A RUGBY club wants to expand to cope with an increasing number of youngsters and women interested in the sport.

Reigate Rugby Football Club is seeking planning permission to build a new 67-space car park and training pitch, while also extending its clubhouse, bar and changing area, all located in Colley Lane.

A design statement by planners Veslar Town and Country Planning, submitted to the council, says the plan will "allow the rugby club to continue to develop and enable the youth of Reigate to participate in sport".

The Minis Rugby team, the club's junior wing which takes children between the ages of 5 and 12, has expanded dramatically to the point where there are now at least 145 children on the books.

This is placing too much pressure on the club's current training pitch and car parking facilities, members claim, and they say the proposed new facilities will help ease the strain.

Mike Jarvis, the club's president, said: "The club has expanded – we have 140 to 150 kids turning up on Sundays. The facilities were designed when the club was running two or three senior teams and it simply can't cope.

"On Sundays, if there's an away team coming to us, the cars will be parked on Colley Lane and that is clearly not good for the neighbours or for the club.

"We want to make it more comfortable for the people who are here and we want to provide really good facilities."

As it stands, more than 100 public comments have been sent to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council supporting the application, many from past players.

The club, founded in 1934, also currently only has changing facilities for men, and so is also seeking permission to expand its clubhouse to provide facilities for women and disabled people.

Mr Jarvis, who played for the club for 25 years, said he anticipated an increased interest in the sport over the new few years, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup being held in England.

He added: "And of course the ladies' rugby team just won the World Cup and Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. We are working with what's happening within the sport. We want more ladies to join the club and we want to keep building a youth side."

A decision will be made by the council's planning committee members next year.

Residents can comment on the plans until tomorrow (Friday) by going to tinyurl.com/puko66n

A POPULAR Reigate fun run which raises thousands of pounds for charity needs volunteers to survive.

Relay for Life, organised by Cancer Research UK, is urgently appealing for help so it can return to Priory Park next year.

July's relay involved 17 teams walking, jogging and sprinting for 24 hours, raising more than £100,000. A new regional committee hopes to raise even more next year but more helpers are needed to ensure it goes ahead.

Sheona Ranson, Reigate fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK, said: "We're keen to hear from anyone in Reigate and the surrounding area that would like to help get the event up and running for 2015."

If you feel you have the skills, experience and motivation to be part of the Relay For Life Reigate's organising committee, or would like to consider other fundraising roles, visit cruk.org/supportus and search "Reigate" for more details, or e-mail sheona.ranson@cancer.org.uk

PUPILS from a Banstead primary school turned into nature detectives for a day.

A Year 4 class from Warren Mead Junior School in Roundwood Way visited Sayers Croft, a wildlife learning centre in Ewhurst, to help develop their independence away from home.

While there, they took part in a nature detective hunt through the woodland and explored watery habitats through a pond-dipping experience.

Mr Beakhust, the trip leader, said: "This certainly deepened their appreciation of class-based studies, but most of all it was fun. The children took part in several team challenges where natural leaders took charge of the situation to solve problems and overcome obstacles as a group.

"This was only a small part of the fantastic experiences they enjoyed. They also developed their archery skills and faced their fears in the darkness of the caves."

UNLAWFUL building work has been carried out in Reigate's historic Bell Street.

A locally listed building, once the home of Italian restaurant La Lanterna, has "ceased to exist" after being subjected to major renovation work for most of the year.

Former owner Tony Marcazzo had approval to build a ground-floor extension at the back, and alter the first-floor flat to provide two two-bedroom apartments.

But Reigate and Banstead Borough Council asked for work to be stopped after the building was "substantially demolished without permission".

The three-storey detached building has now changed hands, and new owners, developers Buxton Homes, want to carry on the reconstruction.

But Bell Street resident John Maillie, who has lived next door to the restaurant for 12 years, said the site is "a wreck".

The unauthorised works have resulted in the building being attached to Mr Maillie's Grade II- listed property.

The 53-year-old businessman told the Mirror: "It's really got to the stage where something has to be done.

