We visited Coverwood Farm on the 8^th August 2015, not really knowing what to expect, other than seeing some live-stock and a beautiful garden. Yes, that’s what we did see but it turned out to be so much more than that.

We were greeted by the family (who own and run the farm), with a warm welcome and an above average coffee (not instant) with biscuits. After that we toured the farm on the back of a hay-wagon towed by a tractor that stopped occasionally for Tim and his father to narrate the history of the farm, and did so very eloquently and with some humour. The first stop being in a field full of sheep, where we received a short overview on rearing sheep and a few anecdotes of significant events. One of the accounts being the history of a very large house, which was once part of the farm but was sold off due to the need for funds to keep the farm going. The house subsequently had a number of residents, one of which made the international news channels by getting himself murdered whilst on a trip to New York.

We moved on to another field and were educated on the virtues of the Hereford breed of cows that reside on the farm and appear to be very friendly indeed (although they did try, with some success, to get at the bales of hay on which we were seated), even the Bull was a big softie. We were then taken to see some heifers that were ready to calf and some that already had calved. One of the calves was rejected by its mother and had to be hand reared. In fact it was the calves feeding time, so we were treated to the event, drawing Ooohs and Aaahs from the crowd and this also provided an excellent photo opportunity.

At this point we were all feeling a bit peckish and were pleased to smell the aroma of farm made lamb-burgers, being served from a fantastic American trailer (I think it is known as a silver bullet) suitably converted for the job. The burgers were delicious, as were the home-made cakes that followed. The lunch break gave us the opportunity to chat with the other day-trippers, some of which were local and were able to treat us to some funny anecdotes and interesting facts about local characters.

Our final visit (this time on foot) was to the incredibly beautiful gardens and lakes, made more interesting by the inclusion of a quiz that doubled as a treasure hunt, as we tried to hunt down the answers to the questions. This also gave us the opportunity to capture some photographs of the stunning features of the garden. From here we made our way back to the Silver Bullet for more coffee and those homemade cakes, before heading home. The day was made all the more enjoyable due to the perfect weather; it was as if it was booked especially for the occasion.

Joyce and Bob Clarke

The church is quite a treasure. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, it is built as a mini-cathedral in cruciform layout and has many interesting features. It was at the centre of the Denbies Estate and it served the 300 members of staff and their families who were employed there. The walk up from Denbies afforded some wonderful views back towards Dorking and across the valley.

A pleasant leisurely boat trip on a glorious afternoon. The staff of the Godalming Packetboat Company were very helpful as was the volunteer lady who walked with the horse. Excellent scones for tea and plenty of cream to go with them. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

GATTON PARK …

… where nature seamlessly meets the man-made.

The afternoon began, as it so often does on Surrey Hill Society visits, with greeting familiar faces and getting acquainted with some new members. All from the shelter of my waterproof hood as the clouds decided to sprinkle us with rain. Hey Ho: Spring Time in Surrey. No matter; within minutes of starting to walk, the sun broke through and we found ourselves bathed in the sight and sound of the bluebells of Nut Wood. A mile or so later, breaking out of the wood, the Capability Brown landscape opened out before us. However, it was only seeing it through the eyes of our expert guide, Glyn Sherratt, I realised just how much contrived the whole scene is. Was it just co-incidence that we passed by the lakes at exactly the time when the sunlight turned the ripples into gold and silver sparkles? Or was it that Glyn was guiding us according to Capability Brown’s design of when best to view it? Something to contemplate as I stood in the tranquillity of Japanese Garden. And yet nothing quite matched the privilege of seeing the view from Gatton House itself across the Mole Valley, usually only visible to the staff and students of the Royal Alexandra & Albert School. Tea, cakes and one final mystery before the end of the afternoon: just how did those earlier gardeners produce the Bundled Ash? I think it is rather nice that our predecessors can still baffle Modern Science!

Carol Coyne – Founder Member

What a day!  One recent Saturday I felt as if I had been transported back in time and I was once again reminded why I fell in love with the Surrey Hills in the first place.  I had the great pleasure of spending a day in Blackheath village and visiting a few of its magnificent Arts and Crafts houses.  This hidden gem in the heart of the Hills really is worth the visit.

I was a bit worried in the morning of the visit as it was pouring with rain when I left home and I was taking a friend with me promising her a day she wouldn’t regret.  Luckily the sun came out again as we entered the Cricket Pavilion where the other members of the group were gathered.  The sun stayed with us for the whole day and my friend enjoyed herself so much that at the end of the day she decided to join the Surrey Hills Society.

Thanks to the excellent organisation of the Society, we had Sarah Sullivan – an architect and member of the Arts & Crafts Movement in Surrey – as our leader for the day.   We were able to hear all about the history of the village and especially its Arts and Craft identity through the work of architects like Charles Harrison Townsend.  We also learned about influential women having sojourned in Blackheath – people like Anna Lea Merritt whose work can still be admired on the walls of the village church.

A wonderful lunch and delightful cream tea were served in the Arts and Crafts style Cricket Pavilion. Even a Victoria sponge cake, freshly made by the daughter of one of the home-owners of a house we visited, made its way to our table!  Delicious as it was, it disappeared in a flash.

What a lovely village and such marvellous and friendly inhabitants!  They say that once you settle down in Blackheath, you never move away.  You might swap houses with your neighbours, but not go further than that.  And now having seen it for myself, I truly understand why.

Marika Elzinga

I joined ‪#‎DiscoverGuildford at the Compton Circular walk a few weeks ago as a plan of ‪#‎GetFit2015 and decided to come on The Surrey Hills Society trek along The Devils Punchbowl which Pete also lead.
Pete is a really knowledgeable and fun guide to be with. He does not rush new trekkers like me. Instead he always takes good care of us with well-planned routes and good cultural and historical stories behind every corner we have been to. I thoroughly enjoy his treks.

We meet new people every single time; good fun, good laughs and good people. I strongly recommend these to all my friends and just cannot wait for a weekend to join a new trek as a mini getaway from the busy daily life.

Well done Pete, and good luck for your plan to climb the Kilimanjaro.

Thanh Hà Dương (who regularly participates to the 20-30s walks)

A big thank you to everyone who donated to the Cooper boys, Darren and Philip, who rode in the recent Ride London 100 mile cycle challenge on behalf of the Surrey Hills Society. They did the ride, in extremely poor conditions, but told us that they enjoyed the extra challenges the weather threw at them, saying: ‘The rain belted down for ages, we couldnƒ??t have been wetter, but the camaraderie of the other cyclists around us and the crowds kept us going – the experience was amazing all in all. Weƒ??ll do it again next year if the Society wants us to, and hope we might stay dry and get to ride all the Surrey Hills next timeƒ??. Their target of ?œ500 to help the National Trust install a drinking water fountain on Leith Hill has been achieved, but if anyone wants to donate, the JustGiving site is still open. Any further donations will be gratefully accepted, or cheques can be sent made payable to Surrey Hills Society. www.justgiving.com/thebrotherscooper