VantagePoint Magazine December 2015 - Dorking & Villages

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Dorking & Villages • 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 DORKING FRIENDS OF CANCER RESEARCH WIN A SILENT POOL GIN PRESENTATION BOX

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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: 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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"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

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26 Gastro Latest food and drink news

28 Gardening Greenfingered gifts

30 Recipes It’s cocktail time!

34 Walks South Holmwood to Coldharbour

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Brighten up your Home this Christmas

37 Profile Friends of Dorking Cancer Research

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

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JOTTINGS 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.

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.

The Three Bridges spiritualist church in Crawley, a very friendly and lovely well established spiritualist church has been around for many years and their doors are open to everyone. They are a self funded church so everything that comes in goes back into the church. They hold a service every

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Wednesday evening. Their doors open at 7pm, the service starts at 7.30pm till 9pm and everyone is welcome. It’s £4 on the door, which includes a raffle ticket that is drawn at the end of the service and a lovely cup of tea or coffee. They are holding one to one reading evenings throughout the year as well as special clairvoyant evenings. They are currently fund raising for a new church roof and you can purchase a roof slate for £5 each with a picture & message in memory of a loved one. Contact Tina Monday to Friday from 3pm-5pm on 07518 303618, all info also can by found at www.threebridgesspiritualistchurch. co.uk . Find us at 10 New Street, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1LW. December info: 2nd Penelope Heart; 9th John Shaw; 16th Christmas Carols & Mince Pie with mediumship from Nigel Gaff.

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.

Dorking Halls present several event screenings this month, both opera and ballet - some of them live and

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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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

some of them recorded performances. First comes The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan from the English National Opera on Thursday 3rd at 7.15pm December, followed by The Lady of Camellias from the Bolshoi Ballet with music by Chopin on Sunday 6th at 3pm, the opera double bill Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci from the Royal Opera House on Sunday 13th at 2pm, and then two performances of the Christmas favourite, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, from the Royal Ballet on 16th at 7,15pm and also from the Bolshoi Ballet on Sunday 20th at 1,30pm. Tickets for all screenings are £17.50. Call 01306 881717.

Dorking United Reformed Church in West Street is celebrating Christmas with a display of Christmas trees on A Theme of ‘The Gift’. It starts on Thursday 3rd December 2015 until 3rd January. The Church will be open on Saturday 12th and 19th from 1pm-3pm for viewing and on the 24th for their Christingle and Carol Service.

During this festive season at Polesden Lacey, visitors are invited to enjoy the glamour and sparkle of a 1930s Christmas party. The Edwardian party house will brim with festive traditions. The atmosphere in the house will be alive with the sound of vintage jazz and clinking champagne glasses. Father Christmas will wander the house and gardens, while his trusty reindeer (actually horses putting on

a very good show) pull families through the frosty grounds in a festive carriage. Visitors can sip mulled wine in the dairy courtyard while listening to local choirs singing everyone’s favourite carols. Little ones can follow a trail looking for Mrs Greville’s mischievous dogs that are playing hide and seek in the house. They’ll also receive a Christmas gift after writing a letter for Father Christmas. For any late present-buying, the gift shop stocks beautiful luxury gifts for him and her, delicious wines and nibbles, books and fine artisan crafts. The Granary Café serves a full Christmas dinner made with the best local, seasonal ingredients. The Christmas party launches on Friday 4th December and will be available to visitors every day, including the house, until Wednesday 23rd December from 10 until 4pm. For more information about Polesden Lacey visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey or call 01372 452048.

Christmas is being celebrated at Leith Hill Place, the childhood home of Ralph Vaughan Williams high on the slopes of Leith Hill, with Christmas music, carols, mince pies and mulled wine around a cosy fire. There are concerts at 11.30am and 2pm, on both Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December, with singing and other activities in between. Tickets at £12 from 08442 491895.

GorGeous Gifts, for Him, for Her, for Your Pets and Horses.

Visit attlee Country store throughout december for the perfect present, with promotions and offers on all your essentials.

www.lillico.co.uk

For all Pet Fo your od Acces sories and , Hors Feed, e Equip Bedding ment Cloth and ing.

Pets · equestrian · Country store Attlee’s Country Store – Parsonage Mill, Station Road, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1EL Tel: 01306 884289 · Email: attlee.shop@lillico.co.uk · Opening Times: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5pm 10

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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This month’s free lunchtime recital at St Martin’s will be given by organist Roy Woodhams, the rector of Cranleigh church. It takes place on Saturday 5th December at 12 noon.

More information at 01306 884229.

‘How Wizard Wix saved Christmas’ is on at Hatchlands Park on 5th-6th, 12th-13th and 19th-20th December from 11am to 4pm. Solve the tricky trail to help Wizard Wix save Christmas. Take part in fun festive crafts and even meet Father Christmas himself. On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December you can also come and meet the Christmas animals in the cobbled courtyard. Booking is essential to meet Father Christmas. Go to www.visitguildford.com or call 01483 444334. Normal admission applies, plus £5 per child to meet Father Christmas.

A joyful start to Christmas, ‘Carol Praise’ takes place on Saturday 5th December from 7pm-8.30pm in The Methodist Church (next to W. Horsley Village Hall). Go along and sing your favourite carols with a break for refreshments and mince pies, etc. If you would like to make a request, call 01483 282474.

