This Christmas, Great British Racing encourages you to get out of the house and over to Kempton Park Racecourse for an unmissable Boxing Day with your family

From 16December to 2 January, there are over 60 fantastic race fixtures taking place all across the country at which under 18s go free*, meaning it’s the ideal time to get the whole family along to your local course.

Across the Christmas period, Boxing Day is one of the most thrilling race days in the calendar, with eight fixtures taking place including The 32Red Winter Festival at Kempton Park in Sunbury-on-Thames. What better way to burn off that turkey than a family day out at your local racecourse.

While down at the course, there’s plenty for kids to see and do, from visiting the pre-parade ring and winner’s enclosure, getting a jockey’s autograph, to watching a race next to a jump.

The gates will open at 10.00am on Boxing Day, with the first race scheduled for 12.45pm and the last at 3.40pm. It’s an absolute treat for top quality racing with no less than three Grade 1 races and plenty of festive fun for the whole family.

Head to www.under18sracefree.com to find your local fixture, watch Sara Cox’s Race Guide and find more fun racing activities for the kids this Boxing Day. *Check individual racecourse websites for more details

26 December Boxing Day Race Locations: Sedgefield Racecourse Wetherby Racecourse Market Rasen Racecourse Wolverhampton Racecourse Huntingdon Racecourse Wincanton Racecourse Fontwell Park Racecourse Kempton Park Racecourse

Tags: What's On, Horse Racing, Boxing Day, Sedgefield Racecourse, Wetherby Racecourse, Market Rasen Racecourse, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Huntingdon Racecourse, Wincanton Racecourse, Fontwell Park Racecourse, Kempton Park Racecourse

The exclusive hotel located in a restored 12th-century abbey surrounded by vineyards in Spain’s Duero wine-growing region – and Chef Marc Segarra have been recognised for their culinary excellence with one Michelin Star.

Refectorio received its first Michelin Star in 2014, achieved just two years after the hotel opened. Thanks to the extraordinary vision of Chef Segarra and his skilled culinary team, the restaurant maintained its one Michelin Star rating in 2015, 2016 and now again in 2017.

Refectorio restaurant at Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – the exclusive hotel located in a restored 12th-century abbey surrounded by vineyards in Spain’s Duero wine-growing region – and Chef Marc Segarra have been recognised for their culinary excellence with one Michelin Star.

Refectorio received its first Michelin Star in 2014, achieved just two years after the hotel opened. Thanks to the extraordinary vision of Chef Segarra and his skilled culinary team, the restaurant maintained its one Michelin Star rating in 2015, 2016 and now again in 2017.

"We are extremely proud to be consistently recognised by Michelin as being among the best restaurants in Spain and the world,” said Enrique Valero, Managing Director of Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine. “It is the passion, effort and enthusiasm of the Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine team that brought us the prestigious One Michelin Star ranking. Day after day, we strive to exceed the expectations of our guests and make their stay unforgettable."

The gastronomic focus of Refectorio has been based, from the beginning, on innovative contemporary cuisine prepared with the highest-quality, locally sourced ingredients – ensuring that the hotel contributes to the development of the sustainable local economy. The region boasts a great culinary richness with a wide array of fine food products. Refectoria offers two tasting menus for dinner, which vary throughout the year based on the available seasonal products.

"From the first day, I was challenged to do something extraordinary in the kitchen in keeping with the 900-year-old heritage of our world-class hotel,” said Chef Segarra. “Through maximum commitment and a focus on creativity and detail, our goal was to surprise guests with each bite of each dish, which would be paired with the exquisite wines of our own winery. It was the perfect recipe to bring our guests an unprecedented culinary experience.”

For more information visit >>> www.ledomaine.es

Tags: food, What's On, Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

22 November 2017 - 4 March 2018 Munich, Germany

We are off to a great start with this article in the BILD newspaper

MUCA believes that art has the potential to change the perception on the world. This philosophy runs through our project, where we try to change the world's perception on and celebrate indigenous cultures through Jimmy's photography, films and storytelling. This is an unique opportunity to see Jimmy's work exhibited in a museum setting. See here >>> LINK

For more information about planned, current and past exhibtions visit >>> www.jimmynelson.com

Tags: What's On, Photography, Jimmy Nelson, MUCA

London Tours

Trained pastry chef Lynne Staartjes introduces her company, Sweet Tooth Tours Limited. The company launched in July 2017

Tourists and Londoners alike are able to discover London’s best independent bakeries, gelaterias, cheesemongers, chocolate shops and more on the tours. Each tour has up to 6 guests, lasts approximately 2 ½ hours and includes tasting portions at several stops. Guests are accompanied around Belgravia on foot to discover its edible hidden gems. In addition to learning about the desserts tasted, the shops and their owners, the tour also incorporates the history and stories of the local area. There are exclusive opportunities to peek into the onsite kitchens and chat with many of the shop owners.

Guests can choose the signature Belgravia tour, a gluten-free version or the “Sugar and Spice” tour which also incorporates savory stops. A Soho version of the tour will be launching soon. For the ultimate tour of London’s sweet spots, Sweet Tooth Tours has partnered with Rolls-Royce to offer an exclusive version of the tour by chauffer driven Rolls-Royce. The tours are perfect gifts and can also be arranged for children’s birthday parties, baby showers, or hen dos. Additionally, courses such as bread or scone making and cake decorating can be added to enhance the experience. Bespoke tours can be tailored to visit sweet spots around London or as far afield as Amsterdam, Paris or New York. Sweet Tooth Tours has been featured in Town & Country, The Observer and British Airways High Life amongst other publications.

Prices start at £48 per person please visit www.sweettoothtours.com for more information.

Tags: What's On, food, sweet tooth tours, Lynne Staartjes, bakeries, gelaterias, Belgravia, cheesemongers, chocolate shops

'Platinum selling music icon Ronan Keating leads a star-studded line-up - for one sensational night only - of songs, laughter and variety, at the Phoenix Theatre on 19 November at 7:30pm, for the Mane Chance West End Charity Gala Spectacular.

Ronan is joined by triple-reality TV singing sensation Joe McElderry, pop star Amelia Lily, ventriloquist America’s Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin, chart-topping singer-songwriter Sandi Thom and superstar soprano Margaret Keys. With Jake Quickenden, Marti Webb, Patti Boulaye, Beau Dermott, Joe McGann, Virginia McKenna, Jenny Seagrove and a host of other favourites from the world of music, theatre, TV and entertainment. Supported by a live on-stage band. With all profits to Mane Chance charity.
Tickets are available from www.atgticekts.com/phoenix '

Tags: What's On, Mane Chance, Gala

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

Three-day family-friendly festival with camping

11, 12 & 13 August 2017 - 10am – 9pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 10am-7pm Sun
West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0RX

West Dean Gardens award-winning Chilli Fiesta returns with a creative flair for its 22nd Year (11, 12, &13 August). The UK’s biggest chilli festival attracts 25,000 visitors who come to enjoy the three-day programme full of food, live music and entertainment. The family-friendly festival takes place in the spectacular grounds of West Dean Estate, in the heart of the South Downs National Park, home to West
Dean College, acclaimed for arts and conservation, and glorious West Dean Gardens. With a sizzling selection of live performances, 140 market stalls, cookery demos by top chefs, garden tours, visitors can expect to party and dance to live Latin music, watch cookery and gardening demonstrations, and dine on delicious chilli foods.

Live Latino music and dance performances throughout the weekend start at 10am on all three days and finish at 9pm on Friday, 10.30pm on Saturday and 9pm on Sunday. Some notable performances for 2017 will include: Andalus; the leading Gipsy Kings tribute band, Kongo Dia Ntoltila, the rumba, afro-jazz band, all girl Rock ‘n’ Roll band; The Daisy Chains as well as The Fontana’s – the Afro Brazilian live band. Big Noise Band, the community Samba Band will be returning by popular demand, as will the steel pan, acoustic guitar and percussion trio - Steel Strum.

Festival-goers will be dazzled by the legendary Latino Strictly Come Dancing professional, Oti Mabuse, as she takes centre stage on Sunday 13th August at 13:15, 14.45 and 16.30. Salsa dancers Debbi and Francisco will be turning up the heat with interactive dance workshops and reigning UK Latin American Dance Champions Ryan and Ksenia will be returning this year to perform throughout the weekend. Visitors can pick up new culinary skills in the Cookery Theatre as they experience live food demonstrations by a host of incredible top chefs and food influencers. Recognisable faces such as Dragons Den’s most renowned entrepreneur Levi Roots, the most recent MasterChef winner Saliha Mahmood- Ahmed and previous Professional MasterChef champion Steven Edwards will be among those offering top tips and demonstrating their culinary skills.

Dan Doherty will be taking the weekend off from London’s renowned Duck and Waffle, where he is the Chef Director, to join in with the Chilli festivities to talk about his latest book ‘Toast Hash Roast Mash’, as well as offering advice to budding chefs and food enthusiasts. Country pub and the Earl of March (in Lavant), along with Henry Herbert from The Fabulous Baker Brothers and West Dean’s Head Chef Dan Frowen, will be revealing their culinary secrets and answering questions during their demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre. Giles Thomson, formally Executive Head Chef at the Ritz London and now owner and Head Chef of The Earl of March will be compering the Cookery Theatre throughout the weekend. Rosie Birkett, chef, food stylist and journalist will also be in the Cookery Theatre and will be putting on interactive workshops in the Workshop Tent as will Kate Morris, who specializes in cookery skills for children. Kate is a co-devisor of CBeebies’ ‘I Can Cook’. Using ingredients from all over the world, these chefs will be sharing their knowledge in an easy and relatable manner, ensuring visitors take away new skills to recreate at home.

Learn the true art of growing chillies with West Dean Gardens’ very own Gardens Supervisor and chilli expert Sarah Wain. Sarah along with her husband, Gardens Manager Jim Buckland, have managed the award-wining gardens for the last 26 years. In their Victorian glasshouses 150 chilli varieties will be on display. In the Garden Theatre Sarah will be joined by another chilli expert from the Chilli Alchemist, who make unique chilli products to compliment all types of taste buds. They will be revealing information about how and why our bodies react to the fiery fruits. Edible Ornaments, the team behind The Cherwood Chilli Ranch, will also be taking to the Gardening Theatre stage along with Sea Spring Seeds, who will be teaching the audience how to pick the perfect pepper. Mark Diacono, award-winning food writer, grower and photographer will be talking about life on Otter Farm and Emily Rae will be giving her top gardening tips. Rachel Seigfried will be in the Gardening Theatre on Sunday at 13:45 and she will be advising the best flowers to grow for intense colour in late summer.

