Letter from the editor – May 2026

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

A phrase I uttered many times in my childhood. However, looking back now, I realise this could not have been further from the truth. Words do hurt. A lot. So much has changed in society since I was eleven but sadly, with the introduction of social media, bullying has only gotten worse. At least I could escape to the sanctuary of my home and family when I got back from school – a luxury today’s children don’t share.

Residents of Manor Avenue, Caterham, Tracey and Matt Gould and their family once again raised an amazing amount of money for charity last month. The donation of £2426.12 was made to Stripey Storks (https://stripeystork.org.uk/).Christmas Eve saw Santa arrive in a Caterham 7 car amidst festive music and a flurry of snow!

Residents of Manor Avenue, Caterham, Tracey and Matt Gould and their family once again raised an amazing amount of money for charity last month. The donation of £2426.12 was made to Stripey Storks (https://stripeystork.org.uk/).Christmas Eve saw Santa arrive in a Caterham 7 car amidst festive music and a flurry of snow!

1: You were at the club on loan last season, what made you want to make the move permanent? I was really pleased that the club wanted to sign me permanently. The most important thing for a player is to feel trusted and supported by the manager, the fans and everybody else at the club. That is what I have at Crystal Palace, it gives me confidence and motivates me to repay that faith.

1: You were at the club on loan last season, what made you want to make the move permanent? I was really pleased that the club wanted to sign me permanently. The most important thing for a player is to feel trusted and supported by the manager, the fans and everybody else at the club. That is what I have at Crystal Palace, it gives me confidence and motivates me to repay that faith.

December once again saw the Cedar Tree lights being switched on. Mulled wine and mince pies were served to start the festivity followed by the local community gathering underneath the tree to sing carols.

December once again saw the Cedar Tree lights being switched on. Mulled wine and mince pies were served to start the festivity followed by the local community gathering underneath the tree to sing carols.

2019 was a big year for Caterham Baptist Church. Among the 125th anniversary celebrations was its ‘Birthday Bash’ in Timberhill Park in July, and a special Sunday service and lunch in November.

The church, based in Beechwood Road (off Croydon Road) in Caterham Valley, was keen to use the anniversary to engage the whole community, which it serves through regular activities for people of all ages.

On Wednesday 4th December, de Stafford School in Caterham celebrated a year of exam success in front of students, teachers and a Paralympic gold medallist.
Anne Usher MBE, who won a gold medal in canoeing at the Rio Olympics in 2016, delivered an inspiring Guest Speaker’s address to the audience. Head teacher, Jeremy Garner, then gave his speech, followed by the presentation of the subject achievement awards.

A homeless man living in Caterham has been given a Christmas present with a difference, after money was raised to pay for him to stay at a hotel.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, and welcome to the second edition of your new-look Caterham and District Independent.
The amount of work that goes into producing a newspaper is enormous. There are articles to be commissioned, layouts to plan, and advertising to schedule: there’s always something to do and barely enough time to do it in! I’ll be honest: in the run-up to December’s launch there were moments when the workload seemed overwhelming but I was supported throughout by an incredible team of designers, writers and social media experts.
Each one of them worked their socks off and I’d never have made the deadline without their help, expertise and inspiration.
And thank you for your amazing response to our first edition: your positive feedback made all the hard work worth it and has given us motivation to produce a newspaper filled with more news and local interest stories.