The Planet Reigate Podcast
55: Stories from Run Reigate runners as they crossed the finish line, the big Redhill Arts Takeover week… and more
Fri, 27 Sep 2024
Episode 55 – Stories from Run Reigate runners as they crossed the finish line, the big Redhill Arts Takeover week… and moreFor Saturday 28th September 2024TIMECODE00:00 - What’s in this episode 03:45 - Planet Reigate area news including the Harlequin drop-in events; RBBC’s five-year plan; jail after a raid at a jewellers; The Cage pub is taken over as another is set to be bulldozed; the first woman to get an honorary local title. 15:45 – TRAVEL NEWS: the major road closed overnight for the next three weeks 17:30 – WEATHER: recent local rainfall stats 18:50 – GUEST: You! Brief chats with dozens of runners after they had finished last week’s RunReigate. Do you know any of these runners? 45:45 – Planet Reigate Stars: thanking local heroes. This week from Redhill. 47:10 - The Good Time Guide: Local places to go and things to do this week 55:25 – GUEST: Kay Hymas, Arts Development Officer for RBBC on October’s Arts Takeover event in Redhill. 1:04:25 – The Sixty-second Soundscape. Natural sounds form a place you know. This week from Buckland. If you get value from The Planet Reigate Podcast, please give us value back in return; click here to support us with a small donation: www.buymeacoffee.com/theplanetreigatepodcast or share us with your colleagues. *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 TRAVEL - FrauMuller Item ID: 102031400WEATHER - Sasha_Grey Item ID: 025133085SOUNDSCAPE PolkadotFlowersMusic Item ID: 136304431GUITAR - Frogard Item ID: 114324148ROCK - upbeat-energetic-indie-rock by AudioSphere ID 088812522 Listen: https://linktr.ee/PlanetReigatePodcast Web: www.ThePlanetReigatePodcast.com Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ThePlanetReigatePodcast Insta: theplanetreigatepodcast X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/PlanetReigateEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the Planet Reigate podcast.
Hello, Planeteers. This is Peter Stewart. Welcome to our listener-funded podcast for Reigate, Redhill, Merston, Buckland, Betchworth and Brockham and other towns and villages in RH 1, 2, 3 and 6 as well. Welcome to our family. This is how we're reflecting and celebrating our love of life around here. My guests this week... You!
Yeah, if you took part in the great Run Rygate event last weekend and I spoke with you as you crossed the finish line, you will be on the show later. Or if you know someone who ran, keep listening to hear if they are on.
Hear about the doctor running for the hospital, the woman in a wheelchair which broke on her way round, the mum and daughter who ran together, the husband and wife, the semi-pros and the young lad who wants to be a pro. the charity runners and why they're raising money for those causes, and the runner in a tutu, the one in a gorilla costume.
From young to old, newbies and experienced, stay tuned for one of the greatest examples of community in the borough. Plus, we hear more from Kay Highmass about the big arts takeover event in Redhill in a week's time. Yeah, the Hollywood may be shut, but the shows will go on at various other venues across town, affordable and accessible.
An art exhibition, cheerleading and choirs, ballet and Bollywood, African drumming, open mic music, photography, crochet, crafts, DJing and painting, all sorts of stuff going on. In the news details on how you can have your say on the future of the Harlequin Theatre and arts provision across the area. We have the dates and locations of five drop-in events.
What's the council set to do over the next five years? Their plans are out and you can make your comments on them as well. A man who threatened to rob staff at a jewellery shop in Reigate has been jailed. Pilgrim Brewery has taken over another pub. Another local pub is set to be bulldozed to be replaced by a supermarket. I'll tell you where.
Red Hill footballer Millie Bright has become the first woman to hold an honorary title in Reigate and Banstead Borough. In travel news, a reminder of roadworks on West Street Reigate and also the M25 Junction 10. We have the good time guide of events across the area across the week ahead. Planet Reigate stars from Red Hill and our 60-second soundscape before we go at the end of the show.
natural sounds from a place you know this week from buckland this is the planet reigate podcast with peter stewart so again if i met up with you at run reigate like oh kind of rain reigate wasn't it really last weekend hello welcome to you and active prospects have messaged me in the week to say it's an incredible podcast thanks very much indeed for doing it
Rachel sent me a voicemail message saying, thanks for all the massive work you do on the Planet Rygate podcast. Oh my goodness, my mum and people in Betchworth will say, oh, put it on the Planet Rygate podcast. I wondered why I had a sudden surge of various what's on events from that neck of the woods. It's brilliant. I just want everyone to know who you are. It's awesome. Love the podcast.
You're pretty much the equivalent of the local newspaper. Thank you so much indeed, Rachel. It's so kind of you to say so, really kind. Really appreciate it. We featured the Curiosity Cafe last week as well, and they said excited to be in this episode. Do download. Such a great podcast for local news, etc. It's such a fab listen.
If you haven't already, this podcast is just great for local news and information. So thanks very much indeed. You can always get in touch with me. Hello at theplanetreigatepodcast.com. Good Time Guide on the way. Also hearing from round about 40 runners from Run Rygate last weekend. We're hearing more about the Arts Takeover in a week or so's time.
And I mentioned the Good Time Guide and Planet Rygate stars. And also, before we go, at the end of the show, our 60-second soundscape. But first of all, let's take a look at some of the news items today. over the past week or so. Now, as I said last week, Reigate and Banster Borough Council say they've now agreed with Aviva to jointly commission the RAC survey at the Harlequin Theatre Complex.
Work started this past week. Their final report is expected in November. Now, last week in the show, you heard from Ali from the Harlequin Support Group. So if you want to hear what Ali had to say and her reaction to that timescale, then listen back to last week's episode.
And news this past week that the council is holding five drop-in engagement events to better understand the immediate and future needs of both individuals and communities and clubs, groups, societies and so on relating to arts and cultural spaces and activities.
They say, we'd welcome the thoughts of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the borough, and sessions are going to be drop-in, informal, and provide the opportunity to share your views. So, do you have a vested interest in not just the Harlequin, but other arts and entertainments across the whole of the borough?
So again, Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham comes under Mole Valley, but it may very well be that if you live in those three villages, or maybe you're listening further afield, but you come into Rygate and Bandstead, You may use the Harlequin or you may be interested in other arts and cultural facilities and activities in that particular borough.
So if you are interested, as I say, either in the Harlequin specifically or elsewhere for the provision, then why don't you have a word with the people that are going to be at these places representing the council? And I'm sure they'll have displays and leaflets and clipboards and pieces of paper for you to write your thoughts and messages on.
Red Hill, Saturday the 5th of October, 12.30 to 2.30 at Christ Central. In Reigate, Monday the 7th between 12.30 and 2.30 at the Town Hall. Red Hill, back there the day after, Tuesday the 8th, 6.30 to 8.30 at Christ Central. Hawley, down to the south of the borough, Wednesday the 9th in the morning between 9.30 and 11.30 at the Community Centre. And then Banstead on Thursday the 10th.
between 9.30 and 11 again, at the Banstead Community Centre towards the north of the borough. So right across the borough, Redhill, Reigate, another one in Redhill for obvious reasons, and Hawley and Banstead too. So just over, what, three or four days there and various times. So hopefully you'll be able to get along to one or more of those.
