Borough Insight

This Issue

A message from the Mayor

On behalf of all residents, I would like to offer my congratulations and best wishes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne. She has been a true inspiration to us all and a perfect example of dedication to public service.

We are delighted that the Queen has included this year’s Derby on 4 June as one of her official engagements over the weekend, putting Epsom very much in the eyes of the world during this historic occasion. The Queen has only missed two Derby runnings before the pandemic in her reign and we are looking forward to welcoming her to an event that is synonymous with our community and that she so clearly enjoys.

Working with Go Epsom and other partners, such as Epsom Racecourse, the Council is putting on a number of events to enable residents to take part in and enjoy the Jubilee celebrations - details are included in this special issue of eBorough Insight

Across the Borough there will also be numerous other community organised events and street parties. I hope these go well and that the weather is kind for what is sure to be a Platinum Jubilee festival to remember.

Long Live Our Queen!

News

The Past Comes Alive

Free family event, Saturday 28 May, Bourne Hall Park, 9.30am to 5pm
A Bourne Hall Museum tribute for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations

On a day where the past comes alive, learn about the local connections of past Kings and Queens and get an insight into the medieval period as Bourne Hall Museum marks the Queens Jubilee.

Performance tent:
10am and 2pm - Meet two ladies-in-waiting from the court of Elizabeth I at Nonsuch who will tell what life was like in the palace which she loved to visit. Learn of the changes she made to fit in her huge wardrobe of dresses and how the Earl of Essex burst into Elizabeth’s bedroom before she had time to put on her makeup, the blunder which was to lead to his execution!

Image: Artwork Charles the second enters london on a horse surounded by crowds following the restoration of the monachy in 1660

12.30pm and 3pm: Chat to Charles II, the Merry Monarch (right), one of the most popular of English Kings, and hear about his visits to Epsom in the Spa period.

1pm and 4.30pm: Meet Queen Victoria who came to the Derby at the beginning of her reign and discover what happened... was she amused?

Meanwhile the Paladins of Chivalry will bring the medieval world to light with living history displays including cooking, music, armour repair, noble ladies sewing and doing embroidery, an apothecary preparing potions and men at arms gambling and telling tall stories. See the medieval tented encampment furnished with historically accurate furniture and equipment which you can handle.

Special story time in Bourne Hall Park, 11.30am: Please come in fancy dress.

Image: Two re-enactors in armour do battleCombat arena:
10.30am: You can witness the men at arms in their training session and in combat and a knight will be armed for battle!

1.30pm: After lunch there’s a chance for the children to take part in their own battle!

2.30pm: The Lord of Bourne Hall is charged with trying to kill a rival in front of the King, and now he must fight for his life in trial by combat.

3.30pm: In the afternoon there will be a display of how to arm a knight followed by a full tournament. Finishing with a Grand Melée when all the knights fight to the last man standing.

Timings are a guide and may change if events overrun or there are operational difficulties. 

At Bourne Hall itself, don't forget to visit the Museum to see an exhibition on life in the Borough during the Coronation Year in 1953. Stop by Ewell Library, who will have tables where you can do Jubilee crafts, including making a crown and designing a Jubilee stamp. Visit the Bourne Hall café for breakfast, ice creams, sandwiches, ploughman’s, vegan boxes, kiddies’ boxes, scones and lots of lovely cakes – along with tea and coffee, soft drinks, and wine. First aiders will also be on duty all-day from the 2nd Ewell Scout Group. 

Hope to see you there! 

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Derby Hall of Fame

Unveiling Wednesday 1 June, Market Place, Epsom

In 1780 Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, and his friend Sir Charles Bunbury spun a coin to determine whether a new horse race should be called the Derby Stakes or the Bunbury Stakes.

The Derby has been run in Epsom ever since (with a few exceptions to allow for world wars).

For many, the death of the suffragette Emily Davison at the Derby in 1913 is a defining moment. The statue of Davison added to Epsom Market Place during the recent renovations has drawn visitors from across the UK and further afield.

