H.G. Wells Statue unveiled
Living Well in Woking
Winter 2016
Please read and then recycle
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www.woking.gov.uk/thewokingmagazine
Winter | 2016
Introduction
Welcome to the
winter edition
of The Woking
Magazine –
your window on
Woking Borough
As the nights draw darker and winter approaches,
we have another entertaining edition of The
Woking Magazine to keep you informed of
the latest news, events and activities over the
coming months.
Whilst the summer is well and truly behind us,
there’s still plenty of events and activities, as part
of Celebrate Woking, to enjoy. Turn to page 10 to
find details of this year’s annual fireworks display,
Remembrance Sunday commemorations and the
Diwali lantern parade celebrations.
The finale of the year-long ‘Wells in Woking’
celebrations marking Woking’s connection with
the founding father of science fiction, Herbert
George Wells, concluded in September with the
unveiling of a unique bronze statue. Discover the
statue for yourself by turning to page 11.
With demand for secondary school places across
Woking increasing in recent years, works to
construct a new state-of-the-art secondary school
and community leisure facilities on land adjacent
to Egley Road is well underway. Turn to page 15 to
find out more about the construction project.
Helping people stay connected, eat well, keep
active and feel safe and secure are just some
of the many ways Woking Borough Council can
help vulnerable residents live well in Woking.
To discover the services available to help you,
or members of your family, turn to page 16
and 17.
And finally, as this is the last edition of 2016,
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a
very merry festive season and a healthy,
prosperous New Year!
Andy Denner
The Woking Magazine Editor
Front cover: Local artist
Wesley H. Harland
Inset: Careline alarm unit
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Contents
News in brief
A snapshot of the latest news from
across the Borough
4
Celebrate Woking
Exciting events coming to Woking
this winter
10
Wells in Woking
Unique statue of H.G. Wells unveiled
11
Money Matters
How is the Council investing your
money
12
Living Well in Woking
Discover a range of services
18
Caring for the future
Latest update on the new hospice
21
Are you recycling right?
Find out what’s new in recycling
23
Out & about
Explore Brookwood Cemetery and
the Basingstoke Canal
24
Why don’t you?
Try gymnastics
30
Contact details
The Woking Magazine is compiled and published three
times a year by Woking Borough Council. A total of 46,000
copies are printed and delivered free to households and
many public information points across the Borough.
Editorial Team: Andy Denner, phone 01483 743026, email
[email protected] Quantum PR, phone
01233 500200, email [email protected]
Design: Quantum PR
If you wish to advertise in The Woking Magazine, please
call Dory Merriman on 07775 598470, or email
[email protected]
The appearance of adverts or loose leaf inserts in The Woking
Magazine does not constitute an endorsement by the Council.
The Woking Magazine is distributed to households via Royal
Mail. We have no control over the type or quantity of other
materials that are delivered by Royal Mail at the same time.
3
Winter | 2016
News in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News
Be taxiwise this
festive season
As evenings draw in, and the festive season
approaches, more people will be using Taxis
and Private Hire vehicles to see them home
from parties and events. Public awareness of
taxi safety is important to ensure that you get
home safely.
It wasn’t just Team GB that was celebrating
success this summer, as young athletes from
Woking were crowned overall P&G Surrey Youth
Games Champions.
Over 200 children and young people, aged between
7 and 16, represented Woking at the Championships
in 14 different sports including boccia, cricket,
netball, swimming and table tennis.
Every vehicle meets set licensing conditions,
including safety checks on the condition of
vehicles and emergency equipment such as fire
extinguishers.
During the Olympic-style event, hosted at Surrey
Sports Park in Guildford, Team Woking scooped
three gold, six silver and four bronze medals, as well
as some fantastic results in other sports.
The difference between Hackney Carriages and
Private Hire vehicles is Private Hire vehicles must
be booked in advance. Travelling in a Private Hire
vehicle that has not been pre-booked invalidates
its licence and insurance, potentially putting
passengers at risk.
These excellent results meant Woking won the overall
Borough Trophy, beating all 11 Surrey boroughs and
districts to the coveted title. The final Woking medals’
table:
Hackney Carriage taxis do not have to be prebooked and can be hailed on the street. They
must be fitted with a meter which the driver must
start at the beginning of the journey. A driver can
charge less than the fare displayed, but must not
charge more.
Before getting into a Hackney Carriage or Private
Hire vehicle, there are a few simple dos and
don’ts you should follow.
Do
Plan your journey in advance.
Ask to see the driver’s badge.
Make sure your driver knows the details of
your journey.
Don’t
Use a vehicle licensed by another borough,
unless you’ve specifically booked it.
Get into an unlicensed vehicle.
Get in if you have any doubts.
Remember, if the taxi is not licensed, the driver will
not be insured, the vehicle may not be safe and the
driver will not have been approved to carry you.
If you have any questions, or comments,
regarding the Taxi and Private Hire trade in
Woking, please contact the Council’s Licensing
Department on 01483 755855 or
[email protected]
4
Congratulations Team Woking!
Gold – U13 Girls Netball, U11 Girls Cricket
and Swimming
Silver – U11 Badminton, U15 Girls Netball,
Non-contact Boxing, Lacrosse, U13 Boccia and
U11 Boys Judo
Bronze – U11 Girls Judo, U15 Boys Judo, U13
Boccia and U16 Boccia.
Cllr Beryl Hunwicks, Portfolio Holder for Health and
Wellbeing Development, said: “What a fantastic
achievement for everyone involved! On behalf of
everyone at the Council, I would like to congratulate
Team Woking on their superb performances and
winning the overall Borough trophy at the P&G Surrey
Youth Games.”
If you’ve been inspired to sign-up for next year’s
Games, please contact Matt Glazier, Woking Borough
Council’s Sports Development Officer, on 01483
743804 or email [email protected]
in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News in brief...
Search is on for local young stars
Nominations are now open for the Young People’s Civic Awards Scheme 2017.
Woking Borough Council is keen to hear about local
young people who have achieved exceptional
success in areas that are not normally recognised by
formal accreditation, and deserve recognition for
their efforts.
The Scheme particularly seeks nominees in three
categories.
Outstanding Contribution to the Community –
includes work in areas such as helping older or
disabled people, working with children,
fundraising for good causes or getting involved
with voluntary organisations.
Triumph Over Adversity – includes endurance
and bravery, such as overcoming a disability or
helping a parent or family member with a disability.
The Scheme is open to all children and young people,
up to the age of 18, who live, attend school or college
in the Borough. All nominations are judged by a panel
which typically includes representatives from the Local
Education Authority, Surrey Police, voluntary sector,
Sport Woking, Woking Youth Council and Woking
Borough Council.
Outstanding Achievement – covers excellence
in many fields: sport, music, drama, visual arts
and particularly less academic subjects that are
not normally recognised or rewarded.
All young people nominated for an award will receive
a certificate acknowledging their achievements. The
winners will be invited to attend the Mayor’s Civic
Reception in April 2017.
The deadline for nominations is 27 January 2017. For further information, please visit
www.woking.gov.uk/youngcivicawardscheme or call Julie Northcote, Democratic Services Officer, on
01483 743053 or email [email protected]
New charges at Surrey’s
community recycling centres
If you’re planning any DIY or building work at
home, please be aware that new charges for
some non-household waste now apply at
Martyrs Lane Community Recycling Centre.
Charges will apply for waste from construction,
alterations or repairs to you home or garden,
such as plasterboard, breeze blocks, bricks,
rubble and soil. A charge will also apply for tyres
from cars and motorbikes. You can only pay by
credit or debit card.
The introduction of charges is being made as
increased demand for essential services, coupled
with reduced government funding, means Surrey
County Council needs to reduce its spending in
other areas, including its CRCs.
A full list of the types of waste that are charged
for, the costs and your free allowance is available
by visiting www.surreycc.gov.uk/recycling
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Take care on shared paths
Travelling around Woking easily and safely is
important and what better way to do that than on
two wheels. Shared paths allow people to walk or
cycle in a safe area away from busy roads.
It’s important that we all take care so here are two top
tips to sharing the paths.
If the path is separated by a white line, please
use the correct side for walking or cycling.
If you’re approaching someone from behind on
your bike please pass at a moderate speed and
use a bell or friendly greeting.
For more information, please visit
www.drivesmartsurrey.org.uk
5
Winter | 2016
News in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News
Could you spare your
Winter Fuel Allowance?
New phone number
launched to report
power cuts
When the power goes out, it can
leave people feeling unsure
about what to do. So a new
phone number has been
launched. By dialling 105 will
connect callers to their local
electricity network operator.
The electricity in your area is
covered by UK Power Networks who
own and maintain electricity cables
and lines across London, the South
East and East of England making
sure your lights stay on. So dialling
105 will connect you straight through
to UK Power Networks.
105 is available to all electricity
customers in England, Scotland
and Wales. The number can be
accessed from most landlines
and mobile phones. It doesn’t
matter who you buy electricity
from - anyone can call 105.
The public can also call 105 if
they spot damage to electricity
power lines and substations that
could put them, or someone else,
in danger. If there’s a serious
immediate risk, the emergency
services should be called too.
Visit www.powercut105.com
to find out more about the 105
service.
Do you need extra support
during a power cut?
If so, speak to UK Power
Networks who offer additional
free support to those that need it.
More information can be found at
www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/
priority
6
Citizens’ Advice Woking, in partnership with
Woking Lions Club, has launched its annual
Wenceslas Project to assist those in the
community who face fuel poverty this winter.
Many local residents struggle to keep warm and meet fuel bills during
the winter months, yet don’t qualify for any statutory payments. To
assist, Citizens’ Advice Woking and Woking Lions Club are
encouraging local residents who are in receipt of a Winter Fuel
Allowance, and can afford to, donate part or all their allowance, to the
project to help those within the community who are less fortunate.
Last year, the project raised over £4,500 enabling Citizens’ Advice
Woking help many local residents. Woking Lions Club is aiming to help
even more residents in need this winter
For more information, or to donate your Winter Fuel Allowance, please
visit Citizens’ Advice Woking, 26 Commercial Way, Woking, email
[email protected] or call 01483 541610. Cheques
should be made payable to ‘Woking Lions Club/Citizens Advice
Woking’.
Working to make
Surrey Prepared
Would you like to help your home and the community you live in
be prepared for anything, from flooding to very cold weather?
Surrey Prepared will help you by providing the information and
resources needed to help make your communities stronger and
more resilient.
Unfortunately major incidents can and do happen in Surrey – just two
and a half years ago the county experienced such severe flooding that
the army was called in to provide support. We’ve seen that
communities who come together during incidents are better off,
whether from how they dealt with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth
disease to the way communities respond to large fires.
Surrey County Council has worked with its partners to launch the
Surrey Community Resilience Partnership. The partnership will help
communities build resilience and protect homes under the Surrey
Prepared initiative, with everything from advice on developing a
community emergency plan to training, resources to help you prepare
for major incidents and even help with getting funding to help make
your community more resilient.
Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyprepared to find out how you
can get involved and sign up for the new Surrey Prepared
e-newsletter or follow @SurreyPrepared on Twitter.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News in brief...
Enterprise Car Club
makes it easy
Sometimes you need a car when you don’t have a
car. Enterprise Car Club can help.
Enterprise Car Club is an hourly, self-service car rental
service with cars based in the heart of Woking.
Available to reserve 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
membership also gives you access to the rest of their
950+ cars based in 19 UK cities.
Car clubs help to reduce traffic, pollution and can save
you money on the costs of owning a car. With access to
a choice of new cars and vans parked locally to where
you live and work, Enterprise Car Club means that you
only ever pay for a car or van when you need one, not
when you don’t.
Woking residents can take advantage of a special
annual membership cost of just £10 for the first year,
with £10 drive time credit included.
Simply visit www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk and use the
code ECCWOK when applying online.
Beat the queue: do it online
Businesses and residents across the Borough can
save time by using a range of new online forms that
offer a quick, efficient and secure service.
Visitors to the Council’s website can now apply for
Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit, as well as
various exemptions and discounts for Council Tax and
Business Rates. They can also advise the Council
about changes in circumstances, such as a change of
address or change in income.
Supporting people at home
facing life-threatening illness
A diagnosis of cancer, MND or any serious
illness can be devastating and it’s sometimes
hard to share feelings and concerns – even
with close family.
The Brigitte Trust was set up 30 years ago by
Brigitte Watkin, who saw three friends die in
hospital unsupported. Her wish was for a
volunteer service offering respite to carers,
emotional support for the whole family and the
opportunity to share the emotional burden
without judgement.
The Trust works closely with local hospices and
district nursing teams and needs more volunteers
from Woking to support families in the local
community.
The Trust holds regular volunteer taster sessions
for potential volunteers to find out more about the
charity before committing to the free training
course.
A family member supported by the Trust, said:
“We would have been lost without the support
and kindness of Brigitte Trust. The volunteer was
wonderful to my husband, never faltering in her
support, even during his last difficult weeks
and days.
“Their kindness and support gave us the strength
to make my husband’s last days as comfortable
and as dignified as possible. Their support
continues to keep us afloat in coming to terms
with our loss.”
If you can help, please visit www.brigittetrust.org
To access the range of online forms, visit
www.woking.gov.uk/apply
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
7
Winter | 2016
News in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News
Are you a landlord with property in the Borough?
To help improve and maintain the standard of private rented accommodation across the
Borough, Woking Borough Council has introduced a Private Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
The Scheme, administered by the National Landlords
Association (NLA), requires the completion of a
foundation course and subsequent continued
professional development, with all aspects of the
scheme completed either online or in attendance.
use of the NLA and Woking Borough Council
accreditation logos
Speaking about
the accreditation
scheme, Cllr Colin
Kemp, Portfolio
Holder for Private
Sector Housing,
said: “Private
landlords play an
essential role in
providing
accommodation
to residents
across the Borough. By partnering with the National
Landlords Association, we are able to offer an
accreditation scheme founded on the belief that the
more knowledge and awareness landlords have, the
more likely it is that their properties will be maintained
to a higher standard.”
certificate of accredited status from the NLA
How do I become an accredited landlord?
appear on NLA and Woking Borough Council
online register of accredited landlords
To kick start your registration,
visit www.woking.gov.uk/letstalklandlords
or email [email protected]
for more information about the Scheme.
Benefits of becoming an accredited landlord
Landlords who become accredited through the
scheme will benefit from incentives offered by both the
NLA and Woking Borough Council. These include:
recognition from a national scheme, irrespective
of where the landlord operates
improved knowledge of property management
and legislation
competitive advantage in local marketplace
free local seminars and workshops, dependant
on landlord needs and requests
passport your accreditation from another landlord
development based scheme.
Top tips to stay well
this winter
With winter fast approaching, severe weather or
ill health can strike at any time. So this winter, we
are reminding residents of the importance of
taking a few simple steps to prepare for whatever
comes our way.
There are three simple steps to help you prepare
for winter:
Keep well
Eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
Have your flu jab.
