VantagePoint Magazine April 2016 - Farnham & Villages by VantagePoint Magazine

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Farnham & Villages • April 2016

VANTAGEPOINT YO U R B E ST V IEW OF W H AT ’S GO ING O N LO C ALLY

Woolbeding Gardens A modern masterpiece

Inside: FARNHAM ART SOCIETY BOURNE BUILDINGS PROFILE DENNIS - THE FINAL CHAPTER LOCAL EXHIBITORS AT APPART WIN FAMILY TICKETS TO THE SURREY COUNTY SHOW The local magazine produced by local people for the local community, delivered by your local postman

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Sales: 01252 415142 Editorial: 01483 421601 VantagePoint is published by Vantage Publishing, a Godalming based local magazine business which was first established in 2009 when we launched our first community magazine. We now publish five community magazines which are delivered monthly by Royal Mail to 108,193 homes across the South East. This gives us the largest local circulation in the areas we cover, all with guaranteed delivery by your postman. Please visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk or contact any of us below if you need any more information. CONNECTSURREY

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YOUR LOCAL TEAM Due to expansion, VantagePoint is looking to recruit a full-time Trainee Advertising Sales Executive to join our team! We need a natural communicator who is confident on the telephone and in 1:1 meetings. The candidate should also be enthusiastic, outgoing, well organised and self-motivated. Please email marcus@vantagepublishing. co.uk to apply or if you know of anyone. As a result of this, we have also moved office again, barely 12 months after the last move. Happily we have not moved far. We are now at Office 9, our third office in the same building. Nothing else has changed, so all our emails and telephone numbers remain the same (and yes, BT have been a nightmare once again. Grr).

April 2016

Stefan Reynolds Editor & Publisher

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We have now started an online ‘blog’ which might be of interest to readers. This will contain some of the articles and charity profiles that don’t appear in all of our editions, new local features and more topical or time limited information that we can’t get into the magazines. You can view ‘Your Local Blog’ and ‘follow’ it by visiting our website at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk. Finally, I am really pleased that we have recently become media partners to the Godalming Run and the Guildford Fringe, which runs top class professional theatre and events across Guildford. As the local community magazine, we are delighted to be on board. Visit our blog for more information. Contact the editor: stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Marcus Atkins, Sales Director 01483 420173 / 07702 132157 marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Barbara Maddison, Sales 01483 418141 / 07802 498858 barbara@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Contributors: Julie Dansereau, Andy Goundry, Beth Otway, Gwyn Philips, Kirstie Smillie

Liz Godfrey, Sales 01483 661089 / 07788 748826 liz@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Lauren Broughton, Sales 01483 661088 lauren@vantagepublishing.co.uk

Print: Buxton Press Cover: Woolbeding Garden (National Trust)

CONTENTS

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6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

8 Local Business Profile Bourne Buildings celebrate their 21st anniversary

13 Woolbeding Gardens A modern masterpiece 20 Fashion Woodie & Morris live on

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The final chapter

30 AppArt 36 Local The Therapy Garden 48 Gardening Gourmet Vegetables

52 Recipes The wonder of maple

54 Gastro Local food and drink news

58 Walk

Tilford to Elstead

60 Profile Farnham Art Society

61 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services

63 Competitions Win one of three great prizes

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

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JOTTINGS YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

JOTTINGS

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Jottings is your community noticeboard for local events and information, edited by Nick and Angie Crisell. To feature here, please email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk by the copy date shown below. Please note that space is limited and inclusion cannot be guaranteed.

We are already a quarter of the way through the year and spring has well and truly arrived. One of the main events in April is the Queen’s birthday on 21st, however, the major celebrations seem to be taking place in May and June with Thanksgiving Services, Trooping the Colour and a massive street party in The Mall. Incidentally, The Duke of Edinburgh is 95 in June; I’ve got to say he really is pretty exceptional for his age. Anyway, there seems to be plenty going on, not least St George’s Day on 23rd April. Hope you enjoy the rest of the Easter Holidays. Farnham Job Seekers You are warmly invited to go along to Sandy Hill Job Club from 10am until 12 noon every Monday. The club, which meets at The Bungalow on Sandy Hill, Farnham, provides a friendly and informal place to meet and a range of services to help people back into work. These include free internet use and details of local jobs. Advice and guidance is also available on job hunting, job applications, improving your CV, letter writing, planning for interviews and interview practice. Mini Day at Brooklands Sunday 3rd April Brooklands Museum’s annual Mini Day will see over 1,000 examples of one of the most iconic British small cars are expected to take the limelight at the historic site in Weybridge, Surrey. Mini owners wishing to put their cars through their paces can do so, with two opportunities to tackle the famous Test Hill at 11.45am and 3.15pm with around 30 cars in each session attempting the Hill in front of the cheering crowd. Those more interested in showing their cars off will be trying to catch the eyes of judges roaming the site to award prizes for the Best in Show, Best Classic and Best Modified Minis. The prize-giving for this will be on the Clubhouse balcony at 2pm. Gates open to

the public at 9am and the first 1,000 Minis to arrive will receive a complimentary event car sticker. Entrance fees are as follows: Adults £11; Seniors £10; Children (5-16 yrs) £6.00; Children Under 5 FREE; Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children), £30. For full details visit www. brooklandsmuseum.com or telephone 01932 857381. The 4D Theatre rides are approximately 8 minutes long each and are priced at £4 Adults, £2 Children. The half-hour Concorde Experience is £5 Adults/£3 Children. Children’s Easter ‘Create & Grow’ activities Monday 3rd to Friday 8th April 10am-5pm Squire’s Garden Centres are always good for holding interesting children’s activities during school holidays. You can Plant a Bunny Basket - Plant a beautiful bunny basket for your garden, cost £5.50. There is a Bunny Hunt - Find the names of the hidden bunnies around the centre. All correct entries receive a 100g Lindt chocolate bunny, cost £2. Activities take around 20 minutes each and are available at all centres except Chertsey. No need to book; simply turn up on the day. First come first served basis. Products available while stocks last. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. More information at www. squiresgardencentres.co.uk. Alzheimer’s Society in Surrey People caring for someone with dementia are being offered the chance to learn more about the disease and how it affects the individual in a series of courses being run by Alzheimer’s Society in Surrey. The courses aim to help carers understand more about the condition and its symptoms, including the sort of behaviours that people may display which can at times be challenging. By understanding more about dementia, the courses help people to cope better with caring for the individual. The next free courses in Surrey are:

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At Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society we have over 25 years’ experience as one of Surrey’s leading providers of sheltered, residential and nursing care for older people. Please think of Volunteering with us. You can Volunteer for as much or a little as you want. You are welcome anytime of day, school hours are more than welcome, a few hours a month or a week the choice is yours. You can also pick the role you prefer, see opposite for some suggestions, the list is not exhaustive and any ideas are welcome. We know your time is precious but if you could spare us a little we would be very grateful. For more information speak to Tracey Pollard 01252 899000

April 2016

Our Volunteers....

Our Volunteers help with....

• •Help with tripsplaces to local Trips to local of places interestof interest • •Chat with residents Chats with residents Flower arranging, garden pots and • •Flower arrange Japanese • Assist with Garden. activities, cards, painting, games etc • Assisting with activities, cards, painting, • Meet and greet residents, relatives and visitors games etc • •Help with pots and relatives Japaneseand Garden Meet andgarden greet residents, visitors • •Take residents to hospital Appointments Hospital Appointments • •Enhance the social life of residents Social lives • •Serve refreshments Serving refreshments And course the Farnham were • •And of of course assist with the Carnival Farnham(We Carnival Best in Show year!) (we were Best inlast Show last year!)

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

Shed loads of fun at Bourne Buildings on their 21st anniversary

In a continuing series helping to promote some of our great local businesses, Marcus Atkins talks to this iconic Farnham based company One of the most famous sites in Farnham is the Shepherd and Flock roundabout; it’s recognised as perhaps the largest inhabited roundabout in the UK, and anyone who has driven around this large road island will most certainly have noticed Bourne Buildings on the western outside edge of this landmark. This family run business celebrates its 21st anniversary this month, it was started up by husband and wife Denis and Debbie McKay back in April 1995. They were previously running a successful local milk round business since the couple had moved to the area in 1989, but on a chance visit to the Bourne Mill Antiques centre, an opportunity arose to develop the site adjacent to it, which had already begun to sell some sheds and a variety of stone ornaments. Soon after Denis and Debbie took over the site, they gained a reputation for their amusing and witty banners advertising their sheds which could be seen by passing motorists. One of the early ones even gained press attention at the time during the summer of 1996, when their banner read ‘P REG SHEDS COME IN FOR A TEST DRIVE’, which tied in with the launch of the new P registration cars which were available to buy from August 1st 1996. 8

For the 21 years since, there have been numerous banners which have amused and entertained passers-by, often seasonal slogans, notably ‘A shed is for life, not just for Christmas’, ‘Easter sheds - plain or milk’, ‘Now is the winter of our discount sheds’. They have even felt the nation’s desire to free the Weatherfield One, the Coronation Street character Deirdre Barlow who was wrongly imprisoned in 1998; the Bourne Buildings banner of the time was ‘Shed a tear for Deirdre’, brilliant! The Bourne Buildings site itself is quite incredible. From the road you’d never guess that there was such a huge selection of sheds, summerhouses and offices, garages, playhouses and gazebos that can be viewed, which makes choosing the right construction much easier than simply viewing from a printed brochure or looking at an image on a screen from a website. A regular comment from customers is ‘I’ve been driving past for vantagepointmag.co.uk

years, didn’t quite realise how many sheds you had on display, let alone the picturesque setting including a 100 foot lake.’ Bourne Buildings is truly a family affair, the McKay’s eldest son Craig joined the business full time 10 years ago, although he was regularly on site as a boy; he even sold his first shed at the age of just 12. Craig explained that the company’s values ‘best service, best selection, and best prices’ is an ethos which is simple and very effective. Craig tells me that Bourne Buildings have always been keen to source the best quality products from UK companies, something else of which they are proud. At the time Craig joined the family business in 2005, Bourne Buildings was open seven days a week, but the decision was taken then to close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in order for them to enjoy their business relationship, but to maintain a healthy family relationship outside of work. So please remember when wanting to view their massive selection of buildings and ornaments, don’t visit Tuesdays or Wednesdays. They are however open both Saturdays and Sundays, and every Bank Holiday Monday and Good Friday. Despite the market changing over recent years, whereby people turn to the internet for the very best prices, Bourne Buildings have decided actively not to publish prices of their products on their website. Craig continues to explain to me that they don’t struggle with competing with other sheds online; they pride themselves that they are cheaper when comparing the products like-for-like. “An image and a price is not enough information in order to judge the quality or value for money, so people come to us to see the sheds in the flesh”. Bourne Buildings have always been pioneers in this field; they are the ones who push product development with their suppliers, whether it’s double-glazed and insulated garden offices, or whether it’s advising the producers to manufacture buildings that are no higher than 2.5 metre high, so that their customers can have the timber building in their garden without requiring planning permission. They continually pass on new customer requirements up the chain to the April 2016

Left: One of the early (and now famous) banners. Top: An aerial view of the site. Above: Just some of the items available for sale

manufacturers, and it’s this feedback that means that Bourne Buildings regularly win the country’s ‘Top Site’ award from pretty much all their suppliers. The McKays feel that the quality and sheer exhaustive selection of timber buildings on display at their site cannot be explained in words or by viewing their website. You simply must get yourselves down to the Shepherd and Flock Roundabout to see for yourself, and you can also have a chuckle as you see their latest amusing banner.