And you can hear more about the reasons for the Harlequin closure in episode 48, audio highlights of the most recent council meeting decisions on the Harlequin,
episode 49 and as I say reaction from the Harlequin support group Ali spoke to us in last week's show which was of course episode 53 but it's not just about the Harlequin they're taking the opportunity to look at the whole arts and culture provision right across the borough so if you've got that maybe you just go to the theater occasionally or you used to maybe you used to go there to the Harlequin because you you
used to hire out one of their rooms for meetings, or a knitter-natter group, or crocheting, or maybe it was theatre, excuse me, maybe it was dance practice, or choir practice, or something like that, and now you don't know where else to go, and you want to know a little bit more about the timescale, maybe you think that there should be more arts and culture provision in Hawley, or Bandstead, maybe you think that Reigate is being left out.
Go along, make decisions, your views known right across the area, right across the borough. So as I say, you've got all the details there and hopefully you'll be able to take part in that particular initiative. If you want to know the timescale of when the RAC investigation work is going to be done,
When they report back to the council, and when the council is going to be having another look at the whole provision, then make sure you listen back to last week's episode, because that timescale, the logistics, are all gathered there.
Now, also, as I mentioned last week, Rygate and Bannister Borough Council has now launched an eight-week consultation on a draft plan that sets out its priorities for 2025 to 2030. The council says, quote, it's a vision for healthy, sustainable borough, and resilient council that enables its communities to thrive and provide support for those in need.
Now, you're encouraged to give your views, including, again, about arts and culture. The Harlequin is mentioned, actually, on page 14 of the PDF, all about the future, the next five years of the council, but also things like bins and parks and homelessness and so on. So the full draft, Reigate and Banstead 2030 plan continues.
It can be viewed on the council's website, reigate-bandstead.gov.uk, and search for it there. Comments can be submitted via an online survey. Now, I should warn you that there's nothing much concrete there, so don't expect anything like, I don't know, a new development or something that's going to be closed down or something else that's going to be opened up or anything like that.
There's lots of vision. There's sentences like... We will engage proactively with stakeholders to facilitate networking and encourage collaborative efforts to drive local and regional economic development. Or we will develop our organizational capacity and culture in using data and integrate data and evidence into strategy and decision making.
yeah so there's lots of kind of things like that but if you don't read it and you don't take part and give your feedback then your views can't be taken into account for how the borough is going to be developing over the next five years now if you don't have internet access paper copies of the plan are available from the town hall one would presume they haven't let me know comments can also be made in writing or via email as well and that consultation runs until 5 p.m on the 20th of november
A man who threatened to rob staff at a jewellery shop in Reigate has been jailed. His Fabio De Jesus, who's 46, of no fixed address, he was arrested after the attempted robbery on the high street on the 6th of May 2023. Now, just as staff were beginning to close up, he went into the store and then pulled out a black imitation handgun, shouting, go back, I'll shoot you.
One of the staff shouted back at him and he ran from the shop empty-handed. Police found a coat and a kitchen knife that had been discarded over a wall near the castle grounds, but they couldn't actually find him. And it wasn't until several months later that one of the victims then saw him again in Morrison's car park. He's been given three years and nine months in prison.
Now, police not actually telling us what jewellers it was. And I've done a bit of research. I can't specifically say that I know, so I won't. But Reigate is quite often targeted for its jewellery shops. July 2020, Philip Lloyd jewellers, a woman entered the store and made off with diamonds and jewellery estimated to be worth around £22,000 after distracting the shop assistant.
March 2015, police were called to the Clive Allen jewellers on the high street around 4am. After an alarm was activated, a substantial amount of jewellery was taken during that break-in, officers connecting that incident to an attempted burglary at the same store, which occurred during the early hours just a few days earlier. And in October 2012, the Philip Lloyd jewellers targeted again.
Two men entered the store mid-morning, dressed as a postman. A member of staff was attacked, but again, the raiders fled empty-handed. Pilgrim Brewery has taken over another pub. Of course, they've already run the hatch, of course. And now they've taken the cage under their wing. They say they're not looking to make any massive changes. Hawley is getting a new Lidl.
It's going to be at the Air Balloon pub, which would replace the existing store in the town centre. So it's going to be slightly out of the town. just there, as I say, at the Air Balloon pub on that kind of crossroads.
Tesco had tried to argue that the council hadn't given sufficient reasons for the approval, given the harm to the demolition of the locally listed Air Balloon pub building and the setting of the listed war memorial, which is just about opposite. But it has been decided that the socio-economic benefits of...
of having a supermarket there, losing the one in town, outweighs the demolition of the building and the nearness to the war memorial there as well. Red Hill footballer Millie Bright is the first woman to hold an honorary title in Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's 50-year history. So congratulations to her. We mentioned this a few months ago when it was first announced.
The Lioness has this week actually been officially made an honorary free woman for services to sport. She was, of course, England captain at the 2023 Women's World Cup, currently plays as a defender for Chelsea. She said in a statement, I'm really grateful to be awarded with this great accolade. I'm proud of this community and how the people take care of one another.
Now, only people of distinction and who have, quote, rendered eminent services to the borough are awarded the title. And Millie was actually nominated by Councillor Rich Michalowski. as, quote, an excellent role model, a serial winner, and someone who, without a doubt, has encouraged many young people in our borough to take up the sport.
So it's an honorary title, but I wonder what she should be allowed to do, you know, because Freeman of the City of London, I think I'm right in saying, can they drive a flock of sheep over London Bridge, something like that. So I wonder, what do you reckon Millie should be allowed to do in the borough? I mean, I don't know.
Park for more than two hours in Morrison's car park or something like that. I don't know. Got any ideas? Drop me a line. Hello at theplanetridegatepodcast.com or send me a voice note 07917 874 572.
advance notice for you, boy oh boy, certainly advance notice, because this is something happening on Saturday the 26th of April, because I was asked to give this a particular push, it's a fundraising event in aid of SANS, that's the Stillbirth and Near Natal Death Society, and they've got a fundraising event, hoping to re-establish the Surrey branch of SANS,
It's going to be at the Nutfield Centre in Redhill, Saturday the 26th of April, as I say, next year, between 2 and 6. They've got a music night and a quiz night, children's entertainment, auction raffle and things like that going on. And they would like your help. I know lots of groups specifically want your help and support and so on.
