design technology, literacy and art, pupils came up with a product development plan including marketing, pricing and design.

Top sellers included picture frames, rock pets, coasters, hot plates, book marks and tea light holders.

The week was deemed a big success and raised between £80 and £200 per classroom.
Headteacher Nick Fry said: "The children had a fantastic week, working as a class with true team spirit and the atmosphere on sale day was electric.

"It was encouraging to see pupils of all age groups really getting into the idea of Enterprise Week and coming up with some innovative and money making ways of raising funds for their classrooms.

"They will spend some time in the next couple of week discussing and deciding what they would like to spend their profits on for the classroom.

"It was a great success and something we will definitely be repeating next year."

Nicholas Owen to launch Elmbridge council's distraction burglary week

2009-09-17T16:16:06Z

Newsreader Nicholas Owen is helping Elmbridge council launch its Distraction Burglary Week, which starts on Monday, September 28 at the Weybridge Centre, at 10.30am.

The renowned journalist will be launching the week, which is aimed to help raise awareness of distraction burglary and cold calling, at the centre in Churchfield Road, which will be followed by the trickster play showing how people trick their way into homes.

Throughout the week, displays and information cards will be put up and useful telephone numbers will be handed out at the retired people's centres throughout the borough.

]]> On Thursday, October 1, between 1pm and 3pm, there will be a distraction burglary and Surrey fire and rescue stand at Walton library, in the Heart.

PC Mark Howells, crime reduction advisor, said: "Elmbridge is a safe place to live and incidents of distraction burglary are low, but there are a few criminals that target older people and by working together we can reduce the risk of further crimes."

For more information or book a place for the trickster play, phone the community safety officer on 01372 474393.

Ready, steady Quack...

2009-09-10T19:19:42Z

THOUSANDS of spectators witnessed the River Thames turn bright blue on Sunday September 6 when 205,000 ducks took to the water in the attempt to smash the Shanghai plastick duck race.

]]> The blue plastic ducks raced down the Thames from Molesey Lock, near Hampton Court.

The Guinness World Record for the Largest Plastic Duck Race was set last year, when 175,000 ducks raced down the River Thames, but that was beaten by Singapore when they raced 200,000 plastic ducks.

DJ Norman Jay MBE, launched the race and played a fantastic set to the crowds lining the banks of the River Thames in Hampton Court.

England Rugby player Simon Shaw and his family were amongst the supporters cheering on their ducks to the finish line.

Managing director of The Great British Duck Race, Mike Scott, said: "We were really pleased with this year's event.

"We are now back in competition with Shanghai after breaking their record, thousands of pounds were raised for our 2009 lead charity NSPCC, the public support on the day was very encouraging and the sun was shining.

The duck race works in close partnership with the Environment Agency, and with help of NSPCC volunteers, the ducks were removed from the river after the race and will be recycled in Shropshire.

The winning duck, number 023871 won £10,000 and the lucky winner is still being sought. Another 29 winning duck numbers are accessible on the Great British Duck Race website www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk.

Duck owners should call the Duck Race office on 01691 680 468 to claim their prize.

Sales for the 2010 Great British Duck Race will start 1st October.

Have your say on gambling in Elmbridge

2009-09-08T12:44:38Z

Elmbridge council is looking for feedback from residents and businesses as part of its gambling policy consultation which started on Monday (7) and lasts until Thursday, October 15.

The consultation comes as the council has to renew its gambling policy every three years in support of government objectives.

These include preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, ensuring that it is carried out in a fair and open way and protecting children from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

]]> The council is keen to hear opinions on gambling and whether casinos should be allowed in the borough.

All comments should be sent to the Environmental Health and Licensing Division, Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9SD.

Alternatively, an online questionnaire can be completed by visiting www.elmbridge.gov.uk