Dear All,
I hope you are enjoying the new year though I must admit it has been a bit cold for me to hit the road. Never mind, I am sure many of you don’t let a little cold weather keep you in doors.
I want to thank Sandra Lee and Chris Jeggo for organizing our Christmas dinner which was very enjoyable. We had about 20 members attend. There was one problem though that I must relate to you, a few of us received parking charges for parking in the car park behind the Sovereigns. Please be warned that they now have a new policy in place where you have to go and register your number plate at the bar when you arrive. We all were relieved that the charges were cancelled when we explained that we had been in the pub but had not seen the sign regarding the new policy when we arrived in the dark.
I received an email from Arsheen Qasim from the charity Genetic Disorders. She said “ I am emailing from the national registered charity Genetic Disorders UK. We have some charity places for the Prudential Ride London 2019 taking place in Surrey and London on Sunday 4th August 2019. I was wondering if you could please share this info with your cycling group members who may be interested in cycling a challenging but fun 100 mile event for charity. More info is on our website: http://www.geneticdisordersuk.org/getinvolved/cycle#prudentialridelondon Any help would be appreciated.” So if you missed out in the ballot and still want to take part, let them know. The full information regarding events on the Prudential Ride London weekend can be found at https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/
Meanwhile back here in Surrey the saga of Muddy Lane continues. The Inquiry will recommence at 10am on 6 February 2019 and continue until the 7 February 2019 if required. The venue will be as before : The Council Chamber, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking GU21 6YL. We are hoping a definitive answer will be forthcoming…..in our favour of course. All are welcomed to attend. Running information about this claim is always available on Surrey County Council website at:
Norman has still been busy trying to get the route from Chobham to Woking improved. He had a meeting with Florence (whose last name I fear I do not have) regarding her Company’s Interest in the Cycle Route Initiative Chobham – Woking. He will give a report at our next usual pub night on 29 January.
Keith Cresswell has also been busy in the Byfleet/West Byfleet/Pyrford area. He asked WBC and SCC Councillor Amanda Boote her views on the 20mph issue. As a keen cyclist she responded “ I personally feel that the SCC 20mph speed limit strategy is a positive thing. Wherever possible I would be keen to see cycling lanes introduced and more safety consideration given to this key area. As a member of the Woking Borough Council Planning Committee, I always try to champion cycling when we receive planning applications – be it in terms of ensuring that all new developments have space for bicycle storage and also as regards ensuring that our roads have the proper and safe provision for our cyclists. For example, when Octagon proposed the Broadoaks development for the Parvis Road recently, I lobbied hard to ask for Surrey County Council to create a dedicated cycling lane along this very busy road as part of the developer contribution to improving infrastructure in The Byfleets. “ I am not sure how successful she was but it is good to know someone is on our side.
Once again we could use more people to lead our rides this year, so if anyone can see their way to helping us out, please let me know. It would be appreciated. The rides are held monthly on the third Sunday of the month from March to October leaving Woking Park at 2PM. Routes can be provided.
The first pub evening of the year will be Tuesday 29 January at the Sovereigns on Guildford road, Woking. Please don’t forget to register your number plate if you come by car and park at the back!
Happy cycling
Carole Frost