FIND OUT Bourne Buildings, 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham, GU9 9PY Tel: 01252 718481 / 725733. www.bournebuildings.co.uk. Open 9.30am - 5pm Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday - Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9

<6 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Surrey Heath Wellbeing Centre, Windle Valley Centre, Park Street, Bagshot GU19 6AQ, starting on Monday 21st March and then the 4th, 11th and 18th April. Guildford United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, Guildford GU2 4BS, starting Friday 8th April, and then 15th, 22nd and 29th April. Surrey Heath Wellbeing Centre, Windle Valley Centre, Park Street, Bagshot GU19 6AQ, starting on Monday 6th June, and then the 6th, 13th and 27th June, 4th and 11th July. For more information on these courses and others available in Surrey, call 01403 213019. Tilbourne Players Tuesday 5th April 8pm Auditions for Tilbourne Players’ one act play evening are taking place at Tilford Institute. The group always welcomes new members so if you have been considering joining a local theatre group, why not go along and meet them? Email chairman@tilbourneplayers.org.uk for more details or visit www.tilbourneplayers.org.uk. Afternoon Tea with a quiz Wednesday 6th April 3 to 5pm The quiz takes place at The Vine Yard Centre, Farnham. Do go along and enjoy a fun afternoon whilst supporting Farnham ASSIST. Tickets £5 available from Farnham ASSIST on 01252 717710. Farnham Afternoon Bridge Club The club meets at Farnham Maltings every Wednesday

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD afternoon except the first Wednesday in the month. Bridge (Rubber) starts at 1.45pm, they have a short tea break mid afternoon and finish at 4.30pm. The members, quite a few who are now on their own, all enjoy their bridge and find it a great way to meet together in a nice friendly atmosphere. New members are very welcome and can obtain further information from the Membership Secretary, Rosemary Ostime on 01252 721312 or Trevor Lawson on 01252 543372. Elstead Afternoon Women’s Institute Thursday 7th April 2.30pm Mr David Allen will be keeping his audience on their toes by speaking on ‘The Weird and Wonderful World of the Law’ at The Elstead Village Hall. There will be the usual delicious tea available for just £1 to all members and visitors. Do go along and join them, they have some excellent speakers lined up for this year including Mrs Patricia M. Bland in May and Mr W. Forrester in June. For more information, call Helen White 01252 710039. Grayshott Decorative and Fine Arts Society Thursday 7th April The society continues the 2016 programme when Dr. Twigs Way will consider the life and work of ‘Lancelot Capability Brown’. She will illustrate her lecture with images of the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes he created, drawn from reality and paintings. This should be a particularly topical lecture, being the 300th Anniversary of Brown’s birth and with so many familiar

April 2016

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Professional counselling and psychology in Farnham Our team of counsellors and psychologists at The Eaves have immediate availability to help with: • Adult and Children’s counselling • Couples counselling • CBT and solution focused • Family therapy We are open 6 days a week, 9am until 9pm. Call for an appointment or further advice.

Telephone 01252 820225 theeaves.org.uk If you are a counsellor or psychologist looking to join a successful practice, please call Bridget on 07903 140704

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Woolbeding Gardens A modern masterpiece

Quietly tucked away in the valley of the River Rother lies one of the most beautiful gardens in Sussex. Woolbeding is a modern masterpiece featuring colourful borders, a landscape garden and a collection of follies. Woolbeding Gardens is a world away from many of the grand historic gardens the National Trust cares for, and a visit here is more akin to a tour of a private garden. Special viewing arrangements mean that visitors book in advance, and are driven to the gardens twice a week via regularly running shuttle buses. This allows the gardens to retain a feeling of intimacy and tranquillity, and gives the visitors more of a ‘personal’ experience.

When you arrive, you will be welcomed into the Entrance Garden which was formally the old farmyard but now has a Mediterranean feel, with formal water pools surrounded by African lilies and olive trees.

Woolbeding is also unusual in that it is constantly changing. Experimentation with planting has given this garden a reputation as a 21st-century masterpiece that always has something new to reveal. A garden of two halves, the formal gardens are broken up into ‘rooms’, each with a different colour theme, from vibrant reds to pastel pinks, using a combination of rare and not-so-rare flowering plants. The quality of the planting means this is both a plantsman’s garden as well as a garden for anyone who enjoys gorgeous horticultural shape and colour.

Wander through the well garden and into the fountain garden where you’ll find one of Woolbeding’s hidden gems, and a mass of colour from rich pinks and splashes of blue to sunset oranges. The herb garden features a sundial at the centre and spiralling topiary balls alongside English apples climbing up the walls. In season, the beds are filled with lavender, thyme and plenty of offerings for the kitchen.

April 2016

At the heart of the garden are the West Borders. A palette of blue, white and pale yellow, roses, tulips and forget-me-nots carefully line the avenue, perfectly framing the view beyond the gates into the countryside. The walls are full of climbing roses and the borders are bursting with bloom in full season.

Beyond the garden, a gentle stroll over open pasture land provides idyllic views of the River Rother, and leads to all sorts of picturesque delights such as the quirky Tulip Folly, which is surrounded by glorious views, and space in which to picnic and relax. 13

as azaleas, hellebores and early flowering perennials. In summer, the stars of the show are the summer borders, fragrant roses, the potager, vegetable garden, and herb garden. In autumn, it’s the turn of the trees and shrubs in the Long Walk, as well as late flowering perennials. Woolbeding Gardens has an ‘orchid greenhouse’ in the garden, containing the incredible 40 year old collection of orchids lovingly amassed by Woolbeding’s previous tenants, benefactors and creators of the garden – Simon Sainsbury and Stewart Grimshaw. Surrounded by wildflowers and seating, the greenhouse contains over 120 varieties of orchid. Visitors can enter this exotic floral sanctuary during normal opening hours. Enjoy views of Woolbeding’s new folly, overlooking the garden from the parkland. Constructed of local Fittleworth stone and built in memory of Simon Sainsbury, it was designed by Richard Lincoln to complement the Tulip Temple which stands close to the main lawn.

Top: Herbaceous borders with rotunda beyond. Above: Meadow and folly (Both © National Trust, Chris Lacey). Right: Italian Fountain (© National Trust).

Take the steps down from the Tulip Folly and walk along by the River Rother. Here you’ll find meadows of buttercups, daises and foxgloves growing wildly into the sweeping landscape. Walk slowly along the hornbeam tunnel and admire the trees, twisting at every turn. Wander through the kissing gate and enjoy picturesque views over the river towards the long walk. Navigate your way along rustic woody paths to reveal a gothic summerhouse where you’ll find the River God grotto, waterfall, Chinese bridges, secret sculptures and hidden views. The 26-acre garden was the creation of Mr Simon Sainsbury and Stewart Grimshaw. With the help of notable garden designers Lanning Roper in the 1980s and the Bannermans in the late 1990s, Woolbeding has developed into the stunning contemporary creation you see today. Woolbeding is a private garden so visitors won’t find any plant labels. Instead, they’ll find friendly and knowledgeable gardeners who are always happy to answer questions and offer advice.

What are the key highlights each season? Woolbeding Gardens has sumptuous displays throughout the year. In spring, enjoy bright splashes of bulb colour, as well 14

A new 25m x 4m border has been created in the Greenhouse Garden, which will look glorious in summer. The border was designed in-house by the garden team and has been planted using a wide range of large leaf plants, as well as bright oranges, reds and yellows to complement the rest of the existing greenhouse garden. There is a ‘tropical’ bed featuring architectural plants with bold foliage, ferns and hostas, as well as a more herbaceous bed, and a gravel bed containing Aloes and Agaves. Woolbeding Gardens’ new orchard produces a riot of colour from April until June from 5,000 mixed bulbs planted in long grass such as narcissus, casmassia, eremurus and alliums. Mature fruit trees give instant impact – there are 18 apple trees of three different varieties and five trained conference pear trees, filling the orchard with fruit blossom in April and

VantagePoint Reader Offer Enjoy a free tea or coffee when purchasing any slice of cake or traybake at the Orchard Café at Woolbeding Gardens. Simply download an e-voucher from www.vantagepointmag.co.uk or present this to receive your complimentary refreshment. Offer valid from 7th-29th April 2016 only. This voucher is not exchangeable for money and is non-transferable and cannot be used with any other offer.

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Another great NT garden

May. A mill stone table lies in the centre of the orchard for people to sit around and picnic, or simply indulge in the sights and sounds of the orchard. This enchanting garden is a haven for horticultural enthusiasts, who can also pick up expert gardening tips at Woolbeding’s series of technical workshops. The enticing-sounding topics include an introduction to the world of orchids, how to create gorgeous summer containers, and propagation for beginners. All workshops cost just £18 including admission to the garden, and refreshments on arrival. If you want to sit down and indulge in the beauty of the garden around you, then the pretty 19th-century style French themed Orchard Café is the perfect place in which to do this. Providing a range of sandwiches, homemade cakes and barista coffee, its woodburning stove gives it a cosy feel on chillier days, whilst cool drinks and ice creams are the perfect treat for warm summer days. You’ll also find a pretty selection of gifts on offer, from gardening books to plants. These wonderful gardens can now accommodate coach groups of up to 55 people at a time, and you can book an introductory welcome talk for your group, from one of the senior members of the garden team. Whilst the cosy Orchard Café is on hand for delicious treats, and picnics are welcome in the garden, groups can also pre-book a luxurious afternoon cream tea. Bookings can be made on 0844 249 1895.

FIND OUT Woolbeding Gardens re-opens on 7th April 2016 and as they are without a visitor car park, there is a complimentary park and ride scheme on hand to take you from nearby Midhurst and drop you directly outside Woolbeding Gardens. For more information or to pre-book your visit, call 0844 249 1895 or visit the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolbeding-gardens. April 2016

Hinton Ampner is an elegant country house whose garden is widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of 20th century design. The five hectare (twelve acre) garden unites a formal layout with varied and informal plantings in a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ in colours from cool greens, creams, and yellows, through to hot pinks, oranges and deep reds. Set in superb Hampshire countryside, there are magnificent vistas across parkland and the South Downs. Highlights of the garden include a pretty Tudor walled kitchen garden which provides fruit and vegetables for the tea-room, a dell, sunken garden with fine topiary, cherry orchard and lily pond. There’s even a little parish church in the gardens. Walk down the lichen-covered steps from the terrace and you’ll find yourself in ancient parkland littered with veteran trees. 1,600 acres of estate awaits your exploration, with dogfriendly walks through glorious beech woodland which in spring is full of native bluebells. Downloadable walks take you through the woods and parkland, telling stories of Civil War battles, war time evacuees, and ghostly hauntings. Discover trees that have been there since Tudor times, hug the huge gnarled oak that overlooked the battlefield of the Battle of Cheriton in 1644, and find out why the Victorians filled some of the parkland’s oaks with concrete, still seen today. Hinton’s planting is beautifully planned to give you scent and colour all year round. Highlights include apple and pear blossom in late spring, coupled with delicious-smelling narcissus and vibrant tulips. In June, visitors are met with a stunning display of irises and lupins, and neat vivid green rows of the first salad crops. In summer, the vegetable area is filled with runner and French beans, and the jewel-coloured stems of leafy chard. One of the stars of the show is the many varieties of exotic-looking dahlias – on show from early August right through to the middle of October. Come the autumn, huge orange pumpkins and squashes emerge, and apples and pears are ready to be harvested. Over 90 varieties of rose bloom at Hinton Ampner from June. A highly scented collection, it is well known for its repeat flowering, giving delicious fragrance and colour well into August. Hinton Ampner has an annual programme of events, from free guided garden walks every Tuesday afternoon and monthly beekeeping sessions, to live music and conservation days with Hinton’s housekeeping experts. There’s also an exciting range of outdoor activities for younger visitors, with themed trails, wild play fun including den building workshops and night-time camping! Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0LA. T: 01962 771305. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner

<11 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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examples of his work. On Thursday 14th April, their spring visit comprises a private tour of Charleston Farmhouse, home to members of the Bloomsbury Group and then the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. For more information about the society and these events, contact Caroline Young on 01428 714276 or visit their website www.grayshottdfas.org.uk. CowParade Surrey The latest addition to CowParade Surrey has been unveiled. ‘Pilgrim’ is a collaboration between Kings College Guildford, Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village and professional illustrator, Becci Kenning. Taking inspiration from the history and exhibits of Watts Gallery in Compton, Becci worked collaboratively with the Year 10 Kings College pupils to create a design reflecting the work of Victorian artist G F Watts and his wife, designer Mary Watts. Kings College’s head of art Lucy Davis said “CowParade Surrey is a great initiative. We were keen to get involved as it’s been wonderful for our students to have the opportunity to work on a real live brief alongside a professional artist. I would encourage other schools to take part as in the 15 years I’ve been teaching there’s not been a similar opportunity – fantastic.” ‘Pilgrim’ will be available for the public to see in the grounds of Watts Gallery throughout the CowParade exhibition which runs during the summer. Visit www. cowparadesurreyhills.com to find out more. Allen Gallery and Curtis Museum The Allen Gallery (10-12 Church Street, Alton GU34 2BW) is Fir st 10 0F ar nh Hu am rry : cu sto m er so nly !

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD home to one of the greatest collections of ceramics in the South of England. It also offers regularly changing exhibitions and programme of events. On 9th April, there’s a Kite Making Workshop for 6-11 year olds. From 2nd to 29th April, there’s an exhibition from the Alton Art Society and ‘Up with the lark’ exhibition of illustrations by Rachel Hudson. Then on 28th April, there’s an evening talk on the Allen Gallery Garden through the seasons. The Curtis Museum (High Street, Alton GU34 1BA) contains a fine collection exploring 100 million years of local history. Displays include prehistoric tools, Roman pottery, Saxon burials goods, the 1643 Battle of Alton, the notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams and hop picking and brewing. On 6th April there’s a Drop-in family activity, all to do with animal tracks. For additional information, visit www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk. Farnham & District Museum Society Thursday 7th April The Battle of Waterloo – to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle in 1815, Rupert Matthews is adding a talk about this famous battle to his varied list of lectures. Learn how the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon, Emperor of France, the colourful figures involved, their exploits, and the truth behind that famous quote “Up Guards and at them”. Meetings are held at the United Reformed Church in South Street, Farnham at 7.30 for 7.45pm (please use side entrance). Non-members are very welcome - £3 per visitor. For full details of its programme visit the website www.farnhammuseumsociety.org.uk.

