i n t e rv i e w s
weddings
plus
Olly Murs
Hen nights:
Meet Grace Fodor
Paul McGann
Flower trends:
High Street Heroes:
Win tickets to see his show at Sandown Park this summer
Kicks off UK theatre tour debut at Richmond Theatre
Where in Surrey to have a happy hen
Learn to love your greens The new shade for 2017
The Guildford woman taking a grown up approach to make-up
Discover the delights of Hamptons
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Editor Claire Mahoney T: 07812 106992 E: claire@surreyoccasions.co.uk Designer Paul Buckley T: 01484 660090 E: paulb@surreyoccasions.co.uk Publisher Paula Winchcombe Surrey Occasions T: 07766 257776 E: paula@surreyoccasions.co.uk Printed and distributed by Bishops Printers T: 02392 336917 E: enquiries@bishops.co.uk Contributors Lucy Alexander Anthea Turner Olivia Greenway Karen Glaser Kate Cracknell Cora Lydon Mary Conisbee This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without written consent of the publishers. © Surrey Occasions 2017. The views expressed in Surrey Occasions magazine are those of its individual authors, not those of Surrey Occasions and its editors and publishers. While precautions have been take to ensure the accuracy of the contents of the magazine, and neither the editors, publishers or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise there from. About Surrey Occasions Surrey Occasions is a courtesy glossy, lifestyle magazine with a circulation of 12,500. The quarterly title is distributed within selected high-quality residential and commercial areas. It is circulated through quality independent newsagents with the Sunday newspapers, to affluent homes, and by hand to readers across Surrey. Areas covered include Weybridge, Walton, Virginia Water, Cobham, Tadworth, Claygate, Oxted, Oxshott, Thames Ditton and Guildford. Golf and country clubs, health clubs and spas, top hotels and other chosen venues receive numerous copies of the magazine to share with guests and visitors.
Welcome Welcome to the spring issue of Surrey Occasions. One would hope that by the time this issue lands on your doorstep there will be some signs of the new season in the air. If not, well we have plenty inside this packed issue that should put a spring in your step. First up, springtime is the time when wedding planning steps up a gear. So this issue rather than focusing on dresses and venues, we decided to look at those wedding planning items that come a little later in the whole nuptials process. On page 24, we round-up a selection of hen-do locations that would suit any style of Surrey bride – be it sipping champagne in HotTugs along the river Thames to downing a few real ales at the Hogs Back Brewery. Then on page 28 we bring you bang up to date with the hottest wedding trends among florists – and it looks as if foliage and all different shades of green are making a big statement this year. Interviews-wise we also have some great stars of screen and stage in this issue. Actor Paul McGann tells us why he’s looking forward to performing on stage in Gabriel at the Richmond Theatre and chart-topper Olly Murs talks about his new album and forthcoming show at Sandown Park Racecourse in the summer. Enter our competition and you could win a pair of tickets to see him! Our Growing Up in Surrey this issue is posh-pawn star and Weybridge resident, James Constantinou, and as part of our behind the scenes series of interviews we get to meet the fabulously glamorous, Grace Fodor, who runs the global cult beauty company, Studio10 from her Guildford home. Grace is currently taking the cosmetics world by storm with a range of great products aimed at the over 35 market. Turn to page 22 to read more about her and her brand.
“We have some great stars of screen and stage in this issue. Actor Paul McGann tells us why he’s looking forward to performing on stage in Gabriel at the Richmond Theatre and chart-topper Olly Murs talks about his new album and forthcoming show” Plus, of course, we have our usual regulars – Lucy Alexander on property – who looks at giving your home kerb appeal (p38) and Anthea Turner (44) who turns her attention to decluttering. We also have a new gardening column and some fantastic accessories to get your home ready for Easter! What’s not to like? Enjoy the issue.
Claire Mahoney Editor
surreyoccasions.co.uk 3
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WIN! IN THIS ISSUE
11
A family ticket to the Surrey County Show
16
Tickets to see Olly Murs
21
Tickets to see Bob Marley Tribute – Legend
27
Tickets to the Banff Mountain Film Festival
42
On the cover: Hampton Court
Inside
this issue Spring 2017
24
28
22
12
16
10
45 regulars
3
SO Welcome
6
SO Noteworthy News, views and updates from around the county
12 SO What’s On
Exhibitions, theatre, concerts and other events coming up in the next few months
18 SO Food & Drink
40 40 SO Interiors
42 SO Travel
Olivia Greenway does the rounds at Surrey’s Farmer’s Markets We pay a visit to Hampton and Hampton Wick high streets
34 SO Growing up in Surrey
We find out about posh pawn broker James Constantinou’s early life in Weybridge
36 SO Beauty
We celebrate National Fragrance Day with our pick of the best spring scents
Kate Cracknell uncovers ten things you might not know about her home town of Haslemere s p r i n g f e at u r e s
10 SO Interview
Karen Glaser speaks to actor Paul McGann about his forthcoming play at The Richmond Theatre
16 SO Interview
22 SO Interview
Mary Conisbee pays a visit to the Douro Valley in Portugal
50 SO Secret Surrey
32 High Street Heroes
A selection of charming Easterthemed accessories for your home
We catch up with singer Olly Murs ahead of his line-up of outdoor summer concerts, including Sandown Park
38
Kare Cracknell speaks to Guildfordbased beauty entrepreneur Grace Fodor about how she intends to shake up the cosmetics market for older women
24 SO Weddings
Cora Lydon rounds up a selection of great Surrey venues to hold your hen do
28 SO Weddings
We look at the latest floral trends for spring and summer weddings
30 SO Weddings
Our Wedding edit brings you wedding news and updates for those with upcoming nuptials
45 SO Schools
Our regular schools feature with details on the best schools in and around the county
columns
38 Property with Lucy Alexander
Property expert and TV presenter Lucy Alexander shows us why the outside of your home is so important in helping to seal a house sale
44 House proud with Anthea Turner
Anthea shows us some fool-proof methods for clearing clutter from our homes
surreyoccasions.co.uk 5
SO News & Updates
Noteworthy News & updates from around the county
Classroom kit needed for Wildlife Trust education centre Surrey Wildlife Trust is appealing to local businesses to help kit out the three classrooms at the Trust’s brand new £1.1 million education centre nestled in the ancient woodlands of Nower Wood, near Leatherhead. Project supporters include actress Judi Dench and Toyota in Epsom which has already offered to equip two of the classrooms with a generous pledge of £15,700 – this will also buy a hearing induction loop for visitors who are hard of hearing. In total Toyota will have supported the Nower Wood project to the tune of more than £40,000. Tadworth based investment company Fidelity International has also kindly kitted out the third classroom with a donation of £7,500. But the Trust still needs to find more than £20,000 to buy: • Cameras for nest boxes, bat boxes and ponds • Computers for students and staff • Tools for volunteers to help manage the reserve • Office furniture • White goods for the kitchen The 81 acres of ancient woodland at Nower Wood was bought for use as an educational nature reserve in 1971. It’s hoped 12,000 visitors of all ages will visit
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the new centre every year to take part in pond-dipping, bug hunts, wild play, mammal studies and environmental surveys. Nower Wood is holding its first free family open day on Saturday April 22. To book a session visit: surreywildlifetrust.org/whats-on If you or your business or community group can help contact Tania OrdSmith on 01483 795469 or email Tania.Ord-Smith@surreywt.org.uk.
£1.74m charity d o nat i o n
Welcome cash boost for Walton-onThames retirement community 2017 marks the centenary of retirement community Whiteley Village in Waltonon-Thames and this special year is off to a great start thanks to a charity donation of £1.74m. Run by Whiteley Homes charitable trust, Whiteley Village provides a vibrant retirement community to 500 people of limited financial means. The vital cash injection will help fund the building of a 62 additional alms houses in the village. The existing 262 alms houses are designed to enable independent living for the majority of Whiteley Village residents. For less-able residents there is also an assistedliving care centre of 51 apartments and there is also a nursing home on-site. The donation comes from The Carpenters’ Company Charitable Trust who are donating the £1.74m proceeds from the sale of their Richard Wyatt Almhouses in Godalming to The Whiteley Homes Trust. These almhouses date back to the seventeenth century when Richard Wyatt, a London timber merchant and Master of the Carpenters’ Company provided a fund in his will of 1619 to build the almshouses.
Councillor Sahran Abeysundara, Mayor of Haslemere, recently co-hosted a glamorous champagne reception for dignitaries and local business people to celebrate the grand launch of Silk Road Interiors and Flooring at their new premises on Weyhill in Haslemere. The store was officially reopened by Chris Storey, Mayor of Waverley. The shop combines forces with established firm Alan Baker Flooring, who have been operating for 50 years. The newly expanded store aims create a fusion of ‘East meets West.’
SO News & Updates
REVIEW
The newly-refurbished Carpetright store in Guildford recently re-opened its doors to the public with an official ribbon cutting by the Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Councilor Nigel Manning, TV property expert Lucy Alexander and store manager John Rowlands.
Can you help Camberley charity? Surrey-based national charity Limbcare, which supports amputees across the UK, is urgently in need of additional storage. The charity, which has been lucky enough to benefit from free storage by one of their existing corporate sponsors for a number of years, is now losing their storage facility and is urgently in need of 150sq-200sq ft of replacement storage in Camberley or the surrounding areas. Limbcare is looking for lockable storage in this area and says even a container in the short term would help. The storage is used for wheelchairs and prosthetics (which are then reconditioned) and used to help amputees. If you can help, please contact Ray Edwards MBE on ray@limbcare.org or telephone 01276 684 528.
Absolute Gene-ious! Aladdin
Prince Edward Theatre, London
Should you wish to whisk your family off on a magic carpet ride this Easter, then make sure you don’t miss the stage production of Disney’s Aladdin which is currently showing at the Prince Edward Theatre in Soho. This really is a production of jaw-dropping spectacle that brings to life the magic and humour of Disney’s much-loved 1992 film, which starred the late Robin Williams as Genie. The plot, while faithful to the film and its music, features the timeless songs that have become firm favourites among Disney fans but is also packed with new music written by award-winning team Alan Menken and Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. Bling with bells on is the only way you can describe the decadence of the stage set created by designer Bob Crowley. A true reflection of Arabian colour, architecture and light, with chess-like moving pieces that shape-shift along with each scene. Then there are the dazzling costumes. Apparently the cast’s outfits feature 161 pairs of custom made shoes, 712 different styles of beads while one pair of men’s pants in the finale of “Friend Like Me” features 1,428 Swarovski crystals. Trevor Dion Nicholas steals the show as the quick-talking and wise-cracking Genie who literally does appear and disapear in a puff of dry ice. He transforms gold into dancing girls and according to my daughter does a very good ‘Dab’ dance move. But the most breathtaking centre-piece of the show has to be the real magic carpet ride – yes it really does fly! Where the lovable rogue Aladdin (played this performance by understudy Ethan Le Phong); and the plucky Jasmine (Jade Ewen) serenade each-other into the night. Visually stunning and beguiling if you are looking for a bit of Arabian escapism then this show will truly transport you to a ‘Whole New World.’ Aladdin is now playing at the Prince Edward, tickets available at aladdinthemusical.co.uk
Get ready to celebrate Will’s birthday Once again the Guildford Shakespeare Company will be celebrating the birthday (23 April 1564) of the famous bard, with a series of events in April. This kicks off with a special staged reading of Shakespeare’s last play, Henry VIII, on Wednesday 19 April. Over the following weekend (22 & 23 April), the company’s everpopular Sonnet Walks will take to the streets of Guildford again. Akin to a treasure hunt, the
Sonnet Walks take audiences on a mystery walking-tour where walkers will encounter Shakespeare and his characters in the least likely of places. In previous years, the specially designed route has included the roof of House of Fraser, a fortune teller in Rack’s Close, and a prisoner in the Castle Keep. The starting point for this year’s walks is Stoke Park Home Farm (off Nightingale Road). To retain the mystery and fun,
the route of this year’s walk will be kept under wraps until the first walkers set off on Saturday 22 April. Each walk lasts approximately 60 mins and run every 15 minutes. Finally on Sunday 30 April, GSC’s brand new Young Company will be presenting their first public performance. The young company follow in the footsteps of the professional company with members aged 12-18 years, devising and
rehearsing their own new play inspired by Shakespeare’s work. The title of this new piece is The Tale About Errors and fuses the stories of The Winter’s Tale, The Comedy of Errors and Much Ado About Nothing. Tickets on sale 20 March (priority booking opens 13 March) Henry VIII & Sonnet Walks £15 (all tickets) Young Company £8 (all tickets) Box Office: guildford-shakespearecompany.co.uk
@SurreyOccasions 7
SO News & Updates TOP TIPS
Jane Lewis – genealogist at Surrey History Centre gives her five top tips for family history research Start with what you know and work backwards. When you start writing things down you will be surprised just how much information you already have. Contact your relatives and see if they have any old bibles, photographs, certificates, etc that can help. 1
Establish what you want to know! The easiest way to do this is to write down questions, eg, when did Grandma get married; how old was great uncle Fred when he joined the army, etc. Once you establish what you want to know, you can then work out where to find the information. 2
Always make a note of your sources. Write down not just what you found, but where and when you found it and if there are any source references to you need to make a note of. This will save you hours of work in the future. 3
Delve into your family’s past at Surrey History Centre Ever fancied researching your family history? You may not be as lucky as Danny Dyer and be related to royalty, but you could find out some fascinating facts about your relatives. Surrey History Centre in Woking has a range of experts in many different aspects of genealogical research who are always happy to help enquirers who are keen to trace their family history. They also run several courses throughout the year to encourage people to become family tree detectives. A six week family history course will run from the 10 March – 21 April (with
Time to retreat – to The Retreat A newly-reopened pub in Staines is offering a retreat from the stresses and strains of modern life. The Retreat on Staines Road is providing a new eating and drinking out experience for local residents and workers, with a tempting and wide-ranging menu, an extensive drinks list and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. theretreatstaines.co.uk
8 surreyoccasions.co.uk
a break for Easter) and costs only £60. Then on 6 May they will run a special saturday session called: Beginning Your Family History. This talk aims to take you step by step through the basics of family history, where to start, what to do and most important, how you can get help and advice on what is bound to prove an exciting project. The cost is just £12.50 including refreshments. To book or for more info visit or contact: Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking. Email: shs@ surreycc.gov.uk; Tel 01483 518737; surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistorycentre
There are a fantastic selection of records available online – both through free and through subscription sites. However, many of these are transcribed records and mistakes can be made during transcriptions. Always find out where the original documents are held (or check online images) to ensure that the information you have found is correct. Also, remember that not everything is online and at some point you will probably need to visit County Record Offices, the National Archives or Local Studies Libraries too. 4
Like any hobby, family history research can get expensive so make sure you don’t pay for anything you don’t have to! Check out your local library and record office to find out if they offer free access to paid subscriptions sites such as Ancestry and Find My Past. Look online for free sites and if your research takes you to the other side of the country, think about joining a local family history society in that area which might offer free (or significantly cheaper) access to transcribed records. 5
SO News & Updates
Frankie & Benny’s choose Surrey hospices
Surrey Five Peaks takes steps against poverty Surrey Care Trust Patron, Roger Black MBE, is asking walkers to step out for Surrey Care Trust on Saturday 16 September and make a difference to the lives of tens of thousands of people in the county, who are disadvantaged by low skills, lack of opportunity, setbacks in life and precarious economic circumstances. This year’s circular walk starts and ends in Headley Heath. The 26-mile walk includes Ranmore Common, Wotton, Brockham and Dorking and takes in five peaks including White Hill and Box Hill affording walkers spectacular views of the Surrey Hills. There is also an option of walking 13 miles or taking part in a fivemile family walk this year. Participants are asked to aim to raise £150 in sponsorship including a £55 registration fee. (There is a £10 registration fee for the five-mile walk). Refreshments and drinks are included and lunch is
provided for all 26 mile walkers. Every walker who raises over £150 for Surrey Care Trust will also receive a free t-shirt. Surrey 5 Peaks is the charity’s biggest fundraiser. The Trust’s services include an alternative education programme for young people who have not coped in conventional school, adult learning and training courses, mentoring, counselling and an environmental volunteering scheme that encourages people from all walks of life to work together and learn new skills in the process. Roger, a Surrey resident, says: “Poverty is a grim, growing reality in Surrey despite the county’s veneer of affluence. Up to 20% of children live in poverty in parts of the county, while in some neighbourhoods more than 40% of adults have no qualifications.” For more information or to register, visit: surrey5peaks.org.uk
Family-friendly restaurant chain, Frankie & Benny’s have chosen Together for Short Lives, the leading UK charity that supports seriously ill children and their families, to be their charity partner for the next year. Each Frankie & Benny’s restaurant will be directly fundraising for their local children’s hospice and the charity’s Surrey-based hospice, Christopher’s, has been twinned with Frankie & Benny’s in Guildford, Camberley and Aldershot. Money raised by staff will help Shooting Star Chase to provide families in Surrey facing some of the hardest challenges with the vital care and support they need. Anne Carey, corporate fundraiser at Shooting Star Chase, said; “We’re delighted to be benefiting from the partnership between Together for Short Lives and Frankie & Benny’s.”
