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Farnham & Villages • February 2017
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Grow your own
Inside: FARNHAM LIONS WHAT TO WEAR THIS SPRING BUTTERFLIES IN THE GLASSHOUSE WIN TICKETS TO THE FARNHAM WINE FESTIVAL IN APRIL The local magazine produced by local people for the local community, delivered by your local postman
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|| YOUR LOCAL TEAM Our walk this month is a real treat. I did it with Humph and friends after Christmas. It was one of those wonderful cold, frosty and blue-skied days and the views from both Holmbury and Pitch Hills were stunning. I had never been to either and think that the smashing view from Blackdown has now been supplanted in my affections by these two. Very well worth a journey on a clear day. Some advance notice of a Travel Fair we will be running in Godalming on 1st April from 1pm to 4pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. There will be a number of travel companies exhibiting and giving brief talks about the holidays they can offer. This is a great opportunity to discuss your travel
Stefan Reynolds Editor & Publisher
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ideas and wishes with the experts and get answers to any questions you might have. Free entry, a prize draw and there will be a complimentary drink on arrival. See you there! This month sees the first of special days which usually involve you spending more money. I refer of course to Valentine’s Day which seems to get ever more commercial. The best gifts I think are those which treat both the giftee (yes, it is a word!) and its doner. So here’s a gift idea for any special day - tickets to one of our wine festivals. Three different venues and various ticket options. Visit www.vantagepointevents.co.uk to find out more. Contact the editor: stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk
Marcus Atkins, Sales Director 01483 420173 / 07702 132157 marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk
Lauren Broughton, Sales 01483 661088 / 07852 041227 lauren@vantagepublishing.co.uk
Contributors: Kay Goldsworthy, Phil Kemp, Beth Otway, Kirstie Smillie, Louise Steele
Liz Godfrey, Sales 01483 661089 / 07788 748826 liz@vantagepublishing.co.uk
Jesse Boon, Sales 01483 418141 / 07542 710508 jesse@vantagepublishing.co.uk
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February 2017
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Cover: Red Onions by Andrew Malone
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|| CONTENTS The local magazine produced by local people for the local community
RUGMART Surrey’s Biggest Rug Shop www.rugmart.co.uk
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6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard
9 Butterflies A rainbow of delights at RHS Wisley
14 Grow Your Own Phil Kemp on local allotments 21 Education
Visit us for a huge range of Modern, Contemporary & Bespoke rugs
Choosing the right school for your child
26 Fashion What to wear this spring 32 Gardening Compost and containers
34 Local Girlguiding - get involved!
36 Recipes The cheese course Hand Woven Oriental Rugs Traditional & Antique Rugs Large and Over Size Rugs Persian & Afghan Rugs Handmade Tribal Kilims Hall Runners & Hearth Rugs
40 Walk
43 Profile
Come and visit our showroom: 2-3 Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4PU Be inspired by our treasure trove of rugs over 4 floors and 7000 sq ft!
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Holmbury and Pitch Hills
Farnham Lions
44 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services
47 Competitions & Offers Win one of two great prizes and a reader offer!
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The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright and nothing can be reprinted without prior permission of the publisher. The publisher has tried to ensure that all information is accurate but does not take any responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We take no responsibility for advertisments printed in the magazine or loose inserts that might be delivered alongside it. © Vantage Publishing Limited.
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Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society Since January 2017 we also provide a Home Care Service fully registered with CQC 01252 735522 Our aim is to prevent loneliness and to help older people enjoy a full and purposeful life in the community. We understand how important dignity, freedom and independence are but we are always there for reassurance and extra help if required.
February 2017
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All compliant in CQC inspections • Fees reflect charitable status • Wide range of activities • Large input from Volunteers • Home cooked food • All rooms are spacious and en-suite • Resident focus groups.
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|| JOTTINGS YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
JOTTINGS
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Jottings is your community noticeboard for local events and information, compiled by Nick and Angie Crisell. To feature here, please email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk by the copy date shown below. Please note that space is limited and inclusion cannot be guaranteed.
I took a peek at last February’s jottings and was amazed to read that we had reported that spring bulbs were already poking their heads above the soil. Well, things are not quite so advanced this year. Although we haven’t had any major weather upsets, we have had a few cold snaps and in fact as I write it appears that we are due for another one in a couple of days. Anyway, even though we tend to baton down the hatches in February, there is still a lot going on in terms of entertainment. I’m sure you will find something that will tickle your fancy. Grayshott Flower Club Wednesday 1st February They meet on the first Wednesday of the month at Grayshott Village Hall. Throughout the year demonstrations, workshops, classes and social events take place and the club is always welcoming to visitors and new members. For further information call 01428 651956. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, the sales table and a raffle. On Wednesday 1st, the demonstration is entitled ‘Now What’, three experienced flower arrangers will be given a container and flowers and asked to make an arrangement hence the title ‘Now What’! It promises to be an interesting and entertaining evening. David Mayne Exhibition Runs to Saturday 25th February David Mayne is a sculptor of national repute with work in both public and private collections throughout the UK. One thing has remained constant in his work; the use of metal. David started using this material after visiting one of Sheffield’s many scrap yards while studying for his fine art degree. He was instantly drawn to the colour and texture of discarded steel and the inherent quality it possessed. The exhibition is on at The New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham and it is definitely worth popping in; there are usually several
exhibitions running at the same time. Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm. Free admission. Grayshott Decorative and Fine Arts Society Thursday 2nd February 2pm Eveline Eaton will follow the development of Georges Seurat’s highly personal style from his early drawings to his later serene landscape paintings. For more information about the society and all their events, contact Caroline on 01428714276 or visit the website www.grayshottdfas.org. uk. Mary Wondrausch Exhibition at Watts Contemporary Gallery To 19th February Although it is as a potter that Mary Wondrausch OBE gained an international reputation – her work is included in important public and private collections and she is an Honorary Fellow of the Craft Potters’ Association – it was through the medium of painting, specifically collage paintings that Mary’s career began. Now aged 93, Mary has once again returned to these media, and this exhibition will be an opportunity to see and buy her paintings and collages. Mary, whose home and studio are in Compton, Surrey, trained at West Surrey College of Art and Design. Returning from London to Surrey in 1953, Mary settled at Brickfields, where she continues to live and work today. She became increasingly interested in ceramics, and in 1974 established a pottery business in Godalming. For more than 40 years, Mary has practised as a potter, but in 2015, aged 92 and “seeking a more modest and manageable format”, she was encouraged to return to painting and collage, and for the past year she has painted every day. A remarkable lady indeed! For further information, go to www.wattsgallery. org.uk.
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Farnham Wine Festival Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April 2017
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham GU9 7QR
Guildford Wine Festival Friday 12th and Saturday 13th May 2017
Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7UP
Dorking Wine Festival
Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2017 Dorking Halls, Reigate Rd, Dorking RH4 1SG
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Elstead Afternoon Women’s Institute Thursday 2nd February 2.15pm for 2.30pm David May will be talking about ‘Seale Nurseries and Rose Care’ at the Elstead Village Hall. There will be the usual delicious tea available for £1 to all members and visitors. Why not go along and join them? They have some excellent speakers lined up for 2017, including, on Thursday 2nd March, Paul Whittle speaking on ‘Tsars and CommissarsAspects of St.Petersburg’. On Thursday 6th April, Barry Jutsum will talk about ‘My life as a Detective Constable’. There is no requirement to live in Elstead to become a member; contact Venetia Pierce on 01252 702415 for more information. Surrey Border Movie Makers Friday 3rd February They meet on the first Friday of each month and are a film making club whose members consist of retired professionals, experienced film makers and complete beginners. They share a love of making films which they do to the best of their ability including holiday films, drama and documentary. They always welcome new members so if you are interested in seeing what they do, visit their website www.surreyborder.org.uk. They meet at the St Joan’s Centre, 19 Tilford Road, Farnham GU9 8DJ. There is plenty of parking and your first visit is free. Contact: secretary@ surreyborder.org.uk. Affinité The Surrey based social club for active mature singles concluded the festive season with a New Year dinner at the Onslow Arms, West Clandon and will be continuing with the club’s usual programme of lunches, Saturday night dinners and informal club nights plus visits to the theatre, cinema, concerts and places of interest. Get yourself a social life and a bunch of new friends by contacting them through their recently re launched website www.club-affinite.co.uk.
Book now at: www.vantagepointevents.co.uk Follow us @vpwinefestival and www.facebook.com/vpfestivals • Over 120 international wines • Champagnes and premium wines • Wine experts on hand • Local wine producers with their wines • Charity blind wine tasting and raffle Plus live music, entertainment, concessions, food, money-off wine vouchers and more.
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The Shepherds Rest Café The cafe serves lunches every Tuesday from 12 noon until 2.30pm at The Good Shepherd Church, The Sands, Farnham GU10 1LJ. The Good Shepherd Church is part of the Seale, Sands, Puttenham and Wanborough parish. Lunches consist of a range of homemade soups, quiches, pies and flans. For the lighter appetite sandwiches can be made to order and there are always jacket potatoes with a wide range of fillings available. Desserts vary from homemade hot puddings through to a selection of cakes. The café offers a warm and friendly reception. Profits from the café are shared with the Parish and The Good Shepherd Church Fabric Fund. For further information on the café contact Ann Payne email ann.payne303@btinternet.com or phone 01252 782873. The RSPB North east Hants Local Group Saturday 4th February 7.30pm There’s a welcome return visit from Gordon Small, who will introduce the audience to ‘The Swiss Alps’. Mountains, valleys, butterflies, flowers, mammals and
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Butterflies Seek out a rainbow of delights with Butterflies in the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley Escape into the warmth of the tropical zone in the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey until 5th March 2017 and feast your eyes on a thousand butterflies flying all around, feeding from fruits and sweet liquids at special feeding stations. They also feed on plants such as Caliandra, Lantana with their dainty clustered flowers, Justicia, Pavonia and Pachystachys. These free-flying beauties will captivate visitors, as they glide around the cathedral-
Top: Giant Swallowtail (Pinterest). Left: Tiger Leafwing (JungleDragon).
February 2017
like building, which will be home to over 50 different species of butterfly, 15 of which have never been seen at Wisley before. These include Blue Waves, Giant Swallowtails and the Tiger Leafwing, to name but a few. All the butterflies on display originate from tropical areas of the world like the Philippines, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize, Thailand and Africa.
Having butterflies in the glasshouse is the perfect antidote for the midwinter blues and provides a welcome escape to tropical climes Each species offers a visual treat to behold, like the blue wave from Central America, which comes from the Nymphalidae family. They have brightly-coloured sapphire-blue iridescent wings, delicately patterned with white. The giant swallowtail is the largest species found in North America and it has a distinctive flying style that makes it look like its hopping. It also looks similar to its cousin the UK swallowtail, however, as the name suggests, it is much larger with a wingspan of up to 18cm (double that of the UK species). Tiger leafwings come from the Charaxinae family and have amazing camouflage. They tend to be medium sized with bright tiger-like orange upperwings and mottled brown underwings. When their wings close, they look remarkably like a dead leaf.
