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FEBRUARY 2023

read all about it

Discover books and authors at literature festivals, enjoy escapism and treat yourself to some ‘me time’

care supplement

Help to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones celebrating storytelling

Farnham prepares to open the book on its second literary festival at venues across town

COMpetitions

Three nights in luxury Devon shepherd’s hut £250 of handmade designer jewellery

Q&A

with Author

KATE MOSSE

Prior’s Field is a school where the spirit is creative and enterprising - it champions girls’ individual talents. Good Schools Guide 2022

Achievement in all its forms is alive and kicking in every part of their school day. Tatler Schools Guide

PRIOR’S FIELD - THE PLACE TO ACHIEVE! Visit our website or contact our Admissions team to book your place at our Spring Meet the Head Open Events on Wednesday 22 February 2023 or Thursday 16 March 2023 01483 810551 www.priorsfieldschool.com Registered Charity No. 312038

W HAT ' S I N SI D E

Contents FEBRUARY 2023 | Vol. 13 | No. 2

5 Community spotlight

21 Care choices

12 Celebrating storytelling

32 The art of the author

14 Enjoy a good yarn

35 Competitions

17 Book your seat

37 Classified

Local news and charity events

Farnham Literary Festival

Unravel at The Maltings

Enjoying your later life

12

Q&A with Kate Mosse

Free to enter online

Literature festivals in 2023

®

32

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ON FEBRUARY

Your Community events and activities

Love is in the air... Valentine’s Day is looming, as you might have noticed thanks to the shop windows festooned in hearts. But, of course, love takes many forms, even more powerful than romance. As you can see on these very pages (plus our online & abuzz on our social media feed) there is so much care of all kinds in the community. There are many ways to connect & show you care close to home. eeling energetic?! If so, I invite you to step up to join the virtual 2,100 squats challenge in honour of our Armed Forces community. Your fundraising could help provide emergency accommodation for a veteran in need, food vouchers for a family facing hardship, or training for dementia nurses. To sign up & pledge your support, please visit britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved ˜˜˜ Farnham Gardening Society meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in the small hall at The Spire Church. On 8th February Geoff Hawkins will give a talk on All Year Round Colour. For further details email Les on [email protected]

Hale WI ladies will meet 1.45pm on Wednesday, 8th February, in the Village Institute (speaker TBC but sure to be good!), with tea, homemade cake & friendly chat. NB: there will be some Covid restrictions in place for safety. Visitors welcome for £4. For more info call 01252 722817 or 01252 715802. ˜˜˜

˜˜˜ And the equally lovely Seale & Sands WI will welcome you on 9th February when Neil

˜˜˜ Carla Dormer is on a mission to help fellow parents save the pennies, and the planet! Farnham Mum2Mum Market is back on Sunday, 5th February, 2-4pm at Weydon School, GU9 8UG. You'll find stalls packed with great quality nearly new baby and kids' toys, books, maternity wear, clothes and equipment for 0-6-yearolds, with bargains for all! Adults are £2 to enter, kids are free and there is ample free parking. If you’d like to sell your items to local parents you can book a stall (be quick!) at mum2mummarket.co.uk/book-a-stall

Stanley will offer wisdom on how to sleep well. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month from 2.15pm in The Sands Rooms. If you have an hour or so free head along and join this happy band! Contact Anne on 07900 897797. ˜˜˜ Everyone at Frensham Pond Sailability is looking forward to a successful 2023. The season starts on 1st April and continues every

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Tell us about your group’s activities and meetings by 26th January Email [email protected] or visit www.Roundandabout.co.uk

JOIN US...

All information correct at time of going to press – in these uncertain times please do check with event organisers.

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Thursday and Saturday until 26th October. As well as regular races and competitions, there is interest in the Hansa World Championships in Portimao, Portugal, in October, when several sailors from Frensham will compete. This successful charity relies on volunteers, so why not help? Visit frenshampondsailability.org.uk & find Sailability on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. ˜˜˜ Wey Vale Probus Club has been established for more than 30 years, providing an environment of fellowship and conviviality for retired professional and businessmen at monthly lunch meetings with a speaker. They extend a warm welcome to all locals to join them on the third Tuesday each month at The Hogs Back Hotel & Spa. They also organise days out such as visits to Greenwich, Bletchley Park and Bovingdon Tank Museum. Regular club holidays are arranged, too. For further info on joining, please email [email protected] ˜˜˜ Do you want to get into teaching? Head to an open morning at Oxted School on 1st February or else at Weydon School on 4th or of Effingham School in Leatherhead on 7th. Visit i2ipartnership.co.uk

