Some events in November in our area for you to join in. Check the what's on page on our website regularly as more events are added all the time.

1st: Reigate Heath Ride widening

Join the Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers in widening the ride that runs from the car park along the tumuli ridge.

Meet in Flanchford Road Car Park RH2 8AB

Time: 10am

2nd: Toddler Tales and Trails (2-4 years)

Gatton Park

Enjoy the story of Room on the Broom and go for a walk around the park to bring the story to life. Return to create artwork linked to the story.

Time: 10am - 11.30am or 1.30pm - 3pm

Cost: £5 per child

3rd: Epsom fireworks display and funfair

Hook Road Arena with free park and ride and coaches from stations, see Epsom fireworks website. 

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: £7.50 on the say or £5 in advance

4th: Dover Green Pond restoration

Help the Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers clear the willow scrub hiding the pond.

Meet at the west end of Castle Drive with the junction of Dovers Green Road. RH2 8BT

Time: 10am

5th: Chipstead and Hooley Bonfire Association - bonfire and firework display

Chipstead Meads (Rugby Club)  at 7.30pm

Bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm by Cubs and Brownies followed by a firework display at 8pm. Attractions include small fairground, BBQ and doughnuts. Please walk if possible as parking is limited.

Cost: adults £5, under 14s £3, under 5s free. 

7th: Reigate Society Talk

Reigate Baptist Church, Sycamore Walk, RH2 7LR

An illustrated talk on local building stone and its use over the ages.

Time: 8.15pm

10th: Horseshoe Community Pre-School Christmas Bazaar

Banstead Youth Centre, The Horseshoe, Bolters Lane, Banstead, SM7 2BQ

Stalls selling new products and locally handcrafted gifts as well as homemade cakes and refreshments and a range of activities.

Time: 10am - 1pm

Free entry 

11th: Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers

Kitchen Copse, Off Place Farm Road, Bletchingley, RH1 4QR.

Discover the world of woodmanship and assist in the coppicing of this ancient woodland.

Meet at 10am on the track to the copse or meet at 8am for a pre-task breakfast bringing your own food and cooking utensils. 

13th: Youth Council Recruitment Evening

The Harlequin Theatre & Centre, Redhill.

If you're interested in learning more about Reigate & Banstead Youth Council, then come along to the recruitment evening to talk to some of its current members.

For those aged between 13-19 who live or work in the borough.

Contact sue.sergeant@reigate-banstead.gov.uk if you're interested in coming along.

15th: Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers

Kitchen Copse, Off Place Farm Road, Bletchingley, RH1 4QR.

Discover the world of woodmanship and assist in the coppicing of this ancient woodland.

Meet at 10am on the track to the copse.

21st: Safe Drive Stay Alive event

This Surrey Fire and Rescue Service event aims to prevent young people being killed or seriously injured on our roads. 

A live stage show based around a filmed reconstruction of a road traffic collision delivering hard-hitting messages about the dangers associated with driving. Taking place at Dorking Halls.

To book your place email safedrive@surreycc.gov.uk or see show dates and booking (Surrey County Council website).


21st -24th: Banstead Operatic Society present Bright Lights on Opening Night

Banstead Community Hall, Park Road, Banstead, SM7 3AJ

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Weds £11, Thurs - Sat £12

Box Office 07716 496878 or john@banaos.org.uk or Banstead Operatic Society website

24th and 25th: Christmas Craft and Gift Fair

Buckland Reading Rooms, Buckland, RH3 7DZ

A Christmas fair with proceeds going to charity offering gifts made by local artists including textiles, ceramics, paintings and jewellery.

Time: 10am - 4pm

Free admission

24th: The Children's Trust - Christmas Fair

The Children's Trust, Tadworth

Featuring Santa's grotto, skating rink, Christmas Market and much more.

Cost: Adults £2.50, Children free, combo saver ticket to see Santa and Skate £5.50 per child (if booked online in advance).

See the Children's Trust website.

25th: Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers

Kitchen Copse, Off Place Farm Road, Bletchingley, RH1 4QR.

Discover the world of woodmanship and assist in the coppicing of this ancient woodland.

Meet at 10am on the track to the copse.

29th: Redhill Common tree and scrub clearance and burn up

Join Reigate Area Conservation Volunteers clearing on the common.

