Oatlands Park Hotel, the Royal Jewel in the Heart of Surrey’s Crown, Announces Black Friday Sale!

Oatlands Park Hotel Black Friday Sale will run from 19th to 26th November, with three fantastic deals to stay in this beautiful hotel steeped in royal history. Formerly the site of a grand Tudor palace commissioned to be built by Henry VIII in 1538, where it was home to the Kings and Queens of England.

WEYBRIDGE, SURREY – November, 2018 – Oatlands Park Hotel, the Royal jewel in Surrey’s crown is preparing its Black Friday Sale, with three fantastic deals. Customers can kick off the holiday season with discounted rates, bagging themselves a bargain break or to give as the perfect Christmas gift for friends or family. Black Friday, which falls on Friday 23rd November, has become a highly anticipated date in the UK shopping calendar and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.

“We know many of our customers are starting to think about Christmas presents and parties and their early Jan or Feb getaway after the rush of Christmas. We’re excited to offer great deals at this time of year when shoppers need them most” said Ness Sekakmia, General Manager Oatlands Park Hotel. “We hope our customers will enjoy our Black Friday deals and enjoy staying with us in the New Year.”

Black Friday Deals
£79.00 1 NIGHT STAY room only for 2 in a superior double room (breakfast not included)

£109.00 Dinner, Bed & Breakfast 1 NIGHT STAY
• Overnight accommodation for two in a superior double room
• Full English breakfast and 2 course dinner from a set menu
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and Parking

£169.00 2 NIGHT STAY
• A two-night stay for two in a superior double room
• Full English breakfast per day and 2 course dinner from a set menu on arrival night (second night on a B&B basis)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and Parking

Terms & conditions: The deals will be valid for stays from the 10th of January - 31st of March 2019 on selected Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and during school holidays (not valid for arrivals on 15th & 16th February 2019). Redemption – as per standard offer.

www.oatlandsparkhotel.com

Tags: What's on, black friday, Oatlands Park Hotel, Surrey, Weybridge

NEW MANAGER FOR THE CLOCK HOUSE, RIPLEY

Serina Drake, owner of The Clock House in Ripley, Surrey, has announced the appointment of Iain McArthur as the Michelin-starred restaurant's new Restaurant Manager. McArthur, whose career includes stints in South Africa at a luxury country lodge hotel, and South Lodge Hotel, is widely experienced in the hospitality business and his appointment follows the departure of Joseph Pocceschi. After four years heading up The Clock House front of house team, Joseph has returned to France to run his family-owned hotel and restaurant.

Commenting on the appointment, Serina Drake said: "I am delighted that Iain is joining our team. Having previously worked together a few years ago re-launching The Anchor, I know that the restaurant is in safe hands. Iain is a consummate foodie and has great breadth of knowledge. Also, being a trained chef gives him a real understanding of the overall guest experience. He is a great asset to our team and already has some very exciting plans for the future."

"I feel privileged to work in such a renowned establishment," says McArthur, "The Clock House building has held a Michelin star, in one form or another, under Serina's proprietorship for over 12 years, and together with other recent awards, is widely recognised to be one of the best dining experiences in the area. I am very much looking forward to working with head chef Fred Clapperton, and the rest of the brigade."

To book please visit >>> www.theclockhouserestaurant.co.uk

Tags: Ripley, The Clock House, Serina Drake, Iain McArthur, Surrey, food, restaurant Manager

Surprise announcement

The long running and high profile campaign against oil drilling at Leith Hill in Surrey is celebrating success after Europa Oil and Gas announced it was pulling out of the site.

The decision by the company followed a decision by the Forestry Commission not to renew the lease which expires on September 12th. Campaigners including the Green MEP Keith Taylor had been keeping up the pressure on the Forestry organisation not to renew in line with its environmental commitments.

“This is fantastic news”, said Lucy Barford on behalf of A Voice for Leith Hill. “Leith Hill has always been a completely inappropriate location for oil drilling, in addition to the overall issue that we should be leaving all fossil fuels in the ground. Local campaigners have been fighting Europa’s plans for a decade and we are overjoyed that the Forestry Commission and the Government minister have finally seen sense and put a stop to the horrendous prospect of oil being drilled in such a beautiful and vulnerable environment. There will be other battles ahead, oil drilling is still planned for other sites across the Weald, but for now we will be celebrating the fantastic news that there will be no oil drilling at Leith Hill. It has cost thousands of pounds to fight this and many hours of effort. Thanks to all who saw sense in the end and stopped this highly damaging plan going ahead.”

