VantagePoint Magazine December 2014 - Farnham & Villages

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vantagepointmag.co.uk Farnham & Villages • December 2014

HAPPY CHRISTMASto all our readers from your local magazine

Inside:CHEESE AND PORT

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35-42 East Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7SW | [email protected] | 01252 325525

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35-42 East Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7SW | [email protected] | 01252 325525

£50 off valid on any new order placed at the Farnham showroom between 24th Nov 2014 - 31st Dec 2014 on orders over £399. Not to be used with any other voucher. One voucher per household. Code: decvp

1. Antler Mirror £450 | 2. Stag Candle Holder £56 | 3. Glass & Wood Specimen Dome £60 | 4. Reclaimed Wine Rack £129 | 5. Eclectic Roosevelte Sideboard £599 | 6. Tetrad Harris Tweed Bowmore Chair £869 | 7. Voyage Maison Mr Pheasant Ceres Footstool £165 | 8. Stag Book Ends £759. Eclectic Leather Effect Trunks from £179 | 10. Voyage Maison Hazel Velvet Cushion £49 | 11. Tetrad Harris Tweed Mackenzie Chair £1429 | 12. Wine Bottle Carrier £29 | 13. Antler Floor Lamp £565 | 14. Top Hat Ice Bucket £125 | 15. Silver Metal Drinks Tray £29.99 | 16. Tetrad Harris Tweed Bowmore Stool £599 | 17. Calvin Klein Mangrove Rug from £399 | 18. Cowhide Rug £419 | 19. Tetrad Harris Tweed Castlebay Midi Sofa £2249 | 20. Antler Table Lamp £199 | 21. Militaria Dog Portrait £139 | 22. Tetrad Harris Tweed Bowmore Grand Sofa £1739 | 23. Stirrup Picture Frame £59

Extra £50 off

A s t h e d ays ge t s h o r te r a n d t h e

e ve n i n g s d a r ke r, we f i n d o u rs e l ve s i n c re a s i n g l y re t re at i n g to o u r h o m e s .

F re n c h a rc h i te c t , L e C o r b u s i e r, o n c e s a i d “ t h e h o m e s h o u l d b e t h e t re a s u re c h e st o f l i v i n g ”. C re ate yo u r o w n t re a s u re c h e st t h ro u g h t h e u s e o f s ta te m e nt a c c e s s o r i e s a n d q u i r k y t r i n ke t s , to s t i m u l ate e ve r y s e n s e .

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s u re to a d d d e p t h a n d g i ve yo u r ro o m a c h i c g l o w. ‘ N e w v i nta ge ’ p i e c e s s u c h a s l e at h e r e f fe c t t r u n ks ca n b r i n g a re l axe d v i b e to a s o p h i s t i cate d d e co r ; s u b t l y co nt ra st i n g t h e c ra f t s m a n s h i p a n d p re c i s i o n a s s o c i a te d w i t h b e s p o ke u p h o l s te r y - w h i l s t a l s o p ro v i d i n g p l e nt i f u l s to ra ge . RawXclusive

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3 December 2014

CONTENTS

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

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6 Jottings Your local community noticeboard

8 Christmas with the National Trust

14 Branching Out

Viv Micklefi eld visits a local grower of Christmas trees

20 The Perfect Cheeseboard

24 Canny and Crafty Christmas Ideas From the local team at VantagePoint Magazine

27 Bumper Family Christmas Quiz In aid of the Dan Eley Foundation

33 Christmas in Farnham

38 Opportunity Knocks We take a look at Port

41 Seasonal Sparklers We revisit Greyfriarys Vineyard

44 Food Edible gifts for Christmas

48 Walk Farnham to Crondall

51 Profi le The League of Friends of Milford Hospital

54 Business Cards Small ads for trades and services

55 Win Enter our competitions

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Next Copy Date: 8th December 2014

We would just like to thank all those that have emailed us over the past 12 months and for the many kind comments. Please keep your jotti ngs coming in, we do love hearing from you. We’d like to take the opportunity to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

Following the pilot community bus service between Headley and Hindhead for the Grayshott Market in October, plans are being drawn up for regular Saturday services for 2015. At this stage, the plan is to introduce two Grayshott community SHOPPA bus routes, to run every Saturday from March next year. One route will run between Beacon Hill and Liphook and the other between Linford and Haslemere. Both will route through Grayshott . “Whilst the original idea was to run a SHOPPA service once per month to bring people into the Grayshott Market “ explains Tim Wickes, Market Organiser, “a community bus service between our local village centres will give more people the opportunity to widen their shopping vistas. Grayshott , Beacon Hill, Liphook

and Haslemere all have diff erent shops to browse and cafes to visit, not to menti on the supermarkets along the routes.” At this stage, it is envisaged that the new service will either be free of charge o for a nominal sum not exceeding £1. It is also seen as providing an opportunity for local businesses to att ract shoppers with special off ers.

Image of the Road exhibiti on explores the phenomenology of a route known as the E40, which extends from Calais in France to Ridder in Kazakhstan. Conceived by the United Nati ons to facilitate communicati on of goods, cultures, people, ideas, beliefs and inventi ons, the E40 is a trans-conti nental, long-distance trade route uniti ng these 10 nati ons and parts follow prehistoric ancient pathways and secti ons of the so-called silk routes. The exhibiti on is presented across two sites at UCA’s Farnham campus: James Hockey Gallery and the Elaine Thomas Library unti l 10th January 2015.

A Russian Fairytale: The Art and Craft of Elena Polenova is an exhibiti on at The Watt s Gallery which opened on 18th November

and runs to Sunday 8th February 2015. Elena Polenova was part of the generati on of arti sts who rediscovered the folk traditi ons of the Moscow region – its wooden architecture, furniture and children’s toys; its icons and peasant decorati ons; and its vibrant traditi on of folk stories and fairytales. She was the younger sister of one of Russia’s most famous arti sts, Vasily Polenov (1844 – 1927). During the 1870s and 1880s, Elena and Vasily spent ti me at Abramtsevo, an arti sti c colony located in a rural setti ng outside Moscow, that sought to recapture the quality and spirit of medieval Russian art. Showcasing furniture designed by Elena alongside her painti ngs of landscapes and folk-tale illustrati ons, the exhibiti on will demonstrate Polenova’s important role in the Russian craft revival of the 1880s. A visit to Watt s Gallery is always a pleasure, and this exhibiti on will make it doubly so!

Do you play bridge? If so you can enjoy a guaranteed delicious tea between games of bridge at the well-equipped modern St Joan’s Centre, 19 Tilford Road, Farnham.

- YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD 10>Jottings

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Christmas is a ti me for customs, from those passed down through families and friends, to new discoveries that become part of your festi ve celebrati ons. Sending cards, decorati ng trees, singing carols, advent calendars, mince pies and mistletoe…there are some festi ve customs without which Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas.

For many, a day out to a Nati onal Trust house and garden or a walk in the countryside is already a Christmas ‘must do’. Over the festi ve season, Nati onal Trust places will be decked out with Christmas sparkle, Father Christmas will pay a visit to special grott os and atmospheric estates will be packed full of festi ve customs to bring Christmas to life through the ages.

Every single visit this Christmas will support the Nati onal Trust’s work as a charity looking aft er special places for future generati ons to enjoy. There are plenty of acti viti es on off er to help make your Christmas that extra bit special in these winter wonderland locati ons. So whether it’s learning how to make a festi ve wreath, listening to carols or meeti ng Father Christmas, here’s a selecti on of top Nati onal Trust Christmas events:

A Country House Christmas at Petworth HouseInspired by period issues of Country Life magazine, this magnifi cent 17th century mansion presents several rooms dressed for a vintage-style country house Christmas, with a quirky twist.

Step into a welcoming atmosphere of log fi res and wellingtons, evergreen trees and glamorous sparkle. The rooms are set to welcome guests for a luxurious evening of traditi onal entertainments and dinner. From warm tweed

rugs to magnifi cent fi r trees, gilded baroque angels to a vintage nati vity scene, Petworth House is dressed to impress this winter. There are seasonal treats on off er too; visit the famous Servants’ Quarters to discover more.

There’s lots of fun for younger visitors to Petworth House this Christmas. Follow the quiz trail through the grounds, then write and post your very own lett er to Santa. You can meet the man himself for a chat and a chocolate gift too. Work off some energy aft er Christmas by following the cook’s trail in the gardens; you’ll discover the recipe ingredients to make a gingerbread snowman at home.A Country House Christmas: 6th December-2nd January, 11am-3pm (closed 24 and 25 Dec).All I want for Christmas trail: 13th-24th December, 10.30am-3pm, £3.Meet Father Christmas: 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December, 11am-3pm, £5 (including treat).Gingerbread trail: 26th December-2nd January, 10.30am-3pm, £3.Informati on: 01798 342207, www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house

Sir Harry’s Christmas party at Uppark House and GardenUppark was once the home of 19th-century party boy Harry Fetherstonhaugh, who loved to entertain. This winter, wander through rooms decorated for Harry’s Christmas party; the Dining Room is set for a sumptuous feast, whilse the Tapestry Bedroom is dressed for a children’s Christmas. Visit the servants’ quarters to fi nd out what special ingredients go into a traditi onal Christmas pudding. Miniature festi ve decorati ons can also be glimpsed inside Uppark’s famous doll’s house.

Outside, the stables have been transformed for an important visit from Father Christmas; children can make their way through a winter wonderland to meet him, and to receive a special gift .

Kick-start some Christmas spirit with Sti r Up Sundays at Uppark. Sti r a traditi onal Christmas pudding, make a wish and take home a bag of spices and a sixpence for your own pudding. A Victorian Christmas at Uppark: 6th, 7th, 14th, 21st December, 11am-3pm.Meet Father Christmas: 6th, 7th, 14th, 21st December, 11am-3pm, adults £3.50, children £5.50, includes gift (normal admission fee applies).Sti r up Sundays: 9th, 16th, 22nd, 30th December, 11am-3pm, 50p.Informati on: 01730 825415, www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/uppark

Christmas with the National Trust


Carols and Candlelight at Clandon Park, near GuildfordThe beauti ful Marble Hall at Clandon Park comes alive with Christmas carol concerts from the Oxford singers on 16th and 17th December (3pm-5pm and 8pm-10pm). Herald the festi ve season with mulled wine and mince pies in the interval. Also,during December, there is the chance to explore the house by candlelight, as the Onslow family would have experienced it in the 18th and 19th centuries. Booking essenti al on 01483 222482 or www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/clandon-park.

Animals in the stable yard at Hatchlands Park, near GuildfordVisit the animals in the courtyard at Hatchlands Park on Sunday 14th December (1pm-3pm), solve the Snow Queen’s puzzle in a fairy tale trail, and meet Father Christmas. The shop and tea room will be open for some Christmas shopping, hot drinks and light refreshments. There is music and readings on 13th December by Ayres and Graces and Christmas carols on 14th December in the music room. Booking essenti al on 01483 444334 or www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands-park.

Seasonal concerts at Leith Hill Place, near DorkingJoin in some festi ve fun on 6th and 7th December, with music and a last chance to visit the house before it closes for winter. Enjoy a seasonal concert with Apollo5, ‘a cappella’ vocal group, the cosy fi re in the Terrace Room and family acti viti es upstairs. Book for the concert at 11.30am or 2pm and join in with the festi ve atmosphere and sing-along carols in between, courtesy of Stef Conner and her Timeline Choir. Guaranteed to put you in the Christmas mood. Booking essenti al on 01306 712711 or www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill.

Edwardian Advent at Polesden Lacey, near DorkingSee the house dressed as a magical living advent calendar, with 24 scenes and acti viti es depicti ng the countdown to Christmas. There are carriage rides, food tasti ngs and Father Christmas who will be roving in the house and gardens. Polesden Lacey’s café off ers a full three course Christmas lunch, the perfect way to meet up with friends and family in the festi ve season. From Boxing Day

Christmas with theto New Year try a game of Polesdenopoly in the gardens and play at becoming a millionaire like Mrs Greville, on a family trail. Informati on: 01372 452048 or www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey.

A Solsti ce walk on the River Wey Navigati ons, New Haw to WalshamWalk from New Haw to Walsham lock along the River Wey Navigati ons, with two of our lengthsmen ojn the 19th December. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies by the bonfi re, followed by a minibus ride back to New Haw. Booking essenti al on 01483 561389.

Craft s and Christmas trees in the Surrey HillsTry your hand at making a Christmas wreath with a workshop and lunch at Bookham Commons (5th December) or the Witley Centre (7th December). Then on 20th December there is the chance to harvest your own Christmas tree at Hindhead Common. Bring a saw, sledge and pair of gloves and cut down your own tree. There are also festi ve walks and children’s craft s at the Witley Centre on 22nd December and a guided Boxing Day walk at Bookham Common. Booking essenti al on 01372 220644.

Wreaths and winter wonders at Winkworth Arboretum, near GodalmingJoin in a course to make a traditi onal Christmas wreath on 7th December with materials from the Arboretum. The Arboretum is open every day except Christmas Day for winter walks and there is a children’s trail available for just 50p. Walk off the excesses of the season with a New Year guided walk, 1 January at 2pm. Booking essenti al on 01483 208477.

National Trust

Images from top far left : Ian Pearce, David Levenson, with the rest by John Millar.

