the Woking Magazine Spring 2008 PDF file

Ways to feel great
in 2008!
Take part in this year’s wildlife watch
Life enhancing services for young and old
The Woking Magazine | Spring 2008
Please read and then recycle
We’ve found a winning
formula for our new website!
www.woking.gov.uk
asy to navigate
ser friendly
eally helpful when looking for local
information
ven more attractive than it was before
een to serve you 24 hours
a day, seven days a week
ccessible to everyone!
Our new site will go live during
March 2008.
Why not log on to www.woking.gov.uk
and see for yourself.
And, if you can find barmy Professor
Denner within the new web pages, you
could win a special prize!
Spring | 2008
Introduction
Welcome to the
spring issue of The
Woking Magazine
which has come
around remarkably
quickly thanks to the
early arrival of Easter
this year.
Firstly, thanks very much to everyone who has
made contact in the last couple of months to
pass on comments about recent Woking
Magazine articles and make suggestions for
new ones. It is really helpful to hear first-hand
what people want to read about and what articles
we can include to support different groups in
the community.
And that’s exactly why we have included a reader
survey in this issue of the magazine. We last
carried out a survey like this in summer 2006 and it
really helped us to ascertain who is reading the
magazine and which bits they especially like. We
have tried to take readers’ comments on board
when putting together the last six issues. To ensure
that we are continually improving the magazine, we
would be most grateful if you could take just a few
minutes to complete the survey on pages 23 and
24 and send it back to us at the Council. All
completed forms will be entered into a free prize
draw to win £100 of shopping vouchers!
Back to this issue now and, as you might expect,
the following pages put forward plenty of reasons
to get out and about in the Borough this spring. If
you are keen to help monitor wildlife in the
Borough, take a look at the Gardening for Life
survey in the middle pages (15 to 18) and enjoy
spotting different species during the month of April.
Environment-conscious homeowners may be
interested in the transformation that one house in
the Borough is currently undergoing (pages 10
and 11) and, still on the green theme, I am
delighted to report that The Woking Magazine is
now printed on a more environmentally friendly
paper (see page 4 for more).
Happy reading!
Karen Porter
The Woking Magazine Editor
Front cover: Harry Milne enjoying a dip at Woking’s Pool in
the Park. Photo by Tom Miles.
www.woking.gov.uk
Contents
News in brief
A snapshot of the latest news from
across the Borough
4
Make sure you feel great in 2008!
Good reasons to take positive steps
towards a healthier lifestyle
7
New showcase for water and
energy efficiency
How an ordinary home is being
transformed into an amazing house.
10
Peace of mind at the press
of a button
Information about the Council’s home
support services
12
Gardening For Life 2008
Find out how you can get involved in
this year’s wildlife survey
15
My Woking
Woking man, John Hayward, talks
about his 45-year career in cinema
19
Out and about
A walk exploring the rich variety of
habitats on Chobham Common
20
Readers’ survey
Please let us know what you think
of The Woking Magazine
23
What’s on
A list of the Borough’s events over
the next few months
27
Contact details
The Woking Magazine is compiled and published four times
a year by Woking Borough Council. A total of 48,000 copies
are printed and delivered free to households and many
public information points across the Borough.
Editorial Team: Karen Porter, telephone 01483 743024,
email karen.porter@woking.gov.uk DTW Vavasour,
telephone 01233 614525, email kate@dtwv.co.uk
Design: DTW Vavasour
If you wish to advertise in The Woking Magazine, please
call Dory Merriman on 07775 598470, or email
dory.merriman@woking.gov.uk
The appearance of adverts 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
Spring | 2008
Thank you
Woking Borough Council
would like to thank the
thousands of residents who
have been diverting even
more waste from landfill by
putting their glass bottles
and jars into their blue-lidded
wheeled bins.
There has been a fantastic
response to the introduction of
glass collection from the
kerbside at the start of this
year and the Council hopes
that this will have a significant
effect on the Borough's
recycling figures.
Look out for more information
in future issues of The Woking
Magazine.
News in brief... News in brief... News in brief... New
Have you ‘tuned in’ yet?
Woking residents who haven’t yet had the
opportunity to ‘tune in’ to their neighbourhood are being
encouraged to go along to special community-led workshops that
are being organised throughout this year.
Organised by Woking Borough Council, Surrey Police, Surrey County
Council, Surrey Fire and Rescue and Surrey PCT (Surrey Heath and Woking
Locality), the ‘Tune In’ workshops give people the chance to discuss the
issues that matter most to them and work with local organisations to find
ways of improving the areas in which they live.
Residents in half of the Borough’s neighbourhoods have already taken part
in workshops that were held during 2007. In the forthcoming months,
meetings will be held in the remaining neighbourhoods.
Mount Hermon, St Johns, Hook Heath and Mayford – Mayford Village
Church Hall – Monday 31 March 2008
Knaphill and Brookwood – Vyne Centre – Wednesday 28 May 2008
Old Woking, Kingfield and Westfield – Old Woking Community Centre –
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Woking Town Centre – H.G. Wells Conference and Events Centre –
Thursday 25 September 2008.
For more information, please see the special ‘Tune In’ pages on Window on
Woking (www.windowonwoking.org.uk).
What’s now multi-coloured
but green all over?
Following a recent review of
different types of paper, The
Woking Magazine is now printed
on a more environmentally
friendly stock.
Instead of using paper from
sustainable sources, the Council
has decided to use a paper that is
made partly from recycled waste
and partly from a wood source that
is approved by the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC).
This international, nongovernmental organisation is
dedicated to promoting
responsible management of the
world’s forests, and the FSC label
guarantees that all harvested
trees are replaced or allowed to
regenerate naturally. The FSC
label is also used on a wide range
of products including wood for
4
furniture, charcoal,
other printed
matter and
kitchen utensils.
The new paper
meets the current
guidance from the government’s
Waste Resources Action
Programme (WRAP). In addition, it
still allows the printer to achieve the
bright and colourful finish which
Woking Magazine readers enjoy.
Don’t forget to recycle!
Once you have finished reading
your Woking Magazine, please
recycle it by placing it in your
blue-lidded wheeled bin or blue
sack. Alternatively, take it to one
of the recycling centres or place
it in one of the on-street
recycling bins that can be found
at a number of locations around
the Borough.
www.woking.gov.uk
ws in brief... News in brief... News in brief... News in brief...
Change to parking
enforcement arrangements
Attention keen
gardeners!
From 1 April 2008, the way in
which on-street parking
restrictions, such as single and
double yellow lines, are enforced
in the Borough will change.
This means that The Parking Shop
will close on 31 March 2008 and
motorists will need to visit the Civic
Offices to do any of the following:
At the moment, Woking Borough
Council employs a specialist
parking contractor which supplies
and manages the Parking
Attendants, based at The Parking
Shop in Chobham Road. But, at
the end of March, this
arrangement will come to an end
and the Council will establish an
in-house team that will operate
from the Civic Offices in
Gloucester Square.
apply and pay for residents’
permits
With the fresh scent of
spring in the air, now is
a perfect time to get
outside in the garden and start
clearing the way for some new
blooms. And, if you’re hoping to
create some colourful
arrangements, why not think
about showing them off by
entering Woking in Bloom 2008.
The team of Civil Enforcement
Officers will have new powers
that will allow them to tackle a
wider range of offences including
parking on zig-zags close to
pedestrian crossings and to use
CCTV evidence in order to
enforce yellow lines.
pay for a parking ticket
purchase on-street parking
vouchers
request the suspension of
parking bays
make any other enquiries
about on-street parking.
The Civic Offices are open from
Monday to Friday, 9am to
4.45pm. Alternatively, motorists
can make payments by telephone
or post. During 2008, the Council
hopes to introduce a number of
internet services to save people
having to visit the Civic Offices.
For further information, please
call 01483 755855 or visit
www.woking.gov.uk
Look out for your A to Z!
During March, copies of the
handy publication “Your guide to
Council services in Woking” are
being sent out to all households
in the Borough along with the
new Council Tax bills.
The Council-run competition,
which encourages residents,
businesses and schools across
the Borough to make Woking a
brighter, greener place, will get
into full swing over the next
couple of months.
Green-fingered growers can
choose to enter one of the main
categories or special awards to
be in with the chance of winning
a top prize. This year, the Council
is particularly keen to see more
entries in the ‘Best new entrant’
category, so if you are handy with
a hoe, mad about mowing, or
tremendous with a trowel why not
give it a go?
