It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas ...

Christmas season doesn't begin for me until we are in December.  The Woking town centre Christmas lights switch on in late November is an indicator that the season is on the way but I refuse to get into full Christmas mood until at least the first day of December.


Christmas Tree Festival
In the last few years the new Horsell innovation of a Christmas Tree Festival has provided a great opener to the festive season.  The festival is now in its third year and takes place at St Mary's Church on Church Hill.  This year it is on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December.  


For a small adult entry fee (children free) you can view and vote on your favourites from a huge number of trees on the Christmas theme.  Past entries have included lego trees, a tree of cakes, a balloon tree, light effects and event a tree featuring a toilet.  The impact is a mass of light and colour spread all around the church.  In addition to the trees there are a range of stalls with art and craft activities.  When you have had enough of all the festival has to offer you can relax with a hot drink and a choice of cakes and biscuits.

Visit the Christmas Tree Festival on Friday from 10am until 8pm and on Saturday.






Horsell Christmas Fair
Last year the Horsell Christmas Fair was revived and it's back for 2013. Running in parallel with the Christmas Tree Festival on Friday 6 December it starts at 4pm.  The Mayor of Woking will be turning on the village's Christmas lights, the shops will be open, there will be a range of stalls along Horsell High Street and hot food and drink on offer.  Father Christmas is also likely to make an appearance. 

The Christmas Fair is totally free of charge but there is plenty on offer if you want to spend money when you arrive.

Will street views of McLaren provide another excuse ...?

The McLaren Technology Centre on Chertsey Road, Horsell is now on Google Street View.  You can go to Google Maps, search for the Centre and drop the little yellow character on to McLaren to walk around the heart of McLaren's F1 operation.

Button and Perez with McLaren 2013 car

The Daily Mirror picked up on this and provided the link to some of the views. The shots include racing cars from Button and Perez's 2013 season models right back to 1966 McLaren cars.

I am a little surprised that McLaren has opened up in this way.  One of the many infamous reasons for not opening a visitor centre (as required by the original planning permission) at the Technology Centre  was due to commercial confidentiality.

I do hope this new spirit of openess will not provide another excuse not to provide a visitor facility either on site or within Woking.

Anybody know the way to Rufford House?

Does anybody in Horsell or Woking know the whereabouts of Rufford House?  Residents have reported encountering delivery drivers looking for Rufford House along Brewery Road.

For me Rufford is a Lancashire town, north of Wigan and east of Southport, where a maternal aunt once lived.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the new WWF offices on Brewery Road in Horsell, which have always been referred to as ‘The Living Planet Centre’, also bear the name ‘Rufford House’.

I was rather puzzled about this name as I couldn’t see any connection between the northern town and the charity’s Woking offices. 

A little online investigation revealed the existence of the Rufford Foundation.  This charity says that it “provides funding for small nature/biodiversity conservation projects and pilot programmes in developing countries”. 

Further searching uncovered that this foundation gave a substantial donation of £4.8M towards the £20M cost of the new WWF offices in 2012. 

Woking Council’s announcement of entering discussions with WWF also refers to a “significant donation” from the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation.

What is the Rufford Foundation? 

I have learned that it grew from the merger of the Maurice Laing and Rufford foundations.  The Maurice Laing foundation was set up by Maurice Laing, part of the family that owned the Laing construction company.   The Rufford Foundation was subsequently set up by his son John.  The two foundations merged in 2003.

I still have no idea why the foundation bears the name Rufford but the substantial funding support does explain why the Living Planet Centre has this additional name.

I just hope that WWF will provide either some clearer indication of their office address or better directions to delivery drivers to help put Rufford House on the map.

Brewery Road is open ... come on in

As of last Friday (1 November) Brewery Road car park is open and fully available for public use.

WWF has moved into the offices above but, apart from a few disabled spaces, there are no parking spaces for their staff at Brewery Road.  WWF has bought some season tickets for other car parks in the town centre.

Brewery Road is no longer a totally open air car park but it is all on one level.  Space is a bit tighter than in the old car park (there are also fewer spaces overall) but it is still easier to drive around than a multi-storey car park.

Charges are as for other car parks in Woking town centre. Full car park tariffs here.

