It was a hot and busy summer, and we were delighted to see so many of you at both the Chart Fair and the Limpsfield Village Fete. These occasions are always a highlight of the parish calendar – a real showcase of community spirit – and this year’s sunshine made them extra memorable. Now we’re heading into autumn, here’s a quick update from Limpsfield Parish Council…

Summer Blooms

Limpsfield Village looked stunning throughout the season, filled with colourful, pollinator-friendly floral displays. We’re hopeful of securing another “In Bloom” Gold Award when the results are announced later this month and our thanks to Ann Osborn, Lilian Hindley and the Bloomers for 20 years of fabulous florals in the village! We’d also like to give special mentions to Limpsfield Fitness and Panda Nursery for their brilliant efforts, and to our local pubs, The Bull Inn and Carpenters Arms for their wonderful blooms. Their gardens, tubs and baskets have been truly amazing this summer.

New Councillor

Over July and August we’ve been busy recruiting to fill a council vacancy following the departure of long-serving councillor Bernie de Haldevang in June. We’re now very pleased to announce Sarah Butler-Merritt as our newest councillor. Sarah, who lives on Pains Hill and works in Oxted, is on the Local National Trust Committee (Friends of Limpsfield Common) and volunteers with the Thursday Taskforce, as well as being an active member of St Mary’s Church in Oxted. We are really excited to have her on board and know she’ll be a great addition to the team!

Other News

An exciting development is the near-completion of our village horse trough replacement. The replica – crafted by specialist stonemasons at Natural Stone in Nottingham – will faithfully reproduce the original that was stolen a year ago, and this time, we’ve added security features! We are hugely grateful to all who contributed, both in Limpsfield and further afield, and extend special thanks to the Drinking Fountain & Horse Trough Association for their generous support. Once installed, we will be holding a little ceremony to celebrate. Please keep your eyes peeled to social media for the date.

Communications: Thank you to all the Chart and rural Limpsfield dwellers who have taken the communications survey. There is still time to do so if you haven’t already. Just follow this link: https://forms.gle/dKMrjHFReUWG5vQq6

We are working closely with our County Councillor, Cameron McIntosh with regards to communications with the relevant authorities, infrastructure companies and network providers in the hope of getting a better idea of the possibilities for improving both mobile and broadband provision in the area.

Devolution: Looking ahead, we are preparing for the next stage of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This could see Tandridge District Council and Surrey County Council replaced by one to three new Unitary Authorities, with a decision expected in October. More information can be found on both the Tandridge District Council and Surrey County Council websites.

As part of the process, Tandridge – along with other Surrey district and borough councils – is undertaking a Community Asset Transfer, which may see certain assets move from district ownership to parish councils or local organisations. Several sites in Limpsfield are under consideration, and we may also work jointly with Oxted Parish Council. We’ll share updates as these discussions progress.

In the meantime, we are reviewing our own parish assets – including bins, bus shelters, benches, noticeboards, fencing, and the village green at Stanhopes – to identify any repairs or improvements needed for the coming year. The Chart Playground is also due for refurbishment, and we hope to add one or two new wildlife features to the Chart Orchard.

If you notice anything that requires attention, or have ideas to enhance our shared spaces, please let us know.

Finally, a reminder: issues such as fly-tipping, pavements, roads, footpaths, vegetation, or signage can be reported directly at www.fixmystreet.com.

📩 clerk@limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
🌐 www.limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk