Yesterday marked the 80th anniversary of the tragic crash of a B-17 Flying Fortress on Reigate Hill during World War Two. To commemorate this occasion, a series of memorial events took place on the date of the crash, in collaboration with the National Trust who now own the site.

The day began with a reception at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School, where we were joined by guests including HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux. Attendees were given the opportunity to learn more about the history of the crash from military historian Tim Richardson, who spoke about the loss of the nine young Americans on board. The group was also able to view artefacts recovered from the crash site, deepening the connection to this significant moment in history.

The commemoration continued with a public memorial event on Reigate Hill, at the site where the B-17 came down in 1945. A service was held, featuring a wreath-laying ceremony, including a wreath presented by US Air Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Dan Benson, and the Head Boy and Head Girl of The Royal Alexandra and Albert school. This occasion took place next to the Inspiring Views Wing Tips monument, which was unveiled during the 70th anniversary commemorations and now stands as a lasting tribute to those who perished.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, shared these words:

“We were privileged to be in the presence of US Air Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Benson, which was a powerful testament to our shared history as we remembered the nine young US crew that were tragically lost. The presence of our cadets and scouts at the ceremony brought a sense of reverence and the passing on of history from one generation to the next.”

The story of the crash is well-known in the local community. On the evening of 19 March 1945, at around 5:40pm, a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 384th Bombardment Group, 8th USAAF, was returning to its base at Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, after a mission near the German Czech border. Low clouds covered the southeast of England that evening and as the aircraft flew low over Reigate, eyewitnesses recall seeing it flying over the town. Out of formation, and flying alone, the aircraft carrying tail number 43-39035 struck the side of Reigate Hill with the loss of all nine crew.

The Wing Tips memorial is set just west of Reigate Fort along the North Downs Way and is passed by many walkers each day, serving as both a reminder of the past and a symbol of remembrance. Created by sculptor Roger Day, the Wing Tips are made from ancient Surrey oak and replicate the dimensions of the wingspan of a Flying Fortress. Look closely and you’ll see rivets and panels carved into the wood.

Councillor Eddy Humphreys, Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead said.

“For the people of Reigate, the Wing Tips memorial on the North Downs Way has become a much-loved feature by which to honour those brave young men and to reflect on the importance of preserving our local history. As we approach Surrey Day in May, with its World War II theme, we are reminded of the resilience and sacrifices made by those who came before us.”

This year’s commemoration marks a milestone of 80 years, but the impact of this event and the memories of these young men continue to resonate in the community. With thanks to the Surrey Hills Trust Fund and Community Foundation for Surrey who provided funding for this event.

The Surrey Hills National Landscape is one of six ‘hub’ locations for the national Nature Calling programme, an ambitious initiative designed to connect communities with England’s National Landscapes through the power of art.  

Today, Surrey Hills Arts proudly launches Nature’s Anthem – A Journey through the Surrey Hills by Still Shadey, a MOBO Award-winning artist. His captivating work draws on heartfelt conversations with New Addington residents about their experiences of nature, as well as Shadey’s visits to the Surrey Hills. Combining stories of childhood, community trauma, and healing, the piece delivers a profound message of hope and inspiration.   

Commissioned under the Arts Council England and Defra-funded Nature Calling initiative, Still Shadey’s work exemplifies the programme’s mission to co-create art that resonates with local communities and gives a platform for voices who may not traditionally focus on themes of nature and landscape.   

“Working on the Nature Calling project has been transformational. It’s been a recent desire of mine to tell stories beyond my own. Being able to experience the Surrey Hills from a writer’s perspective has been therapeutic and energising for me. I look forward to the rollout of this amazing project and am deeply proud of the piece that I was able to create,” said Still Shadey.   

The result is a poetic rap, capturing the essence of the Surrey Hills. Filmed at Box Hill, a site integral to his creative process, the performance showcases the landscape’s profound influence on his work. Watch the performance and learn more.

Nature’s Anthem is part of the first phase of a bold national season of art, set to run from May to October 2025. Co-created with local communities, the programme will celebrate England’s 34 National Landscapes, bringing together art, poetry, and music inspired by some of the country’s most iconic locations.   