But they're after events, sponsorship, raffle prizes, items for auction and IT support as well. So if you can help with any of those kinds of facilities...
and initiatives then do get in touch with the people there it may be that you have been particularly touched by a similar situation in your family and this may be something which is close to your heart Tess Shepherd would like to hear from you and if you would like to get in touch with her get in touch with me and I'll pass on the details via the Planet Rygate podcast
Mentioned this last week, but well worth mentioning it again. West Street in Reigate closed until the 19th of October, major resurfacing and changing the existing advisory cycle lanes to wider and lightly segregated mandatory cycle lanes. They're also going to be taking the opportunity to upgrade roads. Some of the zebra crossings in that neck of the woods as well.
then you should be advised, you should be aware, 8pm to 6am West Street, Reigate is going to be closed, not weekends.
If you want to know our breakdown of road improvements and changes, including changes to traffic islands, road markings and layouts, and new speed limits and speed cameras, all the way on that length of the A25 between the Blackhorse in Reigate and the Cockrell roundabout in Dorking, listen back to episode 50. It's been really wet, hasn't it, this past week, 10 days.
We've got our local weather stats from Professor Weather in a few moments time. First of all, let me tell you about some news about the M25 Junction 10 project. Some changes at the junction there that you need to be aware of.
Slip roads on and off the junction will be closed on the weekend of the 4th to the 7th of October, the 18th to the 21st of October and the 1st to the 4th of November from 9pm on the Friday until 6am on the Monday of each weekend. So you should be advised about that. Hear about more about the arts takeover in Redhill still to come.
And also, we've got a whole clutch of people, couple of dozen people who were taking part in Run Reigate last weekend. And they spoke to me, some of them out of breath, but no one declined my request for a quick interview and some terrific stories coming up. Some will make you almost gasp. Some will make you smile and laugh.
All sorts of personal stories about the hills, about their fundraising, about what they're wearing as well. It's a terrific example, as I said earlier, of how the community really gets together. And it's a fantastic testament to the work of Dave Kelly, the man behind Run Reigate, who we heard from in last week's episode.
Now here comes the weather from Professor Weather, Andy Herrod, who you can follow on TwitterX and Insta. And with 46.6 millimetres of rain last Sunday and overnight into Monday, September 2024 is now the wettest September we have ever recorded here in Reigate. The 127 millimetres is 120% above average. And the month... Isn't over yet, is it?
The Planet Reigate podcast. Great stories from Reigate.
Well, it was really not so much run Rygate, but rain Rygate, wasn't it? I say that, but there was rain either side. But mainly the event itself, those several different races and those thousands of runners actually escaped the worst of the weather.
Maybe a little drizzle, a couple of showers, but actually the torrential downpours seem to be in the setting up and also the setting down before and after the big main event. I was there with my microphone and spoke to some of those who took part just as they crossed the finish line.
Hear about the doctor running for the hospital, the woman in a wheelchair which broke on her way round, the mum and daughter who ran together, the husband and wife, the semi-pros and the young lad who wants to be a pro, the charity runners and why they're raising money for those courses, the runner in a tutu, the one in a gorilla costume.
From young to old, newbies and experienced, we have got one of the greatest examples of community in the borough in your ears right now.
It's Joe Spraggins and I did the 10k. Yeah, I think I finished fourth. It was hard, actually. The back end, fair few hills. Crowds on the course, absolutely incredible. Everyone's so friendly and nice and encouraging. I think the rain made it pretty much perfect conditions because it cooled you down nicely. I was throwing water all over myself as well.
There was a bit of mugginess in the air, so it was a bit humid at times. I'm actually the event director for the Junior Park Run here in the park on a Sunday, so we're not on today because of the run. So if any of your listeners want their kids to get into running a bit, 4 to 14.
Alex Green, just done the 10K. Oh, it was flipping horrible. No, look, it was all right. I ran with him myself for the first four or five K, expected to blow up at about six, seven, eight, and I did. And to greet you with that blow up is a monstrous hill, which just feels like a mountain. But condition's great, you know, mild, rain keeps you cool as well. Fantastically well-organized race.
Credit to the marshals. Beautiful out there, to be honest.
Emily Jeans I did for 10k. It's my first 10k race after having children, and I've done far faster than I thought I would, so very happy. They're not coming up to two, so it's been a while since I've run properly. But I've been doing some running with the buggy, which I think is really helping with the strength. So it's a nice baseline I can get faster, hopefully.
I got under 40 minutes, which I wasn't expecting. And that's with all the hills, which were horrific, and right at the post where I was getting tired, so very happy with it.
My name is Lizzie Maxwell. I just did 10k. I think I did okay. I think I got about 42 minutes, so it's fine. I didn't anticipate the hills. Thankfully, it was muggy, but there was a wetness in the air, so you kept quite cool. So it was fine. Good fun.
I'm Rocky Best. I was running 10k. I'm thankful it's raining, because otherwise that would have been really tough. But, you know, hanging there and then on the final hill is like a bit of a struggle, but I got my time. It was 42.16 on my watch, so I was going for 42, but I think that's good enough. This is my support team, him and then those two little creatures over there.
The support was great on the streets, yeah. Fantastic. Getting out here and doing this stuff is what keeps people going, so, bam, it's perfect.
Hi, it's Ian. I raced a 10K. It was okay until I got to lap eight when that hill kicked in, and that was... I won't swear. It was evil. For me, it wasn't such the hill. I'd gone a bit too quick in the first 8k to save a little bit of time knowing I had the hill. But as a result, my legs were fatigued. So it was a double whammy, really.
But at least when you got to the top of it, you knew you had an easy last k. I went for a range of emotions out there. But yeah, once I hit the stop button, yeah, it's happy. So all good.
wilfred i raced yesterday but my legs felt better than i thought they would the course i think is a little long but 1847 overall but my watch had me 1802 for 5k but yeah it's decent yeah quite tough course there's a bit out in the woods it's quite hilly and up and down actually quite difficult underfoot
Findlay, Shaughnessy. I raced yesterday, so my legs were a bit heavy. At the start, I felt alright, and then I had a good finish. The middle of the race was the toughest bit, though, because there was lots of hills. Yeah, it was a hard race. This is like my ninth year in a row doing this now. And it seems to get easier every time. I've got good coaches and good running partners to run with.
Dan Tomasi and Martin Soane at South London Harriers in Causton. I like to keep my running going when I'm older, whether it be like professionals or amateur. But I certainly want to keep it going.
Gordon had a C10K. It went okay. Those hills are brutal. Everyone's talking about those hills. You want to slice them up, don't you? The downhills are lovely. The uphills, there's a lot of them. And they go on and on, so yeah, it's quite hard. I've run the Roygate-Prarby Summer 10k, which is a similar topography. Yeah, kind of similar. I live in Chipstead, so it's quite close.
I think I was about 10 seconds quicker than when I did that in the summer, so I'll take that.
My name's Olivia. I'm a local PT. You can find me at Moved with Olivia on Instagram. I did a 5K. It was a postpartum benchmark, so my baby is six months. So that was hard, but I think I've got my time according to my watch. I feel a bit dead. It's always a lovely run. I'm local to Ryegate, and it's so nice to have them come out, and also the effort it takes to put these things together.