"I have been living on a building site since January. Everybody hates this scaffolding."

Mr Marcazzo was first granted permission for the renovations in 2010, renewed in 2013.

However, Mr Marcazzo voluntarily stopped construction work after the council raised concerns.

In August, the building was sold to developers Buxton for £500,000. The firm has now asked the council for permission to complete the build.

In recommending Buxton's application for refusal, council conservation officer John McInally stated: "The building was locally listed but was substantially demolished without permission."

Mr McInally added that the proposed building's appearance would be "harmful" to the street scene and its "out of scale" and "awkward" features would make it lack the "symmetry and balance that would be expected of a building in a Conservation Area".

Mr McInally also confirmed Mr Maillie's claims that the building work has resulted in damp issues in his home.

Kelvin Hinton, the council's development quality manager, said: "The works carried out by the previous owner of La Lanterna were not in line with the approved planning permission, and so were unauthorised.

"In response to the unauthorised works, the developer voluntarily ceased works on site.

"As such, no formal planning enforcement action was needed at that time. The new owner has since made a planning application for a single-storey rear extension and alterations to the building to accommodate flats, which we are considering at the moment."

The council will decide whether to grant permission by December 24.

The Mirror understands Mr Marcazzo is planning to reopen the restaurant.

POLICE would like to speak to the people in these pictures in relation to crimes in the county. If you are the person pictured, or you recognise anyone photographed, please call officers on 101 quoting the reference number.

A VITAL bird nesting site could be lost at Oxted Sandpit.

A plan to infill the site in Barrow Green Road has been lodged with Surrey County Council by landowners Killoughery Waste Management.

But Brian Thomas, from East Surrey RSPB, said: "If this is granted consent, a very rare local breeding sand martins colony will be lost.

"It would not be difficult to negotiate an agreement whereby the sand cliff is not destroyed and a reasonable area to the north is preserved, since this has provided much needed local bio-diversity, attracting waders and breeding lapwings.

Mr Thomas said development, land drainage and intensive agricultural practices had diminished suitable nesting habitats.

He hopes the council will compile an environmental impact assessment before taking the issue any further.

The plan is expected to be discussed by the county council's planning and regulatory committee at its January 7 meeting.

A WOMAN has been charged with arson, being reckless to endanger life, following a fire in Horley.

The blaze in a the SDG post office and off-licence in Meath Green Lane at around 11.20pm on August 20 caused around £25,000 worth of damage.

Witnesses at the time suggested fireworks had been ignited after two store buildings caught fire.

Last Wednesday (December 17), Catherine Mary Webb, 41, of Grove Road in Horley, was charged with arson being reckless to endanger life.

She has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Redhill Magistrates Court January 19..

A MAN has been arrested following the theft of around £10,000 from a shop safe in Epsom.

Officers were called to Poundland on the High Street on Sunday morning following reports of a burglary at the location. The money was soon discovered to be missing.

A number of enquiries were carried out which lead to the arrest of a man in his 40s later the same day. He has been released on police bail until Friday, 27 February, 2015, while the investigation continues.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steven Cassidy, said: "I hope the quick arrest of a man demonstrated our commitment to pursue those we suspect to be involved in crime."

Anyone with information on this offence, which is believed to have taken place between 5.30 and 6am, is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45140107682. Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

VOLUNTEERS at a Redhill cafe are encouraging more people from the community to help keep the facility open for longer.

The Retreat in Ladbroke Road, in the courtyard of St Joseph's Parish Centre, is a not-for-profit hub offering drinks, food and company for parishioners and non-parishioners.

Volunteer James Walsh said: "The idea of the parish is to have a community but to extend that to others so they can meet other residents in the area.

"We serve wonderful food in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere at very reasonable prices."

Parishioner Nicki Murrill said: "If you're working you'll be served very quickly. It's peaceful and safe for lone workers."

Fellow parishioner Maria Plummer added: "It's a lovely atmosphere here, with lovely people and good conversation."

