VantagePoint July 17 - Dorking & Leatherhead by VantagePoint Magazine

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Dorking & Leatherhead • July 2017

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SUMMER MOTORING Inside: || 200 YEARS OF CYCLING || SUMMER AT RHS WISLEY || THE GRANGE IN BOOKHAM || SIMPLE SUMMER SALADS

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Sales: 01306 776679 Editorial: 01483 421601 VantagePoint is published by Vantage Publishing, a Godalmingbased local magazine business which was first established in 2009 when we launched our first community magazine. We publish five magazines which are delivered monthly by Royal Mail to over 117,500 homes across the Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, giving us the largest local circulation in the areas we cover. Each of our magazines is specifically localised and tailored to its geographical area and hand-delivered 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 We held our second wine festival in Guildford last month and it was very well-enjoyed and attended. We are still totting up the figures and I will be able to let you know next month just how much money we raised for the four brilliant local charities we worked with. Our next wine festival will be on the 23rd and 24th September in Dorking. More at www.vantagepointevents.co.uk. Thank you to for those who have signed up to our new monthly email newsletter. This will feature some special offers from our advertisers as well as discounts, event information and

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Finally, can dog-owning readers help? I am looking for recommendations from readers of great places to take dogs for a walk for a future article. These should be areas where they can be offthe-lead in safety and perhaps you can let me know why you favour the place as somewhere to walk our four-legged friends. Please email me on the address below if you can help! Contact the editor: stefan@vantagepublishing.co.uk

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Jane Gosnell, Jottings 01483 421601 jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk

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RH4 2HD et, DORKING 78 South Stre

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Best of British Arts & Crafts

6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

9 Spectacular Summer at RHS Garden Wisley

14 Celebrating 200 Years of Cycling Tony Upfold on the world’s oldest transport organisation 21 Summer Motoring Andy Goundry’s hints and tips for summer 24 Gardening Chelsea’s best in show!

27 Food & Drink Simple summer salads

32 Walk

Dunsfold to Hascombe

34 Loxwood Joust Coming back in early August

36 Profile

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39 Competitions Win one of three great prizes OPEN: Tues - Sat. 10:00 - 4:00 Tel: 01306 743403 www.thewowgallery.co.uk 4

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JOTTINGS

Jottings is your community noticeboard for local events and information, compiled by Jane Gosnell. 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.

July looks to be a busy month, with the summer in full swing there are some fabulous outdoor music concerts coming up. I would particularly like to draw your attention to an event organised by The Guildford Lions and the Music Works in Milford - Opera In The Park at Hatchlands Park in aid of Cherry Trees charity on the 9th July. I am proud to be part of Voices Choir which will be taking part in the event to help raise money for this local charity, so do look it up. Fetcham Singers Summer Concert Saturday 1st July 7.30pm This all ladies group presents its annual summer concert with songs to include Faure, Bernstein and Whitaker violin played by Joshua Neil-Boss with music by Bach, Vivaldi and Gershwin. Please join them at the URC Church, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8ST at 7.30pm. Entry at the door £8 (children free) includes donation to charity and interval refreshments. Do You Enjoy Gardening? Oakleaf Enterprise, a mental health charity based in Guildford, is looking for gardening volunteers to join their team. Are you a keen gardener and available during the week to work with Oakleaf Staff and clients on local projects? Flexible hours and the perfect time of year to get out in the garden. Please contact Beatrice Curtis on 01483 303649 or beatricecurtis@oakleaf-enterprise.org for details.

Concerts at Leith Hill Place Saturdays 1st July at 6.30pm and 22nd at 6pm Two concerts are being held at Leith Hill Place, the childhood home of Ralph Vaughan Williams and now in the care of the National Trust. On the 1st there is a concert given by students of the Royal College of Music and on the 22nd there is an operatic concert entitled ‘Oh to be in England’. Tickets are £20. For enquiries and bookings please call 01306 711685. Dorking Folk Club Meeting weekly on Wednesday nights from 8.30 pm The weekly program alternates between booked guests and Singers’ Nights. The club’s Singers’ Nights showcase local non-professional musicians and performers who get together and perform in an informal, friendly and supportive atmosphere. These evenings are open to all types of performance and acoustic music styles; musicians, singers, poems and monologues are all welcome. For further details please check out their website www.dorkingfolkclub. org.uk. Entrance is usually £9 for Guest Nights and £3 for Singers Nights. Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, RH5 4BX. Albury Vineyard Indian Nibbles and Wine Tasting Saturday 1st July 6pm-8pm The perfect class to spice up your taste buds! The event begins with a glass of award-winning Albury Estate sparkling and welcome from vineyard owner Nick. Followed Regain the use of your conservatory

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<6 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD by an interactive session designed to demonstrate the principles of food and wine matching. Alongside taster plates of three delicious north Indian dishes will be samples of six wines, each chosen to complement and wash down the Indian spices. Learn how spices like cumin, coriander and pepper and tamarind flavours can change the way we taste wine. Equipped with this knowledge, you will be ready to explore into your journey of wine tasting with Indian cuisine! Bookings can be made via the Surrey Wine School website www.surreywineschool.com. Dorking Museum: The Deepdene Trail Open Day 2nd July, group bookings throughout July Dorking Museum walks team runs guided walks on the Deepdene Trail: the grotto, woodland walks, parterre and temples, spectacular views across the Weald and exclusive access to the grade II* listed Hope family mausoleum. Tours last 90 minutes. Open Day for individual bookings, 2nd July 2pm. Group tours can be arranged by appointment through the museum website, £4 per person. Visit www. dorkingmuseum.org.uk/the-deepdene-trail/ or email admin@dorkingmuseum.org.uk. Thinkaction Surrey Mental Health Charity Commissioned by the NHS to offer free talking therapies to anyone over 18 years who has a Surrey GP. They offer 1:1 or group therapy and are currently running our ‘Mums in Mind’ and ‘Low Self Esteem’ courses throughout the year across surrey. If this is of interest to you and you feel that you could

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support Thinkaction further in raising awareness of mental health issues and the support available, please contact them - call the office on 01737 225370. Leatherhead Duck Race 2017 Sunday 2nd July 2pm The Duck Race is a fantastic day out for families and fun for people of all ages and it draws many visitors into the town eager to experience the event. Festivities will get underway from 2pm, with a series of tote duck races taking place ahead of the much anticipated grand final later in the day. ‘Race day’ will not only feature a vast number of toy ducks to amuse and entertain little ones, but they can also get their face painted and enjoy storytelling on the banks of the Mole in between races. Events at Polesden Lacey Dorking Various events throughout the year Polesden Lacey have a superb line up for you this spring and summer. From Lazy jazz Sundays, Pop-up Shakespeare, Summer Ranger Walks, Bat walks, Go wild summer crafts and a Donkey Derby! For full details on these events and more check out www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey or telephone 01372 452048. Dorking Local History Group Talk by Lisa Geelhood Monday 3rd July Lisa Geelhood will speak on “Dorking Museum-Working with Schools, Scouts and Families”. Tickets are £2 on the door

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A visitor admires a display of lilies at the RHS Wisley Flower Show © RHS, Carol Sheppard

SPECTACULAR

SUMMER at RHS Garden Wisley FOR MORE THAN 200 years, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has been the force behind the nation’s love of gardening, backed up by its core vision to ‘enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place’. A shining example of this is the charity’s flagship garden, RHS Garden Wisley in Woking, Surrey, which is one of the UK’s most visited and best-loved gardens. This summer, RHS Garden Wisley has created a programme of activities to appeal to visitors of all ages, coinciding with its seasonal, show-stopping horticultural features.

