Newsletter - Thu 28 Mar, 2024

In this issue

• Local sporting endeavours were celebrated at the Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards earlier this month.

• A planning approval in Reigate has been quashed by High Court order, requiring the matter to be redecided.

In brief

• The opening date for the Priory Park pavilion cafe is now Tuesday 2 April, Reigate & Banstead has said (Opens in a new window), updating its earlier announcement that it would open on Wednesday.

• There’s comedy at the Harlequin pop-up in Redhill’s Belfry shopping centre tomorrow evening, Friday 29 March, as Comedy Cottage returns. More details of this and other events via our What’s On page (Opens in a new window).

• The Redhill branch of Papa Johns is on a list of 43 branches that the pizza chain is intending to close by mid-May, reports the Caterer (Opens in a new window) and other publications.

Borough sport celebrated at annual awards

• Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Eddy Humphreys, presenting one of the awards (photo via RBBC)

Local sporting endeavours were celebrated at the annual Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards at Donyngs Leisure Centre, on Thursday 14 March.

Winners across the eleven categories this year were:

• Changing Lives Award – Martin and Rachel King, PMActive

• Club of the Year - Max Force Trampoline & DMT Club

• Coach of the Year – Steve Boeje, Tadworth Colts

• Inclusive Sport Award – Russell Bewley, YMCA East Surrey

• Junior Team of the Year - Girls U16 Reigate Priory Hockey Club

• Senior Citizen – Stuart Aldrich, England Hockey

• Sports Person of the Year – Holly Dunford, GB Womens Rowing

• Team of the Year - Walcountians Blues Lacrosse Club Women’s Team

• Volunteer of the Year – Chris Rowe, Redhill Football Club Girls Youth Team

• Young Sports Person of the Year - Megan Williams, Max Force Trampoline and DMT Club

• Young Volunteer of the Year – Jude Rivers, Merstham Fooball Club

Duane Kirkland, the borough council’s head of wellbeing and intervention said: “These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the borough’s sporting excellence and recognise everyone who is doing their part to encourage members of our communities to stay active.  

“I congratulate tonight’s winners but really this is about everyone who was nominated. You are all incredible and your contributions to the promotion of sport and physical activity in our community is well appreciated.

“The awards would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors – a huge thank you to everyone who has made these awards possible.”

Local businesses sponsoring the awards were Connick Tree Care, Surrey Playing Fields, Little Kickers, KD Jones Heating and Plumbing, GLL, RB Sport, Reigate Squash Club, Redhill Cycling Club, PM Active, Safe IS, as well as Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.

Over 100 nominations were received, with shortlisting taking place in January. Full results, including runners-up, are here (Opens in a new window).

The Planet Reigate podcast has interviews with the winners (Opens in a new window), with details of the different ways they’re involved with local sport - worth a listen.

Nominations for the 2025 awards will open this summer. 

Planning decision quashed by High Court order

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has had to pay legal expenses of £7,500 after it failed to attach conditions to a planning approval, leading to the decision being quashed by the High Court.