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Bred at the Stratford Butterfly Farm, the butterflies are brought into the Glasshouse at the pupae stage, and carefully attached to canes with safe glue to emulate their natural habitat, where they hang from small branches attached by silk. They are kept in a special emerging cage called a puparium, which provides the perfect living conditions for them to stay warm. Once they emerge they hang on the cane to dry out their wings. “For me, having butterflies in the glasshouse is the perfect antidote for the midwinter blues and provides a welcome escape to tropical climes,” says Christopher J Young, Glasshouse team leader, who is responsible for managing the successful operation of the Glasshouse and organising the transition of the butterflies, from when they arrive on site in their pupae, to emerging in all their colourful glory in the glasshouse. In the tropical zone of the Glasshouse they’ve designed an environment similar to a rainforest that mimics the perfect conditions to allow huge leaves and flowers to grow. Visitors will also find bananas and bromeliads, as well as aquatic and wetland plants floating in the jungle pool. The tree ferns, tall palms, lush-leaved creepers and dazzling flower displays that make up the tropical paradise of the Glasshouse provide an exciting and dramatic backdrop to the event. Wisley invites visitors to take a tour through the world of plants on display in our tropical hot house and catch a glimpse at the extensive range of wild species, as well as garden hybrids and cultivars. It’s a great chance to marvel at the myriad of vibrant colours and patterns that flutter before you and take the opportunity to photograph these stunning creatures up close. Go and learn all about the life cycle of a butterfly in our interactive Education Zone, the perfect place to pick up fascinating facts and become a butterfly expert. Children have been encouraged to enter a drawing competition to be in with a chance to have their winning design created into a 30cm x 30cm metal butterfly sculpture, produced by artisit Alison Catchlove. The winning entry will go on display from 11th February to 6th March. There will also be a special sculpture trail throughout the garden leading towards the Glasshouse, created by Alison Catchlove. Visitors will get the chance to see Alison demonstrating her extraordinary skills as a sculptor in the Glasshouse Gallery every Friday to Sunday during the event (excluding Friday 17th February). During February Half Term, 11th to 19th February, there will be a range of free family events focused on Whatever the Weather for Butterflies, with activities such as create your own butterfly watering can, make a bubble-art butterfly or bring in your outgrown wellington boots to decorate and plant up with flower seeds.
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Blue Wave (Pinterest)
Wisley will be running tutored butterfly photography mornings on 1st and 10th February. These workshops are ideal for any budding photographer keen to learn how to capture beautiful images of our tropical butterflies with expert advice from tutor Adrian Davies. On 24th February they will be running an untutored butterfly photography morning, all courses are charged and include early access (spaces limited). Make the most of your day out by selecting a timed ticket to beat the queues and don’t forget to stop by the Glasshouse Café for a tasty teatime treat inspired by these winged beauties, including butterfly-decorated cookies and cupcakes and refreshments. Or the Wisley Gift Shop and Plant Centre for a souvenir to remember your day.
FIND OUT MORE Entry to Butterflies in the Glasshouse is free with normal garden entry. Adults £14, children under 5 years, free, children 5-16 years £7. Family 2+2 (2 adults + 2 children) £36. Free for RHS members. For full details about Butterflies in the Glasshouse and February Half Term events visit rhs. org.uk/wisleybutterflies
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Celebrating 25 Years of Luxury Kitchens and Bathrooms Over 100 room displays are showcased across their showrooms in Frimley, Woking and Guildford with luxury products from Second Nature, Schuller, Laufen, Sottini and many more. Why delay? Call 0500 691771 for a Free Design Consultation and let them guide you through the process from design to completion. With finance offers available and the option to Buy Now, Pay Later, transforming your home is now even more affordable. Throughout this special year, they have plenty of celebratory offers, see www.notjustkitchenideas.com for more information. Not Just Kitchen Ideas are proud of their family roots. Local and independent, they have built an enviable reputation for quality and experience and continue to provide exceptional service since 1992. Kitchen design has evolved since the early 90s with open plan becoming ever popular where kitchen, dining and living happily coexist in the same space. The 21st century bathroom is no longer considered just a practical space with people now aspiring to sleek, opulent hotel styles. Having transformed homes for 25 years, Not Just Kitchen Ideas remain the premier kitchen and bathroom specialist in Surrey and Hampshire by offering innovative design and a wealth of experience.
Celebrating 25 Years of Luxury Kitchens and Bathrooms
Frimley February 2017
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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
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birds of Switzerland are all on the menu at the February indoor meeting of the RSPB North East Hants Local Group. You don’t have to be a group member to enjoy these Swiss delights – just go along to St. Philip & St. James Church Hall, Kings Road, Fleet, GU51 3AR when Gordon, an excellent speaker, will guide the audience through his superb photography on this enthralling trip to the Swiss mountains and valleys. Parking at the hall is free and there’s a small charge of £3 for non- group members. For more information about the group, visit www. northeasthantsrspb.org.uk. Maltings Monthly Market Saturday 4th February 9am–4pm On the first Saturday of every month, come rain or shine, you can find everything from artisan bread to chic vintage items, local craft designers to antique sellers. The Farnham Maltings monthly market offers retro treasures, delicious local produce and more in the buzzing atmosphere of 200 stalls including each month’s special guest traders. Entry £1 (members and under 15s free).
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Guildford Shakespeare Company Saturday 4th to Saturday 25th February 7.30pm Guildford Shakespeare Company’s first production of 2017 is Shakespeare’s political thriller Julius Caesar. Focusing on the cult of personality, a government founded on propaganda and the most famous case of political backstabbing in politics, this production will, for the first time by
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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD GSC, be given a contemporary context to reflect the play’s timeless relevance. The venue is Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Guildford GU1 3RR. There are matinee performances at 2.30pm on Wednesday 22nd and Saturdays 11th, 18th and 25th February. Tickets at £25 (Under 16’s £16.50, concessions £21, Family Tickets £80) available from 01483 304384 or from www.guildford-shakespeare-company. co.uk. Concert of Chamber Music Sunday 5th February 3.30pm There will be a lovely concert of chamber music at St Peter’s Church, Wrecclesham GU10 4PU. The programme will include music for oboe and piano played by Sylvia Ellison and Jakob Rothoff, and The Girls Trio from St Thomas-on-The Bourne Choir. Tea and cakes in the interval. Retiring collection for The Simon Trust (supporting adults with autism). Tickets £10 on the door or email ellisonsylvia98@yahoo.co.uk. Guildford Rambling Club Sunday 5th February They shall be meeting in Grayshott for a 10 mile figure of 8 walk so you could just do half. Details from Dick on 01483 568646. Following that, there will be a 10 mile circular walk from Thursley to Frensham Great Pond on Sunday 12th February. Call Olive on 07872 613505 for that one. On Thursday 16th February there will be a 5 mile circular morning walk from Ripley Green. Ask Pat on 07785 251460
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February 2017
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Grow your own Our local allotments are alive and well and, as Phil Kemp discovered, provide much enjoyment and a vibrant sense of community Allotment holders enjoy the chance of taking a break from the stresses and strains of everyday life to grow their own vegetables and fruit, whilst benefiting from healthy exercise in the fresh air and rewarding their family and friends with freshly-picked food for the table. According to The National Allotment Society, there is archaeological evidence of organised allotments dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, although the modern system we recognise today had its roots in the Nineteenth Century, when land was given over to the poor to help them feed their families. But it wasn’t until the end of the First World War that the current system of allotments was founded.
I said to Mum that I’d take over if she bought the plants. In a weak moment she not only said yes, but also offered to pay me half the shop price for any tomatoes I produced. The next summer I got a terrific crop and I was totally hooked!”
And that is where our own local allotment story starts. In December I visited two sites to find out for myself what it is that makes allotments so special for their communities.
Over in the allotments in Wrecclesham, near Farnham, I was given a personal tour by Robert Green, the chair of the Farnham Allotments Liaison Group. “Mostly the allotments are used for growing vegetables, with some also producing soft fruit. Many of our holders haven’t got their own gardens, or only have a small one, but overall it’s people who are simply interested in the idea of growing their own vegetables.”
“The Farncombe and District Allotment Association was set up in 1919 for the sole purpose of letting soldiers returning from the war feed their families,” explained Seymour Baker, as we stood in the midst of the well-maintained allotments of Maplehatch in Godalming’s Busbridge. “One of the association’s seven sites was given to us at that time and the rest are leased from the local town council.”
The benefit of working an allotment at the end of the day is that you are out in the fresh air, and you know the exact provenance of the crops you are growing
Seymour, who is chairman of the association, caught the growing bug very early on in life. “I have been an allotment holder for over 25 years, with my initial interest starting as a nine-year-old when my father, who wasn’t particularly interested in gardening, decided to stop growing the half-a -dozen tomato plants we had in our back garden every year. So
As we walked alongside row after row of well-tended plots, Robert talked me through a typical allotment growing year. “Now in the month of December you’re just thinking about next year. One thing that the liaison committee does every year is organise to buy seeds
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together so that we get those at a discounted price of 50% off. At this time of year they’ve all got their seeds and you’ve sown things like broad beans and winter onions. These will overwinter and start early in the spring as soon as the growing conditions are good. And then in the spring the first things that you would be sowing would be, for example, spring broad beans, early potatoes, and parsnips as you need to put those in early. These would be followed by things like salad crops, carrots and brassicas of all sorts.” Not being an allotment-holder myself I was surprised at just how large a full-sized
allotment is when you convert the typically quoted, and to me meaningless, ‘ten rods’ into a Wellington-booted-paced-out measurement on the ground. “That does seem a lot, especially to a newcomer,” said Seymour. “Here we often split plots down to half-plots because a full plot does take a lot of working – and typically we start them on a quarter plot so that they can get a flavour for themselves of what work is involved. Then, if they’ve got the bug for it, if a half-plot or another quarter-plot becomes available they can upsize. It should be enjoyable, and people come up here to have a bit of fun growing their own. If it gets to a point of just viewing it as a ‘Oh no, I’ve got to go up to the allotment again’ then quite simply you shouldn’t be doing it.” Seymour's view was shared by Robert, as Wrecclesham has a similar start-up policy. “One of the things we’ve done when we’ve had a waiting list is to divide allotments, as the traditional allotment was too big for most people, particularly those with young families. But you’re not alone as there is always help at hand. All our allotments have site representatives, and it’s part of their job to get to know the new people and give them guidance, for example on where to get manure and answer questions as what to grow and when. They will also find other allotment-holders to be friendly and approachable, sharing information, especially on specifics like what is and isn’t suited to the locality or the soil.” Looking across the neat grid of plots in both the Wrecclesham and Maplehatch allotments I could see just how intensively the sites were being worked, and could get a pretty good idea as to just how much thought and effort goes into turning the land into productive plots. Dotted across this productive garden landscape was a network of protective netting, small greenhouses and sheds, and neat rows of winter vegetables interspersed by strips of bare ground under preparation for the arrival of spring.
Top images: Maplehatch allotment in Godalming (Andy Jeffery). Above top: Seymour Baker. Above: Robert Green (both Phil Kemp).
February 2017
Chatting with both Robert and Seymour on their own allotments I quickly got the vibe that working an allotment isn’t hard lonely work. There was a great community spirit evident across both sites.
