The Guide 2 Surrey - January 2018 by The Guide 2 Surrey

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Welcome to

Letter to Our Readers A 21st Century Media Company

CONTENTS

Hello! Happy New Year to you all, and welcome to your first The Guide 2 Surrey of 2018. We have packed this issue with loads of information to get you plugged into the New Year. So what’s new for us in 2018? Well, quite a lot as it happens, hence this letter to you. Our New Year’s resolution is to communicate more directly with our readers and this is the first step on that journey. Firstly we are incredibly grateful to you all for continuing to pick up our publication every month.

We also know that many of you find it frustrating if you miss getting your copy. We have received countless correspondence and many wonderful phone calls from people asking for a subscription service, to ensure they get their copy every month. So that’s exactly what we’re doing! This will give you the option to have your monthly issue delivered to your door. How handy is that? Throughout this month’s magazine you will find more information on how to subscribe via The Guide 2 Surrey website, theguide2surrey.com.

COMMUNITY Our Citizens: Instagram

ENTERTAINMENT The Guide 2 Your Month

Talking To: Jonathan Pie

Key Dates for 2018

FESTIVE FOOD & DRINK Foodie News & Events

Foodie Festivals in 2018

We are immensely excited by the prospect of building stronger relationships with you, our readers. As you know, we are a local independent business created to connect local people to the best Surrey has to offer, providing national quality content that is locally sourced. We created The Guide 2 Surrey five years ago to change the face of local media, and your response and enthusiasm has been hugely motivating for our entire team.

Where to Eat: Sorrel

Try Something New

Lastly, please do get in touch with us. We love it when we hear from you; the good, the funny and the occasionally perturbed feedback we get from you all is invaluable. Thank you in advance for your continued support throughout 2018 and beyond.

Dad’s the Word

Walking the Surrey Hills

Challenge Yourself

Fiona Knowlton, Founder

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

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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 Editor: Rich Lee Photographer: Fiona Digby-Jones Designer: Emma Lewis This product is printed by Acorn.

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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!

Costello Bespoke

@costello_bespoke Dark Concrete and Gold, really good contrast between the porous concrete and the solid gold. #costellobespoke #concrete #gold #polishedfinish #luxurydesign #liquidmetal

@costello_bespoke Rough Sawn Oak Diamond Cut Doors prior to staining. #costellobespoke #sawnoak #roughsawnoak #oak

Cupsmith

@cupsmith On this chilly winter afternoon I’m switching a cup of tea for a soul-hugging cup of hot chocolate. Today Mr Crawford’s Hot Chocolate - our single origin Colombian chocolate with ginger.

@cupsmith We’re quietly pretty proud of our new range of hot chocolate that we launched in October, and shops are already on their second orders of it. It’s really deliciously tasty, proper hot chocolate and is made entirely by us.

Sandown Mercedes

@sandownmercedes Stay safe driving in the snow with Sandown Mercedes-Benz #snow #classiccar #classicmercedes

@sandownmercedes Check out the new special edition Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet.

Agnes Walker

@agneswalker_jewellery On this crisp day, I’m drawn to this lovely image by @photographybybea of our silver Petworth Pearl Acorn headband.

@agneswalker_jewellery Hair vine handwired from vintage green velvet millinery leaves adorned with freshwater pearl buds.

Pig Pen Flowers

@pigpenflowers Dahlia “Chat Noir” in all her post frost soggy-ness but looking just like a beautiful taffeta silk skirt ..... or am I just being daft? Now where can I get some fabric in just this shade of beautiful?

@pigpenflowers Love ‘em, or hate ‘em ..... sometimes you just have to go with all the dried.

We Are The Salt Box

@thesaltboxuk Perfect for cooking over an open fire, flatbreads are super simple to make, quick to cook and taste delicious. The perfect accompaniment to grilled meat or veg.

@thesaltboxuk Time to start loving our left overs. Brunch = rabbit white pudding, eggs and sweet green chilli

COMMUNITY

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Community

Bubble & Twist

@mrbubblentwist Handmade and free delivery! Contact me for range of flavours on offer.

@mrbubblentwist Morning all ,Bubble & Twist all set @alburyvineyard for some seasonal fun and cheer! Taster gift boxes ready!

The Icing on the cake

@the_icingonthecake Oh what I would’ve done for a cake like this when I was 11

@the_icingonthecake All dressed up and ready to party. This golden beauty went out to play this morning. Beautiful flower topper from @theoakandtheowl as always.

The Sculpture Park

@thesculpturepark #baby meets #DoctorFoster by #paulrichardson at #thesculpturepark in #churt #farnham

@thesculpturepark A #frosty #face. #Mother #Earth by Daniel Cordell at #thesculpturepark #churt #farnham #surrey #surreylife #frostymorning #sculpturegarden #sculptureoftheday

Dorking Brewery

@dorkingbrewery We’re all prepped for our first brew on the new kit! A cheeky 18bbl batch of Buffalo Buffalo is coming your way! #dorkingbrewery #buffalobuffalo

@dorkingbrewery Moving the brewery isn’t all bad... #downtime #someonehastodoit #dorkingbrewery #brewlife #beer #pacificgold

The Alternative Kitchen

@thealtkitchen Recipe testing today for my favourite mag @veganfoodandliving. This beast is blackened tofu, kimchi, almond raita, and harrisa ketchup

@thealtkitchen When the ingredient is more beautiful than anything you could possibly do with it.

The Ark Stores

@thearkstores Stool #sycamore #forsale #countryantiques #interiordesigner #patina #countryhouse #interiordesign #thearkstores #original #interiordecor #antiqueshop #antiquestool

@thearkstores Spice #wallcupboard #earlyoak #oakandcountry #forsale #thearkstores #interiordesigner #antiqueshop #secretdrawers #surreyshopping

Taylor Jayne

@taylorjaynelook @taylorjaynelook This little dude is bloody FAB I wouldn’t even This gorgeous piece of art is one of our waste it in the boys room , I’d want this in best sellers. Available in 3 sizes & a whole pride of place where everyone can see him, in utterly fabulous collection of designs a very cute little glass dome with a cool gold face. Mike Wall-Palmer Head chef at The Anchor, Ripley

@chefmikewp Very cheeky #surrey #pork #cheeks #braise #skill #technique #thyme #bayleaf #oldschool #texture #flavour #chef #chefslife

@chefmikewp Pumpkin & Parmesan Tart, Spiced Pumpkin Seed Praline, Fresh Chestnut

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COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT FOOD AND DRINK FAMILY LIFESTYLE SPORT BUSINESS HOMES AND PROPERTIES COMPETITIONS

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ISSUE 52

Highlights this month at

CAMBERLEY THEATRE include...

The Chicago Blues Brothers

The Bob Dylan Story

January 27th

February 3rd

The Little Mix Show

February 13th

3pm show SOLD OUT Extra show added at 7pm

The Teddy Bears Picnic

The Counterfit Stones: Fake it Black

February 13th

February 23rd

www.camberleytheatre.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

THE GUIDE 2 YOUR MONTH Butterflies in the Glasshouse 13th January – 4th March RHS Gardens, Wisley

As the cold snap sets in, escape to the tropical environs of the Glasshouse found at RHS Gardens Wisley as beautiful butterflies return to Surrey. Seek and find over 50 species of these colourful creatures amongst the palm trees and climbers as they flutter and fly in the air above you. Pick up a spotter guide on arrival and identify the ones you’ve seen. For more information visit rhs.org.uk

Spring King

Suggs: What a King Cnut

31st January / The Boileroom, Guildford

2nd February / G Live, Guildford

Forming part of the Independent Venue Week initiative (week-long celebrations country wide in honour of independent venues), Spring King return to play their brand of skate punk at The Boileroom in Guildford. Think Beastie Boys meets Beach Boys, but from Manchester. Sing along, dance the night away and get your tickets quick because this one will most definitely sell out. For more information visit theboileroom.net

Front man of the maniacal Ska Punk band Madness, a certain Suggs comes to G Live in Guildford this February to recount tales from his unexpectedly successful career in his one man show, What a King Cnut. Vertigo on the roof of Buckingham Palace. Nearly blowing the closing ceremony of the Olympics. Watching his underpants fall to earth on Bowie’s driveway. Enjoy a night of hilarity and mishaps from one of Britain’s cheekiest chaps. For more information visit glive.co.uk

Jonathan Pie: Back to the Studio 5th February / Farnham Maltings

The seriously funny, no nonsense newsreader Jonathan Pie is ‘back to the studio’ this February in Farnham. Frustrated, angry and with a point to prove, watch on as Pie attempts to host a night of serious discussions on current affairs whilst simultaneously attempting to smash the system from within. Join him for a night of political comedy that soon descends into chaos. For more information visit farnhammaltings.com

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 52

THE GUIDE 2 Quiz Night

14th January / The Richard Onslow, Cranleigh Exercise your mind as The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh launch their pub quiz taking place every Sunday from 6.30pm. Grab a gang of your most erudite and earnest pals (teams of 6 or smaller) for a night of cranial competition in Cranleigh. Pound coins at the ready as you pop them in the winner’s kitty. A warm welcome and roaring fire await. For more information visit therichardonslow.co.uk

Quilters Fair

14th January / Farnham Maltings

Circus of Horrors

11th January / New Victoria Theatre, Woking Roll up, roll up for the terrifying and death defying Circus of Horrors, as it stops its Big Top in Woking’s New Victoria Theatre for one night only this January. Back with a brand new show, Voodoo, expect a visual feast for the eyes that will leave you spinning in your seat. For a thoroughly entertaining night get your tickets today.