Recruiting Hom in your local Recruiting Home Carers Recruiting Home Carers ar

Horsley Choral Society will be performing Vivaldi’s wonderful Christmas piece ‘Gloria’ on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm. The soloists are Jane Searle and Sarah Ince and the choir will be joined by The Ravens Ensemble. The venue is St. Andrews Church, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham. Tickets are £12 (under 18’s £6) “Based Clandon, Guildford we are a Guildford family runwewe “Based ininWest areare a family ru and there will be a retiring collection in aidinofWest the very “Based WestClandon, Clandon, Guildford business that is committed to providing people with business that is committed to providing people important charity, Surrey Air Ambulance.

Call 01483 280756 a family run business that is committed to with for tickets, or at the door on the night.

The choir friendly & people reliable Carers who genuinely friendly & rehearse reliable Carers who genuinely care” providing with friendly & reliablecare” on Mondays in East Horsley Village Hall from 8 to 10pm.

Lucinda Kalupka, Nurse & Registered Manager Lucinda Kalupka, Nurse & Registered Manager More information at www.horsleychoralsociety.com or call Carers who genuinely care” Recruiting Home Carers 01372 457987 / 01483 283683, email pmfava16@gmail.

Lucinda Kalupka, Nurse & Registered Manager inhour your local just an hour a day area to 24 hour support com.

From just an hour a day toFrom 24 support Lucinda Kalupka, Nurse & Registered

in your local in area your local area “Based in West Clandon, Gu business that is committed friendly & reliable Carers w

• • •

•“Based •in West Clandon, Guildford •we are a family run • • • • From • just an hour• a day to 24 hou

Goodsupport hourly rates + paid ho Rewarding From just Good an career hour a dayrates to 24 hour hourly + paid holiday career Following their recent successful Rewarding exhibition at the business that is committed to providing people with Paid mileage Flexible hours Oddfellows Hall in Dorking, the Dorking and District friendly &Paid reliable Carers who genuinely care” mileage Flexible hours • Rewarding career Model Railway Club is holding a Christmas Open Day Work in your local commun Comprehensive support Lucinda Kalupka, Nurse & Registered Manager Work • Flexible hoursin your local community Comprehensive at their club hut on Saturday 5th December from 10amsupport & training From just an hour a day tosupport 24 hour support training • Comprehensive & training to 4pm. All are welcome to go and see&what they do and to talk to them about this wonderful and fulfilling hobby, hourly rates + paid holiday Rewarding career • Goodholiday • Good • hourly rates + paid Paid mileage Flexible hours whatever scale or gauge you may be interested in. There • • • Paid mileage Work in call your local community Comprehensive support will be mince pies and mulled wine. A local model railway For• further information Matthew.

•please Work incall your local community & training shop will also be in attendance to helpFor you further choose Christmas information• please Matthew. presents for the next generation (and for yourselves!) The club hut is Unit 12, rear of Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, For further information please call Matthew. info@homecountiescarers.co.uk Dorking RH4 1SG. Members of the club meet regularly at Call us today on 01483 224 985 the hut, with open meetings on Monday and Wednesday www.homecountiescarers.co.uk info@homecountiescarers.co.uk evenings 8pm-10pm every week. For more information, info@homecountiescarers.co.uk www.homecountiescarers.co.uk contact Chairman Rick Spain, email spainra@aol.com or www.homecountiescarers.co.uk call 07767 421380. Alternatively, exhibition manager Robert Burch on rdb57home@aol.com or call 07860 192304.

• Rewarding career Flexible hours • Call us today on 01483 224 985 Call us today on 01483 224 985 support • &Comprehensive training

December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

The Horsley Floral Decoration Group (affiliated to NAFAS) is a friendly afternoon flower arranging club. They meet at East Horsley Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month (except August) at 2pm. They have a varied programme of Demonstrators/Speakers/In-house entertainment, trips, internal competitions (optional), sales table, refreshments, etc. Visitors and new members very welcome (February/ AGM Members only). Do go and join them (first visit free) for fun, flowers and friendship. For more details, phone Beryl on 01483 831422 or email bjg317@virginmedia.com.

Surrey Performing Arts Library at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6AA, will be welcoming Christmas with The Ladybirds Choir on Saturday 5th December. Do join them for a nice dose of Christmas entertainment with songs and carols. Takes place between 11 and 12noon. More information by emailing performing.arts@surreycc.gov.uk or calling 01306 887509.

Would you like to learn how to dance authentic American Jive? Basic 50’s rock and roll and American 40s/50s style (not Lindy Hop or modern jive). Lessons are on Wednesdays from 8pm-10pm at The Follett Hall (United Reformed Church) West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS, and on Thursdays in St John’s Community Hall, Furlong Road, Westcott RH4 3PP. Learn to jive to the music of the era. The two hour session includes

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lesson, practice time and free tea and coffee. Individual help given if needed. All welcome. The cost is only £7 on the door, no course fees to pay upfront. Call 07854 621522 for more information or email vintagejive@hotmail.co.uk.

Watermill Jazz is taking a break during December; however there is a jam session on Sunday 6th December from 2 to 5pm. Entry is free and all musicians are welcome.

