Welcome to Oxted... ...a community that stands together


Oxted, Limpsfield and Hurst Green are fiercely proud communities and very protective of their unique environment in the East of Surrey.


This was never more so illustrated this year when businesses and shopkeepers and residents joined together in a mass protest against Surrey County Council’s controversial plans to introduce on-street parking charges in the County, including Oxted.


traders and the Parishoners who saw the proposal, if it were passed at County Hall, as a death knell for Oxted’s flourishing shops.


Spotlight This issue’s highlights include... The suggestion provoked an outcry amongst the


Thousands of people from this area joined the on-line petition which was set up to oppose the move and in the end over 20,000 names were on the list of objectors.


A Say No campaign was also launched on the internet -


as was an Oxted Facebook group which now has over 1,000 members - and many local shopkeepers and residents made their way to Kingston to County Hall to voice their disapproval.


As it was this mass outpouring of community unity won the day.


The new Leader of Surrey County Council, Warlingham Councillor David Hodge of Caterham immediately made it his priority on day one in the job to scrap the on-street parking charges and hand the idea back to the local committees for their members to come up with a sensible alternative.


Many saw the throwing of the charges in the dustbin as a victory for commonsense, especially given the present economic climate.


There were further examples of a community pulling together and claiming the spoils of war.


Singing with Glee- Page 5


Titsey Trial raises thousands for charity- Page 6


Residents’ opposition led to the quarry in Barrow


Green Road being taken out of the Surrey Minerals Plan equation and more solid, dogged resistance led to the operator of the Chalkpit Lane Quarry having to re-apply for planning conditions for the controversial site.


The quarry and its HGVs have long been a thorn in the side of the Oxted community but the decision by the Environment Agency that the operator will have to stake his claim for justification in continuing the use of the site is a glimmer of hope for the residents.


Oxted Pram Race hands out the cash - Page 10


Mrs Mac stuns school graduation - Page 14


Published by Biggin Hill News Ltd, Winterton House, High Street, Westerham, Kent TN16 1AT For information about advertising in this magazine ring 01959 564766 Send your news, photos etc to Kevin Black at kevinwilliamblack@gmail.com


Now the traders and the residents are looking forward to the run-in to Christmas and Oxted’s traditional and very popular late night shopping evening which is held at the beginning of December.


Oxted - and its environs - has proved this year that it is a community willing to do things for itself when it is threatened.


County Border News, its local weekly newspaper, is proud to be a part of such a staunch community.


Bike Sales Service & repairs


• Shimano & SRAM components • HELMETS • SKATEBOARDS & ACCESSORIES Loads of Scooters!!


Scott, Merida, Falcon, Bumper, Claud Butler, Mongoose, We The People, GT, zooom Balance bikes


Madd Gear , Razor, JD Bug, Mutts, Flavour, Yak and accessories www.petracycles.co.uk


Sales@petracycles.co.uk 90 Station Rd East, Oxted 01883 715 114 Essentially Oxted • Autumn 2011 • To advertise, call Suzanne Cope on 01959 564766 ext.111 3


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