The Leith Hill Action Group had fought a campaign for nearly 10 years through the planning system and in the courts against the proposals. A Voice for Leith Hill had recently harnessed people power to lobby the Forestry Commission about the lease. The Environment Agency granted a permit to drill even though over 100,000 people signed a petition against it.

A Protection Camp was set up on the site in 2016 and moved across the road after being evicted in 2017. It has provided an information and campaign base since then.

“It’s been a combined effort of so many people – both local and from further away - over such a long time. It really is an extraordinary success”, said Lucy Barford.

Read the statement released by Europa Oil and Gas here LINK

Tags: Leith Hill, Europa Oil, Surrey, The Leith Hill Action Group

A swarm of twelve earthquakes has prompted a demonstration today outside an oil drilling site in Surrey. Campaigners are swooping enmasse to protest drilling at Horse Hill, and other sites in the south east linked to seismic disruption.

Simon Elster of the Weald Action Group said: "With oil and gas companies pumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste fluids underground, and others testing new wells, we are clearly seeing the seismic results." (1)

A group of senior geologists recently called for a moratorium while the earthquakes are investigated. In a letter published in the Times, academics from Edinburgh university, UCL and Imperial College London wrote: "A moratorium is urgently needed on hydrocarbon exploration in the area of Surrey recently affected by 12 earthquakes." (2)

In the last six month Surrey has felt twelve earthquakes, the largest of which was 3.1 on the Richter scale. According to the British Geological Survey, which recently installed earthquake monitors in the area, the earthquakes occurred 200-700 metres below ground.

Campaigners claim oil and gas operations are the possible cause, and are the result of the recent drilling.

Simon Elster said: "We call for an moratorium and and immediate inspections of all wells to ensure their well integrity remains intact."

In Lancashire a gas company admitted to causing two earthquakes near Blackpool in 2011. This led the government to impose an informal moratorium. The earthquakes were 2.3 and 1.5 on the Richter scale.

Weblinks:
www.drillordrop.com
www.davidsmythe.org
www.brockhamoilwatch.org
www.voiceforleithhill.co.uk

1/ At a drill site near Brockham, Surrey, Angus Energy recently injected 600,000 gallons of wastewater into a well, an activity linked to earthquakes in the US. Meanwhile at nearby Horse Hill, UKOG are currently "flow testing", a process that involved pressuring the sub strata to assess underground reserves.

2/ "Surrey Quake Fears", the Times (attached), letter signed by Stuart Gifillian, senior lecturer in geochemistry, University of Edinburgh, Stuart Haseldine, professor of geology, University of Edinburgh, Bill McGuire, emeritus professor in geophysical and climate hazards, UCL, Richard Selley, emeritus professor of petroleum geology, Imperial College London.

Tags: News, Earthquakes, Surrey, protest

Campaigners against oil drilling on Leith Hill have slammed the grant of an exploratory drill permit by the Environment Agency.

Over 103,000 people had signed a petition to the Environment Agency about concerns over drinking water pollution and two separate independent experts submitted detailed evidence about the risks.

But the Environment Agency has now approved the permit – subject to all other permissions being granted. Planning consent for the site in Coldharbour Lane runs out on August 7th and Europa Oil and Gas is in the process of applying for an extension. The Traffic Management Plan involving hundreds of HGV movements in the narrow and historic tree lined lane has been the main sticking point.

Julian Everett of community group, A Voice for Leith Hill: said: “It’s sadly symbolic that just before this year's Earth Overshoot Day - when humanity will have used more from nature than our planet can renew in the entire year – this permit has been granted by the government agency responsible for protecting our environment. The EA has decided to permit activities that will exacerbate climate change and jeopardise our drinking water supply in an area that is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of seismic activity.

“The EA claims activities will be closely monitored, yet despite several site visits they were unaware of an entire side-track being illegally drilled at Brockham - drilling that was conducted by the same company that now has the farm-out deal at Leith Hill. Instead, once again it is going to fall to the citizens of Surrey to do the job these publicly funded professionals should be doing: of protecting our environment and communal resources, and of upholding the will of local democracy”.

