VantagePoint Magazine December 2014 - Haslemere, Midhurst & Petworth

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Haslemere, Midhurst & Petworth • December 2014

VANTAGEPOINT YOUR COMMUNITY  YOUR VIEW

MAGAZINE

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all our readers from your local magazine

Inside: CHEESE AND PORT WIN PANTOMIME TICKETS GROWING CHRISTMAS TREES PULL OUT CHARITY CHRISTMAS QUIZ CHRISTMAS WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST

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With our dazzling Christmas selection you are bound to find the ideal gifts for Friends and Family, and of course a little treat for yourself!

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TO THE POINT Just as the filed of red at the Tower of London gripped the nation, they also captured the imagination of our readers who were swamping us daily with entries into our competition from last month to win a ceramic poppy. I’m sorry that only two of you could win but it does show what an amazing project it was! We also received some lovely comments on November’s Stefan Reynolds front cover image of the Thiepval memorial, Editor & Publisher which was taken by a local reader, Andy Bailey.

He took it last year while undertaking research for two of his local war memorials and more details are available at www.ewhurstfallen.co.uk and www.rudgwickremembers.com.

Humph is growing as you can see and continues to make his presence felt in the office, having recently chewed his way through our internet cable. Thankfully he could not reach anything

The local magazine produced by local people for the local community,

more serious and now limits himself to cardboard when I am not looking.

Well, it is Christmas month already and we have a suitably themed edition with contributions from all manner of local businesses and people, including the team here. We are delighted to be supporting the Dan Eley Foundation’s Bumper Family Charity Quiz which seeks to raise money for disadvantaged young people while also offering prizes of £600. Please support them if you can and I hope you have fun doing the quiz around the Christmas table.

Together with my colleagues, we wish all of our readers and all of our local advertisers (without whom we’d have no magazine) a very happy Christmas! stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk

VantagePoint is published by Vantage Publishing, a Godalming based local magazine business which was first established in 2009 when we launched our first community magazine.

We now publish five community magazines which are delivered monthly

by Royal Mail to 107,714 homes across the South East, which gives us the largest local circulation in the local area, all with guaranteed delivery by your postman.

Vantage Publishing Limited 6 Chestnut Suite, Guardian House, Borough Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2AE.

Please visit our website or contact any of us below if you need any more information.

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For more articles and Jottings, visit it us online at

vantagepointmag.co.uk THE VANTAGEPOINT TEAM Marcus Atkins Sales Director marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk

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Georgie Hales Sales georgie@vantagepublishing.co.uk

December 2014

Contributors: Caroline Boucher, Andy Goundry, Jessica Harding, Jack Hebden, Matthew Pottage, Nash Robbins, Debbie Serpell, Kirstie Smillie Print: Polestar Stones Cover: Andy Bailey

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CONTENTS Rugmart 1214_Layout 1 07/11/2014 10:49 Page 1

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6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

8 Christmas with the National Trust 14 Branching Out Viv Micklefield visits a local grower of Christmas trees

20 Canny and Crafty Christmas Ideas From the local team at VantagePoint Magazine

23 Bumper Family Christmas Quiz

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36 Food Edible Gifts for Christmas

40 Walk Chiddingfold to Haslemere

43 Profile The League of Friends of Milford Hospital

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The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright and nothing can be reprinted without prior permission of the publisher. The publisher has tried to ensure that all information is accurate but does not take any responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We take no responsibility for advertisments printed in the magazine or loose inserts that might be delivered alongside it. © Vantage Publishing Limited.

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Jottings We would just like to thank all those who have emailed us over the past 12 months and for the many kind comments. Please keep your jottings coming in, we do love hearing from you. We’d like to take the opportunity to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

Head to West Dean Gardens, near Chichester, for a hearty winter walk in the busy run up to Christmas (open until 21st December) or in February when the gardens reopen after their winter break. A chance to let off steam with the dog (dogs on short leads are welcome) and children, who get free entry to the gardens.

Take a gentle amble around the Walled Kitchen Gardens (wheelchair friendly), a brisk walk through the Spring Gardens or, for the more energetic, and a two and a half mile walk around the Arboretum. West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex PO18 ORX. There is always a lot going on at West Dean, have a look at www.westdean.org.uk.

Following the pilot community bus service between Headley

- YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

and Hindhead for the Grayshott Market in October, plans are being drawn up for regular Saturday services for 2015. At this stage, the plan is to introduce two Grayshott community SHOPPA bus routes, to run every Saturday from March next year. One route will run between Beacon Hill and Liphook and the other between Linford and Haslemere. Both will route through Grayshott. “Whilst the original idea was to run a SHOPPA service once per month to bring people into the Grayshott Market “ explains Tim Wickes, Market Organiser, “a community bus service between our local village centres will give more people the opportunity to widen their shopping vistas.

Grayshott, Beacon Hill, Liphook and Haslemere all have different shops to browse and cafes to visit, not to mention the supermarkets along the routes.” At this stage, it is envisaged that the new service will either be free of charge or for a nominal sum not exceeding £1. It is also seen as providing an opportunity for local businesses to attract shoppers with special offers.

Surrey Artists’ Open Studios present ‘Art Online for Christmas’. Running from 10th

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November – 23rd December, it’s an opportunity to buy original art and crafts from Surrey based artists, direct from their website www.surreyopenstudios.org. uk. The online shop offers a range of beautiful handcrafted artworks for sale, direct from the artist who made them, and all from the comfort of your own home! Browse through the work of over 30 artists, including paintings, limited edition prints, ceramics, metalwork, glasswork, photography, woodwork, woven crafts, textiles and sculpture.

There is a wide variety of work with gift ideas to suit all budgets.

Once selected, it is easy to buy your chosen piece, which will be carefully wrapped and sent to you.

A perfect combination of online shopping and buying local! Some SAOS artists will be opening their doors as usual, in the lead up to Christmas, so please check their website for details of these and other events.

Midhurst Decorative and Fine Arts Society: The next lecture is on Tuesday 2nd December entitled ‘Jewel of the Crown: The Sainte Chapelle in Paris’. It is by Nicole Mezey, lecturer and study

Jottings is your community noticeboard for local events and information, edited by Nick and Angie Crisell

To feature here, please email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk

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Next Copy Date: 7th December 2014 6

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Christmas with the N Christmas is a time for customss, from those passed down through families and friends, to new discoveries that become part of your festive celebrations. Sending cards, decorating trees, singing carols, advent calendars, mince pies and mistletoe…there are some festive customs without which Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas.

For many, a day out to a National Trust house and garden or a walk in the countryside is already a Christmas ‘must do’. Over the festive season, National Trust places will be decked out with Christmas sparkle, Father Christmas will pay a visit to special grottos and atmospheric estates will be packed full of festive customs to bring Christmas to life through the ages.

Every single visit this Christmas will support the National Trust’s work as a charity looking after special places for future generations to enjoy. There are plenty of activities on offer to help make your Christmas that extra bit special in these winter wonderland locations.

So whether it’s learning how to make a festive wreath, listening to carols or meeting Father Christmas, here’s a selection of top National Trust Christmas events:

rugs to magnificent fir trees, gilded baroque angels to a vintage nativity scene, Petworth House is dressed to impress this winter.

There are seasonal treats on offer too; visit the famous Servants’ Quarters to discover more.

There’s lots of fun for younger visitors to Petworth House this Christmas. Follow the quiz trail through the grounds, then write and post your very own letter to Santa. You can meet the man himself for a chat and a chocolate gift too. Work off some energy after Christmas by following the cook’s trail in the gardens; you’ll discover the recipe ingredients to make a gingerbread snowman at home.

A Country House Christmas: 6th December-2nd January, 11am-3pm (closed 24 and 25 Dec).

All I want for Christmas trail: 13th-24th December, 10.30am-3pm, £3.

Meet Father Christmas: 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December, 11am-3pm, £5 (including treat).

Gingerbread trail: 26th December-2nd January, 10.30am-3pm, £3.

Information: 01798 342207, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house

Sir Harry’s Christmas party at Uppark House and Garden Uppark was once the home of 19th-century party boy Harry Fetherstonhaugh, who loved to entertain. This winter, wander through rooms decorated for Harry’s Christmas party; the Dining Room is set for a sumptuous feast, whilse the Tapestry Bedroom is dressed for a children’s Christmas. Visit the servants’ quarters to find out what special ingredients go into a traditional Christmas pudding. Miniature festive decorations can also be glimpsed inside Uppark’s famous doll’s house.

A Country House Christmas at Petworth House Inspired by period issues of Country Life magazine, this magnificent 17th century mansion presents several rooms dressed for a vintage-style country house Christmas, with a quirky twist.

Outside, the stables have been transformed for an important visit from Father Christmas; children can make their way through a winter wonderland to meet him, and to receive a special gift.

Step into a welcoming atmosphere of log fires and wellingtons, evergreen trees and glamorous sparkle. The rooms are set to welcome guests for a luxurious evening of traditional entertainments and dinner. From warm tweed

A Victorian Christmas at Uppark: 6th, 7th, 14th, 21st December, 11am-3pm.

Meet Father Christmas: 6th, 7th, 14th, 21st December, 11am-3pm, adults £3.50, children £5.50, includes gift (normal admission fee applies).

Stir up Sundays: 9th, 16th, 22nd, 30th December, 11am-3pm, 50p.

Information: 01730 825415, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark

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Kick-start some Christmas spirit with Stir Up Sundays at Uppark.

Stir a traditional Christmas pudding, make a wish and take home a bag of spices and a sixpence for your own pudding.

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he National Trust Carols and Candlelight at Clandon Park, near Guildford The beautiful Marble Hall at Clandon Park comes alive with Christmas carol concerts from the Oxford singers on 16th and 17th December (3pm-5pm and 8pm-10pm). Herald the festive season with mulled wine and mince pies in the interval.

Also,during December, there is the chance to explore the house by candlelight, as the Onslow family would have experienced it in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Booking essential on 01483 222482 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ clandon-park.

Animals in the stable yard at Hatchlands Park, near Guildford Visit the animals in the courtyard at Hatchlands Park on Sunday 14th December (1pm-3pm), solve the Snow Queen’s puzzle in a fairy tale trail, and meet Father Christmas. The shop and tea room will be open for some Christmas shopping, hot drinks and light refreshments. There is music and readings on 13th December by Ayres and Graces and Christmas carols on 14th December in the music room.

Booking essential on 01483 444334 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hatchlands-park.

Seasonal concerts at Leith Hill Place, near Dorking Join in some festive fun on 6th and 7th December, with music and a last chance to visit the house before it closes for winter.

Enjoy a seasonal concert with Apollo5, ‘a cappella’ vocal group, the cosy fire in the Terrace Room and family activities upstairs.

Book for the concert at 11.30am or 2pm and join in with the festive atmosphere and sing-along carols in between, courtesy of Stef Conner and her Timeline Choir. Guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood.

Booking essential on 01306 712711 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leithhill.

Edwardian Advent at Polesden Lacey, near Dorking See the house dressed as a magical living advent calendar, with 24 scenes and activities depicting the countdown to Christmas.

