On Thursday 18 September, 7.30pm until 9pm, Les Amitiés Françaises’ guest speaker Clare St Lawrence will give a talk on her time in the town of Vienne located in the Isère region. Les Amitiés Françaises is part of a thriving French circle. To book, visit www.amitiesfrancaisesgodalming.com. Talks take place at the Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, Oglethorpe Hall, Crown Court Car Park, Godalming, GU7 1DY.

Step, Cycle, Sip — Save Surrey’s Churches! The Surrey Churches Preservation Trust (SCPT) invites everyone to join the annual Ride & Stride on Saturday 13 September. This much-loved event is open to all, whether you’re a keen cyclist, a casual walker, or simply someone who enjoys a good coffee morning with friends. The aim is simple: to raise money to protect Surrey’s historic churches. Half of what you raise goes straight to your chosen church and the rest helps fund repair and conservation grants across the county. Since it began, Ride & Stride has raised over £500,000, directly supporting church buildings at the heart of our communities. This year, SCPT has more grant funding available than ever before—up to £3,000 per church—but to benefit, each church's supporters must take part. Even the smallest event can unlock vital funding. So step out, cycle on, or put the kettle on—every effort counts. Find out more at: www.surreychurchespreservationtrust.org/ride-stride/.

Godalming Choral Society invites Compton residents to participate in an Open Evening of Joyful Singing on Tuesday 9 September at 7.20pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre, GU7 1DY. Rehearsals will be starting for the In Memoriam concert on Saturday 29 November. This will feature work by Faure, Elgar, Durufle, Ireland and John Williams. All comers are welcome, including beginners, enthusiasts and professionals. As a choir, we are friendly, keen and dedicated; we enjoy a broad range of music and share a love of choral singing. New members are always welcome. There is no audition and you will be well supported in becoming familiar with the choir and its practice. We look forward to seeing you there. Pauline, who is our contact membership secretary, will be happy to answer any questions at p.powlesland@btinternet.com.

Godalming Theatre Group’s For the Love of Musicals offers audiences an eclectic mix of songs and medleys from popular stage musicals — songs that will evoke every emotion and make you laugh and cry. Musicals have a timeless quality that appeals to every generation and GTG’s talented cast of all ages brings you a perfect blend of entertainment, creativity, and artistic expression. Join us this summer, with all the family, for a magical live performance. Immerse yourself in the world of musical theatre for an unforgettable experience that will leave you with lasting memories. We guarantee you’ll leave the theatre humming the tunes! Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 July. All performances start at 7.30pm with a matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30pm. The venue is Godalming Baptist Church, GU7 1BA. Director Keith Thomas. Choreographer Alison Chapman. Musical Director Liam Forrester. Visit gtguk.com to choose your seats and pay online or call the Box Office 07402 484 484. A £1 booking fee per transaction applies for telephone bookings.

Local food festival The Godalming & District Chamber of Commerce’s Food Festival takes place on Sunday 6 July from 10am to 4pm. 2025’s event brings you flavours from around the world to tempt your taste buds. Godalming High Street will be packed with stalls from fabulous traders and producers. Find out more at https://godalmingtc.gov.uk/godalming-food-festival/.

Godalming Choral Society is starting its summer season of performances with Rossini’s last work, the Petite Messe Solennelle. According to conductor George de Voil, “One of Rossini’s best-loved works, this masterpiece is neither small nor solemn; it overflows with drama, a truly touching work which will thrill the audience.” Saturday 5 July, 7.30pm, St. John’s, Farncombe, GU7 3EJ. For further information e-mail secretary@godalming.org.uk or visit www.godalmingchoral.org.uk.

Compton Village Association’s AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Friday 30 May. Everyone is invited.

One item for approval at the AGM will be the CVA’s revised constitution.

From 8pm ALL FETE VOLUNTEERS are invited to the Club for the announcement of the fete results and a complimentary “thank you” drink

The Trustees and Volunteers of Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse, a charity-run converted barn, invite you to join our 20TH BIRTHDAY PARTY! The Tanners Hatch Ceilidh Band (with caller) will be leading the party with music and dance from 8-11pm on Saturday 17 May at Marwick Hall, Puttenham, GU3 1AS. Tickets £17.50 (concessions available). Contact 01483 424 767, or ceilidh@puttenhambarn.uk. Tickets include vegetarian snacks, please bring your own drinks.

Compton Parish Council is organising the annual litter pick on Saturday 22 March. It starts at 10.30am, at the Compton Club, and volunteers can return there for hot soup and rolls at midday. Many hands make light work of clearing all the rubbish discarded around Compton over the past year so please join. It is a social occasion and helps to make the village look spring-ready. Litter pickers, high-viz jackets and bin bags are provided, but please bring your own gloves. -The next PC meeting is on 19 March, 7pm, Pucks Oak Barn. -The Annual Parish Meeting is on Wednesday 7 May at 7pm, Compton Club. This is an opportunity to find out Compton PC’s plans for the coming year, whilst enjoying a drink and a light supper. For more information, visit www.comptonparishcouncil.co.uk.

On Saturday 15 March at 7pm the Surrey Police Band Concert, in aid of Phylis Tuckwell hospice charity, will be held at Emmanuel Church, Stoughton, Guildford, GU2 9LS. Adults £10. Children (aged 5-16) £5. Book at www.ticketsource.co.uk/surreypoliceband or call 0333 666 3366.

Sustainable Fashion is a fashion show and exhibition with a difference. Taking place on Wednesday 30 October, 5-6pm in Compton Village Hall, this event will feature a unique collection of upcycled, sustainable and repurposed fashion pieces handmade by an Upper Sixth student at Godalming College. The aim of the event is to demonstrate upcycling and to raise awareness of how “slow fashion” and sustainability are better for the environment. FREE entry. For more information email offshoredesigns@yahoo.com.

Places are still available for a Fundraising Quiz at 7pm on Saturday 9 November in the Village Hall, organised by Compton Quiz Masters Jo Ayshford and Rhona Wilkie. Jo’s granddaughter, 14-year old Millie Ayshford, has been given an opportunity to travel to Eswatini, Africa, next year to help at a neighbourhood care point, which provides access to food and early education for children. To undertake this opportunity, Millie will need to pay all her travel and accommodation costs. The quiz will help raise funds for Millie’s trip — a truly worthwhile cause. The price is £12 per ticket, including supper and a pay bar. Teams are a maximum of six people. Email rhonawilkie@hotmail.co.uk to enter a team and provide any dietary requirements.

Playpark refurbishments on Spiceall are complete. There is now a zip wire, a multiplay unit, for young children, and an accessible ‘rock and bowl’. There will be an official opening of the playpark on Thursday 3 October at 5.30pm, which will be attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker. Refreshments, including “bubbly”, will be provided by Nick and Charlotte Wyschna (of Guildford Fringe and The Fallen Angel bar).

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on

Tuesday 8 October at 7pm, in Pucks Oak Barn.