As usual, the sessions take place at The Aviva Sports and Social Club, Pixham Lane, Dorking. The next Thursday concert is on Thursday 7th January when Ray Gelato and The Giants will be playing. Tickets from the Box Office on 07415 815784.

More information at www.watermilljazz.co.uk.

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,

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TO FIND OUT MORE: t: 01293 447369 e: andyperry@stch.org.uk w: www.stch.org.uk Registered Charity No. 281362

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For your

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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.

December 2015

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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

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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will run on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at 11am, 12noon and 2pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

Booking in advance is advisable. Call 01403 752403 or email office@weyandarun.co.uk. More information at www. weyandarun.co.uk/tripboats.

‘Home’ for Capel Choral Society is the Memorial Hall in Capel village, and that is where the choir will be holding its Christmas Concert on Monday 7th December. The programme will include the ‘Christmas’ choruses from Handel’s Messiah (including Hallelujah!) interspersed with some less familiar pieces by Rossini, Saint Saëns and Mendelssohn.

There will also be some favourite Christmas Carols for the audience to join in. The concert will start at 7.30pm and tickets are £7.50 which includes seasonal refreshments.

In addition to the concert, the Choir will be hosting Cakes & Carols in Capel parish church on Sunday 13th December, which will be an opportunity to join the Choir in an informal afternoon of carol singing, including all the most popular carols – see the December magazine for more details. You can see information about, and pictures of, the choir on their web site www.capelchoralsociety.com or contact the secretary at ianmoir20@yahoo.com or phone 01306 889817.

West Horsley Parish Council’s monthly Parish Council meeting takes place on Tuesday 8th December at 8pm at

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West Horsley Village Hall. Everyone is welcome. For more information, see www.westhorsley.info or contact clerk@ westhorsley.info.

There’s a Carol Service on Tuesday 8th December at 2pm at St Martin’s Church, Dorking organised by Age UK Surrey and with free entry to all. Join them for Christmas carols and readings with Surrey Cantata, conducted by Sebastian Forbes and Maureen Galea on piano and organ.

As space is limited please reserve your place by telephoning 01483 503414, or by emailing enquiries@ageuksurrey. org.uk. For more information visit their website: www. ageuksurrey.org.uk.

If you want to treat the little ones, don’t miss Santa Claus this Christmas in his brand new fun-filled show at G Live, bursting with songs, nursery rhymes and stories. Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas runs from Friday 9th to Saturday 24th December. It promises to be the Christmas treat you won’t want to miss! Tickets are Adult: £13.50* £15.50*. Child: £12.50* - £14.50*. Family Ticket: £46* - £54* (4 tickets*, minimum of 1 adult). Groups 8+: Save 10%. *A £1.00 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at six per order.

Fee-free booking for Friends of G Live; Groups of 8+ please call 01483 369350 to buy fee-free. Alternatively, go to www. glive.co.uk or call 01483 369350 (10am-6pm, Mon-Sat).

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LOCAL Dorking U3A Next year will be a memorable one for the Dorking University of the Third Age as they will be celebrating 25 years in the town. Events are being planned throughout the year to help people understand what the group does.

The U3A was first set up in France and was aimed at people who were no longer working, whose families had grown up and were therefore entering their ‘third age’. In Britain the idea was quickly adopted and groups formed all over the country offering social activities for those whose working lives were behind them.

The ethos of the U3A is lifelong learning, where members learn from each other rather than in a formal classroom setting. Members decide which groups they want and once a leader is found the group meets on a regular basis to enjoy their chosen activity.

In Dorking there are now 44 groups ranging from archaeology to quilting, bowls to photography, calligraphy to Latin, and everything in between. One of the most popular groups is architecture led by former London Blue Badge Guide Mary Cowan. Among their trips was one to St Bartholomew’s Church in Smithfield, London and the Charterhouse almhouses – the original home of the famous public school.

More than 600 people from around the district not only belong to the individual groups but are also entitled to attend monthly meetings held at the Christian Centre in Dorking town centre. They can hear talks which this autumn have included aviation historian Jim Barnes relating his time as an engineer with the RAF, and Robin Wells, the director of music at Charterhouse School discussing composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and his connections to Surrey.

Regular days out are organised taking members to such diverse attractions as the Jewish Museum and the Dennis Severs merchants house in London, Pashley Manor Gardens and Finchcocks museum of musical instruments.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Study days are held at the Menuhin Hall in Stoke d’Abernon. Yehudi Menuhin’s life, school and music was among the topics this autumn and another looked at some of the highlights of American History.

If theatre is your thing then you will be interested in trips to Woking or the National Theatre in London to see top productions such as Three Days in the Country.

Further afield, members can join in special events such as workshops examining what makes great theatre held at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. Music fans would have enjoyed a trip to the Elgar Birthplace Museum in Worcester to learn more about the composer and his work.

For a longer trip there are the holidays organised for U3A members. In 2015 a group of 25 members enjoyed a week in Greece in the spring and another in Northumberland this autumn.

Over 350,000 men and women already gather together in more than 950 U3As across the country to share their experiences, knowledge, philosophies, values and ideas. They learn from each other and enjoy themselves at the same time.

The U3A is open to everyone regardless of age as long as they are no longer working full-time. You don’t need any qualifications to join – just an interest in meeting new people and perhaps learning something different.

