Page 30 - Oxted Local August 2025

30 August 2025
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Oxted Local 
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Dr Richard Cockerill RIP
~ A Tribute
Hurst Green was saddened to learn of the
death of Dr Richard Cockerill on May 21st,
a hardworking GP who served this area for
many years. He was a pillar of the community,
highly respected and greatly admired, and is
remembered as a kindly, courteous, modest,
gentle man, and a devoted family man. At
his request, there was no funeral, and he
wanted no fuss. But the passing of a man
of such stature, who was loved by all, and
who bestowed so many blessings on our
community, should not go unnoticed or
unacknowledged.
Shortly after he retired, Dr Cockerill told me
that the worst thing about his new life was
that he no longer met people every day,
and he missed this more than anything else.
He was truly a person of the people, and he
epitomised the motto of his Guy’s alma mater:
Dare quam accipere - it is better to give than
to receive. In all that he did and all that he
was, he gave generously - of his time, of his
professional expertise and his love, not only in
tending and treating the sick with compassion,
but also by enriching people’s lives with his
wisdom, warmth and genuine concern for their
wellbeing.
Many years ago, he gave a talk in St Agatha’s
Hall. To a packed audience he recounted
his reminiscences of the changes in local
primary health care provision during his time
in practice. First, he had held surgeries in his
house in Greenhurst Lane. Then they were
stopped. He held antenatal clinics in the
Coldshott flats. They were stopped. Mother
and baby clinics took place in Aggies. They
were stopped. Everything moved to the Health
Centre in Oxted, where, as time went on, he was
forced to spend less and less time with patients,
and more and more time on paperwork. ‘Such
is progress’, he said, with a wry smile!
Rest in peace, dear Doctor, your work is done.
Thank you for everything. You were the very
best of the best.
By Mary Seller
Local walking – more fun in a group
Walking is not just about covering the miles, you
learn a lot along the way. Our walking group, East
Surrey Walkers, recently held a ‘literati’ walk, this walk
specifically around Limpsfield Chart. Members of the
Fabian Society were attracted to the area with the coming
of the railway at the end of the 19th century. Three
families of note settled in Limpsfield Chart, the Garnett
family, Olivier family and the Pease family. They in turn
attracted many famous authors to visit, including Joseph
Conrad, D H Lawrence, George Bernard Shaw, H G Wells
and Ford Madox Hueffer among others. Marjory Pease
persuaded the local council to build one of the first social
council house developments in Ridlands Lane, Limpsfield
Chart. Constance Garnett translated many Russian novels
into English and several Russian refugees settled in local
cottages. It is said that the Russian exile in E Nesbit’s
book The Railway Children was modelled on one of the
Limpsfield Russian exiles.
So why not come and join the East Surrey Walkers on
a walk and see what you can learn along the way. You
will definitely meet a friendly bunch of people who will
be happy to share their knowledge with you. Go to our
website www.eastsurreywalkers.org.uk and find a walk
near you. All welcome.
News from The Lions
The Lions started their new year with a new President,
Lion Rita Reissland who took on the mantle at a
delightful Afternoon Tea in the garden of Lion John and
Paula Quincey. The Tea was attended by 25 Lions and
spouses and outgoing President Tony Gordon presented
the President’s Lighthearted Awards of the Wooden
Spoon to Lion Iain Pavely for his skilful mixing of words
for the Minutes and the Brick was awarded to Lion Peter
Drysdale for being a founder Member and supporter of
the Club for over 40 years.
As usual, COG Lions will be working at Godstone’s August
Bank Holiday Fete, but in quite a reduced capacity
compared with former years. Infirmity, relocation or just
plain old ‘anno domini’ has taken its toll of the Club over
recent years and it was decided that it would not be
possible to man our customary big stall selling burgers,
hot dogs etc. This year we will be providing candyfloss,
popcorn and hot and cold drinks. (Cash only, please –
card machines don’t work too well in the middle of The
Green!)