VantagePoint Magazine December 2015 - Haslemere, Midhurst & Petworth

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Haslemere, Midhurst & Petworth • December 2015

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

MAGAZINE

Merry Christmas!

Inside: CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS LOCAL FOOD AND GIFTS THE HISTORY OF PANTOMIME BUYING PRESENTS FOR TEENAGERS WIN A SILENT POOL GIN PRESENTATION BOX

Does your Will do what you hope it will?

Is your Will really tax effective?

Complete your documents before Christmas!

It is important to realise: • Home- made Wills contain many traps which can be expensive to sort out and which can cause conflict. Often trustees are not given proper investment and management powers or there are legal ambiguities.

Quite frequently home- made Wills are invalid.

• In second or further marriages specialist advice should always be sought.

Lasting Powers of Attorney • These documents protect you while you are alive.

• If you lose capacity and do not have LPAs the State will administer your affairs and matters relating to Health and Welfare.

• Would you rather appoint your own choice of attorneys or have the State do the job?

• It is best to get these documents in place during middle age or earlier.

• Clauses such as ‘I leave everything to my husband/wife/partner’ can mean that on remarriage of the survivor assets are lost to your family and Care Fees can eat into any inheritance. This is not necessary if proper safeguards are put in place.

Shaws Wills 3 We meet with you in informal surroundings and spend a lot of time making sure that we get everything right and you are happy.

• Giving someone a ‘right of occupation’ can result in nasty tax problems.

3 We quote fixed fees in advance.

• Trust Wills made before 2007 are often not as tax effective as they should be.

Wills and Trusts are a specialist legal area.

The cost is generally modest and need not ever recur.

Wills pre-dating 2007 should be reviewed as there were important changes to the law of Inheritance tax law in 2007

3 We believe in Plain English.

3 We advise on the most tax effective solutions.

3 Our clients tell us that the experience has been a pleasant one and they are extremely glad that they have the necessary documents in place.

Please phone now!

Susan Shaw LL.M 01428 712856 www.shawswills.com

Member of The Surrey Law Society and the Institute of Professional Will Writers.

Associate of STEP The Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners.

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

01428 770608 01730 770457 Editorial: 01483 421601 Sales:

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 108,193 homes across the South East, which gives us the largest local circulation in the areas we cover, all with guaranteed delivery by your postman.

Please visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk or contact any of us below if you need any more information.

YOUR LOCAL TEAM I have had a very cultural few weeks which have taken place in the major entertainment venues in our area. I started in Dorking with my first visit to Dorking Halls to see a recording of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. A perennial favourite of mine (after all, I did name my dog after the late, great Humphrey Lyttleton), the hall was filled to the rafters and it was a great evening of unalloyed laughter.

Next stop was the Minerva in Chichester, where the wonderful Dame Penelope Keith was excellent in a good slightly underwhelming play called Mrs Pat. By contrast, an evening with the musical magician that is Jools Holland, once again performing to a sell-out crowd at G LIve in Guildford, was simply brilliant.

Finally, and an interesting contrast to I’m Sorry, was the 50th anniversery tour of

Round the Horne at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford. Terrific fun, and still very amusing, albeit in a clever way that is sadly missing in many modern comedies.

Stefan Reynolds Editor & Publisher

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The reason for mentioning this is to remind people how lucky we are with the venues and the quality productions and performances we have on our doorsteps and only slightly further afield. In addition, we have smaller venues in the towns and villages that regularly put on great plays or concerts. Beats the train up and back from London! Once again, keep it local...

Finally, all at VantagePoint wish our readers, our advertisers, our business partners and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Contact the editor: stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Marcus Atkins Sales Director marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Liz Godfrey Sales liz@vantagepublishing.co.uk

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

Barbara Maddison Sales barbara@vantagepublishing.co.uk

December 2015

Contributors: Andrew Crisell, Charles Kershaw, Beth Otway, Paige Sinkler,, Kirstie Smillie Print: Buxton Press

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CONTENTS

Rugmart 0315_Layout 1 04/11/2015 14:39 Page 1

The local magazine produced by local people for the local community

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Rugmart

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"The Place to buy Rugs"

6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

8 A Surrey Hills Christmas Gift ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises

14 A Potted History of Panto Paige Sinkler investigates

18 Local

• Specialists in Genuine Handmade Rugs • 1000's of Tribal Rugs from Afghanistan • Classical Persian Carpets and Runners • Handmade Kilims, Dhurries & Flatweave Rugs • Fine Geometric Bokhara Rugs from Pakistan • Deep Pile Embossed Indian and Chinese Carpets

• Rugs in Finely Woven Silk and Woollen Pile • Natural Cotton & Jute Dhurries • Modern & Contemporary Rugs • Plain Wool & Shaggy Rugs • Nursery & Playroom Rugs • Kitchen & Utility Mats & Runners

• Visit our Rug Showroom and be inspired by a Treasure trove of Rugs spread over 4 floors & 7000 sq ft • The Largest Selection Of Handmade, Modern & Contemporary Rugs in the UK

Haslemere Rotary

20 A Teenage Christmas Charles Kershaw offers some local present ideas

26 Fashion & Style

Large/Oversize Rugs

Afghan Rugs

Persian Rugs

Tribal Rugs

Traditional Rugs

Runners

Contemporary Rugs

Designer Rugs

Modern Rugs

Socks again!

32 Gardening Greenfingered gifts

34 Sounding Off GOG returns!

36 Recipes It’s cocktail time!

38 Gastro Latest food and drink news

40 Walks

Underlay provided for all types of flooring

Brighten up your Home this Christmas

Drovers Circular Walk - Hat Hill to Levin Down

44 Profile Girl Guiding in Liphook

45 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services

47 Competitions Win one of three great prizes

Visit us for a wide choice of Modern & Contemporary Rugs

Rugmart

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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CHRISTMAS TREES Member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association

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December 2015

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JOTTINGS YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Well, with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night out of the way, it’s full steam ahead to Christmas. This year we are cooking Christmas lunch; actually, for the first time in six years! I have to say the last time we hosted, it was a culinary disaster, mainly down to me and a mistake with some Hoisin sauce, so do wish us luck! Changing the subject, it does seem that there are more Christmas concerts than ever. Personally, I think there is nothing better than a good festive concert to get you into the Christmas spirit, so do try and get along to one if you can. Finally, we wish you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

West Sussex Decorative and Fine Arts Society will meet on Tuesday 1st December at 2pm. Dr James Lindow will give a lecture on ‘Glory to the Newborn King - Depictions of the Nativity in European Art’. He will be talking about how the absence of detail of the nativity has led artists and theologians to amplify the event. There will be mince pies and mulled wine following the talk. Meetings are held in Fittleworth Village Hall and coffee will be available from 1.20pm. For membership details, contact Jackie Buckler on 01903 411086. Visitors are welcome to meetings for a fee of £5.

Grayshott Flower Club will be meeting at Grayshott Village Hall on Wednesday 2nd December for a demonstration entitled ‘Postcards from France’ given

by Melanie Smith. Mince pies and coffee will be served from 7.15pm and there will be a Raffle and Sales Table.

Visitors and new members are always welcome to join this friendly club which holds demonstrations, workshops, beginners’ classes and visits. For further information, contact 01428 651956.

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As you would expect, there is loads going on in December at RHS Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. A late night Christmas shopping evening and the lights switch on takes place on Wednesday 2nd December at 5pm. Presiding over the switch on is none other than Mary Berry. Find sparkling seasonal decorations, unique gifts, plants and books to make your Christmas shopping a pleasure. Enjoy various food and drinks tastings of all your favourite and festive lines. Every weekend in December from Saturday 5th to Sunday 20th December, and 23rd to 24th December, you can go along and make festive gingerbread and enjoy storytelling with Santa. For 3+ years, accompanied by a responsible adult; adult attends for free. £5 per child.

Booking is essential. Visit www.rhs.org.uk/wisley for details of this and other events and call 0203 1765830 to book. Normal garden entry applies.

Grayshott Decorative and Fine Arts Society’s December meeting is on Thursday 3rd at 2pm in Grayshott Village Hall. Alan Read, in a festive themed lecture, will explore the origins of Santa Claus and our Christmas traditions, in The Inventors of Christmas. At their first meeting of 2016, on Thursday 7th January, Frances Hughes will look at a number of the fascinating paintings of Noel Coward as well as his stage and film career in ‘The Master’: Noel Coward as Actor, Writer and Painter. For more information about the society and these events, contact Caroline on 01428 714276 or visit their website www.grayshotttdfas.org.uk.

NSPCC Haslemere proudly presents A Swingin’ Christmas concert with star of The Rat Pack - Gary Williams and his band. Christmas songs from Sinatra, Bing, Nat King Cole and Andy Williams to get you in the

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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For more articles and Jottings, visit it us online at

www.vantagepointmag.co.uk Next Copy Date: 7th December 2015 Next Copy Date: 10th December 2015 6

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going on a sleigh ride

Wishing all of our customers the toastiest of days and the cosiest of nights over the festive period.

Take a festive sleigh ride and visit the Nativity donkeys Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December. From 10 am.

Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl nationaltrust.org.uk/hindhead-and-devils-punchbowl | 01372 220640

Farnham Stoves 01252 717772 www.farnhamstoves.com

© National Trust Images/.

The National Trust is a registered charity, number 205846.

Leading the way in providing an AFFORDABLE PROFESSIONAL service

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*OUR PRICES INCLUDE VAT. These very special rates are only available if you are over 65 years old.

Our normal low price for a standard single Will is £120, £180 for two.

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December 2015

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A Surrey Hills Christmas Are you looking for something a bit different to buy for loved ones this Christmas? Like to support local businesses, keen to show what Surrey has to offer? Then look no further, Surrey Hills Enterprises has exactly what you need...

If you fancy a delicious Christmas tipple from the Surrey Hills then Silent Pool Gin is the perfect show stopper gift. Hand created in Surrey’s premier artisan distillery, the aromatic, award winning gin takes its water and name from the mythical ‘Silent Pool’ in Albury and has been decanted into the most beautiful copper etched, aqua-marine bottle.

Selected for the maiden voyage of the P&O cruise ship, Britannia and on its way to securing a global market with export interest from South Africa, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, France, and the Far East, this is your chance to give (or keep) a gin that is set for stardom! Silent Pool Gin is available from Taurus Wines, (www. tauruswines.co.uk), Kingfisher Farm Shop (www.kingfisherfarmshop.com) and from the distillery itself (www.silentpooldistillers.com).

Look out also for some special cocktails that they have provided for us on our recipe pages.

Taurus Wines stocks wines from all over the world, including other labels produced here in the Surrey Hills. Their 17th century cowshed, with thick Cotswold stone walls, offers the perfect cool conditions for cellaring wine in the Surrey Hills. There’s usually a bottle or two open for you to try and they’re always on hand to provide friendly, knowledgeable advice.

Their tranquil location belies an extensive selection which, as well as wines, includes Surrey and Sussex brewed beers, malts produced by independent distilleries, handrolled Havana cigars and fine glassware.

Still on the drink theme and a neighbour of Silent Pool, Albury Vineyard produces top quality organic sparkling and rosé wines from vines grown exclusively in the Surrey Hills.

The vineyard was established in May 2009 with an initial planting of around 8,500 vines, mainly the traditional Champagne varietals of

Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A further 12,600 vines were planted in May 2010.

They are very excited to be releasing two new organic sparkling wines, Albury Estate Classic Cuvée and Albury Estate Blanc de Blancs.

They also produce Attila’s Bite, named after their vineyard manager’s lovely dog! This is a fragrant, aromatic eau de vie de vin, with the rich but soft flavour of tropical fruit, with notes of mango and peach. This also features in one of our cocktails if you fancy giving it a try. For more information, visit their website at www.alburyvineyard.com.

