I can’t believe that it’s Easter already. Wasn’t it Christmas a couple of weeks ago! In spite of a considerable lack of rain, things in the garden are showing a distinct sign of life and already there’s much colour to be admired. There are a number of events going on for the younger members of the family during the holidays from Easter egg hunts to children’s theatre, so with a bit of luck you might be able to keep them well occupied. I hope you all have a very happy Easter.

 

The Surrey Hills will be alive with music on 3rd, 4th, and 5th May 2012. Now in its third year, the Surrey Hills Music Festival returns in May with a host of new and familiar stars and promises to be the most exciting festival yet. Set in three locations over three nights, the festival showcases rising classical stars so you can say “I heard them here first! On Thursday 3rd May, set in the picturesque Denbies Vineyard in Dorking, the festival opens with a night of Song and Romance with acclaimed young tenor, Andrew Staples, rising star soprano Anna Patalong and festival director and pianist Tessa Marchington performing songs and arias to include Mozart, Strauss and Gershwin. On Friday 4th May, virtuoso cellist Natalie Clein and former winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year performs Bach, György Kurtág and Kodaly at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford. She will be in conversation with the audience after her performance. This is a chance to ask Natalie about her life on stage and her rise to international fame. On Saturday 5th May, the glittering Gala night stars classical Brit Award Winner Nicola Benedetti playing Vaughan William’s ‘The Lark Ascending’ at St Teresa’s School, Effingham. She will be joined by the Sitkovetksy Trio performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with The Surrey Mozart Players conducted by Kenneth Woods. Tickets are £20 on 3rd and 4th May and £25 on 5th May (concessions apply) and are available from Guildford Tourist Information Centre, 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ Tel: 01483 444334. For information about the festival or to book online go to www.surreyhillsmusicfestival.com

 

The Guildford Institute on Ward Street is a local charity committed to providing educational and cultural activities in a social atmosphere.  Their new programme is now available and summer 2012 will be an exciting one – remembered for international landmark events such as the 30th Olympiad, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and on a more local level, 120 years of the Guildford Institute Library. Each is being marked in their offering for this term in courses, talks or special events in a panorama of fascinating subjects and formats.  Details of all of the courses, talks and events can be found in the brochure or by visiting the website www.guildford-institute.org.uk .  Call 01483 562142 for further details.  The Institute will re-open following the Easter break on Thursday 12th April.

 

The Poetry Group at Guildford Cathedral is holding its next two Saturday meetings between 5 and 7pm on 24th March and 21st April. These are held in the Education Centre at the Cathedral. There is ample free parking and if you wish, tea and cake is available at the Centre from 4.30pm. Readings and discussions are based on the work of familiar poets from the past as well as the work of recent and current poets, and notable poets from other countries .These gatherings are relaxed and unhurried and new members and visitors are most welcome.

 

A magnificent year of excitement and celebration is in prospect with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Not known to everyone, however, is that The Queen Elizabeth 11 Fields Challenge is the 2012 legacy project led by The Duke of Cambridge in honour of his grandmother’s diamond jubilee. This is a national campaign to safeguard, in Trust, 2012 outdoor spaces for play, sport and recreation in the United Kingdom. In Surrey, all the Borough and Districts, together with most of the Parish Councils, will have been advised about the QE11 Challenge. The Challenge is being operated by the National Playing Fields organisation, Fields in Trust, but in Surrey it is being marketed by the Surrey County Playing Fields Association, a group that has been protecting playing fields in the county since 1927. The Queen’s legacy event is a unique opportunity to safeguard parks and playing fields for sport and casual recreation for future generations. You can visit www.qe2fields.com to find out more but everyone is welcome to join this important legacy campaign by nominating or supporting your local outdoor spaces to become Queen Elizabeth Fields. The fields have to be inspected before they are accepted as QE2 Fields. These are normally carried out by the Surrey County Playing Fields secretary, Jim Faulkner, who said ‘the important thing to remember about this scheme is that although the fields are protected, there is no change of ownership’. If you require any further information look up the website or contact Jim at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Cranleigh Vallendar Friendship Club (a twinning organisation) is visiting its German twin in May. They will travel over to Vallendar, which is a little village on the Rhine immediately opposite Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle.

It is an extremely attractive part of the world with wonderful old castles, vineyards, some amazing villages and, of course, the two majestic rivers. Koblenz is a wonderful city with lots of history.  There are plenty of hotels around and car hire is very reasonable.

There are a few spaces left on the coach which will leave Cranleigh on Thursday 24th May in the morning and will return on Monday 28th May.  The door-to-door cost is no more than £140 and could well be less if the spare seats are taken. If you are interested, please call the secretary, Jeremy Watts on 01483 276577.

 

Amnesty International and LynchPin Productions co-present The Afghan Monolgues by Ice & Fire.  This documentary play brings to the stage the real words of men and women from across Afghan society, as well as Western commentators from the front line. You can join them for another ScripTease rehearsed reading at the Electric Theatre Cafe Bar, Guildford, on Monday, April 30th, at 7:45pm.  Tickets £6 (£5 concs).

 

Enjoyment is the keynote to Circle Dancing, with fitness and friendship thrown in! You do not need a partner, as the dances are done in a circle and all attempt to do the same steps at the same time. Apparently, the music is beautiful and, moving in rhythm with it, a sense of peace and harmony comes to the circle, yet people talk of being energised too. The dances are international folk dances from countries as diverse as Russia, Greece, Israel, Serbia, Bulgaria and many more. They vary from the slow and meditative to the fast and lively, from easy to more complicated. Why not go along and try it for yourself. Beginners are particularly welcome and it is suitable for men and women of all ages. All the dances are thoroughly taught by an experienced teacher. Classes are held at Pirrie Hall Brook on Thursdays in three ten-week terms, from 7.30-9.30pm, St Catherine's Hall, Guildford on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 7.30-9.30pm, Lindford Village Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 1.30-3.30pm and WI Hall, Hartley Wintney on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 7.30-9.30pm. For more information and to book classes, contact Lynn Frances on 01420 474881.

