Great turnout

April 7, 2010 — simonashall

Despite the Question Time fever, the finale of Masterchef and the Man Utd v Bayern Munich game, we ran clean out of chairs at Horsell Village Hall this evening for the Horsell Residents Association AGM. Sometimes these evenings can be a draining experience but never with HRA – Rob Harris keeps a firm hand on the tiller and ensures that all the official business is dealt with in 30 minutes or so before we welcome a guest presentation.

Last year, it was Marilyn Scott of the Lightbox, this year Paul Rimmer and David Robbins of Horsell Common Preservation Society gave the audience a good grounding in the history, management and natural aspects of the common. HCPS is a superb organisation that does a lot of work for our environment in Horsell that one suspects would be a good deal less well done if left to other authorities to achieve. Membership is only £10 and can be attained here.

I addressed the meeting for a couple of minutes on the LDF character studies that I think could be important in helping to preserve some of the more unique areas of the village. Given that the old Urban Areas of Special Residential Character, which gave some form of assurance to those in areas of urban heritage merit, are disappearing, I think it’s vital for us to put our views forward about the areas that we consider important now. If we don’t, it makes it very difficult at a later stage to oppose planning applications in areas on the grounds of urban heritage and preserving the streetscene.

The old UASRC are a good place to start – The Ridgeway, Grange Road, Heath and Castle Roads, but not necessarily exclusive. Waldens Park Road, Kettlewell Hill and Manor Road are also areas with historic properties in them that speak about the village’s history. It would be a shame if we did not act now to give them the best possible chance of being preserved. I’ll be totally honest with you; my experience of the planning system is that it is an inequitable rich man’s game - a system where central government dictates the rules to local residents via their planning authorities to the benefit of big developers. Developers can afford agents, planning experts, legal advisors and to play the appeals process - residents can rarely match this.

But what we must do is make sure that we give ourselves the best possible chance by taking advantage of what democratic elements the system does afford and that is what I would like to see happen.

Finally, if anyone’s not a member of HRA, please consider it - we really would like to be able to do more but need more members and income in order to give residents a better service.

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Sir Alec Bedser

April 5, 2010 — simonashall

Some very sad news to taint an otherwise bright Easter weekend – Sir Alec Bedser, one of the greatest cricketers of his generation and long-standing Horsell resident, died yesterday aged 91. Many more senior residents will remember the heyday of the Bedser twins (his brother Eric died in 2006) in the 1940s and early 50s and his exploits for England, when he carried the attack at a time when there was precious little support as England emerged from the cricketed hiatus of the Second World War.

There are a variety of very good obituaries to him in many of the nationals today. But many in Horsell will have known him personally, living as he did in Carlton Road for so long. I was lucky enough to meet both twins at the Surrey History Centre in 2003 launching an exhibition on Surrey County Cricket Club but had no further contact with them until I wrote the obituary for Eric in the Woking News and Mail three years later. Most people would want silly reporters somewhere else on the death of a loved one – not Sir Alec, who phoned the paper up personally to make sure that we got his brother’s factsright.

After, I met Sir Alec on various occasions and he espoused everything good about sport. Eric bequested an amount of money to Horsell Residents’ Association, which the association uses to fund achievement prizes for the village’schools. For some time in the 1970s, Sir Alec ran a youth and sporting club at Horsell Village Hall, where signed potraits of the twins are now on permanent display. Generous with his time and wisdom, there was nothing of the modern-day sporting prima donna about Sir Alec. He would talk with gusto about the modern game and while, yes, he was very definitely of the old school, he never left you in any doubt what he meant. And that’s less common than you’d think.

Both twins were passionate about their sport and also believed in the value of community, of selflessness and that sport was an act of athleticism and competition, yes, but also of pleasure and entertainment for the paying public. Their sense of duty to Surrey, England and those around them was a rare thing and Horsell and Woking have been blessed to have the Bedser twins play the part they did in our story.

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Assessment of Horsell Village Centre

March 25, 2010 — simonashall

Let's keep the development in the town centre and out of Horsell

I attended a meeting tonight on behalf of Horsell Residents Association at Woking Borough Council about carrying out Character Assessments for the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. What this means is that I will be filling in survey details – quite a few of them, actually – about an area in order to provide the council with information it can use when putting together future planning policy.

