The Planet Reigate Podcast
52: The LoveWorks food charity, the world-famous local artist who etched a view that you know so well… and more
Fri, 06 Sep 2024
Episode 52 - The LoveWorks food charity, the world-famous local artist who etched a view that you know so well… and moreFor Saturday 7th September 202400:00 - What’s in this episode 04:10 - The Good Time Guide: Local places to go and things to do this weekend. Including our listing of local events for Heritage Open Days this week. 16:30 - GUEST: Kate and her colleagues from Loveworks local food bank 29:45 - The Planet Reigate area news. Including a new bus route; more detail on local dog walking restrictions; two new businesses open up; Redhill RAAC updates; Redhill’s Arts Takeover and more 44:45 - The Planet Reigate area sport 52:00 - Planet Reigate Stars - thanking local heroes. This week from Redhill. 53:15 – Sam’s Story. The second part of our story of Samuel Palmer, the local artist who achieved worldwide fame, particularly from his most widely-praised picture of a scene you know today. 1:00:45 - The Good Time Guide: Local things to do and places to go this coming week. 1:04:30 – It’s our first birthday! Here is the Top Ten of our most listened-to episodes and how you can take part in year two! 1:16:45 - The 60-second Soundscape: before we go, at the end of the show, natural sounds from a place you know. This week, cricketers in Charlwood. If you get value from The Planet Reigate Podcast, please click here to support us with a small donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/theplanetreigatepodcast or share us with your colleagues. It’s our first birthday! Thanks for all your support for The Planet Reigate Podcast over the last 12 months – and we want to stay bringing you more of what you want to hear and would love it if you had a few minutes to complete our short survey. Thank you in advance! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RAB6HN/*CREDITS:The seven-note Planet Reigate Theme is ©Peter StewartOther music www.Pond5.com:GTG - inspiringaudio Item ID: 116855857NEWS - ThomPie Item ID: 75456323STARS - jwsaudio Item ID: 073206386 SOUNDSCAPE PolkadotFlowersMusic Item ID: 136304431GUITAR - Frogard Item ID: 114324148GUITAR -sweet-sentimental-and-happy - by dturbide ID 066572138 FADEPALMER 2 - inc DARK CLASSICAL, CLASSIC light Vic, SAD WINTER UPLIFTING - corporate bed tech - by RomanAminov ID 053110335 Listen: https://linktr.ee/PlanetReigatePodcast Web: www.ThePlanetReigatePodcast.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ThePlanetReigatePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Planet Reigate Podcast.
Hello, this is Peter Stewart. Welcome to episode 52. Yes, it's our anniversary edition of the Planet Reigate podcast. One year old today. And this is how we're reflecting and celebrating our love of life around here. This week in our anniversary edition.
Well, I've been to see Loveworks to hear more about what they do from their volunteers, the local food bank, and how you can get involved as well. and we continue our mini-series on the life of Samuel Palmer, local artist who became world famous. Now this week, his most famous artwork created here in Reigate, and it's of a view that you know so well today.
Also in the news, better buses to Gatwick, more on the new local dog walking restrictions locally. You may be surprised about what you can and can't do anymore. A local couple are trying to visit all lifeboat stations in the UK. There are more than 200 of them.
I'll tell you about a new shop that's opened up on Prices Lane in Reigate, a new place to get your coffee in Earlswood, got a couple of clarifications about the Harlequin, And talking about arts and entertainment, I'll tell you more about the big arts takeover in Redhill next month.
In sport, a result roundup from last weekend's football, how two local clubs have merged and play their first match this weekend. The opening of Surrey's largest pool hall locally. Details of a new basketball club which is opening up. Plus, of course, we've got the good time guide of events across the area across the week ahead. Planet Rygate stars from Redhill.
Our 60-second soundscape before we go at the end of the show. Natural sounds from a place you know. This week from Charlewood. Plus... It's our anniversary edition. I'll give you a brief overview of some of the stories we've covered over the last 12 months and the top 10 of our most listened to episodes.
Plus, if you would like to get involved and steer the show into year two, then please check out the link to our survey, which is in the show notes this week.
This is the Planet Reigate podcast with Peter Stewart.
Welcome to our anniversary edition of the Planet Reigate podcast. Very much appreciated. As I often say, thank you for the loan of your ears this week and indeed every week that we are here for the past 52. Very much appreciated, particularly if you're one of those people who likes to get involved and contact the show.
well we've got a few comments which have come in that i wanted to pass on to you this week we've got this one for example and it says quote congratulations on a great podcast that's from caroline david says as a former reigate resident i'd like to say thanks for the podcast nice to keep up with all the reigate information from where i live now
Rygate Priory Football Club said we've been listening to us on our number one favourite podcast it's available now wherever you get your podcasts absolutely so wherever you are you can follow us on your favourite social media social media yeah this is how you follow us oh and the good time guide is up and coming in a few seconds
Email hello at theplanetreigatepodcast.com Find out more at theplanetreigatepodcast.com Leave a text or voice message on WhatsApp 07917 874572 and leave a review on your favorite podcast app. Support us at buymeacoffee.com slash theplanetreigatepodcast The Good Time Guide. Things to do and places to go on the Planet Reigate podcast.
And if you want to mention for your charity or your non-profit event, do let us know about it. You can fill out the form you'll find on theplanetreigatepodcast.com. Also on that front page, you'll find the last five episodes. And also, if you scroll down a little bit further, you'll find what we call a hot link. to every single feature that we've done over the past year.
So you'll just be able to read the headline, click on the link, and it'll take you to the specific point in the show that interview or that feature or that report was included. So again, theplanetreigatepodcast.com. And first of all, let's start off with... Details of the Heritage Open Weekend, or really the Heritage Open Week, because that's what it is.
Now, if you haven't actually heard about Heritage Open Days, let me explain a little bit. Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences, and all of them are free to explore. Now, it goes from the 6th
to the 15th of September this year, so we're just getting underway with that. So let's tell you some of the events which are happening this year. Now, incidentally, if you want some more details on any or all of these, heritageopendays.org.uk is the website that you need to go to.
And first of all, I want to tell you what Anne has written to me about, because she says I'm one of the staff team at St Matthew's Church in Redhill. She says, we're opening up the building as part of National Heritage Open Day scheme on Saturday the 7th between 10 and 4. And it's a great chance to explore our Victorian church and the connection between church, town and the railway.
We've got a number of connections to the railway and the growth of Redhill itself with the coming of the railways.
Yeah, I know about this because if you scroll down on the front page of theplanetrightgapodcast.com and then click through to all of our episodes and the link there, if you scroll to episode T-3, so that's one of our pre-launch episodes, T-3, you'll be able to hear our History of Red Hill episode in that in which we talked about
the link between red hill and the railways and and says yeah we've got a number of connections between the railway and red hill and there's going to be a chance to take a self-guided tour around our stained glass windows children's activities plans for a modern railway installation refreshments as well the local history society will also bring along a display of some of the pictures and information that they've got regarding the connections between red hill and the railways
So that's tomorrow, Saturday, the 7th of September. As I say, the times there are between 10 and 4. So that's what's happening then. Also, I can tell you that... On the 14th of September, so these, no particular order, so this is at the back end of Heritage Open Week, 14th of September, Historic Vehicle Display run by Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society is at Tunnel Road.
