PARISH MAGAZINE St Michael & All Angels

OCTOBER 2020 60P

Editorial 7 Life on the Farm 20 Church Services 8 Just One More House 22 Village Diary 9 Tomato Sale 24 Church Letter 10 Life on the Common 26 Creative Remembrance 11 Photo Competition 29 Parish Council Update 12 Thursley Climate Action 30 Welly Walk 13 Tree Planting Initiative 31 Village Hall Update 14 Clockhouse Update 32 Horts Society 15 Squash Soup Recipe 33 History Society 16 WI 34 Recycling Update 19 Phyllis Tuckwell Plea 35

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NEED HELP? Help in Thursley is available to anyone living in the parish of Thursley.

WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE? Transport to Doctors, Dentists and Hospi- tal appointments, Shops, Post Office, Hair- dresser, collecting prescriptions, your pet to the Vet, etc.

HOW IT WORKS Phone 07538 201 276 and leave a message. The Duty Officer will listen to all messages at least once a day Mondays to Fridays and seek an appropriate volunteer to help you. The Duty Officer will contact you to discuss your request and then contact you again to give you the name of the volunteer who will help you. Please ensure you give us a few days’ notice.

2 3 VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS AND LOCAL DIRECTORY

CHURCH: ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS HELP IN THURSLEY 07538 301276

Vicar: Chairman: Revd Hannah Moore 01252 705941 David YOUNG 01428 607716. [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer: Associate Minister: Peter HUNTER 01252 702360 Revd Delia Orme 01252 702217 [email protected] [email protected] THURSLEY CLUB Churchwardens: Secretary: Hilary BARR 01252 703301 Joyce HALL 01252 703386 [email protected] THURSLEY CRCKET CLUB Dene MILLS 01252 703067 Chairman: [email protected] Lee SMALLBONE [email protected] Secretary: Vacant Secretary: Treasurer: Alex MEEARS Michael THATCHER 01428 606670 [email protected]

THURSLEY PARISH COUNCIL Safeguarding Officer: www.thursley-pc.gov.uk Sheridan HUMPHREYS 07966 578607 Council Clerk: Gift Aid Secretary Elaine FELTON 01252 703201 Revd Peter MUIR 01252 702360 The Barrows, Seale Road, Elstead GU8 6LF. [email protected]

Organist: Chairman: Robbie GOLDFINCH 01252 705151 James MENDELSSOHN 07941 507753 Bears Barn, Dye House Road, Thursley Church Cleaning: GU8 6QD Sallie ROLES 01252 706820 [email protected]

Church Flowers: Vice Chairman: Anne WAKELEY 01252 702320 John SWIFT 01428 685120 [email protected]

Churchyard Working Party: Councillors: Mike ROBERTS 01252 702932 Michelle DE VRIES 07590 893497 [email protected] Children’s Church: Helen FLAVELL 07941060663 Carolyn LANE 01252 702192 [email protected]

Peter HUNTER 01252 702165 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL [email protected] Nina ALLEN 01252 703643 John LUFF 01483 422132 Rosie DALE-HARRIS 01252 702585 [email protected] Susanne HUNTER 01252 702165 Richard OWEN 01428 607741

Marion O’BRIEN 01252 702235 [email protected]

4 PARISH FOOTPATH WARDENS BUTTERFLIES NURSERY Contact Elaine Felton 01252 703201 D ELLUL & M DHILLON 07827 786005

COMMUNITY RECYCLER THE THREE HORSESHOES Nicki BATES 01252 702671 www.threehorseshoesthursley.com 01252 703900 [email protected]

THURSLEY VILLAGE HALL THURSLEY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Reserve Warden: www.thursleyvillagehall.co.uk [email protected] James GILES 01428 685675 [email protected] Village Hall Chairman: Clea BEECHEY 01252 703913 THURSLEY HISTORY SOCIETY [email protected] Chairman: Anthony Langdale 01428 682808 Village Hall Secretary: [email protected] Dene MILLS 01252 703067 Secretary: [email protected]

Rosemary STOCKDALE 01428 607365 Village Hall Manager: [email protected] Isobel MURPHY 01252 706929 Treasurer: (mob) 07826 521954 Richard BATES 01252 702671 [email protected]. Archivist: Tim WALSH 01252 703172 COUNCILLORS

THURSLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Surrey County: Secretary: David HARMER 01428 606921 Pat CLAKE 01252 706869 Wyanston, Tower Road, , [email protected] Surrey GU26 6ST [email protected] MILITARY ACTIVITY 24 Hour Ops Room 01420 483405 Waverley Borough: Jenny ELSE 01252 702036 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH [email protected] Jackie MALTON 07885 147304 David ELSE 01252 702036 [email protected] [email protected]

PARISH MAGAZINE LOCAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Editor: Rt Hon Jeremy HUNT 01428 609416 Tricia HORWOOD 01252 705171 [email protected] [email protected]. Advertising: DOCTORS Nina ALLEN 01252 703643 Springfield Surgery 01252 703122 [email protected] Surgery 01428 682218 Milford Crossroads Surgery 01483 414461 POLICE 101 Hurst Farm Surgery 01483 415885 www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/ VETS SURREY FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE Mr N J Pilling, Elstead 01252 703412 Ben ALEXANDER 07964 391882 North Downs, Milford 01483 414747 [email protected]

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6 FROM THE EDITOR By Tricia Horwood Earlier this month we experienced what At the beginning of lockdown, with no we are now calling ‘Snakegate’ in our horticultural shows or plant sales going family. Throughout the summer we came ahead, Tim Walsh decided to sell all his across several in unexpected locations, tomato plants in aid of the Horticultural but a week ago my daughter (who is Society and advertised them in the parish snake phobic) was home alone and found magazine. He was very pleased with the two in quick succession - one wrapped response, and throughout the summer around a hose-pipe and one slithering they have been growing all over the into the house via the front door! I only village. Angela Traill writes about the mention it because within seconds of me sale and where they ended up on p24. appealing for help on a local Whatsapp Jackie Rickenberg has been delving into group whilst on holiday several the History Society archives again and neighbours immediately offered help and write about another famous Thursley one came around with a net. Suffice to resident, Russell Brockbank (p16). There say the snake was never found but it was is an update on the clearance works on greatly comforting to know that we live in by James Giles (p26), a village with neighbours we can rely and Jo Ranson regales us with more trials upon in an emergency. and tribulations of farming life and

On that note I’d like to welcome a new finding good stockmen (p20). Nicki Bates columnist to the magazine, Lizzie Young, gives us lots more advice on recycling who arrived in the village three years ago (p19) and John Swift takes a look at the and writes about her experience of UK’s New Green Homes Grant (p30). moving into Thursley and village life. She Plans have now been drawn up for the too, finds it comforting to know that there Village Hall and submitted to Waverley are neighbours within screaming range Borough Council so do take a look at them. who will come to her rescue if necessary. She is a renowned author, published as And finally, the village photo competition Elizabeth Noble, and I am delighted that has been delayed until the end of she has agreed to write for the magazine November so get snapping and send them (p22). in. Wishing you all a safe October!

PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE OF 14TH OCTOBER 2020 FOR SUBMISSION OF ARTICLES TO THE NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE OF THURSLEY PARISH MAGAZINE. EDITOR: Tricia HORWOOD, Thursley House, Dye House Road, Thursley, Surrey GU8 6QD. Tel: 01252 705171 E-mail: [email protected]. ADVERTISING MANAGER: Jane HEPBURN Tel: 07768 421935 Email: [email protected] DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jenny GORDON Tel: 07796 254361 Email: [email protected] Cover: Tile Collage by Trish Grammar, a potter from Elstead, that comprises 120 tiles and raised over £1,000 for Preserve Our Reserve. 7 TRSERVICES FOR THE PARISHES OF ELSTEAD, THURSLEY, &

OCTOBER

SUNDAY 4th 8.00am BCP Communion, St Mary’s, Shackleford 10.00am Integrated Zoom and in Church (Elstead)

SUNDAY 11th 8.00am BCP Communion, St James’s, Elstead 10.30am Zoom Family Service 6.00pm Evening Prayer/Compline on Zoom

SUNDAY 18th 8.00am BCP Communion Traditional Language St Nicholas, Peper Harow 9.30am Joint CW Communion in one kind (Thursley) 10.00am Zoom Service, Service of the Word with Spiritual Communion

SUNDAY 25th 8.00am CW Communion, St Michael & All Angels Thursley 10.00am Zoom Family Service

TO JOIN OUR ZOOM SERVICES: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78943420469? pwd=U1hIUFQ2bjRISWhjN2dNMzVBbjNzZz09 Meeting ID: 789 4342 0469 Password: ETSPH

8am Services

Pre-Covid we had regular 8am communion services at St James, Elstead. In order to start the 8am services up again we now have to move these services around the Churches in the parish grouping of Elstead, Thursley, Shackleford and Peper Harow. We would love to welcome you to these traditional communion services.

No online booking is required for the 8am services.

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VILLAGE DIARY

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Tuesday 6th October 7.00pm Thursley Parish Council Meeting Format to be determined. Contact the Clerk on [email protected] if you wish to be informed.

Sunday 18th October 2.30pm Welly Walk followed by refreshments. Meet outside St James’s Church, Elstead. All ages welcome and government guidelines followed. See p13.

Monday 19th October 7.00pm Village Hall AGM Skype: contact Dene Mills for details if you wish to join the meeting. All welcome. [email protected]

Sunday 22nd November 10-4.00pm Christmas Fair. Covid compliant. Village Hall.

Sunday 29th November Deadline for Thursley Photo Competition. See p29 for full details.

HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES (please check with venues before visiting) • Once again the Dragons are returning to Painshill. Release your inner knight and take on the dragon quest to find each statue located across this beautiful landscape. • The birthplace of British motorsport, Brooklands Museum near Weybridge is a great place to go for some half term fun. They will be helping kids to explore the science behind speed this time round. During half term, kids can join the pit-crew for a fun and hands-on session and Brooklands' popular car rides will operate from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 3.30pm (subject to weather). Don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on a vintage bus around the local area with London Bus Museum. • Treat the children to a day at Bocketts Farm near Leatherhead, where they have a packed programme of fun and activities in store. With over 70 new born lambs due, pony rides, cute rabbits to cuddle and feed and the many wonderful farm animals to meet, you can enjoy a full day of entertainment at Bocketts Farm.

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A SEASON OF REMEMBERING By Revd Hannah Moore

As the weather changes and the skies some of the Second World War consist of more shades of grey than of cemeteries. Our daughter was very blue, we enter a season of remembering. moved and disturbed when she found a grave of a young soldier, who was just Within the church, this time of sixteen, the same age as her oldest cousin remembering begins with All Saints Day. at the time. All Saints Day provides an opportunity to remember Christian saints and martyrs Our seven year-old son made such a throughout history. This is followed by All profound statement that I don’t think I Souls Day. Here, in the Parish, we hold will ever forget it. I was standing reading services providing an opportunity to the inscription on a grave, with tears remember, and pray, for family and running down my face when he came friends who have died. over and asked, “Why are you crying mummy?” When I replied that the Our acts of remembrance continue as we gravestone did not have a soldier’s name gather, as a community, around local war on it, he replied, “It’s okay mum, Jesus memorials. This year our acts of knows who he is.” remembrance, will probably look vastly different with restrictions around the I have subsequently visited Tyne Cot, a number of people who can safely gather. First World War cemetery and the Menin With this in mind, I want to suggest as a Gate. It was a very emotional experience community we find more creative a way standing in the rain, reading the names, to remember. In the week leading up to and being overwhelmed by the sheer Remembrance Sunday, I would like to number of soldiers who lost their lives. As create a poppy field around St Michael’s I read the most common inscription, Church. You can make a poppy out of ‘Known unto God’, our son’s words were craft materials which will withstand the again recalled. From a Christian autumn weather and come to the perspective, I believe all those thousands churchyard and “plant” your poppy. of soldiers and civilians killed during the Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we can create World Wars, and in subsequent wars, are a sea of red poppies around St Michael’s ‘Known unto God’; just as each of us is Church? ‘known to God’. I take comfort from the image of God as the ‘suffering servant’ In our acts of remembrance, we are not who suffers and grieves alongside each of glorifying war, but we are remembering us. their sacrifice. By remembering, we recall our broken humanity. We are reminded Finally, our season of remembering and challenged to strive to live in peace concludes as we enter Advent and look with one another. forward to Christmas. During this time, we remember the birth of a child, Jesus, A few years ago, my family and I went on and the hope he offered to the world. I holiday to Normandy and we visited 10 know that during this period, in my I would encourage us all to embrace this conversations with children in Assemblies season of remembering with its moments and Church services, I am always keen to of sadness, sacrifices and hope. remind them that Christmas is about much more than presents. Recalling the real “reason for the season.”

CREATIVE REMEMBRANCE

Remembrance 2020

Our acts of remembrance will probably be vastly different this year. So, in the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday, I would like to create a poppy field around St Michael’s Church. I want to encourage everyone to get involved.

You can make a poppy out of craft materials which will withstand the autumn weather and come to the churchyard and “plant” your poppy. Some ideas maybe making poppies from plastic bottles, clay, laminated pieces of red cardboard.

If everyone in Thursley makes a poppy we can create a sea of Remembrance around the war memorial at St Michael’s.

For more information please contact: [email protected] or 01252 705941

11 THURSLEY PARISH COUNCIL By James Mendelssohn

September was a very full meeting with Following the fire on the Common at the an agenda running to a second page. end of May, SCC have now produced a That must have been a daunting debrief document, with the intention of prospect to the two candidates who had highlighting the lessons that had been put themselves forward to replace Sean learned. There is little doubt that the Edwards, who has recently retired from lines of communication between the the PC after many years of loyal service, various agencies involved were not as during which time his knowledge of the clear or efficient as they should have Common, and his historic experience of been, and these points are, we hope, the village, proved to be invaluable on now being addressed. The report also numerous occasions. covered the role of the local communities in such situations, and we After careful consideration, we co-opted will be following up those points to try Michelle de Vries to join us. Michelle and ensure that we can be kept better lives in Bowlhead Green and is a keen informed in any future emergencies. rider, so it is great that the equestrian community will now be represented on The ‘Preserve Our Reserve’ campaign the Parish Council. Michelle was also continues to make good progress. Over an active Councillor in her previous £40,000 has now been raised, and a village in Norfolk, and so I am sure that Community Infrastructure Levy we will benefit from the experience that application will have been submitted by she gained there. the time this magazine is published - and Natural are already talking Highways and planning as usual took up to possible contractors to carry out the a fair amount of time. During the work. An initiative to establish ‘The current COVID restrictions, I think that Friends of Thursley Common’ is also in we have to accept that both Surrey CC the early stages of its development. A and Waverley BC are working under full update will be circulated in due difficult conditions, and matters course once our plans have developed generally are taking longer than normal, further. or even being put on hold. We will continue to do what we can to keep Talking about the Common, Natural things moving, but I am afraid that a England have reported that they have degree of patience is required. now submitted revised plans for the rebuilding of the wall at Hammer Pond, One initiative that is now progressing is following an objection from the the installation of a speed warning sign Environment Agency that has now been at the entrance to the village. This will addressed. They are confident that flash at motorists who are exceeding they will be able to start the works in the speed limit, and their use elsewhere October. As we approach the 7th has shown that they are an effective anniversary of the flood, let’s hope that method of reducing speeding offences. they can stick to that schedule. We will need volunteers to help to change the battery on the unit The October Parish Council meeting will periodically, and so if you could offer 15 take place on Tuesday 6 October at minutes or so from time to time, please 7.00 pm. Its format will be decided let me know. nearer the date.