The area I have chosen is an important one – Horsell High Street between the village school (where Church Hill ends) to the junction with Bullbeggars. This obviously includes the pubs, the village hall and all the shops and so getting the information right is going to take a little while. Among the questions on the survey are positives and negatives about this area and this doesn’t just include planning and built environment issues. I know that we need better parking arrangements in the village centre both to allow people easier access to our shops and make the pavements and roads in the village safer for other cars and pedestrians.

But if there is any other feedback on the character of this area of Horsell that anyone would like to raise, please let me know either by commenting here or emailing me.

In addition, I think that Horsell could benefit from some more surveys being done by residents in conjunction with Horsell Residents Association, particularly in areas of urban heritage value. The whole process should take around three or four hours in most instances, depending on the size of area. All the areas not completed by HRA or residents will be done by the council – they won’t be done badly, but it would be nice to have some control over the information that goes back to the council in the areas of Horsell that we care about most.

So if anyone else would like to do a survey, please get in touch with HRA or Woking Borough Council’s planning department.

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Horsell gardens wanted

March 18, 2010 — admin

Anyone fancy a stroll around this? Thought not.

 This year’s Horsell Garden Safari in aid of Horsell Village Hall will be held on 19 and 20 June, which just happens to be the week before our wedding, so that kind of rules me out of opening up our garden, as I had hoped to do.

It emerged at the meeting tonight that I’m not the only one dropping out at this stage and that several other gardens had fallen off the list for various reasons from the extremely harsh winter, the economic conditions (yes, it costs quite a bit to get a garden looking good enough to show) and competition from the National Garden Scheme. Out of the 20 gardens from last year, only around a quarter are hopeful at the moment and we desperately need some more to support this great annual event.

There are already posters up around the village that reach more people than this blog but if any Horsell residents are prepared to consider opening up their gardens – and remember that they don’t have to be classically-proportioned masterpieces, we have all sorts of idiosyncratic and themed spaces – or know of anyone who might be, please get in touch with organiser Penny Kramer whose number is in the book or leave a comment here and I’ll put you in touch.

Horsell Garden Safari is one of the highlights of the village calendar and a genuinely crucial piece of fundraising that helps us make real improvements to the hall. Having a load of people trampling through your garden and judging the height of your sunflowers doesn’t sound great I know – but really, they are so much fun and you’ll be well-supported by our fundraising team as well as helping to raise money for one of Horsell’s most used facilities.

Why not give it a go?

Posted in Community, Garden, news. Tags: , . 3 Comments »

Justice of the Peace

March 18, 2010 — admin

I received a letter when I got back from work this evening with some very exciting news – Jack Straw has confirmed my appointment to the Commission of the Peace for England and Wales and – subject to some induction and training days – I will begin sitting as a magistrate in Woking from this summer.

It’s obviously a great honour to come through a pretty rigorous application process that’s taken nearly two years successfully. I’ve great support from my employer Mouchel, which has been brilliant in giving me assurances and the time off needed to sit on the bench without which I wouldn’t have stood a chance.

But even though it’s an honour for me, more importantly it’s a duty for the rest of Woking. I’m due to start my training next month and be sworn in at Guildford on May 10.

I used to spend quite a bit of time in court as a reporter and was always interested in the role that magistrates played. It crossed my mind back then that it was something I wanted to do and I’m just really pleased that now I’ve got that chance.

Just going out to a Horsell Village Hall trustee meeting and then hope to write another update later.

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Need for less speed

December 8, 2009 — admin

On Monday evening, I hosted Horsell Village Horsell Trustees and this clashed with both the Conservative group meeting and the Christmas panel meeting for Horsell of Surrey Police. I did however pop along to the first 25 minutes of the latter before dashing back home for HVH because I think it is important to know what the policing issues are.

The panel consists of PC Josh Parish, our excellent neighbourhood officer, PSCO Kimberley Muir who I don’t know that well but I have seen out patrolling in the village quite a lot and Kate Wilson, Woking Borough Council’s neighbourhood officer. Josh spoke a bit about problems of parking near the C of E school around rush hour and about how he and Kimberley had been moving inconsiderately parking vehicles on – to mixed reaction. Plans are afoot to strengthen this measure.