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˜˜˜ Fall in love with public speaking! If you don’t think that’s possible, the friendly Farnham Speakers vow to show you how easy it is. Part of the Toastmasters International, there are self-paced learning programmes to help you understand all aspects of public speaking... So much to gain out of £10 per month! Join either in person, at the Spire Church, GU9 7QU, or online, with the next meetings on Mondays 13th & 27th February at 7.30pm. Please contact Janet on 07876 356 176 or [email protected]. Also see farnhamspeakers.com for more details. ˜˜˜ Farm animal welfare and sustainability... can we have both? Farnham Humanists will ponder this on Sunday, 19th February, at 7.15pm for 7.30pm. This talk about factory farming and animal welfare will discuss how can we all help to build a future world food supply which is both humane and sustainable. Vanessa Neat speaks for Compassion in World Farming, the leading international charity campaigning for farm animal welfare across the world. CIWF believes that all farm animals should live without suffering and be slaughtered humanely. The group have been instrumental in achieving dramatic reforms in Europe. All are welcome to Daniel Hall in Long Garden Walk,

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GU9 7HX, where you can enjoy tea, coffee,and biscuits, plus there's a pub nearby. Donation £2 to cover costs. For more info visit farnham.humanist.org.uk ˜˜˜ The Irritating and Influential Mr Whistler is the topic Julia Musgrave will explore, as the guest of The Arts Society Farnham, on Tuesday, 21st February, at The Maltings, 10.30-11.30am. James Whistler settled in London in 1859 having created a distinctive PostImpressionist style. Full of subtle delicacy, his art moved painting towards abstraction, sparked a renaissance in printmaking and gave us the Peacock Room, an interior design masterpiece. Non-members welcome; £7 fee. theartssocietyfarnham.org.uk ˜˜˜ A friendly reminder that The Spire Church is open to the community seven days a week and its facilities are well used, from support groups to exercise classes and concerts. The building is dearly loved and is starting to show its age and limitations. So there's a fundraiser coming up to help meet the costs of extending and modernising it for all: a quiz and curry night on 4th February, from 7pm, with a bar and raffle; tickets £15 including the meal. For more info and booking, please email [email protected]

˜˜˜ On Wednesday, 22nd February, Nigel Bates will present They Make No Noise as the guest of Arts’ Society Farnham Evening. Nigel has been a performer for more than 40 years in and out of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, including 17 years as Principal Percussionist with the orchestra and eight years as the music administrator of The Royal Ballet. What is it that conductors do that makes orchestras respond in so many different ways? Why are there relatively few women found on the podium? Why are conductors paid so much more than anyone else on the concert platform? Nigel's lecture will contain some rare video footage of conductors in rehearsal and performance. The March lecture, on Wednesday 22nd, is The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte by Stephen Duffy. Both are at Farnham College, starting at 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm). Guests welcome; enjoy a talk as a visitor for £7 or £6 if you're a member of another Arts’ Society, parking and glass of wine included! To book email [email protected] and see theartssocietyfarnhamevening.org.uk for more info. ˜˜˜ Farnham Weyside Rotary Club members are looking ahead to an exciting programme throughout the year. First the popular Farnham Duck Race takes

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place in Gostrey Meadow on Saturday 29th April. The Farnham Festival of Transport revs up on Sunday 4th June, when you can admire hundreds of beautiful cars. Then on Sunday, 3rd September, the award-winning Farnham Pilgrim Marathon sets off. All these events raise money for local charities and depend, for their success, on willing volunteers. It is easy to apply at farnhamweyside.org.uk, and the Facebook page. ˜˜˜ Do you have a youngster in your life who might like to join a drama club? First & Second Act is a popular local drama group led by inspirational teacher, acting coach and director Ruth Ahmed who is well-known and admired for her imaginative productions at a number of community theatres. First Act is for children aged eight to 10 (school years 3 to year 6) on Fridays 4-5.15pm at the Tilford Institute. Second Act is for ages 11-16 (school years 7-11) on Thursdays 7.15-8.30pm at Frensham's Marindin Hall. Sessions run in conjunction with school terms and Ruth is always happy to welcome new members and introduce them to the magical world of the theatre. Please email [email protected] ˜˜˜ Surrey Border Movie Makers meet on the first Friday of each month. members of this film-making club consist of professionals, experienced film makers and beginners who share a love of making holiday films, drama, documentary, comedy and animation. Interested in seeing what they do? Visit surreyborder. org.uk or email [email protected]. They meet at St Joan's Centre, 19 Tilford Road, GU9 8DJ, where there is plenty of free parking. Pop along, if you want, to see what they get up to. Your first visit is free. ˜˜˜ Farnham Quilters meet in the Spire Church on the second Monday of every month. This creative group enjoy two or three speakers a year, a summer garden party and day and evening workshops and make quilts for charity. New members and visitors are welcome. Please visit farnhamquilters.org.uk for more info. ˜˜˜ Farnham Senior Sports Club meets every Tuesday and Friday 1.30-4pm at Farnham Leisure Centre in Dogflud Way. This friendly group of over-50s are retired or semi-retired meet to keep active and meet other people. Visit farnham-senior-sports.org.uk ˜˜˜ On Monday, 13th February, at 7.30pm, David Millais from Millais Nurseries in Churt will give a talk at Shalford Village Upper Hall, GU4 8BQ. This highlight is £2 to visitors. For more info please contact Mrs Bond on 01483 539260 or [email protected]

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R&A | 11

BOOKS

Feast of

fiction...

