Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 9th April 2025 by ianVisits in Day trips from London Underneath Reigate town centre is a series of large caves* that are usually open to the public for a few days during the summer The West Tunnel caves were used to mine high-grade sand and while the East Tunnels were used for storage in the 19th-century but taken over as a WW2 control centre and much of the site is given over to that heritage The Barons’ Cave is underneath the ruins of Reigate Castle and is a large set of tunnels of rather mysterious origins and there are two sets of caves to visit—the Tunnel Road Caves and the Barons’ Cave Tickets won’t be sold on the day—only online in advance—and this year they’re releasing them in batches ahead of each open day Tickets have been released for the 10th May open day – and tickets are £4 each — so £8 for both sets of tunnels Note: They’re really strict about turning up on time so make sure you can arrive on time for your entry I might suggest booking one tour in the middle of the morning and then the second tour in the early afternoon That’ll leave time in between for lunch and a wander around town without worrying about getting to the second tour on time Reigate Caves Open Day (Tunnel Road Caves) Reigate Caves Open Day (Barons’ Cave) Full details about the tours are here The caves are in the town centre, a few minutes walk from Reigate station, which is about 45 minutes from either Victoria or Blackfriars stations in central London To whet your appetite, a review from a previous visit is here This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits Happy children: Fun times for future-ready children at Reigate Grammar School   As one of the best facilities in the country the new RGS cutting-edge Esports Hub Centre is a decisive step into one of the world’s fastest-growing industries their eyes widen with excitement at the possibilities for fun and learning through teamwork Thanks to the incredible generosity of Andy Paul the school has received significant sponsorship and high-performance gaming equipment The Hub equips students with valuable skills that span coding all within a world-class esports environment preparing children for career paths across a wide spectrum of industries This short film was made by Corsair to capture the unveiling of the Hub This isn’t just about gaming; it’s about future-proofing our students for the fastest-growing industry on the planet – our students are diving into an industry that’s bigger than ever—projected to hit $1.6 billion in revenue by 2025 and with over 500 million global viewers Esports isn’t just gaming; it’s a gateway to booming careers in tech We’re proud to give our students a future-ready edge in one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet RGS is committed to making this resource available not only to its students but also to the wider community offering local children and groups access to one of the top esports facilities in the UK “Esports is a thriving global industry that teaches teamwork and problem-solving—while also being tremendous fun This allows us to help the community and our own children We are so grateful to Andy Paul and Corsair.”  The Esports Hub will also enable RGS to help others as the school donates old IT systems to Lotus High School in South Africa demonstrating the school’s commitment to creating a butterfly effect of generosity and opportunity on a global scale This facility is a testament to RGS’s forward-thinking approach to education preparing students for the future while fostering collaboration and community engagement Read more about this in Esports Insider. We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for TES Independent School of the Year Award 2025 Widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of education’ the prestigious TES Schools Awards celebrate the best schools and educators across the UK This latest recognition follows our recent accolade as The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year 2025 reinforcing RGS’s reputation for delivering exceptional academic achievement alongside a deep commitment to care “The daily experience of every child in our school matters yet it is wonderful to be recognised by the TES judges and I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary work of our exceptional staff Awards like this create a wonderful buzz and celebrate the fabulous young people who bring our school community to life But what truly drives us is the simple joy of seeing children leap out of bed Our purpose is to create life-changing opportunities We are proud to be shortlisted and continue to be inspired by the children every single day.” We are thrilled to share some wonderful news  Reigate Grammar School has been named Sunday Times School of the Year for 2025 in the The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025 This prestigious recognition celebrates the extraordinary support of our staff and families in making RGS such a special place