9 December 2014

Surrey Arti sts’ Open Studios present ‘Art Online for Christmas’. Running from 10th November-23rd December, it’s an opportunity to buy original art and craft s from Surrey based arti sts, direct from their website www.surreyopenstudios.org.uk. The online shop off ers a range of beauti ful handcraft ed artworks for sale, direct from the arti st who made them, and all from the comfort of your own home! Browse through the work of over 30 arti sts, including painti ngs, limited editi on prints, ceramics, metalwork, glasswork, photography, woodwork, woven craft s, texti les and sculpture. There is a wide variety of work with gift ideas to suit all budgets. Once selected, it is easy to buy your chosen piece, which will be carefully wrapped and sent to you. A perfect combinati on of online shopping and buying local! Some SAOS arti sts will be opening

their doors as usual, in the lead up to Christmas, so please check their website for details of these and other events.

Grayshott Decorati ve and Fine Arts Society’s next meeti ng is on Thursday 4th December at 2pm in Grayshott Village Hall. This fi nal lecture of the year usually has a winter and/or Christmas theme. They’re looking forward to welcoming Ann Clements who will trace how arti sts have responded to the challenges of winter. Whether it was C15th peasants drying their clothes, the C17th Frost Fairs on the Thames or C19th skaters on the Bois de Boulogne; her lecture, ‘In the Bleak mid-Winter’ promises to cover 500 years of arti sti c shivering! In the new year, they meet a week later than usual on 8th January when Yasha Beresiner’s ‘The Fascinati ng World of Playing Cards’ promises to be an amusing and intriguing

lecture for avid players and those who don’t even own a pack!

There’s a house in Greenfield Road, Farnham GU9 8TQ that has for the past 25 years put on a huge display of Christmas lights and has raised a lot of money for charity. Their charity this year is Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice who celebrate their 35th anniversary this year. The display has become famous over the years and children who once came are back with their children /grandchildren and this year Eagle Radio are broadcasting live from the house with the switch on at 6pm on Friday 5th December. 25,000 lights will light the night sky and be seen from Crondall across the fields and also from the sky by planes taking off from Farnborough. Lots of fun and moving lights and lasers and the display stays on until twelth Night.

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11 December 2014

There’s a Christmas Market at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne Church, Frensham Road, Farnham GU9 8HA on Saturday 6th December from 10am to 12.30pm. It’s in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and entry is £2 to include coff ee and biscuits. Children free. Lots of goodies to buy, excellent for Christmas presents. Also a tombola, guess the weight of the Christmas cake competi ti on, raffl e and silent aucti on.

RSPB North East Hants Local Group asks, “Why not forget the Christmas shopping and winter weather for a short while and enjoy what Bermuda has to off er?”. Pink sand beaches, coral reefs, clear water lagoons and lush tropical vegetati on make this remote Briti sh dependency a colourful and att racti ve desti nati on for the naturalist. Bermuda is home to one of the world’s rarest seabirds - the

Bermuda petrel, also known as the cahow aft er its eerie cries which scared off early Spanish explorers believing that the island was inhabited by devils. Tropicbirds and vireos are amongst the other resident species and many exciti ng migrant birds from the USA also turn up on Bermuda. Andrew Cleave’s in depth knowledge, experience and photography of a wide variety of fl ora and fauna at home and abroad will ensure that the evening will feel like a holiday. It takes place on Saturday 6th December at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham GU52 8LD. Entry free to group members, £3 for visitors. There’s free parking. Details can be found on www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk.

The Waverley Singers’ Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday December 6th at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Parish Church, Farnham. The programme

will include Christmas readings and carols for the audience, and the choir will perform seasonal works, including On Christmas Night by Bob Chilcott , and three extracts from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. They will also be singing two works by Will Todd, including The Mind That Lives, which was especially commissioned last year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of William Cobbett . The Singers will, once again, be joined by the Children’s Choir from Edgeborough School. Tickets at £12.50 (£5 for under 16s and students), are available from all choir members, at the door, or by calling 01252 792563. Full details are on www.waverleysingers.com.

Calling all would be Scotti sh Dancers. There is an Apprenti ces’ Dance on Saturday 6th December at Court Moor School, Fleet GU52 7RY from 7.30-11pm. All the dances will be walked through


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“What to buy Santa for Christmas”, mused Mrs Claus.

“i KnoW, a trip to Food For Thought, so much to choose from,

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Food For Thought, helping you get a bit more for Christmas. Save 20%* when you present this coupon to the cashier at time of purchase. The coupon can be used once only and is valid until the 31st December 2014. We have something for everyone, what will you choose?*excluding any other offers or discounts running during December 2014.Valid at either Food For Thought Guildford or Kingston

2-6, Haydon Place,Guildford,GU1 4LL

Tel: 01483 533841 www.foodforthoughtuk.com

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HOUSE OF FRASERTowards

Guildord

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Is it too big, or too small? Is it too bushy or too skinny? Traditi onally the purchase of the all-important Christmas tree marks the start of the festi ve season for many families, so down at Oxenford Farm in Elstead near Godalming, the pressure is on.

Anthony and Jo Baker are fourth generati on farmers on the site, which sits in the shadow of a Pugin designed gatehouse; the farm’s history stretching back to when Anthony’s ancestors were originally tenants in the 1800s and the land was sti ll part of the nearby Peperharow estate. Where once there was a dairy herd, now they rear beef stock and the market crops have been replaced by cereals. With around a tenth of the 500 acres here dedicated to growing Christmas trees, what’s interesti ng is how this parti cular diversifi cati on came about.

As we step out on a walk around the plantati ons, Jo recalls how

it all began during WWII. “Then there were so many Canadian soldiers based near here and at Witley. We had some Christmas trees growing wild in the woods, nothing formal, and the soldiers wanted them. So Anthony’s father began to grow trees properly almost 60 years ago. Originally a large number were sold to wholesalers and greengrocers, but with supermarkets coming along, it’s changed a lot over ti me.”

These days, the fi rst trade orders can arrive at Oxenford from July onwards, with the bigger trees – anything up to an impressive 30 feet in height, being installed in shopping centres and government buildings. However, with several thousand sales to the public each year, this represents a growing part of the business.

Here they specialise in the four most popular varieti es of

Christmas tree. The Norway

From our homes to our high streets, the sight of a Christmas tree delivers the very essence of glad ti dings at this ti me of year. Viv Micklefi eld visits one local grower to discover the mystery behind the magic

Branching Out


Spruce with its deep pine smell instantly evokes childhood memories, although thanks to a (slightly unfair) reputati on for shedding needles in our centrally heated homes, its popularity has dropped too. The new favourite is the Nordman Fir recognisable by its glossy needles which will sti ll get thirsty and can lose their shine if not properly cared for once brought inside. For branches that are more spaced out, the Noble Fir comes out tops. Easiest to spot amongst the forest in front of our eyes, is the disti ncti ve Blue Spruce, renowned for being a bit spiky but as Jo says, it’s a good choice if you want to stop inquisiti ve house cats taking a climb. And as she goes on to explain, how fast a tree matures depends on the variety. “Norway Spruce is the quickest growing at about a foot a year. We start with small plants known as transplants that we get from another grower. It’s very important to get the right seed stock so there’s a really good provenance. The Nordman Firs grow about six inches a year but this depends hugely on the weather, and on the growing conditi ons.

“What we want is for it to be not too dry, not too wet, with some sunshine at the right ti me. Actually, it’s the same as growing vegetables in your garden, you need a bit of everything. When planti ng the trees you need rain and especially here, because with the sandy soil it’s like the Savannah someti mes. We have to make sure they don’t dry out.”

By working the land in a 10-year rotati on this ensures that trees can be off ered in all shapes and sizes. And the good news is that this is a sustainable crop, which has a positi ve eff ect on the environment. In fact, the Briti sh Christmas Tree Growers Associati on claims that over 74,000 acres are currently given over to Christmas trees in the UK, each acre of which absorbs 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

Judging by the number of the birds around us these plantati ons also appear to provide a haven for wildlife. However, I’m curious as to why there are some areas enclosed by wire fences, while others not. “I don’t think people

Above: Cutti ng trees at Oxenford Farm

A potted history of the Christmas tree• Evergreen fi r has been used to celebrate winter festi vals for thousands of years. Ancient peoples believed these warded off evil spirits and promoted good health, while early Romans celebrated the winter solsti ce by decorati ng their homes and temples; • Germany is credited with starti ng Christmas traditi ons in the 16th century when devout Christi ans brought decorated trees into their homes and many of our associated customs began here;• In the 1840s Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family appeared in a sketch gathered around a Christmas tree and the fashion for a decorated tree caught-on both in Britain and America;• During Victorian ti mes trees were lit with candles to remind children of the stars in the sky at the ti me of the birth of Jesus;• Thomas Edison’s assistants reputedly came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees;• Britain’s most famous Christmas tree stands each year in London’s Trafalgar Square – a gift from the people of Norway since 1947 as an expression of thanks for support during WWII.

Oxenford Farm Where: Milford Road, Elstead GU8 6LAWhen: 9am - 6pm daily (unti l 24 December)www.oxenfordfarm.com / 01252 702 109

Santa Fir Christmas Tree FarmWhere: Guildford Road, Shamley Green GU5 0SQWhen: 9am - 6pm daily (unti l 3pm 24 December)www.santafi r.com / 01483 271 770

Wylds FarmWhere: Warren Road, Liss GU33 7DFWhen: 9am - 5pm (unti l 22 December)www.wyldsfarm.co.uk / 01730 891 490These farms are quality marked by the Briti sh Christmas Tree Growers Associati on, www.bctga.co.uk

Your local Christmas tree farm

Branching Out

15 December 2014

realise that it’s not just a case of popping trees in the ground, and just leaving them,” says Jo. “We have problems here with deer, especially when the antlers are in velvet, they rub against the bark and completely destroy it; they also eat the new shoots. The rabbits munch the ti ny trees and all you’re left with is a twig. Once they wiped-out an enti re plantati on which has a knock-on eff ect six years later, when they’d usually be ready to sell.”

Aphids pose a threat too and even when the trees become established, the care doesn’t stop there. “They’ve got to be pruned every year to make sure they grow into a good shape, and we need to keep an eye out for any disease they might get. You do need to give them a lot of att enti on.” And it’s become so labour intensive, that the Bakers now have a full-ti me member of staff dedicated to looking aft er their trees.

Once the Christmas season arrives, it’s all hands on deck with the help of several dozen extra helpers to keep up with the demand. “The trees are cut on a daily basis. You can get very sophisti cated machinery but we are a relati vely small grower so, instead, use men with chainsaws. For public sales trees are wrapped using net funnels. But for the really big trees it takes a lot of manpower, even having mechanised balers we oft en have to pull these out with tractors.”

So otherworldly are the majesti c boughs reaching to the wintery skies, you almost expect to see reindeers and a sleigh appearing any moment. And while there’s litt le doubt that it’s exhausti ng work running the farm, Jo and Anthony hope that at least one of their four sons will someday take over the reins.

Having seen the love that goes into making so many people’s Christmas special it’s defi nitely well worth supporti ng a local grower. Not only are you doing your bit for the planet, it’s the equivalent of buying something with zero food miles, and as these are freshly picked trees; if looked aft er, they will keep for longer. Just as importantly, who’d want to miss out on such a lovely shared community experience, even if it takes a bit of a ‘discussion’ when it comes to agreeing on the perfect tree?

Viv Micklefi eld is a locally based writer and can be reached at vivmicklefi [email protected].

Caring for Christmas trees

• Leave the tree out of doors, or in cool, moist conditi ons unti l required for decorati ng;• Saw one inch off the stump and mount in a water holding stand OR plant a rooted tree in damp soil;• Water daily keeping away from direct heat;• If you decorate the tree with lights use a low heat producing type;• Avoid knocks by positi oning near a wall or corner.

Unless you plan to plant out a rooted Christmas tree, the branches and trunk are biodegradable and can be composted for garden mulch. Alternati vely, recycle a tree at your local garden waste collecti on point (Godalming, Haslemere) or at your local ti p (Cranleigh, Dorking, Farnham, Guildford, Milford, Midhurst).

If you subscribe to a garden waste collecti on service, Christmas trees can usually be put out in the New Year. For more informati on on all local recycling services visit: www.waverley.gov.uk www.guildford.gov.uk www.molevalley.gov.ukwww.chichester.gov.uk

Recycling Christmas trees


or recapped, so it is especially suitable for the less experienced dancer. There will be a supper interval and raffl e, also an RSCDS shop for purchase of Scotti sh Dance instructi on books and CDs. Scotti sh dancing conti nues on Saturday nights in January (17th and 31st) in Crookham Memorial Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham GU52 7RY from 7.30pm -10pm. Full details of both events from Morna Partridge 01252 711992 and morna.partridge@bti nternet.com .

From December, the sumptuous state rooms at Petworth House will be styled to evoke an era of faded decadence and eccentricity. Inspired by period issues of Country Life magazine, this magnifi cent 17th-century mansion will present fi ve rooms dressed for a vintage-style country house Christmas, with a Great Briti sh twist. You’ll step into a welcoming atmosphere of log fi res

and wellingtons, warm tweed rugs and evergreen trees. Even on the chilliest of winter days, Petworth House will be sure to leave visitors with a warm seasonal glow. £5 per adult (NT members and children free). 6th Dec to 2nd Jan, 11am-3pm (closed 24th and 25th Dec). There is much more going on, so please call 01798 342207 or visit www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/petworth.

