Latest News

April 2010

 Epsom and Ewell High School's Entertainment Night on 8th May 2010 will feature THE RAT PACK. Email PSA@eehs.surrey.sch.uk or phone 0208 393 9369 for tickets or further details.

See the publicity poster here THE RAT PACK

March 2009

In the recent Ruxley by-election Michael Guest was not successful in retaining Derek Phillips' council seat for the residents association. Michael is an experienced Borough Councillor who has represented Ruxley in the past, and has therefore already done much work to support our community, our environment and the Epsom racing industry. We are disappointed that we do not have someone of his calibre in the borough council assisting Jan Mason in representing Ruxley residents. Councillor Mason stated, "We are naturally disappointed that our own excellent candidate Michael Guest was not elected and therefore will be unable to continue the work started by Derek Philips. We do, however, look forward to working and debating with William Keen."

February 2009

Following the death of Derek Phillips, Councillor for Ruxley Ward there will be a by-election for his Borough Council seat on Thursday 26th February. We are delighted to inform you that Michael Guest has agreed to stand as the Residents' Association candidate.

More details here

November 2008

At the October meeting, the Planning Committee considered the application for the demolition of two bungalows and erection of a two storey building (with roof accommodation), comprising 8 x one bedroom flats and 2 x two bedroom flats with associated parking in Vernon Close. This was unanimously turned down.

No doubt the applicants will want to take this to appeal. Rather than have the appeal heard by a member of the Planning Inspectorate, Cllr Clive Smitheram has requested that this goes to a public hearing. This means that anyone who wishes to speak on this development will be able to do so.

Thank you to everyone who responded to WERRA's advice note and wrote to the committee with their concerns. WERRA will advise residents of the date and time of the public hearing so that they can attend and make their feelings known in person.

April 2008

Minutes of WERRA AGM 2008 - An extract relating to the redevelopment of Epsom and Ewell High School

March 2008

Annual General Meeting
to be held at the
COMMUNITY HALL,
FULFORD ROAD,
WEST EWELL
on Friday 28 March
at 7:30PM

AGENDA (Revised)

In order to reflect the high level of interest in the proposed rebuilding of Epsom & Ewell High School, WERRA has invited members of the development consortium to make a short presentation and to answer questions from residents.

1. Welcome and apologies for absence
2. Speaker: Councillor Eber Kington **
3. Approval of minutes of Annual General Meeting held Friday 2 March 2007
4. Matters arising
5. Treasurers report and appointment of Independent Examiner
6. Report from Helen Worwood, Chair of WERRA
7. Election of
(a) Officers consisting of Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Party leader (Annual Appointments)
(b) Committee members (for 3 years)
8. Councillors reports
9. Question and answer session
10. Any other business

Tea, Coffee and biscuits will be available from 7:15pm

** WERRA thanks Cllr Eber Kington for standing down to enable time to be allocated to this important issue

There are vacancies on the Committee of WERRA for people who are committed to the philosophy that national politics should not influence local issues. If you interested in serving your local community in this way, please speak to Helen or Gill by March 21st.

July 2007

Congratulations to Councillor Jean Steer on becoming Mayor

The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, (and West Ewell Councillor) Jean Steer attended her Civic Service at All Saints Church, Fulford Road, West Ewell on Sunday 8th July.

In order that there was no disruption to 'normal services' the Mayor requested that this should be incorporated into whatever was originally planned for the day - in this instance an 11am Outdoor Service held on the 'meadow' alongside the Church with lively music led by 'Tongues of Fire' Worship Band.

The Mayor, her Escort (son David), her guests from other Surrey Boroughs, Freemen and Aldermen of the Borough, the Chief Executive and Councillors joined the rest of the congregation on what was the perfect day for such a service, with warm sunshine, ordered especially for the day.

The Mayor read the lesson from Mark ch2 v1-12 and her Chaplain, the Rev Ian Whitham, spoke enthusiastically on the reading and the importance of having friends and neighbours who would willingly help you out when assistance was needed. The service was attended by over 250 people including members of the Korean Church (who also use All Saints) who also participated very colourfully, wearing their national costume. There was a collection in aid of the Mayors Charities.

After the service the Mayor circulated amongst her guests and local people, many of whom stayed on for a very successful afternoon event called Music on the Meadow, providing a range of musical entertainment by local performers; a Bar-B-Que run by the 1st West Ewell Scouts; teas and ices and activities for the children.......and the sun continued to shine.

In addition to being the Secretary of WERRA I am also a member of All Saints Church. It gave me real pleasure to be personally involved in the preparation of this Civic Service and the day itself (even if I did cause some confusion by omitting a verse out from the first hymn on the Civic party's copy of the song sheet!).