An Evening with Vince

My evening with Vince Cable

I was delighted to be one of over 70 Liberal Democrats and guests who welcomed Dr Vince Cable to Woking last Saturday. 

Vince told us about departmental achievements including the growing number of apprentices, the setting up of the Green Investment bank and businesses working in partnership with the government. 

Looking forward Vince told us about seeking to make progress on zero hours contracts and the decline in the real value of the minimum wage.

Vince was dismissive of the green credentials of his Conservative coalition partners saying “Cameron now seems to be turning a rather pale shade of green”.  Vince believes that dropping green energy tariffs, which help to fund energy efficiency measures to those who need help to insulate their homes, would be “short-sighted and foolish”.

After taking a wide range of questions Vince was asked what he would do if he wasn't an MP and he had a range of ways to spend his time including dancing, teaching and spending more time with his wife.

It was great to have Vince Cable with us for the evening to hear about some positive achievements on the economy and the environment of Lib Dems in government.

Have your say on Cycling n Surrey

Surrey County Council is running a consultation on cycling in the county.  The consultation is to set a strategy right through until 2026.  

Full details of the consultation are on Surrey's website here where you can also find out about a cycling debate for Surrey.

The consultation is running until the 1 November and you can feedback your views as either a representative of an organisation or an individual.

A cycling debate for Surrey takes place on Wednesday 23 October at the University of Surrey in Guildford   The event is being run with BBC Surrey and will feature a panel which will include local police, the county council, health bodies, cycle organisations and those who object to cycle events taking place in the county.  If you would like to take part in the event you need to apply for a place by 15 October on this link. You can also submit a question to the panel via this link even if you can't make the event.

Mound Roundup

There has been much discussion on the future of the hated mound that appeared in QE Gardens Horsell over the summer.

I don't have full details yet but it seems the situation is resolved and the mound will be no more.

The 'feature' won't disappear immediately but it will go.

Congratulations to the petitioners whose hard work gathering signatures calling for the mound to be removed showed the Council the strength of feeling in Horsell.

Tour of Britain - Watch or Avoid

This Saturday, 21 September, the Tour of Britain cycle race comes to Woking.  For some it’s a chance to watch Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in action.  For others it’s an inconvenience as local roads are affected by closures.

Watch

The good news for “watchers” is that there are two opportunities to see Wiggo and Cav in Woking.  The race first comes into Woking borough from Send.  The cyclists will head through Old Woking, then past Woking Park and the Leisure Centre before coming into the town centre and along Victoria Way.  After a sprint along Chertsey Road riders will leave Woking via the Six Crossroads and past McLaren down to the Ottershaw roundabout.

The race returns to Woking after a meander around the back of St Peter’s Hospital, through Lyne and into Chobham.  From Chobham the racers pedal along Guildford Road and Chobham Road, past the end of Carthouse Lane and into Knaphill.  The race goes along Bagshot Road and then heads off to Pirbright.

The first entry of the race into Woking is around 13.55 with the Chertsey Road sprint scheduled for 2pm.  The race returns in Knaphill around 14.30.

Avoid

There is also good news for those who find road closures for cycle races an inconvenience.  Unlike RideLondon and the Tour Series this race won’t mean hours of closed roads.  Roads are closed on a rolling basis as the race passes through.  This should mean 15 to 20 minute closures.

There’s a great map (although it’s a little slow) where you can look at the race route as a whole or zoom in on any section of the race to a detailed level.  Woking Council has timings for the race coming through Woking and Surrey County Council hastimings for the whole race.

Some Success ... but not there yet

Plan of the Mound - cross section

I am delighted to report some success on the issue of the mound in QE Gardens, Horsell.  During August Woking Council finally seemed to realise what we have been making such a fuss about since July.  

Having recognised that there is a real issue the Council has asked both neighbouring residents and those who set up the very successful petition to confirm their concerns.  The Council will then come back with a revision to the original plans which addresses those concerns.

I'm afraid it is still a waiting game but I do feel we are now moving forward. Realisation has dawned with the Council

I will keep residents informed as the issue progresses.

Woking News

There is a lot coming up in Woking over the next couple of months, including some new and returning events, and it's time to look ahead for a new event next Spring.

