Edition 23 Summer 2016 views - Discover and help conserve ... · be to promote, enhance and conserve the physical and natural environment and its natural beauty for the public benefit

Society donation for Air Ambulance in April 2016

viewsEdition 23 Summer 2016

Registered Charity number 1125532

This is a question we get asked all thetime. In this edition we hope to answer it.When this charity was established eightyears ago, the key aims were agreed tobe to promote, enhance and conservethe physical and natural environmentand its natural beauty for the publicbenefit and advance the knowledgeand understanding of the public [of the Surrey Hills AONB].As a membership organisation, the firststeps in achieving these aims were toencourage people and organisations tojoin us and to establish a programme ofevents so that our members and thewider public could learn more about theSurrey Hills. This aspect of our work hascontinued and we now have an extensive(and often heavily booked) programmeas can be seen on the back page.

However, to fully meet our aims, we havealso been developing many other aspectsof the Society’s work so that we not onlysupport the members but also show asignificant public benefit. As the Societyhas matured and become more resilient,we have been able to increase the leveland complexity of the external activitieswhich we support.In 2016 we are heavily involved in thedelivery of a Heritage Lottery Fundsupported project in the TillingbourneValley. We recruited and manage theproject co-ordinator, we have Societymembers as volunteers for the projectand will be supporting the various eventswhich form the outputs of the project. For an update on progress please seepage 2.Elsewhere, we are supporting one of theAONB Management Plan objectives ofopening up Inspiring Views. This year, weare working with the Gatton Trust as partof their Capability Brown Tercentenary toprovide funds to pay for opening up theview of the north shore of the Main Lake.No doubt a number of our members orsupporters will also take part in practicalvolunteering. We are also promoting anumber of Gatton events throughout theyear (see page 2).

We often get accused of not being aprominent voice in planning matters. That is intentional since we were set upspecifically NOT to be a lobby group.However, we do work very closely withthe Surrey Hills AONB Planning Adviserand also CPRE. In addition, we do try tobroaden knowledge and understanding ofplanning matters. In April of this year wehosted a forum specifically for ParishCouncils and Society members with aninterest in the topic.Our centre pages look at the range ofactivities we are now involved with. So, to answer the question in the title; we dowalks, talks and events, but we also domuch more by supporting the activities ofthird parties and educating the public tothe special nature of the Surrey HillsAONB and why it needs to be cherishedand protected.Our theory is that if you don’t know aboutit, you won’t value it, and if you don’tvalue it, you won’t protect it. Therefore we feel the Society has a very important role to play alongside all our colleaguesin other organisations that influence or manage this important designatedlandscape.

www.surreyhillssociety.org

What exactly does the Society do?

Children designing puppets for the Tales of Tillingbourne

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Welcome to our Summer 2016 edition. I amvery excited about this summer’s range ofinteresting and unusual events for you toenjoy. I look forward to seeing as many ofyou as possible over the coming months.There is so much going on now behind thescenes, we have dedicated this edition toshowcase to you the wide variety of workand activities we now undertake. We arealways looking for new people to join ourcommittees, so whether you want to tryyour hand writing articles for our newsletter,creating an event for us or helping at even

just one of the many shows we attendthroughout the year, do please ring or emailus to discuss opportunities with you. Currently we are desperately in need ofsome drivers with a towbar, willing to deliverour trailer to various shows in the summer.You may only be able to help out once ayear, but many hands make light work asthey say, so all offers would be gratefullyreceived. Please call me if you think youcould assist us on 01483 894437.I would like to thank Farnham Town Councilfor hosting a fascinating talk in March in thebeautiful council chamber. We were warmlygreeted by the Town Mayor, Pat Frost andthe Town Clerk, Iain Lynch, who gave afascinating explanation of what a towncouncil does and also a little bit of historyabout the town. We were also treated to ahighly entertaining presentation by localarchitect, Damien Blower, whose father andgrandfather were all architects based inFarnham. We are doing a little spotlight onFarnham this year, with several visits

planned over the summer including a walk,an all-day special behind the scenes day inthe town and castle and a rare opportunity tovisit Waverley House and the Abbey ruins.This year we are also supporting GattonTrust in their Heritage Lottery Fund bid. We have several visits planned for theretoo, as well as some practical volunteeringin the autumn. Remember that we nowhave a free short walk somewhere in thecounty on the first Sunday of the month.Please see the website for details.I hope you all have a lovely summerenjoying the Surrey Hills.

