The return of pupils to Merstham primary school has been postponed due to flood damage.

Severe weather around 13th August has left the building needing extensive renovation work. Only three classrooms are usable meaning not all pupils can be accommodated.

Children were meant to return this week but now only Nursery, Reception and Year 1 will be back.

In a letter to parents, headmaster Gavin Oulton says other arrangements are being made but expects the school won’t be back to normal before the start of next year.

You can keep up to date with the situation here: http://www.mersthamprimaryschool.org/

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More than £24m worth of grants have been paid to businesses and the self-employed in Crawley.

The money which does not have to be paid back is to help with the knock-on effects of the coronavirus on the local economy.

It’s as £60m is being invested in businesses across the South-East in the wake of the pandemic.

Commenting on the support, MP for Crawley Henry Smith said:
“Small businesses in Crawley are the backbone of our local economy, and this Government has long been committed to giving them all the support they need to flourish and thrive.
“Our Start Up Loans scheme has now provided over £60 million worth of investment and support to thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the south east of England, including for those who may otherwise have struggled to access it, helping to drive investment here and boost our local economy.
“As we build Britain back better in the months ahead, I’ll continue to work to give our local entrepreneurs and innovators all the support they need to keep them in business so they can create and protect jobs.”

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Youth clubs in Surrey are to be opened up to communities so they can run activities.

It will allow local groups to tailor youth services to specific areas while the council focuses on supporting vulnerable young people.

The move which is part of Surrey Council’s Community Vision for 2030 will mean voluntary and faith groups will be able to make use of centres for a minimal cost or even free.

Speaking about the initiative, County Councillor for Children, Young People and Families, Mary Lewis said:
“By entering into partnership with local community, voluntary and faith groups, we open up the possibility for more activity and social contact for young people in Surrey. The social impact of Covid-19 makes it more important than ever that children and young people have access to youth facilities.

“Where appropriate, locally managed centres will allow local communities to be more involved in the kind of activity that is offered at their own youth centres. It will also allow Surrey County Council to focus on providing support for particularly vulnerable young people.”

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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of affray and attempted aggravated burglary, following an incident in Taynton Drive, Merstham.

It’s after a 49-year-old man and his mother were threatened by a group of men wearing balaclavas and armed with what appeared to be knives and baseball bats.

Specialist officers and the police helicopter were deployed to the scene where two air type handguns were recovered and made safe.

Both men have now been released on bail with conditions.

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From tomorrow, another 12 libraries across Surrey will open their doors once more to the public.

In all, 38 libraries will be open across the county which includes sites like Caterham Valley and Merstham.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, a range of measures have been introduced, including limits on the number of visitors and cleaning of PCs between use.

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