Europa Oil and Gas has spent ten years trying to get its permits for the exploratory 18 week drill but bitter opposition by the local community and local councils has meant that no drilling has started.

To sign the petition please visit >>> LINK

Tags: Leith Hill, Environment Agency, Earth Overshoot Day, Europa Oil and Gas, Surrey, The Traffic Management Plan

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair, now in its 8th year takes place at the Birtley Estate in Bramley on Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October from 10am – 5pm.

Each year the fair gets bigger and better yet retains the traditional charm of a rural day out in the Surrey Hills for all the family.

This year you’ll discover a range of interesting stalls to browse and buy from as well as great local produce and a variety of refreshment stands including a beer tent! The Surrey and Sussex Coppice workers will be demonstrating their skills and there will be opportunities to buy a whole host of wood products.

There’s a big focus on families with lots for children from craft making and animal attractions to theatre shows and workshops courtesy of the Man in the Moon Theatre Tent. The Wood Fair is also FREE for children under 12, making this a family day out not to be missed!

Come and discover:
• Coppice Crafts & Wood Products
• Trade Stands
• Local Produce
• Horse & Wagon Rides
• Demonstrations, including Horse Logging
• Bug Hunts
• Wide Range of Catering & Beer Tent
• Live Music provided by the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM)
• Children’s Activities (including Tree Climbing and Zip wires!)
• Animal Attractions

Entertainment remains high on the agenda this year and once again we will be working with the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford to showcase local musicians. To entertain the whole family, why not take a ride on the ever popular horse and wagon rides or marvel at the spectacular chainsaw demonstrations on site?

For more information please visit: www.surreyhills.org

Prices:
Adult (early pre-booked online) - £7.50
Adult (on the gate) - £10
Member of the Surrey Hills Society (with valid card) - £5
Children (under 12) – FREE

Tags: What's On, The Surrey Hills Wood Fair, Birtley Estate, Bramley, Surrey, Local Produce, Trade Stands, Horse Logging

Retail entrepreneur and ex-dragon Theo Paphitis has given Molesey based Susan Holton Knitwear a Twitter Boost.

Susan Holton, owner of Susan Holton Knitwear – based in East Molesey, Surrey - tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his 500,000 Twitter followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has nearly 2000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK.

Retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re-tweeted Sue’s message to his almost 500,000 followers last year, and as a result visitors to her website: www.susanholtonknitwear.com have jumped and her Twitter followers (@SusanHoltonKnit) are now nearly 4,000.

Earlier this month Sue collected her #SBS winners certificate at the winners conference in Birmingham, and at the same time, she had her photograph taken with Theo.

And today’s exciting news, from now on, in addition to her web site, Susan Holton Knitwear can now be found on the exclusive members’ selling platform www.shopsbs.co.uk where hundreds of winners are already selling thousands of products, from unique gifts and bespoke knitwear to pet toys and jewellery. It is another opportunity for #SBS winners to turn tweets into sales.

You’ll find Sue’s knitwear on ShopSBS at: www.shopsbs.co.uk/susanholtonknitwear

Susan Holton said, “It is so helpful to have support from Theo, it’s very hard trying to raise the business profile of a small business and it’s great that Theo has recognised our hard work and helps spread the word to his following.”

Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue Chairman, Theo Paphitis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website and Shop #SBS will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Susan Holton Knitwear every success.”

Susan Holton said “It’s lovely to be part of the #SBS winners club, Theo is very supportive and other #SBS members – who all run small businesses - are a very helpful and knowledgeable group of people”.

Tags: Theo Paphitis, Susan Holton Knitwear, Susan Holton, Ryman Stationery, Small Business Sunday, East Molesey, Surrey

Iconic Double-Deckers will Flock to Brooklands for 60th Anniversary

26 June 2016

Dozens of London Transport’s iconic Routemaster buses will be marking the double-decker’s 60th anniversary at the London Bus Museum’s summer event on 26 June. Supported by the Routemaster Association, the event at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey will feature live bus services and excursions, and the organisers hope to have every major variant of the Routemaster on display.