There are carriage rides, food tastings and Father Christmas who will be roving in the house and gardens. Polesden Lacey’s café offers a full three course Christmas lunch, the perfect way to meet up with friends and family in the festive season. From Boxing Day December 2014

to New Year try a game of Polesdenopoly in the gardens and play at becoming a millionaire like Mrs Greville, on a family trail.

Information: 01372 452048 or www.nationaltrust. org.uk/polesden-lacey.

A Solstice walk on the River Wey Navigations, New Haw to Walsham Walk from New Haw to Walsham lock along the River Wey Navigations, with two of our lengthsmen ojn the 19th December. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies by the bonfire, followed by a minibus ride back to New Haw. Booking essential on 01483 561389.

Crafts and Christmas trees in the Surrey Hills Try your hand at making a Christmas wreath with a workshop and lunch at Bookham Commons (5th December) or the Witley Centre (7th December). Then on 20th December there is the chance to harvest your own Christmas tree at Hindhead Common. Bring a saw, sledge and pair of gloves and cut down your own tree.

There are also festive walks and children’s crafts at the Witley Centre on 22nd December and a guided Boxing Day walk at Bookham Common.

Booking essential on 01372 220644.

Wreaths and winter wonders at Winkworth Arboretum, near Godalming Join in a course to make a traditional Christmas wreath on 7th December with materials from the Arboretum. The Arboretum is open every day except Christmas Day for winter walks and there is a children’s trail available for just 50p.

Walk off the excesses of the season with a New Year guided walk, 1 January at 2pm.

Booking essential on 01483 208477.

Images from top far left: Ian Pearce, David Levenson, with the rest by John Millar.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

tour leader with degrees in Art History from the Universities of Sussex, York and Paris. It will be held in the Midhurst Methodist Church Hall. Coffee available from 10 for 10.45am start. Contact the membership secretary on 01730 814641 if you would like to attend or visit. www.sussex.nadfas.net.

Grayshott Flower Club’s next meeting is on Wednesday 3rd December at 7pm for 7.45pm at Grayshott Village Hall, Headley Road, Grayshott. The title of the demonstration is ‘Christmas Calendar’ and promises to motivate and inspire you to decorate your homes for the festive season. The cost to visitors is £10 and the demonstrators’ arrangements are the raffle prizes.

Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Grayshott Decorative and Fine Arts Society’s next meeting is on

Thursday 4th December at 2pm in Grayshott Village Hall. This final lecture of the year usually has a winter and/or Christmas theme. They’re looking forward to welcoming Ann Clements who will trace how artists have responded to the challenges of winter.

Whether it was C15th peasants drying their clothes, the C17th Frost Fairs on the Thames or C19th skaters on the Bois de Boulogne; her lecture, ‘In the Bleak midWinter’ promises to cover 500 years of artistic shivering! In the new year, they meet a week later than usual on 8th January when YashaBeresiner’s ‘The Fascinating World of Playing Cards’ promises to be an amusing and intriguing lecture for avid players and those who don’t even own a pack!

This is a quick one! Northchapel School Christmas Fayre is on Friday 5th December from 6 - 8pm. There will be mulled wine and mince

pies, raffles, tombolas, a ‘secret room’ and numerous other stalls.

This winter, the National Trust’s Petworth House in West Sussex is offering an imaginative programme of seasonal delights for all ages. Get your Christmas all wrapped up at the Petworth House Christmas fair and find the perfect gifts for all your friends and family. There are four marquees filled with festive treats as well as the National Trust shop. After buying gifts for everyone else, treat yourself to a warming glass of mulled wine or tasty lunch in the restaurant.

Entry £5 adults (to include NT members,) children are free. From December, five sumptuous state rooms at Petworth House will be styled for a vintage-style country house Christmas, with a Great British twist. You’ll step into a welcoming atmosphere of log fires and wellingtons, warm tweed rugs

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER! and evergreen trees. Entry £5 per adult (NT members and children free). From 6th December to 2nd January, 11am - 3pm (closed 24th and 25th December).There is also plenty of fun for younger visitors to Petworth House this Christmas, including a fun puzzle trail through the grounds, and an opportunity to meet Father Christmas. Father Christmas will be at Petworth on the weekends of 13th and 14th, 20st and 21st December, 11am-3pm. He’ll be waiting in his evergreen grotto to find out who’s been naughty or nice! £5 per child to include small gift. For further details call 01798 342207 or visit www.nationaltrust.org. uk/petworth.

Here’s a good idea if you are looking for stocking fillers for Christmas.

The Godalming and Haslemere Ramblers Guide to walks in Surrey and West Sussex is out and can be ordered from their website www.

godalmingandhaslemereramblers. org.uk. Look for the section headed ‘Walks’. Many of the walks include local pub stops for lunch and will encourage you and your family to take up some healthy exercise in 2015!

Go along and join in the fun at St Bartholomew’s Church and The Link, Derby Road, on Saturday 6th December for the annual Haslemere Parish Christmas Fair. There will be a variety of stalls including homemade cakes, Christmas wreaths, books, toys, a raffle and more. Ease into the festive spirit with mulled wine and carol singing in the church. Runs from 11am to 2pm. All welcome.

Entry is £1 and all money raised will be donated to good causes.

This year Petworth Town Council Christmas Lights Event Committee has joined forces with St Mary’s Church, Petworth and

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the National Trust at Petworth House. On Saturday 6th December they are presenting a spectacular Lantern Procession together with a Live Nativity- all of which will move from St Mary’s Church at 5pm down pretty cobbled Lombard Street into the Market Square. St Mary’s Church Choir in full robes will lead the way as the Lantern bearers accompany the Holy Family, the Wise Men and the Shepherds complete with donkey and goats (for sheep!) so it will indeed be a wonderful sight! If you would like to take part in the Lantern Procession pop into the special Courtyard Shop (behind the Christmas Tree) and either join in the Lantern Workshop (from 11am until 4pm) or just pick up a lantern and use it later – children MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult. Everyone needs to be at St Mary’s Church with their lanterns ready by 4.40pm.

The fun starts at 11am and will

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

be continuing through the day with singers in the Square and many and varied stalls and food and drink from local providers all day. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 6.30pm by Lord Egremont followed by the Window Competition prizes and the Petworth Town Band leading everyone in Carols and music.

A festive tasting day will take place on Saturday 6th December at Cowdray Farm Shop, Easebourne, Midhurst. Suppliers, including Neal’s Yard Dairy and local winery Upperton, will be on hand sampling their delicious cheeses and sparkling wine. Hot mulled Hill Farm apple juice will be served along with other tasty Christmas fare prepared by their chefs in the kitchen. Join them to get in the Christmas spirit – you can even buy some Cowdray Estate mistletoe! (Shop opening hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm,

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Sundays 10am-4pm). Call 01730 815152 for more information.

Drawings by Mark Cazalet, Frances Hatch and Jonathan Newdick are to be exhibited throughout December at Kevis House Gallery, in Petworth. This delightful exhibition opens on Saturday 6th and runs until Tuesday 23rd December. Each artist brings their own unique style to the show.

Mark Cazalet’s work is influenced by woodland environments, with his pastel drawings stemming from the poem ‘The Dark Forest’

by Edward Thomas. Frances Hatch is inspired by the landscape around her, and prefers to work outside, incorporating materials from the ground, such as clay and chalk, into her final work. The work of Sussex artist Jonathan Newdick is similarly influenced by natural landscapes, and features rural buildings, primarily barns and distinctive trees from the

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local landscape, drawn in pencil and in ink. Normal gallery hours are Monday - Saturday 10.30 am - 4 pm. This show marks the first Christmas Show in Petworth for Kevis House Gallery, which was established in January 2014, and which has presented eight shows during the course of their first year. Prices for images in the show range from £350 to £2,800, so take a credit card! More information at www.kevishouse.com Join in the fun of a festive Santa Cruise on board a beautifully decorated boat and travel along the Wey & Arun Canal and through a restored lock. Children under 12 years will receive a gift from Santa who will board the boat at the lock whilst adults enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. The boat departs from The Wharf next to the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (free car parking). The trips take 40 minutes and depart

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Branching Out From our homes to our high streets, the sight of a Christmas tree delivers the very essence of glad tidings at this time of year. Viv Micklefield visits one local grower to discover the mystery behind the magic Is it too big, or too small? Is it too bushy or too skinny? Traditionally the purchase of the allimportant Christmas tree marks the start of the festive season for many families, so down at Oxenford Farm in Elstead near Godalming, the pressure is on.

Anthony and Jo Baker are fourth generation farmers on the site, which sits in the shadow of a Pugin designed gatehouse; the farm’s history stretching back to when Anthony’s ancestors were originally tenants in the 1800s and the land was still part of the nearby Peperharow estate. Where once there was a dairy herd, now they rear beef stock and the market crops have been replaced by cereals. With around a tenth of the 500 acres here dedicated to growing Christmas trees, what’s interesting is how this particular diversification came about.

As we step out on a walk around the plantations, Jo recalls how 14

it all began during WWII. “Then there were so many Canadian soldiers based near here and at Witley. We had some Christmas trees growing wild in the woods, nothing formal, and the soldiers wanted them. So Anthony’s father began to grow trees properly almost 60 years ago. Originally a large number were sold to wholesalers and greengrocers, but with supermarkets coming along, it’s changed a lot over time.”

These days, the first trade orders can arrive at Oxenford from July onwards, with the bigger trees – anything up to an impressive 30 feet in height, being installed in shopping centres and government buildings. However, with several thousand sales to the public each year, this represents a growing part of the business.

Here they specialise in the four most popular varieties of Christmas tree. The Norway vantagepointmag.co.uk

Spruce with its deep pine smell instantly evokes childhood memories, although thanks to a (slightly unfair) reputation for shedding needles in our centrally heated homes, its popularity has dropped too. The new favourite is the Nordman Fir recognisable by its glossy needles which will still get thirsty and can lose their shine if not properly cared for once brought inside. For branches that are more spaced out, the Noble Fir comes out tops. Easiest to spot amongst the forest in front of our eyes, is the distinctive Blue Spruce, renowned for being a bit spiky but as Jo says, it’s a good choice if you want to stop inquisitive house cats taking a climb.

A potted history of the Christmas tree • Evergreen fir has been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years.

Ancient peoples believed these warded off evil spirits and promoted good health, while early Romans celebrated the winter solstice by decorating their homes and temples; • Germany is credited with starting Christmas traditions in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes and many of our associated customs began here; • In the 1840s Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family appeared in a sketch gathered around a Christmas tree and the fashion for a decorated tree caught-on both in Britain and America; • During Victorian times trees were lit with candles to remind children of the stars in the sky at the time of the birth of Jesus; • Thomas Edison’s assistants reputedly came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees; • Britain’s most famous Christmas tree stands each year in London’s Trafalgar Square – a gift from the people of Norway since 1947 as an expression of thanks for support during WWII.

And as she goes on to explain, how fast a tree matures depends on the variety. “Norway Spruce is the quickest growing at about a foot a year. We start with small plants known as transplants that we get from another grower.

