VantagePointMagazine May 2014 - Dorking & Villages

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Dorking & Villages • May 2014

VANTAGEPOINT YOUR COMMUNITY  YOUR VIEW

MAGAZINE

Also inside: LOCAL ASPARAGUS HANNAH PESCHAR SCULPTURE GARDEN DORKING’S BRIGITTE TRUST WIN £100 VIP DINING EXPERIENCE

CHUKKERS AWAY The history of polo at Cowdray Park in Midhurst

King William IV, Mickleham Serving Great Food All Day The historic building was built in 1790 as an ale house for workers at Cherkley Court. Its stunning views have been enjoyed for over 200 years.

We strive to give our customers quality products and courteous service. All our food is prepared from scratch inhouse by our professional chefs.

All our ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible – meats from Nash Farm, breads from Westcott Bakery, and fruit and vegetables come directly from Covent Garden.

Eamonn and Anne wish you a pleasant visit and both hope that you agree that the King William IV is Surrey’s best kept secret!

Telephone: 01372 372590 Web: www.thekingwilliamiv.com The King William IV is situated directly behind Frascati Restaurant, 25 yards up Byttom Hill on the A24 between Leatherhead and Dorking

CONTENTS

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28

6 Jottings

36

36 Food

Your local community noticeboard

Asparagus - spears of joy

8 Arts

38 Garden

The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden

14 Cowdray Park The home of British Polo

24 Family

What to do in May

40 Walk Abinger, Holmbury & Wotton

45 Profile

50 things to do before you are 11¾

26 Sounding Off The Grumpy Old Git returns

28 Cheese with Ale Louise Mason looks at this fine pairing

South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets Association

46 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services

47 Win Enter our competitions

Dorking Halls Event Screenings National Theatre Live: King Lear Thur 1 May, 7pm

Vikings Live From the British Museum: Encore Screening Wednesday 11 June, 7pm

RSC Live: Henry IV Part I Wed 14 May, 7pm

National Theatre Live: A Small Family Business, by Alan Ayckbourn Thur 12 June, 7pm

National Theatre Encore: The Curious Incident Of the Dog In The Night-Time Thur 22 May, 7pm Thur 29 May, 2pm & 7pm Driving Miss Daisy, followed by Live Q & A with Angela Lansbury Sun 25 May, 5.30pm Glyndebourne Live: Der Rosenkavalier Sun 8 June, 4.30pm

Driving Miss Daisy Friday 13 June, 2.30pm & 7.30pm English National Opera Live: Benvenuto Cellini Tues 17 June, 7pm

RSC Live: Henry IV Part II Wed 18 June, 7pm National Theatre Encore: A Small Family Business, by Alan Ayckbourn Fri 20 June, 2pm & 7.30pm Royal Opera Live: Manon Lescaut Tues 24 June, 6.45pm Glyndebourne Encore: Don Giovanni Sun 6 July, 4.30pm Andre Rieu’s 10th Anniversary 2014 Maastricht Concert Wed 23 July, 7pm Glyndebourne Live: La Traviata Sun 10 August, 5.30pm

Box Office: 01306 881717 Book online: www.dorkinghalls.co.uk May 2014

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TO THE POINT We launched our Dorking edition last month and I was very pleased with the response from readers. It seems there is a good appetite for community magazines that are well distributed, packed full of local information, and produced and written by people who all have a connection to the area. It is a strong model and I am delighted that this month sees us help launch another new community magazine. It is not in this area but we have worked with friends Carol and Nick to develop their very own local magazine, also Royal Mail delivered, and we hope that their magazine has the same positive im-

pact as our magazines did when we first launched them, (albeit under a different name).

You can tell that summer is arriving as our Jottings postbag gets bigger and bigger! It certainly tests Nick’s editing skills as we try to publish as many as possible given the constraints of space that we have, despite devoting around nine pages in every edition. Do remember that all our Jottings appear on our website, so when we can’t find the space in the print magazine or if they arrive too late, they do go online and we would encourage those readers with

internet access to check them out at vantagepointmag.co.uk. Do also look at what is happening in other areas, as you may well find something new to do or somewhere different to visit. We now have a search facility to make it easier.

An apology. Our brilliant cover image last month was mis-attributed due to a genuine error. It was taken by Phil O’Connor from Philip O’Connor Photography Ltd, who specialises in sports event photography. Visit his website to see more at philoconnor.com.

Stefan Reynolds, Editor

VantagePoint is the local magazine produced by local people for the local community, and is published by Vantage Publishing, a Godalming based magazine business established in 2009.

We now publish five community magazines which are delivered monthly

by Royal Mail to 107,277 homes across the South East, which gives us the largest local circulation in the local area, all with guaranteed delivery by your postman.

Vantage Publishing Limited 6 Chestnut Suite, Guardian House, Borough Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2AE.

Please visit our website or contact any of us below if you need any more information.

For more articles and Jottings, visit it us online at

Sales: 01306 776679 Editorial: 01483 421601

vantagepointmag.co.uk THE VANTAGEPOINT TEAM Stefan Reynolds Editor & Publisher 01483 421601 stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Carol Martin Sales Executive 01483 418141 carol@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Marcus Atkins Sales Director 01483 420173 marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Angie & Nick Crisell Jotters 01483 421601 jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Contributors: Andrew Crisell, Liz Higgins, Louise Mason, Matthew Pottage, Kirstie Smilie Print: Polestar Stones

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

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Jottings Many thanks to everyone who emailed us with your jottings.

If you are a club, society, school, charity or simply have something that might be of interest/useful to our readers, please do send in your jotting, ideally 100 to 140 words, to jottings@vantagepublishing. co.uk It’s a great time of the year and there are all sorts of events happening in the area and we would really love to hear about them.

The Rotary Club of Dorking invites you to a Gala Dinner in aid of The Children’s Trust, for children with brain injury. It takes place at Denbies Sports Hall, Ranmore (by kind permission of Adrian White). There’s a cabaret from the glamorous acapella singing group Apollo 5 who receive a lot of critical acclaim. There is also a charity auction and a luxury raffle. The dress is dinner jackets, so a chance for the ladies to don their posh frocks! It starts at 7 for 7.30pm and tickets are £45 per person available from Sarah Sheridan on 01306 883699 or email pstomahawk@ btinternet.com The more alert amongst you will notice that I am repeating this jotting from last month. You might also have noticed that I omitted the date! Well it’s on Friday 9th May. Luckily there should

- YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

still be time to get your tickets.

A new studio in the centre of East Horsley village will open its doors as part of the Surrey Artists’ Open Studios (SAOS) event. Nine artists taking part, plus the chance to help make an ostrich sculpture! It will run from 7th to 22nd June. Paintings, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, woodturning, pyrography, felt and textile crafts will all be on display.

Most exhibits will be for sale and there will be the chance to meet the artists and see their work in progress. Visitors will also have the opportunity to help sculptress Alison Catchlove complete a new ostrich sculpture in the garden.

The studio is at the new home of Verity and Peter Darby. Verity said: “We have enjoyed taking part in Open Studios in previous years, and are really looking forward to this first event in our new studio this summer. We have a great group of artists and craftspeople joining us and can promise a friendly welcome to anyone who would like to pop in!” Everyone is welcome to browse the exhibits and meet the artists. Light refreshments will be available. Do call in advance if you wish to meet a specific artist.

Studio contact details Selmeston, Glendene Avenue, East Horsley, KT24 5AY. Tel: 01483 285058, email verity.d@btinternet.com. Opening

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hours are, 11am to 5pm on June 7th to 8th, June 12th to 15th, June 19th to 22nd. Also 6pm to 8pm on June12th. More details at www. surreyopenstudios.org.

Whilst we are in Horsley, The National Vegetable Society Surrey District Association’s next meeting is on Thursday 8th May at 8pm at East Horsley Village Hall. Andrew Gaunt from the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) will be speaking about ‘Working With Alien Pests And Diseases’. Everyone is welcome to attend; talks are free for NVS Members, £3 for guests and £1 for members of affiliated societies.

For more information contact Beth Otway at beth@otway.com or telephone 01483 420989.

The Fox Revived pub in Norwood Hill near Horley is once again to host the annual ‘Festival of Surrey Life’. A celebration of all that is great about the county, including food & drink producers, performers and a wide range of activities, the 2014 festival promises to be the best yet. The spectacle, held on 25th and 26th May (the late May bank holiday weekend) is the brainchild of The Fox Revived publicans Jon and Paula Briscoe. Entry is free.

Now in its fourth year, the festival attracts over 1,000 people each

JOTTINGS IS YOUR COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD FOR LOCAL EVENTS AND INFORMATION. TO FEATURE HERE, PLEASE EMAIL NICK AND ANGIE AT JOTTINGS@VANTAGEPUBLISHING.CO.UK

DORKING & VILLAGES DELIVERED TO 23,017 LOCAL HOMES Like us on Facebook at Vantage Point Magazine

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Next Copy Date: 7th 10thMay May2014 2014 6

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Nestling secretly in the valley of Standon Brook, between the villages of Ockley and Walliswood, lies the internationally renowned Sculpture Garden created by Hannah Peschar and designed by her husband Anthony Paul.

I was fortunate to visit the garden in early March after the ravages of the winter storms had just left us behind. It was a warm spring day with the sun appearing every so often and that made my excursion around the garden really memorable. The dappled light cast shadows on the newly emerging bulbs and plants and sculptures that you suddenly came upon as you traversed alongside the waters of Standon Brook. Just a few weeks before, part of the garden had been flooded and the ground staff were busy at work clearing up and getting ready for the opening of the garden in May. A few trees had fallen but fortunately none of the sculptures had been damaged, although some had been carried along by the rapidly flowing waters of the brook; but most were traced and rescued.

My visit to meet Hannah Peschar had been arranged in order to write this article and to brief her on our AppArt Art Exhibition and Sculpture Trail in April, which she had agreed to open.

I had visited several times before but I wanted to know how the idea for the garden had come about and how Hannah had discovered this idyllic and unspoilt site in Surrey. It all began over 30 years ago when Hannah was working as a foreign correspondent for a newspaper in London. One of her Dutch friends invited her to visit her gallery in an old barn in Holland. The gallery was not big enough to accommodate all the artwork so a few sculptures were placed outside and this provided the inspiration for the sculpture garden that was to follow.

Hannah at this time was living in Barnes and she and her husband, who was an up-and-coming landscape designer, were looking for a rural property with a large garden. They found the property via an advertisement in the Sunday Times and travelled to Surrey to view it. There was a listed cottage and 10 acres of land that was part of a large estate that the owner was desperate to sell, so much so, that he provided 8

The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden Gwyn Phillips visits the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Surrey’s Artistic Landscape them with a private mortgage to buy it. The garden had already been started by a previous Secretary to the RHS - Mr Dick Trotter, and there were a number of unusual trees and plants, including a giant Gunnera Manicata. Over the years cuttings have been taken and they can now be found throughout the garden and they provide a natural foil or dramatic background for some of the sculptures. A lot of work had to be carried out before the garden was ready, and the opening happened in 1984 with 30 sculptures on the front lawn by the very attractive listed cottage.

How to describe the garden? Well a more eloquent description would be difficult to find than the one provided on Hannah’s website. So I quote, “Broadleaved plants and mature trees support frame and enhance a changing collection of contemporary sculpture in this stunning garden”. Anthony Paul continues to develop the garden with new plants and ideas to enhance the combination of art and nature. vantagepointmag.co.uk

Top left: Broadside by Rick Kirby. Above: Swaying Horses by Alison Berman. Right: Siena Torso by Emily Young. Left: Hannah Peschar

The range of works selected is wide with styles varying from figurative to highly abstract, innovatively using contemporary metals, wire, glass, ceramics and plastics, as well as the more traditional stone, wood and bronze. Sculptors are represented from many parts of the world, especially Europe. Works are selected and placed intuitively and there is a desire to shock and to get people to think and appreciate that art is more than work you can easily recognise.

Rick Kirby’s ‘Broadside’ is a striking piece and here man-made materials blend seamlessly with nature and remind me of some of the fallen buddas found in in the Far East jungles. ‘Swirl’ by Ben Barrell was inspired by his times sailing and surfing and the “shapes thrown by the Atlantic Ocean as waves rolled up and yachts sailed elegantly across its horizon.” The placing of ‘swirl’ in an open clearing with water in the background and vertical lines of tall trees enhances the work and provides a very appropriate backdrop.

One of the delights of the garden is when you round a bend or come out of a wooded area to be confronted and surprised by sculpture in an unusual setting or context. This is certainly the case with Alison Berman’s ‘swaying horses’ that are suspended from trees but appear to be floating just above the vegetation.

The sculptor achievers her aim of exploring the dynamic between sculpture and the viewer and this work does provoke curiosity, amusement and other emotions.

My Chamber by Walter Bailey May 2014

Another artist whose work is familiar in Surrey and is represented

in the garden by ‘My Chamber’ is Walter Bailey.

He was commissioned to produce a series of wooden sculptures that can be found at key points in the Surrey Hills, often at crossroads, entrances to villages or areas of outstanding natural beauty. He is working with Hannah on a local conservation project to protect a very old mulberry tree that was endangered by the expansion of the Waitrose store in central Dorking. Hannah petitioned Waitrose to protect this ancient tree and they agreed and paid for its removal and re-planting. Part of the tree was dead and was carefully removed and Walter is creating a sculpture that will hang on the wall in the Waitrose coffee shop.