...and a whole load more as Farnham Literary Festival returns in March with an array of authors celebrating books and the town itself he Farnham Literary Festival is back for a second year after its inaugural success and is delighted to announce the much-loved Jacqueline Wilson will be its headline children’s author. A celebration of storytelling across books, poetry, spoken word, film, rap, and beyond, the highly successful event last year saw 2,500 adults and children take part in over 50 events, alongside a school outreach programme, Shakespearean walking tours, writing workshops, a poetry competition, and much more. Taking place at venues across the historic Surrey market town of Farnham, the nine-day festival in 2023 from March 3rd to 12th, is run by Farnham Town Council alongside partners including Waterstones Farnham, Blue Bear Bookshop, farnhamliterary University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and Oxfam Books and Music Farnham. festival.

co.uk

Events already confirmed for 2023 include sessions with award-winning poet, fiction writer and Channel 4 correspondent, Ian Williams; theatre producer-turned climate thriller writer, Greg Mosse; and debut crime writer Ava Glass. The full programme will be announced in the New Year, with tickets going on sale from mid-January.

12 | FEBRUARY 2023

The festival also includes the Farnham Fiction Award with prizes offered in a variety of genres including romance, thriller, literary and science fiction as well as an overall winner. Kika Mirylees, Farnham Councillor and TV actress (Bad Girls, Red Dwarf, EastEnders), said: “The first Farnham Literary Festival in 2022 was met with a huge amount of local enthusiasm, and we’re delighted to be sharing an early glimpse of our plans for 2023. Our vision is to create a festival that is truly for everyone: celebrating storytelling in all its mediums. We are hugely excited about the next festival.” The 2022 Farnham Literary Festival featured events with broadcaster, writer and Bake Off star, Sandi Toksvig, filmmaker and writer Jack Jewers, internationally bestselling crime writer Sophie Hannah, and thriller writer and winner of the Gold Dagger Award, Mick Herron. Farnham Literary Festival celebrates not just literature but Farnham itself and makes great use of familiar community locations, interesting buildings and venues where people go to enjoy books. Among the venues to be hosting events in 2023 are Farnham Maltings, Museum of Farnham, Blue Bear Bookshop, The Vineyard Church, Weydon School, St Mark’s Church, Spire Church Farnham and Oxfam Books & Music.

CRAF T

A festival of yarn

Farnham Maltings is preparing to unravel from February 24th-26th with its unique festival his year’s unravel festival is set to be extra special, marking the festival’s 15th anniversary, and coming together to celebrate all things yarn making, from knitting and crochet to spinning and weaving. Held over three days, unravel festival welcomes makers and creatives for a unique community craft experience with opportunities to participate in a special community project, watch live demonstrations and browse an array of beautiful works on display.

festival and we’re thrilled to share a love of yarn with the community of knitters, crocheters and fibre enthusiasts who join us every year.” At the heart of the festival is the curated marketplace which showcases an array of independent producers and hand dyed yarns,

hailing from across the UK, Europe and beyond. International exhibitors include Rauwerk, a Munich based yarn shop, Urth Yarns from Istanbul, Black Isle Yarns from the Highlands. Unravel will offer an exciting programme of expert-led workshops (both in person and virtual), suitable for varying abilities, highlights include Rigid Heddle Weaving, Intarsia in the round, Embroidering Your Knits and Fair Isle Knitting. Tickets £12 advance and £14 on the door. More information and to book visit farnhammaltings.com or unravelfestival.com

Madeleine Harding, Craft Coordinator and unravel Event Manager says: “Unravel is a magical

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B O O K S & A U T HO R S

Chapter

book can transport you to a new world, take you on adventures you’d never imagined and introduce you to characters you only wish you could meet – or not. J K Rowling, who has sold more than 500 million books worldwide with her stories of a certain young wizard, said “I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book” and she wasn’t just referring to Harry Potter and friends. That ‘magic’ shows no sign of letting up in an age where we are constantly surrounded by screens of one type and another with figures showing that in 2021, more than 212 million print books were sold. We delved into the realms of fantasy and sci fi doing battle in far away galaxies and lands, joined some formidable detectives to solve crimes – many of us no doubt unravelling more J K Rowling mysteries through her Strike series – and fell in love thousands of times with the escapism of a romance. The best-selling novel of 2021 was TV host Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club – hands up if you want to join crime-fighting pensioners Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim at Coopers Chase? Crime certainly pays for many - Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time through her detective tales of super sleuths, the dapper Belgian Hercule Poirot and the unassuming village busy body Miss Marple. She is outsold only by William Shakespeare