it strengthens the profile of their RGS education for university applications and for attracting and retaining the very best teachers “I am so proud of our students and staff and so honoured to be part of the RGS family I am delighted that this award is based not on only our record-breaking academic outcomes and how students progress to world class universities but it celebrates all aspects of our school Reigate’s MP has proposed that commercial moped riders should be required to pass their full moped test and not just their temporary CBT saying there are ‘dangerous’ riders in the constituency A four-week closure of Reigate Hill is currently scheduled for late July part of work taking place on local roads to replace gas mains could become 75 flats under unconnected planning applications recently approved or being considered Kiko Sushi has opened at 82 High Street (Opens in a new window) the latest arrival in the town offering Japanese fare are Miyoshi at 88 High Street and Kokoro in Cage Yard The Brockham Wellsite, in Betchworth, operating since 1987, will be able to continue pumping oil to the end of its planned life in 2036, following Surrey County Council planning approval for waste water to be pumped in to the ground to maintain well pressure. More from Local Democracy Reporter Chris Caulfield here (Opens in a new window) with the first round due to close at the end of May Body-worn cameras are being trialled by Surrey Fire & Rescue to enhance staff safety and gather incident footage. The equipment will also support post-incident reviews, learning, and evidence collection. The trial (Opens in a new window) is in line with a recommendation from the National Fire Chiefs Council following an increase in attacks on UK fire crews Terry Pratchett fans can head over to Cranleigh Arts Centre on Saturday 26 April for Marc Burrows’ The Magic of Terry Pratchett (Opens in a new window) The show is a “multi-media comic lecture” adaptation of Burrows’ biography of Pratchett selling over 10,000 tickets in the UK over the past year Hooley: if your travels take you from the M23 north to Hooley village, speed limits have been reduced. The Junction 7 exit slip road north now has a 50mph limit, the A23 from there up to Hooley 40mph, and travelling through Hooley village 30mph. The changes (Opens in a new window) Moped riders should not be allowed to carry out commercial activities (such as food deliveries) until they have passed their full test Currently riders only need to pass their compulsory basic training (CBT) which is meant to allow them time to practise for their full moped test “The problem with this is that the CBT has become effectively a licence by proxy with most delivery drivers having no intention of using it for its intended purpose – building experience and practicing for their full test,” Paul said Speaking after tabling an amendment to the police & crime bill to prohibit use of the CBT for commercial activities she said: "While London is undoubtedly the epicentre of this problem dangerous delivery drivers have become  an increasingly common sight on roads in Reigate "I have spoken with constituents who report near misses actual collisions and a growing sense that people and property  is in increasing danger from these individuals who simply don’t have the skills to operate their  vehicles safely." Paul’s amendment was not taken forward for debate Gas distribution company SGN is replacing mains in the Reigate Hill area over the coming months with closures recently put in place on St Albans Road and Somers Road Part of the work includes closing Reigate Hill itself in late July SGN has supplied the following closure dates to residents: Somers Road - from 7 April for around 2 weeks - working at the junction with St Albans Road St Albans Road - from 7 April for around 8 weeks - working full length of road Beaufort Road - from 21 April for around 6 weeks - working between Saxon Way and Evesham Road junctions Evesham Road - from 21 April for around 6 weeks - working Beaufort Road junction to 15 Evesham Road Brokes Road - from 28 April for around 12 weeks - working between St Albans Road and Beech Road junctions Reigate Hill (A217) - from 21 July for around 4 weeks - working between Brokes Road and Somers Road junctions SGN says: “This work will ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of gas is delivered to nearby homes and businesses This is part of our 30-year programme of work to replace our old mains The company adds: “We understand roadworks can be frustrating and we’re sorry for any inconvenience caused the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of 80 years Reigate residents and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.” but there will be advanced warning and diversion signs The full flyer from SGN is here (Opens in a new window) Sir Keir Starmer’s story began with his school report describing him as “a promising boy” and he was commissioned to be happy and successful; to make the world a better place Today’s RGS