 

The creativity, imagination and skills of the members of the Surrey Sculpture Society will be on display again this year at Denbies, the world-renowned wine estate, from 3rd to 29th April. There will be a wide range of sculptures to enjoy, both outside in the tranquil courtyard and inside in the contemporary setting of the Denbies Gallery. There will be sculptures for every taste and budget, with the emphasis on affordable art, from the emerging talents of amateur sculptors to the top artistry of top professionals, who make up the 300 plus members of the Surrey Sculpture Society. The exhibition is open from 9.30am to 5:30pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 5:30pm on Sunday. Entrance is free to visitors to the Denbies Wine Estate and art lovers can enjoy the combination of art, wine and a beautiful environment which offers a unique experience and a perfect Easter treat. There’s ample free parking plus the estate’s Conservatory and Gallery restaurants, gift shop, farm shop, wine tasting and tours. For more information visit www.denbieswineyard.co.uk .

 

Following on from previous successes, a one-day event will be held on Saturday 5th May from 10am to 4pm to showcase and celebrate Cranleigh. Organised by Cranleigh Parish Council, the day is all about promoting Cranleigh and bringing together the community. It’s just one of the events being planned during 2012, and follows on from the very successful range of Christmas activities.  As Emma Dawson, the Cranleigh Initiative Co-ordinator explains, “the event is a celebration of Spring and there will be many great activities going on in the village. It’s all about enjoying spending time in Cranleigh and being reminded of all the great things the village has to offer. In Cranleigh we are working with Waverley Borough Council Arts Service to create a May Day Parade involving local schools and youth groups and as part of the event we also aim to have Maypole dancing on the Common and other traditional ‘May Day’ activities.” There will be family fun throughout the day including a free family day at Cranleigh Leisure Centre, May Day parade, Maypole dancing, live music and dance, real ale trail, face painting, local produce market, traditional fairground rides and games, food tasting/demos, art and craft activities and much, much more…For full information you can go to the website www.cranleighvillage.net .

 

Christ Church in Guildford (GU1 2AZ) is holding a number of Easter services for everyone to enjoy. On Tuesday, 3rd to Friday, 6th April (Good Friday) they are holding a ‘Drop In’ from 9am to 8pm at the church. This is a Journey with Jesus- interactive Stations of the Cross for all ages created by Christ Church family. Children are very welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Then on Good Friday 6th April there is a 9:30am service with puppets, for all ages. On Easter Sunday at 10am there is an Easter family service with puppets, again for all ages, followed by an Easter Egg hunt. Finally, on Easter Monday, 9th April from 10:30am to 4:30pm, there is a Family Fun Day at St Martha’s Church, GU4 8PY.

 

For anyone interested in model railways, and I suspect that’s quite a lot of you, I can tell you that there is another Open Afternoon being held by Guildford Model Engineering Society on Sunday 15th April. A 16mm garden railway layout and a 4mm (OO gauge) layout will be in operation. There’s free admission, free parking and refreshments are available. It runs from 2 to 5pm.A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is serving up a “bangers and cash” initiative as part of a novel fundraising drive to boost its vital work in Surrey and Hampshire. To accelerate its fundraising work, it has now joined up with Giveacar, a non-profit social enterprise which collects unwanted and unused cars for charity – turning scrap into cash. Regardless of their condition, cars are collected free-of-charge nationwide by Giveacar then sold through an online auction or disposed of at an authorised treatment facility involved with the Giveacar Scheme. Profits from the sale are then donated to a charity of the car owner’s choice.  Even if the banger is scrapped, it still nets the selected good cause between £40 and £160. “We are very excited to be involved with Giveacar, all donations we receive will go towards offering the care to those 140 patients and families we care for each and every day and help us fundraise the £15,000 per day we need to offer these exceptional services” says Nadine Campbell, Marketing & Supporter Development Manager, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. If you or anyone you know has an old banger that needs disposing of go to www.giveacar.co.uk or call the Giveacar Team on 020 0011 1664, quoting Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice as your chosen charity.

 

I know we run a number of competitions throughout the year but here’s a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the Magic of Motown on Friday 25th May at 7.30pm in the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. This stunning show, fresh from The States is doing a huge tour of the UK taking in prestigious venues spanning the entire UK from Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight. This non-stop spectacular features 36 massive chart toppers from the Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, Lionel Richie and much more. This is a very special year as far as Motown is concerned as it marks 50 years of number one hits from one of the world’s favourite record labels. So, how can you win this pair of tickets? (Actually we have two pairs to give away). All you need to do is answer this simple question: In which American city was the Motown label based? Send your answer on a postcard with your name address and daytime phone number to Vantage Publishing Ltd, 6 Chestnut Suite, Guardian House, Borough Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7  2AE. Alternatively go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Entries need to be in by 27th April and the two lucky winners will be drawn from the correct entries. Winners will be notified in the first week of May. Best of luck!

 

Guildford Natural History Society’s next talk takes place on Thursday 19th April at 2:45pm at the Guildford Institute, Ward Street. Nansi Hopkins will give the Society a pictorial tour of the wonderful Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project. Non- members are welcome, cost £2. The Society meets for talks, walks and coach outings and if you’d like more details about the talk or membership contact Bridget Hopkins on 01483 505140.