& verse “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading” writes Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice and if you couldn’t agree more then you’ll want to take your seat at one of this year’s literary festivals

(there are four billion copies of his works in circulation) and The Bible. As we turn the page into 2023 why not indulge in works by some of our finest novelists, historians and biographers at a literary festival. And you don’t have to wait long for the first chapter in the region with Farnham hosting its literary festival on March 3rd to 12th at various venues around town. This is the second year for the festival which attracted more than 2,500 people to more than 50 events in 2022 which was opened with a welcome from broadcaster and Bake Off star Sandi Toksvig and bestselling crime writer Sophie Hannah. In addition to bringing books, literature and writing to audiences of all ages, people also enjoyed literary walks, book-related crafts, comedy and workshops. Plans are well underway for this year, find out more at farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk R&A | 17

BOOKS & AUTHOR S

on music and the arts. Performers entertain and delight festival audiences and aim to inspire the next generation in magnificent venues across the Royal town for two weeks at the end of September. Events range from internationally renowned classical music, jazz and folk, to a broad range of talks, and insightful walks and tours. Watch out for this year’s line up later in 2023, windsorfestival.com If books and reading are your ‘thing’ then you won’t want to miss these festivals slightly further afield but well worth a visit…

A more established literary week is staged in Petworth in October / November (dates not yet confirmed) as the ‘younger sibling’ of the summer Petworth Festival. After 12 years they can celebrate line ups to match any of the big names with discussion, debate and sometimes controversy too. Previous years have welcomed Andy McNab, Sebastian Faulks, Gyles Brandreth, Ann Widdecombe, Julian Fellowes, Ken Livingstone and Michael Palin among other high profile names. Announcements for 2023 are not far away, petworthfestival.org.uk Guildford Book Festival invites bibliophiles to join its ranks in October which this year marks its 34th anniversary. Last year Co-Director Jane Beaton said they were “delighted that so many top authors have agreed to come to Guildford” and she wasn’t over exaggerating with Downton Abbey favourite Hugh Bonneville, Sporty Spice aka Melanie Chisholm, comedian Al Murray and soul legend P P Arnold among the stars rubbing shoulders alongside authors including Alison Weir, Lisa Jewell, Robert Harris, Adele Parks and many many more on all manner of subjects. Find out who’s on this year’s line up later in the year and book tickets at guildfordbookfestival.co.uk Windsor Festival celebrates all that is great in the creative arts with two weeks putting the spotlight on literature and also 18 | FEBRUARY 2023

May brings The Bath Festival from 12th to 21st celebrating music and books in the beautiful city. Bath is also home to Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival too which returns this year from September 29th to October 8th. Among those taking part last year were celebrity authors Dermot O’Leary, Rosie Jones and Richard Ayoade and previous Waterstones Children’s Laureates Michael Rosen and Cressida Cowell who all helped bring books and stories to life with a vibrant and varied programme for the whole family. Visit bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival The world’s first literature festival took place in Cheltenham so true devotees should definitely put October 6th to 15th in their diaries. Cheltenham Literature Festival leads the way in celebrating the written and spoken word, presenting the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats and high-profile speakers. The 10-day programme is a mixture of ticketed events, free family activities and events and fringe events staged throughout the regency town. More at www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature Former US president Bill Clinton called Hay Festival the “Woodstock of the mind” and it has come a long way since it began in 1988 in a pub garden. It now attracts in excess of 100,000 bibliophiles over its 11 days, this year from May 25th to June 4th, featuring writers, poets, philosophers, historians, scientists, comedians and musicians in a large tented village on the outskirts of town with 10 venues, pop-up cafes, shops and restaurants. Some early bird events have already been revealed, with more to come, hayfestival.com

unravel... a festival of yarn Fri 24, Sat 25 & Sun 26 February 2023 Over 75 exhibitors, talks, workshops and more £12 in advance, £14 on the door Book: farnhammaltings.com

Our next Open Morning is Saturday 4th March

Thinking about your child’s next chapter? To book your place at our Open Morning visit: www.aldro.org or contact [email protected] to arrange an individual tour An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 7-13 R&A | 19

Lakeview Care Home, welcoming new residents Lakeview is one of the best-regarded care homes in Surrey. The 57-bedroom home provides beautifully designed facilities as well as the highest standard of residential and dementia care. Talk to Louise, Customer Relationship Manager, to find out more about life at Lakeview Care Home. Call on 01276 861 664 or go to hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk/lakeview or visit us at Lightwater Road, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5XQ.

CARE

Adult Care d Winter 2023

Man’s best friend

“Pet’s just make us feel happier” – the simple reason why many elderly people benefit from the companionship of an animal e are a nation of pet lovers and for many this doesn’t change just because you have to enter a care home – man’s best friend can become even more important at this time of life. Ill health, loneliness, depression and anxietyrelated issues can all make later life harder but pets can help ease the elderly through and studies have shown that interacting with a dog, cat, rabbit, ducklings and even fish can kindle memories about past experiences and provide an opportunity to talk.