The booklet, produced annually
by Woking Borough Council,
includes an explanation of the bill,
a summary of the Council’s
performance and a comprehensive
A to Z guide to both Borough and
County Council services.
The closing date for all entries is
Monday 7 July 2008 after which
a panel of judges will visit all of
the competitors and assess their
gardens/arrangements to decide
on the winners. All winners will be
invited to a special presentation
in September, attended by the
Mayor of Woking.
The A5 booklet, which this year
has a new-style cover, can be
stored next to the phone and is a
handy reference guide for anyone
who needs to use local services.
For an entry form or further
information, please contact Andy
Calfe at Woking Borough Council
on 01483 743451 or visit
www.woking.gov.uk
www.woking.gov.uk
Extra copies are available from
the Civic Offices or by calling the
Council on 01483 755855.
5
Make sure you feel great in 2008!
If you’ve been looking for a reason to take some positive steps towards a healthier
lifestyle, the following article may give you the push that you need.
Swim yourself slimmer!
around the picturesque lake at the Goldsworth Park
Recreation Ground and is open to all levels. If you
would like to participate, you can take a leisurely jog
around the one-mile course, stretch yourself on the
three-mile course or, if you are an exercise enthusiast,
take on the six-mile course!
Did you know that swimming is
one of the best forms of exercise
for burning calories? An average
30-minute gentle swim can burn
nearly 200 calories!
An exercise to music class in water (aquarobics) is
also a fantastic way to get fit and help tone muscles.
These classes are great for those who can’t swim or
are not confident in water, as they are often
conducted in shallow water. Aquarobics is also
recommended for pre and post natal women and for
people with mobility and arthritis issues. Aqua
Wellness classes are also suitable for people who are
pre or post operation or for those who are overweight.
Woking’s Pool in the Park offers a comprehensive
range of lane swimming and fitness swimming. To
find a class that suits you, pop down to Woking Park
and have a chat to one of our reception team or call
01483 771122.
Kick the habit
Most people these days know what
damage smoking can do. It’s the
biggest cause of lung cancer, and it
causes heart disease, stroke, chronic
bronchitis and emphysema. No
Smoking Day is on Wednesday 12 March and, if you
have been thinking of giving up, it’s a great time to
take that next step.
There are lots of local and national events occurring
as a part of The Great No Smoking Day Challenge.
Woking Borough Council will be organising local
activities so look out for more details.
Enquiries can be directed to the Health and
Well-being Team, on 01483 743821 or visit
www.nosmokingday.org.uk
Run the Goldsworth
Park Mile
The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile
is back, and Woking Borough
Council is a ‘Mile Event’ organiser.
This year’s course takes runners
www.woking.gov.uk
Sport Relief is an
initiative of Comic Relief,
registered charity
commission no 326568
The Sport Relief Mile will take place on Sunday 16
March at 12.30pm and proceeds will go to Comic
Relief to help fight poverty and social injustice in the
UK and overseas.
And, if you are in the mood for some Comic Relief
capers, why not do the mile in fancy dress for your
chance to win the best dressed prize!
To register, visit www.sportsrelief.com. For more
details, contact the Health and Well-being Team,
on 01483 743821.
Get on yer bike!
If you enjoy whizzing along the
Borough’s highways and byways,
why not polish up your bike and
join in the fun of the Woking
Bikeathon! The event, which begins and ends at
Bishop David Brown School in Sheerwater, is being
held on Sunday 11 May, and will be extra special
this year as the event is celebrating its 20th birthday!
Participants can choose to cycle the full 27-mile
route or opt for the shorter 15-mile circuit. All funds
raised will go to Leukaemia Research.
For more information, contact John Stafford-Smith
on 01932 340013, visit www.lrf.org.uk/wokingbike
or pick up an entry form from public information
points across the Borough.
Fun times ahead for young people
Young people in parts of the Borough will soon
be jumping, climbing, balancing and dribbling for
joy, thanks to the Big Lottery Fund which has
awarded £200,000 to Woking Borough Council
to help bring fun and challenging outdoor
facilities to the area. The Council now intends to
consult with young people at four locations in
the Borough to finalise plans before starting
work on the new facilities.
7
Spring | 2008
Local elections –
Thursday 1 May 2008
On Thursday 1 May 2008, local elections will be held in 12 Woking wards. Read on to
find out why, when and how to use your right to vote.
Why is it important to vote?
Voting in elections is one
of the most effective ways
of making sure that your
voice is heard by
decision-makers in your
community. By using your
vote, you can have a say
in the future of the Borough and help shape an
environment in which we can all be glad to live and work.
Where can you vote?
Elections are currently expected this year in
12 wards:
Who are the election candidates?
Brookwood
Kingfield and Westfield
Byfleet
Knaphill
Goldsworth East
Maybury and
Sheerwater
Goldsworth West
Horsell East and
Woodham
Mount Hermon East
Horsell West
Pyrford
Mount Hermon West
If you wish to stand for election, you need to be
proposed by electors in the local area and complete
a nomination form which is available from Electoral
Services at Woking Borough Council. The deadline
for nominations to stand in the election is 12noon,
Friday 4 April 2008.
The list of candidates standing in the election will be
published on Tuesday 8 April 2008.
How can you vote?
1. Get on the Electoral Register
You must be on the Electoral Register to vote
in elections.
If you are unsure of whether you are on the
register, please contact Electoral Services at
Woking Borough Council. If you are not on the
Electoral Register, you can complete a Voter
Registration Form.
8
The deadline for getting on the Electoral
Register for the elections on 1 May 2008 is
Wednesday 16 April 2008.
2. Choose how you will cast your vote
In person
You will receive
a poll card
before the
election, setting
out where your
polling station
will be.
Polling hours are from 7am to 10pm.
By post
If you are unable to get to the polling station,
you can arrange a postal vote.
The deadline for new applications to vote by
post, or to cancel your postal vote is 5pm,
Wednesday 16 April 2008.
By proxy
If you are unable to get to the polling station, you
can arrange for someone to vote on your behalf.
The deadline to arrange a proxy vote is 5pm,
Wednesday 23 April 2008.
In the cases of medical emergencies, you can
apply for an emergency proxy vote which can
be issued from 5pm, Wednesday 23 April until
5pm on polling day (Thursday 1 May 2008).
For further information, please contact
Electoral Services on 01483 755855, or email
elections@woking.gov.uk or visit our website
at www.woking.gov.uk/wbc/election
It is very important to remember that your vote is
secret – the decision that you make is entirely down
to you and you do not need to share your thoughts
with anyone else. Whichever way you cast your vote,
no one can find out how you voted.
www.woking.gov.uk
Improvements to the benefit scheme
From April 2008, the benefit scheme will change for new claimants and those who move
address to make it fairer and easier. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new
method of calculating the maximum rent used in housing benefit for tenants of privately
rented accommodation. Many tenants should be better off with this scheme.
LHA is a flat rate amount calculated on the property
size, the area the tenant lives in, and their family size.
The LHA will be the maximum amount the claimant
will be entitled to, depending on other circumstances
such as income and savings.
Prospective tenants will be able to shop around with
their allowance. If they find a property they like with
a rent that exceeds their LHA, they will need, as they
do now, to make up the difference themselves. But,
if they find somewhere with a rent below their
allowance, they will be able to keep the difference –
up to a maximum of £15 per week.
Benefit claimants will not be affected by these
changes, if:
their landlord is a housing association
they rent their property from the Council
their rent has been registered
as a ‘fair rent’
their tenancy started before 1989
they live somewhere where they are provided with
care, support or supervision
they live in a caravan, mobile home or house boat.
In most cases, LHA will eventually be paid directly to
tenants unless the claimant is classed as vulnerable.
In these cases, payment will continue to be paid to
the landlord.
The allowances are set by the Rent Service each
month and will be available to view on the Council’s
website or at the Civic Offices. For more information
about claiming benefit, please phone 01483 755855,
email benefits@woking.gov.uk or visit
www.woking.gov.uk/benefits
Crimestoppers – helping to prevent, solve and fight crime
Successful crime solving
relies on good quality
information being
provided to help bring
perpetrators to justice.
But what happens when
an individual holds vital
information, but is too
afraid to come forward?