Who would have had the vision, over 30 years ago, to create a unique sculpture garden in an undisturbed rural part of Surrey that would later become an international art landmark? Hannah and Anthony have created a special garden where art and the environment enhance each other and if you have never visited it before you should and I am sure, like me, you will keep coming back for more.

FIND OUT MORE

Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden , Black and White Cottage, Standon Lane, Ockley RH5 5QR. Tel: 01306 627269, email hannahpescharsculpture@gmail.com.

Open May to end of October: Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-6pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays 2pm-5pm. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment only to groups of four or more adults (no concessions). Admission: Adult £10 Child £7 Concession £8.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

day, and activities last year included street dancing, birds of prey, steam engines, paintballing, quad bikes, music, line dancing and many other stalls and attractions. This year they expect it to be even bigger and better! The festival runs from 12 noon until 5.30pm on both days.

Information on the event will be updated on: http://thefoxrevived. co.uk/festival-of-surrey-life.

Box Hill School is very excited to welcome Alexander Ardakov to the school this May. Alexander is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatoire and a prize-winner at the Viotti International competition in Italy, in addition to his performing career throughout the world he is a Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance.

He will be performing a selection of pieces by Tchaikovsky, Bach-Busoni, Scriabin, Grieg and Chopin during a concert on Thursday 1st May at McComish Hall, Box Hill School from 7pm - 9pm. There is a Champagne

and Wine bar open for the interval.

Tickets are available from Dalewood reception or alternatively over the phone payments can be taken on this number: 01372 373382 or pay online via http://www. boxhillschool.com/events. Tickets: £10 Students: £5 There is a brilliant music scene in Dorking and the surrounding area.

I thought that this month I would list some of them together. The Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra is visiting Dorking this month, with a concert of music by Mozart, Rossini and Saint-Saëns. They begin with Rossini’s sparkling overture The Italian Girl in Algiers and follow this with a selection of arias from Mozart’s operas, sung by soprano soloist Joo Cho. After the interval the orchestra will play Saint-Saëns’ second symphony. The concert takes place on Saturday 24th May at 7.30pm at St Martins Church.

Tickets are £13 and can be obtained by calling 01372 276949.

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The Dorking Concertgoers Society presents a recital of music for cello and piano given by Richard Jenkinson and Benjamin Frith. The programme includes two major works - Brahms’ first cello sonata and Rachmaninov’s sonata - plus shorter pieces by Stravinsky and Schumann. The Rachmaninov sonata is an especially beautiful work, romantic and nostalgic in the composer’s typical Russian yearning style. Taking place on 17th May at 7.30pm in Dorking Halls, tickets are £20 and can be booked on 01306 740619.

Two bands are appearing at the Dorking Halls during May. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is known as one of the finest brass bands in the country, celebrated for their recordings, their concerts, and also their appearance in the film Brassed Off. They are appearing on 10th May at 7.30pm. Chris Barber is one of the foremost jazz bandleaders, and his 10-piece band

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

will play a selection of favourite jazz and blues music on 31st May at 7.30pm. To book tickets for both concerts call 01306 881717.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal College of Organists, there will be a free special organ recital given at St Martin’s by organist Mark Brafield on Saturday 10th May at 7pm. Martin Ellis will give a further celebratory recital next month.

Watermill Jazz meets each Thursday evening at the Friends Life social club in Pixham Lane.

Their programme for May is as follows: the Michael Woolny trio (1st), “Charlie Parker on Dial” sextet featuring Nathaniel Facey (8th), the Skelton/Skinner all-stars big band (15th), Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock (22nd), and Brassjaw (29th). Tickets are priced from £17 - £21 and can be obtained by calling 07415 815784

from 2 to 6pm. Shere is one of Surrey’s most picturesque villages and around 20 gardens will be open. There will be an over-the -wall gardeners question time at the allotments, a Pimm’s Stall and homemade teas at the Village Hall. Entrance is £6 (£5 for over 60’s), under 16’s free. Tickets are available at the Village Hall or ask one of the car parking attendants for the nearest point. Parking is free and will be well signposted.

Unfortunately only guide dogs will be allowed.

Everyone is welcome to join in at the monthly MESSY CHURCH at Dorking United Reformed Church, West Street. Every first Wednesday of each month they meet for fun fellowship and friendship, opening at 3.30pm.

Activities start at 4pm until 5pm and after a short Celebration they share a light pasta supper WizardGardens Dec 13_Layout 07/11/2013 Page 1 together celebrating birthdays Shere Open 1 Day 2014 11:37 takes place on Sunday 29th June and news. (They ask that under

12’s bring an adult to look after - aunties, grannies, childminders all acceptable). Go along and join the fun! Their next session is on 7th May, the theme is Healthy Body & Healthy Soul. Contact: dorkingmessy@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook: Dorking Messy Church to follow their events.

Now in its 6th year, The Sculpture Garden is the largest temporary sculpture exhibition in Surrey with over 150 exhibits by 50 sculptors set in the glorious grounds of Birtley House, which are not normally open to the public. It will run from Saturday 3rd May to Sunday 1st June daily from 11am to 5pm. Entrance is free (they encourage donations to the Community Foundation for Surrey) and all sculpture is for sale. There is a children’s quiz, refreshments are available and dogs on leads are welcome. Birtley House is situated in Bramley, GU5 0LB (just 5 miles south of Guildford on the

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD A281). Tel: 01483 899513. More information on the website www. birtleyevents.co.uk.

Kingfisher Farm Shop in Abinger Hammer are celebrating 160 years of growing watercress with a 3 course watercress supper on Saturday 17th May at Abinger Hammer Village Hall, 7.30pm for 8pm. The watercress extravaganza will include watercress canapés, soup, Rawlings pork and watercress sausage and mash, and dessert served with watercress ice cream.

(Has to be worth going just to try this!) Tickets are a very reasonable £10; Bring Your Own (BYO) drink.

Apparently tickets need to be prebought, numbers are limited to 100, and they’ve already sold 60 at the time of writing, so do call 01306 730703, or email info@ kingfisherfarmshop.com as soon as possible if you would like tickets.The event is in aid of Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI). For more information, contact the

Kingfisher Farm Shop on 01306 730703.

The Probus Club of the Horsleys is a luncheon club for retired professional and business gentlemen and meets on the second Monday of each month at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre. A convivial lunch is followed by an interesting speaker who can cover a number of entertaining topics. Ladies Lunches are also held twice yearly to include wives, partners or friends and occasional outings are arranged. Visitors and new members are welcome. For further information, contact David Lush on 01483 280267.

I can remember the watercress beds in Abinger Hammer ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, so I am delighted that they are still going strong after 160 years.

How would you like to rise to the challenge and enter the Kingfisher Farm Shop Watercress Soup Competition? It’s taking place on Saturday 24th May but you need to

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get full details from the farm shop which is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and 10am to 4pm on Sundays; the flower shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The shop provides local food and drink and flowers and there is also a local delivery service.

Kingfisher Farm Shop is located in Abinger Hammer, Dorking, RH5 6AG. Tel 01306 730703.

Contemporary Art in a Victorian house and garden. The Fircroft Summer Exhibition 2014 runs from 7th to 22nd June, open daily from 11am to 5pm (Thursdays 11am to 8pm). Set in a large and interesting early Victorian country house and its mature wooded gardens in the midst of beautiful Albury Heath on the Surrey North Downs, the Fircroft Summer Exhibition 2014 brings together the work of more than fifty established and emerging artists from many parts of Britain and further afield.

Fircroft is home to the artist Frank

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Cowdray Park Liz Higgins looks back at the history of the home of British Polo In 1909, the noted Victorian engineer and industrialist, Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson, purchased the Cowdray estate.

Sir Weetman was made Baron Cowdray in 1910 and rewarded for his massive engineering projects including the Blackwall Tunnel; an oil pipeline through Mexico; a tunnel under the Hudson River from New York to New Jersey and the reconstruction of Dover Harbour. He becoming the first Viscount Cowdray in 1917.

Sir Weetman’s oldest son, Harold Pearson, had learned to play polo whilst at Oxford and later, as a Liberal MP, he played for the House of Commons. His passion for the sport resulted in a polo ground being laid out at Cowdray House in 1910 with a second ground soon in use in a bend of the River Rother - and still referred to as The River Ground.

Polo started in April with the majority of tournaments being held at Ranelagh or Hurlingham in London, the key period for competitions at Cowdray coinciding with the festival of horseracing at nearby Goodwood. Friends of the Cowdrays would stay for a week of racing, with picnics, golf, archery and polo providing a full programme of entertainments. An announcement from Harold Pearson in 1911 notes that: “Play will take place in the mornings and evenings before and after the racing”. It also helpfully explained that “Midhurst is seven 14

miles from Goodwood and one of the two grounds is not harmed by rain, so play will take place regardless of weather”. The highlight of the week was The Cowdray Park Challenge Cup, still in existence today.

In 1914 the Challenge Cup saw an entry of 10 teams with Harold Pearson’s Capron House team losing in the final to Cowley Manor. Days later an announcement was made during a match that war had been declared on Germany and that all men on leave should return at once to their regiments. Harold and his brother Clive Pearson survived WWI, but their brother Geoffrey was tragically killed in action in 1914.

In 1919 Lord Cowdray made over his estate to Harold whose Capron House team would now become known as Cowdray Park. The famous orange shirts became the signature colour of any Cowdray team from then on.

In the years after the Great War, polo at Cowdray Park thrived and attracted more and more spectators keen to experience the vantagepointmag.co.uk

exciting spectacle. It is on record that in 1926 3,000 people attended the final of the Cowdray Park Challenge Cup, and Lady Cowdray entertained 500 for tea in front of the Ruins.

The new Lord Cowdray’s only son, John, shared his father’s enthusiasm for the sport, and was thrilled to play his first real competition on a trip to the USA in 1927. A mountain of press cuttings indicate both local and national interest in the Cowdray family, particularly the Goodwood Week house parties. The guest lists, menus and the elegant outfits worn by Lady Cowdray were widely reported.

Tragically, in 1933, Lord Cowdray died aged just 51 and John, only 23 years of age, inherited the Estate and all its duties. In terms of polo, he was to prove a legend in the sport and the next few years saw the number of tournaments and competitions increase.

However, WWII meant that for six years there was no polo in the UK – every piece of available land was cultivated to support the war effort and Cowdray was no exception. John Cowdray survived the war, despite losing his left arm in the battle for Dunkirk. Undaunted, he had a prosthetic left arm fitted with a hook which enabled him to hold the reins and still swing a polo mallet with his good right arm.

He then single-mindedly led a renaissance in the UK of the sport he loved, starting with the importation of 50 polo ponies from Argentina to supplement the dozen or so Cowdray ponies which were still alive. By summer 1947 John Cowdray was organising tournaments at Cowdray once again, although there was a serious shortage of players and often the matches were three-a-side.

In 1948 seven teams took part in the Cowdray Challenge Cup, attracting a large number of spectators, including Argentinian players Jack Nelson and Luis Lacey who thought the standard of play good enough to invite an English team to the Argentine. In 1949 John Cowdray took English players to Buenos Aires to play against some of the world’s finest in the Argentine Open. In 1951 he offered a return visit for the first revival of the Coronation Cup since 1939. The trophy had been inaugurated May 2014

Images: Left and overleaf are by Clive Bennett.

Top: The Queen at Cowdray in 1953. Above: The River Ground in 1937.

Both courtesy of Cowdray Archive.

in 1911 to mark the coronation of King George V. The early 1950s saw Cowdray Park firmly on the map, with spectators flocking to the grounds to catch a glimpse of Princess Elizabeth watching her dashing husband, Prince Philip, play.

Encouraged into the sport by his uncle Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip had a handicap of three and became a regular player for the Cowdray team. By 1953, Cowdray Park was without question the centre of English polo and the Coronation Cup attracted 15,000 spectators, with Her Majesty the Queen in the audience. The business community of Midhurst presented John Cowdray with The Midhurst Town Cup, to thank him for bringing prominence to the town through polo.

In 1955 Prince Philip formed his own polo club, the Household Brigade Club (later to become Guards), in Windsor Great Park.

The Coronation Cup was given a new home there and this encouraged John Cowdray to launch the Cowdray Park Gold Cup in 1956, which would later become the British Open >16 15

Polo Championship. It took two years before the Cowdray team managed to win the handsome trophy, beating Woolmers Park 10-3. Cowdray Park went on to win again in 1962 and reached the final 11 more times losing on each occasion. The most memorable was in 1990, when the match went into two extra chukkas and Hildon finally snatched victory from Cowdray Park to scarcely a dry eye in the grandstand.

The 1970s saw polo beginning to change with a decline in the number of amateur players and a rise in the number of professional players. Once upon a time, the overseas players sold a few horses to English gentlemen players to cover the cost of their polo season but were soon enjoying the days of the well-paid professional.

Most of the UK’s best polo prospects have come up through the ranks of Pony Club and in 1977 John Cowdray was delighted to offer the National Pony Club Polo Championships a home at Cowdray Park – the finals are held at Cowdray every August.

It was with great sorrow that the polo community learned of the death of John Cowdray in January 1995. Not only had he made Cowdray Park a mecca for polo enthusiasts from all over the globe, he had raised awareness of the sport and set many young players on the path to success as professional players. He had also served as Chairman of the Hurlingham Polo Association, governing body of the sport in the UK, from 1947-1967, whilst simultaneously running a huge portfolio of business interests and two large country estates. Tributes were paid from every part of the polo world.