Also new for 2017 is the Hidden Cinema with three screenings a day, including an art film and a children’s screening. Brand new workshops will offer dance, drumming, food and children’s cookery. There will be a selection of bars and restaurants onsite and a wide range of chilli-related food stalls, as well as foods to cater to all tastes, from champagne and seafood to Mediterranean delights. With over 140 stalls, visitors can expect a great variety of quirky gifts available to purchase, from hot and spicy foods of the world to chilli plants, seeds and gifts. All shopping stalls close at 6pm but there will be a range of food and drinks available into the evening as the entertainment continues.

Camping for the weekend
Weekend family-friendly camping offers full top of the range campsite facilities (including showers, flushable toilets and running water). Camping tickets must be purchased online prior to arrival as pitches are limited. The campsite on the rolling West Dean Estate is split into three zones and is picked on the day of arrival: Jalapeno (most popular general camping area, close to the event arena and enhancing the festival atmosphere); Pimento (quiet camping area away from the main arena ideal for a good night's sleep); and Bell (family friendly and close to the toilets and showers). A limited number of pitches are available so early booking is essential.

Book online at: www.chillifiesta.co.uk

Tags: What's On, Chilli Fiesta, West Dean Gardens

Silent Pool Distillery flew the flag for Guildford’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit at an international market in Germany last weekend.

The two year-old company was invited by Freiburg, Guildford’s twin town, to come to its biennial ‘Sister Cities’ Market, where representatives from its other nine ‘twins’ - Besançon, Innsbruck, Padua, Madison USA, Matsuyama, Lviv, Granada, Isfahan and Suwon, also had stands promoting their local specialities.


Guildford is one of Freiburg’s longest running twin towns. They linked nearly 40 years ago and it was through the 2016 Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, that Silent Pool Gin found its way onto the stall in the historic market square. He had taken a bottle of Silent Pool Gin as a gift for his opposite number on an earlier visit to Freiburg and it proved a popular choice!

The Guildford Twinning Committee volunteers served tea and cakes and Silent Pool Distillery director Ian McCulloch and chief bottler Joe Van den Berg presided over a Silent Pool stall laden with their full range of spirits. They even took the trouble to get all their branding and information translated into German for the occasion!

“The weather was lovely, everyone was very friendly and they really liked Silent Pool Gin,” said Ian. “Freiburg is a beautiful city and it was a great opportunity to go there and represent the best of Guildford.”

The Silent Pool Distillers is a new artisan distillery nestled under the North Downs in Albury, Surrey. It specializes in entirely hand-crafted spirits using a range of botanicals – fruits, flowers, spices, herbs – to capture the essence of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the bounty of English orchards, gardens and hedgerows. Silent Pool Gin is now exported across Europe and soon to the US, as well as available nationally and at local farmer’s markets. 

The still is powered by a wood fired boiler using logs from the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate and water comes from the spring-fed Silent Pool. The pool itself, just below the distillery’s converted farm buildings, is the subject of wonderful romantic medieval legend. Visit silentpooldistillers.com

Tags: What's On, Silent Pool , Gin, Guildford

International Animal Rescue (IAR) is delighted to present ‘A Summer Soiree' hosted by Baroness Soujata Devaris at her elegant home at in Belgravia, on Thursday 29th June from 6.30pm.

There will be a Silent Auction with entertainment by The Massive Violins and guests will be served champagne and canapes.

Special Guests, Celebs and entertainment at the Summer Soiree
This special event will include a musical performance from The Massive Violins (with Grace Chatto from Clean Bandit) as well as guest readings from Downton Abbey's Peter Egan. Confirmed guests include Buzz Aldrin (astronaut), Sir Ray Davies (The Kinks), Steven Cree (Outlander), Lucy Pinder (model) and Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly), Lucy Speed (Eastenders) and Ampika Pickston (Housewives of Cheshire).

Orangutans are listed as Critically Endangered in West Borneo thanks to the effects of mass deforestation and human animal conflict. Alan Knight OBE, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue will make a statement on the current situation with orangutans in West Borneo and how the rescue and rehabilitation programme of IAR is the only hope for orangutans.

In particular, IAR shall be raising money to help protect orangutans by securing more forest as part of their orangutan rescue centre in Ketapang, West Borneo. This will ensure there is enough space to rehabilitate many more rescued orangutans which can then be released into areas of protected forest.



About International Animal Rescue (IAR)
As human populations expand, wildlife comes under increasing threat. IAR rescues individual animals belonging to species like the orangutan and reintroduces them into protected areas in the wild. This emergency conservation work plays an increasingly important role in the preservation of threatened species.

International Animal Rescue's mission is to rescue animals from suffering all over the world. From cutting free and caring for dancing bears in India, rescuing primates from captivity in Indonesia to sterilising and vaccinating stray dogs and cats in developing countries. Wherever possible, rescued animals are returned to their natural environment but some are provided with a permanent home in a sanctuary when they can no longer survive in the wild.

To book tickets for A Summer Soiree by clicking this link www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Tags: International Animal Rescue, What's On, Alan Knight, The Massive Violins, Neil Morrissey, Ampika Pickston, Lucy Speed, Steven Cree, Lucy Pinder, Sir Ray Davies, Peter Egan, Buzz Aldrin

First night dawns in the UK's newest opera house - built in only 11 months!

A new opera house being built across the fields from Cranmore School is too good an opportunity to miss and 13 of our pupils join the cast for the run of Tosca.

Opening night was in a nearly finished theatre built in 11 months with 750 seats, a drum-like construction with a four-tiered horseshoe auditorium based on La Scala, Milan crouched in the walled grounds of West Horsley Place, Surrey.

There were marvellous performances by a star cast including Joseph Calleja, Ekaterina Metlova and Roland Woodand. This will go down as a night to remember for our lucky musicians.

Tags: What's On, Cranmore, Cranmore School

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

Award winning Coffee Shop and Food Store Caracoli are delighted to announce the opening of their fifth site in Haslemere, Surrey at the beginning of August.

The new stylish and contemporary store takes pride of place on Haslemere High Street in a prime location for busy shoppers.

Caracoli are proud of being a ‘destination store’ for customers in the home counties, who travel from far and wide to drink their outstanding coffee and enjoy their delicious food in Alresford, Winchester, Guildford and Farnham. Food and drink served by Caracoli is of an exceptionally high quality and freshness as it is prepared daily in their nearby kitchens using local produce and suppliers wherever possible. The Food store sells a myriad of specialist foods, local cheeses, wine, cooking accessories and food related gifts so customers can browse whilst enjoying their cappuccinos.

Owner and Director Gail Nichols explains why Haslemere was the obvious choice for their fifth store opening, ‘ We have been looking for premises similar in size to our very first Caracoli in Alresford with sufficient space to combine our signature Coffee Shop with Food Store which aligns with our brand. Haslemere is ideally placed to expand our business and has always been one of the towns on our radar. The premises are perfectly situated in the centre of the High street and we are very excited to be coming to the town.’

With busy commuters in mind, Caracoli Haslemere will be open from 7.30 am Monday – Friday for early birds and school run mums. Delicious food such as the Avocado breakfast; smashed avocado on artisan sourdough topped with a poached egg, crispy local bacon, roasted cherry tomatoes and a pesto drizzle - will be served all day.

Caracoli has won numerous food industry awards and each year their many food products have achieved one and two stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards. Gail and her team are constantly looking to deliver exceptional customer service, boasting some of the best baristas in the business and they are looking forward to sharing their love of great food and coffee with the people of Haslemere.

Caracoli Haslemere will be open Monday to Saturday 7.30am – 5.00pm and Sunday 9.00am – 5.00pm and is located at 27 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2HG.
www.caracoli.co.uk

Tags: What's On

The celebrated food festival returns to the palace’s formal gardens for three fabulous days this August Bank Holiday weekend

The BBC Good Food Festival is back for its third year, and will be held in the spectacular gardens of Hampton Court Palace.

Hosted in partnership with independent charity Historic Royal Palaces, and set over the three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend, it offers a great selection of delicious artisan producers, a stellar line up of cooks and chefs, fabulous entertainment, family fun and great, live music.

Comprising over 100 hand-picked artisan producers and companies, with everything from oysters to sausages, and brownies to crepes, the Festival is guaranteed to delight even the most committed foodie. Look out for Lomito, serving Argentine rib-eye steak sandwiches, or Borough Market’s Jumi Cheese, offering a selection of the finest Swiss emmental. There’s even guilt-free ice-cream from Oppo - complete with a superfood boost - all set against a backdrop of one of Britain’s most historic buildings.

A highlight of the Festival will undoubtedly be the 300 seat Summer Kitchen Theatre, which will play host to some of the biggest names in food. Join Paul Hollywood, John Torode and double Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr. as they whip up a selection of summer dishes live on stage. Meanwhile, over at the Interview Stage, food lovers will be able to discover the secrets of their favourite chefs’ success as they share top tips and tales from their life in the kitchen, before taking questions from the audience. There’ll even be the chance for visitors to get some of their favourite cookbooks signed, with Lisa Faulkner and Michel Roux Jr. among those already confirmed.

Across the weekend, a fantastic live music programme will provide the perfect summer soundtrack, with the sassy trio of singers The Polka Dots, jive group Cody and the Retro Boys and jazz band Doolally Tap all playing from the bandstand. With Hampton Court Palace deckchairs – each of which bears a character from the palace’s past – dotted around the garden, it’s the perfect place to soak up the Festival atmosphere. For families, live circus show performances, circus skills workshops, face painting and the new Gnome Zone - an opportunity for families to uncover some of the hidden stories of the palace’s celebrated gardens as told through a trail of decorated gnomes created by artists and local community groups – promise to keep everyone entertained.

