Local News & Weather

 

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Mayor of Horley Retires – 11/5/12

The popular and active mayor of Horley, Simon Marshall, will end his term next week as he officially stands down from his role. 63 year old Councillor Marshall has held the position of Town Mayor for 5 years and has been instrumental in numerous community projects to help the town as well as his chosen charities - Brambles Respite Care Centre and St Catherine's Hospice. A new mayor will be elected at the town council's annual meeting.

Abduction was a Terrible Hoax – 29/4/12

The teenage girl who sparked a massive police investigation and drove concerns deep into the Horley community has confessed that the allegation of being abducted by a group of men in a van was a lie. Following the false allegation on Wednesday, police laynched a thorough investigation, carrying out house-to-house visits, reviewing CCTV footage and performing vehicle stops in Horley on Thursday. The girl confessed to her lie on Saturday.

Teenager Escapes Abduction – 26/4/12

A girl in her late teens was forced into a van by two men as she walked home on Wednesday. The girl was walking along Langshott Lane near the junction with Tanyard Way when a Ford transit van pulled up alongside and two men bundled her into the back. A third man was driving and sped off towards the Shell roundabout and A23. However, the terrified teen managed to escape from the van near Salfords Industrial Estate and fled on foot. The men did not give chase and she was able to contact police. Surrey police are keen to hear from anybody who may have been in the vicinity at the time, including anyone travelling on the Gatwick Express train that passed the scene at the time of the abduction.

Poundworld to Open in Horley – 26/4/12

Local residents and retailers have welcomed the news this week that national chain Poundworld will be moving into Horley. There were fears that, after Peacocks closed in February, there would be another gaping hole in the High Street, putting more pressure on the future of the town centre. However, many believe that Poundworld opening will not only attract new shoppers to Horley but will also attract other large retailers.

St George's Day Festival a Huge Success – 24/4/12

Horley Town centre was transformed into a hive of activity on Saturday as hundreds of people flocked to the town to celebrate St George's day. Although the event has been run for several years by the Horley Chamber of Commerce, this year was the first time that the newly formed Horley Association of Traders took over, and it proved to be the biggest and best yet. The highlight of the parade was a very realistic St George accompanied by a smoke-breathing dragon but there were also lots of stalls and activities to amuse people of all ages for hours. The organisers were delighted with the success, which culminated in a pie-eating contest, and claim that it goes to show how desperately local people want to see a thriving town centre in Horley.

Subway Closes – 20/4/12

Another unit in Horley Town centre will be empty from today after the Subway store closed it's doors for the last time on Thursday. The owner of the Subway franchise, Mitesh Patel blamed the closure on high rent and claimed that it was not sustainable to run his business in Horley. The Subway branch opened in February 2008 to mixed reactions from locals but has since been a popular fixture in the town.

British Airways Axe Jobs at Gatwick Airport – 18/4/12

British Airways announced cost-cutting plans this week, which could result in 500 staff losing their jobs. The proposal is for the airline giant to oursource much of it's ground crew labour to a private contractor. The jobs at risk are around 400 ramp worker and approximately 150 customer service and management staff. However, it is hoped that the company who win the contract will need to hire the staff themselves and that the majority of people made redundant by British Airways will be employed by the new contractor.

Government Grant to Improve Horley Town Centre – 13/4/12

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have been given a £100,000 government grant after discovering it was in the worst 100 regions in the country for vacant shop premises. 16.4 per cent of business space is vacant across the county, with Redhill and Horley two of the worst affected towns, and the money is meant to be used to improve occupancy rates and encourage new business in town centres. The grant has been awarded by the High Street Innovation Fund which was set up as part of Mary Portas' mission to save the high street.

Armed Robber Raids Chemist – 12/4/12

A late night pharmacy in Horley town centre was robbed on Tuesday evening, sparking a manhunt involving armed police and a police helicopter. A man walked into the Horley Late Night Pharmacy at around 8.30pm and told staff that he had a gun, demanding that they hand over quantities of prescription medicine. After he fled, staff called the police who responded quickly and cordoned off large areas of the town, including Albert Road. A man in his 20's was arrested the same night but has not yet been charged.

Petition Over Exposed Swimming Pool – 5/4/12

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have been handed a petition from angry users of the new Horely Leisure Centre who claim that they feel exposed to passers-by when using the swimming pool at the £9 million leisure centre. Concerns were raised during the building of the new leisure centre over the fact that the pool was surrounded by clear glass, but no action was taken and the installation of a seating area in a bus stop at the front of the building added to the concerns.

Oakwood Improving, But Still Inadequate – 30/3/12

Oakwood School in Balcombe Road have made significant improvements following a report by Ofsted labelling them inadequate last July. However, the school must now wait for a new Ofsted inspection to find out just how much progress they have made. The interim report published last week commended the improvements in leadership, student safety, behaviour and achievements.

East Surrey Hospital One of 10 Worst in Country – 29/3/12

East Surrey Hospital received a damning report this week as it was labelled one of the 10 worst hospitals in England for diagnostic waiting times and patient referral waiting times according to an NHS review. An NHS survey also revealed that staff at the hospital were poorly motivated and nearly half of all staff had witnessed potentially harmful errors in the month that the survey was conducted. However, claims that the hospital are struggling financially have been refuted by Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Trust who run the hospital and say that they will start the new financial year owing no money and planning new improvement projects.

Public Consultation for New Homes in Horley – 29/3/12

A development company have submitted plans to build 50 new homes in Horley which they claim will help to meet the area’s rising demand for high quality homes. The area proposed for development is Inholms Farm, just off Haroldslea Drive, and the developers are keen to work with the local community to ensure that they have public support for the project. To view details and have your say during the consultation process, CLICK HERE.

 

League Championship for Horley Rugby Club – 24/03/12

Horley Rugby Club secured their second league championship and promotion in two years on Saturday with an emphatic win over a Bognor side that were determined to put an end to the Griffins’ superb season. Horley have lost just one game in the last 12 months, including friendly fixtures against teams two leagues above them. Regardless of what happens in their final league game next Saturday, Horley are champions and will be celebrating!

Local Man Jailed for Armed Robbery – 20/03/12

An unemployed man from Horley has been jailed for 14 years for his part in an armed robbery where £2 million was stolen from the Dubai royal family. 37 year old Jonathan Haynes from Haroldslea Drive in Horley was the getaway driver during the robbery in Knightsbridge on 24th June last year. Employees of the royal family were loading suitcases containing the money into a car outside the Emirates bank when one of the robbers pulled out a gun and threatened to kill them. The robbers grabbed the suitcases and fled to the waiting getaway car driven by Haynes, but a swift response by armed police resulted in them being stopped less than half a mile from the scene of the crime.

Olympics Cabinet Members Sacked – 09/03/12

Two senior councillors at Surrey County Council have been sacked from the cabinet after it was revealed that they both had financial interests in a potentially conflicting company. Denise Saliagopoulis and Ian Lake were told on Tuesday that they were no longer required after it emerged that they were both directors of Charter House Chancery, a company that provides hospitality packages for large events such as the Olympics. Both have been referred to the Council’s Standards Committee although they both deny that they have done anything wrong.

St George's Day Celebrations Announced – 2/3/12

The newly formed Horley Association of Traders have announced the details of their first town centre event to celebrate St George's day. The event will take place throughout Horley town centre on Saturday 21st April 2012 from 10am until 5.30pm and will include plenty of activities for people of all ages including a variety of stalls, bouncy castle, puppet show, fancy dress, pie eating contest and live music.

Peacocks Closes – 1/3/12

One of Horley's largest high street shops closed last week, leaving another huge gap in Horley town centre. The Horley branch of Peacocks was one of the stores not purchased by Edinburgh Woollen Mills when they purchased the clothign chain out of administration. However, a spokesperson at Edinburgh Woollen MIlls has offered a glimmer of hope in a statement that said they were considering re-opening a number of the stores not included in the purchase.

Court Lodge Care Home and Church Plans Approved – 23/2/12

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have approved the proposal for an derelict plot of land in Court Lodge, Horley to be turned into a new 60 bedroom care home and church. The site of the old Court Lodge County Primary School has stood vacant and derelict for several years and has attracted a great deal of vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The building work for the new development will begin within 3 months by developer GB Development Solutions and the care home will be operated by Gracewell Healthcare. The church will become the new home of Horley Baptist Church.

'Mr Horley' Dies – 17/2/12

A large crowd of mourners attended Sussex Crematorium in Balcombe Road today to say their final farewells to John McFarlane who died last week. Mr McFarlane was hugely proud of his town and spent much of his adult life helping with various organisations in Horley. He was a member of the Horley Lions and was always present to help them raise money, a member of the Horley Local History Society and President of Horley Residents Association. He also served a year as Mayor of Reigate and Banstead between 1987 and 1988. Mr McFarlane was 78 years old when he died..

Man Kills Himself at Gatwick – 10/2/12

A 33 year old foreign man killed himself with a broken bottle at Gatwick Airport train station in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Police were called to a shop in the South Terminal at around 3am where the man was acting strangely. They spoke to him via a telephone interpreter and then escorted him down tot he train station where he smashed a bottle and tried to take his own life. Police tackled and restrained him, but by the time he was taken to a waiting ambulance, he was pronounced dead.

Oakwood School Showing Improvement – 2/2/12

According to the latest results published by government, Oakwood School in Horley has begun to show improvements in student grades. The school has faced huge criticism over recent years and was labelled as inadequate by an official Ofsted report last year before being put in special measures to demand improvement. Oakwood has climbed 10 places to 70th in the county after last Summer’s GCSE results and, whilst the improvement is small and much more is needed, it is an encouraging start to getting Horley’s only secondary school providing better education for Horley students.

Drug Gang Jailed – 30/1/12

Five local men were given prison sentences on Monday for their parts in a Class A drug dealing operation. The men were arrested as part of a huge operation by Surrey Police which resulted in 16 properties, including the homes in Redhill, Horley, Woodhatch, and Nutfield, being raided last February. The local men jailed for between 36 and 24 months were Marc Northover, Rahiel Abid Hussain, Mark Edwards, Stephen Buckland and Oliver Ripley-Duggan.

Horley Retailers Form Alliance – 27/01/12

A group of independent retailers in Horley have formed the Horley Association of Traders in an attempt to breathe new life into Horley town centre. The group plans to organise new events and bring back some old favourites to boost the community pride in what was once a thriving town centre. Among the retailers supporting the new association are Party Pad, the fancy dress and party shop in Horley, Chris White Butchers, Dapper Shoes and Mayhews Estate Agents although many other shops and businesses in Horley have pledged their support to the committee.

Council Refuse Grant and Increase Tax – 27/01/12

Surrey County Council have turned down the offer of a £14 million grant from the government in favour of increasing council tax by 2.99 per cent. Councillors have defended their decision by claiming that had they accepted the grant and frozen tax increases, they would have to increase council tax by 5 per cent in 2014.

Peacocks For Sale – 25/01/12

More concern over the future of Horley town centre has been raised this week after the popular Peacocks store was put up for sale by administrators. Whilst Peacocks doesn’t attract a huge variety of shoppers to Horley, it is important that the town centre boasts some high street names in order to attract other large retailers.

Teenager Sexually Assaulted – 09/01/12

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 16 year old girl was sexually assaulted in Horley last week. The teenager was walking along Smallfield Road near the junction with Balcombe Road at around 7.15pm on Wednesday when a man wearing a black hooded top approached her from behind and touched her indecently. The incident left the girl extremely shaken and has caused concern among local parents who fear that a sex fiend is on the loose. A police helicopter was seen circling the Balcombe Road area on Sunday night after reports of a 'girl's scream', but nothing was discovered.

Horley’s New Leisure Centre Opens – 05/01/12

After considerable delays and questions over it’s practicality, the brand new Horley leisure centre will open on Monday 9th January. The much anticipated opening will be welcomed by many locals who have been keen to experience the new facility having witnessed the building taking shape over the last year. In addition to it’s two swimming pools, the centre also boasts a modern gym packed full of exercise equipment, a multi-use sports hall and exercise studios.