So glad it's a drive for them as well. Walked a little bit in the hill, but got there at the end.
Well, here's someone who we spoke to last year when I was here at Run Rygate. Paul, why are you running in a gorilla suit? Remind us. I lost a bet, basically.
I've been doing it for 10 years, and I just can't stop. Once a year, the gorilla costume comes out, go around Rygate, goes away for the year. I hope it's washed in between time, otherwise... No comment. How was the race? It was okay, yeah. I'm glad it didn't rain, because that'll double in weight with the wet. So I did a 46.38, so I'm pretty pleased with that. Better than last year, yeah.
Not quite the PB, but that's okay.
Nick Richards. The hill was harder than I remembered about nine years ago when I did it, but I got through it. I see you've got your earbuds in. Are you running to music? Because she didn't talk to me, so I had to put something in, didn't I?
What is the music you're running to? It's not running up that hill, is it?
It's a bit of a mixture of some old stuff and some heavy stuff. Just find the right songs for the right bits of the course and then carry on. So I'll just shout my name out. It's good just to compete it and finish it.
Ritika decided it was good. First time doing it, so.
Okay, so the big question is, would you do it again?
Yeah. Weather wasn't as hot. The floor wasn't as wet. Didn't know the route. I came from Williamsworth.
What was the worst bit?
Going uphill.
Someone else is with me here now, and I can't quite work out what it is that you were running into. It's an octopus mascot costume from Better Leisure. The Leisure Centre's in Hawley, Donnings in Redhill, Dorking and Leatherhead. I'm an assistant manager at Dorking. My name's Michael. Considering it's so overcast, I was surprised at quite how warm it was.
I did the 10k at Gatwick earlier in the year in the mascot costume as well. That was hot and heavy.
I was going to say, it is quite substantial, isn't it?
Yeah, you don't have any airflow in it, so it does get a bit sweaty. OK, so you reckon you've lost a few pounds? Probably, yeah. The flat's not too bad. The uphill's obviously a struggle because your pace slows down so you've got even less airflow. And the downhill, because the visibility's not great out of it, you have to be really careful about where you're stepping. None of it's easy.
But that's the kind of point, really, isn't it? Yeah, exactly.
This is the Planet Reigate podcast with Peter Stewart.
I'm Jill. I'm Alice.
Alice, what race have you just done?
5K.
And this is mum and daughter, isn't it?
Yeah.
How long have you been running together?
We've been training since May for this. Alice is only 13, so she's done an amazing job today. And kept me going as well. We helped each other through that. The last hill, definitely. It's really steep. That last hill is, yeah, it's like nothing else. We come from Mercedon, yeah.
So did you know the course you were expecting that hill? It wasn't a surprise?
I did it in 2021, but it was Alice's first time.
Alice, are you going to be doing it again, do you reckon?
Yeah, we're hoping to do the 10k at some point. It's amazing. She was talking about this at the beginning of the race and she's still talking about it at the end. So, yeah, no, that's always a good sign.
And tell me about your medal. Have you seen what's on the other side?
You haven't had a good look at it yet, have you? Yeah, not really. So it's the... It's a primary park just behind us. Yeah, the... Primary school. So where's that going to go, Alice?
Where are you going to hang that up?
Probably in my bedroom.
That'll inspire you for next year.
Yeah.
Molly and Erin. Erin, how did it go?
Oh, it went really well. We got a PB. Yeah, we took off a minute, which was really good.
So, yeah, we're happy. Well, I've been a bit ill this week, so I wasn't sure whether I was actually going to do it. But I'm really proud that we've done it. It was quite good because the first K is a really big hill, but then you go downhill. So a lot of the first bit is nice and smooth. But, yeah, we're really happy with our run.
The really steep hill towards sort of the midpoint, yeah, that was hard. But we pushed through it, and I'm really proud of us, actually, yeah.
I'm proud of you as well. We've only just met. Congratulations. And you're running for?
The Lucy Rayner Foundation. We wanted to support people who are going through mental health. So I think we've raised about 20 hours of counselling for them. So yeah, we're really happy.
Running does actually help mental health, doesn't it? Getting outside.
Yeah, it really does. It's just a good opportunity to push yourself. And you're not really thinking about anything apart from how your legs hurt or anything. But you're just pushing through and it's a really great feeling to come to the end of the race.
Eric and Lauren, how did it go, Lauren?
Yeah, really well, actually.
Yeah, really good for our first 10k. Really good. Yeah, enjoyed that. Did you run together? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, stuck together. Yeah.
So how did that help then, running together, being a couple? Were you able to kind of help each other on?
It was good motivation for both of us, when both of us, maybe when one of us was slower. Put each other along. Yeah.
keep pushing we've been running 5k's pretty much since january two three days a week we only tried a 10k last friday um i don't know if it was stupid or not but we did it and here we are so we've managed it okay well let's turn to you was that a stupid thing to do in retrospect or yeah and no i mean i suppose yeah but it motivated us for today i suppose
And how have you helped Stripey Stork today? We've set up a GoFundMe page. We've helped raise quite a lot of money for Stripey Stork for children. So yeah, quite positive.
With me is Nicola from Stripey Stork. How important is an event like this for brand awareness?
It's a great way to engage with the community, to catch up with referral partners, volunteers, other charities and to talk to families about the support that we provide and how they can help us. We've got nearly 60 runners today and already they've raised over £10,000 and that's incredibly important to us.
To be able to attach ourselves to something established with such a good reputation as Run Reigate is brilliant for us and it's a key part of our fundraising calendar now.
Tell me practically what £10,000 does, how far does that go?
In the last 12 months we've helped 11,000 families and our service is expanding right out across Surrey.
It allows us to fill those gaps to make sure that mattresses are provided with cots, it makes us to remove gaps in the shelves, make sure that we've got nappies, toiletries and just to run the service and so it's incredibly valuable to us and our fundraisers know that and it makes such a difference and we're really pleased to be able to cheer them on today.
Lorcan Woods.
Charlie Woods. Emma Woods.
I can guess, because you've all got the same surname, you're all from the same family.
Yeah, we've lived in Ragate for, I don't know, 26 years. We used to do the half marathon, but we're not fit enough anymore. But we love this event.
They're dropping me off at uni later, so we thought we'd do a final run. Oh, wow, so this is a really big week for you. Yeah, emotional.
We've been running this race ever since Charlie was a tiny baby. And we're taking her off to uni now, our last child. From tomorrow, we're empty nesters. So this is a big celebration of everything about Rygate that we love about Rygate. So this is a bit of a watershed moment for you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know it's going to be tears this morning and tears this evening, I think.
And how was the run for you?
I had a little bit of a cry on the hill, but Dad pushed me up.
Where did it hit you? Was it the lungs? Was it the legs? Was it the arms? Where was it? I think it was pretty much everything.
I was giving her the mantra of, I am, I can, I will, I do. We kept on saying that.
Friday's a really active community, so we saw lots of our neighbours out there, and people were cheering us on, and we knew it was such a great event.
