Godstone Magazine November

October 2022 50p

GODSTONE &
SOUTH GODSTONE

MAGAZINE

Magazine available by annual subscription (email [email protected]) and from
Godstone News and The Emporium, High Street, Godstone & Knights Garden Centre, Godstone

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01883 743889
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Godstone & South Godstone Magazine

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£5 for 10 editions delivered to your door.
Please contact Sylvia Pocock on 01883 712627 or email

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WHAT’S ON AT A GLANCE

WHB = White Hart Barn, Godstone; YC = Youth Centre, Godstone;
SSC = St Stephen’s Church; SNC = St Nicholas’ Church;

SJC = St John’s Church; SGSCP = South Godstone Sports Club Pavilion

Date Event OCTOBER Time Page
Fri 30 Sept to Mon 3 St Nicholas Harvest & Craft Festival Weekend 14
Sat 1 Harvest Supper & Quiz, SJC 7pm 8
Sat 1 Café Connect, YC 10.30am-12.30pm 12
Sun 2 St John’s Church Harvest Festival 10.30am 8
Mon 3 Godstone Parish Council meeting 12
Tue 4 South Godstone Crafters, SSC 2pm 17
Wed 5 Godstone Gardeners’ Supper & Bingo, WHB 7.30pm 26
Sat 8 Concert: A Sea Symphony, Dorking Halls 7.30pm 39
Wed 12 RSPB Indoor meeting: Talk Crocs, Cranes & Cats 8pm 30
Thur 13 British Horological Institute meeting, WHB 7.30pm 28
Sat 15 COPY DEADLINE for November edition 3
Sun 16 RSPB All-day Field Trip: Destination TBA 8AM 30
Sun 16 Festival of Simchat Torah, SSC 5pm 36
Thur 20 GVA Village Open meeting & AGM 7.15pm 13
Sun 23 Music & Pub Quiz, SJC 8
Fri 28 Baptish Church Community Cinema: Dog 7pm 22
1st & 3rd Monday Bereavement Group, St John Village Hall 10am 8
2nd Tuesday – WI South Godstone, SSC 8pm 32
2nd & 4th Tuesdays CAMEO Club, WHB 2.30-4pm 28
3rd Wednesday – WI Godstone Afternoon, WHB, 2.15pm 33
4th Wednesday – WI Godstone Evening, WHB 7.30pm -
Tuesdays Coffee & Company, SSC 10am-12noon 15
Wednesdays Paracise, SSC 2pm 34
Thursdays, Mums’ United Baby & Toddler Grp SSC 9.30am-12pm 23
Theatres – Barn and Miller Centre 37 & 38

Date Event NOVEMBER Time Page
Tue 1 South Godstone Residents’ Assoc. AGM, SGSCP 7.30pm 9
Tue 1 South Godstone Crafters, SSC 2pm 17
Mon 7 Godstone Parish Council meeting 12
Thur 10 British Horological Institute meeting, WHB 7.30pm 28
Sat 12 Hurst Green Singers: Come and Sing Messiah 2pm 38
Fri 25 Baptist Church Community Cinema: The Duke 7pm 22
Fri 25 Skittles Evening with Fish & Chip Supper details TBA 8

Useful Local Contacts – Page 46
Villages Activities Contacts – Page 47

1

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Parish Magazine.indd 1 14/01/2020 12:37

UNITED BENEFICE of St Nicholas’ Church, Godstone,
St Stephen’s Church, South Godstone, St John’s Church, Blindley Heath.

SERVICES – OCTOBER

Date Place Time Service

Sunday 2nd St Nicholas' 9am Holy Communion
St John's 10.30am Holy Communion
Harvest Festival St Nicholas' 10.30am Holy Communion
St Stephen's 10.30am Morning Prayer

Sunday 9th St Stephen's 9am Holy Communion
St John's 10.30am Holy Communion
St Nicholas' 10.30am Holy Communion

Sunday 16th St Stephen's 9am Holy Communion
St John's 10.30am Holy Communion
St Nicholas' 10.30am Holy Communion

Wednesday 19th St Mary’s Chapel 10am Holy Communion

Sunday 23rd St Stephen's 9am Holy Communion
St John's 10.30am Morning Prayer
St Nicholas' 10.30am Holy Communion

Sunday 30th St Stephen's 9am Holy Communion
St John's 10.30am Holy Communion

The copy deadline for the November edition of the Magazine
is Saturday, 15th October

Email copy to [email protected] or phone 07792 654362

3

FROM THE CLERGY

Thank You…for everything!

As a schoolboy, around the age of 10, I remember the
long, long, long wait for that moment when the Queen
was due to drive past on a visit to my hometown of
Colchester, Essex. As my classmates and I waited and
waited with our homemade banners and flags, there was a sense of
anticipation only slightly curbed by the boredom of just standing there.
When the time finally came, she drove past with her famous wave and
endearing smile and although only lasting for the briefest of moments,
I’ve never forgotten it. I think Queen Elizabeth II had that effect on
people.
I write this article in the aftermath of the sad news of her death, as our
country is in mourning and the process of getting accustomed to a new
era with HM King Charles III, alongside the different proclamations
and processions that the majority have never seen before. As tens of
thousands journeyed to the capital to pay their respects, to reflect and
give thanks.
So much has already been said by the great and the good, there’s been
a flourish of outpouring on social media about this incredible lady.
Hours of footage reflecting upon her reign and digging into the video
and photo archives to remind ourselves once again of this remarkable
woman, who for most of our Nation is the only head of the Monarchy
we have ever known. The formation of the Commonwealth, the
influence and impact she had on other nations globally, the way she
handled trouble both in our land and in her own family have been truly
inspirational and a wonderful example of how to lead with dignity and
humility.
There have been so many fantastic stories shared and praise given,
eloquently put and crafted by wordsmith’s. They have captured the
feelings of the nation alongside the character and personality of the
Queen herself, in ways that make my efforts hardly worth adding to.
Yet, the simplest ‘THANK YOU for everything’ (spoken in the
Jubilee sketch by Paddington Bear at the end of their afternoon tea)
says so much of the appreciation that I and many people have for the
way she served and gave herself to be our queen for such a long time.
“Throughout my life, the message and teachings of Christ
have been my guide and in them I find hope.”
(Queen Elizabeth II - Wednesday 3rd August 2022)

4

I read this quote from the Queen the month before her passing and since
her death it has been posted and reposted many times by people on
social media. Personally I have found it most helpful and encouraging to
know that Jesus was the centre and the circumference of her life, the one
in whose TEACHING and MESSAGE gave her GUIDANCE and
HOPE throughout her life.
It’s a reminder to us that whatever your status, your position, your
circumstance, your influence, your power, whether it be much or be
nothing the message and teaching of Jesus is relevant, important,
significant and powerful. It is for right now, for this time, for all people,
in all places. The words and example of the King of Kings was the
guiding light and the source of hope for our Queen. May it also be for
us, may we hold it up, consume it, take it in, live it out with all we have
and never take it for granted or the freedom we have to know it. May we
follow the Queen’s example and look to the King of Kings to guide us
and give us hope.
As we look around our world there is often much happening that can
cause us to feel quite downhearted, troubled, and questioning why and
how. The Queen had a genuine faith in Jesus, who is also called the
King of Kings. Jesus is the solution, the way of knowing hope and
following his teaching gives guidance for our life.

