News: Bemused Not Biggest Geek In Ewell

It's official: Bemused Of Ewell is not the biggest geek in the village. Congratulations to Bramwell Brightey and Tamsyn Lofts, who recently married in a Star Wars themed ceremony...

Full story: Epsom Guardian, 13th May 2008.

News: Nonsuch Secrets Revealed

Fairly modern secrets rather than anything historical, I'm afraid. From the Epsom Guardian:

"The secret Surrey County Council report into proposals for Nonsuch Mansion has only just been released under the Freedom of Information Act.

It has taken 14 months for Surrey to react to the request even though a leaked copy has been widely publicised by the Stoneleigh and Auriol Residents Association (SARA).

The report for which the consultants charged £26,216, is expected to have finally cost the tax payer more than £100,000 in officer time and expenses, a cost which Surrey will not confirm."

Full story: Epsom Guardian, 14th May 2008.

News: Bobtails Fun Day, 18th May

Don't forget the Bobtails Fun Day tomorrow -- Sunday 18th May -- which is raising money for Bobtails Rabbit & Guinea Pig Rescue, based in Arundel Avenue in Ewell. They'll be open between 12 and 4, with a raffle, stalls and the like; they also have an auction running up until 10pm tonight, Saturday 17th May.

News: Ewell Is Moving....

(if only as far as Surrey Police are concerned)

"THE redrawing of Surrey’s police divisions is due to take effect from next Tuesday, resulting in the loss of some back office posts but with bosses insisting that no frontline jobs will be cut.

[...]

"Epsom and Ewell is moving from North to East Surrey, joining Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge."

Full story: Surrey Advertiser, 26th March 2008

News: Ewell Bookies Hit By Serial Armed Robbers

"Detectives are investigating a series of armed robberies on bookies.

"In the latest incident two robbers brandishing black handguns burst into a Ewell betting shop on Sunday.

"They ordered staff at Coral Bookmakers in Chessington Road to open the door to the counter area and then get on the floor."

Full story: Wimbledon Guardian, 27th March 2008

Nonsuch: Sorted

The BBC News web site reports that the grant of a new 125-year lease on Nonsuch Park/Mansion to Sutton Council and Epsom and Ewell Council has now been approved.

And about time too...

Nonsuch: Final Decision Imminent?

It looks like the argument over who should run Nonsuch Park is, finally, drawing to a close -- well, unless Surrey County Council throw yet another spanner in the works.

For those of you who haven't been watching with steadily-rising levels of Bemusement, Nonsuch Park's management (including that of the mansion house within the park) has, for many years, been down to the Joint Management Committee; as the name implies, this is a joint venture between Sutton Council and Epsom and Ewell Council (the park lies on the boundary between the two boroughs). However, Surrey County Council is the holder of the deeds of the land, and a couple of years back they decided to "get involved" in the park's management. So far, this has involved refusing a lease to the company chosen by the Joint Management Committee to take over catering and other activities at the mansion, and threats of selling off the mansion itself and building a new museum. The closure of the catering facilities (other than the outside cafe) at the mansion, while its future was decided, also made a big difference to its budget.

(While a new museum may not sound like a reason to be up in arms, the County Council rather glossed over the fact that there is already a very good museum at the mansion, run by the Friends of Nonsuch.)

The suggestions by the County Council went down among the area's residents, and the Park's users, like the proverbial lead balloon. Petitions were organised (for instance by the Save Nonsuch campaign). Local MPs spoke out against the plans, Sutton's Paul Burstow and Epsom and Ewell's Chris Grayling both condemning the high-handed attitude taken by Surrey CC.

Bemused and family -- who like Nonsuch Park just the way it is, thank you very much -- look forward to confirmation of a final resolution.

News: England debutant Hodgson goes back to school

The Rugby Football Union today report on a visit to Glyn Technology School by Paul Hodgson, formerly Glyn head boy and now England rugby international -- and still Ewell resident...

News: The Clocks

Well, I say "news", but that may be pushing it a bit. There is a profile of the band the Clocks in today's Guardian, which highlights the fact they're from Ewell -- and makes some slightly disparaging remarks about the place. (But I never knew that Petula Clark was born here! My day is complete and it's only just past 8am...)