The Guide 2 Surrey - December 2017 by The Guide 2 Surrey

ISSUE 51

Christmas Party

Tanning

77 Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4QH

08000 88 60 90 consol.eu

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Welcome to

Featured in this issue: The Guide 2 Your Month

How to make Christmas Baubles

Festive Food and Drink

FRONT PAGE NEWS:

THE LITTLE GUIDE 2

Festive Food & Drink

FREE MINCE PIE

Winter Snow Scene Wrapping Paper from Arthouse Meath

sent me here. FREE SWIMMING FROM ESQUIRES COFFEE

“My what a fancy front cover”, we hear you say. This wonderfully atmospheric festive scene is in fact wrapping paper sourced from Godalming based charity Arthouse Meath. These luxury wrapping papers are created by professional designers on-site, producing beautiful layouts from the unique creations of ARTHOUSE artists living with severe epilepsy, physical and learning difficulties. The designs are then printed on high quality paper to produce gorgeous wrapping paper bursting with character. The wrapping paper features artwork created by a collaborative group of artists. Visit Arthouse Meath at 96 High Street, Godalming, Surrey. GU7 1DW For more information visit arthousemeath.com | Tel: 01483 425273

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VALID FROM 1ST DECEMBER - 31ST DECEMBER 2017

Esquires (Esher) 27 High Street, Esher, KT10 9RL Esquires (Guildford) 278 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3JL

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FREE MINCE PIE FROM ESQUIRES COFFEE To celebrate the season we have a free mince pie for every reader courtesy of Esquires Coffee. Throughout the month of December, simply take in the above voucher to either the Guildford or Esher branch of Esquires and receive a free mince pie (limited to 1 per person).

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This product is published by TG Media Group (trading under The Good Time Guide Ltd.) Address: TG Media Group, The Bothy, Albury Park, Guildford, Surrey GU5 9BH Tel: 01483 456001 Email: info@tgmediagroup.co.uk Managing Director: Fiona Knowlton Creative Director: Alex D’Arcy-Orga Deputy Editor: Rich Lee Photographer: Fiona Digby-Jones Designer: Emma Lewis This product is printed by Acorn.

COMMUNITY

ISSUE 51

Our Citizens on

Welcome to Our Citizens on Instagram. This feature gives you an insight into the everyday lives of people and businesses in Surrey, from breakfast to bedtime and everything in between. Check out our favourites below. Also, follow us on Instagram (theguide2surrey) and if we like what we see then we’ll feature you in these pages!

Louisa Grace Interiors

@louisagraceinteriors Four fabulous french café chairs - love their retro design and orange and yellow colour

@louisagraceinteriors louisagraceinteriorsSomething a bit different! Very rustic, Hungarian green and white original paint dresser just in... #interiordesign #vintagefurniture

Illustrations Prints

@illustrationsprints Christmas on #LeithHill, #Surrey. Hand drawn illustration of Leith Hill in the snow. Limited edition. www.illustrationsandprints.com/christmas

@illustrationsprints Holmbury Hill. Part of my #SurreyHills illustrations. Available as A4 or A2 print #Dorking #landscape #illustration #illustrator www.illustrationsandprints.com

Thirty One Cakes

@thirtyonecakes Gold; would be rude not to! @hannahduffyphotography #gold #cake #grey #weddingcake

@thirtyonecakes All ingredients in our cakes are made from scratch wherever possible because, well, it tastes better! . @hannahduffyphotography

Me Myself and Ernest

@memyselfandernest Feeling proud. #igotthis #anythingelseisabonus #humour #tuesdaygoals #roughnight

@memyselfandernest It’s a ‘hang out with my little crew and ponder life’s mysteries’ kinda day... #illustrationoftheday #thursdaythoughts

Nourish Kitchen

@nourish.kitchen Platters of our gluten, grain and refined sugar free snacks with fresh, hydrating berries. The perfect way to reward hard working teams or for a yummy addition to a party menu

@nourish.kitchen Harissa and cumin spiced roasted root vegetables, crumbled feta, fresh spinach, toasted almonds and our green goodness fresh basil, mint, honey and avocado oil dressing.

Sorrel Restaurant

@sorrel_restaurant_dorking Mint & saffron jelly

@sorrel_restaurant_dorking Scenes from Sorrel - onion & thyme brioche

COMMUNITY

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Community

Wattle and Daub Home

@wattleanddaubhome Forever changing.....

@wattleanddaubhome It could be the end of a beautiful relationship but hey ho @botanical_tales

House Partnership

@housepartnership Beautiful view into the perfect garden.

The Oak and Owl

@theoakandtheowl It’s started

@cashmeregoosehw We do love a sparkle@CG #weekend #inspiration #candles #homewares #giftideas

cashmeregoosehw #gettingexcited #Christmas #welove #lights #baubles #fun @cashmeregoosehw

@ceramics_cafe_farnham Christmas tree plates

@ceramics_cafe_farnham This large cup is the perfect size for a hot chocolate! We’ve decorated ours with a snowman face!

Lower lodge Candles

@theoakandtheowl The wait is over! I’m now all set up at the fabulous @packhousefarnhamup until Christmas!

Two Many Cooks

@twomanycooks Beef skewers always go down a storm. Beef & horseradish. No brainer

Cashmere Goose

Ceramics Cafe

@housepartnership Cold nights make us think of roaring fires.

@lowerlodgecandles Relax into your weekend with our beautiful Rose Petal & Precious Woods Luxury Ceramic Candle.

@lowerlodgecandles Christmas has arrived at our Guildford store!

Harbour Hotel, Guildford

@twomanycooks What a TART.

@harbourhotelguildford All day dining and drinking at our Harbour Cafe & Bar

@harbourhotelguildford Working on our Xmas desserts

ISSUE 51

Sunninghill | Ascot | Berkshire

STUNNING NEW LUXURY APARTMENTS

NOW AVAILABLE

Welcome to worry-free winters Lynwood Village, an award-winning retirement village in Sunninghill, near Ascot, is designed to make life easier for over 65s. LET IT SNOW! If you live at Lynwood Village you can relax all winter long, knowing you’ll be safe and warm with company and support at hand.

STAYING COSY Our beautiful, spacious apartments are extremely well insulated. Low-energy electric heating means you’ll be cosy all winter without running up huge bills.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS ON YOUR DOORSTEP If it’s too cold to go out you can still enjoy Lynwood Village’s many facilities and daily activities, they’re all under one roof and you can access everything without having to venture outside.

WE’D BE DELIGHTED TO SHOW YOU AROUND To arrange a visit and to view available properties, contact us. Call: 01344

874250

Visit: lynwoodvillage.co.uk

Email: sales@lynwoodvillage.co.uk

Retirement community and Care Centre operated by Ben - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood Court, Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Ascot, SL5 0FG. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894). Registered with the Homes and Communities Agency (no. LH 3766).

COMMUNITY

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Community

A Community Christmas What will you be doing this Christmas? Perhaps you’ll swing by mum and dad’s place to spend it with the family? Or maybe you’re off on a long haul to see the in-laws? Possibly you’ll be with pals celebrating in style? Of course, spending time at Christmas with loved ones is part and parcel of the magic and memories created, it’s a date in the diary that you can guarantee will be spent in the company of those nearest and dearest to you. Unfortunately this is not the case for some and more often than not the ‘some’ tend to be the elderly faction of our society that simply do not have anywhere to go or indeed have no one to spend Christmas with. Fortunately, there are some pretty special folk that exist to provide comfort to those in need. Community Christmas was an initiative set up by local Handybus driver Caroline Billington, who was driving a group of elderly ladies to lunch on Christmas Day back in 2007. On the return journey the group enthused about the day and the chance to meet each other again throughout the year. So inspired by the conversation that took place in the back of her Handybus, Caroline decided to volunteer for the whole of Christmas Day the following year. Then in 2011, Caroline set up Commuity Christmas enlisting the services of two venues to cater for the lonely on Christmas Day. The following year the figure doubled and now in 2017 there are up to 504 listings of venues found on the Community Christmas website to the benefit of many in need of company at Christmas.

How can you help? What can you do to help this Christmas? Can you afford a few hours to volunteer at a centre to assist in the days work? Are you an organisation that would like to host their own Community Christmas? Perhaps you know of someone on their own that you can point in the right direction? If you can help this Christmas visit communitychristmas.org.uk

Where to spend Christmas? Moorcroft Day Centre, Woking A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required. Contact Anne Roberts on 01932 403292 or email anneroberts3@ntlworld.com

St. Johns Church, West Byfleet A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required. Contact Zoe Bushell on 01932 342263 or email christmaslunch@stjohnswestbyfleet.org.uk

Church Gate House, St.Andrews, Cobham A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required and volunteers are needed! Contact Shirley Boakye-Mensa on 07738 270506 or email olathe@hotmail.co.uk

Addlestone Community Centre, Addlestone A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required and volunteers are needed! Contact Penny Potter on 01932 829678 or email penny.potter@salvationarmy.org.uk

Victoria Hall, Hartley Wintney A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required. Contact Chris Cornwell on 01252 843251 or email over55forum@yahoo.co.uk

St. Mark’s Church, Reigate A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required and volunteers are needed! Contact Lisa Irwin on 01737 762115 or email lisa@varb.org.uk

Banstead Methodist Church, Reigate A free event serving a traditional Christmas lunch for people on their own. Booking required and volunteers are needed!

Contact David Willock on 01737 353138 or email d.a.willock@ntlworld.com

ISSUE 51

Give the gift of entertainment this Christmas FOR THE MUSICAL LOVER

22 – 27 JAN

27 FEB – 3 MAR

FOR THE DRAMA DEVOTEE

29 JAN – 3 FEB

FOR THE STRICTLY FAN

12 – 17 FEB

FOR THE KIDS

19 – 24 FEB

8 – 11 MAR

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ATGTICKETS.COM/Woking* BOX OFFICE 0844 871 7645*

Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

24/11/2017 13:49

TheGuide2Surrey.com

Explore a world of magical illuminations in the garden as dusk falls Garden open until 8pm, 24 December close at 5pm. For garden tickets and special offers visit rhs.org.uk/wisley. RHS Members go free.

In partnership with

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

TICKETS INCLUDE CHAMPAGNE ON ARRIVAL, THREE-COURSE DINNER, DJ AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

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GLive.co.uk

ISSUE 51

Fri 8 Dec 17 - Sun 7 Jan 18 Box Office 01483 44 00 00 - www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Ca m be r l ey T h eaT r e p r es en Ts

it’S GoinG to Be an awfully BiG adventure!