A Place to Eat

The first Woking Food Festival takes place in the town centre from 13 to 15 September.  The event promises the Tante Marie Culinary Theatre, well known chefs and up to 50 local and regional food and drink stalls.   I am particularly pleased to see this event come to fruition as I made the original suggestion that such an event be held.  I envisaged the event as an opportunity for local restaurants and cafes to make residents and visitors aware of all that Woking has to offer both in the town centre and the surrounding villages.  I hope the price tag for stalls, which seems a little steep, doesn't put off smaller establishments.  The available details are on the Council website here.

A Place to Cycle

The Tour of Britain cycle race returns to Woking for a second year when the penultimate stage goes along Old Woking Road, Kingifield Road and Guildford Road then into Woknig town centre on Saturday 21 September.  There will be short term road closures of between 15 minutes and half an hour as the race passes through.  Cyclists will be heading along to A320 to Ottershaw so a good opportunity for Horsell residents to watch the race pass by.  Leading cyclists are scheduled to be in Woking at 13.55. Full details of the route and timings are here.

A place to dig

Explore the history of Woking by going on an archaeological dig at Woking Palace in Old Woking.  No previous experience is required.  I have takenpart and very much enjoyed the dig for the past 2 years.  I have yet to find anything beyond oyster shells, nails, bricks and small pottery fragments but the dig is a great opportunity to learn more about local history and archaeology.  Last I heard there were still some spaces on the dig which runs on Wednesday to Sunday from 18 September to 4 October.

Email Hannah Potter at education.scau@surreycc.gov.uk if you would like to know more or book a place on the dig.

A place to watch - ‘Live’ events at Ambassadors cinemas

I am excited about the wide range of live and recorded events that are going to be beamed into our local cinema complex. The new programme promises music from Robbie Williams and David Bowie, Shakespeare featuring David Tennant in Richard III and Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh , the Bolshoi ballet and Glyndebourne.  Listings for the cinemas are here but only seem to be available in alphabetical order so look carefully at dates.

Looking ahead to next year ...

A Place to Run

Details have just been announced of the inaugural Surrey half marathon on a course between Woking and Guildford.  This 13 mile race will take place on Sunday 9 March next year.  The route starts at Stoke Park in Guildford, leaves that town via Burpham and enters Woking through Mayford and Westfield before coming into the centre of Woking under Victoria Arch, turning around and heading back to Guildford.  Find out about running, volunteering or watching the race go by.

Horsell Public Space - Mound Update

The Mound in its "full glory"

The mound in Queen Elizabeth Gardens is still there and the space is unusable as we head into the third week of the school summer holidays.  

After my own holiday I chased up the Council as I had not received an update since the end of July.  I have been told that the Council will be writing to the petitioners this coming week.  It is suggested that a solution to the issues identified in the petition will be offered.

I will provide an update once I hear what is being suggested.

News for Horsell

New vicar for St Mary’s

Following the retirement of long standing vicar Rod Jones earlier in the year St Mary’s Church in Horsell has now appointed a new vicar.  Sarah Hayes comes to Horsell from Chipping Campden where she was Curate.  Sarah previously had a career as a city lawyer.  The new vicar does not formally take up the role until October.

Office to residential planning change

There are concerns over a planning application to turn what was the office of Plum products in the High Street into two flats.  A recent relaxation of planning laws nationally means that changes of use from business to residential are encouraged and the planning authority has little control over these changes.  There are concerns that two more flats in the congested centre of the village will only add  to parking problems.

Muslim Burial ground on Horsell Common

The Grade II listed Muslim Burial Ground on Horsell Common is to be restored in time for commemoration of the outbreak of the First World War next year  I am pleased that funding has been achieved to restore the site which was built in 1917 to inter soldiers from the Indian Army.  There are no burials at the site (they have long since been removed to Brookwood cemetery) but the site will become a garden of peace and remembrance.  It is a fantastic spot for a walk so it is great to know the structure will be returned to its original glory.  English Heritage, Woking Council and Horsell Common Preservation Society are working together on the project.

Horsell Public Space Saga Latest

My request for a clear statement on what will happen next and when in response to resident's concerns about the work at QE Gardens as set out in my last post has failed to provide any clarity.

