Godalming Operatic Society celebrates 100 years

Karen Neville

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Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

Enjoy the splendour of Gilbert and Sullivan with Godalming Operatic Society’s production of The Yeoman of The Guard, February 19th to 23rd at Godalming Borough Hall

Godalming Operatic Society is going back to where it started to celebrate its centenary with its upcoming show The Yeoman of The Guard.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s leading Gilbert and Sullivan societies, GOS was founded in 1924 and had its first production, The Yeoman of the Guard, on February 19th, 1925. Now exactly 100 years later, February 19th, 2025, the curtain will rise again.

Set in the Tower of London, The Yeoman of The Guard tells of the arrival of a travelling troupe of performers sparking forbidden romances, fantastical plots and unrequited love. It’s full of delightful tunes including When a Wooer goes-a-Wooing, and Free from his fetters grim.

Yeoman is considered by many to be Gilbert & Sullivan’s finest work, a view also expressed by both of them. Darker than many of the other G&S operas, the pathos is well balanced by much joyous and colourful music which ‘bubbles with wit and good humour’.

This special production will be accompanied by a professional orchestra, this year expanded to 24 players, under the direction of Musical Director, David Wright. The production will be fully staged with spectacular costumes and scenery.

With the exception of the war and Covid, Godalming Operatic Society has put on a major Gilbert and Sullivan production every year, including the more rarely performed works such as The Grand Duke and Utopia Ltd.

In addition to a fully-staged opera each February, in June or July they put on a smaller scale work, often at a smaller local venue such as the Wilfrid Noyce Centre in Godalming. Previous summer productions range from a concert version of Aida to The Zoo by Arthur Sullivan and most recently the 2019 Summer concert A Night at the Opera featuring a wonderful selection of grand opera arias, ensembles and chorus pieces.

Over the years the Society has won many awards and accolades from NODA for its productions, costumes and more.

New members are always very welcome. Previous experience is not necessary – it is enthusiasm that counts! The Society has a very active social side too with regular events and trips to see other shows, supporting other amateur operatic and musical theatre groups in the local area and further afield. The first point of contact is Chairman, Lee Power, at: [email protected]

To book tickets for Godalming Borough Hall, February 19th to 23rd, please go to Godalming Operatic Society event tickets from TicketSource. or call 0333 6663366.

The Yeomen of the Guard will also run February 27th to March 1st at The Leatherhead Theatre. Visit Events from January 3, 2025 – December 10, 2025 – The Leatherhead Theatre or phone 01372 365141.

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Matt Graydon’s haunting historical drama

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Book your seat at Haslemere Library for an afternoon with local author Matt Graydon as he talks about his book Leaving Fatherland

Matt Graydon is “a writer of striking historical fiction” as you’ll discover when he talks about his debut novel Leaving Fatherland at Haslemere Library this month.

Inspired by a true story, Leaving Fatherland provides a different take on what it was like to be in the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. With scenes inspired by real events, it follows book-loving protagonist Oskar from his childhood in Nazi Germany to New York City and beyond, as he struggles to come to terms with his father’s abuse.

Oskar Bachmann always imagined that giving his first lecture would be the defining moment of his life. It was, but not in the way he expected…

Growing up a misfit in Nazi Germany, a victim of his father’s beatings, Oskar’s love of books is a constant comfort in a world turned upside-down by violence.

As a New York university student, as a pilot in the brutal Luftwaffe during the Second World War, in an unhappy marriage to an English bride, he finds himself returning over and over to the circumstances of his childhood. What was the source and cause of his father’s abuse? Could there have been more to it than he had once believed?

Little did Oskar know that his first lecture at the University of Tübingen would ultimately lead to the end of a lifetime of searching… and finally reveal the figure who had been controlling his life from a distance.

Author Matt is half-Irish and grew up in a loving but strictly religious home. When not spending his time writing he enjoys standing in remote fields at night gazing and photographing stars and galaxies through his telescope. His passion for writing began at the age of 21 while on a three-month action-packed hike across America.