Horley Rugby Club Unbeaten This Season – 22/12/11

Horley Rugby Club have their sights set on another promotion at the end of this season, and have got off to a great start with an unbeaten first half of the season. The Griffins have brushed aside some very tough opposition and have not faltered once in their title pursuit, proving that the relatively new club are a force to be reckoned with. Sitting at the top of the Sussex 2 league, the club have everything to play for when they resume the season on 7th January. Horley RFC play their home games at the New Defence Sports Club, just behind the new leisure centre in Court Lodge Road.

Festival Plans Put on Hold – 16/12/11

Following the fierce public opposition to a proposal for a live music festival at a Charlwood farm, the event organisers have withdrawn their application. Dansell Multimedia were shocked at the extent of the local opposition to an event at Edolphs Farm and have withdrawn the application in order to review their proposal.

Council Approve Demolition of Buildings – 14/12/11

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council have approved the demolition of two buildings in Horley to make way for new developments. During a council meeting on Thursday, it was decided that Newman House in Victoria Road would be demolished at a cost of £125,000 to make the site more appealing for developers. The hope is that a proposal will come forward to build a new complex of shops and restaurants on the site. It was also agreed that the Horley Anderson Leisure Centre in Court Lodge would be demolished when the new leisure centre finally opens in the New Year.

Plans for Farm Festival Opposed – 9/12/11

Angry residents joined forces at Stanhill Court Hotel on Tuesday to oppose plans for a Glastonbury-style festival to take place at a farm in Charlwood. The owners of Edolphs Farm in Charlwood have been in discussions with Dansell Multimedia regarding holding a live music event and festival in the grounds of their farm next year. Dansell arranged the consultation at Stanhill Court to discuss the plans with local residents, but they did not expect the level of fierce opposition and hostility that they received. Edolphs Farm has over 150 acres of open land that would make a perfect setting for a festival as well as other live events.

Transition for Horley – 2/12/12

Horley Town Council have been investigating initiatives to make Horley more eco-friendly and could even result in the town having it’s very own currency. Among the ideas being discussed are plans to make Horley and it’s residents more self-sufficient by increasing organic food production locally. The re-opening of the allotments in Smallfield this week demonstrates people’s desire to grow their own food and anything to improve the impact on the environment is viewed positively.

Office Block Could Make Way for Shops – 1/12/11

A vacant office block that has stood empty for nearly two years could be demolished to make way for a new shopping centre in Horley Town Centre. Newman House is in a prime location, sitting opposite the Jack Fairman pub on the corner of Russell’s Crescent and Victoria Road and has attracted the attention of large retailers in the past. Having failed to rent the building out, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council are now considering possible uses for the site, acknowledging that if they demolish the existing building, the site will be far more attractive for developers.

Christmas Fair Could Be Last – 25/11/11

Saturday’s Christmas Fair could be the last for Horley after the town’s Chamber of Commerce announced that they will no longer organise charity events. Popular events such as St George’s day and the Scarecrow festival have been organised by the Chamber for years to boost the economy of the town and it’s retailers. However, the Chamber of Commerce have changed their focus to give more solid business support to local businesses and unfortunately the charity events do not fit in with their plans. It is hoped that a new organiser will come forward for the events and the Chamber have offered their full support to anyone wishing to take it on.

Increase to Car Park Charges – 24/11/11

In a year that local parking charges have caused petitions and disputes, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have announced that all council owned car park charges will increase effective from 1st January 2012. 20 minutes parking will increase to 35p from 30p, and parking for 1 hour will increase to 90p in Horley and £1.10 in Redhill and Reigate.

Rare Brain Condition Kills Bubbly 16 Year Old – 18/11/11

A popular and kind 16 year old girl died after an undiagnosed brain condition caused bleeding on her brain. Deni Bateman from Brighton Road Horley collapsed at home on 4th November and died the following day in St George’s Hospital Tooting. Deni had grown up in Horley, attending several schools in the town before moving on to East Surrey College in Redhill to study an NVQ in construction. The condition that she did not know she was suffering from is called spontaneous intracranial hypertension. Her funeral will be held next Wednesday at St Bartholomew’s church in Horley.

Drilling for Black Gold in Salfords – 15/11/11

Surrey County Council have given permission to an oil company to commence exploratory drilling for oil in Salfords. Magellan Petroleum UK have been given the go-ahead to sink an 8000 foot well into the land off Horse Hill in Salfords dspite concerns from environmentalists and local residents.In order to appease objections to noise pollution, the council have restricted the operating hours of the site.

Firework Thrown at Pub – 01/11/11

Patrons of a local pub were left shocked, scared and angry on Monday after a large firework was thrown at the open doorway, exploding in front of a woman and her dog. The firework was thrown at the Kings Head pub at around 5.30pm on Sunday from a car waiting at the traffic lights, before the mindless idiots sped away along the Balcombe Road. Fortunately, nobody was hurt during the attack but the outcome could have been far worse.

Thugs Jeopardise Charity Event – 26/10/11

Mindless vandals put a local charity fundraising event in jeopardy at the weekend when they ignited their bonfire two weeks early. Horley Cricket Club hold their annual bonfire and fireworks night in the first week of November every year to raise money for local charities. The arsonists struck late on Friday night and it took fire crews from Reigate and Horley several hours to bring the blaze under control. Local residents and club members are now working tirelessly to rebuild the bonfire in time for their event next Friday.

England Captain Teaches Local Kids – 24/10/11

School children at Yattendon Infant School were left speechless last week when England and Chelsea footballer John Terry paid them a surprie visit. Pupils at the school had been enjoying a series of coaching sessions with trainers from the John Terry Academy during their Y Factor week and had participated in a variety of football based activities. On Thursday, the man himself showed up and delighted pupils by training with them and giving an inspirational talk to the school.

Care Centre Will Close – 20/10/11

Despite efforts to find a new source of funding, Brambles MS Respite Care Centre will close in November. Last month, negotiations with the potential new partner, MS Respite & Care Services Ltd broke down but the MS Society remained hopeful that they could find a new care provider. All avenues have now been exhausted and the centre will close next month.

Former School Sold to Developers – 14/10/11

The derelict building that was formerly the home of Court Lodge Infant School is due to be sold to developers, much to the relief of local residents. Since it’s closure in 2004, the school has been targeted by vandals and has become a local eyesore. Developers, GB Building Solutions propose to build a new care home on part of the site and are in talks with Horley Baptist Church about relocating to the new site.

Lingfield Man Crowned Superbike Champion – 12/10/11

26 year old Tommy Hill was crowned British Superbike Champion last weekend, completing a lifelong dream for him and his family. The Lingfield speedster won the title in the very last race at Brands Hatch by six 1/1000th of a second.

Sports Club Will Stay After Swimming Pool Closes – 12/10/11

With the exciting prospect of the new Horley Anderson Leisure Centre opening in less than a month, another important leisure facility in Horley are keen to stress that they will continue to operate out of the site of the old leisure centre. The Innes Sports Pavillion provides vital changing and social facilities for many football clubs playing at the Court Lodge playing fields and they will continue to do so despite the old leisure centre being demolished.

Council Tax Will Not Rise – 7/10/11

Contrary to plans by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to raise council tax next year, residents in the borough will now not face an increase. The government this week announced that it wanted councils to freeze tax next year and offered a grant equivalent to a 2.5% increase to authorities willing to accept a freeze.

Care Centre Future in Jeopardy – 29/09/11

The Brambles Respite Care Centre in Horley is once again under threat of closure after the company that had been planning to takeover the centre had to withdraw their offer due to Charity Commission regulations. Brambles, who provide care for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, were told last year that the MS Society were withdrawing funds from the centre and a new provider would need to be found.

Campaigners Win Parking Battle – 22/9/11

After months of campaigning and petitioning, local businesses and residents have finally convinced the council not to install pay and display machines throughout local towns. Both Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council voted against to abort the plans after accepting that inadequate consultation had taken place. Horley and Reigate managed to avoid almost all of the proposed pay and display areas, whilst Redhill will have some machines installed but many will have a short period of free parking.

Sick Thieves Steal from Crematorium – 16/9/11

The Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on Balcombe Road has been the latest victim of sick and callous thieves who will stop at nothing to steal valuable metal. The crematorium was targeted last weekend when the thieves stole around 40 brass memorial plaques from the remembrance garden. As the price of metal continues to rise, thieves have targeted many premises to steal metal, but the crematorium is the sickest yet.

Teenage Paedophile Pleads Guilty – 8/9/11

The 18 year old who sparked a worrying man-hunt following allegations of sexual assault on a young girl had pleaded guilty to the charges at Guildford Crown Court. Joshua Barnard of Brighton Road in Horley, who is himself a father, touched a five year old girl in a ‘sexual manner’ at the Horley Anderson Leisure Centre on 6th June. Barnard will be sentenced on 20th September.

Next Phase of Housing Development Begins – 8/9/11

Barratt Homes have been given the go-ahead to commence work on the next phase of the housing development to the North of the Langshott estate. The first phase of 252 homes has now been completed and the second phase will include 308 houses and a 60-bed care home. However, plans to build 1570 homes on the other side of town near Meath Green Lane have still not been decided, four years after they were approved as part of the Horley Master Plan.

Horley Rugby Club Start Season in Fine Form – 5/9/11

After a long summer of recruitment and training, Horley Rugby Club started their season with two encouraging wins last week. On Wednesday evening, the Griffins hosted an army side from the 27th Regiment Royal Logistics Corp. Despite the army fielding a very fast and physical side including several Fijian players, Horley played extremely well and ran out 57-24 winners. On Saturday, Horley played Ditchling, who are currently a league above and, despite trailing for most of the match, Horley scored a late try to emerge winners by the smallest of margins, 22-21.

Troubled Hospital Plans New Temporary Ward – 02/09/11

Having come under fire on numerous occasions already this year, East Surrey Hospital have submitted plans to build a new temporary ward in an attempt to increase capacity and improve the service they can give to patients. The new prefabricated two-storey ward is in addition to the much-needed improvements to the Accident & Emergency department which will commence this month.

Police Van Schedule – 01/09/11

Following a successful trial of the mobile police counter, Surrey Police have now set a fixed timetable for the service. The mobile counter was introduced following the closure of many small town police stations, including Horley. The new timetable incorporates 11 locations for the service and the van will be in the Waitrose car park in Horley every Wednesday from 12.30-2.30pm.

Suspected Arson Destroys Church – 23/08/11

Fire crews were called to Salfords in the early hours of Friday morning when a blaze engulfed a community church. The fire at Southlands Church in Salbrook Road started at around 1am and quickly destroyed a portable office used as a Sunday school before moving to the adjacent church building. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to other nearby businesses, including Booker Cash & Carry next door, but the damage to the church was substantial. Police suspect that the fire was started by arsonists and are investigating.

Care Home Below Standard – 18.8.11

A Horley care home has received a report stating that it is not meeting essential standards. Woodbourne Care Home in Oakwood Road who provide residential care for people with mental illness, have had an enforcement action taken against them by the Care Quality Commission. Among the concerns highlighted in the report were staffing numbers, safety, cleanliness, training and supervision of staff.

Riot Threats Close Town Centre - 11/08/11

Following the horrific riots in London and Croydon last weekend, public fear and an element of scaremongering saw some businesses in Horley close their doors early on Tuesday for fear of the riots spreading south. Despite the gossip on social networking sites, there were no reported incidents of violence in the town. Officers from Surrey Police were called to assist the MET police with the mayhem.

Half a Dozen Bins for Homes – 03/08/11

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have approved a £4.5million plan to change the way we dispose of rubbish and recycle. The new scheme, which will be phased in throughout 2012 and 2013, will mean that some households could have as many as six separate bins to use and leave out for collection. Food and paper waste will be collected every week whilst glass, plastics, cans, and garden waste will be collected fortnightly.

Reigate & Banstead Most Violent Borough in County – 28/07/11

New Home Office figures show that Reigate & Banstead reported more violent crimes than any other borough in Surrey last year. More than 2100 violent crimes were reported in the borough last year, averaging out at 5.8 per day, despite Surrey being the eighth safest county in the country. The figures also revealed that robbery and burglary were up by 6% on the previous year, although vehicle theft and vandalism of vehicles were down 1% and 51% respectively.

