life in haslemere

ISSUE 3APRIL - MAY 2007

Local Heroes

Weddings

Sport

Local Businesses, Eating Out, Gardening,Property, Fitness, Health, and the Arts

Rita Bicknell, a greatservant to the community

Where to buy weddingclothes locally

Ladies cricket at the

Haslemere Club

Your local community lifestyle magazineCovering: Haslemere and surrounding areas including Beacon Hill, Chiddingfold, Fernhurst, Grayshott, Hindhead, Liphook

Contents

2

Contents

Editor: Nick Keith [email protected]

Sub-editors: Lucy Coates and Sarah Parson [email protected]

Creative director: Andy Burke [email protected]

Art director: Karen Holloway [email protected]

Advertising manager: CarolineWarne [email protected]

Marketing executive: Cat Jarman [email protected]

Marketing & production director:

Gareth Gammon [email protected]

Publisher: Anthony Parson [email protected]

Contributors in this issue: Lucy Coates, Gareth Gammon, Nick

Keith, Jessica Moon, Jo Morley, Chris Rawlings, Richard Royds

Designed & produced by: www.navigate-design.com

LIFE MAGAZINES LIMITED22 High Street, Petersfield, GU32 3JLTel: 01730 235669www.lifemags.co.uk email: [email protected]

Inside Life in Haslemere this issue ...

Welcome 4

News Chamber Awards 2007; Lythe Hill reopens;6Post Office petition

Profile Local MP Jeremy Hunt talks to Lucy Coates 8

Local Business Featuring Applegarth Farm Shop, 10Holly Park, Enchantment, and Ultimate Vision

VillageVoices Life in Fernhurst, by Lucy Coates 14

Weddings Get them to the church… in style 16

Eating out Jack'sWine Bar, Ma Brasserie 18

Local heroes Rita Bicknell, angel of the community 20

Health Haslemere Dental Centre, by Nick Keith 22

Gardening Tips for April and May, by Chris Rawlings 24

AWeek In The Life Of…wine merchant Richard Royds 26

Fitness Chill out at Champneys Forest Mere,28with Gareth Gammon

Music Hindhead Music Centre, by Lucy Coates 30

Property Beacon Hill in the spotlight, by Nick Keith 32

Sport Haslemere Cricket Club, by Jo Morley 34

Arts DiaryWhat's on in April and May 36

Competition Your chance to win a fantastic prize38at Champneys

Useful contacts Haslemere and the surrounding area 40

ISSUE 3 APRIL - MAY 2007

3

Welcome

4

WelcomePillars of the community take pride of place in the third

issue of Life in Haslemere. And ‘pride of place’ goes to

Rita Bicknell. She is a real Haslemere treasure and our “angel

of the community” (see page 20), but like many genuinely

worthy people she is modest.We had to twist her arm before

she agreed to be interviewed featured.

Born in Yorkshire, Rita moved south in her teens, to work at

a home in Hindhead for children with special needs, and later

at other children’s homes. She married Frank Bicknell, a local

man, and they had two sons.

Soon she noticed that there was a need for a community

nursery school, so she started one with a friend and it

prospered.When Rita retired some 30 years later she was

surprised to be awarded an MBE in 2004 for her services to

the community.

Another servant of the community is our local MP, Jeremy

Hunt.We spent a day in March shadowing him in the

constituency (pages 8 and 9) and found him hard-working

and good-humoured.

We include our usual pot pourri of business profiles –

Applegath, Holly Park, Ultimate Vision, and Enchantment.

You can also enjoy seasonal sensations with a special

weddings feature (pages 16 and 17); gardening tips (page 24);

and news of cricket in Haslemere creaking back into life (page

34).

With further coverage of eating out, health, fitness, music,

and the arts, we hope there is something for everyone in this

edition. In our own modest way, Life in Haslemere also has

aspirations to serve the community!

Nick Keith

Editor

[email protected]

life in HASLEMERE : JUNE - JULY 2007

Deadline for copy MAY 4, 2007

Life

Nobbs Newsagents, High Street,

Haslemere

Georgian House Hotel, Haslemere

Hammonds Newsagents,

Haslemere Station

Tesco, Weyhill

The Co-op, Weyhill

DeVere Branscombe Place

Devil's Punchbowl, Hindhead

Royal Parade Stores, Hindhead

Jaycees Foodstore, Beacon Hill

Tesco Express, Grayshott

Village Post Office, Grayshott

Grayshott Pottery

Grayshott Spa

Applegarth Farm Shop, Grayshott

Londis Stores, Headley Down

Martins Newsagents, Headley

Passfield Post Office

The Co-op, Liphook

Gables Newsagents, Liphook

Old Thorns, Liphook

Forest Mere, Liphook,

General Wine Company, Liphook

The Post Office, Fernhurst

Lythe Hill Hotel, Kingsley Green

Cee Gees Village Store, Camelsdale

Chiddingfold Post Office

Distribution List

DisclaimerLife in Haslemere is published by Life Magazines Ltd.The views or facts expressed in the content of the ofthe magazine editorial or advertising are not necessarily those of the editor or Life Magazines Ltd. nor dothey accept responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions or any legal implications arisingthereof. Life Magazines Ltd. retains © copyright over the content.Any material submitted to thepublishers is done so at the senders risk and may or may not be returned, and may be subject to editingwithout notice prior to publication. Life Magazines Ltd. does not necessarily endorse any of thebusinesses or services featured in this magazine.

The front cover photo depicts Jeremy Hunt campaigning to keep theRoyal Surrey Hospital open - see page 8 to find out more

News Update

6

At this time of the year, we

are overcome with awards.

If it’s not the Golden Globes, it’s

the Brit Awards or Oscars. In

early March Haslemere

Chamber of Trade joined the

throng by launching its annual

business awards at a

champagne reception for over

60 Haslemere businesses at the

Georgian House Hotel.

Chamber President Arya

Ingvorsen said: “We have so

many excellent, inspiring

businesses in the Haslemere

area that we decided that we

really ought to recognise and

celebrate this.We are therefore

launching six business

categories that we want local

businesses to apply for.We

don’t want companies to be

bashful, we want to hear about

what they are good at and why

they excel.”

The 2007 Business Awards

scheme is organised by

Chamber committee members:

Amanda Baker, of Alan Baker

Flooring; Simon Labrow, of

Labrow Limited; and Arya

Ingvorsen. There are six

different categories that

Chamber members can enter,

each sponsored by a local

business (and one byWaverley

Borough Council). The

categories range from ‘Best

New Business’ (sponsored by

The Marketing Forge) to ‘Most

Proactive Business in The

Community’ (sponsored by

Grayswood Computer

Services).

Winners will be awarded an

attractive glass trophy and also

benefit from PR and

recognition. The Awards are

open to members of Haslemere

Chamber of Trade and the

winners will be announced at

the Chamber’s Annual Dinner

Dance on 27 April 2007, at

Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa.

Simon Labrow said: “It is

going to be good for Haslemere

business in general to look at

and be inspired by local

examples of excellence that

these awards highlight’.

To enter the Awards please

contact Arya Ingvorsen at

01428 658455, or email:

Lower Roundhurst Farm,

on Tennyson’s Lane near

Haslemere, has sealed its

place as a premier source for

organic beef in Sussex.

The farm’s award-winning

Sussex beef has been chosen

for an event hosted by the

Prince ofWales at Clarence

House to celebrate the best of

British Beef. Its beef will be

prepared by expert chef James

Martin for an audience of top

restaurateurs, meat buyers

and supermarket heads from

the seven major markets for

British beef across Europe.

The event is designed to be a

springboard for foreign buyers

to visit Britain and see the

quality of British livestock.

Lower Roundhurst Farm’s

beef has won first prize in the

annual Sussex Cattle Society

Large Herds Competition. It

was also highly commended

in the Haslemere Food

Festival sausage competition

with a beef and fresh chilli

version, the only organic

entrant.

The farm is committed to

education about sustainability

and organic farming, and has

a new partnership with

Camelsdale First School in

Haslemere. Children to visit

the farm and experience what

happens on a living farm over

the seasons, from dealing with

harsh winter conditions to the

arrival of spring and new life.

Camelsdale School Head

Teacher Mrs Palmer said: “It’s

fantastic to see life on a farm –

showing also the importance

of green and sustainable living

in everyday life.”

The Farm Gate Shop is open

on Fridays and Saturdays,

offering organic meats, eggs,

vegetables and homemade

cakes.

Contact: 01428 656455.

www.roundhurstfarm.com

Haslemere ChamberBusiness Awards 2007

Rural PostOfficePetition

Beef fit for a prince

Millions of people in theUK rely on Post Offices

for vital services, yet morethan 4,000 have closed since1997. At the end of March,Jeremy Hunt MP presented a‘Save our rural Post Offices’petition to the House ofCommons.

The petition, organised by

Witley and Hambledon

Conservative Councillors

Adam Taylor-Smith and

Elizabeth Cable, was signed

by over 600 local people. It

shows the strength of feeling

about the proposed closures

of local Post Offices.

The strategy outlined by the

Government is for a further

2,500 closures. Opponents

reckon that the Government

has failed to acknowledge the

importance of the Post Office

to those living in rural areas

or the difficulties vulnerable

groups have in accessing what

is often the centre point of the

community.

Adam Taylor-Smith said: “The

Government needs to

understand the importance of

the social role played by Post

Offices in villages like the

ones inWaverley. In rural

areas, when the local post

office closes, often the last

shop in the village closes as

well. The Government must

take steps to give Post Offices

a sustainable future, including

giving sub-postmasters

greater freedoms to run their

business.

Jeremy Hunt profile, page 8


7

A‘Spend andWin’ shopping

incentive in Beacon Hill by

local traders rewards shoppers

while pavement and signage

works are under way in the

village centre.

Every time a customer makes

a purchase from one of the 21

businesses taking part, their

name has been put into a hat.

On 2 April, a name was being

drawn, with the winner

receiving the gifts on display in

Hindhead Furnishings.

After winning SEEDA funding,

work began in Beacon Hill last

year, with Surrey County

Council Highways Division

installing new street lighting

and a long-awaited zebra

crossing outside the school.

Over the next 13 months,

Haslemere Initiative, in

association with Beacon Hill

Focus Group, will see further

positive changes taking place in

the village, such as: the

installation of new play

equipment in the children’s

playground, seating, new bins

and a noticeboard; plus a new

website for local people and a

walks leaflet that will cover the

area’s Golden Valley.

The ‘Spend &Win’ prizes up

for grabs in this first event have

been donated by the 21

participating businesses. They

range from a meal out, to

chocolates and vouchers for

fresh produce, wine, home

wares and items for pets.

Jacqueline Barber, from the

Beacon Hill Focus Group, said:

“We have a great little shopping

area here and have a wonderful

free car park just round the

back. We just need shoppers to

give us a go!”

The Mayor of Haslemere,

Brian Howard, was on

hand to cut the ribbon at the

launch of the newly revamped

Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa in

February. Around 100 guests

attended the champagne

reception to mark the re-

opening of the hotel’s public

areas and 31 of the guest

rooms. They have undergone a

£1m restyling by award-

winning French designer,

Georges Karam.