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written,
King of kings and Lord of lords.”
(Revelation 19:16)

One of the main words I have heard describing the queen is
‘CONSTANT’, an ever present in the good and the difficult times.
That’s the hallmark of someone who knows what it is to serve faithfully
and with integrity, it’s what ‘faith’ in Jesus is about. In the last month, I
have heard many people sharing a verse from Matthew 25:23, not least
former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an interview, upon reflecting
on the Queen’s death on BBC television.
I can’t think of anyone who was more worthy of such an accolade than
she.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!”
(Matthew 25:23)

Thank you for everything.
Rev. Mark Humm

5

FROM THE PARISH REGISTER

Weddings Laura Bessant & Emory Garrett
16th July Alexandra Eccleston & Sean Crooks
30th July Jessica Nutley & Matthew Hallett
13th August Sophie Cotton & Benjamin Perrett
10th September

Blessing Susan & Matthew Hayes
20th August

Baptisms Evelyn Hayes
20th August Oscar Ritchie
21st August

Funerals Valerie Harrison
22nd July Violet Wallis
27th July Baby Archie George Scott Cross
24th August Norah Stark
31st August

GODSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH
Where all are Welcome.
SUNDAY SERVICE – 10.30am
Join us for an interactive time of worship,
an engaging and relevant talk from the
bible, prayer and time to enjoy each other’s
company. We also have a group for
children and young people.
CAFÉ CHURCH – 10.30am (3rd Sunday of each month)
All Age Service with loads of food throughout!
TUESDAY PLAY CENTRE – 10am-12 noon (during term time)
A group for parents with toddlers! Come and let them play and have
fun, whilst you enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
FRIDAY LUNCH CLUB – 11am (Refreshments) 12am (Lunch)
For seniors in our community. Come and enjoy a fantastic meal for
only £5, good company and a wonderful time.
For information on all these things and much more that is going on
please visit our website: www.godstonebc.org or contact Rev. Mark
Humm: [email protected]

6

Coming Soon… The Community Cinema is BACK at GBC

Friday 30th September – The Last Bus
Friday 28th October – Dog
Friday 25th November – The Duke

Doors open at 7pm – film starts at 7.30pm
ONLY £4/person Admission – bring your own alcohol – soft

drinks available to buy.

ST JOHN’S BLINDLEY HEATH

On Sunday 5th September St John’s Blindley Heath had our last Cream
Tea on the lawn outside the Church Hall. It was a lovely summer’s
afternoon – shirt sleeve weather. We had ‘Image’, the band that
performed for the Queens Platinum Jubilee, playing a good mixture of
music 60’s, 70’s 80’s 90’s and some more recent tunes. Some people
did get up and dance.
Glenda brought her pet Royal Python called Foot who was a big hit as a
celebrity. Some of us who do not like snakes did conjure up the courage
to touch him. There were homemade cakes, sandwiches and, of course,
scones and cream donated by the many helpers. It has been a good
summer for our monthly cream teas and I would like to thank the many

helpers and the band for
their tremendous efforts
during the summer.

continued over page

7

Forth coming events include Harvest Supper and Quiz on Saturday,
1st October at 7pm in St Johns Church hall – tickets are £10. No need
to cook dinner – come and enjoy a magnificent dinner and dessert.
Lasagne or cottage pie, with crumble or gateau for dessert. Please buy
your ticket in advance from Joan Wall (call 01342 834973 or email
[email protected]) or me on 07739 100857. Proceeds from this
event will go to the food bank. This will be followed by our Harvest
Festival on 2nd October at 10.30am. Please bring your friends and
family.
There will be a Music and Pub Quiz on Sunday, 23rd October. Form
a team of six and come and pit your wits against your neighbours for a
winning cash prize. We have secured the services of an eminent quiz
master who will stretch you all to your limits.
On Friday, 25th November we have our very popular and exciting
Skittles Evening with Fish and Chip Supper, so please mark your
diary.
Our Singing Group has resumed after a short break during August. The
membership is growing. You do not need to have any experience just
come along, even if you think you cannot sing. We sing popular songs
chosen by the group – they can be pop songs (like Beetles) or from
musicals. It is a great way to make new friends, exercise the lungs
improve confidence and improve mental wellbeing.
We now have a Bereavement Group who meet in the St John Village
Hall between 10am to noon on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.
It is an opportunity to have a coffee or tea and share with people who
are going through similar experience of loss. Whilst it cannot replace
your loss there are things that can make it more bearable.
Over the summer we have tried to tidy up the Church yard. We want it
to be a place that people can walk through and enjoy as well as being a
place to mourn departed family members. If anybody has time to do
some gardening or forestry work, please come and talk to us – your help
would be very welcome.
You will see some scaffolding around the Church in the next few weeks
while the roof is repaired. We have had water running down the back
wall during a big thunder storm. We have just completed the repair to
the lighting and the heating system is currently being repaired. We are
looking at how we can reduce the Church’s carbon footprint.
If you have young children, please bring them to our 10.30am Sunday

8

Service. We have a Children’s Corner with activities for the children.
On the subject of children, the Forman Institute across the road from the
Church will be having a Children’s Halloween Party on 30th October
from 2pm to 5pm.
For the older ones there is a Coffee Club that meets on Monday
afternoons at the Forman Institute between 2pm and 4pm in the
downstairs function room. Originally set up for the incapacitated and
their carers, it has grown incorporating Knit‘n’Natter and games such as
bingo and ‘play your cards right’.
On 10th August the Club went to Eastbourne for the day. I have to
commend the driver of the coach from Cruisers for helping some of the
90 year olds onto the coach and dealing with the wheel chairs. I have to
point out that other members are able bodied. It is a good opportunity to
make new friends and share experiences.
Trevor Nightingale, Church Warden St Johns Church

SOUTH GODSTONE RESIDENTS’
ASSOCIATION

www.southgodstoneresidentsassociation.co.uk
[email protected]

SGRA (South Godstone Residents’ Association)
Invitation to our Annual General Meeting
South Godstone Residents’ Association invites you to attend our
Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 1 November at
7.30pm for 8pm at The Pavilion, home of South Godstone Sports and
Community Association, on the corner of Lagham Road and Hunters
Chase, South Godstone.
We should be grateful if you would let us know if you will be attending
by email to [email protected], thank you.