It’s very important to get the right seed stock so there’s a really good provenance. The Nordman Firs grow about six inches a year but this depends hugely on the weather, and on the growing conditions.

“What we want is for it to be not too dry, not too wet, with some sunshine at the right time.

Actually, it’s the same as growing vegetables in your garden, you need a bit of everything. When planting the trees you need rain and especially here, because with the sandy soil it’s like the Savannah sometimes. We have to make sure they don’t dry out.”

By working the land in a 10-year rotation this ensures that trees can be offered in all shapes and sizes. And the good news is that this is a sustainable crop, which has a positive effect on the environment. In fact, the British Christmas Tree Growers Association claims that over 74,000 acres are currently given over to Christmas trees in the UK, each acre of which absorbs 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

Judging by the number of the birds around us these plantations also appear to provide a haven for wildlife. However, I’m curious as to why there are some areas enclosed by wire fences, while others not. “I don’t think people December 2014

Your local Christmas tree farm Above: Cutting trees at Oxenford Farm

Oxenford Farm Where: Milford Road, Elstead GU8 6LA When: 9am - 6pm daily (until 24 December) www.oxenfordfarm.com / 01252 702 109 Santa Fir Christmas Tree Farm Where: Guildford Road, Shamley Green GU5 0SQ When: 9am - 6pm daily (until 3pm 24 December) www.santafir.com / 01483 271 770 Wylds Farm Where: Warren Road, Liss GU33 7DF When: 9am - 5pm (until 22 December) www.wyldsfarm.co.uk / 01730 891 490 These farms are quality marked by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association, www.bctga.co.uk 15

realise that it’s not just a case of popping trees in the ground, and just leaving them,” says Jo. “We have problems here with deer, especially when the antlers are in velvet, they rub against the bark and completely destroy it; they also eat the new shoots. The rabbits munch the tiny trees and all you’re left with is a twig. Once they wiped-out an entire plantation which has a knock-on effect six years later, when they’d usually be ready to sell.”

Aphids pose a threat too and even when the trees become established, the care doesn’t stop there. “They’ve got to be pruned every year to make sure they grow into a good shape, and we need to keep an eye out for any disease they might get. You do need to give them a lot of attention.” And it’s become so labour intensive, that the Bakers now have a full-time member of staff dedicated to looking after their trees.

Once the Christmas season arrives, it’s all hands on deck with the help of several dozen extra helpers to keep up with the demand.

“The trees are cut on a daily basis. You can get very sophisticated machinery but we are a relatively small grower so, instead, use men with chainsaws. For public sales trees are wrapped using net funnels. But for the really big trees it takes a lot of manpower, even having mechanised balers we often have to pull these out with tractors.”

So otherworldly are the majestic boughs reaching to the wintery skies, you almost expect to see reindeers and a sleigh appearing any moment. And while there’s little doubt that it’s exhausting work running the farm, Jo and Anthony hope that at least one of their four sons will someday take over the reins.

Having seen the love that goes into making so many people’s Christmas special it’s definitely well worth supporting a local grower. Not only are you doing your bit for the planet, it’s the equivalent of buying something with zero food miles, and as these are freshly picked trees; if looked after, they will keep for longer. Just as importantly, who’d want to miss out on such a lovely shared community experience, even if it takes a bit of a ‘discussion’ when it comes to agreeing on the perfect tree?

Viv Micklefield is a locally based writer and can be reached at vivmicklefield@aol.com.

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Caring for Christmas trees • Leave the tree out of doors, or in cool, moist conditions until required for decorating; • Saw one inch off the stump and mount in a water holding stand OR plant a rooted tree in damp soil; • Water daily keeping away from direct heat; • If you decorate the tree with lights use a low heat producing type; • Avoid knocks by positioning near a wall or corner.

Recycling Christmas trees Unless you plan to plant out a rooted Christmas tree, the branches and trunk are biodegradable and can be composted for garden mulch. Alternatively, recycle a tree at your local garden waste collection point (Godalming, Haslemere) or at your local tip (Cranleigh, Dorking, Farnham, Guildford, Milford, Midhurst).

If you subscribe to a garden waste collection service, Christmas trees can usually be put out in the New Year. For more information on all local recycling services visit: www.waverley.gov.uk www.guildford.gov.uk www.molevalley.gov.uk www.chichester.gov.uk vantagepointmag.co.uk

Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

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at 11am, 12noon and 2pm on Sunday 7th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December. Tickets cost £9 per person (under 12 months are free).

Booking in advance is essential.

Also 50 minute festive boat trips, with light refreshments on board, will run on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at 11am, 12noon and 2pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Booking in advance is advisable. Call 01403 752403 or email office@ weyandarun.co.uk Visit www. weyandarun.co.uk/tripboats.

around two magnificent aspen trees, which are dressed with hundreds of lanterns made during the afternoon. The Museum is open from 10.30am, with the Tree Dressing event starting at 12.30pm. Visitors wishing to make a lantern should aim to arrive promptly in order to participate in the final procession which closes the day and which starts at 3.45pm. Younger visitors are well catered for, not only with lantern making, but also headdress making and storytelling. Winter warmers include mulled cider, mulled apple juice, spiced biscuits and roasted chestnuts. The Museum is open daily throughout the winter until 22nd December, and then opens for ‘The Tudor Christmas’ from 26th – 28th December. The Museum is open daily during the festive season until 1st January.

Tree Dressing Day takes place at The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum on Sunday 7th December. This event is an ancient custom celebrating the life-giving properties of trees during National Tree Week.

The day’s finale as darkness falls is 1a 07/11/2014 stunning 15:36 Haslemere Oxenford 2012_Layout Page 1 Christmas Market procession and spiral dance takes place on Sunday 7th

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December from 10am to 4pm. It’s a pretty large affair with 200 stalls offering gifts, food, decorations and all things for Christmas. The stalls will be in Haslemere Town Centre, Haslemere Educational Museum, Haslemere Hall and The Georgian House Hotel and there will be a Free Hoppa service from Wey Hill and the station. More information at www.haslemere. com/christmasmarket or email events@haslemere.com.

Midhurst & District Garden Club has a special Open Meeting on Monday 8th December at the South Downs Memorial Hall when the distinguished M.D of Hilliers, Andy Mcindoe will be talking about The Winter Garden. Visitors and guests are most welcome to join in. Tickets are £5 per head which includes a glass of wine/juice and a mince pie and can be purchased in advance from Angela Campbell-Horne on

CHRISTMAS TREES Member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association

BUY DIRECT FROM THE GROWER LOCATED ON THE B3001 BETWEEN MILFORD AND ELSTEAD BRING THE CHILDREN TO SEE THE REINDEER AND FARM ANIMALS

Open Every Day from 29th November, 9am to 6pm

OXENFORD FARM, ELSTEAD Tel 01252 702109 e-mail: xt@oxenford.go-plus.net www.oxenfordfarm.com

December 2014

Gill, Frank, Lei, Ben, Russell, Simon and Charlotte would like to wish all of our customers the toastiest of days and the cosiest of nights over the Christmas period.

Farnham Stoves

01252 717772 – www.farnhamstoves.com 17

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

01730 812455. Refreshments will be available from 7pm and the talk will commence at 7.30pm. Should be a most enjoyable evening.

Haslemere Decorative and Fine Arts Society will end this year’s programme with a seasonal lecture on Tuesday 9th December.

The subject of the talk by Clare Walsh will be The Christmas Tree: From Forest Fir to Festive Feature.

Vital to the imagery of both the pagan world and Christianity, the fir tree has a longer significance than might have been realised.

Part of the retail hype, it none the less symbolises the essential, timeless message of Peace on Earth. As always at the December lecture, the Haslemere Hall will be decorated with a tree (very appropriate given the topic of the lecture) and a Christmas Tea will be served after the talk. The lecture programme for 2015 will get under way on 20th January

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with John Osborne’s lecture on Europe’s Best Kept Secret: The Painted Monasteries of Bulgaria.

For more details about the Society contact HDFAS membership secretary Sue Wright on 01428 683578 or email membership@ haslemeredfas.org.uk . Further information about all the Society’s future activities can be found at www.haslemeredfas.org.uk.

the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s Charitable Fund’s Christmas Raffle tickets are currently on sale for £1 each and all funds raised will go to their Detecting Women’s Cancers campaign. First Prize - £1,000!

Contact the Fundraising Office at the Royal Surrey to purchase tickets or call 01483 464146/email rsc-tr.fundraising@nhs.net for more information.

Go along to the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s Fair on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December from 10am-3.30pm.

This year it will be held in the Restaurant’s covered courtyard on Level A and everyone is welcome!

There will be stalls selling gifts, books, bric-a-brac and cakes plus a tombola and a Name the Bear competition. Wise Blue Owl Therapists will be offering FREE individual demonstrations of Reiki, Emotional Freedom Techniques and Hypnosis. Also, don’t forget

Grayshott Folk Club’s Christmas Special with The Churchfitters is on Friday 12th December at 7.30pm (www.churchfitters.com/ ehome.php) at Grayshott Village Hall. They are an Anglo/French band who put the fun into Folk.

With Chris Short’s brilliant fiddle playing, Rosie’s exquisite voice and showmanship and Boris’s barmy instruments they bring both humour and accomplished musicianship to the party. This summer they were a great success at Fairport Convention’s

vantagepointmag.co.uk

Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER! Cropredy Festival, playing in front of 20,000 people. An ideal band for a Christmas knees up.

Support is provided by Edwina Hayes (www.edwinahayes.com) who performed back in June to great acclaim. Adult Tickets: £14, Children under 16, £7. Call Des O’Byrne on 01428 607096.

Personal callers may buy their tickets for all Grayshott Folk Club events from: Magical Rooms, 2 Headley Road, Grayshott Call: 01428 608340 (opposite The Fox and Pelican pub). Grayshott Social Club, Hill Road, Grayshott Call: 01428 604041. Haslemere Bookshop, High Street, Haslemere Call: 01428 652952 Father Christmas will be an extra busy chap on Saturday 13th December at Haslewey in Weyhill’s popular Christmas Fayre! The Fayre will be officially opened by Mayor Penny Bradley and the events royally

announced by Christian Ashdown, Haslemere’s Town Crier! All young children who visit the kindly old gentlemen in his Festive Grotto will receive a small gift to mark the occasion – absolutely free – complete with a cuddle with the cutest miniature donkey ever!

There will be a whole host of stalls selling Christmas goods and food gifts throughout the day, as well as delicious hot food available from the Haslewey Winter Barbeque, served up with a Yuletide slice of traditional songs from local carol singers! The Haslewey Christmas Fayre runs from 11am until 3pm – the stress free solution to your Christmas shopping and all under one roof! It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas......! For more information, go to www.haslewey. org or call Kerry Morren Jeffs on 01428 648716.

There is also plenty of fun for younger visitors to Petworth

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House this Christmas, including a fun puzzle trail through the grounds, and an opportunity to meet Father Christmas. The ‘All I Want For Christmas’ trail encourages young adventurers to explore the Pleasure Grounds to find out who wants what for Christmas. Once the puzzle has been unravelled, children have the opportunity to write their own letter to Father Christmas and post it to the North Pole. £3 to include a small prize, 13th December – 24th December from 10.30am – 3pm. Father Christmas will be at Petworth on the weekends of 13th & 14th, 20th and 21st December from 11am-3pm. He’ll be waiting in his evergreen grotto to find out who’s been naughty or nice. £5 per child to include small gift.

