Runnymede Voice - Runnymede Borough Council

Runnymede in 

Bloom, p20 

Recycling rates 

rocket, p17 

Runnymede 

Voice 

Winter 2012/ Spring 2013 Issue 17 

Round up of London 2012 

page 6 

www.runnymede.gov.uk

2 

Local, Professional, Reliable & Honest 

• Installation of new & replacement Gas Central Heating 

• Installation of vented & unvented hot water cylinders 

• Gas Boiler servicing 

• Bathroom, Wet Room & En-Suite design & Installations 

inc: electrics, carpentry, plastering, structural changes, 

electric under floor heating & tiling 

• Landlords Gas Safety inspections & certification 

• Relocation of Radiators, Gas & Water mains and 

internal pipe work 

• Kitchen installation and refurbishment 

• Fully Insured 

• Flexible approach so all our services can be tailored to 

meet you requirements 

• See website for full details 

www.homecomfortsheating.co.uk 

Call for a free impartial No obligation quotation 

Jeremy Sturley 07909 646420 / 01932 571776 

Trustees 

Required 

Achieve Lifestyle is a charitable 

organisation managing the 

leisure centres in Runnymede. 

We require volunteer Trustees who are 

interested in getting involved in the 

leisure industry. 

We are also keen to welcome 

applicants who have experience with a 

legal or financial background. 

You are required to attend up to 10 

evening meetings per year. 

Interested? Please contact; 

Hazel Aitken on 01784 437695 

hazel.aitken@achievelifestyle.co.uk 

Runnymede Voice visit www.runnymede.gov.uk 

welcome 

Leader’s message 

Welcome check your Christmas and New 

to the 17th Year collection dates. 

edition of the You can fnd out the details 

Runnymede of the two new councillors who 

Voice. were elected in September 

for Chertsey Meads and New 

I hope Haw, the winner of the Police 

you’ve enjoy and Crime Commissioner 

the exciting elections in November and 

summer we’ve had, with the also a brief update on the 

torch relay in Egham, the Parliamentary boundaries 

Olympic and Paralympic consultation and where you 

Games and the Athletes’ can fnd out more information 

Village in Egham. You can fnd on page 7. 

a round up from Runnymede There is a lot to read about 

on page 6. and I hope you enjoy this 

We have important edition. May I take this 

information about changes to opportunity to wish you all a 

Council Tax beneft affecting happy Christmas and New 

those who claim Council Tax Year. 

beneft on page 4 and 5. 

The new recycling service Cllr Patrick Roberts Leader, 

started in October and I hope Runnymede Council 

that you are all fnding the new cllr.patrick.roberts@ 

service easier to use and have runnymede.gov.uk 

settled into the new routine. 

We have done a fantastic job 

of increasing our recycling 

rates so well done to you 

all for doing your bit to help 

recycle for Runnymede. We 

are always looking to improve 

our services and ask that you 

complete our survey on page 

17. There’s also a reminder to 

I wish you all a 

very Happy 

Christmas and 

New Year. 

Chief Executive 

Cover picture: 

Photo: Susan Sedden visits some clients at the Eileen Tozer Centre 

for over 55s. 

In this issue 

Changes to 

Council Tax 

Round up of 

London 2012 

P4-5 

P6 

Elections P7 

Summary of 

accounts 

Charitable 

collections 

Sustainable 

communites 

strategy 

Changes 

to housing 

allocations 

Voluntary Support 

North Surrey 

P8-9 

P11 

P12 

P13 

P15 

Grassroots project P16 

Recycling P17 

Cut food waste P18 

Queen Elizabeth II 

Fields 

P22 

Memorial benches P23 

Bangla, Italiano, Pŭtōnghuà, Polski, Español, Urdu, 01483 751456. If you cannot read or speak 

English, telephone and ask the Council to provide this document in your own language. 

If you cannot easily read this, please telephone 01932 425610 for an 

alternative format. 

Runnymede Voice is printed on 100 gsm sustainable yield. 

Your comments about the contents, style or delivery of this magazine are welcome. Please 

contact the editor. 

The content of the magazine is correct at the time of going to print. 

Editor: Kayo Rippingham Tel: 01932 425504. e-mail: communications@runnymede.gov.uk 

Designer: Suzanne Hole of Communications Team. Published by Frontline Design Please call 

Sue Todd on 01342 312570 for advertising enquiries 

Runnymede Council does not endorse any of the suppliers or products advertised in 

this magazine. Runnymede Civic Centre Station Road, Addlestone KT15 2AH 

www.runnymede.gov.uk 01932 838383 

issue no.17 Winter 2012/ Spring 2013 

3

news news 

Changes to Council Tax Beneft 

The Government is developed for the county. “This is one of the biggest 

abolishing the present national Apart from pensioners and changes to the benefts system 

Council Tax Beneft (CTB) some disabled people, who in 20 years. Everyone affected 

scheme from 1 April 2013 and will be protected from the needs to know about it and to 

all councils must replace it changes, everyone currently understand what it could mean 

with their own local schemes entitled to CTB will have to for them. Information will be 

to be known as Council Tax pay something towards their available on our web site and 

Support (CTS). At the same Council Tax. there will be leafets in the 

time, the money provided by Civic Centre in Addlestone. 

the Government for councils to Runnymede Council has Unfortunately, due to the large 

use to fund their CTS schemes just fnished consulting with number of people who will be 

is being reduced by 10%. As existing claimants, residents affected by the changes, we 

a result, Runnymede Council and interest groups around will not be able to tell them how 

could have around £450,000 the borough on its variation much Council Tax Support they 

less to spend each year on of the scheme. The new will actually receive until we 

helping people to pay their scheme has to be set by 31 send out the 2013/14 Council 

Council Tax. January 2013 so that it can Tax bills in March next year.” 

be in place for April 2013. 

We have worked with the Details of the proposed 

other district and borough Council Tax Support scheme 

councils in Surrey responsible for Runnymede, on which we 

for developing and running the consulted, are outlined in this 

new local schemes, and Surrey article. However, some of the 

County Council, to ensure scheme may change until it 

the fairest result for Surrey is confrmed by the Council 

people. There will be local meeting in 

variations across the districts mid-January 2013. 

and boroughs to take account 

of local circumstances, but a The Council’s Head of 

general CTS scheme has been Revenues and Benefts, said 

Proposed changes under the new Council Tax 

Support scheme 

If you are of working age, the main changes means that anything under £5 would not 

proposed from 1 April 2013 are as follows. be paid. 

• You would have to pay at least 20% of your • Under the current Council Tax Beneft 

annual Council Tax charge. scheme, set amounts of earned income, 

• Council Tax Support would be restricted to depending on family size, are not used in 

no more than Band D. So, if you live in a the calculation of the weekly beneft. 

Band E, F, G, or H property, your Council Tax Each of these amounts would be increased 

Support would be assessed on by £5 per week which means that less 

Band D only. of earned income would be used in the 

• A reduced savings limit of £6,000. This assessment. This is to encourage people 

means that if you have savings of £6,000 or to actively seek work or stay 

more you would not be entitled to Council in employment. 

Tax Support. • Child Beneft and child maintenance would 

• Second Adult Rebate would be ended. So, continue to be disregarded, as they are 

if you receive it currently, it would stop. under the Council Tax Beneft scheme. 

• The maximum period for backdating of This would maintain that level of protection 

claims would be reduced from six months to within the new scheme for people 

three months as it is currently with children. 

for pensioners. • War disablement and war widow(er)’s 

• The minimum amount of Council Tax Support pensions would continue to be fully 

payable would change from 1p to £5. This disregarded in the assessment of income. 