The hotel’s new look is

described as classic

contemporary, with bespoke

furniture and soft furnishings

in a palette of red, grey and

black. Highlights are the BFCA

(British Contract Furniture

Association) award-winning

armchairs inspired by the era of

big ocean liners and the utra-

modern Ingo Maurer Yayaho

hanging lighting system.

Brian Howard recalled Lythe

Hill Hotel’s close association

with the business community

over many years. The

Haslemere Chamber of

Commerce held its first

meeting there in 1988.

David Armstrong, Lythe Hill’s

general manager, said: “We now

have the quality facilities to

match the quality personal

service we provide. I want

Haslemere to be proud of the

hotel and I hope the residents

of Haslemere feel it is an asset

to the town.”

Gift wrapping

Lindsey Lunn, owner and

manager of Blush

boutique, has a passion for

clothes and for making

women feel great about their

wardrobes.

Before buying Blush in

Summer 2006, Lindsey

provided a personal

shopping, style and colour

consultation service. So the

opportunity to acquire Blush

was just what she was looking

for.

After refurbishing the shop,

Lindsey carefully selected her

first collection for Autumn/

Winter. This was a roaring

success, drawing customers

from Haslemere, and beyond.

Each season’s collection is

designed to encompass

everything a woman needs in

her wardrobe – from

comfortable but chic casual

wear, to fantastic work

clothes and fabulous

occasion and evening wear.

Labels include: The Perfect

White Shirt Company, Oui,

Bandolera, The Masai

Clothing Company, Yulin,

Ochre, Pulls, and Betty

Jackson, to name just a few. A

select range of jewellery and

bags are also available.

Lindsey and her team pride

themselves on the relaxed

atmosphere at Blush. They

are happy to help putting

specific outfits together.

And they offer style and

colour consultations. Are you

wearing the right shapes (and

sizes) for you? Do the colours

you wear complement your

skin tone? Style and colour

analysis can take place at

your own home, or in the

shop, and allow you to get the

most out of your wardrobe.

CCoonnttaacctt:: Blush 2 High Street,

New season at Blush

Two local people planto climb Mount

Kilimanjaro in order toraise £20,000 for GreatOrmond Street Hospital toget a new cardiac theatrewhich will include all thelatest technology to assistsurgeons and doctors bothshare knowledge (throughthe video conferencingequipment), and providethe best care, in thecleanest possibleenvironment for theirpatients.Jenny Alexander explained,“We are training hardalready and would beextremely grateful foranything people feel theymight be able tocontribute – whether thatbe as individuals orbusinesses. The GeorgianHouse Hotel have given usfree membership for 9months so that we can

train there which is reallyfantastic and goes to showthat anything you can offerreally helps so please doget in touch with us.” If you would like to helpthem raise money in anyway, such as, organising amufty day at your office,having a coffee morning,doing a fun run, or bygiving a donation, pleasedo not hesitate to contactthem for more details.

Robert Bennett & JennyAlexanderwww.justgiving.com/bennettandjenny57a Lion Lane, Haslemere,Surrey GU27 1JF

Fund raising climb

Lythe launch

Lythe Hill’s manager DavidArmstrong with the MayorBrian Howard at the launch ofthe re-styled public areas

Every Friday Jeremy Hunt

spends the day in his

constituency, SouthWest

Surrey (which includes

Haslemere and Hindhead). “It

is really nice to come down

fromWestminster, where I am

considered to be quite a new

and young MP still and so am

not very well known,” he tells

me, “to a place where most

people recognize me and I feel

like a bit of a local celebrity.”

Our day begins in bright

sunshine outside the

Postgraduate Medical Research

Building in Guildford, the stage

for the latest meeting in the

campaign to Save the Royal

Surrey Hospitals. Various

people from the local areas are

there to discuss this serious

issue with passion and with a

determination to get things

done.

Jeremy Hunt listens

attentively, making the

occasional note on his palm

top. He explains later, “Anne

Milton (Guildford MP) and I

largely set up the campaign to

save the Royal Surrey but now it

is important to keep

supporting the campaign even

though we have handed over

the reins. It is also important

that I can listen to updates

before ploughing in with my

opinions.”

We had to leave the meeting a

little early and went to Jeremy’s

car, an extremely high-tech,

energy-efficient, eco-friendly

model which allows him to

phone his PA without breaking

the law. Or rather it should

have done. But Surrey’s

beautiful rolling hills interfere

with the signal, and he is forced

to admit to a business

colleague: “Perhaps my

campaign to prevent all the

mobile phone masts being put

up in the area was rather too

successful!”

We arrive at Godalming

College and meet the

headmaster, David Adelman,

who shows us the new drama

centre being built and the new

sports facilities, which have

been finished recently. The

visit, on Comic Relief red nose

day, brings a smile to my face.

Both Headmaster and MP feel

it proper to wear their huge red

noses in front of the students.

This means that conversation is

rather stunted as they battle to

keep them on and discuss

important issues in rather

uncharacteristically nasal

voices.

The visit ends with a warm

discussion between Jeremy

Hunt and David Adelman

about the possibilities of

improving the education

system in this country. Two

clearly intelligent and clever

men give as good as they get.

Next on the agenda is a visit

to the Conservatives’ offices in

Hindhead to say goodbye to a

very dear member of staff who

is retiring after many years’

service. “I started out as

somebody who no one knew

from Adam, but now after all

the leafleting and posters and

campaigns most of you are all

sick of the sight of me,” he

jokes.

Jeremy almost steals the show

having bought a huge bouquet

of flowers, but some have

already been arranged and so

his colleague presents those

too.

There is little time to

reminisce, or for an extensive

speech, as we are soon on our

way to a drinks party to meet

new and prospective members

of the Conservative party. Our

conversation moves from the

general day to day business of

being an MP to Africa – a topic

which greatly interests us both.

Jeremy has a key link with an

orphanage out in Kenya and

visits three or four times a year

to take some children – who are

often afflicted with HIV/AIDS –

to see the sea for the first time.

He says, “This is a really

important part of my life as it

has nothing to do with

publicity or promoting the

party - it is something I do for

me which I hope the children

enjoy and get as much from as I

do.”

We discuss the possibilities of

actually providing help to

African countries, rather than

just relief, and the realities to

be faced on continents in a

similar position on the world

stage. Halfway through our

conversation we arrive at the

drinks party.

After a soft drink, a few

nibbles and an impromptu

speech, we are off again along

the beautiful country roads to

Amesbury School who are

celebrating the last day of a

reading week.We are welcomed

into the dining room where

year six are all dressed up as

their favourite literary figures,

and waiting to hear Jeremy

read from his favourite

children’s story book, TheWind

In TheWillows.

Although he does not do the

voices of all the characters, he

keeps the children on board by

asking them to shout “MOLE!”

every time he read out the

name. Following the reading,

there is a brief question time

and the children are invited to

ask whatever they want.

“Can anyone guess what my

favourite animal is?” asks

Jeremy. ‘Just William’ put up

his hand and said, “My

favourite dog is a sheep dog

but I don’t think you have a

dog. If you did, you would

Profile

8

No time (to hunt) for lunchLocal MP Jeremy Hunt shows Lucy Coates how he spends a typical Friday in his constituency.


9

have a Labrador and you

probably drive a Range Rover.”

There was a stunned and

amused silence before giggling

erupted once more because

Jeremy announced that his

favourite literary figure is Vicky

Pollard!

As the pupils went for their

French class, Jeremy and I

headed back to the Hindhead

offices for a much needed cup

of tea before members of his

constituency arrived to talk to

Jeremy. Each was courteously

asked if it was alright if I

listened in. This was where the

work began as people had

come to ask Jeremy to act on

their behalf, as their MP, on

matters gravely important to

them – whether they had voted

for him or not.

Jeremy was honest and good

at listening to all they had to

say before asking what it was

they would like him to do for

them. If what they wished was

not possible, he said so but

suggested other options in a

straightforward and relaxed

manner so that he might be as

useful as possible in such a

small amount of time (each

person/couple/group was

allotted ten minutes.)

Jeremy Hunt’s hobbies

include Lambada dancing. He

admits he “needed serious

encouragement and

persuasion” to get him to his

first few lessons but he has now

been going for years. He recalls,

“I had a complete lack of hand-

eye co-ordination and was

never good at sports really, so

Lambada was a real challenge

but one which I enjoyed

working on. Now it helps to

keep me fit and de-stress after

long days atWestminster.” It

was whilst dancing that he met

his girlfriend.

Jeremy continues to run his

publishing company by

attending just one Monday

morning meeting a week but is

an extremely busy man what

with that, his trips to Africa,

being Shadow Minister for

disabled people, and of course

MP for SouthWest Surrey. After

one day of shadowing him, I

was exhausted and very hungry

- we had not even stopped for

lunch.

Life

Jeremy Hunt whilst campaigning for the Royal Surrey

Business

Catherine Sack and Annie

Jackson opened Holly Park

in 2001. They had both been

involved in the fashion industry

and Catherine moved to

Haslemere from London in

1999 when her husband retired

as a dentist.

Now she and her husband live

seven minutes from the centre

of the town, having spotted

their cottage in Country Life.

Once settled in Haslemere an

interiors shop seemed a natural

development.

Catherine had already been

involved in retail with clothes

shops in Newcastle, her home

city, and in Brighton. “I have

always been interested in

fabrics and interiors,” she says,

“and being in the fashion

business puts you in good

stead for keeping a shop

because both require a good

eye.”

The style of Holly Park is

“New England, French,

Scandinavian, and clean,”

Catherine explains. “We have

put our heart and soul into this

and I think that is why it is

successful.”

Holly Park relies on word of

mouth and finds itself in

magazines – sometimes

unwittingly. “A lady visited us

from Norfolk and said she had

seen the shop mentioned in an

article in You magazine.” Other

appearances in national

magazines – such as Country

Homes and Interiors in July

2006 – have kept Holly Park in

the public eye.

They keep a seasonal feel to

their stock and, Catherine adds,

the mood is mainly feminine –

“although we have plenty of

male customers,” she adds,

“and they get help in making a

purchase if they need it.”

So far they have resisted

attempts by friends and fans to

open new outlets in Newcastle,

Bath or anywhere else.With the

help of four part-time staff they

are content to enjoy a happy lot

in Haslemere.

Contact: Holly Park, 4-6West

Street, Haslemere, GU27 2AB

Tel: 01428 651087

Life

Holly Park Interiors

Clean lines

Anew expansion and

development scheme will

put this family business in

exciting new territory for 2007.

William Benson told Life in

Haslemere about Applegarth’s

ambitious plans.

Applegarth has been run by the

Benson family for nearly 30 years

starting life as a pick your own

farm. In 2005,William Benson

took over the helm from his

parents in order to create a fresh

‘visitor experience’ at Applegarth.

With plans forging ahead for a

new café and delicatessen

opening in early May, plus a

children’s play area and

attractions including pot belly

pigs, rabbits and goats there is a

huge amount on offer.

William is helped inside and

outside the farm shop by his wife

Rebecca (marketing), his sister-

in-law Estelle (finance and PR),

his brother Thomas (husbandry),

his father John (fruit and veg)

and his mother Stephanie (a

cordon bleu cook and teacher).

They have just recruited Andrew

Perriton from Harrods to manage

the new delicatessen counter.

The exciting scheme aims to

serve products in both the café

and deli which have been

organically grown on the farm or

from small, local suppliers. “The

farm shop will be all about a

‘destination’ experience – from

growing to buying and eating.