It is of course a busy ti me in the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale. The fruit trees have been ordered for the community orchard in Upper Hale and the planti ng date has been set for Saturday 6th December at 1pm. Do go along to St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale GU9 0LT with your spades and help create a beauti ful new community space! Messy Church is on 11th December at 3.30pm at St Mark’s Church, Upper Hale GU9 0LT. It is a form of church that includes craft s, games, worship and FOOD.

Please contact Alison Sti ckland at alisonsti [email protected] or 01252 336059 to tell her you are coming for catering purposes. Finally, The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale have decided to bring a bit of Christmas Spirit to Badshot Lea this year and hold a Christmas Fayre on 13th December from 2pm-5pm at St George’s Church, Badshot Lea. Go along and enjoy the festi viti es - stalls, craft s, snacks, a raffl e, tombola, prizes, tea and coff ee ...and lots of festi ve cheer! Entry 50p.

A festi ve tasti ng day will take place on Saturday 6th December at Cowdray Farm Shop, Easebourne, Midhurst. Suppliers, including Neal’s Yard Dairy and local winery Upperton, will be on hand sampling out their delicious cheeses and sparkling wine. Hot mulled Hill Farm apple juice will be served along with other tasty Christmas fayre prepared by the chefs in the kitchen. Join them


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to get in the Christmas spirit – you can even buy some Cowdray Estate mistletoe! (Shop opening hours are Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sundays 10am-4pm). Call 01730 815152 or visit cowdrayfarmshop.co.uk.

As you can expect, there will be a feast of Christmas music at St Thomas-on-The Bourne, Farnham this month, for regular church-goers and visitors alike. There’s a Christi ngle service for children on Sunday 7th December, Nati vity service on Sunday 14th December, the traditi onal Nine Lessons and Carols on Monday 22nd December, Crib services and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, ending up with a fi nal celebrati on on Christmas Day morning – including Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. A Christmas CD, recorded by the choir in 2013, is available. “I can promise you some great Christmas music at all of these services, sung really well,

for all to listen to, join in and be inspired by” said Robert Lewis, the Director of Music. “You might enjoy it so much that you want to join us permanently!” Further details of services and music can be found at the parish website www.thebourne.org.uk . Anyone interested in joining the choir is invited to contact Robert Lewis at director@stt homaschoir.co.uk

Join in the fun of a festi ve Santa Cruise on board a beauti fully decorated boat and travel along the Wey & Arun Canal and through a restored lock. Children under 12 years will receive a gift from Santa who will board the boat at the lock whilst adults enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. The boat departs from The Wharf next to the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (free car parking). The trips take 40 minutes and depart at 11am, 12 noon and 2pm on Sunday 7th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th, Saturday

20th, Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December. Tickets cost £9 per person (under 12 months are free). Booking in advance is essenti al. Also 50 minute festi ve boat trips, with light refreshments on board, will run on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at 11am, 12noon and 2pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Booking in advance is advisable. Call 01403 752403 or email offi [email protected] Visit Www.weyandarun.co.uk/tripboats.

Learn confi dence through public speaking in a fun and supporti ve environment. Farnham Speaker’s Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month at the Farnham House Hotel. For more informati on, please email Annie on [email protected] or call 07866 086887.

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“Variety is the key to a perfect cheeseboard,” she suggests. “Combine diff erent styles, colours, shapes and fl avours so there is something for everyone.” Start with a soft and creamy cheese like a brie or camembert. Find one that is unctuous and will be at the peak ripeness when you are ready to eat it. This means keeping an eye on it in the fridge and even taking it out a few hours before eati ng to fi nish its maturing process. French bries and camemberts tend to be stronger compared with Briti sh ones so choose the fl avour profi le you most enjoy. For something really Briti sh try Isle of White Soft a rich creamy cheese made with Jersey milk, or the rich and deep fl avoured Tunworth from Hampshire.

Add to your board a hard cheese. The obvious choice is a mature cheddar but also consider less well known cheeses like Old Winchester, a cross between an Old Amsterdam, Parmesan and Vintage Cheddar produced in the New Forest. Conti nental-style hard cheeses also go well such as an aged Gruyère. Whilste

many people just use Gruyère for cooking this is a deeply complex cheese, especially if you can acquire some Premier-Cru matured for 14 months. Of course, the nati on’s favourite cheese is cheddar and this in itself comes in variety of fl avours and styles. From the more earthy, farmhouse fl avour of an unpasteurised Montgomery all the way through to the sweet, soft Godminster Vintage, there is a plethora of good cheddars to choose from. Barbers 1833 Vintage Cheddar is a good mix of savoury and sweet notes which will suit most palett es and is over two years old.

Oft en over looked are the semi-soft cheeses. This includes soft delicate cheeses like Cornish Yarg and also the washed rind cheeses.

“Washed rind cheeses are seriously underrated in the UK”, Louisa tells us. “They are much more popular on the Conti nent which is a shame considering how good they have become in the UK now.” She suggests looking further afi eld than Sti nking Bishop too. “Sussex has an amazing washed rind cheese

As the festi ve season approaches, buff ets are set, dinner parti es are hosted and hospitality ramps up. In all the festi viti es it’s easy to forget that a cheeseboard can be an easy-to-make, impressive additi on to any celebrati on. Rather than leaving it to the last minute and simply grabbing whatever is nearest, Louisa Mason from Flavour Tasti ngs gives us some top ti ps to create an impressive cheeseboard.

The Perfect Cheeseboard


called Burwash Rose. It’s creamy, rich in fl avour and washed in rose water giving it a lovely fl oral aroma. If that’s not to your taste try a fi rmer washed rind cheese like Drunken Burt whose producers are winning numerous awards.”

Of course, no festi ve board would be complete without a Sti lton, nick-named ‘King of English Cheeses’. There are now six producers who can make Sti lton under the Protected Designati on of Origin Scheme. Under these rules the cheese must be made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Notti nghamshire and only from pastuerised milk. This means the unpasteurised form cannot be called Sti lton but is actually named ‘Sti chelton.’ Sti lton needs very litt le explanati on but do try out the diff erent producers. Colston Basset tends to be slightly lighter in texture while Cropwell Bishop has more tang. Sti chelton can be very piquant and goes wonderfully with a glass of ruby port.

For a truly stunning board consider the colour and shape of each cheese and try to bring in some variety. The other considerati on is to include at least one non-cow’s milk cheese, like an ash-covered goat’s cheese or square ewe’s milk cheese like Flower Marie. “I love Flower Marie,” writes Louisa. “It’s defi nitely on our board this year. Soft , lemony with a lingering tang this Sussex cheese is a gem.”

Finally presentati on is everything so make sure you have a nice platt er to serve it on. This can be wood, marble or slate and feel free to experiment with how you decorate it. Frozen grapes, walnuts, edible fl owers, the list is endless. However, don’t get too carried away as someti mes less is defi nitely more!

So what ever you decide to have on your Christmas cheese board, make sure you give it some thought.

Cheesy gi� s

Natural Slate Cheeseboard£17.95 Handpicked Collecti on

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The Big Cheese Making Kit – For Kids£22.95 The Truckle Cheese Co

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Christmas Cheese Box£25 Flavour Tasti ngs

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Camembert Cookware£16.49 Steamer Trading Cookshop

168 High St, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3HS

If you want some more ‘cheesy’ advice or want to buy some hard-to fi nd cheeses then see Louisa’s website at www.fl avourtasti ngs.co.uk or follow her on Facebook and Twitt er.

FIND OUT MORE

21 December 2014

County Hospital’s Fair on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December from 10am-3.30pm. This year it will be held in the restaurant’s covered courtyard on Level A and everyone is welcome! There will be stalls selling gift s, books, bric-a-brac and cakes plus a tombola and a Name the Bear competi ti on. Wise Blue Owl Therapists will be off ering FREE individual demonstrati ons of Reiki, Emoti onal Freedom Techniques and Hypnosis. Also, don’t forget the Royal Surrey County Hospital’s Charitable Fund’s Christmas Raffl e ti ckets are currently on sale for £1 each and all funds raised will go to their Detecti ng Women’s Cancers campaign. First Prize - £1,000! Contact the Fundraising Offi ce at the Royal Surrey to purchase ti ckets or call 01483 464146/email [email protected] for more informati on.

On Tuesday 9th December the ladies of Farnham Aft ernoon

Townswomen’s Guild will be gathering in the Methodist Church Hall, South Street for their Christmas meeti ng. It will start at 1.30pm which is earlier than usual so that there is plenty of ti me for chatti ng whilst nibbling mince pies, etc, and for drawing the bumper raffl e. Dick Elsey has been invited back to play some more recordings from the Golden Age of Wireless, and is organising a quiz. For more informati on phone 01252 722690 or 712503, email [email protected] or just go along.

A welcome awaits you at St. Andrew’s Parish Church Farnham at the festi ve season. Here are some details of events in December: Tuesday 9th, 1.10pm ‘Music while you Munch’ 35 mins of entertaining organ music; Sunday 14th, 6.30pm Farnham Youth Choir. Christmas words and music (Admission £10); Tuesday 16th, 1.10pm ‘Carols over Lunch’

45 mins of popular Christmas music, refreshments available or bring your own. Enjoy singing or just listen; Sunday 21st, 6.30pm Traditi onal lessons and carols; Wednesday 24th, 3pm Christi ngle for younger children and families; 4.30pm, Christi ngle for older children and families each lasti ng about 35 mins; Christmas Eve 11.30pm, Midnight Mass celebrant Rt Revd Dr Christopher Herbert; Christmas Day, 8am Said Eucharist , 10am Festi val Eucharist for Christmas Day. For more informati on, go to the website - www.StAndrewsFarnham.org.

A reminder that Surrey’s biggest Christmas Fair at Farnham Malti ngs is taking place on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December. It will be open from 12 noon to 9pm on each day. Visit the bustling marketplace featuring over 150 stands specialising in bespoke gift s, handmade craft s and one-off stocking fi llers. New



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Reduce the number you buy for – if you’ve not already done your present shopping agree with your family to put all your names in a hat and draw out one each to buy for. You could all agree to set a price limit on gift s too.

Buy pre-loved gift s – a new twist on buying from charity shops, try buying nearly new items in pristi ne conditi on. Second Thoughts in Chiddingfold have toys and clothes for all ages and A Change Of A Dress in Godalming has lots of branded clothing. As Nicki Bartley from Second Thoughts explains “ We can provide you with perfect presents even without the original packaging – just nestle in amongst colourful ti ssue and place in an att racti ve box ti ed with ribbons”.

Make several outf its out of one - if you are spashing out on a new outf it to wear this season buy something that will see you through several social occasions rather than focusing

on buying that one special dress. Our fashion columnist and independent stylist Kirsti e Smilie suggests opti ng for an outf it that you can dress up or down with a diff erent jacket, shoes or accessory to make for a completely diff erent look. She recommends asking for advice when shopping in bouti ques like Blush in Haslemere as shop owners and assistants know their stock. By adding a cardigan here or necklace there you can make more than one outf it. This makes your overall spend more value for money.

Edible gift s - can be quick and easy to make. Turn to our food page for some ideas.

Recycle unwanted presents – but remember who gave them to you originally!

Give useful inexpensive items – like pens, toothbrushes and soap. These are guaranteed not to end up unwanted in the back of the cupboard.

Personalised gift s needn’t be dear - use family photos and frames from a charity shop or fi nd out that person’s favourite song or a tune that you both remember and track down that single on CD or as a record (try Record Corner in Godalming). If you can fi nd the original record you can frame it as a meaningful gift if the recipient doesn’t have a record player.

Use old maps or comics as wrapping paper - Or brown paper and buy lovely ribbon to add a festi ve twist. You could also buy a Christmas stamp and ink and decorate your brown paper. Arty Craft y in Godalming have a wonderful selecti on of ribbons and stamps. They also have a great display of Christmas card ideas if you have ti me to make your own.

CANNY AND CRAFTY CHRISTMAS IDEASIt’s not even here yet but do you already feel ‘bah humbug’ about the festi ve season? Is it the thought of all the expense, hassle and running around that’s making you dread the next few weeks? The VantagePoint team have pulled together some of their favourite money-saving, ti me-creati ng and stress- busti ng ti ps to share with you.

Making your money go further


Get a free Christmas tree - you can harvest your own Christmas tree on Hindhead Common on the 20th December from 10am to 12 noon.Bring along a saw, sledge and a pair of gloves to cut down your own tree. Car parking at GU26 6AB. Donati ons for the trees gladly accepted.

Keep children busy making their own presents - while you get on with the rest of the preparati ons! C&H do a fabulous range of inexpensive kits. These include making friendship bracelets, candles, soap, cards and paper beads. The nearest C&H store is in Guildford or you can buy online at www.candh.co.uk.

Off er your services - create a hand craft ed voucher off ering your ti me to help friends or family with gardening, cleaning or decorati ng for a gift that lasts beyond Christmas. Think this would only be of benefi t just to elderly relati ves think again! Skills like knitti ng, crochet and sewing are all in vogue. If you are a Nancy Birtwhistle you’ll have the grandchildren queueing up! Skills to off er but are on your own this Christmas? You could volunteer with Voluntary Acti on South West Surrey who would love your help. Contact them on 01483 565456 (Guildford) or 01252 725961 (Waverley) or see the website for details: www.voluntaryacti onsws.webeden.co.uk.

