Surrey weekly round-up: 20 April - 26 April 2024

PA Media  Camilla Bowry holds her OBE for services to young people, education and the environmentPA Media
Camilla Bowry's charity distributes second-hand footwear to families in need

The story about a founder of a shoe donation charity getting an OBE proved a popular read this week.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Surrey and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Four protesters arrested at BP conference

Getty Images BP signageGetty Images
Four people were arrested at the AGM of UK oil giant BP

Four protesters have been arrested at the annual general meeting of UK oil giant BP.

Police said a group attempted to enter the auditorium of the International Centre for Business and Technology building in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

During a routine search carried out by BP security staff as the four people tried to enter the meeting, a red liquid was thrown, said police.

Det Ch Supt Juliet Parker said: “Where lawful, we will seek to facilitate peaceful protests, but any violence and risk to public safety will not be tolerated.”

Read more here

Guildford pub bomb police accused of running down the clock

Getty Images Guildford pub bomb Getty Images
Home Secretary Roy Jenkins and Commander Bob Huntley of the Scotland Yard bomb squad went to the site of the explosion at the Horse and Groom pub

Police who have fresh evidence on a 1974 IRA bombing have been accused of "running down the clock" as a new bill looms which will shield perpetrators.

Families of victims of the Guildford pub attack have been told Surrey Police "identified a potential forensic line".

However, lawyers say police will not launch an inquiry before the Northern Ireland Legacy Act comes in on May 1.

Surrey Police said officers had visited the families of the victims and clearly set out the force's position.

Read more here

Concern over experiments near home of boy who died

istock Zane Gbangbolaistock
Zane Gbangbola died at the age of seven during floods in Chertsey in 2014

Archives show a landfill experiment took place in the 1960s near the home of a seven-year-old boy who died in 2014 amid claims that he was poisoned.

Zane Gbangbola's parents say he was killed by toxic gas from the dump after the River Thames burst its banks.

However, a coroner ruled that he died from carbon monoxide from a petrol-powered pump used to clear flood water.

Zane's father said he had previously called for tests on the land to ascertain what materials went in it.

Read more here

Family pay tribute to woman found dead at hotel

Surrey Police Samantha MickleburghSurrey Police
Samantha Mickleburgh was found dead at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot

The family of a woman found dead at a luxury hotel in Surrey said she lit up "any room she entered with her vivacious personality and endearing smile" as a man accused of her murder appeared in court.

Emergency services found the body of Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, from Axminster in Devon, at the Pennyhill Park Hotel, in Bagshot, on 14 April.

James Cartwright, 60, of no fixed address, appeared at Guildford Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with murder and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Surrey Police said the pair were known to each other.

Read more here

Cathedral unveils postbox topper exhibition

Andy Newbold A postbox topper of King Charles III in front of Guildford CathedralAndy Newbold
One of the postbox toppers depicts King Charles III

Guildford Cathedral has unveiled 40 postbox toppers for a free exhibition.

The decorations were selected from over 80 submissions for the public display at the cathedral.

Louise Musgrove, the cathedral's head of commercial enterprise, said the exhibition had been a "labour of love" for the events team.

It features postbox toppers from across England, with themes including the emergency services, royalty and Black History Month.

Read more here

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.