The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local by Ashtead Leatherhead

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What’s in here this month? Ashtead Residents’ Association

Help for Heroes leg wax and bike ride

Leatherhead Residents’ Association

GO50 walks and cycle rides

Fetcham Residents’ Association

Save Leach Grove Wood

Wallace & Gromit’s Wrong Trs Day

Leatherhead Museum craft afternoons

Ashtead Village Day

Local history article

Quiz - Colours

Give a cat a home

Author’s new book on Elizabeth 1st

10th Leatherhead Drama Festival 66-67

Andy’s Blog

What’s on in May? Pages 68-74

Penny a minute parking in MV

Gardens of Bookhams open day

Quiz - Phobias

Cryptic crossword

The Street’s pharmacy set to return

General knowledge crossword

Antiques Roadshow - behind the scenes

Gardening - hide and seek

Fidelity & Fluttering - a story

Mole Valley Police column

Recipe - Serrano & porcini pasta

Bringing in the May

Simple crossword

Transition Ashtead

Book reviews

Useful numbers

Solution on page 92

From the Publisher

up, Bruges was everything I hoped it would be and more, stunning architecture, museums and lovely people. We even had time to visit the Chip Museum. An absolute hoot, we had to walk through several exhibits showing different potatoes (boring), but at the end of it we were rewarded with a portion of chips (hoorah)... and then there was the Belgian chocolate, sadly I did not represent the British at all well. Thankfully we seem to be pulling away from the long winter as finally the daffodils in the garden have bloomed. They were threatening to bloom for some weeks as I could see their yellow buds, but they all decided to bloom en masse during the second week of April, and very cheerful they are too! There is good news from Mr Abdool Kureeman about his application to open a new pharmacy in The Street, which was approved, we just have to wait another 28 days from 8th April for the go-ahead more on page 30. May sees the annual Leatherhead Drama Festival, now in its 10th year, more on pages 66-67. Melanie Taylor, an Ashtead based author, has written a book on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth 1st and the renowned miniature portrait painter, Nicholas Hilliard. An insight into Melanie’s work behind the book can be read on page 20, along with details of where you can purchase a copy - riveting stuff. Flip Cargill, a very active member of, and tireless campaigner for, the Leatherhead community, is seeking your help to save Leach Grove Wood (next to Leatherhead Hospital). Time is of the essence, her details can be found on page 51. Advertising The Ashtead & Leatherhead Local provides local businesses with affordable, quality advertising. Ads cost from £53 +VAT per month, per quarter page for a 10,000 residential distribution (yes, really!) and can be designed where required.

The BBC will be filming the Antiques Roadshow at Polesden Lacey on Thursday 16th May and I was delighted to be given an insight into the stories of two of the members of the team, pages 34-35.

Four men will be cycling from the centre of Paris on 27th May and ending their 270 mile journey at the Cenotaph in London on 2nd June and before that, they have organised a raffle on Technical & Legal stuff 16th May and a leg wax on 17th May - details of these events Whilst every care has been taken to can be found on page 48. All in aid of the Help for Heroes ensure that the data in this magazine charity. More power to their elbow (and legs)!

is accurate, the Publisher cannot accept, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, recording, photocopying, or otherwise - without prior permission of the Publisher. All in-house artwork and editorial presented in this magazine remains the copyright of Zen George. © Zen George All rights reserved 2013. 01372 376420 leatherheadlocal@btinternet.com www.ashtead-leatherhead.com

Two bank holidays to look forward to in May, falling on Monday 6th and Monday 27th. It does seem that we have a ‘glut’ of bank holidays in May, then nothing until August. Still, mustn’t grumble, a day off is a day off (she says, working on the magazine on a Sunday afternoon!). Hopefully the weather is now brightening up and we can all spend a little more time outside in the fresh air. See you next month when I shall be including, amongst other things, the Ashtead Rotary’s double page spread on Ashtead Village Day which this year falls on Saturday 8th June. Cheerio ducks.

Zen George Publisher 01372 376420 leatherheadlocal@btinternet.com www.ashtead-leatherhead.com

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ASHTEAD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Founded 1945

www.ashteadresidents.org.uk It’s good news week... After prolonged terrible weather with icy cold east winds cutting everyone in half, it does appear that spring is finally with us – albeit arriving in British Summer Time! And that’s not the only good news. Abdool at Buckley Pharmacy has finally had his application approved for a pharmacy in The Street to replace the one closed by Lloyds. Subject to Contract, this one will be in the old Barclays Bank premises and will offer many other facilities apart from just a pharmacy for prescriptions including the first ' Healthy Living Pharmacy' in Surrey. Thanks to the support of the Residents’ Association, Chris Grayling MP, Ashtead Councillors, local medical professionals, SAVE and countless members of the general public, the NHS England (Surrey & Sussex) finally approved his application earlier this month. The next few weeks will be an exciting time as this new venture takes off, and everyone at the Residents’ Association wishes Abdool and his team their best for the future. Further good news for Ashtead is that Surrey County Council has been successful in the securing of 70% funding from the Department for Transport to improve facilities for cycling between Ashtead and Leatherhead. This shows that having a strong voice within the Council pays dividends as we have done really well in being awarded this amount of funding compared to many other local authorities, and is obviously great news for improving facilities for cyclists and improving safety for all road users from Ashtead to Leatherhead. The routes under consideration are the A24 or Grange Road/Linden Pit Path. Currently A24 is favourite as the bridge on

Linden Pit Path will be costly/difficult to change. The project is for £850K with a 70% grant given (eg. £595K). Mole Valley Cycling forum is in favour and will be involved in the design work ready for consultation with residents and businesses as soon as possible after the election. More good news is that Surrey County Council has allocated £90m out of the £140m Highways budget to replacing Surrey’s worst roads over the next five years – and yes, Ashtead’s roads feature strongly in the list and are amongst the roads scheduled for repair thanks to Councillors’ strong representations. Culverhay, long overdue for a major rebuild, will be done this financial year, and many other roads we all drive along and moan about the surface, also feature in the lists. Last summer’s Olympics saw huge interest in the cycle races coming through Mole Valley, and this year we have not one but two cycle races coming to the area. The Tour of Britain’s 7th Stage will commence in Epsom on Saturday 21st September and travel through to Leatherhead. Residents of Ashtead should therefore get a superb view of the riders as they pass through. The previous month also sees the Ride London event with riders coming again through Surrey though this time on a different route. Residents of Ashtead will be able to see the riders as they come from Oxshott to Leatherhead, then up to Box Hill and back to Dorking. Pencil Sunday 4th August into your calendars. Details of both races are available on the ARA’s web site. After a dreary winter and spring it is great to announce good news to cheer us all up!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yes, I would like to join the Ashtead Residents’ Association

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address:

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Tel:

________________________________________________________________________

Enclose a cheque for £2.50 payable to Ashtead Residents’ Association Please send to: Mrs C Ansett, 28 Grove Road, Ashtead, KT21 1BE Tel: 07733 621614 | Web: www.ashteadresidents.org.uk If you would like to receive information from the Residents’ Association via email, please visit the Contact Us page on the web site. 8

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THE LEATHERHEAD RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION On Monday April 8th, about 100 people, including 3 councillors and a MVDC officer, gathered at Letherhead Institute for the LRA's largest AGM to date. Local Green Belt issues, proposed developments, and the possible loss of the Barnett Wood Lane Allotments had clearly aroused interest. Three eminent speakers with diverse backgrounds shared their experience and brought a common thread to the fast moving evening; 'We all need to engage with our community and the council to ensure decisions are not made over our heads and in ignorance of our thoughts and feelings on matters that concern our environment'. John Howarth, Director of ‘Action for Market Towns’, and Leatherhead Area Partnership (LAP) chairman, talked of potential developments planned in the Green Belt near Junction 9 of the M25: ie a hotel complex, housing, a shopping mall, or a luxury retail outlet similar to Bicester Village in Oxfordshire. John questioned whether developments such as Bicester Village, should be regarded as opportunity or threat to neighbouring towns. Some evidence suggested the latter, as he found considerable traffic and parking problems at Bicester and, and nearby, the original Bicester 'dead'. John suggested we should be gathering as much retail information and data as possible concerning the Leatherhead area in advance of such planning applications, with a view to either preventing development altogether, or ensuring that its financial benefits would spread to existing retailers and the wider community.

destruction of nearby woodland and grassland as recently as winter 2013. Thanks to Lucy, a 57 acre wooded site is now safe. Andy Smith, Surrey Branch Director of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) explained the origins of the Green Belt and the reasons why it had come under threat, particularly in Surrey. Andy expressed concern that too little was being done to ensure that brownfield sites were prioritised. His passionate appeal was that the Green Belt should only be considered when all other possibilities had been exhausted. He firmly believes in MORE Great Belt as a result of MV's Boundary review, not less. He commented on John Howarth's, "nightmare vision of a retail village... It would destroy Leatherhead High Street once and for all. Defending the Green Belt, saving the Barnett Wood Lane Allotments and thwarting plans for a retail village are all part of the same thing. This really is a question of saving Leatherhead from developers!" The mood and applause of the audience showed an appreciation of the three speakers and their messages. Whilst we don't know what the future holds for the Barnett Wood Lane Allotment/Merton College Green Belt site, this AGM showed us just how many threats there are to the future of Leatherhead. Please join the LRA in our efforts to continue to support the preservation of the Green Belt and the allotments and to ensure a future for Leatherhead as a viable market town.

Upcoming meetings If you have a pressing issue that you need to speak about on the night of any closed meetings please come to the door at 7.20pm to pass on your concerns. Closed meeting May 13th Open meeting June 3rd Open meeting-speaker-possibly the July 1st Police Commissioner who has asked She described the erosion of the countryside with to visit us the coming of the M25 motorway in the early 80s Closed meeting and the consequent destruction of large areas of Augustgrassland and woodland. She showed evidence of

Lucy Quinnell, owner of the Fire and Iron Gallery, updated progress at Teazle Wood. Her account of how she had galvanised the community into supporting her bid to secure the future of Teazle Wood was heartfelt and heart warming.

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Fetcham Residents’ Association Founded in 1932

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Enclose a cheque for £1 payable to Fetcham Residents’ Association Please send to:

FREEPOST RTCJ-XCRK-TRYG Fetcham Residents’ Association LEATHERHEAD KT22 9HU

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30th Rotary Ashtead Village Day Saturday 8th June

It's coming up fast, so do make a note in your diary. Saturday 8th June at QE II Field, Barnett Wood Lane (renamed last year from The Rec). The event is organised again by Village Day Director, Tim Ashton, who has made such a resounding success of the previous five Village Days and is well on schedule for this one too. Ashtead Rotary has a magnificent programme in the offing... a surprise guest personality to open the event, a fully uniformed professional ring master, The Great Ashtead Bake-Off competition, hosted by Ashtead's own celebrity chef David Gillott and judged by the august editor of this magazine. And The Stannage Stunt Team (daredevil motorbikes, fire, jumps, death-defying aerial falls and more), plus all the stalls and side shows for which Ashtead Village Day is famous. Programmes will be on sale in local shops and Post Offices from early May. They are £2 each in advance or £4 each on the day – children under 12 free. And, this is most important, we will be making the Rotary Community Service Awards in the arena. These awards are given - one to an individual and a second to a group who live or work in Ashtead and who have consistently given their time and dedication to the benefit of our Community over and above their regular call of duty. All candidates are nominated by you, the residents, of Ashtead.

