Places of Interest
It always seems to amaze me how buildings can go up and down so fast in the ever changing Redhill skyline. New buildings are always springing up, old buildings being pulled down such as the East Surrey Water Company building and its amazing Victorian ivy, alas now gone forever replaced with a lifeless, futuristic building in the 70's kind of building in its place. Looking out to the south of the town used to have a kind of ‘Beirut’ air about it. The Brabazon building pictured below was in a state of disrepair for goodness knows how long, but now, halleluia, has been demolished with a new set of office blocks with 'Red' in the title, hurrah for Redhill! The Civil Aviation Authority used to have their library and resources office here until 1988 with the building being named after John Moore-Brabazon 'Lord Brabazon of Tara', who flew his plane 'Voisin' on the first ever British Flight in history in 1909. He championed the Brabazon Committee dedicated to promoting British aviation after World War Two. The new Red Central building is meant to be a state of the art office complex with the bottom level containing more shops. 'Red Central' the new name instead of 'eyesore'.

Old		New - 2004

Another building that stands out is the aptly named ‘The Grey Flying Manhood ’ Westgate building in Station Road pictured below painted in attractive submarine grey. The architect must have had a sense of humour. When you stand to the side and view it, the building looks like, well you get the idea.

I’ve always been perplexed of the boarded up Bridgitte’s Hair Salon building near the White Lion pub. Just how long has that been standing there as an eyesore, about 25 years? And who owns it? Who’s Brigitte? Any clues?

The old Market Hall, demolished in 1982 to make way for the Warwick Quadrant holds a lot of memories for many people. It was used as a post office, library, police and fire brigade offices, theatre and a dance hall amongst other things. The Warwick Quadrant in it's place now contains excellent facilities for the residents of the Borough. The library is extensive and the Harlequin Theatre, which some would say is Redhills’ jewel in its crown, hosting varied events. The Harlequin also contains a cinema showing mainstream films.

Wray Common has a now disused windmill (technically in Reigate as it has a RH2 postcode) built in 1824 without any sails, probably knicked (see below). The windmill ceased working in 1895. The windmill is now under new ownership and is currently being renovated. If grants go well then the sails (sweeps) will be put up, hurrah!! Then everyone in Redhill and Reigate will be happy. If you know anyone involved with grants and getting permission than encourage them to say yes! Another windmill in the area can be found on Reigate Heath used as a small church (with sails).

Renovation 2004	The brake wheel at the top of the windmill (Thanks to David Tate)

Wray Common Windmill

Contribution from one of our visitors: Feeling a bit nostalgic, I decided to try to find out what had happened to Wray Common Windmill, where my one-time boss John Skinner used to live. I was surprised to find (on visiting your website) that you thought the sails had been nicked. Not so. One day, after very bad weather, John found one of the sails had collapsed. Redhill/Reigate Council said he had to repair it. He said - you want it repaired - you pay for it. As a house, he was quite happy with it, with or without sails. Result - stalemate. I think the other sails later became unsafe and were also removed. This makes John sound unpleasant. he certainly wasn't, but he was eccentric and he could be very bolshie. On one occasion he had to fill in a form which requested his occupation. Although highly qualified (he was an actuary) he wrote "gentleman" in the relevant space. He was an absolutely wonderful man to work for and his staff all adored him even if he didn't suffer fools gladly. And his windmill home was wonderful too. He died some years ago, but I for one will never forget him. Anyway, I thought you'd like to know about the windmill. Kirsten Elliott

Shaws Corner War memorial is a nice feature and joins the two towns together. Set near the United Reformed Church, the area used to have a shop and a Smithy owned by a dodgy geezer called Simon the Smithy in centuries gone by. Oh I forgot, this isn’t the Reigate and Redhill history section.

Shaws Corner

oOo

Long live Redhill, with its rudeboys meeting in their Novas in Halfords car park and smelly smoking teenagers with nothing to do except hang around McDonalds on a Friday night. The cheap night out at the Sun, the long but rewarding trek to Redhill Kebab shop on a Friday/Saturday to forget the night out at Liquid nightclub.

I wouldn't swap my Redhill life or my drinking buddies for the world.

Check out and purchase framed photograph prints
of Reigate and Redhill from the Frith Collection :