July 2008 Archives

Murky water with a sewage-like stink has been collecting at the base of the famous Virginia Water waterfall.

The stench, which has been pervading the beauty spot for several days, appears to be coming from orange-brown-coloured stagnant water surrounding the falls, which are not flowing.

The waterfall has been fenced off and a digger sits by the lake but there was no sign of any workmen when our photgrapher Gray Clarke took this photo on Thursday July 31.

The 'water' that appears to be flowing from the opening in our shot is actually an orange-brown residue.

A commuter train crashed into a tree which had fallen onto train tracks near Virginia Water.

The train, which was bound for London Waterloo, hit the tree at about 5.20pm on Tuesday July 29.

No-one was hurt in the accident and the train crew, assisted by Network Rail staff, were able to remove the tree.

Police officers from Virginia Water will be holding a surgery for residents at the Library in Station Parade on Tuesday August 5 from 10am - 12pm.

A jungle - themed holiday club for five to 11-year-olds will be held at Christ Church, Christ Church Road, Virginia Water, from August 18 - 22, from 10am - 12pm.
Activities will include arts and crafts, puppets, music and bible stories.
To book a place, email Suzanne Derbyshire on suzanne@cc-vw.org.

Permission is being sought to demolish Morningside, in Knowle Green, Virginia Water, and replace it with three new detached homes.
To view the plan, visit www.runnymede.gov.uk.

PLANS to extract 2.3 million tonnes of gravel from land near Egham and Virginia Water over the next 10 years are being submitted to Surrey County Council.

A lack of helpers may have forced the programme to have been cut back, but that didn't deter more than 2,000 turning up to the enjoy Virginia Water's Carnival Capers in bright sunshine on Cabrera Field.

Suzy Talbot: I am the Multimedia Content Manager for the Herald & News series. I have spent most of my career as a journalist working on newspapers in Buckinghamshire with a stint in Surrey. I hope to become increasingly involved all our communities because this is where the heart of our newspapers and websites lie. Feel free to contact me about any issue on 01932 561111.

Vicki Eltis: I am the chief reporter for the Herald & News series. A few of my contacts have called me the 'bulldog' as I like to get my teeth into a good story and never give up. I'm passionate about my job and covering the Walton, Weybridge, Hersham and surrounding areas. Please email me at vickieltis@trinitysouth.co.uk

Mark Goode: I am the reporter for the Staines, Laleham and Stanwell areas. I know the trees and rivers of Surrey very well, and have spent countless hours rambling through its woods. I am a poet, a nature lover, and a purveyor of fine old-time American music - including pre-war blues and Dixieland. Please email me at markgoode@trinitysouth.co.uk

Emma Heseltine: I'm the reporter dedicated to covering stories from Addlestone, Chertsey and Byfleet, and the surrounding villages. This is my first reporting job and I've been writing about the area since 2007. I grew up and still live in Addlestone, so I know the area well. Email me or call 01932 561111.

Adam Courtney: I am a senior reporter covering the Sunbury, Shepperton and Ashford areas. If you have a happy, funny, sad, tragic or positive story, any story, little or large, that you think people ought to know about, drop me an email or give me a call on 01932 561111.

Rupert Basham: I am the Walton/Weybridge & Hersham reporter. I studied American Studies at Portsmouth University, which was very interesting but left me with two options; to go into teaching or journalism. I figured with a name like Rupert, journalism was probably a safer bet (kids are cruel). Please call me on 01932 561111 or email me

Russell Butt: I am the dedicated reporter for Egham and I also cover Woking for our sister paper, the Informer. I joined the team in May 2008 after ditching a job in software sales. Initially I covered Staines & Ashford, but since July have been getting know the great people of Runnymede and mixing with the communities in Englefield Green, Thorpe and Virginia Water. I can't be everywhere at once though, so if you have some news you think I would be interested in email me or call 01932 561111.

Other Useful contacts:

Steve Bax: I'm the website editor for the Herald & News series, having joined the group in 2002 and served as a reporter and news editor. I'm keen to recruit new bloggers for these sites, be they schools, clubs or other groups, or local people with something to say about their community. Call me on 01932 573233 or email
stevebax@trinitysouth.co.uk