Fancy yourself a master crafter? Love nothing more than spending your time making luscious quilts to keep you cosy? For your fix of fabric head for Farnham Malting’s Quilters Fair taking place this January. Peruse and pour over a plethora of fabrics at this quilter’s extravaganza. Be inspired by creative design at the quilting exhibition held upstairs at the Maltings, created by the South of England’s quilting groups. For more information visit farnhammaltings.com

For more information visit atgtickets.com

Film Nights: Mr Turner

11th January / The Lightbox, Woking Fancy a night of film? Visit Woking’s cultural hub, The Lightbox and enjoy a screening of Mr Turner starring Timothy Spall. A film about the gifted and eccentric painter JMW Turner and his life, coincidentally The Lightbox also have an exhibition of Turner’s work happening concurrently which you might also like to check out on your travels some time. Booking is essential. For more information visit thelightbox.org.uk

One Winters Night

13th January / Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Head for the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford this January as One Winter’s Night returns for a night of music from some of Surrey’s finest young musicians. All profits from the ticket sales of One Winter’s Night will be going to the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Service at The Royal Surrey County Hospital and to Farnham based Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care. For more information visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

The Repair Café

13th January / Watts Gallery Artists’ Village For a day of making and mending find your way to the Repair Café at Watts Gallery Artists’ Village in Compton. For a far more environmentally friendly antidote to the throwing away of your old worn and torn items, why not give them a new lease of life at this educational workshop and gain some skills for the year ahead whilst you’re there? You’ll be the don of D.I.Y before you know it. For more information visit wattsgallery.org.uk

Noel Coward’s Private Lives

16th – 20th January / Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Enjoy classic theatre at the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford this January with Noel Coward’s Private Lies. Set in 1930’s France the story follows the tale of two newly wed couples staying in adjoining honeymoon suites. Sparks ignite to provide a comedic battle of the sexes. For more information visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Vision Your Year

16th January / West End Centre, Aldershot Have you seen the future? Have an idea of what you would like your future to look like? Join local tutor Ginny Farquhar for a sociable and relaxed evening creating your own vision board for the year ahead. Put together a collage of words and pictures to help inspire your daily focus and attention in achieving your goals in 2018. For more information visit westendcentre.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

YOUR MONTH Torchlight Tour

Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room

The Torchlight Tour returns to Brooklands Museum this month for a spooky evening stroll around this historic motor course. Warm clothes, sensible shoes and a torch are highly recommended as Brooklands Museum’s expert guide leads you through the Motoring Village, Stratosphere Chamber, Test Hill and the Members’ Banking. Booking is essential.

Canada’s finest, Katherine Ryan continues her Glitter Room tour, this time shimmering and sparkling to Dorking Halls for a night of super funny. Weird, wacky and more than wonderful, Katherine has appeared on just about every comedy panel show out there.

17th January / Brooklands Museum

18th January / Dorking Halls

For more information visit dorkinghalls.co.uk

For more information visit brooklandsmuseum.com

Sewing’s Back in Fashion

17th January / Farnham Maltings Farnham Maltings is pretty much your go to when it comes to all things creative and crafty. Sewing’s Back in Fashion is a 10 week mixed ability course perfect for beginners or those who may be a little out of practice and need some refresher tuition. Learn the basics to help you get started on your sewing and work on individual projects over the duration of the course. For more information visit farnhammaltings.com

TEDX Kingston Upon Thames: Out of Order 20th January / Rose Theatre, Kingston

TEDX comes to Rose Theatre in Kingston this January for a day of discussion and debate. The theme of Out of Order will get broken down and dissected into the various interpretations of that phrase; change, disruption, subcultures, a broken situation, radical solutions, a different way of looking at things…From technology and design to adventure, culture and the way we live and work now and in the future, the day’s speakers will delve into some of the most challenging questions of modern life. For more information visit rosetheatrekingston.org

Pledge for the Planet

18th January / The Living Planet Centre, Woking You love the planet right? Ever wondered what you can do in your everyday life to have less of an impact on the environment? Or how to inspire others to make a change for the planet? Head for The Living Planet Centre in Woking to hear from Hermione Taylor, founder of Do Nation, and be inspired by some of the ways you can create change; and how making a small change to your lifestyle can have a big impact on the environment. For more information visit wwf.org.uk

Stag Gazing Evening

20th January / Guildford Cathedral Gaze into the night sky at this fabulous and free star gazing night held at Guildford Cathedral. Join the Guildford Astronomical Society as they guide you through our galaxy at this family friendly event with children’s crafts, talks and a pop-up observatory planned for the night. For more information visit guildford-cathedral.org

The Transports

Roller Disco

Join some of Britain’s leading folk musicians for a timely re-telling of Peter Bellamy’s legendary folk ballads The Transports. Telling the story of mass migration and exile through folk music, head for G Live in Guildford this January for a thought provoking night of entertainment.

Enjoy some good clean fun down at the Roller Disco held at Guildford Spectrum this January. From 5 – 10pm spin around on your skates and impress your mates with your wheely fancy skills. Music, roller skates - It’s what January was made for.

For more information visit glive.co.uk

For more information visit guildfordspectrum.co.uk

18th January / G Live, Guildford

20th January / Guildford Spectrum

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 52

THE GUIDE 2 Film: My Cousin Rachel

21st January / Shere Village Cinema Held at Shere Village Hall and showing films throughout the month, Shere Village Cinema is a great place to discover first class film. This January catch My Cousin Rachel starring Racehl Weisz. The story? A young Englishman plots revenge against his late cousin’s mysterious, beautiful wife, believing her responsible for his death. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms. For more information visit villagecinema.org

The Magic Flute

25th January / G Live, Guildford

Andy Zaltzman

Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose take on Mozart’s the Magic Flute in this up to date reimagining of the classic opera. OperaUpClose are the critically acclaimed English language opera company who have previously re-worked La Boheme and Carmen. This production will re-invent The Magic Flute in fabulous new robes for the era of Trump, recessions and all. For more information visit glive.co.uk

24th January / West End Centre, Aldershot Catch Andy Zaltzman’s unique brand of political satire at the West End Centre in Aldershot this month. Comedian, broadcaster and author, Zaltzman is the writer and presenter of the global hit satirical podcast The Bugle. For more information visit westendcentre.co.uk

The Importance of Being Ernest

Crafting Live

25th - 27th January / Sandown Racecourse, Esher Enjoy more crafting this month courtesy of Crafting Live held at Sandown Racecourse in Esher. Enjoy an all-important educational workshop held by Stephanie Weightman and Nancy Watt followed by free workshops and exhibitors selling all sorts of haberdashery and creative craft musts haves. For more information visit craftinglive.co.uk

24th January – 3rd February / Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Oscar Wilde’s comedy classic The Importance of Being Ernest is brought to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s stage by the Original Theatre Company. Watch on as town and country clash in a brilliant and wildly funny story of romance, identity, perambulators and capacious handbags.

Godalming Gag House

26th January / Café Mila, Godalming

For more information visit yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Christmas is done for another year, the New Year’s resolution isn’t going so well and there isn’t another bank holiday weekend for months. Turn that frown upside down and enjoy some comic relief this January at the Godalming Gag House held at Café Mila found just off the High Street.

The Mitfords

For more information visit gaghousecomedy.com

A new one-woman show by Gail Louw and performed by Heather Long, The Mitfords tells the story of the six Mitford Sisters who lived in the 20th century when much of their varied lives are synchronous with ma jor events that defined the time.

Burns Night Celebration

25th January / Epsom Playhouse

For more information visit epsomplayhouse.co.uk

RUN EVENTS? WANT TO GET FEATURED IN THE GUIDE? NO PROBLEM. SIMPLY SEND YOUR EVENT DETAILS TO ALEX@TGMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

27th January / Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking Raise a toast to Scotland’s principle poet and lyricist Robbie Burns this January at Denbies wine Estate’s Burns Night Celebration. Enjoy Haggis, neeps and tatties in the atmospheric Denbies Cellar with the backdrop of bagpipes courtesy of a traditional Scottish Ceilidh band sure to set the tone for a celebratory evening befitting Scotland’s finest. For more information visit denbies.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

YOUR MONTH Guildford Travel Club: Adventure in Britain

Guildford Shakespeare Company: Romeo & Juliet

If you have designs on making 2018 a year of adventure, then head for this fascinating talk on adventuring Britain held at Onslow Village Hall courtesy of Guildford Travel Club. Be inspired by intrepid explorer Phoebe Smith as she recounts her tales of ‘wild nights out’, wild camping around our fair isle.

Local bringers of all things the Great Bard, Big Billy Shakespeare, the Guildford Shakespeare company will perform the timely tale of Romeo and Juliet this February. Just in time for Valentine’s Day let love, tragedy and family feuds ensue as these two star crossed lovers seek for their souls to be one. For more information visit guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

30th January / Onslow Village Hall, Guildford

For more information visit guildfordtravelclub.org.uk

3rd – 24th February / Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

Icons of the 80’s

4th February / New Victoria Theatre, Woking Go West, Nik Kershaw and Cutting Crew come together in one unique concert as legendary icons of the 80’s come to Woking’s New Victoria Theatre this February. “Don’t let the sun go down”, as Mr Kershaw would say - book your tickets today to relive times when mullet haircuts and trench coats reigned supreme. See you there. For more information visit atgtickets.com

Tim Vine

6th February / Princes Hall, Aldershot

Joel Dommett: Live

31st January / G Live, Guildford Fancy some funny? Straight from the jungle, where he’s been analysing varying levels of celebrity squirm and scream their way out of Australia’s great Outback, catch Joel Dommet perform at G Live in Guildford this month.

Tim Vine is back on tour, telling lots of silly new jokes, showing off new homemade props, singing some new daft ditties, and all with the appearance of confidence. The following subjects will be touched upon briefly: pixie football, ice cream and nibble feeders. Come along, sit down, and laugh. For more information visit princeshall.com

For more information visit glive.co.uk

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars

2nd February / Camberley Theatre Catch some smoothe jazz in Camberley this February as Ronnie Scott’s All Stars come to town. Direct from London’s world-famous jazz club and combining world-class live jazz, narration and rare archive images and footage, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars take to the stage to celebrate ‘The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook’. For more information visit camberleytheare.co.uk

Weird Sisters Present Air Swimming

2nd February / Riverhouse Arts Centre, Walton-On-Thames Head to the Riverhouse Arts Centre in Walton – On –Thames as Weird Sisters theatre company present the funny and desperately sad, Air Swimming, an uplifting story about friendship, fantasy and freedom. 1924: Persephone Baker is planning her coming-out ball at the Dorchester when she finds herself abandoned at St Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane with only ‘unhinged, cigar-smoking, monomaniac’ Dora Kitson for company. Forgotten for 50 years, they create alter egos who exist in a surreal fantasy world enlivened by Doris Day, 2000 Bolshevik women, a Moulinex hand whisk and ... Air Swimming. For more information visit riverhousebarn.co.uk

Unravel Festival

16th – 18th February / Farnham Maltings Tis the season for ‘crafty sew and sews’ and knitting enthusiasts to unite and descend upon Farnham Maltings for the 10th anniversary of the knitting fiesta that is Unravel Festival. Featuring a programme of bookable workshops, talks & demonstrations led by UK & International experts and a marketplace of over 70 quality exhibitors selling yarn & fibre accessories, meet likeminded lovers of crafts. For more information visit farnhammaltings.com

ISSUE 52

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ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 52

TALKING TO ‘JONATHAN PIE’ Words: Rich Lee He’s the viral political phenomenon that has taken social media by storm in the Age of Brexit and Trump. We spoke to Tom Walker, the creator of the livid newsman Jonathan Pie, on the eve of his second major UK tour, ‘Back to the Studio’…

“I still can’t believe Trump is President. It’s like a bad dream”

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

Hey Tom. It’s a New Year, so what do you predict will get Pie in a rage in 2018? Well there’s Trump, but you never know, he might not last the year, in which case that would make Pie very happy. But then his replacement would mostly likely be (Vice President) Mike Pence, which would make him deeply unhappy. Either way, America’s not looking good. And Theresa May might resign, but who would replace her? You’ve got Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove or Boris Johnson. Pie would be very annoyed about all of them. And then there’s Brexit. I can’t imagine Brexit turning around this year and we’ll say, ‘actually it might all be alright?’ Same old sh*t really: the Tories, Brexit, Trump. I imagine Pie will be getting angry about exactly the same things, if I’m honest.