Horticultural Highlights During the warmer months, RHS Garden Wisley bursts into life with vibrant colours and stunning planting schemes at their best. Here’s three ‘must-see’ displays for summer 2017: 1.The Mixed Borders In summer, these borders are one of RHS Garden Wisley’s main attractions. In their full glory from July, the plants mingle effortlessly to produce an intriguing display of colour and form, height and structure. 2.The Bowes Lyon Rose Garden Summer is a fascinating time when you can see the Bowes-Lyon Rose rose garden at its very best. Visitors will find roses of all shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances in this beautiful area of the garden. 3.Exotic Garden From July, an exciting new garden showcasing tropical and exotic-looking plants will open to visitors, providing an immersive, jungle-like atmosphere. July 2017

Filled with impressive flowers and large juicy leaves of bananas, cannas, palms and much more, this new garden is a must-see.

Fun for all the Family To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Enid Blyton’s first book from The Famous Five series, RHS Garden Wisley has created a programme of activities based around the much-loved books to keep children entertained all summer long.

Kids running at RHS Garden Wisley ©RHS, Georgi Mabee

The star attraction will be the ‘The Famous Five on a Garden Adventure’ trail for young explorers, which runs from 22 July-3 September 2017. The trail was developed to encourage children to share Enid Blyton’s passion for the great outdoors by following its self-guided trail around the garden. Children taking part will be tasked with helping The Famous Five to find Uncle Quentin, who has gone missing on a horticultural research mission, with clues to discover and puzzles to solve along the way. The 11th August marks another special anniversary for Enid Blyton, as it would be the author’s 120th birthday. To celebrate the occasion, RHS Garden Wisley is hosting a mass picnic party in the beautiful surroundings of the garden. There’s no need to book, visitors just need to come along with a picnic on the day to join the fun. Other fun activities will be running daily at the garden, such as craft and music sessions, as well as puppet and creepy crawly shows.

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Images clockwise from left: Cottage Garden in Summer at RHS Garden Wisley. Copyright ©RHS, Lee Beel; Visitors walk along the Mixed Borders in summer at RHS Garden Wisley. Copyright RHS, Georgi Mabee; The Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden in Summer at RHS Garden Wisley. Both © RHS RHS, Lee Beel.

Celebrate Summer Making the most of the warmer and longer days, RHS Garden Wisley is hosting a range of events that enable visitors to experience the garden from a different point of view: • Wisley Late Evenings On 23rd June, 21st July, and 11th August, visitors can enjoy a late-evening opening of the flagship RHS Garden, and experience the tranquillity of Wisley after hours. Last entry 8pm. • Summer Nights Open-Air Cinema On 14th-15th July an open-air cinema will screen classic movies Grease and Top Gun under the stars. Pre-booking is required. • Arts Fest Enjoy a weekend of artistic celebrations in the garden from 15th-16th July, including live music, poetry, theatre performances, as well as demonstrations and workshops from The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen. • Surrey Sculpture Trail Running from 19th August to 24th September, Wisley will provide the beautiful backdrop to a display of contemporary and traditional inspirational sculptures from some of the South East’s finest established and emerging artists. All will be available to purchase. • 25 years of the RHS Wisley Flower Show To celebrate 25 years of the RHS Garden Wisley Flower 10

Show, the visitor attraction will host a six-day floral extravaganza from 5th-10th September. The event will feature a record number of nurseries and trade stands to make it the best show yet. Visitors can also gain access to expert advice and browse and buy from RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show medal winners, along with other specialist nurseries. Garden trade stands will also be showcasing their top quality plants and garden sundries for guests to browse. Visitors will also be able to see the stunning floral display by the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS). Entry into the Flower Show is free to RHS members. With an exciting summer season ahead, why not take the opportunity to spend time in the fresh-air, have fun, and pick up some gardening inspiration along the way? FIND OUT MORE Normal garden entry applies; events and activities are suitable for all the family. Further information about RHS Garden Wisley, including booking information and full event listings, can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley.

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window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solutionâ&#x20AC;Ś Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience

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<8 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD or annual single membership of £8 or £10 for couples. Held at Crossways Community Baptist Church, Junction Road, Dorking. Please contact John Patterson on 01306 888401 or jhp3660@yahoo.co.uk for more information. Vintage Jive Lessons in Leatherhead Thursdays 8pm-10pm Learn to Jive to the music of the era. Authentic 40s/50s style. No need to book, just turn up. North Leatherhead Community Centre, Kingston Road, Leatherhead KT22 7NX. £7 per session. All welcome, fun and friendly. Free tea and coffee or bar available. Call 07854 621522 or email vintagejive@hotmail.co.uk. Dorking Folk Club - Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman Wednesday 5th July 8.30pm Twice winners of the BBC radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo. The couple’s intimacy and strength of passion on stage have won them many fans and an enviable reputation as songwriters. Their greatly varied original songs cover such subjects as wicked mermaids, Norwegian legends, and a lonely whale. Held at Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, RH5 4BX. Visit their website, www.dorkingfolkclub. org.uk for full details and bookings. Dorking and District RSPB Group Various dates in July 10.30am The group meets for local bird watching walks. This is a friendly group for beginners and experienced watchers. On

5th July, Bookham Common: meet in Tunnel car park. On 19th July, Box Hill: meet in NT car park at NT shop/info centre at top of Box Hill. On 2nd August, Shalford: meet after first bend in Tillingbourne Road. On 16th August Abinger to Westcott: meet at Abinger Roughs car park off White Down Road. Free for group members and £5 for visitors. For more information see www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ dorkinganddistrict or call 01372 454850. Leatherhead’s Lunchtime Concerts Various dates during July at 12.30pm These concerts continue each week throughout the summer starting on the 6th with a trombone concert and the 13th with local soprano Alice Bishop. On 19th organist Gary Sieling and 27th Hugh Millington, guitar. Concerts take place in the town’s Methodist Church, Church Road (please park in the multi-storey), except for 19th which is at Christ Church, Epsom Road (with plenty of parking). The concerts are free with a retiring collection to cover costs. Full details will be found at: musiconthursdays.org. Watermill Jazz at Betchworth Park Golf Club Every Tuesday Watermill Jazz during July present another month of top quality jazz every Tuesday evening. The young talented pianist Reuben James, who on his last appearance had been touring worldwide with pop icon Sam Smith, appears on the 4th with his trio. Andrew McCormack’s Graviton appear on 11th, then Stan Sulzmann Quartet with special guest Henry

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JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Lowther and finally on the 25th, Fever, a rendition by vocalist Jo Harrop of the songs of the legendary American Peggy Lee. Visit www.watermilljazz.co.uk for full details and to book online, or call Steve on 07415 815784. Bookham Choral Society Summer Concert Saturday 8th July 8pm Conductor Christopher Hann and soloist Grace Carter have great pleasure in presenting a Summer Concert consisting of Mass in Blue by Will Todd and other choral pieces by Felix Mendelssohn, John Ireland and Samuel Wesley. The concert will be at St Nicolas Church, Bookham. Tickets from Cascade, High Street Bookham, the BCS Box Office on 01372 375644 or bcsboxoffice@gmail.com. Dashwood Day On The River Wey Saturday 8th July 9.30am The Wey and Arun Canal Trust and the National Trust are jointly celebrating the 150th anniversary of JB Dashwood’s adventurous journey down the River Wey along the Wey and Arun Canal towards the Solent. His mission was to see the Spithead Review in 1867 and he took his small boat ‘Caprice’ from Thames Lock at Weybridge, along the Wey & Arun Canal on his way to Portsmouth. Beginning at Thames Lock, River Wey near Chertsey, KT13 8L. Refreshments at Thames Lock for all boaters, canoeists, kayakers, paddleboarders, walkers and cyclists. The finishing line is at Gun’s Mouth, Shalford. Please book online at www.weyarun. org.uk.

