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Modern, Vintage & Bespoke rugs
12 National Garden Scheme Phil Kemp visits this wonderful, locally run charity 16 Local Ourdoors and wellbeing at Leith Hill Place 18 Gardening Treat yourself to a new asparagus bed
20 Food & Drink Loch Fyne spring recipes 22 Chelsea Flower Show Silent Pool and NealeRichards to return 26 Golf for All The sport is evolving a far broader appeal 28 The True Cost of Pet Ownership Zoe Blake offers a few tips for the winter period
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THE EDITOR'S NOTE And so spring finally arrives and our gardens awaken from their winter slumber. Having had a fabulous new extension built which properly overlooks my garden, I am very much looking forward to seeing the results of the bulb planting that was done last autumn. There is still lots more to do in my garden, and not being terribly green-fingered, it always helps to get inspiration where you can. My annual visit to the Chelsea Flower Show is always inspiring but sadly I cannot afford the cost and time for that level of creativity! However, help is at hand with the locally-based National Garden Scheme, a wonderful charity which sees over 3,500 private gardens opening annually to the public to raise money for charity – and the subject of our main article this month. The scheme offers visitors a great opportunity to see small, medium and large gardens created, in the main, by enthusiastic and dedicated owners. Some of the gardens are truly small, while others are on a much larger scale, but all offer great ideas that should work in all gardens, whatever their size. More often than not, the owners will be there to show off their creation, and almost all will always be happy to offer advice and explanation. For a very modest entry fee and usually a cup of tea and some cake, this is a great way of spending an afternoon. We have five copies of the Garden Visitor’s Guide 2019 to give away, so please visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk/competitions for your chance to win a copy. As our Jotters have remarked, there are lots of notable dates this month, Chief, of course, must be Mothering Sunday, which falls on 31st March. This gives me the ideal opportunity to wish my own dear mum a very happy Mother's Day!
CONTACT US... Marcus Atkins, Sales Director 01483 420173 / 07702 132157 marcus@vantagepublishing.co.uk Jesse Boon, Sales 01483 418141 / 07542 710508 jesse@vantagepublishing.co.uk Claire Taylor, Sales 01483 661089 / 07787 157263 claire@vantagepublishing.co.uk Jane Gosnell, Jottings (Guildford & Dorking) 01483 421601 jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk Nick & Angie Crisell, Jottings 01483 421601 jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk
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Contributors: Zoe Blake, Phil Kemp, Beth Otway
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Our grumpy old git (GOG) has his say...
alking is not only a very enjoyable pastime but also one that is good for your health and wellbeing. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier. The NHS promotes it, the Department for Transport even has a ‘walking investment strategy’, and organisations such as Walking for Health now exist to promote it. Surrey County Council (SCC) extols the benefits of it on their website. “Surrey is the ideal place to explore on foot. Whether you're an adventurous walker or prefer a short stroll, there's a walk to suit you.” Which is true, but what they don’t tell you is that they are now charging you for the privilege of using 'our' countryside by installing parking meters throughout the county. Early last year, a certain Cllr Mike Goodman, cabinet minister for environment and transport, announced proposals to install pay and display machines at Chobham Common, Norbury Park, Ockham and Wisley Common, Whitmoor Common and Rodborough Common, in Milford. Amidst much opposition, these were introduced at a cost of £330k in July 2018. SCC optimistically estimated
annual revenues of £448k against costs of £247k, with hopes that they could raise £200k per year to help with their budget shortfall. Parking charges are eye wateringly high. £1.30 per hour or £5 for three hours or more, and £6 for a minibus or horsebox. That’s a lot of money for walking in our local countryside and frankly just puts barriers in the way of encouraging people to get out more. The nearest spot to me is Rodborough Common. I must confess that I had never heard of this common until a few years ago, but since discovering it, I was an infrequent visitor. It is a perfectly pleasant place for a stroll but does not have the views of Puttenham, the openness of Hankley or the diversity of Elstead/Thursley commons, all very close. So why would anyone pay to walk Fido there instead of all the free places on their doorstep? The reality is that people have voted with their feet and are taking them elsewhere, leaving an empty car park and an empty parking meter, which I expect is still serviced several times a day by a now expensively underemployed parking warden. Rather optimistically, according to Surrey Live, SCC had budgeted for an average of 80 cars using this car park every day, with 37 required to just break even! It appears that many of the other car parks are now also largely empty, with reports of faulty ticket machines and over enthusiastic parking wardens (well, they do need something to do!). Surrey Live launched a petition in October 2018 which received more than 4,500 signatures (including mine) calling for the charges to be abolished and it appears that Surrey County Council will be debating this as this edition of VantagePoint gets delivered. But will they listen?
FREEDOM TO WALK
Rodborough Common on a sunny Tuesday lunchtime in late January 2019. Milford Common, by contrast, housed eight cars at the same time.
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Do you agree with GOG? What irritates you these days? Please let us know and we will publish the best comments and responses online. Please let us know by emailing us at gog@vantagepublishing.co.uk.
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Trueloves: providing a first-class funeral service for 133 years W A Truelove & Son Ltd are proud to have been an independent family business, sympathetically meeting the needs of local families, since 1885. Our current Managing Director, Simon Truelove, is the fourth generation Truelove Family Funeral Director. We have 18 branches, including in Dorking, Leatherhead and Fetcham. Our Dorking branch opened in 2011 and is run by Elizabeth Constable and Julia Burn, who both live locally. Our Leatherhead branch opened in 2012. It is run by Nicky Osborne, who as well as being a qualified funeral arranger is also the wife of the Rector of Leatherhead Parish Church.
Our branches are open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. We offer a 24 hour call out service so are always available to help in times of need. We can handle all aspects of funeral arrangements, including cremations, burials and “Green� burials. We have a dedicated masonry department, are experts in repatriation and have a wide range of guaranteed pre-paid funeral plans. We are proud to be members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, the National Association of Memorial Masons, the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons and, by invitation, Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
Our Fetcham branch opened in July 2017 and is our newest branch. It is run by two local ladies, Jane Popay and Carole Cripps. ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
March 2019
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V. 9
THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME 90 YEARS SUPPORTING MEDICAL CHARITIES
Above: Various NGS ggardens; George Plumptre - CEO of NGS – at Hatchlands Park
Phil Kemp visits the charity to find out what makes this organisation so remarkable
W
e often pride ourselves as a nation of garden lovers and certainly who can resist admiring the efforts of gardeners, especially when everything is in full bloom on a magnificent summer’s day. However, the benefits attributed to gardening extend far beyond working up a sweat and getting some fresh air – as I was to find out. The National Garden Scheme’s head office team are based in Hatchlands Park - a magnificent National Trust country house near Guildford. From here they organise and promote the annual open gardens events, and support over 500 volunteers across the country. Having heard that around 3,500 private gardens take part in the scheme every year I was intrigued to find out what inspires them to take part. George Plumptre is the organisation’s Chief Executive, and his enthusiasm for what the NGS achieves was to prove to be infectious. “Let’s start at the beginning. The District Nursing movement was established in Queen Victoria’s reign to train and support nurses working in the community. It had become well established by the mid-1920s when Queen Alexandria, Edward VII’s wife, was patron. She died in 1925 and Elsie Wagg, one of the trustees, had a brilliant idea of
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how to contribute to a memorial fund set up in the Queen’s memory. It was to have people open their gardens to visitors for a set fee of one shilling. All over England and Wales 608 gardens took part and in just one weekend they raised over £8,000 – that’s about £300,000 in today’s money!” The logos of various medical charities are displayed for the beneficiaries of the NGS, which includes The Queen’s Nursing Institute which ran the garden scheme until 1980 when it decided to set it up as an independent charity to continue supporting nursing. And so the NGS was founded with its own board of trustees, with the independent charity growing rapidly thereafter. Donations hit a record £3.1 million in 2018 - bringing the overall total to £55 million to benefit nursing and health charities. These include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK For more please visit Mark's website at and the information, Carers Trust. his Instagram at is it www.MarksPT.co.uk That’s a lot of or money – so site how www.Instagram.com/MarkRaynsford_PT raised?
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THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME “Gardens registered to take part are listed in our yellow book every year which is The Garden Visitor’s Handbook,” said George picking up and flicking through the very weighty directory. “They are also publicised on our website. So on the day we will try and get participating gardens as many visitors as we can. Visitors then pay an entrance fee, all of which goes to the NGS. The fee depends upon the garden with an average of around £5 per visitor.” A large display board dominates a whole wall in George’s office and on it are listed each and every one of the gardens that took part in 2018 – all 3,500 of them. A remarkable achievement. So what inspires owners of private gardens to take part – and attracts huge numbers of visitors every year? “I think what is interesting is the variety of people that open their gardens. There used to be a perception in the old days that the Garden Scheme was a bit posh. It’s certainly not the case today. Whoever you are – if you’ve got a nice garden you can open it for us. We also have lots of smaller gardens opening in groups, so you will find say six quite small gardens in one village that will all open together as a group on the same day. We also have school
gardens and allotments – an incredibly varied portfolio.” I asked George why people enjoyed visiting other people’s gardens, adding slightly tongue in cheek if it perhaps was through jealousy or just wanting to be nosey. George smiled broadly. “We did quite a bit of research into this two years ago asking garden owners about their experiences. The owners enjoy opening because having created a lovely garden they want to share it with other people. Visitors realise they are entering somebody’s private space which appeals to them and they respect them for it. And of course they are keen to learn from their visits.” And what better way of finding out why the National Garden Scheme is so popular than to visit an open garden participant. Penny Snell has been opening her garden in Cobham for 30 years and as we explored it I could see why. Despite my visit being on a very cold and damp January
Above: Penny Snell CBE in her garden in Cobham - Moleshill House, which is open three times this year and by arrangement for groups. www.pennysnellflowers.co.uk. March 2019
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V. 13
THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME
the garden looked wonderful with some eye-catching landscaping design. And Penny’s personal accounts of her interaction with visitors was engaging. “People are always incredibly appreciative and ask lots of questions. You can see that they love the garden and always say so. It’s lovely too to hear from people who have visited before. It’s so nice to hear them say that they’ve created new design features just like the ones they’ve seen here – and show me photographs too. It’s wonderful!” Penny, who was awarded a CBE in 2017 in recognition of her services helping to transform the NGS, is undoubtedly a wonderful ambassador for the scheme. She is a former Chairman and remains active as a County Organiser volunteer. As we chatted I could see the undoubted passion she has when receiving visitors to her garden, which include booked groups visiting from various European countries - and from as far away as Japan and Australia! “Gardening provides the satisfaction of getting outside in the fresh air, and the challenge of making things grow the way you want them to. It’s not always easy. But you’ve created something very nice and it’s wonderful to share it – and if you can raise money for charity by doing it what could be better?” George had also emphasised the benefits of gardening for people’s health and well-being. “We commissioned a report from The Kings Fund (the health charity working to improve health and care in England) in 2016. It highlighted the concept that being in a garden or a green space can be incredibly good for your health. It emphasised the benefits for people with mental health issues too, particularly depression. A chunk of our annual donations now go to nursing healthcare charities for garden-focused projects.” Thinking of joining in? What criteria does your garden need to meet? “County by county we have teams of volunteers who help to make the scheme so successful. Each has a County Organiser in charge who assess gardens that have
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applied directly or who have been recommended by word-of-mouth,” George explained. “When they visit they are looking essentially for three key elements in a varying mix of quality, interest, and character. Some gardens have lots of all of them. Others may have incredibly high quality but possibly may not be so characterful. Or have more interest. Essentially we are looking for qualities that would keep visitors interested for say 45 minutes or so, although that’s not applied formally. It’s really that the assessment is intended to avoid disappointed visitors.” My own gardening skills are embarrassingly limited but I will certainly be visiting gardens taking part in the scheme around Surrey and Sussex this year to actively support the charity - and perhaps to seek some inspiration! There is an amazing array of ticketed gardens to visit and a series of events to take part in. Visit the NGS website to find out what’s on – they also have a mobile app you can download to help search for gardens near to you, and which provides details about the gardens and location directions too. Phil Kemp is a Godalming-based writer and photographer. www.weyriver.co.uk FIND OUT MORE The National Garden Scheme - www.ngs.org.uk www.facebook.com/NationalGardenScheme www.twitter.com/NGSOpenGardens www.instagram.com/nationalgardenscheme
We have five copies of the NGS Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2019 to give away. Please visit www.vantagepointmag.co.uk to enter.
