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51380_ISFC:SPRING inside Cover 2005 26/2/09 09:26 Page 1

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SPRING 2009

The Magazine of the Thames Ditton and Weston GreenResidents’ Association

Published quarterly since Spring 1970

EditorKeith Evetts6 Church WalkThames Ditton KT7 0NW020 8398 [email protected]

Magazine DesignGuy Holman24 Angel Road,Thames Ditton020 8398 1770

DistributionGeorge Cammack19 Riversdale Road,Thames Ditton020 8398 8727

Advertisement ManagerVerity Park20 Portsmouth AvenueThames Ditton KT7 0RT020 8398 5926

ContributorsYou are welcome to submitarticles or images. Please contactthe Editor in advance. Next deadline 7 May.AdvertisersThames Ditton Today isdelivered to an influential4000 households throughoutThames Ditton and Weston Green.Call for rates for full page, half andquarter page advertising.

In this Issue:News From the Residents’ Association ……………… 7

Man For All Seasons …………………………………… 17

The Gate to Hell (photocartoon) ………………………… 23

Residents’ Association in Action 2008/9 ……………… 24

Alright On The Night …………………………………… 27

Dreams of Summer …………………………………… 31

Gold In The High Street ……………………………… 33

Beavers Dam The Opposition ………………………… 34

Music For Spring (at the Vera Fletcher Hall) ………… 35

Theatre In The Village - forthcoming events ………… 39

Spring Crossword………………………………………… 41

Solution to Winter Crossword ………………………… 43

Services, Groups, Clubs and Societies…………………… 44

By Hook or Crook …………………………………… 46

Cover photo: Swans on Milbourne Pond – Editor

www.residents-association.comOfficers and staff of the Association are volunteers, but we must fund costs of this magazine,administrative and election expenses, and other expenses such as spring bulb-planting and thevillage Christmas tree. The subscription is only £3 per household. If you can contribute more,please do so. Subscriptions (in an envelope please) may be left at Moss Chemist, 14 High Street,or Thorkill Road Pharmacy, 94 Thorkill Road, Thames Ditton. Or mail to Membership SecretaryPeter Haynes at 6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton KT7 0JJ. Thank you.

51380.qxd:Thames Ditton SPRING 2005 27/2/09 15:58

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the next residents’ association open meetings are

TUESDAY 24 MARCH (AGM) AND

TUESDAY 28 APRIL, 2009 AT 8.00PM

AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL, 4 EMBERCOURT ROAD, THAMES DITTON

ALL WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THAMES DITTON AND WESTON GREEN ARE WELCOME

Thames Ditton & Weston Green

Residents’ Association

Annual General Meeting8.00 pm on 24 March 2009, at Vera Fletcher Hall, 4 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton

Agenda:1. MINUTES of the 2008 Annual GeneralMeeting and matters arising therefrom. 2. CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT: toreceive, discuss and adopt the Annual Report for2008-2009. 3. ACCOUNTS: to receive the Accounts for theyear ended 31 December 2008. 4. APPOINTMENTS: to receive nominations andappoint officers and an Auditor:President Vice PresidentChairman Vice ChairmenHon Secretary Hon Treasurer Auditor 5. SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS:to adopt a candidate to stand at the Surrey CountyCouncil Elections on 4 June 2009 6. RESOLUTIONS: to consider any resolutionssubmitted in writing to the Secretary by 10 March2009. 7. GUEST SPEAKER: Gerry Acher CBE, LVO,Chairman, Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trustand Chairman of The Royal Society of Arts:“Conservation of our Heritage in a Changing World”– lessons from a case study on Home Yard (Skiltons)Cobham

President: Ann Levick,8 Basing Close, Thames Ditton

Vice-President: Edward Rowe,23 Portsmouth Avenue, Thames Ditton

Vice-President: Maureen Sheldrick,34 The Woodlands, Esher

Thames Ditton CouncillorsDavid Lowe,8 Embercourt Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4957Ruth Lyon,11 Riversdale Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 3396Karen Randolph, Deepfield, Giggs Hill Road,Thames Ditton 020 8398 5005Weston Green CouncillorsLorraine Sharp,168 Ember Lane, Esher 07970 874 925Tannia Shipley, ‘Clinton House’27 Lower Green Road, Esher 020 8398 2484Surrey County Councillor:Peter Hickman, Little Lodge,Watts Road, Thames Ditton 020 8339 0931Officers:Chairman: Libby MacIntyre,24, High Street, Thames Ditton 020 8398 5534 Vice-Chairman: Alan Brauner,11 Speer Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 0870Vice-Chairman: Martin Wilberforce,7 River Avenue, Thames Ditton 020 8398 4732Hon. Treasurer: Keith Baldwin,24 Speer Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 8844Hon. Secretary: Tricia Bland,29 Station Rd., Thames Ditton 020 8339 0485Membership Secretary: Peter Haynes6 Onslow Gardens, Thames Ditton 020 8398 6019Conveners of Sub-Committees:Health and Community: Karen Randolph (see above for details)Planning: Graham Cooke 23 Ashley Road, Thames Ditton 020 8398 8509Highways, Drainage: Andrew Roberts1 Boyle Farm Road, Thames Ditton 020 8786 6882

www.residents-association.com

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7

News from the Residents’ Association

17 November to 25 February

Since our last issue we have enjoyedanother excellent Christmas Fair, amagical snowfall that fortunately wasswift to disappear, and a number of goodfundraisers events for charitable purposesof which the highlight was Aladdin, adinner and panto organised by Ruth Lyonand Karen Randolph at the Vera FletcherHall that raised some £3000 for ThamesDitton Hospital fund.

The period has seen a good deal ofheavy lifting by your Association, whichin the middle of this year will celebrate 75years of effective representationaldemocracy though volunteers from thesevillages. Membership continues to rise.

Parking

At the beginning of January the rulingElmbridge Conservatives imposedswingeing increases of between 100% and150% on daily and termly parking rates inAshley Road car park. This unfairly hitoffice and shop employees and othersincluding residents who need to parkthere for more than a couple of hours. Itresulted in yet more cars being parked onour overcrowded streets. Helen Peters ofAxos organised a petition to roll backcharges to the levels of last year, whichwe supported: 500 signatures were swiftlyappended. Helen spoke to the petitionwell when it was presented to the Cabinet.It awaits the Council’s consideration.