Joining Still Shadey, the National Landscapes Association is today releasing new work by BBC 6 Music favourite, Manchester’s OneDa, Dorset based poet and author Louisa Adjoa Parker, up and coming poet Ayesha Chouglay and poet, educator and proud Lutonian Lee Nelson. 

These remarkable places are uniting under the Nature Calling initiative to inspire communities across the nation. With opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and connection, this ambitious programme will engage audiences of tens of thousands.   

John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said: 

“I’m thrilled with the quality and range of written and spoken pieces we’re releasing today as part of the Nature Calling programme. The pieces are incredibly poignant, they are moving and meaningful and beautifully conjure up what the writers felt and thought whilst in a National Landscape. Our aim, through Nature Calling is to support people from all walks of life to find new ways to connect with their National Landscapes on their terms – either for the first or the thousandth time – to discover and share their unique connection. There is truly something for everyone amongst these pieces.” 

Coordinated by the National Landscapes Association and produced by Dorset-based Activate Performing Arts, the Nature Calling programme is fostering connections across England. Key partners include the Poetry School and other National Landscapes hubs such as the Chilterns, Dorset, Forest of Bowland, Lincolnshire Wolds, and Surrey Hills.  

For more information on how to get involved, visit the Nature Calling website. 

Nature Calling

Nature Calling is a nationally significant partnership project funded by Arts Council England and Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs), as well as National Landscapes in England. Partners include the National Landscape Association, Activate Performing Arts, Poetry School, the six regional National Landscapes that will act as ‘hubs’ (Chilterns, Dorset, Forest of Bowland, Lincolnshire Wolds, Mendip Hills and Surrey Hills).

Each of the 34 National Landscapes in England will work collaboratively with their local communities, with key activity taking place at the 6 National hubs.

Artist Commissions

We are looking to commission writers and artists to take part in a brand new £2M ground-breaking national project called Nature Calling. We are seeking an exceptional, diverse range of artists to explore and celebrate nature and our National Landscapes (formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs), for a programme that culminates in a Season of art between May and October 2025.

Surrey Hills National Landscape will be playing a key role in this exciting project as 1 of 6 hubs, where a lot of the activity will take place. The aim of Nature Calling is to listen to our communities and ensure our landscapes are a place for everyone. It will engage new audiences across England and inspire the whole National Landscapes family, whilst bringing the special qualities of our National Landscapes to the fore.

To find out more and apply, visit Nature Calling

Nature Calling Artists Brief

Read our appendix for the Surrey Hills

Frequently Asked Questions

Nature Calling Artists’ Information Day:

Interested artists are invited to our Information Day on Thursday 25th April, 11am – 2pm at the Learning Centre, Box Hill, Zig Zag Road, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7LB.

The deadline for submissions is Midnight on 24th May 2024.

Find out more about the other hubs and their work here:

• Chilterns National Landscape
• Dorset National Landscape
• Forest of Bowland National Landscape
• Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape
• Mendip Hills National Landscape

With thanks for additional support from:

Surprising Surrey is a new ten-year strategy developed by the county’s cultural sector to champion and strengthen creativity, so that by 2034 Surrey is recognised as one of the country’s most vibrant cultural counties.

Surrey Hills Arts, part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Family, welcomes Surrey’s new Cultural Strategy which shares our aims of improving wellbeing, removing barriers to creative experiences, developing practitioners and being ambitious in delivering high-quality art. We see ‘Surprising Surrey’ as a catalyst to attract external investment and increase opportunity for all.

Press Release from the Surrey Cultural Partnership

Created by Surrey Cultural Partnership – a collective of people working in culture and heritage in Surrey along with representatives from business, education, health, criminal justice and local government, who together share an ambition to champion Surrey as a leading cultural county – Surprising Surrey is the result of research and extensive consultation with the county’s cultural organisations, practitioners and stakeholders over a two-year period.  This identified an urgent need to promote and expand culture in Surrey, reducing barriers and increasing investment so that many more residents and visitors are able to benefit.