If you want to hear a bit more about the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society, I interviewed them in Episode 5 of the show. Also, Heath Church, Reigate, happening tomorrow, Saturday. That's off Flangeford Road in Reigate. You can discover Heath Church, which is the daughter church of St Mary Magdalene Church in Reigate. It was put up in 1907, so just past the cottages.
There's a little lane immediately after the last cottage. Go up there. And it's just up the end on the right-hand side. So you can't park up there. So what would I suggest? Probably parking at one of those Heath car parks and then walking back. It's only a couple of minutes, isn't it? Talking of which, the Cranston Library.
Yes, St Mary's Church in Chart Lane in Reigate, opening tomorrow, Saturday. Discover a tiny, exquisite parish library founded in the early 18th century. It's thought to be a forerunner of today's public libraries, so you'll be able to find out all about the history and the story about its founder, Andrew Cranston. Yeah, I believe it's supposed to be the oldest library in the entire world.
Talking about old, do you know about the Medieval Undercroft in Reigate? It's an amazing opportunity to discover the Medieval Undercroft. It's between West Street and Slipshoe Street in Reigate. And this is happening on Sunday the 8th. So, West Street, Slipshoe Street in Reigate and that Undercroft there. Pre-booking not required and you can go along there on Sunday the 8th.
Also, I can tell you about Buckland Windmill, which, if you don't know this, this is at Dungates Lane at Betchworth. It's being opened on the 14th of September, and it's the only surviving wind-powered sawmill in the whole of the UK. It's a tiny windmill designed to support the on-site sawmill and woodyard, and you can go along to see that. Again, you don't need to book, just rock up on the 14th.
And I think we've got another couple to tell you about. First of all, the Holmesdale Natural History Club Museum, which is being opened on the 14th, probably enough, on the 4th at 14 Croydon Road. Founded in 1857, the Holmesdale Natural History Club is opening its private museum of natural history, local history, local archaeology and geology as well. St Michael's Church in Betchworth.
Yeah, we've been there a couple of times. You'll hear about a couple of people who were buried in their churchyard in episode 30 of the Planet Reigate podcast. And also we did the links between that church and it's being featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral in episode 35 of the podcast. Sir Michael's beautiful church, a picturesque village of Betchworth, of course.
And yes, indeed, it was the first church in that 90s blockbuster. And you'll be able to go in and go around and hear more about it. Various dates that you'll be able to come across if you click through on heritageopendays.org.uk. St John the Evangelist Church in Redhill. Outstanding in more ways than one.
Not only is it outstanding because it can be seen for miles around, but also it's an outstanding example of the Victorian Gothic revival. And you can see the original Victorian stained glass, a gilded triptych. That's a three-part kind of picture and also a fine organ as well. Multiple dates that you can go along to that over the course of the coming week. Heritageopendays.org.uk for more on that.
Gatton Park is open on the 7th, so that is tomorrow, Saturday. Usually you have to pay to get in there, but you can enjoy a guided tour of the capability brown design landscape and Edwardian gardens, including the Japanese garden, which is celebrating 25 years since its restoration. You do have to pre-book for that one. Again, you can do that via heritageopendays.org.uk.
And pre-booking is required if you want to have a little look around the Reigate, Beaumont, Barchester Healthcare Care Home, which is there on Collie Lane. You can have a tour of their beautiful grounds and the history surrounding the home, various dates over the course of the coming week. And for any or all of these, heritageopendays.org.uk.
Let's tell you about a few other things which are going on. And let's stay with Saturday, first of all, because we can tell you about a new opening of a shop in the Belfry. It's called Cosmic Comics. It's going to be your local comic shop that stocks comic books, new and old.
A great range of collectibles, including action figures and Funko trading cards, including Pokemon, movie posters, movie merchandise like mugs, badges and key rings as well. Plus, Autism All-Stars are going to be at the centre for the grand opening with some of your favourite TV and movie characters as well. So that's happening Saturday between 10 and 4.
OK, let's move on to Sunday and there's the Reigate Triathlon on Sunday and it's all kind of centred on Buckland Lake on the A25.
It's going on between 9.30 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon or there or thereabouts and of course they are going to be using some local roads because as their write-up says, take a 750m open water swim in the lake followed by a scenic 20k loop on the bike around the country lanes of Reigate and the surrounding area.
finally to finish the route completes a 5k circuit around the perimeter of the lake whether you've got friends and family running or you're a local resident and want to get involved we'd love for you to come and share your support for all the runners joining us in the triathlon the more the merrier they say plenty of opportunity to see the runners out on the course they're going to need all the motivation they can get as they swim bike and run around the area uh essentially um
Yeah, passing down the old road and the old Rygate Road, Kiln Lane to Brockham, there and thereabouts. So if you're in that neck of the woods, you may want to check that out. Go along there with your bicycle bells and your cow bells and so on. And it's going to be really, really interesting for you to see all of that.
Now, if you want a specific route that they're going to be passing, then go to runthrough.co.uk.au. and then check out the events page for that, and you'll be able to see the loop and some pictures and how. If you're really desperate to join up, you can do that as well. Sunday, the 8th of September, the Quality Street Fair. Gates open at 11 through till 4.
Parking is nearby or at the station car park for $2.70. And they say, please support this historic street fair. Once again, we're raising money for two local charities. We've got a bar, eats and treats, craft stalls, archery, boxing, boxing. Thanks for watching. Also, we're back for our second Rygate Toy Fair at the Priory School Sports Hall.
Had a great busy first fair with a great range of trade, as they say. And we're going to have some more cosplayers on Sunday. Pokemon sellers, vintage toys and collectibles, board games, 80s and 90s toys, retro games, early bird entrance from 9am is going to be £2 and then free entry from 10am. So, as I say, that's the 8th of September. Got another one on November the 17th, by the way.
Reigate Priory Junior School Sports Hall. So you can get into that via Morrisons, of course. Do be aware of that maximum two-hour stay. Hands up, hands up if you've been caught out with the two-hour stay at Morrisons and have to pay a £60 fine. Yeah, you as well. Yeah. Not just me then. OK. We've got plenty more to come on this week's episode of the Planet Reigate podcast.
I'll do a little bit of casting back and looking back at some of the most successful, most listened to shows over the past 12 months. Tell you how you can get involved with the next 12 months. We've got our 60-second soundscape. We've got our Planet Reigate stars. We've got another edition of the Good Time Guide looking at events which are happening in the week ahead.
Plus, of course, we've got our main feature this week from Loveworks.
MUSIC
Hi, I'm Kate Curtis. I'm Loveworks Chief Charity Officer.
So you're joining us at the Loveworks warehouse, and you've already got some donations coming in on this Friday morning. Kate is with me. Kate, where are these donations coming from?
These are all coming from the Carrington School in Redhill, so they look like they've done a big collection for us yesterday, and we were very delighted to get a message from them yesterday to say that they were bringing all these donations this morning, and they've turned up with a vanload of food and children, which is excellent.
They're not donating the children? I hope they're not. Can we have a look and see what they are donating and what kind of things you're asking for and what kind of things people are handing over?