Ember CentreA day centre for the more elderly

residents of the area is held at VeraFletcher Hall twice a week. They pay areasonable amount for transport to thecentre and lunch while there. The EmberCentre provides stimulation, educationand a social focus for those disadvantagedby age, helping to keep them active andengaged, fed; and out of the final stage ofcare that would cost the public pursesubstantially more than the modest£12,500 the Ember Centre costs annuallyplus cost of its EBC-salaried manager.There is an active core of volunteers toenrich what is offered, who also raisefunds – lately for the installation ofcomputers so that members of the centrecan learn to use essential tools like theinternet. The Residents’ Association is

Karen Randolph and Andrew Roberts hand thecar park petition to Elmbridgeʼs Chief Executive

officer Rob Moran


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among those who have raised some fundsfor this purpose.

Membership of the Centre, originallyenvisaged at 80 persons when it wasestablished in 1992, has grown to 122 andthere is every prospect that its facilitieswill be used increasingly withdemographic changes. In February theConservative Elmbridge Cabinet statedtheir intention to close it, offering muchinferior facilities at St Helens to only 30persons and destroying the work built upby volunteers that doesn’t appear on theCouncil balance sheet. This was one of anumber of small ‘savings’ put forward bythe Cabinet themselves. We are gratefulto residents who attended the publicgallery on the evening Cabinet ‘debated’these issues. They were treated to thesight of the Mayor of Elmbridge, NigelCooper, eloquently pleading with theCabinet for the retention of this and otherfacilities for community groups in theborough. He would be ashamed ofElmbridge if they were axed, he said.

The Cabinet, who up to that point hadnot actually visited the Ember Centreand St Helens to see for themselves,attempted to suppress comment andignored this and other representations.We then joined with Church groups andothers to raise a petition against closure,which obtained over 2,150 signatures,while pressure on the Council resultedin a visit by councillors to theestablishments. We are glad to say thatnot all Conservative councillors agreedwith their leadership. With Residentsand LibDems they exercised theirconscience, so that the Cabinet’s plan wasreferred back to Committee at fullCouncil on 25 February. Pressure needs

to be maintained to secure the rightoutcome.

Public loosThe Cabinet also announced its

intention to close the nine public toiletsoperated by Elmbridge. Several of theseare appropriately situated, well-maintained and appreciated: for exampleby the Thames-side walk in Molesey orby sports fields much used by school andother teams. It seems likely that council-tax payers, had they been consulted,would agree that these were pennies wellspent. Calls of nature being what theyare, we may expect more use of thebushes, alas.

Councillors’ payLast year, as they raised many car park

charges by some forty percent (revenuewas reduced in consequence), theElmbridge Cabinet voted themselves asimilar increase in their own allowances.This year, despite the recession, they wereplanning to hike their allowances again attwice the rate of inflation. Leader of theCouncil Roy Taylor (Conservative,Walton) described councillors who did notwant to support his Cabinet’s plan as‘crackers.’ However, we are pleased toreport that a member of his own Cabinetand some other Conservative councillorsjoined with Residents in opposing theplan and it was shelved.

PlanningAt the Council meeting on December

18th Conservative councillors voted enbloc on the first critical motion leading toapproval for the huge development on theriverside Jolly Boatman site. OfConservatives present, only the Deputy


9

Mayor, in accordance with normalpractice, abstained. The controversialdecision overruled the views of themajority of local people near the site, whowished to see a less obtrusivedevelopment. As it is, the glorious Palaceat Hampton Court that forms part of ournational heritage will be faced by the dullmass of a hotel of four floors, whichmany residents think should have a plaquebearing the names of those who voted forit.

The development will have knock-oneffects for Thames Ditton and WestonGreen as the railway station at HamptonCourt, with its car park, will be closed formany months during works.

Similarly, Conservatives voted infull committee to side with developersand build a bigger hotel on Green Beltland at Sandown Park, overturning theCouncil Planning Officer ’srecommendation. In the earlier PlanningCommittee, a Conservative councillor forLong Ditton opined in voting for it thatthe project would ‘open up’ the GreenBelt. Some saw this as in the same mouldas Labour’s John Prescott’s notoriousstatement that: “the Green Belt is a greatachievement, and we are going to build onit.”

72 Ember Lane: Plans to demolish theexisting house and build four detachedhouses there were rejected at an appeal,which many residents attended andspoke at eloquently, supported by Cllr.Tannia Shipley. The Inspector describedthe proposal as a “cramped development,out of keeping with the character andappearance of the area and which wouldhave an unacceptable impact on theamenities of neighbouring residents.”

The application to demolish part of theexisting buildings complex at TheNewlands and build 6 flats, 7 three-storey terraced houses and one two storeydetached house, has been withdrawn. Ithad become clear that for very strongreasons the Elmbridge planning andconservation officers would recommendrefusal for it, as it stood. Our Associationand councillors put a good deal of workinto researching the application. Weexpect a re-worked application in duecourse that will take into proper accountthe heritage value of the old house and itssetting.

In our last issue we wrote that theNewlands was a boys’ school before thewar. Marie Manuel of King’s Drive pointsout that in fact it was a co-educationalschool – she was a pupil there!

In January, Elmbridge planners refusedplanning permission for the application tobuild four detached and three terracedhouses on the Olde Harrow site, on thegrounds that the proposed developmentwould be unduly prominent, cramped andoverbearing in this sensitive locationbordering the Green Belt and woulddetract from the character and appearanceof the surrounding area; and that theapplication did not propose to make anypayments for Infrastructure and Servicecontributions to take account of thecumulative impact of small-scaledevelopments, as required by the Council.The developers are taking this ruling toappeal. We shall support residents inopposing it, in the hope that developerswill take the planning objections into fulland proper account and produce proposalsthat make more sensitive use of the site.


10

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11

High StreetWe renewed pressure on the Council

properly to enforce planning conditionson and behind 27 High Street where astop order had to be served in 2007. Ayear further on, several of thoseconditions have still not been met andofficers seemed to be dragging their feet.However, some works have begunrecently and we hope this unfortunateepisode, which reflects badly on planningand enforcement in the conservation area,will be resolved shortly.

Meanwhile in late January theInspector heard an appeal by the samedeveloper concerning 29 High Street(currently tenanted by Hawes & Co),where Elmbridge’s planners rejectedproposals to reduce commercial space andbuild upwards to provide five flats. In asignificant ruling the Inspector noted thatsmall businesses and commercialconcerns are an important elementcontributing positively to the character ofthe Conservation Area. Loss ofemployment floorspace and reduction inassociated activity could undermine theviability of other businesses nearby. Therewas no reason why this commercialfloorspace could not be used moreactively, if refurbished to modernstandards. The proposal would notpreserve or enhance the character orappearance of the Conservation Area andthe amount of development proposed onthe site was undesirable.