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“Our association has a competition each year for the best kept ten rods and five rods plot – and one for the best beginners,” said Seymour. “And within those categories people are awarded first, second, third and highly commended. It’s a friendly competition run by the committee, and we change the judges each year to ensure it’s always fair.” Over in the Farnham area each site has similar competitions, with an overall winner for the best allotment across all of the eight sites. “Our judges are looking at a range of criteria including tidiness, a good variety of things being grown, new crops being tried rather than the same old thing all the time, and overall good allotment husbandry,” said Robert. “We also have a winter lecture with guest speakers who are garden experts, for example from RHS Wisley. In the spring we have a barbecue for our allotment holders, and in July an Allotment Show. All of our events are actively supported by the town council.” I was keen to find out what is being done to encourage children to catch the growing bug, having heard worrying reports of fewer and fewer young people having an understanding of where their food comes from. “Introducing children to growing at a young age and giving them the chance to tend their own crops,” explained Seymour. “They need to be quick-growing crops, for example radishes that could be ready in weeks rather than months. And crops that are ideally colourful and tasty.” Robert shared the view that children can get easily bored and need active encouragement. “One of the best ways is to give them a corner of your allotment and get them growing things themselves, just a few carrots or a few lettuces or something, so they can see the results of their own efforts.” He added: “We have competitions too that particularly appeal to the kids. A scarecrow competition, one for the biggest pumpkin and another for the tallest sunflower. These encourage them to become more interested.” By now my own reputation as being a stubbornly reluctant gardener, as is reportedly highlighted every spring by my apparent lack of interest in my partner’s earnest activities in our back garden, was beginning to melt. Seeing first-hand just what can be done so productively with a plot of land – and especially where you are surrounded by supportive, knowledgeable and friendly fellow-gardeners - had sparked a glimmer of hope… Robert in Wrecclesham summed up what makes growing your own so catching. “The benefit of working an allotment at the end of the day is that you are out in the fresh air, and you know the exact provenance of the crops you are growing. People today are very keen on local supply and knowing where it’s come from. You know exactly how it’s been treated and you come down here, you pick it, you take it home, cook it. That freshness is something you just can’t buy.” Allotments are run either directly by the local council or by an independent association, mostly on land leased from the council. Permanent allotments are regulated by parliament which includes the need to seek ministerial consent if the council
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To find out more about allotments in your area: Cranleigh Parish Council (Two sites) http://www.cranleighpc.org Dorking Allotment Holders’ Association (Five sites) www.daha.org.uk Farnham Allotments Liaison Group (Eight sites) www.farnhamallotments.co.uk Farncombe and District Allotment Association (Seven sites) www.facebook.com/Farncombeand-District-Allotment-AssociationLtd-264443990242195 Godalming Town Council (Two sites) www.godalming-tc.gov.uk Guildford Allotments Society (Fourteen sites) www.guildfordallotments.org.uk Haslemere Town Council (Three sites) www.haslemeretc.org Leatherhead – Mole Valley District Council (Two sites) www.molevalley.gov.uk Midhurst Town Council (Three sites) www.midhurst-tc.gov.uk Petworth Town Council (Three sites) www.petworth-tc.org.uk wants to sell off the land. There is an annual rent payable by allotment holders which varies by authority. In Wrecclesham this equates to £50 and in Maplehatch £27 for a full-sized plot. There is also a small contribution towards the cost of the allotments' piped water supply if the site you are working on isn’t lucky enough to have its own supply from perhaps a spring or local stream. Phil Kemp is a freelance writer and photographer based in Godalming. www.weyriver.co.uk.
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<13 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
for details. Mick, on 07765 205353, is your contact for a 9 mile circular walk from Farnham Park on Sunday 19th February. Finally, on Sunday 26th February, Bob, on 07745 572494, will lead a 9.5 mile circular walk over Ranmore Common and back through Dorking. A programme of all their walks can be found at www.guildfordramblingclub. org.uk. Unless otherwise stated visitors are welcome on all of their walks which normally start at 10am. Farnham Speakers Learn confidence through public speaking in a fun and supportive environment. Farnham Speaker’s Club meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at the Farnham House Hotel. For more information, please email Annie on annie.pritchard@way-forward.co.uk or call 07866 086887 HELP Course for Parents ‘Learning to Learn’ Monday 6th February to 20th March 10am-1pm The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, Frensham. The course will help with hints, encouragement, and liaison for parents. Understanding and supporting children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. £20 per session or £100 for all six sessions. At Helen Arkell they work together to help children and adults with dyslexia to believe in themselves, achieve their goals and succeed on their own terms. Contact them on 01252 792400 or enquiries@arkellcentre.org.uk to book or visit their website www.helenarkell.org.uk.
February 2017
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Lunchtime Jazz at Farnham maltings Tuesday 7th February 1pm Enjoy some lunchtime jazz, with pianist Esmond Clements and guests. Featuring instrumentalists and singers in a variety of modern jazz styles, performing the great English and American song books, jazz standards, and the wonderful Bossa Novas of Brazil. Entry £5. Hale WI Wednesday 8th February 1.45pm Their next meeting which will be held at Hale Institute will be a talk by David Hepper entitled ‘Grow your Own’. Visitors are very welcome. Grayshott Gardeners Wednesday 8th February 7.15pm Their next Club night, at Grayshott Village Hall, will feature John Baker, a local Hosta specialist, giving a talk on the interesting subject of ‘The Perfume of Plants’. Doors open at 7.15pm for refreshments and plant sale. Members free, visitors welcome admission £5. Annual Membership is available at £15. For further information visit www. grayshottgardeners.net or call 01428 722000. Farnham Decorative and Fine Art Society Wednesday 8th February 10am-1pm They are holding a study morning in Farnham Maltings. Tickets are £20. Please contact Sarah Ann Hallett on 07949 483166 or email studydays@farnhamdfas.org.uk.
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<17 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
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Farnham & District Museum Society Evening Talks Thursday 9th February Romano-British Settlement Site, Flexford – Recent Excavations by the Surrey Archaeological Society. The settlement which had lain undiscovered until 2007, and is now pasture, has yielded about 700 Roman coins - 58% of which were minted before AD260 as well as Roman steelyard weights. This fascinating site is the subject of David Calow’s lecture at the United Reformed Church in South Street, Farnham, 7.30 for 7.45pm (please use side entrance). Nonmembers are very welcome - £3 per visitor. For full details of the Society’s programme for this season visit the website www.farnhammuseumsociety.org.uk. David Starkey - Henry VIII Thursday 9th February 7.30pm Henry VIII is the only king whose shape you remember. In this lecture David Starkey, historian and regular panellist on Question Time, draws on his unique knowledge of Henry’s reign on the one hand, and his insights as a leading commentator on modern politics on the other, to illuminate both the Tudor age and our own. Book signing available. Takes place at Farnham Maltings and tickets are £17; pre show dining available at £25.50. Call the Box Office on 01252 745444 or go to www.farnhammaltings.com. Les Amitiés Françaises Thursday 9th February Les Amities Françaises will be presenting a really interesting
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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
topic: Impressionist Painters exiled in London. Catherine Greensmith will explain how, after the 1870 war with Germany, some French artists had to flee to Great Britain. Clearly their work would be influenced by that experience, but there was also an impact on the British scene. Do go along for more on this fascinating franco-british subject. The talk will as usual be in French. The place is the Godalming Baptist Church Hall, Queen Street. Doors open at 7pm and the meeting is at 7.30pm. For details about Amities Françaises, visit amitiesfrancaises.com or get in touch with john.petty@which.net. Seale & Sands WI Thursday 9th February Meetings are held in the afternoons between 2pm and 4pm on the second Thursday of each month in The Sands Rooms, The Sands, Nr. Farnham. Informative and interesting talks are given on a variety of subjects by professional speakers. They will be welcoming author of ‘Tickled to Death’ Simon Brett on 9th February and Neville Lyons speaking about ‘Lyons Tea House’ on 9th March. In addition the Seale & Sands WI is famous for its teas served at the end of each meeting with sandwiches and cakes prepared by members all for 50p. Many different outings are arranged, for example theatre visits and meals out. New members are always welcome from the Farnham and surrounding areas. For further information, phone 01252 782064.
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<19 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
RNLI Farnham Branch Friday 10th February 8pm The Farnham branch of the RNLI presents ‘An evening with The Mary Rose’: a lively and interesting talk by Trevor Sapey of the Mary Rose Trust at St Thomas-on-The Bourne church, Frensham Road, Farnham GU9 8HA. Go along and handle replica artefacts and learn about new and innovative preservation techniques. Tickets at £8 each include tea and coffee refreshments and can be obtained from David on 01252 711596 or Michael on 07885 737295 or email rnli. farnham@btinternet.com. All proceeds in aid of the RNLI. Maltings Young Artist Award Friday 10th February Here’s a quick reminder as the deadline is very close. It is the second annual Farnham Maltings Young Artist Award, and for 2017, they would like to invite 6-18 year olds to submit artwork to theme ‘Visions of the Future’. They are celebrating the creative talent of young people, giving them an opportunity to exhibit work in a professional space. They want to inspire and give confidence to young people wanting to pursue a career in art and design, highlighting the importance of creativity and imagination. The deadline is 10th February 2017. They have 3 arts professionals judging the competition. Great prizes for young people and the finalists will be in a month long exhibition at the Farnham Maltings Riverside Cafe Gallery. All entries will be exhibited as part of the SPARK Youth Arts Festival. £3 entry, A4 size any medium. To get full
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details and download an application form, go to www. farnhammaltings.com. The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre - Level 3 Course Friday 10th February to 30th June 9.30am to 12.30pm At Helen Arkell they have designed a course which gives candidates the essential knowledge required when working as a teaching assistant supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties. Each week the candidates attend lectures which inform their learning. Hands-on activities and workshops help to make the course interactive and fun. There are always opportunities to ask questions and speak individually to the course tutors who are keen that all candidates become the ‘best of the best’ Teaching Assistants. The course fee is £595. The course is accredited by Laser (London and South East Region) Learning. Candidates must complete all six mandatory units in order to receive the award. Contact them on 01252 792400 or enquiries@arkellcentre.org.uk to book or visit their website www.helenarkell.org.uk. Wrecclesham History Project Saturday 11th February 10.30am The February meeting of the Project will be held at the Leverton Hall, Wrecclesham. The topic for this meeting is the Wrecclesham Pottery and all are welcome. The Project meets monthly on the second Saturday of the month (except January and August). For more details of the Project, including Briefing Notes from previous
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EDUCATION ||
Choosing the right school for your child Kay Goldsworthy looks at some of the considerations when it comes to making your choices Having worked in both the state and independent sector, I know that finding the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions that you will make as a parent. There are a lot of factors to consider, some are practical, some emotional but all are entirely personal and focused on ensuring that your child receives the best possible education. Here are a few thoughts to help you clarify your priorities and work out what you are looking for. Location The school run will be a trip that you will make up to twice a day, five days a week for what seems like forever so it needs to be a journey that works for you. Think about whether you want to walk/bike to school or whether you are happy to drive. If driving is the only option, you’ll need to take into account what the journey will be like and how that will impact on your family schedule. When considering schools that are a bit further away, work out in advance how far you are realistically prepared to travel and find out if there are any school run groups or travel options offered by the school. Finally, don’t forget to enquire about wraparound care options to see if they might fit your schedule better. School Size Another factor to consider is the teacher-to-pupil ratio and the focus your child needs. Will the staff have the February 2017
time to get to know you and your child, understand how they learn and work with them in a tailored way? Smaller schools have the time and capacity to focus on the individual pupil but larger schools often have the benefit of additional facilities and a greater social pool that can help with broad social development. Of course, there is a balance to be struck and the right environment will depend heavily on your child, and their age and stage. You will know best what they need in a school. Teachers The quality of your child’s education relies heavily on the skills and performance of the teaching staff. When considering a school, find out whether the teachers are qualified to specialise in their subject - not all teachers are in the independent sector. The benefit of specialist teachers is that they can take learning beyond the curriculum and share their passion for their chosen subject with their class. Curriculum Independent schools will inevitably have more freedom than others to tailor their
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School choice checklist When you look round prospective schools, use the checklist below as a handy reminder: • Does the school ethos suit your child? What is the focus of the school i.e. academic results, sporting achievement, a broader, more rounded education? How do the pupils seem to you - happy, enthused, focused?
approach to the national curriculum, allowing them to use alternative teaching methods and offer a greater balance of subjects. A well-rounded education has proven to be beneficial to a child’s overall learning and development and gives pupils an advantage when approaching secondary education. To develop each child’s particular talents and skills it is essential to prioritise creative courses such as Art, Music and Drama equally with the core subjects like English and Maths. A well-rounded education should also heavily feature extra-curricular activities that complement core learning. Sport and additional activities are known to help develop confidence, team work, leadership and social skills that are vital for later life. Ask whether the pupils get the opportunity to participate in sports clubs outside of their PE lessons? What range is on offer, how much of a focus is sport in the school schedule and what facilities are readily available? Exam Preparation Your child’s secondary education may seem like a long way off when they are only just starting their school career. However, you do need to consider what secondary/senior schools your school is preparing the pupils for. Find out about the range of feeder destinations and their results. Does the school prepare its pupils for scholarships? What success rate does the school have in getting pupils into their first choice of secondary school? When choosing your 22
• What does the atmosphere of the school feel like? Do you like the teachers and the Head and do you think that they will understand your child? • Is the location suitable for you and your child? Is there a school bus that runs or can you drive or walk easily to the school? Are there other children who live nearby that already attend the school who you could liftshare with? • Does the school specialise in subjects that your child enjoys? If your child is very creative and artistic, you could consider schools that have a heavier focus on the arts for example. • What secondary schools does this school feed into? Are they likely to be the right senior schools for your child? Does the school spend time preparing children for the next stage of their school life? • Does the school have an attached nursery that you can start your child off in? Familiar surroundings may help ease his or her passage into primary and prep school education.
infant and junior schools it’s key to make sure that you are thinking ahead and considering schools that will open doors for your child rather than close them. Choosing a school can feel a bit like buying a house, it needs to be a comfortable fit for you and your family, and meet a number of different criteria. As such, it is important to view the school first hand, make sure that you take the time to walk around the school grounds, talk to the teachers and get a real feel for the atmosphere. You’ll know the right school for your child when you find it. Good luck.