High Clandon Estate Vineyard was founded

by Sibylla and Bruce Tindale in 2004 to feed a passion for creating a quintessential English quality sparkling wine in the beautiful rolling downs on the Surrey Hills. Their multi-award winning Quintessence is crafted from the classic trio of champagne grapes – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, created in the traditional Méthode Champenoise – and with long bottle maturation of almost uniquely five year’s maturation on yeast lees, followed by at least six months after dégorgement for that

Albury Estate Classic Cuvée and Albury Estate Blanc de Blancs

Surrey Hills Enterprises, a Community Interest Company is a not-for-profit organisation which brings together organisations, independent companies and artisans based within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) via a membership scheme. All members benefit from increased awareness of their business through an on-line directory, use of the Surrey Hills trademark, a high level events and networking programme, PR and social media. All profits made by Surrey Hills Enterprises are put back into the Surrey Hills through a series of projects which enhance, protect and preserve the landscape; promote the rural economy; educate visitors, residents and businesses and promote partnership. For further information visit www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

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perfect integration of flavours. You can buy online at www.highclandon.co.uk.

If ales are more what you are looking for then the Tillingbourne or Hogs Back Brewery are for you. The Tillingbourne Brewery is an award-winning microbrewery producing some of the finest hand-crafted ales in the South East. They produce a wide range of beers including; ‘Summit’ IPA, ‘The Source’, ‘Hop Troll’ IPA, ‘Bouncing Bomb’, ‘Black Troll’, ‘AONB’ and the current CAMRA Champion Golden Ale London & South ‘Falls Gold’, and they currently produce around 4896 pints of ale per week! To order simply visit their website www.tillybeer.co.uk.

The Hogs Back Brewery offer fine ales brewed in the Surrey Hills as well as hundreds of other beers from around the World, they currently brew over 200 brewer’s barrels which is a total of 57,600 pints a week! They also have a wonderful local cider, Hazy Hog, now their second best seller. Why not visit their well stocked brewery shop or order online www. hogsback.co.uk. For a truly unique gift why not opt for a brewery tour and tasting at their 18th Century farm buildings base in Tongham, contact Hogs Back Brewery on 01252 783000 to arrange (recommended by the Ed).

On a smaller scale The Crafty Brewing Company is an independent micro-brewery offering traditional real ales. Based in the Surrey Hills at Dunsfold, they pride themselves on developing hand-crafted innovative ales ranging from light and citrusy to dark and chocolaty. This small brewery regularly experiments with new flavours and ideas to develop interesting and delicious ales. Visit www.craftybrewing.co.uk to find out more.

If you’re looking for some great local ‘eats’ this festive season head to The Butchers Hall and Country Grocer in Forest Green where you can buy the most marvellous Surrey Hills meat and all the accoutrements you could possibly need: cheese, jams, chutneys, charcuterie, fruit, vegetables, cakes, bacon, sausages, eggs and lashings of British beer! They are also rather well known for their legendary pies – full to the brim with slow-cooked meat and vegetables, steeped in stock or wine. Visit them at www.thebutchershall.co.uk for further information.

Why not treat your loved ones to gift vouchers for a meal out at some truly sensational Surrey Hills Pubs. The Wheatsheaf in Farnham, The Queens Head in East Clandon, The Stag on the River in Eashing, The Duke of Cambridge in Tilford and The Cock Inn in Headley are all owned by local firm Red Mist Leisure.

Their pubs offer high quality locally sourced produce in delightful Surrey Hills settings. Visit www.redmistleisure.co.uk for information on each pub.

For the ultimate Surrey Hills experience why not go all out and book a weekend away in a Surrey Hills Yurt. These eco-friendly luxury yurts are situated on a 15 acre smallholding in the heart of the Surrey Hills, in Westcott (near Dorking). Each yurt is beautifully designed inside and out and provides biodegradable toiletries and logs to fuel your very own stove for a few days. They can arrange for a local horse and cart to pick you up from the station as well as a variety of courses and activities from willow sculpting to wood carving and dye making, archery, horse riding, guided walks and relaxation massage. Visit www. surreyhillsyurts.co.uk for more information.

Looking for something more creative? Abinger Stained Glass offer a variety of fun and informative courses in stained glass, fused glass and copper foiling. Amanda Winfield has worked professionally in stained and decorative glass since 1986 and uses the colours of the surrounding Surrey Hills countryside to inspire her decorative glass pieces. Contact Amanda at www.abinger-stained-glass.co.uk for further information.

FIND OUT MORE

Visit www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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festive mood! It takes place at Chiddingfold Village Hall on Friday 4th December at 7.30pm. Doors open 6.30pm.

Tickets £20. From 01428 644314 or pearson.lynne@ gmail.com.

boxoffice@haslemerehall.co.uk or 01428 642161 or www.haslemerehall.co.uk. The seasonal music and entertainment will begin at 7.30pm and there will also be a bar and refreshments.

The Chichester Chorale takes place on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm at Midhurst Parish Church. The programme includes The Christmas Story by Schutz and Christmas music by Handel, Morales and Berlioz together with favourite carols and Christmas songs for all. It will be conducted by Arthur Robson and the organist will be the very talented Mark Wardell. This promises to be a very popular Christmas Concert so book tickets a.s.a.p. They cost £10 and are available from The Tall Dog, Rumbolds Hill and Stepping Out, North St., Midhurst, or at Midhurst Parish Church. Alternatively, email Midhurst Parish Church Office at office@midhurstparishchurch.net. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available.

Sew Creative in Petersfield, run a wide range of sewing and fabric crafting workshops for all ages and abilities. Their December and January programme includes: Creative machine embroidery; Wednesday 9th December from 2pm to 5pm. Habby Bag; Friday 11th December from 1pm to 6pm. Kids Zipped PJ keeper; Saturday 12th December from 10am to 12 noon. Mixed generation learn to sew; Tuesday 15th December from 10 to 12noon. Love your sewing machine; Tuesday 15th December from 1 to 3pm. Homemaker; Friday 18th December from 2.30 to 5pm. Dressmaking day; Friday 8th January from 12 to 6.30pm. Make a quilt in a day; Saturday 9th January from 10 to 4.30pm. Kids love to sew (with their own machine); Saturday 9th January from 2 to 3.30pm. Make do and mend; Friday 15th January from 2 to 4.30pm. Sew Creative’s classes are small and very sociable with great tutors to enhance your skills and creativity. The two studios are both situated within the shop itself creating a buzzing atmosphere with their own machines and tea and biscuits on tap! To book, visit the Sew Creative website www.sewcreative.org.uk or phone

‘Haslemere Action for Syria’ (HAS) is committed to providing short term help to refugees in and around Syria; and also longer term help to those who will come to settle in this country. Their inaugural fund raising concert will be held in Haslewey, by Lion Green, GU27 1JD on Saturday 5th December. All the money will go to Syrian refugees. Tickets are £12.50 from

All your favourite Christmas treats are now in The Farm Shop!

www.secretts.co.uk

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01483 520500

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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them on 01730 858020 or pop into the shop at 20-22 Lavant Street, Petersfield, GU32 3EW. You will be assured of a very warm welcome.

On Wednesday 9th December, Grayshott Gardeners will be rounding off their year of meetings, shows and outings with mulled wine and mince pies and ‘Stories From The RHS’ told by Gordon Rae who is Patron of Grayshott Gardeners and a former Director General of the RHS and holder of the Victoria Medal of Honour, awarded for outstanding services to British Horticulture. This meeting starts at 7.30pm at Grayshott Village Hall and promises to be an enjoyable event. For further information on the Club please look at their website www.grayshottgardeners.net or email info@ grayshottgardeners.net.

There is nothing like a walk to blow away winter blues so why not join Liphook & District Ramblers on one of their walks. There are plenty to choose from. For example, on Saturday 5th, there’s a 7.5 mile walk through Cowdray Park, on Sunday 13th, a 10 mile walk from Rowlands Castle to West Marden and on Tuesday 22nd, a shorter walk along Weavers Down, always offers beautiful views. For details, visit www.liphookramblers.wordpress.com or email liphookramblers@btinternet.com.

Haslemere Musical Society will be giving their first orchestral-cum-choral concert of this season at Haslemere Hall on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm.

The Symphony Orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s beautiful Symphony No. I, entitled Winter Daydreams, an evocative portrayal of the season with a melodiousness worthy of the composer’s hero, Mendelssohn. The choir will perform 2 works, supported by the orchestra: Gloria, by John Rutter: a joyous, rhythmic and lovely work, great fun to listen to; and In Terra Pax, by Finzi, a short work of great beauty and sincerity which imagines the nativity story set in an English west-country context. Tickets for the concert are available from members or from Haslemere Hall on 01428 642161.

They cost £16, £10 and £8, half prices for under 18s.

All Saints Church, Grayswood will be holding its Christmas Fayre on Saturday 5th December between 11.30am and 1.30pm. Stalls will include Raffle, Bottle Tombola, Cakes, Gifts, Brocante, Bulbs and Plants, Bran Tub, Toys and Games, Cards, Books and DVDs and much more. Soup and bacon butties will be served from 12.15pm to 1.30pm. Entrance £1 adults (includes tea/coffee and a biscuit!), children under 10 free. Go along and join the fun! For more information contact Di on 01428 654303; drdcook01@gmail.co.uk or Shirley on 01428 653285 shirley1941@btinternet.com.

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On Sunday 6th December, Santa will be paying a surprise visit to Haslemere Museum as part of the Haslemere Christmas Market. So take your little ones along to meet Santa and tell him all their special Christmas wishes. Each child will receive a gift to take home. The cafe will be open for tasty seasonal treats and the museum shop will also be open for some perfect gifts for all your friends and family!

Open from 11am to 3pm; free entry to museum; £3 per child for a Santa visit. Email enquiries@haslemeremuseum. co.uk. Website: www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk . Phone: 01428 642112.

Join in the fun of a festive Santa Cruise on board a beautifully decorated boat and travel along the Wey & Arun Canal and through a restored lock. Children under 12 years will receive a gift from Santa who will board the boat at the lock whilst adults enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. The boat departs from The Wharf next to the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (free car parking). The trips take 45 minutes and depart at 11am, 12noon and 2pm on Sunday 6th, Sunday 13th, Sunday 20th, Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd December. Tickets cost £9 per person (under 12 months are free). Booking in advance is essential. 50 minute festive boat trips, with light refreshments on board, will run on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at 11am, 12noon and 2pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults

Happy memories and a display solution all in one!

Are your baby’s shoes hidden in a cupboard because you can’t bear to part with them? If so, then here’s a beautiful solution for you – a solid oak box designed to hold and display your baby’s shoes.

Don’t throw them away or keep those memories hidden.

Don’t worry if the toes are scuffed because that’s what makes them real and loved. Bring those memories back to life in a display box which exudes quality and simplicity.

The boxes have a recessed glass front and rebate at the back allowing them to hang flush against the wall. They come in 3 sizes for 1, 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, so you can display siblings’ shoes together or a set of baby shoes through the early years.

Visit our website www.rolodesigns.co.uk for prices and more pictures.

Contact us via email or telephone to arrange pickup/drop off of shoes. (Free service within Petworth/Haslemere/Midhurst area.) We will build your box and mount your shoes and deliver back within 2 weeks.

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December 2015

wendy@rolodesigns.co.uk www.rolodesigns.co.uk 07855 973885 13

A potted history of

panto As the nights draw in and a chill descends, the nation’s mind turns to fairy tales and farce: panto! This welcome mid-winter burst of hilarity is as British as a grey Christmas, but why is it so popular, and where did it come from? Paige Sinkler investigates...

For many families, their annual visit to the panto marks the start of the Christmas season. Edward Haversham, of Prince’s Hall Theatre in Aldershot, explains “Panto is a revered family ritual. Theatregoers enjoyed it as children, grew up and brought their own children, then their grandchildren. Almost immediately the show ends, many patrons book the same seats again for next year!”

Panto’s roots are long and broad, evolving from early incarnations in Elizabethan and Stuart times which borrowed from traditions in France and Italy and in turn harked back to conventions as old as ancient Rome.

Pantomime as we know it in Britain today comes in part from the 16th century Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte, which was originally improvisational.