Oakwood School Labelled ‘Inadequate’ – 27/07/11

A new report from Ofsted has given Oakwood School in Horley the lowest possible grade after an inspection found the school to be inadequate in numerous areas. Despite a previous report saying that Oakwood was making good progress, the latest report says that the school’s capacity for sustained improvement was inadequate and special measures need to be put in place. In addition to the school falling way below par for pupils’ learning, most worrying is the announcement that the school’s safeguarding procedures are inadequate and children do not feel safe in the school. The special measures put in place mean that Oakwood will have to show progress on a set action plan and will face more frequent inspections. If the school continues to deteriorate, it could face closure.

Custody Suite Plans Approved – 22/07/11

Residents in Salfords are fuming after the proposals for a police custody suite were approved despite significant public opposition. The planning inspectorate upheld the police’s appeal at a hearing on Monday, thus giving the go-ahead for the 24 cell suite to be built in Salbrook Road Industrial Estate. Work will start on the new suite as soon as possible.

Double Burglary in Smallfield – 20/07/11

Callous burglars struck two properties within hours of each other last week in a night of raids that netted them around £11,000. At around 11.30pm on Tuesday night, the masked raiders broke into the Co-Op supermarket in Redehall Road and stole around £5000 worth of cigarettes. Hours later, at approximately 3.30am, it is suspected that the same burglars broke into a family home whilst the family were asleep upstairs and stole around £6000 worth of the family’s possessions.

Taxi Driver Beaten and Robbed – 19/07/11

A 27 year old taxi driver was brutally beaten and then robbed by passengers he was dropping off in Horley. The cabbie was asked to drop the passenger off in Rosemary Lane. The cowardly attackers grabbed the driver from behind as he let one of them out of the back door and when he struggled, he was thrown to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched, sustaining a broken nose during the assault. The attackers then stole all of his takings and sat nav before making of on foot towards Balcombe Road.    

Con Artist Jailed – 14/07/11

A 53 year old woman was branded 'wicked' and jailed for three years after pleading guilty to conning an elderly widower out of £11,000. Loraine Upritchard of Brighton Road in Horley befriended James Saunders after he placed an advertisement in a local paper looking for female company in 2007. Upritchard moved into Mr Saunders flat and in 2008 asked to borrow the money to pay for medical treatment. She also attempted to forge his signature on several cheques that she had stoled from his cheque book. Whilst sentencing, the judge referred to Upritchard's four previous convictions of obtaining property by deception and called her a wicked, gold-digging con-artist.

Bookmaker Raider Jailed – 06/07/11

The man who committed an armed robbery on a Horley bookmakers has been jailed for four years. Burak Ozbay, 38, from Horley committed the robbery on 3rd March when he forced the two female employees who were closing the shop back inside whilst brandishing a knife. Ozbay got away with £200 in cash  but was traced by police who found the discarded coat, mask and glove at his former and current residence.

Aeroplane Narrowly Misses Disaster – 04/07/11

A pilot and his two passengers chanced with death on Friday when their light aircraft overshot a runway and collided with another plane. The Piper light aircraft was attempting to land at the Gatwick Aviation Museum in Charlwood but the pilot miscalculated the runway and lost control. Before they struck the stationary 1950s Shackleton, the Piper struck a support truck, tearing off part of a wing. Though the scene was attended by fire and ambulance crews, nobody was seriously injured.

End of Era for Redhill Nightclub – 22.06.11

This Saturday will mark the end of an era for generations of clubbers in Redhill when the nightclub, currently called Liquid and Envy, closes it’s doors for the last time. Originally built as a cinema in the 1930s, the venue was transformed into a nightclub in the 1970s. The club has had many transformations and name changes over the years, including Busbys, Millionaires, and The British Embassy and it’s closure will be a sad occasion for many. The site has been sold to an unidentified buyer and the future usage is not known.

Pensioner Lost in Hospital – 16/06/11

A 95 year old woman has spoken out after staff at East Surrey Hospital left her on a trolley in Accident & Emergency for 26 hours. Speaking to the Surrey Mirror, Doris Miller recalled her ordeal and her son’s bid to track her down. Mrs Miller was taken to hospital on 11th April after falling in her bathroom and hurting her ankle. She was then left on the trolley and forgotten, with staff telling her son Michael that first she had been moved to a ward and then to a care home in Caterham.

Illiterate Thief Sent to Prison – 16/06/11

A thief who stole plaques from Lingfield War Memorial has been jailed for 54 weeks at Guildford Crown Court. Ernie Jones, a 24 year old traveller from Lingfield, claimed that the plaques had been sold to him by a teenager and he subsequently tried to sell them to Trojan Metal Recycling. When staff at Trojan saw what the metal was, they refused to pay and called the police.

Two New Shops Open in Horley – 10/06/11

Horley Town Centre has received a boost to it’s fledgling retail offering with the opening of two new shops. Londis are planning to open a store on the site of the now closed Co-OP in Victoria Road and an international market store stocking Oriental and Asian foods has been opened in the popular The Corner Shop plot.

Female Fraudsters Prey on Elderly - 09/06/11

Surrey Police have issued a warning following a number of theft and fraud instances in Reigate, Horley and Redhill. The first incident happened in Morrisons car park where an 85 year old woman was approached for directions by one suspect whilst another suspect stole her bank cards from her bag. £500 was later taken from her account and used in the Argos store in Redhill. The second incident occurred in the Tesco car park in Hookwood when a 65 year old woman was asked for directions in the car park. 30 minutes later she was contacted by her bank who advised her that over £2200 worth of transactions had been attempted. The first suspect at the Morrisons incident was described as a tall Asian woman and the second suspect was a white woman with bleach blonde hair. The suspect at the Tesco incident was described as an Asian woman in her 40s wearing a turquoise sari.

Girl Sexually Assaulted at Leisure Centre – 08/06/11

A young girl was sexually assaulted whilst playing at the Horley Anderson Sports Centre on Monday. He attack took place at around 5pm when the centre was busy and police are appealing for witnesses. The attacker fled by foot through the playing fields adjacent to the centre in the direction of the Six Bells pub. He is described as being in his early 30s with short, dark brown hair and stubble.

New Mobile Police Service - 03/06/11

Surrey police have announced plans to launch a new Mobile Counter service this month. The move comes following the closure of many local stations across the county due to a reduced need for stand alone police stations. The new service will visit 12 locations including Oxted, Lingfield, Capel and Horley on a fixed timetable giving local residents a more convenient way of speaking with police.

Parking Charges Reviewed - 01/06/11

The parking charges imposed by Reigate & Banstead Council could be abandoned after complaints that the council failed to conduct an adequate public consultation prior to approving the plans. The plans to introduce Pay & Display parking bays across the borough were approved by Surrey County Council last week despite a petition containing mor ethan 40,000 names. The decision will now be reviewed by the Environment and Transport Select Committee.

Police Car Rammed – 01/06/11

A 40 year old man was arrested last Friday following an incident in Consort Way where a silver Mitsubushi rammed into a police car twice. The man was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit and also under suspicion of stealing a bag of groceries.

Campaigners Win Parking War – 19/05/11

Surrey County Council will make a dramatic u-turn on it’s proposals to impose town-wide pay and display parking bays if new recommendations are approved. After campaigners protested long and hard, the new proposal suggests a 30 minute free parking zone throughout the town followed by charges of £1 per hour.

Motorcyclist Airlifted to Hospital – 18/05/11

A 50 year old man was airlifted to King’s College Hospital following a horrific crash on Tuesday. The man crashed into the central reservation on the A23 near the Longbridge roundabout and sustained major leg injuries. Paramedics attempted to treat the man in the road and police had to eventually close the road so that the helicopter could land.

New Phone Mast a Worry for Drivers - 28/04/11

Residents of Langshott are protesting over plans to install a new mobile telephone mast on a blind corner in Wheatfield Way. Vodafone and O2 networks have always suffered from poor reception in the area and this new mast is designed to improve users' connections. However, the planned mast will be built on a blind corner and residents believe that, in addition to it being an eyesore, it will reduce visibility for drivers.

Teenager Cut Out of Swing - 26/04/11

Crowds gathered at the playground in Court Lodge on Sunday to watch a red-faced teenager being cut out of a baby swing. Firefighters had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to free the youth after he had wedged himself into the seat designed for toddlers and babies. Despite the humour of seeing the dim-witted teenager stuck, the exercise cost valuable time and money for the fire service as well as a cost to Horley Town Council to replace the swing.

St George Brings Life to Horley Town - 25/04/11

The annual St George's Day parade and festival brought flocks of people of all ages to Horley town centre on Saturday as residents came out in the sun to celebrate. A march led by Scouts, Cadets, St George and a Queen Elizabeth II lookalike was supported by numerous stalls and a fun fair. The event, organised by the town's Chamber of Commerce, was a huge success and showed the potential to transform Horley into a thriving town centre again.

Rats Destroy Lights and Ease Congestion - 15/04/11

For the last month, motorists using the Longbridge roundabout have been baffled by the lack of traffic lights and it has now been revealed that the cause of the breakdown is rats gnawing through the wiring and circuit boards. However, many motorists believe that the rats have helped to ease congestion at the busy roundabout, which has experienced long tailbacks during rush hours since the lights were installed.

Police Search For Hooded Attacker - 01/04/11

Police are searching for a potentially dangerous attacker following a series of incidents in the Langshott area. On four separate occassions in March, a hooded man has approached females walking in Langshott but has so far been scared away by the reactions of the victims. The first incident occurred on 1st March in Wheatfield Way when a 23 year old woman was approached by the man but scared him away by screaming. A 17 year old girl was approached in Tanyard Way on 7th March, but the girl's dog scared the man off. An 11 year old girl was approached on March 11 in Wheatfield Way and a 19 year old woman was approached on 19th March in Ladbroke Road, but again the attacker was scared off by her screams. Police are asking for any witnesses to contact them and warning Langshott residents to be vigilant.

Goat Causes Havoc in Pub - 30/03/11

Staff and customers in the Jack Fairman pub were shocked and scared when a goat started rampaging through the pub on Monday. Two men had stolen the goat and attempted to take it into several pubs throughout the town but were refused entry. When they arrived at the Jack Fairman, staff told them that they would not serve them and asked the men to leave. They then unleashed the goat before leaving. Police were called and the goat was returned to it's owner, who had not noticed that it was missing.

Council Ignore Parking Protest - 23/03/11

Despite thousands of signatures on petitions and a staged protest at County Hall, council bosses refused to discuss further their plans for parking charges across the borough. Campaigners from Reigate, Redhill and Horley joined many other towns on Monday to demonstrate to the council that their plans to implement widespread parking charges throughout towns in the borough were unwelcome, unneccessary and damaging to local business.

Bookmakers Robbed - 08/03/11

A masked robber brandishing a knife terrified staff and stole £200 when he robbed the Coral Bookmakers in Brighton Road last week. Two members of staff were locking up at the end of the day on March 3rd when the robber struck. He forced them to the back of the shop and threatened them with the knife before fleeing on foot with the money.

Horley Rugby Club Voted Team of the Year - 04/03/11

Horley Rugby Club received another trophy to go with their league champions trophy from last season when they received their award for Team of the Year at the East Surrey & Sussex Sports Awards on Thursday. The awards ceremony, held at Lingfield Racecourse, rewarded many individuals and teams for their commitment and success, and Horley RFC were delighted to have been voted as Team of the Year by members of the public.

Hospital Investigation After Mis-treatment of Patient Exposed - 04/03/11

East Surrey Hospital have launched an investigation after an undercover TV camera recorded footage of distressing and callous mis-treatment of a patient. The footage was aired on Channel 4's Dispatches programme on Monday and shows the appalling treatment of an elderly patient who died at the hospital in December 2010. The chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare has promised a full investigation and that the individuals concerned will be held to account for their actions.

Sexual Assault in Smallfield - 03/03/11

A 26 year old woman was attacked and sexually assaulted in a children's play area in Plough Road, Smallfield in the early hours of Sunday morning. The young woman was approached by her attacker before being thrown to the ground and assaulted.

High Street Butcher Selling Up - 17/02/11

Yet another Horley retailer is being forced to close due to the terrible trading conditions in the town. Chris White Family Butchers are the latest retailer to cut their losses and retreat from the town. With so many empty retail units, Horley is looking more like a ghost town every month and pressure is on for the council and landlords to make retailing in Horley a more attractive proposition.