So if you know of a person or a group who might qualify and who you think should be recognised please make contact with Alan Howell (01372 270140 or howell_assocs@btopenworld.com or 4 South View Road, Ashtead KT21 2NB). It's a great way to give public recognition to those whose contribution is so rarely noticed. Please don't delay though, the last date for nominations is Monday 13th May to allow time for award certificates to be printed and signed. The Ashtead Players receive their 2012 Group Community Service Award from Celebrity Guest Evan Davis and Rotary President Len Wood

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‘The Truth of the Line’ by Melanie V Taylor Ashtead author, Melanie, offers some interesting theories in her story of Nicholas Hilliard (left), England's first grea artist, from his beginnings as a student great th through his career as miniature portrait painter to El Elizabeth I. Using his portraits to weave Hilliard’s personal story with the events and intrigues of Court life she offers an insight into his life and career. The rich symbolism contained in various portraits of the Queen bolstered Elizabeth's virginal reputation, but Melanie believes particular Hilliard portraits of Elizabeth can be read more than one way. As the master of the layered meaning, Hilliard's “Atti Amoris Ergo” portrait (below) has baffled “Attici schola for generations. The translation is gibberish, scholars wa it included? Research at our National so why was Archiv led Melanie Me Archives to images of the queens in the illuminated ‘P’s of legal documents between 1553 and 1565 and some interesting conclusions. Her theory about this image is controversial and her explanations of both the Latin motto and why Elizabeth’s image changes in the law term Ps at the end of 1560 and beginning of 1561 are offered as possible interpretations. You will have to decide for yourself if this young man is related to Elizabeth I. en's Hilliard married Alice Brandon, daughter of the Queen's goldsmith, Robert Brandon to whom Hilliard had been apprenticed, in 1576. As well as wealthy merchants, his patrons numbered Lord Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Francis Drake as well as the Queen and Robert Dudley. Appearing to be the soul of discretion it is likely Hilliard's sitter's confided many personal secrets to him. However, his loyalty to the Queen was absolute. It is possible he became part of Walsingham's spy network, but maintained his silence on personal confidences regarding love. Hilliard's lived through well known historical events and painted Mary Queen of Scots several times. Trusted as he was, perhaps he sketched her trial and execution (sketches of her trial and execution by Anon are in the British Library). Only one minor character is fictional - James Bell, who has no voice and is Melanie's personification of all those unknown petty traitors surrounding the Scottish Queen.

For more information on the research behind the novel visit the website : www.thetruthoftheline.co.uk or, alternatively, email melanie.v.taylor@gmail.com . 'The Truth of the Line' is available in paperback through www.lulu.com/spotlight/ melanievtaylor001 or, for Kindle users, through www.Amazon.com. (Images © of V&A.)

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Penny a Minute Parking from 2nd April Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is introducing a new ‘penny a minute’ charging system in its car parks. The basic charge for one hour’s parking will remain at 60p. After that, people will no longer be restricted to buying hourly tickets, and will be able to buy a ticket for the amount of time that they need. This means that if someone puts a pound in a machine they will get 100 minutes of parking. £1.50 will give them two and a half hours. This change follows MVDC’s strategic objectives in relation to parking. These include listening to the views of residents and traders and helping people to use Mole Valley’s car parks to access the local services they need. MVDC also works to protect the environment and character of Mole Valley’s towns and villages by making it as easy as possible for people to park in well located car parks. It also aims to support traders in keeping their shops open, and works to deliver value for money for car park users and taxpayers. Richard Burrows, Corporate Head of Service, said said “Residents have told us that they don’t like overpaying for parking if they don’t have the right change in their pockets. This new approach gives them the flexibility to pay for what they need. We hope that this will encourage people to spend more time shopping in our town and village centres. “Later in the year, the Council will also be introducing new options for people to pay for parking by phone, online and a smartphone app. These convenient methods have proven to be really popular in other areas, and will hopefully make parking in Mole Valley an even easier experience.” 24

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The Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pharmacy set to return Abdool Kureeman was advised on 8th April that his application to open a Pharmacy in the old Barclays Bank on The Street, Ashtead had been accepted by Surrey PCT. From that date a 28 day period of consideration commenced when others who are concerned/affected can appeal. Abdool has written a short note of thanks, an excerpt of which is below: "Dear Friends, Colleagues and Supporters I am elated to let you know that NHS England ( Surrey & Sussex) has considered and approved my application. As you know we have been waiting for this outcome for over 13 months now and I am grateful to you all for the continuous support you've shown over this very difficult time. I am especially grateful to all at Ashtead Residents Association, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, our councillors . Also thank you to my two local GP practices, U3A, Ashtead Good Neighbours and all the residents of Ashtead who have written in. All the letters have not been in vain. The new premises will allow me to deliver extended services and will be of the first ' Healthy Living Pharmacy' in Surrey. I am confident the contract will be secured and the Village will have its Pharmacy back. Abdool"

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BBC One’s Antique Roadshow - behind the scenes Polesden Lacey - Thursday 16th May - 9.30am-4.30pm

other person at the BBC in Bristol holds the names and addresses of people who write in.’ ‘Going to the Roadshow is a step into the unknown for most people. If I explain how the event works and make things a little easier, they’re more likely to have a good day.’ Nicholas has become adept at matching object to expert. ‘so I might decide to bring in a piece of Arts & Crafts furniture for Paul Atterbury, or I might spot a Chinese vase that I know will excite David Battie. These days, value is less crucial than a good story. We do love a good story on the Antiques Roadshow!’

BBC ONE’s Antiques Roadshow will start filming for its 36th series in the grounds of Polesden Lacey on 16th May. Doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free but the house will be closed.

Many of the most exciting treasures seen on the Antiques Roadshow are first spotted on the Furniture Round by expert Nicholas Mitchell (pictured opposite examining a wardrobe in situ), a Roadshow veteran of 27 years standing.

Nicholas has picked his way by torchlight across broken floorboards in a derelict house surrounded by barbed wire where a vast personal collection of valuable objects was stored, and been led through a cold and empty meat market early on a Sunday morning to look at a selection of gory medical antiques kept in a back room. Most visits, however, are to warm and welcoming homes. ‘I’ve come away with pots of homemade jam and cuttings from plants I’ve admired in gardens,’ he says. ‘We’re often invited in for tea, but sadly, there’s never time to stop. When we return people’s objects, I put the same question to everyone: “Did you enjoy yourself?” I want everyone to have a great experience – so do keep writing in!’

‘Anyone who writes in and lives within a 25 mile radius of the venue is likely get a visit,’ says Nicholas who hits the ground running, making Antiques Roadshow producer Michele Burgess and keeping as many as 20 appointments a day (pictured above right) counts her lucky stars over four days. that she has spent the last 22 years working on ‘I may see large pieces of furniture, huge one of the most successful programmes in the paintings or even, in one case, the most history of television. enormous stuffed gorilla, but the object doesn’t have to be large or difficult to transport for me to drop by. As a matter of courtesy, providing the home is in the area, I’ll have a look.’ If the Roadshow takes place on a Thursday, Nicholas makes his final selection on Tuesday. Wednesday is spent with the experienced removals team collecting objects and delivering them to the venue and on the day after the Roadshow, each piece is carefully re-packed and returned. ‘I oversee every step of the process,’ says Nicholas, ‘ and every object is packed as if it were being transported to the moon. We’re also fiercely discreet. Apart from me, only one 34

Michele spends early January looking at holes in a map. ‘It hangs on a wall in our Bristol office, covered in pins to indicate where we’ve been in past years,’ Michele explains. ‘The “holes” as I call them are usually areas we can’t visit because they consist of mountains covered in sheep’ ‘Each Roadshow is unique,’ she explains. ‘We never know exactly how many people will turn up, what they will bring or what will be thrown at us during the day from unpredictable weather to sudden technical hitches. Even in brilliant sunshine, I keep a waterproof tied around my waist. I’ve been caught too many times in a sudden downpour and there’s never time to go looking for a coat.’ ‘We work non-stop until after the last recording at 7pm. We want everyone to enjoy the day so I keep an eye on the queue. If I notice a mother with small children is still 100 yards from a specialist after two hours, I do something about it, and my heart misses a beat if I hear a tinkling sound as someone puts a bag of glass or china down too quickly on the ground.’ ‘We’re all constantly amazed and delighted by how welcome we’re made to feel wherever we go. We visit the most fantastic buildings in the country. I stayed on the top floor of the Castle of Mey on a planning trip a year ago, and once spent two hours down a coalmine at the National Coalmining Museum at Wakefield which I won’t forget in a hurry! One thing I’ve yet to experience in this job is a single moment of boredom.’

First Choice Cleaners: Friendly, Local, Reliable

•

If you have any furniture, which can include large paintings, heavy pots and indeed any items that would be difficult to carry to the show, please send details and photographs to: ‘Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR’ or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow

• • • •

Regular Domestic Cleaning End of Tenancy Cleans Spring / ‘Blitz’ Cleans Carpet Cleaning Deep / Steam Cleaning

First Choice Cleaners Ltd is a family run cleaning business serving the local area since 2005. All work fully insured. We take pride in all work undertaken and believe that our strength lies in offering a friendly, flexible and totally reliable service. www.mycleanhome.co.uk

01372 200492 35

Fidelity and Flutterings Ruth had never doubted Sam’s fidelity. In all the years they’d been together, she hadn’t suspected him at all. He may have drunkenly flirted at parties and lusted after unobtainable film or television actresses but there was never any serious cause for concern. Ruth was the same. She loved Sam and hadn’t been tempted to stray. She did, however, develop a worrying crush on Daniel’s French teacher, a handsome man with a lingering handshake and a twinkle in his eye. She also went completely weak at the knees in the presence of the muscle bound green- eyed Adonis who came to install their broadband. Like many women her age, Ruth took pleasure in any film starring Hugh Jackman, George Clooney, Ryan Reynolds or Colin Firth and she had a secret penchant for Alexander Armstrong.

possible, particularly when Maggie told her that Jamie was going to be there. Maggie and Ruth had studied different subjects at college and Ruth didn’t know many of her friends. However, she did remember Jamie Spencer. He had beautiful blond wavy hair and a smile that could light up a room. He was also an incorrigible flirt who treated women like he treated his library books. He’d take out several at time, leave them scattered around, occasionally give them some attention and then return them, often in a slightly battered condition. Ruth had been one of his library books.