Consumers must support Surrey farmers post Brexit warning As farmers in the South East contemplate life without their EU subsidies following the referendum, a rural affairs specialists at Bruton Knowles is calling on the Government to accelerate work on a replacement British Agricultural Policy. Naomi Quick from the firm’s Guildford office said the threat to UK agriculture in leaving the EU is higher than in any other industry as many farms are critically reliant on their subsidies. “Direct subsidy represents nearly 60% of average farm incomes but there is quite a difference
by farm type. Mixed farms receive a 96% subsidy as a percentage of farm income compared with poultry at just 6%, although these percentages change year on year with variations in crop yields and output prices,” she says. She adds that farmers need to be reassured that a replacement programme – in the form of a British Agricultural Policy – can be hammered out soon. “The potential impact of complete subsidy, removal on many sectors of the agricultural industry could be huge. The hardest
hit would be the upland, tenanted and small family farmers, many of whom currently rely on subsidies to make ends meet. “If the consumer wants cheap food in the UK then they are going to have to support farmers. If they do not support them with some sort of subsidy food prices will inevitably have to go up in order to support the rural economy and provide jobs. Without any kind of support many farmers in the uplands, tenanted and small family farm sectors will inevitably go out of business”
Thai chain brings giggles to Farnham Giggling Squid, the popular and innovative family of Thai restaurants, has announced its latest opening in the heart of Farnham. Their range of super-popular Tapas ‘tasting sets’ are priced between £9.75 and £11.95, each with a selection of four carefully curated dish combinations - choose from the Hungry Squid, the Wealthy Squid or Two Giggling Squids. The two dish meal combi, priced at £6.95, offers fantastic value for lunch time guests. Families can also take advantage of the ‘Little Tapas for Little People’ menu, the menu features smaller versions of popular dishes including Chicken satay and Pad Thai. @SurreyOccasions 9
SO Interview
Karen Glaser meets actor Paul McGann to talk about his role in his first UK theatre tour and why he can’t wait to tread the boards at Richmond Actor Paul McGann’s CV is long. Four full A4 pages long to be precise. Dr Who, Withnail and I, The Monocled Mutineer, Much ado About Nothing and A Lie on the Mind, the credits for the Liverpool-born thespian roll on and on and on. But although he has been in continuous work during his 35 years on stage and screen, there are what you could describe as two surprising gaps in McGann’s illustrious career. First, he has never made a UK theatre tour. Second, he hasn’t tread the boards at the feted Richmond Theatre. Until now. For next month, McGann makes his debut tour in Moira Buffini’s Gabriel which opens at Richmond Theatre on 28 March. “I am so excited to finally be performing there – for actors, it’s what’s known as a home from home theatre,” he tells SO. “Physically, sonically, everything is right about the space. Some theatres like the National enjoy great status, and an actor enjoys kudos for performing there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are good spaces to act in, that they enable you to engage with your audience well. On the contrary, they can sometimes be antiseptic and rather unforgiving places to perform. Richmond Theatre is the antithesis of those things. And I say that from direct experience – even though this will be the first time I perform at Richmond, I have been part of an audience there on several occasions, and loved every moment.” Located on Little Green, next to Richmond Green, the Victorian building is also the best preserved of the Matcham theatres, as the critically acclaimed playhouses designed by the architect Frank Matcham’s are known. And the red brick building is widely regarded as having the designer’s most splendid interior, too. Gabriel promises to be an equally splendid production. Based in 1943 Nazi-occupied Guernsey, the story features widow and mother Jean and her efforts to keep her adolescent daughter and Jewish daughter-in-law Lily safe on an island filled with danger and fear. Her toughest test arrives in the form of the terrifying Commander Von Pfunz , played by McGann, whose romantic advances may be the only way to keep her family alive. Tensions deepen when a mysterious young man, Gabriel, is washed ashore with no memory of who he is. Fluent in German and English, is an RAF pilot, an SS interrogator an local boy with amnesia or a saviour sent from heaven?
“I am so excited to finally be performing there – for actors, it’s what’s known as a home from home theatre” “Nothing beats a well made play, and Gabriel is certainly that thing,” McGann tells SO. “It has strong, compelling story lines, incorporates a supernatural element and is both timely and eternal. What are people prepared to do to survive in extreme circumstances? What would we do in their shoes? In this work, extreme 10 surreyoccasions.co.uk
Stage presence
circumstances give the character I play the illusion that he has a chance with Jeanne, who, in turn, realises that she might need him.” Unusually for a World War drama, Gabriel is very femalefocussed. Four of the six actors are women, and the play was directed by Kate McGregor and of course written by Buffini. Was this part of the attraction for McGann? “Yes, I think it was,” he says. “You know, when I was at drama school there were two boys for every girl. At the time the justification for the gender imbalance was that this reflected the industry as a whole. It’s good that those days are now behind us.” Theatre, meanwhile, is something McGann, born in 1959, hopes will never be behind him. Although you’ll mostly see him in films and on the television, if he had to choose between screen and stage, he’d plump for the latter. “I like both, but with stage you get to rehearse and it’s much more sociable. Plus, you develop techniques which you can take back on to film sets. For some reason, it doesn’t work the other way round.” Gabriel opens at the Richmond Theatre on 28 March – 1 April 2017. Box office: 0844 871 7651 or visit: atgtickets.com/richmond
SO Surrey County show DON ’ T MISS !
The best
family day out in Surrey Hosted at Stoke Park in Guildford the Surrey Country Show has an abundance of attractions with thousands of people enjoying top class entertainment, hundreds of animals, children’s activities and acres of shopping and crafts. There is something for everyone – young and old. Animals are at the heart of the event and you will be able to get close to over 1000 cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses and donkeys. Imagine meeting a huge Highland bull and a dainty Jersey in the cattle tent, along with a black Zwartbles sheep and a crinkled Texel in the sheep lines. See dairy goats and cute pygmy goats and cheer the entries in the ‘Grumpiest’ and ‘Happiest’ pig competitions. Two equine rings will be filled all day with hairy native ponies, workmanlike cobs and elegant thoroughbreds and don’t forget the donkeys! The Grand Arena will host two showjumping classes with national horse and rider combinations competing for a prize fund of over £6000 and the ever popular fast and furious scurry driving returns with the tiny but fiercely competitive ponies tackling their own obstacle course. But you don’t need a horse, a cow or a pig to compete at the show. Bring your dog and you could win a rosette and a canine photo-shoot in our fun dog show. All breeds and types welcome! You can also enjoy dog agility, gun dogs, sheep dogs, hounds and terrier racing. Back by popular demand is Miller’s Ark Farm who will be bringing a range of small, friendly animals for children to cuddle. Youngsters will also be kept entertained by the Dinosaur Invasion, Punch and Judy, The Sheep Show, donkey rides, a vintage
The Surrey County Show has been an annual fixture since the 1950s and the 2017 show is set to be the biggest and best yet
Bank Holiday Monday 29 May 2017 Stoke Park, Guildford 8am – 6pm Tickets from £5.50 for a child and £36 for a family of four. Buy online at surreycountyshow.co.uk or on the day. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SurreyShow Stoke Park is easy to reach by road or rail, with on-site parking, Park and Ride sites and a special station shuttle bus.
funfair and Action Wheels – a safe and exciting cycling activity aimed at children aged two and upwards. With rural life at the heart of the show you will enjoy mighty vultures and majestic eagles in the falconry displays, hilarious duck racing, a working milking parlour and an impressive farming through the ages display. The bee and honey tent offers candle rolling and a live bee release on the hour every hour, the floristry tent is full of colour and scent and the poultry tent houses an array of our weird and wonderful feathered friends. New zones this year include a Motor zone with a Formula One simulator, a Health and Wellbeing zone and a Creative zone. And of course the Food and Drink zone with demonstrations in the Food Theatre, the Surrey Farmers’ Market, and the Food Hall with food and drink from all over the world. Shopping bags will be empty when you arrive, but full when you leave. Country
clothing, unique gifts, colourful homewares and garden furniture will all be on offer. Don’t shop until you drop though – take a rest by the music bandstand, marvel at the Maypole dancers or follow the roaming Morris Men.
WIN!
competition The Surrey County Show has teamed up with Surrey Occasions to offer a chance to win a family ticket worth £36.00 for the show. To enter simply visit our website and click on the link to the competitions page and fill in your details. Closing date for entries is: 28 April 2017.
SO What’s On
What’s On March
exhibitions
04 March – 15 April Views of Farnham New Ashgate Gallery Farnham Featuring two artists who are inspired by the historic views of Farnham and its surrounding areas. Time: 10am – 5pm Price: Free Tel: 01252 713208 01–31 March Medieval Betchworth Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre Dorking The museum’s spring exhibition, in association with the Betchworth Village Archives team, gives a flavour of life in a medieval village. Drawing from manorial records, the exhibition examines life on a medieval manor: the lords of the manor, working the land, the mill and replacement of the millstone, the role of the church in the community. Time: Price: £4 (£3 concessions) Tel: 01306 876591 shows
12 March Austin Morris Day Brooklands Museum Weybridge All types of Austin & Morris vehicles will be on display for this annual celebration of two of Britain’s best loved marques. The event includes a cavalcade on the MercedesBenz World circuit, a mass photo opportunity on the Banking and ascents up Test Hill. Normal Museum admission prices apply. A Mini day will take place on the 19 March. Time: 10am to 5pm Price: £11 Adults / £10 Students & Seniors / £6 Children / £30 Family Tel: 01932 857381
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DON ’ T MISS !