The year also marked the arrival of leading champagne house Veuve Clicquot as title sponsors of the famous Gold Cup. Veuve Clicquot’s sponsorship started initially on a year’s trial, and has blossomed into a perfectly harmonious partnership which in 2014 enters its twentieth year.

Today the club offers a full programme of tournaments throughout the season from late April to September. On Saturday 17th May the England polo team takes on South America in the St. Regis International Cup, to which a large crowd of spectators is expected for the high octane polo, retail village and entertainments. The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship opens on 24th June with Quarter Finals over the weekend of 12/13th July, Semi Finals on Wednesday 16th July and the hotly contested Final on Sunday 16

20th July. Throughout the 40 or so matches in the Championship, spectators are guaranteed the sight of the finest players in the world in action on Cowdray’s superb pitches. On Saturday 19th July the Final of the BLOOM British Ladies Open tournament sees some of the world’s leading women players in action, adding to the thrill and spectacle of a gala Cowdray weekend.

The Final of the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup the following day will see up to 15,000 spectators enjoying everything that the wonderful location and the thrilling sport have to offer. The best picnic spots are earmarked early in the day so that a stroll around the shopping village can be fitted in before lunch. After the match the Blades Aerobatic Display team will entertain in the skies over the famous Cowdray Lawns.

But the season doesn’t finish there.

Domestic tournaments continue until the end of September and six high profile Hurlingham Polo Association tournaments, sponsored by luxury watchmakers Jaeger-LeCoultre are spread throughout the whole season, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Autumn Cup concluding on the final day of the season, the 21st September.

On a normal polo day (excluding the main events) the standard admission charges start at just £5 per person with children under 12 going free, which is excellent value.

Cowdray Park Polo Club’s founder would no doubt be astonished at the scale of the club’s expansion but he would be thrilled that its future is secure in the wonderful countryside of the new South Downs National Park.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information, please visit the website at cowdraypolo.co.uk. Cowdray Park is situated at Easebourne, Midhurst GU29 0AJ. Telephone 01730 813257.

To win tickets for the St Regis International Cup on the 17th May, please see our competitions page. vantagepointmag.co.uk

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Taylor and his wife Christine who over the last nineteen years have each summer shown a varied collection of paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textiles and jewellery. They choose works by artists they admire; many are artists of international reputation, all highly respected within their own field. Entry to the exhibition is free, do go and spend some time browsing. A warm welcome awaits you at Fircroft, off New Road, Albury Heath, GU5 9DD. AA signed from the A25 Guildford to Dorking road. Telephone 01483 202333.

Email fircroft@alburyheath.com.

For more details and directions, visit www.fircroft.info.

Go along to experience a unique event and enjoy a wonderful story about our cultural heritage and our links with America. Dorking and Betchworth resident Martin Coslett is producing, “The Perfect City” musical drama for the first time on a short tour of South

May 2014

East England and will be visiting Dorking at 7.30pm on Friday 23rd May. They will be at The Friends Meeting House (Quakers) on Butter Hill just opposite the Waitrose redevelopment in South Street.

It’s a powerful thought provoking and hugely original musical telling the inspiring tale of Will Penn’s remarkable quest to overcome tyranny, injustice and persecution in a turbulent England in the 1600’s, and create a life of freedom and brotherly love in Philadelphia.

Tickets are available from Dorking Halls or www.theperfectcity. ticketsource.co.uk and if still available on the door.

Surrey Charity Challengers, which helps disabled children and young people, has been appointed the Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship 2014. The organisation, which is dedicated to providing exciting and challenging play and leisure opportunities through its centres in Guildford

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and Farnham, as well as a range of community-based projects across Surrey and Hampshire, will hugely benefit from being the Official Charity of The European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth Club.

Challengers are expected to benefit from fundraising in the region of £50,000 during the tournament week, with the majority of the funds raised coming from donations made by spectators in exchange for the Championship’s Official Programme. To find out more about Challengers and the work they do, visit www.disability-challengers. org. The BMW PGA Championship offers six days of high quality entertainment, including Official Practice Day, Celebrity Pro-Am and four rounds of compelling competition from May 20th 25th. Tickets are available on the European Tour website: www. europeantour.com\tickets.

Holmwood Marketplace is a monthly community market with

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

20 stalls of garden and farm gate produce, herbaceous perennials, annuals and herbs, new and second hand books, crafts, health and wellbeing services and local trades. ‘Seasonal Nutrition’ Cafe with a small range of vegetarian dishes based on locally grown produce where possible, and Slovak cakes. Some stalls offer ‘have a go’ activities for adults and children.

This month’s event on Saturday 24th May profiles the local branch of RSPCA with vouchers to give away towards micro-chipping and neutering of pets. It runs from 12.30pm to 4pm at North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill, RH5 4JP. Bus route 93, disabled access at front of the building.

Businesses and other organisations offering services relating to animals are particularly encouraged to contact the organisers if interested in participating at this event.

Please contact Jacqui on 01306 741545. For more information please see www.facebook.com/ holmwoodmarketplace and http://holmwoodmarketplace. wordpress.com.

Beare Green & Newdigate Choral Society (BGNCS) are a very enthusiastic group of singers led by their dynamic conductor Jamie Cordell. Their rehearsals are held each Wednesday evening in Newdigate Village Hall, from 7.45 to 9.45pm The choir are at present preparing for a special event on 10th May when they will be marking the anniversary of World War One by having a traditional afternoon tea in Newdigate Village Hall from 3 – 5pm, accompanied by songs from the era. Tickets available from 01306 631115 for £6.10/- (Ah, 10/-. I can remember paying that for 4 pints of bitter and 10 ciggies in the good old days!) New singers are always welcome and there is no audition required; just bring along enthusiasm and a desire to listen and learn. Please contact secretary@bgncs.co.uk or 01306 631115 for more information.

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Horsley Garden Society holds flower and produce shows, meetings, lectures, and visits that bring together those with an interest in gardening – beginners to experts – to share experiences, learn more and increase the pleasure we get from gardening.

They hold a plant sale which is open to the public, along with three shows at which members compete for awards and trophies with their flowers, fruit, vegetables, homecrafts and handicrafts. Their first show in spring is for members only and is combined with their annual supper. Their Summer and Autumn Shows are open for viewing for non-members who can study the displays, talk to exhibitors, enjoy some refreshments and have the chance to win a raffle prize. The keenly fought children’s competitions are open to children of members and children sponsored by a member. Membership is £8 a year – contact Roger Lindsay, Hon. Chairman email sue.roger@virgin. net or Terry Lazenby, Hon. Treasurer email terrylazenby@terrylazenby. plus.com Join ‘Discover the World’ at Meet the Expert evenings, in Banstead.

These events are a perfect opportunity to get inspiration and advice on your travel plans for this year and next. Discover the World is the UK leading tour operator to Iceland and experts in holidays to Scandinavia, Canada & Alaska, New Zealand & Australia and the Polar Regions. The events are free to attend and are hosted by experts who know the destinations inside out. To book your place on the Norway Evening on Thursday 8th May, simply call 01737 214 250 or visit www.discover-the-world. co.uk/events More events will be taking place throughout the year and will be listed on the Discover the World website.

Denbies Wine Estate has an exciting year ahead. With 2013 producing the largest harvest in recent years, they are looking forward in 2014 to

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the imminent release of a fantastic new range of varietals, including Ortega, Bacchus and Hillside Chardonnay. Apart from producing a jolly decent bottle of wine, Denbies hold lots of interesting and fun events throughout the year. On Saturday 24th May they are holding a traditional Barn Dance & BBQ. Loads of laughter, fine wine, local ale, BBQ and dancing to live music, with a little instruction! Tickets are £39.50 and can be reserved by going to kwalsh@denbiesvineyard.co.uk or tel: 01306 742002. I believe that if you can get a gang of you to go, (8 or more) the price discounts to £32.50, not a bad saving!

I know there isn’t much time on this one, but Image Musical Theatre returns to The Harlequin in Redhill with the classic story of the Jungle Book on Saturday 3rd May at 2.30pm. Set in the vibrant tropical jungle of India and adapted from the original Rudyard Kipling story, this production dramatises the journey to maturity of Mowgli the man cub. With loving care from his adopted wolf family and much advice from Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, Mowgli stands firm against the manipulation of Shere Khan the tiger. During the light hearted half hour rehearsal, some children are chosen and rehearsed into their parts while the rest of the audience is taught the choruses of four songs. During the interval the actors and children are costumed and the show, lasting 1 hour, runs seamlessly with everyone taking part as rehearsed.

This is family theatre at its very best. Tickets cost £8.50 and are available from The Harlequin Box Office on 01737 276500 or book online at www.harlequintheatre. co.uk.

Denbies Wine Estate is host to an art exhibition entitled Hidden Artists. It runs from 12th to 18th May. There are over 150 original artworks measuring 10” x 8” donated by a range of local, national and international artists vantagepointmag.co.uk

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Mann up!

Kirstie Smillie checks out what’s happening at Manns of Cranleigh and Jenny has searched out brands with a story to add interest to a purchase for yourself or as a gift.

Manns of Cranleigh is on the up, especially since the arrival of Jenny Hakim, known in the industry as the very experienced boutique owner of Fashion Trapp in Ripley.

Happily enjoying a more relaxed pace, Jenny was coaxed back to work last year to bring her ideas and knowledge to help reinvigorate the store.

First opened in 1887 (Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year),

by David Mann, the family originally lived above the shop. Today the department store covers the two extensive floors offering contemporary and traditional furniture, upholstery, beds, carpets, curtains and blinds, home furnishings, a cookshop, housewares, gardening items, linens, womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, luggage, haberdashery, toys and a cards and gift department.…phew!

For example, the shoes we photographed are from the Brazilian company Melissa, founded in 1989. They started using plastics to develop a 100% vegan product and regularly win awards for design and innovation. The shoes are designed to give off a sweet candy floss aroma and are known to have many celebrity fans.

The silk printed clutch bags by Fox & Chave use the beautiful designs by William Morris and Klimt, and Art Deco designs from the V&A archives to subtly lift a colour in your outfit or be brave and mix up with a print-on-print. They are the perfect size and shape for a phone, purse and lipstick, with a delicate chain when needed.

On my recent visits the staff were friendly and actually smiled at you - something often lacking in other stores.

I was left to look around without being constantly bothered, but I was able to see staff when I had a question.

As well as the fresh looking fashion labels, accessories make up an important part of the new buy for the store 20

vantagepointmag.co.uk

FASHION FOOD

A day out in Cranleigh

Parking at the Stocklund carpark, only 50p per hour.

Visit the Oxfam book shop, I found a beautiful illustrated hard back on Leonardo Da Vinci for £2.99, 168 High Street.

Coffee and cake at One Forty, 140 High Street, inspiring and uplifting one-stop shop.

Rummage around the many charity shops and Dingly Dell, Antiques and Collectables 79 High Street - lovely jewellery and little vintage bags.

Then enjoy a shopping experience at Manns of Cranleigh,101-105 High Street, Cranleigh.

Followed by lunch at The Richard Onslow, 113 High Street, very friendly staff and I can recommend the Millionaires pudding for other chocolate lovers! Tel: 01483 274922.

Jenny’s selection of simple silver jewellery includes these delicate bead charm bracelets above, by Two’s Company, best worn in multiplies of odd numbers, and the fun button rings (left) are handmade by a local company, Pegg and Twine, so each one is unique in design.

So next time you want a hassle-free shopping experience where there is plenty to inspire you (there is also free customer car park at the back of the shop via Rowland Road) take a peak at the new look Manns and see what you think.

Accessory workout!

Left page: Reach Melissa wedges, £85 and Pegg and Twine button ring, £5. Top left, Twist Dante shell ring, £6; Two’s Company silver bead brackets, £7.50 each. Top right, Pull selection of printed scarves, from £17 . Above: Push Fox &Chave silk printed clutch, £45; Edenblu white bolero, £59. All from Manns of Cranleigh. Tel: 01484 273777.

May 2014

Finally, enjoy all the small independents that line the High Street on the way back to the car.

FIND OUT MORE

Kirstie Smillie offers Personal Styling sessions to develop your own style for corporate and casual lifestyles. Call 07773 234947 or email kirstie@kirstiesmillie.com Photographs: Anna Saverimuttu, email: anna@annasaverimuttu.co.uk Tel: 07768 975053 Hair and make-up: Hanna Wildman, email: hanna@hannawildman.com Tel: 07831 353317 Model: Katie Tunn at Mot Models Telephone 01442 863918

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Surrey Guild of Craftsmen

elements: REFINED 2nd - 28th June, Dorking To celebrate 21 years at the Surrey Guild Craft Gallery in Milford, our makers were challenged to produce three exceptional pieces to showcase their craft for a touring public exhibition that will be staged throughout 2014. They have responded with some truly stunning work. elements:REFINED will champion the extraordinary and diverse range of contemporary craft to be found in and around Surrey, represented by the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen.

All of the work exhibited in elements:REFINED will either be for sale or can be commissioned from the makers directly.

The exhibition will showcase the work in an exhibition environment and our goal is to bring the work to a wider regional audience and in so doing, spread the reputation of the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen (SGC) for excellence, quality and skill.

Forty members of the Guild will present up to three pieces of new work and the contributions include work by long-term members Jonathan Chiswell-Jones from JCJ pottery with three new large ‘lustre ware’ porcelain pieces; Farnham based Carolyn Wallis showing pieces from her exquisite range of hand woven and hand dyed silk scarves and designer jeweller Hilary Webb with her innovative designs in precious metal.

