Mayor to Walk For The Surrey Hills

Published on: 7 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 9 Sep, 2016

Cllr Gordon Jackson – Mayor of Guildford

The Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, is to walk 15 miles along the North Downs Way to raise money for one his nominated charities the Surrey Hills Trust Fund and Surrey Cancer Research Institute.

Working in partnership with Surrey Hills Society, he and his wife, Sue will be taking a sponsored walk on Wednesday, October 5 across the breadth of Guildford Borough.

Society members, friends and supporters and members of the public are all being invited to join him for all or part of his route.

The route will start at The Sands Village Hall, with a lunch stop at St Catherine’s, Guildford. It will continue to the Silent Pool, Albury, where we will finish with afternoon tea at Albury Organic Vineyard.

The North Downs Way by Newlands Corner

Although about 15 miles in total, those wishing to join the mayor’s walk can book to join in for just morning or afternoon sessions – or simply join him for lunch or afternoon tea.

Those intending to walk are advised that the North Downs Way is hilly and has variable unmade surfaces. Organisers are warning that the walk is not suitable for: young children, those with hip or knee problems; and those unable to maintain a reasonable pace. But obedient dogs on leads can be taken.

Refreshments will be available at the start point and a good buffet lunch will also be provided. Since there are a range of options for you to select from for walk sections, catering and transport, the booking form is more complex than usual. Please read it carefully and tick the elements for which you wish to book.

Whether or not you are participating, you can sponsor the mayor via: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/gordonjackson1

For further details, enquiries and information on how to book a place as a walker please email: info@surreyhillssociety.org before September 24.

Responses to Mayor to Walk For The Surrey Hills

John Oliver Reply

September 17, 2016 at 10:51 am

What your readers may not be aware of is that the Mayor is a member of a little-known group called the Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum (SCREF). He is the leader of its ‘Visitor economy’ task group. One of the main functions of the task group is to support Surrey County Council’s so-called “improvement plans” for Newlands Corner – i.e. bring in excessive parking charges to pay for seven large artificial play structures and, in the longer term, help fund a large new building to house a new café, visitor centre and “retail space”.

Cllr Jackson attends this group in a private capacity. SCREF is not accountable to anyone and has no governance procedures. But it is pushing a lot of policy ideas for the Surrey countryside, one of which is to help rob Newlands Corner of its natural beauty and turn it into a pleasure park. Cllr Jackson remains quiet on why he supports this group and, very particularly, this policy towards Newlands Corner. On the other hand he is very willing to take the kudos for supporting the Surrey Hills Trust Fund.

Cllr Jackson said: In response to Mr Oliver’s email could I please direct your readers to the Rural Statement published by SCREF from which they will see that the Forum consists of a wide range of countryside bodies with an overall aim of preserving our beautiful Surrey Hiils and encouraging connection with the countryside.
Ben Paton Reply

September 18, 2016 at 12:59 pm

Readers should read the Rural Statement.

Its primary aim is to make rural Surrey more like urban Surrey.

It does this by claiming that rural Surrey is ‘disadvantaged’ by lack of facilities and proposing development as the justification for more ‘facilities’.

It is primarily about how to exploit the countryside for economic growth rather than about how to protect it and the rural activities which depend on it.

Like much government promoted propaganda it does not represent the wishes people who live in rural areas. It is another developer’s charter. Who voted for this quango? No one.