 

Having slept in a bed reputedly slept in by Victor Hugo in an old coaching inn in Montreuil Sur Mer, France, my ears pricked up when I read of the next subject being discussed at the April meeting of Les Amitiés Françaises de Waverley. The great Victor Hugo was politically active and even exiled to the Channel Islands for his opinions; however, he is best remembered for his famous novels Les Misérables and Notre Dame de Paris. His vibrant life will be discussed at a lecture on Thursday 19th April at 7:30pm in the Baptist Church Hall, Queen Street, Godalming. If you’d like any more information about this or indeed the Society itself, call Claude Kauffmann on 01483 300225 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

A Twitter campaign has been launched by Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance in a bid to help save a life. Each emergency call-out by the life-saving charity’s two helicopters, based at Marden and Dunsfold, costs an average of £2,500. So far the charity has 2,615 followers on Twitter and if each of them donated just £1 it would fund one potentially life-saving mission. Supporters can donate by texting HEMS to 70300 and 100 per cent of their donation will go to Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. Director of Communications Jill Playle said: “We already receive a huge amount of support on social network sites such as Twitter, Facebook,You Tube and Flickr. If you are a Twitter user we would really appreciate your support in re-tweeting our appeal for donations to your family and friends.” During the campaign, users can follow the helicopter as it flies across all four counties until it reaches its destination and the grand total of £2,500 is raised. The website link is www.kssairambulance.org.uk/home/campaign . Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance can be found on Twitter and Facebook at twitter.com/kssairambulance or by searching for @kssairambulance or ‘like’ us facebook.com/KSSAirAmbulance.

 

We’re lucky, those of us living in and around Guildford, to have two beautiful country houses with gardens situated close by. Clandon Park, the former home of the Earls of Onslow, is situated in West Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RQ. Throughout the year, there is something going on almost every day in the garden and in April there are some special activities taking place around Easter. For example there are Easter Egg Trails on Friday 6th and Saturday, 7th April from 11am to 3:30pm.You can follow an Easter themed trail with riddles and clues around the garden, with two trails to cover all ages, and of course, a Cadbury’s chocolate cake at the end! Normal admission charges apply NT members free + £2 per child. Also on the 6th/7th April there are pony rides for children taking place from 11am to 4pm on Friday and 12 noon to 3pm on Saturday. For a full line-up of what’s going on, go to the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clandonpark  Hatchlands Park again in East Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RT, is holding a lot of similar events in April. Easter Egg Trails are on Sunday 8th and Monday, 9th April from 11am to 3:30 pm and pony rides for children are taking place on Sunday 8th Monday 9th and Saturday, 21st April. These run from 11am to 4pm on the Sunday and Monday and 12 noon to 3pm on the Saturday. They’re suitable for 2 to11-year-olds and are run by experienced handlers with beautiful safe ponies. They last about 3 to 5 minutes. Again to get the full low-down on what’s happening at Hatchlands go to the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands .

 

Guildford United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, GU2 4BS, is holding Children's Easter Activities from 2pm to 5 pm on Good Friday, 6th April, for children

aged 5 to 11years and there is no charge. Booking forms are available from Linda Robey on 01483 273889.

 

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice has invited BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing stars, James and Ola Jordan to join them at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green on Friday 27th April leaving their respective dance partners Alex Jones and Robbie Savage behind. It is set to be a fun filled evening of dancing in aid of the Hospice. In addition to a stunning dance showcase from James and Ola, there will be ballroom lessons, thanks to Aldershot based Angela’s School of Dancing, for everyone to join in as well as live music from band Premier Cru and much more. “This fantastic event is set to be even bigger and better this year,” says Ruth Scammell, Community and Events Fundraising Manager. “This year we have added a strictly twist to the event and recruited 10 couples who have 10 weeks to learn to dance, culminating in a performance on the night. Tickets are limited so if you are interested in sitting back and watching the stars in action, please grab a ticket while they last. They are extremely grateful to Bob Potter OBE for kindly donating the use of his renowned venue for the night for the fourth year running. Tickets are available from www.pthshop.co.uk priced at £25 each or if you would like to purchase special dance floor seats at £35 or front row seats at £30, then please call 01252 729446 (Please note dance floor and front row seats, include a drinks reception and early entrance and are only available to purchase via telephone).

If you have ever wanted to do a parachute jump here is your chance. The Royal Surrey County Hospital is looking for hundreds of adventurous volunteers to make a fundraising parachute jump on the 9th June and if you raise enough money you will get to jump for free! This jump will be a Tandem Skydive from 10,000 feet attached to a professional instructor. No experience is necessary as all training is given and if you raise over £395 you will receive your jump for free! So if you would like to make a thrilling skydive from 10,000 feet please give the Fundraising Department a call on 01483 464146 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   and they will send you a full information pack and everything you need to take part in the experience of a lifetime.

Dusk to Dawn is back for a second year and this time they need you! After the huge success of last year’s Dusk to Dawn which raised over £5000, plans are already in place to hold the event again on Friday 29th June. The walk which takes place from 10pm and is just over 17 miles from Farnborough Football Ground to The Royal Surrey County Hospital, is no easy feat! All money raised from this event will go towards a brand new piece of equipment called Stereotactic Radiotherapy for St Luke’s Cancer Centre. Stereotactic Radiotherapy is a precise way of accurately targeting secondary brain tumours. So if you would like to show your support for your local hospital and walk 17 miles in the dark in fancy dress, why not get in touch for further information and a booking form by contacting the Fundraising Department on 01483 464146 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. It’s sure to be a night not soon forgotten!

To help celebrate National Gardening week (16th to 22nd April) there will be a range of fun and interactive activities for gardeners of all ages and levels of experience on offer at the four RHS Gardens situated throughout the country, over the weekend of the 21st/22nd  April. We are lucky indeed to have the RHS’s flagship garden, RHS Garden Wisley within our locale. Created 100 years ago the gardens cover 200 acres and include the Bowes Lyons Rose Garden where there are over 4000 roses and the outdoor play area ‘Wild at Wisley’ which has naturally created climbing balancing and den building equipment. There is even a dedicated RHS Garden Wisley I-spy book to keep the younger ones on track. There are a number of activities taking place on both days and I would suggest you go to their website and have a look for yourselves. It certainly is a wonderful place to visit and there is always something for everyone. The website is www.rhs.org.uk/wisley  Admission for members plus a guest is free and for adults it is £10.50 and children (5-16) £4.50. Under fives are free and family tickets are £27 (2 adults, 2children).