Police Raid Suspected Drugs Dens - 13/02/11

Police from across Surrey and Sussex undertook a series of synchronized dawn raids on 16 properties in an operation to smash heroine and crack cocaine ring. More than 200 officers raided properties in Horley, Redhill, Woodhatch, South Nutfield, London & other location in Sussex at 6am on Thursday morning. More than 100 wraps of heroine were found along with stolen goods and money and 16 people were arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Brawlers Found Guilty - 09/02/11

Three men from Horley have been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm during a group brawl in Crawley town centre which left a man with an umbrella spoke stuck in his head. Adam Brown, Danny Richmond and Thomas Reilly were all found guilty at Brighton Crown Court and will be sentenced on 9th March.

Horley Street is NOT 10th Worst in Country - 06/02/11

A street that was wrongly labelled the 10th worst in England for anti-social behaviour is all due to an administration mistake. The Crescent appeared on the brand new Home Office website, where users can search for crimes in a specific town, area or postcode, when it was launched on Tuesday despite residents claiming that any kind of trouble was few and far between. The mistake occurred due to wrongly routed emergency calls being referred back from Sussex police to Surrey. As The Crescent is near the border of the two counties, police logged the incidents against the road regardless of where they actually occurred.

No Increase to Council Tax - 28/01/11

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council have decided that there will be no increase to council tax in the coming year. The news will be welcomed by residents throughout the district, particularly in the current economic downturn. By not increasing council tax, the council will receive a grant of £286,000 from the Government.

Parking Fine Overturned - 20/01/11

A Horley resident has taken on the council in the courts and won to have his unfair parking fine overturned. Colin Hawkes parked in Victoria Road last September in what was a legitimate parking bay until the previous month. The tribunal ruled that the new parking restrictions were inadequately signposted.

Employee Jailed for Theft - 14/01/11

A Horley woman was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to stealing £46000 from her employer. Teresa Smith was employed at family owned World of Water in East Grinstead by business owner Annette Yeomans as a book keeper in October 2008 and immediately used her position of trust to begin stealing from the business to pay her own debts.

Free Parking Battle Intensifies - 13/01/11

The battle to keep free parking in Horley has intensified with town councillors threatening to take a judicial review to allow the courts to decide whether Surrey County Council will be permitted to impose the revenue generation scheme. The town council and retailers fear that removing the vast majority of free parking in the town will have a detrimental effect on business.

Man Injured in Road Smash - 12/01/11

A crash in the early hours of Tuesday morning on the A217 near the Black Horse pub in Hookwood left two men needing hospital treatment, one with serious head injuries. The crash involved a Royal Mail van and Ford Transit and is thought to have been caused by one of the drivers attempting a dangerous turn in the road.

Council Stops Charity Work - 05/01/11

Surrey County Council have blocked a local charity from giving money to the needy because it requires too much paperwork. Horley Round Table have delivered money in Christmas cards for more than 50 years, but this year social services refused to supply a list of people who were in need because £2000 was deemed too small to warrant the amount of work required.

New Parking Charges Set to Hit Town - 04/01/11

The council have started the year by upsetting retailers and residents with a new proposal for parking zones throughout Horley, Redhill and Merstham. Pay and display machines will be installed by Surrey County Council in numerous roads around the towns with Horley getting 113 machines, Redhill 94 and Merstham 47.

Snow Brings Chaos... Again! - 20/12/10

Less than two weeks after snow brought the South East to a standstill, a fresh dusting of snow on Friday and Saturday sent the country into more chaos. Shops and businesses were unable to open, shoppers were unable to get to those shops that were able to open, the roads were gridlocked with cars unable to move and public transport came to a standstill. Furious members of the public have questioned the government and council's lack of preperation for what has become inevitable weather conditions that could be made much easier.

Violent Thug Jailed - 17/12/10

A 33 year old man has been jailed for 17 months following a spree of violence and anti-social behavior. Cuneyt Korkut attacked a 31 year old woman in Court Lodge Road and also a 41 year old woman that came to her aid on 26th October. He has also subjected his neighbours to constant anguish with his violent outburts both verbally and physically.

More Police in Town - 15/12/10

Surrey Police have increased the number of patrolling policeman in Horley town centre in an attempt to control violence and anti-social behaviour over the Christmas period. There will also be increased undercover officers visiting pubs and clubs to check for under age drinkers.

Christmas Lights Left to Rot - 03/12/10

Councillors from Horley Town Council were left with a predicament prior to the turning on of the town's Christmas lights this week when the lights were discovered broken on top of a shop. Nobody had taken responsibility for taking the lights down after last Christmas and they had been left out in all conditions, rendering them useless. The lights were donated by the Horley Chamber of Commerce last year after the council reported that there was no money to fund lighting up the town. The Town Council have purchased a small amount of icicle lights to ensure that Horley does have some festive illumination.

Snow Brings South East to Halt - 02/12/10

For the third time in the last 12 months, snow has brought the South East of England to a standstill, causing chaos for everyone. Schools have been closed, workers have been unable to reach their place of employment and the drivers that were able to venture out have experienced extreme difficulty to travel on roads with little or no grit to clear the snow.

Horley's Roundabout of Memory - 23/11/10

A tribute to lost loved ones has been established in Horley thanks to the town's Chamber of Commerce. The roundabout of memory at the previously overgrown Longbridge roundabout has been planted with 23,000 bulbs that will flower in Spring. Relatives and friends of people that have died can purchase a bulb in remembrance of their loved ones.

Jewellery Robbery Foiled - 21/11/10

Masked raiders attempted to rob Magpie Jewellers on Thursday, only to be fended off by the owner of the shop. Frank Berrington was in his shop at around 2.50pm when two raiders wearing white masks entered the premises. Mr Berrington was hit over the head with a baseball bat but managed to push the intruders back out of the door. They then fled the scene on foot.

Public To Make Decision on Spending Cuts - 18/11/10

In an attempt to avoid massive backlash from angry residents, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council are asking you to decide what gets cut and what deserves funding across the borough. Councillors have drawn up a hit list of amenities that could suffer from the massive spending cuts but rather than make an unpopular decision themselves, they are giving everyone a chance to vote on projects. The consultation will run until 14th January 2011.

Horley Woman Falls To Death from Hotel Balcony - 11/11/10

A Horley woman died after falling from a hotel balcony whilst on a trip to India. Sunanda Valand, 37, from Kelsey Close, Horley was holidaying in India with her husband when the tragedy happened. According to her husband, she had been feeling homesick and wanted to return to Horley earlier than planned before she fell from the terrace.

Armed Man Shot By Police - 11/11/10

A quiet Copthorne Street was turned into something from a Hollywood movie on Monday when armed police seiged a house to arrest a suspected armed man. Police were called to Borers Arms Road at 10pm on Monday night following a report that an armed man was threatening a woman who lived in the house. Following a 55 minute stand off, the police fired their weapons and seiged the house where they arrested the man with a gun shot wound in his hand.

New Super Jet Approved for Gatwick - 27/10/10

The huge, double-decker Airbus A380 will soon become a regular sight in the skies over Horley and Crawley. Gatwick Airport has been given permission to operate the huge Airbuses despite fears of increased noise pollution from local residents.

Car Booters Face Parking Charges – 21/10/10

The organisers of Horley car boot sale fear that council plans to start charging for parking in the town centre on Sunday could lead to the demise of the popular attraction. Every Sunday, the car boot sale attracts as many as 5000 people to the town centre, bringing in £1000s of pounds to the local economy. The proposed charge for parking in the High Street car park is £1 for the whole day.

Paedophile Gets Four Years – 06/10/10

David Lyn Jenkins, the paedophile who abused young boys over a forty year period, was jailed for four years at Lewes Crown Court on Monday. The ex-leader of Redhill Boys Brigade was jailed for sex offences committed against a 13 year old boy in 1968 and with a boy of 9 in 2005 through to when the same boy was 13 in 2009.

Schools to Become Academies – 01/10/10

Talks have taken place between the council and the government to turn all of our local secondary schools into academies according to an exclusive report by the Surrey Mirror newspaper. The proposals, which would mean that the schools would be funded by a central government rather than local education authorities, have received mixed reactions from teachers and parents alike, though the main concern is the reduction in facilities and service if the government opts to cut spend in the future.

Wheelchair Bound Man Dies After Road Accident – 30/09/10

An elderly gentleman confined to a wheel chair was involved in a road accident in the centre of Horley last week and later died in hospital of his injuries. The man in his 80s was struck by a Volkswagon van whilst crossing at the busy junction between Victoria Road and Consort way in the middle of the day.

Farmers Save Market – 24/09/10

Local residents will have noticed the slow demise of Horley market in recent years, as traders have pulled out to pursue more lucrative market locations. However, thanks to a new deal with farmers attending Crawley market, a lifeline has been thrown to Horley in the form of a monthly Farmers Market. With retailers pulling out of the town and not being replaced, it is time that all Horley residents get behind the town, it's shops and market to stop the town from completely dying.

Dying Mother's Final Act – 22/09/10

A young mother dying of cancer discharged herself from St Catherine's Hospice to take her four year old son to his first day of school. 31 year old Gemma Hogg left the hospice in a wheelchair to take Thomas to school and died the following day of incurable lung cancer. The brave mum had previously been treated for breast cancer and been given the all clear before it was discovered that the cancer had moved to her lungs and could not be treated. Mrs Hogg also had two other children.

Work Begins on New Leisure Centre – 18/09/10

After years of planning and delays, the demolition of the old Court Lodge School has begun, signalling that the new leisure centre is on it's way. Builders are demolishing the old school in stages to allow for clearance of the debris but expect the site to be cleared by the end of October ready for construction to begin.

Sick Paedophile Faces Long Sentence – 09/09/10

A paedophile whose reign of terror lasted 40 years has been warned by a judge that he faces a long prison sentence for his vile crimes. David Lyn Jenkins pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse on boys under the age of 14. The first count of abuse goes back to 1968 when he abused his wife's 13 year old brother. Jenkins was a trusted leader of the Boys Brigade in Redhill and Merstham where he befriended his victims and their families. He originally lived in Merstham, before moving to Chart Lane in Reigate and subsequently to Smallfield where he carried out four attacks on a boy between 2005 and 2009. He will be sentenced on 4th October.

Government Cash for Buildings – 03/09/10

The government have awarded £1.3 million to Reigate & Banstead Council to assist with building developments in the area. Reigate, Redhill and Horley will all benefit from the money, given to the council following accreditation as a New Growth Point. The money will be used for substantial building projects, including Horley's new leisure centre.

Gay MP Pledge to Constituents – 02/09/10

Following his shock announcement last Friday that he is gay, Reigate MP Crispin Blunt has vowed not to let the announcement or media attention detract from his duties. The Conservative, who has a second home in Horley made the announcement on the Conservative website last Friday that he has seperated from his wife and asked for people to respect the privacy of his family whilst they are coming to terms with his sexuality

Lasers Put Lives in Danger – 01/09/10

A police helicopter with thermal imaging equipment was called to hunt down hooligans who were aiming red lasers at planes landing at Gatwick Airport last weekend. The latest incident on Saturday night follows a string of similar offences and have been pinpointed to the East Grinstead area. A Civil Aviation Authoriy spokesperson explained that these type of lights are extremely dangerous as they can temporarily blind the pilots putting the safety of the aircraft and it's passengers in jeopardy.

Oakwood Students Achieve Record Results – 25/08/10

The headteacher of Oakwood School in Balcombe Road, Sue Child, is delighted to see the fruits of her labour start to appear with this year's GCSE results. It was only a few weeks ago that the latest Ofsted report branded Oakwood as inadequate and these results will go a long way to restoring public faith in the school. 62.4% of pupils received five or more A* to C grades, an 11 per cent increase on last year.

Another Shop Closure in Town – 19/08/10

As another shop in Horley town centre announces it's closure this week, concerns over the future of the town increase. Mud Pie Ceramics announced that it will close it's doors at the end of the year and sell it's products via the internet, leaving yet another empty retail unit in the town centre. Despite council plans to invest £350,000 on a regeneration program, traders fear that this may not be enough to encourage retail chains and shoppers to the town.

Highest Number of Benefit Claimants in County – 17/08/2010

New figures released by the Office of National Statistics show that Reigate & Banstead has the highest number of people claiming Jobseekers allowance in the entire county. The July figures show that 1620 people were claiming the benefit - more than double the number claiming in Mole Valley and Tandridge.