As Hampton Court celebrates its world-famous gardens throughout 2016, visitors to the festival will be encouraged to explore the palace’s stunning surroundings, with the world’s oldest puzzle maze, the largest grapevine on the planet and a new play garden; the Magic Garden, waiting to be discovered. Inside the palace, there’s an exhibition of Georgian landscapes once owned by Empress Catherine the Great, while in the Tudor kitchens, Hampton Court’s team of historic chefs will be cooking up a storm, roasting meat on the great fire and creating a meal fit for a King!

Laura Biggs, Managing Director of River Street Events comments, “We are delighted to host the BBC Good Food Festival for the third time in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace. The last two years have been an overwhelming success and we continue to get bigger and better with more exhibitors and more big names, all who will be cooking live in the Summer Kitchen.”

Paul Gray, Director of Hampton Court Palace said, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming the BBC Good Food Festival back to Hampton Court, a palace synonymous with food and feasting. We’re lucky enough to have not only the world’s largest grapevine but a working kitchen garden and even a rare surviving Tudor Kitchen, and the festival is a fantastic addition to these treasures – even if just for one weekend!”

Tickets, which include entry to both Hampton Court Palace and the BBC Good Food Festival, are on sale now at: www.bbcgoodfoodfestival.com

Tags: What's On

Friday 16 & Saturday 17 September 2016

The London Shooting Show on the 16 and 17 of September is an invitation only exclusive event showcasing the best of British game shooting.

Expect to see a lot of tweed and beautiful fashion alongside the finest English craftsmanship employed to make the finest guns. Experience the thrill of firing a large calibre rifle or shoot a Purdey shotgun at clay pigeons at this event filled show. Only 40 minutes from the centre of London.

The British countryside comes to London in September so - Aim To Be There!

Book your invitation here through www.londonshootingclub.com

Tags: What's On, Shooting, Exclusive, London Shooting Club

Annual arts festival celebrations to focus on centenary of the birth of Festival Founder Yehudi Menuhin, The Queen’s 90th Birthday and Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary

Windsor Festival, the highly respected annual arts festival, will be located within and around the grounds of Windsor Castle taking place from 18 September 2016 to 2 October 2016. This year the Festival programme observes three significant anniversaries: The centenary of the birth of Yehudi Menuhin, one of the founding artistic directors of the Festival, The Queen’s 90th Birthday and Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary.

The centenary of the birth of Yehudi Menuhin is marked by three concerts in the Waterloo Chamber featuring violin concertos:

• On Thursday, 22 September in Centenary of Yehudi Menuhin: Mozart, Violinist Tasmin Little is joined by the English Chamber Orchestra in the Waterloo - Chamber, Windsor Castle, where she will play Mozart’s Concerto No. 4 in D major

• On Saturday, 24 September, Centenary of Yehudi Menuhin: The Four Seasons includes Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, and Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending – all famous works which are central to the violin repertoire. The concert will take place in the Waterloo Chamber, Windsor Castle

• On Tuesday, 27 September, The Philharmonia, Windsor Festival’s Associate Orchestra visit us with the supreme violinist Vadim Repin in Centenary of Yehudi Menuhin: Bruch. The Philharmonia will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s masterpiece, the Pastoral Symphony in the Waterloo Chamber, Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s 90th Birthday has been celebrated widely, but we bring our own tribute to Her Majesty through music:

• A special concert, “Celebrating The Queen’s 90th Birthday” will take place on Monday, 26 September at 19:30 in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The concert is a unique gathering of choirs, all with special links to The Queen, with a popular programme of music inspired by and featured in Her Majesty’s life.


Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary is celebrated in a multitude of ways with discussions and walking tours, as well as through the music inspired by his plays:

• “Shakespeare and Windsor: A 400th Anniversary Walk” will take place on Monday, 19 September at 10:30am starting at the Royal Windsor Information Centre. Accompanied by our expert guides, this walk visits locations in Windsor associated with Shakespeare and his play The Merry Wives of Windsor, a story of marriage, wealth, jealousy and lies, all brought to life with appropriate literary quotations along the way.

• “Romeo and Juliet through Music” will take place on Tuesday, 20 September in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle at 19:30. The work of William Shakespeare has stimulated composers throughout the last 400 years. In the magnificent surroundings of St George’s Chapel, the exceptionally talented orchestra Orpheus Sinfonia will bring their own abundant enthusiasm and energy to this fabulous programme, featuring some of the foremost examples of his legacy.


Martin Denny, Windsor Festival Director, said: “This year Windsor Festival is particularly special as we have the honour of celebrating the centenary of the birth of Yehudi Menuhin, one of the founding artistic directors of the Festival, and the inspiration behind our International String Competition. In particular, the three centenary concerts, performed by the best violinists in the world, brings a new level of programming to the Festival. I hope that you will find much in the fortnight which attracts and delights you, and I look forward to enjoying these festivities with you.”

For a full list of this year’s programme and to book tickets, please visit: www.windsorfestival.com or follow @WindsorFestival on Twitter.

Tags: What's On, Windsor Festival, Mozart, The Four Seasons, Vivaldi, Bruch, The Queen, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare and Windsor

Snows Kia invites residents in and around Guildford to join the dealership and the cricket stars of the Surrey Stars for a family fun meet and greet on Thursday July 28 ahead of the Kia Women’s Super League launch.

Families will enjoy a meet and greet with cricket stars such as England player and Surrey Stars captain Tammy Beaumont as well as international star Rene Farrell. Guests will also get the chance to be coached in mini cricket lessons with the Surrey Stars coaches and enjoy food and drink along with a bouncy castle. Snows Kia are also giving attendees the exciting chance to win tickets to the Super League matches on the day.

The Kia Women’s Super League brings together the very best women cricketers from around the UK with a handful of international stars to play in the UK. Kia’s partnership with The England and Wales Cricket Board represents the first ever standalone title sponsorship for a domestic women’s cricket competition in England.

President and CEO of Kia Motors (UK) Paul Philpott says: “We are very proud to be able to expand on our sponsorship of women’s cricket. Being able to support the game at a domestic level within the UK ensures that the future of women’s cricket, and security for up and coming players, is there.”

The Snows Guildford Kia family fun cricket session will take place on July 28 from 5pm – 7pm at Guildford Cricket Club, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP.

Follow Kia at www.facebook.com/kiamotorsuk

About Kia Motors UK Ltd
Kia Motors Corporation was founded in Korea in 1944, and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. The brand came to the UK in 1991 and has continued to grow ever since, now operating through 188 dealerships throughout the country. Kia Motors UK Ltd is currently the ninth largest volume vehicle manufacturer as measured by vehicle sales, with the brand aiming to sell 100,000 cars a year by 2020 in the UK. The UK is now Kia’s biggest market in Europe and fifth largest globally.

In 2016, Kia Motors UK opened a new port operation in Stallingborough, which allows the brand to fit vehicles to buyers’ specification before distribution to the dealer network, and is able to process up to 120,000 cars a year.

Tags: What's On, motoring, Kia, Snows Guildford, cricket, family fun

A celebration of Summer

From 16 June 2016

PAINTINGS FOR SALE AT PRICES FROM AROUND £20,000 TO £250,000
Willow Gallery moved from Weybridge to Duke Street St James’s in 2005, a ‘quality street’ since the 18th century, lined with fine art galleries and exquisite shops.

In St James’s they expanded their stock from 19th century art to sell a wide variety of Modern, Impressionist and post-Impressionist Pieces. The gallery is run by a close knit trio: founders Andrew and Jeannie Stevens, and Alick Forrester partner for ten years, almost twenty years with the company, curator and contact for this exhibition. They all love art, but it is Jeannie Stevens’ vision that informs the Willow spirit. One of their unique qualities is to ‘share a meticulous attention to provenance and accurate attribution.’ Nothing about their enterprise is left to chance.

In a world of fluctuating prices for art, Andrew explains the Willow commitment to reassure new customers: ‘with a vast network of contacts throughout the globe, we are aware of paintings long before they are available on the open market. Before acquiring a painting, a member of staff will usually travel wherever it might be, to evaluate the piece and confirm that it fulfils all relevant criteria concerning quality, price and condition.’

The June show will give the visitor an immediate impression of summer pleasures and the joy of life: sunshine, serene countryside, explosions of flowers, long lazy days by the seashore. There are paintings by French artists such as Renoir and Utrillo, Dufy and Vlaminck, established British names Munnings, Lowry and Seago.

How to translate the endless mutations of light into pigment is one of the wonders an artist can achieve. The Willow Gallery, in so many of its summer exhibition paintings, conveys that quality.

Willow Gallery, 40-41 Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6DF
Visit their Website here >>> www.willowgallery.com

Tags: What's On, Art, artists, Duke Street, 19th Century, Renoir, Utrillo, Dufy, Seago, Vlaminck, Munnings, Lowry, 20th Century

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

Tigers spotted in Godalming

Tigers are one of the world’s most loved animals but how much do you know about them? You can discover more about these magnificent big cats AND have the chance to win a fabulous special edition ‘Augustus’ the tiger adoption by taking part in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Godalming Tiger Trail this summer.

Launching with a street collection for wild tigers in Godalming on Saturday 23 July, the trail begins on Monday 25 July and embraces World Tiger Day on Friday July 29.

“The tiger has been in crisis for so long that many people have forgotten how few of them remain and how vitally important they are to the survival of forest habitats and the planet as a whole,” says DSWF Education Manager, Jo Elphick. “The aim of the Godalming Tiger Trail is for children – and parents – to rediscover the magic of tigers and engender understanding and support for them while having fun and the chance to win a really lovely special edition adoption that includes the award-winning children’s book ‘Augustus and his smile’ by Catherine Rayner.”

To take part simply collect your free answer sheet and map from the Godalming Art Shop at the bottom of Godalming High Street and find the tigers and their questions in participating shop windows. Completed forms should be handed in at Waterstones and the winner will be notified by Tuesday 2 August.

“It’s a wonderfully simple idea to raise awareness for wild tigers that we hope children and parents will love,” adds Jo.

Special Information:
There are estimated to be c.3,500 tigers left in the wild. Since the turn of the 20th Century the tiger has lost c93% of its historic range and numbers have plummeted from 100,000. The main threats to the wild tiger are habitat loss, human encroachment and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) based in Shalford, has been fighting to protect tigers for over 30 years and in 2011 launched its successful social media campaign TigerTime to help raise awareness and funds for conservation projects in India, Russia and Thailand and undercover investigations into illegal trade and trafficking from tiger range countries to China and other Far eastern consumer countries. Find out more at www.tigertime.info

Catherine Rayner is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator and DSWF have teamed up with her to create the special edition Augustus adoption as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of ‘Augustus and his Smile’. Proceeds from the sale of the anniversary edition also go to support DSWF’s tiger conservation projects.