Weren’t you close to giving up acting and comedy before you came up with the character of Jonathan Pie? Well, I was never really a comedian – I’d attempted standup, very badly, a couple of times - but I suppose your twenties are there to fail, to be poor and struggle. Then I found myself in my late thirties and felt it was time to give it up, because I was stuck, poor and p*ssed off that I wasn’t an actor. But the minute you decide to give up, none of that matters anymore; the risks have gone so why not stand on College Green and shout down a camera, because you’ve got this ‘idea’? So that’s what I did and within a couple of weeks all these doors started opening because a couple of videos had gone viral. And then I suddenly had a million views and I was on news programs talking about satire, so I recognised early on that it was an extraordinary stroke of luck and I needed to grab it by the horns.

The landscape of Brexit and Trump seems tailor-made for a character like Pie. Did it give birth to him or was it just miraculous timing? When I started, David Cameron had just won his election, but I think it’s difficult to remember just how shocking his ma jority victory was – because so much has happened since (laughs), and Jeremy Corbyn won the leadership of the Labour party, so that was a bit of a phenomena at the time: ‘My god, a left-wing leader in charge of a left-wing party’, so everyone was going a little bit mad. There will always be politics and news, so I think Pie would have been successful anyway. And he did become successful before Brexit, before Trump. But I think when Brexit happened it really took off because people wanted an explanation for why it happened, and they also wanted to vent their anger at the result. And exactly the same thing happened with Trump’s election – I put out a video within 24 hours and it was the first real satirical comment to appear, so it went absolutely barmy. A lot of people, including me, were absolutely mortified. I still can’t believe Trump is president, it still feels like bad dream. So Pie puts into poetic, sweary language what many people are thinking.

It’s said that Jonathan Pie represents a resurgence of British satire. Why is it relevant again when it seemed so absent during the Bush/Blair years? Well, my demographic is across the board: from sixteen to sixty. So, the sixteen-year olds look at what I do and say: “My God, this is so new, this is so original, I’ve never seen anything like this!” and of course I’m not going to tell them differently (laughs.) But the sixty-year olds will say: “Oh, I remember this, this ‘shouting-at-theTories’ satire!” Now although Bush was ripe for satire at the time, unfortunately Blair and New Labour weren’t because satire normally comes from a left angle, traditionally, and I think lefties were embarrassed. Because despite the Iraq War and all that other stuff, they

had socially progressive policies which we quite liked, so we were a little bit coy about hammering them, and satire became a little less sharp as a result. We still have Have I Got News For You, and it’s great, but it’s kind of part of our national identity now, like Songs of Praise. A lot of satire on TV these days takes the form of ‘aren’t Brexit voters stupid?’ – I mean, that’s the only joke! So, satire lost its teeth a bit, but I think it’s coming back.

Although the character resonates most strongly with the left, he’s nevertheless very popular among the right. What explains his bipartisan appeal? When it comes to Brexit, I p*ss off Remainers more than I do Leavers because Pie is a reluctant Remainer, unlike most Remainers. What I’ve managed to do with the writing is understand why people voted to leave. And the reason is that the EU is f*cking grim! It’s a corporate bloc, not some wonderful, socialist idea full of pixies and all races and creeds holding hands. I can still be p*ssed off about leaving it but let’s not pretend it’s a utopia. Remainers and Leavers can watch Pie and both find things they agree with and, more importantly, things that challenge their view. Pie is a bit more balanced than people think. He’s not ‘balanced’ though…

How do we find Pie in your new live show, ‘Back to the Studio’? This time around he’s testing out a new concept, the ‘Jonathan Pie Political Roadshow’. But if there’s a theme, it’s really about social media, echo chambers, the tweeter-in-chief, and it’s about the way we consume our news through social media and how that affects how the news directs its output. When does real news start and fake news stop?

Have you given any thought to life after Pie? Any other characters waiting in the wings to go viral? I have not. I’ve always thought of myself as an actor first, so I’m just riding the wave of this and seeing where it takes me, until either the fans are bored of this, or I am, and just see what happens. If it were to all end tomorrow, I’d just ring up my agent and ask, “have you got any auditions?”

JONATHAN PIE: BACK TO THE STUDIO 2018 UK TOUR COMES TO G LIVE, GUILDFORD ON FRIDAY 2ND MARCH. VISIT GLIVE.CO.UK FOR TICKETS AND FOLLOW PIE AT WWW.JONATHANPIE.COM

ISSUE 52

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Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 52

THE YEAR THAT WILL BE 2018: KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Diaries / Filofaxes / various cloud based storage devices at the ready, for weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve compiled a handy guide to some key entertainment events taking place in this the year 2018. Pen, plan and prepare for a year of good times.

ENTERTAINMENT

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Entertainment

INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK

29th JANUARY – 4th FEBUARY Celebrating live music at independent venues throughout Surrey and across the country. Support your local music venue and find a show near you!

independentvenueweek.com

SURREY HALF MARATHON

THE SURREY COUNTY SHOW

28th MAY Stoke Park in Guildford sets the scene for an agricultural celebration of our fair county. The perfect family day out.

surreycoutyshow.co.uk

HAMPTON COURT FESTIVAL

11th MARCH Sign up and run, run, run or spectate and cheer on! Get ready for the Surrey Half! Sign up and book your spot today.

THROUGHOUT JUNE Hampton Court Palace Festival will see the likes of Gary Barlow, The Beach Boys, Jools Holland and Joe Bonamassa all take to the stage throughout June.

surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk

hamptoncourtfestival.com

PICASSO: PAPER & CLAY

JOCKEY CLUB LIVE

thelightbox.org.uk

thejockeylive.co.uk

FLEECY FROLICS

GSC PRESENT: ROBIN HOOD

17th MARCH – 24th JUNE Indulge your artistic side this March as The Lightbox hold a very special exhibition celebrating the work of Pablo Picasso through paper and clay.

21st & 22nd APRIL Because who doesn’t love a lamb? Cute, cuddly and entertaining. Check out laming season in full flow at Merrist Wood College this spring.

merristwood.ac.uk

PINT OF SCIENCE

14th – 16th MAY For the curious and inquisitive minds, come pour yourself a pint of science this May at these fantastic talks held at various establishments of the liquid kind.

JUNE – AUGUST The Jockey Club Live will be back with amazing artists playing the iconic racecourses at Sandown and Epsom between June-August 2018.

14th – 30th JUNE The Guildford Shakespeare Company present their summer time performance of Robin Hood in the great outdoors at Rooks Close in Guildford.

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

HASLEMERE FRINGE FESTIVAL

6th – 8th JULY Head to Haslemere for their biennial fringe festival. Enjoy music, comedy, poetry and dance at this family friendly festival.

pintofscience.com

lionfest.co.uk

BILL BAILEY: LARKS IN TRANSIT

CAMBERLEY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

21st – 23rd MAY The whimsical wizard of comedy Bill Bailey descends upon Guildford’s G Live for three nights this May to tackle politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness.

glive.co.uk

HAPPY DAYS FESTIVAL

26th– 27th MAY Taking you back to the heyday of pop music celebrating the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, find your way to Happy Days this May.

hdfestival.co.uk

20th – 23rd JUNE Enjoy live music, spoken word, comedy, poetry, workshops and more at Camberley’s International Festival.

camberley-international-festival.com

GUILDFORD FRINGE FESTIVAL

29th JUNE – 29th JULY Guildford’s favourite arts festival returns for a month of entertainment this July. Expect emerging acts from the entertainment world take over the town.

guildfordfringefestival.com

ENTERTAINMENT

ISSUE 52

THE YEAR THAT WILL BE 2018: KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

6th – 15th JULY The largest youth arts festival in the country returns to Kingston promising two weeks and over 200 events take place.

WINGS & WHEELS

25th & 26th AUGUST Celebrate mighty machines at Wings and Wheels this August at Dunsfold Park near Cranleigh.

wingsandwheels.net

iyafestival.org.uk

PARTY IN THE PARK

7th JULY Woking’s Party in the Park is back for more free entertainment this July in Woking Park. Family fun by the tonne.

celebratewoking.info

WESTIVAL

20th – 22nd JULY Westival is the festival with a difference. Watch on as the West End Centre in Aldershot is decked out in festival gear, grass and all! Much music, much fun.

westendcentre.co.uk

PRUDENTIAL RIDE 100 LONDON – SURREY

29th JULY Cheer on the hundreds of cyclists as they race through the Surrey concourse on the Prudential Ride 100.

prudentialridelondon.co.uk

LOXWOOD JOUST

4th & 5th and 11th & 12th AUGUST Medieval mayhem descends upon Loxwood Meadow for more chaos and carnage of a friendly kind. Family festival fun.

legendpresents.co.uk

WEYFEST

17th – 19th AUGUST Held at the Rural Life Centre near Farnham this August for Weyfest, a three day music festival with good vibes.

weyfest.co.uk

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

6th – 9th and 13th – 16th SEPTEMBER See the sights for free this September. Heritage Open Days celebrates our historical sites of interest and implore one all to discover them for yourself.

heritageopendays.org.uk

GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL

7th OCTOBER – 14th OCTOBER Literary lovers unite for the Guildford Book Festival this October as celebrated authors come to town to talk shop.

guildfordbookfestival.co.uk

GSC PRESENT: ALICE IN WONDERLAND

13th OCTOBER – 3rd NOVEMBER The GSC return with their autumn production of Alice in Wonderland. Experience the adventure with Alice this October.