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Grayshott Folk Club Friday 8th April 7.30pm The next gig will take place at the beautiful and atmospheric St. Alban’s Church on Tilford Road, Hindhead GU26 6RB. Guests that night will be top Irish/Celtic Folk band ALTAN who in my opinion are, arguably, the very best traditional Irish/Celtic Folk group playing anywhere in the world at the moment. Established in County Donegal over 35 years ago, they are constantly touring the globe and bringing joy to audiences everywhere. Last May they played to a capacity audience at St. Alban’s Church in Hindhead and went down an absolute storm. They clearly appreciated the audience response and have agreed to pay a return visit, which we are delighted about. In January this year they were invited to play at the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow and again proved to be one of the top acts there. Support from ‘Bof’ a traditional French Folk music group. Advance Adult Tickets: £18 or £20 on the door. Children under 16: £9/£10. Call Des O’Byrne on 01428 60709. On Saturday 23rd April there’s a St Georges Day Barn Dance at Grayshott Village Hall GU26 6TZ starting at 7.30pm. The band is called Jigalots (https://jigalots.wordpress.com/) Advance Tickets: Adults £12/Under 16’s, £6. RSPB North East Hants 9th April 7.30pm ‘From the Atacama to Chiloe Island-Chile’ is the title of their final talk of the Autumn/Winter programme of indoor meetings. Together with Jill and David Carey you will ‘travel’ from the driest desert in the north, taking in volcanoes and wildlife and unusual plants, to the very recognisable British climate with cool temperatures of the south. Everybody is welcome to join them at The Memorial Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham GU52 8LD. Entrance fee for non- group members is £3. Free parking at the hall and refreshments will be served in the interval. For information about the group visit www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk. Hale Village Hall Saturday 9th April 7pm This is a Supper Quiz to raise money for the new defibrillator. Tickets are £10, contact Geoff on 01252 711993 or Lorraine on 01252 722848. There are also a number of coach trips this year including Chartwell on 26th May, Beaulieu on 30th June, a horse drawn boat trip on the Kennet and Avon Canal on 16th August and a cruise up the River Thames on the Paddle Steamer Waverley on 29th September. Contact Geoff or Lorraine on the above numbers for more information and bookings. Birds Of Prey Weekend Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April 10am to 3.30pm There is a lot happening at RHS Garden Wisley in April. One event that caught the eye is a Birds of Prey Weekend. Xtreme Falconry bring their magnificent Birds of Prey to RHS Garden Wisley for a weekend all about these amazing birds. There will be flying demonstrations at 11am and 2pm each day and the birds will be on their perches in between times. Free with normal Garden entry. All details on the website vantagepointmag.co.uk

Angela Charles turns 25 This year marks the 25th year of Angelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience in curtains of all headings, and blinds; including Roman, Roller, Venetian and Verticals. Angela Charles is a family run business with every curtain and blind being made in house and overseen by Angela herself. Once your curtain or blind has been completed to the highest of standards, Angela also offers a fitting service which is run by her eldest son. Angela Charlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team can lead you through the whole process; from the initial home consultation and measuring, to fabric and design choices. And, once your order has been handmade, it is delivered and fitted at a time convenient to you and to your exact requirements. We can do as much or as little as you desire; having completed work for customers who require one

window dressing, to clients who envision redecorating their entire home. Angela Charles also offers services for contract clientele, having manufactured curtains and blinds for schools, hotels, hospitals and, most recently, nightclubs. At the age of 16, Angela trained as a military seamstress, installing in her values of exact precision. Later in life her attention turned to interiors, working her way up to management positions in another blind company, before expanding on this and starting out on her own 25 years ago. Since, she has built up a good reputation in the industry and has also worked alongside other designers. In celebration of Angelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 years of trading, we are offering a 10% discount on all orders placed before the end of April. So why not take advantage of this offer in preparation for the good old spring cleaning season? Contact Angela now for your free home consultation: Tel 01252 318353. Email: angelacharlesinteriors@aol.com

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Woodie & Morris Live On Kirstie Smillie meets the dog loving fashion gurus of Haslemere. The thing I love about boutiques is the lack of choice! It may sound a little strange but with less options you see just what you are looking for without the visual over load, as the buyers have done the hard work for you. At Woodie & Morris in Haslemere the calming layout and vision, designed by owners Mel and Clive Rollinson, offers a relaxing shopping haven. It was named after their two family dogs, and while sadly Woodie has passed away, Morris is proudly in residence most days. It all began with Mel’s PR and Clive’s retail background when they developed a wholesale business selling the first Australian Jelly sandal, Holster, to over 250 stockists nationwide. In 2009 this experience led them to start buying stock for their own venture which grew until the shop took over the business. Seven years on, Woodie & Morris is a thriving business with a loyal team of staff who put customer service at the top of the agenda, always friendly and never pushy. Mel is constantly looking for new brands that stand out from the crowd and she buys only small quantities of 6-10 pieces, so once they’re gone, that’s it. There is often an assumption that boutiques are a pricey alternative to the High Street, but these days with stiff competition from on-line retailers, independents need to span every customer’s budget. At W&M, Saint Tropez leggings sell for £14.99, and their top selling jean brand, Dr Denim, offers slim cut jeggings from £43. Dr D also offers a 36” leg, very popular for those who need a longer fit. Other top sellers include Masai Clothing Company for relaxed tunics in pretty prints and YaYa known for their great shirts.

“Clothes are about confidence - if you look good you feel good” If a label becomes too mainstream, Mel moves on to introduce something different and fresh, sourced from her regular trips around Europe. New brands include a Dutch favourite, Lien & Giel, who specialise in jersey 20

dresses in bold and ditsy prints at £69.95. For the purist, oversized silk t-shirts from Parisian label, Toupy, come in eight colours. Gorgeous as an evening layer worn with jeans or white linen trousers. Surprise pieces also catch your eye, including Anthropology inspired painted ceramics from £4.99, delicate beaded bracelets, perfect with spring prints at £7.50, and neat Bag in Bag faux leather bags from £29.99. Mel recently added a Dutch label, Cluse Watches, that specialise in large open face dials with interchangeable straps from £69.95. An on-going project is their own W&M cashmere collection. By cutting out the middle man, the prices are lower than known brands, with the asymmetric sleeved poncho at £145 and the boyfriend cardigan, £149. Both come in new seasonal colours including bubblegum pink, teal, denim blue and neutrals and are all machine washable. Footwear is growing fast and a popular Spanish label, Ska, offers suede ballet pumps at £60, similar to French Sole without the price tag. There are also Superga style French sneakers at £35 and Spanish espadrilles in leather and suede at £55. With more footwear brands arriving for spring, regular clients from teenage daughters to trendy grandmas will not be disappointed. With all the brands, the team are more than happy to chat with you on the telephone to discuss your needs and will send out choices by next day courier direct to your home. Now that’s service.

Woodie & Morris 7 Petworth Road, Haslemere GU27 2JB. T: 01428 641771. Email: mel@woodieandmorris.co.uk www.woodieandmorris.co.uk FIND OUT Kirstie Smillie is a Personal Stylist. Follow her style blog www.kirstiesmillie.com and email any queries to kirstie@kirstiesmillie.com or call 07773 234947. vantagepointmag.co.uk

FASHION

Above: Painted vessels, £4.99 Left: Wrap bangles, £7.50 Below: Leather lined sneakers, £35

Above: Cashmere brights for summer Below: Sleeved poncho, £145

Five top reasons to shop at Woodie & Morris 1. Free parking W&M will refund your £2 Pay and Display Parking Charge when you spend over £20, Don’t forget to bring the tear-off strip. 2. Full refunds W&M offer full refunds, within 2 weeks, if you are not totally delighted, you don’t have to settle for a credit note! 3. Loyalty rewards W&M will give you a £10 voucher when you have spent £100. 4. Doing their bit for the environment W&M will refund you 50p every time you re-use your W&M carrier bag. 5. Free courier delivery W&M offer free next day delivery for items ordered over the telephone. Left: Prints by Lien & Giel Below: Pastel scarves from £12

“Our original ethos was to offer an affordable variety of unique lifestyle merchandise we still follow that today” Mel Rollinson, Woodie & Morris, pictured above.

April 2016

A Family Business

Farnham Stoves was started as a business in 2010 by husband and wife team Frank and Gill Dugdale.

Frank is ex-‐IT industry and decided to couple his love and passion for siDng in front of a wood-‐ burner with a meEculous aFenEon to detail; high level of customer passion and business acumen -‐ to work locally as opposed to spending all his Eme at airports and hotels around the planet.

Gill has always worked ‘front of house’ throughout her career; drives a high level of customer inEmacy and contact within the business and relentlessly ﬁlls Frank’s diary. She is passionate, arEculate and considerate.

Gill and Frank’s daughter, CharloFe is fun and loving and is responsible for the MarkeEng of Farnham Stoves.

Samuel Kirtley runs the installaEon side of the business. He has 3 children of his own and is assiduous in paying aFenEon to the detail of a stove installaEon.

As a family and family-‐oriented business – Farnham Stoves will make sure that you have delivered the installaEon of a top quality stove to the highest standards of workmanship.

Our New Showroom

We are showcasing the enEre range of beauEful Clearview Stoves -‐ without doubt, the market-‐ leader in the wood-‐burning stove world -‐ built using the ﬁnest materials and seDng the highest standards that result in a stove which is both stunning and eﬃcient.

Also on display are a range of tradiEonal log baskets, ﬁreside accessories, quirky anEques, decoraEve poFery and classic children’s books.

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However, the new owners kept the faith, and sales began to restart as confidence gradually began to be regained in the marketplace. Sales were helped by the fact that Transbus had started to refresh the bus product range before the business collapse, introducing the Enviro ranges of single and double deck buses, which became increasingly popular under the new owners.

Alexander Dennis – a new beginning Andy Goundry finishes his history of the iconic Dennis Brothers The collapse of Mayflower in 2004 left the Dennis Guildford operation in a dire state, with little in the way of assets, a number of unpaid and disgruntled suppliers, and a massive hole in the pension fund. The Administrators, Deloittes, made great efforts to sell the business as a going concern, however, although there was interest from companies in the USA and China as well as competitors nearer to home, they were unsuccessful until matters reached a point where closure was believed to be literally days away. At that eleventh hour, a saviour arrived in the form of a triumvirate of Scottish businessmen who took on the remnants of the Transbus operation and started the slow and painful process of rebuilding sales and, indeed the credibility of the business. At times, they must have felt that their new business, which they named Alexander Dennis, was a bottomless money pit, for as well as needing to honour many of the debts of Transbus, such as suppliers’ outstanding bills, they had to reinstate warranties on many of the more recent vehicles. April 2016

Images from top: One of Alexander Dennis’s latest innovations – the Virtual Electric bus. This takes diesel-electric hybrid technology a stage further by allowing the on-board batteries to recharge quickly from inductive charging pads built into the road surface along its route, meaning that the bus can operate for up to 80% of the time on pure electric power rather than diesel. (Photo: Alexander Dennis); One of the earliest, and high profile export wins for Alexander Dennis was of Enviro 500’s for Las Vegas. (Photo: Alexander Dennis); The name Dennis continues to be associated with fire engines through the products of John Dennis Coachbuilders, in this instance on a Scania chassis. (Photo: John Dennis Coachbuilders).

Alexander Dennis, known to all in the industry as ADL, set themselves bold targets for sales of the Enviro range, all the chassis for which were built at Guildford, and pursued aggressively sales opportunities in a number of export markets, notably North America. Although some of these were slow to materialise, ultimately they became very successful, albeit leading to significant changes in the workload of the Guildford plant, as we shall see later. ADL soon identified an opportunity for hybrid buses, and in conjunction with BAE Systems, who had developed successful hybrid bus technology in the USA, introduced hybrid versions of the Enviro 200 single decker and Enviro 400 double decker. Transport for London took a number of both models on trial against similar offerings from some of ADL’s competitors, with the Enviro 400 hybrids in particular performing exceptionally well. Further sales soon followed, both in London and increasingly in many other UK towns & cities, with over 700 sold to date. In the light of the successful operation of the Enviro 400 hybrids in London, it was a disappointment when a substantial contract for the New Routemaster hybrid buses was awarded to one of ADL’s competitors with a relatively unproven hybrid package. Whilst sales of buses were soon on a roll under ADL, unfortunately the same could not be said of the traditional Dennis market for fire engines. Traditionally, each Fire Brigade had their bespoke vehicle specification, resulting in manufacturers needing to produce 25

multiple variants, for example with different cab lengths. In a well-intentioned but ultimately disastrous attempt at simplifying matters, the Government had announced a policy called ‘Fire Buy’, whereby standardised appliance specifications were to be developed, for adoption by all Brigades. Unfortunately, this stopped the normal regular flow of orders in its tracks, as the Brigades waited to see the outcome of Fire Buy. This delay in orders was unwelcome to ADL, but in its own right would not have been catastrophic. The real problem came in the legacy of an early Mayflower cost-cutting action: they had seen little future in manufacturing Refuse Vehicles, and offloaded the Refuse Vehicle business in 1999. Ironically, the groundwork put in to developing the Elite, a new refuse collection chassis, whilst the company was in Mayflower ownership meant that Elite sales prospered post-Mayflower, and indeed the Dennis Eagle business, as it became known under its new ownership, never looked back. For a time, fire engine cabs for Guildford continued to be produced at the Dennis Eagle factory at Blackpool very successfully. As Dennis Eagles’ own production increased however, ad hoc production of fire engine cabs in small numbers became just too much of an inconvenience, resulting in the supplier advising ADL that they were unable to produce cabs in batch quantities of less than 25 identical units. This put ADL in an impossible position, since fire engine orders were typically received in much smaller quantities, and could involve many different cab variants. The ADL team fought a sterling rearguard action, first attempting Dennis Eagle to relax their stance, then seeking to get the cab manufactured by other specialist contractors although that proved prohibitively expensive. Even the feasibility of fitting cabs from other vehicle manufacturers 26

continued to prosper, with a number of new markets being developed around the world. In many cases, these markets demand local assembly, if only to avoid punitive import duties. A number of overseas manufacturing sites have therefore been established, principally in North America, Malaysia and China, with Guildford having little to do with assembling many of these chassis other than providing kits of parts for overseas assembly.

