Fifty bikers make a difference...17 May 2012

Colets fitness instructor and Deputy Gym Manager Damian Wood has been busy raising a team to join the Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge in aid of children’s charity Norwood and the Down’s Syndrome Association. The core of this will be Colets members but it is open to anyone in the local community to join in, indeed they are encouraged! Setting off from nearby Esher College on 1 July, the cyclists of all age groups, will ride the 60 mile course to Hove. The target for members and supporters of the team is to raise £10,000. Damian's done the race three times himself. "Members," he notes, "are all up for a challenge, particularly if it takes them into the great outdoors." There are spinning classes and programmes to prepare and harden them off.... As well as getting physically prepared, all those joining the cycle challenge will be invited to a carb loading feast on the Saturday evening before the event in the sports bar at Colets: Lasagne, salad and garlic bread will be served in large quantities (they think of everything! ). In case you are worried that it might all be too competitive and strenuous, Damian assures us that it is more sociable - and there will be several stops along the way where participants enjoy delicious snacks from the many food and supermarket sponsors of the event.

Everyone who registers is committing to raising a minimum of £200 each in sponsorship which will go to the two charities, to benefit people with learning difficulties and Down’s Syndrome. If you'd like to get involved, contact Damian at Colets on 0208 398 7108 and for donations please visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ColetsHealthFitness.

What's going to happen to the NHS here?14 May 2012

An important subject of key interest to most of you - at least, it ought to be! The 2012 AGM of the Friends of the hospital, open to all, will be on Tuesday May 29th - 7.00 for 7.30pm at the Vera Fletcher Hall, Thames Ditton.

The keynote presentation:

“What is going to happen to your local NHS Service - challenges and opportunities”

Dr Anne Hollings, Director, EDICS, with MEDICS Directors and local GPs Dr Ashish Kapoor and Dr Steve Brant

Karen Randolph writes: "Those of you who came to our AGM last year will remember the very interesting discussion led by local GPs and consultants. You will recall they spoke about the benefits of local specialist clinics such as those being developed by MEDICS at Emberbrook - and about how the Friends are helping with the purchase of costly specialist equipment.

As you know, there is much concern about the effects the changes in the NHS will have on future services, particularly in this area. Locally we are fortunate to have some very talented and dedicated GPs who are determined to make the most of the opportunities available to them to improve NHS services in this area. We will be hearing from some of them on the 29th May. We are also delighted to welcome back Dr Anne Hollings who helped to set up EDICS (Epsom and District Incorporated Care Services) and its sister ‘provider’ in this area, MEDICS, which has been responsible for developing Thames Ditton (Emberbrook) into a significant local centre for outpatient services. Some of you may recall Dr Hollings’ fascinating talk several years ago - where she so clearly outlined EDICS/MEDICS’ contribution to improving patient services and experience while reducing costs to the taxpayer.

So please do come and join us on Tuesday 29th May for a glass of wine and for what promises (as always) to be a very interesting discussion of great significance to all local residents."

Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital, 72 Westville Road, Thames Ditton KT7 0JU

REGISTERED WITH THE CHARITY COMMISSION No 1052498

Celebration & Jubilation14 May 2012

For the third year running, Thames Ditton resident Jayne Thomas, garden designer, has an entry in the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, 3-8 July. Her entry is in the Summer Garden category, and is called "Celebration and Jubilation". A lot of thought has gone into it.

Jayne writes: "I wanted to create a pretty garden to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this summer. Nestled in the centre of the garden amongst trees and swathes of patriotic coloured planting, there is a circular seating area to sit and take refreshment during the festivities. This area is surrounded by a diamond shaped hedge of Pittosporum and white roses . Three pretty Sorbus aria Lutescens trees will be draped with pennant bunting. There will be a tea trolley laden with snacks and party fare. At the entrance to the garden there will be two crown sceptre rope poles. I have commemorative roses and other insignia in the garden, e.g. a commemorative stone engraving, and a plaque hung on a green ivy screen backdrop. This plaque is a living wall with the plants inset into a crown detail. The entrance to the seating circle is framed by two crown planters sitting on cushions of lavender. Six water pools sit at the end of the garden representing the six decades of the Diamond Jubilee".