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

KATIE MELUA & GORI WOMEN’S CHOIR

4th DECEMBER One for the diary as this will undoubtedly sell out. Enjoy the sounds of melody maker Katie Melua and the Gori Women’s Choir this December.

glive.co.uk

CINDERELLA

7th DECEMBER – 6th JANUARY Couldn’t help it. Christmas is fun. Panto is back and Cinderella is the star this December in Woking.

atgtickets.com

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FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 52

Foodie NEWS and EVENTS Westy Winter Beer Festival FRIDAY 12TH – SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY West End Centre, Aldershot

Now in its fifth year, The Westy Beer Festival is the perfect way to kick off the new year. You’ll find over 50 real ales and proper ciders, with hot food and amazing live bands to enjoy. Sessions run on Fri 12th Jan, 7pm-11pm and two sessions on Sat 13th – 12pm-4pm and 6pm-11pm. Tickets to each session are just £5, and tokens can be purchased at £10 for 6. As well as beers from fantastic local breweries there will be a great selection of ales and ciders from all over the UK, including some favourites from previous Westy Beer Festivals and some CAMRA award winners. There’ll be bands and solo artists performing all over the weekend, with three bands per session. These include Spotlight Cannibal, Huw Eddie & The Carnival, Dead State, Red Means Danger, Rory Evans, The Landings, Rocket Kings and more. All three sessions sold out well in advance last year, so advance booking is well advised! Tickets can be bought over the phone (01252) 330040 or from westendcentre.co.uk

The Salt Box Taste of Italy Supper Club THURSDAY 25TH JANUARY 2018 THE DORKING DELI, DORKING FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY 2018 THE STONE HOUSE VINYL CAFE, REIGATE £35 per person, includes a welcome drink and a four-course dinner Born out of a passion for local produce and seasonal ingredients, The Salt Box have set out on an adventure to bring people together through food and fire in and around the South East of England. Specialising in cured, smoked and pickled seasonal produce, they offer catering, pop-up events and open-fire group/private courses. This January, celebrate Italy’s finest winter flavours with a four-course tasting prepared by Christian and Beckie from Reigate-based The Salt Box. Seeking to celebrate Italian dining beyond pizza and pasta, they will be using a blend of Italian and produce local to Surrey to create a menu designed around the idea of sharing, putting delicious, seasonal ingredients at the centre of each dish. Find out more at wearethesaltbox.co.uk/events

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

Australia Day Relaxed Wine Tasting THURSDAY 25TH JANUARY 2018 7:30pm | Cellar Wines, Ripley £15.00per person

Warm your taste-buds in 2018 with a relaxed evening of wine tasting at Ripley’s fantastic boutique wine shop, Cellar Wines. Celebrate the range of wine-styles from our Antipodean friends down under, from classic wine-regions to wineries found off-the-beaten-track. You’ll enjoy a tasting of 5 wines of varying style & quality which will round off around 9pm, with the wine bar remaining open until 11pm so that you and our other guests can continue relaxing, with additional glasses of wine available to purchase on the night, along with delicious cheese & meat boards. This will be a fun and sociable evening that is a great opportunity to drink epic wines and make new friends. So book now to avoid disappointment! Please contact 01483 610 610 or email hello@cellarwines.co.uk. cellarwines.co.uk

Learn to Cook the Perfect Roast Dinner WEDNESDAY 31ST JANUARY Abinger Cookery School £145

Many people make a New Year’s Resolution to master a new skill, so what could be more worthwhile than brushing up on your culinary repertoire? The art of the perfect roast dinner still remains elusive for many, even to capable cooks, but given the tantalizing range of accessible cookery courses offered by the Abinger Cookery School, it’s no surprise that they have the perfect course for those wishing to get the most from their roast, just like the professionals. Let master chef Jake Pinn take you step by step through how to make the most delicious Sunday roast for your family. He’ll teach you how to approach different cuts of meat, innovative ways to serve your vegetables and how to serve a rich and flavoursome gravy with no Bisto in sight. Students are provided with all necessary ingredients and equipment. If it’s something else you’re after, you’ll also find courses on everything from ‘Dude Food’ to tapas and street food, pasta, dim sum and many more throughout January. Find out more at abingercookeryschool.com

Farmers’ markets RIPLEY FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturday 13th January | 9am – 1pm | Village Green, Ripley

MILFORD FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 21st January | 10am – 1.30pm | Secretts Farm Shop Car Park

FARNHAM FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 28th January | 10am – 1.30pm | Central Car Park

WOKING FARMERS’ MARKET

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

COBHAM FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturday 27th January | 9.30am – 1.30pm | Hollyhedge Parade

EPSOM FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 4th February | 9.30am – 1.30pm | Market Square

HASLEMERE FARMERS’ MARKET

Sunday 4th February | 10am – 2pm | High Street

GUILDFORD FARMERS’ MARKET

Tuesday 6th February | 10.30am to 3.30pm | High Street

FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 52

FOOD & DRINK FESTIVALS IN 2018

April

The Surrey Food Festival 21st April

Old Deer Park, Richmond-Upon-Thames Tickets available soon The first great food showcase of the year, the Surrey Food Festival offers an extravagant foodie sensual assault. Local businesses will be showcasing an exquisite range of different food & drink, traders will be demonstrating and selling their products in the Marketplace and there’s even a Kids Zone to keep your little ones entertained while you indulge. Local charities also benefit from the proceeds. surreyfoodfestival.com

June

STRAWBERRY FAIR FOOD FESTIVAL

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June 2018

Priory Farm, South Nutfield, Redhill. Free Entry Food lovers from across Surrey head to Priory Farm to kick off the summer with a big, juicy bang at the farm’s annual Strawberry Fair Food Festival. The event draws artisan producers to offer delicious regional and local food and drink for visitors to sample, including gourmet sauces and preserves, traditional breads, specialty cheeses and other fine foods. This really is a great opportunity to discover new flavours and try before you buy. Sit back and enjoy a glass of cool beer with a hot dog made with the farm’s own handmade sausages, burger or pulled pork, or perhaps indulge in the fine British tradition of strawberries and cream or real dairy ice cream. The fair dishes up good times for all the family including nature trails on The Discovery Walk for the children and tractor rides. prioryfarm.co.uk

July

The Cheese and Chilli Festival 21st & 22nd July – 10am to 5pm

Shalford Park, Guildford Advance prices: Adults £6, Seniors £4, Children free You can’t keep a good food fest down, and the Cheese and Chilli Festival has gone from novelty pop-up in 2015 to an unmissable event in Surrey’s foodie calendar. So, if you’re a fan of the fiery thrills of chilli and the pungent delights of seriously good cheese then you need this event in your life. This is a perfect family day out, with free activities for children and adults to take part in as well as fun rides and games. Other entertainments include pig racing (!), cooking demonstrations, presentations, tastings, man v food challenge, chilli eating competitions, magic shows, falconry displays, Punch & Judy plus lots more. If that wasn’t enough, there will be a fantastic Beer Festival running alongside it all weekend. cheeseandchillifestival.com

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

This year promises another colourful cavalcade of mouthwatering food festivals for Surrey, each offering a fantastic opportunity to explore new flavours, indulge in old favourites and take in fantastic entertainment while you do so. Here are just a few of the culinary highlights coming your way in 2018…

August

The Big Meat Summer BBQ 25th & 26th August

Tilford, Farnham Camping available Saturday and Sunday. Dog friendly. The Big Meat is a family friendly barbecue and music festival and a weekend celebration of cooking outdoors with family and friends. Come and watch the barbecue competition teams battling it out and if you time it right you can grab yourself some tasters or be a judge yourself in the chilli cook off by partaking in the public’s choice category. You can also learn more about barbecue from fantastic demo chefs all weekend on the Traeger Grills stage. You’ll find some of the best barbecue and street food sellers on site too along with a fine selection of drinks vendors. There’s also plenty for children to do on site from a free play zone to inflatables and ride on and amazing live music all weekend! thebigmeat.co.uk

BBC Good Food Show 25th & 26th August

Hampton Court Palace Food lovers from across Surrey head to Priory Farm to kick off the summer with a big, juicy bang at the farm’s annual Strawberry Fair Food Festival. The event draws artisan producers to offer delicious regional and local food and drink for visitors to sample, including gourmet sauces and preserves, traditional breads, specialty cheeses and other fine foods. This really is a great opportunity to discover new flavours and try before you buy. Sit back and enjoy a glass of cool beer with a hot dog made with the farm’s own handmade sausages, burger or pulled pork, or perhaps indulge in the fine British tradition of strawberries and cream or real dairy ice cream. The fair dishes up good times for all the family including nature trails on The Discovery Walk for the children and tractor rides. bbcgoodfoodshow.com

September

Woking Food and Drink Festival Early September

Woking town centre With every passing year, the Woking Food and Drink Festival just gets even more epic. 2017’s event drew over 100,000 hungry visitors to the town centre to eat up, and drink up, all the delights on offer. Once again, the festival will return to the town centre and showcase live culinary demos from TV and local chefs. There’ll be over 70 food and drinks stalls featuring local and regional produce and dishes, masterclasses held at Tante Marie Culinary Academy Live kitchen, hands-on children’s cookery workshops, BBQ demonstrations, bake off competitions for adults and children, celebrity chef book signings and much more. wokingfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

ISSUE 52

COSY WINTER PUBS IN THE SURREY HILLS Surrey’s Area of Outstanding Beauty is a paradise of winding country lanes, rolling slopes and babbling streams, hidden hamlets and timeless rural charm. The Surrey Hills also happen to be home to some of the finest pubs in the county, offering outstanding food and drink and an unbeatably cosy country escape in the winter months… The Hurtwood Inn, Peaslake

The King William IV, Mickleham

The Hurtwood Inn is both a great escape and a hidden gem. A country pub given new life thanks to two veterans of Guildford’s dining scene, Robi and Lorenzo, who gave the town its much-loved and much-missed restaurants Cambio and Bar Centro. Here they’ve worked their magic again, providing a rustic yet stylish British pub with elegant restaurant serving divine Italian cuisine by their Head Chef Silvano.