New members include artisan glass blower and local Miford girl, Elizabeth Welch; Jean Tolkovsky with her quirky sculptural ceramic art pieces and Nigel Graham with his colourful semiprecious stones and precious metal jewellery.

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The exhibition will also include pieces by other well-known and popular Surrey Guild of Craftsmen designers such as Kaleidoscope maker Frank Higgins, sculptural wood turner Colin Norgate and Sarah Downton, with her glorious lampworked jewellery, alongside many more.

The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen is run as a co-operative and is based at The Surrey Guild Craft Gallery in Milford, 1 Moushill Lane, Milford Surrey GU8 5BH. The aim of the SGC is to promote the work of professional craftspeople throughout the county and neighbouring areas. With over 60 members, the Guild embraces a wide selection of decorative and applied arts.

The exhibition will appear from June 2nd to 28th June 2014 at both the Bourneside Gallery, Dorking RH4 1DN and Dorking Library, Dorking RH4 1UX. FIND OUT MORE

For more information and other venues on the tour, please visit www.surreyguild.com.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

and signed on the reverse. Viewing all week; the sale will take place from the 17th to 18th May with each painting costing £50. There will be a silent auction of paintings donated by Michael Strang, Sherree Valentine-Daines and Nagib Karsan during the week and all proceeds will go to the NSPCC and local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Dorking Deepdene. More information at www.hiddenartists. co.uk There’s a Teddy Bears Picnic coming up for the benefit of Peaslake School and, new this year, Surrey Hills School. It takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May from 12 noon to 4pm.

There are stalls and attractions for the entire family, with a range of refreshments including the evergrowing barbeque stand, gorgeous home-made teas in the Abinger cricket club’s pavilion, and a Pimm’s stall. Family favourites include the popular teddy bear fancy dress classes, a coconut shy, the pooh stick championship and duck racing on the Tillingbourne Stream. There will also be face painting, a bouncy castle, pony rides and both an adult and children’s tombola. All children who come will have an opportunity to take part in some fabulous arts and crafts on the day. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and some cushions with you to make yourselves comfortable on the green and remind your children to bring their Teddy Bears for the picnic!

If you, like me are a bit of a fan of The Electric Light Orchestra, you might be interested to know that the tribute band, The ELO Experience, is doing a UK tour in June. On Friday 13th June they are coming to Dorking Halls in Dorking.

They are an 8 piece band and have a great reputation. Call 01306 881717 to book your tickets. If you would like more information about the band go to www.elotribute. com.

May 2014

Marcus Chown, the awardwinning writer and broadcaster will be coming to Dorking Library on 14th May. “What a Wonderful World” is one man’s attempt to explain the ‘Big Stuff ’; should be interesting to say the least. Tickets including refreshments are £6 and are available in all Surrey libraries.

You can also book online at www. surreycc.gov/writersbooked or call 01483 543599.

The next Saturday Indoor Market takes place at North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill, North Holmwood, RH5 4JP on Saturday 24th May from 12.30pm to 4pm.A great place for local goods and services including garden and farm gate produce, cakes, preserves, crafts, plants, trades, health and wellbeing therapists, business consultants and other local services. Lunches and afternoon teas until 3.30pm. For enquiries contact jacqui@communityrealm. org.uk or tel 01306 741545 / 07973 207087.

Brooklands Museum and the Vintage Sports-Car Club have confirmed details of the Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival for 2014. In true Brooklands tradition, it will be held on the weekend closest to the date the original track opened in 1907, which is 14th & 15th June.

The two-day event will feature Speed Trials, Ascents, Driving Tests and the prestigious Double Twelve Concours across the Museum site and at neighbouring MercedesBenz World, giving spectators and competitors a huge variety of motoring action. You can find a full list of classes on the Double Twelve pages of the Museum website along with entry forms to download at www.brooklandsmuseum.com and at the VSCC website at www. vscc.co.uk. Entrants will enjoy an inclusive hospitality area in the charming, period splendour of the Edwardian Clubhouse, the chance to drive on motoring ‘hallowed ground’ and when competing, will

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be in the capable hands of the VSCC and Brooklands Marshals.

Surrey County Show, which takes place on Monday 26th May, is the biggest one-day agricultural show in the country and brings an incredible number of beautifully presented farm animals – cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry to Stoke Park within walking distance of Guildford High Street.

The countryside with its milking parlours and shearing sheds, sheep pens and duck ponds literally comes to town. There is a strong focus on local food, a full line-up of ring entertainment, a major horse show and loads of shopping. One of the highlights of the Show will be the magnificent black cavalry horses of the King’s Troop Royal Artillery, who will be galloping WWW1 gun carriages across the grand arena. Heavily discounted tickets are available online at www. surreycountyshow.co.uk Adults £13.50 (£17 on Show Day), seniors £10 (£13 on show day), children £5.50 (£6 on show day), families £34.50 (£40 on show day).

Ewhurst History Society is holding their Annual General Meeting on 20th May at 8pm. This will be followed by a talk from Vanessa Ford entitled “The Restoration of Longhurst Lodge”. In 2013 Longhurst Lodge, on the edge of the Baynards Estate, was featured on the TV Channel 4 programme “Restoration Man”. After lying derelict and empty for over 50 years Vanessa Ford and Nik Huddy took on the task of restoring it to its former glory, doing all of the work themselves. (I love this programme; should be a fascinating evening).

Meetings are held in the Ewhurst Baptist Church at 8pm. All are welcome. Non-members £1.50 to include tea, coffee and biscuits.

Do you love to sing and have wondered how to take your singing to a new level? Have you tried sing-along groups but would like a bit more challenge? Here’s 23

50 things to do before you are

11¾ School holidays are a giant, fun-sized adventure for kids, but for parents, filling the days can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Don’t panic though, the National Trust is coming to the rescue!

To coincide with the May half term, the Trust is re-launching its ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ outdoor campaign, giving children loads of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy a whole series of classic adventures, from building dens to climbing trees.

Throughout May and into summer, National Trust properties are running organised ’50 things’ activities, but families can also try any of the challenges under their own steam by signing up at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50things. Children can log their adventures, unlock secret challenges and collect rewards. You can also pick up a free ’50 things’ scrapbook at any participating property, and get cracking straight away, filling the book with stickers when tasks are ticked off.

Special event: Join the Great Big Tree Climbing Company at The Vyne in Hampshire and you’ll enter the canopy of a huge oak tree, using ropes, knots and karabiners whilst being securely attached in a harness. If you’re feeling brave you can take the zip wire back down!

24th May, 11am – 5pm, £15, book on 07584 088664.

With hundreds of ideas for all the family to enjoy, here are some great places in Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey to try some of our favourite ’50 things’!

Build a den Who doesn’t like making their own den in the woods with branches, mud and leaves? Claremont in Surrey was once the playground of princesses and today it’s a great place to build a den, run around in the rain or go on an adventurous treeclimbing weekend. Other good places in Surrey for den building include Ham House and Garden.

In West Sussex, try the woodlands around the beautiful gardens of Nymans and Uppark House (where wood piles are left out for this purpose), as well as Mottisfont, The Vyne, and Hinton Ampner in Hampshire.

Climb a tree Keep three limbs on the tree at all times and choose a tree with big, strong branches that you can reach from the ground.

Black Down is on the border of West Sussex and Surrey and is the highest point in the South Downs National Park. There’s a very old pine on the western side of Black Down with lovely branches - generations of children have climbed it and there are terrific views. Other locations include the wider estate of Hatchlands Park in Surrey and the huge plane trees at Mottisfont in Hampshire.

Special event: Wild in the Park day at Petworth House in West Sussex takes kids to the best spots in its ancient parkland to try tree climbing, den building and bug hunting.

29th & 30th May, 10.30am – 12.30pm, £2 per child, booking essential on 01798 342207 24

Special event: Build a den day at Hinton Ampner introduces kids to acres of glorious beech woodland, and the secrets of making a great woodland shelter.

25th May, 11am – 3pm, normal admission charge only, no booking required. vantagepointmag.co.uk

Discover what’s in a pond Murky pond water is full of life. Langham Pond at Runnymede, is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), where you can see dragonfly and damselfly nymph, pond skaters, leeches and the great pond snail. Runnymede is on the banks of the River Thames and was the site where the Magna Carta was sealed, nearly 800 years ago. Today it is a picturesque meadow, great for bug hunting and going for nature walks.

Special event: Petworth House’s Pond Life event is a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with some weird and wonderful creatures whilst you pond-dip with an expert.

29th & 30th May, 2 pm– 3.30pm, £2 per child, booking essential on 01798 342207.

Go on a really long bike ride There’s nothing like the feel of the wind in your hair as you whizz down a pathway on your bike. So grab your bike, a helmet and some lunch and head over to Morden Hall Park in south London. This year you can even hire a recumbent bike at Morden Hall Park: a fun new challenge for grown-ups too.

Morden Hall Park is one of the top places in the country to try 50 things activities; there’s an exciting programme of events led by their new Ranger, and 125 acres of parkland. The ancient Mottisfont estate has its own cycleways; there are two family friendly routes to choose from, which can be downloaded at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont.

Hunt for bugs Some of the best places to hunt for mini beasts are in fallen wood, the trunks of trees, and long grasses. There are many weird and wonderful bugs and insects hiding under fallen leaves and logs at Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey. The woodland, farmland and downland of the picturesque Slindon Estate near Arundel in Sussex is also a great place to hunt for bugs - just bring a magnifying glass and some patience! Remember, you’re a giant compared to these little beasts, so be gentle.

Bugs like where they live so make sure you put them back.

Special event: Nosey nature Nerds invites families into the wilds of the New Forest in Hampshire with the ranger team. Collect nets and magnifying pots and become a nature detective as you get up close to all sorts of forest creepy crawlies.

30th May, 11am – 2pm, £5 each, book on 01794 344020.

May 2014

Go bird watching Look out for buzzards and sparrow hawks as you stroll across The Vyne estate to reach a spacious bird hide facing a huge grass-fringed lake. Binoculars and identification charts are on hand, so keep your eyes peeled for wading birds such as lapwings and snipe. Listen to the nightingales at Bookham Common in Surrey or look out for rare ground nesting birds at Hindhead Common. In the school holidays there are ranger-led activities such as pond-dipping, bushcraft skills and den building adventures at the Witley Centre. Book a place by phoning 01372 220644.

Climb up a huge hill or roll down a really big hill Box Hill is a huge hill to climb up or roll down. There are maps available outside Box Hill Visitor Centre and café, showing you the best trails. Climb up all the way from the Stepping Stones, or just have fun playing on the slopes by the Box Hill viewpoint.

For even more climbing visit Leith Hill. At the top is a majestic gothic tower with 360 degree views. Visit Mottisfont for some serious hill rolling on the huge lawn in front of the house.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information to help you complete the 50 coolest outdoor things to do before you’re 11¾, please visit 50things.org.uk.

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Soundingoff The good, the bad and the ugly Andrew Crisell recently made a list of potential gripes and was horrified to discover that virtually everything irritated him, the classic symptom of a dreadful old fogey. In the second of an occasional series, he tackles Americanisms...

I recently bumped into a young friend and asked him how he was.

‘I’m good,’ he said. This was puzzling. I hadn’t inquired after his moral welfare, and in any case it was boastfully immoral of him to make such a claim. But then the penny dropped. Though both he and I are native Englishmen, I realised that he was talking to me in American. What he meant to say was ‘I’m well’.

We should think hard before we swap the language of William Shakespeare for that of Walt Disney. Not only can the Americans not spell properly, (think of ‘center’ for centre, ‘traveler’ for traveller and ‘labor’ for labour) or pronounce properly, (‘lan-jer-ray’ for lingerie and a country in the Middle East they call ‘Eye-rack’), they Have you noticed how slavishly we English adopt Americanisms, don’t even know the true meaning of certain even though – at least if I am typical – we don’t actually know words. Waiting in a Californian railway station, what many of them mean? Why, for I was astonished by a instance, do people like to talk about sign which announced We should think hard before we swap ‘second guessing’? There surely that the next train would can’t be a second guess without a the language of William Shakespeare arrive ‘momentarily’ – first guess, and since it’s an activi- for that of Walt Disney surely a bit of a challenge ty which often has to be repeated for those who couldn’t several times, what is the significance of the second one? Even board quickly. And unless American men have worse than this, I’ve heard my fellow English complaining that a secret tendency to transvestism, they mean something has come at them ‘out of left field’ or that they’ve braces when they speak of ‘suspenders’. been ‘thrown a curve ball’. I’ve done some research into these expressions, and understand that they are derived from a sport The Guardian newspaper is always ready to atwhich is called baseball in the States and is played by real men, tack America for its politics, so we should perbut which is called rounders here and is played by girls. (The haps be surprised that it’s so eager to suck up same is true of what they call basketball over there and we call that nation’s linguistic slops. But in a recent arnetball.) Fortunately, baseball has never caught on as a national ticle in its G2 supplement, the writers referred sport in Britain. So who are we trying to impress by borrowing to a mistake they had made as ‘our bad’, a horits lingo? rendous new trans-Atlantic import. It’s not the right word, it’s not even the right part of speech. It’s just about as ‘bad’ as you can get.

The reasons we adopt certain words and expressions are obscure. Why do people say ‘Cheers!’ as though proposing a toast, when they really mean ‘thank you’? Perhaps they feel it isn’t cool to do anything so polite as express their gratitude directly. But if I’ve got that wrong, sorry: my bad. Am I forgiven? Cheers!

