VantagePoint Magazine July 2015 - Guildford & Villages

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Guildford & Villages • July 2015

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

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Booking your holiday?

Internet or local travel agent? We investigate for you...

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TO THE POINT I have a suspicion that there are quite a few TOGS out there. For those not in the know, this stands for Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals, stalwarts of Sir Terry Wogan’s Radio 2 breakfast show which ran for many years until he hung Stefan Reynolds up his weekday microphone in 2009. I must Editor & Publisher admit to having been a regular listener on my commute to Richmond before starting the magazine, finding his genial manner and amusing banter a perfect tonic to the A3 and the south London school run. The trip home was with THE ONLY Johnnie Walker, which was equally enjoyable, MAGAZINE both of them masters of radio broadcasting.

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I mention this as my colleaugue Marcus and I had the opportunity to see the Togmeister at GLive in Guildford recently, which was a real

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pleasure. Surprisingly he seemed a little ill at ease to start with, this being his first live ‘An Evening With’ but he soon relaxed and entertained us with amusing anecdotes about Eurovision (of course), the BBC and life in general.

He is wonderfully self-deprecating and seems still to be quite surprised that he has ended up as a national treasure, having never really had, as he says, ‘a proper job’ since he left the bank in Ireland in his 20s.

These ‘celebrity’ evenings are always good fun.

In the past few years I have seen locally Sir Roger Moore, Henry Blofeld, Dawn French, Sandi Toksvig and the great Barry Cryer. All were good fun, and well worth spening an evening with.

Contact the editor: 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 this area, all with guaranteed delivery by your postman.

Vantage Publishing Limited 2 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.

01483 420173 01483 418141 01483 661089 Editorial: 01483 421601 Sales:

For more articles and Jottings, visit it us online at

vantagepointmag.co.uk THE VANTAGEPOINT TEAM

July 2015

Marcus Atkins Sales Director marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Liz Godfrey Sales liz@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Carol Martin Sales carol@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Nick and Angie Crisell Jottings jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Contributors: Andrew Crisell, B. Dalziell, Carol Farley, Andy Goundry, Jessica Harding, Phil Kemp, Beth Otway, Kirstie Smillie Print: Buxton Press Cover: Honfleur, Normandy

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CONTENTS Rugmart 0315_Layout 1 06/02/2015 14:34 Page 1

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Rugmart

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6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

8 Fashion Teenie weenie polka dot bikini?

12 Booking your Holiday Internet or high street agent? Phil Kemp investigates.

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Andy Goundry on the post WWII years

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30 A Good Book Our latest reviews

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36 Sounding Off Andrew Crisell, aka GOG, returns

38 Food Sensational strawberries

42 Walk Chiddingfold to Ram’s Nest

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46 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services

47 Win Enter our competitions

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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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July 2015

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Jottings

- YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

This month, four voluntary groups that we are happily promote through these pages have been recognised for their wonderful work in the community. The West Horsley Wheel of Care, the Brigette Trust based in Dorking, Guildford Street Angels and Tilford’s Rural Life Centre have all been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups. This got me thinking about the number of organisations we have in our community that exist purely because people are prepared to give up their time to help less fortunate people. Most of these organisations don’t of course get official recognition but their importance is no less diminished because of that. There’s a temptation to think that in this day and age people don’t care about each other as they used to.

When I read about the multitude of organisations that do so much good work, I realise that this is clearly not the case. I don’t know about you but I find this enormously comforting. Looking ahead for the month, there’s still plenty of summer activities, so get out as much as you can and enjoy yourselves!

The Surrey Sculpture Society will be returning to Loseley Park, following the success of their previous major exhibition last year, and where the society also celebrated its 20th anniversary. Visitors to the exhibition, which will be open from 30th June until 27th July, will be able to see a vast range of sculptures in many styles and themes made from bronze, metal, ceramic, wood, glass, resin, stone and found objects. The award winning enclosed gardens at Loseley Park are divided into themed ‘rooms’ that visitors can stroll through and enjoy strategically placed sculptures within the Rose Garden, the White Garden, the Herb and Organic Vegetable Garden, as well as along the Vine Walk and the Flower Garden. The exhibition will be on throughout the popular Garden Show at Loseley (24th - 26th July). The Sculpture Trail is open from 11am - 5pm Sunday –Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday).

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Polesden Lacey is holding a competition in search of their ‘Photographer of the Year’ for 2015. The property itself is a photographer’s playground offering bags of inspiration, including sweeping views, idyllic formal gardens and Edwardian interiors crafted by the gentlemen who designed the Ritz. This year’s competition asks for photographs on the theme ‘Celebration of Colour’ capturing the vivid colours of Polesden Lacey wherever they might be found. Ten finalists will be selected, one of whom will be named Polesden Lacey’s ‘Photographer of the Year’ and win the prestigious Spectrum Award. All finalists, including the winner, will have their work made large as photographic installations and displayed throughout the grounds at Polesden Lacey in their Autumn photography exhibition, which begins in September. You can enter the competition by liking Polesden Lacey’s Facebook page and posting up to two photos on their wall. You must include the words ‘Celebration of Colour’ in your post. You may also enter via email but everyone is advised to read more about how to enter the competition, including the rules, terms and conditions on the Polesden Lacey website.

The submission deadline is midnight on Friday July 31st.

To enter, go to www.facebook.com/PolesdenLaceyNT or for more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ polesdenlacey or call 01372 452048.

If you have dementia or care for someone with dementia there is help available from The Alzheimers Society. They have recently launched a new triage service giving help, information, advice and signposting for all their services across Surrey. For more information on these services call 01932 855582 or email surrey@alzheimers.org.uk.

Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris is exhibiting artworks created during her role as Artist in Residence in a solo exhibition at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton. The exhibition opened on 16th June and closes on Sunday 19th July. Intricate sketches and humorous vintageinspired collages clash in a riot of colour. Focussing on

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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Teenie weenie polka dot bikini?

Maybe not…but a summer wardrobe means the dreaded swimwear shop and fashion stylist, Kirstie Smillie, has found there is an easier way.

High on the scale of scary summer dressing is swimwear. Really, must we? Yes we must, as holidays and water are essential life motivators so it is crucial to put some time into what you wear. Enter lingerie and swimwear expert, Nicola Hansford, owner of Loncherie.

Working in the lingerie industry for over 25 years, Nicola, has experience of both buying and selling body garments, offering her expert advice in Farnham for over five years, firstly from the

Top tips * Hand wash out carefully after each wear to remove sun creams * Use a gentle solution and avoid conditioners which will damage the stretch fibres * Always dry naturally, away from heaters.

Lionand Lamb Yard and now in her deceptively large shop in Downing Street.

The store has the largest selection of swimwear in the surrounding counties, with brands covering cup sizes, from an A-G and in body sizes 8-24. All the labels have been thoroughly researched to suit her customers’ needs and to suit certain shapes.

A fuller breast or rounded tummy need a certain cut, not all suit everyone.

“I only buy certain styles in selected sizes, because I know what works for each customer” Glamorous brands include Roidal and designer Maryan Mehlhorn, where the quality and prices are high but reflect the internal courtesy, form fitting linings and pattern placements that complement the body for a skilful effect.

Smaller bust Bandeau ruched halterneck, with gentle padding, Roidal

Fuller bust Secret underwire, up to a G cup, Maryan Mehlhorn

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Great cover up White cotton Kaftan, David

Lose a size Fully lined and draped for an amazingly toned look, Miraclesuit

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FASHION FOOD The American brand, Miraclesuit, offer swimwear that is fabulously slimming with wonderfully firm fabrics that flatter fuller figures. Prints are lively or classic and perfect for holiday lounging.

also stocks great basics by Hanro, beautifully plain cami tops or lace-trimmed versions. There are also pretty Italian and French kaftans in cottons, broderie anglaise and lace, or large wraps, from £37.

For excellent quality but lower price points, from £85, David has a range with power mesh linings and Sunflair offer great prints in form-fitting styles.

Bikinis are sold in sets from £65 with integrated busts and gorgeous up-lifting prints.

There are vastly expensive luxury silk and lace nighties for those extra special nights to a very sweet pink design by Vanilla from £52. You can even buy the man in your life his swimming trunks so he can leave his ancient speedos at home.

“Every brand and style has been tested by myself to be assured it works”

Swimwear, like lingerie is a tricky one to buy online, you need friendly expert advice to get it right.

So lets forget our British bashfulness and start enjoying the sun in our glorious swimmers.

You can either just pop in or book an appointment, allowing plenty of time to try on various shapes to find your ideal fit. The large changing rooms offer a discreet space for the coy and with Nicola’s passion for correct bra fitting and non pushy personal service you will most probably actually enjoy the process.

Alongside lingerie collections including Marie Jo, Emprienta and Prima Dona up to J cup, Loncherie

Loncherie 19 Downing St, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7PB Tel: 01252 713517 www.loncherie.com Kirstie Smillie is a Personal Stylist dedicated to improving your self confidence through fashion and simplifying your wardrobe Contact kirstie@ kirstiesmillie.com or call 07773 234947 .

Bikini shape Non wired, foam shaping, Maria Bonitas

Great value Includes light tummy control, 10-18, cups A-E, £89, David

High glamour Flattering V neck with rhinestone detail, David

All swimwear pictured available from Loncherie, Farnham.

July 2015

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

subjects such as the passage of time, what it means to be British and the psychological implication of memory, Jennie creates art with a social conscience. Definitely worth a visit.

‘You Must Be Stoking’, the finest stand-ups, hand-picked for Guildford comedy goers at The Stoke Pub, 103 Stoke Road, Guildford GU1 4JN will be on Wednesdays 1st and 15th July. It’s preview season! As the biggest names in comedy prepare to head up to the Edinburgh Festival and around the country on tour, they’ve managed to secure some of the best to give us a sneak peek at their new shows.

Works in progress, so slightly cheaper than normal, but all are headline acts that would cost several times more at the festival itself. On 1st July they present Nathan Caton and Patrick Monahan and on 15th July it’s Tom Binns and Paul Kerensa. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Tickets are £6 (+ 60p booking fee) in advance from www. youmustbestoking.com/tickets or £8 on the door.

Guildford Fringe Festival runs from 1st-26th July across Guildford town centre. Visit www.GuildfordFringeFestival. com for the full schedule and more details.

Guildford Homemakers this month welcome Colin Rumary whose presentation is entitled ‘Gates of Guildford’ which describes the history of many passages which have linked the adjacent roads to Guildford High Street. The group meets at St. Catherine’s Hall, Chestnut Avenue on Thursday 2nd July from 8pm. New members

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are always welcome; for further details contact Marian Homar on 01483 573665.

Celebrate 4th July with a bit of Line Dancing! Rotary Club of Guildford Chantries is holding a line dancing evening on Saturday 4th July at the Park Barn Centre, Guildford GU2 8EN. It starts at 6.45 for 7.15pm with dancing until 10.30pm to Evenlines. There’s a two course supper, American style and it’s all for £15. Bar available and tickets from Roger Cox at 01483 223839. Proceeds to Rotary Charities.

Award-winning comedian Lynn Ruth Miller, 80, who started her stand-up career aged 71, presents her new show, Not Dead Yet, at 9pm on 4th July, while James Alderson presents The Hunger James, a show about the perils of middle age, on 5th July. Acclaimed stand-up Abi Roberts returns to the Guildford Fringe Festival, with two 9pm shows at The Star Inn on 10th -11th July, after selling out at last year’s Festival. Also appearing at The Star Inn, on 16th July, is Aidan Goatley’s 10 Films with My Dad, a hilarious show that has sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the last four years. There’s also cheeky nudity in store thanks to Miss Glory Pearl, who brings her show, The Naked Stand-Up, which examines body issues and beauty in the 21st century, to the Star Inn on 17th July. Other comedy highlights in the 2015 Fringe Festival include absurdist laughs with Karl Sparx’s show, A kick in the Vortex, at the Star Inn on 18th July; the child-friendly Comedy Club for Kids at the G Live Bellerby Studio on 25th July; and Radio 4 stars Jonny and the Baptists at the Star Inn on 25th July.