The ‘King Billy’ is so tucked away, it’s been hailed as one of Surrey’s best kept secrets. But it also happens to offer one of the most panoramic views of any pub in the county, perched as it is overlooking the grand sweep of the Mole Valley. In spring and summer, their terrace is the place to be, where you can enjoy that spectacular view along with fresh home cooked food and a selection of real ales and fabulous wines.

Peaslake, Surrey Hills, Guildford GU5 9RR 01306 731 769 / hurtwoodinn.com

Byttom Hill, Mickleham RH5 6EL 01372 372590 / thekingwilliamiv.com

The Stephan Langton, Friday Street

The Parrot Inn, Forest Green

Surrey’s most tucked-away pub might also be one of its best when it comes to no-nonsense, hearty British food. It’s unique position in the heart of the Surrey Hills, in the hidden hamlet of Friday Street, means they pack their menus and gorgeous dishes with produce from the best producers around. Simple, unaffected décor throughout, warm greys trimmed with timber, and a preponderance of happy dogs lounging by the bar makes it feel like the homely, rustic escape it truly is.

The Parrot is every bit the epitome of the truly traditional pub with its low-beamed ceilings and flagstone floor and cosy nooks and crannies. Winter walkers can enjoy the comfort of the huge brass fireplace, while warmer months offer sublime summer supping and dining out on the terrace. A carefully chosen variety of cask-conditioned ales and wines will please everyone, as will the Parrot’s superb restaurant offering up hearty pub grub with many ingredients sourced from the family farm a few miles away.

Friday Street, Abinger Common RH5 6JR 01306 730775 / stephanlangton.pub

The White Horse, Shere Few villages capture a unique, stuck-out-of-time tranquillity than Shere, the postcard-perfect hamlet that’s one of the county’s biggest draws for tourists, to say nothing of movie crews. And at the heart of the village sits the White Horse, a converted 15th century farmhouse that serves locals and visitors alike with a true taste of the Surrey Hills thanks to locally sourced produce, wines and spirits.

Forest Green RH5 5RZ 01306 621339 / theparrot.co.uk

The Plough Effingham Off the beaten track, on a quiet village lane lies The Plough –another hidden jewel in the heart of the Surrey Hills countryside. Refurbished in January 2013 including a new orchard garden, The Plough, Effingham combines informal, relaxed dining with restaurant quality, fresh and creative food from a seasonal monthly changing menu.

Shere Lane, Shere, Surrey, GU5 9HS 01483 202518 / www.chefandbrewer.com/pub/white-horse-shere

Orestan Lane, Effingham, KT24 5SW 01372 458121 / theplougheffingham.co.uk

The Percy Arms, Chilworth

The Duke of Wellington, East Horsley

Set in the picturesque village of Chilworth in the heart of the surrey hills, the Percy Arms is an elegant country pub and grillhouse that serves modern British cuisine with a South African twist. Cosy in the winter, but it’s their expansive, beautifully manicured garden that has made the pub one of Surrey’s favourite summer dining destinations. 75 Dorking Road Chilworth GU4 8NP 01483 561765 / thepercyarms.net

The Duke of Wellington in East Horsley reopened at the start of the year following a top to toe refurbishment by new owners The Peach Pub Company, who transformed the historic village pub into a warm and welcoming place to enjoy good food and drink and friendly service. Guildford Road, East Horsley, Leatherhead, KT24 6AA 01483 282 312 / dukeofwellingtoneasthorsley.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Food-and-Drink

The Plough Effingham

The Parrot Inn, Forest Green

The Duke of Wellington, East Horsley

The King William IV, Mickleham

The Stephan Langton, Friday Street

The White Horse, Shere

The Percy Arms, Chilworth

The Hurtwood Inn, Peaslake

ISSUE 52

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ISSUE 52

By Rich Lee

WHERE TO EAT: SORREL, DORKING The recently opened Sorrel in Dorking marks the return of one of Surrey’s most celebrated chefs and an unmissable dining experience… When Steve Drake announced his departure from his Michelin-starred restaurant in Ripley in 2016 after fourteen years, it felt like a blow to the county’s fine dining fans. But then it shouldn’t have surprised anyone that a chef with the energy and drive of Steve Drake would bounce back with an even more ambitious vision. It just took him a while to realise it, which was torture enough for devotees of his fiercely inventive cooking, but surely agony for the man himself. He may have moved his operation to Dorking, taking ownership of the 300year old building formerly inhabited by the restaurant Little Dudley House, but Drake’s shadow hasn’t quite left Ripley

behind. His protégé Fred Clapperton, Head Chef at the Clock House, formerly Drake’s, won a Michelin star within a year, and another, Mike Wall-Palmer, is hoovering up awards as Head Chef at the Drake-owned Anchor pub over the road. Development of the new restaurant, Sorrel, progressed over eleven arduous months, with launch announcements dropping sporadically only for delays to dash our hopes; anticipation for Sorrel had been an excruciating feature of 2017 for Surrey’s diners. But then the restaurant finally opened its doors in October and was instantly the hottest ticket in the county. Just a few weeks later and it was our turn for a table. So, you might ask, has Sorrel been worth the wait? Foodie, please... Bounding up the steps and through Sorrel’s peculiar glass-cubed portico, we’re warmly greeted by the restaurant’s front of house team only for our gaze to fall upon the open kitchen to our left. Super-stylish, ultra-modern and bathed in natural light from glass walls and ceiling, it’s a dazzling space for the Chef

Patron, Head Chef Richard Giles and their crew to work. It’s also clear that Drake has used Sorrel as an opportunity to build his dream kitchen from scratch. Because you would, wouldn’t you. It’s slightly incongruous when compared to the dining room, which has retained its olde timbered charm and intimate sophistication, but it works. We’re guided to our table where we pour over the menu, which offers a superb value lunch option of three courses for £35 per person. But then there’s the famed Discovery tasting menu, £90, resurrected from the previous restaurant. It comes down to your budget, naturally, but to bypass Drake’s 9-course journey of gastronomic adventure feels like sacking off Space Mountain to ride the Teacups. And besides, we’d waited long enough; only the fullest experience would do. After a few tantalising ‘snacks’ to amuse our bouches, the meal begins properly with a warm pumpkin mousse, light yet rich and spiked with smoked paprika, parmesan and parsley and studded with crushed pistachio; it tasted of perpetual,

FOOD & DRINK

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blissful autumn, of warm fires crackling with enigmatic aromas of North Africa. There is a single pearly scallop in a frothy mushroom ‘milk’, a gentle kick below from garlic and the soft, woody perfume of white truffle above. Drake has an uncanny gift for weaving together flavours of forest and sea, and here it was manifested to heady perfection. (After the meal, I’ll gush over this astonishing dish with its creator, only for him to wince: “See, that’s one I struggled with, to keep on the menu. It’s little more than scallop, mushroom foam and a touch of parsley and garlic. It’s pretty simple.” With dim-witted alacrity I’ll suggest that ‘if something’s good then it’s good, right?’ forgetting that for a chef working at the level of Steve Drake, merely ‘good’ more often feels like failure. “Yeah but you know, we’re chefs,” he’ll reply matter-of-factly. Note to self: Chefs got to chef.) Next came sweet raw venison, peeking shyly out from beneath a nest of sorrel leaves, layered over creamy smoked egg yolk and a bitter orange puree. Capers and anchovy brought some puckish tang and a little puffed rice some crispy pop.

There followed a plate as bang in season as it was possible to be; a jaunty beetroot crisp over a wedge of sharp, fudgy Bosworth Ash goats cheese nestled against compressed apple and tenderest beetroot that had been saltbaked to give a little edge to its mineral mellowness. Sat above a glossy beet syrup, dusted with sesame and a blob of pleasantly piney mayo of Douglas fir, this dish captured the season perfectly. We ate buttery red mullet, served with a delicious-if-bewildering ‘fish bread’ (a sponge bread made with fish stock), perfect for soaking up the sauce. Duck from nearby Etherley Farm came in a shimmering, sweet date glaze coating juicy breast and rosy thigh. A tender rubble of mushroom and cauliflower beneath conjured flavours of Morocco thanks to the warm, smoky spice ras-el hanout. Close your eyes, let those flavours play over your tongue, and you’re there. This being Drake’s place, the kitchen weaves all sorts of delightful morsels among these masterful courses throughout the meal; flirty little bites like duck liver meringues, crispy-crumbed

hunks of beef to swipe through bone marrow and seaweed mayonnaise, and a tiny tartlet of punchy Barkham Blue cheese tempered with delicate rosewater gel and tarragon. To end on a sweet note, we were served hibiscus ice with cinnamon mousse over a tart sherry syrup and a gossamerthin sliver of pear, followed by a layer of hazelnut cake, a fascinating ‘toasted milk’, and subtle notes of lavender and sour cherry. This menu, graced with perfectly matched wines chosen by Sorrel’s sommelier Sazan, truly is a journey of Discovery, and one we didn’t want to end. For those of us who aspire to cook anything fancier than a carrot, attempting to decipher the cunning composition of ingredients and arcane techniques behind Drake’s creations is an exercise in bafflement and futility. It’s just not worth it, and it should never be so academic anyway, to enjoy food at this level. Ours is not to reason why, but to simply enjoy the return of one of Surrey’s most talented chefs, working at the height of his powers once again. Yes, Sorrel has been worth the wait.

SORREL is at 77 South Street, Dorking RH4 2JU | 01306 889414 | sorrelrestaurant.

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FOODIES FEATURE Amor Amora, Guildford

Nestled atop the Guildford’s iconic High Street, Amor Amora is a tranquil independent cafe that offers customers a unique, idyllic experience and cuisine of the highest quality. They are proud to serve organic or locally-sourced products, from artisan suppliers that share their same commitment to quality and excellence. From the menu and team’s welcoming hospitality to the decor centred around a minimal aesthetic curated by renowned Greek designer Marianna Prassinou, Amor Amora proves itself to be the ideal spot for small, relaxed gatherings or gastronomes who delight in the taste and quality of fresh food. Join them for breakfast served all day on a Sunday or an evening of Greek Meze and a variety of cocktails. Book a table for Mother’s Day and treat your mum to a free glass of prosecco on arrival, the perfect start to a charming evening in wonderful surroundings.