Horley Green Week – 01/08/10

Horley Town Council are asking local residents to get involved during environment week by reducing use of fossil fuels and cleaning the streets. Green week takes place from 20th to 25th September. Anyone wishing to get involved in organised projects should contact the town council.

Stolen Tools – 01/08/10

More than £8000 worth of equipment and tools were stolen from a building site on the Balcombe Road last Wednesday night. The high value items included a hydraulic breaker, laser level and nail gun amongst other pieces of equipment. Police have asked local workmen and DIY enthusiasts to be on the lookout for these items being sold cheap.

Local Lads Fail in Bid to Avoid Extradition - 29/07/10

The five local men accused of attacking a footballer and causing near fatal injuries in Malia in 2008 have failed in their bid to avoid extradition to Crete to face trial for the alleged attack. Curtis Taylor, Daniel Bell and Sean Branton, all from Horley along with George Hollands from Reigate and Ben Herdman from Worth all expect the extradition order within the next two weeks.

Roadworks Cause Traffic Chaos - 28/07/10

Despite extensive planning and notification, the essential roadworks in Victoria Road leading up to Horley train station caused chaos this week, causing motorists to seek back road detours and gridlocking the surrounding roads every evening this week. The works, costing around £350,000, are only scheduled to last for two weeks, although one workman claimed that they would not finish on time.

Leisure Centre Build Gets Underway - 28/07/10

The long awaited building work on Horley's leisure centre finally has a start date following the Council's appointment of a contractor to undertake the work. Pellikaan Construction, who have been responsible for building over 900 leisure centres throughout Europe, have been instructed to begin work in September. Following the demolition of the exisiting buildings - the former Court Lodge School - building work will begin in November with a completion date set for early 2012. The Horley Anderson centre will be demolished after the new centre is opened.

Police to Slam the Door on Horley Station - 17/07/10

Horley Police Station is set to close as part of cost cutting measures by the service. The historical building in Massetts Road is no longer a viable option to run as a police station due to increasing costs and the need for refurbishment. However, the closure of the local station should not result in a diminished service as new shared premises are being looked at throughout the town.

Horley in Bloom Winners - 15/07/10

The winners of this year's popular Horley in Bloom competition have been announced following the judging of the most fiercely competed competion in recent years. The winners are Peggy Clarke (Residential Front Garden), St Wilfred's Church (Cottage Garden), The Farmhouse (Hanging Basket), Langshott Infant School (Best School), Douglas House (Community Garden), The Gatwick pub (Commercial Garden), Rosemead (Top Guest House), Horley Infants School (best Newcomer). The presentations will be made on 24th September at Regent House, Albert Road.

Pupils Design Uniform - 14/07/10

Pupils at Oakwood School will return in September with a stylish new uniform thanks to their fellow classmates. A new, trendier uniform has been designed by pupils incorporating high street fashions and school heritage.

New Coucil Chief Vows Improvement - 12/07/10

John Jory, the new chief executive of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has vowed to make massive improvements in order to justify his £138,000 salary. Mr Jory is widely recognised as the man who changed the fortunes at Mid Sussex District Council and intends on making a similar name for himself in hi snew post.

Blaze Evacuates Residents - 07/07/10

More than 40 residents were evacuated from their homes when a fire ripped through a workshop housing highly flammable substances in Hookwood on Tuesday. A 200 metre exclusion zone was set up around Mill Lane whilst fire crews tried to control the blaze and cool down combustible cylinders. The Regent House Communiy centre in Albert Road opened it's doors for refugees whilst others stayed with family and friends.

MS Centre Faces Closure - 16/06/10

Over 100 employees at Brambles, the respite home for sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis, face losing their jobs and sufferers face losing their vital care after the MS Society announced it is pulling it's funding. The society funds four respite homes throughout the UK worth £2.7 million annually but have decided to focus it's investment on a 'more personalised system of support'. The home has until November 2011 to find another source of funding.

Didn't We Have A Lovely Time the Day We Saw The Bangers! - 14/06/10

Crowds flocked to Smallfield at the weekend to revel in a whole host of party activities including the Banger Racing. The annual party had something for everyone, with lots of activities for children as well as a large screen for patriotic football fans to watch the dismal display against the USA.

Cannabis Factory in Earlswood - 13/06/10

Police uncovered a around 100 cannabis plants when they swooped on a family house in South Earlswood following a tip-off from the property's landlord. Drugs with a street value of more than £200,000 were discovered at the house in Horley Road which had been transformed by the tenants into a drug factory using hydroponics equipment to cultivate the plants.

Horley In Bloom Competition Launched - 20/05/10

Green-fingered local residents and businesses now have the news they've been waiting for - this year's Horley in Bloom competition has been launched and gardeners will be competing fiercely to win the coveted prize in eight categories. Entry forms are available from the Town Council Offices in Albert Road.

Rugby Club Move to New Ground - 19/05/10

After just one year playing competitive rugby, Horley Rugby Club finished the season as league champions, earning themselves promotion to Sussex 2 and moving up in the rugby world. In addition, the club have formed a ground share agreement with Horley Town Football Club, giving them their own much needed club house as well as superior facilities for playing and training. The club will officially relocate to the New Defence before the start of the next season in September.

Man Dies in Fire - 14/05/10

A 71 year old Horley pensioner was killed when a fire ripped through his flat in Longbridge Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Paul Milne lived alone in the flat and the cause of the blaze has not yet been identified, although it is not being treated as suspicious.

Woman Robbed in Home - 20/04/10

A local woman was terrified when two armed robbers forced their way into her flat and robbed her at gunpoint. The blatant attack happened at 5.30pm in broad daylight on Monday at a flat in Pine Gardens. The two robbers, both described as white and with London accents stole a small amount of cash and a mobile phone before fleeing on foot.

One of Our Statues is Missing - 09/03/10

Residents of the Langshott development are up in arms following the disappearance of the female adult statue from the familiar landmark on the corner of Wheatfield Way. The thieves callously cut through the ankle of the brass statue and removed the heavy figure, presumably by lorry or van. The statue was stolen on February 18 but residents presumed that it had been taken away for cleaning.

New Custody Centre in Salfords - 04/03/10

Local residents have joined together to fiercely oppose plans for a new 30 cell custody centre in Salfords, fearing that it will lead to increased drime in the area. More than 50 residents crammed into a tiny meeting room at Salfords Village Hall to hear Chief Superintendent Charlie Doyle's proposal for the new facility in Salbrook Road.

Langshott Drug Factory - 22/02/10

More than 250 cannabis plants with a street value of over £40,000 were discovered by police when they raided a a house in Ewelands on the Langshott estate last Friday. Officers raided the property whilst a police helicopter hovered overhead, causing worry amongst local residents. The house had been rented for £1000 per month and significant alterations had been made to the electricity supply in order to cultivate the plants. An oriental man fled the house when police swooped and was not aprehended.

Betting Shop Robbery - 17/02/10

Police are searching for a man who robbed the Bet Fred bookmakers in Victoria Road on Monday, stealing cash from the till after pushing the cashier away. The man is described as mixed race, in his late twenties and approximately 6ft 2in.

Snow Brings Horley to Standstill... Again! - 09/01/10

Following the heavy snow before Christmas, Horley residents expected the town to be prepared for more snow this week. However, weather unseen in England for nearly thirty years brought the town to a standstill once again and caused havoc for anyone trying to leave their homes. All of the local schools in the town were closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, leaving parents unable to even attempt to reach work. Untreated roads made driving hazardous and, as the cold snap continues, concerns for the elderly and ill are being addressed by care workers.

MP Resigns After 18 Years - 06/01/10

MP Peter Ainsworth has shocked friends and colleagues by resigning after 18 years. The former Shadow Cabinet Minister announced on Monday that he will stand down at the next election. Mr Ainsworth has been a popular MP for the East Surrey constituency, supporting local causes with passion and enthusiasm.

Horley School Worst in Surrey - 17/12/09

Manorfield Nursery & Primary School in Horley has scored the worst SATs results in the whole county, sparking fears from parents choosing schools for their children next year. Manorfield scored just 23.9 in Key Stage 2 tests whilst the local average is 28.5. Only 35 percent of students managed to pass the controversial tests in English and Mathematics.

Local Men Face Extradition - 06/12/09

Six local men face extradition to Crete if found guilty of a vicious attack on another young Briton whilst on holiday in Crete. Curtis Taylor, Sean Branton, and Daniel Bell all from Horley, alongside Joseph Bruckland from Hookwood, George Hollands from Reigate and Benjamin Herdman from Crawley are all accused of savagely beating Robbie Hughes in Malia last year. Mr Hughes' injuries were so severe that he underwent four separate operations on his brain and has lost his memory since his teenage years. The six defendants refused to return to Crete to answer questions and European arrest warrants were issued.

Town Centre Lights Scrooged by Council - 03 /12/09

Horley Town Centre has been declined funding by the council to pay for festive lights this Christmas leaving the town with limited illuminations that look pitiful compared to previous years. The Chamber of Commerce have done their best to brighten up the town with wreaths and blue lights, but the results do not live up to expectations. At a time when Horley town centre has more vacant premises than ever, something has to be done to rejuvenate the town centre and turn it into the shopping centre it should be.

New Street Lamps Throughout County - 02/12/09

Surrey County Council have signed a £250million deal to replace every street lamp across the county. The 25 year contract will see all 89,000 street lights replaced within five years resulting in massive savings of an estimated £12million to taxpayers through energy saving elements of the new lights.

Horley Rugby Club Storming Ahead - 30/11/09

The new rugby club in Horley, based at the Oakwood school, are taking the rugby world by storm with a series of impressive wins. The club, nicknamed the Griffins, have won all of their games this season, accumulating more than 400 points whilst conceding just 25 points. They are top of their Sussex league with maximum points possible and are through to the semi-final of the Sussex cup.

Gatwick Airport Sold - 21 /10/09

Six months after the Competition Commission ruled that BAA would have to sell Gatwick Airport within two years, the airport has been sold to Global Infrastructure Partners who also own London City Airport. Many local businesses believe that the new ownership will bring operational changes that will have a positive effect on the surrounding economy. 34 million passengers travel through Gatwick Airport every year.

Arsonists Set Horley Ablaze - 20/10/09

Arsonists started four fires in the space of an hour in the early hours of Sunday morning, causing substantial damage and wasting vital firefighting resources. The first fire happened behind the Foresters Pub in Consort Way at 1.48am when two wheelie bins were set on fire. Shortly after, two wheelie bins behind Iceland were set ablaze. Then another two bins were set fire to at the rear of the British Heart Foundation shop in the High Street. The final fire was lit behind the Tanning Studio in Massetts Road at approximately 3.13am.

Chemical Leak at Flats - 13/10/09

Over 30 people were evacuated from their homes on Monday when a dangerous chemical leak was discovered. Residents of the flats in Lumley Road were evacuated at 5.30pm and the road was cordoned of by police. The scare was caused by dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide leaking into the flats from an unknown source.

Roadworks Misery for Hospital - 09/09/09

Plans to close the main access road for East Surrey Hospital will cause misery for patients and visitors to the hospital as well as chaos for motorists on the main A23. Resurfacing work will close Three Arch Road for six weeks, forcing motorists to take a detour via Honeycrock Lane in Salfords.

Horley Station Horror - 08/09 /09

Commuters and rail passengers were left stunned and horrified on Monday as they witnessed a man being struck and killed by a high speed train at Horley station. The incident happened at around 8.20am on Monday when a 44 year old male appeared to throw himself in front of the express train. Trains were delayed for over an hour whilst police had the scene cordoned off.

Fatal Car Crash Near Gatwick - 06/09 /09

A young mother was killed when her car collided with a coach on the roundabout by Gatwick's North Terminal on Friday. Melanie Wisden, 34 from Cardiff was killed as her car was crushed by the National Express coach carrying 40 passengers. The incident happened at around 1.30pm but caused hours of chaos as police closed the road to investigate.

Fire Destroys Flats - 09/08/09

A fire in a third floor flat is being treated as suspicious by police after it broke out just after 5pm on Wednesday. The occupants of the flat in Court Lodge Road were not at home at the time of the blaze and fortunately nobody was hurt despite the damage.

