Brookwood Farm Planning Submitted

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12/6/12

Well the amended plans are almost up for their stated deadline of the 13th June but you can submit objections right up to the decision date. We have again digested the plans to see what amendments have been made and what they mean and have come away with severe indigestion! No concerns have been allayed and in most cases more have arisen. The air quality report alone showed very clearly there is a severe problem at both the Redding Way junction and Brookwood junction yet no mitigating comments are available.

We’ve composed yet another letter to WBC which will be available shortly which states our continuing ire and concern.

Incidentally, yes we have noticed the digging happening at the site which is either highly presumptuous or possibly concerned with the existing houses which many will have noted have scaffolding around them… We have contacted Douglas Spinks and are awaiting an explanation.

3/5/12

We can now confirm that according the the Deputy Chief Executive of WBC, Douglas Spinks, an air quality assessement has been requested. This report will only become available online when WBC have assessed by ‘relevant consultees’…

2/5/12

Whilst the attention of many in local government  is on the local election the work on this planning application continues. The KRA has joined forces with the residents associations of Brookwood and Sheet’s Heath to scrutinize this application. As reported earlier a delegation from the KRA met with a representative from Cala Homes and a representative from the consultants who carried out the transport assessment for Cala Homes and we are grateful for their time. Since that meeting the KRA along with representatives from Brookwood and Sheet’s Heath have met with mangers from Surrey Highways and we must report that there were differences between the Cala Homes report and the position as seen by Surrey Highways. The KRA are now trying to find out exactly where the parties stand on the application.
Since this planning application was submitted the ground rules have changed with the Government launching a new ‘National Planning Policy Framework’. One of the main thrusts of these guidelines is that decision making should involve the community, more that has been the case in the past.We await to see if Woking Borough Council plan to make any changes to the way they handle planning applications. More on this point in our next electronic newsletter.
Returning to Brookwood Farm, missing from the list of studies and reports that have been submitted by Cala Homes is any study of the impact the development will have on air quality in the Bagshot Road area. We have asked WBC why no such study has been commissioned.We also await information from WBC on their  monitoring points around the whole of Woking and Bagshot Road in particular. The results from the monitoring point in 2010 were poor and therefore we await the data for 2011.
23/4/12

We have had numerous suggestions and input from residents over this plan for Brookwood Farm and having met with those responsible (see below) we have been able to compose a letter to Woking Borough Council in objection to the proposal as it stands. The letter details what we have been able to identify as technically deficient or sub-standard, poor planning or incorrect assumptions, or not in keeping with planning policy. It includes issues raised by residents that contacted us and accounts for changes in planning regulation and adds a caveat that we may want to add further comments at a later date. Those wishing to view the letter can do so by clicking here or on the letter to the right.

12/4/12

Members of the KRA committee have met with representatives from Cala Homes and their consultants who carried out the transport assessment. The meeting was constructive and clarified a number of points.

The first point to make is that the transport expert agreed with what the KRA have been saying for months the A322 ‘Bagshot Road’ IS CONGESTED. The attention turns to Surrey Highways to see what suggestions they are going to come forward with to ease the situation or limit the size of any development that has new traffic joining this congested road.

AIR QUALITY CONCERNS
If you have been on WBC web site and read some of the detailed reports attached to the planning application, well worth a visit,  there does not appear to be an air quality report amongst the documents available online; Cala Homes told us that this was because Woking Borough Council did not request one during their pre-application discussions! The KRA consider that this is totally unacceptable, particularly so since the Council’s own validation checklists identifies the need for such a report where a “…. proposal is likely to have an adverse effect on the quality of the air”. That is most certainly the case with this development, as confirmed by Cala’s own Transport Assessment which demonstrates that the proposed traffic management system will result in significant, additional traffic delays. As such, the impact of exhaust emissions from an increased number of stationery vehicles simply cannot be ignored. Congested or slow moving traffic significantly adds to air pollution and Bagshot Road is already listed as an area with poor air quality.

 

The KRA have written to WBC pointing out this omission and believe that the  application can not progress until a study on the impact that the Brookwood Farm development would have on the air quality in the vicinity of Bagshot Road.

You CAN still submit your comments

WBC will still accept comments from residents although the official public consultation period is closed. Write to developmentcontrol@woking.gov.uk the heading for your email should be PLAN/2012/0224 BROOKWOOD FARM DEVELOPMENT. Also copy your local Councillor in on your message.