Leaving Fatherland has been described as a “haunting, thought-provoking narrative” and as “a heart-told story which kept me bound to it right to the last page and well beyond”. Louise Fein, author of Daughter of The Reich calls it a “novel that explores, with compassion and without judgement, complex issues around psychology, identity, loyalty, and how knowing where we come from shapes who we are”.

The session on Friday, 10th January, 2.230-3.30pm, will end with audience questions and a book signing. Suggested donation: £4 per person.

Leaving Fatherland is available at Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon and more.

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Join Alton Runners this new year

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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If ‘start running’ is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, read on! Running coach, Fran Light, from Alton Runners tells us how to get into running and how to keep running 

In seven years coaching beginner runners, one rule I have found to be true is ‘keep it fun and you will continue to run’.  

Websites offer training programmes and valuable tips on techniques, well worth a look, but if you don’t enjoy running, you will stop, so here’s how you can make your running journey a happy, joyful one. 

Every run is a gift

Even on days when you’re not feeling it, a run can add a little joy to your day, perhaps you spot something new, see a particularly adorable dog, a crochet post box topper, or a stunning sunset. You might just enjoy being out in the fresh air or having time to yourself. Look for the positive. Treat every run as a gift, rather than a chore, and you’ll feel enriched and happy.  

Mix it up!

Establishing a running routine is a good idea but can lead to boredom. Add some variety and you’ll be less likely to lose your running mojo. Try different routes. Run your ‘go to’ route in reverse. Add some side roads. If you normally zone out listening to music, leave your headphones at home and engage with your surroundings. Run at a different time of day. Set yourself fun challenges, say a cheery hello to at least five passers-by, or find five different coloured doors.   

Buddy up

We all have days when a solo run is what we need, but similarly, some days it’s good to chat. Joining a running club (Alton details below) is one way to meet new running buddies. You could also pair up with a friend who runs. It’s unlikely you will both naturally run at exactly the same pace, so agree to run at a pace comfortable for you both. 

Banish negative self-talk

Banish phrases like “I should go for a run”. Start saying “I want to go for a run” instead (even if you don’t) and soon you’ll be feeling it as well as saying it.  

Look after yourself

Running isn’t fun if it hurts, so increase your chances of staying injury and niggle-free by cross-training, taking rest days and doing a warm-up before every run and a cool-down afterwards. Take it slow and steady, and most importantly, just enjoy it! 

About Alton Runners

Alton Runners is a friendly and inclusive running club located in Alton, Hampshire, welcoming runners of all abilities. Whether you’re looking to get fit, achieve a personal best at a parkrun, or train for a marathon, we have something for everyone. 

We participate in the Hampshire Road Race League and the Southern Cross Country League. 

Join us for training sessions twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, typically at Jubilee Fields and Anstey Park.  

Fran’s speciality is teaching beginners via the Club’s Alton Rookie Runners programme. For more information visit the Alton Runners website: Alton Runners

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King’s award for Farnham Repair Café

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Farnham Repair Café has been honoured for the difference it is making to the community with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Founded in 2015 and gaining charity status in 2017, Farnham Repair Cafe has grown into a vital resource for people seeking to repair broken or faulty items, reducing waste and saving money.  

It repairs household objects including electricals such as irons and kettles, mechanical items, furniture, laptops, bikes, clocks, clothing and textiles.  

The café, which operates monthly at The Spire Church, has welcomed almost 6,000 product owners and successfully repaired more than 2,600 items. Repairing the products has diverted over seven tonnes of waste from landfill, avoided over 68 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved residents an estimated £220,000 in replacement costs.  

Everything FRC does is done by volunteers, from repairs to running the welcome desk, to marketing, fundraising, strategy and everything in between. The current team of volunteers contributes an estimated 2,220 hours a year. The repairers have an amazing set of skills and relish the challenge of some of the trickier items that come in for repair. Between them they have decades of experience in electrical and mechanical engineering, software development, making clothes and furniture and much more.  

