18 students from the Surrey and Greater London area awarded bursaries for 2018/2019 academic year and beyond

Following the launch of its new bursary programme last year, ACS International Schools has now confirmed 18 bursaries to children aged 11+, 13+ and 16+ at its three UK schools in Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon for the 2018/2019 academic year.

The bursaries include 13 full awards, with four students aged 11 receiving complete funding to attend ACS International Schools for seven years. In total, these bursaries represent a £2.2 million financial commitment by ACS over the next seven years for recipient students. The awards are made as ACS transitions to a charitable entity and significantly increases its investment in charitable endeavours.

Fergus Rose, Advancement Director ACS International Schools, commented:

“In the spirit of our founder’s legacy, our charitable aim is to advance education and these awards widen access to our schools for students wishing to develop an enquiring mind, an international mindset and a desire to make a difference. Everyone at ACS would like to congratulate all 18 bursary recipients on their successful applications and we look forward to seeing all they can achieve at the schools over the next year and beyond.”

Bursaries were offered to students who would benefit most from an ACS education, including the world renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, and do not have the financial wherewithal to attend the school. All bursaries were awarded on a means-tested basis and, dependent on each student’s individual circumstances, ranged from twenty per cent to 100 per cent of the schools’ fees.

Japheth Monzon, an existing bursary student, explained what the new cohort can expect at ACS:

“I used to pass ACS Hillingdon every morning on my way to my old school and wonder what it would be like to attend. After I received my place the school did not disappoint.

“ACS is an incredibly warm and welcoming school, the teachers have been brilliant and I love the intellectual challenge of the IB. It’s more than just the academics at ACS and I also enjoy the global outlook. I know these will help me achieve my ambition of becoming a lawyer.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about ACS International Schools should register for an open morning at www.acs-schools.com/opendays.

Tags: Schools, ACS International School, Open day

Supporter of Painshill

First of all I would like to thank the thousands of you who have responded so magnificently to our petition. It is beginning to have some effect and already has attracted over 5,000 signatures. We have also been very encouraged by the number of public bodies who have come to the support of Painshill.

As you know, we have to persuade Highways England to change their plan to widen the A3 to the north of Painshill. This would invade the Historic Landscape at a point very close to the Gothic Tower and the Temple of Bacchus and increase the noise pollution in the landscape. It would seriously effect the enjoyment of over 100,000 visitors to Painshill each year, a number that is growing fast.

We have recently met representatives of Highways England and their design consultants, WS Atkins. They have promised to re-examine their plans now that they realise how important Painshill is and how their plans would damage its special beauty and atmosphere.
We have agreed to meet with them shortly to work with them to preserve the magic of Painshill.

If we are going to succeed in saving Painshill we will still need your continued support. You can help us in three ways:
• If you have not yet signed our petition, please do so now. You can visit our website at >>> painshill.co.uk/A3, or sign the petition when you visit.
• Visit Painshill, it is looking lovely now, and see how the Gothic Tower and the special magic of the Elysian Plains and the Temple of Bacchus would be damaged.
• Tell your friends, your MP or anyone else who you think could help to support the effort to save Painshill.

Thank you for all your support so far. We will need to keep up the pressure until the plans have changed and we know that Painshill is safe.

Tags: painshill, A3

Royal Wedding at The Grange, Bookham

The photo above shows Anissa, Sophie, Louise, Fliss and Mary Anne who attend Creative arts session at The Grange charity in Bookham.

The students at The Grange were putting together a new window display for Grange@No5 gift shop in Bookham, which sells items made by residents at The Grange and decided to design Meghan’s dress for the Royal Wedding. The dress is made of paper, doilies and picnic plates.

It’s not the first time The Grange has made clothes for the royal family. The charity was founded 80 years ago as ‘The School of Stitchery and Lace’ for young women with physical disabilities who made many items for Queen Mary and even a dress for Queen Elizabeth when she was a young girl.

This week The Grange celebrates its 80th anniversary, The Grange is helping people with learning disabilities live independent and fulfilling lives. For more information please visit >>> www.grangecentre.org.uk

Tags: The grange, Bookham, Royal Wedding

14 – 30 June Surrey’s award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) open their 13th Annual Open-Air Season with a brand-new adaptation of England’s greatest legend.