Corner Shop Drugs Raid – 05/08/09

Police raided The Corner Shop in Victoria Road on Tuesday following information that local residents that quantities of drugs were being held on the premises. Police found cannabis and suspected stolen items in the raid. A man and a woman were arrested.

Confidential Documents Found – 01/08/09

Confidential papers containing the personal details of 14 patients were found at the side of the road in Smallfield. The documents contained names, addresses, phone numbers and medical records for patients of Britannia Healthcare, based in Horley. The company are investigating the serious breach in confidentiality.

Vandals Attack Garden – 31/07/09

The new community garden in Horley’s Recreation Park was targeted by yobs just a week after it was finished. The vandals pulled up the newly laid paving slabs and hurled them onto the nearby bowling green causing £2000 of damage and causing distress to users of the park.

Police Raid Horley Brothel – 24/07/09

Three women were arrested when police raided a flat in Horley High Street, suspecting that the premises were being used as a brothel. The raid took place on Wednesday morning and came as a result of complaints from local residents.

Church Treasurer Jailed - 21/07/09

Colin Cooksey, the former treasurer of Horley Methodist Church, has been jailed for stealing over £150,000 from the church. Cooksey, 61, pleaded guilty to six counts of transferring money by deception and was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court last Friday. Cooksey used the stolen money to pay off his mortgage and fund a lavish lifestyle.

Mentally Ill Patient Escapes - 21/07/09

A mentally ill patient at the Farmfield Hospital in Charlwood escaped on Monday and is still at large, potentially trying to travel to Southampton. Samuel Boylan, 20, escaped from the secure unit on Monday and, though he is considered low risk, police have advised the public not to approach him.

Swine Flu Hits Surrey Schools - 09/07/09

Six schools in the borough have issued alerts that they may have been exposed to swine flu. Both the Warwick school and St Bedes in Redhillhave confirmed that they have either had actual cases or that relatives of pupils or staff had been diagnosed with the virus. There were also unconfirmed reports that Oakwood School in Horley had reported potential exposure to the virus.

Formula 1 Comes to Horley - 05/06/09

A revolutionary new Formula One simulator centre could be built in Horley according to plans shown to the Surrey Mirror this week. An application has been submitted by BullRacing Developments to build the centre at the old Sidlow dealership site in Brighton Road and, if successful, the centre could open later this year.

AMEX to Close Horley Office - 04/06/09

American Express have announced that they will be closing their Horley office, based in Consort Way, potentially making the 75 staff based at the office redundant. The services offered by the Horley team will be relocated the customer service centre in Brighton.

Oakwood Schoolboy Injured - 03/06/09

A 15 year old schoolboy was rushed to hospital with serious injuries following a crash in New House Lane, Salfords last Friday. A 17 year old from Crawley was arrested and subsequently released on bail in relation to the incident.

Power Cut Misery for Shoppers - 19/05/09

A massive power cut left around 2000 Horley homes and businesses without electricity for nearly four hours on Saturday. The failure just before midday resulted in shops, restaurants and hotels being forced to turn away customers, including the Tesco supermarket in Hookwood, who had to evacuate over 1000 customers midway through their shop.

Bike Explosion - 19/05/09

A motorbike burst into flames when the rider lost control and hit a bus stop in Balcombe Road last Friday. The aaccident occurred just up the road from the entrance to Oakwood School. The rider was taken to hospital with burns.

Drug-Taking Clubber Accused of Murder - 07/05/09

A man accused of murdering a young father had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs, a court heard this week. James Redmile-Gordon, a former pupil of Oakwood School in Horley, is accused of murdering 28 year-old Ovidiu Pop after striking him on the head with a fire extinguisher following a scuffle between two groups of friends outside the Honey Club in Brighton last August. Mr Pop suffered a fractured skull and died shortly after the incident. Mr Redmile-Gordon denies murder, claiming he struck out in self defence. The trial continues at Lewes Crown Court.

New Leisure Centre Gets Go Ahead - 1/04/09

The council have finally given the go ahead for a new leisure centre to be built at the site of the old Court Lodge school. As well as building the new leisure centre, the site will also contain a new church to replace Horley Baptist church, new homes and a care home for the elderly.

Woman Attacked in Subway - 31/03/09

A 40 year old, deaf woman was attacked by four men brandishing a knife as she walked through the subway going beneath the train line between Station Road and Yattendon Road. The attack happened at around 10.15am on Wednesday morning. The assailants stole the woman's handbag and pushed her to the ground before fleeing.

Schoolgirl Followed Home by Hooded Man - 18/03/09

A 9 year old schoolgirl ran home terrified on Tuesday after she spotted a man wearing a hooded top following her. The incident happened in Grove Road and the man was described as white, medium build and around 25 years old.

Teenager Attacked in Home - 16/03/09

A 17 year old boy was attacked when a group of thugs forced entry into his flat on the Langshott Estate. The teenager was alone when the attackers struck last Wednesday evening and viciously beat him before smashing up belongings in the flat. The boy was unable to give a description of his attackers and police do not have a motive.

Last Members of Drug Cartel Sentenced - 09/03/09

The final members of the drug cartel exposed by police were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday. Members of the gang lived in Redhill, Horley, Merstham and Woodhatch and earned more than £20,000 per week dealing class A drugs in the area. The gang were caught following Surrey's biggest ever police operation, codenamed Operation Kingbird last May. The members sentenced to serve time in prison included Kenneth Abrams from Horley, Paul Smith from Redhill, Tara Pickers Gill from Horley, Oliver and Patricia Ripley-Duggan from Woodhatch, Jarren White of Horley, Samantha Newbury from Redhill, Daniel Walk from Redhill, and Grant Smith from Horley.

Elderly Brothel Keeper Sentenced - 09/03/09

A 72 year old man from Charlwood has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for running a brothel from his home for two years between 2004 and 2006. Anthony Cox had 123 girls on his books and allowed them to entertain clients in adapted rooms in his house, taking a fee from each girl and earning £44,000 a year.

Oakwood Pupils Return to Mourn Teacher – 25/2/09

Pupils at Oakwood School returned from half term this week to a series of assemblies and group discussions organised to remember and mourn the tragic death of their much-loved PE teacher, Andrea Hinton, who died of leukaemia last week. Miss Hinton was just 31 years old and had worked at the school for five years.

Heavy Rain Brings Flood Fears to Langshott Residents – 13.2.09

The recent snow, followed by torrential rain has increased fears that the Horley Master Plan for 2600 new properties may have miscalculated the flood risk to new and existing homes. The initial investigation undertaken by the Environment Agency calculated the risk of a flood would only occur every 100 years, despite local campaigners providing evidence to the contrary.

Death-Crash Lorry Driver Jailed – 12.2.09

The truck driver responsible for the death of Horley resident, Wanda Harden, has been jailed for two years at Guildford Crown Court. Christopher Weech pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after the accident on the A3 near Guildford last April. Weech could not explain why he failed to spot the stationary traffic which he ploughed into causing Mrs Harden's death.

Plans for New Leisure Centre in Horley Going Ahead – 30.1.09

Plans for a brand new leisure centre in Horley have taken a giant leap forward after Surrey County Council agreed to sell the former Court Lodge infant and secondary school to Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. The new development on the site of the old secondary school will house the brand new leisure centre (including swimming pool, sports hall, dance studio and gym) and some housing. The site of the infant school will house a new care home, a church and more housing.

Virus Closes Hospital Wards – 28.1.09

Three wards at East Surrey Hospital have been closed as a result of a rise in the cases of a winter virus. The virus called Norovirus, which causes prolonged spells of vomitting and other flu-like symptoms, caused chaos before Christmas when over 50 people fell ill in the hospital. This new outbreak has seen eighteen cases in less than a week. Healthcare experts advise that people do not go to the hospital unless absolutely urgent and should instead contact their GP if they think that they may have the virus.

Battle for Castle Goes On – 27.1.09

Robert Fidler, the farmer who built a castle in the grounds of his estate in Salfords, has won another step in his battle to keep his home. Mr Fidler attended the hearing at the High Court on Monday where he was told that he may continue to fight the council on their order to demolish the property.

Violent Boyfriend Walks Free – 7.1.09

A violent thug who threatened to kill his girlfriend whilst holding a broken bottle to her neck has walked free from Redhill Magistrates Court. Michael Hesketh, 29, from Haroldslea Close, Horley pleaded guilty to common assault and was given a suspended sentence, 100 hours community service, ordered to complete an alcohol treatment programme and to pay court costs.

Snowy Start to New Year – 5.1.09

On most people's first day back at school and work, nature taunted us all with an overnight snow storm that left Horley under a blanket of snow on Monday morning. The weather brought a smile to kids faces as they built their snowmen and threw snowballs but brought misery to motorists as they attempted to return to work in the treacherous conditions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 1.1.09

The staff at All About Horley would like to wish all of our users and advertisers a happy New Year. We hope that 2009 brings success, health and happiness to you all.

Horley Lifeguards Sacked – 3.12.08

Following several months of investigations by Reigate & Banstead Council and Courtneys, who own the Horley Anderson Swimming pool, the two lifeguards on duty when a nine year old boy nearly drowned have been sacked. The incident, which occurred on September 20 this year, resulted in a customer jumping in to the pool to rescue the boy, who was not breathing when he was pulled out but later made a full recovery.

Olympic Hopeful Behind Bars – 2.12.08

A British Olympic hopeful has pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to his involvement in a heroin and crack-cocaine network, dealing in Horley and Redhill. 19 year old Theo Gonzales was arrested in May alongside his accomplices Simeon Brown and Jason Kissi-Brown as part of a police operation targeting dealers in the two towns. During the operation, the trio dealt class A drugs to undercover police officers.

Credit Crunch Closes Estate Agent – 21.11.08

More signs of the credit crunch will be apparent in Horley town centre this weekend as shoppers will see another vacant building in the town centre. Gascoigne Pees Estate Agents in the High Street have been forced to close, leaving all five staff members jobless, as the crash in the housing market takes it’s toll.

Motorcyclist Injured – 21.11.08

A 24 year old motorcyclist was taken to hospital following a collision with a Volvo at the Chequers roundabout at around 10pm on Thursday evening. Details of the cause of the accident are unclear and police are calling for winesses.

Supermarket Closes Without Warning – 27.10.08

Local residents were left confused and angry when the Sainsbury's Local supermarket on the Chequers roundabout closed last Friday. Customers using the store in the latter part of the week were confronted with empty shelves and the news that the busy and popular store was closing. The petrol facilities are due to re-open within the next couple of days and the store will be converted to a Shell Select shop.

New Playground for Horley Kids – 16.10.08

Horley Town Council have spent £15,000 on a much needed update of the playground equipment at Horley Recreation Ground. The out-dated central activity has been replaced with a colourful, multi-activity climbing frame and smaller pieces opf new equipment have been installed.

Guilty Plea of Paedophile – 7.10.08

A paedophile living in Horley has pleaded guilty to a string of offences involving images of children. David Murdoch of Peeks Brook Lane was arrested in January 2008 and police found more than 1400 disturbing images of children on his computer. He will be sentenced at the end of October.

Suicide of Local Taxi Firm Boss – 5.10.08

One of the owners of the Horley based Carline Private Hire committed suicide in Crawley on Tuesday 30th September. The decapitated body of David Betchley, who lived in Redhill, was found in playing fields in Bewbush after he hanged himself from a bridge crossing the A2220.

Horley Residents Halt Council Plans – 25.9.08

The multi-million pound scheme to pedestrianise part of Horley town centre has been put on hold by the council following heavy opposition from residents and business owners. The council have not abandoned the plans for Horley’s regeneration project but were forced to re-think the scheme after being presented with a 740 name petition against existing plans.

Another Win For Horley Rugby Club – 21.9.08

The new rugby club in Horley have built on their first victory against Eastbourne two weeks ago with a hard fought win against Newick rugby club. Horley scored two magnificent tries early in the first half but were then stifled as Newick resorted to old-fashioned forward’s mauling rugby. Horley grabbed victory late in the second half with a drop goal from their fly-half. The final score was 17-14.

Gatwick Airport For Sale – 18.9.08

British Airports Authority announced yesterday that they will sell Gatwick Airport. The announcement has created uncertainty and job loss fears amongst airport workers and experts say that passengers out of the World’s busiest single runway airport will suffer.