Advertising In This Magazine Is Effective! Please remember
to mention the Magazine when contacting advertisers.
Thank you

9

EVENTS AND SERVICES AT ST STEPHEN'S

Weekly 9am-11am – Mothers coffee & chat
Monday

Tuesday 10am-12 Coffee & Company with a book and puzzle
exchange. All welcome including well-behaved dogs

Wednesday 2pm to 3pm Paracise – If you Rest You Rust!
Contact Suzy 0771 041 3409
7.15pm – Irish Dance, beginners
8.30pm – Irish Dance, advanced. Contact Rachel on
0773 809 0547

Thursday 9.30am- 2pm Mum’s United Toddler Group

Saturday 10.30am-1pm Zera Avraham Messianic Synagogue.
Contact Rabbi Brian on 0791 904 3179

Sunday except the 1st Sunday (see below) 9am – Holy Communion

Monthly 10.30am-11.30am All-age Service. All welcome but
1st Sunday aimed at children.
1st Tuesday 2pm-5pm Crafters. All welcome. Learn a new skill or
bring your own project. Contact Elizabeth Fisher on
2nd Tuesday 01342 893153
3rd Tuesday 8pm-9pm South Godstone WI. Contact Maria on
3rd Thursday 07485 014479
7pm-10pm South Godstone WI Crafters
7pm-11pm Surrey Scale Model Club. Contact Clive
on 0794 9127841

If you would like to hire the hall, the cost is £20 for a morning,
afternoon or evening session. Ideal for children’s parties (sorry, no
bouncy castles), group meetings or events where that extra space is
needed. The hall has a fully fitted kitchen and is wheelchair friendly.
For more information contact Karen Jackson 01342 894669 or Carol
Cryer 01342 892191

The Youth Centre is available for hire for Children’s Parties,
Baptism Parties, Meetings etc. For more information on rates

and availability contact Louise Case on 01883 740182.

10

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Parish Council
published a message of condolence to the Royal Family. As well as
being a sad time, it is also an extremely historic time with the reading
of the Proclamation of the new King being read out in all countries and
all counties of the United Kingdom. The reading of the Proclamation in
the County of Surrey and the District of Tandridge are both available to
view on the Parish website.
As a mark of respect, the flag on Godstone Green was lowered to half-
mast (except for during the Proclamation) during the period of
mourning. The Council would like to thank Mr Batchelor, or ‘Snooks’
as many of you may know him, for carrying out all tasks flag related,
which is very much appreciated. We would also like to thank
Coppard’s for their prompt help during this time when the flag got
stuck.

Godstone Fete and Donkey Derby
The Council was delighted to be able to support Godstone Fete and
Donkey Derby, with the event being held on the Green and we hope
everyone enjoyed the day. We have seen first-hand the amount of work
involved in planning and preparation by the Fete committee who
should all be commended for the contribution to local life.

Playground
Work on the playground is moving closer and will replace some
equipment that has deteriorated, install equipment to improve the range
for younger children and make changes to help improve the
accessibility of the playground for more people to enjoy it. Lots of
research in the local area and conversations with users of the
playground has taken place to compliment the thought and attention
that has been put in to making changes that improve and care for the
playground.

Pond
With relief from the summer’s hot weather, it is great to see the Horse
Pond with water again following rain.

Trees on Godstone Green
There are two trees that will be cut down in the next few weeks on the
Green – one near the school and one near the car park (opposite the
White Hart Barn) as, sadly, they have died.

11 continued over page

Vacancy
If you wish to apply for the position of administration assistant at the
Parish office, please visit our website for details or contact the Parish
office.
Parish Council Meetings
The next meeting is on Monday, 3rd October and then Monday, 7th
November. Information about meetings is published on the website and
the parish noticeboard. For more details about committee meetings
please check the website or contact the Clerk.
The Parish Council Contact Details, Tel: 01883 744209; Email:
[email protected]; The Bounty, Godstone Green, Godstone,
Surrey, RH9 8DY. The Parish office is open Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays 9.30am – 12.30pm.

SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER
Coffee Morning
at

St Nicholas Youth Centre
10.30am – 12.30pm

Proceeds to be given to CAFÉ CONNECT
Join us for a mug of fresh coffee or a cup of
tea with homemade cakes and biscuits.
Catch up with friends and browse among the
various table top sales of jam, marmalade,
honey, cards, wool and knitted garments,
books, pottery, plants, jewellery, and other
surprises.
The Youth Centre is adjacent to the White
Hart Barn Village Hall.

12

VILLAGE OPEN MEETING

Thursday, 20th October 2022
WHITE HART BARN
7.15pm for 7.45pm

SPEAKERS

Nicola Henderson from Godstone Farm &
Dr Shelina Jaffer from the Pond Tail Surgery, Godstone

Followed by

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

All nominations for election of the Honorary Officers and
Committee are to be sent in writing to the Secretary (details

below) at least two days before the AGM.

Followed by

Reports from Organisations
Open Forum

7.15pm for tea/coffee and biscuits

COME AND SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE

There will also be a GVA Event proposed for Saturday, 3rd December.
Please save the date and further details will follow in the November

issue.