4 5 


Frequently asked questions 

What is Council Tax? Who will be able to get the new Council Tax 

Council Tax is a local property tax. It is Support? 

set by each council based on a property’s If you currently receive Council Tax Beneft 

valuation band. Each home is placed in you will be assessed automatically for the new 

one of eight valuation bands (A-H), based Council Tax Support and will not need to 

on its value at 1 April 1991. Runnymede reapply. Anyone who has to pay Council Tax 

Borough Council is responsible for collecting may apply for Council Tax Support and will be 

the Council Tax which funds the majority of assessed in the same way as current claimants 

local public services provided by us, Surrey moving from the existing Council Tax Beneft to 

County Council and Surrey Police. the new scheme. 

Who has to pay Council Tax? Will you be able to appeal against the 

Council tax is a charge which is usually paid Council’s decision? 

by the occupants or owner of the property. You will be able to appeal against your 

individual assessment for Council Tax Support. 

What is Council Tax Beneft? CTS will be classed as a Council Tax discount 

Council Tax Beneft is a means-tested instead of a state beneft so appeals against 

beneft that helps people on low incomes decisions made by the Council regarding 

to pay their Council Tax bill. In Surrey it is the assessment of entitlement will have to 

administered by the district and borough 

councils using rules set nationally by the 

be made to a local Valuation Tribunal. 

government. No money is paid to claimants When will you be told your 

but their Council Tax bills are reduced by the new entitlement? 

amount of beneft to which they are entitled. The new entitlements have to be assessed in 

time for 2013/14 Council Tax bills so you will 

Will anyone not be affected by be informed of your new entitlement sometime 

the changes? in early March 2013. It will not be before then 

People of pension age will be protected within as thousands of claims will be affected and 

any new CTS scheme. Their Council Tax Support they will all be reassessed at the same time. 

will remain unchanged. The Council’s proposed Is there any more information available? 

scheme would also fully protect disabled people The Council has produced a leafet called 

who currently qualify for the severe or enhanced “Prepare for the Change” which provides some 

premiums under the current CTB scheme as examples of how you might be affected. The 

well as families with disabled dependants. leafet is available at the Civic Centre 

in Addlestone. 

Information is also available on our website www.runnymede.gov.uk 

If you would like a copy of the “prepare for the change” leafet sent to you please call 01932 425388. 

Council Tax is also changing 

From 1 April 2013 there We are considering applying full charge in future from the 

could also be changes to the 0% Council Tax discounts which date of repossession. 

exemptions and discounts would mean the full Council Tax 

allowed on empty properties. would be payable throughout Owners of properties that 

the periods the properties are have been lying empty for over 

Under the current rules, out of use. two years may have to pay up 

property owners can to 50% on top of the applicable 

apply for exemptions from Second home owners Council Tax. This will be to 

paying Council Tax for up currently qualify for a 10% encourage them to bring the 

to 12 months on an empty discount in Runnymede but from properties back into use. It 

and unfurnished property April 2013 this may be changed would be removed when the 

undergoing major structural to 0% and the full Council Tax properties are again occupied. 

repair and for up to six months charge would 

for other empty unfurnished be payable. Final decisions on these 

properties, e.g. for properties changes will be taken 

between lets. From April 2013, Council Tax is not paid on at the Council meeting 

these exemptions are being repossessed properties under in January 2013. 

abolished and the Council may the present rules. However, 

replace them with discounts. mortgagees will be liable for the 

issue no.17 Winter 2012/ Spring 2013

news your council 

Round up of London 2012 Chertsey Meads and New Haw wards by-elections 

What a great year for sport 2012 has been with the Olympics and Paralympics and both teams 

bringing home more medals than at any other previous Games. In Runnymede we have been at 

the heart of the Games with Royal Holloway University of London being the athletes’ village for all 

the rowers and canoeists. Our CCTV coverage has helped keep people safe who were attending 

events such as the torch relay and the cycle road race as well as monitoring the local area. 

Local schools were very busy in the lead up to the Olympics 

and Paralympics having their own mini Olympic days, putting on 

an exhibition of Olympic related art at the Chertsey Museum and 

the South Confederation of Schools produced their own torch for 

a torch relay around their schools raising £3,000 for three local 

children’s charities. 

Christine Callaghan passes 

the Olympic fame to Susan 

Sedden at the torch relay in 

Egham 

The cycle road race and time trial both went 

through Surrey and although not going through 

Runnymede it was near enough for many 

people to go and witness these great events. 

One of the positive things to come out the 

summer was that the anticipated disruption in 

London and in Egham with the games lanes 

didn’t transpire and the events went off without 

any major problems. 

Susan Sedden visiting 

Woodham and New Haw 

centre for over 55s 

Susan Sedden visiting 

Lyne 

School 

In Runnymede we were proud to have the torch relay 

come through Egham. Torrential rain didn’t stop the 

14,000 people lining the streets to see the Olympic fame 

being carried through their local community by Susan 

Sedden, Christine Callaghan and Ray Wilkins. The 

Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Linda Gillham offcially opened 

the event on Manorcroft Recreation Ground where the 

Council organised activities and stalls with the help of local 

community groups. Many local schools had closed early 

to allow parents to take their children which provided a 

magnifcent carnival atmosphere. 

Cycle road race in Surrey 

At the start of the Autumn term a number of 

schools had visits from Sue Sedden with her 

torch. She also visited the three day centres in 

Runnymede. Her torch and uniform were kindly 

loaned to Chertsey Museum for an Olympic 

themed temporary exhibition in November. 

RBC staff who were Games 

Makers Verena Boxall and 

Denise Morley 

Thursday 27 September 2012 saw two newly 

elected councillors for the Runnymede wards of 

Chertsey Meads and New Haw. 

Conservative, Peter Boast, is the 

new councillor for Chertsey Meads and 

Conservative, Mark Maddox, is the new 

councillor for New Haw. 

Runnymede Council’s Chief Executive 

and Returning Offcer, Paul Turrell said: “We 

welcome the two newly elected councillors and 

look forward to both of them making their mark 

on council business.” 

There were fve candidates for the Chertsey 

Meads ward and four for the New Haw ward, 

with the count held at Chertsey Hall, Heriot 

Road, Chertsey. 

Cllr Mark Maddox 

Conservative 

New Haw ward 

Telephone: 07836 740173 

e-mail: cllr.mark.maddox@runnymede.gov.uk 

Full results: 

Chertsey Meads ward: 

Peter Boast, Conservative Party, 450 votes 

(Elected) 

Chris Browne, UK Independence Party, 

312 votes 

Keith Collett (Crazy Crab), The Offcial Monster 

Raving Loony Party, 10 votes 

James Scott, Labour Party, 312 votes 

Andy Watson, Liberal Democrats, 34 votes 

New Haw ward: 

David Bell, Labour Party, 148 votes 

Jennifer Coulon, Liberal Democrats, 54 votes 

Mark Maddox, Conservative Party, 346 votes 

(Elected) 

Graham Wood, UK Independence Party, 

124 votes 

Cllr Peter Boast 

Conservative 

Chertsey Meads ward 

Telephone: 01932 561088 

e-mail: cllr.peter.boast@runnymede.gov.uk 

For more information about elections in Runnymede, please contact Electoral Services on 

01932 425650 or visit www.runnymede.gov.uk/elections 

PCC elections 

Winner of the Surrey Police and 

Crime Commissioner Election 

The elected Police and Crime 

Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey 

was formally announced on 

Friday 16 November as Kevin 

Hurley (Zero Tolerance Policing 

ex Chief) 

Kevin Hurley 

After the frst preference vote count, there was 

no clear winner so a second preference vote 

count took place for the top two candidates 

Julie Iles (The Conservative Party candidate) 

and Kevin Hurley. 