Meet outside Dunottar School, RH2 7EN

Time: 10am

30th: Surrey Wildlife Trust Talk

White Hart Barn, Godstone

An illustrated talk on The Dragonflies of Surrey

Time: 7.45pm

Cost: £3 

If you're interested in any of these events, then get in touch with our Leisure Development team by emailing Sue Sergeant or calling 01737 276700.

Monday 29 October: Refab Art in the park

Priory Park pavilion

Fingers crossed for wind as the youngsters try their hand at kite making.

Time: 9:30-3.30pm

Ages: 7-15

Cost: £6 per person

Tuesday 30 October – Thursday 1 November: Basketball

This is perfect for those with high energy levels. Shoot the hoops like an Olympian.

Horley Leisure Centre.Time: 2-5pm

Ages: 8-15

Cost: £18 for a three day course

Tuesday 30 October – Thursday 1 November: Beginners gymnastics and trampolining

An opportunity to have some fun and see if there's a gymnast in the making on this introductory course.

Horley Leisure Centre

Ages: 7-11

Time: 9.30am-12pm

Cost: £18 for a three day course

Friday 2 November: Indoor rock climbing

High Sport Indoor Climbing Centre, Salfords

Let them climb the walls this half term!

Ages: 10-15

Time: 10am-12pm

Cost: £6 per person. 

With All Hallow’s Eve just around the corner, why not rethink your rubbish this Halloween and recycle more. Don’t forget to reduce what you use, reuse what you can and recycle what’s left. Here are some tips to help save you money and cut the rubbish left over from your spooky celebrations.

Pumpkin alert!

Over a million pumpkins are sold for Halloween every year. A lot of them make their way to landfill. 

• Don’t throw out the pumpkin flesh when you’re making your jack-o’-lantern. Use it to make a delicious meal. Search online for recipe ideas.
• By roasting the pumpkin seeds you can make tasty and healthy snacks.
• Or use the seeds to grow more pumpkins!
• Finally, don’t forget to compost the pumpkin skin or put it in your food waste caddy for recycling.

Trick or treating

• If you’re out collecting, why not use an old pillow case or bucket for your treats?
• If you give treats to callers, why not give items that last e.g. pencils – or give fruit as the leftovers can be composted or put in food waste recycling caddies.
• Or how about making cakes and biscuits to give to ‘trick or treaters’, saving on wrappers.

Dressing up

• Don’t buy a scary Halloween outfit – it’s much more fun to make a ghost outfit at home from an old sheet.
• Or take a trip to a charity shop to see what you can find to make your scary costume.
• Stuck for inspiration? Why not swap outfits with a friend or neighbour – or rent rather than buy one.

And one final word – if you’re out and about with your torch use rechargeable batteries to save some cash.

Local Democracy Week is an opportunity to get young people involved and excited about local politics. This year, schools pupils from across the borough took part in mock elections, tested different voting systems and quizzed a panel in a Question Time style debate.

First past the post or supplementary vote?

“What happens in politics locally is more likely to affect you – that’s why local democracy is important.” Tom Wainwright, Reigate College

Schools pupils from Reigate College were, for a limited time only, given the right to vote in a mock election at the Town Hall as part of Local Democracy Week. The school pupils used two different voting mechanisms – first past the post and the supplementary vote system – to vote for their favourite chocolate bar. Cadbury’s Dairy Milk was crowned victorious on both occasions. 

It’s Question Time! 

“I think people think politics is complex and confusing. Events like this help engage people who might not have taken an interest before.” Amy Paine, Reigate College

Pupils from six different schools had the chance to put their questions to a brave panel made up of councillors, journalists and business leaders. How to maintain momentum after the Olympics and Paralympics, the question of whether Gatwick airport should be extended and how young people can be recognised were just some of the topics put to the panel. 

A flavour for local democracy 

“Lots of young people have a certain stereotype of politicians and think they’re out of touch with young people.” Hannah Richardson, Reigate College. 

At a time when voter engagement is low, it’s more important than ever young people are engaged, excited and enthusiastic about politics. Reigate & Banstead Youth Council, the voice of young people in the borough, is always looking for new members. For more information about the youth council, its role and the impact it has in the borough, get in touch with Sue Sergeant, Leisure Development Officer. There’s a recruitment evening for interested young people, aged 13-19, at The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema on Tuesday 13 November, 5.30-7pm. 

