Communities - Hersham

FOR FOX SAKE

2009-11-07T08:54:13Z

The other night I found myself driving home from work in the middle of a torrential downpouring. It was a horrible, filthy night; the sort that Hollywood special effects departments learn to recreate on day 3 of the 'victim fleeing from shouty axe murderer in a storm' course.

]]> I found myself driving like a doddery old dear as I leant forward with my nose squeezed flat against the glass and my eyes screwed up like currants, trying to see through the cascading waterfall that had become my windscreen. Suddenly, as I tried to navigate a speed bump without ripping the sump from the underside of my motor, something flashed out from the side of the road and stopped right infront of me. I slammed on the anchors and felt the blackheads in my nose squeeze out a little onto the windscreen as I was pushed forward with the sudden braking force.

Caught in the white beam of my head lights and looking at me a bit funny, was a beautiful red fox. This wasn't a mangy, moth-eaten scrag end of a pathetic creature that regularly raids our bins; this was King Fox. He glared at me defiantly and I swear he even puffed his chest out a bit. This was SAS fox.

What struck me most about him (I assume it was male because of its size), was his beautiful coat. The soaking rain had given it a sheen, lending him the appearance of a polished conker. His long tail trailed behind him, its fur flattened by the weight of the water.
As my engine gently throbbed and the wipers squeaked back and forth, he stood stock-still, giving me the evils.

A bright flash lit up the interior of my motor, signalling the approach of another vehicle. I couldn't go anywhere because King Fox was giving it large, blocking the road ahead. I beeped my horn but instead of scaring the beast into fleeing the scene, he just yawned at me, as if to say, "Yeah. Whatever, mate."

After a series of longer beeps and frantic 'shoo-ing', he finally turned and swaggered off like Liam Gallagher, out of the road, throwing me a last glance over his shoulder. Through the howling wind, I think I even heard him sneer, "You aint worth it, mate."

It got me wondering as to whether King Fox was the bounder responsible for chewing the tongue out of a leather workboot I had left on the front doorstep, and the theft of one Adidas running shoe, also from said doorstep. I have no idea why he might be interested in my footwear. Maybe he has cold feet. Or maybe it's something more sinister?...

Next time I find myself walking from the station on a dark night with the wind driving the cold rain into my face, I will have an ear out for King Fox, stealthily sprinting up behind me in a pair of Adidas running shoes.

Christmas fair to raise money for Elmbridge Mencap

2009-11-05T13:10:57Z

A Christmas fair is being held on Sunday, November 22 to raise money for the Elmbridge branch of Mencap.

The fair will be held at Burview Hall, in Queens Road, between 11am and 2pm.

Entrance is free and there will be a tombola, Santa's grotto, and stalls including cakes, gifts and new toys.

Mencap is a charity that works with adults and children who have learning difficulties.

Remembrance Sunday events in Hersham

2009-11-02T17:23:32Z

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.

In Herham a service will start at 9.45am at the war memorial in Burwood Road.

Half term activity for budding archaeologists

2009-10-13T16:10:05Z

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

2009-10-08T16:25:51Z

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.

DRESS LIKE AN OSCAR WINNER OR A POP PRINCESS!

2009-10-07T14:40:06Z

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

2009-10-06T16:12:55Z

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.

]]>
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.

STICKING THE BOOT IN

2009-10-05T11:06:32Z

We have two young children. Bright, beautiful little things they are too. (Although every now and then I have to check my daughter's forehead for biblical numbers.)
One of the most rewarding things about having kids is watching them grow and develop. Like tiny seedlings warmed by the first golden fingers of springtime sunshine, they slowly sprout from little, whinging, snotty-faced people to slightly larger, whinging, snotty-faced people.

]]> The downside of this, is that things such as clothes and toys are soon outgrown and therefore consigned to the loft or shed. Those once cute, pink High School Musical corduroys with Zac Efron's mush sewn onto the backside pocket are now flapping about the ankles like a ship's distress signal. Power Rangers are like, 'so gay' now. (Although I always suspected the one in the powder-blue lycra.) Not that there's any wrong in it, you understand.