Jayne won a silver medal for her Midsummer Night’s Dream garden two years ago, on a Shakespearean theme; and last year Mont Blanc garden won a bronze - which we thought was not as high as it deserved - see photo here along with other photos from last year's show. It's expected that again there will be online voting for the public to express their support for individual entries. You know what to do!

Much encouragement in Elmbridge Borough Council Elections4 May 2012

Our gratitude to the very many volunteers who helped with posters, delivering election material, telling, and to election agent Peter Hickman for doing the clerking, and to all those residents who turned out on a chilly, damp day to keep an independent voice on the council for Thames Ditton and Weston Green. Heart-warming and wonderful. Well done, and thank you. The results are:

Thames Ditton - turnout 35.06%:

Ruth Lyon (Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents' Association) 1,212 votes elected - 73.3% of the vote
Hugh Evans (Con) 304 votes - 18.4% of the vote
Francis Eldergill (Lab) 138 votes - 8.3% of the vote

Weston Green - turnout 42.05%, second highest in the borough:

Ruth Bruce (Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents' Association) 914 votes elected - 78.3% of the vote
Christian Mahne (Con) 254 votes - 21.7% of the vote

Elsewhere in the Borough the Conservatives lost seats to Residents in Hersham North and Walton Central, to the LibDems in Long Ditton, and failed to make good their attack on East Molesey and Claygate. The postponed election in Esher ward will take place in June. Turnout was generally low throughout Elmbridge, reflecting perhaps both the dreary weather, and the general distaste for politics which has been heightened by the seemingly never-ending sleaze, sharp practice, broken electoral promises, incompetence and spin reported daily in the national media whichever political party is in power.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Runnymede, Conservative John Edwards drew lots with Residents candidate Gillian Ellis after both polled 503 votes in Chertsey South. The Conservative won the draw.

Good news on Boatman site cleanup28 April 2012

The energetic and determined Hampton Court Rescue Campaign reports that Gladedale, the owner/developer of the 'Jolly Boatman', has accepted the very generous offer made by Historic Royal Palaces to landscape the Jolly Boatman site in preparation for the Olympics and other 2012 events. HRP's offer was made at the turn of January/February; lately there has been pressure from Elmbridge Borough Council, increasingly anxious that the derelict and littered site (which the civic-minded Rescue campaigners themselves offered to clean up two or three years ago) would shame the borough during these televised events. HCRC has strongly lobbied Elmbridge Council since the HRP offer was made and their many supporters have augmented the pressure.

A statement now released by Gladedale reads:

"Gladedale have decided to work in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces to improve the appearance of the Jolly Boatman/Hampton Court Railway station site in readiness for the Olympic celebrations and other important events taking place in the summer. Works will include the laying of turf, importing trees and plants and erecting a low level perimeter fence"

If HRP and Gladedale do a good job of this landscaping, which Gladedale intend to be temporary, it will serve as a visual reminder of what could be done with this site in the national and public interest more permanently - given a different solution from the plans controversially approved in 2008, a solution which all could support with a glad heart.

Dry under Esher Station Bridge26 April 2012

Why is this a headline? Because for twelve years the Association's Tannia Shipley, our Indefatigable Weston Green Councillor, has been working away at the authorities and riparian owners to clean out and maintain the drainage away from the bridge which at times has become a ford. Over the period she has trudged the two miles of culverts, drains and gutters that make up the system, many times; and become an expert on the subject. During the decade, with flood after flood after flood drenching exasperated pedestrian commuters, she and Peter Hickman our Councillor in Surrey have successively herded officials from Network Rail and Surrey County Council into the same pen, whereas at the beginning some buck-passing was noticed, and they and their contractors have gradually investigated and cleared blockage after blockage culminating in a major job to clear the Victorian culvert under the Long Arch along Portsmouth Road last year (it looked as though it had been blocked for a hundred years). Even Nigel Shipley was roped in after one storm (see photo).