Traffic Management

That the A322 is congested is not is dispute; the way in which proposed or estimated increased levels of traffic will be managed has been put forward as a ‘traffic management system’. If I have understood this correctly, then sensors would be placed near the Brookwood lights and along Bagshot Road near Redding Way; as the sensor detects queuing approaching Redding Way then those lights are turned red to prevent further build up of traffic, especially across the junction. This allows those exiting Redding Way a clear exit which is not currently the case at peak hours. Brookwood junction lights are then turned green to clear that junction and subsequently allow further flow down Bagshot Road. The upshot is that you will end up with two medium queues in place of one long and one short but it should maintain a clear junction with no net increase in delay other than that introduced by increased traffic.

We should also note that the traffic assessment has accounted for the proposed expansion of Sainsbury’s store at Redding Way and an estimated annual increase in cars; it has not accounted for proposed developments in Deepcut, Pirbright or the potential for development at the site of the Fox Garage. When considered by SCC, they noted what they considered to be a low estimate of additional traffic and have asked for a reviewed set of figures to be submitted.

4/4/12 KRA / Cala meeting scheduled

We have now pencilled in the date where representatives of Cala and the residents’ association can go through the plans and transport analysis. As we have been from the concept stages of this project, we shall be questioning the processes used and ensuring, as far as we can, that regulatory process is applied rigorously. We have attended all consultation events and entered into frequent communication with Cala so that we may see how plans are keeping in line with promises made.

 

2/4/12 Cala newsletter pending

Expect some newsletters through the post from Cala in the hear future! I’ve just received the following email from their communications agent:

“Dear Sir or Madam,

 Proposals for Brookwood Farm

Since the third event in September last year, the team has undertaken a full analysis of all comments received, as well as further technical work to support the proposals, and a planning application has now been submitted to Woking Borough Council.

The attached newsletter will provide you with an overview of changes that have been made since the event in September, full details of the submitted proposals, and responses to some of the common concerns following the third event.

More than 2,000 newsletters will be sent out in the next week to the local community, so you may also receive a paper copy in the post.

Should you require any additional information or have any further questions, you can contact a member of the project team, using the details listed in the newsletter.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Parish

For and on behalf of CALA Homes”

For those interested, the newsletter is attached here

1/4/12 Meeting accepted

We have heard back from the agents of Cala Homes who have ACCEPTED to meet with us to go through their plans. High on the agenda will be to go through the transport analysis (134 pages of it…) and we have specifically requested a transport expert to attend.

For those of you as concerned as we are about school places, we had Tim Hall as guest speaker at our recent AGM; he was both helpful and as informative as he could be without having made a study of the development plans. He did confirm however that it is down to Woking Borough Council to assess school places as a part of the planning process so we shall also be asking WBC to comment.

28/3/12 Independent petition launched

A quick update on the story – it seems that the news of the planning application is spreading like wildfire throughout the area and beyond. With other developments in Deepcut and Pirbright, residents are rightly very concerned about the state of the roads and area as a whole. It seems the subject raises some exceptionally passionate debate in the village with one resident, Jackie Barney, having created a new petition, aiming for at least 1000 signatories, against the Cala Homes project, which you can find at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/793/086/998/say-no-to-brookwood-farm-development/ . We commend the creation of the petition by Jackie as we as a body are not in a position to do so and no-one else thought to. Oddly, while the petition is being signed, not many are logging in to the council site to lodge formal objections which are required to carry real weight in the application process so the residents’ association would urge those concerned to use the WBC planning portal to lodge objections they see fit.

The KRA have contacted Cala Homes in order to take them up on an offer they made for a post application meeting. During the meeting, if accepted, we will want to go through the transport report and get their opinion on several other topics.

23/3/12 Planning submitted

We all knew it was coming and now it’s confirmed as the application described as ‘Erection of 297 No dwellings with open space, sports pitches, ancillary building and facilities, allotments, access road, car parking and landscaping’ has formally been submitted to the planning office.

