Christmas magic at Blenheim Palace

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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The much-loved Christmas experience returns to Blenheim Palace, November 15th – January 1st, with the ever-popular illuminated trail, a magical adventure in the palace and the new Great Skate ice rink

Blenheim Palace will sparkle brighter than ever this winter, with a series of dazzling new illuminated artworks set to enchant visitors in the garden and Neverland® in the Palace.

The illuminated outdoor Christmas Trail in the grounds is one of the highlights of the festive calendar. Wander the picture-perfect gardens filled with Christmas cheer to discover a place where new memories are made as a multitude of glowing lights and Christmassy sounds fill the air with the festive fun.

These stunning installations, inspired by the natural world and festive themes, have been created by internationally renowned artists and are guaranteed to add extra magic to the festive season.

Created by Culture Creative and produced in partnership with Sony Music, Christmas at Blenheim is a magical, after-dark trail for visitors of all ages featuring thousands of twinkling lights, seasonal scents, sparkling baubles, shimmering tunnels of light and vibrant woodland lakeside displays. 

The illuminated trail has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. 

Inside the house, embark on a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland, a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon. The enchanting new experience based on JM Barrie’s Peter Pan is in association with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. 

Visit the Orangery Restaurant and delve into a world of delight with a Neverland themed afternoon tea. Tinkerbell Blackberry Ganache Tart anyone? 

Also new this Christmas is The Great Skate. Go along to skate with family and friends in the Palace’s stunning Great Court on a spectacular, covered ice rink. Surrounded by breathtaking beauty and festive decor, enjoy a luxurious hot chocolate or tasty treats at rink-side seats. Capture the perfect festive family photo in this unique setting. 

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the traditional wooden chalets showcasing a range of festive treats from designer-makers and artisan food and drink producers. Stock up on festive goodies, and if you’ve worked up an appetite indulge in the treats on offer at the street food stalls. This will run from Friday, 15th November to Sunday, 22nd December.   

For more details on all the Christmas magic at Blenheim Palace this year and to book tickets (essential), please visit Christmas at Blenheim | Festive Light Trail & Christmas Market

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Unearthing history in Haslemere

Karen Neville

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Shelley Jarret-Tomes invites us to the centennial celebration of Haslemere’s renowned geologist Sir Archibald Geikie at the museum this month

This year marks the centenary of the death of one of Haslemere’s most renowned residents, the Victorian geologist Sir Archibald Geikie. Haslemere Museum will be hosting a series of celebratory events until 12th November, including a major exhibition, a Scottish Ceilidh and a programme of talks and tours.

Geikie was a leading figure in the world of science and was Director General of the Geological Survey from 1882 to 1901. He received many academic honours and was awarded a knighthood on his retirement. He was president of the Geological Society in 1906, and President of the Royal Society from 1908 to 1913. He is known for his important geological research in Scotland and in America.

Sir Archibald retired to Haslemere around 1906 and was invited to become the first Chairman of Haslemere Museum’s Fundraising Committee in 1915, a post he held until his death at the age of 88 in 1924. He worked tirelessly to secure the Museum’s future, facilitating its move to its current location on the High Street.

Today, the Museum’s collection contains one of the largest collections of Geikie-related archival documents in Europe, if not the world. The collection consists of copy letter books, field notebooks, geological specimens, letter, manuscripts and photographs, as well as some of his personal awards, medals and hundreds of his own paintings and drawings.

The Centennial Celebration begins with an exhibition of objects from Haslemere Museum’s significant Geikie archive collection, as well as items from the Geikie family’s personal archive running till March next year.

A guided walk at 10am on Friday, 8th November will visit locations around Haslemere where Geikie lived and worked. Then at 2pm, artist Roger Dellar will perform a live demo, painting an original watercolour of Geikie to be donated to the Museum.

On the evening of 8th November, the Museum will hold a Scottish Ceilidh with a band and bar. Everyone is welcome to join in and try some Scottish dancing, and tickets are on sale now via the Museum’s website.

A programme of lectures is scheduled throughout 8th and 9th November, with speakers from the world of geoscience and the Geikie family.