The Derby however is far more than one tragic event, and the council is to unveil a new feature in the Market Place celebrating the full history of quintessential horse race.

The Derby Hall of Fame was commissioned as part of the Market Place renovation to sit alongside the Davison and the Evocation of Speed statues. The installation of the Hall of Fame was parked as the council focused on the pandemic response and is now being installed as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

Showcasing iconic horses, trainers and jockeys, all of them, synonymous with racing the Derby, the Hall of Fame consists of roundels featuring artwork from graphic designer Richard Wolfstrome.

Commemorated are some of the most famous and recognisable names in horse racing history – including Alex Greaves, the first female jockey to compete in the Derby, Geoff Lewis, the first Epsom-based winner, as well as household names, such as Lester Piggott, Nijinsky, Shergar and many more.

This Hall of Fame will be a unique landmark that recognises the borough’s long-standing connection with one of the most famous horse races in the world, celebrating the borough’s rich culture and heritage.

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Jubilee Family Festival

Image: Cartoon bunting in different colours
Free family event. Wednesday 1 June from 1:30pm, Market Place and Epsom Square, Epsom

A Go Epsom event featuring:

  • Free Children rides and Face Painting
  • Spectacular stilt walkers
  • Bubble Shows by the world’s best bubbleologist 
  • Live music
  • Living statue
  • Balloon modelers
  • Local charity stalls

The festival will be across two sites in the Epsom town centre; Epsom Market Place and Epsom Square. There will be performances throughout the afternoon including 2 shows from Ambition Dance

The evening will end with a concert in the marketplace from 6pm till 8pm with the amazing Blunter Brothers.

In Epsom Square 12 x Guinness World Record holders, Bubble Inc will present 2 outdoor bubble shows from their team of Bubbleologists!

Also joining us in Epsom Marketplace and Epsom square will be Angie Mack, one of the leading hula hoop artistes in the UK.  She is an extremely energetic and charismatic performer and has worked at major festivals such as Glastonbury. As well as 2x 30 minute comedy hula hooping shows with audience participation.  These will be followed by a 30 minute workshop in which the audience young and old can have a go.

Roaming around town will be Matthew Garrett performing his close up magic. He is one of the few magicians who is brilliant with all ages.He has also won the Magic Circle Close up magician of the year and has performed worldwide.

For more details visit: https://jubileecelebrations.co.uk/events/epsom-jubilee-family-festival/

Jubilee Beacon

Beacon Lighting, 2 June, 9.45pm, Epsom Downs

Image: Fire against a night skyBritain has a long history of beacon lighting spanning many hundreds of years.

Beacons were originally lit to give warning to local people of the approach of an enemy. They were sited on high hills, usually as part of a defensive signal system. The signal was given by smoke during the day and light by night.

A beacon chain has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration.In 1897 beacons were lit nationally to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. In 1977 and 2002 beacons were lit to celebrate The Queen's Silver and Golden Jubilees.

A new permanent beacon has now been installed on Epsom Downs and will be lit for the first time to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

The Epsom Downs Beacon will be lit as part of a coordinated beacon chain with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Anchor Chain being lit at 9.30pm and the Beacons along Hadrian’s Wall lit at 10pm. All other Beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man will be lit at 9.45pm. Beacons in the Commonwealth Countries and United Kingdom Overseas Territories will also be lit at the appropriate local time.

Epsom Downs Racecourse are holding a community event on the evening of Thursday 2 June. The community event will end with the opportunity to see the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon.

At the Beacon lighting students from Laines Theatre Arts will join thousands of community choirs across all 54 commonwealth nations to sing ‘A Life filled with Grace’ which has been specially written and composed for the Jubilee by Lucy Keily from Australia and Vincent Atueyi Chinemelu from Nigeria. The event will also have a piper, Craig Mclean in the uniform of a Commonwealth regiment, playing a South African folk song 'Sarie Marais' which he previously played for the Queen in South Africa and Penny Moss of the Epsom and Ewell Silver Band playing the fanfare 'Majesty'.