One charity which knows a thing or two about the benefits our furry and feathered friends can bring is Oxfordshirebased Pets As Therapy who say a PAT pet can improve a person’s mental health and overall wellbeing, adding that there’s often an increased connection with carers and family too, and those living with dementia can feel energised and elated, “It comes down to a very simple truth: pets just make us feel happier”. The charity was founded in 1983 by dog owner and volunteer Lesley Scott-Ordish and as it enters its 40th year, its vision remains unchanged to ensure everyone has access to the companionship of a pet regardless of their circumstances. In addition to its work in care homes, Pets As Therapy also extends the services to schools, hospitals and prisons. More than 4,000 volunteers go out and about with their animal friends extending the paw or claw of friendship to day care centres, residential homes and hospices as well as the other facilities. Pets As Therapy volunteers are pet owners who give up their time to help, if you would like to help find out more and apply

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R&A | 21

CARE

In practice all residents have a natural instinct to stroke a dog, hold a chick or pet a horse. It’s those integrated moments that are engrained in our memories that give us that warm fuzzy ‘good’ feeling in our tummy.” Animals offer unconditional love and companionship. Sometimes, they provide a level of companionship that people can’t and many find interacting with pets such as simply stroking their fur to watching their antics can have a very calming and reassuring benefit.

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as it enters its 40th year, its vision remains unchanged to ensure everyone has access to the companionship of a pet regardless of their circumstances. In addition to its work in care homes, Pets As Therapy also extends the services to schools, hospitals and prisons. More than 4,000 volunteers go out and about with their animal friends extending the paw or claw of friendship to day care centres, residential homes and hospices as well as the other facilities. Pets As Therapy volunteers are pet owners who give up their time to help, if you would like to help find out more and apply at petsastherapy.org/information/forvolunteers One such home company which has benefited from the love and attention of a PAT dog is Brendoncare which has homes in and around Alton and Winchester in Hampshire and at Froxfield near Marlborough. Staff and residents there have seen first hand the positive effects of the joy and companionship that animals can bring. Rebecca Spicer, Volunteer and Activity Manager at Brendoncare, said: “Wellbeing is so much more than the word games and outings. Bringing animals to show our residents adds an element of home: a visiting PAT dog, social farm experience or even a pet animal for the home adds to this. “Animals bring love and comfort to our residents, and for them the nurturing feeling of caring or parenting something is familiar. 22 | FEBRUARY 2023

Animal visits to care homes can bring back fond memories for residents, with many remembering previous pets or happy times with friends and family when they come face to face with visiting animals. Brendoncare Alton recall a recent visit by a range of farm animals which for one resident was a special afternoon as he reminisced about the pig farm he used to run and remembered precious memories for him and his family – whilst stroking a pig! Animals give residents a break in routine and something they can look forward to. But that’s not all – research suggests that animals and their calming nature and affection can offer health benefits such as lowering people’s blood pressure and heart rate, increasing levels of oxytocin (the stress-reducing hormone) and decreasing the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Brendoncare say that while they love seeing their residents’ excitement when they get to hold a duckling or stroke a donkey, their lovely smiles aren’t the only benefit of petting these animals. Stroking an animal’s fur/feathers, hearing their unique sounds, holding them in their lap, feeding them and grooming them are all interactions which provide great sensory stimulation for residents and are particularly beneficial for people with dementia. In addition to the work of charities such as Pets As Therapy in care homes, many residential homes welcome residents to bring their much-loved pets with them with they move in, recognising the benefits to older people – improving mental wellbeing, decreased dementia rates, a sense of purpose and fun.

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A day in the life… Nurse turned care home manager Susie Green shares her memories of life as a care home manager in A Most Precious Gift it terribly and felt guilty for ending my career so I thought it would help to write my tale.

wanted to give people a little peep at what happens through the front door of a care home” says Susie Green of her new book A Most Precious Gift. Susie invites us to walk through the doors of a care home with her as our guide, as the care home manager, home to the elderly, vulnerable adults and for many their final home. Share some of the tales she tells of horror and heartbreak but also many that will make you laugh and smile alongside many you will find unbelievable. Pigeons, relatives, a ‘lady of the night’ turned carer, incontinence pads and emotional farewells all form part of daily life in a care home. Susie started her nurse training in 1978, qualifying in the early 1980s. She has worked on general wards, as a GP nurse and a school nurse. She spent the last six years of her career as a care home manager, turning struggling homes around. “I knew I had stories and tales that happened in my time as a care home manager that just had to be written down,” she explains. “Nursing is a career that is so hard to walk away from, I missed 24 | FEBRUARY 2023

“My inspiration came from the care home staff, service users, families, owners and multidisciplinary teams and social services I worked with. Some characters I will never forget. “I wanted people to understand the life and responsibilities in the role of a registered care home manager. I wanted to give people a little peep at what happens through the front door of a care home.” A Most Precious Gift is a token of thanks to all staff who work in care homes and for those who showed their commitment and empathy working through the Covid pandemic. She adds: “This little book will touch hearts and give an understanding of what it means to work in care homes, the people we meet and those we care for, and those we work with.” Susie lives in a 17th century cottage in Oxfordshire with her husband, two whippets Albert and Annabelle and a very large British Shorthair cat called Eric and as she says in the author’s note for her book: “You will smile, be touched, be horrified and perhaps shed some tears.”  A Most Precious Gift is published by The Book Guild, ISBN 9781915352361, and is available now for £7.99.