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Welly Walk

The Parishes of Elstead, Thursley, Shackleford & Peper Harow invite you to join Revd Hannah and Revd Delia on their first “Welly Walk”.

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER AT 2.30PM

We will meet outside St James Church, Elstead and follow a 30 to 45 minute loop suitable for energetic and less energetic walkers with children, and dogs. Setting off in groups as required by Government guidance at the time, and returning to the church for refreshments and more chat.

Come and enjoy the beauty of the natural world on our doorstep. Activities for children along the route.

Not just for families – ALL AGES welcome! (Wellies not compulsory!)

Please RSVP if you'd like to join us, by emailing your numbers for catering to

[email protected]

or just come along and bring your own drinks.

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VILLAGE HALL NEWS By Andea MacKenzie-Beevor

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE HALL FUTURE PLANS The Roof insulation and re-tiling will As mentioned in our parish magazine hopefully be finished by the time you updates, our plans to update the read this, just in time for winter. Big layout of the Hall are now with thanks to the nursery and all of you for Waverley Borough Council awaiting putting up with any disruption this may planning consent - fingers crossed! have caused. Together with the You can download the plans from thursleyvillagehall.co.uk double and secondary glazing works, which are planned for January, this The aims of the alterations, in a will make a huge difference to the nutshell, are: thermal comfort of the hall and • to enable the two parts of the Hall to consequently to those ever-increasing be used separately at the same time, electricity bills! so that the Nursery can keep going

Thanks must go to all of you who have every weekday AND the North Hall supported us at our fundraising events can be used by other people at the and with your generous donations. same time; None of this would have been possible • to improve the kitchen area so that in without you! the week both “sides” of the Hall (Nursery and North) can use their own separated side of kitchen, while

14 at other times the kitchen can be CHRISTMAS FAIR used as a much bigger and more Sunday 22nd November 10-4 pm usable whole space; and Covid Compliant! • to add another shed’s worth of Don’t miss this chance to get ALL your outside storage space. Christmas shopping done in one place - who wants to trail round the shops at We will need to fundraise hard to bring the moment? All sorts of exciting stalls these plans to fruition, so your support - there will be something for everyone! and encouragement will be needed Contact Amanda Hall on more than ever. Please let us know if [email protected] or call her on you have any comments or ideas to 07816 230618 if you would like to take help us - all input gratefully received, a stall or know more. as always. PHOTO COMPETITION AGM THURSLEY CALENDAR 2022 Monday 19th October 7.30pm We are compiling a Thursley calendar Being mindful of the continuing Covid for 2022 - we have some fantastic restrictions, we have decided to hold entries already and have extended the our AGM by Skype, as we have been deadline until the end of November for our monthly committee meetings. 2020. The theme is “Thursley through Please let us know if you would like to the year”, and all ages and abilities are attend—all welcome. Email Clea at welcome. Email your entries to [email protected] or call on 07711 [email protected]. 183959 to be included. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY By John Gunner

Secretary, at [email protected] to keep up to date. Your details will not be used by, or passed to, any other organisa- tion. Information regarding our AGM which is scheduled for November will be circulated in due course.

Now is the perfect time for planting spring bulbs and local garden centres will have a wide selection. Just close your eyes and dream of those magical colours For obvious reasons there is very little to arising from the bare earth next February report from the Society at present alt- and March! As in previous years we have hough there is plenty to enjoy in the gar- given out six daffodil bulbs to our mem- den. However, we do issue relevant up- bers to be planted in two pots and then dates by email from time to time and if brought along next year to join many you would like to hear from us and we do others at our Spring Flower Show. If you not already contact you by email, and we would like to try this please do get in therefore do not have an email address touch as soon as possible. for you, please contact Pat Clake, our 15 RUSSELL BROCKBANK (from History Society Archives) By Jackie Rickenberg

As mentioned in last months article, the established villagers may know that we History Society was busy planning it’s have benefitted from many residents with rescheduled VE Day exhibition at the interests and success in the Arts. Over the Village Hall for Remembrance Day, next few months, we are going to take a Sunday 8th November. It is with great peep into the more cultural side of our sadness and regret that we have taken village’s history. This month, a world- the decision, following the latest famous illustrator, cartoonist and artist. Government guidelines, that this will be Russell Partridge Brockbank postponed until further notice. We want Born 15.04.1913 Died 14.05.1979 everyone, young and old, to be able to visit this exhibition in a comfortable and Russell Brockbank was the Art Editor of safe environment. We will reschedule Punch magazine from 1949 until 1960 but when it is appropriate and you never was probably better known as the know, it may be the VE Day 75+1th motoring cartoonist that captured so well anniversary exhibition! the times in which he worked. It was

And so, in the time-honoured fashion of during his time at Punch that he and his Monty Python, now for something wife Eileen came to live in Thursley. completely different! Some of our more Unbeknown to Eileen, Russell had been

The sign on this Bugatti, obviously just refurbished, reads “Running In. Please Pass.” You’ll notice, though, the car is passing everyone in sight.

16 secretly receiving agent’s particulars of perhaps one notable exception – namely properties for sale in the area, including the annual New Years Eve party given by one on “Badgers” in The Lane or Back Val and Paddy at The Three Horseshoes! Lane as it was then known. By some His drawing above was perhaps a result of strange quirk, or so it appeared to Eileen said party and the “Get you Home at the time, they arrived in the village Service” certainly would have been an during a country drive, and following a interesting ride down the notoriously brief inspection of the cottage, out of the narrow Back Lane! blue, Russell made an offer to purchase which was accepted! Eileen was “rather Apart from drawing, Russell’s other surprised”. The year was 1951. 69 years passion was cars. He started drawing on and “Badgers” is currently owned and them at the age of four, and it seems, cherished by Gillian Duke, herself a couldn’t stop. He was a regular significant name in the London art market contributor to magazines in ten countries - coincidence indeed! including Japan. He also drove fast cars,

Russell did most of his work in the studio some say, too fast, tried out exotic prototype models such as the Mini above the garage, which was Cooper and D type Jaguar and was a affectionately known as “The Haven”. He motor racing afficionado. He visited all would draw seven days a week, and as a the Grands Prix. His early works are skilful result was not often in evidence when it black and white illustrations, either with came to various village activities, with pen and ink or scraperboard, depicting