One of the many Enviro 400 hybrid double deckers which quickly became a familiar sight on London’s streets. (Photo: Alexander Dennis); A Dennis Elite refuse collection vehicle: a familiar sight on Britain’s roads, but no longer, alas, a product made in Guildford. (Photo: Dennis Eagle).

was investigated, however this option was also abandoned as it was felt that it would eliminate one of the key benefits of the Dennis fire product, namely the uniquely purpose-designed cab. The final measure was to attempt to amalgamate orders from the Brigades to achieve that 25 vehicle minimum order quantity, however this foundered because Brigade ordering schedules were driven by their budget timing, and could not be changed. Many Brigades regarded the Rapier and Sabre as the finest fire fighting appliances ever produced, renowned for their performance and handling, and were dismayed when the last Dennis Sabre chassis was quietly and unceremoniously produced in 2007. All was not entirely lost. A team led by John Dennis - the grandson of one of the founders of the Dennis empire - had previously bought out the fire body-building business from Dennis Specialist Vehicles in 1985, and started producing fire engine bodies for fitment to other manufacturers chassis as well as Dennis. Thus the ‘body-building’ element of Dennis still continues in Guildford, under the brand of JDC or John Dennis Coachworks. Back on the bus-manufacturing side of the business, sales have

Similarly, most UK-bound chassis are no longer built at Guildford. Instead, they are increasingly built at the bodybuilders themselves, using Guildford-supplied parts. Guildford’s main roles today, therefore, are to oversee the development of prototype chassis builds of new models, of which there are many, and also carrying out low-volume and specialist chassis assembly work. As far as those new models are concerned, the company continues to make inroads into a number of new markets, for example Mexico, as well as introducing a number of innovative new models such as the Virtual Electric bus. And what of the future? In recent months there has been press speculation that Alexander Dennis may shortly be sold, with the most likely new owners being a Chinese company. Hopefully, though, any new owners will still want to keep the wealth of expertise of the Guildford staff. For the present, of course, whilst the focus has changed significantly, the vehicle building traditions started in Guildford by those two Dennis brothers 120 years ago are still very much alive & well today.

THE AUTHOR Andy Goundry spent his working career in vehicle design and development, with almost twenty years in senior engineering and management roles at Dennis. Since retirement he has continued a close involvement with vehicles, writing for specialist magazines and websites, as well as producing his own motoring website www.autonews.uk.com.

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www.rhs.org.uk/wisley where you can also find details of all the other events going on including The Spring Craft Fair from 28th April to 2nd May. Grayshott Gardeners Spring Show Saturday 9th April 2 to 4pm April is a busy month for the Gardeners of Grayshott. The Spring Show has over 60 classes from tulips to chocolate truffles not forgetting vegetables, plants, photography, floral arrangements and craft. There are also classes for young entrants to show their talents in scarecrow making and painting. After enjoying the exhibits stay and buy some home grown plants, have afternoon tea with delicious homemade cakes and watch the prize giving at 4pm. Free admission. The ever popular Annual Plant Sale is on Saturday 30th April from 10am – 12noon. This is an opportunity to stock your garden with good quality home grown plants at very reasonable prices. Go early and take your own bags or boxes to take home some real treasures to brighten up your garden. Free Admission. For further information or for details of these events look on their website www.grayshottgardeners.net or contact info@ grayshottgradeners.net or telephone 01428 604449. Farnham Repair Café Saturday 9th April 10am Held regularly each month, the Farnham Repair Café is the place to bring broken stuff that’s not been fixed for ages or somehow you’ve never found out where or how it can be

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD repaired. We all have loads of stuff we can’t use and can’t bear to throw away. Pop along to the Repair Café where their experienced volunteer fixers will love to share their skill and knowledge with you, bringing your things back to life for free while giving you a great experience sharing the repair with you. If they can’t fix it, they’ll point you to someone who can. Find them at the Main Hall, URC Church, South Street, Farnham GU9 7QU. They will fix for free; clothes and textiles, portable electrical and mechanical goods, furniture and bikes. They want to bring back a culture of repair to Farnham and end the damaging throw-away habits of a consumer society. Find them on Facebook. Farnham Art Society Monday 11th April 7.30pm Taking place at St Joan’s Centre, 19 Tilford Road, Farnham GU9 8DJ, there will be a demonstration of landscape painting showing the development of ideas from plein aire sketches to the finished painting. Antonia Dewhurst will guide you through her methods in an informative and relaxed manner. All welcome. Non-members £5 donation. Exhibition on Screen series Tuesday 12th April I thought you might like to hear about a new film called Painting The Modern Garden - Monet to Matisse. The film is part of the Exhibition on Screen series, which brings worldclass art to the big screen. It will allow people outside of London to enjoy the wonderful exhibition of the same name,

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Local artists from the Farnham area feature strongly in AppArt’s Easter Exhibition For the last 20 years, Evelyn and Gwyn Phillips have been organising successful major art exhibitions and sculpture trails in South West Surrey. Their 21st Exhibition will be held at Prior’s Field School, Godalming in April and it promises to be rather special. Over the years the exhibition has attracted artists from all over the South East. AppArt’s exhibitions always deliberately provide an eclectic collection of 2D and 3D work to inspire visitors and in particular youngsters interest in the creative arts.

a minimum of lines that is enhanced by the judicious addition of colour. Elizabeth Carolan works mostly in acrylic and mixed media with special emphasis on light and using vibrant colours as well as interesting textures. Amongst her favourite subjects are flowing landscapes in all seasons, and this can be clearly seen in her painting ‘Summer.’ Sculptor Alan Wallis is well known for his series of ‘Moon gazing hares’ but he is exhibiting other works with us this year, including a delightful and amusing ‘Frog Prince’.

Farnham has always been a centre for art with the University of Creative Arts based there and a strong local art society. Exhibitors with AppArt include representatives from both these institutions. Glenys and Victor Ambrus are outstanding painters and their portraits and scenes from the town and countryside are fresh and alive. Glenys mainly works in pastels and her picture ‘Sheep Street in Burford’ really captures the atmosphere of this Cotswold village. Victor was the resident artist for ‘Time team’ and his reconstructions of ancient settlements reflect his earlier career as a prolific illustrator. His portraits of people and musicians are highly sought after and he manages to capture the personality of the sitter with

AppArt’s exhibitions have always been a community event and local schools and adult groups have been encouraged to visit and always receive a warm welcome. Tinx Newton, the Arts Editor of Surrey Life, a great enthusiast and supporter of the arts in Surrey, will open the Exhibition on Saturday 2nd April. The Exhibition & Sculpture Trail will be open every day from Saturday 2nd April to Saturday 16th April between 10am to 4pm. Admission is free and visitors will be able to view about 500 indoor exhibits and also explore the Gertrude Jekyll inspired gardens and see over 100 large sculptures in a tranquil and picturesque setting.

Images clockwise from left: Sheep Street in Burford by Glenys Ambrus; Natalie with Leo by Victor Ambrus; Summer by Elizabeth Carolan; Frog Prince by Alan Wallis.

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currently on at the Royal Academy until 20th April. As well as offering behind-the-scenes access to the exhibition, the film will transport viewers across Europe to the most beautiful artists’ gardens, exploring how painters including Monet, Liebermann and Nolde were inspired by their surroundings, and how this inspiration translated onto the canvas. The film will be released in cinemas nationwide on 12th April, and will be showing in the following cinemas in the area: Odeon Guildford - 12th April, 6.45pm. Dorking Halls - 28th April, 7.30pm. Farnham Maltings - 10th May, 7.30pm.

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West Surrey Family History Society Tuesday 12th April The society meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Farnham United Reformed Church, South Street, Farnham GU9 7QU. Doors open at 1.30pm, usually a talk from 2-3pm and then tea and chat until 4pm. At the next meeting, David Rose will give a talk on ‘The Story of Lily Bell II’. It’s the story of a WW2 plane crash, resulting archaeological dig and the hunt for descendents of the crew. All welcome. If you have any queries, contact Shirley Forster on 01252 317592 or visit their website http://wsfhs.co.uk/pages/farnham.php. Crondall WI Tuesday 12th April 2.15pm The monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2.15pm in Crondall Village Hall in Croft Lane. This month’s talk on ‘Millinery and How to Wear Hats’ will be given by Beverley Edmondson. The meeting will finish GODALMING 40 HIGH STREET GU7 1DY 01483 418020

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD as usual with a delicious afternoon tea. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information, contact Caryll Martin, the Vice President, on 01252 850613.

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West Surrey Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers Tuesday 12th April 10.30am The WSGSWD has around 90 members and always welcomes new members and visitors. Anyone with an interest in textiles whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced crafts person is welcome to go along to any of their meetings. The next meeting is in the United Reform Church, South Street, Farnham and is a talk on ‘Embellishing from Binka to Embroidery’ by Su Douglas. Visitor £3, includes refreshments. They also have 3 to 5 spinning and weaving days each month held at Victoria Halls in Ash and the Rural Life Centre in Tilford, anyone is welcome to drop in and join in or just see what they do. Full details are on their website www.wsgswd.org.uk. Farnham Adult Learning Centre As part of Get Active 50+, Surrey Adult Learning has an offer for people aged over 50 to help them be more active, have fun and make friends. Basically, there is £40 off their dance and exercise classes. This government funded project aims to improve health amongst older adults across the county following the revelation that almost 60% of Surrey adults do not meet the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) recommended guidelines of 150 minutes per week moderate intensity physical activity. T&Cs apply. More

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LOCAL The Therapy Garden by Sally Mills Working Life: Horticulture’, whilst our new ‘Grow to Work’ project supports 19-25 year olds that require extra support with the transition from school or college to the workplace by offering work experience. More recently, our ‘Stroke of Genius’ project with stroke survivors proved a huge success. The group was able to learn gardening skills transferable to home and it seemed the chance to socialise with other stroke survivors was just as valuable as the gardening itself.

I do enjoy the view from my office window. I am watching our horticulturists work with a group of students to replant the raised beds in the garden, on a crisp, sunny morning. Not that we let the rain stop play; activity continues in heated poly tunnels, where seeds are sown and young plants repotted. It is wonderful to see a group of teenagers connecting with nature and this has resulted in our one-acre garden looking better than ever. I work as a fundraiser at The Therapy Garden, a horticulture and education charity that uses gardening as a way of engaging adults and teenagers with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and mental health challenges. Based in the village of Normandy, Surrey, the charity was established in 1998 by a local resident, with the aim of using the healing power of horticulture to connect with vulnerable and marginalised members of our community. The Therapy Garden is funded entirely by grants from charitable trusts and foundations, alongside our own local fundraising activities. Recently, there has been much discussion in the media about the benefits of horticulture and it seems the relationship between green spaces and human health and wellbeing is now being acknowledged. Research carried out by the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) showed 79% believe that access to a garden is ‘essential for quality of life’. As a result of this, the diversity of service users in our garden has greatly increased in the last year. Our Green School continues to give students aged 14-18, with special educational needs, the chance to gain a City & Guilds vocational qualification- ‘Skills for 36

New projects are underway in 2016 to offer groups of elderly gardeners social and therapeutic horticulture sessions, with their carers being offered the chance to take a well-deserved break. Small groups of teenagers struggling in mainstream education will also get the chance to take part in six week ‘introductions to horticulture’ to see if it could be a potential career choice. The Therapy Garden is incredibly lucky to have a team of almost 30 volunteers, without whom we simply could not exist. Volunteers help clients in the garden with various activities and find the combination of working with the clients and being out in the garden really enjoyable. We are always looking for new recruits so if you could spare a few hours a week then please get in touch. Our annual ‘Gardens Open Day’ event is on the 19th June 2016; we open our garden to the public and organise a tour of a number of local private gardens that open for viewing on the day. The event gives us the chance to show off our award-winning garden at the height of the summer, whilst getting to know the local community better. If there are any Normandy residents that would like to show off just a little bit and open up their garden to the public for the afternoon then please get in touch! Following a generous donation from Camberley Heath Golf Club, our refurbished on site shop is now open. The Therapy Garden shop sells seasonal plants, fruit and vegetables grown by staff and clients in the garden and gives the younger clients the chance to gain some retail experience. Come and enjoy fresh, local produce at its best. Hope to see you soon!