Finally, on 12th November, a ‘tea & talk’ will explore the Geikie archive held behind the scenes at the Museum.

The full programme of events and ticket booking can be found on the What’s On page of Haslemere Museum’s website at Haslemere Museum

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FloLeB fusing art & design

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Florence Breeze has created a range of T-shirts and sweatshirts showcasing her art, combining style, comfort and quality with sustainability

How many times have you just ‘thrown on’ a T-shirt and thought nothing more about it but have you considered this: “A T-shirt becomes a canvas that brings art into everyday life.”

Florence Breeze is the founder of FloLeB, an innovative sustainable clothing brand in Farnham where art meets eco-friendly fashion. Her collection for men and women is crafted from sustainable, recycled fabrics, non-toxic dyes and features original artwork.

“Our brand is driven by the belief that fashion should be both an expression of individuality and a force for positive change,” says Florence. “By merging art with sustainability, we’re not just creating clothing; we’re creating a movement that empowers consumers to make mindful choices without sacrificing style.

“The person is not just buying a T-shirt but investing in a piece of creativity, making a statement and a choice to be seen for who they are. Not only because of the original photograph and design but by choosing to wear eco-friendly clothing too.”

Florence is a keen photographer, a passion developed when travelling, and the idea for her innovative business came when her husband asked to have his favourite photograph of hers printed on a T-shirt. She adds: “It looked really good and personal and combined all I wanted: promoting beauty, showcasing my art and advocating authenticity.”

Florence grew up in small villages in the South of France and is heavily influenced by her formative years there and by her father, an artist, who also restores houses, antiques and paintings.

She says: “I can see today that being surrounded by art, witnessing my father’s creative process, attention to detail, beautiful Mediterranean sunlight and being surrounded by splendid nature had a clear impact and nurtured my sense of style. Art was always more than a subject, it was a way of life, a different way of thinking and it still is.”

The FloLeB slogan ‘Be You Be Art’ echoes this, encouraging you as Florence explains “to be seen for who you are, to stand up for your values and inspire all to do the same with a love for yourself, people and our planet”.

She hopes FloLeB can become “an inspiration for everyone to be the best version of themselves” and hope to be able to donate a part of her profits to environmental causes or promoting art in social spaces. “There is so much to imagine in creating possibility around us!”

Find out more and shop at Home

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Get caught in The Housetrap

Karen Neville

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Join Guildford Shakespeare Company at West Horsley Place and immerse yourself in a festive murder mystery, quiz the suspects and solve the crime, December 2nd to 21st

This Christmas, Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) invite you to a 1920s murder mystery staged in a real country manor house, West Horsley Place.

Following the company’s sell out show last Christmas on a grounded Boeing 747, this time they are relocating to the Grade I listed medieval manor house.

It’s December 1922 and nestled at the foot of the tranquil Surrey Hills is the home of the recently married Sir Robert Montague, Duke of Surrey. Tragically, his new wife’s body is found at the foot of the stairs and a snowstorm cuts everyone off from the outside world, tensions come to the fore, secrets are revealed and suddenly everyone is caught in… The Housetrap.

Styled in the vein of the golden age of detective writing, audiences will begin their adventure in the elegant Drawing Room. In between scenes, they will be divided into groups and invited to explore different rooms of the manor to interrogate the suspects first-hand. Throughout the evening they will return to the Drawing Room to watch the next episode in the mystery.

Matt Pinches, GSC co-founder, pictured, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at West Horsley Place. It is an extraordinary venue; immensely rich in history and so many of the rooms retain the ‘lived-in’ atmosphere of its previous aristocratic owners, making it the perfect setting for a country house murder mystery.”

Perhaps most recognisable as Button House in the four series of the BBC sitcom Ghosts, and the location for numerous films and TV shows including Enola Holmes, My Cousin Rachel, Vanity Fair, and The Crown, this is the first time West Horsley Place has been used as a venue for an entire indoor theatre production,

By re-igniting people’s passion for theatre-going GSC seek to break down the boundaries that preclude participation, encouraging inclusivity and accessibility for everyone. Their site-responsive approach places audiences right at the heart of the action, immersing them in the world of the play.