students carry that same moral purpose an impressive 97% of our students achieved A*-B grades with 44% securing the top A* grade and 77% earning A or A* Over 95% of our student applicants have secured offers from world-class universities These amazing exam results come on the back of their record of leadership in areas ranging from eco initiatives to mental health advocacy from supporting local charities to excelling in the Arts from promoting social mobility to championing equality They have given thousands of hours back through volunteering they have mentored younger students and supported outreach into the community at local schools Many of these students joined RGS in the Sixth Form a route that consistently produces great outcomes “I could not be prouder of these young people not just for their results but for the individuals of great value they have become These young people will shine for much longer than the glow of exam grade success because they truly are people of great substance What they have achieved so far is testament to their amazing teachers and RGS staff the supportive families in our community and of course to the hard work and nurturing ethos of the student community here at RGS.” This special edition of The Pilgrim Review marks Reigate Grammar School’s 350th anniversary The edition embraces the RGS 350 butterfly symbol; it reflects growth transformation and the lasting impact of small actions Explore how this milestone will be woven into the vibrant life of RGS If you would like to request a hard copy of this publication please email us. As Reigate Grammar marks its 350th anniversary Sunday Worship visits Reigate St Mary’s where RGS student and BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2024 Sharon sings At the start of a new year and a new term Sunday Worship comes from St Mary’s – the neighbouring church to Reigate Grammar School – for a service of celebration as the school marks its 350th anniversary year and reflects on the success of student The Godfrey Searle Choir made up of pupils from Reigate St Mary’s and Reigate Grammar School will provide the music and there will be solo performances from Sharon Senior winner of BBC Young Chorister of the Year The service will be led by the School Chaplain the Rev Philip Jackson and the Headteacher Shaun Fenton The Head of Choral Music is Tali Glynne-Jones the harpist is Eleanor Medcalf and the organist is Martina Smyth Music: Be Thou My Vision (Bob Chilcott)Bethlehem Down (Peter Warlock)A New Year Carol (Benjamin Britten) Ubi Caritas (Ola Gjeilo) The Lord's Prayer (Martin Hindmarsh) Six people reflect on the story of Jesus' ministry and Passion from their own perspectives Athletes' reflections on faith and competing in the Olympics Marking the centenary of HRH Prince Philip's birth who told his monks to sweat the small stuff How a bystander's intervention helped stop a young woman from being trafficked How our nation can rise to the huge challenges it faces If you haven’t registered for our Annual Open Morning please come to Talk 3 at 10.00am in the Peter Masefield Hall (PMH) Join us for our Annual Open Morning to experience why Reigate Grammar School is rated Excellent in all areas by ISI and has won numerous School of the Year awards Discover why we are a top coeducational day school as featured in The Times and Telegraph league tables.  There will be a series of short information talks by the Headmaster Mrs Lawson (our Assistant Head) and some current students Please book below for your preferred time slot You will also have the opportunity to tour the school guided by our students with every department represented so you can meet our teaching staff where refreshments and food will be available and you can speak with our Admissions Team you can park in the nearby public car parks “Tangible happiness in and out of the classroom phenomenal extracurricular offerings and fantastic relationships between students staff and parents.” Good Schools Guide 2024 We are thrilled to share an exciting new project that will enhance student life and shape the future of sport and activity at Reigate Grammar School for generations to come we are moving forward with the design and build of a new state-of-the-art sport and activity centre – The Andy Paul Sport and Activity Centre.  