Yeah, we have a list of what we need, essential items for the food bank. So in here we've got jars of pasta sauce, there's tins of fruit, tins of potatoes, cereals, cannelloni beans in here, meat.
casseroles there's a tin of beef curry irish stew and corned beef so all of these will be sorted and check they're all in date and then we'll be ready to go on our shelves and be packed to put into food parcels and a lot of this is really useful stuff isn't it i'm just having a look down here we've got biscuits and we've got cereal also we've got some other things as well which aren't food that you take to some toiletries
Yeah, we don't ask for toiletries. Most of those are donated to us by the Hygiene Bank, which are a national charity. But if people have got toiletries that, again, has to be unopened, then we'll happily take it. That's a big lot of peanut butter here today, which we don't normally get. But that's sometimes a nice change from the jam and marmalade that we usually hand out.
And also I'm really impressed and really interested that the peanut butter, for example, and some other things here, I think that looks like Waitrose packaging, but peanut butter is from Marks & Spencer's.
I mean, if we're buying it ourselves with money that's been donated to us, we tend to go for the budget brands, but it's nice that we get a real mixture.
Absolutely, and more bags coming out. There must be probably 20, and they're going back to get some more bags as well. This is really impressive, isn't it?
Really impressive, yeah. I mean, our Carrington School, they're really good contributors. We often get donations from them, but this looks a fantastic one here.
we do is get our Saturday team of Duke of Edinburgh volunteers go through and sort everything by date so we know the shorter date stuff so 2024 we need to sort and get out quickly and you'll see we've got some 2028 here and that will be a lower priority and we'll hand that out in due course.
I mean, we try and think about meals, so it's sort of having some carbohydrate, like potato, pasta, rice, something protein, so that could be a vegetarian dish or it could be chicken curry, chili con carne, beef casseroles, and then vegetables to go with that, so tinned carrots, peas. We also give out some fresh food as well to try and help support that.
And then there's treats as well, so there's some fresh fruit, there's tinned fruit.
there's rice pudding custard biscuits and then we always have some extras which are things that people we do things that we don't ask for but people donate donate so it's things like packets of crisps chocolates you see the shelf there one of our volunteers is out there's some squash juices and various different cooking things so anything that's donated will if it's not on our list we'll still go out as extras and give people a bit of a treat and get
them thinking a bit differently about cooking as well and what they can use.
Pasta we don't need we've got shelves above us that are full of pasta and we've got lots of baked beans so the two things we definitely don't need are our pasta or baked beans but most of the things on our list and we always have an updated list on our website so that anybody knows what we do need but I can tell you now meat we give out in the region of 900 tins of meat a month so what may look like a shelf that's fairly full the what's on our shelves now won't last as
That's not going to last very long, is it? I mean, there's, what, 100, 150 there, something like that?
Yeah, so that will be gone in a week. So what looks like a lot of stock will go very quickly.
And what kind of people are you helping? These are obviously people who've got a bit of problem with their finances at this stage. They can't afford to feed themselves and their family.
Yeah, I mean, to be honest, we've always said it could be anybody, it could happen to anybody. And we've seen that probably even more so since the pandemic. I think most people were out of work prior to the pandemic. Now we have people working, we've got teachers, we've got nurses, we've got people who are just having a bit of a problem with maybe some large bills at the moment.
And if you're living kind of just about to your means and something like a large car bill or a gentleman at the moment, he can't afford a coat and he's using us because he wants to buy a coat. And in fact, we are going to probably donate a coat to him anyway.
But it's people who are just, you know, life's just given them a bad deal and other people whose lives are just fairly chaotic or they just can't get themselves out of debt. But it literally could be anybody.
These people don't just rock up here and ask for a handout, ask for a box of food. These people who are referred officially.
Yeah, everybody has to be referred. And we do that for a number of reasons. Using a food bank is usually a symptom of something else. So it's important we're working with other professional services to help people move out of food poverty. The last thing we want is people just being stuck using a food bank or food being given to people that don't need it. So everybody's referred.
It could be a school, a doctor's surgery, a housing association, systems advice, the council. I mean, we've got a list probably of about 50 different referral agencies. So it's very easy for anyone to get a referral if they need it. But we do want to make sure that it's just checked and that we're supporting people in every way that they need to be supported.
So you are working with a number of other agencies to help people beyond just in the kitchen?
Yeah, and that's something that Loveworks are really focused on is how we help people move out of food poverty. So we work with the referral agencies and we have a support worker at every food bank to try and understand and listen to why people are coming to us.
And sometimes, for example, someone might have been referred from a school and they've come to the food bank and actually the discussion with our support worker, we find out that actually they've got a real debt problem and we can refer them to signpost them onto a debt agency or they're struggling with domestic abuse and we can signpost them onto East Surrey Domestic Abuse.
So we try and do more than just hand them food.
OK, now, as is often the way, when I come somewhere and there's a hubbub of people doing things, everyone goes quiet when the microphone goes on, because let's move over to some of the helpers over here, some of the volunteers. Hello, I'm George. What is your role today? What are you up to?
today we're packing parcels so we have a sheet for each beneficiary of the various food items they want to be provided anything they can't have we're aware of and we gather those items from around the warehouse put together parcels that are then taken out to the food banks today these ones we're doing on friday these are done into bags that are home delivered to people who aren't able to get to food banks themselves
So these people could be elderly, could be disabled, something like that?
Absolutely. OK. You've got some fantastic-looking loaves over here. You are supported by some local cafes and bakers, aren't you?
Two local bakeries, Gales and Chalk Hill, donate a lot of bread to us. They're excess that we can give out. A big thing we do here is, you know, it's dignity. It's not just having something to eat, but actually being able to provide something where people can feel good about themselves.
And, you know, certainly having nice bread from a local bakery rather than just the cheapest one off the shelves, I think, goes a long way towards that.
And talk to me a little bit, George, about what you put into people's food parcels as regards dietary requirements or also perhaps ethnicity and background and the kind of foods and flavours from their perhaps home countries.
When we have a beneficiary sign on, they will have a long phone conversation. We'll take details on things they specifically don't want, things they specifically do want. Certainly we've packed parcels that are halal. We do vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free. When we're packing, even if there's no preference given, we do try to give a balance.
in terms of both what sort of foods they're getting, but also brands.
OK, George, thanks very much. And also another volunteer over here. Hello, who are you?
I'm Lynne.
Hi, Lynne. How many years have you been here volunteering?
Well, I'm not sure, but I think it's about eight or nine. I retired from my job as a health visitor and I wanted to do something, you know, in the community. And this came up, so I joined.
Okay, and what are you doing today? What's your role today?
Well, today is just packing parcels for people who are at home and can't get to the food bank. So this is somebody who needs soft, easy-to-eat food. So we just take whichever...
items they've marked and the number of items they've marked so it's a variety and then we have extras like bread and cakes and at the food banks people go through the boxes that we've packed for them and they will sometimes put aside things that they think they don't need or want or like so that other people can have it yes thank you very much indeed for talking to me and for for your work as well and another volunteer here as well doing some more paperwork
I'm Melanie.
Hi, Melanie.
I'm the packing team leader today.
Oh, so you're the boss of these two.