Meet up with friends rather than buying them gift s - Make a date with a friend and do something festi ve as your Christmas present to each other. Try a Christmas wreath making workshop for example and you could even make a gift in the process. Some local ones include:

Bookham Common - with the Nati onal Trust on 5th December, £25 per person. Telephone 01372 220644 to book.

Farnham - Made in Farnham on Sunday 7th December and Thursday 11th December 10am-1pm, £45 pp at The Packhouse, Runfold. Contact Susanne Hales on 07721 770969 to book.

Milford - Squires in Milford on 10th December 10am and 6pm £20 per person. Ring 01483 324077 to book.

Send (nr Woking) - with the Nati onal Trust on 10th December, £25 per person. Telephone 01483 561389 to book.

The Nati onalk MTrust has other courses but further away. Check www.nati onaltrust.org.uk for more informati on.

Bring a dish - if you are hosti ng Christmas you don’t have to do all the catering and entertaining yourself. Ask guests to contribute, whether it’s the crackers, a pudding or wine. In fact if you don’t ask your guests might bring something anyway and you could end up with 10 boxes of chocolates instead!

Have homemade food but without making it yourself - The WI Country Market is a great place to buy cakes, sausage rolls and mince pies. You can even buy your enti re Christmas lunch from a COOK outlet (and if you heat meals in their ceramic dishes you can pass them off as your own!).

Take a break and fi nd sanctuary - if it’s all getti ng too much step inside any local church and sit in the silence. And if a traditi onal Christmas and New Year really isn’t your scene avoid it all and go on retreat (www.thegoodretreatguide.com).

Start early for 2015 - save your Christmas cards and cut them up to make gift tags for next year. Buy your pudding and cards cut price aft er Christmas and put them by for next December.

However you prepare and spend Christmas this year we wish you a joyous ti me and a happy and healthy 2015 from all of us at VantagePoint.

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BUMPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS QUIZ!

Fun Questions For ALL Ages!! Funds will give disadvantaged young people vocational skills and support.

OVER £600 IN

PRIZES!!

1st Correct adult entry

1st Adult entry drawn – correct

or not

1st Correct child entry drawn

Child entry drawn – correct

or not

Best adult saying Best child saying

£200 £150 £75 £100 £50 £25

Dan, from Surrey, was an aid worker with street children before a freak accident in the Amazon left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He fought to survive and

the generosity and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life.

He founded his charity so that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to overcome suffering and despair and live productive and fulfilling lives. 80% of all

funds raised go towards our training programs. Charity No. 1146478.

Thank you for your support. Have fun and enjoy a loving Christmas.

Dan, from Surrey, was an aid worker with street children before a freak accident in the Amazon left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He fought to survive and the generosity

and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life.

He founded his charity so that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to overcome suff ering and despair and live producti ve and fulfi lling lives. 80% of all funds raised go

towards our training programmes. Charity No. 1146478.


BUMPER FAMILYCHRISTMAS QUIZ

Fun questi ons for ALL agesFunds will give disadvantaged young people vocati onal skills and

support. For more details, visit www.daneleyfoundati on.org.

OVER

£600IN PRIZES!

£200 £150 £100 £75 £50 £25

First correct adult entry

First adult entry drawn - correct or not

First correct child entry

First child entry drawn - correct or not

Best adult saying

Best child saying

is delighted to be publishing this quiz in support of the Dan Eley Foundation.

27 December 2014


A. To do with inanimate objects1. B A R A A Hard P ......................................................................................2. T P C T K Black .........................................................................................3. A D Edged S .............................................................................................4. A P P A T Words .......................................................................................5. T M A G T P O A Old F ..............................................................................6. T A No P I S ..............................................................................................7. A W P Never B .........................................................................................8. L T Blue T P ...............................................................................................

B. To do with animals1. A C I A H D B A Committ ee .......................................................................2. A L C C Its S ...............................................................................................3. D L A G H In T M .......................................................................................4. L T C T G The C .........................................................................................5. T P T C B The H .........................................................................................6. L A L To T S ...............................................................................................7. T S T B T C Back ........................................................................................8. T Take T B B T H ........................................................................................

C. Botanical Secti on1. A S B Forth M F ........................................................................................2. T A O M Eye ..............................................................................................3. A R B Two T ..............................................................................................4. A R S G No M ............................................................................................5. T Nip I I T B ...............................................................................................6. Y C M Bricks W S .......................................................................................7. A F As A D .................................................................................................8. A A A D Keeps T D A ..................................................................................

D. Relati ng to parts of the body1. T Point T F O B .......................................................................................... 2. T P T Wool O S E .......................................................................................3. T Put Y F I Y M ...........................................................................................4. A M T H Grow F ........................................................................................5. A E F A E A A T For A T ..............................................................................6. T W T A Man’s H I T H S ............................................................................ 7. T H A F I Both C .........................................................................................8. T W Y F T T Bone .......................................................................................

The Dan Eley Foundati on Christmas Quiz 2014Here is a Christmas Quiz for you to do with your family. Simply complete the phrase or ti tle using the lett ers and word clues provided. There are even prizes if you don’t get all the answers correct. Good luck!

29 December 2014

E. To do with money1. H W H The G M T R ...................................................................................2. A P S I A P Earned .....................................................................................3. T T U L A Bad P .........................................................................................4. N A B Nor A L B .........................................................................................5. L See T C O Y M .........................................................................................6. W There’s M T B .......................................................................................7. M M T W Go A ..........................................................................................8. T L Of M I T R O A E ..................................................................................

F. Film Titles1. O F Over T C N ..........................................................................................2. S O The L .................................................................................................. 3. H P A T C O Secrets ...................................................................................4. S Private R ................................................................................................5. T Years A S ................................................................................................6. The K S .....................................................................................................7. The L O T M ..............................................................................................8. T Man W T G G .........................................................................................

G. Diffi cult sayings (no words, but crypti c clues)1. F L W (star’s dying statements) ...............................................................2. B Y H I T S (seaside internment) ..............................................................3. A A A O N (large bird necklace) ................................................................4. A D I T R (golfer’s sparkling fi nd) ..............................................................5. A F I T O (cream surprise) .........................................................................6. B S O T F (Bo’s troublesome sibling) .........................................................7. B B (Marilyn’s explosive device) ...............................................................8. C A A A A L (expensive limbs) ...................................................................

H. Invent Your Own Proverb using these lett ers (Adult Secti on)A T T W T A L A N W S L …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………….............................................................................................................................................................I. Childrens’ Secti on1. G A T Three B .........................................................................................2. L Bo P .......................................................................................................3. H D Dock ..................................................................................................4. Three B M ................................................................................................5. T Three B G G ...........................................................................................6. T T Tank E .................................................................................................7. L Boy B .....................................................................................................8. B The B .....................................................................................................

J. Childrens’ Saying (in no more than 10 words)“ I love Christmas because…………………………………………………………………………........”

Please see overleaf for entry details...


The goal of the Dan Eley Foundati on is to help young people help themselves by giving them the skills and training to fi nd legiti mate employment in both Surrey and Colombia. We hope your whole family enjoys doing our Christmas quiz.

When you have completed the quiz, detach it from the magazine and please send your entries either by post to The Dan Eley Foundati on, Fieldview, Petworth Road, Witley, GU8 5QW with a small donati on to the work of the charity. We suggest £5 (cash or cheque payable to The Dan Eley Foundati on) to accompany your completed quiz.

If you live in Godalming you may prefer to drop your sealed envelope off by hand at either:

The Toy Box, 3 Wharf Street, Godalming GU7 1NNCafé Mila, 1 Angel Court, Godalming GU7 1DTEnzorosario Hair Salon, 112 High Street, Godalming GU7 1DWRichmond Arms, 149 High Street, Godalming GU7 1AF

Name ………………………………..........................................................................................................

Address …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………….............................................................................................................................

Post Code ………….............................. Tel ......................................................................................

I enclose my donati on of £ …….... and, as a UK taxpayer, I wish this donati on to be subject to Gift Aid if applicable …… (please ti ck if Gift Aid is applicable and sign below).

Please gift aid this donati on Signature …………………………………....................

Closing date is 6th January 2015. Winners will be informed by the end of January. The results will be published in the charity’s website at www.daneleyfoundati on.org.

Thank you so much for your support. A very happy and loving Chrti stmas to you all.

BUMPER FAMILY CHRISTMAS QUIZ!

Fun Questions For ALL Ages!! Funds will give disadvantaged young people vocational skills and support.

OVER £600 IN

PRIZES!!

1st Correct adult entry

1st Adult entry drawn – correct

or not

1st Correct child entry drawn

Child entry drawn – correct

or not

Best adult saying Best child saying

£200 £150 £75 £100 £50 £25

Dan, from Surrey, was an aid worker with street children before a freak accident in the Amazon left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He fought to survive and

the generosity and kindness of thousands of people helped save his life.

He founded his charity so that disadvantaged young people can also be helped to overcome suffering and despair and live productive and fulfilling lives. 80% of all

funds raised go towards our training programs. Charity No. 1146478.


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31 December 2014

for this year’s fair, the Malti ngs Cellar Bar will be transformed into a food emporium, brimming with delicious sweet and savoury treats perfect for gift s and festi ve entertaining. You can take a break from shopping to enjoy a special Christmas Aft ernoon Tea in the riverside café. Also new for this year, visitors will be able to take part in pre-booked or drop-in craft workshops for all ages and levels. To book a place on any of the pre-booked events, visit the website www.farnhammalt ings.com or call the box offi ce on 01252 745444.

Cobbett ’s Wey Decorati ve and Fine Arts Christmas lecture takes place on Wednesday 10th December, at Farnham College, Morley Road. The subject is interesti ngly enti tled ‘Great Tarts in Art: High Culture and the Oldest Profession’. In a mixture of art-historical analysis and scandalous anecdotes, their guest speaker,

Linda Smith, takes a generally light-hearted look at changing atti tudes to sexual morality down the ages, by examining the portraits and careers of some of history’s most notorious mistresses and courtesans. The talk will start early, at 7.30pm and will be followed by festi ve refreshments. For more informati on browse through their lecture programme at www.cobbett sweydfas.org.uk.

That perennial favourite Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is this year’s panto at The Princes Hall in Aldershot. Fabulous sets, stunning costumes, fantasti c dancers, a great script and wonderful cast come together to make this a truly magical producti on. Excellent songs, music and dance numbers, and an unforgett able friendly atmosphere all go into making the Princes Hall pantomime a great family Christmas traditi on. It runs from Thursday 11th December

to Sunday 4th January. Tickets start at £16.50 for children and seniors, and £17.50 for adults, plus discounts are available for groups. Tickets are already selling fast, so do not miss out! Call the box offi ce on 01252 329 155 or visit www.princeshall.com to book or reserve your seats.

On Friday 11th December at the Malti ngs in Farnham, the Rushmoor Odd Fellows MVC will be ‘Singing For You’ in aid of the Prostate Project.Rehearsals are underway for this Christmas Concert where the choir’s special guest will be Emma Mabin, the popular local soprano soloist.Do come and support the ‘Odds’ unique style of excellent singing and humour. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be obtained by emailing ti [email protected] or by phoning 01252 545859.

The choir have already raised more than £8,000 this year


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NewsChristmas 2014

Farnham Christmas MarketSunday 14 December 10am - 4pm

Castle Street and Mercure Bush Hotel Conference Suite

On Sunday 14 December between 10am-4pm, Castle Street and the conference suite of the Mercure Bush hotel will be transformed into a festive Christmas Market, with the Farmers’ Market also taking place in Central car park from 10 – 3.30pm.

The Farnham Christmas Market will have something for all the family from special Christmas gifts, decorations and handmade jewellery to homemade fudge and seasonal produce; plus don’t miss Father Christmas in the Oak Lounge of the Bush Hotel!

Browse the stalls and fi ll your senses with the smells and sounds of Christmas, warm yourself up with a glass of mulled wine in aid of the Mayor’s charity, Post 19 and tempt yourself with some festive treats. Indulge in some of the fresh food on offer including festive burgers, hog roast and steaming soup served in a crusty bread bowl while enjoying the live music on offer.

Farnham Town Council would like to thank the sponsors of the Farnham Christmas Market 2014.

Gold sponsors Silver sponsor SECURITY SERVICES

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Farnham Farmers’ MarketSunday 14 December 10am -3.30pm

Central car park

Don’t forget to take the chance to visit your local Farmers’ Market. The Farmers’ Market will be in Central Car Park from 10am-3.30pm offering fresh and seasonal produce. All products at the Farmers’ Market are sourced from within 50 miles of the market, Farmers’ Markets enable the producers and growers to sell their products direct to the customer, which means fewer food miles are travelled. You can expect to fi nd home grown chillies, variety of pies and fresh fruit and bread plus Christmas trees, hams and turkeys.

Civic Christmas Carol Service Wednesday 17 December

7.30pm

Farnham Youth Choir will perform at the service taking place at St Andrew’s Church in the centre of Farnham, sponsored by the Farnham Herald. For details on how to get hold of free tickets to this event please call 01252 712667. Unfortunately tickets will not be available on the door as they will have been allocated to community organisations and Herald readers.

33 December 2014

NewsChristmas 2014

Farnham in Bloom Winter Celebration Sunday 21 December2.30 - 3.30pm Come along to Gostrey Meadow to join in singing carols around the Christmas tree with Farnham Brass band. Mulled wine and mice pies will also be available.