Secretary: Iain Pavely, 5 Greenview, Bletchingley Road,
Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8LL

Tel: 01883 740081 Email: [email protected]

13

Are you new to Godstone Village? If
so, you may not have heard of the
Godstone Village Association. It looks
after the interests of the village and its
surrounding area. It acts as an umbrella organisation for all the many
clubs and societies in the village and holds two open forums a year to
which all residents are invited, with interesting speakers and reports
from local organisations. GVA is run by a small committee of
volunteers.
MEMBERSHIP – The Godstone Village Association invite you to
become a Member of the Association. The annual subscription helps to
pay for its running costs. The annual fee is £5 per household and is due
1st September in every year. Application forms can be obtained from
the Membership Secretary – details below – and will be available at the
AGM. You will receive four Newsletters a year and, in between,
updates by email on relevant matters.
To all existing Members, a reminder that the subscription is due and
this can be paid by cash, cheque, bank transfer or standing order (one
of the last two preferred for ease of management). Your final chance to
pay will be at the AGM on 20th October (details on page 13).
Moira White: Email [email protected]
Phone: 01883 744346. Address: 17 Ivy Mill Close Godstone RH9 8NG

14

Advertising In This Magazine Is Effective! Please remember to
mention the Magazine when contacting advertisers. Thank you

15

GODSTONE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

After a period with so many eventful changes and over seven weeks
with negligible rain it is good to see the grass on our Village Green
recovering slowly at last. The water in Horse Pond is returning too.
With the drought the family of young Canada geese moved initially to
the Bay Pond and I heard that the Egyptian geese were safe too. The
fish were not so lucky but we saw a heron obviously enjoying them!
Older Godstone residents had not seen the pond as empty before this
year. There remained only some rather dangerous mud in the bottom, a
few cheerful sunflowers even managed to grow and flower on the dry
base which also revealed some curious objects – including an old
laptop, half a traffic cone, two fence posts, one concrete bollard, a
child’s scooter and numerous beer glasses!
Our Society held its AGM on 18th August. Members present agreed to
our paying towards a tree to be planted on the Green to celebrate the
Queen’s Jubilee. The committee was very glad to welcome back
Caroline Allison as our treasurer to replace Yves le Hur. David Pigram
also joined our committee bringing some welcome insight into
planning issues.
Concerning planning there has been an application (ref 2022/841) by
Divers Cove to increase their opening hours so that they can cater for
more swimmers. Hours would be as follows: from 6am to 10pm April
to September to 8pm in October/November and 8am to 4pm in winter.
A Planning Application (SCC ref 2022/0094) by JJ Franks for Mercers
South Quarry has been made for importing waste not only for infilling
and restoring the quarry with inert waste but also for processing the
waste and exporting it again for resale. This would affect traffic
through Godstone as the daily permitted HGV movements would
increase from 150 per day to 276 – a substantial increase.
Sibelco, which quarries and uses the North Park Farm Sand Processing
Plant, may be extending their quarrying as two new sites have been
nominated by the Surrey Minerals Plan in North Bletchingley and not
far south of the M25. It should not have any traffic implications for
Godstone as the sand should be transported on the existing conveyor to
the processing plant and thence by lorry using the haul route to J6 of
the M25. It will, however, presumably contribute to extending
Sibelco’s use of the Processing plant.
A request for an opinion regarding the need for an “Environmental

16

Impact Assessment” (EIA) has been sent to TD Council on behalf of
Ashill Development Co. Ashill have been in contact with SES Water
Company who own the (dry) Godstone quarry. This site is of about 15
hectares (37 acres), situated near to Divers Cove, West of Hilly Field,
North of the A25 and East of North Park Farm Lane. An EIA might be
needed before Ashill could put in a Planning Application for a
development which might be of 150 homes, a mix of town houses, flats
and homes for the retired (of which 50% “affordable”), a Doctors
surgery/Health Centre and a 38 bay car park to serve Godstone. It
would be good if we could get a car park at last but…
After a lull in our regular working parties I hope to be in touch with our
volunteers again to recommence our leaf gathering and general tidying
around the village. If you would like to help and I have not contacted
you yet, please do give me a ring. Many thanks again to all our valuable
litter pickers and all working individually, every task such as cutting
back vegetation to clear paths or make road signs visible helps greatly.

Mary S-M tel 744389

SOUTH GODSTONE CRAFTERS

Do you like crafts such as knitting, crochet,
sewing, spinning etc? Or do you want to
learn something new? Why not join us on the
afternoon of the first Tuesday of the month
when you can create something, talk and have tea/coffee
with cake. Each session you can either try something different or
bring along a project you are working on.
Tuesday 4th October – Knitting. Learn basic knitting skills or if you
have the skills already, support someone learning or knit some
flowers.
Tuesday, 1st November – Christmas decorations

Everyone welcome. 1st Tuesday
of the month, 2pm at St

Stephen’s Church Hall South
Godstone RH9 8EY

All this for just £3 a session!

17

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY FETE AND
DONKEY DERBY 2022

I would like to send my thanks to everyone who was
involved in making this day so special for the whole
community of Godstone. Many thanks go to the Fete
Committee and Godstone Parish Council for allowing
us to hold the event on Godstone Green.
Here is a selection of photos from the day showing all the fun and
success of yet another Fete on Godstone Village Green.
Louise

18

19

1ST GODSTONE SCOUT GROUP

The Scout Group continues to thrive with all three sections (Beavers,
Cubs and Scouts) enjoying a number of outdoor based activities in the
run up to the summer break. Normality arrived with a bang for the
Scouts with Scoutabout returning this year. Scoutabout is held at the
South of England Showground at Ardingly in Sussex, with over 4,000
Scouts and Guides taking part from all across Surrey.
The hot sunny days were filled with activities including the ever popular
cave maze, water activities, parascending, abseiling, zip wires as well as
lots of smaller activities and crafts. Scouts and Guides could try their
hand at over 100 activities across the site. One of our Scouts Lizzy
O’Connell, took to the skies having a go at Parasailing (opposite
middle).
The Scouts started this Autumn Term with a trip to Tower Bridge.
The group has the same crest on its scarfs as Tower Bridge Estates
“Logo” (opposite top right) who look after Tower Bridge and a number
of other bridges in London. They kindly provided us a number of free
tickets. The Scouts enjoyed the walk along the river to Tower Bridge
(below) where you can see HMS Belfast in the background. They
climbed up the towers and walked along to the glass floor to look down
on the crossing and the river some 60m below.

The Group’s current Scout Leaders are stepping down at the end of
summer 2023 after some 20+ years in their roles and the Group is
looking for new adult volunteers to help run the Scout Section and
continue to provide fun and exciting activities for the Scouts.
Being a Scout Leader
does not have to
onerous and can be as
flexible as needed to
accommodate your
own families and
work commitments, in
fact a lot of
companies see being
actively involved in
something such as
Scouts to be a positive
in the workplace.

continued on page 22
20

Lizzy getting
ready for the
launch. She was
attached to a
Land Rover and
gently pulled
into the air.

We joined up with
our Scouting friends
at Lagham Scouts to
provide a water
rockets activity each
day over the weekend
for the Scouts and
Guides.

continued over page

21

If you are interested in knowing more and maybe coming along to a few
meetings to see what happens, please email our Group Scout Leader
Mark Wiles at [email protected]
Finally, the group would like to thank SES water for their kind donation
of £200 towards water saving measures at the Scout HQ The
Endeavour.

22

MUMS’ UNITED – SOUTH GODSTONE
(and Dads, Grandparents and Carers)
BABY & TODDLER GROUP at
St Stephen’s Church

Every THURSDAY 9.30am – 12noon (doors open at 9am)
Come with your little ones and meet with friends, whilst members of

the Mothers Union provide refreshments, chats and baby cuddles!
ALL WELCOME – For more information, contact:
[email protected]

TRANSPORT & MORE

It is with much regret that we have to inform you that
Transport & More has had to cease operational duties.
The inception of Transport & More was in 2017 with a
thriving committee of between eight and ten members.
After much planning and hard work we were able to
launch and start functioning in May 2020. After a slow start we were
then able to provide lifts to many clients for a variety of purposes.
We had 50 volunteer drivers and all was going extremely well until the
Covid Pandemic hit the world and we had to cease operation. The
committee met via zoom approximately every 4/6 weeks all through the
various lockdowns to keep things ticking over.
Unfortunately during those two years we lost a large number of our
volunteers for a variety of reasons. Eventually we only had four
remaining committee members with the three important posts of Chair,
Treasurer and Secretary vacant.
Cathy Snell, acting temporary Chair, wrote to the 21 remaining
volunteers inviting them to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting on
13th June. Cathy asked those present if there was anyone who could fill
any of the roles to enable the scheme to continue, none came forward.
Cathy proposed a resolution that in the absence of any new committee
members that the scheme should be wound up. The resolution was
seconded and put to the vote and of those eligible, eight were for
closure, none against and there was one abstention. The remaining
funds will be held by SCA for a period of two years should the scheme
be in a position to start again. After that period the funds will pass to

23 continued over page

Surrey Community Action to be used for another scheme starting in
Surrey. All relevant people will be informed of the closure and all
paperwork will be disposed of in accordance with GDPR.
T & M Committee

FLORAL TRIBUTES TO THE QUEEN

I went up to Green Park because I wanted to wander around the floral
tributes and see what kind of atmosphere there was…plus it's a part of
history. I was staggered by the number of people. All of us pouring out
of Green Park tube station straight into the park on something of a
‘prescribed route’ to the floral tributes.
All very well organised without being officious. Even had loads-a-bins
for the wrappings from the tributes! I had a plan in my mind for after
my visit that I would walk across the front of Buckingham Palace and
on to Victoria for the train home. Wrong! Another ‘prescribed route’ to
get us out of the park took us into The Mall up by Clarence House.
Bonus was the Irish Guards,
complete with Irish
Wolfhound mascot, were
marching/playing on their
way back to St James' Palace,
from Changing the Guard. I
had to walk to Admiralty
Arch before I could cross into
St James' Park and on to
Birdcage Walk. I was cream
crackered by the time I got
home.
The mood/atmosphere was
somewhat sombre or reverent
or, perhaps, a better word is
respectful, but with us taking
photos it rather tinged it with
a bit of tackiness. I was to
blame too.
I went to view the flowers at
Kensington Palace for Diana,
because one of the girls from the office persuaded me, and it was much
more tearful and respectful but then there were no camera phones.

JJ

24

HISTORY CORNER

The following is an extract from a booklet I bought at the August Café

Connect and decided the content was far too interesting just to keep to

myself. Di Grose

GODSTONE THROUGH
THE AGES

By St Nicholas Youth Club

The story of the Museum presented by members of St

Nicholas Youth Club for Godstone’s 1964 August Bank

Holiday Fete In aid of the Village Hall Improvements and

War Memorial Fund Price one shilling

General History

At one time the Parish of Godstone stretched for eleven
miles along the Roman Road until Felbridge and Blindley Heath
were cut off to form separate parishes in the 19th century.
The road running past the village green was probably used by
the Saxons as a boundary to the parish of Walkingstead and
all land west of this road including the Green was in the
Manor of Bletchingley.

Godstone comprises about 6,000 acres of which some 3,000
lie to the north of the railway and 3,000 to the south. Nearly
40 acres are water with the Bay Pond accounting for 6 acres,
Leigh Ponds 12 acres and Wire Mill Pond 18 1/2 acres. It
seems probably that at one time all the low lying areas
particularly in the south [Lagham or Lagu-ham meaning
dwelling in the flood] were in fact under water or marshland
and only the highest points fit for cultivation. All the streams
drain eastward to the Edenbrook and Medway. The highest
ground in the parishes just above Hanging Wood which is 791
feet above sea level and the lowest point in the area is 163
feet at the cricket ground, Blindley Heath. Godstone Green is
340 feet above sea level.

There is ample evidence of man’s early settlement in
Godstone and the ‘Museum’ endeavoured to highlight the main
events in Godstone through the ages. Neolithic man, it has
been recorded, drove their cattle from their Dorset
encampment over Salisbury Plain and along the chalk heights

continued over page
25

of Hampshire and Surrey. Godstone probably provided a
welcome resting place for these travellers and their cattle
with its ample water supply.

……….. Carved into arrowheads, axes and other tools have been
discovered and the tracks flattened by cattle and later used
by the Pilgrims are in evidence along Pilgrims Way on the
southern slopes of Godstone Hill.

The Romans of course left marks on our civilisation with their
skill in road making but sepulchre urns and coins found in old
Roman Camps are further evidence of their stay in Godstone.
The Saxons left their churches and the Normans their
Domesday Book and arches. Medieval man left evidence of the
Black Death with their burial grounds. The Tudors and
Georgians left their architecture and later civilisations left
their quarries and scars of war.

Although in the ‘Museum’ we collected some of the treasure
trove of the centuries, Godstone itself is a much more
comprehensive and interesting museum than we could ever
hope to achieve under a marquee on the Green.

GODSTONE GARDENERS’
CLUB

You haven’t heard from us in a
while...that’s because Sylvia thought I was
writing the report for the Magazine and I thought she was!
Consequently, it didn’t get done. Sorry about that.

Anyway, whilst we may have been inactive, the Club and its Members
have been ‘doing’.

In July we all went down to Paul Grimmer’s nursery at Plants ‘n’
Gardens, which he kindly opened specially for us in the evening.
Primarily it was to see Paul flex his muscles and talents on the Potting
Wheel. It was spellbinding, so much so that we didn’t take any photos!
He is a terrific potter so next time you’re down there, go to the back area
of the greenhouse, on the side of the till, and check out his pots...as well
as buying plants!