If the link above doesn’t work (the planning software at WBC can be twitchy!) the plan is number PLAN/2012/0224

Real Lives events 2nd-6th May

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Real Lives: 2nd – 6th May 2012

Dear all,
Do you enjoy listening to people’s real life stories? Do you enjoy watching talk-show style programmes on television where people tell their inspiring real life tales?
If so, we hope you will be interested in coming along to one of these special ‘Real Lives’ events that our church is involved in next week. Roger Carswell, the respected Author and Christian Evangelist, is coming to four locations in Surrey, including Knaphill and Horsell. He will be interviewing guests and showing how faith in God has affected their “real lives”.
There will be four ‘talk-show style’ events, including live music and free refreshments. All events are free entry. The details are as follows:
Wednesday 2nd May:
Venue:  Chilworth Free Church, Brookswood, New Road, Chilworth GU4 8LZ.
8:00pm – 9.30ish – ‘A Wasted Life Transformed’ Roger interviews Roddy McLeod who overcame a life of drugs, drink and deep unhappiness.
* This venue is a little further away from most of you, so if you’d like help with directions, just let us know.
Thursday 3rd May:
Venue: Horsley Evangelical Church, Ockham Road North, East Horsley KT24 6NU.
8:00pm – 9.30ish – ‘Peace After Loss’ Roger interviews Fiona Castle, wife of the late Roy Castle, as she tells how she found peace after grief.
* Again this venue is a little way, but if you’d like help with transport, there will be people travelling from Knaphill, so let us know if you’d like a lift.

Friday 4th May:
Venue: Providence Baptist Church, Robin Hood Road, Knaphill GU21 2LU.
8:00pm – 9.30ish – ‘Justice After 30 Years’ Roger interviews Andy Cardy whose 9 year old daughter was murdered. How did he cope with such loss? Come and find out.

Saturday 5th May:
Venue: Horsell Evangelical Church, High Street, Horsell GU21 4SZ.
  • 12noon – 2:00pm: An event for younger people – Those in their teens and twenties are invited to come along and spend time eating pizza, playing games and hearing Roger Carswell speak, including a question and answer session about the Christian faith.
  • 8:00pm – 9.30ish – ‘Can we forgive terrorists?’ Roger interviews John Mosey, father of Lockerbie bombing victim. Come and hear how he coped.
Sunday 6th May: There will also be two special Sunday services, connected with the ‘Real Lives’ events, when Roger Carswell will be the main speaker.
  •  11am – Horsell Evangelical Church – There are creche and Sunday school facilities provided for children, so the whole family is welcome.
  • 6.30pm – Horsley Evangelical Church.
Please note that if you normally come along to Providence Baptist Church, Knaphill on a Sunday morning, there will be no morning service on Sunday 6th May, as we will all be joining with this special service at Horsell Evangelical Church. Please let us know if you need help with transport, as lifts will be available. The evening service at Providence Baptist Church, Knaphill will take place as normal at 6pm.
We hope you will be able to come along to one or more of these events. It would certainly be well worth organising babysitters if necessary! Everyone is welcome and more details can be found at our church website which is www.pbc-knaphill.org.uk
Best wishes,
Ben and Fiona Short
(on behalf of Providence Baptist Church, Knaphill)

Disabled parking at Winston Churchill School

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We have been contacted by a concerned resident regarding disabled parking at Winston Churchill School. Steve Tonkmor has contacted the school, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE and MP Jonathon Lord, and having become frustrated with the responses received thus far he hopes to raise awareness of the issue; he has this to say:

Dear Knaphill News,

I would like to point out that at Winston Churchill School the Disabled parking spaces have a sign that says DISABLED PARKING ONLY. I and the other 1.3 million disabled people in the U.K. might think this is parking reserved for the disabled. But nothing could be further from the truth at Winston Churchill School, Woking. The Head Teacher (Mr. Smith) has allocated these parking spaces to his staff (not displaying blue badges). I have challenged this and been told that this is his policy and the spaces will not be left free for the use of the disabled. I reiterate spaces marked DISABLED PARKING ONLY, I’m sure most of your readers understand what this means, yet the Head Teacher with a BA and MA does not. It is quiet ironic that the school motto is SERVICE BEFORE SELF, someone might what to explain what this means to the Head Teacher.

Here are the thoughts on this matter from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE.

 

Dear Mr Tonkmor
I don’t know if this helps, but I believe that an accessible parking space should be left free at all times (if it is marked as such) unless a disabled person is using it.  I do not believe that it is right to allow other people to use it at certain times of the day, as this sends out a very poor message, especially to children.  If they saw this happening, then they could perhaps be encouraged to think that the blue badge symbol means nothing at all !!

Kind regards
Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE

 

I agree with Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, Mr. Smith is very much occupying the moral low ground here and setting a very poor example. As an educator of over a thousand pupils this is very worrying. He has explained that he is not answerable to the authorities on this matter as the Governors own the property. Governor almost initially made up of fellow teacher this includes parent governors (teachers from other local schools). I have complained to Surrey County Council, the Secretary of State for Education, Ofsted and my MP Jonathan Lord – He replied with a letter stating Mr. Smith is doing his best. I don’t know what this means, his best to stop the disabled using disabled parking bay or his best to provide parking for his staff? The real question is, if this is his best, the future for are children would seem a little bleak, however it does explain society’s moral compass dilemmas.

