January 24, 2010

Safer neighbourhood policing newsletter: Tagging local graffiti

January 6, 2010

That’s the spirit (Community).

I’ve just read an article from www.circleanglia.org, Home Matters, where our village members, Julie Beach (Area Housing Manger), Adrian Birtchnell (Community Warden) and Mandy Eggleton (Housing Management Support Officer), have been working with other residents of Beare Green to improve their neighbourhood.

It reads that the community clear up afternoon was held and was a great success.

Residents of Beare Green are also hoping to form a residents group. If you would like to join, please contact Julie Beach on 01306 505514.

December 20, 2009

Let it snow… in Beare Green

Like many parts of the UK Beare Green got its fair share of the snowy weather. The snow started falling late Thursday evening (17th December). I noticed it falling quite hard as I returned home late on platform 2 (Holmwood Station). The following day I had the day off work so was lucky enough to walk my daughter to school (with my son). What fun. It’s not like we get snow often so when it does we certainly make the most of it.

The roads around Beare Green were hazardous – even the main Beare GReen arterial road, Horsham Road. With cars slipping and sliding up and down the road it was actually fun watching the front wheels spinning. The safest parts of the village was the deep grassy sections where the snow was fresh and powdery.

I managed to take a few photos of our village:

Holmwood Station

Beare Green pond

Horsham Road, Beare Green

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doos/4194933504/

Horsham Road / Leith Road junction, Beare Green

Horsham Road, Beare Green

December 6, 2009

Local Beare Green pubs – any good?

I’ve been a local resident (in Beare Green) for ~3 years now and I’ve yet to drink from a ‘local’ pub. Bad huh? Some might argue that I’m missing out, but not being an avid pub socialite or drinker, I don’t get that calling that’s instinctive in local blood. You know, your mates are down the pub talking, joking and gossiping about locals while flexing their natural arm. Sometimes I wish I could walk down the road and have a couple and meet locals to find out what the villagers are like.

The Duke Head pub

The Duke Head pub

Could you might recommend a good local pub for me to try. The only pub I know of is The Duke’s Head, on Horsham Road. I’ve heard they are under new management – wonder whether the service and atmosphere has improved? If the owner is reading this perhaps he might challenge me to visit and report back to this blog and its readers?

Happy festive season – perhaps we might meet sooner than you think.

November 8, 2009

Brockham bonfire rocked

Brockham bonfire is ready

http://www.brockhambonfire.com

Once again hats off to the organisers of last night’s Brockham bonfire. The organisation was simply superb. From the moment we parked up till the announcer said goodbye and we we said goodnight to the parking attendants. A fantastic collective (and team) effort.

Olly Newport managed to capture and post a short video of the fireworks.

This year the weather was a little kinder than last. With only 5 minutes of light showers we enjoyed clear skies as we marveled at the wonderful fireworks display. The fireworks team should received a commendation for their efforts. In typical concert style “Would you like more?”, the pause lasted 30 secs before the finale concluded a highly entertaining evening.

My kids loved it, the local youngsters loved it – judging by all the happy smily faces and loud cheers – and the adults loved it too.

I look forward to next years.

[Brockham bonfire photos]

September 5, 2009

Oil – to drill or not to

It shouldn’t come as a surprise when you read that there are plans to drill (for oil).  Why? Because we humans have always put making money ahead of everything (gross generalisation I know – I’m guilty of this too sometimes). Economic pressure is a powerful force, which often comes at the expense of ruining natural beauty. But, have all the recent anti’s obscured the real picture? If you look at www.thevirtualvillage.com website you’ll see all the pictures synomynous with armageddon… the end of the world. Pictures like the one below sure paint a gloomy impression, right? That’s for effect!

A typical drill ram

A typical drill ram

According to the action group’s website 1,588 people (Feb 25th) have formally objected against the Oil & Gas Exploration Planning Application (Bury Hill Wood). I’d be interested to know whether you were one of those and why you objected?

I might just point out that the Leith Hill Action Group should align their on-/off-line campaigns. They recently placed a campaign ad in the local Dorking Advertiser (Sept, 3rd) to remind locals about campaign, but when you visit their website their latest stop press notice is dated July 18th. So, with the website not very useful I’ve decided to join the ‘Don’t trash Leith Hill‘ Facebook group to follow developments.

So, how will it effect residents of Beare Green? I’m not sure. I know though that if you enjoy the natural delights of our surrounds then it might do. I ride (on my bicycle) on and off road around Coldharbour/Leith Hill and would be saddened by any destruction that might take place as a result of the exploration.

August 11, 2009

Cutting the trees

I recently returned home after a lovely holiday in South Africa to find the playground tree had been cut back. I cannot see an obvious reason for it other than whilst away winds broke a branch of the tree and the local council saw it appropriate to eliminate any futher hazard to locals?

I’d be interested to hear if you have any idea?

Tree Cutting

July 5, 2009

Beare Green cricket clubhouse

So, they’ve finally started re-building the Beare Green cricket club’s clubhouse. After a bike ride this morning I popped over to the building site and took a couple of photos. It seems like they’ve laid the foundations – thick concrete slab with supporting wood beams to hold things in place.

While there I was approached by a lady asking me if I knew where she could get money to build it. I assumed by that she might be involved in the local fund raising committee and not all the funds are available for its re-build?

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

Beare Green cricket clubhouse: rebuilding

June 6, 2009

Local Elections

So, did you vote on Thursday?

Polling Station: Beare Green

Polling Station: Beare Green

As usual it was a very low-key event in Beare Green. Little sign of councillor activity prior to the voting. I did receive a leaflet through the post I must just say. It was a Lib Dem (Iain Murdoch)-led pitch letter against the Conservatives and proclaiming change must come to our area. Even the leaflet hinted apathy. At the end of the personal note this is what it said (note the Thursday mis-spelling):

P.S. Your vote on Thursady is important – please use it to help change things for the better
– Iain Murdoch

Iain Murdoch's letter P.S.

Iain Murdoch's letter P.S.

So after all the voting the Conservative, Helyn Clack (2,225 votes), still retains her seat for Dorking Rural. Iain Murdoch (Lib Dem) came a close second with 1,956 votes. I wonder if Helyn will see her narrow victory as a wake up call and start paying more attention to our village and surrounding. Helyn, if you read this post I’d love to hear what you have to say? Thanks.

Fore the voting results story visit Get Surrey’s website.

June 1, 2009

Beare Green residents on Twitter

Twitter logo

Twitter logo

You may or may not know that this blog is supported by a Twitter account? I use Twitter to get snippets of information published without too much preparation plus it offers the ability to post while on the move. This means that whilst I’m on my way to work or home or even going for a bike ride or walk I can snap a photo and send it as a Tweet.

If you’re a local resident (or even a neighbouring resident – Dorking, Holmwood, Capel, Newdigate or similar) – and want to add your name to this list email me or add your Twitter account in the comments below.

Local Twitterers:

Beare Green
SteveHills
thebookwright
Bookham Danno
felicityfuller
Gary Cameron