By J.M. Barrie

roBert pearce aS MrS SMee

charlie leGG aS SMee

Director Suzi Budd · Writer

MarcuS churchill aS captain hook

Grace holroyd aS wendy

harriSon SpierS aS peter pan

Suzi Budd

aS tinker Bell

· Choreographer Anna Ludford · Musical Director Samuel Ryall

tueSday 12 – Sunday 31 deceMBer 2017 Box Office 01276 707600 · www.camberleytheatre.co.uk Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY

Presented by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Samuel French Limited

Supported by

www.thebestprint.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

THE GUIDE 2 YOUR MONTH Alice in Winterland

7th December – 7th January Rose Theatre, Kingston Enjoy this enchanting reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic at the Rose Theatre in Kingston this December as you follow Alice to the magically curious world of Winterland, a place of ice and imagination, of mad hatters and cruel queens, strong-minded dodos and friendly knights. Will Alice save Winterland? Find out this December at the Rose Theatre’s Christmas production. For more information visit rosetheatrekingston.org

Kate Rusby at Christmas 17th December / G Live, Guildford Catch Kate Rusby on her popular Christmas tour at G Live this December. Singing seasonal songs conjuring tidings of joy and goodwill, the spirit of Christmas will be ever present, making this concert the perfect family affair this yuletide. A Mercury Prize nominee and winner of countless folk awards, catch a true gem in Guildford this month. For more information and tickets visit glive.co.uk

Christmas Glow

1st December – 3rd January RHS Gardens, Wisley Begin the advent of Christmas with the truly magical Christmas Glow that takes place at RHS Gardens Wisley this December. Enjoy gigantic illuminated flowers found throughout the garden and watch on as the glasshouse is transformed by a cacophony of colour that lights up the night sky. Open until 8pm with last entry at 7pm. For more information visit rhs.org.uk

Mane Chance Christmas Carols 10th December The Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Godalming

The ever popular Mane Chance Christmas carol concert takes place once again at The Church of St. Peter & Paul in Godalming this December complete with their ever adorable Shetland ponies. In addition to the Christmas carols, expect readings from actors Martin Shaw, Sara Crowe, Damien Edwards, Philip Cumbus, Thomasin Rand and Jenny Seagrove. For more information visit manechancesanctuary.org

ISSUE 51

THE GUIDE 2 Jack & His Giant Beanstalk

Comedians & Carols

“He’s behind you!” Oh no he isn’t… wait, oh yes he is”. Watch Jack straddle his Giant Beanstalk as adult panto reaches dizzying heights and comes back to the Back Room of The Star Inn in Guildford this December. Presented by the fine folk of Guildford Fringe Theatre Company expect all the kind of noel inspired naughtiness one would expect from an adult pantomime plus a tonne of seasonal spunk.

Once in Woking, comedians and carols joined forces for an evening of yuletide song and silliness. Based loosely around the format of Nine Lessons and Carols, join local comedian and writer Paul Kerensa (Miranda, Not Going Out, TGI Friday, Top Gear) and fellow funnies Jo Enright, Gareth Richards and Allan Finnegan as they recount their version of Christmas.

For more information visit guildfordfringe.com

For more information visit christchurchwoking.org

Until 31st December / The Star Inn, Guildford

8th December / Christchurch, Jubilee Square, Woking

Christmas Decorations in Willow 9th December / RHS Gardens, Wisley

Come one, come all and enjoy a morning of Christmas crafts at RHS Gardens Wisley this December. Feel your way through this fabulously festive workshop and learn how to make Christmas decorations for your home and garden using willow. Join local willow weaver Nicki Rowling and make chains, wreaths, stars, lanterns and Christmas trees to dress your home. For more information visit rhs.org.uk

Turner in Surrey

Until 4th March / The Lightbox, Woking Art lovers should find their way to The Lightbox in Woking for the museum and gallery’s latest exhibition ‘Turner in Surrey’. For the first time ever, this exhibition explores J.M.W. Turner’s work produced on his various travels, stops and periods of residence on the Thames, Wey Navigation and in the county of Surrey, prior to the London boundary changes of 1889. For more information visit thelightbox.org.uk

Plant a Terrarium ROH Ballet: The Nutcracker

9th December / &Hobbs, Shere

Christmas would not be Christmas without The Nutcracker in our lives. Watch this toy box inspired romance that has become many a family tradition as Peter Wright and Lev Ivanov combine to choreograph the Royal Ballet Company in this outstanding performance beamed straight to your seats in Woking.

Make your very own indoor garden and plant a terrarium at this workshop at the ever excellent &Hobbs in Shere. Learn all about terrariums, their purpose and what plants are best to pot in them. Whether you’re looking to give as a gift to your nearest and dearest or simply to add a little life to your indoor habitat whilst the winter takes a hold, learn something new and fall in love with terrariums this December.

For more information visit atgtickets.com

For more information visit andhobbs.com

An Investigation

Harvest Your Own Christmas Tree

Presented by Pranksters Theatre Company, expect the unexpected and join local Guildfordian and ghost hunter extraordinaire Philip Hutchinson and the South West Surrey Spectral Group for a night of spooks at The Spike in Guildford. Previously a Victorian workhouse and the site of several unexplained deaths in 1907, take part in a promenade performance with a fearless crew as the team recount their findings from their paranormal investigations. Particularly hauntingly performances take place at midnight on the 8th and 9th of December.

Spruce almighty! Pick the perfect pine and harvest your very own Scots pine Christmas tree to take home for the festive season by heading to Hindhead Common on either the 2nd, 9th or 10th of December from 10am – 2pm. Just make sure you bring a saw and wear suitable clothing and gloves. The spot to pick your Scot may be some way from the meeting point which you can find at the Devils Punch Bowl Café, so be prepared for a reasonable walk to the trees.

5th December / Ambassadors Cinema, Woking

6th – 10th December

For more information visit pranksterstheatre.org.uk

9th December / Hindhead Common

For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk

TheGuide2Surrey.com

YOUR MONTH Repair Café

Far From the Madding Crowd

Need a new leg on the dining room table before the brood come over for Christmas day? Has your favourite festive sweater got an unfortunate hole that you forgot about until now? Seats on your sleigh need replacing? Don’t throw it away, head for Farnham’s Repair Café this December. Head to the United Reformed Church on South Street to meet a team of friendly fixers on hand to give you their advice and expertise to fix your broken items.

Enjoy an evening of cinema within the atmospheric setting of Watts Gallery Artists’ Village in Compton this December. In association with Venture Cinema, catch the 2015 adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Victorian masterpiece, Far From the Madding Crowd. Directed by Thomas Vinterberg, the story was first illustrated by Helen Allingham in 1874 when serialised in Cornhill Magazine. During the interval, enjoy live folk music drinks from the bar and a chance to see Allingham’s work.

9th December / United Reformed Church, Farnham

For more information visit repaircafe.org

14th December / Watts Gallery Artists Village

For more information visit wattsgallery.org.uk

Mock Tudor Comedy Club

10th December / Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton-On-Thames Warm the cockles and laugh your jolly socks off at the monthly Mock Tudor Comedy Club found at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre in Walton-On-Thames. With comedians coming from far and wide to deliver their set of stand-up comedy, catch some of the best up and coming comedians on the circuit right now. For more information visit thelittleboxoffice.com

Meet Me at The Maltings

14th December / Farnham Maltings Are you of an artistic persuasion? A creative crafter? Meet Me at The Maltings is a monthly congregation of creative folk from around the county found at the Farnham Maltings. Each monthly instalment focuses on a different craft whereby you’ll pick up hints and tips as well as making your very own. This December learn how to make various festive decorations to hang upon your homestead. For more information visit farnhammaltings.com

Melody Memories

11th December / Hasleway Community Centre, Haselmere Are you a carer for someone living with memory problems? Melody Memories provides a space for people and their carers to come for a morning of stimulating conversation and singing. Enjoy and experience the power of music in Haslemere this December. For more information visit haslemere.com

The Bloodhound SSC

14th December / Brooklands Museum Man’s efforts to replicate the speed at which Santa flies through the night sky are realised in this fascinating talk by local speed enthusiasts and Brooklands Museum members, Ian Glover and Ron Ayres. Of course the bulk of this prose is nonsense and we are actually talking about the proposed land-speed record attempt by the Bloodhound SSC team, which is set to take place in 2018 of which Mr Glover (President) and Mr Ayres (Chief Aerodynamicist) lead. Catch the latest updates and progress on the project ahead of the attempt next year.

Jazz Café: Enrico Tomasso

12th December / Electric Theatre, Guidlford The Jazz Café at the Electric Theatre returns this December with top Trumpeter Enrico Tomasso. With an international reputation, Enrico Tomasso is considered one of today’s finest trumpeters, winning the British Jazz Awards for best trumpet several times, most recently in 2016. A lifelong friend of Louis Armstrong, Enrico spent twelve years with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra followed by a long stint with Ray Gelato’s Giants. For more information visit electric.theatre

For more information visit brooklandsmuseum.com

Santa Cruise 15th December

Because Christmas is for grown ups too and we all know that Santa Clause DOES exist, hop aboard Santa Cruise this December and experience the magic of Christmas on the Way & Arun Canal. Enjoy mince pies, mulled wine and many a festive song. If you’ve been good you might get a present. For more information visit weyarun.org.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 51

THE GUIDE 2 Vintage Posters Auction

15th December / Ewbanks Auctions, Woking We love Ewbanks Auction House just outside of Woking. With weekly auctions taking place, find anything from horological heirlooms to movie memorabilia and more. This December pick up some super cool vintage posters which could very well serve as the perfect gift for your retro Uncle Bob. Indeed pick up something a little something special for you and your home. For more information visit ewbanksauctions.co.uk

Candlelit Carols

16th December / Cellar Magneval, Woking For an intimate evening of yuletide song lit by candlelight, head along to Cellar Magneval wine bar found on Church Street in Woking. Cosy up to the piano in the bar with a glass of mulled wine (and a wheel of cheese) and sing along with your friends to festive tunes old and new. For more information visit cellarmagneval.com

Shere Village Cinema: The Big Sick 17th December / The Village Hall, Shere

Thank Rock Its Christmas

16th December / The Boileroom, Guildford Get raucous and thank Rock its Christmas at The Boileroom this December. Let loose and darn right silly as you listen to festive covers like you’ve never heard them before. Let local noise makers Darko, Tree House Fire and Wild Tales do the entertaining in this festive fiesta of frivolity. Expect mince pies, mulled wine and much mayhem under the mistletoe. Fancy dress is strongly advised. For more information visit theboileroom.net

Shere Village Cinema is no ordinary cinema. Found within the village hall on various dates throughout the month, meet likeminded fans of film and watch a wide ranging roster of films from around the world. This December, The Big Sick tells the true story of Pakistan-born Kumail Nanjiani and Montreal native Emily V. Gordon as they navigate their way through a health crisis. For more information visit villagecinema.org

Pie & Pint Club

18th December / The Beefeater, Farnham

100 Watt Club

16th December / West End Centre, Aldershot Have you been naughty or nice this year? The terrifically titillating entertainments of the 100 Watt Club return to the West End Centre this month with one hot toddy of a festive show. Expect burlesque, cabaret, circus and drag acts for a night of naughty.

Are you are a retired man living on your own? Or perhaps you know someone who might be on their own at this time of year? Pie & Pint Club is the brilliant of idea of bringing single chaps together for some food, drink, conversation and maybe some new mates. Join Farnham Assist at different pubs and locations throughout the year. For more information visit farnham.gov.uk

For more information visit westendcentre.co.uk

The Military Wives: Home for Christmas Grayshott Folk Club Christmas Special 16th December / Grayshott Village Hall

The Grayshott Folk Club celebrate the season with a night of traditional folk music courtesy of Magpie Lane and Mervyn Mewis & Katherine Young. Magpie Lane will be bringing the sounds of Christmas alive with their evocative melodies and harmonies, sure to give good tidings and joy to all those in the audience for a night of festive folk. For more information visit grayshottfolkclub.co.uk

18th December / Guildford Cathedral

Hark and hear The Military Wives as they come to Guildford Cathedral this December on their ‘Home for Christmas’ tour. Featuring the Military Wives Choirs of Arborfield, Sandhurst, Brompton, Odiham and Salisbury Plain, this exclusive concert will feature many a festive favourite for the audience to sing along to as well as songs form The Military Wives own album ‘Home for Christmas’. For more information visit guildford-cathedral.org

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

YOUR MONTH Carols for Clandon

Jammin’ In Your Christmas Jumper

Despite the fire that wreaked havoc at Clandon House in 2015, their popular Christmas Carols event forges ahead and thus will go to raise money for the Clandon Park appeal which goes towards the restoration of this historic site. Join the Oxford Singers at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, as they herald the start of the festive season.