Matt adds: “At GSC our mandate is to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places, and The Housetrap seeks to continue that mission. This is not only an immersive theatre experience, but also a unique chance to explore an incredible part of our shared local heritage.”

With a strictly limited capacity of just 60 people per performance advance booking is essential. The murder mystery is approximately 80-minutes long and all tickets include a glass of prosecco (or non-alcoholic alternative).

Book at Guildford Shakespeare Company THE HOUSETRAP –

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Take a surreal journey through Eulogy

Karen Neville

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Have your senses deceived in the exhilarating Eulogy at The Shed Bordon

Step into a surreal, otherworldly journey through a dreamlike, labyrinthine hotel that exists entirely in your mind and discover Eulogy. How you arrived is a mystery and why you’re there remains unclear. Just make sure you read the pamphlet.

Darkfield, producers of innovative, immersive experiences at the forefront of technology and theatre, are bringing their critically-acclaimed shipping container show Eulogy to The Shed from Wednesday, 30th October to Sunday, 10th November.

Performed in complete darkness over 35 minutes, this intense and exhilarating ride uses binaural 360 degree sound and speech recognition technology to deceive the senses and transport audience members through rooms, down corridors and into the bowels of this strange and not altogether comfortable hotel. How your dream unfolds is, in part, up to you. However, make sure you follow the right path and don’t volunteer to become the subject of the eulogy every guest is preparing to deliver.

Eulogy is both an intense and exhilarating ride and deeper exploration of the relative merits of an embodied human conscious experience versus one that only exists in the imagination.

Eulogy premiered as part of the London BFI Film Festival 2021 and has since toured to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Latitude Festival, Nottingham Lakeside, Norwich Theatre and across Australia. Darkfield shows have launched to critical acclaim, featuring in major film festivals worldwide.

Book tickets at Whitehill & Bordon

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Shooting Star shop glitters

Karen Neville

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Shooting Star Children’s Hospices shop in Godalming is the most-loved charity shop in the South East underlining its warm and welcoming atmosphere and fundraising achievements

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Godalming shop has taken the title of South East winner in The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards.

The title was awarded in the inaugural search for the UK’s favourite charity shop. The shop was one of 6,500 nominated across the UK and claimed the winning spot in a public vote involving almost 13,000 people.

Joe Tooze, Retail Manager at Shooting Star said: “We are thrilled to be named the South East winner in the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Award! Our amazing shop manager, Julie, and her dedicated team of staff and volunteers have worked hard to create a store that the local community enjoys visiting. The shop is beautifully arranged with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Located near our hospice, Christopher’s in Guildford, our Godalming shop enjoys tremendous support from customers, volunteers and donors – all of whom we are deeply grateful for, as the funds raised in our shops makes a significant difference to the families we support.”

Shooting Star supports more than 700 children and their families throughout Surrey and across 14 boroughs of London year round who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition or who have been bereaved. Their bespoke support for families includes a comprehensive range of therapies and support groups, specialist nursing care and respite, symptom management, end-of-life care and bereavement support.

Charity shops are an institution in the UK and have seen a rise in popularity in recent years as the public look for more ways to shop sustainably, support good causes and give back to their communities. The awards are the first of their kind and were launched in June to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Charity Retail Association, the membership organisation for charity shops in the UK.

Robin Osterley, Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, said: “Huge congratulations to Shotting Star Children’s Hospices. This award is a testament to the dedication of the shop’s staff and volunteers, and highlights what this wonderful store means to the local community. We have been overwhelmed by the public’s response to our search for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop, which celebrates the contribution the sector makes to communities and good causes across the UK”

The overall winner of the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop 2024 will be announced at a special event this month.

The shops are always in need of quality pre-loved items, visit Retail wish list – Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to find out what they’re after

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Kew lights up the festive season

Karen Neville

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The UK’s original festive light trail returns to Kew Gardens in London, November 13th to January 5th

Christmas at Kew returns with a showcase of new installations and world premieres which will allow visitors to see Kew Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage Site in an entirely new light.