Get in the Christmas mood with Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice’s Santa and Rudolph Fun Runs, and raise money for the Hospice whilst

Lynn Henderson t: 01483 901060

e: lynn@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk

For all family law matters: • Specialist legal advice • Collaborative law • Mediation FREE initial half hour The White House, 2a Meadrow, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3HN 01483 901060 www.hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk December 2014

Rebecca Dziobon t: 01483 901058

e: rebecca@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk

Samantha Mabey t: 01483 901057

e: samantha@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk

Paul Linsell t: 01483 901060

e: paul@hendersonsfamilylaw.co.uk

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CANNY AND CRAFTY

CHRISTMAS IDEAS It’s not even here yet but do you already feel ‘bah humbug’ about the festive season? Is it the thought of all the expense, hassle and running around that’s making you dread the next few weeks? The VantagePoint team have pulled together some of their favourite money-saving, time-creating and stress- busting tips to share with you.

Making your money go further Reduce the number you buy for – if you’ve not already done your present shopping agree with your family to put all your names in a hat and draw out one each to buy for. You could all agree to set a price limit on gifts too.

Buy pre-loved gifts – a new twist on buying from charity shops, try buying nearly new items in pristine condition. Second Thoughts in Chiddingfold have toys and clothes for all ages and A Change Of A Dress in Godalming has lots of branded clothing. As Nicki Bartley from Second Thoughts explains “ We can provide you with perfect presents even without the original packaging – just nestle in amongst colourful tissue and place in an attractive box tied with ribbons”.

Make several outfits out of one - if you are spashing out on a new outfit to wear this season buy something that will see you through several social occasions rather than focusing

on buying that one special dress. Our fashion columnist and independent stylist Kirstie Smilie suggests opting for an outfit that you can dress up or down with a different jacket, shoes or accessory to make for a completely different look. She recommends asking for advice when shopping in boutiques like Blush in Haslemere as shop owners and assistants know their stock.

By adding a cardigan here or necklace there you can make more than one outfit. This makes your overall spend more value for money.

Edible gifts - can be quick and easy to make.

Turn to our food page for some ideas.

Recycle unwanted presents – but remember who gave them to you originally!

Give useful inexpensive items – like pens, toothbrushes and soap. These are guaranteed not to end up unwanted in the back of the cupboard.

Personalised gifts needn’t be dear - use family photos and frames from a charity shop or find out that person’s favourite song or a tune that you both remember and track down that single on CD or as a record (try Record Corner in Godalming). If you can find the original record you can frame it as a meaningful gift if the recipient doesn’t have a record player.

Use old maps or comics as wrapping paper Or brown paper and buy lovely ribbon to add a festive twist. You could also buy a Christmas stamp and ink and decorate your brown paper.

Arty Crafty in Godalming have a wonderful selection of ribbons and stamps. They also have a great display of Christmas card ideas if you have time to make your own.

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Get a free Christmas tree - you can harvest your own Christmas tree on Hindhead Common on the 20th December from 10am to 12 noon.

Bring along a saw, sledge and a pair of gloves to cut down your own tree. Car parking at GU26 6AB. Donations for the trees gladly accepted.

Creating time, experiences and memories Keep children busy making their own presents while you get on with the rest of the preparations!

C&H do a fabulous range of inexpensive kits.

These include making friendship bracelets, candles, soap, cards and paper beads. The nearest C&H store is in Guildford or you can buy online at www.candh.co.uk.

Offer your services - create a hand crafted voucher offering your time to help friends or family with gardening, cleaning or decorating for a gift that lasts beyond Christmas. Think this would only be of benefit just to elderly relatives think again! Skills like knitting, crochet and sewing are all in vogue. If you are a Nancy Birtwhistle you’ll have the grandchildren queueing up! Skills to offer but are on your own this Christmas? You could volunteer with Voluntary Action South West Surrey who would love your help. Contact them on 01483 565456 (Guildford) or 01252 725961 (Waverley) or see the website for details: www.voluntaryactionsws.webeden.co.uk.

Meet up with friends rather than buying them gifts - Make a date with a friend and do something festive as your Christmas present to each other. Try a Christmas wreath making workshop for example and you could even make a gift in the process. Some local ones include: Bookham Common - with the National Trust on 5th December, £25 per person. Telephone 01372 220644 to book.

Send (nr Woking) - with the National Trust on 10th December, £25 per person. Telephone 01483 561389 to book.

The Nationalk MTrust has other courses but further away. Check www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.

Reducing the hassle factor Bring a dish - if you are hosting Christmas you don’t have to do all the catering and entertaining yourself. Ask guests to contribute, whether it’s the crackers, a pudding or wine.

In fact if you don’t ask your guests might bring something anyway and you could end up with 10 boxes of chocolates instead!

Have homemade food but without making it yourself - The WI Country Market is a great place to buy cakes, sausage rolls and mince pies. You can even buy your entire Christmas lunch from a COOK outlet (and if you heat meals in their ceramic dishes you can pass them off as your own!).

Take a break and find sanctuary - if it’s all getting too much step inside any local church and sit in the silence. And if a traditional Christmas and New Year really isn’t your scene avoid it all and go on retreat (www.thegoodretreatguide.com).

Start early for 2015 - save your Christmas cards and cut them up to make gift tags for next year.

Buy your pudding and cards cut price after Christmas and put them by for next December.

However you prepare and spend Christmas this year we wish you a joyous time and a happy and healthy 2015 from all of us at VantagePoint.

Farnham - Made in Farnham on Sunday 7th December and Thursday 11th December 10am1pm, £45 pp at The Packhouse, Runfold. Contact Susanne Hales on 07721 770969 to book.

Milford - Squires in Milford on 10th December 10am and 6pm £20 per person. Ring 01483 324077 to book.

December 2014

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

dressed as Santa! These festive fun runs are a fundraising event with a difference. All participants are issued with a Santa suit on the day – children wear Rudolph antlers and a flashing red nose – and complete the course dressed in their festive attire, along with hundreds of other Santas and Rudolphs! The first of the two fun runs will take place in Hindhead, at 11am on Saturday 13th December, where participants will follow a 3.5km route around the Devil’s Punch Bowl, with stunning views of the beautiful Surrey countryside. The second will take place at 11am in Aldershot, on Sunday 14th December, where the Santas and Rudolphs will complete two laps of the impressive Queens Avenue Playing Fields. Everyone is welcome to take part, and participants can walk, run or jog either of the courses at whatever pace they prefer. Registration costs £12 for adults and £5 for

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under 14s and everyone who completes the course will be given a medal and a selection of festive goodies! And this year you can still take part in the fun even if you don’t want to run, as the Hospice is inviting all spectators to come in festive fancy dress, with a prize for the best dressed!

Registration fees are higher on the day, so book your place now by visiting www.pth.org.uk, emailing fundraising@pth.org.uk or calling the Hospice’s fundraising team on 01252 729446.

Children can enjoy the magic of telling Father Christmas their secret wishes in his grotto in the historic Apple Store in the awardwinning West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ. Father Christmas is visiting the Gardens on 13th and 14th and 20th and 21st December (10.30am to 4.30pm).

The Gardens Shop will be packed

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with festive lights, original gifts, decorations and cards. Park for free and choose holly, mistletoe and seasonal plants on sale outside the shop. The Gardens Restaurant will be serving festive fayre (28th November to 20th December). Tickets to see Father Christmas sell out early so booking is essential. Standard prices £2.50 Child (includes a gift) £5 Adult (entry to the Gardens). For further information or to book tickets visit www.westdean.org.uk/events.

On Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th December Father Christmas will be making two afternoon visits to Cowdray Farm Shop Cafe.

Based in his specially made Grotto in the Café from 2.30pm he will greet children and their parents.

Tickets to visit him will cost £4 per child (includes a present for each child). Alternatively each child can also enjoy sausage, chips and a drink, a visit to the grotto plus a

vantagepointmag.co.uk

BUMPER FAMILY BUMPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS QUIZ CHRISTMAS QUIZ! Fun questions for ALL ages Funds will give disadvantaged young people vocational skills and support. For more details, visit www.daneleyfoundation.org.

Fun Questions For ALL Ages!!

Funds will give disadvantaged young people vocational skills and support.

OVER

OVER £600 IN IN PRIZES! PRIZES!!

£600

£200

£150

£100

£75

£50

£25

First correct adult entry

First adult entry drawn

First correct child entry

First child entry drawn

Best adult saying

Best child saying

£200

£150

- correct or not

£100

£75

- correct or not

£50

£25

Dan, from Surrey, was an aid worker with street children before a freak accident in the Amazon left him paralyzed from the1stshoulders down.Child He fought toBest survive and the generosity 1st Correct adult 1st Adult entry Correct child entry adult sayingBest child saying and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life. entry drawn – correct entry drawn drawn – correct or not

or not

He founded his charity so that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to overcome suff eringfrom and Surrey, despair and producti ve and llingchildren lives. 80% of all funds raised go in Dan, was live an aid worker withfulfi street before a freak accident towards our training programmes. the Amazon left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He fought to survive and Charity No. 1146478. the generosity and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life.

Thank you for your support. Have fun and enjoy a loving Christmas.

He founded his charity so that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to overcome suffering and despair and live productive and fulfilling lives. 80% of all funds raised go towards our training programs. is delighted to be publishing this quiz in support of the Dan Eley Foundation.

Charity No. 1146478.

December 2014

Thank you for your support. Have fun and enjoy a loving Christmas.

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The Dan Eley Foundation Christmas Quiz 2014

Here is a Christmas Quiz for you to do with your family. Simply complete the phrase or title using the letters and word clues provided. There are even prizes if you don’t get all the answers correct. Good luck!

A. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

To do with inanimate objects B A R A A Hard P ......................................................................................

T P C T K Black .........................................................................................

A D Edged S .............................................................................................

A P P A T Words .......................................................................................

T M A G T P O A Old F ..............................................................................

T A No P I S ..............................................................................................

A W P Never B .........................................................................................

L T Blue T P ...............................................................................................

B. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

To do with animals A C I A H D B A Committee .......................................................................

A L C C Its S ...............................................................................................

D L A G H In T M .......................................................................................

L T C T G The C .........................................................................................

T P T C B The H .........................................................................................

L A L To T S ...............................................................................................

T S T B T C Back ........................................................................................

T Take T B B T H ........................................................................................

C. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Botanical Section A S B Forth M F ........................................................................................

T A O M Eye ..............................................................................................

A R B Two T ..............................................................................................

A R S G No M ............................................................................................

T Nip I I T B ...............................................................................................

Y C M Bricks W S .......................................................................................

A F As A D .................................................................................................

A A A D Keeps T D A ..................................................................................

D. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Relating to parts of the body T Point T F O B ..........................................................................................

T P T Wool O S E .......................................................................................

T Put Y F I Y M ...........................................................................................