Surprising Surrey: Our Cultural Strategy & Vision 2024 – 2034 is the first cultural strategy for the county to be developed by Surrey’s cultural sector. It sets out a framework and action plan with four priorities:

• Culture for Everyone, to increase access to culture for all, with a specific focus on reaching residents who encounter physical, social and economic barriers
• Resilient Communities, recognising the role of creative encounters in strengthening communities and in supporting health and wellbeing programmes
• County-wide Ecology and Infrastructure, encouraging collaborative working and ensuring that creative workspaces are integral to sustainable planning and regeneration schemes
• Creativity as Enterprise, to nurture the creative economy in Surrey by attracting new business and investment

At a special launch event at The Horton Arts Centre, Epsom, Surrey Cultural Partnership announced a series of initiatives to deliver the strategy, including:

• The development of a new Culture Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS).  Research co-commissioned by Surrey Cultural Partnership and CFS identified that Surrey is significantly underfunded by national grantmakers and, given the financial crises facing a number of the county’s borough and district councils, local authority funding is under threat. The new fund will support improved quality of life and wellbeing for the most disadvantaged communities in Surrey by reducing barriers to transformative creative experiences.
• The introduction of a Cultural Skills Bank and Volunteer Bank.  95% of UK arts organisations have less than nine employees[i]. The majority do not have all the required skills ‘in-house’ and they are reliant on time and expertise given by volunteers.   These Banks will facilitate collaboration and will strengthen the sector.
• A new programme of youth-led activity to give young people a voice and to nurture creative leaders for the future.  Consultation with young people and education providers revealed county-wide dissatisfaction with the lack of information and support available to enter creative careers.  Amongst the initiatives will be encouraging increased youth representation at board level and establishing clear development pathways in the cultural sector.

Commenting, Perdita Hunt and Gavin Stride, Co-Chairs, Surrey Cultural Partnership, said:

“Surprising Surrey is about championing what is already happening here, recognising that the county has much to celebrate.  But as we know and despite its reputation for affluence and privilege, Surrey has areas of deprivation and marginalisation that need addressing. This strategy is a response to those needs.  It is a rallying cry to all those who believe in the power and the impact of the arts in changing lives in our county.”

Marilyn Scott, author of Surprising Surrey, said:

“During the extensive consultations over the last year some very clear messages came through – the need for better collaboration, networking and sharing of expertise; the importance of placemaking and the enormous contribution culture can make, the value of cultural activity to health and wellbeing in our communities, and of course the need for better support and funding. I hope all of these messages are reflected in the strategy and clear actions that Surrey Cultural Partnership will encourage.”

Dr Rebecca Bowden, Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Surrey, said:

“Our research into the current funding landscape for Surrey makes sobering reading. It is clear that for too long our county has been overlooked by a number of national funders. What is also clear though is the huge variety and vibrancy of the arts and culture sector in Surrey and we believe that there is therefore huge potential to come together to develop a new fund – by and for the sector.”

Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of New Philanthropy for Arts and Culture (NPAC), said:

“This excellent report underlines the importance of investment in the cultural sector.  This will require support from the local community (business, trusts and individuals) as well as from the public purse.”

“Our work at NPAC has shown that there is a real opportunity to raise new philanthropy for the arts on the back of the impact that the arts can make on health, wellbeing, education, and the community. This is best realised by heightening a commitment to place (which this report will do) and providing a framework to attract and funnel financial support (which the new fund will provide).”

Saj Hussain, Chair, Surrey County Council, said:

“We welcome the launch of the cultural strategy and the work of Surrey Cultural Partnership, which is helping towards our vision of Surrey as a vibrant home of creativity.  We look forward to continuing to work together.”

About Surrey Cultural Partnership

Surrey Cultural Partnership is working to ensure that everyone in Surrey has the opportunity to participate in, engage with and contribute to extraordinary cultural activity, whoever they are and wherever they live.

Introduced in 2022 as a result of work undertaken by the Surrey Lieutenancy’s Arts & Culture Focus Group, Surrey Cultural Partnership was established to facilitate collaboration, to develop a cultural strategy and to identify opportunities for new investment.

Surrey Cultural Partnership is grateful to Farnham Maltings, The Borrows Charitable Trust, Surrey County Council and Andrew Wates OBE, DL for supporting an initial two-year development period.

