2008 - URAL URREY UNDED ROJECTS 2013 R S LEADER F P

Contents Rural Surrey LEADER Grant Programme ...... 5 Delivering the Vision for the Rural Surrey LEADER Group ...... 6 Map of the Surrey Hills LEADER area...... 8 The Green Escape ...... 9 The Vineries Cafe...... 10 Coverwood Lakes, Gardens and Farm ...... 11 Shere Village Cinema ...... 12 C.G.J Mathias and Son (Nurseries) ...... 13 Oaken Wood Butterfly Conservation ...... 14 Frewer and Co Engineers Ltd ...... 15 Blackheath Cricket Club ...... 16 Surrey County Agricultural Society ...... 17 Box Hill Walks ...... 18 Daniel Brown Heavy Horses ...... 19 Dorking Brewery...... 20 East Surrey Rural Transport ...... 21 Faurefold - East Surrey Girl Guides ...... 22 Lawnsmead Hall ...... 23 Trees and Beams ...... 24 Rebecca Jane ...... 25 Hambledon Village Shop ...... 26 Surrey County Agricultural Society ...... 27 Rob’s Woodlands...... 28 Rob’s Woodlands...... 29 P+L Forestry ...... 30 Arbuthnot Village Hall ...... 31 Bury Hill Fisheries ...... 32 Albury Estate ...... 33 Snoxhall Fields Adult Fitness Equipment ...... 34 Ben Nicholson Tree Services ...... 35 Ben Nicholson Tree Services ...... 36 New House Farm ...... 37 New House Farm ...... 38

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Outwood Cricket Club...... 39 Sondes Place Farm...... 40 Sondes Place Farm...... 41 Garden Pride ...... 42 St Bartholomew’s Church ...... 43 Harvest Wood Fuels Ltd ...... 44 Wey and Arun Canal ...... 45 Village Greens Farm Shop at Denbies ...... 46 Tatsfield Allotments ...... 47 Tatsfield Allotments ...... 48 Surrey Young Farmers ...... 49 Surrey Hills Brewery ...... 50 The Merry Harriers Bed and Breakfast ...... 51 Manor Farm Belted Galloway Beef ...... 52 Manor Farm Adult Fitness Equipment...... 53 Lingfield Community Centre ...... 54 Ladyland Farm ...... 55 Local Food Logistics ...... 56 Honeysuckle Bottom Sawmill ...... 57 Normandy Community Therapy Garden ...... 58 Furnistore...... 59 Plantation Pigs...... 60 Frensham Village Shop ...... 61 Clock Barn Farm ...... 62 Cut and Dried Fruit Ltd ...... 63 Dynamic Adventures ...... 64 The Evelyn Hall ...... 65 Chaldon Court Farm ...... 66 Oak on Oak ...... 67 Old Kiln Light Railway ...... 68 Pitchfont Farm...... 69 S. O. Tingle ...... 70 Sun Star Store...... 71 St Joan's Farm Dairy ...... 72

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SJT Trackforce ...... 73 Winterfold Tree Services ...... 74 Wonersh Memorial Hall...... 75 Wellspring Mobile Catering ...... 76 Traditional Boundaries ...... 77 Traditional Boundaries ...... 78 Albury Organic Vineyard ...... 79 All Time Catering ...... 80 Hascombe Woodyard ...... 81 LJN Tree Surgery ...... 82 LJN Tree Surgery ...... 83 Grace and Flavour ...... 84 Watts Gallery Visitor Centre ...... 85 John Wittlesea Woodland Services ...... 86 Aldhurst Farm Workshops ...... 87 Surrey Wildlife Trust ...... 88 Smallfield Play Area ...... 89 Surrey Hills Society ...... 90 Surrey Hills Society ...... 91 Dorking Rugby Football Club ...... 92 Pointers of Surrey ...... 93 Lingfield Nature Reserve...... 94 Just So Jellies ...... 95 The Cranleigh Show ...... 96 Denbies Vineyard ...... 97 Denbies Vineyard ...... 98 Fanny’s Farm Shop ...... 99 Suburban Turban ...... 100 Independent Home Solutions ...... 101 Pepperpot Nursery ...... 102 Outwood Butchery ...... 103 Weald Granary ...... 104 Rural Surrey LEADER 2015 – 2020 ...... 105

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Rural Surrey LEADER Grant Programme

The Rural Surrey LEADER (formerly Surrey Hills LEADER) Local Action Group has completed its first ever LEADER grant funding programme. Set up in 2008 the Rural Surrey Local Action Group was successful in bidding for over £1.4 million of LEADER funding under the Rural Development Programme for England. It has been hugely successful and has generated 100 projects which have generated over £5 million of investment into Surrey and created in excess of 64 new jobs!

The Local Action Group and Leader Staff have been instrumental in delivering these projects in rural Surrey. Surrey County Council has acted as our Accountable body and offered excellent support throughout the programme.

We’d like to thank our Chairman of the last six years, Chris Chaney for his dedication to the Surrey Hills LEADER programme and the Surrey Rural Partnership and we wish him well for his retirement. We are pleased to say that Sir Graham Wilkinson has taken over as the Transition LEADER Chairman through to the end of 2014.

The 2008 - 13 LEADER programme has now closed, however, the Local Action Group along with the Rural Surrey LEADER programme staff are busy building the Local Development Strategy which will be used to bid for more LEADER funding in Surrey for the programme running 2015 – 2020.

Rural Surrey LEADER

April 2014

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Delivering the Vision for the Rural Surrey LEADER Group

The LEADER approach is one mechanism used to deliver the Rural Development Programme England (RDPE) funding. It is based on local knowledge to promote an integrated bottom up, community-led grant scheme funded by the EU and managed by Defra. In the spirit of the LEADER approach some projects contain an element of risk and some were innovative.

The vision for the Rural Surrey Local Action Group was to create a vibrant, sustainable community across rural Surrey which gave residents the opportunities to work and live successfully in their rural areas. Surrey had and still has particular challenges in keeping the rural industries lucrative and with the outbreak of foot and mouth impacting farming in Surrey prior to the 2008 programme starting, there really could have been no better time to support local farming and rural communities. The funding acted as a catalyst for so many projects.

Five key themes were identified within Surrey:

 To increase the Resilience of Surrey’s Agriculture by encouraging farmers to diversify and create new or develop existing sustainable income streams.  Improve the Management & Sustainable Utilisation of Surrey’s Woodlands.  To develop Local Produce Supply Chains.  Enhance Rural Tourism, Heritage and Peri-Urban Links.  Strengthen Surrey’s Rural Communities by developing facilities and opportunities. The Local Action Group and programme staff worked tirelessly with communities, businesses, farmers, foresters, landowners and businesses to develop bids for the LEADER funding which not only achieved the objectives for Surrey but also to achieve the individual’s dreams. Over the last 5 years we have had the pleasure of working with over 500 potential projects, some who for a

6 variety of reasons did not even start, but many who went on to be successful in either applying for funding from us or from other identified sources.

Details of the projects funded under RDPE Surrey Hills LEADER programme follow and demonstrate just how successful the programme 2008 – 2013 has been. A total of 100 projects were funded and these ranged from grants of £950 to our maximum £80,000. 4 brand new businesses were started and in total 64 new jobs were created, although this will have surely grown as projects have continued to grow. In excess of 238 jobs were safeguarded through this investment and many industry sectors have been strengthened.

We see so many more visitors coming to the area – drawn in by the improved facilities which have had a positive effect in Surrey. Rural shops and rural communities continue to thrive and farms are now enjoying the fruits of their new income streams but continue to battle against the elements – more recently the floods of early 2014 – which hit Surrey hard. The need for further investment is clear and we are working hard to secure further funding for the next Programme.

The LEADER approach ensures that local people, who have a better knowledge of local challenges, develop their own successful programme which suits the local area.

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Map of the Surrey Hills LEADER area 8

The Green Escape

A local family successfully applied for a £45,650 grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme towards the set up of their new, family run sustainable holiday accommodation near Ockley. The grant has enabled them to purchase 8 Shepherds Huts and erect a straw bale building providing visitors to the Surrey Hills with sustainable and environmentally friendly accommodation.

The family had been looking for a suitable site to run a sustainable holiday business after they gained valuable experience running a Holiday Centre on the Isle of Mull. When they found the 6 acre National Trust site on the side of Leith Hill they approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a substantial grant to enable them to purchase shepherds huts and to build a straw bale building. LEADER was able to give them 50% of the cost of the accommodation, allowing them to offer a unique, brand new tourist experience in the Surrey Hills.

The Green Escape now offers accommodation for up to 20 guests in 7 Huts spread around the copse. Each hut has a sleeping area and is fitted with a wood burning stove. There is a straw bale building housing cooking facilities with enough space for communal dining and activities provided by local crafts people.

The family have made it as easy as possible for guests, offering a transport service from the station to encourage a green way of travel, supplying breakfast and dinner from local producers. They want people to feel that ‘all they have to bring is a toothbrush and torch’ and everything else will be provided!

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The Vineries Cafe

The Vineries, a thriving garden centre and growing nursery in Effingham was successful in its application to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £25,000 towards the cost of building a cafe. Keen to expand the business and in response to customer demand, the owner took the decision to develop the cafe to improve trading in quieter months and to provide a social facility for the local community. The cafe compliments existing retail areas and gives local producers another outlet for their trade.

Since the proprietor took over The Vineries Garden Centre in 2007 he has invested in the retail side of the business by increasing floor space and product ranges. The business currently sells a wide range of products: plants; trees; vegetables; soft fruit; compost; chemicals; pots; birds and pet care. Most other local garden centres currently run a coffee shop or restaurant and existing customers had repeatedly asked for a cafe facility. The business approached Surrey Hills LEADER for half the costs of the new kitchen and seating area. LEADER was able to approve the £25,000 investment which has opened up 11 new jobs and generated a new income stream for the garden centre.

Building on their existing support for Surrey suppliers, they intend to use local ingredients wherever possible in the Cafe. It already has good community links through its sponsorship of Bookham Village Day and work with neighbourhood schools and groups. The Cafe facility has enabled the business to develop these links further through providing a social facility for the local community.

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Coverwood Lakes, Gardens and Farm

Coverwood Farm, a 200 acre beef farm near Peaslake is now able to cater events with local produce from a custom made Airstream trailer thanks to a £20,306 grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme. Running a programme of garden visits, opera festivals and weddings the new trailer is able to showcase the farm's own produce as well as local suppliers, giving visitors a quality, artisan food offering from a quality and unique platform.

Coverwood has been farmed by the same family for the last 60 years and they have been looking for ways to diversify as beef profit margins have been squeezed. The family were planning to increase visitor numbers, weddings and corporate events and needed to provide a quality catering offering to present the right image as well as increasing visitor spending. Previously visitors were offered tea and cake from a garage and weddings were previously catered with a BBQ. The Airstream, 50% funded by Surrey Hills LEADER, is branded with the Coverwood logo and offers a menu of home produced beef and lamb burgers and steaks, locally sources sausages, local cakes, seasonal salads and coffee.

The trailer has also been used at events such as Cranleigh Show and Munstead Horse Trials. By selling more of their own beef, the farm should be able eventually to increase herd numbers, thus bringing the farm back to its roots and ensuring its stability for the future.

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Shere Village Cinema

A group of determined villagers in Shere successfully applied for a grant of £7,578 towards the cost of setting up a cinema in Shere Village Hall. Starting with one screening a month and building to a more frequent schedule depending on demand, the screenings are bringing people together in a community meeting space to enjoy a value for money cinema experience that betters a commercial cinema. The equipment is also available to hire for other not for profit organisations.

Residents in Shere were keen to open up a cinema club in the Village Hall, previously a cinema itself. They have had good advice from a local company who have fitted the equipment on a non profit basis. The 65% grant from Surrey Hills LEADER has enabled them to buy projectors, screens and speakers as well as blackout blinds.

The committee hoped that the new cinema would provide an accessible focal point for the residents of all ages of the villages in the Shere area. The project is appealing to those who cannot afford otherwise to pay mainstream box office prices, do not have transport, or are simply uncomfortable with going in to a busy town, maybe on their own and at night. For young people and especially teenagers, it is a fun place to meet up with their friends and feel some ownership by getting involved.

On another level, the project is helping break down social barriers between generations, and to combating boredom, frustration and social unrest in the rural area.

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C.G.J Mathias and Son (Nurseries)

CGJ Mathias and Son (Nurseries) wanted to move away from its traditional business of selling ornamental conifers to garden centres, towards the more niche market of supplying hedging plants via the internet. Although the company had a brochure-style website, it was unable to make sales on-line. They applied to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £4437 - half the cost of developing an e-commerce website necessary to generate the extra business. Now that the sales facility is up and running, the new website is attracting both commercial customers and private individuals wanting the ability to shop on-line.

The Nursery, based in Tilford, near Farnham, had been in the business of selling ornamental conifers to garden centres. Although business was good and turnover was high, profit margins were becoming increasingly tight in this competitive market. So the company changed its focus to selling larger sizes of evergreen hedging directly to customers.

Selling on-line was a logical progression to this business and has enabled them to increase their turnover. It has allowed the company to sell to private customers who want to be able to buy over the internet outside of normal office hours, as well as his more traditional market of commercial customers, such as landscapers. A spokesman said: “Once we explained our vision to the Surrey Hills Leader Team and Surrey Business Link, they went out of their way to help us with the process and their help was most supportive.”

The business now offers a competitive alternative to foreign imports and will ensure that Surrey grown products are available locally, reducing the carbon impact of delivery.

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Oaken Wood Butterfly Conservation

With the help of a £1,300 grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, the habitat of the very rare Betony Case bearer Moth in Oaken Wood, Chiddingfold was improved and expanded.

The Butterfly Conservation charity approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant for tools and equipment for their volunteers to use. The forest is a mixture of mature trees, coppice, scrub and grassland on clay soil and the reserve is a small haven within a large Forest Enterprise managed woodland which is mostly replanted with conifers.

The new saws, scythes, rakes and protective clothing means that the habitat of the rare Betony Case bearer moth, found only in Chiddingfold Forest will be protected and maintained. Funding from Biffa in the future will mean that the habitat will then be enlarged.

Provision of these tools provides the opportunity for new volunteers to become involved enhancing the heritage and biodiversity of the woodland well into the future. Many visitors come to enjoy the unique fauna of the woodland and its wildlife and they in turn benefit the rural economy.

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Frewer and Co Engineers Ltd

Frewer and Co Engineers offer specialised design services to the aerospace, power generation and automotive industries. They successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant of £14,521 towards the purchase of advanced design tools and development of a website to increase business capabilities and open up new markets. The new IT equipment and associated marketing has already help secure new contracts and has created more jobs within the organisation.

Frewer & Co Engineers Ltd was formed in 2003 to supply engineering consultancy services to industry. Since the company formed, their customer base has grown and they have expanded their service with engineers who are experts in their fields and have extensive experience in the supply of professional design and analysis for industry. To enable this growth to continue, the company approached the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for a 50% grant for the purchase of new IT equipment and software. The new equipment has enabled them to increase the scope of services offered to customers and attract new projects. The grant also facilitated the development of an up to date website to help promote the new company capabilities.

As well as securing business resilience, the grant has helped to provide a local workplace for aspiring engineers in a rural area. Local suppliers have benefitted from growth in the business and the farm landlord may also enjoy increased turnover if the company hires additional space.

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Blackheath Cricket Club

Blackheath Cricket Club had undertaken extensive fundraising, eventually raising enough money to fully rebuild and kit out its cricket pavilion with an architecturally sympathetic new building. The £20,000 granted by Surrey Hills LEADER fitted out the kitchen, store and bar area to enable the community to use it for meetings and village celebrations.

Blackheath Cricket Club has been established since 1878 and has a very active membership, many of which are drawn from local schools. It is also a focus for the village - there is no pub - and is used for numerous village events. The old dilapidated building needed replacing with an exterior in-keeping with its surroundings and local Arts and Crafts architectural style and likewise the inside needed designing to be fit for purpose given the substantial weekly use by significant numbers.

The Club was granted 80% of the cost of a new kitchen, store room and fittings for the bar area from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme. Now completed, this highly successful Cricket Club can offer high quality facilities for its members and the local community alike.

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Surrey County Agricultural Society

The S.C.A.S approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a second grant for £15,000 towards the set up costs of a new online bar- coded, ticketing operation for the Surrey County Show. The Show provides a unique opportunity for the promotion of Surrey farming and farmers, a key aim of the society. The S.C.A.S is a membership organisation run by Surrey farmers that aims to encourage agriculture and agricultural employees in their chosen specialities. It also seeks to support the breeding and rearing of livestock and raise the general public’s awareness of farming. It holds the Surrey County Show specifically to meet these needs.

revious years ticket sales have been affected by bad weather and pre-show sales are important for event profit. To enable the Society to sell more pre-event tickets they approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a 60% grant towards improving their I.T. capability. Visitors can now book, pay and download their tickets from the S.C.A.S. website and bring them for scanning to the show entrance.

The new system was a huge success in 2013 and has already been leased out to other county shows, which has created an additional income stream for the society.

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Box Hill Walks

The trails project at the National Trust Box Hill site aimed to encourage rural recreation through the creation of new walking routes and installation of play equipment. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to contribute to the project by an award of £22,830 towards the cost of providing way markers, information panels and marketing information.

The project has been developed in response to visitor surveys which identified the need for better orientation and structured provision of children’s activities. With over 800,000 visitors per year the project has added significantly to visitors’ enjoyment and provides a high quality experience.

Box Hill is managed by the National Trust who aims to protect its specialist habitats whilst offering visitors an enjoyable experience in the countryside of the Surrey Hills. Box Hill represents one of the earliest tourist attractions in Britain and is one of the best-known summits of the North Downs, a prominent 193m (634ft) in height. It is a place to walk, cycle, picnic, enjoy the open air and watch an abundance of wildlife.

The new trails and play equipment provide a first class countryside facility and help promote the Surrey Hills as a quality tourist destination.

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Daniel Brown Heavy Horses

Dan Brown runs a successful business breaking and training heavy horses for driving. Dan is extremely well known in the world of heavy horses, competing annually in the Caravan of Hope race of which he is now a trustee and has appeared with Martin Clunes in his programme about heavy horses.

Based in Westcott, he competes with his team of Suffolk Punches and uses them for logging in sensitive sites where mechanised vehicles would ruin the ground. Although he already owns an open top wagon that seats 10, he has had to turn down many opportunities such as picnic rides and work for Denbies due to the British weather. He was granted £2,592 by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme towards the cost of a covered wagon that he could use in all weathers. The new vehicle is lighter than his current uncovered wagon and is able to seat more people. He can now market his unique service through the tourist board, Dragon Driving website and to local B and B's and campsites.

The vehicle now offers wagon rides all year round at venues such as Denbies Vineyard and Lambourne Farm. Surrey Hills will also have a sustainable, special tourist experience that will encourage visitors to stay and Dan's business will have a more stable financial footing from increased revenue.

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Dorking Brewery

Dorking Brewery successfully applied for a Surrey Hills LEADER grant of £7,177 towards the purchase of temperature controlled brewing equipment and barrels to expand their current output of beer. The new equipment has allowed them to increase their brewing capacity by a third and service more local Surrey Hill's pubs.

The Brewery has also increased the variety of beer they produce and have 2 regular beers on offer complimented by a calendar of guest beers that change every month. Having more casks has eased the bottlenecks in production and has also been fundamental to their plan of increasing production allowing more Surrey Hills real ale drinkers to enjoy their product.

Founded in 2003, Dorking Brewery has been in its current home at the Engine Shed for the last 5 years. Using local Dorking spring water it produced 8 different beers including DB No.1. They approached the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant programme for money to buy new fermenters, barrels and washing equipment and were awarded 50% of the cost of the new equipment.

The new temperature controlled fermenters ensure consistency of product and these, combined with new casks allow them to run two brews per week rather than alternating 1 brew one week, 2 brews the next. Increased capacity means that they now approach more local pubs, thus helping to further maintain the quality of their beer as well as offering Surrey Hill’s customers a locally produced product. This has cut down on beer miles both in delivering product and collection of casks.

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East Surrey Rural Transport

East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership operates bus services in East Surrey offering low cost accessible transport to rural communities. They successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for a grant of £4,436 towards the cost of equipment for their new in- house maintenance depot. The new depot has helped them slash their maintenance costs and provide a service for other not for profit transport operators in the area.

East Surrey Rural Transport operates from Oxted and currently runs 3 buses. Their main expense is maintenance of their vehicles and they approached Surrey Hills LEADER for funding to fit out a redundant rural building as a bus maintenance depot. They received 50% of the costs of lifting equipment, drills, workbenches, jacks and pullies.

The new depot has allowed them to undertake all their own maintenance and they are also able to offer the service to other community vehicles (mini-buses etc.) on a not-for-profit basis. This will help boost use of the workshop, provide employment and keep customer ticket prices low.

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Faurefold - East Surrey Girl Guides

Faurefold is an eleven acre site managed by South Eastern Guiding and used for youth groups throughout the year for activity days and camping. They received £3,720 after a successful application to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme. The site lacked level, clear grounds for groups to camp on. The money has enabled them to continue their site improvements by levelling and clearing their camping area. Many more young people have now be able to take advantage of the facilities.

South Eastern Guiding had recently taken over the site in Westcott which has been seriously neglected for the past 10 years. Since taking over the volunteers, numbering in excess of 60, have put in a car park, erected new sheds for storage and cleared some of the over grown land. The camping space was previously limited and the grant allowed the group to have the camping site levelled and improve the ground. By levelling this area the children have a place to pitch much larger tents and also a flat space for activities. Contracters removed earth from the higher end of the slope and used it on the lower end to level the area. New top soil was added and then the area seeded.

Since completion, the guides have been able to increase their advertising of the site for hire and this in turn has increased its usage as well as running more activity days such as Geo Caching, Bat Watching, Ornithology Days and Den Building.

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Lawnsmead Hall

Lawnsmead Hall in Wonersh was granted £5,265 towards the cost of hall refurbishment and improvements. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant money has enabled the hall to host many village activities such as cinema nights, theatre suppers as well as be available for hire for parties and special events.

Lawnsmead Hall has been a community space for villagers since 1890 when it was built. It has three separate rooms and a large kitchen. The two smaller rooms have recently been refurbished and are now being used by many members of the community including Age Concern who run a lunch club and a coffee shop which has just opened one day a week with great success.

The main hall was shabby and old fashioned in comparison and although current users of the hall such as the Girl Guides still used the facilities the space was underutilised. The 60% LEADER grant helped pay for more furniture as well as redecoration, electrics and floor restoration.

Refurbishing the Hall has enabled it to market its facilities and attract new users. They have made the space available for family parties/celebrations as well as being attractive to small businesses for training and meetings. The Parish Council are committed and very keen to make the hall a centre for village activities and have been extremely encouraged by the response to the refurbishment of the smaller rooms. They will work to actively promote events to use all the community spaces together such as theatre performances at the Village Hall and supper afterwards at Lawnsmead.

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Trees and Beams

With over 20 years experience in forestry and estate work, the proprietor of Trees and Beams, a forestry contracting business, successfully approached the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £8,499 towards the purchase of a small portable sawmill. His new equipment has allowed him to produce the smooth polished planks that he needs to expand the artisan wooden building side of his business.

With successful building projects such as the Visitor Centre at Alice Holt already completed, the vision of his business is to produce added value wooden buildings and products from the woodlands he manages through his tree surgeon business. He believes that there is a market for small log cabins/wooden garden offices as well as other small buildings and wants to focus on producing these high quality products rather than just woodchip and logs. His buildings will use as much local wood as much as possible and his order book includes projects for Surrey Wildlife Trust, private clients in Winterfold, the Hurtwood Estate, National Trust and leads from his building work in Devon.

The new portable sawmill, 50% funded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme offers flexibility. The equipment allows him to offer a different service from large commercial tree surgeons and he has already been sub- contracted to undertake work for larger tree surgeons. He is also able to hire out himself and the machine to other foresters. Next year he is hoping to take on a full time apprentice.

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Rebecca Jane

Rebecca Jane, an eco-conscious design store specialising in custom made handbags and jewellery successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £854 towards the purchase of new sewing machines. She now runs workshops in handbag design and spreads the message of using reclaimed materials to make unique pieces.

Based at Smithbrook Kilns near Cranleigh, Rebecca Jane has a background in fashion design and after graduating worked for accessory designers. It was here she discovered her love of creating unique handbags and accessories from reclaimed leather and vintage fabrics.

Moving into her new retail workshop last year gave her the ability to sell and manufacture on the same site. Having hand made over 3500 handbags, Rebecca Jane was keen to expand the buiness and move its focus to running workshops in handbag design. The second industrial machine has been key to this plan as have been the extra, smaller, domestic machines that can be moved to take advantage of larger workshop facilities at the next door pottery firing centre. The grant has helped to bring the message about using reclaimed materials to a wider audience through her workshops and has put her business onto a sounder economic basis in the process.

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Hambledon Village Shop

Hambledon Village Shop, a community enterprise, run and owned by village residents, is now able to support more local farmers thanks to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme.

The LEADER scheme was approached for help by a Trustee who requested a grant of £10,000 to provide new chillers and freezer equipment. Now the shop is supplying customers with fruit, vegetables and meat sourced from local farmers and growers.

The shop, which is has been owned and run by the community for 18 years, is staffed by more than 50 volunteers who each give up two hours each fortnight to work at the shop. A trust was set up in 2003 to buy the shop’s freehold and secure its future. Because all the villagers have a stake in the shop, it has become a real focal point and social centre to the village, providing not just a Post Office and shop but a heart to village life.

The villagers have further plans for development with a coffee shop and communal meeting space in the pipeline.

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Surrey County Agricultural Society

Surrey County Agricultural Society (S.C.A.S) turned to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for help with publicising its Farm and Food Week. They were awarded a grant of £1020 to produce a leaflet. This comprehensive leaflet containing the events of the week was produced and used to encourage members of the public to visit the farms and see what it is all about.

The Farm and Food Week was actually nine days of activities designed to raise the profile of local food producers, farm shops, farmers markets and local food festivals. Farm and Food Week helped to build relationships between the Society, its members and the rural community which benefitted directly from raised awareness by local customers. The week comprised of a range of events but also included walks on farms which would not normally be open to the public.

By raising the profile of local producers and the outlets by which they sell their produce, the event raised awareness of the role of producers in both food production and care of the countryside. It also encouraged the use of fewer food miles by promoting the purchase of local produce.

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Rob’s Woodlands

The Merrist Wood trained owner of Rob’s Woodlands had been restoring woodland around Merrow Downs, near Guildford for the past four years. Untouched since the Second World War, the woods were densely packed with poor quality wood. Now, thanks to Rob’s coppicing business the woods are gradually returning to a healthy managed coppice, rich in wildlife.

In order to be even more effective, Rob needed a trailer and winch, to make the coppicing more successful. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to support Rob’s business by awarding him £1,394 towards the machinery.

Rob was able to make the business more sustainable by using waste wood from the woodland management into a wide range of products such as fence posts and hurdles. He also supplies charcoal, plant support wigwams, beanpoles and pea sticks, hazel hurdles, stakes and binders for hedge laying, thumb sticks, chestnut post and rail fencing and logs for fuel. Rob also offers a coppicing, coppice restoration, woodland management and hedge laying service.

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Rob’s Woodlands

The owner of Rob’s Woodlands made a second successful application to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for a grant of £5,276 towards the purchase of a road-towable, self-powered firewood processor for use in conjunction with woodland work. The processor is taken on site and timber converted to logs. The new equipment enables Rob to provide a mobile firewood processing service to both domestic and commercial customers. It has also provided a service which was lacking in the area, a mobile unit with the flexibility of operation from wherever it is towed.

Rob has a thriving business providing logs by the trailer load to a well established customer base. The old firewood production method involved using a logs plitter and chainsaw. This was a time consuming and strenuous process. The new processor, 50% funded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, has speeded up the process considerably and reduced exposure to chainsaw hand-vibration. This has freed up Rob’s time to secure additional work.

This project offered significant benefits to the environment in terms of enabling a dedicated woodland worker to carry out the maximum possible coppice restoration work through making the wood processing aspect of his work as efficient as possible.

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P+L Forestry

P and L Forestry’s woodland management business has grown over 20 years and now provides work for four full time people. Low grade round wood is a by- product of this business, which includes coppicing, thinning timber, ride creation, removal of exotic species, processing and retailing firewood, WGS contracts for SSSIs, tree planting and maintenance.

For the past eight years, the company has been supplying this round wood as a wood fuel to the local community. This involves the wood being harvested one winter, stacked roadside for 3-16 months, hauled to the yard and stacked as round wood for processing over the summer months into bulk bags for deliveries the next winter.

Space for stockpiling round wood and processed timber had run out and to produce quality seasoned logs in higher volumes a new agricultural barn for air drying and storage was needed. In order to maximize space, the wood needed to be stacked higher than at present. This required a telehandler with timber grapple and log deck for loading.

By supporting the business with an award of £31,079 towards the storage facility and telehander, the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to help him:

 Increase supply of local firewood to local residents  Increase revenue for woodland owners from the low grade round wood  Support rural employment harvesting, processing and delivering firewood  Increase awareness of woodlands, their importance coppice management  Manage important natural woodlands and restore neglected woodland

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Arbuthnot Village Hall

Arbuthnot Village Hall, in Shamley Green was struggling to make ends meet. Its older facilities meant that it was not attracting enough individuals and organisations to hire it out. The Surrey LEADER Grant Scheme awarded the Association running the hall £7,000 towards the cost of the modernisation of:  toilet and changing facilities,  a new kitchen and essential cooking equipment,  new storage facilities  new front doors.

These new facilities mean that, as well as the youth and cricket clubs and other local organisations, the Hall is now seen as an attractive and modern facility which can be hired out by outside organisations and by private individuals for functions and parties. This means an improved revenue stream for the upkeep of the hall whilst providing modern, comfortable facilities for the local community.

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Bury Hill Fisheries

A grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme of £22,836 has been awarded to Bury Hill Fisheries, in Westcott near Dorking, to enable the business to diversify into wood fuel and produce a year round income. The money, which was awarded as the result of two separate applications has contributed towards the cost of a barn, log deck, firewood processor and telehandler, The awards enabled the business to fully utilise its staff in a year-round capacity.

The awards means that the company, which is one of the country’s most successful day ticket coarse fisheries, is now able to produce a reliable supply of quality dry seasoned firewood using timber from both the Bury Hill estate as well as cordwood bought in from local sources. This wood is then delivered within the Surrey area.

The project benefits the owners and managers of local woodlands by providing an outlet for their timber. This has the ongoing benefit of ensuring the sustainable management of Surrey woodlands, benefiting biodiversity and people. It also benefits a number of local garden centres interested in selling bulk firewood to their customers.

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Albury Estate

The Albury Estate, near Guildford, successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £4,400 towards the cost of a firewood processing machine. This equipment has enabled firewood production to be increased significantly and helps the Estate to go some way towards meeting Surrey’s growing demand, which is not presently being met. By enabling the Estate to devote more time and money to manage the woodland, biodiversity has been encouraged and access to the woodland has been improved.

The Albury Estate successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £4,400 towards the £12,500 cost of a new firewood processing machine, allowing the Estate to maximise the value of its low grade hardwood timber, which can only viably be used for firewood. The demand for the Estate’s firewood has almost trebled over the past five years and now production has been significantly improved enabling the estate to go some way towards meeting Surrey’s increasing demand.

Despite the Surrey Hills being one of the country’s most wooded areas, very little of its native woodland is managed and the majority of the wood resource goes unused. The new machine has helped the Estate to improve this situation. A further benefit is the positive impact on biodiversity and access to the woodland, resulting from the greater woodland management ability of the Estate.

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Snoxhall Fields Adult Fitness Equipment

The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme has awarded in excess of £4,577 to Cranleigh Parish Council for a scheme to help bring all ages of the community together. The money has been used by the Parish Council to buy three pieces of outdoor exercise equipment for use by the over-18s. It is part of a Play Park at Snoxhall Fields that also provides a children’s play park and a nature area. It is hoped that the equipment is helping increase fitness levels of adults, providing an activity area for older teenagers and allowing all ages to enjoy the outdoors together.

The exercise equipment, together with the other aspects of the Play Park, is promoting healthy lifestyles for all, ensuring that no age group is missed out. Although it was intended that senior members of the community will use the equipment, young people over 18 had been particularly poorly catered for in Cranleigh and as they often could not afford things like gym membership. Now the adult exercise equipment is accessible to all, with clear usage instructions and is providing a health and social opportunity not presently available to young people.

Hopefully the provision of equipment for older teenagers is leading to a decrease in antisocial behaviour by providing a new sense of place for the area and encouraging community pride.

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Ben Nicholson Tree Services

Ben Nicholson has been awarded £27,482 by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme - half the cost of buying a second-hand wood-chipper for his tree services business. Previously Ben’s business involved managing woodland, including thinning wooded areas, clearing land for replanting, tree surgery, sawmilling and the provision of firewood. The purchase of the wood-chipper means that wood not suitable for turning into logs and which previously would have been mulched or burnt, is now being turned into chippings and sold as locally sourced biofuel. Ben’s business involves the management of woodland, including thinning out trees, land clearance for replanting or change of use, tree surgery and sawmilling.

He was able to sell the larger pieces of wood resulting from his work as logs and the smallest twigs are already chipped, but until the grant he was not able to find a sustainable use for the medium-sized waste wood i.e. smaller trunks and branches. They were broken down into small pieces which were then spread across ground or removed and dumped as waste or burnt. As a result of the new machine this wood is being put to good use by being turned into woodchip and sold locally as a biofuel. Ben also offers a chipping service to local tree surgery businesses. This means visiting the tree surgeons yard, chipping their waste arising and removing them as woodchip. A charge is made for the service, thus adding to his income.

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Ben Nicholson Tree Services

Ben Nicholson successfully applied for a second grant from Surrey Hills LEADER. The £31,076 he received part paid for a new band sawmill enabling Ben to optimally produce timber and new products

Ben has 12 years experience providing site and tree clearance services. Any suitable timber is salvaged for use in the saw mill, producing beams, boarding, fencing and firewood products. A mobile sawmill service is offered where timber can be processed on site.

The company already owns specialist equipment to undertake domestic and commercial tree work from lopping branches to tree removal and stump grinding but it needed additional equipment to utilise raw materials more efficiently and produce different types of product. 40% of the cost of a new hydraulic lifting band saw mill was funded by Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme.

The new band sawmill is be used alongside the existing mill to produce beams and planks up to 51”by 51”. This has increased the product range of the company and enables this side of the business to grow. The new band sawmill is also less labour intensive to use as it is equipped with hydraulic loading capability. It also gives Ben capacity to buy in and process additional timber from local estates and woodlands.

Use of the new machinery will enable the company to reduce waste further – they already operate a no burn policy - making maximum use of wood waste for woodfuel options.

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New House Farm

New House Farm successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for nearly £20,323 to help convert a 100 year old barn into storage and stable units at their premises in Newdigate.

They are now bringing in a rental income from the barn to help ensure the 200 acre farm’s viability, as well as providing sought after storage premises for local businesses. In addition they have ensured that this prominent historic barn is retained for future generations.

Five generations of the same family have been farming New House Farm and they wanted to ensure that the farm remained viable for generations to come.

The barn occupies a prominent roadside position in Newdigate and its conversion has ensured that it will remain part of the historic local landscape. It now adds to the farm’s viability by bringing in rent and provides local businesses with sought-after storage premises. It has also been granted planning permission for workshops meaning that it has multiple uses, further ensuring its long term viability as a source of income.

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New House Farm

New House Farm successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER team for a second investment into the 200 acre farm. The family had been looking at a variety of diversification initiatives, one of which was the sale of woodfuel. In order to expand sales they needed a storage area for cut wood as well as space for log production. Surrey Hills LEADER was able to award £7049 towards the cost of erecting a new barn.

Five generations of the family have run New House Farm in Newdigate and they have been implementing non- agricultural projects to enable the farm to remain intact and viable for generations to come. With 20 acres of woodland as part of their land, the family wanted to expand their burgeoning woodfuel business which generates an additional source of income in the quieter winter months.

Building on their experience of selling logs at the farm gate they needed additional, dry, indoor space to expand production. The Surrey Hills LEADER grant programme was able to fund 50% of the cost of a new barn to aid dry storage of timber as well as providing a working site for the tractor and log splitter used in log production. They have hence expanded their customer base locally as well as supplying pubs, farm shops and the Woodstove Centre.

Not only does the project provide a winter source of income and employment for the farm it is also aiding the sustainable development and management of Surrey’s woodlands.

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Outwood Cricket Club

When Outwood Cricket Club needed to develop its 120-year-old pavilion, they were significantly short of the sum needed to build an adequate clubhouse. As one of only two public buildings in the village, the pavilion was used for community events, as well as for the cricket club. In order to enable the new building to generate an income and to provide a much needed village facility, the Surrey LEADER Grant Scheme awarded the club £9959 towards the cost of its new kitchen and bar area.

Outwood Cricket Club raised over £300,000 to develop its 120 year-old wooden pavilion. The club managed to raise the majority of the money through fundraising activities and the Surrey LEADER Grant Scheme provided funds towards the cost of a new kitchen and bar area. The application qualified for an award under the scheme as without these facilities the club would have been unable to generate an income from the new pavilion nor would it have been able to provide a much-needed facility to the village.

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Sondes Place Farm

Sondes Place Farm had been producing logs as wood fuel from its 45 acre woodland for a while but was limited by a lack of seasoning space for the logs and the capacity of its wood processor. The family could see the potential to expand the business and so applied to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £22,575, half the cost of providing a new barn, timber deck and log processor. Now they are able to continue with their plans to manage their neglected woodland and are in a position to provide employment for contractors who provide this service. They are also selling locally produced logs to the retail and wholesale markets.

Sondes Place Farm in Dorking mainly specialised in livestock – sheep, suckling cows, Gloucester Old Spot pigs and free range eggs. They had also been selling a small amount of logs for firewood from their 45 acres of woodland. Thanks to money from Surrey Hills LEADER they are now producing more logs, going some way to meeting existing local demand. They are also selling directly to the public and to local garden centres and pubs.