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Booking your holiday?

Internet or local travel agent? Phil Kemp investigates for you...

Never before has there been so much choice for travellers when it comes to researching and booking holidays. The internet has brought a mind-boggling explosion of outlets offering price comparisons for flights, accommodation, and holiday packages. The advent of mobile devices has also provided the ability to plan breaks away using everything from flight booking and budget hotel apps, to food spotting and translator apps when you’re on the ground and exploring your holiday destination.

In the days before the internet broke free from its chains, we used to walk in to a travel shop and sit down in front of a real person. We would seek help and advice on everything from choice of destination, excursions and flights, and have the agent make our booking for us. So what has become of the traditional high street travel agent?

I decided to find out by visiting local walk-in independent travel specialists. What I found was that not only are these travel retailers very much alive and kicking, they are also providing an incredible tailor-made personal service.

Travel Dream in Bramley is owned by Jo Wishart and Pam Jackman, who between them have over 59 years’ experience in the travel industry. Their spacious Bramley office provides the chance to chat over a coffee and feel comfortable and reassured that you are in safe and experienced hands.

“We are immensely proud of the fact that the majority of our clients come back year after year to take advantage of our completely hands-on and personal service for their holiday bookings,” said Jo. “We can instinctively match their travel aspirations, guided by decades of hard-earned experience of exactly what makes a holiday special. That is most important to us.”

All of the agents I visited provide an exciting range of destinations and a good choice of different ways of getting there. Travel Dream’s latest magazine has holiday temptations ranging from sailing on a traditional sailing gulet in the Mediterranean, to the elegance of travelling by rail across Asia on the Eastern & Oriental Express. And much more besides.

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They also talk of a new buzz word in luxury travel, this being ‘experiential’ and illustrate with opportunities for an intimate dinner for two on the Great Wall of China, or a stay in the Ice Hotel in Sweden whilst being mesmerised by the Northern Lights.

“We know our clients personally. We find out exactly what their expectations are. Not just their likes and dislikes, but also their individual tastes when it comes to what is genuinely adventurous to them. We hand-deliver their tickets. We even remind regular clients when their passports are due for renewal. Our clients have our mobile numbers and we are available whenever they need us. You couldn’t dream of a much more personal service could you?”

The Godalming Travel Company has at its helm Amanda Gore and Penny Brown, both with a great deal of experience in providing a personal service to holidaymakers. Between them they have travelled to many of the major holiday destivantagepointmag.co.uk

talk to us face-to-face in a really friendly, comfortable environment,” said Penny. “He felt as though he was sitting at home in his lounge chatting with a friend. That’s definitely something the internet cannot provide!”

This standard of service undoubtedly makes for very special tailor-made holidays, right down to having dinner bookings made, excursions planned to slot effortlessly into your itinerary, and that welcome bottle of bubbly chilling in your room to mark a special occasion.

nations in the world and have a good rapport with tour operators and hoteliers. Like the other agents I visited, this makes providing travel advice so much more dependable. And they also go that extra mile to provide a special and personal service.

“I can give you a perfect example of just how personal our approach is,” said Amanda. “A client’s son needed to visit American universities he had applied to. They had six days to visit five universities scattered across several states and were struggling to make the trip workable.

With a lot of research and careful planning we put an itinerary together that worked for them.

What made all the effort worthwhile was the call from a very proud father to let us know that his son had got into his chosen university and starts in August!”

They too thrive on being able to sit with their clients and talk through travel plans in person.

“One of our regular clients recently commented how lovely it was to be able to come in and July 2015

Over at Haslemere Travel, where they have a team of advisors and support staff, the message is also one of ensuring that all of their clients receive a highly personalised service. Managing Director Gemma Antrobus knows just how important this is, especially as she is also the Chairman of AITO. This is an association of independent travel agents, and Gemma is in the hot seat of knowing exactly what makes their 130 member companies successful and also what daily challenges they face.

“Fly and flop beach holidays for families are very popular, but we have a range of options that go way beyond the standard brochure choices,” said Gemma. “We fully cater for those who want a taste of adventure or perhaps prefer culture-focused destinations. Short breaks, or year-long round-the-world tours.

Honeymoons in exotic locations, or special excursions for groups with a particular focus. It may surprise you to know that we even book National Express tickets for some of our regular clients.”

The latest edition of their Pure Shores newsletter illustrates what a remarkable range and exciting variety of holiday experiences is available. Quality and value for money is very important to their clients, as is the reassurance of a one-to-one personal service from a highly experienced team.

“Forget all of the technology for a moment. The world maps we have hanging on the wall of our office are a brilliant focus for discussing destination, climate and time zones. Standing alongside these with our clients invariably stimulates much animated discussion and starts to vividly bring their holiday plans to life.”

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Gemma was also keen to negate a common misapprehension.

Independent agents do not charge their clients a fee for their booking services.

In my visits I was also keen to find out what our independents felt about the internet. Gemma from Haslemere Travel had a very clear and positive response. “We embrace the internet because our experience has shown that many of our clients come in with some exciting ideas they have researched on the web.

The task they set us is to meet their expectations and we enjoy exceeding them. Talking them through all the options and watching their approval when we not only make their itineraries work, but also meet their budgets too.”

Penny from Godalming Travel gave me examples of where ‘budget’ bookings online can result in inferior accommodation, with hoteliers favouring clients of the travel operator they know personally. This relationship with the walk-in retailers can often ensure that upgrades are made, and in some cases at a cheaper price too.

“What troubles us most are the stories we hear when things go wrong,” said Pam of Travel Dream. “Booking direct with travel providers on the web can leave travellers literally stranded when things go wrong. In most cases, using our contacts and inside knowledge of how the industry works, we’ve been able to help them out. It’s important to have the protection of booking with a fully licensed travel agent like ours. Your money is protected.”

contacts with tour operators, hotels and airlines - and you will also get a genuine personal service laced with a lot of anecdotal on-theground evidence too. They also offer incredible value for money.

Phil Kemp www.weyriver.co.uk

Travel Dream

Jo Wishart (left) Pam Jackman (right) 13 Bramley Business Centre, Station Road, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0AZ 01483 865 970 www.traveldream.co.uk

The Godalming Travel Company

Booking directly online does potentially increase the risk of fraud. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) reported that there were 1,569 cases of holiday fraud reported to them in 2014, with fraud relating to holiday accommodation being the most common.

The advice from all three travel agents was clear and simple.

Make sure you have the security of using an agent that is fully bonded and licenced. ABTA, the association of travel agents and tour operators, ensures that all members adhere to a code of conduct. ATOL is a Government guaranteed financial protection scheme for UK tour operators.

Also for peace of mind check out the company thoroughly to find out they are who they say they are. Online forums can be helpful particularly if you’ve chosen a web provider for your holiday, although sometimes these can be used for gripes between operators - and a regular batch of glowing reports may suggest the reviews aren’t genuine. A lack of a real address or telephone landline should ring alarm bells.

For my money, sitting in front of a real person with buckets of experience in a real office, and sipping a cup of coffee is absolutely unbeatable. You benefit from their extensive network of 14

Amanda Gore (left) Penny Brown (right) 8 Church Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1EH 01483 419341 www.godalmingtravel.co.uk

Haslemere Travel

Gemma Antrobus (4th from right) 2/4 Petworth Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2HR 01428 658777 www.haslemeretravel.co.uk

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

St Mary’s Church in Shalford (on the A281) will be holding a Summer Book Sale in aid of church funds, on Saturday 4th July, from 9am to 2pm. There will also be stalls selling gifts, pictures and handicrafts. Home-made refreshments will be available and a Story Corner for children. It’s a good chance to stock up on your summer reading!

Following the concert on 21st June featuring The Queen’s College Choir, Bramley Music presents the renowned chamber choir Siglo de Oro, directed by Patrick Allies (well known to all in the Bramley and Blackheath Choral Society), on Saturday 4th July at 7pm.

A smaller choir, composed of extremely talented young musicians, their programme of musical tributes and elegies entitled ‘Eternal Light’ will provide a complete contrast to that of Queen’s. See www.siglodeoro.co.uk.

Tickets £10 (under18’s and students £5). Available from R.A.Robertson and Sons in Bramley High Street or stuartwhite@waitrose.com or 01483 892645. As an additional benefit, there will be a Singing Workshop with Siglo de Oro on Saturday 4th July from 12 noon to 3pm.

Patrick is leading a workshop for singers who can read music and have some choral experience. They will be working on three of the pieces they will be performing in their concert. A special masterclass. If you wish to sing, then that is £15 (please your lunch). They have about a dozen signed up already, and are looking to end up with between 20 and 30, so let Stuart White know if you are interested, contact as above. If anyone wishes to go along and listen to the workshop then that is free and

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you will be very welcome. There will be free tea, coffee and biscuits available.

There is a folk music session every Monday at the Star in Church Street Godalming at 9pm and at the Harrow at Compton every Wednesday at 8.30pm, also every first and third Sunday at the Queen Victoria in Shalford starting at 8.30pm. It’s free; just turn up. For more information phone Kevin Gorton on 01483 415962.

You are invited to Wonersh Summer Fair to celebrate village life. It takes place on Wonersh Common on Sunday 5th July from 1pm to 4.30pm. There will be a BBQ, teas and cakes, Pimm’s – Village Club beer tent, plant stall, local crafts and bric a brac, fun dog show, children’s activities and much much more.

Guildford Jazz is holding the final gig of the season on Wednesday 8th July at The Pavilion. It will feature sax and clarinet virtuoso Alan Barnes, one of Britain’s most distinguished and versatile musicians, and winner of many British Jazz awards. Alan will be joined by pianist Liam Noble, who has long been known for his highly original piano playing and his in depth knowledge of a number of the great jazz masters including Ellington and Bill Evans, and virtuoso drummer Paul Clarvis, one of the most in demand session drummers in the country who has worked with a plethora of top musicians worldwide. It really is a great line-up and is guaranteed to bring the house down.

Not to be missed! Doors 7.30pm; music from 8pm; tickets

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

£12 in advance from www.guildfordjazz.org.uk. Jazz at The Pavilion takes place at Guildford Rugby Club, Guildford Road, Godalming GU7 3DH. Horsley Decorative & Fine Arts Society meets at East Horsley Village Hall on the second Wednesday of the month from October to July for lectures on a wide variety of subjects. The lecture on 8th July 2015 will be Art and the Napoleonic Wars: a lecture to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo by Lois Oliver.

Coffee 9.45 to 10.15. AGM at 10.15 followed by the lecture from 10.3am to 11.30am. Visitors (£5) and new members welcome. For more information and the full programme visit their website www.horsleydfas.org.uk or phone Chris on 01483 280021.

As part of Guildford Cathedral’s Heritage Lottery Funded initiative, the People’s Cathedral Project, they are seeking volunteers to help record the remarkable history of this iconic 20th century building. On Saturday 11th July they are running a training session at Guildford Cathedral to give you the skills you need to help them capture the memories of those involved in the construction of the Cathedral and its early days. Lunch is provided and travel costs will be reimbursed. If you are interested in booking your free place or would like to know more, please contact Helen Ellis, project manager on 01483 547888 or email helen@guildford-cathedral. org.

This summer, visitors to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, situated in Compton, can step into a magical world inspired by the Victorian fascination with fairies and fantasy.

From an enchanting Fairy Fair, to the first exhibition in over 40 years of paintings by Richard Dadd – whose mystical paintings of huge imaginative power have established the artist as amongst the most intriguing of the Victorian era – the unique Artists’ Village, nestled in the Surrey Hills, offers an exceptional day out! The Watts Fairy Fair takes place on Saturday 11th July from 11am – 4pm, with free entry to all 16’s and under. So, attention all fairies, sprites, pixies and goblins! The Fairy King and Queen invite you to join them for a day of magical adventures at the Watts Fairy Fair. Make woodland wands, design wings and hear stories from the Fairy King and Queen. Create willow fairy houses with willow artist Louise Arthur and hunt for fairies in the Watts Gallery woodland. Visit www.wattsgallery. org.uk or telephone 01483 810235 for further information and the full programme.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital’s Charitable Fund are appealing for items that they can sell to raise funds for the hospital – items required include: Children’s and adults’ books, soft toys, games, bric-a-brac, baby/ children’s clothes for under 3 years (no older children or adults clothes, thanks), handbags, unused toiletries and beauty products, (unopened), CDs/DVDs, homewares and costume jewellery. If you have items in good condition which you no longer require, you can donate them by dropping them into the fundraising department (to the

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Guildford Rambling Club is meeting at 10am on Sunday 12th July in the car park in Pyrford Common Road for an 8 mile walk. Then at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th July at the Pilgrims Way NT car park for a 4.5 mile evening walk. Meet at 10am on Sunday 19th July in the Sutherland Memorial Park car park in Burpham for a 9 mile walk and at 10.15am in Shackleford for a 6 mile walk. Finally, meet at 10am on Sunday 26th July in the car park behind St Mary’s Church in West Horsley for an 8.5 mile walk See www. guildfordramblingclub.org.uk for details. There is also an out of area walk on Sunday 5th July in Goathurst Common, near Sevenoaks for a 10 mile walk. Visitors are welcome to join the walks. See the above website for details.

There’s a Sylvanian Families Summer Picnic on Sunday 12th July from 11am-4pm at Hatchlands Park in Clandon.

Collectible toy range Sylvanian Families is marking its thirtieth anniversary. To celebrate, Hatchlands Park is teaming up with them to host a summer picnic, bringing together fans of all ages to celebrate their birthday with character events and fun activities. Normal admission applies.

From Monday 13th to Saturday 18th July at The Electric Theatre, Guildford, Act Now Entertainment presents the wonderfully affectionate Broadway musical Annie Jnr.

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With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts, despite a next to nothing start in 1930’s New York City. Featuring classics ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here’ and ‘Tomorrow’, Annie is the perfect family friendly musical and an ideal show for children to experience as their first musical live on stage. Performances are at various times and tickets are £15 (concessions £12). Tickets and further information are available from the Box Office on 01483 444789 or visit www.electrictheatre.co.uk to book online.

Booking in advance is always recommended.

The next event of Onslow Village Residents’ Association is a talk about the ‘Queen of the Sky – Concorde’ and will be on Tuesday 14th July in the Village Hall, Wilderness Road, • Dance

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DenniS BROTHERS post WWII Britain’s oldest vehicle manufacturer was established in Guildford, Surrey.

In the third article in his series, Andy Goundry continues the story.

As Britain entered WWII, the government quickly realised the importance of controlling vehicle construction to support the war effort. They decided that bus production would be carried out solely by Daimler and Guy, thereby depriving Dennis of one of its main product lines. Dennis were also prohibited from producing trucks for civilian use. However they were ordered to build some 4,500 trucks for the War Office. Recognising the company’s fire engine manufacturing abilities, orders for some 7,000 trailer fire pumps were also received, and these went on to become a very familiar sight around the country.

Dennis also produced around 700 tanks, as well as 3,000 tracked armoured personnel carriers. They also made tank gearboxes and bomb assemblies. During WWII, Woodbridge Works was therefore a hive of activity, with a workforce doubled to around 3,000 and production 24 hours a day.

Early post-war days saw a massive surge in bus and coach orders, as the hard-won freedom from travel restrictions soon unleashed a pent-up demand from the population for travel.

Private car ownership was still very low, and there were long waiting lists for new cars as the car factories were focussed on export business to generate much-needed income for Britain.

For most folk, therefore, early post-war travel was only possible by public transport. Dennis were perfectly placed to take advantage of this, particularly with their single-deck Lancet and double-deck Lance buses.

Whilst the bus and coach market was doing well in the early post-war years, the same could not be said of the truck market, thanks to the government’s plan to nationalise road haulage. Indeed, this became one of several times over the years where the prosperity, and indeed the survival of the company was due to the profitability of one product range subsidising other, less profitable ones.

Notwithstanding the uncertainties of nationalisation, Dennis pressed ahead with the development of new truck product ranges, including the innovative Jubilant six-wheeler. This was a 18

stylish machine, unusual in having a flat front rather than a bonnet – ‘forward control’ in truck parlance – together with many real innovations under the skin, some of which went on to become the standard for truck manufacturers worldwide.

In typical Dennis fashion, all the major units of the Jubilant were manufactured in-house, even down to the steering gear, something which would be unthinkable today. Jubilants were particularly popular with breweries in the south-east, especially Whitbreads.

In volume terms though, Dennis were not a major player in the truck market, yet this did not prevent them, perhaps unwisely, from producing a host of different models. Most of these sold only in comparatively small numbers, thanks to the road haulage nationalisation, which from 1948 enforced centralised buying for large volume orders, none of which Dennis were successful in winning.

Lawn mower production also resumed after the war. The 1947 brochure listed many impressive worldwide customers, including our own Kings George V and VI, three Maharajahs, six Dukes and many others. Indeed, in 1949, the factory produced 470 lawnmowers, as well as 1,096 buses and trucks, 445 municipal vehicles and 57 fire engines.

The fire engine market was another in which Dennis got off to a good start after the war, with the introduction of the ‘F’ series in 1945 which shared a similarly styled cab to the Jubilant. This range enjoyed a long and successful production life right through to the early 1960’s. vantagepointmag.co.uk

As the 1950’s dawned, traditional front-engined buses and coaches were becoming less popular.

Many manufacturers developed the chassis with horizontal engines mounted amidships under the floor to enable almost the whole length of the vehicle to be used for passengers. Not to be left behind, Dennis developed their own mid-engined chassis, the Dominant.

Unfortunately, this was extremely heavy, and by the time the weight was reduced to an acceptable level, the post-war boom in new bus and coach sales was all but over.

could develop products not offered by the bigger manufacturers.

Top: A Paravan on test climbs Guildford High Street. If circumstances had been different, this unusual but very effective van could easily have enjoyed the success seen later by the ubiquitous Ford Transit. Above: A six-wheeled Jubilant being loaded with test weights in preparation for testing. It is believed that the location is a weighbridge inside Woodbridge Works. Photo: David Busfield. Left: The Dennis Loline, based on a Bristol model, was a familiar sight around our area. Here a beautifully restored example in the livery of Aldershot & District pauses at Grayshott. Photo: Dennis Society

Sales of the Lance double-decker in particular suffered, not least because it was little different to the products of several other manufacturers, most of whom could undercut it on price due to their much higher production volumes. In an echo of the events in future decades, Dennis management then realised that to be successful they needed to offer vehicles which offered distinct benefits over the competition.

Bizarrely, the solution was found in a unique new decker chassis developed not by Dennis but by Bristol Commercial Vehicles. This allowed the roof line to be lowered by about 12” compared to a conventional decker, increasing the route availability of the bus considerably.

Being nationalised, Bristol were unable to sell this model on the open market. Dennis were therefore licensed to build the model in Guildford, and the Loline, as it was badged, sold well to many smaller operators such as Aldershot & District.

Returning to the truck business, life was becoming increasingly competitive against the likes of Leyland, Foden and Bedford, forcing Dennis to become a specialist builder focussing on fire and municipal vehicle sales. A lesser manufacturer might have thrown in the towel at that time. Not Dennis, for they were highly imaginative in finding niche markets for which they July 2015

Several attempts were made at making vans for more efficient stop-start deliveries. Dennis used their bus-derived underfloor engine technology to provide easy entry and exit, together with a low load floor. In 1958 this resulted in the odd-looking but functional Paravan, followed by the front-wheel drive Vendor, which foreshadowed the hugely successful Ford Transit. However, these potentially successful and innovative products were invariably just too expensive due to their low volumes, and none of them took off. The Paravan for example, despite its brilliantly effective layout, achieved sales of less than 100. The Vendor never got beyond the prototype stage, although at one point Standard-Triumph were so impressed with it that they considered buying the Dennis business.

With the generally limited sales success of the various niche models and the uncompetitive pricing of their more mainstream offerings, both truck and bus sales began a steady decline and fire appliance sales once again became predominant. Here, again, engineering innovation kept the products at the top of their game, but at least this was in a market which was not so price-sensitive.

Nevertheless, in the early 1960’s Dennis fortunes were declining, with a shrinking number of orders to fill the large Woodbridge factory, and the company actually lost money in 1965.

By this time, front-engined deckers such as the Loline were fast becoming outclassed by rear-engined competitors with even lower floor lines. With an increasingly uncompetitive bus product range, and a truck range which had failed to make real sales headway, Dennis decided to withdraw from the truck and bus markets and concentrate on municipal vehicles and fire appliances, where their sales were still strong. Both of these product lines were of course relatively low volume, leaving the company with too little production to be viable.

Eventually the weakened company was bought by the Hestair group in 1972, despite strong opposition from the Dennis board. Although this was the end of Dennis as a family-led affair, it was far from the end for the business, as we shall see in the next of this series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR About the author: Andy Goundry spent his working career in vehicle design and development, with almost 20 years in senior engineering and management roles at Dennis. Since retirement he has continued a close involvement with vehicles, writing for specialist magazines and websites, as well as producing his own motoring website www.autonews.uk.com

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Onslow Village GU2 7QR. David Hughes, senior guide and speaker on aircraft will give a PowerPoint presentation of the history of Concorde and the Concorde at Brooklands.

Entry is free to OVRA members and £3 to non-members.

Complimentary tea and coffee will be served from 7.15pm.

Dowsing is one of those subjects that the average person knows very little about, certainly true in my case. However it has been practised for many centuries and today there are people from a wide range of ages and work backgrounds who are members of dowsing groups. Waverley Dowsers meet in Godalming. There is a wealth of history, let alone practice to be discovered about dowsing globally. At Waverley Dowsers they look into all aspects of dowsing as both an art and science and do this via sitework, courses and talks. Whatever your work background, age or religion you will be welcome at Waverley Dowsers in Godalming. They are meeting next in Fleet on the 14th July to practise water divining skills. If you would like to know more about this art/ science, and how to join, contact Michael Haxeltine on 01252 541639.

Guildford & Woking Humanists next meeting is on Tuesday 14th July when the speaker will be Stephen Evans who is the campaigns manager for the National Secular Society. Stephen covers a wide range of issues including religion and schools, equality and human rights, public services, and social cohesion. He is a regular commentator on religion and belief issues and is passionate about secularism as a means of promoting equality between all

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citizens. He will talk about the National Secular Society’s campaign work and discuss why he thinks the time has come for people of all faiths and none to re-evaluate the role of religion in public life and embrace secularism as the most sensible way forward for Britain. As with all their meetings, it will be held at the Guildford Institute, and starts at 7.30pm. Details of their meetings can be found at www.meetup.com/Guildford-Woking-Humanists.

Following the Summer Show and a visit to Borde Hill Gardens in June, Onslow Village Garden Club’s meeting on 15th July is the last one before the August break.

There will be suitably luxurious cakes with tea or coffee for refreshments. They will gather at Onslow Village Hall as usual. Mr Paul Gallivan’s talk is about Woolbeding Gardens, and starts at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome. All enquiries to 01483 577035.

A reminder that The Guildford Cathedral Magna Carta Exhibition which opened to the public in June will run through to Saturday 8th August. To commemorate the sealing of the Magna Carta the Cathedral will have a facsimile of the Magna Carta and Replica Seal on display in the Treasury, these items being generously loaned by Salisbury Cathedral. In addition, throughout the exhibition, there will be a number of free events including lectures and a Family Day for all to attend.

A number of events and courses which were due to take place at Clandon Park are now taking place at Hatchlands

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Park following the devastating fire at Clandon. There’s a bookbinding course on Thursday 16th July, a screen printing course on Wednesday 22nd July and a block printing course on Thursday 23rd July. The bookbinding course lasts 4 hours and costs £60 and the other two are 2 hours and cost £35. Tea and cake included!. To book your place on any of these courses, please call Guildford Tourist Information Centre on 01483 444334 or visit www.guildford.com . Ticket price also includes entry to Hatchlands Park and gardens.

This summer Guildford Shakespeare Company are introducing their first GSC DAY OUT, where children can meet professional actors and learn rehearsal tips before watching a matinee of the open-air production The Taming of the Shrew. It takes place on Friday 18th July and is for 7 to 18 yr olds. After the 2 hour workshop you will be able to settle on the grass and enjoy the matinee performance of The Taming of the Shrew. No experience of Shakespeare or acting necessary, just take yourself, (a packed lunch!) and a desire to have fun! Times: 12pm - 5pm Venue: University of Law, Portsmouth Road, Guildford GU3 1HA Fee: £25 per place. To reserve your child’s place just call the Box Office on 01483 304384 or go to the GSC website, www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk/classes. html and download a registration form. If you have any questions, you can email GSC at education@guildfordshakespeare-company.co.uk.

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RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB, will be holding their second ‘Arts Fest’weekend on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July. There will be live music, theatre performances, craft demonstrations and shadow theatre amongst others. Filskit Theatre will be performing their ‘Feather Catcher’ show in the Glasshouse Gallery, they will have John Hegley and others in the poetry tent, aerial acrobatics from Katie Hardwick in the Glasshouse and BloominArts will be performing their irreverent Victorian era show ‘What the Dickens’ in Wilson’s Wood. Activities vary each day. Visit the website for the programme of events. www.rhs.org.uk/wisley. All events are free once inside the garden. For more information you can call 08452 609000, or email wisley@rhs.org.uk.

There’s a Seaside Extravaganza with a real beach, donkey rides, live music, Pig ‘n’ Tater Pub, BBQ, bouncy castle, giant slide, magician and much more. It’s on Sunday 19th July from 2pm-6pm at the Spike, Warren Road, Guildford GU1 3JH. Telephone Guildford Tourist Board for more details on 01483 444333. It’s a real family event and should be lots of fun.

The Guildford branch of the Samaritans is looking for new volunteers to enable them to become a truly 24/7 branch, able to provide trained people around the clock to answer phone calls, emails and text messages from anyone who wants to discuss something that is troubling them. The windows of the Samaritans’ shop in Godalming are being taken over to advertise the appeal, with listening

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SCULPTURE AT LOSELEY ‘Art in the Garden’ event brings sculpture to Loseley Park The Surrey Sculpture Society (SSS) will be returning to Loseley Park following the success of their previous major exhibition last year, where the society also celebrated its 20th anniversary.

In its 21st year, this major regional arts organisation, with 350 members from across the south east and beyond, will be showing a wide range of sculptures created by the many talented amateurs and highly acclaimed professional sculptors.

SSS Exhibition Co-ordinator Mary Kaun-English commented: “The SSS is known for its high standard of garden sculpture.

Work shown will range from the traditional to the modern and will be created using a wide variety of materials using the incredibly beautiful gardens at Loseley Park as a backdrop. Artists will be on hand to meet the visitors and explain the processes and inspiration behind the sculptures”.

Visitors to the exhibition, which will be open from 30th June until 27th July, will be able to see a vast range of sculptures in many styles and themes made from bronze, metal, ceramic, wood, glass, resin, stone and found objects. The exhibition will be on throughout the popular Garden Show at Loseley (24th-26th July).

SSS Chairman Sue Cundell commented: “It is wonderful to be back at Loseley Park and to have such a perfect and tranquil location to stage this important exhibition in our 21st year. Setting our sculptures within the walled gardens gives keen gardeners, professional landscape designers and landscape architects the opportunity to see how sculpture of any size could enhance their own garden designs. Plus we always have medium size and smaller sculptures that would also sit well within indoor settings and we aim to offer our high quality art at affordable prices.”

The award-winning enclosed gardens at Loseley Park are divided into themed ‘rooms’ that visitors can stroll through. They can enjoy strategically placed sculptures within the Rose Garden, the White Garden, the Herb and Organic Vegetable Gar22

den, as well as along the Vine Walk and the Flower Garden.

Loseley Park has been the home of the More-Molyneaux family for over 400 years and Michael More-Molyneaux commented: “We are all delighted that the Surrey Sculpture Society Exhibition will be returning to Loseley Park this summer. It was extremely popular with all our visitors last year. The garden and the sculptures work so well together”.

Built in the reign of Elizabeth I, Loseley Park stands in ancient Surrey Parkland close to the North Downs and is remarkably unchanged since 1562. It remains a place of calm, grace and subtle beauty with its intricately panelled Great Hall, once in Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace, and the Tithe Barn, with its ancient oak beams.

The elegant and restful walled garden, grounds, garden and house offer visitors the perfect place to relax in one of England’s friendliest historic homes. For more information, see the feature in our March issue (available online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk).

Visitors can also enjoy lunch or cream teas in the Wisteria Tea Room or on the Mulberry Tea Lawn within the Walled Garden (weather permitting).

FIND OUT MORE

The Sculpture Trail will be open from 30th June-27th July from 11am-5pm Sunday -Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday) at Loseley Park, Guildford GU3 1HS. Admission to Sculpture Trail included in entrance to Loseley Park. For exhibition details visit: www.surreysculpture.org.uk. vantagepointmag.co.uk

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volunteers from Guildford working in the shop until the 22nd May, ready to talk about the experience of being a Samaritan. Guildford Samaritans have a great track record of staying open almost 24/7, but they want to be available to take calls no matter when someone phones in.

Guildford SAMS recruit over 30 volunteers every year and they all undertake listening duties. Comments in a recent survey revealed Samaritans get a great deal of fulfilment and enjoyment out of volunteering: Anyone who is interested in volunteering with Guildford Samaritans can get more information from www.guildfordsamaritans.org or contact the branch by text on 07748976115 or email recruitment@guildfordsamaritans.org.

The National Garden Scheme is in full swing with some beautiful gardens open to the public. In Guildford, on Sunday 19th July from 2 to 5pm Stuart Cottage, East Clandon GU4 7SF will be open. This much visited ½-acre garden seems to please many, being planted to offer continuity through the seasons. Home-made teas available. Admission £4, children free. For more details and directions visit www.ngs.org.uk.

To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Great War, Arts Partnership Surrey commissioned Ochre Print Studios in Guildford to produce four original screen prints.

The resulting submissions from artists across Surrey and beyond filled the studio and covered a wide range of local Pilgrim based Wood_Layout 1 14/10/2013 16:05 Page 1 themes on impact and legacy of WW1 on Surrey communities and families. The four designs selected by a

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judging panel have now been screen printed by hand in an edition of 40 prints all signed by the artists. They are available to buy from participating galleries, including the New Ashgate Gallery and the Lightbox, and online at www. surreyopenstudios.org.uk.

‘Have a Go Archery’ is taking place at Hatchlands Park, Clandon on Sunday 19th July and Tuesday 4th, Sunday 16th and Monday 31st August from 11am-4pm. It’s a great chance to try out this popular sport under the safe and expert eye of H & H Archery. Suitable for 6 years +.

Normal admission applies (+ £2 for 6 arrows). Incidentally, H&H Archery, who were due to be running this archery at Clandon have generously offered to donate their takings to support Clandon Park.

Stoughton Hearts & Voices Community Choir (open to everyone, not just Stoughton residents) is looking for new members. They meet every Wednesday evening from 7.30 - 9pm, at the QE Park Centre, Railton Road GU2 9LX. They have been up and running since January 2015 and are very friendly and welcoming. Their aims are community, fun, wellbeing, getting to know new people and sharing the uplifting experience of singing together in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. All songs are taught by ear, so you don’t have to read music, and no previous singing experience is necessary. The choir is led by Anthea Prince, a freelance community musician and instrumental/ vocal teacher who is also a local resident. Sessions are £5 each, but do contact Anthea if finances are a barrier, as

Pilgrim Wood is an elegant, 1920s country house situated in three acres of grounds in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the North Downs Way. Our elevated position provides remarkable views of the surrounding countryside, yet we are conveniently located only two miles from the centre of Guildford.

Registered and compliant with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for 35 residents over the age of 65 years, we provide long term residential care as well as respite and convalescent care in an individual, family run home.

We encourage our residents to partake in an active and varied lifestyle, including festive and social events, regular outings, and a daily program of group activities.

We welcome visitors, so please feel free to stop by or call to make an appointment.

Sandy Lane, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HF 01483 573111 www.pilgrimwood.co.uk pilgrimwood@goldenagehealthcare.co.uk

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Do you have any old coins and medals?

Many of us have those small collections of old coins, collected or inherited over the years and tucked away in a drawer. Have you ever wondered how much they are worth?

been dealing in coins for over 50 years, ever since he started in a shop in West Street, Farnham, moving to Godalming and Haslemere before eventually settling in Witley.

Our local numismatic expert is Malcolm Ellis. He says ‘condition is the key to value’ Old worn coins dug up in the garden rarely have any monetary value whereas a small cache, inherited from Great Aunt Maud can often be worth a surprising amount, particularly if the coins are gold and/or in choice condition. Malcolm has

He finds war medals fascinating too, especially when supported by historic documentation. Another favourite are the hammered coins of Elizabeth I and Charles I. Malcolm says ‘It’s amazing what has survived through the ages considering our turbulent history. Maybe you’ve got some numismatic treasure in YOUR attic?

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July 2015

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GUTS MOTOR TOUR 2015 Come and join the four wheeled fun on 6th September

The 12th annual GUTS Motor Tour takes place this year on 6th September and will be visiting Cowdray Park and finishing at the Weald & Downland Museum near Chichester. The tour usually comprises up to 60 veteran, vintage and classic cars and it will travel around 50-60 miles through lovely countryside with a fiendish picture quiz to keep entrants on their toes.

The reason they do this, apart from the joy of driving fabulous cars through beautiful countryside alongside like minded enthusiasts, is to raise money for GUTS (Guildford Undetected Tumour Screening). GUTS was founded in 1983 and initiated one of the first bowel cancer mass screening programmes in the UK, reaching 20,000 patients from GP practices in the Guildford area in its first year. Since then GUTS funding has been pivotal both in research to advance screening and detection, and in improving the care, treatment and outcomes for patients from across the south of England. Their screening programme has sent out over 50,000 blood testing kits across southern England, and GUTS-funded

research projects have contributed to a better understanding of colorectal cancer.

Since the motor tour was first started by Sarah Grillo, it has raised over £30,000 for GUTS. The tour raised over £2,000 last year thanks to entrants and companies who helped donate raffle prizes. These included Swain & Jones, Mercure Burford Bridge Hotel, Silver Mist Leisure, Bel & the Dragon, Grayshott Spa, Forest Foragers, GLive and Champneys.

So if you would like to join them this year on 6th September, please email gutsmotortour@ gmail.com or call Stefan Reynolds on 01483 421601 for a booking form. Places are limited to 60, so bookings will be on a first come first served basis.

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Beritaz Care - care you can trust At Beritaz Care we were proud to announce that as a company we have been selected as a finalist for the 2014 awards for “Using Technology in Care Settings”.

We are delighted to work closely with our customers and staff. We offer support to residents and their families and also staff through one-to-one meetings, group meetings and education sessions.

and initiatives and we welcome open feedback.

Please contact us on info@beritazcare. co.uk and recommend us on carehome. co.uk.

We operate an open door policy and our aim is to be transparent so staff, visitors and families can approach home managers at any time.

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July 2015

27

gastr

...for the lovers of local food and drink

Wisteria Tea Room, Loseley The magnificent Wisteria that spans the entrance to the walled garden at Loseley Park also gives its name to the lovely tea room. The delicious and seasonal menu of the Wisteria Tea Room includes home-made quiche, open sandwiches, children’s menu, traditional cream teas and the indulgent Champagne afternoon tea. For the summer there is an antipasti board of cold meats, olives cheese and baker’s bread. Entrance to the Wisteria Tea room is free, normal entrance fee applies for a visit to the two and a half acre walled garden, and the house.

For more information visit www.loseleypark.co.uk.

For a chance to win a complimentary cream tea for two (we have four pairs to give away), please answer the following question: Where is the Wisteria Tea Room? Please enter online at www. vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st July 2015.

Spring has well and truly arrived at Greyfriars. The buds have burst on the vines and the vineyard is starting to look beautiful again as the new shoots reach for the light. Over the last week they have received three awards for their second vintage released, the 2011 Blanc de Blancs. They gained a Bronze, in both the Sommelier Wine Awards and Decanter World Wine Awards and, even better a Silver Outstanding in the IWSC awards. An even better haul than last year for their inaugural wine, the 2011 Sparkling Rosé Reserve. Visit www.greyfriarsvineyard. co.uk for more information.

Artists’ Village Tea Shop The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery in Compton offers a fresh, seasonal menu. Go and try their summer menu or the famous Welsh Rarebit made with their secret recipe. The Tea Shop also offers a selection of home-made seasonal soups and sandwiches, alongside a sumptuous selection of cakes and mouth-watering creams teas. For more information visit www.wattsgallery.org.uk.

Share a roast

at The Angel Dining Rooms in Guildford

Now this is great idea. If you like the thought of a family roast which you can carve yourself but without the hassle of cooking it, the Angel Dining Rooms now offer a Family Roast menu. Choose from rib of beef, leg of lamb, loin of pork or a free range chicken and they will roast it to order and bring it to your table to carve youself. You can ask them to carve it too. They need 36 hours notice and prices start from £14.50 per person. Call 01483 533537 or visit www. angeldiningrooms.co.uk for more information.

Send us your food news to gastro@vantagepublishing.co.uk 28

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

there may be some subsidy funding available. You don’t have to go to every session; you can go along whenever you’re available. They occasionally perform but it’s not compulsory to take part and they don’t take part in competitions so no stress there! Occasionally there is the odd week when Anthea is away so the session may not happen that week – so new members are encouraged to get in touch in advance to check. Contact: antheamusic@ gmail.com or 07739 321158 (texting easier than phoning).

This year celebrates the 90th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Campbell achieving a new World Land Speed record of 150mph at Pendine Sands, South Wales, in his 350hp Sunbeam. Ninety years to the day, the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is marking the occasion with a commemorative low-speed demonstration run with the Sunbeam, back at Pendine Sands. The run will take place at 4pm on 21st July, starting from the area of the beach adjacent to the Pendine Museum of Speed. The car will be driven by Sir Malcolm’s grandson, Don Wales, himself a Land Speed Record holder. In addition to performing the run, he and the museum team will be aiming to re-create two iconic pictures from the original run. What an historic day this will be and full credit to Lord Montagu and The National Motor Museum for saving this iconic car.

Wonersh History Society, have a meeting on Tuesday 21st July at 8pm in Lawnsmead Hall, Wonersh. Do you know the origin of your street name? Go along to the meeting when Jean Wickens will be talking about local

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street names. Wine will be available and everyone is welcome.

Guildford Street Angels is delighted to be rewarded with the highest accolade amongst volunteer groups, achieving a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2015.

Created in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the charity world’s equivalent of an MBE, recognising the outstanding work and commitment undertaken by those in the voluntary sector across the UK. Worthy recipients Guildford Street Angels have been serving the community of Guildford since 2008. On-hand and visible throughout the town on Friday and Saturday nights, their caring, supportive and non-judgmental assistance has become a trusted lifeline to individuals who, for whatever reason, have become vulnerable during the night time and early hours. Congratulations to everyone involved in this marvellous local charity.

Cranleigh Decorative & Fine Arts Society invites you to join them for a lecture on ‘John Constable and the making of Masterpieces’ by Dr Susan Owens. The lecture is connected to an exhibition at the V & A, which began in September 2014. Through Constable’s art we are invited to see what signifies a masterpiece. The lecture will be held at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Wednesday 22nd July at 2pm and 7.30pm. Cranleigh DFAS meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except August and December, at Cranleigh Arts Centre, to promote knowledge and appreciation

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29

A GOOD Book

In this column we feature books that we, and our reviewers, like. They may not necessarily be new books, but they’ll be fiction and non-fiction books that we have enjoyed. We’ll always include at least one children’s book in the selection each time. We’d love to hear your thoughts on anything you feel we should be reading and sharing with others.

London for Foodies, Gourmets & Gluttons

By David Hampshire and Graeme Chesters Published by Survival Books Hardback £11.95

I loved this book. If you like a calorie or two then this is one of those books that makes you want to drop everything immediately and rush off to visit the places it’s talking about, because the places this book is talking about are food shops, food markets and eateries in London. “Oh yeah,” I can hear you groan, “that’s just what the world needs, yet another guide to eating in London.” Well, normally I’d agree with you but this book is different and it fired me up the moment I opened it. The first section is a guide to specialist food shops and markets and there are some real tempters in here. There are places where you can buy the specialist food of practically every country you’ve ever heard of and some that you haven’t; there are cheese shops, chocolate shops, fish shops, patisseries – oh, the patisseries – there’s even a specialist biscuit shop. Imagine that, a shop specialising in biscuits! There are 30

butchers, honey specialists, ice cream makers and, of course, bakers, and in this beautiful little book they all look so inviting and irresistible that I see no point in trying to resist. Just give in.

Staggering from these halls of temptation heavy laden with classy comestibles you will be in need of a restoring snack and beverage and this book is right there guiding you unerringly to cafés of equal delight.

Fully fledged restaurants are covered just as temptingly as are the places where you can get the best street food. London used to be such a dreary place to eat, and outside of Soho there weren’t too many interesting food shops either, but now – wow!

Reviewed by B. Dalziell

Quilting: Patchwork and Appliqué Published by Dorling Kindersley www.dk.com/crafts Hardback. £25.

As soon as I saw this book my fingers were itching to get going on one of the projects.

It is a really lovely book, in true Dorling Kindersley style with clean, readable pages and lots of

illustrations which are clearly and carefully placed on the page. If you don’t know a fat quarter from a jelly roll this might be the book for you. It explains what equipment you need to get started, the different sorts of patchwork there are, and it describes appliqué and quilting styles. There are over 40 things to make, from simple things for beginners like me, to slightly more adventurous projects termed ‘medium’ difficulty. There are templates at the back of the book too so you won’t have to make wobbly-shaped birds and hearts (or am I just showing up my own lack of skills here?). I’m off now to hone my trapunto skills …

Reviewed by Carol Farley

Tender: Volume l A cook and his vegetable patch

By Nigel Slater Published by: Fourth Estate Hardback, £30

I was really pleased to have the opportunity to review this book.

Any book which claims to be the definitive guide to vegetables and backs up that claim with 600 pages of vegetable gardening and vantagepointmag.co.uk

vegetable cooking, gets my attention.

persuade me that aubergines are fit for human consumption.

Nigel Slater is a good food writer and I have always liked his TV programmes. They are invariably sensible and practical and never of the ‘fain daining’ type, but it turns out that he’s a good gardener as well. In this book he combines his knowledge of cooking and gardening to elevate the vegetable to its proper position in the kitchen, a position that most other TV cooks ignore. They all go to great lengths to tell you how to cook a dish but always ignore the important detail of naming the variety of vegetable or fruit which they are using. To them, presumably, all tomatoes are the same. Slater is also guilty of this to some extent by telling you the tomato varieties to grow but then failing to name them in the recipes in his 25 page section on tomatoes.

Apart from being a good gardening book and cook book this is also just a good read too because of Slater’s writing style which if sometimes a tad affected is always weighted with racy humour.

Reviewed by B. Dalziell

However, you know you’re on sure ground when he says of the potato that, “nowhere else in the vegetable kingdom does (using) the right one for the right job matter quite so much.” There are 54 pages on potatoes covering what varieties to grow or buy, how to grow them and how to use them. There are even 15 pages on the humble swede, a vegetable about which I am not too excited and which up to now I have only used in stews, yet Slater makes it sound quite different and he has changed my perception of this unglamorous old root. “It (the swede) is rarely treated with much respect, “ he says, but I shall certainly pay it more attention from now on. However, nothing Nigel Slater can say will ever July 2015

London’s Secrets: Peaceful Places

By David Hampshire Published in 2014 by Survival Books www.survivalbooks.net £11.95. Hardback.

Now that I don’t travel to London every day, the deafening noise and chaos of the place, which I had previously got used to hearing but blocking out, seems louder and more insistent when I do go. So to me the idea of London being a place of calm and tranquility seems very attractive, if not very believable.

Yet within the pages of Peaceful Places there can be found quiet eating and drinking places of every kind from various cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to refined tearooms. There are interesting shops such as the Hive Honey Shop in Clapham which has a five-foot, glass-fronted beehive which is home to a colony of 20,000 Buckfast Abbey bees; places of worship including a convent near to Oxford Street which has a gruesome attraction in the crypt – but it is peaceful.

There are spas, flotation tanks and parks; museums, libraries, galleries and, of course, gardens. There are even are few walks which take you through woods, along rivers, beside canals as well as around the parks and gardens. I thought I knew London quite well, but there were some very interesting finds in this book. It made me decide that the next time I’m in London I’ll build in an extra hour to find somewhere to escape the bustle and quietly enjoy the peaceful things it has to offer.

Reviewed by Jessica Harding

Christopher’s Caterpillars A tale of mini-beasts and mystery

by Charlotte Middleton Published by Oxford University Press Available in paperback and hardback Suitable for 2+ years Children’s. Hardback. £8.95

Christopher Nibble (a guinea pig) and his friend Posie (also a guinea pig) keep six hairy caterpillars as pets. They look after their pets carefully but, one day, the caterpillars disappear!

Christopher and Posie become the ‘detectives of Dandeville’ and, with the help of Mr Rosetti, they solve the mystery in a delightful tale.

The illustrations are absolutely charming - a mixture of drawing and collage. This would be a great way to encourage small children to make their own collage story. I particularly loved the guinea pig as Mona Lisa!

Reviewed by Jessica Harding 31

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of the arts through lectures and visits. Information about membership is available on their website: www. cranleighdfas.org. Guests are welcome and a voluntary donation of £5 is suggested.

cathedral.org/events/boxoffice/130 or from Penny Peters on 01483 547868. To see so many young talented musicians together is sure to create a hugely uplifting evening. Try not to miss it.

Age UK Surrey is offering a free drop-in service from 10am to 12noon on weekdays for those over 50 to help with their computing problems at the Computer Drop-in Centre located at the Dray Court on Madrid Road, Guildford GU2 7UW. Novices, beginners and those with experience are all welcome to use the service. No appointment required; just drop in. For further information phone 01483 452944 or email Computerdropin@ageuksurrey.org.uk.

On Thursday 23rd July, St Catherine’s Flower Arrangement Club will have Nel de Jong-Smith coming to the Club to demonstrate ‘Flora Abundance’. The Club Competition will be ‘Fun with Flowers’ which must be a modern arrangement. This is all happening at Shalford Village Hall.

They meet at 1.15pm for a 1.45pm start. So go along and join them to enjoy something different, as well as a cup of tea and a chat. Visitors are always most welcome as well as new members. For further information, call 01483 578368.

Raise the Roof Orchestra Concert on Thursday 23rd July, will be the last concert in Guildford Cathedral before the organ is dismantled and the People’s Cathedral project begins! Directed by Patrick Dienes-Williams it is a unique ensemble of musicians aged from 12 upwards, who have extensive orchestral experience with ensembles such as Surrey County Youth Orchestra, the National Children’s Orchestras and the National Youth Orchestra. They are all giving their services for free in support of the Cathedral Appeal. The programme includes Holst’s The Planets and the Elgar Cello Concerto with soloist Laura MacDonald.