Daring rescues, archery competitions, and sword fights, together with the cries of dastardly Sheriffs and May Day folk songs will fill the air this summer as the first part of GSC’s open-air theatre double-bill bursts into life.

Next month England’s most enduring legend ROBIN HOOD takes centre stage in a brand-new story written by GSC’s Associate Playwright ANT STONES (Grimms’ Fairy Tales, The Wind in the Willows). Whilst featuring all the classic characters – Little John, Lady Marian, Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham – this new play takes its inspiration from the original folk tales, including the shadowy figure of The Prioress.

A number of actors will be making their GSC debut with ROBIN HOOD, including GAVIN FOWLER (Penny Dreadful Season 1, Puck in Michael Grandage’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Florizel in Lucy Bailey’s RSC The Winter’s Tale); SALLY CHENG (Twelfth Night, A Christmas Carol, RSC); and JAMES SHELDON (Jean in Miss Julie at Jermyn Street Theatre). GSC regular CHRIS PORTER returns to the company following recently touring with David Haig’s five-star play Pressure. He is joined by PAULA JAMES and ROBERT MASKELL who respectively last played Portia in GSC’s Julius Caesar (2017) and the Porter in Macbeth (2013). The cast is completed by GSC’s Co-Founder and Actor-Manager SARAH GOBRAN.

Director TOM LITTLER also makes his return to GSC, his first since becoming Artistic Director of London’s Jermyn Street Theatre. TOM JACK MERIVALE joins the creative team to write the show’s original songs and PHILIP d’ORLÉANS is once again in charge of the fights. Designer NIEL IRISH (Opera Holland Park, Watermill Theatre, English Touring Opera) also returns.

ROBIN HOOD is staged in Guildford’s best-kept secret, RACKS CLOSE. A former chalk quarry, now beautifully overgrown into an idyllic natural amphitheatre, RACKS CLOSE sits in the heart of the town centre. ROBIN HOOD follows last year’s runaway success of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the same venue. Rope bridges and tree houses, together with the venue’s winding paths and grass banks promise an unforgettable immersive experience. GSC will also be holding collections for the Guildford North Food Bank at every performance, which seeks to provide temporary help for those in the Guildford area who are in need.

See the GSC website for further details of what items are being collected >>> www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk

Tags: Guildford Shakespeare Company, Robin Hood

John D Wood & Co. Esher is honoured to have been awarded the Gold award at the ESTAS awards, held last Friday 20 April 2018.

John D Wood & Co. is part of Countrywide, the biggest residential estate agency and lettings network in the country. Nominated for a record 110 ESTAS awards this year, Countrywide was awarded the top accolade of Best Large Estate Agency Group.

Commenting on the John D Wood & Co.’s success at this year’s ESTAS, Paul Creffield, Group Operations Director at Countrywide, said: “I am delighted at John D Woods & Co.’s triumph at this year’s ESTAS and could not be happier for the team, as this award is a fantastic reflection of the effort and hard work on behalf of our customers.

This award is particularly special because the ESTAS are a result of thousands of votes cast by the customers themselves around the UK – and this award confirms that our colleagues live up to our exceptionally high standards of customer service.

This is a huge achievement for us and I would like to offer my sincerest thanks and congratulations to the entire team.”

Hosted by presenter Phil Spencer for the 15th year running, the ESTAS is an independent national award scheme dedicated to recognising exceptional estate and letting agents across the country. The winners are decided purely on the basis of customer feedback.

This year over 36,000 customers contributed to customer services ratings – a measure of just how personal and important buying, selling and letting a home is for people; and how important estate and letting agents are to helping customers achieve their goals.

Countrywide plc
Countrywide is the UK's largest integrated property services Group, including the largest estate agency and lettings network. Countrywide’s network of expertise combining national scale and local reach helps more people move than any other business in the UK and is structured around four key business units: Retail, London, B2B and Financial Services.

Tags: John D Wood, ESTA awards, Surrey

The basement at the National Trust’s Clandon Park in Surrey is open for the first time since the 2015 fire, giving visitors a chance to delve deeper in to the house.

From today, a new walkway in to the basement takes visitors on an atmospheric journey to where the fire started, revealing its full impact on the house, as well as leading them through a new exhibition.

Following the basement corridor towards the south end of the house, the new walkway takes visitors deep in to the lowest, and most fire-damaged spaces within the 18th-century Palladian mansion.