The Epsom Downs Jubilee Beacon is a joint Initiative between Go Epsom, The Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, the Jockey Club and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council.

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Jubilee Cazoo Derby Launch Party

Free community event, Thursday, 2 June, from 6pm at Epsom Downs Racecourse - Please note, this event is now sold out. All free tickets have been redeemed.Jubilee cakes

There will be a free community event at the Racecourse to launch the Cazoo Derby and the lighting of the Epsom Downs Beacon.

  • Featuring live entertainment and music from the Parade Ring
  • Get all your racing tips for the weekend
  • A range of food and drink options available
  • Her Majesty The Queen Hall of Fame

A Jockey Club event for the local community. - more information via the website - https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/epsom/events-tickets/derby-launch-party/ 

.

Jubilee Stamp design competition

Children's competition

Children are invited to design a postage stamp to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The lucky winner will have the chance to join the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for tea in the historic parlour at the Town Hall.

There are two age groups:

  • ages 4 to 7Image: The new english 1st and 2nd class postage stamps with barcode
  • ages 8 to 12

Your design can be of anything you like...

A picture of the Queen or other member of the Royal Family, perhaps the Queen at the Derby, a street party, or another Jubilee event. The choice is yours.

Download a template for your design or visit Ewell Library at Bourne Hall and pick one up.

Better still the library at Bourne Hall has all the materials you'll need, so you can complete your design there and then. If you leave your entry with the library, make sure you put your contact details on it along with your age.

If you download a template you can also email your design to dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk - again, don't forget to tell us your name, age and contact details.

Designs must be in by Wednesday 1 June.

Good luck!

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Jubilee CATS Club

Wednesday 1 June 2022Image: various gemstones on a white background
Two sessions - 11am to 12.30am and 1.30pm to 3pm

CATS stands for Crafts, Art, Technology and Science. CATS Club is a wonderfully unique STEAM (STEM subjects + Art) where children (ages 5-11 years) can create arts and crafts that are heavily focused on science and technology.

In this extra special CATS Club for the Queens Platinum Jubilee, there's the opportunity to make yourself a very special commemorative souvenir of this historic event.

Learn about gems and how to draw them and have a go at decorating crowns with jewels.

Limited availability.

To book and for more information, please contact dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.

A Bourne Hall Museum event

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Jubilee at the Playhouse

Wednesday 29 June, 2.30pm, £14.50

Come and enjoy a regal and patriotic afternoon at the Epsom Playhouse, as we celebrate in style the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Neil Sands and his wonderful West End cast are back to celebrate the 70 glorious years of Her Majesty’s record breaking rein. This uplifting afternoon will bring back golden memories with songs made famous by many of her favourite singers and stars from her Royal Command performances. From show tunes to the golden days of rock & roll and into the swinging sixties, sing along to a cockney knees up, a rousing section from Last Night of the Proms, and of course our signature flag waving finale in a tribute to the veterans of her armed forces, with those legendary Songs That Won The War.

All of this mixed with wonderful voices, spectacular costumes, a patriotic stage set and lots of good old fashioned fun, makes this the perfect nostalgic way to celebrate this historic occasion.

For more information and to book click HERE

Image: Union flag with the words \'happy and glorious\' on top

Having a party? Share your pictures

If you and your neighbours are having any kind of celebration to mark the Jubilee - street party or any other community gathering - the team at Bourne Hall Museum would like to have copies of any photographs for the borough archives.