Well, I wouldn't say that. It's very much teamwork here, but we do all have different roles. I get the list of who we're going to be packing for today, and then I have to find all their individual sheets that they're now packing from. I get the bread from Gail's last night, so I pack that up, and obviously the allergy stuff needs to be marked up.
I pack the fresh veg, and then every week we have a special. So this week our special is washing powder and washing up liquid.
And some of these extras over here are things which you don't necessarily ask for, but they're kind of little treats, they're little different things. We've got some relish here, a cider chutney and some stuffing, mayonnaise, some rather nice posh coffee as well.
One time we had a tin of jackfruit and suddenly said, I'm a chef, I know what to do with that. And so we have weird and wonderful things. That's why they get the choice.
And all of this makes sure that none of the food that is donated goes to waste?
No, absolutely. I mean, there's lobster bisque soup and all sorts of things because give them the choice. It's not just basic food. We want to give them the chance to enjoy something and have a treat as well.
Thank you so much. I'll let you get back to your work and come back over to Kate. Kate, what is the overarching message that you want to get out to people who are listening to this?
think it's making people aware of who we are and what we do and also understanding that actually there is a massive need and people may think that living in Reigate and the local area it's fairly affluent but we can tell you the numbers.
There are still those pockets on there.
Massive and not just pockets I can tell you you would be surprised by the roads that we either deliver to or people come to our food banks from it literally is right across the whole of Reigate and the local area and also that we really need donations of food it's really important that people look at our list and see what we need so
Though it's nice to have some extras, we need to make sure that people are donating the basics so we can give people what they need each week.
OK, and volunteers to help you, not just here, but also down at your gardens, your allotments, where you're growing fresh veg over the summer.
We've got two allotments and we grow fresh vegetables that we bring to the food bank from parsnips and Brussels sprouts. So if people want to volunteer at the allotment, that's great. Help digging and weeding and watering and planting.
So that all-important website for people to find out what is on your wish list at the moment and how they can get involved.
Loveworks.org.uk is the website.
And that website also will have your contact details if people want to contribute in another way. Maybe it's fundraising through a school, which we saw a little bit earlier on at the start of this, or maybe it's a business raising money, something like that.
We need funds in order to help run the organisation and also to buy food that isn't donated. So please think of us when you're doing any fundraising. If you want to run Rygate, if you're doing any sort of individual fundraising or your company can do anything where you can...
either donate food or money then we'd really appreciate it we've got a number of events coming up this year which will all be on our website so as much as anybody could support us we rely on the local community for everything so anything anyone can do to help would be really appreciated
And thanks to everyone down at Loveworks who made me feel so welcome when I went down to their warehouse a few weeks ago, just ahead of the summer holidays, as you probably realised. This is the Planet Rygate podcast. I'm Peter Stewart. If you'd like to help us move into our second year, then please fill out the survey that you'll find in our show notes.
So wherever you're listening to this, there'll be a page of notes and links and so on that we always put there. So scroll down that and you'll be able to see a link through to our survey. Love it if you are a regular or even if you're a new listener that you can fill out that survey.
Just kind of gives us an idea of the kind of features and the kind of things that you like to hear on the Planet Rygate podcast. Each week we present our news and sports sequence. So here we go with this week's. A bus route which runs through the area is going to be extended to give a new connection to Gatwick. Service 420 currently runs from Sutton to Whitebushes.
However, it's now started to be extended to run via Hawley and Gatwick Airport South Terminal stopping in Crawley. It's Metrobus which operates the route. They say that the 420 will no longer serve white bushes, but the area will continue to be served by Route 460 instead.
Also in the news this week, well, we've got some more on the Dogs Public Space Protection Order for Reigate and Redhill that we mentioned a few weeks back. It's a fixed penalty notice of £80 if you don't follow the new rules. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, yeah, but they're probably quite straightforward and easy to understand. Well, you may need to.
There are dog exclusion zones in all or part of these play areas, playgrounds, parks, recs, sports areas, or open spaces. Needless to say, they can be called various different things across the borough, across the country. So, are you used to walking your dog in any of these places? Well, start off with Red Hill.
And then I've got a I'm going to drill down a little bit to give you a kind of idea of the kinds of restrictions there might be where you usually walk your dog. Obviously, I can't go into details for every single one of these, but let's just give you the details for one of them in a few moments time. But first of all, these are where some restrictions will be.
As I say, these play areas, playgrounds, parks, rec, sports areas or open spaces in Red Hill. First of all, come to Reigate in a couple of ticks.
Abinger Drive, Alderstead Heath, Battlebridge Rec, Brook Road, Colesmead Rec, Earlswood Common, Fairfax Avenue, French's Road, Greenway, Ifold Road, Memorial Park, Merstham Rec, Petridgewood Common, Redhill Common, Redstone Cemetery, Salford's Rec, Sabrosa Drive, Whitebushes Play Area and the Wordsworth Mead Play Area. And in Reigate, the restrictions will now be at the Castle Grounds.
You walk your dog there. Or on Collie Hill, the East Road Play Area, Gatton Park, Hartswood Play Area, Priory Park, the Reigate Garden of Remembrance, Reigate Heath, Sandcross Skate and BMX Park, South Park Play Area, St Mary's Church, Trumpets Hill Road, Ray Common and Woodhatch Park Play Area. So as I say... There's a lot for you to take in.
And if you know those areas and you walk dogs there, it may be worth you seeking out more information about the restrictions which have now come into force. Because some of those restrictions you will need to know to save yourself a fine. So what kinds of things are we talking about?
Well, I could have taken any of those wrecks, parks or grounds or whatever, but I thought let's concentrate on Priory Park because that's an area that most people know and can visualise. So I'm just using this as an example. It could have been one of the wrecks, it could have been Collie Hill, it could have been all sorts of places. But let's just take Priory Park because most people know it.
And we'll look at the restrictions specifically there. So from now on, the following additional rules apply to specific parts of Priory Park. So the formal gardens area. So that's from behind the tennis courts to Bell Street. And from the Ha Ha, that's that dip to Morrison's and Bell Street car park. That is now a dog on lead area. So your dog has got to be on a lead at all times in that area.
Secondly, the footpath and the bank around the lake, that is a dog on lead area. The playground is a dog exclusion area, no dogs at all. Number four, the multi-use games area. So that's the basketball court to the side of the tennis courts. That now is a dog exclusion area. And the tennis courts, again, as you might expect, a dog exclusion area as well.
Now, certainly, I've walked a dog previously in the gardens area and around the lake, and she hasn't been on a lead. So if you are used to doing that, they now have to be.
um so those are the rules by the council which have just come in if you want some more information reigate-bandstead.gov.uk cromwell park is getting a makeover it started this past week it includes the cage the seating area and the grass areas as well a local couple are attempting to visit all 238 rnli lifeboat stations of the uk and ireland they're
They're a quarter of their way through their challenge. They're Alan and Helen Thornhill from Smallfield. They're raising funds for the life-saving charity, which celebrated its 200th anniversary a little bit earlier on this year. They've reached their 60th lifeboat station in Northumberland.
And since the beginning of June, they've been to Kent, Sussex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and Edinburgh. So... all essentially on the south or the kind of southeast coast, East Anglian coast, and then Edinburgh. They say they're doing the challenge on and off over a period of a couple of years to fit around work.
