Useful Info

Residents are being warned to be vigilant not only over their own properties but for those of vulnerable neighbours too following a spike in distraction burglaries.

Since April there have been 24 cases reported across Surrey, where suspects have claimed to be from the council, or other manipulative stories, to gain access to properties.

Homeowners are advised to keep the door chained and not let strangers in, and always ask to see an identity card. If in doubt, or if concerned, call the police on 999.

A police surgery will take place at the Neighbourhood Police Office, Ashwood Road tomorrow (Friday, July 8) from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.

Concerned residents can meet their neighbourhood officers and raise any issues or concerns.

A five-day dance workshop takes place this month to mark the launch of new dance classes in the village.

Charters School of Dance is holding the workshop from July 25-29 for children aged five to 16 and of any ability. Cost for the course is £110 and it runs from 10am until 3pm each day in the Village Centre, Victoria Street.

The dance classes will launch at the same venue in September, with lessons in ballet and modern.

For more details contact Rachel Walsh on 07817 691660.

Plant exhibitors from the Chelsea and Hampton Court flower shows will be displaying during an rare plants fair on Saturday, May 7, from 10am until 5pm at the Savill Garden.

A variety of species, including delphinium, clematis, herbs and edible perennials will be on display as well as pots and other gardening equipment.

The fair is free to enter, parking charges apply. For more details visit: www.theroyallandscape.co.uk

A BODY was found in a burned out car at a business address in Egham Hythe.

Fire crews from Egham, Staines and Sunbury were called the Veolia Water site in The Causeway, at around 3.20pm on Sunday, January 9.

The body of a man, believed to be in his fifties, was found in the vehicle, but was pronounced dead at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

Detectives from Surrey Police are continuing to make enquiries into this incident but at this stage the fire is not being treated as suspicious and there is no suggestion of any third party involvement.

More news as we get it.

Residents have the chance to raise issues or concerns at a police surgery at at Virginia Water Library from 10.30am until 12noon on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.

The meetings will continue each month, attendded by officers from the local neighbourhood team.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our visitors on behalf of the Surrey Herald.

Wishing you all a safe, happy and enjoyable holidays.

And we look forward to welcoming you back in 2011.

A MAN who fell to his death on the M3 near Virginia Water on Wednesday had been a patient at the Abraham Cowley Mental Health Unit.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust runs the unit at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey.

A Spokesman for the trust confirmed to the Surrey Herald that the man had been in the unit before Wednesday.

A charity golf day will take place at Hoebridge Golf Centre, Woking, to raise funds for Home Start Runnymede, on Friday, October 15.

Tickets cost £35 per head, including breakfast, 18 holes, dinner and a raffle.

For more details, contact Bill McCoy on 07737 820748 or email: wtmcc@hotmail.com

The Virginia Water British Legion is launching an appeal for the public to help provide parcels to frontline troops in Afghanistan.

The legion has worked supporting the Windsor-based Houshold Cavalry for the past year, sending comfort parcels of food to the soldiers.

Now the legion, which has also been running fundraisers to raise money for the regiment's casualty fund, is asking for help with donations of food products, or to help pack the boxes.

For more information call Jim Thatcher on 07833 664749.