Chairman’s View

Farnham Town Clerk Iain Lynch and the Mayor Pat Frost

‘‘SHS also gives talks. If your organisation would like to have an illustrated talk about the Surrey Hills, in exchange for a donation to the Society, please contact us at [email protected]. Our speakershave lots of experience and are happy tocustomise the talk to your needs.’’

Working in partnership with Gatton Trust this year, we would like you to know about their events:Monday 30th May Fairytale Treasure HuntTuesday 31st May – Friday 3rd JuneTea in the Japanese GardenWednesday 1st June Camp building (8 + years)Friday 3rd June Toddler Trails and Tales (2 – 4 years)Sunday 5th June Gardens & Park OpenSunday 3rd July Gatton Country FairSunday 4th Sept Open Day, 2 for 1 dealMore information can be found on www.gattonpark.com

Tillingbourne TalesHeritage Project iswell on its wayAfter a busy winter of volunteer recruitmentand training, the project is kicking-off with its oral histories, mapping and river wardenactivities. We have had some very positivecomments about the new website www.tillingbournetales.co.uk, which is up andrunning and awaiting more content to fill it! Currently, each village's industrial heritageis being researched by choosing onehistorical figure who represents its mainindustry, and supplementing his/her life withsocial history of the time. These historiesare then transformed into 'character tales',which are being made into puppets who will

visit the local schools. Research is wellunderway and in the process of coming tolife through the hands of our artist ElaineCampling and storyteller James Munro.Workshops are taking place in infantschools, where the children are helping toconceptualise the look of their figures.Project Coordinator, Dr Anne Sassin says“It's important to appreciate that the characters are not tailor-made. They represent what lifeand industrial work would have been like,and the variety of occupations and range ofperiods represented, from the 16th right upto the mid-20th century, provide quite theeclectic sample.” This summer will feature the tales of theTillingbourne figures at several events alongthe valley: Sunday 12 June at Scout Fete,Shalford, Sunday 31 July in TillingbourneTales at Shalford Mill, Sunday 11 September

at Heritage Weekend, Sunday 16 Octoberat Community Celebration in Shere. To make all these events successful, we need some volunteers to help withwhatever needs to be done. If you areinterested in volunteering in any way,contact [email protected],or find out more details by visiting

http://www.tillingbournetales.co.uk.

Volunteers at work in Chilworth © Steve Peacock

www.surreyhillssociety.org

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Inspiring ViewsSurrey Hills Arts is a partnership betweenSurrey Arts, Surrey County Council andSurrey Hills Enterprises. It aims to engageand inspire people with the Surrey HillsAONB through the arts.Funding has been received from the MittalFoundation and the initial project, ‘InspiringViews’ is underway. The project will openup hidden views in the Surrey Hills andimprove access, engage with communitiesand commission artists’ responses to theseviews. The following artists have beencommissioned to create seating:At Gibbet Hill, Hindhead, artist WalterBailey has been inspired by the productionof charcoal on the Greensand Way.