Birtley House Nursing Home

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Birtley House is situated just 5 miles south of Guildford town centre and is set within 48 acres of its own Surrey Hills countryside. The estate is home to a collection of landscaped gardens, wildlife and woodland. A family run business since 1932, the house enthuses a vibrant and caring atmosphere. Together, we work with

Kindness Integrity Positivity Adaptability each resident to determine how their care is delivered, ensuring a fully personalised care experience. Birtley

C ARE

House provides specialist care services and caters for both short and long term stays, as well as palliative care. Set alongside the main Nursing Home is a unique development of two bedroomed assisted-living mews flats, designed to provide a calm and worry free life for those who don’t require care just yet.

Contact us for more information: Birtley House Nursing Home, Bramley, Guildford, GU5 0LB I [email protected]

Tel: 01483 892 055 I www.birtleyhouse.co.uk

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CARE

Care cap delay ocial care cost reforms, due to come into effect this October, were delayed by two years in November’s Autumn Statement meaning many now face paying more for their own social care until October 2025.

Maybe you’re concerned by potential extra care costs on the horizon? We explain and suggest sources of support more “flexibility” to raise council tax bills.

The reforms first outlined in September 2021 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson ensured no one would pay more than £86,000 in their lifetime, reducing the likelihood of having to sell the family home to cover the cost of care.

Steven Cameron, Pensions Director at Aegon UK, said: “Kicking the social care can down the road again with a two-year delay will come as a blow to thousands expecting it to go live in October and will mean many won’t live to see the benefit. It could easily cost those paying towards their care an additional £26,000 for every year of delay, while also sorely depleting the savings of those with assets under £100,000 who’ll need to wait another two years for promised extra meanstested support.”

In reversing the original move, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said it would address the funding crisis affecting the care sector and allow councils to have

People with an overall wealth of less than £23,250 are supported by the Government for social care costs. If you are concerned, it’s a good idea to seek advice from your current care provider, Age UK which provides impartial advice, an independent financial adviser or your county council because grants or other support might be available.

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CARE

Hear clearly ny readers who have experienced painful or blocked ears will know how troublesome it can be. The loss of hearing resulting from a blocked or damaged ear can leave us disorientated, imbalanced or even socially isolated. Ear wax (cerumen) is a normal product of the ear canal. It is produced by glands in the skin and traps dust, dead skin cells and whatever else ends up in the ear. A build up of wax can be due to small ear canals, skin conditions such as eczema, or overuse of earbuds which push wax deeper into the ear. GP Practice Nurses used to provide ear syringing (flushing the blockages with warm water) but increasingly this isn’t provided. Ear microsuction is the procedure to remove wax from the ear safely. In hospital Ear, Nose

and Throat clinics it is how we clear ears for examination, treatments and as part of surgery. Using a microscope and a miniature suction device, wax and blockages can be removed safely and precisely within a few minutes. Patients who particularly benefit are hearing aid users, in whom a build up of wax can cause feedback and discomfort. If performed by trained and experienced professionals, this is an excellent way of keeping ear canals clear. If you have blocked, painful or itching ears, this treatment could be a simple fix and avoid the wait for a GP appointment.

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LONDON

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A D F E AT U R E

Preserving Family Wealth

WITH WESTMINSTER LAW Most couples hope that their estate will eventually pass to their children & grandchildren, Tom E Williams MSWW, Estate Planning Consultant for Westminster South Ltd explains or many this will not happen unless careful arrangements have been made to protect their assets from being taken towards the end of their life to pay care home fees. To help protect a couple’s estate, the solution may be a Will incorporating a Trust. A testamentary Trust can only be executed whilst both partners remain alive. Upon death of the first partner, their Will specifies that their share of the estate is placed in Trust and names the ultimate beneficiary of this share, normally the children and grandchildren of the deceased. But under the terms of the Trust,

the surviving partner has the unequivocal right to remain living in the property and to enjoy the other’s assets for the rest of their life. On the death of the other partner, the Trust comes to an end and the estate passes to the beneficiaries, and as the surviving partner does not own the deceased’s share of the estate, it is fully protected for the beneficiaries. So, if the surviving partner requires care, or even remarries, this share of the beneficiary’s inheritance is protected.

can help each person in a relationship ensure that their children inherit their share of the estate. If the surviving partner wants to move, they can still sell the property and use the proceeds to purchase a new property; the terms of the Trust remain over the new property. Westminster Law assesses the circumstances of couples and arranges the Trust that will provide the best protection for them, their family and their assets.