The youth in our country quite often receive a bad press, some of it is deserved but a lot is not. Or course a lot of the great things done by our youth are never reported so it’s great when you hear of particular individuals excelling themselves. One such individual is the daughter of Anne Milton, Guildford’s MP. Her name is Nicola Henderson and in January climbed Kilimanjaro reaching the summit on 19th January. She is now set to run the London Marathon in April. She is doing all this to raise much-needed funds for our local charity RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre). Actually, her mother is the charity’s patron. Nicola is hoping to raise over £2000 in sponsorship if she achieves both her challenges and her mother has offered to take to lunch or dinner at the Houses of Parliament anyone who can find an individual or company to match fund Nicola’s fundraising efforts. If you think you can help contact the centre on 01483 452900 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you would like to sponsor Nicola you can go to www.mycharitypage.com/nicolahenderson/ .

What is a Midsummer Family Walkfest? Well, I can tell you it’s a sponsored 4 or 8 mile family walk followed by an afternoon/evening of fun, food and live music with fair games, face painting, gift stalls, raffle and much more. It takes place on Saturday, 30th June with the walk starting from 12 noon and the afternoon/evening events starting from 3pm going on till 9pm. It’s all happening at Guildford Rugby Club and it should be a great day for all the family. The event is being organised to raise much-needed funds for GUTS, the wonderful charity that is helping to fight bowel cancer. The idea is to raise as much as you can from sponsorship by completing the walk. You can register online at www.gutsfbc.co.uk or call 01483 408316 for more details.

The Chilworth Massive fundraising campaign to commission the making of replica millstones for Chilworth continues. During April they have three events planned on the lead up to the Diamond Jubilee. On Easter Monday, 9th April, Chilworth Massive are holding a Duck Race (plastic racing ducks in case you wondered!). It starts at the Chilworth C of E infants School at 1pm with a barbecue followed by the duck races in the Gunpowder Works. It finishes at approximately 4pm and ducks can be adopted for £2 each at Chilworth post office. It is most important that children are supervised by an adult at all times. On Sunday 22nd April there’s the Chilworth Massive Motorcycle and Classic Car Meet at Tillingbourne School, Chilworth. It runs from 10am to 1pm and is an informal get-together with tea coffee and bacon butties plus a raffle. Entrance to the meeting is £2.50. For further information on any of these events you can e-mail Chilworth massive This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Wonersh Bowling Club is set in a most beautiful part of the countryside Members of the Club have decided to invite you to enjoy the pleasures of bowling in idyllic surroundings for free on Saturday 21st April from 11am.  You will have the help of qualified coaches in a relaxed environment.  You will also be able to meet members of the club who will be there to help you with any questions. There is no need to bring any equipment, although flat shoes would be an advantage.  Following on from this first visit the club will continue to give you four further free coaching lessons in the weeks that follow.  During these sessions it will give you the feel of the bowls and how to deliver them correctly.  It will teach you some of the basic principles of the game and some of the rules where necessary.  The times of these sessions will be geared to you.  During these coaching sessions you will be allowed the full facilities of Wonersh Bowling club and refreshments will be available.  Should you require any further information please contact the Club Secretary, Brian Taylor on 01483 423159. This really is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the sport of bowling.

The date of the very first Surrey Youth Climbing Festival has been announced to coincide with the Craggy Island round of the British Mountaineering Council’s (BMC) Youth Climbing Series. On Saturday 21st April Craggy Island, Guildford, will host the 3rd round of the BMC’s Youth Climbing Series. The BMC Youth Climbing Series is a popular and fun competition for young climbers of all abilities. Young climbers aged 6 to 16 may register for the National Festival on www.thebmc.co.uk  before the event or register for both events on the day. Climbers wishing to take part in the new Surrey Youth Climbing Festival can just turn up and register on the day. The Craggy Islands are London and the South-East’s premier indoor climbing centres and anyone interested in taking part is welcome to go along on the day. For more information go to www.craggy-island.com or call 0844 8808866.

 

Practical Philosophy, Guildford is offering a 12 week Introductory Course for anyone interested in realising their potential.  This is a practical course -  no academic qualifications are required. You will be able to take part in lively weekly discussions that reward and empower you and at the same time develop awareness of yourself and others.  Rediscover simplicity to enjoy a fresh and more fulfilling outlook on life. The fee is £75 a term, (full-time students £20 - concessions available) payable on enrolment. The course is offered at two local venues, Guildford and Farnham.  Enquiries to 01483 457769 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information have a look at the website www.practicalphilosophyguildford.com .Dates and times are as follows:

Guildford – On Thursdays from 3rd May to 19th July, 7.30 to 9.30pm at St. Catherine’s House 26a Portsmouth  Road Guildford, GU2 4DJ.

Farnham – On Wednesdays from 2nd May to 18th July also 7.30 to 9.30 pm. at The Gallery, Farnham Museum, 38 West Street, Farnham, GU9 7DX.

 

From Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st April, Guildburys Theatre Company returns to one of its regular venues, the Electric Theatre in Guildford.  This time they are presenting Shelagh Stephenson’s bitter sweet comedy about loss, childhood memories and family relations ‘The Memory of Water’.  From what might seem to be a situation of grief and conflict Shelagh Stephenson tells a life-affirming story that won an Olivier Award for the best comedy of 2000. For all of us of a certain age, looking back at a childhood amongst siblings, this play will resonate and entertain.  Tickets are £11.50 (£9.50 concessions) and can be booked on line at www.electrictheatre.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01483 444789.  More details are on Guildburys’ website at www.guildburys.com.