So far, they've raised more than £600 for the RNLI, so congratulations to them. Got a couple of shops which have opened up. Spin Slow Style Boutique celebrates sustainability and less waste. It's a pre-loved fashion-for-all outlet with hand-selected indies on rotation, so it's a sustainable store. Five Prices Lane in Reigate, RH2. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 till 5. Sunday, 11 till 3.
That's handy being open on a Sunday. Closed on a Monday. Also, let me tell you about a coffee bar which is open. Not really a shop, but if you've
kind of thought well earlswood needs somewhere for proper coffee well now there is somewhere it's a short hop skip and a jump away from earlswood station it's actually outside the old chestnut pub and if you bring your own cup along you get a large coffee for the price of a regular so that's pretty good news isn't it so if you're on your way to or from the station or walking into town from elsewhere you
then you'll be able to stop off there and you will be able to get a cup of coffee. Moving on to the Harlequin Theatre, I said there was a bit of an update. They say they've received so many questions regarding the shops below the Harlequin Theatre building and why they aren't affected by RAC as the theatre itself is.
Well, they say the building's management agents have confirmed that the shops are not affected as the first floor slab that sits above the ground floor units and below the theatre and library...
is solid reinforced concrete and it's not that crumbly aerated concrete that rack is also talking about the harlequin the council says work to explore potential options where they can be holding arts and cultural events is well underway work to progress the detailed rack survey continues
And in working up the options, they want to engage with existing and potential users of art and cultural spaces, residents and customers about what they want going into the future. We spoke about this a couple of three weeks ago, didn't I? And there are plans for an engagement exercise in October. And I'll bring you more details on that as soon as I can. And the Arts Takeover is back.
Yeah, after the success of 2023's week-long Arts Takeover, it's back for 2024. More sessions and more opportunities to take part in the arts locally. Now, the week is designed to showcase the huge personal and communal benefits... that art and creativity offer.
So you're able to take part in all sorts of workshops, comedy writing, poetry, learning DJ skills, the traditional art pottery and photography session. There is a slight cost for some of these, somewhere between £5 and £20. There are also performances to enjoy throughout the week around Redhill Town Centre.
Yeah, Redhill has not been forgotten, even though there is a little bit of a challenge in actually putting this on without the harlequin and so on. So the dates you need, the 5th to the 12th of October.
I thought you'd like to kind of put some dates in your diary, which is why I'm going to tell you about all of the events which are coming up between the 5th and the 12th of October with the Redhill Arts Takeover right now. Here we go. So then let's start off on Saturday, Saturday the 5th at 10 o'clock.
There's going to be an art exhibition featuring self-portraits by various artists from Daisy, which is an umbrella organisation which celebrates and promotes the work of deaf, disabled and neurodiverse artists. It's happening at the Belfry from 10 a.m. And from 10.15, same place. On Saturday the 5th, KCA cheerleading performance. They're going to be there.
Now, KCA enter around five competitions a year and perform at many local events. So you'll be able to see them perform and also ask any questions and see whether your youngster wants to get involved in that as well. There's a stand-up comedy writing workshop for 18 years and over on Saturday the 5th of October, 12.30 to 4.30, and this is at Christ Central on London Road.
Back to the Belfry, between 1 and 2, the Include Choir is going to be performing, and also at the Belfry, between 2 and 3, the Rygate School of Ballet are going to be putting on a performance. And then between three and four, Unison and the Missing People's Choir are going to be singing their hearts out. And then also at the Belfry, Red Hill goes to Bollywood.
It's a performance with audience interaction, which is going to be going on there. That's what's going to be happening on the Saturday. Let's move on to Monday the 7th. Art for Relaxation is going to be something which is going on between 10 and half eleven tonight. at the Garibaldi Community Pub.
At 10 o'clock at Christ Central on that day, the concertina sketchbook and mark making between 10 and half 12. You'll use paint, inks, pens and collage to produce a number of pages using a theme or making a zen doodle shape that you see in work which is going to be shown to you. At 3.45 between then and 5 o'clock at the Belfry, Messy Arts for Kids, aged 8+.
On Tuesday the 8th, storytelling's going to be happening at the Garibaldi Community Pub. Storytelling with a twist, and especially for adults, is what we're told. On the 9th, at Memorial Park, Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Workshop with the Brockham Arts Club. So that's going to be happening between 7.30 at night and 10.30 at night. Well, it's got to be at night if it's glowing the dark, isn't it?
25 spaces available for that. Let's move on to Thursday. Thursday the 10th of October at St Matthew's Church, free lunchtime concert. So go along and listen to Reigate Grammar School soloists over lunch. It's all part of St Matthew's Church regular Thursday concerts. Let's stick with Thursday and an African drumming workshop at the Belfry between 6.30 at night and 8 o'clock at night.
20 spaces available and £8 for those tickets. There's an open mic music with Simon Bull for the 18s and over at the Junction Pub on the High Street. 75 places for that. Come and jam. Simon Bull hosting his popular open mic in the heart of Redhill.com. Any musicians wanting to play should sign up at arts at reigate-banstead.gov.uk.
And then at 8 o'clock at the United Reform Church at Shaw's Corner, there's a unison choir with their open choir practice. So that's the 10th. Let's move on to Saturday the 12th. Photography Walk with Reigate Photographic Society. So I think I featured them in, I think it was episode 5 of the Planet Reigate podcast.
So they are doing a walk between 10 and half 11 and it's all going to be starting off from Memorial Park. 15 spaces are available for that crochet in the park is going to be happening again a memorial park crochet for beginners and more experienced people as well between 10 and midday on Saturday the 12th there's a DJ taster session happening at the Belfry. between 11 and 1 on the 12th.
There's an adult painting class also at the shopping centre between 2 and half past 3. And dance for all with all dance abilities at Donnings between 3 and 3.45 on Saturday the 12th, as I say, between 3 and 3.45. And it's another event which is happening just for the Arts Takeover in Redhill.
And of course, you can hear more about what is happening, where it's happening, what time it's happening and book your places. If you go to reigate-banstead.gov.uk and you have a little search around for the Arts Takeover event. As I always say, for more information, get in touch with me and I'll put you in touch with them.
Thank you.
The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill.
Let's turn our attention to sport now. Local football roundup from our friend Stuart Holmes who's compiled this for us. Three local teams were in the Emirates FA Cup. First qualifying round action last weekend and there were wins for Merstham who won 2-1 at Stenningtown. Also for South Park who won 1-0 at Bracknelltown.
Redhill lost 3-1 away to Hastings and Hawleytown lost at home 3-1 to Camberleytown. And this week's draw for the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round, Merstham will play away to National League Southside Tunbridge Angels. Now, that's a pretty tough draw for Merstham against a team which are currently unbeaten in their league. And once again, our thanks to Stuart for compiling that for us.
Well, Spencer says two things. First of all, there's going to be a food bank donation collection at South Park FC Whitehall Lane from three to half five on Sunday the 8th. And he also tells this story, quote, 10 years ago, he says, I started the push locally so our daughters and young girls could have somewhere to go and play football.