That’s when Crimestoppers
can step in.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated
to solving crimes and taking criminals off the
streets. Contrary to some misconceptions, it is not
part of the police, a television programme or a
government body.
The charity offers people an opportunity to pass on
information about criminal activities by calling 0800
555 111, without fear of anyone finding out. When
an individual calls Crimestoppers, they do not need
to give their name and address details, just the
details of the crime. Crimestoppers then passes
this on to the police for them to assess the
information and use it to take action.
www.woking.gov.uk
Nationally, Crimestoppers is extremely successful.
Around 17 people are arrested and charged
every day as a result of information given to
Crimestoppers.
Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has
received almost 950,000 calls with useful
information, resulting in over 80,000 arrests
and charges.
Over £100 million worth of property has been
recovered and over £142 million worth of drugs.
If you have any information on a crime that you
would prefer to report without giving your details,
call 0800 555 111. To find out more about
Crimestoppers, visit the national website
www.crimestoppers-uk.org or go straight to the
Surrey pages at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/surrey
9
Spring | 2008
New showcase for water a
Work is now well under way at a site in Knaphill to transform a detached, threebedroom house into one of the most water and energy efficient dwellings in Woking
Borough. Once completed, the house will help to show homeowners what steps they
can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
producing heat more efficiently and allowing the
occupier to control what heat they want and where
The house in Oak Tree Road has been acquired by
Woking Borough Homes Limited, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Council’s company, Thameswey
Ltd, as a showcase for testing a wide range of water
and energy efficient measures.
keeping the heat in as much as possible
ensuring that all appliances which use electricity
are as efficient as possible
Over recent months, the Council’s building partner,
Mansell Plc, and the Energy Centre for Sustainable
Communities (a second wholly-owned subsidiary of
Thameswey Ltd) have been installing a range of
measures in the property to reduce the amount of
energy and water used and to reduce CO2 emissions.
limiting the amount of water that comes out of the
taps and, where possible, using rain water collected
from the roof instead of water from the mains
allowing natural air flows to ventilate the property,
making it cooler in summer
The refurbishment has been designed to minimise the
environmental impact of the house and maximise quality
of life for those living in it. This has been done by:
A solar array will be
installed on the
garage roof to
provide up to 50%
of electricity
requirements.
Solar water heating
panels will provide
approx. 70% of the
home’s hot water.
using renewable sources of energy where
possible to provide electricity and hot water,
minimising the need for fossil fuels.
All light fixtures have
been fitted with high
quality energy
efficient bulbs,
including kitchen
spotlights.
10 inches of loft
insulation has been
installed to keep in
the heat.
Movement and
daylight sensors
in the kitchen,
bathroom and halls
mean lights are only
used when they are
needed.
The cavity walls
have been filled
with insulation and
a second skin of
insulation board has
been fitted to all
external walls.
10
www.woking.gov.uk
and energy efficiency
A ‘passive’ stack
ventilation system has
been installed that uses
the natural flow
of air to ventilate
the house without the
need for power.
All kitchen appliances
are 'A' rated or better
for energy and are of
the highest water
efficiency standards
and all wood used is
from an ethical source.
An energy efficient
condensing gas boiler
has been installed, with
full controls around the
house. The system
works with the solar
water heating to reduce
the amount of gas used.
A 3,500 litre water tank
sits underground,
collecting water from
the roof to flush the
toilets and feed the
washing machine and
outside taps.
In addition, members of the Local Agenda 21 Group
and Three Valleys Water will be consulted to ensure
that the garden is both low maintenance and
drought resistant.
The project seeks to test and monitor the installed
technologies and provide information to people who
are looking to adapt their homes and take additional
steps to tackle climate change.
Speaking about the project, Cllr Anne Murray,
Woking Borough Council’s Leader of the Executive,
said: “The Council is committed to mitigating the
effects of climate change and this project will help
identify the measures that need to be taken to create
homes for the future. Reducing carbon emissions in
existing buildings is essential in order to meet local
and national carbon reduction targets, and we hope
www.woking.gov.uk
The shower and taps for the bath
and kitchen are water efficient,
reducing water use without
compromising on quality.
this project will prompt home owners in the Borough
to consider how they could be more water and
energy efficient in years to come.”
The transformation of the house is due to be completed
in the near future, and the Council is hoping to set up a
series of viewings and tours for members of the public.
The property is likely to remain a test house for at least
one year to give the Council time to monitor the water
and energy efficiency of the various installations.
Keen to find out more?
If you are keen to find out more about this project
and measures that you could implement in your own
home to save both water and energy, please contact
Jesse Putzel at the Energy Centre for Sustainable
Communities on 020 7922 1657 for an informal chat.
11
Spring | 2008
Peace of mind at the
press of a button
For many older and disabled people, being able to
live independently at home has a positive effect on
personal happiness and well-being. And, with a range
of easy-to-use support services available from Woking
Borough Council, both the individuals and their loved ones
can benefit from peace of mind at the press of a button.
For many people who live alone, there are times
when it is reassuring to know that it is possible to
call for help and get a quick response. Woking
Borough Council’s Careline service is an emergency
call system that puts individuals in touch with a
trained operator quickly and without fuss.
By simply pressing the button on either the pendant
or base unit, the individual can be connected to a
24-hour Care Centre via the base station. Trained
staff at the centre can then ascertain what the
problem is and ensure that the person receives the
necessary help as quickly as possible.
The system consists of a pendant and small base unit,
which plugs into a phone line. The individual can either
wear the pendant around their neck or on a watch
strap if they prefer. These are lightweight and water
resistant and, as there is a 25 to 50 metre range from
the base station unit to the pendant, an alarm call can
be raised from anywhere in the home or garden.
The Careline system can be used for all kinds of
emergencies not just medical ones so if, for
example, an individual is concerned about a stranger
at their door or another personal safety issue, they
can press the button and speak to an operator.
Matthew Erskine, 27
Matthew Erskine has
a learning disability
which means that he
requires additional
support from time to
time. He moved into
his house in Knaphill
two years ago and
has been using the
Careline service for
most of this time. It
offers him the
reassurance that he
needs to live
independently as he knows he can get help
quickly and simply by making contact with a
friendly voice at the end of the telephone.
The system also enables him to reach people on
his Careline list without having to know their
telephone numbers in an emergency. Talking
about the system, Matthew said: “Careline is for
people of any age who require additional support
to live independently at home – it’s not just for
older people.”
12
Careline customers can also benefit from other aids
such as:
a bed sensor which alerts the Care Centre if
someone has not returned to bed within an
agreed period of time (e.g. due to a fall)
a pill dispenser which alerts the client when
medication is due to be taken and will raise an
alarm call to the Care Centre if the medication
has not been taken
smoke, gas and flood detectors which are linked
to the Care Centre.
How to become a Careline customer
The Careline service is open to anyone who
has a clear need for this type of support.
When a new customer comes forward, a
Careline Officer will visit the client in their
own home to discuss their
requirements. If they are happy, the
system can be installed within a
couple of days.
Although the Careline service is
not free of charge, the quarterly
charge is reasonable and a concession
is available for people in receipt of
means tested benefit.
www.woking.gov.uk
Careline staff work closely with carers, health and
social care professionals and other services provided
by Woking Borough Council, to ensure that the
client’s needs are met.
After the system has been installed, a Careline
representative will visit the customer on a regular
basis to make sure that it is meeting their needs.
Woking residents who have recently been discharged
from hospital or who have been victims of bogus
callers/distraction burglary can have a Careline alarm
free of charge for the first 12 weeks following
installation of the equipment.
What others have to say about Careline
“Careline is life-changing. It gives me a safe feeling
of not being alone and is like having a guardian angel
a mere arm’s length away.”
“I can’t emphasise enough the peace of mind that
Careline gives to me, to feel that someone is there,
should I need them.”
“I think this is a very valuable service. It is very
reassuring to me and my family to know that
someone can help in an emergency such as when I
fell and broke my hip.”
“I feel a great sense of security wearing my alarm
and would highly recommend it. The Careline visitors
are also very helpful and friendly.”
For more information
To find out more about Careline, please call
01483 755855 or email
homesupport@woking.gov.uk
You may also be interested to know that Woking
Borough Council offers a number of other
services to enable people to remain living
independently at home.