Professor Martin Charter, Founder and Chair of FRC, thanked the volunteers’ unwavering commitment. “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of this initiative,” he said. “Their passion for repair not only helps individuals save money but also contributes to the larger goal of reducing CO2 emissions and combating the throwaway culture. We are thrilled to have received this recognition.” 

Clive Handy, long-time volunteer said: “I joined FRC shortly after it started and after I had retired as a jet engineer. For me, the best part is when you’ve fixed a product and you feel the gratitude of the owner and the sense of achievement that something has been saved from landfill. The camaraderie with my ‘fellow fixers’, many of whom have become friends over the years, is also important to me.” 

Satisfied ‘customer’ Mike Baker praised the “excellent service from FRC repairers” he has enjoyed on several occasions including a complicated hi-fi cassette player, adding: “Both me and my daughter were incredibly grateful to FRC textiles team who have brought back to life a teddy bear and Basil Brush.” 

FRC also supports the wider repair movement, welcoming groups from other towns who are setting up their own cafés, to share how they operate as well as initiating a knowledge sharing network of over 20 local repair cafés called the Greater Surrey Repair Café Network. With support from UCA, to help demonstrate its impact, FRC developed its website – frc.cfsd.org.uk – and a repair carbon calculator that is used by more than 100 repair cafés worldwide. 

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Godalming Operatic Society celebrates 100 years

Karen Neville

Posted on

Surrey

Karen Neville

, ,

Enjoy the splendour of Gilbert and Sullivan with Godalming Operatic Society’s production of The Yeoman of The Guard, February 19th to 23rd at Godalming Borough Hall

Godalming Operatic Society is going back to where it started to celebrate its centenary with its upcoming show The Yeoman of The Guard. 

Widely regarded as one of the country’s leading Gilbert and Sullivan societies, GOS was founded in 1924 and had its first production, The Yeomen of the Guard, on February 19th, 1925. Now exactly 100 years later, February 19th, 2025, the curtain will rise again. 

Set in the Tower of London, The Yeoman of The Guard tells of the arrival of a travelling troupe of performers sparking forbidden romances, fantastical plots and unrequited love. It’s full of delightful tunes including When a Wooer goes a-Wooing, and Free from his fetters grim. 

Yeomen is considered by many to be Gilbert & Sullivan’s finest work, a view also expressed by both of them. Darker than many of the other G&S operas, the pathos is well balanced by much joyous and colourful music which ‘bubbles with wit and good humour’. 

This special production will be accompanied by a professional orchestra, this year expanded to 24 players, under the direction of Musical Director, David Wright. The production will be fully staged with spectacular costumes and scenery. 

With the exception of the war and Covid, Godalming Operatic Society has put on a major Gilbert and Sullivan production every year, including the more rarely performed works such as The Grand Duke and Utopia Ltd. 

In addition to a fully-staged opera each February, in June or July they put on a smaller scale work, often at a smaller local venue such as the Wilfrid Noyce Centre in Godalming. Previous summer productions range from a concert version of Aida to The Zoo by Arthur Sullivan and most recently the 2019 Summer concert A Night at the Opera featuring a wonderful selection of grand opera arias, ensembles and chorus pieces. 

Over the years the Society has won many awards and accolades from NODA for its productions, costumes and more. 

New members are always very welcome. Previous experience is not necessary – it is enthusiasm that counts! The Society has a very active social side too with regular events and trips to see other shows, supporting other amateur operatic and musical theatre groups in the local area and further afield. The first point of contact is Chairman, Lee Power, at: [email protected] 

To book tickets for Godalming Borough Hall, February 19th to 23rd, please go to Godalming Operatic Society event tickets or call 0333 6663366. 

The Yeomen of the Guard will also run February 27th to March 1st at The Leatherhead Theatre. Visit The Leatherhead Theatre or phone 01372 365141. 

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Go nuts for PeCAN’s tree project

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

, , , ,

Get your trees for Petersfield Climate Action Network’s Fruit Tree in Every Garden project

Petersfield Climate Action Network’s project encouraging people to plant fruit trees in their garden is back for a fifth year and the first round of orders is open now!

