Tandridge Buzz

Details of when the Olympic Torch is set to pass through Godstone, Blethcingley and Felbridge have been released.

The three towns are among over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

The torch will pass through Felbridge on Tuesday 17 July at 10:01 and Godstone (1.42pm) and Blethchingley (1.55pm) on Friday 20 July.

Surrey Fire Brigade’s Malcolm Styles – the UK’s oldest full time firefighter – has been selected to carry the Olympic torch in Felbridge.

The 63-year-old is among 7,600 people confirmed as torchbearers by Olympic organisers.

He has been a firefighter for 34 years and is currently based at Surrey’s fire HQ in Reigate.

A keen sportsman, he has represented the fire service in football, rugby and cricket and won a gold medal for table tennis at the World Firefighter Games in New Zealand.

After losing his wife to cancer in 1997 he raised £40,000 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity through a sports memorabilia auction and other fundraising events.

“Being selected was a surprise as I had no idea my partner had nominated me,” he said.

“I feel very proud, it’s a real honour and I’m looking forward to carrying the torch for the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

“I’m on call a lot during the Olympics but I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of the road race as it goes through the county on the opening weekend of the Games.”

Malcolm Styles: UK's oldest firefighter will carry the torch

Big Village Sports Day

Residents are also invited to The Big Village Sports Day, organised by Tandridge Trust, which will take place on 20 July on Grange Meadow, Bletchingley from 2.3-4.30pm.

The event will give people the chance to take part in sports and ancient Olympic challenges such as pottery and comedy.

Local schools are making decorations and exploring the history of the Olympics as part of the event.

Bringing the Olympics to life

“Today we bring the Olympic Torch Relay to life,” said Sebastian Coe, chair of the organizing committee. “The Flame symbolises the Olympic spirit and its journey around the UK will bring the excitement of the Games to our streets.

“Now the people know the route the Olympic Flame will be carried along and the Torchbearers for their community, they can start planning how they might celebrate it.“

Councillor Tony Elias, chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: “We hope residents will come along to cheer the Torchbearers on their way on both days it is travelling through the area and go on to enjoy the event in Grange Meadow. “

Superintendent Jerry Westerman, from the Surrey Police Olympic Planning Team, said: “The Olympic Torch Relay is one part of the Olympics taking place in Surrey and Surrey Police is committed to playing its part in ensuring the passage of the Olympic Torch through the county is both a safe and enjoyable event for spectators and residents.”

• The full London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay can be viewed at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay.
•  Travel advice: Anyone coming to see the Torch Relay or attend the event is advised to walk, cycle, use public transport or park further away and walk in. Parking will be limited and there is likely to be traffic disruption. More information will be available on www.tandridge.gov.uk/lLondon 2012 nearer the time.

The Olympic torch is set to blaze a trail through Bletchingley, Felbridge and Godstone next summer.

On 17 July 2012 the Torch Relay will pass through Felbridge, followed on 20 July 2012 by Godstone and Bletchingley. Residents from across the district will be invited to welcome the Olympic Flame.

The three towns are among over 1,000 villages, towns and cities announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our residents and businesses,” said Councillor Tony Elias, Chairman of the Community Services Committee. “For most it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Flame and witness the spectacle of the Olympic Torch Relay. We hope it will provide communities with the chance to create Olympic related celebrations and to join in the countdown to the start of the Games.”

Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG, said: ‘We are thrilled to confirm Bletchingley, Felbridge and Godstone will act as host locations for the Olympic Flame, extending an invitation to people in Tandridge to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay during its journey around the UK.

“This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across the Tandridge District to start planning how they can be part of this and show their support for the inspirational Torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic Flame as we count down to the start of the Olympic Games.”

The 70 day Olympic Torch Relay, will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. On leaving Land’s End, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine as the Olympic Flame comes to a place near them.

The Olympic Flame is to travel within an hour’s journey time of 95% of the population.

Police have arrested three people on suspicion of being illegal clothing collectors operating in Godstone.

The trio were claiming to work on behalf of  “Save Lives in Cambodia” and “Two Sisters”, an African charity, but did not have permits issued by the Council to carry out house to house collections but did not have permits from Tandridge District Council.

Residents had contacted the Council as they were concerned that the collectors were not listed on its website.  Charitable collectors must either have a permit authorising the collection or hold an exemption issued by the Home Office and have agreed the collection dates with the Council.

“Each year charities lose millions of pounds through people giving money or goods to organisations they think are charities, but which may be commercial companies collecting for profit,” said councillor Tony Elias, chairman of the Community Services committee.

“We have worked hard to raise awareness of the issue with illegal house to house clothing collections. We are pleased Surrey Police was able to act swiftly on the information we provided and arrest three suspects.”

Inspector Angie Austin added: “We received information from Tandridge District Council about rogue charity workers operating in the Godstone area.

“As a direct result of this, my officers were able to arrest three suspects on suspicion of fraud. Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and we remind the community to remain vigilant at all times.”