What's more, Surrey have also been spotted maintaining the culverts and drains already cleared, without being chased this year.

This is the first really heavy and persistent rain (with threats of flooding) since the Long Arch was cleared. With close to three inches of rain in the Editorial Bucket over the past few days, you would for decades past have expected to see a grim flood under Esher Station bridge, with sodden commuters unable to pass on foot without a wetting. But an inspection this morning revealed it as dry as the proverbial bone! So - well done, and particularly Tannia, but all involved including the authorities can take credit for working on this problem for so long - it seems with good effect.

Thank you. (Now for the flooding under Hampton Court Way bridge...!)

Home of Compassion/Boyle Farm update25 April 2012

At our Open Meeting of 24 April, the CEO of Caring Homes, Paul Jeffery, kindly followed up on his commitment to brief us on developments concerning the former Home of Compassion. For interested residents unable to attend:

• Caring Homes remained committed to the restoration and extension of the building as a care home.
• Two funding offers had been negotiated (one from an investment institution, the other from a group of Board members): their conditions could be satisfied.
• The abolition of VAT for work on listed buildings in Osborne's Budget a few weeks ago had added roughly £1 million to the bill (this was questioned from the floor: couldn't Caring Homes simply offset VAT against services? Apparently not).
• To meet the increased cost the number of beds proposed would have to be increased to 71. This would still leave the space per resident at 78-80 sq. metres, against the sector average of 48-55 sq. metres and would be within the footprint currently approved. Question from the floor: would the configuration of the large internal rooms be affected? Answer: no change in the old building, reconfiguration of plans within the new wing.
• Variation in planning consent would therefore be needed.
• Still need to complete work on the changes and the finance offers but would hope to break ground and start the development in October, with completion likely in 2014.
• The resident caretaker remained, and security devices had detected three incidents of illegal entry with effective police action (but no prosecutions). The building had been heated during the winter and was dry.

From the floor, Caring Homes were requested to remedy the riverside wall which is crumbling and looks dangerous: children climb round the perimeter fence and play there; boats pass by. The wall could be treated as a freestanding matter apart from the development; a matter of safety. Agent Norman Dolland undertook to take an early look at this.

All in all, an encouraging session.

Max plays for England25 April 2012

Max Elliott, aged 10 from Thames Ditton, is one of 24 young people representing England at the World Schools Individual Chess Championships in Iasi, Romania, from 28th April to 6th May. Kudos for being selected!

Max goes to Thames Ditton Junior School and has been playing chess since he was just four years old. He currently holds the UK Chess Challenge Under 10s Ultimo title and plays for Ealing Junior and Surbiton Chess Clubs. TDJS has a flourishing weekly chess club run by International Master Graeme Buckley and Max enjoys taking part in team chess events against other schools.

He says: “When I was four years old I received a chess set for my birthday. This was just the beginning of my passion for chess. I never dreamed that six years later I would be travelling to Romania to play for England! It’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Good luck, Max! Mother Fiona adds that the competition in Romania is going to be very tough - in some countries chess is part of the school curriculum; other top youth players seem to attend full-time chess schools and are home tutored for the rest. Apparently the Turkish kids have been practising 6-8 hours per day in preparation for this tournament, whereas Max's "modest" regime involves one tournament each weekend, a weekly club night in Surbiton, a weekly lesson and two or three games online each day.

We're glad to note that despite video games and other diversions, chess is making a comeback and a host of young players know how to fianchetto their bishop in a Sicilian Dragon. Surrey is definitely the place to be for keen young chess players. As well as the school club, there's Tough Chess for promising juniors on a Monday night in Hinchley Wood, run by International Master Mike Basman, quite famous in the chess world since his heyday (in one of those felicitous name associations, he lives in Chessington!). Mike also runs the UK Chess Challenge, the UK's biggest youth tournament with 60,000 participants each year.