Professional actors travelled from town to town, performing outside on impromptu stages. Like panto, the form relied on classic ‘types’ and a few core props to convey allegorical or political messages.

Stock characters represented common social satirical types, such as ‘Pantalone’, the miserly Venetian Merchant, and ‘Dottore Graziano’,

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the pedant from Bologna. Actors tended to perfect a role and become known for it. Masks were gradually adopted through the influence of carnival, although they were also used as far back as Roman theatre in the Atellan Farces.

The British take on commedia dell’arte was the masque folk tradition in the Middle Ages, whereby travelling players would visit a nobleman in his/her hall on holidays or special occasions and present a celebratory show with dance and song. Queen Elizabeth hosted masques, often allegorical stories flattering the host, with some audience participation. Ben Jonson and Sir Philip Sidney wrote masques, and we see them in Shakespeare plays such as The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet.

Unlike in the Italian commedia tradition, however, where female actresses were well established, the English used men for all parts, perceiving women’s performance on stage akin to harlotry.

Cross-gender play is a central feature of today’s panto, with the Dame usually played by a man, and the leading man by a young woman. Another difference is that early 18th century British pantomimes were silent, as there were legal restrictions on spoken theatre in London at that time.

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A key panto component until relatively recently was the harlequinade, a set piece of chaos – a play within a play – featuring a standard stock group of characters and plot, which appeared in the middle or at the end of the classic tale being told. Usually introduced by a Fairy Godmother, the cast would go through a magical transformation into these alter egos and a crazy chase scene would follow, before all were returned to the original play.

One of the characters in the harlequinade was the clown, which evolved to near dominance when in the hands of the legendary Joseph Grimaldi, a genius of social observation and mimicry in the early 1800s, when Drury Lane’s Theatre Royal was the home of pantomime. As the harlequinade itself grew in popularity, many of its features migrated to the play proper – the slapstick, the chase, the clown – until the discreet set piece finally disappeared in the early 20th century.

Panto is served up with lashings of farce, often based on the dynamic of role reversal, in which the mighty bumble and the lowly sort it all out. This convention is thought to have come from the seasonal Tudor Feast of Fools, a Northern French feast day celebrated by clergy around the New Year, intended to symbolise biblical ideas of humility. Traditionally overseen by a low-born Lord of Misrule, the social hierarchy of all involved was temporarily reversed (‘The First Shall Be Last’), with contentious results the Church authorities tried for centuries to suppress.

This tradition of inversion is even older. During the Roman festival of Saturnalia, usually in December, masters were served by slaves and bans were lifted on forbidden entertainments such as gambling. Free

speech was allowed and the low-born could criticise and send up their masters without redress.

This opportunity for release might explain the continuing popularity of panto in Britain, a nation known for its courtesy and reserve. In fact, the form is hardly seen anywhere outside the British Isles. Anita Dobson, starring this year in Woking’s Sleeping Beauty, says “I love the Wicked Fairy, a role I have played many times before and I can’t wait to get that costume back on and start being bad again, I’ll have all of those children booing and hissing in no time”!

From this melting pot of traditions and cultures, several features have become part of the panto furniture: • Stock characters, including the Dame, the leading man, the Clown and the Chorus • Risqué double entendre, which extends the show’s appeal to both young and old • Audience participation (‘Oh yes he is!’ ... ‘Oh no he’s not!’)

• The bench scene, where characters avoid and then face their nemesis • Good characters entering stage right and bad from stage left • A messy slapstick scene – such as baking – involving lots of mess At Aldershot’s Prince’s Hall, even the furniture has become part of the furniture, with ‘The Bench’ having its own credit in the programme. The audience goes wild when it is brought out on stage, and fans fly ‘I  The Bench’ banners.

Keeping panto fresh whilst upholding tradition is a challenge. As a recurring event, one must meet

Far left: an early pantomime flyer. Above left: the dwarves in Snow White at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. Above right: Anita Dobson as the Wicked Fairy in the New Victoria Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty. Main photo: Peter Pan at Richmond Theatre.

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Far left: Guildford Fringe Festival’s adult panto in 2014. Left: Jack and the Beanstalk in Winchester. Above: Panto tweet showing Snow White’s pass for the Prince’s Hall, Aldershot.

audience expectations but avoid ‘panto fatigue’. Jamie Smith, writer of the Yvonne Arnaud Panto, explains, “It’s a balancing act. It can be difficult to satisfy the needs of a modern audience with fresh jokes, satire and routines whilst upholding the most traditional and thus best loved elements of this very British art form.”

Panto is equally popular in amateur theatre, with local theatre groups and church congregations often putting one on each year for the community. This enhances the participatory nature of panto, as parts are played by members of the community, bringing people together for seasonal fun.

James Barry writes for both the Princes Hall Theatre in Aldershot and the Theatre Royal in Winchester, and enjoys the challenge of different approaches.

“Aldershot has evolved its own brand of panto, sticking to the traditional format but evolving a core set of Keeping actors whom the community have come to know and panto love. Winchester does it fresh whilst differently, preferring to ring the changes each upholding year with different actors tradition is a and a new stage element challenge. As – this year it’s circus and aerial acrobatics.” a recurring

Other incarnations of the form include pantomime on ice, such as at the Guildford Spectrum, and modern twists like the Guildford Fringe’s 18-certificate Adult Panto, now in its third year with ‘Aladdin: Rub My Lamp’. “We all know the ingénue is not as innocent as she seems!” says Nick Wyschna, Director of the Guildford Fringe Festival. “Adult humour underlies traditional panto, we simply bring this to the fore. My touchstone is whether it will make my mum laugh but not feel uncomfortable.”

“

event, one must Social media has also meet audience opened up the genre, breaking down the expectations barrier between audience but avoid and cast.

Princes Hall uses Twitter to invite ‘panto audiences behind the scenes fatigue’ and generate conversation

”

between audience and cast.

The lines of reality blur, with panto characters themselves occasionally ‘taking over’ the theatre’s Twitter feed to talk to their audience directly.

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In Surrey, panto has a long tradition of kicking off the holiday season with a great big belly laugh. As James Barber, Director of Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre says, “Panto in Guildford is all about celebration; it’s our great Christmas party where people who have visited the Theatre throughout the year can get together – parents, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles – and have a jolly good festive bash.”

Let the fun begin!

Paige Sinkler is a freelance writer and charity consultant based in Guildford. As part-time fundraiser for the Yvonne Arnaud, she accepts cash, cheques or magic beans.

FIND OUT MORE

Please visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk for a list of local pantomimes this Christmas. vantagepointmag.co.uk

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LOCAL Haslemere Rotary Supporting people in their communities on National and International levels has been the driving force behind each Rotary Club since Rotary International was founded. The Rotary Club of Haslemere was inaugurated on 27th February 1935. 2015 marks their 80th Charter Anniversary.

They are an active supporter of local charities and get involved in many Trusts and Associations. In recent years the club has raised over £100,000 which they have donated to good causes both local and international. This year their chosen Charities are: • CHASE Hospice Care for Children • Alzheimer’s Society The club organises many fund raising activities and events during the year, in support of these worthwhile causes. So what does that mean for you as a member of the community and how can you get involved?

At the end of November, Haslemere Rotary were again hosting the Youth Speaks Competition at Haslemere Museum. This gives youngsters the opportunity to practise public speaking producing amazing results. Most recent events have not disappointed and local schools were to be congratulated with their strong presence and incredibly mature presentations.

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time for Father Christmas to get his sleigh up and running. This month you will be seeing Rotary’s Santa Sleigh out and about to bring smiles to everyone when passing. Santa’s little helpers will be collecting any small change that you can spare. Be on the lookout for the Sleigh in Liphook (15th Dec), Haslemere High Lane (19th Dec) and Haslemere Border Road / Woolmer Hill (21st Dec). You can also meet the sleigh at Haslemere Christmas Market on 6th December or chat during one of their many collections at local shops.

The year draws to a close with a Christmas walk on 31st December. A fun and entertaining walk followed by lunch and a pint in a local pub.

On 5th March Haslemere Rotary are again hosting the very popular Race Night in Chiddingfold. Alongside very engaging races they will serve supper and offer drinks from a licensed

bar. They are very excited to be featuring very competitive elephants in the hall and will look for clever jockeys to drive them towards victory. The Race Night will be raising funds for their International Charity – The Guildford Eye Project.

Talking of visiting – they are out and about on a regular basis. They always look forward to the Annual Afternoon Tea with the Stroke Club. It is a lively meeting of chatter over tea and cake.

They also explore local businesses and venues to learn about their area of expertise and how they can team up to give back something to the community. The club members have visited Langham Brewery, Basingstoke Canal and Rural Life Centre just to name a few. Needless to say that they are also in close contact with other local Rotary Clubs to exchange ideas and cooperate outside Haslemere and its district.

Summer 2015 is certainly over but they are already planning their strong presence at local summer fairs and events, such as Haslemere Charter Fair (2nd May), Classic Car Show (29th May), Brook Fête (May, date tbc) and Chiddingfold Summer Fair (12th June).

Please check the programme on their website www.haslemererotary.org for more details.

Haslemere Rotary would be pleased to welcome members of Haslemere and District communities to their regular meetings. If you would like to get involved and become part of the Rotary Family, come along to either the Georgian House Hotel on Haslemere High Street on Thursdays at 7.30pm or to one of their many other events.

FIND OUT MORE

Left: Race night. Right: Brook fête 18

Please contact Terry or Peter to ensure your place at one of our meetings.

• Terry Watts (Rotary Secretary): 01428 645849 or email twatts8@sky.com • Peter Onions (President): email p.onions301@btinternet.com vantagepointmag.co.uk

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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Haslemere Decorative and Fine Arts Society (HDFAS) will end this year’s programme with a seasonal lecture on Tuesday 8th December. The subject of the talk by Diana Lloyd will be ‘The History of Stained Glass seen through the Christmas Story’. The lecture will cover the great Gothic cathedrals of the 13th century and travel up through the ages to the work of Second World War artists who were inspired to fill the huge windows of cathedrals that had been destroyed by the war. As always at the December lecture, Christmas Tea will be served after the talk. The 2016 lecture programme will get under way on 19th January with Mark Corby’s lecture on ‘Medieval Paris and London’ in which the differences in style and splendour will be compared and contrasted. For more details about the Society please contact HDFAS Membership Secretary Sue Wright on 01428 683578 or email membership@ haslemeredfas.org.uk . Further information about all the Society’s future activities can be found on HDFAS website at www.haslemeredfas.org.uk.

Cowdray House is the venue for a very special evening on Wednesday 9th December when they welcome one

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of the country’s most popular authors, Kate Mosse. Kate will be discussing her most recent novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter, which is based around Fishbourne, Chichester, near to where Kate herself lives. The talk lasts about 1 hour and will be followed by Q & A’s. Tickets are £16 and include a hot spiced apple drink and a mince pie. Doors open at 6.30pm and the talk starts at 7pm. Book at the till in the Cowdray Farm Shop; call 01730 812423. You may also buy online via PayPal – www.cowdray.co.uk/events. The venue is Cowdray House, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0AY. To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, the ‘Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular’ starring The Osmonds is coming to G Live on Wednesday 9th December. This dazzling, extravaganza comes directly from the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, USA. Treat your entire family to this award winning variety production featuring nostalgic footage of the late Andy Williams (who sadly passed away in 2012) from Christmases past.

Sing along to your favourite Christmas Classics including Silent Night, Last Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody and Sleighride. Jimmy, Jay and Merrill Osmond will also perform their classic hits made famous during more than five decades of entertaining around the world. Osmond fans will hear Love Me for a Reason, Crazy Horses, Down by

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A Teenage Christmas Teenagers can be some of the hardest people to buy for at Christmas for both parents and grandparents. Charles Kershaw (16) takes a look at some gift ideas available in some of our local shops...

Under £20 It can be a pain to find enough sockets to plug iyour devices into your computer, especially phones, which most of us teens are never without. The USB Hubman by Kikkerland (£15) gives you four extra spaces so you can charge more phones and have more things plugged into your computer at once (Between the Lines).

Think your teen needs to brush up on their French or Spanish, or needs to expand their English vocabulary? How about the 365 French/Spanish Words a Year and 365 New Words a Year calendars

by Merriam Webster (£10.99). They give you one new word every day to learn and by the end of the year you’ll have 365 more words added to your vocabulary (Between the Lines).

For girls with pierced ears, there are loads of stud earrings to choose from in local jewellers that are bit different. My sister’s favourites are a pair of silver starfish earrings (£18) and rose gold star earrings both in Whitley’s in Godalming and silver rose gold plated dome studs at Jewel in the Crown in Haslemere (£28).

Elphicks in Farnham has a range of vintage inspired gifts called Gentleman’s Hardware perfect for the young man in search of a really useful present. I liked the Multi Tool (£25), a Retro Gold Torch (£18), the Camping Spork Tool (£10) which is ideal for DofE or camping at a festival and a charming enamel mug (£8).

Bigger Spends/main presents Giving clothes as a gift is always tricky and my advice is to go for simple, high quality clothes rather than any ‘fun’ items or novelty sweaters you may have seen. When it comes to the Christmas sweater, the Alta Placement Crew in dark blue from Fat Face (£45, below) is about as festive as most older teens want to look. I have my eye on a fur lined zip jumper by Fynch Hatton that I spotted in David’s Menswear of Haslemere. It’s warm enough to double as a coat. I also liked their sheepskin gloves by Dents, simple leather belts by Profumo and plain heavy cotton Tommy Hilfiger shirts. For grandparents who often like to give a more lasting gift, the Grand Central cufflinks (£25) are stylish and classic enough to last – great

There is a wide range of scented candles called Yankee available at Lorimer’s in Godalming and House of Fraser, Guildford which, according to my sister, are really hard to find anywhere else but are a great gift for any teen girl. New scents for the Christmas season include ‘Cosy by the fire’ and ‘Snow in love’ (prices £9 to £29.99).

Another girl thing is a new washbag and my sister went mad for the Bohemia Zig-Zag print range of washbags in Hengelo, Haslemere (around £20-£30).

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for the post exam prom season. Whatever you choose don’t forget to enclose the gift receipt in a large labelled envelope in case your teenager needs an exchange. The large envelope is so they don’t throw it out with the wrapping!

My sister wants an Olivia Burton wrist watch from Hengelo in Haslemere in steel with a duck egg blue strap which is simple and tasteful (£70-£80). Olivia Burton watches are also available at Anthropologie and the Gate Boutique in Guildford. For those that like a bit more bling, Goldsmiths in Farnham stock a range of Thomas Sarbo wristwatches in this season’s rose gold and steel all around (£200). For the boys we liked the selection of Seiko watches around £100-£200 at Whitleys, especially the Seiko solar wristwatch (£139).

For skiers, mountain bikers and other more active types, record your adventures with the Kitvision Escape Action Camera available at Robert Dyas (£29.99) or the Wi-fi version at £65 which is currently £30 cheaper than Amazon.

Stocking fillers (under £10) There is a new girl craze (so my sis tells me) for Popband hair bands which make a great stocking filler at £8 a packet from Hengelo, Haslemere.

There are Fat Face stores in most local towns.

We spotted some lovely snowflake earrings for £6.

Lorrimer’s in Godalming (and no doubt others) has some DVD deals on summer blockbusters such as Divergent, Mazerunner and X-Men: Days of Future Past. They are £5.99 each or any 2 for £10. In the toy section, they have starter sets of Airfix models at £6.99, perfect for dads in search of a father-son bonding activity this Christmas.

We were really impressed by the huge range of Science Museum toys and other unusual small gifts packed into Alison Townsend in the Lion and Lamb Courtyard, Farnham.

Elphick’s in Farnham is already fully stocked and bursting at the seams with Christmas gifts (see above). I liked the Ridley’s Games Room range which includes Quizzes, Four Classic Jokes, a Harmonica and a Yo-yo (from £4.95). Also Table Trivia games (£2.99) and the Lagoon Spy Kit (£7.99).

Keep them busy! 500 Totally Extreme Awesome Things to Do and 500 Boredom Busters: Things to do When Bored (£7.99 each), available from Between the Lines.

The craze of adult colouring continues and teenage girls seem particularly afflicted. The Haslemere Bookshop can help with The Secret Garden and Animal Kingdom colouring books

by Millie Marotta (£9.99).

Other titles top of the teen girl wish list this Christmas are: Love, Tanya by Tanya Burr - Tanya is a You Tube sensation followed by girls who love her tips on fashion, beauty etc. Here she shares more tips and life stories. Mug Cakes

by Mima Sinclair (£8.99) - 40 cakes to make in a microwave, what could be better! and Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites (£8.99). All available from good bookshops.

The Haslemere Sweet Shop has a box of Barratt with all your favourite liquorice novelties for £6.99, as well as Dip Dabs, sherbet fountains and choc-filled walking sticks. Or fill some bags with their favourites from the huge pic and mix selection. For the chocolate lover, choose local hand-made Wimblehurst chocolates.

Serious music lovers will really appreciate the time to peruse the vinyl at Ben’s Records in Guildford. Phone Ben on 01483 301165 and he’ll be happy to send out a gift voucher.

December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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On Thursday 10th December, Les Amitiés Françaises welcome Cedric Cabanne to talk about France and Islam. A subject of keen interest today as France has the largest Muslim population in Europe. As usual, they will meet at the Baptist Hall, Queen Street, Godalming at 7pm for coffee followed by the lecture at 7.30pm. Plenty of parking nearby. Further information from johnpetty@which.net or call 01483 389102. Leaflets of the annual programme are in museums etc in Waverley. (Lectures are in French).

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the Lazy River and more. Special guest star, Irish Comedian Jimmy Cricket will also perform, bringing his jovial hilarity into the mix. Tickets £30.50/£35.50 plus £2 booking fee capped at £6 per order. No booking fee for Friends and groups of 8+. Call 01483 369350 to buy fee-free. Other bookings at 01483 369359 (10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday) or at www.glive.co.uk . Over 60’s and Friends of G Live: Save £3.

Midhurst Camera Club is a social club for people who love photography, offering their members the opportunity to learn and improve their photography.

They have a very active social programme with one or two weekend events each month during the winter, and Wednesday evenings during the summer months. Everyone is welcome, from the complete beginner to the very experienced. Although DSLRs are used by the majority of the more experienced members, increasingly members are using Compact System Cameras; there are no restrictions on the type of camera you use from a ‘point and shoot’ to a professional DSLR. Their meetings are held on a Wednesday evening – usually one competition, one speaker and one practical evening each month. They are based at Cowdray Hall, Parkway, Easebourne Street, Midhurst GU29 0AW. Doors open at around 7.15pm and meetings commence at 7.45pm. December is a quieter month while they take a short break for Christmas. There’s just one event for December, on Wednesday 9th, when David Shopland presents ‘His sporting life’ – David is a multi-award winning international sports photographer, if it’s a sport, David will have photographed it!

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Midhurst Town Council’s Annual Christmas street party is a popular community event and this year takes place on Friday 11th December, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The street party features free roundabout rides, a Punch and Judy show, a street entertainer, a jazz band, a children’s band, a hog roast, roast chestnuts and Father Christmas will be there! St Mary Magdalene and St Denys Parish Church will have carol singers, mulled wine and mince pies etc. to get everyone in the festive spirit! Oh, and there will also be late night shopping in Midhurst, so you can really make a night of it.

29/11/2013 10:39

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

It’s time to pull on your running shoes and get festive!

Christmas is coming and what better way to get in the spirit than by signing up for one of Phyllis Tuckwell’s Santa and Rudolph Fun Runs? The Fun Runs will take place on Saturday 12th December at the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Hindhead, on Sunday 13th December at Queens Avenue Playing Fields in Aldershot. Everyone is welcome to run, walk or jog at whatever pace you feel comfortable with.

Get friends and family to sponsor you, and raise money to help Phyllis Tuckwell provide the supportive and end of life care which it offers those facing cancer, or other serious progressive illness, in West Surrey and North East Hampshire. Visit www.pth.org.uk or call 01252 729446 to register. Fees are £14 for adults and £7 for children under 14, but they will be higher on the day, so make sure you book your place in advance. Registration includes a Santa suit for adults, reindeer antlers with a red nose for children, festive goodies and a medal for everyone who completes the course.

Stripping off for charity! Baring (nearly) all for Cancer Research are a brave group of ladies hailing from Haslemere, Bordon and Petersfield collectively. These local ‘calendar girls’, with the help of a local photographer, have put together the second Dare2Bare charity calendar to raise much needed funds for Cancer Research. The calendar will

have its official launch on 12th December at The Hop Pole pub in Alton at 7.30pm. If you are a local business and would like to sponsor the calendar and help these lovely ladies raise as much money as possible for this very worthwhile charity, please contact Georgina Hillier via her email – gsimh@btinternet.com.

As we approach the shortest day, why not lighten the dark evenings with some exercise? There will be a warm welcome for you at your local Circle Dance group. Circle Dancing (or World Dancing) is great fun, very relaxing, an enjoyable way to keep fit and an opportunity to make new friends. It’s suitable for men and women of all ages and you do not need a partner. Lynn Frances is an experienced teacher of 32 years and has built a reputation for her ability to create a wonderful atmosphere to enable participants to relax, learn and enjoy themselves. She runs classes at: Pirrie Hall, Brook on Thursdays in three ten-week terms, 7.309.30pm. 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, 7.30-9.30pm. Contact Lynn on 01420 474881.

Good to see local schools ‘doing their bit’. Children from Barrow Hills School in Witley recently celebrated their annual Harvest Festival with a special assembly in GODALMING 40 HIGH STREET GU7 1DY 01483 418020

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD the school chapel. Pupils brought in a variety of gifts including fresh and non-perishable food items, which were then packed into individual parcels to be distributed to members of the local community. Year 3 children then went to Dower House in Milford, where they sang and entertained the residents. Deputy Head, Paul Crisell said, “The School enjoyed giving thanks for the annual harvest and our children loved having the opportunity to go out and meet our elderly neighbours. Charitable work is part of the school ethos so we were delighted to be able to help in this way and to support the valuable work of the North Guildford Food Bank and the Salvation Army in Guildford”.

On Saturday 12th December at 7.30pm, Haslemere Educational Museum presents ‘Figgy Pudding’, an evening of carols and songs, to drive away the cold winter! Opus Anglicanum’s Christmas concert with unaccompanied singing and a narrator, will be packed full of laughter and of course mince pies in the interval! Tickets £12, Under 18’s £5, but please book in advance by calling 01428 642112.

Midhurst Music Society’s Christmas Concert is on Saturday 12th December at 7.30pm at The Memorial Hall, North Street, Midhurst. The Society will be joined

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by members of the Southern Early Music Forum (SEMF) in presenting a concert of music from ‘Christmas Past’. MMS and SEMF will perform Charpentier’s ‘Messe de Minuit’ and a number of other Christmas pieces, some from the time of Henry VIII, possibly composed by the King himself.

There will be familiar items for audience participation. This will be the first time MMS has used the newly-restored Memorial Hall and they are looking forward to performing in Midhurst’s most modern venue. Tickets are available from MMS members and from The Tall Dog in Rumbolds Hill, Midhurst. They cost £8 in advance or £10 at the door, children free. Refreshments will be provided during the interval. For more information, go to www.midhurstmusic. org or call 01730 812783.

West Dean Gardens, near Chichester PO18 0QZ is offering a relaxing alternative to Christmas shopping on the High Street or online. Park for free and drop in to the Gardens Shop and browse the festive lights, decorations, cards and gift wrapping paper. Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto in the historic Apple Store at West Dean Gardens, and enjoy the magic of sharing their secret wishes (he will be there on weekends 12th and 13th and 19th and 20th December from 10am to 4pm, but booking is essential). Standard prices £4 Child (includes a gift), £5 Adult (entry to the Gardens, mulled wine and a mince

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Purchased from Jewelled, Godalming by my husband several years ago.”

David Steel Owner, D7 Godalming

For gorgeous, tactile reactions, they will love this sheepskin hat.

Beverley Edmondson, 27b The Borough, Farnham T: 01252 715039.

A great gift for those who need some hours to chill….

The Spa, Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel in Guildford is offering a Winter Warmer Mini Spa Day which includes use of the spa, 60 minute treatment, and a one course lunch, £61.50 Call 01483 792304 for full details.

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“ …my silver pocket Tiffany Swiss Army knife is with me at all times - easily my favourite present.”

If you can’t afford an outfit by Chanel, wow your friends with a stylish Chanel mascara, £25 - it comes beautifully presented and you know it will be used daily.

House of Fraser, Guildford.

FIND OUT MORE

Kirstie Smillie is a Personal Fashion Stylist. Contact her at kirstie@kirstiesmillie.com, call 07773 234947 or follow her new blog on www.kirstiesmillie.com. vantagepointmag.co.uk

FASHION & STYLE and look a little further for imaginative presents. Think luxury, unique, memorable and you can’t go wrong…well let’s hope!

Instead of a Christmas jumper, a patterned shirt will add a party note for Him - fine, pure cotton shirt, £89 or opt for one colour in dark rich blue for the more conservative.

D7 Menswear, 42 Bridge Street, Godalming. T: 01483 427872

Sophie Marzolini Group Spa Manager, Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Guildford “My husband surprised me with a beautiful Tiffany’s bracelet , this is something I had wanted for a while but never mentioned to him.”

Beverley Edmondson Creative Director of Beverley Edmondson Millinery in Farnham “My favourite Christmas present, apart from having few days off work was a large faux fur throw for my sofa that I got a few years ago. I have since purchased a second for my other sofa and another for my bed!”

For great design vintage inspired Roberts radios are hard to beat. This Revival Mini, £140 is sold alongside a large selection of styles and colours.

Manns of Cranleigh, 101 High Street, Cranleigh.

T: 01483 273777

Julie Wright Co-owner of Luigi, Haslemere “My husband surprised me with a gorgeous cashmere dressing gown from The White Company and a vintage inspired radio by Roberts.”

Try this one, as I was very impressed by the softness of Sainsbury’s faux fur rug. 125x150cm, £30.

Sew two together for a great size.

Cashmere bed socks, £35 The White Company, 13 Swan Lane, Guildford.

T: 01483 459035

For a show stopper, electric blue topaz cocktail ring, set in silver, handmade, £385.

Jewelled, 89 High Street, Godalming. T: 01483 869838 December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

pie). For further information or to book tickets visit www. westdeangardens.org.uk.

Haslemere Parish Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday 12th December from 10.30am to 1pm at St Bartholomew’s Church and The Link, Derby Road. There will be lots of family festive fun and entertainment with stalls, games and competitions, mulled wine and delicious mince pies and a variety of Christmas trees on sale on the day. In advance of the fair, they will be running a children’s ‘Design a Decoration’ competition. Decorations will be judged on the day and there are some great prizes to be won. Simply: Pick up one of their flyers with the decoration template on the back. Give the decoration some colour and sparkle, being as creative as you like. Carefully cut out your decoration along the dotted line and don’t forget to always ask an adult to help you with scissors. Write your name and contact details on the back in case you are not at the Fair when they announce the winners. Finally, take it with you to the Fair on Saturday and stick it on the Christmas tree for your chance to win. Everyone is welcome, £1 entry. All money raised will be donated to good causes.

Midhurst & Petworth Rotary Club have arranged for The Milestone Collective Swing Band to return to Midhurst on Sunday 13th December at 7.30pm for a Christmas

Concert at Midhurst Rother College. They feature more than 20 talented young swing band musicians and their main organiser, Midhurst’s own Trombonist Ali Gibson says, “ We are aiming for a completely Christmas programme featuring well known music such as Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus is coming to Town and Santa Baby, plus a few surprises. Why not enter into the Spirit of the occasion and wear a Christmas jumper and hat!” Tickets priced at £15 will be available from Monday 16th November at Stockley Trading, North Street, Midhurst or from any local Rotarian or ring 01730 813709.

The December meeting of Haslemere Flower Club will be their Members only AGM and lunch. They wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing everyone at their January meeting when Melissa King will demonstrate ‘Spring has Sprung’.

Guildford Choral with Guildford High School Junior Choir and Southern Pro Musica Brass present an afternoon of Family Carols and Christmas Music. It takes place on Sunday 13th December at 3pm at G Live in Guildford. A seasonal celebration, which will feature a festive cocktail of familiar and much-loved traditional carols with other choral and instrumental music to enjoy as Christmas approaches.

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD There will also be lots of participation for the audience.

Phone the Ticket Master, Mrs Robin Pass on 01483 272191 or email boxoffice@guildfordchoral.org.

Also from Guildford Tourist Information Centre on 01483 444333.

After our recent successful concert in aid of Chestnut Tree House the children’s hospice, Fernhurst Choral Society are preparing for the Petersfield Festivities. In addition, they are already rehearsing for their next concert in April which will be in Hindhead. With up to 90 members, they rehearse on Monday evenings in Fernhurst Village Hall with the now well-known Musical Director, Timothy Ravalde. Their programme is always challenging and for concerts they are joined by professional soloists and the Fernhurst Chamber orchestra. They are a friendly choir and welcome new members. There are no auditions; you just need an ability to sing in tune. Right now, they are anticipating their Christmas party with good party food, a glass or two of wine, carols and a few ‘turns’ by the members. Why not go along to Fernhurst Village Hall and see if you would like to swell their ranks? See their Facebook page or contact Jane Stuart on 01730 826680, email janestuart34@gmail.com.

The December meeting of the Midhurst Garden Club will be held on Monday 14th at the South Downs Memorial Hall, North Street, Midhurst. Annie Guilfoyle, who lives locally, will be talking about ‘Garden Design for the Smaller Garden’. As this is the last meeting for 2015 and Christmas is fast approaching, refreshments will have a festive theme.

The talk will commence at 7.30pm and visitors are very welcome to join them for a small entry fee of £2. Please note that there is no meeting in January and the February meeting is on Monday 8th.

Following a year of child-led fundraising activities, Brookham School in Liphook were delighted to present a cheque for £4,800.00 to Canine Partners, the schools chosen charity for 2014-2015.The Brookham children wholeheartedly embraced this charity after meeting two wonderful Canine Partner dogs last year who demonstrated the amazing skills they possess to help disabled people at home, such as taking off a coat, picking up keys and helping to do the laundry. The children were very moved by what they saw, and one boy was so inspired he immediately kicked off the fundraising by donating £8.91 of his own pocket money! Well done to Brookham School; a great effort.

For further information on this worthwhile charity visit www.caninepartners.org.uk. For more information on Brookham School look at www.highfieldandbrookham. co.uk.

December 2015

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The Retail Team at St. Wilfrid’s Hospice in Chichester is very excited to confirm the opening of a new shop at 5, North Street, Midhurst. The shop opened in October and stocks good quality clothes, accessories, bric-a-brac, books, small pieces of furniture and lots more! Please pop in to browse and buy, and also donate any unwanted items you may have at the same time. The new shop is also looking for volunteers to help out, and would be pleased to hear from you if you might be able to spare a few hours a week. The Hospice relies on public support to raise 88% of its annual running costs which total just under £6.7 million per year.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice Shops make a substantial contribution to this amount. The shops include a large furniture outlet in Terminus Road, Chichester, as well as in Summersdale, and a specialist Retro & Vintage shop at 11, Eastgate Square in Chichester.

Father Christmas will be at the Cowdray Farm Shop Café on the afternoons of Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th December from 3pm to 5pm. He will be receiving families in his specially built grotto in the Cafe. Tickets to visit him will cost £5 per child and includes a gift and a chocolate coin for each child. Alternatively, the kids can enjoy sausage and chips or pasta and tomato sauce, a mini cup cake and a drink, a visit to the grotto plus a gift at a cost of £10 per child.

Albury Organic Vineyard FINE WINES FROM THE SURREY HILLS Winter Wine Tasting 2015

13th November - 19th December Fridays: 10am – 3pm Saturdays: 10am – 5pm Pop in for free tastings of Albury Estate sparkling

Christmas Tasting Event

Saturday 5th December 10am – 5pm Join us for mince pies, sparkling wine and carols sung by the Godalming Community Gospel Choir (music from 1pm) Email info@aburyvineyard.com to book

Buy online at www.alburyvineyard.com

Albury Vineyard, Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW Tel: 07768 863650

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Merry Christmas from Bourne Buildings An independent family run business established in 1995, Bourne Buildings is a familiar sight to the residents of Farnham.

They are well known for the advertising banners, which overlook the Shepherd & Flock roundabout: favourites include, ‘Fall for our sheds this Autumn’, ‘Now is the Winter of our discount sheds’ and of course during this festive season, you can see Santa himself waving and wishing passers by ‘Merry Christmas!’ (see pictured).

As well as keeping the locals amused, Bourne Buildings is the largest garden buildings show site in the UK and has over 200 garden buildings on display all year round, as well as thousands of stone items ranging from statues and birdbaths, to benches and urns.

Their picturesque show site is set around an old mill pond which creates a stunning and unique

environment; well worth a look even if not looking to make a purchase. Many customers, on an almost daily basis exclaim “How they have been driving past for years and never realised that the 100ft mill pond existed – let alone the extent of the selection on display”. What surprises them further is that the pond is about 10ft above the level of the very busy roundabout only 50ft away!

With staff sharing over 80 years of experience and special offers running month to month you will always receive the best service, and can be sure you are getting the best prices in the whole of the UK (including the internet).

If you’re thinking of buying a garden building, for any reason, it’s well worth paying Bourne Buildings a visit.

Bourne Buildings, 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham GU9 9PY. Tel: 01252 718481 / 725733 Winter Opening Hours 10am-4pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Closed all year round Tuesday and Wednesday.

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01252 718481 / 725733 www.bournebuildings.co.uk 39 – 43 Guildford Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9PY

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Just to let you know that the Christmas Special at Grayshott Folk Club is on Saturday 19th December at 7.30pm and features Britain’s current favourite Folk group, ‘The Young ‘Uns’. They will be putting on their show, aptly called ‘We Three Sings’ which they have devised especially for the Festive Season. Grayshott Village Hall will be the perfect setting for these Christmas celebrations, as the Village Hall Committee always take great care and pride in decorating it beautifully. The Young ‘Uns are proud sons of Stockton-on-Tees and they have been blazing a trail around the whole country with their amazing harmonies and wonderful sense of humour. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zuK0C_zj3_0. The club like to seat groups of people around larger tables and will supply complimentary mince pies and Christmas crackers to create a real party atmosphere. The fully licensed pay bar will be stocked with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and Mulled Wine will be available too. Advance Tickets are £14 for Adults; £7 for Under 16’s. Call Des O’Byrne on 01428 607096 to book your tickets or for more information.

Why not take half an hour break from Christmas shopping and go along and watch the Haslemere Mummers perform a traditional local play at the Haslemere Museum on Saturday 19th December. It takes place at midday at the town hall.

Christmas is a time for traditions, from those passed down through families and friends, to new discoveries that become part of your festive celebrations. Sending cards, decorating trees, singing carols, advent calendars, mince pies and mistletoe are just some of the festive traditions without which Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas. For many, a day out to a National Trust house and garden is already a Christmas ‘must do’. Over the festive season, National Trust places will be festively decorated and decked out with Christmas sparkle, Father Christmas will pay a visit to special grottos and atmospheric estates will be packed full of festive traditions to bring Christmas to life through the ages. There are plenty of activities on offer to help make your Christmas that extra bit special including learning how to make a festive wreath, choosing and harvesting your own Christmas tree or baking festive treats. Local NT Properties include Hatchlands, Leith Hill Place, Claremont Landscape Gardens, Polesden Lacey, Dapdune Wharf and Winkworth Arboretum. Details at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.