The less damaged north end of the basement will also be on show, as visitors are led to the beautiful undercroft - a vaulted room under the Marble Hall - which pre-fire visitors will remember as the restaurant. This now includes a display, charting the design challenges, and key questions, that the National Trust is considering during the hugely complex project.

Visitors are invited to share their thoughts as the National Trust works with its architects, specialist advisers and stakeholders to develop plans for Clandon’s future.

From the undercroft visitors can pass into a protected viewing area which gives them sight of the full extent of the fire damage for the first time, with dramatic, vertical views from basement floor to scaffolding roof.

Sophie Chessum, Senior Project Curator at Clandon Park says: “Sharing our progress since the fire has always been really important to us. Previous visitors to Clandon Park have been able to visit the Saloon, State Bedroom and Marble Hall, which are amongst the most significant rooms in the house and therefore areas we felt visitors should see straightaway.

“By opening up the basement, we are creating a new space for discussion about Clandon’s future in an area of the house where the extent of the damage to Clandon is at its starkest.

“This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see the extraordinary bare bones of this grand Palladian mansion, in its post-fire state, before access may become more limited further down the line when building work is underway.”

The new basement walkway adds to the existing access at Clandon Park, which includes the Saloon, State Bedroom, Marble Hall and the garden.

Clandon Park is open until 28 October 2018 (including the first May bank holiday weekend, 5-7 May).

For more information please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Tags: Clandon Park, National Trust

For those who like to dine out in style, with a generous helping of entertainment on the side, there’s a mouth-watering event coming up on 5 June this year at Pembroke Lodge, in Richmond Park.

Discerning diners are being urged to check their diaries and book now, for an evening of ‘Reflections’ - a flagship annual fund raising- event in support of The Holly Lodge Centre, which is a small but very worthwhile local charity, based in Richmond park.

Music, poetry and storytelling
The Belvedere Suite at Pembroke Lodge has been booked exclusively for the occasion and on arrival, guests will be shown to the adjoining terrace, where they can contemplate stunning views of the Surrey Hills before tucking into a buffet supper.

For this 16th year, there will be music to suit every taste, from operatic arias to boogie woogie blues – and everything in between, including folk, jazz and a smattering of Les Miserables.
On a more literary note, Poet Alison Hill will recite from her collection Sisters in Spitfires, which vividly and wistfully celebrates the women who flew with the Air Transport Auxiliary during World War ll.

Giles Abbott will also be in the line-up. Giles took up storytelling professionally when he lost most of his vision and he has since won much acclaim. His stories are rooted in tradition which he like to bring ‘face to face with now’.

About the Holly Lodge Centre
As well as enjoying a wonderful summer evening, guests will have the satisfaction of supporting a very deserving local charity.

The Holly Lodge Centre was conceived to make learning fun for people of all ages, but especially for those with learning difficulties or other disabilities.

Nestling in the heart of Richmond Park, the Centre provides the perfect habitat to bring nature, science and history vividly to life.

David Attenborough calls small charity a ‘huge treasure’
Patron David Attenborough can be seen on the Centre website as he talks to young explorers and opens the Nature trail, which has since won acclaim as an award-winning feature.
Outside, there are many other facilities, including a well-stocked kitchen garden, stables, a dipping pond, bird-watching hide, solar fountain and an open-air theatre.

Inside, there is a complete re-creation of a Victorian schoolhouse and pharmacy, where ‘pupils’ can experience Dickensian learning first- hand – and a nineteenth century pharmacy, where older visitors with dementia can make authentic Victorian soap.

Over 8000 visitors last year
Although the Holly Lodge Centre only has two paid members of staff, it is supported by an army of over 70 volunteers and many are experts in their field.

This makes it possible to offer an action-packed timetable of activities and the Centre attracts thousands of visitors every year, from schools and community groups throughout South West London.

As there is no government funding, the Holly Lodge Centre relies heavily on fund-raising activities and on donations from local individuals and businesses.

If you’d like to support this much-loved local charity - and enjoy a summer evening of ‘eclectic and exclusive’ entertainment in beautiful surroundings, tickets to ‘Reflections’ are £45. This includes a welcome drink and buffet supper with wine.