At Reynards Hill, Surrey artist RussellJakubowski is inspired by the formation ofthe Greensand Way, the layers ofsedimentation and the contours of the land.At Holmbury Hill, experienced furnituredesigner Matthew Burt will create a circularpiece with four benches creating aconversational arena whilst allowing peopleto gaze at the view. Architect Giles Miller will create a woodenshelter at Winterfold. Anyone can sendtheir own words or phrases that describetheir opinion of the hills and these locations,to be printed onto each shingle of theshelter to [email protected] make their contribution to this artwork! Director of Watts Gallery and Chairman ofSurrey Hills Arts, Perdita Hunt comments:

‘The opportunity to bring together art andlandscape is powerful and potent. I hopethe engagement of artists to create thesecommissions for all of us to enjoy in some ofthe most stunning viewpoints in Surrey willgive many hours of pleasure and discussion.’ For further information visitwww.inspiringviews.org

North Downs WayLong Distance Trailnow GoogledEarlier this year we informed you that the North Downs Way was being Googled.Last summer, Peter Morris, the NorthDowns Way Manager, traversed the entire route with a Google Trekker device.The images can now be seen onwww.nationaltrail.co.uk/north-downs-way.

An impressive new sculpture to mark thestart of the North Downs Way Trail inFarnham was officially unveiled by theMayor of Farnham, Mrs Pat Frost and theMayor of Waverley, Councillor Mike Band.The impressive sculpture, designed locallyby the Utopia Forge in Guildford provides a fitting start to the 153 mile trail whichfollows a chalk ridge that winds over hillsand grassland, passing through valleys and ancient woodland emerging onto theWhite Cliffs of Dover.

The North Downs Way is one of only 15designated National Trails in England andWales with diverse appeal and many uniquefeatures. Passing through stunning andvaried countryside, the North Downs Waytraverses the protected landscapes of theSurrey Hills and Kent Downs AONBs. Thismakes the trail a great place for a familyday out, short walks, life-changing longdistance walks, rides, and always rewardswith a fantastic, rural, rustic pub lunch.

Surrey Hills TrustFund takes actionTwo grants have now been given by the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. The Fund,established in partnership with theCommunity Foundation for Surrey, aims to help local communities enjoy the SurreyHills AONB and safeguard its future forgenerations to come. The LeatherheadYouth Project were given a grant to takestudents from Therfield School inLeatherhead out into the Surrey Hills forForest School Survival Skills Training tohelp boost confidence and learning. The RSPB have also been given a grant tohelp with the ongoing restoration of Farnham Heath after a devastating fire in 2015. Thegrant has allowed over 1000 native treesincluding beech, rowan and oak to beplanted. These types of tree are muchslower and harder to burn than the conifertrees currently on site and so will act as a

natural firebreak to help safeguard the reserveand its wildlife. For further information visitwww.surreyhills.org/trust-fund/

News from the Surrey Hills Board

Inspiring views at Reynards Hill

Opening of the North Downs Way Trail

Students enjoying survival skills training

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Talks to the publicDuring the last six years, Trustees of theSociety have given over 70 talks about theAONB to external audiences includingParish Councils, W.I., Probus, U3A, Rotaryand local social groups such as NationalWomens Register, afternoon clubs and soon. In this way we have promoted theAONB to about 3000 attendees and giventhem an enhanced understanding of whatmakes the AONB special. If your groupwould like to book a talk – in exchange for a donation to the society – contact us [email protected]

Chairman of Friends of Farthing Downs, Graham Lomas and Chris Howard

Promoting the AONB at ShowsThe Society has a promotional trailer andgazebo which are regular attendees at arange of external shows across the county.We have been to village fetes and othergatherings with a local focus and had amajor presence at larger events such as theCounty Show, Surrey Hills Wood Fair andthe enormous event at Denbies during the2012 Olympics cycle race. Through theseevents we have introduced many thousands of people to the AONB and distributedwalks leaflets and other information to helpthe public learn about, appreciate and enjoythe Surrey Hills.

Surrey Hills Wood Fair October 2015

Working in partnership The Surrey Hills AONB does not own anyland in its own right, so relies on closeworking partnerships with the majorlandholders that include Surrey CountyCouncil, Surrey Wildlife Trust and National Trust.2015 was the 250th anniversary of Leith Hill Tower. To mark the occasion, NationalTrust upgraded their visitor facilities at thetower with new information boards, groundclearance and ordered a renovatedVictorian water trough and drinkingfountain. The Society donated £1000towards this project and also made LeithHill the theme for a number of activitiesthroughout the year to showcase theirexcellent work in preserving andmaintaining this special area.

