We are delighted to be bringing you the Harlequin Arts Takeover week from The Belfry shopping centre in the heart of Redhill, following the temporary closure of The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema. Most events are now taking place in a unit located just opposite the lifts on the first floor. Big thanks to our friends at The Belfry and The Children’s Trust for helping to make this possible at short notice.

From flow poetry, performed by an award-winning show-opener for Stormzy, to discovering the art of what makes great crime fiction, Arts Takeover Week has something for everyone. Please check individual events on the Harlequin Theatre & Cinema website for full details including how you can get involved. 

We have a variety of free and low cost holiday activities available this October half term for under 5’s and 5-14 year olds. Whether you are into treasure hunting, football, street dancing, athletics, Lego, or Gymnastics, the options are numerous. We also have activity sessions specially for SEND children. Remember, if you are in receipt of benefits or have a looked after child you may be eligible for a 50% discount.

Woodhatch Community Centre is also hosting a Spooktacular Halloween Disco on Thursday 26 October for 7-11 year olds from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. £12 per person and £10 per sibling. Groovy tunes, eerie beats, and wickedly fun dance moves await you! To book the disco, contact the centre on 01737 221030 or email.  

Council Leader, Cllr Richard Biggs, will be taking your questions on Tuesday 17 October 2023. If you live or work in Reigate & Banstead Borough and have questions that you would like to put to the Leader, please email leadersurgery@reigate-banstead.gov.uk to book. Meetings can be virtual or in person.

This autumn, we're upgrading three of our children’s play areas at Woodhatch Recreation Ground, Howards Close in Walton-on-the-hill, and Ifold Park in Earlswood. Using recycled and natural materials, the new and upgraded play equipment is designed to be sustainable and inclusive. These improvements are part of the Council’s annual play area replacement programme to create safe, modern spaces where children of all ages and abilities can learn and play. The first works commenced on 2 October at Woodhatch and are expected to last two weeks.

We are looking for sponsors for the 2024 Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of sports people and clubs across the borough, as well as the invaluable contributions made by volunteers to maintain sport and physical activity.

There are lots of benefits to becoming a sponsor including a chance to make a positive impact in the community, opportunity to be an award judge, having your company advertised in the event programme, social media promotion on our channels and more. We will also promote sponsors businesses through our marketing of the awards. So, if you or your business are interested in sponsoring the awards, please get in touch. 

If you’ve received a reminder from us asking you to check important electoral registration details that we sent out over the summer or an invitation to register to vote, make sure you take action as soon as possible so you can have your say in future elections. We are calling or visiting households that are yet to reply. The annual canvass allows us to keep the electoral register up to date and invite people to register if they aren’t already. With both borough and Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place in 2024, this is an important opportunity to make sure you can take part. 

During October our community centres are celebrating that they are “A place for learning”. We believe that learning is a lifelong adventure filled with excitement, growth and connection, and our three community centres are a testament to the power of education and the unity it can bring to a community. With a range of activities, from Art to Zumba, there's something for all ages and abilities whether you’re looking to learn something new, stay active or keep the children happy. A list of the activities on offer can be found on our website.

The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema will remain closed whilst specialist survey work goes on to determine the full extent of what work may be needed and the time scales for these. The temporary closure follows the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). If you have tickets for performances or an event coming up at the Harlequin, you will be contacted as soon as possible if you haven't been already. We will provide further updates in due course. 

We are looking to fill a number of positions and would like to hear from you, if you are interested, and possess the relevant skills. We have positions for a Tree Officer, a Bar and Catering Assistant, a Homelessness Prevention Officer, as well as Casual Cooks and Cleaners. Visit our website for details. 

We have partnered with Better and are offering new and existing sports clubs free sports hall/studio space at our three leisure centres (Horley, Donyngs or Tadworth). The offer is for 1-3 hours a week to a maximum of three clubs (one per site) for a year (January - December 2024). Applications close on Sunday 15 October 2023. Get in touch if you are interested.

New boundaries are being proposed for council divisions in Surrey County. The Local Government Boundary Commission wants to hear what residents and local organisations think of the proposals to make sure they reflect communities, are easy to understand, and convenient for local people. A consultation on the proposals will run until 16 October 2023. The Commission is the independent body that draws the boundaries. It is reviewing Surrey to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively. 

Gatwick Airport’s application for a northern runway to replace its standby/ emergency runway and use it routinely alongside its main runway was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate in August. You can send your views on the plans to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the examination and be kept informed of the process. To do so, you must register as an 'Interested Party' via the Planning Inspectorate's website or call their helpline on 0303 444 5000 for a paper form. The deadline to register is 29 October 2023.

Millions of eligible people in England can now book their autumn COVID-19 vaccine online. Bookings can be made either via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119.Those eligible include all those aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with an underlying health condition.

Carers in Surrey who look after a friend or family member can now ask for a flu vaccine at their GP practice or show their Surrey Carers Flu Jab Voucher when asking for a flu jab at a pharmacy offering the NHS flu vaccine. The voucher provides assurance that the carer is known to carers services in Surrey and is therefore entitled to a free flu vaccination. The campaign is aimed at preventing avoidable hospitalisations at a busy time for the NHS and social care. 

This month we’re giving a shoutout to MHA Communities East Surrey, which supports older, local people to live later life well. With activities most days of the week in a range of accessible venues in Tadworth, Redhill, Reigate and Horley, there is something for everyone – such as lunch clubs, dementia support, befriending (face to face or telephone), coffee mornings, seasonal parties, an annual holiday, outdoor learning, cultural outings and monthly pub trips. Transport is provided for many of these activities by MHA’s experienced, trained volunteers.

To contact, tel 01737 780610; or email eastsurrey@mha.org.uk