Father Chris Spain, moderator at the Parish of the Nativity of the Lord, said: "Sometimes I need to escape the frantic pace of the presbytery and just have five minutes with a coffee and some general light chat.

"No one is ever alone and the caring volunteers always provide a welcome and hospitality that reflects our ethos."

The cafe also hosts the St Joseph's Parent and Toddler Group, run by Sarah Duncan, on Monday mornings from 9.45 to 11.30 during term time.

She said: "It's really welcoming and friendly with fantastic facilities."

The Retreat is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 1.30pm and from 10am until 12.30pm on Sundays.

Anyone interested in volunteering should e-mail pnlcentre.stj@gmail.com

A BIKE shop owner with the Midas touch has created a bicycle worth more than a new Ferrari.

Everyone wants a bit of bling for Christmas, and Ross Mutrie, owner of Ross Cycle in Caterham, got his hands on more than a jewellery shop's worth.

The Redhill resident joined forces with London-based gold-plating specialists Goldgenie who asked him if it was possible to embellish a bike in 24-carat gold – and still be able to ride it.

With two decades of experience working with bikes, Mr Mutrie, of Reeds Meadow, was up for the challenge.

The 35-year-old told the Mirror: "We did the job but a lot of shops wouldn't take it on. We took a bit of a risk."

The work, carried out at Mr Mutrie's Bromley shop, Giant Bicycles, began with choosing a suitable bike, before taking it apart down to every single component including the cogs, chain and gear mechanism.

Mr Mutrie said: "We had to pick a bike which was metal and not carbon fibre which is not any good for gold plating at all.

"I did think it would work but there were question marks over some components.

"We stripped the bike down to small pieces and sent the parts off to the gold platers."

Once all 161 parts came back coated in gold, shop manager Cedric Crooks and mechanic Robert Bryans spent a week carefully putting it back together.

"It was quite painstaking work," Mr Mutrie said. "The gold would scratch really easily.

"It's not just a case of bashing it back together. They had to wear microfibre gloves, it was really intricate work. They had to make sure the gold didn't touch any other metal surfaces because it would leave a scratch or blemish.

"We weren't going to gold plate the spokes. When you reinsert them, they could scrape against the small holes in the wheel.

"We were a bit dubious about that but the guys rebuilt the wheels with no scratching at all."

Mr Mutrie added: "I'm extremely pleased with the way it came out. It might not be to everyone's taste but you don't see a gold bike everyday."

Goldgenie, who customise gadgets such as iPhones, are now selling the bling-bling bike for a quarter of a million pounds.

And while you would think a buyer would want to protect it behind a bullet-proof glass case, company director Frank Fernando insists it should be ridden.

"This men's bike is not only a work of art to admire, but also to enjoy riding if you dare and are brave enough to face the stares of astonishment," he said.

AFTER more than a year of uncertainty, a Horley school has recruited a new lollipop lady.

Horley Infant School, in Lumley Road, has not had anybody in the position for more than 18 months, since the previous occupant vacated it in February last year. Since then, staff at the school have been desperate to fill the role but have struggled because of a lack of applicants.

Now parent Isobel Martin, whose five-year-old son Leo goes to the school, has stepped in to fill the gap and started shepherding pupils across the road on Mondays.

Mrs Martin, of Langshott, told the Mirror: "It's been wonderful to see the kids' faces and they have been thrilled to bits."

Sue Palmer, administrative assistant, said it was frustrating for the school to have to wait so long for a replacement because of the busy nature of Lumley Road during pick-up times.

She said: "We have also got zig-zag lines outside the school, so parents are not allowed to park on them, but because there's no one here they just do because they can get away with it.

"Having Isobel here will make a big difference, it's for the children's safety really. She is lovely and I think she will make a good school crossing patrol."

Mrs Martin's first day on duty did involve several arguments with motorists who were suddenly unable to park in the same places as before.

Mrs Martin, 40, said: "The basic point of the position is to see the children safely across the road.

"It can be scary because some people can get quite aggressive and some people do not stop for you. It can get a bit hairy out there."