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Dorking Museum exhibition: ‘Time Gentlemen Please!’ Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout July The story of the public houses of Dorking from the 13th century to the present day, revealing their past and some of their stories. Map of locations, old images of how they looked, modern photographs, pub memorabilia. Families welcome – pub sign drawing competition and old pub games. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 4pm, at 62 West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS. Details: www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk. Enquiries: admin@ dorkingmuseum.org.uk or 01306 876591. Simply Scones Cream Teas at The Grange, Bookham Tuesday afternoons 2.15pm-3.30pm Simply Scones cream teas are back in the Victorian Conservatory of The Grange Centre for People with Disabilities. They have been closed for building work, but are back with delicious (not to mention huge) scones made and served by people they support as part of a mini catering business. To book, please call 01372 452608, £3.50 per person. Kensington Sinfonia at St Martin’s church Saturday 8th July at 3pm This month sees a special concert at St Martin’s church to mark the 10th anniversary of the William Cole Church Music Trust, set up in 2007 to support choral scholars at the church. This will be given by the Kensington Sinfonia, conducted by Martin Hall, with trumpeter Crispian Steele-

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200

Celebrating Years of Cycling Tony Upfold on the Guildford-based Cycling UK, the world’s oldest transport organisation. Millions of people around the globe are toasting a very special birthday this summer – none more so than those who work at the Guildford home of the world’s oldest transport organisation. On 12th June 1817, German baron Karl von Drais demonstrated his latest invention, the draisienne – a two-wheeled horseless vehicle propelled by its rider. From the humble beginnings of the good baron’s ‘running machine’, the bicycle was born. And that’s a 200th birthday worth celebrating from the point of view of

Cycling UK, the national cycling charity based at Parklands in Railton Road, Guildford. Originally called the Bicycle Touring Club on its formation in the era of the penny-farthing, Cycling UK has been promoting cycling and protecting cyclists since 1878, nearly two decades before the RAC was founded. By 1883, the organisation had become the Cyclists’ Touring Club – to appease the many early members who rode tricycles – and in April last year CTC entered a new era when it rebranded as Cycling UK. Since those far-off days of the Victorian cycling pioneers, oil-powered lamps have given way to LED lights, the old

Here are just some of the organisation’s achievements on behalf of cyclists over the decades:

• 1888: Legal right agreed for cycles to use the roads as ‘carriages’ – dubbed “the cyclists’ Magna Carta” at the time.

• 1885: London’s Richmond and Regent’s parks opened to cyclists – a forerunner of Cycling UK’s Space for Cycling campaign today.

• 1898: Landlady of the Hautboy Hotel in Ockham, Surrey, taken to court for refusing to serve CTC member Lady Harberton because she was wearing ‘Rational Dress’ – baggy knickerbockers and a jacket. The case was lost but led to more women’s cycling groups and was a milestone on the road to female emancipation. Fast forward 119 years, and Cycling UK’s Women’s Festival of Cycling is taking place throughout the whole of July 2017.

• 1886: Winged Wheel badge adopted. These appeared on inns and hotels recommended for cyclists, the ultimate accolade long before Michelin stars were being handed out. Many big, cast-iron Winged Wheels can still be seen today. 14

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CTC uniform of dark green serge jacket, knickerbockers and peaked helmet has morphed into figure-hugging Lycra (some would say for the worse), while cloth-backed maps and sepia-tint photographs have developed into GPS and GoPro. But one thing hasn’t changed: Cycling UK’s role as the voice of the everyday cyclist. Today, the organisation has 65,000 members - many hundreds of them in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire – with 130 member groups and more than 600 affiliate groups across the country putting on thousands of rides each year. It also organises nationwide projects such as the Big Bike Revival and Bike Week in a bid to get millions more people in local communities cycling, helping to counter the nation’s growing obesity crisis and ease pollution in the process. Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, Cycling UK’s President, said: “Rebranding from CTC to Cycling UK last year provided a more appropriate reflection of what we do and what we are as an organisation in the modern era. Cycle touring is, and always will be, a fundamentally important part of Cycling UK and will continue to be the first love for many of our 65,000 members.

Images from above Pennyfarthing rider with CTC members, probably taken in the early 20th century; CTC organised the first Cyclists Special rail excursions in 1955; cyclists on the Downs Link.

“But our work and ambitions embrace so much more and our objective is to get everyone cycling in the UK. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on-road or off-road, whether you’re 3 or 103, male or female, disadvantaged or disabled, everyone should have the opportunity to cycle. It’s good for people’s health, fitness and wellbeing as well as bringing benefits to the environment and the economy.” Those VantagePoint readers who already love life on two wheels will need little convincing about the fantastic cycling country on offer around the beautiful borderlands of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex – although a few of the main roads are worth avoiding! Whether you cycle on or off-road, there are challenging hills, sunken country lanes, vast tracts of

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• 1923: Driving force behind the first National Bicycle Week. Cycling UK now co-ordinates Bike Week each June, with half-a-million people taking part in more than 1,000 events.

cyclists’ rights in the courts.

• 1947: First Cycling Proficiency Test held. This has since developed into the Bikeability scheme, resulting in nearly two million young people having formal cycle training. • 1968: Right obtained to cycle on bridleways and long-distance cross-country routes. • 2001: Cyclists’ Defence Fund set up to fight for July 2017

• 2007: Fill That Hole launched, enabling all road users to report potholes. • 2015: First Big Bike Revival held, with £1million Government funding, aimed at getting thousands of forgotten bikes out of sheds and back into use. • 2017: ‘Rides of Way’ published, the first stateof-the-nation report into the UK’s off-road cycling scene. Government’s Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy announced after a successful campaign by Cycling UK and its partners.