We source as much of our

produce as locally as possible”

saysWilliam. The farm shop

stocks over 2000 products from

free range meat, smoked goods,

pickles, relishes to fine British

cheeses.

The fine food café will offer a

mouth watering

selection of home-

made dishes. At

tea-time visitors

can feast on a

Victorian-style

cream tea, with

cucumber

sandwiches, scones

with cream and

jam, and delicious

cakes, just as if they

were in the Ritz

Hotel, London.

At the end of

March, Applegarth was

undertaking a week of blind

tastings so that customers could

choose their favourite brands of

coffee, tea and preserves, which

will be sold in the shop and cafe.

The farm shop in Headley

Road, Grayshott, has to be well

worth a visit this Spring and

Summer to test this new growing

and eating experience. Open 9-6

Monday to Saturday and 10-5 on

Sundays.

Contact: Applegarth Farm Shop,

Headley Road, Grayshott, Hants

GU26 6JL

Tel: 01428 712777.

Life

Applegarth Farm Shop

Putting on the Ritz

10

William and Rebecca Benson


11

Business

12

Husband and wife team

Olindo and Lana Venturi

(right) opened Ultimate Vision

in May 2006, having decided to

set up their optical business

earlier in the year. “We thought

Haslemere needed something

more upmarket from an optical

point of view,” Olindo says.

They acquired the Old Barn

China shop which stood in

Petworth Road at the top of the

High Street for some 70 years.

Ultimate Vision prides itself

on high quality brands and a

first class service, spending as

much time with patients as

they need. “Spectacles and

contact lenses are like high-

class clothes or shoes – a good

fit makes a huge difference,”

Olindo explains.

“We are user friendly and aim

to create an ambience of

relaxation, with the feeling of a

boutique where we are on good

terms with our patients.”

Olindo’s father originated

from Bologna but Olindo is a

Haslemere man, born and

bred.

Olindo’s family are deeply

involved in the optical

business. After school he was

apprenticed to Bateman’s

where his brother is a general

manager. His sister and other

family members are also

involved in Ultimate Vision but

the principal optometrist is Jill

Bonham, and they use Peter

Hills as a locum when

necessary. Between Olindo and

Jill they have over fifty years

experience.

Business has come mainly by

word of mouth from the

Haslemere area but also from

as far a field as Manchester.

Their patients are aged from 3

to 93. They stress they can

provide NHS prescription

glasses for children with an

NHS voucher, aged 3 to 16.

While providing a caring and

dedicated service, Ultimate

Vision aims to compete on

price with the big name multi-

outlets. They are proud of their

knowledge of their brand

products, including Nikon,

Hoya, Essilor, Rodenstock, Tag

Heuer and Zeiss. Lana added

that they have many exclusive

designs including the latest

collection of Mykita range.

They have a fully

computerised and networked

set-up, linked to suppliers

worldwide. Olindo says, “With

our technology, we can scan

and trace your old frame,

which takes five minutes, and

you can return a few days later

to have the your new lenses

fitted. So you don’t ever have to

be without the original frame.”

So Ultimate Vision can order,

stock and fine-tune a truly

‘spectacular’ range of products

– all with supreme care for the

client and attention to detail.

Contact: UltimateVision, 5

Petworth Road, Haslemere,

Surrey GU27 2JB

UltimateVision Opticians

Spectacular products

Sheila Kirby (above) of

Enchantment Jewellery in

Grayshott is a wonderfully

enthusiastic and beautiful lady

who is passionate about

making women look and feel

great. She has had her image

consultancy business in

Headley Down for six years but

was inspired to set up a sister

company, Enchantment,

because she felt ladies were

unaware of all the wondeful

accesories available.

Sheila explained, “I saw such

beautiful things so I thought I

would take the plunge and set

up shop. I absolutely love it. I

can combine my knowledge

about image with my passion

for beautiful designs.”

Sheila takes pride in the fact

that she has something for

everyone offering traditional

and modern pieces of jewellery

along with many accessories

such as Opika leather belts,

Italian handbags, sarongs with

matching shoes and beautiful

Frank Usher parasols which

ooze quality. She has recently

added some wonderful pieces

from Isabelle Langlois, Paris.

Sheila continued, “I get a lot

of ladies coming in who have

always played it safe when it

came to accessories and they

are now ready to change. It is

such a pleasure to be able to

help them choose exactly what

is appropriate and flattering,

rather than what they normally

would have sought.”

Ladies are encouraged to

bring along their outfits so that

they can find a special piece

that really works with the

shape, colour and fabric.

Similarly, if you are buying for a

friend, Sheila will ask questions

about personality, lifestyle and

colouring so she can suggest

the perfect piece.

“The most important thing

about Enchantment,” noted

Sheila, “is that customers are

allowed to take as long as they

want browsing and can try on

as many pieces as they wish. I

am here to help ladies achieve

the look they are longing for. I

am a firm believer in dressing

to feel good which does not

always mean wearing jeans and

a comfy jumper. As one of my

recent customers told me, ‘I

overdress, rather than under

dress, and I do it for me!’”

Contact: Enchantment

Jewellery, Privie House,

Headley Road, Grayshott,

Surrey GU26 6NF

Tel: 01428 606039

Enchantment Jewellery

The Lady returns

Life

Life


13

Village Voices

14

Fernhurst is a large village

with an even larger heart

and sense of community based

activities and initiative.

Throughout the year, there are

two major non-religious

festivals to which all are

invited, and many bits and

pieces in between.

Perhaps the best known

festival is the Fernhurst Revels.

Every year on the village green,

many villagers of all ages gather

to enjoy the day together. No

one really knows why they are

called the Revels as essentially

this is a traditional May Day

celebration with maypole

dancing, stalls, and the

crowning of the newly elected

May Queen selected from the

local school. One lady from

Fernhurst admitted to me that,

“You can literally eat your way

around, if nothing else!”

The money raised at this

event is usually put towards

local causes and charities so

why not keep an eye out for the

this year’s revels on the

Fernhurst Centre’s website and

pop along to enjoy the village’s

friendly atmosphere?

TThe Fernhurst Centre was

set up as a place in which

people could meet with one

another, have a cup of

something hot as well as check

their e-mails and learn new

skills.

Three years on, this is exactly

what the Fernhurst Centre is

able to provide with the help of

Chichester District Council, the

25 volunteers who man it,

and the various tutors (who

also generally work for nothing)

of their wide range of courses.

The importance, relevance

and inspirational effects of the

centre were very clear when

interviewing local people. Not

an interview went by without

someone mentioning the

Centre: either they weren’t sure

how to send me their

photos so they would pop into

the Centre and ask to be shown

how, or for some other help.

Indeed, perhaps the nicest

story was that Pauline Colcutt,

Manager of the Fernhurst

Centre, together, with three of

her colleages ,attended the

Centre’s Web Design course and

as a result designed and

launched the Fernhurst Centre

website.

The Centre offers a number of

classes throughout the year as

well as the use of their internet

café. These include various

computer based lessons such

as using spreadsheets,

beginners IT, surfing the

internet and e-mails, using

PowerPoint and computer

filing. They also offer beginner,

intermediate and advanced

French Conversation as well as

the popular Genealogy course

which helps you understand

the techniques and resources

needed to find and read

census, certificates and parish

records in your search to find

your ancestors.

Overall, this is a lovely place

to meet for a hot drink and a

natter as the Monday morning

coffee group HAGs (Housework

Avoidance Group) will tell

you. Long may it inspire

volunteers to give up their time

each week.

If you would like to find out

more about the courses offered,

pop into the Fernhurst Centre

or contact them: telephone

01428 641931, e-mail

[email protected]

<mailto:[email protected]>

or website

www.fernhurstcentre.org.uk

www.fernhurstcentre.org/.uk

Fernhurst Society

Many of those people involved

with organising the Revels are

also members of the Fernhurst

Society which is most active in

the area. “The Fernhurst

Society is a civic society which

has a key focus on local

history,” explained Christine

Maynard, the archive curator.

The emphasis on local history

is still as firmly apparent as

eight years ago when Helen

Ouin inspired the group to

come together to create an

archive of Fernhurst’s past. This

they did and received premises

in the village hall in order to

pool, house and catalogue all

their resources. As a result, they

have a large array of

photographs, letters and

newspapers dating back

hundreds of years and are

available for all interested to

look at on Tuesday afternoons.

“We are not only dedicated to

history,” Ian Brown noted, “we

also organise walks in the local

countryside, talks and

presentations. The society is

also a member of the British

Trust for Conservation

Volunteers because of our work

with the environment in the

biodiversity projects.” These

include garden bird watch,

woodlands, hedges and verges

Champion CommunityFernhurst is about 10 minutes drive from Haslemere and boasts some lovely shops and local businesses with the bonusof free parking! Lucy Coates went to Fernhurst to find out more about its social life made famous by a televisiondocumentary in 2006 entitled Village Voices.

Sealed Knot fire their muskets at the Fernhurst Furnace Open Day


15

surveys, land use and habitat

mapping and setting up a

village orchard.

Anyone of any age can join

the society for an annual

subscription of £6 (£5 OAP, £1

junior) which entitles members

to the newsletters explaining

up and coming events and

issues as well as the chance to

meet new people in your local

community as well as take part

in it with more ease.

If you would like to know

more about the archive or the

Society please e-mail the

president, Peter Hudson on

fernhurst.society@btopenworld

.com.

Fernhurst Furnace

Another much anticipated day

is the open day at the Fernhurst

Furnace. Robert and Carla

Barnes invite all to come and

have a look at the remains of a

site of local ironworks that was

in action from circa 1600 to

1776. The furnace, along with a

multitude of other

entertainments including

musket and cannon firing,

battle re-enactments by the

Sealed Knot group, roast lamb

cooked on an open fire and

many people dressed in

traditional outfits. Robin

exclaimed, as others in the

room cheered in agreement, “It

is a truly wonderful day out

and we hope that lots of people

will come again this year as

well as encouraging those who

have never been to come along

and enjoy themselves!”

Much of the actual furnace

was back-filled in order to

preserve it but now owners,

Robert and Carla, are

attempting to gain funding

from the Heritage Lottery Fund

in order to have it conserved

and the storm water controlled.

Robin explained, “We have

quite large plans and many big

ideas but how many of them

will actually happen is anyone’s

guess.”

The next Open Day will be held

on September 8th and 9th and

Robin recommends that you

keep an eye out at the

Fernhurst Centre and in Life In

Haslemere for the details nearer

the time or see details through

a link on the Fernhurst Society

website.

Life In Haslemere will have a

focus on local businesses in

Fernhurst as well as an

historical account of the local

area in a future issue.

Life

Christine Maynard in the Fernhurst Society Archives

Bridal wear

The nearest bridal shop to

Haslemere is Amaryllis

Bridalwear Ltd in Alton. This is

a beautiful, oak beamed shop

run by Pat, Mavis, Maria and

Charlotte who offer a friendly

one-to-one service.

Pat noted that “one of the best

things about the shop is that we

have downstairs fitting rooms

which ensure absolute privacy.

Brides have much needed space

away from the prying eyes of

the street outside.”

They offer a wide range of

dresses from designers such as

AmandaWyatt, Charlotte

Balbier, Ellis Brials, Romantica

and Sincerity as well as Lawson

Designs headdresses and

Elizabeth Dickens veils.