The total number of votes for the fnal two 

candidates was declared in Guildford by the 

Police Area Returning Offcer Richard Lingard 

as follows: 

Kevin Hurley (Elected) 

Grand total votes = 52,793 

Total frst preference votes = 34,378 

Total second preference votes = 18,415 

Julie Iles 

Grand total votes = 45,068 

Total frst preference votes = 34,391 

Total second preference votes = 10,677 

Further information about this result can be found at 

www.guildford.gov.uk/pccelectionresults 

Individual results for all Surrey districts and boroughs can be found by following links at: 

www.guildford.gov.uk/pccdistrictandboroughinformation 

The real success story of the Olympics has been the 

volunteers. In Runnymede we had over 90 people help 

Parliamentary constituency boundaries 

out at the torch relay, a number of other local residents 

The Boundary Commission for England is the independent public body that 

and Runnymede Council staff were Games Makers or reviews all Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England. They are currently 

Surrey Ambassadors and we hope that they continue conducting the 2013 Review and have now published their revised proposals. 

to be involved in the future. Local sports clubs have For more information please call 020 7276 1102 

seen interest in their sports greatly increase. Let’s e-mail information@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk 

hope the legacy of the Olympics and Paralympics for 

visit www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk or you can write 

Runnymede will be that more people get involved in 

to the Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London. SW1P 3BQ 

volunteering and participating in sports activities. 

6 7 

Runnymede Voice visit www.runnymede.gov.uk issue no.17 Winter 2012/ Spring 2013

your council 

Summary of Accounts 2011/2012 

Where we 

spent the 

money…. 

Each year Runnymede 

Council publishes a set of 

accounts. The accounts 

are an important element 

in demonstrating how we 

manage our fnances. They 

show the resources available 

to the Council and how they 

are used in providing services 

to the community. 

The Statement of Accounts 

contains the full accounting 

information for 2011-12. This 

has to comply with accounting 

rules which dictate how 

the accounts should look 

and what information they 

should contain. It is subject 

to an independent audit by 

KPMG LLP. A full copy of the 

Statement of Accounts can be 

seen on the Council’s website 

at www.runnymede.gov.uk 

Our expenditure fgures for 

2011/12 were higher than 

usual due to the inclusion of a 

one off payment of £103.292m 

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2012 

The balance sheet shows 

the fnancial position of the 

whole Council at 31 March 

2012. It discloses the 

valuations of our assets, ie. 

• how much money the 

Council has in the bank 

• how much money is 

owed to us. 

• how much we owe 

other parties. 

This is the net worth of 

Runnymede Council. Part of 

our net worth is represented 

by reserves of £12million that 

are available to pay for new 

capital projects and balances 

on our revenue accounts. 

to central government following 

the introduction of a new 

housing fnance system. 

This system means that the 

Council will now be able to 

keep all of its housing rental 

income (rather than paying 

it over to the government) 

thereby enabling the council 

Local authority 

housing (HRA) 

34% 

Other housing 

services 

5% 

Adult 

social care 

7% 

Council spending in 2011/12 

Highways and 

transport services 

2% 

to “self fnance” its housing 

activities in the future. 

Excluding the housing 

fnance payment, non-cash 

items and awards of housing 

beneft, the pie chart below 

shows how the Council spent 

its money in 2011/12: 

Corporate and 

democratic care 

4% 

Planning 

services 

8% 

Other 

2% 

Environmental 

and regulatory 

services 

15% 

Cultural 

services 

Central services 

to the public 

15% 

£’000 

Assets: 

Long term assets 254,216 

Current assets 23,107 

Liabilities: 

Current liabilities (9,392) 

Pension fund defcit (20,479) 

Local authority housing debt (103,256) 

Net assets at 31 March 2012 144,196 

Collecting local taxes in 2011/12 

Runnymede Council collects all the Council Tax. We pay Surrey County Council and Surrey 

Police Authority their share of the Council Tax that they set each year. 

Runnymede Council has the smallest share of your Council Tax bill. The Band D Council Tax 

and how this was shared during 2011-12 is shown in the table and pie chart: 

Runnymede Borough 

Council 

9% 

Collecting local taxes in 2011/12 

Surrey Police 

Authority 

14% 

Surrey County Council 

77% 

8 9 


8% 

your council 

Summary of Accounts 2011/2012 

Capital expenditure: 

Investing in our services in 2011/12 

We also spend money 

on buying and improving 

our land, property and 

other assets so that we 

can provide services to the 

community over the longer 

term. Capital expenditure 

incurred in 2011-12 was 

£5.547 million, and how it 

was spent is shown in the 

table to the right. 

Council Tax £ 

Surrey County 1,116.36 


Surrey Police 198.54 

Authority 

Runnymede 136.89 

Borough 


1,451.79 

£’000 

Local authority housing 3,052 

Purchase of property 1,059 

CCTV equipment 486 

Grants and other assistance to third parties 378 

Vehicle replacements 357 

Other schemes 215 

Capital expenditure in 2011-12 5,547 

This expenditure was paid for from the 

following sources of income: 

Capital receipts from the sale of assets 

2,391 

and investments 

Revenue and revenue reserves 2,492 

Grants and contributions 664 

5,547 


Areas covered: 

Egham, Thorpe, Virginia Water, Chertsey, 

Addlestone, Ottershaw & New Haw 

10 


your community 

Charitable clothing collections in Runnymede 

Have you received leafets 

through your door appealing 

for unwanted items to be 

donated in a bag provided and 

left outside your home 

for collection? 

Most of these collections 

are not licensed. 

The Council recommends 

giving only to those charities 

which are licensed by the 

Council or where they hold 

a National Home Offce 

Exemption order. 

Immobilise to help reduce burglaries 

Many of you may already 

be aware of the current 

Police initiative to help 

reduce burglaries and one 

of the suggestions is to have 

property forensically marked. 

Forensic marking is the 

process of applying a 

colourless liquid solution 

to valuable items such 

as jewellery, ornaments, 

electrical items and even 

vehicles. The liquid solution 

gives your property a 

chemical ‘code’ which is 

unique to your items (like 

having your own DNA). Tiny 

The charities listed below 

carry out licensed or exempt 

collections throughout the year 

and are supported by 

the Council: 

• Age UK 

• Clothes Aid 

• East London Textiles 

• Leukaemia Research 

Fund 

• The Salvation Army 

• Woking and Sam Beare 

Hospice 

• FARA asks for donations 

to be taken to its local 

shop in Addlestone. 

The Council’s Chairman of 

the Regulatory Committee, 

Councillor Frances Barden, 

adds: “We encourage giving 

to charities but it is important 

to be sure that the collection 

is authorised. If in doubt 

phone the Council to check 

micro-particles make up the 

liquid solution and can only be 

seen through a microscope. 

The unique chemical code is 

registered to you - conclusively 

proving ownership. This means 

anyone found in possession of 

stolen items that are marked 

with such solutions can be 

linked directly to a 

crime scene. 

It cannot be seen by the 

naked eye and is incredibly 

diffcult to remove. The solution 

glows under ultraviolet light, 

allowing the police to detect it. 

Once property is marked 

you can register your details 

on a property register such as 

Immobilise 

(www.immobilise.com). 

Immobilise is the world’s 

largest free register of 

possession ownership details 

and forms a very effective tool 

in helping to reduce crime 

or take your donation to one 

of our local charity shops in 

Runnymede where they will be 

pleased for your support.” 

A list of charitable collections 

as well as unauthorised 

collections and those 

companies that the Council has 

refused a licence to, can be 

found on the Council’s charity 

diary web page. You can fnd 

out the type of collection taking 

place, when and where and 

afterwards declares how much 

money the appeal has raised. 

Please visit www.runnymede. 

gov.uk/licensing 

For more information 

about charitable collections 

please contact Clare 

Pinnock, Committee Section, 

Runnymede Council on 01932 

425627 or 

e-mail: clare.pinnock@ 

runnymede.gov.uk 

and repatriate recovered 

personal property to its 

rightful owners. 