Christmas Shopping in FarnhamThere is no need to go any further than Farnham for your Christmas shopping. With over 200 shops, many of which are independent retailers you can fi nd the perfect gifts for all your family and friends.

Farnham Town Council has invited retailers to stay open for late night shopping on Thursday evenings throughout December. To make your Christmas shopping even more convenient, take advantage of parking free of charge on Thursday afternoons between 3-7pm on these dates in the run up to Christmas.

Hunt for Nativity characters in FarnhamChildren aged between 5 and 11 are invited to take part in the return of the popular Christmas themed window competition. In previous years, children were challenged to fi nd a variety of snowmen throughout Farnham. This year’s competition will be offi cially launched at the Farnham Christmas Market taking place on Sunday 14 December where you will be able to pick up an entry form featuring all the businesses taking part! The theme for this year’s competition is Nativity. Find as many characters from the Christmas story for a chance to win a prize!

Contact usFor the latest details about Christmas in Farnham please visit www.farnham.gov.uk/Christmas. You can also follow us on Twitter @Farnhamoffi cial or on Facebook /Farnhamoffi cialE: [email protected] T: 01252 712667

With so much festive activity taking place in Farnham leading up to Christmas, Farnham Town Council has put together a guide featuring local fayres, events and church services available at the Council Offi ces and

on the brand new website. Farnham Town Council welcomes local businesses, schools and comunity groups to add their events on the new events calendar.

Farnham Town Council will be closed from 4.00pm on Wednesday 24 December to 9am on Monday 5 January. For information about our services over the Christmas period please visit www.farnham.gov.uk.

Farnham Town Council wishes the residents of Farnham a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year.

Residents and people who have an interest in Farnham have until 5pm on 15 December to take part in a consultation that will shape the future development of Farnham. Everybody who completes a consultation survey will be entered into a draw to win an iPad Mini.

The consultation aims to fi nd out people’s views on Farnham’s draft neighbourhood plan. The plan puts forward options for many of the elements that shape the town’s character such as the location and design of new homes, proposals for the town centre and local shopping centres, open spaces and many of the facilities that give an area its unique characteristics.

An information roadshow has been visiting the town’s communities so that everybody has the best possible opportunity to meet the neighbourhood planning team, have their questions answered and to fi nd out more information.

On Saturday 6 December, the roadshow will be at the following locations: • Bottom of Castle Street from 10am to 4pm• St Andrew’s school fayre from 11.30am to 1.30pm• South Farnham Infants school fayre from 3pm to 5pm

The survey and draft neighbourhood plan can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk/shapefarnham.

Other events for your diary

Where do you think new homes should go in Farnham?


NewsChristmas 2014News

Do you know somebody who deserves recognition for the work they do to serve the community?

We are seeking nominations for the 2015 Services to Farnham awards. The awards are sponsored by Sir Ray Tindle of the Tindle News Group and are presented to people who provide an outstanding or crucial service to the community or the people of Farnham.

Individuals or organisations can put people forward for an award by fi lling in a nomination form, which can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk/servicestofarnham. The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday 12 January 2014.

This Christmas the seasonal memorial trellis will return to the cemeteries at Hale, Badshot Lea and Green Lane. The memorials offer visitors an opportunity to write and display a message in memory of a loved one. Waterproof tags are available from Farnham Town Council or people can supply their own.

Locations of the cemeteries can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk/cemeteries

The South Street Trust is inviting applications from Farnham organisations who wish to apply for a grant for an art-based educational activity.

Grant application forms and the criteria for applying can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk. The deadline for submitting an application is 12 noon on Friday 23 January.

For further information email [email protected].

Events, local groups and businesses can be advertised free of charge on our new website. Visit www.farnham.gov.uk to add your details.

People who make a difference A place to remember

Grants for Arts Projects

Free listing

35 December 2014

for local chariti es and they are hoping to pass their target fi gure of £10,000 at this concert. They look forward to welcoming you to this festi ve occasion.

It’s a fun packed festi ve season for Farnham Music and Drama (FMD) with lots of opportuniti es to catch them in the community over the coming weeks. Jazz@FMD will be playing at the REME charity Concert at the Arborfi eld Garrison on Thursday 11th December. Their adult choirs will be visiti ng Woodlarks on Friday 12th December and then they will be joining the Round Table at Farnham stati on on Friday 19th December for some carol singing to raise money for local chariti es. The FMD Christmas Concert this year will be in the Great Hall at Farnham Malti ngs on Saturday 13th December at 7pm, which will be a showcase of all FMD’s groups and performers from across the ages (as young as 5 upwards) including Junior Strings, Jazz@FMD, Centre Stage Minis, Company and Grads and both adult singing groups and orchestras. Tickets are available from the Malti ngs box offi ce. More info at www.farnhammusicanddrama.com.

Grayshott Folk Club’s Christmas Special with The Churchfi tt ers is on Friday 12th December at 7.30pm (www.churchfi tt ers.com/ehome.php) at Grayshott Village Hall. They are an Anglo/French

band who put the fun into folk. With Chris Short’s brilliant fi ddle playing, Rosie’s exquisite voice and showmanship and Boris’s barmy instruments they bring both humour and accomplished musicianship to the party. This summer they were a great success at Fairport Conventi on’s Cropredy Festi val, playing in front of 20,000 people. An ideal band for a Christmas knees up. Support is provided by Edwina Hayes (www.edwinahayes.com) who performed back in June to great acclaim. Adult Tickets: £14, Children under 16, £7. Call Des O’Byrne on 01428. Personal callers may buy their ti ckets for all Grayshott Folk Club events from: Magical Rooms, 2 Headley Road, Grayshott Call: 01428 608340 (opposite The Fox and Pelican pub). Grayshott Social Club, Hill Road, Grayshott Call: 01428 604041. Haslemere Bookshop, High Street, Haslemere Call: 01428 652952.

Get in the Christmas mood with Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice’s Santa and Rudolph Fun Runs, and raise money for the Hospice whilst dressed as Santa! These festi ve fun runs are fundraising events with a diff erence. All parti cipants are issued with a Santa suit on the day – children wear Rudolph antlers and a fl ashing red nose – and complete the course dressed in their festi ve atti re, along with hundreds of other Santas and Rudolphs! The fi rst of the two fun

runs will take place in Hindhead, at 11am on Saturday 13th December, where parti cipants will follow a 3.5km route around the Devil’s Punch Bowl, with stunning views of the beauti ful Surrey countryside. The second will take place at 11am in Aldershot, on Sunday 14th December, where the Santas and Rudolphs will complete two laps of the impressive Queens Avenue Playing Fields. Everyone is welcome to take part, and parti cipants can walk, run or jog either of the courses at whatever pace they prefer. Registrati on costs £12 for adults and £5 for under 14s and everyone who completes the course will be given a medal and a selecti on of festi ve goodies! And this year you can sti ll take part in the fun even if you don’t want to run, as the Hospice is inviti ng all spectators to come in festi ve fancy dress, with a prize for the best dressed! Registrati on fees are higher on the day, so book your place now by visiti ng www.pth.org.uk, emailing [email protected] or calling the Hospice’s fundraising team on 01252 729446.

The History of Hale Project’s October coff ee morning was a great success with over 100 att ending. Remembrance Sunday turned out bright and sunny, aft er Saturday night’s rain, and more people than ever turned up. The Farnham Band played, and the children planted crosses in troughs of sand, each


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105 ad.indd 2 29/11/2013 10:3937 December 2014

Like it or not it’s now the ti me of the year when our thoughts turn to parti es, socialising, eati ng and drinking. There is just so much to fi t in even before the second week of December!

I oft en ask guests at Surrey Wine School what their favourite seasonal ti pples are. Not surprisingly many say Champagne and wines from Bordeaux or Burgundy, but sadly Port and other forti fi ed wines such as Madeira or Sherry are sti ll regarded as the drink to leave out for Santa.

Port is a wine that some people enjoy just once a year, which is a real shame as it is far more that just the rich, sweet, taste of Christmas. Get to know the diff erent styles and you will be enjoying one of the world’s great wines all year round. As Percy Croft of Croft s Port said, “Any

ti me not spent drinking port is a waste of ti me”.So with thoughts not just of Christmas 2014 but also for next year here is the essenti al guide to port and what to eat with it.

Port is a forti fi ed wine made by blending a variety of Portuguese grapes that grow in the harsh conditi ons of the Douro Valley. How harsh I hear you ask? Well workers have to dynamite the rocky ground in order to plant the vine, the roots need to grow down at least 25 metres just to get a drink. Furthermore, the vines are planted on such steep terraces that the grapes can only be harvested by hand. All this and we haven’t even picked a grape yet!

It takes three weeks to harvest the grapes as each variety ripens diff erently so workers need to climb the steep terraces ti me and again to get to ripe grapes. Once picked grapes are taken to Quintas (farms) where some are sti ll crushed by foot treading. Foot treading is not just done for traditi on or fun, it has been proved that treading grapes by human feet brings out the full concentrati on of fl avour.

While the juice is fermenti ng, a high alcohol spirit is added that kills the yeast and stops the sugar turning into alcohol, leaving the wine sweet. This process is called forti fi cati on and diff erenti ates port, sherry and Madeira from other sweet wines.

So port is born in the Douro but its fi rst steps are taken near Porto in Villa Nova de Gueia at the many port houses where it is blended. The ageing process is started during the following year.

The essenti al diff erence between styles of port is whether it is aged in wooden casks (such as ruby, tawny) or in the bott le (such as vintage). Cask aged ports are ready to drink as soon as they are bott led and don’t improve with age. Bott led aged ports will get bett er as they mature. Depending on the quality of the year a vintage port may take 15-30 years to reach perfecti on.

Basic ruby and tawny ports have young fruity aromas, are aged in wood casks for two-three years and are ready to drink as soon as it is bott led. I love to drink these wines with chocolate mousse or strawberries. The best cheese match I have found is with a full fl avoured goats milk cheese.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSJeremy Blood from Surrey Wine School takes a look at a seasonal favourite


White port is made in the same way as ruby except that white grape varieti es are used. It makes a great aperiti f wine. Simply pour 1/2 white port and 1/2 tonic over ice and add a sprig of mint or basil and you’re all set. I love to match with hard crumbly cheese such as Cheshire, or Wensleydale.

Tawny ports can be aged in cask for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years (the year shown on the bott le is an average of the years in the blend) producing wines of real concentrati on. The colour changes as it ages from rich ruby to beauti ful amber and golden hues. They also develop nutt y and caramel fl avours. Tawny ports are the most versati le, as they can be drunk chilled as an aperiti f, matched with desserts or paired with sheep’s and cheddar cheeses.

Choose your pairing carefully with tawny port as the age can make a big diff erence. The older the port the more it will match with raisiny fl avours. I absolutely love a 20-year-old tawny such as Churchill’s matched with traditi onal Christmas cake or mince pies. If you prefer desserts such as crème brûlée or toff ee puddings then try a 10-year-old tawny.

Late bott led vintage (LBV) is a port lovers dream come true. An excellent value port

made from a single year and coming from high quality vineyards and does not need decanti ng unlike vintage port. This is the top match with chocolate. It also works very well with soft cream cheese like Brie de Meaux. Taylors created the LBV style and I am a real fan of these wines.

Vintage port is the pinnacle of all port producti on and is high on the list of the world’s greatest wines. Made with grapes from a single year, vintage port spends only two to three years in cask and is immediately bott led and released for sale. Although it can be drunk when released it can be a further 20 years before it reaches perfecti on. These wines leave a sediment in the bott le so it is wise to decant them before drinking. My perfect match with a vintage port is hazelnut and chocolate tart or the classic pairing with Sti lton cheese.

Surrey Wine School together with Flavour Tasti ngs run wine and cheese evenings throughout the year. Cheese and wine, cookery and wine with a professional chef, and all the other fabulous tasti ngs are available to buy as gift vouchers. For more bookings and informati on visit www.surreywineschool.com, email [email protected] or call Jeremy on 01306 898569 or 07436 072518.

FIND OUT MORE

39 December 2014

cross had the name of someone named on the Memorial. It is truly a beauti ful sight. The Christmas event is on Saturday 13th December; there will be two sitti ngs, 10am-12noon and 12.30- 2.30pm. If you haven’t let Geoff know which one you would like to att end please get in touch with him as soon as possible. The Project has a busy year ahead and they look forward to seeing you all. Hopefully more residents will fi nd their way to have a coff ee, lovely cakes, and meet up with friends that they haven’t seen for ages.

The West Surrey Wine Society doesn’t have a formal wine tasti ng in December but are having a dinner instead. However, if you might be interested in joining them in the New Year for tasti ngs, talks etc, I can tell you that they meet on the third Monday of the month usually at

The Conservati ve Club, Ivy Lane, Farnham GU9 7PQ. Details can be obtained from the membership secretary Frances Hackemer on 01252 793684.