Mother of the bride

Hardly less important than the

bride’s gown is her mother’s

outfit which is often the hardest

thing to find and get right.

Fortunately, two lovely outlets

specialise in mother-of-the-

bride outfits: Coco’s Boutique in

Haslemere and KUDU in

Grayshott.

Coco’s Boutique has recently

started a broad range of special

occasion wear including

mother-of-the-bride designer

pieces from elegant European

countries: Parisian designer

Paule Vasseur’s shot silk range

which all hang beautifully and

are incredibly comfortable;

Englishman Peter Martin’s

lovely range of two and three

piece outfits; and designs from

Italy by Sonja Fortuna and

Renato Nucci, each of which

have their own style and

elegance.

Julie at Coco said: “Finding a

hat to match one’s outfit is

often the hardest part of the

shopping experience so we now

have hats and fascinators in

thirty different colours which

are available to hire or buy and

come with matching bags.”

KUDU has a great collection

of floaty silk dresses in various

colours and sizes to suit any

occasion. You will find them in

the Square at Grayshott for that

perfect outfit for that special

occasion. KUDU have a large

range of formal wear, including

hats, shoes, fascinators and

jewellery to complement any

outfit.

Menswear

For the men, the best local

place to go is Anthony Hirewear

in Godalming. Anthony and his

colleague Roy have 80 years

experience of menswear

between them, Anthony having

set up his own business 12

years ago.

“Uniquely, we keep all our

stock on the premises,”

Anthony said, “so that

gentlemen may try on the exact

coat they will be wearing.” They

stock morning suits (chest sizes:

20-60in), dinner jackets (chest

sizes: 22-56in), frock coats and

90 different styles of waistcoat.

Anthony said, “We have

received many compliments

from our customers about our

high standard of service,

presentation and professional

approach for which we are

extremely proud.” One lady

even returned to the shop

having been asked to check her

father’s leg length to say ‘My

father would like to know how

you know how long his legs are

when you haven’t met him and

not even he knows!’

Photography

There are many photographers

in the local area, I met these

three at wedding fairs recently

and was won over by their

friendliness, professionalism

and skill.

Husband and wife team, Mark

Weddings

16

Get them tothe church...in styleThe wedding season gathers pace again in the Spring, sowe sent Jessica Moon on a mission to plan and buy herdream wedding using local outlets.

Jay Tough, Lea Jerova (model organised by Deborah Stapleton), JulieBrooker of Coco’s Boutique, Roy Annible of Anthony Hirewear

Photograph taken by AmyMurphy-Watts at The Old Thorns GolfCentre also available as a stunning venue for a wedding01428 725611


17

and Sam of MarkWayer

Photography are keen to be

unobtrusive during the day and

capture the atmosphere and

emotion.

Mark told me: “We are

creative, relaxed and

professional and are keen to let

you enjoy your day trusting that

we will take the perfect pictures

without you having to pose for

hours on end.”

AmyMurphy-Watts specialises

in creating the story of your day:

from the bride getting ready to

the first dance of the evening, in

a beautifully finished album.

She said “I am keen to provide

atmospheric shots using black

and white film, as well as the

more traditional group shots

and the negatives are given to

you so reprints are hassle free.”

The reportage focus for

wedding photos is what thrills

Peter Searight, of The

Remarkable Studio, most about

weddings. “I love capturing the

subtle emotions at weddings

which are always there but

sometimes lost in the formal

photographs. Mind you, my wife

helps me out with the formal

ones as she is very good at

organizing groups of people so

guests are never left waiting.”

Venues

DeVere Branksome Place is

hidden away in 32 acres of

wooded countryside just

outside Haslemere. They

are unique for a number

of reasons but perhaps

the best is that they only

hold one wedding a day

so there is no chance of

having to share with

another bride.

FromMay to October,

they also offer the use of

their marquee in the

grounds free of charge

which can dramatically

cut down costs. It is

possible to have a Civil

Marriage or Civil

Partnership on the

grounds with up to 150

guests as well as an evening

reception for the same number.

Also included in the price is a

wedding co-ordinator to help

take some of the pressure off

leading up to and on the day.

Contact:

Anthony Hirewear: 23 Church St,

Godalming, GU7 1EL

Tel: 01483 414 042

Amaryllis Bridalwear Ltd: The

Corner House, 29 Market Street,

Alton, GU34 1HA

Tel: 01420 80552

Branksome Place: Hindhead

Road, Haslemere, GU27 3PN

Tel: 0870 609 1141

Coco’s Boutique: 34-36West

Street, GU27 2AL

Tel: 01428 661299

Deborah Stapleton:

Tel: 01932 565622

Idyllic DaysVintage China:

Tel: 01428 656267

Web: www.idyllicdays.com

Jay Tough,MOC:

Tel: 01483 825218

KUDU: 4 The Square, Grayshott,

Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6LQ

Tel: 01428 605354

MarkWayer Photography: The

Old Cycle Shop, Headley Road,

Grayshott, GU26 6TZ

Tel: 01428 605786Web:

www.markwayerphotography.co.uk

Murphy-Watts Photography: Tel:

01428 725519Web:

www.murphywattsphotography.co.uk

The Remarkable Studio:

Tel: 01428 725520Web:

www.theremarkablestudio.com

Beautiful vintage china and teawareavailable to hire from Idyllic Days -look out for a business profile in thenext issue

Life

Eating Out: Opening soon

18

While sitting enjoying a

drink in Haslemere

about 18 months ago, Karen

Bowen turned to her husband

Neil and proclaimed, “This

town really needs a wine bar.”

The idea was born and, from

that moment, this bright and

friendly couple could not let it

go to waste. They started

looking for suitable premises,

and eventually found 4 High

Street but fought a battle in

order to get changed the use

class of this grade 2 listed

building, complete with an

original beam.

Now though, it is all go as

they are hoping to open at the

end of April and were only

given the keys in January of this

year. Neil said, “It has been a

really busy time but we are

really enjoying it.We have tried

to support local businesses in

the process too which has been

great as we are only a short visit

away from all our colleagues:

from our wine supplier to our

builder and electricians.”

Running a wine bar together

does not seem to be the

obvious career change for an IT

consultant and man who

‘consults’ in the motor industry,

but they do not consider this a

setback. “We have a very keen

interest in wines but we don’t

pretend to be experts,”

explained

Karen.

“We have

been helped so

much from our

suppliers with

choosing the

wine list and

are now really

happy with it,

feeling we have

something for

everyone, whether that is

champagne by the glass or a

bottle of French red.”

Both key members of the

Charter Fair, Neil and Karen are

active in the community and

have learnt from other local

businesses. Neil explained, “We

want the bar to be a place in

which locals can meet friends

in a relaxed, smoke-free

atmosphere with the same

faces behind the bar each time.

Both Clayton Jewellery and

Sportslocker have been a real

inspiration in that sense for us

as they are both owner

managed, and it is that which

makes them such great places

to shop.”

Karen concluded, “We have

put so much effort into this

project and are really looking

forward to being open, and

meeting more people from in

and around Haslemere who

have been needing somewhere

to sit and have a glass of good

wine in a friendly yet exclusive

environment.”

Jack’sWine Bar, 4 High Street,

Haslemere.

Email:

[email protected].

Life

Jack’s WineBar

The newly refurbished

Garden Court restaurant

at Lythe Hill Hotel is now

open for lunch serving a

brasserie menu - and one

lucky Haslemere food lover

knows exactly what he’ll be

ordering.

Local businessman Simon

Labrow was given the chance

to put his favourite dish on

the menu and he chose steak

and mushroom pie. He

explained: “It’s true that I’m

passionate about food. I’m

very keen on using local,

seasonal produce. I chose

steak and mushroom pie

because it’s traditional

comfort food – the sort of

thing which I enjoy, whereas

my wife would prefer

something lighter, so I would

eat this for a working lunch

rather than at home.

His choice, which he insists

must be made with short-

crust not puff pastry, will

feature on the menu for a

month before another local

diner will be asked to choose

their favourite dish.

The brasserie menu is

available at lunchtime and

features classics like French

onion soup and lemon sole

with caper burnt butter.

“There’s something to appeal

to all tastes,” said David

Armstrong. “These really are

everyone’s favourite dishes.”

For more information:

www.lythehill.co.uk

Ma Brasserie inWey Hill

reopened in March with

the husband and wife team of

Stephane and Nelly Jacob still

in charge. They continue to

offer “typical French cuisine”

for lunch and dinner.

Having met in Saumur in the

Loire Valley, they moved to

the UK and opened Ma

Brasserie seven and a half

years ago. Nelly cooks

while Stephane is ‘front of

house’.

Now they are looking to

launch a ‘Ladies only

evening” onWednesdays,

and hope that all women

interested will contact

them.

A typical set menu is a

vegetable soup to start and

breast of guinea fowl with

a mushroom and shallot cream

sauce for the main course.

Ma Brasserie,Wey Hill,

Haslemere,Tel: 01428 642642.

Open: 12-2, and from 7pm

onwards.

Who ate allthe pies?

Ma Brasserieopens

Life

Life

Neil and Karen Bowan


19

Community Work

20

Avery friendly lady of

obvious intelligence and

spark, Rita Bicknell is

outstanding in a number of

ways but perhaps mostly for

her inherent modesty. She

began life in a village between

Sheffield and Barnsley, and at

the age of 15 decided to get a

job. Not wanting to work in a

big city, she and her friend,

Sylvia, bought The Lady

magazine and looked at the

jobs advertised.

“As luck would have it,” Rita

explained, “there was an

advertisement saying ‘TWO

FRIENDS REQUIRED.’We both

wanted to work with children

and this job at The Grange,

Hindhead, a home for children

with special needs, was the

perfect opportunity.We

applied.

“It seems odd nowadays

because of the improvements

in travel but the manager said

that it was too far to come for

an interview so we had better

come for a one-month trial.”

This they did, leaving all their

friends and family up north. “It

was a big adventure to go so far

from home together and I am

still amazed that my parents

were noble enough to let me

go. I loved it there though I was

always grateful for my holidays

which I spent back up North.”

Rita left The Grange to do her

nursery training at Grey Gables

in Hindhead, which was then a

residential nursery, and Sylvia

went back to Yorkshire. Next,

Rita decided that she wanted to

work with babies as she had yet

to do this. So she went to work

at St. Luke’s Hospital maternity

unit as a nursery nurse.

It was while working there

that Rita attended the Thursday

night dances in Haslemere

where she met Frank Bicknell.

Rita and Frank married in 1961

in Yorkshire and she went to

work at Holly Ridge Residential

Nursery, Shepherd’s Hill, a care

home for children.

When her sons were born –

Nigel in 1963 and Howard in

1966 – Rita focused her

attention on them. Meanwhile,

Sylvia realised that she had also

fallen in love with a Haslemere

man, married him and moved

back down South.

Together, they noticed a need

for a community nursery

school in the area. They found

a venue, St. Christopher’s

Church Hall, and Sylvia’s son

was the first pupil before other

children, including Nigel,

joined him. Before long, they

changed venues to the hall of

Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic

Church.

From then on, the nursery

went from strength to strength

and many families in the local

area sent their children. “I met

an awful lot of interesting

people and it was lovely as I

knew so many families in the

local community.”