The first Routemaster bus entered service on Route 2 at Crystal Palace in February 1956 and the last was withdrawn from front-line service in December 2005. In all, 2,876 Routemasters were built of which, according to the Routemaster Association, 1,280 are still in existence. They can still be seen on the streets in London on Transport for London’s Heritage Route 15 between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square and much further afield in various liveries and model variants.

Visitors to the event can expect to see a variety of visiting buses and other vehicles as well as London Bus Museum’s own collection, which is housed in LBM’s Cobham Hall on the Brooklands Museum site. There will be excursions* to Guildford and Hampton Court on historic buses and, more locally, there will be the opportunity to ride on a Horse Bus*. Face painting* and a Playbus* will be laid on to keep youngsters entertained, and entry to the event includes access to all the aviation and motoring displays of Brooklands Museum. Extra paid attractions at Brooklands Museum such as rides in the 4D Theatre and the half-hour Concorde Experience will also be running all day. Collectors will be able to peruse the Market Place with models, books, artefacts and other historical items for sale with extra catering outlets ensuring that visitors are never far away from refreshment.

Gates open to the public at 9.00am and admission charges are: Adults £11.00, Children £6.00, Seniors and Students £10.00, Family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children) £30.00. The Concorde Experience is £5 for Adults and £3 for children, with rides in the 4D Theatre costing £4 for Adults and £2 for children.

*There will be a small charge for the bus excursions, the Horse Bus rides, Playbus and face painting.

Public parking will be in The Heights off Wellington Way – please follow event signage on the day. There will be a free bus service throughout day on Route 462 to take passengers using SouthWest Trains arriving at Weybridge Station to the event.

Tags: What's On, Brooklands, Brooklands Museum, Surrey, London Transport, Weybridge, Routemaster, buses

Secretts Garden and Farm Centre, Milford in Surrey 10 to 11 September 2016

(Patron Andrew Logan)

The Big Art Show will be one the largest art shows of it's kind in Surrey, showing some of the best craft and art artists in Britain. Exhibitors at this years’ show, include glass artists, ceramicists, furniture designers, jewellers, textile artists, painters, sculptors, metal workers.

There will be demonstrations including bronze casting, stone masonry, glass blowing, silversmithing, ceramics and a tattoo artist. Live entertainment with music and poetry readings, a bouncy castle and puppet shows with puppet-making work shops. Good food and drinks are available and free parking for 3,000 cars.

Please visit www.thebigartsshow.com under 'Call for Artists' for an application form places allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Tags: Secretts Garden and Farm Centre, The Big Art Show, Art, Milford, Surrey, metal workers., sculptors, painters, artists, furniture designers, jewellers, textile, glass artists, ceramicists

The Graphic Art of the First World War

9 January – 5 March 2016
Guildford House Gallery. A touring exhibition in Guildford from Leicestershire County Council Museum Service. Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956) was a famous international artist when the First World War broke out.

A self made artist and designer with no formal academic training, Brangwyn was well aware of the power of printed images to influence public opinion, and felt it was his patriotic duty to use his art on behalf of the war effort.

Although not an official war artist Brangwyn produced over 80 lithographs and posters during the First World War, which included images of the machinery of war, the non military involvement in the war effort, and rehabilitation of injured servicemen.

Born in Belgium he identified with its people and the destruction of the country at the start of the war. Brangwyn’s first poster Britain’s Call to Arms showed the reality of war in all its horror to the unsuspecting British public. The poster, which was displayed on the London Underground system inspired men to enlist in huge numbers. However the War Office, concerned by the graphic nature of the image asked Frank Pick, the commercial manager of the London Underground, to remove it from underground stations. They later relented and the poster continued to be used for recruitment during the early stages of the war.

This exhibition contains a selection of twenty imposing posters. These stark monochrome images show a glimpse of what life was like for many people during the war.

For further details call 01483 444751 or email heritageservices@guildford.gov.uk Exhibition entry is free.

Guildford House is open Monday - Saturday 10 – 4.45; Sunday 11-4 (May – Sept)

Tags: What's On, Guildford, Surrey, Art, Graphic Art, Frank Brangwyn, First World War, Guildford House Gallery

'Love yourself' this Autumn with the Weybridge Health Club & Spa

In association with Up&Go and Not Just Gym

The Weybridge Health Club & Spa are running an exciting competition to help transform the life of one deserving Surrey resident.