Image: Epsom children in fancy dress at a street party

Image above: 2002 Golden jubilee street party in Epsom (Bourne Hall Museum archives)

Send your images to dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk or drop them off at Image: Icon Cultural and creativeBourne Hall Museum, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

And don't forget, to take extra care with food safety if you are planning on holding a street party, read the Food Standard Agency's guidance on food safety to minimise risk, see: https://www.food.gov.uk/how-to-safely-host-a-street-party 

Spotlight on

The Queen and the Borough through the years

Images from the Bourne Hall Museum archives

Image: Epsom town centre decorated for the Coronation
The junction of Waterloo Road and the High Street in Epsom decorated for the Coronation in 1953

Image: Ewell decorated for the Coronation
Ewell's Coronation decorations

Image: The Queen visits the borough for the 1977 silver jubilee
The Queen visits the borough for the 1977 silver jubilee escorted by Epsom & Ewell Mayor, St John Hewitt Heather

Image: The Queen opens the Ashley Centre
The Queen opens the Ashley Centre in 1984

Image: The Queen and Prince Philip facing singer Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins with large crowd looking on
Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem as the Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Derby in 2012,  the first major event of her Diamond Jubilee weekend

What's On

Epsom markets this month

Regular markets take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday plus special markets are held on most Sundays.Epsom Market

For information on the weekly markets at Epsom Market Place see: www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/market 

Farmer's Market
Sunday 5 June
This market usually takes place on the first Sunday
of the month from 9.30am - 1.30pm.
Find out more at www.surreymarkets.co.uk/event/epsom-market/

Taste Of The World Market
Sunday 12 June
This market includes a selection of international street food to takeaway.
For more info see: www.facebook.com/TasteOfTheWorldMarket

Vegan Market
Sunday 26 June
The Epsom Vegan Market will now take place bi-monthly on a Sunday from 10.30am -3.30pm.
For more details visit:  www.ethicalveganevents.com

Explore Epsom and Ewell

Get closer to nature and enjoy the outdoors with our various guided walks. Explore your local nature reserves, discover your borough's history and boost your health and wellbeing too! Visit the Walks page on our website to discover a range of walks that take place across Epsom and Ewell.  

Countryside guided walks

The River Hogsmill walkWhite legged damselfly
Sunday 12 June; 2pm
Enjoy a walk along the Hogsmill local nature reserve with one of our countryside team and learn about the wildlife along the river and the history of the gunpowder mills that were once powered by the river. Meet at Ewell Court House at 2pm.

Dragonflies and Butterflies, Epsom Common
Sunday 26 June; 2pm
Join one of our countryside team for a beginners guide to identifying dragonflies and butterflies on Epsom Common local nature reserve. Meet at the Stew Pond car park at 2pm, and bring along some binoculars.

Image: White legged damselfly 

All guided walks are with a member of our countryside team and take approximately 2.5 hours and can cover up to 3 miles. Walks cost £5 per adult, £2.50 per child (16yrs or under). Please wear appropriate clothing. Stout boots for walks and a raincoat when it’s wet. Please leave your dog at home on walks that involve looking for animals; otherwise they are welcome on a lead. Please note that walks may be subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions.

For more information or to book a place please contact one of our Countryside Team, email: contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk phone: 01372 732000 or visit the walks page on our website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk  

Epsom Common Association (ECA)

ECA supports the preservation and protection of Epsom Common local nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. ECA works in partnership with the Council, the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project and English Nature to contribute to the long term management and conservation of the Common.
Nature walks
ECA organise a number of walks on the Common each year which are led by local natural history experts.  The subjects that are usually covered each year include birds in early spring, wildflowers, butterflies, invertebrates particularly bush crickets, bats and fungi. For more info on their Summer Walks Programme see: https://epsomcommon.org.uk/index.php 
The EcoVols
If you care about the Common and enjoy its wildlife and beauty why not join the ECOVOLS, the volunteer group of the ECA. EcoVols carry out a variety of conservation projects on the Common throughout the year in association with English Nature, the Council and the Lower Mole Countryside Management Project. You don’t need any special skills or experience just your enthusiasm and time! For more info and the 2020 EcoVols programme see: https://epsomcommon.org.uk/The_EcoVols.php

Image: Green & vibrant icon

Bourne Hall Art Workshop

Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm

A friendly art group who meet in the Camelia Room at Bourne Hall, Ewell. New members are always welcome. You can use any medium you wish, although there is no tuition, help is always available. For more information contact Susanne Meyers on 07808 958726. 