The Helping Hand Scheme includes:

• Watersure – help for metered customers who may be in financial difficulties or need extra water for medical reasons
• Bogus callers – a secure password scheme to prevent dishonest visitors getting into customers' homes
• Nominated correspondents – ­arrangements for someone else to deal with a customer’s water-related matter
• Personal notification of water emergencies for the elderly or frail, or for customers with specific medical conditions
• Braille, large print and audio CD services
• Text Relay Service – for customers suffering hearing loss

For more information about these services

Visit Sutton and East Surrey Water’s website, call Customer Services team on 01737 772000 (including 24 hour emergency), or dial 18001 before the number for Text Relay.

Leaflets are also available from doctors’ surgeries, libraries, council offices and local help shops.

Spending Christmas alone is a daunting but very real prospect for some.

This year you could volunteer and help make it special for others less fortunate.

Annual event

Merstham Community Development worker, Tracey Burrows, is working with a local group to provide Christmas Day lunch for those who might be alone or find Christmas stressful.

"This is our fourth year." says Tracey. “We need volunteers willing to help bring a little cheer to those who may not be able to afford a Christmas meal, or those that might just need some company at this special time."

Guests include young families, older people, people with mental health needs and those who are lonely or isolated.

Table hosts, drivers and dish washers

Volunteer table hosts sit and eat with guests (which is the traditional turkey lunch with all the trimmings of course) to help encourage conversation and make people feel welcome. “We are also looking for volunteer drivers, people to clear away, people to wash up ... and Father Christmas!" says Tracey.

Donations and gifts

In addition to recruiting volunteers, Tracey is collecting donations, either financial - to help with funding - or gifts to be distributed on the day.

“Any amount, however small will help”, says Tracey.  “Also when you are Christmas shopping, buying an extra small gift to donate would be fantastic."

"Last year," continues Tracey, "on one table there were three young children whose mum suffers with mental health issues and rarely leaves the house. The presents they were given at the table were the only ones they received - they were just so pleased to get something. It was quite heart rending - but made it all the more worthwhile."

Together at Christmas website

Visit the Together at Christmas website to read more about this project and ways you can help make it successful.

Contact

To volunteer or to donate gifts or money please contact:

Tracey Burrows on 01737 645217
Community Development Officer

This year, for the first time, voters in England (outside London) and Wales will elect a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for their local police force area. On 15 November, you will decide which candidate is successful for Surrey. However, if you haven’t registered to vote then your views will not be counted.

What does the PCC do?

The Police and Crime Commissioner will be responsible for overseeing how crime is tackled across Surrey. They will be responsible for policing and community safety across the county including making sure the policing needs in our borough are met, forming stronger relationships between communities and the police and holding our police accountable.

Who is standing?

In Surrey, there are six candidates standing. Read more about what each candidate stands for on the Choose my PCC website or call 08001 07 07 08.

What do I need to do?

Time is running out – you must have registered to vote by Wednesday 31 October or your views will not be counted.

If you’re already registered, there are lots of ways you can vote.

One option is to simply pop down to your polling station. If you’re registered you should have received your poll card with details of your local polling station.

Alternatively, you can send in your vote by post. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 31 October. Or, you can nominate someone to vote on your behalf (a proxy), particularly useful if you’re away on 15 November or have difficulty getting to your polling station. The deadline for a proxy vote is 5pm on 7 November 2012.

This election will use the supplementary vote system – a change from first past the post as we’re used to in general elections. There will be one set of candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner across the whole of Surrey. All voters can make a first and second choice (their supplementary vote) from the list to decide who will oversee how crime is tackled in Surrey. There’s more information about how this voting system works on the Electoral Commission’s website.

What’s next?

Surrey’s first Police and Crime Commissioner will be announced in Guildford on Friday 16 November. For more information about making sure you’re registered as well as information about the PCC election, have a look on our website.

We are currently looking at the area of self management for our allotment sites. This gives the allotment holders more of a say in the way their site is managed and the potential to improve it how they want.

To help us ensure that we make the right decision we would appreciate it if you could spend a few minutes telling us what you think via our online survey.

Allotment Self Management Survey 2012

Future consultations

We have planned postal consultations coming up on residents views on the parks and a review of the housing allocations and register policy.

To keep informed about our consultations follow us on http://twitter.com/reigatebanstead or see the consultations page on our website.