March 2009 Archives

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's plans to buy a Chertsey mansion and turn it into a cookery school may have gone to pot after it was revealed the owner of the property is holding out for a higher offer.

An offer for Botley's Mansion, in Stonehill Road, by Gordon Ramsay Holdings has been on the table since September but has not been accepted, even though the owner, mortgage broker Network Data Holdings slashed the asking price from £5m to £4.5m last week.

The Chertsey Bookshop went into administration on Monday and its 15 staff stand to lose their jobs if a buyer cannot be found.

Unsuspecting workers at the store in Guildford Street, Chertsey, were called to a staff meeting in which they were told the shop would close with immediate effect.

Thorpe Players next dramatic event sees the premiere of not one, but two new plays, both by local authors. "Another Sunday and Sweet FA" is by Chertsey's own Terry Pattinson and describes the hypocrisy behind some football matches. The second play is by KK Verrain, who has written for the group before, and is a fast paced comedy of wedding receptions called "Always the Bridesmaid". The evening will be completed by a performance of "After Liverpool" by James Saunders, which has won the Players two awards in the recent months.

This all takes place at Thorpe Village Hall on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March at 8pm. Tickets are just £7 from 07923 583295 or on the door.

A sixties night is being held at Chertsey Hall on Saturday March 7, to raise money for the White Lodge Centre.

The event will be at the venue in Heriot Road, Chertsey from 7.30pm and tickets cost £15, including food but not drink.

For more information or to buy a ticket, call 01932 567131 or visit www.whitelodgecentre.co.uk.