Criminals know about 

forensic property marking 

and fear its ability to 

forensically link them with 

the scene of a crime. By 

coding your valuables 

and displaying deterrent 

signs, you are sending out 

a warning to any potential 

thieves and burglars who 

may be operating in 

your area. 

For more information 

please call James Barrett, 

Crime Reduction Advisor 

on 101. 


11

your community your community 

Sustainable Communities Strategy 

After public consultation in the summer, the 

Council has adopted the new Sustainable 

Communities Strategy that explains the key 

themes the Council will pursue over the next fve 

years and how the Council will go about meeting 

its objectives. There are four key priorities: 

A voice for Runnymede: listening to your look at how we can target help to the less well 

views and refecting changes in service provision off building solid communities for the future. 

or representation to meet your wishes Revitalisation: we will work hard to improve 

An environment to be proud of: we will look our shopping, housing and leisure offer in 

at improving the look of our town centres and our town centres and work with residents to 

villages, keeping the streets clean and safe, improve the look and feel of our villages. 

encouraging more recycling and providing you A lot of the detail will be contained in 

with high quality leisure facilities supporting strategies such as the Local Plan 

Healthy and vibrant communities: we are and the Housing Strategy but for a guide to our 

blessed with low unemployment, a diverse proposals you will fnd key information in the 

economy and a borough which has a large Sustainable Communities Strategy. 

amount of open space. But some of our We welcome your comments on how best to 

communities need a helping hand. With partners consult you on our future. Do feel free to e-mail 

such as the County Council and GPs, we will chief.executive@runnymede.gov.uk 

Outcome of Housing Strategy consultation 

The draft Housing Strategy was approved at the Housing Committee 

on 6 June 2012 and a period of consultation followed. Residents and 

the Council’s partners, including voluntary agencies and organisations 

were asked for their comments and feedback. 

A summary of the draft Housing Strategy was sent to all of the 

Council’s partners, local groups and voluntary agencies. It was also 

advertised in our Council’s e-newsletter, on the Council website and 

on Eagle Radio. 

Pinefelds, Addlestone 

The majority of respondents agreed with the need to provide more 

affordable housing but, of those that did not, they linked this to the 

protection of the Green Belt, using Brownfeld sites frst, using empty homes together with 

comments relating to the fnancial cost of providing new affordable housing. 

There were several comments about supported housing. These were from providers and 

support agencies of supported housing who suggested that the target for supported housing 

should be increased. 

The Housing Committee considered responses and recommended any changes before the fnal 

approval of the Runnymede Housing Strategy 2012 to 2017 was agreed by the Committee on 5 

September 2012 and can be found on our website. If you would like a hard copy please call Jo 

Best on 01932 425802 and we will send you a copy. 

Magna Carta visitors’ centre Local plan consultation 

Proposals for a Magna Carta visitors’ centre have The fnal stages of the consultation 

been discussed at Runnymede Borough and Surrey 

County councils. Runnymede’s Corporate Management 

Committee agreed to progress the project until the end 

of the planning application stage, subject to terms being 

agreed with Surrey. This followed a decision by Surrey’s 

Cabinet to contribute £5 million to the project, subject to 

a watertight business case being established and match 

funding being raised by Runnymede Council. 

Surrey’s decision was subsequently “called in” for 

review by the council’s Communities Select Committee, 

which voted for the project to be reconsidered. Surrey’s 

Cabinet will therefore reconsider whether it will continue 

to support the project at a future meeting. 

on the Local Plan should be early in 

the New Year. 

This will set out the Council’s 

framework for development, and 

underpin growth in the Borough 

to 2026 and will represent the 

fnal stages of the Plan before it is 

formally submitted to the 

Secretary of State for consideration. 

We hope to adopt the Plan in 2014. 

For further information please 

phone Richard Ford on 01932 

425278. 


Keeping safe at Christmas 

Santa is not the only one who is out 

and about at this time of year! 

The festive season is a busy time for all of us, 

including criminals. A high percentage of crime 

is opportunist in nature so please spend a few 

moments to consider what you are doing and 

minimize the risks to you and your family. 

• Doors and windows - ensure all doors and 

windows are locked and alarms set when you 

leave the house 

• Presents - presents should be kept out of view, 

both at home and whilst out shopping. 

• Car keys, handbags and wallets - never leave 

these in view downstairs at night. 

• The vacant appearance - consider using 

automatic lights, cancel automatic deliveries 

such as papers, milk and veg boxes if you are 

going away for a few weeks or even overnight. 

Ask friends or neighbours to keep an eye on 

the house and report anything unusual. 

• Opening your door to strangers - only open 

your door after identifying the caller, and 

remember to stop, chain, check every time, and 

remember not to be pressurized to make quick 

decisions. 

• Bicycles - lock all bicycles and mark them with 

your postcode and house number, give security 

items as additional presents or ask other 

relatives to buy them. 

• Large amounts of cash at home 

- do not keep large amounts of 

cash at home. 

• Car keys - never leave the keys 

in the ignition, even for a short period of time, 

defrosting the car or on garage forecourts/ 

outside the newsagents. 

• Sat Navs and laptops - always take these 

valuables with you. 

• Parking - always park in a well-lit area, or ask 

someone to walk back to your car 

with you. 

• Watch your alcohol intake - if you enjoy a drink, 

prearrange to have a lift home, or organise a 

taxi, consider sharing with friends to reduce the 

cost. 

• Prebook taxis - this time of year is very busy, 

don’t fnd yourself tempted to use unlicensed 

cabs. 

• Never leave your drink unattended - drinks can 

be spiked at any time, any where. If you have 

any reason to suspect this has happened go to 

A & E immediately, do not accept help or a lift 

from a stranger. 

• Watch your bag/ coat - keep your money/cards 

with you at all times, don’t leave coats and 

bags draped over chairs. 

But most of all we wish you a joyous festive 

season and a safe and secure 2013. 

Council to change how it allocates homes 

Following consultation with existing applicants and other agencies, changes to the allocations policy 

were approved at the November meeting of the Housing Committee. 

Chairman of the Housing Committee, Cllr John Furey said: “With over 3,000 applicants registered 

and less than 150 vacancies each year, the Council will never have enough homes for all those who 

apply to us, so it is all the more important that every letting is made to those who deserve it most. The 

Government has given local authorities the opportunity to give additional help to hard working, local 

families, and the Council is pleased to be able to make these changes to the allocations policy.” 

The main changes are: 

• Applicants with no local connection to Runnymede will no longer be able to register for housing. 

• Increasing the local connection time criteria for residency in the borough. 

• Exclude applicants who owe money to RBC and other landlords. 

• Make 25% of vacancies available exclusively for working households. 

• Prevent applicants who earn in excess of £50,000pa from registering. 

• Lower priority for homeless applicants to prevent being ‘fast-tracked’ into council housing. 

• Taking a tougher line against applicants involved in or perpetrators of anti-social behaviour. 

The revised policy is retrospective and therefore current applicants will 

be subject to the changes in 2013 when it is implemented. 

The Council will remain a member of the Choice Based Lettings partnership with Elmbridge and 

Spelthorne Councils, Elmbridge Housing Trust and A2Dominion Housing Group. 

Visit www.searchmoves.co.uk for more information. 

The Localism Act 2011 gives Local Authorities the power to discharge the statutory duty it has towards 

homeless households by securing homes in the private sector for a minimum of 12 months, and where 

appropriate offer deposits or rent guarantee bonds. 