Over the last four years PeCAN has distributed nearly 2,000 fruit trees for gardens across East Hampshire as part of its Fruit Tree in Every Garden scheme.

This year choose from apple, pear, plum, greengage, cherry, apricot and filbert (cobnut). There is a limited stock of each variety – so get in quick to secure your top choice! Each fruit tree costs just £12.50 and comes with a stake and instructions on how to plant. These trees usually cost between £25-£35, but thanks to East Hampshire District Council (this project has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) you can buy them at a heavily subsidised price.

On Saturday 22nd February you will be able to collect your fruit trees from collection points in Alton, Liphook, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle. At Petersfield Community Garden you will also benefit from free expert advice, workshops on how to plant, train and prune your tree, and activities for the whole family – at a Festival of Trees. You can select your preferred pick-up point when you place your order and PeCAN request that you please order a maximum of five fruit trees per household.

Trees provide nesting places and materials, food sources and cover for wildlife – so by planting a tree in your garden you can have a positive impact on local populations and increase our collective resilience in the face of climate change.   

To order your subsidised fruit trees (before Thursday, 6th February or until stocks last), go to: petersfieldcan.org/projects/trees   

Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) is an environmental charity, set up in 2020 by local residents. PeCAN’s aims are to reduce carbon emissions in Petersfield and the surrounding villages, mitigate the effects of climate change on the natural environment, and increase biodiversity, which they do by leading and supporting decarbonisation and nature projects in the community.   

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Village Spirit Collective community

Karen Neville

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Surrey

Karen Neville

, , ,

Village spirit is alive and well in Hambledon where under the guidance of Ian Cox, the Village Spirit Collective offers two locally inspired gins – Vann Lane Gin and Haslemere Gin

There’s nothing like an artisan gin. They all have their own unique flavour, often with strong connections to where they are distilled and that’s certainly the case for those from the Village Spirit Collective. 

The collective gathers local ’ginfluencers®’ to assist in the development by contributing to the flavour profiles giving the spirit a true ‘community spirit’. 

The expanding range includes Vann Lane Gin, a contemporary London Dry with citrus and spice botanicals, Haslemere Gin, a lighter elderflower and lemon gin, limited edition seasonal specials such as Summer Spirit and Winter Spirit and gin liqueurs (such as Raspberry Gin Liqueur and Toffee Apple Gin Liqueur. 

Based near the village of Hambledon in the Old Coal Yard, Vann Lane Gin reflects the character of the village earning its name from the road that runs through the village. When coming up with the name, the ginfluencers wanted to convey that it was a “quintessentially idyllic English village, complete with cricket green, country pub and summer fete, yet at the same time was quirky and unexpected”. Classic juniper gives way to warm coriander and sweet orange, fresh kaffir lime and unexpected notes of cardamom and cubeb pepper. Traditional but contemporary, just like the village. 

Haslemere ginfluencers explored 20 botanicals and combinations to create the flavour of Haslemere Gin Community Spirit which blends classic juniper with coriander, lemon, elderflower, ginger, cubeb pepper, liquorice and cassia. 

The Village Spirit Collective is owned and run by Ian Cox, who left a city job to enjoy a better life-work balance. Ian produces everything himself by hand in his micro-batch distillery – from crushing the botanicals and distilling to labelling and distribution. 

“We use a vapour infusion process in our micro-distillery which features a bespoke state of the art copper column still,” says Ian. “This method of gin production is certainly not the fastest but we believe it results in more subtle and nuanced flavours.” 

With Christmas looming why not try the Vann Lane Winter Spirit with the seasonal flavours of ginger, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg – Christmas in a glass! 

All gins come beautifully packaged with gift sets available and monthly gin subscription plans (a great gift idea for the gin lover in your family). Or how about a distillery experience? Learn about distillation and create your very own gin! Try 20 different botanicals, rate them and combine your favourites to blend your perfect gin and tonic. You can even purchase a bottle to take home. Look out for them at Petworth Christmas Cracker on December 7th too. 