Do you agree with Andrew? What irritates you these days? Please write in or let us know at editor@vantagepublishing.co.uk.

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

the answer! Go along to this oneday Acappella Harmony Workshop, at Guildford’s G Live on Saturday 21st June (9.30am to 4pm). Learn about the triumvirate of good singing (breathing, support and resonance), discover the power of vowel matching, and explore voice placement and lyrical phrasing. They can promise you a day of hard work and great fun, and they are pretty sure you’ll be inspired by what you can achieve. Cost: £25 (including teaching materials & light lunch).

For more information or to register: email harmonyworkshop2014@ gmail.com or see website: www. harmonyworkshop.org.uk.

There are some special events on the Wey & Arun Canal during May: Punch & Picnic Sunset Cruise on Friday 16th May. Following last year’s sell out success, the first evening cruise of the season offers passengers the opportunity to experience a leisurely summer evening trip on the Wey & Arun

Canal while sipping a glass of punch and enjoying a delicious picnic.

7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets: £18 per person. Booking in advance is essential. Pirates & Princesses Adventures on Tuesday 27th May. If you are looking for something different to do with the children during half-term, join in the fun on one of the special themed Pirates & Princesses trips. Come suitably dressed and help defeat the pirates and rescue the princess!

The trips will last approximately 1½ hours and will depart at 10.30am, 12.30 and 2.30pm. Tickets cost £10 per person to include light refreshments, and treasure for all the children. Booking in advance is strongly recommended. To book seats for one of the special cruises, or enquire about the variety of private charters and public trips, call The Wey & Arun Canal Trust Office on 01403 752403, email office@weyandarun.co.uk or visit the website: www.weyandarun. co.uk

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Ewhurst C of E Infant School is holding a PTA fundraising Ladies Fashion Show after such a successful launch event last year.

Everybody is welcome, even if you have no links to the school. The event is great fun and provides the opportunity to purchase brand new high street clothing at wonderfully low prices – up to 50% less! The evening is hosted by fashion fundraising specialist Retail Therapy Shows (www.retailtherapyshows. co.uk) on behalf of the school and the clothes will be modelled by their very own school Mums!

Tickets at £7.50 to include a glass of wine are available in advance from Paula Elms at pandbelms@ btinternet.com tel: 01306 627204.

The event will be held at Ewhurst Baptist Church Hall, The Street, Ewhurst on Friday 9th May. Doors open at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm. Proceeds go to the school PTA fund which directly benefits the children’s education and wellbeing at the school.

GOLF CLUB OPEN DAY – SUNDAY 18th MAY Come and sample what Betchworth has to offer in May Trial Lessons & Free Golf Assessments Enjoy practice on one of the finest practice areas in Surrey Junior Taster Session Callaway & Titleist Demo Clubs with Professional advice Buffet lunch available all day in our excellent function room 9 or 18 Holes of Golf Book your place online at: www.betchworthparkgc.co.uk or call one of the professional team on: 01306 882052 All visitors on the day will be entered into a draw to win two four-ball vouchers worth over £400.00 A warm welcome will be extended to all …

Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road , Dorking RH4 1NZ Tel: 01306 882052 www.betchworthparkgc.co.uk May 2014

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Cheese with Ale Party fare typically features pairings of wine and cheese, but few realise, or appreciate, the wonderful taste combination of a good mug of ale with a deliciously ripe cheese.

The UK boasts more than 700 types of cheese, and in excess of 5,000 ales. The two have much in common. Cheese and ale production can be traced back to Neolithic times, and production methods were heavily influenced by monastic orders that taught new techniques to local farmers throughout the Roman and Saxon periods. Both were made by farmers with surplus produce as a method of converting extra yield into something of value and pleasure.

Cheese and ale both have their roots in grasses – for a great cheese, the quality of grass eaten by cows impacts the milk production and flavour; for beer, the malting of barley and wheat initiates the alchemy of beer making. And they share similar flavours.

Nutty, tangy, floral and earthy... a variety of tastes can be sensed. Both offer contrasting textures and flavours; one type of beer can be 28

smooth, another sharp; one cheese is creamy, another tangy and dry.

These contrasts allow for wonderful marriages of cheese and ale. The sweetness of one particular beer perfectly complements a cheese’s saltiness. The cleansing bubbles of an ale can cut through the palette-coating richness of a specific cheese.

This is where Louisa Mason, of Flavour Tastings, showcases her specialist knowledge of British artisan foods. Mason specialises in showcasing British artisan cheeses and matching them to complementary beverages. She offers her advice on matching cheese and ale: “When matching ale with cheese, it is important to have contrast without clash. There must be some similarities between the two in order to create a complement on the palette rather than an overwhelming collision of flavours”.

She suggests some general pairing guidelines to help in matching the ideal cheese with the perfect ale. Bloomy rind cheeses, such as Sussex Brie and Tunworth from Hampshire, work very well with Pilsner-style beers. Their velvety, rich texture, featuring mushroom and earthy flavours, can easily be overwhelmed by ales that are too ‘hoppy’. Pale lagers, such as European-style Pilsners, offer a mild flavour with good foam, vantagepointmag.co.uk

which complement the buttery and delicate nature of a soft, mouldripened cheese. The crisp, refreshing lager cuts through the ultracreamy texture of the soft cheese without being overbearing.

Mason recommends the Isle of White Soft cheese with Freedom Pilsner from Staffordshire. “Isle of White Soft is about as creamy as a cheese can be. It is unctuously soft, almost spreadable with a subtle flavour,” she notes, adding, “Freedom Pilsner is very light and yet has quite high acidity to cut through the palettecoating cheese”.

One of the earliest cheeses made in the UK is Cheshire, mentioned in the Doomsday book.

Cheshire is one of the ‘crumblies,’ a group that includes Wensleydale and Lancashire cheeses. These cheeses offer a creamy yet crumbly texture with good acidity and a delicate citrus taste. Fresh, fruity beers such as Shere Drop from Surrey Hills bring out the citrus aromas in the cheese to create a wonderful medley of fruity flavours on the tongue. Again, when matching these modestly mild cheeses, a lighter ale will not overshadow the cheese.

“The rule of thumb for all pairings is the stronger the cheese, the stronger in flavour the ale can be,” Mason explains. “For aged hard cheeses such as cheddars or Lincolnshire Poacher farmhouse ales with some punch go exceptionally well”. Think Ploughman’s on a summer’s day with an English beer.

Fruity, hoppy beers complement the salty, earthy tones of a strong hard cheese, such as Hog’s Back RIP Snorter with Barbers 1833 Vintage cheddar. Similarly, Langhams’s brewery in Sussex produces a range of hoppy real ales. Mason suggests trying Halfway to Heaven ale with some Sussex Charmer.

May 2014

The group of cheeses that prove most challenging to match are the washed-rind cheeses, such as Stinking Bishop or Burwash Rose. These cheeses are washed in a salt-rich alcoholic liquor that aids the growth of specialist bacteria, which in turn give the cheeses their characteristic sticky and pungent outer coating. The aromas are usually far stronger than the actual taste of these cheeses, but they do have quite an impact on our senses!

Matching a beer with this type of cheese requires ales with plenty of character. Because these cheeses often contain floral or fruity notes, a Perry or artisan cider can be an ideal pairing – try Dunkertons Perry from Hereford with some Burwash Rose from Sussex.

Even blue cheeses, which traditionally are paired with red wine and port, can benefit from an ale accompaniment. Blue cheeses tend to offer a saltiness with tangy overtones that demand a full-bodied ale with some character. IPAs and strong English ales can hold up to these stronger cheeses admirably.

Similarly, some of the stronger ewe’s blues would suit a Porter or Stout style ale as the strong, bitter nature of the ale has a heavily roasted flavour profile that complements the cheeses well. Stouts and Porters also suit nutty cheeses such as Lord of the Hundreds, a Manchego-style ewe’s cheese from East Sussex.

Kick off the summer season with a winning combination of great British ale and your favourite type of cheese, a perfect choice on a balmy summer’s day as part of a picnic!

FIND OUT MORE

For further information on Flavour Tastings’ cheese tastings, and to learn more about British cheese, visit www.flavourtastings.co.uk.

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Surrey County Walkers have five walks coming up. On Saturday 10th May there’s a 5 mile easy walk around Hurst Hill and Unstead Wood. Meet at Bramley old Station, Ref:186/010451. Leader is Uta (01483 571030). On Sunday 18th May a 6 mile moderate walk around Juniper Bottom, Denbies, Stepping Stones. Meet at NT car park, top of Box Hill Country Park, Ref: 187/178513. Leader is Mary (01483 728089). On Saturday 24th May, a 7 mile easy walk around Pooh’s, Ashdown Forest. Meet at Pooh, Chuck Hatch car park, Chuck Hatch Lane, off B2026, south of Hartfield, Ref: 188/472332. Leader is Jim (01737 764149). Finally, on Sunday 1st June there’s an 11 mile walk (take a picnic lunch) around Shipwrights Way, Buriton to Havant, Linear Walk. Meet at Havant Station car park (North), Ref 197/717065.

Leader is Colin (01276 474258) All walks start at 10am except 1st June which is 9.30am A unique high-altitude research facility originally built in 1947 for the famed inventor Sir Barnes Wallis at Brooklands, was recently re-opened by his daughter, Mary Stopes-Roe. The “Stratosphere Chamber” was built to investigate high-speed flight at very high altitudes, and has been restored and re-interpreted using a grant of £120,000 from the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Biffa Award Scheme, with a new exhibition highlighting Wallis’ research work for the Vickers aircraft company after 1946.

The restoration means that the huge building which houses the Stratosphere Chamber and the Museum’s world-class collection of aero engines is now fully open to the public as an exhibition space for the first time. The Chamber forms part of the Museum visitor experience and is included in the general admission price.

Charges for entry are: Adults: £11, Students/Seniors £10, Children (516yrs) £6, Family Ticket (2 x adults & up to 3 x children) £30. See 30

www.brooklandsmuseum.com for details of events, videos and news or download the new free app available for iPhone and Android – search for ‘Brooklands Museum’.

Sadly, I can’t possibly cover everything that is planned for The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s new season. It’s a wonderfully varied programme with drama such as the gripping Dial M for Murder to comedy with P G Woodhouse’s Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. However, I can direct you to their online brochure http:// asp-gb.secure-zone.net/v2/index. jsp?id=1223/1555/8556&lng=en.

There are no less than 48 pages but the site is very user friendly.

I admit to having become a Wings & Wheels junkie; I think I’ve been 4 times and will hopefully go again this year. So I was delighted to hear that plans for the 10th annual Wings & Wheels weekend have got off to a flying start with confirmation from the RAF that the Red Arrows, Tucano and Tutor as well as iconic legends from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane - will all be part of the weekend’s aviation line-up. The event will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford and is open to spectators from 9am until 9pm. Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free.

Hospitality packages start from £150 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

We are very fortunate to have so many splendid National Trust properties on our doorstep and as you know I do try to mention as many events as I can; however there is so much going on that I can

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only scratch the surface, especially at this time of year. There is Clandon Park in West Clandon, Claremont Landscape Gardens in Esher, Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, Polesden Lacey in Great Bookham, Nr Dorking, Shalford Mill in Guildford, Surrey Hills in Dorking, Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming, Black Down in Haslemere and of course, The River Wey. They all have very good websites; just google the names and you’ll get there.

For all you antique wallahs, here are dates for a number of Antique & Collectors & Craft Fairs. At Cranleigh Village Hall on Thursdays 1st and 15th May from 7am to 3.30pm. At Shere Village Hall on Sundays 11th and 25th May from 11am to 5pm; free parking. Free entry and refreshments available at both venues.

May Half Term – Let’s Go Native! takes place at RHS Garden Witley from Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June. There are all sorts of fun activities on offer focusing on native insects, bugs and animals.

Marvel at birds of prey and vote for your favourite garden created by schools’ budding gardeners.

Activities vary daily; check www. rhs.org.uk/wisley for what’s on when. Free with normal Garden entry. For photography enthusiasts there is an Early Photography Morning on Saturday 24th May at 8am. Capture the vivid colours of spring as the garden opens early for photographers. Book in advance on 0845 612 1253 (weekdays 9am to 5pm). Free with normal Garden entry. For full information of all events, go to www.rhs.org.uk/ wisley.

FishabilityUK came into being at the start of 2012 and concentrates on offering fishing experiences to exforces still fighting with battlefield trauma, be they of a physical or a psychological condition, or both.

The charity was started by Albury Estate Fisheries manager Tony Hern vantagepointmag.co.uk

Pilgrim Wood_Layout 1 14/10/2013 16:05 Page 1

Pilgrim Wood is an elegant, 1920s country house situated in three acres of grounds in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the North Downs Way. Our elevated position provides remarkable views of the surrounding countryside, yet we are conveniently located only two miles from the centre of Guildford.

Registered and compliant with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for 35 residents over the age of 65 years, we provide long term residential care as well as respite and convalescent care in an individual, family run home.

We encourage our residents to partake in an active and varied lifestyle, including festive and social events, regular outings, and a daily program of group activities.

We welcome visitors, so please feel free to stop by or call to make an appointment.