FIND OUT MORE Kay Goldsworthy is Headmistress at St Ives independent school in Haslemere. The school will be holding an Open Morning on 3rd February 2017. For more information about the school or to arrange a visit please go to: www. stiveshaslemere.com
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<20 28> JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
meetings, see their website www.wreccleshamhistory. wordpress.com. Farnham Speaker’s Club Monday 13th February Learn confidence through public speaking in a fun and supportive environment. Farnham Speaker’s Club meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at the Farnham House Hotel. For more information, email Annie on annie. pritchard@way-forward.co.uk or call 07866 086887. West Surrey Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers Tuesday 14th February 10.30am The WSGSWD has around 95 members and always welcomes new members and visitors. Anyone with an interest in textiles whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced crafts person is welcome to go along to any of their meetings. The next meeting is in the United Reform Church, South Street, Farnham GU9 7QU and is a talk on Finishing Touches for Hand Knitters by Meg Crowther. Visitors welcome, £3 entry includes refreshments. They also have 4 or 5 spinning and weaving days each month held at Victoria Halls in Ash and the Rural Life Centre in Tilford; anyone is welcome to drop in and join in or just see what they do. Full details are on their website www.wsgswd.org.uk. Farnham Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild Tuesday 14th February 2pm Malcolm Wells will be telling the ladies of F.A.T.G about
the work and aims of Canine Partners at their February meeting in the Methodist Church Hall, South Street. The meeting starts promptly at 2pm with business which includes details of planned outings and events, and hearing about the subsection’s activities. To find out more about Townswomen’s Guild visit the national website at www.thetg.com or for more information about the local guild phone 01252 726015 or 712503, email zelbob@aol.com or just go along to a meeting. Unravel Festival of Knitting Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February Farnham Maltings’ annual international festival of knitting returns for its ninth year.. Since its launch in 2009, the festival has become one of the leading independent events for knitting and crochet, with yarn enthusiasts visiting from across the country and around the world. Unravel is the largest event of its kind in South East England. There will be an exciting selection of workshops and master classes from knitting experts on a range of disciplines and to suit any knitting and crochet ability. The festival is open Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Day ticket £7 in advance/ £9 on the door. Advance tickets available until Sunday 12th February. Workshops can be booked in advance at www.craft. farnhammaltings.com and include the price of same day entry to the festival. Box Office: 01252 745444 or www. farnhammaltings.com.
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February 2017
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Bumper Scuff Repairs Dent Removal Paintwork Scratches & Chips Alloy Wheel Scuffs
T: 01252 560780 / 07967 778232 info@smart-pro.co.uk Have you ever returned to your car and found it to be damaged? Maybe a small, but annoying dent, caused by a door being opened against it? A scrape from another driver’s parking error? A vandal scratch on the paint work? Or maybe you have misjudged a gateway, brushed a kerb with an alloy wheel, or scuffed a bumper corner? Smart Pro offers a mobile dent removal and paint repair service, specialising in small to medium area repairs, to body shop standard, at your home or place of work. Most repairs take only a few hours to complete and cost less than your insurance excess! The customer of this Honda Jazz was facing an insurance claim, which would have resulted in the bumper being replaced and the loss of their £250 excess. Smart Pro was able to repair the damage for much less than the excess and with no insurance claim on their record!
The Farnham Beerex 2017 The organisers had hoped that the 2016 ‘40th’ Farnham Beerex would raise in excess of £40,000 and it did. It was a great event with all tickets sold and was preceded on the Wednesday evening by a special event attended by the founders of the very first ‘Beerex’ and others whose contribution had been so important during the intervening years into making it such a great annual event.
Ticket prices have been held at £10 including a souvenir glass and programme. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. Entrance is by ticket only. There will be the usual food offers, over sixty beers on offer including old favourites, a few surprises, a range of ciders and perries and great entertainment provided by The Gambit Jazzmen, DisCover and the New Hawleans Jug Band who will be making their Beerex debut on Thursday evening.
To date over £800,000‘ has been raised by ‘drinking for charity’ and used by The Lions Club of Farnham to support thousands of ‘good causes’ during the last forty years with each years income then spent within the following twelve month period.
Tickets will be on general sale at the Maltings from 8am–10pm, or until sold out, on Sunday 5th March. Any remaining tickets will be sold online via the ‘Farnham Lions’ website. Thursday tickets will also be available via the Maltings Box Office from 9th March.
The 2017 venue will once again be the Farnham Maltings. There will be four sessions starting on Thursday 27th April from 6pm–11pm. Friday 28th from 6pm-11pm and Saturday 29th from 11am–3pm and 6pm-11pm. Bourne Buildings May 14_Layout 1 11/05/2015 14:51 Page 1
To keep up-to-date with what is happening at Beerex or to purchase tickets please visit the website at www.farnhamlions.org.uk/farnhambeerex or www.facebook.com/beerexfarnham.
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What to Wear this Spring Sales are finishing (thank goodness), making way for new styles, so Kirstie takes a look at what we will be wanting to wear this spring. Hopefully you have been savvy with your sale shopping and not bought too many items just because they were reduced. I tried to buy carefully, picking items that were a good bargain but also ones that I knew I would wear more than once. As always, there were a few mistakes under our ‘fluorescent coloured belts’, so let’s look forward to Spring 2017. Since noticing more and more colour on the catwalk, my own wardrobe was looking decidedly grey! So I started adding a few colour-blocked sweaters and scarves during the winter, perfect for the ease into vibrancy. Trousers are growing up but I’ve always loved wide trousers as they suit my pear-shaped posterior, and skirts are definitely returning since pleats appeared on the scene last year. The new off beat skirts can be so flattering once you find the one for you. I spoke to our local boutique owners to find out what they see as exciting directions for 2017: Elaine Graham “Green in all its shades is the newest colour for the season, freshest with white but looking great with blues or denim. The staple item for the season: the classic biker jacket in fringed faux suede or in the softest burnt orange leather from Oui. ‘Athleisure’ trend looking hot in formal pants made casual with great knitwear shapes or Asian inspired pyjama prints.” ONE FORTY, 140 High Street, Cranleigh 01483 272627 Liz Trendle “Winter 2016 was a riot of prints, colour and patterns, the 70s vibe back with a bang! However going into spring we will still see these prints, patterns and a lot of colour but in a minimalistic style, thus making these trends easier to wear whatever age you are!” CATWALK, 29 High Street, Godalming 01483 527634 THE GATE, 57 North Street, Guildford 01483 453466 Julia Jaconelli “This coming Spring/Summer season embraces femininity and colour. Our bestselling collection Mala Alisha now includes pretty maxi dresses and kaftans as well as their iconic scarves. I am also excited to be introducing two new designers to Courtyard ... Rachel Zoe and Intropia... adding more depth to our selection of dresses and special occasion wear.” COURTYARD, 5-6 Angel Gate, Guildford 01483 452825 Audrey Filtness “We are especially excited by our knitwear ranges from American Vintage, Wyse Cashmere and Maison Scotch. So much colour from pastel chunky knits to rainbow-striped cashmere, all teamed with the best denim from MosMosh and Scotch and Soda. Stay warm and bright this Spring at Ordri x” ORDRI, 12 Upper Church Lane, Farnham 01252 891555 Mel Rollinson “We’re bringing in a new Dutch clothing brand called Zilch with its collection of pretty prints in really gorgeous colour combinations and new footwear brands from Italian label Lumberjack and Danish leather sneaker label, Woden. There will be a lot of new, little and often from Parisian labels as we will be sourcing in-season to ensure we have what our customers need at the right time.” WOODIE & MORRIS, 7 Petworth Road, Haslemere 01428 641771 26
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FASHION || tCATWALK INSPIRATION
tSTREET INSPIRATION
Bold Colour Catwalk Inspiration Designer, Rochas Spring/summer 2017 Street Inspiration Think rainbow shades, go bold in one statement colour or just start with a hint of a bright accessory. High Street Karen Millen Pure Collection
Wider Trousers Catwalk Inspiration Designer, Delpozo Spring/summer 2017 Street Inspiration Slouchy with flats or cropped with heels, but tuck in to show the waistline as worn by Olivia Palermo. High Street Hobbs Top Shop
Creative Skirts Catwalk Inspiration Designer, Versace Spring/summer 2017 Street Inspiration From pleats we now see asymmetry, ruffles and soft wraps. Keep the tops simple and shoes strappy. High Street Anthropologie Coast Kirstie Smillie is a Personal Fashion Stylist. Follow her style blog www.kirstiesmillie.com. For appointments, email kirstie@kirstiesmillie.com or call 07773 234947. All images found on www.pinterest.com. February 2017
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<23 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Unravel 2017 Knit Aviary Following on from the previous Jotting, and inspired by the glass box entrance at the front of the Maltings’ building, unravel organisers have asked for donations of knitted, crocheted or felted birds to create a special exhibition marking the international yarn festival’s ninth year. The birds, donated by local makers, unravel visitors and keen craftspeople from further afield, will be sold off following the festival, with all money raised going to Step by Step, the Aldershot based charity who work alongside young people (11-25 years) facing homelessness or other challenges in their lives.
Charity Firewalk Friday 17th February A charity Firewalk is being organised by Royal Surrey County Hospital to help raise funds for An Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. It will take place at the RSC Social Club, 1, Gill Ave,Guildford GU2 7WW at 6pm. Training will be given to each participant prior to the firewalk and spectators are welcome to encourage and cheer on! The registration fee is £10 and you are asked to raise at least £100 in sponsorship. For more information and to book, go to rsc-tv. fundraising@nhs.net or call 01483 464146. Farnham & District Museum Society Afternoon Seminars Friday 17th February and Monday 20th February The Museum Society’s monthly series of seminars on the local history of Farnham and surrounding villages resumes
Knitting festival ‘unravel’ returns for its ninth year Farnham Maltings’ annual international festival of knitting, unravel, will return for its ninth year in February 2017. Unravel 2017 will take place over three days from Friday 17th–Sunday 19th February. Since its launch in 2009, the festival has become one of the leading independent events for knitting and crochet, with yarn enthusiasts visiting from across the country and around the world. Unravel is the largest event of its kind in South East England. The hub of the festival, unravel’s marketplace, will provide visitors with the opportunity to browse and buy diverse products from over 80 quality domestic & international exhibitors. As ever, unravel is offering an exciting selection of workshops, talks and masterclasses from knitting experts on a range of disciplines and to suit any knitting and crochet ability. £7 advance, £9 on the door (under 15s free) Box Office: 01252 745444 / farnhammaltings.com 28
this month when the subject will be ‘East Street and Its history’. Each seminar is held at the Garden Gallery at the Museum of Farnham from 2pm - 4pm on the Friday afternoon , repeated on the following Monday afternoon to accommodate numbers (kept to about 20 people per session so that the discussion can remain informal). There is a charge of £5 per seminar, contact Pat Heather on 01252 721576 to book your place. Details of the remaining topics in the programme can be found on the Society’s website www.farnhammuseumsociety.org.uk.