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V. 15
Outdoors and wellbeing at Leith Hill Place
M
any people won’t have heard of Leith Hill Place, nestled on the southern slopes of Leith Hill about 5 miles from Dorking. Whilst architecturally it has mild significance in being Grade II* listed, its main attraction comes in the many famous names who have lived and visited, including composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, the Wedgwood family and naturalist Charles Darwin. The mansion, several cottages, two farms and about 400 surrounding acres were given to the National Trust by Vaughan Williams in 1945. The house was then let to various tenants until 2008. Initially the trust was unsure of what the future for this place could be; over the years, time has ravaged the outside of the building and major works to the roof and façade are needed. However the empty house was seen as an opportunity to open a new venue in Surrey and with the help of numerous dedicated volunteers the house first opened in summer 2013. During the past five years the trust has been experimenting with potential uses of the building, seeking to find a sustainable future. In 2018 the theme was ‘art’ and a programme of seven exhibitions or installations showed the versatility of the spaces, alongside workshops and classes. The theme for 2019 is ‘outdoors and wellbeing’, attempting to link the house with the wider estate and reconnect some of the disparate features on the hill which were all originally linked to the estate. A well-known example is Leith Hill Tower the highest point in south-east England, which was built by Richard Hull, owner of the Leith Hill estate in 1765. But lesserknown areas include the Rhododendron Wood garden planted by Caroline and Josiah Wedgwood in the 1840s when they purchased the estate and Frank’s Wood below the Tower (awash with bluebells in April/ May) and named in memory of woodman Frank Longhurst. Exhibitions and events at Leith Hill Place this year seek to highlight these hidden locations and encourage visitors to explore further on the estate. As well as the ever-popular music performances by local choirs and Royal College of Music scholars, this year’s programme includes activities linked to wellbeing, such as yoga retreat days and forest bathing. Workshops include painting with artist Jane Allison and scone baking with
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the Leith Hill Place volunteer bakers. Visit the website for full details or find us on Facebook (details below). Whilst the long term future of the house is still being sought, the mixed programme of events, workshops, venue hire for functions or meeting and exhibitions seems to suit the space, which has sheltered and inspired some of the country’s finest thinkers and creators. The house will be open Friday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am5pm from 29th March to 27th October.
Top, from left: The view to the south from Leith HIll Place; the main house; scone baking. Above: Leith Hill Tower, from the poster created by Surrey Hills Enterprises (Louise Dunkley).
FIND OUT MORE For more information, please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill-place Facebook: Leith Hill Place NT
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T
he fifth GUTS Motor Tour took place on Sunday 16th September 2018, blessed with fine weather, a record number of participants and a wonderfully varied array of fine automobiles. Starting from Squires at Secretts, who kindly opened up early to provide bacon butties, teas and coffees to all entrants and organisers, the Motor Tour got underway at around 9.30am. The route took the cars to the Wellington Country Park for a coffee pit stop via some beautiful country roads in Surrey and Hampshire. From there, the cars made their way to The Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, where they were parked up in a reserved spot by the lake, with picnic tables and a fine view of the main building. Meeting entrants there was John Sandy and his fine team of guides, who were on hand to offer tours of Sandhurst to all entrants. The tours were well appreciated by all who went on them, and the guides were singled out for their knowledge, great charm and humour. All in all, it was a fabulous day. With the obligatory raffle, the tour raised more than £4,500, the bulk of which will be donated to GUTS with a smaller donation to The Sandhurst Trust in gratitude for their hospitality. This takes the amount raised since 2014 to more than £18,000 for a great local charity. The next GUTS Motor Tour will take place on Sunday 22nd September 2019. If you have a veteran, vintage or classic car and would like to join our mailing list, please email gutsmotortour@gmail.com or call Stefan on 01483 421601. About GUTS he GUTS Rally was started by Sarah Grillo in 2003 to raise money for GUTS, which was founded in 1983 by Professor Chris Marks, who recognised that early detection was key to improving bowel cancer survival rates. They initiated one of the first bowel cancer mass screening programmes in the UK, reaching 20,000 patients from 37 GP practices in the Guildford area in its first year.
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Since then GUTS funding has been pivotal both in research to advance screening and detection, and in improving the care, treatment and outcomes for patients – not just from the Guildford area but from right across the south of England. They also seek to raise awareness of bowel cancer, which affects around one in eighteen of us at some point in our lives. The GUTS Motor Tour has raised many thousands of pounds since its inception and is now run by Stefan Reynolds and Jane Stedman, who took it over in 2014. Through the fabulous support of veteran, vintage and classic car owners and drivers, they have continued to raise significant sums of money for GUTS with smaller donations to other charities, such as Help for Heroes. They have a Facebook page with photos of past tours - www.facebook.com/ GUTSMotorTour.
The organisers would like to thank the following for their assistance in 2018: John Sandy and Vaughan Kent-Payne from Sandhurst; Nikki Merritt and Wellington Country Park; Nerissa Deeks, Joe Smith and Chris Marks from GUTS; Suzie Gortler, Lyndsay McEwan Lee and Jan Crossman for selling raffle tickets, Paul Redmond for marshalling duties and Phil Kemp for the photos. For the raffle prizes, we thank: The Holiday Inn, Winchester; Penny Eccles Pottery Courses; Albury Vineyard; RHS Wisley; Nerissa Deeks; G Live; Yvonne Arnaud Theatre; Mallow Flowers & Gifts, Midhurst; Debbie Bowyer; Red Mist Leisure and Grayshott Pottery. March 2019
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GARDENING Beth Otway
Treat yourself to a new asparagus bed
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n asparagus bed is one of life’s luxuries; an area of ground dedicated solely to the production of one glorious vegetable! It may seem an extravagance, but I can assure you that an asparagus bed is 100% worth the investment, as freshly harvested asparagus is a true delicacy. Home-grown asparagus, cooked a short while after harvesting, is a vastly superior vegetable to shop-bought stuff, its sweet flavour is utterly delectable. Spring is the perfect time to plant asparagus; so make the most of this opportunity, for the sooner you start an asparagus bed, the sooner you can enjoy your first harvest. Asparagus growers do not receive instant gratification. Asparagus can be raised from seeds, an economical, but lengthy process. A far better option is to order one-year old asparagus plants, known as crowns, which produce their first harvest in the third year after planting. This might seem an age away, but once established, an asparagus bed will produce a delicious harvest every year, from April until mid-June. Asparagus beds can be productive for 20 years or more.
Asparagus flourishes on sandy soils. Avoid shade; choose a sunny or partially shaded area, in a location where asparagus has not been grown before. Asparagus won’t grow well in waterlogged soil, so if your soil tends to be damp, consider creating a raised bed to improve the drainage. Avoid planting asparagus in areas that have recently grown potatoes or Jerusalem artichokes, as unplanned, leftover plants can pop up unexpectedly. Asparagus doesn’t appreciate competition from weeds, or other plants, so it’s vital to thoroughly weed the area as many times as possible before planting, and at regular intervals afterwards. Asparagus plants are monecious: plants are either male or female. Male asparagus plants are more productive, as they don’t produce seeds, so have more energy to produce a harvest. You could grow green, purple, and white asparagus. Purple asparagus varieties have a sweeter flavour, with less fibre. They require better growing conditions and need more staking than green asparagus. For white asparagus, cover plants with a deep layer of soil, which keeps the plants in darkness, thereby preventing the development of chlorophyll, (which creates green pigment), so plants produce white spears. Gijnlim is an F1 all male, green hybrid, that’s early and productive. Stewarts Purple is a disease resistant, mid to late season asparagus. Soak asparagus crowns in a bucket of water overnight, to rehydrate the plants. Thoroughly weed the bed, then create a central ridge, place the centre of the crown at the top of the ridge, with the plant’s roots draped at either side. Plant each crown 30cm (12inch) apart. I use a good quality nutrient rich compost as a mulch to cover the crowns after planting; you could use homemade compost, just ensure that it is free of weed seeds. Images: Asparagus 'Gijnlim' by Beth Otway.
FIND OUT MORE For more gardening advice, the results of my tomato, compost, slug and snail trials, my plant fair calendar, and much more besides, visit my website at www.pumpkinbeth.com.
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FOOD & DRINK
Loch Fyne recipes for spring
Here are a couple of lovely, fresh seafood recipes for spring. These have been provided by Loch Fyne who are dedicated to providing the world with Scotland’s finest seafood, all available by mail order.
