Angry residents packed a church hall to discuss controversial plans to barricade a road to stop speeding motorists.

More than 70 residents filled St Paul's Church Hall, Egham Hythe, to hear more about plans by Surrey County Council to put a barrier in St Paul's Road to prevent it being used as a 'rat run' by speeding motorists, getting from Chertsey Lane to Thorpe Road and vice versa.

The feisty meeting, chaired by borough ward councillor, Gill Warner, involved residents both in favour of the barrier, many from St Paul's Road and the Wapshott and Bowes Road estate. And also numerous residents vehemently opposed to the proposals.

A transport collectors fair takes place at the Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, on Saturday, February 13, from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

The fair will feature collectables for bus, tram, trolleybus, rail and underground. Access is via the vintage bus service 441c from 10.10am via Staines bus station, stand 3.

And also served by First Bus route 71 and travel Surrey route 441. Hot and cold snacks all day. For more details call 01784 455955.

A special vocal workshop for aspiring singers will take place at the Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road on Saturday, February 6 at 10.30am.

The event, which runs until 3.30pm is oganised by the The Hythe Singers and costs £30 per person.

For more details contact Elaine Sturman on 0208 579 1809 or email thehythesingers@hotmail.co.uk

A special Songs of Praise for older members of the community will take place at St Paul's Church, Thorpe Road, on Wednesday, February 3 from 2.30pm.

The event is organised by Age Concern Runnymede and will provide disability friendly transport for those who require it.

For more details call 01784 459444, or for transport help, call Ann Hawkes on 01784 452983.

The Royal Holloway Chorus are looking for new members ahead of the new term's concert.

The chorus will present a full performance of Berlioz's 'Te Deum' and will be auditioning members of the public as well as students from Royal Holloway. The show will be perfomed in conjunction with the Royal Holloway Symphony Orchestra at Windsor Parish Church on Saturday, February 27.

Rehearsals are held on Thursdays, 7.30pm - 9.00pm in the chapel at Royal Holloway. The first rehearsal is on Thursday January 14. Members should be able to read music. For more information please visit www.rhul.ac.uk/choirs/chorus

Runnymede Safer Neighbourhood Inspector, Roger Nield, has hailed the Section 30 dispersal order operating in Pooley Green as a success.

The order which forms part of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, allowed officers to disperse groups of youths believed might cause a disturbance. I

nsp. Nield stated there had been a reduction of reported anti-social behaviour incidents by as much as 30%. The order will finish at the end of January, but an enhanced police presence will continue in the area.

A new group will enable people to get together for a hot drink and some good conversation.

Coffee and Chat is a new group run by the United Church along with St John's Church and is an opportunity for people to enjoy a coffee and some company. Toys will be provided for children and there is space for buggies.

Coffee and Chat is open at the United Church, in Egham High Street, every Wednesday 10am - 12noon.

A textile artist will give a talk to a sewing group in February.

Sandra Meech will be giving a talk to the Thameside Quilters on February 15 on the topic of 'connecting art to stitch.'

The event will take place in Magna Carta School at 7.30pm.
For more information call Paula Doyle on 0782 179 9548.

The council are hoping to save £3,500 per year with the purchase of a £15,000 ex-hire JCB for use at the Chertsey Depot.

The 'Loadall' telescopic handler, like a large fork-lift, would be used for daily loading and unloading of bulky items too large for manual handling. Members of the council's financial bosses, the Corporate Management Committee met earlier this month to agree to the purchase.

To buy the vehicle new would cost £30,000 or to continue hiring it on a five-year contract would cost £8,100 per annum. The net saving from the purchase is put at £3,500pa.

Arsonists torched a dereclict bungalow neighbours say was a den for drug users and homeless people.

The property, in Chertsey Lane, Thorpe, suffered 80% damage during the blaze, which was first reported to emergency services by a member of the public at around 5.50pm.