 

There is an illustrated talk at Cranleigh Arts Centre on Wednesday April 25th at 1.45pm and 8pm, entitled “The fascinating world of playing cards”. Cranleigh Decorative & Fine Arts Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except August and December, at Cranleigh Arts Centre to hear nationally accredited lecturers on themes in Art, Architecture and Culture. Information about membership is available on their website: www.cranleighdfas.org/ . Guests are very welcome and a £5 voluntary admission donation is suggested.

 

Having been packed off at an early age to boarding school I was never able to join the Cubs or Scouts. However I have a granddaughter who is a very keen member of the girl guides and I think that the whole guiding and scouting movement is a wonderful opportunity for youngsters. We have received a delightful e-mail from a young guide leader at 1st Merrow Guides called Emily Gowers asking us to help in their efforts to raise £5000 to save their guide hut. We are of course only too pleased to help in any way we can and I hope that you will be able to help in some way too. The e-mail is so well written I thought I would publish it in its entirety. Here it is; “Hello, my name is Emily and I am a young leader at 1st Merrow Guides. This year, we have launched our fund raising appeal, hoping to raise £5000 to try and save our guide hut, which is in desperate need of repair. 1st Merrow Guides has been based at the hut next to Merrow Village Hall on the Epsom road for many years and we are one of the oldest units in the country. Currently, there are twenty guides aged between eleven and fourteen, two fantastic leaders and three young leaders and we meet every Monday evening. One of the great things about guides is it gives us the opportunity to meet other young people who live locally. Each Christmas, we support the Samaritan’s Purse shoebox appeal, filling shoeboxes to be sent to underprivileged children. We also work towards different badges and attend camps such as Scoutabout and the Guide Centenary Adventure to take part in activities such as raft building and campfires with other guides from around the world. In February we held a table-top sale where we raised an amazing £750. To continue our fundraising, we will be holding a scrap metal collection on April 14th. If you have any old pipes, saucepans, hinges, baking trays, hot water tanks, cable, old garden furniture or any other scrap metal; please contact Emily either by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone on 01483 570476 to organise a free collection from your door. We really appreciate anything you are able to offer as it all counts towards our target of raising £5000 to rebuild our Guide hut”.

 

Over the weekend of 21st and 22nd April, Guildford Shakespeare Company, Guildford’s much loved home grown theatre company, will be staging the first ever Guildford Sonnet walk. Created in association with Guildford Borough Council to celebrate Shakespeare’s 448th birthday and St George’s Day, the Sonnet Walk will see groups of walkers following a specially designed route around the town, where you will stumble across scenes and sonnets from Shakespeare in the most unlikely of places, performed by the company’s professional actors. Starting at the Tourist Information Centre on Guildford High Street, the Sonnet Walk will take in a variety of heritage sites, as well as gardens, pubs and street corners - live theatre where you least expect it! Walks start at 12 noon and then continue every 15 minutes from 12:15pm to 2:15pm. Each walk lasts approximately one hour and tickets are £10. You are advised to wear comfortable shoes and disabled access will be made wherever possible. Numbers are strictly limited so you need to book a place by calling 01483 444333 or visit the TIC website www.visitguildford.com .

 

From Tuesday, 17th April to Thursday, 3rd May the Lewis Elton Gallery, at the University of Surrey, GU2 7XH is holding an exhibition of the work of Alan Cotton one of Britain’s most distinguished landscape painters. Organised in association with Messum’s of Cork Street, London, the exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and at weekends by prior arrangement (48 hours notice required).In 2005 he accompanied his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as his tour artist. In May 2011 and again in October, he was expedition artist to Everest with the explorer David Hempleman-Adams. He is a founding member and first president of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, which supports young artists. In 2006 he was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.Litt) by the University of Exeter and in October 2011 was made an honorary Professor of Art at the University of Bath. Admission to the exhibition is free and sounds as if it is definitely worth a visit. As a prelude to the exhibition Alan Cotton is giving a talk on Monday, 16th April at 6:30pm in the Griffiths Lecture Theatre, Lecture Theatre Block, University of Surrey. He will talk about the people and places he has come across on his travels to Everest and around the world as Royal Tour Artist. Admission is free but you are advised to book by calling 01483 686517. If you’d like more information go to the website www.surrey.ac.uk/arts/visualarts .

 

Guildford Opera Chorus invites you to their spring concert, Opera Plus, on Saturday 28th April at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Guildford. The programme of opera cameos and other musical treats has been devised by their resident Musical Director, Francis Griffin.  It will include favourite choruses and arias, with highlights from recent productions of Lucia di Lammermoor and Otello and tasters from their forthcoming productions of Bellini’s La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) in November 2012 and Bizet’s Carmen in November 2013. They will be joined by soloists Yuri Sabatini (tenor), Jim Davis (bass) and the stunning soprano Eleanor Briggs to sing arias by Mozart, Donizetti and Verdi and will be accompanied by talented pianist Matthew Rickard who will also perform a solo. Tickets are £15 and are available on line at www.nodaboxoffice.co.uk or by calling the box office on 07768 002720 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Onslow Village Garden Club is holding a Table Top Sale on Saturday 12th May at Onslow Village Hall, Guildford, GU2 7QR from 9.30am to 12.30pm. There will be stalls selling plants, cakes, books, cards, jewellery, jigsaw puzzles, bric-a-brac and much more. There will also be a raffle and refreshments will be available.

Intrigued by the mystic Orient and how the myth becomes divorced from the reality? Then why not join the Wey Valley Decorative and Fine Arts Society on Thursday, 19th April at Shalford Village Hall for their next lecture by Suzanne Perrin entitled “Women in Japan: Not Just a Geisha”.The Society offers a monthly programme of varied and fascinating talks by first class speakers. They start at 10:45am with refreshments from 9:45am. There are also special interest days, visits and an annual tour for members.  New members and visitors are warmly welcomed. Annual Membership is £38 and visitors pay £6 per talk. If you are interested, please contact the Membership Secretary on 01483 890535 for more information.