In August, we welcomed Richard Hilson who regaled us with his vast
knowledge of Daffodils and How to Grow Them, How to Show Them

26

and all else that one would need to know. Perhaps you think that August
is a strange time to talk about daffodils when they don’t show their
faces until February/March/April time. Not a bit of it. Bulb sellers/
nurseries are just ramping up sending their catalogues through our doors
and we have a Spring Challenge in April with Hurst Green to
contemplate. All the information that Richard gave us was grist to the
mill and we sincerely hope that we can remember it and so win the
Challenge.
In September, our speaker was Mark Saunders, Head Gardener of
Fittleworth House in Sussex – he has been there for 24 years - who is a
mad keen photographer. His title for his talk was Garden Photographs
to Inspire and it did exactly what was on the tin! Nothing technical
(thank goodness), just showing us how, with a bit of patience and
thought, our cameras do the work and they are always with us, in our
pockets/bags…it’s our mobile phone! So now we have the impetus to
do something for the Photograph Class of both the Spring Challenge
and our Annual Show.
At our October meeting on Wednesday, 5th, we are going to have an
Autumn Supper and Bingo evening! An opportunity to get together with
members and friends and catch up with what we’ve been doing over the
summer – plus a bit of fun with prizes! (Don’t get too excited…) JJ

GODSTONE GARDENERS’ CLUB
SECRETARY WANTED

We are in desperate need of a CLUB SECRETARY! Our current
Secretary can no longer fulfil this position and, currently, the Chairman
is doing the Minutes which is not ideal. Without a Secretary we have
no Club. Please think hard and, even if two of you are willing to share
the position, that would be acceptable – anything but close the Club!
Please do give some thought to this and contact any of the Committee
to discuss if you feel that would help. Thank you.

Wheelchair access to St Nicholas Church: A wheel chair is located at
the back of St Nicholas Church to help those with mobility problems to
access the Church. Please speak to a churchwarden, sides person or other
person on duty, if you need any help.

27

We’d love you to join us!

Come to the CAMEO Club
And enjoy interesting speakers and entertainment
Meet for tea, coffee, biscuits and chat
Each time at the White Hart Barn, Godstone
Other friendly senior citizens

2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from
2.30pm to 4pm

If you would like to come, please telephone Paula Quincey
742680, Sheila Mackintosh 742700 or
Rosemary Carter 741809

BRITISH HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE
SOUTH LONDON BRANCH

We meet at the White Hart Barn on the second Thursday of the month
at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Our next meeting is on Thursday, 13th October – speaker to be
arranged.
The following meeting is on Thursday, 10th November which is our
annual auction. You must be a member to attend this event.
We welcome guests but request that if you attend more than three times
in the year you become members.

28

GARDEN JOTTINGS

CONIFERS, FINDING THE RIGHT ONES FOR THE GARDEN

I have to confess here that I am a fan of conifers. This has slowly built
up over the years until now the nursery has a substantial collection of
varieties in its stock beds and ornamental garden. There has been a
decline in conifer growers in the UK due to retirement and passing
away. We are now at a stage where very few growers now produce
unusual varieties for gardeners to enjoy. So often you are presented with
the same rounded or pyramidal cutting raised varieties that claim to be
miniature but then after two or three years race away to become
monsters in the garden, which then entails an expensive removal from a
tree surgeon. No wonder they have a bad reputation!

There are a few downsides to conifers. For example, they can be quite
static in the garden - a solid blob or pyramid which has no movement in
the wind as one would find in ornamental grasses for example. They do
not produce flowers, so no colour during the summer months. They also
do not have autumn colour (although there are a couple of exceptions).

They do, however, come in to their own during winter when everything
has died down and the garden is looking bare. Being mostly evergreen
they come in a range of colours from russets and orange (Thuja
occidentalis ‘Rheingold’); golden yellow (Thuja ‘Amber Glow’); blue
(Abies lasiocarpa ‘Violacea’); silver (Abies koreana ‘Icebreaker’); white
(Pinus parviflora ‘Tani-manu-uki’) and even red with new spring shoots
(Picea abies ‘Rydal’). With a range of colours like this, one can then
start to populate the garden to create some interest for the whole year.

Planting can be decided from continued over page
two perspectives - whether to
use large conifers as a frame or
background in the garden or to
go for miniature varieties for a
rockery. Slim pyramids such as
the Italian Cypress are often
used to give a formal look to
the garden. They frame paths or
the back of beds very
effectively and do not take up
much width. For miniatures, a
lot of the tiny spruces (Picea
abies ‘Nidiformis’ opposite),

29

Cryptomerias (C. ‘Tensan’) and Japanese White Pine (Picea parviflora
‘Sea Urchin’) are to name just a few. A general way to find these
miniatures is to look at how closely the shoots are branched. If they are
tightly congested, then you will have a slow growing plant. If they are
looser with long stems before they branch, then you will usually have a
larger growing tree. Alternatively ask the grower and they will point
you in the right direction.

Deciduous conifers are a rarity but the Ginkgo and Larch are two
exceptions. They produce new foliage in spring and look splendid in
fresh green and silvery blue. They do even have autumn colour of gold
and russets. They can be pruned a lot further to keep in size and do not
suffer from bare patches if pruned too hard. A lot of bonsai enthusiasts
use conifers, the pines being very popular due to their ability to look
like a miniature tree in perfect proportion to a large one. They can be
shaped and clipped to give that effect quite quickly.

If you still have doubts, then do look in gardens that have a conifer
display. Bedgebury Pinetum has a great selection of miniatures by the
lake and Hillier’s Gardens a range of varieties across the whole garden.
The selection at the nursery display garden is more modest but will give
some good ideas nonetheless.

Next month: Autumn Bulbs Paul Grimmer – Plants N Gardens

EAST SURREY RSPB GROUP

Over the years I have helped a colleague to ring barn
owl and kestrel chicks in boxes that had been put up on
local farms. This summer we first ringed three young
kestrels that were hatched in a nest box on a farm, the
box having been used in previous years by kestrels.
About three weeks later I helped ring four young barn owls also
hatched in a nest box on a local farm. Over time some of the birds that
have been ringed have been found and in all cases of kestrels they have
been found in the local area, so had travelled only a short distance from
where they were ringed.
With regard to the barn owls, the ones that have been recovered have
been more interesting in that one barn owl had travelled to Sheerness,
and another had moved to Salisbury Plain. One bird, now an adult, was
found in a nest box at Horsham, Sussex by another ringer. A barn owl

30

ringed as a chick in one of Barn Owl
our boxes in 2007 was
found dead in Bletchingley
in 2018. This bird was
almost eleven years old but
the longest record of a
ringed barn owl as reported
by the BTO was almost
fifteen years.