As she got ready to leave the house, Ruth’s head was clouded with images of Jamie and her body was full of fluttering anticipation. She was pleased with her reflection and felt a bit guilty when Sam told her how amazing she Ruth considered herself a very conventional wife and mother, leading a pretty mundane sort looked and wished her a lovely evening. of life. She wasn’t unhappy but,as the children They were due to meet in a wine bar near grew older, she began to miss her younger self Waterloo and Ruth’s heart was pounding by the and the excitement of an unknown future. time she got there. She also had blisters from These days, she was also more easily shocked, her new shoes. She saw Maggie and tried to look particularly by the antics of her recently casual as she made her way across the room but divorced college friend, Maggie, who came to a getting her handbag caught on a chair rather family Sunday lunch and very publicly gave Ruth spoiled her nonchalant persona. a copy of a certain book involving various shades The evening flowed with wine and superficial of grey. conversation. Most of Maggie’s friends were Maggie was Ruth’s ‘window’ into a more single or divorced and Ruth found it hard to find unconventional world. Since her divorce, she’d much common ground. She kept thinking about thrown herself into the singles’ scene and had Sam and the children. Her feet ached and the many eye opening stories to tell. She’d also wine was making her head spin. The biggest studied the world of Facebook and tracked shock of the night was Jamie. He was still down many old friends from college days. smiling and still single. He was also completely bald. Ruth envied her liberation and began to resent the restrictions of school runs and meals on the Ruth had enjoyed taking her twenty year old table so, when Maggie invited Ruth up to self out for the evening but, as she hobbled London to meet with some people from college, back to the station, Ruth couldn’t decide what she agreed without hesitation. she was looking forward to more, a cuddle from her lovely husband or her fur-lined slippers. As the day approached, Ruth was overcome with nerves. She looked in the mirror and tried to see into the eyes of her twenty year old self. Copyright Sarah Lott Eventually Ruth found her, buried under layers April 2013 of experiences and memories. She peeled back Website: www.thememorybook.co.uk the layers and smiled. Her twenty year old self Email: sarah@thememorybook.co.uk smiled back, with a mischievous request for a Tel: 01372 373844 night out. Twitter: @thememorybook Ruth bought something new to wear and had her hair done. The mirror clearly told her that she couldn’t physically go back in time but she was determined to look as young and glamorous as 36

Shops & Services

Food & Drink

Art, Jewellery & Gifts

Simple Crossword 1

8 9

16 18

17 19

Across 1 Choose (6) 4 Bends (6) 9 Latest style (7) 10 Work out (5) 11 Scour (5) 12 Remove (7) 13 Arguing (11) 18 Changed (7) 20 Used to steer a car (5) 22 Attempted (5) 23 Kindergarten (7) 24 Area, district (6) 25 Head of newspaper (6) Down 1 Least risk (6) 2 Not the winner (5) 3 Type of plant (7) 5 Overturn (5) 6 Rogue (7) 7 Bedding (6) 8 Unconnected (11) 14 Loosening (7) 15 Taken down (7) 16 Haggle (6) 17 Participant (6) 19 Wireless (5) 21 Expel (5) Solution on page 92

Art, Jewellery & Gifts

We will be closed for restoration of the shop’s elderly wall from Wednesday 1st May 2013 and will re-open on Saturday 1st June 2013

“I am delighted with the response to the adverts that Fire & Iron has placed in the Ashtead & Leatherhead Local; it has proved to be a terrific way for us to communicate with our local audience, reaching people in an economical and highly effective way. Zen is incredibly helpful and friendly too, which makes the whole process of placing a single advert, or planning a long-term campaign, very easy.” Lucy Quinnell, Fire & Iron

∗ Bespoke Framing ∗ Framed Originals & Limited Edition Prints ∗ Gifts & Jewellery ∗ Cards ∗ Ready Made Frames & Mounts 22 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8BZ

Tel: 01372 377363 41

Motor Services / Technology

CT CARS

Audi VW Specialists • • • • •

Established 1990 Small, local, friendly garage between Leatherhead and Guildford Servicing and repairs (ABS brakes, clutches, tyres, exhausts, diagnostics, air conditioning) Free loan car We are also Seat and Skoda specialists, but we can also accommodate other manufacturers, just call us Open View Farm Epsom Road West Horsley KT24 6AP

Why use a generalist when you can use a specialist? Email: ctcars@btconnect.com Web: www.ctcars.co.uk

Tel: 01483 285792

Technology

FOR ALL YOUR COMPUTING NEEDS Friendly Local Service For SALES - REPAIRS - UPGRADES REMOTE ASSISTANCE - CALLOUTS TELEPHONE : 01372 801545

THE STREET - FETCHAM - SURREY - KT22 9RD

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Technology

DATA DILEMMAS ...

People often find it amusing that we see very high failure rates of particular items at specific times of year, for some inexplicable reason printers are most likely to fail in December, where as monitors appear to fail more frequently in February and July, well history has proven hard drives are more prone to failure in May and June where the consequences can be disastrous and expensive. We had a tiling wholesaler who lost all his financial information due to hard drive failure, eventually we did recover his data, but only after many days of laborious work and many thousands of pounds of specialist equipment was used. Now days with more information than ever being held on home PCs like photos, videos, music, family history, financial & tax information and so one - you need ask would you be concerned if this information was lost forever? Generally the data in your PC is stored on your hard drive, whilst the hard drive is a reliable object it is the most unreliable bit of the computer, so what can you do about this? The obvious answer is to back up the data, but on what? The most economic solution is an external hard drive which plugs straight into the USB port on your PC, if you have multiple computers and wish to backup on to a central shared external hard drive then we have a range of solutions for you too With a massive range of devices starting from ÂŁ60 for a 500Gb unit going upto 10Tb network drives you will never need to worry about your data again Using the correct software to automate your backup makes the task fast, reliable and simple. We can schedule your software to backup all your data daily, weekly or monthly. Once the initial back up has been run the following backups tend to be very quick as only the data which has been added or changed since the previous backup will be added to the external drive. For May we are offering to setup, schedule and run your initial backup for just ÂŁ30.00 on a standalone PC. If you would like more info on this solution, please call us or drop into the store, open Monday to Saturday 9-5:30.

This guide was written by Les Beer from TecRes, who have been providing computer sulutions since 1989, how can we help you?. For further information please call 01372-370300 or email sales@tecres.co.uk. 44

Technology ~Surreys favourite Computer Store~ 14 North Street, Leatherhead tel: 01372-370300 Monday - Saturday 9:00-5.30pm

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14 North Street | Leatherhead Surrey | KT22 7AW www.tecres.co.uk | sales@tecres.co.uk Retail store open Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 5:30pm 45

How to Win Friends From the playground to the workplace, we all know we’re not going to get by without a little help from our friends. But how do we go about forging those friendships in the first place? We’ve put together a collection of stories where a friendship is central. And it just goes to show, bonds can be formed in the most unlikely of places.

Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck

George Milton and Lennie Small are two migrant workers who dream of owning their own farm. George is intelligent but uneducated and Lennie is a great hulk of a man; physically strong but mentally weak. Set during the Great Depression, the pair is forced out of the aptlynamed ‘Weed’, California after Lennie’s fondness for touching ‘soft things’ lands him in trouble. Chasing the elusive American Dream, George must decide what kind of a future their friendship can have.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas John Boyne

Bruno is the son of an SS officer and is also a natural-born explorer, so it’s no surprise that when his family moves to ‘Out With’, he has a lot of questions about the children who appear behind the barbed wire fence wearing blue striped pyjamas. Bruno meets Shmuel, who lives the other side, has a shaved head and is constantly hungry and the two form a friendship that will have devastating consequences. Boyne’s children’s book about concentration camps is a mustread for all adults. It will stay

with you for days, weeks and months afterwards, just as it should.

Wonder

R.J. Palacio

Starting high school is tough enough for any kid, but when you have a facial deformity and it’s your first time stepping into the torrential current of mainstream education, you’re bound to be washed away. August Pullman is starting in the Fifth Grade and has the rather unenviable task of helping his classmates see beyond his disfigurement. There are tears and laughter in equal measures as ‘Auggie’ tries to make the right friends and find his place in the unforgiving environment of Beecher Prep.

The Help

Kathryn Stockett

This is the story of three women: Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny, and their attempts to change the social structure and confines of a segregated Mississippi in the 1960s. Young Skeeter is a white woman with a degree, but no husband. Aibileen is a black maid who is essentially raising a white woman’s child for her, whilst grieving for her own dead son. Meanwhile Minny is a fantastic cook but an even 46

greater gossip. Between them, the three plan to write and publish their own stories, revealing social scandals and ‘tellin’ it like it is’.

Starter for Ten David Nicholls

It must be every teenage boy’s dream to appear on ‘University Challenge’ mustn’t it? For anyone who ever felt the odd one out, this book is testament to the fact that within institutes of higher education, everyone can find kindred spirits. Working -class student Brian Jackson is off to university on a full scholarship and he’s determined to flex his intellectual muscles by winning a place on the UC team.

The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan

Before Carrie Bradshaw et al, four Chinese women began meeting in San Francisco to compare notes as recent immigrants. It was 1949 and they called themselves ‘The Joy Luck Club’. It’s a complex and delicately interwoven tale of Chinese mothers and daughters, revealing secrets and lies and all striving to find a place in the modern world whilst feeling the constant tug of their past.

Helping heroes through pedal power Help for Heroes is a charity familiar to many in the area, linked as it is with the rehabilitation work carried out at Headley Court for our injured servicemen and women. In support of this, four employees from Cobham Technical Services in Leatherhead have volunteered to take part in the 2013 Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride. This challenging ride covers 370 miles starting from the centre of Paris on 27th May and culminates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in London on 2nd June, taking in various battlefields and war graves along the route. In support of its Help for Heroes fundraising, the Cobham team has organised a charity raffle with cycling-specific prizes such as a cycle jersey signed by multiple gold-medal winning Paralympians Dame Sarah Storey and Barney Storey MBE. Tickets are available for £1 each from the Bike Beans Cycle Café on Rectory Lane in Ashtead and the draw will take place on the Cafe’s 1st anniversary party evening on 16th May. The team have also volunteered to have their legs waxed in public and invite you to come and witness their pain and humiliation. Two beauticians from Exclusive Beauty Ashtead have kindly agreed to support this fund-raising event and will be tearing out hairs, follicle by follicle, over lunchtime on 17th May in the Leatherhead Swan Centre. The team would love you to come along to sympathise, support or just chuckle at their discomfort.