Laura is 17, lives in Woking and is a music scholar at Guildford High School. She has played in local music festivals and concerts from the age of 7 and is very likely a star of the future. Tickets at £15 (U18s free) are available from the Cathedral’s online box office: www.guildford-

In June, a vibrant community mural was unveiled by the Mayor of Guildford. Painted by some of the area’s most vulnerable children and adults, it is a tribute to the power of art to change lives. Participants from Artventure Trust, a pioneering local charity which brings people with learning difficulties together and practising artists, have been working in partnership with The Electric Theatre, in the centre of Guildford, to paint a mural outside the Theatre which certainly brightens up this part of Guildford.

The colourful 32-metre mural illustrates community life and the beautiful country around Guildford. The schools are Gosden House, Pond Meadow Academy Trust, Philip Southcote and St. Joseph’s Specialist School and College.

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July 2015

33

GARDEN

After Chelsea

With Beth Otway

Each of the gardens at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show were so different, all of them having a beauty, style, inspiration and charm of their own. It’s quite incredible how all the plants and materials for the show gardens are brought into the Royal Hospital Grounds at Chelsea; the gardens are then expertly created in just a matter of weeks. Of course, what is so amazing about being able to bring gardens into the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in this way, is that the gardens can be removed in the same carefully planned way, and they can then be rebuilt elsewhere for many more people to enjoy in the future.

Beardshaw, was relocated immediately after the close of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to its new permanent home of Poplar in East London where it forms the centrepiece of a new community garden, specially designed and created for the local residents as part of the Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Initiative.

The Breast Cancer Haven Garden, a Gold Medal winning Artisan Garden, chosen as the Best Artisan Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has been relocated to the new Haven Centre in Hampshire. This award-winning garden was designed to be a welcoming, peaceful space; a place of retreat and comfort for people affected by breast cancer.

Another Gold Medal winning Artisan Garden, A Trugmaker’s Garden, designed by Serena Fremantle and Tina Vallis, celebrates the traditional skills of the Sussex trugmakers, who create beautiful, yet sturdy and resilient, willow and sweet chestnut garden trugs. These long lasting, useful baskets are still made by a small The pretty Runnymede Surrey number of skilled craftspeople in the region Magna Carta 800th Anniversary today. In this garden the sponsor, Future Climate Garden from Surrey County From top: Breast Cancer Haven Garden; Info, has provided a sustainable legacy, and Council and the Runnymede the Magna Carta Garden; and the many of the plants have been replanted in the Hotel has now been relocated Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Garden garden of a Sussex children’s hospice run by the to The Runnymede-On-Thames Hotel and Spa. It is now a permanent installation charity Demelza. in the hotel grounds, freely available for local residents and the public to visit. This small The Brewin Dolphin Garden, The Cloudy Bay Garden, The Royal garden, designed by Patricia Thirion and Janet Bank of Canada Garden, The Telegraph Garden, The Viking Honour, celebrates King John sealing the Magna Cruises Garden, The Living Legacy Garden, The Evaders Garden, The Sculptor’s Picnic Garden, The Dark Matter Garden, The Carta at Runnymede in 1215.

Water Station Garden and Home – Personal Universe will all be The Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth Garden won relocated after the show. a Gold Medal, together with the top accolade and award of Best In Show. If you didn’t get to During the show’s build-up, any surplus plants and materials see this enchanting garden with its charmingly the exhibitors have left over can be placed in the ‘swap shop’ beautiful naturalistic planting, designed by the for others onsite to use. During breakdown, the RHS works with acclaimed horticultural master Dan Pearson, at Groundwork London to provide materials for local community Chelsea, you’ll have an opportunity next spring projects. when Dan Pearson’s work can be viewed at Chatsworth as part of a regeneration project of FIND OUT MORE the trout stream and surrounding area.

The Gold Medal winning Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities Garden, designed by Chris 34

You can find more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, as well as advice and tips of what you could do in your garden or at your allotment this month, on my website, www.pumpkinbeth.com.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

England, area businesses and Guildford Borough Council.

Do look out for it.

This summer the National Trust is doing more and more to offer visitors of all ages perfect places to play - whether you’re looking for family fun throughout the school holidays or a relaxing day out, there is something for everyone. For families, you’ll find natural play areas, picnic spots, quiz trails and other family attractions and back this year is the National Trust’s hugely popular challenge, 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4. You can pick up a scrap book at any participating property and work your way through the 50 challenges such as climbing a tree, skimming a stone and making a daisy chain. Download a local planner to help you decide where to go to get outdoors and closer to nature. The beautiful gardens, parkland and countryside offer plenty of fun for grown-ups too. Many National Trust gardens are at their colourful best in summer with cool, shady spots, perfect for picnics and chilling out. To name a few places, there’s Claremont Landscaped Gardens in Esher, Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, Polesden Lacey in Great Bookham, The River Wey Navigation and Dapdune Wharf and Shalford Mill in Guildford, Surrey Hills In Dorking and Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming. For more information about places to go and things to do with the National Trust this summer, see: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast.

The Garden Show returns to Loseley Park, Guildford from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th July, open 10am to 5pm.

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There will be a brilliant collection of specialist nurseries with the growers on hand to help you choose the right plants for your soil and the best environment for them to flourish. Entry is £7 adults, £5 seniors, £3 children, free for 4 and under. Take along a copy of Vantage Point and get £1 off! (one advert per person).You can get tickets at the gate and entry includes a visit to the lovely walled gardens.

Unfortunately, no dogs. More information at www. thegardenshowonline.com or call 01243 538456.

Go and join Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 25th July: 11am- 3pm for a free Magna Carta Family Activity Day. This exciting event will include a range of Magna Carta inspired family friendly activities for ages 3-12 including crafting, special trails and storytelling.

For more information, please contact Helen Ellis, The People’s Cathedral Project Manager on 01483 547888 or email helen@guildford-cathedral.org.

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July 2015

FULLY INSURED

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Soundingoff DAMNED IF I KNOW WHY! Andrew Crisell, our grumpy old git (GOG), recently made a list of potential gripes and was horrified to discover that virtually everything irritated him, the classic symptom of a dreadful old fogey. Here is his latest salvo...

I was recently bemused by a couple of photos in the newspa- inequality and sexual violence before a widper. One was of an actress named Emma Watson who was er public? This seems unlikely, too. These hobnobbing with the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon at problems have been dinned into us for many the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The other years now, and in any case how does ‘publicwas of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ity’ solve the problem posing with the foreign secretary, of sexual violence?

Do you think these particular women William Hague. Then, Ms Watson Most of us regard it as were appointed for any better reason had apparently been appointed abhorrent, and if we than that they’re celebs?

UN goodwill ambassador for womdon’t, I doubt whethen as part of the drive against er Angelina and Brad gender inequality, and Ms Jolie had been telling us that it is will make appointed a UN special envoy in the cammuch difference. paign to end sexual violence. For her humanitarian services Ms Jolie was also Let’s stop pretending to be made an honorary dame. naïve. Given the existence of many highly qualified and How do you suppose Ms Watson and Ms influential politicians on the Jolie got their jobs? Do you think they anone hand, and countless swered an ad in the paper and just hapvictims of gender inequalipened to have a few more GCSEs than the other candidates? ty and sexual violence on the other, do you Neither do I. However, we know how Messrs Ki-Moon and think these particular women were appointHague got theirs. Ban Ki-Moon is a career diplomat, having ed for any better reason than that they’re studied at a number of universities including Harvard. Wil- celebs? Neither do I. It’s the disease of liam Hague gained an Oxford first and is the author of biog- our time that we worship celebs even when raphies of Pitt the Younger (not to be confused with Brad) they’re not celebs for anything very importand William Wilberforce, who campaigned against the slave ant. The most depressing thing about the trade. Hague is also a former leader of the Conservative par- photos I saw was not that people who are faty. mous simply as entertainers should be able to hobnob with eminent political figures. It Do you think that Ms Watson and Ms Jolie were appointed was that Ban Ki-moon and William Hague, to their exalted roles because acting gives them some special themselves more substantial if more modest insight into gender inequality or sexual violence? Neither celebs, should look positively thrilled to be do I. We are often told that actresses over a certain age are snapped alongside a trio of mummers. the victims of gender inequality because there are few good roles for them. Still, the likes of Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Funny old world, isn’t it?

Vanessa Redgrave, Julie Walters, Penelope Wilton and Helyou agree with Andrew? What irritates you en Mirren all seem to be earning a crust. So were the two Do these days? Please write in or let us know by ladies appointed in order to bring the problems of gender emailing editor@vantagepublishing.co.uk.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Hospice at Home, day care, symptom management, endof-life care, bereavement care and a comprehensive range of therapies and support groups for the whole family. It costs £9.5 million a year just to maintain their current level of care and only around 10% of that income comes from government funding, so they rely on their supporters’ generosity to keep the service running. The Ash Friends of Shooting Star Chase are a group of volunteers raising money to help fund these hospices. They are hosting a Summer Fair at Tongham Community Centre, Poyle Road, Tongham GU10 1DU from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday 26th July as part of their fundraising efforts. Amongst the many attractions will be a Live Music Stage; BBQ; Craft, Produce and Cake Stalls; over 50 Classic Cars & Motorcycles; Face Painting; Bouncy Castle; Fairground Rides; Tombolas; Community Exhibits and many, many more. Do try and get along to it.

Squire’s Garden Centre in Milford is brilliantly pro active when it comes to thinking of things for the kids to do during the summer holidays. They have devised a ‘Create & Grow’ programme for children and their families which runs from Monday 27th July to Sunday 26th August every Monday and Wednesday from 10am-4pm. Children can take part in the following activities: 27th and 29th July Paint a terracotta fish money box (£5). 3rd & 5th August - Plant a butterfly friendly hedgehog basket (£5.50). 10th and 12th August - Paint a pair of pebble animals (£3).

17th and 19th August - Plant and decorate a strawberry pot (£5.50). 24th & 26th August - Create three fun Plant

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Pals in a pot with cress seeds (£5). Plus there are FREE activities every Monday & Wednesday including Vegetable Maze, Spot the Difference, Wildlife & Nature Word Search, Colouring Competition, Wildlife Hunt. Squire’s have 15 garden centres in the South East - the centres in Vantage Point’s catchment area are Milford, Badshot Lea, Cobham, West Horsley and Woking (activities run on Mondays only at Cobham, West Horsley and Woking).

The Therapy Garden will host their annual bridge lunch at Normandy Village Hall on Thursday 30th July from 11.30am to 4pm. The bridge lunch is one of the charity’s popular annual events that help to raise funds to continue their important work. Tickets are £17.50 per person (fully inclusive). The Therapy Garden is based at Manor Fruit Farm in Normandy and provides horticulture training and gardening therapy to teenagers and adults with learning difficulties, mental health challenges and physical disabilities. For further details and information, contact The Therapy Garden on 01483 813846 or email Sally at events@thetherapygarden.org.

Runners are invited to take part in the Hard as Snails run taking place in the Chantry Woods, Guildford on 27th September. Choose from 5km and 10km routes, both of which take in the chalk ridges and woodland trails of Surrey Wildlife Trust’s land on the rural outskirts of Guildford.

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Sensational strawberries It must be summer because Secretts Pick Your Own (PYO) is now open and the strawberry crop is ready for picking!

The epitome of English summer time, fresh strawberries still hold the title of the nation’s favourite field fruit. And there can be no denying that the very best way to enjoy them is to get out there and pick your own…it’s simply not possible to get them any fresher!

This year a careful planting programme of ‘60 day plants’ means that the strawberry crop will continue throughout the PYO season until mid September. All strawberries are now grown using a tabletop system in polytunnels at Secretts Farm. The resulting benefits are that picking need not be affected by the odd rainy day and there is no more crouching on the ground…what’s not to like!

VantagePoint readers can enjoy a discount of £1 off per kilo of strawberries picked at the PYO this summer. Just bring along your copy of the magazine to claim the discount.

Whilst we all enjoy strawberries served simply with a sprinkle of sugar and a dollop of double cream, if you fancy trying something different why not experiment with one of these simple recipes…..