Johnny. Now, I just saw you just come over the finish line. You've got your goodies and your medal and so on. You just tipped a cup of water over your head.
I'm hot, very hot.
Because even though it's not raining at the moment, it is very muggy.
It's muggy, yeah. I mean, I was all right until about 5K and I was just really burnt up after that. So any water I could tip over me was handy, you know.
everyone's lining the roads all along like yeah it's incredible really everyone's come out to support us it's great yeah have you done it before no the first time i haven't done a run like this since i was about 21 or something like that now i'm 34 so so has this inspired you or put you off i mean it has inspired me yeah i mean i definitely need to get into better shape i've got a half marathon in nottingham next weekend and it's made me realize i'm really not ready for it so i need to train still yeah but it'll be all right so what are you going to be doing in the week to go from here to there
I'll probably just do a couple of short runs I'm not going to do anything long after this I need to recover now so yeah My name's Serena How did it go?
Good I got a new PB so I'm quite happy Oh congratulations Okay so are you local? Do you know the race?
Yeah I do I run the local park run and I live around the corner Yeah I've done that hill a few times in practice
keep my knees up it was actually a super fun race because all of the people sort of came out of their houses and they were cheering us on and kids had signs and they were handing out sweets it's probably the funnest race that i've ever been on it was really nice yeah it's really well organized everything's just been brilliant it was super quick to get my number this morning the team just really peppy so it's been really fun i'm jewel harrys and i've just done the 5k but you've been doing with a friend tell me about that
About three years ago, I started a 100 hats challenge where I did 100 open water swims with 100 different hats. When that finished, I kept getting pestered. So what hat are you doing next? So I started to do 100 park runs in 100 different hats. And this is hat number 25.
Hat number 25 is an almost life-size border collie, which has had its feet sort of attached together and is now perched on my head, sort of cuddling my chin.
So that's going to cause a problem for weight distribution, isn't it, for your run?
It's not too bad, actually. If it had got soaked, I'd have been in trouble because it would have been about three times heavier, but it's not too bad. A little bit hot in this weather, but the tail wags as well, which is great.
Fantastic. Has he, she got a name?
Buddy. Buddy.
OK, your buddy, Buddy, is actually wearing your medal.
Indeed. Well, I think he deserves it as well.
How was it for you otherwise?
Well, I've only ever done Reigate Priory park runs, so this was a bit of an adventure for me. But I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere, fantastic. So many encouraging shouts from people, and it's just a lovely, happy atmosphere. And there's no pressure to do any more than you can. It's just wonderful. I will do it next year as well. Great stuff.
Hi, my name is Artur, and I represent Eastside Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Just finished 10K. As you can hear from my panting, very, very tired. It was exhausting, but well worth it, as always. I knew exactly where the hills are, so kind of could prep and boost the battery before those hills approach.
But the amazing support of everybody, all the people just lining up the streets, cheering, I think that's another boost to the power. Amazing event, as always, every year. Really, really happy today.
And you say you're from the hospital, you're wearing your SASH charity t-shirt as well, which is the Surrey and Sussex healthcare charity.
We're raising the awareness, plus there is some links on our website, so if you do want to donate, we really appreciate every pound, every penny, value every member contributing to the good things that we're trying to achieve for our patients. And just awareness that we are there on your doorstep. We're always there to help.
And as a health professional, it must raise your spirits to see so many people doing something so healthy. Of course, I think events like this always promote the health well-being because it's not only about the physical, but also the mental part.
This is the Planet Reigate podcast.
Beryl. 10k.
You look like an experienced runner.
I've been running for about 12 years, but only since I retired.
People were determined from that that you're perhaps slightly older than most people who are here.
Just possibly, possibly.
How did it go for you?
It was very good today, very good. Yes, I think because it was cooler. I'm amazed we got round the whole 10k without any rain at all. There's a few puddles, a lovely puddle on the way round that keeps your feet cool.
And what was the support like?
Absolutely brilliant. I've put my time, which wasn't amazing, but better than I thought, down to the jelly baby lady at 8K.
What does it do for you, running? How does that help you?
I just feel sort of good about myself because I can do it. You do do it because you've got to do something and running's easy because you just go out and do it.
and do you listen to music or podcasts or do you just think about things I used to when I first started running but now all that's going through my head is can I get to the end of whatever it is I'm doing yeah stuff that keeps your mind off how far you've got or how far you've still got to go I did some training before because Run Rye Gate do an eight week training session and I went to every one of those and worked hard at it so I really appreciate that and it's all free so it was brilliant yeah I enjoyed that yeah it was lovely
My name's Gabriel. I've just run the Run Reigate 10K. Explain what you're wearing. I'm wearing a zebra costume and I'm very warm. I'm cooking up in here. We're running it for a friend, Nick Pettit, and we want it to look as wacky as possible.
nick was running it himself actually okay so nick's a big runner and part of boy gate runners i think and he was recently diagnosed with brain tumor so amazingly he's been able to run this race himself today but my son just wanted to run in a zebra costume so that we can set up a just giving and raise as much money as we can for whatever charity he wants actually excellent so did that give you more kind of inspiration put more of a spring in your step absolutely yeah
Oh absolutely, because there's a lot of hills. Everyone was so friendly. Everyone loved the zebra. Definitely do it again. Definitely do it again. Doing it with my son was very special.
Absolutely.
It got me round.
She's amazing. She was so, so good. So proud of her.
She smashed it. It's the longest I've run for a long time.
Puppy Mae.
What race have you just taken part in?
The 10k.
And how did it go for you?
Not very well. I have an attachment that goes in the front of my wheelchair which decided to malfunction half a mile behind the finish line. I had to take it off and do the rest of the race without it. So it clips onto the front of the wheelchair footplate.
I had a massive crack and then I knew something was up and I tried to get it back on and it just wouldn't clip back on so I had to give the wheel to one of the volunteers who ran to the finish line with me and I finished the race without it.
myself fantastic well that makes it even better actually you should almost be pleased that broke because you've overcome another obstacle yeah and then towards the end of the finish line as you're going onto the grass i almost fell out my wheelchair as well but i still got to the finish line so was that because it's a little bit muddy a little bit slippery
Yes, it's like a kind of sudden camber and it tipped the chair.
But you're okay?
I'm all good.
Okay, and it was a good race apart from that?
Apart from that, it was good, yeah.
Were you taking part for yourself or for somebody else? What was your motivation?
Just to take on the challenge again. I did it last year and I was hoping to beat my time.
100%.
Hopefully with a better wheel next time.
And now with me is Spencer, who's the man behind the Reigate Business Guild. What have you just run, Spencer?
I have just run and walked the 10K. Thank you very much. It was fantastic. It's great to see so many people out in our park, in our town, and it really is one of the highlights of the year for me, to be honest. Reigate Business Guild support Dave Kelly and Run Reigate every single year, and we love this event.
To see the roads close and everybody enjoying it, lining the streets, cheering everybody on, it just brings a smile to our face, to be honest.