FIND OUT For more information, please visit www.thetherapygarden.org or email fundraising@thetherapygarden.org. vantagepointmag.co.uk

<35 38> JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD information on www.surreycc.gov.uk/getactive50 or you can call 0300 200 1044. Churt WI Tuesday 12th April 2.30pm Their meetings are held in the Churt Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month. This month they are having a ‘Flower arranging demonstration’ given by one of their members, who is providing a ‘Floral Arrangement’ at this year’s Chichester Flower Festival. The ladies are known for their amazing afternoon teas, so why not go along and join them. They are an active and fun loving group, and their 2016 programme can be viewed on the www.churt.org website. They welcome visitors and new members, whether you live in Churt or the surrounding area. Contact Marion Mitchell, President, on 01428 712265 if you would like any further information. Surrey Border Movie Makers The group meets on the first Friday of each month. They are a film making club whose members consist of retired professionals, experienced film makers and complete beginners. They share a love of making films which they do to the best of their ability including holiday films, drama and documentary. They always welcome new members. If you are interested in seeing what they do, visit their website www.surreyborder.org.uk. They meet at the St Joan’s Centre, 19 Tilford Road, Farnham GU9 8DJ. There is plenty of parking and your first visit is free. Contact secretary@ surreyborder.org.uk.

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Farnham Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild Tuesday 12th April 2pm They will meet in the Methodist Church Hall, South Street. After business and tea, Mike Coates, the RSPB Warden for Farnham Heath, will speak about his work and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Townswomen’s Guild is not just a fun and social club but has a serious side. This year’s topics for discussion are Organ Donation and Slavery. These issues will be discussed and voted on by Farnham members before their delegate is sent to the National AGM in Bournemouth. To find out more about Townswomen’s Guild visit the national website at www.the-tg.com or for more information about the local guild phone 01252 722690 or 712503, email zelbob@aol.com or just go along to a meeting. Farnham Speaker’s Club Learn confidence through public speaking in a fun and supportive environment. Farnham Speaker’s Club meet on the second and fourth Monday of every month at the Farnham House Hotel. For more information, email Annie on annie.pritchard@way-forward.co.uk or call 07866 086887. The Farnham Gardening Society The Society has relocated from St Joan’s Hall to the United Reform Church, South Street, Farnham. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month except July, August and January. Each month there is a speaker giving talks on various aspects of gardening. If you would like

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to join do go along, the meeting starts at 7.30pm. There is ample free parking in the Sainsbury’s or Central Car Parks. Entrance is via the side door in Victoria Road and further information can be obtained from the Secretary, Les Trusler on 01252 820431 or email lajtrusler@yahoo.co.uk. The Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre Frensham Friday 15th April 1pm to 4.30pm Parent and Child: Survival of the Fittest – An Information Afternoon for Parents by Fintan O’Regan, expert in ADHD. Strategies for management of children seen as demanding, disruptive, defiant or just different. Cost £45. Helen Arkell is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Also, from 18th April to 6th June from 10am to 1pm, the Centre is running a Dyslexia Help Course for Parents. Hints, encouragement, and liaison for parents. Understanding and supporting children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. £12 per session or £60 for all six sessions. At Helen Arkell they work together to help children and adults with dyslexia to believe in themselves, achieve their goals and succeed on their own terms. Contact them on 01252 792400 or enquiries@arkellcentre.org.uk to book, or visit their website www.helenarkell.org.uk. WaterAid West Surrey Quiz Night Friday 15th April 7.30pm WaterAid helps the world’s poorest people to provide themselves with safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The

local support group is holding a charity quiz night at Ash Victoria Hall GU12 5DN. There are no prizes, it’s just for fun. Entry is £5 per person with teams of 4-6 and part teams welcomed. Take your own food, drink and glasses. If you are going it helps to let the Quizmaster know in advance, email david.brown15@ntlworld.com. Further information from Linda on 07934 839608 or contact via the website at www. wateraidwestsurrey.org. Golf Day Friday 15th April Citizens Advice Waverley are organising a golf day at Farnham Golf Club, The Sands GU10 1PX. Fun packed event with 18 holes of golf, shotgun start, competitions, quality 2 course lunch and charity auction including lots such as work experience at KPMG, a Sir Peter Blake print and a 3 night stay in a Cornwall cottage. Businesses can also sponsor a hole. To book, email Barbara Dawkins at citagolf.dawkins@ gmail.com. For more information, visit www.waverleycab. org.uk/events/farnham-golf-day. All proceeds from this event go to local charity Citizens Advice Waverley. Memory Meadow Saturday 16th April 10am to 12 noon The wonderful local hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell has created a Memory Meadow within Guildford’s Stoke Park, as a stunning floral tribute to those who are no longer with us, but are never forgotten. The Meadow is situated at the Nightingale Road entrance to the Park, in an area given

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Farnham Art Society Members Saturday 16th April 10am to 4pm Join them for a very interesting and instructional pastel workshop with Rick Holmes. For information and booking go to their website www.farnhamartsociety.org. Take this opportunity to enjoy fine tuition amidst the delightful setting at Farnham Pottery. Waverley Training Services Are you 16 to 18 years old? Struggling with your grades and finding a way into work? Well help is at hand. Waverley Training Services in Farnham can help you to improve your prospects, gain the grades and through some exciting work experience opportunities find an apprenticeship or job. All the training is completely free, they even pay your fares. Interested in a new start? Ring Denise on 01252 725872 or email denise.flaxton@waverley.gov.uk. Farnham Humanists Sunday 17th April 7pm Everyone from all belief backgrounds is welcome to come and join in the group discussion. Humanist Celebrant Ailsa Davies will be facilitating small group explorations on such questions as ‘How do you see your identity?’, ‘What does spirituality mean to you and to others?’, ‘What is a good life? The discussion evening is being hosted by Farnham Humanists in Daniel Hall, Long Garden Walk, Farnham GU9 7HX. Tea, coffee and biscuits available and other drinks available from the Hop Blossom Pub close by. Donation £2 to cover costs. For more information, contact Jennie on 01252 723044 or see http://farnham.humanist.org.uk/. Guildford Rambling Club Sunday 17th April They are meeting at 10am in Chawton for a 10 mile circular walk. Visitors very welcome. Details from David on 07935 887499 and more information on www. guildfordramblingclub.org.uk .

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<39 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD the next meeting there will be some wonderful music from ‘Quintessential’ Ladies Singing Quintet. The venue is the Gostrey Centre, Farnham, but do try and get there early to get a seat! Transport can be arranged if necessary. For more information please call David Lambert on 01252 722161. The West Surrey Wine Society Monday 18th April 7.30pm The meeting will take place at The Conservative Club, Ivy Lane, Farnham GU9 7PQ. Mark Bedford of Caviste Wines will give a presentation entitled ‘Wines of the Loire’. Mark says that Caviste represent many top Loire producers and describes the 2014 and 2015 vintages as ‘fabulous’ so you are in for a treat of delicacy and finesse - entirely appropriate for a spring evening! The West Surrey Wine Society is a wine appreciation society that meets on the third Monday of the month in central Farnham. Many, if not most, of the 60 or so members joined with little or no knowledge of wines - just a liking for the product! The meetings start at 7.30 pm with a glass of ‘Welcome Wine’ and the meeting proper starts at 8pm, generally taking the form of a tutored tasting. For further information on the Society contact the Membership Secretary: Frances Hackemer Tel: 01252 793684. St George’s Church, Badshot Lea The church has two different hymn books to give away. If you would like one just pop in and collect it, the church is open every day from 10am to 4pm except for school holidays and

April 2016

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Sundays. The Reverend Lesley Crawley said, “At St George’s we realised that it was time to buy some new hymn books. We were using two hymns books and some hymns were in one, some in another and other more modern hymns that we sing were in neither! We used to have extra hymns on bits of paper but it was becoming very frustrating. We can’t sell the hymn books because they are out of date, but if anyone would like one they are free to a good home!” She continued, “You may remember we did this at St John’s, Hale, last year and we gave away 300 hymn books in the end – it was lovely because people left messages thanking us and it was great to think that the books will continue to be used and loved by members of the community.” Friends of Farnham Park Tuesday 19th April 7pm for 7.30pm They are opening the 2016 season of talks with ‘The Geology of Farnham Park’ given by John Gahan at The Rowhill Centre, Cranmore Lane. They look forward to seeing you there, non-members welcome, £3. Extend exercises for the over 60’s Join in fun friendly exercise classes using the whole body and working on balance, strength, co-ordination and flexibility. They take place on Mondays from 2.30pm-3.30pm at Brightwells Gostrey Centre, Off East St. Also at St Joan’s Hall in Tilford on Thursdays from 2pm to 3pm. For more information, call Jo on 07880 722272 or email jololoma@ yahoo.co.uk.

A contemporary German Rotpunkt kitchen, designed and recently fitted by Beau-Port Kitchens and Interiors into a new eco house near Farnham.

Beau-Port launches new digital brochure A new thirty-six page digital brochure has been launched by Beau-Port Kitchens and Interiors that shows the diversity of projects they have completed, from bespoke kitchens to a wide range of interiors projects and individual bespoke furniture for all areas of the home.

for a boutique bed and breakfast establishment on the South coast, open plan kitchens for two newly built ECO homes, one near Farnham, Surrey and the other close to Alresford, Hampshire - all of these are featured in the new digital brochure together with testimonials from the clients.

Mark Johnson, Beau-Port’s MD and Head Designer commented: “We wanted to show prospective clients the vast range of projects we have worked on, that will inspire and excite them. This new brochure gives us the opportunity to show a very broad range of our projects, styles, materials and designs to new customers by showing them real projects. It also presents a good starting point for those looking for ideas for their new project,” continued Mark Johnson.

“Once prospective clients have taken a good look at the new brochure, the next step would be for them to come into our showroom and see the quality and design details of our displays and discuss their proposed project. We have a very large showroom, with a number of full scale kitchens and interiors furniture in contemporary and traditional styles, including our new bedroom furniture display and other bespoke pieces such as our independent pantries, media centres and home study displays. We listen very carefully to what our clients want to achieve and we can also offer full project management.”

The new brochure also includes in-depth case studies and testimonials from Beau-Port clients, showing the high levels of quality, craftsmanship and service delivery that this award winning company has provided to many satisfied customers. Mark Johnson has over two decades of design experience in the kitchens and interiors sector, and his son Jacob is also an experienced designer. They have recently completed a number of interesting projects across the southern counties including designing and installing a large contemporary kitchen

Beau-Port also works closely with architects, developers and local building companies. Call Beau-Port on 0800 999 88 18 to request the digital brochure or visit the company’s 2000 sq ft showroom at Bentworth, just 20 minutes from Farnham. www.beau-port-kitchens.com

Individually designed for you - Affordability provided by us...

‘‘

We wanted simple elegance, something understated that would not date. I like everything about it and how it has all come together. From the first meeting with Mark all the way through the whole process he delivered on time, liaised with the builders, kept to schedule and completed on time, returning to check everything was perfect. Mark and his team have been a real pleasure to deal with and we would highly recommend Beau-Port. Michelle Andrews

’’

Designed to complement our client’s 1920’s house, this beautiful bespoke British made kitchen, with its granite work surfaces and central island that seats up to six people, also has a built in pantry unit with internal lighting, an illuminated drinks unit set between a separate built-in fridge and a freezer, plus many more thoughtfully designed features. Beau-Port also designed and fitted the client’s laundry room and made bespoke furniture including a media centre, coffee table and a console table. Come and visit our 2000 sq ft showrooms with a wide range of full scale kitchens including contemporary kitchens by Rotpunkt, AGA kitchen showroom, Mercury and Falcon ranges, Siemens and Bosch appliances. 16 Years of delivering design expertise and the very highest level of customer service Bedrooms - Home Studies - Laundry Rooms - Media Centres - Pantries - Bespoke Furniture

www.beau-port-kitchens.com Beau-Port Ltd. 2 & 3 Bellhanger Business Park, Bentworth, Hampshire GU34 5QZ T: 0800 999 88 18

Fitted furniture is our forte

& visit...

Come

...our contemporary showroom which boasts a wide range of stunning displays of bathroom suites and accessories from designer to traditional bathrooms. Choose from our new range of wet-room designs and fitted furniture applications with the added benefit of our full inhouse, bespoke installation and design service. We partner some of the best known manufacturers from highend to contract ranges and with our excellent product knowledge, you can rest assured your bathroom design and installation is in good hands.

