Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper local audio news for the two weeks ending 14th September 2023 features an announcement about COVID-19 vaccinations and a ULEZ exemption update as well as a special news about our News Editor Jan Collier.
To listen to this week’s audio news click the Play button
COVID Vaccines brought forward
An announcement from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explains that they have brought forward the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations from October to 11th September 2023 after a new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86 has emerged in the UK. To book your COVID-19 vaccination visit NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Booking
Ultra Low Emmission Zone
An update on ULEZ: their are exemptions providing a temporary grace period on paying the congestion charge for vehicles for disabiled people and disabled passenger vehicles, wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles (PAVs) and not-for-profit minibus community transport vehicles. For more information visit Discounts and Exemptions
Befriend the Aged
Age Concern Epsom and Ewell have asked for volunteers, who have an hour or two to spare, to become Befrienders to provide support and companionship for older people. They will provide full training, contact jane.hodgson@ageconcernepsom.org.uk telephone 01372 732458 or visit ACEE Volunteer Roles.
Rainbow Leisure Centre
Rainbow Leisure Centre Epsom has been shortlisted for a prestigious award by UK Active for Local and Regional Club/Centre of the Year. They have an innovative programe for both junior members, over 60s, people with disabilities and special needs schools. To find out more visit Rainbow Leisure Centre.
Surrey Scouts Jamboree!
For their KISC centenary Surrey Scouts including 3rd Epsom Scouts and 8th/14th Epsom Air Scouts met Scouts from around the world on a trip to Switzerland. To find out more vist Surrey Scouts.
Calibre Audio
We have an important news piece about the work of Calibre Audio audiobook service, that has over 17,000 print-disabled members with conditions including impaired vision, dyslexia, stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, paralysis and long covid.
Calibre Audio’s collection of more than 15,000 audiobooks offers fiction and non-fiction for all interests and ages and is available free of charge for members using their USB postal service, or for a small fee for download or streaming.
A new book is now available on Calibre Audio called The Magazine Girls, 1960s—1980s, a multi-narrative memoir by seven former journalists, who met as teenagers working on pop magazines in the late 1960s and went on to become acclaimed journalists in rock, pop and celebrity, also groundbreaking feature writers and fashion and beauty editors. Our very own EETN News Editor Jan Collier, who co-wrote the book says ‘we were surprised to discover that it took 13 hours to record, using seven different narrators and we are very grateful to Calibre audio for including it in their collections for the wider community. the whole experience of writing and publishing a book and also learning about the work done by audiobook narrators has been fascinating.’ Further information from www.calibreaudio.org.uk
Future Events
Upcoming events over the next few weeks:
The Autumn season continues at the Epsom Conservative Club when Saxophonist Fraser Smith ‘brings his all-star quartet to Epsom Jazz Club for a highly-anticipated performance showcasing music from his 2023 album “TipTop!”.’
Epsom Social Food Hall regular Wednesday Quiz 7pm to 9pm with many prizes as well as the jackpot rollover. Entry is £2 per person.
We have news stories on the closure of Wilko’s, Christmas in a heatwave, the Wildlife Aid Centre and three Surrey schools involved in the RAAC concrete scandal. Listen to our audio news for full details of these and other news stories including a study of nocturnal pollinators – moths and in our regular Nature Notes we hear about one butterfly that is thriving. Most importantly, please remember to share the EETN with anyone you know who is blind or is partially sighted.
More Contact Information for this week’s news stories
Sources
This fortnight’s news articles come from the Surrey Comet, Surrey Live and Chris Grayling MPs newsletter.
Community information is available from the websites: Surrey County Council, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and Epsom and Ewell Families.
The Go Epsom website has the Epsom Going out Guide which features some of the events listed plus other events you may be interested in.
The local news is just one of three sections of the Epsom and Ewell as described on the About Us page.