The Christmas Celebrati on of the Farnham & Bourne Choral Society will start at 7.30pm on Saturday 13th December at St Thomas-on-The Bourne church. The programme will include choruses from Handel’s Messiah as well as a selecti on of carols, some of which will involve parti cipati on from a hopefully gutsy audience! Also performing will be a Brass Quintet formed by Will Spencer, whose trumpet making and playing achievements were recently featured in a Farnham Herald arti cle. Concert ti ckets can be bought in advance for £12 from choir members or by phoning 01252 721075, otherwise for £14 at the door.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Father Christmas is coming to Farnham Library. The Friends of Farnham Library are planning a free coff ee, cake and mince pie morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday 13th December with Eliza and Tom’s Victorian Christmas at 10.30am. There will be a short fi lm on how Victorian children enjoyed Christmas, a variety of Victorian toys and dolls on display and Father Christmas will arrive and give each child a typical Victorian Goody Bag of small presents. Everyone is very welcome and ti ckets will become available at the library very soon. For enquiries ring 0300 200 1001 and ask to be put through to Farnham Library.

Tweseldown Arti san Market returns for December 13th for their Christmas event with fantasti c new discoveries, alongside our regular top quality



I could hardly believe two years had passed since my fi rst visit to Greyfriars Vineyard. First-ti me visitors turning down the long drive off the A31 Hogs Back are amazed at the sight of the North Downs in all their glory rolling away to the south, and even though this ti me I knew what to expect, the view sti ll made me stop the car for a moment to take it all in.

Neat rows of grapevines cover the slopes and even from a distance I could see the bunches of grapes ripening in the September sunshine. My previous visit had been a winter one with 13,000 newly planted vines barely making an impression in the landscape. Two years on, what a diff erent story. These vines, originati ng in Germany, are obviously thoroughly enjoying their home in the south-east of England.

It is now four years since Hilary and Mike Wagstaff bought the vineyard, with precious litt le knowledge of grape culti vati on or viti culture. Together with their brother-in-law David who took on the role of vineyard manager, the three embarked on a steep learning curve, determined to make a commercial success of what had been a hobby vineyard under the previous owners.

Mike explained that of the 400 or so English vineyards only 35-40 are on a commercial scale and he was grateful that he’d had enough money to invest in new vines, fermentati on vats, anti -

deer fencing and innumerable other necessiti es involved in modern viti culture.

Today the vineyard extends to over 40 acres with another 10 acres they manage at Shere, and aft er a very disappointi ng showing due to the weather in 2013, the 2014 harvest looked set to produce some 80 tons of grapes. If only every English summer could be as good, mused Hilary as we walked up the hill past the serried ranks of neatly trimmed vines. (In fact, when I caught up with Hilary in October, she reported a record harvest of 8-10 tonnes a day, over 100 tonnes in total!)

She stopped to examine a bunch of grapes, explaining how the leaf cutt er on the tractor takes leaves off the vines late in the season,

allowing the last of the summer sun to do the fi nal ripening for maximum sweetness in the grapes. “The weather has been fabulous this year,” she said, “perfect for grapes – calm, sett led and sunny. This year we shall start picking early in October, whereas last year we were sti ll picking into December to allow maximum ripening.

“Leading up to the harvest we do sugar readings on the grapes and when the ti me is right family and friends come to pick on the Sunday before 20 hired pickers arrive. Then the hard work begins with 300-400kg of grapes being processed by each picker each day for 10

Vines growing, wines fl owing at Greyfriars. Penny Kitchen pays a return visit to the vineyard off the Hogs Back

Seasonalsparklers

41 December 2014

days while we process them in the winery.”

The grape varieti es are chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, vines well suited to the English climate and the chalk downs. In fact, the Downs are blessed with similar geological and soil conditi ons to the Champagne region in France. Because the English climate doesn’t normally enjoy months of unbroken sunshine, the grapes grown here are lower in sugar, suitable for dry sparkling wines. At Greyfriars the clay/loam topsoil covers several hundred feet of free draining Cretaceous chalk. The chalk was originally deposited over a hundred million years ago when this enti re area was submerged under a tropical sea.

Three awardsOn my fi rst visit the couple explained that for the moment they had given up the idea of making sti ll wines in favour of the sparkling champagne-type wine which has lower sugar levels and more acidity. The fi rst vintage produced enti rely by the Wagstaff s since taking over Greyfriars in 2010 was their award-winning 2011 Sparkling Rosé Reserve. It was made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from mature vines planted by the previous owners in the early 1990s. A poor summer and extremely warm September yielded small volumes of very ripe grapes from which 450 bott les were produced. But this wine has won awards and put their name on the map.

In 2012 they decided to take advantage of the popularity of the rosé, producing Rosé Reserve 2012, another sparkling pink fi zz. This wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes parti ally fermented in used oak barrels and again produced using the traditi onal method.

So far, Hilary explained, Greyfriars are using local wine outlets such as Drakes in Ripley, Fleurie in Godalming and Olivos in Guildford, as well as selling from the vineyard itself. They have been carefully husbanding their supply with Christmas around the corner and their own

online shop due to open. “With this good summer our volume of bott les will increase exponenti ally and then we will begin the push to sell more. At the moment it is a juggling act – to release early and run out, or keep some back.”

Future plans to buy more tanks for fermentati on had to be brought forward, adding another 30,000 litres to the current 50,000 litre capacity. They are also hoping to dig a storeroom into the chalk slope which will provide the perfect year-round temperature for the wine.

“We’re delighted with the way things are going,” Hilary told me. “We’ve rarely had negati ve feedback and we’ve now won three medals which means a lot to us. We entered our fi rst wine, the 2011 Sparkling Rosé in a few competi ti ons to see how it would fare against other wines. It won a Silver Medal in the 2014 Sommelier Wine Awards, a Bronze in the Decanter awards and more recently a Bronze Medal in the Internati onal Wines and Spirits Competi ti on.“

As more and more quality restaurants start to off er good English wines, there is no doubt that Greyfriars will soon join the Hogs Back Brewery as a local success story. I, for one, am waiti ng for the 2014 vintage to come on-stream. If the wines are anything like the great summer we’ve enjoyed this year, they should be winners.

10% DISCOUNTFOR VANTAGEPOINT READERSVantagePoint readers will receive 10% off the 2011 Blanc de Blancs and the 2012 Rosé Reserve (which both retail at just £20), saving £2 per bott le. At present all wine sales are cellar door only, so please call 01483 813712 or email [email protected] to arrange a collecti on. Simply present your copy of VantagePoint to qualify for the discount.

Greyfriars Vineyard,The Hog’s Back, Putt enham, Surrey, GU3 1AG. Tel: 01483 813712.Email: [email protected]: www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk.


favourites; all carefully selected to bring you the ‘best of local’. Get that last minute vintage party dress from Pret-a-Vintage and buy retro and vintage games, books and toys from Knickerbocker Glory - great presents for kids (and big kids). Treat the kids to a Christmas themed children’s workshop with STUFF– let the kids get creati ve while you shop! Beeuti ful bring their range of handmade bouti que beauty products with natural beeswax and honey and make sure you stock up on Ildikos Chocolates gorgeous treats for the festi ve season. It’s your last chance to get that unique special gift that you can fi nd on the high street and stock up the best local food available - plus a few treats for yourself too. Come along and peruse the beauti ful stalls, refuel at the hot food stands, stock up on local treats and most importantly, discover something new. Tweseldown Arti san Market, Bourley Road, Church Crookham, Hants GU52 8DY Adults £1 Children under 16 free. Dogs welcome on a lead. 9am- 3pm.

Farnham Brass Band is in for a busy few weeks. They will be giving a concert on Sunday 14th December at 4pm at Rowledge School and will be joined by their newly formed Training Band section for part of the concert. Go along and join them for an entertaining and fun concert for all the family. Tickets are just £2 available from Lloyd & Keyworth or by contacting fa r n h a m b ra s s b a n d @ g m a i l .com. Then on Saturday 20th December, Farnham Brass Band will be entertaining shoppers in the Lion & Lamb Yard from 10am onwards - raising money for Woodlarks. Finally, on Monday 22nd December between 7pm-8pm, join Farnham Brass Band and the village community of Rowledge as they play and sing carols around the Christmas tree.

Farnham Decorati ve and Fine Arts Society are holding their next meeti ng on Tuesday 16th December at 10.30am. It’s being held at The Malti ngs and the subject is ‘The Christmas Tree - From Forest First To Festi val Feature’ by Dr. Claire Walsh. The fi r tree, as an emblem of Christmas, has been with us for over fi ve centuries. It was fi rst adorned with Viking carvings before becoming an icon of our modern festi val and it has brought the festi vity from outside into the heart of the family. This lecture will explore its place in art and as decorati on over the centuries and will be followed by Christmas drinks in the Malti ngs. Non-members are warmly invited to join in. Phone the membership secretary on 07918 883515 to book your ti cket for £5 or, for more informati on, consult the website, www.farnhamdfas.org.uk.

The Nati onal Trust has revealed some of the best places for exhilarati ng wintry walks in Hampshire. Many of their beauti ful gardens and countryside spaces are open from Boxing Day onwards, off ering the perfect opportunity for winter walks with friends and family in picture-postcard landscapes. New life is already sti rring in the ground at this ti me of year, so there’s plenty to see and enjoy, from gardens packed with scent and colour, to frost-rimmed woodlands and breath-taking vistas. A few examples are Hinton Ampner, nr Bramdean, The Vyne, nr Basingstoke, Motti sfont, nr Romsey and New Forest Northern Commons. Just go to www.nati onaltrust.org.uk for informati on on these and other great places to visit.

Hart Male Voice Choir will present a lively Christmas Concert on Wednesday 17th December at

Farnham Malti ngs. The Farnham Malti ngs is an ideal setti ng for another convivial Christmas concert from this great local choir. This year will see a welcome return to the Malti ngs of special guest musicians Jubilate Brass, the superb classic brass quartet from Canterbury Cathedral, whose performance last year so delighted the audience. Jubilate Brass will play solo pieces and accompany the choir for some special Christmas songs and carols. There will be lively choir performances of popular seasonal favourites as well as a few surprise pieces. During the evening everyone in the audience will have the chance to sing together with the choir and enjoy a really festi ve evening of Christmas music and song. Doors open at 6.30pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets at £12.50 are available from the Malti ngs on 01252 745444 or Gilbert Black on 01252 629157 – email [email protected]. Free Souvenir Concert programmes will be available on the night. Visit www.hartmvc.org.uk and www.jubilatebrass.co.uk.

Surrey based fi lm producer and director Gavin Hoare took a diff erent creati ve directi on earlier this year when he worked with a group of six and seven year olds at Pott ers Gate School, Farnham. His usual genre is horror but instead he found himself creati ng a video to promote a community garden at the school. The short fi lm, which can be viewed at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/giant-totem, was created in the format of a wildlife mockumentary. One of the dads at the school steps into the role of Att enborough and observes a group of young humans exploring their territory and imagining what the garden might look like. The school is also planning a very special centrepiece for the garden. Each class at Pott ers Gate is named


43 December 2014

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 5/190C. Cream the butt er and sugar unti l very pale, then mix in the fl our and almonds, to make a soft pliable mixture.2. Press half of this mixture into the base of an 8 inch square ti n, pushing down with the heel of your hand, to make it smooth.3. To make the fi lling, combine the walnuts, dates and brandy in a food processor, to make a coarse paste, then spread this over the shortbread. Chop the cherries roughly by hand and sprinkle them over the top. 4. Crumble the rest of the shortbread mixture evenly over the top, to cover

the fi lling and press down fi rmly, to make a smooth fi nish. 5. Sprinkle with caster sugar and bake for 30-35 minutes unti l pale gold.

Here are some simple recipes for different festive sweet treats which are fun to make and give as rather special edible gifts. Plan to make them just before you intend to give them, if possible, although they do keep for several days in an airtight tin - but they never last that long in my house! Remember to set aside some time to package them in coloured boxes or gift-wrap them in shiny cellophane with sparkling ribbons. The last recipe is for an unusual chutney which serves beautifully with cold meats, especially gammon, and is very easy and quick to make, so collect some fancy jars for the Spiced Pineapple Chutney and decorate with hand-made labels.

Edible Christmas Gifts

As well as running her catering business, Glorious Food, Gill hosts regular cookery demonstrati ons, someti mes followed by a meal. Gift vouchers for these events make brilliant foodie gift s. A great supporter of local food, Gill is an approved member of LocalFoodBritain.com. Find out more about her on the Surrey secti on of the website and view the events noti ceboard for informati on about her latest demonstrati ons. www.LocalFoodBritain.com/Surrey

by Gill Potterton of Glorious Food

Ingredients

7oz/175g plain fl our3oz/75g ground almonds5 oz/125g butt er 4oz/100g caster sugar3oz/75g walnuts2oz stoned dates1 tablespoon brandy1 ½ oz/40g glace cherries

Makes 12-16

Brandied Date and Walnut Shortbread

Ingredients

4oz/100g butt er or margarine4oz/100g soft light brown sugar1 tablespoon golden syrup6oz/150g self raising fl our2oz chocolate/marzipan/dried cranberries/nuts

Makes 12-16

Christmas Cookies

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 4/180C. Cream together the butt er, syrup and sugar unti l pale. Sti r in the fl our and the chosen fl avourings, unti l you have a workable dough.2. Roll pieces of the cookie dough into balls, arrange them on a baking tray, spaced well apart, and fl att en slightly.3. Bake for 12-15 minutes unti l golden. Leave to cool on the baking tray before lift ing off with a palett e knife.