17 motor racing scenes. Normally his work Although Russell had once said to Eileen was signed “Brockbank”, occasionally that he wanted to be buried in Thursley “RB” but some of the early work is just a churchyard and wanted an eye carved on “B”. It was around 1945 that he his headstone so as to keep a watch over developed his cartoon character Major her, he sadly died in Somerset (where Upsett, the bowler hatted, moustachioed, they moved to be closer to their bumbling English gentleman that was to be a permanent part of his motor cartoon daughter) within two years of leaving collection. We are fortunate that many of Thursley. He left a widow and two children Susan and Roger. his original cartoons have survived from the archives of Punch and such motoring I wonder if any villagers have any stories, magazines such as The Motor, Autocar, first or second hand, about Russell’s time Speed and The Sports Car. Brockbank’s in the village? If so please email me at cartoons were characterised by a high [email protected] degree of draughtsmanship and he often went to great lengths to ensure that the How exciting to have seen him racing cars and aircraft in his cartoons were as around the village. It’s easy to believe his true-to-life as possible. During World War legacy is being kept alive today by some II his cartoon technique was used to more of the drivers on Highfield Lane!!! serious effect to help with the subject of aircraft recognition being published in the British training journal Aircraft Recognition.

18 RECYCLING UPDATE By Nicki Bates

Partnership for information on composting and reducing food waste.

Repair: Consider whether you can mend a broken household item – this can be very satisfying and saves you money. However, if it’s beyond your scope, a Repair Cafe could be the answer. A volunteer with the right skills will be able to fix most items. Our nearest is in – see www.cfsd.org.uk for information. If you don’t sew maybe a needle-work class would be a thought. Above is a six level WASTE HIERARCHY which shows the list of priorities that we Recycle: Don’t stop recycling but do first should be considering before even thinking consider the options listed above. Recycling is about recycling in our battle against Climate far better than sending waste to landfill but it Change. Although the UK’s household does take a lot of energy to produce new recycling rate has risen to 45% in the past two products from waste and some materials can decades, the average person in the UK still only be recycled a few times before becoming throws away around 400kg of waste every inferior. year (seven times their own body weight). 14 Recover: This is when waste is transformed million tons of our waste is sent to landfill into energy through a range of processes annually. We are fast running out of landfill including incineration, anaerobic digestion of space besides the fact that methane gasses food waste, landfill gas recovery. Recovery are produced as waste rots down and a lot of does though have its problems like harmful the waste eventually ends up harming the emissions and toxic ash. environment on land and in the oceans. Here are a few simple ideas for cutting down Disposal: This is not a sustainable solution to on waste at home: waste. Compared to some other places in the world our landfill sites are fairly responsibly Reduce: This is about changing our habits and managed but it is costly, wasteful and thinking about how much we consume or unsightly. need in the first place. Do we really need hand wash in a plastic bottle when a bar of soap will Recycling is good but there are so many do the same job? Buy less and with less things we should be thinking about packaging. beforehand. There are many alternative products to use and tons of ideas and Reuse: Not everything we buy needs to be information to be had. Try Surrey County brand new. We need to challenge our throw- Council and Waverley Borough Council’s away culture and use charity shops, buy and Waste and Recycling websites. sell websites, etc. Our village Borrow, Swap and Freecycle sites are excellent examples Remember the waste hierarchy before you recycle – reduce, reuse and repair first. and in addition reduce car travel being on our door steps. How about composting food We don’t have to wait for the Covid Crisis to waste rather than using your food waste be over before starting to act on a Greener caddy. Go to the Surrey Environmental Future. 19 WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE FARM THIS MONTH? By Jo Ranson

few have had a bit of help from us. One has had to have a caesarian her birth canal was so narrow and with a biggish calf, every time we pulled the legs the head went back. So, three very excited vet students got to see a caesarian done, unfortunately we lost the calf, but the cow is doing well.

So, an advert went on Indeed on a Friday afternoon and by Sunday evening we had 106 replies. It was an unbelievable amount - we used to get about 5 reply, but with many being furloughed or losing their jobs we thought we might get 20. We

had everything from BA cabin crew Since I last wrote we have had to London cabbies; we interviewed 5 some rain, but it stopped, and we and appointed our new stockman all could really do with a top up. Not within 4 days. Harry joins us sure the weather knows what it tomorrow and he will be thrown in at wants to do, it is sort of Autumnal, the deep end. Fortunately, he has with cooler evenings and heavy had farm experience so I am hoping dews, but during the day we are it will all click into place quickly for back to sweating again. When him. dealing with calves waterproof The vet students have started, and trousers are a must (milky poos), I have had a good bunch, except for however it’s like wearing a mobile one. From her arrival I guessed it sauna. would all be too much, she was a It’s been an interesting month, we watcher with no enthusiasm at all have achieved a lot with silaging and and after agreeing that she would calving, we have lost and gained help for morning milking she didn’t staff, and gained and lost vet arrive; to be honest - thank students. Our newest member of goodness - we haven’t got time for staff just left - he didn’t enjoy watchers or hangers on. One of my living on his own and when the calves good students has asked to come started coming he found it all too back next week as she has really much, but instead of hanging on in enjoyed her time here, which is there or working his notice he quit. great for us help-wise and nice to Not the best timing but we have know that they are enjoying the been managing, calves are coming work too. thick and fast and we have calved The maize harvest is done and in, just over half. The majority have an excellent crop too. It yielded as popped out with no trouble, and a

20 expected and bar one small break sense isn’t on the curriculum at down of the clamping tractor on the university, but they all survived!! last two loads all went well. Doing The freshly calved cows are out the harvest is quite a military during the day and in at night, there planned operation. We have from is now plenty of grass for them to the contractors two men on the tuck into, but with chilly nights it’s clamp - one on the tractor with the good to keep them in to help build up buck rake which pushes the silage production. The best field of grass into all the right areas, then one is across a road and it does take a with a compactor on the back of a while for the cows to cross. Most tractor which weighs about 6 tons people are great and love to see the and squashes out all air and packs it cows and are happy to wait, some tightly in. Then there is the however are not. As it has been a forager, which is the machine which while since mums have done school pulls in the maize, cuts and spits it runs and others have gone to work out into the trailers. Next, we have their time keeping skills have 6 tractors and trailers carting the suffered and they always seem to maize back to the clamp. The be late which is apparently our fault, reason for so many is so that the and we are making them even later. forager isn’t waiting for someone One man said in not a very polite and the clamp men are keeping busy. fashion could we hurry up he needed We also add rape meal to each load to get to football - as Matthew of silage which was Matthews’ job; pointed out he needed to get his each time a trailer passed he had to cows across the road and that the add roughly a JCB bucket full of man didn’t need to be at football rape meal. I say roughly because he and perhaps he would prefer to turn had to work out how much rape we round and go the other way. This had how many loads were coming was apparently unacceptable, and he from each field and spread it evenly drove through the strings we had across the whole job, fast maths up, as did the late school run mum and quick guess work required. and the man late for work did two There is a one-way system in days previously. Hopefully, they operation most of the time too, this have learnt their lesson and will is so that tractors and trailers allow more time or not cut through, aren’t passing in the lane and they but I suspect not!! pass the rape pile in the right Now the maize is off Nick has sown direction too. On the second day the kale, rape and oil radish mix the fields were too close to run a ready for the winter feeding. He one-way system so a lot of radio has also got another 20 acres of chatting was needed to wait in the Lucerne sown which has come up right places. You see tractors going well. Just some rain now will help up and down all day, but a lot more those along. The last bit of grass goes into making the cows’ winter silage was done yesterday into bales feed than you think, and that was for the baby calves, so I think we just bringing it in. 10 people for 1.5 are just about ready for Winter. days—it must run efficiently, or money is wasted. My main task was The rest of the month will be filled to keep students safe—traffic with calving the cows and getting Harry settled into the job.