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Images from above: 'Running machines' in action in 1818; Cycling UK inclusive cycling volunteers at Alice Holt and Cycling UK Chief Exec Paul Tuohy.

common land and – in Surrey’s case – more trees than any other county in England. The North Downs Way dissects the region, or, if you prefer your off-road cycling a little flatter, there’s always the Downs Link from Guildford to Shoreham-on-Sea, plus towpaths alongside the River Wey and Basingstoke Canal. West Surrey CTC is Cycling UK’s official local group for the area, with members who live in or around Guildford, Woking, Godalming, Farnham, Haslemere, Camberley and Frimley. They offer mainly on-road rides at a range of speeds and over a variety of distances. Fleet Cycling and CTC West Sussex are also member groups, while G-BUG – the Guildford Bike User Group – campaigns to make Guildford safer for cycling and is affiliated to Cycling UK. Other affiliated groups can be found in Farnham, Farnborough, North Camp, Alton, Aldershot, Bordon and Whitehill, Dorking, Horsley, Woking, Ash, Cranleigh, Leatherhead and Midhurst. You’re spoiled for choice! Inclusive cycling is also a cause close to the charity’s heart. As Chief Executive Paul Tuohy said: “For nearly 140 years, we have championed a simple belief – that cycling is a wonderful gift that should remain accessible and available to all. Where there are barriers, we provide ways to overcome them.” To that end, Cycling UK supports vital projects such as Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling, near Farnham, where a team of volunteers devote their time and energy to help people with disabilities to enjoy cycling in a safe environment on a range of speciallyadapted cycles. The Alton Cardiac Rehab cycling group is another venture which plays a beneficial role in the local community. The brainchild of medical student Stanley Cotterell, the Bicycle Touring Club 16

was launched in Harrogate on 5 August, 1878. After many years based in London, the organisation moved its national HQ in 1966 to 69 Meadrow, Godalming – named ‘Cotterell House’ after the founder. In addition to the biggest rebranding exercise in its illustrious history in April last year, Cycling UK also celebrated the 10th anniversary of its move from Godalming to its current home in Guildford. About 30 staff now work at the office in Parklands, while there is also a Cycling UK team in Scotland plus a network of Cycling Development Officers across the country. The organisation’s principal stated objective from day one was: “To promote, assist and protect the use of bicycles, tricycles and other similar vehicles on the public roads.” That aspiration is as true and relevant today as it was then. Paul Tuohy added: “Cycling UK’s vision is for a healthier, happier and cleaner world because more people cycle – and joining our charity is a great way to find fun, friendship and fitness through the freedom that riding a bike brings.” So it’s thank you to Baron Von Drais for his marvellous invention, and a quick note of gratitude to Scottish blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who added pedals to the old ‘hobbyhorse’ in 1839. Here’s to the next 200 years! FIND OUT MORE Visit the website at www.cyclinguk.org

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<13 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Perkins. Pimm’s and cake will be served in the interval! Tickets are £10. Probus social events for retired men Every first Tuesday of the month Each month they meet at Tyrrells’s Wood Golf Course for lunch followed by a speaker of note, covering subjects such as ‘Brooklands Past and Present’ and ‘Drones Uses’ and Abuses’. Also, mid-month social lunches, theatre visits, and outings for family & friends. If curious to learn more please contact Jon McCarthy on 07947 361406 or membership@ probusclubleatherhead.org.uk, who will explain all and he will arrange for you to attend with member as their guest. Leatherhead Rotary Club Meetings Wednesday Evenings 7pm Meeting at the Police Federation Headquarters in Highbury Drive, Leatherhead. For further information about the club and its wide range of community, fundraising and social activities please visit www.leatherheadrotary.org.uk or contact Simon Edmands on 07753 821964. Box Hill’s New Riverside Walk Opens The National Trust at Box Hill is delighted to have opened up just over 80 acres of conservation-grade farmland for public access immediately below the famous viewpoint at Box Hill. Snaking its way down the hill, the new walk called the Riverside Walk, is a three mile route taking in some of the finest views and stretch of river that Box Hill has to offer.

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There is also car parking, toilets and a café. Free copies of the walks leaflet and map can be picked up at the visitor centre, or downloaded at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/boxhill/trails/box-hill-riverside-walk. Walking Basketball at St Peter’s School, Merrow Every Monday 7pm-8pm Walking Basketball is a low impact but great cardio exercise suitable for all ages, sizes and abilities and for both men and women. Enjoy the camaraderie of being part of a team and meet new friends. For more information email bridget@ walkingbasketballuk.com or call 07810 122389. The first session is free and it’s a lot of fun! Age Concern Free Computer Courses Once a week for 6-8 weeks If you are over 55 and live in the Mole Valley area, you can use Age Concern’s free computer courses. Topics covered will include: browsing on the internet, basic keyboard and mouse skills, using an iPad/Tablet, setting up and using your own email or Skype accounts and how to shop on the internet as well. Before coming to the course, you must register your interest by telephoning 07442 017169/01306 899104 or by emailing info@ageconcernmolevalley.org.uk. Opera In The Park at Hatchlands Park Sunday 9th July from 6pm The Guildford Lions are very kindly organising this spectacular outdoor concert to raise money for Cherry Trees, including fantastic operatic arias from popular musicals, such as Carmen, Don Giovanni, Magic Flute, La Boheme, Tosca, Rigoletto, Les Miserables, West Side Story and many more. The event will be held on the lawn at Hatchlands Park, raising funds for Cherry Trees and Guildford Lions Club. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Andy Hart and his Music Works Team from Milford, including West End performers with a fifty voice choir. Set up your Picnic from 6pm concert starts at 7pm. Tickets £25 per person, parking free. For further information or to make a booking please contact Helen on 01483 222507 or email at events@ cherry-trees.co.uk. African Drumming class Every Thursday Evening 8pm to 9.30pm Jali Djembe runs weekly djembe drumming classes upstairs at the Dorking Christian Centre every Thursday evening. All ages and abilities welcome. The classes are fun and friendly, taught by Mod’lamine Cissokho, an experienced Senegalese djembe player. Cost is £8.50 per person (£1 drum hire) payable weekly. For more information visit www. jali-djembe.com, call 07867 794326 or email jalidjembe@ hotmail.com. Dorking Museum’s Oral Histories Programme The Museum is looking for volunteers to help with its oral history programme, collecting and storing memories from Dorking and the surrounding villages in the past to preserve them for the future as part of the district’s historical record. Oral history allows people whose voices might not vantagepointmag.co.uk

JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD otherwise be heard to share their experiences. Training will be provided. If you think that you could help in collecting these oral histories, whether recording reminiscences or transcribing recordings, please email admin@ dorkingmuseum.org.uk. The Wildlife Aid Foundation – Open Day Sunday 9th July 10am-5pm Saving British Wildlife. See behind the scenes at Surrey’s largest wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Join them for a fun filled day with music, food and activities for all the family. Stalls, games, competitions and much more….Entrance is £4 for Adults, Children £2, under 5s free. Last admission of the day is 4pm. Car parking on site. No dogs allowed (except for guide dogs). Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead KT22 0AL. Visit www.wildlifeaid.org.uk for full details. Dorking Halls Events Various dates during July There are several events at the Dorking Halls this month. The Surrey Festival Choir presents ‘A night at the opera’, a programme of some of the best-loved choruses and arias from the world of opera, together with the tuneful (and operatic) Saint Cecilia Mass by Gounod. The Croydon Symphonic Band will play items by Vaughan Williams, including The Wasps overture, the Folk song suite and the Tallis Fantasia, plus music by Holst and Nigel Hess. Visit www.dorkinghalls.co.uk for bookings. Charades Evening Monday 10th July 8pm Please join them at the Oddfellows Lounge, Oddfellows Hall, Dorking High Street for a Charades Evening, in the style of the popular “Give us a Clue” TV programme. Come and join one of the two teams, there will be various themes to choose from; films, theatre, TV, and win points for your team, with a prize awarded at end. Refreshments provided. Admission free.