Strawberry, Smoked Chicken & Fennel Salad Ingredients 200g smoked chicken breast 1 bulb of fennel (trimmed, cored and cut into fine strips) 1 bag of Secretts Rocket leaves 200g Secretts strawberries (hulled and halved) Dressing 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 tsp wholegrain mustard 1 tsp runny honey Method • Combine all of the dressing ingredients by whisking together in a small bowl or jug.

• Combine all of the salad ingredients and arrange the sliced smoked chicken on top.

• Just before serving drizzle with the dressing and a good grind of black pepper.

• Serve with crusty wholemeal bread and a glass of prosecco!

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FOOD Strawberry Ice Cream Ingredients 500g ripe Secretts strawberries 200g caster sugar 500g tub of crème fraîche Method • Remove the hulls from the strawberries and crush with a fork to form a rough puree.

• Combine the strawberries with the crème fraîche and decant into a freezer proof tub.

• Pop in the freezer for around 90 minutes, then whisk thoroughly before returning to the freezer for another 60 minutes. Remove and whisk again and then return to the freezer cover and allow to freeze right through.

• Transfer the container to the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to allow the ice cream to soften slightly.

• Serve in cones or sundae dishes with a sprinkle of chopped almonds and pistachios.

Secretts Summer Pudding Ingredients 800g of summer fruits from Secretts PYO; a mixture of strawberries, raspberries, black and red currants works best.

150g caster sugar 7- 8 slices of white bread Clotted cream to serve

• Rinse the fruit and combine with the sugar in a saucepan. Cook gently over a low heat 8-10 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the fruit is slightly softened.

• Butter a 1.5 pint pudding basin and line with the bread slices ensuring there are no gaps.

• Pour the fruit and most of the juice into the basin on top of the bread (reserving about a cupful of juice).

• Cover the fruit with another slice of bread and then cover with a small plate or saucer. Weigh the plate down with a 3-4lb weight and leave in the fridge overnight.

• To serve turn the pudding out onto a serving dish and spoon over the reserved juice.

• Serve with an enormous dollop of Cornish clotted cream!

Secretts PYO is open 7 days a week from 9am – 5.30pm. They are delighted to launch the PYO café new for this season, serving light lunches, teas and coffees. Don’t forget to take your copy of VantagePoint to get your £1 discount per kilo on PYO strawberries!

July 2015

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

for 2015 is a 2km kids event! Children can go along and get a taste for running with a focus firmly on participation.

They’ll complete a short, clearly marked loop exploring the woodland trails. Prizes are provided by Fitstuff, the running and fitness specialist based in Guildford. Check them out for all your run kit. To enter visit www.hardassnails.co.uk.

This summer Guildford Shakespeare Company returns with two weeks of action-packed drama clubs. In just five days young actors will play, rehearse and stage their own production for family and friends. For 12 to 18 yr olds the play is ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ and the course runs from 3rd – 7th August. No experience of Shakespeare or acting necessary, just take yourself, heaps of energy (a packed lunch!) and a desire to have fun! Times: Everyday, 10am - 4pm, with the final performance on Friday 7th August at 4.15pm Venue: Onslow Village Hall, Wilderness Road, Guildford, GU2 7QX Fees: £145 (£100 siblings).Then, for 7 to 11 yr olds, the play is Robin Hood and the course runs from 10th to 14th August. As the sun rises high in the sky, we head to the forest of Sherwood. In just five days, you’ll become the heroic merry men, feisty maidens, the dastardly Sheriff and his bumbling henchmen. The week will mix fun games with rehearsals, ending with an afternoon performance for friends and family. Times: Everyday, 10am - 3.15pm, with the final performance on Friday 14th August at 3.30pm Venue: Onslow Village Hall, Wilderness Road, Guildford, GU2 7QX Fees: £145 (£100 siblings). To reserve your child’s place just call the Box Office on 01483 304384 or go to the GSC website, www.

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk/classes.html and download a registration form. If you have any questions, you can email GSC at education@guildford-shakespearecompany.co.uk.

Local charity GUTS Fighting Bowel Cancer has organised a private, guided tour of the state rooms of Buckingham Palace with highlights of the palace gardens. The event takes place on Friday September 4th and includes coach travel from Guildford Rugby Club, with refreshments served at the club prior to departure. The state rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculpture by Canova, exquisite pieces of Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. Tickets are £60 and are available to purchase online at www.gutsfbc.co.uk/events or call the GUTS fundraising office on 01483 408316. All profits from the event will support the charity’s work, which aims to improve bowel cancer survival rates through better screening and treatment, and by raising awareness of the disease.

National Trust gardens are at their peak during the summer months, with striking colours, scents and relaxing spaces to take in the view. Take some time out and enjoy scented rose gardens, striking summer borders and kitchen gardens bursting with ornamental fruit and vegetables. Each and every visit to a National Trust place helps support the charity’s work caring for special

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD places for future generations. To mention a few, there’s Claremont Landscape Garden, near Esher, Hatchlands Park, near Guildford, Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, Ham House and Garden, near Richmond and Winkworth Arboretum, near Godalming. Just ‘Google’ each garden to get more information.

There is still space available for anyone who would like to take up Circle Dancing. It’s suitable for men and women of all ages and you don’t need a partner. The dances are international folk dances to beautiful ethnic music from many different countries such as Greece, Russia, Romania, Israel, Bulgaria and many more. They are done in a circle mostly holding hands and everyone attempts to do the same steps at the same time. Lynn Frances is an experienced teacher of 32 years and runs the following classes. Pirrie Hall, Brook on Thursdays in three 10-week terms, 7.30-9.30pm. St Catherine’s Hall, Guildford on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7.30-9.30pm. WI Hall, Hartley Wintney on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7.309.30pm. You can contact Lynn on 01420 474881.

I know it seems ages away, but I thought I’d let you know that the world’s most famous Beatles tribute band, The Bootleg Beatles, are returning to G Live in Guildford on Wednesday 23rd March 2016. We went to see them last time and they are fantastic. I gather that you can book tickets now; just don’t forget that you booked them come next March!

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They help with writing CVs and applications too. Also, employers can advertise vacancies with them and the service is entirely free to jobseekers employers. The Club opens Wednesday and Friday, operating from the Citizens Advice Bureau building in Village Way, Cranleigh. They have three computers for clients to use, newspapers, and local jobs advertised. They offer friendly, independent advice in a welcoming, informal atmosphere, and you can drop in without appointment and browse the jobs that are printed and displayed in the office. They will help you search on the internet using numerous websites and you can always be sure of a welcome and a coffee! Call 01483 272252, or Email Cranfoldjsc@aol.com.

Fine English sparkling wine was recently served to the 3,000th person to join The Wey & Arun Canal Trust. New recruit Roy Tanner and his wife Caroline were entertained ‘with a fizz’ by Lord and Lady Egremont at Petworth House in West Sussex. Lord Egremont, who is President of the Trust, also presented Mr Tanner with a certificate to mark the milestone recruitment figure. Mr and Mrs Tanner, from Dorking, are members 3,000 and 3,001 of an organisation which is restoring a canal which runs from Pallingham in West Sussex to Shalford near Guildford in Surrey. Lord Egremont is the great-great-great grandson of the 3rd Earl of Egremont, who promoted the canal and was first Chairman of the Wey & Arun Junction Canal Company, the northern part of the waterway which opened in 1816. Two THE LARGEST SHOWSITE IN THE UK OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 5000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY

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Chiddingfold to Ram’s Nest This walk takes you through woods and fields between Chiddingfold and Ram’s Nest.

Chiddingfold became famous for its glass-making - during the reign of Elizabeth I, there were no fewer than 11 glass works on the green. Chiddingfold glass was used in some of the finest buildings in the land, including St Stephen’s Chapel, Westminster, and St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The walk was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk).

The walk 1. From The Green go south, down the main road to pass the Swan and cross a bridge. Just past Turners Mead turn left, up a footpath.

Walk along by back fences and out over a stile into a field. Stay on the right-hand side to exit over a stile into woodland. Go up a slope and, at the top, over a stile and left, around a field edge to another stile. Re-enter the wood and go down steps to a lake and up to a T junction at the edge of a huge field. Follow the path right, through a corridor around the edge of this field.

At the far end, cross a stile and go left and down the drive of ‘Old Pickhurst’, to reach a road.

2. Cross straight over and walk up a side road, High Street Green. After 150 yards and just past the entrance to Follies Farm, take a footpath right. This takes you along the edge of a garden and out onto the Follies Farm drive. Keep going along the drive until, as it turns right to the house, continuing straight ahead on a grassy path running alongside a wooden bar fence.

This path drops down into the trees of Tugley Wood, crosses a small brick bridge and then climbs up to a T junction. Turn right, ignoring a right after 50 yards and soon afterwards reaching a T junction with a wide forestry track.

3. Turn right on this track. Soon, ignore a wide track going down to the right and, after it, follow the track as it swings left to approach a small rise. Here another track forks off to the right. Take it and walk along it, paralleling a small valley down to your right. Go on, over a cross path and eventually reaching a road.

Turn right and walk some 300 yards, passing a few houses, ignoring a first footpath left and passing ‘Warco’ to reach a second footpath left, down the drive to ‘Downlands’. About 42

150 yards down here, take a footpath right, over a stile and into a field.

4. Keep to the right-hand fence and, about 30 yards in, reach a post with yellow arrows pointing both ahead and also half-left. Go half-left and exit this field into the next over a stile next to a gate.

The next field is narrow and there is a stile from it over into a large open area that boasts race horse training tracks. Go straight out across this area towards woods on a slope on the far side and find a stile taking you left, into them. At the top of the wood another stile takes you out into a field. Cross it and also another stile to reach the Sussex Border Path, running along by a hedge. Follow this to the right. Reach a road and go straight across. Enter a large field and stay on the left-hand side of it and the next three fields.

5. Go through a gate into a wood. Quickly reach a 3-way signpost at a cross paths. Jink right a couple of yards then left to continue straight on. Pass through another gate and go out of the wood into a field. Again, stay on the left-hand side. Partway along is a 2-way signpost. From here you need to head half-right across to vantagepointmag.co.uk

WALK

the far right-hand corner but crops may force you to continue walking anti-clockwise around to the corner. You may want to think about taking your lunchtime picnic here. Go over a stile and through a screen of trees then along the left-hand side of a small field and past the left-hand side of a cottage. Emerge on Gostrode Lane. Go left to meet the main Chiddingfold/Northchapel Road next to a petrol station that has within it a convenience store. The Mulberry pub is about 100 yards along on the left. Ramster and its tea room are along to the right.

6. After lunch, cross the road from the petrol station, turn right towards Ramster but then turn left into Killinghurst Lane. Another picnic option is the verge on the right a little way up this lane. Walk about ¾ mile between trees along this quiet lane until a field appears on the right. At this point a footpath takes you right and along a field edge and then forks right into trees.

Keep going for about ½ mile, cross another footpath then a DISTANCE: 8.75 miles OS MAPS: Explorer 133 Haslemere & Petersfield STARTING POINT: The Green at Chiddingfold REFRESHMENTS: The Mulberry Inn, Petworth Road Chiddingfold GU8 4SS. Tel: 01428 644 460. www.themulberryinn.co.uk.

three plank bridge and climb a slope to a T junction. Here, go right and walk along in the edge of a wood.

7. Reach a road by the gate to ‘Hollyhurst’ and continue on along it to meet Mill Lane and continue straight ahead. Now, walk along Mill Lane until, opposite the Ukrainian Home, taking 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 (on your left). Climb up to emerge on the Downs. At the top, the path meets a T junction with a path on which you turn right. Follow this alongside a garden fence, then along a short residential road and finally drop down to the church at Chiddingfold and through the churchyard to reach the Green.

The Crown Inn, The Green, Chiddingfold GU8 4TX Tel: 01428 682255. www.thecrownchiddingfold.com.

The Swan Inn, Petworth Road, Chiddingfold GU8 4TY. Tel: 1428 684688. www.theswaninnchiddingfold.com.