The competition prize is a six month package of bespoke health and wellbeing support worth over £3,500, to help one individual to get fitter, improve their health and to feel great on the inside and out.
The health club is looking to give back to the local community by supporting someone who will really benefit from the life-changing support. Perhaps someone recovering from an illness or injury, someone who has overcome great challenges in their life, helped others selflessly or simply shown amazing strength in difficult times.

The huge prize package of support consists of:
• Six months membership at The Weybridge Health Club & Spa
• Three intensive Personal Training sessions every week with the club’s expert fitness team
• Six spa treatments or massages in the onsite beauty Spa
• £100 of club vouchers for healthy food and drink at the club café
• A relaxing spa day at the club with treatments and lunch for the winner and a friend
• A daily supply of healthy ‘Up&Go’ breakfast drinks
• £50 voucher to spend on sportswear at Not Just Gym, Weybridge

The competition is open to men and women of all ages and individuals can submit their own entry or nominate their friends and family to win the prize. Everyone who enters or nominates will automatically receive a pass for a free day at the club, worth £20.

To enter the competition, individuals should submit their details at www.theweybridgeclub.com with just one sentence stating why they think they, or their friend, deserve to win.
Nominations must be received before 11 January 2016.

The Weybridge Health Club & Spa
Walton Lane, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8QA
enquiries@theweybridgeclub.com
www.theweybridgeclub.com

Text HEALTHY to 81025 for more information.

Tags: Weybridge, Up&Go, Surrey, Not Just Gym, Autumn, Weybridge Health Club & Spa

The Big Arts Show is inviting creative artists and crafts people to exhibit at its first Surrey event in 2016

This will take place at Secretts of Milford, near Guildford, Surrey on September 11 &12, and aims to provide a showcase for a wide diversity of artists using a range of formats and presentation through paint, sculpture, jewellery, glass, ceramics, furniture design, photography and performance art.

The family-friendly event will include over 150 exhibitors, workshops, painting classes and poetry readings, a real ale bar, eateries and live music.

Organiser David Dawkins, who spent his youth in Guildford, says: “We first launched in 2014 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and have spent the past two years building The Show’s reputation. We are now in a good position and confident to not only host our show at one but two locations in 2016.

“One of the reasons I started to hold The Big Art Show, was being an artist (BA in Glass) myself, I thought I would hold something affordable for artists. This has led to the success of the show in Shrewsbury, which has been supported by artists who normally attend shows, and artists and designers who would normally exhibit in galleries. Although the venue in Guildford will appeal to potential exhibitors based in the south of the country, as Shrewsbury does for those in the Midlands and the North, we are offering discounted packages for artists wishing to exhibit at both.”

Following 2015’s successful event, world-renowned artist Andrew Logan has agreed to continue his patronage of what has been called The Big Art Show till now. Commenting on this and the change in name to The Big Arts Show, David Dawkins continues: “Andrew Logan’s jewellery fashion show was one of the highlights of this year, which involved local people modelling his work, and enjoyed by exhibitors and visitors alike.

“The change from ‘Art’ to ‘Arts’ is a result of feedback received from visitors and exhibitors at this year’s event. We were reminded that the word ‘art’ is popularly taken to imply the work of painters to the exclusion of the many other forms that we present.

“In making the change to The Big Arts Show we are emphasising our aim to exhibit, promote and support a variety of art and the artists who create it. The new name is already in use on our website and in some promotional material. It will also be reflected in our web domain name and email addresses from early in 2016.”

For more information about exhibiting in 2016 phone 01694 771446, email: david@thebigartshow.co.uk or register here >>> www.thebigartshow.co.uk

Tags: What's On, 2016, The Big Arts Show, Secretts, Milford, Surrey, near Guildford

Unique Artworks

The Watts Contemporary Gallery at the Artists' Village in Compton, Surrey will host a very special Love and Life exhibition until October 17 and CharityStars will be supporting the exhibition with an online auction.

Among the works of art on show are pieces from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP and many more. Artworks have been donated and created by a wide variety of artists and celebrities including Sir Peter Blake, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Joanna Lumley OBE, Felicity Kendal CBE and many others. The artworks will then be auctioned for charity on October 17, but bids can be placed ahead of this date at http://www.charitystars.com/.