Examples of the excuses:-

  •  They are ambulance and emergency spaces. (They have these at hospitals, but teachers aren’t allowed to park in them).
  •  The disabled drivers aren’t allowed to enter the car park. (Why have disabled spaces then, plus the spaces are always occupied by staff).
  •  You can’t use them because children’s safety is at risk with cars driving in the car park. (This don’t seem to hinder the staff leaving the car park at let out time or the Post Van, taxi’s and parents parking in the visitors bays). IF THIS IS A TRUE RISK LOCK BOTH ENTRY AND EXIT GATES TILL 3PM.

 

I hope you can help get back the disabled parking for the disabled. As I am getting a lot of excuses why they are to stay staff parking. I attach a photo of the disabled parking bays, sign and the staff cars that are always parked in them. YOU WILL SEE FROM THE PHOTO THESE ARE CLEARLY DISABLED PARKING BAYS. They even specify the drop off and pick up times on them.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Stephen Tonkmor

 

So what do the readers think? Should the Head take more notice of Mr Tonkmor and release the parking bays? Add your comments below.

Canal closure

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I’ve just received the following through from WBC regarding closures on the Basingstoke canal:

From Monday 23 April 2012, the pedestrian footbridge over the Basingstoke Canal in Woking Town Centre and a small section of the canal towpath will be closed and short diversions put in place until early 2013.

 

Pedestrians and cyclists wishing to access the town centre and The Lightbox are advised to follow the diversion signage in place around the construction site and nearby pedestrian crossings.

 

The Lightbox will be open as normal, including the main front entrance, which visitors can access via the Victoria Way pedestrian crossing next to the Civic Offices.

 

Diversions from the Basingstoke Canal towpath to Woking Town Centre will be as follows:

 

  • ·         When approaching the construction site (surrounded by yellow hoardings), pedestrians and cyclists travelling from Knaphill and St Johns along the Basingstoke Canal Towpath should leave the towpath just before the hoardings by turning left into a private road, marked by a blue fingerpost, towards Brewery Road.

 

  • ·         When travelling from Sheerwater and Maybury along the Basingstoke Canal Towpath, pedestrians and cyclists should leave the towpath as normal at the canal exit leading on to Chobham Road.

 

  • ·         Pedestrians and cyclists wishing to rejoin the canal towpath (towards St Johns and Knaphill) should turn right at the Chobham Road exit towards the mini roundabout and junction with Brewery Road, and follow the diversions along Brewery Road.

 

Speaking about the closures, Douglas Spinks, Deputy Chief Executive at Woking Borough Council, said: “The closures are required to start the construction works for the new Bedser Bridge, which is required because the existing footbridge has reached the end of its life and it does not meet current Equality Act and British Standard requirements.

 

“We have been working closely with the appointed contractor, Willmott Dixon, and WWF-UK to coordinate the works and map out suitable diversions. We are keen to minimise disruption for both residents and visitors to the town and would like to apologise for any inconvenience as a result of these works.”

 

The new pedestrian bridge, to be named Bedser Bridge in recognition of local Horsell cricketing heroes, Eric and Sir Alec Bedser, will allow access to and from Woking Town Centre, Brewery Road Car Park and WWF-UK’s new Living Planet Centre.

 

For more information about the diversion, including a map, please visit www.woking.gov.uk or call 01483 755855.

HSBC to close

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Yes it’s true, High Street bank HSBC is to close its doors to Knaphill village on 6th July at 3.30pm.

The bank is currently only open for 3 days per week and no reason has been given for the closure although speculation will abound due to the proximity of the bank to 15 High Street where Sainsbury’s want to build a store… It would certainly be a huge loss to the village should the buildings be demolished, losing valuable character.

The branch managaer has already come in for some flack, as noted by one resident, he has been told in no uncertain terms how the customers feel with some voting with their feet and moving accounts elsewhere.

Are Takeaways taking away?

2 Replies

There are those both in the village and further afield that are concerned about the level of takeaways appearing in their village setting. The latest opening is the Charcoal Grill in the High Street which by all accounts offers some great food but this is just the latest in a considerable line, earning Knaphill the moniker of ‘takeaway capital of Surrey’. The most recent application for change of use to class A5 is at the bottom of Anchor Hill and the question that has been on everybody’s lips is – do we need another one? Indeed, can we sustain one?!

