Newsletter - Sat 17 May, 2025

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By David Grantham

In this issue: VE Day marked, Merstham Rec upgrade, and local government reorganisation plans have been submitted - more below, after news in brief.

News in brief

The Tunnel Road Beer Festival, in the heart of the town centre is under way, finishing up this evening. As in previous years, the “Ale for Aid” event, organised by Redhill Redstone Rotary club, is raising money for good causes. A choice of 40+ ales, artisan gin and prosecco is on offer. Details here. (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) A list of other summer events in Reigate and surrounds is on the What’s On page (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

SGN has confirmed to me that the July/August closure of Reigate Hill will be southbound only. The gas mains replacement work is due to start on 21 July and will last “for approximately” four weeks - from the Surrey Roadworks map (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) the closure will be from just south of the Raglan Road junction to just north of the Somers Road junction, although SGN has previously said (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) the actual work will be on a more limited stretch between the Brokes Road and Somers Road junctions.

Cygnets that hatched in Priory Park around the start of May are continuing to be a talking point. Photos taken by Nick Rogers, which have been warmly received on social media, are now available to buy in the form of notelets, with all profits going to local charity the Include Choir. Details in a Print Reigate Facebook post (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) - there’s an order deadline.

The Your Councillor Community Fund, organised by Surrey County Council is open for bids by residents wanting to improve their area. Each of Surrey’s 81 county councillors have a pot of £5,000 to allocate. Details here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

Gatwick Airport has increased its drop-off fee (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) from £6 to £7 (for up to 10 minutes). Passengers can still be dropped off for free in the long-stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders remain exempt.

Trees: Surrey County Council has planted (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) 768,832 trees and hedgerows since 2019, over halfway to its target of 1.2 million by 2030 - one for every Surrey resident. “We couldn’t do this alone, so I thank all the partners, communities, and residents who support this initiative,” said Cllr Marisa Heath.

80th anniversary of VE Day marked

Among events in the borough marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council lit the beacon in Priory Park (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) on Thursday 8 May, part of an event featuring 1000 beacons around the UK.

The council also posted tributes to local people involved in the war effort on its Facebook and other social media channels.

And commemorative flags appeared in the town, purchased and put up by Reigate Business Guild (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and its volunteers.

Photo collage from Reigate Business Guild (click for larger version)

Parkour and more at revamped Rec

Merstham Recreation Ground has opened following a £3 million refurbishment.

New facilities include a pavilion, playground, parkour course, outdoor gym, community orchard, picnic area, pathways and landscaping.

The pavilion features a cafe kiosk (an operator is being selected with the council hoping for a “summer” opening), along with toilets and changing rooms. Solar panels and a green roof have been installed.

Redhill artist Uncle Stubble and students from Merstham Park School have worked together to create a vibrant mural (similar to the initiative undertaken in Memorial Park).

A “fun and challenging” play area features equipment for climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing and being creative. The council says it includes natural elements and sensory opportunities to suit children at different stages of development, and has been designed to be inclusive and accessible, meeting Plan Inclusive Play Areas (PiPA) accreditation.

Reigate & Banstead has worked with a specialist supplier to create a parkour course - the first in the borough - with obstacles to run, jump, vault and climb on.

An outdoor gym hosts equipment for cycling, rowing, cross-training and to increase strength.

The previous tennis court and multi-use games area (MUGA) have both had a makeover, with new surfacing and fencing, and two new table-tennis tables have gone in.

A better footpath network has been created, with a new picnic area, community orchard, trees, plants and swales (water channels planted with a mix of wildflowers and grasses) providing a “green heart”.

The swales are designed to reduce surface water flooding in and around the Rec, and improvements were also made to the water channel to the southeast of the park to create a gravel beach, meadows and wet planting to support local ecology. This area will be fenced-off during the first year to allow planting to establish.

There are four grass pitches, as well as a new one that’s been created at nearby Battlebridge Recreation Ground to allow space in the Rec for the new facilities. The council plans to improve drainage on the pitches later this year, ready for the next football season.

Executive member Cllr Rich Michalowski said the park was “now a fantastic space with something for everyone”, adding that the designs were developed with input from residents, sports organisations and local groups.

Funding came from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Community Infrastructure Levy funds (developer contributions), the National Lottery and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

More information on the project is here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).