Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Armed Services Day - this Saturday 26th June

This Saturday 26 June is Armed Services Day which has the objective of honouring British armed services. Prime Minister David Cameron has called upon people to mark this day by making towns and villages a riot of red, white and blue colour. It would be really great if Dorking's shopkeepers could all make the effort to fly or display a Union Jack flag.

I understand our not to distant neighbours in Reigate and Woking are both planning special events - and probably other towns as well that I am not aware of.

Pepin

Saturday, 19 June 2010

Surrey County Council - facing meltdown?

I see from the Surrey Advertiser (18 June edition) that the size of the black-hole in SCC's pension fund now stands at a little over £1 billion - effectively this wipes out the assets of the council.

And to think of the money they have wasted in Dorking with useless experiments: Pixham Lane, Pump Corner, Vincent Lane junction with Guildford Road to mention just a few.

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Roundabout surface signs - why?

Perhaps it's just me being overly sensitive about Surrey County Council wasting money unnecessarily, but why has SCC decided to paint all round the Deepdene roundabout huge "Keep Clear" warnings. The only time I've ever seen the roundabout grind to a halt is when the pedestrian lights (which have been sited very close to the roundabout - but fortunately seem to be rarely used) are operated. About 99.9999% of road users have managed to keep this junction clear for the last 50+ years.

I feel this is just another example of a very strange Highways Department trying to find some way of keeping itself in work.

Perhaps I'm wrong, so please tell me if I am.

Pepin

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Oh Dear!

Anybody seen this:

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2071855_tory_control_of_mole_valley_branded_arrogant

Unbelievable!

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Factory Shop, etc.

I see the Factory shop on the old Woolworth's site is open, it appears to be very busy and I hope it continues (I really don't wish any shop ill in the current climate) and with a bit of luck it will be able to co-exist with its neighbour Allsorts (hope I've spelt that correctly) who I have found to be exceptionally useful. I suspect that a lot of families will welcome somewhere other than M&S offering children's clothes and shoes.

A big plus of shops such as these is that they actually attract people into the town and that's desperately important. There is a hard core of locals who love to bang on about the wonderful range of independent shops in Dorking and how vital they are; that's fine and like others I value these independents but I also recognise that unless the number of people using the town increases dramatically these independents will be forced to close...no shoppers, no shops. It's really that simple.

Pepin

Friday, 21 May 2010

Traffic though Dorking

What the heck has happened to the lights on the junction of London Road and High Street? These seem to have been reconfigured early this week and they are now causing chaos in the town. Yesterday, sat in traffic for ages driving Eastwards, I timed the lights (opposite the BP garage, for anyone struggling to think where I mean). They stayed green for 15 seconds, then reverted to red for 1 minute and 10 seconds, then repeated the cycle.

Anyone else noticed this? By the way, once I got across Deepdene roundabout, there was a queue of traffic right back to the rugby club at Brockham.

Is someone doing this on purpose?

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Hung council in Mole Valley

I see that following Thursday's elections we not only have a hung parliament, we have a hung council in Mole Valley, the Conservatives have lost control of the council.

It rather looks as though some of their more foolish initiatives such as increased parking charges - that have resulted in a fall in parking income - coupled with the foolish but innovative idea (now being copied by Guildford) of charging for evening car parking at certain car parks, have well and truly come home to roost - no offence to our friend on the roundabout at Deepdene.

Perhaps the LibDem councillors who still control Dorking town centre will now tackle some of the town's serious shortcomings: it's not a perfect economic climate to get started in but it's a job that needs to be done right now.

Pepin.

PS. Please don't forget that next Tuesday (I'm pretty certain it is Tuesday) marks another Farmers' Market in South Street.

Saturday, 24 April 2010

Amidst all the doom and gloom....

I think it needs to remembered that Dorking is still an incredibly wonderful place to live. I have today, encouraged by the Spring sun, enjoyed a good long walk around the town, ending up in Glory Wood and Cotmandene. I realised again that we have much to be thankful for - the shopping in Dorking may not be that of other towns (although I don't think there's much you can't buy in the town and there are still a far greater number of independent shops than many, many places) but the place has not been ruined like so many others.

Saturday, 27 February 2010

Public exhibition

Cllr Chris Hunt has organised a drop-in event to take place 3pm - 8pm on Thurs 4th March, 9am - 4pm on 5th March and Saturday 6th March. It is to be held at 25 St Martin's Walk.

They are encouraging comment and ideas for the future of our town.

I would urge as many people as possible to visit and give views and comments. This is the ideal opportunity for all critics of the town who post things on this blog to have their ideas heard, and we must not allow the council to claim that nobody turned up to this!

Anyone going to go?

Also see this:

http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4979

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

state of the High Street

They're has been so many posts about the state of the High Street and i'm sorry to add another but i want to vent my frustration. As a local shop trader for nearly ten years in the town i have never known business to be so bad, things just go from bad to worse year on year, shops are closing regularly and there is no reason for new traders to open. We waste money on projects that add no benefit and have a town centre manager that is never seen, our shopping centre is laughable and the High Street is deserted. I hate to have to say it but after many years of struggling i cannot be bothered anymore and am planning to pull out at the end of my lease (end of march) I cannot see this town improving within the next ten years as it will take such a mammoth task to get it back on it's feet, if that should ever happen.

Friday, 22 January 2010

Albi's Square


Not a lot happening at the moment is there! So I thought I'd contribute this, with apologies if you've seen enough Albi odes already. But if you can make it to the end you'll see the point of it. Yes apologies for that too as it's something raised before (on Cockerel's site) but having had no one disagree yet that a town square would be highly beneficial it seemed worthwhile to mention it again...and see if there are any arguments against the idea.

In Surrey Hills all cute and furry

Lived a chap we’ve had to burr`y.

Amidst the trees up which he scampered,

Now by their roots, his life well hampered!

Name of Albi and fame worldwide

Since that day of squirrelcide

When Dorking’s bright and rising star

Was squashed so flat by a rampant car…

…Or van, perhaps a red Post one,

Did the deed which made us wan

So flowers gathered in trib`ute

To that lovely friend, so furry and cute.

Those pink eyes have seen no more

Where once they spied pine nuts galore

And treats brought for him by the masses

From grandmas to wee lads and lasses.


His whiteness set him so apart

Survival clearly was an art

Which he had learned to high degrees

In S’Martin’s universe of trees.

His bushy tale brought so much pleasure;

To Dorking, fame too much to measure

So Planners should seize on this kernel,

Not Albi’s nuts; but-f’ thanks eternal:


A town square splendid could be made:

St Martin’s Walk with where Albi played;

The churchyard peace still there in part

But here would be Our Town’s fresh start.

A tree-fringed place combines the two;

Enormous benefits will accrue:

Dorking’s heartbeat beyond compare,

In a space inscribed as ‘Albi’s Square’!





Friday, 8 January 2010

Parking

Please everyone, don't use the snow as an excuse to park wherever you fancy on the High Street. It's bad enough that people snarl up the centre of town on a Sunday, but its unforgiveable during the week. It turns the High Street into a single track road between Pump Corner and Halfords, with traffic having to wait its turn.
Common sense , people, come on!!
PS I walk in from where I live, but its annoying to when I have to use my car, like getting to the doctors this morning.
Myrtle Turtle