The ruling should set an importantprecedent for the defence of our HighStreet shops, not least the former Bakerythat is owned by the same developer.

16 – 18 Embercourt Rd: Residentshave been concerned by the blocking off

of the pavement along this garden-grabbing development off Thistledene.One resident also spotted an entry on theplanning notes that trees featuring in thesubmission by architects had ‘blowndown’ since the plans were passed onappeal. Elmbridge were unwilling to takethis up with the developers. Meanwhileconstituents have commented wryly on aletter from MP Ian Taylor averring thatConservatives are opposed to gardengrabbing. The decision to list gardens asbrownfield sites suitable for developmentwas adopted under a Conservativegovernment; and the owner of 18Embercourt Road who sold part of hisgarden for this controversial developmentis the Chairman of Ian Taylor ’sConstituency Association.

The main planning application for thedevelopment of the Home of Compassionby new owners Caring Homes (see ourAutumn 2008 issue) has been approved.The developers and their architects havetaken considerable pains to find areasonable way to preserve and enhancethis facility for respite care whilerespecting a sensitive site of heritagevalue. Meanwhile the new local Trust,Walsingham Care, closed the CharityShop at the Home and it is reopening at68 Bridge Rd, East Molesey.

ConservationAll households in Thames Ditton have

received by hand an outline ofElmbridge’s proposals for conservationand management of the two ConservationAreas in Thames Ditton. There is anexhibition in the Library. The proposalsand supporting documents may also beviewed on EBC’s website. Your


councillors and Asociation officers aswell as several individual residents put ina good deal of work together with EBC’sconservation planners and heritageconsultants to ensure that the draftdocument was realistic and f o r w a r d -looking. It is a thorough piece of workthat should meet with general support. Infinal form it will become a basic textagainst which to consider future planningproposals, and measures to enhance thearea as and when borough and countycouncil have funds available. Residentshave until 13 March to indicate supportand submit comments to the Heritage

Section of Elmbridge’s Town PlanningDivision.

Esher Station floodingLong-suffering residents will recall that

a year ago, with yet another enormousheave, our councillors Tannia Shipley andPeter Hickman managed to get NetworkRail and Surrey County CouncilHighways, along with sundry riparianowners, to discharge their responsibilitiesto clear the drains and culverts in the two-mile network that drains the low-lyingareas round Esher Station. This cured theflooding, but we warned that they wouldneed to ensure that routine clearance andmaintenance was carried out to prevent itrecurring. As reported on our website andin Thames Ditton Today, this was notdone despite repeated lobbying of SCC byour councillors, and the inevitableflooding occurred on at least twooccasions during the winter.

We regret to report that SurreyHighways initially tried to deny that itwas their problem. Tannia managed to digout a memo from their Head ofEngineering in 2002 – she has been tryingto get them to do their duty for a longtime – which stated:

“The Highway Authority (SCC) has aresponsibility to maintain “highwaydrains”. By definition and in this contextthe word “drain” includes ditches,watercourses, culverts and pipes situatedin the highway or in land adjoining orlying near the highway. SCC willtherefore continue to maintain ditches andwatercourses that are adjacent to thehighway and lie within common land,providing they take surface water run-offfrom the highway.”

the Fountain in the snow

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Alas, we have had at least two othermatters during the past year when SCCHighways officials’ first line has been todeny responsibility for something – inthose cases, adopted footpaths – and wehave had to go to considerable trouble toresearch documents to prove that theresponsibility is theirs and cannot simplybe shirked.

TilesFor the second year running,

vagabonds stole antique tiles from thepavements of Weston Green – this timefrom Parkwood Avenue. Last time,residents scraped together enough spareold ones from driveways to reinstatethem. This time, Cllr. Tannia Shipley andcolleagues managed to locate a source ofreplacements in Wales but SCC refused tobuy the 200 tiles required to make good.So our councillors are trying again toassemble enough tiles from those whichresidents may have stored, when pastworks were done and tiles lifted. To date,SCC have not claimed on their insurancefor the two thefts. That money could havebeen used to buy replacement tiles.

COUNTY NEWS

Iniquitous redistributionof our taxes

The Government’s latest fundingsettlement leaves Surrey in a worsefinancial position for the fourth consecutivefinancial year, while under a LabourGovernment, a large cut of our money is‘redistributed’ to places mostly in Labour’sheartland. The Government takes a net taxcontribution amounting to over £5,000 forevery man, woman and child in this county.

In ‘return’ the Government grants, perresident:

Manchester £856.64 (almostexclusively dominated by Labour MPs)Birmingham £752.42 (Nine out of theten Birmingham MPs are Labour)Lancashire £401.81 (Three-quarters ofLancashire MPs are Labour)Surrey £205.33 (no Labour MPs)The county council is sponsoring an e-

petition calling for an independentcommission to take the politics out ofdistributing funding to local authoritiesacross the country so they can offer thesame level of service to their residents aseach other. All groups on Surrey CountyCouncil support this, including Residents’Associations, which wants to take politicsout of local government so that councilscan concentrate on sensible administrationwithout partisan politicking. You can addyour name to this petition on the websiteof the Prime Minister’s Office at:

www.petitions.number10.gov.uk/Surrey-Funding/

As we go to press, the AuditCommission is expected imminently torate Surrey County Council among theworst performing local authorities inthe country, with one star compared withthe three stars awarded last year. Fiveyears ago it was awarded four stars,denoting “above minimum requirements.”Less than half the electorate are satisfiedwith the County Council. We believe thatpart of the problem derives from the lackof challenge to a comfortable partyoligarchy that has ruled the County eversince it was established. You will have anopportunity to vote in County electionson 4 June. Please exercise your vote.


Winter’s BridgeWinter’s Bridge on the Portsmouth

Road, originally named “Window’sBridge” after an 18th-century blacksmithwho built a plank bridge over the RiverRythe at that spot, has long been a tradingpost. Three years ago shopkeepers therewere worried that reduced parking optionsand increased enforcement were seriouslydamaging trade. County Highwaysofficials were slow to respond to thisproblem. Traders and shoppers led byChris Bachmann – of Britain’s leadingpatisserie – organised a petition asking forimprovements in the shape of a lay-by forshort-stay shoppers to park in. OurCounty Councillor Peter Hickman’spersistence steered the proposal throughthe Area Committee and with some fundsfrom his council allocation, andcontributions from Bachmann’s and fromour Residents’ Association, £15000 wassecured to put it into effect. On its firstmorning the new lay-by was used by atleast 45 grateful customers!