Keep active.
Get help early; ask your pharmacist or for a
non-emergency call 111.
Step 3
Be prepared and safe
Step 1
Keep your medicine cabinet stocked and fill
repeat prescriptions in good time.
Keep warm
Put together an emergency kit bag.
Insulate your home.
Sign up for flood warnings at www.gov.uk/signup-for-flood-warnings and make a flood plan.
Draw your curtains and shut doors.
Look out for your neighbours.
Find out about financial help and grants – call
your local Citizens’ Advice or Action Surrey
on 0800 783 2503.
Arrange a free Home Fire Safety visit by calling
0800 085 0767.
Heat your home to at least 18°C.
8
Step 2
Visit www.healthysurrey.org.uk for more information.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Another inspirational year!
It’s official, 2016 has been another fantastic year with thousands of residents and
visitors enjoying a diverse range of events and activities! But don’t worry, the fun isn’t
over yet. Here’s what to look out for during the winter months.
Diwali: Festival of Lights
Wednesday 3 November, from 6pm,
Woking Town Centre
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 13 November, service begins
10.30am, Jubilee Square, Woking
Celebrate new beginnings, good versus evil and
the triumph of light over dark, Woking will come
alive with a stunning parade of colourful lanterns
to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light.
The free lantern parade, open to all, will start at
6pm from Gloucester Square before making its
way around Woking Town Centre towards the
H.G. Wells Conference and Events Centre, where
the Diwali inspired celebrations will continue.
Join veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces,
Cadets, Cubs, Scouts, Guides and civilian organisations
in Jubilee Square as Woking falls silent to honour the
heroic efforts and sacrifices made during past conflicts.
The Service of Remembrance will begin at 10.30am,
concluding with a two minute silence and laying of
wreaths.
A two minute silence will also be observed at 11am
on Armistice Day, Friday 11 November.
Surrey Half Marathon
Woking Fireworks
Extravaganza
Saturday 5 November, gates open 6pm,
Woking Park
Organised by Woking District Rotary Club, the
annual fireworks extravaganza will see a fun fair,
food stalls and a spectacular fireworks display
beginning at 8pm.
Advance tickets can be purchased from Pool in the
Park: £5 adults (16+), £3 children (5–16) or £12 for a
family ticket (two adults, two children). Tickets
purchased on the gate cost £6 adults, £4 children or
£15 for a family ticket.
All funds raised goes to local charities and good
causes.
10
Sunday 17 March, Woking
Runners! Dust off your trainers, don your running
vest and get set to pound the streets of Woking
as the Surrey Half Marathon returns!
Starting and finishing at Woking Leisure Centre,
the 13.1 mile run boasts a flat, scenic route with
entertainment and fantastic local support. In
addition to the main event and kids’ race, which
saw over 500 children take part in 2016, a brand
new 5km run has been added for 2017.
To sign-up, or for more information including road
closures, visit www.surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk
Stay up-to-date with the latest events and
activities across the Borough by visiting
www.celebartewoking.info
Wells in Woking
The finale of the year-long ‘Wells in Woking’ celebrations marking Woking’s
connection with the founding father of science fiction, Herbert George Wells,
concluded with the unveiling of a unique bronze statue.
Members of Wells’ extended family joined invited
guests for the unveiling of ‘Novelist & Thinker’ by local
artist, Wesley H. Harland, at The Lightbox Gallery
and Museum on Wednesday 21 September 2016 –
150 years to the day of his birth.
Towering seven feet tall, ‘Novelist & Thinker’ has taken
inspiration from many of Wells’ best-selling novels:
resting in the hand of the author the cavorite sphere
spaceship from The First Men in the Moon; on the back
of Wells’ chair the date 802,701AD, the year the time
traveller meets the Morlocks and Eloi in The Time
Machine; and of course, creeping across the base of
the statue is alien red weed from The War of the Worlds.
Wells moved to Woking in May 1895. He made
Woking famous in the late 19th Century by choosing
Horsell Common as the location for his Martian
landing in the hugely popular science fiction novel,
The War of the Worlds.
improving our
surroundings, I believe
that public sculpture
should inspire and
engage people. I hope
that this statue not only
provides a fitting tribute
to the author, but
stimulates the interest of
people passing to pick
up a novel by Wells.”
To honour the life of the author and his time in
Woking, the ‘Wells in Woking’ programme inspired
thousands of local residents and businesses that
included talks, guided walks, art projects and
themed activities.
The statue will remain on display at The Lightbox
Gallery and Museum until autumn 2017 before
moving to its permanent home outside Victoria Gate,
as part of the Wells in Woking Heritage Trail.
For more information about H.G. Well and his
connection with Woking, as well as the Wells
Heritage Trail, please visit
www.wellsinwoking.info
Cllr John Kingsbury, Leader of Woking Borough
Council, said: “Wells is arguably one of the nation’s
greatest literary talents and public intellectuals of his
time. Whilst his time in Woking was brief, it was also
one of his most prolific as an author. Not many places
can boast such as strong heritage, Woking does, and
we should be proud of it.
“So it is only right that this stunning bronze statue
represents a fitting tribute to H.G. Wells and his
connection with Woking that will inspire future
generations of young people to continue Wells’ legacy.”
Speaking about the statue, sculptor Wesley H.
Harland, said: “As a fan of Herbert George Wells, it
has been as honour to have been chosen to create
this public statue of the great man. As well as
11
Winter | 2016
Money Matters
We provide services to over 100,000 residents
Cost of providing
services (£)
Income from collected
Council Tax (£) –
98.5% of Council Tax
collected
x1
Income from
commercial property
owned by Council (£)
k
Savings identified (£)
88.3m 8.7m 11.8m 461K
Homes completed at
Kingsmore Park Private
Finance Initiative
Invested in renovation
and improvements to
Council housing stock
Invested in affordable
housing by Thameswey
Housing Ltd
Invested in enabling Hoe
Valley School and community
leisure facilities in Mayford
12
108
7.7
million
17
million
9
million
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
On Thursday 29 September 2016, Woking Borough Council
approved the audited annual accounts for 2015/16. The
accounts include details of the Council’s income and
expenditure between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.
Take a look at the key information below.
We welcome any comments you have on the information published in this article.
Please email [email protected]
A full Statement of Accounts is available to view at www.woking.gov.uk
Total value of assets
held (£) - Value has
increased £85m in
last 12 months
Our total borrowing
(£)
Average interest we
pay on our loans
754m 429m 3.9%
Community Support
£2 million
Housing
£12 million
Transport
and parking
£5 million
Recreation
and Culture
£7 million
* Excludes Housing Benefits which are
funded by Central Government grants.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Investments made in
Borough (£)
65m
Public Safety
£2 million
Refuse
£3 million
Environmental
Management
£5 million
Local Economy
£8 million
Corporate and
Democratic Processes
£5 million
13
Building for our Borough’s future
With demand for secondary school places across Woking increasing in recent years,
works to construct a new state-of-the-art secondary school and community leisure
facilities on land adjacent to Egley Road is well underway.
The new school buildings will become the permanent
home of Hoe Valley School which is currently based
at a temporary site in Woking Park. The new
community leisure facilities will provide publicly
accessible community sports and leisure amenities.
Woking has experienced a significant increase in
demand for secondary school places, with the
County Council projecting that Woking will require an
additional 90 secondary school places by 2017 and
a further 210 school places by 2021.
Extensive research to find a suitable site to meet this
demand in the urban area resulted in both Surrey
County Council and Woking Borough Council
concluding, in 2014, that these were exceptional
circumstances and therefore a strong case to build
on Green Belt land.