26 March The Tiger Who Came to Tea Dorking Halls
24–25 March Freshwater by Virginia Woolf Compton Little Theatre Watts Gallery Compton Compton Little Theatre presents Virginia Woolf ’s comedy Freshwater, set on the Isle of Wight and featuring G F Watts, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Ellen Terry and a cameo appearance by Queen Victoria. Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £15 Tel: 01483 810235 wattsgallery.org.uk 29 March Open Day Hogs Back Hotel Farnham The Hogs Back Hotel and Spa are holding their first Venue Open Evening- on the 29th March 2017. Come along between 6pm and 9pm where you will get the opportunity to view the hotel to envision your dream wedding, plan the perfect party or conference. Time: 6pm to 9pm Price: Free Tel: 01252 784495
c o n c e rt s
13 March The 80s Invasion tour is back in 2017 featuring Paul Young, Toyah, China Crisis and from the USA Martika. G Live Guildford Time: 7.30pm Price: £37-£77.50 Tel: 01483 369350
Following a smash-hit West End season, the tea-guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Written by David Wood OBE, the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children. His many successes include Fantastic Mr Fox, The Gingerbread Man, BFG, The Witches, Meg and Mog, Spot and Babe The Sheep Pig. Watch a sneak preview online at thetigerwhocametotealive.com. Suitable for children aged three and above. Tickets: £14. Groups 10+ go for £11.50 per ticket when booking directly through the Box Office. Family Ticket: £46 (2 adults, 2 children). Times: 12.30pm and 3.30pm To book: call the Box Office on: 01306 881717 or visit: dorkinghalls.co.uk
23 March G Live Guildford
Time: 8pm Price: £27 / £24.50 G Live Friends
Paul Carrack is one the UK’s great singer songwriters and multiinstrumentalists having worked with the likes of Eric Clapton, Roxy Music and BB King. He has written such classics as How Long, cowritten Love Will Keep Us Alive for The Eagles and Over My Shoulder with Mike Rutherford. Time: 7.30pm Price: Various Tel: 01483 369350
23 March Ross Noble: Brain Dump
10 March Comedy Stuart Lee G Live Guildford After four years writing and performing his TV show Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, Content Provider is Stewart’s first brand new full-length show since the awardwinning Carpet Remnant World.
Comedy legend Ross Noble is bringing his new show Brain Dump to Dorking. This will be the king of improvisational comedy’s 15th tour. Time: 8pm Tickets:£26.50 Book online at: dorkinghalls.co.uk or call 01206 881717.
workshops
8 March Free Your Voice Guildford Institute This workshop will look at developing and improving vocal skills. We will focus on developing your voice through breathing and posture. The session will work on all the P’s: pitch, pace, pause and projection.
SO What’s On Practical participation is involved. Time: 11am-1pm Price: £12.50 Tel: 01483 562142 25 March Tai Chi Workshop Stoke D’Abernon Village Hall Cobham Liz Kendall will be introducing Yang Family Style 13-Movement 5-Element Tai Chi QiGong in a two hour workshop in exchange for donations to Woking and Sam Beare Hospices. Liz is a member of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain and is insured. Advance booking essential. Time: 10-12 noon Tel: 07944 872332 Email: iz@surrey-shiatsu.co.uk surrey-shiatsu.co.uk m o t h e r i n g s u n day
26 March Hatchlands Park East Clandon Treat your mum to a day at Hatchlands Park and enjoy a special Mother’s Day treat in the café. Mums go free too. Time:Time: 10am to 5pm Price: Normal Admission £7 Adult / £3.50 child / £17.50 Family Tel: 01483 222482 26 March Watts Gallery Compton Treat your mother to a delicious spring brunch in the Tea Shop before enjoying activities across the Artists’ Village. Families with children can enjoy a drop-in portrait photography studio with props and costumes. Take away your photograph as a souvenir. Adults can book onto pottery workshops with Claire Waterhouse to make ceramic keepsakes. Time: 11am- 5pm Price: Free, £45 for pottery workshops (must be pre-booked) Tel: 01483 810235 wattsgallery.org.uk exhibitions
Until 29th April Spring craft collection New Ashgate Gallery Farnham A wonderful bespoke collection of ceramics, jewellery, textiles and wood from some of the UK’s finest designer makers - a must-see for gifts and special occasions.
Highlights include new work by Rebecca Callis, Jennifer Hall, Emily Kidson, Emma Mogridge, Kathie Murphy, Ingrid Saag, Moya Tosh and Hajra Williams. Time: 10am-5pm Price: Free Tel: 01252 713208
April t h e at r e
01 April Nell Gwynn Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Millbrook Guildford Winner of the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, Jessica Swale’s blissfully funny Nell Gwynn comes to Guildford direct from critically acclaimed, sell-out runs in the West End. Olivier Awardnominated actress Laura Pitt Pulford stars in this warm-hearted, bawdy comedy which tells the story of an unlikely heroine, who went from lowly orange seller to win the adoration of the public and the heart of the King. Times: 2.30pm & 8.00pm Tickets: £23 - £34.50 Tel: 01483 440000 yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 22 April Far from the Madding Crowd Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Millbrook Guildford As three very different suitors compete for her heart, spirited, independent Bathsheba Everdene must choose between them. Will she choose to marry for passion, for obligation or for true love and companionship? Or will she value her independence and not marry at all? Hardy’s romance Far from the Madding Crowd is brought to life with live music and Hotbuckle’s trademark ensemble style. Time: 8pm & Sat 4pm and 8pm Price: £15 Tel: 01483 440000 yvonne-arnaud.co.uk wa l k s
03–07 April Dawn Walk at Claremont Claremont Landscape Garden Portsmouth Road, Esher Come and enjoy the magic of a walk around the garden as the sun rises with a member of our team.
Light breakfast included. Time: 6:15am to 8:15am Price: £15 Adults / £8 Children Tel: 01372 467806 fa i r s
09 April Denbies Chocolate Fair Denbies Wine Estate London Road Dorking Chocolate lovers – unite and indulge your passion and discover the world of premium chocolates. Showcasing a selection of award-winning chocolates, handcrafted by skilled chocolatiers, we will be offering a collection of chocolate-related stalls, selling and showcasing handmade chocolates, truffles, fudge, brownies and more. Enjoy browsing, sampling and buying some of the most amazing chocolates the UK has to offer Time: 10am to 4pm Price: Free Tel: 01306 876616 21–23 April Loseley Park Spring Garden Show Losley Park Guildford Plant sales, garden stalls and bygones, garden equipment and furniture, driftwood sculpture, sheperds huts and summer houses, house furnishings, food stalls and a chance to preview our spectacular Spring bedding displays before we open for the season. All set in our stunning Walled Gardens. Time: 10am to 5pm Price: Various prices Tel: 01483 405119 losleypark.co.uk easter
11 April Easter Egg-citement at Haslemere Museum Haslemere Surrey Easter at the Museum promises to be lots of fun with a great range of Easter arts and crafts activities for your little ones to choose from. There will also be a special Easter garden trail for children who will be rewarded with a chocolate treat when they find the characters hidden throughout the gardens. You can be sure this fun packed morning will be Easter fun for everyone! Time: 10:30am to 1pm Price: £2 / £4 Tel: 01428 642112
14 April Easter family fun day and Cadbury egg hunt National Trust Dapdune Wharf Wharf Road Guildford A day of family fun, with Easter themed races for children, mums and dads, craft activities and the Cadbury Easter bunny hunt. Time: 11am to 5pm Price: £3 Tel: 01483 561389 14–16 April Wey & Arun Canal The Onslow Quay (behind the Onslow Arms pub) Loxwood Come and enjoy a boat trip on the beautiful Wey & Arun Canal. All your favourite Easter characters will be there to entertain you. Refreshments for everyone and a special chocolate surprise from the Easter Bunny for the children. Come along and join in the fun. Time: 11am, 12pm & 2pm Price: £10 Tel: 01403 263640 exhibitions
29 April – 1 May Dorking Group of Artists Spring Exhibition Betchworth Hall Betchworth The Dorking Group of Artists will be displaying over 250 pieces of new and original art, all for sale at affordable prices. The paintings will appeal to all tastes with different subjects and styles, and in a wide variety of prices and media. There will be large selection of unframed paintings for sale too. Entrance to the exhibition is free. Times: 10.00am – 6.00pm (4pm on Monday 1 May) Tel: 01372 375123 Email j.andersonwood@gmail.com c o n c e rt s
08 April G2 Definitive Genesis Harlequin Theatre & Cinema Warwick Quadrant Redhill G2 Definitive Genesis pays tribute to a vintage period in Genesis’ long and colourful history, the four-man “Seconds Out” era (1975-78),whilst also dipping back into the earlier Gabriel years.
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SO What’s On Time: 8pm Price: £18.50 Tel: 01737 276500 29 April Epworth Choir Concert Holy Trinity Church Guildford Epworth Choir will be holding a concert featuring Rutter’s Requiem and Renaissance Masterpieces at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford. They will be joined by members of the Woking Symphony Orchestra and soloist Augusta Hebbert. The concert will be in support of Action for Children. Time 7.30pm Tickets: £20 and £15 for adults and £5 for under 12s Tel 01483 760133 or epworthchoir.org competitions
wa l k s
03 May Hatchlands Tree Walk Hatchlands Park East Clandon Guildford Enjoy a stroll with the gardener and discover Hatchlands’ collection of ancient and unusual trees. Times: 11:00am – 1.00pm Tickets: Adults; £5, Children; £2.50 Tel: 01483 222482 nationaltrust.org.uk c o n c e rt s
29 April The Great Weybridge Cake Off Weybridge Monument Green Weybridge
04 May Illegal Eagles New Victoria Theatre Woking
Are you the next Nadiya or Edd Kimber? Are you cute with cup cakes or nuts about fruit cake? Bring your masterpiece to Weybridge Market Monument Green - before 10.20am On Saturday, 29 April and be the first to win our Best in Show Trophy! Prizes presented by Ruth Langsford For full details and to download entry form visit allaboutweybridge.co.uk/cakeoff
Join the World’s Official No.1 Eagles tribute for their special 20th anniversary tour. Performing all of the classic Eagles hits, including hits Hotel California, Take It Easy, Lyin’ Eyes, Take it to the Limit, Life in the Fast Lane and many more. Times: 7:00pm Tickets: atgtickets.com
May tours
01 May A Victorian May Day Watts Gallery – Artists Village Enjoy traditional Victorian May Day crafts and outdoor activities. Times: 11.00-16.00 Tel: 01483 810235 01 May Emergency Services Day Brooklands Museum Brooklands Road Weybridge Every conceivable vehicle and pieces of apparatus used in the emergency services will grace the museum site in an impressive line-up of display vehicles. Time: 10am-5.00pm Tickets: £11, seniors & students
14 surreyoccasions.co.uk
DON ’ T MISS !
£10, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £30 Children (5-16) £6, BTM & LBPT members free Tel: 01932857381 brooklandsmuseum.com
04 May The Investec International Music Festival The Sitkovetsky Trio & Friends Denbies Wine Estate Dorking Gary Hoffman is one of the world’s great cellists. He will be joined by the revered international violinist So-Ock Kim, violist Philip Dukes and the hugely talented Sitkovetsky Trio for a stunning night of music. Times 8.00pm Tickets: Adults: £25, 8-21 years: £5 To book: visitguidford.com t h e at r e
08–13 May Thoroughly Modern Millie The New Victoria Theatre Woking Based on the 1967 Academy Awardwinning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes you back to New York City, peak Jazz era, when “moderns”
Trinity Folk Festival 2017
19–20 May
Guildford Trinity Folk Festival has been bringing the best folk, roots, and acoustic music to Guildford since 2013. Founded by music lovers Paul and Carolyn Graham to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the building Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, this festival has grown to become a significant festival on the folk scene. Regularly featuring both local artists, in collaboration with Guildford’s Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), and nationally renowned acts, there is always something for everyone at the festival. The festival now takes place just off Guildford’s cobbled High Street at St Mary’s Church – the oldest building in Guildford - and features two stages, situated inside the church and outside in the churchyard which is free to the public. For 2017 a new Friday night event will be added in co-ordination with well established local music venue the Keep. Every year, the festival supports a local charity, and TFF has so far managed to give money to Oakleaf and the Citizens Advice Bureau. Tickets: Guildford Tourist Information, Tel: 01483 444333 trinityfolkfestival.co.uk
like Millie Dillmount were rewriting the rules. Times: 2.00pm & 7.00pm Tickets: £17.50 To book: atgtickets.com 13 May The 1940s Relived Brooklands Museum Brooklands Road Weybridge Join us at Brooklands Museum as we turn back the clock to the decade of fashion, commemoration, style and celebration at our annual 1940s Relived event! This is a chance to put your hair up, grab your best period outfit and lace up the dance shoes. Stock up on vintage gear at our extensive vintage market, featuring some of the best vintage sellers around, providing everything from hats, suits and shoes to accessories, books and original memorabilia. Times: 10.00am – 10.00pm Tickets: Adults £13 (£11 in advance) Seniors & Students £12 (£10 in advance) Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £34 (£30 in advance) Children £6.50 (£6 in advance) Tel: 01932 857381 or brooklandsmuseum.com
exhibitions
20–21 May Stunning Surrey Landscape Paintings by Bonnita Apperley 8 Albion Road Reigate New exhibition of oil paintings by renowned and ever popular Reigate artist Bonnita Apperley. Huge vistas of Reigate Hill, walks through Betchworth’s Barley fields and sunsets over the Downs. Times:11:00am – 5.00pm Tel: 07962 885354 fundraisers
23 May Mane Chance Burns & Webber Golf Classic West Surrey Golf Club Godalming This will be the 4th annual Golf Classic and we are inviting teams of four to participate in the day. Entry fee is £240 and will include golf followed by dinner. Trophies and prizes will be awarded and there will also be a chance to ‘Beat the Pro’. Entries are limited but forms are available at manechancesanctuary. org/golf or by email to golf@manechancesanctuary.org
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S
Odds on
favourite Surrey Occasions speaks to Olly Murs about his new number one album and why he’s looking forward to performing at Sandown Park Racecourse this summer
16 surreyoccasions.co.uk
SO Interview
Q: Your new album ‘24 Hrs’ is your 4th consecutive number 1 album that must be a great feeling? o l l y : Amazing. I’m very proud of that. You know to have four consecutive number 1 albums is brilliant. I never expected in my wildest dreams that I would’ve got this far so, absolutely delighted that we’ve managed to get four consecutive, like you say, number 1 albums it’s really really amazing so thank you. Q: What do you reckon has been the appeal of your music and yourself to make you the most successful male artist to ever come from the X Factor? o l l y : I’d like to think that I’ve done some great songs and I think people love what I do… I just don’t give anything, I mean this album’s probably the most heartbreaking, most honest album that I’ve done. But I think with previous albums you know I have a lot of fun, my album’s are happy and people enjoy listening to them and with this album in particular it’s still happy, still got lots of that vibe on it. Its just luck you know that people like me and people have bought my albums and I’m very lucky that they do because it doesn’t always happen like that so I’m very very grateful. Q: You’re undertaking a massive headline arena tour in March, and obviously in the summer you’ve got a huge run of outdoor shows that will see you come to Sandown Park on the 10 August, how do they vary in terms of what you put into them and what you get out of it, from the indoors to the outdoor? o l l y : I think it’s fun, it’s really fun being outside and you know the show that we’re doing at Sandown Park is a different gig for me, I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve done racecourse gigs before in the past but not this sort of size and I’m really proud to do it and it gives me the chance to go to different places in the UK that I haven’t been before, do something slightly different. I can’t wait I mean, what’s better? Go to a racecourse, I can go there during the day, I can have a little flutter on a couple of the races and then do a gig in the evening. Perfect.