Crispy Oysters with Horseradish
Fillet of Gigha Halibut on Loch Fyne Shellfish Vegetable Broth
This easy-to-prepare recipe from Loch Fyne Oysters is a delicious way to serve fresh oysters, which are high in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B-12, zinc and iron, and are in season all year round. The company began farming oysters in the pristine waters of Loch Fyne 40 years ago, and now supplies top hotels and events all over the world. The guiding principle behind the company is to present the best in authentic Scottish seafood whilst minimising the impact on the environment.
Ingredients: 4 x 140g halibut fillet, skinned; 4 slices white bread; 1 egg for egg wash; 300ml langoustine stock made from shells (or seafood stock); 1 large carrot; 100g leek; 1 large potato; 4 langoustine tails; 4 fresh oysters; 4 scallops; 2 spring onions; 20g parsley; 100ml double cream; 40g butter.
Ingredients: 6 oysters; 200g mayonnaise; 40g freshly grated horseradish; 1 egg; 100g plain flour; 100g panko breadcrumbs. Method: 1. Remove the oyster meat from the shells. 2. Clean the oyster shells thoroughly and set to the side. 3. Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk. 4. Coat the oyster meat in the plain flour, dip into the whisked egg and then into the breadcrumbs. 5. Add the grated horseradish to the mayonnaise and mix together. 6. Deep fry the bread-crumbed oysters and place inside the clean oyster shells. 7. Top each with a teaspoon of mayonnaise You can order fresh oysters, sustainably farmed halibut and much more delivered to your door from their online shop at www.lochfyne.com.
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Method: 1. Turn oven to 180°C. Dice the potatoes and place them in a pan of simmering seafood stock. 2. Cut the leeks and carrot into long, thin strips, and add vegetables when potatoes are soft. When the vegetables are cooked, remove them and the potatoes from the stock and boil the stock to reduce it by one third. 3. Brush egg wash on the skin side of the halibut and press firmly onto the bread. Cut around the fillet and discard the extra bread. Heat a frying pan and add rapeseed oil. Sear the halibut by placing it bread side down in the pan, then place in the oven for 4 minutes. 4. Add cream to the reduced stock and bring to simmer again. Return the vegetables to the stock, and add spring onions and potatoes. Allow to rest. 5. Remove halibut from the oven and turn it over. Add butter, scallops, langoustine tails and oysters to the pan. Baste the halibut with butter. 6. Place vegetables and potatoes from stock in centre of serving dish. Arrange shellfish on top. Place the halibut on the vegetables and shellfish. Add chopped parsley to the stock and pour in stock to cover the bottom of the dish.
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LOCAL
Silent Pool and NealeRichards return to
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SILENT POOL GIN RETURNS TO RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
The multi-award winning Silent Pool Gin will be unveiling an exquisite garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 (21st–25th May) for a second year. Working once again with Garden Designer David Neale and his company Neale Richards Garden Design, the Surrey based Distillery hopes to follow the success of its debut garden in 2018, which won the prestigious People’s Choice award.
RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
and acts as a foil to the planting and single juniper bonsai tree that is positioned within.
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he multi-award winning Silent Pool Gin will be unveiling Made with a delicate blend of 24 botanicals and bottled on-site in the beautiful, rural landscape an exquisite garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 of the Surrey Hills, Silent Pool Gin draws inspiration directly from its unique surroundings. The distillery aims to be as energy efficient as possible with a strong commitment to sustainability. for a second year. Working once again with garden Taking this as inspiration, The Silent Pool Gin Garden 2019 will examine plant technologies and designer David Neale and his company NealeRichards the “greening” of inner city spaces. Working with the University of Surrey, David Neale will be Garden Design, the Surrey based distillery hopes to follow exploring energy generation using plants to create a space that absorbs the stress of everyday the success of its debut garden in 2018, which won the life through the senses. prestigious People’s Choice award.
Made with a delicate blend of 24 botanicals and bottled on-site in the beautiful, rural landscape of the Surrey Hills, Silent Pool Gin draws inspiration directly from its unique surroundings. The distillery aims to be as energy efficient as possible with a strong commitment to sustainability. Taking this as inspiration, The Silent Pool Gin Garden 2019 will examine plant technologies and the “greening” of inner city spaces. Working with the University of Surrey, David Neale will be exploring energy generation using plants to create a space that absorbs the stress of everyday life through the senses.
David Neale and NealeRichards Designs are award winning designers at RHS Shows and long-time advertisers and good friends of us at VantagePoint. In 2009, David won a gold medal for his Urban Serenity design in the Small Garden category at the Hampton Court Flower Show. Since then, NealeRichards Garden Design has built a further five show gardens at the Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower shows for other designers, as well as his award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden in 2018. Once again, The Silent Pool Gin Garden will feature in RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s Space To Grow category. Launched in 2018, this new category showcases mid-size gardens along Royal Hospital Way that offer original ideas, trends and take-home messages. Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea every May since 1913, RHS Chelsea is the most famous flower show in the world. Showcasing the finest plants, flowers and garden design, one of the biggest attractions is the show gardens, which display both horticultural excellence and innovative landscape design.
Through the stone boulders at the garden’s entrance, the eye is drawn down the wide stone steps and into the inner space. A large, open ceiling void engages the viewer with the scented rose bed, while a teal, semitransparent, etched botanical water wall moves the air within this space
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RHS Chelsea runs from 21st25th May 2019. For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk. To advertise, please call 01483 420173
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Golf for all
Phil Kemp visits two local golf clubs to find out how the sport is evolving a far broader appeal
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have always tended to perceive golf clubs as the private domain of fairly well-heeled perhaps older gentlemen with a lot of time on their hands – a view perhaps not helped by the fact that when I visited golf clubs as a youngster this was certainly the case. I was invited to two local clubs where I was genuinely taken by just how much the sport is changing, and in quite innovative ways. “It was certainly the case when I first joined a golf club that you had to wear a jacket and tie in the clubhouse and it was seen as quite a stuffy place to be,” agreed Peter Gallagher, the manager at Betchworth Park in Dorking. “But things are very different now. We are really succeeding in attracting a broad range of people, both experienced golfers and newcomers to the game, and across all age groups. Of course you get retired people playing during the week as they have the time, but at weekends it’s completely different – it’s almost like two golf clubs!” Where we were sitting in the clubhouse you could watch members improving their game on the practice range, and enjoy the course stretching out into the distance in this picturesque corner of Surrey. “We are proud of our Junior Academy here at Betchworth,” Tom Bridger, the club’s Head Professional, chipped in. “It is a coaching programme for juniors where we get them ready to be able to play so they can get out on their own and make their own decisions on the course. They get 50 group lessons in the year and as much time as they need on the practice range.” “We also do an outreach at local schools where we go and deliver their PE sessions – and last year we got to 400
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pupils across the year fours. We give them the chance to play golf using big plastic clubs and tennis ball-sized foam balls. It’s great because you get all the noise and excitement that kids naturally have and its ended up with school teams playing at the club. We had a hundred juniors playing here on one morning.” “It was organised chaos,” laughed Peter. “Tom proved he had the patience of a saint – but it was brilliant. Start them young and keep them interested.” And Tom added very pointedly: “And it gets them away from their smart phones for a bit too!” At Milford Golf Club I talked with manager Shah Bani-Sadr over a cup of coffee in their comfortable and recently refurbished clubhouse. “We are a very friendly golf club with a good social side and we provide a lot of different avenues
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for getting into the game - and also for meeting other like-minded people. We do have a lot of retired members here who of course come to play golf but also really enjoy chatting and having a laugh over a meal and great coffee. It’s something we like to focus on.” The club is currently undertaking some exciting projects which includes creating three new holes and extending their membership to attract inexperienced golfers, and young people. “Simon Fowler is our Golf Professional and newcomers come and talk to him about their golfing experiences. To Simon even if they’ve only ever hit a few balls that’s not a problem. He’ll get them onto the driving range or the putting green to ease them into it and make sure they’re comfortable playing. And at the end of the day it’s their enjoyment
that is most important. They can play group lessons which spreads the cost and they’ll also enjoy the sociable aspect of that too.” I had explained to Shah that my golfing experience was minimal and I quickly realised that the club is very sympathetic to people like me. “Once we’ve got them practising we can get them comfortable to be out on the course, and buddy them up with other players of a similar standard or an experienced golfer. Then after that it’s up to the new player as to whether they want to take up membership. We have a wide range of memberships to suit everyone of all ages and there are no limits to handicaps or abilities. As long as you want to play golf you can be a member.” The clubhouse had a very sociable feel to it and a welcoming atmosphere with some members seated nearby having a lively conversation, and probably bragging about their earlier session out on the course. “We have events where we do something for fun with golfers and non-golfers. This could for example be a ninehole event where the golfer plays tee to green, and the less experienced golfer putts out. Anyone can putt out and often families come along with their children to have a bit of fun, and end the day with a barbecue and a few drinks.” My brief visits to both clubs gave me a much betterinformed opinion of what you’ll experience both on and off the course - and I must confess that I had a positive feeling that perhaps even I might one day venture out and have a go. Both managers had some great stories of people’s experiences at their clubs – with perhaps the account from George at Betchworth Park being the most heart-warming one to close with. “Last year we had a Senior Junior Competition, that’s where you have a senior playing with a junior. The winning pair was an 89-year-old and a 10-year-old!” Phil Kemp is a Godalming-based writer and photographer. www.weyriver.co.uk Far left: Peter Gallagher and Tom Bridger; Left: Shah Bani-Sadr. Above: Betchworth Golf Club
FIND OUT MORE Betchworth Park Golf Club - www.betchworthparkgc.co.uk Milford Golf Club - www.milfordgolf.co.uk March 2019
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V. 27
The true cost of pet ownership Zoe Blake takes a look...
W
ith 49% of UK adults owning a pet we certainly are a nation of animal lovers. There are approximately 11.1 million cats and 8.9 million dogs who are currently sharing our homes.
So over a lifetime you are looking at a cost of:
A recent survey (the PDSA Paw Report 2018) showed that the cost of ownership of our much-loved pets is still underestimated. In this article I want to raise awareness that it’s not just about the money when we are considering pet ownership.
These costs didn’t include initial purchasing of the pet or ongoing veterinary fees. So these figures could go up even higher.