Tuesday of each month (except August) at 2pm. They have a varied programme of demonstrators, speakers, in-house entertainment and trips. Visitors and new members very welcome. Join them for fun, flowers and friendship - first visit free. For more details please phone Beryl on 01483 831422 or email bjg317@virginmedia.com. Horsley Decorative and Fine Arts Society Wednesday 12th July 10.30am Their AGM will be at 10.15am, followed by a talk ‘Mille Miglia: Cars and Culture’ by Libby Horner. The summer party for members only will take place after the talk. Lectures take place every second Wednesday of the month (except August and September) in East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue KT24 6QT (coffee available 9.45 - 10.15). Visitors (£5) and new members welcome. For more information phone 01372 451015 or visit their website www.horsleydfas.org.uk. Dorking Scrabble Club Every Wednesday at 7.30 pm For a friendly game of Scrabble, pop along to The Roy Currie Room, United Reformed Church, West Street, Dorking. You will be welcomed whether you are a beginner or an expert. For more details ring Priscilla 01737 767072 or David 01306 889308. Flower Arranging Evening Monday 12th June 8pm With Kate Fox from Bride and Bloom Floristry. Kate will

Horsley Floral Decoration Group Tuesday 11th July 2pm Demonstrator: Barbara Caldecourt subject ‘Moving through Time’. Club competition’Memories’. The Horsley Floral Decoration Group is a friendly afternoon flower arranging club. They meet at East Horsley Village Hall on the 2nd

Call Mandy on 01737 843610 or visit www.bbcn.org.uk

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<19 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD be giving a talk on the history of buttonholes and then guided by Kate you can have the chance to make your own buttonhole. Bring your own flower arrangement to enter in to our completion to be judged by Kate. Refreshments will be served after the talk. Admission free. Held at the Oddfellows Lounge, Oddfellows Hall, Dorking High Street. Please contact Jenny on 01306 877792 or jenny.vincent@oddfellows. co.uk for more info. The Arts Society Leatherhead Talk Wednesday 12th July 7.15pm Welcomed with open arms for their luxury skills, the Huguenots’ fortunes fluctuated wildly. This talk will be about their early 18th century houses that still stand, how they were decorated and lived in and the fashionable patterned silk dresses - who designed and made them. Mantua dresses allowed the silk designs to be shown to their full advantage and Spitalfield silks became extremely popular. Finally, the trade died out with some weavers literally dying in poverty at their looms. The society welcomes visitors for £5 at the door, at Leatherhead Parish Church Hall KT22 2BD, but please make initial contact via email to info@ledfas.org. uk or telephone John Andrews on 01372 373083. Dorking University of the 3rd Age Wednesday 12th July 2.30pm Michael Morrogh will be speaking this month. In less than 60 years Italy turned from a collection of states dominated by Austria into a vibrant independent country. Discover

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more about the intrigues, bravery and complexities at the heart of its struggle for unity and identity and find out which revolutionary had a biscuit named after him. Free admission to the Christian Centre, near St Martin’s Church, Dorking, non-members welcome. Come early. The U3A welcomes anyone no longer in full-time employment aged over or around 55 and monthly meetings are a splendid chance to find out more. Check the website: www.dorkingu3a.co.uk for details. Walking in Dorking – historic guided walks Group bookings throughout July Take a trip into Dorkings’ history with a guided walk of the town to see hidden Dorking: the forces, events and personalities that shaped the town, the secrets that lie behind the modern streets and the people who have built the town’s reputation. Tours last 90 minutes. £3 per person, booking via website. More details can be found at www. dorkingmuseum.org.uk/guided-walks-around-dorking. Casting Shadows - A play by Mark Burgess Wednesday 12th-Friday 15th July 7.45pm A DDOS Green Room Theatre Production. Three famous Brighton residents, Max Miller, Laurence Olivier and Terence Rattigan, share some theatrical gossip and a slice or two of fruitcake on a summer’s afternoon in 1962. DDOS have brought together three of your favourite actors to play these legendary figures so come to the Green Room Theatre, Dorking and enjoy these three, each in his own way,

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Summer Motoring Andy Goundry's hints and tips for safer driving this summer WITH THE WINTER months firmly out of the way, most of us will be looking forward to leisure drives, either around the country or perhaps even further afield. Often, the car used for these trips will have been only used for shorter and more mundane tasks for several months beforehand.

getting anything else from your stricken car. Possessions can be replaced, people cannot: sadly, over 1,500 people are killed or seriously injured on motorway hard shoulders every year. So what can be done to avoid breakdowns and help make sure your car is ready for the summer?

Modern cars are generally so reliable that we expect them to be ready to take us to our chosen destination regardless, yet they can quietly deteriorate over the winter months, meaning that their first longer summertime journeys, often at higher speeds and carrying heavier loads, can result in breakdowns or accidents. Half of all breakdowns occur as a result of basic mechanical problems which could have been avoided with simple checks. And as well as disrupting your travel plans, breakdowns can be very hazardous. The hard shoulder of a motorway, or the side of a main road, is an incredibly dangerous place to be. So if you do break down, it’s vital to get everyone out of the car and into a place of safety as soon as soon as possible, even if it is raining. Generally, this will be behind any crash barrier, and as far from the carriageways as possible. Only then think about phoning for help. And don’t risk July 2017

Breakdowns can happen at the most inconvenient times…….(photo: networkedindia.com)

First, ensure that all servicing is up to date. Most manufacturers specify a maximum duration between services as well as mileage limits. Don’t be tempted to skimp on this, even if you have not covered the specified mileage, as the inspection, which will be a key part of the service, is intended to identify any problems which have developed over the winter, preventing them subsequently causing problems on the road. Typical examples of the type of thing which can be spotted during the service are brake discs and other components seizing and corroding, both of

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which are particularly common on cars which don’t cover many miles in the winter. Probably the most important thing to do, though, is check your tyres. Not just for pressure and tread depth, but condition. All areas of each tread and side wall should be free from significant cuts, bulges or other weaknesses. This is not always easy to do, as the inner faces of your tyres can be hard to see but they are vulnerable to issues such as pothole damage or uneven tread wear due to misaligned wheels. I’ve been caught out in the past by assuming that a tyre was in good condition judging by the outside, yet it was so worn on its inner face that the steel cords were exposed – an accident waiting to happen! Tread depth can be checked using a depth gauge, obtainable cheaply from the likes of Halfords, or simply use a 20p coin to see whether your tyres’ tread depths are at least 1.6mm. Insert the 20p at several points across and around each tyre. If you can see the coin’s outer rim at any point the tyre is illegal and must be changed immediately.

Making sure you can see through the windscreen clearly may sound obvious, however it’s amazing how often sat navs and the like are mounted in a position to restrict vision. The law – and commonsense – says that nothing should be within the area swept by the wipers.