It's a great community event, isn't it? And also, talking about the businesses, with that medal you got round, Jeanette, you can go into a whole load of local businesses and get money off or freebies.
Brilliant. That's how they bring the whole community into this event. It's not just about taking over the park or taking over the roads.
everybody gets to be a part of it if they want to get involved and that's what we'll say to businesses next year let's keep it going and get involved next year as well now it may be the Reigate Business Guild however run Reigate or supporting local charities as well which I know you do too that's also very important we support renewed hope this year and evolve housing and support being a planning and architectural practice at WS we really want to support the homeless in our areas and raise awareness for the difficulties out there so we're very lucky to be able to run this race and let's do our best to help them
So my name's Emma Ricketts and I did the 10k race in Runrygate. It was brilliant. I think Runrygate is my absolute favourite. The people along the race run who are shouting, well done, keep going, you know, they're doing that out of their own time and they're so lovely and smiley and it really helps, you know.
And there's so many wonderful people running for so many different reasons, you know, charities and things like that. And to see their happy faces and people encouraging you along the way. I've had a few jelly babies from everybody up near Woodhatch. They all had jelly babies and I loved that as well. So thank you. And then residents all come out, which you don't get in many runs.
So I think that's a testament to Reigate, actually.
So a really good community feel.
Oh my gosh, yes, so good. I don't even wear my headphones, which says a lot, because I want to hear the music. There was one family near Wood, I'm really shouting out Woodtouch here, they had their stereo on and they were pumping out some tunes and they're all banging pots and pans and they're doing it for the fun of it and to cheer everyone on, which is so lovely.
And that helps you kind of put a spring in your step, does it?
It really, really does, because I tell you, some of the hills are brutal in Rye Gate. I tell you what, you start the run off and you're going up Cotshot Hill. And you'll think, really? Already? Yeah, we've only just started. And then you get to the end and then you've got another really steep hill up the back of South Park, round the back of Rye Gate.
So you're really doing some interval training up and down hills. So yeah, all of the community spirit is wonderful.
could be worse you know there's a giant hill associated with Reigate you could be running up and down that it could be worse very true very true we could be although you have to say we've got some beautiful scenery as well so actually even though you're going up a few hills it's always past all this lovely scenery and fields and yeah beautiful parts of the town which is why we live here right it's been amazing absolutely amazing
Absolutely, and that's why I do the Planet Ridegate podcast.
I know, and my husband is your biggest fan. I'd say everybody should be listening to your podcast now.
Peter Littlemore. I did the 5k. Sam Roddison. I did the half marathon. So it was my first one. I set out for a pace that I thought I could do just to see how it was. And yeah, as the race went on, I felt pretty comfortable. So I picked up a bit at the end, so I'm really happy.
And Peter, how was it for you? It was good. Went out and sort of sat behind these guys and then probably went out a bit too quick. But on the final hill, it felt awful, but then managed to finish fourth. So pretty good. Do you know those people who you're following? Yeah, so I just sort of sat behind them so that I wouldn't use all my energy, and then they'd sort of pace me a bit as well.
You sort of feel like you're all together, so you're helping each other out a bit.
And Sam, was the hill pretty bad for you as well? Oh, yeah, awful, but you've got to commit to it. Sprinting up the hill was really tough, but it was all right in the end. And then you've got that descent downhill, which you kind of pick up your pace again, and that took me to the finish, so that was... Good. What do you say to yourself when you're at the bottom of the hill? Well, nothing really.
I'm not really thinking anything. I'm just running. Keep the legs sticking out. I was also so tired after that hill, I sort of was questioning how I was actually going to get to the bottom without stacking it.
Hasn't run in months, this lad. Yeah. And how were you feeling if you were injured and this is your first one back? Quite hard work, but I enjoyed it quite a lot, so it's quite nice.
My name is Heike. My race was the 10K for Include Choir.
You've got a tutu on and your face is a bit multicoloured as well. You've got a bit of face painting going on.
Yeah, it's just making more awareness for Include. I thought with the tutu, people would notice me. People loved it. They were cheering on.
Because the include colours are the rainbow colours, really, aren't they? Yeah, so multicoloured, so people can see you coming. How was the race for you?
It's the fourth year I'm doing this, and I always love it.
I'm happy it is dry today. I know you run a business locally, so you're really involved with local community events and so on. What was it like out there with people on the streets?
It's always lovely. I love this event. It's always a positive vibe. It doesn't matter how quick or how fast you are. Everybody supports each other. Everybody cheers each other on. And that's the wonderful thing about this.
Ginevra.
Laura.
I do not enjoy that hill but that was better than I expected so I'm very happy with Second Lady. There's loads of Rygate Priory runners today and in fact in the half we took one, two and three so we're very pleased with our efforts. Lots of different abilities and probably some here that came from our Couch to 5K programme and Some running in the 5k and some of our speedy young juniors.
It is lovely, although it was less lovely when one of the juniors I used to coach not long ago went breezing past me at mile 11. But nice, really.
But, of course, you know the course, so it shouldn't have been a surprise, those hills.
It doesn't get any easier, though. I think sometimes it's better not to know, isn't it?
Laura, let's turn to you. And you obviously live and work in the area as well, so you know the route.
I know it really well, and I worked on it for the first five years with Dave Kelly, so... I know it really well, but my hamstring went today, so I pulled out at mile five, so I had to trot back. I've got a big race in six weeks, so I thought it was wise to pull out rather than carry on. She's racing in Valencia next, I think, aren't you?
Oh, gosh, what's better, running around Reigate or running around Valencia?
I don't know. I think Valencia's going to be sunnier, so probably Valencia. It's going to be flatter, isn't it? And much flatter, yeah, that's true. Actually, I was doing the 10k until this morning, and then I upgraded to the half. And it was probably a bad idea.
My mum and dad are out on mile one, so I had to get back to them so they didn't think I got lost on the route and let them know I wasn't finishing.
It's really nice for me because lots of people here know you and they know my weird name, so you really notice when people are shouting for you. So I always hold my form a bit better when I hit my thing. Oh, I always run better when people are watching. I know it shouldn't make any difference, but you grin and bear it, don't you? Yeah.
Hope you enjoyed that. 40 interviews in 20 minutes. I really think that is how you reflect a community and their love of the event, their personal stories, battles, fundraising reasons and humour as well. And you heard about it on the Planet Reigate podcast. Nowhere else. It's what we do. And we also do this.
Planet Reigate stars, thanking local heroes who are out of this world.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter X, Instagram, and also your favourite podcast app. Search for Planet Reigate. our Planet Reigate Star Award this week. Natasha says, Thank you to the two wonderful ladies in Red Hill who stopped to ask if I needed help with my youngest when my eldest was having a sensory meltdown in the middle of the high street.
You chased her and guided her back to me so that she didn't get lost, the little toad. And I'm so grateful for your offers of help in a situation where everyone else was just staring. So, are you one of those wonderful ladies in Redhill? There are so many wonderful ladies in Redhill, but in this situation particularly? If so, thank you so much.