He also mentioned the anti-burglary operation that Surrey Police has been carrying out, the reason that he knocked on my door a few weeks ago. Questions from the floor were almost exclusively about speeding, whether it be along Chobham Road, Brewery Road or down side streets. It certainly seems to be a problem and on Brewery Road I know of at least one recent incident where damage was caused by an accident.

The Speedwatch programme is an excellent scheme but not to everyone’s taste. I guess it depends on your views on speeding – my view is that communities have to take responsibility and that training them up to issue warnings to speeding drivers is a natural application of this principle. Drivers don’t have the right to speed just because they think that they can handle it – while it is annoying to be picked up for doing just over the speed limit, unfortunately for many dangerous drivers speed is a key identifier.

I would train up for the scheme but cannot see how I would have the time to participate at the moment. We need less speeding in Horsell because of the busy and crammed nature of our village. There are too many people around, a lot of them children, to take risks. Horsell can easily be bypassed for those trying to get elsewhere in a hurry – there is no excuse for them to coming racing through the village.

Posted in Community, Horsell West campaign, Police. Tags: , , , , . No Comments »

What you make it

December 6, 2009 — admin

Another furiously busy long weekend. I spent most of Friday working on campaign items, followed by a branch meeting of Horsell and Woodham in the evening. Yesterday, my other half and I spent most of the day in the kitchen – more of which later – followed by helping out and attending the Carol Concert at Horsell Village Hall. Today, we have presented the fruits of our kitchen labours at the Horsell and Woodham Conservatives Christmas Lunch, which as fundraising and membership vice-chairman, I have organised.

So another wonderfully “Horselly” weekend. The Mosaic Choir was absolutely fantastic yesterday evening and sung with great competence and wit. A number of their pieces were modern alternatives to traditional favourites and the version of 12 Days of Christmas was very funny. The event raised a great deal of money for Woking Lions and Horsell Village Hall and we have to recognise the efforts of Dorothy Smith, Penny Kramer and Roger Chamberlain from the HVH side, along with Janice Worgan.

Party events are perhaps slightly less worthy from a general point of view but raise funds for the political process, which however cynical one may be about it is at least better than no political process at all. My other half and I spent yesterday making various desserts to cater for the 35 people who turned up to support us today. Cllrs Anne Murray and Mike Smith provided the main course and Jonathan Lord attended a Horsell event yet again, showing his continuing commitment to support activists at every level as they support him. I’ve said before that I’m lucky to have a great branch behind my campaign – it can’t be overstated.

There isn’t a particular point to this post other than to note what a great pleasure it is to have such a full diary and meet so many good people who support these events – both political and non-political. Where you live is what you make it, something it is heartening that so people in Horsell understand.

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Coffee in Horsell

November 21, 2009 — admin
Fighting for Horsell West - the Conservative team

Fighting for Horsell West - the Conservative team

It’s been a busy day – I was down at Horsell Village Hall at 9am to clear leaves from around the vicinity. Luckily, the strong winds had taken a few of them away but there were still eight bags that we took to compost. The hall is lucky to have a very good team of volunteers and I am by no means foremost among them – we all take pride in making sure the place is as presentable and pleasant as we can possibly make it. A lot of people probably suppose that the trustees hire in gardeners to tend the grounds and sweep the leaves. Not so, we like to spend what money we have on improvements for users and ensuring the hall remains fit for purpose for many years to come.

Then on to the home of Diane and Gary Shepherd for a very successful and well-attended coffee morning for Horsell and Woodham Conservatives. It was superb to see all the Horsell borough and county members there and once again to be in the company of Jonathan Lord, who far from dashing off was pretty much the last person to leave. He gave another upbeat but pragmatic speech on the times ahead before unexpectedly asking me to say a few words.

I’ve never given a proper speech to activists before and probably fell somewhat short of that but for a piece of rhetoric made up on the hoof I was pleased with what I said. I can’t match Jonathan’s eloquence but got a round of applause anyway, although I suspect that was more sympathy than agreement. Inevitably one ends up thinking of several things one should have said after the event; but that it the beauty of learning and I’ll know for next time.

Into a single coffee morning goes the work of many people – the hosts, the organisers, the bakers of cakes, the collectors of raffle and ticket money, the helpers and those who simply turn up to show their support. Thanks to all of them – they are the people who can win the election for me; I am only able to lose it. Without the support of a great team, a candidate is merely a legal requirement.  