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competition
Two tickets to see Olly Murs at Sandown Park Racecourse We have teamed up with Sandown Park to offer readers a chance to win two tickets to see Olly Murs at the racecourse on 10 August. To be in with a chance of winning and seeing Olly perform in this fantastic Surrey setting simply visit surreyoccasions.co.uk and go to the competition page where you can fill in your details.
“I can’t wait, I mean, what’s better? I can go there during the day, I can have a little flutter on a couple of the races and then do a gig in the evening. Perfect.” Q: How do you go about choosing your set list? o l l y : It’s gonna be difficult with five albums but you’ve just gotta play the hits and the songs that people know; that’s what I’ll do with the set, make it as entertaining as possible. I’ll throw in a few covers there as well, have a bit of a laugh with the fans and it’ll be a really fun day out and I promise any fan that comes along, it’ll be a right laugh from the start of the day to the end of it and I promise to make sure everyone goes home happy having had a good time. Q: It must be great being able to get out and play to your fans, essentially in their areas without them having to travel a few hours into a major city? o l l y : These are shows you get to see the real people; they are days out, family days at racecourses it’s slightly different you know. Over the years I’ve done loads of different festivals, all these commercial festivals that people go to every year, I just feel like going to a racecourse is so different and people get to see a different vibe, different set, different sound and you get to see different people. You know, there’s some of these people that come to the racecourse who are people that maybe have never been to a music festival before so, it’s nice that, I just thought its refreshing for me to do a gig like this. I’m really looking forward to having a day out with my mates at Sandown Park racecourse as well as everyone else and then at the end of it, get up and sing an hour, an hour and a half, two hour show, whatever it is and just have some fun and have a great night. Q: You attended a Jockey Club Live show last summer with your friends; did you have a good time? Was that one of the things that helped sway you to play The Jockey Club Live events? o l l y : I went last year for my mate’s birthday, it was such a good day out and a couple of my mates have been to a few gigs there before and loved it. It’s a good day out and all my mates are gonna come along and, we’re gonna make a proper day of it. Hopefully it’s a lovely day weather-wise, hopefully it’s not too wet and people at the racecourse really enjoy it. Q: Would this be the first gig there since you headlined Guilfest back in 2012? o l l y : I think so yeah you’re probably about right! That’s the great thing about doing these racecourse events. It’s about going to different parts of the country, different areas that other artists might not have been to for a while or for someone like me, I haven’t been to the area in a long time so it really gives the people of these areas that go to these racecourses, Newmarket, Sandown, York, Newbury and a chance to come and see me because they might not come to the arena tours so, it’s good to come and bring the show to them. Join in the conversation online #JCLive17
Entries close on 1 June 2017 @SurreyOccasions 17
SO Food & Drink
Cornering
the market Food & Drink editor Olivia Greenway does the rounds at six Surrey farmer’s markets and finds out why they are a lifeline for local and artisan producers
Although most of us use supermarkets – online or otherwise – for our basic shopping, food shopping in them does get a bit boring, even in a ‘posh’ one. And if you care about provenance, a farmer’s market could be a good option. But more than that – farmer’s markets sell food and drinks made by independent producers usually sold to you by the person who produced it, probably just a few miles away; often items you just can’t get elsewhere. The farmers, artisan cooks and bakers are passionate about their produce and by using the market, you are supporting these businesses. Although some have a Facebook page, that’s about it; they just don’t have the marketing clout of the big boys. There are often waiting lists to have a stall and stall holders have to satisfy rigorous criteria. Typically, farmers’ markets are held monthly on the same day of the week. Most are run by the county council but a few are organised by a local committee of residents. Here are just six.
Could you sell something? With only a one day a month commitment (obviously you have the time needed to make your product) a farmers’ market could be an interesting sideline, or even the start of something big. If you make anything that you think would sell, why not give it a go? If you produce food items, your kitchen will have to be inspected by your local environmental health department and you would need to have a basic hygiene certificate (you can get this training online). 18 surreyoccasions.co.uk
Stallholder Rob Bookham’s top tips for stallholders Be reliable. Customers (and the market organiser) expect you to be there and on time, every month Be prepared to work in all weathers – wind, cold and rain or all three at once Have a product of consistently good quality Make sure your stall is neat and tidy to attract custom Be happy to connect with your customers. You need to be genuinely enthusiastic about what you are selling Don’t expect a quick win- it’s a long haul and hard work
SO Food & Drink
Walton-onThames
This is one of the newer farmers’ markets right in the centre of Waltonon-Thames, hence the name of the shopping centre where it is based. Up to 40 stalls supply fruit and vegetables, meat, bread and cakes, with a focus on local and organic. Heart Shopping Centre in The Plaza The first Saturday 11am to 4pm Parking in the shopping centre or its a 20 minute walk from the train station.
Stall: Chalk Hills Bakery Chris Robinson runs the Chalk Hills Bakery with his wife Rosie. They were inspired by visiting a café in Lyme Regis that also baked its own
Cobham Famers’ market
Small but perfectly formed could sum up this friendly market of around 15 –20 stalls.
Hollyhedge Road near the
High Street Last Saturday 9am to 2pm Parking in Downside Road
Stall: Sussex Pie Company Barbara set up her pie company – making proper pies, using puff pastry and with generous fillings – in 2002. Helped by her daughters Sarah and
Haslemere
Haslemere has one of the smallest markets but it’s a good place for a beginner if the others have a waiting list. Expect to find up to 20 stalls here. Held in the High Street
1st Sunday, 10am to 1.30pm Chestnut Avenue off West Street
Stall: The Sicilian Kitchen A health scare in 2014 caused Felicia Troia to reassess her life. Born in Sicily, she had been introduced to home cooking as a child, so doing
sourdough bread. Established towards the end of 2010, sales for their artisan products have increased by at least 18% every year since, so they quickly outgrew their premises and recently moved to a larger location in Horley. They also have a small retail store in Reigate High Street. “I’ve been doing the Walton market for nearly four years. Everyone seems to sell bread these days but our sourdough is special. It’s hand made and naturally fermented without yeast or artificial additives. It’s a slow process but the result is a bread that is packed with flavour and has its trademark unique texture, with a shelf life of three to five days.” Working to a quality rather than price, Chris also makes pastry products from scratch, sourcing top quality butter and flour.
Helen, Sarah took over the family business in 2012, naming it the Sussex Pie Company. Barbara is still very much involved though “It’s like being a hamster on a wheel – you can’t stop” and attends the Cobham market. She’s been coming here for around ten years. “I named one of my pies after a regular stallholder ‘Nora’s Folly’ (chicken, bacon, mushroom, spring onion and dijon mustard) as she gave me the recipe. We do all sorts of chicken pies – with mushroom, leeks, apricot and plain and in season we do game pies – rabbit and venison, as well as steak pies. The pies come in three sizes – individual, medium (2/3 people) and large. “There is a great camaraderie amongst the stallholders and customers. Some become friends and send Christmas cards.”
something with food, something she loved, seemed like a good idea. Sicilian Kitchen was born. “I started it as a hobby really, but it kind of took off. We make fast food for foodies, I suppose. I like to inspire people with my food.” Their most popular item is the arancina – rice balls filled with different ingredients and served hot. All gluten-free, there are six varieties, including a vegan one. Their jar of aubergine caponata (slowly braised vegetables) won gold at the Great Taste Award in 2016. “Every where you go in Sicily, is caponata. I can assure you this is the real deal; it’s an old family recipe!”
@SurreyOccasions 19
SO Food & Drink
Camberley xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Park Street,
opposite The Mall 3rd Saturday 10am to 3pm Park in The Atrium. Train station short walk away.
Stall: Cassy’s Preserves Cassy’s Preserves is owned by local couple Alison and Mark Horner. They started making jams and marmalades for friends and relatives and then one day decided to sell them at a car boot. It was suggested they tried a farmers’ market, so in 2014 they did, with great success. They now produce around 30 different varieties of marmalades, jams and chutneys, making the most of seasonal produce.
Guildford Farmer’s Market is probably the largest and most well attended in Surrey, established for 17 years and regularly attracting 50 stallholders. High Street: First Tuesday
Ripley Farmers’ Market was set up by local food aficionado Sally Erhardt in 2005. It’s a community venture, supported by locals who form the committee to run it. Proceeds are invested in the community – for example, by providing funding for renovating the church clock and supporting expansion of the village school. They regularly have 25 stalls, many stallholders loyal to the ethos of the endeavour. Village Green (or nearby field, depending on weather) Second Saturday, 9am to 1pm Parking in Village Green car park, off the High Street
Stall: Kokoh Chocolate Joanna Marshall had a background in food packing design with several years spent with both Marks and Spencer and John Lewis/Waitrose before she set up as a freelance packaging designer. One day, she was designing a leaflet for a shoe manufacturer when she thought it might be a good idea to make the brand more exciting by making a shoe out of chocolate. This piqued her interest in chocolate making and she started making chocolates for family and friends. Her very first farmers’ market was at Ripley seven years go and she has been there ever since.
Ripley Farmers’ Market
Guildford
10.30am to 3.30pm. Parking: Public car parks nearby and the market is a short walk from the station. Free park and ride from The Spectrum leisure centre (small bus fare to pay, concessions for seniors and children.)
Stall: Bookham & Harrison Rob Bookham has been trading at Guildford farmer’s market since it first started. He sells their famous Twineham Grange parmesan cheese, the only one approved by the Vegetarian Society, Sussex Charmer hard cheese and freshly churned Southdowns butter. “A farmer’s market is a godsend for a small business. When we first started our retail cheese business, it was almost impossible to get a foot in the door of the big stores or even delicatessens as the former needed so much stock and to the latter we were an unknown quantity.