The auction is being supported by a variety of Royal Academicians and other leading artists. Artist to the stars Sherree Valentine Daines will also contribute a piece of art to the auction. The work will be inspired by the Artists¹ Village and once complete, it will be entered into the Love and Life auction.

Money raised will go to the Watts Gallery Trust and Transplant Links Community (TLC). TLC is a UK registered charity that saves the lives of children and adults in the developing world who suffer from fatal kidney disease. Established by a group of British doctors, they offer teaching and advice, as well as carry out living kidney transplants, and help local medical teams in a variety of countries.

A selection of the art that will be auctioned:
Arlene Phillips CBE: Drawing, Love & Life Boris Johnson MP: Drawing, Toot Toot! John and Kate Siebert: Artists’ proof, Illustration for Louis Aragon’s work “One who says things without saying anything”, by Marc Chagall, artist John and Kate Siebert: Limited edition lithograph, L’inspire, by Marc Chagall, artist The Belgravia Gallery: Lithograph, Girl on Gold, by Charles Mackesey, artist Sir Peter Blake: Carpet design, Carpet square from the Supreme Court Vanessa Raw, triathlete: Painting, New Dawn Dame Zaha Hadid, architect: Metal etching, Middle East Centre, St Antony¹s College Oxford

Perdita Hunt Director of Watts Gallery ­ Artists’ Village said: “G F Watts supported over 38 charitable causes and was a real philanthropist. It is exciting that Watts Gallery Trust is partnering with TLC, which saves lives through transplants, to mount an exhibition of generously donated works and to auction these in support of art for all and saving lives. We are delighted that the founder of TLC, has been one of the most successful artists-in-residence at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village.”

Dr Jennie Jewitt Harris, Chief Executive of TLC and current Artist-in-Residence at Watts said: “This is an exciting venture which combines the love of art with the chance to save lives. Funds raised will support our medical work in Zambia, Ghana, Trinidad and Jamaica; where there is a desperate need to help people with kidney failure. The artworks donated are so varied and we’ve been bowled over by the kind contributions, of artists and celebrities.”

Peter Monkman, artist and donor of a work said: “It was a real privilege to be invited to contribute to the Transplant Links and Watts charity auction, knowing the power of the visual arts in the context of the Watts Gallery ­ Artists’ Village to enlighten and improve the quality of life. I produced a painting especially where the child reaching up represents a sense of transformation, hope and reaching out.”

Online bidding please visit: www.charitystars.com The auctions close on Saturday October 17 2015.

Visit Watts Gallery website here LINK

Tags: What's On, charity, Borris Johnson, Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey, Art, Auctions

Sujet Saenkham is Australia’s hottest Thai chef

He learnt to cook on the family farm in a remote Thai village before moving to Australia, and he now has a critically acclaimed restaurant empire in Sydney. He’s coming to the UK to publish his cookbook Spice I Am and bring real Thai food to Britain’s dinner tables.

London events with pop-up kings Chateau Marmot sold out in hours but lucky folk in Surrey will be able to see him cook and buy a signed copy of his book Spice I Am (and more importantly taste his amazing food!) at 12noon on Saturday 3rd October in the demo tent at the Polesden Lacey Food Festival, nr Dorking.

The festival is run by Fantastic British Food Festivals, who are based in Leatherhead, and will also showcase local producers and food businesses from 2nd to 4th October. For more info visit their website here >>> LINK

Tags: food, What's On, Polesden Lacey Food Festival, Dorking, Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Hosts Surrey Sculpture Society Trail

22 August – 27 September 2015

RHS Garden Wisley welcomes the Surrey Sculpture Society into its beautiful grounds for the annual Surrey Sculpture Society Trail. This event brings together unique art works created by some of the most renowned artists, both established and emerging, from the South East.

The sculpture trail will open to the public on 22 August and run until 27 September 2015. Visitors to RHS Garden Wisley will discover a wide range of sculptures located throughout the grounds. The sculptures are made in stone, metal, bronze, resin, glass, ceramic, wood and found objects, and will be available to buy for a range of prices.