Sheltered and supported housing
Sheltered and supported housing is
self-contained accommodation with support
that allows individuals to continue living
independently in a place of their own. The
service includes regular visits from Home
Support Officers who, if needed, can arrange
help from people such as the district nurse or
get prescriptions when someone is unwell.
Homelink
Homelink, Woking
Borough Council’s
in-house Home Improvement Agency (HIA),
offers advice, support and assistance to elderly,
disabled and vulnerable people who privately
rent or own their own property and wish to
repair, improve or adapt it in order to continue to
live independently.
Homelink can guide customers through the
entire process of decision-making, securing
sources of funding, arranging and overseeing the
building work and other technical matters.
Community meals service
Doris Bull, 95
Doris Bull lives in Mount Hermon and is a user of
the Careline pill dispenser. As she is now quite frail,
she relies on the dispenser to alert her when it is
time to take her medication. Both Doris and her
daughter, Janet, have the peace of mind of knowing
that if the pills are not taken on time, the device will
alert the Care Centre and a Careline advisor will call
Doris to make sure that she is OK. Doris said: “The
Careline service is a real help to me. I am not sure
that I could live independently without it”.
www.woking.gov.uk
Woking Borough Council provides a community
meals service for people who are having difficulty
shopping or preparing meals. Frozen meals can
be delivered fully prepared, direct to the
customer’s door. They can then be stored in the
freezer until the customer is ready to heat and
eat them.
Individuals who have a health or social care
referral can benefit from our hot meals service,
where the meal is delivered to the door, hot and
ready to enjoy.
For more information about any of these
services, call Woking Borough Council on
01483 755855.
13
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Woking Garden Wildlife Watch
Gardening For Life is a project run by Woking Local
Agenda 21 (LA21), which encourages residents to practice
environmentally friendly gardening and, as a result, attract
more wildlife into our gardens. Last year, nearly 400
households took part in the Woking Garden Wildlife
Watch survey – see the green box for the key results.
Our gardens are valuable refuges for wildlife which is
increasingly under pressure from building developments
and climate change. The 2007 results showed Woking
has a high presence of a number of bird species and
the nationally rare Stag Beetle. The survey also revealed
that more people are aware of the role they can play by
gardening in a sustainable way, for example, by
collecting rain water and not using pesticides. For
details of last year’s survey results and gardening tips,
see ‘Gardening For Life’ on our websites.
We are urging more of Woking’s residents to take part
in the 2008 survey, so that we can monitor changes in
the Borough’s biodiversity and create a network of
environmentally friendly habitats for safeguarding our
wildlife, and our own health and well-being. Whether
you have a garden, a communal garden, an allotment
or a window box you are welcome to take part.
Simply fill in the survey over the page, return it to our
freepost address and you could win a collection of
great environmentally friendly prizes – see the back
page of this survey form for details.
What is Woking Local Agenda 21?
Woking Local Agenda 21 is a community-led initiative
concerned with environmental and sustainability
issues, which seeks to involve all who live, work and
visit Woking Borough. We work in partnership with
Woking Borough Council, local groups and
organisations, to promote sustainable living, embracing
environmental, social and economic aspects.
Key survey results from 2007
The Blue Tit was seen in 92% of gardens.
The Ring-necked Parakeet was seen in 11%
of gardens (mostly in Byfleet, West Byfleet
and Pyrford).
Nesting behaviour was seen on more than
190 occasions.
The average number of bird species seen in
each garden was 13.
The highest number of survey responses
came from St Johns and Hook Heath.
Stag Beetles were recorded in 49% of
gardens.
Hedgehogs were seen in 27% of gardens.
Slow Worms were spotted in 7% of gardens.
Butterflies were present in 97% of gardens.
56% of respondents never use pesticides.
70% of respondents collect rainwater
for reuse.
10% of respondents use a wormery to
compost organic waste.
For further information about Woking Local Agenda 21
and its activities, please contact us via email at
la21@woking.gov.uk, phone 01483 743413 or visit our
webpages at www.windowonwoking.org.uk/sites/la21
or www.woking.gov.uk/environment/la21
1
How to take part
There are four parts to the Woking Garden Wildlife
Watch form:
(A) Bird survey – species seen in April 2008
(B) Bird survey – species seen since 1 May 2007
(C) Selected animals and insects seen since 1 May 2007
(D) Environmentally friendly gardening practices.
Please complete as many sections as you can and
include as much information as possible.
To complete this survey online or for help identifying
the types of species you spot, please visit
www.windowonwoking.org.uk/sites/la21/gfl
To find out the names of the species used to illustrate
this survey, please see the back page of this form.
Woking Garden Wildlife Watch, April 2008
First name ....................................................................
Surname ......................................................................
Address ........................................................................
....................................Postcode ................................
Part A
Parts A and B –
Bird survey
Part A – Species seen in April 2008
Please observe your chosen area (garden,
balcony, window box or communal area) during
April 2008, identify the species you see and put one
tick in the relevant box in the species list. If you see
any additional species not listed, write the name in one
of the blank spaces at the bottom of the list and tick.
There is no need to record the number of birds or
how many times you see that species during the
month. Under the comments heading, please note
anything that you find of interest, for example, nesting
behaviour or young birds seen.
Part B – Species seen since 1 May 2007
Please tick any species that you remember seeing in
the garden since 1 May last year. Ideally, if during the
coming year you could make a note of species seen
then you would have accurate information for this part
of the survey for next year.
Part B
Part A
Blackbird
Nuthatch
Blue Tit
Pied Wagtail
Chaffinch
Ring-necked Parakeet
Coal Tit
3
2
Robin
Collared Dove
Song Thrush
Crow
Starling
Dunnock
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Wren
Goldfinch
Other ..........................................
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Other ..........................................
Great Tit
Other ..........................................
Green Woodpecker
Other ..........................................
Greenfinch
House Sparrow
Jay
Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Part B
Comments (e.g. signs of birds nesting or young
birds seen) ................................................................
................................................................................
................................................................................
................................................................................
Part C – Selected animals and insects seen since 1 May 2007
Please tick all species or groups you have seen in your chosen area since 1 May last year. As some species are difficult
to identify, we have listed general groups only. If you have recognised different species, even if you
cannot identify them by name, please write the number under the comments heading.
Bats
Common Toad
Ladybirds
Bumblebees
Dragonfly
Newts
Butterflies
Grass Snake
Slow Worm
Common Frog
Hedgehog
Stag Beetle
4
Comments (e.g. number of butterfly species or Harlequin Ladybirds)
5
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
Part D – Environmentally friendly
gardening practices
Please tick the relevant actions you undertake throughout the year.
1. Do you supply birds with:
(a) water
(b) peanuts
(c) seeds
(d) scraps
2. How often do you feed the birds:
(a) all year round
(b) winter only
(c) during the nesting season
3. Do you use any of the following chemicals in your garden?
Regularly
Occasionally
Never
6
(a) Weedkiller
(b) Pesticide
(c) Slug pellets
7
4. Do you use any of the following to dispose of garden/vegetable waste?
(a) Wormery
(b) Compost bin
(d) Bonfire
(e) Kerbside green waste collection
(f) Green waste skips at household waste sites
(c) Compost heap
(g) Green cone
Part D continued…
8
5. Do you use the following to improve fertility or soil texture?
Regularly
Occasionally
Never
(a) Inorganic products, e.g. Growmore
(b) Organic materials, e.g. compost, manure
(c) Peat or peat-based composts
(d) Peat-free composts
6. Do you do any of the following to save water?
(a) Collect rainwater in a water butt or tank
(b) Collect ‘grey water’, e.g. washing-up water to water the garden
(c) Apply compost, woodchips, gravel etc as a mulch to save water and reduce weeds
(d) Use water-retaining crystals or similar products in plants pots and hanging baskets
(e) Choose plants which require less water
Would you like to receive information about future Woking Local
Agenda 21 Gardening For Life surveys, results, projects and events?
Yes
No
9
Key
1
Common Frog
6
Stag Beetle
2
Blue Tit
7
Ladybird
Thank you for taking the time to
complete this survey form.
3
Chaffinch
8
Robin
4
Grass Snake
9
House Sparrow
Please return this completed form without a stamp
to: Gardening For Life, Woking Local Agenda 21,
c/o Woking Borough Council, FREEPOST (GI1690),
Woking, Surrey GU21 6BR.