I am very flattered that they have seen fit to advance me as their candidate – I only hope I can  justify the faith placed in me.

Posted in Conservatives, Horsell West campaign, Woking Borough Council. Tags: , , , . No Comments »

Quiz ego

November 7, 2009 — admin

I’ve had a really enjoyable evening at the Horsell Village Quiz, which has raised around £1,000 for Horsell Village Hall through tickets and raffle. In particular, two of my fellow trustees of the hall, Dorothy Smith and Penny Kramer, worked extremely hard to organise the evening and I know their efforts were appreciated by everyone in the hall tonight – just shy of 100 people.

The quiz was compiled and presided over by Andrew Crisp, a former county councillor and someone who is still in my opinion set for a top-rate political career if he should wish to have one. Every year his questions get better and better and tonight was no exception. Without him, the village quiz wouldn’t be the same animal.

I’m delighted to say that for the second year running, we were the winning team – although this year it was a bit close for comfort as we won by just two points. I’m afraid that I get very competitive about quiz nights, as fellow team members who have to suffer my out-aloud calculations about various scoring permutations will attest. I just have to win these things, otherwise I can get a bit grumpy. Not an altogether attractive trait, admittedly, but perhaps a one that can be turned to an advantage.

Anyway, a superb evening out and another reminder that fewer sights are more heartening than a community turning out to support itself and its institutions. It’s just one reason that Horsell is such a great place to live.

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Candidate for Horsell West

November 7, 2009 — admin
Jonathan and I this morning in the Red Lion car park

Jonathan and I this morning in the Red Lion car park

Last night, I had the honour of being selected as the Conservative candidate for Horsell West at the next local elections, broadly expected to be on the same day as the general election.

Ever since I was a reporter sitting in the council chamber I have felt that being a part of the democratic process was something that I wanted to do and my employment during the past year has left me free to pursue political involvement. Last night, the Horsell and Woodham branch voted to give me that chance and I won’t forget their support – nor the fact that a team, rather than an individual candidate, wins elections.

So what would I bring to the council chamber if elected? I like to think that I have a good working knowledge of local government having reported on and worked for local authorities. I like to think that I understand Horsell’s and Woking’s issues and am able to work logically around possible solutions. I have strong connections with Horsell, having lived here for five years and am a former editor of The Resident, sit on the Horsell Residents’ Association management committee and am in my second term as a trustee of Horsell Village Hall. I also believe I can bring a fresh and young approach to council work to maintain a balance of youth and experience within the organisation as well as use my relationships within the council and community to deliver results.

I’d like to see council tax kept to a minimum to help those who have seen their household incomes drop and costs rise. I am concerned that in the new Local Development Framework there should be scope to maintain the character of villages such as Horsell and protect them from inappropriate development. I would like to see measures introduced to kerb speeding on many of Horsell’s roads, particularly those off the High Street. And I want to work with the police to ensure that they are given the best possible support in dealing with anti-social behaviour in the village and its outskirts. In addition, I favour scoping options for investment in Horsell’s community infrastructure to provide the best possible village facilities for young people and adults alike.

Nationally, I am a liberal Conservative who cares passionately about education, opportunity and social mobility both in Woking and across the country. I believe in the ability the of the free market to deliver prosperity but also in a market that is regulated to ensure it remains a competitive, ethical and reasonable force. You could describe me fairly accurately as a Cameron Conservative.

But in a sense what I think isn’t the point; I’m not the kind of politician who believes that election is merely a mandate to enter a democratic forum and put their personal views forward. Be assured that I have views of my own – don’t we all? – but I would happily put the views of residents first; the job of an elected representative is to represent their electors and their community, not themselves. In other councils, I have experienced the disconnect between local authorities and the people they serve. All to often, members are forced to chose between professional relationships with officers and the views of their electors. Where they choose to go is entirely their own business – but I know where my loyalties would lie.

Finally, I’m not under any illusion about the task ahead. Horsell West is a ferociously marginal seat and whoever the opposition is, it will be very hard work and victory is ultimately in the hands of the voters. I know that I’ve got a great team in the Horsell and Woodham branch behind me and I look forward to working with them to try and convince the voters of Horsell West that am a worthy proposition to represent them in council.

Posted in Horsell West campaign, Woking Borough Council, elections. Tags: , , , , , , . No Comments »
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