For more information about housing, please call 01932 425831 e-mail housingadvice@runnymede.gov.uk 

12 13 


We are a small family business established for over 

25 years where you will receive the highest quality 

professional, reliable and courteous service. We 

have an outstanding reputation with a solid client 

base throughout the region. 

Wood Burning Stoves 

We provide and install a wide range of traditional and 

contemporary wood burning stoves for any home. 

Our vast knowledge and expertise will ensure you 

get the most from your stove. We offer a free 

estimate and advice service. 

VISIT OUR NEW SHOWROOM 

AT BOURNE VALLEY GARDEN CENTRE, 

WOODHAM PARK ROAD, ADDLESTONE KT15 3TH 

Egham & Hythe 

‘Your Local Independent 

Funeral Directors’ 

Serving 

Egham Hythe, Egham, Staines, 

Wraysbury, Englefield Green & 

surrounding areas 

PRIVATE CHAPELS OF REST 

& MONUMENTAL MASONS 

92-93 High Street, Egham, 

Surrey TW20 9HF 

Tel: 01784 479310 

(24 hour service) 

CHIMNEY SWEEPING AND REPAIRS 

• Free Site surveys and estimates 

• Commercial and Domestic Chimney Sweeping 

• Commercial and Domestic Fan Cleaning 

• Certificates issued 

• Electric Fan Installation 

• CCTV inspections, Surveys and reports 

• Chimney pots and terminals for any kind of 

appliance Supplied and fitted 

• Chimneys built 

• Chimneys repaired and repointed 

• Smoke tests and soundness tests carried out 

• Working openings designed to suit any 

appliance required 

• Chimneys lined for use of gas or solid fuel appliance 

• Chimneys installed by t.i.linings on exterior walls 

We have an outstanding reputation for our commitment and 

reliability whilst being as competitive as possible. 

Registered with the National Association of Chimney Sweeps. 

PRE 

CHRISTMAS 

INSTALLATION 

Still Available 

For more information please call us on 01932 873533 or 07834 375652 

or visit our website www.SootySideStovesAndLinings.com 

Bourne Valley Garden Centre, Woodham Park Road, Woodham, Addlestone KT15 3TH 

Showroom also open at: Notcutts Garden Centre, Staines Road, Laleham 



Citizens Advice Bureau 

Do you need some advice? 

Runnymede and Spelthorne Citizens Advice 

Bureau is a fully independent registered 

charity and is a member of Citizens Advice. 

The service provides free, independent, 

confdential and impartial advice to everyone. 

What to expect from a visit to Runnymede 

and Spelthorne CAB 

When you arrive at the CAB or contact us 

by telephone we will welcome you and let 

you know what services we have available, 

including a wide range of factsheets and 

leafets for you to browse. Everyone is offered 

a short session with an assessor, who will 

identify the most appropriate help for you. 

We’ll keep you informed about the length of 

time you may need to wait for this. 

Depending on your needs, we may provide 

you with information to take away, or direct 

you to a different organisation that is better 

placed to help you. If your query is particularly 

complex we may make an appointment to 

discuss further with you either in person or 

by phone. 

There are various ways to 

contact us. You can drop in and 

see us at: 

Addlestone, The Old Library, 

Church Road, Addlestone, KT15 1RW 

Monday to Wednesday: 

10am to 12.30pm and 1.15pm to 3.30pm 

Thursday: 1.15pm to 3.30pm 

Friday: 10am to 12.30pm 

Admin line: 01932 827187 

Sunbury, Sunbury Library, The Parade, 

Staines Road West, Sunbury, TW16 7AB 

Tuesday and Thursday: 

10am to 12.30pm and 1.15pm to 3.30pm 

Admin Line: 01932 765042 

You can call us on 01932 842666, 

Monday to Friday 10am to 12.30pm, except 

Thursday 1.15pm to 3.30pm, or on 01932 

765041, Tuesday 10am to 12.30pm and 

Thursday 1.15pm to 3.30pm. 

You can also use our online advice guide 

www.adviceguide.org.uk or visit our website 

www.randscab.org.uk 

Voluntary Support North Surrey (VSns) 

Runnymede Association of 

Voluntary Services (RAVS) 

is merging with Voluntary 

Services Surrey Heath 

(VSSH). This means that 

RAVS and VSSH will form 

a new organisation and 

assures the sustainability of 

local voluntary services in the 

short to medium term. The 

new organisation will be 

called Voluntary Support 

North Surrey (VSns) and 

being united they will have 

a more diverse set of skills 

which will be utilised across 

both boroughs with the 

fexibility to meet the needs 

of voluntary groups as they 

arise. Voluntary Support 

North Surrey will continue to 

have offces in both boroughs 

to offer services on a very 

local level. 

The two organisations are 

a natural ft, share common 

values and together are 

better equipped to serve 

local charities and community 

groups. Currently the services 

most in demand are funding 

advice and volunteering 

opportunities, and therefore 

the new organisation will 

concentrate its resources in 

these areas. 

An additional volunteer 

outreach worker has been 

employed to promote the 

importance and value of 

voluntary work in the villages 

and smaller rural communities. 

A joint committee of trustees 

from both organisations has 

been set up to explore the 

practical issues and look at 

forward plans. The merger 

has been agreed by the 

Charity Commission and 

received the approval by both 

organisations’ respective 

memberships. The new 

organisation will remain 

customer facing 

and focus on improving 

lives locally. 

For more information please 

contact 01932 571122. 

Worried about 

your memory? 

Finding out the cause of 

memory problems is the 

frst step to unlocking the 

support and treatments 

available. If you are worried 

about your memory, speak 

to an Alzheimer’s Society 

Dementia Navigator at the 

Manor Farm Wellbeing 

Centre, Manor Farm 

Lane, Egham. 

Call 01784 444214 for 

more information. 


15


Grassroots Project - Live Learn Grow 

The Grassroots Project was offcially opened in September 2012 and 

provides services that develop and support a happy, healthy, active and 

independent lifestyle for children and adults with special needs. The 

new site can be found at The Garden Centre, Vicarage Road, Egham. 

The project is committed to offering care and leisure services to the 

special needs community. The Grassroots project offers horticulture 

facilities, activities and leisure services, combined with essential life 

skills to promote an active future for children and adults alike. 

Transport is provided by Runnymede Council to and from our 

facility ensuring that our services are accessible to everyone in the 

community. This can be booked by calling 01932 425050 or e-mail 

communitytransport@runnymede.gov.uk 

Man helping child take care 

of plants The project addresses topics 

such as the environment, 

healthy living, diet, exercise and life skills, including 

Sowing the seeds of an active future 

cooking, banking, shopping and basic decision making in 

life, more importantly it provides a platform for people to meet, socialise and build 

lasting friendships. 

For more information please contact The Grassroots Project on 01784 472005, 

e-mail: info@grassrootsproject.co.uk or visit their website www.grassrootsproject.co.uk 

New stop smoking service 

Quit smoking clinic 

A new approach to stop smoking is being taken by the 

NHS, which has proved to be more effective than other 

methods used in the past. 

A weekly quit smoking clinic is available at Addlestone 

Leisure Centre, School Lane, Addlestone. Get expert 

NHS support plus nicotine products, Zyban or Champix on 

Prescription! There are also one to one sessions available 

at Addlestone Leisure Centre. 

For more details and to book a place please call Eva 

Walker on 07939 287723. 

Your last chance to 

receive free insulation 

to your home 

Hurry - this offer is only available until the end of 2012 – don’t 

miss out! 

Action Surrey in partnership with Runnymede Borough 

Council and through a local installer is able to offer free 

insulation (subject to survey and property size) for all 

homeowners or private tenants (with the landlord’s 

permission). 

Contact Action Surrey today for a free no obligation survey 

of your property on 0800 783 2503 or e-mail 

info@actionsurrey.org or visit www.actionsurrey.org 

Struggling to 

clear your loft? 