In 2003 Rita decided to retire

but she was determined not to

sell her nursery as a business

development project; she

managed to fulfil her wish for it

to be maintained as a nursery

school for the community.

In May 2004, she was

surprised to receive a letter

offering her an MBE for her

services to the community.

“You have to get nominated for

an MBE by about five people,”

she told me. “It was mainly

parents of pupils who kindly

did this for me but also one or

two people from the Action

Medical Research group – I

have been a member for 25

years. But it was all done in

secret so I had no idea what

was going on.

“When I went down to

London to receive the MBE in

November, I found it was just

like a dress rehearsal as I didn’t

have time to take it all in and

wished I could do it all over

again. I found it very hard to

believe that I was there – let

alone that I was deserving of

receiving this honour. I felt sure

that there must have been

some mistake.

“I was positive that I didn’t

want the day to end so we went

to see The Lion King in the

West End in the evening and

got the very last train home. It

was a lovely, lovely day – one

which I will never forget.”

Receiving the MBE has not

stopped Rita from continuing

her community spiritedness as

she now helps in the MacMillan

charity shop on College Hill

and has trained as a volunteer

visitor for the charity Home

Start. “I love working for Home

Start as it means I still get my

dose of children.

“One family proudly called

me their ‘surrogate Granny’

and I am still in contact with

them despite their not needing

a volunteer visitor any more.

That is lovely and I can’t wait to

get started with my newly

assigned family.”

When asked why she

continues even after

retirement, Rita replied, “I

think it is really rewarding and I

enjoy being out in the

community with people. Plus, I

think you get repaid

somewhere – or at least, I feel it

is the right thing to do.”

Lucy Coates

Angel ofthe localcommunityRita Bicknell was awarded an MBE for her services to thecommunity but that hasn’t prevented her from giving upstill more of her time for others.

Nigel, Frank, Rita and Howard having received the MBE


21

One aim of the practice is

“ensuring that patients

leave with the inner self-

confidence and esteem that

come with possessing a healthy

and attractive smile. They also

seek to develop “lifetime

relationships”.

Dr Barry Oulton is one of the

leading practitioners in

cosmetic dentistry, and a top

exponent of ‘The Smile Lift’ (as

seen on Extreme Makeover and

Ten Years Younger). He has

received training from master

cosmetic dentists and now

coaches in the UK and the US.

He is a UK instructor for the

NY-based Aesthetic Advantage

Course run by Dr Larry

Rosenthal – and patronised by

the likes of Catherine Zeta

Jones and Michael Douglas.

Barry says he has “a passion for

‘smile makeovers’, providing

patients with the inner

confidence of achieving a

lasting beautiful smile”.

Dr Oulton migrated south

having grown up in theWirral

in Cheshire and qualified as a

dentist from the University of

Leeds in 1993. Seven years ago

he acquired a run-down

dentists’ premises inWey Hill

which now house his smart,

modern practice. “Haslemere is

a great place to work,” he says

with a smile.

Some of the team are

pictured; others include

dentists Dr Julian Perry, and Dr

James Grant.

Customers of HDC are well

looked after by friendly staff,

with a welcoming cup of coffee.

They have the latest technology

including DVD glasses to watch

a favourite film while their

teeth are being treated, long

lasting crowns available in one

hour with the Cerec machine

and ZoomWhitening. They are

also offering non surgical facial

cosmetic treatments for fine

lines and wrinkles including

Restlylane, Laresse and very

soon microdermabrasion.

So it is no surprise patients of

Haslemere Dental Centre are

smiling all the way home.

Contact: HDC, 56Wey Hill,

Haslemere, GU27 1HN.

Tel: 01428 643506.

email: team@

somethingtosmileabout.co.uk

www.somethingtosmileabout.co.u

k

Life

Health

22

When you’resmiling...The classic song maintains that “when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you”.These sentiments find a strong echo at the Haslemere Dental Centre (HDC)inWey Hill.

All smiles (left to right): Sam O’Connor (front desk co-ordinator), Sally Neaves (marketing); Emma Peters, DrBarry Oulton and Dr Rishi Soni (Dentists); Naz Miah, Kristie Bishop, Claire Harris (all dental nurses); andWendy Redrup (hygienist)


23

1) Perfect planting

Haslemere has very different

soil types, ranging from acid to

alkaline, and different soil

structures: some waterlog and

some freely drain. This can be a

problem when advising on

perfect planting.

One of the best ways of

getting the best information for

planting is to purchase a soil-

testing kit and test two points

of your garden, as it can vary

from one end to another. Then

you can take your findings and

get advice on the best plants

for those areas. This will give

your adviser the crucial

information they need. A photo

also helps a great deal as well

as knowing which direction the

site faces.

2) Colourful calendar

To achieve that most sought

after prize – the ever-

interesting garden – the best

tip I can give is to go to your

local garden centre at least

once a month and buy just one

plant that is in flower, or is

showing some interest, and

plant it in a position that it

suits. This will ensure your

garden has colour interest all

year round.

3) Corking Cornus

The coloured stem Cornus is a

great candidate at this time for

pruning. This plant, if pruned

properly, will give you some of

the best results in the winter.

The main problem with this

plant type is that people do not

prune it hard enough. Good

pruning will give great results

with Cornus.

Essentially what you need to

do is cut the plant hard to

about 9 inches from the ground

in March to April then feed

with Vitax Q4. This will

encourage vigorous growth

from the plant and give great

coloured stems in the winter. If

you leave this plant un-pruned

it can get woody and lacklustre.

4) Path to safety

The spring can bring some

great weather to our county; it

can also bring some very wet

days and nights. It is important

to make sure you are safe in the

garden so I advise you to invest

in a good path and driveway

cleaner.

The new ones on the market

are so good that you do not

have to re apply them for some

time. Using one of the more

modern products insures they

are biodegradable and they do

not harm wildlife. It will also

make sure that your pathways

are algae free so that you don’t

slip and hurt yourself.

5) Great grills

I love a good barbecue and try

to lay on the best for my family.

But there is always the chance

of disaster: for example, you go

to light your gas bbq and find

only enough gas for two

burgers and a sausage, ruining

your grand plans for fish

kebabs, mixed veg stir fry and

some homemade lamb koftas.

So I make sure that I have

ample gas and that the grill is

clean and ready to go. I use a

bbq cleaner for this job, as

some kitchen cleaners don’t cut

the mustard (so to speak). The

same applies to your charcoal

grill; make sure it is clean and

ready to go and that there is

plenty of fuel for it – that you

have fire lighters and of course

matches!

That is about it for this issue

so I hope that the tips help you.

If you have any questions you

would like answered, please

contact me c/o the editor of

Life in Haslemere and I will be

glad to help with any gardening

problem you have.

Chris Rawlings

Hillier Garden Centre, Liss

Gardening

24

Top tips forspringsuccessWith Spring comes new life and new beginnings. In thegarden the plans for new planting schemes and projectstake seed. Chris Rawlings offers some ideas for spring andsummer – and some of them will take you through the yearinto winter

Life


25

A Week in the Life of...

26

MondayOur shop is usually closed on

Mondays but this Monday finds

me doing our annual complete

stocktake. We have installed a

new computerised

till/accounting/stock control

system and for it to work

properly we need 100%

accurate stock records.

TuesdayAfter the day’s regular

correspondence, processing

invoices and accounts I spend

a few minutes updating our

web-site

(www.haslemerecellar.co.uk)

with a few vintage changes for

some of our wines.

Today I have received good

news that Rustenberg Wines,

one of our South African

suppliers, has agreed to

sponsor the young South

African professional who will

be playing at Brook Cricket

Club this summer. When I’m

not working I spend as much

time as possible playing cricket

on Sundays in the summer, and

gardening (often with the help

of my three-year-old son).

WednesdayA very busy day. Leaving the

shop in the charge of my wife

Jennie (who is also my partner

in the business) I’m off to

London to attend a major trade

wine tasting. This is an

opportunity to catch up with

about a dozen of our suppliers,

to taste new vintages of regular

stock items and to try some

potential new lines.

I get back from London in

time to conduct one of the

regular series of tutored

tastings which we hold in the

Georgian House Hotel (see

www.haslemerecellar.co.uk/eve

nts.htm ). Sometimes we have a

guest speaker but tonight I am

doing the talking. It’s Burgundy

this evening, which is probably

my favourite wine region.

Much as I love the great

classic Clarets from Bordeaux,

the hands-on family-run

approach of most of the

winemakers that we deal with

in Burgundy gives their wines

the edge to me. We run our

tastings to inform and

entertain our customers –

there’s no hard sell – so have a

look at our website if you are

interested.

ThursdayHaving received a few good

orders at last night’s wine

tasting my first job today is to

process the invoices. Then I

have to make some

arrangements for a trip to

Bordeaux at the beginning of

April. I am going with a small

group of fellow independent

wine merchants to taste new

wines from the 2006 vintage.

We will be staying at Château

Fontesteau in the Haut-Médoc

whose wines we sell. People

often ask if we do lots of

travelling to exotic vineyards.

Alas, we have to spend most

of our time selling the stuff to

justify the time spent buying it.

But we do usually manage two

or three trips per year. We are

hoping to go to the Southern

Rhône later in the year to visit

our Châteauneuf-du-Pape and

Gigondas suppliers. We are also

saving up to visit New Zealand

in a year or two.

FridayFriday is always a hectic day.

On Fridays we receive most of

our deliveries, which are

collected for us from our

Richard Royds...wine merchant


27

bonded warehouse by Darren,

our delivery driver. At the same

time we give him all our orders

for delivery to our customers

throughout London and the

Home Counties. I manage to

find time to open some

samples for a couple who are

choosing wines for their

wedding in a month’s time. We

offer sale or return for big

parties and weddings as well as

free delivery and collection of

unused bottles.

SaturdayThis is always our busiest day

in the shop and most of the day

is spent serving customers. We

start early (by wine trade

standards!) at 8.30am and for

local customers we offer a

delivery service on Saturday

evening so, though we shut at

5pm, often I am not finished

until 7 o’clock. Today is our first

Saturday with the new

computerised till – fingers

crossed that it will behave

itself!

SundayWe are closed on Sundays but a

day never goes by without

thinking about wine. If we don’t

have guests for Sunday lunch –

when we would certainly have

wine – Jennie and I usually

treat ourselves to a nice bottle

on Sunday evening after we

have put our son to bed.

Spring wine

recommendations

2004

Chablis Domaine Billaud-

Simon

Classic fresh crisp dry white.

Per bottle, £11.50. Case price,

£125.00. Special case price

during April/May, £115.00.

2004 Blason de San Juan,

Ribera del Duero

Flavoursome & very smooth

Spanish red.

Per bottle, £8.99. Special

introductory case price,

£97.00.

See also our Ribera del Duero

special offer at

www.haslemerecellar.co.uk

Richard Royds

Haslemere Cellar

Richard Royds in Burgundy

Fitness - Champneys Forest Mere

28

During the course of your

average day, how many

different tasks do you need to

undertake? Get kids up, make

breakfast, remake breakfast

because they do not want

porridge after all, fight over

school uniform, row over

brushing hair, do reading

practice forgotten from last

night, organise car seats, pick

up neighbour’s kids for school

run, drop off at nursery and so

on... All this before 8.30am and

the challenge of a full working

day.