In addition they have been able to start to restore their neglected 45 acre woodland which means they have been able to provide work for several local contractors who specialise in woodland management, thus both providing a sustainable fuel for local markets as well as ensuring continued local employment.

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Sondes Place Farm

Following successful LEADER investment in a drying barn and wood processor, the family from Sondes Place Farm, Westcott approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a second grant of £1385 towards the purchase of a tipping trailer. Demand for firewood has increased and to help boost delivery capacity they applied for funds for a new trailer to allow multiple deliveries.

This family farming business has embraced diversification to help boost profitability including, new farming products – free range eggs, pedigree pigs and new ways of selling – boxed lamb, along with the increasingly profitable firewood business.

The farm processes wood from its own woodland and other nearby woods into logs for local retail and wholesale markets. They received a LEADER grant in 2009 for the purchase of a drying barn, log processor and timber deck. The firewood business has grown well in response to the increased capacity this facilitated.

They were successful in applying for 50% of the cost of a 2 tonne capacity tipping trailer to increase delivery capacity. This has enabled efficiency of delivery – multiple customer orders can be carried and reduced return journeys to the yard. The firewood business has grown rapidly in the last year and small delivery capacity was adversely affecting profits. Additionally, customers can now receive larger, more preferable loads.

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Garden Pride

Garden Pride was awarded £11,500 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme – half the cost of a tractor needed to cut and transport wood from land at Leigh, near Dorking. The owner, who already runs Garden Pride, a garden design and build business, wanted to expand his rustic wood garden furniture business, which he had already set up as part of Garden Pride. To do this he needed a tractor that could incorporate interchangeable machinery to enable him to extract the wood from his land more efficiently.

The Proprietor was keen to expand his rustic wood garden furniture business. He has two areas of woodland at Leigh, near Dorking, but was struggling to extract enough wood from them without the proper machinery. He applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme matched his own investment into a compact 4x4 tractor which accepts interchangeable heads. These features have allowed for other machinery to be attached, maximising the tractor’s use.

The new tractor has enabled him to access wood on a year round basis, something he was not able to do before. It has also made the process of extraction quicker and more efficient.

Long term plans include the development of a charcoal operation, composting system and renovation of existing polytunnels as a specialist native tree nursery. The award by Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme, has helped to ensure the viability of the business, as well as ensuring continued employment for his staff and ensuring local woodlands are managed efficiently. It has also enabled locally produced furniture to be sold in and around Surrey.

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St Bartholomew’s Church

The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme has awarded £2,700 to St Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Burstow towards the cost of repairing rotten timbers. The Grade 1 listed building, which dates back 1000 years, is the hub for many community activities both in Burstow and for neighbouring Smallfield. Parishioners had already raised in excess of £18,000 towards the bill and the grant will mean that the church can concentrate on providing community activities rather than devoting all its energy to fundraising.

St Bartholomew’s Parish Church in Burstow is much more than a place of worship. It also provides facilities for many village activities including a nursery, Scout group and is used by schools, a support group and many other activities. So when it needed extensive repairs, it successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for a small proportion of the cost.

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Harvest Wood Fuels Ltd

Harvest Wood Fuels was the only wood pellet production facility in the South East. Demand for pellets is growing rapidly, with local customers wanting to install viable, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel boilers such as biomass boilers in their homes. In order to keep up with demand, the proprietor needed to buy a new telehandler which would enable him to better utilise his staff and increase productivity. The Surrey LEADER Grant Scheme was able to award him £18,787 – half the sum needed for the new equipment.

As the only wood pellet production facility in the South East, Harvest Wood Fuels at Tilford was struggling to meet demand and the business needed to buy a telehandler which has enabled staff to unload the raw material sawdust used to make the pellets from the 20 foot shipping container where it is stored. At the time this task was carried out by hand – a time consuming and inefficient process.

The project qualified for the funding because it:

 Provides locals wanting to install a viable, cost effective and sustainable alternative to oil and gas fired boilers with the product they require.  Benefits woodland owners and managers by providing a market for raw materials  Benefits woodlands, allowing increased management leading to increased amenity and wildlife  Provides education in the form of tours of the woodfuel production facility

 Reduces CO2 emissions through the use of renewable fuel.

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Wey and Arun Canal

With £21,750 from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant programme, the Wey and Arun Canal Trust has now dredged a section of the canal, furthering their aim to achieve the restoration, as a public amenity, of the navigable link between the Rivers Wey and Arun, and so recreate the direct water link between London and the South Coast. Following dredging, they will establish a public boat operation ultimately turning this section of the canal into a popular tourist destination.

So far, The Trust has reached agreement with landowners that restoration work could take place on over half the 23-mile total length and already, twenty one bridges have been reconstructed, two aqueducts reconstructed, eleven locks restored, culverts rebuilt and several miles of canal bed cleared and dredged. This section of the canal, near Dunsfold, dredged with 75% funding from Surrey Hills LEADER is another link in the chain.

The Trust will shortly be able to build a turning circle, and construct a boat landing stage and slip way. Once completed they will extend their programme of public trips, special charters and cruises and bring valuable income to the charity as well as attracting more visitors to the area.

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Village Greens Farm Shop at Denbies

The owners of the successful Village Greens farm shop in Ockley were keen to expand their operations but were restricted by space at their current premises. They recently took over the lease at the farm shop at Denbies Vineyard to add second retail outlet to their portfolio.

They successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £15,414 towards the cost of new refrigeration and chilled display cabinets to enable them to showcase local deli produce. With a philosophy of local, natural, ethical, they are attracting local 'foodies' to the new shop as well as catering to the large number of day visitors to the Vineyard by offering an exciting range of top quality Surrey Hills produce.

Village Greens had been looking to expand their operations for some time and were delighted to take over the lease at the Denbies site in December 2012. They were keen to replicate their successful range of local produce stocked in Ockley and needed new chilled display cabinets and fridges. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme awarded 50% of the cost of the new deli counter, meat counter and self service fridges. With a policy of selling products produced within a 30 mile radius, the new equipment was essential in maintaining freshness and providing an inviting display of Surrey Hills produce for customers.

They are also re-generating the Victorian walled garden at Denbies and will grow their own vegetables and seedlings. The new shop and garden will make the whole business more sustainable, reduce food miles and is offering a showcase for artisan producers across Surrey.

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Tatsfield Allotments

The Tatsfield Horticultural Society having made considerable investment in both time and funds to secure a suitable site and basic infrastructure for community allotments successfully approached the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £11,875 for the provision of a surfaced track, essential to ensure access to these new facilities by all members of the community. The new surfaced area functions as a safe drop off and pick up zone - particularly in relation to the successful village composting facility.

Tatsfield Horticultural Society has a membership of 355 households (approx 40% of the village). The group raise funds to support the Village Britain in Bloom competitions, promotes the village gardening competition, holds regular gardening club meetings (guest speakers etc) and hosts 2 annual shows, well supported by the villagers. Currently over 60 plots are rented.

The Society has provided 2 second hand containers for storage and a sheltered area for people to meet. The centre of the site was earmarked for creation of a community garden and composting area. The garden is grassed with seating and BBQ for social functions and raised beds for teaching.

There is still a strong community demand for allotments and good strength of support from the Horticultural Society. The allotments have enabled members of the community to actively engage with growing their own fruit and vegetables.

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Tatsfield Allotments

With the help of second grant of £2,595 grant from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, members of Tatsfield Allotments are now harvesting their own water thus reducing their water charges and giving them a low cost, sustainable water source. The grant fully funded the purchase of a 10,000 litre water tank fitted into their water ring-main thus allowing rainwater to be pumped to the satellite storage tanks around the site.

Founded in 2011, Tatsfield Allotments have over 60 plots and run a full programme of events and activities for their members. They have large shipping containers on site for storage with a pitched roof. The new large storage tank will enable rainwater coming off the roof to be harvested and re-cycled for use by plot-holders by pumping it around the site. This will save the group water charges of up to £400 per year. It has also brought environmental benefits, helping to establish the group as sustainable and providing them with the opportunity to gain eco credentials. Improvements in infrastructure such as the tank will help them further establish their role as an important facility for the local community.

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Surrey Young Farmers

Surrey Young Farmers successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme funding of £1,052 for the production of promotional equipment. Keen to boost the profile of their organisation, the new promotional banners and flags have given them a much more visible presence at agricultural shows.

Surrey Young Farmers currently has 200 members through 6 clubs and was founded to meet the needs of rural young people through an educational, training and social programme which encourages community involvement and concern for the environment. The programme includes a mix of traditional rural and agricultural activities, sport, art, life and vocational skills for the 10-26 age range. They approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant for the production of flags, folding displays and panel kit so that they will have better visibility at promotional events including Cowpie show that attracts up to 15,000 visitors per year and is run and managed by the Young Farmers themselves. They were granted 80% of the total cost.

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Surrey Hills Brewery

The Surrey Hills Brewery, an award-winning traditional brewery based in the heart of the Surrey Hills was bursting at the seams at its’ old premises in Shere. The business took a decision to move, literally lock stock and barrel to a new home at Denbies Wine Estate, giving them a much greater brewing capacity.

Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to award an £80,000 grant towards the cost of a new brewplant. New premises and equipment has allowed production of bottled beer for the first time as well as enabling visitors to see the brewing process and purchase beer directly from the brewery. Whilst continuing its tradition of being fiercely independent there is also the opportunity in the future to add a new beer to their portfolio, brewed from Denbies grown hops for a truly local, quality pint.. They welcome many visitors to their witty and informative tours of the brewery.

The Brewery was started in 2005 and beer sales have grown steadily until it was operating at full capacity, 2011 saw the brewing at their new premises begin. The grant of £80,000, 40% of the cost of essential new brewing equipment put the business on a firm footing for sustainable growth.

The Surrey Hills Brewery has a great reputation for consistently high quality beer and its move to Denbies and the corresponding increase in capacity and efficiency has ensured their success continues into the future.

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The Merry Harriers Bed and Breakfast

The Merry Harriers, a busy 16th Century pub in Hambledon boasts an impressive range of facilities including campsite and llama trekking business. Keen to expand further, they approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for £8,623 towards the completion of transforming the stable block into bed and breakfast accommodation. They were successful in their application and the new rooms are providing much needed mid price range accommodation in the area boosting pub profits as well as bringing in additional tourist spending.

The proprietors of the Merry Harriers pub have worked extremely hard to update facilities since they purchased the business in 2008. To ensure that the pub became commercially viable they needed funds to provide accommodation for visitors to the area. Using sustainable conversion practices, the derelict building now has a new use.

The pub offers much needed rural accommodation for visitors and tourists which also benefit the village in terms of increased business.

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Manor Farm Belted Galloway Beef

The owners of Manor Farm successfully approached The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £4,036 towards the cost of a refrigerated van to transport their own butchered and packed beef and pork to customers. It is also available to hire for local farmers.

Manor Farm is a traditional mixed farm based in Wotton. Amongst their beef herd are 60 pure bred Belted Galloway sucklers. The herd supports the sale of between 5 and 15 animals each year sold directly to customers through a boxed scheme. The new refrigerated van, 40% of which was funded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme, allows the farm to sell to more commercial outlets such as restaurants, pubs and farm shops. They can also expand their product range to include pork and game in the autumn. Deliveries are now quicker and safer and the butchered meat can also be stored in the van. Chilled storage facilities enable the farm to attend promotional days to help boost sales.

Many local farmers are unable to fulfil butchered meat sales due to the lack of refrigerated transport so the van is a great asset for hire. The farm is hoping its increased sales will lead to an expansion of its Belted Galloway herd which will in turn help more conservation grazing to take place as well as ensuring that this rare breed grows in strength.

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Manor Farm Adult Fitness Equipment

Normandy Parish Council successfully applied for a grant of £5,761 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme towards the provision of adult fitness equipment on its’ Manor Fruit Farm site. Parents can now exercise whilst their children are playing safely and other groups such as teenagers and villagers needing physiotherapy are using the facilities without having to travel.

The Parish Council in Normandy has undertaken a number of developments including installation of a children’s play area. They applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for 34% of funding needed to build an adult fitness training area and hoped that the facilities would appeal to all generations as well as meaning that adults now no longer need to travel into Guildford or take out membership at a health club to access similar equipment.

The funding was used to provide a path, seat, surfacing, bin, fencing, instruction and station signs as well as purchasing 8 pieces of outdoor equipment.

The area has proved to be extremely popular with parents, teenagers and a local Parkinson’s rehabilitation group all using the equipment. A large cross section of the local community is benefitting both from improvements in fitness and availability of a healthy meeting place. The Parish Council is fully committed to maintaining the area which has brought them one step closer to completion of their development plans for the site.

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Lingfield Community Centre

Surrey Hills LEADER was able to award £7,290 to the Lingfield Community Centre towards dividing wall for their main hall.

