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Welcome to the September edition of the Tandridge Independent! So, as you may have noticed,...
Benches
The wood may be old, the brass dull with age, but every bench plaque is a dedication to somebody who was loved. We see them across our villages and towns, these links between the present and past, and yet it’s rare we know anything about the people they commemorate.
So, we took to social media and asked you to tell us the stories behind Tandridge’s bench plaques: who are the people they pay tribute to, and why has that particular location been chosen for them?
Summer Breakfast at The Westway Centre
Last month saw The Salvation Army address holiday hunger in Caterham. Courtesy of The Westway Centre, ’Share Breakfast’ was delivered by The Salvation Army, Churches Together, Four Parishes Hub, the Trussell Trust and The Caterham Rotary Club, to children age 11 and under within the community. Local supermarkets Tesco and Morrisons also supported the initiative.
Due to the summers glorious weather it was possible for ‘Share Breakfast’ to be held outside in the grounds of The Westway.
Share Breakfast is a new development in Caterham and the concept is to be able to help and support families during the school breaks. Breakfast is served outside The Westway Community Centre from a British Red Cross donated gazebo.
Jackie Flaherty and Godstone Farm
The owner of Godstone Farm, Jackie Flaherty, has set up a competition to showcase the work of artists over the age of 90.
Read MoreJackie Flaherty and Godstone Farm
The Westway, Community Centre & Well Being Centre
Hot meals for lunch are back at ‘The Westway, Community Centre & Well Being Centre’ on Chaldon Road.
Tim Fisher and Jane will be in the kitchen on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Meals are £5 for a main and dessert. Booking is essential as numbers are strictly limited (01883 347230).
There is also the option of a Meals on Wheels’ service and having lunch delivered to your door. Contact ‘The Westway’ for further details.
A Tale of Two Cities: Across Two Continents
It was the summer of 2012 when my family: my mum, my dad my brother and I packed our bags and hopped on a plane to a destination approximately 3,900 miles away from England: the UAE. In what seemed like the blink of an eye for me, my father had made the executive decision to move out to Dubai for his job, a mere 1 hour by plane from Bahrain. As a shy, young girl of 9 years old at the time, I wasn't particularly excited at the prospect of changing schools for the third time and leaving all of my new friends behind. Admittedly, making friends in Dubai did take me a few months, but I was, fortunately, able to do so and proceeded to settle into an extra-curricular life at my school. The diversity of the people that I had met there opened my eyes to new experiences and provided me with opportunities that I, otherwise, would not have been given such as learning three different languages and progressing my passion for literature infinitely, extending to reading literature of a different language. I can say that the most beneficial of my experiences in Dubai has to be the introduction to so many talented, culturally diverse people and learning the widely practised cultural traditions of Islam like Eid al-Adha and Ramadan. I felt very at home among a diverse student population at my school with over 70 nationalities being
Read MoreA Tale of Two Cities: Across Two Continents
Cycling
A grant of half a million pounds has been awarded by the government to build a cycle route along the A22 between Caterham and Godstone.
The funding was awarded by the government’s new “Getting Building Fund” following a bid from Tandridge District Council (TDC).
Work will be done to look at the cost and feasibility of the route, with the aim of it being completed by March 2022.
Harestone councillor Beverley Connolly said: “The news of the cycle route is great because the government is encouraging everyone to get fitter and cycling is a fantastic way of doing that.
“The route will go from Godstone into Caterham. I’m delighted we have got the funding.
“We don’t really have enough cycle routes in Tandridge. There is one in Warlingham coming from Titsey but there are not any which are very viable.
“This will give cyclists a route of their own because there is a lot of frustration between cyclists and motorists. This route is going to elevate this conflict, as this will give cyclists their own arena as such.”
Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries have been popping up within local villages and there are now over 100,000 across the world. The Little Free Library book sharing concept gives greater book access to children and helps develop literacy skills within communities. The libraries are inspired by local buildings and Caterham, Old Coulsdon and Woldingham are local villages and towns which have embraced the idea.
#loveWoldingham is looking to raise £3,000 to build and install three additional ‘Little Free Libraries’ across the village. The first will be Station Cottage which will provide free sharing places for books. Jim Johnstone donated the first library in June has offered to build the other three. If you would like to contribute please call 07803 094505.
The Westway Centre
The pandemic saw ‘The Westway Centre’ support local residents by creating a hub of support ranging from shopping and prescription deliveries, a buddy phone calling service and more recently activities, workshops, lunch and a meals on wheels service. Over 200 people volunteered at the centre too (all with an array of talent) and many still continue to help on a daily basis.
A survey was carried out within the four parishes of Caterham on the hill, Caterham Valley, Chaldon and Whyteleafe and 545 people responded. Emerging from the survey was the shocking fact that 40% of local people surveyed explained that they don’t use any form of technology. Many may not have access to IT products and those who do may not know how how to use them. This has consequently resulted in residents suffering from a loss of communication with both friends and family. Working within safeguarding restrictions, volunteers have offered to train elderly people with how to use technology.
the arc
The Arc located in Caterham on the Hill and formerly known as the Caterham Guards depot is a charity which was set up in February 2010 to provide affordable inclusive community facilities and to specialise in the vulnerable and special needs sector.
September sees The Arc reopening its Soft Play activities as well as its very own sensory room. The Sensory Room will provide a unique facility to those with special needs within our area and the service will be essential to their wellbeing.
Chaldon Pre School opens Yurt
Chaldon Pre School are extremely lucky to have the exclusive use of half an acre of private land for their ‘Forest Pre School’ activities. The land is secure and safe or the children to use and explore and the 2-4 year olds have the luxury of the unique facility guided by the forest school leader.
The school thrive on their ethos ’To let children discover, explore and be adventurous! The land allows them to play with sticks and stones while building and gives them the opportunity to step away from plastic toys while enjoying exploring nature.
How to make your garden colourful all year round
The Girl Who Gardens knows how to keep your garden full of colour, no matter what the season!
Read MoreHow to make your garden colourful all year round
Caleidosope “Autism is part of who I am”
Ola Malanska MA Ed., PG Autism is the ‘Founder and Autism Practitioner’ of Caleidoscope which is a not profit organisation based in Caterham, Surrey. The charity was set up in order to raise awareness of autism within communities and to promote inclusion and diversity.
Ola has home experience and is also a professional autism practitioner who carried out her post graduate studies in autism. Her son who was diagnosed with autism at just 3 years old, is also the inspiration behind her setting up her business.