I had this idea that one day I'd love to have a women's first team. The problem is that at 18, girls leave the area to go to university. But Just down the road at Reigate School, Zoe was building her own dream of a women's football club. But now Zoe and Reigate Women have become South Park Reigate FC Women's First Team.
And this Sunday the 8th, it's their first home league game versus Cranley, kicking off at 3.30, which is fantastic. It's free. And they're trying to get an historic crowd at the game as well. They'll have some pre-match and half-time things going on for the kids. Penalty shootout, crossbar challenge, nearest to the centre spot, that kind of thing. And Spencer says,
Our thanks to Spencer for passing that on and our hopes that Reigate women and Zoe's team as well joining together as South Park Reigate FC women's first team are going to win their first match and continue to win matches this coming weekend certainly against Cranley.
friday the 6th so if you're listening to this it's today as it is published but friday the 6th at seven o'clock spots and stripes opens in red hill yeah we've spoken about this on the program before if you don't get to see them today friday then perhaps sometime over the weekend or if
forthcoming weeks particularly as the as the knights draw in they're at the queen's way well just uh near the sun pub just near sainsbury's there in red hill and it's going to be opened on friday at 7 p.m and including an exhibition by ultimate pool player and former world champ carl morris It is Surrey's largest pool hall, snooker and darts venue, 37 tables, 10 dartboards.
So it's going to be 16 eight-ball pool tables, 16 nine-ball tables, 4 snooker tables, a Chinese eight-ball table, 10 dartboards. And this is what they say. There's been a pool hall and snooker club in the centre of Redhill for several decades now. And as you may have known, it was Colours, Riley's, Q's and Brooklyn's before us.
Sadly, in 2023, they all closed their doors, but now Spots and Stripes is there. And it's going to be great stuff. I remember Q's, certainly. Yeah, very distinctive logo, as I recall there, passing by. And so good luck to them. Hope that opening goes really, really well. I think Carl is known as Houdini, isn't he, in the pool and snooker world? I think so.
We're happy to announce the new basketball club for both boys and girls in school years 7 to 11 in Redhill, Reigate and surrounding areas. Our goal is to provide an inclusive, enjoyable and professional basketball session, including learning by fun and match play. Cara, meet us at Carrington School, Tuesday, September 10th. All levels welcome.
So it's going to be every Tuesday, 6 till 7, £5 to play a session. And as I say, that's going to be at Carrington. And it's run Rygate later on this month on the 22nd. And we thought here at the Planet Rygate podcast, we'd bring you some helpful thoughts from some of those who've conquered the course before.
So we asked Linda from Rygate Priory Athletics Club to speak with some of her friends there at this week's training session to get their advice.
Hi, this is Linda Rodriguez-McRobbie. I am with Red Gate Priory Athletic Club. I'm here with Jaz Donda. You're a coach with us. From your wealth of experience, both having done it and being a coach, what are some of your top tips that you would give to people running the races this year?
The biggest thing I would ask people not to do is not to go off too fast. It's such a fast course. Even that first hill, the adrenaline, you're with everybody, and then you've got a very long downhill, and you can... Go too quick and be done for by the time you turn around to head back again. So every time I've done that, I've been pretty much done for by the time we've turned.
And then it begins to get harder because it's more uphill. So start off nice and steady. Don't run a pace you've never run before. Take it easy. My coaching tip is when you do find yourself getting tired or slowing down, relax and think about your form. Pick up your heels, pick up your knees, naturally get your pace back up and you should feel easier.
Kate, how many times have you done Run, Ride, Gate?
I've done it every year since it first began.
And what do you usually do?
I tend to pace myself really right from the start. I find that works best for me. Basically, it's just finding a pace that you're comfortable with.
So we are here with Gavin Lawrence, who is one of our coaches. Gavin, what is the hardest part of Run, Ride, Gate?
The start and the finish, without a doubt, because they're both really hilly.
And what is your sort of top tip for tackling the hills?
just to try and stay relaxed and keep your head up. Lots of people look down when they go up hills and that just means that it's harder work. So yeah, stay relaxed, keep your breathing light and yeah, look ahead rather than down.
We've got our Planet Reigate stars in a few moments' time. We'll continue Sam's story, the story of Samuel Palmer, who was an artist who lived locally in Reigate, one of his most famous creations. I was going to say painting, not a painting. One of his most famous creations is actually of a scene that you still know today, more than 100 years later.
And so I'm going to be continuing that story about Samuel Palmer in a few moments' time. Also, we've got our good time guide for the week ahead. I'm going to tell you a little bit more about our anniversary. And run down the top ten most listened to episodes, courtesy of you and your support over the last 12 months. And also our 60-second soundscape before we go at the end of the show.
Natural sounds from a place you know.
Planet Reigate Stars. Thanking local heroes who are out of this world.
Don't forget, if you would like a facilitator for your club, your business, your group, your organisation, or maybe an emcee for your event, maybe you're after someone to be interviewed on stage or a judge, then speak to me and I may be able to help you out. Hello at theplanetreigatepodcast.com. OK, here comes this week's Planet Reigate Star Award. From Red Hill, Katie says... Thank you again.
It was such a lovely thing to do and I'll make sure I pay for your good deed going forward. So if you were that lady in the Sainsbury's car park who paid for someone else's parking, thank you from me and from them as well. And hopefully you will accept this week's sprinkle of stardust in our Planet Reigate Star Award.
From the Planet Reigate podcast, a new exhibition at Adams Gallery in Reigate celebrates the work of Samuel Palmer and William Blake and commemorates their first meeting exactly 200 years ago. Yeah, I said 100 years ago, didn't I? Twice as long. It's even more significant. But who was Samuel Palmer, and what were his links with the Planet Reigate area? Now, last week I started off the story.
Next week I'll conclude it. Next week. Oh, next week. Boy, oh boy. Last week I told you about his early career, his love of a young girl who became his wife, and his extravagant honeymoon. Now, the story continues on the Planet Reigate podcast. In 1861, the Palmer family moved out of London to a small cottage in Reigate. Why?
Well, their oldest son Thomas was ill and it was thought that the country air would be good for him. But it didn't do the trick, and 19-year-old Thomas died just a few months later. Samuel Palmer was devastated and never fully recovered from his grief. However, the loss did inspire him to create his perhaps best-known picture, and it's a scene you will know more of that in a moment.
By now, a small measure of financial security had come Samuel's way. And in 1862, he was able to move the family to a small villa close to his wife's parents. Now, they had just built a large mansion just outside Reigate, and the Palmers moved to a Gothic villa called Furze Hill House, not far from where Donata School is today.
But some research shows that it was provided for, the painter, by his father-in-law. who also paid some of his bills. One story is that Palmer couldn't even afford to have a daily newspaper delivered, suggesting that money was still pretty tight. Palmer was having a rough time emotionally as well as financially. He felt as though his work was not being truly appreciated.
And not only was he still weighed down by the death of his mother when he was a boy, now his son... who Samuel had hoped would go to Oxford, had died after 18 months of a long and painful illness. The artist was trying to make sense of the world, and he had many discussions with a Redhill clerical family called the Wrights about theology and morals,
And out of the darkness eventually came some light. One biographer wrote, Palmer withdrew into the peaceful world of his study, and he was there amid loved books and artistic treasures, amid prayers and meditations and rambling memories, that he rediscovered a lost vision.