Teresa Martin, Surrey Sculpture Society’s exhibition manager for the event, said: “The Sculpture Trail at the RHS Garden Wisley in 2015 will echo some of the surreal aspects of the Alice in Wonderland garden with a diminutive ceramic merchant’s house and highly magnified plant forms on the Rock Garden that play with your sense of scale. There are intriguing and enchanting modelled forms cast with durable metal resins and some glorious celebratory shapes carved in stone, while the glass sculptures are stunning this year. The sad and the joyful aspects of our world are touched on by the artists, and some will definitely make visitors smile as they wander through the trail and find another piece round a corner in these magnificent gardens.”

Stephanie Fudge, Head of RHS Garden Wisley, said, “The Surrey Sculpture Trail at RHS Garden Wisley is an extremely popular event. The art is so beautifully presented and visitors can enjoy the garden setting at its best with the Mixed Borders in full flower. We enjoy seeing the sculptures change each year, and we love working with the Surrey Sculpture Society.”

Enjoy the delights of the trail when you visit for the floral extravaganza of the late-summer RHS Wisley Flower Show, 8 – 13 September, and the creative inspiration from spectacular colour of the the spectacular colour of the varied late-summer plantings throughout the garden.

Normal garden entry applies. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk

Tags: What's on, Surrey Sculpture Society Trail, Wisley Gardens, Sculpture, Surrey, Surrey Sculpture Society, RHS Garden Wisley

CLAY HAIR SALON, OXSHOTT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Clay Hair Salon (Oxshott, Surrey) has won ‘Business Salon of the Year 2015’ at the recent prestigious Salon Business Awards, held onboard ‘The Yacht’ on the Thames in London.

Salons across the UK submitted their entries in the hope that they would be shortlisted and potentially winners of one of these coveted awards. Clay Hair Salon was delighted to win ‘Business Salon of the Year’ that judged entries on every aspect of the business including customer experience, financial figures, marketing, social media, branding and staff development.

James Davis, owner and founder of Clay Hair Salon, says, ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve won Business Salon of the Year. We have the most amazing team here at Clay and a fantastic client base. I want to thank the team and in particular James Overton and Jo Berry for leading the day-to-day running of the business. This award recognizes what we’ve been able to create here at Clay. We’ve grown as a team, as a business and stayed close to our clients to ensure that they get a very special experience each and every time their visit.’

SPECIAL OFFER
In celebration of the Award, Clay is offering a special gift to readers of your publication a complimentary Luxury Hair Ritual Treatment (worth £20) with any hair service purchased. To find out more about Clay Hair Salon go to: www.clayhairsalon.com

Tags: News, Clay Hair Salon, Oxshott, Surrey, Salon Business Awards, Business Salon of the Year 2015

Summer Adventures in Wonderland at RHS Garden Wisley 22 July – 31 August 2015.

Don’t be late for a jam-packed summer of Adventures in Wonderland at Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Garden Wisley, Surrey. Join the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with free family activities every day.

In the same year that plantsman and former President of the RHS Edward Augustus Bowles was born, Lewis Carroll created the nonsensical and magical world of Wonderland. EA Bowles, too, harboured a passion for the weird and wonderful, and famously had an area in his garden devoted to his botanical curiosities. Bowles’ Corner at RHS Garden Wisley pays homage to this great plantsman with a selection of ‘interesting’ woodland plants.

This summer, discover a world of wonder at Wisley inspired by the logic-twisting tale of Lewis Carroll, sponsored by Witan Investment Trust. Enjoy horticultural highlights come rain or shine, outstanding mixed borders, fragrant rose gardens and sensational panoramas creating a feast for the senses. You’ll be welcomed to Wonderland with an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Top Terrace bedding scheme. Admire the wacky and wonderful design. Clashing colours and the White Rabbit lead you from reality to Wonderland, where you’ll find a 3-D sculpture of a caterpillar relaxing on a mushroom. This design was created by Wisley second-year horticulture Diploma students.

Explore, cook, play and plant your way to the perfect summer with gardening-inspired activities for all ages. Free activities include gardening, arts and crafts, music, theatre and puppet shows. Have an ‘un-birthday’ with a session of Eat Me, Drink Me cookery, or face painting on Tuesdays (payable and bookable in advance).

