GU27 - Haslemere - November 2010

In this month's edition, I write about a number of Christmas Fairs or Fayres! In fact, there seem to be as many Christmas Fairs/Fayres as Summer Fetes. However, apart from entertaining the family, they do provide a good opportunity to make a hole in the dreaded Christmas shopping. Anyway, before the Christmas build-up, November sees Guy Fawkes Night on 5th and Remembrance Day Services on 14th  and finally, don't forget England's quest to retain the Ashes ‘down under’ starts on 25th.

Guildford Choral Society is putting on a concert at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday, 13th November. The works being performed are two requiems by the French composers Faure and Durufle. The choir will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with soloists Paul Reeves (baritone) and Claire Doran (soprano). Claire is a Music of Life Foundation student and as such studies and works with professional musicians. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are available from the Electric Theatre by calling 01483 444789 or contacting the Choir on 01494 675571. You can also e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Prices are from £25-£19 with concessions available at just £5

St Bartholomew's and St Christopher's Church hold friendship lunches in The Link, next to St Bartholomew's Church, every fourth Wednesday of the month. The lunch consists of a choice of soup plus choice of different cheeses and bread or quiche with bread and cheese followed by tea or coffee. The lunches are not money raising but a donation of £1 will help go towards the cost. The next one is on Wednesday, 24th November and the next one after that will not be until January 2011. I'm not quite sure what time the lunch starts but if you are interested call Evelyn, who is the parish administrator, on 01428 644578. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 1 pm.

You might have read in last month’s issue our editors account of a certain Boules match that took place in France this summer. Following on from this I can tell you that Liphook has its very own Boules Club. Run under the auspices of the University of the Third Age (U3A) there are actually two clubs, Boule1 was started five years ago but membership is now full so   Boule2 started up just over a year ago. I’m afraid I don’t have too many details of the club but I do know that they play every Friday afternoon from 1:30 pm, all year round, weather permitting, and that they play at the Temple public house at Liss, with the kind permission of Ann the landlady. The club is open to all U3A members and I would suggest that if you're interested you pop along to the Temple on a Friday afternoon and find out what it's all about. Failing that, you could contact the secretary Terry Kirton who can be contacted on 01730 301282 or by e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

I gather the Peter, Paul and Mary's brother concert which took place at Liphook Village Hall early in October, went very well. Apparently all was explained about the name of the group but sadly it was a disappointingly sensible explanation! The hall was packed to the rafters and everyone went home with a spring in their step and a smile on their face. The next meeting of the Liphook WI is on 17th November and takes place in the pork village hall at 7:30 pm. In fact it is the Institute's Annual Meeting when they will elect their new committee who will oversee the celebrations for their 90th birthday year. As always, all are welcome.

This is rather short and sweet but I have been asked to mention a reunion that is to be held at the Cyder House Inn at Shackleford on Saturday, 13th November. It is for anybody who served at RAF Seletar or RAF Tengah. If you did and would like to attend call Roger Edwards on 01483 428662.

We all know of the tremendous work at the Samaritans do to help people in our society. Apparently, local craftsmen have raised around £1000 for the Samaritans over the last few years by offering home-made refreshments in return for donations. They are hoping to top this amount at the Annual Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Sale which is to be held on Saturday the 27th and Sunday, 28th November at Milland Village Hall. This event, open from 10 am to 4 pm, features such crafts as upholstery, textiles, surroundings, wood, cabinet making, jewellery, glass, and millinery. In addition, lots of delicious home-made refreshments will be available throughout both days. This will be the perfect opportunity to buy your Christmas presents and at the same time help a very worthy cause.