It might not have been as fervid as it had been in Shoreham near Sevenoaks before, but during the Furze Hill exile of the final part of Palmer's life, he worked on the finest pictures he had created since his youth. And those were created right here locally.
Another commentator saying that his final two decades represented a distillation of everything that had come before in terms of both subject and style. His painting Going to Evening Church was done here. It's now in the Tate, although the cornfields and the church seem to be an invented idyll.
It was at Furze Hill that Palmer, in 1872, drew a pen and ink sketch simply titled Red Hill, although there are no distinguishing features that help us pinpoint the location today more than 150 years later. But it's a work called The Lonely Tower that's of most interest to us and it's one that you need to see because it's a view that you know.
It was engraved in 1879 and was taken from an earlier watercolour and is said to be his etching masterpiece and unusually the principal feature of the landscape was not only a particular place but one which he could see in the distance from his studio. in Furze Hill House, and it was very close to the farm where his son Thomas is buried.
Indeed, the sky in The Lonely Tower has the great bear star constellation as it was on the night that his son died, and as he, Samuel, looked skyward in grief. On the right-hand side of the picture is a flock of sheep overlooked by two shepherds. On the left, there's a wagner with his ox cart negotiating a narrow stone-built path. A barn owl flies overhead.
There's a crescent moon low down in the centre of the picture, with the lonely tower lit from the inside through one window, standing on a high bank to the left of the etching. And it's suggested that that tower is Leith Hill Tower, the folly built in 1765. It would be clearly seen from Red Hill without the present-day tree cover, especially as Palmer's House also was on a hill.
It's such an atmospheric and haunting picture, the Irish poet W.B. Yeats referred to the work in his poem Phases of the Moon. And from that etching, several similar watercolours were created, which are in galleries around the world. The original is held in storage at the V&A. Samuel Palmer died in Redhill in 1881 at the age of 76.
His father-in-law and mentor, John Linnell, died just six months later. Samuel's wife, Hannah, died 12 years later, and the two are together in the cemetery at St Mary's in Reigate. OK, so you probably think the story is over. The pictures and etchings have been done. They're in safe storage or on display at various galleries around the world. But next week, the story continues.
How a vindictive relative nearly destroyed all evidence of Samuel Palmer's work. and how that led to a massive fraud over what he had completed. Plus, where Samuel lived locally, and how we remember him to this day, without perhaps realising. And there's a display of Samuel Palmer's work at Adams Gallery in Reigate from September the 19th.
The Good Time Guide. Things to do and places to go on the Planet Reigate podcast.
Let's jump straight forward to Tuesday the 10th of September and the Growing Health team together inviting people living and working in communities across East Surrey to get together to create conditions in which everyone's health and wellbeing can flourish. Can't say fairer than that. While the health service is vitally important, it largely focuses on doing the repairs.
So this particular group builds the conditions for health and well-being together in communities. So can you get involved? The next meeting, Hawley, Tuesday the 10th, 9.30 to 11 at Hawley Community Centre at Regent House on Albert Road. More details, neighbourhoods.eastsurrey at nhs.net. The Archway Theatre presents Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies.
Following on from their sell-out production of Weird Sisters by Terry last year, they present the further adventures of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Og and Margaret Garlic. Mysterious crop circles are appearing all over the kingdom. and this can mean only one thing. The lords and ladies are back, and they're distinctly not fluttery and twinkly. It's up to the weird sisters to sort it all out.
Throw in a moody teenage wannabe witch, some rude mechanicals and a couple of wizards, not to mention a very distinctive librarian... You've got a recipe for much hilarity mingled with Pratchett's very own profound philosophical observation. So five performances, 7.45 between the 10th and the 14th of September, plus a matinee on Saturday the 14th at 2 o'clock.
And the Planet Reigate podcast is proud to be official media partners with the Archway Theatre Hawley. For more information and booking details, go to archwaytheatre.com or phone 0333 666 3366. Friday the 13th of September, Betchworth. It's a lovely walk around the fields, the countryside and the golf course across Betchworth and Brockham.
07940 508 443.
That's a bit better, isn't it? And next Saturday, it's a Rygate Caves Open Day on the 14th. And also, you're invited to join Picnic in the Park. Yeah, this is happening in Charlewood. Get ready to soak up the sun and relish the joy of the great outdoors. Come one, come all, they say. Join us for an unforgettable picnic experience. They say we can't wait to share this wonderful day with you.
Game stations will be set up for everyone to use. Mini football matches, beat the goalie, bring a blanket, bring a chair, pack a picnic for all to share. That rhymes. Pitch a gazebo and chill the beers. Let's all play games, sing and cheer. Event organised by Chulwood Community Volunteers. It's at Chulwood Rec on the 14th. So pop down there and take part in that.
Don't actually have a time for this, but as it's a picnic, well, it's not going to be first. It's not going to be at 7am, is it? It's going to be lunchtime and into mid-afternoon, I should imagine. Nutfield Gardening Society have their autumn show at Nutfield Village Hall. That opens at 9am for exhibitors.
Exhibits to be staged by 10.30 open to the public at 2.30 with a raffle and prize giving at 4.30 and we wish them every success for that event there. Well, did you hear that it is our very first birthday? Yeah, it's episode 52 and it's our anniversary edition. I mean, just looking back at the last year, it's been quite a roller coaster.
I reckon we've, well, obviously 52 episodes, over a thousand events listed, nearly 200 interviews done. Places I've been to, well, of course, Rygate, Redhill, Merston, Buckland, Betchworth and Brockham, but also Lye and Charlewood and Hawley. Been to the hospital a couple of times, Mercer's Lake, Rygate Hill, Gatton. I mean, more and more places than that.
Spoken to people at their football, tennis, netball, volleyball and cricket clubs. Events covered have been in the wet. Reigate Summer Festival, anyone? Sunny, the YMCA Fun Run, the Cyclocross event. That was hot and sunny, wasn't it? I've been inside and outside.
I've spoken to officials and organisers, singers and winners and volunteers, counsellors and creatives, a poet and a songwriter, charity staff, hospital staff, authors, artists, photographers, ceramicists... a dairy farmer, a war historian, and I've brought you stories from history of Samuel Palmer and the World War II plane crash and Richard Carrington, the man who built Donata House.
And I've been to events and reported from events that other media just haven't been at or have reported on several days or sometimes a few weeks later. I thought you might be interested to know our top 10 episodes downloaded by you over the past 12 months.
And number 10, episode 25, featuring the first part of our story about, as I've just mentioned, the Reigate Hill plane crash, which we spread and told over three shows. 9.
at number nine in our top 10 of most downloaded episodes was episode 39 so ahead of the reigate summer festival one of the organizers karen took us on a walk and talk through the town telling us what acts will be performing where we also partnered with ray fest over the summer and james told us all about it incidentally this past year we also partnered with the pub in the park
the Reigate and Redhill Music and Drama Festival, the Archway Theatre, and we've got ongoing collaborations with the Children's Trust and support from the Belfrit Shopping Centre as well. In another occasional feature, Priory Bark was in episode 39. We have conversations with local dog owners about their pets, and in that episode, Ian told us about Pepper, his Siberian husky.
