Welcome to the September edition of The Caterham & District Independent.
Well, we’ve made it through the summer, albeit the strangest one we have ever been through. We’ve encountered so many changes to our work and lifestyles over the last six months, and I think we’re going to have to get used to making more adjustments here and there for a while to come.
I often look at the skies and wonder when I’ll next get on a plane. I have family and friends across the world and it’s been hard to miss out on seeing them this year. However, I was lucky enough to visit relatives in Suffolk for a few days last month and it was amazing how refreshing a simple change of scenery can be.
By the time you read this our children will have just started back at school. They too will have to adjust to new routines and schedules, but hopefully it will help them feel that they’ve taken a big step back into some kind of normal life.
My house has been full of mixed emotions regarding school. My older children are looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers again, and my youngest is starting Reception, so he is excited too. I have to confess, however, that I’m not looking forward to resumption of the school run or the constant taxi service I provide to all the afterschool clubs! Travelling to the study or dining room for a Zoom class has been a lot easier!
Autumn is creeping in and I look forward to seeing the season develop. September is my favourite month and I anticipate a month is full of beautiful colours and crisp, misty mornings. Throughout the summer months I’ve been getting out for my 6am runs and absorbing the lovely sunny weather which we’ve had. I only hope I can keep up the motivation when the temperature drop!
September also sees us celebrate Harvest Festival, a farming tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Originally a feast day to give thanks for the successful bringing in of the crops and distributing food throughout the community.
Friday 25th September is the annual Macmillan Cancer Support ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ event, raising valuable funds for a cause very close to my heart. If you are planning on visiting or hosting an event, please send us your photos, so we can feature them in next month’s paper. You can send them to newsdesk@caterhamindependent.com, don’t forget to include your name and where you live.
This month, we speak to two men who have devoted their time to supporting people with mental health issues, as well interviewing three Tandridge entrepreneurs who have turned uncertain financial times into new home businesses. We’re also introducing a new feature, where we investigate the story behind bench plaques that see across our district. In the first one, Victoria Ward explains why Limpsfield Chart meant so much to her parents.
You’ll find all our regular columns inside, and we’re really pleased to welcome a new face too. Christelle Page, from Keep Calm Nutrition, will be bringing us her nutrition tips and advice: something that many of us may well benefit from after a summer of indulgence!
September also sees the paper’s nine month anniversary. It’s definitely been a rollercoaster ride but thanks to the amazing support we’ve had from our community we’ve kept going through challenging times. I’m also grateful to my incredible team, which comprises the expertise and skills of extremely talented local people.
We also now have the Caterham Independent News Hour too! This is our recent extension of the paper, focusing on new local stories and the development of ones we have already covered. You can listen to me on Mondays at 9am by visiting ridgeradio.co.uk and clicking on ‘Listen Live’, and if you have any topics that you think I should cover, please let me know by emailing editor@caterhamindependent.com
I’m off now to start planning some exciting features for October’s issue. I’ll leave you with an inspiring autumnal quote from an unknown author:
“Autumn, the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.”
Have a great month!