Who doesn’t love a Christmas Jumper? Naturally art and creativity are subjective, so there are no doubt a few humbugs out there who will let out a certifiable squeal of seasonal frustration at the very sight of these woven woollies. However, should you be the kind of individual who loves nothing more than donning boughs of holly decked upon your chest, then head on over to The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh for their Jammin in Your Christmas Jumper party.

19th December / Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk

21st December / The Richard Onslow, Cranleigh

For more information visit therichardonslow.co.uk

The Selecter / The Beat

22nd December / G Live, Guildford Fancy some seasonal Ska music? Enjoy a knees up and a skank as two true heavyweights of the two-tone Ska movement come together for a night of epic proportions. The Selecter and The Beat featuring Ranking Roger come to Guildford’s G Live this December as part of a very special tour that sees the bands get together to play a select number of shows. Renowned for their high energy performances expect much dancing, much smiling, much skanking. For more information visit glive.co.uk

Roy Wood & His Band

20th December / G Live, Guildford He wishes it could be Christmas every day, Roy Wood and His Band come to G Live in Guildford this year to roll back the years to when a Christmas pop song was a proper Christmas pop song. Enjoy a good old sing song to one of the very best Christmas songs ever written at this special performance just 5 days before the big day itself. For more information visit glive.co.uk

A Christmas Carol: A Folk Opera 20th December / Cranleigh Arts Centre

For a folkin festive performance like no other, visit Cranleigh Arts Centre this December for a brand-new retelling of the best-loved Yuletide adventure of them all – Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. Using new lyrics and traditional English folk tunes, GreenMatthews (with special guest Jude Rees of Pilgrims’ Way) use a bewitching blend of voices and instruments to create a musical retelling of this seasonal favourite.

Boxing Day Walk

26th December / Winkworth Arboretum Walk off the previous days indulgences with the annually life affirming Boxing Day Walk at Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming. Wander and ponder around these beautifully manicured gardens with friends and family as you digest and digress the day that was Christmas Day. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk

For more information visit cranleighartscentre.org

Sing-a-Long Frozen

21st December / Rose Theatre, Kingston Who doesn’t want to pretend to be like Princess Anna and sing aloud and proud to defy the clutches of winter set by her sister’s spell? Head to the Rose Theatre in Kingston this December for what is quickly becoming a seasonal tradition in its own right and Sing-A-Long to Disney’s Frozen. For more information visit rosetheatrekingston.org

Paul Jones & Friends

8th January / G Live, Guildford Former lead singer with Manfred Mann and local resident Paul Jones marks the 10 years anniversary of his annual charity concert and as such has moved from its usual home of Cranleigh Arts Centre to the larger habitat of G Live in Guildford. Previous years have seen surprise special guests such as Eric Clapton, Van Morison, Paul Weller and more grace the stage for an evening of music in aid of multiple charities. For more information visit glive.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 51

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

TALKING TO… SHANE RITCHIE

By Alexander D’Arcy

For the first time in the theatre’s history, Woking’s New Victoria Theatre will present the pantomime Robin Hood. Famed for his role as the loveable landlord Alfie Moon in EastEnders, Shane Richie comes to rob from the rich, give to the poor and entertain one and all this December. You come to Woking to play the starring role of Robin Hood in this year’s panto – what are you hoping to bring to the famed role of Robin? Well a little bit of Russel Crowe… hahaha. Just mayhem really. It’s now tradition for me (to do pantomime) and I’ve got the same team around me that I’ve had for several years now, so we’re kind of like a travelling circus. What’s wonderful about this Christmas is that a lot of us live locally so this is kind of like our local theatre, so it’s going to feel like a home from home. Unlike show’s we’ve done in the past, we know this one back to front because we did it last year in Southampton, so we’re going to hit the ground running. I’ve always thrived on the fact that no two shows are the same, so we always try and bring something new to every performance. The actors around me, because we all trust each other, on occasion we can go off and do a bit of improve. And it’s big! It’s in 3D, we’ve got a T-Rex the size of a car park and it’s just mayhem, but controlled mayhem and a lot of fun. Rather than a theatre experience it’s more like an event.

Do you get to have any input regarding the script or adding any extras to the performance? Yeah definitely. I’ve had a hand in writing the script over the years and the one in Woking this year, most certainly there are a few bits that I’ve added. There’s a lot of EastEnders references in there and stuff that happens in the news we pick up on and run with. Peter Piper, who plays Friar Tuck has just finished a stint in Coronation Street, so were going to have an EastEnders vs Corrie soap off.

Your Eastenders character Alife Moon won a tonne of cash on the programme that enabled him and his partner Kat to abscond to Spain. Whilst Robin Hood is famously robbing from the rich and giving to the poor – do you think that Robin would secretly like to elope with Maid Marion to some distant forest free from the drama of Sherwood? Not a hope in hell. He’s going to pocket the stuff and just do a runner with his mates. I’m not sure he’s so tied to Maid Marion. Our story is funny about how Robin tries to chat Maid Marion up and we do a piece in the show where I rehearse with someone from the audience and pretend that she’s Maid Marion. We do this whole improve thing which I really love doing.

What do you think makes pantomime so special? I think it’s one of the very few genres where a four year old can sit with their Nan. It does appeal to all ages and I know that sounds like a cliché but it’s true. There’s the spectacle side that the little ones love because, its magical, it’s colourful, its loud, its brash. But then you’ve got the other side of it where the humour is aimed at the grownups and the kids don’t quite get it. It’s that fine line which I Iove playing; where there’s a little cheeky wink to the grownups and they know exactly what I’m thinking and the kids are cheering at something else. And like I said, there’s nothing like it – it’s a musical, it’s a play, there’s explosions, there’s sword fights, there’s kids on stage, there’s mums on stage – it’s everything and anything!

Of course you will be working an awful lot over the festive period, but generally what’s your favourite part of Christmas? Well I’m fortunate that my kids are in the show with me, they’ve done it for the past several years. My two older boys, who are in showbiz funnily enough, my eldest son is doing panto with his mum in Bradford and my son Jake who is 25 is the lead singer of a band called Rixton. When they were babies they would do every show with me. Now, I’ve got an 11, 9 and 6 year old and they’re doing the same – they start rehearsing next week. Basically we come as a big family unit to the theatre. We decorate the dressing room and kind of have our Christmas at the theatre.

You are of course a resident of Surrey – have you got anywhere in the county that is special to you that you like to try to get to in the festive period? The only day I’ve got is Christmas Day! When we do get out, there’s a park not far from where I live called Priory Park in Reigate and we spend a lot of time down there. At Christmas there’s an ice skating rink which friends of ours run, so if we do get some time we’ll spend the afternoon there.

What would you like Father Christmas to bring you this year? More Gerry Anderson toys – a few more Captain Scarlett figures, some Thunderbirds. I love it.

Watch Robin Hood at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 9th December to the 7th January. For more information and tickets visit atgtickets.com

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Christmas Market Dec 8th to 17th. Soak up the atmosphere in Jubilee Square. Festive log cabins around Woking’s Christmas tree will be oozing with fabulous food, drink, gifts, crafts and much more!

A Continental Market will also overlap the Christmas Market and will run between Dec 14th and 23rd

ALL i WANT FOR CHRISTMAS..

FREE admission into our Christmas Market!

Love Christmas? You’ll love this! Everything you need this Christmas, right on your doorstep! See their eyes light up when they meet Santa and his cheeky elves at an enchanting grotto Dec 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd and in Market Walk 23rd between 10am and 3pm. On 14th late opening, £8.50 per child 1pm to 6pm including gift

TheGuide2Surrey.com

Friday 8th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm Stilt Walker 11.15am, 12.45 & 2.15pm Handbells 2.30pm - 4pm Summerscales Perform 5pm - 6pm Saturday 9th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm FREE Christmas Crafts 10am - 3pm FREE facepainting 10am - 4pm

Make this year’s celebrations even tastier with scrumptious delights and great seasonal produce from Market Walk

is here!

late night opening for extra convenience! *individual traders may vary

There’s all you need for the best-dressed Christmas table

Christmas Market, 8th to 17th December, stalls heaving with seasonal produce, gifts, a host of entertainment and a stunning Santa’s Grotto.

Sunday 10th December Christmas Market 10am - 5.30pm Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm Santa Monday 11th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Tuesday 12th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Handbells 11.30am - 1pm Wednesday 13th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Chri Handbells 2.30pm - 4pm Thursday 14th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Santa’s Grotto 1pm - 6pm Friday 15th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Santa Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm Lost 4 Words Theatre Co. 5pm Saturday 16th December Christmas Market 9.30am - 6pm Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm FREE Christmas Crafts 10am - 3pm FREE facepainting 10am - 4pm Stilt Walker 11.15am, 12.45 & 2.15pm Show Choir 2pm Lost 4 Words Theatre Co. 5pm Sunday 17th December Christmas Market 10am - 5.30pm Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm Friday 22nd December Santa’s Santa Grotto 10am - 3pm Saturday 23rd December Santa’s Grotto 10am - 3pm PLUS, a Continental Market will also run between Thursday 14th and Saturday 23rd December! Market Walk’s opening times vary and all events are subject to change. Please check the website for updates.

*Individual traders may vary

Get in the Christmas spirit with an awesome line-up of entertainment from December 8th. For more information please visit our website

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B a

Lights and Decorations. Gifts & Craft items

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Real Non Drop Christmas Trees, and Wreaths now in

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Opening Times

Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5.30pm Sunday: 10am to 4.30pm

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• • • • •

Noels Farm Shop Blue Shed Coffee House Craft Corner Craft Centre Sutton Green Car Wash The Flower Pot Florist

• 1st Choice Leisure Buildings

Everything for your Turkey Dinner from our Farm Shop

• • • • • •

DoLittle Pet Supplies The Family Tent Shop Archery & Archery Tag Venue Woking Stove Centre 1st Choice Leisure Buildings Rugged Earth Adventures

Sutton Green Garden Centre, Guildford Road, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7QA 01483 237832 | Suttongreen78@yahoo.co.uk | www.sutton-green-garden-centre.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING RHS GARDENS WISLEY SHOP AND PLANT CENTRE

Christmas

SHOPPING WITH THE RHS

Christmas Shop NOW OPEN at RHS Garden Wisley

Explore beautiful gifts for friends & family, or just get ideas for your own Christmas list.

Far more than a just centre of horticultural excellence and a shrine to outdoor living, RHS Wisley also offers a fantastic opportunity for shopping, and never more so than at Christmas. They have a wealth of great ideas for the home, garden and gifts for loved ones available from their shop, located by the garden’s entrance. As well as RHS branded gifts they also stock ranges from Emma Bridgwater, Wedgwood, Heathcote & Ivory and Kate of Kensington. You’ll find a wide range of children’s books and toys. Foodies will love wine, jams and chutneys produced from fruit grown in the garden at Wisley, as well as chocolate, biscuits and delicious traditional confectionery. Pick up beautiful cards for all occasions as well as diaries and calendars and all sorts of splendid stocking fillers. Or shop for it all online at rhsshop.co.uk.

Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB 01483 224234 | rhs.org.uk

CUCKOO CORNER, SHERE

A village out of time, the picture-perfect Shere has many independent shops that hark back to a golden, vintage era. But Cuckoo Corner stands out as a special temple to beautiful gifts and uniquely individual touches that you can make to your home. Lovely on the outside, gorgeous inside, the timbered building displays its wares in stunning fashion making browsing a delight. You’ll find a dazzling range of handcrafted jewellery pieces and children’s gifts with a wide selection of cards and wraps to accompany them. For the home, there are exquisite pieces of statement furniture as well as many lovely clocks and mirrors. For unique Christmas presents you won’t find anywhere else, Cuckoo Corner has a wonderful array of seasonal gifts and decorations, from scarves, hats and bags, to fragrances and cheerful decorations for your home.