Your Council

Welcome to the Borough's Mayor for 2022/2023

Councillor Clive Woodbridge was officially recognised as the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for this year at the Council's annual Mayor Making ceremony at Bourne Hall, Ewell on Monday 16 May.Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Mayor of Epsom and Ewell for 2022/2023

As Mayor for the year 2022/2023, Clive will have a full diary from day one with a number of civic events planned through the year including visits to residents, community and sports groups, as well as representing the Borough’s residents at formal Platinum Jubilee activities.

On becoming Mayor, Clive said, "It is a real honour to be chosen by my peers to be Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, a borough that has been my home for more than 40 years.  I’m really looking forward to using this time as an opportunity to highlight the many individuals and groups who do so much to make this a very special place, where people care for one another and take great pride in where they live. I hope to visit as many residents and local organisations as possible in my term of office and showcase what a truly wonderful community this is."

Clive has been a councillor representing the residents of Ewell since 2007. Over the past 15 years he has fulfilled a number of different roles at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, including being Chair of both the Leisure and Planning committees. Clive has also played a leading role nationally within the Local Government Association (LGA) and is currently Deputy Chair of its Safer and Stronger Communities Board, having recently been Deputy Leader of the LGA Independent Group. During his time as Mayor, he has to remain politically neutral.

Community roles have included being a Governor at two local schools. For a number of years, he has served on the committees of the 2nd Ewell Rainsters scout group and the Ewell Parochial Trust and he is active within the local Town-Twinning Association.

For 40 years Clive has been a freelance technical journalist, specialising in shipping and ports and is a recognised contributor to many different international trade publications.

He has also been head judge for the British Curry Awards since its inception.

Born in High Wycombe in 1958, Clive attended Wycombe Royal Grammar School, Warwick University and London School of Economics. He moved to Ewell in 1982, marrying Mary in 1985, and brought up three boys.  

Clive is a keen West Ham supporter and season ticket holder, which, he says, has over the years has brought him pain and pleasure in fairly equal measure.

During his Mayoral year Clive will aim to raise awareness of, and funds for seven charities, all of which have a connection to causes close to his and Mary’s heart. These are:

  • Epsom & Ewell Foodbank
  • Shine Cancer Support
  • Epsom Sports Club
  • Cardiac Risk in the Young
  • Racing Welfare
  • Bliss
  • JDRF Diabetes Research

Active Citizen Award

Each year the the council formally recognises a member of the Epsom and Ewell community, who goes above and beyond in a voluntary and/or campaigning capacity.

The Active Citizen award is within the incumbent Mayor's gift. The individual is permanently recorded on a special citation within the Town Hall and receives a medal at an evening reception honouring volunteers from across the borough.

This year, the Mayor has selected Anne McEntee to receive the recognition.

Image: Anne McEntee wearing her Acive Citizen medalAlmost as soon as moving to Epsom in 1986, Anne became part of the local community through St Joseph's Church in Epsom where her late husband, Tom, was a very popular reader. Unfortunately, Tom died in 2015 due to a brain tumour and since then Anne has worked tirelessly raising money to help fund research into better outcomes for this awful disease.

Anne has organised a fundraiser each year for Brain Tumour Research Wear a Hat Day and also raises funds by selling garden plants and flowers for Wear a Hat Day With Flowers.  She has also raised funds through having a Grey Ribbon tattoo on her wrist, shaving her hair off and dyeing it pink, abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth and taking part in a virtual walk from Land’s End to John O'Groats and back.

Afternoon Tea with Music & Fizz in Anne's Garden has raised much needed funds for Princess Alice Hospice prior to Covid.  She hopes to revive that tradition later this summer.

Anne, together with Alex and Kathy, intends to undertake a skydive for some significant birthdays next year

She is also involved with a social group called Carpe Diem, who organise walks and social events. This group grew out of a bereavement group at Princess Alice Hospice and has allowed members to socialise and share with others who 'get it' in a safe and understanding environment.