Mrs Martin will now be outside the school from 8.30 to 9.15am and 3.15 to 3.30pm.

DOZENS of Caterham residents were joined by East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah to discuss local over-development.

It followed a planning inspector's approval earlier this month for a development in Whyteleafe Road for a house and three gardens to be converted into 13 homes.

Mr Gyimah said: "This was a disappointing result, but I will continue to fully support residents in their fight against further developments that would threaten the green belt and the character of our area.

"No-one can deny that we need new houses but developments must take account of the pressure placed on local infrastructure including roads, schools and hospitals."

Clive Manley from the 350-strong Portley Residents' Alliance, which takes in Whyteleafe Road, said: "Over the last 20 years, Caterham-on-the-Hill has seen a 34 per cent increase in the number of houses, with the construction of large new developments and a host of infills.

"Residents rightly feel that they have taken more than their fair share."

TADWORTH Post Office will undergo a refurbishment in the new year and have longer hours when it reopens

The store will close from 1pm on Saturday, January 3 for four days.

It will open again on Wednesday, January 7, and from then on provide Post Office services seven days a week.

Its opening hours will be extended by 57 hours and 30 minutes a week to offer services such as bill payment, banking, benefits and travel money.

There will also be a new layout with three serving counters.

During the refurbishment, Tadworth residents can use post offices in Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood, and in Banstead High Street.

Keith Long, Post Office area manager, said: "We know how important Post Office services are to residents in Tadworth.

We are confident this vibrant modern Post Office, at the heart of the community, will be popular.

"The modernisation is part of a major Government investment programme that is enabling us to continue investing in the Post Office network and to map out a bold growth strategy to the end of the decade."

PUPILS at the Royal Alexandra and Albert Junior School held an alternative to the Nativity.

Instead of the traditional production, children put together a play on the theme of "what Christmas means to me".

Instead of cattle lowing and the baby Jesus, children acted out Christmas shopping scenes, the Christmas day family lunch, and pretended to be grandparents playing on games consoles.

Head of the junior school Dr Ines Salman said despite stepping away from the true meaning of Christmas, the play still highlighted the importance of spending the season with family.

"It was very pleasing to see so many pupils enjoying playing their parts.

"The children have worked very hard under the direction of Year 6 teacher James Leoffeler and their efforts made for an entertaining play that was enjoyed by all who attended.

"The choir, led by director of music Alison Butler, was a special treat.

"I want to extend my thanks to Miss Butler and every member of staff who helped the children make the play a real success."

Two people have been charged in connection with a pair of burglaries in Redhill.

The first alleged offence was on December 8 at a house in North Street. A second was reported on Saturday (December 20) in Victoria Road, Earlswood.

Four laptops, an iPad, a 42-inch TV, a mobile phone and seven bottles of whisky were stolen in the second break-in.

On Sunday (December 21), Brian Connolly, 18, of Heather Walk, Smallfield, and Chloe Ibbott, 18, of St Andrews Road, Coulsdon, were charged with two counts of burglary.

They appeared at Redhill Magistrates' Court on Monday. (December 22) Connolly was remanded in custody until January 8 and Ibbott was released on conditional bail while investigations continue.

SIX people, including four men and two boys, have been charged with 29 offences including sexual assault, rape and attempted rape, following a five-day attack on a woman in her 20s at a house in Redhill.

The offences all occurred over a five day period in October.

The men, aged between 19 and 26-years-old, and two 17-year-old boys, all from Surrey and Sussex, were all charged with various offences on December 16.

They are due to appear at Redhill Magistrates Court on January 19, 2015.

A man in his 20s from Surrey was also charged with four counts of rape and two sexual assaults on October 29 and is due before Guildford Crown Court on January 23.

A man in his 30s from Surrey has also been reported for the offence of rape.

Detective Inspector Sailesh Limbachia, said: "Surrey Police encourages all victims of sexual assault and abuse to come forward and speak with specialist officers and staff so that we can fully investigate the offences and do all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

The names of those charged have not been released by Surrey Police