Cuckoo Corner, Middle Street, Shere GU5 9HF 01483 229100

British Grown Christmas Trees & Fresh Wreaths available now

Every purchase supports the work of the RHS rhsshop.co.uk Find us: RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 51

ENTERTAINMENT

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TALKING TO…

ED BYRNE By Alexander D’Arcy

Ed Byrne has been a staple fixture of the comedy circuit for some 20 years now and has featured on just about every comedy panel TV show going. Embarking on his largest tour to date, Spoiler Alert, we caught up with Ed prior to his shows in Surrey. You are in the midst of your largest ever tour (154 dates) and have been on the road for some six or seven weeks already – how’s the tour going? How are you coping? It’s grand you know… I mean I get home a fair bit. Like last week I was away all week and this week I’m only away for two nights so I do get to come back to the homestead most of the time. Over the course of the whole tour I think I’m spending half the nights away from home, so it’s not too bad. We’re having fun – this first leg I’ve got a support act called Paul Myrehaug, who’s proving a big hit. We’ve been playing our Playstations and he’s been trashing me soundly at Wipeout which is causing some tension on the road.

The tour (Spoiler Alert) in essence is about whether we have good reason to complain about the state of the world or whether we’re just spoiled brats. An apt subject matter for the time we’re living in - where did the idea of the show come from? I think I’m trying to flip on the head what I normally do. Basically my act is me complaining and like a lot of comedians I’m what you call, ‘sweating the small stuff’ and just whining about the everyday monotony of life and I just wanted to change it up a bit and complain about how much we complain. And talk about how actually, we’ve got it pretty good the ma jority of us and the fact that we expect everything to be just perfect.

Whether its push start buttons in our cars or semi-skimmed milk. This idea of ‘I don’t like that it’s too creamy’, okay well we can take the cream out we call it skimmed milk, ‘nah, that’s not creamy enough’. It’s just the demanding nature we have.

we always say, “oh, you love yourself”. It’s the weirdest phrase, the idea that you wouldn’t want to make yourself a meal that was nice to eat without getting accused, “oh, you over there, you’ve put onion in your sandwich, you love yourself”.

I also have two kids that I am indulging in a way that I was never indulged when I was younger. So I’m blaming myself for spoiling people. I don’t behold my Dad any grudges and I love hanging out with my kids, it’s just when I look at the amount of parenting I’m expected to do versus the amount of parenting I myself received, I feel a bit short changed.

I get accused of pampering myself quite a bit too. I’ve got a trailer that I’ve used three times and I’ve had it for a year. I mean it’s a damn fine trailer, but I don’t really need to own my own 8 ft. trailer.

Do you have a recurring complaint that you’re guilty of letting pass your lips? Like not enough avocado on your toast?

Catch Ed Byrne on tour with ‘Spoiler Alert’ at the following venues. For more information and tickets visit edbyrne.com

I always go “F*%k I forgot to ask if there were peas / sweetcorn in this”. There are things that taste worse than peas and sweetcorn, but I hate peas and I hate sweetcorn more than anything, because they just show up uninvited all the time. “I asked for a tuna sandwich, this looks like a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich”. Then I spend the next 20 minutes picking all the sweetcorn out of it. That’s my thing.

How do you go about spoiling yourself? We have a saying in our family that comes from my mother, whenever you make a meal for yourself that is nice,

December 5th 2017

Epsom Playhouse, Epsom

January 21st

Rose Theatre, Kingston

January 29th

Harlequin, Redhill

February 3rd

Princes Hall, Aldershot

April 14th

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

May 14th

Dorking Halls, Dorking

FAMILY

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

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For materials and more information visit, The Godalming Art Shop, 45 Bridge Street, Godalming, Surrey 01483 423432

enquiries@thegodalmingartshop.co.uk www.thegodalmingartshop.co.uk

FAMILY

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HOW TO MAKE

CHRISTMAS

BAUBLES

Looking for a fun family activity that doesn’t involve huge queues and traffic jams this Christmas? Pick up a few basic arts and crafts materials and enjoy making your very own Christmas baubles to hang upon your tree. Why not get the whole family involved and create unique decorations for your home this Yuletide. We caught up with Emma from The Godalming Art Shop to find out how to make decoupage baubles. Use polystyrene balls as the base for your baubles. There are endless possibilities for decorating, using paint, papers, sequins, glitters etc. Here are just a couple of ideas to inspire your bauble making escapades this Christmas.

DECOUPAGE BAUBLES 1.

Using a darning needle or cocktail stick make a hole through the centre of the poly ball.

Thread a loop of waxed cotton thread (or similar) through the ball.

Skewer each ball onto a wooden / bamboo barbeque stick - holding the stick makes painting and decorating easy.

Add Craft Planet Metallic Pony Beads and silver Ornament Balls.

Start by painting the balls with at least two coats off Crafters’ Acrylics and leave to dry.

Cut out circles, strips etc. of decorative paper (e.g. Japanese Origami paper).

Decide on your pattern and glue on the shapes accordingly (PVA glue)

Embellish further with dots of bright paint.

Let everything dry and then apply two coats of Crafters’ Polyurethane Gloss Varnish.

10. Knot at the base to secure the beads.

GLITTER BAUBLES 1.

Prepare the balls as per the Decoupage method above.

Once on their barbeque sticks, paint with PVA glue and simply sprinkle with glitter until covered.

Carefully remove from sticks and thread with beads as above.

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A MAGICAL

CHRISTMAS AT THE FRIARY GUILDFORD

E FRE TS N EVE

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Visit thefriaryguildford.com for full event details and opening hours. Late Night Shopping Open â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til 8pm every day from Monday 11 December!

* T&Cs apply. Event may be subject to change or cancellation

TheGuide2Surrey.com

FAMILY

ISSUE 51

The Christmas season always offers up loads to do for the family, and even though it seemingly starts in September there are still fresh festive ideas for your consideration well into Advent. Which is when Christmas Shenanigans should start, after all. So here’s a little roundup of things to do with the wee ones over this merriest of months….

By Will Knowlton

SANTA ON A VC10 AT BROOKLANDS MUSEUM

December 2nd and 3rd then December 9th and 10th, and finally the 16th and 17th of December. Yes, yes, I know that Santas sitting in Grottos are a bit obvious but actually I’d wager that you’ve never gone to see Mr Claus on his own private jet. Indeed, it seems the secret may be out about how our Scandinavian Iconoclast gets around so quick. Booking is essential as it’s only a flying visit so Santa will have to be organised.

Make Your Way to Gate 12 at: brooklandsmuseum.com

WINTERSHALL NATIVITY 13th – 17th December Wintershall Estate, Bramley

The story of Christmas is brought magically to life in this exceptional retelling of the nativity on the Wintershall Estate on the outskirts of Bramley. Dramatic and intimate, the story begins in the open air with the shepherds. The audience then take their seats in the atmospheric barn, where the story unfolds of how Jesus changed the world. This is a beautiful production, with a large cast of players and animals. This is the perfect opportunity to catch a show and reflect on the real origins of Christmas. Book your tickets to one of these sell-out 90-minute performances and enrich your experience of Christmas forever. Mince pies and hot drinks available before the show. Parental guidance advised for under 5s. Book early to secure your preferred date and time.

Visit wintershall-estate.com/nativity-play

FESTIVE FOREST CHILDRENS CRAFT CLUB AT ALICE HOLT 16th and 17th December

The guys and girls at Alice Holt have decided to spin things on their head this Christmas and thought that rather than being stuck indoors all day, why not have everyone wrap up warm and head out to explore the wintery wilderness of Alice Holt and play some games. But it’s not just a day outside, there will also be a chance to head back into the warm and craft some great stuff made from all the forest’s natural materials. This is a great chance to learn about nature as well as wildlife. Thrown into the bargain is all the fun of making cool stuff to take home and decorate the house!

Booking Essential call: 07736 132 692 or email: enquiries.aliceholt@groundwork.org.uk Visit forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt

FAMILY

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SANTA CLAUS AND THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS JOURNEY, at G LIVE GUILDFORD

December 8th - 24th

Nothing beats a bit of Christmas drama and this show is definitely one to shine like a star. And by drama, I do mean drama. Santa Claus is flying high above Guildford delivering presents when his satnav breaks leaving him stranded without his list of postcodes to deliver presents to! With the clock ticking and morning fast approaching it’s down to Charlie, Kara and Muffin the bear to come up with a clever plan to save Christmas. As an added Christmas treat, all of the good boys and girls in the audience will meet Santa after the show and receive a special present of their own.

Make sure your satnav’s ok and get it to take you to glive.co.uk

Up to 24th December

The glorious Guildford Village has some fantastic Christmas presents in store for visitors to the town over the festive period. Visitors will be able to experience the sights and sounds of Christmas when The Village is transformed into a winter wonderland with a 300 sqm real ice rink in the centre of town, complete with a Christmas market, Santa’s Grotto and much more. The ice rink will be open from 3pm – 8pm Wednesday to Friday and 10am – 9pm at the weekends and school holidays (last session on a Sunday is at 5pm). Gather your elves for group bookings available. If you’re a school looking for a little festive excursion before the holidays, ice skating is a timeless and fun way to spend time up to and during the holidays.

GUILDFORD FARMER’S CHRISTMAS MARKET

For more information visit guildford.gov.uk/thevillage

Tuesday 5th December

Who doesn’t have vivid memories of being snug in your winter coat walking through a Christmas market surrounded by the sounds of merry music, the sight of packed stalls bursting with gifts and the smell of roasted chestnuts lingering in the cold air? Why not take the kids out to the market, get them to help pick those last few stocking fillers and enjoy a more traditional and less electronic Christmas experience? You can’t beat cold weather, hot chocolate, chestnuts and the hustle and bustle of a street market. Not only that, you’re helping independent business owners as opposed to tax dodging mega corporations. Win.

CHRISTMAS AT THE GUILDFORD VILLAGE

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OPEN DAILY from 9am, 27th NOVEMBER – 24th DECEMBER • Fresh, home grown Christmas Trees

Late Night Openings

• Meet our resident reindeer • Visit Santa in his grotto * • Two fantastic shops for decorations and gifts • Wreath making & Pottery painting workshops (Booking essential)

• Local produce market * • Catch the barrel train *

8th & 15th DECEMBER 6pm - 8pm with 10% discount on all trees purchased between these times.

• Horse and carriage rides * • Refreshments from the 140 ﬁeld kitchen * * Weekends only

Santa Fir, Guildford Road, Shamley Green, Guildford GU5 0SQ

01483 271770

A wonderfully personal boutique supplying funky, fashionable and comfortable

Hoppy Christmas from AirHop!

Grab a pair of our limited edition Santa socks and get Christmas sorted with our great value gift bags. It’s a cracker!