It may be you’ve waited years to investigate a particular interest so why not pursue it now? Whether you like the arts or sciences, crafts, games or you are sporty, there will be something for you. And if there isn’t why not help to set up a new group?

FIND OUT MORE

Above: The U3A architecture group on a field trip. Top right: The winners! Dorking U3A bowls.

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For further details www.dorkingu3a.org.uk. vantagepointmag.co.uk

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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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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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 Merill 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 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 369 350 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.

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

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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.

Manor House School girls will take centre stage in Leatherhead Operatic Society’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Head Girl Helen Newhall will be playing the lead role of Dorothy in the iconic musical. Joining her onstage at the Leatherhead Theatre will be last year’s Head Girl Olivia Snelson plus fellow pupils Clara Grun, Mollie Hannant and Olivia Haines. Clara, Mollie and Olivia are no strangers to the Leatherhead Theatre, having performed with fellow pupil Georgia White in last year’s production of Annie by the operatic society. The show opens on Wednesday 9th

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December 2015

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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December for a four-night run, Curtain up at 7.30pm, with an extra 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday. For more information about Manor House School, contact marketing manager Mary Fowell, 01372 458538, mfowell@manorhouseschool. org, http://manorhouseschool.org. For further details about Leatherhead Operatic Society and The Wizard of Oz, view the website http://www.leatherheadoperaticsociety.co.uk.

Horsley Decorative & Fine Arts Society meets at East Horsley Village Hall for lectures at 10.30am (coffee from 9.45am) on the second Wednesday of each month except August and September. The lecture on 9th December will be ‘Hidden Treasures of 20th Century Book Illustration’ by James Russell. Visitors (£5) and new members welcome. For more information and the full programme phone Alma on 01372 451015 or visit their website: www.horsleydfas.org.uk.

On Thursday 10th December at 7.30pm, Dorking Halls has a West End Christmas with the Show Choir and guests.

They will perform a variety of songs from favourite West End shows, including Mamma Mia and Les Miserables, plus other Christmas music. Tickets £15 to £18 from 01306 881717.

Just to let you know that The Nomad Theatre in East Horsley is staging a sparkling production of Cinderella.

Performances will take place from 11th-13th and 16th20th December. Start times are 7.30pm with matinees on

The Dorking Dog Walker Regular or ad hoc bookings welcome Excellent references

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Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm. Tickets £16 adults, children/students £10, £12 for adults on 16th and 17th. Call the box office on 01483 284747 or book online at https:// nomads.tixato.com/buy. What better way to get you and the kids in the Christmas spirit. Go to www.nomadtheatre.com for more information.

The Ladybirds Choir, directed by Helena Twentyman, is giving a Christmas concert on Saturday 12th December at 3pm. There will be a mixture of traditional carols and some light-hearted musical numbers, including a couple of songs in memory of Cilla Black and Val Doonican. The concert will be followed by tea and mince pies. Profits will be given to Dyscover, a charity providing support to people with aphasia.

Takes place at URC Hall and tickets at £7.50 are available at the door or by calling Jenny on 01737 843662.

Some time ago I wrote about a young man from East Horsley. Just to remind you, Callum Gathercole age 20 is hoping to become the youngest person ever to row the Atlantic solo starting on 15th December. Callum has been training like mad and the fundraising for his 3 charities has been tremendous, his team of fundraisers have so far managed to raise a staggering £165,000 towards their £280,000 target. The charities are Princess Alice Hospice, BrainTumour Research and BRACE. Callum is piling on the weight (so he can lose it whilst rowing!), Persil has become the lead sponsor and the boat is on its way to La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Callum will be leaving on the 30th November to do the last preparations on the boat at the starting line.

Callum decided to undertake this amazing challenge in memory of his Dad who died from a brain tumour. Callum is a remarkable young man and we wish him a successful journey but above all a safe one. I hope to be able to give updates in forthcoming issues. For further information about The Persil Waterbabies Atlantic Row or if you wish to make a donation visit the website: www.thewaterbabies.co.uk or visit Callum’s Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/teams/ waterbabies.

Beginning mid-October and running for approximately three months, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is supporting Surrey Waste Partnership’s (SWP) food waste awareness campaign. The campaign aims to encourage even more households across Surrey to recycle their food waste and will see partner organisation, Keep Britain Tidy, deliver a roll of free caddy liners, an information leaflet and a ‘No Food Waste’ sticker to Mole Valley households. An earlier trial saw a 15% increase in the amount of food waste recycled. MVDC collects around 1800 tonnes of recycled food waste each year, but almost double that amount is still being thrown into refuse bins – enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool! Each tonne of food waste recycled rather than put vantagepointmag.co.uk

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Socks again!

Stylist Kirstie Smillie has been searching locally for presents to inspire - move away from the predictable

These leather clutches are perfect for injecting a little colour to the classic jeans and t-shirt look - available in eleven colours, £49, they are also perfect for travelling.

Luigi, 50 High Street, Haslemere 01428 651250.

As a fashion stylist, I offer Personal Styling sessions at home or out shopping for clients who are tight on time and need a voice of confidence to find their own style. Sessions priced from £150.

For gift voucher details, call 07773 234947 or email kirstie@kirstesmillie.com.