Membership and subscriptionsThe Association continues to meet with

your support. Subscribing householdshave again increased from last year’slevels and the number stands at 1159. Itis subscription time again. If you’ve onlyrecently paid a sub., then you probablyresponded to our September-Octoberreminder campaign for last year’s subswhere some 60 volunteer collectorsdistributed forms and envelopes, orknocked on doors to help boost ourmembership. Many thanks to them fortheir good work.

This year, we hope to continue thetrend of early subscription, so please send

in your contribution with the formthoughtfully provided with this issue.Your support is essential for thepublication of this magazine, and thework undertaken by the Association onbehalf of residents. For yourconvenience, subscriptions can bedropped off at Moss or ThorkhillPharmacies. The Association is verygrateful to the staff there for providingthis service. Please bear in mind, they arenot expected to provide change orenvelopes for your subscriptions – thepharmacies act purely as collection points.

Chris Bachmann and Peter Hickman– job done!

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15

SocialAgain we were lucky with a clear, cold

night for the village Christmas Fair on10 December. The turnout was excellentand fun was had by all at a rattling good,villagey occasion. A tribute to theorganisers and in particular, Sarah Searlewho again underpinned the coordinationthis year.

A fund raising Middle Eastern dinnerwith a top quality performance of thepantomime ‘Aladdin’ in the Vera FletcherHall on 17 January raised £3,000 forThames Ditton Hospital. The occasionwas sponsored by Dairy Crest. Ruth Lyonorganised the dinner. Karen Randolph,Chairman of the Friends of ThamesDitton Hospital, thanked guests for theirgenerosity. Last year the Friends gaveover £60,000 of new equipment to enablethe introduction of ultrasound, ENTservices and electrocardiogram services,which enable NHS patients to have theirdiagnosis and treatment within two weeksinstead of waiting 12 weeks forappointments at Kingston or St. George’shospitals.

Congratulations to Keith Blackwell,Principal of Esher College, on his OBEfor services to local and national furthereducation. Esher College under hisleadership is consistently well-rated byOFSTED and in particular, providessignificant added value.

Former West Indies captain, thelegendary Richie Richardson, will beplaying for Thames Ditton CricketClub on Giggs Hill Green for the nextthree summers. He has signed toparticipate in ten matches each year, andwill also coach the club including thecolts and senior sides.

Cover photoOur Association logo depicts a swan

because for many years a pair of swanswas to be seen on Milbourne Pond inWeston Green. Each year now, the pondis inspected by a couple – shown onMilbourne pond last year in the photo –but they think better of it. We keephoping that one day, they will becomeresidents.

And finally...At our Open Meeting in February and

earlier in the year several members havecalled for the Association to developforward policies on issues from snowclearance through the kinds ofdevelopment we want to see on our majorsites to the question of final-salarypensions for Council employees. Thiskind of discussion is healthy. Rememberthat the Association isn’t an us-and-themorganisation. It’s – you! See you at theAGM on 24 March.www.residents-association.com

Village voices…“To succeed in politics you have to rise above your principles. And if at first youdon’t succeed, destroy all the evidence that you tried.”

“Before your criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,you’re a mile away when you criticise them, and you have their shoes.”


16

David Pointer

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17

Man For All Seasons

Most days around theDittons you are likely tocome across a seasonedfellow inspecting some defectin the road or verge andshaking his head. This isPeter Hickman, our CountyCouncillor. He’s often out onthe streets.

Peter moved to ThamesDitton with wife Julia andtheir family just after theflooding of 1968. A qualifiedmicrobiologist from what isnow Brunel University, hewas a senior manager withHeinz and in charge ofquality assurance: “I had tomake sure every can of bakedbeans was identical, whereverit was made!” Keen tocontribute to the village’senvironment and life, Peterjoined the Residents’Association as membershipsecretary, later becomingtreasurer. He’s had three spells asChairman of the Association. Peter isalso a longstanding member of theConservation Area Advisory Committeeand has chaired it for the past decade.

Peter and Julia have contributed tolocal life in many ways. Julia, a keenneedlewoman, built up and ran Stitcheryand was a driving force behind the JubileeQuilt that hangs in the Library. She

initiated the annual Christmas dinner-dance for residents. The couple are expertgardeners, and their delightful garden atLittle Lodge, where they do all thegardening themselves, is open each yearunder the National Gardens’ scheme.Julia is also likely to be the person whoanswers the telephone sympatheticallywhen you call to complain about someSurrey iniquity.

Peter Hickman, our County councillor


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Residents had sought and achievedrepresentation on the borough councilsince the Association was founded in1934, but did not seek election at Countylevel. For many years, the councillor forthe Dittons was a Conservative with alarge majority and then, whenConservatives fell sharply out of favourin the sleazy, rudderless years of JohnMajor, a Liberal held the seat for twosuccessive periods. Neither Conservativenor Liberal seemed to do much by way ofreal work representing the views andinterests of local residents at county level.So, with a good candidate to hand inPeter, residents decided to put himforward and he was elected four yearsago.

“We needed some active opposition inSurrey,” notes Peter, “to focus on practicaladministrative matters. We now haveeight Residents’ councillors from variousparts of the county, who workpragmatically while the twelve LiberalDemocrats and two Labourrepresentatives waste a lot of energy inparty bickering with the Conservatives.”A case in point was Kingston Council’sdecision to exclude Elmbridge residentsfrom the nearby recycling centre atVilliers Road. “The Conservatives madeit a party political matter, attacking theLibDems who run Kingston, so the SurreyLibDems closed ranks and the chance ofnegotiating a sensible solution withKingston was lost.”

At the same time, Peter observes thatthe Conservatives who have governed thecounty council ever since it wasestablished have grown complacent inpower and need to be challenged. “Theywent into major private sector contracts

with their eyes shut, and lost effectivecontrol. At the outset, even the task ofaudit and inspection was given to the verysame contractors who were supposed tocarry out the work.” Highways matterstop the list of residents’ complaints, yetthe Conservative in charge of thisportfolio claims the county is doing well.“The reputation of Surrey County Councilis at an all time low in this part of Surrey,and press releases putting a spin onHighways performance are received withdisbelief,” wrote Peter in the latestmissive demanding that the county takeeffective action on flooding under EsherStation bridge.

Poor attendance at seminars on keypolicy issues for Surrey also indicatescomplacency. “Some individualcouncillors are conscientious but manyhave grown lazy. Less than a quarter ofmy Conservative colleagues bother toattend.” This attitude may be related toinadequate county planning for the future.For example, education: “The countyExecutive has largely failed to plan fordemographic changes. The shortfall ininfant school places was predictable andno action was taken. Now, in the Dittonswe are short of 96 places this September,and temporary classrooms will have to besqueezed in somewhere while the list ofangry parents grows.”