01252 320987 Contemporary Studio Showroom

sales@grosvenormerchants.co.uk www.grosvenormerchants.co.uk 19B Holder Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4RH

YOUR LOCAL

SUPPLIER

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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Farnham Public Art Trust Vorx of Hart Wednesday 20th April 8pm ‘Vorx of Hart’! What does it mean? VantagePoint doesn’t know, and the Farnham Public Art Trust doesn’t know. The person who knows is Ann Clements, NADFAS lecturer, who will reveal all in a lecture on ‘The Watercolours of Edward Lear. Edward Lear is probably best known for his Nonsense Verses, however, he was a prolific artist in watercolour and oil and an indefatigable traveller. Despite serious health problems he travelled further and more intensively over a 50-year period than any other of his contemporaries, recording all he saw. The lecture, exploring his remarkable work and delightful character, will be given at the St Joan’s Centre, Tilford Road, Farnham GU9 8DJ. Entrance (payable at the door) is £6 per person, students £2, and doors open at 7.30pm for welcoming drinks. For more information, ring 01252 702449 or visit www.farnhampublicart.co.uk. Players of Elstead Theatrical Society Wednesday 20th April 8pm The Society is looking to recruit new members both male and female. However, before you make up your mind, they warmly invite you to join them in The Youth Centre, Thursley Road, Elstead. Tracey Linegar, owner and artistic director of the Alma Studios and also artistic director of the Squeaky Door Production Company will talk on how to put on a successful production from ‘page to stage’. This promises to be an entertaining and informative evening. Afterwards there will be tea/coffee and plenty of time to chat to members

LIGHTING

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of PETS about treading the boards as well as chatting about the numerous jobs behind the scenes – all vital for a successful show. Tracey will also be available to talk to. There is no obligation. Just pop along and find out more. They look forward to meeting you. Bridge Afternoon Wednesday 20th April 2pm to 5pm An afternoon of Bridge and the most delicious Tea - what a winning combination! It’s in aid of The Victoria Garden in Farnham, and takes place at St Joan’s Hall. There’ll also be wonderful raffle prizes! Please send sae and cheque for £36 per table, payable to Farnham Swimming Baths Trust, c/o Alison Gordon, Lochinvar, Lovers Lane, Frensham GU10 3DY. Please take table cloths and cards with you. Do go along, they’d love to see you, and you’ll have a great afternoon. Les Amitiés Françaises Thursday 21st April 7pm There will be a rather unusual lecture by the daughter of a former courier for the Resistance. She will be talking about her mother’s work for the Allies during the war, now the subject of a book. They will meet as usual in Godalming Baptist Church Hall in Queen Street, Godalming (parking nearby) for coffee and a chat and the lecture, all in French, starts at 7.30pm. You can get further information by emailing johnpetty@which.net or calling 01483 389102. They have a season of lectures from September to June and several social events and an outing. Bienvenue!

Visit our showroom to see beautiful interior, bathroom & outdoor lighting

Open 9:00am - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday Tel: 01420 590510 • www.elsteadlighting.com • Elstead Lighting Ltd, Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QJ

April 2016

Do you need roof repairs? Whatever the size of your roof or the scale of your problem, you can count on a team of professional roofers to sort it out in no time at all. Come to us for quality repairs; we have the experience, tools and materials to deal with any requirement. Call us out to wherever you live in Surrey, Hampshire or Sussex for a free, no obligation consultation and quotes on all parts of your roofline that need repairing.

Our services are available 7 days a week for all types of Roofing repairs and new installations. These services include: • All Types of Roofing Repairs • New Roofs Installed • Guttering & Leadwork • Chimney Renovations • Flat Roof Installation & Repair • Slate & Tiling • uPVC Fascias & Soffits • Storm Damage & Insurance Work Also Experts in fixing or replacing • Guttering, Facias & Soffits • Moss removal Typical prices: Re-guttering from £150 Replacing up to 12 roof tiles and clear out gutters from £225

Contact BESPOKE ROOFING SERVICES for your bespoke quotation

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A service you can rely on

<45 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD The Bourne WI Thursday 21st April 8pm Have you ever wondered what Tai Chi is all about? Would you like to give it a try? Go along and join them for an introductory class led by Cheryl Collins. They will be recovering afterwards with tea and cake! They meet at Brambleton Hall, Farnham. All visitors and new members are very welcome and they look forward to seeing you. Contact Gail on 01252 735751 if you would like more information. Cross Barn Art Saturday 23rd Sunday 24th April 10am to 4pm They are holding their annual art exhibition at the Cross Barn, Odiham RG29 1JX over this weekend. Admission is free and there will be plenty of delicious refreshments. This year they are supporting Barnardo’s charity. There is free parking. The exhibition has a good following and artists from Hampshire and Surrey always put on an excellent original show. Well worth a visit. Interior Design Sale Saturday 23rd April 11am - 3pm This year Pepperstitch Designs’ Sale for Charity will be donating all monies raised to MS (Alton and Petersfield branch ) and REACH, an Association for Children with Upper Body Limb Deficiency. On sale will be a wide range of beautiful designer fabrics, including remnants, cushions, blinds, curtain poles and tracks, wallpapers, furniture, lighting and home accessories. Entrance by £1 purchase of raffle ticket for some great prizes! Refreshments available and there is plenty of parking. Do go along and support these two charities at Bentley Memorial Hall GU10 5NB. New Ashgate Gallery Saturday 23rd April to Saturday 4th June The potential of glass, as an exciting medium for expressive art, has long been under-appreciated. This is rapidly changing as studio glass artists become more adventurous and as fine artists increasingly value its unique properties and versatility and begin to utilise this extraordinary medium in their art. Peter Layton is someone who has done more than most to advance the development of glass as a creative medium for artistic expression and this exhibition celebrates his long and active involvement with the international studio glass movement, in particular his important contribution at the forefront of the British Glass scene. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Free admission.

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The 21-year-old, who is currently studying history at Manchester University, will be among 38,000 runners taking on the London Marathon on Sunday April 24th. If you would like to follow her and maybe lend your support for a great cause just google her. Farnham Creative Writers A new Community Group has been launched called Farnham Creative Writers and it will be meeting at The Maltings on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Beginners welcome as well as experienced writers. Should be good fun as well as getting the little grey cells working! To find out more, go to http:// farnhamwriters.weebly.com. Friends Together Are you missing a loved one? You are not alone. Friends Together meet on Mondays between 3pm and 4.30pm for tea and a chat. They have a new venue which is 40 Degreez, Dogflud Way GU9 7UT. Talking to people who are going through the same experiences as yourself can be so helpful and will almost always make you feel stronger. They would love to see you there but if you have any queries, call them on 07999 368128 for further details. Literature Live Night Monday April 25th 7pm A local writer and lecturer, Melanie Whipman organises a regular literary open mic night at the Holly Bush Pub in Frensham, GU10 2BJ. It’s an opportunity for local writers to

Pangs Lodge Restaurant Buffet £8 per person Sunday to Thursday £10 per person Friday to Saturday Children under 10 half price For groups of 4 adults, book in advance and quote Vantage for a free bottle of house wine. Closed Mondays 172 Thursley Road, Elstead, GU8 6DH Tel: 01252 702323

Bells Piece and the London Marathon Sunday 24th April Disabled residents at Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Bells Piece care home in Farnham stand to benefit following an inspiring act of charity from the niece of a lady with Down’s syndrome. Florence Elliott is looking to raise £1,800 in fundraising for her local care home, which supports people with a range of disabilities. “My aunt has Down’s syndrome, which is why I wanted to run for a disabilities charity, I hope the money can give the residents extra opportunities that would not be possible without extra funding”, said Florence. April 2016

GARDENING

With Beth Otway

Gourmet Vegetables mangetout pea, but in all honesty any variety of pea would be suitable. Just cut the tops off your plants when they reach about 12cm (5 inches) and wait for them to re-grow. Pea shoots can easily be grown in a window box or container.

I love April, it’s such a super month in the garden and there are so many beautiful vegetables that you can sow now. Did you know that it’s just as easy to grow a purple coloured carrot, as it is to grow an orange one? Carrots come in an array of colours – white, yellow, red, purple and many shades in between. Each variety has a slightly different taste and texture. I think they are all delicious and they look fantastic mixed together on the plate. Conveniently, many seed companies sell ‘Rainbow Mix’ packets of carrot seed. Carrots are very easy to grow, but you do need to take steps to avoid their nemesis, the carrot fly. By covering your carrot seedlings with Enviromesh, you will prevent the carrot fly from laying its eggs near your carrots.

Kohlrabi is an absolutely delicious vegetable, often hard to find in the shops, but it’s easy to grow in the garden. For some years now I have been growing a variety called ‘Gigant’, available from Real Seeds, which is an amazing variety. It’s delicious harvested at a much larger size than traditional kohlrabi varieties, which you don’t want to allow to grow much larger than a golf ball, or they become rather tough and woody. I’ve regularly eaten Galia melon sized ‘Gigant’ and have found it to be delicious and very tender. Later sowings of ‘Gigant’ are great for storing over winter. Almost instant gratification can be found if you sow coloured radishes, which will be ready to eat just a few weeks after sowing. Radish seed can be sown direct into the soil or in containers. If you’re sowing a row of parsnip seeds, sow some radish seeds in the same row – parsnips take a long time to germinate, whereas your radish seed will have germinated, been harvested and eaten before the parsnip requires the space. Do purchase new parsnip seed each year, this is one variety of vegetable seed that doesn’t remain viable for long and cannot be stored – why not share a packet with your friends or neighbours? There are many other gourmet vegetables that you can sow now: rapini, salsola soda, kale, salsify, scorzonera, amaranth, shallots, quinoa and pak choi. That should keep you all busy!

Globe artichokes are glorious to grow! Yes, they take up quite a bit of room, but nothing beats freshly harvested artichokes cooked until tender. ‘Gros Vert de Laon’ is a great tasting variety, as is ‘Imperial Star’, which produces a great crop of large heads even in its first year. Don’t forget that you can eat the inner part of the stem of the artichoke as well as the beautiful globes. Mangetout peas are super plants to grow. I enjoy growing varieties such as ‘Shiraz’ with its attractive purple pods, and the pretty, yellow-podded ‘Golden Sweet’, which is sweet and tender and probably my favourite. Both of these varieties produce easy to spot pods – a real bonus when you’re harvesting, and attractively coloured flowers. For pea shoots, my preferred variety would be ‘Oregon Sugar Pod’ which is marketed as a

Above left: Globe artichokes. Right: Kohlrabi. Images by Beth Otway.

FIND OUT MORE For more tips, advice and ideas of other lovely jobs that you could do in your garden or at your allotment this month, more ideas of seeds that can be sown now, and much more besides, please visit my website www.pumpkinbeth.com. vantagepointmag.co.uk

<47 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD meet each other, and to share their poetry and prose. The next event will be on Monday 25th, and she is now taking bookings for open mic slots. Full details are on her website. www.melaniewhipman.com. It’s a free event and should be very enjoyable. Please email Melanie Whipman if you’d like to book a slot to read email m.whipman@virgin.net Farnham DFAS Tuesday 26th April 10.30am Their next meeting at Farnham Maltings is a fascinating talk entitled ‘Wandering amongst the Nomadic Tribes of Iran and Afghanistan: Searching for the woven art and symbolism of the Nomad’ by Brian MacDonald. Time spent in Iran and Afghanistan during the 1970s, fostered Brian’s passion for the wonderful weavings produced by nomads on basic ground looms and the symbolic representations contained within them. This lecture, richly illustrated with actual textiles, describes the woven art of the nomads. Farnham ASSIST Taster Day Wednesday 27th April Everyone is welcome to go along along. It is a chance to for you to get a flavour of Farnham ASSIST and some of the events that they organise, such as, your stories and memories of your childhood and help with iPads and other devices. Board games and a puzzle area will be running from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Vine Yard Centre, Union Road, Farnham. A light lunch will be available from 12.30 to 1.30pm and then there will be a tea dance from 1.30 to 2.30pm. Entrance is £2 and for more details call 01252 717710.