Tags: What's On, Godalming Art Shop, Shalford, DSWF, Godalming High Street, The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Waterstones

Silent Pool Distillery invites you to raise a glass to the Queen

Silent Pool Distillers at Albury will be toasting the Queen’s 90th birthday on June 11 with a spirit specially created in her honour – English Rose Gin.

The distillery is throwing an All-day Open-house Party for the public from 11am until 6pm to launch the new limited-release English Rose Gin. It was an appropriate spirit to choose for the Queen’s birthday celebrations, as June 11 is World Gin Day!

Visitors can taste and buy the English Rose Gin plus the full range of Silent Pool international award winning spirits and enjoy free tours of the still house with its fabulous copper cauldron and swirling pipework. Craft beer, gin cocktails and hot food will be served in the distillery courtyard and there will be Silent Pool merchandise to buy and fun activities to help raise money for a local charity.

Come and blow the old steam whistle, which normally echoes across the Tillingbourne Valley in the traditional announcement that gin is being distilled, and guess the number of corks in the Silent Pool’s unique 9 litre gin bottle. Prizes include tickets for a 90 minute Gin Experience Tour plus £5 voucher to be used towards a purchase on the tour night.

In the evening, festivities continue at Sherbourne Farm on the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate next to the Silent Pool with an exclusive ticket-only Outdoor Cinema Night. The pop-up cinema is organised by Venture Cinema, which will be screening High Society, the classic 1956 musical comedy.

Venture Cinema is an independent UK community cinema project. It works with unique venues such as museums, galleries, parklands and heritage foundations, among others, to screen the perfect film to bring both the space and the story to life. Doors for the outdoor screening open at 7:15pm and the movie starts at 8:30pm. For more details and to buy tickets go to: www.venturecinema.co.uk.

Tags: What's On, Albury, Venture Cinema, Queen’s 90th, English Rose Gin, Silent Pool, Distiller

'How lion became king of Tinga Tinga land'

Local community brings west end theme - 11am and 1pm, April 16th

A brightly coloured, energetic and fun children's show due to play London's West End in May comes to the local community of Hinchley Wood this week.

How Lion Became King Of Tinga Tinga Land is set for two special performances on Saturday April 16th at 11am and 1pm at Hinchley Wood School (Claygate Lane, Hinchley Wood, Esher, KT10 0AQ).

With current theatre charges making a family trip to the theatre cost over £50 for a children's show, St Christopher’s Community Hub are bringing the theatre to the local community at a price everyone can afford.

Tickets are priced £4-£10 and are available now from
St Christopher’s Church Office - 0208 398 9095.

The two performances are being staged as special fundraisers for Hinchley Wood School.

How Lion Became King Of Tinga Tinga Land is one of the best children’s shows around for three to seven year olds. It’s engaging and absorbing and encourages the children to sing along.

That it is so good should come as little surprise, though, because its writer and director is Iain Lauchlan, the creator of Tweenies. One of children’s TV’s most seasoned presenters, directors, writers and producers, Iain also created Fun Song Factory and presented Finger Mouse as well as the hugely popular Tweenies.

The story of How Lion Became King Of Tinga Tinga Land is straightforward enough. Banjoko the Toucan flies to Africa to warn all the animals of a danger that threatens their homeland. Deciding a king is needed to ward off this danger, a group of jungle animals vie for the job. When threatened by a pack of hungry hyenas, however, they realise there is only one animal brave enough to be king, Lutalo the lion.

The show is a complete visual treat and with enough action and audience participation to engage even the shyest child. Every animal has its own story and the musical arrangements that accompany the show provide an authentic foot-tapping African rhythm.

The accompanying award-winning book by Brian Hill and Matthew Howorth has illustrations by D.W Murray who worked on Cars and Lilo and Stitch for Disney.

Tags: What's On, How Lion Became King Of Tinga Tinga Land, Iain Lauchlan, Tweenies, Fun Song Factory, Finger Mouse

Re-Engineering of Brooklands gets budget boost

Brooklands Museum took a major step forward in its ground-breaking Re-Engineering Brooklands redevelopment programme with the announcement in last week’s Budget of a £1million grant from the Government. The award coincides with the start of construction work at the Museum to enable the re-interpretation of key parts of Brooklands’ aviation and motorsport history.

The Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival project is an £8million programme of work which will see the Grade-2-listed Aircraft Hangar restored and re-opened as the Brooklands Aircraft Factory. The new exhibition will display aircraft and objects dating back to the birth of British aviation, enabling visitors to see the individual stages of aircraft design and manufacture and try these skills out for themselves. Alongside the Hangar, a new Flight Shed will be built to display working historic aircraft and provide environmentally controlled storage for Brooklands’ unique archive and a new restoration workshop.

As part of its restoration the Bellman Hangar will be moved from its current position on the Finishing Straight of the original 1907 Race Track to an adjacent site, allowing that part of the track to be restored to its pre-World War Two condition. For the first time since 1939, the key elements of the world’s first purpose-built motor-racing circuit, the Finishing Straight, banked Track, Clubhouse and Paddock will be seen together, as the legendary pre-War racing drivers would have seen them.

Key parts of the project are to inspire young people in the STEM subjects and also to provide an Aviation Heritage Skills course for the Museum’s volunteers to enable them to look after the Museum’s extensive collection of historic aircraft.

A successful fundraising campaign, including an award of nearly £5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, had seen work start on the site last October, but rising construction costs as well as the clearing of land which had been contaminated during the site’s aircraft manufacturing history had left a funding gap which needed filling to ensure the project could go ahead. Following a meeting with Brooklands’ local MP the Rt Hon Philip Hammond, the Museum applied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for support from the LIBOR Fund, which was granted in the Budget.

Mr Hammond said: “I have always taken a close interest in the development of Brooklands Museum and, when Director Allan Winn told me about the potential delays in progressing the Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival Project because of the increase in building costs, I was glad to be able to offer to approach the Chancellor of the Exchequer to explore whether the Project could be supported with LIBOR funding.

“So I am delighted that the Chancellor has recognised the exceptional importance of the Museum by providing £1 million in funding to bridge the gap and allow this fantastic Project to go ahead.”

Allan Winn, Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum, said: “This support from the Chancellor of the Exchequer is crucial to enabling the delivery of our ambitious plans for the site and to help us tell the extraordinary story of Brooklands’ role in British aviation history. We are very grateful to the Chancellor for his support and to Philip Hammond MP for his role in helping us secure it”.

The Brooklands Aircraft Factory, the new Flight Shed and the restored section of Race Track are scheduled to open in summer 2017.


Brooklands Museum

BROOKLANDS - the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, constructed at Weybridge, Surrey in 1907 - was more than a great sporting arena. Brooklands was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, home of Concorde and the site of many engineering and technological achievements throughout eight decades of the 20th century.

The Museum displays a wide range of Brooklands-related motoring and aviation exhibits ranging from giant racing cars, motorcycles and bicycles to an unparalleled collection of Hawker and Vickers/ BAC-built aircraft, including the Second World War Wellington Bomber, Viking, Varsity, Viscount, Vanguard, VC10, BAC One-Eleven and the only Concorde with public access in South East England. With displays in original buildings, motoring and aviation events and an extensive learning programme for schools and colleges, the past is brought to life again for over 185,000 visitors a year.

The Museum is open 360 days a year from 10am to 4pm (10am – 5pm in summer) and the admission prices are Adults £11, Seniors £10, Children (5-16 yrs) £6, Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £30 with supplements payable for the half hour Concorde Experience and 4D Theatre rides.

Visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com for more information.

Tags: Local, What's On, Brooklands, Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Race Track

The Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival 18-19 June 2016

Silver theme takes the stage as entries open for unique motoring event at Brooklands Museum.

Entries are now open for the 2016 Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival, organized by Brooklands Museum and the Vintage Sports-Car Club.

The well-established format of three separate competitive events (Speed Trials, Driving Tests and Concours d’Élégance) held over two days, with aggregate scores from any two going towards overall Double Twelve awards, continues. But the status of the Concours is raised this year with its own full awards and the inclusion of a special “Anything Silver” class in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the official opening of the Museum in 1991.

In true Brooklands tradition, the Double Twelve Motorsport Festival will be held on the weekend closest to the date the original track opened in 1907, which this year is 18th and 19th June.

The three stand-alone competitive events are:

• The Double Twelve Speed Trials (Sprint) on the Mercedes-Benz World Circuit on Saturday
• The Double Twelve Concours held at the Museum across both days
• The Double Twelve Driving Tests on both sites on Sunday

The structure of the competitions allows entrants to choose which elements best suit them and their vehicle across both days making full use of the historic terrain at Brooklands and the circuit at neighbouring venue Mercedes-Benz World. For the first time this year, all three competitions will have their own individual awards, in addition to the aggregate trophies – hitherto, the Concours results have only been recognized as an element of the aggregate awards.

The classes within each competition are structured to give all ages of car from veterans to 1970s classics, and all types from nimble sports cars and thoroughbred racers to stately tourers, an equal chance of picking up an award, making this a very inclusive weekend for competitors, and an enthralling one for spectators.

Saturday’s Speed Trials are essentially for Pre-war cars (but do include an Invited class for 1950s Sports Cars) and this year will form a round of the VSCC’s inaugural MSA-registered Speed Championship; the Driving Tests and Concours are open to vehicles up to the 1970s, and include classes for vehicles of a type that could have raced at Brooklands had the track re-opened after World War Two, such as Jaguar XK120s and AC Cobras.

The special “Anything Silver” class for the Concours, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the official opening of Brooklands Museum to the public in 1991, caters not only for cars with silver-painted or polished aluminium coachwork, but also those with “silver” in their model names, such as Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts. Other notable classes in the other competitions include one for that perennial favourite, the aeroplane-engined Edwardian car, in the Speed Trials, alongside those for standard and modified sports-cars of differing eras.

