Reigate and Banstead has seen a rise in its number of Coronavirus cases as the first vaccines are delivered in the UK.
Yesterday morning, the first Coronavirus vaccine was administered, as the Government began what it is calling the biggest vaccination programme in history.
It comes as cases in the area continue to rise slightly to hit 154 in the past 7 days. Surrey and Sussex have been placed in Tier 2 since the national lockdown lifted last week.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This [vaccination programme] follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.”
They added: “The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large-scale vaccination programmes and will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to provide care and support to all those eligible for vaccination.”
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Redhill’s popular panto dame swapped his wig for wrapping paper this weekend to help out with a charity drive for children in the area this Christmas.
Simon Bashford has been a fixture in the Harlequin Theatre’s panto for many years, but with no performances this year, he has been helping out with wrapping gifts for the ‘Santa Stork’ present drive for local children.
Run by charity ‘Stripey Stork’, the gift drive helps supporters provide presents for youngsters in the area by buying them online. Working in partnership with ‘Toy Barnhaus’, the charity is asking people to donate popular gift items requested, which are then bought, wrapped and delivered to youngsters.
Bill Kear Digger (Photo credit Keep Horley Green)Residents in Horley have been left saddened and angry following the removal of several trees at Meadowcroft House.
The removal is on what will be the new access road for the proposed 172-acre business park, south of Horley which is a joint venture between Reigate and Banstead Council, and Millhill Properties.
The Facebook Group “Keep Horley Green” have been in contact with Bill Kear Plant and Agricultural Contractors who were seen removing the trees over the 28th and 29th November. The group have put forward questions over the clearing of 6 acres of woodland, which they are unsure if the move was legal.
We tried to contact both the business park development team and Bill Kear Contractors and have yet to hear back from either.
Letter from Keep Horley Green to Bill Kear Plant and Agricultural Contractors (Reproduced from the ‘Keep Horley Green‘ Face Book page)
Dear Bill Kear,
I am writing regarding the felling of 6 acres of mature woodland at Meadowcroft House in Horley, Surrey carried out by Bill Kear contractors during the weekend of 28th and 29th of November.
The residents of Horley have been shocked and upset by the horrendous damage done to the woodland by your plant.
The Forestry Commission and the Police have been notified and it is my understanding that they are taking this act of vandalism very seriously.
People of Horley are asking questions about the legalities of the works and are understandably very angry about the harm done to the wildlife and the level of destruction caused. We wanted to give you the opportunity to offer an explanation about your company’s involvement in these works so have the following questions which we would like to put to you:
Who contracted and paid for these works? We know that Howard Redhouse was on site and was giving directions as to what to clear. We are sure that you are aware Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is in a joint venture business partnership with Howard’s companies (Mill Hill Properties Horley LTD and Berwick Hill Properties. We would like to know who is responsible? One of the staff on site said to a resident that RBBC were involved and implicated them in the clearance. We would like to know more about this.
Can you provide a copy of your Forestry Commission licence? Given your expertise you would have known that one was required.
Bats are known to roost in the woodland in question and the bat boxes which were known to be on the hedge line between Bayhorne Farm and Meadowcroft House. The hedge has now gone as have the bat boxes. Assuming you took the necessary precautions to carry out the works legally, which Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation did you contact and what was their advice?
We have seen videos of the works being carried out and question the safety of the methods used. Was a risk assessment carried out and what control measures were put in place? Please would it be possible to see a copy of the risk assessment.
Part of the fence/ hedge line between Bayhorne Farm and Meadowcroft house which was owned by Surrey County Council has been destroyed. The land is used for grazing and is now not safe for the farmer to use. We assume that this was done in error and will be rectified. What do you intend to put in place to secure their perimeter and when do you plan to secure it?
The staff carrying out the works said that the woodland was being cleared for the Horley Business Park access road. Are you aware that as yet no planning application has been made for the site? Can you tell us anymore about the reasons for the clearance?
We welcome your comments and feedback about the above questions.
Kind Regards,
Keep Horley Green
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Eligible businesses in Crawley have just a week left to apply for discretionary business grants.
The government has given the council finances which can be distributed to businesses that have been affected by the lockdown but are not legally required to close.
So far, only 221 applications have been received at the council, which includes 184 from taxi drivers.
The deadline is Sunday 13th December where payments are expected to be made shortly afterwards.
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