Kirstie Smillie Fashion Sylist “My favourite presents are always those that are a little too extravagant for everyday - a beauty treatment, a designer mascara, a beautiful scented candle. I actually love receiving socks at Christmas, soft luxurious cashmere ones for lounging at home or chunky outdoor styles to wear scrunched down over my jeans with my lace up boots.”

Julie Drummond Owner, Sheer Delight Lingerie, Godalming “The best gift I ever received was a curved gold hinged bangle with about 90 diamonds around one edge.

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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gastr

...for the lovers of local food and drink Tired of Turkey for Christmas?

Shop locally this Christmas The next Dorking Farmers’ Market will be held on 14th December in St Martin’s Walk Car Park. It takes place from 9.30am-3.00pm.

The Market will have lots of food stalls including cakes, fresh bread, flowers, chocolate, meats and more.

New Brandy from Albury Albury Vineyards have issued a special release brandy called the Duke’s Reserve Brandy, named after the Duke of Northumberland who owns the land in Albury that the vineyard is on.

It’s 42%, aged in oak for a year and made from their wine by the Silent Pool Distillery. Only 150 bottles have been made of this small batch release and they will only be for sale directly from the vineyard.

They expect to sell out by Christmas! We have a cocktail using it on pages 36-37.

For more information, visit the website at:

the Duke's Reserve

h

ALBURY ESTATE brandy

Bottle No.

Batch No.

Produced and bottled for Albury Vineyard Ltd. GU5 9BW, by Silent Pool Distillery

The Duke's Reserve _black.indd 1

42% 35cl e www.alburyvineyard.com

www.alburyvineyard.com

16/10/2015 12:23

Late Night Christmas Market at Denbies This market will have great festive range of stalls perfect for seasonal food, and also gift ideas, arts, crafts and jewellery.

Santa will be there with horse drawn carriage rides throughout the evening in addition to entertainment throughout the evening. Free mulled wine and mince pies and free admission and car parking.

The British Raj Restaurant offers a fine dining experience where the flavours of the East are given an innovative and modern twist.

In the run up to Christmas why not try some fine Indian Cuisine for a change?

There is a 4-course Christmas Menu for just £19.90.

The menu offers plenty of options and all of the dishes are created with the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

Every Tuesday is banquet night, where a 5-course meal costs from just £11.95 per person.

The restaurant is found in the Surrey Hills Hotel, Horsham Road, Capel RH5 4PG, where there is ample free parking.

Gin Lovers Experience

For gin lovers and those who are plain gin curious, Silent Pool Distillery now offers a 90 minute Experience, where one of the distillers reveals how Silent Pool award winning gin is made, what exactly goes into it and why.

Visitors are taken through the production process, the botanicals, flavours and how they work together to deliver a multi levelled and complextasting gin.

There will also be the opportunity to taste some of the various stages in production and some of the other spirits being produced.

Go to www.silentpooldistillers.co.uk

www.denbies.co.uk

Send us your food news to gastro@vantagepublishing.co.uk 26

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

in refuse saves £50 and, if the entire county’s food waste was recycled, it would result in almost £3million savings in disposal costs. It is much better for the environment if residents place their food waste in the caddies provided as part of the MVDC’s weekly collection service. When food waste is mixed in with general waste sent to landfill, the result is the production of the powerful greenhouse gas methane, which is nearly 100 times more potent than CO2.

Recycled food waste however is sent to be processed at an Anaerobic Digestion Plant to produce a nutrient rich fertilizer for use in agriculture as well as biogas, which is used to create power. A range of useful hints and tips to help simplify MVDC’s food waste service, can be found by visiting www.recycleforsurrey.org.uk. For more information about food or MVDC’s other waste collection services, visit www.molevalley.gov.uk/bins or call 01306 885001.

The Dorking & District U3A holds its monthly meeting on Wednesday 16th December at 2.30pm in the Christian Centre beside St Martin’s Church in Dorking. Ashtead solicitor and Magic Circle member John Field will entertain with an amusing and informative talk about the ancient art of magic. Admission is free. For more information on the range of activities offered by the Dorking U3A visit www. dorkingu3a.org.uk.

Beare Green & Newdigate Choral Society would love you to join them for their Christmas concert in Newdigate Village Hall on Wednesday 16th December at 7.30pm.

There will be free mince pies and mulled wine will be served in the interval. The concert is free with a retiring collection in aid of charity. Also, on 1st December they will be singing carols outside the Surrey Oaks, Newdigate at 8pm. The Society always welcome new singers, no experience is necessary. Ring the secretary for details on 01306 631115.

A Christmas Tea Dance will be held at The Dorking Christian Centre on Wednesday 16th December from 2pm-4pm. Other than the usual dances, there will be a sing song of popular Christmas songs to join in with. Even if you are not a dancer, go and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and refreshments of which the majority is homemade. All of this for only £2! For further details, contact Brian on 01306 884950 or email brian belton@ hotmail.com.

The West Surrey Natural History Society (WSNHS) holds monthly talks by well-known naturalists from September to April on a wide variety of natural history subjects.

The talks are held at Ripley Village Hall at 8pm on the fourth Thursday in the month. All meetings are free to members or £3 for non-members (unless otherwise stated). Annual membership single £7, family membership £12. Members receive a regular Newsletter. All enquiries to the Society December 2015

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Secretary, Anna Stribley, on 01372 457623 or you can find further information at www.wsnhs.wordpress.com.

