Elstead PC has undertaken some remedial work on both recreation grounds this week (22nd April).  Burford Lodge Rec has been fertilised and the goal mouths have been reseeded where there was the most wear and tear. As there is no water source down there our contractor will water periodically. The goal mouths have been fenced off to try to protect the new growth and we would kindly ask that Burford Lodge recreation ground users stay clear of that area, thank you.  Thursley Road Rec has been seeded and fertilised - thank you to Elstead Cricket Club for helping to water the field with their borehole / irrigation system.

A great time was had by all at the Easter Egg-stravaganza at Bonfire Hill which was held on Saturday 4th April. The Bonfire Hill Committee laid on a selection of fun games for all the family to enjoy including 'scrambled eggs’ for which children raced across the field facing West Hill collecting hundreds of ‘eggs’ that had been scattered by the team of volunteers.   All the ‘eggs' contained different letters and children attempted to make the longest word from all their letters.  A competitive egg and spoon race followed - this was particularly competitive for the adult race.  The event closed with a best decorated egg competition for which there were some very creative entries.   Huge thanks to all who were able to join us - many noted it was their first visit to the hill - and to our generous sponsors, Seymours and Great Hookley Farm.  Sincere thanks as ever to Tim for providing the audio and to our grazier for moving her horses at our request to graze the field in readiness for the event.  The very kind donations received on the day were very gratefully received and will go some way towards helping with the on-going upkeep and future projects such as the planned wildflower meadow. The volunteers hope to make this an annual event so please make a note for your 2027 diaries … and keep your eyes peeled for information on our summer anniversary event likely to be towards the end of June.

Well over 100 people packed into Elstead Village Hall during the evening of Friday 20th March to attend a public meeting entitled ‘the future of healthcare provision in Elstead’. Organised by Elstead Parish Council (EPC), the meeting was led by Cllr Jane Jacobs (EPC Chair) supported by Cllrs Pat Murphy and Andy Goundry, Cllr Gemma Long (WBC Ward Cllr), Dr Sarah Hargrave (partner at Springfield Surgery), Sue Gowar (Chair of Springfield Surgery Patient Participation Group) and Guil Strathalmond (Stakeholder). EPC Cllrs Andy Hampshire and Richard Muir were also in attendance. Cllr Jacobs welcomed all to the meeting and explained that “we are here to discuss the Future Provision of Healthcare IN Elstead and not just the future provision of Healthcare FOR Elstead.” Cllr Jacobs added that following a recent public exhibition held by a developer, Elstead Parish Council was aware that there might be some misunderstandings and wanted to bring residents up to speed with the current status of ‘the project’. Cllr Jacobs explained that the Sunray Farm Site was one of three approved development sites in the Elstead & Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan which was adopted in June 2024. Within its development area, Sunray Farm has an allocation of 0.25 hectare of non-residential space. The original plan for the non-residential space was the creation of a co-working hub however, the change in work practices following covid, along with the need to provide a larger surgery to accommodate current and future registered patients, meant that Elstead Parish Council was keen to champion a new doctors surgery on this location instead. Dr Hargrave explained the practice’s current situation noting that “a new building would bring enormous benefits to patients and to the wider community…. it would also give the staff and clinicians the room they need to work effectively, to support you all the best way they can ….. it would create a setting that is fit for modern general practice, now and in the future.” Cllr Jacobs confirmed that Elstead Parish Council has met regularly with key stakeholders including the NHS, WBC, Springfield Surgery Partners, Springfield practice owners and Springfield patient participation group to progress the development of a new Doctor’s Surgery in Elstead. Based on the projected population growth and expected future development, neither Waverley Borough Council, nor the NHS are in a position to fund the capital cost of a new Doctor’s Surgery namely because their funding rules can only take into account future growth and cannot correct a pre-existing problem. One of the other reasons that the NHS is unable to fund a new Doctor’s Surgery in Elstead is that there is a proposal to build a new Medical Centre in Milford and the NHS is already involved in this project. On this point, Cllr Jacobs highlighted the lack of direct public transport link between Elstead and Milford meaning that residents without access to a car will have difficulty in accessing GP services there further emphasizing “the need for the provision of medical facilities IN Elstead and not…