There are dilemmas in trying tobalance what residents want, with whatthe county of Surrey must do in otherspheres less immediate than potholes.The vast majority of communicationsfrom Dittons and Weston Green residentsare about highways failings, with schoolplaces some way behind. There arerelatively few about social services

19


20

MICHAEL MOULE ANTIQUESCONSTANTLY REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

All Furniture Pre 1920, Silver and Silver Plate,Brass and Copper, All Clocks, Porcelain, Bronze

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21

although this is a very substantial part ofCounty expenditure, and set to grow asthe population ages. Health is becoming akey issue, with a myriad Government-imposed changes in the pipeline. Peter isan active Vice Chairman of the county’sHealth Scrutiny Committee and reportsthat the Primary Care Trust (NHS) seemsto be paying more attention to localconsultation than it used to. Council worktakes up most of Peter’s week. Some ofhis colleagues double up as boroughcouncillors, taking home two sets oftaxpayers’ money: “I don’t see how aCounty Councillor can also be a BoroughCouncillor and do a proper job as either.”

I’ve seen Peter at work for two yearsnow. His conscientiousness, patience andpersistence at many a thankless task isimpressive. He also manages to get quitea lot done by the county bureaucracy.The key, he says, is trying to buildrelationships with people who work thereand with like-minded colleaguesregardless of their affiliation. Thecounty’s financial position is not helpful.

“It could have been managed better, butSurrey is badly short-changed by aLabour government that spends more ofour taxes on its heartland than it does on acounty it likes to see as rich, healthy andsafe.”

With our roads and environmentlooking more like the Third World, ourschools oversubscribed, our elderly andvulnerable population set to grow, and ourhealth service destined for unfamiliarchanges, Peter ’s the man to shakecomplacency out of our Countygovernment and get on with the job.

Keith Evettsthe High Street – Third World road surface

Peter – street fighter on the case


22

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27

Denis Norden and thenGriff Rhys Jones have made“It’ll be Alright on the Night”famous through their longrunning television shows withthe bits they didn’t want toshow when things wentdisastrously wrong inrehearsal or on the night.Running theatre shows andconcerts at the Vera FletcherHall has its fair share of closecalls, near disasters and lastminute panics. Just like aswan which glides smoothlyacross the water there isfurious paddling activity underthe surface which no one sees.

The telephone rings. “It’sGlyn here about “MadameButterfly”. Can you provide a5 year old blue eyed boy withfair hair for the performancenext week at the Vera FletcherHall?” We are used to somestrange requests and lastminute panics but this was a new one!How does one set about finding a smallboy to meet these requirements? If we dofind him will his parents want him up solate at night? What would Equity say? Wesolved this one by finding a 7 year old girlwith brown hair – and with a blonde wigno one was any the wiser.

For “Pirates of Penzance” the requestwas for a 9 year old boy in old-fashioned

striped pyjamas and dressing gown – howmany 9 year old boys wear these today?Our press officer, 17 year old RubyLimbrick, spoke to her next doorneighbour Robbie Spencer and 24 hourslater he was performing on the boards – areal pro.

Our usual last minute crises are moremundane – there was the internationalcellist who arrived in trainers and forgot

Alright on the Night– the joys of running a theatre

Robbie Spencer, star of the stage


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Secretary: Mrs Linda LambertTel: 020 8398 1476 Email: [email protected]

Services: 10.45 on SundaysCommunion Service 1st Sunday of each month

WELCOME TO ALLHall Bookings telephone: 020 8224 3578

SCIENCE TUITIONA Level & GCSE Tuition

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Tel: 020 8398 7365Alan Tucker: 2 Gainsborough Close, Esher KT10 8JR

28


his black shoes to go with his tails. Wewere able to solve this one but anyobservant concert-goer that night whosaw the cellist come in to the Hall mighthave noticed that his shoes were two sizestoo large for his feet. Other cellists haveforgotten to bring their rest for theirinstrument on the floor- a bit of carpetsolved that one.

Last minute requests for special itemsare common- Regency chairs, side tables,champagne glasses, flower vases,Victorian lamps… Pianists arrive on thenight expecting to find a page turner laidon. All these are challenges which we canmeet by calling on our Friends of the VeraFletcher Hall to help out. Over the yearswe’ve had lights fail before the show, (but

were fixed just in time), but fortunately allour performers have always turned up onthe night, though some a little late.

Next time you come to a performanceat the Vera Fletcher Hall, spare a thoughtfor the management who dread hearing,an hour before curtain up, the words “Youdon’t happen to have… ? ”, who grow oldbefore their time, wonder why they everagreed to help and keep their collectivefingers crossed in the hope that “It’ll beAlright on the Night”.

Ruth Lyon

Ruth, Joan Leifer and the wholeteam at the Hall do a fantastic job as

theatrical impresarios – Ed.

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56502

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31

Dreams of Summer

Dream a little and think of summer.On two pleasant lawns in WestonGreen, men and women are absorbedin the gentle game of croquet. Theydo not whack their opponents’ ballsinto the shrubbery, but rather pursuetactics to get their balls through all thehoops before their opponents do. Thepeaceful lawns are encircled bymature trees, and there will be a shortbreak mid-afternoon for tea and, ifthey’re lucky, a cake.

This is Ember Croquet Club. Theclub, which lies between Grove Wayand The Drive, is a section of theEmber Sports Club which also hastennis, bowls, drama and socialactivities. The Croquet Section wasformed in 1990 after the then marketgarden was cleared and levelled forcroquet lawns.

Croquet is believed to have originatedin France in the 14th century. By themiddle of the 19th century it was one ofthe most popular outdoor sports inEngland. Today croquet is played byaround 10,000 players in Britain, in 170clubs.

Some thirty members of varying agesenjoy this leisurely, sociable, outdoorsport throughout the summer period at theEmber Croquet Club. The club providesthe necessary equipment. All you needare some flat shoes and a cheerfuldemeanour!

The summer season opens at Easterand continues until the end of September.During the winter members meet once amonth in the clubhouse for indoor carpetcroquet. Coaching is offered by membersto beginners. Everyone is encouraged tojoin in various competitions as well asarranging informal games with othermembers, and staging monthly barbeques.