21

JUST ONE MORE HOUSE By Lizzie Young

‘Just one more house.’ So had gone my by the time you turned off for the village. husband’s plea. It was just before Easter No nosebleeds. The house was ideal, the 2017. We’d sold our house in Guildford, agent (who shall go nameless) assured had the place we were buying withdrawn me that high speed broadband internet from sale the day before contracts was a phone call away (this was a big fat exchanged, seen everything – we thought lie…we had an average speed of 1 Mbps – that might be suitable in a five mile until last summer when, after months of radius of the city, and, thoroughly praying to the Gods of Open Reach and dispirited, just taken the decision to rent leaving offerings in front of Box 19 on while we regrouped and licked our house Pitch Place, we were awarded with – moving wounds. hallelujah! – 25 Mbps), and, most

I thought the house in the details he was importantly of all, there were near desperately waving at me looked lovely neighbours. This was my dealbreaker – and interesting. But…Thursley…was he I’ve always insisted that I live somewhere where if I opened the door and screamed, joking? I should tell you that before Guildford we had lived for six years in the someone would hear. I’ve never actually middle of New York. Before that opened the door and screamed, but I need to know I can… . We’d sold that house before the move stateside, figuring that the little So we took a deep breath, and bought it. girls we were taking to Manhattan and I clung to my misgivings. I imagined I’d planning to bring back as teenagers be desperately seeking excuses to drive would think that living in Wonersh was back into town, ‘where the people were’. like being cryogenically frozen. Thursley A friend of the tough love variety pointed made Wonersh seem like a throbbing out that you couldn’t really consider metropolis, I thought. And surely it was yourself as living in a remote location if practically at the seaside, wasn’t it? We you had no fewer than three branches of had once, many years earlier, visited Waitrose within 8 miles, and all the friends in Bowlhead Green for lunch and supermarkets deliver, even if Deliveroo it had seemed so far away that I had and Just Eat don’t. practically packed Kendal mint cake and But oh, what we have found. an overnight bag when we set off from Guildford. I saw myself as an urban girl, We’ve been a nomadic family – in 26 who’d get twitchy if I wasn’t in walking years together, this is our eleventh home. distance of a shop and might get a And easily my favourite. I do love the nosebleed so far from the M25. house itself, but it’s the where of it that has been so magical. The village itself We ventured down the A3, intrepid casts the spell. adventurers. It took all of 15 minutes, and you absolutely couldn’t see the sea It isn’t the setting, although it is glorious here. I needn’t school any of you on the 22 abundance of beautiful walks from the doorstep, or on the wealth of nature. I can tell you where the sun rises and sets in relation to my house for probably the first time, and yes, I am slightly ashamed that this has taken me almost 50 years to master. I can identify house martins and nuthatches and the two Egyptian geese who come and go from the fields behind the house. And I am just a little bit proud of my dahlia bed and my insanely fecund hydrangea plants. These are all revelations to me, and a definite sign of the slowing, and the appreciating and the Editor’s Note noticing that has defined this move for I am delighted to introduce our latest us. columnist, Lizzie Young, who had kindly But the real secret is the people. agreed to write for the magazine. She Welcoming, kind, inclusive, interested was born in High Wycombe in 1968, and and interesting – it really is an amazing, grew up in Kent, Hampshire, Toronto and active, mixed and glorious community – Sydney. Studying English Language and the sort I didn’t quite believe still existed. Literature at university, she worked in I can’t be the only one who gets a lump in book publishing before having her family. their throat at the Three Horseshoes on She is married to David and is mother to Christmas Eve, and pinches themselves at Tallulah and Ottilie, stepmother to being lucky enough to be a part of it. William and step granny to Katia and Oskar. And compared to many of you, three years on we are still on our Thursley In the summer of 2017 she moved to honeymoon, I know, although we have Thursley with her family and is the author pushed cars up the hill outside in the of nine novels, published under the name snow, anxiously watched the smoke Elizabeth Noble. Two of her novels, during the horrible fire on Hankley this ‘Between a Mother And Her Child’ and summer, and consumed an inadvisable ‘Love Iris’ were Richard and Judy Book (but delicious) number of Daniel’s Club picks. ‘The Reading Group’ was a Yorkshire puddings on long lockdown Sunday Times no. 1 bestseller. Her latest Sundays. novel, ‘The Family Holiday’, was published

My husband is probably surprised – and in June of this year (with thanks to very happily so – that there’s been no Covid!). She writes non fiction and short stories for newspapers and magazines mention of move number 12. The three- occasionally. year itch has been real in the past. But, and you can quote me on this, I’m going nowhere…why on earth would I?

23 TIM’S “OVER THE GARDEN GATE” PLANT SALE IN AID OF HORTS SOCIETY By Angela Traill

Tim says “It was amazingly unifying to have contact with so many local people, many for the first time despite having been in the community for years”.

He grew an amazing number of vegetable plants from seeds including 20 varieties of tomatoes with some unusual ones such as Costoluto Fiorentino and new ones such as SuperSauce (see full list below), 6 courgettes varieties, dwarf beans, runner beans and leak seedlings. Des Andes variety With lockdown, like many others in the When Tim Walsh first sowed his batches village and across the country, we of seeds way back in February little did he decided to invest more time in growing realise the catastrophic chain of events our own vegetables and dug up parts of which were to unfurl nationally and the lawn for more beds! globally. When it became clear that the We bought and collected 16 tomato annual Spring Thursley Horticultural plants and 2 courgette plants for 3 Society and Museum plant growers in our family. It ended up quite a sales, at which his plants are usually sold, competition between Philip, Sarah and were not going to happen because of me as to whose crop would ripen first! Covid-19, he diversified and organised his Over The Garden Gate Plant Sale instead!

He tells us he was very relieved to be able to place an article in the Parish Magazine announcing the offer of plants for sale from his garden. Customers had to phone or email to arrange pick up and stay the right side of the gate to maintain social distancing.

41 people in total came to the garden gate, and bought plants for themselves and neighbours, raising £655 for Thursley Horticultural Society. Well Done Tim! This amount should go some way to help cover the Society’s recent purchase of new tables (yet to be used). Jane Hepburn’s crop

24 Tim supplied us with a huge variety of chatting with them. Happy Gardening” plants, with one producing an abundance says Tim. of amazing black tomatoes, a bush plant The last customer was John Secret and with the sweetest orangey pink cherry his wife. tomatoes I have ever tasted and one variety with tomatoes the size of your fist!

Tim is a hugely knowledgeable gardener and I personally would like to thank him for introducing us to this kaleidoscope of tomatoes. Philip is now hooked and even talking about building a greenhouse to grow his own seedlings next year. Don’t worry Tim, I’ll still buy from you if you’re selling!