Top image: Village pond and old Crown Inn, Chiddingfold by Colin Smith

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.

July 2015

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EAT

A taste of Argentina

CAU is a well named restaurant unless you imagine it to be initials for something like ‘carrots and ugli fruit’, neither of which are on the menu. A sister chain to the Argentinian Gaucho Grill, you may by now be getting more than a hint as to their food specialism. I would suggest vegetarians look away now, for this is a meat lover’s paradise, although even they are accommodated in an enticing and broad ranging menu with plenty of choices for everyone.

The finest of our starters was belly of pork tempura, with succulent chunks of meat entombed within the lightest of batters. A far cry from takeaway pork balls of old. The well-flavoured, sticky glazed ribs went well with a zingy apple coleslaw but could have profited from longer cooking so the meat fell from the bone. Mains, as you would expect, were pure ‘cau’, and from the speciality cuts. Lomito, which is a fillet of rump, was exceptional. So tender, so succulent, so well flavoured. Although more expensive, the Asado de Chorizo, a sirloin steak in a paprika, chilli, garlic and parsley marinade, was a touch less successful, perhaps because the marinade somewhat disguised the deliciousness of the meat. That said, it was still fabulous. We were urged to try chimichurri, an Argentinian speciality sauce for grilled meats, containing olive oil, chilli, parsley and garlic and <41

CAU is a haven for meat eaters, and those who love steak will not be disappointed. The decor might be a touch too modern for some, some of the prices a bit steep for others (although our steaks could easily have fed two) but our gastronomic experience, together with the extreme friendliness of the staff, made for a very special experience.

CAU, 274 High Street, Guildford GU1 3JL T: 01483 459 777 W: www.caurestaurants.com Stefan and Marcus were guests of CAU Restaurants.

Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

hundred years on, the trust is aiming to officially reopen its first fully restored Surrey section in late summer next year.

Do you enjoy singing choral music in an unthreatening environment? Shalford Choral Society is now recruiting new members for the new season starting in September.

No auditions are required. All they ask is a desire to sing choral. They have a professional conductor, and in April, they join with eleven other local choirs from around the Surrey Hills to stage the three-day Leith Hill Musical Festival in Dorking. In addition there are other singing opportunities which arise throughout the year. They start weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals at St Mary’s Church in Shalford on Tuesday 8th September at 7.30pm. For further information visit their website www.shalfordchoralsociety. org.uk/. For an informal chat, you can call Olivia Peakon 01483 428986 or just go along to a rehearsal.

Guildford Walking for Health offers weekly walks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. The Whitmoor Walk Group offers free walks on Friday mornings from the Jolly Farmer car-park on Burdenshott Road (GU3 3RN). Meet at 10.45am for an hour or a 30 minute walk, starting at 11am.

Easy, flattish walks across Whitmoor Common. The Fairlands Walk Group offers free walks from the Farmhouse Café at Rokers (GU3 3PB) every Wednesday morning; Meet at 9.45am for an hour walk or 30-minute walk. Walk across the 44

a perfect accompaniment in moderation. Sides included well cooked thin chips and an extremely moreish truffled mac and cheese. The onion rings however failed to thrill, needing the lightness of a tempura batter. Marcus and I literally forced down a pudding purely for the sake of this review, opting to share grilled pineapple with rum caramel, coconut sorbet and lime. Very light, and enjoyable and all we could manage – heavier offerings were available. The wine recommendation was easily dispatched, a Lorca ‘Graffiti’ Malbec, which was pleasantly spiced and very smooth.

Merrist Wood campus, or towards Perry Hill and back. The Boxgrove Walk Group offers more challenging walks from the car-park at Boxgrove Park shops, Cunningham Avenue (GU1 2PF) at 10am every Monday morning, meet at 9.45am. The St Luke’s Fountain Centre (GU2 7XX) offers walks to visitors to the hospital on Mondays and Fridays at 11am. Meet at the entrance to the Fountain Centre garden for a short walk across the Surrey Research Park. Self-guided walks can be undertaken at anytime -- leaflets detailing a walk route from the St Luke’s Centre can be found at the Fountain Centre.

All abilities welcome. All walks led by trained volunteer walk leaders. Just go along, wear waterproof footwear and take a raincoat on rainy days. For more information visit: www. walkingforhealth.org.uk See them onfacebook: www. facebook.com/GuildfordWalkGroups. Longer health walks (2-3 hours) are offered every 2nd Tuesday from 14th April to 13th October. They are popular circular routes from pubs (optional lunch afterwards), within a 20-mile radius of Guildford: Well-behaved dogs are welcome if kept on a lead.

They don’t walk very fast, and stop to admire nature. Write to: Guildfordwfh@outlook.com for the complete list.

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Visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk to see more Jottings from our other areas online. To send in an entry, go online or email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk. vantagepointmag.co.uk

PROFILE

Chance for Childhood Help us get children like Daniel into school this summer to protect their children and give them the chance of a proper childhood.

Thankfully, one of our projects found Daniel and they’ve begun to completely transform his life.

They’ve enabled him to attend a nearby Deaf School - a haven where the staff and pupils treat him with respect, show him love, and help him to thrive. And we’re helping his family to learn sign language so they can communicate with him. He is happy, clean, and full of promise – a very different child to the sad, lonely boy who first entered the school.

Daniel is special, but he’s not unique. Sadly there are many more children in Daniel’s situation who Chance for Childhood strives to help.

Summer’s here. For pupils in Surrey that means a long school holiday to look forward to. But whilst most children are breaking up from school, we’re working hard to get children like Daniel into one.

Thanks to the generosity of churches and communities around Guildford, we’ve helped thousands of them.

Your money goes a long way. All the way to Brazil, Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda - helping kids who’ve lived unimaginably tough lives and who’ve never had the chance to enjoy their own childhood.

Please support our vital work and help get some more children like Daniel into school this summer.

Twelve year old Daniel lives in Rwanda and was born completely deaf. His parents had no idea how to communicate with him, so Daniel was virtually imprisoned in his own world. With no real means to express himself, he sat every day in the exact same spot, not speaking to a single soul.

Unlike his peers, Daniel hadn’t been able to go to school. He hadn’t even been given enough clothes to wear and the neglect he’s endured had led to him to become quite seriously ill.

At Chance for Childhood we believe that a childhood shouldn’t be spent on the streets, in a war zone, or working in a field. It shouldn’t be spent imprisoned at home by disability and the stigma that surrounds it. It should be spent in school, and a nurturing, safe home environment. That’s why we help local communities July 2015

FIND OUT MORE

Donate, fundraise or find www.chanceforchildhood.org.

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Direct Roofing Services

• Family Business • All work guaranteed • Free quote • References on request

For the cleaning of domestic ovens, hobs, extractors, microwaves and free standing cookers. We specialise in AGA/Rayburn and range cleaning. Prices from £35 for a basic oven clean

No job too small or too big • Honest and trustworthy Please call

We also clean fridges, freezers, dishwashers, showers, and Baths.

direct-roofing@hotmail.com

Tel: 078 078 16 347 We love doing the jobs you hate!

01483 789548

Find me at : www. findacraftsman.com & www.yell.com

DIRECT INDUSTRIAL AND MAINTENANCE LTD

Based in Godalming, Surrey. Est 2009

Office No. 266 • Guildford • Surrey • GU1 2AG • Company Reg. 8847883

The Gilbert Clinic

Acupuncture Facial Acupuncture CranioSacral

07801 355259

50% off first treatment 30 years in Guildford

www.thegilbertclinic.co.uk

Simple, practical, holistic and tailored advice Achieve your personal best: Higher energy levels - Leaner body composition - Lower cholesterol Lower blood pressure - Improved immunity I work with you using nutritional science to help you achieve optimal health and vitality, whatever your individual goals.

Get in touch today and start your journey to a new and healthier you on 07599 740209 or info@kayanutrition.uk or visit me at www.kayanutrition.uk

Wills Etc_Layout 1 -16/08/2011 12:36 Page 1 Kaya Paderina Nutritional Therapist and Naturopath

Jessica Pilates Offering small matwork classes in Guildford, Normandy, Worplesdon, West Horsley, Bookham, Chiddingfold and Dunsfold

First taster session FREE! For more details contact Jess Curnier on 07789 176416 or email jess@jessicapilates.co.uk www.jessicapilates.co.uk

Wills. Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Estate Planning. Court of Protection.

Home visits, lunch time meetings. We come to you.

01483 564833 helen@wills-etc.co.uk www.wills-etc.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By entering these competitions you agree to receive periodic emails from VantagePoint Magazine,Vantage Publishing Ltd and the originator of the competition you are entering.You can opt out of receiving these at any time and your data will never be passed on for use by third parties.The prizes are non-transferable and have no cash alternative. Only one entry per person per competition and prizes will only be sent to homes with a GU, KT and RH postcode.

46 vantagepointmag.co.uk

WIN WIN TICKETS TO THE AMAZING THAI FESTIVAL

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE CHILLI FESTIVAL

The 10th Amazing Thailand Festival returns to Secretts in Milford this August Bank Holiday. Secretts transforms into a bustling Thai street market for three days.

Restaurants cook and sell authentic Thai dishes, alongside stalls selling Thai silks, handicrafts, spices, jewellery, wood carvings and much more. Visitors are treated to glittering displays of Thai dancing and exhilarating martial arts demonstrations. All the family can enjoy rides and entertainment, farm animals and children’s art workshops. Proceeds go to the Mudita Trust Charity to help support abused, distressed and underprivileged children.

For more information call 01483 661325 or email info@amazingthaifestival.co.uk.

To win one of four pairs of tickets, for Saturday 29th August, please answer the following question: Q: Where does the Thai Festival take place?

Please enter online at www.vantagepublishing.co.uk by 31st July 2015.

One of the biggest and most original West Dean Gardens’ Chilli Fiesta has grown from humble beginnings in 1995 to become something of a national treasure.The family-friendly summer festival attracts around 22,000 people who come to enjoy the full three-day programme of LIVE music, food and entertainment, with many camping in the spectacular grounds of the estate in the heart of the South Downs. Festivalgoers will be treated to an anniversary celebration fireworks display on Saturday.

Demand for tickets to the 20th Anniversary Chilli Fiesta will be high, so early booking is advised. www. westdean.org.uk/chilli.

‘Like’ and Follow Chilli Fiesta on the West Dean Gardens Facebook page and you will be entered into a prize draw. One lucky winner will win two pairs of tickets* for this year’s Chilli Fiesta. Visit www. facebook.com. *Please note tickets will be for Friday 7 August 2015.Tickets are non-transferrable and no refunds will be given. For full terms & conditions visit www.westdean.org./ events. Competition entry ends 23rd July 2015.

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO WINGS AND WHEELS 2015 Wings & Wheels returns to Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey (home to BBC’s Top Gear) on 29th and 30th August 2015. With five hours of thrilling aviation displays including visitor favourites: the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Apache Helicopter and Avro Vulcan, it also includes a Wheels Zone of modern day super cars and classic and vintage favourites performing exciting demonstrations and stunts.

Visit the Zones for living history and re-enactment battles, emergency services demonstrations, car displays, music and dancing, laser quest, paintballing, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets, static aircraft, fairground and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts. Tickets start from £22. Book now at www.wingsandwheels.net or through See Tickets booking hotline 0871 230 5572 (calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras).

To win one of five family tickets please answer the following: Q: Which television show is filmed at Dunsfold?

Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st July 2015.

A family ticket is for two adults and up to three children.

Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk unless otherwise stated.

Postal entries can be sent to us at the address given on page three.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By entering these competitions you agree to receive periodic emails from VantagePoint Magazine,Vantage Publishing Ltd and the originator of the competition you are entering.You can opt out of receiving these at any time and your data will never be passed on for use by third parties.The prizes are non-transferable and have no cash alternative. Only one entry per person per competition and prizes will only be sent to homes with a GU, KT and RH postcode.

Selling Your home?

‘Location is everything’

01483 304344

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