As the competition between takeaways heats up, more advertising is to be found throughout; flyers and leaflets regularly drop through letterboxes and out of papers and one establishment has taken the opportunity to erect a fairly big banner from the top of the building in the High Street.

The question of litter will inevitably be discussed at length. I, personally, have not noticed it being a huge problem although you do notice occasional wrappers in the streets and other people will probably say it’s a huge issue. If it becomes apparent that littering is on the increase then we should be rightly concerned – it attracts all sorts of unwanted attention from rodents and foxes, not to mention that it is a blight to the appearance of the village.

There are also those who argue that any business is good for the area. Empty shops or stores are of no use to anyone so filling it with a takeaway should be welcomed. Should it? I wonder what people would say if we had a glut of estate agents, accountants, restuarants or even boutique shops? High levels of any store type result in a particular response from the residents.

To this end, we have ‘done a bit of research’ on how other villages and towns have tackled the excess and we found that we are far from alone in wondering if there should be limits imposed by planning for any business type in a certain area. Currently there are none and those in WBC who have been approached in the past have said that it simply isn’t possible. Well, actually, it is and it’s been done. It is problematic and it can be difficult to do so I can only think that it has fallen into the ‘too hard’ pile before. After some communication between the KRA, councillors and council, we have raised a considerable amount of interest and been given permission to raise the question at the next full council meeting.

Whatever the outcome of the meeting, we will of course let you know and in the meantime get in touch if you have any comments to make on the subject.

 

 

Police: Bike marking

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SURREY POLICE

 

 Bicycle Registration Event

 

  • One of the best ways to prevent your bicycle from being stolen and increase the chances of it being recovered should it go missing is to get it security coded and registered.

 

  • Staff from Surrey Police will be present to carry out free security registration on the following date and time so please come along and get your bicycle registered.

 

  • As well as bicycle registration staff will also be on hand to discuss any crime prevention issues that may concern you.

 

Saturday 21st April 2012 10:00am – 14.00pm

Halfords, Lion Retail Park

Police: NW update

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Please find below your weekly Neighbourhood Watch Crime Bulletin.

 

Friday 30th of March 2012 – Wednesday 4th of April 2012

 

In Your Area

 

I have to report that in the last week the following crime/crimes occurred in or near to your area.
 

Crime Reference WK/12/1984 – Between the hours of 22:30 and 23:00 on Monday the 2nd of April 2012 a ROBBERY took place in AMIS ROAD, KNAPHILL.

 

During this time the victim was approached by two Asian males, one of which had a knife. The victim’s mobile phone and cap were stolen during the incident. The first suspect is described as – Asian male, approximately 19 years old, dark hair with long fringe and short sides, brown eyes, stubble, 5ft5 to 5ft7 in height, medium build, wearing a black leather jacket and silver/grey trousers. The second suspect is described as – Asian male, approximately 18 years old, black short curly hair, 5ft8 to 5ft10 in height, slim build, thin face, wearing a brown top and dark trousers. Both suspects were seen getting into a silver hatchback car after the incident.

 

If you feel that you have witnessed any incident that may relate to the above crime/crimes please call 101 quoting the relevant crime number.


Woking Shows a Reduction in Crime

 

I have the great pleasure of reporting that from the start of April 2011 through to the end of March 2012 there has been an 8.2% reduction in overall crime across the borough compared to April 2010 through to March 2011.

 

Not only do I believe that this is down to all of the officers and staff that help to police the area I also believe it is down to the continuing commitment shown by Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and scheme members.

 

As we now enter the next financial year we have a tough target to reduce these levels even further; but I believe we can do it!

 

Can I please ask you all to keep up the fantastic work you are doing in your schemes. Neighbourhood Watch is a proven deterrent to crime and to meet our target next year we really need to support its development even further. If you have roads around you that are not part of a scheme consider encouraging the residents that live there to start a new watch. In my opinion a cohesive network of watches will work better that isolated watches acting alone. If you wish to discuss how to go about helping to set up new watches around you please call me on 01483 632931.

 

Can you please circulate the details of the crimes to the members of your watch if you think it will be of value. Remember that if you have elderly or vulnerable residents in your road this information may frighten them so be careful how you deliver this message.