Each event will have its own class and overall winners, but to qualify for a Brooklands Double Twelve award, an entrant must compete in any two of the three events and the combined scores of these will decide their Double Twelve placing.

A full list of classes now appears on the Double Twelve pages of the Museum website and at the VSCC website at www.vscc.co.uk, along with entry forms to download. All the up-to-date Festival information can be found on the Double Twelve button at www.brooklandsmuseum.com. Entrants are offered the exclusive use of a hospitality area in the charming, period splendor of the Edwardian Clubhouse, the chance to drive on motoring ‘hallowed ground’ and when competing, will be in the capable hands of the VSCC and Brooklands Marshals.

In addition to the competitive events, there is a list of other attractions throughout the weekend. The Vintage Mobile Cinema will be in attendance, showing period Brooklands films and news reel footage during both days, the Test Hill Challenge will be running on both days, providing much merriment as it invites practically anything on wheels (or legs) to reach the summit of that most famous peak, with Sunday lunchtime seeing a cavalcade of vehicles on the Mercedes-Benz World circuit.

Many Car Clubs will be coming along to showcase their cars, and the Sinclair C5s will be back. The weekend will culminate in the prize-giving ceremony in the main Paddock on the Sunday. For spectators, a day ticket gives access to all areas on both sites, Paddock and grandstand views along with the Museum's exhibits, collections and facilities.

Spectator tickets will be at the normal Museum admission prices of £11 for adults, £10 for Seniors and Students, £6 for Children (aged 5-16) and £30 for a Family ticket admitting 2 adults and up to 3 children. The Concorde Experience is £5 for adults and £3 for children, and rides in the 4D Theatre, including the Napier-Railton Experience, are £4 for adults and £2 for children. Visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com for more information.

Entry forms are now available on the Brooklands Museum and VSCC websites or for further information about the competitive events and the Test Hill Challenge, please contact Steve Castle, Head of Track & Air Events at the Museum at stevecastle@brooklandsmuseum.com or call 01932 857381 ext 244 or the VSCC Competitions Department at comps@vscc.co.uk or call 01608 644777 Ext 4.

Tags: What's On, Brooklands, Brooklands Race Track, VSCC Competitions, Napier-Railton Experience, Test Hill Challenge, Test Hill, VSCC, Steve Castle, Brooklands Museum, The Brooklands Double Twelve Motorsport Festival

Thursday 14 April at 7pm at the McComish Hall

The Fashion and Textiles Department and the BHSA will be hosting the first Box Hill School Fashion show in 6 years! Students from Years 7 to 13 will be showcasing work with a variety of themes. Music produced by students will be played throughout the evening.

Tags: What's On, Fashion, Box Hill, Box Hill School

Shake off Winter Blues with a Summer Skydive

Shake off those winter blues and plan an exciting summer skydive with Princess Alice Hospice.

Tandem sky-dives, where jumpers are safely strapped to a qualified instructor, will be taking place throughout the summer in aid of the Hospice. It is an exhilarating experience and places always go fast.

Emily East from the Hospice’s Fundraising Team explained: “It’s a great way to try a first skydive and people often say they want to do it again as soon as their feet have touched the ground!

“Some of our fundraisers are fearless thrill seekers, after-all jumping from a plane at 10,000 feet is quite an adrenaline rush! Others simply want to overcome a fear of heights and prove to themselves that they are braver than they thought.

“They are all united, though, in wanting to raise money for the Hospice. Every jump really does make a difference to us.

“These are always very popular fundraising events so if you’ve ever thought about giving skydiving a go, now is the time to get your name down.

“You will be raising valuable funds that will help the Hospice to provide vital care and support for its patients and their loved ones.”

Registration is free, with the skydivers pledging to raise £395 in sponsorship. The skydives will be taking place on Sunday 12 June, Sunday 7 August and Sunday 18 September.

For further information contact the Princess Alice Hospice Fundraising Team on 01372 461808 or email supportercare@pah.org.uk

www.pah.org.uk

Tags: Princess Alice Hospice, What's On, skydive, Summer

One Week Left

"Mesmerising...a blockbuster performance"
Surrey Advertiser

"A powerful and atmospheric way to experience Shakespeare"
Farnham Herald



Book here www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk/tickets

Tags: What's On, The Winter's Tale, Holy Trinity Church

To help save JMW Turner’s Twickenham villa

8 February 2016 – Today Turner’s House Trust announces a four-week crowdfunding campaign to bridge the funding gap required to fully restore Sandycombe Lodge, the Twickenham villa designed and built by JMW Turner.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and many other generous funders and private supporters, the Trust is now only £125,000 away from its fundraising target of £2.4 million.

A loan offer from the Architectural Heritage Fund has enabled the Trust to appoint contractors and urgent restoration works will begin in early April, with the house scheduled to reopen to the public in 2017.

“Until all the money is raised our work is not done,” said Catherine Parry-Wingfield, chairman, Turner’s House Trust. “We do not want to take up a loan we have no funds to repay. Meeting the funding gap is now urgent.”

Turner's House from Jonathan Crane on Vimeo.

“Sandycombe Lodge is a rare three-dimensional work of art by Turner, England’s internationally renowned landscape painter. We must save it for future generations.”

It is now 200 years since Turner built the house, listed Grade II*, which is still almost totally intact with some unsightly additions. Now it is threatened by damp and decay, is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register and in need of urgent major conservation.

Crowdfunding rewards include private tours with personal guests and the opportunity to view the restoration ahead of public opening. To donate and for more details visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/turnershouse follow @TurnersHouse www.facebook.com/turnerintwickenham

Tags: What's On, Turners House, Heritage Lottery Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Twickenham

Actress Samantha Bond to highlight the Holly Lodge Centre’s annual Spring lunch

16 March 2016

“In conversation with Samantha Bond” will be the centre piece of the annual Holly Lodge Centre Spring Lunch on Wednesday16 March at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park. Supporters of the Centre will have a chance to interact with Samantha about her distinguished career in film, theatre and television. Perhaps best known as Lady Rosamund Painswick in Downton Abbey and Moneypenny in four 007 movies, Samantha also has numerous other credits to her name. Shakespearean roles include “Romeo and Juliet,” ‘Much Ado about Nothing” and “Macbeth.” Among other West End appearances have been in Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia,” “Three Tall Women” (with Dame Maggie Smith), “Amy’s View” (with Dame Judi Dench), “A Woman of No Importance” and Michael Frayn’s “Donkey’s Years.” She has played numerous television roles most recently including as Angela in “Outnumbered” on the BBC and as Frances Barden in “Home Fires” on ITV.

In addition to enjoying the stories of Samantha Bond, attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the clothing and gift ideas presented in several select stalls from 11:30 am onwards. During a Prosecco reception from 12:15 pm the stunning new Holly Lodge Centre video will be shown -- everyone agrees it is a brilliant encapsulation of the spirit of the Holly Lodge Centre.
A three-course sit-down lunch will be served at 1:00 pm with coffee, mints and a raffle.

Tags: What's On, Samantha Bond

At least 20% OFF everything

Since coming back from the Christmas holidays we have had some news that has made us think about how we run the showroom in the future. We have decided that we would like to downsize the business and to reduce our stock levels to a more manageable level.

To help us achieve this, we have decided to have a SALE with at least a 20% discount on all the ticket prices shown on the site and in the showroom.

There will be some items with an even larger discount and these will be seen when looking at the pieces on the website www.richardgardnerantiques.co.uk.

Tags: What's On, sale, Antiques, Richard Gardner

Celebrated Surrey Silk & Watercolour Artist Tessa Spanton

3rd Feb 6pm, 7pm & 8pm demonstrations.

Adding to the growing list of FREE demonstrations by professional Artists, Corner Gallery is giving you a chance to learn through demonstration different methods and techniques of the most difficult medium of them all, WATERCOLOURS by TESSA SPANTON on our WEDNESDAY LATE CREATIVES evening.

Please Email, facebook message or call us (020 8669 5899) to book your free session of either 6pm/7pm or 8pm. Please book early as there are only 10 spaces per session.

Pieces of work will be on sale by this demonstrator and Coffee & Cake served free of charge.

Website: www.corner-gallery.com

Tags: What's On, Art, Tessa Spanton, Corner Gallery, WEDNESDAY LATE CREATIVES

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

For the first time since being acquired by the National Trust in 1942, Polesden Lacey has opened up sections of the servants’ quarters as part of their 1930s Christmas event.

Until now, a visit to Polesden Lacey would involve exploring the opulent Edwardians rooms designed by Mewes and Davis, who also designed the Ritz, and used by Margaret Greville to entertain politicians, top authors and royalty. Now visitors can also get an insight into the real lives of the men and women who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Mrs Greville’s guests had an unforgettable luxury experience at Polesden Lacey.


After enjoying the splendour of the dining room, dressed with lilies and roses, feathers and pearls, or the dazzling gold room leafed in 24 carat gold, visitors can explore the quiet spaces the guests would never see.

In the linen room, the best fresh white linen is ironed and stacked in the cupboard ready for tables throughout the house. Handmade paper streamers in bright colours adorn the back corridor where the servants would hold their own Christmas celebrations when all their duties were finally done.

In a small housemaids’ room the Welsh lilt of Florence Dicker can be heard describing what it was like preparing for Christmas parties at Polesden Lacey during the 1930s and receiving small gifts from Mrs Greville herself. Finally, visitors step into the severy where the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg hang in the air; this is where wine was decanted and food was kept warm before it was whisked into the dining room next door.

This year, Christmas at Polesden Lacey is a sensory extravaganza. 1930s music plays in and around the house putting a swing in one’s step, soundscapes throughout the rooms bring the house alive as if they parties never stopped, aromas immediately evoke memories of Christmas gone by, and everywhere fresh foliage, flowers and Christmas trees glint and sparkle.
However, while the life of the party might have taken place around the piano in the gold room, the most interesting stories are those brought to life in the servants quarters. Stories of the men and women who woke unthinkably early to make and serve breakfast, light fires or polish shoes, and who retired late at night after the last of the champagne was long gone.