If you’d like to support the team’s efforts with an online donation to Help for Heroes, please visit: www.bmycharity.com/cobhambbbr13 (L to R) Neil Gardner, Graham Degg, Dominic Godding and David Moore at the top of Box Hill during team training for the Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride

Clubs & Activities

The Fairfield Centre, Leatherhead An over 60s Social Centre for pleasure, leisure and learning in the heart of Leatherhead

• • • • • • • •

Music & Movement Tai Chi Pilates Yoga Line Dancing Ballroom Dancing Art Classes Sing-Alongs

• • • • • • •

Computer Lessons Coach Trips Lunches - daily Celebration lunches Hairdressing Chiropody Beauty Treatments

All at low prices to enable you to join in For more info on classes or services contact:

The Fairfield Centre, 34 Swan Court, Leatherhead, KT22 8AH

Telephone 01372 376058 Email christina.may@molevalley.gov.uk 49

Clubs & Activities GO50 at Age UK Surrey offers guided Walks and Cycle Rides for the 50+ age group.

This is just a taste of what’s on offer. Contact Richard Jeffries 01483 534706, email: volunteer@ageuksurrey.org.uk

web: ageuk.org.uk/surrey/activities--events

May Guided Walks (Walking boots or other suitable footwear recommended) Friday 3 : Lingfield : 4m Pleasant, varied, flat walk via St Piers Hospital School. Meet 10am at The Star Inn, Church Road. Through Lingfield village, down hill & take first left. TQ389437 / RH7 6AH | Tuesday 7 : Blindley Heath : 5m Flat, easy walk through fields and farmland. Bring snack. Meet 10am at Blindley Heath Cricket Pitch car park at junction of A22/B2029. TQ364453 / RH7 6JJ | Wednesday 8 : Ranmore Common : 4m Same car park, different route. Meet 10:15am at free car park at west end of Ranmore Common Rd. (Not NT CP at Denbies Hillside). TQ121500 / RH5 6SS | Thursday 9 : Reigate Hill : 5m Undulating walk with fine views overlooking Reigate and Dorking. Some stiles. Bring snack. Meet 10am at Wray Lane car park, top of Reigate Hill off J8/M25. TQ263524 / RH2 9RP | Tuesday 14 : Slaugham & Bolney (W Sussex): 9m Beautiful, undulating walk, very varied. Pub lunch at Bolney. Meet 10am at church in Slaugham. M23 - A23, turn left 1m beyond Handcross, under A23 and ½m to village. TQ257281 / RH17 6AQ | Wednesday 15 : Godstone : 4-5m Pleasant walk through Coldharbour, over fields to Castle Hill (slightly steep) and return via golf course & “Hilly Fields”. Bring snack. Meet 10am at Godstone Green by pond. TQ349516 / RH9 8DP | Wednesday 22 : Polesden Lacey : 4m Walk from the Estate through woodland & open countryside. Refreshments available in the National Trust restaurant. Meet 10:15am in the pay & display car park at Polesden Lacey (free for NT members). TQ136522 / RH5 6BD | Friday 24 : Epsom Common : 4m Explore Epsom & Ashtead Commons. Visit Roman brick works. Mainly flat, reasonably easy, but can be muddy. Meet 9:45am at Epsom Common Stew Ponds car park. B280 between Epsom & Malden Rushett. TQ184612 / KT18 7TR | Fri 24 : Box Hill & Headley : 8m Steep climb up Box Hill to enjoy good views from North Downs Way. Cross Heath to Headley – pub lunch – return via Mickleham Downs. Meet 10am at Rykas car park, Burford Bridge. A24/B2209 junction. TQ171519 / RH5 6BX (T) Bus 465 / Boxhill & Westhumble station | Tuesday 28 : Chelwood Gate & Heaven Farm (E Sussex): 5m + 3½m Beautiful, undulating route. Short drive to Heaven Farm for lunch, followed by another 3½m walk. Meet 10am at Chelwood Gate. From A22 at Wych Cross turn right onto A275. At Chelwood Gate, after Red Lion pub, turn left, park in village hall CP on left. TQ413301 / RH17 7DD | Tuesday 28 : Chelwood Gate & Heaven Farm (E Sussex): 5m + opt. 3½m Beautiful, undulating route. Short drive to Heaven Farm for lunch, followed by optional 3½m walk. Meet Graham at 10am (10:15am start) at Chelwood Gate. From A22 at Wych Cross turn right onto A275. At Chelwood Gate, after Red Lion pub, turn left, park in village hall CP on left. TQ413301 / RH17 7DD | Friday 31 : Slaugham/Nymans (W Sussex): 9m Circular walk on Ouse Valley & High Weald Trails. Picnic or pub lunch at Warninglid. Return to Nymans through fields with great views. Meet 10am at NT car park at Nymans. Off A23 at Handcross. TQ265294 / RH17 6EB (T) Metrobus 271/273

May Guided Cycle Rides - All meet 10am (Please bring a bike suitable for off-road cycling ) Friday 3 : Downside: 13m Enjoy an easy ride over Bookham Common to Wisley Aerodrome. Meet at The Medicine Garden, Downside Road, Cobham. TQ107592 / KT11 3LU | Tuesday 7 : Reigate: 17m From Reigate Heath to Headley Heath and back. Hilly (both up and down). Meet at Skimmington Castle pub, Bonny’s Road off Flanchford Road, Reigate, RH2 8RL. TQ238497. Park in CP behind the pub. | Friday 17 : Walton on Thames: 12m Leisurely ride up River Thames & Wey. Meet at The Weir, Walton on Thames. TQ106681 / KT12 2JB 50

Clubs & Activities

Please help save Leach Grove Wood In the early 1980's, SCC decided to sell this wood for housing. A group of residents fought for the woods and won. It has strategic open plan classification, but this does not ensure its safety, so I am applying for Village Green Status, (supported by the LRA), to safeguard the wood for future generations. Many birds and animals are seen here, including song and mistle thrush, coal tits, field mice and bats. Village Green Status would ensure that the land would remain open and unbuilt on. If you, family, or friends have used Leach Grove Wood, (behind Leatherhead hospital) whilst living in Leatherhead, at any time in the last 20 years, would you fill out a simple 'Evidence of Use' form? I need 340 more forms by Friday 10th May. Please phone or email me for forms 383468 flip@thecargills.org

Flip Cargill

Clubs & Activities

Ashtead Evening Townswomen’s Guild At our April we had a fascinating talk by Peter Grove, the Lord Mayor of London's Bodyguard, fully dressed in all his regalia. He told us all about the Honorary Artillery company which was founded in 1537. They are part of the Territorial Army and currently have some members serving in Afghanistan. They form guards of honour at all ceremonial events in the city of London. The original pikes had to have 4ft cut off their original length of 17ft to fit in the Guildhall. Amongst other interesting information he showed us how slow and laborious it is to prepare a musket for firing! From our next meeting we will be starting at 7.30 not 7.45. On 7th May our speaker is coming from Surrey Wildlife. We recently held an Easter party with members wearing their Easter bonnets and we have other activities arranged, including a pub lunch and by Mid Surrey Federation a trip to Whitchurch Silk Mill.

You are very welcome at any of our meetings. Chairman Margery Curtis 01372 272588

Ashtead Women’s Institute - April meeting Ashtead Village Day will be with us again before we know it, and requests were made for members to think ahead and support us, as always, with our stall at the event. A visit to Denman College was planned for new members who hadn’t yet visited our own special college, where they would enjoy a tour of the house, lunch, and a cookery demonstration in the newly fitted kitchens tuition area. Surrey WI is planning another popular ‘Scarecrow at Wisley’ competition in which we are invited to take part. Our speaker this evening was Mrs Jean Haynes on The Life of a Lady Bailiff. Mrs Haynes told us of her difficult start in this work because of being a woman, but she persevered and has obviously had some fulfilling and entertaining years in this profession, meeting many people from very different walks of life along the way, some of whom we much enjoyed hearing about this evening. Before closing, final arrangements were made for our visit to the Chelsea Hospital next week, and for our local pub lunch later this month. Dates were given for our Reading, Theatre, Yarn, Scrabble, Walking and Craft sub-groups. We are also looking forward to visiting Arundel Cathedral in May for the Carpet of Flowers at Corpus Christi. The speaker at our 1st May meeting will be our WI member Rosemary Stark, on Memories of New Zealand. 52

Education & Tuition

Dorking Quilters The speaker was Liza Jones, Chair of the Queen Mother’s Clothing Guild. The Guild collects vast amounts of clothing for all ages, and distributes it every year to many charities, such as Veterans Aid, hospices, neonatal units, night shelters, and care homes, where clothing and bedding are badly needed. Our next meeting on May 14th will be a sewing evening, when our project will be to make pin cushions.

"Having GO50 activities listed in the Ashtead & Leatherhead Local each month has been a real help in spreading the word about healthy activities for older people in Surrey." Richard Jeffries, Age UK Surrey

Our meetings are held at the Friends’ Meeting House, Butterhill, South Street, and begin at 7.30 for 8pm. Contact Sheena, on 01306 885597 for more info.

Oh for a thousand tongues... That would be too ambitious, even for us, but we are stepping up our provision of language courses from September. New languages being introduced include Portuguese (much in demand as many local people spend holidays, own property, do business in Portugal). Polish appears in our prospectus for the first time. We have taken note of the fact that this is the most spoken language in this country after English. So if you want to converse with your friend, partner, neighbour, barman, builder, who comes from Poland, this could be the course for you. In the more popular languages – French, Italian and Spanish, we are stepping up the number of levels so that whether you are a beginner, an occasional visitor to the country, wanting to brush it up, took it some time ago at ‘O’ level or GCSE, there should be something suitable for you. Our tutors will help and advise. English as a Second, or Foreign Language is also part of our provision and here we are introducing some new courses – particularly a conversation class on Monday mornings, geared to intermediate level, and also the Cambridge First Certificate in English - a qualification which is highly regarded all over the world. The regular courses at elementary, lower and higher intermediate levels, will of course continue. It’s all about communication! For further information on our classes, please phone 01372 363708 or 07802 412285, collect a brochure from the Leatherhead Institute or local libraries, or visit our website surreyhillsonwardlearning.org.uk.

Clubs & Activities

Leatherhead Museum

Hands-on half term Craft afternoons May–June 2013 Once again we are offering three FREE handson Craft sessions for children and their parents/carers on May 30th and 31st and June 1st from 1pm – 4pm in the museum and the museum garden. There will be many different activities on each of the three days as well as experience on the potter’s wheel with Justine Munson, peg doll making, Calligraphy and mask making. Take part in creating the great swan collage for display around Leatherhead. The Leatherhead Museum of local History at 64 Church Street (at the traffic lights) will also be open for everyone to enjoy in addition to the craft activities.