Do you own a pet. whether it be a dog, cat or rabbit? Are you like me and feel that you are forever visiting the pet shop to stock up on their food? Are you having frequent visits to your veterinary surgeon and are worried about the fees mounting up? Have you ever stopped to think what this is all costing….? Do you know how much on average your pets cost you per month? Worryingly the survey flagged up that 69% of dog owners and 88% of cat owners underestimated these costs. The estimated minimum monthly cost was: Dog = £70-105 depending on size Cat = £70 Rabbit = £35
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So if you are considering a pet what could you do to help bring the cost down? It’s always worth chatting to friends and family to see if they have anything they don’t need, such as food, bowls, crates or hutches that they would be happy to donate to you. Chat through where they shop and compare costs of your essential items like food and vet fees. However, as well as the cost of keeping a pet, it would be wise to ask yourself: “Can I give the time and commitment it takes to provide a pet with a happy and healthy life“? It takes a lot of dedication to ensure that the five welfare needs are met: 1. To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease 2. To live in a suitable environment 3. To be housed with or apart from other animals 4. To be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns 5. To have a suitable diet So please do your research if you are considering getting a pet or even adding to your menagerie. It’s not just about giving your pet a roof over their head, there is more to it than that! FIND OUT MORE
A worrying proportion surveyed thought that it would cost about £20!
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Dog = £6,500-£17,000 Cat = £12,000 Rabbit = £3,500
Zoe Blake is a registered veterinary nurse and runs The Friendly Pet Nurse. Call 07917 094715 or visit www.thefriendlypetnurse.co.uk for more information.
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WEEKEND WALK
Upper Froyle to Kingsley This is a pretty, largely flat walk through some varied woods and fields. The walk was submitted by Guildford Rambling Club (see guildfordramblingclub.org.uk). 1. Carefully cross the A31 from the dead end and go into the side road opposite. Cross a railway bridge and then a river bridge and immediately turn left. Walk about a mile along the road to take the first turn right, Follow this to a T junction and turn right. Continue down to cross the main road through Binsted and continue forward in the road opposite to reach the church. Turn right here, into the churchyard. Continue along its right-hand side to exit into a field. (Just by the exit is the grave of Viscount Montgomery.) Continue forward to a T junction with a track. Follow a yellow arrow right and, almost immediately, another left. Cross between fields to trees. The path dips down, crosses a tiny footbridge and then climbs up to a T junction with a path. Turn left. 2. Follow this path through trees and past a pond and from field to field, with fields right and a lake left. The path reaches a gate at the entrance to a wildlife conservation area. Go through it and walk parallel to the edge of a lake, staying up against the edge of trees. Continue forward beyond the end of the lake to reach a soggy spur of vegetation reaching out from the left-hand side and then, by the third power line pole, turn left to cross a small footbridge in trees. Go straight across the field beyond it to the tree line and turn right to walk along its edge and up the slope to Stubbs Farm. Pass the farm house and follow the signposts to jink left and right around the
barns and out, east, on a concrete track to South Hay Farm. Pass this and reach a road. 3. Go straight across to take a track passing Colesons Cottage and entering a field. Still heading east, cross two fields and then a very large one. Meet a crossing track on the far side at a post showing routes left and forward. A few yards beyond it, half hidden in the end of a hedge, is a 3-way signpost. At it, turn right. Walk close to the hedge until, just after a short dip down, taking a footpath left. At the first corner go right for a few yards to find a yellow arrow taking you left and steeply down steps through trees to emerge in another field. Go straight across, through trees and into another field where you head for the far left-hand corner. Climb over a stile and immediately fork left to walk alongside a garden hedge. Quickly reach a tiny stile and, once over it, turn right and walk to a gate onto a drive by the side of a house. Go straight across and through a gate into a grassy corridor. Continue forward, south, for almost ¾ mile, down successive straight corridors (The Straits), at one point passing Llamas and Goats. Eventually reach houses and the main road, the B3004, through Kingsley. 4. Emerge opposite the Cricketers. The village shop is 100 yards along to the left. Cross the road and take the track parallel to the road and running left, away from the Cricketers. There is a small car park and, behind it, a lake. You could picnic by the lake. After lunch, walk along the road edge, passing the pub, ignoring a first footpath left but taking the second. This takes you into the car park by the Golf Club’s club house. Exit by the far right-hand corner. Follow a track which then swings sharp left. About 100 yards on, look for a stile and a yellow arrow on your right. Cross into a field and head forward down it into a line of trees. A little way in, reach a T junction with a crossing track. Ignore the footpath left immediately before it. Emerge on the crossing track and ignore the footpath forward which is immediately opposite. Instead, turn right and walk along the track to reach a road. Turn right and walk up to the B3004 again. Cross, jink left and turn right to walk up the road signed to South Hay, passing a church. After another ¼ mile, find a footpath on the left, out into a large field. 5. You are going to be heading roughly north-west (NW) now for over ¾ mile. In the first field, head out half-right to the edge and then left along the edge to find a gap. This has a large yellow disk next to it and an arrow pointing out half-left across the next field
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.
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Footpath near Wyck (Robin Webster)
to a similar disc on the other side. At this second disk, slip left through a line of trees into another field and, there, head straight out and over a stile on the far side. In the next field continue forward to a T-junction with a track and a 2-way signpost. Turn left and cross a small footbridge. Beyond the footbridge there is a pond on the right-hand side. At its far end, a yellow arrow takes you right and, a few yards later, you break left to find a stile on the right. Climb over the stile to join a crossing path and turn right. Walk through trees and at a right-hand bend in the path, fork left and into a small field. Cross slightly left to reach the start of a rough stony track climbing up between trees. Reach a road and turn left along it to continue. Pass some houses and reach a sharp left bend. 6. At this point continue forward on a gravel drive to pass the Old Stables. About 100 yards on, the track swings right but you continue straight ahead, north, on a grassy path. You will now walk north for about a mile. At first, the path runs alongside a hedge, then through trees until you reach a gap, on the right, into a huge field. Jink right, into the field, then continue
forward, north, along its left-hand edge. Reach a point where the hedge swings right. Here, jink right to go through a gap to continue on in another field. Walk north along its right-hand side to reach Malms Cottages and emerge between them onto a road. Continue forward to a T junction with another road. Go straight across this and up the bank to continue north. Pass under some National Grid power lines and quickly find a small gap, left. Go through and turn right to continue north. Eventually, reach the far side and drop down onto a road. Turn left and walk down to turn right and cross the Wey and the railway line and arrive back at the A31.
DISTANCE: 10 miles MAP: Explorer 144 Basingstoke, Alton & Whitchurch, Odiham, Overton & Hook HOW TO GET THERE: A section of dead-end road parallel to the A31 and running left from the Hen & Chicken pub. From Farnham direction, take the A31 to pass Bentley. Then look for the sign for a right turn to Upper Froyle and just beyond it a sign pointing right to the Hen & Chicken. Turn across the A31 to the Hen & Chicken and immediately turn left to cross in front of the pub and petrol station into the dead-end road. For many more walks, please visit our website at: www.vantagepointmag.co.uk/category/walks. March 2019
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PROFILE
Watermill Jazz
to be premiered on the evening of the 19th March during a celebratory concert by the Mark Nightingale Big Band. The following week on 26th March, club founder Ann Odell will be joined in concert by some of her favourite musicians. Ann, a Brockham resident, was a member of the all female Ivy Benson Band early in her career before going on to work as a busy session musician and arranger during the 1970s and 1980s, during which time she worked with Bryan Ferry, Blue Mink and the London Symphony Orchestra on their 'Classic Rock' series. Special events will continue through the year to celebrate their anniversary.
D
orking's Watermill Jazz, now firmly established as one of the premier jazz clubs in the South of England, celebrate their 25th anniversary this month. Run by a longstanding voluntary committee, they present weekly on Tuesday evenings top quality British and international artists, both established and young up-and-coming acts, in welcoming and pleasant surroundings, for both audience and musicians alike, at Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road in Dorking. On the 17th March 1994, their first concert took place at the The Watermill in Reigate Road with the trio of pianist and vocalist Ann Odell (pictured right) who founded the jazz club along with the late Steve Spurling, and saxophonist Dave Quincy. Fire damage to The Watermill in 2001 resulted in a move nearby to Friends Provident Sports/Social Club in Pixham Lane. In May 2016 they moved to their current venue, which is close to their original venue, following closure of the Sports Club by Aviva. Purchase of their Yamaha C3 grand piano in 2005 proved a valuable investment and has continued to be a delight to visiting musicians. A regular participant in Mole Valley''s annual Arts Alive Festival, they have also since 2006 promoted yearly concerts at the Menuhin Hall in Stoke D'Abernon. Live recorded concerts have been broadcast by the BBC in 1999 on Radio 2 and on Radio 3 in 2011 and 2014, as well as various musicians making CD recordings at the club. Watermill Jazz have commissioned trombonist Mark Nightingale (pictured above) to write a composition to celebrate their 25th anniversary,
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Visit www.watermilljazz.co.uk for details of all concerts or telephone the box office on 07415 815784.
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JOTTINGS
Jottings - your community noticeboard Jottings is your FREE community noticeboard for charities, local events, groups and information, compiled by Jane Gosnell. To feature, please email jottings@vantagepublishing.co.uk by the first Friday of the month prior to month of publication. Please note that space is limited and inclusion cannot be guaranteed. By submitting an entry, you agree to Vantage Publishing using your data for marketing purposes as per our Privacy Policy on our website. You can opt out at any time.
The first month of spring is upon us! As I write these Jottings the snow is melting and the rain has arrived - let’s hope it does not stay long. I love the old proverb ‘March comes in a like a lion and goes out like a lamb’, which means that winter is ending and spring is beginning. For me March is the true start of the year (as it was in Roman times) with daffodils in abundance, they bring a ray of sunshine. This month we have Pancake Day, Spring Equinox, St Patrick’s Day and last, but by no means least, Mother's Day! Polesden Lacey’s Pop-up Conservation Studio From Friday 1st March Visit their pop-up conservation studio, which has a different focus each month, to discover what goes on behind the scenes in the house at Polesden Lacey and try your hand at some conservation. Running daily in the house. Normal admission applies. To find out more on this and other events please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey. Visit Albury Vineyard for wine and pizza Saturday 2nd March 11am-4pm The Wood Fired Larder are 'popping up' with their beautiful bespoke teardrop caravan to cook a delicious selection of pizzas, perfect to feast on whilst enjoying a glass or two of Albury fizz. Entry is free and no booking is needed. Tastings of their sparkling wines are £5 per person. Children are welcome and can be entertained with a vineyard toy trail. Find out more at www.alburyvineyard.com. Bookham Choral Society annual coffee morning Saturday 2nd March 10am Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake at the Bookham Choral Society coffee morning in The Barn Hall, Bookham. There will be a profusion of exciting stalls selling cakes and jam, book and music, jewellery and bric-a-brac, toiletries, toys and lots more. Fairfield Social Centre Leatherhead Various days, Monday to Friday 10am-4pm Would you enjoy a bit more company? Then pop along to the Fairfield Social Centre and make new friends. Enjoy a wide range of activities including Pilates, word games, music and movement, line dancing, singing for health, Tai Chi, Yoga Gold, art group, plus other services including hairdressing, chiropody, beauticians and massage. Call 01372 376058 for more details. The Fairfield Centre, 34, Swan Court, KT22 8AH.