And also, we had memories of long-time Redhill and Reigate shopkeeper, Jimmy Bridger. Our eighth most downloaded episode from the past year was episode 32. We started telling the history of the Donata School building. Who was it built for? Why? We listed the best local bluebell woods that are near pubs. Very important.
And we heard from Jamie Amos, Redhill-based musician, composer, producer, music promoter and mentor.
Seven.
Was episode 44 with Katie Beth from Inner Art Tuition and also had a big list of our summer holiday events for kids.
Six.
Our sixth most downloaded episode from the past 12 months, episode 48. We featured the swimming pool in Bancroft Road. More on that to come in the next few episodes. Also thoughts on what could be in Memorial Park going forward. We heard from four wonderful winners of local volunteer awards. And we heard about the passing of John Shinner, the man who bought Priory Farm back in 1957.
and developed it into what it is today. Also in episode 48, it was our breakdown Q&A of the reason behind the Harlequin closure.
Five.
Our fifth most popular episode from the past 12 months, episode 30, featuring Betchworth churchyard stories. Yeah, Karen, the Betchworth village archivist with a couple of stories of those buried at St Michael's. It was the anniversary of the curious case of Kevin Keegan and what happened to him on Reigate Hill when episode 30 came out.
We told you that story in episode 30 and we heard from District Commissioner for Scouting Tony Brown and also from his son Matt Brown, the leader of 17th Reigate Scouts, where you may remember this story, their minibus had been taken and torched the previous week. Episode 45 comes in at fourth place of the most listened to episode of the past 12 months.
In that episode, we spoke with various long service volunteers from across the area who had been recognised at Reigate Town Hall. A reminder that each week we mention local people who've done something good. We call it the Planet Reigate Stars. See what we did? A neighbour, a friend, stranger, shopkeeper.
Someone who's done something, maybe as a one-off or maybe regularly, that has made your life a little bit better. Yeah, we're into the top three of most listened to episodes of the Planet Reigate podcast over the last 12 months. And at number three, episode 37, in which we heard more about the Reigate Summer Festival with Tim, one of the organisers.
And just ahead of the Wimbledon tennis season, I went down to Reigate Priory Lawn Tennis Club to speak to Britt and some of the other players about what the club can offer players of all ages. And we heard from Nicky, who runs Cut Price Acupuncture Sessions in Merstham, and was telling me what she may be able to do to help you.
In second place, episode 33, where we heard about the changing face of Reigate. Yeah, Andrew Farrant, senior partner at local estate agents White & Son, was our guest. Hear how Reigate developed since the war, the influence of big business coming to the area, and how that affected the price of a house locally. What Reigate did that Dorking didn't.
that caused our town to surge ahead in popularity and pass our neighbours. We also heard from seven members of Merstham Cricket Club and the man who built the Donata School building as his home. Yeah, we continued with that story, how he got to be famous, the scandal surrounding him and his legacy today.
And we had the news that we had broken on social media a few days earlier ahead of anybody else. about the closure of the M&S in the Belfry. And, of course, the story of what replaces M&S in the Belfry still remains untold. So, those are our most popular episodes from the first year of the Planet Reigate podcast, from ten to two. But which episode have you, in effect, voted your favourite?
Yeah, the most listened to episodes over the first year of the podcast has been episode 46. So let me tell you what was in that episode. Well, in our Planet Reigate area news, we heard from the speakers at the council meeting who discussed the Harlequin Theatre. I also told you about a redevelopment of the Pilgrim Brewery site.
That coming week was Heath Week, so we had a report from Reigate Heath. I told you about the flora and fauna and archaeological finds, how it got to be a heath, and some of the more unusual trees and birds and animals you may be able to spot there. And the second annual Reigate Cyclocross event.
was coming to Priory Park in a couple of weeks after episode 46, various races and hundreds of riders up in the trails through the woods. And I had walked the course with event director Sean Lamberth and took you through that, telling you the best places to watch and to stand and to cheer on those cyclists.
So that was the top 10 most listened to, most downloaded episodes of the first year of the Planet Reigate podcast. And I should say that you can still listen to every single episode of the Planet Rygate podcast from episode one, as you might expect, all the way up to episode 52, including, of course, the episodes before we launch.
Yeah, we had four pre-launch episodes just kind of setting the scene, telling you a little bit of history about Rygate, Redhill and Merston, Buckland, Betchworth and Brockham, telling you a little bit about the show. They're really short episodes and they are right at the beginning. Now, how can you find these? Well, you can find them on your usual podcast app that you might listen to.
So that might be, it could be any number of different kinds of apps. There are dozens out there, but also Apple Podcasts. So all of our podcasts are on Apple Podcasts. All of our podcasts are on YouTube. They're also on our website. So if you go to theplanetrigatepodcast.com on the front page of that, you'll see our last five episodes. So the most recent episodes are there.
Just click and you can listen to those. And also there's a link that'll take you through to all of our other episodes as well. There's also a whole section there listing the best of the guests today.
So if you just want to scroll through that and see something that piques your interest, you'll be able to just click on the link and you'll be taken specifically to that point in that particular show that plays you that interview or that feature. And that list of the best of the guests is also pinned to the top of our Facebook page as well. On Facebook, search for The Planet Reigate Podcast.
And also, you can ask your smart speaker, whether that be Google or whether it be A-L-E-X-A, to play a particular episode that you wanted to hear. So, for example, if I wanted to hear the most popular episode that I've just been talking about, then all I've got to do is to turn to my trusty smart speaker and let's hope this works. Hey, Google. Play episode 46 of the Planet Rygate podcast.
Sure. Here's the Planet Rygate podcast, 46, the second annual cyclocross Rygate, the history of our local Heathland, and more, playing on Spotify.
And that's it. Hey, Google, stop. So there you go. That's all the ways that you can listen. If you've got any problems, of course, get in touch with me. Hello at theplanetrygatepodcast.com. Thank you so much for listening and thank you for taking part. Thank you for sending me your events for the Good Time Guide. Thank you for contributing on social media when I've put up those posts.
Thank you to you if you're one of the administrators of the We Love pages. We love Reigate and we love Red Hill specifically, who've been very supportive and helpful and understanding today. as we've weaved our way through various admin requests and so on over the past 12 months. And you know what?
We really want to stay bringing you more of what you want to hear on the all-local podcast of local events and guests, news, sport and features from... Places you love and people you know in RH1, 2 and 3. So I'd love it if you got a few minutes to complete our short survey. Thank you in advance for doing that. You'll be able to find the link to it in our show notes.
Got about another 10 days or so to do that. Would really appreciate it if you could fill out and essentially it says what you like about it, what you want to see more of, perhaps you want to see less of, that kind of thing. Thank you for helping us improve and continue growing. with the Planet Reigate podcast.
The 60-second soundscape. Local natural sounds uninterrupted.
Before we go, at the end of the show... natural sounds from a place you know. And this week, to Chalwood... and the crooked pitch in the centre of the village...
Oh.
Come on, boys. Come on, boys, come on. Come on, boys, come on!
The Planet Reigate podcast was produced and presented by Peter Stewart.