Christmas opening times, tours and admission prices: For the first time ever the house will be open every day from 11 am on Friday 4 until Wednesday 23 December. Non-member pay standard gardens admission plus adults £4, children £2, and families £10 with a free glass of mulled wine or soft drink with ticket. Members must also pay the additional Christmas event charge. Tours: Available weekdays only from 11am-12.30pm (book on arrival) followed by free flow exploration in the afternoon and at weekends until 4pm. Last entry to the house is 3.30pm. Entry to the house is not possible without gardens admission. Please note, for conservation reasons only parts of the house are open.

Tags: What's On, Polesden Lacey, Christmas, Santa, Father Christmas

Tread the stage and go behind the scenes at Glyndebourne

This autumn Glyndebourne is offering an expanded programme of backstage tours to give an insight into the history and workings of its internationally-famous opera house.

The tour takes in the theatre, including a chance to tread the Glyndebourne stage which has played host to opera stars including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Alfie Boe and Danielle de Niese. It also visits the backstage area, dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces and the historic Organ Room, where the very first musical performances at Glyndebourne took place in the 1930s.

During the tour, visitors will be given a brief history of Glyndebourne, learn about what’s involved in staging an opera and hear anecdotes of singers forgetting their lines, and an occasion when the cast of extras for one production included a number of live chickens.

Glyndebourne launched backstage tours for individuals in the autumn of 2012 and has increased the number on offer this year. The half-day tours until 16 December. Morning visits start at 10.15am and afternoon tours start at 2pm. To book visit glyndebourne.com

John and his opera singer wife, Audrey Mildmay, founded the Glyndebourne Festival in 1934. In 1968 the Glyndebourne Tour was established to bring opera to new audiences across the country and create opportunities for talented young singers.

Today Glyndebourne is a twelve month operation. The Festival runs from May to August with a programme of six operas in a 1,200-seat opera house. The annual Tour takes place from October to December and a widely respected education programme is active year round staging new work and delivering projects to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of opera.

Together the Festival and Tour present 120 performances annually to an audience of 150,000 with many more people experiencing Glyndebourne’s work through its yearly programme of cinema screenings and free online streamings. Glyndebourne has pioneered specialist recordings to share its work with a global audience through these channels and as part of this mission to reach new audiences, also offers
reduced-price tickets to under-30s.

Since its founding, Glyndebourne has remained financially independent and, whilst receiving valued Arts Council support for the Tour and education work, the Festival receives no public subsidy. As a registered charity, our work is funded by Box Office income, our Members and supporters.

Tags: What's On, Arts, Thaetre, Glyndebourne, backstage tour, Audrey Mildmay, Organ Room

Exhibition December 1-24 2015

Victor Edelstein’s clients included Diana, Princess of Wales, for whom he made the famous dress in which she danced with John Travolta at the White House. He had worked for Biba and Christian Dior in London before starting his own workshop.

But 22 years ago he chose art over dress designing and from December 1-24 he has an exhibition of his work and that of Annamaria Succi, his wife, at the Indar Pasricha Gallery at 22 Connaught Street, London, just behind Marble Arch. The works make for perfect Christmas gifts.

And in the voluptuous swags of textiles, curtains, wall hangings, cushions and the drama of theatre curtains Victor Edelstein shows that he has lost none of his skill and mastery of the cut and hang of luxurious materials made manifest in his pictures where they too dance, though not now for John Travolta, but for a select group of cognoscenti who understand grace.

Pictures by Victor Edelstein and Annamaria Succi lift the spirit with their lively colours and exotic light. Both painters have been inspired by India and their fascination with the country, it’s people, the wonderful palaces, abundant flowers, plants and animals is reflected in their work.

Anyone lucky enough to find one of these paintings among their Christmas presents, will know that the giver wanted them to have enjoyment from the gift for ever.

Michael Strauss, former Head of Impressionist Pictures at Sotheby’s, says: “I have long been an admirer of Victor Edelstein’s pastel. He has a special touch with that softest of mediums which create exquisite luminous effects. By such means he has interpreted light and its play on surfaces in his unique fashion.”

Victor’s recent show at the Didier Aaron Gallery in Paris, ‘Palace Interiors in Pastel’ created an unusual reaction – “an almost greedy feasting on the images by viewers,” according to French arts writer Sylvie Tolila – “and a sea of red sold dots.”

Victor explains his motivation for the paintings. "The challenge is to enter a room and try to find ‘The-Picture-That-Might-Be-There’. I like to find interiors that have not been touched for many years, which is why I have tended to concentrate on the interiors of palaces. For me there is an irresistible fascination in discovering in these largely unchanged interiors a true sense of the past.”

He studied painting with David Cranswick in London and Charles Cecil in Florence and held a first solo exhibition at Sotheby’s showing oils and pastels of Still Life, landscapes and portraits. The show sold out. Since then he has exhibited interiors from Venice and India at Hopkins, Thomas, Custot in Paris and at both Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox and Derek John’s Gallery in London. In New York his pastels were well received at Didier Aaron.

Annamaria Succi creates her own gems, having spent her life looking closely at beautiful objects. This intense concentration shows in her wonderful still life paintings and pastels. One will never look at a cabbage in quite the same way after seeing the ballgown she captures in this homely vegetable, nor the radiance of a quince, or a lemon. The Dutch Old Masters would recognize a fellow spirit in Annamaria.

She started her art career at Sotheby’s in 1969 in the publishing department, then became the editor of the Year Book, 'Art at Auction' and in 1974 went on to manage and do the buying for the British Rail Pension Fund Art Collection – one of the few art funds ever to have made a profit. In 1981 she went on to become an art investment adviser and dealer in old master drawings. Finally in 1995 she concentrated all her time on her own painting.

Today she has a strong following in Europe and the USA. Anne Heseltine says of her work: “Small in size they shine like little jewels and glow against the dark paneling of my old house. The eye does not become accustomed to them and so tire, but there is always something new to see in them. They give me infinite pleasure.”

The Venetian professor of art, Ileana Chiappini di Sorio adds: “Annamaria revisits a classical genre in her work with a very personal viewpoint. Her pictures are a pretext to enhance natural forms as revealed by light….capturing the evanescent character of her subjects with true and delicate rendering.” In fact many of her works seem to glow with an inner light and life of their own.

Indar Pasricha says of these two remarkable artists: “I’ve always seen my role as creating bridges between Britain and India and in the work of these two artists that ambition is realized. Victor’s Indian and other interiors are all about light – the intense coloured light of India and the subdued moody light of England. Annamaria’s work reminds me of the Indian miniature, capturing in gem-like tones images that stay fresh and vital.”

For more information please contact Julian Roup on 01892 669200 or 07970 563958 or email info@bendigopr.co.uk

Tags: What's On, Art, Diana, Princess of Wales, John Travolta , White House, Exhibition

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

We are bubbling over with Xmas spirit in Jen's Cupcakery

Now it's nearing the end of November, we decided it was time to get the seasonal sweet treats on the go and start making lots of Xmas holly leaves, snowflakes, Xmas tree and snowmen decorations and of course gingerbread too.

Dorking Farmers Market is on this Saturday 21 November and we will have some of our delicious new winter cupcakes on the menu including sticky toffee muffins (same as our bestselling cupcake but supersized!), spiced pumpkin with a cinnamon buttercream and chocolate orange with a bit of a crackle inside (you'll have to eat one to see what I mean!) as well as our truffle like chocolate cake balls. We will also have a small selection of Vegan/Gluten Free cupcakes too as we don't want anyone to miss out on eating delicious cake!

As we missed Walton Farmers market this month, we hope to make it up to you Walton residents by also delivering lots of lovely cakes, brownies and muffins to the Frost Fair at Riverhouse Arts Centre in Walton this Sunday 22 November. There will be a children's Lantern Parade as Jack Frost searches for the Snow Queen. In the Barn there will be mulled wine (hurrah!), sausage sizzle, gifts and festive treats, Walton Art Club's Christmas Exhibition and music from Scout groups and MamaVox too. It's on from 4.30-8pm. A great day out for all the family. For more info see here >>> www.riverhousebarn.co.uk

For more information about Jen's Cupcakery please visit their website >>> www.jenscupcakery.com

Tags: What's On, Jen, Jen's Cupcakery, Walton Art Club's Christmas Exhibition, Riverhouse Arts Centre, Dorking Farmers Marke, Walton Farmers market

Sunday 29 November 11am to 4pm

Join Turner’s House Trustees for a glass of wine while picking up delightful and original Christmas gifts for friends and family – all to support the Trust’s restoration appeal.

The first Turner’s House Christmas Fair was hugely popular and there have been many early requests for another. This year you will find an even wider choice of gifts not to be found on the High Street. Annie Simpson is back with her beautiful scarves made in fine merino and lustrous silk fibres, all inspired by specific Turner paintings – a perfect gift for Turner lovers.

Clementine and Coco return with their cheery handmade little bags, accessories, bunting and quilts – perfect stocking fillers and pretty gifts for the home. Derek and Susie Hale will again be offering their wonderful homemade preserves and chutneys.

Other stalls include jewellery and delicious Italian deli products, and new additions include a ceramicist, potter and silversmith. And be sure to not leave without an indulgent cake to take home for tea.

Plus, if you missed Turner’s House open days this year, the Christmas Fair is one more – and final - chance to see Turner’s Twickenham villa prior to restoration.

For more details please visit >>> LINK

Tags: What's On, Turner’s House, Christmas Fair, Twickenham

Children’s Global Canvas Art & Poetry Competition 2016 now open for entries – come together to celebrate the wild wonders of our amazing world! AND meet award-winning children’s illustrator and author, Catherine Rayner at the Natural History Museum

Shalford based charity, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s 2016 Global Canvas Art & Poetry competition is now open for entries. This exciting annual event, which attracted involvement from over 2,000 children in 2015, is open to children of all ages up to and including 16 year-olds and gives young people the chance to come together to express their concern for the environment through art and poetry.

“The theme for 2016 is ‘Wild Wonders’ and we are inviting groups of children from around the world to think about the wonder of the wildlife and wild places that we share our planet with and to celebrate the biodiversity and importance of wildlife,” explains competition manager, Jo Elphick.

Entry closes 29 January 2016 when wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd, CBE, and award-winning children’s illustrator and author Catherine Rayner, will be among the judges selecting the shortlist to be displayed at the Natural History Museum, London, on Thursday 17 March.

