Tess Lewsey talks with Imogen Middleton, Project Officer at Surrey in the Great War: A County Remembers and their event at The Harlequin Theatre on 15th October 2016.
Further info on www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk or visit www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk
The UK Independence Party’s Chairman for the East Surrey area has spoken to Susy Radio about recent developments concerning the party’s leadership.
UKIP leader, Diane James unexpectedly stood down after 18 days in the post, citing that she was leaving for “personal and professional reasons”. Nigel Farage has said that he is “technically” party leader again but would not be contesting any future leadership contest.
Speaking on Susy Radio, County Councillor for Godstone Division and Branch Chairman of UKIP East Surrey, Helena Windsor gave her thoughts about the developments. Neil Munday asked her whether the new leader would stay the distance.
Godstone charity founder Sir Richard Stilgoe was ‘honoured’ to have his tribute poem read out by Joanna Lumley at the Thanksgiving service for Sir Terry Wogan at Westminster Abbey last week.
The musician and composer, who founded The Orpheus Centre, said ‘it was a real honour to have the poem performed in the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Abbey.’
“For The Former Greatest Living Irishman”
Sir Richard and Joanna Lumley have been friends for many years and the poem had originally been created and performed at Sir Terry’s birthday party. Sir Richard explained ‘We have made special birthday poems for both Sir Terry Wogan and Sir David Frost and the families liked them so much they asked for them to be read at the Thanksgiving Services. We worked in a few new lines and sadly had to say “was” instead of “is”.’
The poem “For The Former Greatest Living Irishman” was credited in the order of service as a collaboration between Joanna “Browning Barratt” Lumley and Sir Richard “Barratt Homes” Stilgoe.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, and broadcast on BBC Radio Two. It included tributes from Chris Evans, Ken Bruce and perfomances from Katie Melua and Peter Gabriel. Over 30,000 people applied for tickets to attend, Sir Richard commented ‘that really showed how much Terry was loved’.
As the service ended the BBC Concert Orchestra played the song most associated with Wogan, “The Floral Dance”. Sir Richard, said with a chuckle, ‘it was a bit disappointing that no one started to dance along, having the priests and congregation dancing down the Nave would have been something very special’.
Among the guests were many of Sir Terry’s broadcasting colleagues including Gaby Roslin, Tess Daly, Steve Wright, Fearne Cotton, Michael Ball, Alesha Dixon, Simon Mayo, Aled Jones, June Whitfield and Dermot O’Leary.
The Order of Service including the words to “For The Former Greatest Living Irishman” can be found on the Westminster Abbey website at www.westminster-abbey.org
The Orpheus Centre is an independent specialist college that offers a learning programme and supported housing for students between the ages of 18-25 who have learning and/or physical impairments. The Centre has a diverse curriculum that includes the arts, independence, employment and functional skills.
Find out more at www.orpheus.org.uk
Denbies Duels Hill Climb is no ordinary hill climb contest and cyclists from far and wide will travel to Denbies Vineyard near Dorking at the beginning of October to compete in this annual event.
Nathan Chamberlain, Co-Organiser of the Denbies Duels Hill Climb and member of Redhill Cycling Club explains what makes Denbies Duels different. “The cycling community has a long tradition of ending the season with Hill Climb competitions. Essentially people find a hill (traditionally a steep one!) and riders set off (individually) at one minute intervals from the bottom of the hill and the winner is the rider who takes the shortest time to reach the top. However Denbies Duels adds a twist! In round one riders set off in pairs and set the fastest time they can to the top of the hill. The top 16 riders then go through to knock out rounds but now it is not the time that is important but who crosses the finish line first, so tactics come in to play.”
The first round begins at 8am on Sunday 2nd October with knock out rounds scheduled between 9.45am and 11.45am. Lots of local cycling clubs will be competing against teams from London as well as sponsored and semi pro / pro teams like ASL360, SSLL Race Team and NFTO.
Spectators are very welcome, as Nathan says “the more the merrier, it is great for the riders to have lots of shouts of encouragement!” The last 150 metres of the climb are usually the most exciting but there is plenty of atmosphere around the start which is just beyond the Denbies car park.
More information at the event website: denbiesduels.webplus.net
Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of sudden cardiac death amongst the young. Their Chief Executive, Dr Steven Cox spoke to Tess Lewsey.
Find out more at www.c-r-y.org.uk