On Thursday 17th December, the talk is ‘Close Encounters with Tigers’, an illustrated talk by Janet Buck who is very interested in wildlife and travel. In this talk Janet will show her photographs of Tigers in the Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, South India. Sloth Bears seen were in another area called Satpura National Park still in Madhya Pradesh. The talk will be followed by festive Mulled Wine and Mince Pies! Members £3, non-members £5 Dorking Choral Society is pushing the boat out this year for their Christmas Concert. On Friday 18th December at St Joseph’s Church, Falkland Grove, Dorking, the ever popular event will include the five or six shortlisted entries from the 84 sent in from around the world in response to the Ray Bardsley Carol Competition announced earlier this year.

During the evening the winning entry will be adjudicated and announced by the Master of the Queen’s Music, Judith Weir and the Musical Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, Stephen Jackson. The concert will begin at 7.30pm. The concert will, as usual, be followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Watch out for posters around town and on the Society’s website at www.dorkingchoralsociety.co.org .

Carols for Clandon Park at Holy Trinity Church, on Friday 18th December from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Despite the

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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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.

vantagepointmag.co.uk

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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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

devastating fire at Clandon Park in April, one of Clandon Park’s most popular events of the year will still go ahead, now in the beautiful setting of Holy Trinity Church. Featuring readings by actress Penelope Keith, join the brilliant Oxford Singers for their 30th year performing in support of Clandon Park. All proceeds will go to the Clandon Park appeal. Booking essential at www.visitguildford.com or call 01483 444334.

Adult £17, Child £7, Family £41.

Horsley Garden Society holds flower and produce shows, meetings, lectures and visits that bring together those with an interest in gardening. In their three shows members compete for awards and trophies with their flowers, fruit and vegetables, homecrafts and handicrafts. All activities take place at the West Horsley Village Hall. Anyone interested in membership at the modest cost of £8 per annum should contact the Chairman, Roger Lindsay, email: r.lindsay339@ btinternet.com or the Membership Secretary, Terry Lazenby, email: terrylazenby@terrylazenby.plus.com.

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

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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/become-a-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.

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 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.

Spellbound! Are you? If so play the spelling game – Scrabble. You can do so on a Thursday evening with the Dorking Scrabble Club. The Dorking Scrabblers are a friendly group and will make you welcome whether you are a beginner or an expert. For details, ring Priscilla on 01737 767072 or David 01306 889308.

The Dorking Christian Centre believes that no one should be on their own on Christmas Day so they organise a Christmas lunch with entertainment, refreshments and presents to those who attend. It is run by volunteers who donate their time to cook, serve, host or entertain. If you are interested in joining them please ring the Christian Centre on 01306 886830 to put your name down to join the fun.

There is a New Year’s Day Belvedere Tower opening at Claremont Landscape Gardens, Esher from 11am2pm. Bring family and friends to walk off the excesses of the holiday season with a stroll around the garden and an opportunity to enjoy stunning views from the Belvedere Tower. Usual admission, no need to book. More information: 01372 467806.

! !

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Also on the 1st January is the annual New Year’s Day Gathering at Brooklands Museum. All classic, modern classic, vintage, veteran and super cars, motorcycles and vantagepointmag.co.uk

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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commercial vehicles are welcome for possibly the largest New Year’s Day gathering in the South East. Entry is via the Campbell Gate off Brooklands Road for all types of classics and pre-booked car clubs (and interesting or special younger vehicles, including supercars) - parking will be in and around the Paddock, on the Finishing Straight and Members’ Banking for these vehicles (subject to space). We will also have the Vickers Gate open for BTM classics fast-track entry - access via Brooklands Drive and Mercedes-Benz World. Gates open at 9am and the Museum buildings and displays are open from 10am-4pm; normal Museum admission prices apply.

For those just turning up to look at this wonderful display, as well as the rest of the Museum and its exhibits, there will be parking in The Heights off Wellington Way. The Editor tells me it is a brilliant day out!

The Leatherhead Institute is a veritable hive of activity, indeed activities. There are talks, walks and musical afternoons mostly followed by tea and cakes. There is a new Art/History programme on Wednesdays that are due to start on 27th January when Paul Pickering will focus on Venice for two weeks. Further lectures will be given by Dr Katy Brown and also a new lecturer, Jessica Saraga. Subjects vary from renaissance painters to looking at the works of artists from the English Neo-Romantics to the St Ives School. There is weekly Bridge, starting on 8th January, and Scrabble is played every

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other Friday also from 8th January. On Monday afternoons from 2 - 4.30pm there is snooker and table tennis, £1 for members and £2 for non-members. If you are not a member go and try some of these activities and you may feel that you would like to join! Details of all that happens at the Institute can be found in the January - April newsletter available from Sarah on 01372 360508. Sarah will also tell you all about membership, which is only £5 p.a, or click on to the website where you can find full information about the Institute, www. leatherheadca.org.uk or email them on 1ca2@btconnect. com.