A M T H Grow F ........................................................................................

A E F A E A A T For A T ..............................................................................

T W T A Man’s H I T H S ............................................................................

T H A F I Both C .........................................................................................

T W Y F T T Bone .......................................................................................

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E. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

To do with money H W H The G M T R ...................................................................................

A P S I A P Earned .....................................................................................

T T U L A Bad P .........................................................................................

N A B Nor A L B .........................................................................................

L See T C O Y M .........................................................................................

W There’s M T B .......................................................................................

M M T W Go A ..........................................................................................

T L Of M I T R O A E ..................................................................................

F. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Film Titles O F Over T C N ..........................................................................................

S O The L ..................................................................................................

H P A T C O Secrets ...................................................................................

S Private R ................................................................................................

T Years A S ................................................................................................

The K S .....................................................................................................

The L O T M ..............................................................................................

T Man W T G G .........................................................................................

G. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Difficult sayings (no words, but cryptic clues) F L W (star’s dying statements) ...............................................................

B Y H I T S (seaside internment) ..............................................................

A A A O N (large bird necklace) ................................................................

A D I T R (golfer’s sparkling find) ..............................................................

A F I T O (cream surprise) .........................................................................

B S O T F (Bo’s troublesome sibling) .........................................................

B B (Marilyn’s explosive device) ...............................................................

C A A A A L (expensive limbs) ...................................................................

H. Invent Your Own Proverb using these letters (Adult Section) A T T W T A L A N W S L …………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………..……………………………………………………………………............................... ..............................................................................................................................

I. Childrens’ Section 1.

G A T Three B .........................................................................................

2.

L Bo P .......................................................................................................

3.

H D Dock ..................................................................................................

4.

Three B M ................................................................................................

5.

T Three B G G ...........................................................................................

6.

T T Tank E .................................................................................................

7.

L Boy B .....................................................................................................

8.

B The B .....................................................................................................

J. Childrens’ Saying (in no more than 10 words) “ I love Christmas because…………………………………………………………………………........”

Please see overleaf for entry details...

December 2014

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BUMPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS QUIZ!

The goal of the Dan Eley Foundation is to help young people help themselves by giving them the skills and training to find legitimate employment in both Surrey and Colombia.

We hope your whole family enjoys doing our Christmas quiz.

Fun Questions For ALL Ages!!

When you have completed the quiz, detach it from the magazine and please send your entries either by post to The Dan Eley Foundation, Fieldview, Petworth Road, Witley, GU8 5QW with a Funds will give disadvantaged young people vocational skills and support. small donation to the work of the charity. We suggest £5 (cash or cheque payable to The Dan Eley Foundation) to accompany your completed quiz.

OVER £600 The Toy Box, 3 Wharf Street, Godalming GU7 1NN IN Café Mila, 1 Angel Court, Godalming GU7 1DT Enzorosario Hair Salon, 112 High Street, PRIZES!!

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Name ………………………………..........................................................................................................

Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………............................................................................................................................. £200 £150 £100 £75 £50 £25 Post Code ………….............................. Tel ......................................................................................

1st Correct adult 1st Adult entry 1st Correct child Child entry Best adult sayingBest child saying entry drawn – correct entry drawn drawn – correct enclose my donation or ofnot £ …….... and, as a UK taxpayer, I wish this donation to be subject to or not

I Gift Aid if applicable …… (please tick if Gift Aid is applicable and sign below).

Dan, from Surrey, was an aid worker with street children before a freak accident in Please the gift aid this donati on paralyzed from the Signature Amazon left him shoulders………………………………….................... down. He fought to survive and the generosity and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life.

Closing date is 6th January 2015. Winners will be informed by the end of January. The results foundedinhis that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to will beHe published thecharity charity’ssowebsite at www.daneleyfoundati on.org. overcome suffering and despair and live productive and fulfilling lives. 80% of all funds raised go towards our training programs.

Thank you so much for your support.Charity A veryNo. happy and loving Chrtistmas to you all.

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Thank you for your support. Have fun and enjoy a loving Christmas.

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December 2014

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The Perfect Cheeseboard

As the festive season approaches, buffets are set, dinner parties are hosted and hospitality ramps up. In all the festivities it’s easy to forget that a cheeseboard can be an easy-to-make, impressive addition to any celebration. Rather than leaving it to the last minute and simply grabbing whatever is nearest, Louisa Mason from Flavour Tastings gives us some top tips to create an impressive cheeseboard.

“Variety is the key to a perfect cheeseboard,” she suggests.

“Combine different styles, colours, shapes and flavours so there is something for everyone.” Start with a soft and creamy cheese like a brie or camembert. Find one that is unctuous and will be at the peak ripeness when you are ready to eat it. This means keeping an eye on it in the fridge and even taking it out a few hours before eating to finish its maturing process. French bries and camemberts tend to be stronger compared with British ones so choose the flavour profile you most enjoy. For something really British try Isle of White Soft a rich creamy cheese made with Jersey milk, or the rich and deep flavoured Tunworth from Hampshire.

Add to your board a hard cheese. The obvious choice is a mature cheddar but also consider less well known cheeses like Old Winchester, a cross between an Old Amsterdam, Parmesan and Vintage Cheddar produced in the New Forest.

Continental-style hard cheeses also go well such as an aged Gruyère. Whilste 28

many people just use Gruyère for cooking this is a deeply complex cheese, especially if you can acquire some Premier-Cru matured for 14 months. Of course, the nation’s favourite cheese is cheddar and this in itself comes in variety of flavours and styles. From the more earthy, farmhouse flavour of an unpasteurised Montgomery all the way through to the sweet, soft Godminster Vintage, there is a plethora of good cheddars to choose from. Barbers 1833 Vintage Cheddar is a good mix of savoury and sweet notes which will suit most palettes and is over two years old.

Often over looked are the semi-soft cheeses.

This includes soft delicate cheeses like Cornish Yarg and also the washed rind cheeses.

“Washed rind cheeses are seriously underrated in the UK”, Louisa tells us.

“They are much more popular on the Continent which is a shame considering how good they have become in the UK now.” She suggests looking further afield than Stinking Bishop too. “Sussex has an amazing washed rind cheese vantagepointmag.co.uk

called Burwash Rose. It’s creamy, rich in flavour and washed in rose water giving it a lovely floral aroma. If that’s not to your taste try a firmer washed rind cheese like Drunken Burt whose producers are winning numerous awards.”

Of course, no festive board would be complete without a Stilton, nick-named ‘King of English Cheeses’.

There are now six producers who can make Stilton under the Protected Designation of Origin Scheme. Under these rules the cheese must be made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Nottinghamshire and only from pastuerised milk.

This means the unpasteurised form cannot be called Stilton but is actually named ‘Stichelton.’

Stilton needs very little explanation but do try out the different producers. Colston Basset tends to be slightly lighter in texture while Cropwell Bishop has more tang. Stichelton can be very piquant and goes wonderfully with a glass of ruby port.

For a truly stunning board consider the colour and shape of each cheese and try to bring in some variety. The other consideration is to include at least one non-cow’s milk cheese, like an ash-covered goat’s cheese or square ewe’s milk cheese like Flower Marie. “I love Flower Marie,” writes Louisa. “It’s definitely on our board this year. Soft, lemony with a lingering tang this Sussex cheese is a gem.”

Finally presentation is everything so make sure you have a nice platter to serve it on. This can be wood, marble or slate and feel free to experiment with how you decorate it. Frozen grapes, walnuts, edible flowers, the list is endless. However, don’t get too carried away as sometimes less is definitely more!

Cheesy gifts

Natural Slate Cheeseboard £17.95 Handpicked Collection www.handpickedcollection.com

Camembert Cookware

£16.49 Steamer Trading Cookshop 168 High St, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3HS

Christmas Cheese Box £25 Flavour Tastings www.flavourtastings.co.uk

So what ever you decide to have on your Christmas cheese board, make sure you give it some thought.

FIND OUT MORE

If you want some more ‘cheesy’ advice or want to buy some hard-to find cheeses then see Louisa’s website at www.flavourtastings.co.uk or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

December 2014

The Big Cheese Making Kit – For Kids £22.95 The Truckle Cheese Co www.victoriasdeli.co.uk

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

gift for £8. To book your slot, ring the Cafe directly on 01730 815152.

You must pre-book your space!

Father Christmas will be in his Victorian Parlour at Haslemere Museum on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Tuesday 23rd December from 10.30am to 4.30pm. He will also be making a last minute appearance on Wednesday 24th (Christmas Eve) from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Cost is £4 for members, £5 for non-members. No need to book. Also, Haslemere Mummers will be performing their traditional play on Saturday 20th December at 11am. Twenty minutes of great fun. No need to book and no entry fee, but donations gratefully accepted. The Cafe will be open.

There are a number of other lovely events at the Museum, especially for the little ones. Have a look at www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk .

You are invited to Haslemere’s

last ‘Christmas Cracker’ which is to take place at 7.30pm in the Haslemere Hall on Saturday 20th December. The evening will consist of a programme of seasonal music and comic verse with an interval for mulled wine and minced pies. Lots of favourite carols, some for the choir alone, others for the audience as well as individual items. All have been chosen to be entertaining and fun for all the family. The mulled wine and mince pies are included with the programme in the cost of the tickets – £8.50 and £10 from the Haslemere Hall (children £4 and £5) 01428 642161. Do book early for this popular event.

As you would expect, there are lots of Christmas events at RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. One that struck the eye is the Rose Theatre Kingston presentation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Story

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Trail which runs from Saturday 20th December to Sunday 4th January 2015 (closed 25th and 31st December). Leap into the magical world of Narnia this Christmas . . . . Meet in the Garden and discover a land inhabited by fantastical fauns and busy beavers.

Only the most intrepid children can unlock the secrets and save Narnia from the White Witch’s spell. The event is free once you have entered the Garden. Also, The Christmas Display in The Glasshouse is another stunning display of seasonal plants and is open from Saturday 6th December to 4th January from 10am – 3.45pm. More details at www.rhs. org.uk/wisley .

Guildford Choral Society will be performing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 20th December at 7.30pm. For many music lovers, Handel’s Messiah defines both choral

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ADVERTORIAL December 2014

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time not spent drinking port is a waste of time”.

So with thoughts not just of Christmas 2014 but also for next year here is the essential guide to port and what to eat with it.

Port is a fortified wine made by blending a variety of Portuguese grapes that grow in the harsh conditions of the Douro Valley. How harsh I hear you ask? Well workers have to dynamite the rocky ground in order to plant the vine, the roots need to grow down at least 25 metres just to get a drink. Furthermore, the vines are planted on such steep terraces that the grapes can only be harvested by hand. All this and we haven’t even picked a grape yet!

It takes three weeks to harvest the grapes as each variety ripens differently so workers need to climb the steep terraces time and again to get to ripe grapes. Once picked grapes are taken to Quintas (farms) where some are still crushed by foot treading. Foot treading is not just done for tradition or fun, it has been proved that treading grapes by human feet brings out the full concentration of flavour.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Jeremy Blood from Surrey Wine School takes a look at a seasonal favourite Like it or not it’s now the time of the year when our thoughts turn to parties, socialising, eating and drinking. There is just so much to fit in even before the second week of December!