Waverley Singers – Come and Sing Day Saturday 18th February Here is a chance to rehearse and then perform Handel’s ‘Israel in Egypt’ all in one day. It takes place at St Thomas-on-The Bourne, Frensham Road, Farnham GU9 8HA. The conductor is Richard Pearce and the organist is Philip Scriven. Registration with coffee at 11am with the performance at 4pm. Sandwich lunch and tea and coffee is included. Non singers are welcome to attend the performance for free but there will be a retiring collection. The day costs £18 or £20 if you wish to borrow a score. Contact Carolyn Patey at secretary@waverelysingers. com or call 01420 83962. More information at www. waverleysingers.com. Tickets from www.ticketsource. co.uk/waverleysingers. Launch of the PENfriend With the extensive supply of talking books in all 52 Surrey libraries, many visually impaired readers rely on these to enjoy the benefits of storytelling but rely on accompanying people or staff to help make their selection. That is about to all change with the arrival of an innovative new device called the PENfriend.The device works by reading the coded label on each audio book and plays back the author, title, narrator and book synopsis. Every audio book has been added to allow borrowers to make their selection independently. The PENfriend is available to any library user on request. Surrey’s libraries have over 9,000 audio books available to borrow so why not take advantage of their request service that operates across the county? For all enquiries, phone Surrey County Council Libraries on 01483 543599 or text 07968 832414 or email libraries@ surreycc.gov.uk. Details can be found on the website at www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries. Planned launches for the device are being made for March at Godalming, Epsom and Woking Libraries. Farnham Humanists Sunday 19th February pm7 for 7.30pm ‘Do we need a Right to Freedom from Religion?’ Join in the discussion following a talk by former President of the European Humanist Federation, David Pollock. Actively involved in the humanist movement since 1961, David is a trustee and former chair of the British Humanist Association. He is also a board member and former Chair of the Rationalist Association. He takes a special interest in policy and campaigning on the place of religion and
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belief in society and other questions of public policy. The talk is being hosted by Farnham Humanists (following their brief AGM) in Daniel Hall, Long Garden Walk, Farnham GU9 7HX. Everyone is welcome. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, other drinks available from the Hop Blossom Pub close by. Donation £2 to cover costs. For more information, contact Jennie 01252 723044 or see http://farnham. humanist.org.uk/. Oakleaf Enterprises They are the only mental health charity in Surrey working as a social enterprise to provide vocational training for those suffering from mental health issues. They are expanding their Horticulture team and are looking for volunteers to help with gardening work. Volunteers can have experience or interest in working in gardens; experience with mental health would also be an asset. Volunteers must be patient, have good communication and be happy to work in a team environment and help clients (service-users). Currently they require help Monday-Friday between 8.15am-4.30pm. Volunteers would also be required to wear comfortable clothing and steel toe cap boots (some uniform and safety wear is provided). Must bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. If you are interested in helping, even for 1 day/week, please contact Jackie Perkins on 01483 303649 or jackieperkins@oakleaf-enterprise.org. The West Surrey Wine Society Monday 20th February 7.30pm The February meeting will take place at The Conservative Club, Ivy Lane, Farnham GU9 7PQ. Stephen Hart, of Majestic Wines, will give a talk entitled ‘West Coast USA: Chardonnays and Pinots’ which will see them taking a tour of the US Pacific Coast - a Route 1 tour looking at the contrasting styles of chardonnay and pinot noir from Washington State, through Oregon to the sunshine and fogs of California. The West Surrey Wine Society is a wine appreciation society that meets on the third Monday of the month in central Farnham. Many, if not most, of the 60 or so members joined with little or no knowledge of wines - just a liking for the product! The meetings start at 7.30pm with a glass of ‘Welcome Wine’ and the meeting proper starts at 8pm. For further information, contact the Chairman Gerald Hackemer on 01252 793684.
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Farnham DFAS Tuesday 21st February 10.30am The next lecture is ‘Armour and The Afterlife: The Funerary Monuments of Knights and Men-At-Arms’ by Dr Tobias Capwell. It takes place at Farnham Maltings, Farnham GU9 7QR. Tobias lives his dream; he jousts regularly to enhance his knowledge of medieval armaments. An American, now living in England he is curator of the Armoury section of the Wallace Collection. Discover why Funerary Effigies in our parish churches are so important - a matter of life or death. Non members are very welcome to attend for £5. Contact the membership secretary on 07918 883515. Cobbett’s Wey Decorative and Fine Arts Society Wednesday 22nd February 8pm This month’s talk by Peter Webb is entitled ‘Toulouse Lautrec and the Cabarets of Paris’. Peter will bring Montmartre back to life by reviewing Toulouse Lautrec’s paintings and posters of the notorious Parisian cabarets and music halls! The talk is held at Farnham College, Morley Road, Farnham GU9 8LU at 8pm. Visitors (£7) are most welcome and a free glass of wine is served before the talk. For more information contact Kay on 01252 793811 or email kay.roudaut@btopenworld.com. Plenty of free parking. Please arrive by 7.30pm to enjoy a glass of wine, peruse the books and get to know other members. Non-members most welcome to attend (£7 or if you are a member of another NADFAS group £5).
AND the more tapes you have transferred THE CHEAPER IT GETS
The Williams Club Monday 20th February 2.20pm-4pm The dazzling Ladies Singing Quintet ‘Quintessential’ will be providing the entertainment for the February meeting of The Williams Club - helping sight loss in Farnham. This friendly club meets monthly and offers a warm welcome to anyone suffering from poor eyesight, and there is always entertainment followed by tea and cakes and a raffle. Go along to the Gostrey Centre, Farnham, on Monday 20th, but do get there early to get a seat! Transport can be arranged if necessary. For more information, call David Lambert on 01252 722161. February 2017
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Don’t put it off, Citizens Advice Waverley can help.
Worried
Our trained and highly skilled volunteers provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of issues including • • • • • •
Benefits and Tax Credits Debt Housing Employment Relationships Legal and Consumer Matters.
1 in 3 people use Citizens Advice at some point in their lives We help thousands of local people each year to change their lives by giving them the information, advice and support they need to find a way forward through their problems. Last year we helped our clients to gain nearly £2 million in previously unclaimed financial benefits, debts written off and consumer problems solved.
“Thanks to you the world is a little bit more amazing.” Client quote, September 2016
Tackling the big issues Because we help thousands of people each year, we have our finger on the pulse of what’s happening in society and the big issues affecting local people. We use this evidence to campaign for social improvements.
Need advice? Call us on 0344 848 7969 or visit our website waverleycab.org.uk for our opening times. We have offices in Cranleigh, Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere. This is the first in a series of articles that will look in more detail at how Citizens Advice Waverley can help local people to work through their problems and find a way forward.
0344 848 7969 waverleycab.org.uk
<29 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Fairport Convention at Farnham Maltings Thursday 23rd February The iconic folk group Fairport Convention will celebrate their golden anniversary in 2017 with a UK and Ireland winter tour and a brand new album. On Thursday 23rd, they are coming to Farnham. The group, who revolutionised British folk music with their electric sound and traditional tunes in the summer of love of 1967 (remember that!), has survived numerous line-up changes over the decades and still performs with the passion and precision their reputation demands. They still attract critical acclaim and won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award at the turn of the century. Fairport Convention’s current line-up is the longest running in the band’s history, and with Simon Nicol (founding member) on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on drums and percussion, audiences across the land will be in safe hands for an unforgettable night of folk history. Opening the concerts on this celebratory tour will be BBC TV’s ‘The Voice’ 2014 Runner Up, Sally Barker, one of England’s most talented singer-songwriters and formerly of all-girl folk group, The Poozies. For ticket information call 01252 745444 or go to www.farnhammaltings.com. Farnham & District Museum Society Evening Talks Thursday 23rd February From a basic tree trunk laid across a stream to stone slabs, wooden frames, and finally steel, people have been ‘bridging the gap’ around the world. Walter Noronha will
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be talking about the history of bridges and how Britain’s first iron bridge revolutionised the way structures were built. He will take a look at local bridges and also touch on his work at the Olympic Park. United Reformed Church in South Street, Farnham, 7.30pm for 7.45pm (please use side entrance). Non-members are very welcome - £3 per visitor. For full details of the Society’s programme for this season visit the website www.farnhammuseumsociety.org.uk. The Watts Portrait Painting Course Starts Thursday 23rd February 6.30-8.30pm This is a six week course that takes place every Thursday from 23rd February. GF Watts’s portraits were widely considered to be the finest of the Victorian period. Join esteemed portrait artist Jane Alison for a comprehensive guide to portraiture. The cost is £160 including materials. To book your place and to find out all that is going on at the gallery, go to the website www.wattsgallery.org.uk or call 01483 810235. You can also email info@wattsgallery.org.uk. Fun Quiz Night Friday 24th February 7.30pm It takes place at St Joan’s Centre, Farnham GU9 8DJ with colourful Quiz Master John Griffin leading proceedings. The evening is to support Cobbett’s Wey DFAS and the cost is £10 per person to include some substantial nibbles. There is a cash bar. Teams will be made up of 8 people so you can make up a team or join a team. Contact Tina Roach at tina. cwdfas@gmail.com.
For all family law matters: • Specialist legal advice • Collaborative law • Mediation FREE initial hour
Lynn Henderson
e: lynn@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk
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e: simon@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk
February 2017
The White House, 2a Meadrow, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3HN
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|| GARDENING
With Beth Otway
Compost and Containers Peat Free Compost Last summer, I ran a Peat-Free Compost Trial to compare the different peat-free composts available, and find out how well each of the composts performed growing dwarf French beans under the same conditions. In my trial, Dalefoot Composts Wool Compost for Vegetables and Salads, and Dalefoot Double Strength Wool Compost were the clear winners, producing healthy plants with a great harvest.
fragrance of this Sarcococca’s long-lasting flowers from winter to spring each year.
I’ve been using Dalefoot Composts for a while now. I have been so impressed with the quality of their products that I have used Dalefoot Compost for my Sweet Pea Trial and other trials I have run. Dalefoot Double Strength Compost is a fantastic product; it’s a highly concentrated compost that’s rich in nutrients. I have used this compost in previous trials mixed 50/50 with a spent compost that was unable to sustain any plant growth when used on its own with fantastic results - the plants grown in the compost mix thrived. Dalefoot Double Strength Compost is also ideal to use in a compost mix for plants like hellebores that require a rich soil to grow well. I have used this compost for growing vegetables, salads, as well as flowering plants, with great results every time.
An ideal choice for a sheltered spot, near a doorway or path where its fragrance can be appreciated, is Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’. The fragrance that this Daphne’s pretty pink blooms produce is divine! Don’t make the mistake of cutting the flowers to bring indoors, they don’t last and your plant won’t thank you for removing them. This slow-growing, evergreen shrub hates disturbance, so do ensure you plant it in a permanent position.
Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’ is a winterflowering honeysuckle that comes into its own during the late winter and early spring, providing nectar for bees, and fragrance for gardeners.
If you are lucky enough to have room to plant a small tree, do consider Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’, which flowers on and off, from December until the end of March. This tree has a delicate beauty, which will charm and uplift you, warming your heart during the winter months. Snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, hellebores, polyanthus and primroses are other earlyspring joys that provide food for bees. Look for single flowers that have accessible pollen and nectar.
Winter Container Ideas If your garden is looking a bit dreary or lifeless this month, you might like to plant up some early spring containers to bring some seasonal cheer to your garden and to the bees, as nectar and pollen is in short supply at this time of year. Sarcococca are a genus of slow-growing shrubs that look rather inconspicuous. For much of the year you’ll walk past them without so much as a second glance, but when Sarcococca are in flower, these shrubs really turn heads, for their perfumes are powerful, sweet, and heady. One of my favourites is Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem’, a super shrub for a shaded spot, which will thrive whether grown in the ground or in a container. I have grown Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem’ in a container in deep shade; I’ve never once watered the container, even through the driest of summers, yet my plants have flourished, and I have enjoyed the intoxicating 32
Far left: Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’. Above from left: Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Winter Gem’ and Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’. Images by Beth Otway.
FIND OUT MORE To see the full results of my 2016 Peat-Free Compost Trial, visit my website www.pumpkinbeth.com, where you’ll also find more information about container gardening, details of beautiful snowdrop gardens, snowdrop nurseries and events, information about orchids, gardening advice for the month ahead, and much more besides.