A firm festive favourite since 2013, Christmas at Kew has led the way for other festive light trails across the country, celebrating the best of nature by night and providing a plethora of opportunity to create magical memories.

Bringing Kew’s incredible natural architecture to life, this year’s trail will feature perennial favourites including pea lit trees, a festive funfair and the charming Christmas Cathedral.

This year’s trail will feature two world premieres, with bespoke new installations on display to visitors for the first time anywhere in the world as part of Christmas at Kew. Ombre by TILT takes the form of a series of giant plants in bloom, springing up from the landscape in a spectrum of vibrant shades. Threshold by Studio Vertigo is an illuminated helix-like shape, bathed in golden yellow light to evoke the warmth and joy of the festive season.

Camellia Walk will be transformed into a snowy lane, showcasing the spectacular tree canopy and evoking a wintery wonderland at the start of the trail. Other highlights include Fish are Jumping by Dutch artists TOER and Mist Arches by Culture Creative creating an atmospheric ambience across Kew’s Lake Crossing.

Other highlights on the trail include returning favourites such as the spectacular light show on the Temperate House, evocative Fire Garden and seasonal selfie-spot Christmas Cathedral. Many of the Kew’s striking plants and trees will be highlighted along the route, allowing visitors to soak up the spectacle of nature from a new perspective and bask in vibrant colour as twilight falls. The much-loved Palm House finale will return for 2024, showcasing Kew’s iconic glasshouse in showstopping style.

To add an extra touch of magic to the Christmas at Kew experience, visitors cam book a delicious traditional Christmas dinner at The Botanical Brasserie. Along the route, visitors can also find delicious food and drink from independent street food vendors.

As part of our 2021-2030 Sustainability Strategy, every year Kew works closely with Christmas at Kew event partners and suppliers to design and deliver a beautiful Christmas light trail in a way that is as sustainable as possible – and every year they are making improvements to achieve a lower impact Christmas at Kew event for thousands to enjoy. In 2005, Kew Gardens became the first World Heritage Site to achieve ISO 14001 accreditation. ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard for environmental management, helping organisations to improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.

Where possible, all lighting on the trail is LED and they are working hard to transition towards 100% LED lighting for the artworks which form the Christmas at KEW trail over the next couple of years. This year all Christmas at Kew generators are being run of renewably sourced biofuel.

Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial Enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: “Christmas at Kew is always a much-anticipated highlight of the year, and this year’s trail is already shaping up to be a truly magical season spectacle. With a selection of brand-new installations alongside firm favourites which have become iconic parts of the Christmas at Kew experience, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the beauty of Kew Gardens by night later on this year.”

At Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, Glow Wild celebrates its 11th year with charming bespoke installations and the world’s largest living Christmas tree.

Tickets for Christmas at Kew and Glow Wild are available to purchase now at: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | Kew

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BBOWT nature photography competition

Karen Neville

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A stunning shot of ‘near threatened’ bee has been crowned the winner of a wildlife photography contest

The extreme close-up of an armed nomad bee won first prize in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) 2024 Photography Competition. A winter lake scene and a hungry bank vole are among the other winners.

The contest launched in April with nine categories including taking action for nature and mobile phone photography, and nature lovers of all ages were challenged to take pictures at one of BBOWT’s nature reserves or in their community.

The winning shot was taken by Luke Chambers at BBOWT‘s Dry Sandford Pit reserve Abingdon.

Luke said: “During one of my 4am outings, I was checking some vegetation for any subjects. This is one of the challenges with macro, you often have no idea what you’ll find, and it’s pure luck. But there she was, a very rare species of nomad bee, fast asleep. With my left hand, I adjusted the position of a nearby scabious flower so it was behind the bee, and help onto the plant she was on to stabilise the scene.

The image is also a focus stack – I took around 10 frames, all at different points of focus across the bee, then merged them together to achieve the detail you see. It wasn’t an easy photograph, but it was worth and is one of my favourite images to date. To win this competition with it means a great deal.”