So the problem is, what to do with all the old children's paraphernalia? I know! A CAR BOOT SALE! Perfect.
So, at Dawn's crack on Sunday morning, I stuffed the motor full of old toys, clothing and some general bric-a-brac too good to bin and set the compass for Apps Court Farm in Walton.
As I queued to get into the sellers enclosure, knowing winks and nods were exchanged with my fellow Booters. A kindly old chap in a dayglo tabbard directed me to what would become my 'pitch' for the next 5 or so hours.
Before I had even turned the engine off, several faces, still puffy with sleep, had pressed themselves against the windows to get a first look at what I had on offer. It was like a scene from a Zombie movie. Trails of spittle and smudged fingerprints were left on the windows as I drove back and forth trying to shake the undead off me motor.

No sooner had I locked the legs of the pasting table together, a woman bought a fireguard from me. £5! A result in any language. I looked around to make sure I wasn't being watched and clicked my heels in the air. Once I had laid my stall out, I poured a steaming tea from my Thermos, sat back and waited. Things moved quite steadily; a naked doll with a drawn-on moustache - 20p. A pair of sparkly green nylon army slacks for dressing up in - 50p. A remote control car without the remote control - £1.
Then a kindly old lady came up to me and asked how much for the BabyBorn highchair - £2, and a round mirror with a spaceship surround - £1.
She bought them both from me and asked if i could look after them whilst she went for a mooch about. She also asked if I could look after a bag containing a Rory The Racing Car playsuit that she had bought earlier. No problem. Such a such sweet old lady.
I placed everything in the car for safe storage.

Many hours of telling undead hagglers that the brand new, unused chicken rotisserie was £15 and not £2.75 passed fairly quickly. More tea was consumed and by now the present Lady O'Hare had joined me with the kiddiewinkles. She was happily munching down on what appeared to be a donkey's appendage until closer inspection revealed it to be a foot-long sausage that flopped out either end of a bread roll. Nice. She helped out whilst the kids took turns in sitting on the roof of my car, scratching it down to the paintwork with the rivets on their jeans. A lovely, good old fashioned family day out.

Then the sweet old lady returned for her goods. "Of course." I obliged, and reached into the car and bought out the two items she had bought from me. "And the other thing I asked you to look after?" She asked. Hmmmn, I thought. I genuinely didn't remember her giving me anything else. The only thing in the car was the Rory The Racing Car playsuit, but I had taken that out earlier thinking it was another toy the kids never used, and had sold it. £1.50....DOH!!! The penny dropped. It was hers. Bugger.

Crimson with embarrassment, I went through the charade of tearing my car apart, 'looking' for it. "It was definitely in here." I yelled over my shoulder. Then I theatrically thrust one hand on my hip and the other to my forehead. I looked her squarely in the eye and said the only thing I could say in such a situation...
"Some bugger's stolen it."
Her face crumbled. She had been looking for one for her grandson for ages.
I felt so bad that I asked how much she had paid for it. "Two pounds." She replied.
50p more than I got for it. It seemed the right thing to do to give her £2 and mumble something about thieving gits.

As I watched her toddle off towards the bouncy slide and donkey sausage stall with her head bowed, I reflected on a day of mixed fortunes.
'Grannygate' aside, we had had a great time, and made enough money to pay for some of next year's boot sale items.

Air Ambulance lands on Coronation recreation ground

2009-10-01T12:22:19Z

The Surrey Air Ambulance made an emergency landing on Coronation recreation ground, in Hersham on Sunday (27) afternoon after a man was knocked off his bicycle.

Landing in the park, in Molesey Road, at 4.15pm, the air ambulance crew were called after a man on his bicycle had been hit by a car.

An ambulance also arrived at the scene and took he man to St Peter's Hospital, in Guildford Road, Chertsey, where he was treated for minor injuries.

]]> The air ambulance was grounded for 20 minutes.

Walton resident, Helen Whittle who saw it land said: "I was in the park watching my boyfriend playing cricket, when we saw the helicopter coming round.

"It came round again and then started to land.