Action Surrey can also help 

with this too. Your loft could 

be cleared for free if you 

are over the age of 70 or in 

receipt of benefts. 

your environment 

Survey on recycling Recycling rates rocket for Runnymede 

We would like to know how well we are doing Runnymede has had the largest recycling increase in 

with our communications for the new recycling the country from 28.98% the previous year to 47.33% 

service that started in October 2012. This will (a 63.31% improvement). This for the fnancial year 

help us improve our future communications. 2011-12 and reported by DEFRA. 

Please complete the online survey at www. A big thank you goes out to all residents for 

surveymonkey.com/s/recyclingcampaign recycling so enthusiastically and reducing waste 

It should only take 10 minutes. You will be which would otherwise have to be incinerated or put 

automatically entered into a prize draw for 

in landfll. 

£20 Tesco vouchers. Please contact Kayo 

Rippingham on 01932 425504 for a paper copy 

Waste generated per person in Runnymede has 

to be sent to you. Closing date for submissions 

now reduced to the extent that it is amongst the 

is Friday 18 January 2013. 

lowest twelve areas in the country for rubbish. 

Christmas and New Year household waste, 

recycling and food waste collections 

Please check your recycling, food waste and 

rubbish collection calendar for changes to dates 

for your collections over Christmas and New Year 

as some of you will be having your collection 

a few days earlier than your normal day. 

• Those who would normally have household 

waste and food waste collected on Tuesday 25 

December will have a collection on Saturday 22 

Christmas collections 2012 - 13 

December. 

• Those who would normally have household Calendar Date Revised Date 

waste and food waste collected on Wednesday 25 December 22 December 

26 December will have a collection on Saturday 

26 December 29 December 

29 December. 

• Those who would normally have recycling and 1 January 5 January 

food waste collected on Tuesday 1 January 2013 

will have a collection on Saturday 5 

Household rubbish and food waste 

January 2013. Recycling and food waste 

You can also check your collection days 

No service 

on on our our website website using using rCommunity. 

rCommunity . 

For more information about household waste, recycling and food waste collections please call 

0800 052 0067, e-mail depot@runnymede.gov.uk or visit our website 

www.runnymede.gov.uk/recycling 

Rivers and Flooding 

There is about 12% of the Borough that lies within the Environment Agency food plain, which equates 

to some 7,000 properties at direct risk of fooding from rivers. Flooding can also be from other sources, 

including surface water, groundwater, foul sewer or even burst 

water mains. 

If you live in food risk areas, we would advise you to sign up to the Environment Agency’s Floods 

Warnings Direct for warnings about river fooding. We’d like to 

encourage you to put in place measures to protect your property 

from fooding, and to make and implement a food plan. We would 

encourage people who live in large communities at risk of fooding to 

revise their food plan regularly and practise it. 

Runnymede Council has a rigorous maintenance programme for 

maintaining the ordinary watercourses and part of the main rivers as 

we are the owner of the land along the banks of these rivers. The works 

carried out ranges from pipe winching and rubbish clearance to proper 

ditching works. 

If you are unsure whether your property is at risk of fooding or for any 

The Thames at Chertsey 

other fooding advice then you should contact the Environment Agency. 

Alternatively please talk to one of our staff in the Engineering Services 

Section on 01932 838383. 

16 17 


your environment your environment 

Cut food waste and save money this Christmas 

As food prices continue to 

rise around the world, it’s a 

sobering thought to know that 

many families waste up to 

£50 a month throwing away 

uneaten food. So to help you 

waste less, Love Food Surrey 

chef Carmela Tomkins gives 

us her top festive tips to help 

you plan the perfect waste 

free Christmas. 

Taking just one small step to 

reduce food waste can have 

a big positive effect on the 

environment and save you 

money too. We hope the tips 

will inspire you to take 

that step. 

Plan ahead 

Control your urges to stock 

up, remember most shops will 

be open apart from the one 

special day or why not share 

deals with friends and family 

such as mince pies or 

sausage rolls. 

Perfect portions 

Remember portion size - if 

you are serving a three-course 

meal, portions should be 

smaller than your everyday 

one-course meal. 

Love your leftovers 

• Chop up roast potatoes 

and vegetables, chuck 

into a pan to fry and add 

some Indian spice for a 

tasty bubble and 

squeak dish. 

• Make a stock from the 

carcass of the cooked 

turkey by simmering for 

a few hours in water with 

any leftover veggies such 

as onions, carrots or 

celery. Strain and season 

the liquid, which you can 

freeze, and use to favour 

soups and risottos. 

Savvy storage 

A well-stocked store 

Home composting in winter 

Want to have a greener Christmas? 

Whether you’re a keen gardener or just 

want to choose the greenest, most natural 

way to deal with your food and garden waste, 

composting is the perfect solution. 

Christmas is always a busy time of year with 

lots going on, and plenty of food and presents. 

Parsnip peelings, brussels sprouts and left 

over satsuma peels can be used for making 

compost. Mix this in with used envelopes and 

Christmas cards to give a good balance of 

materials in your compost bin. However, do 

remember to crumple the paper up into a ball 

before adding to the heap and make sure it’s 

free from glitter, plastic and other non-paper 

embellishments. 

Out of a total 516,000 tonnes of household 

waste currently produced in Surrey each 

year, it’s estimated that around a third could 

be composted which would save the county 

cupboard can be a real lifesaver 

over the busy festive 

period. Keep a variety of goods 

on the shelves and you’ll 

always have the ingredients 

standing by to pull together a 

delicious meal for guests or 

to jazz up your 

Christmas leftovers. 

Festive freezing 

Make space this season. 

Food can be kept safely in 

the freezer for years at -18°C, 

as long as you keep it frozen 

the whole time. However the 

texture and taste may change 

over time, so try to eat food 

within three months. 

Try freezing 

• Stuffngs and sauces: 

all sauces (with the 

exception of hollandaise) 

can be frozen. 

• Casserole: cook when 

you have spare time and 

freeze until needed. 

For more advice on planning 

your shopping, portion control, 

recipe ideas and more, visit 

www.lovefoodsurrey.com 

an estimated £11 

million in green 

waste treatment 

and disposal costs 

each year. 

So if you’re 

wondering 

what to get for 

someone who has 

everything, why not 

buy a compost bin 

to place under the 

Christmas tree? 

Get started 

To fnd out more about how to build yourself 

a compost heap, or to buy a bin, starting from 

only £15 please visit 

www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk or call 

0844 571 4444. You’ll also fnd lots of other 

helpful tips and information there too. 

Sponsored roundabouts 

Would your business beneft 

from sponsoring a roundabout 

or shrub bed? 

Runnymede Council in 

partnership with Surrey County 

Council and in conjunction 

with Marketing Force Limited 

re-launched a roundabout 

and shrub bed sponsorship 

programme throughout 

Runnymede borough. 

This improved initiative 

provides local businesses with 

Staines bridge roundabout, Egham 

an opportunity to advertise on 

busy areas with signs designed 

and installed specifcally for 

them. 

The design team at 

Marketing Force can create 

bespoke signs promoting the 

multiple aspects of companies. 

This gives the sponsor a 

prominent advert, at a desired 

location in the Borough for a 

whole year. 

A number of local businesses 

have already taken up this 

opportunity and are enjoying 

the success of this advertising. 

A recent testimonial by Gavin 

Streeter of Aspen Estate 

Street naming and numbering 

Agents commented, “We 

recently decided to sponsor a 

shrub bed in Runnymede. As 

an estate agent, we recognise 

the importance of having a 

constant presence within the 

local community and feel the 

sponsorship presents a unique 

opportunity to promote and 

enhance our brand in the 

local area.” 