The 22 acre site at Egley Road was acquired by
Woking Borough Council and planning approval
granted in December 2015 following referral to the
Secretary of State as an Exception to Green Belt Policy.
School building
The four acre school development will consist of a
three storey building containing two teaching wings,
and includes fully equipped science labs, specialist
teaching facilities for music, drama, art and
technology, a library and separate learning resource
centre, main hall, dining and reception areas, multiuse games areas (MUGAs) and shared access to the
leisure and sports facilities.
Council and will comprise a five badminton court
sports hall, fitness gym, two studio rooms,
club/meeting room and viewing gallery for use by
centre users.
Externally, there will be an eight lane athletics track,
two grass sports pitches (one adult, one junior) and
three all weather five-a-side artificial grass pitches.
Great support
Speaking about the development, Lynne O’Reilly,
Chair of Governors at Hoe Valley School, said: “We
are absolutely thrilled that building works have
commenced. The Egley Road site is a perfect
location for us, situated right in the heart of the
community we serve.
“As well as having a brand new school with its state-ofthe-art learning environment, our students will also
benefit from access to the extensive leisure facilities on
site. We are delighted with the huge support we have
received from local parents and residents throughout
the application and pre-opening phases, and from
Woking Borough Council in securing premises.”
It is expected the school building will open and be
occupied by Hoe Valley School from September
2018. It is expected that the community leisure
facilities will open to the School at the same time and
to the public by early 2019.
The development is a partnership between Hoe
Valley School, Woking Borough Council and delivered
by Willmott Dixon.
Community leisure facilities
The leisure and sports facilities, for use by both the
local community and school, are to be operated by
Freedom Leisure on behalf of Woking Borough
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Stay up-to-date with the latest development news,
as well as taking a tour of the site, please visit
www.woking.gov.uk/hoevalleyleisuredev
15
Winter | 2016
Living Well in Woking
Ronald finds it hard to do those small jobs around the house now that he is getting older.
Patricia struggles to help her husband up the stairs following his stroke, whilst June
knows that if she fell over at home then she wouldn’t be able to get back up again.
But Ronald, Patricia and June are all able to live independently in their homes thanks to
a range of services provided by Woking Borough Council’s Living Well scheme.
Careline
June feels reassured to know that if she falls over
at home then she can easily call for help. June
says:
“
I have neck and back problems
which mean that when I fall over I
really find it hard to get back up
again. I have been using the alarm
service for two years and have
pressed the button three times. I felt
so relieved to be able to tell
someone what had happened. The
operator called the paramedics who
used a key from the key safe to enter
the house. The paramedics picked
me up and made sure I was alright
before they left.
A 12 week trial is available free of charge for
people who have recently been in hospital
(installation of a community alarm can help to
speed up early discharge from hospital) or have
been victims of distraction burglary.
“
Careline is an alarm unit which is installed in your
home and is activated by an alarm button that can
be worn discreetly on your wrist or around your
neck. Care and support is available day and night
throughout the year, whether you are indoors or
outside in the garden.
Careline is quick and easy to install and costs from
as little as £4.10 a week. Discounts are available
for people in receipt of means tested benefits and
Careline staff can advise whether you may be
eligible for an Attendance Allowance to help pay
for the service.
16
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Homelink Home Improvement
Thanks to assistance from the Homelink team,
Patricia and Gordon can enjoy their new stair lift.
Gordon has limited mobility following a stroke and
Patricia relied on her son who lives locally to help
her carry him up the stairs.
Patricia explains how helpful the Homelink Home
Improvement service has been: “The Homelink
Advisor came out to see us and discuss what we
needed. She has been so supportive and it was a
huge relief to find out that the Council manage
the work, although the lift company have been
very good to us. They took us through lots of
options as our stairs are an awkward shape.”
The Homelink team can help identify what
adaptations your home needs to help meet your
changing needs, such as adapting a bathroom into
a wet room so bathing is easier or installing a stair
lift or a ramp to help you to move around your home.
As well as advice on getting work completed and
help to access financial support, such as a
Disabled Facilities Grant or Home Improvement
Loan, to assist with the cost. If in receipt of a
means tested benefit, you may be able to access
funding to help pay for essential repairs which
are affecting your health or safety.
Whether or not you qualify for
financial assistance,
Homelink can help
you to find a trusted,
reputable supplier
and organise
the work.
Homelink Handyperson
Ronald was delighted to discover that the long list of
little jobs that he’d been meaning to tackle could be
fixed by the Homelink Handyperson service.
“I got in touch with the
Handyperson service
and I had some bathroom
tiles replaced, my garage
roof sealed, some
electric switches and
lightbulbs changed and a
ceiling rose repaired. I
can’t recommend the
service highly enough. It
was very reasonably
priced, much less than if
I had found someone myself. And of course, I knew I
could rely on the work being carried out properly
because the handyperson is part of the Council’s
Homelink service.”
The Handyperson Service provides assistance to
people who have been discharged from hospital or
require safety work, such as installing grab rails,
banister rails, key safes or door chains and securing
rugs or trailing wires.
The service also offers help with small jobs that you
find difficult to do or can’t find anyone else to do at a
reasonable cost such as moving furniture, hanging
curtains, sealing sinks or securing rugs.
Prices start from just £10 an hour or there may just be
a charge for the cost of materials depending on the
nature of the work.
A helping hand
Helping people stay connected, eat well, keep
active, feel secure and safe are just some of the
many ways that Woking Borough Council can help
vulnerable people to live well in Woking.
For more information about ways to help you
continue to live independently in Woking, please
visit www.woking.gov.uk/livingwell or call
01483 743668.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
17
Winter | 2016
A tale of one family’s Great War experiences
One hundred years ago, Surrey was playing its part in the first global war between
modern, industrial nations. The conflict called for previously unthinkable sacrifices.
How did Surrey answer the call? That question lies at the heart of Surrey Heritage’s
four year project, Surrey in the Great War: A County Remembers.
Project Officer Imogen recently met Send resident,
Pat Clack (née Gibbons), to hear about her father’s
family’s experiences during the Great War. Her father
Harold and the rest of the Gibbons family lived under
one roof in Maybury Hill, Woking, in a house called
Grosvenor.
One of Harold’s brothers, Reginald Herbert Gibbons,
was born on 1 May 1888. Reginald’s life before the
outbreak of hostilities was spent in Maybury, where
his father worked in Colman’s furniture store.
Reginald started working for Woking District Council
in 1904, aged 16. Thereafter, he started his career at
the Woking News and Mail and Surrey Advertiser. By
1911, Reginald had married Hilda Ilott, had an eightmonth-old daughter named Evelyn, was working as a
journalist and lived in Horsell.
Reginald’s four brothers
also served in the Great
War. Pat’s father Harold
was posted with the
Queen’s (Royal West
Surrey) Regiment to
Delhi in 1915 and Poona
(Pune) in 1918. He
documented his time
there by taking a
wonderful selection of
photographs of Indian
landscapes and his
fellow soldiers.
Harold’s posting to Delhi came at a highly
inconvenient time in his personal life, as he and his
wife, Florence, had been married only three weeks
earlier. Whilst in India, Harold suffered from frequent
bouts of malaria.
Albert and Ernest Gibbons also enlisted with the
Queen’s. Meanwhile, Frederick George Gibbons
served with the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion, Royal
Sussex Regiment, in Étaples. He transferred to the 4th
Field Survey of the Royal Engineers on 22 December
1917, remaining in France until the end of the war.