Fetcham Singers seek new singers This group are seeking new ladies voices to join their choir in preparation for their Summer Concert in Leatherhead on Saturday 6th July. They shall be including Faure’s Requiem in the programme. Contact Sandra Brown on 01372 276736 for more details. Capel WI Jumble Sale Saturday 2nd March 2pm-4pm Please support this sale held at Capel Memorial Hall. Jumble can be brought to the hall before midday on the 2nd. Entrance is only 50p, with refreshments available. Unfortunately they cannot accept electrical items, magazines or large furniture. RSPB Dorking and District Group Weekend Walk Sunday 3rd March Pagham Harbour - for winter shore and farmland birds. 10am. All welcome. Free. Visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ dorkinganddistrict/events for more details of meeting place. Abseil from the Spinnaker tower for Charity Register now for 20th April Do you fancy yourself as a bit of a daredevil, have a head for heights and nerves of steel? Then why not take part in an Abseil Challenge for Princess Alice Hospice? Abseil from the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth, one of the most iconic buildings in the South of England. Registration is free and the minimum sponsorship required is £250. The highest fundraiser by 13th April will receive a complimentary photo/ video package from Spinnaker Tower capturing their abseil challenge! Book via www.pah.org.uk/events/spinnakertower-abseil. Jazz Talk by Mike Forbes Tuesday 5th March 2pm In this informal talk Mike will chart the development of jazz by means of recorded examples. Mike Forbes is an experienced public speaker, with a lifelong interest in jazz, including playing the banjo in traditional bands and researching and writing on jazz history. Followed by Brenda's homemade afternoon tea, delicious cakes and sandwiches. All welcome to this relaxed and interesting afternoon. Held at Oddfellows Hall Leatherhead, 45-47 Bridge Street, KT22 8BN. Please contact mid-surrey@oddfellows.co.uk or call 01306 877792 to book and for more details. £3, or free for members.
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Volunteering at Leith Hill Place There are plenty of opportunities to help out at Leith Hill Place. Current roles include: Gallery sales DIY and maintenance Bakers & kitchen helpers Welcome team Gardeners Audience research Historical research If you have any skills in these areas that you would like to share to develop the long term future of Leith Hill Place please email or call using the details below. Email: leithhillplace@nationaltrust.org.uk Tel: 01306 711685
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill-place Surrey County Walkers Various dates throughout the month This is a walking group in Surrey. They have walks every weekend, usually in West Surrey, in the Farnham, Guildford, Woking or Dorking areas. Some walks are held in neighbouring counties, such as Hampshire or Sussex. Most walks are completed in a morning, followed by a visit to a local pub. Some walks, particularly in summer, last all day. For more information and the full walk programme visit www. surreycommunity.info/surreycountywalkers. Fit4Tap classes Various days and locations Fun and funky tap dance fitness. Weekly classes in Leatherhead, Bookham, Capel and Downside. This class is perfect for beginner or refresher tappers who want to learn Tap dance but with an added dance fitness workout. You don’t need Tap shoes to try this fun and funky class. Also, Kids4Tap (3+ to 8 years) at Fusion Leatherhead Leisure Centre on Saturday mornings. Email contact@fit4tap.com for class details or visit www.fit4tap.com. Bookham and Horsley Rotary Various dates during March Rotary combines the opportunity to really make a difference in the community whilst enjoying the company of like-minded friends. A really positive experience awaits you at Rotary, whether as a Club member or if you help out occasionally. For all details and to see what’s coming up, visit www.
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bookhamandhorsley.rotaryweb.org or contact their secretary Mark Secker on 01372 458733 or mark.secker@outlook.com. Watermill Jazz at Betchworth Park Golf Club Various dates during March Dorking’s Watermill Jazz celebrate their 25th anniversary with a concert on the 19th by Mark Nightingale Big Band and with club founder Ann Odell and Friends the following week on the 26th. The quartet line up of Castle, Edwards, Beckett, Somogyi appear earlier in the month and on the 12th the trio of American pianist Marc Copland are joined by iconic British saxophonist Stan Sulzmann on the 12th. Visit www. watermilljazz.co.uk for full details and to book online, or call the box office and speak to Steve on 07415 815784. Mole Valley Business Club Every other Tuesday 7.30am-9am Mole Valley Business Club meets at Burgundy and Black, St Martin's Walk, Dorking to exchange business ideas and refer business. There is no membership fee and it's just pay £10 on the door for breakfast. The only commitment to be a member is for regular attendance and only one representative per business type to ensure exclusivity. For further information contact Graham Faulkner on 07921 255815 or email dorking@ ewemove.com. Dorking Walkers Every Tuesday and Thursday Would you like to try walking with a friendly local group? Two
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JOTTINGS TO SUBMIT A FREE ENTRY, PLEASE EMAIL US AT JOTTINGS@VANTAGEPUBLISHING.CO.UK hour walks (four to five miles) within ten miles of Dorking. Contact Ann on 01306 888745, check out their website www.surreycommunity.info/dorkingwalkers or email dorkingwalkers@gmail.com. Corona Worldwide: West Surrey Branch First Tuesday of the month 11am If you have lived overseas and would like to meet women with similar experiences, you are warmly invited to join this group for coffee and companionship in the Beano Café of the Guildford Institute, opposite the Library in North Street entrance in Ward Street. Leatherhead Probus First Tuesday of each month Leatherhead Probus is a club providing fellowship for retired men who have inquiring and active minds. They meet at Tyrrells Wood Golf Club for a lunch followed by a talk on a specialist topic. Often celebrity speakers: In April Inspector Ken Wharfe MVO, ex-SAS and the police protection officer responsible for Lady Diana and then the two princes. His talk should be amusing and enlightening. Other events are arranged during the year to interest members, wives and friends, including ladies. For details call Jon McCarthy on 07947 361406, or email membership@probusclubleatherhead.org. uk. RSPB Dorking and District Group Midweek walks Wednesday 6th March and 20th March On the 6th, Silent Pool and Albury area: walk from Silent Pool through lovely woodland, farmland and with some pools. 10.30am. On the 20th, Reigate Heath: lovely walk through varied countryside crossing heathland, farmland and a mill pond. The possibility of a variety of bird species. 10.30am All welcome. Free to group members, £5 non members (refundable on joining group). Visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ dorkinganddistrict/events for more details of meeting place. Groveside Badminton Club Every Tuesday 7.30pm They are a friendly club that plays to a good standard and would welcome new members. They have termly and pay as you go options. Held in St Teresa's School, Effingham. If you are interested contact Ed at ed.carr@talk21.com to arrange to go along and give it a try. Leatherhead Community Association walks First and second Wednesday of each month Non-members are welcome to all these events and your first walk is free with a £3 charge for each subsequent walk. They are designed to be gentle and at modest pace, with few stiles, and easy gradients. The morning, three to four mile walks, last about two hours and usually alternate with four to six mile walks, the latter incorporating a lunch or picnic break. You could be walking near Rusper or Richmond, Capel or Cranleigh, with many different places in between. Full details from Peter Humphreys on 01372 378347. March 2019
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V. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT US AT WWW.VANTAGEPOINTMAG.CO.UK Leatherhead Market Every Thursday and Saturday 9am-5pm Leatherhead High Street becomes alive with a wide variety of market stalls. Have you ever considered taking a stall on yourself? There is limited availability at a very reasonable cost, apply online at www.leatherheadchamber.co.uk/ Leatherhead-market or contact Ms Gilda Moezi-Ghadim, Market Manager on 07443 834175 or at gildamoezighadim@ yahoo.co.uk. Pilates classes in Dorking Thursday evenings, Saturday and Sunday mornings Why not try one or more of these Pilates class, held at Learn Grow Create, 261, High Street, Dorking, RH4 1RL. Leatherhead Community Association The Spring programmes are in full swing. There are interesting visits and walks, concerts at the Festival Hall, tea and talks, the art history lectures, two book clubs, Scrabble, social bridge, table tennis and snooker. Please contact Trudy on 01372 360508, email LCA@btconnect.com, or just call in. Transform Leatherhead Spring Public Forum Thursday 7th March 7pm A vision for redeveloping the Swan Centre, the latest on the High Street Study and a full update on the transport model, just three of the topics to be presented on the night. Join them to find out more and ask your questions in a live Q&A, refreshments available from 6.30pm. Held at The Leatherhead Theatre. You can also emailed our questions to transformleatherhead@molevalley.gov.uk or you can ask your question on the night. For further information please visit www. transformleatherhead.com. Singing Mamas Choir Fridays 10.15am-11.45am in Dorking and 1pm-2.30pm in Reigate A singing group for women of all ages and abilities with or without children. Easy to learn and beautiful harmony songs from around the world in a friendly non-judgmental space. Tea and cake provided as well as gentle toys for little ones. Give yourself an uplifting, nourishing end to the week. £36 for a block of six classes. To book visit www.singingmamaschoir. com. For more information contact philippa@ singingmamaschoir.com, or 07929 050373. The Mole Valley Silver Band at St Mary Magdalene Church, South Holmwood, RH5 4JX Saturday 9th March 2019, 3pm The Friends of St Mary Magdalene are proud to host the Mole Valley Silver Band concert at the church (entrance from Betchetts Green Road). Tickets are £7.50 (children under 12 free). Drinks and home-made nibbles are available. Contact Virginia Smith (telephone 01306 885349, email rev.virginia. smith@talktalk.net) or Pam Chiverton (telephone 01306 888922, email pam.chiverton@btinternet.com) for tickets or further information.