National Trust ranger, Sam Bailey, receives ourdonation in December 2014

Supporting Surrey Hills Trust FundIn the summer of 2015 we were approached by the Mayor of Waverley to organise asponsored walk, to be hosted by him, alongthe Waverley section of the GreensandWay. The Mayor had nominated the SurreyHills Trust Fund as one of his two mayoralcharities. Society members did all theorganisation, led the actual walk and helpedhim to raise nearly £4000. The walkers were a mix of Society members, local councillors,members of the general public and a wholerange of supporters. This year the Mayor ofGuildford has asked to do the same in hisborough and we are organising his sponsored walk for Wednesday 5th October. We are also supporting the CommunityFoundation for Surrey with their project tocreate an annual ultra-marathon eventalong the Greensand Way from Haslemereto Dorking. This event can be done insmaller sections or as a 26 mile run or walk(see page 7 for more details).

Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley with ChrisHoward and Ken Bare

Promoting the AONB with our media partnersThe Society has a strong partnership withSurrey Life magazine and our chairman,Chris Howard, has a monthly article wherewe can highlight all aspects and issuesaffecting the area. Last year the editor,Caroline Harrap, asked the Society to writethe walks page as well. So we now havethe opportunity to promote a walk somewhere across the hills each month. Hopefully thisis inspiring even more people to come outand enjoy the countryside.We have a strong group of volunteers in ourMarketing and Communications Committeewho write articles for local newspapers andother publications to promote the SurreyHills and the various activities happening inthe area. We also use social media tools tolink with our partners and connect with aneven wider audience.

Caroline Harrap, Surrey Life editor, at an eventSHS attended at the Houses of Parliament inNovember 2014

Sponsorship for Community ProjectsSeveral of our members also belong to Horsley Countryside PreservationSociety (HCPS). Their organisation hadestablished a 9 mile walk around theHorsleys and as part of the QueensDiamond Jubilee celebrations, the routehad been upgraded to make it accessible to off-road mobility vehicles and pushchairsetc. Their map leaflet needed updating andreprinting. The Surrey Hills Society organisedand paid for the print run and donated the majority of the leaflets to HCPS –retaining the balance to hand out from SHSpromotional displays – so that the walkbecame accessible to a wider audience.

HCPS walk relaunch April 2015

How our Society benefits the Surrey Hills

www.surreyhillssociety.org

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Registered Charity number 1125532

Leading on Grant Funded ProjectsThe Society has supported several HeritageLottery funded projects including the HopeSprings Eternal in Dorking and Front LineSurrey Hills in Reigate. Currently we aretaking a leading role in the Trails and Talesof Tillingbourne projects covering thevalley’s history from Shalford to Leith Hill.The SHS has engaged the services of Dr.Anne Sassin to co-ordinate the project.Several Society members are activevolunteers on this fascinating project.

Volunteers working on Deepdene Gardensexcavations in Dorking in September 2013

Promoting walking in theSurrey HillsAs the Surrey Hills has one of the largestnumber of footpaths in the country, andcovers almost over a quarter of the county,walking is a major attraction of the area.The Society encourages residents to getout and enjoy this beautiful landscape. Weorganise numerous walks and events eachmonth to highlight all the special features ofthe AONB.In 2015 the Society was invited to host awalk as part of the Guildford WalkFest. Wetook up the offer and designed a 9 milewalk around Shere, Gomshall, Albury andPeaslake based upon the Shere MillenniumTrail. The walk was a great success withmany non-members taking part andlearning about the area. We understandthat it was one of the most heavilysubscribed walks of the whole programme.We are now booked to do several walks forthe 2016 WalkFest!