Anne is a proud founder member of the 'Strong Women's Club' where women can meet, talk and support one another.

Like so many, she found herself confined to barracks during lockdown and used her time to hone her computer skills by linking with others in similar circumstances on Zoom and Facetime to try to ease the isolation of so many who were cut off from friends and family.

Anne is one of those people who knows someone you know, is always happy to help and if she can't, she will find someone who can. She always says she is simply the facilitator and the real heroes are the wonderful friends and family without whom none of her ideas would ever see the light of day.

Picture credit: What's On In Epsom

Council opening times over the Jubilee Weekend

The majority of our services will operate as normal over the extended Jubilee holiday weekend but there are some changes.

You can contact us via our website and via our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) - these are monitored during normal Town Hall opening hours.

In emergencies, we can be contacted on 01372 732000 - this service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ashley Road Cemetery

  • The cemetery will be closed on Derby Day (Saturday 4 June) and will be open as normal on the Thursday, Friday and Sunday for visitors over the Jubilee weekend

Bourne Hall

  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June - open 9.30am - 5pm
  • Sunday 5 June – closed (church open as normal)
  • Monday 6 June - closed as normal
  • Tuesday 7 June - open as normal

Car parks
Hook Road car park

  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June - open as normal
  • Sunday 5 June – closed
  • Monday 6 June - open as normal

All other car parks will remain open during the Jubilee weekend period

Community and Wellbeing Centre (lunch club and services for the elderly)

  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June -closed
  • Sunday 5 June – closed
  • Monday 6 June –open as normal

Meals at home

  • Wednesday 1 June – service as normal
  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June -closed
  • Sunday 5 June – closed
  • Monday 6 June –service as normal

Note: Frozen meals can be provided in advance for when hot meal deliveries do not take place - these need to be booked in advance.

Nature reserves

Local nature reserves operate normal opening hours across the weekend. 

Parks

Parks are open as normal across the weekend.

Shopping service

Last deliveries are Wednesday 1 June and resume on Monday 6 June.

Telecare/Community Alarm

Monitoring Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year.

Administration, enquiries and repair service:

  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June - closed
  • Sunday 5 June – closed
  • Monday 6 June –service as normal

Town Hall

  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June -closed
  • Sunday 5 June – closed
  • Monday 6 June – open as normal

Transport from home

  • Wednesday 1 June - service as normal
  • Thursday 2 June - closed
  • Friday 3 June - closed
  • Saturday 4 June - closed
  • Sunday 5 June - closed
  • Monday 6 June - service as normal

 Image: Icon Effective Council

 

Waste and Recycling collections

Image:a stock picture of a street partyWe will be collecting waste and recycling as normal over the Jubilee bank holidays.

As there are likely to be many more cars parked on the roads, please park to allow our vehicles to access individual streets.

Where roads are closed for street parties on the Thursday and Friday, collections will be disrupted - for details please see our website www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/recycling collection times for other areas may be impacted.

If your neighbourhood is having a street party, please be aware that we cannot offer additional rubbish collections. Please share your party refuse and recycling across the bins and containers of the households taking part. These will then be collected on your normal collection days. 

Image: Icon Effective Council

Save food, money and the planet

Plan your food storage. Use an app to help make sure you only buy what you need. Own Your Impact. Surrey Environment Partnership Your Councils Working TogetherFeeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis? If you’re looking for savings, then why not start in the kitchen? It’s estimated that a staggering one in five bags of food shopping goes to waste each week. Across Surrey that adds up to a substantial amount of food and money that is going to waste every day.

As the amount of food that is thrown away continues to grow, it’s important to think about the impact this is having on our planet. Now is the time to act and own your impact.

Small changes really can make a big difference. Whether it’s popping your apples in the fridge to make them last longer or using your favourite mug to measure out one serving of pasta, you can save yourself money and help the planet with our top tips.