After war broke out, Reginald joined the Royal Army
Medical Corps (RAMC), much to the amusement of
his four brothers, as he had no previous medical
experience. Reginald was based at the Inkerman
Barracks’ Military Hospital, Knaphill (most of the
former barracks has since been demolished and
turned into housing).
After the war, Reginald’s journalism career took off.
He became the Woking News and Mail’s sports
editor (regularly reporting Woking Football Club
matches), and later sub-editor and editor. He retired
from the newspaper in the 1960s.
18
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Get involved in Surrey in the Great War
Find out more about people like Reginald Gibbons by
visiting the Surrey in the Great War project website,
www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk Visitors can find
out about their local area during the Great War and
register as users to upload their own research.
If you have a family story relating to Surrey in the
Great War, please get in touch! The project aims to
capture and share stories of wartime experiences
and needs volunteers from across the county to help
uncover Surrey’s stories.
Servicemen, Red Cross volunteers, agricultural
workers, conscientious objectors, scientists, women
war workers, children, drivers and manufacturers: all
have a story to be unearthed.
Anyone can participate: schools and colleges,
community groups and local societies, experienced
researchers and novices with a thirst to discover - all
are welcome. The project’s dedicated staff can offer
support, ideas and training.
Further information
To get involved, please contact the Surrey in the
Great War team on 01483 518238/518239 or
[email protected]
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Brookwood Last Post Association
On the first Sunday of every month, between
April and October, at precisely 3pm the sound of
the Last Post and Reveille ring out through the
giant redwood trees at Brookwood Military
Cemetery. Standards are dipped and the strains
of ‘At the Going Down of the Sun and in the
Morning…’ can be heard. We will and do
remember them.
When the daily Last Post ceremony at the Menin
Gate in Ypres was interrupted by the Nazi
occupation of Belgium in 1940, to maintain the
tradition unbroken since 1927, the ceremony
continued at Brookwood Ceremony throughout
the next four years. When Ypres was liberated by
Polish troops, and even before the last Nazi
troops were driven from the town, the service
restarted. Yet a dedicated band of local men
wanted to remember and respect fallen
comrades, so Brookwood’s ceremony carried on
– which it has to this day.
As members grow older and fewer each year,
Brookwood Last Post Association is now seeking
new members and veterans to keep this historic
tradition alive.
If you would like to get involved, or for more
details, please email Malcom Head at
[email protected] or call
07977 145889.
19
Winter | 2016
Young people and healthy relationships
The annual Surrey Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, hosted during October, is
supported by Surrey Police, Surrey County Council, Woking Borough Council, local
charities and many other organisations to raise public awareness of domestic abuse.
This year the focus was on domestic abuse and
young people. Many people believe that domestic
abuse only affects married couples or older people,
but in fact recent research by the NSPCC found that
over 40% of young people had experienced
domestic abuse in their own relationships.
Domestic abuse can and does have a devastating
effect on those who have experienced it, and it can
take many forms not just physical. Victims can be
emotionally, psychologically, sexually and financially
abused. Victims feel isolated, frightened, depressed,
and traumatised.
Ultimately, it can result in serious physical injury and
sometimes worse – on average two women are killed
in England and Wales every week. It is also
important to understand that it’s not just women, but
men are also victims. It can affect those in
heterosexual and same sex relationships.
With the advent of social media and smartphones,
young people can be controlled and threatened via
these means – tracking apps, ‘revenge porn’ and
hacking social media accounts are just some of the
ways technology is used to perpetrate abuse.
During Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, the
organisations involved helped young people
understand what domestic abuse is, the tactics that
perpetrators use to control their victims, and where
and how to seek support.
It’s vital that young people have the right
expectations around treating each other with respect
and kindness so they can identify quickly if they are
in an abusive relationship. This work continues all
year round with workshops delivered in schools,
youth clubs and other settings explaining to young
people what a healthy relationship looks like. By
educating young people now we are preventing
abuse from taking place in the future.
In Woking, yourSanctuary is a local charity providing
a confidential service offering support to young
people who may be experiencing domestic abuse.
yourSanctuary operates a 24-hour specialist helpline
and community outreach service.
Anyone can use the helpline at any time for
information or support – whether a friend, family
member, colleague or a victim. The outreach service
offers face-to-face support with a trained
professional who will provide emotional and practical
support. yourSanctuary also has a website that
young people can access for information and
advice that can signpost them to many local and
national services.
If you are victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who might be, contact us for advice and support.
yourSanctuary 24 hour helpline: 01483 776822
yourSanctuary website: www.yoursanctuary.org.uk
Surrey Against Domestic Abuse website: www.surreyagainstda.info
National Domestic Violence helpline: 0808 2000 247 (Freephone)
20
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Caring for the future
As the development of the new Hospice in Goldsworth Park moves to the next stage,
the answers become clear as to why it is so vital for the community and why local
residents should support Woking & Sam Beare Hospices to help complete the project.
Significant progress has been made in building the
new hospice in Goldsworth Park. There is a sense of
anticipation amongst staff and volunteers at Woking
& Sam Beare Hospices, as they wait to move in to the
state-of-the-art building.
Some patient bedrooms are bigger, to accommodate
the changing shape of future generations, hoists in all
rooms and assisted bathrooms will allow a larger intake
of patients with acute mobility problems. A Wellbeing
Centre houses superb treatment facilities and social
spaces. The building will include good dementia design
aspects; visitors will see appropriate floor and wall
finishes, signage, contrasting furnishings and lighting,
to create an environment which meets the needs of all
palliative care patients, including those with dementia.
A computer generated image (CGI) of the new entrance
Construction is on schedule to finish in a few months,
after which a fit-out and staff training will commence.
In stages, all services will move out of both current
buildings. Sam Beare will move from Weybridge
Hospital in December then, after a brief period where
all services are run from Woking Hospice, the new
hospice will receive its first patients in spring 2017.
A CGI of a bedroom at Woking & Sam Beare Hospice
The Community Team, based at the hospice, will have
a much better space to work in. The team delivers
over 70% of hospice care in patient homes across
north west Surrey. This service equips patients and
their caregivers with tools and knowledge to remain
independent, without the need for in-patient
admission, sometimes until the end of life.
Woking & Sam Beare Hospices, individually and
together, have been pillars of the communities they
serve for 20 years, and now the charity is building for
the future and extending the reach of its services. The
hospice is striving for excellence and has ambitious
goals for the next two decades and beyond. With this
building, those aspirations can be realised.
A CGI of the new day room
A tour of the construction site highlights the scale of
the challenges being addressed by the hospices as
they plan for 21st Century palliative care and
demonstrates detailed thought behind the architecture.
The hospice is designed in a world where the
population is expanding and people live longer,
potentially with a vastly more complex spectrum of
healthcare needs. The hospice will be able to
confidently accept any patient, with any condition.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
At some point, we will all encounter end-of-life care.
It might be us or our spouse, parent, sibling or even
child. We owe it to our loved ones to invest in the
future and make the new hospice one of the best
modern palliative care facilities in the south east.
With continued support from the community, the
Hospice will be able provide all services from its
new home, free of charge, to anyone who needs
care, for many more years to come. To find out more
or donate, visit www.wsbhospices.co.uk/newbuild
21
Winter | 2016
A beating heart in a changing world
Down a quiet unassuming residential street just a short walk from Woking Town Centre
is The Maybury Centre, an oasis of activity where different cultures and communities
are welcomed all year round.
The Maybury Centre was established in 1994, after a
local group campaigned for a meeting point in the
heart of Woking, where people from all parts of the
community could get together.