The aim of the Community Centre is to provide and promote classes, groups, private functions, parish and public meetings and community events for the education, recreation and leisure-time activity of the residents of Lingfield, Dormansland and surrounding area. In addition the Community Centre provides office accommodation for the Lingfield Parish Council, the Lingfield Volunteer Centre, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Surrey Police Authority.

They are now able to split their hall into two separate areas, provide staging equipment for local drama groups and cut the costs of heating due to new loft insulation. The new improvements have given them a greater level of flexibility and the Centre now better meets the needs of its 11,000 users. The grant, which is two thirds of the total cost of improvements, has partly paid for a folding wall, 10 staging units and loft insulation throughout the building.

The centre is a vibrant focus for community groups and the new facilities has helped it remain an important part of the community, raising its profile and maintaining a quality reputation. The project demonstrates an organisation in tune with the needs of its users, striving to provide and appropriate facility and offering its community the space to develop its social activity.

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Ladyland Farm

Ladyland farm is a unique farm learning experience running along-side a mixed farm business. Thanks to a grant of £12,705 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme the owners have been able to accommodate more primary school children on educational visits. This has benefitted both local schools and visitors from further afield. The investment has also lead to additional work experience opportunities on the farm for local school leavers and trainee teachers. The money was used to install extra toilet facilities and erect mobile field shelters to provide additional cover for picnics. Previously hosting approximately 250 school visits per year, the farmers have increased school numbers and have welcomed more public visitors in the summer.

Ladyland Farm dates back to the Tudor times and offers a different kind of educational visit from other farm parks. Their ‘Living Classroom’ covers many school curriculum areas including food and farming, habitats and environment and Tudor life. Due to its popularity some school groups have been turned away as the old picnic area, toilet and wash facilities were insufficient to cope with the numbers of children. The Surrey Hills LEADER grant of £12,705 has enabled the farm to realise its expansion potential and increase its visitor numbers. It is also able to offer placements for secondary school children interested in careers in farming and veterinary surgery and for qualifying teachers at University.

With previous experience of developing their business, the farmers were awarded half the costs of the project. As a result of LEADER investment, the business has expanded its current activities enabling more children to benefit from visits as well as boosting the local economy through increased trade for suppliers.

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Local Food Logistics

The owner of Local Food Logistics successfully applied for a £10,125 grant towards the purchase of a chiller van for deliveries of fresh and frozen food to a network of local shops. He is now able to offer a comprehensive delivery service for local producers and provides greater choice and availability of local products for consumers.

The proprietor has had nearly 10 years experience in supplying farm shops and delicatessens and saw an opportunity to deliver chilled local produce.

Having sourced a quality second hand refrigerated van, Surrey Hills LEADER contributed 50% towards its purchase. This has enabled him to establish a micro food hub in Surrey – sourcing local produce for shops and enabling Surrey food companies to develop due to the reduction of logistical challenges.

This is an exciting development in the region as it provides a delivery service, develops a network of local producers, improves choice and availability of local goods and reduces food miles due to multiple deliveries. It also gives producers and retailers an opportunity to work together through joint promotions, feedback and retail food fairs thus spreading the word about quality Surrey Hills goods throughout the region.

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Honeysuckle Bottom Sawmill

The proprietor successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for a £13,614 grant towards a tele-handler for his sawmill. He is now able to process larger sizes of timber to customer requirements and increase the variety of his services.

Honeysuckle Bottom Sawmill was established in 1985 and provides an invaluable service to local woodland owners. They specialise in European oak, locally grown sweet chestnut, larch, western red cedar and Douglas fir. They have a wide product range that includes: oak beams and mantels; featheredge and waneyedge cladding; green oak timber framed buildings; garden pergolas; gazebos and furniture and solid timber flooring. The owner approached LEADER for 40% of the funding for a new tele-handler to enable him to handle larger timber and have greater flexibility. He can now handle large weights and sizes currently not accommodated by any other local sawmill.

This long standing business offers a unique local service – the ability to process large sized timber much of which is provided by local woodland owners/managers. This ensures good returns for both the woodland owner and the business as it reduces transportation costs. This new Tele-handler ensures a viable facility located within the Surrey Hills, beneficial to the woodland management sector. It also helps to promote the use of local timber in the building trade with good quality products available locally.

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Normandy Community Therapy Garden

Surrey Hills LEADER grant scheme awarded £28,000 towards to cost of erecting a new building. This includes classrooms, admin areas, toilets, rest rooms, kitchen, stores and shop.

The Normandy Therapy Garden currently benefits over 500 people per year especially those who have any form of disability or learning difficulty. It provides a unique range of learning opportunities including being a centre of delivery for Vocational Training in Horticulture. The new building has enabled the charity to increase its programme of activity, develop an on-site shop to sell produce from the garden and provide a high quality environment in which to teach and learn.

Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme contributed 64% of funds towards the new timber frame building which is in keeping with the bowls and archery club also on the Manor Fruit Farm site. The project qualified for funding because:

 More young people and adults with mental health problems, special needs, learning difficulties and physical difficulties can access the gardens’ services  The Local community is benefitting through the direct sales from the shop  The building is available for hire in the evenings offering a much needed community facility as well as generating revenue for the charity  Additional space has allowed the centre to build on existing activity programmes e.g.: new skills for Working Life courses focusing on Retailing and Catering.

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Furnistore

Furnistore, a charity that sources and distributes second hand furniture, successfully applied for a £11,499 grant from The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme towards the purchase of a new van. The vehicle allows them to extend their reach to more low income families in rural Surrey, increase work experience opportunities and reduce landfill. The scheme has been running for over 10 years and its mission is to provide good quality furniture and household goods at affordable prices to families and individuals within East Surrey. By collecting unwanted items, they reduce the volume of domestic waste in landfills whilst providing support and work experience for volunteers.

Furnistore was already operating one van but needed a second van to increase their reach and they applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for 59% of the costs of a new, fuel efficient vehicle. The new van has enabled them to expand their region to include 15 new rural communities in Mole Valley. This is a unique service in the Surrey Hills area and the upgraded transport has helped improve the quality of life for deprived families in difficult circumstances.

The new vehicle needs less maintenance and is more fuel efficient. Also the new area is helping to increase donations, thus increasing supply of saleable stock and improving the charities income. These extra collections will divert an additional 20 tons from landfill per year.

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Plantation Pigs

Plantation Pigs was awarded £4,120 by the Surrey Hills LEADER grant scheme towards a laptop and marketing equipment to develop their business.

Plantation Pigs Ltd is an established farm business producing and distributing high value pork carcasses to 100 high quality independent butchers in the UK.

Plantation Pigs has several processed goods in its product range – free range bacon, gammon and ham are produced off site from its own pigs.

It is also unique in its delivery infrastructure, sales skills and customer relationships, along with its authenticity as a farmer producer focusing on the top end of the market.

The company was keen to improve their marketing and also increase efficiency in the office allowing for additional customers to be served.

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Frensham Village Shop

Frensham Village Shop, a community interest company, successfully applied for a Surrey Hills LEADER grant of £6,356 towards their move to permanent premises. This essential village amenity is currently run by 3 paid staff and 50 local volunteers and is well used and strongly supported by the local community. Their move to a purpose built building has enabled the shop to serve villagers with an increased range of products and services and provided a new and attractive environment for customers and staff.

The villages of Frensham and Dockenfield have a high regard for their shop and post office and when it was forced to move due to the closure of its original premises they bought a temporary portacabin for short term use. When planning permission for the portacabin expired alternative, permanent accommodation was essential for the shop’s continued existence. The Management Committee approached LEADER for a grant towards the new shop flooring and CCTV and was successful in achieving 100% of the required funds.

Both shop and storage area have increased capacity enabling both range and services to be expanded, with particular emphasis on locally sourced products. The shop and post office can now continue being the hub of the community providing weekly and top up shopping, speciality produce and post office services for all.

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Clock Barn Farm

Clock Barn Farm has been successfully hosting wedding receptions and parties in its modern and elegantly converted potato barn. They were awarded £17,003 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme to help convert a further building into a civil ceremony room to enable them to offer a full wedding package. The new facility allows them to be fully competitive in the market and hence take advantage of enquiries that they previously turned away due to lack of provision for civil ceremonies.

A wedding reception venue had been created catering for up to 100 people and the business of weddings, christenings and birthday parties has been growing over the last two years. The owners were finding that couples wanted to have their ceremony at the reception location and were having to turn away up to one third of their enquires. They successfully applied for a grant of 50% of the cost of converting an unused workshop into a civil ceremony and bride’s room to be able to offer a full wedding service.

Not only has the farm’s business grown but local companies have also benefitted from the development. Local timber merchants, building suppliers and tradesmen have been hired during the building work process and local caterers, florists, bands etc. have more work due to the increase in weddings at the venue.

The farm now has capacity for the growth it needs and the local community has benefitted through increased business and a new venue for meetings and activities.

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Cut and Dried Fruit Ltd

Thanks to a grant of over £9,826 from Surrey Hills LEADER, Cut and Dried Fruit Ltd has grown its cottage business into a going concern supplying up to 100 local outlets with a range of dried fruit and vegetable crisps. The enterprise dehydrates packs and sells overripe or excess fruit and root vegetables from local farm shops. Demand for product has been good and the grant funded 50% of the expansion plans. Money has been spent on new equipment and marketing including a website, professional packaging and point of sale material.

Cut and Dried Fruit Ltd was established in 2007 in Ockley. The fruit and root vegetables are cut & dried and packed with no additives, no preservatives, no frying or salting.

Surrey Hills LEADER was able to contribute 50% of the costs involved in procuring equipment to increase production, providing a dedicated work area and developing a professional marketing strategy. The business has moved into its own workspace sufficient to run 20 dehydrators with automated cutting and peeling machinery which has reduced production time. Business expansion has generated a new job, has helped offer a better service to suppliers and established the business as a producer of a high quality Surrey Hills product.

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Dynamic Adventures

Dynamic Adventures successfully applied for a grant of £5,249 towards equipment to help build their Surrey Hills Safaris. As an established outdoor pursuit provider the company wanted to expand into the tourist market and needed funds to purchase new bikes, canoes and tents. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to fund 50% of the cost of new equipment enabling the business to offer high quality Surrey Hills Safaris for members of the public. Dynamic Adventures is an outdoor adventure company which specialises in a wide variety of outdoor adventure activities including Duke of Edinburgh training, mountain biking, kayaking, orienteering, camping and first aid training. The business has been running for 11 years and its original customer base was predominantly school groups. They identified a new business opportunity which was the provision of Surrey Safaris offering weekend activities to families and individuals.

The provision of updated equipment has enabled them to offer a first class experience for a different customer base. It draws in new visitors to the area and raises the profile of the Surrey Hills. Dynamic Adventures have plans to work with other local businesses in the development of the Safari packages linking to farm shops, tea rooms and accommodation providers.

Their expansion plans, facilitated partly by the Surrey Hills LEADER grant, ensured that the Surrey Hills retains its reputation for offering high quality services and experiences for tourists.

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The Evelyn Hall

The Evelyn Hall voluntary committee successfully applied for a £11,878 grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for the completion of a major refurbishment and building programme. Improvements made to the Hall have increased its hire ability, and improved its chances of being self sustaining.

The Hall is an Arts and Crafts building, built in the 19th century and an essential element of the local community being used for celebrations, group meetings and a Nursery School. There has been a huge fundraising effort by local residents and different users of the Hall to build a new amenities block and improve its general state of repair.

The voluntary committee who run the Hall approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant to install an energy efficient boiler and to paint the shabby exterior woodwork and hall interior. The £11,878 grant has restored the exterior Arts and Crafts woodwork, brought the interior into line with the new building work and the boiler has ensured efficient and cost effective heating.

The committee and local residents have made a huge effort to fundraise over 3 years and the LEADER grant has enabled the hall to be completed. A new marketing plan has been developed to promote the refurbished hall so that it becomes a sustainable village asset for all local residents to use in the future.

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Chaldon Court Farm

Chaldon Court Farm successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for over £27,246 to purchase a large mobile grain dryer and pre cleaner coupled with a generator and grain holding pit. Now the farm has improved the quality of their own grain as well as offering a hire service to a network of local farmers to enable them to produce a premium product. The LEADER Grant Scheme funded 40% of the project that has provided a piece of agricultural infrastructure currently lacking in the Surrey Hills.

Chaldon Court Farm wanted to increase the quality and value of his grain products and develop new markets. New crop certification regulations meant that the old drying system was inefficient. The new dryer, pre cleaner, generator and grain holding pit is used to dry his own grain and hired out to other local farmers. The farmer had already secured an agreement with 4 farmers and a local feed mill so extra income was guaranteed.

Not only has the new equipment boosted income but it also brought savings in terms of less penalty claims (for lower quality grain), lower drying costs, higher quality premium payments for grain, lower energy costs and reduced transport costs. It has ensured a better working environment for workers drying the grain. The investment has brought significant wider benefits as local producers can add value to their own products hence making farm businesses more competitive. On an environmental level it also helps eliminate high fuel consumption associated with transport of grain for drying and with the old inefficient drying system.

