Milford Probus Club welcomes Ian Honeysett, the convenor of the Godalming Writers’ Group, who will be giving a talk on Friday 19 April. After lunch, Milford Probus members and visitors will learn about how a few aspiring writers first met in Wetherspoons pub nine years ago and how that first meeting has led to the publication of four anthologies of short stories with local themes, ranging from the fantastical tale of Mary Tofts the Rabbit Woman, the failure of the gunpowder plot, as well as cautionary stories of parking and the Covid pandemic. The talk starts at 12.30pm (pre-lunch drinks from 12pm) and takes place at Godalming Masonic Hall, GU7 1RQ. Visit www.milfordprobus.com or book a lunch (book the Monday before please) with Jon Warnke, jgwarnke@btinternet.com / 07818 602699.

The Antique and Vintage Fayre will be held on Saturday 13 April in St Mary's Church, Shackleford, GU8 6AY, 12.30pm to 4pm. There will be a raffle and refreshments and tables to hire for £10. To book a table, send a text to Rosa Garrett on 07756 023934.

On Thursday 21 March, 7.30pm-9pm, Les Amitiés Françaises is holding its next lecture, where Vincent Raymond-Barker will give an illustrated and fun talk on the Tour de France. It will include stories and songs that celebrate the famous cycling race. Bar facilities available and good free car park. The lectures are held at the Pavilion at Guildford Rugby Club, Guildford Road, Godalming, GU7 3DH. Les Amitiés Françaises is part of a thriving French circle and always welcomes new members and visitors. To join or consult its programme and events, visit amitiesfrancaisesgodalming.com.

Compton Parish Council is organising the village litter pick on Saturday 16 March, starting at 10.30am at the Village Hall for volunteers to collect litter pickers, bags etc. It will finish back at the Village Hall from 11.30am with soup and rolls. - The next Parish Council meeting takes place on Wednesday 20 March, 7pm at Puck’s Oak Barn. - The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 1 May, 7pm, in Watts Gallery, followed by refreshments and networking in the Old Kiln. For more information, visit www.comptonparishcouncil.co.uk.

Surrey County Council’s placemaking team is holding an initial engagement session to gather views and feedback on traffic-calming measures for the village. The team wants to hear residents’ concerns regarding vehicle speeds along The Street and suggestions for potential speed reduction and traffic-calming measures. It is also an opportunity to ensure views regarding speed reduction/traffic-calming measures encompassing Down Lane and along the New Pond Road as far as the junction with Binscombe — also part of the village — are heard. According to the placemaking team, alongside comments/ideas regarding reducing speeds, residents are also encouraged to share with them the history of Compton as well as highlight heritage and placemaking elements, for example benches or planting. The team will start developing a first set of plans/designs to be consulted on after analysing the comments from the engagement. The placemaking team’s “Coffee & Chat” session will be held at the Village Hall on Tuesday 12 March, from 3.30pm until 7pm. Hot drinks will be available and there will be an area with crafts and materials for young children and families. For anyone unable to attend this event but who would like to provide feedback, scan the QR code or visit: https://comptonvillage.commonplace.is/. If residents have questions, email: comptonvillage@surreycc.gov.uk.

FitSteps, Wednesdays, 10-11am (term-time) and Yoga Flow, Wednesdays, 11.15am to 12.15pm (term-time).

Milford Probus Club’s next date in the diary is Friday 19 January. After a congenial lunch, David Bickerton will entertain members and visitors with a talk on an enduring and fascinating episode of World War II. More than a hundred British warships were involved in the five-day, 1,750 mile hunt for German battleship, The Bismarck. The British battlecruiser HMS Hood was sunk within 10 minutes of engaging The Bismarck, which escaped. David was inspired to research this historical event as his father was a crewman aboard HMS Dorsetshire which was involved in the final action. The talk follows lunch, which begins at 12.30pm (pre-lunch drinks from 12 noon), at Godalming Masonic Hall, GU7 1RQ. Milford Probus is a club for retired and semi-retired business and professional men and women who enjoy convivial company, informative talks and wider activities. Prospec-tive members are welcome to join lunches as paying guests before committing to membership. Visit www.milfordprobus.com or book a lunch (book the Monday before please) with Jon Warnke, jgwarnke@btinternet.com / 07818 602699.

Calling all Francophiles! Les Amitiés Françaises is holding talks in January and February and is open to new members and visitors. On Thursday 18 January, at 7.30pm, Brigitte Thibaut will give an illustrated talk (in French) on the history of the Bordeaux Vineyard, which originated in Roman times. In the Middle Ages, the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine opened up the Bordeaux region to English demand and eventually the global market in the present day. The following lecture will be held on Thursday 22 February, at 7.30pm, when Dawn Marley will discuss how the French language still plays an important part in everyday life in Morocco. The talk is also on Zoom (link to be emailed) for those unable to attend in person. Both talks will be given in the pavilion of the Guildford Rugby Club, Guildford Road, Godalming, GU7 3DH. There is a bar on site and free car parking at the venue. To join or consult Les Amitiés Françaises’ programme and events, please visit www.amitiesfrancaisesgodalming.com.

Why not begin 2024 with a New Year’s Day walk, on Monday 1 January, around the Mane Chance Sanctuary, taking in the fresh air and the stunning views of the Surrey Hills? Walks start at any time between 10am and 2pm and will take about an hour. Participants will be able to see and meet the Sanctuary’s rescued horses and ponies. Hot food, hot chocolate, mulled wine and hot drinks are available at the end in the barn to reward everyone who comes along. Tickets cost £3 for adults, £2 for children and seniors while children under 5 (and dogs!) can come for free. To book, visit www.manechancesanctuary.org/_Years_Day_Walk_2024.html.

Waverley Borough Council is planning a public meeting concerning the water outage that affected Godalming, Binscombe and Compton in November. It will be held on Friday 8 December. According to his Facebook page, Paul Follows, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, is inviting representatives from Thames Water, Surrey County Council and other relevant bodies as well as Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey. Details are being formalised so do check out www.facebook.com/PaulFollowsGodalming/ or local politics news organ waverleyweb.org for updates, where it is also reported that Jeremy Hunt and MP Angela Richardson have invited Thames Water to their own, separate public meeting with details to be finalised.

Watts Chapel will be switching on its Christmas Tree lights on Tuesday 28 November, 12 noon,

with mince pies and carols sung by Godalming Gospel Choir. Hans Christmas Andersen has

donated the tree, which has been decorated by the volunteers, staff and participants of the Learning

Programme at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village. Any donations to the Big Give Christmas Challenge,

which supports the Learning Programmes, are appreciated.

Guildford Ladies Luncheon Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month, at the Masonic Centre, Guildford GU2 4DR, for a two-course lunch and coffee, followed by a talk. Next meeting is 22 November with a talk entitled “Laughs in Suburbia” by Lesley North. Lunch is served at 1pm while the bar is open from 12 noon. The club is aimed at semi-retired (55-65) and retired ladies (65+). Why not come as a guest the first time? Phone Barbara on 01483 504994 to book your place. Each lunch is £23. Annual subscriptions are £20.

On Sunday 19 November at 3pm, do join us for drinks and nibbles to celebrate the opening of our new North Door — thank you so much to everyone who donated to this project. The new door offers much needed level access to the church via the path from Eastbury Manor (plus a shorter route to the toilets).