“The sheer imagination and passion displayed when young people come together never ceases to amaze me. That children care so much about our wild world gives me real hope for the future of this beautiful planet that we call home,” says wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd.

David will be joined by Catherine Rayner, author and illustrator of Augustus and His Smile, at the Natural History Museum on March 17 when the overall winners will be chosen from the shortlisted exhibitors. As guest speaker, Catherine Rayner will also engage the children in the story of her life as an illustrator and author.

In 2015, television presenter Michaela Strachan attended the exhibition and prize-giving and was amazed by the variety and talent shown by the children involved.

“Clubs, classes and even whole schools had worked together; researching, designing, writing and painting to produce fantastic mini-exhibitions which demonstrate the issues our world faces,” said Michaela. “I was simply astounded by the talent on show.”

You can find out more about the competition, see a selection of the fabulous work from the 2015 competition and download entry forms by visiting the website at here >>> LINK

Tags: What's On, charity, Children’s Global Canvas Art & Poetry Competition, David Shepherd, Catherine Rayner, award-winning, Natural History Museum

Supporting People Affected By Brain Injury Through The Silverlining Charity.

The charity are hosting a large fundraising Winter themed ball at St George’s Hill Tennis Club in Weybridge on Saturday the 21 November in order to raise much needed funds for The Silverlining Charity.

More than one million people in the UK are living with the effects of brain injury, many of whom have very little support after leaving rehabilitation.

Anyone is susceptible to injury through external or internal trauma and their effects are felt not only by individuals, but also by family, friends, colleagues and professionals.

The Silverlining Charity hope to change the lives of all those affected by brain injury (Silverliners) for the better. We are a small Charity supporting Silverliners in a handful of regions to build social support networks, find their own direction and develop purpose and meaning after brain injury.

The Charity operate without government support so we rely heavily on donations and fundraising from socially responsible individuals and companies to keep our valuable services running.

All monies raised from our fundraising is used to directly support our continued service provision assisting people with brain injury.

If you would like any more information about the event or Charity please visit www.thesilverlining.org.uk

Tags: The Silverlining Charity, What's On, charity, The Silverlining Charity

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

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

It was a sparkling night for wildlife at the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s annual Wildlife Ball

Hosted by The Dorchester in London on Friday October 9th, 300 guests mingled with celebrities to help raise over £150,000 for endangered wildlife. A stunning set from legendary Queen guitarist, Dr Brian May and singer Kerry Ellis - which included the premier of Brian’s launch video for Cecil’s Law and an acoustic version of Crazy Little Thing Called Love - was followed on the big screen by a heartfelt appeal from former Spice Girl, Melanie C, for everyone to play their part to help save wildlife.

“It was an incredible night for wildlife,” says CEO Sally Case. “The depth of support that we, as a small charity, generate illustrates just how important wildlife is to so many people and to the sustainable future of our planet and all of us, where ever we live.”

Calling for supporters to be part of the generation that cares, David Shepherd’s granddaughters – the artist Emily Lamb and the Foundation’s event manager, Georgina Lamb - echoed the call for the younger generation to take up the baton to protect precious wildlife and wild spaces.

Adding additional excitement to the evening were Mark King from Level 42 (who sang happy birthday to a guest raising £1,000), TV presenter and auctioneer Charlie Ross who helped command almost £60,000 in the live auction of artwork donated by the Shepherd family, British designer and supporter Elizabeth Emanuel, TV presenter Kate Silverton and Olympic gold medal winning rower Alex Gregory.

About the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF)
DSWF is a small, effective charity funding key conservation projects in Africa and Asia working in partnership with local communities to find long-term, sustainable solutions to help save endangered mammals in the wild. Founded by wildlife artist and conservationist, David Shepherd CBE in 1984, the Foundation’s art heritage plays a key role in fundraising to support key species such as elephants, rhino, tigers, snow leopards and painted dogs. In 2011, DSWF launched TigerTime to help raise awareness and funds for wild tigers. TigerTime has a social media reach of over 650,000 on Facebook and 33,000 on Twitter and with celebrity supporters including Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry and reach over 20 million with one tweet.

DSWF is based in Shalford, Surrey. For more information see: www.davidshepherd.org and www.tigertime.info

All images by CPG Photography

Tags: What's On, charity, David Shepherd, Wildlife Ball, Melanie C, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, Tiger Time, Dr Brian May

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

Gardeners encouraged to unite to save the nation’s hedgehogs

Wild About Gardens Week: Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2015

Wild About Gardens Week, the annual celebration of garden wildlife hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society and The Wildlife Trusts, is teaming up with Hedgehog Street this year to highlight how gardeners can help our hedgehogs. This much-loved creature is declining in Britain as fast as the tiger.

Hedgehogs are in trouble – they have declined by 30% in the last 10 years alone and there are now thought to be fewer than one million left in the UK. To help encourage people right across Britain to think about how hedgehog friendly their gardens, schools and community spaces are, this year’s Wild About Gardens Week will form a week-long call to action and a celebration of the humble hedgehog, packed with events, competitions and opportunities to get stuck in. This will include:
• A national call to action to create hedgehog holes in fences – a handy 13cm by 13cm template can be downloaded from the Wild About Gardens Week website.
• A competition to design the best hedgehog home. There will be three categories: individual, group and school. The prizes will range from a trail camera to a visit from a hedgehog expert. Closing date: Monday 9 November 2015.
• A host of hedgehog-themed events around the UK, from talks and workshops to community activities. At RHS Garden Harlow Carr, a new garden will be launched in participation with Hedgehog Street, showcasing hedgehog friendly planting and design. Add your event or search for those happening near you at: www.wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk/events
• A downloadable new booklet, available from the Wild About Gardens Week website, will demonstrate steps you can take to help hedgehogs in your garden.
• All information at: www.wildaboutgardensweek.org.uk

Twiggy, Patron of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said:
“Seeing hedgehogs in our garden when I was a child was a magical experience. Now we all need to help these special mammals – and there’s so much that gardeners can do to reverse their decline. You can cut a small hedgehog hole at the bottom of your garden fence, leave wild nesting and hibernation areas, ditch the slug pellets and check that bonfire before striking the match! All so easy to do. Please help these wonderful creatures”

Hedgehog facts and figures:
• Hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30% since 2002
• Today there are estimated to be fewer than 1 million hedgehogs left in the UK. The main drivers are thought to be: declining hedgerow quality; the over-management of parks and green space; loss of gardens to paving/decking; reduced insect prey from chemical use in gardens and on farmland; loss of grazing land; the fragmentation of land by roads, fencing and increasing density of native predators.
• Adult hedgehogs travel between 1-2 kilometres per night over home ranges between 10-30 hectares in size.
For more information about how to help hedgehogs please see notes below or our new ‘Get creative for hedgehogs this autumn’ booklet – now on the website.

Tags: Wild About Gardens, What's On, Hedgehogs, Preservation Society

An exceptional dinner that will include some wines from Nyetimber's rare library stock

This will be held in November at Drake's Restaurant in Ripley, Surrey. Chef Steve Drake is passionate about using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible and his love of local produce extends to the wine list at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Ripley, Surrey, which he and Serina Drake opened in 2004. Since then their business has consistently won accolades for the innovative, creative and skilfully prepared food and superb service. Now, following a visit to the company's Sussex vineyard by Steve and sommelier Michael Fiducia, a special ‘Best of British' dinner will take place on November 12 in conjunction with Nyetimber English Wines.

"We have been serving Nyetimber at Drake's for some years now," said Steve, "but after the chance to taste the different vintages and variants while enjoying Nyetimber's lyrical, bucolic setting, which dates back to the Domesday Book in 1086, I jumped at the chance to host a dinner with these amazing English sparkling wines. We have really enjoyed creating this special menu and selecting appropriate Nyetimber wines to pair with the different courses."

Steve and Michael have put together a menu that showcases some of the very best autumn ingredients to complement the wines. The five-course menu, plus ‘snacks' on arrival, water, coffee and petit fours, accompanied by matching wines (including some from Nyetimber's rare library stock), includes dishes with pumpkin, Devon crab, monkfish and roast guinea fowl.

The full menu and further details on how to book can be found on the Drake's website - drakesrestaurant.co.uk. On the night, representatives from Nyetimber - including its winemaker - will be on hand to introduce the wines and answer questions.

Tags: What's On, food, Drake's, Ripley, Chef Steve Drake, Nyetimber English Wines, Serina Drake

The National Trust is a household name

Some would argue that the oak leaf is an intrinsic part of British culture, as familiar to you and I as a pot of tea or David Attenborough’s voice.

Did you know that we are the largest voluntary conservation charity in Europe? Our moto is to protect areas of historical and ecological value for ever, for everyone. It is this need and duty to protect these fragile and irreplaceable sites which drives us forward, choosing new sites, pioneering new schemes and continuing to maintain our properties.

Membership, donations and the indomitable tea rooms all help to finance and support these efforts. However we are the largest voluntary conservation charity, the very foundation of the National Trust is built upon the loyalty and dedication of our volunteer army.

It is easy to see the National Trust as one vast charitable machine but in reality it consists of pockets of land and property, each needing its own individual regime of care and attention. Here in the Surrey Hills we are lucky to be surrounded by many such pockets, in fact just down the road is Box Hill, a beautiful and fragile mosaic of grassland and woodland. Hundreds of visitors walk, drive or cycle the world famous Zig Zag every day to take in the stunning sites and scenery that Box Hill has to offer. Box Hill has its own volunteer regiment at whose feet this beauty can be laid.

Every Wednesday and every Thursday come rain or shine, our volunteers help restore and conserve Box Hill, for both ecological reasons and for you the public to enjoy. We are always looking to expand and add to our teams, with local people, who care about nature, and who have a sense of ownership and pride at having access to Box Hill. All ages and genders are welcome, whether you are working or retired, an athlete or a dog walker, there is a space for you in our team. We need people to help keep Box Hill beautiful, the more people we have the more we can do, the bigger the projects we can embark on and the more events we can host. The more that we as a community put in, the more that we’ll get back.

The National Trust needs volunteers, the National Trust needs you!

Gina T. Box Hill Assistant Ranger

If you’d like to get involved, ask for more information, or even just have a chat please contact David Benjamins Box hill Ranger.