is made possible thanks to a generous donation from former pupil Andy Paul alongside financial resources from our RGS International partnerships This generosity and commitment to RGS has enabled us to move forward with our plans to ensure that sport and wellbeing remain at the heart of school life The Andy Paul Sport and Activity Centre will provide outstanding new facilities this project builds on the success of the Harrison Centre and reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing RGS facilities for future generations Through sport and physical activity at RGS ensuring that every student finds their place within our sporting community As part of our 350th year commitment to the future The Andy Paul Sport and Activity Centre is a legacy project securing the long-term success and stability of RGS It will keep us at the forefront of independent education and continue to ensure that an RGS education is one of excellence “My time at RGS helped me become who I am today I want to give back and ensure future generations have the very best facilities to thrive We are incredibly grateful to Andy Paul and our International Partnerships for making this possible and look forward to celebrating this next chapter in RGS history with you all September 2027 – Opening of the Andy Paul Sport and Activity Centre Follow our journey - we will share updates and progress on our website and social media channels as we bring this vision to life Thank you for being part of this journey.  Local government reorganisation: both Reigate & Banstead and Surrey are consulting residents on how local government should be reorganised The 80th anniversary of the B-17 crash on Reigate Hill was marked with a ceremony including the laying of wreaths Reigate Tunnel Beer & Gin Festival will run 15-17 May, in the heart of the town centre. As in previous years, the “Ale for Aid” event, organised by Redhill Redstone Rotary club, will raise money for good causes. A choice of 40+ ales, artisan gin and prosecco will be on offer. Details here. (Opens in a new window) St Albans Road, which runs between Brokes Road and Somers Road, near Reigate Hill is due to close on Monday (7 April) for seven weeks for gas main renewal. Updates can be checked on the Surrey roadworks map (Opens in a new window) Registration is open for this summer’s R&B Junior Games, which have been put together by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Better Leisure. Aimed at children in school years 3 to 6, the 10-week programme (Opens in a new window) will offer free coaching in basketball and SEND multi-sports at local leisure centres culminating in a celebratory event on 13 July at Donyngs Leisure Centre Two drug dealers who supplied around 4 kilos of cocaine, worth £413,000, into Surrey between July and September last year were sentenced (Opens in a new window) at Guildford Crown Court on Monday: one received eight years in prison and the other six-and-a-half years They were using a Dartford address as a ‘call centre’ while the other was arrested while trying to leave the premises A grass fire over at Box Hill on Sunday 9 March cleared a 20 × 20 metre area, with four barbecue fires having to be put out during the incident. Surrey Fire & Rescue and National Trust are advising people to be “wildfire aware” (Opens in a new window) A Surrey County Council campaign, run in partnership with Age UK, and which helps people to map out their later life, including thorny questions about care, has been shortlisted for an MJ award, the local authority equivalent of the Oscars. Planning for Your Future (Opens in a new window) has a number of online resources and a calendar of events Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is inviting residents to have their say on local government reorganisation plans in Surrey adult and children’s social care and roads) merged with borough-level (e.g Initial proposals for the county were recently sent to the Government: these are for two unitaries (the favoured option of Surrey County Council) or three (backed by most of the boroughs/districts and all of the opposition groups at county level) Reigate & Banstead and Crawley Borough Council are also looking at cross-border options particularly around maximising the economic growth potential of the Gatwick Diamond economic area Final form plans have to be submitted to the Government by 9 May and to prepare for that Reigate & Banstead is running a public survey People taking part can enter a prize draw for £50 vouchers said: “Our survey seeks to understand what is most important to people in their local areas and communities it asks about how and which surrounding areas people use for views on transport and democracy as well as preferences for local government organisation “We need your help to tell us what you want and what your priorities are so that the plans we submit to Government reflect these as far as possible.” The borough is also encouraging residents to complete a survey run by the county council "Shaping Surrey’s Future," which is open until 20 April The Reigate & Banstead survey is here (Opens in a new window) The Surrey County Council survey is here (Opens in a new window) The nine young men who died when their B-17G crashed on Reigate Hill were remembered in a ceremony on Wednesday 19 March At the event, which took place at the well-known memorial (Opens in a new window) The bomber struck the hill on its way back to Northamptonshire from a raid on railyards near the Czech-German border Weather had closed in over the English channel startling those waiting for a bus on Reigate Hill Normally the bomber would have carried 10 men but on this occasion only nine were serving given the smaller risk from German fighters at this