5
Peacock Butterfly
10 Hedgehog
All survey forms returned via post to the above freepost
address or completed online by 31 May 2008, will be
placed into a free prize draw to win over £100 worth of
prizes, including a wormery, bird habitat pack, bug box
and wildlife gardening book. The winner will be drawn
at random and informed by 30 June 2008.
This survey has been organised by Woking Local Agenda
21 in conjunction with Woking Borough Council and
Surrey Wildlife Trust. Gardening For Life is also
supported by Natural England.
10
MY
John Hayward is the Projection Manager at Woking’s Ambassadors
Cinemas. He’s a born and bred Woking man who has worked in
cinema projection rooms for over 45 years! During his career, John
has certainly seen a lot of changes, both within the movie industry
and Woking itself.
“I have lived in Woking my whole
life and started work in projection
rooms when I left school in 1959.
My career began at the playhouse
in Guildford and then I joined the
ABC Cinema in Woking where I
worked for 25 years, until its
closure. I have worked here at the
Ambassadors Cinema for the last
10 years – it’s a great place to
work with a really friendly
atmosphere,” said John.
Woking’s Ambassadors Theatre
and Cinemas Complex was built
in Woking in 1992. Initially, the
cinema had three screens and
then, in 1997, a further three
screens were added.
“We have three projection rooms
here at the cinema and screen
about 12 to 15 movies a day in the
week and around 24 films a day on
the weekend,” John explains.
“The difference between our
projection rooms and those of the
big multiplexes is that we load up
every film manually and wait for it
to start, which I believe is a much
better way than starting it on
automation. For example, if you
get a fault with the start-up of the
film such as a slight of focus (blur)
on the film, we can sort it out right
away. A lot of the multiplexes
have automated systems to load
up the films, but errors are not so
easily detected this way.
“When I tell people what I do,
they think I just sit around and
watch films all day, but of course
www.woking.gov.uk
that’s not true. We have to clean
the projection equipment every
day to avoid dust and dirt build
up, which would damage the film
reel. Also, as the films come in
20-minute reels, we have to join
them all together, so there is
plenty of equipment maintenance
to do,” John added.
“I think that the projection room is
the hub of the cinema. Everyone
has an important role to play, like
duty managers, front of house and
box office staff, but the projection
room is the nerve centre.”
Over the last 45 years, John has
seen many changes. He said:
“When I first started out in
projection rooms, we had to be in
the room the whole time because
you had to change the reel
several times throughout the film.
There were two projectors which
carried alternative reels so that
one reel could be changed over to
the next. We only showed one film
every day for a week or
sometimes a double feature – not
like today where you can show
many films on different screens.
The big screen idols when I
started out were people like Clark
Gable, Spencer Tracey and
Humphrey Bogart. Years ago, I
think there was more of a
storyline, but now it all seems to
be special effects.
“I have also seen a lot of changes
in Woking Town Centre. I
remember when Toys R Us was a
swimming pool and the area
around Robert Dyas was a bus
station. The changes have been for
the better. Everything is under one
roof now, so it is much easier for
people to get their shopping done.
“I think we are really lucky to have
the Ambassadors here in Woking.
It’s a great town and it’s brilliant
that the cinema is in a central
position, so people can shop,
have something to eat and watch
a film. A lot of the modern day
multiplexes are out of town, so
people have to drive away from
the centre. The Ambassadors
attracts a lot of people into
Woking and that’s something we
should be very proud of.”
Looking ahead to the future, John
said: “More change is on the way.
We are prepared and have an
allotted space in the projection
room for a digital projector. This will
provide a better quality film when it
is projected onto the big screen
and could see the end of film reels,
but this is where the future is
heading and we are ready for it.”
For more information about the
Ambassadors and what films
are currently showing, please
visit the website at
www.theambassadors.com
or call the box office on
0870 060 6643.
19
Spring | 2008
Out and about
This walk explores the rich variety of habitats on Chobham Common,
taking in woodland, heathland and wetland. Springtime is an ideal
season to discover this area of Surrey, as the plants come back to
life after their winter slumber and cover the heath with colour.
This issue’s circular walk starts at Burrow Hill Green and is suitable
for all abilities, with no steep inclines and no stiles. However, the
tracks are narrow and mostly unmade, so wear suitable footwear,
particularly during or after wet weather. This route is not suitable
for wheelchair users or people with buggies.
Key facts
Start/finish: Burrow Hill Green, by
the Four Horseshoes pub, on the
B383 Windsor Road in Chobham.
Distance: 5.5km or 3.5 miles
2. Walk alongside the small power
station to your left and soon
cross a bridleway, continuing
(slightly to your right) along the
main path, with fields visible
through the trees to your left.
Key
Roads
Footpaths
Route
Parking
Roundabout
Time: Allow 11/2 hours
Type of walk: Easy walking, mostly
on the level; suitable for all abilities.
Please remember: When walking
through residential areas, please
respect private property and take
your litter home with you. Please
note that you may encounter
livestock in some parts; keep
dogs under control at all times.
The route
1. From the Green, cross Windsor
Road and join a signed footpath
along Gorse Lane. Just before the
end of the tarmac, by the ‘Do not
sound horn’ sign before the houses
of Shenton Gate, take the pathway
to your left to enter the woods.
3. After 200 metres, pass under
power lines to cross another
track. Again, go straight on at the
way marker onto a narrow footpath.
4. At a junction of pathways, turn
right onto the bridleway/ horse
ride. At the top of this short rise,
turn left onto the marked pathway
which brings you out onto
open heath.
5. At the fork, take the track on
the left and continue along this
path, heading uphill on a sandy
track, for 300 metres.
On the left is a small nature
reserve called Jubilee Mount,
in which many mature shrubs
and conifers can be found.
This area was preserved as an
open space in 1977 – the year
of the Queen’s silver jubilee –
and originally served as
allotments for ex-servicemen
of the Crimean War.
6. At the end of the track, you will
reach Jubilee Mount car park.
There are benches here to take a
rest and admire the view across
Chobham Common.
20
7. Cross the car park to join a
pathway running alongside the
road, still heading in the same
direction. After 100 metres, there
is a break in the hedge on your
left. Cross the road with care and
join the bridleway opposite.
The open heath you are now
standing on is lowland heath,
where plants such as gorse,
heather and bracken thrive.
Chobham Common covers
over 1,300 acres (256 hectares).
It is the largest National Nature
Reserve in the south east of
England and one of the finest
remaining examples of lowland
heath in the world. Heathlands
are one of the most ancient and
characteristic British
landscapes, originally created
by prehistoric farmers.
www.woking.gov.uk
10. At the bottom of the slope,
you rejoin the road. Cross with
care and take the marked path
opposite, to the right of the
houses at Clearmount.
8. Take the left-hand track and
head across the heath, where it
can be quite boggy. You will hear
the traffic from the M3 here but you
will be walking parallel with the
motorway only for a short distance.
The pathway markers on the
common are maintained by
Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT),
which manages 80 nature
reserves, covering over 4,000
hectares of Surrey’s
countryside. SWT is a
registered charity and was
formed in 1959. The Trust is
run independently but is one
of 47 partners in the Wildlife
Trusts, the largest organisation
working exclusively in the UK
on all aspects of nature
conservation.
11. After 150 metres, when you
reach a major pathway junction,
take the path opposite. About
100m into the woods, just before
passing between two fields, take
the path to your right.
9. At a junction in the paths, take
a very narrow pathway to the left.
This will take you alongside some
woods and eventually into a small
copse.
www.woking.gov.uk
12. Walk alongside the cottages
on the tarmacked lane. At the
end of Heather Way, turn right
onto Gorse Lane.
13. Cross Windsor Road with
care to return to Burrowhill and
the start of the walk.
21
Spring | 2008
A listening ear
Many young people find it difficult to talk to adults, some don’t trust them and others feel older people
just don’t understand. This is what prompted Woking YMCA to launch a new, confidential counselling
service called ‘WhY Talk’.
Want to do more?
WhY Talk is looking for
qualified counsellors who are
willing to work with young
people. If you are interested,
please contact Wally Fahrer
on 01483 757160.
The service became possible
thanks to funding from the YMCA
and grants from various sources.
Based in the Ypod Centre on
Chobham Road, WhY Talk
opened in September last year
and, since then, the service has
helped a number of young
people. “We are here to help all
young people, regardless of
gender, religious belief, cultural
background or sexual
orientation”, said WhY Talk
Coordinator, Wally Fahrer, who
has been counselling young
people for over 35 years.