If your business is interested please contact Ashton Jones at 

Marketing Force Limited on 01394 672467, 

e-mail: ashton@marketingforce.co.uk or visit 

www.marketingforce.co.uk for more information. 

If you are the owner of a property or their appointed agent, within Runnymede, you can 

request to name or rename an existing property for a small fee. 

To fnd out more information on this service, please contact the naming and numbering team 

for further information on 01932 838383 or visit www.runnymede.gov.uk/streetnaming or 

e-mail streetname-number@runnymede.gov.uk 

Homeowner assistance available for repairs 

and improvements 

Runnymede Council is working with 

Parity Trust, a socially responsible fnance 

organisation to offer the Home Trust Loan, 

which assists homeowners by fnancing 

essential repairs and improvements to 

their properties. 

The Home Trust Loan is a secured loan 

provided by Parity Trust and loans are 

individually tailored to ensure that the 

repayments are affordable. A dedicated 

loans offcer will take you through the whole 

application process and provide guidance on 

how to choose a reputable contractor. 

Mr and Mrs C were introduced to the 

scheme and have already had work 

completed. The front doors to their bungalow 

were replaced and now include double 

Murray Road roundabout, Ottershaw 

glazing. The pair, in their mid-seventies, said: 

“We are just thrilled to bits with the work we 

have been able to have done thanks to the 

loan. It has made our home warmer, quieter 

and overall has improved our quality of life”. 

Works can include replacing boilers, 

re-wiring properties, bathroom adaptations 

and other general home improvements. If you 

would like to know more about the scheme, 

call Runnymede Council’s Private Sector 

Housing team on 01932 425880 or 

01932 425885 or 

e-mail housing@runnymede.gov.uk 

18 19 


your environment your leisure 

Runnymede in Bloom 2012 

Monday 17 September 

saw the winners of 

Runnymede in Bloom 

2012 presented 

certifcates and garden 

centre vouchers by the 

Mayor of Runnymede, 

Cllr Linda Gillham and 

Deputy Chairman of 

Squire’s Garden 

Centres, Sarah Squire at 

the Civic Centre, Station 

Road, Addlestone. 

Mayor with Stepgates 

Community School 

A special Mayor’s award was presented to 

Stepgates Community School for their efforts 

to make their gardens and school grounds bee 

and bug friendly and embracing the Mayor’s 

Plan Bee for Runnymede. 

All winners were presented with a framed 

certifcate. First place winners in each category 

were presented with a garden centre voucher 

worth £40, second place winners £20 and third 

place winners £10, kindly provided by Squire’s 

National Trust - River Wey Navigations 

Garden Centres, who generously sponsored the 

competition again this year. 

The frst place winners of the six 

categories were:- 

• Residential Front Garden - 

Leslie Boswell, Egham 

• Overall Front/Rear Garden - 

Elly Billson, Egham 

• Communal Garden Scheme - Darley Dene 

Sheltered Housing, Addlestone 

• School Garden - Sayes Court 

School, Addlestone 

• Business/Pub Garden - Wendy Reeves of 

The Black Prince PH, New Haw 

• Allotments – joint winners: - Daphne Price 

Pinewood Allotments, New Haw and Gillian 

Halls, Boshers Allotments, Egham 

For more information about the Runnymede 

in Bloom competition, please contact Julie 

Kitchenside on 01932 425130 or e-mail 

julie.kitchenside@runnymede.gov.uk 

The River Wey Navigations run from Godalming to Weybridge, passing through Runnymede at 

New Haw and Addlestone. It was donated to the National Trust in 1964 and continues to be run 

as a navigation, with over 500 moored boats and many visiting boats passing through 

each year. 

I look after the length between Pyrford Lock and Thames Lock 

as one of the Lengthsman Team. My main tasks are: 

• maintenance of the towpath and riverbank 

• keeping the lock areas tidy 

• ensuring the trees remain healthy and safe 

• leading guided walks 

• getting to know our neighbours and those with 

moored boats 

• managing the water levels by operation of weirs 

and sluices 

Steve Valiant, New Haw 

Lengthsman 

• looking after special areas such as Coxes Millpond and the old watercress beds. 

It’s a very varied job and one that means I have to be available 24 hours a day! 

A group of volunteers help me on a Wednesday. In the past six months we have been 

planting hedges at Addlestone and New Haw, installing a new fence at New Haw and removing 

foating pennywort (an invasive plant) from the Navigation. If you would like to join my group 

please give me a ring. It’s very informal, no experience necessary with the emphasis on having 

an enjoyable day in the countryside! 

Keep an eye out for my notice boards at New Haw Lock, Byfeet Boat Club, Coxes Millpond 

and Town Lock where you can read my ‘diary notes’ which explains what I have been doing 

each month and lets visitors know the latest news. 

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering please contact Steve Valiant on 

07786 703835 or e-mail: steve.valiant@nationaltrust.org.uk 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/river-wey-godalming-navigations-and-dapdune-wharf 

For current river conditions: www.riverweyconditionsnt.wordpress.com 


P&G Surrey Youth Games 2012 Healthy lifestyle 

This year has been a fantastic 

year for Runnymede, we not 

only had 334 children take 

part in the eight weeks of free 

training sessions compared 

to 188 last year but we also 

had 171 children take part in 

the competition compared to 

120 last year. We entered 21 

teams in the following sports: 

badminton, hockey, tag rugby, 

Boxing 

squash, swimming, tennis, 

boxing, football, basketball, 

cricket, judo and netball compared to only entering 16 teams 

in 2011. Runnymede trained hard and were winners of gold 

medals and trophies in boys contact boxing and boys junior 

judo as well as bronze medallists in mixed 

junior badminton, mixed tennis and boys 

basketball. For the full results please visit 

www.activesurrey.com 

P&G Surrey Youth Games 2013 

Are you aged seven to 16? Could you be the 

next Rebecca Adlington or Andy Murray? The 

P&G Surrey Youth Games is your chance to 

discover a new talent or improve on the skills you already have 

with the help of dedicated and qualifed sports coaches. Every 

young person who takes part will receive eight weeks of free 

sports coaching and the chance to represent Runnymede at the 

P&G Surrey Youth Games 2013 and compete for medals and 

trophies against the 10 other boroughs in Surrey. The training 

sessions take place at sports clubs, leisure centres and schools 

across the borough and start the frst week after the Easter 

holidays. The competition will be held at Surrey Sports Park in 

Guildford on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June 2013. To register 

your interest and be the frst to hear when the training sessions 

are announced please contact Emma Parnell on 01932 425677 

or e-mail emma.parnell@runnymede.gov.uk 

Activities for children and 

young people 

Runnymede Council provide a 

variety of activities for children and 

young people aged fve to 16 years 

during the school holidays. Activities include full child care 

schemes: FunZone for fve to 11 year olds and ViBE for 10 to 

15 years as well as workshops, themed weeks, multi-sports, 

Star:Track athletics and other sporting activities. To fnd out 

what’s on visit www.rbcyouth.co.uk 

contact Natalie Clarke on 01932 

425688 or send your e-mail address to 

natalie.clarke@runnymede.gov.uk to 

be added to our mailing list. 

New Runnymede 

Cycle Map 

An interactive cycle map 

for Runnymede showing 

on and off road cycle 

routes is now available 

online. Please visit http:// 

maps.runnymede.gov.uk/ 

website/cyclemap/main. 

html 

Skyride Local 

Led by British Cycling Ride 

Leaders, Sky Ride Local 

offers free guided cycle 

rides across Runnymede 

to encourage cyclists of 

all ages and abilities to 

get on their bike and have 

fun! There are fve different 

levels starting with three 

to fve mile easy rides on 

traffc-free paths through 

to 50 mile rides for more 

experienced cyclists looking 

to explore Runnymede’s 

amazing countryside. 