 

Are you looking for a long-established, family friendly natural history society to join? West Surrey Natural History Society was founded in 1979 to bring nature lovers together. It aims to study and foster interest in our flora and fauna and to secure the protection of wildlife. They meet in Ripley Village Hall at 8pm on the fourth Thursday of the month from September to April and hold talks, usually illustrated, with guest speakers (free to members, nonmembers - £2 payable on the door) they also have field outings throughout the year, social events and issue a quarterly newsletter with members’ articles and forthcoming events. The annual subscription is just £6 single - £10 family. If you’d like more information you can contact Anna Stribley - Secretary on 01372 457623 or Alan Bowen - Walks on 01483 567041, alternatively e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  The next meeting is on Thursday 26thApril and is an illustrated talk by Ken Willmott on the butterflies of Bookham Commons. Ken has researched the butterflies on the Commons every year for the last 40 years and his talk will include the Purple Emperor, White Admiral and Silver Washed Fritillary, all of which are found on the Commons. He will also explain many aspects of their life cycles together with many of the other wonderful butterflies he has studied in this environment.

 

Fancy cycling to Paris in September? Project Peru is a Guildford-based registered charity that has for the past 20 years raised funds, with minimum overheads, to start a children's refuge from scratch in the shanty towns surrounding Lima, Peru, and continues to develop and support it. They care for 40 children there, as well as working in the wider community there.  Every year they organise a Guildford to Paris sponsored bike ride - this year it's 15th -19th September... 200 miles cycling in 4 days and home on the fifth day by road. Why not join them? No 'professional' cycling skills required, but you do need fitness and determination, a good bike, enthusiasm and the ability to raise sponsorship. For more details on this and about all the other things they do locally as well as in Peru, call 01483 576093, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see their website www.projectperu.org.uk.

It’s a classic story of girl meets Prince, only this time rather than leaving a glass slipper, Cinderella will skate away at midnight. From Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th April, G Live’s main stage will be transformed into an ice rink to welcome the Wild Rose Russian Ice Stars as they tell the classic story of Cinderella. Keeping the glamour of the theatre, the wild Rose Russian ice stars will deliver a dazzling interpretation of this enchanting story loved by all ages. For fans of ballet this is a brilliant way to expand your interests by seeing some of the beautiful dance movements staged in a different setting. With superb sets and colourful costumes it’s a two-hour spectacle that should really entertain. So if you’d like to treat the family to something a bit different go along and watch some of the world’s finest skaters glide and swirl their way through one of the best loved fairytales. Evening performances start at 7pm with a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. Ticket prices vary from £10 per child to £29.50 for an adult, however family tickets are available for the Friday and Saturday evening’s performance. To book go to www.GLive.co.uk  or call 0844 7701 797 (10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday). You can of course book in person by going to the Ticketing Sales Point in the Main Foyer which is open from 10am Monday to Saturday and on Sundays and Bank Holidays 90 minutes prior to any performance.

 

Guildford Quilters are holding a Quilt exhibition on Sunday 22nd, Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th April from 11am to 5pm at National Trust - Clandon Park, West Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RQ. Normal National Trust admission applies – NT members admission free. There will be a raffle with prizes including 3 beautifully handmade quilts made by the Guildford Quilters, plus gift vouchers from local retailers and restaurants. Raffle tickets £1 have a look at the website:  www.guildfordquilters.co.uk or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

 

Amnesty International and LynchPin Productions co-present The Afghan Monologues by Ice & Fire.  This documentary play brings to the stage the real words of men and women from across Afghan society, as well as Western commentators from the front line. Go along and join them for another ScripTease rehearsed reading at the Electric Theatre Cafe Bar, Guildford, on Monday, April 30th, at 7:45pm.Tickets £6 (£5 concs).

This is a bit tight as I’m not sure whether you will have received your April Round and About in time, however, Wonersh and District Gardening club is holding a Spring Show on Tuesday, 3rd April. Entry forms are to be submitted by 7:30pm and exhibits need to be in place by 7:50pm for judging by Mr B Deauville at 8pm. Spare 2012 show schedules and entry forms are available from Mrs Ann May, telephone 01483 893596. It takes place at Wonersh Memorial Hall. Looking ahead there is a plant sale on Tuesday, 1st May, together with a hanging basket demonstration by Mrs Janet Williams, again at the Wonersh Memorial Hall.

 

Come and join the children of Peaslake School (and their teddies) for the Annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic. They have even worded their own take on the famous Nursery rhyme!

“If you go down to the stream today you’re in for a big surprise. If you go down to Abinger Hammer you’d better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was, will gather there for certain because, 5th May is when the teddy bears have their picnic!” This year, there will be all the usual stalls and attractions for the entire family, with a range of refreshments including the ever-popular BBQ, and gorgeous home-made teas in the Abinger cricket club’s pavilion. There’s a Pimms stall and family favourites include the popular teddy bear classes, pony rides, a coconut shy, the poohstick championship and duck racing on the Tillingbourne Stream. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle and both an adult and children’s tombola. All children can take part in some fabulous arts and crafts on the day, and there will be many more attractions to be confirmed closer to the date. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and some cushions with you to make yourselves comfortable on the green, and remind your children to bring their Teddy Bears for the picnic! It starts at 12pm goes on till 4pm and takes place at The Stream at Abinger Hammer, RH5 6QX. You can find out more by going to www.facebook.com/teddybearspicnicabingerhammer .

