JULY

A competition to choose a sculpture to commemorate the Suffragettes on the centenary of the death of Emily Davison at Epsom Downs racecourse ran into controversy after it emerged that the judging committee had selected the design which garnered the least public votes when they went on show at the Ebbisham Centre.

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Thousands of people signed a petition opposing Mole Valley District Council’s plans to turn Barnett Wood Lane Allotments near the Leatherhead bypass into a huge housing development. After a protracted battle by the allotment holders, supported by green belt protesters, the council announced a plan in August for Barratt Homes to build 500 homes on 32 acres, part-owned by an Oxford College.

Drawings of Doodle Bugs - German V1 flying bombs – done by children inside an air raid shelter at West Ewell Infants School in Ruxley Lane during World War Two are to be removed before the shelter is demolished and preserved at Bourne Hall.

AUGUST

A speeding 4x4 went out of control and demolished part of a house in Higher Drive, Banstead. Two young men in the car were injured but the house owner, Angela Veglio, said it was amazing no one was killed and thanked her guardian angel that she was upstairs at the time.

Blacks Burgers, the restaurant chain credited with creating Europe’s biggest burger, the Beast, opened a branch in Epsom. The burger includes 6lb 10oz of beef and no fewer than nine slices of cheese and a similar number of bacon rashers.

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Award-winning NHS healthcare provider Edics, which was set up by local doctors, was forced into administration by the newly formed Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group after it decided not to renew its contract to run clinics across the area. 

SEPTEMBER

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A millionaire who mooned in frustration during a bitter six-year neighbour dispute over a line of trees captured the public attention this month. The incident took place in posh Kingswood following a series of incidents including the chopping down of some of the trees, a fire and a smashed greenhouse.

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Alien believer Liam Speirs from Tadworth organised an out-of-this world wedding for his bride, Lynn at a deserted airfield with an alien head wedding cake.  After it was shown on the TV programme, Don’t Tell the Bride, Mrs Speirs said: “I am pleased everyone has seen how crazy my husband is. He is lovely.”

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An expectant mother gave birth in the car park at Epsom Hospital. But thanks to the speedy support from passersby and nursing staff, paramedic Helen Pierce, who was eight days overdue, gave birth safely to 8lb 4oz Emily.