66

Oak on Oak

Oak on Oak was started as a hobby and as a result of £9,800 awarded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme this hardwood milling business has now developed into a profitable going concern. Oak on Oak supplies local building restoration and construction companies and boat building yards with locally grown oak and other hardwoods from Forestry Commission sources. The owner has had 28 years of experience in wooden boat restoration and has also worked with the business’s large wood mill for 6 years. The grant has enabled him to purchase equipment for handling timber, expanding the main business as well as boosting firewood sales.

The owner has made a significant personal investment into the existing equipment but needed additional funds to cut down transportation costs. The new grab crane and trailer transporter, 50% funded by Surrey Hills LEADER has allowed

 The business focus to be shifted to a larger market – the provision of specialist timber for renovation and construction  The firewood business to expand thus providing the local community with locally sourced wood fuel  Better utilisation of by products such as materials for bio fuels and timber for other yards

The proprietor now has the ability to transport trees, final product and waste wood himself, therefore increasing efficiency, improving the range of products available and providing the opportunity to enter into collaboration with other local businesses.

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Old Kiln Light Railway

The Old Kiln Light Railway, part of the Rural Life Centre in Tilford was awarded a Surrey Hills LEADER grant of £4,100 towards the construction of a 3rd platform. This improved facility has attracted new visitors leading to increased turnover for both the Rural Life Centre and the Railway.

The Rural Life Centre and Old Kiln Light Railway offer a unique facility in Surrey – promoting the farming and industrial heritage of the area in an accessible and engaging manner. The Railway currently carries about 2000 visitors each year and they aimed to increase visitor numbers by a further 350 due to the new platform with resulting significant benefits for their cash flow.

The railway is wholly independent of the main museum. It is run, owned and funded by a small group of enthusiasts and is entirely self financing. Income comes from the individual members and from train fares and public donations. It is the only 2 foot narrow gauge railway in Surrey.

The track runs for half a mile through woodland and picnic areas and the Surrey Hills LEADER grant enables visitors to take advantage of the woodland walks and picnic areas situated at the end of the line. The project helps the Railway to attract more groups of less able visitors by providing improved facilities, extended track and greater options in terms of getting on and off the trains.

As the site is maintained by volunteers the additional facilities will help preserve and pass on valuable engineering skills through the maintenance of an active railway.

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Pitchfont Farm

Pitchfont Farm wanted to expand their local butchery supply as well as their Titsey Beef box scheme. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme funded 50% of the cost of a new refrigerated trailer to enable the farm to deliver to a wider customer base. This grant of £5,062 has helped the farm improve its retail sales, cut down on delivery costs and has opened up opportunities for selling at farmers markets and local events.

Having changed business priority from dairy to beef, the 600 acre Pitchfont Farm wanted to expand its boxed beef enterprise. Purchasing a refrigerated trailer with money from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme has helped achieve this aim. The new trailer increased the Farm’s capacity for both delivering carcasses to the abattoir and delivering boxed beef to customers (in compliance with food hygiene regulations). The new trailer has facilitated attendance at local events and farmers markets and helped sell directly to the public. Surrey Hills LEADER were able to award 50% of the costs of the trailer to help Pitchfont Farm become more economically resilient, make local beef available to a wider surrey community and reduce food miles through the use of a local abattoir.

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S. O. Tingle

The owner of S.O. Tingle, a bespoke furniture business was awarded £3,173 from The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme towards the purchase of new manufacturing equipment. Keen to put this burgeoning furniture design business on a more professional footing, he successfully approached LEADER for a grant to help speed up production. The new kit has enabled him to market his products to high end furniture stores such as Harrods and take on an apprentice to train for the future.

S. O. Tingle’s furniture business is a recent venture based on the owner’s family heritage in the woodworking trade. With a background in design and advertising, the owner had skills in carpentry and had taken on a few bespoke commissions including a unique bed frame which can be flat packed for assembly.

He sources material from local woodlands such as those maintained by the Surrey Wildlife Trust which not only helps manage the biodiversity of the woods but also cuts down on the environmental impact of transport and associated costs.

New equipment, 50% funded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme has facilitated a professional production process, allowing the business to become sustainable in the long term.

The company is extremely committed to promoting their luxury products which will endorse the Surrey Hills as a sign of quality.

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Sun Star Store

With backing of £4,892 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme, the proprietor of Sun Star Store is able to realise his vision of opening a local convenience store in Warlingham. With experience of advising multinational companies in forecourt retailing he saw an opportunity to provide the local community with a much needed store stocking local products. He has also created jobs for local people. The LEADER Grant Scheme was able to fund 50% of the investment needed to help provide this new service for the community.

The village only had a pub and local residents had to travel a mile and a half for any groceries. Residents were keen to see local products such as eggs, fruit, vegetables and meat on sale. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to contribute 50% of start up costs to help with shop refit as well as marketing. Sun Star Store will be a focal point for the community providing easy access to basic products as well as being a showcase for the products of Surrey’s farmers and growers.

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St Joan's Farm Dairy

St. Joan’s Farm Dairy produces the only ice cream in Surrey made on site using their farm’s own milk and cream. St Joan’s Farm Dairy has been successfully growing its ice cream business since 2003 and thanks to a grant from The Surrey Hills LEADER Programme they purchased vital equipment to help expand production further. They were awarded £6,681 towards the cost of a new freezer, water chiller and ice cream potter which helped greatly increase production and reduce waste.

The family have established a good reputation for their ice cream business and have gradually moved their farm’s focus from wholesale milk production to ice cream. Having chosen to specialise in this area they were looking for financial support to enable sustainable growth. Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme was able to award 50% of the cost of new equipment. The new ice cream potter has brought some mechanisation to their process and allowed an increase in capacity of 100% for the 100ml tubs and 25% for 500ml tubs. The new freezer means that they can store this stock. The water chiller, facilitates the recycling of water used in ice cream production.

Additional business generated means the creation of a new part time post as well as promoting less intensive farming methods hence encouraging more wildlife on the farm.

This quality local product, unique in Surrey is now available to more customers.

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SJT Trackforce

A Godstone based tree surgery business successfully applied for investment of £7,495 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme. The money was put towards the purchase of a log splitter and woodchipper which has enabled the business to turn its waste product into valuable woodfuel. The equipment has provided additional income for the company as well as offering off season occupation for permanent staff.

SJT Trackforce operates a tree surgery, vegetation and forestry management company in the Caterham, Bletchingly, and Godstone areas. With up to 20 tonnes a week of waste wood previously being given away, the company approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant towards a woodchipper and log splitter. The Grant Scheme was able to award half the costs of the new machinery which has meant a new income stream, especially in the wintermonths. Additionally, waste centre costs have been minimised and the company offers a recycling service to other tree surgeons hence further reducing waste.

The Surrey Hills LEADER grant has had a significant impact on business profitability as well as having an environmental benefit from less waste. The company is more secure providing job stability for members of staff.

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Winterfold Tree Services

Winterfold Tree Services was awarded £5,000 by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme to purchase a firewood processor. The business has been operating for 15 years and wanted to take advantage of a rising demand for firewood. The grant has enabled the business to increase its firewood output as well offer the potential for other local tree surgeons to hire the processor on or off site. Because of this expansion, the business will create two new part time jobs.

Winterfold Tree Services currently provides tree surgery and related services for clients in the Surrey Hills as well as managing the Winterfold Forest. It produces large amounts of waste wood and saw a business opportunity in the rise in demand for firewood.

Surrey Hills LEADER was able to fund 40% of the investment needed to purchase a firewood processor. This has benefited the business by increasing production capacity and efficiency. There are also earnings from hire of the equipment to other local tree surgeons. The processor has reduced waste and therefore increased the amount of renewable energy available to the local community. A further benefit resulting from good management of the forest is the positive impact on biodiversity of the woodland.

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Wonersh Memorial Hall

Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme awarded Wonersh Memorial Hall Trust £12,148 towards the installation of a new, energy efficient gas heating system. The old central heating system in the hall was 50 years old and its unreliability meant that hiring the hall to new clients was difficult. Existing users such as the Girl Guides and the Wonersh and District Gardening Club found the current heating system sub standard. The new heating system has enabled the hall to be promoted to other groups and sections of the local community. This has enabled the hall to become more of a focus in the village and enhance community spirit. The Trust is promoting the hall to local small businesses and a nursery school.

The Wonersh Memorial Hall was built in the 1920’s and extended in 1977. It is used by main community groups including the WI, Guides, Scouts, Age Concern and the Garden Club. It is also the focus of village activities such as the annual pantomime and Christmas Fair. Following the closure of Wonersh Nursery School in 2008 (a primary daytime user) the Trust have been advertising for new clients, but this proved difficult with the unreliability of the old heating system. Surrey Hills LEADER was able to award £12,148, 64% of the cost of a new gas heating system which reduced the Trust’s energy consumption and associated costs as well as helping to secure the use of the hall through the winter months. The remainder of investment was raised through the Waverly Hardship Fund and Trust reserves. The project will increase income by 50% over the next 3 years.

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Wellspring Mobile Catering

Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme awarded the Wellspring Catering Company £4,999 towards the conversion of a vintage Morris Van into a mobile café. The company delivered high quality locally sourced products to Surrey Hills businesses by a private vehicle. The new Van has enabled the business to expand as well as add to the image of the company.

The Wellspring Catering Company was established in 2010 selling quality, fresh home baked goods to local outlets. The owner planned to increase her lunchtime delivery trade and needed funding to convert a 1965 Morris Van into a mobile café containing a coffee machine, hot cupboards, a chiller and ambient storage. The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to fund 50% of the conversion costs and she has now extended her quality delivery service as well as catering for local, small scale events.

The new van has given the company a unique look and offers mobile advertising. She is also hoping to establish set places to trade each day of the week following her delivery round. This expansion of trading opportunities and room for a greater product range means an increase in income and profit. Direct delivery to business premises will have a positive environmental impact as customers in a rural area have less need to drive at lunchtime.

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Traditional Boundaries

This woodland management business needed a capital boost to improve the efficiency of its timber extraction work. Thanks to a grant of £5,820 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Scheme, the company bought a new forwarding trailer and crane. The business is no longer reliant on contractors to move wood. Damage to the woodland has been minimised and a there is a steady supply of timber for the firewood element of the business.

Based in Milford, Traditional Boundaries work with clients within a 15 mile radius. Materials are sourced from locally sustainable woodlands, mostly managed by the business. Their main areas of expertise are hedge-laying, bespoke fencing, advice on an area of woodland and firewood, kindling or charcoal. To optimise their supply of timber and reduce reliance on contractors they approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme for investment. LEADER was able to award 50% of the costs of new equipment which has enabled the business to extract timber without the need to hire in contractors. As the timing of coppicing is crucial to prevent the destruction of ground flora and coppice re growth, the forwarding trailer and crane ensures a much greater control for the owner over the scheduling of his projects.

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Traditional Boundaries

Having already secured one LEADER grant, Traditional Boundaries successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a second grant of £1353 towards the purchase of a timber winch to extract felled trees from terrain unsuitable for tractor and timber trailer access. The business had already been granted £5,820 for a forwarding trailer and crane which he had been lucratively using and hiring. The winch allows the maximum extraction of wood for firewood and facilitates optimum woodland regeneration.

LEADER was able to award 40% of the costs of new equipment which has enabled the business to extract timber in previously inaccessible areas. The winch is also hired out, along with the owner as an operator at a daily rate.

All the equipment is fully utilised by hiring it out to neighbouring small woodland owners and contractors which will bring in more revenue and develop the management of Surrey Hills’ woodlands.

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Albury Organic Vineyard

With backing of £12,061 from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme, Albury Vineyard is now professionally marketing its wine to Surrey customers. The grant has helped enhance the company website, provided a customer database as well as other marketing equipment such as signage and a gazebo. The vineyards first rosé was available in 2012 and by 2015 they are hoping to produce 30,000 bottles of top quality wine.

Albury Organic Vineyard is situated on the southern slopes of the North Downs and comprises around 13 acres planted with the traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. They will be producing English wine of the highest quality; a still rosé in 2012 and a sparkling wine which should be available for sale January 2015.

They are committed to producing organic fruit without the use of chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides. They are also continuing with their aim to sell their wines to high quality restaurants, hotels, conference centres and wine bars in Surrey and approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a grant to help strengthen and develop the Vineyard branding. LEADER was able to award 50% of the costs of implementing an integrated marketing plan to reach businesses and direct customers. This included enhancement of the corporate brand, label branding, website upgrade, customer database, E newsletters and marketing equipment.

This has helped to establish a strong brand which promotes high quality Surrey Hills wine. The business also significantly contributes to land sustainability.

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All Time Catering

This successful outdoor catering business, built up over the last 10 years approached the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for investment to specifically promote Surrey Hills produce. The programme was able to award the company £9,751, 50% of the cost of a new catering trailer for this exact purpose. The owner is now able to sell Surrey Hills produce at major shows around the region, grow his business and help establish the Surrey Hills brand as one of quality.