Top national youth squash at Colets12 March 2012

Ten days ago Colets Health and Fitness hosted the English Junior Squash Championships for 128 players over the course of three days, an event which consisted of an under 13s and under 17s category for both boys and girls. 15 year old Alison Thomson, a Colets player and local resident, did extremely well unseeded to finish 6th in her category.

Under squash coach and manager Dave Peck the squash club has brought widespread recognition to Thames Ditton over the past fifteen years, winning the annual English Club Championships several times and also winning the Europeans at least once, with good showings in other years. There's strength in depth, with the women's team and the teams for older categories also in the top echelon nationally. There's good coaching for all levels (Comment: inside knowledge - editor's son coached here until recently)

The squash club has managed to sign up Richie Fallows who won the under 17 boys category and is regarded as a rising star in the squash world, so we can expect a continued showing from what is one of the very strongest squash clubs in the country.

Dittons need new Scout Leader, lead a winning team!8 March 2012

The Dittons Scout Group is urgently looking for a new Scout Leader as its current leader will be moving away in the summer. The Scout Troop consists of approximately 30 boys and girls aged between 11 and 14 years of age. The Scout Leader is responsible for managing and leading the Scout Troop along with Assistant Leaders and other helpers, delivering a fun and active programme for the Scouts. The Troop meets once a week for two hours during school term times. Training will be given. If you are interested please contact the Group Scout Leader Laura Clarke on 07518 306675 or via lauradittons@hotmail.co.uk

Meanwhile, on 26th February Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from across the Esher District gathered to take part in the annual Esher District Scout Group Cross Country Race. The Cross Country course was approximately 3 miles long for Scouts and 1.75 miles long for Cubs and Beavers, and began in West End Lane, Esher.

The Dittons Scout Group has always had a strong presence at the Esher District Cross Country Race and this year was no different. A total of 76 Dittons' members took part (five Scouts, 24 Cubs and 47 Beavers). The Dittons' Beavers and Cubs were defending their titles from the previous year and were keen to retain their team trophies and the Dittons Scouts wanted to improve on the previous year's second place.

It was a clean sweep across the board with Dittons Scouts, Cubs and Beavers winning their respective team races and in addition brothers William and Daniel Robson were each winners in their categories - William won the Cubs race and Daniel the Beavers race. Well done!

Extra constable for the manor8 February 2012

A welcome to PC Sharon Taylor 40430, new and additional Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for The Dittons and Hinchley Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team, who has joined our neighbourhood police. She will be working alongside PC Katie Kennedy. Sharon comes from the CID and helping victims of crime.

Excellent that sales of old police stations and other budgetary adjustments mean that we can now have an additional full constable on the beat. The experience is that neighbourhood policing works well.

Dignity In Action - still things to look forward to2 February 2012

Shona Bradbury from Linwood care Home writes: "To celebrate Dignity in Action Day on 1st February we officially opened ‘The Hub’. In this space we have a computer from SimplyUnite. SimplyUnite build computers with older people in mind, enabling residents to e-mail family & friends and have a connection to the outside world.

Margaret Freeman, 88, used Skype to communicate with her son on the special day. Margaret said “I think using the e-mail is good. I love hearing from my son. I enjoyed listening to Vera Lynn, I used to sing her songs as lullabies.” Daphne Newton, 93, said “I am surprised how clear the e-mail is and love to hear from my daughter. Although I don’t see her much, it feels like she lives next door. ”Jessica Dixon, Activities Co-ordinator, said “With a connection to the outside world through the internet improves the residents’ quality of life.”