Guildford WalkFest walk in July 2016

Engaging with youngeraudiencesHaving established the Society, it becameapparent that we were not engagingsufficiently with people in their 20’s and 30’s. This was partly due to the timing of ourevents and also because our walks tend tobe short, themed, events at a relatively slowpace. To attract younger people, we have set up a programme which provides a walk onthe first Sunday of every month specificallytargeted at non-members and those whoprefer a brisker pace. Using social media tospread the word and making the walks freehas opened up the Surrey Hills to youngerpeople who just needed a suitable mechanism to help them to get out and explore. If youare interested, check out the programme onthe back page.

Walk for younger audience in Shere April 2015

Surrey Hills Food & Drink –Local PromotionThe Surrey Hills are home to a vibrant localfood and drink producing industry. Many ofthese are small artisan producers of veryhigh quality products. One of their majorconstraints is promotion to the public. Wehave noted through the years that eventswith local food and drink are always heavilysubscribed. Consequently, we have usedour events programme as a platform to help our members discover local food andhence act as customers and ambassadorsfor the producers.

SHS members visiting Silent Pool Gin distillery

Surrey Food & Drink – Wider PublicityWorking with Visit Surrey and Local FoodSurrey, the Society was privileged to beinvited to stage a promotion in the Palace ofWestminster. The aim was to promote localtourism and the local food and drink scenein Surrey. It was an amazingly successfulday with a large attendance of MPs,Ministers, Lords and lots of the supportingstaff from within Westminster. Possibly thefree samples of high quality food and drinkmay have helped? Not only did this eventhighlight to its audience that Surrey is farmore than an urban dormitory for Londonbut the publicity created in the media gavean enormous boost to the producers andtourism representatives.Our vice-chairman, Ken Bare, for the pasttwo years has also been a judge in SurreyLife magazine’s Food and Drink Awards.

Taste of Surrey in Westminster with the PrimeMinister in November 2014

Practical volunteeringWe are occasionally asked to providevolunteers for hands-on volunteering atvarious project sites across the area. Thisincludes scrub clearing at Headley Down,rhododendron clearing at Deepdene andHimalayan balsam clearing near Box Hill, toname a few. Recently the Society joined inwith Tidy Britain’s Clean for the QueenProject with a litter pick at Hindhead.

Clean for the Queen at Hindhead in March 2016

Registered Charity number 1125532

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Planning - Dunsfoldapplication Serious concern has been expressed on behalf of the AONB Board to the planningapplication for 1,800 dwellings at Dunsfold Aerodrome and, could if permitted, rise to 3,400, together with substantialcommercial development. The site liesoutside but close to the AONB boundaryand its proposed development is aclassic example of how such a largescale development could harm the AONB.

In this case the main concern is the likelytraffic that would be generated on severalunsuitable country lanes coveringextensive parts of the AONB, spoilingtheir relative tranquillity. Concern wasalso expressed about the urban form ofthe development impacting upon AONBviews from Hascombe Hill. In 2009 an appeal against a refusal of asimilar development proposal wasdismissed on sustainability grounds by the Secretary of State, following an Inspector’s report and recommendation. If anythingthe sustainability case is now worse.

Furthermore the principle of a newsettlement should be considered throughthe local plan, rather than as an ad hocplanning permission - especially as thedraft plan is imminent.

News from Surrey Hills Enterprises

Surrey’s MPssupporting SurreyHills CowParadeSurrey MPs have made a mooo’ve to backthe Surrey Hills CowParade – the world’slargest public art event which comes to thecounty this summer. Sir Paul Beresford, Chris Grayling, PhilipHammond, Jonathan Lord, Anne Milton and Dominic Raab, joined members of the CowParade team at the House ofCommons to pledge their support to theinitiative to promote the Surrey Hills as anational asset for the benefit of localbusinesses, enhancing the community andconserving the area’s unique heritage.Over the summer months brightly-colouredcows will decorate the hills, farms, towns,schools and popular landmarks across the