Find out more and shop for gifts (and yourself) at Village Spirit Collective | Gin | Experiences | Bar

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Thriving community for women with cancer

Karen Neville

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Surrey

Karen Neville

, , ,

Breast cancer thriver and cancer carer Charmian D’Aubosson has launched The Thrive Tribe, a new supportive community gathering for women aged 18-50, impacted by cancer

The inaugural meeting of The Thrive Tribe was held at Cassidy’s Bar in Alton in October, we asked Charmian to tell us more about The Thrive Tribe, what the thinking is behind it, who it’s for and how women can benefit from it. 

“I set up The Thrive Tribe with the sole purpose of providing a safe, caring community for other women impacted by cancer, something I didn’t have access to when I was going through cancer. The aim is to be a different kind of cancer peer support group by creating a welcoming, safe space run by women, for women where we can come together to laugh, enjoy fun activities and focus on the brighter moments (even finding humour in the darker ones). I believe that when we can be our authentic selves, with people who truly understand, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted.  

“Rather than sitting quietly discussing our diagnoses there’ll be fun stuff such as quizzes, craft workshops, mocktail tastings, wellness events and more. There’ll also be the opportunity to chat, get support and be around others going through similar experiences. 

“Wherever a person is on their cancer journey, they’ll be welcomed into the group and invited to be part of a caring, non-judgemental and fun community.  

“Cassidy’s Bar is kindly hosting our monthly meetings where attendance is free, just buy a drink and/or a snack. Workshop events might incur a charge from the workshop host which will be communicated in advance. Attendance at monthly meetings or events is without obligation. We look forward to welcoming new members to our community so please do share with anyone you know who’d benefit.” 

Charmian holds an Accredited Diploma as a Transformative Life Coach and is an Associate of the International Coaching Federation. She has a passion for supporting individuals going through cancer so that they feel supported, heard and empowered each step of the way. Charmian also partners with organisations to support them to work better with cancer, improving the wellbeing of those impacted by cancer in the workplace. 

In addition to coaching, Charmian works as a yoga teacher in the local community and offers private yoga for cancer classes. In her spare time, she loves being out in nature either walking or cycling and her happy place is anywhere in the mountains. Charmian lives in Alton with her husband and two dogs. 

If you’d like to know more, if you have any questions about The Thrive Tribe, or you’d like to sign up to join one of the monthly meetings, please visit: Charmian D’Aubosson | Transformative Life Coaching

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Visit under land with String Nix

Karen Neville

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Surrey

Karen Neville

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Carol Wiltshire tells us what led her to launch her own range of eco-friendly thongs and what she loves about life in Farnham, including shopping! 

Life is so fast… But entrepreneur Carol is a campaigner for the #slowfashion movement. Earlier this year she launched String Nix, a luxury ladies’ underwear brand with sustainable heart.  

“We’re all about organic and sustainable fabrics and slow fashion,” she tells us, “because looking good and feeling good about what you wear should go hand in hand.” 

Carol lived in Long Sutton before moving to Farnham three years ago. “Farnham was always our go-to for socialising and shopping living here, so when the right house came along, we jumped at the chance to settle in this charming market town” she says. 

“While we don’t have any pets, Farnham Park is my personal paradise! This nature reserve and medieval deer park is a magical place where I can unwind with a walk—and who knows, maybe I’ll spot a deer or two!” 

Carol is a big fan of shopping locally. “Farnham has a couple of lovely little clothing boutiques that always manage to surprise me with hidden gems,” she says. “And this year, we’ve been blessed with The White Company and Jo Malone and there’s also Space NK – what’s not to love about pampering yourself while supporting local businesses? 

“Lion & Lamb Yard is my absolute favourite – it’s a cosy pedestrianised street filled with coffee shops, restaurants, and a fabulous little wine bar called The Wine Yard. And for a more indulgent experience, the Four Seasons Hotel is my go-to for a celebratory glass of fizz, especially around the festive season. 