176 High St, Guildford / 01483 504932 / www.amoramora.co.uk

176 High Street Guildford GU1 3HW www.amoramora.co.uk 01483 504932

Bubble and Twist

A master in mixology, Dean formed Bubble & Twist to offer customers a unique bar experience like no other. Providing a sparkling assortment of bespoke packages, Bubble & Twist bring the fizz to any occasion, sourcing fantastic wines, spirits and ales from local suppliers and conjuring cocktails that truly add the wow-factor to any event. But the real twist is in their unique range of syrups; cunning concoctions that add tons of character to any drink. Among the options are classic Raspberry and Mint, Pea and Mint (great with a mojito), sweet Pineapple paired with warming notes of crushed Pink Peppercorn and a crazy Thai Spiced syrup that mixes lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coconut and a good helping of fresh chilli for an exotic hit like no other.

07827 227856 / deano@bubblentwist.co.uk / bubblentwist.com

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Depuis 2011 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.

Set Lunch Monday - Friday 2 courses £13.95 3 courses £15.95 Sunday Lunch 2 courses £15.95 3 courses £17.95

“there is no wine in heaven...

So let’s drink it on earth”

T: 01483 224180 eat@carlostrattoria.com www.carlostrattoria.com Newlands Corner, Shere Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8SE

3 Church Path, Woking, GU21 6EJ

01483 730407

the hummingbird bakery authentic american cakes and desserts

Bring the taste of American baking to any occasion. Indulgent layer cakes, decadent cupcakes, dainty mini cupcakes, deep-filled pies, fudgy brownies, marshmallow whoopie pies and desserts made by hand to our own American recipes. Delivery available across Surrey.

FREE DELIVERY USING CODE

hummingbirdbakery.com 240 High Street Guildford GU1 3JF

TG2SFREE* *Free delivery for orders placed online by 28th February 2018. Delivery can occur after this date.

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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).

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

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NEW year NeW you

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

ISSUE 52

TRY SOMETHING NEW Forget making cast-iron New Years’ resolutions. We all know how brittle they really are. But why not just take the opportunity to explore a new skill or develop a dormant one in 2018?

> Get Crafty

One of the most prolific hubs for arts and crafts in Surrey, the Farnham Maltings are kicking off an endless array of crafts workshops from January onwards. Learn how to cast on, cast off, basic stitches and tension squares, how to read patterns in Knitting for Beginners, or express yourself with Pottery and Ceramics with professional potter Penny Eccles. Spend a fun day learning the art of willow sculpture with local basket maker Judith Needham, and take home a life-sized chicken to enhance your garden. There are also fantastic youth groups that nourish young people with a passion for all sorts of activities, from theatre to drawing and animation. Find out more at farnhammaltings.com Got some shabby old furniture in need of a new lease of life? Then you need to get upcycling. Upcycling means taking worn out and unloved old furniture, ornaments and other household or garden objects and restoring them to new life and utility, all the while instilling those items with an expression of your own unique personality. And Changing Perceptions in Godalming are the perfect people to teach you a lifelong skill. Part coffee shop, part upcycling workshop and emporium, Changing Perceptions run workshops twice monthly dedicated to explaining the art of upcycling in a fun, friendly environment. £45 for half day or £90 for a full day workshop. Find out more at changingperceptions.org.uk

> Get Cooking

Make 2018 the year you take your kitchen skills to the next level, and to help you get there, there are a galaxy of cookery schools and courses in Surrey Perhaps the most renowned is the Tante Marie Culinary Academy, who apart from training new generations of talented chefs also offer a broad portfolio of short Lifestyle cooking classes that give everybody the opportunity to learn how to cook delicious food at home. Taught by professionally trained teachers, these short cookery classes range from making perfect, fresh pasta to creating a macaron masterpiece. Find out more at tantemarie.co.uk But if you’ve always wanted to master cuisines from further afield, consider taking a class with Redhill-based Hari Ghotra. Hari is one of the most passionate Indian chefs in the UK, as reflected on her dazzling website and app that serves as her hub for delicious recipes, videos, tips, workshops and products, all there to demystify Indian cooking and help home cooks spice up their repertoire. Find out more at harighotra.co.uk And if 2018 is the year you want to get your bake on, then look no further than Surrey’s very own ‘Jamie Oliver of Baking’, Bake with Jack. Jack Sturgess is the baking wiz whose fun and fascinating workshops in customer’s own homes around Surrey have been turning keen novices into confident bakers since 2013. Find out more at bakewithjack.co.uk

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

> Get Active

Countless studies show that active people live more enriched lives and are healthier, happier and more prosperous. Your fitness goals in 2018 don’t have to involve brutal sufferfests like Tough Mudder or losing half your waking days in a gym, but for real success and positive change you simply need an activity that you’ll enjoy. And we suspect that you’ll find exactly the right activity at Surrey Sports Park. The sprawling, ultra-modern temple to all things sport and wellness has the only indoor 50 metre swimming pool in Surrey, a super-equipped health and fitness centre, exercise and dance studios galore with countless classes to suit every taste, and every kind of racquet sport and court. Membership options include full membership, gym/ fitness, swim, squash, tennis, climbing, junior and more, so no excuse can beat the promise of a fitter, healthier you to be found at Surrey Sports Park. Find out more at surreysportspark.co.uk Or why not go completely wild and conquer the great outdoors? Pure Bushcraft experiences offer the chance to rediscover the lost knowledge of our ancestors. From lighting a fire to building a shelter, an introductory course to foraging for edibles or a more advanced courses in hunting and trapping, Pure Bushcraft is ideal for anyone who enjoys being out in nature. More info purebushcraft.co.uk

> Get Involved

More and more people are Volunteering, with an awful lot of us in Surrey and across the UK getting involved in some form of charity work. So why do they volunteer and why should you make 2018 the year to be a part of a great local cause? First of all, by volunteering you can give something of yourself and make a huge difference towards your local community. Secondly, while you’re doing this you will be learning new skills. And thirdly, you’re going to be improving your health and well-being! So there are great benefits to yourself as well as for the charities and causes you choose to support. Charities can significantly reduce the daily costs of what they do by channelling the kindness and dedication of their volunteers and supporters, and yet the value of what they can barely be measured financially. This is why volunteering is so important, not only for ourselves and the charities but for society too. For some great local organisations you can help, visit our Community pages at theguide2surrey.com/Community

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S u r r e y ’s O l d e s t & F i n e s t

Give Golf A Go Girls! Why should I give golf a go? Golf can open the door to a whole new lifestyle full of fun, fitness and friendship. Taking up golf:

• Keeps you active • Creates a challenge and sense of achievement • Allows you to enjoy the great outdoors

• Helps you live a longer, healthier life • Improves your well-being • Provides support and friendship

GGC Ladies Golf Academy 2017 190x125mm advert v7-final.indd 1

Taster sessions @ Guildford Golf Club are especially designed for Ladies wanting to Give Golf a Go! Come along and try it out under the guidance of our friendly Pro Team. Our “Taster Sessions” are a great way to meet like minded people. They will help you to progress from beginner to improver in readiness for becoming a fully fledged “golfer.” Sessions will be informal, fun and followed by Tea and Cake in our Club House.

Interested? Contact us… Website: www.guildfordgolfclub.co.uk > CONTACT > Ladies Taster Sessions Phone: Pro Shop on 01483 566765 or the Office on 01483 563941 Email: proshop@andykirkgolf.co.uk Or pop in and see us we are located on the beautiful Merrow Downs at the top of High Path Road/ Grove Road, GU1 2HL.

Established 1886

18/12/2017 17:32

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Kick off your New Year fitness plan! Memberships from ÂŁ36 per month Gym l Pool l Classes l Climbing Wall Racket Sports l Starbucks l Personal Training l Diet Clinics Physio l Osteopathy l Swimming Lessons

For the latest offers and to find out more visit surreysportspark.co.uk or call 01483 689111

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The New Year is upon us, the revelries of yesteryear have faded like green fronds of your £50 Christmas Tree and all that is left in the Roses box is the coffee ones. Yes, indeed it’s time to get the family out of the house and out into the fair county that surrounds our holds and manors…

NEW YEAR NEW ADVENTURES CHILDREN’S COMEDY CLUB Bellerby Studio, G Live, Guildford Saturday 20th of January / 3pm

Who doesn’t like a bit of comedy? Of course comedy isn’t the preserve of adults, kids laugh too and can crack a gag as well as anyone! G Live are bringing a comedy club for kids every month: Comedy Club 4 Kids is all about cracking entertainment for everyone from six to 100. The club has the best comedians from the UK and world circuit coming along and of course there’s no rude bits! The show takes place in the G Live Bellerby Studio. Book online at glive.co.uk

ROLLER DISCO AT THE GUILDFORD SPECTRUM Saturday 20th January / 5pm-10pm Tickets include skates & pads Whether you’re a flailing mess or you skate with finesse, roller skating is timeless fun for all the family. And it’s even better when set to a pumping soundtrack. Apart from being fantastic fun, roller skating is great for core fitness and wellbeing. Roller skating uses both side of the brain, builds strength and muscle and burns up over 600 calories per hour. You can take it at entirely your own pace, which makes it ideal for kids with special needs. Find out more at discoskate.co.uk

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TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AT MILESTONES MUSEUM OF LIVING HISTORY

Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke Adults £12.00, Concession (aged 60+/Student with ID) £11.00, Child (aged 5-15 yrs) £8.00 We all want to escape January, but only the awesome Milestones Museum allows you to escape to another time in history. Explore what life was like for people in the past by wandering through Milestones’ old Victorian cobbled streets. This is a ‘living museum, so you might encounter many costumed characters on your visit. Enthusiasts will enjoy their collection of beautifully restored vintage vehicles, but if you prefer shopping you’ll be able to discover what shops used to be like before chain stores took over. The kids will love the 1940’s Sweetshop, and you can have a pint in the authentic Baverstock Arms. There’s even a Penny Arcade on Milestones’ Pier featuring vintage games machines including mechanical puppet shows, Test Your Strength, Grand National, table football and many more. Find out more at hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk

FAMILY CONCERT IN WOKING HG Wells Conference Centre 20th of January at 3:30pm

A fun-filled family concert that aims to introduce children to the joys of classical music as well as art. Great for their creative development and also a stonking good time to boot. There will be performances of Tchaikovsky as well as and art exhibition. Also, there’s a chance for everyone to try musical instruments, so who knows? Maybe you have a budding Mozart in your midst and you never really knew. Tickets cost £7 and are available here: wokingso.org.uk

A REAL ALIEN ADVENTURE

The Tindle Studio at Farnham Maltings 27th of January at 2:30 pm Join the intrepid Miss Amelia Buttersnap, a clever and wily investigator of all things unseen and inventor of gadgets both marvellous and improbable as she heads out on a mission to prove that aliens exist. Zooming off in her home-made rocket into space, Amelia takes her Translator Device and Teleporter Machine to find out if she can rescue Tibbles her cat as well as answer that question of questions: Are aliens friend…or foe? A Real Alien Adventure is a rip-roaring, intergalactic space adventure. Book here: farnhammaltings.com

YOUNG ARCHEOLOGISTS CLUB AT THE MUSEUM OF FARNHAM 27th of January, 11:00 until 12:30 as well as 2:30 until 4:00

This one’s aimed more at our older offspring, those in the 8 to 13 range. The Museum of Farnham runs a monthly Young Archaeologist’s Club, which is a great chance for your buddy Dr Jones to have get stuck into local history and archaeology. The club explores everything from Prehistory through the Romans (what did they ever do for us?), Anglo Saxons and they even explore what life is like as an archaeologist. There’s so many activities at the club: craft sessions, trips out and even digs! Being such a great club, it is very popular so booking is essential and you’ll need to contact the museum to confirm your place. Telephone 01252 715 094 to book places. yac-uk.org

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GET FIT WITH AIRFIT! Jump start the new year with our 6 week AirFit starter package! • 6 x 45 min high energy workouts with a qualified instructor • Improve circulation and cardio vascular fitness (burn up to 1,000 calories a session!) and reduce body fat • Suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners Only £36 including socks, water bottle and sweat towel

AirFit classes run from 8 Jan to 18 Feb.