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CALL
ART CLASS STARTS SOON
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URSE! We are enquirie now taking next A s for our rt This fu Classes. n great course is a w new fr ay to meet iends a develo nd p Please new skills. call no for w a chat .
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS WILL LOVE THIS COURSE! GREAT NEWS for all our readers looking for something fun to do over the next few months! Our current class is full but we are now taking enquiries for our next part-time Art Class, which starts soon. The classes are held once a week for three hours.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS TO IMPROVERS - JUST LIKE YOU!
The course is designed to be fun for absolute beginners who have never picked up a brush before through to Improvers.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE
We adapt to each student’s needs and give them all the guidance and help they need to develop their artistic skills. The curriculum is fun, comprehensive and
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interesting. Over the course we will explore four different media; pencil drawing & sketching, oil pastel painting and techniques, painting and blending with water colours and acrylics. Step by step tuition in the basic techniques and secrets needed to create beautiful pieces of art.
way of meeting new friends and to have a fun experience you will always remember and cherish! It is open to adults of all ages.
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By the end of the course, students have created a minimum of 8 pieces of their very own original art they can enjoy forever, from simple still life and flower studies to beautiful countryside landscape scenes.
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MEET NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS
This part time course is over 3 months, so will give you plenty of time to master your new hobby. To maintain a high standard to our classes and the tuition you will receive, classes are kept to small numbers – so places available are limited! We recommend that if you are interested you call us now for details. For information on dates, course fees and bookings, call now on
01252 447 815
Bring out your inner artist BEGINNERS TO INTERMEDIATES
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Rowledge Club, near Farnham Limited Spaces - Call now for details
|| LOCAL
Girlguiding - get involved! If you’d have told me a year ago that I would be writing this article, I’d have thought you mad. But, nine months ago I committed to try something new and to have fun doing it. I became an adult volunteer in Girlguiding. Girlguiding thrives today as a modern organisation that’s all about empowering girls and giving them new experiences. There’s a wealth of material on our website www.girlguiding.org.uk that will tell you more and I’m personally inspired by the current #forthegirl campaign. The website will tell you that volunteering is about doing something for you and your community, that it’s about being a role model and helping girls to realise their full potential and about sharing and developing your skills. I am writing to say that is absolutely true. I have been amazed by the welcome that I have received, the talent and commitment of the other volunteers and the support, both formal and informal, that is available. I have made new friends. There has been training and mentoring specific to my role. And, I have had a great deal of fun with some incredible and inspirational girls and young women. My role is mainly administrative/managerial as a District Commissioner. I support the fantastic adults volunteers who run twelve units (three Rainbow units, six Brownie units and three Guide units) in my district. I was recruited by what we call the direct approach, a friend in Girlguiding identified a role that she thought I could do and asked if I would consider it. As she spoke a lightbulb illuminated in my head and I could see how I might usefully contribute. So I said yes. Well, there was reading, reflection, a couple of meetings and a lot of questions before I said yes, but I haven’t yet regretted it. To be honest that same friend had identified a different
potential role a few years previously and on that occasion my excuse, that I could not commit to a regular weekly evening (because I often have to work in the evenings), came easily. The role I have taken on is probably more demanding than the first but it is a better match for my skills and it is flexible enough to fit around my worklife. My point is that Girlguiding offers a range of ways that you can support the organisation and is flexible and supportive enough to find a good fit for you if you will consider becoming a volunteer. Girlguiding is impossible without the committed and valuable volunteers that we have, but we would always like more. Current levels of volunteering are just enough to sustain the units we have but across Surrey Girlguiding has waiting lists. Some 30-40% of 5-7 year old girls who would like to be a Rainbow will not get that opportunity because we do not have the volunteers to run the additional units required. Increasingly that is true for our Brownie units (7-10 year old girls) too. Just one additional volunteer unit helper can take five girls off the Rainbow waiting list (or eight off the Brownie waiting list). Three new volunteers could create a new unit (if at least one were prepared to undertake the Leadership Qualification). If you have the inclination and can find the time then it needn’t be daunting. Initiate a conversation with us by registering your interest on our website at www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/becomea-volunteer/register-your-interest/. If you complete the details requested you should hear from a local District Commissioner shortly afterwards. She will be happy to talk you through the volunteering opportunities available locally on a no-obligation basis. Louise Steele has been Godalming District Commissioner since May 2016.
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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Godalming Gag House Comedy Club Friday 24th February 8pm Godalming Gag House, which takes place at Cafe Mila, Angel Court, High Street, Godalming, is now a monthly fixture for your diary. It will be on the last Friday of the month and they have some incredible line ups planned. Kicking off 2017’s programme on Friday 24th they have a star studded club! Mark Dolan, a comedian, writer and TV presenter, will be hosting the evening. He recently fronted a brand new series lampooning the world of ads, in Channel 4’s Mad Bad Ad Show. This followed three series of the hugely popular Channel 4 documentary series, The World’s…and Me, which featured the world’s smallest, tallest and hairiest people, as well as the most surgically enhanced woman! Tickets are £12.50 or £23 to include dinner. Go to www. GagHouseComedy.com or call 0333 666 3366. TBS Concert Friday 24th February 7.30pm Farnham Methodist Church, GU9 7RN will be hosting a Flute Quartet of students from the Royal College of Music arranged by Rachel Brown All welcome, £14.50 in advance or £16 on the door, anyone aged 8-25 and accompanying parents/music teachers may attend free thanks to Cavatina Full information on www.tilbach.org.uk or call Sue on 01252 613130. New Gospel Choir Meetings Started by Guildford Parkinson’s Support Group, local people
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with Parkinson’s in and around Guildford, as well as their partners or carers, can now enjoy the health and social benefits of joining a new Gospel choir set up just for them. Run by Emily Bollon of Motivation by Music, an awardwinning choir mistress, this must be the most exciting voice therapy exercise around. The choir meets at 1pm every other Friday at Binscombe Church, Barnes Road, Farncombe. Emily guarantees a great vocal workout singing inspirational Gospel songs. For more information contact Linda Macbeth on 01483 532942 or email her on l.macbeth@btinternet.com Prestige Wedding Fair Sunday 26th February 11am–5pm If you are thinking of getting hitched this year, this is for you! The Farnham Maltings’ Wedding Fair brings together a collection of over 50 varied wedding businesses, offering everything from bridal gowns and jewellery, to cakes and wedding venues. Browse and shop in a relaxed environment and enjoy the event which promises to be an essential part of your wedding plans. Free entry. Sleeping Beauty at Farnham Maltings Tuesday 28th February 7pm There’s a live screening of The Royal Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty. A perennial delight and a much-loved classic, The Sleeping Beauty combines the best of classical ballet, with all its charms and virtuosity, splendid music and talented dancers. The Royal Ballet’s landmark staging was
All of us reach a stage in our lives where we require extra help for varied reasons.
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41 Homefield Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 3RE Tel: 01932 506898 info@berkeleyhomehealth.com www.berkeleyhomehealth.com February 2017
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The Cheese Course After your month of dieting or at least being good, why not have a bit of a treat and enjoy cooking with that most versatile of ingredients? Cheese is something I could never be without but it is a bit of a treat. Here are a few easy recipes to try - perfect for winter evenings! SR
West Country Homity Pie A traditional West Country open pie that’s cheap, filling and quick to make. It’s best eaten warm rather than hot, and it is really good cold so ideal for picnics or lunchboxes. It is a great recipe for using up leftovers and comes via www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.
West Country Soufflé with Keen's Extra Mature Cheddar
Don't be scared by making a cheese soufflé, it is very easy. The trick is to not over-fold in the cheese sauce with the egg whites. You can also make one big soufflé if you prefer. Recipe from the British Cheese Board (www.britishcheese.com).
Ingredients: 150g flour, 75ml sunflower oil plus a dash, 50ml cold water, salt and pepper, 250g cooked root vegetables (e.g. potatoes, parsnips, carrots), 2 onions or leeks, chopped, 2 unpeeled apples, chopped, 3 rashers bacon, shredded, 75ml milk (or cream, or plain yoghurt), 100g grated cheese, 1 egg. Serves 4 Method: 1. Mix flour, oil, water and a pinch of salt into a dough. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Then sprinkle with flour and roll out ½ cm (¼in) thick, to line a lightly oiled 20cm x 4cm (8in x 1½ in) deep metal tin. 2. Meanwhile, add a dash of oil to a pan, add the bacon and onions, and stir regularly until onions start to brown. Add the apples and potatoes and cook a further 3-4 minutes, still stirring regularly. 3. Now add the milk, ¾ of the cheese, a little salt and pepper, stir for 1 minute then mix in the egg and put the mixture into the pastry case. 4. Top with the rest of the grated cheese and bake 2025 minutes in a preheated oven 180°C/Gas 6/ 400ºF until golden brown. Variations: Use any cheese, including blue or goat’s cheese. Use pears instead of apples; add walnuts. Try ham, chorizo or smoked haddock. For vegetarians, omit the bacon and add mushrooms. Add herbs, such as basil, parsley, oregano, chives or tarragon. Add a teaspoon Dijon mustard or a teaspoon of curry paste. Or add crushed garlic.
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Ingredients: 50g butter, 150ml milk, 100g West Country Keen’s Extra Mature Cheddar, 60g mixed breadcrumbs, 50g plain flour, 2 egg yolks, 5 egg whites, 40g ground walnuts Serves 4 Method: 1. Butter four ramekins with soft butter and freeze – repeat three times to ensure a good coating. Coat the inside of each ramekin with breadcrumbs and walnuts mixed together. 2. Melt butter in saucepan and add flour, stirring until the mixture becomes a light coloured roux. 3. Still stirring, gradually add the milk and then add the grated cheese. 4. Pour this mixture into a bowl and beat in the egg yolks. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Whisk the eggs whites to soft peaks and add a little lemon juice. Carefully fold the egg whites into the mixture. 6. Gently pour the soufflé mixture into each ramekin. Smooth with a spatula and place in baking tray filled with boiling water. 7. Place in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C and bake for 15 -20 minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately with a green salad.
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RECIPES || Swiss Cheese Fondue A retro classic and a wonderfully satisying, if rather rich, quick supper or starter. You can dip radishes, carrots or cooked new potatoes if you want to be a bit more healthy.
Ingredients: 1 clove garlic, halved, 290ml/½ pint white wine, 225g/8oz emmental cheese grated, 225g/8oz gruyère cheese grated, 1tsp cornflour, 1tbsp kirsch (optional), ground black pepper, ground nutmeg, cubed bread pieces, for dipping. Serves 4 Method: 1. Rub the inside of your pot with the halves of garlic. 2. Add the wine to the pot and heat until boiling. Lower the heat and gradually stir in the cheeses until melted, stirring all the time. 3. If using kirsch, blend with the cornflour, otherwise use water. Add to the cheese mixture and cook gently until the mixture is smooth - don't let it boil or it will burn. 4. Using the fondue prongs, dip the bread cubes into the cheese and serve.
Cheddar, Stilton and Caramelised Onion Soup
This recipe is a British version of classic French onion soup. And it tastes wonderful! Recipe from the British Cheese Board. Ingredients: 50g butter, 3 medium brown or red onions, thinly sliced, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp plain flour, 1 litre reduced salt beef or vegetable stock, 8 small slices rustic bread (such as a French stick), freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 80g mature Cheddar cheese, grated, 80g blue Stilton cheese, broken into chunks. Serves 4 February 2017
Method: 1.Melt the butter in a large, heavy-based saucepan and add the onions, cooking them over a medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the sugar and cook for another few moments to really brown them. 2. Stir in the flour, then add a little stock, stirring until combined. Gradually stir in the remaining stock, then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Preheat the grill. Toast the bread on one side only. 4. Season the soup with black pepper and stir in the parsley. Ladle the soup into 4 bowls that will withstand the heat from the grill (and check that they fit under your grill!). 5. Float the pieces of bread on top of the soup, toasted sides down. Sprinkle the cheddar on top and add the chunks of stilton. Grill for 2-3 minutes until melted and bubbling. Serve at once, though take care when eating – it’s hot!