BO&BEAR offers a wide variety of organic baby items perfect for your little ones from baby clothes, bibs, sleep suits and more! 10 Church Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1EH 01483 428222 manager@bobear.co.uk

Book Now

www.airhop-guildford.com | 0330 223 33 33 AirHop Guildford | 12 Midleton Industrial Estate | Guildford, Surrey, GU2 8XW

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2 E D I U G E L T T I L E H T

FOOD & DRINK

Festive & d Drink o Fo

FOOD & DRINK

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Cellar Magneval: After Dark We experienced a sensory spectacle at Woking’s one of a kind wine bar, Cellar Magneval, who celebrated their fourth birthday with a meal and wine tasting in total darkness… She might be good at hiding it, but India De Silva Jeffries is nervous, and with good reason. A little over a year ago, Thierry and Jo Magneval entrusted her to steer their beloved wine bar while they moved back to Thierry’s native France. Tonight, the 23-yearold bar manager and wine expert is about to take a literal leap in the dark to celebrate Cellar Magneval’s fourth anniversary. Three months earlier, she’d tasked herself with coming up with a theme for the bar’s birthday party, an invite-only event that sees the bar’s most devoted customers fall over themselves to toast their favourite hangout every year. Much like the bar she runs, it had to be like nothing else in Surrey, an unforgettable thank you to her patrons and a tribute to the Magneval’s original vision for their haven of wine, cheese and bygone bohemia. Her answer? Turn out the lights. “You’ve got Dans le Noir, a London restaurant where diners are served

by blind people in the dark, and Pitch Black which runs blind wine tastings,” she explains. “But I thought, why not combine the two? I wanted something that was really going to stand out, and if you want something to work you’ve got to take the risk. And this is a big risk. “The most challenging aspect of this is the unknown. You can practice and practice, but when people come in you don’t necessarily know how they’re going to react. And you don’t know what will happen.” No wonder she tells me she’s barely slept in weeks. Consider, for a moment, all that could go wrong in a pitch-black restaurant. Aside from the potential bumps, nicks and stumbles for diners and staff, a smashed glass or upended bottle could bring an already perilous service to a grinding, groping halt. What if there was a fire and a half-blind stampede ensued? And what about the food? If we ‘eat with our eyes’ (and our Instagram filters) then the meal surely has to transcend the senses in ways most restaurants can barely comprehend. Fortunately, they’re in very safe hands on that front. The chef for the evening is local food hero Ben Piette, Head Chef and owner of London House in West Byfleet. A long-time friend of the Magnevals, he’s catered for the bar’s previous

three anniversaries, but even he’s bemused by this most unorthodox of dining experiences. “Dining in the dark has its own challenges so you have to play around with textures and methods. Everything is at ambient room temperature, so the flavours have to be quite bold for sensory impact. We’ve had to think about all the senses as well as how you eat the food in the dark. It’s all got to be precise, so India chose the wines and we matched the food afterwards.” Piette moves smoothly between tables laying up food (I avert my eyes so as not to spoil the experience for later) on cartons arranged into stacked tiers, with the Cellar team ghosting behind, arranging tables, glasses of wine matched to each course and a truffle salted flaming margarita to greet the guests upon arrival. India, Claudio, Josie and Amber work to the hard bounce of Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’, having swiftly abandoned the soundtrack to ‘Stranger Things’ when the Netflix show’s sinister theme proved laughably oppressive under the circumstances. When he’s done, Piette slips out into the night to hurry back to his restaurant in time for his own dinner service. I duck through the curtained doorway to join my fellow diners, already clustered outside the entrance dressed, as

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

instructed, in black smarts and good spirits. Their enigmatic invitations had only alluded to a ‘blind tasting with a twist’, so a giddy sense of mystery was palpable among the group. These were all long-time friends and passionate disciples of Cellar Magneval, its extended family, many having made it a second home since the bar’s launch back in 2013.

we take our sight for granted over the visually-impaired for whom the light is always absent. And for someone like me, a so-called-professional who aspires to write about food in all its infinite colours and forms, the inadequacy of my taste buds in recognising food without the use of my eyes was more than a little disquieting. Or it would have been if I wasn’t having so much fun.

Even Thierry de Magneval was among them, returned from France to toast his bar’s fourth birthday with his loyal customers. Unsure exactly what his ambitious young manager had in store for them, Thierry was nonetheless full of confidence in India. “This is a challenging task she’s put upon herself,” he says in his salty gallic brogue, “but she’s been working tirelessly to pull it all together. We’re immensely proud of her.” He melts back into the crowd and laughter and backslaps before I could pointlessly suggest that all that could go wrong still lay ahead.

Not that there wasn’t cheating going on, mind you. The brief neon bloom of a glowstick or the dim light from a phone or smartwatch gave them away, guffaws and schoolyard heckling hounding the offenders until they surrendered to the darkness like everyone else. By the time the lights came back on, the appreciation we all felt for such a unique experience met India with a thunderous applause that kept on rolling, through her heartfelt thankyous and over Thierry de Magneval’s effusive appreciation for his friends and patrons on his bar’s fourth anniversary. When soul singer Na jwa’s honeyed voice began to ripple over the crowd, so began the dancing, drinking and unfettered revelry that has made Cellar Magneval such a uniquely cherished nightspot in Surrey.

Finally, the team emerge to guide the giggling guests into the gloom, seating us one table at a time until all were inside. The only light comes in sparkly bursts from the flaming margaritas and from India’s lantern as she watches the results of her painstaking planning unfold within the sniggering shadows. She blows out the flame and all is utterly dark and then she greets us, all tension gone from her voice, replaced by the smooth, funny cool of a seasoned host. “They say that eye-appeal is half the meal, so tonight we’re attempting to challenge that due to the fact that you can’t see sh*t.” The darkness erupts with laughter. When her introduction is over, we’re invited to begin our first course. With utmost care, our fingers navigate the invisible spread before us like blind spiders, trying to build a 3D map in our minds of the glasses, the napkins, the tiers of food and the food itself. I brush something cool, gummy and cuboid, lift it to my mouth and a summer gazpacho bursts over my tongue in a tomato and pepper tide. I land on a sphere with a biscuity-thin shell that yields to deepest, richest parmesan. This is good, seriously good, and we’ve barely started. Over the course of the evening we’ll taste dainty salmon paired with frisky grapefruit; chicken laced with truffle and lemon thyme, bouncy brioches, sweet lamb, smoky chicken and many other morsels that defied identification without the ocular attraction we’re all so accustomed to. Naturally, India had chosen her wines well, each weaving gracefully around the flavours teased by each course. Tasting such exquisite food and drink blind is oddly, but profoundly, illuminating; for the rightful return to dominance of flavour over appearances, and for the humbling reflection that

Not a single mishap, not a glass broken, bottle spilled or eye skewered, all agreed that Cellar Magneval’s bold experiment had given us an unforgettable dining experience. And its mastermind couldn’t have looked more relieved. “I couldn’t have pulled this off without my amazing team,” she sighs as she wipes a table. “They’ve been so supportive and helped make this night such a success and so much fun.” She smiles back over the heads of dancers as a wineglass is raised to her from the other side of the room. “I’m very happy.”

Cellar Magneval is at 3 Church Path, Woking, GU21 6EJ. Visit www.cellarmagneval.com to find out about all future events.

FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 51

Foodie NEWS and EVENTS A Tante Marie Christmas Day One: 12th December, Day Two: 13th December Tante Marie Culinary Academy, Woking Woking’s world-famous culinary academy is ready to turn you into a Christmas cooking machine thanks to their unmissable 2-day Tante Marie Christmas classes. Get inspired with a selection of dishes to stock up the larder ahead of the busy Christmas entertaining period, from those little treats that make Christmas extra special to a 3-course festive feast given a mouth-watering twist. Day One has you making those irresistible nibbles that sustain us over the period and gild the Christmas dinner table even further. Think cheese sablé biscuits, pesto sauce & slow roast cherry tomatoes, blini & beetroot cured salmon and melty filo bites with bacon jam as well as mince pie macarons. £140 Day Two dials it up with a lavish 3 course Festive dinner – for when you are fed up with turkey! Taking. Take your Christmas cookery to the next level and put an imaginative spin on the traditional festive supper as the chef tutors guide you through each course before packaging it all up to take home and enjoy over Christmas. £180 Take Day 1 or 2 on its own or combine with the other day for the reduced price of £295. Call the Academy on 01483 726957 or visit tantemarie.co.uk for more information.

Christmas at Victoria’s Kitchen Victoria’s Kitchen is the home of Victoria Gadsdon’s fabulous cupcake decorating parties and classes, available in Woking, Surrey and Norwich. Victoria shares her passion for design and baking through wonderfully interactive classes in her Cake Classroom Studio that appeal to young and old (anyone with a sweet tooth and a creative spirit, basically), and this Christmas she’ll be running a dazzling variety of festive classes to help them get their bake on. Create luxury iced Christmas cookies, a traditional Christmas cake, a Christmas cupcake wreath, tipsy Christmas truffles and many more. For the full list of classes visit victorias-kitchen.com

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

FOOD & DRINK

The Christmas Pop-Up Bake Club 14th & 16th December / Epsom £25 for a 2-hour session, ingredients included and all equipment is provided. Laura Scott is the chef behind one of Surrey’s most popular supper clubs in Epsom, and the creator of the fantastic blog www.howtocookgoodfood.co.uk. In addition to running adult cookery lessons and children’s cookery parties, this Christmas sees a special ‘Pop Up’ Bake Club designed for 7-13-year olds, to teach them the joys of baking at home as well as furnishing them with treats to take away and give as gifts to family and friends. Laura will teach them how to make Christmas Pudding Mini Truffles, Christmas Crumble Muffins and edible Gingerbread Christmas Tree Decorations. To Book call 07960 265825 or email laura.cooksetc@gmail.com. Visit howtocookgoodfood.co.uk

Christmas Wine Tasting at Albury Organic Vineyard Sunday 10th December / 12pm - 4pm Tickets: Adults £5, children and Albury Wine Club Members free Join Surrey’s award-winning organic vineyard for a festive afternoon of tastings, mince pies and music from the Godalming Community Gospel Choir, and get some shopping sorted at the same time - because who wouldn’t like local wine, brandy, chocolate or honey for Christmas? You’ll enjoy tastings of their Albury Estate sparkling wines (also for sale by the glass and bottle) and The Duke’s Reserve Brandy, plus Albury Honey made from bees that live on the vineyard and locally-made Kokoh chocolate. There’ll be performances from the Godalming Community Gospel Choir from 1pm, a free vineyard tour and wine tasting voucher with Christmas gift boxes purchased on the day, 10% discount on purchases of Albury Estate sparkling wine and a Vineyard toy trail (weather-dependent) - fun for kids and adults! Find out more at alburyvineyard.com

Farmers’ markets RIPLEY FARMERS’ MARKET Saturday 9th December | 9am – 1pm | Village Green, Ripley

FARNHAM FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 10th December | 10am – 1.30pm | Central Car Park

CAMBERLEY ARTISAN & FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturday 16th December | 10am – 3pm | Park Street, Camberley

MILFORD FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 17th December | 10am – 1.30pm | Secretts Farm Shop Car Park

WOKING FARMERS’ MARKET

Every Thursday | 9am – 2.30pm | Town Square, Woking

COBHAM FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturday 23rd December | 9.30am – 1.30pm | Hollyhedge Parade

CRANLEIGH COUNTRY MARKET

Friday 5th January 2018 | 9.15 -10.30am | The Bandroom, Village Way

HASLEMERE FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 7th January | 10am – 2pm | High Street

ISSUE 51

TIME for TRADITIONAL ENGLISH ALE from

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FOOD & DRINK

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Recipe: Cheese and Cranberry Biscuits

By the Natural Cook Company

Everyone loves a show stopping centrepiece at Christmas, and we at The Natural Cook Company love this towering tree of Cheese & Cranberry Biscuits! The biscuits are easy to make, a doddle to layer up into a tree shape, and a great activity to do with children that are trying to be helpful and good for Father Christmas!