Sandy Lane, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HF 01483 573111 www.pilgrimwood.co.uk pilgrimwood@goldenagehealthcare.co.uk

ENJOY

STUDIO ART GALLERY Book a free JOURNEY OF THE CLAY tour and experience the Pottery from behind the scenes Relax in our warm and friendly café Enjoy gift inspiration in our shop from our own vibrant Studio Art to jewellery, soft scarves and silky cushions

INSPIRATION FOR YOU, YOUR HOME AND YOUR FRIENDS Shop opening times Monday to Saturday 9am – 5.30pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am – 4.00pm Visit www.grayshottpottery.com for events

May 2014

Grayshott Pottery | School Road Grayshott | Near Hindhead Surrey | GU26 6LR T: 01428 604 404

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actors, explores the issues surrounding combat and recovery. The tour, which will be supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, will be supporting The Royal British Legion by raising funds at each performance.

The subject of war has been a long standing fascination for playwrights and the threat and effects of combat have been portrayed theatrically throughout the ages, from Ancient Greek comedies such as Lysistrata to Shakespeare. With the artistic freedom that artists began to experience at the turn of the 20th Century, poets, authors and playwrights alike all began to use the arts to express their anger and despair at the death count of WWI. Poets such as Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen used their first-hand experiences in the trenches as inspiration for their work, but it wasn’t until R.C. Sheriff ’s seminal play Journey’s End was staged in 1928 that the actualities of war were shown on stage. Later on in 1963 Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop took a very different approach to the subject and created the shocking production Oh! What a Lovely War which openly mocked the decision makers of WWI and mourned the fallen.

Coinciding with the centenary anniversary of the outbreak of WWI, a new unique theatrical experience has been created.

The play The Two Worlds of Charlie F, which stars wounded, injured and sick military (WIS) personnel and professional 32

The Two Worlds of Charlie F was the idea of Alice Driver, the then Masterclass Creative Producer and now the Executive Producer of this new tour. Her initial idea was to provide a unique work placement for serving wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel within a theatre company. Driven by the belief that theatre can empower the individual, she set about designing a model that would see the process of theatre used to boost the confidence and self esteem of the wounded, injured and sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans of the Armed Forces, as well as give them a voice.

The goal was to create a company of WIS service personnel and with them, develop an original play based on their experiences. In partnership with The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust, The Royal British Legion and the MOD’s Defence Recovery Capability, the process of recruiting for the project at vantagepointmag.co.uk

Personnel Recovery Units across the country took place, including the Surrey-based Headley Court. Trevor Nunn and General Sir David Richards came on board as patrons of the project and actor Ray Winstone headed to Tedworth House as an Ambassador to recruit the company.

Together the whole project became known as the Bravo 22 Company.

Alice Driver said that one of the most nerve-wracking moments during this intense process was walking into Headley Court to pitch her project idea to a room full of squaddies. “I thought there’s no way this group of boisterous men, who have seen combat, are going to listen to me talk about the arts. Having Ray Winstone come with me was incredibly helpful as here was a man that they could relate to, and you don’t get much cooler than Ray!” It was paramount to the integrity and success of the project that the play be based on the real life experiences of the WIS service personnel and for them to perform it. With that in mind, writer Owen Sheers and director Stephen Rayne, whose repertoire of work spans productions in the West End, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, spoke to each and every member of the company, recorded their stories and turned them into a play of real power and depth.

The process of sharing and creating was completely unique and allowed the exservicemen to explore their experiences in an honest, but at times painful way. Being able to talk openly with each other allowed the recovering servicemen to be open with their feelings and gave them a voice which they had previously been denied. “I got to share my story... I am convinced no matter the state of mind I may have due to my pain or disability, I know that I am not alone” said Corporal (Retired) Steve Shaw.

In total, 32 WIS personnel were involved in creative process, rehearsals and performances May 2014

of the play. Twelve WIS personnel and five actors comprised the final cast who performed at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 22nd January 2012. A further two WIS personnel remained involved in the project in technical and support roles.

But the healing process didn’t stop at that performance. Lance Corporal Cassidy Little says that being involved in the production helped him find a way to go on with his life after he lost his leg during his second tour in Afghanistan. He said: “Soldiers are really simple creatures. You give them a goal, then you give them a some beer to drink after they have accomplished it. It’s very simple. The problem with losing a leg is you don’t have that goal anymore”.

Being involved in the show gave L Cpl Little a way of vocalising his experience and provided him and his fellow soldiers with a goal once more: “If you speak to the cast, not many of them will have any hang-ups about their trauma. They have spent a year talking about it. Recovery is an extremely hard road, I’ll be in recovery till the day I die…Charlie F gave me a goal, because of the show my recovery improved”. The process was fully evaluated

by Leeds Metropolitan University: 50% of the participants explicitly and independently described a profound level of personal change through involvement in Bravo 22 Company, communicated through descriptions of the project as “life changing”.

And life changing it certainly was. The debut performances on 22nd January sold out and garnered both public and critical acclaim. It proved so successful the show embarked on a UK tour. It was during their run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival that the production was awarded the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award for its work raising awareness of human rights.

But what’s next for this incredible piece of work? As well as providing paid employment for the veterans and serving servicemen who want to continue with the project, the show is working with the Recovery Career Services to provide work placements for wounded, injured and sick service personnel throughout the tour. So if you see one show this season, make sure it’s one that supports veterans and tells the truth about their experiences.

FIND OUT MORE

The Two Worlds of Charlie F plays at G Live, Guildford from Thu 22nd to Sat 24th May. For more information and to book tickets visit GLive.co.uk or call 0844 7701 797.

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and ex-Royal Engineer Roger Sharp.

Tony and Roger pool together their contacts and resources to provide enlightening fishing experiences to mostly those that have left active service, but are still coming to terms with meshing back into civvy street. FishabilityUK days are staged in Surrey and surrounding counties but already they have had ventures into neighbouring counties and awareness in the ex-forces community is steadily picking up.

There are many ways the public can donate to FishabilityUK. Apart from a financial contribution, any second hand tackle in reasonable order can be aimed at future trips and some even ends up in the auction room!

A lake or river beat can be offered for the day, perhaps some catering and fishing instructors may give their time up to guide and inform at the water’s edge. If you know of anyone who might benefit from the charity or if you can help in any way please get in touch with Tony on 07891 480343. You can visit the

website at www.fishabilityuk.org.

More than 12,000 people took part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in Surrey and surprisingly the blue tit was the bird most frequently sighted in Surrey by Big Garden Birdwatch participants taking part in the world’s largest wildlife survey.

The house sparrow came second and in third place it was all change, with the woodpigeon knocking the blackbird off its perch. Nationally blue tits moved up this year to number two, their highest position since Big Garden Birdwatch began in 1979. Blackbirds, the previous occupier of the second spot, have dropped to number four. All interesting stuff and well done to the RSPB for getting so many people, including schools, involved.

To find out how you can give nature a home where you live visit rspb. org.uk/homes I know some of us thought that we were not entitled to compensation

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from SSE because we were not off for 48 hours, but this is not the case. Anyone who had no power for any time on Christmas Day is entitled to £75. We’ve received our cheque! The web address to fill in the form online is www.sse. pd.co.uk or if you would rather call, the number is 0800 980 1395.

It’s a voicemail system so leave name, address and phone number and they will call you back. Bonne chance!

A local Godalming inventor has invented a Rapid Response Engine Overheat Alarm for all types of boats, from narrow canal boats to ocean going sailing yachts and motor cruisers. Due to the fact that there are no lay-bys at sea, a boat engine is an extremely important piece of equipment. Boat engines rely on the sea water intake to circulate and keep the engine cool.

There is always the odd plastic bag, seaweed or debris that can block this small intake causing an overheated vantagepoi

VANTAG EPOINT ntmag.co.u

k

Dorking

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• April 2014

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Contact Marcus on 01483 420173 or Carol on 01483 418141 marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk or carol@vantagepublishing.co.uk The local magazine produced by local people for the local community 34

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The Brigitte Trust Supporting families facing life-threatening illness When a family member or friend is diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness, it can be really hard to cope not just with hospital visits and treatment, but also practical tasks at home.

A recent Macmillan survey revealed that cancer patients and their carers can become isolated and lonely, further affecting their mental and physical wellbeing.

Over thirty years ago, Dorking resident Brigitte Watkin experienced the lonely deaths of several friends who ended their lives in hospital. At the time they were in need of emotional support, and Brigitte was not allowed to be with them in their final hours as she was “not a relative”. Thankfully hospital visiting has changed since those days, but there is still a huge need for someone to listen and share some of the anxieties of a serious diagnosis – not just for the carer but for the wider family too, where needs are sometimes overlooked.

Brigitte’s vision was to set up a charity – initially called Hospice Home Care - to offer that support at home. Volunteers were to be trained as listeners rather than counsellors, staying alongside during the final weeks and months of a person’s life and enabling them to die at home if this was their wish and it was medically possible, and offering bereavement support if requested. Over 100 people attended the first public meeting and from this the first volunteers started to be trained and outreach was begun to local medical professionals to promote the service.

The Brigitte Trust offers a free volunteer service of emotional support and practical help at home – complementing the essential work of the medical teams and offering respite and a listening ear. Spending time with someone diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or sitting quietly whilst a carer has a break - emotional support is vital at a time like this. The same

volunteer visits for three hours each week and builds a relationship with the family and the Trust is often told that having someone from outside the family circle to talk to can be a real help. Volunteers also offer transport, shopping and social trips if the client is well enough, and of course the opportunity for a carer to go out for a few hours and have a complete break.

“I have no family and no friends nearby. Before my cancer operation I suffered OCD and so a hospital stay was challenging for me. Released from hospital I could not go out alone and needed practical help such as shopping. My volunteer was wonderful. My life has seen great sadness. Eventually I was able to share my stories with my volunteer having never shared them before. I am moving on now in a way I never felt I could.” A Brigitte Trust client The Trust is part-way through a 3½ year partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and under this partnership has extended its service further into Surrey and, more recently, West Sussex. The hundredth volunteer has recently been recruited and the Trust is recruiting now in Mole Valley for a free volunteer training course to take place at their offices in Dorking High street this June The Trust will offer the skills and ongoing support to make a real difference. They ask for a commitment of three hours each week, plus monthly supervision.

Referrals may be taken direct from families or through the district nursing team or hospice Call Sharon Sillitoe for more information on 01306 881816 and find out more on their website at www.brigittetrust.org.

May 2014

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Asparagus - spears of joy There is always a sense of eager anticipation at Secretts Farm when the first purple green spears of asparagus push their way through the soil. The farm workers know that it heralds the start of six to eight weeks of back-breaking work as the spears are picked and graded out in the fields. The precious harvest is then transported direct to the Farm

Shop where it is piled high on the shelves.

Secretts has been growing asparagus on the farm in Milford for over 30 years and has built a reputation for the quality of the crop. Depending on the weather, the season usual starts towards the end of April and lasts just eight weeks,

Asparagus Frittata Ingredients 1 bundle of asparagus spears (approx. 450g), woody stem removed 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 6 eggs, beaten 125g crumbled feta cheese 125g pancetta cubed 100g boiled potatoes, sliced Handful of basil leaves Serves 4

This is lovely as a light lunch with friends. It is very quick and easy to prepare and is best served with a glass of chilled white wine!

1. Blanch the asparagus spears in in boiling water for three minutes.

Plunge straight into cold water to keep the bright green colour, drain and set aside.

2. In a heavy based frying pan, sauté the onion and garlic over a gentle heat until softened and golden.

Add the onion and garlic mix to the beaten eggs and season well. Mix the crumbled feta into the egg mixture.

3. Fry the pancetta in a splash of oil until crisp, add the asparagus spears, potatoes and roughly torn basil leaves.

Pour over the egg mixture and cook over a medium heat until nearly set.

4. Place the pan under a hot grill to finish off the top.

5. Cut into slices and serve with fresh crusty bread and a green salad.

Warm Asparagus with Toasted Pine Nuts and Parmesan shavings This simple dish makes a wonderful dinner party starter and really does celebrate the flavour of asparagus.

1. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the asparagus and cook for 3-4 minutes. Drain and keep warm.

2. Add the butter and pine nuts to a cold frying pan and heat gently. Make sure the butter does not burn, but just turns a golden brown and begins to foam slightly. Add the lemon juice, give a quick stir and remove from the heat.

3. Arrange the asparagus spears on to four plates and spoon a little of the butter and pine nut mixture over the top of each plate.

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4. Shave the parmesan over the top and serve immediately.

Ingredients 24 spears of best grade asparagus (woody end removed) 100g unsalted butter 75g pine nuts Juice of 1 lemon 35g parmesan Serves 4

vantagepointmag.co.uk

FOOD so it really is a case of enjoying it while it’s here.

There is no doubt that the flavour is best when the asparagus is super fresh. For the freshest possible, you can even Pick Your Own (PYO) at Secretts; harvest your bundle and take it straight home to cook… you really cannot get fresher than that!

25g butter 1 bundle of asparagus (approx. 450g) chopped with the woody end discarded 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 generous handfuls of fresh spinach 750mls of vegetable stock Toasted croutons and a little Single cream to drizzle Serves 4

VantagePoint readers can enjoy a 10% discount on asparagus both in the Farm Shop or at the PYO. To claim the discount, visit our voucher page at vantagepointmag.co.uk to download your voucher or just show them your copy of the May edition of VantagePoint.

Secretts Farm Shop and PYO is at Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, nr Godalming, Surrey GU8 5HU. Tel 01483 520500.

Asparagus Soup Ingredients

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This vibrant soup is bursting with colour and flavour. It’s an excellent way to use second grade asparagus spears.