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Mark Saunders

Crime Prevention Design Advisor

Woking Borough

Foul Play campaign

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Small update – Has anyone else noticed the little signs that are going up on lamp posts around the village. They’re reminders about anti-fouling and the penalties involved, so we know the initiative is underway!

Following on from Dr Fuller’s successful petition regarding dog waste in Knaphill, WBC Executive have created a new Foul Play campaign. In an email from WBC, they say –

“At the meeting of the Executive on 15 March 2012, at which the Petition was considered, the Executive was supportive of the petition and acknowledged that dog fouling was a Borough-wide issue which had a negative impact on pride of place, health and community enjoyment. Councillor Mrs B A Hunwicks, Portfolio Holder for the Environmental Maintenance Contract, announced that a Borough-wide campaign named ‘Foul Play’ would be worked up to tackle and raise awareness of the issue. A pilot of the scheme would be run in Knaphill, with the intention to roll-out a Borough-wide campaign. Councillor Mrs B A Hunwicks highlighted actions taken by the Council in response to the petition, such as improved dog waste facilities at Barton Close and the link path between Cavell Way and Florence Court, Knaphill.

It was noted that the Foul Play initiative would include increasing dog fouling signs and posters and ensuring ongoing awareness. The Executive was informed that a deep clean of Sussex Road, Knaphill would be programmed, and residents would be able to report any area in need of cleaning direct to Serco. The Executive thanked Dr Fuller for attending the meeting and raising the issue of dog fouling. The Executive agreed that Officers would work up in detail, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, a Borough-wide campaign placing great emphasis upon responsible dog ownership and encouraging increased and more detailed reporting of problems from residents so the Council’s available resources can be used to best effect. It was further agreed that a pilot of the Foul Play campaign would be run in Knaphill.”

Personally I don’t think the village can thank Dr Fuller enough for his efforts in tackling dog mess in the streets so a  heartfelt WELL DONE to him and his wife, Anna.

 

Something for the Summer?

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THE WEST END COMES TO WOKING!  If you are looking for something for the kids to do this Summer then look no further then our West End Musical Summer School this August 20th-24th at the Brookwood Memorial Halls, Woking, Surrey. Learn the moves and the songs from the top West End professionals taught by West End cast members.  Our Summer School is split into 2 groups: AGES 8-12 and 13-21.

AGED 8-14?
Join us for a fun packed 5 days in acting, singing and dance this Summer.
Taking influence from the top West End shows our aim is to have the children grow in confidence, creativity, and talent whilst having lots of fun.  Led by a West End Performer this is not to be missed!  Shows include The Sound Of Music, Shrek, Annie, Oliver, The Wizard Of Oz to name but a few, leading to a presentation on the last day.

 
20th-24th August 2012
10am – 4pm
Brookwood Memorial Halls, Connaught Road, Knaphill, Woking GU24 0AL

£125 Per Person.

This is an amazing chance to work with professionals and build on your talent, confidence, communication skills and creativity. You’ll leave feeling inspired!

Rachel Bingham is the CEO of West End On Demand. Rachel grew up in Woking, Surrey, where she performed in many shows at the Rhoda McGraw with groups such as Woking Youth Theatre and the Karen Clarke Theatre Company. After her studies at Winston Churchill and Woking College Rachel left Woking to train in London at the prestigious Mountview Academy Of Theatre Arts where she trained in Musical Theatre. Since graduating she has worked in many shows such as Les Miserables (West End,) Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena,) The Sound Of Music (West End,) ‘Acorn Antiques: The Musical’ (UK Tour) and Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas (BBC.)

 

Rachel says

“Our summer school is great for anyone who wants to improve their confidence, make some friends and develop their talent. Confidence building is a key element in my workshops, I think it is extremely important; even if a career in drama is not something that interests you having confidence and self belief will help you in all aspects of your life. We are accepting young adults aged between 14 and 21 with a range of experience, so it does not matter if you have never done it before. For those that already have a passion for drama, dance and singing this is an incredible opportunity to work with West End cast members on the top West End shows. You will learn the choreography, staging and songs straight from the West End stage and we will work on extracts from a different West End show each day, taught by West End cast members.

 There are talks every day where you can ask the professionals any questions about drama school, working in the West End, touring the Uk, and anything you want to know about the profession. On the last day there will be an opportunity to perform your own song for the West End Panel and get some feedback. This is optional, so don’t panic if you haven’t sung before, but it’s a great chance to try out a new song, or get some audition experience.
So if you would like to work on West End shows with West End cast members we would love you to join us this summer”
For more details see www.westendondemand.com