An ancient burial ground in the heart of Ewell village could receive a makeover funded by shopping bag charges.
Tesco stores in Leatherhead, Ashtead, Banstead, Epsom and Ewell are hosting a poll for various community improvement projects, including one at The Grove in Ewell High Street, as part of its Bags of Help scheme.
The supermarket giant diverts funds raised by its 5p carrier bag charge toward local causes.
Ewell traders, Ewell Residents’ Association, Ewell Grove School and the town centres manager for Epsom, Ewell, Stoneleigh are urging residents to cast their vote for the project.
Pic credit: Google Maps
The potential improvements would see a re-design of the entrance to The Grove, which is situated between café All Things Nice and the Country Clothing Store, as well as the replacement of the tired broken phone box there with a traditional red one which would be used as a small children’s library.
Children’s books would be available from the phone box through a swap system similar to those found at train stations.
It is up against other community projects for a pong for Priest’s Hill in Egham and an outdoor performance space for the Therfield School in Leatherhead.
Alanna Coombes, town centres manage for Epsom, Ewell, Stoneleigh, (pictured above casting her vote) said: “The Grove is a pocket of peace in the heart of the village, the walkway to the school and a pleasant cut through to the shops.
“It’s vital to the village and yet its entrance doesn’t do it justice.
“We want to smarten it up and crucially replace the broken, ugly phone box with a traditional red phone box used as a micro children’s library.”
The Grove was a Saxon burial ground. The site would have been chosen as a burial ground because it would have been easier to dig through the sandy earth there, according to David Brooks, museum assistant at Bourne Hall.
Nicci Potts, co-owner of local business, All Things Nice - who would look after the library if the vote goes Ewell’s way – urged residents to back plans for The Grove.
She said: “The need for change – especially of the horrible phone box – is ringing bells with lots of businesses and residents in the village. The children are really keen on the idea of the micro library which we think could be a real asset to the village.”
Voting runs until November 13 at the following Tesco stores: Leatherhead superstore, Ruxley Lane, Epsom train station, Ewell petrol station, Horton Express, Banstead Express and Craddocks Parade, Ashtead.
Got a story? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here