Over the past 22 years a lot has changed, but The
Maybury Centre has been a constant in welcoming and
serving both our oldest communities and new arrivals.
The former school building (once attended by
Woking’s famous musical son, Paul Weller) was taken
over by Woking Borough Council, who converted the
various halls and classrooms into the meeting space
available today.
These spaces are hired by a wide variety of groups for
an enormous range of activities, whilst the Centre itself
hosts key community activities and support groups.
“We would claim to be the most diverse location in
Woking. Close to Woking Town Centre with a large
car park, we attract anything from operatic groups
rehearsing to yoga groups yoga-ing, dance groups
jigging and Scrabble players scrabbling’’ says Chair
of Trustees, Clive Moon. “Our location means we’re
in the multi cultural heart of Woking and our open
door policy makes everybody feel welcome, whether
for English classes or social gatherings.”
Amongst the many regular users are Woking College,
Little Lanes pre-school, Woking Youth Centre and
Knaphill & St Johns Operatic Group.
Community groups run by the Centre (and funded
with help from Woking Borough Council) include
22
‘Liaise’, a support group for women from around the
world, offering language and art classes as well as
support and advice.
Similarly, ‘The Schoolhouse Project’ has a part-time
worker who organises a wide variety of activities
including an international group, art classes, and
specific gatherings for Italian, Nepalese and Muslim
elders.
Key to the success of the Centre is the variety of
spaces available: a large main hall, two further halls,
plus various classrooms and smaller meeting spaces.
Led by manager, Justine Wyatt, the staff are just as
crucial. The Centre is staffed at all times, seven days a
week, by a team that welcomes and helps everyone.
There is also a good-sized car park that can be
extended to meet the requirements of most
gatherings, a kitchen and free wi-fi.
Whatever changes Woking has seen, The Maybury
Centre has proven adaptable to meeting these needs
which is why it’s the beating heart of community life
in the centre of Woking. So come down and find out
for yourself.
For more information about The Maybury Centre,
details about the spaces available, hire prices, and
lots more, please visit www.mayburycentre.co.uk
Alternatively, to arrange to pop in, call 01483
776877 or email [email protected]
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Are you recycling right?
Do you know what’s new in recycling? It’s always worth checking what and how you
can recycle to reduce what you throw away, as recycling services can change and
packaging can be confusing.
You might be surprised to realise that you can recycle
things like envelopes with windows, bleach bottles
and biscuit tins in Surrey. But what you can recycle
differs depending on where you live in the county,
and there are some things you can’t recycle
anywhere in Surrey like polystyrene and nappies.
If you’ve put the wrong items in your recycling bin, it
might not be emptied. That’s because the processing
plant could reject the whole truck load and
everyone’s recycling would then be thrown away.
yourself today!
Not many more sleeps until
Christmas…
It’s almost that time of year again when
collections change during the festive season.
Collections week commencing Monday
26 December will take place one day later
than usual.
Collections scheduled for Friday 30
December will take place a day later
(Saturday 31 December).
Collections return to normal on Monday 2
January 2017.
Garden waste collections will cease weeks
commencing Monday 26 December and
Monday 2 January 2017. Collections will
return to normal week commencing 9
January 2017.
Wowzers to the waste widget!
Finding out what can and cannot be recycled in
Woking has never been easier, with the launch of the
new Recycle for Surrey waste widget!
The online search tool is designed to help make
recycling information clearer and more straightforward,
so you can easily find out how and where specific
items can be recycled across the Borough.
Don’t forget to look out for your 2017 waste and
recycling calendar dropping through you
letterbox in early December!
For more information about waste and
recycling collections, please visit
www.woking.gov.uk/waste
It’s easy to use
Simply download the Recycle for Surrey app from
your app store or visit www.woking.gov.uk/waste
Type your postcode along with the exact item you
wish to dispose of into the search tool.
The search tool will do the rest – informing you
exactly which bins (or alternative options) are
suitable for that specific item.
As if it couldn’t get any better…if you think there
is something missing, let us know and we can
easily add it.
But don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself!
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
23
Winter | 2016
Out and about
Enjoy the copper and golden tones of autumn during this walk through some of the
Borough’s most historic areas to discover local heathland, explore Brookwood Cemetery
and part of the Basingstoke Canal.
Key facts
Start/finish: Pirbright Village
Green car park
Distance: 5 miles (8km) approx
Time: 3 hours
Type of walk: A mainly flat,
easy route along tracks suitable
for walkers of all abilities. Some
parts of the walk (fields and
heathland) can be uneven and
muddy after rain. Please
respect people’s privacy and
follow the Countryside Code.
Brookwood Cemetery is still
in use and visitors are asked
to be respectful of this when
passing through. Dogs are
not allowed in the cemetery.
The route
1. From the car park, follow the
path through Lord Pirbright Hall
car park. Cross the main road.
Bear left and follow The Green
side road, leading to Church Lane
and continue past St Michael and
All Angels Church.
Can you spot Stanley’s Mound?:
Located in the graveyard is
Stanley’s Mound marking the burial
place of explorer Henry Morton
Stanley (1841 - 1904), who after
finding fame, retired to Furze Hill in
Pirbright. Born illegitimately, Stanley
grew up in a Welsh workhouse,
fought in the American Civil War
before becoming a journalist for the
New York Herald. But his greatest
coup was finding Dr Livingstone in
Central Africa.
24
2. Just past the Church, turn right
over a small footbridge and
proceed along the path between
the fields. Cross the road and
continue along the public footpath
through the woods to the junction of
Gole Road. Walk under the railway
bridge (the London to Southampton
line) and cross the Basingstoke
Canal at Lock 15. Continue ahead
until the road bears left.
3. Just past the two drives
immediately before the bend, turn
right and follow the footpath
nearest to the houses. Go through
the wooden gates onto Sheet
Heath and continue ahead. Cross
the narrow tarmac lane and follow
the wide track ignoring the many
side paths.
4. Upon reaching another wooden
gate before the tree line, turn right
and follow the trail past the
telegraph poles keeping the wire
fence on your left. Go through the
wooden gate, turn right and join
the wide track. At reaching the
staggered four-way junction
continue ahead (don’t go through
the wooden farm gate!) towards
the Basingstoke Canal until you
reach the bridge.
5. Cross the bridge and continue
towards Brookwood Railway
Station. Using the main door, take
the underpass to enter
Brookwood Cemetery. Turn right
and follow the drive that runs
parallel with the railway line past
the graves of Turkish airmen,
Sepoys and Zoroastrians.
6. Go through metal gate to enter
Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Turn left and take the main
thoroughfare past the Cross of
Sacrifice and between the rows of
gravestones. Turn left on to Long
Avenue and stay on the tarmac,
passing the Polish, French,
Belgian and RAF plots. Go
through the gate and continue
along Long Avenue.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
4
The Brookwood Memorials
Brookwood
5
Woking
A324
3
Basingstoke Canal
Brookwood
Station
A322
B3012
6
7
Frimley
8
B3405
Mytchett
A324
Cemetery
Av
en
ue
Start
ar
ks
’s
1
M
Whilst the Brookwood 19391945 Memorial
commemorates more than
3,400 men and women of
Commonwealth forces who
died at sea, in raids on
occupied Europe or while on
service outside the main
theatres of war. Among those
honoured are special agents
who lost their lives operating in
enemy territory.
Sheets
Heath
Guildford
St
Two memorials commemorate
Commonwealth service
personnel who died during the
world wars and have no
known grave. The Brookwood
1914-1918 Memorial records
the names of over 260
soldiers who died in the UK
during the First World War, but
whose graves could not be
found.