For more information and to book online visit www.airhop-guildford.com! AirHop Guildford | 12 Midleton Industrial Estate | Guildford, Surrey, GU2 8XW

NEW Y N EW EAR YO U

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open event guildford.ac.uk

â&#x2013;ś Saturday 27 January, 10am-1pm Come along and find out about our wide range of Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Degrees

Guildford College Stoke Road Guildford Surrey GU1 1EZ

open event merristwood.ac.uk

â&#x2013;śSaturday 20 January, 10am-1pm Come along and find out about our wide range of Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Degrees

Merrist Wood College Holly Lane Worplesdon Guildford GU3 3PE

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

ISSUE 52

WALKING THE SURREY HILLS Will Knowlton takes a wry wander through one of Surrey’s most stunning landscapes… You may or may not be aware, but you live in the most wooded and verdant county in the Kingdom. It’s true! Just outside your door is an amazing array of stunning natural vistas all waiting for you. And our own Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is perhaps the most inspiring of them all. January presents a perfect opportunity to walk off some of those Christmas pounds while exploring the beautiful Surrey Hills in its winter glory. And we have just the walk for you. Now this is a bit moderate in difficulty but the views are amazing so dig in: it’ll be worth it!

First of all, How to get there:

Get yourself to Dorking and once there get on to the A24 heading south. At that point get yourself onto the A29. Realise you’re in the wrong lane and the kids have undone their seatbelts and turn right off the A29 at Ockley onto the B2126. Stop the car, remonstrate with the kids and start again this time following the signs for Leith Hill. You’ll find Starveall Car Park on your right. The great thing about this walk is that there are wooden posts guiding you up to the summit so at this point dismiss your Sherpas, thanking them for their help. Now, walk down to the entrance of the car park, trot along the road heading south. Having dodged silent speeding Lycra clad cyclists and ubiquitous range rovers you’ll find a sign for the Greensand

Way about fifty metres further. If not, you’ve walked too far. Turn left (if you turn right you’ll be hit by a car and have to pay for the dent) and you’ll find a wide track stretching forth into the trees. Follow the track through whispering pines and pretty silver birch following the path in an easterly meander. At some point you’ll find yourself in a clearing. Take a moment to observe some downtrodden looking Duke of Edinburgh Students who will doubtless be collapsed in a heap wondering why they ever left Camberwell. Don’t offer help, guidance or food though, they’re here to learn. Ahead of you is the summit approach to Leith Hill, and you’ll know you’re roughly in the right place because you’ll see Leith Hill Tower. The tower holds a great secret which we’ll come to shortly. Trees from around the summit have been cleared

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

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and a few picnic benches are spread here and there offering a chance to rest, change oxygen cylinders, adjust crampons and your down suit. Now to the Tower’s secret. Tucked away on one side is a hatch from which a café serves amazing cakes, hot drinks and even pasties. It’s all reasonably priced and the staff friendly. It’s a really welcome treat at the end of the first half of the walk. After all, as every alpinist knows, reaching the summit is only half the task. To return is the goal. You can climb the tower for free if you’re a National Trust member or for a modest fee if not. On the middle floor there’s a lovely little museum giving some history of the tower and on the roof you can enjoy an unrivalled view across the county

and beyond. In fact, on a clear day twelve or so counties can be seen from the top. Spending too much time at the summit and in the oxygen depleted and low pressured death zone will take its toll so when you feel able you can return to the car park by taking the path that heads to the North West and then veers west away from the tower and back into the woods. There are a few paths around, some created by mountain bikers but if you take a left at the first and then second forks followed by a right at the third, you’ll find an easy to follow slope that takes you in a north west direction to meet the path running north and south: Turn left here to get back to the start point at the car park, I mean, Base camp.

ISSUE 52

kids classes 4-7 yrs & 8-12 yrs Beginners & Advanced kickboxing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | mma

SHOWDOWN THEATRE ARTS ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS AGES 6-21 TO JOIN THEM IN THEIR NEXT SHOW! BOOK YOUR AUDITION TODAY!

01483 893688

01483 568455 1 Ward Street, Guildford GU1 4LH

www.guildfordmartialarts.com

WWW.SHOWDOWNTHEATREARTS.CO.UK

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aat-events deliver award-winning sports events in Surrey. Run with your dog, or enter your family into a triathlon relay team! Medals and brownies for all finishers. 6th Jan, 20th Jan, 3rd Feb

16th May and 27th June

11th March

2nd June

24th March

10th June

21st April

7th July

Enter now at www.aat-events.com

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

ISSUE 52

CHALLENGE YOURSELF As we look to the New Year with renewed vigour and enthusiasm, we’ve compiled a list of sporting challenges and events for you to plan and prepare for. Whether you’re looking to beat PB’s or simply prove to yourself that you have the will to succeed, find yourself a sporting challenge in Surrey to take part in this year.

Winter Warmer / 11th February

Surrey Hills Night Run / 22nd March

For more information visit muscleacre.com

For more information visit runningadventures.co.uk

Devil’s Punchbowl 10K / 3rd March

Fox Ultra / 21st April

For more information visit runningadventures.co.uk

For more information visit aat-events.com

Mercer Surrey Half / 11th March

Wiggle Ups and Downs Sportive / 28th April

For more information visit aat-events.com

For more information visit wiggle.co.uk

Don’t mind the mud? Run across hilly farmland and power through obstacles as you give your muscles a winter warmer workout this February. Start the race in Wood Street Village and battle 24 km of this gruelling concourse.

Start your Saturday with a bang and take part in this scenic run around the Devil’s Punchbowl. A tough but fun concourse that will be sure to give your lungs and legs a great workout.

The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon returns this March for a 5k race on the streets of Surrey. A fast and flat road race that takes you on the country roads that surround Woking and Guildford. Sign up to book your spot today.

Take part in this awesome night run that will take you through the woods and into the Surrey Hills for a 10 mile run. Led by your trusty guide, Ultra Runner and all round running fanatic Matt Buck the run is perfect for those new to night running.

The Fox Ultra is back for a 60km circular ultra-run route around Guildford. Organised by the award winning AAT Events, enjoy this scenic concourse in the Surrey countryside this April.

Cycle across the ups and downs on this stunning cycle course that takes in the Surrey Hills and the South Downs. Choose from three routes; the epic 80 miles, the standard 53 miles or the shorter 37 mile race.

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Wiggle Ups and Downs MTB / 29th April

Shere 42K / 7th July

For more information visit wiggle.co.uk

For more information visit trekhireuk.com

Hard as Snails / 16th May

Prudential Ride London – Surrey 27th – 29th July

Following on from the Wiggle Ups and Downs that takes place the day before, Mountain Trail Bikes replace the regular road bike, the race will take in the trails, hills and sprawling wooded sections of the Surrey Hills and North Downs.

Are you hard as snails? This event is a 10k or 5k crosscountry run on a single 10k loop with a cut back for those completing 5k. This epic course takes in the Pilgrims’ Way over the North Downs in central Surrey. You’ll encounter rolling hills, lofty summits and low off-road tracks weaving through the woodland. There’s also a mini 2km route for kids!

For walkers and runners alike, take part in the Shere 42K this July. Enjoy this multi-terrain course that will see you hiking through the Surrey Hills and the North Downs. If 42K sounds like a step too far, then sign up for the 10k race forest route.

Enjoy the cycling route made famous at the 2012 Olympics at the Prudential Ride London – Surrey this July. Peddle from Pall Mall in London to the breath taking (quite literally) Box Hill and back. For more information visit prudentialridelondon.co.uk

For more information visit aat-events.com

Escape & Evasion / 19th May

Designed and delivered by ex-army professionals, this race will drop you behind enemy lines and will test your limits like never before. The rules are simple - you have 10 minutes to make your escape, you carry 10kgs on your back, military trackers have 5 hours to hunt you…Go!

Trek Elbrus / July or August

We get it. You live in Surrey, but you would rather challenge yourself elsewhere. How about the heights of Mount Elbrus in Russian, Europe’s tallest peak? Join folk from Shere based Trek hire UK and head for the Caucasus Mountains this summer. For more information visit trekhireuk.com

For more information visit deaddroprunningevents.co.uk

Sigma Sports Surrey Hills Cyclone Sportive / 26th May

Take to the saddle in this cycling sportive that will take you through the Surrey and Sussex countryside. Start off in the village of Lingfield and choose from a 100, 71 or 33 mile route.