• Details of house-to-house permit holders and collection schedules can be found at www.tandridge.gov.uk/housetohouse and a list of all authorised charitable collectors at www.tandridge.gov.uk/charity.

Surrey Police is asking for help in tracing 60 birds following a burglary in Godstone.

The burglary occurred at a property in the Ockleys Mead area of the village, last Wednesday (10 August), sometime between 6.30am and 7.30am, when the homeowner saw a boy jumping over her rear garden fence.

A number of hutches and aviaries were opened in the incident. All of the homeowner’s rabbits and guinea pigs were located but the birds, including parakeets, finches and budgies, are still missing.

“It is not known at this time whether the birds have been set free, as seems to have been the case with the other animals, or stolen,” said Godstone Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Sarah Warner.

“I would urge residents in the area, particularly other aviary owners, to keep an eye out for these birds and report any potential sightings to the police.

“Similarly, I would ask members of the public to keep an eye out for pet birds being sold in suspicious circumstances and report any incidents to officers immediately.”

The boy seen by the victim jumping over the garden fence is described as aged between 11 and 12-years-old, with dark-coloured skin. He was wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

“Anyone who recalls seeing a boy matching this description around the time of this incident is also asked to contact the police. Any information about him or his movements could help aid the ongoing investigation.”

• Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference TD/11/3876. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge by calling 0800 555 111.

Thieves caused thousands of pounds of damage to Godstone football clubhouse after stealing two copper water tanks.

The burglary happened sometime between Sunday 27 February and Thursday 3 March, at the Godstone Green building when access was gained to the premises by forcing a rear door.

Two copper water tanks, measuring eight-foot by two-foot worth approximately £3,000, were stolen during the burglary.

The theft caused around £2,000 worth of water damage and forthcoming games may be affected.

“This burglary will have a significant impact on the community as the football club is a focal point for many people not only those living in Godstone,” said Detective Constable Kerry Akehurst.

“Not only will it cost many thousands of pounds to repair the damage caused and replace the stolen water tanks lots of people will be affected and football games may have to be cancelled as a result.

“We know metal theft is a real concern among the community and it is something we are trying to tackle.

“Copper in all forms is an expensive and attractive commodity to thieves which is why I would urge everyone to work with us to identify and provide evidence so we can ensure those responsible for this burglary are brought to justice.

“Although we are working with our partners at the Environment Agency to ensure anyone who is caught without a valid Waste Carrier Licence is robustly dealt with, put simply we need your help.”

He added: “Local officers carry out regular visits to outlets such as scrap yards and other places where people may try to sell copper in order to gather information on those committing offences. With your help we can put a stop to this kind of offence which has such a detrimental impact on the community.”

Anyone with information regarding this burglary is encouraged to contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference TD/11/1052 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police believe that a 73-year-old woman in Godstone was injured after a shot was fired from a catapult.

It is the latest in a spate of catapult crimes across the district with damage being caused to cars and homes dating back to June last year.

The woman fell down the stairs and suffered a cut lip after an object, believed to have been fired from a catapult, damaged her living room window.

The incident happened shortly after 8pm on Friday, 17 December, in High Street, Godstone, when a stone fired from a projectile caused two small holes in the double-glazed window.

The lady had been upstairs at the time of the incident but when she heard the loud noise she rushed to see what had happened and fell down two stairs.

“The lady was alone when the incident happened. The noise caused by the incident was enough to frighten her but falling down the stairs and injuring herself has really shaken this lady,” said Godstone neighbourhood specialist officer PC Sarah Warner.

“Although the victim was not seriously injured in her own words ‘it made a mess’ of her face and it is hard to believe someone would behave in such an immature way. This incident highlights the potential consequences of such mindless criminal damage.

“Criminal damage of this kind is not a trivial matter to us and we will not hesitate to take robust action against those responsible.

“If you have any information which could help our investigation, or if you believe you know who could be responsible, then please get in touch.”

If you have any information which could help the investigation please contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference number TD/10/5987.

A mother, whose twins contracted E.Coli, is set to take her fight for compensation against Godstone Farm to the High Court.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Todd and Aaron Furnell, who suffered kidney damage after being exposed to E.Coli 0157 at Godstone Farm in August year, issued proceedings against the farm in June.

But Godstone Farm has declined to admit liability for the twins’ illness and so the case may well now end up at trial.

The twins were two of 93 people affected by the outbreak. The recent Griffin Report said the farm should have had better procedures in place and that quicker action action by health officials could have limited the spread.

Both of the twins, now aged three, suffered kidney failure and spent weeks in hospital. Lawyers claim the pair have impaired kidney function and are at risk of renal failure.

The twins mother Tracy Mock has instructed Jill Greenfield, personal injury partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse, to bring the claim in the High Court. The claim is for damages for personal injury and consequential loss.

“It is disappointing that the farm and its representatives have chosen not to admit liability in this case, despite the findings of the Griffin Inquiry which criticised the farm,” said Grenfield. “This means that all the families may have no alternative but to take the matter to a full trial.”

Godstone Farm said it would not comment while proceedings were underway.