For confidentiality reasons, Wally
cannot discuss individual cases,
but he explained: “A typical case
would be a young person in their
mid-teens experiencing difficulties
at home, due to their parents’
marital breakdown. Because they
have no one to talk to, they can
become withdrawn at school and
grades can suffer. They are usually
referred to us by a school teacher.
“The stresses on young people
are greater now than ever before,
and we see a lot of young people
suffering the effects of a broken
family. It is extremely sad.”
WhY Talk offers a free,
confidential service, where
young people aged between
14 and 18 years old, can talk to
professionally trained counsellors
in a comfortable and safe
environment about the problems
they are facing. Wally continued:
“All of our counsellors work on
a voluntary basis, giving up
their spare time to help
young people.”
Asked what motivates Wally, he
replied: “It’s connecting with
people at a critical time of their
lives. I experienced the loss of
loved ones when I was a young
person, which has given me an
understanding of what young
people go through. Sometimes, it
takes more courage to admit you
have a problem and get help,
than to hide the problem and
cope on your own.”
Although it’s hard to shout about
the success stories, Wally
explained: “Young people who do
seek help have commented that
they no longer feel isolated and
are able to enjoy life again. It’s
important for a young person to
be free to seek help and not feel
that they have to be strong
enough to handle
it themselves.
We’re always
here to help.”
If you need to talk to a counsellor, or know someone who may
benefit from a chat, please call 0791 222 7035, Monday to Friday,
between 10am and 5pm.
Counselling sessions are available between 4pm and 9pm, Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Other times can be arranged.
22
www.woking.gov.uk
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Let us know what you think
of The Woking Magazine!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this issue of The Woking Magazine. Our quarterly magazine, which is distributed
to 39,000 homes and a number of public information points across the Borough, aims to keep you
informed about Woking Borough Council’s services, activities and plans, as well as other information
from your local community.
To help us continually improve and to ensure you keep enjoying our publication, we would be grateful if you could
take a few minutes to give us your views. As a reward for your efforts, you could win £100 of shopping vouchers!
1. How do you rate The Woking Magazine overall?
Very good
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2. How much of the magazine do you normally read?
All
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About half
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3. How many people (including yourself) read your copy of The Woking Magazine?
One
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More than four
4. How would you rate The Woking Magazine for:
Keeping you up-to-date with what’s happening in the Borough?
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5. Which of these would you like to see more of in The Woking Magazine?
(1 = lots more, 2 = a few more, 3 = no opinion, 4 = less, 5 = none)
Information about sports activities and leisure facilities
1
2
3
4
5
‘Vox pops’ (e.g people’s opinions on local and national issues)
1
2
3
4
5
Ê
Environmental information (e.g. recycling, energy saving etc)
1
2
3
4
5
Features on economic/business aspects of Woking life
1
2
www.woking.gov.uk
3
4
5
Continued overleaf
23
Spring | 2008
Council news and service updates
1
2
3
4
5
Community news (e.g. information about local groups and organisations)
1
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
Events listings (e.g. What’s on)
1
Competitions
1
Advertising
1
6. What do you do with the magazine? (Please tick one box.)
Read it and keep it
Keep it but do not read it
Give it to a friend or relative to read
Recycle it or throw it away
7. Do you have any other comments, compliments, changes or suggestions about
The Woking Magazine and its regular features?
Yes
No
If yes, please state: ..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................
Confidential monitoring information (optional)
To help us understand more about our readers, please complete the following section. Please note this is optional.
Your gender:
Male
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Your age:
Under 20
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Would you prefer to receive The Woking Magazine in a different format? If yes, please indicate below:
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Other: ......................................................................................
Thank you for completing this survey. Please return your completed form to us at the address below by
4 April 2008. It’s freepost so there is no need for a stamp.
Remember, if you would like to enter our free prize draw to win £100 of shopping vouchers, please complete
your name and address below:
Name: ........................................................................................................................................................................
Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................. Postcode: ................................................................................................
Telephone:.................................................... Email: ................................................................................................
Please note: your details will only be used for entering the prize draw and will be treated as confidential.
The draw will be held on 7 April 2008 and we will write to the winner.
Return address to:
Freepost Plus RLYJ-SKJJ-XYTJ, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, WOKING GU21 6YL
24
www.woking.gov.uk
Fairtrade – it’s not just about bananas!
The range of Fairtrade products has expanded significantly since Woking
became a Fairtrade Town in 2005. But are you aware of just how many
items now carry the mark, and how important it is to choose
Fairtrade when hitting the shops?
At one time, the distinctive blue, green and black logo
identifying Fairtrade products could only be found on
tea, coffee and bananas! But these days, it adorns
over 3,000 products including vanilla extract, roses,
cotton wool, footballs and clothing. Consumer
demand is driving the growth of Fairtrade products
as more and more shoppers are keen to make
ethical choices. In addition, several high profile
retailers have made a significant commitment to
supporting Fairtrade.
And the really good news is that the availability of
Fairtrade products continues to grow in Woking’s
shops. According to the Woking Fairtrade Action
Network, there are now around 27 shops selling two or
more Fairtrade products and 18 local coffee shops.
Why buy Fairtrade?
The Fairtrade Mark is an
independent consumer label which
appears on products as a
guarantee that disadvantaged
producers in the developing world
are getting a better deal. Not only does it ensure that
they earn enough to feed their families and send
their children
to school, it
also ensures
that there is a
long-term
commercial
relationship between
the supplier and the retailer,
which means that even the poorest farmers can plan
and invest for their future. Put simply, making the
positive choice of buying fairly traded products is an
easy way of improving other people’s prospects.
Woking Fairtrade Action Network works all year
round to encourage people to choose Fairtrade
products where they can. However, each year it
holds a Fairtrade Fortnight which includes a number
of special events. This year, Fairtrade Fortnight is
being held between 25 February and 9 March and
will include a photographic competition with schools
and a fashion event in the Peacocks Shopping
Centre on Saturday 1 March.
For more information or to get involved with the
Woking Fairtrade Action Network, visit
www.wokingfairtrade.org.uk
Easter refuse collections
Please remember that your refuse collection days will
change during the week after Easter.
Monday 17 to Friday 21 March 2008
Monday 24 to Friday 28 March 2008
Garden waste
collections will
also be a day
late this week. Please present your
clear sacks at the kerbside on the same day as your
black container.
Your collection day will change this week. See table
below for your revised collection day.
Clinical waste collections will take place on
Wednesday 26 March 2008.
Your collection day will remain unchanged during this
week. Collections due on Good Friday (21 March
2008) will take place as normal.
Normal collection day
Revised collection day
Monday 24 March
Tuesday 25 March
Tuesday 25 March
Wednesday 26 March
Wednesday 26 March
Thursday 27 March
Thursday 27 March
Friday 28 March
Friday 28 March
Saturday 29 March
www.woking.gov.uk
Please ensure that you put out your refuse or
recyclables by 6.30am on your revised collection day.
For more information, help or advice, please call
01483 755855. For details of the May Bank Holiday
collections, please see local press or visit
www.woking.gov.uk
25
Spring | 2008
The best things about boating
Over the Easter weekend (22 and 23 March), boats of all
shapes and sizes will gather on the Basingstoke Canal at the
Bridge Barn for the 13th Woking Canal Festival, organised by
the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society. In this article,
Commodore for the Byfleet Boat Club, Rodney Wardlaw,
shares his thoughts about the forthcoming festival and tells
us what he thinks are the best things about boating.
“Boating is a very enjoyable activity for a host of
different reasons,” says Rodney, “It gives you the
chance to make friends and enjoy the company of
other like-minded people, gets you out in the fresh
air and encourages you to slow down and appreciate
the world around you.” It’s little wonder, then, that
Rodney spends a lot of his spare time aboard his 50
foot narrowboat cruising up and down the area’s
waterways. And he’s in good company. Byfleet Boat
Club has almost 100 members who own 85 boats of
various sizes and enjoy the waterways virtually all
year round.
The club itself was established 50 years ago but,
according to Rodney, the boating tradition goes back
much further than this. “Henry VIII enjoyed cruising
from Hampton Court to his residence at Woking
Palace and we re-enacted this journey in 2007 for
Woking Heritage Week. We took a number of rowing
skiffs along this stretch of water and got an idea of
what it would have been like for the great king
himself. For the same event this year, we are hoping
to organise a Victorian cruise which will culminate in
a Victorian music evening.”