The award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) begin their 10th Anniversary Year with Shakespeare’s great late play, The Winter’s Tale, in the newly restored Holy Trinity Church from 8th-27th February 2016. The Winter’s Tale is a play of contrasts: winter and summer; old and young; fantasy and reality. The play covers 16 years and takes the audience from dark tragedy to new hope. A beautiful and captivating fable, The Winter’s Tale features one of most truly magical moments in theatre, and possibly the most famous of stage directions: “Exit pursued by a bear”. The Winter’s Tale runs for three weeks and has 24 performances. Tickets start from £18 and are available online or by calling the Box Office on 01483 304384 or www.guildford-shakespeare-company. co.uk. Public booking opens 1st December.

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South Holmwood to Coldharbour This is a circular walk through fields and woods. There is a steep climb at Leith Hill but you can avoid it and shorten the walk if you wish. There is a lovely pub en-route, The Plough at Coldharbour, please see the offer below. The walk description is provided by Guildford Rambling Club who will be walking it on the 3rd January 2016, please check the website for more details if you would like to join them (guildfordramblingclub.org.uk).

The walk 1. Walk back along Mill Road towards the A24 for about 200 yards and then turn left down the access road to Holmwood Park Farm. Walk through the houses and through a gate straight out into fields along a concrete track. Reach its end at a small bridge and gate.

In this field, ignore the footpath sign pointing right.

The path that you want heads out straight across the field to a small crossing over a rail line (where there is a footpath sign pointing back to the gate) but crops may force you to walk there around the edge. Go over the rail line and into a small field on the other side.

2. Walk forward for a few yards then turn right onto a bridleway on the near side of the hedge and walk along parallel to the rail line and through fields to a house. Continue forward along its drive to pass first 3-way signpost and then an immediate 2-way signpost and walk along a metalled lane and under a road bridge to reach a T-junction with a minor road. Turn right and cross. Walk over a bridge above the rail line and Holmwood Station. Walk past a few houses and, at the 30 limit sign at the end of them, take a footpath off left. This takes you through to Moorhurst Lane where you turn left.

3. Pass the imposing gate of Capel Leyse on your right and reach a junction by a Copse Farm sign (point *, see later). Here fork left down a lane that gradually deteriorates to a track and continues through trees.

Soon after this, the terrain opens out to fields on your right and you reach a T-junction with a concrete track and a sign to Trout Farm. Here you turn right to walk along the track to Henhurst Cross Lane. Cross, jinking right, to turn left into the access road to Bearhurst.

Immediately past the house on the corner (Bearhurst Lodge) take a footpath right.

4. Go over a stile and through a gap into a field and turn left to walk along the left-hand edge, climbing a slope. Go through to the next field and head for the stile in the far right-hand corner. Immediately cross another stile into another field and head up the slope to the far left-hand corner. Now head for the far right-hand corner of the next field, dipping down and climbing up to do so. Exit through a gate and go right to reach a road. Jink right, cross and take a footpath left and fairly steeply up. Eventually reach another road. You could shorten the walk and avoid a steep climb by turning right here and walking over ½ 34

mile along the road to pass Christ Church church and reach the pub in Coldharbour. You might even choose to picnic at the church.

5. If you intend to finish the full walk, turn left and walk a few yards to turn right into Landslip Car Park.

Walk through and out of the other end following the footpath to the Tower signs. You will be led away right and then steeply up a long haul culminating in steps that take you to a barrier. Here you leave the path to the Tower and turn right along a wide track. Continue along this track for about ¾ mile, ignoring lefts and rights, until you drop down to emerge on the road opposite the Plough in Coldharbour where you could lunch or you could picnic close by.

6. After lunch, take a footpath running down by the back of the gardens of the cottages at the right-hand side of the pub. Follow the path across a field and then down through a wood to arrive at a very narrow lane. Turn left and walk along until, at the end of the

THE PLOUGH INN COLDHARBOUR

WALKERS LUNCH OFFER 15% OFF LUNCH MENU UNTIL END JANUARY 2016

TERMS & CONDITIONS Please present this voucher on arrival.

Terms & Conditions apply. Excludes Christmas menu. Booking advised.

Open to non-walkers too!

Tel: 01306 711793 | www.ploughinn.com vantagepointmag.co.uk

WALK

lane just past Kitlands Cottage, taking a footpath right, into a field. Head out slightly left and down slope to find a stile in the left-hand hedge. In the next field, turn right and follow the right-hand edge to a track exiting from the far right-hand corner. Follow this through to Henhurst Cross Lane and turn left. Walk up the road to pass various houses. Ignore the first footpath right. Pass The Walled Garden and then, by Stable Cottage, take a footpath right. Quickly reach a T junction and turn right.

7. Walk for about ½ mile, at first along a narrow path, ignoring lefts and rights as it widens and eventually becomes a road (Moorhurst Lane). Walk to the junction at point * (see left). This time take the road left, signed ‘Burleys Private No Through Road Footpath Only’. This runs into a car parking area and then on along a dirt track into trees. Ignore lefts and rights and continue ahead to reach a stile into a field. Walk along the left-hand edge to cross two stiles and enter ‘Bechets

Brook Fields’, NT land. Continue along the left-hand side of two fields. Then exit over a stile on the left onto the access road to Anstie Grange.

8. Turn right and follow the road as it swings left. Ignore tracks right, pass the entrance to a side road on the left and then swing right to reach houses in South Holmwood. Just past Betchet’s Green Farmhouse and a small pond, turn right to climb a short slope to the church.