To download the strategy: surreyculturalpartnership.com

WONDERDUSK

A community celebration of the Surrey Hills landscape and woodlands

Dates/times: Saturday 16 September main event from 6.30pm

Address: National Trust Box Hill, Tadworth Lane, KT20 7LB

Cost: Free

Wander through the woodlands at Box Hill and be immersed in creative ‘happenings’ showcasing the majesty of the trees. You will be guided along the accessible woodland path and discover creative responses to the theme of ‘Trees’. Expect puppetry, choirs, art installations, theatre, dance, and poetry to inspire you. As darkness falls there will be the opportunity to participate in an awe-inspiring murmuration movement piece. This will involve bird puppets made in one of the local workshops which will then be laid to rest, finishing with a minute silence celebrating the natural heritage of our Dark Skies.

WonderDusk (previously known as Harvest) is an annual partnership celebratory event between Surrey Hills Arts and National Trust. The inclusive, community celebration, connects people through the arts and the landscape. In collaboration with Freewheelers Theatre, the event will be a magical promenade at National Trust Box Hill and the surrounding woodlands.

Ali Clarke, Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager said “WonderDusk is a joyful event that brings people together to celebrate nature creatively. The evening includes a unique opportunity to participate in the event whether it’s carrying a bird puppet, joining in song, or making a print.”

There is also a pre-event from 5.30pm which is open to all to participate in an art workshop and visit stands with a focus on the Surrey Hills and its special wildlife.

The team at Freewheelers said, “We are excited to be working with other groups in our community and challenging ourselves in our first outdoors performance.”

Find out more about how you can get involved in WonderDusk and book your free tickets here.

A 7-screen video installation at West Horsley Place created and directed by Roswitha Chesher and Rosemary Lee

Dates/times: 29 July – 2 November.

See Orchard Portraits when you visit the Manor House for a tour, Open Day or other event. Or- see it on Thursday afternoons from 2pm-5pm for FREE.  

Address: West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 6AN

Choreographer Rosemary Lee brings her unique sensibilities to both landscape and people to create a new video-work made collaboratively with filmmaker Roswitha Chesher – inspired by and shot in the historic wild orchard at West Horsley Place.

Filmed over a year through the four seasons, ORCHARD PORTRAITS features five senior performers, each in a meditative and elegant duet with their chosen ageing tree.  As human and tree become entwined almost as one, there is a sense of deep unity seeming to pay tribute to humanity’s ancient and ongoing intimate relationship with trees. In contrast we are reminded of natures’ cycles of regeneration as 60 school children burst through the orchard in moments of joy and discovery.

Bringing the beauty of outside in, this seven-screen video installation will inhabit the stone hall of West Horsley Place throughout the summer/autumn of 2023.

Performers:  Nancy Budd, Violet Clare, Andrew Hamel-Cooke, Jim Tucker and Helen Scalway.

Year 5/6(2022) from The Raleigh School, West Horsley, Surrey.

Original concept and Choreography: Rosemary Lee

Director of Photography: Roswitha Chesher

Editing: Roswitha Chesher with Rosemary Lee

Costumes: Susan Dinmore

For the installation:

Production Manager: Steve Wald

Synchronised Playback System: Rob Prouse

Installation Construction: Richard Rudnicki

Produced by Ali Clarke Surrey Hills Arts with Nicky Childs Artsadmin

Supported by Arts Council England, Arts Partnership Surrey and the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

Special thanks to Matt Link, Clare Clinton and the team at West Horsley Place, Katie Green, Julie Gilbert, Jan Alderman, Douglas Murray.

www.surreyhillsarts.org/orchard-portraits-video-installation

A TRAIL OF TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS AT RSPB FARNHAM HEATH.

23 JUNE – 29 OCTOBER. FREE.

Heathland Artworks is an annual trail around RSPB Farnham Heath to view site responsive works by students from the University for the Creative Arts. From June to October each year, you can view imaginative and experimental installations from metalwork, fine art, product design, ceramic and glass students.

The project aims to give participating students a full understanding of working on a real project. They receive a lecture and guidance on putting together a proposal to submit to a commissioner. They go on a site visit and learn about the flora and fauna of that location from the RSPB warden. Then, they carry out their research into their area of interest whether this is the bird species, the geology or history of the place. After working up drawings, technical drawings and maquettes, the students then present their proposals before a selection panel. Those selected go on to build and install the pieces on the heathland.

Heathland Artworks is a celebration of Farnham Heath. It offers a different perspective on this special landscape while informing and inspiring visitors to engage at a deeper level.

Find out more about this year’s trail here.