FOODFOOD

Ingredients

6oz/ 150g butt er2oz/50g golden syrup4oz/100g demerara sugar8oz/200g rolled oats1 level teaspoon mixed spice8oz/200g mincemeat

Makes 12-16

Christmas Flapjack

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 4/200C. Weigh the butt er, sugar and syrup into a saucepan and heat gently unti l everything has melted together.2. Remove from the heat and sti r in the oats, mixed spice and mincemeat. Spread the mixture into a shallow 8 inch square ti n lined with baking parchment and level it out with a palett e knife, right into the corners. 3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, unti l

golden. Cool completely, remove from the ti n and cut into bars or squares.

Ingredients

1 large pineapple1 large cooking apple4 tablespoons cider vinegar8 tablespoons muscovado sugar1 inch piece fresh root ginger1 cinnamon sti ck2 teaspoons chilli jam/pinch of dried chilli fl akesPinch of salt

Makes 2 x 1lb jars

Spiced Pineapple Chutney

1. Peel and quarter the pineapple, making sure all the ‘eyes’ are removed, remove the core and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel, core and chop the apple. Peel and fi nely grate the fresh ginger.2. Put all the ingredients into a large pan and sti r over a low heat unti l the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 5 minutes.3. Uncover and simmer for a further 10-20 minutes unti l most of the liquid has evaporated. Discard the cinnamon and spoon into sterilised jars. Seal and keep in the fridge.

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 6/200C. Line 2 or 3 large baking sheets with baking parchment.2. Melt the sugar, butt er and syrup together in a pan. Remove from the heat and sti r in the fl our. Add the lemon juice and ginger, sti rring well unti l thoroughly combined. Place dessertspoonfuls of the mixture onto each baking sheet, spaced at least 4 inches apart, as the mixture will spread.3. Bake one tray at a ti me (or you will not be able to deal with the hot brandy snaps) for 6 minutes. The brandy snaps should go golden brown, but sti ll be soft . Watch carefully, as they burn easily. 4.Cool for a minute or two then slide a greased palett e knife under each

biscuit. If you work quickly, you can shape them while sti ll hot. Roll each one carefully around a rolling pin or wooden spoon handle. If the biscuits cool too much and they become too britt le to shape, pop them back in the oven for just 10 seconds and try again.

Ingredients

4oz/100g caster sugar4oz/100g butt er4oz/100g golden syrup4oz/100g self raising fl ourjuice of 1 small lemonlarge pinch of ground ginger

Makes 12-16

Brandy Snaps

45 December 2014

aft er an animal and the children were very keen to use these in the garden. When one of the Year Six girls came up with the idea for a huge totem pole, it captured everyone’s imaginati on. They are now crowdfunding for the costs of materials, installati on and for a team of professional arti sts to come into school and support the children in designing and making the totem pole.’ If you would like to donate to the garden then you can visit the Pott ers Gate crowdfunding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/giant-totem. Any amount, however small, is welcome and there are an impressive range of rewards to tempt you!

As you would expect, there are lots of Christmas events at RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. One that struck the eye is the Rose Theatre Kingston presentati on of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Story Trail which runs from Saturday 20th December to Sunday 4th January 2015 (closed 25th and 31st December). Leap into the magical world of Narnia this Christmas ... Meet in the Garden and discover a land inhabited by fantasti cal fauns and busy beavers. Only the most intrepid children can unlock the secrets and save Narnia from the White Witch’s spell. The event is free once you have entered the Garden. Also, The Christmas Display in The Glasshouse is another stunning display of seasonal plants and is open from Saturday 6th December to 4th January from 10am – 3.45pm. More details at www.rhs.org.uk/wisley.

We have been sent details of the Christmas Services in the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale, so knowing that readers fi nd them useful, here they are. St George’s (Badshot Lea - GU9 9LD); 21st December at 11.30am – Family Praise Carol Service;

21st December at 6pm – All Age Carol Service; 24th December at 3pm – Crib Service for Toddlers; 24th December at 5.30pm – Crib Service for all Children; 24th December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass; 25th December at 10am – Family Communion. St Mark’s (Upper Hale - GU9 0LT); 15th December at 6pm – Informal Carols by Candlelight; 24th December at 5pm – Crib Service (come dressed as your favourite nati vity character); 25th December at 11am – Informal Communion. St John’s (Hale - GU9 9RP); 14th December at 4pm – Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight; 24th December at 3pm – Crib Service (come dressed as your favourite nati vity character); 24th December at 11.30pm – Midnight Mass with Incense; 25th December at 8am – Holy Communion (traditi onal); 25th December at 9.30am – Sung Eucharist.

This spring, Petworth House hosts an exhibiti on inspired by Mike Leigh’s award-winning fi lm Mr Turner. Petworth House played a starring role in the fi lm having been the home of one of Turner’s greatest patrons, the third Earl of Egremont. The exhibiti on features over 30 works of art, mostly by Turner, and on loan from major collecti ons including the Tate and V&A. Alongside is personal ephemera once belonging to the arti st, such as his fi shing rod and painti ng materials, some on show for the fi rst ti me. Also on view are props and items of costume from the fi lm, together with artworks by the actor Timothy Spall, created whilst he trained for his role as Turner in the fi lm. A short documentary by Mike Leigh about the making of Mr. Turner at Petworth House features rare behind-the-scenes footage. Visitors can also tour the Arti sts’ Studio, not usually open to the public, but once used by Turner and other arti sts as a studio in

the 19th century. Mr. Turner: an exhibiti on – 10th January to 11th March. Tickets are £12, booking essenti al, at www.nati onaltrust.org.uk/petworthturner or 0844 249 1895.

Vivace Chorus is holding another Come and Sing event on 24th January. It usually sells out and 2015 will be no excepti on because they are singing Mozart: the C minor Mass and the Solemn Vespers - (1780 version). It’s at Normandy Village Hall from 10am to 4.30pm, with music supplied and their now famous lunch: homemade soup and a ploughman’s. (Do some people go mainly for the homemade soup?) To apply, download a form from www.vivacechorus.org and send a cheque for £24 to 30 Shepherds Way, Liphook, Hants GU30 7HF or, alternati vely, book and pay online.

HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust takes disabled and disadvantaged children on a trip to Lourdes every Easter at no cost to them or their families. The charity has a catholic foundati on, though children and helpers come from all backgrounds. All helpers are trained and DBS checked. For more informati on please go to www.hcpt.org.uk see the HCPT youtube channel or email [email protected].

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is appealing to its local community for any unwanted furniture. For the past few weeks the Hospice has witnessed a sharp decline in donati ons, which has impacted on the amount of money raised by the charity’s two Furniture Showrooms. “Furniture donati ons are an extremely important part of the Hospice’s income,” says Peter Foxton, Head of Income Generati on. “Without the generosity of our local community we would be unable to conti nue delivering such an excepti onal level of care to our pati ents and



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Bunting, cards, socks, scarves, jewellery, santa mice, owls, pictures, clothes, pottery, bronze

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Monday – Saturday – 10.00 am – 5.30 pm: Sunday – 10.00 am – 4.00pm

47 December 2014

Duck back into the park at the back of the car park and go right. Then take the path right, be-tween the cricket pitch and the moat of the cas-tle. (The castle dates from 1138.) At the road turn left and walk about 150 yards unti l you can cross right (cauti on, dangerous blind bend) and enter Old Park Lane. Walk along here for about 300 yards to the point at which the road ahead becomes a wide track. Take a footpath left , next to No 3 Old Park Lane. The track swings right and across a fi eld with views down over Farnham, to the left .

At a sharp left bend in the track conti nue straight ahead on a narrow path towards trees. At a three way signpost go left and immediately, at another three way signpost, go right. Walk along a corridor for a long way, ignoring left s. Cross the dead end of a road and conti nue straight ahead. At the next road, turn left and walk along unti l, by a phone box, you can cross

Farnham to Crondall

The walk

This is an easy, relatively fl at walk which offers some interesting views and pleasant countryside. The walk was provided by Guildford Rambling Club (guildfordramblingclub.org.uk).

and turn right, into Byworth Road. Go down here and look for a footpath right, along a track signed to ‘Blackbirds’. By the car port at the back of ‘Blackbirds’ fork right, off the track and along a path into trees. Follow this down over a litt le footbridge and across a crossing track into a fi eld. Stay on its left -hand side for 100 yards than go up, left , through a hedge into a fi eld.

Follow the path right, across the wide, open fi eld unti l, about 150 yards before a barn, following a yellow arrow right and down to a road. Cross and enter a track opposite. Follow this, ignoring left s and rights and running parallel to a concrete track (over the hedge on the left ). At the entrance to ‘Burles House’, the path branches off right and reaches a road. Turn right and wind up the hill to pass ‘Lower Old Park’. Look, on the left 50 yards fur-ther on, for a white gate. There is a footpath and kissing-gate next to it, taking you into a fi eld. Head out half-left across it to go through another kissing-gate into a wood. The path takes you down, across a footbridge in a more open area and up into a large fi eld. Go straight across to Dora’s Green Lane. Turn right and walk about 200 yards to take a track left , signposted to ‘Meadow Cott age’ (see later).


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 ti me.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 ti me.

WALK

DISTANCE: 9 miles

OS MAPS: Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham, Godalming & Farnborough and Explore146 Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate, Leatherhead & Caterham

STARTING POINT: The car park by the Golf Club and the Castle (GU9 0AG) on Castle Hill in Farnham

GRID REFERENCE: 4 840 1 479

REFRESHMENTS: The Hampshire Arms, Crondall, Farnham, Surrey GU10 5QU (01252 850418)

Image above: Fields in Crondall Lane by Colin Smith

signpost and you go left and through a kissing gate into a fi eld.

Quickly reach a gate and a footbridge, right, into another fi eld. Now, walk half-left up a slight slope and then left along the tree line at the top of the slope. Reach a kissing gate, right, into another fi eld and head out half-left . You will reach the gate by ‘Meadow Cott age’ (noted earlier). Retrace your outward route to reach the road by ‘Lower Old Park’. Now, turn left and walk along the road unti l, just beyond ‘Middle Old Park’, where the road turns sharp left , con-ti nuing straight ahead on St Swithun’s Way, a wide track. At a juncti on by a house, turn right. At a three way signpost, turn right. Keep going to reach No 3 Old Park Lane and retrace your initi al route back to the start.

Just before the house at the end of the track, fork right and into a fi eld. Immediately, at a three way signpost, turn left and walk along the left -hand edge of the fi eld. Stay in the fi eld, do not fork left into a new wood. At the far end take the narrow path out of the corner of the fi eld into and along the edge of trees. This path brushes the edge of a golf course and then enters an-other fi eld. Head out half-right to go through a wide gap, left , and then straight ahead along the right-hand side of the next fi eld to a road. Turn right and walk a quarter of a mile, into the edge of Crondall. Turn into the fi rst road right, Heath Lane. Aft er some 250 yards and immediately beyond ‘Doules Mead’, take a footpath left . This takes you alongside a stream on the left -hand edge of a golf course and then exits into a fi eld (where you could picnic). On the other side of the fi eld is a road and there is a pub, the Hampshire Arms, a couple of hundred yards along on the right.

Aft er lunch, walk on past the pub and turn right into a narrow lane. Pass a few houses and then, by ‘Crondall New Surgery’, take a narrow path just inside the hedge on the right-hand side of the lane. Follow this for almost half a mile, paralleling and then swinging away from the lane and just on the edge of the golf course. Eventually, reach the club house and its car park. Look for a gap in the hedge in the left -hand corner and go through, down onto a road. Turn left and walk 200 yards to take a footpath right, immediately before some houses. The path runs along in the edge of trees and then out onto the golf course. Turn right and follow the right-hand edge unti l taking a wide track off right. Immediately turn left and follow the track under power lines and between fairways. When you reach Tee 14 and a bench, turn right and walk around behind the bench and the other side of the Tee. A litt le way further on is a two way

49 December 2014

their families. We accept most items - from wardrobes to sofas - so if you have any unwanted furniture please get in touch.” You can arrange collecti on of any unwanted items by calling the Hospice’s dedicated team of drivers on 01252 710679.

Are you looking for beauti ful Christmas cards which stand out from the crowd? Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice has 13 eye-catching designs available in its shops throughout West Surrey and North East Hampshire. The charity’s popular range is priced at £3.75 for a pack of 10, and there are cards to suit all tastes, with exclusive designs by Hospice pati ent, Linda Jackson and local Farnham arti st, Charles Bone. A host of modern and traditi onal cards including ‘Santa Owl’ and ‘Robin in the Snow’ complement three funky diaries also available this year for £2.99 in indigo blue, lime green and silver. And if

you’re feeling lucky, why not take a gamble with some Tuckwell Chase Lott ery scratch cards - the perfect festi ve table decorati on! Cards, diaries and scratch cards are available from the Hospice’s 18 charity shops, online at www.pth.org.uk/our-shop or by calling 01252 729446. 100% of the profi ts from the sale of the Hospice’s cards go towards caring for people aff ected by a terminal illness across West Surrey and North East Hampshire.