The first customer…. below

List of Tomato varieties Cherrola F1, Cherry Fall, Costoluto, Fiorentino, Crimson Blush F1, Crimson Crush F1, Coeur de Boeuf, Garden Perle, Matina, Marmand V.R., Outdoor Girl, Red Pear, San Marzano, Super Sauce, Alicante Roma VF, Des Andes, Sungold, Tigerella, Cherry Cerise, Gardeners Delight, El Drago, Sweet Baby, Maskotka, Sun belle, Red Cherry, Koralik

Tim would like to thank Ann Schelles who List of Courgette varieties organised her neighbours in Bowlhead Nero di Milano, Genovese, Striato d’Italia Green and her family members with a Novodiamant Ibrido F1, Verte Noire combined order and collection, thus maraîchére, F¹ Atena reducing contact, Tina Chant who relayed plants to members of her allotment group in Milford and Nicki Bates who sold plants in Thursley, He also sold plants to customers from Elstead and who heard about the sale on the grapevine.

“I should like to thank all the people who supported this endeavour. I very much enjoyed making their acquaintance and Matina variety

25

LIFE ON THE COMMON - 87 By James Giles

Dear all, cattle fence that was partly destroyed in

I must admit to being very remiss the fire has been cleared and disposed recently with writing a magazine article of. for Thursley and Elstead villages. To be We’ve been busy looking at what to do honest the last couple of months or so next on habitat management and access have been a blur, and very hard improvements around the whole reserve. emotionally still. To see all the hard work The list is growing each time we look and over the last decade go up in flames it’s all rather overwhelming. alongside the Corona situation has been The boardwalk – well that isn’t proving horrible. easy. Talking to local contractors to get That aside we have been making bits of an idea what can be done. Getting the progress here and there. The worst of funding to tidy the devastated old the fire damaged and dangerous trees boardwalk is now in place - hopefully we have been removed. Access across have enough, I just have to wade through Ockley Common has been upgraded now the government procurement protocols with full access to vehicles where ditches as NE is a part of DEFRA a department of and culverts prevented that. We’ve had the Government. As for the re-build, that contractors out spraying the bracken, is some way off yet. Natural England, although much more has sprung up in alongside the parish councils and the the meantime. We had a sweep of old Preserve Our Reserve (PoR) MoD ordnance which was revealed on representatives, are seeking further the burned ground. The burned electric funding opportunities on top of the

26 absolutely incredible amounts raised On another positive note the reserve is locally. now much quieter after the onslaught of

On that subject how very humbling the people during the initial release of response from the local communities lockdown which saw the reserve have been! Having to date raised more swamped with people to levels I’ve never than £40,000 it just shows the love and experienced, not even summer bank appreciation our local commons are held holidays reached the levels seen out in. The offers of help were incredible as there. well, the absolute killer has of course I truly believe that was a contributing been the Covid-19 outbreak, and within factor to the fire; the litter, BBQ’s and that the social distancing/gathering rules cigarettes just discarded was horrible and etc nullifying the response that could unprecedented, along with drought have been with the physical input the conditions for weeks, leaving a tinder dry community could have provided. heathland. Almost inevitable, and

I was becoming a little more optimistic surprising that we didn’t see more fires about the rules for allowing larger groups locally. I think poor old Thursley Common to help in various shapes and forms was the victim of a perfect storm of all of (probably not for the boardwalk though the above, with the addition of a strong as maintaining the 2m distancing would dry easterly wind. be tricky) but just yesterday, before I sat Time to change the mood a bit. Now as down to write this piece, things are we leave the summer and autumn is changing rapidly, now with more cases around the corner, with those changing being reported daily and just before colours and the nip in the air in the universities go back and more offices -re mornings and evenings the wildlife on the open with the potential for further rises in common is changing. Many of the birds cases I fear the government will increase that spent the summer with us are restrictions again! I hope not. heading off to their winter homes such as

Although I have been able currently to Africa and southern Europe. In their place restart the volunteering on the reserve – though come those who spend autumn albeit in a very limited way. Gone are the and winter with us. Leaving more days of folk simply turning up to help with northerly climes such as Iceland, the works! For myself, and especially for Greenland and northern Europe and as the volunteers who have given so much over the years, it’s very frustrating to say the least.

To the many of you who are using the local Facebook pages (and probably Twitter – which I don’t use) the optimism is tangible, with photos of the greening of the blackened areas, the grasses returning, the trees sprouting with new life, the wildlife returning - hope is there after the despair.

27 far as the Arctic Circle. The UK and especially south England is so mild in comparison, we rarely get those deep freezes with persistent lying snow and ice. It seems quite balmy to them and they are still able to find insects, crustaceans, fallen seeds, nuts, berries and vegetation to feed on, and of course other animals to hunt, - life is better than on frozen ground and water.

This is also the time of year as many regular reader of my pieces will know when we get to do the management of the vegetation on the reserve. With the wildlife having finished breeding and raising their young, with reptiles and amphibians tucking themselves away in hibernation soon, with insects now finished and either existing as eggs extract these nutrients and the other tucked away somewhere free from frost perhaps water and minerals to a mutual and the damp, or as pupae also in benefit. Others though will be hibernation, the impact is far less, not saprophytic and take for their own use and needs. zero impact - but much less. This autumn and winter will be different in the levels And finally, please do get in touch on the of work achievable due to you know what details below, share your thoughts, and that’s a fluid situation– sigh stories, issues and emotions. I would

One last thought/observation. As you really love to hear back from some of the read this it will be October or very nearly readers now and then – it’s a lonely place – fungi season in earnest, but with a being behind a keyboard in an empty office! strange year of weather who knows? Fungi is actually present all year but most Do report any problems you may obviously in the autumn. What we see encounter, and please remember if you though isn’t even half the story. Fungi see smoke, fire or anti-social behaviour exists for most of its life as a mass of then dial 999 immediately — don’t think threads found in the ground or in wood you’re being a nuisance as a false alarm is they are called hyphae, this is the part better than not reporting. that does all the hard work of breaking Cheers all – Stay safe down organic matter. This releases locked up nutrients back in to the soils Reserve manager which can be absorbed by plants and Mobile: 01428 685675 trees. Some fungi are symbiotic that is Office: 07971 974399 working together with other plants in a [email protected] partnership where one partner can

28 29

THURSLEY CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY ACTION Eco-friendly Living – it’s Eco-logical

This article is about the UK • Ground source heat pumps Government’s New Green Homes • Solar thermal Grant which launches at the end of • Biomass boilers September. The grants will cover at least two-thirds of the costs, up Secondary renovations are only to £5000 per household for renovation possible if at least one primary projects to make your home measure is carried out. Also, you only more energy-efficient. For example, if qualify for secondary measures if you you wanted to install insulation costing are upgrading to these measures—for £4,000, you would pay £1,320 and the example, if you already have double government would give you a voucher glazed windows you cannot qualify for for the other £2,680. Households with new double glazed windows. The the lowest income in England can following energy-saving projects are receive a voucher of up to £10,000, covered: covering the full cost of renovations. If you’re thinking of doing something, • Upgrading to double glazing this is definitely the time to get started! • Upgrading to secondary glazing There are two categories of renovations: primary and secondary • Upgrading to triple glazing measures. • Upgrading to draft-proof doors (when replacing doors that have You can apply for one or more been installed prior to 2002) primary home renovation projects • Upgrading to draft-proof windows under the scheme. You cannot claim for work that has already been • Heating controls carried out. You may, however, use • Hot water tank/appliance tank the grant to top up your existing thermostats/smart meters for installations, such as adding loft heating. insulation to meet the latest specifications. The following energy- The costs of the secondary measures saving projects are covered: cannot exceed the costs of the primary measures. • Insulation of solid walls, cavity walls, under floors, lofts, flat roofs, room in To apply for a grant, homeowners will roof, insulating a park home need to complete an online application form, which will be available through • Air source heat pumps the government’s Simple Energy

30 Advice service when the scheme You must choose from a list of launches in September 2020. You'll registered tradespeople in your area also be able to apply by post or phone to do the work who will be TrustMark if you can’t access the internet. First, approved or MCS registered. you’ll need to choose from the list of ‘primary’ measures (insulation and low If you want more information about the -carbon heating), get a quote from an New Green Homes Grant, please don’t accredited trader and have it hesitate to contact: approved before you get the voucher. [email protected]

Thursley Tree Planting Initiative Update

THANK YOU to everyone who has donated £1,165 to the initiative so far. We still need another £835 to reach our target of £2,000. We will soon be ordering our tree and hedge saplings for planting in November so we are grateful for all your donations.