Ingredients 100g of plain flour 50g of butter 50g of mature cheddar, parmesan or any hard cheese 1 tablespoon of dried cranberries, finely chopped 1 tablespoon of milk

Method

The Natural Cook Company are a mobile cookery school offering numerous courses and specialist workshops for all ages, from pre-schoolers to pensioners, and hosting a variety of events including creative childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cookery parties! Get in touch by calling 01428 86 22 86 or visit thenaturalcookcompany.com

Preheat the oven to 190Â°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper

Weigh the flour and add to a mixing bowl with the butter, rubbing the butter & a crack of salt & pepper

Rub the flour into the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add the grated cheese & the chopped dried cranberries

Add the milk and mix well, first with a spoon and then your hands to form a smooth dough

Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and roll out, then cut into shape with the cutters before placing on the baking tray

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 10-15 minutes or until firm, and leave to cool before constructing on your cheeseboard (Note: For the larger size tree we quadrupled the ingredients, and used a set of star shaped cookie cutters available from any kitchen shop)

FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 51

Festive Foodie Tips Cooking your Christmas feast needn’t be a nightmare. We asked some of Surrey’s most passionate foodies how they keep a clear head and a calm kitchen over the Christmas period. Read on for some stress saving wins and how to love your leftovers…

Laura Scott Food Blogger and Cookery Tutor Christmas is a favourite time of the year in our house, packed full of fun and games not to mention an abundance of food. I also tend to be busy hosting friends and supper clubs too which means that when it comes to cooking for Christmas I like to remind myself of one thing - Christmas lunch is nothing more than a glammed-up Sunday lunch. So, do not buy the entire contents of the supermarket or get sucked into purchasing the tempting festive food deals on offer. Plan ahead: make a detailed list both for the shopping and the kitchen prep, prepare as much as you can in advance and use those leftovers! So many things can be prepared and stored away in your freezer such as gravy, braised red cabbage, cranberry sauce, mince pies and stuffing. Turkey meat can be made into delicious coronation turkey, Thai style noodle soups, and delicious pies. I even use up my leftover cranberry sauce and Brussel sprouts along with Stilton in a festive quiche. Also, Christmas pudding and mince pies can be turned into tasty trifles, mix them into brownies or fold them through some shop bought vanilla ice cream for a festive sweet treat. www.howtocookgoodfood.co.uk

Daniel Britten Chef and founder of www.brittenforfood.com This year I am looking forward to cooking a cracking Venison Wellington. It’s very much the same as cooking the traditional beef Wellington with a few changes, I add some finely chopped toasted chestnuts to the mushroom pate that you spread on the Parma ham (one of the layers surrounding the venison), also spread some cranberry sauce on the top just before you wrap it in the puff pastry, this gives it a sharp and sweet topping. Finish the meal off with some braised Brussel tops, buttery mashed potato and a red wine gravy. If you have any leftover potatoes and veg then save them for Boxing day and whip up a tasty bubble & squeak hash for breakfast, blitz the potatoes and vegetables in a food processor, you can leave it a bit chunky as that adds to texture, cook a fat pancake in a frying pan, 2 minutes on each side then place in an oven at 180 degrees for 8 minutes. Finish with a couple of poached eggs and hollandaise for a fantastic Boxing day brunch. www.brittenforfood.com

FOOD & DRINK

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Steve Drake Chef Patron and Owner of Sorrel restaurant, Dorking I like to start Christmas Day with a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with black pepper and chives. For the main meal, we’ll be having a lovely sherry glazed duck from nearby Etherley Farm, one of Sorrel’s suppliers. Duck makes a fantastic alternative to turkey; it’s full of flavour and takes less time to cook. My tip for preparing Christmas dinner is to always start with the last part of the meal. Prepare dessert, followed by meat and veg, and finally the canapes or snacks. There’s less pressure on the person cooking and means you’re not chasing the menu. www.sorrelrestaurant.co.uk

Ally Molyneaux Mike Wall-Palmer Head Chef at the Anchor, Ripley We always have a cooked ham in the fridge ready for Boxing Day. Stud the meat with a few cloves and gently poach in apple and cranberry juices with cinnamon and star anise. Salmon is another delicious and light alternative for the festive period. Wrap a whole salmon in tin foil and bake in the oven with Douglas fir, which has a lovely pine flavour like a Christmas tree. Serve with beetroot, watercress and a lemon butter sauce. For the perfect roast potatoes, boil them the night before. Remove from the water, add salt and pepper and give them a good shake creating a fluffy texture, then leave them out of the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to cook, put duck fat in your baking tray or dish then heat in the oven for 5-10 minutes before adding the potatoes. This will make them super crispy. www.ripleyanchor.co.uk

Head Teacher at the Tante Marie Culinary Academy, Woking Christmas in our house is always full of festive family traditions, which are based almost entirely around food. With all of the festive feasting, organisation is the most important thing. Don’t leave it until the last minute to order that beautiful turkey or your favourite veg, write lists, many lists. Be sure to give yourself a break in the cooking to be able to enjoy the day with the family (and at least one glass of something delicious!) Get the preparations done in plenty of time, and be sure to get help from the family to get the finishing touches done. Don’t rush, and in those blissful moments when the food is on the table and you get to finally sit down, take a breath and admire the feast before you dig in. Most importantly, enjoy the cooking, because food made with love will be full of deliciousness! www.tantemarie.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Recipe by Simon Taylor of Surrey Hills Butchers

ISSUE 51

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

Recipe

Roast Goose Once the traditional go-to for Christmas tables, goose remains overlooked by many for its bulkier cousin, turkey. But for award-winning butcher, Simon Taylor of Surrey Hills Butchers in Oxshott, the bird makes for a supremely succulent roast that turns any Christmas dinner into something truly special… 1.

Our Free-Range Geese come from Etherley Farm in Dorking and they are still available to order now for Christmas. But first you must choose a goose to suit; I don’t recommend going any smaller than a 4.5kg bird, and this will feed 6-8 people. A 6kg goose feeds 8-10.

Goose is not a meat that will give you leftovers but the luscious flavour is a treat with the added bonus of ample fat to have you cooking potatoes all winter.

To roast the goose, score the skin - you can ask your butcher to do this.

Take the zest of 2 oranges and 1 lime; mix them with 4 good pinches of rock salt and 150grams of brown sugar. Rub this mix over the goose and place the leftover oranges and lime in the bird.

Pre-heat the oven to 200°c and roast your goose for 12mins for every 500grams.

Baste every 30-40mins with its own juices and drain of the fat but be sure to put it through a strainer and keep the precious goose fat.

Keep an eye on your goose and be ready to cover with foil if it begins to darken.

When you have roasted to the allotted time rest the bird lightly covered in foil for at least half an hour before carving.

Many other seasonal accompaniments go perfectly with goose, so ingredients such as cranberries, quince preserves, apples and pears all help to cut through the meat’s glorious richness for wonderful flavour.

Get in touch with Simon and his team on 01372 844890 and at butcherscook.com

FOOD & DRINK

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FOODIES FEATURE Cellar Magneval, Woking

Depuis 2011

Raise a glass to Christmas at one of the most beloved wine bars in Surrey. The intimate Cellar Magneval is a haven of fine wine, beautiful cheeses and timeless, intimate charm. Founded in 2013 by Thierry de Magneval, former sommelier to Pierre Koffmann, and manager for Albert Roux, and wife Jo, the bar and café is a particularly inviting venue for Christmas parties and other tailored private events. The bar offers takeaway wine at 50% and there are a variety of tastings throughout the year and fun and quirky events to make new friends at and fire your imagination. Christmas Market Sunday 17th December / 11am-4pm Visit Cellar Magneval for a warming cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate while you browse their stalls selling everything from wines to port, cheese and charcuterie, and greeting cards to knitwear.

3, Church Path, Woking, GU21 6EJ 01483 730407 | cellarmagneval.com

Cellar Magneval is a sophisticated and welcoming wine bar, who specialise in bringing you a vast wine list, an array of cheeses, and charcuterie. Bespoke private hire, including the best Christmas parties. They also offer 50% off takeaway wine, along with a variety of tastings and exciting events throughout the year.

“there is no wine in heaven...

So let’s drink it on earth” 3 Church Path, Woking, GU21 6EJ

01483 730407

Surrey Hills Beer & Gin Company, Shere

01483 203777

WWW.SURREYHIILLSBEERANDGINCOMPANY.COM

Middle Street, Shere, GU5 9HF opening hours: Mon-sat 10-8, sun 12-6

Stocking only the best and brightest among Surrey’s tipples, you’ll find beers from such local heroes as Hogs Back Brewery, Thurston’s Ales from Horley and Tillingbourne Brewery.; the finest local cider from the Garden Cider Company; renowned gins from award-winning wine from Albury Organic Vineyard and much more. Visit this Christmas for fantastic gift packs from the Surrey Hills’ producers. New to Surrey Hills Beer & Gin Company this autumn are Silverback Gin, Hidden Curiosities Gin & Mews Gin, English sparkling rose from Pewley Down Vineyard and a range of gluten free beers from the Hepworth brewery. Also available are different sized hampers to buy off the shelf or make to your own specifications. You can also get 2pt & 4pt takeaway cartons of Shere Drop with more craft beers to come in months ahead. There are taster bottles of most of their gins so pop in and try some.

High Street, Shere | 01483 203777 surreyhillsbeerandgincompany.com

FOOD & DRINK

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FOODIES FEATURE Ripley Curry Garden, ripley

Hailed as one the best Indian restaurants in Surrey, the Ripley Curry Garden takes a contemporary approach to its service and cuisine that easily puts it ahead of the pack. They were recently awarded the BCA ‘Restaurant of the Year 2017’. From succulent tandoori dishes to tender tikkas and moreish masalas, the chefs cull from the best cuisine from the Indian sub-continent, employing a healthier approach to their dishes with expert use of real spices for true authenticity. Manager Shahid says: “Our father opened the restaurant in 1982 and we took over about 3 years ago. As this restaurant has been with us since childhood, we consider it one of the family rather than just a restaurant. Therefore, we take pride and passion in running the business. We use only the best and fresh ingredients cooked to perfection by our skilled chefs, and served to our guests.”

The family owned award-winning Ripley Curry Garden features exotic cuisines of the Indian sub-continent. All dishes use only the best and fresh ingredients cooked to perfection by skilled chefs to bring guests the very best of India and the Bengal region. Lunch: Monday - Sunday: 12:00pm – 2:30pm Dinner: Monday - Sunday: 5:30pm – 11:30pm

High Street, Ripley, GU23 6AY 01483 224153 | ripleycurrygarden.com Ripley Curry Garden, High Street, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6AY Tel: 01483 322 4153 or 0148 322 5343

Surrey Wine Cellar, Chobham

Special Offer

Quote “The Guide 2 Surrey” and Receive 15% off 6 bottles Offer expires 30th January 2018 77 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AF Tel 01483 802929 | Email paul@thesurreywinecellar.co.uk

www.thesurreywinecellar.co.uk

The Surrey Wine Cellar are a remarkable independent wine boutique based in the heart of Chobham Village that boasts a wide and unique collection of meticulously selected wines, ports, sweet wines, sparkling wines, beers and spirits. Reflecting the look of the village, the shop presents a rustic charm that’s immediately inviting, as is the warm service provided by the Cellar’s expert team of passionate wine experts. Founded by Paul Pavli, whose father Mario Pavli (of Bacchus et al – previously in Guildford), and uncle Andrew Pavli (owner of Wimbledon Wine Cellar) have both won independent wine merchant of the year awards throughout the UK. In addition to curating wonderful wines for any occasion, the shop also runs the Surrey Cellar Wine Club which provides a range of packages to benefit regular customers. They host unmissable pop-up dinners, wine tastings and can cater for private events for every occasion.