20 surreyoccasions.co.uk
Find out more ... surreyfarmersmarkets.org visitsurrey.com/whats-on/markets surreymarkets.co.uk
WIN!
competition
Tickets to see Legend – The Music of Bob Marley VENUE: EpsomPlayhouse DATE: Saturday 1 April TIME: 7:30pm Box Office: 01372 742555 epsomplayhouse.co.uk
To enter, simply visit our website: surreyoccasions.co.uk
Live music for funerals, carefully tailored for each service Congregational hymn leading • Solo singers Duets • Choirs • Entry/exit music Instrumental accompanists/soloists • Organists Readings by professional actors
Telephone 07807 990 447
and click on the link to the competitions page and fill in your details Entries to this competition close on the 24 March in time for tickets to the show on 1 April 2017
W www.londonfuneralsingers.co.uk E info@londonfuneralsingers.co.uk @ LFuneralSingers Enquiries welcome for services outside of London
review
The Talbot Inn, Ripley
The Talbot has always been brimming with history and following the recent £1million refurbishment, encompassing all areas of this historic building, has been transformed into a stylish inn that mixes contemporary and modern. The decor combines details such as exposed brick work and beams with copper accents and lanterns and chandeliers for soft lighting. While the other half of the restaurant features a modern glass conservatory overlooking the garden. Bespoke hotels are delighted to have executive chef Marin Blunos who has prepared a new look creative menu at affordable prices. We began with prawns served in an old fashioned pint glass with Marie Rose sauce and deep fried whitebait with tartare sauce, nothing pretentious but really tasty. For the main course there is a choice of six dishes: we chose to share the Chateaubriand steak, served medium rare, cut with precision and presented expertly on a board alongside the béarnaise and pepper corn sauce, triple cooked chips, tomatoes and field mushrooms. We accompanied the meal with a bottle of full-bodied and smooth Spanish Rioja red wine, Marques de Morano Crianza Tinto. The wine list offers a balanced selection to suit most tastes. Of course, we couldn’t resist the desserts. ‘The Every Day’s a Sundae’, for example, is a naughty but very nice mix of ice cream, fruit, meringue, granola, whipped cream topped with a sweet pastry stick, was simply delicious and the selection of cheeses served with biscuits was perfect for the non dessert fan. To round it all off there was selection coffee styles and liqueur. What I liked about The Talbot was that the service was attentive and we were not rushed, allowing us the perfect opportunity to appreciate first class cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a quiet lunch, relaxing dinner or an exciting celebration, they have menus that cater for all occasions. There are inspired dishes and mouth-watering menus to cater for everyone. You’ll find the Talbot Inn on the High Street in Ripley - to reserve a table or for details of special nights and events call 01483 225188 or view the website at thetalbotripley.com
SO Interview
Coup de Grace
22 surreyoccasions.co.uk
SO Interview
Grace’s favourite places in Surrey
Kate Cracknell meets Grace Fodor the woman behind Studio10, the Guildford-based beauty brand that is going global in its bid to provide beauty products that meet the needs of the more mature woman When asked to interview Guildford-based beauty entrepreneur Grace Fodor, I had to look twice at her photo because she appears much younger than her 50 years. She’s the perfect advert for her cosmetics company, Studio 10, which helps older women defy the signs of ageing. Grace’s company was born out of her own desire and frustration to find make up that made her look and feel good and that really worked for her age. She also has a passion for make up and possesses a natural entrepreneurial streak. “I felt something was missing in the market and I was looking for a make up range designed for women as they age. There wasn’t a brand specifically tailored to my needs to combat the signs of ageing.” Before setting up the company Grace spent 18 months extensively researching the cosmetics market. She worked alongside dermatologists and internationally renowned makeup artists to explore the ‘aesthetics’ of make up to correct and conceal. The cleverly formatted products, for 35 plus women, are enriched with advanced anti-ageing ingredients and animal cruelty free. Grace says it’s a bit like having an; “instant face-lift without the surgery.” Grace understands that busy women don’t have the luxury of spending hours applying make up. “My morning beauty regime literally takes two minutes.” This is because Grace uses her Skin Perfector, a Studio10 best-seller. Many of the traditional make up brands tend to be about the look for the season influenced by the catwalk, red carpet or celebrity. “We’re not high fashion. Studio10 is all about covering, correcting and concealing the signs of ageing. It is about quick-fixes to cover the age spots, dark circles, redness and fine lines while adding definition, shape and pigment that we lose through ageing. Make up really can transform and turn back time.” Grace has already sparked a cult frenzy with India Knight from the Sunday Times hailing it as ‘genius’ and celebrities such as; Michelle Collins, Melanie Sykes, Lisa Snowdon, Suzi Perry and Jenny Frost who are already firm followers.
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Courtyard, Guildford for fashion
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Bone Interiors, Petworth for interiors
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White Horse, Hascombe for food
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One Forty, Cranleigh for gifts
“How women feel about age can be quite negative, no one really wants to age, but it’s not about being younger, but looking younger. If you look good, you feel good. You should do what is right for you, it’s about putting your best version forward.” Grace wants to be known as a ‘disrupter’ shaking up the cosmetic’s industry. Studio10 is in its second year and is now a global brand selling throughout the UK, the US, Australia and South East Asia, which isn’t bad considering the headquarters are still situated in a working studio in Grace’s Guildford house. Grace employs local women and jokes she’s even recruited outside her daughter’s school gates! She also welcomes flexi-working to help her team achieve the sought after work/life balance. “I also recruit older women into the business. My latest recruit is 56 – she had a wealth of experience and expertise and is perfect for the role.” Grace is a mum of three girls aged; 17,14 and 10 and is more than familiar with the juggling act of being a business woman and mum and striking the right balance. She admits she works 24/7. “With owning your own business, you are permanently connected. My head is always buzzing and it can be difficult to switch off.” When Grace does relax, she enjoys walking her dog and taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Surrey Hills and the splendor of Winkworth Arboretum. She feels lucky to live in Guildford and is a huge fan of the high street with great shops and wonderful places to eat. She has just celebrated her 50th birthday and admits it wasn’t an easy milestone. “Fifty just sounds older so middle aged! I’m passionate about redefining age, but also 50. I really want to support and empower women as they age. We should feel confident and be visible and seen as being valuable. Beauty is ageless.” She really admires Dame Judi Dench for her strong attitude: “She’s 81 and got her first tattoo – age doesn’t hold her back.” Grace’s ethos is simple: “If you look good, you feel good” and vice versa and she wants women to look beautiful, befitting of their natural. She also offers master classes so women can learn her tricks of the trade. So what’s next? “My personal goal is to redefine beauty for older women and for the business to build a globally renowned brand that really makes a difference in women’s lives.” With such a positive and determined attitude the world is Grace’s oyster.
“I felt something was missing in the market and I was looking for a make up range designed for women as they age”
@SurreyOccasions 23
SO Weddings
(Hen) do it
differently
From crafting your own wedding flowers to floating down the River Thames in a hot tub – Surrey is choc-full of fabulous and unique hen do ideas. Cora Lydon rounds up some of the best and a couple that are further afield
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NATURE LOVERS
If the bride-to-be’s footwear of choice is more wellies than Louboutin why not round up the hens for a spot of conservation work with Surrey Wildlife Trust. Across the county there are more than 80 sites needing volunteers to do anything from the traditional skill of coppicing to clearing scrubland. During the work party you’ll be working from 10am through to late afternoon under the watchful eye of a ranger – and can pack up a special picnic for lunch complete with Champagne. To book:surreywildlifetrust.org; 01483 795440
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FOREIGN JAUNTS
What better way to celebrate a bride-to-be’s final weeks of freedom than gathering all of her friends and jetting off to somewhere abroad. An up and coming hen destination is Riga in Latvia, which is gaining popularity for its colourful mix of culture and party nightlife. By day you can take in the world-famous gallery or visit the bustling Central Market and by night head for the Terrace Riga – an al fresco beach-club style venue where you can really get the party started. To book: Whizz Air, Ryanair and BA all fly to Riga. Visit: latvia.travel/en
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PARTY LOVERS
For a spot of nostalgia you’ll be hard pressed to find something more fun than a Girls’ Night in the 80s at the Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge. In your room you’ll find a set of crimpers plus a selection of classic movie hits from the decade, an interactive DVD game to test your knowledge of all things 80s, retro penny sweets and a Polaroid camera with 10 complimentary prints. Plus you will each enjoy a 25-minute manicure or pedicure. To spice up the hen do add extras like a hot tub with Prosecco, 80s Karaoke or a cocktail masterclass. To book: brooklandshotelsurrey.com; 01932 335710; reservations@brooklandshotelsurrey.com
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CRAFTY TYPES
If you’re craving something classier than ‘L’ plates and male strippers it’s time to get the creative juices flowing with a The Crafty Hen session. The Bride and her Hens can craft some beautiful wedding day keepsakes, from bunting and painted tea sets to tiaras and memory books. The mobile service can come to you at the location of your choice or it also works with a range of selected venues across the UK. It promises to be a unique and productive hen do experience. To book: thecraftyhen.co.uk, 0117 954 8002
@SurreyOccasions 25
SO Weddings
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ACTIVE TYPES
So a warehouse in North London doesn’t sound like the most glamorous spot for hens to celebrate – but when you step inside you’ll be transported to the set of 90s cult TV viewing The Crystal Maze. The hens will don fetching bomber jackets and be tested in a series of mental and physical challenges. And of course there’s always the threat of a lock-in if you fail a game. Trainers are a must, as you’ll be running around the maze between zones shepherded by a guide in character. To book: the-crystal-maze.com; info@the-crystal-maze.com
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SMALL GROUPS
The hottest ride of the year is all ready to welcome hen groups in Surrey – and the dress code is swimwear. The Runnymede-on-Thames hotel’s newest addition is the UK’s only HotTug – a floating hot tub that can be enjoyed as you cruise along the River Thames. The HotTug uses a wood-burning stove to keep up to six bathers warm whatever the weather, and the vessel can be used as a self-drive boat, a self-drive hot tub or a floating hot tub moored on the Runnymede-on-Thames’ spot in Egham. To book:therunnymede.co.uk; 01784 220600; info@therunnymede.com
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BOO Z Y FUN
Sample the best that Surrey has to offer in the way of ales and lagers with a tour of the famous Hogs Back Brewery. Housed in the original 18th century farm buildings, the brewery makes for a fun way to kick-start a hen do. Under the expert eye of one of the Hogs Back’s tour guides you’ll get to learn how it brews its award-winning beer. A generous range of the beers are available for sampling, you’ll get to explore the hop garden, collect your free Hogs Back half pint glass and make a stop in the brewery shop. Tours last approx an hour and three quarters. To book: hogsback.co.uk; 01252 784495
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Matthew Newton
Ben Duffy
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SO Weddings
Green and
pleasant
We spoke to the team at Good Florist Guide, the ‘little black book’ of UK and Irish florists with members in Surrey and beyond, who shared their inside knowledge on floral wedding trends for the year ahead.
Just as Pantone predicted, green is set to be the colour of 2017. Or at least in the wedding world where Surrey florists are gearing up for a spring season of less flowers and more foliage. Officially crowned ‘Colour of the Year’ is a zesty shade named ‘Greenery’, making it the perfect guide for brides as the style surges in popularity. We spoke to the team at Good Florist Guide, the ‘little black book’ of UK and Irish florists with members in Surrey and beyond, who shared their inside knowledge on floral wedding trends for the year ahead. GFG-accredited florist Alison Howe owns Banstead shop Mad Lilies. Selfconfessed trend-setters, Alison and team can be found foraging for foliage or wildflowers in the magnificent Surrey countryside when they’re not hard at work fulfilling wedding dreams. On this spring’s trend forecast Alison said, “Pantone’s Colour of the Year is a refreshing and vitalising shade, and we predict you will see ‘greenery’ playing a
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SO Weddings
Style guide Leading florist Fabienne Egger’s floral creations have adorned The Connaught Hotel, The Berkeley and Claridge’s Hotel. Surrey Occasions spoke with Fabienne to find out what she expects to see at weddings for 2017 and to find out more about her new workshops.
“Blush continues to be one of the most requested colour choices, but also mixed with deep shades of burgundy or fuchsia, orange and rust.” she says. “On trend for 2017 are hanging flowers and chandeliers (also known as canopies or installations). They look absolutely gorgeous and really stand out. Many designs for the chandeliers are simplistic yet have the WOW factor, some are covered in foliage with plenty of green on show whereas others have long stemmed pretty pastel coloured flowers hanging down, simply stunning.” For anyone keen to turn their hand to the delicate art of floral arranging, Fabienne Egger Events & Wedding Flowers now run classes.
leading role in this year’s weddings with an abundant use of lush foliage becoming the key player of all aspects of the wedding from foliage-only bouquets, to loose and draping tablescapes, to textured pew ends and buttonholes. Foliage really does work perfectly for those looking to achieve a natural look as it really helps to bring the great outdoors - indoors.” Mad Lilies have already booked three weddings featuring only foliage, and while a no-flowers rule might sound boring, Team GFG tell us there’s actually a surprisingly wide spectrum of varieties available in shades from deep, dark green and browns to whites and yellows in all sorts of delicious textures.
“We are thrilled to be bringing our courses to the UK in conjunction with the Medicine Garden in Cobham and Morton’s Club in Mayfair, London,” confirms Fabienne. “Flowers are wonderful to look at, but they do much more than just look pretty! I will be sharing how they can set the tone for an event, give a room texture and speak to the most intense of our senses with their fragrance.” Visit: fabienne-egger.co.uk
Alison continues, “I believe you’re going to see lots of gorgeous foliage varieties. It’s all about bringing the outside in with textures and movement. It’s a very natural and quirky look, it’s not contrived and you won’t find poker-straight stems. That’s not to say flowers won’t have a part to play, as Alison adds, “When there are flowers involved I think you’ll see far more deep colours coming through. Think deep reds, burgundies and metallics like copper. And as flowers grow naturally they grow in clumps, so that’s how we think when we design them.” “I always encourage seasonal flowers, for example you won’t easily find Peonies in November. Roses are the exception as
they are available all year round, although I’d predict that next year we’ll mostly see big, blousy garden roses rather than the traditional Dutch-grown varieties.” With decades of trend-watching experience, Alison reckons it’s important to keep an eye on what’s happening across the pond as our American counterparts will always be one-step-ahead. She says, “I follow American blogs because I feel they’re always about 18 months ahead of us, and I’ve seen that consistently for the last 16 years. Succulents were big in the US around three or four years ago, and now they’re still huge here.” Also still blooming on the trend-scale are British-grown flowers. Now in its third year, British Flowers Week, which takes place this year from 19 – 25 June, has snowballed in success and flies the flag for home-grown blooms with celebrations and events all over the UK. Both Alison and many of her GFG counterparts agree British flowers will continue to have a large impact throughout 2017, especially since they naturally suit the wild, textured style that’s become so popular of late and isn’t set to disappear anytime soon. For more info on Mad Lilies visit: Madlilies.co.uk
@SurreyOccasions 29
SO Weddings
THE WEDDING EDIT Surrey Occasions takes a look at the latest news, trends and supplier information for upcoming nuptials
Wedding food trends 2017 Want some inspiration for your big day’s menu? Sarah Hammond, wedding expert and director at Rhubarb Cranleigh, offers some expert insight into 2017’s biggest trends. The most popular trend this year would most definitely be sharing meals. Long tables, with simple and beautiful meat or fish dishes with an array of salads or vegetables are bucking the norm of a traditional sit down meal. 2017 will definitely be the year of the veggie takeover. Spreads are becoming very veggie centric, expect to see a lot of cauliflower, aubergine and sea vegetables. Cauliflower snow is set to be the new superfood.
american dream
Brides-to-be are increasingly looking to their US cousins for inspiration for the big day, according to James’ Place, with US-style weddings becoming more popular for Brit brides. Key examples of trends that have made it to these shores include the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, mid-week nuptials, non-conventional menus, industrialchic themed celebrations and more intimate occasions.