Working in collaboration with Surrey Quality Producers and other Surrey farmers and growers, the owner of All Time Catering has been trialling a Surrey Hills Menu from his outdoor catering business. The Menu was being successfully promoted via a temporary banner but the addition of a Surrey Hills Produce liveried trailer has given a better opportunity for providing tastings, promotions and sales of quality Surrey Hills produce.

The proprietor has focused on his unique asset of locally sourced produce branded as Surrey Hills. As this is a quality product at a premium price it has improved his business profitability. It has also promoted the Surrey Hills brand at the many shows and events that the unit has attended. This has built demand for local produce and hence benefitted Surrey Hills farmers and producers.

Additional employment is generated in the outdoor event season.

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Hascombe Woodyard

Hascombe Woodyard was awarded £26,750 by the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme towards the automation of their firewood processing operation. This family run company is a successful forestry contracting business, sawmill and wood merchant. They needed funding to purchase a forwarder to enable more efficient processing. The new machinery has helped them rapidly increase their profit and improved working conditions by converting a manual process into a mechanised operation.

Hascombe Woodyard has been successfully producing woodfuel for over 30 years, utilising waste from construction industry oak and fencing material. Surrey Hills LEADER was able to fund 50% of the investment needed to purchase a new forwarder. This has benefitted the business by increasing production efficiency. Not only is the firewood processor loaded by the new forwarder, it is also used to move timber around the yard. This LEADER funding has enabled this rural business to grow its core activity, deliver a quality local product and be competitive with other local companies.

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LJN Tree Surgery

This well established tree surgery business successfully applied to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £18,017 towards a tractor, loader and firewood processor to build on the log processing aspect of his work. The new equipment has helped the owner expand the business by reducing manual labour spent on log production, increased his reliability of delivery and opened up new business.

The business is a tree surgery operation delivering a wide range of timber activities: tree work, fencing, logs, saw milling and garden design and build. Five years ago he took over an existing log business. Log production involved the manual loading of 2 splitters which was very time consuming and produced a non uniform log. The owner used a large and aging tractor for his timber business which had limitations in terms of both speed, reliability and versatility of use. It was too large to access many woodland sites and had no loader capability. The low reliability meant that he had turned down work too far afield.

Growth in his customer base had continued through word of mouth and direct advertising and this prompted his application for 50% of the cost of a modern second hand tractor, new loader and new firewood processor. The tractor works with the existing grab, PTO chipper, timber trailer and grain trailer and has enabled the business to grow through increasing work efficiency and opening up additional job opportunities due to increased speed and reliability for travelling.

The processor and tractor are also available for hire to other businesses in the area.

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LJN Tree Surgery

This well established tree surgery business successfully applied to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for a second grant of £14,050 towards a Marshall Tipping Trailer for collection and delivery of timber, logs and woodchip. The new equipment has helped build on the expansion of his firewood business following the purchase of a new tractor, loader and firewood processor. He has now accelerated all aspects of log production and delivery, reduced haulier costs and increased capacity enabling the owner to further develop the business through increased log sales particularly through bulk delivery to businesses.

LJN Tree Surgery is a business delivering a wide range of timber activities. Following a successful application to Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme he reapplied for 50% of the cost of a new tipping trailer with steering draw bar that provides maximum versatility in terms of use. It can access tight areas in domestic properties and is able to handle long and short logs and bulk bags with the option of a bucket for collection and loading of woodchip whilst still being able to tip. It has also enabled timber extraction and delivery of products (sawn timber, logs, bulk bags, woodchip) without reliance on hauliers or the necessity for repeat trips for larger loads. This has increased the overall capacity of the business.

The new trailer has also given benefits beyond the business by providing the opportunity for related local companies to hire the new equipment with him as a subcontractor. It has reduced his business reliance on hauliers thus cutting costs and time delays. Overall efficiency of the business has increased and he has further plans to invest more capital into his growing company.

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Grace and Flavour

Grace and Flavour community gardens in Horsley have grown from strength to strength after a grant of £9,145 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme helped build new access and car park. The garden is now fully accessible to all members of the community and the security of the residents of the adjacent nursing home is improved.

Grace and Flavour is a community initiative to grow vegetables for local consumption, operating in the former kitchen garden of the grounds of Dene Place, which now forms part of the National Trusts Hatchlands Estate. The not-for-profit horticultural co-operative is formed of residents from East and West Horsley. Their aim is to grow vegetables for themselves and to sell through the local shop. Some produce is also donated to those in the village without access to fresh produce. Members of the co- operative are able to purchase produce at discount as reward for the time and effort spent in growing the produce.

Previously, access was being used through the entrance to the nursing home but a separate entrance was essential in developing a viable social enterprise on a firm financial footing that was able to deliver social benefits and practical benefits (local produce for sale) to the community. This has brought benefits in terms of availability of locally grown, reasonably priced produce and a social enterprise open to participation by all members of the community, regardless of any mobility issues.

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Watts Gallery Visitor Centre

To help fulfil the Watts Gallery Trust aim of putting the Watts Gallery Estate as a centre of local history, providing facilities for the community and visitors, the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme awarded £45,145 for the completion of a new visitors centre.

The Watts Gallery Trust was established in 1904 with the aim of making the arts accessible and inspiring to all. The Trust approached Surrey Hills LEADER for 36% of the overall visitor centre costs, essential for the Estate to be able to receive the large number of visitors expected upon the reopening of the Gallery. Fundraising that had occurred to support the large-scale refurbishment project had created considerable interest in the Gallery which housed a unique collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings. The Trust wished to convert the historic Pottery building into a permanent Visitor Centre to provide a place of discovery, reflection and refreshment. This major restoration has boosted visitor numbers to over 50,000 providing the Gallery with an increased income, boosting local employment and increasing volunteer numbers.

The Gallery building had been closed to the public since Sept 2008 for a major, £10m refurbishment, primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BBC Restoration fund. The new centre receives at least 4000 visitors per month and functions as a base for training for volunteers, a shop window for the site and generates income and employment for the Gallery and craftspeople and businesses in the local area.

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John Wittlesea Woodland Services

With the help of £2,059 from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, John Whittlesea can now better manage his 14 acres of derelict woodland. The grant enabled him to purchase a mobile band saw to cut his felled timber into saleable products. His focus on woodland conservation and greenwood crafts has encouraged other woodland owners to increase sustainability and diversity of their own land.

John bought Bowles Pond Copse since 2003 with the intention of bringing the derelict coppice with standards woodland back into rotation. He established John Whittlesea Woodland Services to focus on woodland conservation and greenwood crafts. He successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for a 40% grant towards a mobile band saw that enabled him to add value to felled timber. He now produces hardwood planks and specific pieces.

Adjacent woodland owners have hired the mobile band saw for use on their own land and wood. The woodland of which John’s Copse is a part, is on clay and access for machinery was often difficult, a mobile saw located within the woodland for use by adjoining owners is an ideal solution – as well as ensuring low transport costs.

Although the Copse is not run for profit, the project received grant aid as it ensured the sustainable management of an area of woodland, by maximising on the return on the timber felled in its restoration. This successful management programme provides an example to the many owners of small Surrey woodlands of how their woodland could become a sustainable investment, delivering returns, as well as a vibrant and valuable habitat.

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Aldhurst Farm Workshops

Aldhurst Farm, Capel successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £21,455 towards conversion of redundant farm buildings into rentable units. The Farm now enjoys increased income from the tenants as well as securing the buildings use for the future.

The family have farmed in Capel for 180 years, producing milk from 200 cows, from 365 acres. They converted a redundant stable block into one unit in 2006 which was successfully rented. Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme awarded 50% of the cost of a second conversion which has restored the old farm buildings for the future and is now successfully rented out.

The units provide a unique work place in a working farm, local shops and services benefit from increased customers and the farm has a much needed second income stream. This sensitive restoration of a building has continued to enhance the farms visual impact on the area.

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Surrey Wildlife Trust

With the help of £7,523 from The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, Surrey Wildlife Trust has been able to raise its profile and attract new members. The grant was used to upgrade their display equipment which is taken to approximately 30 events throughout the year including the County Show and small local fetes and garden shows. A professional profile at these events raises the profile of the Trust, increases recruitment and provides the opportunity for the public to learn about the local environment and the work of the Trust. Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a registered charity established in 1959. Its mission is to “protect and regenerate Surrey’s wildlife” and it manages 7,000 hectares of Surrey’s countryside. With 30,000 members and over 1,000 registered volunteers it was important for SWT to present a professional image to the public. They successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for 95% of the cost of new gazebos, display panels, flags, tables and a trailer that they could use when they attended numerous events throughout the year. The equipment is also used by volunteers and other members of staff for open days, volunteer days, company challenge days and consultations. Increased membership and subscriptions have helped secure the Trust’s finances and growing numbers of volunteers play a vital role in helping them achieve their objectives.

The improved presence of SWT at a variety of events has also increased the accessibility of wildlife advice to the public. They have been better able to promote activities for children, guided walks, talks and volunteering opportunities.

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Smallfield Play Area

With the help of a £2,000 grant from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, the children of Smallfield now have access to an updated play area. The new mixed age equipment has significantly modernised these open air facilities, broadened its appeal and provided stimulating outdoor space for children in the eastern side of the village.

Burstow Parish Council successfully applied for a portion of the cost of upgrading their play area which had been in existence for 26 years and was popular with local residents despite the outdated and limited nature of the old equipment. There was strong local support to update the Play Area so that it provided modern, stimulating facilities for a broader age group than was originally catered for. The facilities were particularly important for this rural community, which lacks evening and weekend public transport. It also provides a space for older children which was lacking in the east of the Parish.

The new facilities are accessible to the village residents on foot or by bike and are adjacent to playing fields used for cricket and football. They enable social interaction amongst children of a range of ages and provide a reason to exercise in the open air.

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Surrey Hills Society

The Surrey Hills Society successfully applied for a £9,297 grant from the Surrey Hills LEADER Programme. They wished to extend their current membership of 745 individuals and 50 affiliated organisations by professional promotion of their aims. The 85% grant has enabled them to purchase a trailer, gazebo and artwork to present a high quality presence at shows and events.

Launched in 2008, the Surrey Hills Society is an independent organisation promoting the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills for those that live, work in or visit the area. With an aim of doubling their membership year on year, The Society identified a need to raise their profile at local shows and events. They had a limited presence through volunteers taking literature along to events but a trailer, gazebo and artwork enhanced The Society’s image considerably as well as providing a distinctive and weatherproof environment from which to display and distribute their own literature and other relevant organisations and local businesses.

The £9,297 grant awarded by the Surrey Hills LEADER Programme enabled them to promote their message concerning the protection of the unique landscape and character of the Surrey Hills, an area which needs to be nurtured for future generations to enjoy. They received 85% of the cost of equipment which has had a positive impact on rural business through raising awareness as well as attracting new membership. This in turn has helped The Society to develop additional conservation opportunities.

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Surrey Hills Society

Wanting to enhance the trailer and gazebo further, The Society successfully applied for a second grant of £1,555 that purchased 2 generators and a projector screen and a third grant of £756 to design and develop membership packs for their members. The trailer and gazebo gave the Society a high quality presence at shows and events with convenient and secure storage for materials. Experience with the trailer indicated that being able to light the trailer and run slide shows or archive films would increase the impact of the stand, drawing people to stay for longer and enabling volunteers to engage in meaningful conversations with visitors. The 100% grant has helped expand the events programme and increased membership numbers.

In promoting the Surrey Hills as a tourist destination and providing a showcase for rural business the Society has raised the areas profile and reputation by presenting a high quality image of the region.

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Dorking Rugby Football Club

Thanks to a £17,000 from The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, Dorking Rugby Football Club now boasts a new commercial kitchen that provides quality catering for special occasions and club requirements. The new kitchen, part of a major refurbishment of the Club’s facilities has created two new jobs, a full time chef and events manager. They are now generating additional income from outside events and have successfully hosted their first wedding!

The Club has approximately 1000 members, half of these being children and had been extensively fundraising for the past 2 years to progress the refurbishment of the pavilion and they had already raised £900,000 towards the project. They successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for funding towards the cost of a new kitchen able to cater for 150 people at one time. The new kitchen has helped the Club generate additional income from external lettings. These facilities have provided a quality community resource not offered by village halls in the area. Its fully refurbished pavilion offers an affordable venue for local residents, businesses clubs and societies.

The Club already had strong links with many community groups making use of the venue and was keen to increase relationships with other potential users. They now offer discounted rates for community members that reflect this aim and ensures that the renovated pavilion is central to community life in the area.

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Pointers of Surrey

With the help of a £2,376 grant from Surrey Hills LEADER, the owner of this new retail country store was able to furbish her brand new premises in Forest Green. This new venture, established in recently converted barn units on the same site as The Parrot Pub in Forest Green helps meet the countryside leisure and equine/pet product needs of the local population. The grant helped pay for equipment that converted the unit into a trading outlet as well as marketing support for the new business.

