Letter from the editor – May 2026

‘The Kerala’ offers an exquisite and exclusive South Indian selection of food and can be found in the Valley as you enter Caterham from the bypass onto Godstone Road. The restaurant is open every day from 12pm for lunch and every evening from 6pm for dinner reservations (with the exception of Monday).

The restaurant provides an intimate and cultural setting and the staff create a warm and relaxed ambience from the moment you arrive. Similarly the team make it a point to hold the door for you and wish you well as you leave which is an added personal touch.

Masala Dosa and chilli paneer (as featured in the photos here) are just a few samples of the delicious vegetarian options available and ofcourse there is an array of meat choices too. The cuisine can ofcourse be tailored to suit each guests preference. All you have to do is ask!

We spoke to Claire Coutinho a few days ago and asked her about her recent appointment as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Treasury. Claire Coutinho will join the Department as a parliamentary aide as it prepares for the Budget on March 11th.

She addressed the fact that she knew local residents may be slightly concerned about her role at the Treasury but she would like to reassure the local community that she is extremely committed to East Surrey and is looking forward to her more travelling surgeries within the area this month.

Review: Legally Blonde, at de Stafford School

Welcome to March’s edition of the Caterham and District Independent. It’s hard to believe that this is already the fourth edition of your new-look paper. We’ve had a steep learning curve, with a few hurdles to negotiate on the way, but my fantastic team have supported each other and our lovely readers have been patient and encouraging, so thank you for that!

Each month gets a little easier as we acclimatise to the demands of running a newspaper. We’ll continue to grow and to support local businesses, and our community, by delivering the news right to your doorstep.

I’d also like to thank all the people who’ve been advertising with us. We’re a free paper, which means that we’re funded by adverts, and I’ve been delighted by the interest shown so far. If you’d like your business to be widely seen across the Tandridge area or you’d like our Social Media Team to promote you across our platforms please get in touch today.

Despite living in the area, I had never quite appreciated the dramatic impact that flooding has on so many people locally, including those living very near to me. Old Coulsdon and Caterham on the Hill have been badly affected by flooding in recent years and yet it seems not many people realise that they or their neighbours could be at risk, what is causing the flooding and what can be done about it. The last major storm, on 7th June 2016, caused significant flooding which devastated 121 local homes.

Climate change is already affecting the weather in the UK. The atmosphere is becoming warmer, there is more frequent stormy weather and in turn intense rain storms. The Met Office has just announced that it has been the wettest February ever recorded across the UK. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen storm Ciara, Dennis and Jorge and, most likely, there will be more to come.

WFC SENIOR TEAMS ON WINNING STREAK

Whyteleafe Football Club is looking to secure a place in this season’s Isthmian League South East Division play-off places after a recent run of impressive results.

As The Independent went to press, the club was in fourth place and also into the second round of the Surrey Senior Cup.

To see if they can keep up the push for promotion come to one of this month’s home matches at Church Road, Whyteleafe, on February 1st v Cray Valley PM, February 15th v Faversham Town, and February 22nd v Ramsgate. Kick-off at 3pm. You could even see all of them for free as one of the club’s match day volunteers. The club relies heavily on the help and support of the local community and is looking to strengthen its team of stewards to help on match days and maintain the ground. The club is also looking for a new 1st team secretary for next season.

North Downs Hospital, part of Ramsay Health Care UK was proud to take part in fundraising for the Australian Bushfire Appeal on January 27th.

We decided to raffle unwanted Christmas gifts and held a cake sale to raise funds for those affected by the devastating fires that have swept across Australia. As an Australian owned company, we felt it was important to do what we can to contribute to the relief fund.
Although the final total is yet unknown, we are hoping to reach £500. There are over 30 Ramsay Health Care facilities across the country who all contributed to the fundraising event, and Head Office will match the amount of money raised with all the proceeds donated to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and County Fire Authority in Victoria.

We are an inclusive community Radio Station broadcasting every day throughout the year, at the heart of the 22 towns and villages of Tandridge, serving the community and broadcasting to the wider world.

Ridge Radio began some years ago based opposite the ARC in Caterham on the Hill, and several moves later in 2018 we moved to a new studio at Soper Hall in Caterham Valley.

Tune in to hear a wide range of music genres, from pop to alternative and even some comedy classics. We also have a business show, chat shows and a sports show, meaning there is something here for everyone.

Payne & Co Estate Agents is extremely proud to have been appointed the sole agents for Tillingdown Park, a redevelopment of 16 stunning new houses, currently being built by ‘Asprey Homes’. Situated just off the A22 in Woldingham, Surrey, the land was in the ownership of Tillingdown Farm, a site which once housed an early Georgian manor house. From the 1970s until fairly recently it was used to stable and train racehorses.

Sitting in a recognised Area of Natural Beauty, Woldingham is a small village and civil parish with a rich history, which appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. The three, four and five-bedroomed properties showcase a range of architectural styles and prices but all share the idyllic backdrop of the North Downs, the chalk hills that start at the Hog’s Back in Farnham and extend to the cliffs between Folkestone and Deal in Kent. Each has generous landscaped and turfed outside spaces, with an Indian sandstone paved patio at the rear of the house, and either a traditional or barn-style garage. The estate is served by an access road leading to the Caterham Bypass, as well as by several public footpaths.

Paracise™ is growing in popularity and is now being offered nationwide with interest from abroad!

This gentle yet effective low impact workout to fabulous music offers an entry point to the millions of people who would benefit physically and mentally from lower intensity exercise. Ideal for those who find regular fitness classes too demanding or who haven’t exercised for a long time. It works wonders for those who are returning to exercise following injury.

The inspirational Sarah Goldsack created this workout following her diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy. Having been a Fitness Instructor for over 25 years she recognised the gap in the market which could serve so many people.

January has proved an exciting month for our local Caterham District Community First Responders. Local volunteer Geoff Kempster has been awarded a Commendation from the Chief Executive of SECamb (South East Coast Ambulance Service). As team leader I am delighted with Geoff’s success, although it has to be said it is well earned! Geoff spends many hours each week volunteering in all weathers to turn out to medical emergencies.