This last point can be of particular interest to couples who have children from previous relationships. A Trust

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R&A | 29

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Friends Together bereavement support group meet at Riverside café in Farnham Maltings, GU9 7QR. Have a chat with the group over a cuppa. The Monday afternoon meetings are 3-4.30pm on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. The evening meeting is 7-8.30pm on the first Monday of the month. The remaining Monday evenings will continue on Zoom. To speak to someone please call 07999 368128 or email [email protected]. Plus find more info at friendstogetherbereavement.org ˜˜˜

˜˜˜ Soroptimist International Surrey Hills invite you to join them, via Zoom, on Monday, 6th February, at 7.45pm, to hear about the Red Cross work in Southern England supporting women in need due to migration; email [email protected] for log-in. Or head to the Baptist Church Hall in Godalming's Queen Street on Monday, 20th February, at 7.45pm. To find out more please visit sigbi.org/surrey-hills or search for @surreyhillssoroptimists on Facebook. ˜˜˜ New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham is always well worth a visit and there are lots of artistic highlights on the horizon with checking out. Inspired by the shoreline, Pete Jackman: Strand-Lines runs until 4th March. Zeba

Contemporary Ceramics: The Winner of Rising Stars Award in 2022: One Year On will star, 11th March to 22nd April. Plus the Rising Stars 2023 will offer new makers a first step into the marketplace through a curated, selling exhibition. In partnership with the University for the Creative Arts and Dan Goode of Making Goode, it is supported by Billmeir Charitable Trust, help you to support and collect work by future stars. For full info please visit newashgate.org.uk ˜˜˜ The Probus Club of Farnham members will meet again on Tuesday, 28th February, for their monthly lunch, followed by the AGM to elect council members and the chairman, as well as to discuss other business. This lunch club for retired professional and business men comprises about 50 members who enjoy a get-together on the fourth Tuesday of the month throughout the year at the Hogs Back Hotel and Spa, usually with an interesting talk. There is also a programme of events that include wives or partners, outings throughout the year to theatre performances, places of educational or recreational interest, and shortbreaks in Britain. Should membership interest to you, please email [email protected] and visit probusfarnham.co.uk

d...Continued on page 34.

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S TAR Q&A

Queen

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Best-selling author Kate Mosse OBE shares her thoughts ahead of her Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries tour at a theatre near you

Hello Kate! How are you? “Very well, thank you for asking! I’ve just become a grandmother, so loving everything about that.” Q. Can you tell us a little about any of your favourite trailblazing women? “There are so many amazing women – from every corner of the world, in every period of history – but I love the extraordinary footballer, Lily Parr, who scored more than 1,000 goals in her professional career in the early 1900s, and also the legendary 18th century pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Reid, who were fierce and uncompromising. My next novel, The Ghost Ship, is partly inspired by their story.” Q. What was your favourite book as a child? “So many, but certainly The Golden Hamster, a beautiful story about being true to who you are. My beloved, and much missed Dad, used to read it to me at bedtime, and I still have that 1960s edition. I also loved The Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.”

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Q. And now – who’s your favourite author? “I try to avoid ever answering this question – too many of my friends are writers – but, Rider 32 | FEBRUARY 2023

Haggard and Agatha Christie would be top of the list.”

Q. Do you enjoy touring? “I’m excited and nervous – what if nobody comes or my voice gives out?! And it’s quite a challenge starting a new career as a performer at the age of 61! On the other hand, you have to keep having new challenges and pushing yourself. The tour is about starting a conversation, having a great night out in the theatre, and putting some incredible women back in to the history books.” Q. How well do you know this part of the world? “Very well. I grew up, and live now, in Chichester, so one of our days out was always to Guildford. My aunt and uncle lived in Woking, and my son-in-law comes from a beautiful village in the Surrey Hills. So, it’s home from home. Also, the Guildford Book Festival is one of my favourite festivals. My whole life – apart from a few years at university, then working in London – has been spent in and around Chichester and Fishbourne. There’s something for everyone – amazing woods and beaches, art galleries and an internationallyrenowned theatre, the canal and Roman Palace, history and folklore, music and community. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Q. What is your first memory of music? “My fabulous Ma had an LP of Nancy Sinatra’s Swinging Safari and I adored dancing along with her. In those days, you had to drop the stylus on to the record, listen, and then start again.” Q. Who would be your dream dinner party guests? “So many of the women I celebrate in my show. The composer Ethel Smyth; the extraordinary 13th century Mongolian wrester princess, Khutulan; Pauli Murray, one of the ‘freedom riders’ along with Rosa Parks; Josephine Cochrane who, in 1893, invented the dishwasher (yes, really!); perhaps Beatrix Potter and my own great-grandmother, Lily Watson...” Q. What advice would you have for any aspiring writers? “Do it! A little writing every day, just so you start to get your muscles used to the process, that’s how a novel or biography takes shape. Don’t worry about how good it is, or quite where it’s going, just get some words down. Soon you’ll have a sentence, then a paragraph then, before you know it, a chapter.”

