Addlestone Historical Society is putting on an illustrated talk about the history of West End village on Tuesday April 6.

The talk will be presented by Richard Devonshire at Addlestone Community Centre in Garfield Road, at 8pm.

For more information call secretary Pat Brown on 01932 848 431.

A group of pensioners have been cooking up a storm with free cookery classes at a Chertsey day centre.

The men have been learning cooking skills as well as how to live a healthy lifestyle, at the Orchard Social Centre for Older People in Chertsey.

The classes are part of a Runnymede Council scheme, in conjunction with Age Concern Runnymede, called 'Fit as a Fiddle.'

Andy Cryer, head of community services at the council, said: "This is more of a whole lifestyle approach than a focus on food in a TV chef sort of way."

The scheme covers a number of topics for men aged between 65 and 85, including healthy eating, food safety, shopping economically and preventing dehydration.

A qualified instructor teaches the men in eight weekly sessions, and the Orchard Centre is already planning a men only exercise class to follow on from these classes.

For more information about the centre and the classes, contact the manager, Sylvia Barrowcliffe on 01932 565 189.

The Grand Opening of The Biz an all inclusive non-contact box fit club will be held on Saturday 27 March at the Runnymede Centre on Chertsey Road.

Parents and kids can watch demonstrations and get more information on how to join.
Doors will open at 1pm.

This is a free event.

To find out more see: www.boxinginclusionzone.com.

Runnymede Association of Arts is holding its AGM on Thursday April 29 in Chertsey.

The meeting will be at Chertsey Hall in Heriot Road at 8pm.

It will give members a chance to hear what is coming up for the association and also to meet other members.

An Addlestone pensioner found herself up in court charged with false benefit claims.

Helena Heron, 66, of Sayes Court, admitted four counts of failing to disclose a private pension when claiming council tax benefit, when she appeared at Woking Magistrates Court on February 26.

She first failed to disclose the pension in a claim for council tax benefit in January 2005, and again in a review form she completed in November 2008.

In total, she was overpaid by £5,358.

Heron was sentenced to a conditional discharge, effective for 12 months, and ordered to repay the £5,358 as well as £150 costs.

Weather enthusiast Ian Currie will be giving a talk at Abbey Moor Golf Club on Tuesday starting at 7pm.

This free event is organised by Chertsey Rotary Club.

Guests are welcome.

Runnymede Council is withdrawing from the national Green Flag scheme, which rewards good quality green spaces.

The borough has previously won awards for its parks including Ottershaw Memorial Field and Victory Park in Addlestone, but blames a change in the application process for it having to pull out of this year's scheme.

But officers at the council say that standards at the borough's parks will not slip, despite them no longer being in the running for an award.

In a report to councillors, a spokesman said: "The rules concerning the application process changed and officers were unable to meet the deadline to submit a management plan for Heathervale Recreation Ground, the third park to be added to the scheme.

"The cost of maintaining the Green Flag status for the two parks that have it now and entering a third park is prohibitive in the current financial climate (£8-14,000 per year) and means resources are not available for more needy sites.

"Therefore, it is an opportune moment to withdraw from the Green Flag scheme in 2010 and consider alternative and perhaps more appropriate quality assessment tools."

A have a go day in conjunction with Surrey Youth Games is being held at Addlestone Leisure Centre in School Lane on Saturday March 27.

The event for seven to 15 year-olds, will run from 12-4pm and is free to take part in.

For more information call Kate Carey on 01932 425 683 or email kate.carey@runnymede.gov.uk.

Chertsey Camera Club is holding its monthly meeting on Thursday March 18 at 8pm.

The meeting will be at Addlestone Community Centre in Garfield Road, Addlestone, and all are welcome.

Entry is free, and for more information, contact John Cox on 01344 842 279.

Balloon modeller Mike Belgrave will be entertaining under fives and their parents with songs, music, magic and lots of balloon fun on Friday March 26 at Addlestone Library.

Addlestone Library is located in the Civic Centre in Station Road.

£2 per child.