Welsh Rarebit A lovely light supper or a splendid, if rather old fashioned, end to a dinner party or replacement for the cheese course. This recipe comes courtesy of Nick Crisell, one of our Jotters, and is excellent! Method: For 4 people, melt 2oz (55g) butter in a pan then stir in 2 heaped tbsp flour to make a thick roux. Beat in 4 tbsp Guinness and when amalgamated, add 1tbsp mustard, 3 tsp Worcestershire Sauce and 1 tsp pepper, then 7oz (200g) grated cheddar. Cook, stirring over a low flame, to the point where the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, elastic mixture. Pour and spoon into a Swiss Roll Tin and leave to set. This can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. When you are ready to eat, cut the crusts off 4 slices of bread and toast under the grill. Cut pieces of rarebit slightly smaller than the pieces of bread and lay on top. Put under a medium grill until bubbling hot and golden brown. Serve at once.
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<35 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
revived for the Company’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2006. Tickets are £15, call 01252 745444 or go to www. farnhammaltings.com. Stopgap Dance Company Tuesday 28th February 7.30pm Stopgap, the Farnham based company launch a national tour of new work ‘The Enormous Room’ at Surrey University on 28th February before going on to perform at Sadler’s Wells in London. It will be performed at PATS Studio at the university as part of the Guildford International Music Festival. Stopgap Dance Company work with both disabled and non-disabled dancers and create both high calibre and valuable work. To find out more and to book tickets I would suggest going to the university website www.surrey.ac.uk or calling 01483 686876 or 01252 745443. Get Fit for Phyllis Campaign If you’re looking for a new challenge this year, then look no further! Whether you’re a couch potato who won’t even run for the bus or a gym bunny looking for a new high – Phyllis Tuckwell has a huge range of challenges which will get your adrenaline pumping! They will be running their campaign again to raise money to fund the supportive and end of life care which they provide for patients and families who are living with a terminal illness, such as cancer. So, do you fancy jumping out of an aeroplane for the ultimate adrenaline hit? Then why not sign up for a skydive? Do you ‘wheelie’ enjoy cycling? Call now to secure a guaranteed
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place in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. Perhaps you prefer to keep your feet on the ground? No problem – their wide range of walking and running events cater for all abilities, from the Isle of Wight challenge – which offers some amazing scenery - to half marathons across the country! Or if you really want to put yourself and your friends to the test, while having a great laugh and a lot of fun, why not take on an obstacle course, such as the Tough Mudder? Choose your challenge and show everyone what you’re made of. Visit www.pth.org.uk/getfit-for-phyllis to see the full range of challenges on offer, or contact the Fundraising team on 01252 729446 / fundraising@pth.org. uk to sign up now! Bridge Masterclass Thursday 2nd March 10am-3.30/4pm There’s a Bridge Masterclass with Andrew Robson at St John’s Church Centre, Hartley Wintney RG27 8ED. Andrew is the Times Bridge Correspondent and his masterclasses are very popular. The cost is £46 each or £184 per table including lunch and funds raised will help Aid of Animals Asia. Doors open at 9.45am. Contact Kay at kay.roudaut@ btopenworld.com or 01252 793811 or Gary at g8.baxter@ gmail.com or 07800 555863. All Saints Church Tilford Sunday 5th March All Saints is celebrating a very special year. 2017 is the 150th anniversary of its consecration - on 10th July 1867. A programme of festivities begins on Pancake Sunday, 5th March, with pancakes to share after the 10am service. During the first week of April there will be an Art Exhibition - entries on any subject invited from local children and adults. The celebrations continue throughout the year, with an organ recital on 6th May, a Flower Festival on 3rd and 4th June, a special stall and raffle at the Village Fete on 8th July, a Celebratory Village Lunch on 16th July, a Photographic Exhibition from 23rd to 30th September, All Saints Festival on 29th October, a Christmas Oratorio on 18th November, and finally, a Christmas Tree Festival on 9th December. An illustrated leaflet has been prepared. Contact Sue Small on 01252 782211 or susansmail24@ googlemail.com for further information. Waverley Dowsers Saturday 11th March They welcome all new comers of all backgrounds who are intrigued by the world of dowsing. They are running another ‘Introduction to Dowsing’ workshop on 11th March in Godalming. This will be a morning event and a separate afternoon event and is designed especially for mums and daughters over 8 years old together with all beginners. Further information from Michael Haxeltine on 01252 541639 or Chairman Geoff Mitchell on 01276 472977. The Group is always looking for locations for field day events. This might be dowsing land or buildings with a 15 mile radius of Godalming. Events like the above help to hone dowsing skills.
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It’s Celebration Time in Grayshott One of the region’s most successful choirs is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in Grayshott in March.
in Grayshott, broadcast on Classic FM and later released as a CD by Warner Classics. The March performance is presented by Grayshott Concerts, whose founders, Peter and Vivien Harrison also co-founded Excelsis with Director of Music, Robert Lewis. Accompanying the choir will be the famous London Mozart Players conducted by Robert Lewis.
Grayshott’s Excelsis Chamber Choir, formed in 2007, will be showcasing its talents at a special Gala Concert at St Luke’s Church Grayshott with a challenging ‘doublebill’ programme of works by Mozart and Haydn. The concert, at 7.30pm on Saturday 4th March will feature two of the most celebrated works in the repertoire: Mozart’s popular Coronation Mass, written in 1779 for the Imperial Court in Vienna; and Haydn’s grand Nelson Mass celebrating the Admiral’s famous victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Over the years, the choir has performed The Armed Man with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff; sung with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall and starred at the World Premiere of Sir Karl Jenkins’ The Healer,
“We have had a very exciting decade,” says choir Chairman, Barbie McSean, “and we’re looking forward to even more excitement ahead.” “It’s a great achievement for the choir,” says founder Robert Lewis. “Excelsis has grown from our first performance at St Luke’s, Vivaldi’s Gloria in 2007, to this anniversary concert of two of the greatest choral works ever written.” Tickets and more information www.grayshottconcerts.co.uk.
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Holmbury and Pitch Hills Two hills for the price of one! This walk shows off some of the best views in Surrey from two of its best hilltops overlooking the Weald of Sussex. It seems longer than it really is because of the enjoyable ups and downs. It is a fine walk, well worth the trip! SR
The walk
1.From the Peaslake car park, go out to the road, Walking Bottom, and turn right. Immediately take a footpath right running parallel to the road and then rising. At the top you have a good view over the whole point your feet village of Peaslake. Turn left onto a metalled track that on a new path goes past the church on your left, leading down to the road in the centre of the village. At the road, turn right and cross the village centre Pitch2. Hills to the shop. Turn right facing the shop and fork left on few metres, after a driveway, take a miles Radnor Road. In aeasy-to-moderate walking marked footpath left steeply up a grassy bank, through Date written: 21-feb-2009 a wooden barrier. At the top, by a bench, go through 2-oct-2014 posts and straightDate overrevised: a lane to a lane facing you. You pass some fine properties where the roadway ke Last update:and, 16-sep-2016 turns right into the last house, continue along a narrow Guildford) and 146 (Dorking) through a barrier. this guideenclosed should bepath, sufficient 3. The following notes will take you more or less straight depend on your feedback: feedback@fancyfreewalks.org on for over 2 km to the Holmbury YH car park. Where to printing, copying distributing through this document exactly as barrier into fine the pathoremerges a wooden thout any cutting or editing. See Principles on main webpage. open woodland, continue straight on. It immediately sive views crosses a path, descends and crosses three more paths in the valley (two narrow, one wide). At a post indicating Shere Parish Millennium Trail (SPMT), take a narrow rising path straight ahead. After 100m, this path gets quite stony, narrow andof sunken. canininstead take a f one! This walk shows off some the bestYou views parallel path through pleasant woodland by going right est hilltops overlooking the Weald of Sussex. It ally is because of the enjoyable ups and downs. up a bank; the path re-joins the main path after 120m. As you emerge open forest, you pass a post slake's free Hurtwood carinto parkthe 2 (Walking Bottom), with yellow arrow a SPMT disk. In another 60m, 9RR, grid ref aTQ 083 446, justand outside the village. you a T-junction another post is behind thereach Hurtwood Inn. Youat can also begin thewith blue and yellow arrows. ar Holmbury Youth Hostel, postcode RH5 6NW 4. Turn and case immediately Youth Hostel !), left in which begin thefork walkright at in the direction the yellow arrow. In 50m, at another post, go ile start of is Hurtwood Control Car Park No. 1 (by details of how to over get toathe start of the walk, seepath descends, is straight crossing path. The e end ofjoined this text. by other paths, runs between banks for a while grassy and widens to a very broad sandy track. Ignore a blue arrow and a bridleway on your left and keep straight any Bird's Eye View e are no dogs Peaslake
Holmbury Car Park
The Low Road
The High Road
Holmbury Hill Pitch Hill
www.fancyfreewalks.org 40
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ahead, following the yellow arrow. The path soon runs between two ponds and winds upwards left and right. 100m from the ponds, at a junction of wide paths, continue straight on, a fraction left. Soon you reach the Holmbury car park. Continue straight on, with the car park on your left, to the far corner. 5. Leading away from the back of the car park, take a narrow path in the direction of a blue arrow and an electricity pole. Continue on this sunken sandy path parallel to a line of electricity poles. The following notes take you for nearly 2km straight to Holmbury Hill. The path passes through some fine pinewoods and in 500m crosses a path diagonally. In 250m, it crosses a wide sandy track and runs for 500m through deciduous woodland, now partially felled leaving a delicious veldt of young birch and heather, after which you pass a junction of of several minor paths. 6. In 150m, your path veers right before a large conifer and in 30m meets a crossing track. Turn left here on a wide grassy path, soon regaining your original southerly direction. In 150m, the path crosses another major path diagonally. In 100m, at a fork, choose the lefthand, more sandy, path. This path curves left and right and rises to the top of Holmbury Hill with its circular seat and, down to the right, a triangulation point. The view from here over the Weald is magnificent. 7. After admiring the view, walk back from the main stone seat/compass point overlooking the Weald and approach the smaller concrete pillar (a donation box) set back from the edge of the hill. Take the sunken sandy path immediately to the left of the pillar. Keep to the wide path with the edge of the hill on your left, avoiding paths that fork off to the right. You pass a seat and at junctions, always keep to the left path, staying on the edge of the hill. All this time, you are following the Greensand Way, as indicated by an occasional GW sign. Stay on the main sandy path until at a left fork you pass through a barrier marked “Footpath Only”. You are now on a beautiful path along the edge of the hillside, with fine views left across the Weald. Your path goes through a wooden barrier, across a wheelchair circular route with a circle of benches and down two steps to a stony sunken path. Turn left on this sunken path. 8. Follow this wide stony sandy path down to a lane and turn right. In 30m, just past a house, turn left on a signed footpath. Shortly you reach a bench on the left with a captivating view of the pine-topped hillock, the Weald and the South Downs. Continue to a T-junction with a path at a bend and go left through posts, back on the GW. Fork left before a farm gate onto a narrow path running between fields across a lovely valley, passing through the wooden “McKinney Gate”. To the
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right is Coverwood, a farm-hamlet and riding centre with famous gardens and lakes. Cross a second valley, then an enclosed footpath and a stile and reach a road. 9. Cross the road and continue on the driveway of the Duke of Kent School. As the driveway curves left, take a tarmac parallel path on the right leading gradually upwards on steps, through a wooden barrier and into woodland. Go straight on up through rhododendrons and turn left beside railings up to a wooden swing gate in a fence. Continue ahead up steps in the same direction, cross a level path and continue up more steps the other side, still on the GW. At the top, turn left on a very broad path. Immediately after a house on the right and some tarmac, turn right at a post on a path which goes uphill and along a ridge. At a T-junction at the top turn left on a wide path with a seat and fine views to your left. At a fork, keep left by a footpath only sign through a barrier on a narrow path, keeping to the side of the hill. Shortly you go past a similar sign to the open area of Pitch Hill. Turn left to reach the seat, information board and viewpoint. 10. Return from the viewpoint to the open area and keep left up to the trig point where there are two concrete pillars. Turn right opposite the pillars into the woods on a bridleway marked with a blue arrow. In 40 metres, fork left on a clear path. In 180m, turn right on a wide crossing path. In 100m you come to another wide crossing path.
