from there fighters would intercept German bombers navigating their way up to London along the valley between Warlingham and Woldingham (then known as 'Bombers' Alley'). Warlingham War Memorial is the most prominent feature breaking up a lightly wooded, shop-surrounded green in the village. It is a simple yet poignant monument dedicated to the great many local people who made sacrifices during the two world wars in the 20th Century. Lead singer of The Clash, Joe Strummer moved to Warlingham after his diplomat father and family returned to the UK. Reggae singer and instrumentalist Smiley Culture lived in Warlingham. His death, as a result of a self-inflicted stabbing, occurred at his home in 2011 during a police arrest. Geography Warlingham is situated on the scarp slope of the North Downs and parts of the village are 650 feet (200 metres) above sea level. This means that on the rare occasion it does snow in southern England, Warlingham will often get a light covering while neighbouring low-lying areas remain untouched. Warlingham's height also allows for some panoramic views over central London (on the stretch of the Limpsfield road between Warlingham village and Botley Hill Farm). On a clear day all the major skyscrapers (including Canary Wharf, the Gherkin and the NatWest tower) can be seen, and the hills north of London can be made out on the horizon. Warlingham is in the Green Belt. Surrounding the town are the slopes of the North Downs, with rolling chalk meadow hillsides interspersed with woodlands. Parts of the adjacent Woldingham valley to the south have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Blanchman's Farm Nature Reserve was set up in 1991 and was the first community wildlife area in Tandridge. It covers and includes a restored pond, around 10,000 native trees, and a path for wheelchair access. Elevations Elevations vary from 110m AOD at Woldingham Road, at the southernmost point of the parish, with a gentle increase in height through the village along the main road heading to the southeast, to the highest elevation (199.6m) at Limpsfield Road. Economy Today, most of Warlingham's working-age population works in Croydon or central London, making Warlingham part of the London commuter belt. Local government Surrey County Council, headquartered in Kingston, elects one councillor for the Warlingham division every four years. Conservative Becky Rush was elected in a by-election in 2019. Warlingham has five representatives across two wards