For more details look for the posters or phone 01372 386050 or 01372 386348

ExxonMobil donation to Fortyfoot Playgroup supports children’s learning whatever the weather! Children at Fortyfoot Playgroup & Pre-School celebrated a generous donation of learning resources from local company ExxonMobil with a special parents coffee morning where children, parents and representatives from ExxonMobil were able to see the resources in action, namely arts and crafts, an outdoor weather station and a two-seater bike.(pictured in photo). Aldith Bruty, Playgroup Leader, says: “We are delighted that ExxonMobil has made such a generous donation towards our teaching resources for the children. Our children do much of their learning in our fabulous garden and the two major pieces of equipment in particular will help enormously with our weather, science and physical education themes. The weather station especially is going to be great fun. The children are going to get a lot out of it, exploring, talking about, thinking, measuring, drawing and writing about how the weather changes.” Ruth Long, Vice Chair of the Playgroup Committee, says: “We are extremely grateful to ExxonMobil for their generous donation towards our learning resources for local children. As a registered charity and community pre-school Fortyfoot Playgroup aims to keep its fees as accessible as possible for families who are struggling in the current financial climate.” Pictured above: Aldith Bruty (L), Sophie Foale, Community Affairs Adviser, ExxonMobil (R), weather station and two seater bike.

www.fortyfootplaygroup.co.uk

Education & Tuition

Health & Beauty

Leatherhead Podiatry Love your feet! Lesley Pennington S.R.Ch., D.Pod.M., B.Sc.Hons., HPC reg 25 years experience

10% off your first appointment on production of this ad (offer ends 31st May 2013) • • • • •

Corns Calluses Orthotics Ingrowing Toe Nails Verrucae

• • • • •

Problematic Nails Athlete’s Foot Bunions Sports Injuries Heel Pain

01372 374125 63b High Street, Leatherhead

Health & Beauty

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MAY:

Massage - Facials - Tanning Eye Lash Extensions Eye Lash & Eyebrow Tinting Exfoliation - Waxing Gellux Nails - Make-up Gift Vouchers

5 Back, neck and shoulder massages for the price of 3 Fabulous Sienna X Spray Tan for £15 (usually £20)

Our salon is situated within Curves, 70A Kingston Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7BW (free parking) www.cpeallingbeauty.co.uk | cpbeautyinfo@gmail.com Charlotte: 07772 030334 | Holly: 07825 688090

Charlotte Pealling Beauty

@CPeallingBeauty

QUALIFIED COUNSELLOR

Margaret Spice

MA, BA (Hons.), MBACP, BICA • • • •

Abuse Anxiety Depression Bereavement

• • •

Loss of Confidence Relationships All aspects of Infertility

Ashtead Practice Tel: 01372 277802

www.surreycounsellor.co.uk

“Thank you so much for printing the article about the Ashtead Friday Market in your magazine. We had lots of new people in the hall and several wanting to take a table for next time. It certainly made a difference to our numbers and it highlighted the event, which was fantastic! Many thanks again.” Chris Townsend, Ashtead Friday Market, APMH. 58

Health & Beauty

OSTEOPATHY CLINIC (Established since 2001)

Clinics in Fetcham & Uxbridge

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Leatherhead & District Local History Society Potted Histories No 51

Beverley Nichols - Merry Hall

Beverley Nichols

Merry Hall

In the 1841 census this house in Agates Lane appears as Maryls and in 1861 as Merry Halls. Arguably one of the most pleasant looking houses in Ashtead, although much of its back land was sold in the 1970s for housing development and the old wall on the south corner had to be cut back for an access road. Beverley Nichols, the well-known prolific author and contributor for many years to the magazine Woman’s Own, bought the house in 1946 and stayed for some ten years. He was also a talented musician and composer and a close friend of many theatrical and literary figures of the day. He wrote several books during his stay. One of these, Merry Hall was dedicated to A.E. Newby, his gardener who is referred to in the book as ‘Oldfield’. This name is preserved in Oldfield Gardens. Many famous celebrities visited him at Merry Hall, but few local people were invited into the house. Exceptions were the Maples family who lived at Murreys Court opposite and Peter Yorke, the band leader who lived in Rookery Hill. His main local interest was in the productions of the Ashtead Players of which he was a patron from 1954 to 1957. He wrote a most complimentary article in Woman’s Own about the 1954 production of Ruddigore, recounting how the cast were invited to Merry Hall after the show, and sang and danced in the music room, repeating most of the opera. When he moved away it was to find another house and write more autobiographical books. He was born John Beverley Nichols: September 9, 1898, Bower Ashton, near Bristol and died: September 15, 1983, Kingston upon Thames Goff Powell - Extracted from Ashtead A Village Transformed L&DLHS 1977 / History of Ashtead L&DLHS 1995 with additions.

For information regarding Membership, Lectures and Museum opening hours contact: Leatherhead & District Local History Society, Leatherhead Museum, Hampton Cottage, 64 Church Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8DP Tel: 01372 386348 mail to: staff@lheadmuseum.plus.com Website: www.leatherheadlocalhistory.org.uk 62

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LDF-Ad_Layout 1 02/04/2013 11:18 Page 1

It’s hard to believe but this is the Tenth Anniversary Leatherhead Drama Festival and this year runs from Bank Holiday Monday 6th May till the Gala Awards Night on Saturday 18th May at the Leatherhead Theatre.

VARIED and EXCITING PROGRAMME

The two weeks of drama will feature 9 Junior and 17 Adult plays. The programme which is very varied, looks exciting and includes eight completely new plays. (Programmes available at Leatherhead Theatre or on the Festival website.) With two or three plays each evening you are assured of a good night out, each and every night! Season Tickets are available, meaning you can watch either week’s whole programme at a bargain price! Well worth considering.

The TROPHIES

Sir Michael Caine is Patron of the Festival, and the major Trophies awarded each year bear his name. The Drama Groups, several of whom are new to the Festival this year, will be competing in the Junior or Adult sections for the unique and prestigious “Sir Michael Caine Drama Awards” (including Best Play, Best Actor and Best Actress), the “Richard Houghton Awards” for outstanding contribution, and special trophies for “New Writers”

ADJUDICATION

The Festival is a competition and the plays will be performed in front of the audience and a professional adjudicator Mike Kaiser (Member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators). He returns to Leatherhead again after an absence of nine years, and will assess each play and give his verbal adjudication at the end of each evening. The Junior and Adult Winning plays will be reperformed at the Gala Awards Night on Saturday 18th May.

But do come along and judge the individual plays yourself !

DATES and TICKETINFORMATION

Junior Week – Monday 6th to Thursday 9th May at 7.00pm – £8 each. Season Tickets (Junior Week, 4 nights) – £16. Adult Week – Friday 10th and Monday 13th to Friday 17th May at 7.00pm – £10 each. Season Tickets (Senior Week, 6 nights) – £36. Gala Awards Night - Saturday 18th May at 7.30pm – all tickets £15 each. Details and Festival Photographs are available on our website www.leatherheaddramafestival.org Programmes and Tickets are available from the Leatherhead Theatre Box Office. Tel 01372 365141 Theatre Website www.theleatherheadtheatre.org

An Event Not To Be Missed!

JUNIOR & ADULT DRAMA GROUPS COMPETING FOR THE

SIR MICHAEL CAINE DRAMA AWARDS

ANNIVERSARY

6th-18th May AT THE LEATHERHEAD THEATRE

Booking: www.theleatherheadtheatre.org Tel: 01372 365141

www.leatherheaddramafestival.org

WHAT’S ON IN MAY? Thursday 2nd

Surrey County Council Elections, polling stations open 7am-10pm.

Surrey Hills Music Festival, 2nd - 8pm - Denbies - ‘Baroque to Blues’; 3rd - 7.30pm - Holy Thursday 2nd Trinity Church, High St, Guildford - ‘Quatuor pour le fin de Temps’; 4th- 7.30pm - St Saturday 4th Teresa’s School, Effingham - Gala Concert. www.surreyhillsmusicfestival.com Saturday 4th

‘The King’s Speech’ open air cinema, Polesden Lacey from 6.30pm. Enjoy this Oscar winning film in the glorious setting at Polesden. £12 per ticket (over 15s only) please book in advance on 01372 414944

Sunday 5th & Sunday 19th

Charity Car Boot Sale in aid of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund, Epsom Hospital, Dorking Rd, Epsom, KT18 7EG. 9am-12.30pm (sellers 8am). Sellers: cars £10, large cars/small vans £12, trailers £3 extra, booking not required. Entry by donation. Email for info: bess.harding@ntlworld.com

Monday 6th Saturday 18th

10th Leatherhead Drama Festival, Leatherhead Theatre, see pages 66-67 or go to www.leatherheaddramafestival.org

Monday 6th

Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Abinger Sports Club, Felday Rd, Abinger Hammer, RH5 6QX. 12pm4pm. Free entry, parking £1.50. Picnic by the stream in AH, stalls, barbeque, home made teas, Pimms, teddy bear fancy dress classes, face painting, coconut shy, duck races, pony rides. 01306 730411, Peaslake School

Monday 6th

May Day Music Festival 2013, Running Horse Public House, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, in aid of the Princess Alice Hospice. 2pm-8pm. Free entry. Live music, stalls, BBQ, prize draw, family fun and more. Contact: Colin Turner, 01372 372081, email: info@running-horse.co.uk

Thursday 16th

Police Panel, St George’s Church, Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, 7pm. Useful opportunity for residents to tell the Police what they think about crime in the area and to suggest priorities for them to undertake over the following two months prior to next meeting.

Thursday 16th

BBC’s Antiques Roadshow filming at Polesden Lacey, 9.30am-4.30pm. Free entry to grounds, but house will be closed.

Saturday 18th

Dorking Concertgoers, Dorking Halls, 7.30pm. Harp Duo Recital by Mélissa Kenny & Tamara Young. £15 call Dorking Concertgoers Box Office 01306 740619 or online at www.dorkinghalls.co.uk. Students half price; children 16< accompanied by an adult free

Saturday 18th

Coldharbour Fete, Coldharbour Memorial Ground, Leith Hill, RH5 6HD. 2pm-5.30pm. Adults £2.50, children free. Fun dog show, Punch & Judy, tug o’war, Morris dancers, magic show, stalls, cakes, music of the 60s and much more. 01306 711846.

Saturday 25th

Leatherhead Horticultural Society Plant Sale & Coffee Morning at 19 The Mount, Fetcham KT22 9EB, 10am-12pm. Entrance £2 includes refreshments. Attractions include Plant Sale, Cake Stall & Raffle.

Saturday 25th

St Martin’s Church, Dorking, 7.30pm. Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra; Beethoven Egmont Overture; Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto; Schubert - Symphony No.4 (Tragic). £13 from SPO Box Office 01372 276949, under 18s and Students £8

Monday 27th

Surrey County Show, Stoke Park, Guildford, GU1 1ER. 8am-6pm.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Saturday 8th JUNE

30th Rotary Ashtead Village Day, see page 16. If there’s an event in June that you’d like mentioned, please contact Zen (details p.6) before Sunday 12th May. All entries appear on a first come, first served basis. Details correct at time 68 of going to print.

What’s On?