Sydenhurst is a local non-profit residential care home in Chiddingfold and The Friends of Sydenhurst hold various events over the year to raise funds for the residents’ welfare. They are aiming to raise £20,000 to purchase a new minibus for the home and to help raise funds they are holding a Jazz Evening on Saturday, 20th November in Chiddingfold Village Hall. Music will be provided by ‘Grandpa's Spells Jazz Band and tickets are just £10 which include supper and a glass of wine. There will also be a raffle draw with some excellent prizes. Should be a fun night. For tickets and further information call 01428 683124 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

“A dormouse in my pocket”, is the title of a talk to be given by the very popular speaker Andrew Cleave at Haslemere Educational Museum on Saturday, 13th November at 2.15pm. The event is being put on jointly by the Haslemere Natural History Society and Haslemere Museum. Andrew will be talking about the life of the dormouse and its conservation in Bramley Frith Wood, one of the country’s key dormouse monitoring sites. He has studied the animal closely over 15 years and managed its habitat. You also talk about other small mammals and share advice on dormouse conservation. Non-members are very welcome and invited to contribute £2 towards costs. If you would like more information go to: www.haslemerenaturalhistorysociety.org.uk.

Surrey County Walkers started their Autumn/Winter programme at the beginning of October. There are lots of organised walks available throughout the county. There are two walks that are fairly local, the first is on Sunday, 7th November and is a walk around Churt, Barford Mill, and Stony Jump. It's a 9 mile walk and described as ‘moderate’. If you'd like to take part you need to meet at Frensham Great Pond car park (grid reference 186/844403) just before 10 am. The walk is being organised by Henry who can be contacted on 01483 575485. The second walk is on Saturday, 13th November and is a 6 mile, described as an ‘easy’, walk around Puttenham, and North Downs Way. If you'd like to go on this one, meet at Puttenham Common top car park just before 10 am (grid reference 186/920461). This walk is being organised by Uta who can be contacted on 01483 571030.

The Fernhurst Centre is a charity based community centre in Fernhurst and on Saturday, 13th November they are holding a Christmas gifts, cards and home produce morning from 10 am to 12 noon. There will be lots of Christmas gifts, all made by local people, and a wide range of handcrafted silver and beaded jewellery. Lots of cards including some by local artists and a selection of preserves and attractive gifts will be available. You can even place your order for a home-made Christmas cake. Entry is free and there is free car parking behind the centre. For more information go to: www.fernhurstcentre.org.uk.

I am going to give you advance notice of Grayshott Children's Theatre's next production, so that you can get the date in your diary and obtain your tickets in advance. It's a Christmas show, and is a charming seasonal adaptation of Diana Henry's “The Very Noisy Night '. Gently told with music and dance, this is an enchanting tale about overcoming our fears and will delight children age 3 to 7 and adults alike. It is showing at Grayshott Village Hall on 18th December at 11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are on sale from Grayshott Books and also the Rainbow Room in Haslemere and are priced at £6 each or £20 for a family of four. This should be a lovely treat for all the family and I'm sure the night will live up to the productions title!

A reminder that Macmillan Cancer Support is holding its ninth annual Tree of Hope service at St Mary's Church Easebourne on Thursday, 2nd December at 6:30 pm. Dedications have been taken from 1st October for the 2010 Book of Love and dedication forms are still available from the Midhurst and Grayshott Macmillan shops or the fundraising office by calling 01730 816065. Alternatively visit; www.macmillan.org.uk/westsussex.

The Grayshott Stagers (Honorary Patron Vanessa Redgrave) present Dark Lucy, a thriller by Philip King and Parnell Bradbury. When Carol, the highly strung ex-actress wife of the Vicar, complains hysterically that she has been assaulted by ‘Dark Lucy’, an unpleasant old village woman who lives in a dirty broken down cottage, the doctor is inclined to put it down to hallucinations and she is believed by nobody. But when another young girl disappears Carol decides to investigate what goes on in the old cottage. What she discovers exceeds her wildest nightmares. Spooky or what! The play runs from Thursday 18th to Saturday 20th November. The doors open at 7 pm with the curtain up at 7:30 pm. Tickets are £8 and can be obtained from Grayshott Books or by contacting Peter Budd on 01428 65464.

