A reminder, an update and some shocking news in our June newsletter
Jun 11, 2026
1. The Reminder:
Jonathan Porritt is coming to Dorking. Book your tickets now before they sell out.
Fulll price £10 with a limited number of £5 concessions and free tickets.
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Hear famous writer, speaker and activist JONATHON PORRITT ‘CLIMATE, DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE: Making the Connections’
Crossways Baptist Church, Junction Rd, Dorking RH4 3HB FRIDAY JUNE 26th: 7.30 – 9.30 Tickets: £10 or a limited number of £5 / free Select tickets – Jonathon Porritt speaking on ‘Climate, Democracy and Justice’ – Crossways Baptist Church, Junction Rd, Dorking
Book signing of his latest book: ‘Love, Anger and Betrayal’ : ‘Deeply uncomfortable but overwhelmingly necessary’ – Caroline Lucas.
Check his blog: My Blog – Jonathon Porritt
2. The update: Walk around Gatwick
On a chilly, rainy day, 77 year old Pat and Jonathan Essex walked 16 miles around Gatwick Airport to raise funds for the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign’s legal fund.
The appeal decision about the expansion was meant to be given on 24th April: we’re still waiting.
She writes: It was a long 16 mile trek, full of contrasts. At times Jonathan and I were buffeted by biting winds and soaked by rain; other times we rejoiced as the sky turned blue.
Stark differences appeared on the day; within 5 minutes of the start near Gatwick’s South Terminal we walked through serene woodlands, filming swifts darting and swooping over water as they searched for insects. Following the River Mole was beautiful – despite occasional huge puddles – with leafy trees and verdant vegetation.
A highlight was when a fledgeling blue-tit landed on my arm and rested there for a minute then flew into the bushes.
At other times we passed acres of car-parks with aircraft flying low over them, grey concrete buildings and treeless developments. We stood under the take-off path soaked by driving wind and heavy rain, shuddering at the noise.
But worst for me was the final part of the walk, through an ordinary housing estate in Horley where aircraft noise constantly rumbled.
I smelt the intense pollution that’s brought from the airport by the prevailing wind. This area has the highest recorded pollution level in the county and often breaches legal limits.
It stuck in the back of my throat and my chest tightened.
Families have to breathe in these fumes day after day.
What does this do to their health?
Right now Gatwick handles around 700 flights per day, which could increase to over 950 if the appeal against expansion is rejected.
Please contribute and share our link amongst your friends. We’re closing the appeal on 30th June, so there’s still time. Fundraiser for Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign by Pat Smith : Gatwick’s Big Enough!
Thank you.
3. The shocking surprise
Two days ago UKOG (United Kingdom Oil and Gas) submitted a new application to drill 4 wells at Horse Hill.
This is despite the Finch vs Surrey County Council ruling in June 20, 2024, when the UK Supreme Court ruled that Surrey County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for oil extraction was unlawful as they’d failed to assess downstream greenhouse gas emissions.
They want to drill 6 wells for 25 years.
We’ll keep you informed.
Finally, some words from Max Ehrmann’s inspiring prose poem ‘Desiderata’:
‘You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.’