For a modest subs, anyone can enjoythis fascinating and addictive game. Formore information, contact Mike Beaneyon 020 8398 1567, Peter Lomax on 01932860344, or the author, Mike Lambert on020 8398 1476,

detail from “Croquet” - James Tissot ca. 1878


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32


How many of us could name anOlympic gold medal winner who wasborn in the Punjab but now lives andworks among us in Thames Ditton?

The Pro Shop in the High Street is amagnet for sports players run byOlympian Kulbir Bhaura, bronzemedallist for Great Britain in 1984, andgold medalllist at Seoul in 1998. Hecame to the UK in 1968 and as he hadplayed hockey at school in India he joinedthe Indian Gymkhana Hockey Club atOsterley and from there stepped on to thenational stage. In 1979 he was selectedfor England National Squad and playedin 2 World cups as well as the Olympics,generally as centre forward or right wing,winning a Silver Medal in the 1986London World Cup.

His shop, with separate showrooms forcricket and hockey, provides kit for majorprofessional players as well as aspiringyoungsters. Advice is dispensed with theequipment to ensure that the right stick,bat or pads are matched to the player.Customers come in all shapes and sizes –one day the door opened and a tinycustomer came in wearing shorts, bootsand a pearl Alice band. Kulbir was able tofit out the little girl with a hockey stick,explaining that it should not come upabove her waist. Another customer, whenI was in the shop, asked “Have you anygloves in pink?” Kulbir found some blackones with pink backs and another satisfiedcustomer left the shop.

Kulbir set up his first Pro Shop inChiswick in 1996, opening his secondbranch in Thames Ditton in 2000. It is aflourishing asset that attracts sportingshoppers to our High Street from far andwide. Kulbir finds Thames Ditton alovely little village with strongcommunity spirit. He appreciates thesupport he gets from his local customersand is glad to contribute to the communityin turn: his shop acts as the Box Office forthe many shows at the Vera Fletcher Hall.He still plays hockey, at Sunbury, andlives locally with his wife and 8 year oldson Harvir who, Kulbir says, “showspromise…”

Ruth Lyon

Kulbir Bhaura in the Pro Shop

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Gold in the High Street


Beavers Dam the Opposition

On Sunday 8th February Beavers,Cubs and Scouts took part in the annualDistrict Scout Group Cross CountryRace starting at West End, Esher. TheDittons Scout Group has always had astrong presence and this year was nodifferent. 16 Cubs and 30 Beavers fromthe group participated. The redoubtableBeavers have won the team event onnine occasions during the past 11 yearsso expectations were high this year,especially as there were two separateDittons teams entered in the 1.75 milerace, from the Toronto Colony and thenewly formed Montreal Colony.

Despite the recent bad weather andvery muddy conditions our Beavers were

keen as mustard to retain their teamtrophy and a grand effort was put in byall of them. The Toronto Beaversnarrowly beat the Montreal Beavers intofirst place. Six and a half year oldBenjamin Collier from Montreal Beaversfinished fifth in the individual race.

The Dittons Cubs Cross Country teamalso came second overall with BenBaumann finishing second in theindividual race.

We are very proud of all the childrenwho took part’ said Martin Cooper,Toronto Beaver leader. ‘It’s atremendous achievement for ourColonies to finish in first and secondplaces in the District race.’

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Yay! Beavers


Music for Spring– at the Vera Fletcher Hall

The highlight of the new season willundoubtedly be Rossini’s “Cinderella”,brought to us by English Pocket Operaand sung in English. This company is oneof the country’s leading touringcompanies and has brought many operasto the Hall (most recently Magic Fluteand Carmen.) It specialises in re-interpreting classic operas in an intimatesmall-scale format and their performancesare praised in the Press as “everythingthat opera should be – non elitist,beautifully sung and, most of all – fun”.

They described this production of“Cinderella” as “a colourful swirl oforiginal ideas, creating a hilarious visualspectacle marked by some extraordinarysinging”. The Vera Fletcher Hall is aperfect venue for small scale opera soleave your opera glasses at home andremember that great things often come insmall packages!

The Hall is making a name for itselfwith its programme of chamber music andon Friday 24 April we welcome back SagiHartov (cello) and Benjamin Frith (piano)who will be joined by Ramon Wodkowski(clarinet) in a concert which will includeworks by Brahms, Glinka and Beethoven.International concert pianist BenjaminFrith won the National ConcertoCompetition at the age of only 14 andwent on to receive a Gold Medal at the1989 Rubenstein Piano Competition. SagiHartov is a regular visitor to the Hallwhere he played with Tanya Ursova andsince then with Benjamin Frith. He haswon many major awards and performed atthe Wigmore Hall and many other venuesat home and abroad. He was a finalist inthe Rostropovich International CelloCompetition in Paris in 2001. AmericanRamon Wodkowski studied music at Yale,came to London to the Royal College ofMusic and has appeared as guestclarinettist with many orchestras such asthe Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Heperforms regularly at venues such as theCarnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and

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Cinderella – English Pocket Opera


36


the Salzburg Mozarteum underconductors such as Bernard Haitink andPierre Boulez and gives frequent solo andchamber music recitals across London.

Both these events are supported by theRC Sherriff Trust.

In April Michael Lunts makes awelcome return with his “Winter inMajorca” – the story of Chopin’s stay ina monastery in Majorca with his lover

Georges Sand. The music that came out ofthis adventure includes the Preludes,Polonaises and Mazurkas and are playedby Michael as part of the action. “Winterin Majorca” has been performed all overthe world as far afield as Australia andCanada, since its premiere at SalisburyPlayhouse. Actor and classical pianist,Michael Lunts’ unusual combination oftalents have earned him many accoladesover the years: “Spellbinding study ofChopin, interweaving his music andletters” – The Independent.

New to the Hall on 20 March will beFrench singer and songwriter AlexVachon in her “The Sunshine of myRainy Days”. Alex will be singing herEnglish songs and hits from Cole Porterto “Les Miserables”.

The season concludes on Friday 3 Julywith a concert from two continents ofmusic from classic to jazz when Brazilianguitarist Pepe Barcellos joins prize-winning young musicians Amy Tress(violin), and Adam Crowther (piano)playing works from the Americas andEurope, including Tom Jobim, Piazolla,Gershwin, Debussy, Ravel and Sarasate’svirtuoso piece for violin “CarmenFantasy”.

