Sixtieth Annual General Meeting of BGVS
In his report at April’s 2005 AGM, the Chairman reviewed the sixtieth year of the society, proposed a new constitution and highlighted some of the key activities in which the committee had been engaged.

It was largely through the efforts of the Society that the village had its own Parish Council which meant that the aims of the BGVS needed to change, to find its own way and to add value to the community in new ways. In light of this, the Chairman had asked the Committee to review the Constitution of the Society, which had last been amended in 1975, in order to set an agenda that would focus attention on improving the quality of life in the villages, rather than simply shadow the work of the Parish Council.

The new Constitution, adopted at the AGM keeps its remit to review planning applications and local amenities, however, the scope has been broadened to encompass environmental and quality of life issues and some of those changes had been reflected in activities undertaken in 2004.

During 2004 the Society has been engaged in key issues such as:
• actively supporting the activities of CAMEL against mineral extraction at Betchworth and Shagbrook
• lobbying MVDC for the correct implementation and enforcement of the 28 day planning rule
• initiating and actively supporting the Community Speed Watch programme
• lobbying against the closure of Strood Green Post Office

But there are many more challenges for Brockham and Strood Green to face in 2005:
• it is likely that the issues of incinerators will be back on the agenda
• the outcome of the proposed extraction of sand at Betchworth will be known
• the expansion of Gatwick and proposed infrastructure development
• the demand for new homes in the area, and more communications masts
• the increase of traveller sites

The Society also approved an increase in subscriptions from £1 to £2 - the first rise for over twenty years! This will help the Society contribute more proactively to issues and achieve its objectives of improving the quality of life in the Village. Even at £2 a head it is astonishing value!

The meeting concluded with a fascinating talk on Veteran Trees by Paul Ritchie, Senior Keeper of the Corporation of London Ashtead Estate who lives in Brockham. He highlighted the need for us to ensure that we maintain the trees and hedgerows around the village to protect the habitat for a range of species and encourage bio-diversity.
Help the BGVS create a better Brockham

Nick Caddick

Chairman

New BGVS Chairman

BROCKHAM Green Village Society has a new chairman in Nick Caddick. He takes over the reins from Graham Fleming, who stepped down earlier this year, due to time pressures.

Nick, an international marketing and public relations consultant who moved to Brockham from Worcester Park three years ago, was elected at the Society’s July meeting. He is the creator of two successful marketing agencies and has worked predominantly in Europe as marketing director for a leading digital entertainment company based in Silicon Valley, USA.

Nick aims to bring his experience and expertise in communications to help reinvigorate the Society. He said: “The BGVS has been an important driving force in protecting the rural nature of Brockham and Strood Green for over 60 years. With the advent of the Parish Council, the influx of new families and the continued pressure on the quality of life in rural areas, it is time for the Society to be recognised for its achievements, re-evaluate its role and look to representing a community very different from that of 1944.”

He acknowledged the commitment of past chairmen, committees and members who have devoted time and hard work to preserving the nature of the village and hopes his tenure as chairman will be equally successful.

Paul Johnson was elected vice chairman and John Duncan membership secretary.

Nick Caddick has played a leading role in the Society’s opposition to the opening, by Partytank, of an adventure park on fields bordering Tilehurst Lane, on the fringe of the village. The Society has monitored activities on the site and, following consultations with other local authorities, has requested Mole Valley to fulfil its obligations under the 28-day planning rule and curtail activities at the site.

The Society’s new chairman has also been a prominent player in moves to counteract the recent spate of vandalism and anti-social activity within the village. The plans were welcomed by Inspector Colin Green and Acting Sergeant Lisa Wells, of Surrey Police, who attended the July meeting (see Parish Council news in this edition for an update).

Ian & Mary Hawkins

September 2004

VANDALISM and anti-social behaviour in the village will be high on the agenda at the Brockham Green Village Society meeting at the Cricket Pavilion on Monday, July 19.

The subject was first raised at Society’s May meeting following reports of incidents and damage to a number of properties, and was referred forward for further discussion. The subsequent destruction of the village phone box and the appearance of graffiti in Brockham have highlighted the problem.