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Bookham Country Market Every Friday 10.15am-11.30am Providing a friendly atmosphere where people can meet over tea, coffee and cake as well as buying from the well stocked tables of local suppliers. These include baked goods and prepared meals, free range eggs, meat from Conisbees in East Horsley, homemade preserves, locally grown plants and vegetables and a wide range of craft items. They are open every Friday in the Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Bookham, KT23 3PQ. Martha's Market Friday mornings 10.30am-11.30am Why not go along to buy homemade cakes, quiches and marmalade together with handmade cards and crafts plus home grown plants. There is also a haberdashery stall and occasional bric-a-brac. Held in Leatherhead Parish Church Hall, Church Rd. On the first Friday of the month they have a Fairtrade stall and on the third Friday they offer a Hearing Clinic. Refreshments served. To book a stall call 01372 374914. Quaker Meeting Sunday 10th March 6.30pm An evening meeting is held on the second Sunday of each month at Park House, Randall's Road Leatherhead, KT22 0AH. All are welcome to join them in exploring a different approach to spiritual worship focusing on silence and stillness. For more information contact Catherine Carr (01483 283693) or catherinemcarr15@gmail.com. Chasamba Fitness in Beare Green Every Monday at 2.30pm Have you always wanted to try out Cha Cha, Samba, Waltz, Charleston, Quickstep, Jive, Paso Doble but don't have a partner? Well you don't need one! Founded in 2007, Chasamba Fitness uses partner-free Latin and Ballroom dance steps, suitable for any age or ability. Go at your own pace - It’s entirely up to you, All you need is comfy trainers, a bottle of water and a desire to have fun getting fit. £6 per class. Beare Green Village Hall, Merebank, RH5 4RD. Phone 07985 672358 or email chasambawithnicola@hotmail.com for more info. Headway charity monthly Drop-in First Friday of each month 10.30am-2pm The average person in the street often completely fails to notice the disabilities faced by someone with a brain injury, when they first meet. Unfortunately the individual’s disabilities, such as loss of memory, mean that the simplest tasks in life can be the most problematic. This can make sustaining a social life a very difficult business indeed. The Drop In is an informal time for people to meet and socialise with others who are affected by brain injury. Held at Headway House, North Road, Guildford, GU2 9PU. For more information contact the team on 01483 454433, email enquiries@headwaysurrey.org. Social Partner Dancing Leatherhead Every Monday evening Why not join this friendly, inclusive, social club with sublime
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music? No partner necessary as couples are rotated. Held at Trinity School, Leatherhead which is a beautiful venue with a big car park. Beginners and all ages welcome. Visit www. facebook.com/CoastAndJam for info. Fetcham Singers Monday evenings 7.45pm They are a friendly ladies choir and currently looking to expand. Beginning a new season in September, singing carols at Christmas and give a concert in July. Why not give it a try? There are no auditions and the first two evenings are free. Practice sessions are held in the Parish Church Hall, Church Road, Leatherhead term time only. To find out more contact Sandra Brown on 01372 276736. Dorking Museum: Guided walks on The Deepdene Trail Sunday 10th March and group bookings by appointment Open Day - Visit 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 walk at 2pm, for individual bookings or Group walks by appointment. £4 per person, booking via website. Visit www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk/the-deepdenetrail or email admin@dorkingmuseum.org.uk for more details. Hire - Walliswood Village Hall Why not hire this light and airy refurbished hall fitted with (free to users) fibre optic Wi-Fi. The hall is double glazed throughout and has full gas central heating. It has a fully fitted kitchen March 2019
and the main hall can seat 80 people at tables, more if a buffet. The hall is ideal for holding parties, family gatherings and business meetings/training sessions and much more. Bi-fold doors open onto an attractive large secure playing field, ideal for children’s birthday parties etc. Hire charges from £8 per hr. For further information contact Valerie Miles: 01306 627248 or valerie@fivemiles.co.uk alternatively visit the website www. walliswood.org. Leatherhead Choral Society Every Monday 7.45pm It is a well-known fact that singing is good for you. If you want to find out for yourself, go along and try out this friendly choir in Leatherhead - no auditions required. They meet weekly on Mondays during term time, at Christ Church, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8ST. For more information visit www. leatherhead-choral.net or call Sue on 01372 376831. Dorking Branch of the Embroiderers' Guild Second Monday of the month 10am-12.30pm Join them for coffee and a talk at the Friends Meeting House, Dorking, RH4 2LE. New members and visitors are welcome, the only requirement is an interest in stitch and textiles. The junior branch, Dorking Young Textile Group, meets on the second Saturday of the month at South Holmwood Parish Room, RH5 4JX. They have a varied programme, introducing their members (aged 7-18) to a wide variety of creative textile techniques. New members welcome. Contact jofreeborough@ hotmail.com for details.
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V. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT US AT WWW.VANTAGEPOINTMAG.CO.UK The Royal British Legion Women's Section Every Second Monday 7pm Their meetings cover interesting speakers, members nights, raising funds for the Poppy Appeal and a lot more. If you feel this group is something you would like to try, please go along. For further information please phone Jane on 01372 811422. Held at North Leatherhead Community Centre, Kingston Road, Leatherhead. Brooklands: Birthplace of British motor sport and aviation Monday 11th March 7.30pm All welcome to Mike Forbes’s fascinating talk on the history of Brooklands followed by tea and coffee. Experienced public speaker Mike will give an illustrative talk on the history of Brooklands. The Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit near Weybridge was opened in 1907 and was the first purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world and became the mecca of British motor sport until 1939. Aircraft manufacture also then became established. Held at Oddfellows Lounge (Oddfellows Hall) ,270 High Street, Dorking, RH4 1QT. Please contact mid-surrey@ oddfellows.co.uk, 01306 877792 to book and for more details. Ashtead Badminton Club Monday evenings 7.30pm-9.30pm Play the world’s fastest racquet sport… only slower at at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Looking for somewhere to play? Drop in and try our friendly club of mixed ability men and women players (some playing experience needed). First session is free. Contact Calvin Evans 07774 429225 or 01306 740820 or Jeff Gowlland 01306 259346 for more information. Chair Exercise at the Christian Centre, Dorking Every Tuesday 11am Seated exercise to music designed for the more mature person to increase strength, flexibility and improve balance. People with disabilities are welcome. For more information please call Jasmin on 0758 486 1802. The Arts Society Dorking Second Tuesday of the months 9.30am for 10.30am The Society will be covering subjects such as 'Women Behind the Lens' a look at the work of five outstanding female photographers and 'The Magnificent Thames' a talk on the painting of the River by Canaletto, Turner, Monet and others. They have visits during the year to The Brunel Museum; Van Gogh Exhibition; Arundel Castle and Lancing Chapel as well as a tour to discover the art and history of the Greek Peloponnese. They meet in Dorking Halls. If you would like to attend, please contact the Society via info@theartssocietydorking.org.uk. The Arts Society Leatherhead Wednesday 13th March 7.15pm This month’s talk is about the Queen of Sheba, who captured the imagination of great artists and inspired epic films. Archaeologists have discovered great temples, tombs and treasures in both Yemen and Ethiopia. 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@
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theartssocietyleatherhead.org.uk or telephone Huw Jenkins on 01372 278738. Birch Tree Folk Choir Tuesday evenings 7pm-8.30pm Birch Tree Folk choir is a friendly community choir where they sing folk music arrangements that connect you with our land and heritage. Sessions begin with a short, guided meditation that helps to realign the nervous system. All songs are taught be ear, singers of all levels of confidence are welcome. Held at Ashcombe School, Dorking, RH4 1LY. To book visit www. birchtreechoir.com, email philippa@birchtreechoir.com, or call 07929 050373. Leatherhead Rotary Club - forthcoming events Various dates during March They are currently supporting and raising money for the East Surrey Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Fundraisers for this month include the Mole Valley Rotary Balloon Debate at Betchworth Park Golf Club on Wednesday 13th, 7pm for 7.30pm. The London Welsh Male Voice Choir in Concert at St Mary’s Church in Horsham on Saturday 23rd, 7pm and finally Pete and Liz’s Annual Quiz Night at the Church of the Good Shepherd Hall in Carshalton Beeches on Saturday 23rd, 7pm onwards. For full details on these events please visit www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs. Mole Valley Speakers’ Club Wednesday 13th and 27th March They are a friendly group that meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Toastmasters International, to which Mole Valley Speakers’ Club belongs, is a nonprofit educational organisation that helps members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills. They welcome you to join them for a meeting, free of charge to find out more. Meeting at the Marshall Room of the Peace Memorial Hall, Woodfield Lane, Ashtead. KT21 2BE. Call Pauline 01372 817129 or email paulineyw19@hotmail.com for more details. Tylney Luncheon Club Second Wednesday of each month 12.30pm for 1pm lunch They are a ladies social luncheon club which meets at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre. They have a speaker at each meeting (except AGM in March). New members are welcome. If any lady would like to join them, please get in touch on 01932 864822 or 01372 379303. Dorking Scrabble Club Every Wednesday 7.30pm For a friendly game of Scrabble come to The Roy Currie Room, United Reformed Church, West Street. You will be welcome whether you are a beginner or an expert. For more details ring Priscilla on 01737 767072 or David on 01306 889308. Leatherhead Rotary Club meetings Wednesdays 7pm Meeting at the Police Federation Headquarters in Highbury Drive, Leatherhead. For further information about the club and
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TO SUBMIT A FREE ENTRY, PLEASE EMAIL US AT JOTTINGS@VANTAGEPUBLISHING.CO.UK its wide range of community, fundraising and social activities 25 please visit www.leatherheadrotary.org.uk, contact % Simon Edmands on 07753 821964 or email the club at O FF leatherheadrotary@gmail.com. Ashtead Bowling Club free 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.