Opposite The Hub we have the ‘Bochikana’ kitchen where residents cook and bake their favourite recipes. For Dignity in Action the residents chose to bake a fruit cake and will be cooking a roast lamb dinner next week. The Bochikana was so named following a competition for the residents and means The Kitchen in Hindi. "

Beowulf raises £4,300 for local medical facilities26 January 2012

Supporters of the campaign to re-open NHS intermediate care beds in the George Tickler Wing in the Thames Ditton Hospital at Emberbrook and so restore to local people their community hospital raised £4.300 on 14th January at a fund raising dinner in the Vera Fletcher Hall.

The event was organised by the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital and sponsored by Dairy Crest. 100 guests enjoyed a splendid venison meal and after-dinner pantomime “Beowulf” presented by Charles Court Opera.

Councillor Karen Randolph, Chairman of the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital, thanked Councillor Ruth Lyon for organising the evening and guests and local businesses for their generosity in supporting the campaign to re-open NHS community hospital beds at Emberbrook. Following the success of previous years’ fund raising, the Friends this year are planning to raise money towards echo cardiogram equipment. This would complement the existing consultant cardiologist clinics held at Emberbrook and enable patients in the Esher/ Thames Ditton area to be diagnosed and treated more quickly and at a lower cost to the NHS than at present.

Four years ago the Friends of Thames Ditton Hospital gave over £60,000 for new equipment to enable the introduction of ultrasound, ENT services and electrocardiogram services, which enable patients to have their diagnosis and treatment within two weeks instead of waiting up to12 weeks for appointments at Kingston or St.George’s hospitals.

Councillor Randolph said that in the last year NHS Surrey’s financial problems have resulted in the loss of more than 30% of Surrey’s community hospital beds; close to home this has meant that Molesey Hospital now has only 12 beds (down from 18) in spite of an extensive waiting list of patients in Kingston and other hospitals for much of the year. GPs have also had significant problems in admitting patients directly into local community hospitals.

There is however some light on the horizon; in 2013, under the Government’s proposals for the Health Service, responsibility for commissioning services at community hospitals will be passed to consortia of local GPs who value the services that community hospitals provide.

Council massages Conservation Area Appraisal for East Molesey to suit controversial planning permission27 November 2011

Elmbridge's Conservation Area Appraisal for East Molesey (Kent Town) appears to have been shaped more in accordance with the controversial planning permission granted to developers of the Jolly Boatman site than with the existing realities of conservation and heritage, according to members of the Appraisal working group whose contributions were disregarded in the document. They urge the Council at its meeting tonight, 7 December, to defer adoption of the appraisal until fuller consultations have been properly made.

Concerning that part of the Conservation Area the working group members recognise that the document does now include the general statement that “This area is recognised as being of particular significance and sensitivity due to its location and surroundings,” but the measures recommended by working group members to actually protect the location and its surroundings have not been included. They emphasise that:

• The significance of the setting of the conservation area with regard to the riverside and Hampton Court Palace has been undervalued.
• Historic Royal Palaces should have been consulted as the largest landowner in the area and given the significance of Hampton Court Palace on the border of the Conservation Area. The Appraisal should have referred to the Landscape Conservation Management Plan for the Palace and its environs - some 700 acres, and also the Palace’s Views Management Plan which covers both views, to and from the conservation area.
• There is no evidence that English Heritage or Thames Landscape Strategy were consulted.
• The 2009 Planning permission should not be referenced in any adopted Appraisal.
• The most direct view of Hampton Court Palace and the River Thames seen by visitors as they walk past the Jolly Boatman site towards Hampton Court Bridge is not recognised in the document as an “Important View” even though it was recognised as such in the 1999 Development Brief. Council officers disputed that Hampton Court Palace could be seen from this location although a photograph demonstrates that this is incorrect.

In their letter to the Council the working group members assert that concerning the last point "it is difficult to find any reason for this glaring and deliberate omission other than to obscure the fact that that this very important view will be ruined by the building of the proposed hotel on the Jolly Boatman site." If the draft remains as distorted as it is, they feel that the public consultation has been largely a waste of time - a conclusion that many citizens have reached about many a public consultation by the local councils. The full text of the letter requested to be placed before the public full Council meeting may be downloaded here.