If your sat nav or phone holder is positioned like this, its restricting your vision – and is probably illegal

And whilst most of us probably clean the outside of our windscreens and windows regularly, less obvious is the need to clean the inside of the screen, where an insidious layer of grime can build up. This can often be tricky to remove, but a good proprietary car glass cleaner should quickly shift it, leaving your screen once again sparkling. A dirty windscreen in bright sunlight makes for difficult driving

So important are regular tyre checks that for peace of mind you may wish to get the experts at Kwik Fit or one of the many other tyre companies to do this for you. I make no apology for highlighting the need for good tyre care, for this, more than any other, is the reason why so many summer journeys don’t go according to plan. Indeed, tyre problems account for over 40% of serious or fatal accidents caused by vehicle defect-related incidents. This tyre care is particularly important for vehicles which may have been stored over the winter such as caravans and classic cars, for tyres deteriorate with age as well as use. Remember the rule – ACT responsibly: check Air pressure, Condition, and Tread depth regularly and always before any long journey. 22

Finally, with your car in good shape – enjoy your summer motoring, and stay safe! THE AUTHOR Andy Goundry spent his entire working career in vehicle design and development, and, since retirement 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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<20 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD realising that the time they have spent together is a defining moment in their lives. Tickets on sale at the Dorking Halls Box Office, 01306 881717, or www.dorkinghalls.co.uk, £11 each. Horsley Garden Society They hold flower and produce shows, meetings, lectures and visits to bring together those with an interest in gardening - from beginners to experts. New members and visitors are always welcome. Membership is only £5 per annum, contact the Chairman, Roger Lindsay for details via email: r.lindsay339@btinternet.com or the Membership Secretary, Terry Lazenby via email: terrylazenby@terrylazenby.plus. com. Cherry Fair Dog Show Saturday 15th July 11.30am-1.30pm Fun for all the family, refreshments, tombola, stalls and homemade cakes. Dog show classes from waggiest tail to senior dog and dog treats for all entrants! £2 each class entry. Held at St Barnabas Church, Ranmore Common RH5 6SP. Call 01306 888995 or email jayne.raine@outlook. com. The Brigitte Trust Volunteer Taster Sessions When cancer or any life-threatening illness is diagnosed it can be really hard to cope with the emotional concerns serious illness brings. A Brigitte Trust volunteer can help – offering weekly visits to listen and support, as well as

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practical tasks like transport and shopping. The Brigitte Trust is the local charity of de Vere Wotton House, and with their help has produced a charity pin badge featuring their adopted flower – the Lavender. The Lavender pin badge will be on sale throughout the summer and local friends and supporters are invited to display a pin box in their workplace to help raise funds and promote the work of the Trust. The Trust will be holding volunteer ‘taster sessions’ during June and July with the course beginning in September. Please contact the Brigitte Trust on 01306 881816 or visit www. brigittetrust.org. Local History Society Monthly Meetings Third Friday of each month 8pm The society has a full programme of lectures held at the Leatherhead Institute’s Dixon Hall. Every talk starts at 8pm, with coffee served from 7.30pm. Admission costs just £2. Guests are always welcome. For more information go to www.leatherheadlocalhistory.org.uk. The Patchworking Garden Project Walled Garden at Box Hill Saturday 15th July from 12 noon-4pm As part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) the Garden will be open to the public. Sitting in a delightful setting at the bottom of Box Hill. Come and see their beautiful borders, live willow hut, bog garden, raised vegetable beds and much more – all created by the 70+ volunteers who work in the Garden. Refreshments and plant sale. Entrance £4. Aviva

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|| GARDENING

With Beth Otway

Best in Show at Chelsea! The M&G Garden designed by James Basson was awarded a Gold Medal, the Best Construction Award, and Best In Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017. I caught up with James at Chelsea to find out more about this special garden.

Beth: The surface of your limestone is different than I expected - I imagined it being rougher, like a cliff edge. JB: Yes; if you look at photos of quarries, even after hundreds of years, they’ve got this kind of pristine feel, and so it is how it is. If you look up ‘Maltese Quarry’ you’ll see these sorts of lines. 'Troy' was filmed in them, 'Gladiator' was filmed in them, and they’re just these magnificent spaces. Beth: How tall is the stone in the garden? JB: That one is 8 metres tall – and 15 metres down, with piles to support it, to make sure it doesn’t move in the wind or anything. Beth: Did you get any extra time to construct the garden? JB: No. No extra time – we were going to have extra time, but for some reason it didn’t work, so we did it in time. Beth: So you didn’t get an extra day, even though you had to finish a day earlier? JB: No, everyone got an extra day. Beth: What’s your favourite plant? JB: There’s a little daisy called Pallenis spinosa, which looks… it’s just got this very golden flower to it, beautiful. I don’t know if you can see it from here – the plant might be over there, because we’ve planted the stand opposite too. It’s really a special one.

Beth: Are the plants going back to Malta afterwards? JB: No, all of the plants are owned by Crocus, so they’ll take them back to the nursery. The plants were all shipped over. Some came from Sicily, some came from Rome, some came from Malta from a nursery who were amazing – they had all these native plants that you’re not allowed to take out of Malta; but we got governmental permission to do it. Beth: So the Maltese Government supported you and your work to build the garden? JB: Absolutely, yes. And all the stone was cut in Malta, then shipped over, and then the Maltese came over and helped to install it here at Chelsea.

Beth: Are there any other secrets about the garden you can tell us? JB: There’s lots of stories, like the knackered-looking tree up there is called a Tetraclinis articulata, and that is the national tree of Malta – and it’s a very hard thing to find. In my head, I wanted something really kind of gnarled, and old, and lots of character, and these were in the nursery car park to stop the trucks hitting the fence. I was like “oh my god, this is what I’ve been dreaming about”! Beth: What is it about you and half-dead trees – you love them, don’t you? JB: Yeah, I like it – I like natural beauty! Beth: Me too, I love old apple trees, they’re just so beautiful, I think there’s really nothing for me as beautiful as that. FIND OUT MORE For more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, gardening advice for the month ahead and much more besides, visit my website at www.pumpkinbeth.com.

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Images: James BAsson and his garden, both by Beth Otway.

Beth: In last year's garden, you had the little snail shells scattered around. Do you have any other secrets like that around, last minute things? JB: We do, we do have another kind of shell in the garden. It’s particular one you find all over the landscape in Malta, so we’ve scattered that all over the garden.

<23 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD Sports Ground, Pixham Lane, Dorking RH4 1QA. For more details go to www.patchworkinggardenproject.co.uk. Whist Drive at Leigh Village Hall Held every Thursday at 7.30pm Join this fun, friendly and welcoming group who are are looking for new members to boost their numbers. Admission is only £3 so why not pop along. For more information contact 01306 631373. Dorkfest Sunday 16th July 1pm-10pm You may remember last year was the first ever family friendly Music Festival in Dorking - Dorkfest, with over 700 people attending. The event is again in aid of the Rebecca Cannon Vitality fund a local charity and they are hoping to make this year’s event even bigger and better. There will be licensed bar, beer tent, BBQ, side stalls and some fantastic music from The Prognosis, Oliver Hall, Anarchy in the UK, Stephanie Davis and the Super Dynamics, The Unblessed, Paige, The Duplicates, Objayda, Vinyl Staircase, Kate Flanders, Emnibis and Bryony Dunn. Held at North Holmwood Sports Club Field. For more information and tickets visit: www.dorkfest.co.uk. Dorking Walkers Every Tuesday and Thursday How about walking regularly with a friendly local group. For more details on the walks please contact Ann on 01306 888745 or visit their website: www.surreycommunity.info/ dorkingwalkers. Teas in Church - Capel Sundays 16th and 30th July 3pm-5pm St John the Baptist Church welcome you to join them for afternoon tea in Church. The tranquil village of Capel lies just off A24 between Dorking and Horsham. Join them for regular culinary delights on Sunday afternoons, including a huge array of locally baked cakes and delicacies. They also have many other community events such as Capel Lunches and Messy Church and a Church Choir. For more details visit their website www.capel-church.org.uk. Ashtead Bowling Club Free Indoor Coaching Session Wednesdays and Thursdays Sessions are tailored for beginners and provide an excellent introduction to the sport of bowling. A £1 fee is required to cover temporary membership for the day. You would then be eligible for full membership of the club with use of all its facilities. Please contact Mike Bradford on 01372 273142 to book a session. A History of Mental Health in Surrey Tuesday 18th July 2pm David Day, a welfare officer, will be speaking and answering questions from his personal experience as a registered Mental Health nurse from 1963-1993 in the local area. Admission free with voluntary donations to MIND. Refreshments will be served after the talk. Please join them July 2017