"I had the camera on me so I ran up and took some photos. I've got a bit of a fear of propellers so I stayed at a distance.

"We saw it land and take off but I didn't see what happened, someone told us somebody had been injured."

Elmbridge council to hold consultation on school holidays

2009-09-24T16:06:12Z

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."

Books, bits and bobs sale

2009-09-23T09:07:54Z

A BIG books, bits and and bobs sale is taking place in Albany Road on Saturday October 10 from 10am until dusk.
Homeowner Georgina Colwell will be selling books, sheet music, CDs, cassettes and much more from her garage at number 88 all to raise money for Age Concern.

Walton estate agents embark on fund-raising initiative for Phabkids

2009-09-23T09:02:17Z

Two Walton estate agents who will be running the first Virgin London Marathon in April 2010 have all ready surpassed the minimum amount of money they wanted to raise for a children's charity.

]]> Directors Peter Brown, 35, and Steve Turner, 37, from Harmes Turner Brown, in High Street, will be running for Phabkids, a charity dedicated to integrating able bodied and disabled children in the community.

They pledged to raise a minimum of £3,000 but during a charity dinner held on Saturday September 19, at Whiteley Village Hall, in Hersham, which was a first of many fund-raising initiatives they have planned in the lead up to the marathon they made a whopping £5,080.

Dad-of-two, Mr Brown, of Ravenswood Close, Cobham, who will be running the marathon for the first time, said: "We wanted to run on behalf of Phabkids having looked at various charitable causes. We both have young children and so all kid's charity's are close to our hearts.

"When I was a teenager I volunteered with my father at a horse riding centre called the Diamond Centre, in Carshalton,and it was hugely rewarding for me.

"I guess this was my first step and experience of being in the company of disabled people of a similar age to me and this integration I feel was a great experience for all involved.

"We were delighted with the money raised on Saturday. It was unbelievable. Everyone was so generous."

Dad-of-two, Mr Turner, of Cranbourne Close, Hersham, who completed the Flora London Marathon in 2001, said: "After I ran the last marathon I swore I'd never do it again. But I was spurred on by my wife,Justine, who ran this year."

The charity dinner included a dinner, disco, raffle, auction and a caricature artist.
Mr Brown added: "The dance floor was packed, we sold over £1,000 worth of raffle tickets, our 10 auction lots which included a mountain bike, signed Manchester United and Chelsea football shirts and a professional house clean went well. People were going mad to win."

Other fund-raising initiatives to come include a raffle and a golf day.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the pair can log onto www.justgiving.com/pete-steve-marathon or pop in and see them in the office.

Elmbridge reaches its 500th Neighbourhood Watch

2009-09-22T16:11:38Z

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."

Nicholas Owen to launch Elmbridge council's distraction burglary week

2009-09-17T16:14:06Z

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.

New taxi rank for Hersham

2009-09-09T13:31:48Z

The Mayor of Elmbridge councillor James Vickers officially opened a new taxi rank in Hersham on Tuesday (September 8).

]]> The taxi rank is by Hersham Train Station, in Walton Park Car Park.

Mr Vickers met with some of the borough's licensed taxi drivers who were in attendance to welcome commuters.

Chairman of the licensing committee, councillor Chris Elmer said: "We are delighted that we have been able to create the new Hersham rank as it will not only enhance transport facilities for Elmbridge residents but also for visitors to the area.

"The ranks at both Walton and Weybridge stations are busy and the taxis provide a valuable service to the public.

"We are keen that the new rank at Hersham will soon become just as well used by both commuters and taxi drivers, who all have an interest in the success of this new facility."

Local taxi driver Ejaz Ahmed was pleased to see the rank in use., He said: "The new rank is a good idea because until now there has been no service for residents getting off trains in Hersham.

"There is also a shortage of spaces on taxi ranks in Elmbridge at busy times so this will
spread the service and make more room for taxi drivers."

The use of the rank, which holds five taxis, is due to be reviewed by the Council in twelve months time.

Further information on taxis can be found on the Council's website at
www.elmbridge.gov.uk/taxis.