By the time you read this, we will all know the results. I just wanted to mention that a local lad, Chris Scott who lives in Farncombe, will have taken part in the Commonwealth games as a discuss thrower. Chris is the current Under 23 UK discus champion and is hoping for a high finish at the Games in order to secure his place for the 2012 Olympic team. Incidentally, Chris joined Barry Hills School, in Witley, as a graduate GAP student from Loughborough University and is supporting the school both in the classroom and during games lessons. The Headmaster of Barrow Hills, Matthew Unsworth, said “We are thrilled to have Chris join us, and as the UK begins to think about the Olympics in 2012 our children have someone to look up to and follow. We wish him every success next week in Delhi and you can be sure that the pupils and staff at Barrow Hills will be cheering him on!” I'm afraid I do have to confess to a personal interest in this story, as I am myself an Old Barrow Hillian, in fact a very Old Barrow Hillian!

The Chiddingfold Village Nursery is holding its annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday, 13th November at the Chiddingfold Village Hall. It runs from 1 pm to 4 pm and as always there will be lots of exciting stalls to get you prepared for the festive season. This year there will be beautiful jewellery, vintage print accessories, toys, sweets, Xmas puddings, preserves, pickles and much more. There will also be face painting and Santa's Grotto for the children as well as top prizes to be won in the Christmas Raffle. All are welcome to this fun afternoon out for all the family. Entry is free for children and £1 for adults.

If you haven't yet tried Circle Dancing, a reminder that a group meet at the Pirrie Hall, Brook on Thursdays from 7.30 to 9:30 pm. The classes are in three ten-week terms and people who go say it is a fantastic way to unwind, keep fit and meet nice people. To find out more contact Lynn Frances on 01420 474881 - sorry Lynn for spelling your name incorrectly in last month's
edition!

The Haslemere Charity Christmas Card outlet opened its doors at the Haslemere Museum in the High Street on Friday, 22nd October. The shop is now open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm until 13th December. There are cards from over 30 different national and local charities including CHASE Hospice, Canine Partners, Elizabeth Fitzroy Support, GUTS and The Beacon. Apparently, by keeping operating costs to their minimum, participating charities receive at least 75p in every pound for their card sales through Cards for Good Causes shops and in the last five years charities have received over £20 million from the card sales.

Bramley Players are presenting their adaptation of a Christmas Carol at the Electric Theatre in Guildford from Wednesday, 8th through to Saturday, 11th December. Performances start at 7:45 pm and there is a matinee on Saturday 11th at 2:30 pm. All the familiar characters, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas past present and future, the lovable Cratchit family are brought to the stage in this adaptation of Dickens's Christmas classic. It's a show for all the family and will definitely get you in the festive mood. Tickets can be obtained from the Electric Theatre Box Office on 01483 444789 or online at: www.electrictheatre.co.uk . Ticket prices are £10 adults, concessions £9, under 16’s £8 and a family ticket for two adults and two children £32.

A very intrepid lady called Jane Bradshaw is embarking on a trek to Everest Basecamp to raise awareness for Endometriosis UK, a charity committed to providing much-needed support and information for anyone affected by the condition. Apparently endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, affecting one in 10 women, yet 80% of the population have never even heard of it. Jane herself suffered from the condition in her teens and 20s but sadly by the time the condition was diagnosed it was too late to avoid years of operations, massive doses of medication and failed IVF attempts. If you would like to read her story and maybe support her fundraising go to: www.justgiving.com/Trekking Jane.  We wish her the very best of luck.

In last month’s edition we featured a walk around Farnham Castle and it was suggested that the castle’s domestic buildings, otherwise known as the Bishop’s Palace, were not open to the public and that the Keep was only open between April and September. Well, good news, the Bishops Palace is in fact open every Wednesday afternoon throughout the year from 2 pm until 4 pm and on Fridays there is a tour at 2:30 pm from Easter until the end of August. The Keep is now open Monday to Friday from 9 am until 5 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm. It is only closed from 24th December until 31st January. The Keep is now attracting over 500 visitors every week and on the Sunday of the recent Heritage Open Day they had over 1500 visitors. Sounds like it's definitely worth a look.