POLLING STATIONS NOTICE OF POLL AND SITUATION OF POLLING STATIONS Waverley Borough Council Referendum on the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan for Elstead & Weyburn Notice is hereby given that: 1. A referendum will be held on Thursday 20 June 2024 to decide on thequestion below: ‘Do you want Waverley Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Elstead & Weyburn to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’ 2. The hours of poll will be from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. 3. The Situation of polling stations and the description of persons entitled to vote thereat are as follows: Pedro WrobelCounting OfficerWednesday 12 June 2024Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations - E&W

Did you know, a staggering 298 tonnes of recyclable material had to be rejected for recycling last year? The recyclable material had been contaminated by unrecyclable items that prevented it from being made into something else.  This is a massive issue because rejected loads and contamination of dry mixed recycling is expensive for local councils to sort out – and that extra cost is passed on to councils and the taxpayer. Recycling makes financial sense for councils as it is cheaper than disposing of waste as rubbish and leaves more cash available for other essential services. It also generates less carbon dioxide than rubbish disposal, so it has additional environmental benefits. It’s widely recognised that recycling can be confusing, though. Putting the wrong thing in the recycling is easily done. The good news is you can follow these five steps to help make it a little easier.  Packaging can be misleading. Or you may think to yourself ‘it looks recyclable.’ Check firstby using the Surrey Recycles search tool or downloading it as a free app. It also includes information on how to recycle items that aren’t accepted in your household recycling collections such as crisp packets and food and drink cartons. Check what you can recycle separately. In most areas of Surrey, food waste and garden waste, small electricals, batteries and textiles recycling are collected separately - they don’t go in your recycling bin. Use our recycling search tool or free Surrey Recycles app to check how to recycle them. No food or drink residue as moisture and grease will ruin cardboard and paper and make it unrecyclable. Give food and drink packaging a quick rinse by dunking it into soaking pans before placing in your recycling bin. Place all items loose in your recycling bin – nothing inside bags, sacks or bin liners please. Play to bin – try our drag and drop waste sorting game today! Remember, other small changes like swapping to reusables where possible will really help as you’ll be creating less waste in the first place. Find out more at: surreyep.org.uk.

The Elstead and Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan will now go to referendum on 20th June 2024.  All residents are invited to vote.The updated neighbourhood plan may be viewed on the Waverley BC and Elstead Village Websites. https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Planning-and-building/Planning-strategies-and-policies/Neighbourhood-planning/Elstead-and-Weyburn-Neighbourhood-Plan A flyer detailing all the key information will be hand delivered to residents in the plan area by the end of this week (7th June).There will be three "drop in sessions" where you can chat informally to members of the NHP team.  These will be Monday 10th & Monday 17 June at Elstead Youth Centre from 1-2pm and from 6-7pm.  A further drop in session will be held on Thursday 13th June at Pavilion Cafe, Tanshire Park from 1-2pm and 6-7pm.Hard copies of the plan will be located in the village at the end of the week (7th June) or by request from The clerk: elsteadpc.clerk@gmail.com.NHP Posters

Residents are invited to attend the Annual Parish Assembly on 20th May 8pm-9pm at Elstead Youth Centre. There will be talks from The Rural Life Centre and Inspector Rob Brian, Waverley Borough Police Commander as well as updates on Bonfire Hill and the new date for the neigbourhood plan referendum. Light refreshments will be available afterwards. We hope to see you there!

Hankley common will be closed on 17th March 2024

Work is beginning on a review of Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Surrey County Council is seeking the views of your council prior to drafting the new ROWIP so that the document reflects local priorities.  Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles (3482 km) of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic across the whole of Surrey County.  Surrey County Council’s ROWIP is an important strategic policy document, which the council is required by law to have in place. It sets out how Surrey County Council can make sure the public rights of way network meets the needs of the public, now and in the future. The process of reviewing the ROWIP, and the engagement being carried out before the new ROWIP is drafted, will help the council to better understand the needs of Surrey County residents. A public questionnaire for individual councillors or members of the public is available at https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public  The survey will close on 10th March 2024.