Horley Man Jailed for 'Minding' Drugs - 9.9.08

Melvin Mettle from Victoria Close, Horley has been jailed for 18 months at Guildford Crown Court for allowing his flat to be used as a storage place for drugs. The 24 year old restaurant worker was intimidated and injured by drug dealers before allowing them to store heroin, cocaine and cannabis in his flat.

12 Year Ban for Anti-Social Drinker - 8.9.08

A Horley man has been banned from entering any of the town’s 22 pubs for 12 years following a series of anti-social outbursts at pubs around the town. Harry Horan, 21, from The Ridgeway is well known to most pub landlords for his behaviour. The latest offence occurred outside the Jack Fairman pub where, having been refused entry for being drunk, Horan threw a bottle at a window, abused staff and customers and finally scuffled with police officers called to arrest him.

Horley Rugby Club Win their First Game - 8.9.08

The newly formed Horley Rugby Club got off to a fantastic start on Saturday with a hard-fought win over a strong opposition from Eastbourne. The new team, sponsored by G4S and All About Horley, showed enormous skill and commitment to overcome the visitors 22-15. For full details, visit www.horleyrugby.co.uk

Horley Businesses and Residents Campaign Against Pedestrianisation - 20.8.08

Local residents and businesses are campaigning against the pedestrianisation of Victoria Road as part of the Horley Regeneration scheme. The plans to pedestrianise a large part of Horley's town centre are opposed by traders who fear it will have a detrimental impact on their business as well as residents of neighbouring roads who would have to endure the re-routed traffic from the town centre. A similar scheme in Horsham has already seen businesses suffer. For more information on the plans and to support the campaign, please visit www.horleymatters.org

Skunk Car For Sale - 13.8.08

The Rover 216 decorated as a skunk to compete in the Ramshackle Rally is up for sale in E-Bay having completed the 3000 mile race Europe, ending in Poland. The team left Horley on 31st July and returned on 8th August. The team, led by teacher Jo Backhouse, competed to raise money for St Catherine's Hospice in Crawley.

Kid on a Hot Tin Roof - 11.8.08

A 17 year old burglar had to be rescued from the roof of Horley's Regent House Community Centre last Friday after getting stuck during the attempted robbery. Police and fire crews were called to the scene at around 2am and the firemen placed a ladder against the side of the building to allow the youth to climb down to safety... right into the arms of waiting police officers.

Police Arrest Man Threatening Suicide - 4.8.08

Armed police stormed a house last Thursday after a mentally ill patient threatened to slit his own throat. Todd Fuller, 26, locked himself in an upstairs room of the house in Churchill Road, Smallfield and hurled abuse at passers by and police attending the scene. The siege started just after 1 pm and Fuller was eventually arrested after police entered the property via the back door at around 5.30pm.

Police Sergeant Bailed - 2.8.08

A MET police sergeant living in Horley has been bailed by Crawley Magistrates after he was accused of assault against a fellow police officer. Patrick Byrne, 49, will return to Crawley Magistrates in September for a committal hearing.

Tropical Thunderstorm in Surrey - 29.7.08

Horley's skys were lit up on Monday night by a fantastic thunderstorm at the end of a two-week long heatwave. The storm lasted for around forty minutes and created a real spectacle as fork and sheet lightning ripped through the night sky.

No Pool for School - 24.7.08

Plans to build a brand new leisure centre at the Oakwood School on Balcombe Road have been scrapped by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. Having reviewed the plans, the council claimed that it would be cost-prohibitive to build at the site. They are fully committed to building a new Horley Leisure Centre and are now looking at new potential sites, including the old Court Lodge School site.

New Rugby Club Calls for Players - 6.7.08

The brand new Horley Rugby Club are delivering leaflets around Horley this weekend in a bid to recruit more players. The club, set up by three rugby-playing friends, will train and play their home games at Oakwood School. For more information on the club, you can visit their website (see link on our Sport & Leisure pages)

Massive Fight in Horley - 2.7.08

An enormous fight involving dozens of females, erupted outside the Jack Fairman pub last Friday. An argument about a taxi broke out between two groups of women and soon escalated into a full scale riot as friends and onlookers became involved.

Horley Rejuvenation Could Cause Death of Town - 1.7.08

Horley shops and businesses are furious at the council's plans for a £4 million rejuvenation of the town, saying that it will discourage shoppers from visiting the town. Most of the money is being used on traffic regulations and 'unnecessary' road improvements, which traders claim will simply help shoppers to by-pass the town. Everyone who lives or operates a business in Horley is keen to see genuine improvements to the town centre which will encourage new shops and businesses to the area but spending this money on road layouts does not seem like the best way to do this.

Residential Road to Become Major Route - 3.7.08

Residents of Russells Crescent in Horley are up in arms having discovered plans for the vast majority of traffic travelling through Horley to be redirected along their quiet road. The plans were discovered via an anonymous source and detail a proposal to semi-pedestrianise Victoria Road which would result in traffic being re-routed along Russells Crescent.

Mill Lane Car Crash - 1.7.08

Firefighters had to cut a man free from the wreckage of his car after he lost control and collided with a tree in Mill Lane. The driver, in his 40's, was complaining of neck pains whilst trapped in his vehicle and was taken to East Surrey Hospital.

Burglary Gang Operating in Horley - 11.6.08

Police have asked residents of Horley to watch out for any suspicious activities following a number of burglaries on public buildings recently. The gang of thieves are targeting shops, schools, churches and other local public buildings to steal lead and copper from the buildings. The most recent sites of burglary were the Keys Youth Centre in Court Lodge Road and The Adult Education Centre next door last weekend. If you spot anyone acting suspiciously, you should call 999 immediately.

Horley Fire Crews Help Tackle Blaze at Crawley Tip - 11.6.08

Firefighters from Horley joined forces with crews from Crawley, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead when a massive fire swept through Crawley's Council Tip causing millions of pounds of damage. Although the cause of the fire is as yet unknown, it is believed to have started at around 5.30pm on Monday in the household waste section. Part of the building's roof collapsed and it is expected that it will take 12 months to rebuild the destroyed building.

£4 million for Horley Roads - 20.5.08

Surrey County Council have announced that they will spend £4 million pounds on road improvements in Horley as part of developers' investment of £90 million. The improvements will focus on road safety and traffic congestion and will be welcomed by residents of the town, especially following a number of serious road accidents recently.

Charlie Robinson Update - 20.5.08

We are pleased to report that three year old Charlie Robinson is now out of intensive care and making a good recovery following the horrifying road accident that left him seriously injured last week. We wish you a speedy recovery Charlie and hope to have you back in Horley soon.

Horley Child Seriously Injured - 16.5.08

Charlie Robinson, a three year old pupil at Manorfield Primary and Nursery School, has been seriously hurt after being hit by a motorbike on his way home from school on Wednesday. The horrific accident on the Brighton Road have left Charlie in intensive care with internal bleeding, damage to his vital organs, a fractured skull and other broken bones. The accident was attended by local paramedics and an air ambulance who all fought to save the tots life.

Farmer Ordered to Demolish Castle - 15.5.08

Robert Fidler, the farmer who built a castle-style home on his land at Honeycrock Farm and hid it from view with bales of hay, has been ordered to demolish the building by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. Mr Fidler now plans to take his appeal to the High Court.

Rugby comes to Horley - 15.5.08

It has just been announced that Horley will have it's own rugby club in time for the next season, beginning in September. Horley has never had it's own senior rugby club before, despite local schools teaching the sport and producing some good players. Until now, players from the area have had to travel to Crawley or Reigate for their nearest club. More information will be coming soon.

Scorching Weather or Arson? - 14.5.08

Firefighters were called to put out two seperate blazes in garden sheds last Monday just two hours apart. The first fire was in a garden shed in Haroldslea Drive and the second was in an unused shed in woodland just of Smallfield Road. Investigators were unable to determine the cause of either fire and will not speculate on the possibility of arson.

Horley Paedophile Jailed - 23.4.08

Richard Kloss from Meath Green Lane in Horley has been jailed for six and a half years and placed on the sex offenders register after pleading guilty to numerous sexual offences which included having sex with a 15 year old girl. Kloss met his victim after 'grooming' her through an internet chat room. The court heard how Kloss had a history of visiting chat rooms and had coerced girls to expose themselves to him via webcams.

Town's Graffiti Problem Worsens - 21.4.08

Police and residents are growing more concerned at the amount of graffiti appearing in Horley, in particular around the Garden Estates area of the town. The vandals have already defaced a number of buildings and fences and Police are eager to catch the criminals before the ugly problem worsens.

£1000 for Fly-Tipping - 17.4.08

A Horley man has paid nearly £1000 in fines and legal costs after being caught fly-tipping Smallfield last December.

Horley in Bloom Competition - 16.4.08

Green-fingered gardeners get pruning - the Horley in Bloom Summer Gardening competition (now in it's 14th year) has been launched. The closing date for entries is June 30th and entry forms are available from the town council offices or at www.horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk

Domino's Pizza Opens in Horley - 16.4.08

The second of two high-profile fast food outlets has opened it's doors in Horley this week. Domino's Pizza took it's first orders on Monday, providing Horley with another delivery & takeaway option. Domino's comes just two months after Subway opened in the High Street and should help to encourage other high street names to consider Horley as an emerging town. Please visit our Restaurants page to view all of Horley's food offerings.

Distress of Local Retailer - 15.4.08

Vicky Johal, owner of the Balcombe Road post office has described the awful treatment received by the post office after they informed her that they were to close her post office. Following the shocking news that Vicky would be forced to close, post office officials have harassed her into making hasty decisions otherwise she could lose the compensation on offer. The post office will close on May 19th. However, astute Vicky has already made plans to expand her off licence section and turn her shop into a Premier convenience store with a much greater food offering. We wish you every success Vicky.

Horley to Celebrate St Georges Day - 15.4.08

The English celebrate St Patrick's Day, Australia Day, American Independence Day and a wide variety of other nation's holidays but often forget our very own Patron Saints day. Well, not patriotic Horley. St Georges day will be celebrated in style, starting this Saturday (19th April) with a full day of music and dancing in the High Street including morris dancers and live bands. Retailers like Chris White Butchers, Horley Corner Shop and Planet Sweet will be joining in the festivities and Subway will be running a special St Georges day promotion.

Sat Nav Stolen from Taxi Driver - 9.4.08

A Horley man has been fined and ordered to pay compensation to a taxi driver after stealing the driver's satellite navigation system following a fare dispute.

Pub Chef to Appeal - 8.4.08

Mark Dixie, the former chef at Ye Olde Six Bells pub, is to appeal against 34 year prison sentence for the murder of Sally Anne Bowman outside her home in Croydon in 2005.

Horley Town Centre Development Delayed - 8.4.08

Plans to develop Newman House in Victoria Road have been delayed after councillors were not satisfied with developers proposals to convert the building into an eight storey block. Although the council are keen to sell the property, they do not want to jeopardise the style of Horley town by allowing high-rise buildings to overshadow other buildings.

Horley Post Office to Close - 7.4.08

Despite substantial local opposition and campaigning, the Balcombe Road post office in Horley will be closed as part of the government's Network Change program, designed to stem heavy financial losses across the Post Office network.

Arson Attack on Horley Restaurant - 7.4.08

A popular indian restaurant in Horley town centre has narrowly avoided being burnt to the ground thanks to the heroics of it's chef. Spice Boys' tandoori chef, Abdul Mannan was woken in the early hours of Saturday morning by the restaurants fire alarm and discovered a fire of burning boxes in the restaurant's extension. The quick thinking chef threw the boxes outside, burning his arm in the process, avoiding any serious damage to the property. Despite minor smoke damage, the restaurant continues to open as usual.

Horley Restaurant Wins 'Restaurant of the Year' award 2008 - 6.4.08

The Curry Bengal Indian Restaurant has one the 'Restaurant of the Year' accolade in the hard fought, intensive competition run by the Horley Observer / Crawley Observer. Curry Bengal fought of competition from dozens of other local residents to win the prestigious award.