2
9
Pirbright
10
Footpath
A324
White’s
Farm
B3032
Worpleston
Altershot
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
Start / Finish
Enjoy the route?
View
Point
A304
6
Horsell Common
Road
If you have a favourite walk you
would like to share with
readers, please email
[email protected]
He
F
15
R
ick
lew
Litt
o
Ro
9. Proceed along the lane. After a
short distance turn right onto
Whites Lane and continue along
the path to the road. Turn left onto
the public footpath immediately
before White’s Farm into the field
and proceed towards the metal
gate. Go through the gate and
continue through the woods.
10. At the end of the path, turn
left along the track and exit via
he tarmac drive to the road at the
side of the Cricketers Pub.
Ch Cross
ob
ha
the green and return to the m Road
car park.
th
8. Keep to the circular tarmac
drive until reaching St Mark’s
Avenue and continue past Gillians
Meadow. At reaching the woods
take the path ahead. Slightly to
the right, find the onward path to
Chapel Lane and turn left.
So
u
7. At Western Avenue turn left and
continue to the main entrance
gate. Carefully cross Cemetery
Pales into Brookwood Cemetery
and stay on the main drive to the
fork at the Orthodox Church and
Monastery of St Edward, then
bear right past the Serbian
Orthodox cemetery.
25
26
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
From famous sculptures to the
story of British comics
More than just a gallery
Visit The Lightbox gallery and museum this winter to discover an inspiring and diverse
range of exhibitions that will entertain everyone. The Lightbox – it’s more than just a gallery.
Story of British Comics So Far:
Cor! By Gum! Zarjaz!
Until 31 December 2016
This family-friendly exhibition will
wow younger visitors with its
interactive elements, whilst the
young at heart can get lost in
nostalgia as they explore walls of
Beano comics. Travel back to 3,000
year old hieroglyphics and lay eyes
on the very first British comic
magazine from 1825. This exhibition
also allows visitors to explore more
modern forms of comic art
including a graphic novel library,
Manga art, and digital comics.
And that’s not all!
From restorative yoga, adult
workshops, art and craft fairs,
to comedy nights and
jewellery making, there is
something for everyone to
enjoy at The Lightbox.
Don’t miss…
Asia Alfasi and Hamish MacGillivray –
The Story of British Comics So Far ©
The Artists and The Lightbox
‘A Natural History’ by Henry Moore
21 January 2017 – 7 May 2017
The Lightbox will showcase a
stunning new exhibition ‘A Natural
History’ by famous British sculptor
Henry Moore which will draw
attention to his inventive use of
found objects. From bones and
skulls to driftwood and shells, Henry
Moore experimented with a variety
of objects to produce his profound
creations. Drawn from the Henry
Moore Foundation’s collection at
Perry Green, this exhibition will
feature well known works including
drawings, graphic work, and
sculpture.
Free Arts and Crafts Fair
(Sat 19 and Sun 20
November 2016) –
featuring a variety of
handmade crafts including
jewellery, paintings,
glasswork and ceramics make Christmas shopping
a treat this year whilst also
getting ahead of the game!
Free drop-in family
workshop for children in the
Christmas holidays - make
a colourful festive wreath
(Thurs 22 Dec 2016) or
some fun New Year’s party
props to ring in the New
Year (Thurs 29 Dec 2016).
Henry Moore (1898-1986) Reclining
Figure Holes 1976-78 The Henry Moore
Foundation Gift of the artist 1977 The
Henry Moore Foundation 2016
Camden Town Group:
Art for the Edwardian Era
15 October 2016 – 22 January 2017
In the Upper Gallery the ‘Camden Town Group: Art for the Edwardian
Era’ exhibition will showcase the revolutionary work of the Camden Town
Group artists, known for their depiction of the working and lower middle
classes during the years leading up to the First World War. This exhibition
is generously lent from the collection at Leeds Art Gallery, the largest
public collection of Camden Town Group works outside Tate in London.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855
From 14 February 2017 to 17
February 2017, The Lightbox
will be jam packed with
creative activities to entertain
little ones over the February
half-term.
For more information about all
events and exhibitions or to
book tickets, please visit
www.thelightbox.org.uk.
General entry is free, to visit
Upper and Main Gallery
exhibitions adults require a £5
Annual Pass, under 18s
go free.
27
Winter | 2016
What’s on
For more information about local events,
visit www.celebratewoking.info
Events in and around Woking Borough
Festive carols followed by coffee and
mince pies.
Cost: Free, donations welcome
Contact: 01932 840028
Pop-Up Shop - Charity
Christmas Cards and Goods
ChristChurch, Woking
Fri 21 Oct to Wed 18 Dec, 10am to
4pm (except Sundays)
Sale of Christmas cards on behalf of
40 national and local charities,
together with a range of Christmas
goods.
Contact: Visit
www.cardsforcharity.co.uk or call
01264 361555
Byfleet Christmas Lights
Switch On
Genesis Chorale Christmas
Concert - A Merry Jazzy
Christmas
St John's Church, West Byfleet
Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm
Conducted by Lewis Gaston. Includes
Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert,
seasonal jazz and audience carols.
Cost: £12 per ticket
Contact: Email [email protected]
or visit www.genesischorale.org.uk
The Octavian Singers present
Sounds of the Season
Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm
Thurs 17 Nov, 6.30pm
Festive favourites including Fantasia on
Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan
Williams. Conductor Laura Brown.
Cost: Free - donations welcome for
next years switch on
Contact: Email
[email protected]
Christmas Gift & Craft Fair
Woking Leisure Centre
Sun 27 Nov, 10am to 4pm
Organised by Woking & Sam Beare
Hospices. An ideal place to find
everything you need for the perfect
Christmas.
Cost: £3 adults, under 16s free
Contact: Email
[email protected] or
call 01483 881752
Woking & District Guide Dogs
Carol Service
St Peter’s Church, Old Woking
Fri 2 Dec, 7.30pm
28 Winter | 2016
Cost: £10 on the door, includes
refreshments, under 16s free
Thurs 17 Nov, 7pm to 9pm
Fri 18 Nov, 9am to 11am
Thurs 2 Feb, 7pm to 9pm
Fri 3 Feb, 9am to 11am
Cost: Free
Contact: Call 01483 750409 or email
[email protected]
The Vyne, Knaphill
DeVyne Singers Christmas
Concert
Thurs 1 Dec, leave 9.30am
Cost: £30 per member, £35 per non
member - includes entrance fee
The Vyne, Knaphill
Fri 9 Dec, 10.30am to 12noon
The Vyne’s choir will be performing a
wonderful selection of Christmas
songs.
Cost: £1 per ticket (all proceeds will
go to the Lions Charity to help with
Christmas Day lunches)
Contact: Email
[email protected] or call
01483 743558.
Woking Christmas Market
Jubilee Square, Woking Town Centre
Featuring 16 high quality stalls,
situated around Woking’s famous
International School of London,
Old Woking Road
Coach trip to Longleat
Festival of Lights
Contact: Visit
www.theoctaviansingers.org
Fri 16 to Tues 20 Dec
Raising your bilingual child –
workshops for parents
Tips on successful bilingual parenting,
how to maintain the mother tongue and
developing a child’s English.
St John’s Church, Woking
Byfleet Village Green
Carols, mince pies, mulled wine, a
visit from Father Christmas and live
music on the Green. Lights switched
on at 7pm by Miss Surrey, Sophie
King.
Christmas tree. There will also be
Santa’s grotto running on 10, 11, 17,
18, 22, 23 and 24 Dec along with
choirs, reindeer and other festival
actives for the children.