1. Fry the asparagus in the melted butter in a large pan for a few minutes to soften.

2. Add the chopped onion and garlic and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring all the time.

3. Add the spinach and pour over the stock, bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and blitz with a hand blender.

4. Season generously with sea salt and black pepper. If it needs it add a little more hot water to achieve the desired consistency.

5. Ladle into bowls and drizzle with a little of the cream and sprinkle with a handful of croutons.

6. Serve immediately with warm granary bread

Asparagus and Ham Tartlets These tasty tartlets would make a delicious starter or could be packed up for a springtime picnic…

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

Whisk together eggs and cream and season well, set aside.

2. Brush each sheet of filo with the melted butter, then cut into 8 equal squares.

3. Layer three sheets of filo at different angles into the holes of a muffin tin.

4. Divide the sliced asparagus, ham and most of the chives into the pastry cases and pour the egg mixture over the top.

5. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and just set. Sprinkle May 2014

with the remaining chives and serve immediately.

Ingredients 3 large eggs 150ml double cream 3 large filo sheets 75g butter, melted 250g asparagus, woody stems removed, sliced 90g ham shredded (available from Secretts Deli counter) Small bunch fresh chives, chopped Makes 8 tartlets

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GARDEN

What to do in

May

With Matthew Pottage, Garden Manager at RHS Garden Wisley

Bright and shining bulbs Bulbs can give an exciting second dimension to any border, pot or green wall and one of the things that makes them so attractive is their simplicity. You can just buy a net of bulbs, poke them into a small space and wait; however, with a bit of extra care, they can give great value for money long term as well.

Many bulbous plants are very forgiving and can reposition themselves into the correct orientation if disturbed or incorrectly planted.

They can also pull themselves to the correct depth with the assistance of strong fibrous roots. Once bulbs have finished flowering, which is called ‘green leaf’ stage, they should be fed to assist with flower production for next year.

You can give them a liquid feed, or simply distribute some granular feed around them. Green leaf stage

is also a good time to lift congested clumps of bulbs and space them apart, as overcrowding can start to hamper their performance if they are left unchecked.

Once you’ve finished your bulbous housekeeping, head to your local nursery to look at late flowering summer bulbs, such as lilies and gladioli, which can be planted now for a mid to late summer display. At Wisley we’ve just planted a huge drift of white regal lilies through a north-facing border where the long, elegant, scent-filled trumpets will bring a sophisticated end to the summer. If you want to be the envy of your gardening neighbours, seek out the Turk’s cap or Lilium martagon (left) – it has flowers like miniature lilies arranged on a tall stem like a chandelier – quite a conversation point.

Blossom for every garden This year has been a great one for cherry blossom, and even those without an interest in plants must have noticed at least a few trees by the roadside, from a train or on their street.

Cherries are an excellent way to bring some blossom into a smaller garden . They don’t need a hot summer to flower spectacularly and have the bonus of standing up rather well to cold weather. Wisley has had a lovely succession of cherries, so if you’re thinking of getting one, now is the time to see what takes your fancy and what you could accommodate in your patch before planting in the autumn.

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Some of my favourites include the very early flowering cultivar Prunus ‘Kursar’ (above), followed by the pure white P. ‘Shirotae’, which has a spreading habit. If you have a tiny garden, the neat and well behaved P. ‘Pandora’ is always a spectacle, or if you only have a tight space and need something skinny, choose P. ‘Amanogawa’ which is sometimes aptly called ‘the flagpole cherry’ Fi-

nally, be sure to check out P. ‘Felix Jury’ – a personal favourite of mine with a dark pink, almost red flower that reminds me of a cherry inspired dessert – how appropriate!

FIND OUT MORE

RHS Garden Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s leading gardening charity.

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. Visit rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley to find out more. vantagepointmag.co.uk

Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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for tombola stalls. Spring is in the air, and the dark winter nights are finally giving way to lighter evenings. If you visit one of the many local spring or summer fetes which will be held over the next few months, you may well come across a Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice stall. The Fundraising team at the Hospice are out and about, working hard to raise as much money and awareness as they can for this vitally important local charity. Many of the stalls which the Hospice will be running will include tombolas, and so the Fundraising team are keen to take as many donations of unwanted, unopened bottles as possible. From wines and spirits, to bubble bath, if you have any unopened bottles which you would be willing to donate, please do take them along to the Hospice, on Waverley Lane in South Farnham, or drop them into one of the Hospice’s local shops.

For more information call 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth. org.uk

situation. On a vehicle, the only indication of an engine overheating is the sudden and alarming presence of steam with the engine gauge going into the red. Most temperature alarms sound at 80 to 100 degrees centigrade; too late at sea. The Rapid Response Engine Overheat Alarm is fully adjustable and can be set to go off just a few degrees above normal operating temperature of the engine. As boat engines run far cooler than road vehicles it is very important to have an alarm to suit the particulars of the engine. All the major boating magazines Practical Boat Owner, Motor Boat & Yachting, Yachting Today and Motor Boat Monthly have endorsed the product. The alarm is made in Godalming using UK sourced materials. If you have a boat, you may well want to check this out. Have a look at the website www.anchormarine.org.uk.

Can you help? Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is in urgent need of bottles Bourne Buildings May 14_Layout 1 07/04/2014 16:35 Page 1

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Ewhurst Players Present - ‘Three Class Acts’ an evening of 3 short plays including dinner. Cruise Missile by Jean McConnell is a delightful short comedy. Last Post

by Jean McConnell is an intriguing short drama. Last Panto in Little Grimley is a cracking, pacey one act comedy. The show runs from Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th May at Ewhurst Village Hall.

Ewhurst Players spring production sees the group return to their popular supper evening format consisting of three short one act plays interspersed with timely interludes for the consumption of food and drink. Nibbles, a cold main course and a dessert will be provided. The evening starts at 7.30pm - please take your own drink & glasses and inform them in advance of any special dietary requirements. Tickets are £12 and can be booked by calling 01483 277354. Have a look at the website www.ewhurstplayers. com or find them on Facebook for

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May 2014

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

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Abinger, Holmbury and Wotton This is a walk of extraordinary variety showing you many different aspects of the Surrey countryside between Dorking and Guildford. There are just a few nettles around the stiles but little mud and the route is fine for a dog. The stile count is moderate. It is a bit text heavy but the directions are comprehensive!

The walk 1. At the far end of the car park go through an unneeded gate next to a large single-bar gate.

Continue on a fine grassy path that gradually descends to join a wider track coming from the right and continue straight ahead. In a short distance, the gravel track begins to rise and passes close to a wooden gate and a field on the right. About 30m further up the track, look out for a post with a blue arrow at a crossing path. Turn right here.

2. You are now on part of the Roughs Nature Trail. In 60m the path forks at another post.

Take the left fork, the higher of the two options. The path curves left, goes past a bench and through rhododendrons. Follow the path all the way to a sunken crossing path.

Continue straight over on a narrow path. The path widens, passes another post and curves left by a fence. On reaching a wide gravel track, turn right. Follow the track to a gate and continue ahead on a fenced path. The uncut grass in the meadow on the right has encouraged a large number of skylarks to nest.

The path takes you through another gate and down to a lane. Turn left arriving shortly past cottages into the village of Abinger Hammer.

3. Cross the busy road and turn right by the antique shop. In a few metres, opposite is one of the gems of Surrey, the house of Old Hatch Farm, with its ancient walls and roof, looking untouched by the last two centuries. Turn left opposite the house on a track that leads over the Tillingbourne river. The track ends at a fork of two sunken bridleways next to a gate.

Take the left fork. The path soon goes past the remains of a stile on the right. 60m further, turn left through an unneeded stile. The path runs at first parallel to the bridleway. Then, at a signpost, it turns left across the field. There are fine views left to the North Downs. At the end, the path goes over a rugged stile (now unneeded) and turns right by a fence and then left and down, with a field on the right, to a road.

4. Cross the road carefully over a stile opposite and over a bridge on an ascending fenced path. Oxmoor Copse on the right (not on the route) belongs to the Woodland Trust.

Go over another stile and follow a clear path across the field. Your path takes you over a 40

Wotton Church

stile and across a narrow field, soon following some overhead wires. On reaching a T junction with a three-way signpost, turn right, effectively straight ahead, passing a two-way signpost.

At the next three-way signpost, do not go through the wide gap ahead but turn right on a path with a field on the right, following the wires. The path becomes sunken and darkened by holly trees on either side. Note the stone sculpture in the garden on the right belonging to the house “Sheiling”. The path passes the garden of the pub and leads down to a road.

Turn right, arriving immediately at the Volunteer pub.

5. From the pub, continue along the road, ignoring a road on the left, past the charming cottages of Sutton (“south settlement”) Abinger. At a T-junction, turn right. In 50m, turn left on a footpath up some steps. As you proceed, it is worth glancing back at the merry sight of the Volunteer snug in the valley. At the top, turn left on a lane. In 20m, turn right through a barrier on a footpath. At the end of the footpath, go over a stile and turn left on a road heading towards the exclusive settlement of Sutton Place. Just after a side turning, turn right on a footpath alongside a fence. The path runs between houses and gardens and reaches a residential lane where it goes straight ahead and continues later on a grassy path down to a stile. Go down to the bottom of the valley and at the end of a fence, still in the valley, turn left at a crossing path, indicated by a yellow arrow on a post.

6. The path runs along the pleasant valley. At the end, go over a stile or through a gate, cross a tarmac drive and continue straight ahead on a narrow path. There are houses and gardens on the left and deep woods on the right. The path enters woodland proper via a wooden barrier. It soon approaches a sandy track on the right. Avoid the sandy track by continuing on the woodland path ahead. Soon you reach the public car park by Holmbury Youth Hostel.

7. With the car park on your left, keep straight ahead and immediately avoid several smaller crossing paths. After about vantagepointmag.co.uk

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200m, at a junction, ignore paths left and right and continue ahead steeply downhill.

At the bottom,   go over a very wide forestry track and continue up the other side. The path flattens out at the top of the hill in a pinewood. Immediately before the path begins to descend, take a footpath on the left by a wooden barrier leading into distant trees. (This turning may be unmarked. Do not take the footpath straight ahead 40m down the hill.) Follow the winding path downhill. After a short level section along the wooded hillside, the path turns sharp right round a hairpin steeply downhill. (It is easy to miss this turn as there is also a minor path straight on through rhododendrons.

Do not go that way.) The path descends to a road. Welcome to Holmbury St Mary! There is a pub, The Royal Oak, a little way along the road to the right but the route is left along the road.

8. Go past cottages, turn right on a signposted bridleway and continue on a stony path with a hedge and pond on its right. Go straight ahead through a wooden gate on a footpath up steps.

There are larches left and greenwood right. The path rises quite steeply but soon levels out in a pleasant area of silver birches of Pasture Wood. Soon, ignore a wide path right. Later, the path becomes more sunken and enters deeper woodland.

When a meadow ahead comes into view, go over a crossing path and veer left on the far side of some wooden rails. Later the path runs by a fence beside a garden. The path comes down to the road at Abinger Common. Cross the road and go beside a triangular green with the St James’s well visible over on the right. Shortly cross another road and continue straight over to a signposted footpath opposite.

9. In 30m you come to a fork in the path. Take the left fork.

In about 300m the path descends and goes under wires at a crossing path. On the other side of the crossing path are two paths leaving at an angle. Take the left-hand path uphill. The path flattens and runs through twisted young oaks and birch, eventually arriving at the Friday Street car park. Turn right through the car park and follow a path with wooden rails running above the road. This path leads down to the road and lakeside at the beauty spot of Friday Street. The Stephan Langton pub will be found a short distance on the right round the lakeside but you will need to retrace your steps to rejoin the walk.

10. Turn left just before the lake along a broad path by Pond Cottage, which usually has jam and relishes for sale. This leads over a ford with a little bridge and past picturesque Yew Tree Cottage with its scarecrow, eventually reaching a crossing path before a large wooden gate. On its left is a beautiful old

weir bridge with the Tillingbourne and water meadows on each side. Go through the gate and continue ahead with water meadows of the Tillingbourne on show on your left.

After some distance the broad path comes to a signposted fork. Fork right going uphill.

The path flattens and eventually descends to cross a water meadow. In spring there are copious bluebells here. It then curves right by a fence to a stile leading into a field. Go ahead, slightly right, aiming to the right of a brown hut and another stile. The track leads out to the main A25 road by the Wotton Hatch.

11.

Go straight over the main road and down  a lane, ignoring a footpath right, to the church of St John The Evangelist, Wotton.

The hamlet of Wotton is very scattered so it is not surprising that the church stands alone, overlooking a broad sweep of the North Downs. Go through the churchyard, ignoring the footpath left. After passing the church on your right, go over a stile in the fence on the left and turn right to rejoin the fenced footpath, now running between fields. After a hazel hedge the path passes through a wood of beeches, larches and scots pines (more bluebells in spring), goes through a gate and across a field, usually of oats. At the other side, at a junction of tracks, turn left on a bridleway.

12. Fork right on the bridleway towards the large ancient barn of Park Farm, with the bright cream coloured farmhouse on your right, and pass between the venerable buildings. The path goes beside a field, round the field corner and reaches a road.

Cross the road, slightly left, to a marked bridleway opposite. Follow the bridleway, shortly arriving at the Wilberforce Monument which commemorates the death of Bishop Wilberforce. From the monument, turn left uphill back to the car park.