Go straight through the churchyard to the A24. Go straight across (if you prefer, there is an underpass a couple of hundred yards along to the left) and enter the lane opposite, ignoring several signposts. Walk along the lane until you reach a house and then take a footpath forking left and into trees. Emerge in a field.

9. Continue forward along its right-hand edge, through a kissing gate, across a small field and over a little footbridge into a very large field. Head out very slightly right across this field and slightly more right across the next field to reach an electric fence and the concrete track which you came along at the walk start. You may need to walk left along the fence to find the way through, the farmer sometimes moves it. On the concrete track turn left and walk through to Mill Road. Turn right and walk along the road to the start.

DISTANCE: 9 or 8.25 miles OS MAPS: Explorer 146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham STARTING POINT: Head south down the A24. Just past the South Holmwood sign turn left into Mill Road towards

Leigh/Brockhurst. Go on to reach a pond, Fourwents Pond, at a cross roads. Park in the car park there.

REFRESHMENTS: The Plough, Coldharbour. T: 01306 711793 Christchurch, Coldharbour. Consecrated in 1848, this small church is on the slopes of Leith Hill.© Copyright Ian Capper

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

Entry is now open for the 3rd 2XU Surrey Half Marathon Kids’ Challenge. The event is open to 6-16 year olds who are invited to complete a 2km closed-road course on 13th March. To help everyone to prepare for their 2km run Shooting Star CHASE’s Professor Popplepants has put together a 10 step training plan which is downloadable from the 2XU Surrey Half website. Complete all the tasks ready for race day and you’ll be able to meet Professor Popplepants on race day. 10% of registration fees from the 2016 Kids’ Challenge will go to Shooting Star CHASE, Those who complete the 10 training activities and raise over £50 for Shooting Star CHASE will receive a special Professor Popplepants pin badge in recognition of all their hard work! To learn more about the event, have a look at http://surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk/charity/shooting-starchase.

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

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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-bird discount of just £99 per team, register before 31st December 2015 at www. action.org.uk/plod-south-downs-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.

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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PROFILE Dorking Friends of Cancer Research UK Next year is the 40th anniversary of Dorking Friends of Cancer Research UK: a local fund raising committee of volunteers. Since the committee started in 1976 over £655,000 has been raised and this year the generosity of local people has enabled Dorking Friends to send over £33,000 to Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Without any Government funding, Cancer Research UK is reliant on the generosity of the public.

Throughout this year Dorking Friends has raised funds by: • Street collections such as Gatwick Airport for World Cancer Day and Flag day in Dorking • Events such as our Big Breakfast and the Bridge Lunch • Raffles and our annual Stand up to Cancer tombola, with all prizes donated so every penny goes to CRUK • Sponsorship raised from the Swimarathon event with teams including the 1st Dorking Scout Group, The Priory School, St Paul’s Church and Coldharbour village raising money for us • Little Legs for Life at St Martin’s school where over 100 pupils were sponsored to put their best foot forward walking or running laps of the playing field • Selling pink paper blooms at the 5K Race for Life in Horsham.

Since the Dorking Friends of Cancer Research UK fundraising group first formed in 1976, the charity has seen such tremendous progress in the fight against cancer. In the 1970’s, less than a quarter of people survived cancer. Cancer Research UK is now able to say that as many people survive cancer as die from cancer. Put simply, this means that the survival rate has doubled over the last 40 years. Look at the chart below to see the achievements of this period.

of those people die. Last year alone, Cancer Research UK spent more than £28 million on some of the UK’s best scientific and clinical research in the South East, including £1 million on research in Brighton. In 2016, Europe’s most ambitious research hub, the Francis Crick Institute, will open in King’s Cross. Part funded by CRUK, it will employ 1,200 of the world’s best scientists – a collective force of first class expertise. Locally, CRUK has led clinical trials which have taken place at the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford.

In 2016, if you would like to fund raise with them in our 40th year, there are many ways to get involved, for example: • A Little Legs for Life event at your local primary school • A sponsored relay team of 6 friends to swim for us at Dorking Deepdene Rotary Club’s annual Swimarathon on 12th March 2016 • Have a collecting tin at your local pub, shop, club • As a local business support them by donating a raffle prize. Maybe you can provide a location for an event or offer matched funding?

• Collect for one hour on our Flag Day in Dorking in April 2016 • Become a Friend and support what we do ‘to help beat cancer sooner’. No membership fee and receive advance notice of our events.

If you have an idea, or want to organise your own oneoff event let them know; they can help with the planning and ensure the best financial return; anything that will publicise Cancer Research UK and help Dorking Friends raise money.

After the wonderful strides made in cancer treatment and cure in the last 40 years, Cancer Research UK’s bold new ambition is to accelerate progress and to see three quarters of people surviving the disease within the next 20 years - by the time of our 60th anniversary.

Realising this vision is achievable; possibly with your help.

FIND OUT MORE

Every day around 120 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East, and very sadly around half December 2015

They would love to hear from you – they’re an approachable bunch! Email dfcancerresearchuk@btinternet.com. Dorking Friends of Cancer Research UK has a JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/DorkingFriendsofCRUK2015.

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