You're the winners of this week's Planet Reigate Star Award. MUSIC
The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill. Ditch the click for hassle-free local shopping in a welcoming environment. See, touch, smell and try before you buy and speak to real people who can advise you. The Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill. The Good Time Guide. Things to do and places to go on the Planet Reigate podcast.
Now, do you want a host? Do you want a facilitator? Do you want someone to do a presentation for you or maybe a roundtable discussion or a fireside chat on the stage? Do you want somebody to, I don't know, read something at your carol concert, whatever it happens to be? Get in touch with me. Hello at theplanetreigatepodcast.com. Oh, podcast. Yeah, maybe you'd like somebody to do a podcast for you.
Get in touch with me, Peter, and hello at theplanetrygatepodcast.com and we'll sort something out. This is the Good Time Guide. Things to do and places to go over the next seven days. Let's start off with the Archway Theatre in Hawley, who, as you know, we are official media partners with, the Archway Theatre in Hawley.
For more information and booking details go to archwaytheatre.com or phone 0333 666 3366. And why would you want to do that? Well, they're located in Hawley and they have got some performances going on through until the 5th of October plus a matinee. on Saturday the 28th at 2 o'clock, of their latest production, Wild. What is Wild all about?
Well, it premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in London in 2016, and it's about Andrew, who last week was the guy launching, sorry, lunching with his girl in KFC, discussing apartments, making plans for the future, and now, all of a sudden, blink and you miss it, he's in Moscow, in an undisclosed hotel room, on the run, and at risk of assassination. What got him from there to here?
As one of the other characters says to him, let me tell you, now you're in the club, that it's important to keep a sense of humour because things are going to get, now and for the rest of your life, extremely difficult. It's a darkly comic play that explores the unexpected, bewildering and life-changing consequences of challenging the status quo at a global level. So that's at the...
Archway Theatre in Hawley. Check out the details Elaine has written to me. Fancy learning a new sport this winter in the warm and dry? Well, that sounds good already, doesn't it? Then indoor bowling may be for you at Donnings Indoor Bowling Club. Pop in during their open day and see what you think. The coaches will be on hand to get you started. They'll have all the equipment you need.
So you drive into Linkfield Lane past the leisure centre up the hill. They're a separate building with their own large car park. 01737 780 303 if you want some more details on that. Saturday the 28th between 10 and 4. Let's move on and tell you about a quiz night which is happening Saturday. Doors open at 7, quiz at 7.30, Providence Chapel, Chapel Road in Charlewood.
And you can register your team 07732 190706 for that one. The Out of Bounds Comedy Club is happening, South Nutfield Village Hall, Saturday night. And more details on this, jumblebee.co.uk slash comedy night 2024. It's for over 18s only. We talked about this last week. Various acts who've appeared on Michael McIntyre, Deal or No Deal, the celebrity version of that, Harry Hill's TV burp,
Also, yeah, various comics, as I say. One of them says here, The Scotsman. Exceptionally funny, extremely sharp and hugely enjoyable. As I say, it is for adults only. So if you want some more information on that, go to jumblebee.co.uk slash comedy night 2024. Our friends at Active Prospects have been in touch.
They'd love me to mention to you, so I am, that Rygate Unplugged is happening at Rygate Priory Cricket Club, Saturday 28th between 6 and 11, and grab a delicious Monteforti pizza and sip on Pilgrim's Brewery's Finest.
Proceeds from the event will support Active Prospects, a local charity dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people, helping them lead fulfilling and independent lives.
let's move on and tell you about the lie food festival and apple press day it's at the plow it's the pub obviously in lie saturday 28th 11 till 3 there's going to be local food and community stalls food and drink apple pressing children's activities and entertainment as well and it's going to be free entry Sunday the 29th goes like this for one day only. The Earlswood Jumble Trail.
Trash, treasure, makes and bakes. Sunday between 11 and 3. Collect your Jumble Trail map from the Earlswood Farmers Market. And if you want some more information on that... Oh, by the way, the Farmers Market is at the Marquess of Granby pub on Hooley Lane. EcoEarlswood at gmail.com for more on that. We'll be right back.
and then letters will eventually be sent to cancer patients in their homes or hospital. No previous letter-writing experience is required, so if you want to get in touch with somebody in that unfortunate position, then go along to the Posadero Lounge Thursday, 10.30 till 12.00. Once you're there, just ask for Catherine or indeed the letter-writing group.
Treat yourself to a drink or a cake at the Posadero Lounge. Everything is provided for you. The Rewind Wind Band, who are featured, they were our guests on the Planet Rygate podcast, episode 7. Well, Janet says they're holding, excuse me, Jane says they're holding an open rehearsal.
So if you play or used to play woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, keyboard, or fancy playing along with them, go along. Thursday the 3rd, 8 till 9.30 at the Salford Scout Hut, Southern Avenue in Salford. And you can get in touch with them if you want some more details. Rewindwindband at gmail.com. Getting my lips and tongue around that name.
It's time for a Macmillan Coffee Morning and you're invited Friday the 4th, Salford's Village Hall at 11am. A cake stall, an opportunity for you to choose and pre-order a cake at the warm welcome coffee morning. All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer Support. On that, we always look forward to the following Saturday and from one Apple Fair to another one, Betchworth Apple Fest.
As on Saturday, October 5th, 1 till 4 at the Betchworth Village Hall, apple pressing, juice sales, kids activities as well. And the refreshments include apple cake, apple pudding, speciality apple biscuits. So that sounds pretty good, doesn't it? You can take your apples along and have them pressed and bottled along with other people's as well.
And no apple tree will go along anyway, and you can buy the freshest possible juice pressed in front of your very own eyes from apples donated by other people. There's also a garden tool and knife sharpening service as well. Also, chutneys, jams and jellies, all with an apple theme. More information, you can go to rebetchworth at gmail.com for that one.
Also, Saturday the 5th at Salford's Village Hall, 7 for a 7.30 start in the evening at Christ the King. Johnny Weaver's Quiz Nights are like nights like no other. General knowledge helps, but also an eagle eye, a logical brain, a creative imagination... may help you win the evening. £7.50 a ticket. Come as a team of six or on your own.
There's going to be a raffle with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support on that one. So there you go. That is the Good Time Guide. And also we should mention, shouldn't we, that Saturday the 5th of October is the start of the Arts Takeover Week in Redhill to celebrate the power of of culture, creativity and connection.
Keep your eyes peeled for news of events, of how you can get involved on all of the social media. And if you want a bit of a taster, then we've been getting the lowdown from Kay, who is the Arts and Development Officer for Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. So it was about a year ago, this very week, that I was sitting with my next guest in the auditorium at the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill.