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The setting is stunning, with Pugin’s Victorian Gothic ruined chapel and Peper Harow Park making a romantic backdrop to the point-to-point course. In addition to the racing there are great opportunities to browse the trade stands, enjoy a picnic and visit the fun fair with the children. The event is supported by local businesses including the award winning Hogs Back Brewery which will be hosting the bar and beer garden next to the trade stands with a great selection of beers. Access to the races is via the B3001 Elstead to Milford road; two minutes from the A3. The first of the six races starts at 2pm but gates open at 11am for families to set up their picnics, go shopping and explore the funfair. Public car park. £12 per adult and children under 16 are free. All enquiries to suhptp@gmail.com. Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance This great organisation is appealing for local groups, clubs, societies and other organisations to book a talk about the life-saving work of the charity as it takes delivery of a new helicopter. The air ambulance has launched a new presentation including information about how the helicopters are tasked, the aircraft, types of missions, the crew, blood transfusions and night flying. If you would like to book a talk, please call Fundraising Support Assistant, Lucy Waterson on 01622 833833. National Garden Scheme Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May 10am to 5pm The woodland garden at Crosswater Farm, Churt will be

Cobbett’s Wey Decorative and Fine Arts Society Wednesday 27th April 7.15pm The Japanese Tea Ceremony has a long and important history in the country’s traditions. Developed in the 13th century, it took its present form during the 16th century. Simon Rees will illustrate his lecture with tea bowls, whisks, spoons, lacquer caddies and other paraphernalia, bringing several objects from his own collection. This promises to be another fascinating lecture at Farnham College in Morley Road, GU98LU. Refreshments are served from 7.15pm and the talk starting promptly at 8pm. For more information, email farnhameveningdfas@gmail.com or call 01252 793811. RHS Wisley Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May There’s a Contemporary Craft & Design Fair at RHS Wisley with around 160 exhibitors, so no small affair! It will be open from 9am to 6pm. Surrey Union Point to Point Saturday 30th April Gates open 11am, £12 per adult, children under 16 free. Get set to gallop along to join horses and jockeys at Surrey’s premier Point to Point at Peper Harow for a great day of racing. Racing has a long tradition at Peper Harow, the first point to point was held in the 1950’s by kind permission of the Baker family. Since then, it has become an annual event. April 2016

PLANNING & DESIGN SERVICE Architectural drawings for Extensions, Alterations & New Build Free No Obligation Quotations

Tel: 01483 417555 Mob: 07818 014357

www.architecturesurrey.co.uk www.architecturesurrey.co.uk simonplanning.design@btinternet.com

Best kept secret in Surrey Is it safe to use? Absolutely! All Patio Black Spot Remover products are organic, safe to use, and completely biodegradable. It will not compromise the garden or its wildlife in any way. Can it be used on all types of stone? Yes. All of the products are acid and caustic-free formulation so you can use it on every type of stone, be it Artificial Stone, Natural Stone and Brick or Block Paving.

Elstead is home to one of Surrey’s best kept secrets an innovative ‘wonder’ product that gives tired-looking patios the ultimate face lift to bring them back to their former glory. Say goodbye to black marks and spots in paved garden areas for good with The Patio Black Spot Removal System. The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd is the brainchild of local businessman, Simon Essex, who started trading in Elstead four years ago. Today, the company sells its Patio Black Spot Removal System throughout the UK and distributes internationally in Germany, Holland, France, Spain and the US. Simon has also set up the business in Sydney, Australia – manufacturing and selling The Patio Black Spot Removal System to homeowners ‘down under.’ Intrigued by this innovation, VantagePoint Magazine asks Simon Essex to explain how his product range works and what Surrey residents can expect to see in terms of results. What is The Patio Black Spot Removal System? To use the old adage: ‘It does what it says on the tin’, the Patio Black Spot Removal System removes black spots immediately and permanently. No need to call in the specialists either – you can use the product yourself. It really is that simple. There are three ‘Removers’ (RRP £69.60, 4ltrs) available for Artificial Stone, Natural Stone and Brick or Block Paving. The Patio Black Spot ‘Preventer’ (RRP £57.59, 2.5ltr) completes the system. As the name implies, it keeps spots at bay when used annually and also zaps green, slippery, algae that is particularly prevalent on North facing elevations. How does it work? The product is applied neat, using a pump-up garden sprayer for ease of use and instant gratification, as you can see the black spots fade on use.The solution irrigates the pores in the stone, helping to bring stonework back to its original colour.

Is it expensive? No. The ‘Removers’ offer a brilliant average cleaning cost of just £3.50 per square metre and the ‘Preventer’ costs less then £1.00 per square metre, annually. What causes the black spots to form? I came up with the name: ‘Patio Black Spots’ as a way of describing those hideous Black Spots that colonise on the surface of most garden stonework after an average 3 year period. They begin life as tiny microspores, originating from the trees. Carried by the wind, they land in their millions, unseen on garden stonework. These microspores bury themselves into the pores of the stone surface and feed off the mineral in the stone. They have a two year germination period and, like spores on steroids, their growth is accelerated by the iron that exists in the stone. This causes the growth both across and into the stone, in which their root anchors them. Unseen until the beginning of the third year from the day the stone is laid, they grow into vivid black ‘ink-like’ spots, that soon plague the surface. Can’t you just pressure wash them away? That won’t work. In fact, it only serves to damages the surface, as, by this time they have anchored themselves, there to stay and multiply. Pressure washing can also damage stonework, make it more vulnerable to organic infestations and susceptible to frost damage. How often do you need to use the range? The Patio Black Spot Remover is a one off treatment, complemented by the Patio Black Spot Preventer which is to be applied annually. This prevents the return of black spots after two years – the period in which the spores germinate. Where can I buy it? You can buy direct from our website at www.patioblackspotremoval.com or call 01252 702123.

rewarding retail

brillianc e

The wonder of maple by Julie Dansereau The maple sugar season has just finished in the south and eastern part of Québec. For the last two weeks of March, maple syrup producers have returned to their rustic wooden cabins and have been harvesting the sweet maple water. Once again, the boiling process has given the woodlands a unique aroma, the one of maple syrup. Miss Maple has selected for you three recipes to enjoy the wonderful flavour of maple syrup and show that it doesn’t just go on pancakes! There is no better way to celebrate the return of spring. Miss Maple, who is based in Godalming, would love to hear about your cooking expertise with maple syrup. Please visit Miss Maple’s website at www.missmaple.co.uk to leave your comments and to find out more about the making of maple syrup.

Green leaf salad with maple-glazed walnuts, apple and pancetta This salad is a lovely mix of texture and flavours. Ingredients For the maple-glazed nuts (a delicious snack on their own): 60ml maple syrup, 1tbsp butter, 80g walnuts or pecan nuts. Vinaigrette (will dress any salad you like): 60ml mayonnaise, 3tbsp olive oil, ½ garlic clove finely chopped (optional), 2tbsp cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, 1tbsp maple syrup, 1tsp Dijon mustard or English mustard, black pepper. Green leaf salad: ½ red onion finely sliced (optional), 1 bag of 100g mixed green salad (rocket, spinach, watercress, etc.), 1 big apple or pear peeled and finely sliced, 4 slices of pancetta. Serves 4 Method: 1. Lay a tray with parchment paper, put aside. 2. In a small pan, bring to boil maple syrup and butter and cook for 2 minutes. Add nuts; continue cooking while stirring with a wooden spoon for about 5-7 minutes, until sugar crystals are forming on top of nuts then remove from heat. 3. Pour immediately on the tray and using a spatula spread the mixture quickly and evenly. Salt lightly, if you wish, and let cool completely (that should take 15-20minutes) then break the nuts with a knife on a wooden board. 52

4. Put the onion slices in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes to soften them and let dry on kitchen paper. 5. Cook the pancetta in a frying pan, until golden brown, and let cool on kitchen paper before breaking them in pieces. 6. Make the vinaigrette by mixing all the ingredients in a jar until smooth and creamy. 7. Slice the apple or pear just before serving. 8. In a big salad bowl or individual ones, mix gently the salad leaves with the slices of onion. Pour vinaigrette over and top with slices of fruit, maple-glazed nuts and pieces of pancetta. vantagepointmag.co.uk

RECIPES Maple-glazed salmon fillets Surprisingly for many, salmon and maple syrup go very well together. Try a simple drizzle of maple syrup over your cooked salmon and voilà! Ingredients 240g salmon fillets, 2tbsp maple syrup, 2tsp reduced salt soy sauce, 1tbsp fresh grated ginger, ½ small red chilli finely chopped, 1tbsp sesame oil, 1tsp sesame seeds. Serves 2 Method: 1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except the fish fillets. Pour the marinade in to an oven proof dish. 2. Add fillets skin-side up and marinate for 15 minutes 3. Preheat oven to 200ºC. 4. Simply turn fillets flesh-side up and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cook in oven for 12 minutes.

Maple syrup tart There are probably as many maple syrup tart recipes as there are families in Québec! Rich and velvety, this traditional dessert is the best way to enjoy the maple syrup season. Growing fans of maple syrup, this recipe is for you! Ingredients 250ml pure maple syrup, 4tbsp corn flour, 4tbsp brown sugar, 375ml double cream, pinch of salt, pie shell or handmade/bought pastry put on 20cm pie dish. Serves 6-8 Method: 1. Preheat oven 180ºC. 2. Put all the ingredients in a pan, mix using a whisk, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir for 5 minutes until it thickens. Let cool for 10 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, cook blind the pie shell for 10 minutes then pour syrup mixture in and cook for 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely and serve with ice cream and fresh berries. Enjoy! April 2016

gastr

...for the lovers of local food and drink

Farnham’s Secret Garden

Pangs pleases

Spring is here, the days are getting longer and a stunning oasis of calm has thrown open its doors in Farnham’s busy, bustling town centre with the unveiling of The Wheatsheaf’s new ‘Secret Garden’. Following a new refurbishment to turn this ‘hidden gem’ into a stunning, romantic retreat for people to escape to during the warmer months, customers will love this unique seating area to relax in. Fresh, seasonal local food and drink combine with mature luscious greenery, twinkling lights and vintage inspired mirrors, to offer a peaceful haven in an English country garden setting, right in the heart of Farnham. The Wheatsheaf is in West Street, Farnham

I went to Pang’s Lodge in Elstead for their buffet dinner (£8 adult, £4 child) with my husband and 7 year old twins recently on a Thursday and thought it was fantastic, good value for money. We arrived at 5.30pm and were greeted by Mr Pang who was very attentive and chatty with the children, making us feel very welcome. We had a large variety of dishes. I prefer lots of starters and my husband a full meal, so both were fully catered for. My children ventured out of their rice and chicken comfort zone and tried prawn toast and noodles... success!! All round a lovely meal out and we will go again. Lauren Broughton 172 Thursley Road, Elstead, GU8 6DH Tel: 01252 702323 See the advert oﬀer on page 47 in this month’s VantagePoint!

An exciting new arrival in Farnham The Botanist is a new pub and restaurant has planted its roots on 4-5 Townhall Buildings, The Borough, Farnham just in time for spring. The Botanist is a pub like no other in the area, serving really interesting botanical cocktails, craft beers and ales along with

deli, rotisserie and BBQ inspired food. We’ve eaten there, the Homemade Scotch Egg with Piccalilli (£5.95) was really excellent, as was the Pork crackling with chilli, spring onion and sweet apple sauce (£3.75), and looked great, with the sauces served in miniature wheelbarrows, very cute. They specialise

he’ll send a new one to your inbox once a month. Last month the Bake with Jack Recipe Club was launched - an online bread making community. As a member you’ll have full access to Jack’s online recipe series and

Try it at home, take a picture, and let him know how you got on. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to have questions answered at recipeclub@bakewithjack.co.uk and top answers will be shared

in Hanging Kebabs (from £10.95), over which are then drizzled in sweet chilli, or ginger and garlic butter. There’s a great buzz about the place, live music is played in the evening, so a fun place to hang out whether enjoying their selection of interesting cocktails, or their food.

with the community along with the following months recipe. Your first recipe awaits, it’s Jack’s super simple Cob loaf, a great everyday bread. Visit eepurl.com/bSca4L to join.

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

open in aid of the National Garden Scheme. The idyllic 6 acre gardens were started by the late Ted Millais in about 1950, and now contain a superb collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plantings including maples, magnolias and sorbus, together with ponds and a stream. Many of the plants in the garden have been collected in the Himalayas and raised by the Millais family. Admission is £4, all in aid of the NGS which supports nursing and caring charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support.

56>

like further information about dowsing, contact Michael Haxeltine on 01252 541639. They need new members of all ages to learn dowsing skills and would like to run a lads and Dads morning or Mums and daughters workshop. If interested do contact the above number.

Quiz Night Saturday 30th April 6.45pm The Brooke is organising this year’s quiz event at the Crookham War Memorial Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham, Fleet. Opens at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm start. Includes a Ploughman’s supper and costs £12.50 per person. You can form your own team or let them introduce you to others. There’s a cash prize for the winning team. For tickets and enquiries email worthcote@hotmail.com or call 01252 616429 / 01252 617621. The Brooke is an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world’s poorest communities.

The Farnham Duck Race Saturday 30th April 10am The Great Farnham Duck Race, organised by the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, takes place for the 29th time, this year on the River Wey by Gostrey Meadow. It is a popular event in Farnham, attracting large crowds to watch the hundreds of ducks as they race down the river. It is a most successful fundraising event, and there are plenty of prizes to be won in the heats and in the final race. Festivities start at 10am with plenty of stalls and attractions with many local charities taking stalls for this event. The first race starts at 12noon and there will be several heats during the afternoon. Funds raised will be used to support Rotary charities. For more information about Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, see www.farnhamweyside.org.uk, or contact the Secretary, Andy Fewster, on 01252 795169, or email secretary@ farnhamweyside.org.uk.