With information from a
local resident we looked at a
buzzard’s nest that
contained two young
buzzards. The nest was
high up in a pine tree
on the edge of
Godstone village and
indications were that
the buzzards may have
used this nest site in
previous years.
Hopefully they will use
this same nest site next
Kestrel chick year, although the nest

being high up in the
tree will probably mean that it would be impossible to ring any young
birds in this nest safely.

The group indoor meeting in October is on Wednesday 12th at the
White Hart Barn, Godstone starting at 8pm. The speaker will be Bill
Coster (who has been to us many times before). His talk entitled Crocs,
Cranes and Cats talks of some of the wildlife of India: the endangered
gharial, demmoiselle crane and tigers. Everyone is welcome, admission
£5 which includes refreshments.

The all-day field trip in October is on Sunday 16th. The venue for this
trip will be decided nearer the time depending on what interesting birds
are about. Meet at Godstone Green car park at 8am.

For further information on the group events and activities visit –
hppts://group.rspb.org.uk/eastsurrey/ or contact me.

Keith Brandwood 01883 742740

Photos by K Brandwood

31

WI SOUTH GODSTONE
Our president opened the meeting by paying respect
to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was not only our
beloved and highly respected Queen but also a
member of the Women’s Institute for almost eighty
years. The Queen joined the Sandringham WI in 1943 when she was
still Princess Elizabeth and was elected president in 2003. May she rest
in peace.
Our summer outing
took us to
Michelsham Priory
(opposite) where our
members were given
an informative tour of
the Priory followed
by lunch and a
wander around the
beautiful grounds.
The weather was
glorious and we all
had a most enjoyable
day.

We welcomed Callum Russell to our September meeting who gave an
interesting and entertaining talk entitled Callum’s Colourful Crusade.
Callum was born blind in 1991, the eldest child of four boys. He has the
rare inherited condition of leber congenital amaurosis. His talk was
really the story of his inspirational life so far, which has taken him from
a well-educated school boy at a main stream school with a special
department for the visually impaired, to now running his own business,
CrystalEyes. CrystalEyes offers training, guidance and advice to
businesses and organisations on working with people with vision
impairments and supports individuals to fulfil their potential. In the
intervening years he gained a BA in modern languages from
Birmingham University. On graduating he completed a Masters at the
College of Europe in Bruges. He has travelled widely and undertook a
gap year project teaching music in Peru with Quest Overseas.
On a lighter note, Callum has also completed the ‘Rickshaw Challenge’
with Matt Baker of BBC Breakfast. Just goes to show that visual
impairment is no barrier to success!

32

We look forward to welcoming Barry Bryant, our speaker for October
who will enlighten us with his talk entitled The Trinity House Story.
Future events include ‘Ladies Who Dine’ at Deep Blue, ‘84 Charing
Cross Road’ and ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ at The Miller Centre.
In November we will see ‘Curtains’ at the Barn Theatre and ‘Operation
Mincemeat’ back at The Miller Centre. We also have a thriving walking
group, craft group and book club which meet regularly.
South Godstone WI meets at 8pm on the second Tuesday of the
month in the Jubilee Room at St Stephen’s Church, South Godstone.
Why not come and join us? We are a small, very friendly group who
always love to welcome new members to enjoy brilliant guest speakers
and tea and cake (of course!) Please email us at
[email protected] for further information.

WI GODSTONE AFTERNOON

There was no meeting in August but instead we held
our annual Summer Lunch at lovely Bletchingley
Golf Club. Having experienced many warm sunny
and dry days (and some very extreme temperatures)
beforehand, it seemed strange to be meeting on the first wet day for
some time. However, many members enjoyed a lovely two course meal
followed by tea and coffee served by the very attentive staff, and it was
a very enjoyable social occasion.
A few weeks later, thankfully the sun shone as lots of people turned out
to enjoy the Godstone Fete where we put up our gazebo again for our
cake and produce stall. Members contributed generously with an array
of homemade cakes of all types and sizes and also some homegrown
produce. The stall, as usual, proved very popular and thanks go to the
willing helpers who gave up their time to run the stall, everything was
sold by mid afternoon.
We are looking forward to our visiting speakers this autumn – Richard
Poad will give a talk entitled Dunkirk Little Ships in October and in
November Paul Robbins will entertain us with a talk entitled Great
British Eccentrics. We will also hold our AGM at the November
meeting, and as we always do prior to our Christmas meeting in early
December, ask members to bring donations to our Salvation Army
Food Collection.

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Our popular clubs continue to meet once a month: Play Reading, Knit
and Natter, Lunch Bunch and Book Club. Brunch Club will also meet
on the last Friday of the month at the Godstone Club.
We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2.15 in the White
Hart Barn. To get in touch please email our secretary Janet Butters at
[email protected] or just come along and meet us. New
members are always welcome.

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ORPHEUS CENTRE

We are proud to be celebrating its 25th anniversary
next year, so to kick things off, there will be an exciting gala evening
held at the stunning Freemasons’ Hall in London on 16 November.
There will be a drinks reception and evening of entertainment.

The ever-popular Orpheus Carol Concert is back and will take place
on Thursday, 1st December. We are delighted to be returning to St
John’s Church in Redhill with special guest, actor Jim Carter from
Downton Abbey, giving a reading. Join us to mark the festive season
and enjoy performances from the talented Orpheus students. To book
tickets and for more information on all Orpheus events visit
www.orpheus.org.uk/events

The new academic term has started with a bang at the Orpheus Centre,
the specialist college for disabled young adults in North Park Lane. We
have welcomed our highest number of students this year with 64 young
people aged 18-25 joining us to learn essential independence and life
skills while nurturing their artistic talents. A third of the students live
on site and together
they are all gearing up
for a packed year of
learning projects, public
performances with a
Winter production in
December. Earlier this
year, Orpheus won the
national NATSPEC
Wellbeing Award
which recognises the
hard work of staff and
students to address
mental health issues
and implement ways to
learn lifelong skills for success.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of disabled young
people? Just £3 a month can make a real impact and with your support
you will be helping the students live the life they want. Talk to the team
at the Orpheus Centre about becoming a regular giving donor and play
your part in the young people’s futures. Call 01883744664 for more
information.