Register your details now on 

www.goskyride.com to 

receive ride information. 

Walking for Health in 

Runnymede 

Walking for Health is 

aimed at anyone wishing 

to improve their health, 

ftness and wellbeing. Walks 

take place every Tuesday 

from 1.30pm to 2.30pm 

and are free of charge. For 

more information about 

the walks please visit 

www.walkrunnymede. 

wordpress.com or contact 

the Walking for Health 

Co-ordinator Lindsay on 

07769784716 or e-mail 

lindsay@nextsteps.me.uk 

20 21 


your leisure your leisure 

Improvements to Pooley Green open space 

Pooley Green open space, 

located on Pooley Green Road 

in Egham Hythe is to get a new 

play area for young people. 

Improvements will see the 

removal of the old equipment 

and fencing and a new play 

area and landscaping further 

into the open space. 

The Council’s parks offcers 

have been working with 

students from Magna Carta 

School and Hythe School 

on a design for the new play 

area. The fnal design will be 

shown to the students from 

the two schools, along with 

residents who will be given the 

opportunity to comment. It is 

hoped that work to install the 

new play area will begin in the 

spring. 

Plans to install a cabin on 

Pooley Green open space 

is also been considered by 

the Pooley Green Planning 

Group, a group made up of 

professional people supporting 

improvements to young people 

in the community. Such a 

cabin would be used as a 

youth centre and may double 

up as a meeting point for other 

community groups. 

Whilst the cabin is been 

considered young people 

have been given access to 

a youth centre at St Paul’s 

Church Hall, St Pauls Road, 

Hythe. The Pooley Green 

youth group is open to young 

people aged between nine 

and 13 years, meets every 

Friday night, 7pm and 9pm 

and allows young people to 

hang out, play games and take 

Queen Elizabeth II Fields 

Heathervale Recreation 

Ground 

The QEII challenge has 

been a national scheme led 

by Prince William with the 

aim ‘to create a ftting and 

lasting grassroots legacy 

across the UK to mark both 

the Diamond Jubilee and 

the London 2012 Olympics.’ 

Across the country over 1,300 

sites have been nominated. 

Runnymede Council took part 

by nominating two sites for 

QEII status, Chertsey Meads 

and Heathervale Recreation 

Ground, which were accepted. 

The sites show the diverse 

range of open space available 

in the Borough. 

Chertsey Meads is a 

riverside meadow important 

for wild fowers on the River 

Thames. It is a local nature 

reserve and previously had 

Site of Special Scientifc 

Interest (SSSI) status which 

the Council is looking to 

regain. There are formal play 

facilities but the area is also 

used for walking, horse riding, 

cycling and fshing. Chertsey 

Meads is also encouraging 

wildlife to the area with an 

otter holt and a converted 

old building on the meads to 

encourage bats. 

Heathervale Recreation 

Ground is located in New 

Haw and the Basingstoke 

Canal runs along the South 

boundary. This is a much more 

formal public park with park 

keepers, and is a valuable 

community open space. It 

caters for a range of sports 

part in activities. The group has 

proven to be very successful 

with 32 young people attending 

within four weeks of it running. 

If you would like to fnd out 

more about the group please 

contact Gill Warner on 01784 

470960 or come along to the 

sessions on a Friday night. 

For more information on the 

improvements contact Leisure 

Services on 01932 425685. 

Pooley Green open space, 

Egham Hythe 

including football, cricket, 

bowls and tennis but also has 

facilities for young people with 

a paddling pool, play area, 

multi use games area, skate 

ramp and youth shelter. The 

pavilion is also used by a 

nursery during the week. 

As well as protecting the 

sites the QEII challenge also 

allows the Council to apply for 

funding to improve them. 

Formal naming of the parks 

as QEII felds will be held in 

2013. 

For more information about 

QEII felds visit 

www.feldsintrust.org or 

contact Runnymede’s Leisure 

Services on 01932 425685. 

Memorial benches 

If you would like to 

commemorate a loved one with 

a memorial bench you can buy 

one to be placed in one of our 

parks or open spaces. Perhaps 

a spot where the person being 

commemorated liked to while 

away a few hours, or walk their 

dog daily. 

What you need to do: 

agree with a Park Offcer 

a suitable style of bench 

and location 

What we do: 

• organise the purchase of 

the bench on your behalf 

• liaise with you and the 

manufacturer on the 

plaque wording, design 

and specifcation 

• install the bench 

Rachael Freer bought a very 

high quality bench to replace 

an old standard park bench 

in memory of her much loved 

parents. The bench features a 

plaque and bespoke roundels 

in a design special to her 

Exploring Surrey’s 

countryside in Winter 

Did you know 

that the North 

Downs Way was 

an inspiration 

to some of our 

most famous 

authors and 

poets including 

Lewis Carroll 

and John Keats? 

Or that the Basingstoke Canal 

is a Site of Special Scientifc 

Interest (SSSI) due to the 

range of water plants and 

dragonfy species? 

These and other amazing 

facts can be discovered 

in Explore Surrey, a new 

magazine produced by Surrey 

County Council’s Countryside 

team designed to inspire 

Memorial bench at Runnymede 

Pleasure Grounds 

and her parents. The bench 

was placed at Runnymede 

Pleasure Grounds in a tranquil 

spot overlooking the Thames. 

Rachael Freer said: “I can’t 

thank you enough for the time 

you have spent on this and 

the bench looks lovely. We 

have been able to use this 

lovely bench to remember my 

parents by and at the same 

time giving something to the 

community they loved.” 

To fnd more about memorial 

benches, please contact 

Leisure Services on 01932 

425685 or e-mail 

leisure@runnymede.gov.uk 

people to make the most of 

the county’s landscape. 

The autumn/winter issue is 

full of ideas for getting kids 

out and on the road to good 

health, as well as promoting 

greats walks in the county 

plus lots more. 

John Furey, Surrey County 

Council’s Cabinet Member for 

Transport and Environment, 

said: “This magazine gives 

you a taste of some of the 

fantastic things you can do 

and see, as well as ways you 

can get involved to help us 

preserve the countryside for 

future generations.” 

So why not take a closer 

look at what Surrey’s 

outdoor playground has to 

offer – there’s something 

everywhere for everyone 

to enjoy. 

Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/countryside, 

e-mail exploresurrey@surreycc.gov.uk or telephone 

03456 009 009 to start planning! 

New goalposts 

Runnymede Council has 

been awarded funding from 

the Football Foundation, the 

UK’s largest sports charity, as 

part of The FA’s 9v9 goalposts 

initiative which was launched 

in May. 

The Football Foundation 

teamed up with The FA to 

provide funding towards the 

installation of 9v9 goalposts 

as part of The FA’s Youth 

Development Review. 

Children will now be able to 

play matches on pitches that 

are relative to their age 

and size. 

We have purchased and 

installed three sets of news 

goalposts with 50% funding 

from the Football Foundation, 

creating 9 v 9 pitches at: 

• Aviator Park, 

Addlestone, access 

off Station Road near 

Addlestone station 

• Manorcrofts Recreation 

Ground, Egham next to 

Egham station 

• Bishops Way Recreation 

Ground, Pooley Green, 

off Bishops Way 

The goalposts are laid out 

to FA standards to give a 

pitch size of 80 x 50 yards, 

and replace older goalposts 

that were coming to the 

end of their lives. The goals 

and pitches are slightly 

smaller than full size and 

are perfect for kickabouts or 

for full games with younger 

participants. 

Pitches can be marked out 

for clubs who wish to use 

the new facilities. For more 

information please call 01932 

425686 or e-mail pitchbkgs@ 

runnymede.gov.uk 

Aviator Park, Addlestone 

22 23

Runnymede Voice - Runnymede Borough Council

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