“I love everything about Farnham but if I were to pin down my favourite aspect it would be the view from my back garden… rolling green fields, a flock of black sheep and the occasional deer wandering past, It’s like living in a postcard!” 

If you’re looking for pressies (or to treat yourself), String Nix promises the most comfortable thong you will ever wear… without causing harm to the world. “We believe beauty should never come at the cost of our planet, which is why we meticulously select the finest fabrics. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, uusing GOTS [Global Organic Textile Standard] certified organic cotton and GRS [Global Recycled Standard] certified recycled materials so you can be assured your purchase is making a positive impact on the world. 

“Choosing String Nix isn’t just about buying undies; it’s about making a statement. it’s about saying yes to fashion that not only looks good but also does good. With our beautifully crafted pieces, you can embrace your curves with confidence, knowing you’re supporting a brand that cares about you, the planet and the future.” 

Visit String Nix – Luxury, Organic Ladies Underwear – STRING NIX and follow @stringnix on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. 

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Surrey Wildlife Big Give Christmas Challenge

Karen Neville

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Surrey

Image: Vaughn Matthews

Karen Neville

, , ,

Help Surrey’s nature bounce back this Christmas – world-beating heathland habitats need your help and every donation will be doubled this December

Wildlife lovers in Surrey can make a gift with double the impact this Christmas, thanks to an appeal by Surrey Wildlife Trust with the backing on the philanthropic Big Give Christmas Challenge.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s 100 for Heathlands Campaign – part of its urgent Save Surrey’s Nature appeal – is aiming to raise £100,000 for our county’s rare and threatened heathland environments – habitats that support a huge range of animal and plant life that can’t thrive elsewhere, from Nightjars and Sand Lizards to wildflowers, butterflies and the small-but-ferocious Heath Tiger Beetle.

Image: Nick Upton

From midday on Tuesday 3rd December to midday on Tuesday 10th December, contributions from members of the public up to a total of £25,000 will be doubled by a match funding pot of £25,000, made up of £12,500 from Big Give Champions and £12,5000 from pledgers Kia UK – potentially enabling SWT to raise a total of £50,000 towards its target.

Sadly, more than 86 per cent of Surrey’s lowland heathlands have been lost in the last two centuries, with those that remain requiring careful management to survive the impact of climate change, pollution, the over-growth of dominant plants and excessive development. As well as working with volunteers, conservation experts and local communities to keep Surrey’s heaths in top condition, SWT wants to create new corridors of good habitat to make Surrey’s landscapes more resilient, help wildlife find safe places to live and prevent the fragmentation of these special places.

The Trust is even exploring the reintroduction of native species like Beavers, Black Grouse and Red Deer to restore heathland ecosystems to their full potential for wildlife and people, and plans to carry thorough studies to assess the feasibility of these initiatives.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Director of Reserves Management James Herd, who leads conservation work on heaths including Barossa, Pirbright Ranges, Whitmoor Common and Chobham Common says: “Helping protect our beautiful local heathlands is a great way to create some good news this Christmas. Nature faces immense challenges, but we have big plans to turn things around. If we all do what we can for the places we care about, we can ensure that wildlife has a secure home for generations to come – and that will be good for every one of us.”

What your donation can do:

£10 helps maintain areas of bare ground on heathland reserves to benefit insects and reptiles. 

£25 pays for a conservation grazing animal to graze a site for a week, keeping it in good condition for nature. 

£36 will pay for a habitat survey to ensure we are doing the right thing for particular species. 

£165 pays for one hectare of heathland management on Whitmoor common. 

£300 pays for a tree popper, an important piece of equipment for scrub clearance used by Reserve officers and volunteer groups. 

£1,200 pays for 4 hectares of heathland restoration and management on Chobham common.

Donate and find out more about Save Surrey’s Nature and the 100 for Heathlands appeal at www.surreywildlifetrust.org/save-nature

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