 

There is a great opportunity to take advantage of free fly casting instruction for beginners and improvers which is taking place on the 11th to 13th April on the Albury Estate at Vale End Fishery, off Chilworth Road, Albury, Nr Guildford, Surrey GU5 9BE. Go along and learn how to fly fish through Flyfish 12. Book in for your free instruction period - groups and parties are welcome. All fishing equipment will be provided, but bring your own if you have any. You also need polarised sunglasses, a baseball cap and a linen handkerchief. Your casting lesson will last 30 minutes and then you will be accompanied to the lake by a fishing guide where you be able to catch your first ever trout! A one fish ticket will cost £10. The offer of free instruction is available to anybody aged 10+. All enquiries and bookings to Tony Hern at Albury Estate Fisheries on 07976 810737 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

The Mandalay Hotel and Conference Centre, 36-40 London Road, Guildford, holds some rather good gigs on Friday evenings. Just to give you an idea, on Friday, 20th April Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise present ‘Elvis’, an evening of classic hits from an artist regularly voted one of the top Elvis tribute acts in the world. Backed by the fabulous ‘Paradise Band’ the show features all of the great hits from the Vegas years and tickets are priced at just £12. The doors open at 7pm and Elvis and the band will be onstage at 8:30pm with two full sets. The bars are open throughout the hotel until midnight. To book tickets go to www.guildford.com/events  or call 01483 30303 for further details on this or further events.

 

I have to admit that I haven’t been in there, but Guildford boasts a rather unusual coffee shop and food store called Caracoli. Situated at 168 High Street, in an ultra modern building, it purports to have the best view in town looking down the High Street to the fields beyond. It’s a family run business and also has shops in Winchester and Alresford. Apart from coffee, it apparently sells delicious savouries, seasonal lunches and filled rolls to take away. The food store side of the business has a very good selection of local produce, as well as unusual foods from around the world that make great foodie gifts or treats. Caracoli has just won the food category of the prestigious national competition: the Telegraph Magazine’s ‘Best small shops in Britain 2012’. Must be worth a visit.

The Wey and Arun Canal Trust are running themed Easter cruises on all four days over the Easter weekend from Good Friday 6th April to Monday, 9th April. These trips take 35minutes and depart at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Children will receive a chocolate gift from the Easter Bunny while adults enjoy refreshments and a chance to unwind and enjoy the scenery. Tickets cost £7 per person and booking in advance is advisable. The boat departs from the wharf besides the Onslow Arms on the B2133 in Loxwood (there’s a free car park) and travels along the decorated canal and through a restored lock. If you would like to book an Easter cruises (or enquire about private charters) call The Wey and Arun Canal Trust Office on 01403 752403 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Credit cards are accepted.

 

St Peter's Catholic Secondary School, Horseshoe Lane, East Merrow is holding a Car Boot Sale on Sunday 13th May from10am to 1pm. Cars are £8 vans £10 if paid in advance or £10 and £12 on the day. Entrance for Buyers is free. There will be refreshments available including bacon butties and hot dogs. For bookings and more info please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Catch22 Surrey is looking for sixty Year Eleven students to take part in National Citizen Service (NCS); an exciting new summer programme. NCS is a mix of outdoor activities, project management skills and local community action which allows young people from all backgrounds, and with varying abilities, to take on new challenges, learn new skills and make a difference. A government initiative, aimed at sixteen year olds, NCS helps develop transferable skills that enable young people to progress in work or education, and importantly encourages young people to get more involved with their local community. National Citizen Service is taking place in three weeks during August. The first week is an action packed fun week away at an outdoor activities camp which involves participants stepping out of their comfort zone and challenging themselves. The second week is a local residential where participants do a number of ‘The Apprentice’ style challenges and develop project management skills while investigating the area they live in. In the final week participants action a project that they have identified as important to them and deliver and develop it within their local community, past examples of this include renovating a community centre, helping out at a nature reserve, or putting on a music or arts festival! Places for this year’s programme are filling up fast – National Citizen Service is only available to Year 11 students so this is your year to get involved! If you are interested in mixing it up this summer, or want more information, then visit  www.catch-22.org.uk/ncs or contact Catch22 Surrey NCS Programme Coordinator, Katy Lynch on 07545 507828.

 

 

Do you fancy taking up a new sport this summer?  Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club, located at Broadwater Park in Godalming, is offering a completely free introduction to Golf Croquet (the simpler, and very popular, form of the game) on three evenings in May/June. The sessions will be held on Thursday evenings (24th May, 31st May and 7th June) from 7pm to 9pm and will be run by a qualified Croquet Association coach. The club will supply all the necessary equipment.  All you need to do is arrive wearing flat-soled shoes (e.g. trainers) and casual dress (ladies are advised to wear trousers/jeans rather than a dress or skirt).  More information about the club is available on www.guildfordandgodalmingcroquetclub.co.uk.  Please address enquiries to Mike Huxley on 01483 415472 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

There is a great mix of entertainment at Cranleigh Arts Centre during the month of April. On Thursday 19th and Friday, 20th April at 8.30pm, they are presenting What Would Helen Mirren Do? It’s a one woman show, staring Anita Parry and was described in the Guardian as “Shirley Valentine meets The Office”! It’s the story of Susan who has worked at the supermarket in Oldham for most of her life. Busy with the job, her kids and her elderly mother she’s never given much thought to role models until she’s training for promotion and is forced to adopt one. Life changes dramatically when she starts to ask herself, what would Helen Mirren do? Tickets are £10 in advance/£12 on door. Then on Saturday 28th April at 2pm there is the last in the family theatre season, The Elves and The Shoemaker. This well-known and well loved tale has been re-heeled by Theatre of Widdershins in their own inimitable style. A beautifully crafted set and puppets, sublime music, a kaleidoscope of miniature shoes and a comic mouse make this a magical must see show. It’s suitable for ages 3 to 7 and tickets are £6 (£5.50 for groups of 4+). For tickets to both of these shows call the Box Office on 01483 278000 or visit www.cranleighartscentre.org . Also, have a look at the website to see what other great events are happening at the Arts Centre.

 

Some great films are being shown at Cranleigh Arts Centre during the month of April. Again have a look at the website to see what, where and when. I can also tell you that in May and June they are planning a Great British Film Festival, details of which I should be able to give you in next month’s edition.