I often ask guests at Surrey Wine School what their favourite seasonal tipples are. Not surprisingly many say Champagne and wines from Bordeaux or Burgundy, but sadly Port and other fortified wines such as Madeira or Sherry are still regarded as the drink to leave out for Santa.

Port is a wine that some people enjoy just once a year, which is a real shame as it is far more that just the rich, sweet, taste of Christmas.

Get to know the different styles and you will be enjoying one of the world’s great wines all year round. As Percy Croft of Crofts Port said, “Any 32

While the juice is fermenting, a high alcohol spirit is added that kills the yeast and stops the sugar turning into alcohol, leaving the wine sweet. This process is called fortification and differentiates port, sherry and Madeira from other sweet wines.

So port is born in the Douro but its first steps are taken near Porto in Villa Nova de Gueia at the many port houses where it is blended. The ageing process is started during the following year.

The essential difference between styles of port is whether it is aged in wooden casks (such as ruby, tawny) or in the bottle (such as vintage).

Cask aged ports are ready to drink as soon as they are bottled and don’t improve with age. Bottled aged ports will get better as they mature. Depending on the quality of the year a vintage port may take 15-30 years to reach perfection.

Basic ruby and tawny ports have young fruity aromas, are aged in wood casks for twothree years and are ready to drink as soon as it is bottled. I love to drink these wines with chocolate mousse or strawberries. The best cheese match I have found is with a full flavoured goats milk cheese. vantagepointmag.co.uk

White port is made in the same way as ruby except that white grape varieties are used. It makes a great aperitif wine. Simply pour 1/2 white port and 1/2 tonic over ice and add a sprig of mint or basil and you’re all set. I love to match with hard crumbly cheese such as Cheshire, or Wensleydale.

Tawny ports can be aged in cask for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years (the year shown on the bottle is an average of the years in the blend) producing wines of real concentration. The colour changes as it ages from rich ruby to beautiful amber and golden hues. They also develop nutty and caramel flavours. Tawny ports are the most versatile, as they can be drunk chilled as an aperitif, matched with desserts or paired with sheep’s and cheddar cheeses.

Choose your pairing carefully with tawny port as the age can make a big difference. The older the port the more it will match with raisiny flavours.

I absolutely love a 20-year-old tawny such as Churchill’s matched with traditional Christmas cake or mince pies. If you prefer desserts such as crème brûlée or toffee puddings then try a 10-year-old tawny.

Late bottled vintage (LBV) is a port lovers dream come true. An excellent value port

December 2014

made from a single year and coming from high quality vineyards and does not need decanting unlike vintage port. This is the top match with chocolate. It also works very well with soft cream cheese like Brie de Meaux. Taylors created the LBV style and I am a real fan of these wines.

Vintage port is the pinnacle of all port production and is high on the list of the world’s greatest wines. Made with grapes from a single year, vintage port spends only two to three years in cask and is immediately bottled and released for sale. Although it can be drunk when released it can be a further 20 years before it reaches perfection. These wines leave a sediment in the bottle so it is wise to decant them before drinking. My perfect match with a vintage port is hazelnut and chocolate tart or the classic pairing with Stilton cheese.

FIND OUT MORE

Surrey Wine School together with Flavour Tastings run wine and cheese evenings throughout the year. Cheese and wine, cookery and wine with a professional chef, and all the other fabulous tastings are available to buy as gift vouchers. For more bookings and information visit www.surreywineschool.com, email info@ surreywineschool.com or call Jeremy on 01306 898569 or 07436 072518.

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music and Christmas. Ever since its first performance in 1741, this work has remained at the heart of musical life. Guildford Choral, under conductor and Music Director Jonathan Willcocks, is joined for this performance by a quartet of outstanding soloists and one of the leading baroque ensembles, the Hanover Band.

Tickets: Front Nave: £25, Mid Nave: £17, Rear Nave: £10, West Gallery: £19. Concessions: £10 on all seats except Front Nave.

Concessions are available for children, students, disabled and ES40. Tickets are available from: boxoffice@guildfordchoral.org or directly from Derek Lake on 01494 675571 and also from the Guildford Tourist Information Centre: 01483 444333 The 3 Counties Church, Linchmere Road, Haslemere GU27 3QW, is hosting two special Christmas services

on Sunday 21st December.

At 10.15am, there’s a Family Celebration followed by seasonal refreshments. Then at 7.30pm, there’s a Carol Service, followed by mince pies and mulled wine. For more information, contact 01428 653011 or office@3countieschurch.org.

To work off those extra pounds you have put on over the Christmas holiday Godalming and Haslemere Ramblers are organising their festival of winter walks between December 24th and 31st. All family members are welcome and walks are typically 4/5 miles in length. Full details of the walks and starting points can be found on their website; www. godalmingandhaslemereramblers. org.uk/walks. Barry Holland, Chairman, says “We look forward to welcoming new walkers to our group and hope that, as a result, they will take up walking as their

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new way of getting some healthy exercise in 2015”.

The National Trust has revealed some of the best places for exhilarating wintry walks in West Sussex. Many of their beautiful gardens and countryside spaces are open from Boxing Day onwards, offering the perfect opportunity for winter walks in picture-postcard landscapes. Wrap up warm and entertain visiting friends or family with a bracing walk around landscaped gardens, parkland and countryside.

Although it’s chilly, new life is already stirring at this time of year, so there’s plenty to see and enjoy, from gardens packed with scent and colour, to frost-rimmed woodlands and breath-taking vistas. To mention a few, there’s Nymans, Petworth House and Park, Harting Down,Woolbeding Countryside and Slindon Estate.

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December 2014

35

Edible Christmas Gifts

by Gill Potterton of Glorious Food

Here are some simple recipes for different festive sweet treats which are fun to make and give as rather special edible gifts. Plan to make them just before you intend to give them, if possible, although they do keep for several days in an airtight tin - but they never last that long in my house! Remember to set aside some time to package them in coloured boxes or gift-wrap them in shiny cellophane with sparkling ribbons. The last recipe is for an unusual chutney which serves beautifully with cold meats, especially gammon, and is very easy and quick to make, so collect some fancy jars for the Spiced Pineapple Chutney and decorate with hand-made labels.

As well as running her catering business, Glorious Food, Gill hosts regular cookery demonstrations, sometimes followed by a meal. Gift vouchers for these events make brilliant foodie gifts. A great supporter of local food, Gill is an approved member of LocalFoodBritain.com. Find out more about her on the Surrey section of the website and view the events noticeboard for information about her latest demonstrations. www.LocalFoodBritain.com/Surrey

Christmas Cookies 1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 4/180C. Cream together the butter, syrup and sugar until pale.

Stir in the flour and the chosen flavourings, until you have a workable dough.

2. Roll pieces of the cookie dough into balls, arrange them on a baking tray, spaced well apart, and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Leave to cool on the baking tray before lifting off with a palette knife.

Ingredients 4oz/100g butter or margarine 4oz/100g soft light brown sugar 1 tablespoon golden syrup 6oz/150g self raising flour 2oz chocolate/marzipan/dried cranberries/nuts Makes 12-16

Brandied Date and Walnut Shortbread 1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 5/190C. Cream the butter and sugar until very pale, then mix in the flour and almonds, to make a soft pliable mixture.

2. Press half of this mixture into the base of an 8 inch square tin, pushing down with the heel of your hand, to make it smooth.

3. To make the filling, combine the walnuts, dates and brandy in a food processor, to make a coarse paste, then spread this over the shortbread.

Chop the cherries roughly by hand and sprinkle them over the top.

4. Crumble the rest of the shortbread mixture evenly over the top, to cover 36

the filling and press down firmly, to make a smooth finish.

5. Sprinkle with caster sugar and bake for 30-35 minutes until pale gold.

Ingredients 7oz/175g plain flour 3oz/75g ground almonds 5 oz/125g butter 4oz/100g caster sugar 3oz/75g walnuts 2oz stoned dates 1 tablespoon brandy 1 ½ oz/40g glace cherries Makes 12-16

vantagepointmag.co.uk

FOOD

Brandy Snaps 1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 6/200C. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with baking parchment.

2. Melt the sugar, butter and syrup together in a pan. Remove from the heat and stir in the flour. Add the lemon juice and ginger, stirring well until thoroughly combined. Place dessertspoonfuls of the mixture onto each baking sheet, spaced at least 4 inches apart, as the mixture will spread.

3. Bake one tray at a time (or you will not be able to deal with the hot brandy snaps) for 6 minutes.

The brandy snaps should go golden brown, but still be soft. Watch carefully, as they burn easily.

4.Cool for a minute or two then slide a greased palette knife under each

biscuit. If you work quickly, you can shape them while still hot. Roll each one carefully around a rolling pin or wooden spoon handle. If the biscuits cool too much and they become too brittle to shape, pop them back in the oven for just 10 seconds and try again.

Ingredients 4oz/100g caster sugar 4oz/100g butter 4oz/100g golden syrup 4oz/100g self raising flour juice of 1 small lemon large pinch of ground ginger Makes 12-16

Christmas Flapjack 1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 4/200C. Weigh the butter, sugar and syrup into a saucepan and heat gently until everything has melted together.

2. Remove from the heat and stir in the oats, mixed spice and mincemeat.

Spread the mixture into a shallow 8 inch square tin lined with baking parchment and level it out with a palette knife, right into the corners.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until

golden. Cool completely, remove from the tin and cut into bars or squares.

Ingredients 6oz/ 150g butter 2oz/50g golden syrup 4oz/100g demerara sugar 8oz/200g rolled oats 1 level teaspoon mixed spice 8oz/200g mincemeat Makes 12-16

Spiced Pineapple Chutney 1. Peel and quarter the pineapple, making sure all the ‘eyes’ are removed, remove the core and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel, core and chop the apple. Peel and finely grate the fresh ginger.

2. Put all the ingredients into a large pan and stir over a low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

3. Uncover and simmer for a further 10-20 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Discard the cinnamon and spoon into sterilised jars. Seal and keep in the fridge.

December 2014

Ingredients 1 large pineapple 1 large cooking apple 4 tablespoons cider vinegar 8 tablespoons muscovado sugar 1 inch piece fresh root ginger 1 cinnamon stick 2 teaspoons chilli jam/pinch of dried chilli flakes Pinch of salt Makes 2 x 1lb jars

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

National Trust properties go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk .

HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust takes disabled and disadvantaged children on a trip to Lourdes every Easter at no cost to them or their families. The charity has a catholic foundation, though children and helpers come from all backgrounds. All helpers are trained and DBS checked. For more information please go to www. hcpt.org.uk see the HCPT youtube channel or email group1@hcpt. org.uk.

Pilates classes are held weekly in Cranleigh, Hascombe, Fernhurst and Redford; massage clinics are also available. For more details, please contact, Laura, kaizen.pilates@outlook.com or 07557018276 Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is appealing to its local community

for any unwanted furniture. For the past few weeks the Hospice has witnessed a sharp decline in donations, which has impacted on the amount of money raised by the charity’s two Furniture Showrooms. “Furniture donations are an extremely important part of the Hospice’s income,” says Peter Foxton, Head of Income Generation.