Chiddingfold Village Hall Cinema screens films at the same time on the first Thursday of every month. On Thursday, 4th November they will be showing ‘How to Train your Dragon’, a delightful animated film directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders. Although I guess the film is directed mainly towards younger audiences, I can tell you that I have watched it in the company of my grandchildren and it was thoroughly entertaining. Doors open at 7 pm and the film starts at 7:45 pm so there is plenty of time to relax beforehand in the fully licensed bar. There are of course other refreshments including tea, coffee, biscuits and little tubs of ice cream! Tickets cost £5 on the door and all proceeds go towards the Village Hall Improvements Fund. There's also going to be a prize draw with the winner receiving a three course dinner for two with a bottle of house wine kindly supplied by the Swan Inn.

Surrey Care Trust’s annual marathon walk ‘Steps Across Surrey 3 Peaks’ took place on Saturday, 25th September. By all accounts it was a huge success with around 80 walkers plus a team of helpers including members of the Rotary Club of Dorking Deepdene. As I write a final figure has not quite been tallied, however they are confident they will reach their target of raising £10,000. The money supports one particular area of their work, the STEPS education programmes for young people. If you'd like to see pictures of the event visit; www.surreycaretrust.org.uk  The date for next year's walk has already been fixed for Saturday, 17th September 2011.

Don't forget, if you haven't already done so, to get your tickets for the Upbeat Beatles concert at The Haslemere Halls on Saturday 27th November. It will be a great night. You can get tickets on the door at £17, but if you buy in advance they are £15, £13 for concessions. You can call the Box Office on 01428 642161 or visit the website: www.haslemerehall.com

Don't forget the Farnham Maltings Monthly Market is one of the oldest and largest quality markets in Surrey and Hampshire. The next one is on Saturday, 6th November and is open from 9:30 am to 4 pm with admission just 50p. There's a huge variety of products from antiques and collectables, craft, clothing, and jewellery to Welsh cheeses, specialist fishing equipment, and rare stones and fossils. The Riverside Cafe provides the perfect refreshment break from a frenzied morning's bargain hunting!

Godalming Choral Society is putting on a pre-Christmas concert at The Hall, Charterhouse, Godalming, on Saturday, 18th December at 7:30 pm. The choir will be performing two beautiful works the first, Messa di Gloria by Puccini and the second Schubert's Mass in E flat. They will be joined by the Godalming Choral Sinfonia Orchestra and the conductor is Michael Veazey. There will also be a set of superb professional soloists. Tickets are £12 or £8 students and are available from the Record Corner, Pound Lane, Godalming or from choir members or indeed at the door. You can also ring 01483 425257 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The Hall at Charterhouse is a really impressive setting and the whole evening should be wonderfully entertaining.

St Bartholomew's and St Christopher's churches are inviting everyone to a Christmas Fair at the Link, Derby Road, Haslemere on Saturday 27th November from 10 am to 12 noon. There are cakes, a Delhi stall, coffee, mince pies, bacon butties, raffle, bric-a-brac, gifts, kids’ corner, Fair Trade and lots more. Entrance is just 50p for adults, children free, and all money raised is donated to charities supported by FROG (Fundraising for Outward Giving).

Do you care for someone? A new support group open to all carers meets at Haslemere Methodist Church on the first Thursday of each month. The church has facilitated the setting up of the Haslemere Carers Support Group and is providing a home for it. The main session starts at 10:30 am and lasts about an hour and aims to provide mutual support and sharing of information relevant to carers, sometimes with an invited speaker. The ‘Carers Café’, with tea, coffee and biscuits, is open from 10 am in the Open Door Lounge and carers can relax and chat as they wish before or after their group session. Carers groups are reckoned to offer invaluable support and encouragement, as experiences are shared and relevant information is highlighted. Also, group sessions provide a respite from caring and the opportunity for the carer to think about their own needs as well as the needs of the person being cared for. If you think you'd be interested DO is go along and introduce yourself.