 

World Book Night takes place on Monday 23rd April at Guildford Library in North Street and is open from 7:30pm to Midnight. It is a celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books and, just in its second year, the date happens to fall on Shakespeare’s birthday, not I suspect a coincidence! Some 30 authors from all over Surrey will be available for informal conversations with individuals and small groups. You will be able to have a chat about what inspires them, what makes them tick and the general ups and downs of being an author. It really is a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk to published authors and find out what it takes to write a book. The first hundred people to collect 10 authors’ signatures in the brochure will be entitled to a free book and if you enter the World Book Night Competition on the night you might even win a whole bag of books! Do go along and support this event. Admission is free!

 

Following a very well-attended and much praised concert at last year’s Surrey Hills Festival, Surrey Mozart Players have once again been invited to provide this year’s Festival Gala Concert at 7.30 on Saturday 5 May at St Teresa’s School, Beech Avenue, Effingham. With a star-studded group of soloists including Nicola Benedetti (violin) who will perform Vaughan-Williams’ The Lark Ascending and the Sitkovetski Trio, who will perform Beethoven’s Triple concerto (for piano, violin, ‘cello and orchestra); the orchestra will play Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Beethoven’s Egmont overture. Kenneth Woods, Surrey Mozart’s Music Director, will conduct. Go and join them at St Teresa’s at 7.30 on 5 May, and enjoy what promises to be another exceptional musical feast. Tickets are £25 (£15 for under 21) from Guildford Tourist Information Centre on 01483 444334.

 

On Wednesday 18 April, Prof. Ravi Silva, Director of the Advanced Technology Institute and Head of the Nanoelectronics Centre, University of Surrey, will be talking on ‘Solar Energy: The Drivers and the Users’. It is at 7pm in Committee Room 1, Guildford Borough Council Millmead Offices. This is organised by Guildford Environmental Forum, see www.gefweb.org.uk for more information.

 

On 13th April at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Guildford, Ralph Allwood MBE will be bringing his widely acclaimed Rodolfus Choir back to the wonderful acoustics of that large Georgian building. Works including the iconic Allegri's Miserere will ring around the fabulous open space and the clarity of the young voices will make this an exceptional performance.  The concert is entitled 'REFLECTIONS' to highlight the use of double choirs and vocal echoes and, after the audience response to their previous visits, we can see why BBC Music Magazine described them as "One of Britain's very finest young choirs". A quick visit to a music previewing website such as Spotify or even YouTube and searching for 'Rodolfus Choir' will give you the opportunity to hear them for yourselves before committing to buying tickets which are available through the Tourist Information Office (or on the door) at £13 each with concessions £10 and students £5.  The concert is aiming to preview and raise funds for the USA tour which begins the following day.  Further information about the choir and tour at www.rodolfuschoir.co.uk (including how to donate even if you cannot attend the concert) and tickets at www.visitguildford.com.

 

The Surrey Sculpture Society’s second major exhibition at Guildford Cathedral will open on 17th April and run for almost six weeks until 27th May.  There is ample free car parking available and entrance to the exhibition is also free. It is open Mon to Sat from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Sun from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, See www.guildford-cathedral.org or call 01483 547860 for more information.

 

Guildford County School are hosting an all years Reunion on Saturday 7th July 2012.  This event is open to all ex staff and students; the cost is £10 per person to include afternoon tea.  Leavers from 1920-1959 are invited to come at 2.30 and rest of years from 3pm and the event will finish at 6pm. Please contact Lucy Miguda at Guildford County School on 01483 504089  or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

 

The tree top adventures at Go Ape offers up to three hours of tree top fun. It’s a great way to get outdoors and have some fun. They take one lush, green forest and a healthy dollop of breathtaking scenery; blend with a smattering of tree-top high wires, tricky crossings (using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire) and wind-in-your-face zip wires; and finish off with a liberal dose of people in search of their inner Tarzan. Go Ape is for anyone who likes to live life adventurously - you don’t have to be a seasoned explorer to enjoy a Go Ape experience! Visit www.goape.co.uk/days-out/alice-holt or call 0845 643 9215 for more information.

 

SHALFORD MILL opens for visitors and guided tours on Sunday 1 April. On the Easter weekend follow the fun trail to win a lovely Easter egg. Join the fascinating Flour to Powder walk on Sun 15th April. New to the mill is Geocaching Trail taster on Sun 29th April. Visit the National Trust website for more details.

 

There is a Rare Plant Fair on Sunday 29th April from 11am to 4pm at Birtley House, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0LB. This is your opportunity to buy interesting and unusual plants, many of which you will not be able to find at garden centres. All the nurseries are dedicated to giving you well grown plants, at reasonable prices, along with information to ensure that the plants you buy will thrive in your garden. A great day out whether a novice or experienced gardener or indeed anyone who just likes wandering around beautiful gardens. Entrance £4 (including entrance to the grounds), with refreshments 11am-4pm. More at www.rareplantfair.co.uk.

 

The Leconfield Fly Fishing Club has been in existence since the mid 1970s and is operated in partnership with the Leconfield Estates.  Club members have exclusive use of nine lakes, six of which are stocked with hard fighting rainbow trout, two with free rising brown trout with a resident head of wild browns, and one lake, Cox’s, offers an opportunity to fly fish for carp.  All the lakes are in the beautiful and private areas of the Estate. There is also an exclusive stretch of the River Rother with three miles of mostly double bank fishing, where fly fishing is for wild brown trout and Sea trout. The river is regularly stocked with brown trout throughout the season. In additional to seasonal membership, and a five day option, new for 2012 there is a weekend membership offer at a special rate, allowing fishing on Saturday & Sunday only.  Membership of the Club is maintained at modest numbers to ensure that fishing is peaceful and quiet.  The Club has a website at www.leconfieldflyfishingclub.org.uk which has many pictures of the lakes and full details. If you would like to see the lakes or obtain further details, please call Tessa Taylor at The Estate Office, Petworth, GU28 0DU on 01798 342502.