New Youth Club for Horley - 2.4.08

A brand new Youth Centre is to be built at the site of the old fire station in Albert Road, Horley. The new centre, due to be opened early in 2009 will have a youth cafe, dance studio, creche, counselling facilities and careers advice. The step by Surrey County Council will be welcomed by Horley residents who have become increasingly concerned with youths loitering in the streets, apparently with nowhere to go. The new centre will be open until 10pm on weekdays and will also play host to a brand new youth radio station.

Horley Restaurant & Takeaway menus - curry, chinese, pizza, kebab - 1.4.08

Now you don't need to go hunting around in kitchen drawers whenever you want to find a takeaway menu for a Horley restaurant. Simply go to the Restaurants & Takeaways page and click on an advert for an up to date menu for your favourite curry, chinese, pizza, thai or kebab shop.

Ancient Sport in Horley - 30.3.08

A game similar to cricket dating back to the 14th century, has been officially recognised as a sport. Stoolball, played at Horley Cricket & Hockey Club, is often seen as the forerunner to cricket and baseball.

Local Elections - 24.3.08

Borough Council elections will be held on Thursday 1st May. For information on how to vote and for your local polling station, please visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Social Club Will Not Close - 18.3.08

The social club adjoined to the Horley Anderson centre will not be closed when the leisure centre is demolished according to Neil Kerr, treasurer of the 180 member club. The club, based in Innes Pavillion, Thornton Close, is leased from Horley Town Council and provides many facilities for members as well as a club house and changing facilities for several local football teams. Horley Anderson will remain open until a new swimming pool is built close to Oakwood School in 2010.

Syringe Found Outside School - 5.3.08

Three students at Oakwood School were shocked to find a dirty needle and syringe outside of their school. The needle was found near the recycling area at the entrance to the school grounds and it is suspected that the needle was left there during the recent half term. Police are looking at CCTV footage to see if they can discover how the needle came to be left so close to the school.

Horley Blackout - 3.3.08

More than 800 businesses and homes were plunged into darkness at around 10pm last Friday during an electricity blackout. This most recent power failure follows a spate of problems around Christmas on the EDF Energy Network.

Calling All Shops, Restaurants, Builders, Hotels, Pubs, etc. - 1.3.08

If you own or manage your own business in Horley, you should be on All About Horley. If you have a restaurant or takeaway we can list your menu. If you have a shop we can list your products. If you own / manage a hair or beauty salon we can show your price list. If you are a builder or window fitter, carpet fitter or gardener we can help to market your business to local customers. If you have a hotel or guesthouse, a pub or a kebab shop we have solutions for all of you. Please e-mail us at contact@allabouthorley.co.uk

34 Years for Murdering Pub Chef - 27.2.08

Mark Dixie, the former chef at Ye Olde Six Bells Public House, has been sentenced to 34 years in prison for the murder of Sally Anne Bowman in Croydon in September 2005.

Local Parks Could Ban Dogs - 26.2.08

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is planning to ban dogs from four parks in Horley as well as other multi-use recreational areas. Dog-walkers may be fined for having their dogs of the lead, walking more than six dogs or allowing their dogs to foul. The minimum fine could be £75 and maximum £1000. The new orders could be imposed within the next three months if agreed.

Arson Attack on Flats - 24.2.08

A block of flats in Langshott were the target of an arson attack in the early hours of Thursday morning. 18 residents were evacuated from the block of flats in Whitecroft after fires were started in three wheelie bins in a communal walkway.

Pub Chef Denies Murder - 5.2.08

Mark Dixie, the former head chef at Ye Olde Six Bells pub in Horley denies murdering model Sally Anne Bowman outside her home in Croydon in the early hours of 25th September 2005. Dixie, who has a history of sexual assault, does not deny his presence at the scene of the horrific murder but claims that Sally Anne had already been attacked and killed and he took 'advantage of the situation'. Prosecutor Brian Altman refers to Dixie's defence as ludicrous and born of desperation. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.

Information on Horley Website Launched - 1.2.08

All About Horley, the information webiste exclusively for Horley businesses and residents, has now been officially launched. So if you are looking for news or information on business services in Horley, look no further. You will find all you need to know about Horley town right here, including details of restaurants, hotels, pubs, travel agents, builders, shops, windows, doors & conservatory fitters and manufacturers, car showrooms, mechanics, schools, doctors, dentists, vets, garden centres, carpet fitters, cafes, hair dressers and barbers, tanning centres, kitchens, bathrooms, beds, banks - in fact, anything you could possibly want is available in your town, so please have a look around. If we've missed anything or you would like to comment, please e-mail us at contact@allabouthorley.co.uk

Horley Post Office Faces the Axe - 30.1.08

Balcombe Road post office has been named as one of four in the area that could be closed in a Government shake-up of the post office network, which will eventually lead to 2,500 closures across the country. Vicky Johal who runs the Balcombe Road post office says that she fears she will have to close the shop altogether if she loses her post office services. The proposed closure is made even more ridiculous in light of the fact that 700 new homes are due to be built near her shop, vastly increasing the demand for the shops services. MP Peter Ainsworth has launched a campaign to save the shop and local residents are up in arms about the proposal.

Fertility Doctor Charged with Sexual Assault - 27.1.08

An East Surrey Hospital doctor has been suspended following sexual assault allegations made in September 2007. Dr Edwin Nwokedi Onugha's suspension has resulted in the fertility services at two hospitals being closed indefinately meaning that couples struggling to fall pregnant will now have to seek treatment elsewhere. Dr Onugha will appear before magistrates on 29th February.

Heightened Security at Gatwick Airport - 24.1.08

Border control bosses at Gatwick Airport have increased the number of officers at the airport in an attempt to tackle the number of illegal immigrants travelling into the country and to come down hard on drug smuggling. A merger between the Border & Immigration agency and Revenue & Customs is also expected later this year.

Couldn't Find A Castle in A Haystack!- 24.1.08

A local farmer, who built his family's dream house styled like a castle and then 'hid' it inside a haystack, may be forced to demolish the stunning property because he did not have planning permission for the building on his farm in Axes Lane. Robert Fidler, the owner of Honeycrock Farm, will fight Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in court for his right to keep his property.

New Housing Estate for Meath Green - 23.1.08

Planning for 1,510 new homes in Meath Green will be submitted later this year following the outline planning permission being granted in December 2007. Providing developers can satisfactorily offer contributions in excess of £30 million towards infrastructure and community facilities, they will get the green light. The development will be built in four phases from 2009 - 2015.

Fake Car Theft Wastes Police Time & Money - 23.1.08

A Horley motorist crashed his car and then reported it stolen, resulting in a helicopter and dog unit being deployed at huge cost to taxpayers. Aaron Richens, 23 of Skipton Way ploughed into a telegraph pole in the early hours of the morning last September. He was given a suspended sentence at Guildford Crown Court.

New Maternity Ward for East Surrey - 19.1.08

A second maternity ward could be opened at East Surrey due to the number of people giving birth at the hospital rising by 50% since Crawley Hospital closed it's in-patient services in 2001. Currently, 4300 women give birth at East Surrey Hospital every year.

Subway comes to Horley - 14.1.08

The international sandwich chain, Subway, has been given the green light to open a new store in Horley Town Centre. The new store is expected to open it's doors at the end of February and will be at 22-24 High Street, the building previously occupied by Horley Bookshop, which has moved to Victoria Road.

Pubs Impose a Two-Drink Limit on Parents - 14.1.08

A Horley pub, owned by national pub operator JD Wetherspoon, has imposed a two drink limit on customers with children. The Jack Fairman in Horley is one off the 683 pubs owned by JD Wetherspoons who have blanket imposed the rule across their estate. A company spokesman explained that children entering one of their pubs must be accompanied by an adult and both must order a meal. The adult may order up to two alcoholic drinks to accompany their meal but would be expected to leave approximately 40 minutes after finishing their meal.

New Information website for Horley. Restaurants, Shops, Travel Agents, Cars, Pubs and lots more - 10.1.08

A brand new website specifically for residents and businesses in Horley will soon be launching officially - and you are looking at it! All About Horley will have local news and events as well as business listings for restaurants, hotels, pubs, travel agents, builders, shops, windows, doors & conservatory fitters and manufacturers, car showrooms, mechanics, schools, doctors, dentists, vets, garden centres, carpet fitters, cafes, hair dressers and barbers, tanning centres, banks and lots more.

 

Sources: Our local news is sourced from other local media and our thanks for their vital coverage of local events goes to them. They include but are not limited to:

Redhill, Reigate, Horley LIFE

Surrey Mirror / Horley Mirror

Horley Observer

The Post

All local radio stations

and other web-based media sites

Note: All About Horley is an information website for all businesses in Horley giving contact details based on the latest information we have. All About Horley can not be held responsible for any inaccuracies, but we would appreciate your feedback if you spot any information that is not current.

All About Horley includes information on all Horley Restaurants including Khushboo , Curry Bengal , The Curry Inn , Le Gourmet , Kemal at the Cambridge Hotel , Saigon Nights , Pizzasta , Blue Lake , Il Sorisso , all indian restaurant , chinese restaurant , italian restaurant , thai and vietnamese restaurant , takeaway and delivery services such as Dominos Pizza , Subway and Spice Boys.

All About Horley has information on all shops in Horley including Mitchells , High Street Pets , Collingwood Batchelor , The Factory Store , Cooks Electrical Retailer , Orchid Kitchens , Burstow Garden centre and nursery , Chris White Butcher , Mud Pie Ceramics , Waitrose , Tesco , Iceland , Sweetpea Florists , Don Ruffles Stationers , Boots the chemist and Horley's Travel agents such as Travel Sense and cycle shops in Horley such as Mellow Miles and Horley Cycle centre. One of Horley's most recent shops to open is Mellow Miles Cycles in Victoria Road, Horley. Mellow Miles offer bikes for all customers, ranging from high end racing and mountain bikes to children's bikes, BMX's and folding bikes. Mellow MIles Cycles in Horley is a real gem and worth visiting to discuss your cycling needs.

If you are looking for a unique birthday party for your children, why not try All Star football parties in Horley who will put on a fantastic football themed party for your children. And for a shop with all of the fancy dress and costume hire requirements for your party you should take a look at Party Pad fancy dress shop in Horley.

It also lists all of the schools and nurseries such as Oakwood School , Langshott School , Cranbrook Nursery , local playgroup and nursery.

All of the Horley hairdresser and barber shops are listed including Sue Jane Hairdressing , Shear Class , Andrew Lyon Hair & Beauty , as well as beauticians such as Pro Nails Design , Tulsi , and Studio 44 in Salfords.

You can find a wide variety of estate agents for that new home such as Gascoigne Pees , Cubitt & West , Andrews Estate Agent , James Dean Estate Agents , and Savills. And if you would rather build your own home or conservatory , you can find details for local builders such as Hystar construction and a local Horley plumber or electrician. In fact, anything to do with your home and garden such as window fitters like Future Windows , kitchen showrooms like Orchid Kitchens and bathroom specialists like the Bathroom Studio or garden furniture from Mitchells or the garden centre or CPM Fireplaces. You can even get a skip from a local Horley skip company such as MF Mini Skips.

If you are looking for a builder in Horley, we have all of the trusted a reputable building companies in Horley listed right here including D and R Carpentry, Amphibian Scaffolding, R Weller builders Langshott Landscapes and many more. We also have the most reputable electricians in Horley here on All About Horley such as AHK Electrical Services. So if you need a quality electrician in the Horley area, you can find out more information about Ahk Electrical Services, L&C Installations and many other electricians in the Horley area on All About Horley.

No comprehensive Horley site would be complete without a full listing of Pubs and Bars such as The Gatwick Arms pub , The Kings Head pub , The Forresters pub , The Black Horse pub , The Farmhouse pub , The Air Balloon pub and Jack Fairman.

Horley is renowned for all of it's hotels and guesthouses being so close to Gatwick Airport and All About Horley has a full listing of these such as the Rennaissance hotel , Langshott Manor Hotel , The Lawn Guesthouse , the Cambridge Hotel and lots more.

Plus lots of other information such as sports club like Horley Rugby club , Horley Town football club , Horley Tennis club , Horley Squash and Cricket club. Taxi numbers like A2B , 780780 and Roadrunners , all of the local churches and places of worship such as St Bartholomews church , St Francis church and St Wilred's church. All of Horley's doctors , dentists and opticians.