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at the Oddfellows Lounge, Oddfellows Hall, Dorking High Street. Turn left at the top of the stairs (there is a stair lift), through the door and turn left again you will find our lounge and a warm welcome. Please contact Jenny on 01306 877792 or email Jenny.Vincent@oddfellows.co.uk if you would like to join them. Dorking Folk Club - Dual Showcase Evening Wednesday 19th July 8.30pm With Mike Nicholson and Zak Hobbs. Mike performs a wide spectrum of material. From his early acting days, he’s retained an enthusiasm for utilising any format which can tell a story or which might stimulate the intellect. Zak is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and British folk music of the 60’s and 70’s is at the core of Zak’s influences. Held at Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, Surrey RH5 4BX. Visit www.dorkingfolkclub.org.uk for full details and bookings. Leith Hill Place’s First Artist in Residence Until the 22nd August Contemporary artist in resident, Louise Scillitoe-Brown will create a rolling programme of experiential spaces in the Drawing Room at Leith Hill Place and run associated all age workshops on 8th July & 4th August, plus other dates to be confirmed. The configurations will evolve over the summer, so visitors can return more than once to experience the art. Louise’s art practice is inspired by light, colour relationships, geometry and architecture. Visit www.LouiseSB.com to view

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01483 578874 26

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her work. Please check the website, www.nationaltrustorg. uk/leith-hill-place) for details. Could you help make a difference in Surrey? Action Medical Research are asking people across Surrey to help in their bid to save lives. Action raises funds for desperately needed research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our children. They organise such a diverse range of fundraising events and activities, which offer a variety of opportunities to help. Could you give a talk at a local school? Perhaps help marshal at one of their many bike rides or even organise a fundraising event of your own? You can find out much information about volunteering for Action Medical Research at www.action. org.uk/volunteers. Dorking Museum Gallery Talk: The story of Dorking pubs Thursday 20th July 7pm. David Langford tells the fascinating history of Dorking pubs, from earliest records to the present day. The ups and downs of the public house, the varied roles they played in the life of the town, colourful stories of individual establishments, their landlords, clientele and activities. Doors open 6.30pm, entry £5 on the door – includes a glass of beer or Prosecco. Dorking Museum, 62 West Street. For more details, visit www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk. Enquiries to admin@ dorkingmuseum.org.uk or phone 01306 876591. EAT - Food Festival at Priory Park Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July. Join this year’s Food Festival with top London Street Food traders offering dishes from Colombia, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sicily, Taiwan to name but a few and a food fayre with fifty artisan producers with products including Aussie sauces, meringue tweeners, fudges, seaweed, handmade sauces & biltong! The Pizza Express Live Lounge stage will bring two days of the coolest sounds to chill out to when not watching the butchers, cooks and bakers in the Demo Kitchen. Nestled next to the Priory in the park’s very own botanical garden. For more information and tickets please visit www.eatfoodfest.co.uk. Wotton & Abinger Flower Show Society Sunday 23rd July 2pm This annual summer show is being held at the historic Wotton House. Delicious cream teas and interesting plant sale. Entry forms for classes in the show are available from The Abinger Farm Shop. Classes include - Horticulture, Vegetables and Fruits, Flower Arranging, Homecraft, Cookery and a children’s section of competitions (from under 5’s to 15 years) There are prizes for ‘Best in Show’. Free admission and parking. Friends of the Dorking Community Hospital If you can spare a morning or afternoon weekly, fortnightly or monthly to help run the coffee shop the would love to hear from you and it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Shop Manager, Eileen Stanbridge, on 01306 884178 or make enquires at the coffee shop.

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FOOD & DRINK ||

Easy summer salads

Chicory, walnut, lardon and Roquefort salad Ingredients: 4 small chicory bulbs Smoked bacon lardons 1 apple 100g walnuts, roughly chopped 80g Roquefort, chilled 2 tsp finely chopped chives For the dressing: 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 2 tbsp water 2 tbsp best-quality walnut oil 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Serves 4 The Happy Foodie

Cut the base off the chicory and remove any damaged outer leaves. Cut each chicory head in half lengthways and set aside. Fry the lardons until crisp. Halve the apple, remove the core and slice or dice finely. To make the dressing, whisk the mustard, vinegar and water together, then trickle in the walnut oil

and olive oil, whisking constantly. Season to taste with 2 pinches of salt and 2 pinches of pepper. Mix the dressing with the chicory, walnuts, lardons and two-thirds of the Roquefort. Arrange on a large serving dish or individual plates. Scatter the remaining Roquefort over the salad and top with the chopped chives.

Beetroot and Parma ham salad

www.florettesalad.co.uk

Ingredients: Florette Duos Lambs & Ruby Chard 5-6 Beetroots (trimmed) Olive Oil 50g feta cheese (crumbled) Half fat crème fraîche Fresh tarragon (chopped) Italian cooked ham, torn into large pieces Serves 2 Preheat the oven to 220ºC, gas mark 7. Wrap each beetroot in foil and place in a roasting tin. Bake for 30–40 minutes until tender.

tbsp oil and seasoning in a bowl. Once cooked unwrap the beetroot and cut into quarters. Then toss together with the mixed salad.

Whilst the beetroot is cooking, mix together the cheese, 3 tbsp crème fraîche, 1 tbsp tarragon, 2

Arrange the ham and salad on serving plates and top with the beetroot.

July 2017

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FOOD & DRINK ||

Easy summer salads Chicken and grape salad

Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts or leftover chicken 8 oz finely chopped celery 8 oz seedless grapes, halved 8 oz chopped walnuts 3 finely chopped spring onions 150 ml mayonnaise 1 tsp fresh tarragon, chopped Salt and ground pepper Serves 4 Sharon Chen

Either poach or sautĂŠ the chicken until cooked. Set aside and chill. Combine all the other ingredients

and add the chicken when cool. Season and serve with salad leaves or rocket.

Warm trofie, green bean, potato and pesto salad Ingredients:

Tales of Ambrosia

350g trofie pasta 150g fine green beans 150g small new potatoes For the pesto Â˝ clove garlic 1 big bunch of fresh basil 1 handful of pine nuts 1 good handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese extra virgin olive oil Serves 4 To make the pesto: Peel the garlic, then pound in a pestle and mortar with a pinch of sea salt. Pick, roughly chop and add the basil leaves, then bash to a paste (or pulse in a food processor). Add the pine nuts (very lightly toast first, if you like) to the mixture and pound again, then stir in half the Parmesan. Drizzle in some oil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you need just enough to bind the sauce and get it to an oozy consistency. Add most of the remaining cheese, then season to perfection with salt and black pepper. Have a taste, 28

and keep adding a bit more cheese or oil until you are happy with the taste and consistency. Trim the beans and cut into two or three. Wash the potatoes and cut into quarters. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the pasta for 8 minutes until starting to soften. Add the new potatoes and cook for 5 minutes more, then add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender. Drain the pasta, potatoes and beans and return to the pan. Add the pesto and toss. Allow to cool before serving with chopped basil and extra parmesan.

