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

Richmond Park Reflections Returns! Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park Tuesday 13 June

The Holly Lodge Centre in Richmond Park presents Richmond Park Reflections at Pembroke Lodge for the 14th consecutive year on Tuesday 13 June – 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm. As in previous years, we feature an evening of eclectic entertainment collaborated by Kathryn Hide. Ticket includes a welcome drink, supper and wine with your meal.
The line-up for the evening will be:-
Louise Crane – mezzo soprano with extensive operatic credits including Glyndebourne, ENO, and others in the UK and abroad.
Angus Cunningham – accomplished pianist and accompanist, he also plays the organ, harpiscord and clarinet.
Matt Entwistle – singer/guitarist
Tom McVeigh – baritone who performed in various operatic roles including Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera and various West End theatres.
Paul Mountain – poet.
Ellie Nunn – singer/actress who has performed in various stage productions.
Yvonne Patrick – soprano who performed in various theatres including Glyndebourne Fesival Opear, Welsh National Opera and Garsington Opera.
Wendy Partridge and Linda Readman - a sister duo who are respectively a classical guitarist and a professional singer who loves jazz and folk music.
Jacki Piper - an actress who has performed in theatres throughout UK and abroad.
Rob Singleton – singer.

To book your tickets visit >>> eventbrite.co.uk

Tags: What's On, Richmond Park, Reflections, The Holly Lodge Centre, Kathryn Hide, Tuesday 13 June

Bring the whole family along to jog, run or walk this year’s Santa Fun Runs to raise sponsorship money for Princess Alice Hospice.

Fast becoming a fun, festive, family tradition; donning a Santa suit, complete with a big white beard, is guaranteed to make you feel all Christmassy and in the seasonal spirit of giving you’ll be raising money for a fantastic cause.

The first of the Santa Fun Runs will be at Bushy Park on Sunday 29 November at 10.30am. A further two runs will be taking place at Richmond Park on Sunday 13th December at 10.30am and 12.30pm. In previous years Santas have ranged from as young as 10 weeks old in a baby carrier to those in their eighties. The event is now in its eighth year and the target is to smash last year’s total of £44,000 which will be used to care for patients and their families during the Festive Season; both in the Hospice and in their own homes.

The first Santa to cross the line at Bushy Park last year was Cameron Gibson, 15, from Horsley. Cameron said: “I did the run last year but I was a lot faster this time. It was really weird being chased by all those Santas.

“I registered for the event because I appreciate the work the Hospice carers do and I wanted to do my bit to support them.”

Cameron was shortly followed at the finish by his younger brother Joseph Gibson, 11, who was the first under 12 to complete the run.

The first Santa to cross last year’s finish line at Richmond Park was Nick McKay, 36, from Wimbledon who successfully defended his title, winning for the third year in a row. He was running the event in memory of his sister-in-law, Jo Crossfield, who was cared for by the Hospice in 2010.

Nick said: ““The run has become an annual festive family event for us and my young son was also able to take part too from the comfort of his buggy.”

Mia Patterson from the Hospice’s Fundraising Team said: “Taking part in our Santa Fun Runs to raise money for the Hospice has become a tradition now in many households, with families raising huge amounts of money for us.

“They are lots of fun and it really is an incredible sight to see hundreds of Santas running across the Royal Parks.

““Places are limited, so it’s best to register as soon as possible. The cost to enter for over 12’s is £12 and for this you’ll receive a Santa Suit. For the under 12’s it’s £6 and they will receive Reindeer Antlers.”

For further details and to enter please contact the Princess Alice Hospice Fundraising Team on 01372 461808 supportercare@pah.org.uk Website www.pah.org.uk

Princess Alice Hospice cares for terminally ill adults across a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex, caring for them in their own homes and at its hospice in Esher. More than 1 million people live within its care area

Over £9.1 million is needed each year to provide these vital and much needed services. With limited NHS funding more than 75% of funding must be raised through voluntary donations and fundraising.

Tags: What's On, charity, Princess Alice Hospice, Richmond Park, Christmassy, Bushy Park, Festive Family Fun, Run