“In 2011, I moved from Devon, where I had spent 54 years of my life, to Chessington to be with my husband, Jas, who worked in the area.
“We moved into a repossessed house. The contents of the previous occupants had been left behind, making it feel more like a time capsule than a new beginning. It was overwhelming at first, but we slowly turned it into a home. What helped us was the kindness of our new neighbours. They were marvellously supportive. One of our rituals while settling in was visiting Letitia’s café. It’s long gone, but back then it was a cosy spot. I had left behind a lifetime in Devon, but the warm welcome we received in Chessington helped me feel at home again.”
Councillor Sue Ansari, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hook & Chessington North