As overall winner, Luke received a high-tech bird feeder camera. Along with all other category winners, he also won a wildlife photography masterclass as well as the honour of having his photo appear in BBOWT‘s 2025 calendar.

New for this year, the vote was also thrown open to the public with a new ‘People’s Choice Award’. After nearly two thousand votes were cast across ten shortlisted images, Peter Hines was crowned the public favourite with his close-up portrait of the iconic robin, and won a Nexcam solar-powered trail camera.

Peter said: “I am absolutely thrilled to received this award. My late sister-in-law, Anne, inspired me to get into photography 12 years ago and I love it. I have learnt so much from mistakes and successes. Wildlife, sunsets, smoke art and macro are my passions, so to have this recognition for one of my photographs is wonderful. A huge thank you to all who voted for my robin. Also thank you to BBOWT for giving me the opportunity to share my photos.”

Nine-year-old Logan Brown won the children’s category with his capture of a red admiral butterfly perched on red valerian. In addition to the category prizes, Logan has won a bundle of nature books for his school.

Speaking on behalf of Logan Brown, Frankie Gillespie said:
“Logan has recently been diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease and unfortunately the outcome will be total blindness. He has always loved photography and nature, so for him to have become one of the winners is wonderful news and he’s so excited!”

Nearly 200 photographers were submitted entries for this year’s competition, and the winners were painstakingly chosen by our panel of judges: BBOWT’s Wild Magazine editor Ben Vanheems, BBOWT website & design officer Chris Deeney, BBOWT’s membership assistant Beth Milner and wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz of GG Wildlife Experiences.

Ben Vanheems said: “Being on the judging panel is such an honour. The photos demonstrate a real flair for detail and an eye for creativity, and being able to go through that is just a ‘wow’ moment! There’s been incredible deliberation because there’s been such strong photography this year. It’s a joy to be involved in this process.”

Steve Gozdz added: “We’ve seen a wonderful selection of photographs this year in all categories and from so many wide-ranging people, from the kids right the way up to the adults. My personal favourites have again been the insects – we get to see them at such great detail which is something you don’t get the chance at with the naked eye. Well done to all entrants and thank you for making it so hard to judge.”

The winners

• Butterflies and other insects, and overall winner: Luke Chambers (Armed nomad bee at Dry Sandford Pit). Runner-up: Andrew Bristow (Grasshopper).

• Children (ages 6-11): Logan Brown (Red admiral). Runner-up: Henry Webb (Glistening inkcap).

• Teens (Ages 12-17): Harry Huie (Brown hairstreak). Runner-up: James Lloyd (Red kite)

• Birds: John Kearns (Marsh Tit at Warburg Nature Reserve). Runner-up: Grace Miller (Mute swan at Loddon Nature Reserve).

• Mammals: Mark Lauri (Bank vole at Warburg Nature Reserve). Runner-up: David Byrne (Rabbit at Greenham Common)

• Our nature reserves: Martin Wheeler (Cholsey Marsh). Runner-up: Peter Smith (Round-leaved sundew at Snelsmore Common)

• Urban nature: David Thirlwall (Kingfisher). Runner-up: Eddie Leslie (Honey Bee)

• Taking action for nature: Graham Bonham (Hedgehog). Runner-up: Richard Hopkinson (Barn owl)

• Mobile phone photography: Jennifer Stevens (Thatcham Reedbeds). Runner-up: Emma Stone (College Lake)

• People’s Choice Award: Peter Hines (Robin)

The Trust is extremely grateful to GG Wildlife Experiences for sponsoring this year’s competition. See all this year’s winning photos at bbowt.org.uk/2024-photography-competition-winners

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Creating community at Bordon Cultural Hub

Karen Neville

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Have your say on the proposed new cultural hub for Whitehill & Bordon, a space to celebrate the history of the town and the surrounding area

Phoenix Arts has long been celebrated as a vibrant grassroots organisation, nurturing local talent and fostering a strong sense of community through the performing arts.

