Tandridge Buzz

Two members of staff at Sports Direct in Caterham were tied up during a raid carried out by men in boiler suits and balaclavas.

The robbery took place at around 630pm on Sunday 22 April at the store in Church Walk, Caterham.

The men left the scene, with an amount of cash, on foot and got into a nearby transit van, which police later found abandoned on Stuart Road, Warlingham.

It is the second violent robbery to hit Caterham within a week after a cash delivery driver was threatened with a gun outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road on Friday 20 April.

However, It is not believed the two incidents are linked.

“This was a frightening ordeal for the two members of staff at the store who where threatened and tied up but fortunately no-one was injured during the incident,” said Investigating Officer Detective Constable Kerry Akehurst of Reigate CID.

“I am appealing to anyone who has information on this incident or the events surrounding it to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to catch those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Both suspects were wearing blue boiler suits and black balaclavas. The first suspect is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall, aged in his late 40s to early 50s and of stocky build. The second suspect is described as a white man around 5ft 10ins tall.

Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and reassurance visits in the area and the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team urge anyone with concerns surrounding the incident to make contact as they will be happy to address these.

• Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1799.

The Church Walk Shopping Centre hosted its annual Easter Bonnet fun day on Saturday 7 April. 

Children enjoyed free face painting, with 25 entering the Easter Bonnet Competition.

The winners were:

• 1^st: Grace Thompson, aged five, who attends Hillcroft School and lives in Caterham.
• 2^nd: Trinity, aged 4, who attends Lords Wood School and lives in Coulsdon.
• 3^rd: Joint winners Williamand Sam Barker, aged five and three, who live in Warlingham.

Prize winners each received a goodie bag sponsored by tenants of the centre.

Donations were given to the Ambulance Service Benevolent fund.

Easter Bonnet group photo: Mad Hatter, Sonia Hunt Town Crier and DJ Chris – Sam, William Barker, Grace Thompson & Trinity.

Thousands of children, young people and their families will have a happier Christmas this year, thanks to The Salvation Army’s nationwide Christmas Present Appeal.

Members of the public across the country are invited and encouraged to donate new gifts for children aged 0-16 until Saturday 16 December.

The gifts will be then be distributed to needy children and their families in the local area through The Salvation Army’s own networks, health visitors, children’s centres and social services.

“The worsening economic climate means that more and more people will find it very difficult to celebrate Christmas this year,” said Church Walk Shopping Centre manager Shelley Filippi.

“Help us if you feel able by donating toys. As we try and help as many as possible in need in our community so Christmas morning will be special.”

Organisers have asked for new gifts rather than second hand ones and to avoid cuddly toys, as they are usually inundated with these.

You can leave unwrapped gifts at Superdrug store and The Church Walk Shopping Centre Managers Office.

For any queries or more information please call The Salvation Army Caterham 01883 330 718 cnk.sandford@ntlworld.com.

Caterham’s Chrurch Walk shopping centre hosted a double celebration at the weekend for St George’s Day and Easter.

Children had the opportunity to meet St George on Saturday as shops decorated themselves in red and white bunting for the occasion.

Saturday also saw the annual Easter Bonnet fun day with free face painting outside Wimpy.

Donations were given to the BCSC charity Marie Curie.

Bo Peek provided the music and hosted the Easter Bonnet Competition.  25 children entered the competition and all received an Easter egg donated by Morrisons.

The winners were judged by Pretty Woman, Peter Groom Jewellers and Specsavers as follows:

1^st — Jessie Hoey aged 5 who attends Hillcroft School and lives in Caterham.

2^nd –— Danny Quartermain aged 6 who attends Whyteleafe School and lives in Whyteleafe.

3^rd — Mollie Oaks aged 7 who attends Caterham Prep School and lives in Caterham

Prize winners each received a goodie bag sponsored by tenants of the centre

Costa in Caterham’s Church Walk shopping centre has re-opened following a refurbishment.

The coffee shop now includes a glass cake display and a new range of cakes for Easter including gingerbread bunnies, Victoria Sponge, Easter Chocolate Crunch and a range of muffins and cup cakes.

There are also now pictures on the wall photographed especially for Costa in Italy plus new banquet seating and sofas for additional comfort.

“Sonia Hunt Caterham Town Crier cut the ribbon to open Costa to a queue of expectant customers,” said Church Walk Shopping Centre manager, Shelley Filippi.

“The feedback from the public was very positive — they especially enjoyed the new sofas and snug to the rear of the store.

“It is very encouraging to see Costa investing in Caterham. Church Walk is a meeting place for the community.”

Shops in Church Walk Shopping Centre in Caterham helped to raise £704 for Children in Need over the weekend.

Shops took part in a raft of activities such as a raffle in Lorimers and a Pudsey game in WH Smith and Boots. Morrisons, where staff dressed in 1960s outfits, raised the most with £409 raised through generous donations from the public.

But the highlight of the day was nearly £80 raised through throwing cream pies at shopping centre security officer Andy Hill.

Shopping centre manager Shelley Filippi, who made up the pies, said: “I would like to thank members of the public for their support of this event and to Morrisons who donated the cream and plates and Touche hairdressers who donated the cape.”

(Photos: Shelley Filippi)

Three-year-old Katie Corrance triumphed in pirate fancy dress competition at the Church Walk Pirates Fund Day in Caterham on Saturday.

She scooped the top prize ahead of 18 other competitors with five-year-old Nia Bullen coming in second, followed by seven-year-old Matthew Hurcomb.

The day to raise money for Caterham Sea Cadets had plenty to entertain the kids with a pirate fancy dress competition, free face painting and a treasure hunt.

“We had great feedback from the public,” said centre manager Shelley Filippi. “Luckily the weather was sunny if a bit chilly. Caterham Sea Cadets collected money and hosted some fundraising stalls — results to follow.”

She added: “We would like to thank all the public who supported our event by shopping locally. Morrison’s provided free all day parking which ensured our shoppers could enjoy themselves and stay longer.“

You can upload your photos from the Pirate Fun Day direct to our online gallery. Simply email them to police32else@photos.flickr.com or tweet them to @tandridgebuzz.

(Photo: Shelley Filippi)

Six-year old James Kennedy scooped the top prize in the Church Walk Shopping Centre Treasure Hunt during the town’s Medieval Day celebrations.

Kennedy, from Caterham and who attends Audley School, received his prize from WH Smith manager Ross Whyall.

He beat 20 other children to win the prize by getting all answers correct. Children collected entry forms from First Choice and visited every store in the centre looking for items in the stores, they did not normally sell.

“We would like to thank all the shops and public who supported our event by shopping locally and Morrison’s for providing the Free Parking,” said centre manager Shelley Filippi.

The day raised £87.59 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute — £41.81 from the Bubblegum face painting stall and £45.78 from the balloon modelling.

“We would like to thank all the public who supported our event by shopping locally and donating to this cause,” Filippi added.

James Kennedy and Ross Whyall (photo: Shelley Filippi)