‘Drop in’ day

Saturday 27th April, 10am-4pm

Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, Woodfield Lane, Ashtead

Paper versions of the survey will be available. And we will be serving tea! On display will be lots of information from the sub-groups, maps, examples of developments, and people from ACV on hand to answer questions and collect your views about the following: • • • •

Housing Green Belt Boundary review Infrastructure, Environment & Transport Business & Economy

Housing & Green Belt Boundary Review Survey

The on-line survey went live at the beginning of April; we are getting a fantastic response with over 250 people completing the survey in the first week. We haven’t analysed the results yet but one of the demographics shows that we are not reaching enough younger people. Anyone living in your home can take part as the survey is not limited to one per household. If there is anyone over the age of 18 living at your home please encourage them to do the survey. We need a response of a minimum of 500 to have a fair representation of Ashtead’s population and are hoping for far more. If you haven’t done the survey yet please go to the website and sign up for the Newsletter and link to survey. The survey runs to 5th May 2013.

www.ashteadcommunityvision.org.uk Contact: Andy Ellis 07530 373975 email: info@ashteadcommunityvision.org.uk Find us on Facebook Ashtead Community Vision, and Twitter @AshteadCV

WHAT’S ON IN MAY? - REGULAR EVENTS Wed 1st (weekly)

Rotary Club of Leatherhead, Police Federation Headquarters, Highbury Drive, Leatherhead. 7pm-9pm. Further information from Simon Edmands on 07753 821964.

Wed 1st (monthly)

Ashtead Flower Arrangement Group, demonstration by Angie Hyde ‘The Planets’, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall. 1.45pm-4.30pm. All welcome. Di Stirling 01372 279501.

Wed 1st (monthly)

Ashtead WI, AGM, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.15pm for 7.30pm, speaker Mrs Rosemary Stark, ‘Memories of New Zealand’. Info from Sandra Brown 01372 276736

Friday 3rd (weekly)

Morning coffee and scones served in the Ralli Room, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall. Prepared and served by volunteers to raise money to help run the Hall.

Thurs 2nd (weekly)

Sequence dancing, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Rd. 7.45pm-10.15pm. £3. More info from Mrs Gibson, 01372 374160

Thurs 2nd (weekly)

GO50 L/d Health Walk. 10.15am for 10.30am. L/head Leisure Centre, KT22 9BL. 1½ hours/2-3 miles. Richard Jeffries, 01483 534706, richard.jeffries@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Thurs 2nd (weekly)

Rotary Club of Ashtead meet at Tyrrells Wood Golf Course, 7.30pm for 8.00pm for dinner. Visitors welcome. Contact Brian on 01372 275860

Thurs 2nd (monthly)

Leatherhead Barn Dance Club. 8pm-10.15pm 1st Thurs of month. Abraham Dixon Hall, Letherhead Institute, £2.50. Ruth & Jim Gwilliam. 01403 750844

Friday 3rd (monthly)

Soup Lunch held in St. Michael's Church Hall, the Marld, 12pm-2pm. Homemade soup, bread and pudding with tea/coffee for £5. In aid of Save The Children and CAtholic Fund for Overseas Development. Enjoy a good meal and raise funds for two charities.

Friday 3rd (weekly)

10am-12pm The Sewing Shop, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall. For all you Great British Sewing Bee enthusiasts - all your haberdashery needs from pins to pinking shears. Can't make Fridays? 'Phone on 374914 with your requests. Expert advice available. 10.30am-11.30am Leatherhead Community Market, Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Rd. Cakes, plants, meat, pies, eggs and crafts together with coffee or tea. Be early or miss out! New producers welcome.

Friday 3rd & Wed 8th

Early 20th Century English Avant Garde. An exploration of work by British artists who were more interested in the human condition. This will provide a background for those going to the L S Lowry June retrospective at Tate Britain. £10 inc refreshments: 01372 272235: www.ashteadartlovers.co.uk

Sat 4th Thurs 9th Sat 18th Tues 21st Sat 25th

May walks around the beautiful Mole Valley, with Ian & Flip Cargill 01372 383468 / 07766 166794 , www.livewellnaturally.co.uk, Phone before if inclement weather. Donation to charities, car share suggested, Saturdays 1½-2 hours, 4-5 miles, evenings 1½ hours, 3½ miles Saturday 4th 10am Friday St CP Hollow Lane, off Friday St Rd Thursday 9th 7pm Headley Heath, NT CP nr cricket ground Saturday 18th 10am Box Hill NT CP, meet outside shop Tuesday 21st 7pm Wisley Lane (off A3) first CP on right Saturday 25th 10am White Down Lane CP, off A25 west of Wotton

Sunday 5th (weekly)

Leatherhead Parish Church welcomes everyone to our services. 10.30am Parish Communion with Children's Church, followed by refreshments.

Tuesday 7th

Ashtead Evening Townswomen’s Guild, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, speaker from Surrey Wildlife, visitors welcome £2. Contact Margery Curtis 01372 272588 70

What’s On?

Epsom, Ewell & District branch is 25 years old! Come & help us celebrate over two decades of saving & rehoming cats & kittens by getting back to the 80’s

Sunday 26th May 2.30pm–5pm Raffles & best dressed prizes Shoulder pads & big hair positively encouraged! All members & volunteers welcome! Venue: Mountview, Tattenham Crescent, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5NU

RSVP pat.taylor16@btinternet.com tel: 01737 359369

REGULAR EVENTS Continued Wed 8th

(2nd Wed mthly)

Tylney Luncheon Club, Leatherhead Leisure Centre, 12.30pm. Different speaker each month, visitors always welcome. More info from Pat Date 01372 454879

Thurs 9th (monthly)

Transition Ashtead Meeting, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.30-9pm, Keith Taylor (Green Party MEP) will be talking about air pollution. www.transitionashtead.org.uk

Friday 10th

Ashtead Friday Market, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 9am-12pm, free entry. Lots of stalls, cakes, jewellery, plants, collectables, bric-a-brac and much more, supporting the RNLI

Thurs 16th

‘Stepping Stones’ Club, meets at Ashtead Baptist Church, Barnett Wood Lane at 2.15pm. Varied programme of events, (inc painting, craft, quizzes, film), refreshments inc. £2, all over 55’s very welcome. Contact Brian Chandler 01372 275206.

Thurs 16th

Third Thursday of each month. Leatherhead & District Friends Group, Leatherhead Royal British Legion, 2pm-4pm. If you are over 50 and would like to join us you would be made most welcome. For more info, please contact Jane on 01372 811422.

(3rd Thurs mthly)

(3rd Thurs monthly)

Friday 17th

Leatherhead & District Local History Society lecture ‘The Dorking Museum Project’ by Kathy Atherton, Letherhead Institute (top of the High Street) coffee 7.30pm lecture 8.00pm. All are welcome

Friday 24th & Wed 29th

NHS Blood Donor Sessions, Friday 24th at Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall and Wednesday 29th at St Mary & St Nicholas Church, Church Rd, Leatherhead, 1.30pm-4pm and 5pm7.30pm (timings are the same at both venues). 71

What’s On?

Win one of 5 family tickets to the Surrey County Show 27th May 2013

Monster trucks will do battle in the grand arena at Stoke Park, when Surrey County Show brings together spectacular entertainment, farm livestock, horses, donkeys, ducks and more, for an amazing family day out in the heart of Guildford. The event showcases the quality of British farming. Come and see at close quarters the very best examples of our native breeds and Continental cousins. Learn to milk a cow and cast a fly. Enjoy a bit of rural nostalgia with the Back to Grass Roots Farming Display, listen to the music of the Royal Logistic Corps Band, The Casablanca Steps and Godalming Youth Band. Gates open to the public at 8am. Tickets with big discounts are available on line at www.surreycountyshow.co.uk. Adults £12.50 (£16 on Show Day); Seniors £9.50 (£12); Children aged 5-16 £5.50 (£6) and families £32.50 (two adults, two children aged 5-16) (£38 on Show Day).

To win one of five family tickets, please answer the following question:

‘At what time do the gates open to the public at the Surrey County Show on Monday 27th May?’ Send your answer, along with full name and postal address to: leatherheadlocal@btinternet.com by 12pm on Thursday 16th May. The winning tickets will be sent via first class post on the same day. Please note that the

winner’s details will be passed to the organisers of the Surrey County Show for future promotions

An Evening with the Stars from Strictly Come Dancing

At Surrey Hills Onward Learning, (a provider of adult education classes) we are delighted to have the opportunity to appear in the Ashtead and Leatherhead Local.

Dorking Halls - Friday 17 May, 8pm

The ‘A & L Local’ is well presented, accessible and has a wide readership, so ideal for getting one’s brand known. Every time we include an advertisement we get several enquiries which result in enrolments.

Pasha Kovalev and Katya Virshilas (pic above), stars of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, are bringing their sensational live show to Dorking. They and their talented dancers will perform stunning routines, accompanied by a full audio-visual backdrop, a Q & A session and an appearance by a local dance school.

We are sure that the Ashtead and Leatherhead Local has contributed significantly to the rise of our student numbers by some 15% during the last year. Jill Harris, Principal

All that, and a chance for audience participation! Tickets cost £18 and £20 from 01306 881717 or visit www.dorkinghalls.co.uk. 72

What’s On?

Surrey THE BEST VALUE COMMUNITY EVENT IN THE COUNTY

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What’s On? To make a booking, please contact the box office on 01372 365 141 or go to www.theleatherheadtheatre.org Leatherhead Operatic Society Presents Beauty and The Beast

Wed 1st May, 7:30pm, Thurs 2nd, 4pm & 8pm, Fri 3rd 7:30pm, Sat 4th 2:30pm & 7:30pm £18 Concessions, £15. Child, £10. Please note Concessions are unavailable on the Friday and Saturday evening performances. Leatherhead Operatic Society return after their successful performances of The Sound Of Music and Oliver in 2012 with the magical stage musical of Beauty and The Beast, based on the award winning Disney animated musical film of 1991. The fairy tale characters come alive before your eyes as the prince, transformed by an enchantress into an ugly beast, falls in love with Belle, the village beauty. His servants, now household items, work hard to ensure romance blossoms. But it takes more than this to break the magic spell.

The Leatherhead Drama Festival – Tenth Year Anniversary Junior Week Adult Week Gala Night

Monday 6th-Thursday 9th Friday 10th Monday 13th –Friday 17th Saturday 18th

Junior Week £8; Adult Week £10; Gala Awards Night £15 Season Tickets available please speak to our Box Office. Tickets for the festival are on sale now with season tickets available for both the junior and adult week. A full list of participating drama groups, including The Leatherhead Theatre’s Performing Arts Class, can be found on the drama festival website: www.leatherheaddramafestival.org. Once again live music on the Mezz Bar will entertain patrons during the intervals, local groups including The Howard of Effingham School will be performing and The Sir Michael Caine Awards will presented at the end of festival on the Gala Awards Night. The festival now needs its audience, tickets available from The Theatre’s Box Office, contact details top.

Elizabeth to Elizabeth

Thursday 23rd May, 7:30pm in the Mezz Bar, £10. Friends £8. A celebration of 450 years of English history and music. Trio 'In Voice and Verse' celebrate the humorous highs and serious lows of English history from the first Elizabeth to the second. Actor Lance Pierson, soprano Belinda Yates and pianist Heather Chamberlain present readings and music from across the centuries including pieces by Handel, Beethoven and Britton. As well as poems by Shakespeare, Milton and Betjeman. Lance has performed at The Theatre many times over the years. Belinda is a member of the Monteverdi Choir and Heather is an accomplished pianist and teacher.