  1. Plan shops and meals in advance – try using an app to help make sure you only buy what you need.
  2. Store your food right – keep your food fresher for longer by finding out the best ways to store it.
  3. Know your portions – avoid cooking too much by measuring out the correct serving sizes.

To discover more tips and leftover recipes, visit www.surreyep.org.uk 

Epsom & Walton Downs joint investment infrastructure project updates

Benches being installed on Epsom & Walton Downs as part of the joint investment to enhance visitor experience. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, The Jockey Club, Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development Europe investing in rural areas logos. Picnic benches and new boards have been installed as part of the joint investment to enhance Epsom & Walton Downs for all. All part of the ongoing work to make visiting even better, as reported in the last issue of eBorough Insight. The work is part funded by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development grant secured by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council and boosted by funding from The Jockey Club and Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators.

The cattle are back on Epsom Common

If you're visiting Epsom Common local nature reserve you may spot the cattle grazing in each of the grazed areas: Horton Heath, Great Pasture and Rye Meadow. Galloway on Horton Heath grazed area on Epsom Common local nature reserve

Each summer we host a herd of cattle as part of the annual grazing project in cooperation with the Epsom Common Association, the Lower Mole Partnership and Natural England. This years' herd, a mixture of Dexter and Galloways, arrived last week. The grazing project helps manage and restore wood pasture (a priority habitat) on the Common.

Grazing was re-introduced in 1997 and this season there will be 15 animals in three grazed areas from May until the autumn. The project is carefully monitored by the council’s countryside team and Natural England under the guidance of the Common’s management plan. For more information please see our website

In order to ensure the welfare of the cattle, the animals are checked on a daily basis. Daily inspections are also undertaken to ensure that the electric fencing and water supply in the grazing area is in good working order and that the cattle's mineral licks are in place.

Please look after our grazing areas so they remain special places for wildlife by only walking across them, keeping dogs under close control and do not light fires anywhere on site.

Did you know? Prolonged spells of dry weather make it very easy for wildfires to start, please: 
- Do not light fires
- Dispose of cigarettes correctly – don’t drop them!
- Take litter home with you. Discarded items such as glass bottles can start a fire.
Remember, disposable BBQs are not permitted in all our parks and nature reserves due to their fire risk. Please pack a picnic instead.
If you see a fire in our parks and nature reserves, please report it immediately by calling 999.

Pictured: Galloway on Horton Heath grazed area on Epsom Common local nature reserve.

Image: Green & vibrant icon

Matt Monro plaque unveiled

On 17 May a plaque was officially unveiled at the home of Matt Monro at 14 Ruxley Lane, Ewell by his son Matt Monro Jr. Epsom Male Voice Choir performed a selection of songs before the plaque was unveiled by Matt Monro Jr. Matt Monro plaque unveiling event by Matt Monro Jr and Epsom Male Voice Choir

Matt Monro, the Man with the Golden Voice, was one of the most popular singers during the 1960s and 1970s. Born Terence Edward Parsons, he took a stage name suggested by the pianist Winifred Atwell. Early success in the 1950s had evaporated by the end of the decade when he was holding down jobs including road sweeper, bus driver and milkman – he worked for Unigate out of their depo in Ruxley Lane.

His main bus route (enlivened, towards the end of the trip, by a serenade for customers) was in London but he also drove the 408 on the Kingston route. In 1960 he recorded a song for Peter Sellers produced by George Martin, with whom he had a lifelong friendship, and by 1961 he was named Top International Act by Billboard. The following year he sang the title song for From Russia with Love. In 1965 he made the first recording of Yesterday, the most recorded song of all time, given to him by Paul McCartney as it was more his type than a Beatles song. The next year he recorded Born Free which became his signature song. He continued singing and touring almost up to his death in 1985 of liver cancer.

Information and picture supplied by Bourne Hall Museum. 

Image: Icon Cultural and creative

Council meetings

The following meetings of the Council will be held over the next month:


The agendas and details on how to view the council meetings will be published seven days before the relevant meeting on the website links above. 

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