What's on in April & May

Wed 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th & Mon 6th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 27th April Ranger led walk: The secret language of trees Stroll across the beautiful Polesden estate with one of our Rangers. Come on our guided walk, exploring the secret language of trees. Go to visitor reception where you collect your wooden token and then go the shepherd's hut, where the ranger will meet you. Phone: 01372 452048. A National Trust Event. 11am to 12 noon. Free event but normal admission charges apply. Tel: 01372 452048. Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, RH5 6BD.

Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th April Jack the Ripper Performed by Oxted Operatic Society, is a musical reconstruction by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne of incidents relating to the East End murders which took place in1888. Jack the Ripper's identity is hinted at, but set in Whitechapel Music Hall with scenes of fun, terror, song and dance, the play is an atmospheric commentary rather than an historical re-enactment, shifting between reality and artificiality. Tickets costing just £15 are available from 07446 978859 or book via www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk. 7.45pm. Barn Theatre, 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, RH8 0AA. Saturday 4th April ESCS Easter concert - two favourite settings of the Requiem Two favourite settings of the Requiem Mass by French composers, Gabriel Faure & Maurice Durufle. East Surrey Choral Society (ESCS) will be joined by guest soloists for the concert. Children under £12 free. Adults £12 to include refreshments & programme. Tickets can be obtained on the door on the website www:ESCS.org.uk. URC, Harestone Hill, Caterham, CR3 6SX Monday 6th to Friday 17th April Ultimate Activity Camps at Reigate St. Mary’s - Reigate We provide outstanding holiday childcare for 4-14 year olds in the school holidays, where the children’s welfare and having fun are our primary concern! Every day, children will enjoy a brilliant mix of sports, games and creative activities led by inspiring staff at amazing locations! With great savings if you book early, we offer great value for money. Book by the day or week and you can use childcare vouchers to pay too, and change dates for free up to 14 days in advance! For peace of mind, Ultimate Activity Camps are Ofsted registered and all our staff are DBS cleared and qualified teachers or instructors. Open from 8am to 6pm. Tel: 0330 111 7077. Reigate St. Mary’s School, Chart Lane, Reigate, RH2 7RN.

Tuesday 7th April Book Club in Banstead Love books? Do you want to join a friendly group? Then this could be the Book Club for you. Run in partnership with All Saints Church Banstead and Mary Francis Trust, we meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Come and join us, we'd love to welcome you to our club. 6.30pm to 8pm. FREE. Tel: 01372 461958. Banstead Youth Centre, The Horseshoe, Banstead, SM7 2BQ.

Thursday 9th April What Really Happened on Easter Island The Arts Society Croydon Area - meet Monthly (2nd Thursday) at 10.15am at All Saints Church Hall, Sanderstead. For further details please phone 02086572496 or email janice.brunger@outlook.com

Sunday 12th and Monday 13th April Easter Egg Hunt Come for a springtime stroll through Gatton Park and join the hunt this Easter weekend. Explore the beautiful Edwardian gardens looking for clues to win chocolate eggs. Spot herons nesting from the bird hide on the far side of the lake. Enjoy Easter crafts, face painting and games in Gatton Hall. Refreshments available. No booking required. Time: 1pm to 5pm. Adults £5, Children £3. Tel: 01737 649068. Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW. Saturday 2nd May Banstead Village May Fayre We have stalls that are open between about 9am and 4pm in front of All Saints Church. There will be a large street parade that will walk the length of Banstead High Street at 11.30am. This normally has about 2000

people in it. At about 12 noon there will be speeches, and then various display teams until 4pm. All profits from the day will be donated to charity. Free Entry. Tel: 07754 981193. The Orchard All Saints Church, High Street, Banstead, SM7 2NG.

Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th May The 39 Steps The Oxted Players are performing The 39 Steps, a comedy by Patrick Barlow. A mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python. An intriguing, thrilling, riotous and unmissable comedy. The show hurtles a notorious fugitive and a spellbound blonde from a London music hall north by northwest to Scotland’s most remote highlands. Will they save Britain from a den of devious spies? Tickets £8 to £10 from 01883 724852. 7.45pm. Barn Theatre, 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, RH8 0AA Thursday 14th May Orientalism, Chinoiserie and Japonisme The Arts Society Croydon Area - meet Monthly (2nd Thursday) at 10.15am at All Saints Church Hall, Sanderstead. For further details please phone 02086572496 or email janice.brunger@outlook.com

Saturday 16th May Maggie’s - Open Garden for NGS The garden surrounding the centre has been designed by world-famous Dutch Landscape Architect Piet Oudolf. The garden has many different zones, some enjoying full sun and others in dappled shade, whilst the pathway from the hospital meanders under mature trees. Plant communities are carefully chosen, including 14 different grasses, a palette of 6 hardy ferns and more than 50 different perennials. Admission £5, Children £1. Light refreshments. 10am to 5pm. Open for charity. Maggie’s, Sutton, London SM2 5NG. Thursday 21st to Tuesday 26th May Zippos Circus 2020 ’Nomads’ Zippo’s Circus is back for 2020 with a brand new show starring a multi-talented troupe from the steppes of Mongolia backed by a diverse cast of thrilling artists from around the globe. Astonishing acrobats and aerialists, contortionists, comics and daredevil motorcyclists come together from all corners of the world for this year’s cosmopolitan production. Prices from £7.99. Times vary. See local posters or the circus website for details: https://www.zippos.co.uk/. Tel: 0871 210 2100. Beddington Park, Croydon Road, Wallington, Sutton, SM6 7NP. Sunday 24th May All-England Theatre Festival Eastern Area Final Come and enjoy some of the best one-act plays in the south east of England this year. The performances start at 2.30pm and 6.30pm and tickets costing just £10.00 or £18.00 for both sessions are available from www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk or 01959 561811. 2.30pm & 6.30pm. £10 for one session or £18 for both sessions. Tel: 01959 561811. Barn Theatre, 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, RH8 0AA. Sunday 24th & Monday 25th May 57 Westhall Road - Open Garden for NGS Swathes of tulips, mature kiwi and grape vines, mixed borders, raised vegetable beds, box, bay, cork oak and yew topiaries. Amphitheatre of potted plants on lower steps, stunning views of Caterham and Whyteleafe from top garden, olive tree floating on a circular 'pond' of white and pink flowers. Admission £4, children free. Home-made teas. 2pm to 5pm. Open for charity. 57 Westhall Road, Warlingham, CR6 9BG Tuesday 26th May Princess and the Pea When a young Prince is in search of a bride, his mother, The Queen, is on the lookout for a real Princess. But after several months the Prince has not met anyone he likes. One night, a young woman turns up on the steps of the palace, wet through from a huge storm. The Queen does not believe she is a real Princess, so she the young woman a test. In true fairy tale style the young woman passes with flying colours and wins the heart of the Prince. Running time: 40 minutes. Suitable for all, especially 2-11 year olds, including those with special needs. 3.00pm. Adults £12, children £10. Pre-booked children’s lunch available £4. Tel: 020 8265 4634. Stanley Halls, 12 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6AB