Nostalgic dishes are on the up, with redefined classics such as dishes that provide a collective emotional connection and comfort amongst guests - for example coronation chicken beignet canapé and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese. Traditional British ingredients and recipes are also on the up, and boned stuffed quail is back on the top ten list.
book it
Did you know that despite starting Lonely Planet in 1972 following their honeymoon, Tony and Maureen Wheeler have never published a book aimed specifically at couples celebrating their wedding… until now. The Honeymoon Handbook features 25 of the most exciting locations to consider for couples post-wedding, from Andalucia to Zambia. With a quiz to help you determine the honeymoon of your dreams, there’s also advice on getting
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married abroad, a honeymoon calendar, budget breakdowns and an LGBT-friendly indicator for same-sex couples.
something old…
eBay has reported an upsurge in the market for second hand wedding dresses – revealing it recorded 17,000 dresses sold in the past three months alone. Following Christmas proposals the online marketplace says the first few months of the year are busy for Brides keen to find their perfect dress. Men, on the other hand, are far more casual in their outfit planning; men’s formalwear searches peak in June. If you want to see before you buy Swoon Bridalwear in Weybridge has a Redress It service, putting Brides-to-be in touch with Brides wishing to sell their dress.
SO Shopping Supporting Surrey’s High Streets
High Street
Heroes
The Old Violin Workshop Charming shop that supplies a wide range of violins, violas and cellos, including instruments for children starting to learn music right through to concert grade instruments for professional performers. As well as selling new violins, they also restore good quality older instruments in their workshop and offer a comprehensive repair service at economical rates. Tel: 020 8977 2952 or oldviolinworkshop.co.uk
The Cavan Bakery This family business has been baking bread since 1929 and is now run by the third generation of the Cavan family. They have several shops in Surrey selling everything from freshly baked bread, sandwiches, their original recipe jam doughnuts and billionaires shortbread. They also deliver to restuarants, farm shops and cafes in Surrey and London. You can even order online. Tel: 020 8941 5247 or cavanbakery.co.uk
32 surreyoccasions.co.uk
This issue we take a trip to the villages of Hampton and Hampton Wick, that edge the River Thames. You’ll find a great mix of restaurants and cafes here as well as specialist shops
Hillsound Hillsound is a family owned business staffed by a small (but growing) dedicated team of musicians. Since 2007 the shop has grown from a home-based repair business to an ever expanding multi-specialist retail outlet stocking guitars, digital pianos, keyboards, recording equipment, drums and woodwind instruments. All the instruments are fully checked prior to sale and many carry a five-year warranty and all come with a free three-month from date of purchase inspection free of charge. Tel: 020 8977 7788 or hillsounduk.com
Millbank Carpets Established in 1989 Millbank carpets deal with many of the finest carpet manufacturers in the country. They will fit for both residential and commercial customers alike and not only supply carpet but a myriad of other flooring solutions. They will even come to your home or office or you can, of course, also visit their showroom. Tel: 020 8943 4515 or millbankcarpets.com
SO Shopping
Runners Need
Sigma sport The headquarters of this leading cycling and triathlon shop are located in Hampton Wick. Not only do they sell bikes, they sell all the kit needed for the serious cyclist – technical gear, accessories and nutritional products. They also specialise the triathlon bikes gear triathlon frames, wetsuits, helmets, backpacks and compression clothing. Tel: 020 8614 9777or sigmasport.co.uk
Formerly Lanson Running, this small chain of specialist shops have a history of providing friendly, expert advice to the active and vibrant community, whatever your level of fitness or running ability. Their experienced team is made up of personal trainers and sports massage therapists. In store you will be offered training advice, technical product support as well as a free Click + Collect service. Tel: 0208 943 4094 or runnersneed.com
The Kingston Laser Clinic Established in 2003 the Kingston Laser Clinic in Hampton Wick provides a variety of skin treatments from microdermabrasion and skin peels to thread vein and hair removal. All of the services are undertaken by registered nurses or qualified therapists and they are monitored by the Healthcare Commission. Initial consultations are free so that you can make up your own mind as to which treatment is right for you. Tel: 020 8943 5381 or kingstonlaser.co.uk
Arlington Kitchens Owner and head designer Ian Taylor of Arlington Kitchens has been in the kitchen industry for over 30 years Arlington Kitchens prides itself on designing, sourcing and installing the very best modern and traditional kitchens at highly competitive prices. The company can also undertake all internal building work including demolition of internal walls, plumbing, electrical work and decorating. They source from an extensive range of both traditional and modern and can supply and fit any worktop, from good old laminate to Corian, Granite, Quartz, stainless steel and solid timber. They also offer 0% finance on certain ranges. Arlingtonkitchens.co.uk
Il Rustico Restaurant Authentic Italian food from Calabria in Italy where the emphasis is on flavour. Traditional Italian starters and mixed plates or sharing platters plus classic dishes with a twist such as Wild Boar Ravioli, Porcini mushroom risotto or a wide selection of meat and fish dishes. A decent wine list also include organic wines and if you come for cocktails you get a traditional Italian Aperitivo with it. Tel: 020 8943 3514
The Foresters Great gastro-pub in the heart of Hampton Wick High Street serving top-notch pub grub including great Sunday roasts. Plus its stumbling distance from Hampton Wick train station and 3km from Bushy Park if you fancy a post lunch stroll. Its warm and colourful interior is all that a traditional pub should be, with eclectic furnishings and exposed brick walls. There’s also an outdoor seating area. If you wish to stay, you can book one of the pub’s upstairs rooms. Tel: 020 8943 5379 or the-foresters.com
Martha Pountain Hair Run by a former creative director at Vidal Sassoon, Martha Pountain is a well-established and well known hair salon in Hampton Wick that aims to offer clients top class hairdressing in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Whether you want a quick trim, or a complete new look the team will look after you. They also offer numerous colour techniques, including Balayage, Ombre and many more. Tel: 020 8943 5111 or you can book online at marthapountainhair.co.uk
Azure Bridal wear This independent bridal shop in Hampton Wick aims to offer a truly individual service for brides to be. For starters, unlike many bridal shops, all of the gowns are displayed so you have a clear idea of the choices available. They stock styles to suit both modern and classic tastes. Do note that two weeks notice is usually required for weekend appointments. Champagne can also be ordered to take the edge off your nerves! If you would like to book an appointment for a bridal dress fitting, call 0208 943 1337 Tuesday to Friday or email enquiry@azurebridalgallery.co.uk. For a taster, take a look at their gallery online: azurebridalgallery.co.uk
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Growing up in Surrey
SO Growing Up in Surrey
Serial entrepreneur and star of Channel 4’s hit TV series Posh Pawn, James Constantinou, tells us about his life growing up in Weybridge and selling Queen Victoria’s underpants I was born in east London and moved to Weybridge when I was eight years of age. I spent much of my time back and forth to the East End as we had strong family ties with the area. My earliest memory is shutting my dogs tail in the door of my father’s ford Cortina. It was really disturbing and I was so upset by it….The dog wasn’t too pleased either. I went to Heathside School in Weybridge, but struggled at first due to not being up to speed with the rest of the kids. I was expecting to do a bit of colouring in but the other kids were reciting Shakespeare at the time. 34 surreyoccasions.co.uk
My parents ran their own businesses and were always working, perhaps this is where I got my interest in making money and the workings of business. The idea of becoming a high-end pawn broker evolved from being surrounded by what I thought were wealthy friends living in million pound mansions that almost overnight had the rugs pulled from under them by the banks. 2008 was a turning point and the banks were no longer lending. My friends had assets but no access to funds. I was fortunate as I had funds and liked their assets, it wasn’t brain surgery, well I didn’t think it was anyway. I set up my first shop in Weybridge because I lived locally. Plus as an area it has a reputation for being the home of the wealthy well-heeled elite and obviously
during the good times they had built up a bank of assets. So it was a case of right place at the right time. The best thing about my job is not knowing what the day may hold or what it is that may land on my desk or walk through the door. We have seen Queen Victoria’s underpants, fossilized whale vomit and moon rock. I think the show is so popular as it gives a real insight not only into the business but the clients lives. People are often amazed that the posh can also need cash in the same way anyone else would. I think this peep into their lives is the key to the show’s success. I chill out at the weekend and have just taken up cycling. Both me and my fiancé Claudia enjoy eating out, long weekends away and keeping fit….in that order.
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SO Beauty
Ted Baker’s Sweet Treats Collection Lyla
S C E N TS AT I O N A L
£15 for 10ml edt The perfect handbag-sized treat for spring, Ted Baker’s new collection includes five fragrances - our favourite being Lyla. This scent exquisitely blends dewy summer fruits including grapefruit and peach, with subtle hints of jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla. It’s a sweet and feminine fragrance with stand out fruity tones. The size is also perfect if you like to spray on the go without weighing your handbag down. boots.com
With National Perfume Day falling on 21 March, Surrey Occasions has rounded up the best fragrances for welcoming in spring
Rich Hippie Spring £270 for 15ml edp Rich Hippie’s perfumes are wildcrafted using ingredients from small-scale farmers and using pre-WWII methods of production so every bottle produced is 100 per cent natural and free from chemicals. Spring is no different, where a delicate blend of wild French honey bee extract and organic Indian jasmine combine to create a light, sweet and feminine floral scent. It’s pricey but a little goes a long way. Rich-hippie.com
Leighton Denny Light
Eau de parfum vs Eau de Toilette
& Dark Delightful Michael Kors Sexy Blossom £81.50 for 100ml edp This limited edition fragrance from Michael Kors is perfect to evoke the spirit of spring. The floral woody musk includes top notes of lychee and rose petals, with middle notes of pink peony and freesia and a base of musk and sandalwood. As the name suggests the floral bouquet evokes the spirit of spring and summer and the result is a very sweet, pretty, romantic scent that’s not overpowering. Thefragranceshop.co.uk
£43.70 for 70ml edp You already trust him with your nails and now you can also put your fragrance in the hands of Leighton Denny. This fruity scent is bursting with red fruit top notes, followed by lotus flower and jasmine middle notes and ending with a soft trail of sweet musk and vanilla. LD-boutique.com
£110 for 100ml edt Spring doesn’t just have to mean girly florals – Malin+Goetz’s Petitgrain fragrance is a unisex classic, that layers traditional citrus with green florals and soft woods. Derived from the Seville bitter orange tree, the ingredient petitgrain has a wonderfully uplifting effect and a slightly woodier, sharper scent compared to more citrus ingredients. Malinandgoetz.co.uk
Ghost Whitelight £34 for 50ml edt The newest addition to the Ghost lineup is Whitelight, the result of a successful collaboration with The Perfume Shop. It’s perfect for the warmer months with its crisp, clean fragrance elegantly blending with the fruitier top notes of Mandarin orange, pear and peach. Theperfumeshop.com
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Malin+Goetz Petitgrain
Eau de toilette: A lighter fragrance with around 10 per cent aromatic essence. This means the scent will fade quicker than a perfume, but it makes it ideal for light, summery fragrances. It’s typically the cheaper option for scent but also fades the quickest. The top notes of a scent will be dominant. Eau de parfum: The concentration of scented oils will be over 15 per cent, so it’s more intense than eau de toilette, and a bit pricier. The middle notes are most dominant. Perfume: Also known as perfume extract, this is the most expensive way to buy fragrance. It has a high concentration of scented essences, so it’s long lasting and you only need a little. Top, middle and base notes are all released.
SO Gardening
Spring into action It’s not just your house that needs a spring clean at this time of year - your garden does too! A quick tidy up will do wonders and it will raise your spirits at the same time, writes Sarah Squire of Squire’s Garden Centres
March is the first real gardening month of the year, and sowing, planting and pruning are the words of the moment. So celebrate the lengthening days by heading outdoors and pampering your garden with a spring clean and a fresh new look.
Spring clean your patio Remove dirt, grime and stains from your patio quickly and easily with products such as ‘Block Blitz’ or ‘Patio Black Spot Remover’.
Lush lawns Give your lawn its first cut of the year with the mower blades at their highest setting. Rake the lawn to get rid of winter debris and aerate badly drained areas with a hollow tined fork or aerator.
Welcome home Welcome guests (and yourself !) this spring with a pot of flowers on the doorstep. Dainty violas and spring bulbs such as daffodils and tulips work perfectly and take just minutes to plant up. Choose colours that match your door and interior décor. Or make a statement at your front door by adding a couple of well-chosen containers with permanent planting such as clipped bay trees, box or even an olive tree.
