As 2025 draws to a close, we’d like to share a brief update on local news, projects and community achievements — and to thank everyone who helps make Limpsfield such a special place.

Looking Ahead: Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that Surrey will move to two new unitary councils — East Surrey and West Surrey — from April 2027. While this was not the preferred outcome for Tandridge and other districts, the process now moves forward. Parish Councils will take on increased responsibility as we approach 2027, and we will continue to keep residents informed as plans develop.

Projects Completed This Year

We’ve been busy completing several long-awaited projects:

• Chart Playground – Repairs and improvements are nearing completion, delivered with Tandridge District Council and Safeplay. These works, alongside upgrades over the past year, will ensure the playground remains safe and enjoyable for years to come. New signage will be installed in the new year. (The land is leased from the National Trust.)
• Limpsfield Traffic Lights Railings – Improvements have been completed as part of our Conservation Area Enhancement Scheme. Alongside new wildflower planting, the refurbished railings smarten the crossing, better reflect the village’s historic character and strengthen the visual link to Wolf’s Row (which is also in the Conservation Area).
  For information: Pebble Hill (A25 from the lights to the school) is due to be resurfaced next year, with dates to be confirmed by Highways.
• Improvements to the history boards on the Limpsfield Way. New and improved, more weather resistant backing boards are being installed next week to keep the history boards in better condition.
• Installation of a new bench at the Limpsfield village green (the green in the middle of Stanhopes) with kind contribution from Stanhopes residents. Please make sure you enjoy this lovely peaceful space on your walks around the village.
• Chart Orchard Enhancements – Thanks to suggestions by local resident Clive Ford, wildlife features including a bird bath, feeder and hedgehog house have been added to the orchard by the Chart cricket pitch. Please do stop by and enjoy this peaceful spot when you’re on the Chart. NB. Biodiversity Small Grants for Community Groups – Funding of up to £250 remains available this financial year for community biodiversity projects. Please contact us if you have an idea.
• Horse Trough Reinstatement – We are delighted that the replica of the 1913 horse trough has now been installed at the end of Detillens Lane. After its theft in August 2024, great care was taken to create a faithful replacement.
  Our sincere thanks go to stonemason Jason Barrett of Natural Cut Stone, Signal Services, local residents who donated, the Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association, and BBC Surrey. With improved security features, we hope it will remain in place for generations. An informal recognition ceremony will take place on Sunday 21 December at 11.30am.
• Finally, we will be refurbishing our newly adopted K6 phone box in the new year and giving it a new purpose…watch this space!

If you have a suggestion for a project in 2026, please let us know…

Community Matters

Community spirit continues to be the heart of Limpsfield. We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers, community groups and local champions. If you’re considering a New Year’s resolution for 2026, we encourage you to give a little time to a local cause — it really does make a big difference.

• We thank departing councillors Sophie Kemp and Bernie de Haldevang, and warmly welcome Michael Tinker (Limpsfield Chart) and Sarah Butler-Merritt (Pains Hill) to the Parish Council.
• Limpsfield in Bloom achieved a Champion of Champions Gold Award at RHS Wisley after 20 years of outstanding success. While the competition journey may be ending, we hope the community will continue supporting efforts to keep Limpsfield blooming.
• Congratulations to Elaine Holloway, new President of Limpsfield Village WI, and thank you to the WI for their colourful postbox toppers and community activities.
• Thank you and best wishes to Nick Jones, retiring after 16 years as Club Manager at The Limpsfield Club.

Keeping Limpsfield Lovely

We are very keen to gather a band of Litter Angels together in the new year who can help us keep Limpsfield lovely by doing a litter picking shift every now around the village and surrounding areas (hi vis, litter pickers and bags provided!). The fabulous National Trust Guardians do a sterling job around Limpsfield Common, but we need to cover a wider area. Let us know if you’re interested. clerk@limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

Please take your rubbish home with you whenever you can; if you spot rubbish while out on a walk, pop it in the nearest bin and report any fly tipping immediately via fixmystreet.com.

The Stoneleigh Road Allotments on Limpsfield Chart are undergoing a review at the moment, having been neglected over recent years. Tandridge DC has recently reduced and cut back the laurel hedge and trees along the pathway and we are hoping more work will be done over the winter. Many of the tenanted allotments themselves are in a poor state and we would remind tenants of their obligation to keep their allotments cultivated, tidy and rubbish-free (contract terms are on the TDC website). They are not just to be used as compost heaps and extensions to surrounding gardens. Winter is a great time to have a general tidy-up while there is less vegetation. This is a precious green space in the heart of the Chart Village and it should be looked after accordingly.

Ready for Christmas

It’s been wonderful to see the village looking so festive, from the Christmas Tree Parade outside St Peter’s Church to the WI’s festive postbox topper. Thank you to St Peter’s, North Down Nurseries, Thelma Cooper, local businesses and organisations for making it happen.

What a lovely festive shopping day we enjoyed in Limpsfield Village on 9th December. There were lots of people out and about, shopping at the Christmas Fair at The Bull and Wickham’s Courtyard, the two events raising over £1100 for charity. Please remember to shop local this Christmas in Limpsfield and Oxted and support local shopping and community events and other activities in the area.

We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and thank you all for helping Limpsfield continue to shine.

Limpsfield Parish Council
@limpsfieldparishcouncil on FB and Instagram.
www.limpsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk