Tandridge Independent

As someone who used to work in education and social justice policy, I was delighted to see the Prime Minister focus on skills this week, announcing a package worth over £1.5 billion across further and higher education to help get people working again after Covid-19, as well as giving those in work the chance to train for higher-skilled, better-paid jobs.

The Local Economic Taskforce that I established in June is pushing to secure funding for East Surrey College’s bid for an Advance Technology Centre, which will be important in ensuring that educational provision locally meets the current demand. The Taskforce is also lobbying to increase our employment support, preferably with a new JobCentre+ in Gatwick to help aviation workers. I also met with the CEO of the airport recently to convey my deep concerns about the current situation and pressed him on the need to protect as many jobs as possible. I know that the livelihoods of so many local people depend on the airport or related industries, so this is a top priority for me.

In July we ran a feature on the part RAF Kenley Airfield played in the Battle of Britain (BoB). Now Mike Street, Chairman of the RAF Kenley Tribute Committee, tells us the story of its registered War Memorial.

“RAF Kenley has a legendary heritage, with many famous squadrons, pilots and ground crew serving there. On 18 August 1940, RAF Kenley lost more aircraft and pilots than any other Battle of Britain airfield station. Such was the intensity of the fight in the sky seven of 616 Squadron’s 13 Spitfires were destroyed.

During the lockdown we saw an amazing upswell in community spirit. This month I’ve been working with five MPs from right across the country exploring how we can further support and empower our communities. Thank you to those who have take part in my Community Survey on my website. This week I was also delighted to host a meeting between Danny Kruger MP – who has been appointed by the Prime Minister to lead on this issue and previously led work for David Cameron and Theresa May - and community leaders in East Surrey including representatives from the inspirational Westway Centre and Chaldon Cares so they could feed in the successes and challenges they’ve faced on the ground. We hope to publish initial findings in the Autumn.

“It's such a shame the real life festival couldn't go ahead this year! We look forward to it in our house every year. I spoke to Andy about doing something online and we were really pleased to hear from so many people who wanted to get involved.

Highlights for me were the ghost walk and Miller Theatre play, I am going to have to go and see that when they open the production now!

Also meeting lots of local small business owners who worked really hard to get content for me at short notice! Thank you to everyone who took part and maybe we'll do it again!”
Emma Brett - Local Caterham mum, resident and Digital Event Organiser

Welcome to the August edition of The Caterham & District Independent.

There's been a lot going on this month as we have eased out of lockdown and I have to start this month’s letter with the exciting news of our new venture: The Caterham Independent News Hour on Ridge Radio! I took to the airwaves for my first show and was pleasantly surprised to receive so many messages of sAupport and encouragement. By the time you read this I will have had another few shows under my belt and I’d Alove you to tune in and listen! Simply visit ridgeradio.com and click the ‘Listen Live’ button between 9 and 10am, to hear me discussing local news stories, topics and ideas and if you would like a specific local issue addressed please email me at caterham@ridgeradio.com.

Children screaming, “SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!” and running to the gates throwing their books in the air is the stereotypical image of the last day of the academic year in July. Six weeks of freedom from the structure of the school day, forty-two days of laying in, playing hide and seek, kicking a ball in the garden, catching up with friends and visiting the seaside (here or abroad).

And then came 2020.
Most of our children have not been to school since the middle of March and even those who went back, did not receive the same education as they would normally have had. Although schools have done their best with online resources, without doubt, our children have missed out on a great deal of important learning. For this reason, I am asking the question: Should children study during the summer holidays this year?

Last year, around this time, I put an advert on Facebook for summer lessons and received a terribly negative response from one lady, who felt that children worked hard enough and should be playing outside. Whilst I could not agree more regarding the playing outside, is this what children these days are really doing? Or are they locked away in their bedroom playing Fortnite or Roblox whilst their parents desperately try to remove the dreaded device?

Ridge Radio broadcasts from Soper Hall in Caterham Valley, we have 45 volunteer presenters who broadcasting 24/7 over the internet.
To listen go to the website www.ridgeradio.co.uk and click ‘Listen Live’ or download our free Apple or Android Mobile Apps, it allows you to hear us anywhere in the country. At home, if you have an Alexa enabled device you can listen by asking ‘Alexa Install Ridge Radio’.

If you are a local Charity and have an interesting story to tell, or a Local Band or Artist, please contact us to come in and share your music and interesting stories.
E-mail: info@ridgeradio.co.uk

This month we would like to introduce you to Dan Cottrell, our August Presenter in the Spotlight.He presents a regular Sunday night music show with Alex Campbell another one of our presenters.Sunday Night Live 8:00pm to 10:00pm, we asked him the following questions:

Since non-essential shops reopened on Monday 15 June, businesses are adjusting their operations to comply with COVID-19 safety measures and social distancing.
For some retailers, their industry presents unique challenges navigating a “new normal” way of running previous tried and tested procedures.

Owner of Caterham Valley’s bridal boutique, Helena Fortley, Sally Brady said of her largest obstacle: “It’s the unknown. I know it’s difficult for everybody but it’s the not knowing.”
Weddings and civil partnerships in England have been allowed to take place from Saturday 4 July with a maximum of 30 guests.

Currently, only six people may attend an outside reception or two households if held inside.
From Saturday 1 August, 30 guests will be permitted at a reception.
The appointment only shop has seen more than one hundred weddings cancelled this year, however Brady said the impact of lockdown did not stop the arrival of customers’ dresses being delivered to the compact space.