Digital cinema

We are pleased to announce The Leatherhead Theatre will be switching over to digital projection during May. This means we will be able to screen live performances from The Royal Opera House as well as upcoming films such as The Great Gatsby (directed by Baz Luhrman), The Big Wedding, Promised Land and Much Ado About Nothing. Details will feature on the website late May. 74

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Cryptic Crossword Across 1. Uncertain it's a new way to view gran (8) 5. Debags twisted emblems (6) 9. Monk that puritans could turn to (8) 10. An illusion from the rage I'm in (6) 12. Presents made from sad war (6) 13. Colour which comes from a red navel (8) 15. Country a marine might come from (7) 16. The sort of runt to change (4) 20. Host spun round and fired (4) 21. Material made by joining two beasts (7) 25. Entreat a deformed animal (8) 26. Pile ma arranged to pierce (6) 28. Ladies turned and went by boat (6) 29. Noble American leader of the past (8) 30. Do go on, it's somehow wrong! (2-4) 31. Prepared chard one secured (8)

Solution in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition

Down 1. Fight witnessed in Poland (6) 2. A Slav's manipulated slave (6) 3. Ruder son might play this game (8) 4. A boy who's out of line? (4) 6. Got up out of a siren (6) 7. Urged and ran into splendour (8) 8. Hangers I rearranged for clipping (8) 11. Pick any and become alarmed (7) 14. Judge employed, then rejected (7) 17. Killer of a couple of donkeys at home (8) 18. Alight on, creating hate (8) 19. Malign and harmful speaker (8) 22. Dame OK to come to terms with (4,2) 23. Skilled artist from a tortuous stream (6) 24. Hired out and sealed in a way (6) 27. Dash occupied by one wreck (4)

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01372 360998

Startled, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

34 Cressall Close, Leatherhead, KT22 7DZ

'Did you say that?' he hissed at the parrot.

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Help@Hand is your local handyman service based around the Dorking, Leatherhead and surrounding areas. The Principal, Graham Sheargold sees there’s a desperate need for someone to offer a service that tackles odd jobs, small repairs, decorating and general maintenance. Hubby is busy; relatives and friends don’t have the time. The result - NOTHING GETS DONE! “Don’t worry, Help@Hand is here for you. I don’t tackle specialise trade work, but if you need furniture assembling, doors or mirrors hanging, painting or decorating then I can help. I also fit grab and hand rails, clean patios, renovate sheds, fit shelving, pictures etc, etc. All those little jobs that never get done. Thinking of moving? Rooms looking tired? Would your home benefit from a little TLC? Ask about my special makeover - a lot can be achieved in just a few days.

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'Yes', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that he's watching you.'

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The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?' 'Moses,' replied the bird. 'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

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'The kind of people who would name a Rottweiler Jesus.' 80

House & Garden

Y O U R L O C A L F U L L Y I N S U R E D H E A TI N G & P L U M B I N G S E R V I C E • • • • •

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General Knowledge Crossword Across 1. Group of countries in special alliance (4) 4. US city famous for entertainment and gambling (3,5) 8. Clouding of the lens of the eye (8) 9. Child of Adam and Eve (4) 10. Country called Cymru in its own language (5) 11. City and port in south-western England (7) 13. Former monetary unit of Portugal (6) 15. Fisherman (6) 17. Preserved in vinegar (7) 19. Ring-shaped bread roll (5) 22. Skewer for holding meat over a fire (4) 23. One of Jesus'

followers (8) 24. City in northern Pakistan at the eastern end of the Khyber Pass (8) 25. Strong sweeping cut made with a sharp instrument (4) Down 2. South American cud-chewing animal (5) 3. French castle (7) 4. Metallic element, symbol Pb (4) 5. Division of the weekend (8) 6. Chris ___, exhusband of Billie Piper (5) 7. Plant also known as the windflower (7) 12. Variety of melon (8) 14. Apply (paint) in small touches (7) 16. Reducing to shreds 82

by rubbing against a perforated surface (7) 18. Sailing vessel with two masts (5) 20. ___ Island, New York Bay area, formerly the

principal immigration station (5) 21. Russian emperor (4)

Solution in next month’s edition

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Garden Hide and Seek By Pippa Greenwood However much effort you make with your garden, you can be sure that there will still be a few things that look awful. You may have made (or hope to make) beautiful borders, sensational shrubbery and lots more besides, but how do you cope with those things you just cannot seem to hide? A washing line may be essential but rarely adds to the appeal of the garden. If yours consists of two large poles with a line in between, try growing a pretty climber up the poles. If you use a self-clinging plant such as variegated ivy it won’t need any additional support. Alternatively make a chicken wire, trellis ‘box’ or frame around the posts and then allow the climber to scramble up, using plant ties if necessary. Summer flowering clematis or sweet pea will look great too. If you do use a more vigorous climber then be prepared to do some intermittent pruning.

so that the tank remains accessible. Is it the neighbouring garden that harbours the eye sore which makes you want to retreat back into your house? Something nasty next door is of course even harder to conceal but why not add a layer of trellis to the top of your existing fence and then use climbers once it is in position. Hold the trellis in position using batons of wood attached to the existing fence posts or special post-joining metal sleeves that you can buy from your fencing supplier or garden centre. Trellis is available in a range of shapes and need not be straight edged so you can create a range of different looks to suit your gardening style.

Decrepit sheds or moth-eaten garages can be a real eyesore. Sometimes a thorough scrub of the walls will do the trick, or why not make a feature out of the shed or garage and re-paint it. Consider erecting a trellis on one or more of the vertical surfaces and grow a selection of favourite climbers up it to make an even more attractive feature. If the garden can be a little gloomy then it helps if you paint any surfaces such as garage or shed walls with a paler colour.

Another option is to erect a pergola or arch to obscure or break up an unsightly view or the eyesore in the neighbour’s garden and adding plants will help to add a bit more height and soften the outline. If you combine some of your favourite flowering climbers with some evergreen planting too, you should even achieve good effects during the seasons when the leaves have fallen from many plants.

If your heating is fuelled by gas from an unattractive and enormous cylinder or oil from a large green tank, you will know that they have to be sited in an accessible position. You can use hazel wattle hurdles to hide them which are perfect as they also match with the adjacent boundary fence. Try using standard fence panels in the same way and again planting them with climbers or scramblers will help. Whatever you do, make sure that you check on it from time to time and remove excessive climber growth

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for Pippa’s free newsletter packed full of gardening hints, happenings, advice and offers and you will also receive a free ebook on organic gardening. Don’t forget that you can buy Nemaslug and other biological controls, anti-slug matting and tape, Enviromesh and signed books, autumn vegetable packs and a hand-picked selection 84

House & Garden

Mole Valley Police Column Although the chances of becoming a victim of vehicle crime remain relatively low, Surrey Police recommends that you follow these simple crime prevention tips to help keep your vehicle and your property as safe as possible.

If you keep tools or equipment in your vehicle always consider removing them overnight wherever possible. The other type of vehicle crime that is becoming more prevalent is the theft of number plates. We have had thefts reported even when vehicles have been parked on home driveways. What then happens is that the plates are used on another vehicle which is involved in crime. At the “lowest level” the plates will be used when a vehicle is filled with fuel and the driver makes off without paying.

Never leave any personal possessions in your car. Thieves will steal satellite navigation systems, laptops, mobile phones – in fact anything that is left in a vehicle when it is unattended. Even less obvious items, such as loose change and even cigarettes appeal to the criminal, as they indicate that the vehicle owner leaves items that may be of greater value in their car.

Some number plates are just stuck on and it is really worth considering attaching them more securely with screw fittings. You can purchase “tamper proof” screws quite cheaply but, whilst stocks last, you can obtain some free by calling in to the Police Front Counter at Pippbrook, in Dorking. Please remain vigilant and if you see someone acting suspiciously, such as looking into unattended cars or trying door handles, then call Surrey Police on 101.

Please don’t hide valuables in your boot or under your seat - the thief will know where to look! This tends to happen quite often when we receive reports of cars being broken into in beauty spot car parks. Before heading off for a walk, people place items in the boot or under the passenger seat, often in full view of other people at the location.

If you witness a crime actually occurring then always ring 999. Neil Clarke, 13363 Neighbourhood Team Co-ordinator Mole Valley PO Box 101, Guildford, GU1 9PE

Also, don’t store driving or vehicle documents in your car. Keep them safely at home. Always lock your car when you leave it unattended, even if it is just for a moment or two. Make sure the sunroof and windows are closed too

clarke13363@surrey.pnn.police.uk Tel: 101 Extension 30809 Call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about a crime and don't want to leave your name.

If your car doesn’t have an alarm consider having one fitted.

Your local team can also be contacted by email to MoleValley@surrey.pnn.police.uk

Keep your car keys secure at all times. If at home - never leave them within reach of a window, door or letterbox. It is possible to buy simple “fishing” devices from the internet, which can be used via the letterbox to take keys that are hanging up. When out and about - never leave keys unattended in a public place, such as a restaurant or gym.

www.surrey.police.uk Please use the 101 number when reporting any non-emergency matters to us by telephone. 01483 571212 can still be used if preferred but in an emergency always dial 999. 86

House & Garden

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Our team are on hand to advise on the extensive range of high quality Bathrooms to suit your needs. Visit our Heart of the Home showrooms. Open 6 days a week Designer House Kingston Road Leatherhead KT22 7LT Ashtead Kitchen & Bedrooms 24 The Street Ashtead KT21 2AH Call us now and book an appointment

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Bringing in the May One of the best indications that summer is about to arrive is when Britain’s hedgerows explode with the pink and white blossoms of the hawthorn. The hawthorn is one of those quintessentially English trees: although quietly unobtrusive for most of the year, it bursts into spectacular life in the late spring, with flowers crowded so densely together they look like snowfall. In the autumn it glows with clusters of red berries. No wonder the tree features so strongly in ancient folklore. The old name for hawthorn was “may” and the flower of the may tree has long been considered a symbol of hope. It even gave its name to The Mayflower, the famous ship that sailed from England in 1620, transporting a stalwart band of pilgrims to build a new life in America. As its alternative name suggests, hawthorn was central to ancient May Day celebrations. The old Celtic festival of May Day was known as ‘Beltane’ after the Celtic god of light, or the sun. The beginning of summer was also celebrated in Ancient Rome at the Floralia festival (dedicated to the flower goddess Flora), which took place at roughly the same time. May Day celebrations in Britain were probably a hybrid of both traditions mixed up with Druidic tree worship, and the introduction of Christianity did little to dispel these pagan traditions.

These celebrations were derived from ancient fertility rituals and the ‘greenwood marriages’ that took place provide clear evidence of this. Often young girls came home from their country rambles with more than a garland of flowers. As one observer wrote: “I have hearde of tenne maidens whiche went to set May, and nine of them came home with childe.”