In the last couple of years, beekeeping has become a very popular pasti me. If you have thought that you might like to learn about bees and beekeeping, or become a beekeeper yourself (and produce your own honey), read on! Farnham Beekeepers (a division of Surrey Beekeepers, a local charity and member of the Briti sh Beekeepers Associati on) will again be running introductory courses in 2015. The courses

are aimed at people new to beekeeping who are thinking of starti ng with bees or who are just interested to learn more, and also at existi ng beekeepers who would like to take a structured course. The winter theory course covers the knowledge needed to get started with bees. It runs for 8 weeks at The Tilford Insti tute, Tilford, starti ng on Thursday 22nd January at 7.30pm. Sessions are a mix of tutor-led lectures, video, practi cal and hands-on demonstrati ons. No live bees, it’s winter! In spring there is a 5 week hands-on practi cal course at their apiary at the Rural Life Museum, Tilford. Small groups will have a chance to inspect and manipulate hives under the guidance of experienced mentors as they learn the skills and techniques necessary to safely handle and manage bees. For more informati on, fees and applicati on see: www.farnhambeekeepers.org.uk.


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PROFILE

Whenever the League of Friends is collecti ng outside stores or running a stall at the village fairs, there are sti ll some people who say that they didn’t know the hospital had survived the threat of closure and thought the whole site was now going to be houses. How wrong!

Milford Hospital is the local centre of excellence for elderly assessment, day care and rehabilitati on. Normally pati ents are admitt ed following a stay in an acute hospital. The broad spectrum of experti se amongst the staff enables a comprehen-sive assessment and care programme for elderly pati ents with complex needs. The day hospital gives advice and support to elderly pati ents who are to being cared for at home. An added bonus is that the out-pati ent X-Ray service is now digitalised (i.e. online) allowing doctors at Milford and The Royal Surrey County hospitals immediate access to results. The service is available for community use as well as for pati ents att ending Milford Hospital.

The League of Friends raises public awareness and thus support for the hospital. It raises money to provide additi onal ameniti es that are not covered by the NHS. We have recently provided CD and cassett e players for talking books, arranged for talking news-papers to be available weekly and bought I-pad soft ware for the speech and language therapists to enable improved speech re-covery in stroke victi ms.

Our main focus in 2014 has been revitalising the courtyard gar-den (pictured right), with muscle power provided by the Pro-bati on Service Community Payback Scheme who we hope will come back and repair the area outside the cafe so that it too can be a useful outside seati ng area. Colourful plants were do-nated for the garden and the money raised at the village fairs enabled us to buy an aluminium globe trickling water feature, a bird sculpture that moves in the wind, new umbrellas and stands and cushions for the furniture. The garden is now even more popular and used into the evenings, providing a relaxed and se-cure environment for pati ents and their visitors.

Next we will provide additi onal wheelchairs so all who want to can get outside. We organise several regular features for pati ents and staff including a weekly library round and a confecti onary/toiletries trolley round, a summer garden party with musical en-tertainment, a lunch for staff and volunteers at Christmas and a Carol service in the wards. Every in-pati ent receives a small present from the League on Christmas Day.

We fund-raise through bucket collecti ons out-side stores such as Secrett ’s Farm Shop and Sainsbury’s, being nominated as a communi-ty charity by Waitrose, and by having stalls at both Milford and Witley Fairs. The award win-ning Rushmoor Choir is holding a concert for us on 25 April 2015 (contact Jacqui Robini on 01428653905 for £10 ti ckets) and we will be or-ganising a quiz in the autumn of 2015.

New volunteers to help us fundraise are always welcome. We would especially welcome new committ ee members with accounti ng or bank-ing experience who could assist our long stand-ing Treasurer. Contact us through our website at www.milfordhospitalleagueoff riends.com if you would like to help us in any way. It is not an onerous commitment but the work we do is really appreciated by pati ents, their relati ves and the staff of the hospital.

Please note that our AGM will be on March 20th 2015 at 3pm in the Seminar Room at the Hospital. All are welcome to att end and hear about what the hospital is doing and about the acti viti es of the League of Friends.

The League of Friends of Milford Hospital

51 December 2014

The weather had just taken a turn for the autumnal when I was asked to write a review on the Burford Bridge Hotel and I was delighted at the prospect of a night with Mr. Car-los in a hotel with character, a good meal and a big glass or two of red wine.

I had looked at the hotel’s website and liked the look of the old building and the newly refurbished interior. When I looked on Tripadvisor the night before my stay, however, my heart sank a bit. The reviews were not good and my hus-band and I set off for our night away expecti ng something like Fawlty Towers without the humour.

However, to my surprise our experience of the hotel was really good. On arrival we checked in and were shown to our room. The room was impressive, large, clean, smart and very well appointed. It had in it possibly the largest bed I have ever seen; there would have been room for our four children (who we had happily left behind). It even had a Nespresso coff ee machine and a minibar stocked with com-plimentary soft drinks.

We then headed for the bar to enjoy a few proper drinks. I was impressed with the new style decor, it was contem-porary and smart while remaining cosy and comfortable. The bar staff were very keen and enthusiasti c, although some obviously quite inexperienced. I witnessed a manager showing one of them how to trim away the foil properly on the top of a bott le of wine before presenti ng it and pouring a glass for a guest.

We had a long chat with the new food and beverage man-ager Christi an, who had only been there for 10 days but who was highly experienced in the business and clearly had fi rm plans for improvement. It looks as if the management understand the teething problems that they have suff ered since reopening aft er the refurbishment, and are working ti relessly to get everything up to the correct high standard.

We had been told that there wasn’t yet a head chef in the kitchen, so we were apprehensive about what we were about to experience for dinner. We need not have worried. For my starter I had salad Nicoise which was presented on a square slate plate, lovely rare seared tuna and soft boiled quails eggs, very good indeed. My husband ordered seared scallops with squid ink sauce which were cooked very well

EAT

and looked prett y on the plate. My main course was fi llet steak which I asked for rare, and it was a huge slab cooked to pink perfecti on. Mr Carlos chose the rib-eye steak, rare again, also done just as he likes it.

Before ordering, we told the waiter what style of wine we liked and asked him to recommend a bott le to go with our steak. He chose a bott le of Argenti nean Malbec that was absolutely spot on, full bodied and full of fruit. It was a fan-tasti c bott le, and we savoured every drop.

We slept like logs in the enormous bed and in the morning enjoyed a real coff ee in our room before going to break-fast. Breakfast was good, there was an excellent selecti on of buff et items to choose from, cereals, croissants, toast, sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, baked beans as well as items cooked to order. I had kippers and Mr Carlos had eggs Benedict both of which were good.

All in all a very enjoyable stay, much bett er than expect-ed and I imagine that the standards will increase week on week as the staff become more experienced. The hotel de-serves a chance to succeed and I look forward to returning in the future.Elizabeth Carlos

MERCURE BOX HILL BURFORD BRIDGE HOTELAt the Foot of Box Hill, Dorking RH5 6BX020 7660 0684 www.accorhotels.com

Burford Bridge Hotel

B O X H I L LN O R T H D O W N S

Project5:Layout 1 12/10/14 17:41 Page 1

W E S T S U S S E X


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The Surrey Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 8th March. Starti ng and fi nishing at Woking Leisure Centre the closed-road running event is the biggest in the county, and will take 6,500 runners through the country lanes to the South West of Woking before returning to the town for their big fi nish! The scenic course is fl at and fast, so it’s a great place to secure your best 13.1 mile fi nish ti me! A kids race will take in a 2km closed road circuit in Woking hopefully inspiring the half marathon runners of the future. The running route will be lined with local live bands, and local club cyclists will lead the runners out onto the course. The Surrey Half Marathon will be working closely with local chariti es. Their offi cial charity partners for 2015 are Shooti ng Star CHASE, WWF, Woking and Sam Beare Hospices and Harrison’s Fund. They hope that runners will use the Surrey Half as an opportunity to fundraise for charity. Entries are selling fast, and prices will go up on 1st January, so ensure you enter before Christmas to secure your place on the start line. To enter, go to www.surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk . You can follow them on Facebook – www.facebook.com/surreyhalfmarathon Twitt er - @surreyhalf. Download the app – Search “Surrey Half” in your app store.

Affi nité, the Surrey singles social club for the over fi ft ies, has fi nalised its winter programme. Included are visits to the Comedy Store, a gallery and a museum, a carol concert, a Christmas quiz and a New Year Dinner at Clandon Regis Golf Club. Contact the club through www.club-affi nite.co.uk/.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Associati on is looking for people to be part of a Guide Dogs Support Group. Lots of voluntary roles are available from organising events, helping with

collecti ons and raising awareness of the work they do. Roles are very fl exible and can be suited to how many hours you are able to donate. There is something to suit everyone! Kati e Smith, local Guide Dogs representati ve, says “Whatever you’re interested in doing, whether you have a litt le or a lot of ti me to spare, you will be guaranteed to meet new people and have some fun! At the same ti me you will be raising funds to enable Guide Dogs to create the special partnerships which can change the lives of people who are blind and parti ally sighted.” To fi nd out more informati on, please contact Kati e Smith on 07795 611 459 or email kati [email protected]. For more informati on on Guide Dogs, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk.

At their last monthly luncheon, the Probus Club of Farnham were treated to a fascinati ng talk given by Dick Norton, one of their members, whose father Teddy had been a member of the 1922 Everest Expediti on and who was leader of the 1924 Expediti on. Generally considered to be one of the fi nest climbers of his generati on, in 1924 he reached a height of 28,126 feet without oxygen, a record that stood for 54 years. A few days later, Norton’s fellow climbers Mallory and Irvine disappeared high on the mountain, a mystery that has fascinated subsequent generati ons and remains a topic of fi erce debate today. The qualiti es of leadership which Norton showed that year in the face of appalling trials have led to him being regarded as one of the greatest of all Everest expediti on leaders. His offi cial account of the expediti on has since become a classic. Dick Norton’s talk, given with the authority that only his close relati onship could engender, made the Probus members feel that they could virtually touch history. Interesti ngly, Dick’s son has recently edited a book called

Everest Revealed, soon to be published by The History Press, which details Teddy’s Private Diaries and Sketches. The Probus Club of Farnham was formed in 1969, primarily as a luncheon club for men of reti rement age from professional or business backgrounds. Lunch is oft en followed by such an informal talk as above, occasionally supplemented by a contributi on from an outside speaker on a non politi cal subject of general interest. Social outi ngs to both theatres and other venues are undertaken from ti me to ti me. Should membership be of interest to others, they may care to drop a line to the Honorary Secretary of the Club at 12, Shortheath Road, Farnham GU9 8SR.

Looking for new free acti viti es in the New Year? Over 50 and want to get out more? Age UK Surrey off ers Walking Football in Guildford, Men in Sheds (Ash) Walking and Cycling (all Surrey), home visits for those not able to get out (Waverley and Guildford) and even free benefi t checks to ensure everyone has their full enti tlement. You can of course volunteer for us - and as we are an independent charity – make a donati on knowing that it stays in Surrey. See our website at ageuksurrey.org.uk or ring 01483 503414.

Finally, some sad news. Two groups of Great War (1914-1918) medals in frames where stolen on the 21 January 2014 from the HQ of The Royal Flying Corps Associati on. The two medals were as follows: LT.E.BREWER and SGT.A.POLLARD (M.M 15110). Please ring 01306 711114 if you have any informati on. There is a reward.

53 December 2014

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TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By entering these competitions you agree to receive periodic emails from VantagePoint Magazine, Vantage Publishing Ltd and the originator of the competition you are entering. You can opt out of receiving these at any time and your data will never be passed on for use by third parties. The prizes are non-transferable and

have no cash alternative. Only one entry per person per competition and prizes will only be sent to homes with a GU, KT and RH postcode.

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Ordnance Survey produce over 650 recreational and leisure maps and you can win one of fi ve Ordnance Survey rucksacks with a custom-made map.

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also receive an exclusive OS branded rucksack.

To enter, please answer the following question:

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

WIN A FREE LOCAL PRINTDo you love your local town? Look forward to your next walk up Box Hill? Are you proud of the local countryside? At Connell & Todd we design and hand select gifts that evoke special memories of your favourite places: from vintage travel posters and antique guides to maps and original works of art. All our gifts can be purchased via our website www.connellandtodd.com. We will also be selling our gifts at the local Christmas markets around Surrey and West Sussex this month.We have just designed a new selection of prints of your favourite places which make the perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family and locals who have moved away from the area. To celebrate the launch of this new collection we are running a competition with VantagePoint Magazine and are offering one framed print each of Godalming, West Sussex, Box Hill, Haslemere and Hampshire. To enter, answer the question:Q: Name one of the prints you can win.Enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk by 31st December 2014.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: By entering these competitions you agree to receive periodic emails from VantagePoint Magazine, Vantage Publishing Ltd and the originator of the competition you are entering. You can opt out of receiving these at any time and your data will never be passed on for use by third parties. The prizes are non-transferable and

have no cash alternative. Only one entry per person per competition and prizes will only be sent to homes with a GU, KT and RH postcode.

Please enter online at www.vantagepointmag.co.uk.Postal entries can be sent to us at the address given on page three.

B O X H I L LN O R T H D O W N S

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE YVONNE ARNAUD PANTOMIME

Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and VantagePoint Magazine are very pleased to offer you the chance to win a family ticket to this year’s magical

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The show stars Whose Line Is It Anyway? legend Josie Lawrence as the fabulously witty Wicked Queen. Joining Josie is top cabaret performer Kit Hesketh-Harvery and Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon. To fi nd out more please visit www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk.

A family ticket (4 seats) is available for the performance on Friday 2nd January at 7pm.

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


W E S T S U S S E X


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VantagePoint Magazine December 2014 - Farnham & Villages

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