Haslemere Flower Club is holding an Open Meeting on Wednesday, 24th November at Haslemere Hall, Bridge Road, Haslemere GU27 2AS. It starts at 2 pm and the doors open at 1pm. It's called Culinary Christmas and is presented by Tan Strong. There are Christmas Sales Tables and a Members’ Exhibition and of course tea and mince pies. The cost to members is £3 and to visitors £10 and if you have any enquiries call the secretary on 01428 722048.

You may or may not know that Grayshott Pottery is employee owned and is run under a “Trust” arrangement that was brought into operation over three years ago. In April 2007, they won the ‘Most Proactive Business in the Community Award’ from Haslemere and District Chamber of Trade. I'm afraid this doesn't give you much notice but from Thursday 4th to Sunday, 7th November they are holding a giant Seconds Sale of ceramics from its catering- ware brand Grayshott Stoneware. On offer will be plates, platters, dishes and serving bowls in all shapes and sizes and the company is hoping to tempt buyers with a 3 for 2 offer on already low prices. Might be worth popping along.

The Alton, Haslemere and Petersfield branch of the RSPCA are holding a Christmas Fair at the Church Centre, Liphook (off the A3) on Saturday 27th of November at 10:30 am. There will be lots of stalls for you to do some Christmas shopping and there is a grand raffle with a first prize of £100 and many other prizes including a Christmas hamper. Do go along and support your local branch.

The Rural Life Centre in Tilford, Farnham, is putting on a couple of ‘Santa Specials’ weekends in December. They are on the 11th/12th and 18th/19th December and run from 11 am to 5 pm (6 pm Saturdays). They include a ride on the light railway (steam or diesel hauled depending on conditions) and a chance to meet Santa in his grotto with presents for the children. In addition there are of course the live animals, toy workshop, model railway display and the gift shop. You do need to pre-book for this event and prices are £10.50 for children and £6.50 for adults which includes a mince pie (or biscuits for children), tea, coffee or a soft drink. You can contact the centre on 01252 795571. Please note the museum itself is not open during Santa Specials.

The Rural Life Centre is also holding a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 20th November, which runs from 10.30am until 3pm. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available. The Rural Life Centre is on Reeds Road, Tilford (follow the signs for Frensham).

Gardeners Question Time is coming to Grayshott. BBC 4’s Gardeners Question Time is doing a recording in the Village Hall on Monday, 8th November. The audience needs to arrive from 5:30 pm, and tickets will have a section for questions to be given to 4 panel judges, the celebrities are not announced until the night. Recording starts at 6:30 pm and goes on until 7:30 pm and tickets at £2.50 can be obtained from Grayshott Books or by contacting the Secretary Karen Flood on 01428 605032.

On Friday, 26th November, Karl Jenkins will be conducting a performance of Stella Natalis. The work is a contemporary piece written by the conductor himself and features Erika Eloff as soprano and Christopher Deacon playing the trumpet. In addition, also performing will be the Head Choristers of St Edmunds, The Adiemus Singers, The Tenebrae Choir and the Marylebone Camerata Orchestra. The concert takes place at St  Luke's Church, Grayshott and the performance starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets at £25 or £20 can be obtained from 01428 606666. This promises to be an exceptional night of music.

Andrew Zolinsky will give a piano recital at St Christopher’s Church, Wey Hill, Haslemere on Saturday 27th November at 7.30. A versatile pianist of interpretative vision, Andrew Zolinsky has an outstanding repertoire which ranges from early Baroque to the most avant-garde music. His close relationships with a number of prominent composers have led to a series of world premieres, including David Lang's piano concerto commissioned by the BBC and premiered by Zolinsky in 2004. The programme opens with 2 sonatas by Scarlatti followed by Debussy’s Images Book 2. This leads to études by Chopin and Ligeti.  The second half will feature Schumann’s Carnaval.
Tickets £15 (young people 8-25 in full time education free) are available from HHH Concerts, Rosewood, Park Road, Haslemere, GU27 2NJ,  email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , tel: 01428 652448, or from Chamberlain Music, Weyhill, Haslemere 4 weeks before each concert, and at the door.