May Day festivities reached their height in England during the Middle Ages but in 1644 the Puritans passed a law which made them illegal. This attempt to repress the celebrations eventually failed, mainly because they were too deeply rooted in rural culture. When the On the first day of May, villagers would wake monarchy was restored some years later and at daybreak and roam through the countryside, Charles II came to the throne, people all over gathering flowers and hawthorn twigs to the country put up maypoles as a sign of decorate their houses. A maypole – usually the loyalty to the crown. trunk of a birch tree, stripped of its branches For the next two hundred years the old and decorated with ribbons and flowers - was customs continued, but interest in May Day set up in the middle of the village green. traditions began to fade. They enjoyed a brief In olden times maypoles were constructed with revival in the Victorian era but any connection three rings on the top - the highest and to fertility rites was deliberately overlooked smallest was made of hawthorn. The and maypole dancing was reduced to an community danced around the pole, singing innocent children’s game. traditional songs, while the men of the village Sadly by this time the hawthorn – once the performed Morris dances and the prettiest girl, dressed in floral garlands, was crowned Queen embodiment of hope for the coming summer – had also lost its significance, becoming just of the May. another tree in the British landscape. Occasionally a May King was also chosen, and the pair ruled over the festivities. In Elizabethan times, the king and queen were By Kate McLelland given the names ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Maid Marian’. 88

House & Garden

M D Edwards & Son Kitchen Specialists

Friendly Family run local business established over 25 years. Kitchens supplied and installed to a very high standard. Excellent Portfolio and local references. We also have a complete team of qualified tradesmen: Builder, Plasterer, Electrician, Heating Engineer, Tiling and Flooring Specialists Fully Insured for your peace of mind Project managed by us from design to completion Kitchen facelifts also undertaken, Choose from large range of bespoke door styles, Granite, Engineered Stone, Corian, laminate and wood worktops, sinks, taps and integrated appliances. We also undertake remedial jobs - new hinges, drawer runners, etc.

Telephone Beverley Edwards for a free estimate M D Edwards & Son Cressida House, 10 Humphrey Close, Fetcham, Surrey KT22 9PZ web: www.mdedwardsandson.co.uk e: beverleyedwards586@btinternet.com

Tel: 01372 450677 89

Transition Ashtead Working towards a sustainable Ashtead Air pollution: the invisible killer Thousands of lives are being shortened because the UK’s air is heavily polluted, with traffic being the major cause. In most of SE England air pollution is above EU safe limits - it causes nearly 30,000 deaths in the UK annually and contributes to 200,000 others. Average life expectancy in the most polluted cities is reduced by over two years. The Main Pollutants Particulate matter (PM) refers to small particles PM10s are those up to 10 microns (μm) in diameter, and the more danger-ous PM2.5s up to 2.5μm. They penetrate our lungs and are transported into the blood, increasing the risk of developing respiratory and heart diseases. The World Health Organisation has recently classified diesel exhaust particles as carcinogenic. Nitrogen dioxide (also called nox) is a corrosive and acidic irritant formed as a by-product of combustion in vehicles and heating systems. Nox attacks our mucous membranes, causing diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma and exacerbating heart diseases. It is also very harmful to the natural world. Ozone is formed when vehicle exhausts react with the air. It causes inflammation of the respiratory system, asthma, restricts the functioning of the lungs and affects physical performance. Air Quality Action Plans Local authorities (LAs) in the UK are legally required to review and assess air quality in their area. If any EU standards are being exceeded, then that area should be designated an “Air Quality Management Area”. The LA must then draw up and implement an Air Quality Action Plan. LAs are not required to ensure the standards are met, as some sources of pollution are outside their control, but they do need to ‘work towards’ the standards. Most of the Home Counties are in this position, including Epsom & Ewell, but Mole Valley is officially OK. Air Pollution Locally Mole Valley DC monitors pollution levels at one site in Dorking, where all the official targets last year were met. Meanwhile, in 2010 in Epsom, the EU target for PM10s was being met, while nox, though just OK across most of the town centre, was excessive in Epsom High Street. So what can we do to reduce air pollution? Individual action can make a big difference: − Reduce emissions from your home. A highly insulated home is a low emission home. Burning solid fuels such as wood produces much more pollution than burning natural gas. − Drive less: fewer miles means less pollution; opt for a low emissions car – petrol cars have lower polluting emissions than diesel cars - and hybrid or electric cars are even better. − When buying a car, consider the potential pollution issues - check which ‘Euro’ emission standard it meets - the higher the better! Tony Cooper At our monthly meeting on Thursday 9th May, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 7.30-9pm, Keith Taylor (Green Party MEP) will be talking about air pollution. For more information about Transition Ashtead and about air pollution, or to join any of our Action Groups, visit www.TransitionAshtead.org.uk , contact our Secretary Caroline on 07768 806201 or email info@transitionashtead.org.uk 90

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Spring has finally Sprung! The new shop is packed full of gorgeous gifts, BBQs, furniture & accessories and all your usual general gardening goods. We now just need the sun to keep shining! DIANTHUS £6.99 each or 3 for 2

For those of you looking for something to fill those not so bright days, why not book onto one of our Hanging Basket Workshops (held under cover). £25 per person includes your basket, plants & compost, tuition and even a cuppa & cake at the end of it! We are holding one day courses in Photography for the Home and Garden; fun packed 2 hour iphone Photography Workshops and a Wine Tasting evening for our loyalty customers on May 2nd. Loads more to follow...

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Simple Crossword solution Across: 1 Select, 4 Curves, 9 Fashion, 10 Solve, 11 Scrub, 12 Extract, 13 Quarrelling, 18 Altered, 20 Wheel, 22 Tried, 23 Nursery, 24 Region, 5 Editor. Down: 1 Safest, 2 Loser, 3 Climber, 5 Upset, 6 Villain, 7 Sheets, 8 Independent, 14 Untying, 15 Lowered, 16 Barter, 17 Player, 19 Radio, 21 Eject.

Quiz - Colours 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword solutions

Glasgow Konnie Huq Mary Tom Clancy The Scottish National Party Emerald City White (for balls numbered one to nine) Paris (the yellow was deemed to be too tacky) Magenta The diary room chair on Big Brother

Across: 1 Pickles, 5 Nostril, 9 Semibreve, 10 Totem, 11 Entrap, 12 Algerian, 14 Low-down, 15 Herd, 19 Loam, 20 Migrant, 24 Slovenia, 25 Donate, 27 Abide, 28 Therefore, 29 Rustler, 30 Rotated. Down: 1 Pasted, 2 Comets, 3 Labrador, 4 Shed, 5 Needlework, 6 Settee, 7 Retained, 8 Lemonade, 13 Administer, 16 Alistair, 17 Calories, 18 Insolent, 21 Reveal, 22 Ragout, 23 Legend, 26 Weir

Quiz - Phobias 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Across: 1 Parish, 4 Warhol, 9 Rabbi, 10 Organza, 11 Nucleus, 12 Erupt, 13 Pandora's box, 18 Arson, 20 Derrick, 22 Saucers, 23 Shawm, 24 Sphinx, 25 Indigo.

Elurophobia - Cats Odontophobia - Dentists Nyctophobia - Darkness Aphenphosmphobia - Being touched Claustrophobia - Confined spaces Hemophobia - Blood Gymnophobia - Nudity Heliophobia - Sunlight Coulrophobia - Clowns Scopophobia - Being stared at

Down: 1 Parent, 2 Rebecca, 3 Seine, 5 Anglers, 6 Hindu, 7 Lean-to, 8 Horseradish, 14 Dungeon, 15 Origami, 16 Cassis, 17 Akimbo, 19 South, 21 Resin.

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USEFUL NUMBERS Ashtead Art Group 01372 272987 (Jan Cheeseman - Mem Sec) Ashtead Bowling Club 01372 274690 (Jenny Williams) Ashtead Chess Club 01372 813487 (Richard Jones) Ashtead Choral Society 01372 272835 / 278359 Ashtead Cricket Club 01372 276286 (Sarah Culhane) Ashtead Day Centre Over 60s Lunch Club 01372 276042 Ashtead Decorative & Fine Arts Society 01372 813994 (Membership Secretary) Ashtead Flower Arrangement Group 01372 279501 (Di Stirling) Ashtead Friendship Centre 01372 274288 (Don Butt) Ashtead Good Neighbours 01372 277350 (Marian Guess) Ashtead Horticultural Society 01372 274708 (Sue Jones) Ashtead Library 0300 200 1001 Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall 01372 272921 Ashtead Players/Young Players 01372 279614 Ashtead Residents’ Association 07733 621614 (Jim Malynn) Ashtead Squash & Tennis Club 01372 272215 Ashtead Townswomen’s Guild 01372 272588 (Margery Curtis) Ashtead Women’s Institute 01372 276736 (Sandra Brown) Childline 0800 1111 Citizens Advice Bureau 08444 111444 Cruse Bereavement Care 020 8393 7238 Electricity (EDF) 0800 783 8866 Epsom General Hospital 01372 735735 Fetcham Residents’ Association 01372 372006 (Paul Fairweather) Fetcham Singers (ladies choir) 01372 276736 (Sandra Brown) Gas (Transco) 0800 111999 (minicom/textphone for deaf/hard of hearing 0800 371787) Leatherhead Choral Society 01372 277742 (Vivien Redman) Leatherhead & District Angling Society 01372 377654

Leatherhead Helpshop 01372 363385 Leatherhead Community Association 01372 360508 Leatherhead Horticultural Society 01372 373493 (David Wells) Leatherhead Leisure Centre 01372 377674 Leatherhead Library 0300 200 1001 Leatherhead Lions Club 020 8224 5356 (David Careswell) Leatherhead Museum 01372 386348 Leatherhead Orchestra 01372 376871 (Membership Secretary) Leatherhead Police Station 0845 1252222 Leatherhead Residents’ Association 07986 430935 Mid Surrey Community Mediation 07513 524241 Mole Valley Carers Support 01306 640020 Mole Valley District Council 01306 885001 Probus Club of Ashtead 01372 276742 (Brian Light) Probus Club of Leatherhead 01372 450930 (Andrew Crawford) Rotary Club of Ashtead 01372 727573 (Keith Allardyce) Rotary Club of Leatherhead 07753 821964 (Simon Edmands) Royal Association for the Deaf 01306 881958 Royal British Legion Leatherhead/Fetcham Branch 01372 811422 Ashtead Branch 01372 817492 Samaritans 01372 375555 Shopmobility Leatherhead 01372 362400 St Helier Hospital Main switchboard 020 8296 2000 Surrey County Council 08456 009009 Surrey Trading Standards 01372 371717 Volunteer Centre Leatherhead 01372 740394 (based at L/head library weekly) Water (Sutton & E Surrey Water) Emergencies/general 01737 772000 Wildlife Aid 09061 800132 (24 hr helpline) 94

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