For details of prices, times andbookings, turn to page 39 or visit thewebsite at:

www.verafletcherhall.co.uk

37

Michael Lunts as Chopin


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38


THE THEATRE IN THAMES DITTON

Friday 20 March 7.30pm

Musicair presents

ALEX VACHON– The Sunshine of my Rainy Days

French singer and songwriter Alex singsher English songs and show hits from

Cole Porter to Les Miserables

Tickets £10 (incl. drink & patisserie)from Box Office: 01932 224038

Friday 3 April 8.00pm

Michael Lunts in

WINTER IN MAJORCA

Chopin’s dramatic stay in Majorca with hislover, the writer George Sand. The Preludes,Polonaises and Mazurkas are performed live

as part of the action.“Spellbinding” – The Independent

Tickets £10

Friday 24 April 8.00pm

CONCERT

Sagi Hartov (cello), Benjamin Frith (piano)and

Ramon Wodkowski (clarinet)

Supported by the R C Sherrif Trust

Three outstanding world-class musicians playtrios by Glinka, Brahms and Beethoven

Tickets: £11

Friday 22 May 8.00pmEnglish Pocket Opera presents Rossini’s

CINDERELLASupported by the R C Sherrif Trust

Sung in English. A full costume production by Britain’s most exciting small-scale

opera company.Tickets £15

Friday 3 July 8.00pmCONCERT FROM TWO CONTINENTS

Pepe Barcellos (guitar) from Brazil joins Amy Tress (violin & piano) to play works

from the Americas and Europe including TomJobim, Piazolla, Gershwin, Debussy and ravel.

Tickets £10

YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRESaturday 14 March 2.30pm

Cat’s Grin Theatre Company presentsALICE’S ADVENTURES IN

WONDERLANDAlice’s encounters with the White Rabbit,

Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat – plus skimming plates and darting jam tarts.

For 5-11 years. Tickets £5.50

Saturday 2 May 2.30pmImage Theatre presents

THE RAILWAY CHILDRENA family participation musical based on

E. Nesbit’s classic story.For 5-10 years. Tickets £5.50

AT THE VERA FLETCHER HALL

Tickets for all shows from Joan Leifer Tel: 0844 884 8832and The Pro Shop, 52 High Street, Thames Ditton.

To hire the Vera Fletcher Hall contact the manager Helen Mason Tel: 08456 528 529

www.verafletcherhall.co.uk

39


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40


41

Spring CrosswordBy Margaret Briggs

A £5 Voucher for spending inany Thames Ditton or WestonGreen shop will be awarded toeach of the first three correctentries opened after the closingdate of 7 May 2009

The completed puzzle (orphotocopy) enclosing yourname and address, with theenvelope clearly marked‘Crossword Competition,’should be sent to:

Thames Ditton TodayCrossword Competition6 Church WalkThames DittonKT7 0NW

ACROSS1. Leg in neat bandage is still not pretty (9)8. Strong emotion during Date is without

feeling (13)11. Old duel could be made crooked (4)12. Amazingly it’s Alf in the end game (5)13. Paid regularly for having torn clothing (4)16. Fifty in making obeisance creates heavy

breathing (7)17. I text account to demand rent (5,2)18. Mostly rather big (7)20. Shivers terribly following confession (7)21. Kind of printed lettering (4)22. Ringed annually as the Queen’s property (5)23. One time only (4)26. Delicatessen with a hundred debts to pay is a

fine muddle (9,4)27. Making oneself warm and comfortable

despite finding guns in heather (9)

DOWN2. Short fibres cause little sleep (3)3. Perpetuating promise of final mixed

gin (7)4. Nasty expression at sight of unwanted

card (7)5. Virtuous ladies have the United Nations

at heart (4)6. Hire pal to rob big book-list maker (13)7. To invent S.E. State requires

concentration (13)9. Saint has the means of creating peace

and calm (9)10. Politicians - or it says of themselves (9)14. Better and better weather (5)15. Green entertainment (4)19. G. is tired but finds his way back to Inn (7)20. More to do with the body than the mind -

but Una has less (7)24. Beastly king (4)25. So let it be (a & m) (4)

41


42

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43

Solution to the Winter Crossword

Each of the first three correctentries opened, below, wins a £5Voucher for spending in anyThames Ditton or Weston Greenshop. Well done!

Mrs. Maureen WillcoxClematis CottageChurch WalkThames Ditton KT7 0NN

Mrs. Josephine Simeone31 Portsmouth AvenueThames Ditton KT7 0RU

C. A. Rodrigues9 Lower Green RoadEsher KT10 8HE

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Services

Cheer (Concern and Help for East Elmbridge Retired) Trudy O Keefe 01372 474555Dittons and Weston Green Neighbourcare Sue Mayes 020 8398 6714Elmbridge Borough Council Community Support ServicesInformation, Meals Services, CommunityTransport, Bus Permits 01372 474552/4Elmbridge Community Alarm Service 01372 474560Elmbridge Relief Carers Scheme 01372 474547Ember Centre for the Retired Mon & Thurs 020 8398 9870

At other times 01372 474553Esher and District Stroke Club Ann Pollock 020 8398 6132Voluntary Action Elmbridge Mrs Carole Roycroft 01372 463587M.D.H.S. Household Services (& garden tidying) Carolyn Smart (Manager) 01932 248533Surrey Mobile Library Service 01483 517402Surrey Youth and Adult Education Service Elmbridge Area 020 8979 8334Groups

Girl Guiding in TD & WG Mrs K Williams 020 8398 13001st Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 16283rd Thames Ditton Brownies Mrs Heather Horler 020 8398 03642nd Thames Ditton Rainbows Nicki Sutherland 020 8398 42021st Weston Green (All Saints) Scout Group Alan Nolan-Davies 0844 414 28261st Weston Green Guides (All Saints) Mrs. Louise Lewis 020 8398 48432nd Thames Ditton Guides Mrs. Bronach Hughes 020 8398 16281st Weston Green Brownies (All Saints) Mrs K Williams 020 8398 13002nd Weston Green Brownies Linda Hall 020 8941 49131st Weston Green Rainbows Mrs Helen Hill 020 8398 31354th Thames Ditton Ajax Sea Scouts Alison Derrick 020 8398 0041Dittons Scout Group Mr. G. King 020 8398 7624Coffee and chat (United Reformed Church) Mrs. E. Barker 01372 467491Emberbrook Trefoil Guild Mrs. Adrienne Nealing 020 8398 5582Esher Floral Art Group Mrs. M. Dingle 020 8398 3943Friends of Bushey and Home Parks Mrs. Julie Cohen 020 8943 2017Friends of Walsingham Care Miss Valerie Chicken 0208 398 2932Molesey and Dittons Neighbourhood Watch Chairman: Pat Farmiloe 020 8398 2787Parents and Toddlers(St Nicholas church) Information 020 8398 7211Ripieno Choir Nick Harris 020 8399 7231Surrey Bell-ringers Nick Pattenden [email protected]