Stuck for what to buy for family or friends this Christmas? Want something more original this year? Why not give your loved ones a special Christmas gift voucher for a Reflexology treatment and give their feet a festive treat!

Debbie Bowyer, ITEC MAR offers Reflexology every Friday December 2015

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afternoon in the Haslewey Community Centre treatment room opposite Lion Green at £25 per session. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can enjoy a treatment in the peace and quiet of your own home via her mobile service. This gentle, relaxing and rejuvenating treatment can help achieve relief from muscular pain, backache, digestive disorders, sinus problems, headaches, depression, stress, tension, low energy and more. Call Debbie on 07863 115984 or email debbiebowyer2000@gmail.com to buy a Christmas gift voucher or, indeed book an appointment for yourself.

If you missed Santa on 6th December at Haslemere Museum, you can catch him in his Victorian Parlour at the Museum on Saturday 19th, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th December.

He will be there from 10.30am to 4.30pm except on Thursday 24th December, when he will be there from 10.30am to just 12.30pm. I guess he has to leave a bit early to prepare for the evening activities; a busy man our Santa! Cost: Museum members £4, non members £5 (no need to book, just turn up!). Your little ones can tell him all their special Christmas wishes and each child will receive a gift to take home. Don’t forget the museum shop will be open for some final Christmas shopping.

Email enquiries@haslemeremuseum.co.uk. Website is at www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk. Phone: 01428 642112.

Ever feel like it would be nice to get out and about more often? Get a little more fresh air in your lungs? Be a bit more active? Lots of us wish we did more exercise. We know it is good for us. And we know our health is important. But it can be easy to find excuses for not actually getting out there and doing it. Walks for Health Haslemere organise 40-60 minute walks (about 2 miles). Here are the details: Tuesdays at 2.30pm from Haslewey Community Centre; Thursdays at 1pm from the High Lane Community Centre; Saturdays at 11am from Haslemere Leisure Centre (formerly The Herons). In addition, there is a 30min walk on the first Tuesday of every month that leaves at 3pm from Haslewey Community Centre. Go on, take the plunge and just turn up at any one of these walks.

Mike Adams WOODWIND & BRASS SERVICING & REPAIRS Tel: 01403 753191

Email: mikemmn@btinternet.com www.fixmyinstrument.co.uk

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GARDENING

With Beth Otway

Greenfingered gifts Giving a gift is such a special thing to do, if you’re buying a present that you’ve seen online or in the shops, it’s not easy to tell how useful, wonderful or lasting the gift will be in reality, when you haven’t tried it yourself. With this in mind, I have sought out some super gift ideas, which I have reviewed and tested, so that hopefully you can find the perfect presents for your friends and family this Christmas.

• Apple Master from Lakeland - peels, cores and slices apples in seconds.

• The Cabaret Of Plants Botany And The Imagination by Richard Mabey. Published by Profile Books Ltd - this beautiful book explores our relationship with plants, charting human encounters through science, art, cultural history and poetry.

• BiOrbAIR Terrarium - an automated, specialised terrarium, featuring LED lights and an automatic misting unit.

• The Crafted Garden by Louise Curley, published by Frances Lincoln - a book with craft ideas you can make throughout the year.

• Burgon & Ball Weed Slice - an easy to use tool for removing weeds from gravel and borders.

• The Natural World Of Winnie-The-Pooh: A walk through the forest that inspired the Hundred Acre Wood by Kathryn Aalto. Published by Timber Press, this book reveals the real locations featured in A.A. Milne’s books.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

• Christmas Tree - a live, potted Christmas tree from Wheeler Street Nursery in Witley.

• Trugmakers Trug - beautiful, strong, durable trugs, handcrafted in Sussex.

• Dalefoot Composts - these peat-free composts made from composted bracken and sheep’s wool have great water retention, ideal if you’re planting a container as a Christmas gift.

Locally we have many talented and skilled professionals offering courses that make wonderful presents. Sussex Green Woodworking offers two or five-day courses, where you can make a spoon, rolling pin, stool or chair. Plant Passion in East Clandon offer a variety of courses and workshops - learn to grow, cut, condition and arrange cut flowers, make a posy, or take a flower business or social media course.

• Earth Box - this patented container gardening system is self-watering and portable, a great way to grow vegetables if you don’t have a garden.

• Espresso Mushroom Company Hot Pinks or Pearl Oyster Kitchen Garden - grow your own mushrooms indoors at home.

• Espresso Mushroom Company Wild Flower Tea Seedbombs - a fun way to grow your own herbal tea.

• Garden Design Solutions by Stephen Woodhams. Published by Jacqui Small LLP, this book features lots of garden design ideas and inspiration.

• Garden Girl Rain Poncho - a pretty, waterproof poncho.

• Lakeland My Kitchen Food Dehydrator - make your own dried fruit and vegetable snacks.

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One of the ways in which you can support your favourite garden is to give the gift of membership. The recipient of your gift will enjoy unlimited visits during opening times, often enjoying a host of other exclusive, member-only benefits. We are fortunate to have so many glorious gardens open to us; it’s important to support these gardens and charitable organisations, to ensure we protect these beautiful spaces of historical and horticultural importance, their plant collections, horticultural knowledge and training opportunities, for future generations. Many charities and gardens offer special gift membership offers. You can find details of gardens in Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex offering membership on my website – there’s just too many to list here!

FIND OUT MORE

You’ll find full reviews with prices for each of the products I’ve mentioned on my website, along with further product reviews, gardening advice for the month ahead and much more besides at www.pumpkinbeth.com.

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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People throughout Great Britain are being invited to step out with the Ramblers during its free, annual Festival of Winter Walks, where walkers across the country will be leaving footprints in the snow as they explore Britain at its wintry best. Ramblers groups will be leading hundreds of free walks from 19th December until 3rd January. From short festive strolls to blow away the cobwebs, to heartier rambles to burn off the Christmas indulgence and kick-start New Year’s resolutions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Festival of Winter Walks is free and open to everyone, but anyone who gets the walking bug can visit www.ramblers.org.uk/becomea-member to find out more about becoming a Ramblers member. Members enjoy access to over 45,000 group walks led by volunteers each year, as well as exclusive walking routes that can be downloaded and quarterly editions of Walk magazine. Your membership will also be helping to protect the nation’s footpaths for generations to come. For further information about the Festival of Winter Walks and to browse the festive walks or routes on offer, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks.

There’s an Artisan Street Market on Saturday 19th December at Weyhill, Haslemere. It runs from 10am to 4pm and will be followed at 6pm with the Town’s Christmas Carols. If you would like more information or would like to

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enquire about setting up a stall, contact Silkroad at 83-85 Weyhill, Haslemere GU27 1HN. You can also call 01428 288313 or email studio@thesilkroad.co.uk.

Three Counties Church in Hammer GU27 3QW is holding a Family Christmas Service on Sunday 20th December at 10.15am and a Carol Service on Christmas Day at 7.30pm. Everyone will be very welcome. Call 01428 653011 or go to www.3countieschurch.org for more information.

Opera South is delighted to announce the continuation of its very popular New Year party. It will take place at the Georgian House Hotel, High Street, Haslemere on Saturday 9th January with champagne and canapés served at 6pm.

This will be followed by an entertaining professional concert, dinner and wine, at the all-inclusive price of £65. Tickets are available from Sarah Barnes, Grayswood Cottage, Grayswood GU27 2DE. Tel 01428 643129. Email saba@ haslemere.com. Contact the hotel on 01428 656644 for overnight accommodation at a special rate.

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl have long been known as ‘Little Switzerland’ for its pineclad hills, rolling landscape and fresh, clean air. This year, the National Trust are embracing this and offering

it’s beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS 1ST - 31ST DECEMBER

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season with The King’s Pantry’s fabulous Festive Menu (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day) - £25pp for two courses, £30pp for three courses. A Children’s menu is always available.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Happy Christmas! Join Mark, Sarah and family for the The Kings’ Pantry’s Christmas luncheon served in the Savannah banqueting suite. Enjoy a glass of Prosecco and a sumptuous three course festive feast, cooked to culinary perfection for £75pp. A special Children’s menu is available for under 12s at £30pp.

BOXING DAY The Boxing Day Roast! Relax, unwind and enjoy a traditional Roast luncheon - £25pp for two courses, £30pp for three courses.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Kick up your heels and see in 2016 in style with a gourmet three course New Year’s Eve Dinner and rocking DJ for £75pp - or include an overnight stay for £125pp based on two person occupancy. Happy New Year!

merry christmas from us all at the georgian

NEW YEAR’S DAY The New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch! Recover with The King’s Pantry Full English Breakfast for £10 - Paracetamol optional! From 10.00am.

High St, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2JY | t: 01428 656644 email: functions@georgianhousehotel.com w: georgianhousehotel.com Georgian_VantagePoint_128x90mm_131015.indd 1

December 2015

Georgian THE

HOTEL

13/10/2015 11:14

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Soundingoff THE MYSTERY OF SOCKS 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...

A few months ago GOG was complaining that even However, my complaint this month is though we’re supposed to be living in an age of highly how bafflingly perverse not just gadgetry, sophisticated technology the simplest gadgets and but life is. Here, one naturally thinks of devices, most of which have been around for centuries, socks. Why do they never come back still don’t seem to work properly. from the laundry in This week I want to moan about pairs?

Why, even I have enough self-respect never to something slightly different, but more mysteriously, before I do I can’t resist deriding one half of have bought sky blue socks in my life does one more malfunctioning piece the pair never come of kit. back at all? Now let me tell you about an Have you noticed how many hotels, offering wieven deeper mystery. fi, swipe-card access to your room and a digitally operated safe when you get there, cannot find an One day, in my pile of clean laundry, effective way of plugging the wash-basin in your a pair of SKY BLUE socks appeared en suite bathroom? I don’t exaggerate when I – socks triumphant in their say that I’ve stayed in hotels everywhere from hideousness. I have enough selfDublin to St Petersburg which are unable to respect never to have bought sky solve this problem. They attempt to do so with blue socks in my life. No other male a lever behind the taps, which when pulled, lives in my house, and my wife and lowers a metal cover over the sink-hole. This I do not share a washing machine contraption, whose ingenuity is worthy of the or clothes-line with anyone else. age we live in, suffers from only one trifling Yet here they were. We’ve all drawback: it doesn’t work. heard of weird people, whether paupers or perverts, who steal But what is really entertaining laundry from other people’s is that as the hot water gurgles clothes-lines. Now I can report that down the sink-hole, and you a phantom laundry donor is about – a struggle to complete your donor of sky blue socks. ablutions by refilling the basin umpteen times over, you can pass t h e I am an old man, and with age should time by reading a little homily that is stuck come wisdom. But the older I get, the to the bathroom wall. This exhorts you to save less I understand. The only thing that the planet and avoid wasting gallons of hot water by comforts me is that you can be pighanging on to your dirty towels for as long as possible. ignorant and still write a column for a magazine.

Here is my message to all hotels which are afflicted with the intractable problem of the sink-hole. It doesn’t look Have a merry Christmas! very cool in the hi-tech environment you’re struggling to create, but just get hold of a piece of rubber. Stick it on Do you agree with Andrew? What irritates you the end of a chain, cut it to size, and it will save you – and these days? Please write in or let us know by emailing editor@vantagepublishing.co.uk. the planet – a fortune.

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AWARD WINNING GIN FROM THE SILENT POOL IN SURREY Open seven days a week, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. For details and to order online, visit the website.

www.silentpooldistillers.com

Cocktail time

The origin of the word cocktail is disputed. The first recorded use of the word cocktail not referring to a horse is found in The Morning Post and Gazetteer in London, England on 20th March 1798. However, the Oxford English dictionary cites the word as originating in the US. The first definition of cocktail known to be an alcoholic beverage appeared in the 13th May 1806 edition of The Balance and Columbian Repository, a New York publication. In answer to the question, “What is a cocktail?”, the editor Harry Croswell replied: “Cock-tail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters—it is vulgarly called bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, in as much as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head. It is said, also to be of great use to a democratic candidate: because a person, having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow any thing else”. Whatever its origins, there is no time like Christmas to enjoy one!