The committee was told that police had failed to attend several reported incidents and that promises of increased vigilance and night-time patrols, given at a Community Action Group meeting and also in discussions between village representatives and a senior police official, did not appear to have been fulfilled. The Society has to decide whether to participate in a privately-organised initiative to help identify culprits.
On the advice of Surrey Wildlife, the Society is to wait a year before looking into restocking Balchins Pond (opposite the butcher’s) , which underwent a major clean-up during last autumn’s drought. Fish and plants have already returned to the pond, which appears to be in its best condition for some time.

The Society is pressing Surrey County Council for action to remove the noxious Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed which has appeared in the village.

The committee decided to maintain a watching brief on activities at the Partytank weekend adventure park, which has been operating on the fringe of the village since mid-May. Members are monitoring possible nuisance and disturbance, and fears were expressed that the proposed introduction of helicopter rides could intrude on the village environment.

Ian & Mary Hawkins

April 2004

A new “adventure park” on the fringes of Brockham and traffic-calming measures at the junction of Brockham Lane and the A25 were the major subjects in the spotlight at the BVGS annual meeting last month.

A vote of protest against the opening of the park in fields bordering Tilehurst Lane in mid-May gained unanimous backing from the well-attended meeting.

The planned park is advertised to feature tank and quad-bike rides, car-wrecking and paint balling among its activities on weekends and bank holidays throughout the summer. Concern was expressed by householders in Old School Lane and Root Hill Lane over potential noise pollution, environmental damage and traffic congestion on the three single-track lanes leading to the four-acre site, which is on the Surrey cycleway and is used by numerous numbers of hikers and horse riders at weekends.
Objections to the venture on planning grounds have been ruled out by Mole Valley Council.

A BGVS sub-committee has subsequently been set up to look into the matter, with a possible view to objections on grounds of public safety -- the field is crossed by a public footpath -- and highway concerns.

Surprise moves by Surrey County Council to introduce traffic-calming at the head of Brockham Lane followed two recent serious accidents at the junction. The meeting was told that Council officials have approached nearby householders over the possibility of installing a roundabout. Lack of funds, however, is likely to render the project a non-starter, and BGVS has since learned that reduced speed limits on the A25 and other speed-reduction measures are more likely to be introduced.

The annual meeting was addressed by the out-going BGVS chairman Graham Fleming on the work of the Society, and also heard an informative and interesting talk by Colin Langley, secretary to Mole Valley Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Mr Langley discussed local and national issues including building development, light pollution and the progressive urbanisation of the countryside around Greater London.

The post of BGVS chairman has been left temporarily vacant following Graham Fleming’s resignation, for personal reasons.

Ian & Mary Hawkins

April 2004

Annual General Meeting

Make a date to hear Colin Langley of the Campaign to Protect Rural England at Brockham Green Village Society’s annual general meeting on March 19th. Mr Langley, secretary to the Campaign’s Mole Valley Branch, will be addressing both local and national issues.

All are invited to the meeting at the Cricket Pavilion, in Middle Street, when there will be the opportunity to forward to the BGVS any ideas you may have to make Brockham a better place in which to live. The meeting starts at 8pm, and there will be refreshments and a raffle.
BGVS, which has been caring for the beauty and amenities of the neighbourhood for 60 years, is eager to recruit new members to its committee.

The committee meets on alternate months to discuss issues and events. If you are interested but are unable to attend the annual meeting, please contact the Chairman, Graham Fleming (Tel. 845294) or the Secretary, Jan Webb (Tel. 843194) in the first instance.

March 2004

New Blood for 2004

The Brockham Green Village Society [BGVS] prides itself in being considered as a useful and active village organisation; we want to keep it that way by unashamedly injecting some new blood!
The mainstream thrust of the BGVS is to ensure that it can monitor ongoing concerns within the community, and, after reaching a consensus, apply pressure to counter adverse trends, and generally be a useful point of information to village residents. We deliberately maintain a close working relationship with the Parish Council.

In order to continue its good work and to help the Society move forward in a positive way, it is seeking to recruit additional committee members. Are you interested in helping the BGVS get to grips with some of the 21st Century issues, which face the village? You might be the very person to rejuvenate the life blood of the BGVS? If so please contact the Chairman, Graham Fleming [Tel: 845294] or the Secretary, Jan Webb [Tel: 843194] in the first instance. Meetings are held every second month commencing in January. The next meeting is at 8pm in the Cricket Pavilion on Monday 19th January 2004.

Ian Hawkins

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