Radio Gardener, Jean Griffin, talked about how the wet weather is affecting what should be done in the garden to prepare for Spring.
Category Archives: Features
Godstone A25 Road Collapse – Update Meeting Friday 16th January
On Friday, 16th January, 1 month from the 1-year anniversary of what was called the Godstone Sinkhole and was quickly reclassified as a road collapse, Godstone residents assembled once again, this time in more numbers at the request of local MP Claire Coutinho, in an effort to gain a further update from Surrey County Council Highways and SES Water.
Attended by 100s of residents, Cllr Matt Furniss from SCC Highways spoke first, updating all on the ground checks and identifying 3 non-interconnecting sand tunnel systems running beneath that part ofGodstone although it was indicated at the end of last year that it was the aim of SCC to complete works, it has gone behind yet again with the further checking of the ground stability with Cllr Furniss stating that 600 metric tonnes of Compacting grout had been pumped up to 3 stories underground in an effort to make the surface stable and upon successful completion of the third treatment, would be handed over to the utility companies to commence working.
Cllr Furniss went on to clearly state that it was unclear how the collapse occurred, something that was contradicted by SES water Jenny Rhodes, who stated that the condition of the main had been tested in a lab and published, and they believe the leak was caused by the presence of the sand mines in the area causing the main to flex and break as it lost support.
Residents challenged this contradiction and added that it was
also caused by the vibration of HGVs that use the route, which was
denied by Cllr Furniss from SCC Highways.
MP Claire Coutinho stepped in and has suggested that a further discussion on traffic calming should be had, with ideas tabled and explored to see what could be done.
The MP went on to say that communications between all parties to the residents had been poor, with quite often little or no information
given or informed where to find it online.
MP Claire Courtinho, with pressure from the residents on the SES water construction team were able to extrapolate a time scale of 6 weeks to reinstate the water main after handover from SCC highways takes place.
The residents over all were angry at the situation, still lacking
information, timescale questions on Council tax rebates were
raised yet again and frankly passed off by TDC representative Cllr
Mike Crome to SCC as they take the bigger precept of the council tax.
Claire Coutinho MP spoke briefly with our reporter, Neil Munday, at the conclusion of the meeting.
Claire Coutinho – MP for East Surrey.
The BBC were also in attendance at the meeting, where Mark Carter got to talk with Peter O’Connell, rector of St Nicholas Church, Godstone.
© BBC
Jean Griffin – The Radio Gardener at Christmas
There was a festive feel about the Radio Gardener, Jean Griffin’s December gardening advice. The talk focused on caring for a real Christmas tree, as well as Holly and Mistletoe, and some of the basic tasks that need to be done at this time of year.
Sumi Wang speaks at Redhill Business Guild breakfast meeting
Redhill Business Guild (RBG) held its first breakfast meeting on Wednesday 27th September at Three Central on London Road, Redhill.
RBG Breakfast Club is a series of morning business networking events that provides each delegate the opportunity to connect with other members of the Redhill business community. These events also offer the opportunity to hear from a local guest speaker about their business’s journey and experiences whilst enjoying a complimentary breakfast buffet of bacon sandwiches, pastries and fresh fruit.
Picture shows:
Sumi Wang and the eFOLDI
Picture shows:
Sumi Wang and the eFOLDI
Simon Bland gave the opening speech during which he expressed his love for Redhill. Following his speech the RBG Breakfast Club welcomed the Guild’s first presenter Sumi Wang, the local Redhill entrepreneur behind the eFOLDi, a collapsible mobility scooter, which won British Invention of the Year and the Reigate and Banstead Entrepreneurs Academy. eFOLDI also came runner up in the Richard Branson VOOM business awards.
Sumi and her father, who together designed and pitched the eFOLDi, had a fantastic story to share, one that reaches all the way to the Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe. Sumi provided an illuminating presentation of the eFOLDI mobility scooter.
Simon Bland, Economic Prosperity Programme Manager at Reigate and Banstead Council said: “I’m really pleased by the way the meeting has gone today, we’ve had a good turnout, a good cross section of people and all engaged really, really well, people talking to each other and I thought we had a really good presentation from for the first event.”
Picture shows:
L/r Simon Bland, Economic Prosperity Programme Manager at Reigate and Banstead Council, Sumi Wang, eFOLDI and (seated) Richard Coad, Borough Councillor for Redhill East.
Borough Councillor for Redhill East, Richard Coad said: “This is a business networking breakfast with a very good representation of the Redhill businesses here, all networking together. This is something that the Redhill business community has been crying out for a long, long time, and now, one year into the Business Guild, we’re holding this fantastic event, with Sumi Wang as our guest speaker.”
Picture shows:
Borough Councillor for Redhill East, Richard Coad and the eFOLDI
Among those attending the first RBG Breakfast Club were Jerry O’Leary, Chairman of Redhill Football Club, Belfry Shopping Centre Manager Andy Nash, Vicky and Dave from VIDA Training and Alix from the Include Choir, an inclusive choir of people with and without communication, memory or learning difficulties.
Established in September 2016 and representing a wide cross-section of businesses the Redhill Business Guild promotes and improves the trading interests of all its members and welcomes all proactive businesses wishing to join the Guild to help us achieve our objectives and become a part of the Redhill business community.
Listen On Demand:
Chairman of Redhill Business Guild, Richard Coad
Simon Bland, Economic Prosperity Programme Manager at Reigate and Banstead Council
For more information go to the Redhill Business Guild website – http://redhillbg.org.uk.
Jane Green FRAS – Astronomy and the September Night Sky
Astronomer Jane Green shared what’s to see in the September night sky, including the recent total lunar eclipse, an occultation of Venus, Saturn in opposition, the Autumn Equinox and some rather insightful questions from youngsters!