Albany Motor Yacht Club Secretary 01784466651Arts and Heritage Club Carol Butcher 01932 867511Claremont PROBUS Club Mr. P. Collins 020 8398 3125Claygate Bridge Club Hon. Secretary 020 8398 1710Colets Health & Fitness Giordano Orsini 020 8398 7108Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Hon Secretary 020 8398 1642Dittons & Hinchley Wood Royal British Legion Club Secretary 020 8398 6263

SERVICES, CLUBS, SOCIETIES AND GROUPS

44


Ember Players (Drama) Ember Sports Club Kelly Bradley 07971 839 648Ember Sports Club Mrs. Pauline Wareham 020 8979 8977Ember Sports Club: Bowls John Garland 01932 220221Ember Sports Club: Croquet Dr. David Cooke 01932 862841Ember Sports Club: Tennis Margaret Robinson 01372 842401Esher Bowling Club Roger Cooper 01372 468109Esher Bridge Centre Paul Whicker 01372 460157Esher Camera Club Billy Buchanan 020 8398 3169Folk Dance Club Pam Phillips 01372 373745Hinchley Wood / Dittons PROBUS Club Ken Thomas 0208 398 0526Long Ditton Cricket Club Nigel Hardy 020 8398 8361Long Ditton Garden Club Mrs. Ann Allen 020 8398 1718Model Railway Society (Hampton Court) Secretary 01932 241224Mothers Union (All Saints) Val Lomax 01932 860344Old Cranleighan Rugby Club Tony Price 07801 837129Old Cranleighan Hockey Club Eds Copleston (Men) 07775 940703

Helen Hawes (Ladies) 07771 557900River Club (BMYC) David Walker 0870 460 3586Rotary Club, Esher Geoff Morris 01932 868454Rubber Bridge TD Lawn Tennis Club Val 020 8399 9972Surbiton Croquet Club Alec Thomas 020 8398 2391Surbiton Golf Club Secretary 0208 398 3101Surbiton Hockey Club Secretary 020 8398 2401Thames Ditton Lawn Tennis Club Martha Gordon 020 8398 6800Thames Ditton & Esher Golf Club Mark Rodbard 020 8398 1551Thames Ditton Squash Club (Colets) Dave Peck 020 8398 7108Thames Ditton Cricket Club Howard Frish (Secretary) 07947 561449Thames Ditton Marquetry Group Jasmine Berry 020 8398 4358Yoga for Health Club Mrs. Celia Rowe 020 8398 2700

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Ember Choral Society Linda Bridges 020 8399 5402 Esher Recorded Music Society Miss S. M. Garrat 020 8398 8541Esher and Molesey Garden Society Mr. B. Andrews 020 8398 5063Hampton Court Way Allotment Association Secretary: Basil Rainbow 020 8398 8471Lynwood Allotment Society Barry Jordan 0776 282 5041Molesey and District Antiques Society Linda Lambert 020 8398 1476NADFAS (Decorative & Fine Arts) Kingston Mrs. Valerie Windsor 020 8549 9967National Trust: Richmond Association Membership Secretary 020 8894 2972Soroptimist International (Kingston District ) Secretary: Pat Harman 020 8390 3507Thames Ditton Women’s Institute (W.I.) Secretary 020 8398 8615Thames Valley Amateur Radio Transmitters Society Chairman 0148328 4279

OTHER

Cancer Research UK Mrs. Vivienne Harris 020 8398 6787University of the Third Age (U3A) Ken Kingham 0208 979 8053Vera Fletcher Hall Lettings: Helen Mason 08456 528 529

Membership: Sue Morris 020 8224 2536

Please contact the Editor to amend these listings

45


People are growing angry. Two decadesof reckless greed in the City andcomplicity in government have bankruptedBritain. ‘Prudence’ Brown, who sold offBritain’s gold reserves at the bottom of themarket, is now profligate with our moneywhere the banks left off. The Governor ofthe Bank of England states that ‘savers willbe sacrificed.’ That’s us. We’ve learnedthat neither banks nor governments are tobe trusted. Our money is safe only as longas we don’t want it back.

This is an enormous disaster, yet itsprotagonists are still there. Bankersmurmur weak apologies while takingmillions in bonuses and getting newgovernment jobs to oversee their chums.The Bank of England produces worse andworse statistics, predicting ever-receding‘recovery’ as it prepares to print money.Politicians mouth ineffectually about ‘kick-starting’ an economy that is more of a deadhorse.

They deserve to be swept out of office.The alternative is no better. The

Conservatives, party of the City, ofbankers, of fund managers, of property‘developers’; who in government enactedthe deregulation that allowed this rottenstate of affairs to develop. The party thatran down our manufacturing base in favourof ‘services’ that are now shown to bedispensable. That sold off state assets formoney that along with the fat years of oilrevenue is all spent.

Politicians have not served us well.They feather their nests with multipledirectorships, with dubious expenseclaims, with cash-for-questions or cash-to-fix-legislation, with jobs for the boys.There is chicanery in party funding. Thereis sleaze. They tell us that immorality in

private life has no bearing on theireffectiveness as politicians, as legislators,as rulers.

On the contrary, it appears to be aqualification.

Our institutions are not serving us welleither. They have grown archaic. They arelosing meaning. ‘Debate’ in the House isrisible – a Punch and Judy show, a place toposture. A carnival of the absurd, with lowattendances. Voting by party whip. Smallwonder that most citizens don’t bother toturn out to vote in national elections.

Yes, people are growing angry. Youhear it on the streets, in the shops, evermore. Things must change. It is notsufficient for the people, who foot the bill,to have a choice between two evils onceevery five years. Taxpayers deserve moreinvolvement in how their money is spent,issue by issue. The means exist for swiftand inexpensive consultation. The will toact upon consultation is not there. It needsto be entrenched. Government for adecade or more by the leadership of oneparty leads to corrosion, decay, andbankruptcy. Other countries limit terms ofoffice for this reason. We need toreconstitute our system to enable this.

The self-serving egoists who makecareers out of politics will not change theircomfortable situation. If the stables are tobe made wholesome; if those who eat ourgrain shall no longer be allowed to spreadplague through City and Westminsteralike; then we need non-partisan men andwomen, people of honour, probity, decencyand restraint, to step forward or be co-opted. And we must vote for them if realchange is to come.

Editor

46


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Published by the Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents ̓Association. Printed by the K&N Press Ltd, Unit 10, 19 Lyon Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey.

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