Its current 100-seater venue provides a platform for emerging artists and experienced performers alike, covering all disciplines from comedy to dance, music, theatre, musicals, disability arts and much, much more.

In response to the growing demand for diverse and innovative performances, Phoenix Arts wants to establish a larger, more versatile venue in the new town centre.

The proposed Cultural Hub, an initiative from Phoenix Arts, Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company and Prince Phillip Park, will combine arts, entertainment, leisure and workspace. A new 250-seat theatre will be a key part of the plans, with the plot of the former Sergeants Mess acting as the focus for cultural activity in the town centre. The vision is one of bold, engaging design and architecture, while being sensitive to the historic fabric of the Mess Hall.

The new Cultural Hub will feature restaurants, entertainment and leisure spaces, additional retail and workspace studios, all grouped around a communal courtyard featuring a flexible seating area that can be used for outdoor events. This multi-purpose creative space aims to nurture local creatives, entrepreneurs and residents and moves towards completing the vision for Whitehill & Bordon as a desirable and unique destination.

Events at The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre have shown how the arts can bring people together, inspire creativity and enrich the cultural fabric of Whitehill & Bordon. This new space will open up more opportunities to cement arts and culture in East Hampshire’s largest town.

Rob Allertson, CEO of Phoenix Arts said: “From our inception in the 1980s as a community-led arts centre, and the coming together of the army and community of Whitehill & Bordon to provide affordable entertainment locally, through to the securing of Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding in 2022, we’ve been on a long-term mission to encourage greater engagement with the arts.

“The next chapter in this story is about to unfold and being central to the success of the new Cultural Hub is exciting and is acknowledged by our trustees, staff and volunteers as a brilliant development of our ethos and vision for creating community.”

Plans are on display in The Cube at The Shed. To give feedback on the proposals, scan the QR code on the display for access to a survey to have your say on the future of the arts, culture and entertainment in Whitehill & Bordon.

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Alison Molan’s Pup Goes The Easel

Karen Neville

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Farnham artist Alison Molan of Pup Goes The Easel invites you to paint your pooch at a workshop at Sage & Salt in Petersfield and create the paw-fect paw-trait

Man’s best friend, woman’s best friend, everyone’s best friend – Alison Molan certainly believes so, she’s sharing the joy and love our four-legged friends bring into our lives with her colourful work.

Pup Goes The Easel started with her daughter’s Lurcher, Parker, developed with Frida, the Spanish Podenco and today the tale (tail?) continues with bright and bold pop-art inspired hues and the eclectic style of Frida Kahlo.

Alison’s portraits are not just paintings, their vibrant style reflects our relationships with our pooches and the bond created – one which you can create yourself at one of her workshops.

The next Paint a Pup workshop takes place at Sage & Salt in Petersfield on Friday, 8th November, 10am-4pm. These fun, sociable and informative one day workshops will give you all the materials you need and the hints and tips to create a painting of the pup you love. You will paint a work of art in the Pup Goes The Easel style, but with your own choice of colours and accessories to decorate your pup. At the end of the day, you will have a canvas to take home with you which captures the essence of your own pup.

These pawesome workshops are suitable for adults of all abilities and absolute beginners are warmly welcomed. The group sizes are kept small to enable you to achieve a whole painting in a day. These sessions are intended to be fun, relaxed and informative. It is widely recognised that being creative releases endorphins which enhance your mood and promote mental wellbeing. It is a pawfect excuse for some well-deserved ‘me time’.

Alison will provide a canvas, paper, pencils, acrylic paints and brushes which you will use, on the day, to create your unique painting. You will need to bring an A4 sized photograph or print of your own pup to copy (head and shoulders) as well as an apron to protect your clothes. In addition, she also asks you bring a light lunch and a water bottle. To book visit Workshops | Sage And Salt Studio

If you don’t think your artistic skills are up to scratch, commission Alison to em-bark on a custom pet portrait for you and let her capture the quirks and charm of your four-legged friend. Find out more about her work and enquire about a commission at Pup Goes The Easel where you can also see a range of cards and gifts for sale.

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