Sloe Gin Fizz A perfect way of using up last year’s Sloe Gin to make way for the next batch that I hope you are now making! If you don’t make your own, Sipsmith do an excellent one which is drier than most. Happily you can also use a fizz from one of our great local producers Albury Vineyard (www.alburyvineyard.com ), and Greyfriars Vineyard (www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk).

In a cocktail shaker, put 15ml gin, 15ml sloe gin, 15ml lemon juice and 5ml sugar. Shake over cubed ice for a good 10 seconds, then strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne, prosecco or cava, garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

Juniper Green’s Elderflower Collins

Surrey Kir Royal

Gin cocktails are now very fashionable. There are two basic rules: the correct gin and an easy recipe. You need a gin We asked Albury Vineyard for a suitable where the aroma and flavour are not spoiled by the smell cocktail using their sparkling wine and they or harshness of the alcohol. Juniper Green Organic Gin came up with a local version of the Kir Royale. is the perfect gin for a cocktail: smooth, aromatic and with great flavour. Try this really refreshing and moreish Pour one part of Silent Pool Strawberry and cocktail. Visit www.junipergreen.org for stockists.

Gin cordial into a flute and top up with 5 parts Albury Estate sparking wine.

In a tall glass, add 50ml Juniper Green Organic Gin, 15ml Elderflower cordial. 5ml sugar syrup (2 sugar to 1 water), juice of half a lemon. Add lots of ice and top with club soda. Give it a quick stir and drink!

The Editor’s Bloody Mary The great thing about a Bloody Mary is that there is no single perfect recipe and you can make it as spicy as you like. For me, the inclusion of sherry, celery salt, lemon juice and lots of Worcestershire sauce is imperative. This is my latest version using a less well know sherry style which I think works brilliantly and adds a greater depth than the usual fino. An optional addition is a slug of Grand Marnier, said to be the secret ingredient in the famous version served by the Granadier Arms in Belgrave Square, London. SR In a cocktail shaker, mix together 2 shots of vodka, 2 shots of Palo Cortado sherry, a good squeeze of lemon, three good shakes of tabasco, 6 good shakes of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of celerty salt, a grinding of black pepper and a few ice cubes. Top up with a good quality tomato juice, shake vigorously to mix and make it as cold as possible before straining into a tumbler.

Serve with a slice of lemon, celery and ice optional.

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RECIPES Duke in a Sidecar My good friends Nicola Humphreys and Philip Randalll love cocktails and regularly get mixing at the weekend. I asked them for an original recipe for VantagePoint readers and they put in a lot of work on the cocktail front on your behalf! This cocktail is a variation on a Sidecar using The Duke’s Reserve brandy from Albury Vineyard, which is currently available but there are very limited stocks.

Coarsely crush 2 green cardamom pods. Add to a cocktail shaker with 2 shots The Duke’s Reserve (50 ml), 1 shot Cointreau (25 ml), 1/2 shot pear vodka (12 ml), 1/2 shot lemon juice (12 ml) and shake over ice. Finely strain and serve in a martini glass with an additional cardamom pod in the bottom of the glass. You could add a dash sugar syrup for a sweeter taste.

Greyfriars Apple and Calvados

The Breakfast Martini

Greyfriars Vineyard on the Hog’s Back is a favourite of VantagePoint and we asked them for their favourite cocktail.

Pour 15ml Calvados and 15ml clear apple juice into a chilled flute and top with chilled Greyfriars Blanc de Blancs. Delicious!

I was lucky enough to go on a tour of the Sipsmith distillery in Putney recently which was quite excellent. Start your day the right way with this most unusual of martinis courtsey of their Master Distiller Jared Brown. Rather than an evening tipple or a post-prandial treat, this Martini is one you can use to kick-start your day (though a weekend day might be the better choice).

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 1 tsp seville orange marmalade, 50ml Sipsmith London Dry Gin, 15ml Triple sec or Cointreau and 15ml fresh lemon juice. Shake well, strain into a chilled coupe glass and serve with a orange twist.

Silent Pool’s Chamomile Collins

Maple Borealis As a native of Quebec, Julie Dansereau grew up with the wonders and versatility of Maple Syrup.

Great for cooking, pouring over pancakes as well as making a delicious cocktail! Please visit www. missmaple.co.uk for more recipes.

To make the syrup, you need 50/50 mix of hot chamomile tea and caster sugar, tea should be brewed at 2 x strength, cool syrup before use.

Mix 50ml Silent Pool gin, 25ml chamomile Place a twig of rosemary into a champagne syrup and 25ml fresh lemon juice in a coupe or other champagne glass and rub highball glass, stir, fill glass with ice, top lightly along the rim. Keep the twig for with soda, stir. Garnish with long twist decoration. Wet the rim of the glass with lime juice and dip the rim of lemon and a sprig of chamomile. into maple sugar. Pour in 2 tbsp maple syrup, a few drops of lime www.silentpooldistillers.com juice and gin, to your taste. Add 150ml of cold sparkling wine or dry cider and decorate with the rosemary.

SPARKLING LOCAL OFFERS FOR OUR READERS:

10% December 2015

discount off 6 bts Albury Vineyards sparking wine with this artcile. www.alburyvineyard.com, 07768 863650. discount off Greyfriars Vineyards sparking wine with this article. www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk, 01483 813712.

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gastr

...for the lovers of local food and drink

Canton Tea Company Applegarth Farmshop have just taken on the Canton Tea Company’s range of loose leaf teas.

They are sold in many Michelin starred restaurants, Harrods etc and are of exceptional quality.

Applegarth will be stocking 30 different types of tea for both retail and in the restaurant. The idea being that you can go into the shop and choose directly from the entire selection to then drink in the restaurant. They will be stocking the normal types like Jasmin Pearl, Chai, Matcha, Lapsang Souchon as well as some more specialist types such as White Peony, Sugarcane Black and Area Pearl Darjeeling. www.applegarthfarm.co.uk

Christmas at Cowdray The team at Cowdray Farm Shop hope you can join them on Saturday 5th December for their Christmas Tasting Day from 11am to 3pm.

Suppliers offering tastings of their wonderful produce will include: Upperton, makers of fantastic local sparkling wine, Chilgrove, another local supplier who’ve added vodka to their original gin offering, and Langham Brewery who are based on the Estate and makers of our fantastic Cowdray Ale. Neal’s Yard Dairy will be offering Colston Bassett Stilton and Stichelton and Borough Cheese will be sampling their delicious Comte. Sweet tasters will be supplied by local chocolatiers, Noble and Stace – now a firm favourite with Cowdray customers.

And for those keen to try Cowdray’s truly wild and natural venison the Cowdray Deer Manager, Jason Griffin, will be on hand cooking up some homemade sausages on the barbecue.

Cowdray Farm Shop & Café Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AJ www.cowdray.co.uk

Awards galore for the Stonemasons Located on the edge of Petworth on the Guildford Road The Stonemasons Inn (the pub with the Penny Farthing outside) has risen to new levels since landlords Ian and Tracey took it over two years ago.

Quality food, friendly service and a warm welcome are now all on the menu as well as cask ales and fine wines. Local ales are a regular feature and the food is cooked freshly to order from local seasonal produce. Roaring log fires and Tudor oak beams all help create a lasting ambience. The dining style is relaxed and the dining rooms are as cosy as the bar. Recently the Inn has been awarded Open Tables Diner’s Choice Award, the Cask Marque Award of Excellence and has an entry in CAMRA’s Best Beer Guide.

I am told the Sunday roast is amazing – but you should book in advance as they are nearly always fully booked. Sounds like a good reason to visit Petworth! MA North Street, Petworth GU28 9NL 01798 342510 www.thestonemasonsinn.co.uk

Royal Exchange opens The Royal Exchange in Lindford has re-opened its doors following an £850,000 refurbishment.

The kitchen team, led by Head Chef Remi Zylis, have focused on creating a seasonal pub menu supporting small British producers hailing from Hampshire and the South East wherever possible.

Dog friendly and with full wheelchair access, The Royal Exchange’s interior also boasts exposed beams and a high roof barn to add to the welcoming atmosphere.

The Royal Exchange is now taking bookings, please call 01420 488118.

Send your food news to gastro@vantagepublishing.co.uk 38

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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visitors a Swiss-themed festive season. On Saturdays in December, from 10am-2pm, visitors can harvest their own Christmas tree from the heath; bring along a saw and pair of gloves to help you with your task. Trees from just £15. Every weekend in December, the café will be offering Swiss-themed hot food, perfect for warming up over after taking part in the children’s Christmas trail (£3 per child) which can be collected from Mrs Santa’s grotto. On 19th and 20th December, from 10am-4pm, take a classic sleigh ride over the heath (£3 per person), and say hello to the nativity donkeys. Visit the National Trust website to find out more www.nationaltrust.org. uk/hindhead-and-devils-punchbowl .

To work off those extra pounds you have put on over the Christmas holiday Godalming and Haslemere Ramblers are organising their festival of winter walks between Sunday 27th December and Sunday 3rd January. All family members are welcome and walks are typically 4-5 miles in length. Full details of the walks and starting points can be found on their website at www.gandhramblers.org.uk/walks.

Hundreds of brightly-coloured cows are set to decorate the hills, farms, towns, schools and popular landmarks across Surrey next year with the aim of

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sharing the beauty of the Surrey Hills and providing a massive boost to local businesses and community projects. Internationally renowned artist Alexander Creswell has agreed to be Patron of the Surrey version of CowParade, the world’s largest public art event, which is designed to focus attention on his beloved Surrey Hills.

CowParade hopes to round up the support of celebrities and community groups to raise money for health and wellbeing projects. It was officially launched in November at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher and no doubt there will be more about it in forthcoming issues.

The Spring Term 2016 for Liphook WEA starts on Wednesday 6th January with a literature course on Modern American Short Stories, given by John Haynes.

Another course is The Historic House in Southern England, led by Janet Sinclair on Friday mornings starting on 8th January. Both these courses are held in the Millennium Hall Liphook from 10am-12 noon. They comprise 10 sessions and the fee is £85.05 for each course. Enquiries to Sheila Martin on 01429 641907 If you missed it the first time, the Fernhurst Centre is running the new course ‘An Introduction to Researching Family History’ for a second time.

Learn and practise how best to use the resources on

The Stonemasons Inn PUBLIC HOUSE . DINING . ACCOMODATION

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Festive menu available 2nd-24th December

2 courses £19.95 3 courses £24.95

Check out our menus, Christmas & New Year events online

tel: 01798 342510 North Street Petworth West Sussex GU28 9NL

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December 2015

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Drovers Circular Walk - Hat Hill to Levin Down This National Trust walk is over pretty Sussex Downland, through woodland, and across fields. Begins at the footpath leading past and behind Singleton cricket pavilion – a dark brown barn reached from a small lane to the West of the A286 as it enters Singleton from the south, on the opposite side of the road to the Partridge Inn and the Open Air Museum. Much of this trail follows white ‘permissive path’ arrows on waymarker posts.

The walk 1. From behind the cricket pavilion go over a stile, along the edge of a field, turn right over a second stile, and cross a stream bed using the plank bridge.

Enter Drovers Estate over the stile beside the National Trust omega sign and follow the way up between the ancient hedgerows, through which curl great loops of Old Man’s Beard (wild clematis). Turn right at the top, after passing between the red brick walls of an old railway bridge. The disused line in the cutting below operated between Midhurst and Chichester, locally serving Goodwood racecourse. Opened in 1881, the last service ran in 1953 – a short lifespan for a vast amount of engineering and digging! The disused railway tunnels are now legally protected roost sites for bats.