Can't do it this year, but my guest is the same, and we're actually sitting on another seat, actually. Well, you may be able to hear. Can you determine where we are? It's Hanoi in the background. You may be able to hear. We've got some chink of China cups.
occasionally as well we're in the belfry shopping center k is with me she's the arts development officer for reigate and banstead borough council this time last year we were talking about the arts takeover which was about to happen and one of the venues was going to be the harlequin a couple of days later it all went a little bit wrong we know why but that hasn't dented your enthusiasm or indeed the enthusiasm of the council for arts takeover part two
No, definitely not. It has presented us with a few challenges, not least because we haven't got the theatre sadly still. So we have been in and around the town and we have an array of venues, not least the Belfry. Andy Nash has been absolutely magnificent. And he's given his shopping centre over for the week.
We're having a really enormous art exhibition along the long corridor leading to Cromwell Road from DAISY, who are the Umbrella Association for Disabled Artists in Surrey. So there's 178 portraits around the Belfry from Saturday the 5th from disabled, deaf and neurodiverse artists.
Added to which, we're sitting on the edge of the performance square, where we have quite a sort of eclectic range of performers. We've got real favourites of mine, Rygate School of Ballet. Unison Choir are performing with the Missing People Choir, which will be really, really exciting. So that's two choirs coming together. We've got Include.
choir who are also sort of part of daisy but they're doing the performing arts kca doing a dance exhibition and we've got the asian social group doing an erratary dance special which will be full of color and joy and verve and yeah the center's gonna go a bit crazy well
What's great about the Belfry, and I know, full disclosure, obviously they sponsor the Planet Reigate podcast, but it's so fantastic that the Belfry is really part of the community. It's not just a shopping centre. It does seem to be such a kind of community hub. And also, you mentioned this performance space. It's right by the lifts. And when you had some performances this time last year...
People looking over the balconies and so on. And it's quite a good space, actually, isn't it?
Yeah. So Daisy were due to exhibit with us last year. And as we know, it all went wrong. And that was just one thing we had to let go. And I showed them the space. And I think Cara Flowers, who's the artistic director and Bryony, were a bit, ooh, shopping centre. Right, OK. We'll think about it. We'll have a look.
And they were like, actually, the lighting along the corridor and Andy and his team are going to move the benches along the middle so people can sit down and look at the portraits like they're in the National Portrait Gallery, for example.
One thing, I think it was Brian who said to me, was usually we are in artistic spaces, which is great, but you get the artistic audience, whereas here we're just going to get members of the public. They don't really have to make a special trip, it's just going to be in their face and they're going to be able to see the portraits...
And that's the great thing about art and the arts takeover, isn't it? That you are going out to take art to people who perhaps wouldn't have maybe gone through the doors at the Harlequin or to go to a performance and buy tickets and that kind of thing. Because you're also going to other spaces, church halls, pubs, places like that.
Yeah, yeah, we are. And I'm all about that. I'm from quite a working class background myself where, you know, art and culture didn't really feature heavily until I got to university. And that you do have to take things to the people and do it in their space and give them what they want. Because everybody's creative and everybody's artistic.
But going back to the venues, you're right, we've got the Junction hosting like an open mic event and spoken word. You know, Woodsy's back helping me out. He was so popular last year. We've got the Gary Baldy, the community pub. They're really all about the community. And the New Flories Cafe in the Memorial Park are hosting three events for me. Really fantastic, they've got behind it as well.
And Redhill Library in their space, a few little bits here and there. And of course they've all got different audiences and different people who use them.
That's really interesting what you say. I hadn't thought about that. The same kind of people would go to a theatre, perhaps. But actually, if you've got something in a shopping centre, something in a pub, something in a church hall, something in a library, you're getting kind of different groups of people, aren't you? Which is really interesting.
And hopefully people who aren't going to be put off by the word arts, because arts is not all Shakespeare and ballet, is it?
No it isn't I mean that's just as important but I do think there is a lot of feelings around the words arts and I think automatically some people go oh it's not for me and particularly some members of the community that I'm working with when actually it is they just don't realise it you know you might like making Christmas cards well that's crafty that's arty with the performances last year as you mentioned it really brought people together just watching it there's that sense of connection that I think everybody's looking for in these sort of turbulent times and I think
Art's really important, or culture, creativity, in bringing us together and bringing different sections of the community together as well, which is why I've tried to reflect in the programme. It's quite varied and it's from different parts of the community from round and about. And hopefully it gives us a platform to build on for next year as well.
Well, you mentioned the programme. What else is on the programme? You've mentioned some dancing, you've mentioned some photography and art. There must be a bit of music as well?
Yeah, there is music on a Thursday night, and that's more like an open mic night, so it's local musicians from round and about who are performing at the junction, and Simon Bull's pulling that music. programme together. He's quite an experienced hand on the local music scene. People can crochet Christmas bunting and that's at the Park Cafe. We've got African drumming and dance.
People can sign up and take part in that and that is really, really fantastic. I ran a session for the kids during our summer holiday programme at Woodhatch Community Centre and And we had people go, can we go in? Can we want to go?
That's really loud, isn't it? It gets into your soul, into your body.
And one of the participants said to me, it just makes them forget, because all they can think about is the rhythm. It's really, really joyful. And that's taking place in the Belfry Rockham Arts Club. They're hosting a blow-in-the-dark paint party in the park for us, where people take home their own paintings.
We have got the paintings at the Gary Baldy and adult storytelling at the Gary Baldy, which will be really evocative. I think they've got a wonderful garden.
When you say adult storytelling, it's not adult stories. What did you explain?
You need to explain that for me. I just meant really that I think people think having stories read to them is for kids. This is like a professional storyteller and she's doing Garth and folk stories, English folk stories up in the Gary Baldy in their garden.
garden which is covered and heated and it will be lovely and lit that sounds good in the run-up to halloween as well yeah yeah yeah we've also got a dj workshop in the belfry on the second saturday people if they can just rock up and have a go on the decks so trying to sort of show look creativity takes all shapes and forms as well as obviously there's some more traditional painting classes as well and a concertina sketchbook workshop in christ central they've posted us as well
That was brilliant. And all, ladies and gentlemen, without notes, because Kay's obviously been working on this for several months. It's all up there. But if people want to actually see it written down so they can work out their schedule, where they need to be on different nights or afternoons, because it's evenings, isn't it, as well as daytime, where do they go to?
The Railgate and Banstead website and its arts takeover. So if they put that in the search engine, it will bring it up. It's quite a long kind of link to read out over the airwaves. All the venues have got leaflets and there's a QR code people can scan. That takes them straight up to the website to book the activities.
And also there will be a pull-up banner in the belfry where people can just scan that as well. So there's lots of ways to get involved. And the Harlequin website, although obviously it's sadly closed at the minute, they have got some information on their website as well.
So your final message to people, come along, have a little go, what wonder past, involve yourself, and you never know what you might find of interest.
Exactly, yeah, and I'm just really hoping it brings the town together, Redhill. I think it will be exciting, and I think hopefully there is something for everybody.
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Thank you.
The Planet Reigate podcast was produced and presented by Peter Stewart.