Now compare this to the

idyllic contrast of a day at

Champneys Forest Mere…

Check in; receive bath robe; get

pampered; read newspaper; get

pampered; eat food; get

pampered; swim; get

pampered; eat evening meal;

sneak in a glass of wine; go to

bed.

They say in life you need

contrast, and certainly Forest

Mere offers that, and it is on

our doorstop near Liphook.

One does not need an excuse

to stop the world for a while,

but if you can find one, a short

break in an oasis of luxury and

relaxation is always justifiable.

On a recent visit to Forest

Mere we were met at arrivals by

Andrea, the duty manager,

given white robes, the in-house

clothing of choice for all, and

shown up to the spa facilities,

the gym, the treatment rooms,

restaurants (choice of 3),

library and our room. Children,

chores or challenges or in fact,

worryingly, the presence of a

bar were not even mentioned!

How relaxing could a stay be?

With a full timetable of

relaxation ahead, we were

about to find out.

The pool was strangely

serene, warm and calming. No

boisterous teenagers on giant

floats or screaming toddlers,

ours or anybody else’s,

demanding attention - just the

two of us. Forest Mere had got

us and we’d only been there 20

minutes. After a couple of

exhausting lengths, the only

way to recover is in the sauna

and steam room – though the

cold plunge pool was perhaps

more sadistic than meditative.

Next on the agenda? A

gentleman’s facial. This was a

new experience for me – am I

now a metro-sexual? Having

initially scoffed at the idea

(what would my friends say?), it

was a very pleasant, relaxing,

strangely stimulating

experience administered with

expertise by Hannah, one of 20

specialists, leaving me buffed,

puffed and a little bit more

shiny - which is a good thing,

apparently, according to my

wife. Just don’t ask me about

the mud treatment, the

thalasso therapy pool, Reiki or

Graphology!

Too much relaxation can be

tiring, so I found out, so a stint

of physical exertion is offered

by the dedicated fitness and

well-being team at Forest Mere.

Set in an amazing 150 acres of

wood and parkland, with free

hire of mountain bikes and

guided healthy walks, Forest

Mere allows a real feeling of

escape and freedom. Lakes,

wood, hills and views –

Get fit, getpamperedGareth Gammon winds down, miles away fromanywhere… just up the road


29

inspirational.

Now maybe we all have a

need to mix pleasure with pain,

but after so much pampering,

the gym was calling – weights,

treadmills, cross trainers and

even a spinning class all

punished me for a couple of

hours. But with no clock to

watch, no kids to rush back to,

my energy levels were

returning despite the exercise.

After a tough afternoon of

cycling, swimming, reading and

resting we returned to our

room which was modern and

stylish and beautifully

appointed, complete with flat

screen, beneficially, showing

the six nations rugby.What a

nice touch! Not a travel cot to

be seen. Shame!

Food is a key element of any

stay and the quality and style of

the offering at Forest Mere is

indulgently tasty and healthy…

sumptuous buffet for lunch

and three course á la carte for

supper. I even asked Frankie,

our waitress, to turn our

filtered water magically into

wine. A crisp white duly

arrived, consumed in suitable

moderation of course.

On waking the following day

we felt like we had been away

from the real world for a week.

Forest Mere has a clever way of

de-stressing you, and it’s not

just with the lotions and

potions. It has an ambience

that washes over you from the

minute you arrive.

Is it the peaceful music played

in the therapy rooms, is it the

healthy food, is it white robes,

is it the pleasant staff, is it the

other peaceful clients, is it the

relaxation room, is it the time

to think and stare? The answer:

it’s all of these.

A priceless 24 hours that

should be mandatory for all at

least once a year. Go on,

indulge yourself, step off the

world, leave the kids with the

cat, or your mother, get away,

miles away, just down the road

at Champney’s Forest Mere –

it’s good for you.

Prices:

Day Experience

from £69.95

Weekend Mini Break

from £219.95

Contact details:

Tel: 08703 300 300

Web: www.champneys.com

Life

See page 38 for achance to win a

luxurious stay at theChampneys Forest Mere

The Hindhead Music Centre

has a relaxed yet

professional atmosphere

combining concentration,

inspiration and tranquillity.

Music fills the corridors and

you may hear snippets of a

Beethoven piano concerto, a

beginner recorder trilling

London’s Burning, and a

dramatic riff from a distant

electric guitar.

Founder Ann Hughes-

Chamberlain’s philosophy is

that “music is a language which

reaches every mortal being and

can bring unrivalled joy to so

many if only they have the

opportunity to discover it.” And

this belief convinced her to

convert her successful career as

a professional harpist into

founding the Hindhead Music

Centre of which she is

principal. Her dream was to

offer music tuition to everyone:

from toddlers to pensioners,

complete novices to post-

graduates, in all instruments

and styles of music from

classical to pop. In order to

achieve this.

Ann’s large Victorian country-

house provides facilities such

as reception rooms, about 20

teaching rooms, a coffee shop,

waiting rooms and an elegant

recital room which seats 75

comfortably along with her

beautiful Steinway Concert

Grand Piano.

Ann encourages parents to

introduce their children to

music from an early age and

offers ‘Musical Bumps’ sessions

for children as young as two as

well as other sessions for older

children. “In these sessions,”

she explained, “they learn

about composers (singing

songs by Mozart and Schubert),

and the instruments of the

orchestra, studying one each

week, where they hear it played

and have a go themselves. They

also learn the beginnings of

reading and writing rhythms

and tunes, and of playing the

recorder.

“These classes very often

inspire the children to take up

an instrument, and there are

children’s orchestras and

chamber groups for them to

enjoy the fun of social music

–making.”

The teaching is of an excellent

quality, with over forty tutors,

all of whom are professional

musicians in their own right.

Over 500 pupils of all ages

come to the Centre from all

over the South of England as a

result - whether they are

diploma candidates or

beginners, they will find superb

tuition at Hindhead, with equal

care and encouragement, so

that each and every pupil may

reach his or her potential.

There are also Monday

Morning Musical Appreciation

Talks for adults, an Adult

Hindhead Music Centre

30

House fullof musicAnn Hughes-Chamberlain lives by her belief that “music isa language which reaches every mortal being”. She spoketo Lucy Coates about the Music Centre which she founded

Ann Hughes-Chamberlain


31

Beginners’ Orchestra, Adult

Chamber Choir and concerts

by internationally renowned

artists.

The Music Centre offers

Summer Music Courses for a

variety of age ranges, abilities

and instruments. These courses

offer a chance to take part in

master-classes, workshops,

technique classes, discussions,

concerts and chamber-groups,

while also enjoying the

beautiful scenery, the heated

swimming pool and grounds of

Ann’s wonderful home.

All in all, this is a centre of

excellence and charm, which

highlights and celebrates the

beauty and importance of

learning and enjoying music

from our first years, right

through to our last.

If you would like to learn more

about having music lessons at

Hindhead Music Centre,

please look at their website

www.hindheadmusiccentre.co

.uk or phone Ann on

01428 604941.

Life

• graphic design• print• public relations• exhibitions• advertising

• websites• copywriting

business direction bydesign

t | 01730 235666 e | [email protected]

Your locally based,

nationally operating

design & marketing agency.

How can we help you?

The only agency in the village

of Beacon Hill is Kelway

Law, who also has branches in

Wey Hill, Liphook and Farnham.

Adrian Law, the firm’s founder,

set up his first office in 1994 by

the A3 traffic lights in Hindhead.

“Some people thought that was

an eccentric choice of location

but it gave me immediate

exposure; and I always planned

to open in Beacon Hill,” he says.

His parents had moved to

Beacon Hill when he was 17, and

he and his wife and son live there

today.

The area of Beacon Hill started

to grow in Edwardian times as

London gentry moved to

Hindhead and Haslemere to

“take the air;” and more

development happened in the

1920s. The identity of the village

is distinct from Grayshott, Adrian

Law says, partly because there is

a valley in between.

With a Beacon Hill frontage on

the A287, Kelway Law receives

visits from passers-by. “I think it

is significantly better to have a

face-to-face contact with

prospective customers rather

than rely solely on the phone or

email,” Adrian Law adds.

He always wanted to expand

and bought a competitor in

Haslemere and Liphook in 2000.

Both offices have now been

moved to stronger locations and

an office was opened in Farnham

in 2003. “Farnham is important

because it helps to direct buyers

into Haslemere, Hindhead and

Liphook. People coming to the

Hindhead area for the first time

for instance may only know

about it because of the traffic

lights on the A3.”

The Kelway Law group operates

with a unified sales and

marketing operation. Its

computerised network, which

updates every 15 minutes, allows

each branch to keep a record of

all the properties on the firm’s

books – rather than being

geographically split.

Adrian, who was a councillor

for 10 years on Haslemere town

council, expects a “surge in the

market” in April and May, before

the new Home Information

Packs (HIPs) come into effect this

summer (supposedly in June).

Then, he believes, the market will

settle, and may slow down later

in the year.

Stamp Duty, Adrian Law said,

has become a “check to the

market moving in the way it used

to.” He finds that some people

relocated by their employers

increasingly tend to rent rather

than buy a new house. This is

partly because there are so many

people chasing family houses

and also because the Stamp Duty

on selling a house for £500,000

plus (and then re-selling when

they are relocated again) creates

substantial bills (on average

people move house roughly

every seven years). This has

resulted in Kelway Law Lettings

growing significantly.

Typical local properties cited by

Kelway Law include: Hind

Cottage, a four-bedroom

Edwardian house in Beacon Hill

for £599,950; and Bay Tree

Cottage with two double

bedrooms in Frensham,

currently on the market for just

under £400,000.

Although Kelway Law operates

in several different areas, Adrian

Law and his staff of 17 are united

in providing an integrated

service – solely for their

customers.

Contact: Kelway Law,The Old

Bank, Beacon Hill Road, Beacon

Hill, GU26 6NR

Tel: 01428 604488

Web: www.kelwaylaw.co.uk

Property: Beacon Hill

32

Sole agent

Adrian Law of Kelway Law outside his offices in Beacon Hill

Hind Cottage in Beacon Hill

CorrectionIn the Property section of theFebruary-March issue of Life inHaslemere, it was incorrectlystated that Martin Dixon,principle of Safford Dixon, is aformer President of HaslemereRugby Club. He is in fact aformer President of HaslemereBorder Athletic Club.We areextremely sorry for this errorand apologise wholeheartedlyto Mr Dixon and to HaslemereRugby Club. Mr Dixon, whoreports “receiving many newinstructions and achieving verygood prices” in 2007, can becontacted at Safford Dixon, 7Petworth Road, Haslemere,01428 664455.


33

PERMANENT &TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT

A Refreshingly Different Approach

• General Office Staff• PA / Legal Secretaries• Sales / Marketing

• Customer Service • Book keeping• Accountancy • Industrials•Warehouse • Catering

[email protected] www.team-select.net

HASLEMERE 01482

Sport

34

The thoughts of young

men may turn to love at

this time of year but, in over

30 households in and around

Haslemere, their thoughts

turn to another thing -

cricket.

From May to September,

the Ashes being lost will be a

distant memory as

Haslemere CC 1st X1, 2nd XI

and Colts fight it out for their

own trophies on the green

fields of Surrey.