2. With the cutting to your right, go through the stile.

Above to your left is Hat Hill, an area of unspoiled flower-rich chalk grassland - just what the South Downs is famed for. Follow the path to a waymarker post, continue slightly left and uphill to the woods. The track winds gently up beneath two ancient beech trees on a mossy, root-bound bank to your left, then past an-

40

other great beech further along to your right. At the top, where Honeycomb Copse becomes more open, you pass a field gate and stile into pasture. Head diagonally across towards the gate and stile near the barn. Once past the barn, go over the stile to your left where a white marker post points across a field. Head straight across towards the centre of Rook Wood, with a view up to your right horizon of the white tented canopies of the Goodwood racecourse stands 3. A few metres right of an internal corner of the fence, go over the stile into the shady woods. In ten metres or so bear left along a moss-edged way through open beech woodland and enjoy its stillness and leaf-green light. Under sweeping boughs at the wood’s edge go across an open downhill ride, slightly right into a path into the further woods. Follow this downhill to the end of the track, turn right again, stroll down to then cross the busy A286 4. Once safely across by the bus-stop, follow the surfaced lane, then at the marker post turn left, keeping the hedge to your left along 100 metres of rutted track

vantagepointmag.co.uk

WALKS

into Nightingale Wood. Look forward and to your right for the white-arrowed (permissive path) posts taking you right, then left up a narrow path. Follow this as it bears left and then turn right at the end. When you reach the main track turn left and head down into the beech wood. In spring look out for early purple orchids. When you reach the end, turn right and follow the bridleway track up a steady incline. Turn left and follow the line of old trees.

5. Continue past the farm and up the track which winds round the hill. (The large waymarker post at the top pays tribute to the longest fox chase ever recorded, over 50 miles which ended in horses dead from exhaustion. The fox was finally caught in Charlton, just a few miles from here.) Turn right and go through the gate with the sweeping hill reaching in front of you. Embrace the wind and follow a path to the left of the grassy field which leads up to the trees along the edge of the field. Here you will find a little gateway along the woodland edge which takes you into a twisting tunnel of trees and dense scrub. The pathway is narrow and on a steep hillside so take care

reach the signboard, if you’ve had enough, head down to the road and turn right back into Singleton. Otherwise, enjoy the last glorious blast up along the side of the hill – it’s not much further! The last gate leads you into a juniper grotto - a few refuges of Junipers (a very early coloniser after the last Ice Age) still exist in sheltered spots on the Downs. When you leave Levin Down if you look over the hillside you can see across to Hat Hill where you started the walk (the hill with the tallest pylon on top). Follow the path down into Singleton village where you pop out at the primary school. If you turn right you will find the Partridge Inn.

6. You’re now in Levin Down - a Sussex Wildlife Trust site, and a botanical utopia for chalk grassland wildflowers, rich with scrub for summer birds. When you

DISTANCE: 4.75 miles OS MAPS: Explorer 120 STARTING POINT: Starts behind the cricket pavillion, Singleton.

TERRAIN: Open Downland, woodland, and fields - some of the paths go across fields under cultivation, and there

are stiles; so the walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

REFRESHMENTS: Partridge Inn, Singleton T: 01243 811251 www. thepartridgeinn.co.uk Top: Singleton village (www.westsussex.info) Above: Drovers Estate © Copyright 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.

December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

the internet to research your family history in this 2 week course. The course is designed to introduce new knowledge and techniques and will involve practical student exercises using the computers provided. Some class time will be allocated to a student’s own research, with the tutor providing assistance when difficulties are encountered. Two x 2 hour sessions, cost £20.

New dates will be available early in 2016, so if you are interested, email or ring them and they will get back with dates as soon as they can. Details of other courses are on the website, www.fernhurstcentre.org.uk and places must be booked in advance either on 01428 641931 or by email at ferncent@gmail.com. There’s lots of free parking at the rear of the Centre.

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (yes, still one of my favourites!), will be the 59th production by Witley Pantomime Company, and will run from Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th January 2016. WPC have produced a pantomime for the past 59 years. They presently put their shows on and rehearse in Chichester Hall in Witley.

They are always looking for new members to take part or help backstage and anyone will be welcome to join at whatever stage of rehearsals they are at. Rehearsals for Jack and the beanstalk are in full swing. They rehearse

45>

Mondays in October and Mondays and Wednesdays November to January. They have a strong adult company and a large strong junior company. If you would like to know more contact the chairman, Dale Barrell on 07903 640306, email dalebarrell88@gmail.com or the secretary, Vanessa Butcher on 07447 088374, email vlbutcher@butchernet.org.uk.

I mention this next jotting to give readers plenty of time to consider taking on the challenge. Teams of tenacious walkers are being sought to take part in an overnight endurance challenge next summer. The South Downs Way PLOD on 16th July 2016 will raise vital funds for children’s charity Action Medical Research. Although a charity walk, don’t be fooled as teams will need their stamina and wits about them to navigate a 40-mile route through the darkness as they push on to watch the sun rise and steam ahead through the following day. Setting out from the Devil’s Dyke, it finishes on Beachy Head outside Eastbourne. In 2016 for the first time walkers can tackle the PLOD solo – perfect for those who like to go it alone and want to see the stunning views on offer.

Or, if the distance seems a little too hard to handle, why not check out the PLOD Lite version at just 20 miles?

To take advantage of Action Medical Research’s early-

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PROFILE

Girlguiding in Liphook the world, like body image, violence against women and girls’ education.

Liphook members are offered the opportunity to take part in a wide range of interesting, fun and exciting activities. They take part in camps, holidays and trips.

They learn new skills and try new adventures, from abseiling and archery to zip-wiring and zorbing.

Liphook has a proud heritage of Guiding dating back to before 1910. There have been many changes over the years, but thanks to the enthusiasm and support of generations of dedicated volunteers, Guiding is still going strong in the village in 2015.

Unfortunately there are still some misconceptions about what Guiding is and does. Regrettably some TV programmes, films and other media perpetuate outdated ideas and clichéd stereo-typing about the organisation. Guiding has been working hard to dispel those myths and show that we are relevant and valuable in today’s world – we change as girls’ lives change.

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. It is open to those of all faiths and none, whatever their abilities, backgrounds or circumstances. Being a girl-only organisation is one of the things our young members value most about Guiding.

It gives girls a space where they can be themselves, make friends and have fun. It aims to help girls gain confidence, raise their aspirations and provides opportunities to learn valuable life skills. They are then able to discover their full potential and make informed decisions. They are encouraged to be a force for good and to take positive action to improve their own lives and those of others in their community and beyond.

The Guiding method encourages girls to work together in small groups and is an ideal environment in which to develop teamwork and leadership skills.

‘Girl-led Guiding’ underpins all planning and leaders listen to what the girls want and adapt the programme accordingly, whilst ensuring the essence of Guiding is not lost. There are projects to educate girls about sensitive issues affecting their peers around 44

Girlguiding Liphook District gets involved in many local community and charity events. Girls attended events as diverse as VE Day celebrations and the ‘Big Gig’– (a massive pop concert for more than 20,000 Guides with performances from some of the biggest and most popular current artists). In May, Liphook Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers held a joint sleepover/camp, followed by ‘Wellies and Wristbands’, an August festival camping weekend in the New Forest. The Guides won the trophy for the best float in the 2015 Liphook carnival. In November Guides stayed for two nights in London, experiencing Madame Tussauds and a West End Show amongst other things. Next July a contingent will be travelling to Switzerland for ten days. These events are a few examples from many others.

Girlguiding isn’t just for girls. In total, there are around 100,000 adult volunteers and supporters who contribute over ten million hours to Guiding every year.

All volunteers are offered training and the opportunity to develop new skills. As well as providing volunteers with fulfilment, new skills and the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile in the local community, Guiding provides a very sociable network of friends and enjoyable and rewarding experiences.

Guiding is always pleased to have new adult helpers to work both in the Units and in support roles. Volunteers don’t need any special skills, just enthusiasm and a willingness to share in our Guiding values. If you are interested in joining us, you would be made very welcome.

Photo: Liphook Brownies on the top of Butser Hill

FIND OUT MORE

For more information, please call 0800 169 5901 (Freephone) or visit the Girlguiding website www.girlguiding.org.uk vantagepointmag.co.uk

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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bird discount of just £99 per team, register before 31st December 2015 at www. action.org.uk/plod-southdowns-way. Teams must pledge to raise a minimum total of £1,500 (or £1,200 for the PLOD Lite), while solo walkers pay £25 and commit to raising £375.

Volunteering can be a fantastic way to use your free time. There are hundreds of volunteering opportunities available across Arun and Chichester, and you can get involved whether you have one hour a week to spare or 5 days. There are roles in offices, schools and children’s centres; theatres, galleries and museums; hospitals and charity shops. You could work with young people or old people; with children, families or animals. You could volunteer indoors, or get dirty out in the countryside.

Whatever you interests and availability, there will be an opportunity to suit you! If you would like to see what opportunities are currently available in your local area, log onto www.do-it.org, pop in your postcode and start browsing. Or if you would like further support to find a

volunteer role to suit you, give Volunteer Now! a ring on 01243 864220 or email volunteernow@vaac.org.uk. If you only have a limited amount of time to spare, or you can’t commit to a long-term volunteer placement, go to www.skillshare-westsussex.org.uk to find short-term volunteer opportunities of 10 days or less. You can also make an offer of your skills or some time if you can’t find a volunteer opportunity to suit you. Whatever you have to offer, there is something for everyone.

Right, that is it for another year! Thanks for reading us and supporting all the local events we publicise on behalf of the local community. We feature more local events than any other local magazine, and if you have an event to publicise, please get in touch.

FIND OUT MORE

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

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COMPETITIONS

Please enter online unless otherwise stated. Postal entries can be sent to us at the address given on page three.

WIN A SILENT POOL GIN PRESENTATION BOX Silent Pool Gin is a classic gin at heart. It is full-bodied and fresh, with depth, clarity, and above all else flavour. Produced with 24 unique botanicals, Silent Pool Gin is a rich and clean juniper-driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile. Fresh notes of citrus and kafir lime are ground with the subtle sweetness of local honey, creating a well-balanced gin that is both traditional and refreshingly individual.

We have a presentation box to give away containing a bottle of Silent Pool Gin and a wonderful Silent Pool glass worth £55.

For stockists please visit www.silentpooldistillers.com.

To win, please answer the following question: Q: How many botanicals are there in Silent Pool Gin Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 15th December 2015.

This competition is only open to readers aged 18 and over. Proof of age may be required.

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SWAN LAKE AT G LIVE, GUILDFORD Combining classical training and technique with the best-loved Russian ballets, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet will perform Swan Lake and The Nutcracker at G Live this Christmas season from 26th-28th December at various times.

Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, Swan Lake, is a tragic tale of beauty, love and betrayal with an instantly recognisable score. The Nutcracker’s delightfully festive, and the perfect introduction to ballet, as Clara is whisked away on a fairytale adventure by her Nutcracker prince into a magical world of snowflakes, Sugar Plum fairies, and toys that come to life.

Tickets are £29.50-£39.00, children: Save £10. Concessions and group rates available (booking fees apply). To win, simply answer the following question: Q: Who wrote Swan Lake?

Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 18th December 2015.

WIN AN ORDNANCE SURVEY CUSTOM MADE MAP Win an Ordnance Survey (OS) Custom Made map worth £16.99! Choose anywhere in Britain, add a title and upload a cover photo to create a unique personalised map in classic OS style – an ideal gift for any lover of the outdoors.

The OS’s geographic data is so big that they’ve mapped the location of every fixed physical object in Great Britain, from the ground upwards, to within one metre accuracy. In total, they’ve logged 460 million individual geographical features including over 35 million buildings and over 27 million residential addresses. They have a team of around 300 surveyors and two aircraft that produce 10,000 updates to their OS MasterMap database. That’s seven times every minute of every day of the year.

To win, please answer the following question: Q: How many buildings has the OS logged?

Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 18th December 2015.

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