Paper your walls with flowers
Get creative with colour
Decorate a dull wall or fence with a beautiful flowering quince such as the pale peach-flowered ‘Geisha Girl’ or scarlet ‘Knap Hill Scarlet’. These beauties bloom from March to May, and thrive in sun and moist, fertile soil. Or why not plant a climbing rose? My favourite for 2017 is rose of the year ‘Scent From Heaven’, a fitting name for this deliciously perfumed variety.
Be clever with colour. Place larger, brighter specimens close to where you will be viewing them, and use cooler more muted colours and plants with smaller leaves and flowers further away. This helps to give the impression that your garden is bigger than it is. Choose a colour theme for your borders or patio containers using cool, warm or hot colours to convey an elegant, romantic or party atmosphere in your garden.
Flowery carpets Select a range of spring flowers for your borders that will catch the eye and flower for a long period. Shade-loving hellebores are a great choice, with their elegant evergreen foliage and dainty nodding flowers. Try our new ‘Double Ellen’ with their colourful, spotted double blooms, or pretty ‘Ice ‘n’ Roses’, which come in rose pink, dark red or white. You could fill spaces at the front of a border with low growing roses such as the beautiful ‘Flower Carpet’ series, which come in shades to suit any planting scheme.
Cool & elegant – Use a palette of crisp whites, cool blues and emerald greens for a clean, sophisticated and tranquil look. Try a selection of ferns, roses, hellebores, viburnums and deutzias for a cool colour combination. Warm & romantic – Use baby pinks, soft mauves and purples, with a few white highlights to add a little sparkle. Try a combination of aquilegias, scabious, phlox, campanulas, scented pinks and honeysuckles. Hot & passionate – Vibrant reds, zesty oranges and citrus-yellows will fire up any dull border or patio display. Mix them with blue or purple plants to temper the heat, or use them to add spots of bright colour among the more muted borders to lift the energy. My favourite fiery blooms include geums, osteospermums, primroses, tulips, forsythia and spider lilies.
To buy any of the plants listed visit one of Squires’s branches across Surrey or go to their website: squiresgardencentres.co.uk @SurreyOccasions 37
SO Property
Front of house If you have decided to sell your home this year you might be busy wondering what improvements you can make to the interior to make it more appealing. However this could be your first mistake, writes TV presenter and property expert Lucy Alexander
Any reputable estate agent will advise you that making sure your property has kerb appeal is an absolute priority when selling your property. So how can you make your home the star of the street? Here are my top tips.
1.Get street-wise Take a long hard look at your property. If it’s a clear sunny day use the opportunity to take some photographs. Then write down your observations and make a list of what improvements can be made and what it is likely to cost. You don’t need to spend a lot to make a big difference.
2. Improve the view When it comes to property the feeling that a buyer gets on first sight is one that they will carry through during the rest of the viewing. So it is so important to make sure that feeling is a positive one. Take a look at he window frames and sills, guttering, the downpipes, brickwork and rendering. Are they clean and well-maintained? If not, you need to make sure you tackle this before anything else. For example, if you have timber framed windows, check for flaking paint, rotting wood or general wear and tear. If you have mainly UPVC, a good clean will usually bring them up to scratch. Get the local window cleaner round to give your windows a good going over. Put fresh flowers on the window sills to make the
38 surreyoccasions.co.uk
property look at if you care about the little details.
3. Dealing with doors Now lets take a look at the front door. Is the paint flaking or sun-bleached? If so treat it to a lick of paint in a nice bright colour to make it stand out from your neighbours. Door furniture can be dramatically improved with metal polish and elbow grease, but if it is past its best, replace it with something new or reclaimed. Don’t forget about lighting. Buyers won’t always be able to visit in the daytime. Put an attractive lamp by the front door to create a welcoming atmosphere. Add a splash of colour with potted plants, topiary or hanging baskets if you are selling in the spring and summer months.
4. Make way There’s no point having a lovely looking house if you can’t see it. Make sure that there are no large trees and shrubs that completely obscure the view of the front of your property. They should be there to frame the house – not cover it. Keep rubbish bins out of sight or if there is no room, create a camouflaged storage area. Make sure the grass is cut and the drive swept and weed free and access isn’t any way restricted. Potted plants add instant colour and the great thing is you can take them with you to your next home! Lucy Alexander presents Homes Under the Hammer, BBC One 10am daily. Follow her on twitter @LucyAlexanderTV
Smith & Byford
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SO Interiors
Easter parade Add a touch of spring to your home with these Easter-inspired accessories
1
Chicken and the egg 1
Keep your eggs looking their best with this half dozen bone china egg rack from Sarah Boddy. £12, sarahboddy.com 2
Instant Easter
Nothing makes a room look fresher and more spring-like than a beautiful egg and twig wreath. This pretty wreath combines speckled, pastel eggs with realistic looking twigs and can be easily fixed to walls. Price: £24.00, from The Contemporary Home, tch.net 3
Tinned charm
These pretty Easter egg tins are beautifully printed with the beloved bunnies and flowers inside and out. Fill with Easter treats and hide amongst the daffodils. £5.50 from Sisters Guild, sistersguild.co.uk 4
Plump it up
Make yourselves comfortable with these charming cushions made
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with Emma Bridgewater fabric on one side and a sage plain cotton silk on the other. Cushions measure 40 x 40cms each, feather cushion pad included. £35.00 from L’Atelier Natalia Willmott, nataliawillmott.co.uk 5
Tea tray
2
This simple retro-looking Ellipse green tray and tray stand in Saxon green is the perfect place for a pot of tea and a slice of Simnel cake. £151, ninacampbell.com 6
Top table
Spruce up your dining table for Mothering Sunday or Easter with fresh new label linen from contemporary homewares company Cottage in the Hills. The Eastnor Stripe is inspired by the soft palette of early spring and is available in two colourways: a soft blue, grey and white and a sage green, grey and white. Napkins: set of four turned hem: £20, table cloth turned hem 140 x 230 cm: £40, table cloth turned hem 140 x 180 cm: £35, cottageinthehills.com
7
This way
If you’re young enough to enjoy an Easter egg hunt, it’s important to direct participants to the right place This double-sided wooden arrow is perfect to hang on gates, walls or inside and will clearly show the way to the secret stash of chocolate. £7.50 from The Contemporary Home, tch.net
SO Interiors 7 6
3
4
5
@SurreyOccasions 41
SO Travel
First port of call A stay at the historic Vintage House Hotel and Yeatman Hotel are ideal bases for exploring the delights of Portugal’s Douro Valley and finding out more about its most famous wine region, says Mary Conisbee
More information Classic Collection Holidays 0800 294 9323 or classic-collection.co.uk, offer 2 nights at the Vintage House Hotel and 2 nights at The Yeatman from ÂŁ999 pp. Price based on 2 adults sharing River View Junior Suite and Superior Panoramic View Room. Both on a Bed & Breakfast Basis. Includes Return Flights from London Gatwick (other UK departure airports available) to Porto and all private transfers. vintagehousehotel.com the-yeatman-hotel.com
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SO Travel
Last night I dreamt we were back in the lovely colonial- style Vintage House Hotel at Pinhao, in the heart of the Douro Valley, Portugal’s most famous wine region. One of Europe’s oldest wine regions and a UNESCO world heritage site, the Douro Valley was originally only reachable by boat. Today it’s easily accessible by road or train and travel time from Porto by car in just over an hour and a half. The Vintage House Hotel, first created from old port warehouses back in 1998, has enjoyed several incarnations over the years. But this revamp is the smartest. From the elegant pale blue and yellow of our bedroom, with light pouring in from the wide, glittering river below, we looked over the serene riverside gardens below, drinking in the idyllic view, and savouring an excellent bottle of local wine and nibbles, while relaxing on our balcony. The clever decor of the hotel is all about wine, reflecting on what the interior of a traditional wine house would have looked like. Each room features a statement piece that creates an atmospheric interest. The décor is vibrant, with colours and furnishings that resemble a lovely comfortable home. All the 50 bedrooms and suites look onto the river and have surrounding terraces, so guests can enjoy the view from the privacy of their own private balconies. The old buildings, and the land around the hotel are part of an 18th century wine estate that has been exquisitely renovated into this magnificent five star hotel, with 21st century creature comforts, facilities, exceptional fine wines, food, first–class service - all set in stunning surroundings. Dining in the hotel’s award-winning Rabelo Restaurant is a gourmet’s delight, either indoors or on the outdoor terrace tables overlooking the river. The menu cleverly concentrates on flavours from the Douro region - a fusion of the best of modern and traditional cooking. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice, with an impressive wine list of fine labels from all over Portugal. And who can resist not rounding off the evening in the hotel’s Library Bar, relaxing over a glass or two of extraordinary fine port wine.
Views from the barrel bath at The Yeatman The region, of course, is known for the extraordinary quality of its wines – the most famous of which is port. Sign up for a Gourmet Wine Tasting at the hotel’s Wine Academy - or enrol for a course to discover all there is to know about the world’s most popular wine. Outside the hotel you can book riverboat trips, enjoy a ride on the panoramic Douro railway line, see the Douro Museum, visit craft workshops and explore the region’s numerous wine estates. We travelled back through the wonderful Douro Valley and went on to stay at The Yeatman Hotel in Porto. Located in the historic heart of Villa de Gaia next to the ancient lodges where Port houses have aged their wines for over three centuries, The Yeatman is named after a distinguished port wine family. The hotel is a prime destination for those wishing to explore the pleasures of port as it offers unparalleled choice of wood aged and vintage ports from distinguished port houses and estates, including rare wines and collector’s items seldom found on any wine list. The hotel sits in a seven-acre hillside site, and is cleverly orientated so all public spaces and bedrooms face the front – with spectacular and unimpeded views across the river Douro to the city of Porto. The Yeatman’s Michelin starred gastronomic restaurant has been awarded Michelin stars for the last five years. Led by chef Ricardo Costa, the imaginative cuisine offers traditional flavours of Portugal, interpreted and presented with contemporary flair. The menu showcases Portugal’s huge range of fish and other fresh produce. The cellars at the hotel hold one of the most comprehensive collections of Portuguese wines. The hotel has also established partnerships with some of Portugal’s finest producers, who actively participate in the hotel’s programme of tastings, seminars and wine dinners. The wine theme continues at the hotel’s splendid Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa where guests can indulge in a variety of Caudallie exclusive treatments and products - all based on ingredients from the vineyard environment. Why not try the relaxing ‘Barrel Bath Experience’. Immerse yourself in bubbling water enriched with a conditioning grape extract, rounded off with a relaxing massage including pressure points. There are ten therapy rooms where guests can relax and enjoy treatments including relaxing Vichy shower massage and other signature body and facial treatments. The spa also has stunning panoramic views in the relaxation area, and direct access to the indoor, all-weather swimming pool next to the hotel’s gym. The large outdoor pool is surrounded by a sun terrace with staircase to the gardens. The swimming pool’s design is Decanter-shaped – Of course!
@SurreyOccasions 43
SO Homes
House
proud
Anthea Turner shares her advice on de-cluttering your home and how best to store those sentimental items you can’t bear to part with
Everything you possess should have to earn its place in your home. This may seem like a lot of hard work, but once you have tackled the clutter hot-spots in your home it will feel refreshed and revitalised...and so will you. Clutter will be a thing of the past and cleaning will be speedy and simple. Clearing clutter needs planning. Before you start, look in every cupboard and drawer and regardless of what it contains at present, decide what you are going to keep there in the future. Then, as you are tidying, you will be able to put any misplaced items where you want them to be. There is absolutely no point in simply tidying up the contents of a drawer or cupboard so that it still contains the same miscellaneous collection of ‘stuff, but now arranged neatly – that’s a recipe for frustration. Only tackle as much as you can manage at one session. Do a room at a time, or half a room, a cupboard, or even a drawer. A good idea is to start with the visible clutterthe piles of magazines, shoes strewn on the floor, clothes on chairs, beds and the floor. Clear those areas and the impact is amazing. If you are clearing a cupboard, don’t take more than you can put back in an hour. Before you start, get four plastic bin bags and label them: SELL, CHARITY SHOP, RECYCLE and BIN. If you put things you
44 www.antheaturner.biz
SELL
CHARITY
RECYCLE
BIN
What’s clutter?
What’s not clutter?