Cricket has been played in

Haslemere for at least 400

years. In 1622, five men were

warned about playing cricket

in evening prayer time ... “for

that a little childe had like to

have her brains beaten out

with a cricket bat.”*

A cricket match between

Haslemere and Thursley is

recorded in 1753. James

Boxall, the Haslemere

schoolmaster, lived in

Shottermill at the turn of the

19th century and made

cricket bats for the club

members in his spare time.

Although it is hard to say

precisely, it has been

generally agreed that

Haslemere Cricket Club was

established in 1827.

Originally, the team played

in what was then called

Denbigh Park - now known

as Lythe Hill Park (along the

Petworth Road).

Later they moved to a new

ground in Church Lane, but

have eventually settled in the

“First World War Memorial

Recreation Ground”

affectionately known as “The

Rec“. The Rec can be reached

by going up the unfeasibly-

steep Museum Hill off the

Petworth Road, then crossing

over to the Old Haslemere

Road.

A number of famous

personalities have played for

the team, notably Sir Jack

Hobbs (Surrey and England -

the holder of the record for

Cricketers readyfor the new seasonJo Morley takes a view from the boundary of a sport which hasbeen played in Haslemere for at least 400 years

David Boxall is the son of Mick. David’s mother Jean is a member of the Haslemere Cricket Club. especiallyJean who gives up so much of her time to help with the organisation

Haslemere Cricketers one summer afternoon outside their new pavillion finished in 1994

The English ladies team playing the Haslemere men’s team


the most career centuries) as

a guest player in the 1930s.

He donated a 1935 crown to

the Club and it is used these

days for the toss at home

games.

Arthur Conan-Doyle and

The Hon Lionel Tennyson

(who captained England) -

son of Alfred Lord Tennyson

- also played for Haslemere

Cricket Club.

In the 1950s, the England

Ladies team would play

Haslemere CC (and win).

Prior to 1970, all club

cricket in Surrey was played

as “friendlies”. Then leagues

became established and in

1993 Haslemere CC joined

the newly-formed Fullers

Brewery Surrey County

League where they remain to

this day. Until last season,

when they were

unfortunately relegated, the

1st XI were the only side to

have played in the 1st XI

First Division every season.

Under the Presidency of

Mick Boxall, players such as

Graham Boxall, Andrew

Hastilow, Kevin Gray, Jon

Larbey, Lee Clement and

David Boxall have

established Haslemere CC as

a well-respected team

throughout the county.

The 2nd XI fared better last

season and, at one time,

were top of the 2nd XI

Second Division. A

promising aspect of their

team was the number of

Colts used thanks to the

encouragement of Youth

Manager and 2nd XI captain

Kym Hooker.

The players have been

practising in the nets at

Amesbury School every

Wednesday since January,

but the real cricket starts

with games against Merrow

1st XI and 2nd XI on May 12

with skipper Dan Clarke

leading out the first team at

The Rec, hoping to bounce

right back into the top

division.

* “Haslemere in History” by

G.R.Rolston

Visit Haslemere CC’s

website at

www.haslemerecc.co.uk.

If you would like your local

sports club featured here,

please do get in touch with

the Life In Haslemere team

on 01730 235669 or e-mail

[email protected]

Life

The Tri-Golf Centre at

Grayshott is rapidly

establishing a reputation as a

highly popular venue for

developing junior and family

golf. Hundreds of local children

embrace golf through this public

centre’s schools’ coaching

programmes, which are run

throughout the Haslemere area.

The children’s enthusiasm is

also supported by a successful

junior coaching programme,

sponsored by Embassy Freight

(UK) Ltd. Every weekend

Professional Golfers’ Association

(PGA) professionals at Tri-Golf

provide relaxed, family-friendly

lessons, which help boys and

girls of all ages to progress

through the National Golf

Foundation Passport Scheme.

Numerous after-school

sessions and school holiday golf

camps ensure that people – even

from the busiest families – get a

chance to try golf, which is an

increasingly popular sport with

youngsters.

For a free introductory

session for your youngster

with a Tri-Golf professional

phone 01428 713131 and

mention Life in Haslemere

magazine. Life

Kids swing into action

Jack Hobbs, 1935, Surrey and England cricketer, scoring the most centuries ever in first-class cricket (197),played for Haslemere for fun after his retirement.The coin tossed at the start of homematches to decide whobats first was given to the Club by him.

Best keptsecret

Looking for thefinest in classic andEuropean country

clothing andfootwear, for ladiesand gentlemen?

Out of town betweenPetersfield and

Rogate

Call 01730263477

Arts Diary

36

APRILFriday 13 April

Jazz and Dinner

Venue: Georgian House Hotel, The

High Street, Haslemere

Time: 8pm

Book Tickets: 01428 656644

Sarurday 14 April

Charity Concert - Pink Floyd Tribute

Band, Perfect Alibi

in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

Venue: Farnham Maltings

Tme: 6.30pm


Sunday 15 April

A Medieval Murder Mystery

Venue: Petworth House, Petworth,

West Sussex GU28 0AE

Time: 2pm-3.30pm

Tuesday 17 - Monday 30 April

The Sculpture Exhibition

AUGUSTE RODIN

Gallery One, Grayshott

Venue: Gallery One,

5/6 Victoria Terrace, Crossways Road,

Grayshott, GU26 6HF

Time: Monday - Saturday 9.30am -

5.30pm

Information: 01428 609001

Friday 20 April

Charterhouse Celebrity Concerts

Emily Hooker (piano)

Venue: Llewellyn Room,

Charterhouse Hall, Charterhouse

School, Godalming GU7 2DX

Time: 8pm

Book Tickets:

[email protected] or SAE to

Emma Woods at above address

Tilford Bach Society Concert

Victoria Davis and Ema Mitarai

(harp)

JS Bach, Tournier, Andres and

Mayuzumi

Venue: Farnham Castle, Castle Hill,

Farnham GU9 0AE

Time: 8pm


Saturday 21 April

Haydn's The Creation

Epworth Choir and Southern Pro

Musica

Venue: Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill,

Guildford GU2 7UP

Time: 7.30pm


Gardner Midsummer Ale, Bernstein

Symphonic Dances from West Side

Story, Shostakovich Symphony No.5

in D Minor Op.47

Southern County Youth Orchestra

Conductor: Tom Seligman

Venue: Petersfield Festival Hall,

Heath Road, Petersfield GU31 4TF

Time: 7.30pm


Tuesday 24 April

Alton Organ Society Concert

Organist: David Hill

Venue: St Lawrence’s Church, Alton

Time: 7.30pm


Saturday 28 April

St Peter's Church Charity Concert

(raising money for RNLI)

Liz Le Grove (organ) Paul Hart

(trumpet)

Venue: St Peter's Church, The Square,

Petersfield GU32 3HS

Time: 7.30pm


Surrey Mozart Players Concert

Conductor: Kenneth Woods

Beethoven Overture Leonora No. 3,

Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 in G,

Schumann Symphony No. 3 in E Flat

Venue: Electric Theatre, Onslow

Street, Guildford GU1 4SZ

Time: 7.30pm


Saturday 28 April -Wednesday 2

May

(Saturday 5 May - Wednesday 9 May also)

National Trust Double Exposure

Artist: Joni Owen, Photographer:

Andrew Owen

Venue: Petworth House, Petworth


Time: 11am-5pm

MAYFriday 4 May

Jazz and Dinner - Tina May Quartet

Venue: Georgian House Hotel, The

High Street, Haslemere

Time: 8pm


Saturday 5 -Wednesday 9 May

National Trust Double Exposure

Artist: Joni Owen, Photographer:

Andrew Owen

Venue: Petworth House, Petworth


Time: 11am-5pm

Sunday 6 May

Twinned Town Concert

Godalming Choral Society and

Nouvel Ensemble Choral de Joigny

Conductors: John Bawden and

Michael Veazey

Venue: The Chapel, Charterhouse

School, Godalming GU7 2DF

Time: 7.30pm


Thursday 10 - Saturday 12 May

Carousel

The Grayshott Stagers

Music by Rogers & Hammerstein

Conductor: Milva Sanderson

Venue: Grayshott Village Hall,

Headley Road, Grayshott GU26 6TZ

Time: 7.30pm


Friday 11 May

Charterhouse Celebrity Concerts

Richard Birchall

Venue: Llewellyn Room,

Charterhouse Hall, Charterhouse

School, Godalming GU7 2DX

Time: 8pm

Book Tickets:

[email protected] or SAE to

Emma Woods at above address

Saturday 12 May

Darrell Davison’s Farewell Concert

The Haslemere Symphony Orchestra

and Chorus

Venue: Haslemere Hall

Time: 7.30pm


Die Schönemüllerin

Piano: Bela Hartmann, Tenor:

Marwan Shamiyeh

Venue: Hindhead Music Centre,

Hindhead Road, Hindhead GU26 6BA

Time: 7.30pm


Saturday 19 May

Elgar's The Kingdom

Farnham and Bourne Choral Society

Conductor: Robin Wells

Venue: The Maltings, Bridge Square,

Farnham GU9 7QR

Time: 7.30pm


Choral Music for an Early Summer

Evening

Duruflé Requiem, Allegri Misérere

Fernhurst Choral Society

Conductor: Giles White

Venue: St Mary's Church, Petworth

Time: 7.30pm


…and all that JAZZ

Bob Chilcott: A Little Jazz Mass

John Rutter: Gloria

Will Todd: Mass in Blue

Conductor: Jeremy Blackhouse

Vivace Chorus

Venue: Guildford Cathedral

Time: 7.30pm


Sunday 20 May

HHH Sacconi Quartet

Haydn String Quartet Op. 50 No. 1,

Brahms Fantasien Op. 116 for piano

and Piano Quintet Op. 34

Venue: The Music Room, Champs

Hill, Coldwaltham, Pulborough, East

Sussex RH20 1LY

Time: 7pm (gardens open at 5.30pm)


Arts Diary

Haslemere Players are a thriving, award-winning society which placegreat emphasis on not only giving pleasure to their audiences, butalso enjoying themselves. The weeks of rehearsal are fun and theSociety has an active social committee giving plenty of opportunitiesto get fully involved. Here they are in their latest production,Titanic- the musical. For more information about the Haslemere Players,see page 39


37

EASTER

Magic Show2great ways to supportThe Mayor's Charities

(G.U.T.S & P.A.G.E.A.N.T.)

Magic show at Haslemere Hall

Magic MikeyCharity Magic Show

for childrenWednesday 11th April

Haslemere HallShow times 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

Tickets £5Booking Office 01428 642161

&Easter EggRaffle

Tickets available fromMarleyFlowers

(To be drawn on Easter Sunday)

Magic Show generouslysponsored by Crayola

Tuesday 22 May

Alton Organ Society Concert

Organist: Philip Scriven

Venue: St Lawrences Church, Alton

Time: 7.30pm


Friday 25 May - Saturday 2 June

55th Tilford Bach Festival 2007

Venues: various

Times: 8pm

For More Information/Book Tickets:

01428 713338

www.tilford-bach.org.uk

Saturday 26 May

Glinka Overture Ruslan and

Lyudmila, Shostakovich Cello

Concerto No. 1 in E Minor Op. 107,

Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings in

C Op. 48, Prokofiev Symphony No. 1

in D Op. 25

Southern Orchestral Concert Society

Southern Pro Musica

Conductor: Jonathon Wilcocks

Cello: Mikhail Lezdkan

Venue: Petersfield Festival Hall,

Heath Road, Petersfield GU31 4TF

Time: 7.30pm


Thursday 31 May - Saturday 2 June

Music Hall

The Haslemere Players

Conductor: Tony McIntee

Venue: Haslemere Hall, Bridge

Road, Haslemere GU27 2AS

Time: 7.30pm, 2.30 (Sat matinee

only)


Life

Competition

38

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To win the prize…Answer the followingquestions aboutChampneys Forest Mere:

1) Howmanyrestaurants arethere?