I have been told by the Council that  "There is no urgency as the site is still work in progress" and that they do not expect to have "a clear position until the autumn planting season".

The Council has offered the reassurance that "The site will be excellent when the job is done".

I have been told that the "matter has been taken out of all perspective" and it is suggested the cooling weather may cool "some of this over reaction".

At the same time a note has been circulated from our local county councillor.  He is trying to assist but the note does not given any firm assurances and is at odds with some of what I have been told.

Amidst all of this, the consultation with residents that I was told would happen when it was explained why my urgent business would not be heard is nowhere in sight.

I am quite clear about what residents want - a flat area returned to the village where children can run around, play football or cricket and where dogs can be walked.  It is a matter of urgency and I am saddened and disappointed that the Council will not commit to work with residents to reach a solution now.

Some progress on Horsell Public Space

There has been some positive progress today on the issue of the slope being added to QE Gardens in Horsell and the loss of flat open space.  I summarise below the key events and where we go next.

Cross section of the slope planned for QE Gardens

Petition submitted
Residents today handed a 500 signature petition to Woking Council.  The petition calls for the Council to "level out the new mound that is being created in our park to retain the original flat playing area".  You  can see the full petition here.  Congratulations to Fiona, Kerri and Natasha for their amazing effort in collecting all these signatures in just a few days.

Democratic process
In the normal democratic process the Council has 14 days to verify and respond to the petition and it is then put before the next meeting of the Council, with a minimum 7 days notice.

The Council met tonight but does not meet again until the end of September. Recognising this I wondered if I could use the item of "Urgent Business" on the Council meeting agenda to highlight this matter and get an agreed way forward.  We can't wait until September.

Urgent Business
I sought guidance from the Borough Solicitor on the grounds for urgent business and felt that this issue met that definition.  The solicitor confirmed to me that it is up to the Mayor to decide whether to allow any item of urgent business.  

I spoke to the Mayor, outlining the issue to her and my reasons for feeling it fitted the definition of urgent business.  Essentially this was that the full scale of the issue only became evident after the deadline for submissions to Thursday's Council meeting and action was needed in the short term, not after the next meeting in late September.  The Mayor agreed to include the item but did mention that she had a pre-meeting with the solicitor and Chief Executive in the late afternoon.

I rather expected to hear more of this before the Council meeting and sure enough I had a call from the Mayor around 6pm.  The Mayor had been 'advised' that the item was not urgent business and not to accept it on the agenda. Conversation then continued with the solicitor who said that no more work would be done and that residents would now be consulted.  

Stopping the work
I did not get a positive response to my repeated requests this week to stop the work but it now seems work will end by tomorrow.  I understand no further work will be done for the moment.  Whether this was the scheduled end of the work or it is a response to my request and the petition I do not know.

Consultation
My conversation with the solicitor on his recommendation that the Mayor did not take my urgent business indicated that there would now be consultation with residents on whether or not we want a slope.  A later conversation I had with another officer of the council suggested this would not be the case.  I have asked for clarification.

The Council Meeting
Despite my request for an item of urgent business being turned down I wanted to get confirmation of next steps in the public domain.  I raised an item of urgent business at the Council meeting asking that a statement be provided.  My request was rejected out of hand.

Next Steps
The next steps are to get confirmation that work has stopped and to get clrify on what consultation will take place and when.

Future shape of Woking Council

Woking Council tonight voted to recommend to the Boundary Commission that the Council should have 30 rather than 36 councillors in future.  If the Boundary Commission agrees (and subject to public consultation) it will mean that each council ward will have around 7900 electors and Woking is likely to be split into 10 wards rather than the 17 it has now.

The key Conservative rationale behind this reduction appears to be that other areas with a Conservative majority are doing this and it saves money.

As Liberal Democrat Group Leader I proposed an amendment for a reduction to 33 councillors.  The Liberal Democrats felt this could still save money but would be a more realistic reduction whilst giving more flexibility to reflect natural communities in ward boundaries.  We also suggested the Council look to save money by moving from papers to electronic  materials and posting and sending items by courier less.

Our amendment was rejected.

Latest on Horsell Open Space Decimation

Woking Council has responded to my request to stop work at QE Gardens, Horsell in order that a solution may be found to meet the needs of residents and the project.