county. Organisers are currently encouragingindividuals, companies, schools and otherorganisations to sponsor a life-sized cowand either decorate it themselves or bring in an artist to do it. The cows will then be displayed around thecounty before being herded to the inauguralSurrey Hills Food, Drink and Music Festival at Coverwood Farm, Peaslake on September 3. Those judged the pick of the herd will go toauction at a gala ceremony in London laterin the year with auction proceeds sharedequally between the individual charitiesselected by the cow sponsors and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, established in partnershipwith the Community Foundation for Surreyto conserve and protect the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.Anne Milton, MP for Guildford, said: “I amdelighted that the CowParade is coming tothe Surrey Hills AONB. It’s great that thisreally innovative project will be brought right

into the heart of our beautiful countryside.This is a great way to raise money forcommunity projects that will help the SurreyHills landscape to thrive. I hope to seemany people, businesses and schoolsgetting creative in sponsoring anddecorating a cow!”For more information on how to take part call the Surrey Hills CowParade teamon 01483 661150 or visit: www.surreyhillscowparade.com.

Cow Parade at the Houses of Parliament with Surrey MPs Anne Milton, Chris Grayling

and Sir Paul Beresford.

Society News

Newlands CornerThe Surrey Hills office has received manyenquiries about proposals for car parkingcharges, ‘a play trail and, potentially, a newVisitor Centre at Newlands Corner, nearGuildford. The land is owned by the AlburyEstate and has public access due to a longterm access agreement with Surrey CC. The Council has passed the management of theland to Surrey Wildlife Trust. The Surrey Hillshas been asked by some members andresidents as to why we have not commented on these proposals. This is because therehas been no formal planning application atthis stage. There are outline proposals for anew visitor centre at the site but this is at avery early stage of debate. There has been astrong public outcry from the local community and the appropriate organisations currently

involved in the debate are Shere ParishCouncil, Guildford Borough Council, SurreyCC, Surrey Wildlife Trust, concernedresidents and visitors who use the site.There have been a number of publicmeetings and many private meetingsbetween the Borough Council and theCounty Council. Surrey Hills Society has noplanning expertise within our entirelyvoluntary organisation. Our charity was notset up to be a lobby group. Our role is topromote, educate and support. We willhighlight major planning applications acrossthe AONB, cover all the stories affecting thearea and we even run Planning Forums toinform and educate but our role does notextend to lobbying. CPRE does an excellentjob of lobbying for the protection of the areaand that is why they have a seat on the

Surrey Hills Board and why we oftenpromote their work. For concernedresidents though, the best organisation tochampion local planning issues for you isyour parish or town council. The Surrey HillsPlanning Advisor will continue to monitor thesituation and will comment when anyplanning application is forthcoming.

Newlands corner © Martin Hollins,Photocompetition 2014

The AONB Planning Adviser responded to 211 planning applicationconsultations in the entire area in thefinancial year 2015/16, more than 50 up from the previous year. The figurehas more than doubled since theAdviser was appointed 7 years ago!

www.surreyhillssociety.org

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Society News

Sponsor’s View

The winter was very kind to us in Surreyand despite some very rainy days most ofus have avoided the floods that we

suffered over the Christmas period in2013. Still, there is no excuse for us tobecome complacent about the weatherand it has been comforting to see thecontractors employed by our localCouncils out making our waterways anddraining systems more efficient, as well ashearing about the magnificent voluntarywork being carried out in the villages toclear streams and ditches of their detritus.When those of you who are booked up tovisit Pixham on 30th July see how LadyWedgwood’s house and garden haverecovered from the floods, you will beable to appreciate how nature and a goodinsurer can restore a property to a betterstate than it was before the disaster!