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Terms and Conditions:Entries must be received by30 April 2007.The winner will be decided bya draw and announced in theJune-July edition of Life InHaslemere .No cash alternative isavailable. Employees of LifeMagazines Ltd, NavigateDesign and Champneys ForestMere are not allowed tosubmit entries.

Send your answers andyour contact details to:[email protected] orLife Magazines Ltd,ChampneysCompetition,22 High Street,Petersfield, GU32 3JL

Winning Photo:Congratulations to CatherineHewson who took thiswonderful photo of thevictorious Haslemere JuniorRugby Club

Runner up:Taken by Charles Alexander-Tompkinson on a winters daylast year

Runner up:This evocative photo of the steelband at the Charter Fair lastyear was taken by PeterSearight

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Life In Haslemere is delighted to team up with Champneys Forest Mere to offer thisfantastic prize for our competition.


39

Ignoring the centrally heated

house with its many labour-

saving aids and the journey by

car through heavy traffic, Harry

was comforted to see once

again the old Chestnut Avenue

school where Players’ earliest

productions were staged.

Walking the few yards to the

Haslemere Hall he was still in

familiar territory – he could

well remember Players’ first

production there in 1914.

In the Hall foyer he was taken

aback by the price of the

programme (more than a

working man’s weekly wage in

1905 and denominated in some

confounded decimal currency!),

but he was impressed by its

professional quality. Reading it,

Harry saw that the society, after

many years of strictly Gilbert

and Sullivan productions, had

widened its portfolio in 1962

with its staging of Merrie

England and had continued to

do so ever since - indeed the

last three musicals were all local

premieres.

He saw that the society had

not been involved in

pantomimes or straight plays

since 1957 and that it now

staged two musicals and one

Music Hall per year. Harry

smiled – he didn’t yet fully

comprehend what modern

musicals were all about, but he

certainly knew his Music Hall.

He noted that the orchestra

was significantly smaller with

strings in decline and

woodwind and brass in the

ascendancy. When told that

orchestra members were now

paid professionals, he nodded

sympathetically.

On entering the auditorium

Harry was amazed to see the

stage – literally! The curtains

were open and remained so

throughout the show.

Furthermore, there was no

magnificent, lovingly-created,

static stage set of yesteryear -

things on wheels called ‘trucks’

were moved around in full view

of the audience and the cast

were even involved in moving

them and in carrying off pieces

of furniture.

The audience didn’t seem to

mind and Harry had to admit

that the pace of the show did

not slacken at all. He sighed as

he remembered the days when

the tabs were drawn before the

show started and the

performers had to work in front

of the blues while the stage was

re-set – hopefully, but not

always, without noise!.

As to the show itself, Harry

saw a fast-moving spectacle of

action and dance with those

extra, vital and magical

ingredients of music and song

which make the musical so

unique and so appealing. There

were no pre-ordained,

choreographed moves for

everybody, as demanded in the

old days of G&S. There was a

free-thinking choreographer in

the production team and the

performers danced something

called ‘tap’… and the principal

singers had microphones ... and

nobody used greasepaint…..

and those trucks!

Harry remembered the size

and composition of the

orchestra and understood the

need for microphones. As to

the greasepaint, I explained to

him that the improvements in

cosmetics and in lighting had

removed the need for it. ‘You

don’t know how lucky you are,’

said Harry.

As I drove home, I asked Harry

what he remembered most

about the show he had just

seen. He replied that it was the

excited buzz of the audience as

they left the auditorium, a buzz

which signified that they had

just spent a happy and

enjoyable evening in the

company of the Haslemere

Players.

Everybody involved in the

production had clearly worked

extremely hard to ensure that

the show was successful and

the obvious enjoyment of the

audience was their just and

much deserved reward. A great

deal had changed in 100 years,

but hard work and the reward

of audience enjoyment were

very much the same as ever.

Harry, a true Haslemere

Player!

Richard Tytler

A Centenary of MusicalsMuch has changed since Haslemere Players’ first production, The Mikado in 1905. Here are the imaginary impressions of‘Harry’, a founding member, on a visit during the centenary in 2005

(above) Haslemere Players’ 1st production, 1905 (right) production ofBarnumwhich won the NODA Southern Region Award for Excellence

Info on how to take part (be it on stage, back-stage or front of house)can be obtained by contacting Secretary, Pamela on 01248652037

Useful Contacts

40

Emergency Services:Fire:Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, StDavids, 70 Wray Park Road, ReigateRH2 0EJTelephone: 01737 242444

Gas,Water and Electricity:Electricity Emergency:0845 770 8090Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999SouthernWater: 0845 278 0845

Health:Dr C Taylor & Partners, HaslemereHealth Centre, Church Lane,Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2BQTelephone: 01483 783000Dr C.P.Taylor & Partners, FernhurstSurgery, Crossfields, Fernhurst,Haslemere GU273JLTelephone: 01428 651040Haslemere Health CentreTelephone: 01483 783000Haslemere HospitalTelephone: 01483 782000Holy Cross Hospital, Hindhead Road,Haslemere GU27 1NQTelephone: 01428 643311Homecall Doctor, Warrenden,Weydown Road GU27 1DSTelephone: 01428 654786Royal Surrey County HospitalTelephone: 01483 571122

Police:Haslemere Police Station,46 West Street GU27 2ABTelephone: 0845 125 2222Surrey Police, 6 Carshalton Road,Sutton Surrey SM1 4RFTelephone: 0845 125 2222

Arts Groups:DanceArt (3-18 years)Telephone: Kahli 07830325426Website: www.danceart.org.uk

Haslemere Camera Club:Telephone: Clinton 01428 727403Website:www.haslemerecameraclub.co.ukHaslemere Performing ArtsTelephone: 01428 652360E-mail: [email protected] PlayersTelephone: 01428 643334Website: www.haslemereplayers.comHaslemere Symphony Orchestra andChorusTelephone: 01428 605612Website: www.hmsconcerts.infoHaslemere ThespiansTelephone: 01428 643585Haslemere Town BandTelephone: 01252 331828HHH ConcertsTelephone: 01798 831242Website: www.haslemere.com/musicOpera South inc. Opera OmnibusTelephone: 01428 684291The Grayshott StagersTelephone: 01428 751898Website: www.grayshottstagers.co.uk

Helplines, Support Groups &Charities:Alzheimer's Society: 01428 642055Arthritis Research Campaign:01428 724741BLISS: 01428 642320Books OnWheels:01428 604558British Heart Foundation:01483 419774Canine Partners for Independence:08456 580480Care In Haslemere:01428 652505Cats Protection: 01428 604297Celebrate Marriage: 01428 652368Childline: 0800 1111Citizen's Advice Bureau:0844 8487969Crossways Counselling Service: 01428644333

Environment Agency: 08708 506506Friends of Holy Cross Hospital: 01428683144Guide Dogs for the Blind:01428 727617Haslemere and District VolunteerBureau: 01428 661166Haslemere and District MacmillanCancer Care:01428 605185Haslemere and District Round TableSociety: 07717836809Haslemere Blind Club:01428 643971Haslemere Gateway Club:01428 654496Haslemere Hard of Hearing SupportGroup: 01428 658190Haslemere Library: 01428 642907Haslemere/Midhurst Committee forMacmillan Cancer Support:01428 652238HAV4D: 07930905016Haslemere Society: 01428 661379Haslemere Stroke Club:01428 645855Hazlehurst Trust through SurreyCommunity Foundation:01372 861609Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre:01252 792400Hindhead Community Group:01428 607816Home-Start: 01252 737453Home-Start Butser: 01730 233 755King'sWorld Trust for Children:01428 653504Natural England (was CountrysideAgency): 020 7932 5800Relate: 02392 827026Royal British Legion:01428 642675Samaritans: 08457 909090SPACESYoung Parents Group: 01428723910Visitor Information Centre:01428 645425Women's Royal Voluntary Service:01428 605498

Places to Stay:Georgian House HotelHigh Street, Haslemere, SurreyGU27 2JYTelephone: 01428 656644E-mail:[email protected] on the Hill, Lower Street,Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2PDTelephone: 01428 642006E-mail: [email protected] Hill Hotel and SpaPetworth Road, Haslemere, SurreyGU27 3BQTelephone: 01428 651251E-mail: [email protected] Inn, Grayswood,Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2DETelephone: 01428 644440E-mail: [email protected]

Sports and Leisure:Broadwater Park Golf Club, OldPortsmouth Road, Godalming, SurreyGU7 3BUTelephone: 01483 429955Camberley Health Golf Club, GolfDrive, Camberley. SurreyGU15 1JGTelephone: 01276 232258Champney's Forest Mere HealthResort, Liphook, Hampshire

GU30 7JQTelephone: 01428 726013 Website:www.champneys.comCowdray Park Polo ClubTelephone: 01730 813257E-mail: [email protected]: www.cowdraypolo.co.ukCranleigh Golf and Leisure Club,Barhatch Lane, Cranleigh, SurreyGU6 7NGTelephone: 01483 268855Dean Farm Golf Course, BordonGU35 9NGTelephone: 01420 489478Haslemere Hockey ClubDirector of Hockey: Heidi WellsTelephone: 07973 345547Director of Junior Hockey:Mandy JacksonTelephone: 01428 604643Haslemere Recreation AssociationTelephone: 01428 661486Haslemere Cricket ClubTelephone: 01428 654459Haslemere Educational MuseumTelephone: 01428 642112Haslemere Lawn Tennis ClubTelephone: 01428 661486Haslemere Rugby ClubTelephone: 07771530510HaslemereYouth FootballTelephone: 01428 656215Hindhead Golf Club, Churt Road,Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6HXTelephone: 01428 604614Hurtmore Golf Club, Hurtmore Road,Hurtmore, Godalming, SurreyGU7 2RNTelephone: 01483 424440Kinetika Gym, The Herons LeisureCentre, Kings Road, HaslemereGU27 2QPTelephone: 01428 658484AND The Edge Leisure Centre,Woolmer Road,Haslemere GU27 1QUTelephone: 01428 644577Milford Golf Club, Station Lane,Milford, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5HSTelephone: 01483 419200NordicWalkingAndy WebbTelephone: 07950031538Shottermill and Haslemere FootballClubTelephone: John01428 642296/07770568793The Herons Swimming CentreTelephone: 01428 658484TheWildWood Country Club,Horsham Road, Alford, Cranleigh,Surrey GU6 8JETelephone: 01403 753255West Surrey Golf Club, Enton Green,Enton, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5AFTelephone: 01483 42127

Travel Numbers:Public transport information:Telephone: 08706 082608Website: www.traveline.org.ukTrain tracker: 0871 200 49 50

If you would like your contactdetails listed here, please [email protected]

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