77 High Street, Chobham GU24 8AF 01483 802929 | thesurreywinecellar.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Beetle Juice’s

Christmas Cocktails Master mixologists Beetle Juice don’t just stop at slaking summer thirsts with awesome cocktails served from their fleet of classic converted VW vans. They’re just as in demand over Christmas and New Year’s Eve at parties and other events, and if you learn to make any one of these tinselly tipples, you will be too!

ISSUE 51

The Christmas Cosmo “A twist on the Classic Cosmo that tastes like a kiss under the mistletoe” 2 x tsp of peppermint schnapps 50ml of vodka 25ml of cranberry Juice 1 x squeeze of lime 10ml of Cointreau Garnish the glass rim with crushed candy cane by wetting the edge with a lime

Burnt Orange Amaretto Sour “The perfect balance of sweet and sour for an easy drinking, unique cup of Christmas cheer” 1 x egg white (Shaken without ice to emulsify) 50ml of amaretto 50ml of lemon juice 1 x tsp of brown sugar Shake with cubed ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a Mascherano cherry and a slice of burnt orange

FOOD & DRINK

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The Duppy Share Hot Punch “Hot Apple rum punch that warms the soul” 250 ml of The Duppy Share rum 1 x drop of Vanilla Extract or 1 x Vanilla Pod 2 x litres of cloudy Apple Juice 50ml of Ginger cordial (or 2 thumb sized pieces of ginger, peeled and chopped into chunks) 1 x tsp of Brown sugar Juice of 2 x limes Orange studded with cloves 1 x Cinnamon Stick Warm all ingredients except the rum in a big saucepan. Bring to boil and gently simmer until sugar is dissolved. Pour into mugs and add a shot of duppy to the top of each. Serve with a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling fancy.

To book Beetle Juice for your own event visit www.beetlejuice.co.uk

ISSUE 51

FREE Wedding Room Hire Book your wedding at Thatcher’s Hotel Guildford before the 1st April 2018 to get free room hire!

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Thatcher’s Hotel Guildford 01483 280503 events@thatchershotel.co.uk www.thatchershotel.co.uk

Terms and conditions apply, must be booked before 1st April 2018 and wedding must be held in 2018. Offer based on 50 day guests eating a 3-course meal and 80 evening people with buffet. Cannot be used with any other promotion. Ask our wedding coordinator for more information.

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FOOD & DRINK

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A FESTIVE WINE RIOT By JOHN DOWNES M.W.

Times may be tight, but you can bet your bottom dollar the appetite for Christmas lunch will be as big as ever. And if you don’t serve traditional fayre you’ll have a riot on your hands! Thank goodness then that boxing clever at the wine shelf will help your festive finances. Champagne (Deutz N.V., Taittinger N.V., £36) and English Sparkling Wine (Exton Park N.V, £28) may be king of aperitifs but if the price tag’s too royal pour a princely New Zealand sparkler (Lindauer, £13.99) or Spanish Cava Rose (Cordorniu, £5.75) to get the party buzzing. Be trendy and serve your bubble from normal wine glasses - flutes are so yesterday!

New Zealand (Villa Maria, £9.50) offer super value. A taste-off between Touraine and Marlborough will make great sport around the table! By now you can smell the turkey. “Crack open the red” is the call. Grenache-charged Gigondas and Vacqueyras from the southern Rhone come to mind but at £16 they don’t come cheap. Fear not, under rated neighbour Cotes du Rhone (M. Chapoutier, £8.75) offers a tasty alternative. Syrah fans who crave the spicy, black fruit beauties of the northern Rhone will be pulling the cork on Crozes-Hermitage (Caves de Tain 2014, £11.50). Cru Classe Bordeaux requires a second mortgage so look to the lesser known regions of Bourg, Blaye and Castillon for a very decent bottle for less than a tenner.

Chablis, the crisp, steely Burgundian (William Fevre, £18.99) is a classic match with smoked salmon but if your budget won’t stretch that far but it still has to be Chardonnay look to Chile’s cool Casablanca Valley (Errazuriz, £9.99); the ripe citrus apple flavours make for an exotic combination.

Burgundy is generally expensive but a peep into the village vineyards of Rully, Montagny and Givry for Pinot Noir lovers will bring a pleasant surprise. Oh, and don’t forget that although Beaujolais is made from Gamay it’s still ‘Burgundy’ and is often a bargain, (Morgon, Chateau de Pizay, £9.99). Chilean Pinot Noir (Cono Sur, £7.50) will also hit the spot.

Grassy, citrus Sancerre will be as popular as ever but if £15 isn’t, try Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (Domaine Guenault 2016), from just up the road in France’s Loire Valley. It may lack the uummph of top Sancerre but it’s the same grape and it’s six quid cheaper. Staying with Sauvignon Blanc, both Bordeaux (Dourthe 2016, £8.50) and

Rioja needs no introduction but for Christmas trade up to ‘Reserva’ (Cune 2010. £13.50); that extra boost of toasty, soft red fruit is the result of 12 months barrel ageing in cool Spanish cellars. Popping across the border into Portugal will also bring rich rewards - there are some cracking reds from the Douro Valley and Alentejo at less than a tenner.

A big up-front New World red with goose or duck? Go for Aussie Shiraz from the baking vineyards of Barossa Valley, (Jacob’s Creek Reserve 2013, £7.50). Shiraz is the same grape as Syrah from the Rhone Valley by the way. Talking big, a cassis-packed Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, (Frei Brothers 2014, £17.99), will bring broad smiles all round. To hearty singing the flaming Christmas pudding appears from the darkness. The wine match is tricky but little beats the warm, nutty raisin flavours of Tawny Port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, (Warre’s 10 year old, £12, 50 ml). If you prefer a sweetie with the pud head to Spain, (Torres Moscatel Oro, £8.50) or ‘Down Under’ for an Orange Muscat and Flora (Brown Brothers, £7.75). All of a sudden it’s late afternoon. The table’s strewn with half empty bottles, discarded glasses, paper hats and crackers. Now’s the time relax, reflect on some wonderful wines, sip your favourites and …… feel smug at the money you’ve saved. A Grand Cru Christmas and Vintage New Year to all! John Downes M.W., based in West Clandon, is one of only 350 Masters of Wine in the world. A prolific wine journalist and broadcaster and a host of corporate tastings and team building events from London to Sydney, John is a on a mission to make wine work for all. Find out more at johndownes.com

FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 51

Whether pleased with the year that has just passed or begging for new beginnings, New Year’s Eve typically provides the platform on which to start afresh. Say goodbye to the year that was and welcome in 2018 with this handy list of events and things to do.

DID SOMEONE SAY PARTY?

Sparkling Celebration

Brit Pop vs RnB

Dine in style at Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy sparkling wine from the estate on arrival followed by a four course meal with wine to accompany each course. New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without the addition of DJ, disco and dancefloor ensuring revellers can dance the night away.

The Boileroom, Guildford Were you Blur or oasis? Destiny’s Child or En Vogue? Whatever your favourite flavour is, party like its 1996 and head for The Boileroom in Guildford for their Brit Pop vs R’n’B party this New Year’s Eve. Find your tribe and sing along to all your favourite feel good hits from the 90’s. Get in the mood and head online to listen to The Boileroom’s dedicated playlist prior to the party. For more information visit theboileroom.net

Cirque De Lumiere G Live, Guildford Roll up, roll up for the cirque De Lumiere arriving at G Live in Guildford this New Year’s Eve. Dress to impress and be wined and dined amongst a fanfare of fabulous circus acts and performers at this sparkling three course dinner. See in 2018 by throwing some shapes on the dancefloor followed by a sumptuous survivor’s breakfast. For more information visit glive.co.uk

Roller Disco Guildford Spectrum Spin into 2018 at this retro roller disco night at Guildford Spectrum. Enjoy some good clean fun and strap on your skates for some cyclical entertainment as you move to the grooves provided by your DJ on the night. For more information visit discoskate.co.uk

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking

For more information visit denbies.co.uk

Black-Tie Ball Harbour Hotel, Guildford Indulge and enjoy what’s in store at Harbour Hotel in Guildford this New Year’s Eve. Get dressed to the nines ready for this Black Tie Ball in the heart of town with bubbles on arrival followed by a three course dinner and dancing into the night. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, minus the dancing, then book a table at The Jetty restaurant found at the Harbour Hotel for a gastronomic feast from 8pm. For more information visit guildford-harbour-hotel.co.uk

Extra Sparkle Nags Head Inn, Woking Join the Nag Heads Inn in Woking and see in the New Year with style. The team of talented chefs from the kitchen have designed a delectable three course menu especially for New Year’s Eve, so just sit back, sup on some bubbles and get ready to enjoy the night. Booking is essential. For more information visit thenagsheadinnwoking.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT?

NEW YEAR’'S EVE

Wrap up warm, head for the Surrey Hills and go alfresco to watch a plethora of pretty lights fill the night sky as the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve. Pick up a bottle of something sparkling from one of the amazing vineyards found here in Surrey and accompany with a little snack pack by visiting a local deli to pick up pork pies, sausage rolls, falafel.

love your local VIEW POINTS The Judges Chair, Ewhurst Box Hill, Dorking The Mount, Guildford Temple of the Winds, Haslemere Chinthurst Hill, Bramley

BOTTLES OF FIZZ…

Albury Vineyard Classic Cuvee 2014 alburyvineyard.com Greyfriars Vineyard Oaked Blanc de Blancs 2014 greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk Denbies Wine Estate Whitedowns Brut denbies.co.uk Blackdown Ridge Primordia Brut 2014 blackdownridge.co.uk

BITES TO EAT…

Secrett’s, Milford Outstanding farm shop found on the outskirts of Godalming with an excellent cheese counter! secretts.co.uk Crockford Bridge Farm, Addlestone Find food stuffs from local artisan producers as well as meat from Lidgate’s butchers. crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk Village Greens, Dorking Found on site at Denbies Wine estate are local food hero’s Village Greens. Find olives, pates, cheeses, pastries and more. vgfarmshop.com Kingfishers Farm Shop, Abinger Hammer As well as stocking fesh fruit and veg, find homemade cakes, pies and locally made breads. kingfisherfarmshop.com

ISSUE 51

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Christmas

SHOPPING WITH THE RHS

Explore beautiful gifts for friends & family, or just get ideas for your own Christmas list.

Forever is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA).

Christmas Shop NOW OPEN at RHS Garden Wisley

Every purchase supports the work of the RHS

£60 voucher - £10 free voucher | £120 voucher - £20 free voucher Gift vouchers are valid until 31st March 2018.

www.relaxationrooms.com

8a North Street, Guildford GU1 4AF | 01483 561110

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tis the season to be...

Golden

181 High Street Guildford GU1 3AW - 01483 456031

ISSUE 51

Buy a Lotus, Morgan, Subaru or Saab from Bell & Colvill in West Horsley, Surrey, and you’ll deal with knowledgeable, enthusiastic staff who’ll show how highly we value your custom. The same is true for all your after sales back-up from our servicing and parts departments.

• • • • • • • •

Lotus parts & service Subaru parts & service Saab parts & service Morgan parts & service DeRoure on-line parts shop All makes servicing & MOT Fixed price offers “NEW” - Latest Porsche diagnostic equipment

01483 281000

enquires@bellandcolvill.com High quality dealer standards with generous discounts

SALES, SERVICE AND RENOVATION FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS

www.bellandcolvill.com

Our aim is to provide our customers with a first-class service and to keep your vehicles in top mechanical condition, and to provide sound value for money for all your service requirements. Renaissance is a Mobil 1 approved service centre and has excellent workshop facilities and state of the art diagnostics equipment. We can offer a “ONE-STOP SHOP” for a family which owns different makes and models. ■ FREE BASIC CAR HEALTH CHECK. An initial 50-point check and personal examination by our technicians with your car up on the ramp. We will identify any faults or potential problems, but only the repair work authorised by you will be charged for. ■ FULL DIAGNOSTICS CHECK. Extensive 130-point check using the latest diagnostics technology. ■ FIXED PRICE SERVICING or QUOTATIONS. This can apply not only to the normal annual or mileage-related services, but also to important work such as brake fluid changes, brake pads and discs, belts, etc., so that you know the exact cost in advance of routine work.