To book visit www.thehollylodgecentre.org.uk or contact hlcevents@thehollylodgecentre.org.uk

Tags: Holly Lodge Centre, Richmond Park, Summer entertainment on the horizon

ROBERT POWELL AND LIZA GODDARD STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL CURTAIN AT ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON

The World Premiere production of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Curtain embarks on a national tour from Wed 25 Apr, opening in Bath and starring Robert Powell (Holby City, The Detectives, Jesus of Nazareth) as the world famous detective and Liza Goddard (The Brothers, Bergerac, Take Three Girls) as Mary Watson. Directed by David Grindley, this brand new thriller is set to appear at Rose Theatre Kingston from Mon 14 - Sat 19 May.

Sherlock Holmes lives in retirement on the South Coast. He keeps bees, occasionally casts his fly fishing rod, even plays his Stradivarius when the rheumatism allows. All too aware that he’s older and slower, he’s concerned that he might have lost his touch, paranoid that he is an easy target for his enemies – there have been so many over the years. Some of whom play heavier on his mind, namely his arch nemesis Moriarty.

So when Mary Watson (wife of his former associate Dr John Watson) tracks him down to tell him she has seen her long-dead son, James, through the window of 221B Baker Street, apparently alive and well, Holmes is determined to solve the mystery and confront his own demons at the same time.

Chilling, gripping and filled with unforeseen twists and revelations, this new play featuring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary super sleuth has been commissioned by Theatre Royal Bath from award-winning dramatist Simon Reade previously Literary Manager at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

This world premiere production reunites the dream team of Robert Powell and Liza Goddard following huge acclaim for their performances at the Theatre Royal in Alan Bennett’s.

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Curtain will be at Rose Theatre Kingston Mon 14 - Sat 19 May, see more here LINK

Tickets start from £10 and are available online, rosetheatrekingston.org, by phone, 020 8174 0090, or from the Box Office.

Tags: Theatre, What's on, Rose Theatre, Kingston

Starting Monday 7 May, Clifton Nurseries are delighted to be opening a popup shop in the Fifth Floor Foodmarket of the renowned Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge flagship store and a popup mini garden on the Fifth Floor Roof Terrace.

The Clifton Nurseries Collection at Harvey Nichols will include trending succulents and cacti, beautiful houseplants, inspirational arrangements and stylish gifts for the home and garden – all displayed in Clifton Nurseries’ own inimitable style!

“The Clifton Nurseries’ Team is very excited about this opportunity to bring a little bit of what we love doing and selling to the iconic Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols in lovely Knightsbridge. We are very proud of our brand and proposition and feel that this collaboration with Harvey Nichols is the perfect way to celebrate horticulture and the world’s greatest flower show which also ‘pops up’ locally in May.”   David Morley - Retail Director, Clifton Nurseries

Open every day from Monday 7 May to Sunday 3 June the Clifton Nurseries popup shop at Harvey Nichols enables you to combine shopping and dining at this legendary store along with a taste of the horticultural treats of Clifton Nurseries.

Clifton Nurseries

A hidden oasis in Little Venice in Maida Vale, Clifton Nurseries is an elegant garden centre with a rich history. Home to picturesque glasshouses, Clifton Nurseries is packed with a carefully selected range of plants, flowers, pots, garden ornaments, garden vintage, and unique gifts and accessories for the home and garden.

Clifton Nurseries has a second branch near Weybridge in leafy Surrey – a unique and exciting garden centre with a contemporary show garden as well as a comprehensive range of trees and shrubs, pots, garden furniture and outdoor cooking accessories.

Clifton Nurseries also offers a full scale domestic garden design, landscaping and gardening service. Clifton Nurseries, 5A Clifton Villas London W9 2PH.
Telephone: 0207 289 6851
www.clifton.co.uk

Tags: What's on, Clifton Nurseries, Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge

Stand out from the crowd with this exclusive ‘Hepburn’ style poppy dress from The Royal British Legion.

Created by boutique London brand Lady Vintage, who specialise in 1950’s vintage styled fashion, the dress combines a timeless ‘Hepburn’ outline with a beautiful poppy feature front panel. Featuring a flared skirt, leather effect belt, high neckline and concealed zip fastening, it will turn heads whether sipping on a cocktail at a drinks party or picnicking in the park.

The dress costs just £39.99 and is available exclusively from The British Legion’s Poppy Shop, www.poppyshop.org.uk, where all proceeds raised go directly to the Legion to help fund the important work they do in providing care and support to members of the British Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

Tags: charity, The Royal British Legion, poppy