Please contact me at 01428 685120 or [email protected] get the bank account details for Thursley Parish Council so you can transfer your donation.

31 CLOCKHOUSE NEWS By Rachel Kershaw

Those who follow these articles will attend a safe environment to have their know that we have been closed since long awaited haircuts and foot 16th March in line with Government treatments for which they have been so guidelines to keep our members and grateful. volunteers safe from Covid-19. Our Following further risk assessments we manager, Jules, retired on 1st May, decided to open a Pop up Café and which was already planned, and we Charity Shop on Wednesdays starting interviewed and appointed a new on 12th August. The café is run by manager. We were and are still unable Elvina, our activities co-ordinator whom to hire the building and all our main fund we have un furloughed for one day a raising events have been cancelled week, and several volunteers. Our which obviously has a very worrying charity shop is run by 4 volunteers who impact on our financial position have worked tirelessly to sort out, clean particularly as, during our period of and sell donations. enforced closure, we have faced significant ongoing fixed and general Over the last 5 weeks the café and shop maintenance costs. For this reason The have gradually welcomed more and Board of Trustees decided to furlough more of our members and volunteers. It our remaining staff. We have been very has been such a joy to see so many of grateful for the support the government them venturing out and enjoying face to have given us to enable them to remain face meetings with their friends. None of in post. Under Charity Commission this could have happened without the Rules the Trustees have a legal help of our many volunteers who donate their time to support The Clockhouse. obligation to ensure that our finances are maintained in good order. The Board of Trustees is holding a th The Trustees have been contacting our planning meeting on 24 September regular members and our volunteers when we will discuss plans to reopen over the months to ensure they have The Clockhouse, probably for 2 or 3 been able to receive food and guided days a week initially. As the furlough them where to seek help for any support stops at the end of October we problems that may have developed. Our need to be mindful of the costs and try volunteers have also been supporting to be innovative in ways to raise funds. each other. Sadly we have lost several Naturally we need to keep everyone members and one volunteer but safe so the actual running of the Centre thankfully none to Covid-19. will be different, whilst the virus is still circulating, but hopefully in time The In July, when we felt it was safe Clockhouse will be open as before. At following a risk assessment, we opened present we have decided that it is not for Hairdresser and Foot Clinic sessions. safe or economically sound to use the A lot of measures have been put in minibuses so we need to rely on place to ensure The Clockhouse is volunteers, carers and family members Covid-19 safe. Despite the majority of to transport people to The Clockhouse. our volunteers being over 70 and many If you know anyone who may be able to in their 80s and 90s they were very keen volunteer some time to either help with to help in any way to support us and a transport or at The Clockhouse please rota was set up for them to man these contact [email protected] or sessions which have enabled people to call 01483 420668.

32

Jamie Oliver’s Superb Squash Soup

Ingredients 2 red onions 2 carrots 4 cloves garlic 2 sticks of celery 1 fresh red chilli 2 sprigs fresh rosemary olive oil 16 fresh sage leaves 2 kg butternut squash, onion squash or musque de Provence 2 litres organic chicken or vegetable 4. Meanwhile, halve, deseed and rough stock chop the squash. When the time's up, add the squash and stock to the pan. extra virgin olive oil Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 CROUTONS minutes. extra virgin olive oil 5. For the croutons, drizzle a little olive 16 slices of ciabatta bread oil over the ciabatta, pat it in, then Parmesan cheese finely grate and press some grated Parmesan on to each side. Place in a Method dry, non-stick pan and fry until golden

1. Peel and finely chop the onions, on both sides. carrots and garlic, then trim and finely 6. When the squash is tender, whiz the chop the celery. Deseed and finely chop soup with a stick blender or pour it into the chilli. Pick and finely chop the a blender and pulse to a smooth purée rosemary. – leave it slightly chunky, if you prefer. 2. Heat a couple of lugs of olive oil in a 7. Season to perfection with salt and large saucepan over a medium heat, pepper, then divide between bowls, add the sage leaves and fry for 30 placing 2 croutons on top of each. seconds, or until crisp, then remove to 8. Sprinkle with a few crispy sage leaves kitchen paper. and drizzle with a swirl of quality extra 3. Place the pan of flavoured oil back on virgin olive oil, then serve. the heat, add the onion, carrot, garlic, Tips celery, chilli, rosemary and a good pinch Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you of sea salt and black pepper, then cook can take the soup in different directions gently for 10 minutes, or until sweet by adding pearl barley, dried pasta, or and soft. some chopped smoked bacon. Even the

smallest amount of dried porcini.

33 ELSTEAD WI By Betty Moxon

What a centenary year! epidemic of 1918/1920 was ending. Physical meetings became impossible and many members were shielding. We tried to make sure that members were contacted by telephone, and that they did not need anything. It was heartwarming to find that family, friends and community rallied round people in lockdown, especially those shielding. And Elstead gardens have never been so well tended as in 2020! President Hilary Pettman has kept in touch and sent out newsletters and quizzes to members.

Elstead WI met for the first time in As conditions eased, we held March 1920 and we had been garden tea parties for small groups, looking forward to our centenary and the walking group had its first year with keen anticipation. We walk through the glorious heather had a programme full of excellent on Hankley Common at the end of speakers, lunches, teas and visits. August. We have braved the As we meet on the first Thursday of challenges of technology and held the month we did have our committee meetings via Zoom, and centenary meeting in March, with a we are now having virtual Zoom wonderful speaker, lots of meetings on the normal “first celebratory fizz and a yummy tea. Thursday” of the month. Not all By then of course, Covid-19 was a members can benefit from these, growing menace, and within a few but many can, and we are all weeks we were in lockdown, with learning new skills and how to meetings, visits and lunches all manage new technologies in the cancelled. However we hope that “new normal”. many of our lovely speakers will So rest assured, Elstead Afternoon come in 2021. WI is still thriving in its 100th year, We never expected that most of our and looks forward to the day when centenary year would to be spent in we can all meet again in person - a pandemic, though we had been even if that is likely to be in 2021! founded as the great Spanish flu 34

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN PHYLLIS TUCKWELL SHOPS

Local charity Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care is in need of more volunteers to help in its 18 charity shops, which are located across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire.

If you’re a people person, you’ll love the social interaction that volunteering in Phyllis Tuckwell’s busy shops will bring, as you help new and regular customers, and get to know the other staff and volunteers there.

Back in March, lockdown closed all of Phyllis Tuckwell’s shops, and although most have now re- opened, many of its volunteers have been unable to return to help in them, and consequently some of the shops are now operating on reduced opening hours. The shops bring in vital funds for the charity, which cares local for patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer, but they cannot operate without the help of its volunteers.