Waverley Dowsers The Society is preparing their event programme for 2016 which will include talks and training indoors and field events in Surrey and NE Hampshire. They are seeking new members from Surrey, NE Hants and Berks and if you would

Car Boot Sale Sunday 1st May 8am to 12 noon Takes place at the Rural Life Centre, The Reeds Road, Tilford GU10 2DL. Car boot fee is £6, but free entry to buyers. Organised by the Rustics in aid of the Museum. It’s a great

April 2016

<55 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD chance to get rid of your clutter and at the same time have a look around for some bargains. National Garden Scheme Sunday 1st Monday 2nd May 10am to 5pm The woodland garden at Crosswater Farm, Churt will be open in aid of the National Garden Scheme. The idyllic 6 acre gardens were started by the late Ted Millais in about 1950, and now contain a superb collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plantings including maples, magnolias and sorbus, together with ponds and a stream. Many of the plants in the garden have been collected in the Himalayas and raised by the Millais family. Admission is £4, all in aid of the NGS which supports nursing and caring charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support. Car Boot Sale Saturday 7th May 2pm to 4.30pm Takes place at Alton Abbey. Having a good clear-out? Take your unwanted belongings to the sale or go and buy more to fill the spaces! Cars £7 each if booked in advance, £12 on the day - to book contact Friends of Alton Abbey, Alton Abbey, Abbey Road, Alton GU34 4AP. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of Alton Abbey’. Please include a telephone number, or an email address and a SAE if you wish your place to be confirmed. Teas cost £3, for tea, coffee and a piece of cake. For more information email friendsofaltonabbey@ gmail.com or call 01428 712938/01420 562126.

Sponsored Walk Sunday 8th May This annual event, which raises funds for Phyllis Tuckwell, offers both five and ten mile routes, both of which start from the Tilford Institute in Tilford, near Farnham. It kicks off at 9.30am and you can complete it at your leisure, but with a cream tea for all participants on offer at the end, you might want to get into your stride from the off! The money which you and your fellow walkers raise will help fund the local Hospice Care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides for patients and families who are facing a terminal illness, such as cancer. Registration is £12 for adults and £5 for children under 14. Fees will be higher on the day, so register now by calling 01252 729446 or emailing fundraising@pth.org.uk. If you’d like to find out more about this annual fundraising event, or the Hospice Care which it will help to support, visit www.pth. org.uk. Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity Golf Day Friday 13th May They are holding a golf day at the lovely Liphook Golf Course. The format is 18 holes of four ball better ball, followed by a buffet lunch, prize giving and raffle. Single or partnered players are welcome. Cost per player is £100 for nonmembers. Liphook club members pay £70. The cost covers green fee, coffee on arrival, buffet lunch and donation to the Helen Arkell Centre. Contact Sue Stradling to book your place or if you have any questions. Call 0208 563 7182 or email suestradling@gmail.com or contact the Helen Arkell Centre

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD on 01252 792400. Visit their website www.helenarkell.org. uk to find out more about what they do. Frensham Bowls Club Monday 30th May The members are organising an Open Day at Frensham Bowls Club in Frensham. They are seeking new members and this is a great opportunity to have a go and see if you like it. Contact Robin Dibden on 01428 604291 or email dibbor79@talktalk. net for more details. Do go along and give it a go, you will be given a very warm welcome. Cabaret Evening Saturday 18th June 7.30pm The Farnham Fundraising Branch of Arthritis Research UK are celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a Cabaret Evening featuring Bowjangles, a comedy string quartet, at More House School, Frensham GU10 3AP. Tickets are £25, which includes a Champagne Reception, and are available by calling 01252 712401, 01252 782064, 01252 723161 or 07946 752860. Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Sunday 31st July Phyllis Tuckwell still has charity spaces left in the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. The ride will follow the route made famous by the world’s best cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics. Starting from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, participants will follow a 100-mile route through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside, before returning to central London for a race to the finishing line on The Mall. If you fancy having a go and at the same time help raise funds for this wonderful local charity, secure your place by contacting Phyllis Tuckwell for an application form today. Call 01252 729446 or email fundraising@pth.org.uk. Should your application be successful, a registration fee of £50 and a minimum sponsorship of £500 will apply. Heartstart Farnham Lions They have now trained over 600 people in Emergency Life Support Skills. They have announced new class dates as follows: 13th and 27th April, 18th and 25th May, 1st, 15th and 29th June. All classes take about two hours and are essentially free, although voluntary donations are welcome. They commence at 7pm and are held at the St John Ambulance Hall, near Waitrose in Farnham. Heartstart, an initiative of the British Heart Foundation, is aimed at enabling ordinary people to do just that. Farnham Lions Club is driving this initiative forward, which, together with the Club’s involvement in installing publicly accessible defibrillators (PADs) around the town (8 to date), should make it one of the most survivable, non- hospital, environments in the country in which to have a heart attack or cardiac arrest! Why don’t you become one of the growing number of people in the community who can now confidently approach and help a casualty, who may well be in danger of swift and premature death, by booking for one of the remaining classes before the summer break? Take a look at the scheme’s website www.heartstartfarnhamlions.co.uk or email heartstartfarnhamlions@hotmail.co.uk to reserve a place.

April 2016

Farnham Fun Palace They are calling all makers, creators, crafters, tinkerers, artists and scientists! They will be holding their third Fun Palace at the Garden Gallery of the Farnham Museum on 1st October and they need you to help them shape it. They plan on teaming up with the Farnham Art and Design Education Group and the Farnham Amnesty group. If you would like to get involved or contribute ideas, please get in touch! Email farnhamfunpalace@gmail.com. Twitter @farnhamfunpal. Facebook farnhamfunpalace Dash for Colour Saturday 3rd September Now in its third year, Dash for Colour is a hugely popular fundraising event which sees participants run a 5k route, showered at every kilometre mark with powder paint to symbolise the colour which Phyllis Tuckwell brings to the lives of its patients and their relatives. It is held in the beautiful grounds of Frimley Lodge Park, in Frimley Green and will take place this year on Saturday 3rd September. The early bird registration fee is £16. On 1st April prices will rise to £18. Register online at www.shop.pth.org.uk or call Phyllis Tuckwell’s Fundraising team on 01252 729446.

FIND OUT Visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk to see Jottings from our other areas online. To send in an entry, go online or email us at jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk.

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WALK - Tilford to Elstead This walk has an almost six mile initial section which has in it a strenuous climb but it will reward you with some spectacular views. The second section is much shorter and more or less flat. The description was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club who will be walking it in May (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk). You are welcome to walk it with them.

The walk 1. Cross the bridge and, on the other side, take the footpath to the left. After a level start, climb a little to a T-junction with a lane. Turn left and the lane quickly ends and continues as a track. After 250 yards fork right on a red arrow permissive path. Follow this through, ignoring lefts and rights, to a road. Go straight across to continue forward along a track for about 1/3 mile to a T-junction. Here take the red arrow option left. Now walk ¼ mile to a busy road. Turn right and walk uphill along the road for 300 yards to find a footpath left, at the side of the entrance to Keepers Cottage Stud. Follow this as it rises to pass Yew Tree Cottage and then the two Waverley Cottages and reaches another road. 2. Go straight across to join a bridleway and follow it left and then left again. Walk through to Crooksbury Hill car park. Now take the leftmost option from the back of the car park to start the long and increasingly steep climb up onto Crooksbury Hill. Stop at the viewpoint. It will have been worth the effort!

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Afterwards, with your back to the view, head right, off the other side of the top and steeply down. Trend a little left to reach a point where a path strikes off right and runs alongside a fence. Follow this through to reach a road directly opposite the start of footpath along a wide track. Follow this for about 1/3 mile to a T-junction with a wide track. Turn right and walk out into the Crooksbury Conservation Area. Now walk for about 3/4 mile along the wide track, at one point passing out of the conservation area then passing a few houses and eventually reaching a road. 3. The Donkey PH is on the other side of this road but you will not reach it because, some 30 yards before the road, at a 3-way signpost, is a footpath left. Take this and climb up to emerge at the end of a drive. Continue forward to exit through the gate of Three Barrows (adorned with eagles) onto Seale Road. Go straight over and along the path opposite to reach another road. Again go straight over, heading towards Broomfield Cottage but then turning left onto a footpath in a field. Cross the field half-right to a gate into a wood. Walk through the wood to reach the road that runs through the village of Gatwick. Turn right, cross a stream and continue for about ¼ mile, passing the houses and going over a rise and then turning right into Attleford Lane. Some 350 yards along here, by the side of a house, take a footpath right. Pass a house and farm buildings and the track becomes a narrow path. Traverse a footbridge eventually arrive at road. Head right. Cross a bridge over a river and, 100 yards further on, turn right on a track. Emerge in a long field. Continue to exit it at the far end. The path brings you to the dead-end of Ham Lane. Follow this, to the right, for some 1/3 mile, to

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reach its end at the main road through Elstead. Turn right and walk along to the Woolpack PH, a café, shops and a little green where you could picnic. 4. After lunch, take the Churt/Thursley Road and walk to the church. Here, turn right to walk along for about 1/2 mile to the end of Westbrook Hill. At the end of the road, take the track right, into an MOD area. Follow this wide track for 1/4 mile to reach a 5-way junction. Of the two blue arrow options ahead, take the rightmost. Continue on across heathland, passing a house on the right-hand side, still following blue arrows and ignoring lefts and rights. The track swings close to the river (which is down to the right-hand side). Reach a barrier and, beyond it the angling lake at Stockbridge. Continue forward to the road by the Stockbridge parking area and turn right to walk along inside the hedge to Tilford and the start.

DISTANCE: 9.5 miles OS MAPS: Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough STARTING POINT: The parking area by the bridge in Tilford, between the cricket pitch and the river. REFRESHMENTS: The Woolpack PH, The Green, Elstead GU8 6HD T: 01252 703106 www.woolpackelstead.co.uk The Barley Mow, Tilford GU10 2BU T: 01252 792205 www.thebarleymowtilford.com Map © Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey. Media 008/16 Images: East Bridge, Tilford, a celebrated medieval stone bridge spanning the River Wey at Tilford © Colin Smith (left); The view from Crooksbury Hill by © Diane Sambrook (above).

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.

April 2016

PROFILE Farnham Art Society

Farnham Art Society is one of the largest and most successful in England, with around 400 members, many of whom are professional artists. This makes for a very high standard at our exhibitions. Currently they are redeveloping the profile of the Society. The first step in this is an investment in a completely new and comprehensive website which will hold all the information about the society in both public and members areas. Some of the main features are: • It will be the central reference point for all aspects of the Society’s activities. • All queries via the site can be handled by the committee quickly and efficiently. • It will include all forms such as membership forms; exhibition forms; exhibiting status forms. • There will be a forum for thoughts, activities, questions and suggestions. • All payments will go through the website, making them ready for the rapid changes in banking methods that are in progress and offering members much more convenient and secure transactions. • There will be our events calendar for easy reference. • The regular newsletter will be posted there and back issues will be available on line. The aim is to facilitate easier communication among the membership, generating new ideas to further develop the society and allow it to play a large part in the development of the visual arts in our area, meeting the challenge of stimulating new developments in the arts both locally and nationally. They are actively expanding their event programme with a series of lectures and practical demonstrations covering a wide spectrum in terms of different approaches to subject matter and content as well as in depth looks at particular media and new practices.

They are also planning to re-instate the Salvin Event. This bequest funds an annual event dedicated to raising the profile of art in this area by mounting a quality event, open to the public, with highly regarded speakers and art practitioners taking part. It is currently in planning and when finalised, all details will be posted on the website. Many of their members have been elected to prestigious national institutions and Royal societies, winning awards and exhibiting at high profile exhibitions. Additionally, many members are involved in tutoring throughout southern England on a regular basis, passing on their skills and insights while encouraging active participation in art to an ever increasing section of the public. Farnham Art Society provides opportunities for sponsor partnerships where a mutual association will prove beneficial. Enquiries are therefore welcomed which could be for the support of specific items or events, or for general investment in developing our future activities. Finally, they are delighted to receive all membership enquiries regardless of your artisitic experience - complete beginner to seasoned pro! The 2016 annual exhibition will be from 6th July to 16th July 2016 and the closing date for this will be Friday 17th June.

FIND OUT Please visit www.farnhamartsociety.org or email farnhamartsociety@hotmail.com for more information.

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Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village is a unique Arts & Crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills. Discover Victorian paintings and sculpture in the historic Watts Gallery, before treating yourself to lunch or a cream tea in the Tea Shop. Stroll to the nearby Grade-I listed Watts Chapel, taking in the beautiful woodlands and grounds, before finding out more about the lives of our founders G F and Mary Watts in the newly opened Watts Studios. Discover art for sale in the Watts Contemporary exhibition in the Pottery Building along with a wide selection of gifts, books and homewares in the Shop. Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 11am-5pm. Open throughout the Easter Holidays (including Bank Holiday Monday).

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