Shere Hill Climb / September

Not so much a body endurance race, more so an automotive test, to see how fast you can climb Shere Hill in your vintage (or not so vintage) motor. Join hundreds of motoring enthusiasts as you take your turn to burn rubber. For more information visit sherehillclimb.co.uk

For more information visit ukcyclingevents.co.uk

Redhill Triathlon / 1st July

Cycle, swim and run to glory in the Redhill Triathlon held in Mercer Park, Redhill this July. Suitable for both novice and seasoned competitors, Triathlons truly are a test of the fittest. For more information visit triproject.co.uk

The Surrey Hills Challenge 23rd September

Suitable for all ages and fitness, choose from a variety of running courses in the Surrey Hills Challenge this September. From 1K to 60K the choice is yours. For more information visit surreyhillschallenge.com

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

ISSUE 52

MARATHON TRAINING

By Will Knowlton

The New Year is here! Of course there are a million things to do over the coming few months as well as all those New Year resolutions. But instead of making loads of little changes why not take on one big challenge? Make 2018 the year you run a Marathon!

1 2

It’s a massive personal achievement, one that cannot be mimicked sat behind a desk stuck in the 9 to 5 jive.

So how to get started? Well, here’s our basic guide to get you going. And remember people, whatever you do to live, thrive and survive there are some things that make us all the same, you, me, them, everybody:

That is the need to check in with your doctor before taking part in anything physically strenuous.

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Right, there’s no getting away from it, Marathon training will be challenging, but we should make it fun and enjoyable.

It gives you a chance to raise an inordinate amount of money for charity, and even a charity of your choice.

FINISHING A MARATHON IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT LESS THAN 1% OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD CAN SAY THEY HAVE ACHIEVED.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

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Motivation:

Hydration:

Goals:

Avoiding Injury:

Building mental stamina is essential. It’s one thing to be motivated to begin training. It’s another to stay motivated every day. Staying motivated and developing the proper mind set is key to enjoying training and crossing the finish line with a smile on your face. You want this! It’s going to feel sooo great when you smash it through that finishing line!

Once you’re out on runs of an hour or more, carry fluids (not whiskey) with you and aim to drink around 180 ml to 250 ml every 20 minutes. It’s also a good idea during pre-training and marathon training to weigh yourself before and after each run to rehydrate and get your body weight back to the weight it was before the run by drinking water within the first hours after the run.

We all have a reason for wanting to run a marathon. Smash personal best time, maybe weight loss or even “just finish”. To be brutally honest though, if your only goal is to lose weight, good luck. You’re likely to quit. You are likely to quit just like so many people who join health clubs each year for the same reason only to stop going after seeing little results in little time. You must have the right goals and reasons for running in order to be successful.

Use your non-running days to rest and recover. Ice down any soreness, particularly in knees or shins (most common) four times per day for 15-20 minutes. Injuries often sneak up without warning. Doing all the right things will minimize your chances of injury.

Pre-Training:

Before you begin marathon training, you should be able to run for at least 30 minutes without stopping. Distance is not important right now. You just need to get your body used to running. Combinations of runs and walks are a great idea for pre-training because they ease your body into the exercise and minimizes the chance of experiencing a running injury.

Wear the right gear:

There is no point buying a cheap pair of trainers from Recreation Express. Treat your feet to a good pair of running shoes. Running shoes will be your most important piece of gear. Shoes are designed to fit feet with different arches, pronation, and more. Visit Fit Stuff in Guildford to have your feet properly measured by a professional.

Training:

Your mileage should gradually increase each week with your longest run being somewhere around 18-20 miles. You should then taper off in the final weeks leading up to the marathon to allow your body to recover from training and so you will be strong on marathon day. Having a 20-mile run under your belt will give you a ma jor psychological advantage on marathon day.

Nutrition:

Carbohydrates will provide the fuel you need. During training, around 65% of your total calories should come from carbohydrates, particularly complex carbohydrates. 10% should come from protein (you need 0.5 to 0.7 grams per pound of your body weight each day, ish). 20-25% of your total calories should come from unsaturated fats.

Recovery:

Obviously recovery is really important. Actually, as weird as it sounds you shouldn’t run every day. Your body needs to rest between runs so it can recover from one run to the next, getting stronger between each run. Nutrition and eating the right foods also play a vital role in recovery. Take recovery days equally as serious as your running days.

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HAVING A 20-MILE RUN UNDER YOUR BELT WILL GIVE YOU A MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE ON MARATHON DAY.

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Right below is a suggested beginner marathon training schedule. Now this all assumes that you’ve been running for at least 6-10 weeks at can run for at least 30 minutes without stopping 16-Week Marathon Training Schedule

Marathon Day:

Tapering in the final weeks before the marathon will help your body recover from marathon training and be strong for your big day. You will also want to carbo-load the week leading up to the race. Given the atmosphere at most marathons, you will likely feel full of adrenaline after leaving the starting line. Remember though, marathons are about endurance and pace is critical. Maintain pace to save everything you have left for your big finish!

Week No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Mon Miles 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 3 3

Tues Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest

Wed Miles 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 5 3

Thurs Miles 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 3 2

Fri Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest

Sat Miles 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 16 16 17 18 20 9 8 26.2

Sun Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest

Total miles 15 16 17 19 21 24 26 28 31 34 35 36 38 27 19 34.2

ISSUE 52

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ISSUE 52

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SPORT MOTORS

ISSUE 52

MOTORS

TheGuide2Surrey.com/Business

TEST DRIVE: RENAISSANCE CLASSIC SPORTS CARS By Rich Lee IT’S SMALL WONDER THAT RENAISSANCE’S FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR JAMES SOHL CALLS HIS SHOWROOM FLOOR ‘THE SWEET SHOP’. SUCH IS THE CAR CANDY ON DISPLAY HERE IT’S ENOUGH TO GIVE ANY PETROLHEAD TYPE 2 DIABETES... To be fair, most decent car showrooms present their wares with a similar glaze of polish, designed to bedazzle speculative buyers into stumping up for something, anything, fast and shiny. But these aren’t your typical cars, and Renaissance Classic Sports Cars isn’t your typical dealer or garage, thanks in large part to a workshop expert in servicing, detailing and restoration. The motors at Renaissance in Ripley represent the summit of high-end dream cars, from classic Jaguars and Mercedes to timeless American Mustangs, collectors’ edition Alfa Romeos and Audi Quattros, Goodwood Revival classics and bleeding edge roadsters like the Lotus Elise Cup S. There are Ferraris, both modern and of the kind worshipped on the walls of boys’ bedrooms and garage calendars since the 1960s. I spy the most luxurious BMWs and the sleekest of Porsches. This isn’t just the stock of an industry insider catering to a small if affluent market. It’s a collection, curated by passionate car lovers for the benefit of other passionate car lovers. For James, cars are simply “in my blood.”

out of the bank. We also had a domestic property portfolio, but I thought we should diversify with a commercial property. I drove past this place every day and saw its potential.” He brought the premises from previous owners Trackspeed, a successful Porsche race team, after making a deal within 48 hours. They got the keys in February and by May they’d built their team and started to market cars. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to realise a dream,” says James. “I’ve always been passionate about cars, but I’ve been frustrated by a lack of standards from some dealers. So this was my chance to put my money where my mouth was.”

sparkling-clean temple to automotive engineering, more cars of the highest pedigree are in the process of being serviced to restore them to their natural beauty and performance, by a team of some of the most highly trained engineers in Surrey. It’s common, he tells me, for the team to spend up to five days detailing the paint on a single car bonnet. Such is their meticulous quest for perfection that every car they service undergoes a 130-point inspection using the latest diagnostic technology. Nothing gets overlooked, and they refuse to even start on a car’s exterior until they’ve ensured its internal workings are up the same standard as its looks.

Despite the speed with which Renaissance has taken shape in less than a year, James concedes that they’re still learning as they go along. “We’re not doing everything perfectly; the learning process has been pretty steep. But it takes time to figure out the direction you want to go in.” And yet steady word of mouth has already helped Renaissance stake a reputation as a premium one stop shop for buyers seeking the car of their dreams, but with a full range of sales, maintenance, restoration and finance options to support the entire ownership cycle of their vehicles. The key to that has been James’ principled and ethical understanding of what classic and sports car lovers like him are looking for, but also his experience nurturing the staff that are essential to any company. “If there’s a core element to running a business, it’s that you work on people. You look after staff and develop a team that have total buy-in to the company, and they will look after your customers and the interests of the business.”

I can ogle no longer. I ask James if he’d let me take one for a spin. He lets me take out two, and nothing less than two of the most iconic models of Porsche to ever roll off the production line. First is a 2013 Cayman 2.7L (£33,500) in blazing Guard’s Red. In superb condition throughout, this ‘baby of the Porsche family’ takes to the roads around the Surrey Hills like butter. Luxurious inside and out, my first taste behind the wheel of a Porsche was a tantalising glimpse into a world of driving that had always been out of reach.

A fan of classic cars since his teens (he’s had his prize BMW 635 CSI for twenty years, James has spent most of his working life helping to run his family’s successful business, operating a sports centre for children in Sutton and a tennis academy where they trained over a hundred players to reach the topmost world rankings, and over 400 earned prestigious scholarships in the US.

Customers for such high-end dream machines come in more varieties than you might expect, from aspirant tradespeople right the way up to millionaires. But James ensures that the experience of buying anything from a £10,00 vehicle to a £Multimillion vehicle from Renaissance remains the same for everybody. “I want to treat every single person who comes in here with respect. It doesn’t matter whether they are coming in for a relaxed browse of our latest stock, or to source a single headlight bulb for their classic BMW, they’re important to Renaissance and we will treat them as such.”

“We sold that business last year and decided to buy a collection of classic cars, to keep the money from the sale

James takes us through the showroom’s mirrored doors and into Renaissance’s beating heart: The Workshop. Here in this

My next test drive, a stunning 2007 Porsche Carrera 4S 997 (£36,950), proved even more revelatory. Black as a panther and just as aggressive, I could well believe James’ claim that where the Cayman is among the best in the family when it comes to sheer driving pleasure, it takes a 911 or a 997 like this 3.8L brute to experience the ultimate convergence of power, performance and premium Porsche construction. Some may be closer than others but above all, Renaissance Classic Sports Cars proves that your dream car, and a lifetime of first-class service, might be more within reach that you thought.

Renaissance Classic Sports Cars

showroom is at Trackspeed House, Portsmouth Road (B2215), Ripley, Surrey GU23 6HB. Call 01483 225878 or email info@renaissance-classics.co.uk www.renaissance-classics.co.uk

ISSUE 52

SUMMERSWOOD I F I E L D

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W W W. S U M M E R S - W O O D . C O . U K Price correct at time of going to press. *Help to Buy is available in England on new homes up to £600,000. Terms and conditions apply. *Offer not in conjunction with any other offer and is for a limited time only. Travel times from nationalrail.co.uk.

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