Melodies for Memories singing group Every Wednesday 10.30am-12 noon Melodies for Memories is a weekly singing group for people with dementia and their carers, originally established by the Alzheimers Society. Following half an hour of tea, coffee, biscuits and general support, they sing popular songs, old and slightly newer, sometimes accompanied, sometimes not and encourage participation through a range of musical activities and much laughter. Please call Sue on 01306 877256 if you would like to find out more, or simply go along for a taster session. Held at Betchworth Village Hall. Locomotive Club of Great Britain – Dorking Wednesday 13th March Award winning cameraman Nick Lera will present “China – the last great steam show on earth”. Nick worked all over the world in TV news before turning to the last steam locomotives in China, the culmination of a lifelong fascination with railways. The venue is the Friends Meeting House, Butter Hill, South Street, Dorking RH4 2LE. Anyone interested in trains is welcome and non-members pay £3.50 including refreshments. More information at www.lcgb.org.uk Become a Hospice Hero and abseil for St Catherine’s Sign up now for 5th and 6th April St Catherine’s Hospice is calling all thrill-seekers to combat their fears and join them for their 100ft Hospice Hero Abseil. The local hospice is returning with their exhilarating challenge on the outside of the Sandman Signature Hotel in Crawley. Registration is just £25. Abseilers will also be asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £195. Currently St Catherine’s can only reach one in three people who need them, but with your bravery, they can reach everyone who needs them when life comes full circle. Register online at www.stch.org.uk/abseil or as part of a company you can sign up at www.stch.org.uk/corporate-abseil. Pilates classes in Dorking and surrounding areas Various dates and times Personal, fun and relaxed atmosphere with Malgosia Underwood. Suitable for all levels. Small group, corporate, private lessons and trial classes available. Flexible payment options. Visit www.malgosia-underwood.com or contact malgosia.underwood@gmail.com, 07948 395010 for details and timetable. March 2019
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V. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT US AT WWW.VANTAGEPOINTMAG.CO.UK Gardening Talk Saturday 16th March 10am for 10.30am start Hosted by the Southern Counties Group of the Hardy Plant Society, there is a short AGM followed by a talk on ‘Plant Hunting in Manipur’ by Paul Barney. Also plant sale, raffle, free tea and coffee. Visitors welcome, £4. Held at The Old Barn Hall, 55 Church Road, Great Bookham, Leatherhead, KT23 3PQ. For more details please visit www.hps-southerncounties. co.uk or call Sandra on 01372 727715. Dance Fitness classes Various days and times Come and see what everyone is doing in Capel. Dance fitness classes at Capel Village Hall. Fit4tap on Monday mornings 9.30-10.30, Chasamba on Thursday evenings 6pm-7pm. For more information email sheila.chamberlain@btinternet.com The Arts Society Betchworth Third Monday of the month 2.30pm-4pm New members welcome, wherever you live. Do join this society to enjoy stimulating, entertaining talks from accredited lecturers and visits to interesting places. They meet in Betchworth Village Memorial Hall and annual membership is only £35. Forthcoming events include 'A Passion for Fashion’ and 'A Royal Rescue -Dumfries House'. They shall be visiting The Armourers Hall and The Guildhall and Greenwich. For further information please ring Carole Evans 01372 452563 or visit www.theartssocietybetchworth.org.uk. The Dorking Group of Artists Tuesday afternoons Meeting at Beare Green Village Hall from September through to Easter. Membership is open to artists of all abilities, from beginner to professional and costs just £20 per calendar year. The activities programme is varied and includes workshops and demonstrations including outdoor painting and sketching during the summer months. Visit www.dga.org.uk for more information or contact Jane Anderson Wood on j.andersonwood@gmail.com. Whist Drive at Leigh Village Hall 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 details call 01306 631373. East Horsley Women’s Institute Third Wednesday of the month New members and visitors are welcome. They meet at the East Horsley Village Hall. Forthcoming events include a summer walk and supper, regular Bridge and Rummikub sessions and coffee mornings. For further details telephone Sue Aitken on 01483 282028. Dorking Ranmore Women's Institute Third Wednesday of the month 2.30pm Are you retired and looking for new friends and new interests? They have a wide range of activities, from very popular lunches
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and walks to a darts group, knitting group and a book club. They meet at Dorking Christian Centre. For further information call Rosemary on 01306 884651 or Penny on 01306 884180. Newdigate Local History Society Monday 18th March 8pm An Open Discussion on Newdigate’s development as a village. Led by Graham Capel, covering the period after 1550 up to modern times. Free entry, donations welcome. Takes place at Newdigate Village Hall, Kingsland, RH5 5DA. For further information, call 01306 631233 or visit the website www.nlhs. org.uk. Historical Association, West Surrey Branch Tuesday 19th March 7.30pm A lecture by Professor Lawrence Goldman of St Peter's, University of Oxford: Disraeli and the Transformation of Victorian Conservatism, 1846 - 1880. A distinguished historian and excellent speaker gives his assessment of a Tory leader who had wit, style and cunning. Held at St Nicolas' Hall, Bury Street, Guildford, GU2 4BW. Students free, non members welcome (£3 at the door). Call Rollo Crookshank on 01252 319881 or email crookshank@starkmann.co.uk for more details. Creative Cuppa group in Dorking Third Thursday of the month 2pm-3.30pm This is a new group for people who enjoy craft and art and would like to do them with others rather than at home on their own. Bring your own projects or come along and try something new - maybe cross-stitch, knitting or drawing, with help from volunteer leaders. Held in the main hall at Dorking United Reformed Church, West Street. £2 per person to include a cuppa. No need to book, just turn up. For further details contact harper46@icloud.com, call 07833 640111 or visit www. dorkingurc.org.uk. Leatherhead U3A Thursday 21st March 2pm Leatherhead U3A's monthly meeting will be in the United Reformed Church Hall, Epsom Road, KT22 8ST. Chris Chippendale will guide you through Lasting Powers of Attorney. The U3A welcomes anyone no longer in full time employment or raising a family. For more information come along to the meeting, email lhdu3amembers@gmail.com or check out their website www.leatherheadu3a.org.uk. Capel Choral Society Grand Quiz Saturday 23rd March 7pm for 7.30pm start A buffet supper is included in the ticket price of £10 per person, or £60 for a table of six. Bring your family and friends and see if you can beat the Quiz Master! Held in Capel’s Memorial Hall. The Choir has about six more rehearsals before the Leith Hill Musical Festival on Thursday 11th April. Do come along to Dorking Halls and support the Choir in one of the choral highlights of the year. To book for the quiz, or for any other information about the choir, email ianmoir20@yahoo. com or phone 01306 889817.
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The Arts Society Horsley Lovelace Third Wednesday of each month 10.30am You can attend a wide ranging programme of lectures focused on the visual arts. Lectures are held at East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Avenue KT24 6QT. Coffee is available beforehand from 9.45am. New members are welcome and visitors pay £5. For more information and a full programme, please phone Clare on 01483 283635 or visit www. theartssocietyhorsleylovelace.org.uk. Dorking Town Centre Pub Walks Open Day Saturday 23rd March and group bookings by appointment Taking in former and current town centre pub sites, relating their history and stories and pointing out features. Tours last 90 minutes. Booking via the website, £3 per person. Open walk at 11am, for individual bookings. Group walks (minimum10 people) arranged by appointment. Visit www. dorkingmuseum.org.uk/guided-walks-around-dorking or email admin@dorkingmuseum.org.uk. Fetcham University of the Third Age (U3A) Fourth Tuesday of each month 2.30pm When you retire or semi retire, very often there is a void in your life. Why don’t you join this group so you can help fill that unwanted gap? Their activities are varied and broadly educational, but mainly about having fun. Held at St. Mary’s Church Hall, off The Ridgeway, Fetcham, KT22 9AZ. For further details email ann.chance76@gmail.com. March 2019
Morris Dance Workshop Saturday 23rd March 10am-4pm Morris Dance Workshop and Spring Equinox Tour with Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris. The Orchard Morris Project will be holding a half day Bedlam (Border) Morris dance workshop. This will be followed by a short dance tour around Dorking with guest Morris teams, to celebrate the Spring Equinox. No previous experience required. The emphasis will be on having fun rather than aiming for perfection. Booked in advance or just turn up and pay on the door. Dorking URC Follett Hall, 53 West Street, RH4 1BS. Visit www.orchardmorris.com or email orchardmorris@virginmedia.com for more details. RHS calls for wartime veg plot photos The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling for people to submit photos of their wartime vegetable gardens as it gets ready to mark 80 years since the outbreak of World War II and the Dig for Victory campaign in October. The charity will display advisory material and wartime propaganda that inspired people to grow more food to supplement ration-book diets at its library and gardens in the autumn and will include photos of families’ own gardens and allotments. Photos and information should be sent to libraryenquirieslondon@rhs.org.uk. Beethoven Classics at the Menuhin Hall Saturday 23rd March 7.30pm Surrey Mozart Players are delighted to be returning with conductor Edward Farmer and pianist James Brawn to continue their Beethoven piano cycle with the masterful
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V. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT US AT WWW.VANTAGEPOINTMAG.CO.UK ‘Emperor’ Concerto. The programme opens with another great Beethoven work, his Coriolan Overture and concludes with Bizet’s youthful and exuberant Symphony no. 1. Performed in The Menuhin Hall, The Yehudi Menuhin School, Stoke d’Abernon, Cobham, KT11 3QQ. Tickets available from The Menuhin Hall Box Office, by calling 08700 842020, or visiting www.themenuhinhall.co.uk/event/surrey-mozart-players. Trek Mont Blanc with Phyllis Tuckwell If you love travelling, relish a challenge and enjoy meeting new people, then this one’s for you! In September, local Hospice Care charity Phyllis Tuckwell will be taking a team of hikers further than ever before on its first exclusive trip - to trek the Mont Blanc massif region! Participants will be raising sponsorship money for Phyllis Tuckwell, which provides supportive and end of life care for patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer. The trek will take place from 12th-16th September. The registration fee is £345 and Phyllis Tuckwell asks that you raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,400 (self-funding places are available). Email to fundraising@pth.org.uk for details. RSPB Dorking and District Group Weekend Walk Sunday 24th March The Burgh, West Sussex, near Arundel. Possibility of raptors and less common farmland species. 10am. All welcome. Free to group members, £5 non members (refundable on joining group). Visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/dorkinganddistrict/ events for more details of meeting place. Dorking Museum: 'Lord Ashcombe's Minerals' Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout March 10am-4pm The exhibition showcases the history of and examples from Lord Ashcombe's stunning mineral collection, amassed in the 19th century and displayed at his Denbies home. His collection and those of other gentlemen collectors played an important role in the development of the study of geology and palaeontology and the scientific understanding of the earth's history. Held at Dorking Museum, 62 West Street, RH4 1BS. For details please visit www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk or call 01306 876591. Bingo at South Holmwood Fridays 8pm-10pm You will receive a very warm welcome at this night bingo held at South Holmwood Village Hall. There are two sessions which include a ‘Snowball’, a ‘Flyer’ and ‘Lucky Last Number’. They also have a good raffle and there is a bar. The cost for the whole evening is under £10. Volunteers needed for Home-Start Guildford Can you spare a few hours each week to help a family with young children? Home-Start Guildford is a family support charity covering the whole of the Guildford Borough, plus Bookham and Fetcham in Mole Valley. They provide homevisiting volunteers to support families who have at least one child under five and are struggling to cope. Supporting families with a whole range of difficulties: post-natal depression, lone