I'm glad you enjoyed your day, Madam Mayor!

Gill Smitheram

Help us to continue the fight for Epsom Hospital

The Epsom & St Helier Trust has taken the decision to close Epsom Hospital's maternity department, and transfer all inpatient services to St Helier. The decision has to be ratified after public consultation this autumn.

The trust is basing its decision on false claims about safety rules that apply to Epsom Hospital. Epsom's maternity unit conforms to all the latest guidance from both the Government and the Royal College which sets out professional standards for maternity units.

A series of events is planned to begin our efforts to get the NHS to change its mind.

On Saturday 14th July there will be a big event at Epsom Hospital. We will aim to form a huge walking line of protestors right around the hospital, and to lay flowers outside the gate as a lasting floral tribute to the work of the staff and as a reminder of the strength of feeling.

Meet in Roseberry park at 10:30

Any questions visit www.epsomhospital.com

Helen Worwood
Chair of WERRA

May 2006

Planning application - Vernon Close

The residents of Vernon Close and Poplar Farm Close have been informed by a leaflet drop made by WERRA road stewards as to how they might express an opinion about the proposed application by a developer to demolish the bungalow at 34, Vernon Close and erecting a building to provided 6 x 1 bedroom and 2 x 2 bedroom flats.

This planning application will be heard at the meeting of Epsom & Ewell Planning Committee on Thursday May 18th at 7.30pm. The plans can be viewed at the Town Hall and Bourne Hall library.

If you wish to express an opinion about this development and you have not already done so you should do so quoting the reference 05/01323/FUL and making sure it reaches Mr Chris Taylor, The Planning Dept, The Town Hall, The Parade Epsom asap.

Anyone may attend the Planning meeting (this application will be one of several) to hear the debate and 1 person may speak about this application for up to 3 minutes. If you would like to do this but need some guidance about the process please contact Mr Ron Gee Tel 8393 9188.

Helen Worwood
Chair of WERRA

November 2005

See our new Secretary's Notes page for news from the monthly meetings of the WERRA committee.

October 2005

Your WERRA Secretary has just received the latest E-newsletter Better Healthcare Closer to Home. It describes how:

The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment has been commissioned by The BHCTH programme and the Secretary of State for Health to undertake an intensive week-long workshop to help plan the new critical care hospital at Sutton. The workshop will involve patients, the public and experts from a wide range of fields including, transport, the environment and architecture.

Ahead of this workshop The Prince's Foundation will be hosting a Public Open Day to provide people with the opportunity to express their views on the planning of the new hospital. All comments will be fed into the intensive five-day workshops.

All are welcome to attend this Open Day and join The Prince's Foundation team on Saturday 22nd October 2005 at the Sutton Civic Centre 10am-5pm.

For further information please contact Vicky Carruthers at the Prince's Foundation on 020 7613 8500.

More information can be found at http://www.betterhealthcare.org.uk/2_1.html

We currently have no news as to when the residents of Epsom and Ewell can attend an Open Day in our area and what other publicity is being given to this Open Day locally.

September 2005

Summer 2005 Newsletter
(Delivered to 4500 homes in West Ewell & Ruxley Wards)

August 2005

Its official! Epsom and Ewell is declared the best place to live in the UK on the Channel 4 television programme The Best Places to Live in the UK.

The committee are without a Treasurer at the moment as Bill King recovers from a heart attack. We hope that Bill will be able to take control of the books again soon but meanwhile we wish him a speedy recovery. Bill has been the Treasurer of WERRA for many years and this episode of ill health means perhaps we need to be thinking of giving Bill some help. If you have the skills and are interested in being of practical help to WERRA in this way then the Chair, Helen Worwood would be pleased to hear from you.

West Ewell and Ruxley RA are having a summer break from their monthly meetings and meet next on Wednesday, September 7th in the Webber Hall at 7:30pm. This is situated next to All Saints Church between Fulford and Heatherside Roads. Residents are invited to attend to present their concerns to the committee and local ward Councillors, who Borough meetings permitting, make every effort to attend. Please contact the Secretary if you would like to come so that she can pass on your concerns prior to the meeting. If you don't want to or can't wait until September please contact one of the Committee members or Ward Councillors.

In partnership with Surrey Police, the Epsom and Ewell Police and Community Partnership Group are holding a public meeting at Bourne Hall on Wednesday, 21st September at 7:30pm. Come along to meet your local police.....Have your say

July 2005

Spring 2005 Newsletter
(Delivered to 4500 homes in West Ewell & Ruxley Wards)

Chessington Road (Dual Carriageway)
(Frequently Asked Questions)