July 2010 Archives

Chertsey Museum's popular monthly family craft activity continues on Saturday 7 August from 2 to 4 pm. It's free and you don't need to book: just come along to the Windsor Street museum and join in. This month we will be making dinosaur door-hangers and bookmarks.

THE maternity wing of St Peter's Hospital, in Chertsey, has picked up its third national award in the space of just three years.

The award, called a Highly Commended All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity, was given to commend the hospital's exceptional level of aftercare and support in its Birth Reflections Service.

A group of midwives from the centre travelled to the Houses of Parliament, in London, to pick up the prize on Monday, July 19.

Julie Frohlich, deputy head of midwifery, said: "Our Birth Reflections Service gives all women the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their pregnancy and birth experience with a specialist midwife counsellor in a safe, unhurried and confidential environment."

A CHERTSEY charity has been presented with a Queen's award for its work with stroke patients.

Staff at the Age Concern Runnymede and Spelthorne groups were presented with the prestigious national Queen's Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony last week.

A CHERTSEY school is celebrating after being given an outstanding Ofsted report.

Lyne and Longcross Infant School was visited by inspectors in May and was ranked amongst the top 6% of schools in the country.

The inspector said that the school had many strengths and had gained a lot of praise from parents.

"Lyne and Longcross gives all its pupils excellent care, guidance and support," the report stated.

A CHERTSEY man claims he is being victimised by Runnymede Borough Council for storing property on his own land.

George Longman, who owns Longman Developments Ltd in Egham, has been accused by the council's planners of using land behind 8 Stepgates in Chertsey as a builders yard.

Mr Longman, 36, says he will consider selling the land, possibly to travellers, if the council continue to press ahead with serving him with enforcement notices.

He told the Herald and News: "I bought the land 18 months ago and then moved all this stuff that was in my back garden onto the land so my little girl could play in my back garden.

AS 90-year-old Chertsey resident Ron Jennings flew over the M25, one thing was suddenly very apparent - the cars below him were actually travelling faster than he was.

Mr Jennings was celebrating his birthday in a flight in a 1930s-designed Tiger Moth biplane.
Designed to train beginner pilots between the two world wars, it was dual control machine and, for a time at least, Mr Jennings was proudly in control. He said it was an experience he will never forget.

He said: "This was a 90th birthday present and a fantastic experience I would love to do again.

"I went up in a hot air balloon for my 80th birthday and this was something a bit different.

The leader of Runnymede Borough Council has been charged with drink-driving.

John Furey, 65, of New Haw Road, Addlestone, was arrested after car crash in Addlestone on Sunday May, 16.

He is due to appear at North West Surrey Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 28.

THERE were babies, babies and more babies at St Peter's Hospital, in Chertsey, earlier this month thanks to a picnic for twins and triplets.

The annual summer event was organised by Judi Linney, president of the Twins And Multiple Births Association (TAMBA), at the hospital in Guildford Road.

In total, more than 30 families attended to enjoy the glorious sunshine and tasty food on the lawn outside the hospital's Abbey Wing.

Midwife Naomi Warrington said: "After several years of having to re-locate the picnic inside because of bad weather, it was a real treat to be able to set up outside and enjoy the sunshine.

"We all had a fantastic afternoon and are looking forward to next year's picnic already."

Chertsey Museum is holding five activity days for children aged 5 to 12 years during the summer holidays:

Tuesday 27 July Sea, Sand and Shells
Thursday 29 July Dinky Dolls' Houses
Tuesday 24 August Samplers to sew
Thursday 26 August Zany Zoetropes
Tuesday 31 August Tremendous Toys

All activities are 11 - 12:30pm or 2 - 3.30pm. The fee for each session is £4.50 (concessions £3.00). For a booking form, please contact Chertsey Museum on 01932 565764 during opening hours, or download a form from the Museum's website: www.chertseymuseum.org.uk.

THE chief executive of Runnymede Borough Council has called for winter maintenance work to be placed under his control after Surrey County Council was slammed for its poor performance earlier this year.

Paul Turrell, in charge at Runnymede since September 2009, said a more local response would have helped improve gritting and snow clearance in the borough.

Surrey was one of the worst-hit counties in the December 2009 and January 2010 snowfalls.

The county council later came second from bottom in a table rating authorities for their 'winter performance', according to a report to the council's cabinet.