But the 2008 boating
season will kick off with
the Woking Canal
Festival, the largest
boating event of the year
for Woking Borough. On
Saturday 22 and Sunday
23 March, a variety of
colourfully decorated
boats will be moored up
at the Bridge Barn and
members of the public
will be able to enjoy live
entertainment, public
boat trips, face painting,
craft stalls, games,
refreshments and lots
www.woking.gov.uk
more. They will also have the opportunity to find out
more about the waterway and the effort that needs
to be made to ensure that it remains navigable.
And, on the Saturday, the fun will go on into the
evening as Rodney explains: “Once the sun goes
down, we will be organising an illuminated boat
procession between Town Quay (beside Brewery
Road Car Park) and the Bridge Barn – this is always
a pleasant sight and we would encourage people to
come along and watch the boats go by.
“We are really looking forward to the festival this
year. It’s a great opportunity to bring life to the canal
and make the public aware of the on-going effort
that is needed to maintain it for everyone to enjoy.”
Entry to the festival site and car parking is free.
Alternatively, visitors could walk to the festival (10
minutes from the centre of Woking), cycle or get on a
number 34, 35 or 48 bus to Bridge Barn Lane.
For more information about the event, please contact
Peter Coxhead on 01932 344564. Alternatively, event
leaflets and canal merchandise are available from
Woking Visitor Information Centre on the ground
floor of The Ambassadors in Woking Town Centre
(phone 01483 720103).
If your company or organisation would like to
have a stall at the Woking Canal Festival, please
call Verna Smith on 01252 517622 or email
verna.smith@virgin.net
To find out more about supporting the work of
the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society, please
visit www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk
If you would like to know more about the Byfleet
Boat Club, call 01784 437082 or email
rewardlaw@btinternet.com
26
March to June 2008
For more information about local events,
visit www.windowonwoking.org.uk
What’s on
Email: tourist@woking.gov.uk Telephone: 01483 720103
Local events in and around Woking Borough
It is recommended that you check with the venue to confirm details. Events can be, and sometimes are, rescheduled or cancelled.
To book tickets for the New Victoria or Rhoda McGaw theatres, please call 0870 060 6645 (bkg fee) unless otherwise stated.
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Peer Productions presents:
Wed 2 to Sat 5 April, 7.30pm
Young at War
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
A glorious evening of humour, as four
disparate couples spend a night in a
luxury hotel.
Matthew Bourne’s:
Nutcracker!
Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions)
Fri 23 to Sat 24 May, 7.30pm
A new musical set in WWI, which
follows the story of two friends in
a platoon.
New Victoria Theatre
Single Spies
Tickets: £12.50 (£10 concessions)
Tues 1 to Sat 5 April, 8pm
(Wed and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
New Victoria Theatre
Ottershaw Players presents:
Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score combines
unforgettable sets and glorious
costumes in this delightful production.
Tickets: £14 to £33
(concessions available)
Woking Dance Space presents:
Joining Forces
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Thurs 15 to Sat 17 May, 7.30pm
A production of the best community
dance, brought to you by WDS and
guest artists.
Tickets: 01483 474808
Mon 5 to Sat 10 May, 8pm
(Wed and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
Lord Arthur
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
‘An Englishman Abroad’ and ‘A
Question of Attribution’ sparkle with
Alan Bennett’s trademark wit.
Wed 28 to Sat 31 May, 7.45pm
Tickets: £11 to £26
(concessions available)
Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions)
A fast-moving, witty and entertaining
comedy.
Pyrford Little Theatre presents:
Last Tango in Whitby
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Thurs 8 to Sat 10 May, 7.45pm
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ meets two
left feet on a weekend in Whitby, in
this Mike Harding comedy.
Tickets: £10 (£9 concessions)
Sleuth
Phone: PLT Box Office on
01483 769431 or The Ambassadors’
Box Office on 0870 060 6645
(booking fee)
New Victoria Theatre
Mon 3 to Sat 8 March, 8pm
(Wed and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
Website:
www.pyrfordlittletheatre.org.uk
Zorro
The New Victoria Theatre
Wed 12 to Sat 15 March, 8pm
(Thurs and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
One of the greatest ever stage
thrillers makes its much anticipated
return to the stage, starring Simon
MacCorkingdale.
Peer Productions presents:
Tickets: £10 to £24
(concessions available)
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Tickets: £12.50 to £29.50
(concessions available)
Tues 20 to Wed 21 May, 7.30pm
KASJOG presents:
This new adaptation of ‘Dream’ is
spellbinding, whilst Grimm’s dark
fairytales are beautifully brought to life.
The Gondoliers
Horsell Amateur Dramatic Society
presents:
California Suite
by Neil Simon
www.woking.gov.uk
A Midsummer Night’s
Dream/Grimm’s Fairytales
Tickets: £12.50 (£10 concessions)
The legendary story of swashbuckling
hero, Zorro, brought vividly to life.
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Wed 12 to Sat 15 March, 7.30pm
(Sat matinee, 2.30pm)
Spring | 2008 27
The 12th operetta by Gilbert and
Sullivan is one of their most popular
works. (A gala night will be held on
the Wednesday.)
Tickets: Weds £TBA; Thurs £11 (£10
concessions); Fri and Sat £12;
Sat matinee £7
Phone: The KASJOG Box Office on
01483 473657 or The Ambassadors’
Box Office on 0870 060 6645
(booking fee)
These two grand opera masterpieces
guarantee a breathtaking evening of
entertainment.
Featuring one of Cuba’s most
popular bands live on stage, this is a
captivating and colourful show.
Tickets: £9 to £32.50
(concessions available)
Tickets: £13 to £25
(concessions available)
The Rat Pack
Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolour Dreamcoat
New Victoria Theatre
Mon 14 to Sat 19 April, 8pm
(Thurs matinee, 2.30pm;
Sat matinee, 4.30pm)
The incredible singing talent of three
world famous entertainers is
celebrated in this trip back in time.
Tickets: £11 to £28
(concessions available)
Doctor Dolittle
New Victoria Theatre
High School Musical
Mon 21 April to Sat 3 May, 7.30pm
(Wed and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
New Victoria Theatre
The magical story of a world-renowned
vet who has a very special gift.
Mon 17 to Sat 29 March
(Mon to Thurs, 7pm; Fri, 5pm and
8pm; Sat, 2.30pm and 7pm)
Tickets: £14 to £32.50
(concessions available)
Watch the twists and turns of lovable
schoolmates Troy and Gabriella, in
this fun-packed stage production.
Tickets: £14.50 to £33.50
(concessions available)
Karen Clarke Theatre Company
presents:
Oliver
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Thurs 20 to Sat 29 March (excluding
Sun 23), 7.30pm
(matinees Fri 21, Sat 22, Mon 24 and
Sat 29, 2.30pm)
Repeat winners of the NODA Accolade
of Excellence 2007 bring an awardwinning show to the stage for Easter.
Tickets: £13.50 (£12.50 concessions)
Phone: The Oliver Box Office on
01483 773076 for special offers or
The Ambassadors’ Box Office
Footloose Theatre Company
presents:
Billy
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
New Victoria Theatre
Mon 19 to Sat 24 May
Mon to Thurs, 7.30pm; Fri, 8pm;
Sat, 8pm (Tues to Thurs matinees,
2.30pm; Fri, 5pm; Sat, 2pm and 5pm)
Featuring newcomer Craig Chalmers,
finalist in the recent hit BBC series
‘Any Dream Will Do’, as Joseph.
Tickets: £11 to £26
(concessions available)
The Wedding Singer
New Victoria Theatre
Mon 2 to Sat 7 June
Mon to Thurs, 8pm; Fri, 5.30pm and
8.30pm; Sat, 2.30pm and 8pm
The ultimate 80s musical comes to
Woking for one week only, starring
Jonathan Wilkes and Natalie Casey.
Tickets: £12.50 to £29.50
(concessions available)
Thurs 24 to Sat 26 April, 7.30pm
(Sat matinee, 2.30pm)
A musical based on ‘Billy Liar’ by
Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall.