FOR A FULL RANGE OF CARS FOR SALE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE RENAISSANCE CLASSICS, Trackspeed House, Portsmouth Road, Ripley, Surrey GU23 6HB 01483 225878 info@renaissance-classics.co.uk

www.renaissance-classics.co.uk

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MERCER SURREY HALF MARATHON 2018

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mercer Surrey Half Marathon Celebrates its 5th Anniversary in 2018 Voted by runners as “The UK’s Best Road Run”, the awardwinning Mercer Surrey Half Marathon celebrates its 5th year on 11th March 2018. 6000 runners,including 550 children, will once again descend on Woking Leisure Centre to take part in this popular community event... Whether you’re an experienced runner, or don’t run at all, The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon offers an exciting experience for everyone. The whole family will be entertained by a variety of activities on offer in the pop-up Event Village; including live video streaming on a giant TV screen, dance performances, live music, charity stalls, shops, cafes and more. Even after the race is over, everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of fantastic “race day deals” offered by businesses and restaurants in Woking Town Centre. With races starting from 8:30, runners follow a professionally marked route along closed roads into the glorious countryside. Live music, numerous water stations and communities of cheering supporters add to the fantastic atmosphere throughout this picturesque race. One band have signed up to perform as they run the half marathon! The fast, flat course encourages both new runners and seasoned race snakes to take part - many of whom achieve their “personal best” time. The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon is an exceptional choice for charity runners too; the event raises an estimated £0.4 million for charity every year. All runners receive a large medal and headwrap at the finish line, along with plenty of other goodies. “Beginner”, “intermediate” and “advanced” training plans are available to download free of charge for all entrants (courtesy of event partners Synergy Physiotherapy). If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to enter a race one day, now is the time to do so! Enter at: surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk

Join the Volunteer Team!

It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, make new local friends, and support your community. No experience necessary. surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk/volunteer

SPORT

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11 March 2018 Woking Leisure Centre AWARD-WINNING RACE

FREE TRAINING PLAN

LARGE MEDAL

CHIP TIMING AND MORE...

Happiness starts at Battersea Old Windsor At our dogs and cats home in Old Windsor, you’ll find lots of smiles, just like this one. It’s because we do more than microchip them, vaccinate them and give them full check-ups. We spend time with each of them, giving them professional training and expert care. That way, when you come to meet them, we know they’re ready, and happy to meet you.

Find us 10 minutes from junction 13 off the M25. battersea.org.uk Registered charity no. 206394

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LOVE BUSINESS SUPPORT 24/7 Support with MiBase

As a business owner, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your passion and commitment that drives your business. Basepoint Camberley share this enthusiasm and is committed to helping businesses by offering first-class workspaces alongside services that support you in making your business a success. Offices | Flexi-Space | Virtual Office | Meeting Rooms

Unique workspaces for your business

01276 415706 MEETING ROOMS

VIRTUAL OFFICE

TELECOMS

OFFICE SPACE

hellocamberley@basepoint.co.uk @basepoint_camb

basepoint.co.uk

ISSUE 51

n ?

Enhancing your home

Home owners often ask us how they can make the most of their home. Home owners often ask Today we look at us how they can make the conservatories and the most of their home. ur highly rated ome ask t the owners often Guardian™ roof. Today we look at how they can make the a conservatories and the most oof. of their home. highly rated oryToday we look at Guardian™ roof. onservatories and the highly rated Guardian™ roof.

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WINDOWS & GLAZING LTD

WINDOWS | DOORS | FOLDING DOORS CONSERVATORIES | GUARDIAN WARM ROOF | GLAZING

these ot all d

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QUESTION I can't afford to heat our conservatory in winter, so we don't use it. Can you help?

ANSWER It's all down to the heat loss through your conservatory roof. You can fit blinds but the best solution is to replace the roof with a lightweight, fully insulated Guardian™ roof. It will also help to keep your conservatory comfortable during summer.

Home owners often ask us how they can make the most of their home. Today we look at conservatories and the highly rated Guardian™ roof.

A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS THERE ARE MANY STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM, ALL DESIGNED TO COMPLETE YOUR HOME Installer Details

www.hartwindows.co.uk

roof - subtle roof frame with large expanses of glass. Its 57

TheGuide2Surrey.com unique design combines the clean sharp lines of the Atlas

conservatory with the features of the classic orangery. The super slim 40mm internal ridge and rafter sections create a sleek look, whilst maximizing the use of light

WINDOWS Hart Windows

and space within your home.

NO BOSS OR HOODS

APPEARANCE OF A REAL ORANGERY

Much like a traditionally built orangery, the Skyroom’s industry leading design has the appearance of a real lantern roof set within a solid roof. This illusion is created using a ‘raised ringbeam’ between the top of the internal pelmet and the roof, helping to create a perfect finish to the room’s décor.

Our House 4

The Skyroom: The Light of a Conservatory with the Appearance of a Real Orangery

Residential Aluminium Bi-Fold and Sliding Doors: A New Way to Enjoy Your Garden and Home

Have you ever wanted to relax in your own orangery?

Enjoy your garden all year round with AluK bi-fold and sliding doors. Make the most of your outside space with panoramic views through unencumbered glazing during the winter and wide open expanses, straight out into your garden, in summer and spring.

Well thanks to Atlas, the Skyroom is one of the finest contemporary looking conservatory spaces available on the market, designed to emulate the appearance of a real lantern roof set within a solid roof. This illusion is created using a ‘raised ringbeam’ between the top of the internal pelmet and the roof, helping to create a perfect finish to the room’s décor. The key to the Skyroom’s realistic internal look of an orangery is the solid variable depth pelmet. This custom designed internal pelmet instantly changes the appearance of the room, and with spotlights added you can create the perfect evening lighting. The Skyroom will transform your home like no other. Due to its superior thermal performance, the Skyroom can be comfortably used 24 hours a day, in all seasons.

Manufactured from strong but lightweight aluminium, these sliding and folding doors are available in many configurations to suit your home. Whether your property is large or small, you can still achieve the open plan living you desire without worrying about the weather outside. Designed to the highest standards, these doors are reliable, secure and built with performance in mind, ensuring that you enjoy this relaxing and stylish way of living for many years to come. The AluK range of inline or lift and slide premium aluminium doors offers high performance complemented by stunning design, adding a modern and stylish look to your home, opening your living space to the outside.

63 Albert Street, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 3RN | 01252 623 404 | info@hartwindows.co.uk | www.hartwindows.co.uk

ISSUE 51

Optiplan Kitchens have a proud history of kitchen cabinet making spanning over 30 years. We are now one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and retailers, selling high quality, handmade kitchens from a network of 13 show rooms across the country. Optiplan Kitchens in Knaphill opened their doors in 2007 and offers a range of 21 bespoke kitchen displays. Situated in the beautiful Surrey, it is a short drive from central Woking. Visit today and speak to one of our experienced design consultants to see how we can help you to design your dream kitchen.

Optiplan Kitchens, Coombe Villa, Anchor Hill, Knaphill, Woking GU21 2HW 01483 485 770 | www.optiplankitchens.co.uk

FRIENDS VISIT. FRIENDS STAY

£699

(INCLUDES MATTRESSES) PRE CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

BRAMLEY OAK GUEST BED

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HOMES & PROPERTIES

HOT SHOP

La Residence

La Residence Interior's passion is to design and source elegant and beautifully formed home furnishings that will amaze and inspire you. They focus on the latest styles and continue to add luxurious furnishings to their timeless and classic collection, which they hope will help you create the unique and stylish home youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always dreamed of. In addition to their comprehensive online business, La Residence Interiors also operate a luxurious and welcoming showroom in Alfold that allows customers to experience the astonishing quality of their range first hand.

La Residence, Surrey Showroom & Head Office, Unit 17, Alfold Business Centre, Loxwood Road, Alfold, Surrey GU6 8HP 01403 752245 | www.laresidenceinteriors.co.uk

SMALL CARD BIG OFFERS

thegoodtimeguide.com

ISSUE 51

thegoodtimeguide.com

the guide to going out

thegoodtimeguide.com e

#SmallCa SmallCard rdBigOffe BigOffers rs Terms and Conditions: This card is the property of The Good Time Guide Limited. Full terms and conditions of use are available at www.thegoodtimeguide.com. This card is non-transferable and is not a credit or debit card.

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HOMES & PROPERTIES

TheGuide2Surrey.com

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM DECLUTTER FOR CHRISTMAS! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 1. Toys What do the kids actually play with? Over the next few days, hide their favourite toys and see what they play with instead. Then hide those and see what they go to next. Anything not touched take to the charity shop / eBay it / take it to a local children’s home

2. Clothes What hasn’t anyone worn all year? If you still completely love it, fine – if not – take it to the charity shop to clog up someone else’s wardrobe

3. Kitchen drawers How many “everything” drawers do you have? Do you cringe with shame if someone opens them? Clear them out – get rid of the rubbish – take your coins to a local charity, bin the old barbecue sticks and crayons and neon bracelets (we’ve all got them)

4. Kitchen cupboards Check best before dates, if you have too many coffee mugs or serving dishes or cake tins for your cupboard, get rid of them!

5. Paperwork Throw away all junk mail, pick up a piece of paper and put it into 3 piles to-do/file/recycle. Then file it or deal with it. It won’t take as long as you think.

Christmas can be a bit of a stressful time – suddenly your calendar is full of kid’s nativity plays, carol concerts, work parties, general socialising and shopping. Some people take it all in their stride and glide through, while others get swamped by the extra chaos and expectation of perfection.

6. Bathroom cabinets

Whatever you’re like, clearing your house (and head) in the lead up to the Christmas commotion is always a good idea and spending time decluttering can be really cathartic.

Start with the one you automatically think is the easiest to tackle, and reward yourself when you’ve filled your first bag!

Before your house is saturated with even more “stuff”, why not take some time and make some room; clear out the things you no longer use and see what it is you actually need.

MMMMMMMM

How to do it? One cupboard in one room at a time. Pick up an object and hold it on your hand. It might be a kid’s toy, a sweater, a book or anything – ask yourself “Does anyone in the house use this or do I love it?” If the answer is yes then “Where should it live?”; if the answer is no then, “should I sell it, donate it or throw it away?”

Throw away any freebies you’ve been given and not used. Check use by dates on your medicines and take any unused/OOD back to the pharmacy to be disposed of.

7. Linen cupboard It’s time to throw out those old towels and bedding. You only need 2 sets per bed; take the rest to the nearest animal shelter.

If you think a pre-Christmas declutter is a good idea and you would like details of our HALF PRICE offer, visit The Homemover Specialist thehomemover.co.uk or call 01483 255895, email hello@thehomemover.co.uk

MMMMMMMM

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TH GU E OFF ILD IC DO FORD IAL WN AP L P FRE OAD E

Park for FREE after 4pm on Thursdays 23, 30 Nov & 7, 14, 21 Dec Participating car parks are: Bedford Road Multi Storey, Leapale Road, Millbrook, G Live, Bedford Road Surface, Mary Road, Bright Hill, Commercial Road pay and display, Old Police Station, Upper High Street, Waitrose.

For full details visit

www.experienceguildford.com Brought to you by

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