They say that the work will be completed and it can then be reviewed.  Completion is due on Friday.

I have explained that we know exactly how the area will look as we have now all looked at the later planning application in some detail.

We do not want a slope we want a relatively flat piece of land returned to Horsell.

I have reiterated my request for work to stop and discussions to take place on a way forward.

For the background to this issue see my original post here and updated post here.

Horror at Decimation of Horsell Public Amenity Space

*** BREAKING NEWS  ***

Public concern is growing and I have now asked the Council to stop work on this area until a solution can be found that works for residents and the project.
 
*** BREAKING NEWS  ***

Finally I have some answers on how a public amenity area at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Horsell came to be destroyed.

Ten days ago I blogged on resident's horror at the loss of a public amenity space.

I set out the following questions and I now have some answers ...

How could this be major change to our local landscape be described as a minor amendment when it dramatically alters and renders virtually useless a public amenity area?

Council officers insist that this is a minor change and that it was clear from the original planning application what was to be created in this area.  Here is the graphic which showed those who looked at the plans online (assuming they could find a suitably old version of Internet Explorer) and people who attended Horsell Residents Association AGM, what the area would look like.

Graphic showing layout of Horsell Civic Space. Note blue/green wavy line to left of Bowls Club. Is this meant to indicate a slope?

The text to the left of the area refers to excess material being used to stabilise slopes and to creating gentle parkland landform.  I don't know about anyone else but I read this as improving the existing slope not creating a whole new, bigger, steeper peak that takes over the area.

Who took the decision to make this minor amendment and who (other than residents through the planning process) was consulted on the decision?

No direct responsibility has been taken for making the decision on this. The architects working for the Council on the project drew up the plans.  Initially they hoped to get them agreed by Planning without the submission of a planning application.  The insistence is that this was always intended.  The plans submitted for the later planning application show what is intended.  No such plans were included in the original planning application.

Statutory planning consultation was carried out on the minor amendment but only with homes on the High Street, Hill Close and Bury Lane.  The wider resident population (including this local councillor) knew nothing of this. I am unclear as to whether Conservative councillors were aware. One councillor talks of closely following progress on this project.  Was this missed or was she happy for these changes to the plans to take place?

Are any policies breached by the loss of public amenity space?

Apparently not because the space is not lost, just changed.  I am told it can still be used and Natural England "recommend slopes" for children to play on.  Children had slopes before, they enjoyed playing on the incline to the Bowls Green.  Children also had a flat area to play ball games and run around.  They don't have that flat area any more.

Diagram submitted with later application showing full extent of incline

The image above shows, from left to right = a tree from the residential boundary, then the proposed re-routed footpath, a huge slope and the hedge to the Bowls Green.

Has a safety assessment taken place?

I am told there are no safety concerns despite potential users of the footpath being surrounded by a mound 4.49 metres high on one side and boundary fences on the other side.

A new question is just why do this at all?

Retention of spoil on site will presumably save a lot of money.  Is this a way of reducing project costs?

What Next

Anger is growing in Horsell.  With schools due to break up this week parents are particularly angry and many have time available to let the Council know their views.

I am fully behind those who object to this decimation of our local amenity space.  I want to find a way forward that gives a relatively flat space back to residents as soon as possible.

Horror at loss of Horsell Public Space

Residents of Horsell who have walked past Queen Elizabeth Gardens on the High Street in the last week or so can't have failed to notice major changes to the landscape.  Land to the side of the Bowls Club has been dug up and earth has been piled up towards the edge of the bowling green.

Dramatic landscape changes

I was first alerted to what was going on by residents and went along to see for myself last week.  My immediate reaction was to assume the land, which provided a flat, but sloping surface was being flattened in preparation for a diversion of the footpath which runs between the Bowls Club and the Village Hall.  A footpath diversion is required to allow for a small extension to the Village Hall and the new Scout Hut which is being built behind the Village Hall. 

Further investigation revealed that the plan is to create a steep ridge, running up to the Bowls Club with the diverted footpath running along the edge of the area.  

This is how the area looks now.  It will be grassed again, but a public amenity space where residents walked dogs, children ran around and played ball games and the location for children's sports events at last year's Jubilee celebrations has been removed and will not return.