WALK ||
left downhill on this track. Follow this track, avoiding all side paths, left and right, until the track ends at a T-junction at the bottom in the woodland. Turn right here. This path takes you, after a long woodland walk of nearly 1½ km, to the Peaslake car park where the walk began. The High Road - Continue straight over the wide crossing path on a rising path. In 200m or so turn left on a wide diagonal crossing path. In 280m, at a junction of forestry tracks, keep straight on on a very wide sandy track. After nearly 1 km and some more crossing paths, a very wide track joins from the right. After another 100m there is a fork in the track. Otherwise, fork left downhill and, at the bottom, turn right to reach the Peaslake car park where the walk began. Walk courtesy of www.fancyfreewalks.org
Decision Point. Here you have a choice of routes back to Peaslake. The Low Road is through deciduous woods but may be a little more muddy in some seasons. The High Road is on wide forestry tracks and has a short cut in case you began the walk at the Holmbury YH Car Park. The Low Road - Turn left on the wide crossing path. Follow this valley path for 400m until you are joined by an even wider forestry track at a hairpin. Keep
DISTANCE: 6½ miles OS MAPS: Explorer 145 (Guildford) and 146 (Dorking) STARTING POINT: Peaslake Walking Bottom Car Park GU5 9RR, grid ref TQ 083 446. Image: Panoramic photo from Pitch Hill, taken December 2016 by Stefan Reynolds Neither the publisher nor the author can accept any responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions in this route. Diversion orders can be made and permissions withdrawn at any time.
February 2017
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The Lions Club of Farnham Lions
A double celebration
During 2017 ‘Lions’ all over the world will be celebrating the Centennial of ‘Lions International’. The Lions organisation is truly global with almost one and a half million members who support forty four thousand clubs in almost two hundred countries. The principal aim of each club, and the reason why most members join, is to provide support to their local communities as well enjoy the social activities that each club organises and also friendship. Beyond that, support is given to international causes, to disaster relief and to long term medical programmes in developing countries such as ‘Campaign Sight First’ which aims to cure or prevent over 40 million cases of blindness worldwide. To date, Lions clubs around the world have raised over £175 million to support that project and work is carried out at every level, from the collection and recycling of glasses, to eye camps, eye surgeries and much more. Along with other clubs ‘Farnham Lions’ collect unwanted spectacles, all of which are put to good use. In 1968 the Lions Club of Farnham was created and sits alongside nearby ‘sister’ clubs located at Guildford and Cranleigh among other places. The membership of the club, which is non-political and non-religious, is nearly fifty strong, and has many members still in full time employment and of a wide age range. A third of members are women. Farnham Lions is one of the larger clubs in the UK and is best known locally for its involvement with ‘Beerex’, the ‘Farnham Carnival’, the annual ‘Golf Day’, ‘Project Wenceslas’, ‘Eggstravaganza’, ‘Christmas Panto’, ‘Christmas Parcel Collection’ and so much more as well as providing a wide raft of support that is mostly unseen to individuals, couples, families and organisations in need. Each year around £80,000 to a £100,000 is raised, the vast majority of which goes straight back into the local community to help those in real need.
PROFILE ||
successful Indian Spectacular that the club staged during 2015. But this will be bigger and better. The Farnham Lions members felt the best way to celebrate our 50 years of service should be to look to youth and to our future. All of the proceeds will be used to support four Farnham-based organisations: 40 Degreez, The Ridgeway School, Challengers and Frensham Pond Sailability, each of whom provide great help and support to so many young people. The Farnham Lions Summer Spectacular will be held on 8th July 2017 as a summer evening event, from 5pm until midnight, with a full entertainment programme under multiple circus Big Top marquees. 700 guests will enjoy a world class band, West End theatre level stage performances, a charity auction, and of course a superb dinner, and will be able to dance to the live music before a firework finale will illuminate the sky behind the domed stage. Add to that the superb location at Churt, which is home to a major private collection of vintage and classic cars and automobilia that will be open for all to see and enjoy with the owners. For more information on this event, how to book tickets and the Lions Club of Farnham please visit: www.farnhamlions.org.uk/summerspectacular.
Being a local club, albeit as part of a global organisation, it is the club members who decide how the funds that they raise are spent. To celebrate, the Farnham Lions will stage, in addition to its normal programme of events, a Summer Spectacular, which it hopes will raise at least £25,000. This will follow a similar format to the highly February 2017
FIND OUT MORE If you would like to know more about the Lions Club of Farnham, please visit: www.farnhamlions.org.uk.
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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
<38
Pierrepont’s Saturday Safari Club Saturday 11th March and Saturday 8th April Last year, Pierrepont Farm in Tilford launched a new Saturday Safari Club, aimed at children interested in the natural world. The club was a year-long programme, meeting once a month and the children took part in a variety of themed activities to explore the farm’s habitats and wildlife through the seasons. They are taking bookings for 2017 and the first two sessions will be in March and April. It is free and tailored for children aged 7-11 years old. There will be a morning session, (10am-12pm) and an afternoon session (1.30pm3.30pm). Appropriate outdoor clothing including wellies is recommended and they ask that children are accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential, email Annika at annikar@ countrysiderestorationtrust.com. Please state which session you would prefer. If you could attend either, please let them know so that they can accommodate as many people into their preferred session as possible. Farnham Quilters Monday 13th March Farnham Quilters meet on the second Monday of each month at the United Reformed Church, South Street, Farnham. Visitors are welcome on evenings when they have a speaker. On 13th March, Dawn Monk, a keen amateur quilter whose work has recently been included in an international quilt festival in Houston Texas, will be giving a talk entitled ‘Passionate about Passacaglia - a journey into English Paper Piecing’. 7.30 pm. Cost £5. West Surrey Family History Society Tuesday 14th March The society meets on the secondnd Tuesday of every month at Farnham United Reformed Church, South Street, Farnham, GU9 7QU. Doors open at 1.30pm, there’s usually a talk between 2-3pm then tea and chat until 4pm. All are welcome on Tuesday 14th March when Gill Blanchard will give a talk on ‘Historical Directories & Gazeteers’. If you have any queries, contact Shirley Forster on 01252 317592 or visit their website http://wsfhs.co.uk/pages/farnham.php.
Bridge Afternoon Friday 17th March 2pm The Friends of Elstead Village Hall are holding a bridge afternoon at Elstead Village Hall. Tables are £36 to include a delicious tea and prizes. Tables can be booked from Sue Gowar on 01252 702127 or via email gowarms@btinternet. com. www.weyandarun.co.uk. Farnham Wine Festival Friday 8th April to Saturday 9th April This brand-new wine festival, brought to you by the VantagePoint team, will showcase over 120 wines, including sparking, Champagne and prestige wines. There will also be local producers, wine experts, a call-my-bluff charity wine challenge, a charity raffle and entertainment. Food will also be available. Two local charities are being supported by this event – Disability Challengers and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. There will be three sessions; Friday 7pm-11pm; Saturday 12 noon-4pm and 7pm-11pm. Tickets start at just £10 for entry. They are also running wine festivals in Guildford in April and Dorking in September. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the website at www.vantagepointevents. co.uk. GUTS Charity Motor Tour Sunday 17th September The date for this year’s annual GUTS Motor Tour is later than usual and will take place on Sunday 17th September. The reason for the change of date is that an opportunity has come up to visit a splendid private car collection during the tour, making it a must-attend event! Priority will be given to veteran, vintage and classic motor cars and numbers will be limited to 60. For more information, please email gutsmotortour@gmail.com or telephone 01483 421601. GET IN TOUCH
To send in an entry for Jottings, please email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk or go online to www.vantagepointmag.co.uk.
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Chimney Sweeping Services also Provided
01428 643484 07563 618415
www.gei-chimney-sweeps.co.uk
John D Bickley
Fine Cabinet Maker & Joiner 30 years experience, fully qualified, free quotation and references available. • All interior kitchen, bedroom, flooring and household joinery • Exterior garden buildings, fencing and decking • Tiling and painting
Mobile: 07549 910187 Email: johnfeoo@gmail.com www.bespokegardenretreat.com Flat roofing specialist since 1971
Family run business
Free Site Survey & Written Quotation High Performance Felt Roofing Single Ply & Seamless Liquid Plastic Mastic Asphalt Roofing, Flooring & Tanking Call 01252 220220 - 01483 651181 - 01730 220006 Email: emma@jonesbrosroofing.co.uk
www.flatroofing.eu To advertise, please call 01483 420173
vantagepointmag.co.uk
COMPETITIONS & OFFERS ||
Enter at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk
Please enter online unless otherwise stated. Postal entries can be sent to us at the address given on page three.
WIN TICKETS TO THE FARNHAM WINE FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY 8TH APRIL
The Farnham Wine Festival is one of three wine festivals being run by VantagePoint Events in 2017. It will showcase over 100 international wines including champagnes and premium wines, alongside wine experts and producers. Local wines and producers will also feature with their own special section to celebrate the strength and diversity of wine production in Surrey and West Sussex.
In addition, there will also be music, entertainment, concessions, food, money-off wine vouchers and more. Each festival will also host a blind wine tasting and raffle which will support two local charities, namely Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care and Disability Challengers. For more information or to buy tickets for this or the other festivals in Guildford and Dorking, please visit www.vantagepointevents.co.uk. To win one of five pairs of tickets with wine vouchers (worth £25 each), please answer the following question: Q: How many wines will be showcased at this festival? Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 28th February 2017.
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, G LIVE The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is returning to the UK in 2017, with an unforgettable evening of adventure films coming to G Live in Guildford on Saturday 1st April. Viewers can expect incredible cinematography, epic scenery, mind-blowing journeys and some hair-raising moments in the last wild corners of the planet. Plus there’s a free prize draw as well. The Banff Tour is more than a series of exhilarating film nights. Each screening offers a real sense of community, bringing together people with a wide range of outdoor passions. And we guarantee that viewers will leave with new enthusiasm and inspiration for their own adventures too! The short films, starring the world’s top adventurers on exciting journeys in mind-blowing destinations, are selected from hundreds of films entered into the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival held every year in the Canadian Rockies. For more information or to book tickets: www.banff-uk.com For your chance to win a pair of tickets, simply answer this simple question: Q: Where is the Banff Mountain Film Festival held? Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 20th February 2017.
Email Newsletter Voucher Exclusive Voucher
free
pot of loose leaf tea or coffee Valid on English Breakfast, China Sencha Green Tea, Lapsang Souchong Osprey, Earl Grey, Camomile Flowers, Blue Lady, Rooibos and Strawberry & Kiwi Tisane loose leaf tea and any regular coffee.
Valid 1 – 14 February 2017 Please present this voucher to the cashier before they begin to ring in your purchase. Available daily between 1 – 14 February 2017. One voucher per transaction and per customer. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or voucher. Only original vouchers accepted. Offer subject to availability and while stocks last.
C AFÉ BAR
Visit: squiresgardencentres.co.uk
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By entering these competitions you agree to receive periodic emails from VantagePoint Magazine, Vantage Publishing Ltd and the originator of the competition you are entering. You can opt out of receiving these at any time and your data will never be passed on for use by third parties. The prizes are nontransferable and have no cash alternative. Only one entry per person per competition and prizes will only be sent to homes with a GU, KT and RH postcode.
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“Making a move.” Pay only £14 for February For all-inclusive and swim only memberships
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Farnham Leisure Centre 01252 723208
The Edge 01428 644577
Godalming Leisure Centre 01483 410500 Join online
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