A big thank you for the GASP people for inviting us and presenting us their project!

What an interesting and great thing for those young lads to be involved in!

We will try and give them as much publicity as possible.  If you hear of anyone who needs to get rid of a car, GASP may be interested or if you know of any engineering companies that may wish to take on one of the lads for work experience or an apprenticeship do tell them about GASP.

Also, if you know of any young people struggling at school, do let them know about GASP.

Chris Howard with GASP students and Volunteers

We had a really enjoyable day out assisting Chief Executive, Louise Miller with a day’s scrub bashing in the beautiful grounds of Gatton Park. The sweeping landscape, including a hand dug lake which was the work of famous landscape architect, Capability Brown.

The Surrey Hills Society have been supporting the Gatton Trust with their Heritage Lottery Funded Project during the last 18 months, to restore some of the original features of the park, as part of the 300^th anniversary celebrations for the celebrity garden designer of his day.

It was great to meet some of the people who regularly volunteer for the Trust.  It was also interesting to be able to view the new landscaping around the lake that the SHS had raised match-funding for.  As a treat, in the late afternoon, we were taken over to view the special Japanese garden which was once featured on “Gardener’s World”.

I will definitely be volunteering there again.

By Jessica Howard

Torrential rain cleared for our “Inspiring Views Walk” in The Hurtwood and Winterfold Hill, names as poetic and imaginative as the poetry and music that have been created to accompany and enhance the experience of the quirky seat sculptures on The Greensand Way, funded by The Mittal Foundation. As someone who knows and appreciates this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the viewpoints where the seats are located, I have to say that for me nothing more than that which nature has already provided is necessary, but thanks anyway for somewhere to sit!  I am all for keeping sculptors, poets and musicians in work and this has been achieved, I would add at the additional cost of a booklet (how many trees were felled for this) explaining what was going through their minds. The walk was delightful and the gods were on our side as the heavens once again opened as we came to the end of our trail.  The Surrey Hills Society brilliantly provides great opportunities to see, experience and learn more about the diverse aspects of this most sylvan beautiful county.

Heather Aitken, SHS member

The chilly weather didn’t discourage our participants. The course was fully booked and all were very keen to learn how to use their maps and compasses in an accurate manner.

The morning was spent learning everything in theory and in the afternoon we tried to follow the instructions of the morning session, some more successfully than others.

A few comments at the end of the day:

“Thank you for a very informative day! I have learnt a lot – I just need to get out and practice now.”

“After today’s training, the map reading is not such a mystery any more. Thank you Peter!”

Part of our group, who had a fascinating day despite the weather, by the war memorial.

One of the many questions on the day was about the date, why 1919 instead 1918 designating the end of the war? We were told that it includes some who died after repatriation from wartime injuries.

A Society member comments on the day:

“Dorking is a very interesting town – surprising what there is behind the High Street which you normally never see as you travel through!”

“Just to say how much we enjoyed the wine tasting and how impressed we were with the range of Surrey Hills wines that are available. We certainly need to investigate some of the more unusual ones. Thank you for putting on such an interesting presentation and also for the excellent “nibbles” which were much appreciated! Everyone enjoyed themselves and felt a lot merrier afterwards!” – Mark and Virginia Turner

 

 

 

 

Attentive audience at the Guildhall

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor of Guildford, Gordon Jackson, hosted the event with his wife. Pictured with the Society Chairman Chris Howard.

 

 

 

 

 

11 still wines from 6 different Surrey Hills wineries and vineyards. Interesting variety and beautiful quality!

“This is my second walk with the Society – very enjoyable. Such a lovely group of people.” – Margaret

“Thank you for the walk today and people that where involved. It was very enjoyable!” – Janet Webber, Wendy Jeavons and Carolyn Reeves

“Great day out in the Surrey Hills exploring these two quaint, historic villages. We learnt about the Tales & Trails of the Tillingbourne Heritage Lottery Funded project, which was exploring the industrial history of the Tillingbourne Valley. We learnt about the Tannery at Gomshall, the wool industry in Shere, popped in to explore beautiful St James Church in Shere, viewed a sympathetically design modern affordable housing scheme, and visited Gomshall Mill (now a great pub & restaurant) where we had tea. Such an enjoyable day out and really lovely group of people.” – Chris Howard

A great festive walk that gets people out of the house and into the countryside after a period of yule tide cabin fever. Happy Society members! Thank you Pete for all the walks you lead for the Society!