Editor Emily's hello: Surrey Downs Magazine, November 2016

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Editor Emily's hello – Surrey Downs Magazine, November 2016

November is a time for the remembrance of things past: of battles recent and long ago, and of those who fought and fell. With Headley Court, the rehabilitation centre for HM’s Armed Forces, on our patch, it’s great to see the growing recognition of the long-term struggles of many ex-Service personnel.

Nor are the wounds purely physical. How many of you have had a go at the ‘22 Press-Up Challenge’ which has gone viral on our screens? Its premise is simple: 22 press-ups for 22 days to represent the 22 US veterans who, on average, commit suicide every day. With David Beckham, Guy Ritchie and Headley Court residents all posting clips of themselves taking part, it was great to learn that Combat Stress – the charity behind the initiative – is based in Leatherhead. 

Also involved is ex-Marine medic turned People’s Strictly winner Cassidy Little, who lost a leg in Afghanistan in 2011.

“When I hear these suicide statistics, it breaks my heart, especially since that figure doesn’t even include vets from Canada and the UK,” he said recently. 

After taking drama therapy at Headley Court, Cassidy starred in The Two Worlds of Charlie F – a play we reviewed back in May 2014 when it came to Surrey. 

“I’ve lost two guys in recent months to suicide. Both were suffering with PTSD. To ignore it is just criminal,” he said. 

So, pop on your poppy and get to those press-ups. 

Finally, this is my last issue as Editor. Thank you for reading over the past three years and please welcome my successor, Jane McGowan. 

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REMEMBRANCE MONTH: PIONEERING PLASTICS

In keeping with the theme, I met one of the so-called Guinea Pigs of East Grinstead on the 75th anniversary of the founding of their club at the Queen Victoria Hospital in the West Sussex town. I am not talking about the domesticated pet animal, but RAF aircrew tragically disfigured during WWII. 

Thanks to the pioneering Sir Archibald McIndoe, who worked at the hospital as a consultant plastic surgeon to the RAF, the wounded men banded together to find hope and healing by volunteering as ‘guinea pigs’ for his experimental new methods.

Another story to command respect for, and gratitude to, those who put their lives on the line for their country (read it here).

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DEEPDENE DELIGHTS

The eagerly anticipated Deepdene Trail is open, officially launched by Downton Abbey creator Lord Julian Fellowes in September.

Beginning in Dorking town, the trail takes in Glory Woods, Deepdene Terrace and surviving parts of Deepdene Gardens en route to Betchworth Park, covering land once occupied by the Deepdene Estate of Thomas Hope: the Regency collector, architect and general arbiter of good taste who gave the world the phrase ‘interior design’. 

Deepdene House, Hope’s elegant mansion, was demolished in the late 1960s, but his austere mausoleum still stands as the centrepiece of the seven-mile walk. 

Book a guided walk (£4 pp), contact Dorking Museum (01306 876 591); @DeepdeneTrail

READ ON... Deepdene: Rise and Fall of the House of Hope, by Daisy Dunn, is online at standpointmag.co.uk or read it here