 

How Did It Happen?

It took me some effort to track down how this had happened.  After searching I found the planning application PLAN/2012/0915.  The application is described as 

"Amendment to planning permission reference PLAN/2012/0225 for a minor amendment to landscaping details that retain spoil on site and re-profile proposed soft landscape areas". 

This is far from a minor amendment.  Apart from showing the proposal to divert the footpath the original planning application for the new Scout Hut and Village Hall extension makes no mention of any work on the land on the west side of the bowling green.  How can wholesale destruction of a public amenity area be described as minor?

Informing Councillors and Residents
Having tracked down the planning application I was very puzzled because it did not look at all familiar to me.  Councillors receive a weekly list of the latest planning applications and I always take a least a glance at all of the Horsell applications.  I had not seen this one.  Investigation revealed that this application had somehow not made it on the weekly list when it was submitted in October.  It did make it on the other list that councillors receive on the outcomes of applications (in January) but as it referred  to a "minor amendment" and I assumed it referred to land around the new Scout Hut I looked no further.

Neighbouring residents were consulted through the usual planning process.  One resident raised concerns.  I imagine others merely read the words "minor amendment" and looked no further.


Next Steps
I am very unhappy and concerned about this horrific loss of public space and  have written to council officers asking:

- How could this be major change to our local landscape be described as a minor amendment when it dramatically alters and renders virtually useless a public amenity area

- Who took the decision to make this minor amendment and who (other than residents through the planning process) was consulted on the decision

- Are any policies breached by the loss of public amenity space

- Has a safety assessment taken place


UPDATE 22 JULY 2013

Finally have answers to the questions above.  Click here for part 2 of this saga.

How should Woking Borough be governed in future?

Current Woking Borough Wards

Every fifteen years or so the boundaries of local government are reviewed by an independent body the Boundary Commission.  This happens at different times for each authority.  Surrey boundaries were reviewed in the last few years and county councillors were elected on the new boundaries in May this year.  It is now the turn of Woking borough to review its boundaries.

Reviewing boundaries is a lengthy process.  Councillors were advised that the review would happen earlier this year.  Woking Council will decide by the end of July how many councillors it will need in future and whether it wishes to continue electing them by thirds (a third of the council is up for election in each of three years) or in "all-up" elections that happen only every four years.

There is a consultation here that asks for your views on this initial part of the boundary review.  Responses are required by 19 July.

Over August the Boundary Commission will look at what Woking has submitted and we will know the future number of councillors and frequency of elections by September.

Then the fun starts ....

From September onwards Woking has to look at how wards (the areas within which councillors are elected) are constituted.  There will be a range of issues to consider including appropriate population size - so each councillor represents roughly the same number of residents; communities and inevitably political parties will have an eye to to areas that are "winnable" for them.

The Council will work on ward boundaries over the remainder of 2013 and then report to the Boundary Commission.  The Commission will consult on the initial proposals, take any responses and then consult again if there is any revision in the proposals.  All this will run through to 2014.  An order for the new Woking boundaries will be set before parliament in 2015 and the first elections on the new boundaries will be in 2016 - 3 years after the process started.

I am on the boundary working group at the Council and am looking forward to having a part to play in this process.  The working group will take account of consultations with the public and be talking to local interests on how to best represent our area in future.

Arthur's Bridge Safety works only solves half the problem

Work has taken place at the Arthur's Bridge / Lockfield Drive road junction as anticipated in my blog post of a few weeks ago. 

It is not quite as I was expecting.

The far side of Lockfield Drive from Horsell, heading towards Harelands Roundabout has been improved. The run up to the traffic lights is now a single clear lane.  All good. But ...

What about the road in the other direction? To my mind this is where much of the problem lies.  Vehicles coming from Harelands Roundabout race to the lights in the right hand lane.  Cars leaving Arthur's Bridge turn out and right as the lights are changing.  On several occasions this has led to collisions.  

Why has Surrey gone to so much effort to only fix half of the problem?

I am trying to find out.

Looking forward to going on safari

Lucy enjoying the 2012 Garden Safari

June is the safari season in Horsell.  Yes, that's right, the village of Horsell hosts its 11th annual Garden Safari on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June.  