Tickets: Footloose Box Office on
01483 751424 or The Ambassadors’
Box Office on 0870 060 6645
(booking fee)
Woking Amateur Operatic Society
presents:
Moll Flanders
Rhoda McGaw Theatre
Music recitals
Christchurch, Town Square
Most Mondays, 12.40pm to 1.20pm
Organ, instrumental or vocal recitals.
Latecomers are asked to enter during
a suitable break in the performance.
Tues 29 April to Sat 3 May, 7.30pm
Tickets: free of charge, donations of
£3 welcomed
Tickets: WAOS Box Office on
01483 836031
Phone: www.organrecitals.com
Lions International Woking Club
proudly announce:
The Russian State Opera of
Siberia presents:
The Almac Bisley Brass
Band
Madam Butterfly and
La Traviata
The Winston Churchill School
New Victoria Theatre
Bring you own drinks, glasses and
nibbles.
Sat 29 March, 7.30pm
Wed 9 to Sat 12 April, 7.30pm
(Sat matinee, 2.30pm)
Havana Rakatan
New Victoria Theatre
Tickets: £7 in advance, £9 on
the door
Madam Butterfly, Wed, Thurs and Fri
La Traviata, Sat only
Tue 13 to Sat 17 May, 8pm
(Wed and Sat matinees, 2.30pm)
Phone: Brian on 01483 755232
28 Spring | 2008
www.woking.gov.uk
Woking Choral Society Concert
H.G. Wells Centre
Sat 19 April, 7.30pm
Confiteor tibi Domine by Samuel Wesley
Sun 4 May, 2pm – Churchill
connections, led by Paul Rason
Surrey Agricultural Society
presents:
Sun 1 June, 2pm – Introduction to
Brookwood Cemetery, led by Val
Pretlove
Surrey County Show
Woking Borough Council presents:
Mon 26 May, 9am to 6pm
Holiday daycamps
Enjoy a family day out surrounded by
hundreds of cattle, sheep, goats,
dogs and horses, hens and ducks;
every one of them in show condition,
competing for the big trophies.
Stoke Park, Guildford
Magnificat by John Rutter
Conductor: Nicholas Steinitz
Soloists: Rebecca Ryan, Carolyn Dobbin,
Daniel Auchincloss, Adrian Powter
Tickets: £15, students £8, parties of
10+ £14, from H.G.Wells’ Box Office,
Waterstones Bookshop in Wolsey
Place, Surrey Music Store,
Brittens Music, West Byfleet.
Passport to Leisure Scheme applies.
Phone: 01483 767852 or 01483
488175
Website: www.wokingchoral.org.uk
Woking Leisure Centre
Mon 7 to Fri 11 April, Mon 14 to Fri
18 April, Tues 27 to Fri 30 May,
8.45am to 4.15pm
(Early Bird drop off, 8am to 8.45am;
Chill Out, 4.15pm to 6pm)
Multi-activity sessions for 5 to 7 and
8 to 13 year olds, including
swimming, trampolining, playstore,
and a healthy lunch every day
Phone: Woking Leisure Centre on
01483 771122
Website: www.woking.gov.uk/funattack
Woking Youth Council presents:
The Surrey and Hampshire Canal
Society presents:
The Basingstoke Canal
Festival
The Bridge Barn, Horsell
Sat 22 and Sun 23 March
See page 26 for more details.
Mizen’s Railway
Mizen's Railway, Barrs Lane, Knaphill
Sun 2 March – Easter special
Sun 18 May – Visiting Loco’s Day
Sun 15 June – Fathers’ Day
The miniature railway is open every
Sunday from May to September, 2pm
to 5pm.
Uproar
H. G. Wells Centre, Kemp Room
Tues 10 April, 7pm
A showcase of young local bands,
performing to an audience of 12 to 19
year olds only. (ID may be required). All
profits to the Youth Council’s charity.
Tickets: £3 in advance
(£4 on the door)
Phone: Woking Borough Council’s
Youth Development Officer, on
01483 743669
Website:
www.wokingyouthcouncil.co.uk
Website:
www.surreycountyshow.co.uk
Woking Hospice presents:
Classic Car Show and Fayre
Prince Williem Alexander School
Sun 1 June, 12noon to 5pm
Fun-filled family day, with 400 classic
cars plus side shows and attractions.
Tickets: £3 adults, 50p children
(under 5s free)
Phone: Sue Spencer, Events
Fundraiser at Woking Hospice, on
01483 881752
Woking Model Yacht Club
Goldsworth Park Lake
Sun 1 June, 10am to 5pm – Final
Round of the Southern District IOM
(1 metre) Class Championship
Sun 6 July, 10am to 5pm – A round of
the RM (Marblehead Class)
Come and see contestants from all
over the region, and top skippers
with the really fast radio yachts.
Woking Society of Arts presents:
Phone: Grahame Palmer, secretary
on 01932 221994
Phone: 01932 343331
Art exhibition and sale
Email: gp@palmtree34.f9.co.uk
Email: mizenspublicity@aol.com
Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Horsell
Website: www.woking-myc.org.uk
Fri 18 April, 8pm to 9pm
Sat 19 April, 10am to 5pm
Horsell Garden Safari
Website: www.mizensrailway.co.uk
French Market
Woking Town Square
Sat 5 and Sun 6 April
Phone: Market Coordinator on
01483 743208
Sat 7 and Sun 8 June
Original paintings and works of art by
local artists. Refreshments available.
Heathside Road, Woking
Approximately 25 private gardens will
be open to the public. Schedules
(including a map, showing which
gardens are open, and a free entry
pass for the whole weekend) can be
brought from either Needle and
Thread or the Spar in the High Street,
Horsell. All proceeds towards the
refurbishment of Horsell Village Hall.
Sat 17 May, 10.30am to 1pm
Tickets: £5
Tickets: Admission free
Phone: Gail Bromley on 01843 764521
Tickets: free entry
The Brookwood Cemetery Society:
Friends of Woking Community
Hospital present:
Sunday walks
Spring Market
Brookwood Cemetery
Meet at Cemetery Pales
Sun 6 April, 2pm – Tree walk, led
George Hounsome
www.woking.gov.uk
Spring | 2008 29
Spring | 2008
Why don’t you…
join Woking’s Citizens’ Panel?
Do you often have an opinion about what’s
happening in the Borough? Would you like to have
a say in how your Council provides services to
you? Think you can help the Council to do things
better? If yes, you can make your views heard by
joining Woking’s Citizens’ Panel.
The Citizens’ Panel consists of up to 1,400 residents
who reflect the make-up of Woking’s community.
Members of the panel receive between three and six
questionnaires a year seeking their views on a variety
of matters under consideration by the Council.
Responses are then used to help shape future
decisions.
Members of the panel can also attend focus groups.
Ten to 15 people are usually invited to attend a
meeting to talk about a current topic. The views that
emerge are recorded and passed on to staff and/or
the Council’s Members. These views are invaluable in
helping to ensure that decisions made are relevant to
the people that live in the Borough.
Recent focus groups have looked at how the Council
should present information about its spending to
make it clearer, residents’ views on our website
redesign, and what people think are the future
housing needs in Woking.
The panel is always looking for new members and
anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to apply. The
Council is especially keen to attract parents of young
children, people from minority groups, and young
Frequently asked questions
If I move out of the area can I still be on the
Citizens’ Panel?
No, you must be a Woking resident to be
on the panel.
I want to be on the panel but I’m not sure I
can commit to focus groups.
Focus groups are voluntary, so you can always
say no.
Can more than one person from my
household join?
Yes, we will send out separate questionnaires
for each person.
What do you do with the information
I provide?
The personal details provided are retained for
use by the Council only. Responses to
questionnaires are confidential.
Is there a maximum or minimum age?
You must be over 16 to join, but there is no
maximum age.
people between the ages 16 and 24, to ensure that
the panel is reflective of Woking’s population.
Mark Rolt, the Director of Neighbourhood Services at
Woking Borough Council, said; “The Citizens' Panel
is an important part of the Council’s consultation and
engagement process and we value our volunteers
highly. We are keen to seek the views of residents to
help influence our policies and are currently looking
for new members. It is important that the panel
reflects the community we serve and is made up of
people from all walks of life, so I would urge anyone
who is interested to join.”
For more information, or to sign up, please visit
www.woking.gov.uk/citizenspanel, call
01483 755855 or write to us at: Citizens’ Panel,
Woking Borough Council, FREEPOST (GI. 1690),
Woking GU21 6BR.
30
www.woking.gov.uk