DISTANCE:8.75 miles OS MAPS: OS Explorers 146 Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate.

GRID REFERENCE: TQ103479 STARTING POINT: Abinger Roughs car park, Whitedown Lane, Abinger Hammer RH5 6QS. This walk is taken from fancyfreewalks.com with kind permission. It can also be downloaded from that website with more detailed mapping.

Neither the publisher nor the author can accept any responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions in this route. Diversion orders can be made and permissions withdrawn at any time.

May 2014

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Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

more information on this and other future events and productions.

Step by Step has been awarded contracts by Surrey County Council to provide support services for homeless young people across the county. The services include the provision of Emergency and Assessment beds at the charity’s headquarters in Crimea Road, Aldershot from April and 20 new Supported Lodgings placements in Surrey from June, bringing the total contracted places provided by Step by Step to 39.

Emergency and Assessment beds provide immediate and safe accommodation for young people who have just become homeless and have nowhere else to turn. After that, one of the options available is a Supported Lodging placement where they receive accommodation advice and encouragement within a family environment. Step by Step currently has contracts to provide and manage Supported Lodgings

placements in West Berkshire and East Hampshire as well as those in Surrey. Being a Supported Lodging host can be a very rewarding – as well as demanding - experience.

If you would like to explore the possibility of helping a young person in this way, please contact Step by Step on 01252 346103 or visit http://tinyurl.com/ohwnx8k for more information.

Surrey Opera present Tosca by Puccini at The Harlequin Theatre in Redhill. One of the worlds best loved operas, it’s a haunting tale of love, treachery and death.

Sung in English with professional soloists and orchestra and the highly acclaimed Surrey Opera Chorus there are performances on Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16 - £20 and can be booked on 01737 276500.

Canal cruises will no longer be the only way to gain an insight into the history of the Wey &

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Arun Canal with the launch of this year’s guided walk programme.

From April this year, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) have been offering guided tours each month from the Canal Centre in Loxwood, West Sussex, to give visitors a chance to find out more about the history of the canal, the restoration work on the waterway and more about the history of Loxwood village itself. Walk 1 (2.5 miles) will take place on 29th May, 24th July & 25th September. Walk 2 (4.5 miles) will be taking place on 19th June & 28th August. The meeting time for each is 9.30am at the Canal Centre, with the walk starting at 9.45am. Bookings for the walks (£5 per person) may be made by contacting Loxwood Canal Centre; tel: 01403 753999, email: canalcentre@ weyandarun.co.uk.

For more details of the walks please see www.weyandarun.co.uk/walks. php.

World class healthcare with a local approach St Anthony’s Hospital combines the most advanced medical procedures and skills with the kind of personal care that many hospitals have forgotten how to provide.

We specialise in complex cardiac cases, orthopaedics, urology, vascular, breast and colorectal cancer surgery – and in the dedicated, compassionate care of the individual.

St. Anthony’s has been established at North Cheam for over 100 years. The only independent hospital in the area to provide full intensive care, it offers a safe and secure setting for complex and routine surgery.

For further information please contact

020 8337 6691 St Anthony’s Hospital, North Cheam, Surrey SM3 9DW. Registered Charity no: 1068661.

www.stanthonys.org.uk 42

St Anthony’s Hospital STAHVP11 World Class (Vantage Point Magazine Dorking HPC 91.5mm xvantagepointmag.co.uk 147mm) ins ?

Invest in the Lives of Bereaved Children Commencing on Monday 14th April, a group of businesses in Sussex and Surrey will be taking on the EweMove.com £50 Charity Challenge to raise vital funds for childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish. The concept is they will each be given a £50 note courtesy of Graham Faulker from EweMove.com who is sponsoring the event and will each have 12 weeks to grow it into as much as they can for Winston’s Wish.

Alan and Ania, from Q-Fitness and TaxAssist Accountants in Dorking, have taken on the EweMove.com £50 Charity Challenge and are organising a 5½ mile in the Surrey downs to help grow their money. Taking place on Sunday 11th May, the walk will start at Shere and costs only £5 to enter with all money being donated to Winston’s Wish.

Ania who is taking part in the event says: “This is a great opportunity for everyone, young and old and all fitness levels alike, to get out in the open air and enjoy a lovely walk in the Surrey countryside and feel healthier whilst raising money for such a fantastic cause at the same time. I hope as many people as possible join us on Sunday 11th May at 10.30am. The walk starts in the car park in Upper Street in Shere and will take around 2 hours. Please join us for a complimentary glass of Prosecco afterwards at The White Horse in Shere”.

If you would like to take part in the walk, please contact Ania or Alan on 01306 735222.

The EweMove.com £50 Charity Challenge really is a fun and easy way to meet other organisations in the community as well as supporting a good local cause. We are offering prizes for the top fundraisers and most innovative idea, and it is also a fantastic marketing opportunity as we will feature your efforts on our social media channels and support your PR activity. All we ask is that at the end of the 12 weeks no matter how much money you raise you return the £50 we gave you at the start.

With your support we can help bereaved children and young people to tackle their fears of an uncertain future as they learn to live with their grief.

Will you take the Ewemove.com £50 Charity Challenge? Please call Louise Brown, Community and Events Fundraiser on 01403 211030 or email lbrown@winstonswish.org.uk to sign up and request a welcome pack or e-mail lbrown@winstonswish.org.

May 2014

43

EAT

The Jolly Farmers

It is such a brilliant idea, I can’t think why I have only just come across a pub complete with its own delicatessen. You can serve lovely food, and then sell elements of it to people after they have just tried and enjoyed it. Add to that the fact that a pub is open all day and all week, and you also have a convenient convenience store to boot.

The Jolly Farmers is a lovely building and quite commodious, with snugs, fireplaces and a bright and airy new dining room at the back. The menu is a large thing but I am immediately comforted by the fact that so many ingredients are truly local. Black Bomber macaroni cheese vies with Eddie Webster’s Honey Roast Ham and Ashtead Fisheries Fish Pie. It is a very good touch.

Starters include the aforementioned macaroni cheese which comes with two mushroom and truffle brushetta, sun blushed tomatoes and saled leaves from Secretts of Milford. It is very filling! My spicy camembert wedges are lovely, although not so local. We also share a delicious Nell Ball Farm back pudding Scotch Egg which comes with homemade Briscoe’s piccallili which is the best I think I have ever tasted.

Main courses include lots of choices for both meat eaters and vegetarians. The Longhorn beef burger is well made and comes with a choice of extras and crunchy fries, well presented in a small wire basket. A chargrilled Rose Veal loin chop is quite excellent, perfectly cooked and very well flavoured. I plump for the <42

Pudding is declined until our charming waitress persuades us to try a local ice cream made by St Joan’s Dairy in Leigh. When we see Cherry Amaretto flavour, we have to order it - with three spoons. It really is as delicious as it sounds.

This is a lovely place, and the owners, Jon and Paula Briscoe, have made local products a major theme for their menu and that is to be applauded. We leave very satisfied, with a jar of piccallili, scotch eggs and a pork pie...

Stefan Reynolds THE JOLLY FARMERS Reigate Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7BG Phone: 01737 221355 thejollyfarmersreigate.co.uk Until the end of the meal, Stefan, Marcus and Tracey (from Local Food Surrey) did not think they would be guests of The Jolly Farmers!

Jottings - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

There are lots of gardens open during May under the National Gardens Scheme. Have you got your ‘Yellow Book’ yet? I would just mention Hall Grove School, Bagshot, GU19 5HZ which is open for a one-off time on Saturday 10th May from 2 to 5pm. Enjoy a musical interlude (3pm) at this former Georgian country estate, with ice house and old walled garden, parkland with new lake and colourful woodland walks. Homemade teas. Admission £5, children free. See www.ngs.org.uk for more information on this and all the NGS gardens open during the summer.

Dorking Halls are screening a couple of live performances in May. On Wednesday 14th, live from Stratford upon Avon there is a RSC production of Henry IV Part 1. It starts at 7pm and I believe runs for 3 hours. Then on 29th, direct from the National Theatre, 44

Surrey Hills Heritage saugages and mash, with sausages made by a local butcher from free-range pork from Surrey farms, apple juice from the Jolly Farmers, fresh sage from Secretts near Godalming, and eggs from Leigh. And very good they are.

12>

there are two performances of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Screening at 2pm and 7pm the performance runs for 160 minutes. I haven’t seen it but it is about Christopher, fifteen years old with an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths while illequipped to interpret everyday life.

When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog Wellington, he records each fact about the event in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of the murder.

But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. Tickets for both shows are £17 (concessions £14, Friends of Dorking Halls £13). Call the Box Office on 01306 881717.

to agree to use a natural burial site in the area to be their burial provision once they run out of land. Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve is a nature reserve run as a burial ground located just outside Guildford. Clandon Wood is 31 acres of wildflower meadow, a wetland area with a programmed tree planting of native trees such as Oak, Hornbeam, Beach and Willow. It has been created as a nature reserve for natural burial with no regimented headstones, no formal black, just a calm, unhurried, relaxed, informal environment. Do have a look at the website www.clandonwood.com .

You can also call 01483 479614 for more information.

England’s Councils are running out of burial ground; it’s a national issue. As from today Mole Valley District Council is the first in England

More Jottings are available online at vantagepointmag.co.uk. To send in an entry, go online or email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk.

FIND OUT MORE

vantagepointmag.co.uk

PROFILE

South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association Reserves are Recruiting, Cadets are Growing!

All types of people from bankers to bakers, are putting their spare time to better use as Reservists in the Armed Forces.

Being a reservist is as rewarding as it is challenging. You’ll be integrated into our Regular Forces doing things that you never pictured yourself doing, learning skills that you didn’t know you could master, meeting amazing people, who like you, want more from life.

The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR), the Army Reserve and the RAF Reserves are all now re-

May 2014

cruiting in the South East. Whoever you are, whatever your ambitions, you can succeed as a Reservist. Your commitment to the reserves can fit comfortably around your civilian life and will contribute substantially to the community.

Although as a Reservist you’re a volunteer, that doesn’t mean we expect you to do it all for nothing - quite the opposite in fact. You’ll be paid at the same rate as your regular rank equivalent for every training night, week or weekend you attend and for any period of deployment. You’ll also get a tax-free bonus when you complete your annual training commitment satisfactorily.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information, call 01252 357605 or visit www.serfca.org.

45

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DOES A SECLUDED LOG CABIN OVERLOOKING THE SEA APPEAL TO YOU? YES! THEN COME TO CORNWALL Self catering – Sleeps 4 Tel: 01872 501187

No answer? Leave us your number and we’re always happy to ring you back.

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WIN

WIN £100 VIP DINING EXPERIENCE FOR TWO

WIN A PAIR OF VIP

TICKETS TO SOUTHERN PRO MUSICA’S ‘CARNIVAL!’ A year ago Southern Pro Musica was awarded the contract to provide classical music for the Guildford Borough.

VantagePoint has teamed up with renowned gastro pub The Jolly Farmers at Buckland near Dorking to offer a £100 VIP dining experience to this month’s competition winner.

Our winner and a guest will be greeted with an aperitif on arrival followed by their choice of sharing platter from the “Weekend Extra Special” range, which includes delicacies such as lobster, chateaubriand and local game, all washed down with a bottle of house wine. Then for a happy ending, there’s a fabulous choice of desserts or local cheeses and freshly ground coffee.

To win, simply answer the following question: Q: Where is the Jolly Farmers?

Please enter online at vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st May 2014.

This is your chance to win two VIP tickets to Southern Pro Musica’s ‘CARNIVAL!’ concert at Holy Trinity Church Guildford on Friday June 20th.

Your prize includes two VIP tickets, complimentary programmes and interval drinks (including the unique Carnival Cocktail created just for this concert), plus the chance to meet the performers. This concert will be compèred by James Cannon from BBC Radio Surrey.

To win, simply answer the following question: Q: What programme does James present every weekday morning?

Please enter online at vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st May 2014. Winners will be notified by Friday June 6th.

More information on www.southernpromusica.org.uk or book on 01483 444334.

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR INTERNATIONAL POLO ENGLAND V SOUTH AMERICA IN THE ST. REGIS INTERNATIONAL CUP - 17TH MAY 2014

Come and cheer on England’s polo players when they take on South America in the St. Regis International Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club, Midhurst, on Saturday 17th May! The senior international match starts at 2.30pm and is followed by The Family Traditions match with polo-playing fathers and sons competing.

With trade stands, bars, food, and a mini children’s funfair, entry is £15 per head (under 12s free). Pitch side picnic spots are pre-bookable. For advance tickets visit www.cowdraypolo.co.uk or call the Polo Office on 01730 813257.

Q: Where is Cowdray Park Polo Club?

To win one of six pairs of tickets, please enter online at vantagepointmag.co.uk by 12th May 2014.

Please enter online at vantagepointmag.co.uk.

Postal entries can be sent to us at the address given on page four.

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

Spring Savings At Dorking Sports Centre FREE 1 DAY GYM PASS

Birthday Child goes FREE*

Please see a customer Advisor to book your free day pass.

Book your child’s birthday party by the end of May and birthday child goes free.

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1 FREE taster swim lesson Please contact reception to book your free tester swim lesson.

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50% off a Personal Training

Session

Limited to 1 single P/T session per customer.

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Vouchers are valid from 1st-31st May 2014 at Dorking Sports Centre Please see reception for details Dorking Sports Centre. Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SN

Operated by Places for People Ltd in partnership with Mole Valley District Council