There won't be too many big beasts prowling the streets but there will be 25 gardens to visit over the two days.  

Opening hours and tickets

Gardens are open 11am to 5pm on Saturday and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday.  Buy tickets from Spar, Needle and Thread or Lisa Jones hairdressers in Horsell High Street or at The Lightbox.  Tickets cost £7 per adult (children go free) and include a map of the gardens and details of extras available at each location such as refreshments or plant sales.

The Safari is always a great event with new and old gardens to see, some delicious cakes and even wildlife (usually nothing more vicious than chickens).

Visitors drive, cycle or walk around and you can go to as many or as few gardens as you wish.

Pares Woodland Garden

A special feature of this year's Garden Safari will be the opening of Pares Woodland Garden.  I've blogged here on how the vision of one man and the hard work of the 2nd Thursday club transformed an overgrown piece of land behind the High Street into an inviting woodland garden.  Now you can come and see the finished project for yourself.  Grand opening Saturday 15 June at 10.30 and then open as for the rest of the Safari over the weekend.

Supporting community facilities

Funds raised from the Garden Safari go towards the upkeep of the Village Hall and in recent years has contributed to both new flooring and a new boiler.

Any Questions for a Friday Evening

St John's Church, West Byfleet where
Any Questions was recorded 24/5/13

I had an enjoyable Friday evening as an audience member for Any Questions.  For those unfamiliar with the programme it is a Radio 4 current affairs panel discussion, similar to Question Time on television.  

The Location

This week's edition was recorded at St John's Church in West Byfleet.  I've driven past St John's church many times on my way through West Byfleet.  It is located just past Waitrose, at the traffic light intersection, an area I learnt that was once known as Byfleet corner.

I am not a church goer but I am always interested in, and appreciative of the architecture of ecclesiastical buildings.  St John's is a large church, and we were told in the introduction to the evening that it has a growing congregation.  The church has a huge wooden vaulted barrel roof and walls of Doulting stone. Unusually there is just one stained glass window in the church.  The church celebrated its centenary last year, having been designed by Caroe, a leading light in the Arts and Crafts movement and built by local builders Tarrant in 1912 at a cost of £9,908.  The organ came a year later and cost a massive £1,000.

I digress, but we did spend quite a while sitting around waiting for the recording to start so I had time to take all this in and read the helpfully provided leaflet about St John's.

Any Questions

The evening proper began with a 'warm-up' from a BBC producer, currently with Newsnight but about to move to the Today programme.  He regaled us with some amusing stories and there was an opportunity to ask questions about BBC news.

We had all been invited to submit questions and I put in a few before taking my seat for the evening.  It was to no avail.  Ten questions were selected and the questioners were invited to take seats on the front row - no roving microphone at this recording.  The last question chosen was told it was to be asked first, for the dry run, to check out microphones and sound levels.

Finally to the guests.  

Trevor Kavanagh, former political editor and now Associate Editor of the Sun - I didn't agree with him once all evening.  

Maria Miller, Conservative MP for Basingstoke and Minister for Culture - totally disagree with her on her recent pronouncements on arts making an economic case (typical Tory who knows price of everything and value of nothing) but she was good in defence of government policy on equal marriage.  Less good on taxation where she seemed a little lost.

Sadiq Khan, Labour MP Tooting for and Shadow Lord Chancellor was the only Muslim to have attended Cabinet meetings when he did so in the latter days of the last government.  I had heard him before on television and found him an atypical Labour minister but he is an engaging speaker with a sense of humour and came across well.

Brendan O'Neill is rather an enigma.  He edits a magazine called spiked, writes for the Big Issue and blogs for The Telegraph.  He had some pretty off the wall views on most issues discussed in the evening but I did agree with him when he called Maria Miller a philistine for her view on funding the arts.

I was of course disappointed that there was no Liberal Democrat on the panel.

And the questions.  Predictably we started with the dreadful events in Woolwich on Wednesday.  One questioner asked if the Muslim community could do more to prevent terrorism and another whether governmnet had over-reacted to the incident.  We covered tax avoidance by successful businesses, equal marriage, funding of the arts and "swivel-eyed" loons.

It was an interesting evening and good to be part of something live, with real people in front of you answering questions rather than a television picture or a voice on the radio.