In this issue I am prompted by the recentlaunch of the Flood Re insurance schemeto focus on ways that those of us thatconsider ourselves safe from floodingshould help our neighbours to beprotected from its perils. Anthony Wakefield

Flood protection -should we bebuilding an ark?In the past ten years there have been at least 13 incidents of serious flooding in the UK with only 2006 and 2011offering respite. So frequent have theseoccurrences been that up to five millionhomes are considered to be at risk. Therecent storms Desmond and Eva flooded16,000 homes in England alone.In December 2013 severe flooding inMole Valley and elsewhere in Surreymade a misery of Christmas for around a

thousand people, including Lady SandraWedgwood, who owns Pixham Mill inDorking. We are planning a tour of herlovely garden later this year as part of avisit to the Pixham Patchworking GardenProject and other features of the villageof Pixham.Surrey County Council published a draftLocal Flood Risk Management Strategydocument in August 2015. There areseveral types of flooding that have to beconsidered, including River (fluvial),Surface Water, Groundwater, Reservoirand Sewer.The main concerns appear to relate tosurface water run-off and sewer back up,which affects properties on high groundas well as those close to rivers orreservoirs. In fact properties on higherground are more likely to be exposed tothese dangers, as surface water is likelyto take longer to dissipate due to thecomposition of the soil and the lack ofexposed soil that can absorb the liquid. Surrey is currently undergoing a rapiddomestic building boom. However, due toGreen Belt restrictions this means thatnew houses are mostly constructed within existing housing boundaries. So we arewitnessing higher density of housing,greater levels of run off and increasedpressure on the capacity of aging sewers.

While the Environment Agency and otherbodies seek to discourage new homesbeing constructed in fluvial flood areas, no such incentives apply to other properties.We all owe a duty to our neighbours notjust to protect our own homes againstflooding, but to consider the effects thatpaving over drives and patios, pouringgrease and fat down the sink, or removing trees and shrubs may have on the abilityof local flood defences to cope. Perhapswe should also ask Local Government toconsider the consequences of allowingunfettered construction in the everencroaching suburbs of London. Anthony Wakefield

Help us support theSurrey Hills ChallengeThe Surrey Hills Challenge, set to be thebiggest running and walking event in Surrey,is to take place on Sunday 25 September,with the Greensand Way forming the back-drop to ‘The Ultra’, a 60 km run, ‘The Half’,a 21km walk or run, ‘The Ten’, a 10km walk

or run and ‘The Five’, a family challenge5km event. It is open to all ages and fitnessabilities. Money raised from the Challengewill help support the Community Foundationfor Surrey and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Our Chairman, Chris Howard will bewalking the “The Half” and would bedelighted if you would join her on the day.To find out more and book your space visitwww.surreyhillschallenge.com.

Anthony Wakefield

Pixham Patchworking Gardenthrough the tunnel in Dorking

A flood resistant house in Dorking

Flooding in 2013 in Pixham, Dorking

To join us go to www.surreyhillssociety.org and click on the Personal Membership tag

Warren Farm Barns, Headley Lane

Mickleham, Dorking, RH5 6DG

Email: [email protected]

Web: surreyhillssociety.org

Tel: 07530 949302 or 01372 220647

@SurreyHillsAONB

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Events Programme June – October 2016Visit our website for more information and additional events. Bookings generally open about 6 weeks before each event and mustbe booked in advance – even free ones. Non-email users can get more information by sending an SAE to the address above.

Dogfriendly

FamilyFriendly

Open to everyone who enjoys faster, fitter pace but particularly suitable for our 20’s-30’sgroup. For more details on 20’s-30’s events check out Facebook - Discover Guildford,Twitter @DiscoverGfrd or Email: [email protected]

Sunday 5th June Exploring Woldingham Meet for 11am prompt start at Woldinghamstation. Allow around 2 hours for this 2¾ mstrenuous walk. Free guided walk.

Wednesday 8th June Chairman’s Day – ChampioningFood and Farming in SurreyOne of the highlights of our annual calendar!A chance to meet topical and interestingcharacters and discover aspects of SurreyHills - this year in the east of the county. Meetsome of the families making their livelihood inrural Surrey, including Priory Farm and one ofthe country’s top sheep dog trainers. Discoversome interesting farm shops and hiddenSurrey views along the way.