• • • •
• • •
Anything that is broken and you aren’t going to mend Anything you don’t like the look of Anything you never use or wear Unwanted presents
need to get rid of in the appropriate bags straight away you won’t then end up with a pile of rubbish on the floor that has to be sorted. What about the items that you can’t bear to part with? We all have treasures from our past. They are probably not valuable, often not beautiful, but they are nonetheless special. They are things that evoke memories of milestones in our lives and reminders of happy occasions. A good idea is to choose your most precious items and keep them safe in a memory box. Use a large cardboard lidded box and line it with some acid-free tissue paper. Wrap any garments in the tissue to preserve them. Put smaller items in a small box inside the large box so that they don’t get lost. It’s a good idea to
Instagram: @AntheaTurner
Twitter: @AntheaTurner1
Anything you use regularly Anything you consider beautiful Anything you remember with love and good feelings (be careful with this category)
encourage children to do the same. It will help them to learn that we can’t keep every possession but that there are some things we will want to keep forever. If you haven’t got time to make a memory box now – put those items in a cardboard box and store at the bottom of a cupboard and promise yourself you will do something special with them as soon as you have conquered your unruly house. More of Anthea’s tips can be found in: How to be the Perfect Housewife which is available on amazon.co.uk
Independent Day School for boys aged 11-18 years
Visitors’ afternoons Throughout the year (by appointment - see website for details)
• Scholarships and Bursaries available
• 22 route coach service • 27 acre campus
020 8979 9273 www.hamptonschool.org.uk admissions@hamptonschool.org.uk Hampton School, Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 3HD
Part of the Hampton School Trust. IAPS Independent Day School for boys aged 3 -11 & girls aged 3 - 7 years
Open Morning Friday 19 May 2017
9.30am: Headmaster’s welcome – Prep School 9.45am - 11.00am: Tours – Pre-Prep and Prep Places can be reserved through our ‘Visit the School’ page
Our Impressive State Of The Art New Prep Building Is Now Open 020 8979 1844 www.hamptonprep.org.uk admissions@hamptonprep.org.uk Formerly Denmead Pre-Prep School & Prep School, Gloucester Road, Hampton, TW12 2UQ
SO Schools
Schools in focus Hurst’s caring community When pupils first enter Hurst’s Senior School they join one of eleven houses. There are currently five day houses (three for boys/two for girls) - another girls’ day house is opening this September - and six boarding houses (three for boys/ three for girls). There is also a co-ed Upper Sixth day and boarding house in its own grounds, close to the central campus, designed to provide a transition between school and life beyond.
Hurst offers a sensible approach to boarding, striking a balance between school and home. Pupils are able to engage with a rich and textured life within strong communities but also maintain contact with parents and family. The options are flexi, which allows pupils to stay any three nights a week, and weekly when pupils stay five nights a week (Sunday – Thursday/Monday-Friday) - full boarding is only available for Sixth Formers whose parents work away from home or live abroad.
St Nicholas’ School FLEET
•
HAMPSHIRE
An independent day school for boys and girls aged 3 - 7 and girls aged 3 - 16
Open Mornings
Saturday 4th March 2017 10am-1pm Saturday 7th October 2017 10am-1pm
Open Evening
Thursday 11th May 2017 6-8pm
• Small class sizes • Inspiring teachers • First rate facilities • Outstanding results
st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk
01252 850121
HIGHEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL RATING
“Excellent”
ISI INSPECTION OCT 2015
SO Schools
Visit us to find out more about St George’s Junior School & St George’s College, Weybridge St George’s Junior School (3-11 years) and St George’s College in Weybridge (11-18 years) are leading independent co-educational Roman Catholic day schools in Surrey, including Nursery and Sixth Form, offering a values-led education for all. Along with students and staff, the college’s Headmistress Mrs Rachel Owens and the Junior School’s Headmaster Mr Antony Hudson look forward to meeting you. Find out more at stgeorgesweybridge.com where you can also book onto our next open mornings taking place on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 March 2017.
St Nicholas’ School, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire Highest rating “Excellent” ISI Inspection Oct 2015 St Nicholas’ School in Church Crookham, Fleet is a leading independent day school, educating girls from 3-16 years and boys
from 3-7 years. The school operates an extended day from 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. and has dedicated buses covering routes from Alton, Camberley, Basingstoke, Farnham, Fleet and Odiham. St Nicholas’ School is set in beautiful surroundings and has superb facilities including a full-size sports hall, a large art and textiles centre, four dedicated science laboratories and specialist facilities for music, ICT, food-technology and drama. The school’s Performing Arts Centre, which opened in November 2009, provides a fully raked theatre seating over 350, a drama studio with changing facilities and a full orchestra pit. The school maintains its excellent track record for GCSE results and is regularly placed near the top of the Hampshire League Tables. The next Open Events in will take place on Thursday 12 May 6pm -8pm, Saturday 8 October 10am-1pm, but to receive a prospectus or arrange a personal tour of St. Nicholas’ School, please call 01252 850121(option 2) or email : registrar@ st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk . For further information, please visit st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk
Hampton School & Hampton Prep, Hampton Hampton School and Hampton Prep are renowned for offering an outstanding education to all their pupils - in 2016 both schools received the highest praise from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep School (formerly Denmead) is located on a dual site in the leafy surrounds of Hampton village. The School’s stunning new state-of-the-art Prep building opened this year and includes many eco-friendly features such as a ‘living roof.’ Pupils have an abundance of outdoor space with onsite grass playing fields and an all-weather games area. Inside, the design is light and spacious. Facilities include IT suites, a purpose-built art room, library, music rooms, and an attractive, spacious hall. Wellqualified and dedicated staff are hugely committed to nurturing talented young children and providing them with a broad and balanced curriculum tailored to their needs. The nearby Hampton School is one of the UK’s leading independent senior schools combining academic, sporting and artistic excellence with exceptional pastoral care. Results at GCSE and A Level are among the highest nationally and boys leave as happy, well-rounded individuals who have the confidence and resilience to succeed in the world. The extensive co-curricular programme forms an essential part of the balanced education which Hampton provides, and the onsite Hammond Theatre hosts an impressive array of musical and dramatic performances. The School also has an enviable reputation for excellence across an unusually wide range of sports and boys benefit from first-class coaching, 27 acres of on-site playing fields and a state-of-the-art 3G sports ground. Particular strengths are cricket, football, rowing, rugby, tennis and chess. Hampton Prep enjoys close links with the senior school and an increasing number of boys are moving on to Hampton School via the Assured Place Scheme. hamptonschool.org.uk hamptonprep.org.uk @SurreyOccasions 47
SO Schools
MEET THE HEAD SO speaks to Tim Manly head of independent co-educational day and boarding school Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex
How long have you been head at Hurstpierpoint College? I arrived in December 2005. Since then, the school has doubled in size and moved away from being a predominantly boys boarding environment into the co-educational, flexi/weekly/day rhythm that it is now. The culture and the campus have also changed dramatically. How would you describe the Hurst ethos? We have two great mantras which are “no one on the bench” and “no one beneath the radar”. The school is academically selective, with academic excellence at the core, but we believe that a true education comes from full engagement with every aspect of school life to the best of one’s ability. At Hurst there is an attractive culture of giving one’s best coupled with a “can do” mentality which makes it a vibrant and special place. The primary purpose of a Hurst education is that our children emerge as independent, successful individuals with a good sense of themselves and others.
What extra-curricular activities do you offer at the school? We have huge opportunities of every sort, coupled with a belief that every child should engage with them. All year 9 pupils take dance whilst all year 10 pupils undertake Silver Duke of Edinburgh alongside CCF. We have a choir with over 150 pupils, over 20 drama productions annually and endless teams and societies of all sorts. It is a very busy, well-resourced place with committed staff who strive to achieve high levels of engagement and it is through these areas that our children develop the skills, qualities and values necessary for their future lives. Is the school recognised for being particularly strong in certain subject areas? We have recently seen a huge shift towards Maths and Sciences, with a number of our pupils going on to read Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Science and related disciplines at excellent universities such as Oxbridge or Russell Group. However, Humanities, Arts and Languages still remain strong and our resourcing programme means that we can offer tremendous depth and strength across the board. Can you tell us a little about your inspection reports and your results for the last academic year? Recent inspections have rated us as excellent/outstanding on every count. Our results for the past four years, have seen an annual increase in almost every category. Currently, we are knocking on 70% A*/A at GCSE and 80% A*/B at A-level. Last year we sent nine candidates to Oxbridge and many others to excellent universities in the UK and overseas and I see that continuing. We do well but there is never room for complacency.
What makes this college special? It is not just about the tremendous facilities or staff but rather the sense that every child who comes here has a real opportunity to achieve what they can within a culture that encourages and enables them to do so. Hurst is a civilised and civilising place where people are friendly, warm and keen to do the best they can themselves and to help others do likewise. What are your boarding options and how many boarders do you have? The boarding choices are flexi (a regular commitment of any three nights per week) or weekly (five nights). Although we have a full fixture card for sport and other activities at the weekends, there is no Saturday school or Sunday chapel. I see this as the future of boarding in the South East as we seek to strike the right balance between home and school, whilst delivering all the benefits of a boarding experience. In a world where, increasingly, both parents work and commuting to school is dead time, our boarding options are not just educationally beneficial but also great for families too. Most pupils are fairly local to us and over half of them board to some degree. We have a few full boarders from overseas in the Sixth Form. Last year marked 20 years of co-education at Hurst, what does the school offer girls that an all-girls school can’t? I do not hold a strong belief that co-education is better than single sex or vice versa. What I do know is that it offers a slightly different texture of experience and I believe that co-education has benefited my own children. Both daughters have enjoyed studying the Sciences and Further Maths in our Sixth Form, alongside being in the CCF (Combined Cadet Force) and sports teams; whilst my boys have enjoyed being involved with plays and living in the coeducational Upper Sixth house. There are no gender stereotypes.
OPEN MORNINGS Nursery & Junior School
College & Sixth Form
3 & 4 March 2017
4 March 2017
Call 01932 839437 Book now at www.stgeorgesweybridge.com Leading independent co-educational Roman Catholic day schools in Surrey offering a values-led education for 3 to 18 year olds.
A Registered Educational Charity No.1017853
48 surreyoccasions.co.uk
SO Secret Surrey
1
Haslemere is a gateway town to the Surrey Hills Area and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s located at the tri-point with Hampshire and West Sussex, approximately 12 miles southwest of Guildford, and is the most southerly town in Surrey.
2 3 Undershaw, now a school in Hindhead, is the former residence of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. The house was built for Doyle at his order to accommodate his wife’s health requirements, and is where he lived with his family from 1897 to 1907. Undershaw is where Doyle wrote many of his works, including The Hound of the Baskervilles.
6 8
The Landmark Green Post Box – a replica of the distinctive Penfold post box can be found on Haslemere High Street, it’s a hexagonal, green letter box and was designed by local architect and designer, John Penfold in the 1860s. Latterly, the box achieved a degree of modest fame in the cartoon series Danger Mouse. ‘Penfold’, the be-speckled mole and Danger mouses’ side-kick was named after John Penfold because the duo’s secret hideout was in a post box in Baker Street.
4
The coming of the railway to Haslemere in 1859 brought increased prosperity in the town and today Haslemere has the most number of first class season train ticket holders in the country according to a report in Country Life magazine.
Haslemere Museum - The independent award-winning museum was founded in 1888 and contains wonderful collections in geology, natural and human history including an Egyptian Mummy. The museum has beautiful gardens overlooking National Trust land as well as a fully operational beehive in the summer months. One of the museum’s most famous residents is, Arthur, a 6ft Siberian bear, he is very popular with children and has been adopted by a local dental practice and even receives dental check-ups! (illustration of Arthur, photo courtesy of Haslemere Museum.) The earliest record of Haslemere was in 1221 as a Godalming tithing. The name describes “hazel” trees standing beside a “mere” (lake). The lake does not exist today, but there is a natural spring in West Street which could have provided its source.
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9
10 T H I N G S YO U M I G H T NOT KNOW ABOUT
Haslemere 5 7
Novelist George Eliot had a cottage called Brookbank, on what was Shottermill Common, where she wrote most of her novel Middlemarch. Shottermill, a district on the west side of Haslemere, used to produce “shot” for the cannons, hence the name Shottermill. Other industries included; leather curing, glass blowing, paper making, braid for army uniforms, spinning, weaving and cloth making. Later the making of bricks, pottery and chestnut fencing diversified the job market. Brooms made from silver birch trees and heather used to be supplied to the big houses such as Hampton Court and Windsor Castle.
Haslemere’s diverse and rich landscape has helped to inspire many great artists and authors including; Alfred Lord Tennyson, the poet laureate to Queen Victoria. If you take a stroll to St Bartholomew’s Church in the heart of Haslemere there is a memorial window to him. Alfred, Lord Tennyson lived and worked at Aldworth House, for much of his later life, dying there in 1892.
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The Devil’s Punch Bowl was regarded as an area of disrepute due to the activities of highwaymen and robbers. Gibbet Hill was mentioned by Dickens in his novel Nicholas Nickleby, in the scene where Nickleby was walking from London to Portsmouth.
8 - 24 JUNE 2017
ENTERTAIN IN ROYAL SPLENDOUR THIS JUNE... As well as the fantastic music line-up, Hampton Court Palace Festival is renowned for creating a truly unforgettable hospitality experience. Indulge yourself in royal splendour, walk across the cobles and follow in the footsteps of our infamous Kings and Queens for a unique evening to remember.
WHAT’S ON 2017
Whether you’re entertaining clients, on a company outing or enjoying the evening with family or friends, The Kings Dining Package is the perfect way to add luxury to your evening.
JAMES MORRISON 8 JUNE
JOOLS HOLLAND 16 JUNE
BRYAN FERRY 21 JUNE
RICK ASTLEY 22 JUNE
You and your guests will not fail to be impressed by exclusive afterhours access to the Palace’s magnificent state apartments, steeped in history. Immerse yourself in regal grandeur as you sip on champagne while absorbing the sumptuous surroundings. An exceptional three-course dinner fit for a king will follow in the rooms Henry VIII himself dined in, accompanied by fine wines throughout. You will finish your meal with freshly brewed tea or coffee, all before taking your premium seats in the stunning Tudor Courtyard for the main music event.
FURTHER ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED! FANFARE & FIREWORKS 24 JUNE
THE KINGS DINING PACKAGE FROM £275.00 + VAT
To book your evening of indulgence or for further information please contact Georgina Hawkes 020 8233 6717 / Georgina.Hawkes@img.com
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thefineflowerscompany.co.uk
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