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Surrey Home Vet - veterinary care in your own home Many owners and pets dread the traditional trip to the vets whether that be for routine or nonroutine appointments. Having spent many years working in a very busy practice I came to realise just how stressful and difficult this can be for both owners and animals. This is why I started Surrey Home Vet – to provide the care your pet needs in the comfort of their own, familiar surroundings.

I have a special interest in all things feline and was awarded the European Certificate in Feline Medicine in 2007. I also enjoy advanced dentistry, geriatric medicine, delicate soft tissue surgeries and cardiac ultrasound.

People are often surprised at how many things I can do on a house visit – from clipping your cat’s nails to vaccinations, dressing changes, blood tests or post-op checks. Sometimes we can do more with an animal at home when they are less stressed, than we can in a clinic! When needed, I can transport them to Winton Lodge Vets for advanced diagnostic tests, surgery and treatment. Winton Lodge is run by my husband Simon Neuhoff and a fantastic team of vets, nurses and receptionists. I have been a practicing veterinarian for more than 20 years now. Apart from a love for dogs,

ADVERTORIAL

First rate veterinary care for your pets in the comfort of their own home

Independently owned, mobile veterinary clinic run by local vet Claire Neuhoff and backed up by a fully equipped veterinary surgery. I offer a friendly caring service, putting the needs of your pet first.

Tel: 07872 042047 Email: info@surreyhomevet.co.uk July 2017

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<26 JOTTINGS - YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD The Unattached Group (TUG) TUG have planned countryside and London walks, local music events, theatre events, a river trip and are making arrangements for the annual summer party. A Surrey based group of about 70 single professional people aged 55-69 who enjoy times together including informal weekly pub meets as well as meals out, theatre and cinema trips, walks, quizzes, bridge, opera and book clubs and the occasional leisure weekend away. New members are most welcome and information can be obtained at www. theunattachedgroup.co.uk or Maggie on 07855 008897.

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Affinité the Social Club for Active Mature Singles The club has a fantastic programme of lunches, Saturday night dinners and informal club nights. Plus visits to the theatre, cinema, concerts and places of interest. If you would like to get yourself a social life and a bunch of new friends, contact the club via www.club-affinite.co.uk.

Dorking Folk Club - Singers’ Night End of Season Buffet Wednesday 26th July Following the end of season buffet and Singers’ Night, the Club will be closed during August until 6th September. Held at Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 4BX. Visit www.dorkingfolkclub.org.uk for full details and bookings.

Leatherhead Museum - Cathy Brett Exhibition Every Thursday and Friday from 1pm-4pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm until December Leatherhead Museum is open again after its annual refurbishment. Local artist Cathy Brett has created a stunning array of new exhibits to mark the 70th anniversary of the Leatherhead & District Local History Society. Topics covered range from flood to drought, to food tasting, pop music and the Olympics, with the River Mole central to a new time-line display. Entrance is free. Hampton Cottage, 64 Church Street, Leatherhead. Visit www. leatherheadlocalhistory.org.uk for more information.

Dorking Business Breakfast Group Every Thursday from 7am This is Dorking’s oldest and largest business networking group with members from over thirty local businesses. They meet at Betchworth Park Golf Club near Dorking, to exchange business referrals and discuss matters affecting the town. For further information about Dorking Business Breakfast Group, please visit www.dorkingbbg.com or follow @DorkingBBG on Twitter.

Leith Hill Place Exhibition ‘Wedgwood at Home’ Until late October Friday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11am-5pm. A collection of Wedgwood ceramics will be on display at Leith Hill Place this year, returning to the house for the first time in over 50 years. The exhibition is being held in memory of the late Sir Martin Wedgwood. Entrance to the exhibition is free, but admission charges for Leith Hill Place will apply. National Trust members receive free entry. A

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Your life, your home, our care

L I V E - I N C A R E F O R T H E O N E S YO U L O V E Melody Live-in Care helps people remain independent and in the comfort of their own homes by offering high quality care and assistance from our trained and experienced live-in carers. We provide assistance to a diverse range of people from those that are seeking companionship to those who are mentally or physically frail. With a live-in care assistant you can have peace of mind knowing all the benefits that having a one-to-one relationship can bring. We are very proud of our compassionate and expert live-in carers who regularly receive lovely feedback from the families of our clients. ‘‘The four years Dana has been with my mother have been fantastic and her caring and professionalism combined with her sense of fun and humour have enabled my mother to enjoy her old age in her own home with very little illness right up to the last few days of her life at the age of 99.’’ Jane, next of kin APRIL 2017

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If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to call us on 01252 220207 or email info@melodyliveincare.co.uk

Dunsfold to Hascombe A shorter walk this month, given that we will be enjoying the heat of summer - I hope! This one also has the advantage of passing two watering holes, which of course may well be sorely needed. The walk takes you through woods and fields with some short climbs, one quite steep. The walk was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk).

The walk 1. Facing the houses, go left for a few yards to turn right into a road running back between the houses and away from the main road. Walk to a junction where a yellow arrow points left. Here, go straight ahead along its graveled drive towards ‘Barns Meadows’. Pass the house on a narrow path along its right-hand side and reach Hookhouse Road. Go left along this road for about ½ mile. Walk past a left turn with a signpost left then past a left turn to Church Green and then past a left turn to Dunsfold Church. Also, pass the driveway to Field Place and keep going until reaching a sign pointing left to Pear Tree Green.

2. Follow this and walk up to take a stile at the right-hand side of Pear Tree Cottage. In the field go left, along its edge. Enter another field and then a wood. Walk through the wood to the other side and a T-junction with a wide track at a 3-way signpost. Here, turn left. Follow the wide track. It swings right and then you fork right, off of it, at another 3-way signpost. The path climbs up to emerge at Markwick Lane at the side of Markwick Farm. 3. Go straight over the road and follow a footpath climbing away at right angles to the road. At a yellow arrow pointing right, go straight on. A few yards further up the track swings sharp right but you go on, following a narrow path slightly left and up into trees. Follow the path steeply up, forking right twice, until, at the top, emerging on a wider crossing track. 4. Go right for 20 yards and then turn left along a wide but still unsigned track. Keep going for about under ½ mile, following the obvious track and ignoring lefts and rights. Eventually, at a cross paths, the path ahead starts to descend. At the bottom reach a T-junction with a field ahead. Turn right and walk along the edge of one field and then straight on into another field. On the far side you reach the Godalming Road opposite the White Horse pub. 5. Cross straight over and take Nore Lane, a track running uphill along the right-hand side of the pub. Keep going. After passing Hascombe Place Farm, the track swings right but you carry straight on along a narrow path. You parallel fields (on your left-hand side). At the top of a small rise, ignore a footpath right immediately followed by a footpath left. Instead, carry straight on. The path descends through trees and swings right as it runs along the side of the hill. 6. At a T junction, with a tennis court on your right, go right. The path later emerges from

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WALK ||