Follow the clues for curiouser and curiouser encounters throughout the garden with the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, the Caterpillar and the Cheshire Cat – and, of course, Alice herself. Discover the many bronze sculptures by the renowned Robert James Workshop around the garden. Take on the adventure, explore down the rabbit-hole willow tunnels, play flamingo croquet… you’ll be grinning like a Cheshire Cat this summer at Wisley.

2015 is the Year of the Sunflower, and this summer you’ll spot lots of them around the garden. From single blooms to multi-headed, toddler-sized to several metres tall, sunflowers are diverse. The giant flowers will be just like being in Wonderland. All over Europe many gardens as well as trials gardens will be celebrating the wide variation and uses of sunflowers. At RHS Garden Wisley you’ll see dwarf sunflowers in containers, agricultural, border and cut sunflowers for an RHS Award of Garden Merit trial. Be sure to vote for your favourite in the RHS People’s Choice during the summer months.

Eat the Queen of Hearts’ jam tarts at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Picnic
Join Alice and her friends for fun and entertainment at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Picnic. Wear your most creative hat and gather your friends! Pick up a picnic including your jam tart. Seating is limited: pre-booking and pre-payment will be required. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk. Normal garden admission applies.

Bring your family along for a full day of fun every day of the holidays. Activities each day, some bookable in advance, visit www.rhs.org.uk for what’s on when.

Tags: What's on, Wisley Gardens, Surrey, RHS Garden Wisley

Shere Hill Climb takes place on 6 September 2015 and entries open on 1 March

The event takes place on a closed public road in the Surrey Hills, four miles from Guildford. Although only in its third year it’s already become one for the diary for anyone with the slightest interest in cars.

The organisers are looking for interesting cars that you rarely see on the roads these days, they don’t necessarily need to be valuable The car and driver must be road legal but no competition licence or preparation is required. There are only 135 spaces available, last year’s entry was heavily oversubscribed with many rare and exotic cars, ranging from a 1907 aero engine Berliet to a bright green two week old Lamborghini Aventador. You can get the flavour of the event from the videos and photos of previous years posted on their web site.

The cost of an entry is only £65 per car, with details and entry form available at www.sherehillclimb.co.uk

The hill climb course ascends by 300 feet over a distance of nearly a mile with a series of challenging corners along the route. There are panoramic views across the Surrey countryside, London and the Wembley Arch can be seen in the distance. Around four thousand spectators are expected, so if you don’t fancy taking part but would like to watch the action, the event kicks off at 9.30am. The event raises money for seven local charities. Last year, the event raised an impressive £13,000, the organisers hope to beat that figure this year.

For further details please contact Esmond Foster
Email: info@sherehillclimb.co.uk
Tel: 07901598871

Tags: Shere Hill Climb, Berliet, Surrey, Guildford, Surrey Hills, London, Wembley Arch, Lamborghini Aventador

Whats on at the Riverhouse Arts Centre

There's a real treat for Jazz fans tomorrow, Friday, because the acclaimed Trish Clowes Quintet comes to Riverhouse featuring award winning pianist Gwilym Simcock, whom many of you will have heard perform in his solo concert last Autumn.

On Saturday afternoon, Poet Wendy Cope joins us for afternoon tea, readings, book signing and a Q and A. We are also excited to welcome Piers Lane as our next International Piano Series performer on February 28 so book now!

Join us for our first Story Story Night on March 6. It's the latest craze in storytelling for Adults. We will have a line up of fascinating experienced Storytellers in the first half (details below) and then open mic after the interval. Tickets for this stimulating evening are just £5! For the Kids, we have Lucky Dip Disco this Sunday 22nd. Our next Story Cafe 'Farmer Duck' March 1 at 3pm and book now for our fun packed Easter Show Signor Baffo's Restaurant on April 4. Simon Heath has been 'cartooning the cafe'. Come and see what he has created with children (and adults) attending his free workshops. His last day is Friday, so you can still get involved.

Riverhouse Arts Centre: Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2PF
Email: arts@riverhousebarn.co.uk
Box Office: 01932 25335
Website: www.riverhousebarn.co.uk

Tags: Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Riverhouse Arts Centre, Poet Wendy Cope, Trish Clowes Quintet, Gwilym Simcock, Piers Lan, Story Story Night, Story Cafe 'Farmer Duck', Signor Baffo's Restaurant, Simon Heath