Email: david.benjamins@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 07770887673

Tags: What's On, National Trust, Box Hill, Membership, donations, Zig Zag

Join our Glasshouse Dining Club
By 31st March for your chance to win a Romantic Getaway...

All new Glasshouse Dining Club members will be entered into our free prize draw – one lucky person will WIN a luxury Romantic Getaway to enjoy with their loved one!
The winner will get a one night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Stay for two people, with 1Ž2 bottle of champagne in their bedroom on arrival, traditional Afternoon Tea, and 3 course dinner in our 2 AA Rosette Glasshouse Restaurant. Before enjoying a good night’s sleep in one of our exquisite bedrooms – followed by a delicious full English Breakfast the following morning.

It’s absolutely free to join the Glasshouse Dining Club and you will be able to enjoy 10% off your restaurant bill all year round*, as well as hearing about special offers before anyone else.

JOIN AND ENTER


Wedding Fayre - Sunday 1st March
Meet over 50 wedding suppliers and view our new Garden Suite...

Enjoy lunch in our stunning Glasshouse Restaurant or make a day of it with a Champagne Afternoon Tea.

Free admission

FIND OUT MORE

If you know somebody getting married or still looking for a venue - please feel free to pass this invitation on!


Easter is just around the corner!
Indulge with a delicious Easter Sunday Lunch from £35 per person

Why not join family and friends on Sunday 5th April for a traditional three course Easter Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea complete with a FREE chocolate Easter Egg for all the children.
Lunch is served between 12 - 2pm at £35 per adult and £14.95 per child.
Afternoon Tea between 3 - 5pm at £22.95 per adult and £9.95 per child.

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Ah, if only the weekend could be longer?
Enjoy a very Lazy Sunday from just £64.50 per person

Weekends are never long enough! Well now with our amazing Lazy Sunday stay offer you can make your weekend last that little bit longer. Finish off your weekend with a relaxing three course Dinner, Bed & Breakfast stay in one of our luxury bedrooms - the perfect way to put off Monday morning!

Join us on any Sunday and stay in either our courtyard or brand new main house bedrooms, from just £129 per night in a Deluxe Room.

Book your Lazy Sunday Stay online
Or call 01256 783350

Executive Bedrooms, Courtyard Suites and Four Poster Suites are also available. See the full offer details.

Tags: What's On, Lazy Sunday, Oakley Hall Hotel, Easter, Hotel, Weddings, Romantic Getaway

TASTE SENSATION SUNDAY

Treat your taste buds to a truly splendid gastronomic experience by visiting ‘Taste’, an exciting new food and crafts festival hosted by King Edward’s School in Witley.

The event is being run by seasoned event organisers Splendid Fairs and Festivals and is free to members of the general public. ‘Taste’ will see the School’s exhibition hall transformed into a bustling food market, showcasing the very best culinary delights produced by locally sourced producers. From scrumptious sushi to award winning curry sauces and pickles, from perfect pizzas to artisan breads and pastries, the list of delicious gourmet goodies on display is endless - and even if you don’t buy, you certainly won’t go home hungry after visiting the wide range of exhibitors! The festival will also include an array of stalls featuring local crafts.

Exhibitors include:
The Tinderbox – Woodfire pizza
Flax & Mallow – Country garden gifts and accessories
Let’s Sushi – Packed sushi and sushi ingredients
RSPB – Conservation work
ollo foods – Award winning curry sauces and pickles, Indian street food
Jenny Robbins – Handmade fused glass pieces, pendants, dishes, platters and bowls
Chalk Hill Bakery – Artisan breads and pastries
Chilli Jam Factory – Chilli jams, chutneys and traditional / unusual jams
Taste of Vietnam – Offering delicious traditional cuisine from Vietnam
Spotted Beetroot Designs – Handmade jewellery
Dulci Bella Marshamallows – Handmade handpiped marshmallows and lollipops
Bee Cosmetics – Honey, honey fudge and natural skin care products made from beeswax and honey, beeswax candles and polish
Cocoa Antics – Hot chocolate spoons
My Secret Kitchen – ‘secret’ products to transform any meal
Garlic Wood Farm – Serving steak burgers, rare breed pork and herb sausages
Jimmy Ginger’s Fine Chillies – Savour the hottest tastes in town
Podgy Pieman – pick of the finest pies and sausage rolls
Riverford Home Delivery – Organic vegetables, fruit and meat delivered directly to your door
The Ice Cream Bike – Cool down with the ultimate iced treat
Sugarush – selection of sweet treats
The Art of Curry – Freshly cooked artisan curry sauces

Taste is open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday 22 March. Ample free parking is also available.

For further details contact info@splendidoccasions.co.uk or marketing@kesw.org.

Tags: What's On, Witley, King Edward's, School

CAMBERLEY – Camberley Theatre Saturday 7 March 2015

From the Director, Producer and Choreographer of the Award Winning ‘Abba Mania’ Musical Starring the original ‘Frida’ from London’s West End!

Following a 4 month run in London’s West End, Strand Theatre in 2001 and successful International tours selling out theatres, stadiums and concert halls, this award winning, critically acclaimed Abba Tribute performer, producer, choreographer and director together with The Reunion Group, created “The ABBA REUNION Tribute Show”.

The 4 real members of ABBA have been saying for years that they will never reform so with this in mind the producers ( The Reunion Group ) decided that they would give the fans the next best thing! Not just another ABBA Tribute band.

Now in it's 10th year, the show has become Internationally recognized as one of the top world-class authentic ABBA experiences, not to be missed!

They have toured and sold out numerous prestigious UK theatres, plus India, Norway, France, Holland, Sweden with, East Africa, Latvia, Belgium, Germany, and Australia in place for 2015/2016

“The Abba Reunion Tribute Show” gives Abba fans, old and new, the opportunity to once again get together and re-live the addictive Abba phenomena that swept the airwaves and discos during the 70’s and 80’s in a truly feel good party style concert. From Mamma Mia to Dancing Queen, all of the hits are performed with unrivalled authenticity from both an audio and visual perspective complete with live band. There is a huge focus on the 1977 and 1979 live world tour footage plus the iconic pop video looks that feature the famous flamboyant costumes and dance moves.

This year sees a jaw dropping recreation finale of the Euro vision winning song, Waterloo.

Visually, the performers are transformed into the famous four Abba members, Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni- Frid ( Frida) by using top of the range professionally made wigs, make-up and hand made replica costumes. Each character has been studied by means of video clips, both live and studio performance, to mimic the movements and mannerisms enabling a more true to life presentation of how Abba really were.

Meticulous scrutiny and strict vocal tutoring have been applied to recreating the voices of Abba, especially the major differentiating qualities of the 2 female voices of Agnetha and Frida, who together, make the legendary Abba sound. From a musical stand point, again, careful attention to detail has been employed to create the complete Abba facsimile using only professional industry musicians.

In such a hugely over saturated Abba tribute market, quality, commitment, reputation and professionalism are of major importance when booking to see a show. With these factors in mind you can be totally assured that this band perform their superb replica concert show to the highest standards possible, making them ‘better than their rivals Bjorn Again’, Express and Star.

Tickets for The ABBA REUNION Tribute Show are available from Camberley Theatre
Box Office No: 01276 707600
Website: www.camberleytheatre.biz

Tags: What's On, Camberley Theatre, Abba, The ABBA REUNION , Tribute Show, Thaetre

Debut album release March 9 2015

On this, her debut album, Swiss-born, London-based Miel de Botton presents a collection of deeply personal songs, in English and French, and breathes new life into her beloved chansons (Jacque Brel et al) with sensitive interpretations and innovative arrangements. Produced by Andy Wright (Simply Red, Eurythmics, Jeff Beck, Imelda May) at Abbey Road, South West Studios and State Of The Ark Studios, ‘Magnetic’ is presented on two discs and is the sensuous, exultant sound of a woman who is finally following her path; a woman just hitting her stride.

With coverage in the Evening Standard, You Magazine and The Telegraph, Miel’s music and story is starting to spread, and fast. Her first headline performance at Chelsea’s infamous The Pheasantry in November 2014 sold out, she was invited to be a special guest singing with the Jerusalem Youth Chorus at the Aldwych Theatre on their December UK Tour and played a special acoustic set at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital as part of their healing arts programme. Miel will return to the stage on January 27th when she performs a sold out show at The Purcell Room on London’s Southbank. Promising an evening that will take the audience on a trip of passion, sensuality and romance, Miel will also be joined by some very special guests from the worlds of dance and music.

Listen to Miel de Botton - Magnetic HERE

Listen to Miel de Botton - Magnetique HERE

Miel is clearly a woman who loves passionately and she expresses this in her songs; she dreams of a kiss from a stranger in her “dark nights” in ‘Embrasse Moi’. The charming acoustic ’Vivement la Joie’ is a burst of carefree happiness, Miel sounding like a footloose Vanessa Paradis. “It’s a poem I wrote to cheer myself up – a tiny ode to joy!”

An excruciatingly painful love story becomes ‘Beautiful You’ (“Don’t tell me that it was only a lie/I know what I saw…”), and that lost desire is also expressed in ‘Something More’. Despite all this unrequited longing, she is full of hope that things will turn out well and she believes her songs are about finding a way to heal from past pain. ‘Forest Prayer’ and ‘Dazzle Me Diamond’ are heart reaching songs about sensuality and love and the joy to be found in our lives. ‘Dazzle Me Diamond’ really is about diamonds – but this synth-heavy track is mystical too, expressing a longing to be in the presence of their strength, clarity and purity. “I need your rainbow lights to reach the dark corners of my mind.”

The majestically bare, Morricone-esque mantra ‘Bad Men’ is many a woman’s rallying cry, slowly stripping layers off those debonair men who talk about forever but can’t seem to follow through. This honest song explores the pain and pathos that underlies such relationships. With her title song, ‘Magnetic’, she talks of making her “voice become audible”, of not being “left to lie in the dark”. This is an epic ballad, almost a desiderata, in which she asks to be attracted magnetically to a beautiful life.

Mixing maturity and youth, this is a woman flexing her muscles, making life make sense. As she says, “I’m experiencing a depth of fulfilment I have never known.”

For more information please contact Republic Media
Email: info@republicmedia.net
Tel: 020 3213 0135

Tags: Miel de Botton, What's On, Music, Magnetic, Magnetique