The owner had identified the Forest Green area as an opportunity for a store providing specialist equine and pet products, countryside pursuit (rambling, shooting, walking, fishing,) ancillaries, as well as locally produced rural arts and crafts.

With previous retail management experience she successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for funding towards the cost of a new security system, till and marketing support.

With the backing of many local suppliers, the store stocks countryside supplies and locally produced arts and crafts. Being located beside a busy pub and farm shop, Pointers has helped to promote the Surrey Hills, the wide range of pursuits available in the area and the sustainable products produced in the region. This shop has fitted in well, adding a new dimension and increasing the draw for each of the businesses on the site, as well as increasing the visitors to the Surrey Hills as an area. Hosting of craft/country skills demonstrations has added to the development of the shop as a visitor destination.

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Lingfield Nature Reserve

With help from a £4685 grant from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme Lingfield Nature Reserve have been able to provide year round access to the central part of the reserve. The grant part paid for the surfacing of a footpath that links up with the surfaced path system on the rest of the site and the seating area and shelter in the field. The new path limits damage to surrounding wildflowers and enables access to the whole site by those with physical difficulties as well as young families with buggies.

Lingfield Nature Reserve is a community led environmental project set up to provide recreation and enjoyment in a peaceful setting for all. The site was acquired in 1994 by Lingfield Parish Council and community volunteers have been involved in planting trees and hedgerows, copses, a traditional orchard and a butterfly garden as well as pond and wetland area and quiet garden.

In the years since Lingfield Nature Reserve was created, the group has made significant biodiversity improvements to the site as well as greatly improved access. The surfaced route had inherent problems with becoming muddy and impassable in poor winter weather but the new surface improvements has made the area accessible to all, all year round.

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Just So Jellies

The owner of Just So Jellies successfully applied to the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £8,702 to commercialise his production of wine jellies. With room for increased manufacture available due to a refit of his pub – The Jolly Farmers in Buckland – Just So Jellies are now sold externally to local deli’s and garden centres.

Just So Jellies were being made in a domestic kitchen when a refit at the Jolly Farmers created an opportunity to relocate production and commercialise manufacture. He received 50% of the cost of new equipment, new labelling and an e commerce site to help grow sales. He was looking to develop a second range of grape wine jellies aimed as cheese accompaniments. Intending to sell to top food retailers and supermarkets he felt product labelling was amateur and needed work to improve packaging and label design. This has helped increase the image and profile of the product.

LEADER investment has enabled him to take a major business step to a more commercial production and marketing footing. Provision of appropriate equipment has facilitated efficiencies of production, funding of branding, packaging and e marketing that ensures sales match production opportunities. He has provided a product which appeals to top end retailers who able to pay the premium required for this handmade, versatile product.

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The Cranleigh Show

With assistance of a grant from Surrey Hills LEADER, competitors and attendees of The Cranleigh Show can now pay on line and get up to date show information. The £1,750 grant has helped build a new website, cutting society costs and improving Show marketing.

The Cranleigh and South Eastern Society (CSEAS) promotes awareness of agriculture and rural industry to the public with the aim of improving farming practices by demonstration of best practice and providing training/education for new entrants in the industry. It organises an annual one-day agricultural show and annual ploughing match on the Cranleigh Showground, as well as additional visits and events for members. The Cranleigh Show attracts approx 11,000 attendees, with 8,000 being paying customers (others being exhibitors and livestock competition entrants).

The Society successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for 50% of the cost of a new website that provides an attractive marketing tool, including comprehensive, up to the minute show information with photos/videos and a straightforward page update process. It has the new capability of allowing customers to enter livestock/horse competitions on line and purchase Show tickets in advance.

The project has provided the Society with the opportunity to update their public face – leading to increased engagement, higher attendance at the annual show and increased revenue. The website facilities have ensured that administration and costs are reduced, benefiting the Society and helping to improve the sustainability of the event.

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Denbies Vineyard

Keen to streamline sparkling wine production, Denbies Vineyard successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £41,946 to purchase equipment for their in house finishing of sparkling wine. The vineyard now makes significant cost savings as well as offering its disgorging service to other producers.

Denbies Wine Estate is England’s largest vineyard. Planted in 1986, it now has a number of elements to its business – grape and wine production and sales and tourism/catering activities.

With a business focus of reducing any impact of bad harvests, Denbies was granted 40% of the cost of new equipment to bring disgorging of their sparkling wine in house, thus saving costs and increasing quality control. To produce sparkling wine, the bottled wine must be laid down for 2 to 3 years before being disgorged. This process involves riddling the wine, neck freezing, rinsing, disgorging and dosing, corking and wiring and finally neck crimping and labelling. The vineyard can now carry out this process on site. By having their own equipment the vineyard has significantly reduced costs and improved the carbon footprint of production. They are also able to offer this service to other vineyards in the UK.

The new service has enhanced the Denbies operation, securing their position as a centre of excellence for production of quality English sparkling wine. This further develops he reputation of the Surrey Hills as a centre for high quality sparkling wine and enables growth of local wine production.

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Denbies Vineyard

When the disgorging process became fully operational, it became apparent that the hand washing, rinsing and drying of the bottle prior to crimping and labelling was slowing the process significantly. Denbies Vineyard successfully applied to Surrey Hills LEADER for a second grant of £6,739 to invest in an automated bottle washer and drier which significantly increases the productivity of the whole process.

The bottle washing and drying equipment, 40% funded by the grant, enables the existing disgorging equipment to run at maximum capacity, increasing overall productivity thus negating the necessity for a batch production process, which delayed output and delivery.

The installation of the new equipment has taken production up to full capacity, increasing profits, reducing water consumption and providing employment for another member of staff.

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Fanny’s Farm Shop

With a basic need for electrical power to run improved chiller and freezer cabinets, Fanny’s Farm Shop received £14,534, 50% of the project cost from the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for the purchase of a battery run generator and new cabinets. The Farm Shop, famous locally for its cream teas and quirky surroundings, is now able to stock a better range of local produce, can access a computer onsite and additional security.

Fanny’s Farm Shop is a family owned and run business, in operation since 1979. Based near Redhill it welcomes customers, young and old, to try its clotted cream teas, seasonal home produced vegetables and salad and a wide range of local products. It is unable to be connected to mains electricity due to distance from the nearest substation. Fanny approached The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for funds to convert the Calor Gas supply into a battery operated generator.

Power was previously provided by Calor Gas which was unreliable, inefficient and unsustainable and also did not facilitate glass fronted display chillers hence limiting the range of products that could be displayed and sold

The new generator has been essential to the development of the business. It has enabled the Farm Shop to increase its volume and range of local produce available to the local community – benefitting producers and consumers of the Surrey Hills. As a popular Farm Shop and tea room, with a quirky character, provision of grant aid to provide this basic requirement has addressed a key rural inequality.

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Suburban Turban

With the help of £16,984 from The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, Suburban Turban was able to expand into a purpose built manufacturing facility. This unique, on-line business designs and manufactures specialist headwear for those suffering from medical hair loss. It is now able to retain specialist skills in a rural area as well as provide the potential for increased employment opportunities as the business grows.

Suburban Turban successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for 50% of the cost of refitting new premises, still located in Westcott and to upgrade an existing workshop/stores unit into a purpose designed manufacturing facility. This has creating an environmentally responsible work space, insulating and heating the building with modern materials and technology.

The new premises has provided sufficient space for growth over the next 10 years with separate design and development area, utility and drying space and machine workstations.

Suburban Turban is a unique business, offering a bespoke service of benefit to woman both locally and farther afield suffering from life changing illness. The redevelopment of this rural unit was the best option for the business in terms of fitting all their business requirements – location, light and cost. Investment by LEADER has ensured the business remains in a rural location offering local employment opportunities as well as bringing footfall into the village, potentially benefitting other local business. Investment has had a significant impact for the business, enabling them to increase output and thereby develop their links with overseas markets particularly the US.

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Independent Home Solutions

As part of their drive to become more cost efficient, Independent Home Solutions successfully applied to The Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for £3,500 to purchase a second hand van for their Handyman Service. The van has provided more affordable transport for a skilled Handyperson to carry out minor adaptations and repairs as well as hazard prevention work at low cost to vulnerable and disabled customers in Mole Valley.

Independent Home Solutions is a Home Improvements Agency, operating as a Community Interest Company. The focus of the business is to offer home adaptations and improvements to disabled, elderly and vulnerable residents in partnership with local councils. Minor repairs and adaptations can be provided through a Handyperson “Trusted Technician Service”, carrying out plumbing and electrical repairs, installing rails, ramps etc. The service helps over 1500 people a year and has wide reaching social and community benefits. They approached Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme for 50% of the cost of a second hand van which has significantly reduced running costs as they were previously leasing a vehicle.

The Handyperson part of the business is intended to bring an affordable service to vulnerable community members, ensuring that they are able to remain living independently with homes adapted and in good repair. The van has enabled this vital community service to remain a sustainable business in the future, keeping its costs to a minimum and in turn able to offer services at reasonable rates.

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Pepperpot Nursery

Pepperpot Nursery was successful in its application for £3475 for the development of an e commerce website. The new site has helped the business grow by supplying customers directly, all year round.

Pepperpot Nursery was established in 1998 to supply pot grown herbs on a wholesale basis to the Garden Centre market. They use traditional growing methods; all of their herbs are grown without the use of any artificial heat or light in order to replicate the conditions they will find in their new home and to ensure successful growing on. Increasing competition from abroad and large wholesale nurseries led the business to seek a niche market. Surrey Hills LEADER granted 50% of the cost of a new website to enable them to sell direct to customers. This has opened up a new market and increased their profit margins.

The site has also helped market these Surrey Hills products with branding of quality and local provenance.

By recognising the problems in the market place and developing a niche market for his quality local product, trading on the Surrey Hills brand as a sign of quality and environmentally acceptable production, the owner has taken his established reputation further and given his business a sounder financial footing for the future.

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Outwood Butchery

With the help of £12,515 from Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Programme, Outwood Butchery was able to purchase new refrigeration units and repair its floor. The new equipment has given space for a wider range of local produce and given energy efficient cost savings.

Outwood Butchers is a well established, small family butchers, employing 4 people and selling locally sourced meat and vegetables, as well as local honey and bottled goods, homemade pies and sausages made on site. Having already made substantial supply improvements, the owners successfully approached Surrey Hills LEADER for 50% of the cost of a new resin shop floor and installation of new refrigeration units.

The cooling system was old and inefficient, costly to run in terms of electricity and often required maintenance. Replacement with a more extensive and efficient system has enabled the business to stock a greater amount and range of local chilled goods such as beef, lamb, and poultry.

Refurbishment of the shop floor has also provided greater capacity for the stocking of locally produced dry goods (pickles and honey) as well as vegetables. Local producers have benefitted from increased sales and customers have a wider range of available products.

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Weald Granary

To enable Weald Granary to fulfil their expansion plans, Surrey Hills and West Kent LEADER awarded between them £50,000 to the Granary to increase its capacity. The co-operatiave’s modern grain drying and storage facilities are now benefitting members from the Kent, Surrey and Sussex areas.

Weald Granary is a large farmers co-operative comprising 180 members from Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It offers the facility for grain drying, storage and marketing for members. It is financially structured to break even with any profits either re- invested or returned to members. The business was fulfilling an increasing requirement from farmers with obsolete grain drying facilities and wanted to expand further. They successfully approached LEADER for a grant to build a new intake pit and purchase a new dryer.

Weald Granary is still expanding and it funded the storage element of growth out of new member investment. However, the growth in throughput required investment in the infrastructure for drying, conveying, intake and out-loading. This infrastructure investment has enabled greater throughput and flexibility at harvest time and has helped more local farmers to continue to bring their own produce to the granary using tractors and trailers. In addition, central storage has facilitated high standards of processing and storage to meet exacting market demands. With infrastructure in place it will be possible to extend the grain storage facility even further for the benefit of existing and potential members.

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Rural Surrey LEADER 2015 – 2020

The Rural Surrey LEADER Local Action Group under will be bidding for LEADER funding under this new programme. We have learned a lot during the last programme and we believe that if we are successful – the next programme will deliver even more!

Whilst we are unable to shape the forms and the process which will have to be followed we will continue to offer you our full support in completing the forms and moving through the process!

If you have a particular project which you think could benefit from LEADER funding in the next programme please do contact us on:

Call; 0208 541 8697 or email; [email protected]

Follow us on our website www.ruralsurreyleader.org

We hope that if we are successful in being granted LEADER funding under the 2015 – 2020 programme, we will hold our first panels to consider projects for funding in early 2015. It would therefore be beneficial for you to contact us well in advance of this date to discuss your potential project.

We will continue to send out regular newsletters keeping you up to date with our progress and to distribute any other funding information which may be relevant.

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