Contact: Call 01483 743558 or email
[email protected]
Woking shopMobility
Pancake Race
Jubilee Square, Woking
Tues 28 Feb, 12noon
An annual fundraiser for Woking
shopMobility, the pancake race is
always fun! Mascot race followed by
team races. Teams of four can enter,
fancy dress optional. Prizes to be won!
Cost: Free to enter, but teams are
asked to raise sponsorship
Contact: Call 01483 776612
01483 755855 | www.woking.gov.uk
Contact: Visit
www.wokingchoral.org.uk or follow
@WokingChoral
Woking Symphony Orchestra
Family Concert
Epworth Choir Autumn
Concert
H.G. Wells Centre, Woking
St Dunstan’s Church, Woking
Sat 14 Jan, 3.30pm
Sat 29 Oct, 7.30pm
Features performances of Schubert’s
‘Mass in G’ and ‘The Vivaldi Gloria’ in
support of Transform Housing and
Support. Established over 50 years
ago, the friendly choir is now looking
for enthusiastic new members. All you
need is a passion for singing!
Excerpts from Stravinsky’s Firebird,
Mozart’s Horn Concerto No 4 with
soloist David Wheeler, The Planets by
Gustav Holst (Mars), Grieg’s Peer Gynt
Suite (The Hall of the Mountain King)
and Beethoven’s Symphony No 5.
Children are also invited to come and
try the instruments after the concert.
Cost: £15 adults, £5 children under 12
Tickets: £7
Contact: Visit www.epworthchoir.org or
call 01483 768136
Contact: Call 01483 712710, visit
www.wokingso.org.uk or email
[email protected]
Woking Symphony Orchestra
Autumn Concert
Sat 19 Nov, 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 adults, £7 for under 16s
or students
Contact: Call 01483 712710, visit
www.wokingso.org.uk or email
[email protected]
Woking Wurlitzer concerts
Woking Leisure Centre, Kingfield Road
Sat 19 Nov – Andrew Quin, 7pm
Sat 17 Dec – Len’s Christmas Show, 3pm
Experience the golden age of the
American Theatre Organ.
Cost: £10, ATOS members £8.
Contact: Call 01923 720511 or visit
www.atos-london.co.uk
Woking Choral Society
Concert
H.G. Wells Centre, Woking
Sat 10 Dec, 7.30pm
Handel Messiah.
Conductor; Ben Palmer, Soprano; Nina
Bennet, Alto; Ciara Hendrick, Tenor; John
Upperton, Bass; Andrew Ashwin tenor.
Cost: £20, students in full time
education £5
For all performances at the Rhoda
McGaw, please contact the Box
Office on 0844 871 7645 or visit
www.atgtickets.com/venues/
rhoda-mcgaw-theatre
WAOS presents
Pride and Prejudice
Tues 8 to Sat 12 Nov, 7.30pm
(Sat matinee, 2.30pm)
Jane Austen's beloved novel comes
to the stage in this exciting and
moving new musical adaptation.
Tickets: £14 to £19
Contact: Call 01483 725779 or visit
www.waos.info
Runnymede Drama Group
The Beggar’s Opera
Thurs 17 to Sat 19 Nov, 7.45pm
H.G. Wells Centre, Woking
Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 of
Lohengrin, Brahms Piano Concerto
No. 2 with Soloist Dominic Doutney,
Woking’s Young Musician of the Year
2016, and Stravinsky’s music for the
ballet Petrushka (1947 version).
Rhoda McGaw
Theatre
Daisy Tuffen Flower Club
Demonstration
This dynamic production makes for
a rumbustious, highly entertaining
evening of musical theatre. Directed
by Judith Dolley, this marks the
100th production she has directed
for Runnymede Drama Group.
Tickets: £14, cons £12
Pyrford Village War Memorial Hall
Horsell Amateur Dramatic Society
Mon 14 Nov
Mon 12 Dec
Wyrd Sisters by Terry
Pratchett
In November Barbara Caldecourt will
be demonstrating 'Moving through
Time' and in December, Alison Mount
will be bringing her version of
‘Christmas Cheer'.
Thurs 8 to Sat 10 Dec, 7.45pm
(Sat matinee, 2.30pm)
Cost: £5 including refreshments plus
£1 for the raffle
Contact: Call 01932 351999
Byfleet Art Group Autumn
Exhibition
Catholic Church Hall, Madeira Road,
West Byfleet
Tickets: £14, cons £12
Jimeoin: Renonsense Man
Tues 21 Feb, 8pm
An evening of brilliantly observed,
ever-evolving and hilarious stand-up
from the internationally acclaimed
star of TV. Don’t miss Ireland’s own
‘Witruvian Man’ - live!
Tickets: £18.50
Pasadena Roof Orchestra
Fri 24 Feb, 7.30pm
Sat 3 Dec, 10am to 4pm
A chance to view and buy paintings
and gift cards by local artists. The
group is also seeking new members.
Get in touch for more information.
Cost: Free
Contact: Call 07852 315956, email
[email protected] or visit
www.byfleetartgroup.moonfruit.com
01483 755855 | www.woking.gov.uk
This vintage dance band recreates
the sounds of a golden era of music
from the 1920s and 1930s. Enjoy
songs from Irving Berlin, Ray Noble,
Cole Porter and their
contemporaries and relive the
electrifying hot jazz from Fletcher
Henderson and Duke Ellington.
Tickets: £19.50
29
Winter | 2016
Why don’t you…
...try gymnastics
With the rhythm of samba from the Rio Olympics still fresh in our memory, have you
been inspired to twist and tumble like Max Whitlock or Becky Downie? Prime
Acrobatics’ Technical Director, John ‘Clem’ Malcolmson, explains why it’s never too
late to take up gymnastics.
“Gymnastics is a great way to improve your overall
fitness, strength, balance and body control. Not only
that, it can improve mental wellbeing, concentration
and discipline. We believe that anyone can benefit and
enjoy gymnastics, regardless of gender, age or ability.
We have members from all walks of life, ranging from
just three months to 84 years old” Clem says.
Clubs in
your area
Flair Gymnastics Club Woking
[email protected]
www.ukflair.com
Prime Acrobatics
[email protected]
www.primeacrobatics.com
Woking Gymnastics Club
[email protected]
www.wokinggymnastics.co.uk
For more information about sports and leisure
clubs across the Borough, please visit
www.woking.gov.uk/sportsclubs
Clem has lived and worked in the area since 1970
and has a lifetime of involvement in acrobatic activity
across all levels. Over the years, Clem has coached
numerous athletes who have competed at a
national and international level, which led
to British Gymnastics presenting
him the accolade of
Master Coach of
Great Britain.
“Our team of
coaches has over
50 years
combined
experience,
representing
Great Britain at
international
competitions,
including World
Championships
30
and the Olympics and performed in Cirque du Soleil.
“We combine gymnastics with circus arts, so you can
somersault along a 10cm wide beam, swing on a
trapeze and then scale our climbing wall, within one
facility. Our Head Coach, Chris Bowler, has recently
completed four years as Head Acrobatics Coach with
Cirque du Soleil.
“At Prime we deliver fun, learning and exercise for all.
Gymnastics is not all about how supple you are,
rather how it can improve your general health and
wellbeing. As there are so many diverse and widereaching disciplines within gymnastics, you’ll find
something that suits your individual ability.”
So what are you waiting for? If you’ve been inspired
to learn how to tumble, flip and swing then why not
get out there and give gymnastics a go at one of the
great clubs within the Borough.
www.woking.gov.uk | 01483 755855