“Without the generosity of our local community we would be unable to continue delivering such an exceptional level of care to our patients and their families. We accept most items - from wardrobes to sofas - so if you have any unwanted furniture please get in touch.”

You can arrange collection of any unwanted items by calling the Hospice’s dedicated team of drivers on 01252 710679.

Are you looking for beautiful Christmas cards which stand out from the crowd? Phyllis

Tuckwell Hospice has 13 eyecatching designs available in its shops throughout West Surrey and North East Hampshire. The charity’s popular range is priced at £3.75 for a pack of 10, and there are cards to suit all tastes, with exclusive designs by Hospice patient, Linda Jackson and local Farnham artist, Charles Bone. A host of modern and traditional cards including ‘Santa Owl’ and ‘Robin in the Snow’ complement three funky diaries also available this year for £2.99 in indigo blue, lime green and silver. And if you’re feeling lucky, why not take a gamble with some Tuckwell Chase Lottery scratch cards - the perfect festive table decoration!

Cards, diaries and scratch cards are available from the Hospice’s 18 charity shops, online at www. pth.org.uk/our-shop or by calling 01252 729446. 100% of the profits from the sale of the Hospice’s cards go towards caring for people

“Where great sheds are Bourne” An independent family run business, established in 1995, Bourne Buildings is a familiar sight to the residents of Farnham. We are well known for our advertising banners, which overlook the Shepherd & Flock roundabout: favourites include, “Forget red roses, buy her a shed”, “Now is the Winter of our discount-sheds” and our current offering of “Shed early for Christmas”.

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ADVERTORIAL

the pond is about 10ft above the level of the very busy roundabout only 50ft away!

With staff sharing over 80 years of experience and special offers running month to month you will always receive the best service, and can be sure you are getting not only the best prices locally, As well as keeping the locals amused, Bourne Buildings is but in the whole of the UK (including the now the largest garden buildings showsite in the UK and internet). has over 200 garden buildings on show all year round, as well as thousands of stone items ranging from statues & In short, if you’re thinking of buying a birdbaths, to benches & urns. garden building, for any reason, it’s well worth paying us a visit.

Our picturesque showsite is set around an old mill pond which creates a stunning and unique environment; well worth a look even if not looking to make a purchase. Many customers, on an almost daily basis exclaim “how they have been driving past for years and never realised that the 100ft mill pond existed – let alone the extent of the selection on display”. What surprises them further is that 38

vantagepointmag.co.uk

A Country House Christmas Sat 6 Dec to Fri 2 Jan, 11am - 3pm (closed Wed 24 and Thu Dec) Inspired by vintage issues of Country Life Magazine, discover Petworth House beautifully dressed for a ‘vintage’ Christmas.

Step into a country house atmosphere of roaring log fires, evergreen trees and sumptuous seasonal interiors, with plenty of eccentric touches to delight and surprise.

Why not come along in warm tweeds for a truly authentic experience? £5 per adult (NT members and children Free)

Meet Father Christmas 13 & 14, 20 & 21 Dec, 11am - 3pm Father Christmas is waiting to meet you in his evergreen grotto. £5 per child to include small gift

Further information 01798 342207 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth December 2014

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Chiddingfold to Haslemere This walk has very little in the way of ups and downs and passes over downs and through pretty woods and fields. The walk was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk).

The walk Cross the green and the A283 and enter the road signed to Grayswood. After a few yards take a signed footpath off to the left. Arrive at the back of the cemetery. Head across and up the field behind it. Emerge on a road between houses. Walk on and, where the road turns sharp right, head straight on along a footpath by the side of a house (‘The Downs’) to emerge on the green expanse of The Downs. Continue on, ignoring an immediate path left and down, going straight on and ignoring a cross path. After about 750 yards, cross the drive of an isolated house and enter a field. Head up to the far right-hand corner and out onto a road.

Go right and up a little hill. Just over the top and just past a house, take a footpath heading left.

Enter a field and, presented with two arrows, one left and one forward, go straight forward across the field. Cross a deep track (negotiating two stiles). Head straight across to a stile in the right-angled corner of a hedge. Keep left in the next field. Cross another, smaller, field and emerge on a drive. Cross and follow the signs around behind a house and out onto Prestwick Lane. Turn left. Walk on for about 300 yards.

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Ignore the first footpath left, through High Prestwick Farm. Instead take the second footpath left. Follow this along the edge of a garden, through a field to a double gate, down a field on its right-hand side to take a stile out right and along the bottom of another field and exit left at a cross paths.

Go straight across and along a corridor to reach a T junction with a wide track (with a small sewage farm to your left). Walk right, cross Prestwick Lane and enter Lower Road in Grayswood.

Walk up until you are at the starting edge of the green. Take the footpath off left, next to ‘The Mount’ street sign. Follow it up, emerging on the A286 opposite the Wheatsheaf Inn. Cross, go left a few yards past the pub and enter an un-named road heading right. About 100 yards down here, before reaching the houses, take a footpath off right. Follow this to cross a railway line. At a junction beyond it, turn left, heading roughly southwest. At an isolated stile (not connected to any fences) go right and up the path between banks. Emerge in a field with Keffolds Farm up to your right. The path traverses around to a gate at a T junction. Go left. After an iron gate ignore a left fork and take a right fork, up. Ignore lefts until a fork where you take the left fork following a yellow arrow.

Reach a lane, turn right and enter Weycombe Road, at a bend.

Turn left and walk along this road for about half a mile until turning down the last side street on the left before the T junction at

vantagepointmag.co.uk

WALK

the end of the road. Walk by the side of a small cemetery into a Close and out on a footpath that takes you to a railway bridge.

Go left to cross the bridge and immediately take a footpath right, up “Pathfields”. Follow this along past houses until it jinks right and emerges in the Chestnut Avenue car park in Haslemere.

Cross to the far left corner, exit out into West Street and turn left to walk to the centre of Haslemere. There are cafes and pubs or you could picnic at the point where the walk will restart. To reach the picnic area (and restart point) cross the road that runs through the centre of the shops and go left. After about 100 yards turn right into Well Lane and walk to its end, passing the old town well. Turn right onto a grassy area with benches.

Restarting, continue right, past the benches then down the slope and out and across a field to join a track, Collards Lane. Follow this to the left and pass an NT warden’s hut to enter and cross a field. In the next field go half-left, cross a little footbridge and a cross track to enter a wood. Ignore cross paths, follow the signs through to a field, over another little footbridge, another field and another footbridge into another field. Here, turn left and follow the left-hand edge. Exit onto a track. Walk a little way to take a footpath out left. Emerge next to Holdfast Cottage on Prestwick Lane. Cross and turn right into the Private Road to Imbhams Farm. Walk on past farm buildings to reach a lake. Ignore the first signpost right, go around the end of the lake and take the next right (roughly east-north-east). After a 100 yards enter a field and turn left through a gap into the next field. Now turn right and walk through the eastern edge of Frillinghurst Wood.

next field, to the left of the farm buildings, to reach a concrete track. Go right. The track becomes a lane. Follow this to T junction with a road. Go left and pass Dell Farm. Stay on the road to pass ‘Furzefield’ and, just beyond it, take a footpath right. Walk along in the edge of a wood. At a signpost with blue and yellow arrows, go straight ahead, following the blue arrow. Reach a road by the gate to “Hollyhurst” and continue on along it to meet Mill Lane and continue straight ahead.

Walk along here until, opposite what was, until recently, a Ukrainian Care Home, take a footpath left, at first in the drive of a house but then bypassing its garage. Enter a wood, fork right and pass a lake. Climb up to emerge on The Downs. Your path meets the path that you took this morning and you turn right to retrace your steps through to Chiddingfold.

Reach a white arrow and soon afterwards, fork right. Keep following the main path to a T junction where you turn right. Cross a footbridge and climb a slope. Ignore a left and go over a stile into a field. Ignore an immediate right, instead head for the far side and a stile mid-way along the fence. Go half-left across the DISTANCE: 9.75 miles OS MAPS: Explorer 134 Crawley & Horsham, Cranleigh & Billingshurst STARTING POINT: The green at Chiddingfold GRID REFERENCE: 54 961 1 354

REFRESHMENTS: The Crown Inn, Chiddingfold (01428 682255), The Swan Inn, Chiddingfold (01428 684688), the Wheatsheaf Inn, Grayswood (01428 644440) and various places in Haslemere.

Image above: St. Mary’s Church in Chiddingfold by Ben Gamble

Neither the publisher nor the author can accept any responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions in this route. Diversion orders can be made and permissions withdrawn at any time.

December 2014

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

affected by a terminal illness across West Surrey and North East Hampshire.

The Workers Educational Association (WEA) has a couple of courses starting in January.

Short Stories of the Great Masters where they discuss stories from different times and countries, written by Thomas Mann, Jean –Paul Satre, Tolstoy and others.

Wednesdays 10am-12 noon from the 7th January for 10 weeks. Then there is the History of Art - Flemish Paintings from Van Eyck to Rubens – which starts on the 9th January and every Friday from 10am to 12 noon for 10 weeks. All at the Millennium Centre, Liphook. For more information please contact Ronald Michaux on 01730 300407.

Haslemere Natural History Society’s next talk is ‘The Medmerry Sea Defences and a New Habitat for Wildlife’. It takes place on Saturday 10th January at 2.15pm at Haslemere Educational Museum. Medmerry (near Selsey) was one of the stretches of coastline most at risk of flooding in Southern England. Peter Hughes (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Project Manager for Medmerry) will describe how the RSPB bought SSSI land behind Bracklesham Bay in 2006 and was the key partner advising the Environment Agency on managed realignment of sea defences. The project has massively reduced flood risk for local people, opened up extensive new public access, and created a major new wildlife habitat. Peter will describe this ground-breaking scheme and illustrate the wildlife now found at Medmerry. Non-members are welcome but are invited to contribute £3. More information at www. haslemerenaturalhistorysociety. org.uk or email info@ haslemerenaturalhistorysocietyorg. uk.

I have always loved the work of JMW Turner, so was very excited 42

to hear that this spring, Petworth House hosts an exhibition inspired by Mike Leigh’s awardwinning film Mr Turner. Petworth House played a starring role in the film having been the home of one of Turner’s greatest patrons, the 3rd Earl of Egremont. The exhibition features over 30 works of art, mostly by Turner, and on loan from major collections including Tate and V&A. Alongside this, are personal ephemera once belonging to the artist, such as his fishing rod and painting materials, some on show for the first time.

Also on view are props and items of costume from the film, together with artworks by the actor Timothy Spall, created whilst he trained for his role as Turner in the film. A short documentary

by Mike Leigh about the making of Mr Turner at Petworth House features rare behind-the-scenes footage. Visitors can also tour the Artists’ Studio, not usually open to the public, but once used

by Turner and other artists as a studio in the nineteenth century.

Mr Turner: an exhibition is open from 10th January to 11th March.

Tickets are £12, booking essential, at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ petworthturner or 0844 249 1895.