stage of the war Rescuers on the night spent time searching for the tenth man before learning they had accounted for all the crew RAF veteran and National Trust historian Tim Richardson gave details of the events of the night in part drawing from a Surrey Mirror article published shortly after the war’s end when local knowledge of what had occurred could safely appear in print Richardson also delivered one of the readings, the poem “High Flight (Opens in a new window)” by Canadian Word War 2 pilot John Magee HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux performed the other reading Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s “Message to Mothers of Foreign Soldiers” Among those laying wreaths were United States Air Attaché Lt The Last Post and Reveille marked the beginning and the end of the silence The wooden wingtips (Opens in a new window) and were unveiled in 2015 as part of the 70th anniversary commemoration They sit at the same distance apart as they would have on the aircraft and include within them metal recovered from the plane The ceremony remembered not only those who died in the B-17 crash but also other aviators who lost their lives in the wider Surrey Hills Audio and interviews from the event are in episode 80 of the Planet Reigate podcast (Opens in a new window) Reigate.uk is regulated by Impress, the independent monitor of the press. Details of our corrections and complaints procedure is here (Opens in a new window) Plans to convert an office block near Reigate station into flats have been approved The Range opened its new Reigate store (Opens in a new window) on Friday (21 Feb) at the former Homebase site on Rushworth Road garden and leisure retailer’s store includes a ‘Garden Centre by Homebase’ Well-behaved four-legged shoppers are welcome as part of The Range’s dog-friendly approach The store is “a one-stop-shop destination for home improvement and gardening” said Alex Simpkin the CEO of CDS Superstores which owns The Range which included giveaways and product demonstrations (image: The Range) The Beatles by Candlelight Experience is at St Mary’s church, Reigate, this Friday evening (28 Feb) (Opens in a new window) “Lumos Live brings you enchanting concert experiences paying homage to world famous artists We’ve partnered with spectacular locations & churches across the UK to deliver a concert experience that is nothing short of magical.” The crossroads closure at the junction of Nutley Lane, Beaufort Road and Yorke Road continues. Surrey County Council has finished its work on a void in the road, with Thames Water now carrying out sewer repairs until 12 March, according to signs. Updates can be checked on the Surrey roadworks map (Opens in a new window) £1,250 in cash along with mobile phones were also seized Investigating officer Oliver Dujardin of Surrey Police said: "Drug-related crime can have a devastating impact on the community I hope this outcome serves as a message to others that this will never be tolerated." New Music Nights has its next monthly evening at Reigate Priory FC on Friday 7 March (Opens in a new window) offering “original live music in a brilliant Green Futures: funding for Surrey’s climate change programme has been reinstated (Opens in a new window) after the county council received £1.5m more in government grants than anticipated For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 06:33 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average In last night's thrilling climax to the Reigate Sunday 6-a-side football league season both the Premier League and Division 1 divisions crowned their champions The riveting week 9 was marked by unyielding competition and goal-scoring prowess in abundance.In the Premier League MEN UTD clinched the title with a resounding 3-1 victory against REY Rovers This victory brought their total points to 15 with the formidable side boasting of 7 wins overall This glorious journey was marked by MEN UTD's sheer tenacity and the unyielding determination to outscore their opponents.Meanwhile the Premier League witnessed some incredible goal-scoring action with Dovers Dads FC pulling off a spectacular 6-1 victory against Unathletico Roundtable A special mention goes out to Maccies FC and Send It United for their closely contested match which ended 2-1 in favour of Send It United Unfazed by the high stakes of the final week Balotelitubbies FC demonstrated an impressive 4-2 win against Inter Coulsdon The division also witnessed an enthralling draw between Hybrid Fitness Reigate and Brexit Ballers further testament to the closely matched competition this season the Reigate Sunday 6-a-side football league season ends on a high note The football enthusiasts are already eagerly awaiting the return of their favourite local teams next season we congratulate our winners and all the teams for providing us with an unforgettable season of football The beautiful game indeed played out beautifully in Reigate Are you a passionate teacher looking to explore exciting career