Wednesday 15th JuneA Visit to GoddardsGoddards was built by architect EdwinLutyens and has a garden laid out by hisfriend and collaborator, Gertrude Jekyll. Weare privileged to have been granted accessfor a private viewing of this wonderful Arts &Crafts building situated at Abinger Common.

Monday 27th JuneDuxhurst – Surrey’s Lost VillageIn 1894 Lady Henry Somerset foundedDuxhurst (just 3 miles south of Reigate) as avillage for the care of inebriate women of allclasses. Learn about this forgotten communityand Lady Somerset’s work. Evening talk.

Sunday 3rd JulyExploring Farnham Meet at Farnham Station at 10.30am for11am start. Free guided walk.

Sunday 3rd JulyGatton Country Fair Signposting for Gatton TrustPart of our support to Gatton Park in 2016. Agreat day out for all the family. Animals, countrycrafts and demonstrations, children’s activities,fun dog show, gardens and grounds open.

Monday 4th JulyWonderful WaverleyAn exclusive visit to Waverley Abbey House,a charming Grade II* listed Georgianmansion, followed by an exploration of thestunning ruins of Waverley Abbey.Wednesday 20th JulyA Day in FarnhamA fully hosted day exploring the history andsights of Farnham. Discover the wonderfularchitecture, meet some of its interestingpeople and learn what makes Farnham sucha Surrey gem.Saturday 30th JulyA Pixham PerambulationA guided afternoon including thePatchworking Garden – a social horticulturalproject designed for those experiencingdifficulties as a result of isolation, bereavementor recovery from either psychological orphysical ill-health – PLUS a hosted walkthrough the gardens of Lady Wedgwood atPixham Mill.Sunday 7th AugustExploring The North Downs Way from Guildford Meet at Town Bridge by White House Pub,Guildford at 10.30am for 11am start. Free guided walk.Tuesday 9th August What’s That Plant?Another of our very popular walks withPamela Holt. This time we will focus onplants as well as treesThursday 18th AugustWhy are there no Georgian housesin Newdigate?A visit to the old ironworks at Ewood, justnorth of Newdigate in the company of localhistorian John Callcutt.Sunday 4th SeptemberOpen Day in Gatton ParkSignposting for Gatton TrustPart of our support to Gatton Park in 2016. A great day out for all the family. Special 2 for 1 deal on the open day for SHS members,1 – 5 pm.

Sunday 4th SeptemberExploring Norbury Park Meet at the car park above Bocketts Farm(Sat Nat Postcode: KT22 9BW) at 10.30amfor 11am start. Free guided walk.

Sunday 11th SeptemberCelebrating the Tales of theTillingbournePresident’s Day will actually be an earlyevening event. Our President has invited usto use a marquee in the grounds of his houseon Leith Hill to enjoy the splendid views andhear Tales of the Tillingbourne. The event willinclude a buffet supper.

Sunday 25th SeptemberSurrey Hills Challenge Signposting for Surrey Hills Trust FundA series of walks and runs in the Surrey Hillsin aid of the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Moredetails at www.surreyhillschallenge.com1st & 2nd OctoberSurrey Hills Wood Fair Signposting for Surrey Hills EnterprisesDetails at www.surreyhills.org/events/the-surrey-hills-wood-fairWednesday 5th OctoberMayor’s Sponsored WalkWe are organising a sponsored walk for the Mayor of Guildford along the GuildfordBorough section of the North Downs Way, in aid of the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Moredetails on the Events page of our website.

Saturday 15th OctoberA Day in BrockhamLearn more about this village near Dorkingand discover some of its community activities.

Saturday 22nd OctoberMap Reading to enjoy the Surrey HillsA training day for those who want to get outand appreciate the Surrey Hills, but do nothave the confidence and experience to useOrdnance Survey maps and a compass.Based in Buckland.