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˜˜˜ Members of Farnham Sinfonia (CIO) are busy bees preparing for their spring concert on 25th March, 7.30pm, at St Andrew’s Parish Church, GU9 7PW. The programme will include Vivaldi’s Spring, Malcolm Arnold’s Second Horn Concerto with soloist Alexei Watkins, Faure’s Après Une Reve for Cello, Debussy’s Danses Sacre et Profane for Harp, Grieg’s Holberg Suite, starring soloists from the Yehudi Menuhin School. Entry is free with a retiring collection, and refreshments will be available during interval. For more info please visit farnhamsinfonia.org.uk or call 01252 716170. ˜˜˜ Inspirational local adventurer Rebecca Stephens MBE was the first British woman to climb both Everest and the Seven Summits. She also helped make the 2023 Petersfield Walking Festival happen. Rebecca will star at Churchers College in Petersfield (plus online) on Friday, 3rd February, from 7pm, talking about the joy she finds in the mountains. To find out more & buy tickets please visit petersfieldwalkingfestival.co.uk ˜˜˜ If you’d like to try a new hobby, Fleur de Lys Morris from Godalming are a mixed side looking for new dancers and musicians. Contact Jane on 01483 417619 for more details & visit fleurdelysmorris.org

˜˜˜ Diabetes and oral health is the topic Esther Walden will discuss in a virtual talk as the guest of Guildford & SW Surrey Diabetes Group on Monday, 6th February. Ms Alden is a senior clinical adviser for Diabetes UK & the Zoom talk is 7.45pm for an 8pm start. For details email [email protected] ˜˜˜ Uncivil Peace: Politics, Repression and Memory in Spain since 1939 is the interesting title of a talk, thanks to the Historical Association, West Surrey Branch, on Tuesday, 21st February at 7.30pm. Dr D Brydan of King’s College, University of London will examine how civil wars leave a legacy of bitterness and Spain has been no exception. The talk will be at St Nicolas’ Hall in Bury Street, GU2 4AW. Students free, non-members welcome (£5 at the door). For further info contact Rollo on 01252 319881, email crookshankrollo@gmail. com or visit historicalassociationsurrey.com ˜˜˜ The Arts and Crafts Movement in Surrey Society invite you to enjoy a Zoom lecture on Wednesday, 22nd February, at 7.30pm. Carolyn Smith will take A Shopping Trip to the West End in the time of William Morris. Tickets are £6; please email chairman@ artsandcraftsmovementinsurrey.org.uk

Sending lots of love for February & take care, LN

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Ingredients: • Glug of olive or vegetable oil • One large butternut squash, topped, tailed, cut into quarters and seeds removed • ½ cup (100g) couscous • ½ cup (120ml) boiling water • 100g feta cheese • Juice of one lemon • Two heaped tbsp pesto • Eight cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • Olive oil, for roasting Prep: 10 minutes

Here’s a taste of Suzanne Mulholland’s The Batch Lady: Cooking on a Budget, out now, published by HarperCollins

Cooking: 70 minutes Serves: Four

Ä Roast butternut squash with a couscous crust oasting butternut squash in this way brings out its natural sweetness and delicious earthy flavours. Bulked up with fluffy couscous this is substantial enough as a main meal, but would also work as a side dish or a dinner party starter

Method: 1 Preheat the oven to 180˚C/350˚F/gas mark 4. Add a glug of oil to a lipped baking sheet.Place in the oven to warm. 2 Once the oil is hot, add the butternut to the tray, turning to coat in the oil as you do. Bake for 40 minutes, turning halfway through, until the squash is golden and just tender. 3 Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and pour over half a cup (120ml) of boiling water. Cover and set aside for five minutes, then fluff the couscous up with a fork. 4 Crumble the feta into the bowl, then add the 36 | FEBRUARY 2023

lemon juice, pesto, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. If you’re cooking to eat now... Spoon the couscous mix over the roasted squash and return to the oven for another 30 minutes. Divide the wedges between plates and serve. Zhuzh it up with a good drizzle of balsamic glaze. If you’re making ahead to freeze... Set the squash and couscous aside until cooled to room temperature, then transfer the squash wedges to a large freezer bag and the couscous to a smaller bag. Seal the couscous bag and then place inside the bag with the squash before sealing. Label and freeze flat for up to three months. Then... Remove from the freezer and defrost in the fridge, ideally overnight. Once defrosted lay the squash on a foil-lined baking sheet and spoon over the couscous. Transfer to an oven preheated to 180˚C/350˚F/gas mark 4 and bake for 30 minutes, until piping hot all the way through. Serve as above.

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