opportunities Join us at the RGS Global Village Recruitment Event Explore exciting career opportunities at Reigate Grammar School and within our global network with positions available for Primary and Secondary teachers in our UK Senior School and in our Senior and Prep schools in China Click here to reserve your place This site uses some unobtrusive cookies to store information on your computer and the site won\'t work as expected without them These cookies are set when you submit a form login or interact with the site by doing something that goes beyond clicking on simple links We also use some non-essential cookies to anonymously track visitors or enhance your experience of the site By using our site you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy has relocated from its Coulsdon office to new premises in Reigate Originally focusing on installing commercial and domestic split systems Technicool now offers a comprehensive range of services including chilled water and mechanical services The new office space in Reigate provides additional room to accommodate the company's growing sales team and project managers director of Technicool Air Conditioning said: 'I hope the new offices will improve our services and naturally grow the company The staff we have at present are more skilled and enthusiastic than I've experienced since I incorporated Technicool back in 1998.' Delegates to the IOR Annual Conference taking place from 21 to 22 April will get the chance to access the event live and all sessions and recordings for up six months afterwards providing fantastic value and allowing anyone registering for the event .. and VIP Tickets for two to watch Mikey Hardie #93 up close and personal and have the VIP Experience at British Superbikes in Assen We are incredibly proud to announce that Sharon L a Fifth Form student and a talented member of the RGS Godfrey Searle Choir has been crowned Senior Winner of the BBC Young Chorister of the Year 2024 Sharon’s journey to this prestigious title has been truly remarkable saw Sharon stand out among a group of incredibly talented choristers The event was hosted by Aled Jones with judges Katherine Jenkins After Sharon’s incredible final performance “You created this fragile atmosphere but there was nothing fragile about the way you sang it.“ “We heard three truly exceptional voices but the winner had the edge because they challenged themselves in terms of repertoire and succeeded in the delivery.” “It’s been such an amazing and unforgettable journey to compete in the competition as a semi-finalist I didn’t dare imagine being one of the five senior choristers standing on such a prestigious stage let alone being selected as the Senior Young Chorister of the Year This experience has given me so much confidence and has helped me grow musically.“ Sharon’s performance was not only a testament to her exceptional talent but also to her dedication and the invaluable support from Mrs Glynne-Jones We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you we are proud to present our Festival of Light & Wellbeing a series of inspiring events that will bring together our community of students From marking cultural festivals like Diwali and building towards the warmth of the holiday season the festival shines a spotlight on the values that bind our school community together and parents to take part in the festivities and help make this season one of light and unity The Festival of Light is more than a series of events; it’s a celebration of the values that make Reigate Grammar School a thriving and supportive community From cultural explorations to wellbeing workshops we invite all members of our school family to participate and make this season one of reflection Let’s make this Festival of Light & Wellbeing one to remember We are delighted to welcome St Christopher’s Pre-Prep School and Nursery to the RGS family St Christopher’s is a highly successful school with a strong reputation for providing outstanding opportunities and outcomes for children from Nursery to Year 2 The RGS family of schools shares a commitment to all-round excellence and the belief that a great education is about so much more than academic achievement St Christopher’s will continue to thrive as a distinctive school with its own unique personality and parent community With the added strength of being part of the RGS family this collaboration will create lasting benefits for all pupils “The RGS group goes from strength to strength The growth of the RGS group benefits us all supporting the best educational experience for our children and further resilience that comes from successful partnerships.” Headteacher of St Christopher’s School and Nursery “We are delighted to announce this new partnership that will strengthen and preserve the unique character of St Christopher’s exceptional provision This collaboration is built on a shared commitment to excellence – enriching teaching united by a deep-rooted belief that education extends beyond academic success.”