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JOIN US FOR THE FESTIVAL OF SIMCHAT TORAH

Sunday, 16th October 5pm at St Stephen's Church Hall,
South Godstone

The Jewish year is filled with festivals and feasts, God called them, in
Leviticus 23, His Moadim, meaning His times, or His appointments.
Some are times of great joy and celebration, and some are times of
sorrow and repentance. At the end of September we have what they call
in Israel and other countries, the ‘fall feasts’ beginning with Yom
Teruah (the blowing of the Shofar). The rabbis made this the first day
of the Jewish New Year, so they call Rosh (head) HaShanah (the year).
Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the holiest day in our calendar, this is the
Day of Atonement, and as Messianic Believers in Yeshua (Jesus), we
can remember His sacrifice for us. Four days later, we celebrate
Sukkot, this is the festival, where we build shelters in our gardens or on
balconies if we live in flats. We are to live in them for seven days,
remembering our people lived in tents in the wilderness for forty years.

Finally, on the eighth day, there is a
different festival, it is called Simchat
Torah (the joy of the Torah). On this
day we place the bema, the table that
the Torah Scroll is read from, and we
sing and dance around the bema with
the Torah scroll leading us. Everyone
present gets a chance to carry it.
Then the Torah is placed on the
bema and the last few verses of
Deuteronomy (Devarim) are read,
then the Torah is rewound all the
way back to the beginning, and we
read the first few verses of Genesis
(B'reshit), and the whole cycle of
reading the Torah begins again. It is
a joyous evening, everyone gets to
help rewind the Torah, even the children, the rabbi points out
interesting aspects of the writings. The time together continues with the
Torah being processed again around the bema. Finally we share food
and drink.
This year we are planning a joint get-together with the churches in
Godstone, South Godstone and Blindley Heath on 16th October at 5pm

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for this final event, Simchat Torah, and you are all cordially invited.
The Zera Avraham Messianic Synagogue’s regular service is at 10.30am
each Saturday at the St Stephen's Church Hall, South Godstone. For
further information contact Rabbi Brian 07919 043179

A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

BARN THEATRE
OCTOBER
The Oxted Players present ’Allo ’Allo
See all your favourite TV characters in the flesh in this uproarious
comedy
Tuesday 18th – Saturday 22nd (2.30 (Sat) & 7.30). Tickets £13
The New Aquarian Opera Company presents The Merry Widow
A new English translation of Lehár's classic operetta, entangling a
wealthy young widow, her reticent playboy beau, and a bankrupt
nation, all set in the Parisian Belle Époque.
Wednesday 26th - Saturday 29th (7.45). Tickets £18; U16 £14

NOVEMBER
Oxted Musical Theatre Company presents Curtains
A murder mystery musical comedy from the writers of Chicago and
Cabaret.
Wednesday 16th – Saturday 19th (2.30 (Sat) & 7.45)
Tickets £12.50 - £18 also available from 07859 499667
Oxted Comedy Night
When did you last have a good laugh? Change that and come and see
Scott Bennett and the comedians from House of Stand Up.
Saturday 26th (7.45). Super Early-Bird Tickets £16.50 18+

DECEMBER
Ultimate Elton and the Rocket Band
Some tribute artists look like their idol, some sound like their idol. Paul
Bacon as Elton John does both! Close your eyes and you won’t believe
your ears, open your eyes and you won’t believe them either!
Saturday 10th (7.45pm) Tickets £22 - £25

For further information and tickets for all productions visit
www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk or 15a High Street, Westerham, Kent,
TN16 1RA or call 01959 561811
continued over page
37

THE MILLER CENTRE
Apologia by Alexi Kaye Campbell. Directed by Chris Hannigan
Kristin Miller is an eminent and successful art historian. As a young
mother she followed her politics and vocation, storming Parisian
barricades and moving to Florence. Her birthday should be a time of
celebration but, when her two sons deliver their versions of the past,
everyone must confront the cost of Kristin’s commitment to her
passions.
Thursday, 27th October to Saturday, 5th November
Evening performances at 8pm; Matinee, 2.30pm Saturday 5 November.
Tickets £12 for the opening night; £14 for all subsequent performances.
Book online anytime at www.themiller.net

COME AND SING
MESSIAH

If you love singing, you are warmly
invited to join the choir of Hurst
Green Singers for a special ‘Come
and Sing’ performance of choruses from Handel’s Messiah on
Saturday 12th November at St John’s Church, Hurst Green, RH8 9EA.
All singers who read music are welcome - whether or not you’ve sung
the work before. Under the expert guidance of the choir’s Music
Director, James M Meaders, you will be given invaluable insights and
tips on how best to sing this well-loved piece to achieve an
accomplished performance. Copies of the score will be available on
loan if you require one.
Following registration, the rehearsal will start promptly start at 2pm
with afternoon refreshments provided for singers (included in the £15
price) before the performance commences at 5.30pm.
To book your place in the choir, please email before 29th October to
[email protected]
Alternatively, if you would simply like to listen to the concert, you are
welcome to attend the evening performance. Tickets cost £5 and will be
available on the door.

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Godstone Club
Coffee Lounge

Now Open!

Take Away or Have Inside
Open Mon – Fri 830am – 12pm
Sat / Sun 9am – 12pm (Brunch Available)
Dogs on Leads Welcome – No Membership Required

Loyalty Card Available

OXTED & LIMPSFIELD MUSIC
SOCIETY LAUNCHES SPECIAL
‘75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON’

RODERICK WILLIAMS “BRITAIN’S GREATEST BARITONE” IN
FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON ON 22 OCTOBER 2022

A starry line-up of performers: singers, instrumentalists and ensembles
are set to perform to celebrate the 75th anniversary season of the Oxted
& Limpsfield Music Society.
The first concert of the season will feature Roderick Williams (“Our
greatest baritone", Daily Telegraph) singing Vaughan Williams (on the
150th anniversary of his birth), Gerald Finzi and many others
accompanied by pianist Susie Allan on 22nd October 2022.
He is followed on 26 November by Dame Imogen Cooper, the
renowned pianist in a programme containing two of Beethoven’s
greatest works for solo piano including the epic Diabelli Variations.
The season continues in 2023 with former BBC New Generation Artist,
violist Timothy Ridout who performs Franck’s passionate Viola Sonata
with pianist James Baillieu (25 Feb 2023).
On 15 April the Solem Quartet, known for their “immaculate precision
and spirit” – The Strad and regulars at London’s Wigmore Hall, give a
string quartet recital including Bartók alongside Beethoven’s Op. 132
quartet.
The fifth concert of the season on 17 June sees cellist Guy Johnston
(accompanied by pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen), a dynamic
performer at the BBC Proms and worldwide perform both of
Mendelssohn’s Cello Sonatas.

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