“We urgently need more volunteers to help us get our shops fully open,” said Peter Foxton, Director of Income Generation at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We offer flexible shifts and a varied working day, with volunteers helping to serve customers, operate the till, and sort, steam and price stock. We have introduced Covid-secure processes to keep our staff and volunteers safe, including quarantining stock and enhanced levels of cleanliness.”

You’ll be given training and learn new skills, and, with morning or afternoon shifts available, you’ll be able to fit it in around your other commitments. Best of all, you’ll know that by giving your time, you’ll be helping to raise money to support local patients and their families, at probably the most difficult time in their lives.

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, Phyllis Tuckwell has continued to provide supportive and end of life care for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, providing 24-hour front line care at the Hospice in Farnham and in patients’ own homes. However, it has to raise over £20,000 a day to provide this care, and with many of its fundraising events cancelled, its retail shops are now more important than ever in helping it raise the money it needs.

To find out more about becoming a retail volunteer, please contact Phyllis Tuckwell’s Voluntary Services team on 01252 729400 or email [email protected]. Just a few hours of your time can make a big difference.

35

Piano/Keyboard/Organ Lessons

Beginners welcome

Robert Goldfinch (LGSM & ALCM)

Call 01252 705151

[email protected]

ENGLISH TUTOR Dianne Butler BA (Hons), PGCE, PGC

With over 15 years of experience, I offer expert tuition and exam preparation for Year 9 - 13 students in English Literature and English Language.

I am able to:

• identify & fill gaps in subject knowledge • develop analytical & essay writing skills • offer GCSE support & exam strategies • offer A Level support & exam strategies • offer advice & guidance on personal statements for UCAS applications • carry out mock Oxbridge interviews.

Please feel free to give me a call or email to discuss how I can help you, your son or daughter fulfil that potential.

07771 527729 [email protected]

36 Beaconhill Cleaners Est 1968

Beaconhill Cleaners Beaconhill Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6QJ 01428606486/07779166161

Specialist

• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning • Curtain Cleaning • Free Take Down & Re-hanging service • Same Day Dry Cleaning • Shirts Washed & Ironed • Quilts Washed & Dried • Wash, Dry & Fold Service • Free Collection & Delivery • Monthly Accounts Welcome

www.beaconhillcleaners.co.uk [email protected]

A family run business with 50 years of experience

37

ROBERT MOODIE Master upholsterer

Since 1973

Is your sofa or perhaps your favourite chair In need of a little loving care? Don’t push it aside or take to the ‘tip’ Just give us a ring and we’ll mend it. Loose covers or fitted, or down to the frame We will restore it, elaborate or plain Fabrics and braids for us to enhance Our craftsmanship’s shown if given the chance.

Specialists in re-upholstery & loose covers

The Old Milking Parlour, Mellow Farm 01428 712886 [email protected]

All types of Solid Fuel COLES KENNELS Stocked By Upper Ridgeway Farm, Thursley HILL’S QUALITY COALS GU8 6QR PREPACKED FUELS, LOGS, TURF,

Prompt & Personal Attention CAT BOARDING from a family concern. The very best of care in Telephone Today (01483) 282223 beautiful surroundings www.hillsqualitycoals.co.uk Phone: (01428) 604508

DOG BOARDING Prism Window Cleaning

Very spacious pens; raised Est. Since 1990 underfloor heated beds for Prompt, friendly, local service. ultimate dog comfort; Fully insured. large exercise runs. Tel: 0776 898 6338

Phone: (01428) 609400 www.prismwindowcleaningltd.com

38 Private French Lessons

Bonjour, Je m’appelle Valérie,

I am a French native speaker, with tutoring experience, who can offer private lessons.

Whether you need tailored lessons to achieve specific objectives (GCSE, AS/A level, moving to France) or you just want to practice your French over a cup of coffee, feel free to contact me.

Please call: 07838681984 Or email: [email protected]

A bientôt.

COME AND JOIN CHORAL SOCIETY

on TUESDAY 10th JANUARY 2017

when rehearsals begin for

HAYDN : THE CREATION

We meet at 7.30pm in all new Wilfrid Noyce Centre, Crown Court, Go- dalming, GU7 1DY. If you enjoy singing and would like to join a pro-

Steve Cruickshank Tree Surgeon Fully Insured

All Tree Work, Hedge Cutting, Fruit Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping Service, Mini Digger Hire, Fencing & Landscaping, Seasoned Logs

Mobile: 07768 774398 [email protected]

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Clear All Pest Control

Fully qualified professional country services Wasps, Hornets, Mice, Rats,Cluster Flies, Moles

Phone Dean on: 07768 986338 or www.clearallpestcontrol.com

MJP Plumbing & Heating Ltd Helpful friendly plumber. Will do all the jobs that need doing from a tap washer to refitting your bathroom. Servicing or replacing boilers Just ask, no job too small! We work with all systems – heating and plumbing. Gas Safe registered Contact Mike on 07768 844276 or email [email protected]

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THE CLOCKHOUSE

Chapel Lane, Milford GU8 5EZ

Open: Monday – Friday 10am-3.30pm

Do you, a relative or friend want warm company, friendship and a good inexpensive lunch on a regular or occasional basis?

The Clockhouse provides just this. We also offer Chiropody, Hairdressing, Pilates, Art classes and more, all in the same bright and vibrant building. Inexpensive transport (£4 or £5 return or half that for one way depending on area) can be arranged to collect and/or return you to your home address if required. The price for a Hot Homemade two-course lunch is a very affordable £6 with a varying weekly menu. Why not visit us - come and see for yourself?

Want to volunteer? We welcome volunteers to support the running of the centre and we can always find an appropriate job to suit you. We need reserve minibus drivers for our two 16-seater minibuses. Let us know if you might be able to help.

Please contact us on 01483 420668 or look at www.clockhouse.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1059045

Michelle Renée

A unisex salon offering a highly professional service in classic &

contemporary hair design

Consultations & fringe trims are complimentary

Visit our website for prices & services

MR Hair by Design

www.michellerenee.co.uk 01252 703183

Selsey Cottage, Milford Road, Elstead, Surrey GU8 6HN

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KEITH'S PRIVATE CAR HIRE

Let Keith take you where you want to go

Local and long distance

Heathrow and Gatwick Airports (including pick-ups)

ELSTEAD Tel: 01252 703005

Email: [email protected]

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Rachel Young Fitness

Pilates & F.I.T. Classes Thursley Village Hall Monday evenings

One to one PT sessions (or small groups) also available

Other Pilates classes in Elstead, Hambledon &

For more info, contact Rachel on

07770 363231

[email protected]

01252 795005 Welcome to Surrey’s Largest Timber Yard. We are your one stop shop for all your fencing and landscaping needs

Fencing • Gates • Decking • Wire Netting• Sawn Timber • Sleepers • Kiln Dried Logs • Wood Fuels• Bark • Cladding • and much more The Timber Yard, Grange Road, , Surrey, , GU10 2DQ

OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday 7.30am-5.00pm, Saturday 8.00am-1.00pm Closed on Bank Holidays [email protected] www.harvestwoodproducts.co.uk

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Honey Landscapes

Garden Maintenance and Construction

07952 915547

Patios ~ Drives Stonework ~ Brickwork Ponds ~ Fencing Turfing ~ Planting Lawn Mowing and Treatments Hedge Cutting Email: [email protected]

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