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parenting, illness/disability, multiple births, family breakdown, financial worries. Their next Volunteer Preparation Course starts this month. If you are interested in learning new skills on this friendly, free course, call Debbie or Liz on 01483 511181, or email office@hsguildford.org.uk. Dorking Folk Club Every Wednesday 8.30pm A lively and welcoming club that promotes folk music of all types and is very keen to support live artists whether they are professional and famous, keen amateurs or new performers. There are generally two types of evening on approximately alternating weeks. They feature a host of well-known artists from the folk circuit one week (£9) and the following week is often a singers’ night when local musicians, singers and musicians are invited to perform a short item (£3). Dorking Golf Club, Deepdene Ave, Dorking RH5 4BX. Further details via www. dorkingfolkclub.org.uk or contact Terry on 01372 729333. Dorking Gardeners' Club Forth Wednesday each month They are a group with an interest in growing and all things horticultural. They have speakers on a wide variety of topics. During the evening there is a chance to chat and make friends. During the summer months they have outings, shows and a hotel based weekend break with many garden visits. They welcome new members of any age whether you are new to gardening or knowledgeable. For further information on the club and its activities look on www.dorking-gardeners.jimdo. com or email sjhuds@hotmail.com. Spring Jazz at St George's Café Thursday 28th March 12.15pm-1.30pm Celebrate the coming of Spring with some upbeat Jazz and a hot, healthy lunch at your local café in Ashtead. Let Dolores and her friends entertain you with some smooth singing to traditional Jazz beats. Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead. Visit www. sgsgashtead.com for details. Mole Valley Probus Third Thursday of the month It’s a New Year and now is the time to look at yourself and ask can I do things any better and get more enjoyment out of life. If you are bored lonely and missing contact with old work colleagues then why not meet new men by joining Mole Valley Probus. They are a group of retired businessmen living in the Mole Valley who meet monthly for lunch at Tyrells Wood Golf Club followed by a talk. Trips to local places of interest, concerts, theatre trips are organised by coach with partners and friends most welcome. Interested, then please join us, you find us a friendly crowd and we offer a free lunch to first time visitors. Contact Mike Rushby 07833 574089 or Michael Brown 01372 878875. Yoga and Art Retreat Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April Do you love the beach, sea and art? Then book up with Surrey based Artist and Yogi, Ruth Wheeler on her Cornish long
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JOTTINGS TO SUBMIT A FREE ENTRY, PLEASE EMAIL US AT JOTTINGS@VANTAGEPUBLISHING.CO.UK weekend retreat in St Ives. Yoga, mindfulness and meditation available in the mornings and evenings. You can walk on the beautiful beaches, clear your mind of chatter and then create some amazing art with wood, acrylics, sandstone, with guidance from Ruth, or bring your own work and materials if you prefer. For full details on prices and availability visit www. ruthwheeler.co.uk. September dates also available. Jo Jingles Various dates and times Providing fun, 45 minute music, singing and movement classes, which teach children to play percussion instruments expressively, sing songs and find rhythm to move and dance. Encouraging hand-eye coordination and helping children learn social skills and make friends. From three months to five years. Age appropriate term time classes held at Fetcham Village Hall. No joining fees and free trial available. Contact Viv Hunt on 07751 438943 or email vivhjj@hotmail.com, www.jojingles. com/epsom2leatherhead. Dorking South Street Caves - Cave Tours Open day Saturday 30th March and group bookings Spring re-opening. Take a trip under the streets of Dorking to explore the famous 17th century caves. Discover how they were created and how they evolved over the centuries. Check out the 'mystery chamber'. Open tours 10am,11am,1pm and 2pm. Tours bookable for any group. Tours last 45 minutes. Email caves@dorkingmuseum.org.uk to arrange a group tour. Visit www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk/south-street-caves for open days bookings. Bobbin Lace classes and workshops Saturday 30th March Why not try making Idrija Lace Flowers for Idrija Beginners? Tina is holding one and two day workshops in Effingham. You will learn how to interpret the pattern, do a turning stitch, a plaited flower, sewings, along with other Idrija lace techniques. For full details please email Pedrick.SP.TL@Hotmail.co.uk or call 07880 693881. Brockham Choral Society Saturday 6th April 7.30pm Presents Anton Dvorak’s ‘Stabat Mater’. The work was composed due to the personal tragedy of the loss of his then 3 living children. The British Sinfonietta Orchestra with soloists, Soprano: Joanna Tomlinson,Mezzo: Frances Gregory, Tenor: Andrew Henley, Bass: Meilir Jones will be directed by Musical Director Patrick Barrett. Held in St Martin's Church, Dorking, RH4 1UX. Tickets and info from Maria Chadwick c/o Michael Frith, 40 South St, Dorking, 01306 882728 or Alison Robins 07890 663505 or www.brockhamchoral.org. Do you know your blood pressure? Saturday 6th April 10am-3pm If you do, well done ... if you don't read on! High blood pressure is the greatest single cause of a Stroke or a Heart Attack. However once detected, high blood pressure can often easily be managed, reducing your chances of suffering such a March 2019
sudden, unexpected and debilitating change to your life. Each year the Rotary Clubs in Dorking organise the possibility for you to have your blood pressure checked by trained healthcare volunteers without the need to make an appointment with your GP. Just drop in to The Christian Centre beside St. Martin's Church in Dorking and take your first step to reducing your risk of a Stroke or a Heart Attack. Dorking Museum – ‘Local Heroes’ short film Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in March, 10am-4pm A short film telling the story of local suffrage campaigners Emmeline and Frederick Pethick-Lawrence, made in conjunction with Royal Holloway and filmed in Dorking, Holmwood and Leith Hill, is available to view in the Museum to mark the centenary of the vote for women. Kathy Atherton’s book on the fight for the vote in the Surrey Hills is also available. Held at Dorking Museum, 62 West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS. For details please visit www.dorkingmuseum.org. uk or call 01306 876591. Patchworking Garden Project Arts and Crafts Exhibition Saturday 6th April 11.30am-2.30pm A wonderful range of affordable art, crafts and plants for sale within their beautiful walled garden overlooking Box Hill. Homemade cakes and refreshments. Free parking available. Patchworking Garden, Sports Ground, Pixham Lane, Dorking RH4 1QA. For more details please visit www. patchworkinggardenproject.co.uk.
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TO SUBMIT A FREE ENTRY, PLEASE EMAIL US AT JOTTINGS@VANTAGEPUBLISHING.CO.UK Lift your spirits at the 2019 Easter Market! Tuesday 9 April from 10am to 2pm Get yourself to this popular fund-raising event and unwind over a coffee with friends and family. Indulge in gifts and treats from our range of unusual local stalls, and perhaps stay for lunch in the cosy surroundings of The Parrot. From crafts, cakes, toys, chocolate, cheeses and jewellery to honey products, books, plants and more, there’s something for all ages and pockets. Hopefully, a local expert will also be on hand to give a short talk with Q & As (topic tbc). Need a lift? A free vintage bus will run from Ewhurst to The Parrot and back, connecting with bus route 53 to/from Guildford and Cranleigh. It’s all in support of the churches of Ewhurst with Okewood and Forest Green. The Parrot, Forest Green RH5 5RZ. www.eofgparish.org.uk. Dorking Bowling Club Saturday 27th April They are holding an Open Day on Saturday 27th April from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm. They are situated in Drill Hall Road, Dorking RH4 1GL. Come and have a go at playing lawn bowls - all ages and abilities are very welcome. They have a lovely green and a comfortable clubhouse. They will supply all the equipment and provide free, friendly coaching. Just bring flat shoes! For further details look on www.dorkingbowlingclub.co.uk. Polesden Lacey Wellness Walk Until Sunday 28th April Back by popular demand. Take time to reflect and recharge on our
self-led trail, guiding you to some of the stunning viewpoints around the estate. Drink in the peace and beauty of the landscapes of Polesden Lacey and the Surrey Hills beyond, as you enjoy precious time to yourself. Ask for your map at reception. Normal admission applies. For full details on this and other events please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey. Charity Classic Car Run Register now for 28th April Organised by The Rotary Club of Croydon Jubilee, they start the Annual Classic Car run at Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA and take a stunning route over two counties through the country roads and lanes, incorporating the most beautiful villages. Picnic at one of the beautiful sights on the way or enjoy a lunch at one of the plentiful pubs. Entry is £45 which includes the car, the driver, one passenger, a run pack, route guide and finisher’s plaque. Additional passengers are £5 each. Space is limited. All surplus will go to local charities Closing date is 24th April. Contact Dhiraj on 020 8686 7757 (9am-5.30pm) or 020 8654 4545 (6pm-9pm), David on 020 8688 0273 (6pm-9pm) or email dhiraj@dsandco.com.
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WIN... one of 5 pairs of tickets to the Loseley Spring Garden Show Loseley Park is looking forward to the Spring Garden Show this year which takes place on Friday 26th April to Sunday 28th April, open 10am–5pm (4pm on Sunday). The usual excellent specialist nurseries will be attending the show with a couple of new faces, along with an interesting array of garden bygones, useful gardening items, furniture and home design. A new willow-weaving and wood carving stand will greet visitors as they approach the show courtyard, and the ever popular Whichford Pottery will once again be taking up their place in the stableyard with their lovely collection (Friday and Saturday only). There will be delicious refreshments throughout the day on the Mulberry Tea Lawn and in the White Garden Marquée. To win a one of 5 pairs of tickets, please answer the following question: Q: What is the family name connected to Loseley Park? Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st March 2019.
WIN... a pair of tickets to An Evening with Aggers and Tuffers in Woking An Evening With Aggers and Tuffers is the perfect show for lovers of laughter, larger-than-life characters and jaw-dropping anecdotes. With Aggers’ Boycott-baiting wind-ups and tall tales of Tuffers’ global misdeeds, this is an unbeatable evening for cricket fans and non-aficionados alike. Tuffers was the bad boy of English cricket in the 1990s, but the best spinner - left-arm or otherwise - as well. Known as The Cat because of his love of dressing-room naps and, rarely seen without a beer and a fag, Tufnell has always been something of a folk hero. He has now carved out a successful TV career, appearing in I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, and Strictly Come Dancing, he is also Matt Dawson’s opposing team captain in BBC’s A Question of Sport. The event is being run in aid of the Professional Cricketers’ Association. To win a pair of tickets to the show at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking on Sunday 14th April at 7.30pm: Q: What was the nickname of Tuffers? Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st March 2019.
WIN... one of 5 copies of the NHS Garden Visitor's Handbook 2019 Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2019
The Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2019 is your essential guide to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens open in England and Wales for the National Garden Scheme this year. With detailed descriptions of every garden, stunning photos, and handy maps and calendars – all of the information you need is right at your fingertips. Thousands of beautiful gardens throughout England and Wales welcome visitors on behalf of the National Garden Scheme and raise much needed funds for a range of nursing and caring charities. There are always more beautiful gardens to discover, so here’s to an exciting year ahead! To win one of 5 copies, please answer the following question: Q: Which National Trust house is the NGS based at? (Clue: read our main feature this month!) Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st March 2019.
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