Witley Pantomime Company presents its 58th production.

In January 2015 we’ll find out if Goody Two Shoes wins over Fairy Bovver Boots! Will the Beast find his Beauty? Will Carlos meet his match? And will Smelle get her tiara? To find out - get yourself to Chichester Hall in Witley.

Performances run Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th January at 7.30pm. There’s also a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Do go along to this fun filled family show; It has goodies, baddies and a dancing horse! “Oh yes it has!”

Tickets will be available at Witley Wines, Witley and Arty Crafty, Godalming from the beginning of

44>

December. For more info email: witleypantomimecompany@ gmail.com New dates and courses have been set for the New Year at the Fernhurst Centre starting with their very popular ‘An introduction to using your iPad’ on Wednesday 21st and 28th January from 2 - 4pm. For other tablets (using the Android system) they have another course - Monday 5th and 12th January from 2 - 4 pm. Both courses comprise two x 2 hour sessions at £20. Please note that the latter course is not suitable for the Kindle Fire or phones using the Android system. If you have mastered the basics on your iPad then they have a new course ‘iPad the Next Steps.’ This session will help you to ‘get really smart with your iPad’ - includes iCloud Skype - Facetime and connecting to your PC with iTunes. Monday 26th January from 2 - 4pm. The cost is £10. Places must be booked in advance so please contact the Centre either on 01428 641931 or email them at ferncent@gmail. com – or check the website www. fernhurstcentre.org.uk.

Vivace Chorus is holding another Come and Sing event on 24th January. It usually sells out and 2015 will be no exception because they are singing Mozart: the C minor Mass and the Solemn Vespers (1780 version). It’s at Normandy Village Hall from 10am to 4.30pm, with music supplied and their now famous lunch: homemade soup and a ploughman’s. (Do some people go mainly for the homemade soup?)

To apply, download a form from www.vivacechorus.org and send a cheque for £24 to 30 Shepherds Way, Liphook, Hants GU30 7HF or, alternatively, book and pay online.

“Come and Sing Mozart!” is the invitation from Haslemere Musical Society to all interested singers vantagepointmag.co.uk

PROFILE

The League of Friends of Milford Hospital Whenever the League of Friends is collecting outside stores or running a stall at the village fairs, there are still some people who say that they didn’t know the hospital had survived the threat of closure and thought the whole site was now going to be houses. How wrong!

Milford Hospital is the local centre of excellence for elderly assessment, day care and rehabilitation. Normally patients are admitted following a stay in an acute hospital. The broad spectrum of expertise amongst the staff enables a comprehensive assessment and care programme for elderly patients with complex needs. The day hospital gives advice and support to elderly patients who are to being cared for at home. An added bonus is that the out-patient X-Ray service is now digitalised (i.e. online) allowing doctors at Milford and The Royal Surrey County hospitals immediate access to results. The service is available for community use as well as for patients attending Milford Hospital.

The League of Friends raises public awareness and thus support for the hospital. It raises money to provide additional amenities that are not covered by the NHS. We have recently provided CD and cassette players for talking books, arranged for talking newspapers to be available weekly and bought I-pad software for the speech and language therapists to enable improved speech recovery in stroke victims.

We fund-raise through bucket collections outside stores such as Secrett ’s Farm Shop and Sainsbury’s, being nominated as a community charity by Waitrose, and by having stalls at both Milford and Witley Fairs. The award winning Rushmoor Choir is holding a concert for us on 25 April 2015 (contact Jacqui Robini on 01428653905 for £10 tickets) and we will be organising a quiz in the autumn of 2015.

New volunteers to help us fundraise are always welcome. We would especially welcome new committee members with accounting or banking experience who could assist our long standing Treasurer. Contact us through our website at www.milfordhospitalleagueoffriends.com if you would like to help us in any way. It is not an onerous commitment but the work we do is really appreciated by patients, their relatives and the staff of the hospital.

Please note that our AGM will be on March 20th 2015 at 3pm in the Seminar Room at the Hospital. All are welcome to attend and hear about what the hospital is doing and about the activities of the League of Friends.

Our main focus in 2014 has been revitalising the courtyard garden (pictured right), with muscle power provided by the Probation Service Community Payback Scheme who we hope will come back and repair the area outside the cafe so that it too can be a useful outside seating area. Colourful plants were donated for the garden and the money raised at the village fairs enabled us to buy an aluminium globe trickling water feature, a bird sculpture that moves in the wind, new umbrellas and stands and cushions for the furniture. The garden is now even more popular and used into the evenings, providing a relaxed and secure environment for patients and their visitors.

Next we will provide additional wheelchairs so all who want to can get outside. We organise several regular features for patients and staff including a weekly library round and a confectionary/ toiletries trolley round, a summer garden party with musical entertainment, a lunch for staff and volunteers at Christmas and a Carol service in the wards. Every in-patient receives a small present from the League on Christmas Day.

December 2014

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD - NOW IN DATE ORDER!

to join their widely popular community singing event. This annual Come and Sing activity will take place at St. Christopher’s Church, Haslemere on Saturday 7th February 2015 and will feature Choruses from Mozart’s Requiem.

The conductor will once again be Christopher Hann and the piano accompanist will be well-known local composer Clive Osgood. The event will start at 2pm and singers will be joined by the society’s orchestra for a final performance at 6pm. The whole event will finish by 7pm. The cost of the event is £12 (or £10 per person for groups of 10 or more) and the afternoon will include the justly famous tea and cakes provided by society members. Interested singers and groups wanting to book are invited to contact treasurer Kate McWhirter on 01428 609203 or go to www.hmsoc.org.uk .

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is looking for people to be part of a Guide Dogs Support Group. Lots of voluntary roles are available from organising events, helping with collections and raising awareness of the work they do. Roles are very flexible and can be suited to how many hours you are able to donate. There is something to suit everyone! Katie Smith, local Guide Dogs representative, says “Whatever you’re interested in doing, whether you have a little or a lot of time to spare, you will be guaranteed to meet new people and have some fun! At the same time you will be raising funds to enable Guide Dogs to create the special partnerships which can change the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted.” To find out more information, please contact Katie Smith on 07795 611459 or email katie.smith@ guidedogs.org.uk. For more information on Guide Dogs, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk.

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Affinité, the Surrey singles social club for the over fifties, has finalised its winter programme.

Included are visits to the Comedy Store, a gallery and a museum, a carol concert, a Christmas quiz and a New Year Dinner at Clandon Regis Golf Club. Contact the club through www.club-affinite. co.uk/.

Pilates classes are held weekly in Cranleigh, Hascombe, Fernhurst and Redford; massage clinics are also available. For more details, please contact, Laura, kaizen. pilates@outlook.com or 07557 018276.

The Surrey Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 8th March.

Starting and finishing at Woking Leisure Centre the closed-road running event is the biggest in the county, and will take 6,500 runners through the country lanes to the South West of Woking before returning to the town for their big finish! The scenic course is flat and fast, so it’s a great place to secure your best 13.1 mile finish time! A Kids race will take in a 2km closed road circuit in Woking hopefully inspiring the half marathon runners of the future. The running route will be lined with local live bands, and local club cyclists will lead the runners out onto the course. The Surrey Half Marathon will be working closely with local charities. Their official Charity Partners for 2015 are Shooting Star CHASE, WWF, Woking and Sam Beare Hospices and Harrison’s Fund. They hope that runners will use the Surrey Half as an opportunity to fundraise for charity. Entries are selling fast, and prices will go up on 1st January, so ensure you enter before Christmas to secure your place on the start line. To enter, go to www.surreyhalfmarathon. co.uk . You can follow them on Facebook – www.facebook.com/

surreyhalfmarathon Twitter - @ surreyhalf. Download the app – Search “Surrey Half” in your app store.

Looking for new free activities in the New Year? Over 50 and want to get out more? Age UK Surrey offers Walking Football in Guildford, Men in Sheds (Ash) Walking and Cycling (all Surrey), home visits for those not able to get out (Waverley and Guildford) and even free benefit checks to ensure everyone has their full entitlement. You can of course volunteer for us - and as we are an independent charity – make a donation knowing that it stays in Surrey. See our website at www. ageuksurrey.org.uk or ring 01483 503414.

The Wey Valley Lacemakers meet on the second Monday of every month at The Chiddingfold Village Hall from 10am-12.30pm.

They are a very friendly club from beginners to experienced lacemakers, and apparently, they do like a good chat! Contact Gay McCart on 01428 656916 for more information.

Finally, some sad news. Two groups of Great War (1914-1918) medals in frames where stolen on 21st January 2014 from the HQ of The Royal Flying Corps Association. The two medals were as follows: LT.E.BREWER and SGT.A.POLLARD (M.M 15110).

Please ring 01306 711114 if you have any information. There is a reward.

Well that is it for another month!

We hope you find some enjoyable events in your local area and we’ll see you after Chrirtmas.

FIND OUT MORE

More Jottings are available online at vantagepointmag.co.uk. To send in an entry, go online or email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk. vantagepointmag.co.uk

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Connell & Todd combines a passion for great British places with an obsession for vintage prints, ceramics and textiles.

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Playground â&#x20AC;˘ Many Special Events â&#x20AC;˘ Light Railway (Sundays) â&#x20AC;˘ Picnic Areas â&#x20AC;˘ CafĂŠ Open Wed-Sun & BH â&#x20AC;˘ 10am to 5pm Tilford â&#x20AC;˘ Farnham â&#x20AC;˘ Surrey â&#x20AC;˘ GU10 2DL â&#x20AC;˘ 01252 795571

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WIN WIN AN ORDNANCE SURVEY RUCKSACK AND PERSONALISED MAP Ordnance Survey produce over 650 recreational and leisure maps and you can win one of five Ordnance Survey rucksacks with a custom-made map.

The winners can create their own personalised map by selecting the area and adding their own cover image and title using the map builder at www. oscustommade.co.uk, and also receive an exclusive OS branded rucksack.

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WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE YVONNE ARNAUD PANTOMIME Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and VantagePoint Magazine are very pleased to offer you the chance to win a family ticket to this year’s magical pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

The show stars Whose Line Is It Anyway? legend Josie Lawrence as the fabulously witty Wicked Queen. Joining Josie is top cabaret performer Kit Hesketh-Harvery and Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon.

To find out more please visit www.yvonne-arnaud. co.uk.

A family ticket (4 seats) is available for the performance on Friday 2nd January at 7pm.

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WIN A FREE LOCAL PRINT Do you love your local town? Look forward to your next walk up Box Hill? Are you proud of the local countryside? At Connell & Todd we design and hand select gifts that evoke special memories of your favourite places: from vintage travel posters and antique guides to maps and original works of art. All our gifts can be purchased via our website www.connellandtodd.com. We will also be selling our gifts at the local Christmas markets around Surrey and West Sussex this month.

We have just designed a new selection of prints of your favourite places which make the perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family and locals who have moved away from the area. To celebrate the launch of this new collection we are running a competition with VantagePoint Magazine and are offering one framed print each of Godalming, West Sussex, Box Hill, Haslemere and Hampshire. To enter, answer the question: Q: Name one of the prints you can win.

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